Hello to all my readers and welcome to my first fanfic ever! I'm very excited to finally join the ranks of thousands of other authors on this site.

Hopefully as I continue to write, my writing skills will continue to grow, along with this community.

Well enough about that, I hope you all enjoy this NaLu Fic. "A Dragons Rose."

Sorry for a somewhat dark intro, but hopefully the ending will make up for it ;). Feedback will be greatly appreciated, if its good or bad, and most importantly what I should improve as a writer.

Thank you and enjoy the first chapter! Explicit Red~

Life

A simple word, four letters, a noun of the English language, and possibly just scribbles in the eyes of the ignorant. But he knew better than that, there was more behind those four simple letters that engulf his mind constantly on a daily basis. It always felt as if he was being dragged into a world of his own, not exactly paradise so to speak. Lost in the depths of darkness that is his conscience. It plagued his mind, his thoughts eating through him like a rabid hound. In desperation, he pleads for it to stop, but somewhere deep down in his being, he is curious, and wants this feeling to subdue him, to somehow embrace him. Escaping from the realm he calls reality, only to be brought back by the worried whispers of his dear friends and pats on the shoulder to wake him from his midday dreams. Oh the fantasy world that he lives in.

Not everyone lived, but everyone died, in some way, shape and form. The cause being from trauma, depression, sacrifice, the lack of moral values, or corruption. He's seen it all; he's seen his fair share of battles, dangerous life encounters, wrong place wrong time situations, murder, and blood. Lots of blood. Blood he may have spilt, blood that may have dripped from his own wounds, blood from the ones he loved. What a strange fantasy that he lived in.

Tsk. He furrowed his arched eyebrows in annoyance. He knew better than to think about fantasies. Running his hands through his pink unruly kept hair, he slouched down into the worn out chair, his mind traveling elsewhere.

"Oi old man what is that?" A younger smaller version of himself yelled at the large beast standing in front of him. His eyes were beaming with anticipation as he pointed towards the stars in the night sky. The creature just looked at him and gave him a small smile.

"Igneel?"

"That my son is what we call the moon."

"But I thought the moon was round…" He said in utter confusion, looking at the now crescent shaped moon.

A small chuckle came from the large dragon. "My boy have you not been paying attention in your studies." It was not a question but a statement. The boy just let out a small yelp, staring innocently into the mystical creatures eyes.

Igneel turned his long neck, facing the now so called moon. "That is the moon my boy, it's currently in a different stage of its life, a waxing crescent, occurring after every new moon." After finishing his simple explanation, he looked at the boy before him, his eyes seem to be on fire after hearing this, intrigued with every word that he said.

"Wow, that's sooo cool, you have to teach me more Igneel!" The boy yelled with so much excitement he could have exploded.

"Of course you have so much yet to learn….my son."

A small smile lay plastered across his face, memories like that were always pleasant to have. But soon forth a frown replaced said smile. Yes, it may be hard to believe but he was raised by a dragon, abandoned at such a young age, he didn't even know who his real parents were. But that was life was it not? Igneel was the dragon's name, and he considered him to be his father, the only real family like figure in his heart. He was powerful, large, intelligent, protective and very red. He had taught him everything he needed to know, math, culture, language, astrology, history, how to write and the greatest secret of all.

The devastating power of a dragon.

But in the end he had abandoned him too, left him in the forest where they had met, and had made fond memories. Right? Damnit, no that was not it he knew it. Igneel was the best damn thing to happen to him as an infant, a toddler, as a man. He taught him everything, everything he needed to know to survive in this world, where power and greed corrupts the soul and mind. The man stiffened at this thought. Sure not the whole world was filled with the purest of souls, but with the birth of something little, it can very well turn into a very nasty outcome. Where there is corruption, chaos will unfold, and it will spread like a wildfire. Who would be the martyr, who would be the savior when the time comes?

Now glaring daggers at the wall ahead of him, it usually was not like him to get pissed off so easily, but when it came to Igneel he couldn't help it. "Fuck." He was not going to start questioning Igneel's decisions, or intentions now or ever. He will find him. He was willing to put his life on the line for him.

"With this power comes great sense of responsibility my boy, but I feel as if you're old enough to know what you are capable of, to protect or to destroy, it is your fate to decide."

These words had hit him hard later on in his life; the power of a dragon was fierce, and very powerful. Beyond anything anyone has ever seen in all magnitudes. The power to slay dragons. Magic thought to be lost and very ancient. He never used the power for evil intentions, but in fact fought in the name of justice, to bring light to the hope of the world. Sadly the world did not want him, nor did it accept him. They saw him as a monster, a horrible, terrifying creature, it broke him apart. Shattered his being inside out. The memories, oh the memories attacked him at full force. Slamming his hands to his eyes, his body shaking, sweat rolling down his forehead, gasps proceeded to escape his mouth.

Flames. Flames, they were everywhere, people screaming, the screams were everywhere, painful agonizing screams. A large crash echoed around the setting. Young children running away from someone, something, crying the whole way, pleading for their lives.

"GOD DAMNIT!" He roared at the top of his lungs, suddenly his right hand became ignited with sparks of flame, anger filled his eyes, as he slammed his fists into the nearby table, it exploded into tiny wood fragments, soon reduced to nothing but ashes as the flames shimmered against his eyes.

When was the last time he ever had a panic attack like this? He could not remember.

"Ugh…" He groaned, shifting uncomfortably in his bed, he rolled off it, deciding he had enough sleep. A whole day was more than enough sleep for him, even if he did lose a bit of himself the other day. Suddenly a pang of guilt hit his stomach, he had not told them that he would not be coming in that day. Screw it. They knew what he had to be going through, hopefully they can understand his reasoning's the next time he drops in. His dark eyes trailed down to his right bicep. Flexing slightly, he stared down at the red tattoo imprinted on his muscular skin. It was the stamp of his guild.

Fairy Tail.

One of the most powerful and well known magic guilds in all of Fiore. And yes he was part of it, they had gladly brought him in with open arms. For the first time, beside's Igneel of course, he knew he had a nakama. A place to truly call home. They were not like all the people outside of the doors of the guild. Reckless. Yes. Hard to coop with? Yes. Annoying. Damn right. But the one thing he has noticed the years he has been in there, they always knew how to keep you smiling and on your feet. Even if you went to hell and back, with vouchers included.

Fairy Tail was always a guild that people gossiped about, good or bad, it went both ways. Their intentions were always good, but hell, like he said, they were very reckless, and always owed large amounts of money to the council. Hell he's surprised the council hasn't shut the damn place down yet. But if it wasn't for Fairy Tail, the land of Fiore would probably be in the shits right now. He simply chuckled at the thought of Fairy Tail being revoked of its title as number one Guild and being rendered sovereign.

Not only did he consider himself to be wanted in his beloved guild, but there was something more to it. Something that dates back to his childhood with Igneel. His adoptive father.

"My dear son, there is going to come a time, in which I can no longer keep teaching you my knowledge, and it shall be up to you, to discover who you really are."

"But why Igneel, why can't you keep teaching me, and to discover who I am…that's silly I am me…"

Only one word came out from the elder dragon's mouth, and this would leave the boy to ponder for duration of times.

"Fate."

"Exactly what do you mean Igneel." He muttered under his breath staring outside the window from his room. The sun was rising to its peak in the sky. Placing his arm over his eyes, shielding them from the rays, he moved from the window, working his way to the front door, he should be heading to the guild right about no-

"NATSSUUUU!" An overgrown blue feline came crashing through his door. "Wait whaa- oomph." Before the dragon slayer can utter another word, the talking cat's hand collided with his face. Oh it wasn't every day you get backhanded by a flying talking cat, but hell he has seen it all. "What the fuck was that for, Happy!?" Glaring daggers once again that day, this time at his best friend. Happy just looked at him, with that all so familiar face that Natsu knew. In defeat he let out a sigh.

"Look I'm sorry, something happened, I wasn't able to make it…."

"Mmm, did you remember it again?"

"….."

"Natsu, don't worry…let's go to the guild, we can talk about it there." The cat suggested, landing onto his best friend shoulder, pointing out his now thrashed door, which was ruthlessly broken into. They can fix that later. "I was just on my way Happy." He responded rather slowly. Happy just looked him in the eyes and nodded, with a rather strange tinkle in his eyes. Natsu raised an eyebrow at his small companion. "What's with the look?"

"We need to find you a woman ASAP."

"What did you say- But Happy cut him off before he can finish. "Ahahaha, Natsu I'm just kidding, you should'a seen your face." The cat cried out in tears, his arm holding his stomach as he laughed hysterically at Natsu's eyes which were bulging out of his face. "Tsk, damn cat." Natsu said, lifting the now surprised cat by his head and flicking him off his shoulder in annoyance. He began to follow the path to the large town of Magnolia. Hopefully his beloved friend would not crack another joke to annoy him further as they began to traverse to the center of the city.

"Natsu, you need to get laid."

A large vein popped out the corner of Natsu's forehead, his temper flared, and he literally felt his face heat up from embarrassment. Oh he had spoken to soon.

The lake city of Magnolia was bustling with life today. Young children experimenting with their new found magic's that their parents had taught them, not giving a care for the world as they ran down the streets of the city, with playful grins on their visages. Merchants yelling out to the pedestrians to check out their stalls, promising good bargains to die for, exotic items, and magic's only obtainable from farther lands in Fiore. People bumped into one another as the streets began to be filled rather quickly. Yup this was the city of Magnolia, and the home of the infamous Fairy Tail.

Natsu glanced to the left side of the city, a rather large beautiful image embraced him. A small breeze of wind flew by, his bangs following its direction. Small waves of gentle water hit the sandy shore of the city, it was the mid-point of the city. This is where the beautiful Lake Scilliora presented itself to the world. The water glistened in the sun, shining like emeralds, it was a magnificent sight to behold. Nothing felt as pure as watching this lake, and the residents renting out small boats to travers onto mid lake, with happy expressions on their face, couples re falling in love all over again from previous experienced moments on the lake. Natsu quickly grimaced at the thought of couples. H..he didn't really have fond memories of "love."

"Aye, Natsu, we are approaching the guild!" Happy called out, as he flew off his shoulder heading upwards to the small hill, insight was a large building. Breaking out into a jog, in just moments he caught up to his flying friend, who was now flying motionless in the air staring at the large arch sign that bestowed itself on the exterior of the brownish-tan building. "Fairy Tail." Natsu examined the sign carefully, they must have put this up yesterday, the guild had just recently changed locations of their headquarters the week before. Looking around the building he took note of the banners of their fairy sprite insignia located here and there. He smiled.

"Well let's go on in, I'm fucking starving!"

"Hai!"

The large guild doors slammed open, as two figures stepped in with sheepish grins. "HEY, Mirajane, I'm hungry, bring something up for me and H-" Natsu wasn't able to finish his request as a rather cold fist came into contact with his mouth. He went flying back to the door with a loud slam following immediate after impact. Narrowing his eyes he stood back up, a bit of blood present now on his bruised lips, wiping it off with the sleeve of his vest, he glared at his attacker.

"Oi what the fuck was that for you freak?"

"Shut up flame head!The voice continued from there. "Where the hell were you yesterday, we had a mission to do, or did your peanut size brain forget?" The dark blue hair man responded. He stood at the same height as Natsu, with the same slender muscular physique, his hair was a few inches longer then Natsu's but looked more natural and well kept. His bangs reach down to his dark colored eyebrows, almost covering his cerulean pupils. An unknown scar was present above his left eye, probably gained when he was just a little boy. With further observations the man was completely shirtless, his skin bare for the whole world to see, as a silver chain dangled from his long neck. The fucker never could keep his clothes on for at least five minutes. He crossed his arms, covering his blue guild stamp that was still visible on his finely toned chest.

"Oh cut the crap Gray, you know for a fact you could have handled that mission without me, or is your pathetic ice magic growing weaker by the day." The fire mage retorted with a snicker. By now some members of the guild were gathering around, excited to see a clash of fire and ice. Specifically a long haired brunette, who specializes in card magic's, was now going around taking wagers on who will win this brawl. "Oh you wanna bet flame breath?" Gray responded with a mischievous grin, as he took a familiar battle stance. He opened the palm of his left hand, and placed his knuckles of the opposite hand against it. Small magical notations began to form around the tips of his fingers, as ice crystals began to emit around him.

Flames danced in the eyes of the dragon slayer. His body core temperature begin to raise, he grinned mechanically, it's been awhile since they last fought, no they weren't enemies, but merely competitors, rivals, or as the guild mates will call them, "idiotic brothers." Natsu allowed his right hand to be overcome by flames, as smoke made its way to his nostrils. "I'm all fire'd up now icicle boy, get ready for thi…." He trailed off, something caught the attention of his nose. A scent he never smelled in the guild was present.

The flames encased around his arms disappeared and his fiery temperature tuned down, Natsu desire to fight had ceased to exist. What the hell? Gray took noticed of this, not once has Natsu ever back down from a fight with him, and was the little punk finally scared to fight him? Gray smirked, he let his arms fall to his sides as he spoke up. "What's the matter smokey, lost all your flare all of a sudden?" Natsu just stared past him in utter confusion, something was going on in that man's head. "Natsu?" Gray called out his name with a raised eyebrow.

Natsu did not respond. He simply pushed Gray to the side as he walked off to the direction he was currently focused on. Everyone now realizing there would be no brawls today, went back to their original business and places within the guild, planning guild missions, drinking more alcohol, or just relaxing in the premises of the guild compounds.

This scent…it smells so surreal, so intoxicating, it was causing his mind to go foggy. He wanted to know where it came from…no…where it was coming from, he needed to find the source. He took note of the mysterious scent as he sniffed the air again, it was sweet, like honey and yet smelled so natural, like the meadows in the hillside, no…more like the forests near his small house. Natsu licked his lips as he took one final step in the direction where the scent was coming from. His eyes wandered and something caught his immediate attention.

Blonde

Surely enough, a girl with long golden hair, which flowed gracefully past her shoulders, was sitting at a stool close to the guilds bar. Looking closer, Natsu saw that she had a small cute side ponytail on the left side of her head tied with a small blue ribbon. Cute? Wait Natsu never called anything or anyone cute, yet he's gawking at this girl he's never seen before. And what happened next shocked Natsu. The girl slowly turned her head around.

Chocolate colored eyes met jet black.

Natsu let out a gasp, as his heart clenched in his chest at the sight of beautiful hazel. A weird tingling sensation made itself present deep within his stomach. His fingers twitched nervously, why was he acting like such a nervous wreck?

And then she gave him one of the most beautiful smiles, with the smallest set of dimples, that he has ever seen in his eighteen years of existence. It was a smile of an angel, only the purest of all smiles. And she was smiling at him of all people. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"Damn."