I DON'T OWN FAIRY TAIL! MASHIMA SENSEI DOES!
One Month
Natsu woke up in Lucy's bed as he usually did. He turned his head to admire the woman he was blessed to call his mate. He held her close as she was latched onto him. Her long, beautiful hair was tangled, so he began to run his fingers through to get rid of the knots. She slowly awoke at the sensation of her hair being lightly pulled.
"Morning," Natsu smiled.
"Morning," she murmured. "Where's Happy?"
"He, Pantherlily, and Carla went to visit the Exceeds really early in the morning and won't be back for a week. I already said bye to him, so you don't have to worry about that."
Lucy turned onto her back and sighed. "I know I managed for a whole year without you, but things are so different this time," she frowned.
"I know, but remember…I'm always with you." He rubbed the scar on her neck. "We're connected now, Lucy," he smiled.
She returned his smile. "I know I should be afraid of Acnologia and his men, but everybody, especially you and Gajeel, are becoming so strong. I'm becoming more confident we can do it."
"We're going to beat him. I promise you we will."
Gajeel had packed his bag the previous night and had chosen to sleep in Levy's room instead of his own. When it was time to get up, he gently brushed the hair off her face.
"Levy, it's time to get up." There was no answer. She was clearly too comfortable. "Lev!" he said in an aggressive whisper.
She weakly opened her eyes. "Good morning…can we lay here for a little longer? Please?"
"I promised Natsu we'd leave early."
"Do you really think he'll be on time?"
"Well…okay maybe you're right. Salamander is usually not on time, but he loves to train, so I don't think he'll be late to leave for this."
"Fine," she slid out of her bed and walked over to her closet to get dressed while Gajeel stayed on her bed.
"Something wrong, Lev?"
"I'm just not looking forward to not having you around for a whole month," she frowned. "Unlike the others, you and I were together when Fairy Tail disbanded."
He got up to wrap his arms around her waist. "I know, but it's not like I'll be gone for a really long time. A month will fly by…you'll see."
She put her hand on his arm. "I hope you're right…I guess I also can't wait to live with you," she laughed.
"There ya go! Have something to look forward to while I train! I promise you we're going to get a lot done, Lev! When we come back, you won't even recognize us!"
When the four arrived at the guild, they were met with Laxus, Mira, Erza, and Jellal who were conversing by the hallway that led to the Guild Master's office and Laxus' room.
"What brings you four to the guild hall this early?" Jellal asked the other four.
"We could ask the same for you guys," Gajeel replied. "Natsu and I are going off to train for a month, so we needed to let Zeref, First Master, and Master Makarov know before we leave."
"You two are going off together?" Laxus raised a brow.
"Yeah! We're going to come back stronger than you two!" Natsu answered the Laxus.
"We'll see," Jellal laughed.
"A whole month?" Mira repeated. "How will you two manage?" she chuckled while looking at Lucy and Levy.
"I don't know if I could survive that long without Jellal…" Erza remarked.
"Weren't you without him all the time not too long ago?" Levy asked.
"Yes, but he's been here all the time lately, so if he decides to run off to train like these two, I'm coming," she sternly stated.
Lucy couldn't help but giggle. She's arguably the strongest girl we've got here, but she's just like us when it comes to Jellal.
"Well, we gotta go. Natsu, let's hurry up and let them know so we can get a move on," Gajeel said to his training partner.
"Alright. I guess we'll see you four in a month! Later!"
Natsu and Gajeel then ran over to the Guild Master's office.
"Let's see if August is ready, Jellal. Hopefully he lets me tag along in your training," Laxus hoped.
"Yes, let's go," Jellal replied.
"While you two are doing that, we're going to train together," Mira told the two men.
"If you need us, we'll be out back," added Erza.
Natsu and Gajeel knocked on the office door.
"Yes, come in," Zeref instructed.
"Morning," both Dragon Slayers said as they walked in."
"Good morning. What brings you two here this early?" asked Makarov.
"We just wanted to let you know we'll be gone for a month to train on our own," Natsu explained.
"We need to get stronger, and I need to learn how to use Dragon Dominion really well," Gajeel added.
"On your own? How do you expect yourself to practice something that requires a target? You and Natsu are equal in power, so how do you plan on seeing progress when you can't use it on him?" stated Mavis.
"That's one thing. Another question to ask is where do you plan on going?" Zeref questioned.
"We're going into the mountains near a small town, so there should enough wildlife like Forest Vulcan I practice on. Anything else we want to work on can also be done there," explained Gajeel.
"Well, if you two have everything figured out, good luck and be sure to communicate with us every few days if you can through a communication lacrima. We don't want to find out Acnologia personally found and killed you two," said Makarov.
"Understood," replied Gajeel.
"Yeah, see ya guys in a month," said Natsu as they walked out the door.
They then walked through the hallway back to the guild hall to say bye to Lucy and Levy.
"What'd they say?" Levy asked Gajeel.
"Nothing unusual. Well, I guess this is it. We'll see you two in a month." Gajeel leaned over to kiss her goodbye.
"We'll call in here and there using a communication lacrima," Natsu said before leaning in for a kiss from Lucy.
The Dragon Slayers then walked out the guild hall and into the distance.
"Good luck, you two! We'll train and plan out our houses before you come back!" Lucy yelled.
"Gajeel, I'm bringing all of my books!" Levy yelled.
Gajeel groaned. "She has too many of those…"
"Eh you'll be fine, man. I'll help you with moving all of that in."
"Thanks. You think they'll like our surprise?" Gajeel asked Natsu.
"Of course. They're basically sisters."
Jellal and Laxus knocked on August's door but received no answer. Before they were about to knock again, Larcade walked out of his room.
"Good morning. Are you two looking for August?" Larcade asked Laxus and Jellal.
"Yes. Has he already left?" Jellal replied.
"He's outside, getting things ready. He wanted me to let you know that."
Jellal and Laxus thanked him before walking outside to find August building what looked to be pillars. Erza and Mirajane were watching when the two men arrived.
"What's going on?" Laxus asked Mira.
"We were going to train here, but we were wondering what he was putting together out here," she explained.
"I'll see what's going on. Laxus, now is the time to ask, I suppose," Jellal said as he approached his teacher.
August finished building the last pillar before turning around.
"Good morning. Today, we will be working on the Amaterasu formulae. You should be able to perfect them within a few days. We'll then devote most of our time on Galaxy Armor," August sternly stated.
All Amaterasu formulae perfected in a few days?! "I look forward to that…umm so I was wondering if Laxus could join us. He could also benefit from you teachings and—"
"No."
A lightning aura surged around Laxus. "What do you mean by no? What's wrong with me joining you two? Do you think I'd hold him back?"
"No," August repeated.
"Then what is your reason?" Jellal asked.
"Laxus' teacher has already been decided for him," August stated.
"What?" Laxus was so confused.
"Relax, boy. I'll be your teacher."
Jellal and Laxus spun around to realize it was Makarov Dreyar who had just said he'd be Laxus' teacher.
"Gramps? You?" Laxus was perplexed.
"You may have passed me in power a long while ago, but there are some techniques I need to teach you."
"Like what?" Makarov's grandson asked.
"You already know Fairy Law. It's time I taught you Fairy Glitter and Fairy Sphere. With all three, you'll be able to carry on the will of the Dreyar family once my time is up."
"You know those too? How come I've never seen you use them?"
"That's because I don't have the physical prowess I use to have. Let's go, Laxus. They'll have their training, and we'll have ours. You can take us to a remote location so we don't level Magnolia," Fairy Tail's third master said as he walked away from were August and Jellal were about to train.
Laxus turned his head over to Jellal. "Sorry, buddy. Looks like you're on your own."
Jellal gulped. "It's fine, I can just ask him if Erza and Mira can join—"
"No." August shot that notion down in heartbeat.
"You're not going to make this any easier for him, huh?" Laxus asked August.
"No, I won't. Alright, Jellal! Stand in the center of these pillars!"
Laxus walked away as Jellal did what he was instructed to do so.
"So what am I exactly doing?" Jellal asked as he stood within the pillar formation.
"These stone pillars will light up with my magic. On them will shine a scripture for a respective Amaterasu formula. Your job is to cast that formula onto the pillar."
"That sounds simple enou—"
"If you mess up the execution of casting the formula, the pillar will blast you with that same formula. We will start at Formula 1 and go up to 100. We will do this for the next few days until you've chosen a set of about five you wish to rely on the most. However, one of those five must be Formula 100."
"This is torture…" Jellal muttered to himself.
"We start now!" August yelled.
Erza and Mira looked at Jellal and August from a distance.
"Jellal wasn't kidding. August is harsh," Mira whispered to Erza.
"If that man kills my man, I'll kill that man," Erza replied while gritting her teeth.
"What you said…never mind. We can just train here is they're only going to take up that much space."
Gray walked over to Fairy Hills before attempting for the second time to pass Larcade's first test. He walked to Juvia's room and knocked on her door. These days, Erza seemed to have stopped caring whether or not guys came to Fairy Hills so as long a girl was expecting it.
"Gray, is that you?"
"Yep."
"Come in!" She joyously exclaimed.
Gray opened the door to see his girlfriend still wearing the t-shirt she had slept in.
"Looks like you just woke up…" he said as he closed the door behind himself.
"What makes you say that?"
He ran his fingers through her tangled hair. "Just a hunch."
"Do you want me there when you face Larcade again?" Juvia asked.
"Yeah, I think it would help. Can we go in a few minutes?" he asked her.
"Yes! I just need to change!" she smiled before walking over to her closet to grab her clothes.
As she was slipping off her t-shirt, Gray finished the motion and held her shirt in his hands, leaving her in nothing but her lingerie.
"Let me help," he smirked.
Juvia blushed. "With what?"
"Changing." He then picked her up and placed her onto her bed.
They began to deeply kiss each other on her bed as their hands ran over each other's skin. Just as Gray was about to take things further, they heard a knock on the door.
"Juvia? Are you awake?" It was Meredy.
"Yeah, let's watch Gray take on Larcade again." Ultear was with her.
Juvia ripped her lips off of Gray's so she could ask them to come back a few minutes later, but it was too late when they opened the door anyway.
"Are you still in bed?" Meredy's question was answered when she saw her friend underneath Gray.
Ultear laughed. "I guess that answers that! Hurry up, you two! Let's see if Gray can hit Larcade!" She then hurriedly left for the guild hall.
Gray got back onto his feet. "I guess she doesn't feel as awkward as you do…"
"Lately, she's been in a great mood. I wonder why," added Juvia as she got her clothes on.
"It's Larcade," Meredy explained.
"What?" Juvia asked.
"She has a crush on Larcade," Gray further explained to her.
"Really?! How do you know? What about Larc—"
"He's got a crush on her," Meredy answered her question before she could finish asking it. "Have you not seen the way they look at each other?"
"So cute! We have to get them together!" Juvia cheered.
"I barely know the guy, and you're asking me to help him hook up with my former master's daughter?" Gray asked his girlfriend.
"Gray, I wasn't too sure about him early on, but lately I've realized he really is a good person. I think we can at least give him a chance," Meredy said to Gray.
Gray sighed. "Fine, but if he messes things up and makes her sad, I'm going to kick his ass."
"Fair enough. Speaking of that, let's go see if you can kick his ass," Meredy suggested before walking back to the guild hall.
Gray ran his hands through his hair. "I hope I can because if this doesn't work, then I've got nothing."
Juvia rested her hands on his arm. "You'll be fine, dear. Just think of our love, and your heart will be purer than the water that flows on Tenrou Island."
He smiled. "You're right. Let's go." Didn't some of them take a bath in that water when we went there years ago?
Wendy slumped over the counter at the guild hall's bar. Her Exceed partner was gone for a week and everybody she'd usually go out on jobs with was preoccupied.
She sighed.
"What's the matter, Wendy?" Kinana asked as she wiped a glass.
"Nothing much really. It's just everybody is training in groups, and I don't really have anybody to train with."
Kinana slightly frowned. "That's a shame. Are you sure you there isn't anybody who can train with you?"
"No offense to the others in the guild, but I need to train with people who are strong enough. People who can handle Dragon Slayer magic."
"What about Allister?" It was Lisanna who had just came back with a stack of clean plates.
"Him? Isn't he always with Erik?" Wendy replied.
"That's true, but I'm sure they can make room for one more," Lisanna answered.
"I'm sure Allister won't mind, but what about—"
"I'll take care of that," Kinana interrupted.
Allister and Erik then came inside for a drink. They were both a bit sweaty because of the hard work they were putting in outside.
"Hey we need something to drink before we go back out there," Erik told Kinana.
Kinana nodded and went to get large glasses to fill with ice water.
"Umm Allister…do you mind if I join you two?" Wendy asked the grey-eyed brunette.
"I don't see why not. Erik, are you okay with it?"
Kinana then came back with their tall glasses of ice water. She smiled at Erik as she handed him his glass. Erik gulped before looking back at Allister and Wendy.
"Yeah whatever…it's fine if she joins us."
"Yes! Thank you!" Wendy rejoiced.
"Grab some water. We're going outside to work on our Dragon Slayer Magic," Erik instructed Wendy.
"Alright!" She was clearly overjoyed to work with them.
Erik, Allister, and Wendy then left the guild hall to train.
"So what did you say to Erik?" Lisanna asked Kinana.
"I told him if he doesn't let her train with him and Allister, then I won't let him into my room for at least a week."
"I never thought you'd be the type of girl to leverage her man like that!" she laughed.
Gray, Juvia, Meredy, and Ultear met with Larcade by the shore behind the guild hall.
"Are you ready, Gray?" Larcade asked as he stood very relaxed.
"I'm pretty sure." He then allowed the darkness to flow from his Demon Slayer mark, covering much of his body.
"Same rules as before. Try to hit me with that magic active."
"Yeah yeah. I know."
Gray closed his eyes to clear his thoughts of any doubt. Relax and think about her. She's the most beautiful girl you have in your life, and she's the reason I've found true happiness. I love her. He opened his eyes and paused to look at Juvia before turning his head to face Larcade. He then charged him with all his speed and drew his arm back to land a good hit on the man pursuing his former master's daughter. However, just as he was about to punch Larcade in the face, his fist was blocked by Larcade's own hand.
"What the?!" Before Gray could react with a countermove, Larcade clouded him with his magic, sending Gray to the ground just as he did the first time he tried to land a hit on him.
"So close!" Ultear remarked from sideline.
"I thought for sure that would've worked. I suppose our love isn't the answer," Juvia sighed.
"It worked at first…but then it didn't," commented Meredy.
Gray got to his feet. "I had you, but you never said you would block me! I lost my focus!" Gray shouted.
"I never said I wasn't allowed to. In a real fight, I would naturally retaliate in some fashion. You passed the first step, so I began the second step."
"Huh?!" Gray was so confused.
"You would have landed that punch had I not blocked it, but the second you became flustered, my magic was able to overtake you. You need to keep your magic under control under all circumstances. That's the next step: Learn to always fight with the control you had in that first punch."
Gray relaxed. He was still a bit irritated, but then he broke a smile. "Hey Juvia! I guess you really were the answer! Thanks!" he exclaimed to his girlfriend.
Juvia smiled. "I had no doubt our love would be the answer!"
Meredy bumped her friend with her elbow. "You were doubting it just a second ago!" she whispered aggressively to her.
"Shhh! Lies!" she whispered back.
"Good job, Gray! Now you just need to keep it up! Isn't he a great teacher?" asked Ultear.
Gray scratched the back of his head. "He's difficult, but yeah. It's kind of like how Ur put me through hell at first."
"I can't compare to your former master, Gray. I'm just a man with the right magic to make you angry, is all," Larcade commented.
"You've got that right. Now that I know what's going on, let's keep going at it," Gray said eagerly.
"Great! Come at me, Gray Fullbuster!" yelled Larcade.
Meanwhile at the Sabertooth guild…
"I can't believe you, Minerva!" Rogue yelled with much anger.
"I said I was sorry!"
"You always say that, yet you never change!"
"But I wasn't assuming anything this time! She was flirting with you!"
"And?! I was going to tell her I'm taken! You didn't need to cause a scene!"
"You're too nice to strangers! She wouldn't have cared if you said you're taken!"
"I don't need you to look after me like this! I can handle these things on my own!" Rogue yelled before stormed outside.
Minerva slumped into a chair and sighed. "I really did it this time."
Yukino sat next to her. "You got jealous again, huh?"
Minerva nodded. "I just love him so much, so I can't stand it when I see other girls talk to him."
"He's a grown man. You don't have to worry about him," Yukino insisted.
"I'm going to apologize, but I'll first let him cool off."
"That sounds like a good idea," Yukino smiled. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared. It was Sting who had carried her off.
"Sorry, Minerva! I hope you don't mind me taking her!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah go ahead," she said absentmindedly.
"Where are we going?!" Yukino asked Sting.
"Upstairs," he replied.
Rogue was sitting in the shade underneath a tree, trying to settle down after yelling at his girlfriend for the same issue yet again.
"I don't think I can take this anymore…"
"Take what?"
Rogue looked up from where he was sitting. Standing in front of him was the strongest mage of the Mermaid Heel guild, Kagura Mikazuchi.
"Oh hi there, Kagura. It's nothing…what brings you here?" he asked.
"I used the system August set in place to travel here. My intentions are to go out on jobs with other mages just as Zeref had instructed us to do so."
"I get it now. Do you already have a job in mind?"
She handed him the flier. "I was going to ask Yukino if she was available—"
"She's kind of preoccupied right now…"
"With what?"
Rogue scratched the back of his head. Sting said he was going to surprise Yukino right around now. "She's with Sting."
"And? Are they just talking? I can wait a few minutes."
"They're not just talking, and I'm sure they're going to be longer than a few minutes."
"Rogue, what are you talking about?" She clearly wasn't catching on.
Rogue sighed. "Your friend is dating my friend, so they're probably making out and perhaps more right now."
Kagura blushed. "Oh…I see…well then, perhaps you would like to join me on this job?"
"Me? Why me?"
"You're a strong mage, and you seem to be available right now."
Rogue paused for a moment. "I'm not sure how Minerva would react to this."
"Oh I forgot about her. How is she?"
"She's doing well, and actually, she's my girlfriend these days. However, we got into a bit of an argument just now."
"An argument? Over what?"
"Other girls interacting with me…"
Kagura stood there for a brief moment. "I'm beginning to understand what you meant moments ago."
"Exactly, so I'm not sure if she'll be okay with this."
"Rogue Cheney, you can't let her decide what you can and cannot do. I propose this: You and I go out on this job, come back after we've completed it, and have her realize it isn't an issue for you to be around other women."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm very sure. Let's go inside to tell her we're leaving."
"Alright then." Rogue was still feeling very uneasy about this.
As they walked inside, Minerva was slumping in a chair.
"Minerva," Rogue said to get her attention.
She turned her head to see Rogue had come back inside, but then she noticed Kagura walking by his side.
"Kagura!" she exclaimed as she got up to greet her. "What brings you here? Are you well?"
"I'm fine, thank you. I came here to request Rogue to come with me on this job."
"Rogue? Go with you? For how long?" Minerva timidly asked.
"I actually didn't ask her how long it would take…" Rogue admitted.
"It should take about a month," Kagura answered her.
"A month?!" Minerva reacted.
Rogue sharply turned to address the Mermaid Heel mage. "A month?! You never said it would take that long!"
"I prefer long assignments because the pay is always good. Is it too long for you?" she asked.
Rogue hesitated for a second. "No, it's fine. Perhaps I do need to spend some time away from home. Will you be okay without me, Minerva?"
Minerva didn't want to share her true feelings about the situation, but she promised herself she would improve her jealous tendencies. "I have no issues with this," she reluctantly replied. "Just please be safe and come back as soon as possible."
"Great. Pack your bag, Rogue. We leave as soon as possible."
Rogue nodded. He turned to go to his room but first went over to Minerva. "Don't worry about me." He then kissed her cheek before going to his room.
Minerva stood there, thinking about the long month she was about to endure.
"You don't have to worry," Kagura said out of nowhere. "I have no interest in him. I just need to work with other mages per Zeref's instructions."
"I'm just going to miss him a lot. Frosch is also gone with the other Exceeds to visit their kind, so he doesn't know about Rogue leaving."
"I'm sure he'll understand. It's a shame Frosch isn't here though….he's adorable," Kagura shyly said, admitting she wanted to see the little guy.
Rogue knocked on the door to the room he and Sting shared.
"Uhhh is it safe to come in?" Those two better be clothed.
Sting opened the door. His shirt was the only thing missing. "What's going on? Does someone need me?"
"No, I just need to pack a bag. I'm going on a month-long job."
"A month? What did you and Minerva pick out?"
"I'm actually not going with her."
"You're going to be gone for a month all on your own?"
"No…do you remember Kagura Mikazuchi?" Rogue asked Sting.
"How can I forget her? That girl hates me or something. Why are you suddenly going out on a job with her?"
"She was going to go with Yukino, but…" He poked his head through the doorway to see Yukino on Sting's bed. All of her clothes were still on, but the straps to her shirt were hanging loosely on her shoulders.
Yukino was blushing after being caught like this by Rogue. "I heard everything. I can still go with her if—"
"Hell no! I ain't losing you for a month to her!" Sting interjected. "Pack your shit, bro. I'll see you in a month."
"Nice to know you'll miss me too," Rogue sarcastically remarked.
"I'll miss you, but I know one month is nothing. You'll be back in no time…and with a second girlfriend too!"
Rogue snarled at him. "That isn't funny, Sting!"
Yukino chuckled.
"Looks like I made her laugh," he said as he pointed to her with his arms crossed.
"She'll laugh at anything you say, no matter how lame it is," Rogue said as he stuffed his bag.
"Yeah yeah…I'm serious though. Watch the Shadow Dragon charm or else you catch another girl," he laughed.
"I don't even know why I bother with you anymore…"
Rogue then ran downstairs to leave with Kagura.
"One month, Minerva. I promise," he told her.
"Alright. Please be careful and come back soon."
"I will."
"Farewell," Kagura said as she waved and walked out the doors. Rogue followed her out.
A few days later…
Jellal was exhausted. He was inhaling and exhaling at an incredibly fast rate. He had gone through all one hundred Amaterasu formulae in a few days. He had made a few mistakes here and there when learning to cast them, so he paid the price in pain.
This ordeal is finally over. Now I just need to learn the Galaxy Armor. It's getting late…oh no! I promised Erza I'd spend time with her this evening!
Just as Jellal was about to leave, he heard August start a fire. The fire was small, so it looked a campfire. The old man then raised the ground so he could comfortably sit in front of said fire.
"You did well, Jellal. My lord is right to keep you in high regard."
"Thank you, sir," Jellal timidly responded. He wasn't used to hearing many compliments in the days of training he had with August. "If you don't mind, I promised Erza I'd spend time with her this evening, so I guess I'll be on my way."
Jellal then turned around and took a couple steps.
"Do you love her, Jellal?"
Jellal stopped immediately upon hearing the question. "Erza? Yes, very much. I love her more than anything in this world."
"What's she like," August asked as he stared at the fire in front of him. His eyes didn't seem to be bothered by looking at the flames.
"Ummm…she's strong-willed, caring, intelligent, a leader, and she's the example I look to for myself."
"I see…"
"I'll have her formally meet you some time, so I guess I'll be on my—"
"Don't forget to tell her you love her every day, Jellal…you just never know what may happen," said August. The last phrase he said was a bit strained when compared to what he previously said. Then, Jellal noticed the old man's eyes beginning to tear up.
I think I understand what's going on…Erza, please forgive me for this. Jellal sat down next to August.
"Did you ever love someone?"
"Indeed, I did."
"Who was she?"
"I had a wife, and we were expecting our first child."
This man was married?! I can't imagine how strict his wife was! "What happened to her, if you don't me asking?"
"She and the son we were expecting died while she was in labor…the future I expected to have with them was taken away before it even had a chance to begin."
Jellal wasn't sure what he was supposed to say next. He had uncovered a very sensitive topic, and he had no idea how to back away from it without being disrespectful.
"Jellal, thank you for being my student. You've given me the opportunity to teach you magic I've always hoped I could pass onto someone worthy."
Jellal smiled. He now knew what to say. "Thank you, August. You've been a great teacher, and I hope to learn everything I can from you."
Jellal never had the opportunity to spend time with his father during his childhood, and August never had the opportunity to spend time with his son. The two men had both been deprived of memories and happiness that were common for many. However, beside this campfire, the two men began to realize they could do a lot for each other.
"Jellal, I want to teach you everything I know…if you don't mind."
Jellal smiled. "It would be an honor, sir."
I've decided I'll update my progress on the next chapter in the story's description. I'll say how much of the chapter is done and when was the last time I worked on it. I already started to do this last week. My Spring Break is in a couple weeks, so expect the next chapter to be during then. Until next time!