Fire & Ice (Fairy Tail Next Generation) DISCONTINUED

Chapter 8: Tension Rises

Tsubame's POV:

I let out a breath of relief when Natsumi's father came into view, "DAD WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Natsumi screamed out. Natsu simply laughed and laughed and didn't show the slightest bit of distress.

"I hate to interrupt but," Reiki spoke with a finger raised, "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!" Natsumi froze along with her dad and stared at the rest of us dazed. Did they forget we were here?!

"Yeah, I'd like to know that too." Jakurou added and crossed his arms, Matskuni simply looked bored and leaned against the wall. "I figured it must've been him, the magic power I sensed was too familiarly powerful." he said and scratched his arm. Natsumi turned expectantly towards her father.

"Where do I start?" He began and scratched his head, "Well, how about the reason you're here Mr. Dragneel?" I suggested and ignored Natsumi's glare. Listen, honey, you and the others are rude as hell so I should at least show this man a little respect even if I am frustrated about the confusion.

"Okay, Tsubame, by the way," he said with a kind smile, "You can just call me Natsu, there's no need for that kind of formality with me." I grinned back at him and gave Natsumi a smug look. She simply huffed and sat on the dirty floor.

"Anyways, I'm mostly here because of you Sumi," Natsu said seriously, an unnatural state for him, "Yesterday when you were arguing with Grant about this mission, as much as I hate to admit it, the kid had a point. What if this was all just a scam just for someone to get you with your guard down? I couldn't accept such a thing." Natsumi sighed and stood to face her father with an annoyed expression.

"I hate to admit this myself," she said and her eyebrow twitched with every word, "I realized that possibility myself yesterday when I calmed down. I know that it was a risk coming here on pure instinct but we do have one clue, and it's the request sheet itself." she reached into her bag and pulled out the scrap of paper she had ripped from the paper.

She held it up in between herself and her father, "This little scrap of paper is the best clue we've had, Evan's scent is on this, Matskuni helped me confirm that it was his. Just with this, we can do so much. Grant made some good points when we argued, I admit it, but the fact he was such an important part of my childhood, such a crucial piece to the puzzle my friends and I have created, I have to find him and I can't let him go, not again."

A sniffle was heard in the sudden silence, I looked at Reiki to see her fanning her glossy-looking eyes and Jakurou handing her a tissue. Matskuni and I shared a glance and snorted. I composed myself and turned to see Natsu smiling down at Sumi.

"You've grown up a lot, my little fire cracker," Natsu said, looking warmly at his daughter. I pictured images of Natsumi as a child running across his mind as he looked at her; it must be such a bitter-sweet feeling to realize how much your child has grown, "I'll help you guys the rest of the way, you need a more experienced nose on your side!"

"Really Natsu?" Jakurou asked, his eyebrows raised. Can't blame him, I can hardly conceal my own astonishment. We were about to head out of the dark cave when I realized something.

"Wait!" my shout echoed loudly off the wall of the deadly silent cave and the others turned to look at me, "Matskuni, Natsumi, before we came in here you both said you sensed and smelled something, what happened to the scent?" The two Dragon Slayers gasped and smacked themselves in the forehead.

"I totally forgot about that!!" They both yelled in realization, in that instant, both of them hurried further into the cave without a second thought. Jakurou, Reiki, Natsu and I just stayed behind and waited as we heard their distant bickering.