The Red Dragon

Chapter 5

Sting mumbled something under his breath, and that was all Natsu needed to know he was correct.

Natsu continued to glare at Gray and Lyon, neither of which had shown any sign of backing down.

"You know, it sounds like no one has ever bothered to explain the war to you, so allow me to be the first. There are dragons out there who are fighting other dragons and putting their lives on the line to protect your ungrateful ass." Natsu all but screamed out.

"The red dragons that you hate so much, they're on your side, and this creature you're so hellbent on killing is not even old enough to breathe fire. He is no threat to you. Baby dragons deserve our protection, there aren't many being born anymore."

"He might be young now, but he'll grow and go attack villages and kill people. I've seen it Natsu. You know that." Gray yelled back angrily. "If we kill him now, we'll be protecting countless people."

"I'd hoped that you'd changed. But you didn't learn a damn thing in those six years, did you?" Natsu glowered at his mate.

"Dragons are just like people, Gray. Lyon is an asshole, but you don't judge all other humans by him, do you?"

"Hey!" Lyon protested, but aside from a snicker from Sting, no one paid him any attention. They were too intent on the fight that was developing in front of them.

"You're not a kid anymore, Natsu. You need to get this idea out of your head that dragons are anything but beasts intent on destruction. For your own good." Gray said in a voice that made his element seem warm in comparison.

"Now get out of the way."

"I'm not going anywhere!" Natsu growled, "If you want to get to him, you're going to have to go through me first."

Natsu tensed as he waited for Gray to attack.

"I don't want to hurt you," Gray warned.

"Then don't." Natsu replied, "Just let him go."

"I can't do that."

"Why won't you listen to me?" Natsu yelled in frustration.

He noticed Lyon had backed away and was standing next to Sting, seemingly content to let the two of them hash it out.

"Because you're wrong," Gray said calmly, right before he attacked with an ice lance.

Natsu ignored all the feelings that were flooding him and focused on countering Gray's attack. He raised his body temperature to melt the oncoming lance and then ran at Gray, tackling him to the ground.

Gray screamed in pain as the heat of Natsu's skin burned him. Natsu quickly lowered his body temperature. He had no desire to hurt him. All he'd really wanted was for Gray to listen to him and consider what he'd said. They continued to wrestle, both getting as many punches and kicks in as they could.

"What's going on here?" Erza's roar washed over all of them, but Natsu and Gray continued their fight, "Natsu and Wendy, why haven't you reported for duty yet?"

When she got no answer, she stomped over and grabbed Natsu by the collar of his vest, allowing Gray to get a free shot in. Erza turned around and grabbed Gray by his hair since he was missing his shirt as usual.

"One of you is going to explain to me what is going on, and the other will work all weekend." Erza hissed, "Do I make myself clear?"

Both boys tried to speak at once, causing Erza to knock their heads together harder than she'd expected, knocking both boys out. She let them go, their bodies collapsing to the ground. She moved over to the other guards.