Chapter 2

Magnolia can be considered a peaceful town. Its residence when about that daily routine with cheerfulness that can be contagious. Children ran around playing with their friends and playmate, vendors greeted potential customers with enthusiasm, some couple in love stroll hand in hand with their love ones, smiling and laughing; the townspeople are happy and in merriment.

However, at the main hall of Fairy Tail Guild it was a different atmosphere altogether...

"Work! Work! Work!" A guild member ran out with a paper in hand.

"Oops! Excuse me! Coming through!" a team of two also ran out in top speed, nearly colliding with a fellow teammate who was carrying a box to the storage. The box carrier cursed before shouting at the retrieving figures. "Watch it!"

"It's that time of the year already?" a group sat by the table sweatdrops as they watch the mayhem around them, sighing heavily. One of them took out a list and began to jolt down things that needed to buy. Medical kit you understand.

"Eh? That one?! But that pays peanut!" A loud exclaimed draws attention of people nearest to the mission board.

"Kinana, I'm taking this job!" a young teenage member said waving the mission that he had chosen to the barmaid attention.

He was push aside as another member – slightly older by a couple of years – asking urgently. "Kinana, where's the log book? I want to take this job!"

"Log book is over there. Self service alright?" said Kinana smiling as she pointed where the record book was placed. She giggled when both make a dash for the log book, and squabble on who get to write first.

It was something that Natsu had thought was necessary. With all the missions come and go, it was hard to keep track of who take what. So, after seeing Kinana was completely overwhelmed one day, Natsu decided to introduce the record book to keep track of all the missions.

"Gee, look at all the fuss. It's not that they'll be no missions during that time. Damn, why can't Master let us take a few jobs at once?" some member grumbled unhappily. His companion rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"You know very well why. Now stop whining. Are you going to take that mission or not?" said the friend infuriated.

"What's going on? Why is everyone in a rush?" Cana inquired by the bar. She eyed a few others running around before leisurely sipping her beer. She frowned when another member ran out of the guild in top speed.

"It's going to be that time of the year soon," Kinana replied.

"Time of the year?" Cana asked interested.

Kinana nodded. "In three months time, it's the training period of our guild. Everyone is clamouring to do as much as they can now. Once training started, they'll hardly get any job done."

"Quite a commotion for a training period."

"We have no choice. By the end of the period, Master Natsu will evaluate if he'll conduct an S-class promotion."

"If? The promotion is done every year."

"Master changed that rule. Now it will be done once every two years. He said he doesn't want to pressure the members unnecessarily. While he wanted his members to grow, he also wanted them to grow at their own pace."

Cana hummed distractedly. She continued with her drink while deep in thoughts with the new information.

"Where's Natsu?" Erza inquired a few seats away. Her inquiry caught the attention of Gray and Lucy and they suddenly realized; they haven't seen the current master for a few days already. Three days to be exact.

It wasn't Kinana who answer her. It was Max, having just return from his short mission. "Master is on a mission," Max told her plainly. He drop into a stool and signalled Kinana for something to drink.

Erza's eyes widened at that. "Natsu? On a mission?"

Max eyes darkened as he frowned at her careless addressee of their Master. "It's Master," Max corrected her. "You cannot address Master so flippantly. Natsu is master of the guild now. You have to show him respect."

Erza ignored the reprimand and instead asked. "Why?"

Max's jaw clenched and his eyebrow twitched at the blatant dismiss before he took a deep breath and sighed. "Beats me. Master never stated his reasons. However, we suspect that it's his way to deal with high level of stress and frustration."

"But he is the Master now. Surely he has other things to do?" Gray interjected, having noticed Max's sudden darkened mood.

Max shrugged. "Even a master needs to keep in shape once in a while. What's the use of having magi powers if you're not going to use it?"

. . . . . . . . . .

Natsu cursed colourful expletives as he side step an oncoming attack. The boulder where he stood exploded and the huge impact knock him off his feet. Natsu somersault and position himself in offense.

The monster he was facing was to put it plain; quite hideous. The creature was a product of dark and vile magic. Created by a jilted and vengeful witch who delved in magic most foul, she created this creature to ensnare her ex-lover. Something went wrong and the witch met her death. However, instead of her spell waning, the foul creation took a life of its own. Natsu had shuddered and nearly lost his stomach when he read the ingredients that were needed in order for the evil to take effect.

The monster was a creature of clay mix with dirty blood and other unclean stuff that he was to green to even mentioned; some chant and voila!

Like he said, something went terribly wrong and the witch died. Lucky for the intended victim, from what Natsu had understood from the pious clergy, had she succeeded in her quest, said victim could have died in the most gruesome way. As it stands, so can he for that matter if he wasn't absolute careful the clergy stressed.

Well, it was classified as an S-class job for a reason.

Natsu rush forward and flame clawed at his opponent. His jaw clenched and he hissed when his attack missed.

But Natsu didn't take up the job to discuss the horrid and revolting details. Nope. He took the job because... well, he needed to clear his head actually.

It was that time of the year again. The Grand Magic Game Tournament has come around. Ever since it was created, it was the rage of the season. Occurring annually, it has never failed to invite Fairy Tail to participate. Granted, all the legal guilds were invited to compete by default.

And to be really honest, it was actually fucking troublesome having to keep telling them, again and again, year after year; that he isn't interested. He decline and had made his aversion known. Why can't they leave his guild alone?

Natsu had sigh with a very heavy heart. This year, a dilemma has arisen. He had received an additional missive along with the customary invite bearing the royal seal.

Natsu scowled viciously. He stood by his decision, all those years ago. Fairy Tail will not take part in the gladiatorial tournament. However he wasn't that naive to disregard the complications that might arise now that the core members have return.

That is a potential problem waiting to happen right there.

Natsu dodged the poisonous claws and growled. He was about to act when the monster manage to snatch a lucky hit. From the sharp pain that he felt, Natsu saw that the monster is sucking him dry. Natsu smirk sinisterly. His eyes glowed bright red as his entire body when ablaze with great intensity. With a mighty roar, Natsu eliminate the monster. "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade!"

. . . . . . . . . .

Natsu looked down to the Hall's ground floor with a cold impassive face. He was standing at a shadowed corner that completely hides him from view. He stood silent like a statue as he was lost deep in thought.

Natsu stared blankly at the commotion below. Lyon had drop by to visit Gray again. And somewhere along their banter, clothes came off and the two Ice-striper are happily comparing techniques, much to some member's mortification. In their excitement, temperature drops, damn it!

Natsu glanced at the bar and saw that Happy was recounting their latest mission to Lily and Carla fervently. Lucy was also listening intensely. Natsu eyes softened at the sight of his Exceed. Happy was with him when Natsu went for that S-class mission. But considering the unholy nature of the job, Natsu had Happy stayed far away while he fought. Happy had been downtrodden, thinking that somehow, he might have caused Natsu to resent him. He had quickly assured his Exceed that that was not the case. They had been apart for seven years. And in those years, Natsu's fighting style had evolved. Since Happy haven't seen him fight, they might be out of tandem. That is why he had Happy observed him fight from a very far away distance.

Natsu heard footsteps coming near him. He didn't turn his head. The scent gave the person away. "What are you doing all the way here brooding? That act doesn't become you." Laxus drawled. He stood not too far from the Master in his usual pose and his signature scowl. Natsu ignored him.

Laxus snorted before he leaned casually against the pillar, facing Natsu. "Master," Laxus drawl lazily. "How long are you planning to keep stalking us?" he queried.

Natsu didn't answer him. In fact, he remained unresponsive. If it wasn't for a short side glance, Laxus would think that Natsu was not listening. He scowled. "Stop it already. It's creepy. You nearly gave me the spook when I saw you gazing at my house from the dark!"

Still no response. Laxus growled in frustration. "Master!"

Finally, Natsu turns to look at him. Laxus went paled and he froze. He would have take a step back had such act is not be seen as a display of cowardice.

Natsu was firmly glaring at him. Glaring at him coldly, darkly, dangerously. Silently reprimanding him with a look. Laxus eyed the pinkette warily with dread.

Holy damn! Warren wasn't kidding when he said Natsu had grown to be terrifying. Was the only think running in Laxus's head.

Laxus turned his head aside, not looking at Natsu. "Nevermind. Stalk all you want," Laxus babbled.

Laxus stood quietly as he still averted his eyes away from the now Master of Fairy Tail. He could practically feel the intense eyes of the Fire Dragon Slayer boring at him. As the seconds went by, Laxus inwardly fidgets.

There was a rustling sound of clothes movement, followed by heavy footsteps. Then, Natsu walked by beside him, his eyes thankfully lowered. But the sharp smile Natsu was wearing makes him shudder. Natsu was amused. Eerily amused. Natsu pats his shoulder twice before continues on like nothing had happened.

Once Natsu disappeared upstairs did Laxus release the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Told ya," an amuse voice drawled. Laxus turned and saw that his fellow dragon slayer emerged from the shadows not far from where he is standing. "Warned ya it ain't gonna work. He ain't backin' off. His instinct is still on overdrive. He's gonna be freakin' overprotective of us for a while yet. You me and Wendy. Cut him some slack will ya?"

Laxus's could feel his eyebrow twitched and irritating tick present. "Shut up! You forgot to mention him being scary. He go alpha drake on me," said Laxus dryly.

Gajeel shrugged. "Instinct."

Laxus snorted. "More like being possessive." Laxus sighed. "Maybe Wendy should convince him," Laxus grumbled unhappily. "It's embarrassing to have him looming over us. We're not that pathetic."

Gajeel snorted. "Whatever."

Laxus eyes rolled. Gajeel went over and stood beside him, looking at the crowd below. "I admit though. Salamander surprises me. Never knew he could be that nerve-wracking."

"He was troubled with something."

"Ya any idea what?"

"Hell if I know," said Laxus tiredly. He slapped his hand over his eyes in long resignation. Uncovering his eyes, Laxus jammed his hands in his pocket when he noticed in one of his pocket, a paper was slipped in and he didn't even realize it!

Taking out and unfolding the paper, Laxus read the message and his eyebrow quirked. "Gajeel, get Wendy. Master wanted a word with us."

. . . . . . . . . .

Natsu was agitated.

He had been feeling uneasy lately and his intuition had been unsettling for the past month. His intuition has always been acting around Grand Magic Games. Somehow, anything pertaining to Grand Magic Games makes him bristling and his skin crawl. It gnawed at his guts and refused to go away. Since the introduction of the tournament, he had dismissed it. However, this year, it flares like a beacon.

It left him in a state of foreboding.

In actuality, Natsu had been suspicious about Grand Magic Games. It was by this hunch that he had his associates to secretly look into it. Doranbolt had been given this quest previously while his tenure at Fairy Tail, and he came back empty handed. With next to no leads, Natsu had requested for assistance.

And just this afternoon, he had received a response from his contacts.

It bears only bad news. According to his allies, the person was unable to see the future possibilities. They told him that their scrying had produced no result; only a void. Anything past the year's Grand Magic Games is undetermined.

That only succeeded in making him more troubled.

The Sound of two pair of feet and scents invading his nostril, interrupted his thoughts. "I've booked the pool for the evening. Mind you both turn around and use the main pool?" Natsu told the two newcomers flatly.

"Jeez, Natsu. Don't monopolize the pool for yourself. This pool belongs to the whole guild too, you know," Lucy scowled at him. Erza stood beside her, gazing at the pool with interest and appreciation. The two of them intended to use the new pool that they had heard so much from the other females' members, only to find out it was reserved for the evening.

Natsu snorted from where he was sitting. "Funnily enough, we men rarely ever get to enjoy this pool or the lazy river because it was always you ladies dominating it."

"Natsu, why not we share? The pool is big enough to fit ten people comfortably." Erza chided. "Don't be selfish," Erza warned with her eyes narrowed.

Natsu lazily raise an eyebrow at Erza's tone. "Selfish am I? There is a reason why I had it reserve for private use. Well, if you're so sure," with a haughty smirk, the pinkette rose from the water.

Lucy takes one look at Natsu, and she screams. "Natsu! Why are you naked?!" Lucy looked away from him, blushing profusely. Erza only looked unimpressed.

Natsu's smirks widened at Lucy's reaction. He sat by the pool's edge, staring at them in amusement. "I put a sign that the pool was in use for a reason. Your fault for not heed its warning." Natsu huffed.

Lucy glared at him in irritation. She was shaking in repressed annoyance. "You don't have to be naked!" She snapped at him.

Natsu eyes rolled heavenward. "My pool, my rules," Natsu told them lightly. "I can be naked all I want. Now," Natsu leered, leaning back against the pool seductively. "I don't mind you ladies join me equally naked of course. It's been a while since we've bathe together no?" said Natsu sultrily.

Lucy yelped and quickly ran out to the main pool after seeing more than she should, flushing from head to toe and totally freak out by this side of Natsu. Erza looks bored beside her. "You're being stingy. If you want to get rid of me, you have to work harder than that," Erza challenged, her eyes gleaming victoriously. In her mind, she sees it as a hoax to make them leave. It's not exactly a good strategy and completely futile considering they bathed nude together often growing up and there is no way Natsu was that of an exhibitionist. The reaction she gets makes her eyes wide with shock and went pale.

Natsu smirk briefly at the challenge. His eyes darkened in pleasure and his body lie back on his elbows suggestively, making his great abs more prominent and proudly showing his jewels on display. To complete his erotic and debauchery conduct, Natsu spreads his legs apart; giving Erza the uncensored view of every private part of him. Natsu smirked steamily when he saw Erza caved and was a minute close to fainting, swaying and spluttering in disbelief as well as trembling.

Feeling mischievously naughty at that point, Natsu upped his act by moaning tantalizingly. Erza jumped out of her wits, blushing terribly and was nose-bleed profusely, with a horrified squawk; she bolted out of there in a heartbeat.

Natsu sat back down in the water laughing hysterically.

"For the love of God! What the hell have you been doing for the past seven years? Working at the brothel?" Laxus yelled at the insane Fire Dragon Slayer.

At the same time, Gajeel voiced his displeasure. "Do you have to scare them like that? And you gave Wendy quite a show. Have you no shame?"

Natsu turned to look over his shoulder. Behind he, coming out from the bushes of the botanical landscape; stood Laxus, Gajeel and Wendy. Wendy was blushing heavily and her eyes had to be covered by Gajeel's hand while her ears were covered by Laxus's. Both Iron and Lightning Dragon Slayers was glaring daggers at the Salamander for his lecherous behaviour and they were furious.

"I wonder," said Natsu, peering at them in mirth.

That makes Laxus even more annoyed. "Ya damn brat! Ya don't have to use that tactic. There are hatchlings here!" Laxus snapped. Seeing that everything was safe for their younger audience, they uncovered Wendy and the sky maiden looked around the newer section in wonder. The neon low lights that Natsu had installed throughout the botanical landscape and surrounding the spring pool gave the area an intimate setting.

Natsu pouted complete with fake tears at him. "It's not my fault Erza was stubborn. I won't have to go that far had she listen to me!"

"You could use a less obscene persuasion," Laxus growled in irritation.

Natsu shrugged it off carelessly. "If they weren't so spoilt and overbearing I might have been lenient. As it is, I'm not in the mood and have a lot on my mind."

Laxus and Gajeel exchanged a glance. "You've really have change Salamander," Laxus remarked deadpanned. "The old you will never dare to pull that off. Heck, I don't think you even know of such act." He admitted flatly. "For a moment there, I thought you're going to have temper tantrum."

"Oh believe me I was close to do so. The Guild has learnt that when I'm using the pool alone in the evenings, they knew I'm not to be disturbed. You should learn it too especially Erza. She is so used to have everyone caters around her." Natsu mumbled, frowning.

"Now that would be difficult won't it?" Gajeel commented snickering in mirth. "Ya grew up with her after all," Gajeel snickered when Natsu huffed good naturedly. Suddenly sobering up, Gajeel asked the pinkette seriously. "Now why have ya called us here, Salamander?"

Natsu hummed distractedly. He took out a round object and pressing a button, a barrier was enacted around them, concealing them from prying eyes and ears. "Join me. We have things to discuss. You too Wendy," said Natsu casually.

Wendy who had been standing quietly as they conversed jumped and gaped at Natsu wide eyed. "Eh? Me? But...," Wendy squeaked in shock. She looked at Natsu and the water hesitatingly.

Natsu chuckled. "Do not fear, my little hatchling. You are amongst your kin and family. You have nothing to be wary of your nest mates."

"Oy, Oy," Laxus mumbled sweatdropped. "Wendy didn't grow up with us. She might not be comfortable enough to bathe with us without modesty."

Natsu sighed. "If it makes her feel better, then she can cover herself. But honestly, we are family. Why should we be ashamed of our instinct with each other? It's pointless," said Natsu looking at Wendy pointedly.

Wendy was still not sure and she fidgeted. Well it was true what Natsu was saying. They are family, in more than one way. The connection they shared being Dragon Slayers only bond them stronger. With each other, they are free to behave according to their more animalistic nature and instinct. Being comfortable with her nest mates was part of that instinct. That includes being comfortable with one own skin and are not afraid to bare it. Clothes weren't essential to them. What matters most is their bond.

But lately, that instinct was getting intense. Her needs for familiarity with her nest mates scared her. Ever since she return from Tenrou and found out that Natsu was Master, all she wanted to do was prostrate to him and cuddling secured under his wing! Knowing that she'll be protected.

Being invited by the alpha drake to cast off of her restrain, Wendy was not sure she could put it back on later. But secretly, Wendy cooed at being able to spend time with her fellow slayers.

The need was so sudden, so new, it left her internally jumbled.

But seeing as Natsu didn't bothered and was patiently waiting, Wendy quickly shed her clothes and dip in the pool, allowing only her head to remain above water. She squeaked and shut her eyes, turning her red face away when Gajeel and Laxus leisurely walk into the pool, completely nude.

Once they all sat comfortably in circle, Laxus asked straight to the point. "So, Natsu. Why exactly have you summoned us out here in secret?"

Silence surrounds them while the Master gathered his thoughts. Natsu sighed again. He didn't want to get his siblings involved but, well, they'll know about it sooner or later. Might as well they hear it from him. Natsu sighed again and raised his head and he stared at the three of them firmly. "I wish to speak to you about the Grand Magic Games."

. . . . . . . . . .

Review on your way out.

-Elvina P.