16: Confession, Admission, Acceptance

It had been three full days since Natsu had fought Gildarts. Three days since Natsu had become Fairy Tail's newest S-Class Mage. Three days since Natsu had been seen by anyone. As customary for Fairy Tail, they had a party to celebrate Natsu's promotion, only the guest of honor - Natsu - had not been in attendance. No one seemed to mind, partly because they weren't exactly fond of the Dragon Slayer, and partly because they couldn't imagine Natsu would be in the partying sort of mood after what had happened.

Cana wanted to go check on Natsu. Her heart screamed at her to go check on her friend, but her brain knew that Natsu needed time to process what all had happened. But her brain could only keep her heart at bay for so long. She decided that three days was long enough. She had to go see him. Cana stood up from her table and began making her way to Natsu's home.

"Cannnnnnnnnnnnna!" Happy cried out to the Card Mage. "Where are you going?" the blue cat asked.

"I'm going to check on Natsu." Cana gave a small smile.

"Can I come?" Happy asked while staring at the ground. Cana sighed. She knew how much Happy wanted Natsu to like him. He may act like it didn't bother him but she could tell that Happy desperately wanted Natsu's approval.

"I'm sorry buddy but I don't think Natsu even wants me around right now." Cana rustled Happy's fur. "But I tell you what, let me go talk to him and then we can all go do something, okay?"

"Okay!" Happy cried! "I'm gonna go find some fish while you go talk to Natsu!"

Cana laughed at the antics of the cat.

Cana arrived at Natsu's house after a short walk through the woods. She knocked on the door but received no answer. After knocking again and still not receiving an answer, she decided to head inside the house.

"Natsu?" Cana called out as she entered. The house was a wreck, like a tornado had gone off inside. Broken furniture and ripped clothes were strewn everywhere and in the middle of all the chaos sat the broken Dragon Slayer. "Natsu?" Cana called out to him again. When he didn't answer, she simply sat down beside Natsu and rested her head against Natsu's shoulder. "Are you okay?" Cana asked, already knowing the answer.

"I lost." Natsu's voice portrayed no emotion.

"You didn't lose, you passed! You're an S-Class Natsu!"

"No, the fight."

"Well yeah it was Gildarts. The guy's a monster, but it looked like you were holding your own there for a while."

"I wasn't. It was all a farce. I never stood a chance of winning. I knew that from the moment I landed my first punch."

"Then why did you let it drag on so far?"

"I couldn't allow myself to give up."

"But you conceded later in the fight. What changed?"

"I thought of something more important than winning."

"More important than winning? For you? Oh boy I need to know what it is that makes even the mighty Natsu forget winning!" Cana laughed as she tried to make a joke to ease the building tension. Seeing that Natsu had no reaction, she asked again. "Hey Natsu, can I ask what it was?"

"It doesn't matter. I can't attain it and I damn sure don't deserve it. But, it was nice to think about at least." Natsu shifted his eyes over to Cana who was looking at him intently. This caused Natsu to look away. "Cana?"

"Yes Natsu?"

"You're a good person. Much better than me." Natsu started. "I just want you to know how much I value you. I know I don't say it often, or even at all for that matter. But I just wanted to…" Natsu stood up and took a few steps away from Cana. "Thank you Cana."

"For what?" Cana asked.

"For being you." Natsu said as he exited his home, leaving Cana sitting on the floor.

Cana returned to the guild and approached her father. He had been resting between jobs and was in the middle of drinking with Makarov, Macao, and Wakaba. "Dad, I need a favor." She stated in a tone that wasn't really a question. "It's Natsu. He's…" Cana trailed off as she noticed the three other men were listening intently to the conversation. She pulled her father away from the others before continuing. "He's not okay."

Gildarts gave his daughter a puzzled look? "What do ya mean?"

Cana pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look, I've seen Natsu with just about every emotion you could imagine. But I've never seen him like this before. He's sad and sulking. That's not like him." Cana told her father. "At first I thought it was just because he lost the fight but it's something way more than that. I tried to talk to him but I clearly don't know what to say."

"So you want me to try and talk to him?"

"I don't know? Maybe? I think he needs fatherly advice, and you…well you're the closest thing I can think of." Cana said with a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

"Well I guess I could go and say something to him Kiddo." Gildarts said ruffling Cana's hair. The elder mage threw back his drink while bidding farewell to his drinking buddies. As Gildarts retreating frame faded from view, Cana made her way over to the bar. She needed a drink. She took a seat and the white haired barmaid wasted no time in coming to her.

"Hey there Cana!" Mira said in a cheery tone. "The usual?"

"No thanks Mira. Not really in the mood to drink." Cana said with a somber tone.

"Oh dear, what's wrong Cana?" Mira asked sincerely.

"It's Natsu. He's…" Cana struggled to find the right word to describe her friend's condition. She looked up to see Mira smiling at her, waiting for her to finish. She had changed so much since Lisanna's death. No longer was she the demon of Fairy Tail, quick to pick on and mock everyone, but a kindhearted older sister figure, always willing to lend an ear and offer any advice she could. Besides Erza, Mira was the only other one Cana confided her feelings for Natsu to. Funny how someone who used to hold so much animosity for the Dragon Slayer became her number one supporter. "I think Natsu is sad."

"A sad Natsu? That would sure be a first. I would have thought he'd be in here gloating about his new position." Mira chided.

"I don't think he thinks he earned the title."

"He lasted longer than anyone else would have against Gildarts. That alone tells me he earned it." Mira watched as Cana stared down at the bar, moving her finger in a circular motion along the wood. 'I'll tell you what, why don't I go talk to him?"

"Do you really think that's a good idea? You and Natsu don't exactly have the best history."

'Well then maybe that just means he'll listen to me!" Mira beamed. Cana didn't know how she did it. How Mira could always be so optimistic about everything. But if she was offering, and there was even a slight chance it could knock Natsu out of whatever funk he was in, then she'd take it.

"Sure Mira. Maybe it will."

Gildarts arrived at Natsu's home and let himself into the small abode. He looked around and observed the mess the place was in.

"So it seems letting yourself in runs in the family?" Natsu called out as he came around the corner. He looked rough. Bags had formed under his eyes and his hair was a mess.

"Geez kid, what's gotten into you?"

"I think you already know." Natsu said while sinking down into his pink armchair.

"You're really this bent out of shape over losing?" Gildarts asked but received no response from the Dragon Slayer. Gildarts sighed as he took a seat on the couch opposite Natsu. "Look kid, you're strong. I won't lie. Perhaps one day you might. " Natsu sensed a 'but' was about to come. "But all it took was me saying one thing and you flipped. You were like an animal cornered in a cage. Relying solely on brute force and instincts to get by. Everything else in your arsenal was thrown aside and you became reckless." Gildarts paused, only to observe no chance in Natsu. "You've been fortunate enough that that brute strength of yours has gotten you as far as it has. But what happens if you're fighting someone with experience dealing with incredibly strong opponents? Or someone with a much more strategic and well thought out plan, and backups for their backups? What then kid? Hell, what if someone says something that presses one of your little buttons? When you get like that, you become predictable. Anyone with half a brain can figure that out. The only reason you're ahead of all the other kids is because they are just that, kids. You refuse to change and everyone is going to surpass you." Gildarts waited for Natsu to respond, but still, nothing came. "You're talented Natsu. But all that talent goes out the window when you become an animal focused only on survival. You've got to get your emotions in check son. You've got to be better." Natsu's mind found itself wandering back to when his father would lecture him. It was nothing like this. The Crash Mage was calm and sincere while also criticizing him. "Besides, if you want to be with Cana, you'll have to prove to me you can keep your cool while protecting her."

This snapped Natsu out of his own mind. "I would never let anything happen to Cana!" he yelled. "Never! She's…" Natsu struggled to find the right words."She's important to me!"

"Oh I know, believe me, anyone with eyes can tell she means a lot to you."

"It's more than that. She's the only reason I've stayed here this long. She's… She's precious to me."

"Seems to me like you have a crush. So tell me Natsu," Gildarts face shifted from a jovial, light expression to a very serious one. "What are your intentions with my daughter?"

"I don't deserve her…"

"Hmm maybe so, but I don't think that's for you to decide."

"What do you mean?"

Gildarts stood up from the couch. "I mean the only one that gets to decide what Cana deserves is Cana." Gildarts started walking towards the door but stopped just shy of leaving. "And if it means anything, I'm rooting for you. You have my respect for saving her on that job."

"She told you what happened?"

"She did. She told me everything."

"So you know I…"

"I do. And because you saved her, this is as far as it goes. You have my word." Natsu nodded his thanks to the man. "Oh and Natsu," Gildarts called back to the boy. "You should talk to Cana. It would really mean a lot to her." He said, flashing a grin before taking his leave.

As Gildarts made his way back to the guild, he saw Mirajane coming over the hill. He called out to the girl. "Seems like it's your turn to try and talk some sense into him? He's almost there just needs one last push." He gave her a thumbs up as she walked past him and up the hill towards Natsu's house.

Unlike the other two, Mira knocked on the door and waited for a response. When none came, she knocked again, and again, and again. Finally, the grouchy Dragon Slayer opened the door. Upon seeing who it was, Natsu's face shifted and he attempted to close the door, but Mira raised her arm to stop him. "Natsu, is this any way to greet a lady?" Mira asked in a sweet tone.

"What do you want, Mira?" Natsu asked, clearly annoyed by people continuing to pop up at his house.

"Well if you really want to know, Cana asked me to check on you. She's really worried you know?"

"She doesn't need to worry about me. I'm not worth it."

"Eh? I don't think you get to decide what she thinks is or is not worth it." Mira said as she kindly pushed past Natsu to get into his home. "Besides, it's not like she makes her feelings for you hidden or anything. She really cares about you Natsu."

"Her feelings? What do you mean?"

Mira let out a little giggle. "Gosh, I forgot how dense you can be sometimes. It's honestly quite cute Natsu." Mira pulled a light pen from her pocket and began writing in the air. "Here let me make it a little easier for you to understand." Natsu gave a puzzled look until Mira finished her terrible drawings. The first was a heart with the letters 'N' and 'C' inside. Then were two stick figures that Natsu could only assume was supposed to be Cana and himself holding hands. Finally, there was a picture of the two kissing. Noticing Natsu had seen the drawings, "Make sense now?"

Rather than getting a nod or confirmation that he understood, he just asked why. "Why would you help me? We hate each other."

"Well Cana is my friend and I want her to be happy. She's decided that you make her happy so you're going to make her happy. Deal?" Venom lurked behind Mira's smile. Perhaps her time as a demon wasn't quite over.

"What if I can't?"

"Well, you'll never know unless you try."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Mira mirrored.

"Okay, I'll try."

The two made their way to the guild in silence. Once they arrived, Mira left Natsu outside. He was trying to figure out how to tell Cana, but nothing seemed worthy enough. Cana was special and this needed to be equally special.

Natsu paced back and forth for thirty minutes trying to decide a way in which to ask Cana. Growing frustrated, Natsu cursed himself as he angrily stomped into the guild. He had an idea, maybe not the best idea, but it's the one he came up with.

Everyone turned to the door as Natsu barged in, his face full of resolve. Completely ignoring everyone else, he stormed towards the table Cana occupied. Soon he was standing before her. "Come." he stated, raising his hand to the girl. Cana looked around and found that everyone was staring at them. "Don't look at them, just look at me." Focusing on his words, Cana grasped Natsu's hand and shrieked as he lifted his other arm, summoning a portal of chaotic energy. "Do you trust me?" Natsu asked. Cana nodded in response and allowed Natsu to take her through the portal.

Instantly, the pair were transported to a forest. Cana had to admit, she was confused as to why they were here. "Natsu?" Cana turned to see her companion a few steps in front of her. "What are we doing here?"

"You don't remember this place?"

"Should I?"

Rather than answering the question, Natsu shrugged it off. He figured it probably didn't resonate with her as it did him. "I do. This place… it has a lot of meaning to me."

"Do you visit this place often?" Cana asked as she took her place beside the Dragon Slayer.

"Not as much anymore, but I used to come a lot." He turned to face Cana. "A few months ago, when I was… gone, a lot. I'd come here quite often. It was… peaceful."

"I didn't know you were so sentimental Natsu!" Cana exclaimed as she lightly punched him in the arm."

"You really don't remember this place, Cana?" Natsu asked again. Cana swore she could hear a little hurt in his voice. Sighing, Natsu decided to tell her. "This is the place where I decided that you were special."

Did she just hear him right? He called her special? Then realization hit her. This is where they had their first job together. She couldn't believe this place still occupied a place in Natsu's mind.

"Natsu this is…" Natsu raised his finger, cutting off Cana's words.

"Please, let me talk." Natsu started. He was nervous. Very nervous. "Look we've known each other for a while, and we're pretty familiar with each other right?" Natsu looked to Cana for affirmation. "So then you know it's hard for me to express certain things." Natsu continued. His tone wasn't his normal confident, sure-of-him-self manner of speaking. "And I… I…" Natsu's eyes wandered from Cana and he was now looking at the ground. "Cana I.." Natsu was interrupted as Cana crashed her lips onto Natsu's and wrapped her arms around the Dragon Slayer. Slowly the two pulled apart.

As they parted, Natsu and Cana gazed into each other's eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but Cana placed her finger to his mouth. "I know Natsu." She said smiling. "Me too. For a long, long time." Cana wrapped her arms around Natsu and laid her head on Natsu's chest. Natsu smiled as Cana held him. He returned her embrace, wrapping his own arms around her. For the first time, Natsu felt at home in Fairy Tail.

Enjoy! - Sinh