A/N: Hey guys, so before we begin this chapter, I need to make a quick announcement. The poll for this story about whether you want to see Konohamaru or Temari appear at some point will be ending a week after I post this. Just wanted to say that and that if one of them wins out there may be some slight adjustments to the Tower of Heaven arc and of course, the winner will get their own fanfic. Without further ado, let's begin!

Lucy breathed a sigh of relief as the train rolled along the tracks, Magnolia was behind her completely now, its form shrinking fast as the train got further and further away. No one had seen her making her way to the station. It would be tough on the guild, but she knew this was the best course of action to ensure their safety. She jumped in her seat as the window was subject to a furious pounding, from the outside.

She balked as Naruto was clinging onto the side of the train with his clawed feet and one of his hands, not looking too pleased while making a gesture with his free hand to open the window. She did so and her guild mate scrambled in. "First of all, thanks," He said, getting up from his hands and knees, "Second, what the hell are you doing?"

Lucy's surprise shifted to deadpan, "Says the guy who just climbed into the carriage of a moving train."

"A train that's going out of Magnolia after not telling anyone where you were going." Naruto quipped, Lucy had no immediate response to that, looking a little guilty.

"I'm going back to my family's estate." She said, noting his surprise, she explained further, "I'm going to confront my father, to tell him to leave Fairy Tail alone, I was going to come straight back." She began avoiding eye contact, "I left a letter behind at my apartment, but I should have told someone, I'm sorry."

Naruto sighed, "No, I'm sorry too, I jumped the gun a little bit." He said, sitting down next to her, putting an arm around her shoulder and letting her head on his, "You know, funny thing is, I was sent to check on you but I didn't tell anyone where I was going before I started tailing you so… looks like we're in the same boat… err… train."

Lucy giggled at that, dispersing the tension for the most part but cleared completely once Naruto's stomach made an audible growl. He looked sheepishly at his fellow blonde, it had been lunchtime when the train departed, he hadn't had any food recently and… he snuck aboard a train without a ticket…

"Okay numb-nut," Lucy joked, "I'll cover you for this, but you owe me." He grinned as he scratched the back of his head, at least the train ride ahead of the two wouldn't be quite so awkward.

It was late afternoon by the time they reached the Heartfilia estate, the sun just barely beginning to turn orange. The mansion was grand, Naruto would admit that much, pristinely clean too. Its size and the strictly-regulated beauty afforded to the gardens giving off an air of superiority that spoke volumes of Jude Heartfilia's wealth and perhaps his ego as well.

"Miss Spetto!" Lucy called out to an older woman in a dark-green maid dress with pink sleeves, who had been twirling around cheerfully whilst cleaning the courtyard. She stopped immediately upon hearing Lucy's voices, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Lucy! We've been sooooworried about you!" She wailed, "And who is this fine young man? I knew Fairy Tail mages would be odd, but I didn't think they would be quite this strange!"

Naruto looked at her with an amused expression, not the worst reaction he'd had to someone first meeting him.

"Everyone, Lucy's back!" Spetto yelled with surprising volume and clarity for her age.

There was an immediate reaction as several maids dressed similarly to Spetto. Quickly, they were followed by a man with oddly, book-shaped hair, one with a traditional wizard garments and yet another with a large, red nose and a chef's outfit. All of them seeming pleased to see her and obviously questioning Naruto's presence.

"Miss Lucy, your father is requesting you to come to his study." Lucy, who had been happy having reunited with people she was close to, turned serious at the drop of a hat. Being called via a servant rather than coming personally had agitated her.

"Stay here, I'm going to speak with him." Lucy said to Naruto, being escorted by a few maids, talking about being changed into a dress. Leaving Naruto with Spetto and the other three, whose names he had learned were Ribbon, Bero and Aed.

"So kid, you miss Lucy's boyfriend? She's got a weird taste in men is you are." Aed, the chef asked with a hint of amusement

"No." Naruto said curtly, "I've only known her two weeks, pretty sure she doesn't like anyone in the guild that way."

"Fascinating, simply fascinating." Ribbon, the one with the book-hair and resident librarian of the estate said, scribbling and sketching furiously, "Do pardon my awe, I have somewhat of an obsession with your guild, though until now I didn't have the honour of meeting one of your own." The glee that he displayed cleared, soon looking ashamed. He raised his hands to his hair… and took it off, he wore a toupee, which he then held humbly to his chest.

"I'm afraid to say, but it may have been my knowledge that led to Jude selecting Phantom Lord to attack you all. Before the attack, he asked for information on your guildmates, including your strongest members. I thought that he was simply asking so he could find out which of them would be the most reasonable to speak to. I didn't think he would do what he did. For that, I truly am sorry."

Naruto looked stoic for a moment, this man had given Jude Heartfilia all the information he needed to attack his guild. Leading to Levy, Jet and Droy being brutalised, Magnolia to be threatened and their guild hall destroyed. However, Naruto knew it had been inadvertent, so he sighed, "It wasn't your fault, old man. Besides, Lucy is going to be coming back to Fairy Tail once she's done with her dad." Ribbon gave him a grateful look, putting his toupee back on. In spite of Naruto's sudden admission, none of the four head servants seemed to be surprised.

"I knew something was different about that girl." Bero, the old man in the wizard robes said, "I taught her everything she knew about Celestial Spirit magic. I was worried about her going out into the world, but I knew her spirits would help guide her. What do you say everyone, shall we see how a year has changed our young master?"

The five of them made their way to the house as Lucy had begun to ascend the stairs leading to her father's study, now in a shoulder less, pink dress. Naruto just gave a thumbs up, a silent 'You got this.' She smiled appreciatively flashing the Fairy Tail symbol on the back of her right hand in thanks.

Naruto felt a tug on his shirt from behind, looking over his shoulder, it was Spetto, "Boys, please go ahead, I need to speak with our young guest for a moment." The other three seemed a bit confused but didn't argue as they walked off to do their snooping.

"What's up, Spetto?" Naruto asked.

"I feel I should explain a few things, even though Ribbon apologised to you, it seems you're still angry. Which, considering what happened a few weeks ago, you have every right to be."

"How can you tell?" Naruto asked, his eyes narrowed suspiciously while his tail twitched, it was true. Were it not for the fact that this place was Lucy's home, that she still held fond memories of as she had explained during short chats on the journey down. Naruto may very well have razed the entire mansion to the ground.

She actually snorted at that, "Boy, the others may have been hired as employees of the estate but I knew Layla Heartfilia, Lucy's mother, long before that. I literally helped bring Lucy into the world and have been serving faithfully as their head maid for nearly half my life. Sometimes I would represent them at functions if they couldn't make it, I've learned a thing or two about a person's demeanour, no matter how subtle it might be." She held up her hand in a 'one-minute' gesture, mulling over what she was about to say next, "Jude actually used to be a very kind man, utterly devoted to both wife and daughter. Then… Layla passed away, Jude became cold, and detached. While he never physically laid a hand on Lucy, he put her through a lot mentally. I'm not absolving him, don't get me wrong I don't think even I can forgive him for some of what he's done but I wanted to explain some of his actions, to some extent at least. I know the man that Layla and Lucy knew is in there somewhere and Lucy, should she not waver is probably the only person who can do that. I'm sorry, I'm rambling but please, unless you absolutely have to, don't come to blows with him, I'm begging you."

Naruto… honestly didn't know what to say, this older woman had just poured her heart out to him, telling him not to interfere, "I can't promise anything," Naruto finally said, "If he wants to hurt Lucy, he's going to have to go through me."

"I thought you would say that," Spetto sighed in acceptance, "You're a good friend, never lose that resolve to help. Let's listen in shall we? Don't want to miss this spectacle."

And what a spectacle it was, Ribbon and Aed had their ears pressed up against the doors and even Bero, for as old as he was had managed to summon the strength in his frail frame to keep himself upright as he too listened in. Ribbon waved them over, "Both of you come quick, Jude just proposed an arranged marriage to Lucy with Duke Soir of the Junelle family." Spetto moved as quickly as she could but Naruto overtook her, now sporting a scowl while a low snarl resonated in his throat. He joined the others in listening despite the powerful temptation to just blast the door in.

"I'm sorry father, that's not going to happen." They heard through the door, defiance thick in her tone. That calmed Naruto a bit, so far so good, "I didn't come here to make amends, I came to say my final goodbye. I realise it was wrong to leave without saying anything. So, I've come to say exactly what I need to before I leave for good. All the money in the world can't buy you happiness, I figured that out when I was just a child. Finally, I'm truly happy and I'm not gonna let you ruin it for me, ya hear? Don't mess with Fairy Tail ever again." There was a pause in her speech as they heard Lucy audibly grunt, "Threaten us again and we will crush you like any other enemy!"

"Fuck yeah!" Naruto gleefully whispered through gritted teeth, Spetto wagging her finger at him.

"One chance boy, say that again and I'll wash your mouth with soap and water."

"It didn't have to be like this," Lucy continued, "You and I could have worked things out but after what you've done I can't trust you. I don't need fancy dresses, a mansion or wealth to be happy. I just need to be accepted for who I am. I'm Lucy of Fairy Tail now, they treat me like family. The one who came with me, Naruto has treated me better in just the weeks I've known him than you have in years. It was hard to leave everything behind, I loved all the memories I had here with mom… and even you when I was little. Spetto, Ribbon, Bero and Aed, they taught me all I needed to know to survive out in the world, leaving them was hardest of all." When the four servants heard that, they became quite misty-eyed.

"But now it's time for me to move on. I truly believe that if mom were still alive, she would tell me to do what makes me happy. So, this is goodbye, father." She finished, at her approaching footsteps, made audible by the deafening silence in the study, the group of five shrank away from the door.

When Lucy stepped out, she was surprised and perhaps a little embarrassed, figuring out what they had been doing. The fact that the top of her dress was torn, leaving her in just a whalebone corset on her torso didn't exactly help.

"Did you really mean that Lucy?" Spetto asked, seeing no reason to hide what they had been doing, even with the study doors being wide open.

"Of course, Spetto, you were the mother figure in my life after mom passed. Aed, you taught me to cook, I don't know how long I would have lasted without that knowledge. Ribbon, without you I wouldn't have my love of Fairy Tail. Bero, you gave me everything I needed to know about Celestial Spirit magic." At that, the four of them promptly dogpiled her, thankfully she managed to stay upright, "And, Naruto…" She continued, the others unlatching themselves from her, "I meant what I said." She said, coming in for a hug.

He was surprised by it, but Naruto soon returned the hug. The doors still being open gave Jude a full view of what had just transpired. Him and Naruto wound up locking eyes, Naruto remained impassive despite wanting to rip Jude a new one both figuratively and literally. Jude looked away, perhaps in shame, seems Lucy's word and her actions now, had actually gotten through to him.

"Um, Lucy?" Spetto asked, "I don't mean to split up this happy moment but I think you should get dressed into something that's not ruined."

"Uh… right." Lucy said, understanding Spetto's meaning, "Naruto, go to the back garden. You'll see a statue of an angel, with a memorial to my mom. I'll meet you there."

"Got it." Naruto grinned, heading there. Though not before hearing Jude call Ribbon, Bero and Aed in. His tone didn't sound angry but did sound defeated, almost lost, as if he was about to swallow his pride and ask for advice.

He had to admit, the statue was beautiful. It had clearly been upkept, it almost looked brand new. 'Layla Heartfilia X748-X777'

Footsteps alerted him to Lucy, coming down a small flight of stairs to be with him, "Hey mom," Lucy spoke up softly, "I know it's been a while since I came to see you in person. This is Naruto, he's a friend of mine. I didn't really have a chance to mention him in my letters, hope you like him." She admitted, in response a soft breeze blew through the air that had been still before that, "I'll take that as yes." She chuckled, "I finally said what I needed to say to dad, this might be the last time in a while that I come back. So, for now at least, this is goodbye. I love you."

A brief silence settled over the two, "We had better get back, right?"

"Yeah." Naruto agreed, "Hopefully no one got too worried." He joked.

"Lucy! Naruto!" The two froze before turning around, to see Natsu, Gray and Erza running full pelt at them, Happy was in front, flying as quick as he could.

"How the heck did you guys find us?" Naruto asked as Happy flew onto Lucy's shoulder, rubbing his face against Lucy's cheek and she stroked the other side of his face.

"We found a letter on Lucy's desk once we got into her apartment." Gray explained, "It's a good thing too, when we couldn't find either of you two at first, Kushina thought you had eloped!"

"What?!" Naruto and Lucy shouted in surprise.

"Yeah, it was crazy, she went on a spree busting through walls lookin' for two of you." Natsu added.

"But luckily, we found Lucy's letter and we realised that she couldn't be leaving the guild if you had gone to her home with her." Happy, said, some of the fur around his eyes still damp.

"Well, you guys were right," Lucy said, seeming to compose herself, "I just needed to basically tell my dad off, I think he'll be done trying to take me back by force." Lucy said.

"You'll have to regale us with exactly what you said to him." Erza chuckled, "There is another thing," She said, shifting their attention as she held up six tickets, "Kushina felt bad about assuming you two had gone off to get married without her being at the ceremony, she's cashed in a favour with the owner of one the hot-spring based hotels in Basalm village. So what do you all say? Shall we go?"

Naruto and Lucy looked at each other, he shrugged at his fellow blonde and her face split into a grin.

"Yeah!"

Omake: Demons meet.

Magnolia, Fairy Tail Guild Hall, X778

It was a day like any other for Naruto, if a bit overcast with cloud for the normally sunny city. That didn't bother the ten year old too much though. Natsu and Gray were fighting, only to be broken up by Erza, she had taken up that role of her own volition and had been quite successful in keeping them apart. Cana was practicing divination. Naruto himself was sitting at the bar, somewhat bored as he slowly drank from a glass of juice.

"Naruto my boy, just who I needed to see!" Makarov called over, his office door slightly ajar. Naruto had seen three others go in, though he hadn't recognised any of them especially not the one who concealed themselves under a cloak. Makarov made a quick gesture of 'Come over here.' To the blond, which he did so willingly.

When he entered, he was greeted to the three who had visited the guild hall. A young girl with a bowl cut, a slightly older boy in a blue suit and finally the one in the dark cloak, a girl who was the oldest of the three. That wasn't what caught his attention though, it was the right arm of the older girl. Instead of a normal human hand, it was a gnarled, brown, leathery skin with purple nodules dotting it. The three siblings, if their shocks of white hair meant they were related were staring slack-jawed at him as well.

"Naruto, this is Mirajane, Elfman and Lisanna. Mira here knows Take-Over magic: Demon, in that sense, you and her aren't that different." Makarov explained.

"No way…" Was the first thing Mirajane breathed out.

Naruto then had an idea. He began concentrating, beginning to grow blond across all of his body, his face becoming more wolf-like and his hands becoming clawed like his feet.

"Gramps is right, you and me are the same, is it okay if I call you sis?" He asked, half-joking, half-serious.

The two younger siblings looked to their elder one for guidance, before the shock finally softened. Mirajane went up to Naruto and, in what would be a rare moment of open intimacy until she regained her confidence, she knelt down and hugged him. Whispering one little phrase in his ear.

"Of course, little bro."

A/N: Roll credits, okay guys. Just to clarify, I decided it would be good to have a more filler-like chapter so I give you guys this. Just a heads up, we'll be skipping the Loke arc and jumping right in to Tower of Heaven. Don't worry, I will still explain the events of that arc since there would really be no significant change from canon whereas Tower of Heaven can be used as a setup for a lot of other ideas I have for this story. I hope you guys enjoyed me at least trying to flesh out the blank slates of servants that appeared to be working for the Heartfilia Konzern.

This going to be my last update for a while, I've got a dissertation to do for college but when that and my exams are over I should have a Bachelor's Degree. Wish me luck. Just to reiterate, I'll be giving the winner of the poll their own fic once I return and it will close a week after posting this chapter (But since it's kind of late when I'm writing this, I'll be fair and say about approximately 11pm on the 2nd of March 2020, British time). Your choices are between Konohamaru and Temari, so get voting and I'll see you guys, next time!