Chapter 3! Sorry I haven't updated in a long time marching band kind of takes over my life until the end of October. So, I will try to update all my stories a lot faster.

With the guild

"What was that all about?" Wendy said.

"That man was looking for Salamander but there was something… off about him" Gajeel said glaring out the door the man left.

"It seems you sensed it too," Makarov said his face full of worry

"What do you mean? He said he was an old friend of Natsu's " Lucy said really confused about all the tension in the air.

"If that man was really Natsu's friend why was I getting the feeling that he wanted to kill him," Laxus said. Everyone looked at him with shocked expressions, well except Makarov and Gajeel.

"Kill him!" Lucy shouted holding her hand to her chest like she always does when she is worried "why was that man after Natsu?"

"I don't know but I have a strange feeling that it has something to do with where Natsu disappears to this time of year." the guild master spoke worry laced in his voice.

'Natsu please be careful' Lucy thought as she looked out the massive guild doors.

With Natsu

Natsu woke up today feeling better than he has for days, for once in about a week Natsu had a good night's sleep without nightmares about his past. After showering he got ready to go out into the town.

Walking through town he couldn't help but smile; kids were running around playing together, people laughing and telling stories, many shops advertising their product with enthusiasm; the air smelled of fresh bread that could make any mouth water. Then the smile faded from his face as his mind went back to the past.

Flash Back

Kasumi's arms wrapped around Natsu's arm as her head rested on his solder they were walking through the brightly lit town; lanterns were hung down every alleyway and street corner, the people were also in a very festive mood; kids running around with masks on or playing with streamers adults laughing and enjoying the celebration.

"It is beautiful out tonight," Kasumi said breathing in the crisp air.

'It sure is, I mean just look at all the food!" Natsu said only to get smacked by the black-haired beauty. "Ouch what was that for?"

"Is that all guys think about? Food this food that," she said then she stops.

"What's wrong- oh I see I am not the only one that wants food!" Natsu chuckled. Kasumi had stopped in front of a food stall that had fresh out of the oven buns that were twisted to look like knots with white dots on it. She glared back at him as if to say ' what are you talking about' only before she could say anything her stomach growled. Natsu chuckled again.

"Hello sir may I help you to some delicious Cardamom buns." the man said (if you have never had them they are REALLY good) Natsu looked back too Kasumi who looked away Natsu smiled and turned to the man again.

"Yes, I will take two," he said handing the man the money and taking the buns. Natsu walked back to where the young beauty was standing. She reaches for one of the golden-brown bun, but Natsu snatched it away just out of her reach.

"What do you think you are doing? I got these for me, you said you didn't want anything." Natsu said with a fake angry expression on his face.

"O come on Natsu!" she whined reaching for one again but missing. Natsu teased her some more but when she was just about to give up she caught a lucky break and snatched from Natsu' hand. They laughed and walked around all night until the celebration was over

Flashback end

Natsu smiled a little bit at the memory, looking around Natsu realized that this town always had that festive and familiar feel to it. He stopped in front of a flower shop, walking in Natsu had to take a step back he felt that his nose was just punched with all the smell that invaded his senses.

"Hello... Is there anyone here?" Natsu asked holding his sensitive nose trying to save it from all the smelly plants in the building. Of course, on normal circumstances could just smell or sense if anyone else was in the building but since his nose was out of the smelling busyness at the moment he was blinded to anyone hiding in the overcrowded flower shop. "Hello?" Natsu tried again this time a short old man with large wire glasses that made his eyes look bigger than humanly possible, he was also holding a watering can with a bird painted on it.

"Oh, sorry I did not hear you come in." the man said putting down the watering can and walking over to where Natsu stood.

"How may I help you?" the old man said blinking several times. "Sorry for me asking but is there something wrong with your face?"

"No, I just have a sensitive nose," Natsu answered only for the old man to blink a couple more times and ask the same question again. Natsu sighed as he removed his hand from his nose. "I just have a sensitive nose." the old man nodded confirming that he heard him. he reached into a pouch in his overalls and pulled out an old pair of earplugs and handed it to Natsu.

"Will these due I am sorry I have never had someone that has a sensitive sense of smell come into my flower shop."

"Thanks" Natsu took the earplugs and put them into his nose. They made him sound a little funny but at least he did not have the problem with all the different smells trying to invade his nose.

"So, what can I help you with?"

"I am looking for some Amaryllis and some snapdragons."

"Oh, good choice good choice!" the old man said turning briskly on his heels and weaving in and out of the isles with Natsu close behind him.

"Are these for your special lady?" he asked picking the fiery red Lilly.

"You could say that," Natsu said with a sad smile.

"l can tell you that she will love these." the old man said not picking up on the sadness in his voice.

"I know these were her favorite."

Taking the bouquet Natsu walked out of the flower shop. After that Natsu stopped at a Bakery and some other stores that Kasumi liked when she was alive.

When Natsu had finished his shopping it was late, the Sun was setting behind the mountains.

"I should be heading back," Natsu said looking out to the horizon.

Back of the hotel, Natsu set down all the stuff that he had picked up today, giving an exasperated sigh Natsu lay down on the bed as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Flashback/ dream

Natsu sat alone on a rainy night waiting for Kasumi to return from the mission she had to do alone. Natsu waited all night for the love of his life to return but she never did. When morning came and she had not returned Natsu decided to go looking for her. What he found was not what do you want or expected. his childhood friend, the one he loved with all his heart and soul had turned into his worst nightmare.

Kasumi had turned into what she expected and feared she had turned to the dark side, Her soul snatched out from under her. Natsu tried to save her but little did he know she was long gone, but that did not stop him from trying.

"Kasumi! Snap out of it." Natsu yelled but his words did not reach Kasumi's ears.

"What did you do to her!" Natsu screamed to the only other man in the room. The man was shrouded in darkness. any other person would probably not notice him but Natsu could see him clearly. The man did not answer his question but just gave a sickly-sweet smile that seemed to fuel Natsu's rage.

Next thing Natsu saw was his hands were covered in blood and the lifeless body of Kasumi lay at his feet.

End dream

Natsu sat bolt upright drenched in sweat and breathing hard.

"…Kasumi" Natsu breathe holding his right hand to his chest. "I'm. ..I'm sorry. "

Today was August 18th the day that Kasumi was taken from him. Natsu slowly got out of bed; he gathered all the things that he purchased the day before and walked out the door. Natsu walked in the streets his head bowed low with an aura of sadness surrounded Natsu, he did not care about how festive and happy the town seemed like he did the day before. he thought that it was an insult to be happy and cheerful on this day, the day that a girl that was always loving and beautiful was taken away. Of course, he could not blame the townspeople; They did not know Kasumi like he did, or that she had died. Sometimes Natsu envied their ignorance he wished he could forget his past but all he could do was hide his pain behind a fake smile. No one in the guild knew anything about his past or what he had done. For as long has Natsu had been in the guild he has kept the secret of his past from his friends and he will continue to do so for as long as he could. No one needed to know anything about him or his past all they needed was the goofy and hyperactive dragon slayer that would protect them with his life. They didn't need a monster in their happy family.

Natsu reached the edge of town but he continued to walk into the forest where he walked for hours until he came to a stop at the edge of a Waterfall. It was a beautiful scene; The area was covered and green grass and luscious plants the waterfall covered the area with a thin cover of mist. Right next to the waterfall was a white gravestone. Natsu knelt down in front of the gravestone, he placed the picture he drew of Kasumi on the gravestone then he placed the flowers and food right beside it. The gravestone had carvings of snowflakes and water around the edges.

"You must hate me," Natsu spoke to the Whitestone, of course, the stone does not answer him. "I -I'm sorry that I have not visited you in a while… I brought you some Cardamom I know they're your favorite since that Festival we went to a year before you… died," he said holding the buns to the stone. Again, he did not get any response, Natsu sighed he knew that he was not going to get a response but it's felt better to talk to Kasumi even though she wasn't really there but he hoped that wherever she was that she was listening.

"Thank you," a voice said. Natsu's eyes widened

'That Voice, I know that voice.' Natsu said to himself. "Kasumi are you there," he said but he was answered by silence. When Natsu didn't get an answer, he thought he imagined her Voice. 'Great just great now I am imagining talking to a ghost.' He sighed. For the rest of the day, Natsu sat in silence, to the point that he had Fallen asleep. Little did he know someone was really there.

I hope you like this chapter! I know this was not a very exciting chapter but this will hopefully be the only chapter that will be like this. sorry, it took me a long time to update. I will try to update a lot more often. I will be updating my other stories first before I can do another chapter for the story. Please review and let me know what you think!