XI

Igneel wasn't surprised that afterwards Natsu made his way to a clearing on top of the nearest hill to watch the so-called "Salamander's" boat. The imposter had still managed to ride out pretending to be the famed mage, and had promptly called for a party on his yacht, a fact Natsu had overheard after leaving the diner, as two girls had giggled excitedly about it, walking past him on the street.

Igneel had to admit he agreed with his son's emotions on this one. It was disgusting, in a unique kind of way, for other mages to pretend to be something they weren't. Although, Igneel was a little more peeved by the fact that this man was pretending to be "Salamander" a nickname he used to bear, and one he'd passed along to his son, while Natsu was more angry over the fact that this man was sullying Fairy Tail's name.

Natsu had the hearing of a dragon, and as the party on the boat escalated, and turned out to be a plan to capture the women aboard, Igneel felt Natsu's anger reach its breaking point. And in all honesty as his son catapulted down the hill, Happy already taking hold of Natsu's vest from the back, Igneel for once sort of ... hoped his son would wreck something.

And it was as Happy took hold of Natsu, easily carrying him out to the boat's deck –although the cat dropped him right through the boat's roof- that Igneel saw fate strike for the second time that day, as a pair of familiar brown eyes appeared, surprised-looking, and staring through the hole his son had unceremoniously made. That Lucy girl was on the boat, attending the party.

Igneel wasn't sure whether he should be worried that apparently she was a sucker, if she could fall for the trick of the fake Salamander, or to just thank whatever deities were out there that his son was given another chance. Hopefully he wouldn't screw it up this time.

It was a bit chaotic after that, and as Natsu's motion sickness took hold, Igneel was indeed a little cut off from what all happened. All he knew was that one instant Natsu was keeled over with nausea, the next he heard a yell and the boat went flying towards shore, and the next the motion sickness was gone, and through Natsu's now clear eyes he saw the boat had indeed been beached… How? ... He wasn't quite sure. Until he spotted three figures a little farther up on the shore, one Happy, one Lucy, and one a mermaid-like creature which was still in the water; one that Igneel immediately recognized as the spirt Aquarius. Oh, so that Lucy was a Celestial Wizard. Those were rare.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that Aquarius had been the culprit in sending the boat ashore, and Igneel couldn't deny the smirk on his face either. Lucy and Natsu made a good team… even if they didn't really know one another and most likely it'd been dumb luck that her attack had beached the boat… or just haphazard fighting.

Although the real fight started once Natsu made it to his feet, growling out how angry he was that this man who'd admitted his name was Bora, would tarnish the name of Fairy Tail, and his title of Salamander. It was the first time Igneel had ever heard Natsu embrace the nickname, and the first time Natsu's heart seemed to take true possession of it. Igneel was glad his son was finally coming around to the label that he himself had owned for so long… it was fitting for it to be passed down.

Afterwards, it was an oddly satisfying sight to watch as Natsu beat the fake Salamander and his goonies halfway to Hargeon. A very satisfying sight indeed. And as Igneel had guiltily hoped in the beginning, Natsu did indeed destroy something… that something being the entire boat, turning it into measly firewood. Yes… that was his son alright.

Although the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment was short-lived, as the ever-familiar sounds of the guard's whistles and footsteps began to approach. Igneel felt as Natsu hurriedly looked behind him to find Lucy, just now approaching, a star stuck and amazed look on her face as she brushed sand off of her dress.

And without a single thought of contemplation crossing Natsu's mind, his hand reached back, snatching Lucy's wrist almost instinctively. He took off then, dragging her behind him. Igneel felt the goofy grin taking hold of his son's face and couldn't help the smile twitching at his own. No, Natsu didn't know what the strange feeling was that constantly seemed to tickle at his insides when he saw her, but he wasn't a complete idiot; he recognized she was someone he would grow close to... someone special, and so he'd taken her along.

And the look on her face was priceless, a look Igneel was sure he would never forget, as he heard Natsu's voice explaining where they were going. Her eyes immediately filled with excitement, tears, and a type of gratitude that he was positive he'd never see again.

And of course, Igneel didn't miss the hint of color on her face as well, signaling that there was a good chance Natsu's feelings –whether he ever realized them or not- might someday be reciprocated.

"You said you wanted to go to Fairy Tail, right? Well then, come with us!"

And the second half of the first episode. This'll be the last one that's pretty much focused solely on Lucy. I always liked the line Natsu said to Lucy when he was dragging her to Fairy Tail, and I thought it a good way to end it.

And thus begins the real story, and the real fun... oh boy. XD

Thanks for the reviews and whatnot again! I hope you enjoyed! :D

~Foxtail-chan