"Speech"

'Thought'

"Attack/beast"

Chapter 7. Invisible Strings

"Oh sweet solid unmoving ground!" Natsu cried out as he kissed the stone floor of the train station.

Naruto looking at the boy with disgust couldn't help himself from shaking his head. "You're seriously so lame Natsu."

Perched on top of Naruto's shoulder, Happy merely cringed and pointed forward. "Let's get going before people realize he's with us."

"Sounds like a plan." Naruto mumbled as he stepped past Natsu and started walking.

"Hey wait up!" The Dragon Slayer shouted out as he stumbled upright and followed his friends.

Naruto walking casually into Hargeon simply sighed as he took notice of the carefree townspeople and bustling shops. "You know Natsu. This place looks almost as peaceful as Magnolia."

"Yeah I wouldn't argue that!"

"Aye sir!"

"And just like Magnolia." Naruto mumbled before taking both his hands and pointing in every direction. Trying to make sure Natsu saw just how peaceful and untouched the town was. "I don't see no giant goddamn dragon!"

"Well we just got here, jerk!"

A vein popping on Naruto's head, the Ghost of Fairy smacked his friend in the back of the head. "Does it look like a massive dragon has been walking through here? This place shows zero signs of damage from anything."

"Well of course not! Igneel is a friendly dragon."

"You know what? I'm not arguing with you." Naruto snapped as he folded his arms and stood motionless in the town street. "You take over from here, quest leader."

Puffing his chest out and stepping forward, Natsu smirked. "That's more like it!"

Naruto, allowing Natsu to take the lead, merely followed his friend down the town street. Yet the Ghost of Fairy Tail was visibly irritated as his friend had zero focus on where he was going.

"Hey I'm kinda hungry! Wanna give me some money for lunch?" Natsu asked with a cheerful innocence that made Naruto slightly twitch.

"I thought we came here to find Igneel. Not bum a free meal off me."

"Well why not both?"

Naruto taking a deep sigh closed his eyes and tried his hardest to keep his composure. "I swear Natsu I'm about to kill you." The blond swordsman began as he opened his eyes, but quickly found absolutely no sight of Natsu. "Where the hell did that idiot go!"

"He took off running in that direction?" Happy instructed from his perch on Naruto's shoulder. "Probably heard Igneel with his dragon-like hearing."

"This is getting to be more and more of a headache."

"Aye!"

Naruto taking one hand to secure Happy merely reached outward to sense for Natsu. "Hold on tight. I'm gonna catch up to that idiot."

Happy gripping tightly onto Naruto's shirt nodded. "Let's go!"

Hearing Happy's response, Naruto took a single step forward before blurring away in a burst of speed. Then reappearing before a large screaming crowd of girls, Naruto arrived just in time to see Natsu pushing his way into the circle of girls.

"What is that moron doing?" Naruto grumbled as he followed Natsu into the crowd.

Yet as Naruto glided through the sea of screaming and cheering women he quickly found himself catching up to Natsu. Then by taking his hand and reaching for his friend, Naruto clamped down onto Natsu's shoulder.

"Natsu you fucking-. . ." Naruto began in frustration before his voice broke and the normally strong and confident wizard froze in silence. His bright blue eyes gazing through the holes within his mask at the individual looking directly back at him.

'Well isn't this interesting.' Sode no Shirayuki began with a slight giggle in Naruto's head.

However, Naruto was completely at a loss and didn't even respond. Considering he was looking at Lucy Heartfilia with a tightness in his chest and a wave of nostalgia as the girl before him looked exactly like he remembered Layla, but at the same time even more beautiful than words could describe.

Lucy on the other hand looked at Naruto with confusion, as the masked boy before her held some semblance of familiarity, but Lucy couldn't figure out how. Since to her knowledge she didn't know anyone with a mask or sword and even Naruto's guild mark was near unrecognizable due to the injuries he had taken from his uncle all those years ago. Still those deep blue eyes peering directly into her very soul were so damn familiar that Lucy completely forgot everything that was going on around her.

"Man, what a bummer! This freak isn't Igneel." Natsu grumbled loudly as he broke the mood and caused both blondes to watch a few of the girls in the crowd clobber him into the ground.

"That looks painful." Happy mumbled softly, while an arrogant chuckle broke through the crowd.

"Now ladies be easy on the poor boy." A man with dark blue hair began as Naruto glanced at the individual who was the center of attention. Quickly spotting a charm ring resting on his finger that was pointed at Lucy. Something that made Naruto's hand slowly glide onto his Zanpakutō's hilt.

'Now don't do anything rash.' Sode no Shirayuki spoke within Naruto's mind as she could feel his anger slightly spiking.

'I'm well capable of displaying restraint.'

'Not when that girl is involved.' Sode no Shirayuki replied.

"But unfortunately I must be off." The man declared as with a snap of his fingers purple flames lifted him high above the crowd. "But don't forget there is a party on my yacht tonight and you're all invited!"

"Oh Salamander!" The girls cried out as the man disappeared.

Naruto on the other hand narrowed his eyes at the disappearing man.

'I assume he's responsible for the Salamander rumors Natsu is following.'

'I think you're right, Shirayuki. I'd even go as far to say he's masquerading as Natsu.'

'Until now Natsu has been the only Salamander I've heard of.'

Naruto nodded and subconsciously tightened his grip around the hilt of his Zanpakutō. 'Something isn't right here.'

'I agree, but you have other matters to attend to currently.'

Naruto hearing Sode no Shirayuki's words was instantly made aware of his surroundings as Lucy made herself known by stepping in his path with a friendly smile and a wave.

"Hey thanks for showing up when you did! That creep was using a charm spell that I almost fell for, but you and your friend came right in time. I'm Lucy by the way!"

Naruto looking Lucy over took notice of a few things. Like the whip she was currently sporting on her hip and the bundle of keys attached to her hip both old and new. Yet the observation that made Naruto smile with genuine happiness under his mask was the necklace that Lucy wore proudly around her neck.

"Menma, Menma Uchiha." Naruto replied softly as he watched Lucy nod in recognition of his fake name. "This little guy is Happy and the idiot with us is Natsu."

Happy glancing at Natsu slightly cringed. "Speaking of Natsu. You think he's okay?"

Lucy hearing Happy speak dropped her jaw in surprise. "A talking cat?!"

"Aye sir!"

Naruto chuckling gave the blue cat a pat on the head. "Why don't you go make sure he's okay."

"Should I warn him you might hurt him some more? You seemed pretty mad a second ago."

"No, I'm letting him off the hook for now."

Happy nodding jumped off Naruto's shoulder and went to check Natsu's condition, which left Naruto and Lucy alone.

"Hey I want to thank you and your friends for saving me back there. Can I treat you three to a meal?"

Naruto, having a million questions as to why Lucy was in Hargeon and not at the estate knew he had to be careful with his words. Since he wanted answers, but at the same time he couldn't let Lucy know who he truly was.

"Natsu was pestering me about a meal earlier. I wasn't really in the mood to pay his kind of tab." Naruto began as he folded his arms and remembered that he was talking with a girl who was filthy rich. "You think that you could handle paying for him?"

A nervous grin appearing across her face, Lucy let a low unenthusiastic laugh escape her lips. "I could try." The Celestial Spirit wizard mumbled as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Natsu get off your lazy ass and come on! You're getting a free meal." Naruto called out to. Then to Lucy's surprise Natsu practically materialized himself beside the masked boy in a burst of speed.

"Oh hell yeah! I'm starving!"

"Aye sir! I want some fish!"

Naruto rolled his eyes and softly placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder before smiling under his mask. "Why don't you lead the way?"

Lucy blushing and feeling like her heart was about to explode couldn't grasp why the masked blond left her feeling in such a way by a simple touch.

"Um there is a nice restaurant a couple blocks down that's fairly popular." Lucy admitted as she slowly started to walk forward.

Naruto dropping his hand slightly closed his eyes and sighed. All of this felt like a dream, but as he followed Lucy he knew it was real. Just the brief moment of contact was enough to convince Naruto that he wasn't hallucinating. Lucy was here and now Naruto wanted nothing more to wrap the girl within his arms and never let her go.

'Why don't you remove the mask? You obviously miss her.'

'Because you know why Shirayuki. I can't be with Lucy. Not when Zeref and my Uncle are still alive.'

'They haven't been an issue yet.'

'That doesn't mean they never will. I can't in good conscience be around her. I'd live every damn day afraid they would come for her. That they would torment her like I was or worse.'

'So your options seem to be to avoid Lucy or kill them. I can tell you're thinking about it.'

'She's gotten so beautiful, Shirayuki. I've been away from her for so long, but my feelings have only grown stronger.'

'So what? Are you planning to kill Zeref and Arashi just to be with her.'

'I'd burn that whole empire to ash for her.'

'So that's a yes I presume?'

'I'm debating it, Shirayuki. I'm strong, but not foolish enough to fight an entire empire at the moment.'

'You've matured greatly Naruto. No matter what you decide I'll stand by you.'

'Thank you.'

'It's my pleasure, but your little friend is trying to get your attention.'

Naruto snapping back to reality looked at Lucy. Who was gazing directly at him with a questioning gaze. "My apologies. I seemed to have spaced out. Did you need something?"

Natsu laughed. "Man you're always spacing out!"

"Aye sir! He was probably talking to his Zanpakutō again!"

Naruto growled under his breath while Lucy giggled. "It's fine. I was just curious if we had met before. You seem oddly familiar."

"You know many masked swordsmen?" Naruto asked with a lighthearted laugh as he walked parallel with Lucy and winked under his mask. "Or perhaps we met in a dream? I faintly remember a beautiful girl like yourself in one of mine."

Lucy turned bright red and steam practically rolled out of her ears at the comment, which of course made Naruto shake his head in laughter. He had missed messing with Lucy more than he thought.

"I'm being serious here!" Lucy replied with a slight pout, which only made Naruto snicker some more.

"As am I." Naruto replied

Happy watching the interaction leaned into Natsu's ear to whisper. "Hey, do you think he's acting strange?"

Natsu nodded his head and turned to whisper back. "Yeah I've never seen him act like this with anyone. He's always really cold with girls that aren't Wendy, Mira or Evergreen."

"Yeah and he never flirts with them like this."

"I know. What the hell?"

Naruto, hearing his friends behind his back, merely ignored them and kept his attention on Lucy. "In all seriousness if we had met I'd remember. You seem like someone who's difficult to forget."

"I guess you're right." Lucy mumbled with a calculated gaze as she folded her arms and lifted her brow. "And what did Happy mean earlier about a Zanpak-thingy?"

Laughing and using his thumb to expose his Zanpakutō's blade, a cold chill filled the area that even made Natsu shiver. "This sword is my Zanpakutō. It's a magical tool that gives me various abilities at a price. In a way, think of the spirit within this blade as one of those gate keys at your hip. However, our contract works much differently and as such so does Sode no Shirayuki powers that she bestowed to me."

"So you're a wizard?" Lucy asked softly.

"I am." Naruto mumbled as Lucy stopped at their destination.

"Well that explains a few things, but we are at the restaurant. So let's eat!"

"Hell yeah!" Natsu cried out as he ran inside with Happy.

Naruto shaking his head simply gave Lucy a light pat on the back, while his eyes looked over her with care through his mask. "I hope you're ready to see what kind of bottomless pit Natsu is."

Slightly deflated and feeling a hint of nervousness, Lucy merely walked with Naruto into the restaurant. "I'm starting to regret this offer."

(One large order later)

Seated directly across from Natsu and Happy. Lucy simply watched in horror as the pink haired boy and his cat engulfed insane proportions of food placed before them. A sight that Lucy knew would completely annihilate any of the leftover money she had on her. The only saving grace being the masked wizard to her side. Who was simply watching the duo eat and didn't order anything.

"You weren't kidding about those two." Lucy chuckled nervously, while Naruto nodded.

"Tried to warn you."

"Well why don't you order something?"

Smirking under his mask, Naruto never once removed his eyes from Lucy. "Wanting a peek under the mask are we?"

"I would be lying if I didn't say I was curious." Lucy admitted.

"Well sorry. Just because you're beautiful doesn't mean I'll show you my secrets." Naruto replied in a flirting tone of voice, which again caused Lucy to turn red in embarrassment. "Though maybe you can satisfy my curiosity."

"How so?"

"Just curious to why a Celestial Spirit Wizard is traveling around Hargeon."

Lucy nodded and her right hand slowly found itself onto her necklace. "I'm looking for someone."

Naruto hearing this response and watching Lucy felt his heart tighten. Since he instantly knew she was talking about him.

'Well isn't this her lucky day.'

'No. No it isn't Shirayuki. And it won't ever be.'

'You can't push her away forever Naruto.'

'I can damn well try.'

Taking a hard swallow and smiling wide, Natsu quickly jumped into the conversation. "Hey, we are looking for someone too! My Dad Igneel!"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, have you seen him? He's a big red dragon! Can't miss him!"

"Aye!"

Naruto sighed as he felt Lucy turn her eyes to him. "Yes Natsu was raised by a dragon and yes he thinks he will find him here."

"Why the hell would a giant dragon be in the middle of a town?!"

Natsu and Happy both froze at the question, while Naruto shook his head. "That's what I told those idiots, but why listen to me?"

"Well it doesn't hurt to look now does it!" Natsu snapped back as he pointed at Naruto. "Besides, you can't complain. You made a deal to tag along."

Naruto nodded and Happy shifted his attention to Lucy. "Hey who are you looking for, Lucy?"

His blood running cold, Naruto moved his eyes to Lucy. Finding a rather conflicted look on her face. "I'm looking for someone who once meant everything to me."

"And now?" Naruto asked as his voice was uncharacteristically low and weak, which was something Natsu took notice of.

"Now what?"

"What is this person to you now?"

Lucy raised her brow and her friendly nature suddenly grew a slight guard. "That's a rather personal question."

"Yeah Menma don't-. . ." Natsu began, but with a click of Naruto's finger a Rune found itself placed onto his mouth.

Lucy seeing this quick display of magic was caught off guard as she knew that was Rune Magic. Yet the masked blond to her side was much better than the only other user of Rune Magic she knew. Still that was years ago and as Lucy moved her eyes to Naruto, she watched the masked boy with a careful gaze.

"I don't mean to pry." Naruto replied as he completely ignored Natsu. Who was aggressively trying to remove the Silence Rune from his mouth. "I was just curious is all."

Lucy keeping her guard up merely decided to play a long and answer honestly.

"I'm looking for someone who used to be my best friend. He was someone I once saw myself spending my entire life with."

"But that changed didn't it?"

Lucy simply nodded. "There is a lot to unpack between me and him."

"Do you hate him?"

Lucy narrowed her eyes, as the questions were getting more personal and sounded almost in pain.

"It's complicated Menma. Just let me say he's got a lot of explaining to do once I find him."

"And who exactly is this person?" Naruto asked softly as he watched Lucy bite her lip.

"His name is Naruto Namikaze." Lucy whispered in a soft tone, which made both Natsu and Happy look directly at Naruto with surprise. Yet Naruto's heart skipped when Lucy's friendly gaze shifted to a sharp and cold stare. "You wouldn't perhaps know him?"

"I've never heard that name before." Naruto lied in response, which left his companions with confusion. "How exactly do you plan to find him?"

Lucy, trying to find any hint of deception in the masked boy's words and body language, found it difficult to figure out if he was speaking the truth.

"There were a few leads I could follow. His father disappeared years ago and I could go look for him. Then there is someone named Jiraiya who might know a thing or two about Naruto, but I'd have to find him as well. Or I could join the guild Naruto's father was a member of."

"Well I've never heard of any of those men. So I wish you the best of luck in your search." Naruto began as he grabbed both Natsu and Happy from their seats. "But we have taken enough of your time. So if you would excuse us we shall be on our way."

"Um bye?" Lucy mumbled in confusion, as she watched the trio leave the restaurant. Her eyes fixated on the retreating masked wizard with slight interest, as she was slowly becoming curious as to what was truly behind the mask.

Naruto on the other hand was practically shaking as his mind was going all over the place and he couldn't think straight. Then to make matters worse the voice bound to his soul wasn't much help.

'Naruto you can't run every time you get overwhelmed.'

'I thought she might be here to shop or take a vacation. Not this.'

'Naruto she's searching for you. Wouldn't her roaming around looking for you place her in danger? Just tell her who you are.'

'Not now Shirayuki. I need fucking space to think. I didn't imagine Lucy coming to look for me.'

'Well she is.'

'And I'll take some time and figure out what I should do.'

(A few hours later)

Finally pulling the Rune he had been struggling with for hours free from his mouth, Natsu finally was able to not only glare at Naruto, but could now voice his frustrations.

"Okay what the hell!" Natsu yelled loudly as he grabbed Naruto by his shirt.

Naruto who had been leaning against a railing for hours and thinking over what to do with Lucy could only look at his frustrated friend with anger of his own.

"I'm not in the fucking mood Natsu."

"She was the girl wasn't she? The one you told me about when Lisanna died."

Naruto's blue eyes shifting into his Mankeyō Sharingan. The Ghost of Fairy Tail simply shoved his friend back. "What she is to me is irrelevant to you."

"So she is."

"Natsu I'm not in a joking mood right now. So drop it and pretend you never met that girl."

"Well Lucy seemed nice! Maybe I'll tell her about you!"

Naruto grasping his Zanpakutō's hilt gritted his teeth. "Don't ever threaten me with Lucy. You don't know a fucking thing about why I've kept her so distant."

"Well explain it to me!"

"You want to know?" Naruto asked as he stepped forward with anger practically rolling off every word he spoke. His Sharingan glowing bright as he locked eyes with Natsu. "I'll show you!"

Natsu's world disortorting around him. The Dragon Slayer was met with dozens of visions and scenes that were all happening simultaneously. Scenes of Naruto being tortured. Scenes of Naruto fighting for his life. Scenes that displayed Naruto being forced to take the lives of others. Natsu himself felt overloaded with information as he could feel the intensity Naruto was going through in these situations, but as quickly as Naruto brought him into this sea of illusions he quickly brought him out. Leaving Natsu leaning over onto the ground with sweat pouring down his face.

"That's why Natsu. There are people who would love to get at me through Lucy. People who want to get at me simply because I'm my father's son. I love her, but I'm too dangerous to be around."

Huffing and trying to gather his breath, Natsu took a hard swallow. "Okay I get that, but she's looking for you. Isn't that placing her in danger?"

"It is, which is why I'm not in the best of moods right now." Naruto admitted as he went back to leaning over the railing. Where two girls were talking to each other.

"Hey you hear that wizard from Fairy Tail is hosting a party?"

Naruto, Natsu and Happy all paused as they heard the voice of a girl standing below them mention their guild.

"Yeah I hear he's the famous wizard Salamander and he invited half the town to his yacht!"

Naruto hearing the girls talk snapped his eyes to the water. "Natsu."

"Yeah I heard them." The Dragon Slayer replied.

'You sense her on that boat don't you?'

Naruto feeling Lucy's soul out in the distance of where the Yacht was floating quickly started to move towards the water. "If anyone touches a hair on her head I'm killing them all."

"Lucy is on the boat?"

Naruto drawing his Zanpakutō looked at Natsu and Happy. "Try to keep up." The Ghost of Fairy Tail challenged before vanishing in a blur of speed.

(With Lucy)

Lucy backed into a corner was a whirlwind of emotions. She was promised a spot within the Fairy Tail guild if she attended the party that was being held by the Salamander, but instead she found herself trapped on a ship filled with women who were victims of sleep magic.

Then to make matters worse her gate keys were currently within the hands of the man responsible for everything that was happening. Meaning without her keys, Lucy had virtually no way to fight back. Something that left her slightly afraid as she was surrounded by sleazy and dangerous men. Who obviously had nefarious plans in store for not only her, but the other women aboard the ship.

"Well these gate keys are useless to me." The Salamander mumbled as he lazily tossed Lucy's keys out a large window.

Lucy watching her keys fly out of sight felt tears in her eyes from her current situation. "I was always told Fairy Tail wizards were noble and kind, but you're the worst kind of person. You use your magic to take advantage of others!"

"Ha like I care!" The Salamander laughed in response, but quickly stumbled forward the moment the entire yacht shook with a large impact.

Lucy stumbling at the sudden shift in the yacht felt like the temperature had dropped several degrees within seconds. Leaving a light freezing mist that seemed to float its way into the room.

"So you're a Fairy Tail wizard huh?" Came an emotionless voice that Lucy recognized instantly, as standing in the room with her gate keys in hand was Naruto.

"Menma!" Lucy cried out happily as she saw his Mankeyō Sharingan poking through his mask, which was different from the blue eyes she remembered.

"What's it to you, jerk?"

Taking his Zanpakutō to his side, Naruto tightly grasped his weapon. "Cause I'm Menma Uchiha from Fairy Tail! And I've never heard of you in my life!"

"Oh shit boss he's not kidding! That mask and sword is definitely him! The wizard who controls eternal black flames and has ice magic that can freeze anything! The Ghost of Fairy Tail."

Hearing the murmurs surrounding him, Naruto slightly lifted his sword and pointed the blade forward. "So it seems you've heard of me."

A crash coming through the roof, Natsu made himself known with a rather destructive entrance. "Don't think you can have all the fun!"

Naruto smiled. "Natsu do me a favor. Stay near the girls and keep them warm."

"Wait, you're using that?" Natsu yelled as he stood by Lucy and ignited his body in flames to produce some heat.

"No, my Bankai is too dangerous and overkill for this situation, but regardless it's about to get uncomfortably cold." Naruto explained as he took one step forward and looked at the leader of the group. "Tell me. Do you know at what point a person's blood starts to freeze?"

Purple fire surrounding his hands. The fake Salamander snarled at Naruto. "Like I care you stupid-. . ." The man roared before being slashed diagonally across his chest by Naruto. His wound and blood instantly turning into solid ice the moment he was slashed by Sode no Shirayuki's blade.

Leaning forward into the man's ear, Naruto spoke softly so only he could hear. "Placing her in danger is the last thing you'll ever do."

The man's body, already frozen solid, didn't reply or even move, as within a fraction of a second Naruto had taken his life. "If the rest of you value your life I'd surrender now. If not you can see what a real Fairy Tail wizard can do."

The men all dropping to the ground in surrender made Naruto sigh and slowly place his Zanpakutō back into its sheath. Then with his free hand he simply casted a quick Rune Magic spell to bind them all to the floor.

"Natsu, I want you and Happy to make sure all the girls make it safely to the shore. I froze the entire bay so it should be a job that you can't possibly ruin." Naruto began as he walked over to Lucy and handed out the girl's gate keys. "And I believe you dropped these."

Lucy shivering from the cold as she was wearing nothing besides a tight red party dress had slight difficulties grabbing her keys. "Th-thank you."

Naruto smirking under his mask saw Natsu and Happy running over to help tend to the other women, which left Naruto alone with Lucy.

"Let's get you somewhere warm." Naruto began as without warning he cradled Lucy into his arms bridal style.

Lucy blushing a deep shade of red felt the firmness of the muscles that belonged to the masked wizard. "I can walk fine."

A light chuckle escaping his lips, Naruto took a step forward. "One I'm faster and two I've always wanted to do this."

"Do what?" Lucy mumbled as to her surprise the world around her shifted into a blur before within a blink of an eye her and Naruto were soaring high in the air over Hargeon's bay. "What the hell!"

Naruto feeling Lucy wrap her arms around his neck and bury her head into his shoulder laughed. "Don't tell me you're afraid of heights!"

Lucy peeking to the ground below saw the yacht in the middle of a frozen wasteland that extended for miles. "It's more of the whole taking off without warning! And did you do that to the bay! It's frozen for miles."

Proud of his work, Naruto lifted his chin. "Impressive right?"

"It's gonna ruin trade and transportation for months until it melts. You're definitely in Fairy Tail for sure! Always causing havoc!"

Naruto, feeling the wind against his skin, laughed at Lucy's words. "Yeah the old man is definitely gonna give me a lecture for that!"

Lucy, feeling a burst of speed instantly found herself beachside and in the arms of her masked savior.

"But it's been awhile since the master has yelled at me. Gotta keep that old short bastard feeling young every now and then."

Lucy, being placed onto the ground, looked into Naruto's mask and found his blue eyes had replaced the strange red and black eyes she had seen earlier.

"So you're really a Fairy Tail wizard?" Lucy asked softly as she watched Naruto show his bicep. Where a mark that was hard to recognize through dozens of scars and burns rested.

"I've been a little banged up over the years, but this is a genuine Fairy Tail guild mark." Naruto explained softly as he saw Lucy look over the imperfections that covered his exposed skin. Taking notice that the girl seemed rather disheartened at his numerous wounds. "And no need to look so depressed Lucy. They don't hurt anymore."

Holding her hands up and shaking her head, Lucy got rather nervously quickly. "Ah I'm sorry to stare!"

"It's fine Lucy. I don't mind having your complete attention." Naruto replied with a flirtatious wink, which made the young woman turn red in embarrassment.

"Well if that's the case." Lucy began as she took a hard swallow and balled her fists. "Let me join your guild. I want to be a Fairy Tail wizard!"

Naruto folding his arms watched Lucy clap her hands together and bow her head. "Why do you wanna join Fairy Tail?"

Lucy glancing upwards had a look of pure determination. "Naruto's father Minato was a Fairy Tail wizard and I have no idea where Naruto is. So joining Fairy Tail would be a good place to start looking."

Naruto sighed and closed his eyes. "Like I said earlier. I don't know anyone in Fairy Tail by the name Naruto Namikaze. We also don't have any active members named Minato."

"And?" Lucy replied softly as she locked eyes with Naruto.

'How about a compromise?'

'I'm listening Shirayuki.'

'Let the girl join the guild and watch over her. You'll know she is safe and if she stays safe for long enough then you let her know who Menma really is. I believe that would satisfy your paranoia about her safety.'

'That's fair. At the very least I can keep better tabs on her.'

Shimmering a piece of paper into his hand and a pen, Naruto began to scribble onto the paper with speed and precision. "Alright Lucy. If you wanna join Fairy Tail so badly. I'll take you back to Magnolia with us."

"You mean it!" Lucy practically shouted with excitement.

"Yes." Naruto mumbled softly as he took notice of Natsu approaching from a distance.

"There you two are!"

"Natsu. Glad to see you managed to follow my directions." Naruto mumbled as he held the paper in his hand out to the pink haired wizard. "Now I need you and Happy to make an express delivery to the master for me."

Natsu taking the paper lifted his eyes. "What is this shitty drawing?"

Naruto's eye twitched at the comment while Lucy tilted her head at the drawing that Natsu quickly showed off. Finding three rabbits standing in a poorly drawn town. One rabbit wore a scarf much like Natsu with pink hair that made Lucy think the rabbit was supposed to be Natsu. Meanwhile the other two rabbit's had blond hair, but one wore a mask and the other held a whip and keys.

"Is that supposed to be us?" Lucy asked.

"Hey where am I?" Happy cried out.

Naruto simply sighed in exhaustion. "It's an encrypted letter. When you give it to the Master it will turn into actual readable words. It will explain the Hargeon situation and that Lucy is joining the guild."

"Okay, but that doesn't explain why these drawings suck." Natsu began before he was kicked hard in the stomach by Naruto. A blow that knocked the wind from Natsu's lungs and made him collapse onto the beach.

"Happy carry that idiot back to the guild before I use my Susanoo to throw him back." Naruto ordered in an annoyed voice.

Happy grabbing onto Natsu and sprouting his wings quickly took to the sky and flew off into the distance towards the guild.

"We will see you back at the guild!"

Naruto nodded and motioned for Lucy to follow him. "Come on Lucy, let's go to the train station. There should be a late night stop headed for Magnolia. If we make it in time we should arrive by morning."

"Natsu and Happy would probably beat us there if that's the case."

"Which isn't an issue. I could fly us back to Magnolia, but it's the middle of the night and you don't have a place to stay. So the better alternative is to take our time and arrive tomorrow morning."

"Wait, did you just send Natsu and Happy off to get rid of them?"

"They are a pain and it will let us have a peaceful trip." Naruto then gave Lucy another wink through his mask. "Besides, you can't blame a guy for wanting to be alone with such a beautiful girl."

Lucy turning red followed the masked wizard in embarrassment, as she didn't know what to say. However, Lucy was slowly starting to grow rather suspicious of her fellow blond. So staying close by his side was just where she wanted to be.

(On the train)

Seated across from Lucy, Naruto watched the girl he adored sleep with a protective gaze. Finding it rather difficult to believe that they were actually together once more.

"God I've missed her so much." Naruto whispered in a soft tone as he watched Lucy take gentle breaths.

'Naruto. There is someone in the other car.'

Naruto silently snapping into a standing position grasped his Zanpakutō's hilt and quickly drew a few protective runes around Lucy. Then gliding across the empty train car, Naruto opened the door into the next car. Finding no one besides a mermaid-like creature waiting for him in the middle of the car with her arms crossed. Meanwhile a look that screamed frustration and hate was completely focused directly onto Naruto.

'So it's Aquarius. I figured as much.'

Naruto, hearing this, walked into the room and placed more Runes so he wouldn't have Lucy discover what was happening. "You're one of her spirits. Aquarius is what Shirayuki is telling me."

"And you're Naruto Namikaze." Aquarius snapped back without wasting any time whatsoever.

Naruto, sighing at the Spirit's words, simply dropped his mask and allowed Aquarius to see his face. "What do you want?"

"For starters a warning. Touch my key again and you'll regret it." Aquarius began with venom laced throughout her tone. "Secondly I have half a mind to pull you into the Celestial Spirit World and drown you."

The train car growing deathly cold, Naruto merely moved his Zanpakutō closer to his torso by pulling upwards on the hilt. "Easy Shirayuki. She's justified in her feelings. No need to be so aggressive."

Aquarius clicking her tongue as she felt the temperature return to normal never once dropped her hate filled glare. "The only reason I don't is because that would upset the brat I'm in contract with."

"Well you have my gratitude for that and for not telling Lucy who I really am."

"The other spirits and I have debated back and forth on telling her the truth. I'm not the only one who isn't a fan of yours."

"Truthfully I could care less how any of you feel. I just want Lucy safe." Naruto replied in a blunt tone.

"And yet that is growing more difficult by the moment. So tell me. Will she be safe with you?"

"Truthfully? I'm not certain about anything anymore, but I will do everything in my power to keep her safe."

"Everything besides telling her who you really are."

"At the moment my future isn't certain. I'm caught between a conflict started between my grandfather and the Black Wizard Zeref. A conflict carried on by my father and passed down onto me. I wish things could be normal between me and Lucy, but as long as Zeref and my Uncle are alive. I won't make the same mistakes my father did. I won't force Lucy into the life my mother lived. She deserves better."

"And yet it's fine for Menma to be near her?"

"One day I may disappear to finish what my grandfather started. I'd rather her lose a stranger than follow me into that fight. So yes she will only know me as Menma."

"You're such a stupid human. She's already growing attached to this Menma persona."

"I'll do better at keeping a watchful distance."

"So you're not only stupid and dangerous, but a liar as well. Truthfully, that brat is a poor judge of character."

Naruto's eyes snapping to life with his Mankeyō Sharingan merely returned Aquarius glare for the first time. "Insult me as you please, but know as long as I breathe I'll do everything to protect her. And I won't stand for any disrespect towards Lucy! So unless you have any other insults or threats I believe we are done here!"

Aquarius huffed. "Hurt her again and I'll kill you." The Celestial Spirit declared before disappearing in a golden shimmer.

'I hate that stupid half fish.' Sode no Shirayuki mumbled through Naruto's head.

Naruto placing his mask back onto his face simply remained silent before returning back to Lucy's side. Finding the girl just as he has left her earlier. Safe and resting without a single worry in the world.

"I'd rather die than hurt her again." Naruto whispered softly as he took his seat across from Lucy and watched the girl he loved with care.

(Magnolia)

Naruto leading the way had Lucy following close behind as they slowly made their approach to the Fairy Tail guild.

"Is there anything I should know about the guild?" Lucy asked softly as she couldn't lie and say she wasn't nervous.

Naruto glancing sideways and chuckling merely shook his head. "Trust me Lucy. Words can't prepare you for the guild, but if you're nervous don't be. If you just be who you are I'm sure everyone will come to adore you."

"You think so?"

Naruto nodded. "I'm more confident about it than anything else. So don't stress over being new."

Lucy placing her hands behind her back, quickly bent herself forward. A slight frown gracing her features as she was trying to find an angle to peek behind Naruto's mask. Something which Naruto noticed and smirked at.

"What was your first day at Fairy Tail like?" Lucy asked which made Naruto fold his arms.

"That was quite a long time ago. I'm not all too sure I remember how I felt." Naruto replied being mostly honest with the girl by his side.

"Oh and how long ago was that?" Lucy asked without skipping a beat, while her tone held a sharpness that Naruto remembered Layla was known for.

"Hmmm I'm not really sure about that either. I joined Fairy Tail with Mystogan and Wendy when I was rather young. I've also not been keeping track of the years." Naruto replied with an answer Lucy obviously didn't wish to hear and Naruto could tell. In fact Naruto knew exactly what Lucy was doing, which was questioning him to try and see if his joining Fairy Tail aligned with when he left the Heartfilia estate.

'Seems she suspects you already. This is getting more entertaining by the minute.'

"Who is Mystogan and Wendy?"

"Mystogan is a close friend who is around our age. He's an S-class wizard like myself and usually takes missions alone. Wendy is a few years younger than us and normally takes missions with Me, Laxus, Carla and Evergreen."

Lucy nodded. "I'm starting to feel like there are a lot of names I'm going to have to learn quickly. Also what is an S-class wizard?"

"S-class is the highest rank a wizard can reach within the guild. Currently there are five active S-class wizards and one inactive S-class wizard in Fairy Tail. It's a rank that most strive to reach as it means you can take more dangerous jobs and also bring more fame to yourself and the guild."

"So you're pretty strong?"

Puffing his chest out and locking eyes with Lucy through his mask, Naruto was grinning like a madman under his mask. "Laxus would hate to admit it, but even that old pervert Gildarts can't deny it. When it comes to Fairy Tail wizards. I'm the strongest there is."

"Well I was always told Minato Namikaze was known as the strongest Fairy Tail wizard in history. So what does that make you Menma? The strongest Fairy Tail wizard of today?"

"I would like to think so."

"Well who is stronger?" Lucy asked softly as her tone caught Naruto off guard.

"Excuse me?" Naruto replied back, which caused Lucy to glance forward at the approaching guild hall.

"Who is stronger? The strongest Fairy Tail wizard in history or the strongest Fairy Tail wizard of today?"

Naruto was caught off guard as this was a question he never pondered over. He knew he was strong, but had he surpassed his father in terms of strength? Still Lucy was waiting for a response and Naruto didn't want to keep her waiting.

"I'm sure Minato Namikaze was strong in his prime and would probably push me to my limits. Though it would be entirely different if I was fighting for the sake of someone else."

Lucy finding a pair of glowing blue eyes gazing into her very soul felt her heart tighten. "What would happen then?"

"I'd win." Naruto replied with a low confident voice before giving Lucy a slight nudge. "But let's pick up the pace. We are almost at the guild."

Lucy watching the masked boy with blond hair, blue eyes and magic she had seen years ago take a decent lead on her. Merely picked up her speed and followed closely behind. More determined than ever to see just who Menma Uchiha really was, as she was growing more suspicious of the wizard by the minute.

(Chapter End)