Disclaimer ~ I do not own Fairy Tail

"I had a feeling I would find you here," Gray said, breaking the silence surrounding the clearing. Natsu sat on the grass and gazed sadly at the memorial they had made for their friends. Since there wasn't any bodies to bury, Natsu came up with the idea to make a memorial for their friends instead. Everyone pitched in where they could and in a week they had built the Tenrou Memorial. It was beautiful to see, but bittersweet at the same time.

"Why me?" Natsu asked. She didn't even pretend to be surprised Gray had found her. He knew her best out of everyone, including their friends in the Tenrou Group. Just like she knew him better than even Juvia.

"Because you're the best person for the job," Gray said softly as he sat on the soft grass beside Natsu. "Everyone can see that."

"I can't," Natsu disagreed, pulling her knees up to her chest.

"Yeah well, that's cause you're a Flame Brain," Gray teased. He was rewarded with a snort from the girl. "Seriously Natsu. These last few weeks have been hard on everyone. But you've been keeping us going. Giving everyone something to do so they aren't wallowing in their grief."

"I haven't done anything special Gray," Natsu said. She turned to fave Gray properly, giving him a slight glare. Gray met the look head on.

"That's not the point. It's not about doing something special. It's about keeping things normal. Keeping the guild running, no thriving like usual." Gray raised a hand, silencing any protests Natsu was about to give. "Just shut up for a bit and let me talk. First, do you even realize how amazing you are? You've done so many things that nobody else could have. At Galuna Island, you were the reason I didn't foolishly sacrifice myself. At the Tower of Heaven, it was you that saved Erza from the Ethernano. When Phantom attacked, it was you that rescued Lucy and beat Gajeel. Fantasia? You were the one to defeat Laxus. Oracion Seis? You beat both Cobra AND Brain. Natsu. You give everyone hope to keep fighting. You have such an amazing heart to both friends and enemies. If the others were here, I know they'd agree with me. And yeah, they may be gone but you and I? We're still here. Everyone looks to you for guidance and advice. Myself included. That's why everyone took that vote. Every single member of Fairy Tail wants you to be our next master," Gray ended his speech and took a deep breath. He studied Natsu closely, searching for any type of reaction. After a few seconds of silence, Natsu looked away. Gray followed her gaze to the Tenrou Memorial.

A solid wooden archway stood in the center of a small clearing. Engraved in the center of the archway was the Fairy Tail symbol. Painted inside the symbol was everyone that was killed on Tenrou. They were standing in front of the guild hall, all seeming to be celebrating something. Lucy and Cana were high-fiving. Mira and Lisanna were lifted in the air by Elfman's hug. Gajeel was leaning his arm on Levy's head and smirking at Juvia, who was smiling. Laxus was surrounded in a hug by Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen. Erza, Gildarts, and Makarov were looking at the others with fondness. Happy, Carla, and Pantherlily few above them all. Everyone looked happy and carefree. Reeded truly had done an amazing job with this painting. To keep it safe from the weather, Gray had encased the entire memorial in a layer of his Nevermelt Ice.

At the bottom, underneath the painting, was a plack engraved with the names of everyone on Tenrou. Carefully burnt into the wood at the top of the arch were the words "The Lost Fairies" and underneath that the phrase "Though they may be gone from us, they will forever live on in the hearts of Fairy Tail."

It was truly beautiful to see.

"I still don't think I'm cut out for the job," Natsu whispered, breaking the silence. Gray opened his mouth to protest but Natsu looked over at him and smiled softly. "So I'm going to need your help. I'll agree to be the new master...only if you agree to be the master alongside me," Natsu said. Gray was floored at the pinkette's words.

"But Natsu-" Gray tried to protest, only for Natsu to cover his mouth with her hand.

"Nope! No protesting. You wouldn't let me so you don't get to either. This time, you listen to what I have to say," Natsu said. She didn't remove her hand until Gray had reluctantly nodded in agreement. "All those things you mentioned before? The only reason I was able to do it was because I had help. If it wasn't for you guys supporting me, I would have never found the strength I needed to win. Being guild master is a huge responsibility that I know I'm not ready for. I'm not very smart, I'm destructive, and I get angry easily. I can't do this alone so I'll need you beside me to keep me in check," Natsu said, smirking at Gray. The ice mage did the only thing he could think of in this situation. He laughed.

"You always managed to take me by surprise," Gray said, wiping away a stray tear. He and Natsu locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. "I guess I agree to your terms to become master. Someone needs to be responsible and take care of the paperwork after all," Gray said as he stood. He held a hand out to Natsu, who took it with a wide grin. Gray pulled Natsu to her feet and the duo took a final moment to observe the memorial of their Nakama.

"Everyone. I promise you, Fairy Tail will continue to grow stronger. We will survive. Together," Natsu said, glancing at Gray.

"Together," Gray agreed with a smile and nod. "Don't worry Gramps. I'll make sure Flame Brain doesn't destroy the guild," he teased.

"What was that Ice Princess!" Natsu yelled in response. The two began exchanging their usual insults as they left the clearing, their hands still intertwined.

Tonight, Fairy Tail would celebrate their new Co-Masters. The guild had taken the first steps to begin healing. They could only move forward from here. Tonight would be a time for partying, for tomorrow Gray and Natsu would begin to fulfil their new roles. As the fourth masters of Fairy Tail.

Chapter 3 is done. Next is number 4!