Yo,
I'm back with the Next Chapter of Not Yet. Hope you share your feedback with me.
"Talking"
'Thinking'
'Telepathy'
"Dragons/Demon/Spirits" Dragons or Demons Speaking.
'Dragon/Demon/Spirits thought' Dragons thinking.
"Jutsu/ Magic"
Enjoy.
Not Yet
Chapter 39
Trails and Teams
What Naruto thought out to be a punishment became a blessing to the sparring duo as Mira turned it into a crash course to become S-class using Kagura.
After the spar, the guild healer, the grumpy old lady, healed Kagura as Naruto refused to heal her and left her to rest. Mira took her to her home as an apology and Kagura woke up after a day, fully healed.
Kagura woke suddenly, making Lisanna take a jolt at her speed and she ran to call Mira. Kagura looked around the unfamiliar home and noticed the most amount of whiteness in it.
Every photo and wardrobe has white on it, though other colours are also there, white-dominated everything. It's a contrast to the orange and green in Naruto's house as the blonde likes orange and though Sirius liked it, he enjoys painting green.
"Uh, hi." She heard a meek tone and turned to see her white-haired sparring partner.
"Hi?" She replied doubtfully.
"I'm sorry for what happened. It's all my fault. Please forgive me!" Mira said, her head down in shame.
"Nothing severe happened. So you don't need to apologise. Now I just need to go find my sword." Karura said, trying to wake up only to feel pain all over her body and collapse.
"Oh my God! Is something wrong?" Mira was beside her and tried her best to diagnose if anything was wrong.
After her S-class trials, seeing that she is not strong enough, she dove into many magics. She learned Lightning, Water, and then some. Healing was one of them.
Though she is not an expert in it, she tried it on herself and her siblings which worked well. So she tried her best to see what was wrong with the gravity mage. She sighed in relief.
"Don't worry. It's just body pains. Just rest today and you will be good as new." She said with a smile and Kagura gave one hearing that.
They spent the day together, talking and discussing things and the time has come for Mira to inform Kagura about what happened.
"Um, I kinda messed up and got us suspended from doing jobs," Mira said with a nervous chuckle.
"Huh, what?" Kagura asked, surprised. After getting knocked out, she didn't remember anything till now.
"So when you fell from exhaustion, Naruto appeared and said how he was disappointed in us and suspended us from doing jobs for a month. I-"
"That's fine. I don't want to go on them anyway. That blonde moron made me do more jobs than anyone in the last trip and I'm sick of them now." Kagura said in a relieved tone.
"What!? I thought it was a training trip!" Mira said surprised.
"Oh, it is. According to him, it's 'Kagura's awesome training time'," Kagura said, quoting the blonde which made Mira laugh.
"He is like that with you as well, huh. That knucklehead, I can't understand whether he does it on purpose or it just happens." Mira said with a nostalgic smile.
"Looks like there is something I need to know," Kagura said with a knowing smile. Mira nodded and told the tale of Naruto's and her fight when she was taken over.
Kagura was amazed, to say the least. She didn't expect the blonde to be this impulsive with his way.
"Huh, he knocked you out just like that and when you woke you were confused like me?" Kagura asked in surprise.
"I know right? I thought of strangling him. But I found a better method. From then I 'spar' with him and use him as target practice and precision practice." Mira said with a happy smile and Kagura nodded with a smile.
They didn't think the other was enjoyable. But talking like this, they understood each other and Mira cleared a big misunderstanding she made of the gravity mage.
"Speaking of all this training, how about we train for this month? It's not like the S-class trials are not for long." Kagura suggested. Mira's eyes sparkled in interest.
"You mean we are punishing that blonde by not going near him?" Mira asked with a devious smile and Kagura nodded with a mischievous one.
"Interesting idea. Then bring your things here and we can get started!" Mira agreed with a sweet smile, and they left for Naruto's house.
Meanwhile,
Fairy Tail Guild Hall
"What have you done, you idiot blonde!" Loke exclaimed, trying his best to strangle the blonde. He got that idea from somewhere.
How does this idiot, stupid, moronic, useless blonde do it? Aren't his 'teachings' working on him? He is the master in the art and he tried to rub it on the blonde so that he can sympathise with him and possibly help.
But he didn't expect this. Suspending two beautiful young ladies is simply blasphemy and he is going to take his rev-.
"What's that? Did you say something, Loke?" Naruto asked, noticing the lion celestial spirit for the first time as he was busy eating Ramen.
'Oh great! When I was about to teach him a lesson, he was eating Ramen of all things.' Loke shouted in his head and nodded negative and sat in the next chair.
"Nothing. Is everything alright?" He started a normal conversation not wanting to talk about the dismissal as he can't do anything anyway.
Naruto's Residence
Mira and Kagura reached the blonde's residence, wanting to sneak out before the blonde can even notice.
"I was waiting for you. It took you longer to recover, eh Kagura." A male yet cute voice greeted them and they turned to see a flying Sirius looking at them with bored eyes.
"So you know I would come?" Kagura asked the gold jaguar in surprise.
"I mean I saw how hurry Naruto was in, I can understand something important came up. I thought it was Laxus. But found it's not him. And was told about your spar." He explained.
"Wait, what is this about Laxus? And Naruto being in hurry?" Mira asked surprised.
"Uh, I shouldn't have said that. Ok, forget about it!" Sirius started waving his hands in the air as if trying to make them forget. Deciding to act along, they both nodded along.
"Ok good. Now that you are here, wanna have some Ramen?" He asked and Kagura sighed.
"We know you won't take a no if we don't agree. Why bother?" Kagura said with a sigh.
While she stayed with them, it was always ramen. Breakfast, lunch and dinner all over again. They won't even take a no for an answer they were determined to wait for ramen.
If you object because of your bad luck, Naruto will go on a teaching spree about the greatness of ramen and its godsend. He will go on and on, and if possible, would have declared it as national food for Fiore if he had the chance.
"Hehe. Come in." Sirius invited and opened the door, allowing them in. He took some instant ramen and gave them hot water.
After the cup was ready, they sat in a relaxed state in the lounge area and started eating.
Sirius started asking what they wanted to do and Mira explained what they planned and he added a few things to the plan. The final result was something Mira liked a lot.
The main points Sirius rose were simple. All your attacks are too familiar to the blonde (yes he called Naruto the blonde). So create something new or improve the current ones.
The next point is control. Increase your control on the magic so that you can last longer in a fight and have a higher winning chance.
"I'll sneak in sometimes to spar as well. We have some time before we will be called again." Sirius said not noticing the slip-up, which the 2 women didn't mind.
"If that's all, we will be leaving," Mira said and Sirius nodded.
"Tell him to be ready to face me in the S-class trials." Mira challenged and with the last goodbye, they left. Sirius smiled happily. 'Looks like Kagura found a friend.' He thought and went back to experimenting with his purple eyes.
6 Weeks Later
It's been 6 weeks and the month Naruto suspended Kagura and Mira was long over. But the blonde didn't find a trace of them in or around the guild.
It's as if they vanished from his senses and the seal he put on Mira is also not responding. He feared the worst and was in search of the younger Take Over mage. He found her laughing with Natsu.
"Lisanna, where are Mira and Kagura? Did you see them?" Naruto asked in concern. Lisanna went on a job and just returned it seems.
"Big sis? She is fine, Big bro. She just told me to tell you to be ready to face her in the trails." Lisanna said with a confident smile.
"Did she now? Then tell her I'll kick her so badly, she doesn't even think of S-class trials again." Naruto challenged and Natsu cheered.
"Yeah!"
"Aye, aye, sir."
Lisanna nodded and Naruto felt more relieved. He started to move in random directions and found a tattooed young mage walking around Magnolia.
"It's been long, Mystogan. How are you?" Naruto asked, appearing beside him.
Mystogan didn't even jerk in surprise as if he knew Naruto was going to come. "I'm doing well. How are you?" Mystogan asked. They both started to walk randomly, going into different streets.
"Great. Excited about the S-class trials?"
"I am if someone doesn't interrupt me this time." He said, giving a pointed look at Naruto from the corner of his eyes.
"Hehe. It was an accident last time. I swear I won't stop you this year." Naruto said with a sheepish chuckle.
"I thought I would go on long jobs. You only come every 3 months or so." He said and got a nod from the silent teen.
"So wanna spar?" Naruto asked in excitement.
"No. I heard what happened with Kagura and Mira. I'm fine." He said in the same neutral tone.
"Oh, did you? Heard something from Laxus? I haven't seen him for some time." Naruto said, stopping himself from spilling.
"I heard he was on an anger spree, taking only dark guild extermination jobs. I can only guess who can be the source of his anger." He said, this time his voice has an edge to it.
As if Laxus being angry is bad. "Nah don't worry about him. He is fine. I don't think he is as bad as you think." Naruto gave a look at that.
Mystogan nodded silently. Though anything what happened is not revealed, the message was conveyed and understood.
"Have fun then. Be sure to not be late for the S-class trials. See ya." Naruto said and vanished again. Mystogan gave a ghost nod.
'If he is that angry, I can only imagine how far you have wounded him.' He thought. As someone who saw the blonde's true capabilities, he can understand Laxus's anger.
It's one thing to toy against someone weaker than you and be toyed by someone stronger than you after all. Laxus didn't seem to not like the latter. As it leaves a bitter taste.
'Hope I can have your help to solve my problem as well, Naruto.' A stray thought came to him and with a force stronger than the blonde's punch, it was squashed. He went on his way, trying to stay miscellaneous.
Naruto is restless as he can't find any of his suspended parties. Though Lisanna told him they are ok and Mira is planning her revenge, Naruto wanted to confirm it with his eyes.
"Searching for someone?" He heard a curious voice ask and turned to a floating Sirius who came along.
"Yeah, who else? The 2 I suspended. I thought they would come out of their hiding spot after 4 weeks. But they didn't yet. I wanna see her face before she loses." Naruto started with a disappointed tone but changed into a cheerful one at the end.
"Hmm, maybe I can tell you. But where is the fun in that? How about you buy me some Ramen and I can give you a clue?" Sirius said in a business tone. Naruto turned to him with a betrayed look.
"Nah ah. No more theatrics. Just some good old ramen." He shook his finger and Naruto took out the best of the best ramen he had and gave it to Sirius.
"You are going to eat as well. Let's sit there." He said pointing to the central park which has a large tree in the middle and Naruto agreed.
Naruto's birthday went well with all the guild coming to greet him after they heard about it. Though he had good 'fun' for not knowing in the first place.
With his birthday came the death anniversary of his late father, the Wood Dragon God. Naruto and Sirius went to Guiltina to pay sometime in the village and paid respects to the grave he made in the forest.
The day went quickly and they were back in Magnolia, having fun with others and townsfolk to pass some time.
After the much anxious wait time for the ramen to be prepared, Naruto and Sirius opened the lids of the container and started eating. Unlike their normal savagery, they ate with dignity and when Naruto was slurping through his 8th spoonful, he turned back, sensing something.
"Too late!" He heard someone say before many paintballs, dyes, glitters, bombs, stink bombs, and flash bombs all went off on his face.
It made a big mess of different colours and glitters with lots of smoke filling the whole tree. Naruto was in the middle of it, surprised in more than one way.
"We did IT!" He heard many happy cheers and saw most guild members staring at him in victory with smug smiles.
"You think we can't prank you? It's bold of you to escape without any punishments for everything you did in the last 6 weeks." Erza, who appears to be the de facto leader of the group, said, with a victorious smile.
"We need to thank Sirius. Without his cooperation, you would have known we were coming." Levi said, with a hand on her hip.
"Don't you think it's a fitting punishment, guys?" One of the people Naruto is searching for announced. Mirajane Strauss stood in front of him in her smug glory.
"Thanks, Kagura. If not for your surprise Gravity attack, he would have escaped." She said turning to her right from where a guilty purple-haired swordswoman approached.
"GUYS! MASTER IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE ABOUT THE TRIALS!" Alzack yelled excitedly and everyone rushed to the guildhall like moths to a flame.
Naruto turned to see his jaguar son sliding away when he gave him a sharp look. "How could you, Sirius?" He asked with the dreaded puppy dog eyes.
"I-um-I wanted to know what happens when a prankster got pranked and agreed. Sorry, Tou-chan." Sirius said and Naruto hugged him, making Sirius colourful as well.
"I'm proud of you, my son. You have grown. You have grown well." Naruto said proudly and used a water jutsu to clean themselves off and vanished to the Guildhall to see the kick-off of this year's S-class trials.
He can see everyone participating in the prank against him standing in the hall, waiting eagerly for the master to announce the candidates.
Though he pushed a bit too far with his birthday prank, he liked it every bit. Who won't like pranking a whole town and pinning the blame on another?
"Who will be this time?" Natsu asked excitedly, bouncing up and down.
"Definitely not you," Gray said from the other side, surprisingly fully clothed.
"Do you think Levi will be selected this time?" Jet asked and Droy nodded enthusiastically.
"We will cheer for her." They agreed. The blue-haired girl was blushing in embarrassment.
"Maybe Fried will make it this time," Bickslow said to a smiling Evergreen who looked around, scanning for their leader.
"But he is more concerned with Laxus to focus on the trials. I hope he recovers soon." She said sorrowfully, giving a death glare to Naruto. Naruto didn't care and shrugged it off. Though she knew she couldn't defeat him, she at least wished.
Naruto was hearing everything cautiously when the Master's cough interrupted everything.
"It is my honour and privilege to choose these individuals as S-class candidates for this year's trials," Makarov said with pride. The entire guild listened closely to what the Wizard Saint had to say.
"Cana Alberona," Cana perked up and gave a peace sign.
"Mirajane Strauss," Mira gave a victorious and cocky smirk.
"Mystogan," the ghost member of Fairy, is not seen anywhere.
"Macao Conbolt," Macao gave a nod.
"Wakaba Mine," Wakaba gave a puff of his cigarette.
"Fried Justine,"
"You can choose any member as your partner. Everyone can see a telecast from the lacrima screen. Only the participants and their partners are allowed to the Sacred Grounds of Fairy Tail." Makarov stated as he flipped onto the first floor.
"I choose Sirius as my partner," Cana announced and everyone was surprised at that. Even Naruto was surprised and Sirius looked at Cana incredulously.
"I'll take Kagura then," Mira said with a happy smile. In the last 6 weeks, they became close friends and came to know each other better.
"Loke," came a voice from nowhere and somehow everyone knew it was Mystogan and orangette himself was surprised at being chosen as a partner.
"Aw man, I can't choose you, old friend,"
"Looks like it." Macao and Wakaba consoled each other and chose whom they thought best.
"I'll pick Natsu then," Macao said with a sigh.
"I'll take Gray then," Wakaba said and both young mages yelled in joy.
"Bickslow," Fried said under his breath and as all partners were chosen, Makarov spoke again, announcing the participants and their partners.
Cana + Sirius
Mirajane + Kagura
Macao + Natsu
Wakaba + Gray
Mystogan + Loke
Fried + Bickslow
"As all participants and partners have been chosen, the next step is moving to Tenrou Island. Move to Hargeon. It is not a race this time. We all move immediately." He ordered and all the participants moved with their partners.
"Old man, who are we fighting against?" Natsu asked curiously.
"A good question. Out of all teams, teams that make it to the finals will fight with me, Erza or Naruto. Laxus and Gildarts are not participating this year." Makarov explained and most of the participants were surprised by this.
Laxus never shies away from showing his superiority to others and not attending S-class trials is not in his nature. They knew something was up but didn't ask out.
"It's gonna be fun. Be ready, blondie. I'll kick your ass!" Natsu proclaimed to which Naruto smirked.
"We will see about that, Natsu. All the best, everyone. I'll see you in Tenrou." Naruto said and vanished in a flash.
"Damn blonde and his flashy magic." Natsu cursed under his breath while Makarov watched in amusement.
"Meet me at Magnolia station in half an hour," Makarov announced and everyone moved. While most of the Guildmembers congratulated the participants and their partners and getting selected, Team Shadow Gear is looking like headless chickens.
"Our cute Levi didn't get selected, Jet!"
"Yes, Droy. What a pity. I would have expected more from the Master!" They both started to sob. Alzack on the other hand is rolling on the ground in sorrow while a clueless Levi was looking at them, not knowing what to do.
She knew she was good at magic. From her experiences after working with Naruto, she understood she still needed more proficiency and a magic pool to become an S-class. Though she tried her best to console her teammates, it didn't work.
To the side, the members of the Thunder God Tribe were also having similar yet different discussions. "He is still mad?" Fried asked, concerned about their leader. Who during the announcement appeared in the guild and is on the second floor.
"Yes, he is still mad and not in the mood to talk," Evergreen spoke, adjusting her glasses.
"Heh heh. You know how he is when he is mad." Bickslow said with his tongue out, his black fairy tail mark half visible.
"You plan to take on him?" Evergreen asked as they now had a chance to take revenge against Naruto.
"We will see. If everything works out, why not?" Fried said and Bickslow nodded with maniacal laughter.
2nd Floor
While the guild was preparing to start the S-class trials, Laxus was brooding on the second floor, not paying any attention to what was going on. All he wanted is to-
"Something wrong, Laxus?"
"Old man." Laxus greeted his grandfather.
"You are upset about something," Makarov said his observation.
"It's nothing you should be concerned about," Laxus said sharply and Makarov got a pained expression for a second.
"Fine. Take care of the guild till I return." He said in an authoritative voice and jumped to the first floor.
"I'm doing none of that. I'm going on an S-class job!" Laxus yelled to avail as the old man already left the building.
With Cana
Cana and Sirius had already started to Magnolia station trying to come up with a strategy. "How do you expect this year's S-class trials will go?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Ah, guess we will see," Cana said with a wide smile.
"What is stopping you from S-class? This is your 2nd time, isn't it?" Sirius asked with a straight face and Cana paused mid-step.
"What do you mean what is stopping me? I'm trying my best. It's just that I was exhausted last year." Cana said with a pout. Sirius looked unimpressed at her.
"You could have chosen Kagura as your partner. She is stronger and better suited to you as a partner than me. Why did you choose me?" He asked not fazed by her pout.
"I know Kagura is stronger than you. But Mira and Kagura were training for 6 weeks and I don't want to break their flow." Cana explained and Sirius nodded.
"And, what's wrong with you? You are strong enough to go toe to toe with Gray and are smarter than Natsu. So that's enough for me. You can perfectly counter long-range attacks with your Wind and Lightning." She counted on her fingers, counting everything Sirius is capable of.
Sirius' cheeks tinted red at that, but the jaguar managed to hide it from the teasing brunette's eyes who was wiggling eyebrows at him.
"You are making me cry. Let's talk about the possible opponents for us." Sirius said, changing topics. He doesn't want to be found with red cheeks by Naruto. He can't endure the blonde's teasing after that.
"If it's Naruto, you know how he fights and we can come up with a counter. If it's Erza, we both know how she fights and can counter her. If it's Master, I have 'some things' that satisfy him, so no worries there." Cana said as they reached Magnolia station.
"Looks like a great plan. Let's work together and make you an S-class mage!" Sirius cheered and Cana nodded with a wide smile.
'I want that confidence to face him.' She thought as they waited for others in the station.
With Loke
"Where are you, man? I can't see you." Loke called to the empty walls as he waited for Mystogan's arrival to go to the Magnolia station. He is shouting at the walls for minutes now, waiting for the mysterious man's arrival.
"I'm here," Mystogan said, appearing beside Loke, which made the lion spirit jump in fear.
"Why did you do that. That's creepy." He called and checked himself if everything was alright.
"Sorry, but it's become a habit." Mystogan apologised and they started walking in the opposite direction of Magnolia station.
"Hey, we should go that way." Loke pointed.
"Yes, but I prefer to go in another way. I was surprised when I followed it last time." He spoke with a tinge of embarrassment. Loke was amazed by the man's cordial nature.
He heard Mystogan's mysterious nature as he always uses a spell to make the guild sleep when he comes to take a job. Only Master and Naruto were said to see his face. Though Laxus claims he saw.
He thought Mystogan was some kind of anti-social guy who didn't like crowds. But talking to him is proving otherwise. And he talked most words he ever spoke to the lion spirit in these few minutes.
"Speaking of surprises, I bet it's that hyperactive blonde who surprised you," Loke said with a smile and Mystogan's silence gave him his answer.
"So what did you plan and why pick me of all people?" He asked curiously.
"I knew you were different when I saw you. You can say it's a hunch and being in Naruto's team, you know his strengths and weaknesses…" Loke gave him a blank look.
"At least some?" He tentatively asked. The blank face still persisted. "Anyway, you are strong and will be a good fit with my magic," Mystogan said, explaining the reasons.
"Well, let's do our best." Loke cheered and Mystogan nodded as they continued their journey through the forests around Magnolia.
With Kagura
"Excited about the trials?" Kagura asked a bouncing Mira who was flying around like a headless chicken.
"Of course. I got the chance to take my shot at that blonde and you being my partner is just a bonus." Mira said happily as she flew across the mountains.
"Why are we flying again?" Kagura asked curiously.
As soon as the Master told them to meet at the Magnolia Station, Mira and Kagura took off to Hargeon, Mira carrying the purple-haired swordswoman.
"I got shot by a slowing dart last time. So we are going to Hargeon like this and if there is no race to Tenrou, going there like this as well." Mira said in a determined tone.
"Looks like certain blondes doing," Kagura said with a smile.
"I don't doubt that. Cheeky bastard." Said Mira and they started talking about the ways they are going to kick the blonde's ass.
In Fairy Tail
While all the S-class trials began and the participants are on their way to the guild Sacred Grounds, their diminutive master walked into a secret chamber beneath the guild.
"It's time again, first Master. I pray this year's trails are as successful as last year's." Makarov said to a shining door, leaving the room.
On Tenrou
On the Sacred ground of Fairy Tail, a line figure can be seen relaxing under a dead area of trees and scenery. "Hmm, what to do?" He thought lazily.
"Maybe I should go around experimenting on something and try creating more of them."
"Or maybe create a new project to satiate my curiosity or take over a country like that again. I wonder what you are doing, Acnologia." The young man wandered aimlessly as a lone red-eye with a single ring-opened to see the sky.
And Cut
That's it for this chapter, folks. Hope you liked it.
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Black Infinity 1289,
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