These Blood-Soaked Pages (Fairy Tail) [Book 1 of Reaper's Scythe]

XVI - Reunion

Natsu's PoV

So it turns out Mavis and Zeref used to know each other, blah blah blah, but now she's a ghost and only Fairy Tail members can see her. EXCEPT! It seems like Zeref can see her if he's touching me. So that means the entire time they were talking I had to hold hands with Zeref.

Our team got a request for a job. It's another one from Warrod, the Wizard Saint and founding member of Fairy Tail. It's to slay a monster that's been terrorizing forest villages. Gray's coming along with us this time, he thinks we'll need his help. Pshaw! (I liked doing one without him for once.) And then- and then Mavis insisted on coming so she can talk to Zeref more!

"Why do so many people have to come along?" I grumble as we walk from the train station to Warrod's house. "Haven't they heard of that saying- how does it go- 'too many cooks spoil the bra?'"

"Natshu, I'm pretty sure it's 'brew,'" Happy says.

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Hey, First?" I ask Mavis, who's floating next to Zeref. "How do you know Zeref anyway?"

"He helped teach Yuri, Precht, and Warrod magic; and helped me learn more about it too."

"But how did you meet?" Now directing my words to Zeref, I add, "I thought you avoided people outside of the Empire."

They quickly look at each other, blush, and look away.

"They lllliiiiike each other," Happy giggles.

"Uh... Oh, look, I see the house up the road, we're almost there!" Zeref lets go of my hand and runs ahead to walk next to Erza, his face still as red as a tomato... Tomato? Great, now I'm hungry.

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Lucy's PoV

Erza raps on the door to Warrod's house a couple of times. It's a good thing the story switched to my point of view, because Natsu would take rapping too literally.

Anyway.

"Go away, nobody's home," Warrod calls out. Then he opens the door. "That was a joke."

He looks over all of us. "Everyone from last time- oh my... I must be hallucinating. I knew I shouldn't eaten those poisonous mushrooms."

A few seconds later, he adds, "That last part was a joke too."

"Hello, Warrod." Master Mavis lowers herself down to the ground next to Zeref. "Don't worry, it's really me; although I'm just a ghost now."

Is Warrod actually... crying? The watering can he was holding drops from his hand. "In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would be able to talk to you again..."

Zeref pokes Natsu. "It's annoying only to be able to hear half the conversation," he hisses.

"Sorry," Natsu grumbles insincerely, and grabs his brother's hand so he can see and hear Mavis.

Warrod's gaze falls upon Zeref. "You... you're the man who taught Yuri, Precht and I magic, aren't you? It's been over a hundred years, how do you look the same as you did then?!"

Zeref is about to say something but Mavis cuts in first. "Before he tells you, please just remember that Makarov and I both trust him."

"Of course..."

The dark wizard sighs. "I didn't want to tell you my name back then because I was afraid you would fear or hate me. It is because... I am Zeref."

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