Fairy 9: Over the past year II - Natsu's POV

First thing that Natsu Dragneel did, was to challenge the boy named Zack Smasher. He is two years older than him, making him 14 while himself 12.

Natsu like the young dragon he is, loves to fight and eat. He lived true to his nature, and also hates that stripper, Gray. His partner is Happy, and his friend Lisanna always together with him. He fears Mirajane, as she herself hates Natsu.

Of course, the reason she hates the pink haired punk is because she is overprotective towards her siblings. But at the same time, she knows Lisanna needed friends around her age. That is why Mirajane looked the other way and promised to herself… as soon this pink haired punk made her sister cry, she will murder him!

Of course, Natsu with his inhuman instincts felt Mirajane will one day kill him. Which only made him fear her more. However, he likes Lisanna, at first, he thought she was annoying, but more he pushes her away, more she wanted to know him. In the end, he did not mind the fact, and liked being with his friend.

However, an odd feeling that begun to dwell inside the young boy's heart, this always happened when Natsu saw Lisanna and Zack together.

After all, if you have a list that Zack spent time within the guild.

Naturally the number one will be Mirajane, since Zack always will find a way to get her attention, of course, sometimes he will go overboard… which earns him Mirajane's wrath.

Natsu also notices, how Zack seems to be used to beatings, even himself doesn't remember his past. Of course, Natsu has overheard the older guild members talked about Zack, at that time he didn't really understand much since he was still young himself: 'Maybe… it best if he doesn't remember anything, right…?'

Which is why Natsu give a clueless look, when he looked at the Master who is oddly agreeing with that guild member, as they watch Zack drinking and passing out when Cana made him drink.

Second ones in that list are in fact both Elfman and Lisanna. If he is not with Mirajane, he is with her siblings, he mostly hung around with the cowardly Elfman and talks with Lisanna.

At first Natsu did not understand that feeling, he felt envy, that he doesn't like the way Lisanna laughed with that guy, but it seems that Zack notices the feeling in Natsu, the young confused dragon, that never felt something like that. But it has faded that strange feeling, when it comes to the third person on the list he mostly hangs around with.

If he was not with Mirajane or her siblings, he was actually with Natsu himself. They fought with each other; Zack always seems to see through every move Natsu throws at him. It felt more like playing and also training at the same.

But Natsu did not mind, he felt Zack was a good guy, he even gives him his leftovers, buy him food, and sometimes Zack will bring Natsu and Happy on missions with him.

Of course, Natsu also gained interested in this harem thing that Zack tried to explain to him. However, Erza and Lisanna for some reason, told him do not listen to the guy, who himself still has no clue what it is.

Natsu thought it just another word for friendship, which is why when one day he seen that damned ice stripper, and told him this: 'Hahaha, too bad Gray! You not going to be part of my harem! Bahahaha!'

For some reason, Gray first tilted his head in confusion, and his body quivered, as he backed away from Natsu. However, as Natsu being Natsu, soon forgets about that, and also the whole harem thing.

Pointlessly to say, Natsu cannot help to think this Zack Smasher guy is a good guy.

And the fourth person on that list? That will be that damned stripper, Gray. Since the two trained with their bodies besides just magic, especially martial arts. Both normally spar with each other with weapons. Lately it seems that Zack gained an interest in greatswords. Which is why when they spar, Gray always create Zack an ice greatsword when they are sparring. And when they not sparring, they will be chatting.

Cana and Erza also have a good relationship with Zack. Cana likes to drag Zack into the world of drinking, at first it was funny. But over time he has gained resistance against alcohol. Which ended him catching up to Cana's level in just a year later.

As for Erza, Zack seems to always get in trouble at first in the guild. And always earn Erza's iron fist, Natsu knows from personal experience how much that fist of hers hurts.

But besides gaining her wrath. Erza being like the older sister figure she is. Helped Zack along with the Master and the other older guild members with his lack of knowledge. One can say that Zack is more like a big brother to Natsu and the others. But Erza is more like a big sister to him. Even if Zack and Erza should be the same age.

Of course there something else happens when Zack spends time with Erza, Natsu seen it more than once. And becomes frighten when he does see it, Lisanna and Elfman just sighed when they see it, while Gray also like Natsu, becomes frighten. When both of them sees Mirajane staring at Zack and Erza, everyone knows how much she hates Erza. As she even feels uncomfortable seeing both Ezra and Zack together.

However, as if he has a senser for Mirajane. Zack always seems to feel her gazes on him and excuse himself from Erza and goes to Mirajane. Of course, Mirajane is happy, but also stubborn, as she refuses her feelings. And will normally just walk away, which Zack could only smile wryly and sighed at her.

And to be honest, it was a fun year together, but Natsu with his dragon instincts felt it. He felt that Zack is holding himself back, he felt first-hand he can grow stronger. But he stops himself, as if he does not want to go far away from others. Which makes Natsu and the others that notice this with complicated feelings dwelling within them.

He remembers asking Zack why he holds back. When he did ask, this was Zack said at that time.

'I just… I just do not want to leave you guys… it is fun growing together… and I do not know why, I just cannot leave you lot be. Maybe I want to protect you guys, or not be left behind…? No, I do not want to leave you guys behind. I like this… feeling, family that Master is on about, right? I feel like I do not want to lose my family again… wait, I lost my family?'

It is strange, he does not remember, but his body does. Sometimes he dreams about it, but something stops his memories from returning when he wakes up.

However, to Natsu he is a funny man, as well interesting, that Natsu cannot just leave him alone. Which is why he bugs his new big brother.

They are a family, and in this year every younger generation besides Laxus's group accepted Zack Smasher. And watched him grow as he is now.

However little to Natsu and the others, has no clue in a little over a year from now, massive changes till hit everyone.

Natsu will feel if his heart ripped out his chest.

The Strauss siblings will never be the same.

Because when it will happened, it also be the same when Zack Smasher will depart from Fairy Tail.