6. Embers
Everything seemed to fit into place now that he thought about it. Why everyone believed he and Happy was dead and how the injuries he had when he woke up afterwards had occurred except for the head injury that is, but that was more or less a technicality at the moment. Still Natsu had gained some kind of recollection from Gray's story, memory flashes burning and frying his mind to a crisp, it wasn't nearly enough for him to draw a straight forward conclusion on who he was and what exactly he was supposed to do with this newfound information. That is why after he had finally stopped crying like an idiot Gray asked the dreaded question, "So what are you going to do now?"
Natsu just silently shook his head, "I have no idea. I mean I don't doubt what you or everyone is telling me that I'm your friend Natsu and the past that went along with him, but I'm not him anymore. Sure, I get flashes and memories from my old life, but I can't connect them to me and there is also the fact that I can't do magic anymore. Trust me when I say I tried everything and still got nothing."
Gray sat up in one quick movement, got up on his feet and glared down at him frustrated before he exclaimed, "So what! You are still here, alive and still functioning although I might question your brain capability, and that's all that matters. Your life is far more important than your magic and your memories."
Natsu could only blink dumbfound at the whole reprimanding or whatever Gray was trying to convey. Maybe some kind of pep talk or confidence speech, but no matter what is was it still reminded him of a reprimanding that sounded along the lines of how Erza or the memories of Erza reprimanding him in the past. Nonetheless his heart warmed by his words and the fact that Gray cared so openly about him.
"Besides I saw how your worked that sword around before, you are most definitely not useless or a weakling of any kind. Strength is not measured by only physical strength alone…"
"But by the one's heart," Natsu finished the sentence with a grin. He tilted his head and the grin still didn't disappear from his face, "I remember Gramps teaching us that. Also someone else kept on thinking and living with that saying in mind as well as never giving up. I wonder who that was…"
Gray blinked confused for a second before he let out surprised, "It's you, Natsu. You have always fought and never given up for yourself or for anyone else. That is why you can't suddenly start running and hide, because that's what you memory loss is. A method to run and hide from the hardships and pain you have been through, but you can't run anymore since we all need and want you in our lives."
It was confusing and honestly scary to be confronted like this, especially since he felt naked without any possible way of defending himself, but again what exactly was he defending himself against. Gray wasn't saying anything that wasn't the truth and no matter how much the truth hurt it was still something he needed to hear and more importantly face. After all wasn't that the reason why he and Happy left the village in the first place, to find out who he was and move on from that?
Without saying anything, he stood up and brushed the grass from his pants before he looked back on Gray and answered lightly and slightly teasing, "Alright, Drippy-eyes you win. Only this time though, but I promise you that you won't defeat me again."
Gray smirked and rolled his eyes, "Please, Squinty-eyes. You can never beat me, and even if you do it will only be pure luck and not your own ability."
Natsu instantly flared up and sneered back, "What did you say!"
His rival and friend shrugged his shoulders and began heading back to the guild, meanwhile he pouted for a second over the fact that the banter stopped so abruptly before he followed and soon after was walking next to Gray. Neither of them said anything, but in the end it didn't matter because the heavy tension between them had lighten up a bit. No completely since problems and underlying issues doesn't disappear that quickly, but it was a start and that was all that mattered at the moment. They both finally were getting a start to proceed from this 'bump' on their past and present and heading towards a better future.
It was tough, but somehow it worked out great despite Natsu's magic and all of his memories intact. Even with his lack of magic he managed to fill the lack with his own physical strength and his incredible swordsmanship that was on par with Erza' own ability, but that didn't mean he could beat her completely in several fights. After all he still had much to learn before he would have really surpassed Titania.
And of course some of his memories returned to everyone's joy, but not all of them including the moments before his 'death' and the oddness of his relationship with Zeref. No one knew why, but it was better not to ponder over something that was completely out of his or her powers.
Still Natsu was happy and continued to be a part of Fairy Tail by working jobs and such. And no one was sure whether it was a good or a bad thing that his main specialty to destroy property and get in troubles with the Council, but nonetheless everyone was glad certain things had not changed with him. Although Master Makarov continue to cry whenever he receives complaints from the Council.
Gray's nightmares seemed to have lessened the time period since Natsu returned and when he confessed to everyone at the guild what exactly had been eating him alive for year regarding Natsu's 'death'. Everyone was shocked, some were upset and angry for hiding and having some part of it, but just like Natsu they forgave him and helped him as much as they could. In the end it wasn't perfect, it was loud and messy, but that was just another typical day at the Fairy Tail guild.
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Thank you guys so much for the response I have been receiving. I hope you guys like the chapter. Seeing as no one had any special opinion on how I was going to end this story, I decided to mellow it down and finish it in one chapter. Sorry if you guys don't like it, but after receiving such heavy angsty sadness for the last few chapters I figured a happy ending would do. And yes I know most questions aren't answered, but some things in life just aren't and we just have to deal with that.
Anyways I'm not sure whether I will be writing a sequel or start a completely new Fairy Tail story, but if I do I will probably be writing Nalu romance and Gratsu friendship fics. Even though I'm not that picky about shipping pairs. Nevertheless keep your eyes open in case I do release more.
I hope everyone gets a happy New year as well. Please don't be afraid to tell me your opinion, I would love to hear what you guys think.
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