Hello! Before this chapter starts, I just wanted to take some time to set some groundeork, as I've read a recent review that I feel I should address. Someone had asked me what the year was, and whether or not it was post time skip - which is a good question! To answer your question, the year would still be x784. Though yes, some characters, such as Chelia, are aged up.

This is mostly due to the fact that I, as of now, have no clue what characters will be used in romantic light, or certain situations - as I want that to be influenced by what you the readers desire. The only character I know for fact that will be in a romantic light, like stated in the first chapter, is Ultear. It's heavily likely Kagura and Mira will as well, hence why I have them as listed characters for the story - but that could all change.

Secondly, there are going to be some darker moments in the story. I think I've already shown that off (albeit to a very lesser and minor degree) with the Wolf Spider den. While I don't desire to get incredibly explicit with details about scenes, I find myself not wanting to write gruesome scenes, with characters who would be literal kids, involved.

Wendy, for example - canonically, she's 12 when introduced in the series. I myself am not comfortable writing potentially gruesome or harsh scenes, with a character that young involved. Obviously I could just choose to exclude the character entirely from the story, or the specified scene - but I also feel it's just as easy to age characters up a bit, without having any huge impact on the story as a whole.

I hope that did a good job summing it up - if anyone else has any questions, please do feel free to ask! I'll address as many as I can, through little segments like this in the chapters. Alternatively, you can always PM me any questions you have, for a simpler time conversing about the topic at hand. Same can be said for any suggestions you guys may have. As I've stated, I'm new to writing stories, and am using this as a starting point before possibly writing more, in the future.

I hope you enjoy the chapter! It's much more light-hearted and simpler, this time around.

"Dialogue"

"Thoughts"

Magic

Sacchia

Walking through the town of Sacchia, Ultear would look around in curiosity. The town was small, peaceful, and overall not too dissimilar to Gracia, so she found herself enjoying the atmosphere, or at the very least being comforted by the atmosphere, more than she would've realized.

"Such a cozy town!" Ultear exclaimed, as she happily took in the sights.

"Yes. It is quite nice… though I don't fully see why I'm here, with you." Kagura responded, walking not far behind Ultear.

"I needed a bodyguard, didn't I? A young, attractive, defenseless guild master going out on her own? Just think of the bad things that could happen!" Ultear pouted, as she held her face in her hands, in mock distress.

"Bad things indeed could happen. If you were defenseless, that is." Kagura responded, as she shook her head.

"There's no harm in being here, Kagura. It's a good little break from our duties." Came a third voice, belonging to none other than Erza - who walked a little bit behind Ultear's other side.

"Mm. I suppose you're right, Onee-sama." Kagura responded, with a nod.

"That I am! Though I am curious, Ultear… why are we here? You never actually told us our reasoning for coming to this town." Erza questioned, as they continued walking.

"Ah! I'm looking for an associate of mine. He's usually around here, from what I understand - so I'm hoping we'll find him soon." Ultear responded, with a coy smile on her face. "Speaking of which… I'll ask around, for his whereabouts! Why don't you two take a look at that little cafe, over there?" Before giving them any time to relax, Ultear zoomed off in a happy skip, leaving the two swordswomen alone.

"..."

"..."

"Oh well. A cafe sounds nice right now - wouldn't you agree, Kagura?" Erza said, with a small smile, as she looked at her adopted sister.

"Yes, Onee-sama. It does sound quite nice." Kagura responded, with a small smile of her own.

The two swordswomen would make their way to the small establishment, getting an outside table and drinks or the likes, as they decided to chat and converse.

"That wound on your head - is it getting better, Kagura?" Erza asked, as she ate what would only appear to be an overly large strawberry parfait.

"Yes… I'm doing much better now. To be honest, I hardly feel an ounce of pain, up there, anymore. It makes sense, I suppose. It's already been over a week, after all." Kagura mused, as she drank from her cup; a much simpler red tea being present, compared to Erza's own item of choice.

"Well that's good! I still can't wrap my head around… whatever it was, that you fought." Erza responded, her eyes glistening with joy as she ate her dessert.

"Whatever it was, it was not natural… but it was taken care of, Natsu, Mira, and I ensured that." Kagura said, her smile growing a little fonder at the thought of the pink-haired mage.

Erza noticed the sudden, but slight, shift in Kagura's smile - staring perplexed for a moment, as she finished off her parfait - awfully quick, mind you. "Ah yes. I forgot that Natsu was a part of that mission… Master should've sent me, alongside you. I could've made sure no one got hurt." Erza lamented, a look bordering on an upset set, being on her face.

"Onee-sama - I've already told you, it's okay. None of us were seriously injured - Natsu was the only one who got it even remotely bad. Yet even then, he was up and moving after a night's rest." Kagura tried to reassure her older sister figure, despite the obvious anger that was growing on Erza's face.

"but it's not right! I don't get why Ultear sent him, instead of me! He's an outsider to the guild - a man, no less. Yes, he's strong. Yes, his magic was beneficial against the wyverns - but I could've handled them, too!" As Erza finished her little rant, her armored fist would crash down onto the table they were sitting at, causing it to shudder under the force of the impact, as other customers and people walking by would turn their heads, staring wide eyed at the scene.

"Onee-sama, calm down!" Kagura pleaded, as she raised her hands up and held her palms outwards, almost defensively. "Natsu has proven himself a friend to the guild - not an enemy. Had it not been for him sensing the beast approaching, it may very well have critically injured Mira and I right away." Kagura explained, as she placed her hand on Erza's clenched fist, comfortingly.

Erza's teeth would clatter together, as she kept her jaw shut tight. Though after listening to Kagura, she'd give out a light sigh - her fist no longer clenched, alongside her jaw. "I'm sorry, Kagura. I just blame myself for you getting hurt. I should've been there." Erza apologized, with a sad smile.

"It's okay, Onee-sama. Though it's not your fault. Things happen - it wasn't a bad injury, after all. I'm fine, now. So let's try to leave it behind us, okay?" Kagura asked, with a small smile.

Erza stared at her for a moment, before a small smile formed on her own lips. "Thank you, Kagura. Yes, let's leave it behind us." She said softly.

Though Erza's inner turmoil was much more different than what she displayed on the outside. "why… Why have I been so upset about Natsu? When I was told he and Kagura were leaving to help Mira, I was perfectly content. But now… why?" She thought to herself, trying her best to not portray her conflicted thoughts, to her dear sister.

Forested Hills Outside of Sacchia.

Walking through the forest, Ultear would be keeping her ears open as she followed the sounds of distant explosion, just like she was told by a man in the city's tavern, when she asked for Natsu. "Ahhh! To think, it's that simple… I honestly thought that man was joking, when he said to just follow the explosions" Ultear thought to herself, with a giggle, as she walked.

Each step brought her closer, each echoing explosion growing louder, causing that smile on Ultear's face to grow even wider. "It's only been a week, yet I miss you so. What have you done to me, Natsu Dragneel?" Ultear thought, with a giggle once more, as she walked.

After a few more minutes of walking, she'd finally come upon a clearing in the forest - her eyes widening, as she saw what was in front of her. Standing there, about 100 feet away, was Natsu - his chest heaving up and down, sweat coating his every inch, as he painted breathlessly. Around where he stood was a large crater, making it hard to even see him, as similar craters were all over the clearing, like decorations. As well as this, the ground was scorched in fire - little groups of flames dancing all along the floor. Though what called out to Ultear the most, was the cliff side in front of Natsu. The surface was damaged and broken, with deep cuts along the entire surface, with even deeper indents in the side of the cliff, as well. "Holy… how hard has he been training?" Ultear thought to herself.

Not many moments later, her eyes would widen as a shockwave of magic shot out from Natsu, as his fist collided with the cliff side once more - creating another indent, and matching explosion. Ultear would brace herself, feeling her body pushed back by the resulting shockwave - as she grit her teeth. Though as the shockwave dissipated, she'd see Natsu begin to stumble, looking like he'd give out any moment.

"Ah, fuck… maybe I.. overdid it.." Natsu muttered, just barely audible enough for Ultear to hear, as he fell down onto his back.

"Natsu!" Ultear cried out, as she ran up to where the dragonslayer fell. Sliding into the small crater he rested in, Ultear quickly knelt down next to the dragonslayer, a concerned look on her face.

"Ul-Ultear..? What are you doing here..?" Natsu asked, weakly, as he tried to raise his body up, struggling as he did so.

"I'm here to see you, silly. We're star crossed lovers, are we not?" Ultear giggled, as she looked down at Natsu with a playful smile. Though the smile was wiped away, as Natsu began to cough up a fierce storm. Grabbing the pink-haired mage, Ultear would gently rest his head on her thighs, having already determined that he'd be fine with a little.

"I - don't know about that.." Natsu responded weakly, a little blush on his face as his head was laid down onto her thighs. "Soft.." he thought to himself.

Ultear just giggled, running a hand through his hair, as she did so. " We are. You just don't know it, yet." She smiled warmly, that same playful teasing glint in her eyes. "Though are you okay? Training that hard, by yourself - what if I wasn't here?" She asked, a hint of worry to her tone.

"if you weren't here? Well.. I'd probably still be training." Natsu responded, with a weak smile, at the woman.

"You- you can barely lift yourself up! Anymore and you'd be throwing up blood!" Ultear chastised, as she looked down angrily and worriedly, at the mage.

"I would've just punched the ground." Natsu responded, as if it were simple.

"You're insane." Ultear responded, as she shook her head.

"Thanks for the compliment." Natsu said, with a small smile. "Anyways… How come you're here, Ultear?" Natsu asked, as he looked up at the woman.

"I'm here for you, silly." Ultear said with a giggle, as a small blush formed on her cheeks.

Natsu would blush as well, at this, before seeing that same mischievous glint in her eyes, that she always has. "Tch. How you manage to blush on command, eludes me." He responded, as he turned his head on her thighs, looking off to the side.

Ultear just giggled, with a small, soft smile. "I'm serious. I'm here for you. Figured I'd report what I've been told from the council, about our DNA splicing friend.. but that can wait until you're more rested, and better." She finished, as she ran her hand through the dragonslayer's hair. "When you're able to move, we can head back to town. Kagura and Erza are waiting there, after all." She finished.

Natsu would close his eyes, listening to Ultear's voice as she spoke to him. What she said was reasonable - he would like hearing any news he could get, in regards to the abominations cropping up around the country. Though as he heard the second part, Natsu would groan, as his face contorted into that of an annoyed look. "Here I was, thinking it was just business. You just wanted those two to try and kill me again, you witch." He said, with a sigh.

"You hurt my feelings so, Natsu. With the risk of weird amalgamations, I just needed to make sure I was safe. I am just a damsel, waiting to be in distress." Ultear giggled, as she just smiled down at the man In her lap.

"You'd have to have feelings, in order for them to be hurt." Natsu deadpanned, his eyes opening up to stare at Ultear. "Though I don't know if I'd call you a damsel, personally." He finished.

"Hmph. Keep this up, and you might make me question if we really are star crossed lovers. And what makes you so certain I'm not?" Ultear whined, with a pout, before then having a curious expression, as she asked her question.

"You're the guildmaster of Mermaid Heel. I've only seen three of them fight, but I can already tell that's the deadliest group of women in Fiore. They all clearly respect you - must be for a reason." Natsu explained, with a bored expression.

Hearing this, Ultear's eyes would widen momentarily, before she broke out into a laugh. "So that's how you see me, huh? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid they don't follow me because of my strength. Though I am an S-Class mage, so you are right that I'm no damsel." Ultear giggled, giving the dragon slayer an intrigued expression. "Tell me, Natsu. What do you think of me?" She asked, excitedly.

"What do I think of you?" He asked, his eyes opening up to stare deep into Ultear's, as he pondered the question. "I think you're a well-respected guildmaster, who knows what she's doing. Though I also think you're a manipulative schemer, who tries to make me suffer more than my fiercest foes." Natsu finished, with a small smile.

Ultear would actually be taken aback by his words - not expecting the kind, gentle praise she was given. Though as soon as she was called a witch, once more, she just shook her head, with a smile. "Here I was, thinking you were going to be nice to me, for once." Ultear giggled.

"Maybe once you or I are dying, I'll consider it. kindness has never been my strongest skill." Natsu said, with a small smile.

"Is that so? Then let's hope I don't hear your kindness, for another 80 or 90 years." Ultear replied, with her own smile, as she looked up at the sky.

"That long? I think we both know I won't make it to that age." Natsu replied, his smile never leaving his face, as he shut his eyes once more.

"Huh? Whatever could you mean by that?" Ultear asked, with a small frown. After a few moments without an answer, she'd look down at Natsu - that frown turning into a little pout, as she saw the dragonslayer laying on her thighs, with steady breathing. "You fell asleep on me, huh? Oh well. I'll get my answer some other day, my star crossed lover." Ultear whispered softly, as she brushed some of his pink hair out of his face.

As Ultear sat in the peaceful quiet of the forest, with Natsu's head laid gently upon her lap, Ultear would suddenly remember Erza and Kagura who were just left waiting. Reaching into the pockets of her Kimono, Ultear would begin to frantically look around - only for a look of horror to come upon her face, as she realized she wasn't carrying a communication Lacrima with her.

"Oh Lord. Looks like those two will be none too happy, with me." She whispered to herself, with a giggle, before going back to softly combing her fingers through the pink-haired mage. "Oh well… I think I've earned this little treat." She whispered to herself, with that same soft smile, as she listened to the sounds of the forest, and Natsu's gentle, rhythmic breathing.

Sacchia, One Hour Later.

"I'm starting to think Ultear may be in trouble, Onee-sama." Kagura spoke, as she looked around the town, which was coming alive with more hustle and bustle; albeit still pretty quiet.

"You - might be right, Kagura. It has already been about an hour… that's it. I've made up my mind. We're going to look for her." Erza stated, determinedly, as she stood from their table; her standard Heartkreuz armor clinking against itself, as she did. Leaving a small bag of Jewels on the table, Erza would immediately take off, going in the same direction that Ultear herself had left in.

Not being one to be left behind, Kagura quickly stood from her seat, and followed closely behind her older sister. "I overheard some people talking about going to the local tavern. Perhaps we can check there, Onee-sama?" Kagura said, as she pointed towards the building she had assumed to be the tavern.

"Excellent idea, Kagura! Its in the same direction that Ultear had went - so it's worth a shot." Erza stated, a smile on her face, as she walked towards the distant building; taking note of the giant eagle wood carving, on the roof. After only a few minutes of walking, the duo would reach the building - appreciating the architecture of the building, as they did.

"The Eagles Den… a worthy name, for such a building." Kagura mused, as she read the large sign hanging just above the door. Not wanting to waste any time, she'd push open the front doors to the building, instantly being taken aback at what she saw. The inside was filled with more people than she had seen, during her brief stint in the town.

"No wonder it's so quiet outside. Everyone is located here." Erza noted, as she homed in on a man working the counter. Walking up to the counter, Erza would approach the large built, yet slightly portly, bartender. "Excuse me. I'm looking for a woman, tall, black hair - wearing a dark blue kimono. Have you seen her?" She asked, paying no mind to her surroundings, as she did.

"Eh? Black haired.. oh! Yeah, the right beauty of a woman? She came through earlier, looking for someone. Why? You her friend?" The man replied, as he looked away from the person he was talking to, to address the redhead.

"I am. I'm wondering where she may be. Do you know?" Erza asked, blunt and to the point.

"First you interrupt my conversation, and then don't even have the manners to - oh, how it is to be young." The man grumbled, before turning into a much softer tone, as he seemingly reminisced about his youthful days.

Noticing this, Kagura would walk up towards Erza and the barkeep, bowing a little in respect. "I apologize for our rudeness. We're simply worried for our friend, as she's been gone for longer than we expected her to be." Kagura said.

Hearing this, the barkeep would break out of his trance, shaking his head a little. "Ah, it's all good. Yeah, she should be in the forest, to the west of here. I would say just follow the explosions, but that probably won't do. If I had to guess, there won't be any." He trailed off.

"West, in the forest. Thank you for your time." Erza said, as she gave her own bow, before turning around and leaving.

"Thank you very much." Kagura said, as she turned and quickly followed her companion. Though something would nag at the back of her mind, as she did so. "Why is Onee-sama being so distant? She's usually much more well-mannered." Kagura thought, with a frown. Deciding not to push the subject, she would follow alongside her sister, as they made their way out of town and into the nearby forest, just as they were instructed to.

After walking through the forest for around half an hour, the duo would pick up on the faint sound of someone singing - deciding to follow the voice, in hopes of finding Ultear. In doing so, Erza and Kagura stumbled upon a clearing in the forest, next to a small cliff side, with craters covering the entire area.

"This must be what he meant by explosions." Kagura mused, as she looked through the clearing.

"The singing is much louder now. Over there." Erza stated, as she turned towards one side, and began walking. After a minute, the duo would follow along the cliff side, turning as it did just for them to run into exactly who they were looking for.

"Ultear!" Erza cried out.

"Master!" Kagura said, in unison with Erza.

"Shhh. He's sleeping." Ultear responded, as she held a finger up to her mouth, before pointing down to her lap. Laying there still was Natsu, with the same peaceful expression he had when he had first fallen asleep.

Seeing this, and realizing the man was Natsu, the two ladies would have their own embarrassed reactions. Erza's face would light up to match the color of her hair, as her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. Meanwhile Kagura would only blush a little, as she took in the peaceful, and to her cute, sight of Natsu - sleeping. Though as Kagura realized just where Natsu was sleeping, she'd feel her hand suddenly clenching into a fist, unbeknownst to the other two ladies.

"U-U-Ultear! I know not what perverse actions you and him have -" Erza stuttered out, before being cut off by Ultear.

"We've done no such thing. He was in the middle of his training, when I found him. He collapsed in exhaustion. We simply talked a little, before he passed out." She explained, with a smile, as she ran her left hand through his hair. "Though I must admit, I have enjoyed the comfort." She giggled, at their flushed expressions.

"Is he who you came here to meet?" Kagura asked, after regaining her composure.

"Yes. Natsu mentioned this being where he picked up missions. I wished to discuss with him about the beast you, Mira, and him fought. The council had given me a little information that I think he would find useful." Ultear explained.

"Why would you wish to speak to him about the information, and not us?" Erza asked, an edge to her voice.

Ultear narrowed her eyes a little, having taken note of Erza's seemingly pointed hostility. "Natsu is looking into the matter, in his free time. I simply thought the information would prove useful to him." Ultear responded.

"That makes sense. Though I don't see why you would need Onee-sama and I here, for this." Kagura stated, with a confused look.

"I agree. If I had known it was just regarding Natsu, I would've stayed at the guild." Erza stated, rather coldly.

"Erza. May I ask why you've been so openly hostile, in regards to the man in my lap?" Ultear asked, her eyes trained on the redhead.

"I… would also like to know, Onee-sama. You've been distant ever since the topic of Natsu was brought up earlier." Kagura stated, now too looking at Erza.

Seeing she was outnumbered, Erza would just sigh, as she looked back and forth between her younger sister and guildmaster. "Why? You want to know why? It's because.. it's because -" Erza stopped, with a sigh. "I don't know why. At first I thought it was because he was a man, an outsider who walked around our guild as if he was one of us - but it's not. He's a friend of the guild, and has been nothing but kind to its members. So I don't know why. I… I just don't. Yet whenever he's brought up, I can't help but feel… worry. I worry that he'll ruin everything. That because of him, what we've worked so hard to build will come crumbling down. Hell, even Mira has been a bit nicer, after her meeting with him." Erza stated, before just staring there.

"Onee-sama…" Kagura spoke softly, as she approached her sister.

"Ultear. Do I have permission to head back to the guild early?" Erza suddenly stated, as she looked at her guild master.

Hearing this, Ultear would sigh softly. As she nodded her head. "If you so desire. But we'll be talking, once I'm back." Her tone was firm, but there was a hint of softness to it.

"Understood." Erza replied, as she turned around and began to walk away. Though after a few steps, she'd turn her head around, smiling softly at Kagura as she did. "I'll see you back home, Kagura. I'll pick out a mission for us." And just like that, she kept going.

"Yes, Onee-sama… ill see you then." Kagura responded. After a few moments have passed, Kagura would turn back to her master, walking closer to her and the unconscious dragon slayer, before sitting down as well. "Master… what just happened?" She asked, softly.

"I don't know, Kagura. But I'll find out, soon enough." Ultear whispered gently, as she watched Erza's retreating figure.

Thanks for reading the chapter, and I hope you enjoyed! If you felt like the end of this chapter felt weird, don't worry, cause I did too. I think I'm just at a bit of a stump as to how I want Erza's character to fit into the story, truth be told. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to PM me! Until next time!