Sorry about that! I know it took me a long ass time to do it, but life got in the way so here you go!

Chapter 7: S-Class Mission?

A portal opened in front of a cave, four figures stepped in. This was Ryu and Shio along with the new Hikari and her little demon Kibo. As they stepped out Ryu rose his hand and Shio instantly became alerted readied his trident.

"Haha! The heart is strong within you." A deep voice with a russian accent echoed along the cave, Ryu and the others looked in the direction of the voice. A large old man with no hair and a powerful mustache stood with a huge demonic square shield.

"Who, are you?" Ryu said as the man looked familiar. Shio also could not exactly place his words on it.

"A Man with a strong heart that is all." The man said as he turned around and slowly faded with the wind while turning into a metallic dust.

"Who was that?" Shio said in wonder as he tilted his head to the side. He noticed how Ryu stared at the place the man once was. "Nii-san?"

"R-Ryu-sama?" Hikari said as her and Shio broke Ryu out of his thoughts. He shook his head and walked forward.

"Come, we must get back."

(Magnolia Town)

Ryu was walking alongside his brother and their new companion and her pet as they noticed that people were missing. Ryu closed his eyes as he used his devil senses and heard a loud commotion going on.

"Ne Nii-san, isn't that in the direction of the guild?" Shio said as Ryu nodded. Three sonic booms sounded throughout the area.

(Fairy Tail)

"Fire Dragons Iron Fist!" Natsu yelled as his fist connected with Erza's sword. Erza was currently in her Flame Empress armor. Three sonic booms resonated as Ryu, Shio and Hikari appeared. Everyone stopped to look at the three.

"Shio-nii, Ryu-nii!" Lisanna yelled as the others welcomed them back. Master Makarov turned to them as well as the two participants.

"Ryu! Since you're here can you make sure that Natsu's fire won't spread too much?" Ryu nodded as Makarov's stare, hinting a message of them, to tell their story later.

"Alright! After I beat Erza, I'm going to beat Ryu!" Natsu roared as Ryu smirked. Erza met eyes with Ryu who gave her a sincere smile as she blushed. Erza then smacked her cheek to put herself back to the task at hand.

"No, you are wrong Natsu." Erza said as Natsu was confused. "I will be the one to fight Ryu."

"Yosh! I'm getting fired up now!" Natsu charged Erza who did the same, but then a loud gong noise stopped them. Everyone looked as a council frog appeared with a scroll in his hand. He then opened it and began reading.

"Due to the Eisenwald incident, We hereby charge you with 11 criminal counts of property damage." It then closed the scroll. "Erza Scarlet! You are hereby arrested."

As soon as Natsu heard the verdict. "WHATTTTTTTT!"

(Fairy Tail)

As expected Erza, only stayed at the prison for a single night. Natsu however kept insisting on going to save her. Ryu had to knock Natsu out with a chop to the neck. Ryu also explained how it would make things worst.

After having Hikari get inducted into the guild and a party thrown in her joining. The guild was once again rowdy and fighting. For the time being Hikari had gone on a mission along with Cana and Elfman while Ryu and Shio stayed.

"Ne, Nii-san feel like doing anything?" Shio said sitting across from the table of Ryu. Ryu sat still with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. While Shio on the other hand had his face on the table. Ryu opened his eyes.

"I'm going to visit Chichiue." Ryu said as Shio's facial expression changed to one of remorse.

"You should take Erza with you." Shio said in a quiet voice. Ryu closed his eyes once again. "It was short, but you could tell Tou-chan adored her."

"I was thinking of doing that. Besides if I went alone, you would worry about me." Shio chuckled.

"Hell yeah I would!"

Erza entered the guild back from a mission and walked over to Ryu and Shio. Ryu moved over so that Erza could sit down.

"Hmmmmm, well seems like Mira-chan is bored so..." Shio gave the two a two fingers goodbye and ran off comically. Erza rose her eyebrows and looked at Ryu.

"Are you busy today Erza-san?"

Erza didn't like the casualness in the way he addressed her. She turned away slightly flustered and annoyed.

"Is he actually asking me out? I am unprepared for such an outcome." Erza was slightly panicking as mixed emotions began bottling up, Ryu has rarely ever asked her out before, and didn't really know how to respond.

Ryu looked at Erza oddly and wondering what she was thinking. He then proceeded to break the awkwardness by explaining the situation.

"I'm going to visit the grave of Chichiue, and I was wondering if you would come with me."

Erza's bright red face began to calm down and ease, as memories of the old man began resurfacing. How rude of her to be so excited and flustered for the wrong reasons.

"How long will we be gone?" Erza said as Ryu kept his gaze on her. It seemed that once again he was off in a different place. A place that she could not go to no matter how much she wished. She brought up her finger and poked his cheek as he blinked signaling that he was aware now.

"I'm sorry Erza what was that?"

"How long will we be gone?" Erza said once again.

"About a week I believe, there are things I must take care of before we reach the area." Erza nodded and got up.

"Can we stop by my place so I can grab a couple of things?" Ryu agreed and followed her out of the guild. Mirajane and Shio were watching and Shio noticed the small non-stop giggling from Mirajane.

"Is there something funny going on?" Shio asked as he scratched the back of his head.

"No, its just that Erza tends to bring a huge amount of things with her."

"Ah, I see. Poor Nii-san."

"They're gone! Now we can fight again! Bring it on Icicle!" Natsu roared and charged towards Gray who happily obliged. Shio sweatdropped as this happened. Then a blond haired girl he was certain he hadn't seen before took a seat near him and Mirajane.

"Oi, are you new here?" Shio said as he suddenly appeared next to the blonde scaring her. He watched in amusement as she nearly jumped five feet off the stool.

"Hey, dont tease Lucy-chan." Mirajane said. Lucy calmed down when she saw that it was Mirajane and someone she did not know. He looked a lot like the person that Erza just left with.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry, but I forgot your name?" Lucy asked in confusion. Mirajane then replied to her question.

"Oh, this is one of our set of twins we told you about. This is Shio and his older brother is the one that left with Erza." Mirajane said cheerfully. Lucy however cringed when she realized who Shio was.

"Y-y-you and your brother are….." Lucy began to stutter as Shio laughed and patted her on the back.

"Ma,ma! I won't bite you Lucy-chan!" Shio said as he caught a bottle that was about to fly into her head and kicked one that was about to fly into Mirajanes. Shio then sighed and cracked his knuckles.

"I guess I'll jump into the fight!" Shio then jumped into the large dustcloud much to the horror of the other mages. Lucy watched as Natsu and Gray came flying out. Lucy and Mirajane and a Lisanna who just came out from the back watched as the two stood up.

"Kuso! Shio fight me!" Natsu roared as his fist ignited.

"Damn, once again." Gray began to mold his ice as the two of them charged Shio who had a confident smirk on his face.

"There they go again challenging Shio-nii." Lisanna said with a facepalm. Lucy looked over at her in confusion and then realized when the two were sent flying once again.

"Hahah, I don't know how you guys can compete with them." She said.

"Well, Shio and his brother are stronger than Erza by a milestone." Lucy jawdropped as she was completely astonished by Mirajane's words. A bruised and battered Natsu and Gray plopped down next to the girls. Natsu then whispered to Lucy.

"Ne, Luce do you wanna steal and S-class mission with me and Gray and Lisanna later?" Natsu said as Lucy jawdropped.

"You must be Cr-"

"Its 7 million jewels at the least."

"Hmmmmm." Lucy began to think, but stopped when someone put their hand on Natsu's and Grays shoulder.

"Ma,ma no need for that now." They looked behind to see that it was Shio.

"HAHAHA we uh we were just kidding right guys?" Natsu said as Happy flew over them. Him and Gray began to sweat profoundly.

"Aye sir!"

"Ne, if you guys wanted to go on an S-class mission all you had to do is ask." Shio said as they all jawdropped. Mirajane however wasn't too pleased with the idea.

"Shio-kun! It's really dangerous and I don't really trust those four on an S-class mission!" Mirajane said as Shio patted her head making her pout.

"Ma,ma my healing abilities will take care of anything bad." Shio said. his joyful gaze met with Mirjanes worried look.

"Besides, you know I am dependable, besides you don't mind right Master!."

"OF COURSE NOT! I can depend on you Shio!" Master Makarov said as he was sitting on the other side of the bar quite drunk.

"Fine, but I want you and Lisanna to contact me on the lacrima every night." She said this time giving Shio a serious look. He laughed and nodded in response.

"Ma, ma Mira-chan don't worry." He then looked over at the four younger mages. "I'll pick out a mission later. By the way Lucy-chan what kind of magic do you use?"

"I'm...a….celestial..mage…" She suddenly fell asleep.

"Alright!...wait….why am….I...so…" Suddenly Natsu and all the other guild members fell asleep except Shio and Master Makarov. However Master Makarov was quite groggy. That was probably due to being a little drunk. Footsteps were heard as Shio turned his face to said person.

"Yo! Mystogan!" Shio said in a childish member as Mystogan gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

"Hello, Shio-san and where might your brother be?"

"Nii-san? He went somewhere with Erza." Shio said as Mystogan nodded and walked towards the mission board and grabbed few papers.

"Master, I'll be taking these." Mystogan said as he nodded.

"Make sure to undo the spell this time brat!" Makarov yelled lightly as Mystogan nodded.

"5…...4…..3….2….1" Mystogan said as he stepped out of the guild waking everyone up.

"Damn, it was Mystogan again!" Wakaba said as Macao nodded.

"Damn! He never lets us see who he is." Gray said as Lisanna nodded. Lucy however was confused at this and also noticed that Natsu was still sleeping.

"Ummm…?" Lucy hummed in confusion as Lisanna turned towards her.

"Oh! Thats right Lucy-chan, you don't know!" Team shadowgear then seated themselves next to Lucy.

"So, who is he?" Lucy said as Lisanna looked over to Levy to give the answer.

"Well Lu-chan, Mystogan is one of the S-class mages in our guild! Nobody knows what he looks like except Master!" Levy said as Lucy jawdropped.

"What! That's way too suspicious!"

"Wrong!" Everyone looked up to the second floor to see Laxus. "I know what he looks like, and of course the Devil Brothers do too. Since you are weaklings you shouldn't stick your noses into the strong's business."

"LAXUS!" Everyone turned to see Natsu now awake. "Fight me!"

"You just lost to Erza the other day, calm down Natsu." Gray said.

"That's right, if you can't even beat Erza, then you have no chance against me." Laxus said arrogantly.

"And what do you mean by that?!" Natsu yelled.

"That I am the strongest of course!" Laxus turned his head as he heard a snort. "Ahhh, Shio the Sea Devil."

"Heh, Yo! Lax-channnnnnn~!" Shio said as Laxus gave him a deadly glare due to the way he was referred to. "You definitely aren't the strongest as I am pretty sure Nii-san and I could beat you."

"Why don't you come up here and prove it." Laxus said as Shio gave a sadistic grin. You could also see the light in his eyes change. Mirajane quickly became worried and looked over to Master who was watching the situation.

"Why don't you come down here. You piece of shit." Shio said as his voice changed and the guild began to shake as a blue aura radiated off of Shio. The upper floor then began to shake violently as well as lightning coursed through Laxus.

"Laxus, Shio! That is enough!" Makarov said as he aura overtook theirs. Laxus lowered his power and turned around and walked away. The light in Shio's eyes faded as he gave off his usual grin once again.

"Sorry about that Master, but I could not just let him belittle everyone." Shio said as he scratched the back of his head. Master Makarov sighed as Mirajane walked over to Shio with a worried look. She had always been curious as too why Shio's eyes did that. Almost as if something was trying to break out. She then felt a weight on the top of her head and looked up to see Shio with his hand on her head.

"Ne, sorry about that Mira-chan." Shio said as she smiled. It seems she doesn't need to worry after all.

(Erza and Ryu)

Erza came out of the Fairy Hills dormitory with a huge amount of luggage, suprised at the sight, Ryu sweatdropped. She stopped and gave him a weird look.

"Is something wrong?"

"Do you need that much luggage?"

"Yeah, because I'm prepared for anything." She watched as Ryu pulled a scroll out of his jacket.

"Whats that?"

"It is a sealing technique that I have acquired recently. We can put all your luggage in here." Ryu said as he placed the scroll under the luggage. A loud POOF could be heard as the luggage suddenly disappeared. "Here you go."

"That was amazing!" Erza said as Ryu handed her the scroll.

"Whenever you need something all you have to do is send some of your magic into the scroll, but you might want to be a good couple of steps away with your luggage." Erza smiled at Ryu as he explained to her how it worked.

"Well, Ryu-kun let's get going then." She said as he followed her towards the train station.

(Fairy Tail)

"Alright you four! I picked a mission for us and this one was because Lucy is a celestial mage!" Shio said as he showed them the mission. The Cursed Island

Lucy began to read the reward and saw that a enormous sum of money as well as a gate key!

"Oh my god! A golden zodiac key!" Lucy yelled as Natsu and the others looked at the reward.

"Heh, well isn't this a coincidence." Gray said as Lisanna nodded. Natsu then rose his fist up.

"Hey it's about seven million jewels too!" Lisanna said as Shio grinned.

"Yeah I decided to take the cheapest one." Shio said as the others widened their eyes.

"Wait that was the cheapest one?" Gray said as Shio nodded. Natsu then turned to his exceed.

"Yeah! This will be great right Happy?"

"Aye sir!"

"You better take care of these four Shio-kun." Mirajane said as he gave her a salute. He then looked over at the four mages.

"Meet me in about an hour, ja ne!" A sonic boom resonated as Shio was now gone. Natsu roared in happiness and ran out the guild with Happy.

"Yeah! Happy we are going on an S-class mission!"

"Aye Sir!"

(Train)

Ryu watched as the autumn leaves fell throughout the scenery on the train ride. He could hear Erza breath lightly as she fell asleep. He felt a weight fall upon his shoulder and looked at his side as Erza's head rested upon his shoulder.

"Natsu, Gray stop." She mumbled in her sleep.

"Even now she is looking out for those two." Ryu rose his hand up and moved away strands of hair from Erzas sleeping face. Words from his father rang through his head.

"Love is a fickle thing and can change a person entirely. But when a man learns to love he bears the risk of learning hatred. To love someone is to become weak in a way, but also to become strong as well. Remember my sons what love can do."

Ryu knew all to well the pain of learning hatred when you come to love someone. His heart still was filled with hatred, but Fairy Tail warmed his heart and so did Erza. Would he bet on Fairy Tail? After he had lost so much and had seen so much hate in this world?

Part of his heart did not want to accept the fact that he could be forgiven or that he could try to be. A voice inside him told him that he could not repent. The faces of the men, women and children he had killed haunted his dreams. Yet he was here with Erza an innocent young woman resting her head on his shoulder.

"A place that separates pain from peace." He said to himself in his thoughts. This single moment of peace and soothing warmth. He closed his eyes in thought as the sounds of the train moving on the railroad echoed throughout his ears.

His mind then wandered to the guild that had been trying to pick a fight with Fairy Tail as of late. Phantom Lord, they were a group of idiots that try to prove that they were better than Fairy Tail.

(One year ago Magic Council Era)

"Hello, Makarov." Master Jose said as he and Gajeel stood in front of the Council doors facing Master Makarov and Ryu who had his arms crossed. Makarov had a jovial look on his face as he greeted Jose back.

"Hello, Jose! Nice day is it not?" He said cheerfully. He then looked over at the man next to him. "This must be Black Iron Gajeel."

"Yes and the man next to you must be The Fire Devil Ryu of the Devil Brothers." Master Jose said in jealousy. This man and his brother were very famous for their strength he had wished they had come to him, but once again Fairy Tail got in his way.

"Ahh, yes he and his brother have been an invaluable asset to us."

"Makarov I still believe my guild is stronger." Master Jose said as Ryu scoffed.

"Oh Jose, it does not matter who is stronger, but that our children are happy and strong." Master Makarov said as Jose laughed.

"Don't you know they are merely our workers? Makarov I wonder why your guild is so strong and to be honest with you I would like to know who is stronger. You or me." Ryu used his magic to heighten his senses as he could feel the evil intentions of Master Jose and he narrowed his eyes. His gaze met with Jose's. "Hmmm, Do you have something to say Fire Devil?"

"..." Ryu kept silent as Master Jose frowned.

"That is enough Jose, do not bring one of my children into this." Master Makarov said as Jose met his fierce stare. The tension in the air rose dramatically as the two guildmasters had a stare down. It then dropped as Jose opened the door to the Council along with Gajeel, but Jose stopped to face Master Makarov.

"Ah yes, Makarov you may want to keep your devils on a tighter leash they have been causing a ruckus in Fiore as of late." He then left into the Council room.

"That Jose, I do not know why he despises us so." Makarov said.

"That man is envious of the progress of our guild." Ryu said as Makarov sighed.

"Yes, but we must not let that bother us for now. Let's go join the meeting."

(Train)

Ryu snapped open his eyes as the train stopped. He looked to his side as Erza slept peacefully even with the train stopping. He rose his hand and patted her on her shoulder.

"Erza, we're here." He said as she mumbled a couple of words. She rubbed her eyes and noticed that her head was resting on Ryu's shoulder. Her entire face turned the color of her hair and she quickly sat up looking away.

"I'm sorry about that." She said.

"It's fine Erza." He looked outside of the train and saw the large village that had many stores. She looked over to him in confusion.

"You didn't add a san to my name." She said as Ryu made a smirk.

"Do you want me to?" He said as she waved her arms in reply.

"Nope! I like it better this way Ryu-kun." They both got up and left the train stepping into their new destination. Cornelia Town, the town where the corn grows highest.

"Woah….." Ryu looked to his side in confusion wondering what Erza was awing at. He followed her line of sight and saw a pastery shop….with corn. Ryu narrowed his eyes so that he could read what was on the window of the shop. Strawberry cheese corn cake

"Oh boy…"

"Ryu-kun, can I ask you a favor." Ryu looked back to Erza to see her giving him the puppy dog eyes.

(Shio and the others)

Shio stood near the train station waiting for the younger members of Fairy Tail. There were a lot of people during this time of the day. Many recognized him and asked for pictures and autographs which he did happily.

"Life really has become different." Shio remembered when he and Ryu would take turns sleeping at night. He closed his eyes as he waited for the others. Not too far away were Natsu and his group coming to rendevous with him. He could hear their conversation.

"I can't believe it! We are going on a S-class mission!" Natsu roared happily as Happy flew over him in excitement.

"Pft, just don't get in my way flame brain." Gray said with a smirk. Natsu instantly reacted to his comment.

"What was that?! ICE PICK?!" Natsu and Gray instantly started glaring at each other. Lucy sighed from behind Natsu with Lisanna.

"Why can't they grow up...jeeze." Lucy said as she rubbed her temple. Lisanna giggled as this was going on.

"They have always been like that. Besides it would feel wrong if they weren't fighting." She said.

"I guess your right." Shio said as he appeared next to them. He took a head count to make sure everyone was here. "Well then, why don't we all get on the train?" Shio said as he heard Natsu groan.

(Train)

"Wow! I didn't know you could stop Natsu from having motion sickness Shio-san!" Lucy said as Shio across from her chuckled.

"Yeah, it works, but he can sleep in peace." Shio said as he was sitting next to Natsu and Gray. Lucy and was sitting with Lisanna across from them.

"Hey Shio-san what magic do you use?" Lucy asked in wonder as Shio smiled and held out his right palm. She watched as a small vortex of water appeared in his hand.

"I'm a Sea Devilslayer." Shio said as Lucy widened her eyes and looked over at Natsu.

"So if Natsu is a Dragonslayer to slay dragons. That means that you-"

"Slay devils supposedly." Shio said as he rested his head back. It shouldn't take too long to get to Hargeon town.

(Hargeon Town)

"YES WE'RE OFF!" Natsu yelled as he jumped off the train. Lucy sighed and followed along with the others. Shio stood in the back of the group making sure everyone was there once again.

"Alright guys we gotta find a boat now." Shio said as they wandered towards the docks of the city. They found a pair of sailors and Shio told the others to wait.

"Yo! You wouldn't happen to know if anyone can take us to Galuna Island" Shio said as the two sailors suddenly became scared.

"Don't speak of that place here."

"Such a place is cursed why would anybody wish to go there. Even pirates would not go there!" Shio sighed at this and walked further down the docks to see a lone man with a sizeable boat.

"Yo!" Shio said as he caught the mans attention. "Would you mind taking me and my friends to Galuna Island?" Shio said as the man eyed his attire and his trident.

"Are you a mage?" He asked as Shio grinned and revealed his mark.

"That's right, you have one of the "Devil Brothers" at your service!" Shio said with a grin as the man widened his eyes.

"Are you really one of the 'Devil Brothers'?" The man said desperately as Shio narrowed his eyes for just a second.

(Cornelia Town)

"So what have you and Shio been doing? You two are always on missions as of late." Erza said as Ryu picked at his cake. He rose his head and his crimson eyes met her brown ones.

"Well, we have just been retracing Chichiue's steps. You know just looking around what he did before we were born." He remembered that spell he and Shio had found. It was a powerful one indeed.

"Hey, Ryu may I ask you something?"

"What is it Erza?"

"I know that you don't like to talk about it, but what did the Magic Council really make you and Shio do?" She said as Ryu sighed.

"Tell me Erza what do you think of the Magic Council." Ryu said as Erza put one hand under her chin in a thinking position.

"I believe they are just in their decisions and they needed to arrest me to not lose face." Erza said as he nodded.

"Tell me Erza what is the worst thing you think they have had us do?"

"Kill dark guild members?" She asked as he shook his head.

"Fight in wars?" Once again he shook his head. "Sorry Ryu, but I don't know then."

"They have us kill innocent people who could pose a threat." Ryu said as she nodded solemnly. She should have expected them to have made her Ryu and his brother do something like this. Her fist tightened.

"Ryu, how do you feel about killing people? You know that master forbids it, but…."

"I am indifferent to it." Ryu says as she raises her eyebrow. "I have no qualms about killing. It has become second nature to me."

"I see…." She said as she looked down. She suddenly felt two fingers tap her forehead as she looked back up and blushed.

"It's mostly been done in the past though Erza, and now me and Shio are part of Fairy Tail." He said with a half smile.

"Yeah, I understand." She said with a smile. To be honest with himself Ryu was jealous of the fact that the Fairy Tail members were ignorant. They didn't carry the burdens or have faced the task he and Shio have. Well that didn't mean he couldn't have any fun once in a while.

"So how is the cake?" Ryu asked as Erza blinked taken aback by the sudden question.

"Well it taste good, but the corn is something new to me." She said.

"Remember the day I brought you to Fairy Tail?" Ryu said as Erza pondered for a minute. A smile then appeared on her face as a fond memory returned to her.

Im going to cut it off there for now guys. :D Sorry for the wait though.