Natsu flew around New York. He was keeping his eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. As long as Tartaros is around, it could come from anywhere at any moment. He flew around and didn't see a thing.

"Looks like things have been pretty quiet." Natsu said as he continued to fly. "Not even a lousy mugger around. I wonder how long that's going to last." Natsu saw things were pretty calm, but he had no idea of what was coming his way. As he flew by a building, he was going to get a surprise encounter.

"Hey, Dragon." Natsu stopped where he was flying as he followed that voice. He was surprised to see who it was. He saw a woman sitting on the ledge of a building that pointed out. She had long white hair tied back. She wore a leather jacket with black hot pants. Her jacket was open to show a black bra. She also had combat boots with black fingerless gloves and a black mask around her eyes. "Miss me?"

"Seduce?" Natsu said.

"It's been a long time. Hasn't it?" Seduce said. Seduce was someone Natsu met a while back. She was the type of girl that played by her rules. She also had an interest in Natsu, but Natsu turned away. It was because, not only was he in love with Lucy, but also because he couldn't turn away from being Natsu. At the moment, she only knows him as Dragon-Man, and it seems like she prefers that to his normal self.

"It really has been a long time." Natsu said. "What are you doing out here?"

"An old fling can't come and say hello?" Seduce asked.

"Old fling?!" Natsu said with embarrassment. "Don't make it sound like we had something like that! The most we ever did was kiss and that was it!"

"I see you're the same as always." Seduce said. "It's been a long time since we last saw each other. You like my new look?" She put herself in an appealing pose when she asked that.

"Uh... Yeah... You look good." Natsu said as he was a little uncomfortable.

"You know you can stand next to me. I won't bite...unless you want me to." Seduce said. Natsu knew to keep his guard up around her. She's not physically dangerous, but she does mess with his head. Still, Natsu flew over and landed next to her.

"So, what's happening?" Natsu asked. "I take it you're still playing by your own rules, doing whatever you like, no matter how irresponsible it is."

"Are you still sore about that? I just call it having some fun." Seduce said. "So, how are things with you and that girl?"

"What girl?" Natsu asked. Seduce was pleasantly surprised when he asked that.

"That normal girl that you wanted to be with? Don't you remember from the last time we saw each other?" Seduce asked. Natsu realized that he was talking about Lucy.

"Oh... Uh... We actually ended things." Natsu said. Seduce didn't let him see, but she was actually glad to hear that. "We were both heading in different directions, doing the things we both needed to do. I guess it was just too soon for us."

"Ouch. After all that time you spent grieving to be with her." Seduce said as she stood up. "Maybe you need someone a little more your speed." She claimed as she moved closer to him. Natsu was trying to keep his distance until his back was pressed against the wall and she pressed against him. "I bet you and I could make a great team."

"I thought you liked to play around, not get straight to the point." Natsu said.

"Usually, but you and I do know each other." Seduce said as she slid her hands up his body. Natsu felt uneasy about this because he wasn't experienced enough with what Seduce was doing.

"Hold it." Natsu said as he pushed her back. "I'm not going to fall for that so easily. I need to get going." Natsu just got out of there as he unfolded his wings and just took off. Seduce wasn't going to quit that easily. As Natsu flew off, someone was watching him. He wore a black cloak and kept his eyes on Dragon-Man.

"That's the dragon. He'll make for a great challenge." Someone else is looking for Dragon-Man, and he isn't all that friendly about it.

...

Natsu

Natsu tried to clear his head. That's why he changed out of his costume and just walked around the city as a regular guy. He didn't think he would see Seduce again. Then again, she had a knack for appearing out of nowhere. He did think there was something going on between him and Seduce, but he called it quits when he saw how irresponsible she was. Now, she's back and is messing with Natsu's head again.

"Damn. What is it with this girl messing with my head like this." Natsu said. "I don't even have a clue as to who she is under that mask. As he was walking around, he heard his phone going off. He looked to see who it was, but it was a blocked number. He went ahead and answered it. "Hello?"

"Natsu Dragneel, I know you're secret."

"What? Who is this?" Natsu said.

"That's not important right now. You just better keep your cool. You wouldn't want to spout fire by accident, Dragon-Man." Hearing someone claim he's Dragon-Man scared him to the core.

"Where are you?" Natsu said as he was keeping his guard up.

"I'm closer than you think." Natsu looked around to try and see who was talking to him over the phone. "You're getting closer."

"Where?" Natsu said as he walked around carefully.

"Closer..." Natsu still didn't see anyone. "Closer..." That time, he heard the voice on more than just a phone. He started to hear someone laughing until he spotted the person who was on the phone. "You're a lot closer than you think." Natsu was scared someone knew his secret until he saw who that person was.

"Lucy!" Natsu said. Lucy was standing before Natsu with laughter. It was a fun way for them to get reacquainted with each other. This is one girl that Natsu is thrilled to see again. When the two of them met, they went to a casual restaurant to talk. "I can't believe you're actually back. When did you get back from England?"

"Not that long ago. I got back just the other day." Lucy said. "Hitting Leo's was a great idea. This is the best pizza place ever."

"I bet you missed good old fashion American food." Natsu said.

"Pizza is actually from Italy." Lucy said. Now that the ice has been broken, it was time for a serious talk. "So, how are things with Tartaros?"

"Same as usual. They're still up to no good." Natsu said. "They're still making villains. I haven't figure out a way to bring them down for good."

"It won't be easy. You're just one guy going against an entire company." Lucy said. "Maybe the best way is to go directly at the source. Whatever happened to Mard Geer?"

"He got bailed out of jail, but he's been pretty quiet. No one has seen or heard from him." Natsu said. "I've also been trying to track down someone."

"Who?" Lucy asked.

"Remember when I was running my own investigation into my birth father. I learned that I actually have an older brother named Zeref." Natsu said.

"A brother?!" Lucy said as she couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, but I don't really remember him." Natsu said.

"Have you talked to Igneel about this?" Lucy asked.

"How would I even explain to him that I learned about the brother I never knew I had?" Natsu said.

"I'm sure you'll figure something out. You usually do." Lucy said. Natsu was really glad that he got to run into Lucy again.

"I'm really glad you're here, Lucy. Now that you are, maybe we can..." Natsu said as he moved his hand closer to hers. He was hoping to start things again with Lucy, but Lucy pulled her hand away when she saw what he was doing. "What's wrong?"

"Natsu, we've been apart for four years." Lucy said. "A lot has happened, a lot has changed. That's including feelings."

"What are you saying?" Natsu said.

"I'm saying that I don't want us to start all over again." Lucy said. "I need some time to think about that."

"Are you actually seeing someone?" Natsu said.

"No, but I think you're just getting a little caught up in the moment." Lucy said. "After all the time we've been apart, you're telling me you're not the least bit interested in someone else?" Natsu wanted to say no, but he would be lying.

"Not exactly. I actually ran into some other girl earlier, but we were never like that. It's a little complicated." Natsu said.

"Natsu, I haven't been back for very long." Lucy said. "I just recently finished at Oxford. The last thing I need right now is a relationship. I just need to figure things out, but it's just not what I want at the moment." Natsu wasn't a fool. He believes this was just her way of letting him down easy. As it is now, there is no getting back together now and maybe not again.

...

Later

Night soon came over the city. Natsu changed back to Dragon-Man and was flying through the city. He was upset that Lucy turned him down, but she had some valid points. Natsu just got caught up in the moment and it was like revertigo. He just went back to how he and she were back in high school, when he was crazy about her. Now that he's thinking about it, he isn't sure himself that he still has those feelings for Lucy.

"Man... How do things get like?" Natsu said. He flew around the sky until he something was tossed near him. "What was that?!" Something was tossed at him again and it cut against his arm. "Damn! What's going on?" He looked at a wall and saw a dagger was what was tossed at him. "What the hell?" It was at that moment that Natsu felt someone tackle him and slammed him against the wall. That person grabbed a hold of his wings and the two of them began to fall into the streets.

"Fall, Dragon-Man!"

"Get off!" Natsu said as he was able to spread his wings and knocked the guy off. He heard a crash and saw the guy fell on a car. Natsu landed down and moved carefully closer. It looked like the guy had a nasty fall and was concerned the guy was hurt. He was surprised when his attacker kicked him so hard that he was sent flying into an alleyway.

"You might be a worthy challenge."

"What?" Natsu said as he got up. A flickering light made it difficult for Natsu to get a good look at what the guy looks like. "Who are you?"

"I was once known as Bradman Ethans. These days, I go by Bloodman or Grim Reaper."

"Bloodman? Grim Reaper?" Natsu questioned.

"That's right. I'm a hunter of sorts, but I also like finding those who will provide me a challenge to test my skills." Bloodman said. "That's what you are?"

"You want a test? Going against me and you fail." Natsu said. He was about to breathe fire, but Grim Reaper moved fast. He grabbed Natsu by his neck and smashed him against the wall. He took out a blade and held it dangerously close to Natsu's head.

"You're about to see why they call me Bloodman and Grim Reaper." Bloodman claimed. When a light flickered back on, Natsu was shocked at what he saw under his hood. This guy didn't even look human. He was an actual demon thirsting for blood.