S.R: Okay, this is going to be the last chapter for a bit. Well on this story at least. I've still got to worry about my other stories after all. Besides the only reason these updates came out like they did is the fact I've been ready for this part for a while now. I mean it's to the point if I focused on this story and ignored the others I could easily get to chapter 26 or so before Thanksgiving. But I don't want to do that. So again, this will be the last one for a bit.


"Very well. We acknowledge your decision to keep the guild alive. I Crawford Seam, Chairman of the Magic council hereby accept Cana Alberona as the new guild master for Fairy Tail. As the current strongest mage of Fairy Tail, I also acknowledge you Natsu Dragneel as the ace of Fairy Tail."

Cana bowed her head as the man finished speaking. As did Natsu, though he didn't like it, the duo had already been told it was tradition to bow when being acknowledge by the council. However he couldn't help but smile as he recalled the reactions of the newer council members when he and Cana first entered the meeting room.

Despite the fact the council workers outside the meeting hall pleaded with them not to take Michiko into the room He and Cana ignored them. So to see several jaws hit the floor was extremely pleasing to him. It was his subtle payback for the remarks they made after he had left from their previous meeting.

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss with me or Natsu?"

Cana questioned after a moment of silence filled the room. Well it wasn't complete silence since Michiko was giggling as she poked at Natsu's face.

"There is nothing else. Besides the two of you have someone that should be taking more of your attention right now."

Yajima commented with a smile that reminded her of Makarov. The brunette couldn't help but smile back, before thanking the council for their time. Natsu didn't say anything, though he did join Cana in giving one more polite bow before leaving the room.

"So what's our next objective?"

"We're going to go on a date."

Cana replied as she wrapped an arm around Natsu while making a silly face for Michiko. The pink haired man just smiled as he wrapped an arm around his girlfriend as well.

"Not that I mind, but where did that idea come from?"

"It's been a while since we've been able to relax and enjoy being together so I thought it'd be a nice change of pace. Especially since you wanted to ramp up the training before we let everyone loose on jobs again."

Chuckling Natsu leaned over to kiss her on the head. She was pouting when she spoke, but he heard the playful undertones that meant she wasn't really mad or upset with him.

"Alright then. Where to?"

"Well I've been putting it off but I do need to get some more buisness like outfits now that I'm guild master. Plus I noticed you need some new clothes too. Some of your outfits are in tatters thanks to training."

Natsu gulped at the mention of clothes. He'd heard stories from the older men in Fairy Tail about what it was like to go shopping with a woman, especially when it was clothes shopping. But he couldn't argue against her since it was true that he needed to get some new clothes.

"If you're a good boy we'll stop and get something to eat after we're done shopping okay?"

Cana teased him. She knew he'd do like she asked, and with Michiko helping keep him in check, Natsu wouldn't be able to cause a disturbance. But she couldn't resist playing with him, especially after she noticed his gulp in fear.

"Of course I'll be good. I have to set a good example for our little dragon don't I?"

Natsu commented, without realizing that she was just teasing him.

"Ga-ba pa ha!"

Michiko cheered, the happy tone, making the duo that had adopted her smile.

"It's really scary just how much like us she is."

Cana commented. After all the little girl had the same hair as Cana, having had it begin to darken up to match the same shade of brown she had. Despite being a little more than 5 months old she was also extremely sharp, catching onto the emotions of those around her, just like both Natsu and Cana. Michiko also had the same onyx colored eyes, the same expressive attitude, and the same energetic personality as Natsu.

Natsu didn't say anything in response, instead smiling down at the little girl as she tried to pull one of his fingers into her mouth to nibble on. Since Era was on a cliff overlooking Crocus, where some of the best clothing shops in Fiore were located Cana lead her pink haired partner down the path towards the city enjoying the day rather than use the transportation that the council had set up to carry people into the city.

Even though Natsu was enjoying their time together, and making small talk as they walked he couldn't help but overhear all the comments people made about little Michiko as they walked. Chuckling randomly when he heard something that tickled him.

"What's so funny?"

Cana glanced up to him from her position of leaning on his arm.

"Some of the things people are saying about us."

This made Cana light up a bit, her inner gossip wanting to know as she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"I had already figured that there'd be some people that were jealous, but I thought it would just be a bunch of guys jealous of me having a beauty like you with me. But I've heard a couple other women comment about 'some girls just have all the luck.'"

Cana blushed at his complement, still not used to Natsu's blunt nature when he praised her. But she did giggle a bit when she heard what some of the other ladies were saying.

"I've also heard a few comments about how we'll have our hands full with this one when she grows up."

Natsu chuckled as he gently rubbed Michiko's head. The little girl smiled happily at the action even as she laughed from the ticklish touch. Cana had a grin on her face as well, she had already known they'd have their hands full with Michiko, especially since she was likely to have Natsu wrapped around her little finger once she was old enough to talk.

A Few Hours Later

They had finished shopping for Cana relatively easy. After all she was on a mission, looking for specific things rather than just trying on everything that looked nice. No the problems came about when they started to look for some new clothes for Natsu.

Because of his fighting style and his magic, Natsu needed lightweight clothes that didn't restrict his movements. The clothes also had to be fireproof. That wasn't the problem. The issue was that everything they could find that fit that criteria left his bare chest on display.

"Natsu, I'm begging you to find something that doesn't show off your abs."

Cana bit out, frustrated at what was happening.

Even though he had her, someone who even other women called sexy with him. Even though he had a child with him…. Other women in the story were admiring and trying to flirt with the pink haired man. Yet he was too dense to realize. At least in Cana's mind.

"I'm trying, I really am. But it's hard to do that and not restrict my movements too much."

Natsu commented unaware that the reason Cana was getting mad was the fact she was jealous and wanted the other ladies in the story to back off. Sighing Cana prepared to apologize since she was being a little harsh.

"I know Natsu. It's just…. You are really good looking. Too good looking. Like as in I don't want you showing off your abs to anyone else."

"Cana, I've already decided you're the only one for me."

Natsu responded.

"It's not you that I'm worried about."

She commented, before wincing as Michiko started playing with her hair. Since he understood what she was trying to say, Natsu glanced around the store once more, hoping something would jump out at him so that he could make her happy. When he noticed the far corner of the store he had an idea.

"I see they've got some cloaks and capes over there. I've always wanted to try a cloak. Maybe that would work?"

He offered even though it was a lie. While he did think you could look badass while wearing a cloak, He never wanted to. Mostly because he didn't like to hide anything, and most of the people he'd ever met looked sketchy at best while wearing a cloak.

Cana easily saw through his lie, but since it was for her sake, she let it go and agreed to at least look. But when they started looking through the cloaks they bumped into someone they didn't expect to see.

"Laxus?!"

"Oh Cana. Didn't see you there. Sorry."

The blonde man responded. It was very confusing to her, as the last time she'd spoken to him, Laxus was an arrogant prick. To see him acting like he used to, back before he went power crazy almost made her cry.

But before she could say anything else the blonde man did a double take, having finally noticed the child in her arms and the fact that Natsu was beside her.

"Woah, what the heck have I missed since being exiled?!"

"This is what you're thinking, but it also isn't Laxus. It's good to see you're back to normal though."

Natsu commented, as Cana sat down to take a few calming breathes. Laxus was surprised to see how much Natsu had changed, and he was even more so shocked to hear what the pink haired man had been through.

"Well, I'm surprised but I am glad to see that you two are happy at least."

"There's another thing you should know, and you're going to want to sit down for this one."

Cana commented as she rejoined the two men in the cloaks section of the clothing store. The look on her face and the sad tone of her voice made Laxus worried. So he followed the two towards a place to sit down and talk.

The women that had been fangirling over Natsu, tried to follow, since they wanted to see more of the man, who in their eyes was a complete hunk, but one glare from Laxus sent the running.

By the time they finished telling Laxus about what happened to Tenrou island, the blonde had tears in his eyes. He had nearly broken down when they told him about how the island just vanished, but when Natsu was quick to chime in that they were still alive, Laxus managed to hold himself together.

"I… I can't even begin to describe how I feel right now."

Laxus mumbled.

Despite being exiled from the guild, Natsu and Cana had both known that Laxus really did care deep down. The proof was right in front of them. It was enough for them, and they knew it would be enough for the others back at Fairy Tail.

"We don't know how long it'll be till they return though. So we've got to keep the guild alive until they come back."

Cana commented, taking charge of the conversation. Natsu smiled, as he knew what the brunette was about to do. So rather than risk Michiko interrupting or distracting her, he took the little girl from Cana's arms and started to play with her.

Laxus noticed that Natsu was giving Cana the chance to speak, and he smiled proud of how much the pink haired man had grown up. Cana smiled as well, thankful for Natsu's help in making sure she got to say what she wanted.

"I'm not good with speeches, so I'll be blunt. We could really use your help Laxus."

"Are you sure? I mean don't you need the guild masters approval? Besides you two may have forgiven me but I doubt the others have."

Laxus returned worried that he would be causing a scene if he returned to the guild.

"It's fine Laxus. The guild was ready to forgive you the moment you came back to the guild to talk to Makarov before he exiled you. As for needing the guild masters approval, well your looking at her."

Even though he was keeping Michiko distracted Natsu was still able to talk, adding in his own two cents.

"It'd be good to have you back in the guild Laxus, and not just because we could use all the help we can get."

At that Laxus closed his eyes and started to think. Knowing he would need a moment Natsu and Cana were silent. Michiko wasn't very loud either despite the fact she was tugging on Natsu's hand since he had stopped tickling her and it was just resting on top of her tummy.

"If you'll have me join Fairy Tail again, I won't let you down."

Laxus finally responded. A small smile on his face. Natsu and Cana both had wide grins on their face as they were happy to have him back.

"We can head back together."

"Alright. It'll give me more time to get used to the idea anyway."

Laxus stated after Cana said they could all head back to the guild together.

"Hey Laxus, what were you shopping for anyway?"

Natsu asked, curious as to why they ran into Laxus while clothes shopping.

"It's cold, but not cold enough for my coat, so I figured I'd get a cloak to help keep the chill away."

A Short While Later

Thanks to Laxus's help they were able to find something for Natsu to wear. Cana was just glad that they had found something Natsu could wear that wouldn't attract the attention of other women like he had in the store. Because it had taken them a bit longer than they were intending thanks to bumping into Laxus, Cana and Natsu scrapped the idea of going out to eat after shopping and instead hopped on the train back to Magnolia.

Because they hadn't told Laxus every little detail yet, the blonde was asking questions trying to figure out how bad things were for the guild with the loss of the group at Tenrou island. Because he was busy playing with Michiko, Natsu was handling the transportation just fine. Something Cana was glad to know, as it meant she could focus on getting Laxus caught up.

"So we don't have any S-class right now?"

"Mira is out of commission right now… We can't say anything without her remembering that Elfman and Lisanna were on Ternou. At that point she just breaks down and quits responding to us. It's so bad that we have to use Sleep magic on her just so that she doesn't hurt herself."

"Why wasn't she there with the rest?"

Laxus asked. He wanted to question the bit about Lisanna as well, but it wasn't as important at the moment so he pushed it aside.

"Mira only recently overcame the mental block she had that prevented her from using her Take Over magic after Lisanna's 'death'. So she wanted to stay back and bring herself back up to snuff."

"So if we can help Mira stay calm long enough to learn that they're still alive we can get a second S-class at least..."

Laxus mumbled to himself, though it was still loud enough for Cana to hear.

"When we get Mira back in action it'll be three S-class. Natsu and Gajeel were sent out on an emergency quest back before the trials started and the master had promoted both of them for it."

"We'd still only have two, since I'm pretty sure he wants to be around as much as possible since you've got the little one to worry about."

"Yeah, but even with three S-class things will be shaky for a bit. So I have to send Natsu out on jobs as much as I can."

Cana replied. Laxus was concerned when she suddenly blanched, not knowing it was because she was thinking about the dire straits the guild was in money wise at the moment. But she regained her color after a moment.

"At least we don't have the council riding on our backs right now."

Just as Laxus opened his mouth to question what Cana meant by that the P.A. system on the train crackled to life and announced that they were pulling into the station at Magnolia.

"We can finish explaining things later. Right now we've got to get back to the guild so we can party."

Cana said with a smile. Natsu was smiling as well but that was only because he heard the word party. Laxus still feeling a bit guilty over what he had done to be exiled just said one word.

"Why?"

Natsu and Cana both replied in unison, matching smiles on their faces.

"You're coming back to the guild, so of course we've got to celebrate."


S.R: Okay so part of the reason this chapter is short (the shortest one of the story so far), is because of how I came up with it. This chapter, chapter 17, chapter 16, and chapter 15 were all typed up together. But I was having trouble figuring out where to break it cleanly so that I wasn't doing too much at once. So my beta reader helped me out there. He also demanded that I upload these chapters ASAP. Which is why it's been one chapter a day for the past 4 days (counting today obviously).

S.R: Anyway, time to work on my other stories, so this is the last chapter for now. See you guys next time!