Lucy wanted to slap the smug smirk that had appeared on her partner's face right off. He was seated comfortably in a chair at one end of the table – clearly the chair he took every time he sat at this table, as it was the only one Lucy had seen him in while occupying this room. She knew that Gray would sit to his right, and that Mira would take the chair on Makarov's right and Laxus on Makarov's left. Gildarts, had he been there, would have been between Gray and Mirajane.

Which left Lucy to two chairs: one right beside Laxus and the one to Natsu's left. She took the latter of the two, of course.

Natsu, as he tended to do when seated in his chair, rocked forward so that his hands were neatly tucked in his lap and his chin was on the table. His smirk grew as Lucy glared irritably at him, those sharp jagged teeth making him look very much like a pixie of sort.

"Stop it," she seethed, already exhausted. She'd been there for a mere hour, and after the swarm of greetings and happy guild members – who she appreciated, but couldn't say she wanted to go near again until they calmed down – she just wanted to go home and sleep. "Since you're so happy over there," she said as she dragged Happy from the table and into her lap, "you can go get Makarov."

Natsu snorted smoke, settling down in his seat. "Don't need to," he said with a shrug. "Mira went for him the second we went in here. He'll gather whoever's here and come in with them."

Lucy blinked. "Did she?" she murmured. She'd not seen anything of the sort. Then again, her arms had been full of Asuka. She'd had eyes only for the ridiculously happy child and hadn't noticed much else. She ran her fingers down Happy's spine. Happy purred in response, enjoying the attention.

Natsu's onyx eyes seemed to slide shut as he dozed, waiting with surprising patience for the guildmaster and the rest of his council to reappear. Lucy considered that he looked very like a basking lizard of sorts.

She was ignoring his muttered demands that she explain the soft laughter that escaped her when the door opened and Makarov swept in with a kind smile on his face, accompanied by an annoyed looking Gray, Mirajane, and Laxus, who looked downright furious with something. Lucy sighed, wishing she could have sat on the other side of the table.

Rather than sitting down straight away like Mirajane, Laxus, and Gray did, Makarov surprised Lucy by sweeping around the table and stopping beside the chair she was seated in. Without hesitation, he took her hand from where it rested on Happy and gave it a tight squeeze. "Welcome home, child," he said with a sincerity that brought tears to Lucy's eyes.

She took a shuddering breath. "Thank you," she said quietly, smiling brightly at him.

Lucy didn't know if she'd ever heard such words before coming to the past over six months ago. Not, at least, since prior to Spetto's death.

Makarov chuckled and gave her hand a warm pat before retreating back to his chair. He seated himself comfortably, heavily sinking into it with a pleasant smile on his face. He looked tired, Lucy noticed, albeit relieved. "If you are willing, Lucy, I'd very much like to hear what happened from the moment Grimoire Heart made its appearance in the north to last night, when you arrived, all from your point of view. I know what happened from Erza's, Gray's, and Jellal's points of view, but yours and Natsu's remain a mystery to me."

Lucy glanced curiously at Natsu. He'd not spilled his story? He shrugged, his clamped mouth proving he wasn't inclined to explain himself for the time being. Lucy supposed it was likely that too much had been going on and that there'd been too much of a rush.

"Of course," Lucy said, offering a faint smile before settling back into her own seat. She wondered for a moment where Gildarts was, as the god tended to be present for most of the meetings that took place, but decided against asking. It wasn't any of her concern.

It took her some time to explain. She began from the instant Gray left her in Gemini's company and continued on, explaining the events of what had happened from her view in the battle in the north, to the airship, to the explosive arrival of Metalicana when he'd ripped that very ship apart. She explained what had occurred on Tenrou Island, choosing to leave out a few select details – such as Igneel and Natsu's conversation and the suggestion that Acnologia might be out and about. Those were Natsu's.

When she finished, Makarov looked thoughtfully at she and Natsu. "Do you intend to continue hunting the celestial spirits?"

Lucy let out a large breath and nervously looked to Natsu, not wanting to answer for both of them. Yes, she wanted to say, and as soon as possible. But Natsu…he'd been running around like the devil was at his heels as soon as his side was healed enough, from what Gray had mentioned, and he'd not slept at all on the ship. And she knew he'd deny it until the end of time itself, but she could feel the lingering exhaustion in him, even after a full night of rest.

Natsu's eyes slid back towards her, and he arched a brow, waiting – giving her permission to answer however she saw fit. He didn't bother to move from his comfortable position. Only returned his gaze to where it had been before.

Lucy frowned at him when she realized he was watching Gray, who didn't seem to notice. Her gaze flicked back and forth, trying to figure out what was going on. It wasn't until she remembered that Happy had left her lap half-way through the story that she realized he was up to something. It certainly helped that some bubble of laughter was threatening to escape her chest, as if Natsu was fighting as hard as he could to keep his face straight.

Makarov, taking immediate notice of the look, narrowed his eyes. "Natsu," he warned, and Natsu snapped his eyes to Makarov. A scowl materialized on his lips when Makarov said, "It's not the time for your mischief."

"I'm not doing anything," he growled, shooting Lucy a small glare as if he blamed her for getting caught.

In an instant, Gray's chair, which he'd been tipping, was back on all four legs, and he was giving Natsu a rather suspicious look that told Lucy there was something he'd likely been doing that he'd done before. A huff filled her ears as Happy clambered back into her lap and settled there, seeming almost disappointed.

Lucy got the feeling that whatever he had been up to had fully to do with Natsu's disappointed expression.

"Back onto the matter at hand," said Mirajane with a wave of her hand, impatient to learn what would occur now that Lucy was back.

"Right," Lucy muttered, squaring her shoulders. She focused back on Makarov. "I think we'll take a bit of a break. A day or two of just rest, maybe a job that has nothing to do with the celestial spirits." She ignored Natsu when he opened his mouth to protest that he didn't want to sit around and do nothing. "I still have to figure out where to go next, anyways, so I'll speak with one of the spirits."

Makarov inclined his head, nodding slowly. "Come and talk with me when you've figured out where you intend to go next," he said and then turned to Natsu. "Natsu, I wanted to ask you if you think the dragons intend to continue to be withdrawn as they have been?" Natsu stilled, fingers immediately touching the scarf at his neck. "If we intend to stop the destruction of Crocus and the Eclipse Gate, their help would be beneficial."

Lucy had thought the same. Clearly, Natsu remembered her saying something similar. His onyx eyes narrowed, and Lucy wondered why he was in such a cranky mood; he'd seemed fine earlier. She could feel it itching at her gut, making her want to punch someone.

Finally, Natsu spoke, tracing a finger on the table and searing words of a language no one knew into the wood. Mirajane scowled at him for it; Lucy tried to not lean over and see if she could understand a fraction of it, recognizing some of the loops and curls. "They won't leave the island," he muttered, not looking away from whatever he was writing. "They said they'd give us information though. If we needed it."

Laxus blinked. "They're going to let us contact them for information?"

Natsu growled in response, pausing as he said, "It doesn't mean that we can go and ask them for a bunch of information, just important things. Particularly regarding Acnologia." His gaze met each of the other members of the councils'. "Igneel said that you contacted him about what Gajeel found out."

"I did," Makarov said calmly. "I've been one of a few informants that Igneel has maintained on the mainland," he added when Laxus frowned at him, confused as to why his grandfather seemed to be so involved with the Fire Dragon King. "It was something I did before Natsu joined the guild, and it is something I will continue to do. We – the informants – don't speak of it, although I've had a word or two with Orga, who is another."

Natsu pressed his mouth into a hard line. Lucy glanced at him when a flicker of old hurt raced beneath his skin. He'd not known that Igneel kept informants. Which would likely only add to his crabby mood. Lucy kept herself from sighing and simply scratched her blue-furred friend's ears as Natsu pushed on through gritted teeth.

"If Acnologia's getting restless," he rumbled, smoke curling from the corners of his mouth, "a dragon's information is gonna mean nothing. Igneel's as useless as he ever was on that island." He messed with his scarf again, debating. Lucy furrowed her brow at the disappointment that curled in her gut, but said nothing. "The last time I saw Acnologia, Makarov, half of Fiore was demolished. Not just destroyed. Gone. He takes pleasure in the suffering of others. This isn't something to wait around for; we need to figure this out now."

Makarov inclined his head, accepting Natsu's advice, and Gray, Mirajane, and Laxus exchanged grim looks. It wasn't often Natsu actually displayed such urgency towards any situation, and having heard of Acnologia's destruction himself, Makarov knew better than to ignore it. "If Acnologia is as bad as the dragons claim," he said quietly, "there may not be anything we can do, but it doesn't mean we won't try."

"There might be a chance," Lucy said softly, knowing better yet saying it anyways – even as Natsu turned narrowed eyes on her, "that Acnologia is the reason for Crocus's destruction."

It wasn't a lie, she realized. If Acnologia was truly as bad as they said, perhaps he did something that resulted in a rage so destructive that Natsu turned on the nearest city.

"As a dragon," Gray pointed out with widening eyes, "he'd have the bulk to knock down the Eclipse Gate, wouldn't he? Natsu, how big was he when you saw him?"

Natsu pressed his mouth into a hard line, not liking that he was being urged to remember times he wasn't entirely excited about. He sucked in a breath though and ignored it. Instead, he focused on what was important: helping Lucy. If this helped Lucy…

"As big as Igneel," muttered Natsu, glancing at her. Her eyes widened in alarm at the thought. "Maybe bigger. He could do it, if what Jellal said was right about the magic staying but the physical form being destroyed."

Laxus rocked his seat back, thoughtful. "If it's that strong, why the hell did it go after Enca?"

"Who knows," sighed Makarov, rubbing his temples. "We do not have Acnologia's mind, nor would I want any of us to."

Lucy exchanged a glance with Natsu and firmly kept her mouth shut.

When the meeting was over, Gray invited Lucy to join him and Juvia at their table. Her lips twitched when she noticed that he purposefully ignored Natsu and didn't invite him, too. She promised that she'd be over to sit with them momentarily, and Gray grinned, ruffling her hair before heading over to where Juvia waited. When he was gone, she turned to Natsu with a frown.

"What?" he huffed, smoke curling from his nostrils and mouth.

"You're in a bad mood," she mused, and he rolled his eyes as if to question what would make her think such a thing. Ignoring the attitude, she said, "What are we going to do if Acnologia is the one to destroy the Eclipse Gate?" She paused, and then added, "And if he's the reason for Crocus's destruction?" So, so careful, dancing along that line of lying about who did it.

Natsu's worked his jaw in thought, his gaze blindly darting this way and that as he considered. Finally, he muttered, "I don't know. I might be able to beat him, but I don't think I'd have a physical body by the end of the fight."

Lucy thought back to the test Aries had given and felt something churn violently in her gut. "No," she said immediately. "No, if it comes to that, then we'll figure something out, but I don't want you to risk yourself to stop Acnologia."

He blinked curiously at her, but shrugged and said simply, "We might not have a choice. If I'm the only thing capable of stopping Acnologia, Luce, then I'm going to do it." He turned to head to the bar, eager to get his hands on some food. "I won't just sit back and do nothing when there's people's lives at stake."

By the time Lucy got home to her apartment that evening, she was fairly tired. She'd worked on some self-defense with Natsu in the guildhall's basement. Gray and a few others had joined in as they tended to do, and Natsu had promised to work on some of his language with her the next morning in her apartment, where they wouldn't be watched.

She rubbed her fingers against the bridge of her nose as she kicked her shoes off, locked the door behind her, and moved to flop tiredly onto her sofa. She groaned in content at the plush feeling against her skin, and then rested her head back.

She wasn't sure how long she rested there, but Lucy eventually got herself to her feet. She treaded lightly over to the nearest window and peered out into the night, watching the stars. Her keys warmed in her pocket, a signal that she should pay attention. Interested, she touched them, and then blinked in alarm when a star shot across the sky.

She followed its path, watching as it raced along. And then it ascended upon something to the northwest. "Head northwest then," she murmured, recognizing it for what it was. She knew what resided in that direction: Crocus. The Eclipse Gate. So somewhere in that area then. She'd request that they stop at the Eclipse Gate and the Archives while they were at it. She needed to chat with Yukino and Levy.

Inform them of what she was doing in addition to seeing what they knew of any developments with the celestial spirits.

She'd talk to Natsu the next morning when he came and see what he thought.

When Natsu ducked in through the front door early the next morning, Lucy nearly pounced, already offering breakfast, and he knew immediately that she was up to something. He squinted at her as he took the plate. Happy bounded past their feet to delve into her apartment, and Natsu kicked the door shut behind him before making his way to her sofa. He flopped onto it and immediately dug into the meal she'd given him, making a mental note to offer some form of payment for the food he'd been eating, just as he did at the guildhall. Mirajane had drilled it into his head upon taking over the finances of the guildhall that his appetite was not cheap, and that if he wanted to continue to eat as much as he did, he needed to help.

"So!" said Lucy from the kitchen over the sound of water as she neatly scrubbed at pans and dishes she'd used to cook, "I know where we need to go next."

Natsu nearly spat his food out. "Are you serious?" he coughed, glaring at her. He wanted nothing more to do with the stupid tests after what had happened. Natsu growled under his breath, not entirely hungry. Everything had gone wrong because of Gemini. He refused to think otherwise. He admittedly found himself thinking that the next time they went after a celestial spirit, something similar would happen.

Lucy appeared, drying a plate. "Yes," she said, confident. "I saw a shooting star last night. The way the keys reacted…we need to head northwest. I thought we should try chatting with Yukino, or see if Levy and Gajeel found anything new. It could be why the signal was in that direction. The spirits won't give me anything else, I don't think."

Natsu groaned, setting aside his plate and leaning back. Happy appeared, eyeing his plate, and Natsu growled at him, nudging him aside with a foot as he replied. "C'mon, Luce, can't we just…stay away from dragons for a little while?"

Lucy rolled her eyes, although she flashed him a look of amusement. She turned back into the kitchen. A moment later, she came back out to join him entirely. He doubted she was finished, and it worried him that she was focusing so much attention on him now. He knew what it meant, after so long with her.

It meant that he sure as hell wasn't going to get his way.

"Please, Natsu?" she asked, looking at him with wide, pleading eyes. Natsu pressed his mouth into a hard line, not liking the weird twist that churned his stomach at the sight of the look she was giving him. He found that he didn't want to say otherwise, knowing that she'd lose the hopeful glint in her gaze.

Natsu sucked in a sharp breath and then puffed it out with a cloud of smoke. "Fine," he growled, glaring at her, "but Makarov said no Portals for a while, so it's gonna take us a hell of a long time to get back there."

Lucy considered that with a grimace. "Great," she groaned, thinking of the damn mountains. "Just what I love to hear…can we not sneak a Portal or something?"

Natsu shook his head and answered, "Nah. They destabilize the magic in the area they form in. S'why we got fined and why the Council said no more, probably. Makarov wouldn't care if the Council didn't say no. If a magic destabilizes too much, it collapses and ends up…" He fought for the word, furrowing his brow as he debated. "Err, wrong, I guess."

Interested, Lucy tipped her head, and Natsu rolled his eyes, settling back even as pride flashed through him. Even now, Lucy came to him for answers, and it was something he'd be happy about until the day she died.

Hastily pushing that from his mind, because he hated the reminder that Lucy was only human, Natsu said, "If magic collapses like that, it draws the nasty things. Shadow people by the hundreds, any demons that might be left in the world, night hags, the likes. They gather. It'd be suicide to go anywhere near a place like it. S'only happened once that I can remember, during the Demonic Wars." He squinted, trying to remember. "There's a spot in the southern part of the Empire that not even Zeref went near afterwards. Too many things he couldn't control. A couple of black mages and necromancers like to live near it, but that's about it."

"Alright, so we need to avoid that," Lucy said thoughtfully, grimacing. She debated what to do for a few moments before suddenly suggesting, "Could we Portal from somewhere else? How specific is the area?"

Natsu blinked, having not thought of that, and sat forward. He ran his hand through his pink hair, thinking furiously. "I know Magnolia's city limits are kind of the border for our area. I think it depends on the Portal. But we could travel north or something for a day and Portal from there into the base of the mountains or something. We'd only have to finish the trip from there to Crocus or whatever."

"Which would be a week, maybe less if we were lucky," finished Lucy with a grin, delighted. And it meant she'd barely have to even touch the mountains. "Want to talk it over with Makarov this evening?"

"Why not? But first…" Natsu made a wild gesture with his hand, reaching for his plate again. "Go get what you need to practice the language of demons, would you? Might as well get this done and over with. And we're doin' the sparring tonight. Laxus said he wanted to take a turn."

Lucy, having been in the process of getting to her feet, froze. "Laxus?"

Natsu only grinned.

Another relaxed chapter with some mischief on Natsu's part. ;)

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes! I appreciate it! :)

aquarius592, regarding future Natsu...you'll have to wait and see. ;)

Thanks to reviewers (stranger1999, Brooke0315, AnimusLunari777, Uchida Akira, LePengwen, Bananarock509, AthomeinFairytail, nerdalertwarning, xHallowedFangirlx, itsxoi, JenaSmiless, Lissuin, CrazyZaika, nkukurichan, EverFlawless, theHumbleGM, aquarius592, and FlameDragonHime!) as well as those who favorited and followed!