Time for another chapter. Hope you enjoy!

- K. Chandler

A man with bald crown and a snowy mustache hunched over a lacquered chess box. He was so tiny that his oversized armchair seemed to swallow him up. He looked like any old man playing chess in the park by himself. Few would recognize him as one of the most powerful men in Magnolia City: Don Makarov Dreyar, head of the Fairy Tail family.

"You wanted to see me?" Natsu asked.

"Don't just stand there. Come sit down. And shut the door behind you."

When Don Makarov smiled, the creasing near his eyes reminded Natsu of a jovial grandfather.

When Natsu shut the door, the Don's smile vanished.

Natsu crushed his hat in fisted hands, chuckling nervously as he lowered himself into a chair. "I'm guessing this isn't a courtesy call."

"How were things at the boxing arena?" the Don asked.

"Um, about that…"

The Don gave Natsu an appraising look, eyes narrowed. "Were you not collecting payments from the arena today?"

"I gave that one to Romeo. Up and coming talent he is, I figured he needed a chance to prove himself," Natsu lied.

"Is that so?" Don Makarov nodded sagely. "So, you were there, watching his progress and supporting him if he needed assistance?"

"Not exactly."

Don Makarov frowned, and it was almost as if he had shouted. "Not exactly? Then what exactly were you doing, if not leading your subordinates? Could it be you were too busy, trying to burn down 4th street?"

"H-how did you know about that?"

"I know everything that goes on in my city," Makarov said.

"Okay, so maybe I was having a little fun… I didn't know that was against the rules," Natsu said.

"You didn't know that arson was illegal?" Makarov asked, sounding so mild-mannered that Natsu shivered.

"Well, yeah, but this is our turf though," Natsu said. "I thought we made the rules here."

"Being a leader doesn't mean getting to make all the rules," Don Makarov said. "What was going on in that head of yours when you decided to leave your crew on their own without a leader?"

"Dropping off the goods and picking up our cut from one of our own businesses? It's all so routine. I figured they didn't really need me. They've done it – what, a hundred times? And besides, Erza and the others were going to—"

"I'm aware of what I asked Ms. Scarlet to do. But we're not talking about her. We're talking about you."

"When Erza asked me to tag along, I couldn't turn her down. I wanted to get a piece of the action!"

"So, you decided to abandon your crew and your responsibilities." Makarov said.

"I would use the word delegated," Natsu said.

"We delegate. We don't abdicate," Makarov growled.

"I just thought my particular skills would be—of more use— to my old team than they would be picking up clams from a boxing arena."

Plus, going after a rival family was way more fun. No way was he going to let Erza and the others do that without him.

"And your crew? Did you think about them and what they'd do without a leader?"

"It wasn't anything Romeo couldn't handle. Besides, he had Macao and Wakaba with him. This has been their racket since they worked under Boss Gildarts. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"

"As long as you remember that overseeing your crew is your responsibility."

"Of course." Natsu turned to leave.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" The Don reached under his desk, where he kept his safe. He held up a stack of bills wrapped together with a strip of paper.

"Oh, I almost forgot!"

"Take your responsibilities seriously. Don't forget next time." The Don smacked Natsu over the head with the stack of cash before throwing the money on the table.

Natsu plastered on a smile. "Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Whatever you say, Don Makarov," Natsu muttered through clenched teeth.

The Don sighed, shaking his head.

Laxus tilted back in his chair, fighting a grin as Natsu was called to into the office. It was about time!

When he arrived at the speakeasy, Makarov had been clowning around and chatting with some of the customers. Laxus was worried that he wouldn't act.

It seemed the old man got it right after all. Somebody needed to stop that reckless firebug, Natsu, before he caused real problems.

Laxus pulled a puff of smoke from his cigar into his mouth. He allowed it to linger, savoring the flavors swirling across his palate before expelling the smoke with a slow exhale.

With the patience of a saint, Laxus waited, eyes fixed on the hall that led to the Don's office. Any minute now, Don Makarov would put that juvenile Capo back in his place, and not a moment too soon.

Eventually Natsu emerged, his hands tucked deep in his pockets. My, my, was this the look of penance?

"What did the Don want?" Erza asked Natsu.

"Nothin'."

"Really?"

Natsu shrugged. "He reminded me about payroll. And don't say 'I told ya so.'"

"That was an awfully long conversation just for that."

"Sure was." Natsu jerked his thumb towards a game of cards between some of soldatos were having in the corner of the speakeasy. "I'm gonna join them over there."

Laxus chomped down hard on his cigar, the pulpy tobacco squirting into his mouth.

That was it? A friendly reminder to pick up payroll? Well, how 'bout them apples…?

What was so special about this idiot? He did nothing but cause trouble, yet the Don wanted him to be one of the family's executives. The old man was losing his mind.

Sure, people liked Natsu. And maybe that would have been good enough in a time of peace. But this was a time of war.

Or if it wasn't war yet, it would be soon. The fighting with the Phantomlords had gone on for months. It didn't matter how many times Erza and her crew chased them off. The rival family always came right back to set up shop on Fairy Tail turf.

Erza's crew was too soft.

With Phantomlord nipping at their heels and other families threatening to move in, Fairy Tail didn't need popularity. They needed strength. The right kind of pull with politicians. Partnerships with other families. Cozy arrangements with local law enforcement. They needed to be untouchable.

Laxus would swear by the family crest inked on his chest that when he became the Don, he would make sure that Fairy Tail got the respect that made folks think twice before crossing them.

Until then, all he could do was try to keep things under control. It wouldn't be easy, with the Don playing favorites. Fortunately, Laxus was a man of vision and talent. He planned to control the entire family someday. Keeping Natsu in line would be a cakewalk.

Grinning, Natsu swept his winnings into a stack and tucked them into the pocket of his jacket.

"Sorry, fellas. Guess tonight just isn't your night," he said.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell it to sweeny."

After a couple of hours, he'd managed to clean the fellas out. They grumbled, but it was all in good fun. He returned to the bar, hoping that Erza had cooled off sufficiently. She was saying goodbye to Cana and gathering her things.

"Leaving already?" Natsu asked. "And where's Gray?"

Cana made a face. "He left ages ago. Something about having to be up at a 'reasonable' hour for work tomorrow." She said the word 'work' like it was some sort of rare disease that Gray had contracted.

Erza patted Cana on the back. "We can't all be as lucky as you."

"You got a point. I'll drink an extra one for both of you. Hey, Mirajane! How about another!" Cana held up two fingers.

"Don't stay too late," Natsu said before turning to Erza. "I'll walk you out."

"You don't have to."

"I was headed out anyways."

They went back up the stairs and through the darkened bookstore. After an evening in the smoky speakeasy, the smoggy night air of the city seemed almost pristine.

"All set," Natsu said after he helped Erza crank her car. The bearcat wasn't the type to ask for assistance, but Natsu didn't mind. She was still a dame, even if she didn't act like one.

Erza traced the wood of her steering wheel. "…Would you like me to drop you off at your place? It's on the way."

"I'd rather walk."

Erza looked disappointed. "Yes, of course."

When they said their goodnights and Erza sped away, Natsu turned towards the city. It was too bright to see the stars, but the lights on the buildings were even more beautiful.

He couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Even though his pay as a Capo was enough to afford a reasonably nice place like Erza kept in the suburbs, Natsu would never dream of moving. For one, he'd never be able to survive the daily drive. For another, he'd grown up in this city and he knew it like the back of his hand.

Sometimes, the simplest things were best. Today more than proved it.

He'd missed going on jobs with his old pals like this. His crew was great—a mix of fiery youngsters and seasoned veterans who'd been supportive as he learned the ropes of leadership—but they couldn't compete with the friendly rivalry he had with Gray and Erza.

Natsu arrived at his building and started up the stairs. He stopped short as he reached the landing to his floor. He'd swear he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

Was someone lurking near his door?

Natsu scrubbed his eyes. There was definitely someone there.

The intruder fidgeted, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, chin tucked to his chest. He looked around, his movements jerky. He didn't appear to be breaking in, and if this was an ambush, it was a poor one.

What could anybody possibly want at this hour?

Natsu pressed himself against the wall, his fingers closing around the cold metal of his piece. Maybe he could get the jump on this fella.

"Boss? That you?"

"Romeo!?" Natsu let out a breath. "Jiminy Christmas, kiddo! You got a death wish or something? Lurk around like that and someone'll punch you fulla lead."

"Sorry, I just… I didn't know where else to go." Romeo hung his head again.

"Come on in. We can talk inside."

Romeo wasn't that much younger than Natsu, but he was far less experienced. What he lacked in skills, he made up for in earnestness. He reminded Natsu a little of himself when he had first joined the family.

"What's the matter, kiddo? Where's your dad?"

"Bad news, Boss. The coppers got Pops."

Let me know what you think of the story so far. I'm pretty far out of my comfort zone with this one, trading my normal fluff for firearms, and nary a sword or sorcerer in sight. Trying to keep things Prohibition-style was tough, but fortunately I enjoy dialects, so getting to play with the slang and conventions of the era was nerdy-fun.

And I have to say that I am loving Laxus as Scar. I had three good candidates for this role, based on them having a perfect "I'm surrounded by idiots" voice. But Laxus was perfect, because he looked the part.

Then there's Natsu... Oh, Natsu (sigh). I haven't said too much about him, because I don't want to give too much away. The OG Lion King is a coming of age story and Simba starts out as a child... so there's a lot that the little lion cub gets away with that Natsu can't (without looking completely ridiculous). I was still trying to leave some rough edges and things that Natsu can learn from. Hopefully I'm striking a good balance between Natsu being awesome and Natsu being just a little too impetuous.

Next time, in The Godfather's Heir, Natsu responds... and so does Laxus:

Laxus snorted. Who did this fella think he was? If it wasn't for Laxus, Elias Doranbolt would be a nobody beat cop stuffing his face with stale doughnuts while trying to stay relevant in the precinct. Did he really think he could negotiate with Laxus, a man who would someday run the entire city?

Then again, it was always useful to have a copper in his back pocket. A little favor might be worth the investment.

Stop back for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.