XIV
Maybe it was coincidence, or maybe it was fate, but either way Igneel looked at it, Natsu was slowly forming a team, just after receiving his first true partner. He'd found a companion in Lucy, and the two of them plus Happy had made up what was now clearly defined as a partnership. However, when Erza returned from her solo mission, requesting help from Natsu and Gray, Igneel felt yet another shift.
The four of them, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Lucy, were together for what was supposed to be a one-time deal. It was just a quick and exciting job involving a dark guild. Igneel was positive that had Makarov not been at a guild leader's meeting, he probably would've highly opposed Natsu and Gray going on a mission together, whether out of concern because they fought more than they didn't, or because they could probably destroy two towns while they were out. However, Makarov was indeed absent, so the four departed without problem.
It was definitely supposed to be temporary, but as they all boarded the train, Erza promptly conking Natsu on the head to knock him out of his motion sickness misery, Igneel had a feeling it wouldn't be anything less than permanent. But that was just a hunch. He'd have to wait and see.
Natsu was out for the count as Erza explained the situation. However, Igneel was wide awake and listening. Eisenwald, a dark guild, was causing more trouble than ever and was rumored to have a device called "Lullaby". Igneel had heard of it before, his teeth gritting at the mere mention. It was a demon of Zeref's. This wasn't just some ordinary flute they could obtain on the job, conquering the Eisenwald in the process. This was serious.
Natsu had never gone on any missions quite like this one before. They were dangerous, sure, but not this kind of dangerous. Not "let's go defeat a Zeref demon and a dark guild in one fell swoop" kind of dangerous. Igneel was worried, as more details about the situation were given, but he found some solace in the fact that Natsu wouldn't be alone. Because he did have three other people watching his back now. That was the advantage of having a team.
However, that didn't mean that this job was going to be easy. And as they departed the train, Natsu still unconscious and somehow forgotten… Igneel was definitely positive that this, Natsu's first job with what Igneel hypothesized as his future team, was going to be far, far from easy.
But then again things that were difficult, and things that pushed people to their limits, were rough, but also sometimes needed. Because Natsu could've gone on his normal jobs forever and gained very little, but now, with friends and allies around him on a quest that involved some very ominous forces, he could learn and grow at speeds ten times faster than if he'd have been alone.
And the first mention of Team Natsu by Igneel. I've always had the feeling that Igneel has some super spot-on hunches, such as Natsu getting a team out of this job. The Lullaby arc will probably take a few chapters. Some important things did happen even though it was such a small arc. :D
Thank you again for the amazing support. I'm so glad there are others enjoying these little snippets! You all make my day! :D
~Foxtail-chan