All rights go to Hiro Mashima

Enjoy!

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Gray's neck vein bulged as he took a step forward, "Who…?", Lucy's hand covered her mouth as she took a shaky breath "Why…?".

Erza walked in front of the group her magic seeping over in droves, "What is the meaning of this?", her ears were alerted to the sound of rubble being moved out the way as Mira pushed the door open, she calmly walked out the front and stood in front of the group, a sense of sadness about her.

She raised a sad smile and took a deep and shaky breath and looked at the group, "It was Phantom Lord…hate to say it, but they defeated us,".

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Heading into the guild basement, the group was met with a resounding cheer. The cold steps echoed in their footsteps as they continued into the dimly lit underground.

"Hey it's Erza, she's back," one member said

"She brought Gray and Lucy back with her," another added

Walking deeper into the basement they eventually arrived at Makarov sitting upon a barrel, his half-lidded eyes indicating he had had one too many.

He smiled at them and held his hand up waving at them "Yo! Welcome back!" he said jovially.

Erza replied first and answered politely "Thank you. It's good to be back," Next to her Gray wasn't so courteous, "WHAT'S GOING ON GRAMPS! THERE'S NO TIME TO BE DRINKING!" he jerked his fist up and down at the old man who simply waved him off.

That was before a lightbulb seemed to go off in his head as he remembered something "That's right you guys stole an S-Class quest and went off without permission!" he pointed at the group while he held his beer mug in the other.

Lucy and Happy stepped back slightly, sweat beginning to form on their brow "huh?" Makarov stood up on top of the barrel on which he were sat.

He coughed into his hand and began to shout "I will now dole out your punishment…PREPARE YOURSELF!" everyone but Erza braced for the worst.

"Meh," with that Gray felt a light chop to the head, next Happy "Meh," and lastly his hand began to fall slightly as he overextended it, aiming for Lucy's ass instead.

"Me-" instead of spanking her, he felt his hand being stopped from hitting its mark, looking up he saw Natsu holding his hand back.

Natsu looked at the old man and lifted Makarov's hand up to eye level, all eyes on the two as they remained in their standoff, that was before Natsu tossed the arm back at the old man who retracted it and took a swig from his drink…"Natsu," Makarov said nodding at him.

Natsu sighed before lightly unsheathing his katana slightly "Just making sure that hand of yours doesn't go where it shouldn't be… we wouldn't want to have to cut it off would we?" letting the blade fall back into the sheathe with a clink.

Makarov chuckled before shaking his head and looking at his hand "That was a good catch my boy…and a solid grip to add to it," he complimented, "But she still hasn't had her punishment…the other two have," he said in a joking tone.

Natsu smirked and rested his elbow on top of the girl's head and leaned on her slightly "Don't worry I've got something planned," she looked up slightly tilting her head back and pouting.

"I'm right here you know," she crossed her arms as Natsu removed his arm from her head, he laughed at her and ruffled her hair, he then looked back at Makarov.

"Seems you've already got enough on your plate as it is…can't take something like this lying down Makarov," he gestured to the upstairs, "If you don't do anything Phantom will take it as a sign of weakness," Erza nodded from where she was stood.

Makarov shook his head and took a long swig, placing his drink down after he spoke with his eyes closed, "No need to get fussed about some cowards destroying an empty guild,".

Erza taken aback slightly crossed her arms and drummed her fingers over her armour, "Empty guild?" Mira from beside Makarov stepped forwards slightly, "The attack was in the middle of the night,".

Makarov waved his hand around "So there's no point in getting all antsy about it if no one was hurt…at the end of the day these cowards won't hurt any of us. So just ignore em!" he smirked slightly and took another swig.

Gray was about to pop a vein when all of sudden he burst out in anger, "I can't do that! They need to be crushed till there's nothing left of them!" Gray slammed his fist down onto the barrel next to Makarov splintering it.

"Gray shape up!" Makarov angrily shouted at the boy, but instead of his arm going to slap Gray, it once again was on course for Lucy's ass.

That was until he stopped when he felt an object fly through the air and pierce his hat, sticking it to the wall, slowly retracting his hand he careened his head up to Natsu, who himself was playing with a throwing knife in his hand.

"Oops, hand slipped... won't miss next time," pocketing the knives he pulled out a bottle of whiskey, unscrewed the top and took a swig.

Makarov pulled the knife out of the wall and placed it on the barrel, putting his hat back on he hopped off the barrel and spoke "I need to go potty," with that he scurried off.

Gray scoffed and was about to go after him "How can Gramps be this calm about this!?" the outstretched arm of Mira stopped him.

"Gray…Master's as angry as any of you, but armed conflict between guilds is banned," she rubbed her arm and looked down at the ground.

Happy had moved from the floor to now sat upon Gray's shoulder "But they started it," he pointed out.

"That doesn't matter sadly," Mira said shaking her head.

Mira left the group to their own thoughts as she strolled off towards the other side of the basement.

Gray sighed and walked off with Happy, Erza went and sat down with some of the other guild members.

Natsu looked at Lucy who was looking towards where the others had walked off too, he chopped her on the head getting her attention "C'mon have a drink you've been on a long journey," he grabbed onto her arm and pulled her along to a vacant table.

Lucy sat down on the chair next to Natsu and placed her arms on the table, "Hey Natsu?" he 'hummed' in response as he took another swig of his drink, "Do you think it was a good idea for me to join Fairy Tail?".

Natsu raised an eyebrow at her question and placed his drink on the table, "Well if you mean do I think it was a good idea for you to run away from home and join a band of crazy people?" Lucy cringed as he spoke and waved her arms at him.

"No-no, do you think I picked the right guild?" she cleared up

Natsu smiled and sighed at her, "Lucy, even though I was joking, it's your life at the end of the day…no one else but you can control that…Fairy Tail may have it's flaws…okay a lot of flaws, but If I were to join any guild…it would be this one," Natsu stared off in front of him, Lucy stared at his eyes as she watched him, her own eyes widening slightly as she watched them.

It was as if he was so-so close, yet he felt so far away at the moment…like he was remembering something, she poked him slightly and just like that, the distantness faded…and he was right back next to her again, not like she cared or anything.

(She definitely did) "Sorry-sorry, but err yeah again Lucy, it's your choice and don't let me or anyone else tell you otherwise," Lucy smiled widely at him, her gloomy mood disappearing in a flash "Thank you Natsu,".

Natsu poured a shot from his bottle and slid it across the table to her, "Drink, you've been on an S-class mission that deserves a celebration of some kind," Lucy looked at the liquid, she picked it up and stared at it for a few seconds before picking it up and sniffing it.

"You have drunk alcohol before, right?" Natsu asked her, she looked at him before smiling shyly and shaking her head indicating 'no'.

"Uhhh," her nose wrinkled as she sniffed the strong alcoholic smell, Natsu chuckled at it before he spoke.

"You don't have to yah know, her-," he was interrupted as she downed the shot, her face cringed as she failed to get it down her throat, a second later succeeding, she coughed as she pounded her chest.

"Jesus, how do you drink that stuff!?" she asked him loudly, Natsu looked at her strangely before bursting out laughing.

"The look on your face," he laughed out "Priceless!" Lucy pouted, hiccupping as she eventually growled at him, "Shut up!"

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A few hours later

Natsu and Lucy left the guild, Lucy had only had one more shot after the last one, on her third one Natsu took it off her and told her he would teach her to drink when he was next free, they were currently walking on the street Lucy's house was.

Walking the streets Lucy wobbled slightly as she walked the cobbled streets.

"You had two shots Lucy," Natsu said deadpanning at her, the girl chuckled.

"I just hate the cobble on this street…I'm not drunk," she said hopping up onto the barrier between the water and the pathways, "This is smoother and easier to walk on," she extended her hand's out to balance herself.

"Hmmm sure," he replied taking his hands out of his pockets, as he did Lucy wobbled slightly, he grabbed onto her hand steadying her.

"…Okay those two shots may have made me slightly tipsy," she said giggling as she walked hand in hand with Natsu.

The sun had set the only light coming from the streets light along the canal, a cold breeze blew downstream as they walked together, Lucy looked at their intertwined hands and looked straight back ahead of her, a light dusting of pink on her cheeks and around her nose, 'Were holding hands! God, we must look like a couple…do we look like a good couple…oh god what will people think!' she shook her head as these thoughts ran through her head.

Natsu raised an eyebrow as he watched her do this "Cold?" he asked unaware of the thoughts racing through her mind.

She looked at him a bit taken aback before composing herself "No not really, we're here now anyway," true to her statement, they had arrived at their apartments, she let go of his hand and hopped down, although as she was about to she lost her footing and was about to dive head first into the pavement.

That was until she was caught by Natsu, big arms wrapped around her small body as Natsu held her up, "Maybe I should have just carried you home," he mumbled to himself, she heard him though, he set her down and brushed down her clothes.

She looked up at him steam billowing from the top of her head, she dipped her head as her face went as red as Erza's hair.

She placed her hands together and bowed slightly "T-Thank you," she raised her head only to be bonked on the head, which seemed to happen a lot today.

"Don't thank me for catching you…anytime you fall I'll be there to catch you so don't focus on falling…" He placed his 2 fingers on her chin and raised her head "and keep that head of yours high," he removed his fingers from her chin and placed his hand back in his pocket.

And with that Natsu walked in the door leaving a semi-stunned Lucy on the path outside.

She stayed there for a few seconds before slapping herself in the face with both hands.

"No falling…," she pouted "that's not going to be a problem…".

Natsu opened the door again, "Oh just a head's up Erza, Gray and Happy are in your apartment…and get in here before you get a cold," he pushed the door open fully and beckoned her in.

Complying she walked in and stumbled over her words "Wh-what do you mean there in my apartment? Why?" she asked him.

He simply shrugged his shoulders, "Don't know…don't care, just keep it down I wanna get some sleep in my own bed after that trip…those island mattresses did not do wonders for my back," and with that, he headed up the stairs and went into his own room.

She huffed on the spot as she herself walked in, her tipsy disappearing into thin air, walking up to her apartment door she listened closely as she placed her ear to the door…

"Do you think she has any fish?" came the muffled voice of Lucy's least favourite cat, sighing she opened the door and walked in.

Walking into the main room she was greeted with a shirtless Gray, a flying Happy and a very curious Erza.

Gray saluted her "Lucy,", "Have you got any fish?" the cat asked from next to him…"You actually wear these?" Said a cat-eyed Erza, who was currently rooting through Lucy's underwear drawer.

Lucy would never admit she was a person who was quick to anger…although she definitely was, but this situation was pressing all her buttons, "What are you all doing in my apartment!?" she threw her shoe directly at Gray's forehead.

…

After Erza had explained why they were and it was Makarov's idea she had calmed down, Erza then proclaimed how the room smelled like a sweat factory and they all showered separately, after mellowing out and began talking about nothing in particular.

When everyone was about to go to bed, they heard a knock on the door, suddenly Erza was up and battle ready, her pyjamas not really instilling fear into the heart of man but it would do.

"Lucy, do you know anyone that would be knocking at this time," Erza questioned as she stood at the front of the room near the doorway.

Lucy sighed getting up and walking past Erza, "Yeah I do," she calmly opened the door ignoring Erza's protest.

The door swung open revealing a bored-looking Natsu who was fiddling with something in his pocket, Idlily looking to the left down the hallway, noticing the door open he looked at the small girl in front of him, "Hey Lucy…your friends with that book chick right, the one with the two hype men always surrounding her?" well this was out of nowhere, Lucy nodded her head, Erza and Gray still just staring at the door confused.

Natsu nodded placed his hand on the outer door frame and leaned in slightly, "And theoretically say she was beaten brutally, you would be sad?" okay now he was being weird, "Umm yeah I'd be really upset, Levy is really nice," Natsu nodded and sighed.

"Right okay I'll be back soon then," and with that, he walked down the hallway.

She stuck her head out into the hallway and stared for a few seconds before pulling her head back into the apartment.

"That was weird," Lucy closed the door and walked back into the apartment, Erza was laid back down again and Happy was snuggled up on Lucy's bed again, Gray was also back in his makeshift bed.

Erza who was sat up raised an eyebrow, "He came all the way over from his house just to ask you a weird question?" Lucy sat down in bed and looked outside the window.

"He didn't really have to move far, he lives in the apartment next to mine," she admitted to the group, Erza raised both eyebrows at the news.

"Guess he's taking this 'bodyguard' stuff to the max," she said smiling and lying down, "Goodnight Lucy,"

"Goodnight Erza,"

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An Iron pillar erupted into Levy's stomach, the first hit this guy had landed on her, and it was a bad one, she coughed up blood as she began to try and stand again, not noticing that the attacker was going to go for a knockout blow, Droy was too far, and Jett was out cold from trying to take the guy on.

An iron pillar extended from the man's arm again, Droy looked up to see it heading straight for her head, "LEVY!" he cried, but he couldn't do anything to stop him.

But instead of the iron impacting her skull, she heard a loud thud, her ears were still ringing from the last hit, so she hadn't heard anyone coming, the dust cleared and Natsu was there.

Droy watched as he Natsu held the iron pillar back, 'H-how just one of those knocked out Jett' he ran over as he got behind Natsu and picked up Levy from where she was sat, herself wide-eyed as she stared at the back of Natsu.

His cloak billowed from the air that came from the attack, Levy took a shaky breath and placed her hand on her stomach, a tense of pain coming from the touch, "Na-Natsu?" her weak voice asked.

Natsu was looking directly at the man, the iron piercings dotted around the man's face, the long black hair on the back of his head went down to his waist, and most importantly the smell of a dragon, of course, that's how Natsu knew this guy was here in the first place.

Natsu turned his head away from the man and faced Levy, he smiled at her softly "Hey, why don't you three get yourselves to the infirmary and I'll take care of this runt," he spoke so confidently Levy just simply nodded her head dumbly, Droy nodded and ran off picking Jett up along the way.

"Gehehehe," came the laugh from Natsu's opponent, turning his head back round, he locked eyes with the man.

He retracted his iron pillar and rubbed his arm slightly, "Felt like I was punching a brick wall…this is gonna be fun," he smirked and crouched slightly, the smile never leaving his face.

Natsu let his hand fall to the side, and with a bored look he tilted his head slightly, "Trust me… it's not," as he spoke the man charged at him, running on Natsu's left he jumped into the air.

His hands formed into clubs as he swung at Natsu, "Iron Dragon's Club" The clubs broke through the air aiming for Natsu, yet were only met with empty space, he looked up to see Natsu had stepped to the side, he growled getting ready to attack again.

Natsu blocked the counter swing from the man as he raised his clubs from the ground and swung them at him, with his right forearm being used as a shield Natsu raised his left hand, and simply pushed the man away with the palm of his hand.

He was sent flying back into a wall when he crumpled down, a small bit of blood dribbled down from his mouth, yet he stood tall to full height again.

He laughed again wiping it with his arm, "A wind mage huh, I didn't see you on the member's list master showed me…names Gajeel…but you probably know that already " he added grinning madly, as well as chuckling.

Natsu placed his hands in his pockets and pulled out a throwing knife and began idly spinning it around 'I didn't even use any magic' he sighed and spoke, "I'm new, and I know of you…I know more about you than you'd want me to know I'm afraid," Natsu let a small smile slip onto his face as he looked at Gajeel

Gajeel's smile faltered slightly, "Whats that supposed to mean?" Gajeel knew he was overstaying his welcome, he had to get out of here in the next minute or he was screwed.

Natsu smirked as he let the knife back into his pocket, "Well to start you're a dragon slayer, Iron to be specific…and said you were raised by a dragon… now who'd believe that bunch of bollocks," Natsu dodged a lance to head by moving it to the left slightly.

Gajeel growled as he retraced his fist back "I WAS raised by a drag-!…I haven't got time for this, be seeing ya" he stopped short his rant about dragons as he realised, he was being goaded, he sighed and jumped up onto the rooftop and ran away.

Natsu stood in the torn-up park and sighed, pulling out his flask, he took a sip and put it away, looking towards where Gajeel had run off "Like father like son huh,"

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So yeah, might try to finish this whole arc next chapter, so a big chapter coming up soon…soon I promise

Anyway hope you enjoyed it!