4. Evidence

Despite the heavy thoughts lingering in his mind Natsu was actually relieved to be going home or at least what Happy explained to him was home. It was awkward staying at the guild, filled with people who apparently cared and was your friend in the past and now couldn't remember because of something that happened a year ago. But he wasn't sure if staying at the place where he and Happy live before was any better, still it was better than making everyone uncomfortable including him.

So when they arrived at the cozy-looking house Natsu felt a small familiarity with the place, although not as strongly as he felt back at the guild. According to Happy they didn't really spend much time there besides sleeping or occasional eating supper otherwise they usual spend their time at the guild or at Lucy's place wherever that was. More importantly whoever that person was, but he didn't bring himself to ask since he was too focused in trying to remember and get a hold of everything he had just learned. He was caught up in everything that he almost didn't hear Happy say, "I'm going to go and get some fish for dinner, while you can get familiar with the place."

"Ah," Natsu barely listened, but either way he was fine being on his own. He had obviously a lot to think about and it was a good thing that his best friend and companion weren't there to be burden with it all more than he already was.

Happy left and Natsu ventured inside the house to take a proper look around and quickly learned that the place was filled with dust that obviously indicated that no one had been living there for a while. Otherwise the place looked clean and neat enough, something that was odd since he and Happy weren't the ones who really cared about neatness in their surroundings, but who knows maybe he had cared in the past or maybe someone had been here after his 'death' and cleaned the place?

Nonetheless he looked and turned carefully every inch of the place, hoping that something would spark his memory, but once again he was met up with disappointment. However he didn't get the time to wallow about his frustrated and disappointed emotions since the door opened and several feet entered the house. Natsu turned around to see who it was; because there was no way it was Happy unless he suddenly grew out a new pair of legs. Anyways his gaze was turned on four people around his own age, three girls and a boy and a white-colored cat like Happy, and they all shared the same expression on their faces. It was a mixture between shock and anger. In other words it meant that he was in big trouble and he had no idea why.

Gray just stared at the stranger that had taken upon himself to make himself at home at their old friend and teammate's house. The mere thought made his blood boil in anger, which was odd since he wasn't the hothead in their group, but nevertheless he as well as the others was angry over the whole thing and they were going to make it clear that the stranger was unwelcome and had to leave immediately. Erza didn't waste time and jumped right into it and said angrily, "Who are you? This is our dear old friends' home. If you know what's good for you, then leave this place."

The stranger didn't say anything, didn't make a move on the obvious threat that was lingering in Erza's words. It frustrated him to no end how the stranger seemed so unfazed by the whole, but what was even more frustrating was the fact that they couldn't clearly see whom this stranger was due to cloak that went down to his knees and ultimately concealed his appearance. After a short while Erza's thin patience ran out and she summoned one of her many swords and aimed at the stranger.

"Man, I guess there is no other way," The stranger replied. His voice seemed somehow familiar, but Gray couldn't place it and it didn't take any further consideration of it when Erza leaped into an attack. Wendy tried to say something, but her words went to dead ears since everyone was caught up in the fight. However the most surprising thing happened, one minute the stranger grabbed something from his cloak and the next thing he blocked Erza's attack with a sword of his own. The block was impressive and unbelievable since no one have ever been able to block an attack from Erza and still remain standing, apparently he wasn't the only who was surprised by the whole thing.

"What?" Erza let out surprised with wide eyes. The stranger found it hilarious since he chuckled and replied, "I must say this is the first time I have faced an opponent who was able to withstand my block. No one except my swords master has ever been able to do it. Consider this an honor."

Erza clenched her teeth and used her blade to push him back, hoping to buy an opportunity to attack again in the minute he stumbled back, but the stranger predicted her move and used his fast reflexes to get on the ground quickly before he avoided the attack. He jumped out the window, shattering the glass in the process and landed outside the house. Gray and the others followed after him and Erza once again threw her blade at the guy. And once again managed to block it and this time pushed her back and made move to attack her.

It was at that point Gray no longer could sit back and allow Erza to deal with this joker on her own. So he moved his hands, his left flat and open while his right was in a fist, and yelled out, "Ice Make Lance!"

The stranger was most definitely taken by surprise over the sneak attack and yelled out loud once the ice spell hit him. Gray was confident the attack would injure or at the very least slightly render him. However it turned out to be a lot harder to take out this guy since he stood up unscratched with a confident and annoying grin on his face. He found out quickly why this guy was smiling and appeared unscratched by the attack. The guy had used his sword to block the attack and used the explosion to hide his defense. That sword was incredible to be able to withstand magic for both Erza and his level for so long, especially since it looked like an ordinary Katana sword. However his defense wouldn't last forever and more importantly this guy shouldn't underestimate mages from Fairy Tail.

"Erza, let's do it again," Gray exclaimed before he once again prepared to chant another spell. "This guy needs to be taken down."

"Ah, Gray," Erza agreed and requiped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. Wendy once again tried to interrupt and convey something, but no one listened. Meanwhile the stranger froze on the spot and mumbled almost shocked, "Erza…. Gray?"

Then the guy went down on his knees, dropping the sword next to him and moved his hands and wrapped his hands on the side of his head like he was in pain. Gray didn't understand the reaction from this guy, but he wasn't about to hesitate even if this guy was suddenly frightened by the sound of their names. He and Erza moved and were just about to attack when someone shouted angrily and fearfully, "What are you guys doing? Leave him alone!"

They all looked up and saw the familiar appearance of Happy flying with his white wings. Before anyone had a chance to say anything, Happy landed on the ground and stood between them and the stranger.

"Stop this nonsense right now," Happy glared and made no move in removing himself from the position he was standing on.

"Happy? You are alive?" Erza couldn't keep her surprise hidden. Everyone else just stared and was just as shocked and surprised as she was. Happy had died along side with Natsu, so it didn't make any sense that he was standing there pretty much alive and well.

"Aye," Happy confirmed. The male Exceed turned around to face the stranger and asked quiet and concerned, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you feel any pain?"

The stranger gave an unconvincing answer that he was fine as he attempted to stand up again, but Happy must know this person well enough to know that he wasn't being completely honest since he was hovering over him and told him not to push himself. It was at that point as he stood up the hood of his cloak fell down and revealed the spiky short pink hair. The next thing he noticed was the too familiar eyes and appearance of his dead comrade and the one who was haunting his dreams every night. Gray was practically trembling as he said the almost forbidden name, "Na-…Natsu?"

The person stood there, expressionless and didn't say anything. A far cry from who he was before, that idiot was loud and carefree. Whoever was standing in front of him held nothing of his old friend and comrade, which made him tremble more than before. It was like the last moment he last time saw his friend dying before he dissolved into light orbs and disappeared into nothingness. His dear friend and rival looked completely lost and defeated, but more importantly he appeared to not recognize him or anyone else.

Hearing those names brought back memory flashes in his head, leading his brain to work a mile a minute to comprehend what was going on. Still despite the flashes he received he couldn't place them and fully recognize them as his own memory and explanation for the holes his memories Happy entered the scene and stopped these people from attack before he began hovering with concern and worry over him and his well-being. However Natsu quickly forgot about Happy when the dark blue-haired guy in the group trembled and said his name, "Na-…Natsu?"

He recognized the voice and it stirred up mixed emotions in him. However the most prominent one was unbearable remorse that was smothering the life out of him. And when tears streamed down the guy's face Natsu felt annoyed that he unconsciously muttered his name annoyed, "Gray…"

No one said anything and the two boys just stared between one another, unspoken words were conveyed despite the lack of knowledge of what exactly had happened a year ago. Moments pasted before the blonde-haired girl and the younger blue-haired girl came up to him with tears and relief on their faces and hugged him. He froze for a moment before he hugged them back, recognizing the familiar warmth from them both. Then the scarlet-haired woman with the sword skills came up to him as well and patted his shoulder before she forced his face against the hard armor, which was by the way very painful.

Nevertheless he appreciated the gesture and smiled a ghostly smile, a pale comparison to the ones he remembered he used to give and a far cry from the smiles he gave back at the village, but nonetheless only time would tell or in this would heal the obvious problems that was lingering, especially between him and that Gray fellow. That is why he suggested, though a little awkwardly, "How about we go inside and talk about everything a little further. I'm sure we all have some explanations that are due, and more importantly since I have been here everyone has been so stiff and serious. So we might as well make a party out it, right?"

"Aye, Sir," Happy said in his usual happy speech pattern. "Let's have fish for dinner. Fish is the best, especially when you eat it raw."

"Really," Natsu responded in a thoughtful manner. "I think it is better if it's cooked."

The playful bickering continued as the duo walked back into the house, followed by their 'guests' and no one bothered to interrupt or intervene since they all were just happy that their lost friends were among them. However Gray was the one who hung back and was haunted by unpleasant and guilty thoughts.

It felt wrong how easy this Natsu and Happy fitted back into their lives, especially when they learned that Natsu had lost all of his memory while Happy had just lost the memories from the event that eventually lead to their 'demise'. Natsu was an empty shell of himself, someone who didn't understand the actions from the past or what his own actions caused to him. Which is why after Natsu was done explaining his story with Happy's help, Gray couldn't stand being silent no longer.

"Don't screw around with me!" Gray exclaimed and slammed his fist hard against the table, making everything on the table jump including the people surrounding it except for Natsu that is, who glared at him hard in anger. "You have no idea what happened to you. How can you be such an idiot for forget something like that!"

Erza snapped back, "Gray! Shut up!"

He only switched between Natsu and Erza, but he didn't do anything to change his mind or apologize for his words. His guilt and remorse were haunting and had driving him mad for so long and this jerk got scotch free from everything bad that has ever happened to him, while he had to live with all the bad memories intact. It wasn't fair and he wasn't going to allow Natsu off the hook that easily.

However Natsu didn't take it that simply, something that certainly didn't change despite his memory loss, but unlike his former self he didn't start shouting or cause a fight of any kind. He simply stood up from his chair and walked out of the house without saying anything. Wendy and Lucy begged him to come back, but he didn't listen and not long afterwards was gone from sight. Everybody glared at him angrily, clearly blaming him for his immature and insensitive behavior. Meanwhile Happy looked depressed on the raw fish in front of him, apparently lost his appetite, and said quietly, "You shouldn't be so hard on him, Gray. He has been through a lot, especially when he has to restart his life at point zero with everything. He forgot about Igneel, Fairy Tail and everyone. He even forgot me his best friend and companion. And even though he doesn't show it, he gets hurt over it, especially when…"

"When what, Happy?"

"Especially when he can't use his magic anymore."

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