The sun hung over Magnolia, it's warmth enveloping the town in a cozy dream. Fairy Tail was bustling like usual, mages returning from and leaving on requests, food being shared over the tables, fights breaking out here and there.

Bursting through the door came the town mayor, "Makorov! Where's Master Makorov?" "He should be up in his office" Mira smiled while washing a glass. With no further words, the mayor headed up the stairs and walked into the Master's office.

"Good Morning mayor, what did my children destroy this time?" Makarov qestioned without looking up from his papers. "There was an incident in a town aways from here... Rumor has spread that it was... a d... dragon" he mumbled the last part.

"Do they know if it was Acnologia?" the Titan mage asked with a raised eyebrow. "Apparently.. it was red.. and ferocious. They sent word asking for help" Master Makarov sat there for a second, thinking to himself. "Hm... I guess we'll have to send Natsu." He said, finally looking up. "Oh good.. good.. Just him?" "Yes, just him... he should be enough."

Wendy was currently out on a job in a nearby town, Laxus and his entourage were across the nation, and Gajeel was heading out on a job that day.

"NATSU! Come to my office" Makarov shouted from the balcony.

"Oi grandpa no can do... I'm beating Gray's ass at pool right now!" the pinkette replied, his head down to the table, focusing. "NATSU GET UP HERE OR I'LL DRAG YOU UP HERE."

Erza slapped Natsu's back, "It is unwise to anger Master, Natsu," knocking his arm forward which hit the ball up, slamming into Gray's face. "Oh you're so dead when you're back here!"

Natsu walked up the stairs laughing as he headed for the office. He walked in to the Master sitting at his desk, hands clasped together with his elbows on the table. "Natsu, I need you to go check out Primrose village, it's awhile from here but it's urgent."

"No can do old man, we have a job tomorrow!" He grinned ear to ear. "Natsu.. They say a dragon showed up and attacked the village." Natsu's grinned dropped, and his tone became much more serious, "Igneel?" "Possibly, they said he was red and ferocious." "That's not Igneel, he loves humans." Time seemed to pass between the two before the dragon slayer broke the silence, "but fine I'll go... He may know what happened to Igneel." Makaro just nodded his head in affirmation.

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Once the dragon slayer had left for Makarov's office, Levy pulled Lucy away from the others and whispered;

"Soooooo Lu... How was your date with you-know-who" she smirked mischievously. "It wasn't a date!" Lucy's face flush red "atleast I think it wasn't" she mumbled under her breath. "Wait! How do you even know about that??" Levy giggled. "Gajeel told me that a little bird said he ditched you two lovebirds a few days ago." That damn cat is so dead!

"Happyyyyyy! Let's go!" Natsu exclaimed as he slid down the stair's railing. "Aye! Go where?" The cat had replied, although he didn't want to leave Carla's side. "A secret!" natsu beamed.

Lucy broke off her conversation with the blunette and walked over to Natsu,"Hey! where are you two running off to without me?" damn that sounded like something a girlfriend would say, she cursed herself. "Running an errand for Master!" her bestfriend said as he shrugged her question off.

"Why can't I go?" She pouted. "It's dangerous luce" "so? I can handle myself" She confidently swiped her hair back and put a hand on her hip. "I'm sure you can Ms. Badass" he teased. "but natsuuuu.. I wanna come!" She pushed even more.

Natsu looked around cautiously before a sly grin appeared. He grabbed her arm and pulled her a little farther away from their guildmates.

"I probably shouldn't tell you this... but... Master said a dragon appeared in a far town and asked me to go check it out." Lucy's eyebrow perked up at this secret. "Still.. why can't I come?" Natsu replied almost instantly, surprising her, "cus I cant have ya gettin hurt, can I?" A grin covering his face.

"O-Oh... okay" Lucy's face showing a slight blush. "Well how long will you be gone?" "Round a week or so, I'll be back before ya know it!" She smiled a little as Natsu pulled her into a hug. She hid her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his strong back, returning the hug.

"I promise I'll be back... It won't be like last time" He whispered in her ear. She squeezed him a little tighter in response.

"Well we better get going!" Natsu said as they broke the hug and he headed out the door with the blue exceed flying behind him.

"Be careful!" Lucy called out to him.

He stopped and turned around facing her, lifting his arm up into the air, his thumb and pointer extended with his other three fingers clenched. Lucy teared up and put her hand up, replying with the Fairy Tail hand sign.

With that, he turned and headed off into town.

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"Natsu why are we at the train station? I thought you hated them!"

"I do but... but... I wanna get this over with quickly"

"Aye! Then I can see Carla sooner!" They laughed together as they boarded the train, Natsu's stomach starting to turnover immediately.