(Play video on command)

It's been about a month. A month since the loudest, and strongest, guild in Fiore became one of the most quiet. A month since a brawl where everyone was smiling. A month since Happy was his namesake. A month since... he left.

"Dammit! He should have been back by now!!!" yelled Fairy Tail's residential Ice-Make mage and pupil of Ur, Grey Fullbuster. He was obviously pissed off about the fact that he got S-Class when he didn't deserve it at all.

"That's enough Grey. We know he should've been back but he has something he needs to sort out on his own. Once he does, I'm sure he will return to how he was and to the one Dragon Slayer we know and love." Makarov said to Grey. But really, he was unsure how to progress without Natsu being here. He never realized how much Natsu has done for the guild until now. But, now that he's not there, he noticed a huge difference in the atmosphere around the members.

It wasn't but an hour later until Happy flew in with tears running down his blue face as he held a note in his hand.

"What's the matter, Happy?" Lucy Heartfilia had asked Happy. But she received a glare in return. As did Grey and Master when he looked at them.

"Read and you'll find out!" He shouted at the blonde; scaring her as she had never heard Happy talk like that.

Makarov was surprised and flinched slightly at the gaze he was being given as he took the note from the cobalt cat's paws. As he opened it up, the contents inside would hurt him and the guild for what it has to say.

"Dear, Makarov.
As you can see, I have not been to the guild in awhile. No I'm not dead but I have something to tell all of you.

What all of you had said, that were probably all fun and games, hurt me in a way most of you have never felt before. When you all said that, it made me feel as if I was being abandoned for the third time in my life. The first was my parents, for I never knew who they were. Then it was Igneel, who up and vanished. Some of you may say, "Oh, but you got to see him again!" But for, what? Half an hour? Before he was killed before my very eyes? Now, you all made me feel like this again. Some of you have noticed that once he passed I was not around for half a year. Another few actually noticed that I haven't been the same since that day.

I don't like doing this seeing as how I thought this guild was my family, save for a few people, but I have an announcement to make.

I'm leaving Fairy Tail."

That part made the whole guild gasp as some felt guilty for the way they treated their friend. They were the family he could never biologically have and they took advantage of that trust and abused the privileges.

"I don't know when I will return, but it certainly won't be until after a long time. I must go on this journey if I want to learn more about myself and more about the choices I make. Farewell everyone.

P.S. I left a special treat for those who actually stood by my side till the end."

As the master finished reading, the whole guild was in tears. Even Laxus was showing to have shed a few as he hid his face.

"When I call your name, please come forward to receive your gift." Makarov announced, holding the gifts that were sent via requip message note.

(Press play on the video above)

"Gajeel Redfox." The Iron Dragon Slayer rose and walked towards the master as he grabbed his gift. Inside was a chunk of iron, 200,000 jewls, and a note.

"Metal head,

Thank you for being there for me. The iron was made out of an ancient armor that was one of the strongest metal during the Dragon War. Take care.

Natsu."

"Damn Fire Breath. Made me fuckin cry you ass!" He said as he took a chunk out of the iron as he widened his eyes at how good it tasted.

"Wendy Marvell." The little girl rose and picked up her gift which contained a small ball of wind magic, 200,000 jewls, and a note as well.

"Wendy,

You've grown up so much from that little girl we found during the Nirvana and Oración Seis Incident. The ball of wind was given to me by Cherria who told me to give this to you for you to eat. It contains some of her magic and she made it to where you can have some of her God Slaying Winds. I love you my little sister.

Natsu-nii"

"N-Natsu-san!" She cried as she held the items close to her.

"Romeo Conbolt." The young boy ran up and grabbed the package meant for him. Inside was a book over the flames he uses, 200,000 jewls, and a note as well.

"Romeo,

Little man, you do not know how much you meant to me when you were younger. I saw myself in you. A young mage that I had the privilege of seeing him get to grow stronger to protect the ones he loved. The book can help you learn your magic more as it can teach you and maybe your old man some new spells. Later little man.

Natsu."

Romeo started at the package in sadness. He saw how Natsu was not right in the head but he never acted upon it and only asked him to train. To see him finally gone was heartbreaking for the young boy to handle. So without letting tears fall before leaving, he took the package and walked to the forest where he would continue to train his heart out.

"Happy. Step forward, please."

The young cat flew up and received his gift, albeit, with trouble since it was twice his size. He opened the note on a table and started reading it aloud.

"Happy,

Little buddy, best friend, there are so many names that I have called you throughout the years but one. Happy, ever since you hatched from that egg, I knew that my life would change. I'm so happy to have found you that day and it's about time long overdue that I called you this. Happy Dragneel. You are my son,  and I've never been more prouder to have called anyone this, and even more so that that someone, is you. I will miss you buddy, but I won't be gone forever.

Natsu."

Happy was no longer able to hold up the dam, and let the river of tears fall down his face as he sobbed. He was given the price of 200,000 jewl, an exotic fish, the deed to their humble abode, and a piece of the scaly scarf that had been made into a small handbag, knowing that his current green one was nearly in shambles. He held the new bag close to him, taking in the scent of smoke and ash that just radiates his owner-no. His father.

Mira was called next as hers contained the same price, a new soul for her takeovers, and a coupon for a free dress from Fiore's Finest Attire. Her note told her how happy Natsu was that he got to help her through the tough time without Lisanna and how she always greeted him with a smile and happy attitude.

Juvia had been called to the stage next and receive her gift; containing a book of spells for her type of magic, the same price as those before her, and a new hat since her old one was lost in the war against Tártaros. Her note told her how thankful Natsu was for standing by him even though they had little to no contact with one another.

Alzack and Bisca came with a package deal. Containing 600,000 jewl to help pay for their house as well as items for their little girl and what ever else they need. His note told them that he would come by their place every once a year to visit the Connel family and spend time with Asuka.

Gildarts bag contained a map that leads to a location to someone that can replace his lost limbs and make them connect to his nerves and act like the real thing. He didn't get any money from the Dragon Slayer but instead a new cloak that isn't torn up. He wore no expression and just grabbed a three year quest and left the hall; map in hand and new cloak being worn.

Lisanna was called next. She was given the amount that Romeo and Happy received and a new animal takeover. Her note told her about how he enjoyed the times they shared and will always be watching over the "mother" of his son. She held Happy close and they cried into each other.

Levy was the last one to be called forth. Her bag was a little heavier than her companions, making her think that he packed her a load of books. But she couldn't be more wrong. She took the bag over to the back of the guild's library and read her letter silently to herself; the contents already pulling her heart's strings even more.

"Levy.

Hell of a time we had, wasn't it? It's hard to imagine that we were kids 12 years ago in this very same guild. The amount of stories that I told you and the things you taught me will forever make you a memory I will never want to forget. I hate that I left this way, but it was a long time coming. I just thought the circumstances would be where I ended up killing to save a life. But that's the way the dice rolls I guess.

I'll drop on by every once in a while, it may be small and unnoticeable or even to the point where you will see me walking through town. But know this. I'll always be with you.

You have taught me so many things throughout my life that I never thought were even possible. I'm so grateful to have met you and disappointed that we didn't get to spend as much time together.

I guess what I'm trying, but failing, to write is, I love you Levy. And not in the sibling type of way. I want you to know that I'm always going to think about everyone, but you'll always be on my mind. And if you ever need to talk, there's one of those brand new lacrima phones that has my contact info already in it.

I need to go now. The last train to Hargeon is pulling in and I need to get there for the flight leading to the Alvarez Empire. Some younger brother stuff that's gotta be done.

See ya later Lev.

Natsu."

Levy's eyes couldn't be more filled with tears than they are right now. His message to her confirmed everything that she wanted but now she won't get the chance to actually tell him in person how she feels. She reaches inside the bag, and pulls out her gifts one buy one.

The top one was of course the new phone that he mentioned, all paid off for and has insurance should it ever break or crack. It also came with wireless little white earbuds that had their own charging station. The next item was a book that dove deeper into Solid Script Magic than what she already knew. There were two more items inside but she only saw one at the moment.

It was a picture of him and her when they were little, he was going into full detail about one of his adventures with his dragon father while she took in every word she said. She let loose more sobs at the sight and was about to throw the bag away, when she felt more weight inside.

She didn't want to see, instead, just stuck her hand inside and felt a soft material with scale-like features. She grabbed and pulled it out, amazed by what she is seeing.

It was the final piece of Natsu's scarf. The first part had gone to Happy and was made into a bag. But this one was made into a bandana similar to the ones she wears on her head to keep the hair from falling in her face.

She took off her current one and put the new bandana on. It felt warm, comfortable, inviting. All the things that Natsu was and she was pleased to have received it.

That night, most of the guild went away with either tears of joy or sadness. Joy by what they received and that their friend is alright, and sadness knowing that they may never get the chance to see him again.

That night, Happy finally showed a real smile, knowing that he had his father with him at all times.

That night, Levy went to bed, knowing that her crush liked her back and that she will always wear a part of him.

That night, marked the end of the day that marked the one month disappearance of Fairy Tail's former Fire Dragon Slayer: Natsu Dragneel.

END

A/N: Hey y'all. Sorry this chapter took me so long. I was busy with college apps and as well as trigonometry and English. I'm also filming our team's track meets and it's hard when you gotta make videos and write so I put it off.

Anyways, as some might have noticed, through this chapter, there has been some changes in the writing style. That is because when I had first started this chapter, I only focused on small dialogue and even smaller emotional feelings. These were evident all the way up until the end of Romeo's letter.

As soon as I finished writing his note, that's where I started the hiatus and started looking at other writing styles and stuff. Such being the more emotional and outward expressions. I started actually giving foresight. Like Romeo, most people would just say that, "he looked up to him as an older brother" or something like that. But I wanted to show how he actually saw him falter from his usual, cheery, and upbeat self. Happy was one of the most I had done. Some stories either have the cat join him or just straight up kill him off, making that the reason his resentment towards the guild was higher.

Levy.

Now. What I'm planning here is simple. As said, Natsu will be gone from everyone else except for Happy, Lisanna, The Connells, and Levy. But I've seen how most stories don't want this relationship to work because, "Oh she looks better with Gajeel!" Or "Oh he looks better with Lucy/Erza/Mira/All Three!"

While I see what they're saying, it doesn't really make sense for me. I'll be honest, the show/manga doesn't really seem to actually follow through with most stories "mating relationship" standards with scenes like the Tower of Heaven with Natsu and Erza or Edolas with Natsu and Lisanna. So for me, how could Levy and Gajeel really connect? Gajeel literally beat the shit out of her and even put her on a public humiliation type display for all of the guild and town to see. But he protects her from a lightning beam once and she gains feelings for him? I mean, from that point on they've been joined together ever since which doesn't make sense.

How would you be able to fall back to someone who physically and mentally hurt you and your team? Yes. Levy could see that he had changed his views on what guild-life should be like, but that was more of an understanding than feeling something more.

And Natsu and Lucy. It was a forced pairing. Nothing was stopping Hiro from making it and it kinda sucks. Because Mashima kinda bullshitted a lot of these relationship outcomes that could've happened. There's really no point in the Edolas arc because Lisanna was pushed to the side as a side character except for a small bit in the Tartaros arc. Erza ran straight back to Jellal because "I wasn't under my own control even though I was able to become stronger than the person mind controlling me and became a Wizard Saint" "Oh Jellal, I forgive you."  To me, that was sorta bullshit. Natsu and Erza seemed like the final cut before the Nirvana and then, Poof. Gone.

I'm not doing mating or dragon instincts on love because it would make the story either more difficult to follow through, or too cliche to write. Normal human relationship-type atmosphere.

I'm doing this relationship because one, as smart as she is book wise, he is equally as smart in terms of tactics and battle. They balance each other out beautifully that it kinda hurts to see that they have little to no interaction whatsoever. It's one of those crack ships that could be made into an almost choice if only effort was actually put into interactions and such.

The reason why "Hell of a Year" was chosen, was because it truly summarized what all happened in that timeframe. In one year they fought against an entire empire with warriors as strong as the Ten Pillars of Ishgar. They reunited after a year of disbandment and another year of reclaiming their title and fighting a demon guild. Really, the song was just perfect that I felt I had to use it.

Now, Natsu's Scarf- or rather- what's left of it. Since he gave two quarters of his scarf to Happy and Levy, it will no longer be that. It is now a bandana that he wears to cover his face. The outfit choice to me will be much better suited because all past opponents had so many opportunities to just grab him by it and choke him with it. This way, that can't happen.

It's crazy how close that summer is and I'm no longer a high school student. The weird thing is that everyone says how they wish they could go back to high school, and I agree and disagree at the same time.

I tried the whole relationship thing and putting effort but all it got me was actually a messed up head and confliction (if that's a word. It is now). I put that off and decided to put more work into my studies and forgot about this page.

If it weren't for someone calling me out the other night then I would've never remembered this story. Big thanks to RachelHeartneel  for doing so.

Anyways, yeah. Expect more updates coming either soon or later. Love y'all and thanks for the support.

-Jared

BLOOPERS!!

Happy was called to the stage. His bag was given to him but just pulled him to the floor. What was inside was just a bunch of coal and a note from Natsu to throw this at Gray and Max. So, the blue cat being the absolute fucking unit he is, picked up the biggest two and slammed them both into their foreheads; leaving marks for good and knocking the two out.

Switch

Makarov opened the letter addressed to everyone and was disturbed by what he had seen.

It was not a letter of words, but instead a picture. Simple really.

Just him holding up a drink in one hand and his hand flipping off the camera in the other. Surrounded by people in a bar, the Dragon Slayer was accompanied by a bluish, White haired man with hairs just as unkept as his and a woman with the same hair color.

Writing in graffiti was on the bottom as the message was clear.

"Off to better things with some good people"

"That brat!"

End