"Speech"
'Thought'
"Attack/beast"
Chapter 2. Like Father, Like Son
(Year x777 Naruto and Lucy age 10)
"Happy birthday Lucy!" Came the culminating cries of Layla and the entirety of the Heartfilia family's servants. All of whom were gathered around Lucy at a rather large cake, while a mound of presents could be seen behind the young birthday girl.
Naruto himself simply smiled and clapped his hands from the side of the room, as today had been a rather fast build up of stress for Naruto. Considering for the last several weeks he had been scrounging around to finish his gift to Lucy, which he had only managed to finish at the very last second. Still he had managed to get the gift finished and he was present for the party, which was more Naruto could say for Jude. Considering the man was working on his own daughter's birthday.
Naruto could tell this slightly hurt Lucy, as she was glancing around the room with a rather disheartened face. Yet the look of pain that filled her soft features rapidly shifted into a smile the moment her deep chocolate eyes met his crystal blue. A brief exchange that caused Naruto to smirk and wave at Lucy. The latter of whom was practically begging in silence for her friend to join her side. So since Naruto wasn't one to disappoint Lucy on any occasion let alone her birthday. He quickly moved across the party room to join Lucy's side.
"Happy birthday Lunacy." Naruto began in a hushed voice that earned a blush from Lucy. Who playfully swatted at Naruto in response to her nickname.
"Don't call me that on my birthday!"
Naruto simply chuckled and placed his right hand over his heart before giving a bow. "How sorry I am to offend the princess on her special day."
Turning red as a tomato in embarrassment, Lucy was about to respond. Unfortunately her mother beat her to the punch. "You two are so adorable. Tell me Naruto, are you going to propose to Lucy as her birthday gift?"
"Mom!" Lucy hissed in absolute dread, as she believed her crush on her fellow blonde was a secret shared between mother and daughter. Yet that couldn't be further from the truth, as anyone with eyes could notice her fondness of Naruto. Well anyone besides the blond in question.
Naruto on the other hand took notice of Layla's voice and body language, as she sounded weak. Almost as if she was coming down with some sort of illness. In fact the color of her skin seemed a little paler than usual and she appeared somewhat shaky on her feet.
"Oh I'm being scattered brained aren't I? Naruto is too sensible to propose at such a young age! He probably got you a promise ring!"
"Mom!" Lucy cried again from embarrassment. "Please stop, Naruto isn't getting me any jewelry!"
"Actually." Naruto cringed in response, as his attention drifted from Layla to Lucy. A small rectangular orange box shimmering into his hands from a requip space, which he in turn presented to Lucy. "Uh surprise?"
Taken back in surprise, Lucy accepted the gift. Meanwhile Layla watched the small gesture with both hands clasped over her heart in joy.
"You didn't have to." Lucy began, but Naruto was quick to cut her off.
"No, trust me. I did."
Eager to see what was within the box, Lucy lifted the top to reveal a necklace. Yet this necklace in particular was a small green gemstone with two metal balls on each side keeping it fastened in place on a leather lace. "It's beautiful." Lucy gasped in disbelief as she lifted the necklace up, which caused several tiny runes to glow in response to her touch.
"I made it myself." Naruto began as he pointed to the runes on the gemstone. "Those are special runes I inscribed with my magic that not only let me know where you are, but let me talk to you whenever and wherever you are."
"How?"
"With this of course." Naruto replied as he pulled a necklace that was identical to Lucy's from under his shirt. Then by channelIng his magic into the necklace, Naruto slightly smirked. "What do you think?"
Hearing Naruto's voice not only through his lips, but the necklace itself. Lucy could only give her best friend a look of amazement. "Naruto, this is the best gift ever!"
"I'd agree it's quite thoughtful and ingenious." Layla commented with a smile. "You're definitely Minato's son."
"Thank you Naruto. I love it! Can you help me put it on?"
Grinning ear to ear, Naruto maneuvered around Lucy and began to slowly place the necklace around her neck. "Of course, anything for you Lucy."
Layla's heart was full of love and happiness, as she was overjoyed to see just how close her daughter was to the son of her oldest friend. It wasn't a simple friendship or some distorted sibling relationship due to how they were raised. More so it was the slight budding of a love that Layla wanted to see blossom into a full romance when both were of age and ready. A true dream that seemed more and more like an inevitable future as the days went by.
Yet as Layla's vision started to blur and her balance went off. A cruel truth was slowly starting to make itself known. That being the fact that she wouldn't be around much longer to see that future take shape.
"Mom?" Lucy mumbled as she looked at her mom with concern.
Layla herself could only hear distorted voices as her eyelids slowly grew heavy. Cursing herself for the actions she had taken to leave her like this. Yet at least Lucy wouldn't be in her place.
"Layla? Naruto mumbled from behind Lucy, as he subconsciously held tightly onto her shoulders for support. "Are you okay?"
"I'm- . . ." Layla mumbled before collapsing hard onto the floor, which caused numerous cries of concern.
"Mom/Layla!" Both Naruto and Lucy cried together, as Naruto acted before anyone else by dashing to Layla's side and lifting her body close to his chest. His eyes grew wide as he felt how hot Layla's body temperature was against his hands. Along with how weak her breathing was as her chest seemed to have difficulties expanding, which showed Naruto how weak her lungs were at the moment. However, the worst of it all was the pain filled expression that covered her face, as it was something he was all too familiar with.
A sight that left Naruto thinking only one thing in absolute horror. 'No. Not again. Please not someone else.'
"Mom!" Lucy cried as she crashed onto her knees by Naruto's side.
Naruto seeing the tears pouring out of Lucy's eyes felt like he was stabbed through the chest. He himself was no stranger to loss and if it wasn't for Lucy and Layla he would have given up long ago. So right now Naruto wanted to be there for Lucy, but as he held onto Layla in his arms. He couldn't be strong. He couldn't be the pillar for Lucy that she had been for him. After all, he loved Layla like a mother as well.
So in this moment of desperation, Naruto did the only thing he could do. The same thing he did when he heard the news of the passing of his sister and mother. He wept.
(A few weeks later)
The last few weeks had been hell on earth within the Heartfilia household. After the incident on Lucy's birthday it was revealed that Layla was terminally sick, as she had developed a condition that no modern medicine or magic could remedy. Naruto himself wondered what force he had provoked to once again be placed at the bedside of a dying loved one.
In his opinion it wasn't fair, especially to Lucy. Who had practically shut herself within her room and cried when she learned of her mother's limited time left. Naruto on the other hand was somewhat used to this predicament and even though it didn't lessen the pain in his heart he could at least be at Layla's bedside. Doing his absolute best to make the women's final days as pleasant as he possibly could.
Still as he slowly dabbed a wet rag against Layla's forehead, Naruto had to fight and kill every urge he had to cry.
"Naruto, that's enough. It's a kind gesture, but we both know it's not doing any good."
Naruto took a hard swallow and placed the rag into the bowl on Layla's nightstand. "I'm sorry."
Layla let out a weak laugh followed by a cough. "Don't apologize sweet child. Your company is more than enough."
"I wish there was more I could do."
"And I wish I could see you and Lucy grow up, but life doesn't always let us have what we want."
Naruto frowned at the woman's words and tightened his fists over his lap. "It shouldn't have to be that way."
Reaching out and resting her hand over Naruto's own, Layla gave her Godson a small smile. "All the same nothing can be changed. I made my choice to protect Lucy and your futures, but make me a promise while you still can."
"Anything."
"When I'm gone protect Lucy and continue to love her more and more everyday." Layla began as she locked eyes with Naruto trying her hardest to fight back the pain. "I know it's a selfish request because I know you're hurt as well, but ease my mind. Promise me that when I'm gone you'll fill the void in her heart with as much love as you possibly can."
Fighting back the tears within his eyes, Naruto quickly nodded in response. "I'll do everything in my power to protect her and make her happy. I promise until the day I die I won't stop doing so."
"And no matter what Jude may say, you have my full blessing to marry Lucy."
"I uhh-."
"Actually scratch that. I'm demanding you marry Lucy when you two get of age. That's not negotiable."
Naruto was at a loss for words, but before he could even open his mouth to respond the door to the room opened. Revealing a woman around Layla's age with long green hair tied back into a ponytail. She was dressed rather poorly and carried herself in a very reserved posture. Yet the most striking observation Naruto noticed was the golden key within her hands.
"Grammi." Layla called out with care and a soft smile. "It's so wonderful to see you."
Rushing to Layla's bedside, Grammi practically forced the golden key into the dying woman's hand. "I'm so sorry Layla. This is all my fault. I brought Aquarius back, but I was too late."
Placing the key onto her nightstand, Layla smiled softly. "It's fine Grammi you're not at fault. I didn't have to make the choice I did, but I don't regret doing so. Oh and where are my manners? This is my Godson and future son-in-law Naruto Namikaze. Naruto, this is a dear friend of mine who I had hold onto Aquarius's key for me."
Grammi gave Naruto a small nod, while the youngest within the room was confused as to what Layla was talking about. Since Grammi almost seemed to take accountability for Layla's condition.
"If only I could have made it here sooner, but me and my daughter live so far away."
"It's fine Grammi, how is your daughter doing? She should be the same age as my Lucy. Perhaps you could introduce the two so they could become friends like the two of us!"
"But I'm just a servant."
"Nonsense, you're my friend and never think differently."
Naruto stood in silence and watched as Grammi began to sob, while Layla simply gave the woman comfort. This continued for a couple minutes before they went into a slight small talk. Yet their talks gave Naruto little insight as to what was going on.
"I wish there was something I could do, Layla." Grammi began with regret filling her voice.
"I told you it's fine Grammi. I might not have long, but I won't leave any regrets behind. You should head back to your daughter, I'll have Naruto escort you to the train station." Layla explained as she gave Naruto a rather stern look. "He and I both know he needs to get some fresh air and away from my bedside."
"But what if you need something?"
Layla kept her gaze sharp as she lifted her brow. "I do need something and that's for you to make sure Grammi is escorted safely."
Naruto sighed and nodded his head. "You can count on me, but I won't be long."
Layla seemed pleased with the response and said her goodbyes to Grammi. Then with both women giving each other one final hug, Naruto escorted Grammi out of the mansion and down the massive winding path of the estate, staying close to the former servant while both stayed completely silent. Naruto himself had forgotten how long of a walk it was from the estate to their private train stop, as he hadn't left the Heartfilia estate since his father had left him here.
"So you're betrothed to the young lady." Grammi began, which caused Naruto to twitch.
"Not exactly, but Layla definitely makes it sound like we are." Naruto replied with a large blush, as he didn't hate the idea. Yet it was still embarrassing for others to ask if he was marrying his best friend. "Me and Lucy are just very close."
"Layla is very persistent. Tell me, your last name Namikaze. Your father wouldn't be Minato would he?"
Naruto glanced over to Grammi. "He is. How did you know?"
"Well besides your last name. You're identical to him in every way. I remember your father visiting Layla a few times. Master Jude despised every second of his visits, as he was always jealous of your father. Personally I thought he feared the idea of your father stealing Layla away from him."
"Layla never really talks much about her past with my dad. Usually when I bring it up she compares me to him in some way and changes the subject."
"Well if it's any consolation I'm not aware of their past either. Still I know your father and Layla were very close growing up, which makes it almost poetic for their children to be close."
Naruto simply nodded and spaced out as he looked out into the distance, as he started to question things more and more. Who exactly was his father? How was he connected to Layla in the past? Sure Naruto knew about his father being a Fairy Tail wizard, but even that left major gaps of information. Did Naruto have grandparents? What kind of mission has he been on for so many years? Honestly it frustrated Naruto with how many questions he could ask himself with little to no answers.
Yet Naruto wanted those answers and the people in his life like Layla and Jiraiya weren't giving him any. So Naruto knew he'd have to take the initiative to seek out the truth. Still doing that would require leaving Lucy behind to travel and with Layla's worsening condition that was something he didn't know if he could do. Since he didn't want to leave Lucy alone. It would kill him to know he left her through that kind of pain alone. After all he knew more than anyone the hardship the loss of a family member was.
However, as Naruto was lost in his thoughts the sound of metal piercing into something soft rang within his ears. Followed by a grunt of pain from Grammi, as Naruto saw the woman to his side take multiple fast stabs to the side and back from an assailant from behind.
"Z-zoldeo?" Grammi gasped as she recognized her assailant as one of her fellow servants.
"This is all your fault Grammi! Layla is dying because of you!" Zoldeo screamed with tears in his eyes as he twisted the blade one final time.
Grammi started to sway back and forth before losing her balance, Naruto on the other hand moved in a flicker of light to where he was positioned to deliver a swift kick to Zoldeo. In fact Naruto's leg quickly illuminated with Light Magic and in a flash he gave Zoldeo a devastating kick to the man's arm. Using so much speed and power that Zoldeo's arm slammed into his own chest and the impact sent him rolling backwards.
Naruto then, not wasting a single movement, caught Grammi within his arms and cradled the bleeding woman against his body. Quickly taking a knee as he held tightly onto the woman. Already feeling the woman's blood soak through his clothes and tightened his hold the moment he heard her shallow breathing.
"Grammi! Hold on, don't die on me." Naruto began as he looked over the woman with fear in his eyes, as blood was pouring out of the woman's body at an alarming pace.
"Tell my Brandish I'm sorry. Tell her I love her." Grammi muttered as she coughed up some blood.
"No, you'll tell her yourself! We will find help." Naruto cried back, but as he felt the woman's chest lower and felt her movements grow still he froze. Realizing she was dead in his arms. So biting his lip, Naruto simply placed the woman gently on the ground and stood to his feet. "This is all my fault. I thought we were safe here and got distracted. Why would you do this!"
Naruto quickly moved his gaze to Zoldeo noticing the man had not moved from his earlier kick and was laying on his back. Yet as Naruto looked at the man's unmoving form, he could see the knife he had used to stab Grammi lodged in the middle of his chest.
"He isn't." Naruto muttered as he dashed over to Zoldeo and stood over the former servant. Seeing that Naruto had accidentally kicked the man's knife into his own chest. Resulting in a killing blow, as Zoldeo was dead at Naruto's feet.
"I-." Naruto began before pausing on his words, as he felt like puking right then and there. As the guilt of realization had washed over him. "I killed him."
To Naruto this couldn't get any worse, as death had been following him like a curse his entire life. First was the loss of his sister that crushed him. Then came the sacrifice of his mother that left him empty and for all he knew his father could be dead as well. Of course there was Layla who could pass any day now, but adding Grammi along with being responsible for killing a man was too much. Who would be next? Lucy? Naruto would rather kill himself than have her death on his consciousness.
"N-naruto?" A familiar and terrified voice spoke up, which made Naruto look to his side. Horrified to find Lucy accompanied by one of her servants, Spetto. Who was taking a protective stance between the two blonds as she used her hand to hold Lucy back and away from Naruto.
Naruto himself was covered in blood and standing over one of two dead servants. A scene that left little to the imagination and instantly made Naruto look like the culprit of two very vicious murders.
"It's not what It looks like." Naruto began in desperation, as his heart sank the moment he saw the fear in Lucy's eyes. She had never given him that look before and it shattered him.
"You stay away from her!" Spetto screamed as she pushed Lucy back slightly to not only protect her, but also stand in the way to shield her eyes from the two dead bodies in front of them. "Layla took you in and this is how you thank her? By killing two of her most trusted servants and friends! By killing my friends!"
Taking a step backwards, Naruto was overwhelmed and slowly started slipping into a panic attack. As in the span of minutes he had watched someone die in his arms, kill a man and see his closest and most precious person look at him like he was a monster.
"I. . . I-" Naruto tried to defend himself, but as he heard the sound of Lucy crying he broke. So panicking and afraid, Naruto did the only thing he could think of at that moment and took off in a flicker of yellow light.
(One week later).
Naruto had been running for days, collapsed on the nights in exhaustion and sobbed in desperation the remainder of his time. He was malnourished and hardly ate or drank anything. His clothes were worn and tattered and covered in both dry and fresh blood. Since he had had a few accidents in the last few days and roughed himself up in the process. It was also obvious to say that he hadn't bathed in several days and smelled absolutely putrid.
Yet he did have a destination in mind. Since he knew there was only one place he could go for help. That of course being Jiraiya. Who was the only person Naruto had left to turn to for any sort of help.
However, Naruto was slowly running out of steam and didn't know if he could even make the journey on foot. He knew the man's main base of operations was only a few more days worth of travel, but as he sat against a tree in the dark empty forest. Naruto was starting to think he would die before he ever reached his destination.
"Maybe I should just stop pushing forward." Naruto mused as he slowly started to drift into unconsciousness. "I do miss Mom and Ultear."
A green light piercing through the darkness, Naruto glanced at the necklace resting over his chest. Finding a small spark ignited within his body, as he knew what this meant.
"Naruto, are you there?" Lucy's soft angelic voice came out of the gemstone loud and clear.
Yet Naruto simply looked at the crystal with a conflicted expression. He had created them, so he was aware of how they worked. If Lucy channeled her magic into her necklace then Naruto's would glow and allow her to speak to him and vice versa. So Naruto didn't have to respond, as all he had to do was channel his magic and Lucy's necklace would glow as well. Letting the girl know that he was at least listening to her.
So taking a swallow and planning to say nothing, Naruto touched the necklace and pushed his magic through it. His heart almost skipped a beat the moment he heard Lucy gasp in response. Yet this was followed by both blonds sitting in silence, as neither spoke a word to each other. However, after a few moments Lucy was the one to break the silence.
"Did you really kill Grammi and Zoldeo?"
Naruto didn't know how to respond, as he couldn't find the words. Since in his mind he indirectly killed Grammi with his carelessness and was responsible for Zoldeo's death. So instead of making a reply he merely sat in silence.
"Mom didn't believe you did. She even yelled at Spetto. I've never seen mom get so angry before."
Naruto's voice hitched and Lucy heard the slight noise. There was a reason Naruto adored Layla, as she always loved and believed in him like he was her own son.
"She was making demands all week for people to run out and find you. She was even planning on hiring a guild to track you down and make sure you were okay."
Naruto felt tears leak out the corner of his eyes. By all accounts he had made an awful lapse in judgment. He should have ran to Layla first. He should still be by her side with Lucy right this very moment.
"Mom passed last night in her sleep." Came the revelation from a broken Lucy, which completely shattered Naruto into pieces.
"I'm sorry." Naruto muttered as he felt the tightness within his chest that caused a sensation like he was practically impaled into the tree he was against. Since not only had he lost Layla, but Lucy lost her mother. She was alone right now and Naruto wasn't there for her, which broke the promise he had made to Layla on her deathbed.
"Naruto I miss her."
Hearing Lucy's sobs through the necklace, Naruto stood to his feet. His balance was off and his entire body ached, but to hell with that. To hell with everything. Lucy needed him and he was going to be there for her. So stepping forward, Naruto was going to crawl back to Lucy if that's what it took. Yet as Naruto took a single step forward his vision blurred and his legs buckled. Then before he could even catch himself he fell onto the forest floor unconscious. Severing the link between himself and Lucy.
(The following day)
Grunting and opening his eyes, Naruto's senses were overtaken by the smell of a fire and food?
"What the hell happened?" Naruto groaned as his eyes slowly adjusted to his surroundings and he rubbed the side of his head. Though oddly enough he was in absolutely no pain, but still pretty hungry.
"Jellal he's awake!" A young and energetic voice cried out, as Naruto was face to face with a young girl no older than five or six with long dark blue hair.
"Well, give him some space Wendy. I'm sure he's probably starving." A second voice spoke as Naruto saw a boy around his age with spiky blue hair and an eye marking approach.
The so-called Jellal held out a bowl of some sort of soup, while Naruto mainly paid attention to the several magical staffs on his back. Trying to figure out rather quickly if he was in danger or not.
"Who are you two?" Naruto asked on edge, as Jellal gave Naruto a friendly smile.
"My name is Jellal and this is my friend Wendy Marvell. Her healing magic is mostly responsible for why you're alive." Jellal explained as he practically forced the food into Naruto's hands. "And just who might you be?"
"Naruto Namikaze." Naruto explained as he started to dig into the food. He didn't care what the food was or if it was poison. He was far too hungry to worry about anything besides if they had more or not.
"It's nice to meet you, Naruto!" Wendy cheered in a happy voice, which showed her rather pleasant disposition. "I'm glad I was able to use my magic to help you!"
"I owe you a debt of gratitude for not only saving my life." Naruto held the empty bowl he practically inhaled into the air. "But also feeding me."
"Thank nothing of it, but tell me. Why are you out here anyway?" Jellal asked, which made Naruto pause for a second. Since it was time for his specialty, half truths.
"I was traveling to an old family friend. I know a fair amount of magic and was hoping to either get a place to stay or at least a way to earn some money to take care of myself."
Jellal lifted his brow. "Does this friend have their own guild?"
"Not exactly, but he has plenty of connections. So I could work for him or have him get me into a guild." Naruto replied honestly.
Jellal hummed and grabbed his staff, which almost instantly caused Wendy to pass out asleep. Something that made Naruto instantly go on edge, but Jellal quickly held his hands up.
"I mean no harm. I just want to talk without Wendy hearing us."
Naruto narrowed his eyes and stayed ready to move on a moment's notice. "About what exactly?"
"You want the truth?" Jellal asked with a laugh. "I'm a prince from a parallel world who traveled to this dimension to stop a doomsday spell Anima that my father the king has been using to drain magic from this world into our own. So to save this world and everyone within it I've been closing as many Anima portals as I possibly can. Unfortunately I've also found myself as the caretaker of a young Dragon Slayer and I've been trying to find a safe place to leave her so I can continue my quest."
Naruto scratched his head at the information given to him. "You're very trusting to someone you just met. That's also a lot to take in."
"Well I'm a good judge of character and I'm incredibly desperate. So can you take Wendy with you? Make sure she is safe?"
Naruto folded his arms. "How dangerous is this so-called Anima that you're talking about?"
"It would mean the end of your dimension and everyone within it." Jellal replied as Naruto didn't like that answer one bit. Since that meant Lucy was in danger and he wouldn't sit by for that at all.
"And what will you do once you leave Wendy?"
"Probably join a guild to help get information on where other portals might be opening."
"And what if I had an alternative plan for the both of us?"
"What do you mean exactly?"
Naruto gave Jellal a look of pure conviction. "If this world is in danger I won't sit back and do nothing. There is someone I care for more than anything and I will protect her. So here is my counter offer. The three of us will go to my friend Jiraiya, he can place us within a guild to keep Wendy safe. While in the meantime we use his connections and the guild connections to close these portals."
Jellal rubbed his chin at the idea. "That's not a bad idea, but I should mention something. I'll need to change my identity when we arrive at a guild. Since your world and mine are parallel there is someone here in this dimension who looks just like me. So to avoid any issues I'd have to conceal myself."
Naruto nodded. "That should be easy enough." Naruto replied as he held his hand outward. "Partners?"
Jellal quickly accepted Naruto's gesture. "Partners." The boy from another world replied, as neither knew this was the start of one of the world's strongest wizard teams to ever be formed.
(A few days later)
Jiraiya couldn't believe his eyes. He was still questioning whether or not it was some hallucination magic user trying to get the drop on him or if the person standing in the midst of his personal office was real. Considering he currently had Naruto right in front of him, who looked like he had honestly gone through hell.
Yet despite the tattered clothing, dried blond, cuts and bruises with the most obvious need for a bath he had ever seen or rather smelt. For Jiraiya it was like looking in the past, as Naruto looked nearly identical to his father. Since Jiraiya himself had a very strong sense of deja vu seeing Naruto show up at his establishment exactly like his father before him so many years ago.
"Naruto?" Jiraiya mumbled softly, as he quickly stood to his feet. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Layla and her family?"
Naruto cringed at the question. "I should, but something happened. Or the better way to phrase it would be that way too many things happened." Quickly balling his fists and looking to the ground, Naruto felt a lump within his throat. "I killed someone."
Jiraiya lifted his brow. "Explain everything to me and don't leave any details out."
Naruto nodded. "Layla had been incredibly sick recently and I was at her bedside. An old servant named Grammi had come to see Layla and gave her a celestial gate key. After they talked Layla asked me to walk Grammi out and I did, but when we were walking I wasn't paying attention. Someone named Zoldeo stabbed and killed Grammi. I was caught off guard and just reacted on instinct by kicking him away, but when I kicked him I accidentally shoved his knife into his chest. I-. . . I killed him and I haven't been right since."
Jiraiya sighed and maneuvered around his desk. "Like you said it was an accident and you didn't mean for it to happen." The older wizard quickly bent onto his knee to be eye level with Naruto. "Did you enjoy watching him die? Did it make you happy knowing you killed him?"
"No, it makes me sick to my very core."
"Good, that feeling makes you human. Killing whenever it's accidental or not should never make you feel better." Jiraiya placed a strong hand on Naruto's shoulder and gave the boy a tight squeeze. "While killing is wrong there may come a time when you have to take a life again. So don't get accustomed to it, but accept that at times you have no option. It's a lesson you've had the unfortunate experience of learning at a young age, but that will make you stronger."
"But I didn't even tell you the rest! Lucy saw me right at the end of everything, which not knowing better made it look like I killed them both!"
"What happened from there?"
"A servant with Lucy was yelling at me and I was so overwhelmed Jiraiya. I'd never seen Lucy so afraid. Afraid of me! So I panicked. I panicked and ran as far away as I could."
"And you came to me." Jiraiya quickly realized, which made Naruto simply nod his head and wipe the tears that were fighting their way from his eyelids.
"Then I learned Layla had died and I wasn't there for either her or Lucy. I wanted to go back to Lucy and sort everything out, but I passed out from exhaustion. I probably would have died, but Jellal and Wendy saved me." Naruto looked over his shoulder to the door. "They actually both came with me and I asked them to wait outside as we talked. Since Jellal had told me something that made me realize I couldn't go back to Lucy."
"What do you mean?"
Naruto quickly told Jiraiya everything he knew, from Jellal being from another world to Wendy being a Dragon Slayer. He explained the dangers of the Anima and why he wanted to help Jellal stop the magic from being stolen from their world. Laying out the plans that he and Jellal both came up with to not only ensure Wendy's safety, but the safety of everyone in Earthland.
Jiraiya, taking a moment to process the very long list of information given to him, eventually stood to his feet. Shaking his head as he walked past his desk. "Kid you're not only the spitting image of your father, but it's terrifying how similar the two of you are. Seriously, what is with you two? Throwing yourself into dangerous secret quests for the sake of someone else?"
"It's the right thing to do." Naruto replied with conviction behind his voice, while his eyes held a strong icey resolve behind them. "And most importantly, if I don't do this. Then Lucy will be in danger and I won't stand for that."
Jiraiya shook his head and walked over to a small closet within his office. "Regardless, I'll help you and your little friend. I can get you both information with my spy network and get you into Fairy Tail. I'll also speak with Makarov, as he is someone you can trust just like me."
Naruto watched Jiraiya dig through his closet while scratching his head. "My dad did speak often of him. Hell, I've wanted to join Fairy Tail for years- . . . I even told Lucy once or twice about wanting to join."
"Well it's high time you met Macky, but your friend Jellal isn't the only one using a fake identity." Jiraiya waving a white mask in the air wasted no time throwing it at Naruto. "You're going to go by a new name as well. In fact the only people who will know you're in Fairy Tail will be me, your two friends outside who won't tell a soul your real name and Makarov."
Looking at the mask, Naruto noticed it had two eye holes and was decorated with red and orange paint to resemble a toad. "Why exactly do I have to use a fake identity?"
Jiraiya sighed heavily and leaned against his desk. "Naruto, you're incredibly smart, just think for a second. Your father, a high profile Wizard Saint, had taken a mission that I refuse to give you details on. Because that mission spiraled your father into so much deep shit that he placed his entire family into hiding. Hell just think kid. Why was Layla the person Minato left you with? He could have taken you to Fairy Tail with Makarov. However, if people learned who you are they would have gone after you to get to Minato."
"I'm getting stronger." Naruto replied as he gripped tightly onto the mask in his hands.
"Not as strong as your dad's enemies. I mean do you want to protect that Heartfilia girl? Cause if anyone even sniffed out a connection between you, Minato and her. Well then her life is in just as much danger. So you're gonna go by Menma and your little friend will go by the name Mystogan. That's the only way I'm helping you."
Naruto merely nodded in response. "I understand Jiraiya. From here on out unless it's with someone who knows me, I'll be Menma. However, in return I want to know about my father's disappearance. I want to know what quest he was on."
"Kid, I promised your dad I would never tell you anything. I'll help and support you anyway I can, but I won't let you follow his path. For now just focus on one world ending crisis at a time. You're only ten."
Naruto didn't like the answer he was given, but he could at least respect Jiraiya's choice. After all, the man was only looking out for Naruto's best interest. "Well since we've talked everything out. Let me introduce you to Wendy and Jellal."
"I think that would be a good idea, but I have one more thing to give you." Jiraiya explained as he turned back to his closest and pulled out one more item. "It's something that used to belong to your father."
Naruto watching Jiraiya pull an item out merely raised his brow. "That was my father's?"
Grinning like a mad man, Jiraiya nodded and tossed the object right to the young blond. "It was, but he left it with me so now it's yours."
Gazing at the black and crimson sword within his hands, Naruto slowly pulled the sheath open to see the near spotless blade. Showing that someone had obviously been keeping it in excellent care.
"That's not just any sword either brat. It's a sword used specifically for enhancing and casting Rune Magic. So don't let it go to waste!"
Naruto simply nodded in response and pulled the sword back into the sheath with a small smile. "Thank you."
(Magnolia)
Walking down the main street of Magnolia, Naruto did catch a few glimpses of people eyeing him. That was somewhat expected considering his current company. Wendy was the most normal of the trio, but even still a young child with eyes as wide as saucers as she pointed to everything she saw did draw a few looks. Yet the most stand out in the trio was definitely between Naruto himself or Jellal. Since they both were dressed in their new disguises that were given to them from Jiraiya.
Starting with Jellal or how Naruto was to refer to him when speaking to others, Mystogan. The young boy from Edolas wore a dark blue cloak and his arms and legs were mostly covered in bandages. To conceal his identity he also donned a dark blue bandana with a silver forehead protector, and a green mask that obscured the bottom half of his face. Of course his look was completed by his numerous magical staffs that were still strapped to his backside.
Naruto on the other hand wore a sleeveless black shirt with a high collar and matching black pants. Over his shirt he had a sleeveless grey flak jacket and matching grey metal arm and leg guards. Like how Jellal kept his many staffs fastened to his back, Naruto kept his sword strapped to his own backside for ease of use. Finally finishing his disguise, Naruto wore the porcelain white mask with the toad markings from Jiraiya.
"This place is so amazing!" Wendy cheered as she quickly turned her excitement to Naruto and Jellal. "Are you excited to join Fairy Tail big bro?"
Smirking under his mask, Naruto felt a small feeling of joy at being referred to as an older brother. Something which Wendy had started doing to help her get better at not accidentally referring to them by their actual names.
"It should be interesting. What do you think Mystogan?"
"I have heard rumors that Fairy Tail is rather wild. So I would agree to it being interesting." Jellal replied back in a calm voice.
"Hey, I think I see the guild building in the distance!" Wendy shouted as she pointed to a large building at the edge of town. "Let's go be wizards!"
Naruto laughed the moment he watched Wendy take off running while Jellal quickly followed to ensure she didn't get lost. Leaving the blond walking a little behind the two at his own pace. His life was changing at a rapid pace, but this change was all for one person. So slightly pulling down the collar of his shirt, Naruto fished out the necklace he had tucked underneath his clothing. He had a million things he wanted to say to Lucy at this moment.
Yet at the same time. With the path he was walking and the supposed danger of even being around him. Naruto knew distance was what he needed to keep. Still he couldn't just forget about Lucy, as he truly loved his best friend. So even if he was going to keep his distance and even if she hated him. Naruto channeled magic into his necklace, but remained silent. He didn't have anything to say and he honestly couldn't even find the words. However, at least she would know he was alive and still holding onto the one thing that kept them linked together. Then after a brief second, Naruto cut the flow of his magic. Ending the link that he was sending to Lucy.
"It's foolish to even try. For all I know she probably threw her necklace away." Naruto mumbled softly, as he was about to place his necklace away. Though his necklace glowing for the same brief moment he had made Lucy's glow did make Naruto smile. Knowing that she might not have spoken either, but she was at least keeping the last thing that linked them together as well.
(Chapter end)
Well here is the next chapter that places the first strain on Naruto and Lucy's relationship. There will be a few more obvious bumps down the road, but this sets up a few of the plot threads before Naruto joins the guild.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed it and hopefully I can give more updates often. Also I'm updating my bio to give a better idea of what's going on with all my stories. So if you have questions check there. Until next time!