"Lilli, Az. You're back!" Master exclaims, "Where have you been?"

"Training." I reply, "Az has better control and I have a better understanding of my magic and how to control it."

"I'm just so glad that you are safe," Gramps says as he hugs me tightly, "We must celebrate your return!"

Gramps open the door and heads down to the guild hall while Az and I follow. Gramps stands on the bar top and yells, "Tonight we celebrate the return of Lilliana and Azriel! Drinks for everyone!"

The guild Hall erupts into cheers of welcome while pints of booze are passed around the guild. I start off with a small chat with Elfman, then get passed off to Macao and Wakaba. Cana tries to get me to challenge her to a drinking contest. Levy and I chat about the books I had been reading throughout my journey. Finally, I end up talking with Mira at the bar. Somewhere between Cana and Levy, I lost Az to the Thunder Legion. I let out a sigh and grasp the necklace around my neck, a simple locket from my deceased mother that hangs just between my breasts. The necklace isn't mine, it's for my half-sister I tried locating on my trip. Mira walks over with a teasing smile on her lips, "Worried?"

I look at her quizzingly, "About what?"

Her teasing smile grows into a grin, "Oh I don't know, maybe a certain cherry blossom pink haired Dragon Slayer?"

My face turns bright red, hating the way Mira can read me. Being close with Lisanna meant being around Mira and she loved a good romance story, especially when it's one-sided. Az shows up next to me sensing my distress and nudging me to ask. Natsu is the one I was most worried about. I know how hot-headed he can be and I know how much he hates giving up or losing. I sigh and let myself ask one question, "How was he while I was gone?"

Mira's teasing smile fades as she answers, "The first three months he refused to stop looking for you. Any trail he could find he followed. When he couldn't find you, he began cleaning your house once every week and pays your landlord on time every month. He lost both of his best friends those two weeks. Happy can manage to pull him out of it for a few weeks at a time, but then he finds something that reminds him of you and he has this fire to find you again. He will drop everything and pick up his search for you right where he left off. Under the scarf Igneel gave him is your necklace. He's been completely devastated."

My face falls as I take in all this information and a few stray tears make their way down my face, "I didn't mean for that to happen. I just needed to find out more about my magic and better train Az."

"So, you decided to leave two weeks after he lost the love of his life?" Gray asks as he sits down next to me, causing me to jump.

"Gray!" Mira exclaims while Az growls beside me.

"It was also because the guild called us twins. I didn't want to be a reminder or someone to be latched onto because of her," I reply quietly. Mira and Gray both go wide-eyed as they stare at me. I lower my eyes to the bar countertop, "Gray. Your clothes."

Gray looks down and yells, "Goddamnit!" While getting up to search for his missing clothes.

A smile forms on my lips, some things never change. I thank Mira for talking with me before she can say anything else about Lisanna. I head to the guild doors utterly exhausted from my travels and the celebration. Mira gives me a small nod and as I reach the doors yells at me, "Oh, and Natsu should be back from his job tomorrow!"

My face flares up as I pull the hood of my cape over my head to leave. The warm July air is soft against my arms. Az nuzzles my side in comfort after the long day. I smile as I rub his head, grateful for my companion. Above us the moon is full and the beautiful trees of magnolia sway in a gentle breeze. Az and I walk through the streets of the peaceful, sleeping town. Most of the lights in the houses and little shops are out and there are few people walking home. I watch as a couple walks by, they are absolutely lost in each other and their conversation. I smile softly at them before seeing a shadow out of the corner of my eye. Az bristles beside me and fear grabs ahold of me. I hold onto Az's fur as we quickly walk to our house. In the two years, we were gone, we made it a point to never be out after dark. We were too afraid of them finding us.

I reach the front door to our home, a place we hadn't stepped foot in for two years. I turn the key in the lock and push the door open. Az and I enter quickly and tightly shut and lock the door behind us. I turn and look to see my welcoming mint-colored walls. There is not a speck of dirt anywhere. I look at the pictures painted by Reedus that line my walls. Natsu, Lisanna, Happy, Az, and I smiling by the river. Me yelling at Natsu under the rainbow cherry blossoms with Lisanna, Gray, Erza, Mira, and Elfman in the background. A tiny Happy asleep on Az's head. I smile as I turn from the pictures to see the slightly scorched rug placed in front of my rock fireplace. My dining table sparkling from a fresh clean. The air smells of mint and citrus from cleaning products. The bookshelves that line the wall behind my couch are dusted as well as all my books. I turn to the left and investigate my kitchen to find all the tiles are clean. The fridge is full of fresh food and the cabinets are fully stocked. Az heads to our room to the right of the kitchen, down a small hallway. I exit the kitchen and poke my head into the bathroom down the hall on the right. The blue tiles on the floor and backsplash sparkle and a fresh set of towels are hanging up.

I head to our room to find fresh sheets on my bed and that the floor has been vacuumed. I smile at the amount of work Natsu has put in these last two years. I take my cloak off and hang it in the wardrobe across from the bed. I pick up a framed picture off my nightstand. It's a day I remember clearly.

Natsu and I had been playing with Lisanna and Az down by the river the summer before we lost Lisanna. We were all soaked to the bone in our clothes because Natsu picked me up and threw me into the river, Gray and Erza ended up joining us. Elfman and Mirajane sat on the rocks nearby watching us all and laughing. The moment captured shows Az shaking water from his fur, Lisanna and I are trying to keep the off spray off our faces with our hands, Mira and Elfman are sitting on the rocks being splashed by Erza, and Gray and Natsu are splashing water at each other. A smile spreads across my face as I set the photo down and collapse into bed.

I wake up around eight to the sound of Az snoring. I giggle at the sound, Az hasn't slept sound enough to snore since we spent the night in Hargeon months ago; he finally feels at ease again. I roll out of bed and head into the bathroom for a nice, warm shower. I take my clothes off from yesterday and brush my hair while waiting for the water to warm up. Stepping up under the warm water, I let all the nights of sleeping in the forests and cheap motels roll off my body with the water droplets.

After my shower, I wrap myself in a towel and pin my wet hair on top of my head. I go into my room and dress in a clean gray t-shirt and blue jeans. Suddenly the front door opens, it sounds like someone with a key entering angerly. I jump over my bed while Az jumps up and down the hallway. I hear a yelp of surprise from someone and then:

"IRON FIST OF THE..."

I hurtle over my bed and throw myself in front of Az yelling, "NATSU STOP!"

The flaming fist comes within inches of hitting my face and I flinch back. My white hair has fallen out of its bun and falls in my face. My chest is heaving from the sprint I did to stop him. The pink haired boy drops his arm to his side and stares. He gives me a few sniffs to determine I am who he thinks I am, he pulls me into a tight hug and whispers in my ear, "Lilli, you're back."