Hey Guys thanks for the support of this story I really appreciate it since I'm so new to this and I am very hesitant to say my writing is good. This chapter has taken a while I keep re-writing it because it doesn't fit what I want but I do appreciate your patience. All those on my Favorite authors list are also serve as inspirations mainly because I'm shit at planning and I'm winging the fuck outta this so all feedback is definitely appreciated. Please Read and Review so I can get a feel on how I'm doing. Deuces y'all and see ya on the other side.

-Ace

Chapter 3: Afterwards

The next two weeks were filled with uncertainty. Minerva didn't leave her apartment until a week after they got back. This was only for a few hours as the Funeral service for the two departed mages was scheduled for then and Natsu made certain that Minerva didn't miss it. He had to pay his respects also and he would be damned if he didn't keep his final promise to Gregor.

Now, Minerva fought against him in the beginning. She couldn't understand why a mage whom she had seen as an enemy and a weakling would want to help her. Yes it had been over a year since they last fought and he had become somewhat of a friend but she didn't understand Why he cared this much? They weren't his friends that had died, they weren't his guild mates. Why would he care so much about these strangers? She just didn't understand. She also was wondering why he hadn't gone back to Fairy Tail? Why was he still here? Was there something else that he wanted? What could it be? Was he truly concerned? It wasn't until the funeral that she started to understand.

"Minerva we need to leave if we are going to be on time to the service." Natsu said through the door to Minerva's apartment.

"Why do you care Salamander?" Minerva cried through the door. Not believing that the dragon slayer cared.

"Minerva you are my friend and for the next six months my partner so I can't just leave you to wither into nothing if I have a chance to help in any way possible. I thought that you Sabertooth mages would understand by now that I'm a Fairy Tail mage and we are really stubborn when our friends need help." Natsu stated passionately through the door only for it to fly open and a red faced Minerva to be right in his face.

"Fine let's go. Mainly because you won't go away unless we do." Minerva snarled.

"Thank you now you're getting it!" Natsu said with a smile.

The funeral was held in the large pavilion in front of the Sabertooth guild hall. The entire place was covered in Sabertooth Banners, not the normal yellow and black ones that were there most days. The pavilion was covered in black and white banners, in the center directly in front of the Sabertooth guild hall doors there stood two 10 foot tall funeral Pyres, with a small stair case leading up to a platform that stood between them. In the center of the platform was a podium, on top of the platform stood seven seats. Seating was facing the pyres down in the pavilion, and there was a lot of it. The entire town showed up at the funeral service for the two mages.

It was around dusk when the service started. The pavilion was packed with thralls of people wanting to pay their respects to the departed Mages of their town. The defenders of the town and the ones that for the last year brought revelry to the town. The Master of Sabertooth headed the procession out of the guild hall where the final preparation of the bodies took place. Behind Master Sting the mages of Sabertooth were lined up, proceeding to enter the pavilion and take their seats. The group of the S-class mages accompanied Master Sting up to the platform in between the Pyres. From the left as you are facing the podium Yukino, Rufus, Orga, Minerva on the left. On the right going toward the podium it went Natsu, Rogue, and Master Sting. When the main procession was fully seated and set the funeral got underway.

Everyone up on the platform had something to say about the deceased, mainly memories with them and how they would be missed except for Natsu who had no real memories with them. Many people wondered why The Salamander was there. When time came for the Pyres to be lit Master Sting made a surprising announcement: "Now to send our family off we send them off in a way that befits their service to Sabertooth and to Fiore. Dragon's fire has been seen as the purest form or fire for millennia and we shall continue that belief! We ask that the only mage known to possess such fire send our mages off. Natsu Dragneel, The Fire Dragon Slayer, Please ignite the Pyres of our fallen Brothers!" Master Sting asked to the surprise of the crowd.

Natsu stood up bowed to Sting and said in a tone of pure compassion "I would be honored to send such courageous mages off Master Sting."

Natsu made his way center of the platform and stretched his arms straight parallel to the ground and shot fire from his hands igniting the Pyres in dragon's fire. While Natsu did this he said something in a very deep growling throaty voice that sounded like a dragon "Mu Drem Bo Hin Sil Wah Fin Ruz Lein."

Master Sting stood up after Natsu ignited the pyres to explain what he had said "Now many of you must be wondering what he just uttered. It is a long forgotten Dragons prayer for the dead. It roughly translates to We peacefully move your souls to the afterlife. We of the Sabertooth Guild thank him for such an honor that he has bestowed upon our fallen brothers. Now we must also thank the great people of Harimau. Without your support we would never have been able to reach the position we are in now and we thank you for attending our final goodbyes for Dobengal and Gregor. Now! Please enjoy the party to celebrate the lives of our departed brothers for they would not wish to see us all crying and grieving!" Master Sting shouted to begin the festivities.

As the entire pavilion moved out to give the pyres space and move onto the festivities Natsu moved to talk to Minerva. She was not in the mood for festivities but Natsu was there to talk her into at least making an appearance. "Minerva as the Lady of Sabertooth you need to make an appearance even for a little while. I know it'll be hard but if it helps I'll be here to help you." Natsu whispered as he attempted to convince the Lady to attend.

"Natsu I appreciate your concern but seriously why are you here? I understand staying to light the pyres I really do but why do you care so much?" Minerva asked rather agitated that he was still here for reasons she couldn't see.

"Minerva can't I just worry about a friend? Why must I have an ulterior motive?" Natsu asked with genuine concern that she was so suspicious.

"Minerva. Natsu isn't trying to pull anything. He is seriously here because he is concerned for his friend. You know how he is when it comes to his friends." Master Sting said startling Minerva causing her to let out a small yelp as her entire focus was on Natsu trying to figure out what he was up to.

"Fine let's go but I'm not staying for long." Minerva finally relented.

After that conversation Minerva and Natsu went about enjoying the festivities for a little while until Natsu could see that Minerva was done and wanted to be alone. Upon seeing that Natsu quickly whisked Minerva away from the crowds and took her for a walk around the city making a longer route back to her apartment.

After the funeral service Minerva lightened up to Natsu being there. Not questioning his every move to help. A week after the funeral service the magic council arrived to escort Minerva back to Fairy Tail. The day they got into town Natsu was walking around town with Minerva, they passed a store that Natsu had visited a few days earlier. As they passed Natsu took a few big whiffs of the air and stared in the direction of the Train station while growling. Minerva looked at him curiously not understanding what had set off the inhuman growl.

"Natsu what's wrong?" Minerva asked.

"Rune Knights…." Natsu muttered.

Out of nowhere a rhythmic thumping of marches, clanking of armor hitting itself, and clinks of pikes hitting the cobblestone streets. Around the corner came two regiments of Rune Knights. Once they had fully gotten around the corner they stopped. Turned and parted in the middle. A short bright purple haired girl stood dressed in skin tight black pants with knee high black boots, a loose peach blouse closed with a white string that ended at the middle of her medium sized bust. She looked to be around 15 years old but she was barely above 5ft tall. Her hair was done in a ponytail and went down to her middle back.

"HELLLLLLO! Are you Minerrrrva?" She asked in a very childlike manner.

"Yes I am. May I ask who you are young lady?" Minerva asked politely.

"HAHAHAHAHA It's funny because you think you're older than me! Ahahahaha that's hilarious! No matter! I'm here to fetch you and take you back to Fairy Tail!" the girl said as she spun in a circle with her arms extended.

"I was planning on accompanying Natsu back tomorrow may I ask why the Magic council is sending Rune Knights and a… I'm sorry but you still haven't told us who you are?" Minerva asked slightly surprised that she forgot the original question.

"I'm Rebecca!" The girl twirled again causing Natsu to just be confused as he didn't know why the girl was twirling.

"Ok Rebecca why were you accompanied by Rune Knights to take us back to his guild?" Minerva asked getting a rather agitated at the girl's antics.

"Well you have to know they accompanied me to keep me from destroying stuffs. Well the council ordered us to and I have always wanted to meet the Lady of Sabertooth! You're so cool! I wish I was as cool and beautiful as you!" Rebecca grinned a little sheepishly.

"Well I'm honored you think that of me but why? I don't understand. Why did they order you to do that?" Minerva was very confused but Natsu had a knowing look.

"Minerva I think it's because we've been here at your place for 3 weeks not at Fairy Tail. Remember it's supposed to be guild interpolation." Natsu said as he feigned idiocy.

"Its fine there Salamander I know you aren't as stupid as you act. You've been muttering this entire time about how the council should have sent more Rune Knights if they wanted to scare you. And I'll let you know a secret before it's announced. I'm what they sent to scare you." Rebecca said as she smiled and jumped up on a ledge at the front of a store.

"WHAT!?" Natsu screamed. "YOU? You're a little girl! I mean Minerva would scare me. No offense but when you're mad you could scare Igneel." Natsu said as he quickly turned to Minerva and tried to calm her down but she was giving him a look that would have murdered a man multiple times over.

"Well I'm not a little girl I'm the new top wizard Saint because God Serena has mysteriously vanished he was a quirky one!" Rebecca stunned everyone around her with that revelation.

Minerva and Natsu just turned to look at each other than back to the girl. Than back at each other and back at the girl. Both in unison screeched "WHAT?!"

The girl just giggled as she spun in a circle on the ledge then jumped to the center of the street. "I'll let you feel my magic power to prooooove it if ya want!" She taunted as both of the mages just kind of looked at her stunned. A few seconds passed then they felt it and saw it. The ground started to crack and a crater formed underneath her. All the two mages could think was 'What the fuck?'. Such a little girl and she dwarfed their magic power by a few miles. After the magic power calmed down the little girl just giggled. "SO how about you two meet me at the train station tonight and ill escort you to Magnolia. And just to let you know Salamander, don't call me a little girl. I'm much older than you." The girl said with a stern tone. The first time the two had seen her use a serious tone at all. "OH I almost forgot! Minerva! I have a letter from the chairman for Master Sting!" She cheered as she danced around them.

"What time should we meet you at the station? And are the Rune Knights coming with us?" Natsu asked hesitantly as he did not want to piss off the girl.

"How about 10 o'clock? And nope just us! The Council sent the Knights to make sure I didn't destroy the town if you resisted. HEHEHE" Rebecca sang as she started walking toward the station. "I'll see you THERE~!" She again sang as she vanished from sight.

Both of the mages were stunned at what had just transpired. Did they get threatened by the top God of Ishgar? Or was she just absolutely fucking insane.

At Sabertooth.

"MINERVA! We haven't seen you for a while! Are you okay? What happened at the service we saw you then you disappeared?" Yukino ask Lucy shifted in her seat at the sight of Minerva holding onto Natsu's arm.

"Well Yukino I was entirely comfortable at the service and Natsu here asked if I wanted to go for a walk to clear my head a little bit. And I'm doing a little better. Still can't believe they're gone…" Minerva looked as if she was about to start crying as she ended the sentence but was immediately brought into an embrace by Natsu.

"I'm so sorry Minerva! I didn't mean to!" Yukino screamed in apology.

"Its fine I'm sorry for breaking down again." Minerva said trying to calm herself and not freak out.

"Minerva didn't that crazy chick have a letter for Sting?" Natsu asked breaking Minerva from her train of thought.

"Natsu what crazy chick?" Lucy and Yukino said in almost perfect unison.

"The new Head God of Ishgar." Natsu said as if it were normal to meet the most powerful wizard saint on the streets.

"WHAT?!" They both screamed getting the attention of everyone in the guildhall. "YOU MET THE TOP WIZARD SAINT? What did she want?!"

"REALLY!" 3 dragon slayers holding their ears screamed as loud as a dragon roar. "We are right here! DON'T FUCKING YELL!" they all screeched.

"Sorry guys…" Lucy and Yukino frowned and looked down causing Sting and Rogue to feel terrible for yelling at them.

"It's ok just please remember our senses." Sting muttered trying to not feel guilty but failing miserably.

"Master Sting the Newest and Highest ranked God of Ishgar has a letter from the Council that she asked us to deliver." Minerva cut off the guilt fest not being able to take the lost puppy looks that Sting and Rogue were currently wearing.

"What does it say?" Sting asked as he got the still sealed envelope.

"Really Master Sting?" Minerva asked. "It's sealed so you have to use your magic to open it. Like all urgent requests and vital information. I thought you read the manual I gave you on standard Council procedures." Minerva was now glaring at him since he had told her that he had done it.

"Sorry I forgot! There are a lot of pages in that manual!" Sting shouted.

"Just open the letter Sting." Rogue calmly said as he looked at his partner.

"Fine." Sting answered as he pulsed his magic opening the letter.

"Dear Master Sting of the Sabertooth Guild,

Though the loss of Guild members is a tragic thing to have to go through the will of the world is forever moving forward. Given the last 3 weeks is longer than it typical for a period of morning we do feel that the mages in question being the one Minerva Orland should return to her duties within your guild and our orders for more interguild co-operation. We do regret the unfortunate loss of life on this mission but it was a voluntary mission that the Mages of Sabertooth and one Natsu Dragneel took on their own volition. I will not assume to know the mages that perished but I will assume that they would not want one of the most respected mages in the Sabertooth Guild to hesitate to save more lives than each mages does on a single job. Also given the fact that you, Master Sting, have changed from the way Master Jiemma used to run the guild I would assume that you would not want Minerva Orland to wallow in self-doubt and self-pity. Please it may seem difficult and heartless at the moment but we want what is best for the Mages of the Legal Guilds. While it is not common place for us to address this sort of issue we do however want the Mages of Fiore to grow from such tragedies.

With our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies,

Chairman and 2nd Wizard Saint Draculos Hyberion and the Magic Council of Fiore.

"Well I wasn't expecting that…" Rogue was the first to break the silence after Sting got done reading the letter out to the room.

"Well it seems you must go back." Sting growled out.

"Its fine Master Sting I was planning on accompanying Natsu back tomorrow so it seems that we will just go back tonight." Minerva said with hesitation that made Lucy feel a little bit bad for the Lady of Sabertooth.

Meanwhile in an unknown location:

Two hooded figures move through a mountain pass. They travel up a broken road toward on old castle that looks like it's on the verge of collapsing. The two figures meet up with two more. As they face each other voices can be heard. "Did the demon meet its end?" One figure asked.

"Yes it did. The Dagger was used and weakened its defense so the devil slayer could finish it off. He was more powerful than we expected but it doesn't affect the plan." Another said.

"Well if they could take him down doesn't that pose a problem? I mean do you really think that they wouldn't be able to handle another especially if they are weaker than Zer'el." A feminine voice said.

"They lost two strong mages to him and one now doubts her abilities. The Dragon Slayer can't do it alone but we should be very weary of him. Now let's go get the rest of the supplies for the plan." The tallest figures said in an authoritative voice.

The rest agreed and moved into the Castle walking through what looked like an illusionary front.

Hey guys thanks for your patience because I've been having some writers block and I started these stories out with not really a plan so ive been taking the time to try and plan out the story so it's not an ABSOLUTE FUUCKING MESS! And lastly I take inspiration from some of the other Fanfiction writers like Digemsmack (If you haven't read his stuff what the fuck are you doing here you need to get on that shit right the fuck now.). I don't like it but I get why people do. The next few chapters should have some more action I'm thinking the romance will probably take a backseat to the adventure but it's still going to be a Minerva X Natsu. Also the whole being part of different guilds might pose a problem latter but ill figure it out. Until next time y'all thanks for the support! Also am I the only one that wants a Naruto/FT fanfic with a NatsuXHinata pairing? ALSO! Am I the only one that likes Natsu Better than Naruto as a character in general? I feel like I might be because everyone I know like Naruto better. The Heiress in Time Story is also in the process for being planned out so please be patient with me as ill be leaving for Christmas for a week. Good news ill be taking my laptop so I can type when I have time. LOVE YA FACES.

-Ace