The next morning, the first ray of sunlight pierced through the cabin's window, forcing him to open his eyes slowly. His mind was filled with imprinted memories, and a slight dizziness enveloped him as soon as he woke up; on the other hand, his body was already fully recovered.
He took a deep breath, feeling the light air of this world, and let it out in a heavy sigh.
He got up without haste, stretching his arms until he heard the crack of his muscles, and decided to take a shower. He walked to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the hot water slide over his body.
After the shower, he stood in front of his predecessor's wardrobe. Simple, worn clothes... until he found something that caught his attention, as if it had been forgotten there. He grabbed the black tailored pants, a dark belt that fit snugly around his waist, and a tight shirt, almost like a second skin. He dressed in each piece calmly, adjusting the fabric that highlighted his defined muscles.
Finally, he pulled out the white scarf and adjusted it around his neck with his usual familiarity. His gaze lingered for a moment on the dark red overcoat, which, according to his predecessor's memories, was a gift from Mirajane. He quickly put it on and calmly adjusted the sleeves.
Giving a silent nod as he looked in the mirror, he returned to the sofa in the improvised living room of his cabin.
"I'm hungry..." Natsu murmured, his stomach rumbling softly.
Without thinking much, he raised his hand. The energy flowed naturally, almost like breathing, and the [Subjective Reality] bent to his will.
A hot hamburger appeared in his palm, along with a cold can of Coca-Cola in the other.
He leaned back in the nearest chair and bit into the snack calmly. The taste was identical to that from his past life: soft bread, juicy meat, the sauce dripping a little down the side. He clicked his tongue in satisfaction, grabbed the can, and opened it with a tsshh. The gas rose, familiar, and he took a long sip.
He felt the cold refreshment slide down his throat, and an almost imperceptible smile escaped. That drained practically nothing from his magical energy, just a minimal spark. Exactly as he expected.
It meant he would never lack for food again.
Moreover, he had an extremely fast metabolism as a Dragon Slayer; it would probably be hard to gain weight even if he ate that kind of industrialized junk every day.
"This is the life..." He commented softly, biting into the hamburger again without haste.
His predecessor's memories brought back recollections of hunts, campfires, simple meals shared with guild friends. Everything had its value, but... now he could have anything he wanted, at any time. Why was he thinking about that now...? Shaking his head negatively, he went back to eating without haste.
He finished the last sip of Coke and left the empty can on the improvised table. He spent a few seconds staring at the cabin's ceiling, remembering Fairy Tail.
The guild had once been the strongest in Fiore, but now it was at rock bottom. Seven years without Erza, Laxus, Mirajane, and the others... those who stayed didn't have the strength to hold on. Result: debts, small jobs, and shame.
But he couldn't get stuck on that.
Erza and the others hadn't given up; they were scattered on missions, trying to gather money and keep the guild afloat. They did what they could.
He ran his hand over the scarf and took a deep breath.
On the other hand, his predecessor had just isolated himself and stayed home. But precisely because the other members were busy, he wasn't surprised that none of them had come to see him since he was reborn in this world. Lucy, who came the day before yesterday, said she was going on a mission, although she was very reluctant and worried about him; she needed money urgently. Gray came just to provoke him two days ago and show concern in his rivalry-filled way. Mirajane also came to see him along with Lisanna, and the two even made food for him and stayed a good while keeping him company. Wendy and Carla also came to see him, and even Gajeel stopped by before leaving for a mission... He was obviously grateful for all the care and affection from the people close to him, and secretly relieved that Erza hadn't shown up; knowing her, the Fairy Queen would beat him to get him out of the house. She had a rough way of showing concern and affection...
Letting out a sigh, Natsu got up from the sofa and adjusted the overcoat on his shoulders. He walked to the door and paused for a moment, looking outside. The morning air was fresh, laden with the scent of the trees around the cabin. He decided he would go back to Magnolia. He wanted to see the guild and the city, to observe with his own eyes the world in which he had been reborn.
Moreover, there was something he couldn't ignore: he needed to train, he needed to get stronger.
The Grand Magic Games were still two or three months away, but that time wouldn't be wasted.
So, his idea was to take a mission and go out alone to learn more about this world and train to get stronger.
Natsu closed the cabin door behind him and followed the dirt path. The morning wind gently swayed the white scarf, and the weight of the red overcoat brushed against his legs with each firm step.
The walk to Magnolia took some time. The silence of the road was only broken by the sound of birds and the distant river. Deep down, it was good to feel the calm before returning to the bustling city life.
When he finally reached the hill overlooking Magnolia, he paused for a moment.
The city wasn't the same as in his predecessor's memories. Compared to seven years ago, the city had certainly changed, but not to the point of being unrecognizable. What filled him with excitement was that this world was no longer an anime watched from a distant screen.
It was real.
The smell of fresh bread coming from the bakeries, the noise of merchants arguing over prices, even the light breeze hitting his face—all of it proved that.
He was living it.
And that thought made something inside him almost burst with excitement.
Natsu observed the people's glances out of the corner of his eye.
He ignored the low comments, focusing only on the path. He continued forward until he reached the guild building.
And there it was.
Fairy Tail.
It was no longer the imposing, lively hall preserved in his memories. The building seemed tiny in comparison to before and very worn by time. The wood was poorly maintained, and the facade, once a symbol of pride, now seemed forgotten.
Natsu took a deep breath in front of the door. He touched the scarf, as if it were a ritual, and pushed the entrance open.
The sound of weak conversations and some forced laughter filled his ears. Inside, the few members present were scattered at tables, most looking worried or disheartened. There wasn't the chaotic energy from before, just a silent atmosphere. When they returned to the guild, there was a party, although he had withdrawn much earlier to the concern of the members.
Natsu took the first step inside.
All eyes turned to him.
The conversations died, the mugs stopped in mid-air, and even the clatter of cutlery seemed to cease.
"...Natsu?" Someone murmured, as if doubting what they were seeing.
He slowly raised his eyes, observing each familiar face. Most showed surprise, others hesitation, some even relief at seeing him after so long locked in the cabin.
Natsu tilted his head slightly, letting out a simple greeting:
"Yo...."
The calm voice, without that usual explosive enthusiasm, left everyone even more confused. There was no wide smile, nor the impulsive energy that filled the air when he arrived. Just a strange tranquility, almost too mature for the Natsu they knew.
The gazes followed each of his steps, noticing the different clothes, the red overcoat, the more serious air. The scarf swayed gently, but not even it seemed to bring back the image everyone held.
Behind the counter was Mirajane, the young woman who was, at the same time, the welcoming soul and the number one beauty of Fairy Tail. She had a below-average height, a slim but curvaceous and voluptuous body, with ample breasts that marked her feminine silhouette. Her long white hair cascaded down to her waist, waving softly at the ends, while two fringes framed her face and extended to her chest. The most striking detail, however, was the peculiar hairstyle: a short ponytail that rose upward from the fringe, as if her hair had become so accustomed to the style that it remained lifted even when loose.
She was wearing a sleeveless brown dress that reached her ankles, with a pleated skirt. Her chest was adorned with a large pink bow, and similar-colored trims framed the quite ample neckline, acting as straps, and circled her waist. Although no one could see from Natsu's position, she also wore high-heeled shoes that matched her dress and complemented it with a small chain necklace with an oval blue gem attached to it and a bracelet made of white flowers circling her right wrist.
Her eyes ran over the red overcoat, and a tightness gripped her chest. That was a gift she had given him a long time ago, and seeing him wear it now awakened mixed feelings: surprise, joy... and concern.
"Natsu..." She said softly, not knowing whether to smile or frown.
He stopped in front of her, lightly resting his hand on the counter.
"It's been a while, Mira..."
As soon as his eyes fell on Mirajane, it was like taking a punch to the chest. Seeing that woman up close, in flesh and blood, was something absurd. Her beauty humiliated any woman he had ever seen in the other world, whether in person or even in magazines, films, anything. The white hair that seemed to shine, those blue eyes... and, damn, those large breasts pressing against the blouse, heavy and firm....
She blinked a few times, trying to hide her unease. He had never spoken to her like that: direct, calm, almost adult. And what made her strangely uncomfortable was the lack of that contagious energy that always lit up the hall when Natsu appeared.
Mirajane clenched her hands behind the counter, taking a deep breath to not let it show.
"Yeah... it has. You... are you okay, Natsu...?"
Natsu didn't respond immediately.
".... Why wouldn't I be?"
Mirajane kept her soft smile, but her eyes betrayed the mix of feelings stirring inside her. She tilted her head slightly, resting her arms on the counter as she always did when she wanted to convey closeness and warmth.
"You disappeared for days, locked yourself in the cabin and barely let anyone get close..." She said in a sweet but firm tone, without losing that careful way that was uniquely hers: "Of course everyone gets worried, Natsu. Are you really okay...?"
Natsu kept his gaze fixed on her, serene. He lightly touched the scarf, as if it were an unconscious habit, and then shrugged.
"I needed time. To organize my head, understand some things."
Mirajane arched her eyebrows, surprised by the choice of words. Natsu? Speaking like that, with calm and clarity, without bursts of humor or impatience? It was too strange, but at the same time... there was something mature in that new posture that made her want to hear more.
"Understand...?" She repeated, lowering her voice a bit, almost as if trying to enter his closed space without forcing: "Do you want to talk about it?"
He gave a short laugh, almost ironic, but without losing his serenity.
"Not now. If I start, I'll end up complicating things more than they already are. Just... let's say I realized that staying still doesn't lead anywhere. I want to move, so I came for a mission. Do you have one for me?"
Mirajane stayed silent for a few seconds, analyzing every trace of his expression. The calm didn't seem fake, but it still caused a tightness in her heart. Where was that impulsive smile, the spark that made everyone believe everything would be fine just because he was there?
Mirajane took a deep breath, trying to reorganize her thoughts. She forced a light but genuine smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking:
"Most of the good missions have already been taken by the others. With the number of jobs decreasing, there's little left for those who arrive later."
She extended her delicate hand toward the board nailed to the wall, where some yellowish papers swayed lightly with the breeze coming through the window.
"But... there are still some there. Take a look, maybe one interests you."
Natsu followed her gesture with his eyes, his expression calm. He nodded once, simply, and began walking to the board.
However, before he reached it, Mirajane's sweet voice called him back.
"Natsu..."
He stopped, turning his face toward her. Mirajane kept her smile, but her blue eyes shone in a different way, loaded with sincere warmth.
"It's good to have you back." She said, firm but soft, as if each word was chosen with care. "And... if you need to talk, about anything... I'm here, okay?"
The silence in the hall grew even heavier after those words. Some members glanced sideways, others lowered their heads, pretending to be busy.
Natsu stood still for a few seconds, staring at her in silence. His heart gave a strange squeeze in his chest, but his face remained impassive, just a slight raise of his eyebrow.
"Thanks, Mira."
He turned back and walked, stopping in front of the mission board.
Natsu scanned the board with his eyes, passing over yellowish announcements, small jobs, and almost embarrassing rewards. Nothing caught his attention... until a paper stuck in the corner, almost forgotten, caught his gaze.
He pulled it calmly, reading the short lines:
Mission: Subdue bandits who have been attacking merchants and travelers on the road to Lunareth Village, north of Fiore.
Reward: 150,000 Jewels.
He stayed silent for a few seconds, twirling the paper between his fingers. A simple mission, nothing special. But it would do. It would serve to feel this world for real, to move, to get his body and head in order.
"Lunareth, huh..." he murmured, almost to himself.
Returning to the counter, he dropped the paper in front of Mirajane.
"I'll take this one."
Mirajane blinked, surprised. The mission wasn't difficult, but the value wasn't high either. Nothing someone of Natsu's level would normally choose, considering there were some tougher ones on the board. She raised her face to him, assessing carefully.
"Are you sure? It's far... and you could take something more profitable."
Natsu adjusted the scarf, averting his gaze for a moment to the door.
"It's simple. And it's what I want now."
The serene conviction in his voice made her sigh. Deep down, she knew insisting wouldn't help; Natsu had already made his decision. Still, she couldn't hide her concern.
"Take care, then..." she said, taking the paper back and registering his name on the mission. "Lunareth isn't dangerous, but desperate bandits can be unpredictable. I don't want you to get hurt right after... coming back."
Natsu tilted his head in an almost imperceptible gesture of thanks.
"Relax, Mira. I'll come back in one piece."
And, without adding anything else, he turned and began walking toward the exit. The hall remained silent, everyone still observing his different demeanor.
When the door closed behind him, Mirajane stood still, staring at the empty spot, with a tight heart.
The guild's silence persisted even after the door closed. Only after a few seconds did someone break the tension.
"... He's different, isn't he?" murmured Nab, scratching his head.
"Different? That's an understatement..." another completed, with a voice full of astonishment. "He seemed... I don't know... like another person."
The conversations began to spread, but in low tones, almost as if they feared Natsu could hear back. Some members exchanged uncomfortable glances, others just stared at their mugs. The absence of that noisy smile and impulsive energy seemed to have left a strange void in the air.
Mirajane rested her chin on her hand and let out a small sigh.
It was then that the side door, in the back, opened slowly.
A girl came out from there; she was a young woman of short stature, with extremely fair, almost pale skin. Her hair was straight, long, and blue, falling down her back in silky strands, with a small side fringe that framed her delicate face. Her large eyes, of an intense blue, stood out with long, voluminous lashes that accentuated her melancholic expression.
Her body was striking, full of well-defined curves. Her voluminous breasts caught attention immediately, firm and ample for someone of her build. Her waist was slim, well-shaped, creating a natural contrast with her wide hips. Her thick thighs completed the silhouette, making it clear that, despite her shy and reserved appearance, Juvia's physique exuded sensuality and femininity from every angle.
That was Juvia Lockser.
And the usual sparkle she had when it came to Gray was no longer present. Since they returned from Tenrou Island, the water mage seemed depressed and heartbroken... Mirajane noticed it immediately. She knew each guild member well, and Juvia's sad air didn't escape her. She had probably been talking to the master about something important related to that; she could only assume it had to do with Gray...
What had that pervert done?
"Juvia..." She called softly, drawing her attention.
The girl raised her eyes, surprised by Mirajane's voice.
"Yes...?" She responded quietly, almost hesitant.
Mirajane sketched a gentle smile, the same one she used to reassure anyone.
"I was thinking..." She began, measuring her words well. "Natsu is leaving now for a mission. He's... different. I wanted to ask you to accompany him. Just to make sure he doesn't overdo it or get into something bigger than he should."
Juvia blinked, surprised.
"Me... accompany Natsu-san?" She repeated, as if the idea was too strange to process.
Mirajane tilted her head, keeping her tone soft but firm.
"Yes. You're reliable, Juvia. And I'd feel more at ease knowing he's not alone. Don't worry, it's nothing complicated... but still, I'd prefer someone go with him."
The water mage lowered her face for a moment. A light silence hung, as if she were trapped in her own thoughts.
"... Juvia didn't expect this." She murmured.
Her voice sounded almost lethargic, drawn out, as if something still weighed on her mind.
Mirajane observed attentively. There was an empty space in the girl's gaze, something that definitely wasn't there before Tenrou. Still, Juvia raised her eyes and forced a small nod.
"All right... Juvia will go. If that's what Mira-san wants... then Juvia will do it."
Mirajane smiled relieved and nodded.
"Thank you, Juvia. I know you'll take good care of him."
The young woman with blue hair simply tilted her head in response, silent, before slowly heading toward the exit.
Mirajane followed her with her gaze, a sigh caught in her throat.
Something had happened to Juvia on Tenrou. She didn't know what, but she could feel it.
And now, by entrusting Natsu and Juvia to each other, perhaps it was possible that both would find some answer along the way.
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