Trail of a Fairy

01. Time to Take Action

Nashi looked down at his plate. As usual, most of it was burnt. From across the table, Nashi saw his dad eating without a care. Quietly, Nashi picked up his plate and went to wash it clean. Natsu noticed. He watched as Nashi threw out his burnt breakfast. There was a small pain in Natsu's heart, but he understood.

"Guess I still can't cook - eh kid?"

Nashi chuckled and looked at his dad. His dad was no longer the person he once was. Natsu's pink hair was still spiky, but it had grown longer. On his chin, there was a light stubble. His entire body was covered in scars. His worn vest displayed all his scars easily, and his face had a few more scars added to it too. Natsu's pants were no longer a clean white. They had dulled to a faded grey color and the ties were worn and ripped. Nashi looked at the scars on his father. He knew where the scars came from. Nashi knew what types of fights his father had gotten into after his mother's death.

But Natsu sat there, grinning at his son anyway. Nashi couldn't help it. He sighed, and grinned back. "Yeah dad. You still can't cook. You're such a slow learner."

Natsu shuddered and took a deep breath. Smiling again, he stood to put his dishes in the sink with Nashi's. It was becoming quite the pile.

"I guess we should wash the dishes today..." Natsu mumbled aloud.

Nashi looked at his father briefly. "Actually, I was gonna go out with Gael and Freyr today."

Natsu looked at his son. He had gotten taller, and his hair had gotten spikier. He wore a similar vest to Natsu's; although it wasn't worn out at all. And his pants were still a clean white. The only difference was that Nashi didn't have Natsu's scarf, and Natsu didn't have Nashi's keys. Lucy's keys. Natsu sighed, and smiled at his son.

"Alright, go on."

With a wave, Nashi was gone. Once the door shut, Natsu looked at the pile of plates.

"Guess I clean them by myself then."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nashi felt his stomach twist as he closed the door, but he tried to suck it up. Turning away, he started to head into Magnolia. Luckily, Gael's house was close to the edge of town. Jumping over the stones on the cobblestone road, Nashi reached the house in no time. He didn't knock - he just walked in.

"Hey! I'm here!" He called.

Soon enough, Gael came down the stairs. She smiled when she saw Nashi. Behind her came her parents.

Gray was wearing a greenish pair of cargo pants - and nothing else, as usual. His hair had been cut closer to his head, so the scar on his forehead was easier to see now. Actually, all the scars were easy to see. The scar on his stomach was still there - it hadn't faded even during the long years. He grinned, and Nashi grinned back. Unlike Natsu, Gray kept himself clean-shaven.

Juvia stood beside her husband as usual. She wore one of her old dresses - a dark blue one with a white trim and a small shawl. Her hair was loose and went down her shoulders in waves. It seemed as if Juvia hadn't aged.

In front of her parents, Gael waited. She wore the same dress as her mother - although newer and smaller. On the back of her left hand was her Fairy Tail mark - in dark blue. As Gael left her parents and continued down the stairs, her wild hair bounced around.

"Nashi!" She called. "You're early! Want some breakfast?"

Nashi grinned and headed to the kitchen with the family. "Yeah, dad burnt breakfast again."

"Hah," Gray scoffed. "Of course he did. He's the flamer."

Juvia nodded as she went towards a cupboard. Pulling out some food, she replied. "But Natsu-san has changed a lot since Lu..."

Juvia's voice faded away as she remembered. Everyone in the kitchen sat in silence. Juvia started to curl into herself. She knew what she mentioned. Carefully, she looked at Nashi. He had his hands on the table in fists and his face was downcast.

"Juvia is sorry, Nashi-kun." Juvia apologized.

Nashi shrugged. "It's okay. I don't really remember her."

Gael heard the crack in his voice as he said that. Quietly, she went to hold one of Nashi's hands. Nashi acted as if he didn't notice.

"You know," Gael tried. "You can ask your dad about her. I'm sure he'd tell you if you asked."

Nashi shook his head. "No. He can't even look at her picture. He tries, but I still see him flinch."

Gray looked at the boy. Only just twelve years old, yet this was his life.

"Hey, Nash," Gray spoke up. "Ask him. You're still a kid. You can ask about your mom."

Juvia came back and placed cereal and bowls on the table. She smiled gently when she came to Nashi. He thanked her and grabbed some food.

"I won't ask him. I don't want him to relive the hurt."

Everyone stayed silent for a minute. Nashi kept on, and went to eat his food. So carefully, the Fullbusters started to eat. It didn't take long for breakfast to be finished. As soon as Nashi was done, he stood up.

"Thanks for the meal."

Gael followed quickly. "Yeah. Nashi and I are going to see if we can get a small job with Freyr."

"Alright." Juvia spoke. "Gael-chan, Nashi-kun, stay safe please."

"Don't get too beat up, Nash." Gray chuckled. "And keep Gael safe."

Gael smiled, and went to kiss her mother goodbye. Sh hugged her father, and then followed Nashi to the door. Nashi waved from the door as he left. Before Gael closed the door, she smiled at her parents.

"Don't worry. We'll be safe."

Gray waited until the door was closed before he turned to his wife. His face was stony, and his brows were slightly furrowed. Juvia waited patiently for him to speak.

"We should go talk with Natsu. About Lucy and Nashi."

Juvia sighed and nodded. "Juvia agrees."