Narrator's PoV:
"Magic cancelling handcuffs" the answer made Natsu pause for a moment. He'd managed to get Erza alone in the Guild Library, where no one save Levy might overhear them. Mavis and Zeref didn't count. He didn't mind Zeref overhearing anyway. Well. It wasn't like he was opposed to handcuffs... but using them in that context? He wasn't so sure about the idea and he doubted Gray would be willing to use them on him anyway. When Natsu didn't respond, Erza repeated the answer.

"Magic cancelling handcuffs. I'm assuming it's just the Dragon Slayer Magic that's a problem, and not the curses though. You do realise how awkward it is for you of all people to ask me something like this right?" Natsu just grinned a disarming smile and shrugged sheepishly. It wasn't exactly like he could ask anyone else. Nobody knew him and Gray were a couple yet after all. At least not officially. Lucy and Loke knew, and he wouldn't put it past Mira to already have blackmail on them, but they'd not actually come out to the guild yet, so his ex-girlfriend (and big sister figure) happened to be the only person he could turn to for advice. Yes, it was awkward and weird, but still. He felt like he didn't have any other choice.

        Natsu took a calming breath. He was about to answer, when an excited shriek reached his ears. Oh no. Gods no. That was Mira's excited fangirl scream. Erza also heard the sound, and she also shuddered involuntarily. /care to tell me why the famous Magicycle racer Fireball is here?/ really? Dragion was here already? He was pretty sure the fireball didn't know where the guild was, so how? Nashi. Of course. She'd been here before. Sure, she'd been flown here and Porlyusica had likely taken her home, but a Dragon Slayer's sense of direction was second only to the dragon's themselves, so getting here with Nashi's guidance was probably fairly easy.

      Natsu ran out of the library, hurrying to the front doors of the guild to meet the visitors. When he got there however, only Fireball was there. No sign of the little girl with the fire magic and healing prowess. The Magicycle driver turned his head, goggles and helmet gleaming in the mid afternoon light. The Fire Dragon Slayer strode up to their visitor and laughed, then frowned. "Where's Nashi?" If That didn't shock his guild, the next sentence, from the Fireball, would. Not because of the words, but because of the voice.

      "She's trying to convince her wild pony friend that it's safe to come here. You know, if she hadn't told me about you, I would have freaked out. It's pretty friggin awesome what you can do though. Puke face." Eyes flickered back and forth between Natsu and Fireball, until a loud commotion down the street made both him and fireball head in that direction. It wasn't far, but it took longer than it should have because of the crowd. Fireball had left his Magicycle in Gray's care at Natsu's request, and now both young men were elbowing their way through the crowd, eventually coming face to face with a chunky black pony with a white stripe on his face, a little pink haired girl with fangs and a pair of goggles on her head sat on the animal's back. No gear on the pony at all, not even a halter or bridle for control.

       "Nashi!"

      "Oh hey Daddy, Uncle Natsu! Can you tell these people to go away? I think Mickey's going to kick the next person who tries to pet him. Is it really that weird to ride a pony?" The little girl greets, turning to snarl at a woman who was getting dangerously close to her horse's behind.

      "Well, a wild forest pony, with no tack, being ridden by a six year old girl is kind of something you never see, Nashi. Let's go. Slamamnder?" That sounded a hell of a lot like Salamander Natsu, but he hadn't spoken. Or at least, hadn't moved his lips.

     "Okay, show's over. Move, or I'll call Erza." If anything would make these people move, that would. There weren't any locals who didn't know of Erza Scarlet, and all of them respected her and feared her temper. The crowd vanished as quickly as a barrel of booze down Cana's throat, allowing Nashi and her pony to follow Uncle Natsu and her Daddy to the Fairy Tail Guild.

Nashi's POV:
Me and Daddy were actually going to ask Uncle Nastu and the dark haired man I healed if they wanted to come camp out near Grampa Lee's cabin, when all those people crowded round me and Mickey, so I was really happy when Daddy and Uncle Natsu came a chased everyone off. I didn't realise it was weird for a person to ride a pony like I do. I mean, I see most ridden horses wearing a bridle and saddle, but I didn't know any different. I got on Mickey's back because he let me, not because I'd trained him to carry me.

         Everyone in Fairy Tail crowded round when we arrived, though they stayed back from Mickey at Uncle Natsu's warning. Daddy was back on his Magicycle. They wanted to know how Uncle Natsu knew the Fireball, and they wanted to know who I was. The white haired lady screeched and fainted when I said my name was Nashi, though I don't know why. Lots of people talking all at once was way too much for me and Mickey, so a tallish man with ginger hair and blue glasses showed me to a little shack out on the edge of town that smelled of wet cat and Uncle Natsu.

The man called himself Loke, and Mickey didn't seem afraid of him like he would if mister Loke was a normal person. That's when the blonde lady showed up on the doorstep, a little bundle in her arms that smelt of her and mister Loke and warm milk. (Yes. Warm milk smells different to cold milk.) she smiled up at me and asked if I wanted to come inside and wait for Uncle Natsu, and yes, of course the horse could come in too. I caught her mumbling that the floor would probably look tidier if the horse made a mess on it.

By the time Uncle Natsu and Daddy finally showed up, with a blue cat and the dark haired man in tow, I knew all about Lucy and her Baby Girl and mister Loke, who wasn't actually a human at all. I found it really weird finding out such a human like man like mister Loke was actually the celestial spirit Leo the Lion. I knew a bit about celestial magic, enough to know that normal wizards couldn't use it because it was too powerful for a normal human to wield. Really strong wizards like wizard saint strong might be able to, and I read a fairy story about reborn celestial spirits that wanted to be human always being born with the power to summon their friend from the celestial world, but it was really cool learning about them from an actual celestial wizard and spirit.

Uncle Natsu looked tired and sick, but he'd seemed fine earlier. The blue cat.... what was it's name? Nappy? Chappy? Happy. That was right. Happy. Happy was sat on the dark haired man's head, as the dark haired man supported Uncle Natsu using his body as a crutch. Daddy was shaking his head and muttering about 'love birds' and 'getting a room' and 'fighting it out' though what those three things in the same sentence meant, I had no idea, though I could smell a strange scent from the dark haired man, the same scent that I smelt on Uncle Natsu when I healed the dark haired man. I really need to find out his name. Calling him dark haired man is starting to annoy me.

Narrator's POV:
Natsu was distinctly not impressed with Erza's idea. Especially as she had produced a Magic cancelling cuff hidden in a black wristband and forced it onto his hand when he protested, though he felt no ill affects. At least, not for the next two hours. Then he began to feel the weariness he usually only felt when going all out in a magic brawl or a good fight. It was bearable, easy to hide at first, but after four hours of wearing it -he couldn't get it off- he was feeling a bone deep weariness that made him walk like a sleep deprived drunk.

Gray had joked about him being drunk, though a quick thought shared between them confirmed that the dragon Slayer had not touched a drop of booze for over a week. This had worried Gray immensely, considering he knew more than was probably safe to about the Guild's resident Etherious Demon . For example, he knew why Zeref had resurrected him -and it wasn't just because Zeref cared about his brother or because he wanted to die. Gray wished he didn't know. It would have been better not to know. The Ice wizard helped support the weakened Dragon Slayer as they staggered back to Natsu's place with Fireball and Happy.

However, by the time Gray and Natsu were at Natsu's front door, it was clear there was something far worse happening to Natsu than mere exhaustion. In fact, much to everyone's surprise, Little Nashi had flame repelled everyone away from her 'uncle' and angrily tore away the black sweat band from the older Dragon Slayer's wrist, a look of pure disgust on her face as she used a greenish blue glow of magic to heal him, though what was wrong exactly, nobody save Nashi herself knew...

...several hours later, Loke had gone back to the spirit world, leaving behind a rather grumpy blond woman with an even grumpier baby. (The child was screaming loud enough to make Nashi cry and to make Happy claw at his ears.) Lucy had then gone home to her place on strawberry street, leaving Natsu, Gray, fireball and Nashi alone to talk. It didn't take long to arrange a trip for Natsu and Gray up into the mountains and a week's stay at old Lee's cabin with the promise that the place would be empty as Nashi, Lee and fireball were all heading to a racing tournament, with Nashi entering the junior's novice Magicycle race and her father the normal high stakes race for any vehicle except your own two feet.

       Natsu and Gray were glad to have the offer of a vacation, away from everyone. Of course, they asked Lucy if she wanted to come with Loke, baby and the other spirits, but the celestial Mage declined in favour of shocking the guild with her daughter, whose name was yet to be decided. Of course, they had to clear it with Gramps first, and convince Everyone else that neither Mage would kill the other, without coming out to the guild. Yet.

Natsu's POV:
Gramps really didn't mind us vanishing off for a week or two, though he did warn me not wear Gray out. I scowled at him and threatened him until he agreed to not say a word about me and my boyfriend until we decided to come out to the guild. Then I raced out of Gramps' office, grabbed Gray by the hand, and practically dragged him out of the guild, shouting at Happy to stay with Lisanna or Wendy for the week. Of course, getting out of magnolia wasn't going to be easy. I could smell Mest and a few of the Rune Knights over at the edge of town.

          "Natsu!" I stopped dead, placing myself protectively in front of my dominant. Mest was right in front of us. Alone. I could scent his companions getting closer though. He looked scared. "Get out of here. Take all the Slayers and go. They're going to raid the Guild. They've got a warrant to arrest and destroy END, and any slayer who might be on his side. Orders are not to touch anyone else. We don't have much time. Go!"

       /we fighting, or fleeing?/ Gray's voice sounds inside my head. /do you even need to ask?/ I grin as I think this, and smile at Mest. "Thank you. But be warned. Anyone who messes with Fairy Tail is our enemy. Be prepared to fight." With that, I fling Gray onto my back and run. Not just normal human running, but my true speed. Demonically fast. I burst through the doors, on fire and already half transformed. Gray leaps off my back, already half covered with his black armour.

      "Wendy! Gajeel! Laxus!" I roar, and more than a few people stare at me rudely. "Get to the library. Now! Gray, explain to the others and bring Erza. Hurry!" I snatch Wendy up off her seat and roughly grab Gajeel by the ear, dragging them with me. Laxus appears in a flash of lightning. Wendy looks curiously at me, I'm guessing she wants to know what I'm up to, but Gajeel looks like he's gonna throw a roar my way if I don't explain and Laxus just looks annoyed, as usual.

"Natsu! You brought them! Come on, I'll show you where to go. Gray will have to follow your scent. He can do that right?"

"Yeah Zeref. He can track me. Guys, come on, follow Zeref. We need to get moving." I growl, turning and setting a seal in the door so only Gray and Erza can get through before following them, explaining just what we were going to do. I don't think they believed me at first, not until Mavis showed up and agreed with me. I guess it really does sound absurd. I mean, it's not exactly easy to lift curses, especially such a rare one like the Ankserham curse. Even Freed and Levy didn't know of it. But then, Mavis was the last victim of it, nearly a hundred years ago. And it wasn't like she told anyone but Zeref about it.

We arrived at the Lumen Histiore, and The three normal slayers just stopped dead. I know Wendy knew what she was seeing, she studied ancient healing magic and even taught a little to Porlyusica, but I don't think Gajeel or Laxus really understood. Nor did I really, I just knew how to restore them to before they were cursed, though how I knew, I didn't know. /Natsu. We're nearly there. Nashi showed up on her horse. They're setting up check points outta town and no wizard can get past. In or out./ I growl to myself. Stupid council, stupid laws. As soon as I'd finished down here, they'd be sorry for messing with my family.

Gray and Erza came tumbling in, breathless. I smiled warmly at my mate and my ex-girlfriend. Everyone was here. Now to revive my Family. /Gray, the others won't be badly affected, but I will be. You might have to protect me. It's gonna feel like a big drain on magic, but they'll recover quick./ I thought, then I had everyone stand in position. Wendy and Gajeel either side of the First Master, because it would take less power to revive her, and Laxus and Erza either side of Zeref. Gray was in front of the First master's Lacrima, black scaly armour covering most of his body... why is he in his underwear?

I was in front of Zeref's Lacrima, waiting for Mavis and Zeref to go back into their bodies completely before starting. This... was going to hurt. A lot. But it wouldn't hurt Erza, Wendy, Gajeel or Laxus. Gray would feel a little pain, and I felt guilty for that, but it's not like any of them would remember doing this. Except Gray. He'd remember, I'd make sure he remembered.

Zeref's POV:
My baby brother's all grown up now. He can even access that magic. It's really nice to see him so grown up. I'm so proud of him. The curse lifted from me smoothly. It hurt. A lot. But the curse was lifted. Just in time I think, because Natsu's gone completely demon in look and so has his boyfriend. He's keeping their relationship a secret, but he needs to learn how to hide it better. I'm actually shocked that Mirajane hasn't picked up on it yet. She's usually so quick when it comes to spotting Guild romances.

I step from the Lacrima as it shatters, and seconds after Mavis does the same. I look down and mentally apologise to little Wendy. Erza not so much. She scared me as a ghost, and now I'm a normal human again. Mavis is clearly oblivious as to what she's wearing. Or rather, what she's not wearing. Does she actually realise she's naked like me? Suddenly the ice freak strips down to his boxers.... does he always strip so fast? And hands me his pants, practically forcing the shirt and long white coat onto my darling crazy woman. Well, at least we're covered now. Even if the ice freak's pants are a little loose on me.

"Salamander? How'd you know that'd work?" That's the metal face. His name was Gajeel? Natsu replied with a cheeky grin, before spinning round and dissolving back into a normal wizard, followed by the ice freak, whose black armour like skin disappears like jagged rivers of black draining away.

"Ash For Brains! They've got Happy. Can't you hear?" Happy? Isn't that my baby brother's exceed? Whoever's invading our guild is going to be sorry. Why do people fight? Why can't they just talk things out?

"Zeref, here." Natsu warns me, before the Fairy Tail Guild Mark, in a lovely shade of green (Mavis's eyes!) appears on the back of my left hand. "Now come on. We've gotta stop them. Gray, I'm staying down here with Zeref. Wendy, Erza, Gajeel, go with Gray and defend the guild. Laxus, I can smell your mate all over you. Go protect them. Mavis, stay down here with us. Oh, and Wendy? Get Happy back for me." Woah, Natsu sounds almost smart when he talks like that, is that even his idea? I don't know, and right at that moment, as my dear Mavis took my had in hers, I didn't care.

The commotion upstairs doesn't last long, and the moment it's quiet, Natsu pulls a funny face, goes full Etherious again, and all three of us head upstairs to the main hall. There's three Rune Knights sat at a table, and they look like they want answers. I can hear Natsu mumbling at us to not say a word, and then we're stood right before the law enforcers.

Narrator's POV
When the Fairy Tail Guild Master was adamant that the only demons in the guild were Freed Justine with his Dark Ecriture and Satan soul Mira, the three Rune nights were sceptical. However, it soon became apparent that either the guild master was a very convincing liar, or he was telling them all he knew. It wasn't until the almost naked ice wizard showed up that they got the answer they wanted. It seemed like the dragon slayers didn't know anything either, but the young ice wizard did.

"You're looking for END, aren't you?" The dark haired young man stated. It wasn't a question. "What if I told you he's more scared of you than you are of him? What if I told you that he tried to take his own life when he found out he wasn't just a monster, but one of Zeref's demons? That END thought he was human until just a year or so ago? What would you do then?" Mouths dropped open. Not one guild member had admitted to finding out Natsu was a demon, but to have his rival practically out him like that... what was Gray thinking? Was he even thinking at all?

"Listen. Nobody else in the guild knows anything. I can get END in here to talk to you if you want, but I can promise you he won't take kindly to any aggression. Just hear him out. He hates what he is enough as it is. I don't need you making him feel worse." With that, Gray turned and walked back to the guild library, much to everyone's surprise, picked up a red leather bound tome and came back smiling softly.

"Gray?" Mira asked, unable to place the expression on the ice mage's face.

"He's bringing his brother and future sister in law. Just to warn you. Gramps." Gray turned to Makarov, smiling. "They're both free now. He's bringing them with him." It didn't take long for three people to emerge, two very familiar faces, and one most of the guild had only seen once. Questioning eyes turned to Gray, who kept up a perfectly straight face. First Master Mavis was stood to one side of the demon, whilst the black wizard Zeref was on the other. Mavis waltzed over to little Asuka, and swung her up in the air in greeting, giggling as Asuka laughed gleefully.

The demon went right up to the three Rune Knights, folding it's wings tightly to it's side, an almost human look of anxiety on it's scaly features. Mest and his two partners gaped as the demon before them dissolved into the shape of one of the most famous and infamous Dragon Slayers in the country. Said Dragon Slayer looked.... well.... he looked ashamed. Mest was the first to notice the ice wizard approaching Nastu Dragneel, almost passing out from the shock when Gray actually kissed the guy on the cheek, deep blue eyes glowing affectionately. The other two rune knights jumped violently when a loud shout rang out.

"You owe me 100,000 jewel Mira." Everyone else just chuckled and made a mental note to either drown their losses in booze or collect their winnings later. Nastu turned to the law enforcement before him, a sad expression on his face. Gray put a hand on his friend's shoulders, sending silent support through that one gesture, no words or thoughts needed.

"Not that you care, but my name is Etherious Natsu Dragneel, END for short. When I was a baby, Achnologia killed everyone else in the village. I ended up half dead, and my brother learnt black magic in order to save me. That's how I turned Etherious, not that I remember anything before Igneel, but I only found out I wasn't human a year ago when Alvarez attacked and my Etherious curses were released. We trapped Zeref in a Lacrima, used it and my curses to cure him of his curse, and now here we are, you out for my blood, and my brother and our first master normal humans again." Mest was speechless. Yes, unlike the other Rune nights, he knew Natsu was END, but he hadn't know how or why. To find out just how much the fact was tormenting the poor dragon slayer was shocking. The breaks in his voice and obvious torture of saying it aloud.....

"You two. We're going. Leave him. If anyone asks, it's takeover magic. It would be bad publicity if it ever got out we tried to destroy one of the dragon slayers for no other reason than we were scared of his magic. I'm terribly sorry for the disturbance Master Makarov." Mest apologised, getting up from his sea with his two partners in tow and leaving the guild hall.

It was almost dark by the time Gray and Natsu made it out of the guild, and it took a good hour or so to get to their destination by wing, so it was completely dark by the time Natsu and Gray landed in an icy clearing at the base of Igneel's volcano, near the cabin Nashi, Fireball and Lee had so kindly lent them for up to two weeks. Natsu noticed almost immediately that there were three bedrooms, all with fairly large beds. The kitchen was a modest affair, with a neat little wood burner stove and a rustic kitchen sink that was almost big enough to bath someone like Asuka in. They were too tired to really care much though, and they both crashed onto one of the beds together, nuzzling each other and being generally lovey doves until they both fell asleep, Gray curled up around Natsu as the dragon slayer snored softly.