Laxus' P.O.V

The old man sure was being secretive about this mission. I knew there was something he was holding back, but I had learned a long time ago not to question his decisions. I knew there was a good reason he was leaving something out at the briefing.

I had my rucksack thrown over my shoulder as I headed back to the guild. I couldn't remember ever working with Mirajane as a partner before. Of course, I had seen her in action and had worked with her as part of a team, but never on a solo mission.

I had requested that we leave first thing since I didn't want anymore sappy good-byes from Freed and the others. The Thunder Legion tended to get sensitive whenever I left, not that I could really blame them after I was kicked out of the guild at one point.

"Hey Laxus, are you ready?" I heard a voice ask from the woman I now spotted standing off to the side.

The guildhall wasn't even open this early so Mirajane was waiting outside. Despite the early hour she seemed as chipper as ever waiting with a small bag slung around her shoulder.

"Of course, I am. I want to make sure we catch the first train out," I replied bluntly.

She responded with her usual giggle and dimpled smile before following in the direction of the train station.

"I'm honestly surprised Salamander is letting us go instead of him blazing on ahead," I broke the silence after the station came into view.

I looked over to see Mira had bowed her head slightly, looking concerned.

"I honestly don't think he has enough strength to make it on the three-day journey. Gray hasn't left his bedside and when I spoke to him yesterday when I brought everyone in the infirmary their lunch, Gray said that Natsu's madness was already starting," Mira explained in a sad voice.

I frowned. Natsu had always been a pain growing up. He joined the guild only a few months after Gray, all those years ago, and it had been enough to put me on permanent edge. But the truth was that I had gotten over myself and all my previous hatred in the past few years. I knew that Natsu and the others always had my back again and again. I also noticed the change in Natsu once Lucy joined the guild. They quickly became inseparable and he obviously cared for her.

I shook my head. Man, I must be losing my nerve if I was actually jealous of that idiot. What must it be like to care for someone so deeply that it would plunge me into madness if I became separated from them?

"Well, I figure I owe the fire-breather. Plus, no one kidnaps a Fairy Tail wizard and get's away with it. Let's go bring Lucy and Wendy home," I said, also noticing the smile form across Mira's face.

Out of everyone at the guild, Mira was always the person I found the most interesting. Growing up she was almost as intimidating as I was. Her and Erza's rivalry was way more intense that Natsu and Gray's. But, after Lisanna 'died' it took a toll on her and she turned into this motherly sort, always looking out for everyone. She definitely toned down the edginess that had previously driven her. But I knew that she-devil was still inside her and that she even liked the demon take-over if it meant saving any one in our family. I guess if I was ever going to have feelings like Natsu has for Lucy, I would want it to be someone like Mira.

I shook my head.

"What the hell Dryer, keep it together!" I chastised myself internally and felt thankful that we were finally at the train station.

"You don't look so well, maybe you should get some sleep. We do have a long way to go," Mira said kindly, looking at me with concern once we were on the train.

"You sure?" I asked, feeling badly since leaving this early had been my idea.

"Of course, we still have quite a ways to go and I want to make sure you feel well rested once we get there," Mira smiled back.

Without anymore pushback, I let myself close my eyes and fall asleep to the soothing motion of the train.

I woke up sometime later to the noise of someone moving around me.

"Oh sorry, did I wake you?" Mira asked, taking her place across from me.

"No, it's alright," I replied, and accepted the bottle of water she was holding out for me.

"You were mumbling in your sleep so I figured I would give you some privacy," Mira said kindly.

"What was I talking about?" I asked, feeling embarrassed since I didn't remember what I had dreamt about.

"Oh, I couldn't understand you but it wasn't my place to pry. I figured you might be thirsty when you woke up though," she explained.

I continued to stare at her as I opened the bottle of water and took a sip.

"You know, you sure have changed a lot since we were kids," I admitted again but this time out loud.

She only grinned and closed her own bottle.

"I could say the same to you," she replied.

We paused for several more minutes while I continued to look at Mira curiously and she gazed out the window.

"So, this whole mating thing, it hasn't happened to you yet?" Mira asked after a while, causing me to be taken aback.

"Jeez, I don't know. I don't feel homicidal if that's what you're asking," I replied, having secretly been wondering the same thing.

I mean, winter was always a weird season but I didn't think that was uncommon amongst most people who felt they had less energy in the winter. Aside from that, there wasn't too much more we knew about the signs of dragon mating.

Mira continued to smile and tilted her head.

"Maybe that just means your mate is close by," she said sweetly.

"Hm," I replied, not liking how much I sounded like the old man.

But I didn't have anything to say to her comment. I mean, wasn't it was the reason Natsu hadn't gone mad before this? Lucy was usually nearby or maybe he hadn't figured it out before now. Knowing Natsu, it was likely the latter.

It was annoying how little we knew about all of this. How was I supposed to know if the lacrima that gave me my powers would have the same effects? And we didn't even know how it was truly affecting Gajeel and Wendy either.

I huffed and closed my eyes again while Mira continued to smile and look out the window. The sooner we got this job over with the better. But then again, that would mean I wouldn't have an excuse to be around Mira near as much.