Jay Bird (aBoE)

Chapter 9: Mistakes Were Made

Natsu had convinced himself that he had come to the right decision, even as uncertainty nipped at his gut and regret already bubbled in the back of his mind he would not turn back.

The youngest of all angels burst through the doors of his former home, catching many guild mates who were still lingering about despite the late hour to jump in surprise.

Concerned shouts and mentions of the days previous attack were comprehended but not acknowledged by Natsu's ears. He said nothing keeping his head tucked low and allowing his bangs and scarf to shield his face from those shouting his name.

He couldn't allow them to glimpse in the slightest whisper of hesitation.

Bounding up the stairs the boy took several long and hurried strides towards the door of his masters office.

It swung open before quickly being kicked shut.

As the noise of his concerned guild mates was drowned and muffled by the walls the dragon slayer allowed himself to take a breath.

The brief moment of peace he had found was interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

"Natsu," Makarov spoke in his usual stern tone but his eyes carried softness.

"Where have you been? First you run off and come back mulled, then you show up to the guild looking like you're on deaths door before taking off again, then you come home, get attack and run off again-!"

"I'm leaving the guild."

Everything seemed to stop. The room fell silent and all the man he had considered a grandfather could do was stare at him in disbelief.

"Wha-"

"I'm leaving," Natsu said again "this isn't a discussion or a debate, this is a decision that I have already made."

Though he did his best to keep his voice stern and collected it still felt heavy and his words faltered in places.

"I don't understand my boy...what's brought this on?"

Natsu smiled bitterly, a wave of the very emotion Gavreel had warned him about washing over him like a tidal wave.

"I've thought about it before," that wasn't a lie even before he had become an angel the idea of just leaving everything he had known behind would sometimes crawl into his mind "but recently the ideas become more and more...appealing."

Makarov blinked "Natsu we need to talk."

"No." Natsu's voice did not waver "I already told you we have nothing to talk about."

"Child I have been worried about you since you came back to the guild covered in your own blood!" Makarov shouted making reference to the day he had died "don't think I haven't notcie that it was only after that day you suddenly had a family."

Natsu twitched at the harsh tone he had used to refer to his kin.

"You don't need to worry anymore it's none of your concern."

"Natsu you know damn well it is-"

"Not anymore," the angel's eyes were cold and unforgiving "I've made my choice Makarov I'm leaving...you can't keep me here."

Once more silence settle over the room, feeling like a heavy sheet of glass neither party wanted to shatter.

He made his choice. He couldn't keep living with a foot in both worlds, it was only making things worse and turning him into a liability for heaven. He had to prioritize, and his priority was to serve the heavenly kingdom which he called home.