S.R: Once again we're back with another idea I had gotten while recovering from my concussion.

Natsu: Is it another story where you're pairing me with Cana?

S.R: Suck it up Natsu!

Natsu: Just do the damn disclaimer and move on to the story already.

S.R: Fine… Sheesh he has no patience.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL OR ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS.

"IGNEEL! IGNEEL YOU SCALY BASTARD WHERE'D YOU GO!"

A young voice screamed, loud enough to be heard throughout the entire forest. It belonged to a child with pink hair and onyx colored eyes. Running around in the massive clearing in the center of the forest, the boy searched for his adoptive father. Igneel the Fire Dragon King. His frustration at the missing dragon being enough for him to loose control over his magic, causing a massive heat wave in the area.

Because he wasn't really paying attention to his surroundings the young boy didn't notice that he was being watched until the short old man that was studying him spoke up.

"Excuse me, are you looking for someone?"

The voice startled the pink haired boy, enough to put him on the edge and ignore the question. Instead he reacted on instinct. Lashing out at the elderly man with a flaming fist he cried out "Fire Dragon's Molten Fist!"

The old mans eyes widened at the action. Because of the power behind the attack, and because it was Dragon Slayer magic. Which was extraordinarily rare. The heat given off by the flames was no joke. Though he was curious as to why they were such an ominous shade of red. But he was no push over. As a man who was recognized as a Wizard Saint, the ten strongest mages on the continent of Ishgar, he had the power to stand against the child. So he easily jumped away to dodge the fist.

At least that was his intention. He wanted to show the young man that he couldn't beat him and force him to calm down, so the old man let go of the tight hold he held over his magic. But the pink haired kid just growled.

"Fire Dragon's Crushing Claw!"

Swiping his right arm the boy unleashed another attack. This time the flames took the form of long claws at the tips of his fingers. Dodging the attack the old man was shocked at the damage the boy had done. The flames being hot enough to melt and gouge the ground where he'd been standing.

"Fire Dragon's Explosive Roar!"

Sucking in a quick breathe the boy unleashed an absolutely mindbogglingly large torrent of flames from his mouth. The sheer size, being enough to require the old man to use his magic to create a barrier to act as a shield while he escaped the blaze. The tree line behind him instantly going up in flames and becoming ash.

"Fire Dragon's Eruption!"

This time the boy slammed his palms against the ground. Which caused a light tremor before a pillar of fire burst forth from the ground underneath the old man. The heat the attack put off charred the ground, as the flames grew higher and higher.

"Dammit stop moving!"

The boy yelled as he charged the short man again. He punched towards the elderly man once more but the attack was different. This time it was named Fire Dragon's Bursting Fist. Unlike the previous punch, when his arm was fully extended the flames continued to blast forwards, bringing about even more destruction.

'This kids already got this much destructive capablility. He can't be more than 7 or 8 years old, and he's already destroyed so much of the forest. Heck he doesn't even look winded, yet he's thrown around enough magic to put him on the same level as Laxus. This brat has truly monstrous potential.'

Deciding he'd had enough of running around, the old man vanished from sight. Not even a full second latter he was behind the pink haired boy, with his arm enlarged enough to pin the kid to the ground. He struggled to break free, even lighting his body on fire in his attempt. But the old man had predicted the action and created a barrier around his hand to prevent being burned as he attempted to calm the kid down.

"Hey, brat relax. I'm not here to hurt you."

The boy just growled and thrashed about even harder. But when he realized he wasn't going to get free he gave in.

"What do you want?"

"I just want to know what a young man like yourself is doing out here in the forest."

He replied, starting simple. The old man had already decided his course of action. Now he just had to steer things the way he wanted the situation to go.

"I'm looking for my dad Igneel."

"Your dad brought you out here and disappeared?"

"Nope. We live in the forest. But when I woke up this morning he was gone."

The short man frowned at that. From the way things looked to him he had figured the kid was abandoned.

"Perhaps I can help you look for him."

"You'd help me find Igneel!?"

The boy shouted eagerly.

"Of course. What does he look like? It'll make it a lot easier to find him."

"Igneel is a giant red dragon. Oh wait, his stomach is a weird tan color. And he's got this cross shaped scar on his jaw."

"Wait, your father is a dragon?"

"Yeah."

The short man frowned as he crossed his arms.

"That makes it harder to find him then. I don't know anyone that has ever seen a dragon."

"Damn. Well I guess I should thank you for the offer to help find him..."

While the conversation hadn't gone the exact way he'd wanted it to the elderly mage saw that his idea would still work.

"Well I've got an idea then. I'm on my way back home from a meeting. You can come with me and join my guild. I mean you'll need money to travel and search for your father. My guild can help with that. Plus you'll have a home to return to."

"I don't know… I mean Igneel raised me in the forest so I have no idea what regular life is like."

"My guild and I can help with that. We are a family, and will do anything to support each other. Though we've got a few brats around your age that need to learn what that means still. You want help to find Igneel, I'm sure we'll eventually find him."

The man knew he was pushing really hard, but he couldn't just turn his back on the pink haired youth in front of him. The boy clearly needed a home and Fairy Tail was never group to turn people away. He could see it in the kids eyes, how much he was hurting to have been left behind by his father. But Fairy Tail could help him heal, and find a family to call his own so that he would never be alone.

"I guess that works… I'll join your guild or whatever you called it."

"I'm happy to hear that. Say, I don't think I asked your name yet. I'm Makarov. Makarov Dreyar."

Natsu nodded at the old mans words.

"I don't know why, but something tells me I can trust you. I'm Natsu Dragneel."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Natsu."

With that the old man let the boy up and canceled his magic, before they shook each others hands as a proper greeting.

"I have a few things to talk to you about as we walk towards the guild."

Makarov spoke, deciding he needed to make sure the young boy he was now traveling with could fit in with society. Natsu just nodded, a little eager to start the journey to what would become his new home.

The Next Day

The duo had finally reached the town known as Magnolia and were strolling down the street towards a large building.

"Now remember, you can't fight anyone in the guild with your magic. It's too dangerous."

Makarov spoke, though he wasn't too worried. Natsu seemed eager to find a way to learn to use his magic in a way that was safe for everyone. At least if he were to believe the boys words. When he explained to Natsu that one of the most important rules for a Fairy Tail mage was to never kill, the boy perked up slightly and responded.

"Well if you can teach me some regular Fire magic, I might be able to adapt it to my Dragon Slayer magic and make a weaker version that isn't as dangerous."

When he tried to ask the boy about why his fire was crimson colored instead of the usual orange that most Fire magics created his answer was a shrug. It wasn't until he thought about the magic itself that he realized why the pink haired brat had a special color for his flames. The red fire of his Dragon Slayer magic was far hotter than regular fire magic. It also seemed to have the ability to destroy weaker magic. At least that was the conclusion he came to when he watched the boy use his Fire Dragon's Explosive Roar to block a pillar created by Earth magic when they were attacked by a forest vulcan.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, the short man sighed as they stood in front of the two large doors that lead to his guild.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm all fired up!"

The boy responded with a cheer. Makarov chuckled at his eager attitude and led the boy inside. They were treated to quite the sight. A dark haired boy was sitting at a table and drinking some juice. Except he was shirtless. A red haired girl, and a white haired girl were struggling to over power each other, their hands locked together as they fought for dominance. A meek white haired boy and a little girl that looked similar to the slightly older looking white haired girl watched the two with fearful expressions.

A man with light brown hair was sitting on a stool at the bar counter smoking a pipe, while a dark blue haired man sat next to him. Natsu could just make out that they were telling a story to a little dark haired girl that was looking up to them from her seat at a nearby table.

"Alright listen up. This is Natsu and he's joining Fairy Tail!"

Makarov called out as they drew everyones attention when they entered. Several people cheered, though Natsu noticed that the one dark haired boy frowned. A couple people moved to introduce themselves but they were cut off by the short man.

"There is one thing you all need to know right now. I know some of you like to fight. Fighting with Natsu is off limits, at least until he learns to hold back. His magic is extremely destructive, and dangerous."

"I don't believe it gramps!"

The dark haired boy called out. Something about him just rubbed Natsu the wrong way.

"Can I show him please? It'll serve as a good warning for everyone else?"

Natsu pleaded with the short man.

"Natsu, If I wasn't as experienced as I was, you would have killed me in self defense yesterday. Given what you're magic is capable of, you would have to purposefully miss him just to avoid killing him."

Several people went wide eyed at that. The guild master had just admitted that the boy could have killed him with his magic after all. But the other boy refused to believe it. He wouldn't go against Makarov though so instead of forcing the issue he stormed out of the guild.

Since he could tell the two were never going to get along, Makarov sighed but moved on with the matter.

"Anyway all we have left to do is get you stamped with the guild mark and you'll be part of Fairy Tail."

Eagerly nodding his head Natsu rolled up his sleeve to reveal his right bicep. Which shocked the people that were close enough to see his arm. Natsu was really well muscled for a kid.

"Right here in red please!"

He spoke as Makarov grabbed the magic stamper that they used to mark the guild members. Nodding that he understood the short man pressed the stamp against Natsu's bicep and after a moment he pulled it away to reveal the red mark.

"Do fairies have tails? Do they even exist… The journey to discover the answer is a never ending adventure, just like this guild."

Makarov spoke, his words echoing the words of the original guild master when Fairy Tail was founded. A loud cheer went up at that.

"Alright! We've got a new member so let's party!"

He called out, which lead to an even louder cheer. While the adults all celebrated by getting drunk, the kids in the guild gathered around Natsu and Makarov. 'That's right. The brat did say he'd been raised in the forest. So he doesn't know much. Maybe I should have one of the others look after him.' the old man thought to himself as Natsu introduced himself to the others.

Mira was instantly arrogant towards him, despite the warning that Natsu was off limits. Erza tried to be rather forceful about their greeting, and Mira's younger siblings Elfman and Lisanna were a bit meek. Cana was the only normal one out of the group. Which Makarov picked up on. It helped that Natsu payed more attention to her than the other children.

"Oh that's right. Natsu Cana would you two follow me up to my office for a moment?"

The master butted in, getting nods from the two children. Since Natsu didn't know where to go he stuck close to Makarov, Cana did too, but that was more because the guild was starting to get a little rowdy and she knew he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. When they got to his office, he had Natsu shut the door behind him while he walked over to his bookshelf and began grabbing books.

"I've got a favor to ask of you Cana, and it involves Natsu here."

He spoke, not really wanting to waste time. Natsu figured it had something to do with his admittance that Igneel had raised him in a forest so he stayed silent.

"Okay?"

"When I found Natsu he was on his own. His father had disappeared. Anyway after I started talking to him, Natsu mentioned his dad raised him in the forest where I had found him. I don't know what all he was taught besides his magic, but since he doesn't really have any common sense, I was wondering if you would teach him?"

Cana went wide eyed as she heard Natsu's back story. It was similar to hers, at least in her young mind. With common ground like that she felt they would be able to get along just fine. Which would hopefully make it easier to teach him about things.

"I'll do it master."

Natsu smiled at her as he nodded his head in thanks.

"Thank you Cana. Anyway Natsu, you said you wanted to learn a simpler form of Fire magic so that you could adapt your regular magic and make it less dangerous right? I've got a few books here about different types of Fire magic. You can use them to help with that."

Makarov continued as he turned to face the two children with a small stack of books in his hands.

"Thanks gramps."

Natsu responded. It was a surprise to Cana and Makarov, that he'd decided to call him gramps instead of master. But when Natsu said he had already come to see the short old man as a grandfather they let it slide, since it was an affectionate nickname. Well Makarov did. Cana was just confused about how quickly Natsu had come to feel that way, since as far as she knew he'd only known the guild master for basically two days at that point. After that they left his office. When they got back down to the ground Floor Gray had returned from his sulking.

"I don't give a damn what Gramps said. I don't think you're strong enough to part of the guild!"

Erza went to punish him for speaking out of turn but Cana stopped her. Something about the look in Natsu's eye told her that the pink haired boy was going to prove his power even if it meant Makarov would yell at him later.

"You don't deserve to call yourself a mage if you can't tell just how outclassed you are."

Natsu commented, a slight edge to his voice. Since he wasn't allowed to actually use his magic to fight, he instead just let his magic run free rather than the tight control he kept over it. It was extremely tense in the room as Natsu steadily let the pressure from his magic rise. When it didn't stop where most people expected it too, they realized he might have been on the same level as Gray. When it got to Mira and Erza's top level from when they brawled a lot of people began to sweat 'If he's on their level then Gray is screwed!' a few people thought. But even then it kept going, rising and rising until Makarov stepped out of his office.

"Natsu! Relax. I know he's been rude, and you aren't allowed to fight him. But that doesn't mean you can push him around just by letting your magic flare."

"I might not be able to win in a fight against you gramps, but I will at least try if you don't stay out of this."

A lot of people were worried about that statement. They wondered if the kid was too prideful and arrogant. But Makarov knowing a bit about Dragon Slayers understood. Natsu was fundamentally different in several ways. The boy was more like a dragon than most would ever know.

"I know he's insulted your pride in ways that only you and I understand Natsu, but let me make a suggestion. You wanted to learn a less dangerous type of Fire magic right? Learn that first and then you may fight him to your hearts content."

Cana was the only person not shocked to hear the boy was a Fire mage of some sort. But that was only because she'd already heard that when they were in Makarov's office. Natsu sighed as he relaxed.

"Fine. But don't hold it against me if he still ends up hurt." He commented before leaving the guild. It was silent after that. Everyone wondering just how special Natsu's magic is.

"Gray, you are to avoid him until I say. If not I will not hold him back and he will end up killing, plain and simple."

Makarov warned him. Cana was extremely impressed by the feel of Natsu's magic pressure and so she spoke up after him.

"Master, just how strong is he? How powerful is his magic?"

He was silent as he contemplated it.

"He's at least on the same level as Laxus. But his magic? I'm not sure how strong it is since his magic is extremely rare. All I know is I'm extremely lucky. If it weren't for my age and all the experiences I've had in my life he would have easily killed me when we met."

The entire guild was shocked by the statement. The kid couldn't have been 10 yet he was able to match Laxus, who was out on a job. After all Laxus was 12 and already capable of becoming an S-Class wizard. He was the one person everyone int the guild agreed on being made S-Class when the trials came around.

'If he's that strong then maybe he can help me.' Cana though to herself as she recalled the reason she joined Fairy Tail. With that thought in mind she left the guild to find him.

"Master said he was raised in a forest… so that should be the best place to look."

She whispered to herself as she ran into the forest. It wasn't hard to find him. She had followed the river to make it easier to get back to town if she got lost. But after a while she found his red shirt hanging off of a tree branch. A large boulder was sitting next to the river bend, a dozen yards ahead of her and Natsu was on top of it. Upside down. The pink haired boy was doing one handed push-ups on top of the boulder. His back was towards her and his shirt though.

Before Cana could approach he spoke up.

"I know you're there Cana. No need to be shy."

She blushed at being caught but walked over to him with his shirt in her hands.

"What's up?"

He asked with a grin. Cana was slightly red faced at the sight. 'he's got a cute smile' she thought to herself.

"Um… I was wanting to talk to you."

She offered lamely.

"Oh yeah! Gramps did say something about you helping me learn common sense or something like that right?"

"Yeah, but that's not what I want to talk about okay?"

Nodding along Natsu walked towards the trees so he could sit in the shade. He patted the ground beside him as a signal to tell Cana to sit as well.

"I want you to listen to what I have to say. Please wait until I finish speaking okay?"

"Okay."

Taking a deep breath Cana started.

"My mom and dad split up before I was born. But my my died, and my dad never knew about me. I found out he was part of Fairy Tail so I came here to tell him about me…. But I can't do it…. He's considered the guild's Ace. The strongest mage in Fairy Tail. I-I don't think I'm worthy to be called his daughter."

She started to tear up a bit as she spoke. Natsu noticed and panicked. He didn't want her to cry so without really even thinking he pulled her close and hugged her. Without meaning to he was rubbing circles on her back with his hand as he tried to comfort her.

"Shhh…. Shhhh… It's alright. You don't need to cry. I'm here for you."

Sniffling Cana thanked Natsu for being so nice. He just responded that he'd been told Fairy Tail was a family, so he was doing what any family member should. Cana frowned at that but she didn't understand why. After a moment she asked Natsu the question she'd wanted to from the moment she left the guild looking for him.

"According to master you're really strong. You're really confident in yourself too. Would you help me get stronger and more confident in myself? I don't really feel worthy of being called Gildarts daughter. But if I got stronger and became more confident in myself I think I'd be able to tell him."

Natsu didn't recognize the name Gildarts, but he assumed that was the name of her dad. Which would make sense because she talked about him as if he wasn't in town, so of course he wouldn't recognize the name. But he smiled as he answered her.

"Of course! I'll help you with whatever you want!"

S.R: So you guys know all those stories about Erza teaching Natsu when he joined Fairy Tail? This is my version. Except it's Cana that teaches him and not Erza. But still... So we're getting a few chapters of them growing up before we get to the start of canon.