Days had passed since the battle in the forest, but the weight of Irene's presence still clung to Natsu like smoke after a fire. Despite his decision to stand by Erza and Fairy Tail, there was no denying the pull Irene had over him. Her words lingered in his mind, her power thrumming in his veins like a silent echo he couldn't shake.

Erza had tried to act as if things had returned to normal—she smiled, she trained with him, and the guild carried on in its usual chaos. But Natsu could tell something had shifted. Erza was more guarded now, her watchful eyes lingering on him when they were alone, as if waiting for something to break. It gnawed at Natsu's heart, a constant reminder of the rift Irene had caused.

He wandered the outskirts of Magnolia more often these days, seeking the quiet of the woods where he could be alone with his thoughts. The others had noticed. Gray had thrown him a few pointed glances, and even Happy had asked why he wasn't spending as much time at the guild. But Natsu didn't have answers. He wasn't avoiding them—he just needed space to sort through the firestorm in his head.

Tonight, the sky was clear. The stars were bright, shimmering against the inky blackness as Natsu sat beneath a large tree, staring up at the moon. That familiar, nagging feeling crept over him—the subtle hum of a connection beneath his skin, the faint but unmistakable presence of Irene. She was nearby, as she often was now. Watching. Waiting.

"You can come out, Irene," Natsu muttered, his eyes still on the sky. "I know you're there."

For a moment, the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the cool night air. Then, like a shadow stepping out of the darkness, Irene appeared. Her movements were graceful, fluid, as she approached him, her crimson hair flowing behind her like molten fire.

"I was wondering when you'd acknowledge me," Irene said softly, her voice carrying a teasing edge. "You've become quite good at sensing my presence."

Natsu didn't look at her, his expression tight. "You're always close by."

Irene smiled, but there was something different in her eyes this time—less predatory, more thoughtful. "You don't want me far away, do you?"

Natsu's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond. He hated that she was right. No matter how hard he tried to push her away, something deep inside him still craved her presence. It was the dragon blood—the bond they shared. But it didn't make it easier to accept.

"I made my choice, Irene," Natsu said firmly, though his voice wavered slightly. "I'm not yours to claim."

Irene's smile faded, her gaze softening as she sat down beside him, her warmth palpable in the cool night. "I know, Natsu. You've chosen them... for now."

Natsu turned to her, weak flames flickering in his hands. "Why are you here?"

Her gaze shifted to the sky, her expression contemplative. "I'm not here to fight you, Natsu. I'm not here to force anything on you. I'm here because I... wanted to see you."

Natsu blinked, caught off guard by her tone. "See me?"

Irene's eyes softened as they met his. "I've been thinking since our last encounter. About you. About Erza. About the choices I've made."

Natsu's flames flickered out, something stirring in him as he studied her. This wasn't the same Irene who had sought to dominate him with power, who had looked down on Erza and the guild. There was something different—something almost vulnerable.

"What are you saying, Irene?" Natsu asked, his voice hesitant.

Irene sighed, her gaze dropping to her hands. "For so long, I thought power was everything. Strength was all that mattered. But being around you, feeling this connection... it's made me question things."

Natsu frowned, his heart pounding. "Question what?"

Her voice dropped lower, as if she feared the admission. "Whether I can be more than just... power. Whether I can change."

Natsu stared at her, stunned. This was Irene Belserion, the woman who had once sought to rewrite the world, who had tried to manipulate him with promises of strength and desire. Now, she wasn't a threat—she was... human.

"You're serious," Natsu said softly, trying to process it all. "You really want to change?"

Irene's eyes met his, and this time, they were filled with something raw. "I don't know if I can, Natsu. But you've made me want to try."

Natsu remained silent, torn between the undeniable bond they shared and his loyalty to his friends. His mind raced.

"Irene…" Natsu's voice was cautious. "Why? Why do you care so much?"

Irene's smile was small, almost sad. "Because you made me feel alive. You showed me something I haven't felt in a long time."

Natsu's heart pounded as her words sunk in. He saw her not as an enemy or a temptation, but as someone lost—someone as conflicted as he had been.

"I don't know what's happening between us," Natsu admitted, his voice raw. "But if you're serious about trying to change... I won't push you away."

For a moment, Irene's eyes lit up with something resembling hope. The fiery, dangerous woman he had fought now seemed fragile.

"Thank you, Natsu," she whispered.

They sat in silence for a while, the soft light of the moon casting gentle shadows around them. The air between them felt different now—not charged with the same fiery intensity, but with something quieter, more human.

Natsu wasn't ready to fully forgive Irene, and the loyalty he felt toward his friends—toward Erza—still weighed heavily on his heart. But as he looked at Irene now, he could no longer see her as just an enemy or someone trying to control him. There was something more there, something worth saving.

Irene stood to leave, her movements slower, less predatory than before. She paused, glancing at Natsu one last time. "I'll be around, Natsu," she said softly. "You know where to find me."

Natsu nodded, watching as she disappeared into the night, her presence leaving a strange warmth behind. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything slowly settle back onto his shoulders. The fire between them hadn't died—it had shifted, changed—and for the first time, Natsu wasn't sure if that was a bad thing.


The conversation replayed in Natsu's mind over and over as he made his way back to Magnolia. The moon had dipped below the horizon, and the early light of dawn was beginning to creep across the sky, painting everything in soft hues of blue and pink.

Natsu couldn't shake the weight of what Irene had said. She wanted to change, to be something more than power and domination—for him. The thought left him uneasy.

Was it possible for someone like Irene to truly change? Could he trust her? And even if he did... what about Erza? What about the guild?

Natsu's steps faltered as the guilt hit him once again. He had chosen Fairy Tail—he had chosen his friends. But the bond with Irene still existed. It was still there, pulsing beneath the surface, growing more complicated with every encounter.

By the time he reached the guild hall, the sun was rising, casting soft golden light over the quiet streets. The familiar sounds of the guild came from within—clattering dishes, the murmur of early-morning conversations.

He paused at the door, his hand resting against the wood. His heart raced. He wasn't ready to explain what had happened with Irene, but he couldn't keep it hidden forever.

When he stepped inside, the warmth of Fairy Tail hit him like a comforting blanket. The noise, the familiar chaos—it was home. Mirajane was behind the bar, serving a plate of breakfast to Happy, who was already halfway through devouring it.

"Morning, Natsu!" Mirajane called cheerfully. Her smile faltered when she noticed the weariness in his eyes. "Rough night?"

Natsu forced a grin, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah... something like that."

Before Mirajane could ask any more questions, Natsu's gaze drifted to the back of the hall. There, sitting alone, was Erza. Her scarlet hair glowed softly in the morning light, and her expression was as guarded as ever. But Natsu could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she held herself, as if waiting for something to shatter.

His heart clenched. He hadn't told her about his latest encounter with Irene. He wasn't sure how to explain it—wasn't even sure if he understood it himself.

"Natsu?" Mirajane's voice snapped him back to reality. He blinked, realizing he had been standing in place, staring at Erza.

He gave Mirajane a nod before making his way to the table where Erza sat. She looked up as he approached, her sharp eyes softening ever so slightly when she saw him.

"Natsu," she greeted, her voice calm but distant. "You're up early."

Natsu slid into the seat across from her, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "Yeah. Didn't really get much sleep."

Erza studied him for a moment, her gaze steady and searching. "You've been distant lately."

Natsu winced. Of course, she had noticed. Erza always noticed. "I've just had a lot on my mind," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual.

Erza's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes—something close to concern. "You don't have to carry everything on your own, Natsu. We're a team. Whatever you're dealing with... you can talk to me."

Natsu's throat tightened. She was right. He didn't have to carry it all alone. But how could he tell her that, despite everything, he was still drawn to Irene? How could he explain that Irene wasn't just a threat anymore?

"I... I ran into Irene again," Natsu finally said, the words heavy as they left his mouth.

Erza's expression didn't change immediately, but he saw the way her body tensed, the way her fingers tightened around the cup in her hands. "And?"

Natsu swallowed hard, his heart pounding. "It was different this time. She didn't try to fight me. She talked about... changing."

Erza's eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp. "Irene? Changing?"

"I know it sounds crazy," Natsu said quickly, leaning forward. "But I think she's serious. She said that being around me... it made her start questioning things. She wasn't trying to control me, Erza. It felt like she was... lost."

For a long moment, Erza was silent, processing his words. Natsu could practically hear his heartbeat thudding in his chest as he waited for her response.

"Irene is dangerous," Erza finally said, her voice measured and cautious. "She's manipulative. She knows how to get what she wants. You need to be careful, Natsu."

"I know," Natsu agreed, though he could see the worry in Erza's eyes. "I'm not saying I trust her. But... I think she's trying. There's something different about her now."

Erza's jaw tightened, and for a brief second, Natsu saw something flicker in her eyes—something like worry, or maybe fear. "Be careful," she said softly. "She's not like anyone we've ever dealt with before. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Natsu's heart clenched. He could see the concern etched into her features. "I won't," he promised quietly. "I won't let her control me."

Erza studied him for a moment longer before nodding slowly. "Just... remember who you are. And remember what you have here."

Her words were soft, but they hit Natsu hard. He knew she wasn't just talking about the guild. She was talking about them—about the bond they shared, a bond Irene had nearly torn apart.

"I won't forget," Natsu said, his voice filled with determination.

For a moment, the tension between them eased, and Erza's expression softened. But before either of them could say more, the doors to the guild creaked open—and a familiar presence sent a chill down Natsu's spine.

Irene.

Natsu's heart skipped a beat as Irene entered the guild hall, her crimson hair flowing behind her as she moved with that same quiet grace. She didn't look threatening, but her presence sent a ripple of unease through the room.

Every eye turned toward her. Gray was the first to react, standing up quickly with his fists clenched, his eyes narrowed into a furious glare. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Irene's eyes flickered to Gray briefly before locking onto Natsu. "I'm not here to fight," she said calmly. "I'm here to speak with Natsu."

The tension in the hall thickened. Mirajane's eyes widened, and Gray's magic crackled dangerously at his fingertips. The rest of the guild members were on edge, their attention fixed on Irene as they waited for someone to act.

Natsu stood up slowly, his flames flickering weakly around his hands. He could feel the weight of every gaze on him—Gray, Mirajane, Erza, the entire guild. They were watching, waiting, unsure what to make of this.

Irene took a step forward, her gaze softening as it lingered on Natsu. "I told you, Natsu. I want to change. But I can't do it alone."

Natsu's heart raced as he stared at her, torn between the connection they shared and the loyalty he felt toward his friends. It was the same pull, the same bond that had made everything so complicated.

Suddenly, Erza's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Let her speak."

Every eye turned toward Erza in shock. Her voice was steady, but there was a quiet firmness to it that left no room for argument. Her gaze met Natsu's, and in her eyes, there was both warning and trust.

"Let her speak," Erza repeated, softer now.

Natsu swallowed hard, feeling the tension in the room crackling around him. His flames flickered weakly as he turned back to Irene.

"Alright," he said, his voice steady. "Talk."