"Speech"

'Thought'

"Attack/beast"

Chapter 9. Separation

(With Naruto)

It's been two days, two days since Naruto made one of the single stupidest mistakes of his life. A mistake that he couldn't get out of his mind. That kiss was everything Naruto could have ever wanted, but it made his intentions with Lucy now impossible. He wanted to keep her distant. He wanted her as far away from him until he knew without a shadow of doubt she would be safe with him. Now? Now Naruto wanted nothing more than to run back to her. Hold her. Hear her voice and kiss those beautiful lips once more.

He wanted that, but he knew he shouldn't. No now more than ever Naruto needed to throw himself into his current quest. Then keep his mind and body busy. He couldn't keep making these mistakes. Not with her at least.

'I need to focus.' Naruto reminded himself as he took a deep breath to focus his attention.

"Naruto." The calm and collected voice of the prince from another world began softly from the side. "These past few days you have been different. I've equated that to the status of your Mother, but I'm having second thoughts about that."

Naruto glanced to his side and looked at Jellal. Currently they were outside of Fiore and within the borders of Isvan, which was Naruto's home kingdom. The one where he had lost both his mother and sister. Since they were outside of Fiore both Naruto and Jellal had their Fairy Tail guild marks concealed, but their faces were both left exposed. Since they both agreed this would draw the least amount of attention towards themselves on their travels. They were however both wearing long hooded cloaks that sheltered them from the cold of Isvan. Naruto himself didn't really need the protection from the cold, but again by wearing one he blended in better with Jellal.

"Oh really now?" Naruto shot back with his eyes raised. "And how did you come to this conclusion?"

"You seem troubled, but don't seem focused on the hunt for your Mother. So it can only mean something else is clouding your thoughts."

Naruto hummed. "Always the perceptive one Jellal."

"Well we have a long journey ahead. So what's bothering you?"

Naruto sighed and rested one hand onto Sode no Shirayuki's hilt. Who had been uncharacteristically silent these last few days. "You remember the girl I've told you about. Lucy Heartfilia?"

Jellal nodded in response with a slight smirk. "I'm familiar with her. You used to never shut up about her when it was just you and me."

"Well she's a member of Fairy Tail now and hunting for Naruto Namikaze."

"Well luckily she's looking in the right places." Jellal chuckled as he gave his friend a nudge on the shoulder. "Tell me you're still not worried about your Uncle are you?"

Naruto seethed. "I wish the old man never told you about that quest."

"I'm glad he did. You carry too many burdens. Your hero complex is your worst trait."

"Well it's not just my Uncle. I kissed Lucy before we set out for this quest. There are so many complications and dangers between me and her. I don't know what to do anymore Jellal."

Taking heavy steps in the deep snow covered landscape, Jellal slightly shivered and lifted his hood up to block the chilling winds. "Well It seems your choices are either be with the girl or let her go. Seems simple to me."

"I want to be with her, but I can't place her in danger. At the moment my best plan is to kill my Uncle. Ensure Lucy stays safe. Then I can be with her."

Jellal sighed at Naruto's words. "It's been years since that mission. Who is to say your Uncle even cares what you do?"

Naruto grinded his teeth and clenched his grip around his sword. "You weren't tortured like I was Jellal. You didn't see how obsessed that man was with breaking me. No, he will come back for me and those I love. I'm certain of that."

"Can I share with you a story?" Jellal asked softly.

"I don't see why not."

"When I was young my Father. The king of Edolas was very persistent with me staying within the castle. My own Mother died in childbirth and I was the only heir to his succession. As you could imagine I did everything possible to escape the castle and explore the kingdom. One day in particular I found my way outside of the castle, but some bandits noticed me as the prince and tried to take me for ransom."

Naruto scoffed as he knew Jellal's abilities in battle. "You kick their ass?"

"I was utterly helpless. Until a girl named Erza Knightwalker. The Edolas counterpart of Erza Scarlet saved my life."

"You knew Reds' counterpart?" Naruto asked as his mind clicked to past interactions he had seen involving the two. "That makes so much more sense. No wonder you're so strange around her."

"Yes." Jellal began as he took a slight pause. "You could say me and her are just as complicated as you and Lucy. She was my personal guard and best friend for many years."

"Then you left the kingdom?" Naruto asked.

"Not before seeing what she became. A twisted tool for my Father and a shell of the woman I knew. I saw it coming, but never spoke of my worries before it was too late."

Naruto nodded and narrowed his eyes. "And why are you telling me this now?"

Jellal sighed and crossed his arms under his cloak. "I share this because I learned a hard lesson. That the price of inaction is worse than the cost of making a mistake. So don't be like me. Take action and don't hold regrets over asking yourself what if. Be with the girl you love."

Naruto closed his eyes. "That's not what I wanted to hear."

Jellal laughed softly. "The things we need to hear rarely are."

"I'll think over what you said, but I'm still on the fence." Naruto replied, his eyes glancing upwards. "I just hope she's safe right now."

"Well you left her with Natsu. So it's a coin flip."

Naruto deflated from the comment. "Don't remind me."

(With Lucy)

Lucy standing by Natsu and Happy couldn't help herself from smiling. These last few days have been difficult. That kiss she shared with the person she was nearly convinced was Naruto had taken its toll. It was all she could think about and unfortunately she had told no one about it. She had hoped taking a quest with Natsu would distract her from the kiss and the mask wizard who she shared it with.

It did not.

Still her first mission still ended as a success. Despite it not being a traditional job request, which did mean no reward. Regardless, she still smiled. She was happy and not thinking about that kiss. Instead her attention was on the reunion of father and son, as Macao bent downward and brought his son into a tearful embrace.

To Lucy this was what it meant to be in a guild. Doing your part to help others and it sure felt good.

"Come on Lucy. Let's head back to the guild. We can look at getting you an actual quest." Natsu whispered with a smirk before he and Happy walked off.

Lucy, lingering for only a brief moment eventually turned to follow after her friends. Her mind now defaulted back to her kiss and the questions that swirled in her head.

Natsu peering over his shoulder frowned. "Lucy, what's bothering you? You acted funny the whole time we were rescuing Macao."

"We kissed." Lucy whispered softly in a tone that was low, but Natsu's dragonic hearing heard her with ease.

"Huh?"

Lucy took a deep breath before exhaling. "The night Menma left for his mission some things happened and we kissed." Lucy paused and balled her fists. "We kissed and then he ran off."

Natsu raised his brow. "Okay, did he say anything?"

"That it was a mistake and it wouldn't happen again."

"Ouch." Happy and Natsu cringed together.

"Natsu. Tell me something. You know what Menma looks like don't you? You know what's under that damn mask."

"Yeah I do." Natsu replied as he stopped walking and turned to face Lucy. His features were calm and serious, but he couldn't help from rubbing the side of his head. "No sense in lying. I'm awful at it."

Lucy nodded and her eyes sharpened. "His name isn't Menma is it?"

"Listen Lucy. I like you." Natsu cut in with a voice that was surprisingly stern. "Menma is a friend. A damn good friend. He was there for me and Happy at one of the lowest points in our lives. Don't place me in a situation where I would betray his trust in me."

Lucy blinked. She didn't expect that sort of reaction out of the usually energetic wizard. "So no questions about Menma or things involving him?"

"He wears a mask for a reason, Lucy. It's not for his safety I can assure you that. He's a freakishly strong wizard. So please take that as all I can tell you and don't involve me."

Lucy sighed. "I can respect your wishes Natsu. I don't want to, but you've been a good friend to me. Could you at least tell me about him? Tell me why you respect him so much?"

"Like I said." Natsu mumbled as he gave Happy a rub on the head. "He was there for me and Happy during a hard time."

"What happened?" Lucy asked softly as she watched the Dragon Slayer softly wince. Showing Lucy whatever happened was a traumatic experience.

"We lost Lisanna." Happy surprisingly answered in a soft voice.

Lucy lifted her brow at the unfamiliar name, but Natsu smiled. Just hearing her name flooded him with so many memories. Memories that were now accompanied by just as much pain.

"She was Mirajane and Elfman's little sister. She died on a mission and me or Happy never even got to say goodbye." Natsu slightly paused and closed his eyes. Reflecting back onto this loss still wasn't easy for him. "Menma helped me and Happy through the loss. He told us both personal things about his own life and connected with us. We have been friends ever since."

"So he was there when you needed him most."

"Yeah he was."

Lucy nodded at the information that was given to her. Finding that sort of kindness was something that she remembered Naruto for. Still she felt a small amount of jealousy feeling her chest. It was selfish and in bad taste, but if Menma was Naruto. Why couldn't he have been there for her when she lost her mother? Why did Natsu get to have his support while she didn't even know where the boy truly was?

Did Naruto even care for her? Did he even care that she spent countless nights with the boy as he grieved over his mother and sister? Lucy frowned as she brought a hand to the gem that hung off her necklace. She was spiraling like she often did when she thought too long about Naruto. Making thoughts surface that she didn't like to think about.

"Does he hate me?" Lucy mumbled softly as she didn't even recognize the words she spoke. She especially didn't expect Natsu to hear her loud and clear.

"Lucy." Natsu began in a soft voice as his hand reached out and touched the girl's shoulder, which made her flinch. Natsu then sighed and looked to the side as he wasn't the smartest and wanted his next words to come out carefully. "I know one thing for certain. No one hates you."

"Then why did he leave me?" Lucy whispered as tears built around her eyes. "Why wasn't he there for me?"

Natsu thought of every curse within his mind he could use on Naruto. This whole situation was a mess and he was pulled right in the middle of it all. Lucy, seeing the conflicted look on Natsu's face, merely shook her head.

"I'm sorry Natsu. I'm pulling you into an uncomfortable position. We don't have to talk anymore about this. This should only involve me and Naruto. No one else."

Natsu smiled and nodded. Glad that the girl wasn't going to push him into a corner. Unfortunately Natsu wasn't sharp enough to realize his reactions and silence were more damning than anything he could have said.

(A few days later with Naruto)

A fierce blizzard tearing through the landscape, Naruto and Jellal marched through with arms blocking their eyes from the whipping winds and falling snow.

"We need to find shelter!" Jellal cried out as he watched Naruto turn to him. "It's getting way too dark out here!"

"I know. I'm leading us to some shelter! Just keep close and we will make it!"

Jellal following Naruto noticed the wizard seemed to know where to go as he led them around turns and pathways. Almost like he knew the surrounding landscape and terrain better than back home in Magnolia. Jellal was aware this was Naruto's birth place, but he had spent a majority of his life either at the Heartfilia estate or within Magnolia. So it was surprising to see Naruto navigate with such confidence.

Of course there was the chance that Naruto was just leading them blindly, but the prince from another world knew that wasn't something his friend would do. A belief that was reinforced by the sight of a wooden cabin slowly coming into view. A slight that filled Jellal with enough strength to push forward to the shelter. Hoping whoever was inside would accept them.

Naruto on the other hand didn't stop at the door or knock. Instead he just did a quick motion with his Rune Magic before walking inside the cabin.

"Naruto what are you doing? We can't just enter someone's home!" Jellal hissed from the doorframe.

Naruto turned his back to face his friend. A hollow and empty expression covering his face. "You can when it's your house. So get in and close the door. I'll get a fire going."

Jellal walking into the house closed the door behind him. Taking time to look at his surroundings. It was dark and empty, but there was furniture covered in dust and walls adorned with pictures that due to the dust and darkness were near impossible to identify. Yet as Naruto ignited the fireplace a warmth along with light engulfed the cabin's entrance. Jellal now having some ample lighting was able to see more of the small house. Noticing a table used for meals and even a hallway that probably led to bedrooms. Jellal's eyes then moved to Naruto. Seeing the grim and disheartened features on his friend's face. Obviously being in his old childhood home didn't bring back pleasant memories. Or perhaps they did and the loss that accompanied them was what caused the pained look on Naruto's face.

"When was the last time you were here?" Jellal asked softly.

Naruto sighed at the question. "Before my Mother sacrificed her life to save Gray and her other student. My Father took me away with him to travel. I was probably only six at the time."

Jellal watched Naruto take a seat and gaze into the crackling fire. "My Father only took me because of a conflict I caused."

Jellal walking forward took a seat on an old couch across from Naruto. "What happened?"

Naruto slightly winced. "One of my Mother's students. Lyon, was rather obsessive with getting strong and was convinced my Mother and Ice Make Magic were the strongest teacher and magic he could have. He was competitive with Gray, but would often mock me. Since I was the son of the great Ur, but couldn't use Ice Make Magic in the slightest."

Naruto paused for a moment and silence consumed the room. Yet after a moment Naruto glanced at his friend. "One day his mocking got the best of me and I attacked Lyon. Unfortunately I struggled with control over my Light Magic. I almost killed Lyon that day."

Jellal was shocked to hear this. "You were always so strong with Light Magic until you gave it up. It's hard to imagine you losing control."

"Well, years of practicing and fear of hurting others will do that, but because of that incident my Father took me with him." Naruto gripped his fists and took a deep breath. "When we left my Mother was upset with me and was disappointed in what I did. She was upset that I lost control and gave into my anger. That was the last time I saw my Mom. My last fucking memory of her is one involving her being upset with me."

"Naruto-."

"It pisses me off Jellal. If I didn't give into Lyon's taunts or had just any sort of control I could have been there. I wouldn't have been half a country away with my Father. I could have saved her!"

"Or you would have died too." Jellal spoke back softly as he watched Naruto glance at him. "Or nothing would have changed and she would still be gone. You were six Naruto. You can't hold that over yourself."

Naruto ran his hands through his hair and sighed. "I know that Jellal. Lucy and Layla both drilled that into my head years ago."

"You'd have a hard time convincing me that."

Naruto nodded and kept his sight on the floor. "I know that. I've accepted my Mother's death, but it's like ever since Lucy has been back into my life everything is unraveling. I hardly know what to think or feel anymore. Even Shirayuki is concerned."

Naruto paused at the name of the soul he was bonded with. Finding her lack of input and silence these last few days rather out of character.

"Well it seems like you need to work things out with Lucy. That girl is your biggest strength and weakness my friend."

"Yeah, but I can only focus on a single problem at a time." Naruto mumbled before standing upright and stretching. "And right now that issue is the location of Deliora."

Jellal lifted his brow as he watched Naruto walk off. "Where are you going?"

Naruto waved his friend off. "Look around the place a little. Just relax by the fire. I'll be fine."

Leaving Jellal by the fire, Naruto could hear his friend sigh before he disappeared into the hallway towards his old room. It took Naruto far fewer steps than he remembered to reach the small room he used to share with Ultear. Yet as he stood at the entrance Naruto noticed the room hadn't changed since he last left it. Though much like the walk to reach the room, Naruto could tell it was much smaller than he recalled.

Naruto lingered onto the room only briefly before tapping the door frame and walking away. His feet took him past his parents bedroom and in the direction of the room that was always taboo. The room Naruto found himself in so many times before. His father's study. Yet as Naruto drew closer he noticed something rather out of place. The Runes which denied entrance to those Minato didn't want within the building were damaged.

"What in the world?" Naruto mumbled as he took his fingers over the Runes. Feeling the slash marks against the door frame that damaged the Runes and could only theorize who could be responsible for this.

"Naruto." Shirayuki's voice echoed softly within his head. Sounding like she was muffled or far away, which was never how the spirit sounded within his mind. "Something isn't right."

Naruto nodded. "I know. The outside Runes that only let those granted entrance were still up. I had to remove them to allow Jellal entrance, but the ones for Dad's study were destroyed. Meaning only those with access to our house could have done this. Me, Mom, Dad, Ultear, Gray and Lyon are the only ones on that Rune matrix for entrance. So that only leaves one logical person who could be responsible for this, Lyon."

"Naruto that's not what- about- cuts- from a." Shirayuki spoke in a hardly recognizable and broken tone, which made Naruto frown.

Grabbing his blade and drawing it, Naruto gazed at the Zanpakutō. "Shirayuki, what are you trying to say? I can't understand you very clearly."

No response came.

"Shirayuki?" Naruto mumbled the name softly, but after more silence Naruto sighed and placed the sword back into its sheath. Then stepping into the room Naruto decided he would investigate the study before figuring out what was wrong with his Zanpakutō. "I need to figure out what you were looking for. Why did you break into my Father's study Lyon?"

Naruto looking around found that the study was in its usual neat and organized state. Just how he remembered it being. With the exception of a single purple book left on his father's desk. A book that was absent of dust and a book Naruto didn't remember ever seeing his father read. That was because as Naruto inspected the book he realized it was something his father had to have added after he had left him with Layla. Since this book was titled. The Moon Drip Ritual and its contents along with the notes inside that were his Father's hand writing all mentioned a Ritual. One that held the particular use of melting the ice that was created from the spell Iced Shell.

"Dad was trying to save mom?" Naruto mumbled in disbelief as he took a seat at his father's chair. "It's not surprising, but I didn't think she could be saved. It's obvious from his notes he thought of this Moon Drip as an option, but he obviously theorized it would only ensure Mom died. It wasn't an option Dad wanted to use."

Naruto leaned back into the chair and frowned. "So is that what you're trying Lyon? Did you find my Father's notes and make some half baked plan to try this Moon Drip Ritual? All the evidence points to Lyon, but the motivation is still cloudy."

Twisting in his Father's chair, Naruto noticed a bookshelf with two empty spots where books had previously been placed. Every book within the room besides the one in his hand was covered in dust, but it was obvious two books had been taken. One book that was in Naruto's hands over the Moon Drip and then a second book. A book that Naruto didn't see anywhere within the room, which did raise his curiosity.

"What book did you take with you Lyon?" Naruto mumbled as he stood upright and looked at the empty space. A clear trail of dust showing Naruto something had been taken. "All the same I should tell Jellal what I've found. He might have some ideas to make better sense of all this."

(A couple days later with Lucy)

Looking at the new golden key within her possession. Lucy slightly shuttered at the experience she had to undertake in order to acquire Virgo's key. It was her first official quest as a Fairy Tail wizard and despite some twists and turns, Lucy was able to complete the quest and earned a rather unique new contract.

Still as she sat alone within the guild hall she was glad she and Natsu decided to take a slight break from missions for the day. She needed the time to relax and unwind, but at the same time she needed money. Lucy didn't plan to live in Naruto's apartment forever, but knew it was a fine accommodation for the moment. Especially since she planned to confront the boy the moment they reunited.

"How are you today Lucy?" The melodic and sweet voice of Mirajane asked.

Lucy, taking notice of the older girl grinned from the infectious positivity that Mirajane was known to spread. "I'm doing well Mira! Thanks for asking!"

"Missing Menma yet?" Mirajane asked with a playful wink.

Yet as Lucy's face completely dropped and her lips moved into a frown, Mirajane paused. She could tell something wasn't right and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

"Lucy what's wrong? You're upset now." Mirajane began as she took a seat by the girl and took her hands over Lucy's own. "Talk to me."

Lucy sighed. "Me and Menma kissed Mirajane. We kissed. He said it was a mistake and ran off for his mission. I haven't seen or heard from him since."

Mirajane's lips morphed into a pout and the girl gave Lucy a determined look. "Oh I'll be having words with him when he gets back. He should know better than that!"

Lucy grinned at Mirajane's response, but it didn't fix the pain still circling her thoughts. "Mirajane do you know the real Menma? Like Natsu, do you know who is under that mask?"

"No. Not really. Laxus does and he's let a few things slip here and there. Nothing to really make anything solid on. Why?"

Lucy sighed. "I only came to Fairy Tail to find my best friend Naruto Namikaze. We have a long and complicated history. I'm now more convinced than ever that Menma is Naruto."

"Well we could corner Wendy or Laxus and get the truth from them." Mirajane began with a slight mischievous tone, which surprised Lucy.

"No, I don't want to make them betray his trust. I had the same conversation with Natsu. This whole ordeal is just me and him. I don't wanna involve anyone else."

Mirajane smiled at Lucy's words. "You're a sweet girl Lucy. I knew there was a reason I liked you from the start. You know now that I've noticed it. You wear the same necklace Menma used to have all the time."

Lucy's eyes went wide and she grasped the necklace. "Are you sure?"

Mirajane nodded. "Positive, but he stopped wearing it after that mission he and Laxus took against the Master's wishes. Menma was always different, but that mission really changed him."

Lucy frowned. Again there were so many questions that surrounded Naruto, but there was no denying it anymore. Regardless of his reasons or why he took certain actions. She knew one thing for certain. "There is no Menma Uchiha. Only Naruto Namikaze."

Mirajane clapped her hands. "This is getting exciting! Are you going to confront him?"

"I was going to before I was certain who he was, but now more than ever I want answers." Lucy declared in a bold voice as she got a fire within herself. "And I don't want them from anyone else besides Naruto. He owes me that much."

"I'm invested now, Lucy! Please tell me everything about you and Naruto!" Mirajane begged in a giddy voice.

Lucy sighed and let a smile through, Mirajane was doing wonders for her at the moment and it felt good for once to talk with the truth out in the open and just be honest. It was soothing and she wanted to keep this up to avoid slipping back into her depression. "It all started when Naruto and his Dad showed up at my house one day."

Off to the side of the guild hall. Seated alone with her white haired cat. A certain blue haired Dragon Slayer eavesdropped with wide eyes, as she slowly listened and learned new things about the boy she called older brother. Information she was going to hold onto and wait for the return of said brother.

(With Naruto)

Overlooking a demolished landscape of rubble and snow, Naruto and Jellal both looked out over the remnants of the last town Deliora destroyed. The town itself had never been rebuilt partly due to Deliora's body not being something the survivors of the attack wanted to see on a daily basis. That and the site was turned into a graveyard for those who lost their lives. Something that both wizards noticed by the hundreds of crosses and other grave markers that dotted the landscape.

"Come on." Naruto mumbled darkly as he walked down into the demolished town. "The spot Mom froze Deliora isn't too far from here."

Jellal kept pace with his friend and lifted his brow. "Have you seen the remnants of Deliora before?"

Naruto nodded and closed his eyes. "Before taking me to the Heartfilia estate my Father took me here to pay respects to my Mom. I can already tell Deliora is missing. We would have seen the demon and my Mother's ice by now. It was hard to miss."

"What do you think happened?" Jellal asked.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "Working theory is that Lyon found my Father's notes on the Moon Drip and wants to use it on Deliora. The why and how is the concerning part."

"Well humor me then."

Naruto nodded. "The notes my Father made detail a few locations a Moon Drip Ritual could take place. So for one to take place Lyon had to relocate Deliora to said location. How he got Deliora there isn't the important part. It's where he took the demon. Since there are several possible locations according to my Dad's notes."

"And we don't have time to check every single location."

"Precisely we are on a time table of finding Deliora before the ritual can be completed. Still I'm hung up on the why. I can't figure out a solid reason for Lyon trying to free Deliora."

"Why are you so convinced It's him?"

"He's the only logical person. My Mother and Sister are dead. Gray has been in Fairy Tail all these years and neither me or my Father would have needed to slice the Runes that protected the study. Lyon is the only logical person. Now it's just figuring out his motive. Is he trying to avenge my Mom by killing Deliora for good? Does he think my Father's notes are wrong and he could save my Mom or maybe he's taken the route of a dark wizard. Maybe he wants to use Deliora to cause harm to innocent people."

"That is a lot of possibilities to think about and several years have gone by. It's hard to say what kind of man this Lyon is now."

Naruto arriving at the area his mother had frozen Deliora nodded. "Regardless if he's trying to soil my Mother's sacrifice I'll strike him down without a second thought."

Jellal gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. "Hopefully it won't come to that."

Naruto took a deep breath. "Yeah. Hopefully."

Jellal surveying the large open area pointed to a large section of the ground that looked like something that had been sitting in the snow and weather for years had suddenly vanished. Leaving nothing besides a strange patch of ground that did not match with the rest of the area. "Was that where Deliora was?"

Naruto nodded and approached the spot. "Yeah he was right here. What do you think? Levitation based magic or maybe teleportation magic to move Deliora?"

Jellal crossed his arms and looked around. "It's hard to say for certain. Those are both solid theories. All we can tell is that Deliora is gone and there is no sign of the demon being pushed or pulled away. You can teleport with your Rune Magic right? Could you move something like a giant frozen demon?"

Naruto nodded. "I would have to place two Rune matrices. One in the location I wanted Deliora to teleport to and one on Deliora himself. It would take time and a heavy amount of magic depending on the distance, but I could pull it off."

Jellal hummed and brought a hand to his chin. "That gives me an idea. If you and I were trying to free Deliora using this Moon Drip we would rely on your ability to move the demon. You have an extraordinary amount of magical power compared to most and you're talking about the issue of distance. Not everyone out there is a bottomless reservoir of magic or an S-class caliber user of Rune Magic."

Naruto's mind clicking with Jellal made the blond snap his fingers. "So they would move Deliora in short bursts and travel to the closest location possible."

Jellal smirked. "Which means we not only have some additional time on our side, but with a map and your Father's notes can narrow our search down fast."

"Let's find some shelter and search through a map then!" Naruto proclaimed with determination laced throughout his words.

(A few days later with Lucy)

"Man, that mission was great!" Natsu roared loudly as he pushed his fists into the sky. "We totally kicked Eisenwald and Lullaby's asses!"

"Aye sir!" Happy giggled as he floated around the group that was moving through the streets of Magnolia. Their destination being that of their guild.

"For once I agree with you Natsu. We worked well together." Gray added in with a light chuckle, his hands already clasping the hem of his shirt.

"Gray." The stern and cold voice of Erza began. "If you take your clothes off in front of the Master and Lucy I'll kill you."

"Ah sorry!" Gray yelped as he tossed his hands into the air and away from his clothes.

Lucy giggled at the moment between the two wizards. She got to know Natsu and Happy fairly well, but after this surprise mission she had taken with Gray and Erza. She had gotten the moment to know both wizards a decent amount and found she enjoyed both of them. Despite Gray's habit of stripping and Erza's rather scary and bossy attitude. Of course the Master had tagged along after the mission on the journey back, as their mission found them crossing paths with the man.

Lucy wanted to interrogate the man about Naruto, but she kept to her words with Mirajane. She would not involve anyone else into her issues with Naruto if she could help it. That would ultimately be between him and her.

"Well I must say I'm very impressed with you brats. I'd say you're even the second best team Fairy Tail has got!" Makarov declared in a giddy tone.

Natsu grumbled under his breath, Gray rolled his eyes and Erza merely smiled. The more mature of the trio voiced herself in response to the Master's claim. "It's an honor to be compared to them, but I'm certain we are not that far from them."

Makarov laughed and waved the scarlet haired wizard off. "Perhaps when they are broken apart and doing missions separately, but they are the group that put Fairy Tail on the radar as the strongest guild. Three S-class wizards, a Dragon Slayer with healing magic and someone who is quickly rising to the level of S-class is quite the group. I'd say give it time and you could reach their level."

"Forget that! I could beat them all right now!" Natsu roared loudly, while Erza smacked him on the back of the head.

"Don't be foolish. You're strong, but don't forget Laxus and Menma are both monsters. I doubt I could beat either of them in a one on one fight. And I've never even seen Mystogan in action, but rumors say he's just as formidable."

Makarov nodded with a grin. "They have taken one mission together as a five person team. It was such an overwhelming success that Laxus said it was boring and they haven't taken a mission together as a full team since!"

Gray slouched. "Yeah we get it, Gramps. Those three along with Wendy and Evergreen are monsters."

"Still there is always room to grow. They might be the strongest today, but they could always be surpassed!" Makarov replied with enthusiasm before arriving at the guild and stepping inside. Saying nothing more to the group before greeting those he walked by.

The group now dubbed as the second strongest team in Fairy Tail came to a stop at the guild's entrance. Their eyes taking in the sight of their home. Lucy gazed across the guild and saw Mirajane talking to a rather muscular unfailar blond with a lightning scar. A man who was gazing directly at Lucy, while Wendy Marvell leaned into his ear and pointed in their direction.

The man then cocked a smirk and stood upright. Both Wendy and Mirajane tried to pull him back into a sitting posture, but the man effortlessly glided across the guild. An action that made every onlooker go silent and watch the man. Who within seconds was standing right before Lucy and the others with a grin.

"Laxus! Are you here for a fight?" Natsu challenged before holding up a fist to shake at the man.

Laxus merely ignored the Dragon Slayer and kept his cocky grin onto Lucy. Who had quickly realized that he was Naruto's teammate she had heard about. He was one of the few people who knew the truth about Naruto.

"So you're the famous Lucy Heartfilia I've been hearing about all these years." Laxus began with a slight chuckle under his breath.

Gray and Erza lifted their brows in confusion at the man's choice of wording. Since Lucy was very new to the guild and he had just returned from a mission. Yet Lucy, Natsu and Happy all felt their heart drop for different reasons at the man's words.

"What are you talking about Laxus?" Erza began in a guarded voice, as she had grown rather attached and protective over Lucy. "What are your intentions with Lucy?"

Laxus held his hands up and kept his grin. "I'm just wanting to see for myself why he is so obsessed with this girl."

Gray growled as he didn't like the man's tone, but surprisingly enough Natsu stepped forward. Placing himself between the S-class wizard and Lucy.

"Laxus what are you doing?" The Dragon Slayer hissed in a low voice, which made Laxus roll his eyes.

"She's already figured it out, Natsu. Wendy overheard her talking and Mira confirmed what she told me. So there isn't a need to pretend anymore. After all he's only kept this going because of her." Laxus grumbled as he brushed the pink haired wizard to the side.

"Figured out what?" Gray demanded in a loud voice, which made Makarov from the side take a deep sigh. Since the entire guild was watching this entire scene unfold.

"Lucy?" Erza asked as she looked at her new friend with concern. "What is Laxus talking about?"

"He's talking about Menma's real identity." Lucy whispered softly. Her hands clenched and her body trembling, but her eyes were covered by her hair. Making it difficult for Laxus to properly figure out her emotions.

"What?" Cana yelled from the side as she was sober enough to hear.

"No way! Tell us!" Elfman roared as he was slapped over the chest by Evergreen.

"It's none of your business." The girl hissed as she glared at Laxus from a distance, but turned to Makarov. "Master put a stop to this!"

Makarov sighed and closed his eyes. "Laxus you know I don't agree with that boy's actions, but respect his privacy."

Laxus just held his hands up in surrender. "I've said nothing, but confirmed what she already knew. Though if you'd like more answers about him I'd be happy to help."

Lucy took a breath to steady herself. She knew it within her heart, but now it was confirmed. Menma was Naruto. She had found him. She had kissed him. It was all so surreal and Lucy found it difficult to process. Yet surprising herself she simply looked up at Laxus.

"No offense, but I don't want anyone else speaking for him. He owes me a hell of an explanation and it should come from him and no one else." Lucy declared with a stern and sharp voice, which made Laxus toss his head back and laugh.

"You're a feisty one for sure!" Laxus roared loudly before moving his eyes to meet Lucy's. "I can see why that idiot has been in love with you for so long. I'm just shocked he got the nerve to kiss you!"

Lucy blinked at the man's words. A heavy weight filling her chest. "He loves me?"

Laxus simply nodded and turned around. "More than you realize, but you said to keep it between you and him. So I'll leave it at that. I've meddled enough for today. Though Lucy. I promise I won't let that moron run off this time."

Lucy felt a smile creep on her face at the man's words, as she couldn't lie. Having Naruto disappear on her again was a growing fear she had. "Thank you."

Laxus merely waved his hand in the air and returned to a scowling Mirajane. Who began to whisper a few angry choice words into the man's ear. Lucy on the other hand noticed everyone still looking at her. Almost as if they were waiting for her to say who Menma Uchiha really was. Yet Lucy wasn't going to involve anyone else. She meant the words she was saying that this situation only involved her and Naruto. So she wasn't going to be the one to reveal his secret. Instead she just locked eyes with the master and crossed her arms.

"Master, when is he expected to return?" Lucy asked with a voice holding a demanding presence that made Lucy surprise herself.

Makarov groaned and closed his eyes. "I received word that he and Mystogan were closing in on their target. I'm sure he could return within a week or maybe less."

Lucy nodded and folded her arms. "And you'll let me know when he's returned?"

Makarov nodded back before his eyes snapped open and looked over Lucy and even found Gray. "You'll be the first to know Lucy, but I should warn you. This mission involves his mother. So he's a little distracted at the moment. He might be a little distraught when he returns."

Lucy's eyes went wide in surprise, as Naruto's reaction all those days ago in the Master's office was now more clear. He was given news about his mother and now all Lucy could think about was if he was okay. "Master, where is he? I should be there!"

"He will be fine." Makarov snapped back instantly, his voice taking over a commanding tone. "He and Mystogan are both S-class. Besides, if they were in danger I'd send Laxus."

Lucy felt tears building around her eyes. The boy wasn't there for her when she lost her mother, but for some reason the only place she wanted to be was by his side. "Master please. I know more than anyone how hard this has to be for him."

Makarov sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry my child, but no. It's a dangerous quest and you'll only be a distraction for him. Just wait for his return and then talk with him."

Lucy nodded and turned away. "I understand Master." The girl mumbled before leaving the guild.

Natsu rolled his eyes and followed after Lucy. Naruto left her in his care and he wouldn't let his friend down. Erza and Gray, taking note of the awkwardness within the guild, decided to follow Natsu's lead and chase after Lucy. They wanted to figure out what was going on, but more importantly they were going to be there for their friend. The atmosphere of the guild remained silent and awkward. So much so that no one paid any mind to the blue haired girl slipping out of the door.

Outside in the distance of the guild, Lucy was stalking away with tears in her eyes. Natsu jogging by the girl's side frowned at this reaction.

"Lucy he will be okay!" Natsu tried to reason softly.

"Natsu, I should be there with him. It's his mom!" Lucy cried in response as she stopped and looked at the wizard. "He can run and hurt me all he wants, but I won't do the same!"

Natsu sighed and ruffled the girl's hair. "Seriously he doesn't realize how lucky he is. You have every right to hate him. Not cry for him."

"Lucy, are you okay?" Erza asked as she and Gray caught up to the girl.

"Yeah what's going on? Natsu, what do you know about this?"

Said Dragon Slayer smirked smugly. "Oh more than you Snowman! That's for sure!"

Gray growled as he pressed his forehead into Natsu's. "You ass this isn't the time!"

"Funny I was about to say this doesn't involve you so beat it!"

"Boys stop!" Erza yelled as they both froze in place. "Lucy what's going on?"

Lucy brushing her tears with her hands shook her head. "It's a long story."

Erza folded her arms, she was about to question Lucy. Yet a soft voice spoke up.

"Um excuse me." The low and meek voice of Wendy Marvell chimed in. Making everyone look at the small girl with surprise. "I wanted to apologize to Lucy for listening to her conversation. And for telling Laxus about what I heard."

Lucy grinned at the girl. "It's okay Wendy. You haven't nothing to apologize for."

Wendy nodded and held a hand out. Producing a small sphere in her tiny hands. "All the same I want to show how sorry I am. So please everyone be silent for a moment."

The group was confused and watched the small crystal within Wendy's hands glow green. Then what came next made everyone's blood run cold.

"Wendy? Are you okay?" The voice of Naruto Namikaze came through clear as day.

Wendy smirked at the reaction. "I'm fine big bro, but reaching out because Laxus asked me to. He heard from the Master about your mission. He wants to know where you're going and how long you'll be. He said if you two take too long he'd head out and back you up just in case."

Naruto sighed in response. "Me and Jellal are about a day's travel from Galuna Island. We aren't using my Susanoo so I can conserve magic just in case of an emergency. It shouldn't take us more than a few days from there to return back once we stop them from trying to free Deliora."

Erza's eyes were wide at hearing the name Jellal, while Lucy was now set on figuring out how to get to Galuna Island. Even Gray was completely stunned to hear the name he never imagined himself hearing again. Making all three wizards have equal interest in getting to the island.

"Well I'd hurry home big bro. The new girl Lucy has been asking about you constantly." Wendy replied as she locked eyes with Lucy.

"That's not good." Naruto began as Wendy frowned and Lucy felt her heart sink from his words. "Can you try and distract her for me? I'm going to avoid the guild for a while after my mission."

"Why?" Wendy replied back.

"Listen kiddo, there are reasons I keep a distance. Just help your older brother this one time?"

Wendy hummed. "Hmmm I'll think about it." The Dragon Slayer replied before cutting off the link and grinning at Lucy. "There ya go! Big bro is at Galuna Island!"

"Then that's where I'm going!" Lucy declared without hesitation.

"I'm going as well!" Erza began her mind set completely on who Jellal really was.

Gray rubbed his head. The darkness of his past had slowly pushed its way out from nowhere and he wasn't going to let Deliora return. "Guess I'm in as well."

Natsu groaned. "God he is going to kill me! Still I promised to keep Lucy safe so me and Happy are in too."

"Aye!"

Wendy nodded with a grin. "I'll keep the master distracted while you guys are gone! He won't know a thing!"

(Chapter End)