They were finishing up the last of the buildings that were destroyed, nothing left but the inside, but that wasn't their job. Gajeel and Lily said their farewells to their old council friends and started to head toward the train station when Gajeel saw a familiar head of blue bobbing up and down in a book store. What possessed him to even look in there was beyond him, but he was happy to see the short mage. Lily was still walking when he heard the bell of the book store door ring. He sighed and walked back to the shop.

"What cha up to, shorty?" Gajeel stood behind her as she was jumping to reach a book. She no longer jumped when she heard his voice, more relaxed to hear it.

"I need to get this book, but...you know. Can you get it for me?" She tried one more time to stretch just enough to touch the bottom of the spine. He gave a little chuckle and lifted her up.

"That works!" Levy giggled and grabbed the book. He lowered her back onto the ground only to hear Lily clear his throat. "Hey Lily, how was rebuilding the town?" She looked at him happily and turned to give a big smile to Gajeel as a thank you. He tried to hide a blush, but failed.

"All that is left is to furnish the inside and we have no idea how to do that." Lily chuckled while he shrugged his shoulders.

"So we are heading home," Gajeel followed Lily's shrug. Then it dawned on him. "What book did you need?" Levy was holding the book to her chest while talking to the boys. Gajeel took one of his fingers and started to pull down the book just low enough to see the title. Levy realized what he was doing and relaxed her grip.

"Old tribes of Earth Land. I wanted to learn more about the ancient people of this area I'll be going to next week." She looked at the cover excited to learn everything inside of the pages. She walked to a table, eager to know what was inside. Gajeel and Lily shared a look and knew they would be there for a while. They sighed and took a seat.

Levy flipped through a few pages when she noticed an interesting picture. "Gajeel, I never did ask you. Why do you have those piercings?"
Gajeel have been leaning on his hand and gave her a grunt,"Cause they make me look scary." He yawned, tired from the long day.

Levy opened the book flat and showed him the sketch inside. "Look at this."

Gajeel only moved his eyes to the image and shock took over him. The sketch was of a man and a woman with a young child. The woman and the child had piercings similar to his while the man was covered in tattoos. The man had a mean look about him, with long dark blue hair, while the woman looked kind with long black hair, rivet like piercings on her face and arms, the only difference between hers and the boys was that she had eyebrows while piercings made up the boys. The boy had the mean look like the man but had dark hair of the woman. They wore flowing clothing, almost Greek like, while, again being different, the man had simple pants and wore a necklace made of sharp teeth. Behind them was a small hut surrounded by trees. Gajeel couldn't believe his eyes. He snatched the book, earning him a HEY from Levy. He looked closely at the drawing. It had to be her. It had to be. But the man, who was he? A flash came to Gajeel, making his head hurt.
_

"Ok, hold very still," the artist behind a book told the small family.

"Why are we doing this?" the man rolled his eyes and looked at the woman.

She giggled, "For his book. He wants to know about our tribe."

"But we are from two different tribes. Wouldn't he like to know about mine?"

"I'm sure he would. Any one can tell how different we are," she giggled again. His frustration putting a smile on her face.

"What's so funny?" He looked at her, his face puffed up.

"Hahaha...you are so cute when you are mad." She laughed so hard she began to topple over.

"Careful! If you fall you will hurt the baby!" The man put his hands on her shoulders, making sure she didn't take a tumble.

"Sorry. It's just so funny."

Gajeel felt himself laugh as he looked up at the adults.

"Gajeel, do you hear that?" the man chuckled, "That is the most wonderful sound in the world. The sound of your woman laughing at you."

She gave him a shove and looked down. "Just be a good boy till this man is done drawing us, then we have a surprise for you?"

"What is it?!" he was excited, unable to hold it in.

She giggled at the boy, "Mommy and daddy are going to take you to the protector of the village."

"Really!" He jumped up and down, earning him a fake cough from the artist. "Opps."

They stood still as the artist finished his drawing, showing the family. "All finished."

"Do I really look that mean?" The man arched his eyebrow in disbelief.

She giggled, "Intimidating is more like it." She received a huff from him while Gajeel pulled on her arm.

"Can we go...can we go see the dragon?!" He was jumping again. The happy parents laughed, thanked the artist who gave them a voucher for a copy of the book that he was working on and headed toward their next location.

Gajeel held his head, unable to stop the pain of the memories returning, like they were wiped out.

"Gajeel, what is going on? What's happening?" Levy sat across from him still, not knowing what the do. Lily in the same position.

The pain subsided after a moment and he was able to get his thoughts straight. He took in a deep breath before speaking.

"Levy, take me with you. I need to know about this place." He looked at her with a mix of determination and confusion in his eyes.

Concern left her own eyes and was replaced with excitement. "Of course you can. You are always welcome to go on a mission with me." The trio smiled at each other, ready for a new journey together.