A/N- Hello and welcome to all my beloved and devoted readers! As you read in the previous chapter, I'm putting this story on hiatus. This is because of my work load and my writer's block on this...
I'm bullshitting guys. I'm not really cancelling this story, it's too fun to write.
What I DO want to comment on is the times I receive reviews. As I live in England, I uploaded the last chapter at (on my watch) around 11 o' clock. During my working hours, I received a lot of messages informing me of reviews, favourites etc. and I was like... WHAT? Lol, just the time difference does get a little confusing. I would expect many people in work/ school or whatever, but who am I? Just a little plodger in the U.K I'm afraid ;)
I tried drawing an pic of Lee and I'm generally happy with the results. One problem though, the HANDS are so bad that I even feel ashamed for drawing them. ARGH!
NOTE: For those who may not know my style, I'm the type to upload a chapter randomly. Sometimes I may upload two chapters in one day and sometimes I... er... don't upload for... a while... (coughtwoyearscough)
With this story, I've been uploading at least every other day so no worries.
On to the next chapter!
NOTE- Very sudden change in attitude, some may want to get tissues ready.
Chapter 6 (OMG like, already? :P)
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOUUUU!" A large cake was brought into the room to celebrate Blaze's second birthday at the guild. At eleven, he was still very small for his age, his head only reaching below his father's chest; and Gray wasn't all that tall himself!
Born several months after Lee, Blaze had the opportunity to celebrate both his tenth and eleventh birthday with the guild. It didn't stop him from staring enviously at his best friend. On Lee's eleventh, he measured to be the same height as Gray, so what made him different? Looking at himself discreetly, Blaze could only come up with one solution: their differences came from their individual eating habits. Satisfied with his conclusion, the young boy glanced up to notice the expectant looks on the faces of all his peers. He then noticed Lee holding out a knife to him, somewhat impatient.
"Hello! Are you ready to cut the cake yet?"
"Er, okay..." taking hold of the knife gingerly, Blaze started to cut the cake...
"WAIT! You forgot to blow the candles! Honestly, boys these days!" Asuka, ten year old daughter of Bisca and Alzack came forward huffily. "Blaze! What's wrong with you today?"
"Shut it. It doesn't matter which way Blaze does it! I just wanna eat the cake already!"
"Well, it makes a difference, Lee!" the two children started to bicker before noting that dear little Blaze was still standing there doing neither of the tasks.
"WELL HURRY UP, THEN!"
"... Okay..." BEFORE cutting the cake, Blaze shut his eyes and blew, wishing for something very honourable; a larger appetite. After doing this, he cut the cake quickly and distributed it out. After all, he certainly did not want another blast from the two hotheads over there; anymore synchronised speeches and they'd be together for life! After giving the two a cheeky peek, Blaze proceeded to cut himself an extra large slice. Might as well see if the wish was granted, right? He moved to take a seat in a corner of the guild, ambling for some quiet time cough.
About to take his first bite, Blaze was suddenly seen flying in the air. It seemed that the idiots had started their fight slightly earlier today, huh?
"You IDIOT! I told you that the birthday boy or girl have to ALWAYS blow the candles BEFORE cutting the cake! Cross Star Explosion!"
"And I told you that I DON'T CARE! Flaming Impulse!"
The poor boy looked back to see a destroyed table in place of his cake slice. He turned to fetch himself another plate but noticed that there was no cake left. Pouting slightly, he just sat down. He felt an arm around him, hugging him tightly; not saying anything, Blaze just sighed unhappily.
"What's wrong, buddy?" Gray pretended to strangle his son, receiving a small giggle. "Didn't receive your presents yet? Want me to force it out of them?"
"Nah." Blaze sighed again, looking towards his father "Gray, why am I so small?"
"Huh?" the man was blown away by the small issue. Usually a kid would want more presents, or even just complain about presents they had received. His son's puppy eyes made him too adorable to ignore "er, because... wait a minute son, let me think this through."
As Gray went to sit next to him, Blaze turned red in pleasure. He called him son! It was a small thing, but to him it was a reminder of their true relationship. Though it was impossible to openly talk of their father-son relationship, there were times like these that Blaze could feel he had a person to rely on, emotionally; a place he could really say he belonged. He still could not believe that Gray took him under his name 3 and a half years ago!
"So, tell me again Blaze. You are sighing unhappily because...?"
"I'm small."
"And that is bad because?"
"Graay!" The look of pure torment on Blaze's face reflected his feelings. "Even Asuka's the same height as me and SHE'S a girl! Why can't I be tall like Lee?"
"Becaauuse... okay, think about this carefully, Blaze. You say that Lee's 'tall' right?" At the boy's nod, Gray continued "If all the boys were as tall as him, do you really think that people would say he's tall? The meaning of tall person, Blaze, is when a person is slightly, or very much, more taller than the average height in a group of similar people. Do you understand? So that means he's not so... normal in a sense."
Gray leaned back, satisfied with his answer; however, there was one problem.
"...But why am I small? Does that not also make me not normal either?"
... oh, shit.
"Hahaha! You sure fell into that one!"
"Shut up, you Lion bastard"
...
On the other side of the guild, it seemed that the issue of cutting a cake was still not resolved. That being said, the topic was currently not-so-gently placed aside for now to clear some more obvious issues.
"IDIOT! Take this, bullet storm!"
"HAH! That didn't even touch me, loser! Triple inferno!" the attacks conveniently their targets, going straight for other members who, in turn joined the fight and causing a riot.
"Why you...!"
"Ouch! Watch where you're stepping, idiots!"
"A man should fight bare-han..."
"SHUT UP!"
Soon the fight got out of hand, calling for some good old fashioned control. The threatening silhouette of a monster stood at the door.
"ENOUGH!" That very same figure took out all the members with the sweep of his arm, then shrunk quickly to the size of a pumpkin. The guild was silent, all participants of the fight left on the floor with the cake and broken furniture. To Blaze and Lee, this sight became a normal, everyday occurrence.
The Master stepped forward to review the damage done and groaned quietly. He shook away the thoughts of replacement furniture and quickly jumped to the stage, facing his audience.
"Forgetting this mess for now, I have important news. Fairy Tail has decided to organise our annual S- class mage 2 weeks earlier. This is to allow our final event of the exam to take place; all the current S- class mages can only be present on the 15th August, hence being the reason for our early start and finish." Makarov cleared his throat ignoring the many moans and complaints. "As we have had several mages who has shown potential, the higher mages and I have made a decision on our nominees for this year. We have chosen the mages who, we feel has made the most progress since our last examinations. If I call your name, I would like you to step to the allocated side of the guild; before that, can all present S-class mages please join me on the stage."
Mirajane, Erza, Gray and Loki joined the Master on the stage. As a former real member of the guild, Loki was the only one of all spirits to be granted permission to participate in the exams. Gray had earned his title fairly late; only 8 years ago. He had been nominated to join the exams in all the years before, but had chosen to withdraw his place the first few years and visit Lucy instead. This was due to the fact that it was the only time throughout the year that another mage was not in control of a member's movements. Had Gray tried to visit any other time, Mirajane would have had to know of his visit and the reason behind it.
"As I said before, whoever I call out, please move yourself to the allocated area at the centre of the guild: BISCA! ALZACK!" Asuka cheered for both her parents at the call of their names.
"SATOSHI!"
"ROMEO!" The young man of seventeen walked to the centre, pleased. Lee and Blaze received pats if encouragement on the way, together with a wink. Romeo fully expected them up with him.
"LIGHTNING!"
"ZERO!"
Everybody waited in anticipation.
"TENJOU! And JOY!" The master rolled up his parchment and waited for the last to step into the centre.
The hush was deafening; what had happened? Lee sat back, unbelievingly. Was this the end of his time in Fairy Tail? He stared at the old man in the front before getting up slowly, tamping down on his sense of defeat. Ignoring the murmurs, he walked to the entrance and left, Blaze following close behind.
On the stage, Loki was also shocked. From what he remembered, both the boys were sure contestants of the exam; glancing at the Master, he suddenly saw the reason why. In anger, he stepped forward, delivering a knockout blow to the man he loved like a grandfather. He shoved away the members in his way and stalked out, too angry to care of the consequences.
Gray blocked the doors with an ice wall to prevent the members from chasing after the lion spirit. He then turned to the master, cold disgust evident in his own eyes.
"Loki had all the right to do what he did." The older man remained on the floor, motionless, pitiful. "You may be trying to keep the peace in your guild, but what you have done here is a breach in contracts and promises!"
"It is to protect the..."
"To protect the what? The guild? Lee? Natsu?" Gray stepped forward, uncaring of the attention he was receiving "What you just did is break a promise YOU issued with a young child! A child who, at the age of ten, already lacked trust for the people of Fairy Tail! YOU insisted on his debut here and YOU insisted that he opened his heart to the guild, all the while planning your betrayal? You knew of his intentions if he didn't succeed in entering this exam. You made sure of it!"
Staring at the heap on the floor, Gray could not bring himself to do anymore than to laugh humourlessly.
"You could just say that I failed in my mission; I failed to protect her beloved son from all this!" he started his own way to the door.
"NO! I made a mistake!" Makarov found the energy to get up shakily, in an effort to stop the man "Gray! I'll allow them into the exam, just please don't leave the guild! Forgive this mistaken old man!" he fell and started to cry "Forgive this old man, please Gray!"
"I can't!" Gray burst out, unable to keep his feelings in any longer "Do you know what that will do to them? Knowing that you were playing them like puppets will kill them! I couldn't even introduce Blaze as MY OWN SON! Do you know how that made him FEEL? To know that his own father was nearby, but could not be reached; how much pain did my son endure? I couldn't spoil him, comfort him or even talk to him properly! You even went so far as to find a separate accommodation for the boys to sleep in, to hide their true identity! All that effort, for a request that you could not accept?"
Shaking his head, Gray, moved back until he felt the ice behind his back. Breaking it with a clenched fist he made his way out, pausing to make one last comment before leaving.
"You say you only wanted peace and to protect? This action of yours will not only destroy the trust and confidence of two young boys, but it will also be the cause of destruction to this guild as well. Or have you forgotten? Lee intends to fight Natsu and avenge his suffering mother, whether you like it or not."
"Fairy Tail will live to regret her past actions."
...
The guild was soundless, besides the sobbing of an old man. The confessions made were heard by all, members held witness to the breakdown of their Guild Master. A man, with whom most would entrust their life, had revealed to a betrayal so great against his own guild member. Unspoken questions arose, but most could not move on seeing the slumped shape of their master. The same was to be said about the present S-class mages, Erza and Mirajane; both in shock and both angry at the situation in front of them.
"Master Makarov! Just tell me this is all a lie." Erza broke the silence, her sense of honour making it impossible to keep silent. "I will believe your words over Gray's, just say this was set up!"
Makarov could not speak, continuing to cry into his hands.
"What did they mean? Did you really take them out of the exams?" shocked into action, Romeo moved to stand next to the figure on the ground. "Did you ...Master? Master!"
...
"Get out! Leave me alone!"
Blaze stared at the shut door in front of him. Lee had never, ever kept him away. If there was a job to do, or an essay to write, the task would always be done together. They even comforted each other in their sorrows and laughed together during times of happiness.
Inexperienced and naturally timid in the face of hostility, Blaze made the decision to stay outside until Lee decided to let him in.
He remained in that position when Lee opened the door several hours later. He had slept on the ground just outside the door to prevent anybody from disturbing the person inside; tear streaks were evident as well. Feeling guilty, Lee picked the smaller boy up and placed him in his own bed.
Lee then went down to prepare enough breakfast for an army. If he predicted right, then everyone would crowd their house by late morning; even if they didn't eat much, he needed something to do right now and breakfast gave the perfect excuse. After cooking everything, he then took his time cleaning the whole kitchen, letting the time drag until Gray and the others arrived.
Exhaling heavily, Lee leaned against the table tops staring to the skies,
Mum, am I doing the right thing?
...
The guild was in utter, pin drop silence. They were still reeling from the earlier incident, an incident so shocking that it led to the heart attack of their Guild Master and the spilling of the truth. If what was being said had been true, the guild members could not think of what that implied of their current situation. The guild had always been a family, a place of comfort and a place of happiness. It was a given that members supported one another without thought of what was said being anything but the truth.
However, the guild Master himself had broken apart their theory, by opposing to allow two young boys into an exam to prevent a future crisis. The problem was not in the action itself, but more the feelings behind such an action. What had been of such importance that the master had, not made, but issued a promise that he knew was going to be broken? Even with the main truth out, there was no way of knowing reasons for certain actions, or knowing the situation at all apart from this bare fact.
If the Guild Master himself could not be trusted to keep a secret, or keep a promise, then who could?
They heard the door slam open, all turning to expect the return of the children, or Loki, or Gray. They turned to find, instead, a person who had been away for two years, the main person in Makarov and Gray's argument.
"Hey guys, I'm home!"
Natsu Dragneel, twenty nine year old dragon slayer, S-class mage of Fairy Tail and the official father of Lee Grayson Dragneel had returned home, together with partners Happy and Lisanna.
"It's great to be back!"
To Be Continued