Chapter 10: Return to A Delusional World
I just realized there were major mistakes about a lot things throughout this story with Laxus being at the guild after the Phantom Lord Arc which I think he doesn't return until the battle of Fairy Tail and Naruto returning to the guild and not realizing it was still not fixed. I will try to fix those issues by not editing those chapters before, but by improvising the story throughout.
Begin.
"Are you sure that Natsu is going to be alright." Lucy asked Naruto, who was busy trying to seal away the negative energy coming from the curse seal. His hands glowed a lime green as he held both of them over the seal.
"Don't worry Lucy, during my mission I learned from a perverted master of seals. I studied this curse mark before too, so I may be able to seal most of it away." Naruto said with a weak smile. He inwardly sighed in relief as he saw a calmer facial expression appear at the place of the visual pain Natsu showed.
"Can't you just destroy the curse mark." Grey asked as he was leaning by a wall inside the room. Juvia stood next to the man she silently sent glances toward the ice user.
"I'm sorry, but I can not." Naruto said with a somber tone. He studied with Jiraiya for hours just to be able to restrain the negative effects, but completely eradicating it was nearly impossible without killing him or severely affecting his nerve system. "It would be too dangerous to try to erase the power of the curse mark from his system."
"So what is going to happen to Natsu?" Happy asked Naruto as he turned to Happy and gave him a reassuring smile.
"You don't have to worry Happy, he will be fine. I may not be able to get rid of the curse mark, but it will suppress the negative effects from acting up." Naruto said as the light covering his hand changed into a white color. "Well I think I was able to enforce the seal I drew on."
He turned to the people waiting inside the room before giving him his analysis. "He should be a little weak when he wakes up, but he will be good as new in a few days."
Everyone felt relieved by the news, but Naruto noticed something; a certain redhead was not in the room with them. He turned toward Lucy as he asked her whereabouts. "Ay Lucy, where's Erza."
"Oh, I think she is outside in the beach. Naruto gave a small nod before leaving the room. He knew why she wanted to be alone and honesty, he couldn't blame her. The feeling of finally being free was something to appreciate as he lived his life like that since he can remember. That is the Fairy Tail way and he always felt Erza lacked it since he first met her. He chuckled as he still remembered that cocky little girl who only warmed up to him when he challenged her to a battle of swords.
He found her sitting on the beach with tears streaming down her cheeks. He sat next to her as he stared at the mass blue ocean. "Hey..."
"..." Erza ignored Naruto as she continued to stare at the ocean as well. Her mind was elsewhere as she continued to feel ashamed in not being able to save Simon, Jellal, Natsu and even Naruto back at the tower.
"Don't tell me you're going to act like you used too." Naruto said with a heavy sigh. "You're finally free from the tower, be more positive about it!"
"I'm angry because I couldn't save any of you." Erza said, before she felt something on her head. She looked up to see Naruto smiling gently at her with his hands set on her head. He ruined the moment when he started taunting her with nicknames.
"Cute little Erza still thinks she has to take of everyone." Naruto smiled faded as he stood up, eyes softly staring at the ocean before him. "If that was true, Kushina would still have his mother..."
"Naruto..." Erza softly said before Naruto walked a few feet away from Erza. He summoned a standard all black katana and pointed it toward Erza.
"Oi, stand up and let's continue this with blades instead of continuing with words." Naruto said as he rubbed the back of his head. "This is the way we of the way of swords solve our issues."
"Naruto I-" Erza wanted to deny him a duel right now, but Naruto baited her in when a rock connected with her head. A tick mark appeared on her forehead, but she continued to try to deny his request for a duel.
"I don't-" another pebble connected with her head. Naruto stabbed the blade deep into the sand and leaned on the sword. He gave a taunting smirk as he waited for the hot-headed Erza to act.
"Is Erza-chan getting angry~" Naruto said childishly before bringing his blade up to block Erza's sword. Erza glared at the blonde, while he have a taunting smile before pushing her away. Erza dug her feet in the sand as she changed her attire into a red hakama bottoms with a flame design on the footing. Her breast were bandaged to keep her big breast from getting in the way. She held on to her katana tightly before launching toward Naruto and setting a series of blade strikes.
"You've improved a lot, Erza-chan." Naruto complimented as he either dodged or blocked strikes from Erza. Her eyes dried up from the tears from before as she continued trying to hit Naruto.
"My skills are only thanks to your mother Naruto." Erza stated, causing him to smile at the comment. Even after meeting Ankhseram and recovering some memories of his mother, he still couldn't remember her in Fairy Tail. The only memories was those he saw of him and Menma, his apparent brother. He didn't want to comment on her since only very faint memories of her came up when he thought more about her. He decided to change the topic, specifically on the first time they fought.
"Do you still remember the first time we ended up like this." Naruto said as he crossed blades with her, stopping her in her tracks. He closed in as his face was only a few inches away from Erza. "When you were still that girl who hid behind that cold exterior."
"...and the only way I got you to talk was by provoking you into fighting me." Naruto said softly, causing Erza to lose some of her focus. Naruto used his foot to trip her back as he landed on top of her with his blade on her neck. Her ignored the blade on her neck as her eyes intently stared at Naruto's.
He slowly lowered his head next to her left ear as he gently whispered words that sent chills down her spine. "I once thought I could protect everyone I cared for with just my strength alone, but you know what the got me?"
"...w-what." Erza hesitantly asked, still not able to hold her hard exterior she constantly showed those in the guild.
"Regret." Naruto said as he got off Erza and returned his blade back to his personal pocket dimension. Erza looked at Naruto who held out his hand. Erza took it as Naruto pulled her up. Her eyes continued to gaze toward him as his empty eyes looked down at the floor.
"I lost people I care deeply for anxI don't wish to lose more Erza..." Naruto looked up at her as he set his hands on her shoulders. He gave a smile that looked a bit forced. "For those we lost, we can only shed tears for them before living fully for them..."
"Now let those tears out..." Naruto said softly. Erza continued to stare at Naruto, before her eyes began to water again. She wrapped her arms around Naruto as she cried her eyes out. Naruto hands gently set themselves on her lower back as he set his head on her shoulders. His cold eyes didn't shed tears with her as he stared at the ocean, thoughts plagued with the image of Tayuya.
'I couldn't protect you, but I swear I will protect you Kushina...' Naruto thought before he heard Erza make a comment about him.
"You know, t-that was as cheesy as what you said b-back then." Erza said between her sobs, causing Naruto to look a little down.
"Wow, way to ruin the mood Erza-chan." Naruto said softly as he made another soft comment. "I thought the first words to come after my inspiring speech was a love confession..."
Naruto was dropped down to the floor when Erza tripped him this time. Her eyes were red from the tears as she wiped any remaining before giving a stern glare toward the fallen Naruto. "And you still act like an idiot."
Erza changed into a blouse and skirt as she walked back to check on Natsu. Naruto eyes stared at the retreating Erza, as his mind was on one thing specifically. 'Erza's body sure developed.'
(Three Day Later)
"Oi, why do I have to carry idiot over here." Grey argued as they walked toward the guild as they just exited the train. Naruto was a little annoyed and waved at Grey from in front.
"Stop whining, we're almost the guild." Naruto said as he turned toward Happy and Lucy.
"Don't you two have anything to say, you ruined my sleep in the train with your talking and now no words..." Naruto said with an angry tone, causing Lucy to smile nervously at the guy she found really cute. She couldn't believe how she made herself look in front of him.
Naruto didn't let them talk as he turned toward the other silent member. "And you're quiet too Erza-chan? Normally you would criticize everything right now."
Erza didn't comment with words as she just gave a small smile, making Naruto give another heavy sigh.
"Ugh, I can't wait to return to my cute daughter, at least she shows gratitude for what I do for her!" Naruto made another verbal jab, before reaching the guild. It was a complete different guild then he remembered. Yea he heard they were reconstructing but to go this far, in just three days too! He really didn't like change, but could really care less about the new changes. He walked past all the loud members as his eyes wandered for just one person. He found her sitting next to a guy with long hair and piercings. Kushina was holding a figure of what appeared to be him, but Naruto could care less as only one thought came to his mind. 'Stranger!'
Gajeel was silently sitting on a table, until this redhead two year walked up to him. She stared at him with awe before struggling to get up to the seat next to him. She started playing with a figure she claimed to be her father next to him, as she kept trying to get him to play with her. He continued trying to ignore her as he wondered when this kids parents will show up and take care of this unattended child. He saw the white haired barmaid notice her and call for her, but instead an angry blond appeared before him. He grabbed Gajeel by his collar and held him with a blade on his neck.
"What do you think you are doing with my daughter! Are you trying something pervy knowing she will grow to be incredibly beautiful!" Naruto accused as everyone now was staring at Naruto and Gajeel.
"Naruto stop, he wasn't trying nothing, he is our newest member!" Makarov said, causing Naruto to look toward him before turning back to Gajeel. He let go before giving a warning and in some way an apology.
"I apologize, but you should understand my duty as Kushina's parent. You should realize that I as a father will hurt anyone trying to hurt my daughter." Naruto said with a small bow. He looked up with his cold eyes glaring deeply at Gajeel, who was still confused by the whole thing. "Anyone!"
Naruto's attitude turned a 180° as he smiled toward a naive Kushina who had a figure of him. He grabbed the figure from Kushina, as he waved it in front of Makarov. "What is this? I never authorized a figure of -is that a small Kushina on my back!""
"Oh we sell figures of everyone's favorite Fairy Tail member. It helps pay for the damn destruction you guys do!" Makarov said that more directly toward his destructive guild. He gave a nudge on his knees in a suggesting manner. "I thought the girls would hunt you like the dog when they realize you're a caring single father of this cute little thing."
Dammit this is going to ruin his badass rep he gained throughout the years. Kushina took the figure from her father, as she returned playing with it. Naruto sighed as his daughter's attitude before turning to Mirajane who appeared next to him. "So what's up with the new improvements."
"Oh master thought it would be nice to improve the guild." Mirajane said with a cheery exterior, even though she was a little embarrassed that she took her eyes off her for just a second and ended up losing her. Naruto stretched his arms back and gave a yawn before Naruto motioned his hand for Mirajane to come closer. She leaned in as Naruto gently moved some strands behind her left ear as he whispered softly.
"Don't worry about Kushina, she is one hyper-active kid." Naruto said, before turning to ask her daughter if that was correct. He found Kushina missing again as he jumped on the table as he called for his daughter.
"Kushina!" Everyone watched as Naruto looked for his daughter frantically. Everyone who knew Naruto before he left the guild knew how dramatize he was for stuff he cared for. He ran around the guild looking for his daughter, as he pushed away Grey out of the way when him and the rest of who arrived noticed Gajeel. He found his daughter looking up at Erza again, most likely checking her hair again. Naruto ran up to her and grabbed her in a tight hug. "You little troublemaker, always worrying me."
"Naruto, what happened to Natsu…" Makarov asked, causing Naruto to stop suffocating Kushina as he turned to Makarov.
"I think we should talk about that in private." Makarov sighed at Naruto's usual staying discreet with the information he has. Makarov nodded as he walked toward his office, motioning Naruto to follow him. Naruto turned to Kushina who was still innocently staring at Erza again.
"I need you to stay put Kushina, if you do I'll buy you a treat when go home." Naruto asked his daughter who turned to him. She pointed at Erza who was visually comparing the qualities Kushina shared with the girl she saw back in the tower.
"Can I play with her?!" Kushina asked causing Naruto to look at Erza too. Erza was taken off guard by the girl's sudden interest in playing with her as Naruto picked her up and held her in front of Erza.
"It depends if Erza-chan wants to play with you?" Naruto asked in a child-like manner, causing Kushina to act off and softly ask Erza if she wanted to play.
"Do you want to play with me?" Kushina asked with a soft puppy eyed look. Erza couldn't help comply as Naruto quickly set Kushina on her arms before running toward Makarov. Kushina brought her dad's action figure in front of Erza's face as she asked Erza if she wanted to use him.
"His daughter is really cute." Lucy softly said as she also tried to play with Kushina.
(Naruto)
"So are you going to explain to me what happened to Natsu?" Makarov asked Naruto who lazily sat on a chair.
"Well I will, but I would like to have some questions answered too gramps." Naruto said as he leaned in. He looked serious as his cold empty eyes glared at Makarov, demanding honest answers from him. Makarov motioned him to continue as Naruto did. "Did you know of a brother I might have?"
"...yes, your mother told me before she died." Makarov answered, as he was curious on how he knew about this. Kushina informed him of the demon attack on her home village and the importance of keeping Naruto and his younger brother away from each other. What can happen to the world if Naruto and Menma reunited before they finished their training.
"So he knew and never told you..." the deep voice of Kyuubi whispered in his mind. Naruto ignored the demon as he slammed his hands on the table, desperately trying to hold his composure but failing miserably.
"Care to tell me why I can't remember him?" Naruto asked slowly, trying not to scream directly at Makarov's face.
"...Kushina sealed your memories to wait until the perfect time to reveal him, but she died before that." Makarov said as he looked at the child he watched grow before his very eyes.
"Is that why my memories of her are blurry at best." Naruto asked Makarov, who didn't know how to answer. He didn't know why Naruto forgot about Kushina after she passed away and actually believed it was his psqi trying to protect him from the pain of losing his mother, but apparently it was not. Naruto took the silence another way as he felt Makarov was keeping secrets from him. He changed the topic away, as he sat back down on his chair.
He began explaining what happened at the tower of heaven, not leaving no details out. While he explained what happened, he didn't realize that laughter of a cunning vixen. She rolled on the floor as she held her abdomen. She stared at the empty black sky she created to ooze her demented comfort. She licked her lips as she could just feel her freedom coming sooner than she realized.
"Sweet freedom aahh, wonder which country I should destroy first~"
End
Alright this chapter is here to set up the Battle of Fairy Tail Arc and prepare Naruto to seek his brother soon. I didn't waste a lot time on the small fight scene between Erza and Naruto which wasn't serious and I didn't insert a flashback scene I was planning, due to it feeling unnecessary.
The next stories to be updated would most likely be either Forgotten Fairy, Hatred For Love or Sleeping Dragon within a Weak Fairy. Review!