I apologize for the delay, I got a promotion at work, but my actual workload nearly tripled because of it. I've been ridiculously busy and will continue to be so. Because of that, and my own writing habits as it is, I feel the need to mention that there is no update schedule and never will be one. Updates will come when I can, but it could be a couple months between updates, so I do apologize for that.

Anyway, now that I've said my peace and gotten myself refreshed on this story and where I was planning to take it, I present the disclaimer and then the story (as I have been doing).

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail. I do not own these characters. I do not own the story idea, at least not entirely. Then again, someone else may have had the same ideas I did. Eh, how about I don't own anything in this story. Is that a good enough disclaimer?

Chapter 9.

Introducing The Family

"Huh. For human standards, the level of magic I'm sensing from this town is quite large."

Selene commented as they crested one of hills that were close enough for the group of dragon slayers and one dragoness to see the town of Magnolia.

"Of course it is. In terms of Fiore, Fairy Tail is the strongest magic guild bar none."

Natsu replied in a chipper tone, happy to be almost home.

"Others may disagree, but Salamander is right on that. That's not to say there aren't decently strong people in the other guilds, just that the majority of the strong mages in Fiore are part of Fairy Tail. Though I'd go out on a limb and increase that to Ishgar in general."

Gajeel commented, continuing the discussion.

"Considering my senses can be stretched across the country, I can confirm your statement quite easily. Now why do you call my grandson 'Salamander'?"

"Surely you've noticed how some of the more famous mages are given titles or nicknames based on their magic? I don't know how long it's been the case now, but his moniker is 'Salamander'. Unless I'm insulting someone, I tend to use their titles instead of their name because it's more common to hear people referring to them by title rather than name."

"I see. Are there any other mages in Fairy Tail with monikers?"

Selene inquired after Gajeel answered her first question.

"Several of us have epithets. Counting Natsu I think there are seven of us."

Wendy answered as she thought about the various members of Fairy Tail. After a moment Natsu nodded his head in agreement.

"Yup. The three of us, Erza, Mira, Elfman, and Juvia."

He commented, listing off the members with nicknames. Then he turned to Selene listed their monikers. Of course she had already learned that he was the Salamander, but he mentioned it anyway just because he was listing them all. Gajeel being 'Blacksteel', Wendy as 'Sky Maiden', Erza being called 'Titania', Elfman being known as 'Beast Arm', Juvia as 'Rain Woman'.

"And Mira has a moniker, but she hasn't actively gone by it in a while. There was an incident a few years ago where we thought her younger sister had died, and she ended up putting a mental block on her Take Over magic, and became unable to use it. Turns out her sister was just sent into a parallel world, but she's back now, and Mira's slowly been getting used to her magic again. Because she uses demon souls for her Take Over magic, she was known as 'Demon'."

Natsu explained.

"I wondered about that. I mean I don't remember ever seeing Mira use her Take Over magic before, so I wasn't sure how she became known as 'Demon'."

Wendy spoke up as she learned a bit more about the guild.

"Don't let her cheery attitude confuse you squirt. She's pretty damn scary in battle. I fought her once way back, probably around the time she got that title actually. It was one of the tougher fights for me since I couldn't go all out and kill her."

Gajeel commented. Natsu chuckled a little before he added on to the Iron Dragon Slayers words.

"Not to mention that the word demon really does fit how she used to act. It wasn't until we thought Lisanna was dead that she started being nice to anyone aside from gramps and her siblings. She used to butt heads with Erza a lot. I mean they were worse than Gray and I are."

Wendy looked towards him in amazement at that. She just couldn't believe it. Selene only had their words about the guild and it's members to go on, so she didn't really care too much, but stayed silent so they could talk. After all it was obvious that the three dragon slayers had started a den of their own, but were still relatively new to each other. They had to build up the bonds between them, and the easiest way to do that was to share stories like this.

As they continued onward Natsu shared a few stories of the guild in general to help Selene get an idea of the people Natsu had surrounded himself with. But it doubled as a way of helping Wendy and Gajeel learn more about their new and chaotic 'family' as Fairy Tail proclaimed itself to be.

When they got to the split in the path where one direction lead into town, and another into the forest Natsu nodded to his fellow slayers.

"You two are free to do whatever now that we're back. I'm going to take Selene back to my place and introduce her to Cana and Koharu. While they're getting to know each other I'll head over to the guild and give the full report to gramps."

Gajeel just nodded as he continued walking towards the town, muttering he was going to go home and crash for a bit. Wendy gave them a cheerful wave as she made her way down the path to town, likely intending to look for Carla before returning to either the guild, or her room in Fairy Hills.

"You are really proud of this ramshackle family that is Fairy Tail."

Selene commented as they walked down the forest path that lead to Natsu's home.

"I've been part of Fairy Tail for nearly eight years now. While there are a few older members, like Macao and Wakaba, the majority of the guild are within three years of me age wise, now. We practically grew up together."

"So you're saying it's only natural for you to be proud?"

"Pretty much."

Natsu replied with a grin. The dragon in human form merely snorted before giving him a smile.

"I'm glad to hear you've been doing well."

"I wouldn't change any of it, though there have been some rough times."

"Of course. One cannot live without experiencing at least a bit of hardship."

She nodded sagely, before chuckling at how pompous she had sounded. Natsu had a mirthful smirk on his face as well, though he didn't laugh. Rounding the last bend, his home came into sight for the two of them, including the fact that Cana was sitting on the front porch, Koharu in her lap. The two seemed to be enjoying the day, but Selene saw their eyes light up with joy when they saw Natsu.

"Daaaa!"

The infant cried out, her little arms reaching out towards him even as the brunette woman holding her stood up from the chair she had been in. While Selene wouldn't have known it, Natsu's scarf that Igneel had made for him was held in Koharu's grasp as if she would never let go.

"Hey there sunshine, how's my little dragon doing?"

The Fire Dragon Slayer commented, a grin bright enough to blind people on his face.

"Daaa! Waaawaa Baaa!"

Koharu babbled excitedly when Cana finally carried her close enough for Natsu to reach out and pull her into a light hug. The small little girls arms stopped flailing and bent slightly as if she were trying to return the hug. He pulled back his head just enough to turn towards the Cards mage.

"How about you? How have you been?"

"It took Mira and I a bit to get Koharu to sleep the first night you were gone, we didn't realize that she was such a daddy's girl that she needed your scarf to sleep since you weren't here."

"Maybe I should have reported back to gramps first then. I don't think she'll let me leave again so soon."

Natsu commented when he tried to pull away only to have Koharu try to cling to him. He chuckled softly, taking the little girl from his girlfriend, as he refused to properly call her his mate until he'd fully explained everything to her on the matter.

"Anyway, I learned a few things while I was out, even met some family apparently."

At that, the brunette woman finally noticed the silver haired woman that had been watching them with an amused smile on her face.

"Um, hello there. I'm Cana."

She said sheepishly.

"I've heard a bit about you from Natsu and the other two slayers as we traveled. I'm Selene, and Natsu is my grandson."

The shock on Cana's face at those words made Selene chuckle.

"I assure you, I am far, far older than I appear."

"Well the fact you're a dragon certainly helps with that."

Natsu commented as he rolled his eyes before using his head to gesture for Selene and Cana to follow him and little Koharu into the house so they could sit down to talk. They sat in the living room, with Cana sitting on the couch beside him so she could lean against him as they talked, while Selene took the leather chair.

As he explained to Cana what had happened on his job with Wendy and Gajeel, Natsu was bouncing Koharu on his knee. Every so often he'd stop speaking and just make a silly face for her to giggle at. Selene took over explaining what had happened after they met, as Koharu was getting grumpy at not having his full attention.

By the time Cana was filled in, Koharu had fallen asleep and Natsu was sitting on the couch in such a way that he could let her lay on his chest as she napped.

"That little girl really is attached to him."

Selene commented as she watched Natsu's interactions with his family.

"She's going to have him wrapped around her finger if she doesn't already."

Cana retorted with a grin. Natsu just gave a soft grunt, as he didn't want to accidentally wake the baby sleeping on his chest.

"She should have him wrapped around her finger. He might not be a true dragon like myself, at least yet, but he has dragon blood in his veins. Not to mention he was raised by a dragon. It's part of a dragon's instinct to treasure and adore younglings. Stories say we protect our hoards till we die, but we are far, far more active in protecting the young. You will have a harder time killing a dragon that's defending a child than one that is merely defending it's belongings or territory."

Selene said responded.

"I take it that means dragons have strong parental instincts? That would probably explain why Natsu bonded with little Koharu so quickly."

The dragoness nodded her head before looking at Natsu with a rather pointed stare.

"You really haven't told her more than the basics..."

"I know, I know."

The pink haired man replied with an exasperated sigh.

"Then tell her already."

Selene said, sounding annoyed that she had to say something about it.

"I will, I will. I'll talk to her tonight about it when it's just the two of us alright? Now, I don't think the little one will be happy if I wasn't here when she woke up, but I still need to talk to gramps about the escort job. Not to mention I promised to explain to him my connection with grandmother."

"I've started keeping a diaper bag ready to go, so I can grab it and we can head over to the guild hall. It works out anyway, since it's almost lunch time."

The brunette responded as she stood up and stretched before walking towards the entryway closet, where she'd been keeping the diaper bag and at least one of the baby carriers. Selene and Natsu both rose from their seats a little slower. Selene because she was actually quite comfortable and didn't really want to move, and Natsu because he wanted Koharu to wake up on her own instead of being jostled awake.

The trio of adults slowly made their way into town, Natsu with Koharu fast asleep in a carrier in his left hand and Cana's left hand in his right. Selene was walking along a few steps behind them, looking around in idle curiosity. When they were roughly four blocks away from the guild Koharu woke up.

"Fair warning, Levy, Lisanna, and Mira will all swarm you and practically beg to hold her when we get in there."

Cana warned, telling him that over the past three days, she and Koharu spent a lot of time at the guildhall with those three crowding them.

"Eh, considering the time, gramps should be sitting at the bar getting lunch. We'll just sit with him. They'll back off since gramps hates having his conversations interrupted."

The pink haired man replied shrugging lightly. Then his nose twitched, and he smiled. Thanks to the danger of his usual jobs, Gildarts had learned how to avoid being tracked. While a dragon or a dragon slayer could do so, they would have to be fairly close to scent him. 'I did tell him to speak with Cana, but I half expected Gildarts to have forgotten and rushed off on a new job.'

"Cana, Gildarts is at the guild. You should probably talk to him already."

"We've been over this Natsu. I won't tell him he's my father until I'm an S class wizard."

The brunette commented with a bit of heat to her tone. Selene rolled her eyes, only needing the short snippet of their conversation to understand the situation.

"Cana dear, I'm telling you. He will accept you with open arms. Get over your self worth issues, and tell him already."

"I can infer the situation, and young lady, family is family. Period. There is no requirement of 'being worthy' to be related to someone. Besides, you severely underestimate yourself."

The dragoness joined in, purposely putting a hand on the Cards mage's shoulder and turning her so that Cana would look her in the eye as she spoke. After a tense moment, Cana nodded slowly.

"Alright fine. I'll tell him he's my dad already… But you have to talk to him with me Natsu. I can't approach him alone."

She spoke, stepping back from the silver haired woman and facing her boyfriend full on.

"I'm going to need your support to actually say it. I won't have the courage otherwise."

With his hand, which still held hers, Natsu tugged her closer to him.

"Of course I'll be there with you."

He told the brunette, letting his hand free from hers before snaking it around her waist to hold her.

"We said it before right? Whatever happens we'll do it together."

"Right. Together."

Cana replied after taking a breath.

After a moment of just standing there with Natsu's arm around her, she stepped back and snaked her fingers around his once more. With a nod she opened the door into the somewhat rowdy guild hall. Selene who had listened to the stories about Fairy Tail, had learned just how boisterous the people in the guild normally were, couldn't help but chuckle as they entered. Most of the guild members that were present had turned towards the door when they heard it open, and the moment their eyes landed on little Koharu, they went from an 11/10 on the volume scale to a 4/10.

True to Cana's words, three figures charged towards Natsu, obviously intending to hold the baby. But he didn't even glance at them. Instead he moved towards the bar where the short man that was the guild master was seated.

"I didn't expect you until later."

Makarov commented as Natsu signaled for Mira -who was running the bar- to bring him his usual.

"Well I figured the sooner the better, but I did decided to check in with Cana and Koharu first."

He responded to the guild master with a grin. Koharu was quietly babbling in his lap as he gently bounced his knee for her.

"Since your normal order has an open flame on it, when Mira brings it out, I'll take Koharu so she doesn't try and reach for it and get hurt."

Cana told Natsu as she set the diaper bag down by his seat before facing Gildarts, who was sitting on the other side of the guild master.

"I've got to talk with you, but I want Natsu and Koharu with me. Mind waiting a bit?"

"Not at all. By the way, Natsu told me about you two getting together. Congrats."

The Crash mage responded before taking a swig of his drink.

Selene watched the interactions between the guild members with a curious look. She could see and feel that they all cared for each other, despite the mess that told her there had been a brawl in the middle of the room a short while ago. Of course she also noticed that Gildarts and the guild master were the two strongest in the room, aside from herself of course.

'I have no doubt Natsu would be ready for the Trial of Dragons in time to save his life from dragonification killing him because of Igneel still being sealed inside him.' She thought to herself, as she shuddered. While she had briefly been in their presence before, there were enough people close together that she didn't have enough time to sort out which magical presence went with which person.

But now? Now she knew the monstrous power that almost rivaled her own was coming from the orange haired man that was her grandson's future father-in-law.

"As you know, Wendy, the metal-freak, and I were to escort Magia Dragon's guild master to that meeting."

Natsu started his report to Makarov about the job.

"Right."

"When we entered the room Selene let out a pulse of magic that nearly toppled everyone but me. Except she didn't mean to. Her magic reacted without her conscious thought. That, combined with my scent made her recognize me instantly."

As he finished Mira came walking out of the kitchen with a tray, loaded with food including a flaming steak for Natsu. Without missing a beat, Natsu carefully handed Koharu over to Cana to hold while they ate.

"It turns out, Selene, is my mother's mother."

Gildarts and Makarov both were wide eyed at that. Elefseria had mentioned that Selene was Natsu's grandmother when he explained why she may have offered to take the dragon slayers to handle the wyvern problem that had come up at the end of the Guild Masters meeting to handle the rise of Dark Guilds in the world. But they hadn't really believed him.

"Yep. My magic reacted like an over eager puppy and swirled protectively around him, just like it used to with my daughter Calla."

Selene chimed in, before going silent once more.

"Elefseria mentioned that you were a dragon slayer as well. Is it possible that your affinity for the magic was passed down and that's why Igneel was able to teach Natsu?"

Makarov wondered as he recalled what little information he had learned that day about the silver haired woman.

"Not quite, and he only said that because it would be doubtful that anyone else in the room would have believed the truth."

That made the short elderly man raise an eyebrow.

"As I'm sure this young lady here can confirm, magics that change a persons body enough to alter their genetics are rough on females. If you use that magic and then get pregnant, you're stuck in that alternate form until you give birth, and your child is of whatever race you were stuck in."

Selene commented as she gestured towards Mira, having remembered that Natsu said she was a Take Over magic user.

"Yes, If I were to become pregnant while using one of my take overs, I wouldn't be able to revert to normal until after giving birth. It's one of the things my demon souls warned me about when I first started using my magic."

Mira commented quietly.

"Since most of my kind have died out or gone into hiding, I find it easier to use transformation magic and take human form, but I am not a human."

Selene finished, not really wanting to give them too much information about her. Not to mention she felt she wouldn't actually have to say what she was for them to know.

"I see. Learning about your relation to Natsu raises a few questions, but really it isn't any of my business."

Makarov stated as he took a drink.

"If it has anything to do with how Igneel came to raise him, then the answer is I went into hibernation, and Igneel stumbled upon him after Calla and her husband died."

Selene said before going quiet. Her tone of voice signaled she was done speaking. Not to mention that was just what she had assumed. She still didn't know how Natsu came to be raised by Igneel.

"Anyway, she'll be helping me with some training for something I'm not sure I can tell you yet. We had decided that before returning to the Magic Council's headquarters. You know what happened when we entered the building."

Natsu commented, bringing them back to his mission report.

"Yes. She suggested that you and the other slayers go with her to handle a wyvern colony."

"Thanks to her real form, we were able to quickly travel to the area where the wyvern colony was rampaging. She set up a barrier spell to keep them from escaping, and then basically gave Wendy, the scrap heap, and I free reign to handle them."

That made Makarov give the silver haired woman a slight glare, but she just shrugged.

"The 5% membership fee, nets the guild 665,000 jewels from the bounty of 19 wyverns. Of course, that's only because grandmother said to give the fee for her one kill to me."

Natsu said, before breaking down the numbers so that Makarov could properly file the information in the guild records. Then his face broke into a grin.

"Here's the best part of this whole thing though. While we were escorting old man Elefseria, he taught us a spell that let us talk with our dragons."

Cana, who already knew everything Natsu knew was smiling as well, feeling very happy for him. Selene, rolled her eyes, though she was also happy that Natsu could speak with his adoptive father. Makarov and Gildarts however had their jaws drop to the floor.

"So you can finally find them?!"

The guild master wondered, feeling relieved and happy for the trio of dragon slayers. Gildarts had a look on his face that told them he was feeling split on the matter; happy that they could find their parents, but pissed that they had to search for them in the first place.

"Not quite. I mean we know where they are, but there's no way to get to them. Not to mention that interrupting what they're doing could be dangerous to our health… Well for the other two anyway."

Natsu replied muttering the last part.

"So they're doing something for you guys, but couldn't tell you?"

Gildarts replied with a snort.

"More like they ran out of time to tell us," There the pink haired man paused and turned towards his grandmother with a questioning look. When she nodded he turned back toward the two men and continued. "As you know dragon slayer magic makes us take on more draconic features and actually alters our bodies to handle the magic."

They nodded recalling Natsu's explanation back when he first joined the guild.

"Well it does more than that. The more we use it, the stronger our magic becomes, just like normal magic. But the stronger dragon slayer magic becomes, the more like a dragon we become, until eventually we become strong enough that our magic forces us to change and become a dragon entirely."

The wide eyes, that held just a hint of fear told him that then partially understood.

"It's a dangerous process, and apparently only two people survived it during the Dragon Civil War, with one becoming insane and slaughtering everything that came close to him. To prevent that situation, they came up with a method of preventing the 'dragonification' process as it's called.

They sealed their bodies inside of our magic containers. They are using their magic to create anti-bodies that stop the transformation, and immunize our bodies to the process."

At this point Selene chimed in.

"The immunization process takes exactly 10 years to the day. Disrupting it means having to start over, and unfortunately there is a power threshold. If a slayer reaches that point before the process is over, then they will go through dragonification, because the dragons won't be able to work fast enough to stop the transformation."

Gildarts and Makarov both turned to Natsu with ashen faces.

"How close are the three of you to that power threshold right now?"

Makarov asked with a grave tone. Natsu opened his mouth but it was Selene that answered.

"It's been nearly 8 years since the dragons started, so unless something major happens, or the process has to start over, the other two are fine. Natsu on the other hand… He's got a year before he starts going through dragonification."

"Is there anything we can do that might help him survive?"

Gildarts inquired, wanting to protect the kid he was so proud of.

"That's why I'm here. Well not entirely, since he is family but still. I'm going to be training him to survive the process."

"Still. Is there anything we can do?"

Gildarts asked again.

"Well… The more forms of magic he knows, the slower the process becomes, because of his container having to adapt to the different magics. The problem is, even if he learns a new magic that would extend the time from a year to 2 years or more, he's already close enough to the power threshold that he'll be at that level anyway, making Igneel's immunization efforts useless."

"In other words, we can't stop it, but we can make it take even longer to start. Well, if we can push it back long enough, then we increase his chance of surviving and coming through the process with his sanity intact, correct?"

Makarov commented, feeling just a bit more hopeful about the situation. When Selene nodded, Natsu spoke back up.

"Igneel has suggested I learn a form of Earth magic, since I was born to wield multiple magics according to him."

Selene snorted, but she smiled softly as she recalled when she had first held him after he was born. Her ability to sense magic allowed her to see the depths of a persons magic container while in physical contact with them and focusing.

"He would suggest Earth magic since his mate was an Earth Dragon. But he is correct that you were born to use both Fire and Earth based magics. After all your mother Calla was a very powerful Fire mage, while your father Egan used both Earth and Water magics with a mastery on par with my friend Mercphobia."

"Igneel gave me his hoard. I have the lacrima that Tektari's soul became."

Natsu told his grandmother, hoping she would explain to him why Igneel said they both would benefit if he used the lacrima and became an Earth Dragon Slayer. Selene's eyes widened just a fraction as she realized what it would mean if Natsu used the lacrima.

"Oh that sly bastard. He can't use the lacrima, as Dragon's can't learn new a new magic that they weren't born with. But you can, at least until you've gone through dragonification."

Already knowing that, Natsu nodded, but he still had a bit of a confused look on his face.

"If a dragon's soul crystallizes and becomes a lacrima, then they aren't technically dead. If you were to use her lacrima, her soul would reside in your magic container, and those that know how to communicate with spirits could speak with her."

Natsu, Cana, Gildarts, and Makarov all looked at her with incredulous stares.

"I'm not lying. That is what would happen if you use her lacrima. He wants you to do it so he can at least speak with her again, and because with both of them in your magic container, we would go from having a year to get you ready for dragonification to two years to get you ready."

They were all quiet for a minute, even Koharu, who had been babbling along as if she were part of the conversation.

"I've actually been wanting to use the lacrima for a while. But I want to follow Igneel's advice first and learn Earth Dragon Slayer magic first as I'd have better control over the magic than if I just used the lacrima."

Selene nodded, understanding Natsu's point of view. Makarov and Gildarts did as well. Massive power needs tight control to avoid causing accidents after all.

"So you need to find an earth dragon, or an Earth Dragon Slayer?"

Gildarts wondered but Natsu and Selene both shook their heads.

"No, he just needs a decently strong Earth magic user."

Makarov commented as he recalled a time shortly after Natsu joined. When Natsu and Selene nodded in agreement, Gildarts and Cana both looked confused.

"Dragon slayers can learn a new form of magic by eating enough of another element, similar to how they can eat their element to replenish their magic. I figured that out once after watching Natsu try to eat Laxus' lighting. I don't know if Laxus was paying attention, but you seemed a bit too eager to eat his spell, and even when you where getting sick after you mumbled about only needing to have a bit more."

The guild master said.

"Yup. If we don't eat enough of that element though, it causes us to be horrifically sick for weeks on end."

Natsu agreed.

"Then ask Max to help you with gaining Earth Dragon Slaying magic."

Gildarts said as if the problem was solved.

"Max isn't strong enough. He could sustain a spell long enough for me to eat enough sand to gain the Earth element, but there wouldn't be enough magic in it for the process to work."

Natsu responded with a frown.

"The only people I know with Earth magic that are strong enough… Well let's just say Jura's the only one I would ask."

"It's not my forte, but I do know how to use basic Earth magic. I'm stronger than Jura, so if I were to learn a more advanced spell than I already have would that work?"

Makarov inquired after a moment of thought.

"Yes. It doesn't have to be your primary magic, you just have to be strong enough to make the process work, and use a spell that produces enough of the element in question for Natsu to absorb the magic without getting sick."

Selene said with a nod. By this point they had finished eating and without looking Natsu had taken Koharu back from Cana and was bouncing her on his knee while she played with one of his fingers.

While none of the others in the guild were listening in on the conversation as they all were having their own, everyone that was at least looking towards the bar couldn't help but smile at how Natsu made it seem so natural for him to be taking care of the little girl.

"Well I'll look into a stronger spell that we can use for that. If it means making sure we've got the time for him to become a dragon safely then I'm all for it. After all, I see everyone in this guild as family, and I always do what I can for my family."

Makarov stated before standing up from his seat.

"Well I've been sitting here long enough. I've got some paperwork to finish, so I'm heading back to my office. When I'm ready I'll let you know Natsu."

Then with a nod, the short man headed towards the stairs, so he could get back to work. Some of the girls started to approach Natsu so they could see Koharu again, but Gildarts slid over into the seat the master had been sitting in, and Natsu increased the heat in the area around them just a bit to deter them.

He knew the guild would find out eventually, but Cana was nervous enough, there was no need to make it worse by having her tell Gildarts about their relationship with everyone listening in.

"So… Natsu hinted to me that you had to talk to me about something. In fact he told me not to let you walk away before saying it."

The orange haired man started.

"Yeah. I just… Give me a minute to gather my courage."

The brunette commented a bit shakily. Natsu shifted his grip on Koharu to keep her from falling from his lap with one hand so he could take her hand that was sitting on the bar top and gave it a comforting squeeze. He didn't verbalize it, but Natsu made sure she knew he was encouraging her.

After a few moments the Cards mage started to speak.

"I originally joined Fairy Tail to find my father. You see, when my mother was on her deathbed, she told me about my father and begged me to find him when she was gone."

Gildarts nodded. He recalled being told that Cana had joined Fairy Tail to find her father. It was part of the reason he tried to spend time with her and Natsu when he was around town when they were younger. Everyone needs a parental figure in their life, so he tried to be that for them when he could.

"But when I got here, and I met the man I was scared. His reputation made me feel like I wasn't worthy of being his daughter. So I never told him. Instead I promised myself 'I'll get stronger. More confident. One day, I'll be worthy of being called his daughter. Then I'll tell him'. When I was finally selected to take the S class trials, I thought it was my chance to prove myself worthy. But I failed… Again and again I've failed the test, and each time I told myself 'next time, I'll pass and become and S-class wizard so I can tell him he's my dad.' but I still haven't passed the trials."

The longer she went on, the more clear it became to the orange haired man she was talking about him. Tears were welling up in his eyes, but he let her speak, not wanting to interrupt in case he was wrong.

"I still wouldn't have told you even after everything that's happened with me lately… But Natsu and Selene to an extent, knocked some sense into me. I could see I was just being scared of your reaction. Hell I still wouldn't be talking, if it weren't' for Natsu giving me the courage and support he's giving me right now."

The entire time she'd been talking Cana was looking down, not wanting to see Gildarts face or his reaction. But as Natsu gave her hand one more squeeze she looked up with puffy eyes. It was clear she was trying not to break down and run away crying to avoid his reaction.

With a deep breath, she finally faced Gildarts full on.

"You are my father."

As she finished the word, Gildarts stood from his bar stool, and leaned over her, wrapping his arms around her in a protective bear hug.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you..."

He hoarsely spoke, internally berating himself for not realizing. Cana looked like a younger version of his late wife, he should have questioned. Not to mention her last name. Alberona was Cornelia's maiden name. It had just been so long that he had forgotten his wife had ever been anything but Cornelia Clive.

While they hugged and cried it out, Natsu distracted Koharu from interrupting them, which was a good call since the little girl had been reaching to tug on Gildarts cloak. It was only when the baby grew bored with her adoptive father and began to chatter for Cana's attention that the two separated.

As he looked at Cana taking the little girl into her arms so lovingly, Gildarts swore to himself to be there for his family more.

"Cana. I swear to you if I'd have known, I'd have been there for you."

He spoke, his voice still laced with emotion.

"I know. I've always known deep down… I guess I just let your reputation scare me."

She responded somewhat absently as Koharu wiggled happily in her grasp.

"I… I know I can't go back and change things. Nor do I think I can change the way I am now. But. I promise you that I'll at least be around more often. After all I've got my daughter and granddaughter to worry about now."

He spoke, once more giving her a hug, this time with Koharu included. Then he turned towards Natsu. The didn't say anything, instead communicating with their eyes.

'You be there for them when I can't, you here me?'

'Of course. They are my family too.'

Then they shared a nod and the serious moment was broken. As Gildarts moved back to his seat his slapped Natsu on the back.

"Next time my daughter has a child, it better be after you've made an honest woman out of her."

He joked, though Natsu felt the barest hint of the Crash mages magic being direct towards him. Selene rolled her eyes as she thought 'men' with a bit of exasperation. Cana opened her mouth to speak, but Natsu beat her to it.

"I intend to. You just make sure you're here for the big day when it happens."

I know I don't normally leave a note at the end (unless I have a reason to), but I feel the need to say that it could be a while between updates. So please don't get downhearted if there are months at a time between updates. If I stop the story for any reason I promise I will post an update explaining why I'm done. I will never abandon this story without tell you all first, so don't worry about the story being done even if there are no updates for months on end. Anyway, thanks for reading, and I'll see you all with the next update eventually!