Chaper 4 remake!

AN: I'm sorry I've been away fro so long everyone, and I reread the story and decided to rewrite this chapter, I felt that Lucy was a bit too innocent and Natsu too aggressive so I changed up a few of the characteristics they had to make her a bit stronger to add to the character growth she developed in LITSWD. Enjoy!

The couple sat embarrassed at the end of the couch while Gildarts passed around coming his hair with his hands in irritation. It's not like he didn't suspected they were doing things already, frankly since they 16 but walking in on it was a whole other ball game. Not to mention that they both confessed to have kissed for the fist time the day she 'passed away', now known as The Battle of the Heartfilia Games. The looked down apologetically, in Fiore, it was tradition that a man and woman wed first after a few months of courtship, in the case of Natsu and Lucy, they basically jumped straight into Marriage life after she returned to the guild from the spirit world. Although it wasn't expected, a wedding was still necessary.

"Natsu..." he gritted through his teeth, looks like it was too late for that. "We've talked about these...needs... before," every word was more painful than the last. He understood the dragon's position in the situation, he was alone with his mate and he's been controlling himself for a couple of years now; He must be snapping. Still, the girl had not been wedded to him yet, and for him to just take advantage of someone so innocent like her-one of HIS girls- was plain wrong. "we agreed that you would send Happy, and we will send someone to look after her. As we always did."

"Well it's not like I don't want it..." Lucy muttered under her breath.

"What was that?!"

"Well, let's be honest! Natsu and I are basically married. We've been living together since we were kids and frankly the world is shocked it took us this long to get together officially! A wedding is traditional I understand, but we shouldn't be scolded for not wanting to wait." She put her hand on Natsu's squeezing it asking for support. Of course being her partner he did just that and gave her a prideful grin. It wasn't just him craving her now, she wanted it too. He sat up straight and looked up at Gildarts, ignoring Gray's shocked expression towards Lucy.

"She's right! Why shouldn't we be allowed!? I mean I imprinted on her a long time ago which is basically more than marriage in dragon culture. We can have the Fiorian ceremony later, after we find my dad!"

"That's actually what we came to talk to you about." Gray interrupted. His jaw was tense and arms were stiff out of anger, but they were right. If his little sister had to be connected to someone in that type of bond, he was glad is was flame brain. He was dedicated and loyal and completed his duties by taking care of her when they were in the tower. Still, he didn't like the idea of having her be...well. Yeah. "We were getting worried. No one from the guild has seen you guys in a while, we wondered if you had already left without us."

Natsu pressed his lips together and glanced back down at his hand holding Lucy's. He pulled it closer to him, pulling her in and resting his face on her shoulder. He considered showing emotions of vulnerability as signs of weakness, even hiding his face as like he was was out of character for him, but he didn't want to talk about it. Lucy smiled and took in a deep breath. To her emotions of vulnerability was a sign of bravery. You need to allow yourself to feel, it's what brings humanity together. "Natsu, Happy and I..." she began. "Just wanted time to ourselves after Juvia's birthday."

Gildart's eyes widen in horror.

"No we didn't do anything." She glared. "If I'm honest, didn't feel the lost of connection as much as they did, or anyone else in the guild. I was in the spirit world, and one day there is a month in the mortal realm. So that time was lost to me, but I lost Lisanna for a second, and if I felt that with her I could only imagine what it must have been for them. So if they want to be a little selfish with me, I'm okay with that, because if the roles were switched around I would want that time recovered too."

Gildarts and Gray nodded, they understood where they were coming from. They were a family, and they weren't the only ones acting like this. It took a few weeks for Mirajane and Elfman to let Lisanna go anywhere alone after the Battle of the Heartfilia Games. Natsu looked up from hiding his face in Lucy's hair and pressed his forehead on to hers giving a small purr. Behind them, the door opened to see a very sleepy happy stretching awake from his nap. "Aye!" he greeted to everyone before flying on top of Lucy's head. "What are you guys doing here?

"We came to see if we should make any plans for the trip to find Igneel." Gray answered. "We were supposed to be gone by now."

"What's the rush all of the sudden Gray? I heard from a little birdie that a rain woman left town today for a month long mission. Are you just trying to stay busy~?" the blue cat teased.

"Wh-what!?" The ice mage stuttered with a hard red blush on his face. The trio on the couch gave him a shining malicious grin. It was plainly obvious that Gray had a thing going on with Juvia for a while, and they keep tiptoeing around their feelings so much more than Lucy and Natsu ever did! Natsu and Lucy just accepted their connection and never did anything about it, while Gray and Juvia are only in denial that they have feelings and are carful not to ever show emotion in front of anyone ever.

"Awww is 'The Grey' all sad about losing his girlfriend~" Teased Natsu

"Look at him blush it's just so adorable~!" Lucy added

"He loooooooves her~!" Happy sang

"Shut up you freaks! Why are you guys so in sync it's creepy!"

Gildarts laughed and took a good look around the four young Mages. They had a long way to go, but they for sure where no longer children. "Come on, we came over the check up on all of you and get you guys started on the quest to find Igneel. Lets head over to the guild, Levy should have found something by now."

"Levy?" Natsu asked cocking his head to the side.

"Before we left the castle and moved into the little shack I asked Levy to go into our library to see if she can find anything on dragon history to give us a clue on where we can find other dragons." Lucy explained with a cheery proud smile.

"Aye sir!" Happy cheered. "If we find more dragons like you and Wendy, then maybe we can figure out what happen to Igneel and we can find him!"

"That's awesome!"

"Well then, we aren't getting anything done if we just sit here and talk, let's get going." Gray smiled as he got up out of seat and headed toward the door.

"Aye sir!" The trio agreed eagerly and followed right behind Gildarts. Happy flew out of the door joyfully and humming after the tall redhead. They were finally going to go on another adventure! The last one aside from the trip to the village with Lucy and the Battle of the Heartfilia Games, Happy had never got on to anything more than just laps around the forbidden forest with Natsu when they were on guard. It was an exciting job, but he had never gone on a real mission like the other mages, and neither did Natsu. This would have been a first for them.

BAM!

"What the-?!" The slam of the front door started the cat from his daydream thoughts and the lock behind it didn't reassure him much. "Natsu? Lucy!? What gives!?"

"Lucy and I just wanna take a quick nap before we head over!"

"Yeah! What he said!"

They called out from the other side of the doors. Gray and Gildarts growled in anger, didn't they already have this discussion?! The large redhead grabbed the knob ready to tear that dragon into pieces. Fueled by frustration he didn't noticed the knob glowing a lava red. "AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

Gray shoved the man aside. "Let me give it a shot." he muttered. He concentrated his hand to go icy cold, before grabbing the knob when he felt himself having to remake the ice over and over due to the heat raidiating off the metal. Gods how desperate was the guy on getting laid!? "Can't you pervs wait until all of us are gone at the very least!? It's bad enough that you guys are together and aren't married yet but-"

"WE ALREADY SETTLED THAT IN DRAGON CULTURE WE ARE!" they roared.

The two men looked at them selves and groaned in disgust. They loved the couple, but seriously they needed to keep it together. "Come on then, lets just go and get it over with. We'll met them at the guild." Gildarts stated in annoyance. He didn't like thinking any of his girls in that way, as sexist as it sounded he wanted all of them to stay pure and sweet like when they were little. But even then they had strong doused of spice added to their attitude.

Juvia and Jellal arrived at the village quicker than expected and found a place in the white sandy beach to pack their things and put away safely hidden without having anyone take it until they settled in the village. The Jungle they went through to get to the 20ft tall wooden gates were thick and full of life with vegetation. It was a wonder why Fiorian Royal Government didn't turn such a luxury into an a farm for trade goods like coffee. It must be the curse that came with the island. Jellal took a deep breath and knocked on the doors.

"Who goes there!?" A voice called out. The two bluenettes took a quick look around before realizing the voice had come from the top of the wall's gate from a warrior in his post as a guard.

"We are the Wizards from Fairy Tale sent to assist you in your request!" he answered in a loud call back so they can hear. After a quick exchange, a smaller door within the doors opened by a young woman. Like most of the villagers, she had dark tan skin, black hair, and dark eyes and dressed in a similar fashion that Lucy, Natsu, and a few of the town travelers would dress in. She looked like an average young woman with a polite smile, unfortunately on of her legs looked like it was from a large lizard. Stepping through the doors, Jellal and Juvia realized that everyone in the town had some sort of resemblance to be part demon, and part human, the village was colorful and filled with religious altars with offerings to their gods drenched in golden paint. They created everyone politely and gave the woman a 'thank you' for letting them in.

"You're most welcome." she smiled back. "We don't get too many outsiders from the mainland to come by and visit. Let me show you to the cheif's hut." She began leading them through the main road of he village.

"Thank you again. This is truly a lovely village." Juvia smiled as she admired her surroundings. "May I ask what the offering are for? I hate to sound ignorant but I don't recognize the religion."

"Oh don't worry I don't take offense. It's not an old religion, its pretty new and not practiced much outside of the island and maybe the port town you sailed from on the mainland. We call ourselves Celestrites, we warship the Star Gods and there is the King of the Sky who is our overall mighty God, the controller all of life; then his children who represent a skill or element, there are around 13 Gods and Goddesses. There are also saints, for small things that aren't absolute life necessities. We also suspect they have children amongst us mortals for smaller things, and Wizards and Mages are long decent ants of the Gods' off spring."

"So you believe that the Gods and Saints would have affairs with Mortals which eventually lead to the creation of Mages?" Jellal asked.

"That's right. Caring their blood must help you harvest and control magic power. Those who are descendants from Gods we suspect be the stronger Mages." She sounded so cheerful and excited about her religion. It must really mean a lot to the people.

"So to you, we carry the blood of saints and Gods?"

"That's correct!"

The Fairy Tail Mages glanced at each other and took a close observation to the altars as they passed. It was not like a member from Fairy Tail to judge others on their lifestyles or believes. As long as they were good people and didn't hurt or discriminate, you were given respect. However this religion sounded very new and familiar... too familiar to not suspect anything funny from the village. It wasn't possible of an island to be completely isolated from the mainland and know about the different forms of magic. "Hey Jellal?" Juvia whispered in the lowest voice possible. "Is it me, or does this sound like Celestial Magic?"

"It does, but we should wait until we have more evidence before jumping to conclusions."

"It's just that, I recognize some of the altar offerings. That one belongs to Leo the Lion, the leader the Zodiac. In other words, Loki-"

"Well we are here!" The young maiden announced in her cheery voice. "We are so grateful that they sent more of you, we fear this might be too large of a task for one mage."

"Sent more?" Jellal asked in confusion as he stepped inside. In front of him was an elder man with a dark tan bold head and snowy white facial hair ad dressed in royal jewelry and cloths while holding on to a staff was sitting across from another tan man. He was large with long black haired dressed in dark clothing and metal piercing on his face. The elder chief glanced up curiously at the pair. Juvia slightly moved Jellal aside to get a better look.

"Gajeel?"

"Juvia?"

Natsu wrapped his arms around the blonde and pressed himself against her taking in as much of her scent as possible. She began to smell like a spicy cinnamon rather than her natural aura of sweet strawberries. She glanced over her shoulder to find his lips to kiss them gently before interlocking her left fingers with his and wrapped him around her tighter. They have never made skin to skin contact before when they spooned, it was warmer and more intimate than anything she had ever done with him. Aside...from other things that happen that afternoon several times. It wasn't like Lucy had no idea what to do, there were some books about it in the library that she had to read when she turned 13 and learn about the metamorphoses of humans from children to adults, she just never knew if she was to do it because she was half spirit. Clearly her body indeed age like a human's. As for Natsu, he completely let his instinct take over him, he insist he blacked out for a moment once or twice. Natsu kissed the back of her hand and brushed her hair a out of the way to give her another kiss.

They adjusted their bodies for Lucy to be under him and he was gently resting himself on her. Se used her free hand to comb his scalp with her nails and tugging on his pink locks. Natsu let go of her hand to dig him nails into her thigh and admits her so she can wrap her legs around him with ease. The sharp step of his nails sent a strong electrical wave to her chest and let out a small high pitched gasp. She can feel him smirking against her lips. "Pyro." she teased.

He broke apart their kissed to give her a goofy grin and brush off her hair out of her face with his thumb. "You know you love it." He gently pressed his forehead against hers, moving his thumb down to her jawline. There is a distinct difference between being in lust and making love. "You're finally mine~"

"Idiot." she giggled. "I always have been." She pulled him in for one more kiss with a sharp bit at his lower lip, now it was her who was growling with hunger. "One more round before we head over to the guild?"

"God it was like I built you out of a comic scroll!" He grinned eagerly.

The couple entered the entrance pass of the forest hand in hand on their way to the guild fooling around and joking as usual. A long time ago when they first moved into what was currently the new guild hall, Levy and Freed had put an enchantment; only mages with the guild mark may enter and find the castle without getting lost. It was originally put up no knight may find Lucy during her time of hiding, but it didn't mean there was no loop hole around it to have outsiders still trespass on to their property. It was why Natsu patrolled the woods on a daily basis almost looking for a fight and starting the rumor of a dragon living in a castle. He smiled puffing his chest out proudly as he remembered his accomplishments. Lucy rolled her eyes and gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder as he bragged on and on, but her backhanded complements would always bring him down to earth. They gave each other a strong balance, maybe it's why they got along so well as friends and blossomed into a partnership.

Meanwhile in the guild, Gray, Erza and Gildarts sat at a table waiting for the 'newly weds' to walk in. Erza sat with her hands patiently tapping the wood of the table, Gray had just filled her in on the events that transpired between her comrades in the Dragneel household, apparently her little brother and sister can do what ever it was they wanted without telling anyone else in the guild. "How dare they have a secret wedding ceremony without me? Don't they know that I as the best man must preform my best man ritual?!"

"Erza I think you're missing the point," Gray tried to explain "It's about-"

"You're right, I am! It's about the party! Don't they know that it is Fairy Law to have a Fest of Strawberry cakes and a full three days of music and dance!?"

"Yeah I don't think she gets it."

"I think she does." The group turned to see a petit bluenett holding a few large books approach the table. She was in her usual yellowish-cream custard corsets and long common skirt to match with her hair tied back and being held back with a yellow ribbon, two wavy locks escaped the ribbon, framing her fair face. Her lips had a funny cocky smirk that was very out of character for her and slammed the books down."Sorry to be eavesdropping, but I couldn't help it. The gossip here has really gone down in the last couple of months." she smiled apologetically.

"Levy." Gildarts stood giving her a seat. "Did you bring us any research for their trip?"

"I did!" She cheered proudly as she flopped a few of the books opened, flipped through the pages and brought out her red glasses. Words began popping out at her, flying and surrounding her and the group. They had seen her magic several times, but were still at awe when she preformed it. She rarely used her powers, outside of battles that is. Actually, the only girl to use the most magic when not on missions was Wendy and Erza. The words glided around them like a tornado beginning to form, but the words...weren't words at all, they where symbols of a lost language. Only she had the capability to read it after she spent hours decoding them. "I found this form of writing called Dragon Scratch, I'm sure Natsu and Wendy still remember some of it when they were really young. Formally called Dragon's Scroll. You see, there are books out there about dragons and books for dragons. This one," she gestured to the book "was for dragons." she explained with a smile.

"So what does this mean?" Erza asked as she stood up taking a closer examination of the words.

"It means we have found the histories and cultures of dragons. This was exactly what Lu-chan wanted me to find in order to try to find out when was the last time a dragon was spotted so that you guys can begin your search for Igneel."

"Ya didn't happen to find anything about dragon Imprinting and marriage have ya?" Gray asked with sarcastic annoyance. He really did admire the two as a couple, but...he just wanted his sister to be properly married under florin law! Was that too much to ask?!

"Well according to what I read, when a dragon imprints on a partner they consider themselves married, that much is pretty simple." Levy held up her arm in the air, a few marking stop in place and stay hovering while the rest continue their swirling. "Here it said that dragons are extremely emotional creatures, so most of their power is based off how they feel, like Lucy's your's and Juvia's. So when a dragon has found a mate, it gives them sense of purpose, making them physically and mentally stronger. But it won't be official until the dragon claims his mate."

"Wait, so you're telling me flame brain can actually get stronger, after-"

"Yup!" Gildarts stated in a hard swallow. Gray banged his head on the table, and Erza rose a brow impressed. She never knew that that type of magic can have such an emotional effect to make it physically stronger. She wondered if it also made blows much more powerful. "So...I guess we set it this issue aside...?" he asked sheepishly while he hung his head low and have a blue aura hovering over him. He was the hare to the Fairy Tail Mastery, meaning that these will be his children and grand children one day, he wants to follow Makarav's philosophy of keeping the guild to be a family, and this means that his 'daughter' Lucy is officially a woman. Of Cours he's proud of who she grew up to be, but now he's just wishing she was 11 years old again. Not to mention wanted to Natsu to go crazy overboard with his loyalty, desires, and overprotectiveness either, shit he had two people to look after in this relationship. Now he had sympathy for Loki's over protectiveness. The pink haired dragon pushed open a door of the hall leading Lucy inside.

"I'm telling you we don't need to do research! I can just sniff him out and we will find Igneel!"

"And I'm telling you that your idea is stupid and we need to see Levy about what she found and compare it to you old memories so we can narrow down our search." His partner snapped back in annoyance. The group glanced up at the entrance to watch them bickering and tearing each other. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in with his classic goofy grin on his face and her famous puffy face an Natsu-Level-Annoyed. They were so genuine and real, it was like watching Bisca and Alzack, or how Laxus would sneak a peak at Mirajane. Erza gave a soft smile, Gray's and Gildarts expression soften. If they did do...that...It was out of love. They shouldn't judge or worry about Fiorian society, after all the rest of the guild was okay with it, they should be too.

Levy smiled at the couple and referred back to the Dragon Scratch. "What makes them stronger, is will. A dragon will imprint on their partner, but can reject them. It's not a spell that makes them completely devoted to each other, is the want from the other partner as well. The will to love another person forever and want to stick by them through anything is what makes their magic stronger. Nothing will happen to the partner, because it was their choice to be with a dragon, however dragons don't have that ability, they stay with one person and if that person doesn't want them back it will never allow them to grow to their fullest potential. If they do get them to stay, their bond tightens, grows, matures, and so does the emotionally tied magic ability. Maybe it doesn't limit to only dragons." She stated curiously.

Natsu gaze around the newly stuck trued guild hall. The ball room was now a bar, and had an indoor pool on the room next door, and had some of the floors dedicated to jobs, the Library stayed the same, as well as the kitchen. He really wasn't too much of a fan of change, which only meant that he didn't like this one bit. Lucy was fine with it, she didn't seem to have much of a reaction, but loved how the rest of the guild enjoys it. "Come on Natsu, it's not that bad, we could do without the gift shop but it's pretty cool right?"

"Well I guess." he pouted.

"Um... you guys?"

The couple turned to find Wendy, dressed in her sky-blue commoner dress and matching ribbons tying her dark blue locks into two pig tails and her bangs hanging softly around her face. Her smile was soft, and her eyes were a bit sad. Lucy narrowed her eyes in suspicion, Wendy was not as new to the guild anymore, but from the moment she stepped foot into the couple's lives she became family. "Oh Wendy, Hi!" the celestial created kindly "Is everything alright?"

"Um, I'll be fine, thanks for asking. but I wanted to talk to you about something important?"

"What is it?"

"I wanted to see if I could come along on your journey to find Igneel, I mean I can be of use and besides...I want to know what happen to my mother."