"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Chapter 12: Leoblessed

The warm light of afternoon filtered through the tall windows of the Fairy Tail guild hall, bathing everything in a golden glow. Naruto Heartfilia sat at one of the large wooden tables, his feet propped up on a bench and a large grin on his face. Brandish lounged beside him, her green hair spilling over her shoulders as she lazily stirred a drink. The guild hall bustled with its usual energy, laughter and chatter filling the air. Yet at this moment none of that mattered, as to Naruto and Brandish it was just them alone in their own world.

However, as Natsu Dragneel stomped over, an eager grin plastered on his face. That peaceful bliss was shattered. "Oi, Naruto! Come on, let's have a sparring match!" He yelled, cracking his knuckles and practically bouncing in anticipation.

Naruto sighed and ran a hand through his blond hair. "Natsu, we've been over this. I'm not in the mood for this. Me and Brandish just got back from another mission and we wanna relax." He replied, trying to keep his voice calm.

But Natsu was relentless. "Aw, come on! Just one fight! Promise I'll hold back…a little!"

Brandish's eyes narrowed, and she let out a dramatic sigh. "Ugh. You're so noisy, Salamander." She muttered and then with a flick of her finger, she activated her magic, and Natsu immediately shrank to the size of a doll. He then stumbled forward, looking up at them with wide eyes.

"Hey! What did you do to me?!" Natsu squeaked, his voice hilariously high-pitched.

Erza, who had been nearby polishing her sword, burst into a fit of giggles, her crimson hair shaking with mirth. "Looks like you got what you deserved, Natsu." She said, clearly entertained. Even Happy, who hovered nearby laughed at his friend, his blue wings flapping as he doubled over in the air.

"Aye, sir! You're smaller than me!" Happy said, snickering.

"That's it!" Natsu yelled in a tiny fury while flames danced around his body. "You and I are gonna have a fight right now Brandish!"

Tossing her drink back with a sigh, Brandish quickly took the empty glass and placed it over Natsu's tiny form. "Or you stay there and shut the hell up."

Natsu huffed and crossed his tiny arms, clearly annoyed, but his voice was trapped by the glass. Brandish leaned back, her expression smug. "Finally, back to peace and quiet." She said, though there was a small, satisfied smirk on her lips.

Naruto chuckled, giving Brandish a grateful smile. "Thanks for that. He can be… persistent."

Erza walked over, her demeanor relaxed for once as she joined them. She gave Brandish an approving nod. "Mind if I crash your little date?" She teased, her eyes sparkling as the duo gave her a blank stare.

"This isn't a date. You're being annoying again Erza." Brandish began, but Naruto swore the girl gave the Fairy Queen a smile.

Making Naruto wander if Brandish was finally making actual friends?

Erza laughed and waved her hand around. "Now don't be such a buzzkill. It was only a small joke."

Gray Fullbuster wandered past and Brandish's gaze flicked to him, an idea forming to change the subject. "Speaking of annoying people." She said, her voice dripping with mischief. "Hey, Gray, been flirting with that girl from Phantom Lord lately? Juvia, was it?"

Gray immediately flushed, nearly dropping his shirt, which he'd already half-removed. "W-what?! No way!" He stammered, his face turning red as he frantically waved his hands. "That's not—I wasn't—shut up!"

Naruto snorted with laughter, and even Erza had to cover her mouth to hide her amusement. Brandish leaned forward, her green eyes gleaming. "Come on, you can tell us. After all, she was all over you at that party. Especially when you romantically gave her a new umbrella."

Gray glared at her, his embarrassment only deepening. "I'm not telling you anything!" He insisted. "Besides you're one to talk Brandish! You and Naruto are ten times worse!"

Brandish arched her brow. "And what does that mean?"

Before the conversation could escalate further, Mirajane Strauss approached, carrying the latest edition of Sorcerer Weekly. She looked particularly amused, her smile almost too innocent. Like she was waiting for this exact moment to show what she had tucked away.

"I believe Gray is referring to this!" Mirajane began with a giggle. "Have you two seen this?" She laid the magazine on the table, and there, on the front page, was a headline.

"New Power Couple? Rumors Swirl About Naruto Heartfilia and Brandish μ!"

Naruto's face immediately turned bright red. "What?!" He exclaimed, his blue eyes wide with shock. "We are not a couple! Right Brandish?"

Brandish's reaction was more composed, but her cheeks were tinged with pink. Still part of her heart ached at how quick Naruto was to dismiss the idea of them being together. Since to her, she wasn't completely against the idea.

"Yeah this is just meaningless gossip." Brandish replied without much emotion.

Erza and Mirajane exchanged a look. Both girls sighing to themselves at the reaction that they saw from Brandish that Naruto obviously missed.

"Hey wait a minute!" Naruto shouted as he suddenly shot accusing glares at everyone except for Brandish. "You jerks are quoted in this damn article!"

"What?!' Brandish yelled as she snatched the magazine from Naruto. Finding several interviews from Fairy Tail wizards talking about them. "You jackasses!"

(Elfman's Interview)

Puffing his chest out and holding his flexed arm out, Elfman slapped his bulging muscle and grinned. "You want to know about Naruto Heartfilia?"

Shaking his head with excitement, Jason from Sorcerer Weekly leaned forward with his pen and notepad in hand. "Absolutely! He's this super cool famous wizard who joined Fairy Tail! I need all the gossip!"

"Hah! It's a good thing you came to a man like me!" Elfman boasted loudly. "Me and Naruto have grown pretty close since he joined!"

"Oh really!" Jason exclaimed with stars in his eyes, completely unaware of Elfman's obvious lie. "Then you should know all sorts of secrets! Like where did he learn his magic? How many keys does he really have?"

Scratching the side of his head and looking away, Elfman avoided eye contact with the reporter for a second. "Uh yeah. . . Of course I would know those secrets, but those are ummm secrets between men!"

"Awww come on Elfman! I gotta know something!" Jason groaned as he tried to push the man for some juicy gossip.

The edges of his jaw twitching and a bead of sweat trickling down his head, Elfman was about to get caught in his lie before a thought came into his head. "Okay fine I'll tell you a little secret, but this is a secret for men!"

"Oh! What is it?"

"Well Naruto spends almost all his time with a girl named Brandish." Elfman declared with a wide grin. "She's a really strong wizard, but won't join Fairy Tail. Still she never leaves Naruto's side."

"So cool!"

(Natsu and Gray)

"He was asking me, you useless ice princess!"

"He was clearly asking me, flame brain!"

Jason merely watched with both amazement and nervousness as Natsu and Gray crushed their foreheads together ready to fight.

"Actually I'd be fine to hear from you both." The reporter began, which made both boys huff and give each other the cold shoulder.

"Well Naruto and Brandish are always together. I know at the last party between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord they snuck off to be alone." Gray began, which made Natsu snort.

"Pffft anyone would know that! Listen, me and Naruto were a team before Brandish came into the picture. Since she's been around Naruto only does missions with her. It's totally annoying!" Natsu grumbled in frustration.

"Actually we were never an official team with Naruto." Happy chimed in from the side.

"Typical Natsu trying to seem cool!" Gray added with a side glare.

"Oh? You wanna fight?" Natsu yelled, turning to Gray.

"Bring it on loser!"

(Cana's Interview)

Tipping back her seventh bottle of wine, Cana slammed the empty glass container and looked at Jason from across the table. "You wanna know about Naruto and Brandish?"

Nodding his head with inhuman speed, Jason was shaking with excitement. "Tell me anything and I'll buy your next drink."

Giving a slight hiccup, Cana flashed the man a drunken smile and leaned over the table. "Well in that case I heard those two have been hooking up for awhile now."

"What!" Jason yelled with a blush as he started to scribble on his notepad.

Lifting her empty bottle of wine and holding the opening to her eye, Cana tried to see if there was even a slight drop left. "Yeah Erza mentioned something like that."

Cana let a drunken hiccup loose and waved her hand. "But I didn't really pay all that much attention. She said something about a shower and someone taking a stabbing."

"A stabbing?" Jason mumbled.

Cana laughed loudly. "Erza's respectful to everyone. I say it's just sexual innuendo. You should ask Mira. She is always in everyone's business."

(Mirajane's Interview)

Turning around from the bar counter, Mirajane gave Jason an innocent smile as she cleaned a dirty drinking glass. "Oh my! You want some gossip about our little Starblessed and his girlfriend?"

"Yes yes yes!"

Laughing with an innocent tone, Mirajane placed the glass in her hand down and looked around. Then as she saw no one was listening she leaned forward with a rather mischievous grin. "Well I heard they have been living together ever since she came to town."

"But why? How did they meet?" Jason exclaimed as he wrote furiously on his notepad.

Mirajane let a devious smile slip out. "Rumor has it that their parents knew each other. Some people think they are childhood friends reunited."

"How romantic!"

Mirajane nodded and nudged her eyes to the crimson haired knight. "Still if you want the most information talk to Erza. Surprisingly Brandish seems to stand her enough to speak with."

(Macao and Wakaba)

Swiping his finger across his nose and smirking. Macao let a low laugh escape his lips. "So you wanna know about our student huh?"

Jason practically broke his pen by gripping it so hard with excitement. "Wait, you taught Naruto magic!"

Wakaba laughed and folded his arms. "Not that kind of student!" The man declared through a puff of smoke. "He's our prized student of love."

"And trust me that kids got it bad for little miss too cool for Fairy Tail. Still if he follows our advice he will be just fine." Macao declared trying his best to look cool.

"Can I quote you on that?"

Both men giving a way too excited grin merely nodded.

(Erza's interview)

Erza blinked at the energetic reporter. "You want to know about Naruto and Brandish?"

Jason shook his head so fast Erza was afraid it would snap off. "Yes please!"

Erza sighed softly. "Well, Naruto and Brandish have a... unique relationship." Erza admitted thoughtfully, resting a hand on her chin. "They're always together, and while they bicker constantly, there's an undeniable trust between them. Brandish is surprisingly fond of Naruto, though she would never admit it outright."

Jason scribbled furiously, his pen practically flying across the page. "Is it love? Passion? Forbidden romance?" He gasped dramatically.

Erza gave him a deadpan look. "They're... complicated. But if you're looking for something juicy, you'll have to use your imagination. I won't be putting my friends' personal life out to the public."

(Present)

Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "God this is filled with nothing besides useless gossip. This is the worst."

Brandish crossed her arms, her cheeks still faintly pink. "I mean. It's not that bad." She muttered, though there was a hint of sadness in her voice. Erza catching this glared at Naruto with a look of disapproval.

"Idiot." The Fairy Queen grumbled, which made Naruto arch his brow and glance at the girl.

However, before Naruto could respond, the front doors of the guild creaked open, and a familiar figure strolled in with effortless grace. Loke, the residential playboy who adjusted his signature sunglasses and flashed his charming smile.

"Yo, Starblessed!" The man called out surprisingly.

"Loke?" Naruto blinked in surprise and did a quick glance around the room. "You're actually speaking to me?"

Loke's grin faltered ever so slightly. "I need to talk to you, Starblessed. Privately. No offense to your little girlfriend."

Brandish glared at the playboy with an emotionless glare "Go suffocate on your own shitty cologne."

Loke threw his hands up. "Hey now. That's just rude."

Erza sighed as she was already exhausted with the man. "Loke, why do you want to speak with Naruto?"

"Well if I told you that would defeat the whole purpose of speaking in private. Now wouldn't it?"

Naruto exchanged a curious glance with Brandish. The two then had a silent exchange. One that no one present save Naruto or Brandish was able to decipher. Yet the pair, always in sync, instantly nodded in agreement.

"Sure. Let's step outside."

Brandish sighed and Loke grinned like a madman. "Excellent. Follow me Starblessed."

Naruto glanced at Brandish and, surprising everyone watching, placed a hand over her own. "I'll be back soon. Wait for me?"

"You'll owe me."

Naruto nodded with a snicker. "Understood."

The two stepped outside, where the cool evening breeze swept through the quiet street. Loke's usual playful demeanor vanished, replaced by something somber. The duo then moved in silence before ultimately making their way to the forest on the outskirts of town.

Naruto, annoyed by the walking frowned and stopped dead in his tracks. "Okay enough. What is going on here Loke?"

A sigh escaped his lips and his body shifted to face his fellow Fairy Tail wizard.

"I'm dying, Naruto." Loke confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto's eyes widened. "What?! You're serious? Is this like a sickness or something? Now that you mention it you do look awful."

A glimmer of light flashing by Naruto's head. Aquarius floated casually by her wizard's head. "It's what happens when a Celestial Spirit is denied return to the Celestial Spirit World. Isn't that right Leo?"

Naruto looked at Aquarius and then to Loke. His mouth dropped in surprise. "Wait! Loke is a Celestial Spirit?"

Aquarius nodded with a frown. "One of the twelve Zodiac Spirits just like myself. Why don't you tell Naruto what's going on."

"My former wizard was an abusive woman. I didn't approve of how she treated my fellow spirits. So I refused to return to the Celestial Spirit world or help her on any more quests." Loke clenched his fists. "It wasn't much later that she died because of my actions. I've been denied return to the Celestial Spirit World ever since. It's been three years since then and being in the human world for this long is having negative effects. Especially with how I've been working as a guild wizard. That has really been draining my leftover magic."

Naruto's heart pounded as he processed the revelation. "But there has to be a way to fix this!"

"There isn't." Loke said, his expression grim. "I just... I didn't want to disappear without saying goodbye. Since you were a Celestial Spirit Wizard and so close to Aquarius and the others. I wanted you to know the truth."

Naruto's mind raced. He wouldn't let this happen. "No. We're not giving up. You're a member of Fairy Tail. You're my family and I'll save you."

Loke shook his head and his body started to fade. "Naruto… There isn't anything you can do. Besides, I deserve this fate. I might not have killed Karen myself, but my stubborn actions caused her death."

"You don't deserve this. You can accept you made mistakes, but Loke it's okay to live on!"

"I killed her Naruto. My wizard died because of me. This is retribution for my sins." Loke cried back, his body fading even faster than before.

Summoning every ounce of his magical power, Naruto reached out, letting his Celestial magic surge through him. "I, Naruto Heartfilia, summon the Celestial Spirit Leo under a new contract!"

A burst of golden light exploded between them, surrounding Loke like a protective cocoon. His fading form solidified, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"What are you doing? You're going to get yourself killed! Aquarius stop him!"

Aquarius crossed her arms, her face a mixture of frustration and determination. "I've raised this brat, he's stubborn, but... that's not why I'm going to refuse to stop him." She declared, summoning her magic and pushing it into Naruto. "I trust him above anyone else. If he sets his mind onto something I'll follow."

Naruto smirked despite the pressure weighing on his chest. "Hear that Loke? Just sit back and watch this!"

Pouring all his will into the summoning, he felt the magic strain against his very soul. Golden light radiated brighter, but something resisted. Loke's contract bond was still bound by divine law. The ground trembled as the sky darkened, swirling with cosmic energy. A force unlike anything Naruto had ever encountered was pushing against his attempt to save Loke.

Suddenly, a colossal rift split the air, and with an earth-shaking thunder, a towering figure emerged. A being radiating regal authority and overwhelming power. His form was shrouded in celestial armor, his eyes glowing like stars.

This was the Celestial Spirit King. Summoned in all his glory and absolute power. Who's deep voice echoed like the cosmos itself.

"WHO DARES DEFY THE LAWS OF THE CELESTIAL SPIRIT WORLD?"

Naruto gritted his teeth but stood tall. "I do! I won't let my friend disappear!"

The Spirit King's piercing gaze locked onto him. "YOU AGAIN? LEO BROKE HIS CONTRACT AND DEFIED HIS FATE. HIS PUNISHMENT IS JUST."

Naruto clenched his fists, magic blazing brighter. "Punishment?! He stood up for others when no one else would! He chose what was right, even when it cost him everything. If that's a crime, then I'd be proud to be guilty too!"

The Spirit King's expression flickered with something unreadable.

Naruto stepped forward, determination burning in his eyes. "Loke didn't abandon his duties! He protected those who couldn't protect themselves! He's not just a spirit to be cast aside. He's someone I'd be honored to have at my side! He's a person not a tool to be used!"

The air crackled with intense power as the Spirit King raised his massive blade. "YOU WOULD CHALLENGE ME FOR HIS FATE?"

Naruto's magic surged instinctively. "I will if I have to!"

Suddenly, two golden gates erupted behind him. His remaining Celestial Keys glowed fiercely in response to his will. With twin bursts of light, Virgo and Libra appeared, standing resolute at Naruto's sides.

"We stand with our master!" Virgo announced with a bold cry.

"Naruto Heartfilia's resolve is stronger than any contract." Libra added. "We place our fate in his hands."

Aquarius flickered her tail. "You know where I stand, old man! I picked this brat years ago and almost ended up like Leo!"

The Spirit King's gaze softened ever so slightly, his blade lowering. "YOU WOULD RISK EVERYTHING… FOR HIM?"

Naruto met his gaze unflinchingly. "I swore to protect my friends. No matter what it costs me. I've lost my entire family once and now I've made a new family with Fairy Tail and I WONT lose a single member of this family!"

For a long, tense moment, silence reigned. That was until the Spirit King slowly sheathed his blade. "VERY WELL."

With a wave of his hand, golden chains shattered around Loke, dissolving into stardust. His spirit form stabilized, light returning to his eyes.

"LEO OF THE ZODIAC IS BINDED UNDER A NEW CONTRACT… AND A NEW MASTER. ONE THAT ALLOWS HIM TO RETURN HOME!"

As the Spirit King turned to leave, he spoke one last time. "PROTECT YOUR NEW FAMILY, STARBLESSED… FOR YOU HAVE EARNED THEIR TRUST."

With that, he vanished, leaving the stunned group alone in the quiet forest.

Loke stumbled, disbelief etched into his features. "You… saved me."

Naruto grinned. "Yeah… you're stuck with me now. So welcome to our team Loke."

"I think… I'm okay with that, but please. You can call me Leo."

Naruto nodded and watched as a new golden key shimmered into his hand. "Only if you promise me that you won't let the darkness take you again. Accept the past for what you've done, but never accept you deserve what happened to you."

Leo smiled at his new master. "I think I can give that a try."

Naruto beamed at his new spirit. "That's what I like to hear!"

Leo nodded. "But in return I'm gonna need you to step up your game with Brandish."

"Come again?"

Leo smirked. "I'm not going to have a master who fumbles such a beauty. So I'm gonna help you out a little."

"God you're gonna be just as bad as the others aren't you?"

Taking an arm around Naruto's shoulder, Leo smirked. "Now don't be like that. Here I'll even help you out."

Naruto watching a set of tickets appear in the spirit's hand gave the former Fairy Tail wizard a confused glance. "And what are those exactly?"

Leo merely gave Naruto a wicked grin. "Well let me explain my master plan."

(With Brandish)

The Fairy Tail guild hall was peaceful as twilight settled over Magnolia. Erza Scarlet sat near the window, sipping a cup of tea. Satisfaction on her face as she glanced over to Brandish, stirring uncomfortably by her side almost as if she wanted to say something, but didn't want to start the conversation. This of course made the Fairy Queen gently place her cup down and smile.

"What's wrong?" Erza asked calmly.

Brandish hesitated, then slowly sighed softly. "Do you remember... that talk we had a while ago? About... figuring out what my feelings meant?"

Erza nodded thoughtfully. "I do."

Brandish exhaled sharply, her eyes flickering with frustration. "I've figured it out." She looked away, almost annoyed at herself. "I have... feelings for Naruto."

Erza remained quiet, allowing Brandish to speak at her own pace.

"I thought things would change." Brandish's voice grew bitter. "But... nothing's different. He still treats me the same. As if I'm just another comrade. Like what we've been through didn't matter."

Erza's expression softened with understanding. "Trust me Brandish. He definitely doesn't treat you like everyone else. I believe you're overreacting."

Brandish scoffed. "He doesn't act like it."

"He does. In his own way." Erza countered gently. "But he's someone who's lost so much. Letting himself love might feel... dangerous. You've said it yourself. You both are a complicated case with some history. Don't stress over everything so much."

Brandish clenched her fists. "I've been patient. I've stayed by his side, shown him he's not alone... What else am I supposed to do?"

Erza studied her for a moment. "Sometimes... things don't happen on their own. Maybe Naruto needs a push."

Brandish frowned. "A push?"

Erza leaned forward, her voice steady. "Naruto's brave in battle, but when it comes to his heart... he hesitates. He might not even realize what he feels until someone makes it impossible to ignore."

Brandish mulled over the words, biting her lip. "So what... you think I should just tell him?"

Erza smiled knowingly. "Why not? You've faced monsters and dark wizards without flinching. Are you really going to let this be what stops you?"

Brandish's expression shifted from uncertainty to determination. "You're right... I've waited long enough."

Erza nodded approvingly. "Sometimes, the greatest battles aren't fought with magic or swords... but with the truth."

Brandish stood, a flicker of confidence returning to her eyes. "I'm done waiting. I'll tell him the next time I see him!"

Erza giggled. "Now this is something I'd love to see." The crimson haired knight replied as she pointed to the side.

Brandish blinked as Naruto's familiar voice called out from the entrance.

"Hey, Erza! Brandish! You won't believe what just happened!"

Both women turned as Naruto hurried toward them, excitement practically radiating from him as he waved a few papers in his hand with a triumphant grin.

"Loke… is Leo, the Celestial Spirit of the Lion!" Naruto announced, still breathless from running a new golden key in his other hand for display. "He was cursed to stay in the human world, but I helped him return to the Celestial Spirit Realm! He's now my fourth Celestial Spirit!"

Erza raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's remarkable."

Brandish crossed her arms, eyeing Naruto with mild interest, though her heart still raced from her earlier conversation. Yet instead of declaring her feelings she swallowed a lump in her throat and chose to keep her feelings held back. "And why do you look like you won the lottery?"

Naruto's grin widened as he held up the tickets. "Before he left, Leo gave me these!" He fanned out a stack of shimmering golden tickets.

Erza arched her brow. "And those are?"

"Tickets!" Naruto confirmed proudly. "Tickets to Akane Beach. It's a huge beach resort that's one of the most exclusive vacation spots in all of Fiore!"

Brandish blinked, momentarily stunned. "How... exclusive?"

"Super exclusive." Naruto emphasized. "Leo said these tickets are almost impossible to get. He was going to go there before everything happened, but as thanks for saving him gifted them to me. So I'm taking all of us on a vacation!"

Erza couldn't suppress a small smile. "All of us?"

"Yeah! You two, me, Natsu, Happy, and Gray!" Naruto counted on his fingers. "A week of relaxation, amazing food, and no life-threatening quests. I uh… Think it would be a lot of fun! You'll go right Brandish?"

Brandish gave Naruto an annoyed look. "Yeah, a week with Natsu, Gray and Happy. Sounds amazing. Still I won't pass on a free vacation."

"Great!" Naruto laughed as he was too excited to notice Brandish was annoyed. "We leave tomorrow so pack your things!

Erza chuckled softly. She, unlike Brandish, noticed Naruto was really only wanting her to go and didn't care about the others. Making Erza think she and the other boys were merely buffers to not make things too awkward.

Having that in mind it made Erza formulate her own counter plan. After all, she was quickly becoming Naruto and Brandish's biggest supporter.

"I'll help Brandish pack. You can go tell the boys."

"Sounds like a plan!"

As he turned to head toward Natsu and Gray to share the news, Brandish exchanged a look with Erza.

"Well you didn't declare your feelings the next time you saw him, but maybe this vacation... is exactly the push we were talking about." Erza whispered with a knowing smirk.

"Yesh cause being surrounded by Natsu is the perfect time to declare my feelings." Brandish grumbled bitterly.

Erza sighed and patted her friends back. "I'll take care of those idiots. Don't worry. In the meanwhile you have an opportunity to set up something romantic before telling Naruto how you feel."

"And if he rejects me?" The powerful girl asked in a rare form of weakness.

Erza laughed and shook her head. "Then he's the biggest fool in Fiore. Still I know without a doubt he will return your feelings. So let's go pack for this vacation and plan on how to keep Natsu and the other two occupied."

(Chapter End)