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Igneel had never paid too much attention to the appearance of people outside Natsu. He'd glanced at them from his son's eyes, however he'd focused more on what the people made Natsu feel. Not what they looked like. He knew Erza had red hair and Gray always had a frown on his face but if asked to describe any of Natsu's friends in detail, Igneel couldn't do it.

This, however, was the first time he truly looked. The girl named Lucy sure was a talker. They'd sat down to have lunch and Igneel swore she hadn't even paused to take a breath the entire time. She prattled on and on about the amazing guild of Fairy Tail and how much she wanted to join. She'd heard that "Salamander" was in Fairy Tail, and that's why she'd been in the group of girls around the imposter mage. Ah, yes that made sense.

Although, that "Salamander" she was referring to was right in front of her. But with the way Natsu was shoveling food into his mouth, some flying onto nearby customers, Igneel was certain that his son would've been the last person this Lucy would've guessed to be in Fairy Tail, let alone the famed Salamander. The way she described the guild it sounded like some fancy and magical place. In all reality it was full of beer and fights and a little rickety if Igneel did say himself.

All in all it was painfully ironic that the guild this girl fantasized over was the one his son was a member of. Quite ironic. Almost too perfect. Fate made clichés of itself all the time, he guessed.

But while Igneel mentally apologized to the girl named Lucy for his son's horrible table manners –he really hadn't thought of teaching Natsu something like that- it gave him a small snippet of time to take a good look at her. Yes, she was pretty. Blonde hair and big curious brown eyes that were full of admiration for this guild she spoke of. She was a looker, and by the way she talked, she sounded like someone with a pure heart, anyway. There wasn't much more Igneel could assume about her from the short time, rather than to mentally take in that this was the girl Natsu was destined to be with… poor girl.

Yes, Igneel loved his son, his hot-headed and sometimes oblivious son, but he was absolutely positive this Lucy had no idea what she was getting into. He really did feel the urge to pat her on the head and prematurely apologize for whatever Natsu was going to destroy, and all the headaches he'd probably give her. Igneel had had his fair share of migraines due to Natsu as a child, which were then passed off to Makarov, and now most likely this Lucy.

That was… until she stood up and paid for the bill. Natsu and Happy promptly nearly worshiped the ground she stood on after that, but she brushed it off as no big deal. And then… she walked away.

And Natsu turned around, and walked in the other direction.

Igneel nearly choked on his own tongue. This was his son's destined partner and here he was just leaving? Mates weren't something you found every day. And here Natsu was, walking away to the very real possibility of never seeing her again. Igneel guessed that was why it was especially important to teach young dragons about mates, and whatnot. So they didn't just up and walk away from possibly the best thing to ever happen to them. After all, Natsu had felt a connection with her, but he'd had no idea what it'd meant, so he'd just brushed it off as an odd feeling and shoved the lingering confusions out of his mind.

Igneel was caught between yelling at his son –although Natsu would never hear him- and just saying "whatever, his loss" and letting it go.

However, before he'd even had the time to cool off, or figure out whether to be angry or give it up, fate turned around once again and apparently gave Natsu a second chance. A second chance that this time his son didn't pass up.

Way to go Natsu. So first half of the first episode in this one, second half in the next. I swear not all of these will be focused around Lucy and some shipping and whatnot. Just the last one, this one, and the next. She'll of course play a part in the future, but it won't be all about mates and that silly stuff. XD I also see Igneel being like "oh I'm so sorry" to Lucy when Natsu destroys stuff and whatnot, lol.

Again just holy cow thank you for the reviews and stuff. I've been able to speak with a few people about what they think of Natsu and Lucy and the idea of mates because of this, and it's been really great seeing what other people see as canon and not! :D

~Foxtail-chan