A/N: This story will be on a hiatus after this chapter to give me more time to work on other fanfics, but do not worry, this gives me ample time to brainstorm for future chapters here.

And I'm sorry if any of you are disappointed by the temporal discontinuation. Don't worry, for the adventures of Fairy Tail and the Straw Hats in Fiore will not end just yet.

Chapter 14: Friends and a Letter!

Another day came for the Straw Hats and Fairy Tail Wizards. Everyone rose out of bed, got ready for the day, though Nami was particularly angry that her wallet was missing. Everyone met at the guild hall, where Nami, Robin, and Levy poured over a newspaper, looking for any new news, especially of anything linked to their appearance in Fiore.

Team Natsu (plus Luffy and Zoro) went out on a short mission to locate a missing person in a nearby town, so they were going to be gone for a few hours or so. During that time, the rest of the guild and crew were just lazy around the place, especially since the previous day where they fought against an ancient demon. Sanji made himself useful by cooking up meals in the kitchen, which put everyone in a good mood.

"I have never made such delicacies before, thanks to Fiore's ingredients," Sanji commented to Levy when he personally brought her her meal. Gajeel growled at him when he tried putting the moves on her though, making him retreat back to the kitchen.

Chopper, meanwhile, was being swarmed by his fans consisting of women who simply adored how cute and cuddly he was. Happy felt jealous since he believes he should be the cute one.

A few hours later, two familiar faces showed up: Lyon and Sherry from the Lamia Scale wizard guild. Everyone greeted them fairly. "Hello, everyone," Lyon said. "Is Natsu and his team here at the moment?" Upon receiving a disappointing answer, Lyon decided to just sit and wait until they returned, which, unknown to the two of them, will be very shorty.

During the wait, Sherry decided to follow the sweet aroma of food that captured her nose, which brought her into the kitchen. There, she was dazzled by the cook Sanji, who whipped an Italian dish that she did not know of, which he called a "Biscotti." After eating it, she found it to be delicious and asked for more. Soon enough, Sherry found herself infatuated with the cook.

When Team Natsu returned, Grey greeted his old friend, and Lyon thanked Natsu and the rest for all their help with the Oraccion Seis guild weeks prior, which he said was "no trouble at all." "So, mind introducing your new friends to me?" Lyon said, indicating Luffy and the rest.

"I'm Monkey D Luffy, the man who will become King of the Pirates," he said with gusto.

"I'm Roronoa Zoro, a swordsman," said Zoro, sipping a mug of ale. One by one, Straw Hats introduced themselves to Lyon and Sherry.

Well, it seems you fairies found yourselves some rather interesting friends," Lyon complimented.

"You should've seen them when we fought that demon guy, Ashtul the other day," boosted Natsu. "Luffy inflated his arms like a balloon and slammed his giant fists into the demon."

"I have never seen magic where somebody could stretch his body," Lyon remarked. Sanji handed him a plate with food on it, but before the silver-haired lad could stab his fork into the meat, a stretchy arm came out of nowhere, grabbed the meat, and brought it back to its owner, leaving Lyon dumbstruck. "That is some curious magic alright."

"It's not magic, it's the Gum-Gum Fruit," Luffy spat out through the food in his mouth.

Sherry did not notice this transpire, for she found Chopper and had to hug him all over. "Aren't you the cutest little thing!" she cooed.

"Leave me alone!" Chopper shouted, squirming out of her grip. "Damnit, woman, I'm a doctor, not a stuffed animal!" Sherry was a bit surprised that Chopper could talk, but that only made her want to love him more.

Lyon then got acquainted with the rest of the Straw Hats, and he found them all to be equally strange yet interesting. Nami, for one thing, started hitting on him as soon as he said hello, but he soon realized her goal when he found his wallet missing soon after. He collapsed into a chair with Robin next to him reading a book. "Such a nutty bunch, aren't they?" Robin commented.

Lyon let out a sigh. "A nutty bunch for another nutty bunch," Lyon commented. He suddenly leapt off his chair with a shriek when he found a hand sprouting from his should tickling his neck. Robin laughed so hard that her book tumbled out of her hand. 'What the Gods was that?!"

"I ate the Flower-Flower Fruit myself," Robin explained, making more limbs sprout from her body, terrifying Lyon. "Impressive, no?"

"What sorcery is this?" he questioned, tapping one of Robin's limbs. The limb moved on its own and tapped Lyon's finger back. "Such an interesting magic technique though. I have never seen something like this in my life." Robin retracted her limbs back into nothing.

"I shall take that as a compliment." With a wink, Robin got up and left.

"Luffy-sama!" cried Juvia, who latched herself onto him. "I heard about your great victory against the demon, Ashtul-san. You are so amazing, Luffy-sama!" Luffy did not mind her doing so for he was busy eating, which, of course, is the highest priority.

A little bit later, after Lyon and Sherry conversed with the Straw Hats, they decided to take their leave. "I'll let the other guilds know of these…people," Lyon said. "I'm sure the others will be quite interested to see their strange magic." With that said, Lyon and Sherry left after he had to pry her from Sanji.

Some time later, Levy found a letter stamped to the front of the guild hall that was addressed to the Straw Hat crew. She brought it in and gathered them all together, where she read it aloud.

"'Dear Straw Hat Pirates,

'I shall be brief, for I do not know how much time I have left. I may have a way to help you return to the Grand Line, your home. I shall meet you in a few days at the Fairy Tail guild. Do not seek me out, for I am everywhere, yet nowhere, yet They have found me somehow. Do not inquire any further, else you may die.

'Signed, Thirros.'"

Everyone was confused by the letter, but the Straw Hats felt happy that they might be able to return home, but the prospect that some unknown person has found such a way, and that some people are after him left them worried. Only time will tell for Fairy Tail and the Straw Hats now.

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

Far away from Magnolia, out in a faraway forest, a horse carrying a cloaked man sped through the forest, desperately trying to outrun something. The cloaked man kept his head low, kicking his saddle foot straps to speed up his horse despite that he was already pushing it past its limits. He whipped his head to the sides, scanning the trees for any movement, but he saw none. He dared no relax, for he knew that there was something out there in the trees. He pulled the hood over his face tighter and continued his journey.

"I'm coming for you, Straw Hats," Thirros muttered under his breath.

CHAPTER END.