Note: I do not own Fairy Tail. I simply watch and read the amazingness Hiro Mashima created.
A/N: A lot of stuff in this chapter. It must seem a little rushed but I'm trying to get into the action. The adventure will begin soon.
She thought about what was just said. A handful of her friends had died while she was gone. Natsu almost died too, but was saved by some mysterious force. If she came back to Natsu being dead she wouldn't be able to live with herself. She felt tears welling up inside her, putting her hands over her face. She could've been there to save them, her friends. She didn't even know. She was a terrible person.
Arms closed around her. She slowed her sobbing to look up at Natsu. Tears flowed from his eyes as well. "It's not your fault. In fact it's the opposite. If you had been there you woulda died along with them. Then our children wouldn't have a caring mother." That made her cry even more. How could he say something like that? "Accidents happen. There's no reason to dwell in the past, rather we need to move into the future."
She thought about it. He was saying they needed to move on. How would that solve anything? From what she just heard this whole situation was connected to the bounty on her head. "It's all my fault though. If I wouldn't have run away and died, then maybe the others wouldn't have died." She barely choked it out. The thought of herself dying was a little too much to bear.
"Don't you speak like that, not now and not ever. Remember that we are family and would never hand anyone over. Think about it like this. I should've died today, along with everyone else. Conner protected me from the blast earlier. Then no one coulda stopped Acnologia. Because of you're decision, more people are able to live." He pulled her in tighter, letting out more tears. "And I wouldn't be able to live without you. You know that."
He had just lived without her for fifteen years. He could survive. Maybe he meant if he knew she were dead, he wouldn't have the will to live. Now though, he had more reasons to live. "Natsu, you have more than one reason to live now. You have two beautiful children who have their lives ahead of them." She squeezed him tight, letting him know she meant it.
"Thanks, not just for coming back but coming back with them. I wouldn't have it any other way."
They sat in silence for what felt like hours, hugging each other. Finally she backed off. They had things they needed to do. He was also aware, shuffling around to snap him out of it.
She couldn't help but stare at him. He didn't look different at all. He still wore the same black clothes and those sandals. He still had the pink frilly hair, just a little longer so it covered his forehead a bit more. Of course his eyes were the same. Scars riddled his body and then her eyes fluttered up to his neck, which had a scar of its own. She then realized something was off. "Natsu, where's Igneel's scarf? You never take it off."
His eyes darkened again. "I placed it somewhere else, somewhere important." That was like Natsu, always so vague. Where could he have put it? That was the one thing he treasured over everything, the last thing he had of his father. It must be somewhere really special.
"Don't worry Natsu, I wouldn't force you to do something." He looked up at her. "Now why don't we talk about something else?" His face said it all; he was confused. "Where will you stay now? Your house was completely destroyed. I don't think Levy would let you stay, especially since there is only one guest room."
He laughed. How was that a funny question? His house was destroyed and he almost died. He really was a weird one. "I have a spare place to stay. I haven't been there in a while but that doesn't really matter."
"Oh and where is this place? It's not like you, thinking ahead."
"The place costs seventy thousand jewel a month. Not too big, but it has enough room for two people. Conner will need a place to stay right?"
"Yeah probably." Wait did he just say seventy thousand? He wouldn't have would he? "Natsu don't tell me you..." She couldn't even finish her sentence, getting a nod from the man. "You flame brain." She wrapped her arms around him again. "That's so like you."
"I wasn't gonna let some person ruin your home. I couldn't really part with it myself. It has many precious memories, ones I never want to forget." She looked up to see his face. It was covered with a grin. Instinct took over and she shuffled onto her toes. He seemed to notice and lowered his head.
Their lips touched, happiness filling her body. Fifteen years he has waited for her. It's been that long since the last time they kissed. Minutes passed with their lips locked, both refusing to back off.
She was the one to break contact. A knock came from the door, startling her. They both were flustered. "One second." She gathered herself mentally. "Alright come on in."
The door opened. Layla poked her head through the door. She had a weird look on her face. "I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" She felt her face heat up. She was implying that her and Natsu were doing things.
"Nope, we were just talking about some stuff." Typical Natsu response. He probably didn't even knew what imply meant. He was one dense guy.
"Okay. The search party found Acnologia." She watched Natsu turn serious. "They wanted to know what you wanted to do, since you are the only match for him."
"Outta the way Layla. I don't want anyone following me. You two stay here with Conner. Me and Gray will take care of him." With that he strutted out the door, yelling for Gray.
"He sure is a weird one." She looked at her daughter, giving her a look. She was right though. He didn't give much thought into anything. "Are you sure he's our father? It doesn't even seem like he would know..."
"Stop right there." Her face was burning up. "I don't want to hear anymore. I don't even know why you have those thoughts in your mind." Layla turned away from her. "But one thing is for sure. He is your father, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
It was so bright. The whole town was engulfed in darkness due to the rock cap. They would have to take care of that soon. It was afternoon now. The sun was slowly falling from the sky and they were making there way to where Acnologia was. He had fallen off the one side of the rock cap and into the forest. He had apparently been burnt really bad.
Natsu was leading the way, using his nose. He had refused for anyone else to come. It was dangerous of course, but the state Acnologia was in he wouldn't be much of a threat. As if he could say anything, he had let the other two do all the work. Conner was in critical condition now. He should've helped him out.
"We're closing in on him. Be on your toes princess, he is unpredictable." Princess? So now he isn't even ice princess. He'll kick his ass later. He was right about Acnologia.
There was a clearing. They stepped out and across from them Acnologia was sitting against the trunk of a tree. He looked up and looked down again. It seemed he knew he was defeated.
"If you come with us of free will we won't have to hurt you anymore." The man let out a growl. "If that's your way of saying you retaliate then so be it."
"Just kill me and make your lives easier, not just now but for the long run." What? Was he saying that he'd cause more trouble, even after being defeated like he was. "Trust me I don't want to fight anymore, but that won't be an option. They'll be here soon and make me into their puppet, so if you kill me now I won't be able to do any more harm."
What was he saying? People were coming for him and they'd turn him into a puppet. What kind of shit was he trying to pull? He just wanted to die so he wouldn't have to live his days in confinement. "Bullcrap. We are taking you in and there's no lies that can say to make us change our minds."
"Lying you say. Just think about it. That iron dragon is dead and he just showed back up. He was made into their puppet." Gray felt his face twinge. He was saying that he'd be turned into a puppet. Does that mean all of them are puppets?
"Shut the hell up. I'm dragging you back to Fairy Tail and watchin you twenty four seven. Once the council shows up you're toast." Natsu couldn't read any situation, only acting on instinct. "Not like you're already toast." Adding insult to injury, the damn flame brain should've left the talking to him.
Okay so what should he do? Believe the dragon or bring him to justice. They needed information and if they killed him they wouldn't get it. "Natsu grab him and let's go. We can't waste anymore time."
He cracked his knuckles. "With pleasure, Master." He had a creepy grin on his face. He was crazy, but on the good side. So it was a good kind of crazy.
"Fools, you're just making it more difficult. If you end me now then more will be saved later."
"You need to answer for what you've done. I have plans for you myself." He did have plans, so he couldn't let the council get a hold of him either. Acnologia actually seemed petrified. What could scare him this much? "Don't worry. Whatever scares you so much won't get their hands on you."
"Gray you're acting weird. You going nuts?" Damn Natsu always oblivious to everything.
"Shut up and keep walking. We need to get back." Something was bothering him. "And I bet Lucy is worried about you."
"I'm gonna kill you ice princess, right after we get back. I'll show her just how strong I am."
Layla walked up to her mother. She looked as if she calmed down. Who knows what the three talked about?
She saw her mom look up at her. "So how is Conner doing?" Her mom sounded worried. She had never heard her mom sound like this before.
"He's doing good. Someone showed up and I watched as she patched him up. He has multiple broken bones and large scrapes across his body." Her mom twitched as she said the last part. "She said the expected time of recovery will be a month and it will be at least a week until he can get out of bed."
"So it really is that serious..." Her mom trailed off into thought. Conner was really in a bad state. If Natsu wouldn't have been there not only Conner but all of them would've died. "So who is the person who fixed up Conner?" She stood there confused. She wasn't expecting that question.
"Her name is Abbey. She is around our age, possibly a bit older." She saw her mom's face brighten a tad. Why was that so interesting to her. She sat there pondering the thought. It clicked in her mind. "Why the hell would you be thinking that? There is no chance of something like that happening. Conner is too dumb and childish to have feelings."
"Yea you're probably right. He never was one to have interest in women." They shuffled in the room to sit down. Things were getting a little awkward and tense so she tried to make conversation.
"So what's going to happen next? All this crap just happened and we only just got here." Her own voice sounded foreign to her.
"Don't worry about that right now. I honestly don't know what's going to happen. I wasn't given enough information because Gray is holding out. He obviously knows something or has some sort of plan."
She was feeling pretty stressed now. What if Acnologia was only the first part? Is there anyone stronger than him besides Natsu? If there is than they might not be as fortunate as she thought. "Then what are we supposed to do?"
"Don't worry about it. For the time being that's all we can do about that. So in the mean time get to know new people. Fairy Tail gives people special bonds." Lucy's voice sounded full of joy. "They are so much more than friends to me. We had been through so much in the little time I spent with them. I'm proud to call them my family."
Get to know new people? Like Mira and Elfman. From what she could tell they both were the most normal ones out of the bunch. Everyone else seemed like a nuthouse. "Are you sure, a lot of the people seem sort of crazy."
"You and I think so much alike. I remember when I first walked into the guild, almost dying in the process. They may seem unruly but that's what makes them Fairy Tail."
The door swung wide open, revealing a familiar man. The pink hair was a dead indicator of who it was. He didn't seem to happy at the moment. "It's about time to go home girls." He didn't sound like himself. "It's gonna be dark soon. I'm staying to watch over Conner."
"I want to stay too. He's just as much my brother as he is your son." His gaze was now on her, squinting with anger. She had just let it all out, not thinking about it.
"Nah not tonight. I'm gonna make sure he is fine. You two look like you need to regathering yourselves." His anger faded. Must've not been because of them. He walked over to her and looked her straight in the eyes. "Don't worry, I'm not letting anything else happen. All of you are what I live for."
She could feel tears forming. She raised her hands to cover her eyes but was rudely interrupted. Arms reached around her. The man squeezed her, pulling her in tight. "I love you, dad."
He woke up to a coughing fit. He could feel the blood fall into his hand. The coughing ceased, along with the blood. His head was pounding, and he was really warm. He remembered feeling cold before.
He stared at the wall, trying to fumble around. He couldn't manage to turn himself. Wait he could see. He remembered everything being blurry but now it was crystal clear. "Damn it why can't I flip the hell over."
He had said it pretty loud. There was no one around so why did it matter. Or so he thought he was alone. "How ya feeling?" Oh crap not that voice. Anything but that voice. He managed to turn his head just enough to see Natsu sitting on a chair just beyond the edge of the bed. And he didn't look at all happy.
"Uhh, doing pretty good how about yourself?" He saw Natsu nearly leap off the chair. Why was he so sarcastic? It would surely kill him one of these days. "Sorry I meant I'm doing alright, just a bit scared."
"You should be. As soon as you can move I'm straightening you out. It looks like Lucy doesn't know how to raise a child like you."
"Listen I know I left to fight Acnologia but I'm still alive so why are you mad. Everything came out the way it should, except for maybe the injuries."
"The only things I'm pissed about is you lying. Or not explaining things fully. I know for damn sure you know who I am so why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me I'm your dad?"
"I was afraid. Not because of you but how you would've reacted." He watched Natsu give him a look, one that said 'yea and I'm still reacting.' "And once all that crap happened I couldn't have you worry about me. You were the only one who could save everyone if my rock cap would have crumbled."
"I hope you realize that dragon was toying with you." His heart dropped. That guy was just messing with him. He had even went into dragon force. "He hadn't even used his dragon force until I showed up. Just one more thing and then I'm going to grab something to eat." He changed subjects quicker than lightning. "What kind of magic do you use?"
He looked at him blinking. Did he really not know? Guess it wasn't as obvious as he thought. "I use dragon slayer magic." With that Natsu had a grin on his face. "It was derived from you. It transformed your flames into a more tangible form, increasing destructive power. I'm the Magma Dragon Slayer."
"Glad to hear it, but just cuz you're a Dragon Slayer doesn't mean you're invincible." He had already gotten up making for the door. He opened it and stepped out, poking his face back in. "Oh and make sure to thank Abbey for taking care of you. She really is a nice person." With that he closed the door and was gone.
Abbey was the medic right. She had said she would be taking care of him. Was she around or had she gone home? Now that he thought about it all he knew about her was her name. He tried to remember the scent. It really was a delightful scent.
He then realized that he could hear a noise. It was real faint, but sounded close. It was on his far side and it would hurt a lot if he tried to flip over. He wouldn't have minded but it was really annoying. Taking in a deep breathe he pushed himself up and flipped onto his other side. He let out a yelp. He closed his eyes from the extreme pain.
"Hey what are you doing? Are you okay?" He heard her voice. "What do you think you are doing? If you don't stop fumbling around you will hurt yourself even more."
"Abbey?" He saw her face, looking puzzled. "What are you doing here? Go home and get some rest." He didn't want her to worry about him. He could take care of himself overnight. The noise he heard earlier was gone.
"Don't worry about that. I actually was just sleeping." He saw her turn away. She did look pretty frazzled, her hair in a mess. Then he took a look at her. This was the first time he had seen her.
She was short, about as tall as Layla. She had red hair that reached her shoulder blades. She wasn't the skinniest girl he ever saw but not big at all. Then she turned and their eyes locked. They were a light brown.
"What do you mean you were sleeping? There isn't anywhere to sleep over there." He looked around, the wall wasn't too far away from his bed. She looked a little flustered. "Don't tell me you were sleeping on the floor."
She looked at him, giving him a glare. "As if." She walked towards the door and reached out for the handle. "I'm sorry that I tried to aid you in a time of need." With that she walked out and slammed the door.
What just happened? Is she mad? No way he didn't say anything mean so why would she be angry? He was still facing the same way looking at the wall. Something was laying next to the bed.
He shuffled, trying to get closer to the edge. He had to flip into his stomach to get at the right angle. "A chair," he whispered. So she had been sitting next to him. She said she fell asleep so that meant she was half asleep on his bed.
That's what that noise was. She had been snoring and he woke her up. He felt bad now, all she wanted to do was watch over him. He had been a total jerk, he'd have to apologize. Pushing up against the edge of the bed he tried to flip over again. His hands slipped and he tumbled, falling off the bed onto the floor.
A/N: Okay so a little update. Oscars are today so if you watch enjoy. Also since I feel bad about updating on Sunday's I decided that two chapters will be released each week. One at 3PM EST and the second at 6PM EST. So expect the next chapter in a couple hours.