edited chapter 7


Everyone in the guild was staring down at the blonde dragon slayer and his exceed companion.

He is clearly nervous, evident by his shaking under their gaze.

"Who's the kid?" Richard was the first to voice his thoughts.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet Sting Eucliffe and Lector. Of course, you won't believe this, but he's a dragon slayer like me!" a shocked look was shared around the guild at this news.

"NATSU, WE'RE BACK!" Happy shouts as he tackled Natsu to the ground.

He picks himself back up with Happy in his arm before taking his spot on his shoulder.

Then he noticed a red-haired version of him "who this?" he pointed to Lector before pointing at the blonde.

"Happy, Meredy, this is Sting and Lector. I ran into him on my way back to the guild."

When Sting looked them in the eye, Meredy was half a foot taller than him.

She had a look of disinterest in her eyes before leaving the two.

"Don't tell me he was in a dark guild Natsu!"

"He wasn't. I said he could stay here till we find a guild for him to join and maybe some training," he said in a thinking manner.

One of the members quietly whispered, "I hope Ultear isn't mad about this"

"I heard that!"

"Same," Sting added.

The member in question visibly cringed, forgetting a dragon slayer's enhanced hearing.

"Ultear will probably see him like Meredy and try to nurture him," Kageyama stated.

"You're probably right," Natsu stated, "where is she anyway?"

"She had to run some errands in town. She'll be back shortly since that was a couple of hours ago," Kageyama added.

Then the ground started shaking, scaring the hell out of Sting and Lector.

Everyone else just sighed in frustration. Only one thing could cause Ultear to be this mad.

Someone was brave enough or stupid enough to touch her, usually in the ass.

In the best-case scenario, some guy put his arm around her waist.

Worst case, someone tried to hit on her and hopefully get some action.

This wasn't the case, but if it was, the only ones who could calm her down were the two pinkettes.

Then the door burst wide open. She looked pissed. Someone tried to lay a hand on her.

Most likely, someone passing through.

Those who lived here long enough knew better not to hit on her.

Since her eyes are clearly on Natsu.

In fact, there's a bet going around on when they will make it official and another option they don't.

Most in favor will happen by the year's end, if not sooner.

When she finally joined the group, she visibly relaxed when she saw Natsu.

And curiosity when she laid eyes on the young blonde and his red-haired companion.

"Who are you?"

"The name is Sting, and this is Lector," he chirped.

She glanced at Natsu, who just looked away, but not before noticing the WILL TALK LATER look in her eyes.

For the remainder of the day, Sting and Lector were introduced to everyone.

As for the sleeping arrangements, Jellal let them stay in his room for the time being.

That leads to right now, it was ten at night, and Natsu was going over Cobra's file again.

Before, he would have denied the request, but the knowledge of another dragon slayer changed that.

Then the door opened quietly, meaning only one person was coming in.

He pinched the bridge on his nose.

Ultear stood before him with a stern expression.

She wore a simple shirt with pajama pants as Natsu was in nothing but his shorts.

He turns his chair, facing her.

"I stumbled into him on my way back, and as much as it pains me to say this, he's me when I was with Fairy tail," he said in shame.

Ultear did a silent nod signally for him to continue.

"I have no intention of him joining. Instead, I might train him a bit and be on the lookout for a guild that would work well for both him and them."

"Is that all?"

"No, he forced me to reconsider having Cobra join us," he said with a sigh.

"I see, I'm tempted to say fairy tail, but it wouldn't be fair to give them all the powerful mages now, would it" they both chuckled.

"Well, I don't plan to find him a guild quickly. So I might as well give him a few tips and correct his form. So we spared a little on the way here."

This got a nod on approval from her.

With a sigh, Natsu sat at the edge of his bed, doing a few stretches.

Ultear took great pleasure in admiring the view.

These private moments between them at night have been a recurring thing the past month.

Ultear had waited long enough.

Without warning, she practically jumped on him, ultimately straddling him.

After all, Natsu wasn't going to complain.

They rarely have time for themselves during the day.

Ultear wrapped her arms around his neck only to put her forehead to his.

The two could feel each other's breath before closing the gap with their lips.

What started as a simple kiss quickly turned heated, and Natsu wrapped his arms around her in a protective manner.

Natsu was lying back against the bed as Ultear laid on top of him the next thing they knew.

Ultear suddenly broke away.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Natsu, I love with all my heart, but" she just looked at her clothed being, looking him in the eyes.

He understood immediately, "I know, I don't mind waiting. After all, I don't want to ruin what we have right now." So he said as he took her chin with his hand as kissed her lips once more.

Ultear eagerly accepted his advance.

They quickly shifted positions, Natsu laying flat on his back.

One arm was hanging off Natsu's shoulder while his head rested at his neck.

His one arm was wrapped around her waist.

"Looks like that bet will come to an end" she simply nodded.

They knew about the bet, which is kind of hard, not when one can hear a twig break a kilometer away. The other is master at Obtaining information with no one finding out.

No need for a blanket since Natsu is all the warmth she needs.

Morning

The younger Pinkett was the first to wake in the morning, with Happy sleeping at the edge of the bed.

She carefully slipped out to not wake him before getting her clothes on for the night.

She headed to Ultear's room like she does every day here.

She knocked a few times, waiting for her to wake up, but she didn't.

After two years, being the naive young woman she is now, she carefully walks in to see no one occupying the bed.

Her naive side striking again, carefully opening Natsu's door to see a sight nearly made her heart jump out.

On the bed were the sleeping forms of Natsu and Ultear, clearly cuddling up to each other.

Upon closer inspection, one of Ultear's legs had intertwined with his.

She carefully closes the door, and being a woman, she has to tell EVERYONE!

Two hours later, the couple finally woke up, starting with Natsu, who noticed a weight on his chest.

Ultear was in the same position as last night, except her leg was intertwined with his.

She stirred awake from slumber, with one hand rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Then she locked eyes with Natsu. It was proof last night wasn't a dream.

He quickly pecked her lips before glancing at the clock.

"Shit, it's ten in the morning!" color drained away from Ultear's face as she realized this was hours past when Meredy woke up.

"Well, no use putting it off," he said with a sigh.

They got up only for Natsu to hold the door for her.

Then Natsu held his hand out, which she took gladly.

They were still in her nightwear cloth, but it didn't matter to them.

They walk in perfect sync as they descend the stairs to the main hall.

Natsu was right. Everyone was down there, waiting for them.

None more so than Meredy plus Happy front and center with the biggest grin only rivel by Natsu's own.

"You two want to fill us in on something," Jellal said from the back.

Natsu being well Natsu, a mix of the old and new, bought Ultear in a passionate kiss before separating.

Ultear had a massive blush at this as everyone let out a cheer before saying, "TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!"

Natsu responded with a nervous chuckle heading back to his room but not before saying, "I'm gonna get some fresh clothes on then start training Sting."

Ultear wasn't too far behind him getting dressed for the day.

For the remainder of the day, Natsu had Sting show him what he has to work with.

Needless to say, he had his work cut out for him.

He spent a week pointing out flaws in his style, making corrections when needed.

As for his relationship with Ultear, she moved into his room, and Meredy and Happy took her old place.

Sting took the free spot that was Meredy's old room.

That also brought up Sorcerer weekly when the weekends came up.

That prompted many members of fairy tail to swing by checking upon him.

The members in question were Macao, Bisca, and Alzack, with their daughters, Romeo, Wakaba, and Laki.

They took great pleasure in teasing both of them.

They knew there was something between them during their time in Magnolia before finding their current location.

One tease, in particular, was about when the kiddo would arrive.

Their faces redefine the word blush.

Then Alzack pulled him away from everyone.

"What is it you need, Alzack?"

He took one last glance to see Bisca giving him a thumbs up.

"Just a piece of advice, don't rush things, Natsu, yes you have changed for the better, but I still see bits of the old Natsu in you," he said with a smug grin.

Natsu let out a snort, "whatever you say," and they went back to everyone else.

"HEY NATSU!" this time, it was Macao.

"What is it?"

"You guys doing the Grand Magic Games this year?"

All eyes landed on him with an expecting look in their eyes.

"I've considered it," he said, looking away.

Their gazes only intensified, causing him to start sweating.

Then a few other girls tried their hands at a puppy dog look.

"No!" He looked straight up, making sure not to make any eye contact.

Then Natsu felt someone grab at his hand.

He makes the mistake of seeing Ultear with her seductive smile.

"Fine" Everyone cheered at this.

During their short time there, Ultear was practically glued to Bisca's side, and she adored little Asuka.

This led to more teasing from both fairy tail and Crime sorcery members.

Fairy tail stayed with them for a couple of days before heading off.

The games were just under two months away, and Natsu had to pick who would enter.

Unfortunately, being the guild master, he couldn't participate in them.

He gathered his guildmates in the main hall.

"So according to the rules, we need a four-member plus one reserve member. So who's interested?"

Everyone's hand shot straight up at this.

Natsu let out a sigh at this.

He glanced over the small crowd of just over 20 members.

"Jellal, Richard, Aria, Kageyama, and Rachel will be our team."

Natsu took one last glance at Rachel, a new member who joined not long after they set up base here in Nevermore.

She uses water magic that easily rivals Juvia from what he recalls of his time with fairy tail.

He looks to Ultear, who gives a nod of approval.

"Ok, if we're gonna win this, get your buts in gear. we don't want to get blindsided by the competition!"

With those words, they did some last-minute training.

JULY X787

Natsu was sitting in his guild stand as the games started.

Honestly, the final eight teams didn't surprise him at all.

They were Blue pegasus, Quatro Cerberus, lamia scale, Fairy tail, of course, Crime sorcery, Mermaid heel with kagura, and her reformed blade finally, Sabertooth.

Natsu is sitting next to his girlfriend, Ultear, with Happy on his shoulder.

The whole guild went to the games, and they only had just over 20 members in total.

It didn't take long for Natsu to feel the gaze of one Jiemma of Sabertooth.

On Ultear's side was Meredy with Sting plus Lector.

Of course, when everyone saw his guilds team, many in the crowd booed.

Some were shouting, saying they cheated and how they don't trust them because they're all ex-dark mages.

But members of the Fairy tails team and friends from other guilds quickly squashed that.

The games would last a week.

Natsu took Ultear on a date during that time, getting everyone's eye on them when they did.

No surprise, many guys gave Natsu dirty looks.

Speaking of the date, they're doing that right now.

It was night three of the games, and two of them were at a modest restaurant, not too fancy and not cheap either.

They had a booth to themselves.

They started a conversation about the games and the recent jobs and tasks their guild is assigned.

They lasted till a member of the magic council appeared before them.

Who else other than Org with Doranbolt beside him.

"So, what brings you to me, Org?"

"Natsu, there's something I need to show you, just you," he glared at Ultear.

"She is coming with me, or no deal!"

"Fine, But I suggest we make it quick."

Natsu paid for their meals before heading outside.

Doranbolt teleported Org before coming back for the two of them.

"Where are we, Doranbolt?"

"The great library at the Florian royal castle."

"Why here of all places?"

Org and Doranbolt pointed to Ultear, who just looked away.

"The only place no dark guild would be stupid enough to trespass," he said with a hint of venom as he continued to glare at Ultear.

"Ok, I get the point. Let's move on from here!"

"Natsu, what do you know about your last name, Dragneel?"

"Not much, I'm afraid. All I've found when I was with Fairy tail was a dusty old tome."

"And?"

"Not much except it was dated to when Zeref time on earthland why?"

He took a deep breath "reason I'm asking is that this room contains everything the council has gathered on the Dragneel surname."

He pushed the door wide open to reveal a medium-sized room containing countless tomes, Scrolls, and documents.

Org looked him dead in the eye "when the council first heard of you. We didn't believe you were a Dragneel. At first, but as the years passed, it became more and more obvious you were one. So we went to great length to bury any mention of the name."

"Why?"

"Because there is a proverb concerning that name. Never cross a Dragneel!"

"I'm flatter, but what does that have to do with me?"

"Because for centuries, the Dragneel name was thought extinct beyond some no-name wizards seeking attention."

"What are you getting at!"

"Natsu, from the document we have here, some of the most powerful mages and warriors throughout history all shared the last name Dragneel" Doranbolt stated.

"If that's true, then what happened to them."

"We thought they all died when the dragon king festival happened 400 years ago," Org added.

"Why did you wait to tell me this now?" he said with a severe expression.

"Because we weren't sure we could trust you. Many on the council still don't, but I felt you were ready."

"how do you know I"m part of that clan?"

"when you screwed up to the point, you had to serve prison time."

"yeah"

"well, we took a DNA sample. with your Y chromone, we compared it to confirm remains of a Dragneel, and you were a perfect match."

"if there anything else you have to say?"

"I had to pull a lot of string to do this, Natsu. Don't make me regret this, OK!"

"Crystal, Doranbolt mind taking this back to the guild and one more thing," he pulled out a weird charm. "in my room, this should start glowing. It will lead to a hidden room I set up. I want you to put all you see here in there, Ok!"

"As you wish, master," he set off, taking the various tomes scrolls and documents to and from.

Not before Natsu took with him before looking Org in the eyes, "thanks for this, Org!"

"Your welcome, Natsu."

The three mages walk out of the castle, getting angry first before the king gives them passage.

It was midnight by the time they made it back to their lodge.

Ultear sat beside him with a concerned look, "do you want to talk about it?"

He let out a sigh. "I always thought Igneel gave me that name because part of his name was in it."

"Clearly, you were wrong," she glanced at the old tome he held in his hand.

He put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer before giving her a quick kiss.

She grabbed the book opening it, and started reading it together.

Now she understood why he took this one.

It tells the tale of how the Dragneel name came into existence.

They spent about an hour and a half reading it before calling it a night.

Natsu wrapped his arm around her in a protective manner.

She didn't mind.

After all, this is one hell of revelation about his past.

And he clearly needs someone to lean on to get through it.

The games went by with Fairy tail coming second in the blink of an eye and Crime sorcery came first.

Many said they cheated, but Natsu plus Doranbolt managed to put those accusations to rest as everyone else in the guild was still in hot water.

"I really hope this improves our image to the rest of the county," Natsu thought as his guild celebrated their victory.

He was sitting on the balcony of their lodge before a familiar scent crossed his nose.

Right behind him are Doranbolt, Org, Lahar, and another member of the council.

Natsu closed the balcony doors.

"What is it this time?"

"We wanted to congratulate you on your victory."

"I know there is more to it than that!"

"After a short council meeting and the royal family after your victory in the games. We have decided you have fulfilled your end of the bargain concerning those three." he points to the founding member of Crime Sorcery.

"Go on."

"I must warn you there is still some doubt about your guild, but as long as they don't do anything rash like your former guild, all charges will be dropped."

"That's good to hear, and you won't have any problem here. If someone in my guild does act out and I can't disprove it, you can take whoever it is back to the magic prison."

"That will work for us, and again congratulation on your victory this year."

Natsu gave them a wave as Doranbolt teleported them away before coming back.

He opened the door heading back inside.

But not before Ultear slipped past to see what the meeting was about.

"What were you talking about?"

"Pretty soon, if all goes well, the charges will be dropped on you, Jellal and Meredy."

"Was there anything else?"

"There is still some lingering doubt about us, but I said if anyone from our guild causes problems that we can't prove as fake, they can take the Mage in question back to prison."

Placing her hand on her chin, "That seems fair."

"Well, the party is still going on. Care to have this dance,"

Natsu held out his hand while the other held the door open.

"I would love to Natsu."

Lucky for them, as soon as they stepped on the dance floor, the music changed to a slow one.

They just smiled as others joined in to enjoy the party.

Of course, they were the center of attention.

For the remainder of the night, to two were inseparable as they danced.

But all good things must come to an end.

Once the party was over, they all headed back to their lodges to pack for the return home.

But Natsu and Ultear decided to take a stroll through the gardens.

Ultear didn't hesitate to latch onto his arm and rest her head on his shoulder.

Not that he was complaining, mind you.

As a guild, Ultear learned several things about Natsu besides his giant heart and appetite.

For one there the same age, both being 22 going on 23 later this year.

Likewise, he learned something about her, like the story of her and her mother.

And the revelation about her during her fight with Gray.

That list is bound to increase with all those documents the council gave him about the Dragneel name.

From what they read of the book the other day, The first Dragneel came into being.

Unfortunately, his first name was lost to the pages of history.

He was given the Dragneel name for doing what was thought impossible.

He fought a dragon without magic and won.

The story goes, he used his great size, strength, and quick temper to his advantage.

He caused the unstable mountain ridge to collapse on top of him, effectively killing it.

The name dragneel is shortened because dragons kneeled before him out of respect, besting one of their own.

Respect goes a long way in this world.

Funny that simple act most likely led to dragon slayer magic coming into existence sometime after.

That's all from what they have read so far.

They stopped abruptly, thanks to Natsu.

Ultear had a curious look in her eye before seeing Natsu pluck a white rose.

He pushed her hair aside before placing it in her hair held down by her headband.

"Not you look even more beautiful," she blushed like a tomato.

"Thanks" was all she could say.

They continued their stroll for another hour before heading back.

After winning the games, there will undoubtedly be swamped with jobs based on what he's heard from the previous years.

One day later, Nevermore.

They were in for a big surprise when they got back.

Why the town was in frenzy and celebration for Crime Sorcery's victory.

"I wasn't expecting this," Natsu said aloud as he was at the front of their group with his girlfriend by his side and Happy on his shoulder.

"Come on, Natsu, you built not only your guild but the town from the ground up. And with your victory, we are bound to get more jobs. Not only that, who knows how many visitors this town will get. I can only imagine how many people want to move to the town that holds the salamander of Crime Sorcery." various town folks shout.

"Well, all I can say is thank you and your welcome!" he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

After the town-wide celebration, Natsu managed to make it to their guildhall.

Once he made it to his room, he went into the hidden place to find Doranbolt did what he asked.

Of course, Ultear and Happy weren't far behind him.

"Whoa, so this what you were talking about," Happy said as he flew around the room.

"I'm not looking forward to reading all of this," he said in defeat.

"It will be alright, Natsu. That what we're here for"

"Aye, Sir!"

He walked over to another dusty book before skimming through it.

"What does it say Natsu," she asked.

"It has a list of names regarding marriages. I assume it is people marrying into the Dragneel name."

"Org said the council did their best to bury this information from you. I wonder what the most recent marriages are. You know, maybe a daughter took their husband's last name."

"That is not a bad idea. There might be long-lost members of the Dragneel name still around today!" he jumps to the end.

Natsu was deep in thought as he read the names given before he suddenly froze.

"What wrong, Natsu?" the exceed asked.

After a few moments, Natsu calmed himself.

"One of the most recent marriages in this book is someone named Adrian Dragneel. He married a woman named Jessica...Clive"


that it for this chapter

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