I OWN NOTHING

It's about time I got to this part of the story, isn't it? Well, since in the previous version I wrote blindly, let me try to put some more effort into this bit.

XXXXXX

"Y-You can stay, you know?"

Little Minerva looked at the charming inspector with puppy eyes to try to get him to stay. After the authorities came, put her father behind bars, and the mages in her guild could relax and try to choose a better leader, she felt sad. Despite how overjoyed she was, the idea that the warmly smiling foxy man would have to leave her behind after all he did broke her little innocent heart.

"I'd like to, but I'm afraid I'm not that good with parties." He admitted sheepishly, "I've never been invited to one, so it'd be awkward for me to be in this one. Besides, I shouldn't bring down the mood when you're all free to do what you want. Live a little, be a spunky and adventure loving magic scamp… You know, enjoy life."

"But you helped me a lot, can't you celebrate with us for a bit?" she put more effort into her pleading stare.

Being the vessel of the true Naruto Uzumaki's emotions came at the cost that it was hard to control such feelings. Fortunately, he had a lot of practice as a shadow of the real one.

"As much as I'd love to, I have work to do." The inspector sighed when seeing her hopes crash, knowing he'd be in trouble, 'I feel like this kind of thing was easier when I was part of that other me…'

Juvia stood by his side, "Minerva-chan, Juvia knows you'll miss Naruto-san, but he had things to do back home. Not to mention, you should be with your real family."

The girl looked down, breaking the water mage's heart, "Don't have one…"

"Oh, so that…" she restrained herself from cursing before the little girl, "…deplorable man was really all you had?"

Minerva nodded, pulling at Juvia's heartstrings, while the blond felt a shiver run down his spine, 'What's this feeling?'

Juvia grabbed the girl's hand with her eyes sparkling, "Then Juvia will take care of you, like Naruto-san took care of her! Let Juvia and Naruto-san be your parents!"

The dark side of Naruto Uzumaki felt his smile twitch, 'I feel tempted to swear, but there's a kid…' he gulped and somehow managed to regain his usual smile, but to everyone it was obvious that he was straining it, "J-Juvia-chan, don't you think you're being a tad forward? We barely met the little scamp, not to mention we have no idea how to-"

"Juvia shall put all her efforts to raise her right!" Juvia said, hugging Minerva to her chest with the girl's head under the female mage's chin, "Think about it, Naruto-san! Raising this girl to be a good mage, a better one than her father was, would set an example for other guilds to follow! Not to mention, she could help you straighten other guilds once she grows old enough to have a say in her own guild!"

Minerva nodded frantically, still hanging on Juvia's arms like a kitten, "I-I'd be the best guild master for Saber Tooth ever! Please, don't leave!"

Naruto sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingertips, 'This is what happens when I try to be a good guy. Raising a kid is no easy job, I should know since I was one even up to my teens. If I waited for this little one to grow, she could…' and an idea appeared, 'She could be devoted to me… No, that'd make me no different from Madara. But on the other hand…'

Juvia and Minerva stared impatiently, "Do you think he'll say yes?" the little one asked.

"Juvia shall make sure to keep you safe along Naruto-san." Minerva felt a bit odd at how the woman was patting her little head like she really was a kitten.

After thinking some more, Naruto gave them a tired smile and a shrug, "I can… try to see what I can do to help you."

"Yes!" the tiny one cheered from her perch in Juvia's arms.

He held up a hand to halt any celebration, "I have some conditions. First, I'd like you to come here and train to be a good mage. I can't help you learn magic, and your style and Juvia's seem to clash."

"I understand… then I'll train really hard!" the small girl nodded firmly at him.

"Second, my house isn't big enough for you, so you'd have to stay here."

Both girl and woman exclaimed in surprise, "What!? Why!?"

He tried to use a warm, sheepish grin to calm them down, "I'll come by every so often to check on you, I promise. But taking a girl into my small apartment wouldn't be for the best."

Juvia pouted in defeat, "Juvia does agree, it is small though comfortable."

"Then you have to come every day!" Minerva demanded sternly.

"Haha… alright, alright." He chuckled genuinely before saying what he needed to say the most, "And third… if I ever have an idea involving you, I'd like you to be honest with me about it."

Minerva stared at him quizzically, "What do you mean?"

"I don't want to feel like I'm using you like your father did." He noticed the sadness and fear in her eyes at the idea, so he continued, "That's why I will ask for your opinion and permission if I ever need anything from you. Should I ever go with a thought along the lines of, 'Oh, Minerva-chan should totally join me on this trip,' I'd like you to agree with it. And I mean really agree and not do it because I'm asking."

"But if you asked Juvia anything, she'd do it no matter what!" the water woman exclaimed.

Naruto chuckled sheepishly, "See what I mean, little one?"

"What do you mean, Naruto-san?" Juvia asked, clueless.

Minerva nodded, "Then… can we have lunch tomorrow?"

He beamed at her, "Sure." And in his mind, he felt slightly at ease, 'I got a cute little ally for the future. So long as her choices are her own, I won't be sick with myself.'

XXXXXX

A few days after that, the inspector was trying to enjoy lunch with a tired look on his face while walking down a street. He had half a chicken sandwich in his hand and bags under his eyes.

Someone noticed him immediately, "Naruto-san?"

Turning, he found Lucy staring at him confused, "Lucy-chan, good afternoon." He smiled tiredly, "Sorry that you have to see me like this, but this is what happens when I have to take my job seriously." He groaned inwardly from exhaustion, 'It's what happens when I incarcerate someone instead of wiping them out. Who'd have thoughts clones would be useless against that kinda paperwork…?'

"Are you alright?" she waved her hand over his face, "You look sick."

"Just tired, Lucy-chan." He answered warmly, though stifling a yawn, "It's what happens when I have to pull all-nighters in cases my bosses want dealt with quickly."

"Sounds like you really had a bad time." She said softly.

He gave her a warmer, one-eyed grin, "Nothing compared to you. I must say, you're quite admirable after all that's happened. Just today I heard the news regarding your decision to stick to Fairy Tail. Frankly though, I'd have recommended the safety of an heiress' life, but it's your life."

She smiled softly, "Sounds like you're not as tired if you still have your sense of humor."

"Speaking of holding onto happy things, how's life treating you so far? Any regrets?"

She smiled cheerfully, but he could see some melancholy in her eyes, "None whatsoever."

He gave her a tired smile, feeling the exhaustion returning, "Good, that means less paperwork." He held up a folder he had been carrying inside his coat, "I made sure to get the original papers from your father's request…" he tore it up in half before her eyes, "I think you'll find the mysterious disappearance of important documents that will prevent him from making another such request."

Lucy was stunned, "N-Naruto-san… won't you get in trouble?" she asked just as he casually crumbled the paper into a ball and threw it at a nearby trash can.

"What for? I think I nailed that throw, straight into the recycling bin, too." He said with a mischievous if weary grin, "Besides, after Phantom Lord's stunt, no one would have looked into that for some time."

She smiled fondly, "Thank you, if I could repay you…" she brightened as an idea hit her, "Wait! I've wanted to give these to some of my friends at the guild, but I think you earned them today."

She held three tickets, "Akane Resort?" he asked in slight surprise, whistling, "Boy, that place sure is nice… and expensive. How'd you get those?"

"I'll… tell you the secrets later." She giggled nervously, "You look so tired and the story's a bit long since you've been gone for a bit."

"Actually, I've been busy with another-"

He was cut off when a pair of tiny arms wrapped around his waist, "Uzumaki-san!" tiny Minerva exclaimed, clinging to his waist and nearly making him fall.

Lucy was dumbfounded when seeing the tiny girl in a traditional dark blue kimono with an orange sash. Said sash had yellow foxes in it, something she wanted in honor for the man she was hugging.

"W-Whoa there, little scamp!" he exclaimed, barely regaining his balance.

Rubbing her face on his sides affectionately, she smiled and spoke up, "You said you'd meet me after lunch, so I grew worried that you were too tired. I made you something better than those sandwiches so you can stop walking like an old lady."

"Am I really that tired?" he asked, and finally yawned, "Ohhh-haaayyy… I am…"

Minerva pulled back and brought out a lunchbox from her kimono, putting on a serious face, "Eat it and get strong again, Uzumaki-san." She gave him the determined look a child who wanted their parent to love their food would use to make said adult eat it even if it could be considered a biological weapon instead of a meal.

And her food was purple, moving, and oozing a dark smoke, "I-It looks… unique…" he managed to say, right eye twitching, 'Karma, if you exist, you could give me points for trying to be nice to her.'

"I put my heart into it, Uzumaki-san!" she said, giving him the puppy eyes.

Lucy shuddered, 'I want to save Naruto-san, but at the same time she's too sweet, innocent and pure to break her heart. What can we do!? If he eats that, he'll die! But if he doesn't, he'd break her little heart!'

Taking a deep breath, Naruto smiled brightly at the small girl, "Minerva-chan, do know that I love you no matter what." he said with a straight face before stabbing the food and putting it into his mouth.

Lucy jumped back from horror, 'H-He did it! That kind of sacrifice for a child… Naruto-san, you're a man who knows what he wants in life! If only more could be like you!'

Naruto shut his eyes, keeping on a warm smile as he chewed, 'This is… this is…' his eyes opened, slightly widened, "Huh, it's quite good." He said dully before taking another mouthful.

"Yes!" the little girl cheered while the man kept eating the bizarre goop she made with gusto.

"Uh, so…" Lucy started, trying not to stare at the mystery food or else her eyes would water just from looking at it, "I wanted to invite you to the resort, Naruto-san. If you'd like, you could take two more with you."

"Thanks." He said, accepting three tickets, but noticed she had two more, "Who are you bringing along?"

Lucy hummed, "Well, I wanted to invite Natsu and even Gray, but…" she sighed, "I could use a rest from Fairy Tail's madness. That's why I'm inviting you, and I'll bring Erza."

"You could've invited Mira-chan if you wanted a more peaceful vacation." He offered.

The girl crossed her arms under her ample breasts as she put on a thoughtful look on her face, "I did want to, but she's been acting weird around me. The air seems to get colder every time I approach her. And it's been that way ever since you've been trying to get to know me better."

"Well, I see you don't want to make things awkward." he put on his charming smile, the food filling his body with more energy back, "I'll invite Juvia-chan, so don't expect a normal vacation. She deserves it after all she's done for me. Not to mention she could get really depressed if I just said I didn't think on inviting her. But the other one…"

He felt a tug on his coat, making him look at Minerva staring hopefully at him.

Lucy couldn't contain her giggle, "I see she made the decision for you."

"Well, I did promise to keep an eye on you, scamp." He showed her the ticket, "Tell me honestly, do you really want to go to a resort with a bunch of older people and this boring guy?"

"Of course!" she jumped, pumping her fists up as she tried to convince him with her stare.

He grinned, "Alright. At least the council owes me a vacation for all I've done for them this past few days."

"Good, I'll see you all there, then." Lucy beamed before she left with a wave of the hand and a cordial goodbye.

XXXXXX

One could describe Naruto as a lucky bastard and he'd have to agree.

"Come on, over here!" Minerva cheered in a simple blue swimsuit plastic donut to float on the beach at Akane Resort, followed closely by Juvia and Lucy in nice bikinis.

Juvia sported a two-piece blue one with strings keeping her top and bottom covered with modest pieces of water-proof cloth. She didn't show any of the goods, having read that the Greek used half-nudity to trance those who viewed their art to find it more alluring, so she at least showed she had curves to spare.

"Come have fun with Juvia and Minerva-chan!" Juvia cheered at his side as she raced after Minerva, followed by Lucy.

The inspector did his best not to keep his eyes on her form or how it swayed and bounced in all the right ways. White cloths covered her top and bottom, both adorned with orange splashes. Her bikini was modest compared to Juvia's, but her body was as modest as the water mage's, meaning that she was stacked.

"What's the matter, afraid of the water?" the girl joked, tying her hair into a side ponytail.

He grinned, wearing a simple white swimming trunks and a red Hawaiian shirt decorated with white parakeets to protect himself from the sun, "I'm used to forests, not beaches." He wasn't lying.

"Where did you come from then Naruto-san?" Juvia asked him, looking interested in his past.

Naruto merely tapped his cheek in a teasing manner, "I came from the land of Fire, a long way from here. I haul from a village hidden in the leaves."

Juvia pouted, as she had never heard of such a land and it didn't exist on a map, "Stop teasing Juvia-chan! Naruto-san tell me where you truly come from!"

He sweat dropped slightly as he hadn't been lying.

"I pictured you as an indoors type of man." Erza said in a slightly risqué blue top and a white cloth around her waist acting as a skirt.

He smiled at her, "I could assume the same as you, Erza-chan."

She smiled softly, "I couldn't train with my swords and armor if I stayed inside too much. Besides, I do enjoy the occasional cup of coffee at a nice café, especially with sweets."

"Simple pleasures are the greatest treasures, I see." He said, putting on a white trilby hat to protect his head from the sun.

"At times they're the thing we need the most." She said and looked at the other girls playing.

Putting on a warm grin, he spoke, "Huh? Do you want to join them that much but are getting cold feet? Worry not, I'm not used to such things either."

She giggled, "So you're suggesting two awkward wallflowers stay on land. Is your next sentence going to be a question regarding a second date?"

"Tempting offer, Erza-chan." He snickered for a second, "Sadly, I mean it when I say I'm no good with other people when it comes to fun like this. You should try it, you need it more."

"What makes you say that?" the warrior woman's eyes examined him curiously, "I thought you'd jump at the chance given Minerva's obvious affection towards you and your stress."

"Come on, it can't compare to what you've gone through." He gave her a serene one-eyed look, "I've seen how my boss tends to make you uncomfortable, deliberately so. Whatever story you have with him, know I will give you a hand for free. Thus, you have the most right to relax…" he gave her a foxy, shut-eyed grin, "After all, you shouldn't worry. I'll back you up."

She observed him, at a loss, but a smile crept on her face, "I… know not what you mean, but I can see you're earnest. Thank you, and I mean it." She looked down sadly, yet still smiled, "That man brings back some memories I want to leave behind. I know for a fact you're good at reading people despite the distance you keep with others, but I never thought you'd see this much into me."

"I had to check up who my boss was, too." He answered, "Guy's got shady written all over him."

"I should know…" she hugged herself, 'After all, he claims to be J- His brother.'

Seeing her reliving some bad memories, Naruto covered his eyes with his hat, 'Peace of mind is what this girl needs. So long as she can enjoy herself, I can research the guy as much as needed. After all, I planned on seeing how truly rotten he was sooner or later.'

"Uzumaki-san, come play with us!" he was brought out of his thoughts when Minerva cheered, holding a large beach ball over her head.

He chuckled awkwardly, waving both hands, "No, no, I am not-" he was slapped in the back, hard, by Erza.

"Let's go." She said, smiling with some effort yet giving him a genuine grin, "We both need it."

He winced, but managed to put on a smile, "Alright… may as well give it a shot."

Just as he walked into the water, a hand on his hat to keep it from falling, he was hit directly in the face with a familiar beach ball. Lucy gasped in horror, for she had ducked under it when the little girl used some of her magic to add more oomph to her throw. Juvia gaped, petrified in horror. Erza for her part was just unsure of how to react, she just stood where she was with her eyes widened a tad more than usual.

Minerva was utterly mortified, "Uzumaki-san, sorry!" she used her arms to row towards him.

Soon the beach ball unglued itself from his reddened face, allowing the blond to retort, "You have quite the arm in you… Give it some years, and you could give Erza-chan a run for her money."

Two seconds later, he took off his hat, put it on the little girl's head, and collapsed knees-first on the ground before his face hit the water.

XXXXXX

As Naruto recovered in his bedroom, Lucy had some matters to attend to that didn't make her feel at ease.

Swallowing a lump in her throat, she pulled out a key she hadn't shown the inspector, "Alright, Leo. I've done as you said."

A handsome man with a wild mane of orange hair done like a lion's and a suit appeared, adjusting his tie, "Does he suspect anything?"

Lucy pulled a strand of hair behind her ear, "I would like to know if this is for real."

Leo nodded, "Do not trust that guy, he must have something up his sleeves." He narrowed his eyes, "I had no idea he had Aries' key until everything went crazy with Phantom Lord. After that, I had to make sure she was really taken care of. But to have you as my contract and seeing him makes things both easier and more dangerous."

"Is he truly dangerous?" she asked, uneasy.

"Karen was cruel, yes." He said with a growl, "But she was killed kind of conveniently. Then he snoops in and just gets Aries' key. She's the more, and I hate saying this, submissive of us. Getting her key could be one of the many plans in his head. After the way Karen was dealt with, I don't trust that guy with her key."

Closing her eyes to clear her mind, Lucy asked, "I just hope he's really a nice guy and I didn't lie about inviting him and Erza for nothing."

"He is strong, but having Erza around should make things easy if he resists." Leo commented, "Anyway, this trip should give us a chance to see the man he is. Be careful."

She nodded and once he left the blonde beauty sighed, "Leo's suspicious and his logic's sound, but is Naruto-san really that bad?"

Doubt started to appear on her face, her ideas turning her usually cheerful face into a frowning one. Memories of how secretive he could be and the way he acted with Kageyama resurfaced. However, there were those that made it easier to ignore the bad batch. Smiles, compliments, and an effort into making her and others feel comfortable. Was it all an act? If so, she feared for Minerva, but at the same time…

"Aries-chan, you needn't worry."

"I-I want to!"

Lucy saw the blond in white slacks, an orange Cuban shirt, and the white trilby grinning as he chatted with the sheep girl Leo worried about.

As they passed the Spirit mage, unaware of her presence, the horned spirit pouted cutely at him, "Come now, Aries-chan, it was a girl's mistake."

"You should rest, at least." She said firmly but didn't raise her voice, "At times you try so hard to keep others smiling… You do deserve to rest."

"Sadly, I'm a sucker for little scamps, my dear." He gave her a one-eyed smile, tipping down his hat with a hand on it, "And hey, kids deserve to have fun, be themselves, enjoy life freely."

"True, a parent is needed to make sure they don't make bad choices, and hers wasn't the best kind." Agreeing with him felt painful, "But that's why you should rest, go to your room and perhaps play a board game with her… or something that won't harm you."

"Indeed, so let's see if we can help her sneak in the casino to bore her with a couple card games. She'll be fast asleep in a heartbeat." He beamed.

Sweat dripped down the back of Lucy's head at his answer, and Aries grew even more worried, "Please don't! I don't want you to be scammed!"

"Always worrying for little me, aren't cha?" he snickered when she puffed her cheeks in embarrassment and slight disappointment, "Listen, she asked to see what a casino was like, and I'm a decent enough player even without my tricks. Besides, it's not like I'll waste her college money on this."

"You're still bringing a little girl to a place for adults, so I want to worry…" she argued, hanging her head low, "I wouldn't want either of you to be harmed."

"That's why Juvia shall protect Naruto-san!" the water mage cheered as she popped next to the spirit, grabbing one of the man's free arms in an elegant blue night gown that showed all of her back.

"Huh… you really went all out prettying yourself up, Juvia-chan." He complimented with a smile and admired her current hairdo, with her curly hair done in a bun.

"She wanted to look her best, though…" she eyed Aries in a way that made the sheep spirit flinch, "Your dandy attire is too… dandy."

He chuckled nervously, "I… guess my style isn't for everyone."

Juvia beamed, giving Aries a side-stare, "Then let her help you into a better outfit, Naruto-san. She'd be glad to dress you up along your daugh- darling little traveling companion!"

Lucy and Aries felt something inwardly snap in them when Juvia had to quickly correct herself to not say what she thought of Minerva: a chance to prove she could be the mother of the inspector's children.

Speak of the devil, "Juvia-san, is Uzumaki-san ready?" the tiny girl had her hair done in two small ox horns and wore a beautiful blue, firefly patterned yukata with a yellow sash.

"Oh dear, now I feel like I'd bring shame to you in this attire…" he sighed, "My, why did you have to be so cute and dress so well, Minerva-chan?"

The tiny girl smiled brightly, blushing a bit, "Juvia-san said I needed to look my best for this kind of place if I wanted to see it."

"Alright, I see your plans, Juvia-chan." He raised his hands in playful mock-surrender, "I shall admit defeat and let you dress me."

The water mage squealed as she led Naruto, Aries trying to stop her while Lucy reminded herself to remain hidden, though a little girl noticed the former, "Are you one of Uzumaki-san's friends?"

The ram girl blushed, "I… uh, yes." She nodded, "He's taken good care of me since I lost my…" Aries shook her pretty pink head, "It… doesn't matter. What about you?"

"He helped me be free." The look in Minerva's eyes showed a sadness that tugged at the spirit and hidden mage's heartstrings, until she beamed, "He… was… the hero I always wanted! After all I went through, he didn't just stand aside like others. He really wanted to help me, and even if I didn't want to, he… he made me so happy."

Aries smiled at the girl, "Then let me take you to him, I bet he'd like you to see him in a better suit."

Minerva beamed and followed the spirit, "By the way, sis… why the horns?"

Seeing her innocent smiled, Aries blushed but giggled, albeit nervously, "I'm a spirit, and… um… well, he wanted me to enjoy the resort too, even if I don't have a room. He said some really silly things of how I also needed a vacation and wanted me to enjoy myself… He's really odd."

"That's what makes him good!"

Lucy had her doubts, but seeing the girl so happy affected her, 'There is good in him, or is it really an act? Whatever the case, he has helped so many…'

XXXXXX

There was an air of risk, elegance and glamour in a casino that some people never got enough of. Seeing people giving in to their desires, succumbing to temptation, put a smile on the blond man. As a counterpart to the being he once was, he got a high whenever those who thought highly of themselves let themselves be carried by the whims of fate. It makes the sound of reality crashing on them that much sweeter.

And he had four gorgeous ladies at his side in fancy dresses and quite a lovely girl holding his hand. Aries looked intimidated by the place, but staying close to him relaxed the sheep girl, much to Juvia's chagrin. Said water mage tried to remain as close to the blond and small girl as possible while watching over the redhead and former heiress. Erza looked as calm as ever in quite a stunning dress.

But Lucy… "Something the matter?" he asked her with one of his trademark goofy grins, "Not feeling the atmosphere?"

"It's not that, I just find it hard to believe what is… going on, you know?" she said somewhat truthfully.

He adjusted his black tie, though he would've wanted to throw it off. He looked good in a simple black suit with matching pants, brown shoes, and a purple shirt. Gone was his hat, leaving his head cold. Lucy found it odd to see his hair slicked back, and wondered how much effort Juvia had to put to control the messy hair. She always imagined it had the shape of his hat 24/7.

"If you want a few tips, I'm a decent enough player." Then he snickered, "My, I may be boasting…"

"You're great!" Minerva cheered, "After all, you saved me with your skills, right!?"

"Well, then I guess it's good that I know my way around people." He said with a one-eyed smile, ruffling her hair a bit.

Seeing the small girl giggle made Lucy doubt Leo more, but it didn't distract her from something she said, "He saved you playing a game?"

"It's a long story." Juvia said, looking away with her hands balled so hard her knuckles turned paler. "Juvia would like it that Minerva didn't tell details she doesn't want to."

Lucy, Erza and Aries made a silent O with their mouths as they turned to see the girl hang her head low.

Naruto did his best to change the subject, "Hey, at least we can enjoy ourselves now, right?" he patted the girl's head before lifting her, carrying her on his shoulders, "So, what if I give you a first row seat to a game of your liking, tiny scamp?"

Mood: instantly brightened.

"Yeah!" Minerva had the smile of the happiest girl alive.

Just as they were about to have fun the lights suddenly went out. For a few seconds all was quiet, until Naruto held up a lighter and looked around.

"Okay, show off hands, who just got here?" He was waiting for the idiot who'd fall for that, and was unpleasantly surprised to see it was a group of them, 'I really wish people didn't find new ways to disappoint me and ruin my good faith in humanity.' He stated with an inner sigh as they were in the middle of holding Erza, her eyes widened as she saw who grabbed her.

"Simon, Wally, Millianna, Shō…?" Her question was directed at a tall dark skinned man who looked piercingly at Naruto, even as he lowered his hand awkwardly.

A man who looked like he popped out of a story book shook his head sadly even as he aimed a gun at Naruto's head, "Sorry buddy, but I've gotta kill you- WHOALY SHIT THAT IS A LOT OF WATER!" Just as he was aiming a gun at Naruto, the blond stepped back as a literal water storm appeared behind him.

Juvia's eyes glowed a furious white as she asked a question that made the four tense, "Would you please repeat that to Juvia? Who are you going to kill? Was it Naruto-san?"

"Now, now… Let's not be too has-" the blond man begun, moments before he suddenly whirled around.

Reacting quickly with one hand tossing up Minerva, the inspector kicked the air to block a claw swipe from a brown-haired woman resembling a cat. The impact caused him and the feline young lady to be pushed back. He skidded to a halt and raised his hand, snatching the girl out of the air and holding her protectively against his chest.

"Millianna!" the block-shaped man warned the feline young lady, who was swatted aside along him by a wave.

Naruto hopped several feet back to keep her away, whistling sadly as he dropped the sliced in half pieces of his tie, "You killed the tie Juvia-chan chose for me. That's pretty mean."

"Juvia is even more furious now…" the water mage growled as the kidnappers knew they had to act quickly.

Erza was in too much shock from the sudden appearance of the strangers, to a point it looked like she was having a breakdown. It helped the one closer to her to trap her in a card, while the others assessed their opponents. Lucy shivered from fear, but after seeing Erza in danger she knew she had to do something, anything. Juvia was ready to murder. Naruto was the one with a problem.

'Minerva-chan will be in danger and if I go all out there's no telling what'll happen. Who are these guys? How much do they know about me?'

Plans in the making were put to a halt at the idea that he could be over his head. And yet, there was the sight of Erza crying in horrible pain when seeing them that made his doubts vanish.

"I got Erza, so it doesn't matter who they are, we can't let them get to her or help her." A big, muscular young man said as he and the others approached Erza's friends.

"Sorry pal." Naruto said after putting the scared little girl behind him, holding up both hands, "I'm going to have to stop you there. We may not know who you are to Erza, but..."

He turned and smiled reassuringly at Lucy, who swallowed the lump in her throat and spoke up, "She… She's with us. She's our friend. We won't let you take her when she's hurting like that…"

"Friend?" Shō asked with a sneer, "Do you know your friend is a traitor?"

"Do you know you need proof to back up your words?" Naruto rhetorically asked.

Furious at the inspector's answer, the youth threw several razor sharp magical cards, which Naruto replied to by running forward, passing a nearby table to grab a deck of cards, and throwing them. Both attacks collided, all cards cutting into each other and falling on the floor. However, the blond had limited ammo and the card mage had far more than him.

Lucy for her part started running when the feline girl went after her, cursing for not having her keys. Seeing that, Naruto didn't think twice and pulled out Aries' key. The sheep girl – who kept Minerva at her side – saw this and locked eyes with the blond. Giving him a nod, she watched him grin and throw the key at the blonde spirit mage. Just in time, for she jumped to barely miss a claw swipe that split a table in two.

Seeing the girl defenseless, the polygon shaped man and the much bigger muscular stranger raced to her, thinking she'd make the perfect hostage. Their idea was proven to be a bad one when a wall of water stood between them and Minerva. Juvia stood by the girl's side, holding her hand and glaring at the two men like a mother bear about to kill whoever touched her cubs.

"It seems this shall be a fun evening." Shō told Erza while she watched her friends get ready to fight those who believed her a traitor.

It'd be funny if it weren't a tragedy caused by a single man, "Jellal..." she growled, balling her hands into fists.

Hoping wouldn't do her good, and yet she prayed for the blond, despite not knowing who was really friend or foe.

XXXXXX

And that's my rap!

I'm sorry if this one's short, but I thought it'd be better to let you see I keep writing this one. I finally got to the Jellal fight, and I really want to make him suffer for all the reasons you may have imagined. His got, by far, one of the worst redemption excuses ever: amnesia. It suddenly just changes his mind and personality without any real character development. It's the equivalent to a slap on the wrist for murder.

If you dislike the guy, the fight with him shall be a lot of fun. Also, Leo's on to Naruto, so the inspector will have to be on his toes from now on if he wants to keep his quiet life.

Swordslinger out!