Chapter 33: Reunion

A/N: Hello there people! There was another voter so now we are half way there! Five more of anything you guys can do to show me some love and you'll get a two chapter day! Keep it up! Note this, this story does take place in the manga timeframe, so ahead of the anime, meaning if you don't read it there will be spoilers, but you have been warned. Enjoy the chapter!

* EDIT: Hey guys! I decided to change a few things. Firstly I decided to split up the story into two so that way its way easier to read, because before it felt way too long and like the two halves are very different from each other in tone so I decided to split them. Also I got rid of the epilogues for now, unless people want them back! So for now ignore anything that says epilgoue until I get more time to go back and edit the story. I am working now and getting ready to study abroad this upcoming year so please be patient! Thank you for your support! I LOVE ALL OF YOU!

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Same Day (Lucy POV)

"OH MY GODS! YOU FUCKERS! WHAT THE FUCK! WHY ARE YOU WATCHING US?!" I heard Natsu yell from where the lacrima is and I immediately yelp and roll off the mattress with the covers on me to cover myself up. I groan and can feel my face heating up from the embarrassment, 'Why? Why did this have to happen today? Why now?'

I hear Natsu mumbling to himself as I got up and look at him, asking, "Is the lacrima off?"

He looks over to me and gives his signature grin as he walks over to me and whispers in my ear, "Yup, so now where were we?" He begins trailing kisses down my neck, but I'm no longer in the mood, seeing as this was already round three of the morning.

"Natsu stop, I'm not in the mood anymore. Come on we have to get going or we'll be really late. And we'll miss the special train that has the anti-motion sickness carts. Get dressed." I say as I push him off me and get up to walk over to our bags with the clothes.

He groans, but follows me to the bags where I throw him his clothes for the day, the now usual black pants, fire red shirt, and perhaps the most important piece, his scarf that Igneel made for him. I look at the scarf and remember the whole Tartarus ordeal, how Igneel revealed himself to be inside of Natsu the entire time we thought he was gone. I smiled at the memory and how Igneel had been able to stick around now and had been seeing Natsu quite frequently, until the incident of course. When that happened Igneel stayed away until the time was right for fear that being seen would lead the people hunting Natsu right to him. But when he heard that Natsu had begun to earn a new moniker and had a female partner he found us again. I remember that day like it was yesterday, even though it happened a year and a half ago.

FLASHBACK

We walk back to our mountain hideout and laugh about how easy the job was, those lame ass excuses for dark mages didn't even know what hit them. "Hahaha and Luce when you kicked their leader in the face after he was acting all tough, his face was priceless! He was all 'No wait! Please not the face!' Hahahaha, man that was fun!" He said as we neared our hideout, but as we did he suddenly stiffened and sniffed the air before looking at me with a smile on his face, "We're going to have company, and it's a friend for once."

I looked at him questioningly before I heard a roar that I had not heard in a while, and I knew who was coming. "He found us? How long has it been since you last saw him Natsu?" I asked him.

"Not since a month before the incident. So almost four years now. I may be a bit angry, so you might wanna step back a bit." He said.

I shook my head, instead linking our arms together and said, "He probably had a good reason for not seeing you, so there's no need to be upset. Besides when you tell him we got married, he might flip; so you may want to be careful."

Natsu looked at me, and seeing that I wasn't going to be backing down, he laughed and said, "Ok Luce. But you can tell him we're married, he might actually kill me for not waiting for him. But you, you he likes so he won't kill you." I deadpan at his logic and smack him upside the head.

I was about to scold him for not being manly but was interrupted by Igneel coming down right in front of us and putting his snout right in front us. He sniffed us and questioned, "Natsu, Luce. Why are you two together? Here instead of at Fairy Tail? AND NATSU! Why do you go by a new moniker now? What was it… Oh yeah HELL'S JUDGE! What is that about? Not proud of the moniker of Salamander anymore, ashamed to be known as a dragon now?"

Natsu just looked at him confused by the last part and asked, "What? They call me Hell's Judge? I didn't even know when they stop calling me Salamander, but I don't really care, I'll always Natsu Dragneel son of Igneel! And you would know why I'm not at Fairy Tail anymore, Luce knows the truth but that's it."

"So I was right, you didn't do it. I knew you would never hurt Luce. But why is she here… don't your guild mates realize your gone?" He said and we both relaxed.

"No, I left a psychic projection behind, so they won't realize I'm gone. But my question is, where have you been? Haven't seen you in years now, neither has Natsu, and then you suddenly appear. AND YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S UPSET!" I said, emphasizing the last part to guilt trip him.

"Sorry Luce, but I didn't want people seeing me and then finding Natsu. I was just protecting him. Now I have a question for you? How big is your neck? And is white an ok color for a scarf? Or would prefer another color?" He said, which caused Natsu to smile at him until we both realized why he asked his last two questions.

"Ummm, do you know about us?" I asked and held tightly onto Natsu.

"Yes, since my last visit I could smell you two making love when I was in the air above Magnolia. And could hear you, man you two are ridiculously loud moaners." He said and we both turned as red as his scales. He laughed and asked, "So when's the wedding?"

We both looked at each other then at him sheepishly, "A year and a half ago… Hahaha…" I said and I saw his eyes grow as wide as the moon.

"WHAT?! I MISSED MY SON'S WEDDING!" He yelled and then began to cry melodramatically. "I missed my only son's wedding! I am a terrible Father! Luce, quick! Lucy Kick me! I deserve it!"

We both sweat drop at his reaction and Natsu asked, "So you're not mad about not waiting for you?"

"OF COURSE NOT! I should be the one apologizing, I didn't even attempt to contact you and missed out on a chance of a lifetime! Here let me make it up to you! Where are the rings?" He asked and we both help up our left hands, showing the beautiful rings Natsu had gotten us. He smiled and put snout to our hands and muttered an incantation, causing our rings to glow.

We watched in awe as the rings glowed and when the glow faded away we looked at our rings and saw engraved now on each was a dragon and a key, wrapping around the entire ring, it was beautiful and now had been even more perfect than before. I began to cry at the gift and hugged Igneel, and said, "Thank you Igneel, this is perfect!" I looked at my ring in awe and was now eternally grateful that I had married a dragon slayer, as their parent was a truly great person.

"Of course, my lovely daughter. Now I did also come to tell you one other thing. It's about him. We must find him and kill him as soon as possible." Igneel said and we both knew who he meant: Zeref.

END FLASHBACK

That wasn't the last time we saw him, in fact we saw him every three months when he would report on his findings. He had found nothing as of yet. I smile at the memory and look at my ring and smile even brighter. I pull out my own scarf as well and say, "I'm feeling the scarf today, especially since it's so cold here, isn't it almost winter?"

"Yeah, and I hate it! I like the summer more!" He replied with disgust in his voice.

I pull him into a hug and say mockingly, "Aww, is my big strong dragon slayer afraid of the cold?"

"NO! I just really like the warmth… Um hey Luce, what day is it?" He asks and begins looking around and sniffing the air.

'Uh-oh. It can't be, can it?' I look at the calendar and my eyes grow wide, and I say, "Natsu it is that day. He's coming."

"Shit! Hurry! Let's get outside and away from the town! Igneel might destroy it like the last time!" He says and grabs the mattress and pulls me out the door, dragging the mattress cart that also has our bags on it. We rushed to the outskirts of the town we were in, ironically enough it was Hargeon so of course we had to leave running. We reached the outskirts of town and Igneel immediately landed next to us and said almost as quickly as he had appeared, "I have a lead."

The next day in Naito (POV Change to Esoj)

We arrived in Naito and quickly rushed off the train, not wanting to waste any time. I pulled out the communication lacrima and turned it on, calling Rames, "Hey where are you guys? We just got here and are looking for you guys." I said everything quickly and probably mumbled most of it but I was so excited I didn't even care. 'I finally get to meet my son! I wonder what he looks like, I wonder if he will be able to recognize me since he's never even seen me before? Will he accept me as his father? Or will he be happy for a time but then realize this was the first time I had ever met him?! Man I'm a terrible father.'

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you. We're at this café in the middle of town, it's called The Shadow, hard to miss. We're waiting, also got some woman here who says her husband is with you some guy called Rai-Raitone-Raitonekusasu? I think I said that right, but you know my Japanese is iffy at best. Hurry it up already though, the kid's dying to meet you and you making him wait is not helping." Rames said and my heart jumped at the mention of E.J. wanting to meet me.

I smile and say, "Ok we're on our way! We'll be there soon!" I turn off the lacrima and grab Nena's hand and practically drag her towards the center of town, looking for The Shadow. Then I remember that I know that place and I turn to Gōsuto and ask him, "Hey doesn't your old man own The Shadow?"

"Yeah, so ironically all the people we want to see are in the same place. Let's hurry it up, alright? I have something to ask him." Gōsuto said and we picked up our pace, soon then arriving to the center of town. It was busy today but we knew where we were going so we weaved our way in between the crowds.

We reached the café and entered it, we immediately saw a group of people waiting at a table near the back of the café. That's when I saw him. He was pretty tall like me, for his age at least, and was practically the spitting image of five-year-old me. He had my hair, my nose, my mouth shape, and a very defined chin and jaw line like I did. I had never been so happy to see the childhood version of me. I ran over to him, knocking over tables and people alike in my pursuit of my son, with Nena hot on my heels. He noticed us and I saw his face light up as he got up as well and ran to us, meeting me half way. We met in a hug and I swept him up off of his feet and was crying now, finally able to hold my son in my arms, like a father should.

I held him tightly and never wanted to let go, and turned to Nena and said through my sobs of joy, "Hey look, I have a son! He's really mine!" She laughed as she cried as well and joined me in my hug of him, I let him down and got on a knee so I could keep the contact we all had but not crush him, he was still only five after all. I broke the hug and looked into my sons tear-filled eyes with my own tear filled ones and said, "Hey E.J., how are you bud? I'm sorry for not being there for you and I'm sorry that this is the first time we met. I-I-I…"

To my surprise he just hugged me again and said, "Don't be sad Dad! I know what that you've been busy saving the world! Like a superhero! I am happy you're my Dad! YOU ARE AWESOME! You are the coolest Dad ever! Everybody is jealous that I'm your son! How could I be mad at that fact that you're busy SAVING THE WORLD!" He said which caused me to cry even more, even though my role is being blown a bit out of proportion. I smiled at him and looked at Nena who was doing the same as me, crying and smiling at our young son.

"Yeah, listen this-this is great and all, but you're making a huge scene so control yourselves will you?" The doctor said and sighed in annoyed at us. "Come Marco, this is too much emotion for me to handle properly, let us go back to the hotel."

"Do we get to have some fun finally if we do?" He asked causing the doctor to blush in embarrassment at his words, but she nodded none the less and he took her hand and rushed out the exit yelling behind him, "See you later! Bye ese!"

We all sweat dropped at his actions and boldness, but quickly recovered when the woman they had mentioned was there stood up and looked at us, saying, "Rai, so I guess you found him?"

"Yeah, Tsume, this is him and his new group. Guess what? They said I'm in! We'll be staying here for a while, so I hope you packed up everything from the last house. And where's Raito? Is he here or with your mother?" Rai replied as he walks over to her and gives her a chaste kiss on the forehead, smiling at her.

"He's here, actually he should be in here as well. RAITO! Where are you!" She yells and immediately a child that looks to be the same age as E.J. comes out and walks over to her and runs when he sees Rai.

"Daddy!" He yells and jumps into Rai's arms and is pulled up high above Rai's head, which is pretty high up as he is about the same height as the one called Jura is. He was a giant.

"Raito! Hey buddy! I missed you! But hey I have good news! I found uncle Gōsuto and a new place to stay! We're gonna be staying here for now." He said and Raito nodded his happily, as Rai added, "And I can stay for a while this time!"

At this Raito smiled and said, "Yay! Does this mean you can teach me magic finally? I'm five now and you promised!"

"Well I promised didn't I?! And your mommy said it was ok too so we're good!" They high fived at Rai's agreement of the plan and stood up looking our way.

"Hey Dad, can you teach me magic too? I already have shown the same magic as mom and you." E.J said and I looked at him and was surprised at the information.

Hesitantly I asked him, "Like BOTH of our magic or just similar?"

"Uncle Rames said it was like BOTH of your magic combined, he was pretty surprised too." He said and I looked at him realizing just how much potential I held in my arms, potential I must help guide.

"Then yes, I will train you! So will mom, consider it family bonding time!" I said and E.J.'s face lit up as he hugged me. I see the old man come out from behind a door and I know the look on his face means we're about to do some business. "Hey Tsume, right? Why don't we let Raito and E.J. play outside for a minute? I need to talk to the old man there with everyone. You can stay if you want though."

She nods and tells Raito to go and have some fun, and he runs to us and both him and E.J. run outside. "So, old man how are you doing?" Gōsuto asks, receiving a smack from the old man.

"Show some respect to your father! I raised you and trained you in the same magic I used so give me some respect! Honey, we raised an ungrateful son!" He yelled to someone who the stepped towards us and I recognized her as Gōsuto's mom.

"Now, now. Calm down Kurayami, no need to be upset, and Gōsuto! Please call him pops at least." She said and both men nodded meekly, clearly both did not want her upset even though she wasn't a mage.

Gōsuto picks up his and smirks at his dad and asks him, "Hey you fought Gildarts Clive back in the day, right?" His dad nodded and his smirk became a grin that went from ear to ear as he said, "Well, guess what. We fought about a month ago and I WON! That's right pops, I beat the only man you couldn't!"

Gōsuto's dad looked at him in surprise but then smiled and said, "Atta boy! I knew my training you was good for something! Way to go! We'll celebrate later, because I have news on that thing you asked me to keep an ear open about…"

Then we heard the door open and the kids ran in and yelled, "DRAGON!"

We all looked at them in shock, but understood who it was when Natsu and Lucy walked in Natsu threw his arms up. "We made it! And guess what? Igneel found us a lead!"

We all looked at him before Kurayami said, "As have I Natsu, as have I. I was the one who gave Igneel the information, now come we have much to discuss." With that he closed the café and we all went to the mansion we called home, everyone but the good doctor and Rames... they were a little busy… oh well, we had other things on our mind. 'Things are about to get real.'

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A/N: Whew, the story is about to pick up! And as I wrote this, we had someone review! Thanks sashaXmafuyuFOREVER, we are now at six out of ten! Four more to go! SO READ AND REVIEW! ADIOS!