Annie: Hey, everyone.
Just2protect: Short AN.
Annie: This story is going to be in books so everyone can read them.
Both: Enjoy. ^-^
Natsu's focus was entirely on the ground, watching his feet move one in front of the other. He didn't even really notice when the cobblestone streets changed to dirt and then to grass and then to a dirt path again. Laxus put a hand on the boy's shoulder just before he ran into the door carved into a massive tree.
"We're here." Laxus said before knocking on the door. Almost immediately, an older woman with bright red eyes and pink hair dressed in a white shirt under a green vest and a dark skirt all under a long red cloak that stood up around her neck and the edge near her head was decorated with claws. The wrinkles on her face made more prominent from the deep scowl she was sporting. Natsu couldn't help but look her over a few times.
"Are you just going to stand there staring at me or are you here for a reason?!" she snapped. Natsu instantly took refuge behind Laxus and peeked out when the teen chuckled.
"Sorry Porlyusica. You remember me, right? Laxus Dreyar?" The woman's eyes narrowed.
"Of course I remember you, stupid boy. Who else would break an arm and an leg every summer for six years straight?!" she snapped before opening the door wide.
"And who's hiding behind you, your little girlfriend?"
"This is Natsu Dragneel, he's Atlas Flame's adoptive nephew." Laxus said, willing the heat suddenly appearing in his cheeks to go away.
"Is Uncle Atlas still here?" Natsu asked timidly.
"Get inside. Back room." Porlyusica said, much more gently than before. Laxus nodded and stepped inside, Natsu following quickly after. The back room was completely bare save for the bed against the wall and the chair in the corner, both occupied by the men caring for the boys. Natsu whimpered at the sight of Atlas covered in bandages on the bed and covered with a blanket. Ivan had fallen asleep sitting up in the chair. Upon hearing the whimper, Atlas groaned and forced his eyes open, though one was nearly swelled shut. He turned with a hiss to the door and smiled at the sight of the boys.
"Natsu." he said, pulling his arm out from under the blanket. Natsu ran over to his uncle but froze before the man reached up, cupping Natsu's cheek with his hand and pulling him to his chest for a light hug. The boy crawled into the bed and laid next to his uncle as Laxus came over.
"You look like someone put you through a wringer." Laxus commented. Atlas' smile faded as he held Natsu tighter.
"Something like that." the former dragon said.
"What exactly happened then?" The three turned to see Makarov standing at the door. A slight noise alerted them to Ivan's awakening as the man pinched the bridge of his nose and stretched his back. "Ah, Ivan, you're awake."
"Father." Ivan greeted before turning a smile to his son. "Laxus." Laxus went over to his father and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You look good." Laxus said with a chuckle. Ivan nodded.
"If it weren't for Atlas, I'd be a dead man now." Atlas' grip on Natsu tightened to near-bruising. Natsu said nothing of it and simply nuzzled into his uncle's chest.
"I'd like to speak to Atlas alone. Natsu, you may stay if you wish." Makarov said in his sternest voice.
"Of course Master." Ivan said as he stood up and left the room. Laxus paused at the door and looked back with a small smile before shutting the door. Makarov took his time with getting the chair Ivan had been in just moments before and pulling it over to Atlas' side as the former dragon slowly sat up in the bed. Natsu helped him as best he could and moved to his other side.
"Atlas, tell me who did this to you." Makarov said. Atlas' head hung as Natsu bit his lip.
"It was Ivan." Atlas admitted. Natsu and Makarov's eyes went wide.
"I was fighting a few of those dark guild jokers and suddenly, my body just froze up. I saw Ivan behind me, casting spells at the dark guild members. He managed to take them out, using me as a shield." Makarov sighed grimly before sitting up straight.
"Ivan, get back in here!" Natsu stiffened at the sound of the man's name and Atlas pulled his nephew into his lap protectively. The man in question arrived moments later.
"You wanted to see me, Master?"
"Indeed. There's a grave matter that has come to my attention. Atlas has just informed me that during your mission, he was used as your shield, unable to move or defend himself against the dark mages. Is this correct?" Ivan glared at Atlas and then shifted his gaze to Natsu. Atlas curled around the boy protectively.
"Answer me, Ivan!"
"There's obviously been a mistake, Master. Atlas is new to the guild, true, but he is still a member of this family, is he not? Why would I use him as a shield?"
"Because you knew that because I was really a dragon, I can take a beating more than the average human or mage. You used that information to protect yourself, leaving me immobile during the whole fight." Atlas snapped as he stood up, putting Natsu in his bed behind him.
"Unless you're calling me a liar, Ivan." Natsu looked to the Master, panicked.
"Uncle Atlas would never lie!" He cried.
"You have to believe me! He's a dragon and dragons never lie! What reason would he have to lie to you?!"
"I've heard enough." Makarov said, tapping his staff on the floor.
"Ivan, due to your actions, you're henceforth, now and forever, expelled from the halls of this Guild. Never again will you be a member of Fairy Tail." Ivan's teeth grit and he turned to Atlas, snarling, before looking to his father and between the two.
"This isn't over, father!" The man snarled.
"You'll regret doing this to me! And once I'm through with you, old man, I'll get back at you Flame! Then I might just take the brat for myself! I've always wondered what the differences are between a Slayer trained by a dragon over a lacrima." Atlas was instantly in Ivan's face, amber eyes colder than Grey's ice.
"Lay a hand on Natsu, I'll turn my Hellfire on you!" he snarled.
"Ivan! Leave now!" Makarov snapped. Ivan snarled again and turned on his heel to leave. The door slammed behind him, but Atlas remained standing, glaring at the door as if the man was about to reappear at any moment.
"Atlas, you may sit back down now." Makarov said gently. Atlas gripped the headboard of the bed tightly.
"Someone angry is coming." He said. Natsu curled into a ball, trying to prepare for the person his uncle spoke of. The door slammed open and the boy jumped.
"What's going on, Gramps?!" Laxus roared.
"Plain and simple, Ivan endangered the lives of the Guild Mates, resulting in the death of one and the severe injury of another. Thus, he's been expelled."
"You've got to be kidding me! It was a mission against a Dark Guild! It's dangerous! Atlas and Macao should've known that!"
"It's more than that Laxus." Atlas said sternly.
"Ivan immobilized me and used me as a shield. Macao tried to help me, only to end up getting killed. All the while, your father was intentionally missing his targets while I was all but ripped apart by their spells."
"Do you even know my father?! He uses Illusion Magic! He can't immobilize people!" Laxus snapped back, a bolt of lightning jumping off his arm and leaving a scorch mark on the floor by Atlas' feet. Natsu gasped and looked up at the enraged teen who'd cared for him during the last month. The difference between the Laxus he'd seen that morning at breakfast and the one before him now were like night and day. The Laxus from earlier had been smiling and cheerful and playful. He'd smelled like the air after a storm. He'd been more than happy to pull Natsu into a hug, up onto his shoulders, onto his back for a piggy-back late at night. The Laxus before him now smelled like something was burning during a storm, hit by lightning and having no chance of surviving the strike. This Laxus was snarling, teeth bared, shoulders hunched to make himself look bigger and rage boiling in those stormy-colored eyes. This Laxus almost seemed to make the earlier one like a distant memory.
"Laxus, that's enough!" Makarov shouted at his grandson, earning himself a rage-filled glare before the teen stormed out of the room, slamming the door so hard that everything on the walls shook. Atlas collapsed back onto the bed, clutching at his bandaged stomach with a groan.
"Uncle Atlas!" Natsu cried, wrapping his arms around Atlas' massive one.
"I'm fine Natsu. Just a little muscle saying it's tired." Atlas said with a smile. Natsu nodded.
"I'll go talk to Laxus," Natsu said as he jumped off the bed and raced towards the door.
"I'll come home in an hour or two, alright?"
"Okay!" Natsu called as he shut the door gently. Makarov turned back to Atlas with a warm smile and put a gentle hand on his unwounded shoulder.
"Get some rest Atlas. You're home now and everything will be fine." The man nodded.
"Also, Porlyusica says no mission for a while." Atlas threw his head back and laughed.
"With the reward I've earned, even through I had tooken Macao's share, I doubt I'll need one for a while." He said before his expression turned grim.
"Something wrong?" Makarov asked.
"I've been thinking. Macao took this job with Ivan and I because he had a kid to care for. I know the kid's not mine, but Macao gave up his life trying to help me. I owe him. And since I can't pay him back directly, I've decided that I'll care for his family in his stead." Makarov's eyes widened.
"Are you sure? Do you even mean by marrying his widow?"
"I'll let his wife have her time to mourn before I bring up anything of the sort. But that kid needs a father-figure. And his wife will need someone too. I won't force her into anything. If she refuses me, then I'll simply ask to still help where I can." Makarov nodded, patting Atlas' shoulder.
"There will be time for that. But for now, get your rest. You have a boy of your own to raise right now," Makarov said before he left the room. Atlas smirked a little as his eyes began to sting and the heels of his palms dug into his eyes, trying to stop the flow of salty water.
"A boy of my own? I wouldn't dare call Natsu mine, not after what happened last time." Unwanted memories came rushing back to the surface. Memories of a sweet little auburn-red dragoness hatchling playing with a small red male hatchling, of the tiny male nuzzling up to him late at night and his mother tickling her baby with her nose, of smelling blood and fire, of the black shadow racing over his and Igneel's heads as they raced towards the gut-wrenching smell, of two mangled baby dragon corpses, never to rise again. Atlas' fists clenched until his fingernails dug into his skin, leaving bloody crescents on the back of his hand and in his palm.
"Laxus! Wait a second!" Natsu called as he ran after the teen. Laxus slowed down and looked over his shoulder, letting Natsu come up to him, panting for breath.
"What?"
"I know you're mad about your dad…But a family can't be hurting each other! And because of Ivan, Uncle Atlas got hurt and he let Macao die!"
"Look Natsu, I know my dad! He cares about Fairy Tail as much as you or me, maybe even more! He'd never just let someone from Fairy Tail die! He also wouldn't have done what Atlas said! My dad can only use Illusion Magic!"
"But Uncle Atlas wouldn't lie to anyone!" Natsu snapped.
"Then why didn't you trust him?!" Laxus snapped. Natsu gave him a confused look.
"You said it yourself, when your dad vanished, you actually believed Atlas killed him to take the title of King of the Fire Dragons, didn't you?!" Natsu stepped away from the blonde, mouth open slightly as the teen's betrayal sunk in.
"Laxus…"
"Don't bother, kid." With that, Laxus stormed off, electricity cackling around him as he left Natsu there, biting back the urge to cry. Laxus punched the wall, leaving a well-sized crater in the plaster. His arm swung back, knocking a shelf over. The tiny gold dragon Natsu had given him hit the wall and then the floor, completely unharmed. Laxus caught sight of the tiny piece and it seemed to calm him down. He slowly moved towards the tiny glass figurine and bent down to pick it up. The memory of Natsu's smile when he got the tiny dragon set flashed before his eyes, how happy he'd been when they finally finished the baby's rocking horse, his sleepy snuggling on the night of the Fantasia parade... Laxus' fingers wrapped tightly around the dragon, as if attempting to crush it in his grip. With a sigh, Laxus stood back up and slapped the dragon onto the dining room table before heading to his room.
A Few Days Later…
Atlas looked up at the house. This was certainly the right place. Macao's former home loomed over him. The dragon-turned-human took a deep breath and stepped onto the welcome mat. A sudden crash followed by a baby's wailing assaulted his ears. Without a second's hesitation, the man kicked in the door and raced inside. The house was dark as he rushed through. A thin layer of dust was beginning to collect on everything. But something that gave the former dragon pause was the scent in the air; something of it reminded him not of Macao, but of someone else he'd lost long before Natsu became Igneel's son. The man shook his head and raced to where he heard the crying and found a tiny baby boy laying on his back next to his crib. The smell coming from his diaper made Atlas gag for a second and the boy's face was red as he kicked his feet and waved his arms around, trying to non-verbally say he needed something. Atlas could hear the baby's stomach growling angrily beneath the crying. He couldn't hear the baby's mother anywhere and her scent was faint, at least a day old if not more. Rage began to boil in Atlas' blood. What mother abandoned her son like this? The baby began to cry louder, knowing he wasn't being cared for despite someone being in the room. Atlas rushed forward and picked up the baby boy gently, hushing him softly, the adult decided to first rid the child of the disgusting-smelling diaper. He knew little of how humans put diapers on in the first place, let alone changed one on a squirming child. After a few attempts, Atlas managed to rid the child of the smell and put on a fresh diaper before taking a blanket from the crib as well as a small soft toy before rushing out of the house and back to the old healer. The instant she'd seen the tiny baby in the former-dragon's arms she had set to work, grabbing herbs and vials and flasks, mixing their contents and rattling off questions one after another.
"Who's is it?"
"Macao's."
"Where's the mother?"
"Gone. Smells like she hasn't been there for a while. Two or three days at most."
"Any idea how old?"
"Probably six months?" Atlas guessed, sitting down and running a hand over the baby's hair as Porlyusica handed him a bottle which he immediately put to the baby's mouth. Without missing a beat, the tiny boy grabbed the bottle with his meaty hands and began sucking as hard as he could.
"He'll need to be fed regularly. I can make up some bottles that you'll need to feed him every other feeding to help him regain some of the nutrients he's missed."
"And how often a day should he feed?" Atlas asked.
"About four to six times. Really depends on him. Start by trying to feed him in another four hours. If he'd not hungry, wait about an hour or two before trying again. But saying as you think it might have been a few days since his mother left, he might be hungry every four hours or so for a little while. Honestly, this is one of the reasons I can't stand humans." Atlas nodded.
"They sometimes act like they're the only one that matters, not another individual that is being hurt by their actions." Atlas said solemnly. Porlyusica sighed and shook her head as she returned to her work of making some bottles for the baby.
"Do you know his name?" she asked.
"I think Macao said something about it being Romeo? There was a large R nailed to the nursery door when I went in. And Porlyusica?" Porlyusica hummed to show she'd heard him. "Do you know how to change a baby? I think I got the basic idea back at the house but it took a little time." The woman sighed.
"I can teach you. Based on what you said to Makarov earlier, it sounds like now your plan would be to take him in?" Atlas nodded.
"Macao died trying to help me. The least I can do is care for the boy he went on that job for," Atlas reasoned as Romeo finished off the bottle.
"You'll want to burp him now." Porlyusica said, moving to sit next to the former dragon and help him set the baby on his shoulder properly.
"He might spit up a bit, but that's normal." Atlas nodded and began patting Romeo's back. As he did, his mind began to register the baby's scent and his eyes widened when he realized he recognized it. He turned his head to the boy and sniffed him again, getting a lungful of scent that neither burned like Macao's purple fire had, nor smelled of the perfumes Macao's wife had worn, but Atlas recognized it as a fire, like a dragon. Similar to Natsu's scent, similar to Natsumi's scent… Romeo burped and Atlas' hand cupped the boy's head, holding him tightly to his chest as he attempted to keep his breathing normal, despite the intense amount of shock he was in.
"Is everything alright?" Porlyusica asked.
"Do you need me to take him for a bit?" Atlas shook his head and pressed a kiss to the boy's forehead, a stray tear slipping down his cheek.
"What's wrong?"
"I used to have a son of my own, centuries ago, around the same time Igneel had a daughter named Natsumi. But she and my son were murdered as hatchlings. Somehow, Romeo's scent is exactly like my son's." Porlyusica's eyes went wide before she smiled slightly.
"Some humans believe in something called reincarnation."
"I know. Dragons believe in that too. When you die, you're born as something or someone else. Do you think that…Romeo is the reincarnation of my son?"
"Perhaps. Either way, he's yours now." She said as she stood back up and returned to her work. Natsu sighed quietly and glanced up at the second floor where Laxus had practically made himself a perch upon beating Cana and gaining an S-Class rank in December. Freed, Evergreen and Bickslow were usually near the grouchy blonde, but still made a point to at least say a cheerful "Good morning" to Natsu. But what Natsu really hated was that he couldn't even go talk to Laxus. The blonde was always either on a job, or seated at his perch where a magic barrier kept Natsu from reaching the second floor at all. With another small sigh, Natsu turned his attention ahead to watch Romeo smash his hands into the orange mush that was supposed to have been his mashed carrots for lunch. Laxus looked down from his perch, eyes almost instantly locking on Natsu. Lightning magic flared in irritation and he felt his left arm tense for a second. He slammed his feet onto the floor, snatched off a flyer from the S-Class board and stormed out without so much as a word to anyone. He'd been irritated with anyone and anything ever since his fight with Natsu that he almost couldn't stand being in the Guild Hall at all, let alone when Natsu, Atlas or his own grandfather was there. It was their fault anyway for Ivan getting kicked out. Laxus' feet slowed as he neared his house. His father had entirely left Magnolia after that job, leaving Laxus alone in the house. And it had been on a more recent job that Laxus found out he'd established his own Guild, Raven Tail. The blonde shook his head and went inside. The door was stopped before it could close by Freed's boot as the green-haired mage entered.
"Going on a job?" He asked.
"What was your first clue?"
"You've been going on quite a few of those lately, are there money troubles?"
"I'm living on my own now Freed. So yea, I think so."
"And this isn't to avoid the Guild Hall, Master, Atlas or Natsu?" Freed asked sarcastically, already knowing the answer.
"It was their fault!"
"I know what you believe, but…We have to look at the facts. Macao is dead and Atlas was all but dead when he was brought to Porlyusica. And I was doing some research. Illusion Magic is basically entering the mind and forcing certain chemicals to react in manners to each other that cause a desired effect."
"Can you repeat that in English?" Laxus snapped.
"In basic terms, your father could telepathically enter the mind of anyone he chose and cause them to react to thought projections he'd created. When I looked up the Dark Guild they went to destroy I found something interesting, if you switch the letters around, Rat Levina can become Raven Tail." Laxus paused as he stuffed a pair of boots into his pack.
"Your point? Those letters can make plenty of other crap too."
"True. However, try looking at it like this. In all but name, your father is a telepath. He can project his imagination and enter the brains of those he's targeting causing them to react to the visual stimuli as they would in reality. There's hundreds of stories of good Wizards who went off to take down a dark guild only to return as traitors, having been given the opportunity to take the lead, become higher than those around them they don't like, and to do it without worrying about the Magic Council's say. I personally don't think it's a stretch to believe Ivan turned Rat Levina into Raven Tail and returned to kill Atlas and thus, lessen Fairy Tail's threat to him."
"First off, Rat Levina's Guild Master is still alive! He's rotting away in a cell right now! Second, Dad didn't even know about Atlas until he got home!"
"True, the Guild Master of Rat Levina is still alive and in prison. But I reiterate, your father is a powerful telepath. When one can affect the thoughts of another, it's a simple matter to make them believe they're still in charge of the Guild, not rotting away in a cell. And in case you didn't notice, most of the members of Rat Levina have either joined Raven Tail or have gone missing or have been found dead, mostly from a chemical overdose. And as for your father learning of Atlas, he did have friends aside from you and your grandfather within the Guild who could have told him about Atlas and Natsu. Perhaps you didn't see it, but the day he came back, he seemed to have an interest in Natsu before he learned who he was."
"So explain this to me, oh wise one." Laxus sneered, turning around slowly, arms crossing over his chest as he leaned against the table behind him.
"Why would my dad want Atlas dead or have an interest in Natsu?" Freed stood up straighter and sighed.
"Atlas is a former dragon. Dragons were once powerful enough to rule this world so it would make sense that if it got out that Fairy Tail had a former dragon among our ranks, our enemies would target Atlas if only to alleviate a threat of power against them. And as for Natsu…" Freed sighed again.
"You probably wouldn't remember, but Master does. When you and I first teamed up, Master called me to his office to discuss you. He explained to me that when you were younger, you got sick very easily. Your father implanted a lacrima into your skull behind your eye that not only ended your getting sick, but also enhanced your muscles and bodily functions until…" Freed gestured towards the larger, more muscular teen's form.
"You can see. But what Master stressed upon was the fact that even without your copious number of diseases, this operation is exceedingly dangerous, not to mention this is a Lightning Dragon Lacrima implanted in your skull. If even the slightest thing had gone wrong, you would not be here right now."
"All you're telling me is that my dad did something to help me get better as a kid and so far the effects are pretty darned good."
"What I'm saying is that Natsu was raised by dragons, the very beings that created Dragon Slayer Magic. Of course there would be differences between your abilities for a number of variables: age, your genealogical history, the time spent training, but the one that stands out the most is that Natsu literally has Igneel's blood, blood of a pure fire dragon, in his veins thanks to a blood fusion spell but your lacrima only has crushed scales, small amounts of blood or the like from a Lightning Dragon. To a man like Ivan who loves to learn about the unknown, Natsu is equivalent to a gold mine of knowledge to study, prod, poke…dissect."
"Shut your mouth!" Laxus roared as something inside him snapped and his arm shot out, punching the wall and leaving a well-sized crater in the object. Freed didn't even blink.
"Just shut your mouth about things you don't know!"
"I will admit I don't know exactly what your father's intentions were. But I'm drawing conclusions based on what we do know and what makes sense. But something I'm absolutely certain of is that Bickslow and Evergreen miss being with Natsu, and they're not the only ones! Ever since that job, you're constantly trying to be alone, are hardly ever at the Guild and haven't even smiled once!" The green-haired mage opened his mouth to say more but instead opted to take a moment to calm down.
"You miss him too?" Laxus asked, catching Freed's attention.
"Yes." Laxus nodded before glaring at the mage.
"I don't own you, or Bickslow or Evergreen. If you guys want to hang out with Natsu, fine. But I want nothing to do with that kid anymore. So do what you want, I seriously do not care." The Dragon Slayer snarled before turning back around and stuffing things into his pack with more rage than before. Freed sighed and shook his head.
"One last thing. I know you're alienating yourself from those who don't see things the way you do about your father, but don't let that isolate you entirely. Master is an old man and your last remaining family in Fairy Tail, Natsu is going to defend his uncle who came home wounded, and you're the only one looking for Ivan's innocence where there is none." With that, the rune mage turned and headed for the door, pausing with a hand on the handle before turning back somewhat.
"The job you're going on is at Mt. Hakabe, you'll need a coat."
"I know."
"And Master and I will have our lacrima on us at all times if you need us." Freed said solemnly as he opened the door and left. Laxus snarled, gripping the pack before flinging it across the room with a roar and slamming his hands down on the table. A flash of lightning and the table was burnt to a frail crisp that turned to a pile of ashes after a moment. Laxus sighed and plopped down into a chair, glaring at the pile. Near the bottom, he caught sight of something glistening in the light. He bent down and picked it up, dusting the ash off the tiny glass dragon in his palm.
"You again, huh?" His fingers wrapped around it again and he pressed his fist to his forehead. Too many emotions were racing through him for him to really label. Those he could label, he didn't want to feel: Anger, betrayal, sorrow, regret. He knew his father hadn't been the best of people, but as far as Laxus could really remember, he'd been tolerable. His first instinct upon hearing his father's complete banishment from Fairy Tail had been to protect the man, if only because he was flesh and blood, he was family and no one could choose their family. But then his mind wandered to the month he'd spent with Natsu, the time he'd spent with the pink-haired boy and Gray on the first floor, and then he heard his own words echo in his head.
"Once Natsu's old enough, he's joining the Thunder Legion." Laxus' hands clenched until he could feel the tiny glass ridges of the dragon in his hand piercing his skin.
"I'm a complete idiot!" He snarled. He knew he needed to do something to fix this. But nothing came to mind. It had been a few months since that job now and he'd broken Natsu's trust by throwing his story about not trusting Atlas back in his face. Laxus knew that if it was him, he wouldn't want much of anything to do with whoever had broken his trust. Natsu woke to a knocking at the door and was quick to answer. Atlas had been up most of the night with Romeo and needed his sleep. Atlas even moved the furniture from Macao's house to their house through I think you can call it a one meter long three stories height mansion with balconies on each floor to each bedroom on each floor.
"Hello?" Natsu said as he opened the door. No one was there. But he smelled a rainstorm, salt, cloth, and blood. They'd been here not too long ago. Natsu looked down at the ground and saw a package with his name on it. Slowly, he bent down and picked it up, unwrapping it. Inside was the little glass dragon he'd given Laxus. No note, nothing else, just the dragon. The boy dropped the box, holding the dragon in his hand as he stood up and looked around, sniffing the air. The boy stuffed on his shoes and bolted after the scent, ending up a sweaty, panting mess by the time he reached the train station. He looked around for the tall blonde and even began running along the train's platform, following the scent until he almost ran into the train Laxus had boarded. He began running alongside it, scanning the windows for the familiar head of spikey blonde hair. Natsu wanted to know why Laxus would give the dragon back. Was it supposed to be an apology? Or a complete and total cut-off from each other, Laxus' way of saying he was letting go of everything to do with Natsu? Or was Laxus leaving Fairy Tail for good, not just for a job this time? Natsu felt hot tears rolling down his face and shook his head, trying to clear them from his vision in case he passed by Laxus. His inner dragon was pushing him to find the blonde, demand an explanation, try convincing him to not leave. The train whistle blew and Natsu began to run faster as the wheels began to move on the track.
"Laxus, wait!" Natsu screamed as the train began to speed up, leaving the pink-haired boy behind.
"Laxus! Wait! Don't go!" Natsu ran as fast as he could, watching helplessly as the train began to go faster and faster, rushing past him in a dark-colored blur, the passengers becoming mere flashes of color in their windows.
"Laxus!" Natsu screamed again before he tripped on his own feet and the train rushed off, around a bend and vanished from sight. The boy stayed where he was, gripping the glass dragon tightly as he curled in on himself. He'd failed. He hadn't been able to stop Igneel from leaving, and here, he'd missed Laxus by seconds at least but he still hadn't been able to stop him from leaving. He knew Laxus was angry about his father's being abandoned by Makarov, it was a dragon's instinct to protect their kin and that instinct was just as strong in the Slayers. But Natsu had hoped that eventually, Laxus would calm down and they could be friends again.
He'd left him alone to let him calm down, find his own conclusion. But maybe that had been the wrong move and Laxus felt that Natsu had abandoned him as well. Natsu curled around the tiny dragon and bit his lip as he forced himself to stand up again and wiped at his tears. He shook his head again and rushed over to the ticket desk.
"The train that just left, where was it going?" Natsu demanded. The man behind the counter looked over a book next to him and nodded.
"Looks like it's going to a town near Mt. Hakabe, young man."
"I there another train going there today? A friend of mine was on that train just now and I need to talk to him. It can't wait!" The man nodded and pulled out a ticket from a drawer next to him.
"The next train will leave in an hour or so. Someone decided to cancel their ticket for that train so I can give this to you." The man said, sliding the ticket to the boy.
"Thank you!" Natsu called as he ran to the platform and eagerly waited for the train. While he normally would have been distracted by the new experience, the tiny glass dragon in his hand kept reminding him why he was there and where he was going. He had to get to Laxus and talk with him again. Finally, Natsu was able to take his seat on the next train and looked out the window, unable to sit still for very long. The glass dragon in his hand was cool and Natsu spent the trip thinking about what he might need to say to Laxus.
Laxus Point of View
Laxus took his seat on the train and slipped his headphones out of his pack and hung them around his neck. In his years of being a wizard, he'd found that focusing on his music while riding the train helped with his motion sickness. He sighed and reclined into the seat. After some thought, he'd decided it would be best to return the glass dragon to Natsu. He had said that if other Dragon Slayers joined the Guild and became his friends, he'd give them the remaining dragons. And from his own judgment, he'd lost the right to keep the little yellow dragon. So he'd returned it before leaving. The train began to move and Laxus swallowed down the urge to vomit.
"Laxus, wait!" Laxus' head snapped up at the sound of the voice.
"Laxus! Wait! Don't go!" Laxus stood up and peered through the window. On the platform, he could see Natsu running beside the train, slowly beginning to be left behind. But he couldn't have been more than a single car away. Laxus could see the pink-haired boy's eyes watering as he ran. Laxus began feeling along the side of the window, knowing that there was some latch or handle or something that would open the window. Whatever was bothering Natsu, it was making the boy come to him of all people with tears in his eyes. To Laxus, unless whatever had happened was bad enough to include the entire Guild, it made no sense whatsoever for Natsu to be yelling his name, wanting him to stay and having tears in his eyes. Laxus' stomach dropped to his feet as he saw Natsu be left behind more and more by the train and the boy tripped and didn't get back up. Laxus slammed his hand on the glass in frustration and growled under his breath. After a few moments, the blonde sat back down and put his headphones on. He couldn't focus on the music, though. No. His mind was occupied by thoughts of what Natsu had been crying about. In Laxus' own mind, he couldn't make sense of the boy's actions. He'd thrown Natsu' trust right back in his face, over a man who'd caused the death of a fellow Guild member and injured Atlas. Since then, he'd done little more than ignore the kid, continue defending his father, and lash out at anyone who didn't support his own ideas. To Laxus, the only thing he could think of that would make Natsu come to him, begging him to stay, and crying of all things, was that something must have happened to Atlas, Romeo, Makarov and the entire Guild and there was no one left Natsu could run to, but the Lightning Dragon Slayer. Those kinds of thoughts kept his mind so occupied during his trip, his usual motion sickness didn't even arise.
Both: Ja Ne.