Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail or Blue Exorcist

Smoke choked his lungs, clouding the air. Rin vaguely knew it was a memory, but that didn't change the emotions surging through him. Oddly, he was aware of how short he was. Maybe it was because of the stark difference from his current height, but that knowledge was quickly being overshadowed by Zeref's thoughts. Those thoughts took over his mind, more strongly than any memory before it. Despite having seen some of the horrors of Zeref's past, none of them compared to this.

His feet pounded on the ground, coughing again as he ran. "Mom! Dad!" His voice called out, and the boy spun around in the town. Zeref saw flashes of magic, with wizards fighting against the dragons in the sky. Yet, the dragons were too strong. They always were, in this war. That was why he had always been certain humans would die, in the end. He'd done research on the subject for that very reason, trying to understand what it would mean…and why they were the ones chosen to suffer that fate.

Seeing another wizard fall, Zeref quickly turned away and started running. His heart was pounding, and he was gradually growing used to the sounds of battle between dragons and wizards. A house's weight finally caved in by his side, collapsing. Zeref barely managed to jump back before a broken chunk of the wall fell down into the street, where he'd just been standing. Taking a different path, he continued trying to find his way home. "Mom! Dad! I'm here!" He scanned the streets, seeing the evacuation already beginning. People were following the plan that had been established long ago, in the event of an attack. With the war going on, it had actually been common to have a place in mind to evacuate to, though it was a hopeless plan given the fact that they were running from dragons. Wizards couldn't hope to delay them long enough for hardly anyone to escape alive.

Finally arriving at his home, Zeref walked inside and let out another choking breath. The smoke was burning, but he could manage for them. If his parents were already gone, someone had to get Natsu after all. So, he walked inside, careful to avoid the flames. His brother would be here, safe and sound. Yet, that was when he froze. In the hall, with a bundle of blankets stretched out above his head, Zeref saw his father. He wasn't moving at all, and one of the walls seemed to have fallen onto his back, crushing him. The gaping hole let a breeze fill the house, only fueling the fire and making it rage even hotter and brighter. "Dad…?" Zeref walked closer, kneeling down. Yet, the man did not move. His gaze flickered towards the blankets instead, quickly grabbing them and feeling the weight of his brother settle into his arms. Natsu was too heavy for him to carry lately, now that he was four, but he'd struggle through it. They'd survive. Natsu was too young to die, after all.

Carrying Natsu, Zeref ran. He was one of the last people in the crowd evacuating, and everything became somewhat of a daze. Yet, as he got into a wagon and was being drawn away, he smiled and stared at his brother. "At least you made it…Natsu." He smiled, touching Natsu's cheek and rolling him over. However, that was when Zeref's smile faded, his body growing still. Natsu wasn't breathing at all. His chest wasn't rising, and he could feel no air brushing against his finger underneath his brother's nose. No, as Zeref stared down at the brother he'd fought so hard to rescue, he came to a startling realization. He had been dead the entire time…and it really was possible for someone that young to die. Someone asked him if he was alright, but he'd just pulled Natsu close to him again, staying silent. It wasn't right, after all. Natsu shouldn't have died. So…he'd make the world right again instead. He'd make it right by bringing Natsu back, no matter what it took. That was what he promised him. Once he had that brother back, he would not let anything harm him again, and preserve the world that Zeref knew was the one that should exist.

As rapidly as the image had seized him, Rin now found himself being thrown back out. He blinked, sitting on the ground in the guild hall and gazing around. "Rin, are you okay?" Erza was speaking to him, crouched by his side. "You collapsed suddenly. I was concerned you were injured, or perhaps ill."

"Natsu…we need to save Natsu." Rin's voice was breathless, and he could hardly understand a thing running through his head. All he could see was that still form of a child, and his emotions were still intertwined with that of the memory. He needed to protect Natsu, no matter the cost. "Mira!" Rin rose to his feet, running to the bartender who had finally broken free of Makarov and returned to her job. "Come with me. We're going to save Natsu."

"Gray's already doing that—" Mira broke off, stumbling as Rin dragged her forward ignoring her comment. "Rin! Ouch, Rin stop it for a second." Blinking, he realized he was holding her arm too tightly. "What has come over you? I get that you're worried, but Natsu really will be fine. There's hardly anyone willing to sail to Galuna Island these days anyway, so he's probably still in Hargeon."

"Mira is correct, Rin. While your concern for your comrade is understandable, he will be returned safe and sound."

"But he was—" Rin broke off, blinking for a moment. What was he doing? Slowly, he released Mira's hand, taking a deep breath. "Wait…he's fine. Natsu's…fine." He took another deep breath, rubbing his head.

"Is…is this about what you were telling me before?" Rin slowly nodded in response to Mira's question. "Alright, Rin." She smiled at him, taking his hand. "If you really are that concerned then…we'll go. Let's see exactly what this person wants with you in the first place, and figure out if the answer is with Natsu then."

Swallowing, Rin smiled faintly and nodded. Erza shook her head, however, sighing. "Please, do not wait for me. I will need to pack for the trip first, and I'd rather have your concerns taken care of sooner rather than later, Rin. You will see me momentarily, after I've arrived to bring those idiots back for worrying the master like this."

Smiling, he nodded at the requip wizard. "Sounds like a plan." He glanced towards Mira, smiling sheepishly. "And sorry for dragging you along. I know you probably had better things to be doing…"

"Don't worry about it. It's not like we're taking a real job anyway. It'll be…a nice change of pace, I think. I haven't done work outside of this guild hall in years now." Rin smiled at her, taking her hand again but more gently this time. "We're going to figure this out, Rin. Trust me, I'm not going to just walk away from you again."

He felt her squeeze his hand, and his chest felt warm. "Again?" Rin snorted, before chuckling slightly. "I can hardly consider that abandoning me, Mira. It's not like we really got along well before that anyway."

"But…you did still try to help. All I did was yell at you and blame you for something you had no control over at all." She met his gaze, smiling softly. "I know it wasn't your fault, Rin. It wasn't anyone's fault, and Lisanna wouldn't want anyone to be blamed for something like that anyway."

He nodded, uncertain of how this conversation steered in this direction anyway. Regardless, they were moving forward for a change. He was going to bring Natsu back, and hopefully that would be the end of Zeref's influence on him for a little while. He just hoped his magic would stay in control for the trip there. Otherwise, he might have a few other issues in trying to get away fast enough while on a small boat traveling to an island everyone was afraid of.

Mira wasn't joking about the difficulty of finding a ride to Galuna Island. Since Natsu, Lucy, and Gray hadn't been in town, they were under the impression that someone had actually agreed to take them over to the island. That meant they were stuck trying to find someone willing to overlook the island's curse and bring them there. Yet, every sailor they spoke with just ran away at the very mention of the name of the island. They didn't even wait for a price to be listed, and instead chose to walk off in another direction as quickly as possible.

After spending an entire day searching, Rin was exhausted and giving up on the process. "Come on, Rin. Let's call it a night and try again tomorrow, okay?" He nodded, following Mira down the street towards the outside of town. "I can't believe Natsu actually found someone willing to take him there."

"Maybe he decided to swim. It wouldn't surprise me if he tried."

Mira laughed at that, shaking her head. "Maybe. But, I can't imagine Lucy letting something like that happen." True, the celestial wizard was quite a bit of a contrast to Natsu. Rin wondered if Natsu spent time with her because of her cheerful attitude, though. While it wasn't quite the same, there was something about Lucy's open kindness to others that reminded him of Lisanna. Even if Natsu didn't realize it, the dragon slayer probably drifted towards her because of that memory at first, even if he was starting to become friends with Lucy for who she was now.

Looking towards Mira, Rin shoved his hands into his pockets. "I guess. That still doesn't solve what we're going to do. I didn't plan on staying the night here."

"I didn't either." Mira smiled, walking outside of the port town. "That's why I figured…we'd be camping! I haven't been camping in ages, and without jewel for a hotel room, I figured it'd be our best option."

The last time Rin had been in a forest at night, Grim had attacked. Staring at Mira, he swallowed, looking away. "We can…but…the guy targeting me…"

"Don't worry about it, Rin. I know to keep my eyes out. It isn't like the danger you're in has been kept a secret from the guild or anything."

"But he has kept quiet about who is targeting me."

Mira shrugged, walking into the forest without concern. "True, but Master has good reasons for the things he does. That much I've realized…and I know I can trust him to talk when the time is right."

"Do you want to know?" Rin spoke quietly, uncertain. If Mira was sticking around him for the night, she probably should have an idea of what to look out for. Yet, he knew she also trusted Makarov to know what was for the best.

She stopped, not wandering too far into the unfamiliar forest around them. Sitting down on the ground, she smiled faintly. "If you think I need to know, I'll listen, but otherwise, I think I'll just wait until Master thinks we should hear about it." Getting back up, she began walking around. "We should gather some firewood, either way. Come on, Rin."

Rin frowned, staring around them as he joined her. They gathered wood in silence, while he considered if it really was necessary for her to know. Yet, that was when he felt a familiar chill within him. "I'll…catch up with you in a second." Mira glanced at him, frowning for a moment. Rin took in a deep breath, stepping back and touching his head. However, Mira lingered, watching him with a frown.

"This…this is the magic, isn't it?" He took another step away from her, closing his eyes. She needed to get away. While she was keeping her distance, Rin didn't know how close was too close.

She should be far enough away. His eyes flashed, not having heard that voice in so long. Odd. There used to be something assisting in letting me rest longer. Have you altered something about your lifestyle, Rin?

Unable to answer, Rin just gasped and hunched over. The magic burst outward, expanding around the forest as Mira stared with wide eyes. She didn't speak, only watching as the magic eventually began to dissipate again. "Rin…I don't know what made you think that was takeover magic, but what I just felt…it was—"

"Death magic." Rin closed his eyes, his voice quiet. A curse, but I suppose that is accurate enough as to what the curse does. It isn't something a person like you could use by choice, after all. He didn't need the commentary though. "And…I can hear him again. Z—" Don't say it! My name is well known, Rin Okumura. Your lack of knowledge stems from your very origin, and as such, it is not surprising that you are not aware of me.

"Why does he keep calling me that too?" He mumbled under his breath, glaring at the ground. He was Rin Huldra, right? That was the name in Yukio's journal, and it was the name he embraced. Yet, Mira only gazed around quietly, slowly walking towards him with a pause.

"It's okay, Rin." She took in a deep breath, steadying herself. "It…I know you don't want to do this. I can't imagine anyone that would. This magic isn't yours…so there has to be a way to get rid of it."

We had a deal. Are you backing out of our arrangement, Rin? Because I assure you, you do not wish to make me your enemy.

"I'm not! I don't care if you live in my head or not! I just want to—" He broke off, seeing Mira blinking at him with wide eyes. "Erm…I was just…" Rin tapped his head, laughing nervously. "Yeah, talking to him. He's…not happy about me getting rid of magic. Thinks I'm trying to get rid of him, actually."

There is no one or the other, Rin. The spell binding us binds my magic and mind as one, and even if I wished to, I am not certain if I could determine a way to unravel it with ease. Complex magic requires complex solutions, and one with no training such as yourself would be incapable of utilizing the finalized result even if I wished to teach it to you.

"Hey! Are you saying I'm stupid?"

No, I'm saying you lack knowledge of the fundamental basics of magic. Inadequate knowledge of a subject hardly relates to lack of knowledge of everything. Rin still didn't know if he'd been insulted or not, but he glared into the darkness anyway.

"Um…Rin?" Mira stared at him, making the boy blink at her in surprise. "I think we should just focus on gathering wood for now, alright? We can talk about this person later." Blinking, he realized he'd ignored her again in favor of talking to Zeref. The darkness hid his blush as he followed after her, gathering wood once more. When they returned to the clearing they'd found near the road, Rin quickly used his flames to ignite the fire and give them some kind of light. "So…is he still angry at you?"

"I don't think so." He frowned, staring at the flames. "But…he says I can't get rid of the magic and not him. And…I sorta promised I'd let him stick around in my head if he helped out and saved me in that fight against Grim last time."

"Grim?" Mira shook her head. "I guess you really can't stop yourself from talking about things you aren't supposed to, can you?"

Realizing his slip, Rin hugged his legs to his chest and buried his face in them. "Shut up!" He glared into them, scowling in irritation. "I can keep secrets, if I want! Just you watch me."

Laughing, Mira shook her head at him. "And what secrets are you even keeping? You're an open book, Rin. I can't believe I didn't see how easy you were to read before."

"Whatever." He couldn't exactly point out that he was hiding things, but he guessed it wasn't the real issue. "Either way, I don't know what to do anymore. I don't want this magic, but I'm not going to break my promise either…he's gone through too much for me to want to put him through more suffering."

"You sound like you care for him, this voice in your head."

"He saved my life, so I owe him. Plus…he's…" Rin hesitated, glancing at Mira. "If his memories are correct, he's Natsu's brother. I dunno all the details, but that much I'm certain of."

"Natsu doesn't have any family."

"I know. All he's talked about is Igneel…but it makes you wonder, where was he before that dragon raised him?"

Mira was quiet, staring into the fire. "Maybe it is possible…but that's just sad to think about. It would mean that Natsu doesn't remember his family…"

"Just like me." Rin stared into the flames, sighing. "I don't know if I'll ever remember them either, Mira. Those memories…I feel like I'd be aware if they were just forgotten, you know? But…it's like there's a blank nothingness where they should be. I can't find them at all—"

Because your mind needed to make space for my presence. Instead of removing necessary functions for survival, it selected other mental connections to break. Snorting, Rin glared into the fire instead. "Well, at least that's one answer. Apparently, my memories are gone because this person is in my head."

"Well, then maybe they'll come back if he's gone."

She spoke softly, but Rin scowled instead. He understood why she wanted to do this. In her eyes, Zeref was trying to possess him, to manipulate Rin into giving him what he wanted. Yet, Rin wanted to help. He had been so useless to everyone else thus far, and he needed to at least be helpful to one person for a change. Even if it was just some guy in his head, Rin would be happy if he made one person's life better. "I'm not going to remember them, Mira."

She nodded, moving over to his side of the fire and sitting by his side instead. "Alright then. We'll focus on that later instead." She looked over towards him, frowning. "Did you think of any ideas for getting to Galuna Island instead? I don't think we'll have better luck tomorrow finding someone to sail us there."

Sailing? Perhaps I can be of assistance once more, if you'd like.

"And what exactly do you get out of this? Last time, you wanted a promise that I'd let you stick around."

I want her to promise the same thing. Having others aware of my existence within you is rather tedious if they continuously seek to end the most peaceful form of existence I've found thus far.

Looking over at her, Rin sighed. "The guy in my head says he knows how to get us there, if you promise to leave him be and let him exist in my head too."

She stared at him, hesitating. "He'll…help?" Rin nodded, and she frowned. Her blue eyes focused on the fire, lost in thought as she seemed to take slow breaths. "Rin, I know you trust him, and that you want to keep your promise, but I have no way of getting the same guarantee. Unlike you, I can't speak to this person, and I haven't seen their memories. From where I stand, he's trying to manipulate both of us…and I just don't think I can agree to that so easily."

Then it seems as if I will have to live again for a moment. Rin frowned at that, before he felt himself growing weary and tired again. Much like before, he felt like he was watching from his mind as his body moved, his head straightening and meeting Mira's gaze calmly. "If therein lies your issue, please make use of this time instead. Ask me whatever you wish, and I shall answer to the best of my ability, Mirajane."

She met his gaze, frowning at the shift in the way he was speaking. "You're…not Rin." He nodded, smiling faintly at her, however it was nothing like Rin's wide grins. The smile was almost sad, hardly wide enough to be considered a smile in the first place. "So you are possessing him."

"Not quite." Zeref tilted his head, seeming to pause for a moment. "Our consciousnesses have merged as one. That is perhaps the simplest explanation I can devise for our current situation. Amongst other things, it merges our thoughts, allows for me to speak through him when my magic is at its strongest moments, and grants Rin access to certain…abilities of my own, some better and others worse."

"Like the death magic from before."

Nodding, the man observed her calmly. "Yes, that is likely the main example Rin is aware of. Unfortunately, even I do not have control over such a power, and as such, I have no advice to offer in dealing with such a thing. Unless you'd wish to seek out a path to force Rin to forget…no, actually, I do not think I will speak of it. The outcome with him would likely be far more devastating than with myself, and that is more frightening to consider than you realize."

"Are you saying a path exists that would give Rin a way to stop using that magic?"

"A path exists that would allow him to stop using it against his will. Whether or not the actual use of the magic would cease, however, is up for debate. To put it simply, Rin would no longer be the person you know, if he were to gain such control. He'd be far more willing to use that magic without feeling any guilt over doing so, if he had such control."

That…made no sense. Rin frowned, wondering what exactly it took to control that magic. "Okay. Now, how exactly do you expect me to believe you can even do as you say? You speak as if you are a wizard, not a sailor."

"I am a wizard, among other things." Zeref glanced up at the sky, smiling faintly. "Certain circumstances have provided me with much more free time than most come to have. Out of boredom, I study a variety of subjects…and out of necessity due to a job I hold, I've come to learn the concepts behind navigation and sailing overseas. Perhaps I could have left it in the hands of others to deal with, but I always prefer doing things myself…especially if it would place me near others in the process of traveling, or learning."

"You don't like being around others?"

This time, Zeref's smile was slightly wider, though it had a dark expression in Rin's eyes to match it. "Oh, my preferences matter little. Perhaps my isolation is self-imposed, but in reality, it is others who should fear being near me."

"Because of the death magic, again." Zeref nodded, and Mira seemed to frown. "If it unleashes on a boat, what exactly do you intend to do? There isn't a way to keep much distance between us in the process."

Zeref waved her off, shaking his head. "I'll handle it. Rin wouldn't understand the process of sailing so rapidly, so it would be the two of us sailing instead, Mirajane. As a result, my greater experience with…understanding how it functions, would guarantee it would not activate during the trip."

"And you wouldn't use it willingly either?"

"Unless you go back on your word, no."

She watched him, seeming uncertain. "How does Rin feel about this?"

"Rin has a bad habit of looking at things he should leave alone." There was a flash in his eyes at that, but Zeref sighed and shook his head. "Yet, there is little either of us can do to stop such things. Melding minds is a complex matter, and if he happens to hear what goes on in my own…I simply pray he can remain sane throughout the process."

"You seem sane enough. Why would it affect Rin so poorly?"

"That is my own business, which I'm not so keen on sharing."

"Then I can't agree to let you keep living like this." Mira met his gaze, calmly staring him down. Zeref glared at her, but she crossed her arms over her chest and didn't react. "Rin is my friend, a member of my guild that I care deeply about. If sharing his mind with you is causing him harm, I need to find a way to protect him at all costs. You can try and stop me, and I know you probably will, but unless you can confidently assure me that Rin is safe like this, I can't agree to let things remain as they are."

"I see." Zeref paused for a moment, seeming to debate. Then, he smiled darkly again. "Then I suppose I should say he will remain sane, yet his personality will become tainted by my own history and experiences. He's spoken with you about such matters already, and I can assure you, he's barely seen the slightest hint of my past. Memories of Natsu are likely the only pleasant thing he can witness within my mind. Already, he's seen the tragic end of my family, the start of my current path. Already, he's seen the way I've attempted to cope with this cursed existence, realized that I am not a normal wizard by any means. Perhaps he's even witnessed my own lapses of control, seeing the corpses of the countless lives I've been forced to end because of this magic. He sees any memory that comes to my mind…and so, if you wish to protect his sanity, I suggest agreeing to my terms. Because…I have much darker memories he has not even caught a glimpse of…memories that will leave him desiring the same end I've fought to find my entire life."

"Rin wouldn't do that—"

"Oh? If I convince him of the monster this curse will make him, you think he will not seek out a path to protect his friends? People take drastic measures when emotions are involved…when they are attached to others. This would be no different."

She glared at him, scowling in irritation. "You're using this against me. What kind of a person would—"

"Someone desperate, Mirajane. I am someone who knows what will get me what I want…someone who has lost the ability to care when it harms others to do so." She didn't respond this time, so Zeref held out a hand. "Do you agree to my terms? Or will you refuse and have me let Rin suffer through knowing exactly what sort of life I've had?"

"Fine. But I'm still not trusting you at all." She shook his hand, glaring at him in return. "What should I even call you? Rin never gave me your name."

He frowned at her for a moment, before chuckling. "You are a member of Fairy Tail, correct?" She nodded, and he looked away. "Then, given your hatred, I suppose the most fitting name of mine for you to know…would be Spriggan. Do you know what that name means?"

"It's…an ugly fairy." She stared at him, and Zeref smiled and backed away.

"Indeed. And with that, I suppose our agreement is made. I will be resting once more, then. You'll know when I've returned. Your task will simply be to obtain a boat, and I shall sail you to your destination." With that, Zeref left, and Rin sagged forward. He took a deep breath, looking up and meeting Mira's sharp gaze.

"You said he wasn't that bad."

Thinking about the way he spoke to Mira, he swallowed. "He…never talked to me like that." Really, he'd never noticed anything off about the guy. Yet, he should have expected it. "Don't worry about it, Mira. I'm fine, really. Just…get some rest, okay? We're going to have a big trip tomorrow."

"Fine. But Rin?" He looked over at her, seeing her biting her lip. "Be careful with him. He…maybe he is suffering, but sometimes, there are people that can't move past that suffering and see the pain they cause others as well. I think Spriggan might be one of those people, Rin, and if you let yourself get too close…you're going to get hurt."

He nodded, smiling at her and reaching over, ruffling her hair. She blinked in surprise, but Rin only laughed. She was getting all worked up, because Zeref was threatening him. Oddly, she was the last person he expected to be so protective of him, but it meant more than she realized. "I'll keep it in mind, Mira. Now, let's get some sleep! I'm exhausted after all this talking, and who knows if Grim is lurking around waiting to attack?" Rin leaned back on the ground, getting comfortable and ready to sleep. Mira smiled at him, joining him on the ground and closing her eyes. They fell asleep under the night sky, with Rin thinking about Zeref's words and wondering exactly what kind of a person he really was after all.

So, this was originally two chapters...but it was a bit short when I went to post it, so I combined them into one. I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to review and tell me what you think!