Morning light hits my face as I open my eyes to a room that is not mine. There are clutter and dirty dishes all over and smells strongly of rotting food and dirty laundry. I sit up and look to see Natsu's pink hair and Happy's blue sleeping form in the hammock above me. Az is curled up where my head was, breathing rhythmically and snoring softly. I stretch out my back and stand up deciding to clean Natsu's home as repayment for keeping my home clean.

I start by collecting all the trash littering the ground and ever available surface. I leave the desk that sits off in the corner alone, terrified of throwing away anything important to him of his search for Igneel. Once all the trash is piled in bags near the front door, I work on the kitchen by washing all the dishes in the sink, drying and putting away the clean dishes, and hunting down all the dishes littered around the house. I clear out the spoiled food from their fridge and scrub the floors. I create a mask of light magic while I clean the boys' bathroom. I stand in the now clean-living room, seeing the mid-morning light filter through the half-closed blinds I walk over and pull the cord to let some light in. I smile at the tree that's blocking the light from completely flooding the room and waking the boys up. I watch as a warm summer breeze stirs the leaves. A squirrel catches my eyes as it scurries across the ground and into the tree. The next thing that catches my eye has me pressing my face against the window so that I can try and get a better look.

A figure stands next to the tree, fully concealed in shadows. It has a strong build, so I assume it is male. I squint trying to make out the features. The hair seems to be dark and hangs in his eyes, shielding them. His shirt is fitted showing off rippling muscles, and he's wearing loose-fitting jeans. It's no one from the guild so I intently try to figure out who it is. The figure notices me staring and flashes me a cocky smile before disappearing from sight.

I gasp, clutching my chest as my heart skips a beat. I lean against a wall trying to slow my breathing as my mind runs a million miles an hour. 'They shouldn't be following me already! No…they can't know that I'm back again.' I slide down the wall and curl up on myself, holding my knees to my chest tightly and resting my forehead on my knees. I feel soft fur against my arm and look up to see Az; his purple eyes filled with worry.

'What is wrong?' Az's gruff voice cuts through my tangle of thoughts.

'One of them was here.' I can feel the shiver run down Azriel's spine. His fur stands up on end and the soft worry in his eyes gives way to something much darker; hatred. A hatred that those people have the power to bring me to my knees from a look. Hatred at who they are and what they did to me. Hatred at what they made both of us against our will. I grasp my mother's locket tightly; finding comfort in her final words to me: 'Find your half-sister. Tell her everything. I know she will help you.' Those were the final words I ever heard from my mother. The guards dragged her away back to her estate and legitimate husband, shortly after we heard that she had passed. With my right hand I subconsciously rub the concealed mark on my back. A mark that if anyone in Fairy Tail saw would label me a traitor with no explanation and there is only one person who can remove it. Az licks my left hand and I wipe tears that I hadn't realized I had shed. I stand and begin making breakfast for us all before we start my birthday adventure.

Natsu's face pops in as soon as the scent of food fills the room. The happiness on his face from smelling food gives way to slight irritation, "Lilli, what are you doing?"

"Um, cooking breakfast?" I say, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

Natsu huffs while crossing his arms, "You shouldn't be making breakfast on your birthday! You should be sitting and enjoying people doing things for you!"

"I couldn't sleep anymore so I decided to do something. I suppose you're going to yell at me for cleaning up your house too."

Natsu looks around noticing the clean house, grumbling about how I do too much and need to take a break every once in and while. I laugh at him as Happy flies into the room, heading straight for Az. I smile at Happy as he passes and say, "I made you some fish this morning."

Happy perks up, "Lilli you really are the best!"

I smile at his remark and turn away from Natsu to grab the food and set the table. Natsu heads back to his hammock and pouts while Az and Happy begin to chow down. I laugh at the two and look over at Natsu. I sigh as I walk over to the pouting Dragon Slayer, "What good is it to sulk on someone's birthday when you want to make it special Natsu?"

He looks at me with soft eyes and replies, "I wanted to make your first birthday back special. So that you wouldn't have to worry about anything. You could just enjoy the day like old times."

Happy and Az are happily eating away watching us. I sigh, "My birthdays are always special when you're around."

Natsu perks up a bit, "Then I would like to give you your first birthday gift." He reaches behind his neck and unclasps a black leather cord from around his neck. He quickly places it around my neck and tightens the cord. I feel the weight of the jagged black and blue stone sitting at the base of my throat, in the center of my collarbone. My right hand instinctively touches the sharp edges of the rock.

He gives me his goofy grin and says, "Happy birthday Lilli."

I give a small laugh, "My birthdays are never happy, just special."

"You never know, Lilli. Just believe." Tears well up in my eyes at his words. Natsu ruffles my hair and joins the other two in scarfing down the food I made. I don't even pay attention, I'm lost in the memory of this necklace:

A punch comes flying at my face and I try to block it with my arms. A pair of hands grabs my wrists and pulls my arms behind my back allowing the fist to make contact with my face. My head snaps to the right from the impact as another fist connects with my stomach, causing me to fold in half; only the hands holding my arms keeping me from falling forward. I'm gasping for breath from the impact.

"You're too weak to be in Fairy Tail," says a boy with bright purple hair as he gets ready to punch me again.

"She's too weak to even be considered a wizard!" says the boy who is restraining my arms as he lets go of me. I drop to onto all fours effectively skinning my palms and knees.

"She doesn't even put up a fight," pipes up a girl standing off to the side.

I struggle to my feet and reply, "I don't want to hurt any of you."

"Hurt us? You aren't even powerful enough to hurt a fly!" cries the first boy as he punches me in the stomach again. I hit the ground and just lay there as the three kids begin kicking me in the back of the head, the stomach, and my face.

"Fire Dragon's Fist!" yells a familiar voice, as the cherry blossom-haired boy jumps out from the bushes. The children scatter in fear into the forest while screaming. I wince in pain as I sit up.

"Why don't you fight back Lilli?" Natsu asks, sitting next to me and inspecting me for any serious injuries.

"They're just insecure because they don't have any magic and it would be mean to hurt them back with what they lack. Don't you think?" I reply searching the ground, "There it is!"

"There is what?" Natsu inquires, dropping the subject until later.

"The stone I saw yesterday. I wanted to grab it, but Az and I were running late from training." I say picking up a jagged onyx black and electric blue stone about the size of my thumb.

"You came out here and got your ass beat for a fucking rock?!" Natsu exclaims, his onyx eyes blazing and body shaking. In his rage he grabs the rock from my hand and throws it into the forest.

I stare at him wide-eyed, "w…why?"

Natsu looks down at me, the rage completely drained from his face as he realizes what he had done, "Lilli…."

I stand and watch as he flinches. I turn without a word and walk out of the forest, heading towards the guild. I see one of the kids who had been beating me up start walking towards me, his hand balled into a fist at his side. I turn my eyes to meet his and I watch as his orange eyes fill with fear. I walk past him and without a word launch a ball of concentrated light magic at him. The kid flies into a tree and stays where he lands shaking. I'm halfway to the guild when I decide to head home instead of letting my uncontrolled magic loose at the guild. I end up running the rest of the way because I can feel my magic power building and ready to explode. Once safely in the house I let out a rage-filled scream and feel the tight control I have on my magic slipping. Azriel comes running out of our room and presses his soft, warm fur against my legs while he hums a calming melody to me in my head. After a few seconds the rage leaves my body and I calm down. I fall to my knees and pull Az close so that I can sob into his neck.

A week has passed since the incident and Natsu has yet to visit the guild or come to my house. Today the guild is celebrating my birthday and one of my best friends is nowhere to be found. Everyone else is already either drunk or ready to party for the day, while I'm sulking at the bar. It's my fourteenth birthday and I can finally do solo jobs, which I suspect I will be doing a lot of if today is any indicator. The guild doors open and Natsu walks in while Happy flies straight for Lisanna.

Natsu makes his way over to me and hands me a small brown box with a homemade purple ribbon on top. Mira comes up to the side of me and says, "Aww, is our little Natsu confessing his feelings to the girl he likes finally?"

"No!" Natsu protests, "This is my apology."

"Good," Mira says while looking pointedly at Lisanna.

I ignore the comments and focus on the box in my hands. I gently take the ribbon off and tie it around my wrist then I lift the lid. Nestled inside is the stone Natsu had thrown into the forest on an adjustable black leather cord. I throw my arms around him and a hug, causing the stool I was sitting on to fall over, "Thank you Natsu. I thought you were going to ignore me forever!"

"I could never be that mad at you Lilli," he says while returning my hug, "Look at the back."

I gingerly take the necklace out of the box and turn the stone over. Shakily carved into the jagged stone are the words 'just believe'. Tears well up in my eyes, "Thank you Natsu."

"Happy birthday Lilli."

"Hey Lilli!" Natsu calls, bringing me out of my memory, "Hurry up and eat before I eat it all!"

I quickly snag a plate from Natsu, much to the delight of everyone else.

Still not over this?" I giggle as I try to heave a motion sick Natsu off the train

"Blurgh" is the only reply I receive. I heave him up, hoping to find somewhere to sit before he hurls all over me. We find a bench and Happy helps me lay him down so that his stomach can settle. I sit on the ground next to him with my cape wrapped around me. Az is lying down next to me and Happy is trying to get Natsu up and moving. Once Natsu's stomach settles he grabs my hand and half-guides half-drags me to the bookstore he is dying to show me. Happy and Az trail behind us chatting and laughing about something. Natsu is not one for books and reading, but he knows how much I love books, He has always been patient with me, or as patient as Natsu can be, while I lose myself in the books.

The front of the store is all windows with brick accents. The inside is small and filled from floor to ceiling with all kinds of books; old and new, historical and fantastical, biographies and maps, stories of faraway lands and those just across the ocean. I wander through the store skimming the spines of the books, occasionally picking up one that catches my attention to see if it's worth the read. The boys all stay at the front of the store so that they don't accidentally destroy something. Natsu jumps up every few minutes asking if he can buy me the book in my hand. I laugh him off saying no and he sits back down, almost pouting sometimes. After ten minutes of my browsing Happy takes off to see if he can spot Salamander. I browse the books looking for something that really captures my attention. I reach for a book that looks promising when Happy comes bursting through the door and shouts, "NATSU I FOUND HIM"

Natsu immediately jumps to his feet and grabs my hand causing me to drop the book I had just picked up. As Natsu runs out of the store with me in tow, I give the shopkeeper an apologetic look and he just smiles at me. Az trails after us as Happy leads the way. I blush from the warmth of the dragon slayer's hand in mine as I follow him through the crowd of people. That is until we slam into a wall of people, more specifically a wall of women. I rub my face from where it suddenly met Natsu's back and look to see not Igneel, but an imitation fire mage. I pull on Natsu to try and get his attention, but he is too far gone. So, I have Az get Happy's attention and tell him that we'll be at the bookstore. Happy nods and then joins Natsu in the fray of people.

"IGNEEL," Natsu yells. I cover my face and Az and I go back to the bookstore, not really wanting to be in the crowd to begin with. 'Natsu will find us when he's ready'. Az agrees and we enter the bookstore.

I sigh as I sit outside the now closed bookstore with a single book in my lap. Az nudges my leg and says. "It's after ten. We should go home."

I stand and we make the quiet walk to the train station to head home. I head to the back of the train with Az, sighing as I sit down. A single tear makes its way down my face, "So much for my birthday."

Az licks my hand and rests his head in my lap. I run my hand through his fur and stare out the window as the train begins moving. My bright blue eyes stare back at me as I stare past my reflection at the scenery passing me by. While watching I find my mind losing itself in thought to things best left forgotten.

"Lilliana when you are in my presence you will hold your head up high," Father bellows.

"Yes Father," I say while raising my head. My white hair is piled into a bun on top of my head. My six-year-old self is wearing a princess styled light blue dress.

"Good girl," he says with a wicked grin. Father sits atop a throne in the middle of the stone room – the arms are carved into skulls and the back is red velvet with ornate skulls around it in gold with ruby eyes. The throne itself is upholstered in red velvet. The room, like the rest of the guild, is made of cold stone in shades of gray, black, and rusty red. Guards are stationed throughout the room, all wielding some sort of magical weapon. There are no windows in the room. There are only two exist. The first leads to the guild hall and where the other members can live if they choose. The other one leads to where I live with my brother and twin sister. As well as where Father tests his guild members and performs his experiments on his children. Father than speaks and narrows his eyes in concealed anger, "I heard from one of my guards that you attempted to escape last night Lilliana,"

"N…no, Father," I say with my body shaking.

"I would hope not. I don't need you running away the day before your birthday. We still have much work to do with you before then." He says looking behind me at my sister. A shudder runs down my spine at the thought. Father clears his throat, "As a deterrent for you. You'll spend tonight in the Classroom."

My body goes ridged as I watch my father flick his wrist and two guards appear at my sides. We turn and exit the room in a line to the left. We walk down the long stone hallway taking turns every so often. The only sounds are my heeled feet, the guards' armored steps, and our combined breathing. We reach a set of stairs and begin our descent into Father's experimentation lab beneath the castle he built. My body begins to shake and my vision blurs with unshed tears. The guards roughly shove me into a room and into the hands of gruff handmaids, their once beautiful faces now marred with scars caused by my sister's magic and Father's 'discipline.' The women grab me and roughly change me out of my gown and into a simple white cotton nightgown. I take a deep breath as they yank my hair out of its bun. Then they throw me into the 'classroom' where a different set of guards grab me a shackle me to the stone wall behind us.

The stone ground is cold beneath my bare feet and stained with blood. The shackles are stained red with blood and rust, though you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. In front of my is a window where Father will sometimes sit to watch my progress. Father wants my magic just like my twin's, but we are two different people with opposite magic types. My twin wants nothing more than to please Father. I want nothing more than to escape and be free from here, whether it is beyond these walls or death.

I watch the first guard grab a knife off the wall of weapons on my left. He always did favor the sharp weapons. The second guard is new, he lingers at the wall for a few moments. Unsure of what he favors but settles on a whip.

I stare at the two men blankly waiting. The first steps up and makes sure I look him in his deep orange eyes as the knife slides into the upper thigh of my left leg. I clench my fists against the pain but give no other indication of my pain. The first guard heads back to the weapons wall, leaving the knife in my leg, and selects another knife. The second guard looks almost scared as he snaps the whip across my stomach for the first time. Blood wells up along the line and soaks the white nightgown. The first takes two knives and drives them in the other side of me. I close my eyes against the pain as the knives are yanked out and the crack of the whip slices against my stomach again. While I have my eyes shut tight, the first guard goes behind me and slashes open my back; gouging out my skin from right shoulder blade all the way across to my left hip in on fluid motion. I clench my fists tighter, causing my nails to dig into my palm, and I feel a tear make its way down my face.

A few hours into the torture, my father makes his way into the room. The guards stop so that Father can inspect me for any changes. I'm breathing heavily, blood is seeping from multiple wounds on my body and pooling on the ground beneath me. Father holds out his hand and the first guard hands over his knife. Father grips the knife tightly and drives it deeply into my side. I cough up blood as the knife gets yanked out of my side. Father walks around me and stops at my back, inspecting the long gash. I brace myself as I feel the cold steel run along my back, right where the gash further deepening it.

Father leans in close and whispers in my ear, "Happy birthday Lilliana,"

I spit blood onto his face and he grabs me by the throat, forcing my to look at his rage-filled eyes, "Your life would be so much easier if you were just like your siblings, willing to do whatever I asked."

"N…never," I manage through gritted teeth.

"Fine," Father replies as he shoves the knife into my leg. He heads to the door and says over his shoulder, "I'm adding another day to your stay. Go ahead and continue."

The guards' faces light up as the stalk closer to me again.

I jump to my feet with wide eyes as the train comes to a stop. My heart is racing, I am covered in sweat, my body is shaking, and tears are rolling down my face. Az immediately transforms and hoists me onto his back. The doors to the train open and he takes off at a sprint, heading straight home. I clutch Az's fur as my pain consumes me.