Chapter 4.
"Damn it, all the other mafia's can't find a damn thing. Jeeze. Natsu is going to hate this" remarked Gray as they drove. "Hmph, we still have that one mafia we haven't checked out yet. Natsu didn't say anything about not asking." Said Gajeel. " Sure but I'm pretty positive that Natsu would have told us if they knew anything. I mean the guy is a like a brother to him." "Hmph hey at least it's an option." "Oh shut it metal mouth" "You shut it you damn strip man. Oh, I'll just walk around half naked around my band mates like its no biggie including our lead singer Lucy." He teased. "Ughh! Okay I get it and for the record, I didn't strip bare naked. I only ever took most of my clothes." "Man, I know, you don't have to tell me that, I was fucking with you. Lighten up. Your wound up tight" "I'm wound tight? Have you forgotten that Erza is in a coma thanks to this asshole! You want me to stay calm. Hell, I'm still surprised Jellal has managed to stay as levelheaded as he has"
"Hmph, Jellal has a cooler head on his shoulders as opposed to our leader." Gajeel said snidely. "Gajeel, I'm going to act like I didn't hear that" he answered coldly. " What?. I'm saying the truth, if it was Natsu in this position, you can't tell me he would be calm about it. He would be off the rails." Slamming the brakes, Gray turned to Gajeel with a glowering expression. "What's with that face Gray?, damn." Unbuckling his belt, he turned and said "before you sabotaging even further by disrespecting our leader, let me tell you, he told me to get you. That you especially would be needed for this. And you are insulting him."
Looking at Gray, he let out an annoyed breath and undid his belt. "I'm telling the truth. None of you softies will admit-" Suddenly before he could blink or react, Gray's fist connected with his face. "I swear Gajeel ,one more fucking word. Say one more god damn thing" he emphasized strongly as Gajeel put a hand to his face. "Oww. Jeeze Gray" he muttered. "If I remember right, you didn't always follow his orders. So you aren't so high and mighty."
"Shut the fuck up Gajeel and that was a long time ago. Also, I never disobeyed, I questioned but that isn't the same and you know that!" "Hmph" went Gajeel as he got another punch. "WHAT THE HELL!" he shouted. Unlocking the door, he reached over and pushed Gajeel out. "Gray!" Slamming it shut, he gave Gajeel a hard look and drove off. In the distance, he heard Gajeel shouting and saw him running through the rear-view window. "YOU JERK!, SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING, GET BACK HERE!." His voice got quiet as Gray pressed on the gas.
"You bastard" insulted Gajeel as he stopped running seeing Gray's car disappear. The trees rustled in the wind as he stood there. Watching leaves fall down, he squatted pulling his coat tighter around himself when his phone went off. Grumbling he pulled it out. "Doesn't that figure" he said annoyed answering. "How's it going?, you two find anything about the town?" asked Natsu. "NO, WE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AND GRAY LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!" Sighing he furrowed his brow and gritted his teeth. "What the fuck did you do Gajeel?" "ME?, what makes you think I did anything!?" "Gee, let me give you a whole fucking list of reasons for why this doesn't surprise me. For one, your smart mouth. Two!" he yelled furious but before he could any further, Lucy walked up to him. "You know what, give,give me this, now" she said snatching the phone out of his hand and went over to a corner as Natsu stood there fuming.
"Gajeel, quit your fucking crap!" Lucy! , Gray, he" "NO. I'm sick of your shit with you two. Gray may have dropped you but I know it wouldn't have been without a good reason" He didn't say a word as she continued to lay into him. "Just get your ass home and stay there and if you so much as step a foot in this room, you don't have to worry about Natsu because I will kick your ass out myself. Do I make myself clear?!" "Yes ma'am" he said quickly.
Huffing, she hung up the phone and squeezed it. "Mom, you okay?" Layla asked with slight concern. "I'm fine, your uncle Gajeel….he's a piece of work." She answered clenching her teeth. "Did you even have him tell you why Gray threw him out?" asked Natsu who had calmed down. "No, I'll have Gray tell us when he gets here" she replied walking back over to him. "Here's your phone back" "Thanks" "Man, what did your uncle do?" Lily asked curiously. "Lily, you really need to learn when to ask and when not to ask questions" advised Layla nodding to her parents whose looks on their faces shut down the curiosity in her head.
"Damn idiot" said Jellal. An hour went by when Gray walked through the door. "I'm assuming you heard from the loudmouth judging from the looks on your faces" "Oh yeah, we heard, he shouted in my ear before Lucy grabbed the phone." "What did he do Gray?" asked Jellal interrupted. " Really rather not say" he said frank.
"Gray, it's fine. Just tell us" she said in a comforting voice. "Gray…." Natsu muttered impatiently. "Fine, he insulted you alright. He said you were too hotheaded and while that's true in some cases, it's not for this. He went on to say if what happened to Erza happened to Lucy and Layla" They gasped hearing their names. "I didn't let him go any further before I punched him." "And that's when you threw him out?" Lucy asked trying to keep the tension down as she saw Natsu's face turn into a silent anger waiting to be unleashed.
"No, he kept going, so I punched him again…and that's when I threw him out." Clenching his hands, Natsu in a low voice said "he tried to put my family into this situation." "Easy Natsu" urged Lucy gesturing for him to calm down. "I'm fine" he answered. "Bullshit , step outside, go on, go" she ordered him pointing to the door.
With a huff, he walked out closing the door behind him. "And you didn't find out anything by chance did you?" "No, sorry guys. We were on the way to another mafia when he started his crap." "You tried" said Jellal trying to cover his disappointment but they all saw straight through it. "This isn't over Jellal. I swear" "Thanks Lucy" The room went quiet as Natsu walked back in. "You good now?" "I'm good Luce, you can lower that eyebrow."
"Dad, mom, your going to make sure uncle Gajeel get's home right?" she asked worried. "No" Natsu answered flatly making her take a step back. "But dad he's out who knows where!. He could still be wandering around trying to find a way back. He's family!" "Layla" he said sternly. She froze knowing that tone. It was the one he used when he wanted her to go no further and meant it as she shuttered. The other two didn't say a word for they didn't want to cause anymore trouble for Layla.
Fisting her hands, with courage she said "but I don't understand dad. Why can't someone just call to make sure he's okay." "You don't have to understand Layla. You are my child, not one of my members" "THEN MY VOICE SHOULD BE HEARD!" she screamed defiantly "In other instances, yes and you know that but not this time." Scrunching her face, she ran out the door, "Lay" "Layla!" the other two called running after her. Slumped against a wall, Natsu closed his eyes and rubbed his nose.
"Fuck me" he thought "Natsu.." she said caringly with some concern rubbing his arm. "We don't have time to worry about this. He wants to be a pain in the ass, let him. We will keep him out this" he said blunt. They both looked at him with regretful agreement. "We are at war. This guy will take anything he can to get us and that includes someone in our ranks and neither of you can disagree with that." "Natsu" Jellal said quietly. "What?" he snapped. "Your daughter..Layla, your treasure. Go to her" he insisted. "But Jellal, Erz" "No you are a great leader Natsu and you have shouldered a lot over the years. Hell I can't see anyone else being able to do what you have done and be able to stay as together as you are. Having said that, leader or not. The mafia is second to your family. Erza would understand and would want you to make sure Layla is okay before you did anything. You know I'm right."
"Go Natsu, she loves you and you are her hero. She's probably a mess right now" Lucy spoke honestly convincing him as he walked out the door. Jellal and Lucy both smiled behind him. "Thank you Jellal" she said warmly.
"He just needed a reminder. He's the one who told me nothing comes before family." He turned and grabbed Erza's hand kissing the top of it while Lucy watched. "We miss you Erza. Really wish you were here right now." She thought melancholy. Going outside, he saw the other two crouched down with Layla. Hearing him, they looked up as he motioned for them to move.
Respectively they backed off and went inside letting Natsu come up to her. She was sitting there in her red dragon jacket bunched up around her as she hugged it. His heart ached as he sat on his knees in front of her. "Layla, look at me baby girl" he asked softly. She kept her head down. Sneaking a finger, he snuck it under her chin and gently had her look up. "Oh, baby dragon" he muttered heartbroken seeing her covered in tears and sweat. He pulled her into him as she wrapped her arms around him and sobbed into his chest.
"I'm sorry Layla." She continued to cry as he held her. "Baby dragon, look at me" he said after a minute. As she looked up, he wiped the falling tears with his thumbs. Tenderly he said, "I will make sure Gajeel got home safe." "You mmean it?" "I promise" he said with a loving smile. "Thank you!"
"I'm sorry if I made you feel as though your opinion doesn't matter to me because I swear to you that it does." Sniffling, she wiped her tears away. "It's okay dad. I know I still have a ways to go before I can understand everything." "That's not a bad thing either Layla. You are only sixteen. You have the rest of your life to understand" he said optimistic.
"You ready to go inside?" he asked moving forward as she tugged at his jacket. "What's up?" "Can you stay outside with me please?" Without a word, he sat down next to her letting her snuggle against him. Watching the sun go down, she never looked up to see the smile on his face.
In the days that followed, Natsu and his team went around the mafia's together to try to find anything about the town where Erza was ambushed. Every turn they took led them to nothing. Taking time to recover their thoughts, they all gathered at his house. "I think it's safe to say their base is not in Oak town" admitted Gray. "This is getting us nowhere!, where the hell is his base!" yelled Natsu feeling frustrated. "I'm going to bet Erza was close and that's why they set her up and ambushed her." "But why would his base be so far from his house though?" Lucy questioned sitting on the couch.
"Less chance of being known if the base is cut off and away from your home. Son of a bitch is smarter then I thought." They all felt the aggravation for they felt the same way.
"Yo Jellal, you alright?" Gray asked knowing this had to affect him but he would never say it out loud. "No , I'm pissed off Gray but what good is that going to do. It wont help Erza and it sure as hell isn't helping right now" he retorted. "Easy Jellal" urged Natsu. "I know, I'm just pissed" "Trust me, I get it. You've done an amazing job so far this week keeping calm" he complimented. "Same could be said about you" teased Jellal. Everyone chuckled enjoying a happy moment for a minute.
"So, what now?" Layla asked the question on everyone's minds. Before he could give an answer, Natsu's phone went off. Picking it up, he groaned recognizing the number. "Mother fucker, why now of all times" getting everyone's attention.
"Everyone shut the hell up" he ordered as he answered "yes sir" to the phone. They all went quiet as Natsu intensively listened. "When would you want us there?" he asked. He kept himself completely straight faced but Lucy noticed his hands trembling. "I can guess whose on the phone by the way he reacted. What are they telling him to do." She wondered watching his movements. "Tomorrow at three. Yes sir, yes sir, I will bring them with me. Okay, goodbye" he said as he hung up crushing his phone completely in his hand. "Natsu..what is it?" Lucy asked immediately.
"Son of a fucking bitch" he muttered shaking his head. "What!?" they all yelled at him. With a deep sigh, he looked at them and said "I have a meeting to go too for the big bosses" "That doesn't sound too bad" Lily piped in cutting everyone else did not agree. "There's more..I have to bring Gray and Jellal with me." "WHAT!" Lucy screamed.
"This is bad" thought Gray. "That leaves Lucy and the kids alone." Jelllal shuttered at the thought. "Seriously now!. What the fuck are they thinking" Lucy hollered. "Go upstairs guys" ushered Natsu as the kids obeyed and followed Layla up. "Lucy, baby, I don't have a choice." He tried explaining as she looked at him angrily. "You think I want to do this shit" he told her rising from his seat and stood toe to toe with her. "My second is in a coma, and my family is under threat. Of course, I don't want to go" "Natsu.." "STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THIS!" he thundered at Gray and Jellal who took a step back. Turning back to Lucy, with a glowering expression said, "you know god damn well I cant disobey an order!"
"Natsu." "NO, I AM THE LEADER HERE AND THAT'S FINAL!" She stumbled taking a step back landing on the floor. "Lucy, let us help you up" said Gray and Jellal as they each grabbed one of her arms pulling her to feet. "Wha..what di .I..Luce..I" he staggered while she did not look at him with anger but sadness and pity. Losing his stability , he fell back into the nearest chair and put his face into his hands shaking. Running over, she got on the floor and wrapped her arms around him bringing his head to her chest as she rubbed it. "Luce..I..I' ..ssorry" he cried as tears started to fall.
" I know baby, it's alright" "No..no it's not" he said lifting his head from her chest, but she kept her hands on his cheeks. Putting his hands over hers, he closed his eyes leaning into her hands. He's crying..Natsu…how much have you kept buried Jellal wanted to know. "All..this…I can't take much more" muttered Natsu opening his eyes while Lucy watched the tears fall and wiped them. Bringing her forehead to his, she smiled a loving smile "Lucy.."
"You can do it Natsu. We all believe in you. We always have." "I just yelled at people who are the world to me, I yelled at you." "You have everyone's stresses on your shoulders Natsu, the weight of the mafia, Baby it's a wonder you haven't cracked sooner. Yes, you yelled but that wasn't you. Your worrying about enough already, don't let this be something added to that." Softly he squeezed her hands. "You promise you aren't upset?" Lightly she shook her head and said, "I promise, there's no need for tears." She stood up bringing him with her as she reached and wiped the remaining tears away.
"I love you so much Lucy" "And I love you too Natsu Dragneel" she replied giving him a deep kiss. "I never want to let go..I wish time would stop right now" he thought longingly not wanting to stop but reluctantly pulled himself off her. "Natsu?" "Thanks baby" he said softly then motioned for her to sit down. "Gray, Jellal?...can you..can you guys forgive me?"
"Yes" answered Jellal instantly but they noticed Gray was quiet for a moment. "How many mafia leaders apologize to their own members, let alone ask for their forgiveness. Damn Natsu, you really are one in a billion" he thought grateful as he replied "yes Natsu, there's nothing to forgive you for man. Its understanding given what you're having to endure" "Thanks guys" "Dad? Is it" "Your fine Layla, you guys can come back down" he answered finishing her question.
They shuffled their way back into the living room as Natsu cleared his throat and in clear voice said " we have a meeting to be at, at three. Jellal, since Erza can't, you're the stand in for second so you have to come with me, Gray, you filled in that spot for a while, so they want you too come too." "But that was 8 years ago. Why would that matter to them now?" "It doesn't matter, you still were the second in command for a time. Any way regardless of the reasons Gray, you were ordered to come with me."
"Yes sir' he replied. "Gray, you should go home, I'm sure your son and Juvia miss you." "Thanks Lucy, you good Natsu?" "Yeah, get on home dude, I'll see you tomorrow" "Okay" he replied giving Lucy and Layla a hug then proceeded to leave.
" I guess I'll get going to the hospital then" said Jellal who went to go to the door before Lucy stepped in front of him blocking him. "Jellal, stay here, you don't have to leave because you think you're a burden or inconvenience. You know there's a place for you here" she said kindly. He looked at Natsu skeptic who gave him a knowing look. "Hey, I'm not arguing with her. Lucy is good at these kinds of things..besides you know she's right. There's room for you here." "Thanks guys" he replied with a warm smile.