Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters: that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Author's Note: November is National Novelist Writers Month, aka Nanowrimo! I will again be participating in it. And this year I am going to solely focus on all my Fairy Tail Stories. So, my other stories will not be updated during the month of November. Sorry, not sorry. I am still going to leave this fandom after they are all done. And if, at some point, down the road I find my love for FT again, I will come back with new stories and hopefully a less toxic fandom.


August 5th, X 791 (Night)

As the group filed out of the two-story townhouse, they were silent in contemplative thought. The LandLady had come out of her first-floor apartment and just glared at them, which according to (most of them) Lucy was par for the course. Once the door to the townhouse closed, they stood idle, each unsure of what to say with all the information that had been shared in the past hour, almost two, in Lucy's apartment.

Eventually, Porlyusica gave a loud snort as she began to march down the street, back towards her home in Magnolia Forest. They just watched the pink-haired woman until she stopped, looked over her shoulder at them. Her red eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Well, what are you all just standing here for? Go back to the guild and get stuff done. Makarov can't do it on his own; support him and help the other idiots in that guild understand what is gonna be happening." She barked at them as she marched down the two steps, then pushed past them.

It was as if it were the signal they had been waiting for. Not wanting to have the woman yell at them again, they started as a group back the Guild to update everyone there and get that Schedule started.

When the Guild came into view, Gajeel coughed, getting everyone's attention before he came to a stop. The look on his face spoke volumes about his comfort level.

"I want you all to know that Rogue was awake during the whole speel and is probably pissed," he muttered, scuffing the ground with the heel of his booted foot. "And, I really don't want to explain that personal shit to the guild."

The group as one gave a slow nod before trundling the rest of the way up the hill to the Guild. The faint sounds of those still at the Guild reaching their ears, letting them know there was plenty of drama going on inside.


The guild had remained rather somber after Lucy and Natsu's little scene. They didn't question why master had left with Levy and Gajeel, instead of focusing their attention on the bound Natsu, who was hanging from one of the ceiling rafters. He was out for the count a second time, and once more, it had been done by a female of Fairy Tail. Mirajane just stood next to Kinana behind the bar, drying beer mugs, as she recalled what had happened. Juvia had just gotten back from her mission and looked rather pleased with herself until she noted that Natsu was hanging from the ceiling. It had made the rain woman smile, as a look of confusion crossed her face.

Mirajane could only stare as she watched Juvia stalk across the hall, having learned why Natsu was bound like he was, towards the suspended and semi-helpless Natsu. It was obvious that she was pissed at what he had done to Gray. And the dark aura leaking from her person had Mirajane stepping out from behind the bar, ready to stop the water mage if she went too far.

"Natsu, Juvia is displeased that you would harm her Gray-sama as you did," she said.

Of course, it was at that point Natsu woke up and had to hear Juvia speak, as he started to struggle against his Iron bindings. He reminded Mirajane of a worn on a fish hook. His eyes wide as fear colored his face at the sight of an angry Juvia. And if it were a different situation, Mirajane would be laughing.

"Juvia would like to help make you understand the strong feelings that Juvia has about you hurting her Gray-sama, okay?" she said as water formed from the moisture in the air.

Before anyone could say or do anything, Juvia had her waterlock around Natsu's head as she stood there staring dispassionately. Mirajane could make out the small frown that turned Juvia's lips downward as her blue eyes glazed over. She knew that Juvia wouldn't ever intentionally hurt another Guild Member to the point of severely injuring or even killing them. But the whole Guild knew not to mess with Gray for fear of her obsession being turned into a physical reaction upon them as retribution.

"Juvia, please stop this. He isn't in his right frame of mind."

Starting a little at the sound of someone suddenly speaking, Mirajane turned to look at who did, feeling a bit of shock at seeing Gray, who was being held up by Erza. Giving a quick, thankful smile to Erza, Mirajane visibly flinched when the sound of water hit the floor, and deep gasping breaths filled the silence in the Guild Hall.

"Gray-sama, you're awake. This pleases Juvia greatly," she said, and I swear little hearts were floating out of her eyes.

Mirajane let a small sound of frustration as she headed back behind the bar to get the mop and bucket. If things were not already tense in the Guild Hall, she didn't need a large water mess to clean up. There was no doubt in her mind that if Gray hadn't come out and spoken up that things could have been worse?

"So, did Erza catch you up on what is going on?"

Blinking, Mirajane rolled the mop bucket out as Droy spoke up. Sliding her gaze towards where Erza had settled Gray, and Juvia was now flitting a short distance away, Mirajane decided to stay silent and wait.

"Yes, she did. And while I find it hilarious that this whole time it was Natsu dealing with puberty," Gray said, his voice showing his amusement while it didn't appear on his face. "To be honest, I do not fully comprehend it all either, but the gist of it is this: Natsu is experiencing what is called heat, a form of puberty, that is for dragon slayers only. That is why, at this time, every year, he gets aggressive and tends to hoard the female members of the guild for himself. So please don't take it amiss, okay. This all came from Gajeel's mouth, and it is something that all Dragon Slayers go through. It lasts about a week at most, and its purpose is to find a suitable mate. However, if a suitable female isn't found, then according to Gajeel, they might take a male lover to assuage their needs."

Mirajane was silently thankful that he seemed to grasp the situation and wasn't mocking Natsu about being into me. That was the last thing they needed and would be a bit dickish since Gray had his fair share of male hookups over the years. And with Erza standing beside him, Mirajane was sure he'd be wise enough to keep his mouth shut since the last time Gray got drunk, he commented on how nice Jellal's ass was.

With a shake of her head, Mirajane finished mopping up the water and turned to head back to the bar when she caught a glimpse of a few people standing at the door. Frowning, she saw Cana, Jet, Droy, and Nab all slack-jawed. It was then her mind registered that they had just heard what was said and seemed to be speechless. With a shrug of her shoulders, Mirajane made her way back to the bar to get Cana's normal barrel of beer ready. With a sigh, Mirajane looked out at the slowly filling room, everyone starting to come in from their day's activities, wondering when Master and the others would return.


Walking into the Guild, Makarov stood there and looked at those he called his children, knowing that things would be difficult and interesting for the rest of the month. And with what he was going to say now would definitely incite some more shenanigans. So, stepping further inside, allowing Gajeel and Levy to enter as everyone noticed their small group, including Mavis, who just flitted towards an empty stool at the Bar.

With a deep sigh, Makarov projected his voice as he spoke, "Listen up, Brats! I have some news for you about what is going on with Lucy and everything else. As most of you know from earlier, we found out why Natsu acts as he does at this time every year. He is experiencing a type of puberty, but that isn't all. For those of you who were here when he came in, you saw what Lucy looked like when she arrived and her reaction to Natsu's behavior as well. Safe to say, I am proud of her for defending herself and knocking Natsu out cold. That is all thanks to her taking private self-defense lessons from Erza, apparently."

Choosing to stop at this point to make sure they were still on the same page, Makarov let a huge smile break his face. Erza was blushing madly, making her face match her scarlet hair while getting looks of shocked astonishment from everyone else. Everyone except Gray looked a bit bored at the announcement, as he already knew it was happening.

With a soft chuckle, Makarov cleared his throat once more. This time he got everyone's full attention, making sure he let his eyes connect with all of theirs before continuing once more.

"Some of you may have heard Natsu ask Lucy earlier why she smelled of Sting and Rogue; well, she answered that while I was at her house. After Erza left her to come to warn me of Natsu's behavior, Lucy had a minor altercation with the two. It seems that Sting is in heat as well and almost done with his. Rogue saved Lucy from being marked right there on the spot, in the middle of the road. His actions allowed her to escape and come to the guild, and en route, she found Gray injured and knocked out, which pleases me to see that he is already up and moving. You should tell Wendy to thank you later, Gray." Makarov stopped motioning with a hand for his drink.

Waiting until Mirajane made her way to him and handed him the cup of wine. Letting his shoulder's slump, he finished the last of what he had to say.

"Because both Natsu and Sting have shown interest in Lucy, and she has a very injured Rogue in her ho..." he was saying when a loud cry from several people went up, cutting him off.

"Wwwhhhaaattt!?"

Makarov narrowed his eyes as he turned an annoying glare on those that had spoken up, immediately silencing them. Growling, he started speaking again, the tone clearly stating that he didn't want more interruptions.

"Like I was saying, Lucy has a very injured Rogue in her apartment. We figure he got the injury from Sting when he allowed Lucy to get away. Porlyusica and Wendy already checked him over and did some minor healing. He will be staying under Lucy's care, at least until the end of this month, which brings up what I was trying to say. Natsu and Sting have shown a great amount of interest in her for some reason, so Mavis has come up with a plan that you all, minus Laxus and Gajeel, will help with. Is that understood?" He said, leveling a rather serious look at each person in the guild.

Each person stood there contemplating, in their own manner, what had just been said, but when someone spoke up, it wasn't who Makarov thought it would be.

"So, what you're saying is that Lucy needs some sort of protection, but Laxus and Gajeel are not to help with it at all. That makes me think it is because they are Dragon Slayers as well, right Master?" Bickslow asked as he stood up and walked towards the bar.

Makarov just nodded his head twice before Bickslow reached the bar and stopped beside him.

"So what is this grand plan that the First and you have come up with? That way, we can help the Blondie, more so after that display of pantie...I mean physical power earlier." he drawled out, catching himself at the last second, as he felt several dark aurae pop up from various females in the guild.

Raising his bushy eyebrows, Makarov smiled a crooked smile before replying to the question.

"Well, Mavis placed a smaller, more concentrated version of Fairy Sphere around Lucy's apartment. Only those who bear her blessing can go in and out of the Sphere freely. Because she is taking care of Rogue on her own, Lucy will not be allowed to go on missions, not even if they are located here in Magnolia. So I will be asking Yajima if she can work at 8 Island, but for that to work, she needs a bodyguard to keep Natsu from her, as well as Sting, in case he shows up. So those of you that are willing to do a temporary rotation as a bodyguard for her get together and make up a schedule I can give her in the morning. I am also gonna call Gildarts back, so Cana, I need that card your dad is always slipping into your back pocket." A large grin on his face, he looked out into the sea of his children's faces.

When he caught Lisanna's eye, Makarov spoke up quickly once more, before it got loud.

"And Lisanna, because Natsu is close to you, you will be under watch as well, but because you have your sister and brother with you most of the time, I won't be giving you a personal bodyguard. Also, anyone who wants to visit Lucy asks Mavis for the blessing to enter her apartment freely. Now I am off to go take care of business in my office."

Jumping off the counter once he got a nod of understanding from Lisanna, Makarov walked by Cana, who handed him the card gladly as he passed by. Her eyes were dark and brooding as if something was bothering her. When he reached his office door, Cana spoke up, asking her question, "So does this mean our singing and dancing competition will be canceled now?"

Stopping dead, hand hovering just inches from the doorknob, Makarov seemingly paled at the idea. Without turning around, he spoke up, "Nope! It will go on as planned, and Lucy can come and go from the guild. I would never cancel that contest; it would be a shame to all of you. "

He heard a few chuckles and whispered comments like, 'yeah, only because he wants to see the girls dancing' Not bothering to reply, Makarov opened the door and walked in, closing the door behind him. He still had a lot to do before he could go home and rest.

TBC!

THE NEXT STORY TO BE UPDATED is SPACE