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Chapter 24: Your Mission

Laxus watched as Natsu breathed in deeply and exhaled. Natsu's eyes were closed, and his hands were lightly rested on his knees.

Laxus tried to touch Natsu once, but his hand felt like it was being cut by a thousand blades and he immediately pulled away, slightly worried that he'd use his swinging hand. He continued to watch Natsu, he held onto the handle of his sword taking a grind stone and running it over the side of the blade a few times.

Natsu, who was in a state of deep concentration, focusing on trying to rank up his wind element, slowly opened his eyes. They fluttered slightly and then opened to their average size; Natsu gave Laxus a cold glare before promptly picking himself up off the ground. He took two strides and grabbed his bag off the field, and connected his sword, which had been leant against a tree, to his side.

"I told you not to touch it, or you'll get hurt," Natsu said nonchalantly, he slung the bag over his shoulder and then pointed in a direction.

"I'd hate to know how your future children deal with you," Laxus said in an annoyed tone. "Let us move then."

"I won't be coming with you," Natsu said, taking two steps in a slightly different direction to Laxus. It was slightly to the left, "If you head in that direction you'll get to my home quicker, and you do not want to annoy Cornelia by being late, it is better if you turn up earlier."

Laxus shrugged, lifting up his hand before running off down the path. Natsu watched as he left, and once he was a blur in the distance, Natsu began to slowly walk down the overused, dirt road. He didn't have anyone to converse with, seeing as he left Happy to protect Lisanna and Lucy, and he had none of his friends with him.

Now that his wind magic was rank seven he could technically learn a spell that'd allow him to fly, but he didn't want to burn out his spiritual energy in case he needed to fight or help out some people who had no magic. He placed his arms behind his head, slowly walking down the middle of the road, taking in the scenery of the forest.

He was so lost in thought, that he didn't notice the horse-drawn carriage that came stampeding down the path with intense speed. Natsu turned his head to see a carriage driver passed out, which let the horses run free straight down the road. He saw the carriage drivers window and laid eyes upon two girls and an older man.

He jumped up, the horses speeding right past, not stopping. He used his wind magic to move to the top of the carriage, naturally startling the top girls inside because they cried out a little. He jumped down from the upper part into the driver's seat, moving the driver over to the side a little and securing him in so that he didn't fall out.

He grabbed the reins and slowly brought the horses under control, once they had slowed and calmed down he moved the carriage over to the side of the dirt road and jumped out of the driver's seat. He then came round to the side and checked that the man was still alive by placing his fingers on the pulse on the man's wrist. It was very faint, but with some medicine, he'd be okay.

He banged on the door of the carriage, "Hey, are you alright in there?" He asked. It was courtesy not to open the door - if there were a woman who was about to get married in there the first man to see her would be her father and the second her husband.

A man, who was large and wearing a white suit, stepped out and two girls, who looked like him a lot, came out behind him. He could tell that they were some upper-class citizens and probably enrolled in the Institute.

"Thank you, young man, for saving us." The man refused to touch Natsu, thinking he was some sick child. "As a reward, I'd like to offer you a ride to Magnolia when our driver awakens."

"I must decline your offer, it'd take some time and your carriage driver is ill." Natsu didn't bow, instead, he pulled the king's cape, with the emblem of the king, over his shoulders and nodded. "It'd take too long for me to get there and I'm on a short schedule. Have a nice day."

He took off running down the path, this whole incident had taken some time, and he was worried about being late and scolded by Gildarts.

Natsu arrived at the gates of the town, using his cape to quickly gain access to the city.

He looked at the sky and could tell that it was almost time for him to meet Gildarts. He took off running at full speed through the town, weaving in between comers and goers of the city, at one point he had to jump high over a group of tourist and hung from a taverns sign to dodge and large man.

He continued running through the city until reaching the Institute. He felt a nauseous feeling rise in him; his palms and fingers became a little bit sweaty as he fumbled with his student ID card that allowed him into the school. The guard, who was a little shocked at the young warrior, nodded briefly and allowed Natsu inside the Institute.

"Isn't that a king's man? What would he be doing here?" A few people whispered, and those who didn't know much were confused. But soon the rumour spread that was back.

"That's Natsu." One boy said. It was one that was in his wind element classes in the first year. "He took on guys who had been here forever and won, and then he left, and Makarov wouldn't tell his friends why he was gone. He must have got recruited by the king for being so talented."

Natsu continued walking with his head up; his pace was quick as he wanted to avoid conversation with many people who tried to call out to him. But one voice struck him, and he stopped, looking at the white-haired girl who he'd known since he was little. She looked like she was about to cry and burst out in curses and profanity. But she didn't, she just stood there - emotionless.

Natsu walked up to her and placed his right hand on her left shoulder, "It's good to see you again." He whispered, smiling slightly as he continued to walk past her.

He kept moving until he felt two tiny hands gripping his cape, "Before you leave again, I want to tell you that I've always loved you!" Lisanna cried, causing a commotion.

Natsu kept his head straight, but spoke softly to Lisanna, "I have no time for a relationship, although in the circumstances before what has happened, happened, I would have. I'm sorry Lisanna, but your feelings make me happy."

He turned to her and grinned, placing a hand her head and then slowly leaving to find Gildarts. When he did find Gildarts, he sighed, slightly overjoyed that he wasn't being stared at now. Gildarts greeted him, and he welcomed Gildarts back; then both of them moved into the main hall where Makarov had the rank seven class introduction.

Natsu could hear Makarov's voice echoing through the entire room as he told the students how the exams worked, and how to pass and become and full-fledged mage. He knocked on the door lightly, then entered with a parchment in hand that had the details of Gildarts' and Natsu's mission on it.

"Makarov, I'm here to finalize details of the five-year mission you have assigned to myself and Gildarts Clive, I just need you to sign this," He held up a rolled piece of paper and Gildarts mentioned for him to come forward. "Sorry for the intrusion."

"This here," Makarov gestured to Natsu, "is someone I considered my top student. But now, considering some of his element magics are of the eighth or seventh rank, has passed school at the request of the king. He is truly talented."

Natsu had his hood up, making sure that people didn't recognize him. He didn't want to see Lucy or Gray and have to explain that he was going again, it'd be better if they didn't see him until nine years were up.

"If he's that strong, then he should be able to hit me from over here." One of the thirty-year-olds sniggered, I'm sure he's just a child acting as though he's powerful."

"Ignis," Natsu said quickly after the man stopped speaking. A ball of fire hurtled towards the man, leaving a trail of golden sparks in the air. His hand was open, and as the ball was about to hit the man, he closed his fist, and the ball of fire dispersed.

"Please try not to kill my students, son." Makarov chuckled as did Natsu, "Be safe out there, it's dangerous."

"Don't worry about me, Gramps." Natsu grinned at him and turned to leave, his eyes catching some doe brown orbs, he kept his attention on her. Almost as if he was directing it to her but he said it to Makarov, "I'll see you in seven years."

Natsu threw his 'posh' clothing into a bag. It's not that he wasn't grateful for the gift, but he didn't like the tight feel of the clothes or how he stood out in a crowd when he wore them. He always felt like he stuck out like a sore thumb in them; everyone would move out of his way, or even bow, because of the fabric that he wore.

Now, in a simple cotton shirt and rough cut trousers, he felt comfortable. His bag went over his shoulder and across his body, hanging on his left side, and his sword was on his right-hand side.

Natsu was surprised he thought Happy would have tried to contact him through their mental bond. But he hadn't.

He tucked in the random cloth that fell out of his pocket, gently pinching the soft silk as he did so; he wondered what it was, but that'd have to wait for another time.

Quickly, he ran down the small corridor; with a great sigh he flung open the large doors that brought light to his eyes and he smiled gleefully. He had never travelled far from home, the furthest he had been was when he entered the Mountain Range - but now, with an overwhelming sense of pride, he felt like he had accomplished something small.

Now, was time for another small part of his great quest:

He was going to save his father, and nothing would stop him!