The Fire Dragon and The Bookworm

Chapter 1: Natsu Returns Part 1

It's been five years since Natsu left the guild to get stronger. He decided he had, had enough of getting picked on by everyone. He had enough of Erza beating him up when he fought with Gray when all she had to do was ask him nicely to stop and he would have though she could have taken a page our her own book and stop fighting when her and Mira were around each other. He hated how he couldn't have defended himself against anyone bigger than him who picked on him, but most importantly he hated how they made him look like a weakling in front of his friend Levy who he had a small crush on. Sure he had established himself in her life by beating up her two teammates because they picked on her and sure he and her went on small missions together inside of the town of Magnolia and sure he once gave her a kiss on the cheek when she was crying.

She told him he had nothing to prove to her because they were good friends and no matter what he would never be anything less in her eyes, but Natsu though otherwise. He wanted to be able to protect her when needed, but if he couldn't defend himself against someone like Erza then how could he protect her against someone of her caliber so Natsu made the decision to leave.

It took some convincing for Levy to finally understand what he needed to do and she hesitantly let him go. He was her best friend and she was his. They had many memorable moments together some funny and some bad. The day he left he gave her a kiss on the cheek and left in the dead of night. Before he left town he snuck into Master Makarovs home and woke the old man up. He told him of his reasons to leave and Makarov understood, but at first he was hesitant to let him go because he thought of him as a grandson, but in the end he let him go.

A/N: Natsu hasn't met Happy yet. He will meet him in the Edolas Arc.

Somewhere along the way Natsu had bumped into Mystogan and they began their journey together. Mystogan and Natsu had trained everyday and when Mystogan went to town to pick up a job request Natsu stayed behind in the woods in the spot they decided to meet. Natsu had learned other magic along the way he had even been to Mystogans homeland of Edolas and knows his true identity.

... Timeskip.

Now we find ourselves in Magnolia five years later while a cloaked figure looks over the town of Magnolia.

"It's good to finally be home." The figure says to himself as he takes on a smile. "I also get to see her again." The figure says before walking down towards Magnolia.

On the streets of Magnolia:

"It so beautiful I today" A bluenette says out loud to her two companions walking behind her while she wears cachi pants with a blue unbuttoned shirt exposing her yellow bra. Which had her two companions behind her with hearts in their eyes.

"It sure it Levy!" The two shout out with happy faces. The two males are jet and droy. Jets is a skinny man with blonde hair wearing a brown jacket with a purple shirt and a red and white stripped long hat. Droy the other male is wearing a white long sleeved shirt with brown pants and has the front of his hair in a curl.

"I just wish I knew where Natsu was" The girl known as Levy says as her smile falters a bit at the memory of him. She hadn't said his name since his last letter six months ago.

Jet and Droy who saw this had the hearts in their eyes disappear as they realize as they usually do that Levy's heart belongs to somebody else all these years. "Maybe Natsu will be back soon." Jet said trying to cheer her up.

"Yeah, you never know Levy" Droy added.

"I've waited six months to see Natsu. His last letter said he was coming back this month." Levy said looking down. "Natsu I wish you were here" she whispered to herself.

"Well seems as your wish has come true." A voice said causing the three to stop and look towards where the voice came from. There in front of them stood a cloaked figure with the Fairy Tail insignia on the back and on the right part of his chest his hood was down, but his face was covered by a ninja mask. His hand had red tape wrapped around the fingers and half of his forearm. The three just started at him with confused faces. "I come back and this is the hello I get?" The figure who they distinguished was a male asked.

"It can't be." Levy said as tears began to form in corner of her eyes as she covered her mouth to stifle the sound of a sob.

"It's.." Jet and Droy were interrupted by the sight of Levy hugging the male figure.

"Natsu!" Levy shouted as she squeezed as hard as she could the figure know as the one and only Natsu Dragneel.

After a few seconds Natsu hugged her back as hard as he could without hurting her as he ran his hand through her hair. "I missed you too" He said holding the crying Levy against his chest.

"We have to let the guild know you're back." Levy said pulling back a bit.

"We will, but right now how bout we go have lunch and catch up?" Natsu asked. Which Levy nodded to with a smile on her face. "Jet you and Droy can come to if you like"

Jet just shook his head. "Nah, we'll see you at the guild. Have fun you too. Welcome back Natsu" Jet said as he smiled knowing that Levy was once again happy.

"See you later Natsu" Droy said as he waved while he walked off with Droy.

"So what are you craving?" Asked Natsu as her requipped his cloak off along with his mask to show Levy that he was giving her his signature smile.

"Anything as long as I get to eat it with you." Levy said still hugging him. "When are you leaving?" She asked.

"I'm staying. I'm back for good. Let's go get some ice cream." He said smiling. She nodded and hugged him tighter knowing he wasn't leaving again.

They then walked to the nearest ice cream shop and got two cones. The entire time they were together Levy was telling him about all the things that have happened in the last six months from the missions, the brawls, and the new recruits. Especially her new best friend Lucy who right now was being chased down by Erza since her, Gray, and Elfman went on an S-class quest when neither of them are an S-class mage. Natsu also knew of Lisanna's passing and wasn't able to attend the funeral due to being on a mission on the other side of Fiore. Before he came to see Levy he went and put flowers on her grave.

"So, sounds like the last six months have been crazy and I hope Erza doesn't hurt them too bad." He said before laughing knowing that wasn't going to happen. "Let's go to the guild I want to see Mira." He said as he also knew of her transformation to barmaid.

Levy nodded with a smile as she walked beside him towards the guild latched onto his arm. Natsu didn't mind.