Chapter 9. The fourth

"So with my plans to step down being made public, I'm going to announce my successor as Fairy Tail's fourth guild master. He is a powerful mage whose name is known throughout the country for not only his power, but his kindness as well. Some would say he was born for this role as his grandmother was the founder of Fairy Tail and the first guild master. His name is Naruto Vermilion, Fairy Tail's own Beast Summoner and Fourth Guild Master!"

Gaara squinted his eyebrow and looked in the direction of where the guild was. He was a little shocked at the announcement he just heard; already knowing his cousin probably wasn't the happiest person alive. Actually Gaara shared the same ability as Naruto when it came to sensing people by their emotions. Since both boys inherited the ability from their grandmother Mito; so Gaara could easily pick up on the blonde's enraged mood.

"Things just got a little more interesting." Gaara mumbled to himself, momentarily forgetting about Mira's presence. "Serves that bastard right for what he did."

Mira tilted her head and stepped in front of Gaara. "What do you mean serves him right? I thought you and Naruto are close, shouldn't you be happy for him?" The white haired beauty asked, slightly ticked how Gaara refereed to one of her precious people as a bastard.

Taking a hard swallow and one step back, Gaara cleared his throat. "You don't know Naruto like you think you do. You don't know him like I do."

"I think I know him plenty enough." Mira snapped back, while placing her hands on her hips.

"No you don't." Gaara fired back with a little hint of courage. "You didn't know his last name, you didn't know about his family, you sure as hell don't know all he's experienced and done over the years. For example he lied to you and everyone else at the guild. He didn't do a mission for the Magic Council, he was off doing a secret mission for the master. One which I might add almost got him killed!"

Mira remained momentarily silent and thought to herself. Could it be possible that the Naruto she knew was just some put on lie? Could he be a completely different person than what she has seen?

"You know what," Mira began as she found her answer. "I don't care what Naruto has done or what he has kept secret. He's the reason I'm still alive today."

Gaara was a little taken back by Mira's bold claim and chose not to speak.

"When my sister died I was a wreck, I wouldn't eat, sleep or leave my house. All I wanted was my little sister back and she was gone; while my brother was too busy blaming himself for her death. I was all alone, though do you know who spent every waking moment with me till I moved on? Cause it's not hard to figure out it was Naruto."

"That does sound like him." Gaara mumbled under his breath. Thinking of all the time the two boys spent together after their family was taken from them. "When our family was killed I threw myself into depression. Everyone I came to call family was taken from me in one night. All I had left was Naruto and he never left my side; until the day came when I pushed him away."

Mira smiled and placed her hands on Gaara's shoulders. "Then stop pushing Naruto away, he needs his brother."

Gaara looked down. "I guess you have a point." The red haired teen mumbled.

Mira smiled and grabbed Gaara's hand. "Of course I do Sandy. Now let's go find Naruto so you two can talk!" The white haired girl shouted happily, already dragging Gaara off.

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(With Naruto)

Stalking with rage down the streets, Naruto was busy tossing insults left and right. While Lucy tagged close behind and tried to calm him down.

"That old, backstabbing-"

"Naruto-kun."

"Annoying and short-"

"Naruto-kun."

"Manipulative bastard!"

"...Naruto-kun..."

Naruto growled and pretended to strangle the air.

"I swear when I get my hands around his tiny neck-!"

"Naruto-kun!" Lucy finally shouted, grabbing the blonde's full attention.

"What is it Lu-chan?" Naruto asked in a softer tone, since he was talking to Lucy and he couldn't stay mad when looking at her.

Lucy grabbed his hands and looked him in the eyes. "Why are you so against being the next master? I remember when the master first brought the topic up on the train. Both back then and now you are completely against the idea. So why is that Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked down. "For starters I wouldn't be good at it."

"Bull." Lucy cut in sharply. "You would be an amazing master. In fact I'd say you would be the best master Fairy Tail has ever had!"

Naruto smiled a little at the confidence boost. "I'm a liar, no one besides a select few know that I lied about my mission. And even fewer people know what really happened. Someone like that cannot be the master."

"So?" Lucy asked with a slight hint of irritation. "That mission was to protect the guild. That mission got you seriously hurt. That mission shows just what you are willing to do for the guild. Like a true master."

Naruto shook his head and laughed. "You are not going to let me say no, are you?"

Lucy giggled. "Oh of course I'm not. What kind of girlfriend would I be?" Lucy took a pause when she realized what she said and she started to freak out. "I mean I'm your friend who is a girl. Not your girlfriend, but your girl-friend..." Lucy looked away and cursed to herself. 'Not the smoothest approach, Lucy.'

Naruto chuckled and wrapped an arm around Lucy's shoulder. "You are too adorable Lu-chan." The blond admitted as he started to walk, causing her to follow. "I guess that means I'm your boyfriend. You know, a friend who is a boy."

Lucy cocked a fake smile and punched Naruto in the chest. "Yeah we are a couple of best buds, you and me." The blond female lied through her teeth.

Naruto gave an honest smile, he was glad at how close they had become. Even though a part of him wished they would become something more than good friends.

"Though you know if I become the next master, I'll hardly be able to do any jobs. I'll have contestant responsibilities as the master." Naruto replied with a small amount of depression. "Hell, no jobs mean no money. And no money means I can't pay rent."

Soon Naruto found a dark cloud over his head as he started to think of his possible future as master. This caused Lucy to laugh nervously and pat the blonde's back for support.

"That's ok I'm willing to offer my help around the guild. That way your work load can lighten some." Lucy replied honestly. "And if you can't pay rent you can always move in with me."

Naruto laughed. "It wouldn't be much of a move, we already live so close together and spend enough time together. We might as well be roommates."

"Well when you pack your bags I'll help you move." Lucy joked in a not so serious tone.

Naruto laughed to himself, but his mood shifted when he saw the guild slowly approaching. He still didn't know what to do. Being the next master was a huge deal and Naruto couldn't make his mind up. Lucy made good points why he could be the master, but he could make his own reasons why he shouldn't. Honestly the whole situation was a complication that Naruto didn't want.

"Naruto-kun," Lucy began as she held a hand out to Naruto. "Don't be nervous about facing the others. No matter what happens everyone, especially me, will support what you decide to do. Whether it's becoming the new master or not."

Naruto smiled and accepted Lucy's hand. When he was with her, he felt as if anything was possible. "Alright Lu-chan, I think I know what I'm going to do." The blond admitted while looking into Lucy's eyes.

"Alright then let's go inside." Lucy replied with a smile, as the two blondes opened the doors to the guild and walked in together.

Naruto stopped at the entrance of the guild and noticed it was silent. All looks were placed on himself and it made the blond slightly nervous.

Over by the bar, Gajeel was drinking a large pint of alcohol and he raised his glass into the air. "Let's hear it for the new master!" The Dragon Slayer cheered.

Jet and Droy, who were having a drink with Gajeel surprisingly enough, raised their own glasses. "We will drink to that!" The duo shouted loudly.

Levy, Cana and Kurama who were also drinking with the men raised their own glasses for a toast. "To the Fourth!/Naruto's a bitch!"

Over at a table Erza and Gray flashed a smile towards the blond.

"You'll make a wonderful master!" Erza declared with pride.

"For an annoying blond." Gray added in with a laugh.

Soon all over the guild different people started to chime in and voice their opinions. This of course caused Naruto to smile at the overwhelming support his fellow wizards were giving him.

"See, what did I tell you?" Lucy began as she drew closer into the blond male. "Everyone knows you will make a wonderful master. They believe in you, just like I do."

Naruto smiled at Lucy, though he felt a presence from behind and stiffened up. "Gaara." Naruto mumbled his cousin's name before turning his body to the sand wizard.

Everyone looked to the door and found Gaara flanked by Mira of all people.

"Cousin." The male droned out before taking a few steps forward.

Naruto copied Gaara and met the mage halfway in his walk. Lucy watched the two S-class caliber mages stare each other down and started to worry. Everything was starting to go good and Naruto was finally cheering up, but she feared Gaara was about to change that.

"You're an idiot, loudmouth and extremely reckless. You have no clue how to formally run an intricate operation like a guild. Then let's not forget how incredibly immature you are." Gaara began causing everyone to go completely silent, not believing how harsh the red head was being. "However, you are kind and the type of person who would give his life for a complete stranger. You care for other people's wellbeing before your own and you've never done an evil deed in your life. You've pulled so many people out of their darkness, while forgetting all the pain that surrounded you."

Gaara held a hand up. "There couldn't be a better guild master than my brother."

As a tear broke out of Naruto's eye the blond brought Gaara into a hug. "Thank you." The blond whispered in a low voice.

Lucy smiled wide, she was happy that Naruto got the support of his surrogate brother. Over with Mira, the white haired bar-maiden was impressed by how Gaara handled his cousin. Which caused Mira to only grow more interested in Gaara.

"Well it looks like you are taking the job without a fuss." Makarov chuckled loudly, as he slowly walked into the guild hall.

Breaking the hug with Gaara, Naruto looked to the short man with a tick mark. "You can thank Lu-chan for that, I was gonna come here and rip you a new asshole!"

Makarov gave a nod to Lucy. "Well then I owe you my gratitude Lucy. At least someone can get that idiot to see reason."

Naruto growled, but as he felt Lucy place a hand on his shoulder and heard her laugh, he relaxed.

"Oh come on master, Naruto isn't that bad." The blond bombshell tried to argue in a playful voice. "He is just a little headstrong."

Everyone laughed at Naruto's expense, this of course caused the male to slump over and a large dark cloud to float over his head.

"So mean Lu-chan!" The Celestial wizard whined out.

Makarov smiled at his new replacement. "Now I know you'll still want to do missions and I also know you wouldn't be able to properly run this place. So I help with all the paper work and formal stuff. That way you can still be free to take missions and enjoy your youth." The master explained while talking a pause. "Though when it comes to important guild decisions, that responsibility lies on you."

Naruto nodded. "I can accept those terms."

Makarov smiled ear to ear. "Good, and since that's settled. Let's party!" The aged wizard yelled, before the guild broke out into chaos.

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(A few hours later)

For the past couple of hours, the entire guild was in celebration. Though for the last half an hour, Naruto has been sitting alone on top of the guild's roof. He just needed some time to himself, as everything was happening so fast and Naruto hasn't even had time to think the past couple of days over.

He and Lucy had grown increasingly close and now he had Gaara back in his life. Though to top it all off, he was going to become the next guild master of Fairy Tail. Honesty, this was a direction Naruto didn't see his life going down.

Soon Naruto found himself stretching and looking up into the night sky. Smiling wide as he looked up to the stars. "I wonder if your guys are proud of me?" Naruto mused, his thoughts moving to the family he had lost.

"I'm sure they are." A familiar male voice replied in a warm tone. "You've become a wonderful young man."

Naruto looked to his right and saw his grandfather Jiraiya. Who was slowly walking his way over to the blonde.

"Hey pervert." Naruto greeted with a small smirk.

Jiraiya laughed and took a seat by his grandson. "That's super pervert to you, brat." The elder man replied.

Naruto snorted. "Well if you wanna play like that, call me Master Vermillion not brat."

Jiraiya rubbed his chin and pretended to think the blonde's words over. "Nah I'll stick with brat, that is until you become a man." The white haired spy added in with a perverted giggle.

Naruto rolled his eyes and ignored his grandfather's antics. "What brings you up here anyway?"

"I could ask you the same thing, that party downstairs is for you after all. And there happens to be a beautiful blond searching the guild for you. I wouldn't keep her waiting, she'd make one hell of a man out of you." The older of the two pointed out, causing Naruto to growl.

"Leave Lu-chan out of your perverted fantasies." Naruto warned, while at the same type sporting a large blush. "And to answer your question, I came up here to think."

Taking notice of his grandson's serious expression, Jiraiya decided to stop the teasing for a moment.

"What's on your mind?" The white haired wizard asked, his face and voice offering comfort for the blond.

Naruto sighed and started to mess his hair around. "I've just been thinking of everything that's happened lately. I've made so many new friends and old ones have come back into my life. Then out of nowhere I'm named as Makarov's successor." Naruto turned to his grandfather with a worried expression. "Things are going so perfect and that has me worried."

"Why is that Naruto?" Jiraiya asked, placing a hand on his grandson's shoulder.

"Because when things go good in my life, something awful always ruins everything. I mean I've lost almost my entire family besides you and Gaara. I've even lost a dear friend while in the guild and then there was that mission. So many bad things have happened and I'm afraid of losing anything else."

"That's a part of life Naruto, you can't avoid the bad things in life. Though what you can do is cherish the present and the memories of your past."

Naruto smiled at his grandfather's words. "Yeah I should." The blond mumbled.

Jiraiya gave his grandson a large grin and started to rock Naruto back and forth by pushing his shoulder.

"That's the spirit, so what do you say? Why don't you go down there find that beautiful blond and ride her like-..."

"Pervert!" Naruto shouted while punching his grandfather off the roof.

Standing to his feet, Naruto started to stomp down to the guild. All the while mumbling insults about his grandfather's perverted tendencies.

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(With Lucy)

Lucy was seated at a table with her friend's, she was currently bummed out because she couldn't find Naruto. So while her friend's engaged with one another, she was zoned out and looking at the table.

Sitting with her, was Natsu, Happy, Erza, Gray, Juvia, Gaara and Mira. With little surprise the group of friends minus Lucy, were all talking about the upcoming Fantasia Parade.

Gray and Natsu were arguing who would have the better float while Juvia keep fawning over everything Gray said. Erza mainly kept to herself and just watched the two argue back and forth, she really wasn't interested in stopping their argument as she had to admit it was amusing to say the least.

Then there was Gaara and Mira, who were having their own conversation. Well to be more precise, Mira was flirting with Gaara. Who spoke back in nervous nods and mumbled words.

Soon Lucy moved her eyes over to Natsu and Gray while starting to listen in on their conversation.

"Listen here ice cube, my float will be ten times better than yours!" Natsu yelled loudly.

Gray scoffed. "Please if it's anything like last year, I'm sure it won't." The ice wizard replied, giving his friend a large smirk.

"Ah~! Shut up jerk! You know my float kicked ass last year!" Natsu shouted back in defiance.

"More like sucked ass." Gray mumbled under his breath.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia yelled from beside Gray, as she slumped over with hearts in her eyes. For some reason the only words she heard were "sucked" and "ass." Though nobody else knew why she reacted the way she did.

"Gray you-..."

"Natsu." Erza began with a cold tone, making more boys stiffen up. "I've had enough now."

"Aye sir!" Gray and Natsu chimed together, making Lucy giggle.

Hearing Lucy, Erza looked over to her blond friend. "You've been rather silent Lucy, what's your plans for the parade?"

Lucy smiled and rubbed the side of her arm. "Me and Naruto-kun are doing a float together."

Erza smiled wide, she was happy to see how close Naruto and Lucy were becoming. "That's great Lucy, I can't wait to see what you and Naruto come up with."

"Thanks Erza, but we really haven't got much planned yet." Lucy admitted, causing Gray to snort.

"Why not Lucy? Have you been too busy getting physical with Naruto?" Gray asked in a teasing manor, making Lucy turn a whole new shade of red.

"We have not!" Lucy declared in an embarrassed voice. 'Though I wouldn't mind.' Lucy added to herself, while looking down with a smirk.

Gray shrugged his shoulders. "Not the rumor I've heard."

Erza narrowed her eyes. "And who told you such rumors?" The scarlet haired woman asked.

Gray started to sweat a little. "I over heard someone say it, I don't remember who. I swear!" Gray quickly answered, hoping to avoid Erza's wrath.

Erza folded her arms and thought over Gray's words. "Hmmm. Then someone in the guild will be punished."

Juvia listened to the conversation and inwardly smirked. She was the one who had started the rumors, and she was far from done with her plans. 'Operation: Get the Bimbo and Loudmouth Together and Away from Gray-sama is working!' The water woman thought to herself.

Over with Gaara, the innocent red head looked confused. "Why is everyone making a big deal out of this? Naruto and I used to get physical all the time." The sand wizard began, causing all the girls to blush and the boys to laugh. "What? Do none of you have a sparring partner to fight with?"

Natsu placed his head against the table and keep laughing, while Gray had to wipe a tear from his eyes. Even Happy was on his backside giggling to himself.

Mira sighed and leaned into Gaara, then as she whispered into his ear. Gaara's face turned as red as his hair, causing him to point at Lucy.

"Scandalous!" The boy accused.

"We haven't done anything!" Lucy shrieked in defiance.

"What are you talking about Lu-chan?" The voice of Naruto spoke from behind, making Lucy jump in surprise.

"Ah~! Nothing Naruto-kun!" Lucy chirped, while giving her friends death glares. Hoping they would all stay silent.

Naruto looked around and shrugged his shoulders, telling himself it's best not to ask what was going on. So as he took a seat, Naruto shot a glance to Gaara.

"So how are you liking the guild Sandy?" The blond asked with a wide smile.

Gaara folded his arms and relaxed. "It's not that bad, it's entertaining to say the least."

"Yeah it is? Has anyone shown you around town yet?" Naruto asked, since he planned on doing so, but he hasn't got the chance yet.

Mira giggled and wrapped her arm around Gaara's own. Causing the rather silent wizard to blush.

"Don't worry, I've already gave Gaara-kun the all exclusive tour!" Mira answered happily.

Naruto grinned. "Oh~! Seems like my little Sandy has a girlfriend." The elder cousin teased.

Gaara's eyebrow twitched. "For starters my name is-..."

"Naruto, are you jealous that your cousin is such a ladies man?" Mira cut in with a grin. "After all, he's only been here for a day and we are already doing a float together in the parade. I mean, how many years did it take before you finally started talking with girls?"

Gaara looked between his cousin and new friend, slightly astonished how quickly she turned the tables on the blond. For years Gaara was unable to even come close to doing so in this fashion.

Naruto squinted his eyes and pretended to pout. "Low blow Mira, but hey I'll get you back." Naruto then leaned over the table with a shit eating grin. "Because me and Lu-chan are gonna steal the show with our float."

"We will?" Lucy mumbled in confusion.

Naruto waved his hands signaling the girl to stop talking, while Mira leaned over to lock eyes with Naruto.

"Sounds like you wanna make a bet." The former wizard began, making Naruto nod. "Fine, me and Gaara-kun are game."

Lucy and Gaara both looked to each other, while both wizards having the same thoughts about not wanting any kind of bet. Though before anyone could say anything to protest, a gruff voice spoke up.

"Blonde is having a bet? I'm in." The voice of Gajeel announced, while Levy stood by his side. "Me and this shrimp will take you guys on!"

Levy blushed and looked away, while mumbling something about giant iron chewing idiots. Naruto on the other hand looked to his new friend with a challenging smirk.

"The more people, the sweeter the victory." Naruto replied casually. "Anyone else want in?"

Juvia quickly wrapped herself around Gray and held her body close to his. "Juvia and Gray-sama will join in as well."

"Wait, what?" Gray began in protest, but it was already too late.

"Well if Gray and Juvia are joining in. Happy, Natsu, and I will form a team ourselves." The Queen of Fairies declared. "We shall defeat you all."

"Oh hell yeah!" Natsu added in with vigor.

"Aye sir, we will beat you all!" Happy chimed in.

Naruto looked around his friends and smiled. "Fine the teams are me and Lu-chan. Sandy and Mira. Gajeel and Levy. Gray and Juvia. Then Erza, Happy and Natsu."

Mira nodded. "And let's make things interesting, we will have each float judged by the citizens of Magnolia. Then the two winners will get to boss around the losers for a whole day." The white haired beauty explained.

"Geehee, can't wait to boss you and the Salamander around." Gajeel chuckled out, while speaking to Naruto.

"We will see who bosses who around." Naruto replied, while wrapping his arms around Lucy. "Ain't I right Lu-chan?"

Lucy began to cry fake anime tears. "Why do I feel like this will end badly?"

"Oh yeah I'm all fired up!" Natsu yelled loudly.

"We are gonna win! Right Gray-sama?" Juvia asked, while snuggling into Gray.

"I never agreed to this!" Gray shouted, while trying to squirm away.

Mira smirked and grabbed onto Gaara. "Come on, let's get planning Gaara-kun. There is no way I'm letting your cousin and Erza beat me!"

Gaara was slowly dragged away from the table by Mira. Only thinking to himself about what kind of situation he got himself stuck in.

Erza watched Mira walk off with fire in her eyes. "Oh it's on!" The scarlet haired wizards declared, while grabbing Happy and Natsu and dragging them off.

"Scary Ezra's back." Natsu mumbled in a low voice.

"When did Erza stop being scary?" Happy pointed out.

Juvia watched Mira and Erza's group leave, causing her to grab Gray and run off. "Let's go my love, we have a wedding-.. I mean float to plan!"

Gray started to cry anime tears as he was being dragged away. "Why me?" The ice wizard cried.

Gajeel not wanting to lose, picked Levy up by one arm and started to walk. "Let's go shrimp! I'll be pissed if Goldie Locks and Salamander beat us!"

Levy started to flail her arms around. "Let me down Gajeel-baka!" The blue haired girl shouted, but Gajeel didn't listen.

Naruto smiled as he was left alone with Lucy. "So what do you wanna do Lu-chan?" The blond asked with a wide grin.

Lucy matched Naruto's smile and slowly leaned into the blond. "There is no rush, let's just enjoy each other's company for a little bit."

"I like that idea Lu-chan." Naruto replied, while not even thinking about how close they were. Speaking both figuratively and literally.

Lucy rested her head against Naruto's shoulder and started to relax. "Good." The blond beauty mumbled.

Unknown to the two blonds, another blond haired wizard was watching them with a glare. "You took something from me Naruto." One Laxus Dreyar began in a low angered tone, while his eyes focused on Lucy. "So now I'm going to take something from you." The S-class wizard finished, before making his way out of the guild.

Chapter End!

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And next chapter done! Man it's been awhile since I've last updated, but between school and other stories finding time to write can be hard. Though spring semester is done and it's time for summer! I hope you've all been well and you enjoyed this little bit before the next big arc of the story. This chapter was short, but I didn't want to get into any of the Fantasia arc stuff yet so I didn't really have much to write about. Hopefully I can have the first part of the Fantasia arc up soon, but before then I have to finish chapters for my other stories!

Like always tell me what you thought of the chapter, thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!