Good morning everyone! It was great vacation, so relaxing! Sometimes is good to pull the plug, but now I'm back with this week update. It's a very important chapter, that will help you to understand better Natsu and his past ...

I don't believe you

Lucy was so tired that she fell into a deep sleep as soon as she got into bed. When she awoke the next morning, she did not know what time it was or how long she had slept, but under the covers was so good and so warm, that she did not want to open her eyes to find it out.

- Just another bit ... - She muttered to herself, turning away to avoid the light coming from the window. The girl grabbed the pillow and pulled it closer to lean better her head, but she realized too late that it was not a piece of stuffed cloth. It was too hard and looked too much like the arm of a person ...

Lucy snapped her eyes open and discovered that what she had just grabbed was Natsu. The boy was sleeping right next to her and so deeply that he had not noticed anything. He seemed almost a child, with his hair uncombed and his mouth slightly open, but if there was one thing that Lucy could not believe it was the story of the innocent child.

- OUT OF MY BED! - The girl shrieked and kicked with all her might, throwing the victim down on the floor. Natsu hit the pavement with a thud but got up immediately, pressing his hands behind the head - Hey! Why are you trying to kill me? -

- What are you doing here? - Lucy shouted to him. Her cheeks become red as soon as she discovered that the boy was in his underwear. - Don't tell me that you don't know how to use the bed in your room ? -

- Of course I know how it works! - He protested - But that bed is uncomfortable! It's obvious that no one sleeps there, so I decided to stay with you. -

- It's uncomfortable? - Lucy did not know anymore what to expect from the dragon - I'm sorry that it doesn't respect your standards! Did you check if someone had forgotten a pea under the mattress? -

- Why? -

- Because you look like the princess of that fairy tale! - She exclaimed - The next time, if you're uncomfortable, go on the sofa, in the tube, swing from the chandelier, but do not come in my bed and do not come here in your underwear! -

- What's your problem with my underwear? How should I sleep? With a coat? -

Lucy ran a hand over her face in exasperation. Erza could not give her a worse sentence! Perhaps she had heard about the little nickname that she had given to her and she wanted revenge …

- Natsu is right ... This bed is the most comfortable ... - Lucy was forced to throw the covers away to understand where that little voice came from. Happy was so deep that it was impossible to understand how he could breathe.

- I said no cats on and in the bed! - The girl grabbed him by the tail, throwing him straight into his friend's arms - And I bought a kennel for you! -

- But I never said I'd slept there! - The Exceed started to whine - Natsu! Lucy is more frightening everyday that we spend here! -

- And you are a nightmare! - But Lucy could not even finish her sentence before the ringing of her phone filled the room: "Along with a little dirty suitcase, I descended from the sky."

- Who is now? - The night before Lucy had left the phone in charge, leaning on the desk and to reach it she was forced to climb over Natsu and Happy that obstructed the passage.

- Get out of the way! -

The dragon was forced to bend backwards but Lucy stomped on his leg as she reached to grab the phone. It lasted only for a moment, but that moment was more than enough to give Natsu the possibility to admire at close range the girl's back. It had a perfect shape, round and firm to the right point. Natsu had to rub his eyes to erase the image. The girl had already classified him as a pervert and he had no intention to hear her scream again.

- Hello! - Lucy opened the call without even checking to who belonged the number.

"Pass me the idiot who is there with you." Told her a deep voice without even giving her a good morning or asking how she was. Lucy could not be mistaken: it was easy to guess who was the owner, a certain, grumpy, Iron Dragon.

- Is for you. - She passed the phone to Natsu, putting it near his ear and the voice on the other side began to speak again: "Amsterdam Ave at the intersection with the 147, number 15. Come quickly." Then without another word the call closed. There was a moment of silence and then the phone started to play again. This time when Lucy opened it, she heard Levy's voice: "How are you? It's all okay? Mirajane told me what happened to you! "

- But I haven't talked to Mirajane at all! -

"And when I told it to Gajeel he got mad and stole my phone!" A growl echoed in the background of the call, a sign that the dragon did not like the idea of being called crazy.

"Are you really coming to the store?"

- Actually ... - Lucy began but Natsu covered her voice, shouting - We're coming! - And the girl had no choice but to sigh - Did you hear that? -

"Then I'll wait here so you can tell me everything! See you later!"

- Okay. - Lucy closed the call sighing: another long day was about to begin.

The number 15 at the intersection with the 147, where Gajeel had made an appointment, was a store specialized in body piercings. The windows were all blacked out and stamped in large letters on the sign there was only one name: "Kurogane".

- Are you sure that this is the place? - Happy whispered, leaning out of the bag that Natsu was carrying, but Lucy reassured him - Yes it is. -

When she opened the door a bell announced their arrival. The whole place had a dark air and the walls were completely covered with photographs, with the piercings that the customers had made over the years. But in one corner there was a door ajar, that revealed a room more barren, with a chair similar to that of a dentist. The Iron Dragon was sitting behind his desk, with his arms crossed. Gajeel had the look of a boy a few years older than Natsu, with long black hair. He was tall and muscular, with very sharp facial traits and many piercings. He seemed the perfect owner for the shop, while Levy, sitting beside him on the edge of the desk, clashed incredibly with the environment. There was also a black cat, curled up next to them. It was so still it seemed a statue or a piece of furniture, but it was another Exceed like Happy, named Lily.

- Hello! I brought ... - But Lucy could not even finish the sentence before Gajeel interrupted her - Why do you girls don't go to get us a coffee? - Levy sensed immediately that it was an invitation to leave them alone and took Lucy's arm, pushing her back out of the store - Leave it to me! -

And so the two dragons were left to face each other with the single, silent company of their Exceeds.

- What the hell are you doing in Magnolia, Dragneel? - But Natsu completely ignored the Gajeel's question: he was busy staring at the photos on the walls. - So is this your job now? It's ridiculous: I cannot believe that people pay to get pierced in this way ... -

- But they do. - The Iron Dragon retorted - And a lot of money. In this age you have to find an honest job if you want to live: the days when Gajeel Redfox went around, punching people and doing bar fights, are gone. I'm changed now. -

- And I thought you wanted to challenge me like the old times ... - Natsu let out a disappointed sigh, but the other dragon was not impressed - I want to know why the hell you're back in town. -

- I was thinking of moving here. I was bored in Alaska, that's all. -

But Gajeel did not listen to him - I don't believe you. If you are here it means nothing good: what's happening? -

- Nothing that I know. - But each of Natsu's answers did nothing but irritate Gajeel. It was obvious that he was not going to get any information with good manners.

- Listen to me, Salamander! - The Iron Dragon stood up, pointing a finger at him - The ages pass and in this modern world dragons don't count anymore. Because of its combative nature, our race has been reduced almost to zero and now we are too few and too scattered to consider a people. Almost everyone has decided to change life and to adapt to this new state of affairs. Maybe it's true: we were tamed by humans but now they are the real masters of this world. I work here and Sting and Rogue put the tie and go every morning to Wall Street. -

As soon as he heard those two names Natsu's expression brightened - Seriously? They are in town! Do you think that ... -

- And no, they don't want to fight with you. - Gajeel cut him short - I've just said that we have all changed. Dragneel, we aren't the ones you've met more than a hundred years ago. But to be honest I like this new life, and I'm going to defend it. I won't allow you or anyone else to ruin it. Understood? -

This time the Fire Dragon gave a snort - Why does everyone continues to threaten me since I arrived in town? -

- Because no one trusts you! - Gajeel replied - Especially those like me who know your story. I will repeat it one last time ... -

- Stop, stop! - This time, Natsu raised his hands in surrender - I'm not going to bother you! I'm here only because I want to come back living in Magnolia. I'd had enough of those damn trees every single day! -

Gajeel crossed his arms and sat down again, but without taking his eyes off the other dragon even for a moment, staring at him as if to read his mind.

- Can I just ask you one last question? She ... - Natsu nodded toward the door, referring to Levy - Does she know what you are? -

- Yes and ... - Gajeel hesitated for a bit, searching for the right word - It's nice, for once, to have someone who likes to be around you and who doesn't consider you a monster. -

- That's why you want so much to stay out of trouble ... -

- Largely for this reason, but also for the good of the guild. Phantom Lord was a complete failure and I'm fond of Fairy Tail and those who are part of it, even Lucy. I know that you have been entrusted to her care. Behave. - Gajeel gave him a cold stare - Lucy is Levy's friend, so if Lucy is sad also Levy's sad and I have no intention of seeing her suffer. Touch the Blondie and I'll take care of you. - After this last warning the room fell silent: thanks to their refined hearing, both dragons had perceived that the girls in question were returning. When Lucy and Levy opened the door they found Natsu and Gajeel still busy to stare at each other. Then, suddenly, the Fire Dragon shook his head and announced - I have no intention of doing a piercing. - It seemed as if the entire conversation had been on that but Gajeel did not appreciate the diversion - Are you kidding me, Dragneel? -

- Absolutely no. I won't pay you to put a ring near the nose. I'm not a bull. Thanks for the proposal, but no. -

- You were talking about ... - Lucy began to speak but Natsu took her arm, pulling her away just as Levy had done before - I've finished my business here. Why don't you take me to see a little more of the city? - In a moment they were already out.

The librarian stayed for a bit planted near the door with her coffee in hand, then she resigned herself to the fact that no one would come back and sat down again on the desk - Have you finished talking? I thought there were a lot of things you wanted to discuss ... -

Gajeel took his coffee with a snort - We hadn't talked at all: he didn't see willing to listen. He says he's back in town because he wants to move here, but I don't believe him. -

- Why? - Asked Levy.

- Because one hundred years ago he sworn that he would never put foot in Magnolia and that he would never again approach humans. He says he was bored alone in the forest, but ... When you swear in tears on the body of your master, it isn't so easy to go back. -

- What happened? - Lily asked him. He had been silent until then, as if the whole story was not important at all, but he was curious like Levy - Why did Natsu decided to abandon Magnolia? -

- I don't know all the details because that time I wasn't yet with Fairy Tail. But I know that Natsu was very close to Mavis, the first master. - Gajeel told them - When Zaref attacked the town, trying to seize power, it was thanks to Mavis that a tragedy was avoided, but the girl in exchange was forced to sacrifice her life. Mavis' death was a shock for Natsu. -

- Yeah, I heard the story. - Levy admitted - To defeat the "Dark Wizard", the first master was forced to sacrifice her life to use a powerful spell. If it were not for her ... -

- It wasn't Mavis who killed Zaref, but Natsu. -

At that revelation Levy chocked on the coffee she was drinking. Gajeel was forced to give her a pat behind the back to help her breathe again - WHAT? But the story I knew, the one master Makarov told to us and the one in the archives ... -

- It was changed since the main actor left the stage cursing the entire city. - Gajeel pointed out - Natsu seems an idiot but he's not stupid. He's the Prince of Dragons and although I hate to admit it, he deserves his title. He is a fucking monster. There's nothing that can stop him. -

- The Prince of Dragons? - Levy repeated the title, still shocked by all the revelations she had just received. While they bought the coffee across the street, Lucy had explained a bit of what had happened, but she had not had time to add that detail.

- Do you speak like this out of anger? - Asked Lily - Did Natsu kick your butt you in the past? -

- He kicked me and all the dragons that are in town. - Gajeel admitted his defeat even if usually he hated talking about his failures - All except Wendy, because the pup was never so stupid to ask him to fight. Once Sting and Rogue tried to take him by surprise, two against one. It was the more humiliating defeat than I've ever seen. - The Iron Dragon took another sip of coffee before repeating - A guy like that don't goes back on an oath without reason. -

- And if it's true? - Levy asked him - Loneliness can hurt. -

- Yeah, but I don't believe him. -

The girl let out a sigh, she know well enough her boyfriend to understand that he was not going to change his opinions so easily. It was better to change the subject. - Did you manage to contact Juvia? Did you tell her about the curfew? If the killer is not taken quickly, Erza is considering extending it to Little Italy. -
- I called her a few times. - The dragon explained - But she didn't answer and I wrote a message to tell her to be careful. I asked where she was, how she was and when she planned to return. And you know what was the only thing that she wrote? "Okay". -

Levy gave a sigh - She's really angry this time. I hope she'll calm down quickly or there is the possibility of an hurricane on Magnolia... -

Meanwhile, Natsu and Lucy had already arrived at the end of the street.

- Let me go! - The girl struggled to break free before the dragon could take her to the other side of Magnolia. - I understand that you didn't like to speak with Gajeel, but you don't need to run away so fast, I doubt that he will chase you! -

- I'm not running away! -

- And my coffee is getting cold. - The girl ignored him, taking off the cover of the Starbukcs cup that she was holding.

- Do you know that you drink too much coffee? - Pointed out Happy and Lucy replied with a tongue - At least I don't abuse of smelly sardines. -

- Everyone knows that fish is good for your health! - The Exceed replied.

The three began to slowly walk again while Lucy sipped her drink.

- Hey, there is one thing I'm curious about. -

- What, Natsu? -

- How did those two met? -

Lucy looked at him puzzled: she was surprised by the question - Maybe you already know it but before Gajeel was with those of Phantom Lord and between us and them there's never been a good relationship. A few years ago we had border problems and Gajeel and Juvia literally destroyed the old Shadow Gear. -
- And you? -

- In return Laxus, Mira, Gray and all the others destroyed all their bases, but thanks to master Macarov's diplomacy we avoided the worst. Then followed the apology and the love. The first time Levy told me she was thinking of Gajeel in a romantic way I thought she had hit her head. -

- Me too. - Lucy took a while to understand that Natsu was not referring to Levy but to the other dragon.
- It's never a good idea to fall in love with someone who doesn't belong to your species. - While they walked Natsu's gaze was fixed on the horizon but seemed to be looking at something far, not only in the space but also in time. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes but Lucy did not have time to figure out why. Natsu quickly replaced it with a smile - So, where do you want to take me today? What is the most beautiful place here in town? -

- If there is one place I would absolutely show to a tourist ... - A voice echoed behind them - It's the statue! -