A smile spreads across my face as I hug the pink-haired dragon slayer back. Az sits down allowing the fur on his neck lay down and Happy is flying happily above our heads. Natsu pulls back from the hug to inspect me. My hair had grown back in the two years I was gone, from just above my collarbone all the way to mid-thigh. I have to suppress a giggle at the serious look Natsu is giving me, he's concentrating so hard that his brow furrows. Though I take a good look at his face; he has matured and the baby fat in his cheeks is completely gone, he is certainly taller than I am now, and his onyx eyes look slightly hardened. In the blink of an eye; his goofy grin lights up his face and he is the same light-hearted boy I fell in love with, even though I will never admit that.

"I'm back," I say with a bright smile.

"Welcome home, Lilli," Natsu says light-heartedly, with slightly teary eyes. Through his watery eyes, he looks at me as if he half expects me to burst into flames. I tilt my head to the side, causing my hair to fall over my shoulder. Happy, no longer able to contain himself, flies straight into my chest and hugs me.

"Lilli! You can't ever leave us again!" Happy cries, "Natsu was so depressed that he became really mean. He never got me any fish!"

I chuckle at Happy and hug him back tightly. My eyes well up with tears at the relief of being home, surrounded by people who love me. Happy looks up at me quizzically, "Lilli, are you okay?"

I nod, holding the blue cat tightly with my right arm and wiping my eyes with my left hand. I then give Az a reassuring pat on the head as I let Happy go. I lounge on my couch, enjoying my home and family.

Natsu picks up my legs and drapes them over his lap as he sits next to me. His onyx eyes are intense as he looks at me, "Where have you been? Why did you leave? Why are you coming back now?"

I take a deep breath, searching for a way to explain without giving away my secret. I search through my memories and emotions so that I can be truthful without revealing anything. Natsu sits patiently, watching my facial expressions. Az curls up next to the couch under me, wondering what my answer will be. We both know we can't tell Natsu the full truth, not yet anyway. Happy sits on Natsu's head contently, excited to have his family back. I look Natsu directly in the eyes as I reply,

"I went around the continent to train and find what my place in Fairy Tail is. I went to find the origin of Angel Spirit and how to better control it. The loss of Lisanna made me feel like I wasn't strong enough. It took me two years to feel as though I am strong enough to be here. As well as I needed to train Az away from everyone for a bit. Slowly introduce him to stressful situations and work on his control."

I give him a soft smile as he leans back to process what I said. I know that he can't tell that I'm lying because it's the surface truth. I did leave because I didn't feel strong enough and to learn better control. Natsu just can't know about them, that they are the ones who caused the job to go haywire; the reason Lisanna is dead.

Natsu's goofy grin spreads across his face, causing his eyes to soften, as he replies, "You have always been strong, Lilli."

"Not as strong as I need to be" I reply softly while looking down at my hands as I play with a section of my hair. I feel the weight of the couch shift and suddenly Natsu's warm onyx eyes are staring into my electric blue ones.

"You are strong in other ways that count. You are strong-headed, always there as a shoulder to cry on. Enough passion to pull through anything, and a spirit unbreakable," Natsu says intensely, "You don't get to decide you're not strong enough."

"If I'm so strong, how do you explain me running after Lisanna's death?" I retort, more forceful than I intended.

Natsu lays back with an air of nonchalance, "Everyone deals with mourning differently Mira sealed her magic in grief."

I turn my gaze from him and look at Az. Az instantly reads my thoughts, 'No, you can't tell him that Lilli.'

I frown at Az while Natsu suddenly perks up excitedly. Az barks out a laugh, having read Natsu's thoughts. The sound makes me smile because I haven't heard it since we left, but the fact that it's Natsu's thoughts terrifies me.

"Tomorrow is your birthday!" Natsu blurts out, "What if we go to Hargeon? They have a new bookstore and I heard a rumor about a Salamander there. I think it might be Igneel!"

"Let's go to the guild first. I know everyone is waiting to say hi again." I say. "We can go tomorrow. I know Erza is leaving on another job soon and I didn't see her last night."

My face turns bright red at the fact that he remembers my birthday. Though I raise an eyebrow about Igneel, "Do you really think a dragon would just appear in the middle of a heavily populated town, after being considered a rare sight for the past hundreds of years?"

"Aye!" says Happy, popping his tiny blue head up.

"You never know Lilli," Natsu says, "Just believe."

I laugh at him, the phrase one he has said to me many times before we go out on impossible adventures. His imagination and belief that things will work themselves put always rivals my logic and level-head, "Alright, we'll go tomorrow. For now, let's go to the guild. I never got to say hi to Erza."

Natsu nods in agreement, "Happy and I haven't had breakfast yet."

I laugh, as their stomachs groan in unison. I slip on my heeled combat boots and head out the door with them, cape in hand.

"What's up with the cape?" Happy asks.

"Comfort. You know I'm always cold." I reply, "Race you to the guild?"

Natsu's face lights up as Happy's wings spread, "I'm all fired up! Happy!"

"Aye, sir!"

The two of them take off like a bullet from a gun, dodging people in their wake. Az transforms, his shoulder at the top of my head, and I hop on his back, "Let's go!"

Azriel takes off at a full sprint causing us to quickly catch and pass the two guys. Az is nimble enough to stay in stride and not crush anyone under paw. I wave as we pass Natsu and he anger screws up his face. The two push for more speed resulting in us being neck in neck. That is until Happy slows down as to not hit the guild doors. Az and I just barrel through the doors and land in a heap of fur, limbs, and laughter. Az shrinks back to his normal size to stop crushing me. Natsu and Happy come to see me sprawled on the ground laughing. Natsu starts laughing and the rest of the guild joins in; having missed the sound of Natsu's laughter. Gray walks up, without a shirt, and bumps into Natsu.

"Oi, Ice Princess, watch where you're going,"

"What did you say Flame Brains?"

I quickly collect myself and get out of the way just in time to not get dragged into the fight. Az makes his way to one of the tables, specifically the on our group used to hang out at, but now sits empty. I head to the bar to watch the fight, "Those two never change."

Mira smiles as hands me a peach iced tea, "No they don't. No matter how upset Natsu was, sparring with Gray always put him in a better mood."

I smile at the thought; happy Gray was there for Natsu when I wasn't. I take a sip of my tea and look to my right, noticing a red-haired beauty in full armor eating a slice of strawberry cake. I throw my arms around her, "Erza, I'm home!"

The red-head smiles and returns my hug, "I heard from Master. I am very happy that you have returned home," then she holds me at arms-length, "Don't you dare ever leave with no explanation again."

I nod wide-eyed and terrified. Her face softens just as she gets hit with a barstool. Erza's eyes darken as she joins the fray. I watch and laugh seeing as most of the guild has joined in the brawl.

Az speaks up, 'You look happy Lilli. Even though we couldn't find her or shake them.'

'This is home Az, not something I may have just made up.'

After a few more minutes the brawl breaks apart and everyone goes back to drinking and chatting. Erza and Gray head off on two different jobs. Macao heads out on a job as well. The day slowly passes as though I had never left. I feel at ease and safe surrounded by my family.