Trail of a Fairy

03. Grandpa

Natsu walked into the guild quietly. He peeked around, and relaxed once he saw that Nashi and Gael weren't there. Walking freely, Natsu went up to the bar. Mira was there setting up a plate for her son - Alex. As Natsu got closer, Alex turned to look at him.

"Mama!" He cried. "Someone's here!"

Mira looked up, and smiled. She wiped her hands on a cloth as she came forward. "Natsu! It's been a while since you came to the guild! What were you doing?"

Natsu chuckled. "I've been fixing up the house. It's been awhile since someone did that..."

Looking down, Natsu noticed that Alex was staring at him. Alex was a thin kid, and he wore a plain white t-shirt and a pair of oversized blue jeans. His hair was wavy like his mom's - but it was the exact shade of Laxus' yellow hair. Alex took his mother's blue eyes. It gave him this look of youthfulness to him - like he was forever going to be a kid. Alex grinned at Natsu. Natsu looked back to Mira.

"This is Alexander?"

"Yup." Mira smiled.

"Wow, has he grown!" Natsu exclaimed. He bent down and ruffled the kid's hair. "How old are you, bud?"

"I'm eight now!" He boasted.

"And I bet you're strong too! Where's your dad?"

"Papa is on a job." Alex responded. "He's on a 10-year quest!"

Mira laughed, and shushed her son. Gently, she pulled him to the back where his breakfast was. Alex ate without complaint, leaving Mira alone. She came back to Natsu, who was still waiting at the bar. "What can I help you with?"

"Yeah, can you tell me in what order Lucy and I took jobs?"

"Well, yes I can," Mira reached under the bar for something. "But why?"

Natsu grinned, and leaned in close. He didn't want his surprise for Nashi to be heard by too many people. Quietly, he told Mira. Once Mira heard, she smiled. Pulling out a stack of papers, she responded.

"I'm sure Nashi will love it! Here you go - the list of jobs and when people took them."

"Thanks." Natsu immediately started reading, not wanting to miss a single moment. As he read on, he got more and more excited. Not just for Nashi, but for himself. All these jobs, all these adventures - he was going back to them. He was going back to a world with Lucy. And this time, Nashi would be there too.

It took Natsu a while to get to the point where his and Lucy's team got started. Natsu knew that it was Duke Everlue - although it could technically be Hakobe Mountain, or even Hargeon. But as soon as he reached their first official job, Natsu grabbed a napkin and a pen. He wrote down the details of the Duke Everlue Job.

Shirotsume Town
The retrieval of a book from the personal library of Duke Everlue
Pay: 200 000 J
WARNING: He's a famous womanizer, lecher, and pervert. He is presently looking for a new blond maid!
Note: Pay was increased to 2 000 000 J

After Natsu had furiously scribbled down the information, he shoved the napkin in his vest. He thanked Mira, and turned to leave. Before he even reached the door, he was called over by Gajeel. He and Nayeli were sitting at a table. Levy was off somewhere caring for the twins. Poor Levy, Natsu briefly thought. Gray Juvia, Erza, Subaru, and Jellal were waiting for Natsu too. As Natsu walked up, he turned his head to Jellal. A white Fairy Tail mark was on his collar bone.

"When did you join Fairy Tail?"

"About a year ago. I'm Mystogan, if the townspeople ask." He couldn't stop his habit of scanning around and clutching his hood. Erza, from beside him, gently pushed his hand away.

"Huh. Okay then." Natsu took a seat at the table. "Now, Gajeel, what did you call me over for?"

Looking at Gajeel, a lot had changed. His hair was cut - it was no longer that mane that it used to be. His nails had gotten a few more dents in them, and his bandanna had been discarded. Gajeel leaned back in his chair; all the while grinning at Natsu.

"I know you're planning something, Flamer. Let us in on it."

Natsu looked around. "Whaddaya mean? I'm not up to nothing."

Erza scoffed. "Natsu. It's obvious. Since when do you read Mira's paperwork?"

Nayeli nodded furiously. Natsu could see that her hair had grown out - it was much like her father's old mane. She kept it pulled back from her face with a pink bandanna. A pink bandanna that matched her pink dress. On her face, there were two piercings on either side of the bridge of her nose. Natsu guessed Gajeel was the one who gave her the piercings. Natsu barely remembered that she was fifteen now.

"Yeah - Uncle Natsu. You almost never come to the guild now."

Natsu shrugged. "I've been fixing up the house. It's been awhile."

Everyone nodded. Natsu could almost feel the sarcasm ooze out of them. "Alright, so what do you want me to say?"

Subaru piped up. "Tell us your plan!"

Natsu looked at Subaru. She had grown a lot as well. Her plain silver armor had been replaced by decorated gold armor. On her forearm was a purple Fairy Tail mark. Her hair was kept short like her father's. On her back were a few more staves. Natsu guessed that the real Mystogan was still teaching her some magic.

Natsu looked briefly to Erza. "How old is she again?"

"I'm nineteen, old guy!" Subaru yelled.

All the adults stopped and stared at Subaru. Natsu froze, the words caught in his mouth.

"I-I" He tried. "I'm not old!"

Gajeel chuckled a bit. Looking at Natsu, he spoke. "Isn't this basically what she said the first time you met her?"

Natsu scowled, and looked at Subaru. Her face was smug. She had her arms crossed in defiance.

"Well," Subaru spoke. "Once and old guy, always an old guy."

"Erza!" Natsu yelled. "Didn't you ever teach her to respect her elders?"

Erza shrugged. "I did."

That was all Natsu was going to get. So he started a staring contest with Subaru. Natsu didn't even dare to breathe; Subaru, however, smirked and then spoke.

"Y'know grandpa. If you shaved your silly stubble, it might help retain your baby face."

"ARGH!"