Author's note

Ok, Chapter 13 is here, but first: I got a review recently about Kinzo seeming to be weak, and the idea of Lucy being stronger than him came up as well as questions about what I planned to do with the MC's 'power level' in this story. It was an interesting comment/question so I just wanted to post part of my response to those questions here so everyone can be on the same page about where I'm gonna be taking this story in the future. If you're not interested in that then feel free to skip down to the Chapter title.

"...thanks for the review. And to your question "why is Kinzo so pathetically weak?" I would say, he's not? I'm curious what about the story/his interactions makes you think he is weak. So far in the story he's gone toe to toe with Erza twice and held his own, beaten Gray, and I thought I did an okay job of giving him a 'reputation' as a dangerous criminal. So I don't think I've written him as a weak character? I mean the only two people he's lost to so far are Makarov (who is one of the strongest, and most knowledgeable characters in the whole series.) and Ultear (who I am giving a serious buff to in this fic) who are both heavy hitters.

Now to your point about him being weaker than Lucy, it depends on what you mean. If you're talking about the amount of magic he has then yes she has more. But one of the main things I'm trying to stress in this story is the idea that just because someone has more magic doesn't mean they are going to win a fight.

So let's take a fight between Lucy and Kinzo for example.

What magic does Lucy have at this point in the story? Just a few celestial keys right so she would be summoning her fighters (Taurus, Cancer, Aquarius, and Virgo) to do most of the combat since she isn't so great at it herself and at this point, she can only summon one spirit at a time. But close combat is where Kinzo shines (Remember he is at Erza's level or higher when it comes to swordsmanship). Cancer, Taurus, and Virgo wouldn't be able to keep up with him in a fistfight.

The only real threat Lucy has is Aquarius, but she needs a water source to be summoned and is just as likely to attack Lucy as she is to help her. From there what could Lucy even do? Hide in that clock spirit for a while? try to use her whip against an opponent who is much better at fighting than her? My friend I promise you, under no circumstances would Lucy ever beat Kinzo in a fight (at least not until she is as strong as she is in the final season, because I actually do think they buffed her quite a bit... though I'm still not the biggest fan of her character.)

The point I'm trying to make is that in this story, more variables than just magic container size are going to play a role. The tools, strategy, and athletic ability of the fighters will also play a big part in combat. I hope that makes sense.

As for the MC getting stronger. If you're talking about him just having more magic power generally then that wouldn't happen until at least the S-class trials if it happens at all. And as of right now I don't plan on giving him any slayer magic. He will be learning a couple of new kinds of magic but it's not gonna be the big in-your-face flashy stuff most people are used to. Most of his 'power ups' will come in the form of making/finding new tools that give him an edge (Like Talionis or his revolver)

I hope that explains what I'm gonna be doing with this story and why I don't think Kinzo is a weak character. But listen, if that kind of story bores you I get it. I like reading OP Natsu fics just like everyone else, that's just not what I'm gonna do with this fic."

Ok so I hope that clears things up for how this story will be progressing in the future, and sorry to anyone who was hoping this character would become OP in the traditional Fairy Tail way.

Anyway on with the story.


The Greyhound: Part 2, Old Demons

Chapter 13

Erza and Natsu had been sitting in their cell together for a good hour. She refused to speak with him for now, too irritated by his antics and stressed about having to see Seigrain again. Her mind was a mess, so when she heard the sound of someone else coming down the stairs she took it as a welcome distraction.

It was Kinzo, being escorted by one of the council members? Why would she bring him down here herself?

They didn't even acknowledge them as they walked by. The woman had a pleased smirk on her face and Kinzo appeared to be deep in thought.

When they reached the cell she roughly shoved him in. Before finally turning to look towards her and Natus' cage. "Well we can't have you two listening in now can we." After speaking she did something to the enclosure, before walking in herself and closing the cell door behind her.

It was completely blacked out, they couldn't see through the bars at all. And no matter how hard they strained even Natsu's enhanced hearing couldn't pick up on any noise coming from inside. They had complete privacy at the moment.


When she shoved him he lost his center of balance, and just barely managed to stop his face from kissing the brick flooring. But even with that silver lining, he was still on the ground.

As he started to push to his knees (which was difficult with cuffs on) he felt his captor's foot slam into his side knocking the wind out of him and rolling him onto his back.

As he tried to catch his breath he felt a familiar pain. She was once again trying to stab him with her shoe. Gritting his teeth from the pressure, he managed to look up at her all too happy expression.

"Oh pet, you keep running away but always manage to find me again."

Nope, he was not dealing with this. "Stop fuckin calling me that." As he spoke he gripped the heel and twisted his body, breaking the point.

As her balance was pulled forward he went for a leg sweep, but she corrected her step and moved back out of reach. That was fine with him since it let him roll backward and land on his feet again.

Once there he could see the cell doors were covered in a heavy black mist which told him it was a privacy seal. No one could hear or see them.

Kinzo was preparing himself for another fight, but his opponent? Well, she was pouting. Since the heel was broken she had to take her shoes off to stand properly, and now she held them in her hand while glaring at him. "These were my favorite pair," she said in irritation.

All he did was stand ready to fight. Well, as ready as one could be with handcuffs on. "Why are you still wearing those? I think we both know they aren't doing anything, just take them off." The woman said.

The sound of shifting metal could be heard before his restraints hit the ground, and he stood in a real fighting position.

She smirked at his actions "So obedient, there may be hope for you yet."

"Shut up." he sighed, still poised for action.

"Are you sure you wanna do this, things didn't go so well for you last time?" she said while recalling their last two encounters fondly.

"That was 3 years ago," he replied. She just kept smiling at him.

"Well I suppose a good master should discipline her pets, and you do need to pay for 'chewing on my shoes'" she taunted

He was really getting sick of this woman.

She made the first move sending her orb flying towards him. "Metal-Make: Gauntlets" covering his hands and forearms in steel he slammed his fist into the oncoming object. It shattered but he knew she wasn't done.

"Arc of Time: Infinite Sphere" The busted orb was suddenly back followed by a half dozen clones all trying to crash into him. He had to think on his feet. "Metal-Make: Greaves" covering his shins and feet in armor much like his hands.

...

30 seconds, it had been 30 seconds and he still hadn't been hit. Bouncing off walls and breaking every orb that came his way.

One flew close

Jab

Two more

Jab-Cross

Another coming in low

Ax kick

When he got a second to himself he looked in her direction, she still had a smile on her face. He would fix that.

Bolting forward he smashed another pair of orbs and dodged a third, before standing just in front of her. The cell was small, there was nowhere to run.

She quickly used Arc of Time to destroy his greaves and gauntlets but that wouldn't stop him.

"She has a lot of magic but let's see how she does in close quarters"

She wasn't half bad, but she just couldn't keep up. Managing to block or dodge all his strikes but never being able to counterattack. Things were nearly over at this point.

As he jabbed she took a step back just out of reach, but her back pressed against the cell wall. That was the end.

He brought his right fist back for what would be a fight-ending strike. And as his fist came forward... it met only brick, cracking the pieces he'd touched.

And there was the witch, her head tilted to the side mere millimeters from where he'd struck.

They were only inches apart right now and she was staring back up at him with haughty eyes. He meant to strike again, but she spoke.

"I'll admit pet, you've gotten better. But stop and think for just a moment." Placing a finger on her lip in mock contemplation "What would happen if you actually hit me, a council member. Oh just think of the legal hell I could put you through." giggling to herself at the thought.

She leaned even closer, uncomfortably so.

The woman was right. And that's why a smile never left her face. Even though it seemed like she may lose this fight (Though neither of them were going all out) she knew he couldn't actually touch her. Not without serious repercussions.

So despite the fact that she was the one pinned against a wall, he was the one who felt trapped. He lowered his fist.

"Good dog, now heel" she taunted once more.

"It might be worth it to hit her anyway" but if she wasn't here to fight what did she want?

"Why are you here?"

"Well before you started jumping to conclusions and breaking people's shoes, all I wanted was to talk."

"You drop kicked my ribs." he deadpanned.

"Semantics."

He practically growled at her "Say your piece and leave."

Giggling, she obliged "Ah, I just wanted to make sure a silly boy I know doesn't go blabbing to the council about my guild and what I do in my free time. It would be a real shame if they found out about the things he does. After all, they don't take kindly to assassins nowadays."

So that was it. 'Keep your mouth shut and I won't sell you out.'

"Besides, even if you did try to tell them, who are they going to believe? The council member who's been faithfully serving for the past 2 years, or the hitman who spreads fear across all of Ishgar?"

"I get it."

"Hmm? are you sure? I wouldn't mind taking a little time to properly edu-"

"I said, I get it." he bit back, she just kept smiling.

"Good, then I'll take my leave" She patted the side of his cheek in a condescending way before grabbing her shoes and heading for the door.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I received word that you'll be spending a fair bit of time around that Fairy Tail guild from now on, so I'll be sure to keep life interesting for you. I'll be seeing you soon Kinzo, I promise."

Of course, she knew about that too, because she just had to know everything.

She placed a hand on the door about to remove the privacy seal when he stopped her. "Wait."

"Hmm? Missing me already?" he didn't bother reacting to her words and just asked for the answers he needed.

"Your last name, is it really Milkovich?" She paused.

"Come now pet, I knew you weren't the smartest, but I didn't think you were deaf too. Could you really not hear wha-"

"That's not what I mean! Is it your real last name or just some cover you're using?" He needed to know.

Genuine, she looked at him with genuine interest "It's real"

"And your first name, what is it?" This couldn't be real, it had to be a coincidence. The last name, the hair and eye color, the fact that they looked similar. It was all just a coincidence. Besides, the girl he was thinking of was dead after all… but he needed to be sure.

"Why the sudden interest in who I am? You couldn't get away from me fast enough the last time we met."

"Just tell me!"

She stared back for a moment, not saying a word just contemplating "... well I suppose you could just look it up on your own later anyway. It's Ultear. Ultear Milkovich."

"Her Tear." No no no no. This wasn't real, this woman, this monster was not Ur's daughter! Ur's daughter could not be a part of Grimoire Heart!

"What did you just say?" She asked, in disbelief.

"Your mother, who was she!?" He all but screeched at her. "What was her name!?"

Ultear was surprised but seemed to at least somewhat see where this was going, and she would drive him mad with her answer. "Wouldn't you like to know."

With that, she reached for the door once again, broken shoes in hand. "Remember our deal little Kinzo, we wouldn't want anyone to find out about you now would we?" He was practically screaming at her.

"Are you Ur's daughter!? ULTEAR ANSWER ME!"

He continued to yell and plead for an answer until the privacy seal came down, then he restrained himself knowing he didn't want Erza to overhear him.


Erza had been driving herself mad with thinking about what was going on behind those bars. Kinzo and a councilwoman, alone where no one could hear them. And they seemed to know each other, maybe a past flame that met again by chance? … no that was crazy, from what she knew about Kinzo he was not the kind of person to get attached to or involved with someone like that.

Her mind was at ease again.

Until the cell door opened and out walked one Ultear Milkovich. She was barefoot holding her shoes in her hands, and she had the biggest grin on her face.

Immediately Erza's mind started racing again, and the only conclusion she came to was

"Kinzo what did you do to that woman!?"

"..." no response.

"Kinzo answer me this instan-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!"

That was not the response she was expecting. She was expecting either embarrassment or self-confidence. Maybe an arrogant one-liner or two. But the more she actually looked at him the more she could tell he was not in a good mood. Maybe she had been jumping to conclusions.


He didn't want to think.

To hell with all this, there was too much to think about. Too many things had happened in the last 48 hours that shifted the way he lived his life. And too many things were making him question basic truths he thought he knew.

He needed a break, so he rested his back against the brick wall and slid down it. Pulling his knees in close and shutting his eyes. Maybe tonight he could get some sleep, maybe now he could rest.

He doubted it.


Author's note

Alright, bit of a shorter chapter today so sorry about that but we got to see the way Ultear and Kinzo interact in the present and the difference in skill from their first 2 fights.

If there are any clarification questions or recommendations feel free to throw them my way. If I think it would help the story I may alter some stuff and if it is a good question I might answer it in the next Author's note like I did for this one.

Tell next time, take it easy.