a/n- Hello again! i hope you all enjoyed the last chapter!

R&R and enjoy!

Much love!

A heavy boot fell next to his face, and another on his shoulder shaking him roughly. Natsu groaned in protest, he reached out to pull the covers over his head, instead his fingers fell into dewy grass. He cracked his eyes open. He was laying in the grass near the edge of the cliff. Above him stood Gray, his long billowy coat and leather pants irritating him already. Not to mention the dick head was being so rough with him this early. It soured his mood.

"Oi, ice princess fuck off," he shoved Gray's boots off him as he sat up.

"Not until you fight me. We have some things to work out,"

"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything to you," he counted his finger absently, " in at least two days,"

Without another word Gray grabbed Natsu's collar and threw him. He landed hard on his chest. He leaped up. Anger swelling inside of him he lunged for his dark haired opponent, a fist aimed right for his nose. A smirk painted itself across Gray's face as he brought his forearm up to block, he crouched down and tried to sweep Natsu's feet out from under him, but Natsu was ready. He leaped out the way, taking the opportunity to level a kick into Gray's stomach, it was a solid hit. The victory didn't last long though because Gray came at him again, a fist going for his chin, Natsu blocked leaving his ribs open. Gray kicked him hard knocking the wind out of him and most definitely cracking a rib. Natsu fell to ground, raising his hands in surrender. Gray extended a hand and helped his friend up, ignoring Natsu's pained groan.

"Do you feel better?" Natsu spat.

"Do you?" Gray countered.

"Why would I-"

Natsu stopped, if he looked past his aching ribs. His mood was better and his anger at Lucy dissipated. The heaviness that he felt last night lifted, he could breath again. More or less. Natsu looked at Gray understanding on his face.

"Thanks, I needed that,"

Grays signature smirk was back, "Well we all need our ass kicked once in a while," he raised his hand before Natsu could say anything in argument.

"I saw you and Luce in the library yesterday, you looked like you needed to get the anger out,"

"You saw us?" He couldn't remember anyone else in sight.

"Yeah. I've never seen you like that,"

Natsu looked out over Magnolia, at Lucy's rooftop. He needed to apologize to her. He acted like an ass.

"Yeah, well,"

"You don't need to explain it to me. It's as obvious as that sunrise how you feel about her,"

"I wish I knew what she felt," he said absently

"You've got to know by now that she feels the same,"

Natsu scoffed.

Gray shoved him a little in the shoulder,

"Hey in case you haven't noticed, you're leaving. When you leave she will never see you again." There was a silence between them. Gray gritted his teeth and said, "We'll never see you again,"

"I've been trying to find a way to stay," Natsu said as he started to walk in the direction of the guild.

He raised an eyebrow at him, disbelief clear on his face, "What about your princely duties, and your troops?"

"They were fine before they had the Salamander, they'll be find without him,"

"And the princess?"

"I think we'd both be relieved if the sham could come to and end."

Gray nodded. They walked in silence for a few more minutes. Their footsteps alerting a group of nearby deer that went bounding into the trees. Natsu watched them disappear into the trees.

"How long have you known you wanted to?"

"I've wanted to start a new life since my first day in Dekar, but it only took me a few days to realize I wanted to stay here. Erza dropped an opportunity in my lap and I initially said no, but I went back that same night and asked if she would help me."

"Why not say anything to us?"

"I wanted to tell everyone but we decided it was best not to. I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up if my plan fell through and I ended up having to leave anyway, but we're on the brink of the perfect plan we just need a few more days,"

Natsu said stepping out of the trees, revealing the guild tree. Natsu stopped mid step.

In front of Fairy Tail was a royal carriage. The royal colors of white and gold tethered the horses, and adorned the flag of the Royal crest that flapped in the breeze, it's elegant falcon image waving at him. Several trunks strapped to the back of it. Standing beside the carriage stood Gajeel, in full dress uniform. A white tailcoat with gold tassels on the shoulders and black leather pants and boots. His captains hat wrestled with his black mane. Next to him stood Erza, she spotted Natsu and her eyes softened.

Natsu swallowed hard as he and Gray walked up to Gajeel. He noticed Lucy and Levy standing by the door. Levy had a sad sparkle in her eyes, she was staring unabashedly at his royal captain. Lucy's eyes on the other hand drilled Natsu, hollowing him out. They shared a moment, a crushing one, this was it, there would e no more chances, no more days next to her. Gajeel stepped into his view.

"Your majesty, its good to see you again," he looked Natsu over, eyeing the still healing gash in his brow, " and healthy, more or less,"

He turned to Erza, "Your ransom as requested."

"Thank you," Erza paused in a way that was almost awkward, "Can we offer you anything? Do you need provisions? Or a night's sleep before you leave?"

There was a strange rigid air surrounding the two of them, a familiarity of sorts. He watched them curiously, Gajeel's body language should have been stiff and alert, ready to strike down his prince's captors. Instead it was relaxed as if he was surrounded with people he'd always know. Pieces started to fall together, how Erza had all that Intel all this weeks ago. The guild's reluctance to speak the Iron Dragon's name. His eyes flicked to Levy who still stood next to Lucy. Her eyes were watery, her hands frozen mid air as if she'd been reaching towards his captain. He smiled in spite of the situation.

"No, we must get His majesty back to his wife, she's been sick with worry," he stood taller adjusting his hat.

Erza turned to Natsu then, "Natsu, I would be lying if I said I wouldn't miss you. Please take care of yourself, and your country," she hadn't even bothered keeping up appearances that his was their captive.

She extended her hand out to his, but as he reached to take it he was pulled into her chest, crushing him in a hug. He struggled against the armored woman trying to get some oxygen. She let him go and looked him over.

"You'll make a fine King,"

He nodded at her, before turning to Lucy, he needed to tell her everything. Exactly how he felt and how he was sorry for his actions the day before, but She was gone. At some point in the last few seconds she had slipped away unseen and unheard. He scanned the crowd quickly for a streak of gold, but it was no use.

Natsu said his last goodbyes as Jet and Droy unloaded the ransom money and heaved himself into the carriage across from Gajeel. The man seemed to have been exhausted by the short encounter with Erza. The carriage lurched forward, and Natsu felt his stomach flip. Nausea gripped him for a few moments before it settled a looked at his friend understanding of what he was leaving behind weighing on him, "

Gajeel, do you know young woman, named Levy? She's small, bright blue hair?"

Gajeel sat up straighter and looked out the window a blush crossing his cheeks, "Can't say that I do,"

Natsu leaned back, he wasn't expecting his officer to relent, but he was hoping for something more.

A moment later however he said, "Levy, that's a beautiful name,"

Natsu smiled at him, "Indeed it is,"