Here is the 1st omake I promised. Sorry for taking so long. This one is about how Natsu joined the baseball club. i thought it would a nice (for me) break in amidst the drama in the story. Hope you guys enjoy it. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧
"See any clubs you want to join Natsu?" a young black haired man asked the pinkette next to him.
" Gray, I already know which one I'm joining." Natsu replied.
"The Baseball club." Gray answered." I thought you were over baseball. You know after what happened over the summer."
"So I thought so, but I realized I can't quit now. My grandpa said there is a special place in hell for quilters." Natsu said with a hidden twinge of sadness. He smiled as he took a flyer out a blushing girl hands. It said the literature club was looking for new members.
"Oh, I see well if you're still doing it, then so am I."Gray said, smiling at his best friend while to find he disappeared. "Where the hell did he go?" Gray cursed as he searched through the crowd of people for a familiar pink flaming hair.
"I was the best player in my middle school. I had the highest record average of home runs." Gray heard Natsu said in the distance. Following his friends traveling voice Gray found Natsu standing in front of a table of 3rd years with a sign labeled Baseball Club.
"Well, I bet you were quite good for the little leagues, but here you play with the big boys. We don't have time for little kids who boasted about the records they set for their little league team." Said a 3rd year with slate yellow eyes and neck length brick colored hair. For an athlete, he was notably slender. His mannerism gave Gray the impression of a shark. Some girls passed by pointing at him whispering. Gray could make out the guy's name was Iseya Keiji. It was until Gray heard his name he realized just who he was. Keiji left quite the legacy at Gray and Natsu's middle school. He remembered seeing his names on plaques in the display case. It was like look a real life celebrity or a powerful figure, but Natsu didn't seem fazed. In fact he was wearing his usual smirk.
"I like you to know that this little middle school broke all your baseball records his 2nd and 3rd year of middle school." Natsu replied with a smug smile as he watched Keiji smile slip off his face.
"You're bluffing there no way kid you broke my records." Keiji said in an annoyed tone.
"Oh really I didn't,well, why do you stop by and check." Natsu said.
"Ok, fine, I will and if you're really that good then I want to see those record breaking skill at tryouts Friday." Keiji said glaring at Natsu.
"Don't worry, I will and you might want to bring an extra pair of underwear because believe me, you will shit your pants." Natsu said before walking away.
"Hey kid wait a minute." Keiji said.
"What?" Natsu answered.
"Care to wager. If you really are as good as you say and you did beat my records then I'll elect you my successor as captain of the team." Keiji said smirking.
"Keiji you aren't serious he only a 1st year." another 3rd year protested.
"Shut up, will you. There's no way this kid is as good as he says he is." Keiji said, glaring at the other boy making him cower. "So what do you say do we have a deal. I mean, if you're not chicken."
"What happens if I lose?" Natsu asked.
"Simple you can never join this team ever. That includes after I'm gone." Keiji replied, looking too pleased with himself.
"Deal." Natsu said quickly before again walking away.
"Hey Natsu wait." Gray said as he tried to catch up with his friend. "You aren't serious about that bet? What if you lose?"
"Oh, I'm serious Gray make sure to bring your camera because I want to film the moment I wipe the arrogance of his face." Natsu answered.
"Sometimes I wonder about your sanity." Gray commented.
When Natsu got home, he searched through his closet look for baseball glove and bat that his grandpa gave to him. Look at them he could remember vividly the very day he vowed he quit baseball. It was the most important game of the Natsu baseball season. Natsu had spent all week practicing with his grandfather. It was do or die, if they lost the rest of the season was out the window. His grandfather's promise he would be in the stands like always. Natsu even asked his father if he could take off time to come but the it futile. He knew he probably wouldn't show up like always. Natsu was pumped with adrenaline from pre-game talk his coach did. The was no way they were going to lose this game. The team they were paying was tough, but nothing Natsu thought he could handle. Natsu looked out in the crowd before the game searching for his grandfather's familiar face. Natsu didn't spot him that was unusual his grandfather never went back on his promise. Natsu didn't get much time to ponder on this when his coach called him so they could go over the plan.
The sun was beating down on Natsu neck. He wiped sweat off his brows and tried to concentrate on the pitcher. He twirled the bat in his hand. The game went on must long the they had thought it, would they had two extra innings. The crowd was cheering behind him the bases were loaded they need Nastu to hit a home run. The pressure was on, Natsu tuned out everything else like his grandfather taught him to. It was just him, the ball and the pitcher in their own little world. The pitcher coiled up preparing to throw the ball, when he let go of the ball it flew toward Natsu. Natsu gripped his bat so tight he could hear his gloves coiled. Like clockwork Natsu swung the bat, he heard it crack again the bat. The crowd cheered loudly, but not unable to drown out the thumps of Natsu racing heart as he ran to the bases.
"Out of the park." The commentator said. "I'm awestruck this kid is really something. It looks like the Magnolia Middle School wins with a 4 point lead."
When Natsu finally reached home base his team mates flooded him, he tried to smile even though his head was still buzzing. He looked up into the stands hoping maybe his grandfather was just a little late to the game, but instead he heard his father call his name from the crowd.
When Natsu approached his father, he could tell that something was off, they cause Natsu to panic something must have happened.
"Natsu we have to go the hospital." Natsu father said with urgency.
"Why? What happened?" Natsu asked.
"I explained on the way there, but really Natsu we have to get going we can't waste time." Igneel replied to his son.
"Natsu wait up." Natsu heard someone say from behind. He turned around to see Gray running towards him. "Aren't you going to stay ? We're going out for pizza to celebrate. You're the MVP."
"Ummm something has come up, maybe next time." Natsu replied, smiling weakly at his friend.
"Is everything alright?" Gray asked, sensing something was wrong.
"Gray we really have to go Natsu will talk to you later ok." Igneel cut in before Natsu could answer pulling his son towards the car.
"Dad, what happened?" Natsu asked when they finally got into the car.
"Son…. your grandfather…. Had a stroke and is in critical condition. The doctors said he has little time left." Igneel said trying not to look his son in the eye.
"NO, NO, NO you're lying that could happen grandpa has always been healthy."
"Natsu, I'm sorry, but it seems like your grandfather was hiding his condition from you mother and us."
"NO,No it's not true. That's why he wasn't here today, I just thought he got stuck in traffic." Natsu said. He felt like he was going threw up. His mind was in turmoil. The rest of the car ride was silent, neither want to start a conversion. When they finally reached the hospital room Natsu grandfather was staying at Natsu mother ran up and hug him hard.
"Natsu, I'm so sorry you were too late." She cried. When she pulled out of the embrace, he saw that a white bedsheet was covering his face. The tears Natsu tried so hard to suppress were coming as he made his way to his grandfather's bedside.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry I wasn't here in time. I hoped you gave death one hell of a fight." Natsu choked.
After the funeral Natsu had a hard time concentrate on baseball. His coach offered to give him time, but he refused. He need something to get his mind of his grandfather. Natsu on a downward spiral, the next important 3 games of the season he lost because of a strikeout after strikeout. Natsu expects his teammates to be angry with him instead they themselves seemed somber. Natsu believes he lost his touch it was time to give up on baseball. He threw his gloves and bat in the closet and spent the rest of his summer watching tv. He had touched the thing until today when he made a bet with Keiji.
Keiji looked at the fresh meat he had on his hands. All their faces fill with fear, but one was missing. Where was the pink haired brat with a huge ego?
"Sorry I'm late." he heard a voice come thence.
"Well, here I thought you chicken out." Keiji said to Natsu.
"You wish." Natsu replied as he got in line with the rest.
"Well then let's begin conditioning." Keiji said with a smirk. "Let it known a lot of you will not be making the cut."
Training was vigorous but nothing Natsu could handle. When it was time for Natsu to bat, Keiji decides he wants to pitch Natsu himself.
Natsu muscle tightens as he looked out at Keiji, there was no one he was going to lose. When Keiji threw the first ball Natsu didn't even move. He was looking for the perfect pitch, he just the right angle to hit it out of the park. So he waited and listened like his grandfather told him to do. Keiji's last pitch seems to fit the bill so Natsu went for it with all his strength.
Crack. The ball high and out of sight. Natsu tried to stifle a laugh as he was Keiji face when he lost sight of the ball. The trainees behind were awestruck as where the 3rd and 2nd years.
"How the hell did he do that?" he heard someone ask.
"I look like I win Keiji." Natsu said. Keiji turned to him and glared, but softened his expression. "It looks like you did. I lost which is a first for me, but at least I'm leaving the team in capable hands." As Keiji finished he put his arm around Natsu. "With your batting skills squirt and my pitching we could this year's new champions." Natsu smiled, looking up at the sky he hopes his grandfather was smiling too.