Titania and The Hunter

Chapter 47: Happy Birthday

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Lucy wrapped herself tightly in the warmth and comfort of her blanket. The sound of people walking out in the street by her apartment. The soft splashing of water along the aqueduct by her house. The Heartfilia girl slowly opened her eyes to be greeted by the bright shine of the sun illuminating through her window and drapes.

The Fairy Tail Mage raised from her bed and stretched her arms out with a blissful moan. She pulled a little on her top to cover the peeking midriff and stifled a yawn. She smacked her lips before looking out the window and smiling, "What a beautiful day." The busty blonde turned back to her apartment-

"Done!" Natsu emerged from the kitchen with a plate of flaming black food. He smiled while the fire raged on, "I finished cooking! I think it looks pretty good."

"Nastu! That's not how you bake!" The blue cat reprimanded him while frantically flying around the burning pastry, "It's ruined now!"

Natsu tilted his head, "What's wrong with it?"

"Move, Flame Brain." Gray smacked the Dragon Slayer aside and quickly grabbed the tray before it clattered to the ground, "Why don't you just sit back and let a professional handle this." He ducked into the kitchen for an instant and a powerful gust of cold air seeped out before he emerged. The flaming food on the plate had been frozen solid now as Gray smiled smugly, "What do you think? Pretty good, huh?"

"That's not any better at all." Happy whined.

"You ruined it!" Natsu roared and stomped his foot, "Its just one big ugly chunk of ice now! It was way more appetizing when it was on fire!"

"You're delusional." Gray shook his head, "No one would eat a cake if it turned their mouths into a fireplace."

"And they'd enjoy frostbite more?! You're the stupid one!"

Gray dropped the platter and got up in Natsu's face as they started growling at each other, "Say that again! Go on, I dare you to say something bad about my perfectly cooled delicacies and culinary expertise!"

"You cook for shit!"

"You little-"

"HEY!" The two men flinched under the powerful booming voice and looked over to see a now wide-awake and fuming Lucy. She was red with anger, "Why are you in my apartment this early?!"

"It's not early." Gray shrugged.

"Yeah. It's like 8 something." Natsu nodded as the two boys' anger quickly subsided in order to correct Lucy, "You shouldn't be so lazy."

"Shut up!" She squeaked before pointing past them, "And what did you do to my kitchen?! It looks like a storm passed through!"

Happy emerged with a trout covered in frosting as he happily started munching on it, "We were making a cake! Natsu said he was gonna cook it himself and I told him it was a bad idea and he did it anyway."

"Why didn't you stop him before he burnt the whole room down?!"

"I didn't wanna stifle his creativity."

"That's it!" Lucy slipped between them and started pushing the two boys and cat towards the door as best she could, "I don't know why you're cooking or how you got in but you're leaving now!"

"We can't!"

"Why not?!"

"Because we're supposed to plan for the party here!"

Lucy stopped and looked between them in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

The door to her apartment opened up and they saw Mira come walking in with a few bags of groceries. She saw them and smiled, "Oh, good morning Lucy. I see you're finally awake."

"Mira-San?" Lucy pushed the boys away to address the barmaid she respected the most for answers, "W-what's going on? Do you know why their in my apartment talking about cake? And how they even got in?!"

"I let them in."

...

Lucy respected the model too much to grab and shake her around. Her voice trembled, "Why?"

"Because everyone else at the guild is busy doing other things, so we need to focus on the cake." Mira lowered the bags on the table and spoke cheerfully, "Natsu said your kitchen was perfect so we came to use it. We didn't wanna wake you because you looked so peaceful."

"Don't do that. Don't ever do that again. Please knock and I promise I'll come to answer."

"Sorry, but we were just in so much of a hurry we didn't have time to consider that." Mira pulled out some baking tools and smiled, "We're making a birthday cake!"

"I already made one!"

"I made it better!"

Lucy sighed as the two rivals started arguing again as she turned to Mira, "Mira-San, are you really making a birthday cake?"

"That's right."

"For whom?"

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Naruto looked up silently from his bed and out his bedroom window at the sun and shadows making their way across his bed. He didn't dare move for he did not want to wake the form beside him. His mind wandered aimlessly before he let out a long sigh.

"Morning."

He sat up with a start and looked down to see Erza watching him, her head still lying on her pillow. She still looked like she could fall asleep at any moment before lifting her head, "You look like you've been up."

"S-sorry." He relaxed back into their bed and laid on his side to face her, "I couldn't go back to sleep."

"That's a shame." She closed her eyes and nearly dozed back off into slumber while melting into the pillow, "It's so comfy." He smiled at her dreamy expression before her eyes quickly opened up to look at him, "What woke you up?"

He rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling, "I just...woke up."

"Like you always do today." Erza knew it wasn't just a coincidence that he always seemed to wake up early on this day. But she didn't doubt him about the fact he didn't know. It didn't have to be a conscious action that dictated how he acted on this day. She got comfortable on her side as well to face him before a sad smile took her lips, "You may be the only person I know that doesn't jump at the chance to celebrate their birthday."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. My birthdays are extravagant."

Extravagant meaning that anybody who tries to treat her feels a hefty weight leave their wallet in favor of soon to disappear cakes.

"So," She looked at him questioningly, "Does this mean you won't want a birthday party today?"

"Why are you asking that?" Naruto asked before a tense moment of silence passed between them. His eyes narrowed, "Why are you asking that?"

"So how are you feeling?" Erza quickly shifted the conversation as she smiled. Probably pleased with herself with the flawless way she deflected from his question, "You seem more awake than usual."

Naruto still fixed his doubtful gaze on her for a moment before it softened and he laid back into his bed. He stared up at the ceiling before taking a deep breath, "I feel different."

"Oh?" She sat up to see his expression, "And why might that be?"

"I don't know." Usually on this day of the year he felt rather empty or indifferent to the idea that it was his birthday. But this time there was a strange stirring in his chest. He relaxed back into his side of the bed, "I don't know what's different."

"I think I do." Erza reached across his chest and grabbed his bicep, "Everything has changed recently. You got your arm back. Our guild was destroyed and rebuilt. We returned to the Tower."

"I nearly lost you."

"But you didn't." She was quick to point that out before he could look anymore devastated by the idea. Even if they lived and made it out of the disaster that was the Tower of Heaven as it exploded with the full force of Etherion, they nearly died. Naruto beaten closer to death than he had ever had before in a fight. And her...she had nearly disappeared trying to channel the blast in a way that wouldn't endanger their friends and innocent lives. Whether it was divine intervention, if she actually succeeded, or even if it was dumb luck, she was able to survive. And she couldn't forget the look of horror and anguish on his face as she started to disappear into the light. She lifted her hand to caress his cheek and look him directly in the eye with as much apologetic concession as she could muster, "I'm sorry for ever forcing that choice on you. But I promise I will never let that happen again, and I won't ever leave you."

His expression softened and he held the hand touching his cheek, giving it a small squeeze before she leaned down to give him a chaste kiss. They separated and laid in bed for a moment as Erza looked down at their position.

"I saw this. We were just like this in my dream."

"What was it like?"

"Terrifying." She answered, "I felt like a ghost. Floating around the house without any real form or presence. I couldn't touch anything. I couldn't feel anything. No one could see me. You couldn't see me." She looked into his eyes, "But you still talked to me like I was right there. Like you still knew I was beside you..."

Or he was just so steeped in depression that he resorted to talking to himself.

He knew that was an answer, and he was mulling over saying it but Erza leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips. He was effectively silenced before she pulled away and smiled, "I'm never going to leave you. I'm never going to put you in that position again. I'll be here with you through everything. I promise."

He couldn't stop the smile forming after hearing her words. They tugged his lips and he pulled her in closer across the bed, getting a small squeak out of her before she quickly smiled and held his face between her hands. They kissed in a moment of passion and reveled in the warmth of each other. They shared it for a moment before Naruto quickly positioned himself over her while keeping their kiss.

After a moment they separated and Erza gave that naughty smile he loved so much, "Well, how about a nice little gift to start the day?"

He smirked, "Well, I can't say no to a gift-"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

The door swung open with Koyuki's gleeful cheer as she charged in to greet her older brother on his birthday. Mahiro followed behind, carrying a tray of breakfast foods and treats to help start the celebration, "Happy birthday, Onii-chan! We brought you breakfast in bed!"

"Oh, that's nice." Erza sat up in bed and opened her arms as the young chestnut-haired girl jumped up on the bed and greeted her with a hug and kiss on the cheek. The scarlet-haired girl smiled at the excitement on the toddler's face, "That was very sweet of you to bring Naruto a treat on his birthday."

"Erza?" Mahiro felt compelled to ask as she raised a brow at the scene she just witnessed, "Were we interrupting something?"

"Nothing at all. Naruto was just so happy to see you he jumped right out of bed!"

"At a sharp angle. And hard enough to bounce off the wall." The blonde Rune Knight heard the birthday boy groan and lift himself up from the ground, "You okay?"

"Peachy." He sat on the bed and rubbed his head before he felt a kiss on his cheek. Koyuki had crawled over to his side and greeted him as he smiled and swept her up in a hug, "And good morning to you too!"

"Hehehaha! Happy birthday!" She giggled in his arms before squirming her way out and pointing at the tray her mother carried, "We brought you breakfast!" He smiled and turned around as Mahiro laid the tray across the bed. He picked up a fork, cutting off a portion of the omelette before eating it up.

...

...

...

His eyes slowly panned around and saw Koyuki, Mahiro, and Erza watching him with expectations in their eyes. He steeled himself, remembered his years of training, forced the food down his throat, expertly hid the fact it tried to come back up, and swallowed it again before he could get clammy, "Delicious."

Oh god that sounded forced.

"Yay!"

"That's a relief."

"Well," Erza nodded happily, "I think this birthday is starting off on a wonderful first step."

If they were more attentive they would have noticed the half-hearted nod Naruto gave on his increasingly paling face, but they were just so happy it went overlooked.

"So," He coughed, giving himself a moment of reprieve, "What are we doing after this? We could go to the guild and see what everyone else is up-"

"No!"

If one of them said that it would have been means for questioning, so the fact that all three - even Koyuki - quickly denied his suggestion was room for concern. He raised an eyebrow, "Why can't we go to the guild?"

"..."

His eyes narrowed sternly, "What's happening at the guild?"

"We were actually thinking about going around town. Peruse some shops. See what's come in. Get some ramen?" Mahiro knew she had him hooked when his stern expression turned into one of hesitant glee, "How does that sound?"

"And I wanna play in the park!" Koyuki exclaimed before looking up at Naruto, "Can we go to the park? Please~?"

"And my new armor was coming in today. I thought we could go pick it up." Erza also gave him a pleasing look, "Please~?"

"Fine." He relented, letting out a heavy sigh as they all cheered, "I guess we aren't going to the guild today. For any reason. Whatsoever."

"Exactly." Erza finally got out of bed and stretched out her limbs, flipping her hair back, "Now I need to go take a bath. Koyuki, do you want to join me?"

"Uh-huh!"

His lover and their little sister walked out of the room and towards the bathroom to leave him and Mahiro. He took another bite of his food and resisted to gag, "Did you have to let Koyuki handle cooking this?"

"What are you talking about? We did it together."

"Of course you did."

A very, very long day ahead.

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"Okay, we've got a long day ahead of us people! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" Cana barked atop the table, clapping her hands loud enough to echo across the guild as everyone set for the party. The bikini-clad babe pointed across the room, "Levy, you and the guys better get all those hats and streamers together!"

"I-I'm on it!" The blue-haired girl attempted to carry as many hats as she could handle while Jet and Droy followed behind her.

"Master!" She turned to the old man that had stretched his legs up to hang a Happy Birthday banner across the second level banisters, "You better hurry up tying that thin!"

"Y-you're asking a lot from me." Makarov whined and patted his back, "This old man shouldn't be pushing himself so hard."

"Not gonna work this time old man! You're helping and there are no excuses!"

"Urh." Makarov groaned, "Freaking making me work. Such bullshit."

"Gajeel!" She pointed at the Dragon Slayer preoccupied with writing something, "We need help and you ain't helping! You either shit or get off the pot!"

"Chill, drunkard. Off the pot I go." He mindlessly walked off and ignored Cana's glower.

"Come on people! We're preparing a birthday party for Naruto Uzumaki! The guy who never wants to celebrate his own birthday! So this'll be our chance to blow him away! He's done a lot for us! Always been a friend! So it's only fair when he walks through those doors we give him such a great party that he breaks down into a blubbering, sobbing mess of joy and starts crying like a bitch, letting the repressed birthday boy inside him break free!"

Everyone stopped working and looked at the busty Card Mage oddly. She frowned, "What are you looking at?! Back to work, all of you!"

"As inspirational as ever, Cana." The brunette turned around to see Mira walking up with a bag in her hands. She jumped down from the table as Mira thanked her with a smile, "Thank you for handling the decorations while we were busy."

"No problem. Bigger party, more booze. More booze, more fun for me." She looked down at her bag, "So did it work? You got to bake the cake in peace?"

"Tada!" She held up the bag with a wide smile. She gave a giddy laugh and smiled even wider, "Oh, this is so much fun! I love when we plan parties!"

"Yeah they're a hoot." Cana leaned in, "So...did you take care of the problem kids?"

"It's handled." Mira nodded, "I sent Gray and Natsu off to get decorations for the party."

"You sent the fuck-it-up duo on a job?"

"Don't worry." Mirajane waved off her concerns with a confident, proud smile, "I asked Lucy to watch over them." Cana sighed and slowly ran her hand down her face, "What?"

"Oh...you poor, beautiful fool."

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Lucy buried her face in her hands and felt her disparaged moan vibrate through her palms. Why? Why? Why did Mirajane leave this task to her? With them?

"Why did we have to get these flowers again?" Natsu questioned while carrying the first batch of flowers from the massive order they bought from the store, "Naruto never struck me as a flower guy."

"And the balloons seem," Gray looked up at them, unimpressed by the designs of the guild insignia and a fox for irony's sake, "Kinda pointless."

"They're not pointless!" Lucy sighed and looked back at the boys tiredly, "We're celebrating a birthday here! This is par for the course! Balloons! Streamers! Cake! Everything!"

"I love popping streamers!" Happy cheered with joy as he floated to her side, "I love flying by peoples' ears when they're not looking and making them go pop! Watch them freak out. I almost gave Master a heart attack last year during Lisanna's party."

"That...doesn't surprise me." The blonde turned to the two boys, "That's how birthdays are celebrated. How do you guys celebrate your birthdays?"

Gray shrugged, "I don't really celebrate my birthday. I just like to let it come and go. Not much wonder to it really."

Natsu nodded, "I don't even know my birthday."

"Me and Natsu spend my birthday fishing the entire day out by the lake." Happy noted, "We get tons of fish and bring it back for everybody. Almost half of it goes to everyone else while I keep the rest."

Lucy looked between them in mild surprise, shocked that they didn't celebrate their birthdays but then figuring that they didn't strike her as the birthday party types. She titled her head, "So does Naruto not usually celebrate his birthday?"

"Nope." Gray shook his head as they headed back to the guild, "He never makes a big deal and just comes to visit the guild normally, maybe take a job. We used to try and throw parties a few years back but he never seemed interested."

"So what's different this year?"

"Erza said to give it a shot. And Mira was totally on board with planning it." Happy hovered along, "I don't know if he's gonna like it but there's gonna be tons of treats!"

Lucy thought back to her birthdays. They were always extravagant affairs held in huge ballrooms, with massive cakes and fountains and filled to the brim with handsome men and women from all walks of life to congratulate her on another year past.

Of course those memories were bittersweet when she remembered the fact that she personally knew none of the people attending her birthday parties.

They were just opportunities. Chances for her father and their business to meet fellow tycoons and extend hands for possible business ventures in the future. It took more parties than she'd like to admit for her to realize that celebrating her birthday was always second to connecting with other companies.

But she did have a reprieve in the memory of more intimate, closed-off celebrations Spetto and the others held for her to cheer her up. That always brought a smile to her face, and a genuine one after spending the entire day forcing a fake one at the behest of her father.

Different kinds of celebrations, and different kinds of people that celebrate them in different ways.

Erza probably wanted to throw this party to raise their spirits after the havoc that happened at that island. She couldn't even begin to fathom the horror and worry that had to plague those two while they returned to the darkest place in their history. But now that it was gone and they were home, they probably wanted to celebrate their return and being able to make it out...relatively intact.

In the end all that mattered was if Naruto enjoyed his surprise party.

She regretted that thought that because they quickly met up with the last person they wanted to meet.

"Hey guys." Naruto greeted them while taking his mouth off the ice cream cone. Behind him Erza, Koyuki, and Mahiro were staring at them in shock and horror. Lucy's face froze and the others quickly hid the party decorations behind their backs, "What are you all doing?"

Natsu attempted to hide the flower bouquet behind his back but failed miserably as a few petals were still sticking up over his shoulder, "N-nothing man! Nothing at all!"

Gray did the same with the balloons, but it was even worse as they floated over his head, "Yeah! W-we just came out for a walk and stuff! Had to lead Natsu around. You know how he is, getting lost like a dumb child. Actually he puts dumb children to shame because at least they know not to keep running around. This moron - OW!" His head lurched back as the bouquet slapped his mouth. The petals leftover in his hair displaced as he slowly lowered his head and hardened his eyes on the glaring Dragon Slayer, "What the hell was that?"

"You were talking so much trash I thought you could use this to freshen your mouth."

That apparently wasn't enough to sway the Maker Mage as he grabbed Natsu by the scarf and pulled him in, "You think you're being funny, prick! You're ruining the flowers!"

"Well maybe you shouldn't go insulting me like that! I ain't a kid lost in the street!" Natsu yelled back, aiming to grab Gray's collar but realizing he had once again shed his clothes.

"HA! I REMEMBER YOU GETTING LOST DOWN THE STREET FROM THE GUILD!"

"ONE TIME!"

"Why do you guys have flowers and balloons?"

They all went still after Naruto asked the obvious question. Natsu and Gray both felt their faces sour and twist in as they turned to look at him. Happy was shaking with the fear and Lucy wasn't doing much better. Erza and Mahiro both had eyes as white and wide as plates as Koyuki hid her face in her mother's leg. The only one who didn't look frightened or worried was Naruto and that was only because he was confused.

But that confusion slowly changed to one of annoyance as he took a guess about why they had them. He hardened his eyes, "Natsu. Gray."

"W-what's wrong with that?" Lucy tried to distract him even as her eyes continued to dash and avoid direct contact with his, "Natsu has a very strong sense of smell and Gray likes floaty things. A-and they decided to go shopping so w-what's wrong with that?"

"That's right." Mahiro came to for the save even while some sweat came down her brow, "They're just doing some shopping. Nothing suspicious or anything to get worried about."

"Bullshit. These two are hiding something." Naruto didn't turn away from the two as they started sweating even harder under the terrifying gaze. Not from Naruto, but the fiery demon behind him that glared them down like she was trying to eviscerate them with her sight alone. And it felt like it was working as Naruto continued, "No way Natsu was shopping for flowers or Gray wanted to stare at balloons. You guys-"

"Okay! Okay, you're right." Natsu stopped Naruto from continuing. The Dragon Slayer shook his head, "No reason to try and hide it from you."

The others looked at Natsu with a mix of shock, horror, and - in Ezra's case - blinding rage.

"I GOT THEM FOR THIS! TADA!" Natsu held out the bouquet and set the whole thing aflame. The beautiful set of flowers was now just a flaming torch in his hand before Natsu stuffed it down his threat and started chewing it whole. He spoke over his full mouth, "Chee? I mahe a mew meel! Taha!"

Everyone just watched Natsu munch on the bouquet in silence. Some with horrified shocks. Most just looking at him with pity like he was the biggest fool in the world. Which may have been true as Natsu bit down on some thorns and did the best he could not to let tears come to his eye.

"So?" Naruto's harsh gaze turned to the other fool that had been caught red-handed, "Are you eating balloons?"

"No. That's stupid." Gray held them and frozen them with his magic. He held them up, "I was practicing with making weapons out of whatever I can find. Check it out!" He made to swing the frozen balloons around but their strings snapped and they shattered over the ground. Gray hummed and acted like he didn't have everyone's judging stares focused solely on him, "Well, that didn't work as planned."

"No shit."

"Natsu! Gray! What did you do?!" Happy flew around them and looked at the mess they caused, "You ruined them! We were getting those together for the part-"

That was about as much as Happy got out before he was slammed into the ground hard enough to leave an outline in the stone. Some steam and smoke rose from how fast he was buried into the ground as the redhead lowered her hand. Erza fixed her hair and smiled at the blond innocently, "Well, now we know what Natsu and Gray were buying. And we should leave them to go buy more. Much more. And make sure nothing happens at all. Right?"

Her threatening tone made the two men sweat, "Y-yes ma'am."

"No way." Naruto shook his head and they started fretting as his gaze turned between them all, "You guys are totally planning-"

"W-wait!"

All eyes turned to the very sudden arrival of Juvia as she popped out from behind a building to interrupt. The blue-haired Water Mage raised her hand, "Naruto-San, it's not what you think! Really!"

"Where the hell did you come from?!"

"It's true that Gray-sama and the others were getting things for a party, but not the one you think!" The younger woman explained to the whiskered man before she turned around, wrapping herself around Gray's arm and composing herself through her blush long enough to explain, "Gray-sama is helping prepare for a party for Juvia's arrival to Fairy Tail!"

"What?!"

"That's right! Now he and Juvia are going to go around town and pick things for her party! Right?"

Gray was concerned; between Juvia's excited expression, the pleading look from Lucy, demanding glares from Erza, and the general confusion and intrigue on the rest of their faces, he didn't know what to do. So he opted for the path of least physical pain and relented with a downtrodden sigh, "Yes. Okay. Let's do that."

"YAY!"

Juvia didn't waste another moment as she pulled him away into the town to do god knows what. Naruto still looked confused but was turned around and led in another direction with Mahiro pushing his back, "Enough of that! C'mon, we still have things do to! Come along Erza!"

"Coming!" The S-Class Mage stayed behind to give Natsu a sharp glare that made the man freeze in place. She pointed at her eyes and then back on him, the Dragon Slayer nervously nodding as he got the message loud and clear. The redhead followed up behind her group and they left Natsu and Lucy standing in place.

A smoldering pile of flowers. Icy pieces of broken balloons. Happy imbedded so deeply in the ground he looked like he belonged there. And now they were down a member and being mercilessly watched by the terrifying redhead.

"Don't worry. It's just going to get decorations. Just make sure nothing goes wrong, okay?"

Lucy hid her face in embarrassment at failing the simple task Mira had entrusted her. But in her defense she blamed the idiots she had to work with.

########Hunter########

Naruto laid back in the seat he had made from a raised platform covered in clothes. Once they had picked up Erza's new armor from the mail, she was quick to drag them to the nearest clothing store. Of course the attendants tried to warn them that they weren't allowed to bring clothes outside to try on.

That argument lasted all of one second as Erza barreled through them and made her way to the changing room.

Those of weak will had no chance of stopping that red-haired train.

He felt someone settle beside him and looked down to see Koyuki had hopped up. She leaned against his arm with a happy hum as Naruto smiled. He ruffled her hair and she giggled as they waited for Erza to emerge in her new armor. But not before he felt a something warm plop down on his crown. He looked up and saw Mahiro smiling at him warmly, "That looks good on you."

He pulled it off and got a good look at the beanie she put over his head. It was orange-red in color and looked similar a smiling cat, "I thought it looked cute on you. So I might get it for you as a birthday present."

"Seriously?"

"It's gonna get cold soon so you might as well start preparing. If you really don't like it we can take it back."

"No." Naruto looked down at the fuzzy, silly beanie and ran his thumb over it.

But he was reminded of Kurama when he looked at it. Granted the demon fox never looked so goofy or cheerful, but it was still enough to bring a smile to the blond's face. He pulled it over his head and looked down at Koyuki with a smile, "What do you think?"

"Cute." The young chestnut-haired girl giggled at his expense, "You look silly."

"Says you."

He pushed down on the young girl's head and she protested but he just chuckled anyway. He looked up at the older woman, "Thank you."

"No problem." She moved some clothes aside and sat down beside him as she titled her head, "So are you feeling better?"

"I never felt bad in the first place." He shrugged, "I was just a little distracted is all. Daydreaming."

"About a lot of stuff I guess. Erza told me about everything that happened." She reached up and pulled the beanie off his head before gently rubbing his hair. He felt like he was being treated like a kid but it was oddly soothing to be comforted like this. She continued patting his head, "I can't even begin to fathom what you all had to go through in that hellish place. I'm just glad you all made it back."

"Barely."

"But you did." Mahiro gently moved his face to look towards her, "That's all that matters."

Naruto blinked and remained silent before sparing a look down at the girl resting in his side. She seemed to doze off for a moment and hadn't heard their conversation as he looked back to the older Senju. His eyes lowered, "When we were there, Jellal...he was our oldest friend...our best friend...but he tried to kill us. I knew he was. I recognized the intent behind his attacks. He was really trying to kill us. I couldn't let him do that. So I fought back. And I beat him. And I left him in that Tower to disappear while I escaped with Erza."

"And?"

"And...I didn't want that to happen." Naruto admitted, a hint of guilt in confessing that but he looked back up at Mahiro. He shook his head, "Even after everything he did I still wanted to help him. Even after he hurt Erza so badly, after he lied and manipulated our friends like that..." Naruto closed his eyes as he felt a wetness come to his eyes for a moment before shaking his head, "I still wanted to help him. But I couldn't."

"That's not your fault. You couldn't help him with everything happening around you and you made a choice...to save Erza and escape. And it was the right choice." Mahiro comforted him, "That's not something you should feel sorry about."

"I know." He nodded, "But I think about Jellal...I remember Kurama...and Hashi-Ji." Her face fell a little and he grimaced, "I just remember all the times I wanted to help people but I failed. And losing them...those times hurt the most."

"Listen to me." She made him face her, "Don't blame yourself for those lives. Not even for a moment. They passed on and there was nothing you could do to stop it. Even Ojii-sama wasn't something you could have stopped from happening. I know you wanted to help them..." She pressed her forehead to his, "But just remember what you've gained from it. What you fight for now and what you refuse to give up because of it. Don't think back at what you couldn't do. Focus on what you can."

Naruto took a breath and nodded, wrapping his arm around Koyuki and waking the girl up as he hugged her.

"I'm done."

He looked up and saw Erza emerge from the changing room in her new armor set. It was larger and more detailed than her previous set. It looked bulkier and heavier, but he doubted that would be a problem for someone like Erza. Most surprisingly under the Heart Kreuz label was a Fairy insignia branded into the chest. She stepped forward and fixed her gauntlets but paused when she saw the redness of his eyes, "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie." She stepped up as he stood from his seat, "If something happened-"

He shut her up by holding her face and planting a long kiss on her lips. Their oscillation lasted for a few moments before he finally pulled back and opened his eyes. Erza slowly realized he wasn't kissing her anymore and opened her eyes as well. He smiled and pressed his forehead to hers, "I'm fine. I swear." Erza still looked worried but her boyfriend stepped back and smiled, "I really like the armor by the way."

She scrunched up her face in the way that said she noticed him leading the conversation elsewhere. She reminded herself not to forget as she fixed her hair and looked down at herself, "It fits well so I'm glad they got everything right. Fortunately I sent them a sheet with my measurements so they could get it right."

Naruto's smile faltered and his eye twitched, "You...you sent out your measurements?"

"Yes. I wanted it to fit perfectly and it seems like they delivered. Why?"

"Nothing. No reason. Why do you ask?" Naruto defended in a manner that was more petulant than he'd like to admit.

Mahiro was quick to come over and Koyuki's eyes widened at the new armor, "How's it feel to wear it again?"

"It feels...different." Erza rested her hand on her breastplate and tried to describe what she felt. The armor made her feel comfortable, but she didn't feel the same sense of relief and security when she wore it. Maybe because that feeling of anxiety and worry when she wasn't was no longer hanging over her head like it used to.

Now that the Tower of Heaven was gone...so were most of her fears and terrors from her memories. They still happened of course, but now that the Tower was gone and everyone was safe...

A warm smile came to Erza's face as she clenched her hand, "It feels right."

They smiled at Erza, happy that she got the armor she had been waiting for. Koyuki looked up at them, "What now?"

"I think we should go visit the guild."

Naruto had to force himself not to laugh when he saw the shock on their faces. Mahiro and Erza were quick to share a look before turning to him, "A-are you kidding? But there's still so much left to do!"

"We've done a lot. I say we go relax at the guild." Naruto was already making his way out the store as they freaked out and tried to figure out what to do. That certainly brought a smile to his face and he chuckled as he heard them call out and chase him.

Time to see what the big secret was they were hiding.

########Hunter########

"Okay everyone, we're almost done!" Mira announced with joy as the tired Mages groaned and raised their fists from where they laid on the ground. It had taken the better part of the day to prepare but now the guild hall was decorated from ground to roof. She looked out over the exhausted crowd, "Thanks for the hard work everyone!"

"God my back." Makarov moaned as he rubbed his back and tried to straighten out. When he tried he flinched in pain and doubled over, "I pulled something! I definitely pulled something!"

"You guys did a great job getting the decorations!" Mira congratulated the helping team and asked innocuously, "There weren't any problems getting them I hope."

"A few." Lucy muttered as she continued to prod and cradle the unconscious Happy they had pried out of the cement. Natsu was hunched over with his head on the bar counter. And Gray looked defeated after managing to come back with Juvia holding his arm and looking like she had just won the lottery, celebrated Christmas, and every birthday ever on the same day. The blonde sighed before looking up at the barmaid, "As long as we're done now."

"Yep. Just the final touches." Mirajane ducked behind the counter before rising back up with a cake. She walked out and placed it on the table as a few people came over to see it themselves. It was a chocolate cake with white frosting and strawberries around the rim, writing that said Happy Birthday and a few crude attempts of drawing Naruto in frosting, "TADA!"

"Hmm." Cana took a swig from her mug, "Mira, sweetie, you do realize there are way too many people here to feed off one cake,right?"

"Oh~, don't worry about that. I've got everything planned." Mira cryptically answered with a wink, "Now we don't know when Naruto is getting here but it's about the time Erza said she'd be leading them here. We should leave this on the center table for him to find but...I can't remember where I put those matches."

"Finally!" Natsu snapped back up and made his way towards the crowd. Flames came off his hand, "Outta way! Let the master handle this!"

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

Almost in sync, everyone across the guild jumped back to their feet and got between the approaching Dragon Slayer and the cake. Natsu jumped back, "Huh?"

"Natsu! You are getting nowhere near this cake!"

"Don't touch it! Or anything else! This took us all day!"

"Just - just go upstairs! Sit on your hands and wait for the party to start!"

The Dragon Slayer narrowed his eyes and swung his hand down as the fire dissipated. He stomped off in a huff and climbed up to the second level while mumbling curses. All he wanted to do was help and they were treating him like a walking disease. Bunch of assholes. Ungrateful jerks. After he carried all those decorations back for them to use! Sure he accidentally destroyed a few more by mistake but it was the thought that counts!

He finally came to the top level and stopped in surprise. The pink-haired man could only watch in confusion as his fellow Dragon Slayer was dressed to the nines in a fancy white suit. A hat and dark shades to cover his face and a guitar as he practiced some dance moves.

"What are you doing?"

Gajeel finally realized he was being watched. He sighed when he noticed it was Natsu and snarled his teeth, "What the hell, Salamander? Don't sneak up on me like that!" Natsu just continued to stare at him in disgust and the Iron Dragon Slayer held up his arms challengingly, "What? If there's some you like then say it."

"I didn't like that. I didn't like any of that." Natsu shivered in disgust before glaring at his least favorite newbie, "Is this what you've been doin' the whole time! We've been getting shit ready for Naruto's party while you were dancing or something, you ass!"

"I ain't just dancing, dipshit." Gajeel smirked and fixed his sunglasses, "I've been preparing the perfect song and dance number to throw for a celebration!"

"Naruto doesn't wanna hear your stupid music!"

"Who gives a shit whether he wants to hear it or not?!" Gajeel spun around and grabbed his guitar before striking a pose, "This is about giving the audience everything they've ever wanted. And if they haven't...they're gonna get it anyway."

"Nope! No way are we gonna listen to your shitty singing again! I've still got a ringing in my ears from last time!" He marched over to Gajeel and made to grab his guitar before the former Phantom pulled it away, "Give me that stupid thing, I'm gonna make kindle out of it!"

"You'll be dead before you ever touch this thing, Salamander!" Natsu lunged but Gajeel got his foot on Natsu's chest and kicked him back across the second floor. The pink-haired Mage cracked the railing before pulling himself up and yelling as his body released flames. Gajeel covered himself in his Scales and the Dragon Slayers started pulling on the guitar, "If you don't let go I'm gonna break your fucking arms!"

"It's worth it to make sure you never sing again!"

"You underestimate my vocal chops if you think breaking my guitar is enough to stop me!"

"Then I'll stomp on your throat! That'll shut you up!"

"Your foot would break before you even started to scratch me!"

"Our last fight proves you wrong!"

"If you wanna rematch then let's go bitch! I've been aching to-"

The two Dragon Slayers were so preoccupied pulling on the guitar and whipping each other around that they didn't realize they broke through the cracked railing and fell from the second floor. They hit the ground hard, landing on one side of a table and breaking its legs. Unfortunately this caused the other half to shoot up like a seesaw and the cake on it to fly through the air like a rock.

Everybody gaped in horror as the final piece of their day's worth of effort went sailing through the air and towards the other side of the guild. Thankfully the cake finally came to a stop...

Splattering against the birthday boy's face and causing it to splatter across the people at his side.

...

...

...

"Oh my god." Lucy whispered before she hid behind the counter for safety.

All eyes turned to the two Dragon Slayers as the two men became uncharacteristically timid. They waited for the bomb to drop-

"Pffffft!"

Naruto was doubling over and trying to stop snickering. But his laughs broke through and he started cackling like crazy while looking at Erza, "Y-y-you just got that armor too! Ahahahahahaha!"

Erza wiped some frosting off her face with an amused smile before looking him over, "You are hardly one to talk. It got all over you."

"I know! Hahahaha! That makes it even funnier!"

Mahiro wiped her face of cake while Naruto cackled and sighed, "Glad to see our distraction proved so useful in getting the party ready."

"Mmm! Mama, this cake is tasty!" The young girl cheered and looked up at her mother while licking up the frosting and cake that had splattered over her cheeks.

Naruto licked off some of the food hanging off his nose and moaned, "Oh, that's good!"

Erza smiled flattered and she looked mortified at the frosting on her fingertips, "B-but is this it? I-is this the only cake?"

"No worries!" Mira announced and smiled, "I thought this might happen so I planned ahead!" She stood up as tall as she could as if to look past the group in the doorway, "They should be here right about-"

"UWWWOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!" All eyes turned to the entrance as a big beast came to a stop with a carriage in its hands. The monster reverted back into Elfman and the Beast Soul Mage yelled, "A MAN SPENDS A WHOLE DAY PREPARING THE TREATS AND FOOD FOR HIS FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!"

"Did someone order a ton of cake?!" Lisanna smiled as she held up two platters of cake amongst a slew of other treats from the back of the carriage, "Because we've got enough for everyone!"

Naruto chuckled again but this time just because of the stunned, blissful look on Erza's face as she tried not to drool with excitement. She was so cute sometimes.

Naruto wiped his face clean and yelled out to the guild, "WHAT ARE YOU ALL WAITING FOR?! LET'S PARTY!"

"AAAAAYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEE!"

Happy finally woke up, "Aye sir!"

"And I really thought you were dead for awhile there."

########Hunter########

It was one hell of a party. He had to admit that, even if he wasn't usually one for celebrating his birthday. And it was somehow a step above the usual parties and celebrations Fairy Tail threw.

The guild was cheering and smiling and celebrating like the energetic numbskulls they were. Except this time it was different because every few moments members of the guild would come up and say happy birthday or congratulate him or pat his back or hug him.

Levy came up to him with a present, a book on some of the greatest battles and magical fights in Fiore's history. She then hugged him and thanked him for being such a good friend over the years.

Elfman clapped his back and pronounced him one of the manliest men he ever had the chance to meet. He took that compliment with a grain of salt - seeing as his definition of man was very broad - but still he appreciated the bulky man's thanks. Lisanna hugged him and thanked him for all the fun over the years, and Mira just silently hugged him. She didn't bother to say anything but the smile she had when she looked up at him told him she didn't need to.

Cana tried proposing a toast and gave him a few mugs of beer but Erza was quick to snatch those away. And to the relief of a lot of people.

Yeah, he was apparently a weird drunk, but he didn't even get to drink before someone else took it from him!

Anyway, Makarov sat with him while some of the others tried to preform party tricks or played games that quickly devolved into beating each other up. The old man grinned and laughed between swigs of his drink, patting his head and remembering the fresh-faced little brat that came to the guild so many years ago. And how proud he was to see one of his kids come so far since then. Naruto wouldn't admit just how warm and fuzzy that made him feel.

Gray was the center of attention for a moment as he created a giant sculpture made of ice of everyone together in the guild hall. And was followed up with Natsu and Happy's attempting at painting a portrait of him that ended up being globs of paint thrown together on paper. The ensuing fight was still entertaining and it was the thought that counted. Lucy tried to keep coninvce them to stop but the poor girl just couldn't get through to them.

Finally it looked like Gajeel was going to serenade them with a birthday song. But then everyone in the guild swarmed the stage and separated him from the mic as fast as possible.

It was a wild party. Cake was devoured. Games were played. People were thrown. Fights ensued. Max ended up with a broom shoved up his ass.

Not quite sure how that happened but he quickly pushed the thought out of his head.

Now it was well past midnight and almost everyone had passed out. People were waking up and helping each other out to get back home. Mahiro had already left earlier to bring Koyuki home as the toddler had stayed up well past her bedtime to celebrate. Now it was his time to head back home with the others, except...

"Hey~, stop shaking! This carriage ride is terrible!"

Erza had been intercepting most of the drinks heading his way to avoid him getting drunk. But as they quickly found out it didn't take too many cups to get the proud redhead over her limit.

"Slow down Lucy! It's like you have two left feet!" Erza groused as she stumbled on her feet even with an arm over his shoulder to steady her. They swayed back and forth as Naruto tried to keep his girlfriend level but she was just so squirmy that it proved futile, "Why are we even leaving the guild, Natsu?! There was still more booze to be had!"

"Because you've had enough." Naruto calmly answered while she continued to stomp angrily and try to escape his grip, "And I'm not Lucy or Natsu. It's me."

"No! I'm me!"

He sighed, "Yes. Yes you are."

"Unhand me! I can walk on my own two feet! Or hands! I can do that! Don't think I can't!" He stifled a chuckle before relinquishing his hold on her arm and letting her stand by herself. She looked like she would fall over before with almost inhuman ease she found her footing and was planted like a tree. She wiped off her breastplate before looking up at him with a scowl, the look only slightly betrayed by the fact her face was red from the alcohol, "Now we still have time. We need to go buy more beer."

"No. we need to go home."

"You fool have you gone mad!" She grabbed him by the collar and started shaking him, "The night is still young! This is the perfect time to be drinking!"

"Erza it's almost morning. We should go home." He tried to reason with her even though he knew his logic would not permeate the drunken fog that clouded her mind. He also couldn't stop smiling when he saw her scrunch up her nose and glare at him. She was just so fun, even if she was a mean drunk.

"Bah! You're useless, Laxus! Useless!"

"Yes. Laxus is useless. Glad you remember that even when you're hammered."

She pushed him aside rather harshly but he just took it in stride as she started stomping her way towards the merchant's area. With how drunk she was she didn't realize that obviously no one would be around to sell anything but still she trampled her way there, "Then I'll just get it myself! It's a party! We're young and hot! Let's drink the night away! Forever and ever and...ever...and..."

Her legs finally turned to jelly and she slumped to the ground in the middle of the street. He smiled as he realized she had reached her limit and couldn't function under the booze any longer. He stepped over and bent down beside her, "You okay?"

"Uh-huh." She answered rather groggily.

"You tired?"

"Uh-huh."

"Wanna go home?"

"Uh-huh."

"Okay then." He stood up and beckoned her to follow, "Then let's go home."

She didn't make a move to get back to her feet. Instead she looked up at him, eyes a little hazy and held out her arms, "Carry me."

He snickered, "I thought you could walk on your own?"

"Carry me."

He gave a good-natured shake of his head before coming back to her side and bending down. She quickly climbed up his back and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her legs. With a huff he stood back up with Erza piggybacking and started making his way back home. She mumbled incoherently and nestled into the back of his neck for something comfortable.

"Don't worry, we'll be home soon."

"The party was fun~."

"Yeah, it really was. I gotta thank you for throwing it."

"Did you make sure to wish Naruto a happy birthday?"

"Oops. Slipped my mind."

"Stupid." She probably meant to slap him hard against the head but she couldn't summon the strength, "That was his birthday party."

"I noticed."

"You think he liked it?"

"I think he loved it."

"That's good. I'm glad he's happy."

"He's glad too."

"Hey, wanna hear a secret?"

"Sure."

"I love him."

"Oh?"

"Mm-hmm. I love him a lot."

"I bet he feels the same way."

"He does. And that makes me happy."

"Good."

"I want to stay with him forever."

"And he wants to too."

"I want us to start a family together."

He finally stopped and stood in the street as Erza continued to mumble into his back. He looked over his shoulder at the top of red hair hovering behind him.

That's when he realized why today felt different.

For the longest time he never thought to celebrate his birthday. For him...it was just a reminder of hard times and people he had lost. Kurama. Kakashi. The war. Danzō. The Tower. His slavery. For the longest time he always thought of today as a time of reflection. To remember those hardships and the people that had brought him here.

But as the years went by there was one thing about today that made it bearable. One thing that made this day not so hard. The one thing that year after year made this day that once felt like such a burden to him...mean something special and bright.

This was also the day he met her.

Erza continued to rest against his back as he smiled. He leaned his head back and nuzzled against her hair, "I know he feels the same way."

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay~."

He laughed as he continued carrying her back home, "But you know starting a family means less booze, right?"

"Oh noooooooooooooooo~." Her arms tightened around his neck and she rested in his nape, "Maybe we can wait."

"Maybe."

One day soon.

"I'm cold."

"Next time I'll bring the hat Mahiro bought me. It's warm."

"Yes please."

########Omake: The Name Game########

"Everyone! Listen up!" All eyes turned to Max as he stood on stage and announced across the hall, "Now we have a special opportunity here. Some of our mates formed together and made a team, and a pretty badass one at that. But they don't have a name. So, they're coming up with one! They've got some names and they want all of you to help choose which one works best! So you ready to help them out?" The guild cheered and Max stepped off, "Well then here our your choices!"

Lucy stepped up and waved at everyone, getting a few cheers and catcalls when she did. She held up her huge sign and showed it off for the crowd, "My submission is Soaring Wings! Because fairies are known to have beautiful wings, and we're gonna fly higher than anyone else!"

The crowd clapped and she stood off to the side as Erza walked up next. Her smile was proud and confident as she held up her sign. She waited a moment for everyone to take it in (no one having the heart or balls to tell her the writing was so ineligible they couldn't read it) before she spoke, "Fairy Titans! Because under my name and leadership, I promise this team will climb to the top and prove just how mighty we can be!"

Round of applause and Gray strode up next. After Juvia's long fit of cheering and whistling he finally held up his sign, "Team Impossible. Because I have no idea how we came together and I have even less idea how we haven't killed each other."

Natsu was up next and had a huge grin as he held up his sign. There was a wave of snickers and laughs, "Team Gray Likes To Eat Poop! Because we tell it like it is!"

"You fuck!" Gray tackled him off stage and the crowd had to move aside to let them beat on each other.

Naruto stepped up next and held up his sign, "Team Demon. Because when we scare the bad guys and the monsters, they'll remember the name of the best team in Fairy Tail that sent them running!"

The last round of applause echoed out and Naruto went over to stand by his team's side sans Natsu and Gray. Max clapped and walked up to the front, "Well everyone, there are your choices! Now think carefully and-"

"Wait!" Happy came flying up with a sign, "I was just finishing mine!" He held it up and there was a round of snickers, "Happy and The Happettes! Because!"

...

"Alright then. And those are your choices everyone! Think carefully! Sound 'em out! Give it some thought! Because our newest team is entrusting you with their future! There's a good chance their reputation is gonna go far so how will people remember these new forces of nature! That's up to you!"

########Hunter########

Done

I'm not joking people. Choose your favorite and leave it in a review. And the one with the most votes will be their new name. Seriously. For the rest of the story that's what they'll be called. I'm giving you all a lot of power. Use it wisely. Or don't. Just have fun and pick.

Special shoutout to DarkbladerX666, JohannFuchs, Riku Uzumaki, and Depressed Wisher for the name suggestions. I came up with my own but they just weren't as good as these ones.

That's really all I have to say. Because honestly...I don't have words to convey how thankful and honored am I to have gotten this far with all your help.

What started out as just a Thanksgiving experiment with me getting way too edgy with two of my favorite series...

Has expanded into a story that has seen me through some of the best and worst times over the last four years. This story has tested my ability to write, to think, to imagine, to understand, to empathize, and to experience.

Thank you so much for bringing it this far.

It's been wonderful having you all with me.

Happy four years.

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