Sorry about the wait! Writing has been slow for me, due to all sorts of things popping up. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the story! I hope you enjoy, and thank you for any and all continued support!

"Dialogue"

"Thoughts"

Magic

Half an Hour Later

Natsu and Kagura stood across from one another, each panting with labored breath, albeit Natsu seeming to have his composure a bit more than Kagura. Looking at the two, it would seem as if they had reached a stalemate - despite their continued swordplay for half an hour, neither of them seemed to have been able to decisively best the other, resulting in what many would call a tie. At a closer look, however, the difference between the two would be a bit more noticeable.

While Kagura was panting, her forehead caked in a thin layer of sweat, she seemed relatively fine - a few cuts here and there, but not too damaged besides for her fatigue. Natsu, on the other hand, looked far more battered. While he had better composure, not being nearly as fatigued - likely due to having higher stamina and resilience, his body looked more bruised and battered than Kagura's. He had bruises running up along his arms, a few on his legs, and a forming one across his neck - showing the beating he had taken.

"I knew it." Natsu finally said, with a little grin, as his sword suddenly flashed away in a golden light. "You're definitely better than me when it comes to technique, Kagura." He said with a smile, as his hand flashed golden once again. This time, two small towels appeared in his hand - one being tossed to Kagura, who deftly caught it.

"Perhaps. But if this were a real fight - you'd have bested me far sooner than I could've beat you." Kagura responded, as she graciously caught the towel, and began to wipe the sweat from her brow. A slight frown would be present on Kagura's face, as she did this, however. "I was better with the sword… but no matter how I struck him, he just got back up. Even when I bashed him across the throat, by accident.." she thought internally, as her eyes began to gaze intently at Natsu, who was casually wiping his own sweat off of himself. "His resilience is inhumane… " Kagura finally concluded, to herself.

"Maybe. I think I'm just a bad matchup for you. When magic is in play, at least." Natsu responded, casually, as he re-quiped his towel away, alongside Kagura's, after she had returned it to him. He'd walk over to a nearby tree, sitting down and resting his back against it, as he relaxed in the cool shade that was offered.

"You're right, you are a bad matchup for me. I struggle to handle mages who have a large area of effect magic, like your fire. Though I don't think that's the only factor - you're simply the better mage, as well." Kagura said, with a sigh. While she'd walk to the same tree that Natsu was at - she wouldn't sit down, as she couldn't bring herself to do so, for some inexplicable reason. Instead, she simply stood a few feet in front of the pink-haired slayer, rather awkwardly.

Natsu shrugged at first, as he listened to Kagura speak. But when he heard the purple-haired woman put herself down, by putting himself up - that's when he'd speak up. "I wouldn't say I'm a better mage, Kagura." He replied, surprisingly firmly. "I simply have more experience fighting other mages. I don't know what type of quests you do - but most legal guilds focus on monster extermination type quests, when it comes to fighting. I specialized in fighting and hunting dark mages, as well as bandits." Natsu explained, simply. "I just have more experience fighting other people, I'd say." He concluded, with a simple shrug.

Kagura listened to Natsu's words, with a stoic expression on her face as she did. She understood Natsu's point, and what he had meant - it all made sense to her; yet she couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy, the only negative feeling she's ever had when it comes to Natsu. She never responded to the dragonslayer, it was obvious she was too busy lost in her own head to say anything - something Natsu would easily notice.

"Kagura. Do you think less of yourself?" Natsu suddenly asked, breaking the silence that filled the air. While asking this question, he'd find himself swapping how he was sitting, a little bit too - crossing his legs, in a more meditative position.

Kagura visibly stiffened as she was asked this question by Natsu. "Of course I do.." she thought to herself, tersely. Despite that, however, she couldn't bring herself to say it - she knew the answer, and yet her mouth refused to open, as if she was unable to tell the pink-haired slayer.

"I'll take that as a yes." Natsu finally stated, after listening to the silence that continued to fill the clearing, with Kagura's lack of speaking. "I'm sorry if I'm being too forward.. but may I ask why?" Natsu asked, his tone softer, as he patted the ground next to him.

"It's.. I just am." Kagura relented, as she sat down next to the dragon slayer, with a comfortable amount of distance between the two, still. "Whenever Onee-sama and I spar, it always feels as if she's holding back, and not taking me seriously. And while Mira and I don't really spar with one another - she has so much explosive power, it's insane. Not only that, but her and Onee-sama both have so much diversity in their offense. Everytime I watch them fight, they're always doing something new or different. Meanwhile I'm just a swordswomen - with what feels like no improvement." Kagura finally gave in, opening her heart in a way she hasn't done since she was much younger - even in a way she hasn't done with her precious Onee-sama. "Why am I telling him of all people?" She thought to herself, confusedly.

Natsu listened to Kagura, his eyes closed as he seemingly was lost deep in his own thoughts, as if procuring some unheard wisdom. Though after at least a minute of this, his body slumped over, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. "...I was trying to think of something profound and deep, that my dragon Igneel would've told me. Buuuut- well, I came up empty." He laughed sheepishly, as he scratched the back of his head.

Kagura could only stare at Natsu with a look of disbelief - before even she broke into a laugh, albeit a small and reserved one. "That's quite alright, Natsu. I probably shouldn't have gotten so… emotional." She stated, with a shake of her head. While that small smile stayed on her face, even Natsu could tell that it was, to some extent, forced.

"No, don't say that! Ahhh, I'm sorry. I'm not really good at comforting people.. perks of traveling independently, for so long, you know?" Natsu jested a little bit, as he shook his head. "But you're plenty strong! To be honest, you're the most impressive mage I've met in a while." Natsu said, with a smile.

Kagura would be caught by surprise, at Natsu's statement. The purple-haired woman even felt her heart fluttering, at the praise she had just received - though she found it hard to believe. "I- I don't quite think I get your train of thought." Kagura finally stuttered out.

Natsu simply laughed, finding the woman's reaction both amusing and saddening. "She really doesn't think that highly of herself, huh?" Natsu thought momentarily, before sighing. He'd turn his body, no longer with his back to the tree, as he now faced Kagura head on, with a smile. "It's true, though. Mira has insane destructive power, don't get me wrong. And Erza has incredible judgment, as well as lightning fast reflexes - which makes sense, seeing as she's basically the human form of Rock Paper Scissors." Natsu said. "But your technique is amazing! Never once have you presented an opening, in either of the times we fought - the only openings I got were ones I forced you to make. Erza even had a few openings, and Mira… well, her and I have never fought - but she's so full of openings it's scary!" Natsu laughed, as he remembered some of the times he's seen Mira fight - especially against Conway.

Hearing all of this made Kagura's heart flutter further. While she was originally shrinking in dejection, as Natsu complimented Mira and Erza fighting styles - she was brought back up a little bit, once he mentioned her technique. "Sure, I have good technique - but that's not enough, right? I still lost to you." She lamented, with a dejected look - even if Natsu's words helped to boost her confidence a bit.

"Maybe." Natsu admitted, with a nod of his head. "But that's why you need to pair it with something else. Your gravity magic, for example! It's strong, you clearly have a good grasp of it - but it's only the fundamentals. Despite that though - to be honest? I'd say you're the second strongest gravity mage I've ever met." Natsu complimented, with a genuine and sincere look on his face.

Kagura's eyes widened dramatically at this, not believing her ears fully when she heard that. "Gravity magic isn't common, I know, but.. second strongest?" the gravity mage thought to herself, with a small smile. "Second? Who do I have the honor of being the runner-up to?" She suddenly asked, with curiosity, as well as a hint of playfulness.

"A mage from Grimoire Heart - one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. Though honestly? You're only weaker due to his insane magic container. That and the complexity of some of his spells. Like I said, your magic is only the fundamentals of gravity magic - yet it's the strongest fundamentals of any magic I've ever felt." Natsu said, seriously. "That's your strength, Kagura. Your strength is your ability to master your technique and magic to an astonishing degree. Yes, it's all fundamental - but if you developed more complex skills? You'd be a monster in your own rights." Natsu finally finished, as he visibly shuddered. "Sheesh. Just thinking about it makes me worried about the next time we have a genuine fight." He muttered, with a serious, yet playful, tone.

Kagura didn't quite know what to say, as she sat on the floor, under Natsu's gaze. Her head found itself tilting downwards, staring at her lap, as she was lost in her own thoughts. "Maybe.. he might be right. But.." Kagura suddenly looked upwards, her eyes meeting with Natsu's. "But what? How do I do that?" She questioned, with an almost pleading tone.

At this, Natsu just shrugged, as he turned back to his original position, resting his back against the tree once more. "Who knows? Compliment your strength further. Use your gravity magic in beneficial ways. Take me for example - I'm able to use my flames to propel myself in the air, or to slow my descent." Natsu explained, with a smile. "You don't utilize your gravity magic nearly as much as you should… maybe try starting on fixing that?" He finally concluded.

Kagura nodded her head, before standing back up. Walking towards the center of the clearing, with her back turned towards Natsu, she'd speak once more. "Thank you, Natsu. I appreciate the guidance. Master was right - Wendy surely will bloom under your tutelage." Kagura said. While her tone was simple, very much akin to how she normally spoke - it was evident that an air of happiness and clarity surrounded the woman. Though what Natsu wouldn't notice would be the faint blush dusting the woman's cheeks, nor the rapid beating of her heart.

"Of course!" Natsu said, with a cheeky grin, as he stood up as well. "Though I don't know about that - I'm sure Wendy will improve, regardless of my presence.", he said, with a chuckle. "Anyways! I'll get out of your hair, for now." Natsu softly said, as he turned back towards the way they came, and started walking off towards Gracia.

Kagura would let Natsu leave, turning to stare at his retreating figure after a moment, with an appreciative smile on her face. "Wait…" Kagura suddenly said to herself, a few moments after Natsu had vanished from her sight. "...I never got to ask him my questions." She finally said, as a sigh escaped from her lips.

Gracia

Natsu walked through the streets of Gracia, with a casual aloofness. His hands were intertwined behind his head, and he leaned back as he walked through the streets, gaining the attention of a fair bit of residents, for one reason or another. He wasn't fully sure on how to spend the rest of his day; not really being used to taking rest days, after all. He had got in a decent training session with Kagura, and Wendy and Chelia already made it clear they would be gone for a bit, so he wasn't even able to train Wendy in his downtime.

"Man, I'm so boredddd." Natsu groaned aloud to himself, as he kept walking through the streets of the city. He really had no clue as to what to do, and it was showing. Though he was thankfully pulled out of his bored turmoil, as an elderly lady approached him.

"Excuse me, sunny. You seem like the strong type.. do you think you could help me move my cart? The wheel broke on me." The elderly lady asked, with a kind and hopeful expression.

Staring at her for a minute, Natsu simply shrugged his shoulders, and gave a kind smile. "Sure. I've got spare time." He finally said, as he followed her over to her cart. He wasted no time, grabbing the wagon by its handles and pulling it behind him, as he walked in the direction he was instructed to by the older lady.

"Thank you sunny. I appreciate your help. The younger generation is so spineless these days… it's good to know some of them still have some chivalry!" The older woman started to rant, going on and on about kids and their lack of work ethic and the likes.

Meanwhile Natsu simply smiled and nodded along, even if he couldn't help but to sweatdrop more than just once. "Man, she's a talker…" Natsu thought to himself, as the old lady continued on her winded rant for what felt like forever.

" - and don't even get me started on young ladies, and their lack of dignity! Why, back in my day, any self-respecting woman wouldn't show off remotely as much skin as these youngins do now!" The old lady huffed.

This particular statement managed to make Natsu chuckle for a moment, as he thought of Mermaid Heel and some of the mages there, who weren't too afraid of showing off skin. "Well, that's ironic." He thought to himself, still just lugging the cart.

After another five or so minutes of one sided ranting, Natsu finally managed to get the cart where it needed to go, letting go of the handles, as he came to a halt. Raising a hand to his head, he'd wipe off a thin bead of sweat that was forming. Looking up at the building, he'd notice it to be a bakery, and looking through the windows, he couldn't help but stare just a little bit longer than he probably should have at the fresh baked pastries and delights, even if he himself didn't have much of a sweet tooth.

"Oh thank you, sunny! You've been an absolute doll. Wait right here, just a moment!" The older lady said, as she quickly hobbled her way inside of the bakery. Coming out a few minutes later, in her hand was a small basket, filled up with a few smaller loaves of bread, and some other assorted pastries and sweets. "For all your hard work, sunny!" The old lady said, as she handed Natsu the basket of assorted delights.

"Oh, no, that's fine, you don't have to-" Natsu tried to argue, though his statement was brought to an abrupt end, as the tantalizing scent of the baked goods wafted into his nose, eliciting a rather loud growl from his stomach as a result. Blushing a bit in embarrassment, he'd sheepishly scratch the back of his head with one hand, as the other gratefully took the basket. "...well, I guess it wouldn't hurt." He laughed awkwardly.

Saying their goodbyes, Natsu would be on his way, as the older lady walked into the bakery - a smile on his face. "Well, that wasn't so bad. I got some delightful treats, and all it took was a little bit of my time? I could get used to this place." Natsu said, as he thought fondly of Gracia. He wasn't exactly joking, either. He had grown so used to walking through more shady and less than reputable towns, as well as much larger and less personal cities - so being in such a seemingly friendly and tight knit community for once was really enduring, especially as he hasn't been to Sacchia for more than a day or two, in years.

He'd eventually find himself in the main plaza, sitting on an empty bench as he ripped a piece off of one of the loaves of bread, before devouring it greedily. "Ahhh. If there's one thing I'll never turn down, it's good food." Natsu said to himself, after taking his first bite of the bread. Though it would only be a minute or two, until the first loaf was completely demolished, his eyes already hungrily scanning the basket for what to eat next.

It's at that moment his eyes would be caught by a different sight. Not far from him, he'd see a few kids, likely no older than twelve, running around the streets, placing flyers all over the place, haphazardly on walls and lamp posts, with excitement. Quirking an eyebrow, he'd go to stand up, only for another kid to suddenly be right in front of him, shoving a flyer into Natsu's chest, with barely restrained excitement.

"Woah- what's this little guy-?" Nasty asked, as he felt the flyer being shoved into his chest. Though he didn't get much of an answer, as the little kid only responded with a giggle, before running away - clearly hyper fixated on spreading the flyers around the city. "...Alright, good conversation." Natsu muttered to himself, with a smile, as the kid ran. Looking at the flier in his hands now, Natsu began to examine the piece of paper.

Reading over the piece of paper, Natsu's eyes quirked a little bit, as they were drawn to the large golden text "The Festival of Rising Stars?" Natsu muttered to himself, in confusion. As he tried to examine the flyer for any more information, he'd come up mostly blank - the only words were the ones he already read, as the rest of the flyer seemed mostly decorative, having a black background, with golden and silver speckled all around, presumably to resemble stars.

While Natsu was lost in his state of confusion and curiosity, he was soon approached by a tall man, with a muscular, yet still somewhat lithe, physique.

"Ah, you must be Natsu! The one who Sonya was talkin' 'bout!" The new man exclaimed, catching Natsu's attention.

"Huh?" Natsu responded, lamely, as he looked from the flyer in his hand towards the man approaching him. Taking a quick look, he'd notice first the man's attire, dressed in a simple pair of pants and tunic, as well as a pair of boots. Though he'd notice the rundown state of his clothing, as well as the various dirt and other scuff marks on his clothing. "Must be a laborer." Natsu thought internally. He'd also notice the obvious tells of age, the sprinkling around the man's face, and the light graying of his black hair.

"Scuse my manners! I'm Cecil, Sonyas son! Just wanted to thank you for helping my ma with getting her cart back to her shop." The man, who Natsu now knew as Cecil, explained - as he gave the pink-haired man a grateful bow.

"Sonya..? Oh! Her! It's no worries! She already thanked me more than enough." Natsu responded casually, as he pointed towards the basket of baked goods on the bench, beside him.

Cecil nodded his head, in understanding, at Natsu's answer. "Alright, if you say so! But if you ever got any questions, don't be afraid to help, ya' hear? We take care of our own!" He boasted, rather proudly, with a sloppy grin on his face. Though he suddenly had a look of realization, as he reached around his back, pulling a shoulder bag out and in front of him, as he rummaged through it.

"Aha!" Cecil finally exclaimed, as he pulled out a small bottle of what looked to be vintage wine of some sorts. "Please, do take this though!" Cecil said, before shoving the bottle into Natsu's hands, before him. Could even say anything. "Now I'll get out of your hair! Thanks again!" The man said, as he turned around and began to leave, with a pep in his step.

Natsu just stared blankly at the retreating figure, as he held the bottle of wine in his hands. After a minute, he'd smile a little, as he just stood there, staring at the man in his back. After a few moments, a chuckle escaped his lips, "That was.. what a weird encounter." He said to himself, with a smile. Though he looked down at the bottle, and sighed, with a shake of his head. "I don't even drink.." he muttered to himself, simply.

Turning around, Natsu would grab his basket of pastries from the bench, before looking back down at the flyer. Staring for a few minutes, he'd finally shrug, simply vanishing the paper in a golden flash, as he sent it to his Re-Quip space.

With that being done, Natsu began to walk around the city once again, with the basket in one hand, and the wine in the other. with no real destination in mind. Though something was gnawing at the back of Natsu's mind, as he walked. Turning around, his eyes would scan the plaza he was just in, for any sign of Cecil - though he came up empty, as he did. "That's weird… I don't remember telling the old lady my name?" He thought to himself, suddenly. Natsu suddenly had an ominous feeling coursing through his veins - though he couldn't fully pinpoint why, just that the encounter he just had was far too suspicious for his liking. Though he'd eventually shove it to the back of his mind, with a simple shake of his head. "Man, I am way too paranoid." He finally said, with a laugh.

An Alleyway, Not Far From The Plaza.

Entering the dark alley, Cecil would haunch over, his hands resting on his knees, after having broken into a full sprint the second he was out of Natsu's sight. His forehead was dripping with sweat, both due to the effort of running so fast, and the anxiety and nervousness bubbling up in his core.

After panting for a few moments, he'd finally stand up fully, walking into the dark alley a bit deeper, as he began to speak up.

"Alright, I did it! I took the pink-haired boy the wine you gave me!" He said, his voice a whisper shout, as he tried to spot the person he was meant to meet here.

He'd hear the sound of a trash can being knocked over - turning around in an instant, only to see the scurrying figure of a cat running out of the alley. With a sigh, he'd visibly deflated - as if he had lost a bit of his anxiety, only to feel the presence of someone behind him.

"Good. You did your job well." A mysterious voice whispered into his ear, causing Cecil to tense up and stiffen instantly.

"s-s- so you'll let me go, right? You'll let my family go? Th- that was the deal.." Cecil stuttered out, being too scared to turn around.

"Yeah, about that… I changed my mind." The man said, his voice slithering along Cecil's ear, as the words left his lips.

"wh- what!? That wasn't the dea-!" Cecil tried to say, as he turned to look at the man behind him. Though as soon as his body twisted around, he felt a sharp impact to his stomach, as pain shot across his body like searing flames.

Before he could even react, he found himself on the floor, blood gushing from the open wound in his stomach, as his assailant leered down at him, with a maniacal grin.

"Too bad. I don't really keep my word." He muttered, as he examined his hand - which was now drenched in blood. "The pain is excruciating, isn't it? Don't worry. The poison will kill you shortly." He muttered, with a wicked grin, as he started to walk away from the alley, leaving the dying man on the floor.

"N…no…" Cecil muttered to himself, his vision going black, as he watched the retreating figure walk away. The last thing he saw was the man's dark tanned hand, drenched in Cecil's own blood, and his long white coat - as well as his sharp ears, and dark maroon hair. Before he could say another word, his vision blackened, and he lost consciousness - never to awake again.

Walking towards the entrance to the alley, the man wiped the blood from his hand using a rag he had in his coat - promptly discarding the bloodied rag, once his hand was cleaned. Making sure his mask was on properly, so no one could recognize him by face, the man walked into the less busy street, making his way towards the outskirts of town. Though with a smirk, hidden beneath his mask, he'd say one last thing, while leaving the city.

"it's been two years, huh? Hope you like my reunion gift, Natsu Dragneel."