Natuski & Acnologia: four/five years old

Zeref: seven/eight years old

Chapter Nine:

the Elysian's map (part one)

"I want you to be happy. I want you to laugh a lot. I don't know what exactly I'll be able to do for you, but I'll always be by your side."

- Kagome, (InuYasha)

Acnologia had to be the densest person Natsuki Dragneel knew and that was quite an achievement considering she was a pseudo counterpart of Natsu 'a dragon can totally fit in a small harbor town' Dragneel. He had been avoiding her for the past two weeks in a misguided attempt not to hurt her again while he tried getting his Magic under control. It was stupid, because hello? She was Natsuki 'let's go looking for dragons' Dragneel. If anyone was a danger to her, it was herself. Thank you very much.

Oh, don't get her wrong. She tried being comprehending and patient. She really did. She had tried distracting herself by pouring her time into working out the Seikatsu Mahō theory into practical applications which made her more frustrated because it involved creating a complex formula that wouldn't accidentally end up killing them because of course the type of Magic that could literally create living beings couldn't be easy to learn. She tried training by herself, but it was too lonely after getting used to training with her father or Acnologia. She also tried just letting things be and focusing on her friendship with Anna...which was actually working well.

As it turned out, Anna was a nomadic Mage who aspired to see the world before one day settling down in her own place. The Celestial Mage also had three older siblings who she stayed in touch with thanks to the eldest's Celestial Spirit Delphinus the messenger. Anna was also inspired by the Academy to spread Celestial Magic knowledge during her travels.

However, there was only so much the two girls could talk about that didn't involve Academy teachings. They even knew each other's favorite color and number at this point. Anna's favorite color was silver and her favorite number was ten because Capricorn was the tenth astrological sign in the zodiac and he was her closest companion while Natsuki's favorite color was blue and her favorite number was six because the word dragon consisted of six letters.

"Typical," Anna had fondly smile.

Natsuki had only grinned in response. She considered it a win to get Anna to smile considering the Celestial Mage had been awfully distracted with that Enochian-written parchment of hers lately. It took all Natsuki had not to take a peek at the damn thing because she respected Anna's privacy and would love to believe that Anna would eventually tell her about it.

"Miss Dragneel?"

Natsuki dropped her palm from underneath her chin and straightened up to look in front of her.

"Pardon?" She sheepishly smiled at the lecturer, not particularly caring about being caught not paying attention.

The fire mage could feel her big brother's concerned gaze on her. It was hard not to, considering Zeref sat next to her in the only class they shared. Creation class, all about Creation-based Magic and the foundation which the Dragneel siblings based their current research on Seikatsu Mahō on.

Ironically it was from this very lecturer that Zeref's curiosity with that branch of Magic started.

The lecturer, old mister Greystark, didn't seem the least bit annoyed at her.

"I received a compelling essay on the paralleling basis of Creation Magic and Molding Magic being a possible branch for safer Creation techniques."

Natsuki couldn't help it.

She laughed.

When she noticed that no one was joining in, she realized that it wasn't a joke.

"With all due respect sir, that would be the same as asking a pig to lay eggs."

"Oh?"

Natsuki nodded at her lecturer's smile. After all she had thought about it before as a way to reach her and Zeref's objective with the Seikatsu Mahō. She scratched the idea immediately because…

"Molding Magic is based on the conversion of latent Magic, you get the same output as the input. Creation Magic is based on the creation theories we got at the start of the year."

"Indeed, to further why these Magic are separate…"

Natsuki tuned out the speech that disguised the tearing down of whoever had turned in that essay. She couldn't even feel bad since one of the first things they were taught was that Creation Magic was its own separate branch. It was basically the quantum physics of the world she lived in.

:::

Zeref couldn't help it. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he had done it before already and had already told himself the last time that it would be the last time.

Obviously, there wasn't a point in lying to himself. The only thing different from last time was that he brought Natsuki along. Somehow dragging his little sister along made him feel more ashamed than breaking the rules and stealing. He shouldn't have even told her that he was planning on taking a look through the forbidden section of the Ritual and Runes library. Then she wouldn't have volunteer to be look out.

The only thing that could ease him would be finding a book that could help them, but so far he hadn't stumble upon anything of importance to the research they were doing. The only thing of interest he had stumbled upon related to Celestial Spirit based Magic and it had only peaked his curiosity due to his sister's friend being a Celestial Spirit Mage.

"Ice Dragons are better than Fire Dragons!" Natsuki screeched, her tone saying she disagreed completely with what she just said.

However, Zeref couldn't even found it in himself to be amused. His hand froze over the spine of the book he was going to check on.

A researcher was in the library.

Usually that meant the researcher either was there to do their own thing in their own corner or it meant they were there to enter the forbidden section of the library. They didn't need clearance at all.

"Vins!"

"My name's Victor, fire brat."

Zeref winced. Victor Valdes, a middle-aged researcher that didn't like him because of his prodigious status at the Academy. Subsequently, his dislike extended to Natsuki as well even though Natsuki's overall scores were quite average compared to everyone else.

"How's it hanging?"

"I don't have time for a brat like you. My research's in jeopardy because an ignorant prick who discounted it to my assigned mentor. "

"W-wait!" Natsuki's exclaim probably carried through the library, but luckily it was normal so there wasn't any suspicion. "What's it about?"

"Parallels Creation Magic has with the other Magic branches and how this could be used to understand the obscure arts of Creation."

"Oh fuck.."

Zeref, who usually disliked when his sister swore, couldn't help but feel the same.

'Ki-chan's the ignorant prick…'

"Aren't you a bit young to be using such language?" Victor sarcastically asked, thankfully not picking up that Natsuki was his current source of ire.

"No…I mean yeah? Sorta, I dunno…"

Zeref smiled a little just as he reached the door. He exited it just in time to see Natsuki shoot a panicked bolt of fire at Victor who had almost saw him exiting the forbidden section.

:::

Anna deeply sighed as she stared at the parchment she was holding in front of her. It had been months and she was still exactly where she started with decoding it.

"To swallow's one pride and ask for help isn't a sign of weakness, Anna-sama."

Anna huffed at Capricorn's gentle words before looking at her yukata clad spirit.

"This isn't about pride."

"Is it fear then?"

Anna bit her lips, not knowing how to answer that question. Fear? No, she wasn't afraid of asking for help. Otherwise she wouldn't be one of the top young students at the Academy.

"From what you have told me, Dragneel-sama would be delighted to help you in any way she can just as she has been trying to help her other friend."

Capricorn was right. But Anna already knew that.

"I don't want to drag her into this."

That was a lie and they both knew it. Anna felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment at the unimpressed look Capricorn was shooting her. Even with the bandages wrapped around his eyes he managed to convey just how silly he thought she was being.

"She's been suspended for a week anyway," Anna weakly argued.

The Academy was probably the quietest it's been since she started attending due to Natsuki's absence. Something about the Fire Mage almost setting the library on fire because of an emotional outburst. While Anna thought the story was suspicious, she didn't push the reasoning and was actually looking forward to productive classroom lectures.

Yet the day had passed with her constantly looking to her left to comment something or anticipating a smart quip. The peace she had envisioned was more suffocating now that she was used to Natsuki's presence.

Therein lay the problem she was avoiding.

"You know where she lives."

"I can't drop by without an invitation…"

Capricorn chuckled. "If memory serves right, Dragneel-sama has extended multiple invitations."

Anna Heartfilia was fighting a losing battle and she knew it. Gathering false courage from thin air, she quietly put her parchment into her knapsack.

"Shall we?" She smiled towards Capricorn.

It was time to finally come clean to Natsuki Dragneel, her first real friend.

:::

Or maybe not, her anxiety smirked at her.

"He looks so cool!" Natsuki beamed at Capricorn who smiled at the genuine praise. "I've heard lots 'bout you."

"As I have, young Dragneel-sama"

"Natsuki's fine."

"Natsuki-sama then."

Anna smiled at how Natsuki's nose scrunched up. She knew that her friend disliked formalities with a passion, citing it to be due to uptight rich people. Though curious, Anna never questioned it.

"Fine, I guess," Natsuki sighed in defeat.

Apparently Natsuki remembered from her stories that Capricorn was a very formal Celestial Spirit.

Suddenly, Natsuki beamed at Capricorn. "So why are your eyes covered? Are you really the strongest of the Zodiac? What's your world like? Also…do Celestial Spirits reproduce?"

The onslaught of questions didn't seem to hinder Capricorn at all.

"Inconsequential. Being the strongest is subjective, as I feel my fellow Zodiacs are all strong. Celestial. No."

Natsuki nodded and quickly opened her mouth again.

"How are Celestial Spirits born then? Or are you made? If you are made, how? And also do you grow? Do Celestial Spirits have a lifespan? How exactly does time differ between our worlds?"

Instead of answering, Capricorn turned towards her with a small smile.

"Natsuki-sama really is quite something."

Anna felt herself returning the smile, proud that her friends seemed to like each other and get along.

Capricorn then turned towards Natsuki. "I think we will have to continue this another time Natsuki-sama…." He was fading away. "Take care of Anna-sama."

"Of course! You take care too."

The two girls watched as Capricorn fully faded away before acknowledging each other. Natsuki was grinning brightly.

"You came…"

Anna felt a slight pang. The fault lay with her for not visiting sooner. For constantly promising Natsuki another day.

"I was worried," she blurted.

It was close enough to the truth, without including the need for Natsuki's help. It seemed like she still couldn't bring herself to ask for help.

Natsuki sheepishly laughed.

"If I knew getting in trouble would make you visit, I'd have done it sooner…"

Anna giggled. "If I knew you had trouble controlling your Magic, I'd have kept my distance."

Natsuki's cheeks reddened in embarrassment as she stuttered out something about it being an accident and how she hadn't lost control.

Two contradicting statements that told Anna there was more to the story, but her friend was allowed some privacy.

"I think, this is the part where you invite me inside."

If possible, Natsuki got more embarrassed as she opened the door wider and ushered her inside.

"My parents just went out and big brother's at the Academy for extra research time."

Anna nodded, allowing Natsuki to gently push her towards the stairs.

"My room's second to the right, I'll get some snacks."

The Heartfillia followed the instructions, trying to calm herself into asking for help. It wasn't hard at all. She just had to be honest and actually give Natsuki the chance to decide whether or not to help her with translating the parchment.

Natsuki's room was surprisingly very organized. Lacking a bit of personal touch that she was expecting, if Anna was being honest. She had expected the room to be messy and decorated with a dragon theme. Instead she only saw a stuffed toy of what appeared to be Zeref Dragneel on the girl's bed and an open book.

Curiously, she approached the bed to grab the book.

"Who the hell are you?"

Anna startled.

She quickly turned around to see a boy glaring at her with mistrust.

:::

"Well?" Acnologia pressed, keeping his voice low.

He was half tempted to just beat the girl up without an explanation, just because she was a stranger entering Natsu's room and had the audacity to snoop around.

"Anna," the blonde said. "You must be Acnologia-san, right?"

So this was Natsuki's study buddy at that fancy Academy. Acnologia assessed the girl once again, from the blonde strands on her head to the worn sandals the girl wore. His gaze paused for a moment on Anna's necklace. Natsu said something about Celestial Spirit Mages using keys. So the key worn as a pendant on the necklace was probably the blonde's way of calling out backup.

He found it stupid to leave such a valuable item at such an eye-catching place. Not to mention how impractical it was for quick access.

If there was a bright side to him being a Mage it was that at least he didn't have such a limiting Magic such as the one the girl in front of him possessed. Though, maybe Celestial Spirits were lucky that he wasn't a Celestial Spirit Mage. He'd treat them like tools.

At the thought, he could practically hear a voice that sounded like Natsu's nagging him inside his head.

"She's told me about you," Anna's voice drew Acnologia away from his thoughts.

"I don't care." Acnologia stepped forward and shoved the girl aside.

He almost rolled his eyes at how she allowed it. Wasn't this girl supposed to be four years older than him and Natsu? It was clear that the girl had never gotten into a fight. She was too passive in an annoyingly meek way.

"Never touch Natsu's things without asking. Next time, I'll bash your head in."

Anna flinched at the casual threat.

It made Acnologia want to scoff, the girl was lucky he knew she was Natsu's friend. A stranger would not have gotten that warning and instead would be on the floor already.

"…she misses you."

Acnologia was severely unimpressed with the stupid change of topic. His training was over and Natsu was home safe so it was time to leave. Ignoring the blonde girl, he turned towards his destination. Natsu's window.

"Jumping out of my window to avoid me again?"

Acnologia hesitated halfway through opening his exit. That was all the pink haired idiot he called his friend needed to throw a tray at him. It hit him squarely on his head and the content it held spilled all over him.

Lemon juice and cut fruit.

Glutton she may be, but Natsu did eat her fruits too.

Before he learned about his wild Magic, he would have let the blood boiling inside him take over. Right now though if he lost control Natsu's dad would put him through hell in training and said training would have been for nothing.

"Not gonna look at me huh? Did your training change you so much?"

Of course, Natsu knew just how to change her tone into such a mocking one that Acnologia was sure would make a saint lose their patience.

"Shut up," he forced out. He opened the window fully.

"Running away?"

That pushed a button and judging by Natsu's amused tone she knew it. Before Natsu, the only thing Acnologia had that kept him going was his pride. If an idiot dared imply he was a coward, well they'd probably have a broken jaw the next day.

Not accidentally murdering his only friend or his pride.

He felt a grip on his wrist and the choice was taken from him.

"Got you."

Natsu had no right sounding that ignorant and happy. No right at all, especially not when he had to grit his teeth and force himself to be calm. To not break away or do anything that could make his Magic lash out.

Honestly, he took back what he thought about the blondie's Magic. If he had an easy Magic like that he wouldn't be experiencing this stupid emotion right now. He wouldn't be experiencing fear for Natsu's wellbeing.

"Let go."

Another hand grabbed his cheek and gently turned it. There, now he was looking at the girl who was smirking at him. He wanted to wipe that expression from her face.

"And let you keep running from me?"

"Do you want to get hurt?"

Acnologia glared even as Natsu's smirk softened into a smile that he wasn't used to seeing on her. It was subdued, not as wide as her usual ones. Not as sunny or fiery as usual. Instead it had a quiet resolve to it.

"Fine, I'll wait."

Acnologia blinked.

That easy?

Natsu stepped back. "Just hurry, okay?"

He felt her eyes on him even after he jumped out the window.

Where was that damn old man? He needed to up his training.

Chapter end

A/N:

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter~! I graduated HS a month ago and have been working since everyday. My laptop's keys still dont work so Im writing on my phone. I'll probably update more in August when I switch back to part time during my gap year. Before anyone asks, A Second Chance will be updated either Friday or Saturday. Possibly Little Red Alpha or another fic as well if I sacrifice sleep.

Questions:
1. In what direction do you think this story is going?

2. Most underrated character in Fairy Tail and why? (My answer: Lucy. Why? Too tired...so I'll explain next time I update)