Author's Notes: Welcome to chapter 7, the last chapter before canon begins! Finally we get to see our dear Mira-chan! This was one of the harder chapters for me to write, because firstly, I have little clue on how romance works, let alone for messed up people like Naruto (and a tsundere Mirajane). Secondly, the words just didn't flow properly despite the concrete idea I had in mind. I hope this doesn't disappoint too much!

I realised my review answers are getting longer. That's a good sign, right? No? Oh well, at least I can boost my word count :P

Fuyuriku: Thanks for pointing out that typo! I hate typos, but it's nigh impossible to find every last one of them. It's worse when it's your own story; since it's your own work, you tend to be less precise when screening through the text for errors. As for the Madara idea...I think I'll be simultaneously impressed and aggrieved if the story went that way. I can't even put myself through that kind of torture, so I think it's a no go. Although, that does prompt ideas...

Dragonking20: Ah, Cana's still the same really, just with a better understanding of her cards and maybe a few more combination tricks, that's all. I didn't have any inspiration for how the S-class trials for anyone would go (Laxus, Erza, Mira, Mystogan), and who would actually attend the trials (given the dearth of talented mages before Natsu's generation). Remember Jose got pissed because Fairy Tail rose from nowhere? That's due to those new S-class mages. So those that came before them, the older generation, I don't think they'll be ready for S-class trials, which means a lame one person trial? Yea, that was a conundrum I couldn't solve, so I left it as it was.

Payokumbuah: I understand your concerns, but love means compromise, right? And if you read the recent canon chapters, Mirajane actually tells the palace executioner that she doesn't like to show her power in front of others because she abhors killing, but when she's alone, she's not afraid to unleash everything to do what's necessary. So she'll probably understand his modus operandi. Of course, that's after she regains her powers, but her beliefs probably won't have changed that much since Lisanna's 'death'.

That's an interesting idea about Kurama, but I'll have to work around the problem of his niceness (after Naruto made him do a 180...ugh), and his power (which is so ridiculously high there won't be an Edolas left IMO). Thankfully, I haven't written up to Edolas yet, so there's room for manoeuvring. But it'll take some planning if I actually try it. Thanks for the idea though!

TheAFGNCAAP: Yea, I thought it might be funny to see Naruto flustered. Ikaruga's flirting is mainly for amusement, even though I was angling for a more serious approach to their work/play relationship at the beginning. That's not to say I won't make her a Lyon to Naruto's Juvia (and by proxy, Mira is Edolas Gray). I have some hazy plans for that, but it'll be some time down the line before we reach such interactions. Like, pre-Magic Games or something.

Alter Avans: Mm, yea, but I have no clue what plans Hiro Mashima has for Zeref/Acnologia. I always liked stories where people take canon circumstances into consideration, and expand from there using the butterfly effect. My story is nowhere near that level; it's more of Naruto being the cause of unexplained things in canon. So I'm not sure how a regular Kurama would work. I'd hate to invent an overblown über OC as Kurama's nemesis. I could downsize him of course; the usual chakra-got-used-up-in-transference stuff. Guardian of Tenrō Island sounds fantastic, although he'll blow Grimoire Heart to smithereens before they can even attack. Maybe I'll do something during the seven year timeskip...

As for Naruto's power levels, I've tried keeping him to Wizard Saint levels by canon. Meaning Gildarts (whom he'll beat), Makarov (lose), Jose Porla (draw/Pyrrhic victory). He'll have no way of fighting Zeref properly, and Jura is a notch below. Not sure about Jellal; will probably class him below Naruto. The members of Oración Seis and Grimoire Heart should pose little trouble (given how one-dimensional all mages are), though Hades and Zero should beat him.

Flamency mobile: Ah, it's not that I have no problem with Wakaba's flirting, it's that it's canon. In chapter 2, when Lucy enters Fairy Tail, it's shown that Wakaba already thinks of Mira as a grown up. That's the point I'm referring to; if someone who watched Mira grow up has no trouble viewing her as a woman later, what's to say Naruto can't see things the same way? Especially as Naruto will probably be plagued by his libido. I'm using canon standards as a guide on whether it's possible for Naruto to see Mira as a woman, and not as his insufferable niece (pre-Lisanna-'death').

For those who want more Naruto/Cana interaction: I actually didn't plan for more, because Cana sees Naruto as a brother/Gildarts replacement after a while. So jealousy over his 'relationship' with Mira will be at a minimum, and when you're a teenager, you tend to get a little distant from your siblings to get some personal space (that's my impression, at least). That'll be especially true if the sibling is overprotective, like Naruto is (off-screen). There'll be snippets of Naruto/Mystogan interactions though.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Fairy Tail.

Chapter 7: Mirajane (X781-782)

Macao and Wakaba giggled like a bunch of schoolboys watching porn as they discussed the latest beautiful cover models of Sorcerer Magazine. Naruto was tempted to tell them to stop their discussion, so as to not appear as pedophiles given their ages compared to the female mages featured in the magazine; but he would be rather hypocritical if he did so. With a more than healthy appreciation for the female body, Naruto was sorely tempted to join his drinking buddies in staring at the models in the magazine. Thankfully, he had far better control. He would peer at the girls when he was in the privacy of his own home, while Cana was out on a mission or something.

Unbidden thoughts of a certain subordinate he recruited two years ago made him feel more than a bit hot under the collar. The irascibly lecherous woman (as Naruto would like to think) had attached plenty of suggestive pictures in her reports to him. He still wasn't too sure what her motives were, but seeing as he didn't have a girlfriend anyway, it wasn't something he found himself worrying over too much. He was just a healthy young man appreciating a naturally beautiful specimen of the female kind, that's all. He consoled himself with the fact that he caught Mystogan drooling over those very same pictures as well. The embarrassed teen hadn't been caught doing it since.

He honestly hoped that as he grew older, he wouldn't become as hopelessly perverted as Makarov was; using his Titan Magic to stretch his arms where no one would expect them, and pinching young girls' butts was just cringe worthy. And on cue, the perverted old man was given a loud smack to the head, courtesy of the easily agitated Mirajane. She had just managed to reach S-class on the recent promotion trials, and she was busy flaunting her new status to everyone else. Natsu, fired up as ever, had already been beaten down four times in the past two hours of loud merrymaking and celebrations. Lisanna and Elfman were more subdued; happy for their sister, but still rather exasperated at her grating behaviour.

As Mirajane and self-appointed guild disciplinarian Erza began to butt heads over her rowdy mood, Naruto slipped away from Macao and Wakaba, the duo now talking about what they wished to do to the cover girls in far too much detail for Naruto to stand. He ducked under a flying mug of beer, hopped over a naked Gray (who had just been kicked away by a visibly tipsy and red-faced Cana), and sat down beside Lisanna, who greeted him cheerfully. Elfman did so similarly, the growing young man's intimidating build a huge contrast to his timid and sweet personality. Naruto ruffled Lisanna's hair, eliciting a pout from the girl even as she snuggled Kurama against her.

The fox had found new refuge in the animal lover's arms, after Cana outgrew him. That girl was practically one of the guys, with the way she could drink most of the guild under the table. Naruto and Gildarts were the only ones she hadn't managed to defeat in a drinking contest yet, and she proclaimed she would train her alcohol tolerance until she could finally defeat her Ráfa-nii. It was something Naruto had given up on convincing her not to do, just like her extremely provocative way of dressing. He had to beat off plenty of suitors who showed up at their door, which Cana still didn't know about. None of the suitors dared said a thing anyway; being restrained by chains in uncomfortable and too-similar-to-bondage styles was not something guys liked to announce to the world.

Kurama raised his head to yip a half-hearted greeting at Naruto, before he nuzzled against Lisanna once more. Naruto swore every male in the bloody guild was a pervert, even the damn fox. Grumbling under his breath (C'mon, bros before hoes, Kurama!), he gestured at the brawling Erza and Mirajane. "They're even more lively today, huh?"

Ducking under a blast of flames from Natsu, Lisanna laughed. "Mira-nee is just proud of her achievement. Everyone is happy for her too."

"It's something to be proud of, reaching S-class so young," Naruto remarked, sighing theatrically. "I wish I was that strong, but alas, I'm just an old man whom people call a pervert thanks to my Chain Magic. Seriously, I don't do shibari, you perverted bastards!"

He swiped something off the table, and hurled it at Macao and Makarov, the half-empty beer flagons hitting the two men on their heads accurately. Nodding in satisfaction, he turned his cerulean gaze back to a blushing Elfman and a contemplative Lisanna. She had a weird glint in her eyes, which Naruto took to mean more trouble for Natsu. Honestly, the youngest Strauss's mind scared him more than an invasion of S-class mages. "I don't think I will enjoy that, but I'm not so sure about Mira-nee. I think she probably likes the idea of shibari."

"W-What!" Naruto spluttered, flabbergasted. What on earth? Why is Lisanna telling me about Mirajane's sexual fetishes for crying out loud?

Lisanna smiled cheekily, before puckering her lips at Naruto, making loud kissing noises. "You didn't know, Ráfaga-niichan? Mira-nee has a crush on you!"

"Are you serious?" Naruto sweated profusely, already mentally cataloguing the exits that weren't blocked by some brawl. "Mirajane? The Demon, Mirajane?"

"I don't know if you read Sorcerer Magazine cover to cover, but you are fifth on the 'Mage you want to have as your boyfriend' list. Loke is first, but that's because everyone knows he's good looking. You're literally the mysterious and cool type that drives women crazy," Lisanna explained with a straight face. "Mira-nee has been eyeing you since we entered Fairy Tail. Macao-ojichan was the older male figure most of us girls had a crush on, but you took over his role quite some time ago."

Naruto wondered what the Strauss parents really taught their children; Mirajane was a violent tomboy dressed like a gothic Lolita and Lisanna was too damn open when it came to sexual matters. Only Elfman seemed anywhere near normal, but his growing philosophy about being manly was a harbinger of worse things to come. Shuddering as he dimly recalled two Youth-obsessed individuals back in the Elemental Countries, he knocked Lisanna on the head gently. "Don't talk about such things so casually! You're not even of age!"

"Don't look down on me because I'm young, Ráfaga-niichan!" Lisanna pouted childishly. "I know lots about sex!"

Before Naruto could reply to that ridiculous retort, he was treated to a foot to his face by none other than Mirajane. The girl was understandably furious, a dark aura springing up around her as she glared murderously at Naruto's back, the man now embedded into the walls of the guild. "You shibari pervert! Don't you dare touch Lisanna!"

"Nonsense, Mira-nee. I'm going to be Natsu's wife, and Ráfaga-niichan respects my choice," Lisanna scolded her sister, earning a few chortles from guild members at Natsu's panicked expression. "You're the one who wants to get tied up and ravished by Ráfaga-niichan. Don't think I don't know about your-mmmph!"

Mirajane clapped a hand over Lisanna's mouth, looking decidedly nervous. Judging from the curious (and perverted) gazes from the male population in the hall, her magical power exploded around her as she screamed in anger. "Don't you people dare judge me!"

"I knew all that leather had to mean something…" Wakaba whispered to Macao, his dark-haired friend nodding solemnly in agreement. "She didn't even deny the accusation…"

In response, Mirajane punched both of them in the nose, and that began another huge brawl. Lisanna walked over to Naruto, prodding his unmoving form still stuck face-first in the wall. Kurama bit his ass cheek painfully, causing the blond man to hop out of the human-shaped hole with a loud yelp. Lisanna giggled as Naruto chased Kurama around the place, then got himself dragged into the fight by jealous men who wanted to learn his shibari secrets and why he was so popular with girls even though he didn't even show his face.

Outside the noisy guild, on the second storey, a masked man watched his fellow guild mates with fond exasperation. He didn't move when another man appeared out of thin air beside him. "One day, you really should let me go to Edolas with you, and confront your father. We'll also deal with Earthland Jellal, who definitely isn't up to much good. Then you don't have to be so mysterious about things."

"You are one to speak, Naruto-sensei," Mystogan retorted, shooting a knowing glance at his teacher. Down in the lunch hall, another Naruto was still fighting his fellow guild mates.

Naruto shrugged. "The less they know, the better. I'm far deeper into my business than you ever will be, and my business is far less acceptable than yours too. You should know that very well."

"You mean your association with Death's Head Caucus, a dark guild famed for their success at assassination missions?" Mystogan said dryly. "Of all people, I never thought you'd condone such actions. You have always been about the safety of the innocent."

"Which is why I told Hato-chan to be more picky about her targets," Naruto rolled his eyes. "And the only reason you know of my connections with them is because you were looking for Icha Icha in my room, and found Hato-chan's sexy pictures, you little pervert."

"Using pet names already…you're not having a sexual relationship with her, are you?" Mystogan queried. "I think many women will be quite upset if that is the case."

"No, Mystogan. She forced me to use that pet name," Naruto groaned, slapping his forehead. "How many times must I tell you? She's just flirting."

"Which adequately explains the last picture you got, where she's nude and hugging a handmade, life-sized doll remarkably similar in looks to you," Mystogan responded wryly, his face heating up beneath his cloth mask as he recalled that particular picture. "That's a bit extreme for flirting, Naruto-sensei."

The blond man declined to register a riposte; he was too busy remembering that very picture himself. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Naruto patted his student on the shoulder. "Well, I got to go. I got some work to do. As usual, you know where I put the Icha Icha."

Mystogan nodded tersely as his sensei disappeared in a storm of leaves. His serious visage was completely at odds with his thoughts, however.

Icha Icha!

And people said Naruto had a talent for changing people for the better.

8888888888888888

Mirajane Strauss was on a mission. It was a self-imposed one, resulting from a rather loud argument with her younger sibling Lisanna. The brawl resulting from Lisanna blurting out to the whole of Fairy Tail about her crush went a long way to dispel anyone's notions of teasing Mirajane about it, but the girl didn't approve of her sister revealing it before she could confess. The youngest sibling of the Take Over Trio was not in the mood to back down, challenging Mirajane to actually muster up the courage she so often displayed on missions, and confess to Ráfaga. Being the obstinate and headstrong girl she was, Mirajane immediately accepted the challenge, and was now out looking for Ráfaga, who was so far proving rather elusive.

Cana had no clue where her adoptive brother went, but she did have some bits of advice for the ivory-haired girl. Ráfaga's likes included ramen, orange and an unhealthy obsession with weapons that bordered on Erza-like levels. Needless to say, Mirajane thought the man was preparing for war when she saw what was stashed away in Ráfaga and Cana's attic. He also had a tendency to go missing at times, which Cana believed was to meet some woman. That soured the conversation immediately, and Mirajane stalked off, intent on shaking Ráfaga for answers about his relationships or, as he proclaimed, lack thereof.

There was also the lingering question about sexual preferences and fetishes. Mirajane wasn't too keen on that one even if it seemed necessary; while many guys teased Ráfaga about being a shibari expert, Mirajane didn't think he was the type. He always seemed rather nervous when the topic came to sex, and even the most vanilla of sexual advances left him stammering (or so she noticed through her haze of jealousy whenever some harlot put their filthy hands on him). But who knew? There was that saying about shy people and wild bedroom behaviour…

Wiping her nose of the barest hints of blood, Mirajane focused her mind, hoping to find Ráfaga through sensing his magical signature. It was a skill reserved for those really attuned to magic, and so far she had never succeeded. When her unrefined senses refused to give her any answers, she stomped her foot in frustration. Then, as she looked up, she caught sight of a crimson coat swishing around a corner on the street she was on. She was about to shout out for the golden-haired man, but she hesitated. Might as well see what he's up to. It's not stalking, just…reconnaissance. Yea, reconnaissance.

Transformation came easily for the girl, as she turned into a nondescript brunette, dressed in a conservative knee-length dress. Prancing through the streets, she pretended to be a cheerful little girl, making sure to suppress her magical power as much as possible. It was almost painful, having to act all cute and cheery, but it was all for the sake of knowing more about Ráfaga, she reasoned.

Tailing him was only mildly difficult, as the man manoeuvred through the semi-busy streets of Magnolia Town. It wasn't too crowded that Mirajane would lose track of him, but not too deserted that Ráfaga would immediately notice her presence. Twilight was descending upon them though, and Mirajane was thankful Ráfaga stepped into a building. She didn't think she'd be able to continue following him as the streets darkened.

Following him into a tavern, she smiled sweetly at the waiter who served her some water while she surreptitiously watched the man from the corner of her eye. Ráfaga entered the washroom, and Mirajane waited impatiently as he didn't reappear for a while. Frowning, she cast her eyes around the room, and they landed on the most suspicious man in the tavern, a hooded man dressed in a full-body black cloak. He had just exited the bathroom, and Mirajane wondered if he and Ráfaga had any connection.

Then, another man entered the tavern, this time clothed in a forest brown travelling cloak. He joined the black-cloaked man at the bar, and they spoke for a bit. While the tavern was noisy, Mirajane was able to pick out some key words, words that shook the girl. He then handed the black-cloaked man a piece of paper, which the man kept in his cloak subtly.

The brown-cloaked man left almost immediately after, leaving the black-cloaked man to nurse his drink. Mirajane was itching to confront the man, but she knew that any man who talked about Tartaros was dangerous, maybe even too dangerous for her to take on. He left the bar area once he finished his flagon of beer, and headed to the bathroom once more. Once his back disappeared past the doors of the washroom, Mirajane stood up, leaving as quickly as she could without being too conspicuous. Slipping into an alley, she quickly transformed herself into a bird, flying up to the rooftop of the building opposite the tavern, with a clear view of the tavern's doors. She transformed herself back, watching the doors anxiously.

A short wait later, Ráfaga stepped out of the tavern, stretching his arms into air. As he strolled in the opposite direction of his home, Mirajane noticed him fishing in his coat for something. She couldn't suppress a gasp as he retrieved the very same piece of paper the black-cloaked man was handed earlier. Left in a daze, Mirajane slumped to the ground in complete disbelief. Is he a traitor, a spy for Tartaros? Why would he do that? He loves Fairy Tail! How long has he been spying on us? What does he want? Oh no, Cana!

Her mind in turmoil, she slipped into another Transformation, taking off into the skies in hopes of reaching Cana before she was harmed in any way. She may have been brutish, aggressive and brash in her treatment of her guild mates, but she was Fairy Tail, and they were family. She bit her lip, hoping she was wrong about her assumptions.

Master would have answers. He knows everything.

8888888888888888

"Tartaros is stepping up their collection of Zeref's artefacts," Naruto reported to Makarov. "They haven't had much success, but they have one or two in their possession already. They've instructed some of their subordinate guilds to drop their missions and go treasure hunting full time."

"Honestly, I don't know how you get this sort of intelligence," Makarov shook his head, taking the piece of paper Naruto held out for him to examine the message. "I presume you'll be informing Yajima as Maelstrom then? Or do you want me to do it this time?"

"You haven't been talking much with your old friend recently, from what I hear. You ought to be thanking him personally for protecting Fairy Tail's reputation in front of the Council, you know," Naruto remarked, leaning back into Makarov's couch lazily. "You can do it. It's your choice whether you want to tell him it's from Maelstrom or not. I don't particularly care now."

"Now that the Council stopped hiring you regularly for missions, you've become quite slack, haven't you?" Makarov grinned knowingly, hopping into the seat across Naruto. "Yajima told me that Maelstrom has been less and less involved in Fiore's affairs now, and his influence is shrinking. Found a girl somewhere, did you?"

"Tch, perverted old man. Are pretty girls the only thing on your mind? I didn't find a girl, though I do have a female subordinate who's probably as perverted as you," Naruto retorted coolly. "As for my waning influence, the Rune Knights are doing a good job now, so they don't need me for anything but my spying skills. I had to give up my infiltrations a few years ago too, so now I'm relying mostly on informants. Hence the minimal workload."

"Even so, they have been considering you as a candidate for the Wizard Saints, or even the Council itself," Makarov pointed out. "The only reason why they've dithered on the decision for so long is because of your anonymity. They don't know who you are, where you came from and they feel insecure. That's why they chose those two youngsters instead of you."

"Meh, I don't care for all that," Naruto waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Makarov snickered evilly. "Probably, since you'll have your hands occupied with Hato-chan, eh?"

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, befuddled.

Makarov grinned perversely as he held out the note. "Someone used a basic Letter Re-Arranging spell on the paper. It activated just in time for me to see. It's a rather personal letter from, ahem, Hato-chan. Really, you call your girlfriend 'little dove'? I never thought you were the cheesy, romantic type."

Snatching the piece of paper from Makarov, Naruto snorted as he crumpled the note, stuffing it back into his coat. "She's the perverted subordinate I'm talking about. She forced that pet name on me, I swear. It's just that her name contains the word 'dove', and she thought it'd be funny to tease me by calling herself my 'dove'. I have bad memories associated with the other kanji in her name, so I just sort of got used to it, that's all! I don't like her or anything, even though she's super hot and…I'm not making this easier for myself, am I?"

Makarov could only shake his head in great amusement, as his guild member slumped further into his seat. "Now, now, it's okay for a young man like you to be attracted to women. Lord knows how many girls I've lusted for back in my day…and Gildarts, what a player, even at his age! I'm envious of you youngsters!"

"You're incorrigible, old man," Naruto groaned.

As the Wizard Saint prepared another retort, his door was knocked on rather frantically. Staring at the clock that read it was midnight, Makarov didn't bother getting off his seat, merely stretching his hand over to the door to open it. He knew who was behind that door, and while Naruto could sense other people's presences, he couldn't do it as well as Makarov, and certainly not without Sennin Mōdo. Hence, the Fairy Tail guild master could only attempt to hide his smile as the people at the door were revealed to be Mirajane, dragging in her hands a sleepy Cana. Naruto froze in his seat, momentarily unable to think his way out of the situation. It can only be good for him, Makarov mused, as the two teenage girls stared at Makarov and Naruto in astonishment.

"Master, stay away from him!" Mirajane yelled, pushing Cana behind her small back as she inched into the Dreyar household. Makarov thanked the heavens Laxus was away on a mission, or things might have gotten dicey. "He's dangerous! I heard him talking to someone under a Transformation about Tartaros, the dark guild!"

Cana's sleepiness was banished almost immediately at those words, and she tore her hand out of Mirajane's grip. "Don't accuse Ráfa-nii of such things! He's a loyal Fairy Tail member!"

"So you're the one following me today," Naruto moaned, putting his head in his hands. "I should have been more careful, but noo, it's Magnolia Town, it's safe…what an idiot. Old man, you might as well stage my death now. I'm useless at my job."

"That's okay, it's normal for you to feel at ease in your own hometown," Makarov comforted, before flashing the two young mages a reassuring smile. "Now, Mira-chan, what did you see, and what do you think is happening right now? And close the door, would you, Cana-chan?"

"I followed Ráfaga, and then he went into this tavern, and did a Transformation in the bathroom. He talked to this seedy guy, and got a message from him. I overheard them, and Tartaros was mentioned. I wasn't sure it was him at first, but when he left the tavern, he was holding the exact same piece of paper," Mirajane explained hurriedly. "He must be some sort of spy or assassin, receiving orders to kill you, Master!"

"Your cover blown by a teenage girl," Makarov teased Naruto, who only groaned in response. "You're really losing your touch, Naruto."

"Naruto?" Cana and Mirajane said simultaneously.

Makarov giggled, before nudging Naruto. The man looked defeated, resigned to his failure as an espionage expert. "Should I explain everything?"

"If you want their trust back, yes," Makarov answered helpfully.

Naruto cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "Okay, well, thing is, my real name is Uzumaki Naruto. I'm from another dimension, one of warfare and death. I somehow ended up in Fiore, and became a member of Fairy Tail. I offered my spying skills to the old man here, and I've been working as a double agent in many dark guilds over the years. I'm sure both of you have heard of Maelstrom?"

The two girls nodded hesitantly. Naruto sighed in resignation. "That's me. I also have two more identities right now, but I won't reveal those because they are still ongoing infiltration missions, and this cannot leak out. Fairy Tail could be in danger if it does. I've mostly pulled out of doing the espionage work myself. Nowadays, I'm only receiving intelligence from various informants I have in dark guilds, one of which includes a subordinate guild of Tartaros. The person who handed me that note is a member of Death's Head Caucus, and he was giving me a report on Tartaros' activities. That's why I'm here at Makarov's house so late at night, to report to him about the information I just received."

"I knew it!" Cana punched her open palm triumphantly. "I knew you were hiding your skills!"

"M-Maelstrom?" Mirajane stammered. "But Maelstrom uses Wind Magic! He's a powerful S-class mage who takes down entire dark guilds solo! You can't even do a basic Transformation properly!"

"Thing is, when you want to lie about how good you are, it's easier to hide what you have than to embellish what you don't," Naruto replied matter-of-factly. "The old man here can vouch for me, as can Porlyusica-san and Gildarts. Mystogan knows as well, but that's because he's my student."

"You teach Mystogan?" Mirajane gaped.

Cana whined petulantly. "What? That's so unfair! He's practically S-class already, train me instead!"

"Erm, Cana?" Naruto ventured, earning a bright smile from the teen.

"Yep?"

"Don't you care that I've been basically lying to you since I joined?" Naruto asked, wincing at the way he put it out so bluntly.

Instead of the rage he had initially expected from the Card Magic wielder, however, she merely put her fists on her hips, frowning chidingly. "Do you have so little faith in me, Ráfa-nii? I knew you were hiding things since I was old enough to understand that thirteen digit sums in your bank account is very fishy for a B-class mage who doesn't do anything above B-ranks, and not regularly at that. I just didn't know you were so cool behind your shibari antics."

Naruto spluttered at the bondage reference once again, while Makarov clutched his stomach as he erupted into peals of laughter. Mirajane was the only one who seemed at all concerned about the situation, and she burst into a rant when Makarov's laughter finally got too much for her. "Wait! Why do all this? Why lie to us? Why do all of you trust him when he has been hiding so much about himself?!"

"Mira-chan, I've been relying on Naruto's services since he entered the guild," Makarov answered, hopping off his seat to stand before the confused Mirajane. "And you know very well Maelstrom has never been anything but good to Fiore. He hides all these things because he doesn't want to bring trouble to Fairy Tail."

"Mirajane, a few years ago, when I just began my work as Maelstrom, there were a few people who thought it'll be cool to pretend to be Maelstrom," Naruto spoke, his voice filled with remorse. "One of these copycats was brutally murdered by the dark guilds. Do you know how many enemies I've made as Maelstrom? Tartaros may not have announced it, but they placed a bounty of millions of jewels for my head to reward any dark guild that chances upon me somewhere. Can you imagine if everyone knew I belonged to Fairy Tail?"

"We'll be attacked for sure," the ivory-haired girl whispered, as the implications hit her.

Makarov nodded solemnly, holding Mirajane's hand and patting it. "Don't worry about him, okay? He's part of the family. Think of him as a more visible Mystogan, hmm? That's just how the two of them operate. It doesn't mean they don't care for us, or are dangerous. They love Fairy Tail, and will do anything for us."

"I understand," Mirajane nodded seriously, a far cry from her usual antics. Naruto sighed in relief. "Please don't leak this out. Maelstrom is still wanted by the dark guilds. And keep calling me Ráfaga, it makes things easier for the rest of the guild and yourselves, given that's what you usually call me anyway."

The two teenage girls nodded quietly. From behind, Cana leaned into Mirajane's ear, whispering softly so that the two males in the room couldn't hear. "If you still don't trust Ráfa-nii, you can always ask him out to know him better. Then you can tell us if he really is into shibari."

Mirajane's face turned beet red as Naruto approached them. "Thank you for your understanding, Mirajane, Cana-chan. It means a lot to me. Now c'mon, Cana-chan, let me show you my Hiraishin no Jutsu, and exactly why I gave you that kunai you keep in your bag."

"See you tomorrow, old man, Mirajane," the blond man waved goodbye.

Taking the hand of his surrogate sister; with another thankful nod to the oldest Strauss, the duo vanished into thin air. Makarov muttered something under his breath, before shooing Mirajane out of his home. The girl managed to stumble back to Fairy Hills in a daze, barely registering that her room lights were on.

She was only broken out of her reverie when Lisanna tackled her midsection. "Mira-nee! How did your confession go?"

"I wasn't the one confessing in the end," Mirajane muttered, mainly to herself.

Lisanna gasped, clutching Mirajane's hands in excitment. "Ráfaga-niichan likes you too? Oh my god, I'm so excited for you, Mira-nee!"

Mirajane's mind cleared that instant, her eyes widening at her slip of tongue. There was a tinge of pink on her cheeks, but she definitely wasn't imagining Ráfaga confessing to her, not at all! "No, no! I said I didn't manage to confess to him in the end. You must have heard wrongly, haha…"

Ráfaga…Naruto…Maelstrom…

"I heard that dreamy sigh!" Lisanna accused, pinching her sister. "Stop thinking perverted thoughts, Mira-nee! I think Ráfaga-niichan likes sweet, innocent girls, not perverted ones!"

8888888888888888

"That's not good," Naruto mumbled, as they saw the smoke that rose from the town they were headed towards. Mystogan, running beside him, grunted his assent. "I believe this is the region where the Take Over Trio accepted a mission about fighting the magical creature known as the Beast."

"Not good at all," Naruto groaned, as the duo saw increasing signs of a harsh battle.

A loud scream echoed through the area moments later. Student and teacher's eyes met, and nodding towards each other, they split up. Mystogan readied his staff to close the Anima they had been tracking, while Naruto dashed towards the source of the scream. Landing on a nearby rooftop that was still partially intact, he came upon the Take Over Trio.

The two sisters were on the broken pavement while a beast stumbled about, looking puzzled as it stared at its hands. Mirajane's voice sounded desperate as she tried to heal Lisanna, but the younger Strauss only smiled as she glowed brightly, before dissolving into magical particles that drifted into the sky, towards the Anima. Biting his lip, Naruto prayed Mystogan would be in time to close the portal as he jumped in front of the Beast, his open palm outstretched.

"Sleep," Naruto commanded.

His hand held inches away from the massive beast's face, it didn't take long for his Sleep Magic to take over, sending an out of control Elfman Strauss into deep slumber. The teen's body crumpled to the ground, glowing softly as he shrunk in size, his body returning to normal. Sighing, Naruto scooped the unconscious teen over his shoulder, lifting his massive weight as if it were a feather. Slowly trudging his way over to Mirajane, he gently lowered Elfman beside the sobbing girl, who clutched her sleeping brother as she wailed her heart out.

Naruto cast a glance back at a faraway tree, where Mystogan was balanced perfectly on a thin tree branch. Connecting with Mystogan through Telepathy, Naruto enquired. Is she still with us?

The Edolas prince stowed his staff away, indicating that the Anima was closed. He shook his head at Naruto in reply, before dissolving into a fine mist that dissipated in the midday sun. Sighing, Naruto stared thoughtfully at the mockingly clear skies, wishing he didn't have to do something as cruel as to hide the fate of Lisanna from her siblings. But it's for the better that they don't harbour too much hope of finding Lisanna in Edolas. We cannot just invade Edolas for one girl. That could cause a war Fiore is not equipped to handle. Mystogan's identity will be threatened if the existence of Animas is revealed as well. No, it's better that I hide the truth until the time comes when I have to bear the cost of lying once more.

"Mirajane," Naruto whispered gently, his arm looping around the distraught girl's shoulder as he pulled her into a warm hug. "She's in a better place now."

"She didn't deserve to die like this!" Mirajane bawled into Naruto's shoulder, her hands clutching the front of Naruto's coat desperately. "She's such a sweet, loving girl…she didn't deserve to die! If anyone should die, it's me! Not Lisanna! Never Lisanna…"

"Don't ever say that," Naruto murmured, pulling back to stare into Mirajane's teary orbs. "Don't let her sacrifice be in vain. Live for her, Mira."

"You don't know what it's like to lose someone you love!" Mirajane shrieked, pushing Naruto weakly. "You don't understand anything!"

Gathering the hysterical girl into a hug once more, Naruto refused to let go as she pounded on his chest ineffectually, her sobs showing no signs of ending. Naruto shut his eyes as he summoned his courage to open his heart to Mirajane. "I understand completely, Mira. I…I lost everyone I loved before. One by one, they died, until a madman held the remainder under an unbreakable illusion. I ended up in Fiore because I tried to go back in time, to rescue everyone. But I failed. I failed to protect the ones I loved, and now I've lost them forever."

Mirajane's crying ceased for a moment, as she tilted her head up to stare at Naruto incredulously. The blond smiled weakly, his own tears starting to fall from his misty azure orbs. "I lost everyone in my world, Mira. I'm literally the last of my people. But I have a new family now. So do you, Mira. You still have Elfman. You still have Fairy Tail. You still have family. Don't abandon the ones you love like I did."

He shifted his body, sliding his arms under her knees and shoulders, lifting her into his arms. A clone burst into existence, handling the sleeping Elfman with care. Naruto flashed a bittersweet smile at the sniffling Mirajane as he tightened his grip on the ivory-haired girl. "Let's go home, Mira."

She nodded tiredly, shutting her eyes and pressing her head against Naruto's shoulder as they disappeared into thin air.

Stay safe, Lisanna. One day, I'll come for you.