Chapter 3: The Return, and the Promise of Adventure!

For Lucy, the trip to Fairy Tail with the duo had been like a dream. No matter how many questions she asks they answered happily! No matter how mundane or seeming idiotic! She learned that Loki is a big player, and apparently that up-and-coming wizard Gray Fullbuster was a massive voyeur! She could barely believe such a thing but made a not to herself to avoid any future encounter with him.

She needed to find a Mirajane or 'Mira' once she got there. Learning the Mirajane was the nicest person in the guild, an almost motherly nurturing figure, made her entire day alone. To many times were the famous models arrogant or even malicious, as Jason's (her favorite reporter) most recent expose on Mermaid Heel showed. It's when she asked about the Titania of Fairy Tail however, that Natsu seemed to change.

His tone simmered down, going from loud and boisterous, so a quite warm tone, but no less enthusiastic in nature resonating with the deep smile etched into his face. His eyes while full of wonder of the world around him beforehand, were now alight with mirth.

"Erza is amazing" It started simple she supposed, but before she could probe for more he continued. "She's one of the strongest we have and was the youngest to ever make a S-Rank! She even beat Gildarts! Gildarts! She helps me a lot! She's super smart you know?! She taught me how to read!"

It was clear that Erza was very near and dear to the dragon slayers heart, that much was made clear to Lucy during their trip. When she asked, "When did you guys start dating?" however, things got interesting.

Natsu froze completely, and unlike with Bora his eyes got wide, far wider than she would except them to go, while a blush rose to his face completely unheard of for a fire mage.

"W-were not dating. She's just my best friend!" Natsu was insistent, ignoring Happy's pitiful whine's of "I'm your best friend."

Seeming in retaliation the little troublemaker started flying around the two as they traveled singing songs of Natsu's supposed love for Erza.

Lucy wisely dropped the subject.

It wasn't much longer they found themselves standing at the doors of destiny. At least that's how Lucy saw it. Natsu noticing the significance of this moment placed his hand gently on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.

"You can do this."

With trembling hands Lucy opened then doors, and inside she saw… chaos. Pure chaos. One in which Natsu immediately threw himself into posthaste. The man springing inside and immediately hitting and older gentleman who was chatting with his friend and smoking his pipe in peace!

"You gave Mira shitty intel you bastard!" Natsu's booming voice drew the attention of everyone. Their dragonslayer was back. The man he kicked, (Lucy would later learn his name as Wakabe), whimpered on the ground, before popping up and glaring at the dragonslayer with a bloody nose.

"Asshole! That's the third time you've broke my nose Natsu! It's not my fault the info's bad you midwit" Before Natsu could launch himself headfirst into the older man another voice jeered at him, instantly drawing his attention and ire.

"What happened flame-brain, go on a wild goose chase looking for your tail?" Grays laugher at his own joke was cut off by a switch and crisp hook to his jaw, immediately knocking him down to one knee "Shut up ice-prick! Speak to me when you can learn to keep your damn pants on for longer than fifteen seconds!"

Gray looking down and realizing he was indeed back in his boxers let out a quick curse, quickly asking Lucy for her undergarments, swiftly earning him a swift kick down under and the reinforcement of the rumor Natsu had planted with her hours earlier. Gray would only learn of this when it was to late.

Natsu being busy gloating was struck in the back of the head with Elfmans full weight followed by his bellow "Real men go fist first into fights!" Natsu flew back crashing to the table causing Levy to bump into Redus, causing him to spill his drink over himself, and in turn try to brawl with Levy, only to be swiftly pummeled by Team Shadowgear.

Jumping up Natsu quickly launched himself at Elfman, landing a devastating spinning kick to the large man's stomach. "Its not mainly to hit someone from behind ya stupid asshole!" He wouldn't be getting back up. Before he could continue onwards, he saw gray being thrown into Cana's barrel of spirits due to a combination attack from Marco and Wakabe, drawing the functional drunk into the battle. It was at this peak zenith, when limits were being tested, when bound were being pushed, the guild door once again slammed open just as Natsu grabbed the back of Grays head, with Gray inter grabbing the lower half of Natsu's jaw, ready to rip.

Erza was here.

It had been a long couple of weeks for one Erza Scarlet. What supposed to be a simple monster extermination mission ended up being a disastrous level event. One that had left her completely drained and battered, and yet victorious. The trophy she carried with her was testament enough. She missed the guild. She hoped that everyone would be behaving themselves. She doubted it.

She was sure the master was eyeball deep into his own drink, Gray was not even trying to stay dressed, Nab likely hadn't picked a job, Loki was likely playing instead of training or working, and Marco….

Natsu though. Well, Natsu confused her. When she had first met the seven-year-old all those years ago… well she hated him. It wasn't really his fault; he was just dumb. Very dumb. Yet he had a heart that somehow managed to draw her to him. It started when she taught him how to read. It required a firm hand, but watching him slowly piece it together, and seeing how happy he was to accomplish something so basic to her, made the wounds of the tower seem a little less fresh. From there the two kept interactions consistent, and it would have been a relatively normal companionship found within the guild. If it weren't for that one moment.

By that point she had known for a couple of years that the fog was a big trigger point for Natsu. Every time it came around, he seemed to become withdrawn, morose, only putting up an act long enough to get away from everyone. If it wasn't for how hesitant Happy that day was about going, she probably never would've thought more of it. Never would've stopped to look deeper. Yet, she did. As a reward she found herself growing increasingly worried about the young man. She knew pain, she lived through it. Natsu was in pain. So, the next time the fog hit, and she could see the sorrow seep into his eyes, she followed him, lying in wait. She saw how he sat there, head down, still as a statue. It broke her heart. She didn't mean to scare him back then but took it as her que to intervene. No matter what he was going through he had to know he wasn't alone. She would do whatever it took to prove as such.

Prove it she did. Hey was the first (and thus far only) person to see her without her armor, much less receive a form of affection armor-less.

After that day Natsu stuck to her like glue. Constant following her, going on quest with her, training with her. There was never a moment she found herself without her pink haired shadow. The first night she had to promise him that she would be back in the morning. Something that as a pre-teen shattered her heart, and hardened her resolve and tempered her patience regarding the boy. He was terrified of being abandoned.

So far out of all the 'Fairy Kids' she was the one who had broken through his shell the most, arguably out of any adults as well. While his friendship with Lisanna had been in the blooming stage, she realized she was his lifeline. As friendly and boisterous as he was with the others in the guild, at the end of the day the boy was alone.

That was something she could not allow.

So, she let him tag along. On missions, to training, to eat, and eventually she grew to depend on him. Not in the same way as he did her, but she knew she could place her utmost trust within him. Someone very personal and dear to her. Natsu was the first person she spoke of the tower to. She told him everything two years into their friendship, when he noticed her mood shift during the seasonal change and anniversary. He had held her while she wept, never judging or sneering, simply holding her with his inexhaustible warmth. He promised he would protect her, and although she far exceeded him in strength, the preteen felt her heart clench at his conviction, and felt faith in another person for the first time fully since Jellal. That's when Erza realized she relied on him, just as much as he on her.

It was a nice symbiotic relationship, until they went on an extermination mission. It wasn't his fault. She knew that. No one has eyes on the back of their head, but she thought he was going to die. That terrified her more then anything else in her entire life. Seeing that vile beast behind Natsu with claws poised ready to tear his head off, seemed to stop her heart in the moment. Time froze. She was sure she was going to lose him. It was the most stressful, painful, and horrifying three seconds of her life. The Happy, the most loyal ball of fuzz she's ever seen, took a suicide dive at the monster's head, buying her just enough time to decapitate it, ensure all of their safety.

She refused to take him on any s-ranks after that, and if she were honest, she'd been picking missions focusing less on combat when she does team up with the pinkette. She knew it was wrong. How mad he would be. How hurt and upset he was every time she left him behind. It hurt her to, knowing the pain she was inflicting on him. She knew it wasn't health for him to have such a reliance on her, but it wasn't one she could bring herself to sever. The though of him losing his life was enough to make her reevaluate everything. She wasn't sure if it was love, but she knew she could not lose him. Not just for him, but for herself as well. She needed Natsu Dragneel, and she was sure he needed her to.

"What is going on here?!"

Her voice rang through the guild hall, instantly cutting through and silencing the room. Everyone was silent. Frozen in place. Only Natsu and Gray were able to move, with Gray moving to put an arm over Natsu in an attempt to appear friendly, while Natsu roughly shoved his palm into Grays face pushing him off and into the wall. Before Gray could react the sound of a sword slicing through the air stopped him. H looked up to see the newcomer trembling in fear, and Erza with her blade pointed directly at Natsu.

"Natsu Dragneel!" Her voice was stronger now, louder. She was angry. "Explain yourself now!"

The guild was silent. While unfortunate for the young man Infront of them, he had seemingly taken the brunt of the redhead's wrath off of them, so for now they would watch wand wait.

However much to the guilds shock (and hidden entertainment), Natsu stepped forward, a slight scowl on his lips and challenging glint in his eye.

It wouldn't be until she pondered it later, but Erza had no idea when the change had occurred. One day Natsu was terrified of her, then he viewed her as something else. Equals? Was he already to her level?

"You left without me. Again!"

There was a pain there. A rawness. Something no one outsides of Natsu's circle could place, let alone the blonde Erza spied in the corner, trying to blend into the background. She felt her teeth clench, attempting to reign in her temper. It couldn't her right now. Not with Natsu. She kept her gaze firm and sword steady; she would show him she couldn't be pushed.

"Natsu, we can talk about this lat-"

She was immediately cut off my him smacking the broadsword out of her hand. The guild fell silt save the pinging of clattering steel. Erza could feel the last vestiges of her control slip.

"Natsu" It was cold. The last time anyone had heard her speak like this, Loki and gone ass first into her fresh strawberry cheesecake. "Are you trying to die?"

This was bad. The guild new this. Natsu was going to die. They knew this to. So why couldn't they move?

"I! Am! Not! Weak!" Natsu voice snarled out, and Lucy was instantly reminded of his initial rage directed towards Bora's attempted control. He accentuated each word with a snarl that seemed more akin to a growl, and a step closer no longer hindered by her sword, until he was faced to face with the scarlet knight.

Now that she was face to face with Natsu she could see his eyes, they were slitted, pitted, staring into her like a predator. She knew then she had to be careful. This wasn't just a simple issue. This was complex, and adding in his draconic pride wouldn't help. She took a deep breath.

"Natsu, you know how I feel about this. I can't lo-"

Erza was sure Natsu wanted to die today. What else would he interrupt her/

"Bullshit! How do you think I feel every time you leave alone?!" That hit her hard. She knew he was hurt when she left, but she never realized he would worry. Foolish in hindsight, as she knew she would feel the same. However, his next proclamation is what brought her to complete halt. "Why wont you let me protect you?!"

She flashed back, telling Natsu her story, sobbing, and his promise. Watching him overcome time and time again. Was she being selfish?

Natsu seeing her eyes seemingly wavering moved to press forward, however he was stopped by Erza, realizing in the heat of their emotions they let everything mount in the middle of the guild hall. It would be better to continue this conversation elsewhere.

"If Master needs Natsu or I, we shall be at the training grounds discussing this issue." It was clear they were not to be disturbed. With that she motioned for Natsu to follow her outside, recalling her sword. "Come with me Natsu, we need to have a talk."

Bets started going immediately after the duo left on whether or not he would come back alive.

Erza was silent as they walked, while Natsu was fidgeting. He was expecting a fight. He was ready for combat when Erza spun to face him, and judging from the stern look on her face she was ready to tear into him. She looked at him, analyzing him, studying him, before letting out a sigh and sagging her shoulders.

"I get it Natsu."

His eyes snapped to hers, hoping this would mean what he thought it would.

"I won't take you on a s-rank" She started, moving into a sharp glare that promised pain when he moved to speak "Not yet. I'm going to give you a chance. I have a mission I need a hang with, after my last one my reserves are still low, and this is a matter of importance. I was going to ask for help anyways, but we can use this as a test for you. Fair?"

Natsu stared at the redhead in front of him, long and hard. No, it wasn't fair. He had already earned his spot damn it!

But…

…. She was trying. He could see that. His face sullen he gave a nod. He would go along, but he wouldn't be happy about it!

A strained smile crossed Erza face; happy the younger man saw sense.

Then as quick as a blink, she changed.

Natsu knew he was in trouble.

The smile wiped from her face, head tiled downwards, eyes overshadowed.

'Oh, no…'

Slow steady steps towards him, each full of purpose. One he knew wasn't in his best interest.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Her thunderous voice could be heard for miles, causing those aware to wince, and say a small prayer for the salmon haired boy.

One savage lesson later the duo found themselves back in the guild, the pinkette's battered appearance being a blunt clue towards the outcome of their talk.

Apparently in their absence, the Master had come down fearing the worse upon hearing the deafening silence plaguing his children.

Thankful it was just Natsu's foolishness. Oh well, he was sure the boy would survive, and indeed he did. Although, from the look of his bloodied lip and swollen left eye it appears Erza had educated him through and through.

He slightly shook his head upon seeing the two. So much had changed in seven years, and yet their relationship remained steady, only growing stronger.

Did they even see it? He doubted it knowing his two children. Both so strong, so full of life, yet so very naive. What he wouldn't give to see the moment one of them broke. His money was one Erza, the girl was far to uptight. It was just a matter of time until she snapped.

His musing were cut short by said redheads approach. She seemed to be walking towards him signaling Gray to come forward as well, much to the immediate (although silent) distain of Natsu.

Erza Looked over the small group gathered before her. She knew Natsu would hate including Gray, she couldn't risk it. While she would let him take the reigns, this was serious. She couldn't risk someone escaping, someone getting hurt. She couldn't risk Natsu.

"Master, I will be taking both Natsu and Gray to a mission I believe to be the upmost importance. We will be leaving in two days, and will hopefully return before your conference with the other Guild masters."

Makarov nodded in understanding. While (especially in the last couple of years) it had been more and more common to see Natsu tag along with Erza on a quest, it was highly unusual for her to ever request more assistance. It spoke to her true feelings on the matter. She was nervous, and that alone was enough for him to go along. Whatever it took to sooth his child. It would be soon enough he would learn the source of her anxiety.

"I plan on letting Natsu take the reigns in this mission, should I preform well I plan on taking him with me for future s-ranks." Her tone was level. Stern, but professional. If he didn't know any better Makarov would be sure she was unaffected by the news, but he saw. The slight tensing in her neck, the tremble in her hands. She hated this.

He cleared his throat drawing their attention.

"I see. I must say, I feel so proud to see my children working together so closely. To watch you and Natsu overcome the obstacles over these years, growing and evolving, it warms my old heart." The two young mages in question blushed in praise, with Natsu sporting a wide-grin, while Erza muttered her thanks feeling unworthy "Natsu, I believe in you, and I know with Erza and Gray at your back, you can do this. Yet, indulge this old man wont you?"

Seeing Natsu's curious gaze on him, he flicked his eyes to a certain blonde, and his eyes lit up with recognition

"Luigi!"

Before Lucy could let her rage be known the Master swiftly cut her off "Yes, I would appreciate if you would take her to tag along as well, after all a celestial mage is a good friend indeed."

No one had noticed Loki cringing in the background.

"Besides, she needs someone to show her the ropes, and theirs none better then you three." As Makarov gestured to the three he knew he had them.

Suckers.

Erza stepped forward preparing to take charge, doing her best to hid the blush appearing at Makarov's subtle wink.

"Meet me back here in two days, be early and so we can debrief. From their Natsu can take charge of transportation and our plan going forward. Remember this is his test, you are only her to support! Do you understand?"

While her words seemed to be blanketed towards both additions on the quest, her start, sharp as an eagle, was trained on Gray. Daring him, begging him, to question her authority and face a bit of the same wrath Natsu had tasted earlier.

"No issues whatsoever! No mam! Not with me!"

Natsu couldn't hid the smirk that appeared on his face, making sure he didn't push his luck lest he get another lesson in humility.

"C'mon Erza, C'mon Luigi I'm hungry!"

"Aye sir!"

As Happy and Natsu made their intentions clear, Natsu quickly grabbed Erza's hand and walked towards the guild doors.

Lucy could see the slight blush appear on her face, along with a small, soft smile.

'Interesting'

"Hey! What about me!"

Natsu laughed, pulling Erza a bit harder and faster towards the door, intentionally ignoring the ice mage.

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

Chapter End

So that's another one down. Glad atleast a few people enjoyed the last couple of chapters. As you can see they are getting longer as it goes on, and I get back into the groove of things. So yea…

Thanks to that one guy for the reviews! You know who you are, you fucking champion you. I dunno man. I'm tired. Next time Eisenwald guild.