2. Journey To The Past

One year later

Laugher and joyful screams were hanging in the air as Natsu and Happy had run off from their daily duties in order to play with the village kids. They knew that the elder of the village as well as Stayne was going to yell and punish them severely for skipping out on fixing the damages on the building they had caused last week when they had been training by themselves, however they had been drawn to joining the kids on their game of tag and resulted being teased and laughed at for pretending to miss and make mistakes whenever they were 'it'.

After recovering their injuries Natsu and Happy had remained at the village. However his memory remained a complete blank and his furry friend was not a great help either since Stayne and the village elder advised the cat beforehand that he needed to remember things on his own, and that it wouldn't help giving him the information when he should be seeking it out for himself instead. Happy had reluctantly agreed, but that didn't stop him from trying to convince him to leave the village and try and regain his memories at every chance he got. If Natsu had to be honest he liked Happy, even loved him like a best friend and companion, but he wished that the cat could just leave the issue alone.

It's not that he didn't want to remember, of course he did want to know who he really was and everything that had happened to him, but there was this unexplainable part of him that was hesitant to do so. Especially now that he found some sort of life here in the village.

Nonetheless as he thought about it the laughter stopped as a familiar voice bellowed, "NATSU! HAPPY! You two are in big trouble for skipping out on your work."

Natsu stopped in his movements, literally froze on the spot and gulped, "Oh, no. Stayne. Let's run Happy."

"Aye Sir," Happy responded with the same pleasantness and lightness, though carried a hint of fear in his tone. And they were just about to head off in the opposite someone grabbed them from their collar and hoisted them up in the air and an annoyed voice said, "Not so fast. You two are coming with me and be prepared for a punishment you wouldn't be forgetting any time soon."

Stayne definitely not looking pleased and they knew that whatever came next was not good for the friendship duo. Defeated, Natsu and Happy squirmed and said, "Aye."

"Good, now let's go," Stayne said, placing them back on the ground. "There is something we need to discuss afterwards with the elder."

Before he or Happy had a chance to ask what they were being called in for, Stayne began pushing silently them towards his residence where the elder was outside waiting for them. Event though he had no idea what he and Happy was being summoned for, he couldn't help thinking that whatever it was it was definitely not something good based on how strangely Stayne was acting with being expressionless and silent when the man always found it in him to joke and tease him. Still whatever he and Happy were being summon for it must be very important since the tension in the air was smothering.

"You have got to be kidding with me," Natsu exclaimed, slamming his hands hard on the table. "After all this time why do you suddenly want me to leave?"

Happy had his gaze on the floor like he was ashamed about the recent development while the elder and Stayne remained calm and expressionless, which pissed him a lot more than it should. Still could you blame him when the important conversation he was being summoned for was about the pursuit of his real identity and where he really belonged?

The elder closed his eyes and sighed heavily, "Natsu, don't get us wrong. We don't want you to leave the village, especially since you and Happy have become somewhat family members to Stayne and me. However we believe that there is a greater purpose for you out there, not being stuck inside a tiny village doing odd jobs where you can find them."

Natsu remained mute, meanwhile his brain was racing for every minute over what exactly the two people who he considered as a grandfather-figure and father figure respectfully wanted and expected from him. The elder continued saying with a serious and yet a dejected voice, "That mark on your shoulder, it's a guild mark. A rather infamous one maybe you have heard about it, the Fairy Tail?"

He had heard about them. Who hasn't since they were the only wizard's guild that seemed to specialize in property damage? However he had no idea that the red mark on his shoulder was the same mark for a wizard's guild. He had always thought that it was some tattoo he got one night, just being his usual reckless and impulsive self. He turned to look at the strange mark on his shoulder, almost trying to read something that wasn't there. Did this mean that before he lost his memories he used to be a mage that belonged to a powerful guild?

Natsu turned to look at Happy, who for once look up at him and gave a strong nod, which meant that everything he has been told was true. His little friend even showed him his own mark on his back that had previously been hidden from his green backpack.

Swallowing heavily, Natsu knew that many pieces where being tied together and at least now have given him enough to know where he was supposed to start on his journey to his past, however he still wasn't entirely convinced to leave the village and find his lost memories for several reasons. Yet despite his reluctance something inside of him was calling to leave and find this Fairy Tail guild and finally put a rest on this numb emptiness he felt all the time from the inside.

After what seemed like an eternity he finally reached his decision, not that it was that hard choice in the first place, but still he gave them a courageous smile and said, "I guess Happy and I is going to Magnolia and the Fairy Tail Guild. After all I never cower down from challenges and adventures. This will be one heck of an adventure, right Happy?"

"Aye Sir," Happy replied and gave him the thumbs up gesture, something that he and everyone else laughed off. They continued to talk for a while, but in the end it was decided he and Happy were to leave for Magnolia first thing in the morning. Hopefully all of his unanswered questions would finally be answered and truly learn who and where he really belonged.

It was always the same. The same nightmare every night for the last year, even though it really couldn't be considered a nightmare when it is something really happened. No, the correct word for it is haunting. The nightmare that really happened keeps on haunting him and never let him rest.

After once again facing and ultimately failing to conquer his nightmare once and for all, Gray Fullbuster had to do everything in his power to stop himself from screaming out loud, resulting in waking up and scaring his fellow teammates who was trying to sleep as much as possible before dealing with the requested job they had decided on. He panted heavily and sat up as he knew there was no way he go back to sleep after that so he might as well keep watch, especially when Lucy had already fallen asleep despite being the assigned guard to their camp site.

So he made up the fire again and simply stared into the dancing flames, being reminded of the nightmare he just had and the underlying truth behind it. His head fell into his hands and muttered quietly but also sad and regretful, "I'm sorry…. Natsu."

The flames and pretty much everything else was a harsh reminder of his rival and what he sometimes dared to think of the teen as his best friend. However nothing hurt more than remembering those crucial moments before everything that burned and went up in flames, leaving him and everyone else to deal with the sorrow and guilt of their long departed friend.

When he thought about it now, back when Natsu had stopped him from sacrificing himself to Deliora it had not only been about the fact that he was running away and throwing away his life. It was possible that Natsu had not only been thinking about him, but over the fact that if he had knowingly let him die then he had to forever live with the scars and regrets for not doing enough. No one could appreciate the love and glory if you were dead and gone to enjoy it.

Something that he and everyone else were going on through and possibly could never get over. After all he was the one who sealed his friend's fate, leaving him with carrying the heavy burden of his actions.

The departure from the only place Natsu knew as his home was heavy and sad, but no one questioned his and Happy's reasons for leaving. They all understood and wished him good luck on his quest and before they knew it they were on the road towards Magnolia. And as much as Natsu wanted to avoid it due to his unfortunate motion sickness, he and Happy took the damn train to the city. His companion managed to drag him out of the vehicle and before the train left the station in his poor state, and after a while he was his normal self again and stood up and looked at the scenery before him.

"We are here, Happy," Natsu smiled a reminiscing smile, even though there were no memories for him to reminisce. Happy had his gaze turned the same way as replied in the same manner, "Aye. Are you ready to learn about your past, Natsu?"

"Yeah, bring it on," Natsu was fired up now, ignoring that small voice in his head that told him to be cautious and prepared for the worst. He might not remember a lot about who he was before his memory loss, but the person he was now was definitely not someone who would run from a fight. So without any argument Natsu playfully ordered Happy to show them the way to the guild. Not knowing exactly how his sudden appearance would make people react.

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Thank you guys so much for the response I have been receiving. I hope you guys like the chapter.

Although slightly sadden that only one of you reviewed the story, I decided to fulfill that reviewer's request to update this story today. His or her words were sweet and literally warmed my heart. If my story managed to do so much for that person then I will continue and try and do so with everyone else. You can also consider this chapter as a early Christmas present or something :P

And seeing as Christmas isn't too far away (just a day or two depends on which country you live in), so I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

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