Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

"Alright, it looks like we're all set to head back now," Lucy commented, all of them now gathered in the grand entrance hall of his castle. The meeting room had been destroyed, so they had to make do with other rooms for the time being. Zeref knew it would be repaired sooner or later, and he was not concerned with the damage that he himself had caused.

Gray nodded in agreement, standing by her side with a bag slung over his shoulder. "Thanks for letting us tag along. To be honest, I don't think I was expecting to see that when I agreed to come though."

Zeref nodded, glancing over at Natsu who shrugged. "I warned you all that there would be dangers in following. My magic is not the most stable of things, and unlike myself, Natsu does not know how to control it."

Natsu rubbed the back of his head, glancing away. "Yeah, I forgot to thank you for that. I really don't know what would have happened if you didn't shove me out of the way back there."

Zeref nodded, smiling over at him. "Yes, even on the outside I can see the signs of the death predation coming," he stated grimly.

"You know, I might be able to try and come up with an enchantment to help keep your magic at bay," Wendy commented as they moved towards the door. "I had something for Natsu's motion sickness, and with all this new knowledge I have on enchantments, I'm certain I could—" she began, but Zeref shook his head at her.

"It would fail, regardless of what spell you used," he told her, his smile now gone as he grew thoughtful once more. "My magic is a curse of the darkest nature, no healing spell can alter it."

Natsu patted his back, grinning over at the black wizard. "Well, I'd say it's about time we took care of that problem of yours. Even after only a few minutes of being you, I was already willing to do anything to get that stupid pain to stop."

Zeref looked startled, blinking at Natsu in surprise. "Helping the Black Wizard, you say? It sounds interesting, like a job made for us," Erza commented, glancing over at Zeref. "After all, we aren't exactly known for following the rules when we go on missions."

Lucy smiled in agreement, winking over at Zeref as she turned around to walk backwards, facing her friends to talk. "My spirits are on your side, too. After all, they say your spell during the whole mess with the Eclipse Gate saved them from a bunch of trouble," she insisted. "Anyone who keeps them safe is good in my book."

Zeref sighed, shaking his head at her. "You would have been aware of the dangers had your mother gotten the chance to explain them to you," he commented, seeing her blink in surprise. "The celestial spirit world is vulnerable during the time of an eclipse. As such, using their keys during such a time allows for taint and other dark magic to influence their realm, especially for a spell like Eclipse. There are other spells in celestial magic that can be activated without spirits, you simply need to grow to understand them."

Lucy nodded, thinking for a moment before smiling. "Right! Spells like uranometria, the ultimate spell I used during the Grand Magic Games, right?"

Zeref had not paid much attention to her at that time, but it was a spell that he recognized the name of. "Yes, that is one example."

Gray ran a hand through his hair, grinning though he seemed a bit stressed at the moment. "Damn, Lyon is going to kill me for this. Looks like we're actually going on a mission with Zeref to end some bizarre curse of his. I mean, if I just let you guys go at it alone, you're going to get yourself killed or captured by the magic council."

It was a bit startling for Zeref to hear, leaving him in silence as he wondered what he had done to get them to trust him so much. His entire focus had been to protect Natsu from the same suffering he had gone through, but his friends appeared to think that action was for their sakes. "Whatever, just don't get in my way, Gray. I've got an issue with this god, and I'm gonna be the first to kick his ass when we meet him."

Zeref could only imagine in horror the image of Natsu battling against a god. It would end terribly, even worse than his first spar with Invel had gone. "No, that is not a good idea. Even should you destroy Ankhersam, my curse would still remain. The only thing that would accomplish is ending the one person who may be able to lift it," he said, hoping that Natsu would at least listen to that form of reasoning.

Natsu nodded, shrugging as they stopped on the bridge leading towards Vistarion. "Yeah, I guess that would kind of mess things up. Either way, we'll figure it out when we get there, right? After all, it seems like you're already getting more friends, and its only been a day! Fairy Tail really is good for everyone, even guys like you," Natsu stated cheerfully.

"Perhaps," he commented, stopping and glancing back at his castle one last time. He did not plan on remaining here this time, not when he had just realized the dangers in training Natsu. While the dragon slayer did not discover the true reason Zeref had decided to leave and travel with them back to the guild, it was clear that Invel had understood. He had spoken with the winter mage to warn him against pushing Natsu any further, for if that barrier broke within the dragon slayer, his power would consume him completely.

This was why Zeref was leaving with them, vowing to keep an eye on Natsu's power and seal it off even further if necessary. That boy was far more precious to him than anyone else in the world, and he was not about to watch as he destroyed himself in his pursuit of power. "When we get back, I'm gonna show you all around Magnolia. We've been too busy with all this body switching mess, so I think we've all earned a break," Natsu stated, glancing over at Zeref.

The black wizard nodded, kneeling down on the ground to start the teleportation for their return. "I think I'm going to go rest in my room when we get back. This place has given me so many ideas for my story, I can't wait to incorporate this amazing castle into it!" Lucy stated as the spell began to activate.

They were all back in Magnolia only moments later, standing together as Zeref rose back to his feet. "Well, I've got to go catch up with Carla. I've got so much to tell her about, with how quickly I managed to master that spell of yours!" Wendy insisted, rushing off towards the guild.

Erza nodded, smiling as she walked off. "Well, I suppose that just leaves you and me, Gray. I think we should go on a mission, just the two of us. It would be a good bonding experience between comrades, don't you think?"

Gray looked terrified of the idea, but the armored wizard had already grabbed his wrist, dragging him off towards the guild hall to select a job. "I guess we'll meet back up soon. I figure you might want some time to get used to Magnolia first, before jumping right into this curse breaking mission of ours," Lucy commented, smiling as she moved to walk off. "I'll see you guys later!"

Zeref watched her leave, turning back towards Natsu who was grinning, looking eager to walk through town with him. "Come on, I'll show you all my favorite places in town!" Natsu stated, grabbing Zeref's arm and pulling him along. Startled, Zeref stumbled at first before matching the dragon slayer's pace. Right now, they seemed to be passing by a residential area of some kind. Tall apartment buildings lined the street, with a small canal running through the center. "We're near Lucy's house right now, but we'll finish the tour there. Visiting Lucy is a good way to end the day, though I don't get why she gets so upset with me coming over."

Zeref nodded at his words, unsure of what to say. For some reason, he felt out of place here, in Natsu's world. He had gotten used to either battling against one of his own creations, or working with the people he knew from before. Here, everyone was a stranger, and he no longer despised all human life. "I…perhaps she simply enjoys her privacy," Zeref stated after a few moments.

Natsu shrugged, stopping at a building and pulling Zeref inside. "Now, I don't usually get stuff here, but Lucy says it is the best magic shop in town," Natsu commented. Zeref nodded, unsure of what to make of it as Natsu pushed open the doors, walking inside. "I don't really use much beyond my own fists in a fight, so a lot of this stuff is useless for me."

It made sense, considering Natsu's fighting style. The magic in these stores were typically small charms or potions, though a few stores carried items for holder-type wizards to utilize. Gate keys were a popular item for many to sell, something this store seemed to have a small selection of. "I do not quite see what is so special about it," Zeref said after a few moments.

The shelves were lining the store, displaying items of all kinds, but to Zeref, it was all common and weak spells to use. "Yeah, that's what I said. Lucy told me I was stupid and told me to bother someone else in response. I guess she was trying to get some deal on a new key or something when I came in with her."

"Did she get it? I did not see many that appeared to be powerful in that store," Zeref asked, watching Natsu shake his head with a grin.

"Nah, that's why she was so upset! I told the shopkeeper about how lame I thought his stuff was, and he kicked us out," Natsu stated cheerfully, leaving Zeref smiling in amusement as well.

"Ah, I see. That makes more sense now." Zeref replied.

Turning towards Zeref, Natsu frowned with his hands folded behind his head. "So, what about you? Do you have any interesting stories from back home?" he asked, looking curious.

Zeref thought about it, his mind foggy about many aspects of his past. Memories were hard to hold on to these days, though particular painful ones remained quite strong. "I…well, I suppose you may be entertained by the fact that I was once eaten by a dragon," he commented, drawing on the one thing he knew Natsu held an interest in him.

"What?" Natsu demanded, looking shocked. "How the hell did you manage that?"

Zeref shrugged, glancing towards the street. Natsu took a turn towards their left, moving towards an area that seemed to smell a lot more like food. This area was likely one of Natsu's real favorites of the city, if they truly had decent things to eat here. "It was towards the end of the war with the dragons. One of them did not realize who I was and decided I would make a good meal," Zeref stated, trying to recall some other detail that would not leave Natsu upset. "I…if i remember correctly, it was cold until he swallowed me. I did not expect a dragon's mouth to be cold, considering the amount of energy required for their breath attacks."

Natsu burst out laughing at that, looking far more entertained than Zeref expected him to be by this. "Out of all the things to focus on, that's what you choose?" he demanded, grinning over at Zeref. "Man, you really are strange, Zeref. If you were anyone else, I think that story would have gone a lot differently."

Zeref shrugged, unsure of if that was a good thing or not. "Perhaps, though I will admit that it was one of the more painful injuries of my past. Not many ways of dying compare to being eaten alive by a dragon."

Natsu nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that probably wasn't all that fun." he stated, his smile fading as he thought about something else. "I bet you wouldn't have had such bad experiences with them if Igneel had been around then, though. I mean, you seemed to know him when Eclipse opened and all that, but I imagine you met him after the whole getting-eaten-by-a-dragon thing happened."

"Actually, I met him before that event occurred. I do agree that Igneel was much gentler than the other dragons, though he did seem wary of me and the danger I presented," Zeref stated, thinking about the dragon he had met long ago.

Natsu nodded, smiling over at Zeref. "Yeah, he was pretty great, wasn't he? That's why I know I've got to find him, even if you can't help me with it," he stated, glancing over at Zeref. "I don't get how it helps stop Acnologia yet, but I won't get in the way of destroying him, so I guess I just have to keep looking the old-fashioned way."

The black wizard nodded, frowning in thought. "Yes, though I wish I could help you. It is strange. I do not think I've ever really wished to help someone simply to make them happy," Zeref mused, considering his past. He had aided others, for his own gain or for the survival of humanity as a whole. His decision to help Mavis had simply been a way to pass time, though he did end up closer to her than he originally planned on getting. This time, he simply wanted to see Natsu happy again, even if it was just for a moment when Igneel returned.

"Well, how about this? You can go ahead and buy me some dinner if you want to make me happy. I'm starving and the smell of all this food is making me hungry," Natsu said, glancing around at all the restaurants in the street. "I don't really have a favorite, everything here is good."

Zeref smiled, nodding in agreement as he picked a door at random and walked inside. "You know, maybe we could go fishing tomorrow. There's a river nearby, where I usually go with Happy," Natsu suggested as they sat down.

Zeref nodded, glancing towards the window thoughtfully. "That would be nice. It is quite peaceful out there. It reminds me of my time on Tenrou Island, where I didn't have to worry about the troubles of the world."

Natsu nodded in agreement, seeing the waitress stop by for his order. Zeref did not comment on the amount of food he had ordered, though the girl's eyes seemed to go round with shock after each dish he listed. "Yeah, though I will admit my favorite part is eating the fish. I'm not really patient enough for catching them. Happy claims I scare away all the fish too, since I get angry and yell at them sometimes. "

Zeref nodded, glancing back towards the dragon slayer. "Most animals get startled by loud noises. I believe Happy would be correct in that assumption."

"Anyway, I figured that while we were out there, we could do some more training. I haven't gotten a lot of time to work with my magic, with that mess Irene started in your empire," Natsu added, some of his food arriving as he spoke. Zeref watched as the dragon slayer began to dig in, his expression lighting up at the sight of food that he could now devour.

Zeref didn't know how Natsu would react, considering the situation. "I…it might not be wise, to train you further," he said at last, seeing Natsu freeze, swallowing the bit of food in his mouth as he turned towards Zeref.

"Why? I mean, I thought you wanted to train me more." Natsu asked. "I still have to stop those demons of yours, right?"

Zeref frowned at that, remembering that too. He had not heard of anything going on with Tartaros yet, but they were likely taking their time putting their plan into action. "Your magic…I noticed something strange about it, while we had switched bodies." Zeref commented. "I'd like to investigate that further, before furthering your power. If I did not know any better, I would assume your power was trying to take control of your soul. Magic isn't typically malicious like that, so there must be another reason for it to be acting that way."

"I've never felt anything like that before!" Natsu declared, looking irritated. "I mean, my magic has always been mine. I can control it just fine, you've seen it for yourself."

Zeref nodded, aware of this fact. "Yes, however, I attempted to use your magic to prove to Invel that there was a purpose to our training. If you truly put the force necessary to melt his ice into your magic, that is when you would feel such a thing. The seal on your magic is placed there intentionally, though I am not sure who….no, perhaps I am," he mused, thinking further on it.

Natsu waited for more of an explanation, but Zeref had grown quiet. That seal may be what blocked off the transformation of dragon slayers into a true dragon. He recalled Igneel discussing if such a thing would be possible, but he did not know if they had finalized such a plan. It would explain the wall blocking an immense power, one which could be unlocked if Natsu became a dragon.

Then again, if that was the case he would sense something similar in the other dragon slayers. Even if it explained the block, it did not explain Natsu's immense power. "I do not know, I may be overthinking things," Zeref said after a few moments, shaking his head.

Natsu nodded, smiling as he resumed eating his meal. After taking a bite, he grinned over at Zeref. "Yeah, well I bet you do that a lot. You think about everything, way too much. Sometimes, you just have to act and hope for the best."

"I see. I assume this is what leads your friends to not be surprised when they hear you've destroyed an entire city," Zeref commented, seeing Natsu frown at him.

"Hey, don't blame me for that! I may be destructive, but I don't usually go that far with my magic…that one was all Irene's fault."

Zeref smiled slightly at his reaction, nodding with understanding. "Yes, a dragon can be more destructive than a dragon slayer, I suppose. Then again, she is technically one as well, so perhaps it should have simply been expected for so much destruction to occur."

Natsu glared at him slightly, looking upset with Zeref's comments. "Fine, I might be a little destructive. Is there anything wrong with that? I mean, I'm just protecting my friends."

Zeref nodded, leaning forward over the table towards Natsu. "No, there is nothing wrong with it. I am simply stating the facts," he commented. "In fact, I had nearly intervened, but I was concerned with harming you with my magic. I believe if I had entered that battle, far more devastation would have occurred."

The black wizard was frowning again, glancing down at the table as Natsu leaned forward, grabbing Zeref's hand with a fierce look in his eyes. "Hey, I keep telling you to stop doing that," he stated, making Zeref glance up in surprise. "You aren't guilty for every bad thing that happens in the world, and everything you do doesn't hurt others either. Sometimes, things aren't that black and white."

Zeref nodded, gazing into Natsu's dark eyes and feeling a sense of peace fill him. He did not recall feeling so calm around anyone before, relaxed as if nothing could possibly go wrong anymore. Usually, he either grew angry or fearful around others, depending on how he felt about them. "Natsu…I…I don't know if I can do that."

The dragon slayer gave Zeref a small smile, looking sure of himself. "Well, then I guess I've still got some work to do. I'll show you to forgive yourself, Zeref, and I'll help you see just how much good you do for others. After all, you've already saved my friends' lives once, haven't you?"

Zeref thought about it for a moment, blinking in surprise as he realized that perhaps Natsu could be correct. He had killed people before, and he had only ever mourned over their deaths, but sometimes it may have been helpful to some extent. Hades had been the leader of a dark guild, and if his plans had continued, the man would have attempted to destroy most of humanity to obtain his desire for magical power. He had destroyed other dark guilds in the past as well, those that worshipped his very name and longed to obtain his power. Often times, those guilds would have gotten their hands on some form of black magic that would have killed others too, so he could have protected lives without even realizing what his actions had done.

Thinking about his past, he realized that perhaps he had been too secretive about it with others. He had always felt guilt and regret over the things he had done, but maybe Natsu could help him see the light he was missing in his history, the light Mavis claimed still lived on in him today. "I think…would you mind coming somewhere with me tomorrow? There is something I'd like to show you."

Natsu blinked in surprise at the request, slowly grinning in response. "Sure, why not? After all, we've probably got some time before Gray and Erza return from the job they wanted to go on and we can always go fishing some other time."

Zeref smiled in return, leaning back slightly, a bit dazed from being so close to Natsu. Mavis was right about that too, he supposed. Even if he would not admit it to anyone else, Natsu was the only thing that mattered to him in life at the moment. He was not going to risk giving him the same end as Mavis, though, so he would continue to keep some distance between them, at least, physically. That did not mean he could not tell Natsu about his past, even if it showed the dragon slayer parts of himself that he wished would go away.

Please review and tell me what you think!