Chapter 11: Self Image

I promised on my last chapter that I was going to update shorty with a flashback chapter of Naruto's childhood, but those few days turned into months. I really didn't mean to stop updating, but I was honestly stuck on how I was going to set up that chapter. So I decided to keep the Flashback Chapter on hold for a while. So I will continue with the arc of the story while I wait for ideas to hit me for the flashback chapter.

The information of Naruto's power has confused some of this story's readers. Naruto is stronger than Laxus; not by much, but still stronger. Naruto's magic is considered strong because it is both unpredictable and precise. Naruto power is based on the fact that he can have his blade rip through space and time. As would be mentioned in the flashback chapter I was working on, Naruto doesn't have good control wielding this power when using more power than usual. Laxus' more durable body and much faster movement then Erza, Natsu and Grey made it more difficult to not accidently main or permanently handicap Laxus. Yeah this version doesn't look like the type to care what happens to Laxus, but Naruto was more worried by Makarov. Naruto was already sure he was pissed off by what he did to Erza, Natsu and Grey; but having his grandson in such state was bad for him. It was thanks to Makarov why Naruto wasn't completely hunted down by the magic council, so making a wizard saint an enemy was a no go. There is another reason why Naruto would be considered as strong, but that is a secret he only knows.

Also, I was actually thinking of seeing if there was someone who would have been cool with partnering me with me for some of my stories; specifically, "Hatred for Love" and "Sleeping Dragon within a Weak Fairy". I just need someone who won't just throw ideas that seem illogical (like if a random Wizard Saint appears out of nowhere and offers Naruto all his magic knowledge for no reason.) Pm me and I'll see if we can make a partnership.

I really did enjoy reading lengthy reviews like those from Kaguya's Heir, Tribunal of War, Keampo, Risingsun and RedPhantom. So please give me lots of reviews, maybe like 30 or 40.

Begin.

'Fuck!'

Naruto pushed himself off a tree, but tripped when he was unable to keep his balance. He held the grass tightly before spitting out more of his blood. His eyes blurred constantly, as he tried hard to ignore the pain.

'Why the fuck am I feeling more like shit this time.'

Naruto was feeling even worse than when he used Tsukuyomi against Erza. His body felt extremely weak and his vision was blurrier then before. It actually felt like he had little control over his own body.

He tried to push himself off the grass, but he could not retain his posture. He fell back down as his blurry vision noticed something moving in the grass. Naruto was able to see what it was as he sighed in the stupid coincidence that just occurred.

'Fucking great, I'm feeling like shit and now there is a fucking snake in front of me.' Naruto was at least able to figure out what type of snake it was by its characteristics. 'Oh what luck, it seems to be just a cobra. It's not like it's that venomous.'

The cobra went to strike Naruto, but it was engulfed in black flames before it can reach Naruto. He coughed up more blood before looking up at the cocky-ass Zancrow. "Couldn't master at least have Azuma or at least goat face to pick me up? Why did he get someone like you to pick me up?"

"Hehe still looking down on me even when you look like you got your ass beaten." Zancrow said as he jumped off the branch he was sitting on. He walked over to Naruto and smirked as he kicked him back to the ground, as Naruto tried to stand back up. Naruto held his stomach as he stared up at Zancrow.

"He, kick me when I'm down…. I never been prouder." Naruto said before he was kicked in the face. Zancrow just smirked at Naruto before pulling him up by the hair. Zancrow clenched his fist before punching Naruto across the face. Naruto was sent back a few feet before his back hit a tree.

Naruto just chuckled lightly before spitting out blood. "So you done?"

"Um yeah, getting some free shots on you was more fun than I thought." Zancrow said as he grabbed Naruto wrist, before dragging him back to the checkpoint. Zancrow continued to smirk as he heard Naruto's unusually polite request.

"Excuse me Zancrow, but could you at least carry me instead of dragging me." Naruto asked politely, but Zancrow just laughed as he continued.

"I could carry you, but where is the fun in that." Zancrow said with laughter as he and Naruto continued to the checkpoint. They were too busy ridiculing each other, they never noticed the heavily cloaked mage watching them.


'Shit, boss didn't tell me what story to say when dropping Laxus here!'

The Naruto clone panicked as he stared at the mages happily working on their destroyed guild. The clone couldn't just drop Laxus in the middle of the wrecked guild, Makarov would kill the clone before he can talk. Even if he just left him there in an alley and have him found by a random man, Makarov would have looked by Porylusica.

'That lady should already be able to tell what is wrong with Laxus.'

'Well at least this should buy some time….' Naruto thought as he dropped down from the roof he was on and landed in a small alley. Naruto's body began to change as he utilized the Transformation Spell. His physical appearance changed into that of a drunk man. He was dressed as a businessman who looked like he was falling on hard times. The bottom of his shirt was unbuttoned, allowing the visage of his stomach. His tie was loose as you can also see stains of vomit on it. His blue jacket was also dirty, as the bottom of the jacket was stained by mud. His face was completely different now too. He now had a huge bald spot and a face that needed a shaving.

He put Laxus' arm over his shoulder as he walked into the open. He started mumbling a random tune, causing everyone to turn to who was making that sound. Everyone from Fairy Tail was shocked to see Laxus in the arm of a random stranger.

"Oi Lexis~ can you stay with me forever? Ever since my wife left me, I've been real lonely." Naruto's clone in disguise said as he stumbled with Laxus in his arm.

"Um excuse me, but what happened to my grandson?" Makarov asked as he walked toward the duo, with those from Fairy Tail behind them. Most of them were shocked to see Laxus in such state, while some were trying to hold their laughter in or just openly laughing.

"Oh, you're the grandpa he keeps bitching about?" Naruto's disguised voice said. He was just winging the whole story about what happened, but he decided to use some of Laxus' personal issues in it. "He kept bitching about how they only saw him as the grandson of Ma… urm I forgot his name."

Makarov just stared at the drunk man, as if still awaiting his answer. "Oh, you wanted to know what happened to him?"

Makarov just nodded, awaiting for him to speak. "Well Lexis and I have just spent most of our time drinking our sorrow away. Sadly, Lexis couldn't handle his alcohol."

Makarov didn't question this response as he never actually seen Laxus drink much before. "He asked me to take him home before he knocked out, so there is no need to make a big deal out of this."

"I could take him to his home if you like." Makarov said.

"Huh, lil ole you?" The drunk disguise said. Makarov just smiled before his body changed to that of a giant.

"Woah, that is so cool." He said as Naruto played into the disguise and wiped his eyes. "Some women must be surprised when you use that trick."

"Hehe you have no idea." Makarov said with his deep voice. Makarov grabbed Laxus from the drunk man and put him on his own shoulders. "Well thank you for watching over y grandson."

"Your welcome, just tell Lexis to give me a call if he ever wants to go out drinking…. I'm really lonely…." The drunk businessman said as he turned to leave. He stumbled away as he continued mumbling the song he was rudely disrupted from as he left their sight.


"How are you feeling Naruto." Hades asked as he sat in a chair a few feet away from Naruto's bed. Naruto grumbled as he tried to deal with the pain he was feeling. His eyes were wrapped in gauze, with what appeared to be a magic rune drawn on it. His usual attire changed into something more comforting to where. He laid there with a simple black undershirt and grey sweats.

"Well I feel like shit if you really want to know, old man." Naruto said in a matter as it was not as obvious as it seems. Hades chuckled at what Naruto said.

"Yes of course child, those eyes must be harder to control then even I realized." Hades said as he took the glass of wine he had on the counter. Naruto gave his own mock chuckle as he heard Hades. Yeah, Hades warned him that these eyes would give him pain, but not at this level.

"Anyway old man, did Fairy Tail kick Phantom Lord's ass?" Naruto asked his master, who put the glass back on the counter.

"Yes, Phantom Lord was even disbanded for attacking Fair Tail." Naruto smiled as he heard this, but that smile disappeared when Hades continued, "But something interesting occurred."

"Erza Scarlet was the one to defeat Phantom Lord's master." Hades said as he waited for Naruto's response. Hades stayed quiet for moment, as he reached for another drink of wine. "A man given the title wizard saint no less…"

Naruto response was just a simple smile, surprising Hades. This smile was not the cocky smirk he seen Naruto give or even lecherous. This smile was simple, one he only seen once. This was the smile he sported when he took Naruto out of the airship and went to a ramen stand. 'The only genuine smile…'

"…What are you going to do now?" Hades asked as he stood from his chair and walked toward Naruto. He stood over Naruto, as he smiled down at the young boy.

"…. Sleep." Naruto said quietly. Hades smiled as he picked up the glass of wine and walked out his room. He took one last glance at Naruto and gave a sly smile when the rune drawn on the gauze lighted up in a purple light.


'I need to be stronger…'

Erza said to herself mentally as she stood there, unable to keep himself from breathing normally. Her flawless skin suffered from light burn marks as her clothing was also scorched. Natsu stood in front of her worried as Erza tried to keep her balance from the heavy weights on both her wrists and her ankles. She took him away from helping re-build the guild and asked him to strike her with his magic. He would normally be excited to fight Erza, if it was an actual fight. Erza would just try to evade him if he went into close combat or something that actually got him to worry; she would stand there when he roared and try to stop it with a technique Naruto once used perfectly to divert his flames. Sadly, Erza could not do it correctly.

"Natsu, shoot at me another roar!" Erza commanded as her attire changed into one he doesn't find that familiar. She took a heavy inhale of oxygen as she ignores the extra weight on her wrist and held up her sword. Natsu sighed as he prepared to send another roar toward Erza. She would only get pissed if he refused so just give her what she wants would be less troubling.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

Natsu released his attack as Erza prepared her defensive move. She needed to work on this technique if she wanted to stop Naruto's attacks from landing. A seal under appeared as she whispered the technique to herself. A small gleam of satisfaction appeared for a moment as Natsu's attack was stopped for a moment. The moment was short as the small distortion that split Natsu's attack disappeared and she was hit with the full blunt of Natsu's flames.

Erza was sent back by the flames, with much of her being affected by the fire. She put her forearms up to cover her face, causing no severe burns on her face. The jacket was unaffected somehow, but her leggings were. She quickly changed clothes before Natsu could see her, as she noticed that the bikini top came loose.

She sighed at some disappointment over her control over this type of magic. She understood that this was magic only meant for Naruto, but she was given this power to wield. She was now wielding this power with better control, but still slower then she wanted.

"Erza!" Natsu said as he ran toward her. She looked up at Natsu and sighed. Natsu stretched out his hand as Erza took it. She lost footing of herself when she was pulled up, causing her to drop on one knee. Natsu stared down at Erza with worry as he dropped down to check on her. "You are hurt Erza."

She would normally argue that she could still go, but she just felt really tired. Natsu noticed this and frowned down at Erza. He expected the normally stubborn girl he was used to, but lately she was different. He put her on his back as they headed to Fairy Hills, to drop off Erza before meeting back with Happy for some much-needed food. "Damn Erza, could you at least take off those weights, you're too heavy!"

Erza ignored Natsu, which ticked him off. He was going to argue with her until he heard light snoring. He smiled as he carried the sleeping redhead. She wrapped her arms tightly around Natsu, as if she tried to hold Natsu tightly. Natsu blushed by this act as he never seen Erza act so clingy. He ignored her actions as he could see Fairy Hills. He smiled as he ran over to Fairy Hills.

"Damn old bat…" Natsu said as he tried to catch his breathe. The old lady who runs Fairy Hill instantly tried to attack him once she saw walk into the girl's only dorm. He was somehow able to convince the old lady has he only brought Erza here after she tired herself out, but still Natsu was told that if he took long he would be castrated personally by her.

Natsu walked over to her bed, smiling as he noticed the long rows of armors occupying several rooms. 'I can only imagine how annoying it must have been living with her, Naruto.'

He frowned as he realized that he was thinking of Naruto again. He sighed to himself as he laid Erza down on her bed. He turned to leave before he felt something hold him by the wrist. He looked down to see Erza holding his wrist. Her grip lessened as she turned in her sleep. Natsu just stared at her sad expression as she slept. 'Naruto really hurt you, didn't he?'

Natsu walked out of her room as he held his hand went through his hair. He would never feel tired when it came to fighting, but right now he was feeling tired. He was not physically tired or just plain sleepy, he was emotionally exhausted. He was feeling tired watching Erza take the full blunt of his attack; he was exhausted in seeing Erza so conflicted by Naruto's revelation.

'I'm tired all because of you Naruto…. Because of you….'


(A Few Days Later)

"Umm Erza?" Lucy meekly said as she walked toward Erza. It was just the other day that Lucy has discovered that Loki was a celestial spirit while on a mission with Natsu and Grey, which she discovered the reason why Loki was so afraid with her. Loki would then give her tickets to the exclusive Akane Resort. Natsu pestered her already about going and Grey decided that he was going for some reason… So, she had one ticket left. Levy was her first choice, but she was still hurt…

She would then see Erza walk past her with bandages covering her right arm and her neck. She was still a little nervous in approaching her since that incident with the dark guild Eisenwald; but she still had that feeling that she would be dead if it wasn't for Erza. Naruto was fully prepared to kill them on that day, but he didn't because of Erza. She would have been in big trouble in Galuna, but Erza jumped in and saved her. Hell, Fairy Tail defeated Phantom Lord only because defeated their Guild Master, after taking a full blast before. Inviting her to Akane Resort was the least she could as gratitude.

Erza turned to Lucy, glaring at her for intruding her training. Her arms were shaking as she held swords in both hands. Both her ankles and wrists are both wrapped with weights as she tried to hold her balance.

"Yes, what is it Lucy?" Erza asked.

"Umm, I want to know if you would… um like to go with us to the Akane Resort?" Lucy said as she tried to avoid eye contact with Erza. She was still intimidating even though Mira told her that she was not as bad as she acts.

Erza just stared at the nervous Lucy before turning away from Lucy. She did not have time for relaxation, she was still too weak. She knew if Jose was not caught off guard, she would be dead right now. She tried to keep her cool around Jose at the time, but she couldn't let him know she was afraid. His power was great as she remembered at the time; an ominous feeling came up on her body. The feeling she felt against that cloaked man and Naruto. The feeling of being helpless was a feeling that she despised. She would not let that feeling take over her again. She will not allow herself to feel like that again.

Lucy sighed as she turned away to leave. She would probably ask Mira or Cana if they wanted to go. She was about to leave until she heard her master walk toward them. "That is so mean, Erza. Lucy invites you to the Akane Resort and you deny her?"

"I have more important things to do…"

"Don't give me such a weak excuse as that Erza! You been working yourself to the bone since coming back from Galuna." Makarov argued as he gave Erza a childish glare. "You need a break."

"But- "

"I can't order you to take a break, but how 'bout a deal?" Makarov suggested as he smiled toward Erza. Erza gave Makarov a curious stare as she waited for Makarovs preposition.

"Well if you go and take some time off from all this training, I'll teach you one of my badass spells from my arsenal." Makarov said as he smirked at Erza's response.

"Do… do you have a spell strong enough against Naruto?" Erza asked with interest. Makarov frowned once he heard his name, still wondering if Erza was serious in her quest for revenge.

"Hmm well I would believe so, as this spell was created after I had a spar with him…" Makarov mentioned as he watched Erza sigh. She dropped both arms as she walked toward Lucy. Erza stared down at the confused blonde girl.

"When do we depart Lucy?" Erza asked politely as she awaited for Lucy to answer.

"Uh… umm tomorrow morning?" Lucy stated more as a question, as if Erza was fine with that answer. Erza nodded as she walked away, going back to Fairy Hills. Lucy stared at the retreating form of Erza oddly before turning to her master. He looked happy by her decision before walking toward Lucy.

"Take care of Erza, okay Lucy?" Makarov said as he padded the bottom of Lucy Heartfillia. She blushed heavily before kicking the perverted old man away.

"PERVERT!"


(Next Day)

"This place looks so awesome!" Natsu said as Erza heard him from inside her room. She would then smile as heard the beginning of another ruckus caused by Grey and Natsu. She would normally go outside and bring order, but for some reason she felt at ease once she set foot here. She unpacked her clothes from one of her suitcases, until she came up on a dress.

A dress considered both simple and elegant. A dress simply black, yet would stood out in a room of other colors. A dress she despises for what it stood, yet something prevented her from getting rid of it.

'A dress given to me by you…' Erza thought as she stared at the dress with a stoic expression. She stood up with the dress in her hand as she stood in front of a mirror. Her body shined bright before disappearing, showing her body bare, with only her plain white underwear.

This was her body. Body she would only let one see, let him alone touch. A body which she could not look at without feeling shame. She bit her lips as she stared at herself, before holding the dress in front of her body. 'You would always compliment me when I wore this dress around you.'

'You would hold me tight when other men looked at me, as if I was a trophy they would never get. You would whisper in my ear that I was only his and no one else's.' Erza thought as she took off her bra. She stared at herself for a while longer, until she heard knocking on her door. She instinctively held her arm around her voluptuous chest.

"Erza, we are going to go down to the casino, if you wish to join us." Lucy said from the other side of the door.

"…Yes, I'll be out in a moment." Erza said as she stared back at her reflection. She bit her lip before putting on the dress. She stared at her reflection once more, admiring her beauty for herself. She always felt that the opinion of Naruto was enough, as he gave her the feeling of freedom she always longed for; he was the escape from her mental captivity. The endless nightmares of her captivity on her youth disappeared with Naruto. "I could never enjoy my freedom because my desire to satisfy you…"

"Erza?"

"Yes, I am coming out." Erza said as she smiled at her reflection. She walked over to the door, taking a breather as she opened the door. She saw everyone stop from what they were doing and stare at her. She rubbed her arm nervously before she heard praise from her guildmates.

"Wow Erza, you look so beautiful!" Lucy said with much admiration. She admired how the always beautiful Erza fit so perfectly with that elegant black dress.

"Yeah Lucy is right, you look really good." Grey said with a smirk. Natsu wasn't much for fashion, but he wasn't looking at Erza. Both him and Happy were still anxious in waiting any longer to play those casino games.

Erza smiled at them all, as any self-doubt about herself disappeared. She walked down the stairs, as everyone followed. Erza could say that master was alright for once; she really did need the rest from all that training. One day she would see Naruto again, and this time she will not have any doubt about herself.

END

The ending was in some way linked to her desire in getting rid of the loneliness obtained from leaving all her friends behind, when she left the Tower of Heaven. Her loneliness was lessened once she began to open up more to those in Fairy Tail, but it still did not rid the feeling. The loneliness wasn't there when she was with her friends, but it returned when she was alone again.

Naruto was the man that took that loneliness away.

The love she felt from him filled her with purpose. His satisfaction became her's, as she tried to cling onto him. The scene where she was nervous looking at herself was her way of her never having confident in her own self. This is not really out of character as the original arc of the Tower of Heaven spoke about this in some way. (She would explain that she felt safe behind her armor, keeping her heart protected)

So yeah, it was a long ass time, but I wrote this chapter. I really want to publish the flashback chapter that speaks about both the origin of his power and why he was considered "cursed" in his home village. Also, that chapter will include why Naruto didn't just leave with Erza if they really did become friends while she was in the village.

Well anyway please review if you have some oversight on any issues or if you actually enjoyed or hated my chapter. Next will have more action as this chapter was originally going to have them in the Tower of Heaven. I will have that arc completely original with some factors from the original arc, such as the Etherion blast.

I am really excited with this arc, specifically because of Jellal. SO anyways, REVIEW for this story you like (I hope you like this story….)