Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! It's been a while since this was updated but I'm back with a new chapter, nothing else much to say other than hope you enjoy the chapter. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
After Naruto, Flare, Wendy, and Carla had returned to Cait Shelter with the addition of Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Lector, and Frosch. The group told Roubaul what happened on their Job, something that shocked the Guild Master since what should have been a simple mission lead to them encountering Acnologia. Though he was relieved that all of them made it out of the encounter alive, thanks to the appearance of both Gildarts and Zoro.
Roubaul had also allowed Kagura, Sting, and Rogue to join Cait Shelter, along with Lector and Frosch as well. With Kagura getting her Guild Mark in purple on her left hip, Sting in white on his left shoulder, Rogue in black on his right shoulder and another one in white on his jacket. While Lector and Frosch also got one on their clothes, Lector in red on his vest and Frosch in green on the sleeve of her frog suit.
Two weeks have passed since then, with Naruto, Flare, Wendy, and Carla getting back into their routine of training, while the new members got settled into the guild before joining in the training as well. All of them wanting to get stronger after the encounter with Acnologia, along with seeing how powerful Gildarts and Zoro were. Seeing firsthand that while they may be strong themselves, there were still beings, mages and even non-magic users in the world to remind them just how inexperienced they really were.
Now though, Sting and Rogue were inside the pavilion along with their partners and Kagura, the two Dragon Slayers wanting to finally take a Job Request. Wanting to see how much they've grown from their training and their experience against Acnologia.
"Alright, I've looked through the requests and this one should be a simple one, hopefully with no unexpected encounters or surprises." Roubaul said while handing them a Job Request, having begun getting more and more sent to Cait Shelter with the growing reputation they're getting.
"Awesome! Then that means it'll definitely be exciting!" Sting said eagerly while taking the flier, given the previous two Jobs the others went on were supposed to be simple only to end up being anything but, with Roubaul sighing in resignation at that.
'Unfortunately, he's not wrong.' Thought Roubaul, starting to think any Jobs they go on that seem simple end up being long, complicated, and very dangerous.
"Perhaps it'd be better to hope the Job does turn out simple, given what happened on the last one." Stated Rogue, preferring for an easier Job that didn't result in near-death experiences.
"No way! Sting can handle anything that happens and take out anyone who gets in our way! Even better that I'll be there to help!" Said Lector, with Frosch nodding in agreement with a smile on her face.
"Frosch wants to go and help Rogue too." Frosch said, making both Dragon Slayers look at their partners with frowns.
"Uh…actually Lector, maybe you and Frosch should stay here while we handle it." Said Sting, not wanting them to come in case things do get dangerous.
"Agreed, given the encounter with Acnologia, it would be better to wait until Sting and I are stronger to better look after you two." Rogue added, also not wanting to risk anything, especially with how Frosch could have died if it wasn't for Naruto.
"But we can help this time, watch!" Lector said, before Sting, Rogue, Roubaul, and Kagura were surprised when both cats began glowing and transforming.
Once the glow faded, it revealed Lector and Frosch had transformed into two human kids.
With Lector being a boy with black eyes, fair skin, dark red spiky hair that spiked in every direction away from his head, with two cat ears on top of his head that would be mistaken as tuffs of hair, along with a matching tail sticking from his tailbone. While wearing his blue vest, dark red shorts, and blue sandals.
While Frosch was a girl with pale skin, black eyes, a prominent blush on her cheeks, and light green hair that went down to just above her shoulders, with her ears sticking out of her hood and her tail still being present as well. Along with wearing her regular pink frog suit.
"See, now we can fight and learn magic too!" Lector said with a smirk, while the others looked at them in surprise.
"How did you learn to do that?" Rogue asked in surprise and amazement.
"Carla taught Frosch and Lector her Transformation Magic. Now Frosch and Lector can help Rogue and Sting, and learn new magic too." Said Frosch with a smile, happy for the chance to learn magic and help Rogue on Jobs.
Sting and Rogue were surprised by this before they soon smiled at their partners.
"Okay, I guess if you want to help that badly then you can come. And now we can all get stronger together!" Sting said, willing to let them come if they're able to use magic and fight with them.
"Agreed, though at the moment you can only use Transformation Magic, so you'll still need to be careful." Added Rogue, also agreeing to let them join them, but also wanting them to stay safe until they learn more magic.
"Alright! Just wait, we'll be the strongest mages in the whole Guild!" Lector said, glad at the chance to go on a Job with them.
"Speaking of, where is Naruto? We haven't seen him at all today." Said Rogue, wondering where the Hell Flame Dragon Slayer was, with Sting also wondering this as well.
"He's out training again." Kagura replied with a frown, given that seemed to be all Naruto has been doing since they got back.
"Yes, he is. But at least Flare, Wendy, and Carla are with him to ensuring nothing too extreme or dangerous happens and that he'll be fine." Roubaul said, knowing Flare will be able to make sure he doesn't accidently burn the forest down, Wendy to heal and injuries and strain he may end up suffering from, and Carl to make sure he doesn't do anything too reckless.
But even with those three with Naruto, the Guild Master knew it wasn't good for Naruto to be training nonstop like he was doing.
"Though at the rate he's going, he may end up doing more harm than good to himself." Added Roubaul, given the fact Naruto's been training since they got back from that Job Request.
Along with remembering the shock and fear he felt that they'd actually encounter Acnologia, knowing that anyone who encounters the Dragon of Magic could only pray to die quickly. Only to also be surprised at learning he let them live and the reason why.
"Shouldn't someone try stopping him?" Questioned Sting with a frown, as while he enjoyed trained as much as anyone else, he knew there were also limits to how long you can go before you have to stop.
"Agreed. What he's doing can't be healthy. If he doesn't take a break soon, he may end causing permanent damage to his body and Magical Core." Kagura said, agreeing that they should try to get Naruto to take a break from training.
"Yes, I agree that he should take a break and rest, but I don't think he'd listen or care about what happens to himself. After encountering a being such as Acnologia and that he's the one who killed his parents, it's not surprising that Naruto is pushing himself as hard as he is. Especially with how they lost that girl, Isaribi, on their previous Job. He likely doesn't wish to experience such a loss again if he becomes stronger." Roubaul said, making everyone to grow solemn at the mention of their previous Job.
As while Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Lector, and Frosch hadn't met Isaribi, they had been able to see and hear how much she meant to Naruto, Flare, Wendy, and Carla. With Sting wincing, given how insensitive he'd been about it when he first learned what happened, the reminder still being fresh in his mind.
And then the encounter with Acnologia and having seen what a Dragon Slayer could turn into. Not just a Dragon, but a creature that reveled in destruction and death. Something that he could become, with how he took pride in killing his adoptive father, Weisslogia.
"No. I'll never become like him." Sting muttered while shaking his head, refusing to become like Acnologia before looking at the others.
"We should get going, we still have a Job to complete." Said Sting, with Rogue, Lector, and Frosch nodding in agreement.
"Yeah! Let's get going!" Lector said in agreement, eager to head out.
"Bye Kagura, Bye Master! Could you give Naruto Frosch's regards and that Frosch said bye? And tell Naruto that Frosch will see him again when Frosch gets back?" Frosch asked, looking at Kagura and Roubaul who nodded.
"We'll let him know Frosch. And good luck to you all on your Job and returning safely." Replied Roubaul with an amused smile.
"Indeed, make sure not to do anything reckless or get in over your heads. And I'm sure he'll be happy that you'll want to see him, when you return." Kagura said with a smirk, making Frosch blush lightly before smiling at the idea Naruto will be happy to see her.
"Frosch hopes so, bye-bye!" Said Frosch, with Rogue looking at his partner with a light frown.
'I'll need to speak with Naruto about this.' Rogue thought seeing how Frosch had been getting closer to Naruto when she was able to, knowing she developed a crush for the whiskered blonde after he saved her.
And he wasn't going to let Naruto hurt his friend in anyway, especially since he's been able to see that Frosch isn't the only girl that's pining for the Uzumaki's affection.
The two Dragon Slayers and their partners then headed out to complete their Job Request, with Roubaul watching them go with a smile at how the guild has grown. Seeing new members joining and the bonds being formed between them, it did warm his spirit to see this generation grow.
'Is this how Makarov feels with the members of his guild? Watching them grow before his eyes, to become stronger than the previous generation and help guide the next?' Thought Roubaul, wondering if this how Makarov felt being the Guild Master of Fairy Tail.
Only for his mood to turn solemn, knowing that this guild was originally created for Wendy, having hoped that one day she could meet members of another guild and bond with them. Making it less painful when she learned the truth and giving her friends to help her, along with a new guild to join. But now with more members joining, along with Cait Shelters rising reputation, things won't be that simple anymore for them to simply vanish.
'I need to find a successor and soon.' Thought Roubaul, knowing he'll need to find someone who can take over as Guild Master and help make Cait Shelter a real Guild rather than just an illusion.
"Something on your mind, Master?" Kagura asked upon seeing the expression on Roubaul's face, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing Kagura, just hoping that at least one Job Request can go smoothly with no unforeseen surprises." Replied Roubaul, making the purplette nod in agreement, hoping not all future Jobs end up being like the last two the others have been on.
Though their attention turned to the entrance of the pavilion when they heard someone walking in, only for Kagura and Roubaul to be shocked when they saw who it was.
*With Naruto, Flare, Wendy, and Carla*
Meanwhile, Naruto was hard at work training to improve his Energy-Make Magic and Hell Flame Dragon Slayer Magic, as well training himself physically. The whiskered blonde continuously pushing himself, all while ignoring his body practically screaming at him to stop and rest.
While nearby, Flare, Wendy and Carla were watching him while getting their own training done, though not pushing themselves as hard as Naruto has been. Something that concerned the three girls as they also watched the Uzumaki keep pushing himself.
"I'm getting really worried about Naruto-kun. I know he trains really hard, but this is just getting dangerous." Wendy said, worried that even with her Healing Magic, she won't be able to repair the damage to Naruto's body if he keeps going at the rate he is.
"Yeah, I'm worried too. I just wish he'd listen and take a break." Said Flare, also worried and wishing they could get Naruto to rest, but he always refused to listen and kept training.
"He should be taking better care of himself. If he's so eager to destroy his body, he should find more monsters to break it for him. Rather than forcing us to watch him hurt himself." Stated Carla while crossing her arms, though also looked at Naruto in concern, making Flare and Wendy look at her.
"Since when did you start worrying about Naruto-kun's condition? Don't you hate him?" Flare asked, noticing how it seemed Carla had started being less annoyed with Naruto.
"O-of course I'm worried! Even if I find the delinquent annoying at times, it doesn't mean I hate him! He's still a guildmate and it's only right to be worried for his health! N-nothing more!" Retorted Carla before turning away.
"Maybe, but that's never stopped you from butting heads with Naruto-kun. Are you sure it's just that Carla?" Questioned Wendy while looking at her partner in suspicion, especially with what Tashigi had said about them being like her and Zoro.
"Yes, it is! There's nothing else besides being guildmates and the fact you two care about him, though heaven knows why with his pigheaded and stubborn attitude! It's a miracle he hasn't driven us crazy already!" Carla said quickly, with Flare and Wendy still looking at her before glancing at each other.
Both girls could tell that Naruto and Carla had seem to have grown closer since the Forest of Death, during the time when they were separated. As while they can still annoy each other and butt-heads, it didn't have the same bite and spite that it had before.
"Wh-why don't you try worrying about getting him to stop training than why I'd worry about the delinquent!" Said Carla, wanting to change the subject, with the God Slayer and Dragon Slayer both nodding as they looked back at Naruto and nodded knowing they needed to stop him.
"Naruto-kun!" Flare said as they went up to the Uzumaki, making Naruto pause in his training.
"What is it Flare? And can it wait, I'm not finished with my training." Said Naruto, not wanting to be interrupted.
"No, it can't wait! All you've been doing is training since we got back Naruto-kun, you need to stop and rest!" Said Wendy, not wanting Naruto to just brush them off.
"I'm fine, I've said I'm fine every time you ask me to stop and rest! There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep training and getting stronger." Naruto retorted stubbornly.
"There is when doing so hurts those that care for you, which Wendy and Flare both do for reasons that escape me! As apparently you don't care enough about them to take better care of yourself, instead pushing yourself to the point you won't be doing anything ever again!" Carla said, narrowing her eyes at Naruto in anger, given his training was also hurting Wendy with the state he's in.
"Naruto-kun, please just take a break? At least for a few hours at most, enough time to relax and let Wendy heal you. Please." Flare said, pleadingly to her friend, only for Naruto to stubbornly shake his head.
"I can't stop training now; I need to keep getting stronger." Stated Naruto, making the girls frown at seeing he wouldn't stop.
"You should listen to them and stop to rest." Said a familiar voice, getting the group's attention, only for them to be surprised when they saw Erza approaching them.
"While it's admirable you wish to grow stronger, it means nothing if all you accomplish in the end is hurting yourself and your Nakama. So, you should listen to them and rest Naruto, if you've really been training for as long as you have been." Erza said, with the group shaking off their surprise and smiling at the S-Class Mage.
"Erza! It's really great to see you again." Said Wendy, happy to see Erza after the last time they met.
"Yes, we didn't think we'd see you again for a while now. Not that it's an unpleasant surprise." Carla added since it's surprising to see Erza visit them like this.
"Yeah, it's nice to see you visit. But what're you doing here?" Questioned Flare, wondering why the older redhead decided to visit now of all times.
"It's nice to see you all again as well and I see you've learned Transformation Magic, Carla; you look very lovely in your new form. It also looks like your hair is beginning to grow back as well, Wendy." Erza replied while seeing Carla's human form along with how Wendy's hair was beginning to grow back from when she cut it.
With Wendy nodding while grabbing a strand of her hair, with it having now grown just past her shoulders.
"Yeah, it's just started growing back recently. But I'm wondering if I should cut it again." Wendy said, considering cutting her hair again back to the previous length.
"If that's what you want, but I think your long hair suited you better." Stated Erza, believing Wendy looked better with long hair, with Naruto nodding in agreement.
"You really did look better with long hair, Wendy. Since you looked really great whenever you were fighting and training with it flowing behind you or flying around with your wind. It made it look like you were dancing." Said Naruto while smiling at the bluenette, who blushed at his compliment and that he thought she looked better with long hair.
"Well…I guess I could…let my hair grow long again, if you think I really look better with it long Naruto-kun." Wendy said, with the Uzumaki nodding.
"I think you look good, no matter what, Wendy. But yeah, I did like your long hair better." Naruto replied, making Wendy's blush grow while she smiled, with Flare and Carla both being annoyed at this.
'Well Naruto-kun likes my hair color more and it's long, so HA!' Thought Flare, taking comfort in knowing Naruto liked her red hair and she always kept it long.
'I will not let you corrupt Wendy more than you already have! Even if I have to get your attention on me!' Carla thought protectively, only to freeze and blush at the latter part of her thoughts before quickly shaking her head.
'N-no! I-I'm just l-lo-looking out for We-Wendy! And if th-that means s-su-suffering that deviant's at-attention on me, s-so be it!' Thought Carla, assuring herself she's merely protecting Wendy from being "corrupted".
Though she absentmindedly grabbed a strand of her hair, wondering if she should grow it out as well.
'They're all so adorable.' Thought Erza in amusement seeing the Third Generation Dragon Slayer blush at Naruto's compliments, along with Flare's and Carla's expressions.
"So, Erza, what are you doing here anyway?" Carla asked, wanting to change the subject from Naruto "corrupting" Wendy and "sacrificing" herself to get his attention on her instead.
"Well, aside from wishing to visit and see how you all are doing; Master Makarov had also heard about what happened to Gildarts and how you all helped us. So, he sent me to invite you over to Fairy Tail so he can thank you personally for everything you've done." Erza revealed, surprising the four at hearing why she's here.
"Fairy Tail's Guild Master…wants to see us?" Said Flare in surprise and amazement, while liking the idea of seeing what's considered the strongest Guild in Fiore, if not all of Ishgar.
"We could actually see Fairy Tail and all the members in it." Wendy said, also amazed and liking the idea of visiting Fairy Tail, along with seeing all the other mages.
"It…it would be an honor to visit such an esteemed Guild." Said Carla knowing it'd be amazing to visit such a powerful Guild.
Erza smiled at their words, glad that they'd be happy to see Fairy Tail for themselves, before looking at Naruto who frowned and shook his head.
"Sorry Erza, I'd like to go, but I still have a lot of training to do." Naruto replied as while he'd like the chance to go to Fairy Tail, he still had his training to complete, much to the girls' annoyance that he still refused to stop.
"Why exactly do you feel the need to train so much Naruto? What happened since the last time I saw you all?" Questioned Erza, wondering what could have happened since their last encounter before looking to Flare, Wendy, and Carla for answers.
With the girls filling the redhead in on what happened on their most recent Job, surprising Erza at they had to go against and the fact they survived an encounter with Acnologia. Before realizing why Naruto's pushing himself when they reveal that Acnologia had known Naruto's parents and was the one who killed them. With them only being spared due to him impressing Acnologia enough to let them live, while seeing that Naruto was pushing himself on the chance the Dragon King returned.
Though she frowned when they then told her that ever since coming back, Naruto's done nothing but train, with him barely eating or sleeping. Something Erza now noticed as she took a closer look at Naruto, seeing that it's a miracle he's even able to stand up, let alone keep moving.
"Naruto, while I understand your desire to become stronger to protect your comrades, which is an admirable goal, you still must take a break. Something all your friends definitely agree on, especially if you're barely eating or sleeping. And when was the last time you even took a shower?" Erza asked as her face scrunched up as she also smelled how bad Naruto was.
"Yes, he's barely eaten a full meal or slept an entire hour. We've tried getting him to stop, but as you can see, the idiot is rather stubborn and now seems to be on a mission to kill himself through sheer exhaustion." Stated Carla while crossing her arms under her breasts, with Naruto looking at her in annoyance.
"Go lick yourself, cat! And you say I'm an idiot, then what does that make you for following me back in the Forest of Death?!" Naruto retorted, making Carla narrow her eyes at him.
"Well excuse me for being worried and wanting to keep you out of trouble! Since one of us needed to think clearly!" Said Carla, with the two glaring at each other.
"Yeah, after you got us into trouble by leading us into a river, after being chased by giant bats!" Said Naruto, with the white-haired girl growling as her claws came out.
"At least I admitted my mistakes! You still refuse to think you're making any!" Carla shouted, ready to knock him down a few pegs.
"I'm not doing anything wrong! And why do you care if I'm training?!" Naruto yelled with flames appearing around his body.
"I don't care! Since you clearly don't care that we're worried and concerned about you!" Carla retorted with her body glowing slightly.
"Enough!" Erza shouted while pulling Naruto and Carla away from each other, giving them both a warning look before setting them back down.
"Alright Naruto, how about this, you'll have a match against me. If you win, we won't bother you anymore and you can keep training. But if I win, then you will stop and take break, along with coming with us to Fairy Tail. Is that agreeable to you?" Erza asked, with Naruto frowning and thinking it over before nodding.
"Okay." Replied Naruto, making Erza smirk at seeing she got him to agree before they stood across from each other.
"Requip: Flame Empress Armor!" Erza said, changing her Heart Kreuz Armor to her Flame Empress Armor.
The armor is predominantly dark red in color, but also has orange and black parts, with the orange parts being shaped like flames and the other parts being reminiscent of Dragon's limbs. It consists of the following parts: the breastplate, the gauntlets, and the greaves. The breastplate lacks pauldrons, revealing Erza's shoulders, and extends down to cover her groin, revealing her legs and, in a way, being reminiscent of a one piece swimming suit, with an orange part covering her breasts and another one circling her waist like a belt. The black parts are mostly decorative, with the exception of the one covering her groin. The breastplate also possesses a pair of Dragon-like wings attached to it. The gauntlets sport prominent orange decorations, along with small claw-like protrusions on the hands. The greaves are shaped like Dragon's claws which possess orange-colored knee guards and black parts which extend up from the knees to the upper part of the thighs. In addition to all of this, while donning this outfit, Erza's hair is tied into a pair of high, long pigtails by clips, resembling Dragon's horns in some way.
It also came with a large sword which is mostly dark red in color, with the exception of a small sliver of black in the middle, and bears orange decorations on its hand guard.
"Whenever you're ready, Naruto." Erza said, already knowing this fight won't take long simply from Naruto's current state alone.
"Energy-Make: Chains!" Shouted Naruto, holding his hands out and shooting dozens of red chains out of his hands towards Erza, with the redhead jumping off to the side, avoiding them.
Only for the chains to follow after Erza, making her raise her sword with flames coating it before swinging it, releasing a wave of flames that destroyed the chains. With Naruto then rushing forward and devouring the flames.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Overheat!" Naruto said before releasing a massive amount of hellfire in a fiery explosion, with Titania waving her sword cutting a path through the flames and rushing through it towards the Uzumaki, who jumped into the air to get away from her.
"Energy-Make: Drill!" Said Naruto before he began spinning around and was surrounded by a drill made of magical energy, which spun around before launching itself towards Erza.
Raising her sword, Erza narrowed her eyes at the drill tried piercing her sword, only for it to suddenly disperse much to Naruto's surprise. Before he grunted in pain when the redhead kicked him away, with the Uzumaki hitting the ground before getting back up shakily.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Firefly Lights!" Said Naruto, creating a Magic Circle that released numerous glowing red/orange lights that surrounded Erza.
"Energy-Make: Dome!" Naruto said, slamming his hands on the ground as a crimson dome rose up around Erza and the lights, trapping the S-Class Mage.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Fire Doll!" Naruto said as he triggered the lights, making them explode around Erza.
Once the explosions stopped, Naruto dropped the barrier, panting heavily in exhaustion. Only to tense when he didn't see Erza anywhere, before suddenly feeling a rush of air right behind him.
"It's over." Erza stated from behind Naruto, smacking him in the back of his head with the flat of her sword, with the whiskered blonde letting out a grunt before falling to the ground unconscious.
With Wendy, Flare, and Carla immediately rushing over to him, with the former using her Sky Dragon Slayer Magic to start healing Naruto and help with his fatigue. Having been unable to do earlier since he was too caught up in his training.
"Thank you, Erza. I don't think anything else would have gotten him to stop training." Said Flare, grateful that Naruto's finally stopped, with the older redhead nodding as she switched back to her Hearts Kreuz Armor.
"He does have a lot of talent and strength, and I'm sure he'll become a truly powerful mage. But it won't do him any good if he burns himself out before he can truly utilize that potential, or if he's too exhausted to use it. Now let's get him back to the Guild Hall." Said Erza before picking Naruto up, with the girls nodding as they head back to Cait Shelter.
*Timeskip-Five Days*
When Naruto woke up, he felt much better than he has in the last few weeks, feeling more rested and energized, though still feeling exhausted. With his stomach soon rumbling, reminding him of how hungry he was as well.
'I guess it wouldn't hurt to get something to eat.' Thought Naruto before getting up and heading to the main guild building for breakfast.
The Uzumaki finding Flare, Wendy, Carla, Erza, Kagura, and Roubaul already inside, before they all looked to him when he entered.
"Naruto-kun! You're finally awake!" Flare said, smiling happily at her friend, glad that he's awake and is starting to look much better as well.
"Yeah I am. But how long was I asleep?" Asked Naruto as he sat down and began eating.
"You've been asleep for five days now." Revealed Wendy, seeing just how tired Naruto was that he slept for five days, something that shocked the whiskered blonde.
"Five days?!" Naruto said, not believing he'd been asleep for five days.
"Yes, you deviant, five days. Do you see now what pushing yourself for so long does? Just be grateful you were knocked out here at the Guild, rather than out on a Job where anything could have happened." Carla stated while rolling her eyes, with Naruto frowning as he began eating more quickly.
"That just means I have a lot of training to catch up on." Said Naruto, much to their disbelief and annoyance before Erza put a hand on Naruto's shoulder to keep him in place.
"Don't even think about it, Naruto. As don't forget our bet, which I won, meaning you have to take a break from training to rest and come with us to Fairy Tail. Unless I need to tie you up." Erza said while looking at him with narrowed eyes, much to Naruto's chagrin as he gave a reluctant nod.
"Yeah, I remember and fine. I…won't train and go with you all to Fairy Tail." Naruto replied reluctantly, still wanting to get more training done, with Titania nodding before standing up.
"Good, but before we go, you need a shower, so let's go and get you clean. And to ensure you actually do so and don't try to run off, I'll be bathing with you." Said Erza before dragging Naruto off to the bathrooms, much to the shock of Flare, Wendy, Carla, Kagura, and Roubaul.
'Naruto you really are a lucky bastard, aren't you.' Thought Roubaul, seeing how lucky Naruto was to bathe with one of the most beautiful women in all of Fiore, if not all of Ishgar.
'What?!' Thought Flare and Wendy, feeling incredibly jealous that Erza would be bathing with Naruto, even more so when they compared her body to their own.
'Why does she have to look like that?!' Flare thought while crossing her arms over her much smaller chest, hating how beautiful and mature Erza's body was.
A sentiment that Wendy shared, while feeling even worse about it.
'I'll never be able to get Naruto-kun's attention while stuck like this!' Thought Wendy, looking down at her own petite body depressingly, since thanks to Amachi's experiments, she's now stuck with her petite body forever.
The bluenette being depressed that Flare, Kagura, and probably even Carla and Frosch will keep growing into beautiful women, while now having Erza to deal with as well!
"It's…it's okay Wendy, you're beautiful no matter what your body looks like. Plus, some guys like petite women, and Naruto even said you look good no matter what. So don't feel discouraged in trying to win his feelings and affection." Grandeeney said comfortingly to her adopted daughter, making Wendy feel a little better.
"H-ho-ho-how sh-sh-sh-shameless are yo-yo-you?!" Carla said in disbelief and embarrassment that Erza would be willing to bathe with Naruto.
'At least he already got to see my body and underwear, even if he didn't see everything!' Thought Carla with a mental smirk, already knowing the Uzumaki liked her body, before she froze and blushed.
'N-no-not by ch-ch-cho-choice! I-I'd ne-never willing sh-sh-show th-that pervert my bo-body, if he wa-wanted to s-see it! N-no-not that I bl-blame h-hi-him if he did, s-since h-ho-how could he resist me…NOT LIKE THAT!' Carla thought while shaking her head rapidly of what she was thinking about.
'Was…was Erza always like this?' Kagura wondered in surprise, not sure if Erza was like this back in Rosemary Village.
Unfortunately, her memories of the redhead were kind of fuzzy, with how long it's been. Hell, she only now started to remember her, after recognizing the similarities between her and the girl who hid her from the cultists that attacked their village.
While Naruto could do nothing as Erza dragged him off, despite his protests and struggles.
*Later*
"Er-Erza! I can wash myself! You really don't need to be in here with me!" Naruto exclaimed in embarrassment as he and Erza were both currently in a shower together, naked as the redhead was currently helping him wash himself.
With Naruto desperately trying to hide his erection, given how he could just barely feel Erza's breasts brushing against the back of his head, along with being this close to a naked girl.
"Nonsense, there's nothing wrong with skin ship between comrades. And after that Job Natsu and I helped you all on, I have come to see you and the others as friends and comrades as well, so it's perfectly fine if I help you." Replied Erza while helping to wash his body, with the Uzumaki feeling touched by her words that she considered him and the girls friends and comrades.
"Thanks, Erza, that really means a lot. And I feel the same after working with both of you and getting to know you. I think you and Natsu are really cool mages, and I'm glad to have met you both." Naruto said while smiling at Erza, which she returned.
"I'm glad to have met you as well, Naruto. You're certainly an interesting person and I'm sure you'll grow into a powerful mage one day. But that also means you need to learn to take things slowly and rest when you need it, otherwise you'll only hurt yourself." Erza stated, making Naruto look down and frown.
"Yeah, I know that. But I need to get stronger, after everything that happened, I just felt so weak. Even if we made it out alive, what if we didn't. I need to get stronger, so nothing like our last two Jobs happens again." Said Naruto, not wanting anyone else to die, like Isaribi had, or end up in a situation where they encounter someone far stronger than them, who could kill them if they wanted to.
Though Naruto was surprised when Erza suddenly hugged him from behind, while blushing and working hard to hide his erection at feeling Erza's beasts pressed against his back. Due redhead having gone down on her knees and the positioning of her body.
"I know what you're feeling, Naruto. The feeling of being weak, of being helpless, of not knowing if there's anything you can do to help. No matter how badly you want to, but you just can't." Erza said softly, making Naruto relax in her embrace.
"You do, don't you." Naruto stated after hearing the tone in her voice and knew that she did know the feeling.
"Yes, I do. It happened when I was really young, my village was attacked by Dark Mages, taking many of us prisoner, including me. We were imprisoned and trapped for years, along with many others that were captured and held prisoner as well. We had tried escaping one day, only for it to fail, resulting in all of us being punished, some more than others. Until finally, we'd had enough and staged a rebellion with us finally breaking free. But during the escape, someone I cared about had been killed saving my life; that's when I awakened my magic and defeated the Dark Mages. It wasn't long after that I went to Fairy Tail and joined them, where I trained myself day and night, not stopping to rest. Barely eating or taking care of myself, while even staying distant from my guildmates. All I could think about as growing stronger, strong enough to make sure what happened to me never happened to anyone else." Erza said, telling him an edited version of what happened to her in the Tower of Heaven, while keeping the real truth hidden.
"What made you stop?" Asked Naruto while turning his head to look at Erza.
"Master Makarov did, he helped me see that strength didn't mean anything if I didn't use it to protect those I cared about. To have something worth protecting and defending. It wasn't until I started opening up to the rest of Fairy Tail that I understood what he meant and what it really means to be a member of Fairy Tail. It makes you part of a family that looks out for and defends each other. But it also means learning to not do everything on your own, to have others there to help you along the way. As what does it matter being the strongest, if there's no one around you once you reach that point." Said Erza, before turning Naruto around and smiling at him.
"And you have people that wish help you Naruto. Flare, Wendy, Carla, your new guildmates, even Natsu and me as well. You don't have to do everything on your own. Even against someone like Acnologia, you'll have people to help you against him." Erza said while smiling at the whiskered blonde, who soon smiled at the redhead and nodded.
"Okay, you're right Erza. And I'll try to train less, so I don't worry the others so much." Naruto replied, making Erza's smile widen as she was pleased to hear that.
"Great! Now let's finish getting cleaned up!" Said Erza before standing up, much to Naruto's embarrassment as he quickly turned around to avoid seeing her naked body.
Only to move too quickly and end up slipping backwards, with Naruto waving his arms around to try and catch himself, but ended up grabbing Erza and dragging her down along with him. With the S-Class Mage letting out an "Eep!" as she landed on top of Naruto. While the position of their bodies leads to Naruto's head being buried right between Erza's large breasts.
"S-s-s-so-so-sorry Er-Erz-Erza! I-I di-didn't m-me-mean t-t-to d-do-do th-tha-that!" Naruto stuttered in mortification and embarrassment, with Erza blushing brightly and biting her lip to suppress a moan at the feeling of Naruto rubbing against her breasts.
"It-it's f-fine, Na-Naruto! I-it was an ac-accident!" Replied Erza, her blush growing as she felt just how firm and developed Naruto's body was for his age.
'And hard.' Erza thought her blush growing even more when she felt the underside of something long and hard brushing between her thighs.
'This is like a scene from my novels.' Thought Erza with her blush growing more intense, along with gaining a slightly clouded look in her eyes at feeling like she's in one of her personal novels.
'Erza's so strong, but her skin feels so smooth and soft.' Thought Naruto, unable to help but feel how Erza's body felt, along how soft and firm her breasts were, not to mention how big they were, thinking they must be at least DD-cup.
Thankfully, the two were able to fight off their temptation and soon got up, while looking away from each other. Both their faces glowing bright red at what just happened.
"Um…well let's finish getting clean, shall we." Erza said, pushing her previous thoughts aside and focusing back on the task at hand.
"I-I c-can ac-actually fi-finish m-my-myself, Er-Erza." Naruto said quickly, not sure how much longer he could last if Erza kept helping to wash him.
"Hmm, well I suppose you are almost done, so I think you can finish on your own." Said Erza, seeing that she already helped wash most of his body, so the redhead figured he could finish without her help.
"Ye-yeah, th-thanks for the h-help and…what you said. It really means a lot." Replied Naruto smiling, with the redhead gaining a smile as well.
"I'm glad I could help Naruto. And don't hesitate to ask for anything again if I can help you with anything." Said Erza, wanting him to know he can come to her for help.
"I-I will, th-thanks." Naruto said, before they resumed their joined shower/bath.
"By the way, could you help wash my back Naruto?" Erza asked, making the whiskered blonde suddenly freeze at her request.
'…I'm not gonna survive.' Thought Naruto.
*Later*
Luckily, it didn't take long before the two finished and exited the shower, with Naruto putting on some fresh clothes and Erza Requipping her armor.
"Um…despite it being awkward for a while. That was…actually really nice, Erza." Said Naruto while smiling at the S-Class Mage, which she returned.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it Naruto. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with skin ship between comrades and friends, as it'll help you grow closer together." Erza replied, glad he thought it was nice.
"I doubt that Flare, Wendy, and Carla would think the same if I tried bathing with them; especially the latter." Muttered Naruto before the two headed back to the guildhall to meet up with the others.
"Glad to see you two are back." Wendy said, while hiding her annoyance at how long they were in the shower together.
"Yeah, we talked for a while, making it last longer. Is something burning?" Naruto asked, since it smelled like something was on fire.
"Something was. I had to burn your sheets and the clothes you were wearing Naruto-kun, given how dirty you were from your training and lack of sleep." Replied Flare, making Naruto wince that she had to do that.
"Oh, I'm really sorry you had to do that Flare." Said Naruto, feeling bad that he basically thrust that onto his friend, thanks to his actions.
"Did anything funny happen in the shower?" Carla demanded while looking at the two with narrowed eyes, suspicious that something happened, with Naruto blushing at what had happened; thankfully, no one seemed to noticed.
Though the white-haired girl also couldn't deny that part of her actually felt jealous that Naruto saw Erza completely naked, while only seeing her in her underwear. Not to mention how developed the redhead was. With Wendy and Flare also feeling jealous of Erza's body compared to their own, while feeling insecure that Naruto would like her body more than theirs.
"N-no, n-nothing happened! We just talked and got to know each other better!" Naruto said quickly, with Erza nodding in agreement.
"Yes, it seemed like a good opportunity to get to know each other better, and I'm sure you all would benefit from bathing together as well. There's nothing wrong with skin ship between comrades, as it'll help you develop stronger bonds and grow closer." Erza added, making the girls blush at the idea of bathing together with Naruto.
'M-me-me a-an-and N-Na-Naruto-kun, b-ba-ba-bathing t-to-together?!' Flare thought, blushing brightly at the idea of showering with Naruto before her hair immediately caught fire from her magic and the thought of bathing with Naruto.
'Naruto-kun and me…in the shower together…naked…he'd see my body…and I could see his…' Thought Wendy with a blush slowly growing on her face, along with gaining a clouded look in her eyes.
'M-m-me?! Ba-bathing w-with th-that de-deviant?! H-he a-al-already saw me i-in m-my un-un-underwear! Bu-but I s-su-suppose it w-wouldn't b-be any di-different than then, and I s-suppose he's a-at least come far enough t-to get such a re-reward as b-ba-bathing w-with me.' Thought Carla, thinking that Naruto's come far enough that she supposed she'd let him see her naked, only to freeze and blush brightly.
"Yo-yo-you, you truly are shameless!" Said Carla in embarrassment that she'd actually suggest that, while hastily pushing her thoughts to the deepest corner of her mind along with regaining her composure.
"Anyway! Flare and I also packed all of our stuff for the trip to Magnolia while you two were in the shower. So, we're ready to go whenever we need to." Wendy said, desperately wanting to change the subject.
"And if it's alright, I wish to join you in visiting Magnolia and Fairy Tail." Said Kagura, wanting to go with them to Fairy Tail.
Partly because if Erza and Simon were taken to the same place by those cultist slavers, then she may have information on her brother and his whereabouts. And Kagura didn't want to lose the chance to finally find her brother after so many years.
"I don't see a problem with you joining us, and we can even leave right now if you're ready." Erza replied, not minding if Kagura joined them.
"We are. We'll see you soon Master, when we get back." Flare said to Roubaul.
"If the others get back before we do, tell them where we are so they don't get worried." Added Wendy in case Sting, Rogue, Lector, and Frosch got back before them.
"We'll make sure the deviant doesn't get into too much trouble, Master." Carla said, much to the Uzumaki's annoyance.
"And we'll make sure the furball doesn't try marking her territory everywhere." Said Naruto, with Carla hissing in anger at him, while Roubaul laughed lightly and nodded.
"Of course children and take care while you're away. Safe travels." Roubaul said, waving to the group as they exited the guildhall.
The group waving in return as they left to make their way to Magnolia.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see the group having returned to Cait Shelter along with Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Lector, and Frosch, the latter five having also been able to join the guild. Then getting a small timeskip with Sting and Rogue going out on a Job, with Lector and Frosch going as well after revealing they learned Transformation Magic from Carla, along with learning Naruto's been training nonstop since they returned much to he worry and concern of his guildmates. We also see Frosch has developed a crush on Naruto after he saved her from Acnologia, something Rogue notices and plans to have a talk with Naruto, before we see someone arriving at the guild. Then we see Naruto, Flare, Wendy, and Carla training, with the girls being worried about how hard Naruto is pushing himself, though Carla hides it behind annoyance, before seeing the person who is Erza who's come to visit along with an invitation from Makarov inviting them to Fairy Tail so he can meet them and thank them for their help to his guild. A chance the girls are excited to take while Naruto refuses instead focusing on his training, with Erza learning everything that happened before making a bet with Naruto that if he beats her they'll leave him alone but if she wins he has to stop training and go with them, leading to a fight between the two which Erza wins in the end, knocking Naruto out. Then we get a small timeskip of Naruto waking up and having to uphold his end of the bet before Erza then drags him off to take a shower with her joining him, much to the jealousy of Flare, Wendy, and even Carla. As we get a scene of Naruto and Erza bathing together, along with them growing closer (nothing romantic…yet), along with a moment where Naruto trips pulling Erza down on top of him, much to his embarrassment. Finally they finish up and get dressed, reuniting with the others, with the girls being embarrassed when Erza suggest they bathe together with Naruto as well, before they head out to Magnolia, being joined by Kagura who's hoping to get information about Simon. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
