From One Dragon To Another: The Next Tail

Chapter 15 - Secrets And Strawberries

Laxus' POV

Me and Freed reached the guild hall only to find a huge mess that looked like it was caused by a hurricane. The one word that could describe how I felt is anger.

"What the hell happened here!" I exclaimed.

"These two." Erza said angrily as she held up Natsu and Gray by their collars.

"I should've known. Why are these two in here anyway? Most of the guild is supposed to be kept away from the guildhall until this evening." I asked as I turned to Mira.

"There wasn't much I could do, Natsu was looking at the buffet and ate some snacks behind my back, then Gray came in and started a fight with Natsu, which caused some of the decorations to get damaged. Gray shoved Natsu so hard that he rolled into the big cake centerpiece and that was the moment when Erza got back with some more supplies. As you know, Erza isn't happy when cake gets destroyed, so she ended up getting involved in the brawl and knocking out both Natsu and Gray." Mira explained.

"It's no surprise that something like this happened." Freed commented as he looked at the disorder in front of him.

"I presume Erza knows about the secret now." I sighed.

"Sorry, I kinda had to tell her, but she won't say anything." Mira replied.

"I promise I won't say anything, however, I am very happy that you will be proposing to Akari." Erza said with a smile.

"Thanks. Anyway, I asked for one simple thing, that the party would go off without a hitch, and now I see that everything is wrecked!" I said with frustration.

"I'm sorry Laxus, we're getting more supplies now to fix everything, we should be able to get everything done in time." Mira reassured.

"Thanks Mira, it's not your fault after all, it's these two knuckleheads over here." I said sternly as I glared at Natsu and Gray.

"We're really sorry." Natsu and Gray apologised in unison.

"You better be, we have no desert now." I replied.

"Don't you worry about that, those two will make it up to you by coming with me on a quest for the rarest strawberries in Ishgar, the maximum sweet strawberries." Erza declared.

"That's great and all, but didn't you only manage to get one of those strawberries last time? How are you going to get enough for a big cake?" I questioned.

"Experience, I know exactly where they grow now so finding them should be child's play, besides, I have a sniffer dog on my side." Erza grinned.

"Hey!" Natsu exclaimed.

"I ain't going on this stupid quest!" Gray shouted.

"Would you rather be a butler for the party?" I asked, still frustrated by the whole situation.

"Fine, I'll do the stupid quest." Gray huffed as he crossed his arms.

"Who made you boss anyway? Gramps always organises the Christmas party." Natsu argued.

"Do you have a problem with the fact that the old man might want to take a break for one day?" I asked.

"No sir." Natsu replied reluctantly.

"Good, you three better do a good job on the cake, this is for one of our biggest events of the year. If you let master down, you'll be answering to me." I said.

"We will do our very best, I will make the cake to the highest quality." Erza declared.

"Thanks. You better get going, you only have a few hours before the party." I replied.