Author's Note: Natsu is left behind for the S-Class exams because of injuries sustained from a guild brawl with Gray. How will these injuries and what he learns from a certain scarlet haired mage impact him during the 7 years his closest Nakama are gone?

Welcome all to my newest Fanfiction, During Those 7 Years! If you couldn't tell by the title and description already, the plot will involve a split off from the S-Class exam.

I hope you enjoy what's to come!

During Those 7 Years

Chapter one: The Life Changing Injury

"Unless you want to make your recovery process worse, I suggest you keep still." An old woman snarled from across the room.

"But I Have… To make… Him pay!" A pink haired mage argued as he attempted to free himself from his bed restraint.

"That's enough Natsu." An old man scolded from beside the mage. He was currently wearing an orange vest coupled with shorts of the same color. His attire was finished with a pair of brown crocks. "Porlyusica, how long will it take the lad's leg to fully recover?"

"He's lucky that his Dragon Slayer magic gives him extraordinary healing abilities. Give him a few days, and he'll be able to walk on it out of the infirmary."

"A FEW DAYS?! BUT I HAVE TO MAKE THAT ICE PRICK PAY NOW!" Natsu roared as he struggled even harder.

"I said that's enough Natsu! You should be thankful that your injury wasn't worse, considering we leave tomorrow on the S-Class exams. Your guild brawl with Gray nearly jeopardized your chances of participation."

"That's all the more reason to beat him to a pulp during the exam!"

"Natsu, when are you going to grow up?" The old man groaned within his thoughts. "Fine, if that's what you desire, you'll need all the rest you can get before your body is pushed to its limits."

"Pushed to its limit?" Porlyusica raised her eyebrow in response as she began to tend to the medical cabinet besides Natsu's bed.

"Well of course, don't you remember when we first participated in the S-Class exams back when we were much younger? Team Makarov barely made it past the first round," The old Guild Master chuckled, "Anyways, we leave for Tenrou Island tomorrow morning. The trip takes an entire day and another day after that just to set up camp. By then, the young lad will be able to participate, according to you." Makarov concluded.

A few seconds passed before Porlyusica stopped tending to the medicine cabinet and responded. "If the Fairy Tail S-Class exams are still pushing its members to its limits… I'm afraid your unruly Dragon won't be able to participate."

A few seconds passed before Natsu broke the silence with a roar. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I WON'T BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE?! YOU SAID I WOULD BE ABLE TO WALK IN A FEW DAYS! AND WHO ARE YOU CALLING UNLUCKY?!"

"NATSU!" Makarov boomed which simmered the Fire mage down. He continued to divert his attention to Porlyusica in concern. "Porlyusica, you said that the lad would be back to normal in a few days."

"First off, I said unruly, not unlucky." The old woman reluctantly began to uncover her ears. "Second, I never said that he would be 'back to normal' in a few days. All I promised is that he would be able to walk."

"What's the difference? As long as I'm able to use it I'm sure to win the S-Class exam!"

"You humans are all foolish. I said that you had remarkable healing capabilities, but did you even consider for a second about your own safety?" Porlyusica spoke with a serious tone

"She's right Natsu. You need to consider when you've done all you can and when you're outmatched. For some reason, that sounds like something Gildarts would have told you." Makarov agreed with Porlyusica with slight sadness in his voice as he feared the worst.

"What does that have anything to do with me participating in the S-Class exam?" Natsu began to raise his voice in annoyance.

"I think your old man is beginning to catch on to your situation." Porlyusica concluded from the sadness plastered across his face. "Your fracture will be healed enough to walk on it by the time the S-Class exam comes around. However, I never said anything about you being at peak performance by that time. You'll still need physical therapy to fully seal the fracture that was caused during your fight."

"Just give me the stupid therapy now and get it done with." Natsu groaned.

"Natsu, don't you think she would have already if she could?"

"Listen to the old coot for once. Your fracture is still too severe for me to begin therapy on it. You're going to have to wait until your leg is healed enough to walk on before I can continue. If you fail to heed my warning your fracture could become irreversible to the point where not even your magic will be able to cauterize it."

"No… That can't be true… This was the first year that I was nominated for the exam and you're telling me I won't be able to participate?" Natsu gritted through his clenched teeth. "Can't you move the date of the S-Class exam back a couple of days?"

"I'm sorry Natsu, but that isn't possible. This is the one time that all our S-Class mages will be together. Furthermore, you were the one who placed yourself in this situation in the first place. This could have been prevented if you never attacked Gray in the first place." Makarov stated sadly which crushed all hopes of him participating in the exam this year.

"I only did it because he was talking behind my back at the bar!"

"Then you need to learn to control your emotions. After all, that is one of the qualities of an S-Class mage." Makarov smiled slightly. Porlyusica then closed the medicine cabinet and handed a clear cup of liquid to Natsu, while loosening his restraints slightly to allow him to drink.

"Drink this." She stated before heading to the infirmary's door.

"What is it?"

"It's a painkiller for when your magic runs out. The only side effect is drowsiness, but considering the condition you're in, a good night's rest is what you need to replenish your magic. As I said before Makarov, the boy's leg will be ready for therapy in a couple of days. I'll be back to check up on him around the time you leave for the S-Class Exam.

"So I guess that's it." Natsu muttered under his breath as he reluctantly drank the liquid Porlyusica handed to him.

"Thank you for your help Porlyusica. Before you leave, would you mind calling Erza down here?" Makarov asked. Porlyusica simply nodded in response as she exited the infirmary.

Silence fell between the old Guild Master and the Dragon Slayer. Makarov wanted to comfort and express sympathy for Natsu's emotional pain, but decided not to as he concluded that the young Dragon Slayer's short minded nature would be blaming the Guild Master and his decision for being the factor that prevented him from participating in the S-Class exam.

A minute of silence passed between the two before they heard a knock against the infirmary's door. "Master, you called for me?" A voice was heard from the other side.

"Yes, come in Erza."

As the infirmary door opened, a red haired mage wearing a blue skirt and metallic breastplate entered the room. Master Makarov immediately stood up from his seat beside Natsu's bead and made his way towards the scarlet haired guild member. "Erza, I have a favor to ask of you. You're the only mage here at the moment who I feel would be appropriate to ask this."

"I understand. What is it that you wish to ask of me?"

"I need you to keep an eye on Natsu while I finalize parts of the upcoming S-Class exam."

"I'm more than willing to cooperate, but why not ask someone like Gray? As much as Natsu won't admit it, they're on par with each other in terms of magic potential." Erza knelt down to whisper the last part to the old Guild Master.

"I heard that!" Natsu growled as his enhanced hearing picked up what Erza whispered.

"Let's continue talking outside the infirmary." Makarov suggested as he led the scarlet haired mage back outside the door. "You can close it, just be sure to keep your voice down so we make sure he still can't hear us.

"Continue." Erza stated as she quietly shut the door behind her.

"Anyways, I can't trust those two to not get into another brawl with each other especially considering Natsu's condition."

"What do you mean, Master?" Erza pressed on.

"Natsu's injury is worse than I suspected. Long story short, he won't be able to go on the S-Class exam. He's probably blaming both Gray and me for being the reasons he won't be able to participate, so I was hoping that you would be able to take over for me right now while I go and finalize those details I was talking about." Makarov continued his whisper.

"Consider it done. I have one question, however. Please don't take this the wrong way, but how do you know that Natsu won't give me trouble?"

"I don't. But it's very unlikely he will- he has no reason to. He's upset at Gray and me. As long as you don't mention us, he shouldn't give you trouble. Anyways, Porlyusica gave the young lad painkillers before she left and said that the side effect was drowsiness. He'll fall asleep shortly and will be out cold until morning. Mirajane and the others can then come to visit him before we leave for the exam if he's feeling in the mood to. Thank you again Erza." The Old Guild Master smiled and used his Giant Magic to reach up to Erza and pat her on the shoulder.

"It's the least I can do considering how hectic the next couple of days will be. I'll let you get back to your work now. Goodnight Master. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Erza." Makarov sighed in relief as he walked up the staircase to the guild and the scarlet haired mage turned to reenter the infirmary.

As Erza quietly shut the door behind her, she made her way next to Natsu's bed and sat down. A couple seconds of agonizing silence fell between the two before she took the initiative to break it with the most ridiculous question. "How are you feeling?"

Natsu turned his head in awe to face her and sarcastically stated, "I'm feeling great! I just fractured my leg and learned that I won't be participating in the S-Class exams. Did I mention this was the one year gramps nominated me?"

"I'm sorry, but the silence was just driving me insane." She chuckled.

"It doesn't matter anyways. Porlyusica said the painkillers she gave me will put me to sleep in a bit so you won't have to be here long."

"Did I ever say I didn't want to be here? Honestly Natsu, stop jumping to conclusions all the time." The scarlet haired mage said as she crossed her legs.

"For now, that's all I will be able to do."

"That's the case if you only view the situation you're in from one angle. If you want to talk about what you're feeling, I'm more than happy to listen." Erza suggested as she noticed the pain and hostility within the young Dragon Slayer's voice.

"What other way am I supposed to view this situation? It's over and there's nothing I can do about it. The only thing I can do in my situation is sit here like the useless sack of crap and watch as one of my guildmates, POSSIBLY GRAY FOR THAT MATTER, get one step ahead of me. I mean, it's like gramps doesn't even care that I'm lying down here and able to do absolutely nothing. He said it himself; I just don't have some of the requirements to be an S-Class mage. That's the only way to see my situation right now!" Natsu yelled in annoyance.

"Natsu…" Erza gasped in shock. "Please, just promise to hear me out until the end?"

"Its not like I can just walk out of here." He huffed in response.

"First off, Master Makarov cares deeply about you. He cares about everyone if Fairy Tail that way. If he didn't, he wouldn't have told me to be here with you." She smiled.

"Then why did he just get up and leave?"

"It might not seem like he cares right now, but he's constantly worried about your safety. He needed to leave in order to finalize some things concerning the S-Class exam."

"Alright… But that doesn't change the fact that I can't do anything about the situation I'm in right now. The S-Class exam is going to happen whether or not I'm able to participate."

"That's true, but I know what it's like to feel helpless."

"HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW?" Natsu yelled in annoyance.

"NATSU! JUST LISTEN FOR ONCE!" She yelled back in response. "Remember when I told you about me being held prisoner in the Tower of Heaven?

"I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"Do you remember how I escaped?" Erza continued ignoring his last remark. A few seconds passed before Natsu formed a response.

"Didn't you lead a revolt so you could rescue Jellal since he was captured by some prison guards for protecting you?"

"Perhaps I should have worded my question differently. Do you know why I'm trying to relate to you with this?"

"If I did I wouldn't have yelled at you." Natsu groaned in annoyance.

"I felt useless throughout that revolt because I wasn't able to save two of my closest friends."

Natsu's eyes widened slightly at Erza's change in tone. He wasn't expecting such a serious response and could tell the general direction where their conversation was heading.

"One of them is locked up in Fiore's maximum security prison. The other sacrificed his life in order to save me. The day I led that revolt, Rob used his Fire Magic to absorb an incoming attack that would have killed me if it wasn't for his sacrifice."

"Wasn't Rob gramp's-"

"Yes, Rob was one of Master Makarov's Team Members from when they were younger. After Rob was killed, I felt that the only reason he had to make that sacrifice was because I wasn't strong enough to protect him myself."

"I'm guessing that the person locked up in Fiore's maximum security prison is Jellal?"

"Yes, I also blamed myself for not having the strength and courage to save Jellal. When I finally confronted him, I needed for him to cheer me up like he always would. The least I could have done was rescue him so I knew that Rob's death wasn't in vain. However, I was too late. By the time I came to free him from the captivity of Zeref's followers, he was already brainwashed by their dark magic. He forced me to leave the Tower of Heaven while he used the rest of the prisoners to complete Zeref's will. Up until recently, a thought that has always resided within the back of my mind was how useless I was for not being able to save two of my closest friends. Remember that Jellal was locked up when the Magic Council was able to track down his location when we defeated Nirvana."

"Erza… Aren't you sad? I made a promise to Simon to never let you cry again so if you have any doubt at all, tell me." Natsu asked concerned as he heard Erza recount her tales.

"Under normal circumstances, I would be sad, but as I said before, I was recently able to get over feeling like I could have saved Rob and Jellal if it weren't for me being useless." Erza chuckled at his antics.

"So? What helped you get over it?" Natsu asked in an eager tone hoping that Erza's response would help his current predicament.

"At the time of me being captured by Jellal, I thought that Simon's death was the reason. I felt as though the only reason to repay him for his sacrifice, or anyone else's for that matter, was to commit to the same sacrifice that they had. However, I was wrong. The real reason was you, Natsu." Erza smiled up at him.

"Me?"

"Don't you remember what I told you on the resort beach when you saved me from sacrificing myself to the tower of heaven?"

"I think so. You told me that you shouldn't die for your friends, but live for them." Natsu finished as his eyes widened in realization.

"There's your answer." Erza finished as she sat back in her seat. "You made me realize that all that time, I wasn't useless: that the sacrifices that Rob and Simon made for me were so I could live on in their places."

"What about Jellal? When the Magic Council locked him up, how did you get over that?"

"I realized that that was what Jellal wanted. He realized that spending time in prison was the only way he could repay for his crimes, so I supported his decision even though I didn't agree with it." Erza nodded. "What I'm trying to say is that Simon and Rob sacrificed them self for a reason. It wasn't until you made me realize that they sacrificed them self so I could live on with them in my heart did I realize they did so with reason. Does this all make sense Natsu?"

"So you're telling me I'm supposed to be in an infirmary bed while my guildmates surpass me?" Natsu groaned angrily.

"In a nutshell, that's the path you've been led down. As I said before, just approach it from another angle. I mean, I don't go around everyday thinking that Rob and Simon are dead. I remember that I live on because of them."

"I still don't understand how that's supposed to help me get passed what's in front of my eyes." Natsu stated with frustration.

"And that's perfectly fine. You will one day." Erza reassured him with a hopeful smile.

"When will that be?"

"It could be today, tomorrow, or it might take years like me."

"I really hope it doesn't take that long." Natsu's head hung his head in sadness. "Can you promise me one thing?"

"Of course I can." Erza replied.

"I'm not going to forgive Gray that easily. He was talking behind my back and I still think he's the reason that I can't go on the S-Class exam. It's not like I can do anything about it now, but if you end up facing him, kick his ass for me." Natsu finished as his eyes flared up.

"I'll give him hell Natsu. But remember, this could have been prevented in the first place if you didn't attack Gray in anger." Erza chuckled.

"Erza, if I was talking bad about you behind your back would you honestly say you would ignore me?" Natsu asked seriously. A few seconds of silence passed before he spoke again. "I thought so."

Erza realized Natsu was right. After all, it was instinct for members of Fairy Tail to protect their pride.

"What did he say about you that made you so mad in the first place?" She finally asked.

"Stripper said that Igneel wasn't real."

"Again?" Erza sighed

"Igneel was my father. Saying he wasn't real is like saying Rob or Simon wasn't real either. Considering both of them paid the ultimate price for you to live on, do you understand how it feels for me when Gray constantly says that Igneel doesn't exist?" Natsu's face darkened.

"Natsu… You always tell our team about how much Igneel meant to you, but it never crossed me that you live in memory of him. I've always thought of you as someone who would search to the end of Earthland in order to find him again."

"Both of those are true, but Igneel is the reason that I'm even in Fairy Tail today which is why I'm so emotionally attached to him." Natsu meekly smiled. "Hey Erza? I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Erza cocked her eyebrow.

"For saying that you couldn't relate to me. Gramps was right; I do need to control my emotions sometimes." He said with a yawn.

"All in due time." Erza smiled as she patted his shoulder. "Those painkillers must be taking their toll. I'll let you get some rest now. If you need anything before going asleep, I'm right here." Erza finished as she leaned back in her chair.

"Goodnight Erza." Natsu finished before closing his eyes.

"Goodnight Natsu." Erza replied. She continued to lean back in her chair and kept herself occupied by occasionally requiping an array of swords and polished them one by one. After 30 minutes had passed, she called out Natsu's name to make sure that he was asleep. "Natsu…. Natsu?" Erza whispered only to be met with silence. She continued to carefully get up from her seat and proceed towards the infirmary's door in hopes that Natsu's enhanced hearing didn't pick up her movements. Just as she was about to close the door, she whispered, "Just remember, even during the most hopeless of times, your future might just be around the corner," before heading back up the stairs to the guild hall.

Thank you for your time!