AN: This song is a MUST! Fire in My Soul, by Walk Off the Earth. Enjoy!

..

July 2, X784

Brandish PoV

The white-haired girl looked once more at the job request, sweatdropping.

The sender was originally under Anonymous, but was scribbled out with Natsu Dragneel hastily written over it. Fairy Tail's resident firebreather had, based on what she could tell, changed his mind and decided not to hide it.

Why, though? That had been plaguing her mind.

Until Lisanna pointed out that, knowing Natsu, he probably noticed he accidentally wrote down flaming steak and gave up on being an enigma.

"Never mind that, Brandish! Hurry up, the train's leaving!"

Giggling, the two girls ran aboard the train, as it pulled out of town.

..

Wendy PoV

After recovering the battered dark mage, the bluenette sniffed out her friends.

Skipping happily through the town, with an unconscious Erigor floating behind her, she arrived at a large building. Or at least, she thought it was a building; it was covered in a layer of wind, something akin to a hurricane.

Finding Lucy outside the barrier, she asked, "What's going on?"

The blonde turned around, still panting heavily. "You… left me… behind… Found Erza… trapped!" she gasped out, leaning on a post for support.

"Erza-san's in here? Hold on, I'll get rid of it straightaway!" Wendy shouted, before taking a deep breath, the air visibly being drawn to her mouth. Soon, all traces of the barrier was gone, and Erza rushed out immediately.

"Master's in trouble! Come on, we have to hunt down Eri… gor…"

She froze as soon as she saw the man floating unconsciously behind a beaming Wendy. "Wendy… was it… you who beat this man?" she asked disbelievingly.

Nodding, the petite mage frowned. "Of course, why? Was he strong?"

Jellal emerged behind the redhead, chuckling. "I guess training with Natsu has it's benefits, huh? Maybe we should try it out, Erza?"

Behind the azure-haired man was an unconscious Ice Mage, his spirit trickling out of his mouth.

"Eh, what happened to the stripper? Did he get defeated?" asked Lucy, unused to the rowdy behaviours of Fairy Tail.

Erza nodded sagely. "Yes, he was defeated by his lack of control, and thus I had to beat some sense into him."

"He lost control of his magic!?"

Tilting her head curiously, the redhead responded, "No, of course not. Why do you ask?"

Lucy, confused, continued her questions. "But then why-"

Shaking his head sadly, Jellal mouthed, 'You don't want to know…"

"O… k…?"

"Anyways," Wendy interrupted, drawing their attention. "What's so important about Erigor? I mean, Natsu did tell me he had something dangerous, but…"

Ruffling her hair, Jellal chuckled. "Wendy, you've defeated the strongest mage in Eisenwald, all by yourself!"

The young girl froze, her mind racing. Shaking her head nervously, she smiled weakly.

"Ahh… So that wasn't the job Natsu meant for me to do?"

..

Natsu PoV

Natsu slumped onto the table, sighing. The sky was darkening, so he and Ultear- who was sitting beside him- were one of the few remaining members at the guild hall. The rest of their 'Natsu Generation' (named by Gildarts whilst drunk) were all on missions.

Ultear looked at him worriedly, touching his shoulder gently. "What's wrong, Natsu?"

To any observer, they would probably be willing to bet that the two were a couple, but the Time Mage was still unsure on how to approach the subject. 'Tomorrow, I'll confess!' she vowed, as she had been every night for the past month.

"It's just, I'm wondering how we can beat Acnologia… Maybe a Unison Raid? At the very least, I need to stall him long enough so that everyone else ca-" Natsu answered despondently, before being cut off abruptly, a loud slap filling the air.

Everyone stopped talking, and looked over at a furious Ultear and Natsu rubbing a now-red cheek.

"Natsu Dragneel, you are not fighting Acnologia alone! I did not travel back in time just to have you die again, even if it is to save everyone else!" Ultear all but screamed, tears trickling down her face. "We… No, I can't lose anyone else… Not again…"

Her voice faded away, cracking, as she broke down in sobs.

Natsu just stared at her, stunned. "Ultear… I'm sorry, I…"

The two sat in silence as Ultear leaned over, crying into Natsu's shoulder to stifle the sound. Eventually, her breathing calmed, and the tears stopped trickling, having fallen asleep.

While the guild 'aww'ed at the two, a few of the more alert ones grew troubled.

'Acnologia… Just what happens in the future, to make the usually strong headed Ultear react like that, my boy?' wondered Makarov, sitting on the railing on the second floor silently.

Mavis observed the two, idly wondering how she could help. 'Maybe… One of my spells could help?'

Mirajane frowned. Though in this world she had not lost Lisanna, she almost did, and if that feeling could even compare to what truly losing someone felt like, then Ultear must be going through so much worse. 'To have experienced loss of loved ones, meet him and spend all those years together, barely survive- by the sounds of it, more than once, and spend more time together only to have Natsu suggest sacrificing himself… I can't imagine how that feels like…'

Natsu looked down sadly at the Time Mage, now easily his best friend, he resolved to do everything it takes to keep her happy. 'Even if it kills me…'

..

Wahh! This. Is. So. Sad! At least, the last part. As for the harem thing, I don't think it'll work out here… unless it's a one-sided one? Anyways, Natsu and Ultear will be (officially) getting together soon!