Naruto and Laxus
Makarov had already sent Gray to bring back Natsu and the others, but the ice wizard did not return. Laxus was scolded for not doing anything as he witnessed Happy steal the quest from the second floor, but the blonde brushed it off. He did, however, managed to get the ever-gentle Mirajane Strauss to glare at him though. Erza later returned and made her way to Galuna Island
"I'm back!" Naruto kicked the door open just like last time. Most of the guild members were partying, the usually cheerful Mira spotted the blonde
"Oh, welcome back, Naruto. You missed quite a lot whilst you were away." Mira gave him a brief smile. Earlier she may have been worried, but with Erza sent to retrieve the S-Class thieves, she was back to her normal self.
"Did something happen whilst I was away?" Naruto asked the barmaid, who began to explain what happened. First, she explained what happened to Erza and the Magic Council.
"Afterwards, Natsu, Happy and Lucy took an S-Class quest without permission and Master sent Gray after them, but they haven't returned yet." Mira told him and was about to mention that Laxus was in the guild until a voice brought them both out of their conversation.
"Uhhh, Naruto. Sorry to interrupt, but what's going on?" Wendy interjected, as she and Hinata stood there behind the blonde.
"Oh, sorry about that. Something happened with some guild mates, and I got lost in the conversation. Which reminds me, I've got someone here you would love to meet." Naruto moved out of the way as Wendy gasped.
"It's Miss Mirajane! Let's go Hinata!" Wendy was excited to meet one of her idols and Hinata followed Wendy's example to greet her, the white-eyed girl was told by Wendy how Mira was one of her idols.
"Calm down Wendy, just because the ruffian has no manners, that does not you should behave like him." Carla appeared from behind the girls and surprised Mira.
"This cat talks just like Happy. I didn't think we would see another cat like him here." Wakaba whispered to Macao, who nodded in agreement. They were both watching Naruto's interaction with Mira and then spotted his new friends. "Also, where did Naruto find those cute girls?" Wendy could hear them due to her enhanced senses and was embarrassed by this.
"Mira, meet Wendy Marvell. Wendy meet Mirajane Strauss, but we call her Mira for short. She always wanted you Mira so be nice. Hinata meet Mira, Mira meet Hinata Hyuuga, uhhh, can we still call you that?" Naruto asked Hinata, who nodded.
"I can keep the last name, I just no longer live there or have legal claim." Hinata told him with reassurance. Both Hinata and Wendy gave Mira a small bow.
"Hello, it is nice to meet you, Miss Mirajane." Both young ladies greeted her with smiles on their faces.
"This is Carla, she's my friend and a member of my guild." Wendy introduced the white feline.
"Charmed, I'm sure." Carla responded in her usual tone, showing that she did not really want to be in the guild hall.
"Nice to meet you all. Please call me Mira, I'm glad Naruto made some new friends. And I didn't expect another talking cat to show up. You remind me of Happy." Mira commented at the end.
"Ah, yes. Naruto mentioned there was a male cat. We may be the same species, but I am nothing like this Happy you speak of." Carla told the white-haired barmaid, who still had her usual smile on her face.
"Hey brat, aren't you going to introduce your friends to your Guild Master?" Makarov asked the blonde, taking a gulp of his ale and looked at one of the troublemakers of Fairy Tail.
"Ah right! Ladies, this is Gramps. He's a Wizard Saint, Fairy Tail's Third Guild Master and a short pervert." The last one had Makarov spit out his ale and accidently squirting Naruto.
"Don't tell them that you brat!" Makarov's head comically enlarged. "Don't believe this brat, I am simply a humble and dutiful old man who has to deal with this demon's pranks since he arrived." Makarov shivered at the thought of one of Naruto's pranks.
"Come on Gramps, you gotta admit though, you did like using a lot of my pranks as punishments. Besides, you're the one who got me into pranking!" Naruto pulled the bottom of his right eyelid and stuck out his tongue, Makarov then just laughed at him.
"Hahaha! That is true! You are truly blessed by the God of Mischief! But sometimes you go too far, so please for my sake, please calm down with them." Makarov hoped that the youth would listen.
"Fine, I'll try but no promises Gramps." Naruto sighed out and then returned to his normal self. "Sorry about that you three, go on and introduce yourselves. And Mira, tell me more about the S-Class job Natsu took."
Hinata and Wendy politely greeted Makarov, with Carla just providing a simple hello. Mira began to tell Naruto that the quest was to a place at Galuna Island, however, the rest of the information was classified and only for the wizards who took on the quest.
(Unknown Location)
"Ultear has left and is already at Galuna Island. I was going to send you there, but I may require the services of your guild for another task. You are considered one of Death Head Caucus' strongest wizards, so please do not disappoint me." Seigrain sat on a chair and had a devious smile on his face and wore a dark-coloured cloak.
"How may I serve you, Lord Seigrain?" The person in front of Seigrain was a pale-skinned young man with long white hair and two red dots on his forehead.
"Careful how you address me around here. I wore this cloak for a reason Kimimaro, so please call me by my true name, Jellal. Is that understood?" When Kimimaro nodded and apologised, Seigrain or rather Jellal gave his orders. "There's this man who is a part of the Magical Council's military forces, Asuma Saurtobi."
"The son of the former Wizard Saint, Hiruzen Sarutobi. I have heard of him and that he was a part of Kakashi Hatake's squad at one point. What about him?" Kimimaro asked about Asuma.
"He's been a thorn on our side for a while now. However, he and his squad will be heading towards Magnolia to question a wizard about an incident which took place a couple of days ago." Jellal told him with some mirth in his voice.
"So, my task is to prevent this meeting to take place. Who is this wizard and where will I find Asuma's group?" Kimimaro asked his employer.
"The wizard is Naruto Uzumaki. You probably heard of him by this title, the Paladin of the Sea." Now that did get a reaction from Kimimaro, who heard about Naruto's reputation. "Asuma's group just left a few hours ago, if you leave now, you can catch up to them by tomorrow. Oh, and avoid killing anyone, simply incapacitate them."
"Forgive me for being forward Lord Jellal, but why? Surely it is better to kill them and make sure that they do not meet the Paladin of the Sea." Kimimaro only caused Jellal's mirthful smile to grow wider.
"And here I thought you were a professional. Asuma is one of the Council's top officers, his death would cause a reaction from them and would lead to our plans being postponed. He also is quite close to his team and one of them happens to be his lover, Kurenai Yuhi. And Naruto Uzumaki, I have plans for him. That's why they should only be incapacitated." Jellal told him the reasons, but not completely.
"Understood, Lord Jellal. I shall take my leave." With a final bow, Kimimaro left.
'If all goes according to plan, I'll be one step closer to my goal and make sure they will suffer!' Jellal's eyes showed some anger, but he then placed his right hand over his eyes and decided to head back to Era where the Magic Council Headquarters was located.
(Back at Fairy Tail)
"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Hinata!" Mira smiled and stamped a white guild mark on Hinata's right hand. "Have you found a place to stay yet? I can recommend a place if you'd like." The barmaid asked her.
"No yet. And even if I did, I don't have much money on me, so I might find an inn to stay for the night at least." Hinata told her honestly.
"Well, Carla and I will be staying at one, though we didn't bring much money with us since we were hoping to use some of the reward money from the job." Wendy then smiled at Hinata. "We can share a room together before Carla and I can head back and don't worry, I will pay for it until you can start your work here."
"N-No! I can't possibly ask you to do that for me! You've already done enough for me as it is." Hinata help up her hands to refuse, despite it being helpful to her current situation.
"No, I insist. You don't mind, do you Carla?" Wendy asked the white furred feline, who had to agree.
"Well, better that she stays with us until she gets a place of her own. Besides, you did well to ask her before someone else does, because I have no idea what would happen to poor Hinata if Naruto offered to let her stay at his home." Carla may have spent a few days with Naruto, but that doesn't mean she would trust him completely, especially since he would do something stupid.
"Hey! I do have common sense you know. I'm not stupid enough to invite a girl over to my house, so get your mind out of the gutter!" 'She's more annoying than Happy!' Naruto's outburst caused everyone to laugh, except for Carla, who just argued with Naruto.
"Also, Wendy, if you're not busy tomorrow, meet me at the outskirts of town." Naruto suddenly told her. "You too Hinata." Naruto's expression and from the tone of his voice, he sounded serious.
"W-Why's that Naruto?" Wendy was afraid to ask but did so anyway.
"Because I'm going to teach you how two how to fight." The two girls remained silent, the silence being disturbed by the escaping laughter of Makarov.
"WHAT!?" The two girls shouted as Makarov's laughter increased.
"Oh my. Good luck you two, Naruto is tough when it comes to training and I don't think you can talk him out of it." Mira told them with her usual smile on her face.
"W-Well, I don't mind. I did talk to him about." Wendy looked at Naruto. "I'm in! if I can get a little stronger, I can help a lot more people."
"W-Well, I'm not a fighter either, but it could help in the long run. And despite knowing you only for a little while, I trust you Naruto." Hinata told him with honesty.
'Brat, you're finally growing up.' Makarov then heard a laugh.
"That's just like you, little Naruto." A familiar voice brought Naruto and the other's attention towards the second floor. Unlike most of the other Fairy Tail members, Naruto was happy to see Laxus.
"Nice to see you again Laxus. I was waiting for you to show your ugly mug!" Naruto's insult was a more playful one, an insult that Laxus only laughed off, something Makarov appreciated.
'They really do act like siblings, Naruto, you bring out the best of Laxus.' He witnessed Laxus jump down and bump fists with Naruto.
"Good to see you again you little troublemaker!" Laxus laughed and then ruffled Naruto's hair.
Makarov then recalled how Naruto was brought to the guild as a child.
(X777, October 10th)
'Honestly, that troublesome grandson of mine. Now's he's got Freed and the others as his lackeys.' Makarov was drinking and annoyed at Laxus. 'Laxus, where did I go wrong with you?' He then watched the children of the guild cause a ruckus. 'At least I have them.'
"Out of the way!" Laxus kicked the doors off their hinges and carried something in his arms. Makarov looked closer and saw that it was a blonde-haired child no older than the children of the guild.
"Laxus! What the hell happened!? Why do you have a kid with you? And why…"
"No time old man! Get that old hag here! This kid needs help!" Laxus surprised Makarov as he showed concern to another person other than himself.
"Bring him to the infirmary then! I'll contact Porlyusica right now!" Makarov took out a lacrima and told her the situation. He then made his way to the infirmary but was confronted by a concerned Erza.
"Master, what's happened to that boy? And who is he?" She asked the wise old man.
"I have no idea, but I called Porlyusica and she'll be here soon. Don't worry Erza, he'll be alright." Makarov gave her a reassuring smile and entered the infirmary where Laxus sat beside the boy, worried as the boy had a large wound over his torso.
"Hang on Naruto. You'll make it, I promise." Laxus waited until Porlyusica arrived. The blonde giving Naruto a look before he left the room.
"So, that boy is named Naruto. May I ask you a couple of questions." When Laxus remained silent, Makarov asked anyway. "First off, you know where Polryusica lives, so why not take him directly to her? And how do you know this child? And what caused that injury?" Laxus remained silent for a little while longer until he sighed.
"The old hag doesn't like me, and I did try, but she wasn't home. He's a brat that's been annoying for a few days and just to shut him up, I let him tag along on my quest with me. Because of me he ended up hurt by that monster." Laxus felt bad someone got hurt because of himself, something Makarov thought he would never see.
"Well, even the most capable wizards make mistakes. You have admitted to your mistake and did the right thing. Naruto is in good hands." Makarov told him with complete certainty.
After a few hours, Porlyusica came out and told them that Naruto was going to be just fine. Laxus and Makarov went in.
"Hi Laxus!" Naruto was happy to see Laxus, who then smiled and walked up to him. Laxus then ruffled his head, like an older brother would do for his little brother. "That cranky lady said you saved me, so thanks for that!"
"It's no problem kid, but that's the last time you'll be fighting monsters before you're ready. Oh, and this my Gramps. Gramps, Naruto, Naruto Gramps." Laxus introduced them officially.
"Hello Naruto. I'm Makarov Dreyar, guild master of Fairy Tail." Makarov shook hands with Naruto, who smiled.
"Hey, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet you Gramps." Naruto was too informal, but Makarov was used to informalities by now, as both Gray and Natsu referred to him as such.
(End Flashback)
'When Naruto's around, Laxus becomes more tolerable. Still a jerk to the others though.' Mira glared at the older blonde briefly before she sighed and cleaned the mugs.
"So, I see you made new friends. One's from another guild. Listen you two, you may be friends of Naruto, but don't hold him back. He doesn't need people dragging him down." Laxus threatened them, but Naruto stood in front of him.
"Hey come on now Laxus. Be nice, they're my new friends. Besides, I've gotten stronger, I almost beat Sasuke and our fight only ended because we were interrupted." Now this took Laxus' attention away from the girls and he laughed.
"Oh? Why don't you tell me all about it?" Laxus offered to buy Naruto food and talked with his fellow blonde.
Wendy and Hinata were frightened by Laxus but were comforted by Mira.
"Don't worry, Laxus is usually a jerk to everybody, except Naruto. Though Naruto was quick enough to turn Laxus' attention away from you, so you were lucky.
'Naruto, thank you.' Both Wendy and Hinata thought the same thing.
(A random ship at sea)
Erza had commandeered a vessel, ordering the captain and staff on board, not that they minded as they became infatuated with her.
"Excuse me, Miss Erza." The captain spoke in a mild-mannered tone. "The island has been spotted, we'll drop you off at the back, but we will not be setting foot on it."
"No, understandable considering that the island is supposed to be cursed and all. I thank you for your assistance. If I do not return soon, you may leave. It's not worth losing your lives over." Her words made the sailors think that she was worried for their safety, everyone now had figurative hearts show in their eyes.
End. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review. I wanted to at least upload this chapter today and I had the flashback on the 10th October because it is Naruto's birthday. More of Naruto's past will be explored and how he bonds with Laxus too. I will try to make the next one quicker.