Hey, fairy tail fans, and welcome back to a fairy tail re-told, on our next chapter in our Christmas special is a fic exclusive episode because I know how much ya'll love those. I wanted to play around with the character's a bit, like I said a few chapters back, giving them a break before the grand magic games arc craziness. I have a plan for that I'll get into when after these two fics see ya'll next time

Summary: this chapter is more about Natsu and Mira's relationship with Wendy and Kinana. Both have grown in seven years in more ways than one, and some of their relationship with Laxus. things have changed, but in the end, they're still family

Elfman let out a happy hum as he stirred the pot next to him, a large smile on his face as the fresh smell entered his noise "making manly stew," he hummed to himself, "cause I'm so manly" behind him was Natsu, Mira, Wendy, Kinana, Happy, and Carla all setting up the table for the small picnic they had decided to have a chance to get away and give them all a chance to catch up. "stew's almost ready" Elfman said

"Man, I can't wait," Kinana said before taking a seat

"Yeah, Elfman stew is the best," Wendy said as she poured some tea for Carla, who smiled

"It feels nice to get away, doesn't it," Mira said as she and Natsu took their seats "everyone needs a break now and then."

"I guess," Kinana said, "Lord knows Miko been trying to get me to take time off for a while now."

"Well, she's right," Mira started as she shot a look at Natsu "it is important to take a break now, and then we're only human."

"I feel like that was directed more at me than it was at Kinana," Natsu grumbled out, which made Happy laugh.

"I'm just here for the fish," Happy said "want some"

"I'm good Happy," Carla told him

"In any case," Mira started, "you should relax for a bit. Take it from me. You should enjoy the quiet moments while we can," Mira said "so stop being so tense," Mira said a bit firmer, scaring the girl a bit as she gave a nervous laugh "are you sure you're okay."

"Umm yeah," Kinana said, "I hear you, Mira it's just well, the location we're having this picnic has me nervous," Kinana muttered

"why do you say that," everyone asked as Kinana looked over the side of the very thin cliff that they were sitting on, the sounds of their laughter soon echoing through the air as the wind started to blow across them as Kinana gave a nervous sigh sometimes she forgot how out of touch her friend could sometimes be as she took another sip of her tea 'I'll let them figure it out?

Together again, naturally.

The town of Shirotsume, while it may not be known for any wizarding as guilds, tend to avoid the town, which in turn has led the village to have very few wizards that come through town, but that doesn't mean that the town doesn't have its festivals which see going on today Natsu walks through the streets it reminded him of being in Magnolia it made him smile a bit as he looked around he had a bit a time before he had to head out with Wendy again next to him where happy and Lucy both of which were enjoying the festivities along with him.

"Oh yeah," Natsu muttered, "this is where me ad Lucy did our first job," he muttered.

"Aye," Happy said

"Man, that takes me back," Lucy said as she looked over some of the flowers at a shop. "I wonder how Mr. and Mrs. Melon is doing," she wondered to herself "last time we saw them was at the harvest festival."

"I'm sure they're doing all right," Natsu said, "though from what I heard, they moved out of town some time ago, so we can't exactly visit."

"Yeah," Lucy said, standing up as she noticed that Laxus and the thunder legion had approached them.

"Oh, hey guys," Lucy said

"Hey, there you guys are," Bickslow said, "been look all over for ya."

"Yes," Evergreen said

"Natsu," Laxus said as seriously as he could. A large crowd had started to gather around the two wizards as a smile began to form on his face. "I think it's time we finished this," he started getting a confused look from the fire wizard "time we settle who between the two for it stronger," he smiled "what do you say."

"woah," Macao said, "Natsu and Laxus."

"that's a first," Laki said. "Laxus never challenges Natsu to a fight."

"I wonder what's going on," Romeo said, "though I'm kinda excited."

Natsu turned his expression, turning serious as he and Laxus started having a staring match. The air around them began to go still before Natsu let out a sigh "look, man, I know what I said," he began, "but I can't fight today," he said, shocking the entire crowd."

"Wait, what," the entire crowd said

"Yeah, the kid and I have a job," Natsu said

"Wendy isn't exactly a kid anymore, Natsu," Lucy said

"Yeah," Natsu said, "but still I promised I'd go with her" he then turned back to Laxus, "we can fight tomorrow."

that's not happening," Freed said, "we will be heading back with master Makarov" Freed said, "and Laxus is coming with."

"Ah," Natsu said, "I'll guess we'll have to wait until next time then."

"I guess," Laxus said, "never figured you were the one to turn down a fight," Laxus said, "especially since you're not in magnolia anymore."

"Hey thing happens," Natsu said. "Gajeel probably in the so you could fight him if you need to hit something."

"Actually," Lucy started, "he left with Levy and the others this morning, something about a job."

"it's fine," Laxus said, smiling turning to leave. "I guess this time I'll have to wait" he waved Natsu off as he started to go.

"Laxus," Natsu shouted, getting the older man's attention. "On Tenrou Island, you didn't have to do what you did," Natsu started "thank you," he said

"don't mention it," Laxus said, leaving.

"You should get going," Lucy started "hey, you okay" she smiled at him

"Yeah," Natsu said smiling, "I'll catch ya later, Lucy, you'll be fine on your own"

"Yeah," Lucy said, "Michelle and Katja are stopping by later" she smiled at him "besides, tomorrow's my turn to spend time with her, right" for the past week since they had returned from Tenrou Island, each of them had tried to catch up with the girl that was at one point under their team care seven years be damned they would make it feel as if they never left "so go on I think she's been looking forward to this the most."

elsewhere in town, Mira and Kinana stood at the center bar smiling as Kinana watched Mira chop some vegetables she smiled a sense of happiness came over her looking away "it's like being stuck inside a dream," she muttered

"What do you mean," Mira asked

"Oh, you heard that," Kinana asked "it's just" Kinana stopped "when I first heard of what happened. I thought I held out for so long, hoping that" she stopped. "After a while, I guess I started to believe you were never coming back" she looked at Mira, "and now that you're here, a part of me feel like I'm dreaming, and that eventually, I'll wake up," she stopped when she felt Mira wrap an arm around her.

"Hey," she started, "I'm not going anywhere" she smiled at her "like it or not, you're stuck with me" she gave her a warm smile as Kinana let out a laugh.

"Yeah," Kinana said, "I guess I'm still adjusting to you being back."

"that's true," Mira said "look at you; you've grown into a nice young woman while I was gone," Mira said, a teasing grin growing on her face. "I bet you have the men lining up at the door asking you out on dates"

"Mira," Kinana shouted, her face turning red as Mira gave an evil laugh as Kinana turned away, clearly embarrassed at Mira's teasing, "not funny." she grumbled out, puffing her cheeks as Mira continued laughing at her "you know all this teasing you do is going to come back, and haunt you, one-day" Kinana shouted as Mira continued to laugh.

"Oh, really now," Mira said, "calm down. You're going to mess up the dough if you don't be gentle," Mira said, "be too rough, and it's not going to come out right."

"I know what I'm doing," Kinana shouted.

"While that may be true," Mira said as she took a sip of the soup, "you should use a little less salt," she started, "and try to cut your vegetables a little smaller. We don't want them absorbing too much of the juices."

"Come on," Kinana shouted, "not like you miss perfect when it comes to cooking," she shot back, "shall I remind you of your pies."

"Hey, that was one time," Mira shouted before the pair started laughing.

"Thank you, Mira," Kinana muttered.

"Though I wasn't joking about the salt," Mira said, "just a pinch less, and this will be perfect."

"of course, you weren't," Kinana sighed.

"Hey," Mira said, "I hope I'm not overstepping, but" Mira stopped a part of her feared where this conversation would be going. Still, it was one that she needed to be had. Of course, it had to be her to have it with a girl so she would rip it off "how is your memory doing," she asked. The air between them grew silent, the only sound being the chopping of vegetables. "Do you not want to talk about it," she wondered. If so, she would drop the subject and go back to teasing her.

[##fairy tail main theme piano ver.##]

"No, it's just," Kinana sighed "you know about the infinity clock right," she said

"Yeah," Mira said "Wendy told me about it."

"While that was going on," she started, "I started to hear a voice" she admitted "it was calling me and" she stopped "it was him," she said "I found him" she smiled "it was Cobra of the Oracion seis," she said much to Mira's shock "I was the snake that he was reported to travel with."

"Kinana," Mira said

"it's okay," Kinana said. "I don't think," she stopped, "I just" she stopped when she felt Mira pull her into a hug "for so long, I wanted to know who that voice was," she whispered. "I wanted to have some semblance of my past," she started "it was so much that right now I just feel numb," she said

"I'm sorry," Mira started, "I should have been there."

"it's okay," Kinana said, "it was something I needed to do for myself" "all Wendy and I had when that happened," she admitted, "all we had to push us forward, was the knowledge that you and Natsu wouldn't have gave up."

"I'm not sure if I should be proud," Mira started, "or scared that you and Wendy might be picking up Natsu and Elfman's habits" Mira gave a small chuckle "all I need is two more people getting themselves hurt on a daily basis." this was enough to get a laugh out of the girl.

"Hey, comes with the job," Kinana argued.

"What job" Mira laughed "all you do is give Wendy jobs."

"Hey, that's dangerous work. I'll have you know," Kinana laughed "what if a guild found out what we were doing"

"We beat them up," Mira said flatly " come on, Kinana, you should know this."

"That would start a war," Kinana argued, "and you wouldn't want that, would you? It would mean me, Elfman, Natsu, and even Wendy would get hurt," she said as sarcastically as she could

"You win this round little girl," Mira grumbled out as Kinana let out a laugh as the two started to get back to work.

Gajeel sighed as he came to a small town in was a small house Levy and the others had since gone off for their job he sent Lily to watch over them he said that he would catch up, but he needed to do this alone he sighed as he walked up to the door he had been debating this for hours before he finally decided to knock on the door 'one second' came the voice from the other side Gajeel swallowed a mysterious lump in his throat he had no idea why he was so nervous about this it was simple right the door soon opened revealing the former magic council member Belno who stopped a shocked look coming over her face as she saw Gajeel who gave her a nervous grin

"Hey," was all he was able to mutter out before she wrapped him in a tight hug.

"You are alive," she whispered, pushing him away smiling at him, "they told me that you had run off and gotten yourself killed."

"Yeah," Gajeel said, "may I come in," he asked.

"Sure, thing Gajeel," she said, motioning for him to come inside as they walked into the house; it was tiny smelt like the rain forest and cinnamon, which in turn reminded him of where he and Metalicanna used to stay "and you look like you haven't aged a day," she said

"Yeah," Gajeel said, "got trapped in a spell for seven years" Gajeel looked away, purposely avoiding the topic of Tenrou Island and everything connected "got out of it about a week ago," Gajeel admitted

"I see," Belno said "well, it is good to see," she told her attention going to a small picture that was on a table Gajeel noted that it was her son in the image, and strangely though he didn't like to admit it, he did look like him minus the piercing she "so did you come over here on a job."

"Yeah," Gajeel sat down. "I became a solo wizard recently," Gajeel said "

"You did," Belno asked in shock. "I have to say I never thought you would go that route after phantom lord was forced to disband," she shook her head, "as long as you are doing fine, I suppose."

Gajeel laughed. He remembered that they argued all the time about phantom Lord. The conversation had always left a bad taste in his mouth "sorry about that," Gajeel started, "it just that you were the one that brought me there, ya know," Gajeel began to, "you took me in."

"I know," Belno said, "at the time, even I was blind to what that guild was doing" she looked away "after I left, I started to see what it was, a dark guild pretending to be in the light" she shook her head "but enough about our old guild" she smiled " tell me why solo wizarding."

"I got an offer," Gajeel said "you remember Magnolia, right" Belno nodded. "After everything, Juvia went there as well, and somehow through concern, I guess," he said, "she told them about me, and they told me to come there," he said the memory of his conversation with Mavis playing in his mind "and the rest is history."

Belno let a laugh come over her "you know," she said, "back when I was on the council, the other members were concerned about that town."

"Nothing weird goes on there," Gajeel laughed "there's just a bunch of idiots."

"Really now," Belno asked

"Yeah," Gajeel, "but it was a nice place to be."

"You and your friend plan on taking it back," Belno asked

"I don't know," Gajeel said, "it is our home, though, so I guess."

"Our home," Belno said

"Yeah," he smiled, "in a way, I finally found somewhere I can belong."

"I'm happy for you, Gajeel," Belno said, "and I am happy to see you as well" she smiled, "you are always welcome here. I hope you know that"

"Yeah, thanks," Gajeel said, "for everything," he added, "you never had to do what you did for me, and well."

"I understand," Belno said as she handed him some old iron she had lying around, "and your welcome, Gajeel." she gave him a warm smile "I'm just glad to be able to see you once again"

Natsu and Wendy sat underneath a tree, the setting sun creating an orange hue as they leaned against the tree, Happy and Carla lying on their respective laps. "I don't think we're going to get to shirotsume in time, kid."

"Hey, it's alright," Wendy started "besides, it's nice to have simple jobs, ya know" she smiled; the job went off without a hitch. It was a simple escort, and the only threat was a couple of bandits, but with her and Natsu, it was a piece of cake.

"Do you think" Natsu started "never mind," he said

"what's wrong," Wendy asked, getting nothing but silence. She shook her head. She followed his gaze and noticed he was looking to the sky "you know," Wendy said, walking over to him placing her head on his shoulder. "I know this might seem silly," Wendy started, "but for a while, a small part of me hoped you ended up in Edolas," she said, "that you were with the other me and Lisanna."

"you're right," Natsu said, "though it's not too silly."

"Now," Wendy started, "having seen what that Wendy had to go through," she whispered, "losing people that you care about, I can't help but feel guilty," she said, "unlike her, I got lucky."

"Wendy," Natsu said, "I meant it ya know," Natsu told her, "I'm proud of you" he smiled at her. "I mean it," he placed a hand on her shoulder, "how you handled this job proved that"

"Yeah," Wendy said as she continued looking into the distance, "guess you're getting slow old man," Wendy said

"Watch it," Natsu said. "I can still lay you flat if I wanted"

"Whatever you say," Wendy said, walking off, "come on, let's try to get home before it gets too dark."

"Yeah, I'm coming, kid," Natsu said

"Aye," Happy said, "we can get some fish."

"Yes, I could use some rest as well," Carla added.

"And Natsu," Wendy said, "not a day went by that I didn't think about you guys" she smiled, "every day, I hoped that the nightmare that it was the past seven years would end."

"Well, it's over now," Natsu said

"Yeah," Wendy said before a thought came across her mind, "Hey, you think Acnologia is still out there."

"I know he is," Natsu said "let's just hope we don't run across him again," Natsu said

"And if we do," Wendy asked.

"let's cross that bridge if we ever come to it," Natsu said "but let's not worry about that," he said, wrapping an arm around her "come on, tell me more about the adventures you've been on while I was gone; we still have a lot of catching up to do."

"Aye," Happy said

"Yes," Carla said, "your exploits are exciting," she added

"Wow, Carla," Happy said, "I'm surprised you approved, Wendy has a habit of getting into more trouble than Natsu, and I did."

"Well, what can I say," she said as she jabbed Natsu in the side. "I get it, honest," Wendy said as they left their laughter filling the air. They wouldn't worry too much about their parent's Acnologia right instead now; they would enjoy the time they had together again, "like you and Lisanna said," Wendy said, "let it be Seven years or a century we just have to pick up where we left off."

"that's our way."

To be continued

I enjoyed writing this chapter mainly because I got to develop the relationship between Mira and Kinana, no shenanigans though. Still, it's nice to have the characters just interact every now and then. next time is a special chapter; then it's on to the next arc

Next time: a fairy tail of the past