A/N: So it seems chapter one was a huge hit. Let's see how this chapter goes

Chapter Two

Everyone gasped as I stepped down from the stage. I cast my gaze down to the planks of the floor as I shamefully left the building, no more a fairy.

"What the hell are you thinking, you selfish asshole?!" shouted the all too familiar arrogance of Gray's voice. I felt the air become distorted as a fist flew towards the back of my head. Catching the fist, I hurled Gray into an adjacent building, razing it to the ground in a blaze of fire. Civilians panicked, fleeing for their lives under the might of one attack.

Walking toward the beaten form of my rival in the rubble of the ruined structure, I growled, "Leave it be. This doesn't involve you or anyone else anymore."

"Don't be an idiot, Natsu. Of course-"

Roaring with rage and fire spilling from my mouth, I screamed at the top of my lungs, my voice overflowing with conviction and resolve, "ANYONE WHO TRIES TO STOP ME, WILL DIE!"

Standing on top of a grassy knoll that overlooked Magnolia, I looked at the liveliness of the city. Last time I would ever lay my eyes on the place that had been my home since I had been born.

Pulling out a new set of garb, I dressed myself in all black, going as far to dye my scarf and magically modify my hair color from pink to blood red. A tattered cape fluttered helplessly in the wind to my back.

I looked longingly at the clothes I'd worn when I'd been a member of Fairy Tail. Angrily, I set the pile of offending clothes ablaze. As I did so, the magical tattoo just above my heart melted, dripping down like molten wax down my taut skin. It was a heavy price to pay to set out on a quest unfit for anyone else. But it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

Now that all ties had been severed, I turned my back on the place I once called home and headed into the forest, no real destination in mind. As I walked, I felt that I was being followed. I knew that somewhere around me, a set of eyes kept me in sight. Closing my eyes, I said in a calm, but venomous tone, "Have you come to try and bring me back or have you come to forfeit your life?"

In a cordoned-off room on the second floor of the Guild Hall, a group of wizards gathered. All S-class wizards with the exception of Natsu sat it a semi-circle, waiting to hear what they had been summoned for.

Standing on a large pile of teetering books, Makarov cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "You all know we have suffered a tragic loss. Though my son Laxus is the new guild leader, we face the issue of Salamander's abrupt departure." The white bearded man sighed heavily before continuing, "This was so unexpected of him, so unlike him. Natsu was by far the most courageous and the strongest member we've ever had in the guild. Such a gregarious fellow. Why would he just up and leave us like that? It doesn't make any sense."

"I still haven't repaid my debt to him for saving me from Jellal during the battle of the Tower of Paradise," said Erza, blushing madly. Her voice was shaking and on the verge of tears. "I-I never had the chance to tell him how I felt about him-I mean how handsome...I'll shut up." Wendy was curled up on a chair, crying her eyes out. Carla and Happy were trying their best to comfort the Sky Dragon Slayer.

Hugging Gajeel Redfox tightly, Levy McGarden couldn't think of anything worthy to say. The Iron Dragon Slayer snorted, his voice bitter, "That asshole! He was supposed to be my best man! How am I going to have my wedding now?"

Laxus finally spoke, "That kid-no...that man has done so much for this guild. He tried to defend me when I made everyone fight against each other. If it hadn't been for him, the Magic Council would have disbanded us years ago." He paused to look at every single person around him. "I hate to admit it, but we need Natsu Dragneel." All heads nodded in accordance. He'd been the one to keep the guild in good spirits.

"B-but...h-he said he'd," gulped Mirajane, "he'd kill us if w-we tried t-to stop him." Weeping, her body trembled. "I c-could never fight a comrade a-again, much less someone I l-love." She could no longer hold back her grief and ran out of the room, bawling. Lissana and Elfman chased after their sister, making sure she was alright.

"That's why I want every S-Class mage to search for him and persuade him to rejoin Fairy-Tail," sighed Laxus. "Please be care-"

Bursting into the room, Freed Justine interrupted, wheezing, "Gildarts is gone! Her room is empty."

Widening his eyes, Makarov Dreyar gasped, "Don't tell me she already went after Natsu?"

"I'm afraid she has," Freed replied grimly, proffering a hastily scrawled note into the ex guild master's hand. Makarov looked over the note before reading it a second time. After catching his breath, the Dark Mage, asked, "What will you do about her, as well as the Salamander?"

Laxus spoke for his father, "I want them both brought back alive. They are valuable members of this guild. I won't lose our most powerful mages."

"Have you come to attempt to return me to Fairy Tail, or have you come to forfeit your life?" I inquired, looking Nadeshiko square in the eyes. Her expression depicted emotional pain and worry.

Shaking her head, Nadeshiko Gildarts said breaking the silence, "Neither. What I want, is to know why you have abandoned Fairy Tail when you knew your pathetic excuse is total bullshit." I noticed that she was still injured, and yet she still chased after me. How admirable. Wincing from her wound, she'd received from Bluenote, she said, Tell me the real reason you quit the guild."

"You won't leave me alone until I reveal my true intent, will you?" I asked.

"No."

Sighing, I slowly turned around to face Nadeshiko. "I really was hoping no one would come after me. But I suppose that's too much to ask for." I paused and then said, "Very well. It seems that I have no choice but to tell you. Please, have a seat," I offered, plopping down on a fallen log myself. I breathed in the earthy scent of the forest around me. The pungence of the pine trees and the fickle fragrance of various flowers battered my nose. I then began, "I was abandoned as a small child until I was found and adopted by a fire dragon by the name of Igneel. He taught me how to read and write as well as what was right and wrong. Not to mention he taught me the Lost magic: Dragon Slayer. Yeah, I was taught everything I know about magic from a real dragon. I know, it's kind of ironic that he taught me magic that was originally used to deal with dragons. Anyways, seven years passed until the day came when he vanished altogether. Somehow, I found myself as a member of Fairy Tail."

"I know, I was there when you joined, Natsu," smiled Nadeshiko, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You were such a lively young brat back then. But what does your past have to do with you leaving the guild?"

Chuckling, I answered, "Everything you silly woman." In a serious voice, I said, I quit the guild for the sole purpose of search for Igneel and the other dragons." Switching to a different topic, I asked, "Why did you come after me, even when I threatened to kill those who did?"

My query caught the red-headed mage offguard. "I..." Her voice faltered and vanished like a wisp of smoke in the wind. It took a couple minutes for nadeshiko to articulate her thought. In that frame of time, I felt her relax her hand atop of mine. I knew not what to do, so I simply left my hand where it was. She finally answered, several minutes having flown by, "I came after you because...I was worried. And because I want to look for the dragons with you. It seems like an exciting quest. Plus you still have a lot to learn about magic. So, I'll teach ya."

I blinked. "I don't get a choice in the matter, do I?"

"Nope. So get used to traveling around with a sexy woman, Natsu," grinned Nadeshiko, a goofy smile plastered on her face. Then in a serious voice, she asked, "Do you have any idea where to start searching? Some useful leads or hints would help a bunch."

"Yoitsu," I state curtly.