Disclaimer: All rights goes to it's rightful owner Hiro Mashima.


Chapter 2: The (un)Expected Goodbye

Happy fly as fast as his wings could muster, worried for the wellbeing of his partner and more so added the fact that the master had asked him personally to check up on him. He must be hurting so much; I know just how much Natsu is training for this trial the blue exceed thought. If he was able to go any faster than he is currently doing it right now, he did because as just as that thought was finished Happy has already looking directly at their house.

Entering their small but cozy house Happy started looking around but to no avail, there is no Natsu to be seen. He has checked throughout the house, eves as far to check in the secret compartment of his precious fish, sighing in relief since none of his fish have gone missing. But still the question still lingers in the air, where is Natsu?

With a solemn look Happy muttered to himself "Where are you Natsu?" but then suddenly something clicks in the blue exceed mind and he feel like an idiot for not thinking about this earlier. With a swift motion he was already outside and flew to a place he surely knows where Natsu will be.

A short while later Happy arrived at the place, and surely did he see Natsu there standing with a deep expression in his face, clearly thinking about something. Happy is relieved to finally found his partner, and with a beaming smile he approached the fire dragon slayer. Despite Happy totally not masking his arrival the dragon slayer did not noticed him, and the answer to that is quite simple. Natsu is not just in a deep thought, he was currently staring at the only thing that reminded him of his powerlessness: Lisanna's gravestone.

Truth be told that after the whole Edolas ordeal Lisanna had already return to them, to their family and Fairy Tail. But that doesn't hide the fact that this gravestone is what reminded Natsu of the terrible past. If only he was stronger then Mirajane would acknowledge him and he would have got permission from her to join them on that damn mission. The whole Lisanna was presumably dead would not have happened, if only he was stronger to prevent this from happening, from making everyone sad. From making Mira sad, the fire dragon slater thought to himself.

If only not this incident is what greatly motivated to push his limit, to become stronger so that he could protect his family. Ever since Natsu was brought to the guild by master Makarov Fairy when he was just a little child, all Fairy Tail showed to him was warm and kindness. That fact along made Natsu regards them as his family, only after Igneel. On the day that Lisana was presumably dead, he made a vow to protect his family, to protect them at all cost, and one way to achieve that was to become an S-Class. He may be dumb but he knew very well that protecting the guild is what it is meant to become an S-Class, contrary to everyone believe that him becoming S-Class was just a way for him to show off his power.

Amidst his train of thought a voice suddenly speak beside him. "Natsu are you there?" said Happy who's now floating beside the pink haired man's head.

"Huh Happy, when did you get here?" Natsu asked with a raised brow.

"I've been here for a while Natsu, and I've been calling you" Happy tilted his head, confused as to what Natsu been thinking since he didn't notice him.

"Oh, you are? Sorry Happy didn't notice you" Natsu said with an apologetic smile whilst rubbing the back of his head. I must have been very deep in my thoughts if I couldn't Happy calling me Natsu thought.

"It's okay Natsu, you could buy me fish though for an apology" the blue exceed said with glee from imagining the amount of fish he would get from Natsu, all the while a drool started to form on the corner of his mouth.

"Hehehe maybe another time Happy" Natsu started to say to his partner with a fond smile, then at thought started to appear on his mind, with a raised brow he asked "On second thought Happy, how did you know I was here?"

Happy being called out from his daydreaming about fish answered him "It was easy Natsu, Lisanna's gravestone is where you'd go when you're feeling down"

Natsu surprised at Happy answer, he himself didn't realize that. But then I guess that's not quite surprising, Lisanna's gravestone is the only reminder of how helpless I was thought Natsu.

Content with Happy's answer Natsu turn back towards the gravestone, smiling and thinking amusingly for himself. Even though Lisanna have return, his body had unconsciously came to her grave.

"Natsu..." Happy started saying with a frown, clearly worried about the wellbeing of his partner "Are you all right?"

Natsu once again is brought of his musing by Happy question "I'm all right Happy, what made you think I'm not all right?" the dragon slayer asked with a chuckled, trying to lighten up their current situation.

"Well after you storm off from the guild the master is very worried about you, I think that he doesn't mean to discourage you" was what Happy said.

"I know that Happy, I very well know that from the explanation the master said" Natsu looked at Happy with a soft smile. "But then it still reminded me you know, of how I'm not powerful enough"

"No that is not true Natsu!" Happy defended Natsu, which is quite amusing to be honest "You are very strong Natsu! You defeated all those crazy strong opponents all by yourself" Happy shouted to Natsu

"Well I guess you're not wrong Happy" Natsu said sheepishly "Well maybe this is not that bad after all though you know Happy, not going to the S-Class trial"

"Why is that Natsu?" Happy tilted his head

"I guess that means that I got a chance to get stronger you know, to start training more intense!" Natsu said excitedly, already imagining all the training he would go in their friends absence.

"Aye sir that's sounds good" Happy smiled and then suddenly take out a fish from seemingly out of nowhere.

"Hehehe I know right partner, well then it's getting late. We should head back home" Natsu pointed a finger to the direction of their house.

Then the duo started to walk back to their house, Happy happily floating beside Natsu munching of his fish while Natsu has a look of determined, thinking that this whole situation will not affect his mood and that he will be training himself to get stronger.


The next morning after one hell of pain train ride in Natsu opinion, they arrive at Hargeon just half an hour before the departure of the S-Class trial participant, a perfect timing because he came to Hargeon to say goodbye to them. When Natsu and Happy arrived at the designated port where the ship that will bring the S-Class trial participant to Tenrou island, they already see of said participant.

Natsu's still feeling quite bad at how his outburst yesterday just quietly approached them and silently stand in the back, while Happy being Happy have already blurted to what he was sure was the direction of a certain white exceed.

"Hey flame brain what're you doing sulking in the back like that" a voice suddenly attracted the attention of the fire dragon slayer, then an arm suddenly props out to his shoulder.

"Yeah Natsu that is so not like you" was the very next word he hears before realizing the arrival of his group of friends.

Natsu was startled by their sudden appearance "Hey guys..." Natsu said timidly, very uncharacteristic of him.

"I must say it is very not like you to be quiet Natsu-san" said Wendy from beside Lucy.

Letting go of Natsu's shoulder Gray said proudly to the two females in front of him. "Don't you worry guys, I bet he will be excited when I return as an S-Class mage" Gray laughed while saying this.

Natsu who's just hear that as bright as day couldn't take it at what the ice mage said. "what the, there's no way in hell I'll be excited at you becoming S-Class you ice princess" he said angrily, traces of the original Natsu slowly coming back to the surface.

Hearing this Gray just keep on laughing and flick his hand to the side of his head, as if he has a long hair.

At hearing this Natsu was starting to fume, annoyed at Gray's antic. Deciding not to further up Gray's ego he turn his sight to the two more intelligent mages in his opinion.

"And both of you! What are you doing here?" he asked with a slight yell, obviously still annoyed at Gray's words.

"Well we are joining the trials!" Lucy answered simply as if that explains everything.

"...What? but you guys aren't even on the list..." Natsu scrunched his brow because he was utterly confused.

"W-well let me explain Natsu-san, the S-Class participant are allowed to pick a partner to help them in the trials. So, me and Lucy-san are selected to be said partner" Wendy came to the rescue of the confused Natsu.

"Yep! I am Cana's partner and Wendy are chosen by Mest to be his partner" Lucy said adding her bit of information to the dragon slayer.

Natsu finally have an understanding put his fist in his palm and said "Ooh that's why we you both are here"

"Yeah flame brain and I have chosen Loke to be my partner. He and I are going to totally pass this exam!" Gray chirped to their conversation.

"Well guess what ice princess? Nobody asked you" Natsu finally said to Gray, unable to contain his annoyance anymore.

"What did you say you ash for brain?" Gray retaliated to Natsu's words.

"I said what I said popsicle or are you deaf?" at this point both mages had already clashed their forehead, looking ready to pummel each other out.

"Alright that's enough" said a voice suddenly. The four of them looked at the direction of the voice to see master Makarov seemingly appear out of nowhere.

"Master!" said Lucy, Wendy, and Gray simultaneously. Meanwhile Natsu has his head down at noticing the old master arrival, remembering yesterday event.

"Why don't the three of you get ready to board the ship, it is already time to set sail" the master said

"Alright master" said Lucy abiding her master's order "I guess this is goodbye then Natsu" Lucy waved at Natsu then started to walk towards the ship.

"Goodbye Natsu-san" Wendy also bid her farewell with a childish smile then started to follow Lucy.

Meanwhile Gray just grunt and started to follow his two friends, although while walking he glance back at Natsu. He might not admit it even if hell freezes over, but he is quite concern about his rival.

After the three of them left it was only just master Makarov and Natsu, the air is tick with silence awkwardness.

Makarov looked at Natsu fondly, just like a father would look at a child. Then he started to say "Natsu my boy, are you alright?

Natsu quickly lifts up his head to look at the old master "Ah master...I'm alright..." Natsu timidly said, Makarov concern if not grow tenfold at seeing Natsu this unsure. He was just about to say something when a white blur suddenly leaps towards Natsu out of nowhere.

"Natsuuu!" said that white blur which in turns to be Lisanna, whom she had hugged Natsu.

Natsu was startled at her sudden appearance caught her in his arm "Lisanna!" after recognizing it was indeed his old childhood friend he started to laugh "What are you doing here? Ooh I know you must be on of the S-Class participant partner am I right?"

"Yup!" she said cheerfully "I was asked to be Juvia's partner! Isn't that awesome Natsu?" she proceeds to ask Natsu with even more cheerfulness.

Natsu just laughed at this even more "Yeah it is awesome Lisanna! Man, I didn't expect you to be precede me in becoming an S-Class" he jokingly said to the white-haired mage.

"Mou I didn't have a guarantee that I'll become an S-class you know" Lisanna replied to Natsu's joke with a pout, a quite one to be frank. "Besides I believe it is you who will be the first to be S-class you know" she said while pointing to the fire dragon slayer.

Natsu laughed and then said "Well let's see about it when they announce you as the new S-Class mage when the trial's over"

At hearing this Lisanna just pouted even more, she was about to say something but a cough is heard from behind her.

"I hate to interrupt this Lisanna, but I have matter to speak to Natsu" the master said with an apologetic gaze towards her.

"Ooh I'm sorry master I didn't realize" Lisanna sheepishly said "Okay then I'll be going but before that..." she releases her hug and pinch the both side of Natsu cheeks.

"I don't want to hear you slacking off when I'm away okay Natsu. I'm waiting for you to enter the trials next year you got that" she said with a stern look.

All Natsu could say with a mumble was an "Aye ma'am" in a Happy-like manner.

Lisanna content with her friend's answer releases his cheeks "Okay then Natsu take care" she said while turning her back to walk away. Just barely a second after it she turns back again towards Natsu to give him a final hug.

"Goodbye Natsu" she said with her face buried in his chest. Natsu hugged her back and she ended the hug, once again turning her back but with a wave whilst she light jogged towards the ship. Meanwhile Natsu just smiled fondly towards her direction, thanking every deity there is for returning her back to his arms.

"Well then to minimize the distraction would you follow me Natsu" Makarov said trying to catch Natsu attention, when he sees that Natsu is focusing his attention on him he started to walk.

Natsu then silently followed his master, when the two of them stopped walking he realized that they are some distance away from the ship.

Makarov turned and gaze into Natsu's eyes, as if trying to search the words of something he about to say. After a short while he seems to have found those words.

"Listen Natsu about yesterday..." Makarov was about to started before Natsu cut him off "It's alright gramps, I get it that your decision is only for the best..." the fire dragon slayer said, as if knowing very well what was the old master trying to say, then he finished it with a warm smile "and that you are only looking out for me"

To say that Makarov was shocked would be an understatement, he was taken aback by Natsu's words. Not only that this boy doesn't harbor any hard feelings towards him, but he fully understood the meaning of this all.

"A-are you sure Natsu" Makarov asked, still unsure about Natsu's words.

"Yes gramps I'm very sure, besides this will be a chance for me to train myself you know, Just like Lisanna said! Then after that I can totally rock next year trials!" the fire dragon slayer excitedly.

He really is something else isn't he Makarov thought, I have practically denied him of one of his dreams yet he stills find a positive outcome in this situation. He really is the heart of the guild.

Smiling like a proud father is Makarov just looked at Natsu proudly, happy at how he had developed into more mature unlike his hot-headed younger self. While Natsu being Natsu just grinned at the master. The two shared a very content moment.

Thought their moment is ended by Natsu's question, "Say gramps where are the S-Class mages? You know like Gildarts and Erza"

Chuckling to himself at Natsu's curiosity the old master happily answered "Well you see my boy I sent them to the island quite early, to prepare the upcoming trials"

"Ooh I see then gramps" Natsu nodded his head in understanding.

"Well then I guess it is time for me to say goodbye Natsu, I hope that you stay true to your words Natsu because I will be clearly waiting for you in the next trials" the master said to Natsu.

"Of course gramps! You can count on it" was what his reply are.

"Good then because I want you to learn all the basics fire spell in the guild's library, because when I come back I will teach you all the intermediate to advanced spells"

At hearing this Natsu's eyes lit up "Really gramps? Damn that's awesome! I can't wait for you to train me, that beats training all by myself"

Makarov chuckled at hearing Natsu's excited reply "As you say it yourself boy 'you can count on it'." He then realized what time it is and then proceed to bid his farewell "Okay then I'll be going, take care of yourself alright brat"

Then the old master started to walk back towards the ship that in the time of their talk had already put on their sails, ready to embark on its journey to Tenrou Island. Meanwhile Natsu just keep on grinning to the retreating form of master Makarov.

Well then I better start finding Happy so that we can get the hell out of here and return back to Magnolia thought Natsu, clearly wanted to start his training. Then Natsu started to walk aimlessly to what he assumed was Happy will be.

Not a while later he was beginning to get annoyed because Happy was nowhere to be found. I'm gonna tie up that cat and eat a lot of fish in front of him Natsu thought of revenge for the blue exceed sudden disappearance. But then suddenly there's a scent that attracted his attention. Walking to the direction of the scent he was surprised at what he saw.

"Mira?" the fire dragon slayer called out, and truth be told there stood the white-haired mage.

Smiling albeit seeming very nervous from her body posture she greeted back "H-hello there Natsu"

Natsu was about to say something regarding Mira's sudden appearance but his focus was brought to the blue cat he was searching earlier.

"Damn Happy where the hell have you been?! I've been looking for you" the dragon slayer said remembering his earlier annoyance at the blue exceeed.

"Oh hey Natsu, the world is very cruel to me you know..." he said while dripping a sad tear and munching on a fish. "Carla doesn't want my farewell gift that I've brought for her" Happy said whilst dropping more tears of sadness and at the same time keep on eating his presumably gift for Carla.

Ignoring the not so surprise turn of events he directed his attention to Mirajane, who squirms under his gaze. "What are you doing here Mira? I thought that gramps had ordered the S-Class mages to come early to Tenrou island to prepare stuffs"

Stuttering she answered the question she was being asked "W-well y-you see Natsu I was on my way there before I decided to come back, not to explicitly see you, you know!" she half shouted to the fire mage "I g-guess I still got time before the participants would arrive on the island and that I can always fly back to the island using my satan soul and then..." she stopped her sentence abruptly at seeing Natsu's blank face.

Blushing to herself for letting herself ramble on like that she straightened her back and said the thing she wanted to say to Natsu "N-natsu! I'm v-very sorry of how I act when I was younger" she said with an apologetic gaze towards the fire dragon slayer "I r-realized of how I act because of what you said yesterday, and I keep thinking about it. So I'm very sorry Natsu!" she said that last sentence while closing eyes and lightly lowered her head.

Then seconds passed and there was no response from the fire dragon slayer. She opens her eyes and slowly raise her head. There she sees that Natsu still looking at her with that blank face.

Feeling dejected at the lack of response from the dragon slayer, she then thinks the worse and that he was now mad at her for what she has said. Feeling she couldn't handle if the fire dragon slayer started to get angry at her she said "Y-you know what N-natsu I guess it's time for me to get back" she then turn her back and started to activate her takeover magic to fly as far away from here. "Goodbye Natsu"

She was about to fly off when his voice suddenly said. "you know Mira I hate goodbyes" he said.

At hearing this her heart sink more deeper, but fortunately he continue "Goodbyes means that we'll be not seeing each other for a long time" he said with a smile towards Mira "I prefer 'see you later', because that is how I wish, that we'll be seeing each other again"

Mira was dumbfounded at Natsu's words and could only slightly, and cutely hang her mouth.

"There's nothing to be sorry Mira, the past is the past you know." He said with could only be a more brighter smile.

Mira started to tear up at his words and without her mind registering she close the distance and hugged the dragon slayer tightly. "T-thank you Natsu" she mumbled.

Natsu was surprised at her sudden hug, but return to hug nonetheless. "It's alright Mira" he patted her head.

Then suddenly something clicked inside her head and she realized what was she doing. just like her sudden hug, said hug was also ended quite suddenly. Releasing her grip from Natsu she was blushing quite red.

"W-w-well I guess I better get going N-natsu" she once again turn her back fron Natsu, though this time it was more of because she was hiding her blushing face from him. Steeling herself she activates her magic and get ready to take off, but then she turn her head to look at Natsu, smiling she said "See you later Natsu" then she burst her wings and took flight to the air. Meanwhile Natsu just look at her flying form with a smile.

"Wow I didn't know that Mira could blush like that" the blue exceed said finally, after he was silence during their whole conversation.

"I know right Happy" Nastu agrees to Happy words.

Then Happy looked at Natsu with a sly look "Ooooh she likes you Natsuuu" said the blue cat, easily tease Natsu

At hearing that absurd word coming out of Happy mouth the dragon slayer blush a little "W-what the hell are you saying you damn cat, there's no way in hell that Mira could like me!" he shouted in defense.

"Hohoho let's see about that Natsu" Happy covered his mouth with his paws and smiled chuckled slyly.

"Shut up you damn cat!" Natsu shouted to Happy "All right that's it once we return to Magnolia I'll tie you up and then I'll eat all the fishes in you secret compartment in our house!"

Quickly dropping his teasing Happy adorns a horrified face "There's no way you would to that Natsu!" the blue cat said to Natsu

"Yes way!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!" Natsu grabbed his hair in frustration and then scream an aargh "Let's just get back to Magnolia okay Happy"

"Mou you are mean Natsu" said the exceed

Then the pair started to walk out of the ports, after a while Happy said to Natsu.

"Natsu I miss Carla already..." the cat said in an exaggerated sigh.

"Ooh Man up Happy! It's not like we will not see them after the trials"

"I guess you are right Natsu" said Happy feeling that Natsu's words are right.

The two then continue their walks, not knowing that a certain event would take place, and that Natsu's words are quite in fact not true at all.