Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima; nor do I own the right to Xenosaga, that right belongs to Tetsuya Takahashi.

Chaos POV

Chaos stood there hands on his knees, panting. His body exhausted to the point it bordered on pain. But he felt content, pleased with the results. It had been a very long time since he'd gone all out both physically and magically in a battle. And with others.

"Good job, Chaos," Freed said, walking around the rune barrier.

Looking up through his bangs, Chaos saw everyone else checking the perimeter. It had been two weeks since Natsu walked out of the guild. In that time span, he had trained with Laxus and his team on battle formation, tactics, and physicality. Each person had an area that was unique to their fighting style. It was terrific how versified all four were, yet how seamlessly they worked together.

All that training had led to this, his first mission. Which was supposed to be a simple B rank escort? Of course, Chaos knew nothing was ever simple. And had mentally prepared or so he thought for it to get worse.

There inside Freed's rune barrier was the person they were to have escorted. A criminal of what the mission notice claimed had a small reputation. The man didn't look like much more than a common bandit. One they found out was a member of a Dark Guild that had over twenty members who had changed the game. Upped the ante, so to speak.

He was smiling as his eyes met with a member of another guild, who'd appeared and helped them trap every last member of the Dark Guild. And the person their mission was supposed to revolve around. The way that single violet eyes narrowed as the man looked back at him told Chaos a lot.

"Oi, Cobra, quit eyeing the newbie," Bickslow called out. "Don't wanna make your boy jealous."

Unable to stop himself, Chaos felt heat flush his face as he fell to the ground laughing. The glare that'd been directed at him shifted to his teammate. A low rumbling growl was emanating from the man, Cobra. He recognized that growl. He had heard it enough from his guildmates, all of them, Dragon Slayers.

"Seriously, Bickslow," Came Freed's reply, sounding more than a bit flustered.

"Care to introduce?"

Turning his head to look at the speaker, Chaos met a pair of intelligent and haunted brown pair of eyes, partially covered by shaggy blue hair and giving a small nod of his head in both greeting and acknowledgment. He'd seen the magic this man had wielded. It was impressive.

The feel of a large hand on his shoulder had Chaos looking up. Seeing a smiling Laxus as he spoke, "I am sure you've heard of our newest guild member from Erza. But officially, let me introduce you to Chaos."

As Laxus finished introducing him, Chaos offered a hand for a handshake, tilting his head in silent greeting. Once the man took his hand, giving a quick but firm shake, Chaos retracted it. All while he was getting several silent greetings in return. That came with assessing, knowing look from Cobra.

"Ah! Yes, Erza has mentioned a bit about him. she is rather impressed with your battle prowess and that you are a young budding Elementalist," the man said. "By the way, my name is Jellal Fernandes. The leader of the independent guild, Crime Sorciere."

Not sure how to respond since he was not aware he'd left an impression of the red-haired woman.

"Let me introduce my guild members," Jellal said. "The pink-haired girl is Meredy; the blue-haired woman is Sorano, Red-haired man is Richard, next to him with the blond hair is Sawyer. And last, but not least, is Er... Cobra."

At each person's introduction, he looked at them. He was pointedly making eye contact, which seemed to be a bit of a shock. Well, for all but Cobra, who just narrowed his eye again. The look told Chaos the man had questions and he'd get the answers. He was making Chaos smile, giving a small lift of his chin in challenge.

"We've been hunting this Dark Guild for two weeks. How did you all get tangled into this?" Jellal asked.

"We had a simple B-rank mission to break our newbie in on. We just had to escort a person of some reputation to a nearby hamlet to Haraegon. Apparently, he is a Guild Member and was trying to run with the Guilds stuff," Laxus explained.

"I see. Well, once Miss Evergreen finishes stoning them all, you can take full credit for everything," Jellal said, a soft laugh escaping his lips.

This left Chaos confused. All they needed was their person of interest. Why were they giving up a whole guild and the possible bounty?

"Easy. We are an independent guild. The Magic Council does not recognize us for specific reasons," Richard explained.

Chaos looked at the man who seemed to smile wider.

"Do not worry about it. It's none of your business," Cobra snapped, drawing everyone's attention to him.

He was getting the message loud and clear. Chaos raised his hands, showing he'd leave it alone.

"So, wanna tell us why you smell of Tits McGee, so strongly? Cause I'm sure, Salamander wouldn't be too happy...as he is very territorial over Jugs," Cobra asked bluntly.

Confused than irritated when he figured out who Cobra was referring to Finding it rude and overly crass to refer to Lucy as such. But like always, he kept a polite smile on his face as he hardened his gaze at the man. Who only seemed to smirk in response.

"If you are referring to Miss Lucy, it's because she chooses to spend time with me. As for Natsu... he is unhappy about it and has taken to ignoring and avoiding her," He replied curtly.

His words had all members of the other guild wide-eyed in shock. At least until the one called, Meredy wailed about her ship sinking instead of sailing. And something in his gut told him he didn't want to know.

"You are telling me, Natsu is being a jerk to his best friend because she wants to hang out with you? Oh, this is rich," Sorano said as she burst out laughing.

Chaos did not find it funny but held his tongue. There was more to it like his actual magic was anima. And that Natsu still hadn't spoken up about his feelings for Lucy, who was hurting and very depressed now.

"Trust me, Angel, it's not that hilarious. He is feeling threatened. Meaning he is at war with his instincts," Cobra growled at the woman silencing her.

A deathly silence fell over the clearing. Sorano, Meredy, both paled at those words. Richard, Sawyer, and Jellal looked nervous.

"They'll have to work it out," Laxus grumbled. "But let's finish up here and make camp and bed down for the night."

Lucy POV

Lucy sat there at the bar, drinking her usual strawberry smoothie. The guild was quiet. She was still upset at not being allowed to partake in Chaos's first mission. Then again, her team was in such dysfunctional disarray; she knew why he was with team Raijinshuu.

An ache that was becoming familiar settled into her chest. Were her heart sat? It was dull, throbbing. Her team was her family, and with each passing day, there was a rift it caused her depression to get worse.

She still couldn't believe how Natsu was acting, or that he openly admitted to trying to kill Chaos. Of course, she understood his aversion to Chaos' magic. But the other Slayers took to him. He'll it was amazing how well he had adapted and fit into the guild — considering all the guild's antics in stride.

While only occasionally did he participates in a fight. He was more studious, like to observe and learn. Their discussions, often with Levy, sometimes Freed were philosophical. Each topic gave new views. Ones she knew none of them would ever conclude on their own. Then again, she knew it was because he came from another world altogether.

Then there were their training sessions. Lucy was appreciative of Chaos working one on one with her on her level. She knew her spirits liked how he not only treated her with kindness and respect but them as well. It had been funny when he had asked Virgo some pointed questions, but only after asking her spirit personally to do so. The look of shock and delight on the normally mischievous spirit's face was not something Lucy would forget any time soon. And from where he had made a friend out of each spirit, she possed individually treating them as if they were people. It warmed her heart to no end because her spirits were her family as well.

"You look especially happy, Lushy," Happy said next to her ear, causing her to squeak and almost fall off the barstool.

The muffled, demented laugh of the blue fur ball had her narrowing her eyes. Putting a dark smile on her face, Lucy turned to give a teasing, mocking comment. Only to go still as her eyes landed on not just Happy, but Natsu. Who had his arms crossed over his chest.

Feeling suddenly unsure and a bit hesitant as that ache in her chest throbbed. Reminding her, it was still there. For which she lifted a hand and rubbed at it, drawing Natsu's eyes down to her chest before he frowned and concern showed in his olive-green eyes. As the silence dragged on neither speaking, Lucy finally decided to break it.

"Yes?" She said, hating how her voice came out as a scared, pained whisper.

Seeing Natsu flinch back a bit as if slapped. It had her sucking her bottom lip in and chewing on it.

"Lushy... we need to speak to you," Happy said, his voice a sad, plaintive whine.

It pulled at her heartstrings, subconsciously making her rub at her chest again. This was something that couldn't be avoided whether she lost her best friend or not. Or if it meant the disbanding of her team. A thing she did not want.

"Of course," She said, her voice still that scared, pained whisper.

When Natsu turned and walked out of the guild, Lucy stood up and looked over her shoulder to Mirajane. Who looked a bit worried. Giving a warm smile to calm her, Lucy followed after Natsu out of the guild. Where she caught up to him and walked in companionable, though tense silence. Eventually, they came to, and Natsu faced her.

"Look, Luce, I won't apologize for my actions," He said in his usual blunt manner. "But I do owe you an explanation for them."

Curious, if not a bit angry at him for refusing to apologize, Lucy just nodded her head to indicate that she'd listen to his explanation.

"I do not like him, and it's not just his magic. I...had a hard time with how easy he took all your attention, your smiles. It made me very jealous," Natsu growled.

She had figured Natsu as jealous. Everybody had. But not why. This was a subject she had broached with Chaos, who told her he knew but would not say. Same with every guy in the guild. It was like it was some stupid unspoken bro rule.

"It took me these past two weeks and loads of talking with Lisanna to figure it out," He muttered, eyes dropping from her own. "And the answer was unexpected but obvious. I like you a lot Lucy. As in more than a friend. And a hell of a lot of the guys in the guild were all a threat. But he comes along, and all you seem to care about is him."

As he trailed off, Lucy felt her jaw drop. Those were words she would have loved to hear before Tenrou Island. Now it was just awkward. To her, Natsu was her best friend and an awesome brother. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Lucy quickly pushed her random out of her mind as she decided what to say to him.

"I... Natsu, I feel honored you have those feelings for me," She started, watching his reactions. "But I honestly do not... feel that way about you. And do not get me wrong, I do love you, but it's as a brother and a best friend. Like Gray, Gajeel, and almost every guy in the guild."

Cringing when he frowned and looking dejected. He was causing tears to blur her vision, which had him lifting his eyes back to look at her. A small flicker of panic in those olive depths as his hands came up, grabbed her into one of his bear-like hugs. That was like being wrapped in a blank fresh out of the dryer.

"Oh, Luce, don't cry," he whispered against her hair.

She was letting out a shuddering sob, burying her face into his chest and relishing in being close to him. Lucy would admit it to herself; she missed this.

"Its... Okay... I just missed my best friend," She mumbled softly, knowing he heard her loud and clear.

"So... Luce... does that mean you see him... as a friend or brother as well?" Natsu asked of her.

Groaning, Lucy pinched his hip where her hands touched — causing him to squeal at the sudden pain. All the while, Happy was snickering in the air them.

"I do not know Natsu. All I can say is I enjoy his company. Is that all right?" She replied, tilting her head to look at him.

Seeing a petulant frown on his face was adorable. Sending Lucy into peals of laughter as Natsu looked down at her, smiling but seriously confused by her sudden change in mood.

TBC!