You can close your eyes to reality but not to memories.

Stanislaw Jerzy Lec


The following day saw Azalea rising early as the sun rays filtered through the blinds of the unfamiliar room. Glancing over to the large bed she noticed the dark haired girl - or Ebony still in deep slumber, her limbs were spread in a starfish like fashion.

She watched with a small smile as Ebony released a yawn, giving her the appearance of a content housecat.

It was then that she realised how lucky she was to call her a friend. It was funny how Ebony had 'kidnapped' her and then ended up comforting her.

It was then that Ebony woke up, Hazel orbs widening in confusion at the sight of her.

"Sleep alright?" Ebony asked with an added yawn.

Azalea nodded; to be honest she slept fine.

Ebony nodded before rising out of the bed and allowing Azalea to see the multiple burn marks that adorned her skin.

Her eyes widened at the sight for she had unintentionally hurt someone she cared for.

"D-did I do that?" She asked, a large lump forming in her throat.

Ebony glanced down at her arms before shrugging; the pink skin had looked as if it started to heal, though it still looked painful.

"Don't know can't be sure" she answered with an added shrug.

Azalea gnawed at her bottom lip before glancing back up at the dark haired girl. It seemed that Ebony had cleared the space between them once more and had her hands on Azaleas shoulders.

"Hey, it's not your fault" Ebony stated with a smile. Her hazel orbs had brightened as she grinned in an almost animalistic way.

Azalea sniffed slightly before nodding, her eyes watering at the kindness her friend showed her.

"Thanks...Ebi-Chan" she said with a small grin. She frowned slightly as the nickname left her lips; why did I call her that? Why does it feel so natural? She thought to herself.

Ebony nodded, seeming proud of her work before glancing at slightly charred attire.

"Now let's get you changed, since you can't show up to the guild like that" Ebony stated with a frown and before Azalea could protest, Ebony had dragged her to a closet and had started on finding her clothes.


Igneel had arrived at the guild not long after the Fullbuster siblings, both Cadence and Jaden were sat at the usual table conversing as usual. Their mother, Juvia was sitting along with GaLe and Ebony's parents; Levy and Gajeel the two families were quite close.

His own parents were out on a job with Holly's mum, Erza and Gray which meant that they weren't due back at the guild for a few hours.

He ran a hand through his spiky hair, before making his way towards the siblings. Both simultaneously turned towards him once he arrived at the table, Cadence giving him a small smile.

"Igneel, did you get affected by the power cut last night?" She asked.

Igneel nodded before taking a seat next to the ice make mage, she scooted over slightly to allow him more room before turning to him once again.

"Yeah, the lights in my house went out" Igneel answered, vaguely recalling how the power suddenly cut in his house, to be honest a power cut of that nature hadn't happened since he and Layla were children, which lead to his father lighting up most of the house with his magic.

Jaden placed his feet on the table; his older sister frowned at the sight before gently patting his boot clad feet in a disapproving manner.

"To be honest, it was probably just a power overload" he added before folding his arms behind his head, something that Igneel had seen the siblings' father do on occasion.

It was then that the guild doors burst open, no doubt revealing the oldest of the Redfox children accompanied by the salmon haired Azalea. Everyone knew how Ebony Redfox always forced the guild door open in such a manner that they threatened to destroy the walls that they slammed into.

the sounds of her black combat boots against the floor loudly echoed as she walked, an animalistic like grin spread across her face once she noticed her friends and her mother gave her one of her famous 'Levy smiles'

"You should be careful with those doors, Ebony" Levy said with a sigh, one of Gajeels arms was draped around her shoulders in an almost possessive manner.

Ebony shrugged at her mother before taking a seat on Jaden's bench, though she was still careful to sit as far away as possible from him which didn't surprise Igneel at all.

Azalea took the next available seat which was next to Igneel, the blonde mage turned to the salmon haired girl, who in turn offered him a small grin that showed off all her teeth and pointed canines.

he noted how the clothes she wore had just screamed 'Ebony' the raven haired girl was after all notorious for being a tomboy, so therefore dressed mostly in cargo pants and baggy shirts which was what both girls were wearing at the moment.

He also couldn't help but notice that the entirety of Ebony's arms was covered in bandages. From their last job Wendy had healed her previous burns, which meant that whatever injuries she had were recent.

"Ebony what happened to your arms?" He asked the dark haired girl, he was a were of Azalea shrinking slightly in her place and almost share a look with the dragon slayer.

Ebony shrugged before fiddling slightly with her bandages.

"Sparred with Azalea and didn't use enough magic for my scales" she shrugged.

He turned to Azalea for confirmation who quickly nodded, almost too quickly.

Cadence frowned before turning between the two girls.

"But in the dark...The power cut and it got all got last night for no reason" She muttered rather quickly before Ebony released a low growl and effectively silenced the ice mage.

Cadence shrunk back slightly in her seat, there was no use in trying to argue with Ebony Redfox, for when she didn't want you to know something, you would never find out unless she wanted you to.

Not bothering to question the situation, Igneel stood up and started on getting ready to leave and thus causing the rest of his friends to glance up at him in confusion.

"Leaving already?" Jaden asked with a bored expression on his face.

Igneel nodded before heading to leave, half noticing Azalea's lost expression towards him.

"Leaving but we just got here…" She pointed out with an added sigh.

Cadence nodded before placing a hand on Azalea's arm, being the oldest of the recently reunited team Igneel, she had a mother instinct towards the younger members.

"He has some things to do alone" Cadence explained. He had barely registered Azalea's saddened expression before he had left, her dark orbs wide and in wonder like a lost puppy. But he needed to leave, he needed to know if the girl sitting in their guild was definitely his lost sister.


It was almost comical that whenever he was confused, lost or felt alone he was always here standing in front of Layla's grave. Just an empty grave...he thought to himself as he stared at the words engraved across the tombstone.

Part of him wished for it not to be empty as it would give him some form clarity, at least then he would be sure of something. He exhaled loudly before glancing back down at the grave, it could've been easy, he could easily summon a spirit to lift the earth so he could see for himself but that would just ruin the memories he had of her.

Needing someone to talk to he reached into his pocket to pull out his set of celestial keys; he could try North, but he didn't want to disturb her date with Orion. So the next on his list was to open the gate of the bear.

"Open gate of the little bear: Ursa Minor!" Igneel shouted, the tell all bright light was released from the key, revealing Osa otherwise known by her alias, the little bear. Her short hair was coloured brown like a bear's fur, while two small round ears protruded from the top of her head. Her attire was mostly fur coloured the same as her short locks, a one shouldered piece top that ended just above her navel and shorts to match, giving her the appearance of a cave woman.

She tilted her head sideways as if examining Igneel as prey; however her hazel eyes softened once she realised the situation.

"North told me that you guys found her" She stated. Igneel smirked for it was just like Osa to get straight to the point, for the bear-girl wasn't one to beat around the bush.

Igneel nodded before gesturing to the tombstone in front of them, he needed to be sure.

"What if it isnt-"

She scoffed before folding her arms over her chest in a condescending action, before narrowing her eyes at him.

"You humans are always the same...why do you need the facts, why can't you just believe?" She asked.

Igneel's eyes widened at her statement before turning back to frown. He didn't summon Osa so he could be scolded on his lack of faith, he needed advice, to know if Azalea really was the sister he had lost.

"Because I need to know" He stated, his voice barely was a whisper but he was sure that with her enhanced senses, Osa heard it.

Her features softened once more, and then suddenly her focus shifted until it wasn't on him but on something else. A small smile crossed her features once she saw the other person, for her and her master were no longer alone.

"Why don't you ask her" She stated rather matter of factly.

Confused Igneel turned to see who Osa was referring to, he was half expecting to find Ebony smirking crookedly behind him, however the person who he saw standing fidgeting with their thumbs surprised him.

"Azalea?" He asked once he once again found the ability to speak.


It had confused her quite a bit once Igneel had just upped and left with no explanation, for a moment Azalea assumed it had something to do with her arrival however Cadence had persuaded her otherwise.

The four of them were still sat on the same guild table, where the others were arguing Azalea was absently twirling the straw around the remains of her strawberry milkshake. She quite likes Igneel, she just couldn't place it but his dark orbs made her feel a way that she had not felt in a long time: Safe.

Sinclair had been kind to her, but she had disappeared without a trace, taking that feeling of safety with her.

She like the way Igneel smiled when he would talk to her, but she noticed something else: Longing. That was the way he had looked at her as if she was someone else. Not Azalea but someone different, someone lost.

"He just has a lot of thinking to do, that's all" Cadence said softly as if noticing Azalea's faraway expression.

Azalea frowned; they keep saying that, 'thinking' thinking about what? How much time did a person need to think?

"Why?" She asked with a pout.

Cadence laughed at her expression before turning back to her younger brother and Ebony, the two were having some sort of arm wrestling match. Ebony, was winning.

"He's been through a lot" Cadence said with a sigh, her eyes distant as if remembering something.

"W-what has he…" She started, her voice trailed off as if unable to find the right words.

Cadence smiled once more which caused her rain coloured eyes to brighten.

"What has he been through?" She asked she paused to allow Azalea to nod before continuing; Azalea leaned in to listen intently.

"He lost his sister five years ago...to be honest we all lost a sister" Cadence said with a sigh.

Azalea nodded sadly, she knew what it felt like to lose someone. After she had lost Sinclair she felt as if time had stopped. She was alone.

"What was she like?" She asked after the short silence.

Cadence glanced up before frowning slightly, Azalea waited silently before she continued.

"Her smile could brighten up the room, she was wild yet graceful" Cadence started.

Azalea nodded with a smile, from what Cadence had explained this sister of Igneel's was someone different. Who could make an impact on someone without even realising it and to lose someone like that...it must have hurt.

"So he's alone...right now?" She asked sadly.

Cadence merely nodded.

"He does that a lot. Him and his sister were close" She said with a firm nod.

Azalea nodded before standing, Igneel shouldn't be alone not at a time like this. She turned to Cadence before smiling

"His sister, Layla, she sounds great" She said softly before she left, unaware of the look of pure shock plastered across Cadence's face.

Following Igneel's scent didn't take too long for the blonde had a distinctive smell of ash mixed with strawberries that it was easy to pinpoint. She had searched the small town before she finally reached the end of the trail; Kardia Cathedral.

The large building had a strange allure to it, and the wind seemed to be almost pulling her in. Hearing voices she walked around the back of the building, which was where she spotted what appeared to be a bear-girl and the familiar blonde mage.

The bear-girl noticed her first, she gave her a small smile which seemed to confuse Igneel. Then Igneel turned to face her, his surprise to see her clear on her face before he too smiled.


He watched intently as Azalea sheepishly smiled at the mention of her name, she tilted her head to the side before clearing the space between them to stand in front of the gravestone.

"This is Layla's?" She asked softly, her fingers gingerly tracing over the fairy tail insignia.

Igneel nodded though he couldn't recall anyone actually mentioning her name.

"Yeah it's hers" He answered before turning to face the salmon haired girl.

Her wild hair hung limply in its long ponytail, though some strands managed to free itself from the restraints which only added to her wild look.

"Cadence told me a bit about her" She started before turning back to face him, a smile crossing her lips at his confused expression.

"But what i really want to know is why you come here alone" She said before tilting her head once more.

He turned to Osa for advice, however she shrugged before disappearing assuming that she was no longer needed. He exhaled loudly before turning back to the salmon haired teen, she was still waiting for an explanation.

"I feel closer when I'm alone" He said before turning back to the grave.

She frowned before turning to where his own gaze was focused.

"To her...you feel closer to her?" She asked

He nodded before turning to her, she seemed to take his answer for now though she looked confused, and he opened his mouth to ask if she was alright but she had already started speaking.

"She liked azaleas?" She asked, though it sounded more like a statement.

He nodded, a small smile on his lips he didn't have time to wonder how she even knew that fact before she started speaking once more.

"And climbing...I think she would like climbing...I like climbing" She muttered to herself before turning to face Igneel once more.

Her dark brown orbs were studying him, almost searching for an answer. She furrowed her brows in frustration before pressing her hands to her head, her eyes shining with what appeared to be unshed tears

"Igneel I'm confused" She quietly sobbed; tears were running down freely she was no longer holding back.

Igneel stood dumbly, unaware of what to do at that moment.

"Why?" He asked before stepping closer to Azalea.

She shook her head before pressing her hands to her face once more; he hated no knowing what to do so he did what thought came naturally. He embraced her. It seemed like an eternity before she spoke once more, her voice hoarse from the sobs and her tears slowly soaking his once dry shirt.

"I like climbing, she likes climbing...I like azalea's and she does too" She paused before she spoke again. "It's like we're the same" She whispered.

"Who?" He asked once she had quietened down.

She sniffed before peeling herself away from his hold, her brows furrowed in confusion and cheeks stained red from the crying.

"Layla and I….it's like we're the same" She explained.

He froze then, unsure of what to do or even say, but it was then that he realised that they were no longer alone. Standing behind them were the last three people to be added to their little confusion of family. His parents.

Wondering where his gazed lingered, Azalea turned to face them, her eyes widened before glancing back to Igneel for an explanation yet he had none. His mother's eyes were sparkling, tears threatening to fall he knew that she hadn't cried for a while but it looked as if she was going to break that streak.

His father was stood next to her, his fateful partner, Happy by his side. One of his father's arms draped across her shoulders in an attempt to call her, though his gaze was still focused on Azalea and Igneel could tell from his expression that he was silently scenting her.

If there was one thing that Igneel knew about scents it was that they couldn't change, the only exception was if a dragon slayer found their mate, and then the scents would merge to become one, his father had taught him that. Even over time as a person grew, their scent would stay the same, even though Igneel wasn't a dragon slayer, he still had slightly enhanced sense due to the blood of his father

"You smell like her" His father stated matter of factly which only caused Happy to stare up at him in confusion.

Azalea shrugged before turning to face Igneel once more and then turning back to the older couple.

"We share a lot of things" She said softly, tears threatening to fall some more.

His father frowned before turning to Igneel.

"Is she her?" He asked

Igneel shrugged, there really was no telling. Not until Azalea knew herself but it did seem that memories were resurfacing.

"Why don't you ask her?" He stated, mimicking Osa's earlier words.

Natsu wasted no time in walking towards the young salmon haired teen, she was slightly taken back by his boldness before relaxing slightly.

"Well...are you her?" he asked the teen.

She glanced up at him then, both his mother and himself watching expectantly and waiting for her answer.

"I'm not sure but I'm prepared to find out" she answered quietly and Natsu nodded, seeming to take the answer though the five of them stood unable to comprehend what move to take next.

For things had just got confusing


So what did you think of that?

And *mike drop* Chapter done. I just really needed to get that baby out and am so glad that I did.

Finally got a bit of Igneel POV hopefully next chapter there will be a bit from a mother's perspective as she gets to know Azalea and Jaden has something to say.

What will Lucy do?

Will Azalea regain more memories?

And will the author ever stop trying to rip off Dragon Ball Z?

Find out next time on Dragon God

JustAnotherFairy :)