The Silent Dragon

Chapter 1

Lucy was really curious right now, and so was Gray. Natsu hardly comes to the guild nowadays, and when he does he looks sad and is completely unapproachable.

'Oi! Flame Brains! Why are you staring at me like that HUH?,' Gray barked slamming his fist in the table where Natsu was sulking with his head laid in it.

'I wasn't staring at you Gray. Please leave me alone,' Natsu said his face still buried in the table.

'Are you scared you'll lose huh? Flame breath?,'

Natsu slammed his fist in the table standing up. He glared Gray with an extremely angry face.

'I TOLD YOU TO STOP BOTHERING ME GRAY! ARE YOU DEAF?!?!?,' Natsu yelled.

Gray was taken aback for a moment. He knew when Natsu was picking a fight with him and when he was really angry. 'Oi Natsu... what's wrong-,' Gray began. But Natsu stormed out of the guild without saying a word. Gray looked at Erza for some explanation, but she looked as shocked as he was.

Natsu didn't come to the guild for four days. On the fifth day Gray was searching for the pink haired dragon slayer. He couldn't find him, but he saw a worried looking Happy talking to Erza. Lucy sat beside her and Wendy had Happy in her lap, both with a worried expression in their face. Gray approached the table and sat beside Wendy.

'-and he came very late in the morning. He was gone all night long,' Happy said with a sad look in his face. 'What happened?' Gray asked.

'After he stormed off the other day, Natsu didn't return home till the next day and he is gone most nights,' Erza said while analyzing what could be the reason. 'What do you mean gone?,' asked Gray. 'He just wakes up at midnight and leaves,' Happy explained

'Did you ask Natsu-san, happy?' asked Wendy.

'I did! But... but he keeps dodging the question,' Happy said.

Just then Natsu walked into the guild and as the others saw, he went and sat in a lonely corner in the guild. A blue haired water mage was observing all this. As she saw, Happy flew towards Natsu.

'Natsu!,' Happy exclaimed on landing on his best friend's head. 'Hey Happy. Did you miss me?' Natsu asked with a smile which Juvia could say was fake right away. Lucy approached Natsu with a job request in hand, Erza and Gray followed.

'Hey Natsu,'

'Oh hi Luce,'

'Um.. my rent is due next week, so I am going to do some jobs. You're coming right?' asked Lucy.

'Of course he's coming!' exclaimed a very excited Happy.

'Awsome!' Lucy exclaimed.

'I got the job sanctioned my Mira,' said Erza. Gray was smiling and gave Natsu a Thumbs-up.

'So Lucy, Gray, Natsu and Happy. Meet me in the train station in an hour,' Erza said turning around to go and pack her things. 'Um, about that.... actually,' Natsu said raising his hand. Erza glanced at him with eyebrows raised.

'I have some things I need to do, so you guys go on without me,' Natsu said giving them a toothy grin. Juvia heard herself gasp; she quickly covered her mouth with her hands on realizing what she had done.

Natsu gave Juvia a quick glance before placing Happy on the table. 'Well guys, I'm off!,' Natsu said. 'Wait! Natsu!,'

'What is it Happy?,' Natsu asked. Juvia could tell that Natsu was desperate to go. Happy flew and landed on his shoulder. 'Let's go,' the exceed said. Natsu looked at the exceed. 'Happy I need to be alone for a while, so please stay in the guild,' Natsu said picking up the exceed one more time.