VII
The day that very odd-looking "dragon's" egg – as they called it- hatched was a conflicting and confusing day for Igneel. It wasn't a dragon that hatched –although Igneel had already assumed that, the markings were all wrong for a dragon- but he wasn't quite sure what had.
It was a cat, a tiny blue cat with wings. He'd never seen such a thing. He had indeed heard of Exceeds, however he'd never seen one before.
Natsu seemed thrilled by the new addition to the Fairy Tail family, appropriately named Happy. Igneel wasn't quite sold.
Was it a pet? It could talk… Was it a comrade? But it wasn't quite suited for battle.
Igneel went back and forth, over and over in his head about what he thought Natsu should do – not that it'd matter, it was Natsu's decision after all.
But even after nights of wondering and watching the tiny creature with a sense of bewilderment, he had no idea what to think of it.
Of course that was changed when he put his own thoughts aside and instead focused on his son's heart. Despite Igneel's confusion, Natsu knew exactly what Happy was.
He was a friend. Not a pet, nor a comrade, but a friend. Another part of his extended and removed family.
It was then that Igneel shook his head, settling himself down again and this time gazing upon the Exceed with the innocent and loving eyes of his son. Yes, a friend suited the little creature well.
And from that day forward Igneel vowed to suppress some of his own initial thoughts and judgements, instead tuning into Natsu's mind and heart, listening and hearing the pure thoughts of his son. He was inside of him, after all, and what better a place to truly understand how he thought?
The episode with baby Happy made me 'D'aww' all over the place. I felt as if Igneel wouldn't be too sure of him at first though. XD
Once again thank you for the lovely reviews! It's always nice to hear what others think!
~Foxtail-chan