Chapter 11: Underdog – Play The Game

FairyTail sat in the room downstairs in the hotel. They were probably the happiest losers in the world right then – Laxus however was more concerned with the two Dragon Slayers. He eyed their attire now that they'd changed out of their tournament clothes. He noticed nothing out of the ordinary for Natsu and he supposed the same was for Saya, but he felt a small bit of energy come off the three leather bands they wore. They were wider than typical ones, had intricate imprints in them. Saya's were white, milk chocolate brown, and green, then he looked to the opposite wrist on Natsu and saw black, blood red, and blue. He rose an eyebrow at them and then looked at Saya's who had an angel wing on the end of it while Natsu's had a reversed rune on it. Both looked odd.

"Interesting bracelets," he said to them after he had walked over.

"Oh…Saya made them." He looked at the two Dragon Slayers.

"Why don't you tell us what you had Saya run off to do," Laxus told Natsu as he looked him over.

"I don't have too – its nothing that concerns anyone right now."

Laxus slammed his fists on the table, electricity zapping the air and catching everyone's attention. Natsu looked into Laxus's eyes as he glowered at the other. Whatever their plans were he had no intentions of letting them go. The Fire Dragon Slayer narrowed his eyes while Saya nursed the cup of tea with copper and rose petals in it. Laxus looked at the girl as she took a sip of her tea and then shot a glare at the Lightning Dragon Slayer. The room was silent as they watched the three Dragon Slayers and Gajeel kept a close eye on Laxus knowing that the guy had a bad habit of letting things go overboard. He huffed as the guild watched and Erza came forward to keep a steady and cool glower on the younger Dragon Slayers. Natsu shot her a look and she narrowed her own eyes to match his – however they weren't nearly as predatory as his own. Saya looked at Laxus and then to Erza knowing what they wanted, but also knowing that neither of them wanted anyone to know what they'd learned. Not for personal reasons for but for the others sakes.

"You don't have the right to keep secrets," Laxus said.

"Your one to talk." Laxus swung at Natsu who caught his hand.

Everyone stared at them as the Fire Dragon slayer narrowed his eyes again.

"Do you really think that you have any right to come over and threaten us?" asked Saya.

"I've had enough of your secretive sneaking! I've had enough of your lies! Of the way your changing Natsu into some kind of monster!" Erza snapped and the girl stared at her as did Natsu.

"Erza! How can you say that?!" stated Lucy.

"Look at him! He's not even how he used to be! This girl shows up and he becomes some kind of monster! I'm tired of you lying to us Natsu so its time to own up! Are you a FairyTail Wizard or are you an enemy now?!" that was when the entire guild gasped in shock.

"ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU BACK DOWN NOW!" everyone looked at Markarov.

"Master…" he glared at the red haired woman.

"How are you both come up to them and make those kinds of accusations. Natsu and Saya both are helping the Guild – they would have happily told you what was happening if you had given them a chance!" he snapped. Erza looked down.

"I'm not a monster…" Saya placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder.

Lucy came over to him as he started to stand and walk away. Lucy went with him and Saya shot a look at the red haired woman who was still watching him alongside Laxus and the others.

"Are you going to walk away Salamander?" asked Gajeel.

"I'm not going to sit there and listen to someone I thought was my friend call me a monster – I'm not…what I was doing was to help the guild…to help us win this tournament so everyone can go back home to FairyTail…"

Home, to FairyTail. Everyone who had been on Tenrou Island remembered those words clearly. They stood in a circle holding hands in the face of Acnologia's attack and their own deaths and said they wanted to go home, to FairyTail. Hearing Natsu say that Erza realized how cruel she must have sounded to the boy and her eyes stung as the boy stood there looking prepared to walk away and keep his distance from the re-quip wizard from now on.

"Natsu, Saya, tell us what you were doing earlier today," said Markarov.

"I told Saya that RavenTail is Black – to go and see what they were planning and we figured it out."

"Black? You mean they're…" Saya nodded.

"More than likely. Natsu is like most of us – sensitive to black magic presences. Natsu asked me to check on things because he knew they were going to target us." Saya moved to stand facing the guild and Natsu looked at them as Lucy gripped his hand.

"They're an Anti-FairyTail guild," he said.

"An Anti-FairyTail Guild?" Natsu shook his head to answer.

"They're planning on taking us out as soon as possible. Its not something we expected, but we found it no less. Saya over heard them talking – bragging out how easy it was to take out that Dumb Ice Make Wizard and that they would do the same to all the members…it would seem they have a particularly bad dislike of the Dragon Slayers inside FairyTail…" he said.

"You think that they'll seriously…what hurt us?" Saya frowned.

"I'm more worried about Sabertooth coming at us – they have a back up member named Minerva that makes me shake," she said.

"Why?" the girl shrugged.

"I'm not sure…but it doesn't make me feel to good. Natsu and I both think that the master should make sure that whoever goes into a battle against either one of them will be good enough to knock them down," Saya stated.

"Before the games began I put Natsu and Saya together as a team to go against the tag-team battle. I personally think that Sabertooth will take the chance to get at our Dragon Slayers with their own." Natsu looked at the short old man.

"Despite that…something's wrong with RavenTail – we should suspect for now that they'll stoop to no matter what level to hurt us as will Sabertooth. They both think it's in their rights. Because of that I think we should be prepared to do as much if not more damage to them," he said.

"Are you suggesting we resort to killing?" snapped Erza.

"Not if they don't attempt murder on one of our own! If they do then we fight back with equal rage. But other than that? No, should we make them wish they'd never cross our paths? Yes…but I'm not telling you to kill." Laxus looked him over.

"So what will you be doing when it comes your time to fight Natsu?" the boy looked at him.

"Give them everything I have," he said. Saya nodded.

"I will too…no matter what I won't stop until they do." Markarov smiled.

"Well, if that's the case then let's get back to partying WE HAVE A LOSS TO CELEBRATE!"

The group cheered while Natsu sighed and looked at the people around him laughing, drinking and smiling as they went. He truthfully hoped it stayed that way even though he knew it meant giving up a few things on his and Saya's parts – they would do all they could for these people. He sighed as he walked outside of the hotel feeling tension rise in his body and then vanish as if it was nothing. Saya stood next to him and they both listened to the insanity on the inside with expressions akin to sadness. The feelings of danger hadn't faded after the first day and that meant it would be getting much worse sooner than later. Saya came behind him and he felt arms wrap around his waist.

All the hell they both had gone through, when they were younger and now was enough to make them as close as someone could be without being together or being related. He knew so much more than even they were close to understanding and it made him hope when the time came they would understand why he'd never spoken to them about it. Saya rested her head between his shoulder blades and took a deep breath as she smiled – after so long being able to know that Natsu was there was a great comfort despite what they all were about to go through.

"It'll be a day soaked with joy and fear…and when it comes into existence – we have no choice but to do something," he said with his head down.

"I understand…Natsu…I'm…scared to lose them." He nodded.

"We can count on what we know to keep them alive – we don't know the future Saya, but we can figure out what to do from here. No one has to die," he said.

"Should we use this? Should we really do this? Natsu…that…is it right for us to show them what we are?" he kept his head down.

"Saya, you know we have to….after all…" Saya gripped him tighter and he placed a hand on hers.

"We are made from broken parts….we've been broken from the beginning," he turned and she let go and he placed a hand on her head as she tilted her head down.

"We're going to face hell aren't we?" he nodded.

"Just a war…we can win it."

The group of FairyTail Wizards who were closest to the door could make out their words. Lucy was one of them next to Levy, Laxus, Erza, and Gray while Gajeel sat next to the window with a frown on his face. The words Natsu used sounded so hollow and broken compared to his normal self. Gajeel had seen how he treated Saya – gently and in a brotherly way. Lucy felt tears sting her eyes and grabbed the door handle only to be stopped by Gray who shook his head. Right now wasn't the time to go out there and ask them questions – whatever was happening would need to be seen before someone said otherwise.

"Natsu…" Lucy felt her heart ache as she listened.

"We'll be okay Saya – we've been through worse…" she knew he was holding her, trying to soothe the girl like he had before.

Sometimes the way that they looked at each other made Lucy wonder if she had never met Natsu if they would have ended up together. Then again she thought while smiling ever so slightly to herself she'd seen the look he gave her – Saya was his sister in every way but by blood. She sighed and looked at the others who were smiling and laughing despite the loss. Lucy never forgot how willful FairyTail could be. She took a deep breath and looked at the others who had begun to walk off. She spotted Wendy off to the side looking better along-side Carla who was being chatted to by Happy and Lilly and then she looked at Erza and Laxus who were giving unsure looks at the door where Saya and Natsu were on the other side of.

"I may have lost my parents – but I'm not alone here…Natsu is my family so is FairyTail…Saya is family…I have to win! I have to fight for them."

It was later that night that Natsu had come back into the room with Saya in his arms fast asleep. Gajeel laughed at the sight and the pink haired Dragon Slayer rolled his eyes as he laid Saya down on the bed and covered her up while Lucy smiled at him. His behavior was very much that of an older brother. He sighed as he moved over to the bed where she was and flopped down across the end of it. The others smiled at him as he laid there momentarily wondering whether or not he was as tired as he looked.

"Erza and Laxus were really grinding the gears huh?" asked Gray.

"Yea…" Lucy looked at Natsu.

"I think she went to far calling you a monster…" the boy went still. The others felt tension and Gajeel frowned.

"Salamander?" he questioned the boy and he made a faint noise of recognition.

"What if she's right?" they looked at him in shock.

"Erza was not right! You aren't a monster Natsu!" said Lucy.

"Maybe…I am and none of you know it…maybe I'm a demon and no one knows it…or a thing that shouldn't have existed…maybe I shouldn't still exist…" he sat up in time to look at Lucy who went wide eyed.

A resounding slap was heard and Gajeel, Gray, Lilly, and Happy stared as Lucy's arm remained outstretched where she had slapped Natsu. The boy was wide eyed as she dropped her arm and tears welled up in her eyes. Currently the boy was in a position that had his head turned while trying to think about what just happened. Lucy felt tears drop down her face and she looked at where her hand had landed.

"If you didn't exist….I would have never come to FairyTail! I wouldn't have ever found another home! And I wouldn't have either met such an amazing person – all of the people here are incredible! I found someone I love, and then I got to me someone who is practically family to him! So no Natsu! You shouldn't even think that you're undeserving of life," she said.

"It's not that simple Luce and you know that…remember?" she stared momentarily before nodding.

"Just don't talk like that – you haven't been through hell just to die or think about it. Tomorrow we have more fights ahead of us so don't worry…we'll be fine," she said.

"Yea…" Natsu smiled faintly.

The group became quiet while they went about their business before finally calling it a night and going to bed. Lucy glanced at Natsu who was lying fast asleep beside her and wondered what had possessed him to say something like he had. There was a sense of questioning there and she had considered asking him, but she knew that there was nothing she would get from the now sleeping boy next to her. Lucy sighed as she watched him sleep.

When he got quiet, sleeping like he was with his hands laid neatly on the pillow beside his head she almost forgot that Natsu could be all hellfire and strength, that he never cried and toughed out his wounds for others sakes. How he was willing to give up everything he could just to know others were alive. Lucy had to wonder why those words came from him of all people. She took a deep breath and questioned why she tried to understand when she hadn't been through half of the things he had. But still those words were ringing, thrumming through her.

It made her question why he would say those words – resolve cracking she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair and looked at the boy who had at first startled her, made her question his sanity, saved her life - now she couldn't count how many times he had – Natsu was the boy who was as fierce as the Dragon Slayer Magic he used, the one who brought her to FairyTail, who gave her a home far away from her home. Who gave her courage and strength to better herself and become a stronger and kinder person. Natsu was the one who made her smile with his own, the one who made her laugh, and then made her stare in awe and at times terror as she watched him fight, and watched him grow stronger – when she witnessed the feral side of him instead of feeling simple, pure, fear she felt amazement and saw something intriguing and hypnotic about him when he became that way. It felt like being attracted to poison – she knew as well as anyone else what Natsu could do if he chose to – and it scared her. Lucy felt tears slide down her face as she watched him continue to sleep and those words flared in her mind again.

"…maybe I'm a demon and no one knows it…or a thing that shouldn't have existed…maybe I shouldn't still exist…"

Shouldn't still exist. What did that mean? He had whispered in her ear a secret, something that hurt when she heard it. He had done it to let her know that something about him was different. Her eyes fell back to him as he moved a bit and his mouth opened just a bit.

"Lucy…please…don't cry." She paused as she felt her tears fall and slowly blackish-jade eyes looked at her in a bleary way.

When he sat up he moved sluggishly and almost in a drunk manner – telling her that he had sensed her tears and not been feeing sleep – dark eyes glanced up at her through deep pink bangs that looked almost red in the dark of the room. He came to her direction and Lucy paused when she felt his arms move to hold himself up in front of her as his hands rested on either side of her hips. His eyes bored into hers in the manner that she had felt fear go through her before from – it was dulled from sleep, but there was a predatory state to him right then and it scared her. Lucy paused when warm breath fanned across her face and then she paused.

A warm tongue slid across her cheek startling her as she realized why he'd done that. The tear tracks on her face must have been evident. Natsu leaned closer his lips brushing against her cheek, then her lips, that followed her jaw and then her throat where sharp teeth nipped at her pulse. A shiver went through her as she stayed very still while feeling the tip of his nose brush against her skin catching her scent while his lips trailed her pulse and then moved back up towards her jaw and ear. A sharp nip was placed there and she made a quiet sound of pain as she felt him lave at it with his tongue to soothe it before warmth blushed over her body as he moved again and his mouth stopped just at her throat.

"Natsu…" dark eyes glanced at her.

"Don't cry…it isn't your fault," he whispered in her ear and she paused.

"I…" he shook his head.

"Look at me Lucy….I've been broken from the start – my life isn't what you believe…I'm made of broken parts and my hearts beating in darkness…you know what I said to you…so please, just understand that I know why your sad but it isn't something you can help. Saya knows, she's like me…made up of broken parts…Lucy…just…smile for me…" Lucy looked shocked.

"No, you have to keep smiling!" she said sternly as tears began to well in her eyes.

"Can you accept what I am? Can you stay by me despite what I've become and might still turn into…I'm a monster Lucy – don't you get it?" she shook her head.

"Natsu you aren't a monster!" warm breath fanned across her neck before he licked her tears away as they fell down her cheeks. He leaned closer until the girl was forced to lay there on the bed with him pinning her there.

"Believe that…and don't forget it…because eventually…I may need you to call me back."

He leaned close enough to place a kiss to her lips which made her feel shaken and hot despite the coolness of the room. Natsu's warm hands slipped up to cup her cheeks, laying himself atop her and Lucy didn't mind – he was warm, and comfortable to be against which made her feel safe. When he moved back she looked into dark eyes while his bangs fell in place to overlay with her own and tickle her forehead and nose. She smiled faintly as she kissed him again and tangled her fingers in his hair before closing her eyes.

"Stay….stay this way…you don't have to become a monster to protect someone you love – you don't have to give up your humanity Natsu…its okay."

His hands carted up into her hair and she smiled before he felt her arch her back a bit and he almost instantly wrapped her in his arms, face buried into her throat and shoulder as she listened to him breathe steadily. His fingers knotted back into her hair and he just held her there beneath him still and she let him while she listened to his heart and each breath he took out. Moments later he sighed and shaking he leaned back a bit and pressed their foreheads together while smiling at the girl below him.

"Stay with me…" she stared at him before smiling.

"Always." He seemed reassured and moved to the side while Lucy curled tightly to him before looking at him as his eyes slowly closed and his body relaxed again.

Dawn the following morning saw then up and getting ready. The crowds were already gathering and it made Lucy anxious for some odd reason. She shook it off as she picked at her breakfast. While the rest of the guild was doing much the same Natsu had come in and sat down before kissing her cheek. Instantly everyone cast them looks cheered or wolf whistled at them. Lucy waved them off before entertwining her fingers in Natsu's – and that was when he went still. Gray watched him as did some of the others when they noticed his silence.

Natsu felt a surge of danger for Lucy run through him – he felt someone hurt her, and saw the pain. Anger bristled inside him like a wild beast and he had to cage it before he did something rash. Lucy squeezed his hand and he looked at her before smiling – saying it was nothing and to not worry about it. With his assurance she finished up and soon everyone was standing in the stadium again. They were on their balcony next to their second FairyTail team who were giving them grins and looking at the other guilds while apparently, Laxus and Erza both were still unsure of them. Natsu huffed as he looked at the point's roster in disappointment. He sighed and then the fanfair began and they realized the games were once again afoot.

"WELCOME BACK TO A SECOND DAY OF THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES YEAR 791!" Yajima called out and the crowds cheered in excitement.

"TODAY IS OUR FIRST BATTLE! ARE YOU READY?!" Every person in their yelled despite the volume increase which according to the flinching of several Dragon Slayers was quite uncomfortable for their sensitive ears.

"WE WILL BEGIN PICKING OUT COMPETITORS FOR TODAY IN JUST A MOMENT!" all the guilds began wondering who they'd choose and then Natsu walked up from the roster and stood next to Lucy with a dispondant expression.

"Natsu? Are you alright?" asked Gray.

"Yea, you don't look good." Carla eyed him oddly.

"They'll choose you Lucy," he said in a monotone voice. She stared at him and smiled.

"I doubt it – they'll want something flashy so they'll probably pick you or Gajeel, maybe Saya." The pink haired Dragon Slayer shook his head.

"No, they'll pick you…against RavenTail…" they all froze even the booth next to them did as they heard him.

"RavenTail…no Natsu they won't," said Mirajane.

"Watch…" Carla looked at the others.

"He's sensing it…but I hardly believe that they'll…"

"OUR COMPETITORS FOR TODAY ARE - FLARE CORONA OF RAVENTAIL AND…" they glanced at Natsu when the words were brought up with the ill looking red haired woman's picture.

"Surely they'll pick another guild," said Laxus.

"AND OUR OTHER COMPETITOR IS THE LOVELY LUCY HEARTFILIA OF FAIRY TAIL!"

Everyone looked at Natsu and Carla felt tremors go through her as she realized Natsu hadn't just guessed, he'd felt it. His senses made him hyper aware and he'd just tapped into it. Lucy stared amazed at him before going to him. She wrapped her arms around him and he returned it before whispering something in her ear to which she nodded and kissed his cheek.

"Go get'em Lucy," said Gray as Gajeel nodded.

"You got this Lucy." She nodded to Saya and the exceeds before looking at Natsu.

"Don't hesitate…" she shook her head.

"I won't…" he glanced at her.

"For anything – if they pull something we will handle it." Lucy looked at him before giving a quick nod.

Laxus looked at the Dragon Slayer who kept his eyes down before narrowing his own. From what he could tell Natsu wasn't clairvoyant and he most certainly wasn't a sensitive from what he guessed, but the boy had just stumped him and now seemed distant from them almost detached. He took a deep breath and then looked at him.

"Since when are you psychic?" he asked. The boy moved a bit.

"I'm not – I just felt it…I can't help that my instincts were right…" Erza frowned.

"Instincts! Spare me! That wasn't instinctual! What did you do?" she questioned.

"Nothing…are you going to call me a monster again because of this too?" cold green eyes looked at her and she flinched.

"Natsu I…" he looked away.

"I forgive you…but I don't believe you have a right to expect everything from someone just because you know them….Erza…don't think so lowly of people." She looked at him.

"I apologize for saying that but how…" he moved his neck a little as if to tilt it – the motion looked mechanical almost. He wasn't really there emotionally and she could tell.

"I sensed it…and its bad." She felt her eyes widen.

"That's why you…" he nodded slowly.

"Saya, be prepared – we have to keep them from pulling any tricks," he said in an icy tone.

"Got it…what should we do?" he glanced at her.

"Heh….whether we're made from broken parts or not…we can still break them as well…RavenTail made a mistake when they targeted us – FairyTail is our home and if they want to take us out then they have to get through us," he said as he leaned against the banister to watch Lucy as she walked out and got ready.

"Broken parts…" Laxus frowned.

"Yea…sure…we've both been broken from the start…but in this game…" Natsu set a demonic and cold eye upon Flare and then glanced at the others who reeled back.

"We're the underdogs…so play the game," he said with an impish grin that bared his fangs.

{Chapter 11: Underdog – Play The Game – END}

Author's Note: Alright, firstly its kind of dark in this chapter – Natsu's words "We're broken from the start, we're made from broken parts" is from the song We Are by Hollywood Undead – I loved the words and they fit the theme of the story and chapter so I decided to reference it a few times in the chapter.

Okay Thanks again to my two reviewers SakuraPetal91 & Wacko12! Arigatou.

{NEXT TIME….

Lucy and Flare's battle is underway, but what will happen when Natsu catches onto their plan and sends a message that rings loud and clear to RavenTail after the match? Also, what will become of the battles and what will happen when FairyTail is pushed to show Fiore just how strong they really are. Find out…

Chapter 12: The First Battle: Lucy vs. Flare!}

Arigatou Nakamas!