Hello dear readers – thank you for your understanding in the long wait, so I wont go on and on – without further adieu...chapter seven of Bitter Sweet!

Three hours later...

Running his hand through his mussed hair with a sigh, Natsu faced the three people in front of him. Six if you count their body guards. Mirijane Strauss, one of Jude's generals and one of the best smugglers of caffeinated goods in all of Fiore. She was a woman that brought a man even as feared as Jude to his knees. A simple smile could mean she's accepted you in to her fold...that very same smile could mean that in two seconds you're a dead man. Hair so light it looked white flowed back over her shoulders, a simple summer dress hiding what Natsu knew to be a very powerful figure. It took only one hit from that woman to be toppled over on your arse. If that wasn't enough and you were to stupid to realize you've lost the fight before it's even begun, the woman's Take Over magic was enough to stop you dead in your tracks. The strongest of the very feared Take Over Siblings – three out of the six of Jude's generals – her magic was enough to scare even the most crooked of screws straight.

Next to her stood Bisca Connell. Although not as secretive as Mirijane, the woman was just as deadly. One shot from her gun – you were a dead man, even at fifty meters. That was just what Natsu himself had seen. The poor bastard didn't stand a chance, no matter how fast he ran. She was not a woman to be messed with and the cold smile of hers said so. Where as Mirijane was in charge of shipping, Bisca and her partner Alzack were in charge of protecting that cargo. It was a job they did all to well. To well some would argue...but those voices were silenced very very quickly. The husband and wife team were not people one messed with and were left to live, Natsu had over heard once that even Jude was wary of what he said around them.

Seated to Alzack's left was the petite version of Mirajane, small, thin, short almost white hair and big blue eyes, Lisanna was the picture of a sweet and innocent child. Natsu knew from first hand experience, she was not as innocent as she seemed to be. Far, far from it. Though he himself had not experienced her anger, he'd once seen a coffee house patron try and grab Lisanna where it was not appropriate. Even before he'd conjured a fire spell, her hand had changed to that of a cats paw, the sharp claws ripping and gouging the man's face. His left eye dangled there while he sat in shock, his friends having abandoned him.

Beside Lisanna sat a man that had to be the biggest guy Natsu had ever laid eyes on. Fists as large as his face, this time Natsu knew from first hand experience just how painful a blow from one could be. Though he did not know Elfman to well, one thing he did know was the man was beyond annoying. When he wasn't beating guys for grabbing at the waitresses, he was lecturing the staff on how to "be a real man!". Just the words ringing through memory would be enough to get a headache going – if he hadn't already had one in the first place.

A giant fist flying at your face a million miles an hour would do that to a person!

Leaning back in a chair beside Elfman was the one who'd called him to this meeting under the guise of a police officer inspection a break in – the last man he wanted to see on this planet. Grey Fullbuster. Dark haired with eyes so dark, all light seemed lost, Grey was a man that would literally chill you to the both if the whim hit him.

"So...you escaped, eh kid?"

The question Mirijane asked dripped with honey, sweet and seductive to those not careful. Natsu was one of the few who knew her words for what they truly were. A veiled threat. A warning. Everyone in this room new how much of a risk it was that Natsu took in contacting her and her crew. Unlike Freed, Makarav and Erza who were loyal to Jude down to a fault – they would fight to the death for him, going until their magic reserves ran out, right to the bitter end...Mirajane, Elfman and Lisanna along with Alzack and Bisca were loyal...as long as Jude paid.

If Natsu's intel from Gajeel was correct, they hadn't been paid in a few months and they weren't happy about it. It was information he could use in this fight against Jude. Although war hadn't been declared, by hiring Mirijane and her crew, word would get out – fast. Natsu Dragneel had struck out on his own and was now competition against Jude. The one safe guard he had to really count on and held jealously close at this moment was one very dangerous and deadly thing.

A secret. A lie. The signature on his death warrant. To get out of this, Natsu knew he had to do what he did best. Lie through his teeth.

So he did, hoping and praying that it worked like he'd hoped. Here and now was where the sword would fall, either clearing the way before him, or killing him where he stood, even before it began. It was a chance he had no choice but to make – he needed people that had proven loyal if not at all trustworthy.

"I'm not in that business anymore Mira. Though, I'm sure you already know that..."

The pale haired woman's slow grin spoke volumes. She knew that and so so much more. Forcing down the shiver threatening to race up his spine, Natsu forced his dark gaze to meet hers, standing his ground against her. This was one battle he couldn't afford to loose and so he kept is gaze steady as he spoke again.

"I've opened a legitimate bar. Alcohol, spirits. Whisky, vodka, beer, girlie drinks, drinks for guys, anything – you name, I have it – or ways to get it. What I need are people I know for certain are loyal...for the right price. I've your fee plus half of the next payment. All yours right now, if you agree to work with me."

Natsu tossed a fat manila envelope on the table, within reach of Mirajane. Bisca snatched it up quickly and counted it, Alzack's hand hovering just over a gun at his side. Silence for a moment while the transaction was sorted, Natsu never moved his gaze from hers, though he let his mind race in it's thoughts as to how to get out alive if shit hit the fan. He'd taken a big risk leaving Gajeel at the door. He knew his friend would be here in a mere second, but a second was all it took for a bullet between the eyes.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, the snick of a gun and the press of cool metal against his temple. Without looking away from Mirajane, he knew Alzack stood to his right, gun pressed firmly against his temple. Across the table beside Mirajane, Bisca had her shot gun out and aimed right for his heart.

"There's only half the price you mentioned here."

Slapping away Alzack's searching hand, Natsu let determination grace his face, steel and desire to fight lacing his voice.

"Call off your dog, Mirajane, I'm not stupid. I've got it all, you get half now to show I'm serious. You get the second half after you agree to work with me."

Burning Alzack's hand when it got to close to his belt, a scowl over came his face at the mans hiss – joy surged through him when the gun shifted ever so slightly against his temple. Now he knew with certainty that if it came to a fight, he'd have a fighting chance. His magic danced within him as the hunger for a good fight surged through him. It took all he had to dampen it down and tuck it away for later – he'd be able to convince Gajeel to train and get it out of his system once this loose end was neatly tied.

"Hmm...so the little dragon's finally grown wings..."

At a seemingly thoughtless wave of her hand, the gun was taken away from his temple and a chair pushed roughly against the back of his legs, forcing him to sit. As she quickly counted the money again, Mirajane's face changed from that of a demoness bent on hell and destruction to that of a sweet and ditsy air head. Even her voice changed from commanding and controlling to light and airy. An illusion, he knew...one he himself used.

"Alright, Dragneel...we'll work with you."

A heartbeat later, Natsu's body fell in to a relaxed posture, an arm behind his head as he gently tossed a black manila envelope across the table to Bisca's waiting hands. After a few moments, the gunslinger mage finally spoke, affirming what was already known.

"It's all here as promised."

Graceful fingers grabbed the envelopes and tucked them in the bodice of her dress as Mirajane reached across the table, allowing Natsu to lightly grasp her hand in his a moment.

"We have a deal."

A smile and a look of naivety passed over Natsu's face. The atmosphere of the room had changed, the deal had been made. But Natsu Dragneel was no fool – he knew how to look underneath the underneath.

They had a deal...for now.