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Chapter 23: Two Years...
Natsu scratched at the stubble on his face. He was now seventeen years old, and a rank eight warrior; because of his warrior level, he had grown to five-foot-four-inches and had filled out more. He now looked stronger, and his muscle had become sharper and profound. You could now clearly tell that he was not someone to stop in the middle of the street for a drunken, but that didn't stop people from trying.
Not only had he increase one rank as a warrior, but he had also moved forward in his fire, earth and destruction magic, while his wind magic rank lacked behind. He was now a seventh ranked mage in all these magics- except for destruction which was now fourth ranked, but no matter how much he tried he couldn't progress any further in his wind element.
But Natsu now had a job, or, at least, something that was somewhat like a job. He now worked under the king's warrior ranks; he was immediately taken into this job when Gildarts announced that Natsu, at the time, was the youngest seventh ranked soldier. And to this date, he is the most inexperienced warrior to have reached the eighth rank on the continent.
"We're just going to rough up, and few people who like to conspire against the ruler," A terrible blonde hair man with a lightning scar that ran across his right eye swung a massive, two-handed sword over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Unless you're afraid you can't handle them, Natsu."
Natsu, whose black cloak hung over his shoulders, and allowed people to see his bandaged stomach and ribs, nodded his head while smirking at the blonde. He stood up from the wooden log, grasping firmly on his dragon-hilted sword.
"If anyone should be afraid, it's you, Laxus." Sighing, he unclipped his cloak and let it fall to the floor, uncovering a hidden waist coat that was unbuttoned, "I'm stronger than you if we're looking regarding overall power, but as warriors, we're pretty much even."
Laxus was a 25-year-old male who had only just reached rank eight, like Natsu he was born into power; his grandfather being the powerful Makarov. Unlike Natsu, he was rather tall, and his muscles were more defined as some threatened to burst from under his skin. Natsu had met Laxus when he was sixteen. Natsu was already in the 20th squad when Laxus came to him, so he was no longer the newest recruit to the 20th platoons ranks. He had quite a sparky attitude and was the definition of hot-headed in combat.
"Anyways, aren't you and your pops meant to be doing a mission or somethin' later?" Laxus inquired, also making his move from a chair to the door. "It's said that you're leaving the squad because of how important it is."
"We are doing a job for the dean of my old school. I used to attend the magic Institute, and it appears that someone inside has ties to a shadowy organisation." Natsu lifted his hand in explanation, waving it to the side slightly. "There are people there that I have a duty to protect, so it can't be helped."
Natsu took his foot and placed it on Laxus' back that was facing him instead of the door, he then used his wind magic to give Laxus and boost, but make sure that he landed safely to fight, by sending him flying through the door.
"How about I give you a boost?" He said, smirking proudly with his master plan in mind. With just a little bit of he sent the door flying off its hinges and Laxus went forward along with it.
He pulled out a few throwing knives and aimed directly at the throats of these masked conspirators. Only three blades made it to their targets out of the four he strategically threw.
Then he gently placed Dezeus against a wall; he clapped his bandaged wrapped hands together. Laxus gave him a dirty glare through the corner of his eye, one that did not go unrecognised to Natsu. He cracked his knuckles separately, making sure that each one was well cracked.
One of the conspirators grabbed one of the blades Natsu had thrown off the floor and dived towards him with the knife held high above his head. Natsu curled his fingers into a fist and then raised his left arm. He blocked the downward knife attack and punched the person right in the jaw - sending them flying into the brick wall to the right. Another attack came from behind Natsu, which he elegantly side stepped. Then he grabbed the back of their head and smashed them right into a wooden table, that shattered under the immense pressure.
Laxus took his glinting, gigantic sword and thrust it into the stomach of a conspirator that tried to run straight at him; it split them in two like a hot knife to butter. Another jumped to the side of Laxus, trying to get a surprise attack on him, but Laxus was aware of his surroundings and then took his right hand off the sword handle; he threw a punch into the gut of the masked person.
Laxus and Natsu alone made quick work of the people who were gathered in the house. Natsu, who had orders not to kill but to arrest, took off the masks of several men and women. He ruffled his own hair slightly wondering why he was needed here if most of the people were at least from the fourth to the sixth rank.
He didn't care. He was going on a mission with Gildarts so he wouldn't be the kings clean up crew for when they messed up anymore.
Natsu finished packing the rest of his luggage. Although he was going away for quite some time he only packed a small bag; if Natsu needed anything along the journey, he would just have to take on some jobs and earn some jewels that way.
Natsu swung the bag over his shoulder, taking on a look and the cramped, concrete, cold room that he used to sleep in every night. In some strange way, it had become a home to him. The dim light that came through a tiny glass pane with a little white border around it; the echoes of footsteps or the creaking of the bed that annoyed him slightly. And, even in the winter when the cold hung in the room like a bad stench, it was, somewhat, a home to him.
He shut the door behind him, pushing the key into the lock and turning it twice, hearing the clink of the lock as it turned. Then, the same way that he had come to his room, he walked down to the bunker reception and handed in his key.
The end of his two-year job had given him quite a lot of jewels to spend when needed.
He exited, what he called, the bunker. When he wasn't inside the dingy little room he used to own, he was usually working or training. But during his training, he would admire the scenery of the town, taking in the cherry blossoms that lined the streets, or the natural architecture of the city.
He adjusted his sword on his side. His black boots tapped on the ground. His pants were tucked into the books to help his mobility, and he had a simple white tee on with a black cloak with the king's crest on it.
He sharply turned to face where he had just come from, a man in a black cloak falling on top of him placing a knife to Natu's neck. Natsu brought up his knee and swiftly kicked the person on top of him in the gut and then rolled him to the side. He went to punch the cloaked person, but instead, he ended up with a foot kicking him at least 3 foot away.
He was sprawled on the floor, writhing in agony for a little while; then when a foot was about to come down on his face, he rolled to the left, grabbed the mans other foot that wasn't in mid air and brought him to the ground. Natsu scrambled to his knees and pried the knife from the person's fingers.
He then placed the knife to their neck, but he could sense the grin from behind the mask. Natsu wasn't even aware of how it happened. But some how he ended up restrained by the masked man. It all happened so quickly.
"You're getting better." The gruff voice spoke. He let go of the hold he had on Natsu, pulling down his mask and hood.
"Well..." Natsu trailed off, picking himself up and wiping the dirt off his clothes, "Two years of sneak attacks will help with that, Gildarts."
"I guess you're right," Gildarts chortled, he pulled off his black gloves and shoved them into his pocket. "We're going to visit Makarov before we leave, so please wear the formal warrior outfit you were given for banquets and balls from the king."
"When do we leave? I'd like to go over to the king's gardens to train for awhile?" Inquired Natsu, he and Gildarts continued walking down the cobbled road.
Gildarts scratched the side of his jaw, just along the line where his beard started to grow. He looked at Natsu as they turned onto the main roads that led in and out of the city, they also passed by the castle.
"I don't see why not." He only said; he and Natsu flipped their cloaks over their shoulder and began walking faster.
Soon the two made it to the king's gardens. It was the largest garden in the whole city, made specifically for the king, and it was done to the king's design. The king had only one wife that he truly loved, and she was his first; when he found out she was pregnant, he ordered the best gardeners from all around the continent to tend to the garden. They planted cherry blossoms,; large rose bushes of all colours; sunflowers, and anything else that his wife liked.
Now that his first wife had given him a large family of five children that would continue his royal lineage he continued to take in more women for his own pleasure. Natsu, when he first met the king, thought that the way he looked at his first wife was something precious. But, when he met the king in front of his second wife and fourth wife, he looked at them with a hungry passion.
"I still can't believe that fat pig has sixteen women," Natsu said to Gildarts as they made their way through the gardens. "I'd rather just marry once; then I'd never get confused about who's taking over as the head of my family, or who my children come from."
"I think you get that part of you from growing up with me as your adoptive parent." Chortled Gildarts as he led the way through the gardens.
Natsu continued with his rant, "I mean, I just don't get it. Being loyal is what a wife has to do to keep her decency; once she is married, it's for life. One man for her entire life. Why can't a man show that loyalty back?"
"The more wives a man has, the more powerful he is," Gildarts stated, agreeing with Natsu's rant but offering another side to the argument. "I never really cared for social status."
"The more powerful he is?" Natsu scoffed, questionably raising one eyebrow, "I'm pretty sure I could kill him with a flick of my wrist. He even tried marrying one of his daughters off to me as my first wife."
"Oh?" Gildarts raised his eyebrow too. This was the first time he had heard of this, "And what did you say?"
Natsu coughed a little a small tint of red rising up his neck, crawling its way to his cheeks. He cleared his throat, "I told him no, and said that I was waiting for someone."
Gildarts threw an arm around Natsu, placing his fist to Natsu temple and twisting it. He laughed loudly, "Who? Who? Lisanna or Lucy?"
They heard a faint cough and a small giggle and turned to see the first wife with her three daughters. Natsu and Gildarts both stood tall, embarrassed by their silly shenanigans. The three girls blushed, each of them having their own little crush on Gildarts for being a strong Ninja, and Natsu for being the most eligible bachelor.
"So, Warrior Natsu," The first wife began, her black hair flowing down her back, "You don't see a point in taking on multiple wives?"
The wife and her daughters all moved together; the first lady gestured for Natsu and Gildarts to lead them to the lounging area of the garden.
"No, your highness," Natsu said very formally, his and Gildarts' hands behind their backs.
"And, who is the lucky girl?" She gave a small laugh again, "I'm sure some of my girls are interested to know."
"He refuses to tell me, your highness, so I have a slight doubt that he'll want to tell you too," Gildarts smirked at Natsu, which made Natsu emit a small growl of annoyance.
"Your highness, I don't have anyone waiting for me except my friends and comrades. The only reason I told the king that I didn't want to marry is that I'd like to propose it by myself and not have it forced on me." Natsu gave Gildarts the evil eye, who was still smirking.
The first wife nodded slightly, "Well, you should train and get ready to leave."
After Natsu had finished his secluded training, which lasted around three hours, he picked up his bag and sword and exited the garden by vaulting over the wall.
Before he had begun his training Gildarts had told him briefly that he was going to have to make his own way back to the institute, which was about an hour away. Natsu had planned it out on a map, he'd cut through the forest and then he'd train in a village that was half way in between the institute and the castle After that he'd follow the main path back into the city.
After his feet firmly settled on the ground he moved to the local tavern just down the street. It was a large place, most of the warriors and mages part of the king's army went there to relax and enjoy their moments of peace for awhile. Natsu was no exception to this - he did mediocre jobs for the king and was overpaid for it, while Gildarts worked in life or death situations and seemingly got paid the same amount.
He pushed open the large black doors of the tavern, pushing down the golden handle and strolling in as multiple of the men and women inside looked at him. The tavern was dimly lit by candles that hung from a chandelier in the centre of the room, and the corners had one candle stick each. All around glasses were being placed onto the rich, dark brown tables.
"Hey, can I use the bathroom to get changed?" He asked the bar keeper, who looked to be polishing the bar till it was spotless.
The barkeeper grinned from ear to ear, his black hair smoothly pushed back, and he straightened out his waist coat, "Go ahead, Natsu!" The barkeeper tossed him the key, "I'll get a drink ready for your leave, still can't believe it's your last day here."
"Thanks, Macao." Natsu grinned back, catching the key with one hand without needing to look. "And I'll definitely come back in a year or two. Afterall, I promise to train Romeo."
Macao took his cigarette from his mouth and gave a chesty cough, as well as a laugh. Natsu, who was now at the bathroom door, watched Macao pull out a small, crystal pattern glass, and poured a small amount of whiskey in it. Natsu smiled and entered the bathroom, quickly changing into his clothes presented to him from the king out of gratitude.
It consisted of the cloak that he wore almost constantly, as well as a pair of loose black trousers that tucked into a pair of black boots. Around the legs were black straps that knives and different throwables could be connected to. And, for a top, he wore a jacket-like piece of clothing with three buttons on either side; it was black and had gold buttons on it.
Natsu didn't like that the outfit was entirely black, but the king seemed to have an obsession with the colour. He groaned as he stridden out the bathroom, he was glad that the outfit was slim and light, and wasn't like the furs that weighed down the king even more so than without his furs.
"Natsu, you look like the king's puppet!" Macao cried out in laughter, tears forming at the side of his eyes. "Why did you join the king in the first place?"
"Gildarts gave me a condition on something that I needed to do, in return he asked me to work with the king's men." Natsu sat down at the bar, taking a small sip of the liquor that trickled down his throat like raindrops. "I agreed because there was nothing else I could do. I need to become a saint rank by the time I'm twenty-five."
"Hold up," Macao grabbed a glass and began polishing it, slightly taken aback. "You'd look twenty-five forever, how do you plan on getting married?"
"There's someone I know who might be a saint by the time they are twenty-seven, but probably by the time they are thirty." Natsu knocked back the last of the liquid that burned his throat, "It's not too bad of a gap, at least she won't look forty-five and I won't look like her child."
Natsu pushed himself off the barstool, he grabbed his bag which he had placed on the ground and then sighed a little. He waved goodbye to Macao, and then went around to some of the tables saying his goodbyes to his comrades and friends. As he was about to leave, the door burst open and hit him the face, but because it was made of wood the door was the only thing that was damaged.
"Looks like we're going together, Natsu." Natsu looked up to see a smirking Laxus, "My fiancee's mother would like to talk to me about our arranged marriage and it's near the Institute."
Laxus and Natsu walked out together, casually taking short strides along the stone path, "Who's your fiancee's mother?"
"I believe her name is Cornelia," Natsu almost choked on the air around him. "Once I reach saint rank and she reaches around age twenty, I'll be able to marry her. Her name is Cana."
"Like hell you are!" Natsu yelled, a growl forming from low in his throat, "That's my sister. Plus the age gap is kind of insane, don't you think?"
"She's just reached eighteen, has she not? That's the age most women marry at." Natsu simply glared at Laxus, who smirked as a result. "You're goin' to have to call me 'Big Bro', you know."
"I'll kill you."