The Red Dragon

Chapter 16

Sting narrowed his eyes, "You know what this is about, Rogue?"

Rogue could only wince at the displeasure that was coming in through their bond. He knew it wasn't a good idea to keep secrets from Sting, but he'd decided to help Natsu protect Gray, and judging from what he'd seen of Gray's reaction on the field, it had been the right choice. He'd just need to make Sting understand that.

"Whatever it is, Natsu, you can tell us," Wendy smiled at him, her eyes warm and trusting.

Natsu took Rogue's advice. He closed his eyes and called upon the magic that allowed him to transform into his dragon form. He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to see their initial reactions. He heard a few gasps and opened his eyes slowly, looking down at his friends.

Wendy and Rogue had both moved closer to him. Rogue as a sign of solidarity, Wendy in curiosity, but Sting and Gajeel were watching him with something akin to dismay.

"You can turn into a dragon? That's so cool!" Wendy cheered, looking even more in awe of Natsu than before.

"Wait a minute," Gajeel declared, appearing confused, "Isn't being able to turn into a dragon a bad thing? I thought you guys said that only happened to the renegade dragon slayers that lost their minds."

"Well, I mean, it's not like he had much of one to begin with," Rogue joked as he tried to break up the tension that was brewing between them.

"Natsu isn't a dragon slayer," Atlas explained, "He never was. He's what we've called a hybrid. His father is a dragon, but his mother was human."

"You lied to us," Sting glared at Natsu, looking incredibly hurt, "This whole time we've known you—"

"That's enough out of you, Sting," Atlas growled, "Natsu didn't have a choice. His father forbade him from telling anyone."

"I'm sorry," Natsu tried to lock his gaze with Sting, but he refused to meet it. Instead, he walked off in a huff, and no one attempted to stop him.

"So it's not a spell?" Rogue asked, finally understanding he hadn't been told the whole truth.

Natsu shook his head, "It's something I've been able to do since I was young, I just couldn't control it very well."

"I don't get it. Why would your father forbid you from telling anyone?" Wendy asked, "Who is your father, anyway?"

"Igneel," Natsu replied, "Atlas is my uncle. You already know my mom was Porlyusica, a healer from Talos. Igneel forbade me from telling anyone because the one time I told a human about what I was, he hurt me."

"Gray?" Wendy's brow wrinkled as she remembered the story Gray had told her at the orphanage, "I think I'm beginning to understand. That time you met when you were little, is that what happened?"

Natsu nodded, "I tried to tell him what I was, but he didn't believe me. It was right after Deliora had destroyed his village and I had no control over the transformation so I couldn't show him. It was a disaster."

"Oh, Natsu. That must have been horrible for you!" Wendy attempted to hug him, and it made him feel good to know that she at least accepted him.

"I'm sorry, Rogue," Natsu felt miserable. Rogue had been so supportive, and now he'd learned that Natsu had lied to him.

"It's alright. I think I understand. I just wish you'd trusted us with the truth before." Rogue noticed Natsu looking towards where Sting had walked off to and sighed.

"I'll talk to him once he's calmed down," Rogue offered, but Natsu shook his head, "I've caused you enough trouble. I'll talk to him."

Gajeel walked up to him and studied him carefully, walking around him to examine his body before snorting, "You're kind of a runt for a dragon, aren't you?"