I want to remind everyone that this story will be a lot OOC for many of the characters. It's inevitable. Especially with my writing. -.-'

I don't have a lot to say other than thanks for your reviews, faves and follows. It means a lot.

If you are confused or have any questions then please send me an PM or a review. I promise to try my best to answer your questions.

Oh and one reminder. This story is slow-paced for now. The training will begin soon. Probably toward the end of next chapter or chapter five.

Disclaimer. I don't own anything.

Uhhh, and the latest Manga chapter just made me squeal! God it was good! Go Lucy!

Anyways on with the story.

Layla Heartfilia woke up the following morning with a tense body. With her eyes shut and yawning she sat up, stretching her stiff limps. After a few satisfied cracks her eyes fluttered open tiredly. She looked to her left only to frown.

Jude Heartfilia was not in the bed next to her.

Sighing she got up from the bed and proceeded to take a morning bath. She was quite happy that none of the staff woke her up early to call for her help with the mischievous children from the past. She admit it. They were a handful, but with yesterday's sudden revelation she had an idea how to handle her newfound situation.

After a relaxing bath and dressing up to comfortable clothes – she decided against a frilly dress since she had a feeling she would chase around a few of the children – she walked towards her own office. An office she had insisted on when they had first build the office.

The office or more likely her personal library had shelves of books filled to the rim with different educational and magical books, while a desk by the window and a few chairs was also placed in the room.

The reason for why she had insisted on her own personal office was mainly due to two thugs.

To have privacy from the hectic world life as the wife of a successful businessman. But most importantly a place where she could reflect on her previous occupation as a Celestial Spirit Mage.

The office was filled with memories of her time before meeting her husband. Journals and diaries filled with her adventures covered a shelf alone. She would loved entered into the office because here she was Layla Heartfilia, Celestial Spirit Mage. Nothing more or nothing less.

Of course she loved the life as a wife and mother but whenever she enters the office a rush of memories of her younger days enter her body and she can't help but revel in them. It made all her worries disappear and reminded her of quests who helped form her as the person she was today.

Today though, she entered the office with a special purpose. Instead of letting her fingers linger on shelf after shelf, figuring out what to read of her old life, she went straight to her desk and sat down. Her face was sporting a concentrated look as she rummage the desk for the object on her mind.

Opening drawers after drawers with no help, she began frowning. "Where is it? It should've been inside the first drawer. Hmm." She stopped her movement for a moment before bringing her right index finger to her chin and tapped it thoughtfully. She searched her brain for the item but ended up groaned.

"Nothing. Ah! I haven't used that stupid lacrima since, since-" then suddenly her face lit up when a thought conjured her mind. "- that's it! Of course I placed it there. Stupid you, Layla." She shook her head, scolding herself as got up from her seat.

The shelf next to her desk was housing her oldest and most dangerous adventures yet it was her most thrilling and loved adventures as well. She had to fight the urge to grab one of the journals and begin reading. After calling for help, she told herself, first help then read.

"Here it is!" She exclaimed gleefully and crouched down to a metalic gold rimmed worn out wooden chest that lay on the bottom shelf. "Of course it's where you don't look. Idiot." She scolded herself once more and lifted the chest on.

Placing it down she couldn't help but look at the chest, examining it. The edges of the chest, the gold metal, was scratched and looked rusty. The wood, a dark brown color, was worn off with scratches on its surface. On the middle of the chest her initials, L.H, was carved beautifully. There was no key hole to opened the chest with since she had sealed the chest by magic. It can only open by her and close by her.

For normal eyes it just looked like a gold rimmed wooden block and nothing more, but that was perfect. Then nobody would try to steal it. That had been her teenage-self's logic and it was good she stood by it. Not once had people tried to steal it or near it. For plain eyes it was a decorative piece and nothing more. But for her it was everything. It used to house her keys.

"Okay let's begin." She hurriedly chanted a spell and the chest glowed and like a clamp, it slowly opened up. Inside was a lacrima communicator, a few pictures, a few letters, a journal - Anna's journal, Lucy's picture as a newborn baby, her first shoes and pacifier, and something not so important.

She fished out what she had been looking for, the lacrima communicator. She picked it up, sat on her chair and then began contemplating. "Hmm. Who to call first?" It didn't take her long before figuring out who to call.

She poured a little amount of magic into the lacrima and waited for the hovering screen to appear. It did seconds later and it was a black screen. She let it ring for a few moments and then suddenly a raven haired boy appeared on the screen.

"Hello?" The young boy said into the screen. Layla's eyes widened in surprised but she smiled nonetheless.

"Uhm, hi." She said rather awkwardly. "Who may you be? Is Ur there?"

The boy raised his eyebrows and looked at the woman confused. "What do you want with Ur? Who are you?" He asked rudely.

She had to stop herself from giggling at the cute little boy. It was clear that he was protective of her old friend. "I'm Layla Heartfilia, and I'm friends with Ur. Old friends. And you? I didn't know Ur had a son so cute."

The little boy blushed and began fidgeting with his shirt and then it was gone, the shirt. "I-I – Lyon! Where is Master Ur?" The flustered boy yelled and Layla had to laugh. He was so adorable.

"Outside. Why?" A different male child voice asked. Lyon she figured.

Layla was getting very interested with her friend's new life which she had apparently not heard about before. Two male children? Pupils? It made her more eager to talk to Ur.

"A lady called Ur's lacrima comm. she wants to-"

"Tell her it's Layla, she'll know."

"- speak to her. Name's Layla."

"Alright, wait a minute." The other boy shouted and she heard some heavy footsteps and a door banged open. "Ur! Lacrima call from a Layla!" She heard the second boy shout.

It didn't take a minute before she heard running and her old friend appeared the screen. "Layla!" A woman with dark purple hair and dark eyes exclaimed surprised yet her face was filled with happiness.

Layla grinned brightly as she saw the projected image of her old friend. "Hi. Long time no see. See you have two boys by your side." Layla spoke with equal happiness in her voice.

"Damn straight it has been long. Six? Seven years? And yeah, they are my pupils. Been training them to become ice make mages." Her friend huffed playfully and grinned. "I've missed you and the gang. How've you been? Is the little one alright?" She could hear the genuine concern of Ur's voice and Layla felt a sudden rush of sadness for her friend. Ur had lost her young child because of the large amount of magic the young child possessed. Apparently the magic was too much for the young body and it killed her, she couldn't even bury her daughter.

"Lucy's alright. And I've been great. Missed you too. How've you been? Been busy training those boys?"

"That's good to hear. And yeah, been busy teaching these boys and training them. They keep me busy." She said laughing.

"That's lovely. Erm, can I ask for a favor?" Layla asked with a more serious expression stopping the laughing woman the screen.

"What can of favor? Of course I'll help if you need it. Problem with bandits? Is someone targeting your family and your wealth? Is it-"

"None of those. I need you to come to Fiore for a while. I got myself in a little situation which I need help with." The blonde interrupted with a sheepish smile. She hated asking for help but she was determined to have those five children have a bright future despite the burden they carried.

"Oh. What did you do no-"

"Hey! I didn't exactly do something wrong this time. You're so mean, Ur! Just because I was a klutz in the past doesn't mean I still am." The blonde pouted crossing her arms childishly. The other Mage laughed at Layla's expression.

"Sorry, sorry." Ur said clearing her throat and smiled. "So tell me about this situation you got yourself into, and why you need me in Fiore."

"Just promise me you'll come. Please?" Layla said with pleading eyes.

"Urgh, fine. Whatever. Just tell me already."

Layla smiled triumphantly and nodded. "So you remember about that journal I received from my mother when I was 13? The one about my ancestor? Anna Heartfilia?" The dark haired mage nodded. "Well then you must remember about what I had to do when the time was right. So I opened the gate, the five dragons along the Slayers entered. Yesterday, we had a meeting. They wanted to perform a spell and seal their souls to their adoptive children, the Slayers, and I told them I wanted them to stay with me. But they didn't need to go through it because of Draco. He-"

"Draco? As the Dragon constellation?" Layla grinned and nodded.

"Yes, but apparently he is the gods of the Dragons. Their creator so he told them from performing the spell. Now the dragons are on another realm, the Dragon Realm. Anyways, the reason they are here is to bring down Acnologia and Zeref. It's Zeref's own request."

"Wait, he wants to die?!"

"Yes. But let's talk about more details when you arrive. I need your help raising these kids, so you have to stay for awhile." Layla grinned sheepishly.

"WHAT?!"

"I'm going to call the others now, so see you in a week's time. I'll have someone pick you guys up in six days at Hargeon port. Bye! Pack light!" She abruptly ended the call. That was childish of her, but Ur could be scary and would start reprimanding her which the blonde would rather be without.

Sighing deeply, she poured another shot of magic and changed the frequency to call another of her old friends. As before a black hovering screen appeared as she waited a few seconds for the other end picking up her call.

"Hel- Layla?!" Another woman with brown hair and purple eyes explained surprised.

"Conny! Hi." Layla grinned waving to the screen.

The surprised woman smiled and eagerly waved back. "Hi! What's wrong? You haven't called in ages. Is everything alright? Did you do something stupid again?" She began frowning only something must be wrong since Layla had been calling her after so much time.

"Everything is fine, Cornelia. Geez, why do you and Ur always assume I do something wrong all the time? I just need help that's all." Layla said with a pout. They had always mocked her for her clumsiness and ways of getting into sticky situation, quite literally.

"Oh, is that so. I guess you've already discussed this situation of yours with Ur, I presume? Did you perhaps get a hold of him too then?" Cornelia asked with a hint of anger and hurt.

Layla saw right through her and sighed deeply. She knew exactly who she meant and to be honest she was going to call her right after if she could get a hold of him. She knew he had hurt Cornelia deeply and she wanted Aqurius to drown him and Virgo dig a deep hole that reached to the core of Earth, but she needed him.

She shook her head. "I haven't tried calling the idiot yet, but if I get through I'll threaten him first and then force him back. He doesn't even know he is a father yet that asshole. So don't worry, if he answers and comes here, as I want you to do too, you'll get your chance to beat him up. You have my world and I'm pretty sure Ur agrees as well. We'll help you get your revenge." Layla promised with an angry yet determined glint in her eyes as she smirked maliciously. Her mind briefly clouded with ways to punish him with. Very grim ways.

"Is that so?" Cornelia mirrored Layla's looks but with an even bigger smirk and much more malicious, "Then I pray for you to reach that bastard so I get beat him up for leaving me 12 years ago. Oh I pray for that so much now." She ended with an evil cackling with Layla immediately joining her."

"Ho ho ho ho ho ho."

"But that aside my dear friend, what do you need us all for to come to your home, not that I couldn't use some getaway with my daughter. She needs to socialize and what better way to do that than with your little gem, Lucy." A genuine and kind smile replaced her earlier smirk.

"Well my friend, you know me. I kind help but find trouble but rest assured this is a good trouble. I just need a few extra professional help. You see, Conny, I did what my ancestor Anna requested of me and let the Dragons and Slayers pass through the gates but something came up, the Dragons are still alive but for the time being in another realm, and that's only good. But long story short, I am the new keeper of those Slayers and I need help raising them. They need guidance, both mentally, physically and magically and you all popped into my mind. And this can also be excused as a reunion we had so many times postponed. So what do you say? Wanna help an old friend out by coming here and staying for a while?" She immediately worked on her puppy dog eyes, "Pleeeease?"

Cornelia groaned and let out a deep sigh and rubbed her temples. "Stop doing that! Ugh, you know that we can never resist you when you do that, idiot." Another deep sigh and a small yet playful glare. "And you know that no matter what we can never turn down each other's help for request and need. Of course I'll come. I'll be there within the week." Cornelia smiled fondly at her friends. Even though neither had talked for years and moved on with their lives, their oath to each other and their camaraderie was far greater than anything. They'll always be together with each other, if not physically then in spirit and in the heart. Forever.

"Thank you Conny. I'll send some men to Crocus to help you move. It'll make things much easier." The blonde suddenly let out a piercing squeal. "I can't wait to see you all and your children! This is going to be so great. I'll hang up now, I still have to call the idiot, and Jura the brat and talk with my husband. Ahh, I can't wait!" She clapped her hands excitedly.

Cornelia let out an amused chuckle and shook her head at her friends antics. Layla was always the happiest and optimistic in their group, always getting giddy and excited over small thing which often led her into trouble, okay always. She was a klutz, no denying that.

"It's mutual. Don't forget to give that idiot a piece of my mind and to tell the brat that I said hi. As I said, I'll be there within the week is over. I need my sweet daughter to get used to the idea before going. From what I can assume is that we'll stay for quite some time."

"That is a right assumption. Let's just say that these children are very... peculiar, special, so they have a looong way. I have other things to discuss when you all come here as well, very important too so I'm happy you agreed." The blonde smiled.

"Alright then. I won't press for more answers since you'll tell us all when we arrive and gather. So till then my klutz, see you soon." Cornelia smiled lovingly and waved both her hands, Layla immediately returning her waves and smile.

"Bye bye Conny! See you and your little princess soon."

After the call ended and the screen the blonde kept smiling, picturing all her friends and comrades by her side. She had waited to gather them all and she was lucky enough to survive to see them once more. And thank god for that.

She leaned back into her chair and waited a few moments before calling her next friend. Her eyes drifted to the clock and she noticed she had stayed there for a longer time than she had intended. The children was certainly up by now, it was soon lunch. Being so engrossed in finding the box and talking to her friends had let her miss so much time. She inwardly prayed that Lucy, no scratch that she knew her daughter was well mannered, the boys were behaving.

Who was she kidding. They were definitely not behaving.

She immediately began calling Jura the brat, leaving the idiot for last. With only one second into the call the boy, now a man, picked the call. A bulky bald man appeared on the screen with trees and the blue sky behind him.

"Jura!" Layla exclaimed as she waved her hands with a huge grin.

"Layla-dono! What do I owe this favor for? It has been quite a long time since your last call." The man smiled politely into the screen.

"Well I'm gathering the old team back so I kindly request for you to join the rest and come to my mansion. I'm in dire need of your help, Ju-kun." She said sweetly making the man's cheeks to slightly cover in pink.

"Of course I'll come by Layla-dono, but I need to ask permission from my master before leaving. When do you want me to be there?" Jura asked regaining this color back.

"A guild? Ah that's right, you joined Lamia Scale. Alright, tell your master and be here within the week if possible. Conny is coming too and Ur will be here as well but she's back at her home time so it will take some time. But within the week or a week will do. Thank you."

"What about-"

"I'm going to call him right after I've finished talking to you. If he picks up I'll drag his ass here, have my spirits find his location and capture him, so don't worry. Just be here." She interrupted him abruptly with a forced smiled. Just thinking about that idiot and almost hearing his name made her blood boil.

Sensing the blonde's annoyance Jura just nodded and said his goodbye. After saying her goodbye she gritted her teeth and once again poured magic into the lacrima changing its frequence to the idiot's.

A few moments of waiting but nothing. Not a single thing. Just a black screen. A freaking bad screen and an angry Layla Heartfilia.

Huffing she yanked the lacrima from her desk and threw it harshly into the chest and slammed it shut. She began sprouting profanities as she scowled grimly thinking about the idiot that not only hurt her old friend and team mate but also her by not picking the stupid call. Ugh she was annoyed.

And suddenly a thought emerged from her dark thoughts. It was like a light bulb appeared above her head. She quickly opened the chest again and drew the lacrima out. Without thinking the she proceeded with her plan.

"Hello?" A tiny man appeared on the screen, sitting on top of his desk cross-legged and looked at Layla oddly.

"Hi. Master Makarov, I presume?" She asked politely with a business like smile.

"It is. Who may you be, miss?"

"I'm Layla Heartfilia, an old friend of Gildarts Clive. I actually call because I can't get a hold of that bast-" She stopped herself and bit her cheek. "him. I am in dire need of his help."

"Is that so. He never mentioned about a beautiful young lady as yourself to me before. He isn't home at the moment but he will return soon, or that was what he informed e. Can I help you in his stead?" Layla definitely noticed the pervy gaze he sent her.

Of course. Fairy Tail's master was known for being an stupid old pervert. No wonder who the idiot took after. Layla thought to herself.

"That's okay. I need Gildarts to be here. He needs to be here." She bit out. "And you, Master Makarov, are very welcomed to join him if you please. We could sure use your help. But please, tell Gildarts that he is needed in the Heartfilia Mansion and that I've called our old friends as well."

"If I may, what is it that you are in help of? Are you in some kind of dangerous situation?" He asked with concern.

"No sir. The situation isn't grave," not in the moment that is, Layla mentally added, "and it isn't something I can tell over a call. Tell Gildarts and please accompany if you please. I'll tell all details then. Our other friends will be here within the week or so." Layla kindly explained.

"Alright Miss Heart-"

"Mrs. I'm a Mrs. Heartfilia, sir." She corrected. It was nice though, to be seen as a young woman. Not that she felt old. She was only 29. Still young despite being a mother and a lady.

He smiled and nodded. "Alright Mrs. Heartfilia. I'll tell Gildarts that you called and requested him. Till then." Layla nodded appreciating his help and bid him goodbye.

Sighing deeply she packed her stuff away and walked down the hall only to groan. Commotion. Again. She walked closer and closer and then saw at the end of the hall, near the room of the boys', the four young boys stood in a line. She walked even closer and noticed then shouting and hissing the staff that tried to reason with them about something she had no idea about.

"No, you can't leave." The blonde perked when she heard the sound of her daughter and saw Lucy was scowling with her arms folded and glared at Natsu who was saying something about leaving the place and some empty threat. Little Wendy was hiding timidly behind the blonde, almost in tears. "Mama said we are going to be a family and that's means staying." The little blonde added.

"We aren't going to become family! And you can't make us!" Natsu cried hotly as he glared at the young blonde taking a step closer, trying to intimidate her. But Lucy was Layla-sama daughter and like her mother she didn't fear much. Lucy held his gaze. "We will leave or else I'll burn down the place!" He threatened.

"I'll see you try. Mama will never let you see your dragons again." Layla was a bit surprised that Lucy knew but she suspected that Wendy had told her about her foster mother and the boys bragged about their fathers. "So try." She taunted. "And see what happens."

Natsu's face turned red in rage and his nostrils flared as steam fussed out from his nose and ears. "SHE WON'T!" His body engulfed in flames and he took dangerously slow steps closer to the blond child.

Layla's mother instinct kicking in, hurried between the glaring and steadfast blonde and the flaming pinkette. "What's going on here?" She asked with sterness and glared at Natsu.

"We wanna leave! We want our parents!" He demanded. "You can't keep us here. We aren't prisoners!"

"Natsu," Layla spoke his name dangerously low, "put those flames out. And apologize." She glared dangerously. He didn't budge but she noticed him tense at her harsh tone. "Now." She demanded. Seconds later the boy's flames extinguished as he lowered his head looking at the ground in defeat.

Feeling satisfied that she tamed he boy Layla frowned and looked at the other three that hurried avoided her gaze. "Boys. I know that you miss your parents and I assure you they are safe. If you just behave and stay patient you'll see them." Her frown deepened as she recalled Natsu said that they weren't prisoners. "I didn't bring you here as prisoners but as my guests. You're dragons need to heal after-" She stopped herself before she slipped the secret.

"After what?" Gajeel questioned curiously as he looked at her with his deep red eyes.

"After arriving to this foreign territory." Nice save, Layla. She praised herself for her quick thinking. "They are sad they left their homes to come here. And a dragon is very territorial of their nest." She needed to stop before ruining her lie.

"But heal? You definitely said heal." Natsu pressed as he looked at her with worry evident in his eyes. "Are Igneel hurt? Is he dying? Are you lying?" He frantically asked as fear began sinking into his heart.

"They are perfectly fine. Draco took them to a place were they can heal nicely and for them to create new nests for you to visit. So don't worry." She assured with a small smile and patted Natsu spiky head. Surprisingly his hair was super soft despite the spikes looking sharp.

"Really?" Gajeel and Natsu pressed and looked at her with big eyes, needing confirmation. She felt a pain in her heart to see the hot-headed boys look so innocent. They were cute and it just made her more determined to take good care of them. They truly deserved it.

She smiled kindly and nodded her head in confirmation. "Really. Just wait four more nights and you'll be able to meet them again." She glared lightly and added, "But only if you behave and do what you are asked of."

The four boys nodded eagerly and grinned. The widest being Natsu. Layla smiled lovingly at them. "Good. Now why did this argument start? Gajeel?" She opted not to ask the pinkette since she knew the he would twist the truth somehow.

"Uhm, I don't know." He spoke embarrassed as he scratched his neck, looking nervous and bashful.

She smiled and then turned around to watch her daughter who was still scowling and glaring at the pinkette. Layla felt conflicted. Should she be proud that Lucy took after her so much or not? Her daughter was bearing a grudge. Since yesterday the two children just didn't go along.

"Lucy?"

"Yes mama?"

"Can you tell what happened. And why are you so mad?"

The little girl smiled and shook her head. "I'm not mad mama. I'm resentful." Layla inwardly groaned. Her daughter was too smart for her young age. "I don't like people who are bad and ungrateful." She definitely noticed the look she gave he four boys especially the pink hothead.

"Sweetie." She said with a bit of warning. "It's okay. They will behave. Now tell what happened and let's all go to the garden." The smaller blonde, who was still smiling at her mother despite not being happy, told everything.

Apparently after brunch – the children slept in since they were exhausted – Natsu began acting up. The Fire Dragon Slayer, with his tummy full, demanded for his old clothes- he got his wish – and then demanded, apparently rousing the other three boys up, that the staff let them go to their parents. The boys shouted and cursed and threatened the poor staff members that Lucy intervened.

It started with little insults and then Lucy got fed up and used big words that the pinkette had no idea what meant which just further annoyed him. And then Layla appeared. And apparently the bedroom Natsu and Gajeel shared got trashed in a rebellious attempt. Charred floor, walls and burnt sheets and clothes and decorations. Dent walls, smashed bathroom door and floor. Etc etc.

Calming her anger down the blonde mother smiled. It was okay. Not really but it would be. Or so she retold herself again and again. She was glad she had contacted her friends. Ur and Cornelia were strict. Like a scary strict. And she just couldn't wait for them to come. Taking a deep breath her smile turned reassuring at the cowering two boys. At least they knew they had done something wrong which was a start. A good one.

"It's alright. Nothing that can't be fixed. But I won't tolerate it happening again. Now apologize to each other and let's go outside." She walked over to the still afraid Wendy and cupped her face. "Especially to Wendy. You scared her by your shouts."

The young blonde child saddened and apologized to her first female friend and her new "sister" and asked for forgiveness. Next the two youngest boys apologized, despite not doing too much as they were just bystanders with occasional insults or so.

"Natsu, Gajeel and Lucy. I'll take Wendy, Sting and Rogue to the playground while you three sort your problems." Layla had quickly thought of a plan for the older children to bond despite she had a feeling it wouldn't exactly be something easy. Her daughter was stubborn just like her. And so was Natsu, but Gajeel. She hadn't figured him our just yet. "Capricorn and Virgo will supervise you if another argument should break out." Without saying much more the three older children were left in the hallway alone.

Capricorn and Virgo was spying from afar. Just as Layla wanted. If the elders could get along with Lucy then the young ones could as well excluding Wendy. Plus with Ur and Cornelia on the way with their children, they needed to learn to socialize.

"I will apologize but I still don't like you." Lucy told Natsu looking straight into his eyes. Intense and not soft brown eyes meeting onyx. "Sorry." It was said half heartedly because she really did dislike the boy. She had never seen anyone being so disrespectful especially to her mother whom Lucy adored so much.

"Likewise." Natsu muttered. He didn't like the blonde as well because… he really didn't have a really good reason. He just didn't. She was bossy and weird and smart, saying words that angered him without knowing the meaning of them. Plainly he just didn't like her. "Sorry." He quickly added feeling the presence of the two spirits.

Huffing she unfolded her arms and softened her expression a bit when she turned to Gajeel. She really didn't have a problem with him since she knew the real culprit was the pinkette. "Sorry for everything Gajeel-kun. Let's be friends." She was straight forward. The more friends she got the happier she felt. So the young blonde offered her hand.

The Iron Dragon Slayer blushed furiously as Lucy spoke. He was truly a little lovesick fan boy. With Lucy looking as a younger version of Layla, he just couldn't help himself. He liked Layla. She was so pretty and nice, just like Lucy.

Gulping and averting his gaze away from her he nodded. "O-of course. F-friends." Gaining a bit confidence he looked at her, still blushing, and shook her hand. He didn't want to be rude. "And I'm sorry for the room and everything else."

Smiling brightly Lucy jumped in glee, ignoring the sour looking Natsu and clasped hands with Gajeel, jumping up and downs. "We are all gonna be best of friends. Yay!" Without warning she dragged the Slayer with her down the hall. "We can be training partners. I have a room!"

Natsu was not far behind and he was beyond annoyed. Lucy completely ignored him and dragged the lovesick puppy Gajeel with her and now they were alone and… why did he even care? He halted his movement as he began to frown. Lucy annoyed him. Yes. He didn't like her. No reason why. So why did he care?

Simple. Natsu was jealous.

He was jealous that they were becoming friends rather than include him so they all could be friends. He was jealous of not being included. It kinda hurt but he knew it was his own fault. He was a rebel and he didn't truly want to stay there. Sure everyone is nice but his home was where Igneel was.

And he wasn't used to interact with humans.

He trusted and felt a slight bond of camaraderie with the other Slayers despite only knowing them for a week. Maybe it was because they were the same. Children of Dragons, Slayers. Nonetheless they were his friends, close to that of a family. But interacting with Layla, Lucy and their staff was hard. They were strangers and the boy had no idea what to do or think around them.

But annoyed was he.

Begrudgingly he followed their scent. They had walked out of the mansion and to another building. Natsu entered and walked up to the second floor where he heard them talking.

"You can use this room whenever you like. This is my training room. Papa said that I needed to learn self-defense because of bad guys, and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Nubu-sensei comes. He can help you with Aikido and Judo." The chirpy blonde told the other Slayer.

"I can?" Gajeel questioned surprised. The blonde nodded multiple times.

"Of course. We are friends and mama said we are family."

"What about me?" Natsu asked, walked up to them.

The little blonde eyed him and then shrugged her shoulders. "Do whatever you like. Just don't wreck the building."

"Let's do a do over." Natsu mumbled when he felt the blonde began to ignore him once again.

"What? Did you say something?" Lucy asked hearing him mumble something but not exactly what. Gajeel heard him loud and clearly and his mouth twitched. He was glad that Natsu at least showed a bit interest.

Natsu huffed, embarrassed and locked eyes with the blonde. His cheeks dusted with a tinge of pink. It was truly embarrassing for him to say this, but he was being the bigger person now. And he wanted to at least change a little bit.

It couldn't hurt being her friend, could it?

"I said, let do a do over." He repeated louder and coherent.

Surprised was the little blonde girl and kind of awed. Here the rebellious boy was asking for a do over, wanting to be friends with her. It was odd but cute she decided. And he was trying. That was what mattered.

"Of course." She outstretched her hand, and smiled brightly. "I'm Lucy Heartfilia, nice to meet you."

He shook her hand and smiled back. "Natsu Dragneel, the most awesome Dragon Slayer." He grinned widely. Lucy began laughing and then the two other joining her.

So maybe Layla had worried over nothing. Maybe the children would get along fine. But who knows. Time will tell.

This chapter sucks. I didn't know how to end it. The original chapter got lost because my phone froze and when I rebooted it, I couldn't open the document. And the worst part is that I had finished it. -.-' Not even the copy would open, but luckily I had saved half of the story in another place so I didn't have write it from the beginning.

But it still sucks. I just didn't know how to end it. It was so different from the first one. Oh well, at least some of it is good, in my own opinion.

To make things clear. Layla and her friends, were an old team from way back, their teens.

Gildarts has always been in Fairy Tail but the others haven't. They are guildless (Jura joining Lamia Scale after the women parted to begin their new journey as mothers). They are a group of rogue mages that just worked together on odd and dangerous jobs thus making a small team.

So yeah, this is it. I'll update the next chapter hopefully within next week. Till then.

Peace out!

-Oby Abell