~Natsu~

Motion sickness is going to kill me. How could I have ridden that damn train twice? I get on and I cant get off and ugh...my poor stomach. This trip better be worth it. Wouldn't be the first time Happy and I had been led on a wild goose chase because of rumors and whispers. Probably not even the hundredth. So far not even 1 lead had panned out for us...

"Hey Happy this Salamander were lookin for has gotta be Igneel right?"

"Aye. It has to be cuz the only fire dragon Ive ever heard of is Igneel."

"That's true." Wasn't like there were many dragons roamin round Fiore. Except how many times had we heard dragon and it ended up being a wyvern or vulcan or some other creature some villager had blown way out of proportion? It was getting exhausting being let down all the time.

"SALAMANDER!" "How dreamy!" The cacophony of voices ahead drew our attention and I can feel Happy's excitement jump to mirror my own. Blood pumping I take off, careful not to get my hopes up this time.

~Natsu~

"Who the heck are you?" My voice is dull, all enthusiasm gone as the disappointment Id tried and failed to avoid crashes over me. Just another imposter. It's not Igneel. Its never Igneel. Trying to wade through the waves of pain and sadness I stagger away, completely uninterested in the answer to my question.

"How rude!" "We're gonna rip you to shreds!" What is wrong with these girls?! They latched on before I could take a step, pulling and biting and scratching and I have no chance to defend myself before the imposter speaks. He sounds like an ass.

"Here's my autograph kid. Now you can brag to all your friends." Yeah. Definitely an ass.

"No thanks." As if I need anything from this loser. But that just takes me back to my original problem...what the hell is wrong with these girls?! They pack a hell of a punch for non mages. As the phony salamander disappears and the crown disperses I finally feel safe to sit up and rub at my aching head, perplexed by the whole exchange. "Who the heck was that guy?"

"I don't know but he was a real creep." The dragon in me snaps to attention at the voice, roiling emotions calming into an eerie stillness, like all of me was quiet in hopes of hearing it again. "Thank you for your help." Swiveling my head around I'm met with a vision. Her hair was golden. Sunset golden that lightened at the ends from the sun framing fathomless cocoa eyes and a radiant smile. This girl had to be the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And that was saying something cuz I grew up with some gorgeous girls. Something tells me this one is special though.

~Natsu~

"My names Lucy. Its nice to meet you." Again with that smile. An ache in my chest I hadn't even realized was there eases every time she does it. Its not an unpleasant feeling exactly but its odd. And confusing.

"Aye!" Or maybe its just hunger being satisfied by all the food she's buying us.

"Ah-h, um...Natsu and Happy was it?"

"Mm-hm. Your so nice." Glorious food.

"Thanks! You can slow down, were not in a hurry!..and food is flying everywhere." Its nice to listen to her talk. I'm not really paying much attention to the words but her voice is nice and soothing, kinda like Igneel's was. It helps settle the dragon. Plus she apparently loves Fairy Tail. Win win. But I don't think she believes me about Igneel. Cant win everything I guess.

~Natsu~

"Yeah he's a member of Fairy Tail!" Fairy Tail? That salamander impersonator guy? Yeah right. Like they'd ever let that ass into the guild.

"You know I know I don't look like it but I'm actually a wizard!"

"I love Fairy Tail! They're so cool!"

Lucy...she wouldn't believe that poser...right? Wait why do I even care? Its only her dream guild and some sleazeball is claiming to be a member. Damn. "So he's in Fairy Tail is he?"

~Natsu~

"Your the worst wizard alive!" I was right. She's here. She's here, she sounds upset and suddenly the flames in my gut boil and I'm smashing through the roof of the boat. "Hey I know you!" Damn right you do. But the rocking and bobbing is too much to bear. Ugh, why'd it have to be a boat? I can hear chattering around me but its lost as I try and keep from puking up my guts. A flare of magic catches my attention and my head snaps up in time to see Happy dodge a blast with Lucy wrapped firmly in his tail. Oh hell no they were not going to hurt her. Except all I can do is try and block the kicks I earn myself as I grapple with the motion sickness.

Then...so much water. One minute I'm on a boat trying to not make a fool of myself and failing miserably and the next I'm trying not to drown and failing miserably. This day just keeps getting better...but at least once the world stops spinning and I can breathe again I'm doing it on dry land. I look for Lucy and Happy first, relieved to see them at first and confused as to why I care so much if she's safe. When I notice the fake salamander and his thugs standing up among the wreckage I abandon trying to figure it out right now and channel my anger.

"So you claim to be a member of the Fairy Tail guild?" What trash.

"So what's it to you? Go get him men!" I'd like to see them try.

"Let me get a closer took at your face." So ill remember you. The fraud who tried to hurt Lucy and claimed to be nakama. I wont forget. "My name is Natsu. I'm a Fairy Tail wizard and I've never seen you before."

"You've got to be kidding me! So Natsu is a Fairy Tail wizard?" That's right Luce. I am.

"That mark on his arm! This guys the real deal Bora!"

"Don't call me that you fool!" How pathetic.

"I have no idea what your trying to do here buddy and I don't care if your a good guy, bad guy or what. I'm not gonna let you dirty the Fairy Tail name." Plus you touched her. Bad choice.

"What are you gonna do about it? Stop me?" The attack that follow is pathetic if you ask me, but hey a meal is a meal.

"Are you sure that your really a fire wizard? Cuz these are the nastiest flames I've ever tasted." Truly horrible. "Thanks for the grub poser. Now I've got a fire in my belly that raging to get out." Not Igneel. Not a Fairy. Tried to hurt Lucy. Sorry loser. "Here goes, FIRE DRAGONS ROAR!"

Whoops. Maybe I overdid it a little? Nah. "Hope you guys are paying attention. This is what a Fairy Tail wizard can do. Here I come!" They really never had a chance. Fake fire against a dragon slayer? Don't make me laugh.

~Natsu~

"Just come on, you said you wanted to join the Fairy Tail guild didn't ya?" You gotta stay with me. I...cant let you go. "So let's go!"