I've recently found about this thing called a BetaReader. Probably should've known about this sooner, but ah well. Anyway, was wondering if anyone was interested in helping me out. I would return the favor of course, but I'll need a bit of help in figuring out how exactly to offer Beta services.

While I'd love to claim credit for everything, trust me, my imagination is not sophisticated enough to have thought of this anime. I thought of a couple characters and ideas. That's all. Thanks.

(Igneel's POV)

Now, all he needed to was finely slice up the scales and it would soon be finished… Igneel hummed happily. It had been a long time since the dragon had been in such a good mood. Children worked wonders without trying with their parents.

Now, just a bit of enchanted spider web, and he would be finished…

Swish…

Igneel gave an involuntary shudder. Then his anger flared. This aura… "ZEEEREEEEF!"

Promptly stopping all that he was doing, he threw himself past the canopy of the forest, beat his wings as hard as he could, and flew off. The birds chirped with fear. The devil of the forest was angry. It was time to move before they all burned to death.

(Natsu's POV)

There were three thoughts running through Natsu's head.

One: HOLY COW! HE WAS FLYING!

Two: Darn it! He should've known that the smell of bunny and teddy bear came from a wild animal! Why hadn't he just turned around! Then Z wouldn't have sacrificed himself! Natsu pondered this while flying at the speed at sound. And that last thing…How had Zeref known about the flower? He was sure that he hadn't said anything. Hmm…

Should he go back to help anyway? Just reach out for a tree to stop him? No, that would be a waste of Z's life. He must go retrieve the flower, and honor Z's sacrifice. But where was he going? Had Z really just sent him flying to the exact spot? Just like that? Was the even possible? Natsu head was about to explode with all the different questions struggling to be answered in his head. So he did what he considered the most logical. He shrugged and forgot about it. Somehow, everything would work out. Now, he just needed to focus on getting that flower.

No sooner had he thought this, his surroundings abruptly stopped flying past him. Then he was dropped on his bottom. He got up, wiping the dirt and grime from the fall. Taking a look at his surroundings, he realized there was a small clearing ahead of this endless thicket of plants. Natsu desperately brushed and pushed and ripped away from the deadly shrubbery. Fighting his way to the clearing, he reached out to pull the last of leaves away and—

SMASH

Suddenly his head erupted in pain and once again, he was sent flying in the opposite direction. Nimbly regaining his balance, he managed to land on his feet with one arm on the ground and one in the air.

'I'm getting too used to being smashed around' he thought making a sad chuckle. He directed his gaze toward his attacker. Not so surprisingly, it was the Rabbit-bear. But was it just Natsu's imagination or was this big guy… bigger? Then what Z had said came back to him.

"He has a mate and a child. The mate will retaliate and try to kill you. Please be careful" So this must be the bears girlfriend. They didn't really look much different. But all the same, he had to get around her and get the flower. He couldn't see it, but how hard could it be to find a flower? He jumped from his spot into the clearing.

Uh Oh.

There were flower's everywhere. Red, blue, yellow, purple, turquoise, magenta… All these colours were giving the young boy quite a headache. Which was the Shibusa? A feeling itched at the back of his neck. Natsu rolled to the side and not a moment too soon.

The Rabbit-bear smashed into the ground, mud flying everywhere, while flowers were being uprooted. No! The flowers! If the Shibusa was destroyed… He didn't even want to think about it. Think, think, think! What could he do to buy time…? The infuriated mate turned and sniffed and bared his teeth at Natsu. Sniffed… sniff… Oh! An idea popped into the boy's head.

Stripping till he had only boxers on, he jumped out of the clearing and ceased his movements. It took a moment for the Rabbit-Bear to relocate him, but Natsu waited for it. Finally catching onto the scent of the hiding child, the creature gave chase. But Natsu was nowhere to be seen. This wasn't a problem for the Rabbit-bear however. He simply sniffed for his prey's scent, and continued to destroy everything in his path to find its next meal.

…

Well, his plan had worked, but it was only a matter of time before the thing came back upon finding out about the deception. Natsu fell from the tree branches with no clothes except his boxers. Now that the Rabbit-Bear was distracted with the scent of his clothes he had better find the Shibusa fast. What would a flower Igneel want look like? Which flower was it? What should he do? He couldn't tell… But in the middle of the clearing, was a stump of a tree. And growing in that stump was a fiery red and orange flower in full bloom.

Natsu sighed with relief. He would pass the test after all. This colour was so like Igneel, there was no this wasn't it. He plucked the flower from the stump and grinned from ear to ear, only to have his attention drawn to his left when he heard a twig snap in half. It was Z! He had managed to get away from the Rabbit-bear… but he was injured! He had several cuts along his arms and chest, with the familiar scent and red colour of blood clinging to his clothes.

"Z! Are you alright?" Natsu ran up to the injured man, taking a closer look at the wounds. They weren't serious, but if they weren't treated soon, they could be fatal.

"Natsu… It's okay, really…" Natsu just shouted back.

"NO! It's not okay! My only other friend will die in front of my eyes if I don't do anything now" Natsu whipped his head back and worth, trying to find something to cover the wounds.

"No, Natsu. It's fine. Look at me" Natsu forced his gaze to return his Zeref. He lifted his hands, and the boy gasped. The wounds… had closed on it's own. The only sign that he had been through anything was the claw slashes on his clothes.

"How…?" Natsu could only stare in wonder.

Zeref was silent for a while, but then he said

"It's who I am. I can't change that. I'm sorry. I guess you're repulsed. Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't hear from me again" He put his hands together but a firm grip took hold of his wrists. It was Natsu. Zeref face adopted a look of confusion. The boy looked Zeref in the eyes for a full five seconds. Then gave him a head butt.

"Iteh! Iteh! OW! What was—" Natsu gave him another head butt. "Stop, stop—" And another head butt. "OKAY, OKAY!" The attacks ceased. Zeref wrenched his hands away and rubbed his forehead. "What was that for?" he demanded. Natsu just stared into Zeref's eyes. Then he broke into another one of his grins.

"That was so cool! You just healed all of your injuries and when I gave you those head butts, the bruises healed fast! And you even saved me from that bear rabbit thing! Thanks!" Zeref just stared. This boy thought his powers were cool? And thanked him again? He cast his eyes to the floor, a pool of water forming at the edge of his eyes.

Then they fell. And Natsu just kept smiling while Zeref cried there. Natsu let a moment pass, and then asked Zeref a question.

"Will you be my friend?"

Zeref froze. He dared not believe it. He dared not hope. He dared not fall for such a trick, only to be betrayed again. He shouldn't but…

"If you would be mine as well, then ok!" Then Natsu and Igneel started laughing together, not even trying to understand what was so funny.

That's when their laughter stopped.

(Zeref's POV)

FWOSH

FWOSH

FWOSH

SMASH!

Zeref flew back and hit a boulder, cracking it in half. Natsu whirled around, expecting the Rabbit-bear to have somehow snuck up upon them while they had been enjoying themselves.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

There, in all his fury, flying just above Natsu, was Igneel. His nostrils had tendrils of flame flickering in and out, ready to blow at any moment. Natsu noticed this and tried to yell in protest, but the flame had already been lit and fire bellowed from Igneel's throat. Natsu cry died in his throat.

Slumping to his knees, he held back his own tears. His new friend had been incinerated. Just like that. Natsu could still feel the watered ground where Z had just cried. He couldn't cry. He couldn't be weak.

Igneel landed on all fours and his gaze never wavered from the cracked stone, now ablaze. But he spoke to Natsu in a matter of urgency.

"Natsu. I had told you to stay away from this man. You ignored my warnings and request. You WILL be punished later" But Natsu shook his head, his body vibrating with fury.

"Igneel! He was my friend! You didn't even try to listen to his story! What do you know about him?" Igneel snapped there and then.

"What do I know about him? WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT HIM!? He's killed countless number of dragons, many of who were my friends and allies! He's destroyed continents, eradicated species, and betrayed his own comrades! I shan't give him the chance of taking my SON!"

Natsu's expression was unreadable. A shadow crossed his face and he looked down. Igneel was unsure what to do now. He had just confessed of how he thought of Natsu. How would he react…?

"Igneel… No, father, you have to let go of the past. You should know how humans are. They lie, cheat, and betray others. But some still regret! We have to move on! Stop dwelling on the past!" Natsu fists were clenched and the words were forced from his throat. But he meant what he said. Would it really be that easy for Igneel? To just forgive Zeref and forget it all?

Father and son stood facing the other, each with their own convictions and beliefs. Then Zeref got up. He floated back onto his feet, and still didn't look fazed. He slapped his head, forcing a few rocks from his ears.

"Natsu. I simply wished for a world for the pure, the right, a utopia for wizards. But the dragons couldn't bear to part with their precious roles as gods among the humans. So they fought against me" Igneel smashed at the remains of the rocks, but Zeref simply used his mysterious powers and appeared a few feet away. Igneel snarled.

"LIES! You sought to wipe out nearly all of the human's population. The only wizards in the world are a mere ten percent! We dragons would not stand idly by as you killed whomever you pleased!" Igneel clawed the ground and arched his neck into the air, shadowing Zeref.

"Natsu. I'll show you what I mean. I shall teach you about my– no, OUR utopia!" Come with me, Natsu!" Igneel didn't move but he said.

"Natsu. He would kill innocent people just to live in a supposedly better world" Zeref had a crazed look in his eyes. He flung his arms to his side and laughed.

"You know how the disgusting humans treat us! They wont even take the time to think of us unless we get in their way! We know better! We'll show them! Come Natsu!" Extended his hand, he smiled, confident of victory. Natsu's hands twitched and wanted to move. Had it not been for Igneel's next words, he might have done so.

"Natsu. Who was it told me to forgive and forget? Who asked me to teach them to live?" Natsu stayed his hands and sadly smiled at Zeref.

"Thanks for the offer Z. I really appreciate it. But I asked Igneel first. It would make me happy if you would stay my friend though" Natsu offered his hands, but Zeref didn't take it. He also gave a sad smile, and shook his head.

"I won't give up on you Natsu. One day, I'll take you with me. Please remember me. My offer still stands. We could make this world so much better" Zeref bowed and allowed the shadows to swallow him up. "Until next time, Natsu. Goodbye"

Natsu couldn't bear it. Even though he had chosen to stay with Igneel, he hated the fact that his first friend was leaving him in less than an hour. It might be against the dragon's wishes, but at that moment, he didn't really care. He threw something at Zeref and the man caught it. He looked at it, and stayed silent. It was the crimson Shibusa.

Igneel was shocked. That flower… Zeref asked one last question.

"Are you sure?" Natsu crossed his arms, nodded, and gave the biggest smile he could.

"I'm only letting you borrow it, okay? When I meet you again, you have to give it back. Got it?" And right before the darkness closed over him, Zeref gave a mock salute.

"Yes sir"

Then he was gone.

(Igneel's POV)

This had better be the last he saw of him… But this wasn't the time for that. Natsu was in a difficult state. He wasn't good with dealing with feelings. He usually ignored, or ran away, or tried to destroy anything that made him feel that way. So he finally gave up trying to think of the perfect thing to say, and just said what he wanted to say.

"Let's go home son" Natsu nodded and clambered onto the dragon's back. Igneel could feel the tears on his back, and hoped they wouldn't stop. It was good to let it all out. Igneel spread his colossal wings and took flight. There was a blood red sunset out now.

"Thanks… dad" What could Igneel say to that? He didn't know. So he didn't say anything. Even if he wanted to, the lump in his throat stopped him. They just flew back home through the forest, in silence.

Thanks a bunch for reading guys! I hope you enjoyed this! If you did, please check out my other story: Lucy Heartfillia: Joys Of Love, Sorrows of Loneliness

Please review and suggest what I can do for the next chapters and what I should fix.

Thanks again!

- Justin, Lover of anime, enemy of haters, and family to all my otaku brothers and sisters. Welcome to my world! XD