The Sage of Fairy Tail

by Arch-Daishou

With his defeat of Pein and paying his last respects to his late Sensei and Godfather. Naruto Uzumaki finds himself in Earthland by a mysterious golden light. In this new world does the young sage find what he truly looking for while protecting those he has come to love from the darkness to come? -postponed-

4. The right team I think

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fairy Tail

Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up.

Beta: Etheral-23 & Godospartan the kitsune

A/N: To readers, I and Etheral-23 have both agreed in expanding the Fairy Tail universe. By bringing in other different races along with OC missions, we hope this brings more fun and enjoyment to this story. We plan to add new concepts and characters that go beyond the franchise on a grand scale. Hope you like! One more thing, Unlike the Canon in the manga Naruto was adopted by Tsunade Senju when he was twelve after they just brought her back. So Naruto had an actual mother figure in his life.

Chapter 4: The right team, I think…

With a small sigh, Naruto sits at his desk in his room, wearing simple sweats and a shirt, looking at the partial blank note paper he has stared at for almost thirty minutes. Absently his pen, which is in between his fingers, taps the wooden surface. How in the hell did that old pervert do this so freaking easily?

The room itself shows how different both he and Mirajane are in respects. While for the take-over mage, her room is both warm and heartfelt. The blond Uzumaki keeps things to the essentials needed to make a room.

He did remember a time when his room was not so tidy, neat, and clean. A shiver runs down his spines as the sound of popping knuckles course through his memory.

Like hell I'll have my son live like some filthy gutter rat! This room better be spotless or no ramen for an entire year!

Absolute blasphemy, taking away the food of the gods, but he was far more terrified of Tsunade's wrath not to try to even call her bluff. Naruto will always love her for becoming his mother when no one else would, but damn she could be scary as hell.

He ignores the small pang in his heart of his adopted mother when hearing the old fox snort; "And what pray tell would you have in regaining upon returning to that wretched place?"

Aren't you even a tad homesick? For two years I have looked all over Earthland to…

"To keep your little promises…" Almost a snarl that Naruto could feel the eyes rolling with.

They're important to me…

"And why would I want to go back to a world where selfish ningen feel it is within their rights to used me as a weapon. I like it here, no one knows I even exist; no one is hunting me down. Why would I want to leave?" The Kyuubi's tails sway; "And can you honestly say to me you do as well?"

Naruto does not answer him.

"Because, deep down, you value this place more than you ever did that village and its people"

That's… Not true….

The old fox chuckles in amusement; "How long did it take you to make that cesspool of a village acknowledge your very existence? To actually have them to love and respect you, and not have them keep on viewing you as me? But the very moment you arrived in Earthland and that guild, you were accepted unconditionally, even that little vixen you share this place with. She went beyond what any in Konoha ever did."

Shut up...

"You want nothing more than to forget that place. But those 'promises' you made to your friends and teachers hold you back. You want to forget them, to finally be free of them, and rid of it."

Shut up!

A loud shriek makes the blond jump, returning out of his internal debate with the Kyuubi, as he notices he has left his room and just started entering the bathroom. But his body is literally frozen as his cheeks are pure crimson while his shocked cerulean is fixed to an equally shocked moonlight blue.

Coming out of the bathtub without even a towel to barely covering herself, is a very wet, very naked Mirajane who is looking at him with the biggest blush on her face. The blond couldn't help but see the water dripping down the every curve of her body, her wet hair sticking to her skin and-

Next thing he knew, a torrent of water launches him across the room.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

As the morning is another usual day in Fairy Tail. However, everyone only glances at the odd sight near the bar. Lucy leans over to a sitting Cana whispering; "Did something happen?"

The sight they see is Naruto, sitting at the far very end of the bar with Mira's midnight blues glaring over in his direction while cleaning a dirty mug. Naruto's head is slumped, momentarily looking over at Mira, he's about to say something but Mirajane's sudden 'No' makes his mouth close and his head to bow down once more.

Macao leans over to his longtime friend Wakaba at their usual table; "A little Lover's spat?"

"They would have to be lovers first for there to be an actual spat." He points out dryly.

"Come on, it's obvious to anyone but them." Trying to state the obvious without either hearing was a challenge as it was so obvious.

"True…"

And here I was trying to create a scene in the next book where the friend walks in on the girl as she comes out of the shower… He hears, in the back of his mind, the fox laughing at him. For which he has done since last night and this morning. Oh shut up furball!

"Mira-chan, three beers, over here please!" A guild member calls out at a table.

Instantly her face brightens, as Mira smiles like always; "Coming right up!" Placing three filled mugs of cold beer on a tray, she walks past the blond Uzumaki who shrinks more under her passing glare.

Deciding it was better for her own sanity not to know, Lucy walks over to the request board beside Nab. Her brown eyes scan over several open jobs, looking for the highest reward, and little risk of life. Although one job made both her and the tribal guild member blink and pale as they look at each other.

"Slaying a devil in an active volcano?" They say in unison. Both nod as they forget they ever saw that and look around again.

Sitting at table near by the request board, Natsu grumbles and sighs, resting his chin on the table top, while Happy sits by him eating a fish. "We really need to find some work."

"Aye, we're running out of food money."

Lucy only glares over; "I told you we should have taken that two million jewel reward money."

Getting out of his funk, Naruto looks over; "It just wouldn't have been right Lu-Chan. You know that."

"I know." The buxom blond slumps. "But I have this month's rent I need to worry about, and it would be wrong to ask for your help again Naru." She looks back to the board. "There are definitely a lot of different types of jobs to take."

Walking back over with an empty tray, Mira smiles; "If you find anything please let me know. Master is away to a conference meeting of the guild masters." The former 'S' class wizard glances to Naruto who freezes; "I forgive you." Immediately the Uzumaki sighs in relief.

Blinking, the buxom blond looks over seeing the empty spot where the miniature master normally sits. "Huh, it's strange not seeing him here."

"About once a month the guild masters around the regions come together and report the goings on in their respected guild," Naruto comments.

Mirajane takes over; "It's a lot different than the Council meetings of Era." Realizing she might need help in explaining this, she walks over to the tall rotund man, wearing a white form fitting shirt, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Black pants with pointy brown shoes, shoulder length orange hair with a wizard's hat on his head. "Reedus-San, can I borrow a light pen?"

"Oui." The large man smiles gently with item in hand.

Taking the pen with a polite 'thank you', Mira beings to write in the air a magical diagram; "We have the government which the Magic council's ten members have strong ties with." Mira lets her words sink for her blond friend. "They hold the highest position in the Magic World, and exist to preserve the order. They trial mages who have commit crimes in the guild" She explained. "Guild Masters are right beneath them, it is their job to smooth the relations between guilds across the province. And to notify their guilds about Council decisions, as well as bringing them together"

Naruto looks over. "It's no easy job Lu-Chan."

"I... Really had no idea every guild is all connected to one another." Lucy looks at the magical diagram.

Mira crosses her arms under her bust, smiling. "These connections are vital between all the guilds. Cause if there not..." She trails off.

Lucy looks at Mira curiously till- "That's when the men in black show up." Natsu says in an evil tone right in the buxom blond's ear.

The Celestial Mage squeals, nearly jumping out her stool in fright with a loud 'EEEK!'

"HAHAHA..!" Natsu bursts out laughing. "She said 'EEEK!' What are you getting scared of?! That was almost too easy!"

A tick mark forms on her forehead. "Don't scare me like that!"

She kinda set herself up for that one Naruto absently thought as the Kyuubi snorts.

"Well nothing like that." Mira sweatdrops at Natsu's antics; "But there are bad people in guilds no longer apart of the league. Those are called 'Dark Guilds." She writes the name beside her diagram handing back the pen to Reedus.

"Those guys don't follow any of the laws made by the council." Natsu speaks up getting an 'Aye' from Happy.

"Basically their outlaws Lu-chan." Naruto finishes sipping his mug.

"They'd come to recruit Natsu any day then." She mumbles under her breath. Thinking about the pink haired boy's attitude towards authority.

"Anyway~." Natsu smiles with his hands behind his head. "Why don't you choose a job already?"

"We chose one without consulting you last time." Added Happy while flying around. "So it's your turn to pick, Lucy"

"Stop kidding around!" She turns away indignantly. "We're splitting up." She said with a tone of finality.

Natsu tilts his head in confusion; "Why?" Happy does the same with while saying 'Aye'.

She runs a hand over her forehead; "You would have chosen any blond girl! You guys tried to sucker me if not for Naru and Mira-Chan."

"Well that's true..." Natsu muses.

This only serves to irritate further her as she shouts; "SEE?!"

Natsu only smiles toothily; "Though we you chose you to be in the team because you're a really nice person." Lucy blushes at his words.

Naruto notices the look Mirajane was giving the two. A sense of dread runs down his spine. Oh crap He thought. She's in matchmaker mode...

Taking a light drag from his cigarette, Gray, shirtless, looks over; "You know Lucy, you don't have to force yourself into any team you know." He pauses. "Heard you did a hell of a job with that Everlue creep. Maybe we could try a team up once."

With that Loke walks over putting on some charm. "Would you like to join me Lucy? Could make a team of love for the night."

Lucy looks at both dryly. "Uh... No thanks."

"You defeated two guys from the mercenary guild's Southern Wolves and a gorilla-like woman right?" Says the Ice-Mage. "You're amazing"

"Natsu and Naru are the ones who did that." She points out. "I just took out that perverted toad."

Lucy sweatdrops as Gray immediately stands up to Natsu, growling; "That was you, you bastard?!"

Natsu glares at the ice wizard and their foreheads are touching. "Got a problem with it?!"

It's like they're just looking for excuses to fight… Lucy sweatdrops as Natsu and Gray glare at each other.

"Uh, Gray… Your pants." Mira chirps happily.

Looking down, the ice mage's eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets; "WHAT THE HELL!? NOT AGAIN!"

"Jeez, you're a pain in the ass." Natsu looks dryly.

"What did you call me you flaming piece of shit?!" And again their foreheads clash, fists clenching.

"A massive pain in the ass you perverted punk!" Their magical auras were flaring for all to see.

The two roll around the guild beating each other senseless. Much to the guild's amusement.

Loke suddenly approaches Lucy, his 'charm' making sparkles around his face. "You're really beautiful. Even looking through the dark shades of my sunglasses, you're still so beautiful..." He places his hands on her shoulders. Though Lucy does not even react to his advances. "If I'd look at you with my naked eyes, they'd probably shatter in to pieces"

"Then please take those of." She deadpans.

Naruto snorts as he chuckles; she is just not into you Loke. Looking to Mira he soon sweatdrops seeing her glaring at the playboy; looks like she has her plan set, matchmaker wise. Kami help them.

Hearing a clinking sound, Loke looks down he freezes as he jumps back from the Buxom blond; "Y... You're a celestial mage!?"

Happy nods; "Uh huh. She has a bull, a crab, and a big fish."

Lucy glares over. "It's a mermaid you furball!"

"What a twist of fate!" Loke shouts. He suddenly begins running away from her. "Sorry! But this is the end of us!"

Lucy sweatdrops at that dramatic exit. "When was there ever an us?"

"Loke is not very good at dealing with celestial mages." Mirajane says sheepishly.

"Huh?"

"I bet it happened in the past involving a girl"

Naruto mumbles quietly. "With how he is, I wouldn't be surprised"

As the guild soon starts laughing at Natsu and Gray -in only his undies-, fighting all over the guild. Lucy soon joins in until Loke kicks open the front double doors; "I'VE GOT BAD NEWS!"

Everyone looks to him as he catches his breathe, terror visible on his facial features; "It's Erza! She's on her way here!"

The entire guild turns into sheer fright save Naruto, Mirajane, and an obviously confused buxom blond. Lucy looks in shock as both Natsu and Gray scream in terror.

Everyone soon hears echoing footsteps marching forward to the guild. Sitting beside Wakaba, the young gorgeous Laki shakes a little; "That's got to be her."

"Sounds like her footsteps." Wakaba quietly mutters fiddling with his pipe nervously.

Macao just stares ahead. "Even the airs gone cold."

"Geez, the way everyone acts, you'd think she was some kinda monster or something," Lucy sweatdrops.

"Well she is the strongest woman in Fairy Tail, and can be more than a little intimidating," Mirajane explains.

Lucy's imagination takes over as she looks visibly terrified, Naruto only sighs just shaking his head while Mira giggles beside him.

But soon, what Lucy sees is nothing compared to what her imagination brings up; a beautiful young red-haired woman dressed in armor entering the Guild. Lucy immediately recognized her as Erza Scarlet from Naruto's henge of her, the 'Fairy Queen Titania'. She presented an imposing sight, as the woman simply exuded confidence and might.

Or it could have been the gigantic ornate horn she was easily carrying over her shoulder with one hand.

"I have returned." Said Erza, dropping the horn with a thundering sound that made the whole floor tremble. "Is the master present at the moment?"

"Welcome back!" Mirajane smiles brightly.

"Yo, Erza-Chan." Naruto greets her with a smile and his mug rose. "Old man is at the regular meeting"

"I see..." Obviously she doesn't like that news.

A guild member close to Erza braves a question; "So...Erza, what's that humungous thing you got there?"

"The horn of a monster that I defeated. The townspeople were so grateful they decorated it for me." The redhead looks over to the man. "Got a problem with it?"

"Oh no, no problem at all!" The entire guild waves their hands frantically.

Cana leans beside Macao in a hush whisper. "Bet she got word about Mt. Hakobe~."

"You think so? Oh, I am dead man..." The likelihood of that had his skin start losing color.

Lucy tilts her head; "She's not like anything I'd imagined."

Naruto only snorts; just give her a minute. Lu-Chan will see why these guys are so terrified of her.

"Now listen up!" Erza voice sharp and steely as the majority -save two- nearly stands at attention.

"I've heard Fairy Tail has been causing problems again." She said sternly. "Even if Master forgives you, I certainly won't!" She turns to certain members of the Guild one by one. "Cana, that's an inappropriate drinking posture. Vijeeter, if you're going to dance, please do it outside. Wakaba, your cigarette butts are all over the floor, and get rid of that filthy habit! Nab, are you still hanging around the board? Just pick a job already!" Everyone just lets their heads fall, an aura of submission and depression hovering over them.

Erza sighs rubbing her forehead; "You give me so much trouble. But I won't say anymore for today."

Lucy stares at her in fright. "Is she in charge of discipline or something?"

"She's Erza." Said Happy, as if that explained everything.

Naruto shrugs; "She's cool when you get to know her"

"Even if she is kinda bossy, she is still saner then most everyone else here." Lucy mutters quietly.

Her fellow blond looks at her with playful mock hurt at her; "Lu-chan, you wound me." The said buxom blond rolls her eyes lightly giggling along with Mira.

Erza looks around. "Is Natsu and Gray here?"

What she got made both Naruto and Mira sweatdrop as Lucy just gawks. With their arms around the other's shoulder. Both Natsu and Grays robotically shake hands with the other.

"Oh... H...Hey Erza, me an Natsu are just hanging out. Doing what good friends do. Right buddy?" Gray says nervously.

"AYE!" Said someone other than the flying feline.

"NATSU TURNED INTO ANOTHER HAPPY?!" Lucy jaw drops.

"Yeah, Natsu and Gray are terrified of Erza." Naruto said.

Mira begins drawing in the air once again with the borrowed light pen again; "Here, I'll explain it with this chart." Both Naruto and Lucy sweatdrop at the terrible quality of the drawings.

"Y-You don't need to..."

"Basically..." Began Naruto. "She beat the crap out of Natsu when he challenged her once. She found Gray naked once and beat him up too. Loke hit on her once and nearly killed him... seriously."

Lucy pales as the redhead crosses her arms grinning contently at Natsu and Gray; "That's great. It's good to see you two getting along so well. However, it is only natural for the best of friends to lock horns from time to time."

"I don't know if we're the best of friends..." Gray mutters.

Getting a weak 'Aye' from Natsu, Lucy only looks at the dragon slayer with genuine concern; "What the heck, is Natsu really that terrified?"

"You don't know the half of it..." Naruto mutters.

"Anyways. I actually have a favor to ask both of you." Her words surprise them. "I heard something troubling at work. Usually, I would consult Master about this, but I regard this matter as urgent, so... I need your help. You'll come with me, right?"

Not only were Gray and Natsu stunned, but nearly the entire guild as well. Murmurs are heard all across the hall.

"This is the first time she's asked to be teamed with someone..."

"And she's someone who can kill such enormous monsters..."

Naruto frowns grimly; "For Erza to have asked for help..."

But what she says next outright stuns the young Sennin even more when the redhead looks over to him; "Naruto, I also require your aid as well."

No one really notices Mira freeze for moment by those words before she continues working again.

"Uh... alright?" Was the only thing he could say.

Titania nods. "Good. We'll leave tomorrow, prepare yourselves"

"I never said I'd come!" Natsu burst angrily.

The dragon slayer's words go unheard as Erza already has left the guild to prepare. No one really paying attention to Natsu and gray bickering again while Cana just looks on stunned; "Naruto, Natsu, Gray, and Erza all in one team."

"Not sure if I should be terrified or what..." Macao mutters Wakaba nods absently to his old friend.

None seeing the small tremble in Mirajane's hands as she holds a glass.

XxX ~ Magnolia Station: Next day ~ XxX

As the morning hustle and bustle is underway at the station, most avoid, while others try not to stare at, the open glaring match between the residential fire dragon slayer and ice mage. Natsu as usual wearing his normal clothes and scarf, while Gray is thankfully clothed, with a white long coat with blue lining over his shirt.

"Why the hell do I have to team with you?" The rosette haired man growls.

Gray's eye twitches; "That's my line fire breath! If Erza really needs help, all she needs is just me!"

The two literally but heads with sparks flying in all directions. "Then you go with her! I don't wanna!"

"Then don't! Will be laughing my ass off when Erza beats your sorry hide all over town!" The ice-mage smirks.

Sitting on a bench Lucy, wearing an orange sleeveless top, and a blue jean mini skirt with keys and whip attached just sighs in exasperation with Plue sitting on her lap. On her right, Happy eats a fish without a care in the world. As the fire and ice mage get more rowdy a tick mark forms on the busty blond's head.

"WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP?! YOU'RE ALREADY CAUSING A SCENE!" She huffs crossing her arms under her generous cleavage. "Geez, why can't you two get along with each other?"

Hearing a snort to her left she sees Naruto in his usual get up, sitting beside her leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He looks dryly at Natsu and Gray; "If that actually happens, Lu-Chan, the sky might fall."

Looking at her fellow blond, her almond eyes notice a familiar trinket hanging off Naruto's neck. "Is that Mira-Chan's necklace?"

His cerulean eyes gaze downward to the necklace in question. His memories of last night still vivid to him.

XxX ~ the Night before ~ XxX

As the guild closed up for the night, both Naruto and Mirajane returned home for some supper. Being it was the blond's this week to cook; he made a full spread of a Senju style meal Tsunade taught him. Since becoming her son, the Senju made sure he ate right and knew how to make meals for himself.

As much has he complained through the entire ordeal, he grew to love it. After sitting down at their table the blond notices Mira being more quiet than her usual self and playing with her food. "What's wrong?"

The former 'S' class wizard slowly locks eyes with him; "Asking for Natsu's and Gray's help, I know Erza means this is serious. But to also ask you too? We both know how she is, Erza is not one to ask help for usually anything. But to ask Natsu and Gray, plus 'you'? How dangerous is this mission?"

Naruto wasn't as dense as when he was a brat hearing the strong tremble of concern in his roommate's voice. Still, he gives a wry smile; "I doubt it's really that bad. Granted, Erza-Chan always means business, being how serious she always is. But considering it's the four of us, whatever the problem is, it should be easy."

The busty white haired beauty leans in. "But what if it's not? What if you… Everyone gets badly hurt?"

"It will be alright. You're just scaring yourself." He places his hands on her slender shoulders. "We won't get hurt and everyone will be back by the next day." Letting go of her shoulders, he watches her unclasp her necklace and leans her arms over with the item in her palm.

"Then wear this for me… For good luck, it will make me feel better…"

"But Mira-chan this is yours." He says softly.

Naruto watches as she simply puts her necklace on him. "Till you get back. It's yours."

XxX ~ Present ~ XxX

Blinking, the young Sennin looks to Lucy; "Why are you tagging along?"

"Mira-chan wanted me to keep an eye on those two." The busty blond slumps, pointing to Natsu and Gray.

Okay… You really are being way too cautious Mira-Chan; Naruto lifts a brow hearing a snort from the old fox.

"Fact she gives a damn about your worthless hide, I will never know…"

I love you too furball…

Happy talks with his mouth full; "You're not doing a good job Lucy." Taking out the fish the cat smirks; "You just wanted to come with us didn't you?"

"NO WAY!" The buxom blond stands glaring at Natsu and Gray; "Someone needs to be their mediator."

Naruto holds his chest in mock hurt; "Ouch Lu-chan…" She just rolls her eyes at him smirking his way.

"You I don't worry about." She looks back to the dragon slayer and ice mage, as Gray bickers about Natsu's sleep bag. A deep mischievous smile crosses Lucy's lips.

She quickly spins around waving at no one; "HEY! Erza, this way."

The reaction is so priceless Naruto falls over laughing with Happy and Plue mimicking them. In an instant both Natsu and Gray are dancing around with their arms over the other's shoulder.

"Let's be nice to each other eh, good buddy?" Gray says in overly joyful tone.

"AYE, aye sir!"

Lucy just holds her sides laughing as hard as Naruto. "This is too funny!"

Both ice and fire mages freeze up as they quickly turn and gawk at the buxom blond; "YOU TRICKED US!" they say together.

Getting off the ground, along with Happy and Plue Naruto still chuckles. "She got you two good, dattebayo!" He gets an 'Aye sir' from Happy who snickers.

"Maybe you guys really do get along after all." Lucy giggles.

Gray scoffs; "Like hell we are, do we seriously have to go? My stomach is starting to hurt."

"Want a fish?" Happy asks on Naruto's shoulder.

"NO WAY!"

Natsu lifts an eyebrow; "Why are you coming along Lucy?"

"Weren't you listening to me and Naru earlier!?"

"Sorry if I was a keeping everyone waiting." The voice of Erza catching Naruto's a Lucy's attention. The buxom blond jaw drops seeing the redhead dragging a large wagon with luggage upon luggage tied to rope.

"D… Don't you think that's a bit too much luggage?" Lucy squeaks out. She soon sweatdrops seeing Natsu and gray acting like best friends again with the fire dragon slayer said 'aye'. "Honestly Natsu, one Happy is enough…"

The redhead looks over to the young Sennin; "Naruto, would be so kind?"

Nodding, the blond Uzumaki walks over to Erza's wagon pulling out a scroll. Shifting her almond eyes, the redheaded knight sees Lucy. "You were in Fairy Tail yesterday correct?"

The Celestial Mage bows respectfully; "I am a new member. My name is Lucy. Mira-Chan asked me to tag along. I hope to be of some help."

A small warm smile crosses Erza's lips; "It's nice to meet you. I'm Erza, and more the merrier."

Hearing a 'poof' sound both ladies look back where the redhead's luggage was… Lucy does a double take seeing it all vanish as Naruto stands tying his scroll. He spins the small item through his fingers before putting it into his pocket. "All done Erza-Chan."

The buxom blond points a shaky finger; "Where… Where did the entire luggage and wagon go?"

Erza smirks; "Naruto can make storage dimensions similar to Re-Equip. It's quite handy"

"Storage seals. Never leave home without them." The Sennin chuckles. "It's a part of that Fūinjutsu stuff I explained a few weeks ago."

The Celestial wizard nods dumbly as recognition sparks in Erza's mind. "I remember now. You're the one who fought a giant mercenary gorilla single handed... We'd welcome you on the team."

Lucy blanches as Naruto holds his sides laughing. "T-That was Natsu and Naru." She says sheepishly. "And those facts are somewhat twisted..."

"This mission might be a bit risky." Erza says. "But seeing how you did on the last job, I think you'd be okay"

"Risky?" Lucy asks.

Natsu looks sharply at Erza; "I really don't know what the hell we're doing. But I will help, under one condition!"

Erza gazes over to him; "A condition, Natsu?"

"Idiot! Do you have a death wish or something?" Gray harshly whispers to the dragon slayer.

Naruto, already having a good idea of what Natsu's condition would be, only sighs. "He never changes..." He says shaking his head.

"Aye!" Happy says.

"Name it." Erza says with stony expression.

"When we get back..." Natsu begins his voice resolute. "Fight me. I'm different from back then. I'll prove it by defeating you!"

Lowering her head, a small smile forms. "Well, you have improved, that is true. I feel somewhat at a disadvantage, but alright." Erza looks back up with a determined gaze. "I accept you challenge."

"What do you mean you're at a disadvantage?!" Natsu shouts fiercely. "Fight me seriously!"

Erza chuckles; "I know... But you have gotten stronger. I just wanted to say it." She gazes to Gray; "Would also like to face me again?"

Lucy never seen the ice mage back down so fast from a challenge, shaking his head in almost a blur. "No, I'm good!"

Erza looks to Naruto; "You up for another go?"

The blond Sennin snorts while grinning. "Sure, why not?" He replies. "Someone has to keep you two from wrecking everything around you." He'd probably only add more destruction to the mess. But he didn't care. Fighting Natsu and Erza was too much fun.

"YOSH!" Natsu's head literally bursts into flames. "Now I'm all fired up baby!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

As the train leaves the station with the whistle blares. The group sits comfortably with Lucy, Gray, and Naruto in one seat, and Erza, Natsu, and Happy on the other.

With Gray looking out the window watching the passing scenery, Natsu munching down on some food along with Happy. Erza, in a much more class, eating a slice of cakes with a fork. The blond Uzumaki naps quietly while Lucy taps her chin; "Now thinking about it. Other than Naru's jutsu, I have only seen Natsu's magic." She looks to the redhead; "What magic do you use Erza-San?"

"Just Erza please…"

"Erza's magic is really beautiful. When she uses it bad guys start spitting blood!" Happy comments cheerfully.

The buxom blond sweatdrops; "That hardly sounds beautiful."

"I don't really consider it anything special… If anything, Gray's is the most beautiful I have ever seen."

Mentioning of his name Gray looks over; "You think so?" Extending his hand with his right fist over his open left palm. Light glows in his closed hand. Lucy soon sees her own breath feeling a chill around them.

The light fading an opening his hand, Lucy sees a small ice sculpture of the Fairy Tail insignia. A bright smile lights up Lucy's lips, "Wow, ice magic!"

"Despite his nudist habits…" Naruto speaks up opening one eye to Lucy. "Gray is a very solid mage and fighter."

Gray smirks, crossing his arms as Lucy gazes at him and Naruto; "Have you and Gray ever fought Naru?"

"More sparring than fighting. Never had much grief with Uzumaki." The raven haired man shrugs.

The buxom blond snaps her fingers; "That's it!" She gains everyone's attention. "The reason why Gray and Natsu don't get along is become one is fire, the other is ice!"

Fully awake, Naruto and Erza look at one another while Natsu and Gray wave a hand dismissively; "Nah, I just hate his guts." They say together without realizing it.

XxX ~ Unknown location ~ XxX

Walking through a crumbling shrouded hallway, several figures make their way to the door and their ultimate glory.

"I should have hit on that smoking hot redhead back at that bar. By Kami she was fucking gorgeous!" A man speaks up in the group.

"What guild was she from?" Another man asks.

"Hell if I know; was too busy imaging her out of that damn armor she wore."

Another man scoffs. "You would not even have a chance to get into her panties."

"Oh fuck off." The first man snarls before speaking again. "And where the hell is Kageyama?"

A man wearing a jacket with a stripe hood rolls his eyes; "Breaking that seal is anything but easy, so can't be helped."

At the head of the group, a tall shirtless man wearing a long scarf, tribal tattoos on his chest, and a scythe leaning comfortably on his shoulders chuckles; "Now, now gentlemen. Our victory is almost at hand. The window of opportunity is small, so we cannot afford any errors." The man looks back to his men with a murderous smile. "Those geezers are at their annual conference. The time is now!"

XxX ~ and Then ~ XxX

"So Erza, mind telling us what we're doing here?" Gray's question gaining everyone's attention. "Fill us in on the details. You needing help is rare as is. So what gives?"

The beautiful redhead nods; "Yes, I should begin explaining. On my way back home I stopped into a mage's pub in Onibas. It was there some certain suspicious people caught my eye." Her almond eyes grow sharp. "They are from the Eisenwald dark guild. And they were speaking of an item called Lullaby."

Naruto, Lucy, Natsu, Happy, and Gray's eyes widen; "Lullaby!?"

Erza looks at them in small confusion; "You're all aware of it?"

"We ran into some goons who tried to eat Happy. Once we beat them all, one of those guys kept muttering something about Lullaby." Naruto gives the rundown.

As the train passes over a bridge, Erza nods in understanding; "I see, so you've also encountered Eisenwald as well."

Gray scratches his head; "Well we did not really know where they were from at the time."

"Bastards were trying to cook Happy. Showed them not mess with us." Natsu snarls a little. "But those guys did mention some Lullaby thingy."

Naruto crosses his arms tilting his head. "Defectors maybe?"

"They could have left Eisenwald. It's always possible." Erza nods in agreement. "Perhaps they did not agree with whatever the plan their guild is making?"

Gray rubs his chin in curiousity. "Okay, so this is something so bad even dark mages run like hell from it."

Erza explains in perfect detail all she heard from the people in the pub. From Lullaby to a man named Kageyama who is apparently able to break magic seals. Which one was placed upon this item in question by the magic council, so there was no need to say how dangerous Lullaby truly is.

Still, Gray tried waving it off. "Erza, you know this could be nothing right? Maybe these guys only just wanted to break the seal for some job of theirs?"

"I thought so too, and would have dismissed it till they said a name that caught my attention. A name I did not recognize till I left Onibas, 'Erigor'."

"Who?" The question rings from Natsu, Gray, and Lucy.

"Erigor the Shinigami and ace of Eisenwald." Naruto speaks up this time. "Jiji told me about him. This guy only accepted missions that were assassinations." The blond crosses his arms closing his eyes.

Disgust wrinkles Lucy's face; "He only took jobs that killed people!?"

"The council had outlawed those contracts, but Eisenwald did not agree with that and thus became a dark guild six years ago." Erza explains.

Holding Plue on her lap, the buxom blond shakes. "I should have just stayed home."

"You're making a lot of juice Lucy." Happy quirks.

"It's sweat!"

Clinching her armor gauntlet, Erza nearly snarls; "I was careless. If I had only recognized Erigor's name sooner. I could have forced those guys into confessing their real intent!"

Lucy pales while Gray speaks up looking out the window; "So Eisenwald and Erigor have some big plan with this Lullaby thing." He looks back to Erza; "Obviously they want to do something bad, so you want to stop it right?"

"Yes…"

No one really attention to the blond Uzumaki as a red tint begins to cover his eyelids. The moment he achieves Sennin mode his closed eyes narrow as a frown wrinkles his face.

"This is why I asked for help. I don't think I would be enough to face a dark guild alone. We're going to storm the Eisenwald guild!"

Natsu taps his chin; "May not really get this Lullaby thing. But if you say there are a lot bad guys that need a good thrashing I am all for it."

He really is that simple minded, Lucy thinks dryly.

Gray smirks; "Well sounds like fun to me." He gets an 'aye from Happy.

XxX ~ Onibas Station ~ XxX

As their train stops at their destination; Erza, Gray, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy get off. The dragon slayer stretches his arms; "Man I am so glad Naruto put that seal on my neck. I can ride anything now and not get motion sickness!"

Gray looks to Erza; "You're sure Eisenwald is still here?"

"I don't know. But better to retrace my steps and find out." The armored woman spoke up as she tried to remember those steps specifically.

"Uh, guys?" Everyone looks to Lucy. "Where is Naruto?"

Hearing the whistle of the train, every turns around sharply gawking as the train they came in on is already gone. "There it goes..." Happy nearly whispers.

The beautiful redhead rubs the back of her head awkwardly; "I was so absorbed in our talk I did not notice Naruto did not leave with us."

Natsu lifts a brow. "Why did he stay on the train?"

XxX ~ Naruto ~ XxX

Sitting like a statue, Naruto keeps his eyes close and arms crossed, hearing footsteps coming his way. Walking through the empty train car a man in a white suite, with a red shirt and white coat over it nears over to the blond Uzumaki. "This seat taken?" He asks in calm voice.

The blond shrugs; "Not currently." The red tint gone, as he opens his cerulean eyes. He mentally gawks seeing nearly the splitting image of Shikamaru right in front of him. This guy even has the hair in the same freaking pineapple ponytail!

"Could not help but notice your friends all had the Fairy Tail insignia. So, guess that means you too eh?" Shikamaru's doppelganger smirks as he sits in front of Naruto.

"And from the malicious presence you're giving off I'd say you are from Eisenwald eh?" the young Sennin does not miss a beat. "It's damn funny, you almost look like a friend of mine, save the fact he is the laziest bastard I have ever known."

The man shrugs; "Don't know about your old buddy. But I have heard of this spiky haired blond with whisker marks, calls himself the Sage of Fairy Tail, Naruto Uzumaki." The man leans in with a dark smile; "Because I'd love to kick his ass… Kageyama is the name."

Within the split second of that greeting, Kageyama activates his magic, a large amount of shadow hands ripping the seat under Naruto as they try to skewer him. Naruto, however, was no longer in his seat, only a puff of smoke replacing him, having switched with a hidden Shadow Clone.

Kageyama could only look in shock at that, wondering when Naruto had the time to react, only to have the back of his head kicked forward from behind, the real Naruto leaning over the seat formerly occupied by the dark mage, who lands on all fours and jumps up to his feet, gaining some distance. "Heh, not bad."

Grinning, Naruto just waved his hand dismissively. "Well, considering you're from Eisenwald, I am not likely to be taking chances. You guys do specialize in assassinations, after all. Guard up at all times." Looking a little more seriously, the blond had to ask. "So, tell me.. What has you on the train out of town? I thought you guys were still looking for Lullaby back in the other town..."

The Shikamaru doppelganger shadow user knew his magic wasn't going to do much of anything against someone who's reputation was very well proceeded, he is nearly even on par with the three actual mages who were the greatest of the guild itself. He would have to use something most mages were not very well known for, hand to hand combat.

Running forward, Kageyama flings a straight left jab at Naruto, who didn't except this sudden attempt at physical combat arts, and dodges backwards, rolling off the seat and flipping himself up in the air. The dark mage steps up on the seat and jumps forward with an uppercut, trying to get at Naruto before he can get back on his feet.

The blond Sage, who pushed himself up and flipped right side up, catches the uppercut from the doppelganger of his friend, and as his body was pushed back from the uppercut, he kicks up, snapping at Kageyama with a fierce rolling side-kick.

Not suspecting of the blow, Kageyama flies to the side from the kick. Hitting his back against the window, breaking it, he catches himself from falling out of it. Seeing the blonde sage of Fairy Tail correct himself with ease and grace, he could only duck as Naruto jumps at him, flipping backwards with a rising uppercut kick that tore the top of the window above him out, and the luggage flying everywhere from the force.

Rolling forward, the shadow mage stands up and throws a couple swift jabs at the recovering Naruto, who lands on his feet and turns to face his adversary. The first jab connects to Naruto's shoulder, but the second gets caught by the blonde and gets pulled, pulling Kageyama with it, until he grabs Kageyama by the collar and twists him around until he throws him into the seats to the side, the seats breaking with the force and collapsing to the next set, which breaks and collapses to the next, over and over until they collapse to the end.

Groaning from the force, Kageyama sits up on the seats and shakes his head. Looking up, he sees Naruto coming at him fast. With little warning, the Shadow mage just acted on instinct, jumping up and throwing a flurry of jabs from both arms, which caught Naruto quite off guard, all punches connecting into the blonde as Kageyama just lays into him.

Just as Kageyama gets into it, and throws a heavy thrusting right punch into Naruto's heart, the Sage of Fairy Tail once again vanished. This shocked Kageyama, who thought he had finally got the advantage in the fight. Hearing a whistle, Kageyama turned to see Naruto coming at him, with a distance covered by their recent tussle thanks to Kageyama not stopping his flurry of jabs until mid-train.

With a small sprint, Naruto lightly leaps forward, his fist rearing back before extending and slamming it into Kageyama's chest. The force sends the man back hitting hard on the train passenger door. Spitting out some blood on the floor, with his back leaning on the door, the dark mage chuckles.

"Heard you were one tough son of a bitch. Glad to know it's not hot air." The shadow mage smirks haughtily. "But you and that little guild of yours can't stop us."

"You never really know till you try, asshole." Walking up to the dark mage, the blonde could only smile as he pops his knuckles in an intimidating way.

Before the dark wizard could retort, the train suddenly breaks jarring both to nearly hit the floor. Instead an object drops from Kageyama's coat that catches Naruto's attention. A flute?

XxX ~ Onibas Station ~ XxX

A station manager only gawks in disbelief along with Lucy and Gray, seeing Erza pulling down on the emergency switch. "What the hell lady! You can't just pull the emergency switch like that!"

The redhead just turns to look at him; "Our friend is in trouble. Please understand."

"That's no convenient excuse!" A tick mark pops from the man's head.

In the background, Natsu only rolls on the ground laughing along with happy. Lucy's eye twitches; "It is official. Everyone in fairy tail is crazy!"

"Hey not all of us." Gray quickly retorts.

The buxom blond just looks at him; "And you call yourself sane when you strip for no reason at all?"

His answer is sharply looking the other way grumbling.

XxX ~ Naruto ~ XxX

It was the ugliest flute the young Sennin has ever seen. With a skull carved at the end with three eyes. Not the most pleasant looking instrument for playing tunes of kicks.

However, his mind puts the pieces together as Kageyama quickly grabs the thing; "Lullaby huh..?"

The train soon restarts it motion as the dark mage smirks; "And now I have to kill you."

"Then bring it!" With a quick move of handseals the Uzumaki takes a deep breath, Katon: Karyū Endan!

A massive torrent of fire shoots forward as a visibly frightened Kageyama crosses his arms as a mass shadows becomes a shield for him. "SHIT!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Close to the tracks, a magic car with Erza at the helm races towards the train. Inside, Natsu and Lucy watch through the car windows with Happy on the blond's lap, and finally Gray holding onto the car's roof for dear life.

They all look in shock seeing the upper half of a train car explode in flames. Through the black smoke the redhead sees the blond spiky locks of her best friend; "NARUTO!"

As the smoke clears, they see their Uzumaki friend with his hair, headband, and sage coat whipping wildly in the wind. His eyes are forward as Kageyama lowers his shadow wall in exhaustion. This guy is a stamina freak! Here I am breathing hard and he's not even winded!

Shifting his cerulean eyes, the blond sees his friends in the magic car racing beside the train. He looks back, leaping to avoid a tendril of shadows coming after him. Dark mage and shinobi only stare at one another before Naruto vanishes via shunshin.

Looking to her left, Erza nearly jumps seeing Naruto sitting beside her. Her reaction is slamming the breaks, which catch Gray off guard as he sent flying forward off the car and slamming into the ground. Inside, Natsu catches Lucy before she hits the front window of the car, though Happy is smashed in between both humans.

Groaning with every movement, Gray painfully stands himself back up, staggering a step or two. Catching his bearings, he growls over to the now parked car; "Damn it Erza, a little warning next time!" his anger vanishes seeing Naruto sitting beside a gawking redhead. "Naruto?"

"Know anyone else more awesome?" Cue an eye roll from the ice mage.

Shaking out of her shock, Erza looks sharply to her friend; "What the hell happened back there?! Explain."

As the Natsu and Lucy got out of the car, with a half knocked silly Happy on the dragon slayer's shoulder, the blond sage begins to tell his encounter with Kageyama. Erza grabs him by the collar when mentioning the flute. "Why didn't you grab it?!"

"He attacked with a bunch of tentacle shadows, I've read those weird manga's about that. Not getting near those things thank you." Shivering at the thought alone, Naruto just let it stand at that.

Lucy sweatdrops with a faint blush. "Why did you read 'those' things?"

"Blame my godfather, the man was the biggest pervert I ever knew. Said it was to broaden my experience. More like scarred for life…" Erza lets him go rolling her eyes.

Gray only sighs; "Where is that train heading anyways?"

"Kunugi station, then to Oshibana," Naruto looks over. He notices Lucy looking deep in thought. "What's wrong Lu-Chan?"

She looks up sharp; "I remember! I knew I heard of Lullaby somewhere. It's death magic!" Everyone's eyes soon focus on her as she goes on; "Four hundred years ago, the demon mage Zeref found a flute, and demonized it. Whoever hears its tune dies instantly!"

"What the hell are those bastards thinking!?" Gray growls before realization hits; "How big is Oshibana?"

The others pale as they realize it to. "They intend to use it on an entire town..." Erza voice trembles with both fright and anger.

However, something keeps nagging Naruto as he can literally hear his former Cyclops Sensei in his head.

Look underneath the underneath Naruto. A shinobi must always see through the deception to the truth.

Everything Eisenwald has done up to now, it has to be something bigger than killing off an entire town. Erigor may love killing, but he kills for reasons. That much he learned from Makarov-Jiji. But what was it?!

Just what the hell are you after Erigor?!

XxX ~ Kunugi Station ~ XxX

People cower together fearfully as members of the Eisenwald guild keeps them tied up at the station. As the train comes to a stop they see Kageyama leap out. A guild member notices how rough up he is. "What the hell happen to you man?"

"I had a run-in with the Fairy Tail guild. That Uzumaki bastard is no joke; guy is a fucking stamina monster." Huffing and catching enough breath to finally calm down, Kageyama walks to his Guild.

Walking through the members with scythe in hand, Erigor stands in front of the shadow mage; "So the sage is onto us?"

"Not just him, looks like four others as well." Kageyama pops his neck, damn that fight was rough.

A dark chuckle comes from the ace of Eisenwald; "No matter… Let those flies keep buzzing. They'll be dead before they even know the truth." His malicious laughter echoes the area with the others soon joining.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

In the deep are of the forest of Clover, the tress rustle gently in the wind. Sunlight shines through the leaves as a grey fox sleeps soundly in the middle of a natural groove, untouched by man. Nestled comfortably, the grey fox is a still as the grass around his.

Neither the sunlight nor wind undisturbed his long rest. In the dream-like sleep he has remained for what has felt like an eternity. In his dreams, the fox felt a presence in the distance. Old, powerful, so very filled with elemental power. Power from a piece of nature itself, a power he had once been very familiar with.

In his dreams, the fox stirred. Outside his dreams, his tail flickered for a single moment before returning to where it was.