Revenge of the Season

Course of Action

Gray stood in the hallway, watching and listening. He felt sorry for Lucy, and he felt pity for Natsu. To protect the ones we love is all anyone in Fairy Tail cares about, and here he is, as far away from his love as he could be, to help protect another. How could Natsu say that Gray couldn't understand? Gray understood perfectly.

Gray turned and walked away. He didn't want to get into another fight with Natsu, not in front of Erza, or Lucy. Instead, Gray walked outside and stood on the front porch. Freed had just finished putting up the barrier and came running with Bickslow back to the cabin.

"What's happened? Is there news? How's Lucy?" Freed asked, spit-firing his questions. Gray held up his hands to stop Bickslow and Freed from going downstairs.

"Wait, you need to know something first," Gray warned, the two wizards freezing in their tracks, " Natsu's a Dragon-Slayer, and it's Dragon Mating Season,"

"What the hell does that mean?" Bickslow asked, his tongue sticking out as he spoke.

"It means that Natsu has gone possessive over Lucy. He won't let any man get close to her," Gray warned, swinging his head to look at Bickslow, surprising the wizard into taking a step back.

"Woah, man, I had no idea," Bickslow said, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Interesting," Freed said, his index finger curled around his chin.

Lisanna and Elfman came crashing through the treeline, sending bullets of magic energy at a swarm of shadow soldiers closing in. The three men standing on the front porch took a fighting stance as the two siblings came tumbling through Freed's enchantment barrier. The shadows chasing them exploded against the invisible wall in a cloud of dust. Gray helped Lisanna to her feet as Bickslow and Freed assisted Elfman, who was twice their size.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Gray asked, holding Lisanna by the elbow to help her stand.

"We were attacked as soon as we left the clearing around here," Lisanna groaned, wincing at the pain in her shoulder.

"They stopped attacking us as soon as we reached the city limits," Elfman jumped in, dusting himself off and nodding to Freed and Bickslow in thanks.

"Yea, it was bizarre," Lisanna commented.

"Did you make it back to the guild? Did you talk to Gramps?"

"Of course we did!" Elfman exclaimed.

"Then you should come inside so we can discuss this in private," Erza spoke from the porch steps. Evergreen, Wendy, and Carla stood in the doorway, watching.

"They may be shadows, but as we all know, even shadows can listen," Erza spoke cryptically, leading the group inside and to the living area. Evergreen and Wendy split the steaming stew into separate bowls, three of which went onto a tray that Happy had taken downstairs. As the small team ate their stew, Erza explained what happened in the basement.

"Poor Natsu," Lisanna said, setting her bowl in her lap.

"Natsu's spending time downstairs with Lucy, for now. We need to know what to do next. Lisanna!? Did Master give you any suggestions?" Erza asked, addressing Lisanna from her spot in the middle of the room.

"Oh yeah! Master said he was going to send some help our way; we just need to wait for the rest to show up," Lisanna said, her forefinger laid against her cheek.

"Who all is the Master sending to help us?" Gray asked.

"Well, he got a hold of Levy's team first. She said she was coming, no questions about it. I guess 'cuz Lucy is her best friend and all," Lisanna said, listing off one person.

"Gajeel was with her, and he said Levy wasn't going anywhere without him, so he's coming," Elfman added to the count.

"Yeah, but Master wanted him and Juvia here anyways since Jose Porla is their old Master. They should know best how to defeat him," Lisanna explained, counting three people coming.

"And Laxus," Elfman finished off the count.

"Laxus?" Erza questioned, "Why him?"

"Dunno," Elfman shrugged, " I guess, if you're going after somebody as tough as Jose Porla, you want to send the best, right?" Elfman thought, scooping more stew into his mouth. Erza thought about Makarov's meaning behind these specific members coming for aid as Lisanna stared in the direction of the basement stairs, hidden behind the stairs leading up to the loft.

While the crew discussed possible plans, Lisanna set her bowl aside and quietly slipped downstairs. Master had explained the situation to Elfman and Lisanna when they had reached the guild. Dragon Mating Season. It was the reason why Natsu was so upset while looking for Lucy. Lisanna tread lightly, afraid to scare Natsu. If what Master said was true, then how come she wasn't Natsu's destined Mate? She and Natsu grew up together; they've known each other the longest; she should be Natsu's Mate. Lisanna had to see this for herself. As she reached the doorway, Lisanna was careful to stick to the sides, so her shadow wouldn't give her away as she watched Natsu try to spoon-feed Lucy, the broth trickling down the side of Lucy's chin.

Natsu hung his head and dropped the spoon into the bowl before gently setting it to the side. Natsu had taken the time to take most of the torture equipment from the walls and tables. Lisanna couldn't see anything but an anvil and a pile of knives and ax heads in the dark corner next to the doorway. Splinters of wood scattered across the floor.

"If you want to talk to Lucy, you missed your chance," Natsu said, without turning to face Lisanna. Surprised at being caught, Lisanna came out of her hiding place to stand in the doorway, her hand clutched to her chest.

"She's asleep again," Natsu added, brushing a strand of hair behind Lucy's ear.

Should I ask? Lisanna thought to herself. No, I think not. It's clear how much he loves her, not me. I can't ask him something like that at a time like this.

As Lisanna turned to walk back upstairs, Natsu waited, listening, for Lisanna to join back into the conversation above. He'll be damned if Gray and Gajeel are gonna fight his fight for him. He made a promise to Lucy, and he's gonna keep it. First, he had to find a way to protect his Lucy as much as possible.

Natsu stood up and walked around to the other side of Lucy's body, lifting the blanket partially, so only the ugly pink line showed. It was drawn in the shape of a flame; oddly enough, if looked at the right angle, it also looked like a poorly drawn Fairy Tail emblem. Natsu thought he could use that as a way to cheer Lucy up once he freed her.

Happy watched from the chair with confusion and curiosity as Natsu gently bit Lucy's hip, right over the burn mark. Unbeknown to his friend, tiny red scales began to appear over the flaming scar. A small ring of magic rippled over Lucy's body as Natsu raised his head and covered Lucy once again.

"Hey, Happy?" Natsu called to his friend without lifting his head, shadows covering his darkened eyes.

"Yeah, Natsu?" Happy asked suspiciously.

"Take care of Lucy for me, will ya?" Natsu said, standing at the table.

"What're ya gonna do?" Happy asked, cautiously watching his friend.

"I'm gonna keep my promise," Natsu said, clenching his hand into a fist, flames licking up his wrist, "I'm gonna find Jose, and I'm gonna make that bastard pay."