Az doesn't slow his speed until we reach the safety of Magnolia. Our journey took us a full day because Az insisted on taking roads full of people which slowed us down. We reach the front of the guild hall and I hop off Az's back. He undoes his transformation as we walk up the steps. I open the door to see a red-haired demon yelling at the guild for the shenanigans that happened while she was away. I smile, "I'm home."

Erza turns to me and nods in acknowledgment before chewing out Natsu. I walk to the bar where Mira meets me with a peach tea. Az curls up under the bar to get away from the noise of Erza yelling. I smile at the comfort of being surrounded by family. I see the blonde standing rigid and wide-eyed. It seems she hasn't met Erza yet.

Once Erza is satisfied with her lecture she turns to Mira, "Is Master here?"

The beautiful white-haired girl shakes her head, "No, he's at a Guild Master's meeting."

"I was hoping to talk with him about this, but I don't have time," Erza says as she closes her eyes in contemplation. When she opens them again there is a fire burning deep in her brown eyes, "Gray, Natsu, and Lilli. Will you lend me your strength?"

I nearly spit out my tea. Az looks up shocked as well. 'Erza wants me to lend her my strength? With those two idiots?!' There is murmuring from the guild, it appears that I'm not the only one shocked by Erza's words. The boys begin fighting and Erza silences them with a glare. I sigh while standing, "I'll go."

The guys agree and Erza says something about packing and heading out in the morning. I head out the guild and straight home to prepare for the following day. Az jogs to catch up to me, while my nerves run wild. 'I haven't had to work in a group in a long time. Will Az be okay? Will I be able to keep control of my power? How much of my growth should I show? What if I just slow everyone down?'

'Lilli, remember to breathe. Everything will work out fine.' Az says while sending soothing thoughts through our telepathic connection. Images of tranquil forests and rain on the window fill my mind allowing my own thoughts to cease. A trick Az has used on nights where sleep seemed impossible.

I take a calming breath and pull my cloak tighter around me in comfort. The rest of the walk home is quiet between the two of us, though all around us the city is lively and buzzing. Az is silently scouting the road ahead almost as though he is trying to hide it. I tip my head back allowing the warm summer sun to hit my face. The brilliant blue sky has fluffy white clouds floating around and the wind smells slightly of rain. I unlock the door to our home and Az storms in doing a full security sweep. I put the tea from Hydrangea in the cupboard and then collapse on the sofa. Once Az is satisfied with his patrol, he curls up under my legs. I pull my hair out of its ponytail, it cascades over the arm of the couch and onto the floor.

I run my fingers through my hair to loosen it further. I close my eyes for sleep, not caring about the fact that I am lying halfway off the couch and without a blanket. I let my right arm hang off the couch to touch Az's soft black fur. Exhaustion hits like a train, I haven't slept the past three days. Az gently licks my hand as I drift into sleep.

I enter Lilli's home with the spare key and hear Az growl. I hold my hands up and quickly say, "Az it's just me."

Az holds my gaze for a moment before nodding and settling back into his spot under her legs. Happy flies into the room and says, "Natsu, I think she's asleep."

"Thank you Happy." I reply sarcastically. I take a step into the living room, the smell of mint and sweet pea filling my nose in greeting. I look at Lilli, her bright curious blue eyes are closed, and her breathing is soft and steady. Her long white hair hangs off the couch and shines silver in the moonlight. Her legs are draped across the floor, over Az. I let out a sigh, "Well, so much for apologizing."

"Aye," Happy says sadly, landing on Az's head and closing his eyes. I sit across from them, cross-legged on the floor with my back against the worn mint armchair. I watch as Lilli clenches her left hand into a fist and release it, only to make a fist again. I smell the stress and fear rolling off her in waves, sharp and bitter against her normally soft scent. Az gently licks her hand and her scent returns to her calming sweet pea and mint. As the stress leaves her body, she settles into a deeper sleep. I see Lilli shiver from the cold. I laugh 'This girl could be cold in the pits of hell.' I go into her room and grab a gray colored, fuzzy, throw blanket off her bed. I wrap her in the blanket and her shivering stops. I smile and brush a stray hair off her face. Lilli nestles into the blanket contently. Az and Happy are both sound asleep and snoring. I'm wide awake, something is bothering me, but I am unable to pinpoint what. I walk around her home, a few places smell off, like roses and leather, but nothing looks out of place. I take my spot, leaning against the arm chair and proceed with my guard duty.

After a few hours my eyes begin to droop. Lilli has been sleeping peacefully and there has been no new scents or movements. Just as I'm about to fall asleep, my eyes snap open, smelling Lilli tense and see her roll over, and off the couch. I catch her before she can fall and wake the two beneath her. I hold her head against my chest while she mumbles something about her father before settling back down. I pick up her legs and lay her down fully on the couch, so that she is more stable. I sit awake in my spot pondering over her mumblings, trying to see if I can decipher anything about her past. I remember that she hates to talk about her family and her past.

"Natsu…stupid...jerk…" Lilli says in her sleep as she curls up under the blanket. I frown at her words. I know she's upset about me ditching her for her birthday, but I didn't realize it affected her this much.

Before I realize it, the sun is beginning to rise. My mind is speeding through ways to apologize and explain. I know now that she is still extremely upset, and I have no idea how to even begin to fix it. Before I can grasp an answer, Lilli opens her eyes. The most electric and pure color I have ever seen. I never realized that I had a favorite color until I saw her open her eyes. I sit still, trying to gauge her reaction. Her face gives nothing away. I blink and the next thing I see is a large book hurtling at my face.

I open my eyes and squint against the blinding light pouring in from my open blinds. I feel a blanket around my body and a grateful for the warmth My eyes focus and I see a figure sitting across the room from me; they are staring intently at me, but seemingly lost in thought. I take the opportunity to grab a book from in between the cushions, probably from my last read-a-thon, and throw it at the figure.

"OW! What the hell?" cries Natsu's clearly annoyed voice.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I retort back.

At this point Happy and Az are awake and taking cover in my bedroom. I normally keep my temper under control, but I want Natsu to feel my anger and know that he caused it.

"I came in last night to apologize, but you were already asleep. I didn't mean to stay here all night, but I fell asleep." Natsu says, rubbing the back of his neck and turning his face away from mine.

"You thought it was a good idea to stay here while I was sleeping? You could have apologized to me at the train station, or any other time!" I feel my temper beginning to boil my blood, "Get out."

"But Lilli I really am- "

"Natsu out." I cut him off, my rage creeping into my tone.

"Natsu let's leave her alone," Happy says while tugging on the dragon slayer's scarf.

"Lilli." He tries again, ignoring Happy's plea, his voice soft and begging

"OUT!" I scream sending a ball of concentrated light magic at the two. The pair fly through my door with the force of the blast. I throw the blanket off me and lock the door. I stand with my back against the door, rubbing my arms and trying to calm myself down. I take a shuddering breath and give my head a gentle shake, deciding to take a shower to reset myself for the day.

After my shower, I throw on a mint colored shirt and black jeans. I brush my hair and let it fall in soft waves down my back. I put my boots on and grab my cape on the way out the door. Az follows me as we head to the train station. I put my cloak on and throw the hood up. The early morning light is bright and warm, chasing away the night. As we walk through the quiet town I chant to myself 'Relax. Breathe. It's okay,' repeatedly to keep myself calm. Az and I reach the station only to find Natsu and Gray already butting heads and picking a fight. I take a step forward to say something, when I notice the blonde-haired girl holding Happy.

I take a sharp intake of breath as I turn around to leave, only to smack into Erza's armor-plated chest. Erza smiles down at me as I rub my head. Az barks out a laugh. I walk next to Erza as we reach the group, she says, "Would you two stop fighting?"

Erza's tone is commanding, causing the blonde to jump. I smirk at her reaction from under my hood, but it falls remembering I have to put up with the three of them now. 'This is going to be a long job.'