Chapter Twenty-Five: Some Thing Don't Change

Oh my gosh, I'm back. YES! I don't know how I did it but I fixed the issue. Goodness I hope it holds. I did not like having that issue. Thank ya'll so much for waiting patiently. You have no idea how much it was driving me nuts that I couldn't update. (Happy sigh) Yay! I'm so happy I'm back. Anywho enough about me getting back in lets just jump right in. Happy reading ya'll.

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Previously:

'Don't worry we will. For now focus on this job at hand. We will keep an eye out for it. In fact, since most the people at Fairy Tail knows you came from a different place you could get there help in finding it so you can close it. They would understand it was for their own protection.'

Toshiro nodded, 'I'll do that. We can't have more soul reapers showing up that is not me. They would post sentries on this place. Way too many variables for them to allow this place stay the way it is now.'

Now:

Toshiro, Natsu, and Happy reached the village in about three hours walking nonstop. Neither of the slayers were too tired as they walked in and looked at the town. It was on the edge of the lake thus giving it it's name Lakeview Village. Making this place a great vacation spot and why they needed to deal with the scale issue. The moment they walked in they were ushered by a man to the where the Mayor was currently. The moment they got to the side of the lake they froze and did not get on the boat that would take them to the other side. Toshiro looked at the man, "Is it at all possible for you to get him while Dragneel and I find a room where we can stay?"

"Of course, if you head right as soon as you get to the street there will be Hog's Inn. Despite the name it is a good inn." The man replied getting in the boat.

The two dragon slayers walked back into town as they did Natsu asked, "Why do I get the feeling we are going to have to take the boat anyway?"

"It wouldn't surprise me." The bleached haired male replied looking toward the sign that read Hog's Inn. "That's the place the fisherman was talking about." Natsu nodded allowing Happy to land on his backpack as the two made their way into the building.

The moment they got in they were immediately greeted, "Yes, please come up here. We'll have Grant take care of you right away. The last thing you need is to be held up in anyway."

Toshiro glanced at Natsu then turned and said, "We're actually in no hurry. We are waiting on the mayor to get back over to this side of the water." Grant went to help them but Toshiro shook his head, "As much as we appreciate the gesture we can wait in line just like the others." He and his fellow dragon slayer went into the line, "Is that normal?"

Natsu shook his head as Happy replied pulling a fish out of his bag, "No, they must be desperate if they want to get us a room so quick."

The ice dragon slayer nodded accepting the answer then looked forward to look at the room listing prices. "I say we only get one room with two beds. It will be cheaper for us to do it that way. Even if we get stuck with a one bed room we can make it work."

The pink haired male nodded, "I agree, I can sleep on the floor if we get the one bed room. I'm used to sleeping on the floor. I actually have a low bed in my room that Erza swears should be breaking my back." He shrugged, "I don't understand what she's talking about."

"To each their own." Toshiro said with a nod, "I'll probably join you on the floor. I doubt that I will feel comfortable on a mattress. I'm used to cot myself."

Happy looked at the two dragon slayers amused before shrugging, "Then I'll take the bed, waste not what not."

Natsu raised an eyebrow, "That saying is for food buddy."

"Well I'm using it for the bed now."

Toshiro blocked out the conversation the two were having looking at the room prices. Now that he thought about it, it would do the two of them better if they got a one bed room. They already came to an agreement and it would be cheaper than a two bed room. Seeing that they were next he walked up and spoke quickly to drown out the two behind him, "My travel companions and I would like a one bed room."

"Are you sure sir?" Grant asked looking at the list in front of him, "I'm sure we have a two bed room available."

"I'm sure. Save that room for someone that will actually need that room." Toshiro looked at Natsu, "I need you to pay half, Dragneel."

"Right." The pink haired male walked up and they paid for half the room each before heading out to find the room once they got their keys. "So do you know where the room is?"

"Yes."

Toshiro replied walking forward with purpose causing Natsu to groan slightly at his mannerisms. Natsu had felt that they had really connected for him to drop them but clearly he was wrong. 'Geeze, he's going to be a hard nut to crack. What does it take to get him to freaking smile? This life isn't all that dire.'

They reach the room in record time and as Toshiro was unlocking the door they could hear a couple giggling in the room next to theirs. The white haired male looked over, "I know a spell that will keep the noises they make down. It won't be a bother to us."

"That's good, I don't even think even I could sleep through that." Natsu gagged lightly. The last thing he wanted was to hear that throughout the night if it happened.

They walked in and Toshiro immediately closed the blinds, "I don't doubt that it's going to be dark when we get back so it would be better that they are closed now so that no one knows when we reach the room." After his experience with the last mission Toshiro felt the last thing either of them needed was to be taken against their will again.

Instead of shivering like the ice dragons slayer expected, Natsu smirked in as he replied, "I'd like to see people try and capture us again. Now that we know some people want to use us we will be expecting it from now on."

Mentally Toshiro doubted Natsu would keep up with it but outside he nodded and set his bag down. "We should head down and talk with the people to find out what they know."

Happy sighed, "Can't we just relax for a little? You two have been walking for hours."

"If you wish to relax that's on you. I'm going to go out and talking with the townsfolk." Toshiro left the room leaving Natsu and the blue cat.

Onyx eyes met Happy's, "I get the feeling he's uptight."

The cat nodded in agreement, "I think he takes jobs too seriously. He needs to learn to relax every once in a while but I don't think he knows how."

Natsu frowned his shoulders dropping as he thought, 'This sucks, I could have sworn we had a connection.' He sighed sitting down to rest his feet for a couple of minuets before he would go and join Toshiro in questioning the townsfolk.

"You know he kind of reminds me of you when you get a clue to Igneel." Natsu turned to his best friend, "Why are you looking at me like that?" The dragon slayer grinned then pounced on Happy causing the cat to screech in joy and fly to keep away from Natsu. "Nice try. You'll have to try harder than that to catch me."

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Toshiro made his way down the hall of the Inn and went straight to the desk, "What do you know about the scale that was found?"

"Well it was found by a couple of hunters when they were checking their traps and it fell out of a tree." Grant stretched his arms out. "It was described to be about this big."

The dragon slayer nodded and made sure to keep that information to write down later and confirm if the size was being over played. "Anything else?"

"Well since we think it was a dragon we think that it has been living on the island in the middle of the lake."

Toshiro looked toward the island as he sighed mentally, 'Great, we are going to have to get on a boat. I hope that trip isn't long. I hate migraines.' "What is the best way to get there?"

"The only way to get there is by boat. As much as the island is habitual we don't have anyone living there due to the climate being weird."

"Strange how?" Toshiro asked looking at Grant in the eye.

If Grant was honest with himself those piercing teal eyes made chills go up his spine. However he answered the question quickly, hopeful it would get the white haired male away from him. He didn't know why the kid freaked him out. "Well, the gravity is all weird and the weather likes to change every…three days I'd say. We're not entirely sure as we don't go there often."

Toshiro nodded and tapped the desk, "I see." He forced himself to act unaffected by the man's behavior and focus on the problem at hand, "Do you know where I would find the men who found the scale in the first place?"

"Ah, I'd hazard a guess at the local bar if they are not out hunting right now."

"Thank you." Toshiro headed out trying very hard to keep the memories of people shying away from him in Soul Society. It seemed no matter where he went there were going to be people that did not feel comfortable with him around. Shaking his head he made his way to the bar. 'Why? Why to people feel put off by me? I don't even do anything to them.'

'My son, I don't know the answer to that. All I know is they are missing out on a chance to get to know the real you. No matter what you can not let it get to you. I don't want you to suffer my hatchling.' Hyorinmaru replied curling around him in his inner world.

Toshiro took a shaky breath and opened his eyes looking around at the people in the town. For the most part it seemed as if everyone was unaffected by him but a few parents seemed to try and keep their children away. Masking his hurt he made his way into the bar and went straight to the bartender to see if he knew where the hunters were.