edited Chapter 1 enjoy

It's been three days since Gajeel and Levy announced their relationship as mates to the guild.

Everyone couldn't be happier for the couple, none more the Natsu Dragneel.

If it wasn't for him, it might have been a month minimum before Levy accepted her feeling towards Gajeel.

After saying their goodbyes, Rogue left Fairy tail with Frosch and Lector.

After seeing the happy couple together, Natsu with Happy headed home since it was dark out.

Shortly after arriving, Natsu began to think about his mate he found all those years before the fairy sphere.

Natsu's thoughts are what might have been in the fairy sphere wasn't needed.

Just as he was about to lay down for sleep, his urge to find his mates forced him to his dresser.

He spent five minutes getting his travel bag ready, noticing this Happy had to ask.

"What's going on, Natsu? I haven't seen you this busy since the S class Trials," Happy said curiously.

"Huh, oh sorry, Happy, but I'm getting my stuff together. I decided to find my mate, " Natsu said with a smile on his face, not looking at Happy.

"REALLY, I was hoping you would for the longest time, but I didn't...wait, what about the others" Happy said with joy, then went to worry towards the end.

"Yeah, about that, if we wanna get out of Magnolia without drawing attention to ourselves, we going to have to leave now. Gramps should still be at the guild doing paperwork while everyone is in bed. Specifically, her," Natsu said sternly.

Happy only thought that immediately went to Lisanna as a frown slowly formed on his face at the thought.

"I know what you're thinking, Happy, but it can't be helped as much as I don't want to. I can't put this off any longer. I can't keep everyone happy at my own expense," tears were streaming down the Slayer's cheeks.

"Good, and before you ask, your right, you can't keep everyone happy the way you are now. Sometimes we have to hurt the one we love most so we can have a chance at finding happiness," Happy shouted with tears running down his face at all the pain his best friend went through.

"That's everything. Let's go tell Gramps what's going on. I don't want to worry him if we suddenly up and left without telling anyone. Besides, I need to write out the specific," Natsu said with all seriousness as he pulled out the pen and paper he had lying around.

Happy simply nodded, and like that, they started their journey across Fiore in search of Natsu mate.

(scene Change)

In the Master's office at the fairy tail guildhall

Makarov is currently in his office doing paper, usually from something important being destroyed on a job.

Yep while everyone is at home sleeping the night away. His children never let up, giving him more paperwork than imaginable, forcing him to stay at the guildhall at this ungodly hour.

"Man, those brats never let up, do they," Makarov said as a small smile grace his face.

The smile didn't last long as another thought came to him immediately after. This one was frustration.

"But why do their mistake cost me so much money!" Makarov shouts, crying anime tears.

Finishing the last of his paperwork, for now, Natsu walks in with Happy on his shoulder enters his office.

Makarov is quick to notice the pack on Natsu's back, which could only mean along-term journey.

"What brought you here, my boy? Looks like you're ready to go on a long journey," the guild master asked, eyeing down the Dragonslayer.

"Yeah, about that, I'm just letting you know I'm going on a journey, don't know how long it will be till I get back," He said, unable to look him in the eyes.

Makarov gave him a questioning look and was about to speak when he was interrupted by happy.

"Perhaps I can explain better, Master," Happy said, looking at Natsu for approval. He simply nodded

"Well, you see, Master, after the news of Gajeel marking Levy as his mate. This brought up some old thoughts, from before The S-class trials." Happy looked back and forth from Natsu and Makarov.

Makarov nodded for him to continue wanting to know more about what's going on with Natsu.

"Natsu found his mate when we stole that S-class quest, the galuna job. He didn't know it at the time. He later confirmed from the trials. Before I continue, promise, you won't tell anyone about this," Happy said sternly, leaving no room for argument.

"I assume this has to deal with making the guild thinking you're dumber than you portray," Makarov said with a smug grin.

Natsu and Happy could only chuckle nervously, unable to continue.

Before you ask, I may be old, but I'm not stupid. I didn't say anything because I assume you had your reason. I've known since we thought Lisanna died, you let the charade slip for a second. It was more than enough to confirm my suspicion that there was more than you were letting on. Before you ask, none of our current S class mages know this, not even Erza. We know how nosy she can be," Makarov said after shuttered at the memory of Erza wanting to know what the meeting he and Natsu had all those years ago.

Natsu shuddered at the memory before having a smile that Makarov didn't tell anyone about how smart he is.

"Well, I'm glad you know and didn't tell anyone, not that they would believe you. I would make sure that also here's a letter going into further detail. The only one I trust with its contents is you and Levy, obviously. See you whenever we get back, Gramps," Natsu said with his own cheeky grin.

"You two better come back in one piece along with that pretty lady friend of yours," Makarov said, still having a cheeky grin of his own.

"Will do. Come on, Happy let's make tracks before sunrise," Natsu said as he and Happy went flying out of the guild in thank to Happy wings.

Makarov watches Natsu and Happy fly as fast as the wind will carry them past the train station,

"Natsu, my boy, does this letter have anything to do with Lisanna coming back to us." Makarov thought to himself as he sat back in his chair, closing his eye. Luck would have it the guild doors don't open for few more hours.

(scene change)

Deep in the woods heading toward Crocus

"Natsu, can we stop now? I'm almost out of magic," Happy said just as his wings disappeared.

Gravity took over, forcing them to fall straight down through the trees landing with a thud.

"Well, if we were still in the air, I'd say yes, but we're past that," Natsu chuckled when he finished.

"Do you have any fish? I'm hungry after flying for so long," Happy said as his tummy rumbled.

"We should be near the river. I can hear the faint sound of rushing water, and we're not far away from our first stop," Natsu picked up his buddy, putting him on his shoulder.

Happy perked up at the thought of rushing water, which always means fish in Happy's eyes as he started to drool.

"Hey Natsu, you should reward me with fish for getting us this far by myself," he said with stars in his eyes at the thought of fish.

"agreed, since I'm getting hungry, the reward will have to wait, though! It's already noon, so we can stop for a bite to eat," he said with a smirk, knowing that would piss off Happy.

"That's Not Funny," Happy Yelled, covering his eyes with his paws as tears were gushed out in streams.

Conveniently he ran or flew in the direction of the river Natsu heard.

2 hours later, on the bank of the nearby river

Natsu and Happy were sitting on the riverbank, catching fish for dinner.

"Natsu, Where are we heading after we left the guildhall? You told me to go in this direction," Happy said curiously.

"Hmm, figured you'd ask that let me get my map out," He went through his pack and pulled out a map of Fiore laying ti down on the ground to get a full view,

"See where I'm pointing that's Crocus and not that far away are the mountains in the middle of fiore. Not many people know this, on the top of this mountain is where all air current converge. Once done, go high in the sky off to a distant land," he points his hand to where they're going.

"That still doesn't explain why we're going there," Happy put his paw on his chin, thinking intently.

"You forget I have an enhanced sense of smell because I'm a dragon slayer," he held yet another smug grin aimed towards Happy.

"I still don't get it" was the blue exceeds response.

"It's the easiest place to find her scent if we want to do this quickly," he held a slightly annoyed tone.

"Oh, why didn't you say so," He said bluntly, causing Natsu to floor himself at his best friend's antics at moments like this.

After recovering, Natsu went back to fishing. It was getting late, and he was hungry. Finally, after an hour later, both Natsu and Happy caught the two biggest fish in the river.

Happy, of course, ate his raw, and Natsu used his magic to cook.

Afterward, they continued their journey to the mountains Natsu talked about.

(scene change)

fairy tail guildhall

In his office, Makarov is fast asleep after staying up late with a bubble expanding and contracting in his nose.

Suddenly it pops, waking the Master of the fairy tail guild.

"Wha, what time is it … dang it's three o'clock, I overslept," Makarov said just under a yell, before sprinting past the door to the downstairs.

Makarov was breathing heavily after sprinting faster than Happy at Max's speed.

Like always, he sits atop the bar watching the guild doing its regular routine even though its liveliest members are far away from here.

"Master, it's good to see you up. I heard you sleeping in your office earlier, so I decided not to wake you. Where are Natsu and Happy? I haven't seen a hide nor hair of those two," Mirajane said innocently, not knowing the gravity of her statement.

Makarov did not want to hear that from her. No one knows what's going on with Natsu except him and Happy.

He can't say he's on the job. Mira tracks those. Makarov is caught between a rock and a hard place right now.

It didn't help that fairy tail celestial mage just walked in with the rest of Team Natsu.

"Natsu...Natsu, where are you? My rent due next week. I know you have more than enough to share after your last job. "Lucy ranted and raved all over the guild looking for him.

"you haven't seen him too, Lucy. That's surprising considering you're on the same team," Mirajane stated, looking away from Makarov.

Not long after what Mira said to Lucy, both girl's eyes fell on Makarov. He did not like the stares he is receiving from both of them.

"Well, Master, where is he," Mirajane asked once again.

Makarov let out I sigh before telling Lucy to go on a job to cover her rent or ask someone else for money cause Natsu earned that money from his last Job.

After Lucy stormed away to the job board, she grabbed one dragging Gray, leaving no room for arguing.

A water mage glared at the fading silhouette of Lucy walking away with her precious Gray-sama.

After Lucy's little outburst, Makarov asked Mira where Lisanna was. Her response went on a job earlier today won't be back till tomorrow.

Makarov let out a sigh of relief, telling Mira to meet him in his office after her shift and Elfman be there to no buts.

Mira asked why Makarov said it has to do with Natsu. This conversation didn't go unnoticed by the certain scarlet haired knight.

She learned some restraint after her fight with Natsu all those years ago.

She decided to wait until the Master tells the guild. Little did she know that thought would soon become a pipe dream.

Not long after, Wendy and Carla entered the guild with Gajeel, Levy, and Lily behind them.

Both slayers went straight to Makarov, asking him for a meeting in his office.

They left no room for arguing. He immediately called Mira and Elfman to the office.

Seeing this, Erza was pushed to the absolute limit of her self-control but was determined to let the Master explain himself later.

(scene change)

Makarov's office

"Master, mind telling us why Natsu and the Happy's scents were leading outside of town, and from the smell of it, they were in a hurry," Gajeel sneered.

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice. But I was a fool to underestimate your noses," Makarov said with a slight chuckle before handing the letter Natsu wrote, going into further detail.

"What's this Master," Levy said with a hint of worry.

"It's a letter from Natsu explaining why he Happy left. But to sum up, after seeing you announce your relationship to the guild. He made the decision to find his mate! The letter does a better job," Makarov said with his head held down.

Levy read the letter then passed it around. After everyone finished, there were mixed feelings in the room.

Wendy and Carla had tears going down their eyes Gajeel and lily had an unreadable expression on their faces.

Levy knew what Gajeel thought, Mira was on the verge of crying, and Elfman wasn't much better.

"So that's why you wanted to know where Lisanna was her heart will be shattered when she learns this," Mira finally broke out in tears.

"It's not…...manly to hide your pain, buts it's more…..manly to make sure everyone around you is still happy," Elfman said with sobs of his own.

"I had no idea Natsu-nii was going through this," Wendy broke out into tears, finally admitting as seeing him as an older brother.

"I have to admit I was not expecting this from the dragon slayer," Carla said, a little sad at this revelation.

"We shouldn't be too surprised by this. No matter how you look at Natsu, he is still a dragon slayer like Gajeel and the others. All we can do is hope he finds her and comes back to us soon," Levy said, hoping to lighten up the mood.

"Gajeel, what are your thoughts," their Master asked with a glum look in his eyes.

"Levy Said it like it is. He's still a dragon slayer. Therefore, nothing we can do. I say, let it be. This is something that only Salamander can do if the guild found out now, they'd only get in his way. I assume Happy went because he trusts him in this," was Gajeels's answer.

What Gajeel said got a round of nod from everyone, knowing he is right.

"Our next move is how are we going to break the news to Lisanna," Makarov said loud enough to get everyone's attention.

"Which part" Wendy said after getting through her sobs

"All of it," Makarov responded.

"Who's gonna tell her," Carla said, throwing in her two jewel.

"I will. After all, it's an older sibling's responsibility to take care of their younger siblings," Mira said with a smile. However, that smile held no warmth to it.

"What about Erza, Gray, and Lucy? What do we tell them and when," said a very concerned Wendy.

Everyone except Wendy and the exceeds faces paled at what she said.

She asked why she did not expect their answer.

"Well, you see Wendy in a situation like this. It's hard to know how Erza will react. There is a time where she would be understanding and leave it at that. Other times not so much. even I have trouble holding her back from punishing someone or getting answers." Makarov's face became whiter than snow in a whiteout.

"If I know Erza, she will hold off asking the Master about Natsu as long as she thinks is an acceptable amount of time before asking about him. assuming she doesn't read Natsu letter," said Mirajane with her usual cheery smile

Makarov had a slight glare at the door while Mira was talking. He saw metal boots through the crack at the bottom of the door.

Erza was eavesdropping for how long, he doesn't know.

"I hope she didn't hear too much," Makarov thought to himself.

(scene change)

In the guildhall

Erza currently doing her favorite pastime, eating strawberry cheesecake.

Then sobs were heard coming from the Master's office after he called a private meeting.

She wasn't the only one to notice. The rest of the guild notice as well.

Deciding not to take a chance of someone making it worse, she said she will see what's going on.

Hearing that, everyone went back to what they were doing before the sobs.

She carefully made her way to the door, trying not to blow her cover, and placed her ear to the door paying close attention to any and all noise on the other side of the door.

She couldn't make out much. All she heard was something about Natsu's letter, leaving having something to do with being a dragon slayer.

She heard next came out of the left-field. She heard Lisanna's name loud and clear, then complete silence.

Her mind began to pieces together everything she could make out.

Wherever Natsu is, it's connected with his magic, and what happened recently with Gajeel and Levy made her think he might go looking for his mate as well.

"But what does Lisanna have to do with this? Could it be about that letter she heard was connected to Natsu," she thought to herself.

She decided to drop it for now and wait for the Master to explain Later.

She quietly made her way back to the bar where Kinana has another slice of strawberry cheesecake waiting for her.

Not long after, all members called to Makarov's office walked out and went to do what they were doing. Before then, she felt an icy glare on her.

She turned to Makarov, eyeing her down, saying I know you were listening.

Deciding now was good a time, she went Makarov saying everyone heard the sobs.

She knew if anyone else did it, it could make things worse.

She told him everything she heard and her thoughts about Natsu leaving and his magic.

Makarov believed her you would have to be deaf not to hear them crying.

He said he'll explain the rest later Erza understood. She took a job to help clear her head on the matter.

(scene change)

The mountain outside of CrocusCrocus

2 days Later

Natsu and Happy were scaling the mountain He talked about.

They would have been there earlier but decided to stop in Crocus to resupply themselves.

"Natsu, how much longer" Happy said, riding on his shoulder.

"Not much longer. Happy we're almost there."

"Ok, but why didn't you have me fly us up here?" Happy question.

"As much as I wanted to, those currents are too strong for us to fly up safely. Down is fine, but up is another story," Natsu knew it was too dangerous for Happy to fly them up.

Natsu continued the pace for another hour, then taking a short break to catch his breath. Another hour later, they were at their destination.

"Man, you can see half of Fiore from up here, Natsu," Happy shouted.

"You sure can buddy. It should only take me a few minutes to catch her scent" was Natsu's only response.

"Ok then!"

Natsu took several strong inhales through his nose in hopes of finding her scent. After 5 minutes, his iconic grin appeared on his face.

"Found her, Happy, take us that way as fast as you can," He shouted at the top of his lunges, pointing in the opposite direction of Magnolia.

"Aye, sir," He picked up Natsu, taking off like a bullet down the mountain.

Several hours later

Natsu and Happy are flying over an endless sea of treetops going fast and far from the mountain.

"How ya doing buddy?" he shouts to his long time friend.

"Fine, Natsu, and before you ask, I got a few more miles in the tank. My magic should hold out till sundown," Happy said.

"Good to know. Happy from the scent, there's a small village not that far ahead. Will stop there tonight. Oh, we're also going to wear those cloaks we bought, so people don't recognize us as we did in Crocus," the Slayer informed.

"Aye, sir," was all Happy said as they carried onward.

Later at the village

"Happy I'll meet you in our room later tonight. I'm going to see what rumors are flying around," Natsu handed Happy his key.

"Ok, Natsu, can you get me some fish on your way back!" he let out a yawn, to be expected after a long day of flying.

"Sure thing, buddy, it's 9 o'clock now be back by midnight," left Happy to their room for the next two days.

Natsu went to the nearest pub down the street from the inn.

When he entered, he was greeted by an equally strong alcohol scent compared to fairy tail, especially when Cana was involved.

He made his way to the bar and ask for a bottle of fire whiskey, knowing it will have little effect on him thanks to his fire dragon slayer magic, which still didn't stop him from enjoying the flavor of it.

He looked up at the bartender wearing black dress pants and shoes, a white long sleeve button-up shirt with suspender with his sleeves rolled up just past his elbows.

The bartender had short spiky black hair starting to turn gray. He looks to in his mid to late 50"s.

"Yo bartender, what rumors are flying around here?" Natsu said to the bartender.

"That's a long list, Salamander," the bartender said just loud enough for only him to hear.

"Crap, how do you know who I am," He asked with a stern look in his eyes, cursing internally, thinking his cloak had failed him

"You can thank your friend Cana she comes here every time she this side of fiore. She talks a lot about her guildmate, nothing personal, just the basics, hair color, build, magic, and METAL! You come up a lot, one of the few people that can give her a challenge, and your drink of choice didn't help either," the bartender said with a smirk.

"Still didn't answer my first question what rumors are flying around," He said once again, glaring at the bartender.

"There's a wide variety of rumors that pass through here, gonna have to narrow it down Salamander," the bartender said while washing a beer mug.

"Have you heard any rumor regarding dark guilds?" Natsu said just loud enough for the bartender to hear

"Yeah, I have. Why looking to join one," the bartender said with a hint of unease.

"No, just wondering how active they've been recent," Natsu said sternly.

The bartender let out a small sigh at what he said and glad he didn't have to turn him in.

"Sorry, you had me worried there for a sec I lost a lot of close friends and family members to dark guilds over the years. As for activity, a lot have been quiet after many being eliminated without the council involvement," the bartender said.

"Just out of curiosity, is there a pattern to the eliminated dark guilds?" Natsu replied.

"Hard to say some are destroyed by other dark guilds, competition and all that," the bartender said

"How about this, did the ground around these dark guilds happened to be as if they were liquefied. Or have any broken-down building or rotted structures," Natsu said just loud enough for the bartender to hear.

"You're looking for Crime Sorcière, aren't you, and before you ask, I almost lost another friend to a dark guild a few years back. Just when it looks like he was a goner, he came running in through the front doors. I ask him how he escaped. He said that a guild stopped them. All he said was the guild's name and what the area looked like when he left," a single tear went down the bartender's cheek.

"That narrows it down. When was the last elimination of a dark guild with those specific signs of destruction?" He said to the bartender with a stern look.

"Hmm, let me think the last one I heard about was on the far side of fiore, somewhere in the mountain between blue pegasus and the Worths Woodsea. Sorry, I can't give you more that's all I know," he informed.

"Thanks, old-timer!" Natsu finished his bottle of fire whiskey.

Just as he got up to leave, he was stopped by the bartender.

"you gotta map on you. I know a pub near Blue pegasus that gets just as many rumors as we do," he said, pulling out a pen.

Natsu simply smiled and pulled out his map of Fiore from his cloak.

"Ok, right there, it's about a day's walk from the blue pegasus guild, don't worry, it's not a trap from a dark guild. I doubt they're that stupid when they're so close to the blue pegasus guild and how long you are staying in town?" he said with a smile.

"We were going to stay for a couple of days to dig up any good rumor. I got lucky with you being here," Natsu folded up his map, putting it in his cloak.

"thank you, maybe will see each other again someday!" he shook his hand before leaving.

"Hey old man, your shift over. You can go home now," said a replacement bartender.

The bartender found his way home sitting down in his bed, holding a picture of him and his old Flame Ur.

He couldn't stop the tears as an image of Ur appeared in front of him.

"I'm so sorry, Ur, for leaving when you announced your pregnancy. I was happy and scared while I didn't know what to do. So I ran and ran until I reached fiore I spent the first five years living in regret. Still, I didn't have the funds to go back, and when I did, you already cast ice shell on deliora. Any hope I had left for us getting together died when you cast that spell to save those boys," his head held down in shame.

"Later I found out about our child Ultear, she looked just like, I know about her past, kinda hard not to when both dark and light mages pass through the pub you work at. There something else I didn't mention to the boy, that friend I mention, the one who was rescued by crime Sorcière, was me. I knew who Ultear was from the moment I laid eyes on her. She has the same raven-colored hair you do, and she looks just like you. I didn't say anything then because I don't deserve to be called her father. Ur if you can hear me, keep that boy safe and help him find Ultear. she deserves to be happy and loved more than either of us could ever have."

He said through sobs, staring at the image of Ur in front of him as it disappeared into nothingness.

My first NatsuXUltear fanfic hope you liked it more now that I properly edited it to the best of my ability

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