. Not As It Seems .

Natsu waited until everyone else was distracted before leaving the guildhall. Most of the other dragon slayers had left to find their own dragons ages ago - Sting had been the first, worrying everyone. But Rogue had merely told them that he'd be fine. They all would.

Wendy had been second, eager to see her mother. Grandeeney had been waiting just outside, and they'd all heard Wendy's happy crying and the rumbling voice of a dragon as it saw to its child. Rogue and Gajeel had left together, though Natsu was certain that they'd separated soon after.

Natsu's onyx eyes searched the town around him for his father and found him immediately, patiently watching the town from the north. He began to jog through the streets, scarf streaming out behind him.

He'd left Lucy without a word, but she'd been with Cana and Lisanna, so he assumed she'd be okay until he got back. Not. He knew that she and Happy would come hunting minutes after he left.

It took nearly twenty minutes to reach Igneel, and when he did, he slowed to a walk, panting just barely and grinning excitedly up at the fire dragon. Igneel didn't seem to notice him and he caught his breath before suddenly scrambling up the side of a building to get to the roof, using the roof and his fire to somehow throw himself at the dragon's snout.

"Igneel!" he bellowed, catching onto the scales with ease and simply hanging there. Igneel snorted in shock, jerking his head, but Natsu kept a tight grip, only laughing loudly. Igneel seemed amused as he rumbled Natsu's name before lowering the pink-haired mage to the ground.

"What are you doing, surprising dragons?" Igneel scolded.

Natsu only grinned up at him with another laugh. "That's what you get for disappearing for so long!" Most people would have been bothered by the length of time that the dragons had been gone; Natsu merely peered around him, patiently waiting for his partners to come out from wherever they were.

He desperately wanted Igneel to meet both of them.

"I was told that your half-fairy friend died," Igneel said after a moment. "I'm sorry. We didn't want for her to die. We merely wished to secure the safety of this world."

Natsu was quiet for a minute, and then shrugged and told him simply, "It's the fairies' fault and no one else's. I wish she'd been able to celebrate our victory with us, but...Sting's the one most upset about it, I think. He liked her the most out of all of us freaks." Suddenly his sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar flash of gold, and he called, "Luce!"

The blonde paused, hesitant as the dragon beside him shifted to look her way. Natsu smiled encouragingly, holding out his hand, and finally, she approached, slipping her hand into his and flushing at the curious look Igneel gave her. "Sorry," she mumbled as Happy squirmed in her grip and climbed onto Natsu's shoulder. "We should have stayed at the guildhall."

"Nah," he drawled. "I wanted ya to meet Igneel anyways. Igneel!" he said proudly throwing an arm around Lucy's shoulders and playfully pressing his forehead against the crown of her head. "These are my best friends, Lucy Heartfilia and Happy. Luce's my partner." He didn't dare try to say that she was more just yet; they still needed to have that conversation.

Igneel studied Lucy and Happy with a blank look that was carefully void of emotion before he finally answered, looking amused at the worried look on Lucy's face. "It is nice to meet the ones who have done so much for my son. Thank you for taking care of him in my absence."

Lucy let out a huge whoosh of air in relief and simply gave a huge smile. "It's an honor to meet you," she told him. "Natsu's told us so much about you...we're very grateful that you've come back."

"Will you stay?" Natsu sounded anxious now, studying his father. "You won't disappear again?"

Igneel's eyes softened just a fraction as he touched his nose to Natsu's forehead with care, not wanting to knock Happy off. Natsu released Lucy in favor of hugging him, digging his fingers in as if it would trap Igneel there. "Not here, precisely," he admitted. "This part of Fiore is not suitable territory for five dragons. But we will no longer be in hiding. You will be able to come visit us whenever you wish."

Relief filled Natsu, and he laughed again, releasing Igneel in favor of crushing Lucy to his side. Happy purred excitedly, looking down at his friends from his place on Natsu's head. They all paused as a rumbling roar filled the air, and a second later, a massive shadow launched into the air.

Skiadrum was the first to leave, it appeared, his massive body casting a shadow over Magnolia. Igneel looked up, watching as he suddenly plunged towards the ground. Lucy tensed in shock - and then relaxed when he seemed to melt into the thousands of shadows that flooded the town.

"Skiadrum is worried about his son," Igneel admitted. "It is likely that he will remain in the shadows of the city or town closest to their guild."

"Crocus then. Hisui may not appreciate that after the Eclipse Gate," Lucy murmured, then shrugged.

Igneel shifted, taking in their happy looks a final time. "It is time I take my leave. Natsu, I will be within the mountains to the southwest of here. You know fully well how to find me."

"Of course." Natsu gave another grin, his cheeks hurting from the amount of smiling he was doing. "I'll come see you soon. After we've fixed up Magnolia and helped out the people that live here!"

Igneel said no more, only lifted the massive wings on either side of his body and looked to the sky. His jaws parted and he gave a roar that was similar to Skiadrum's, and then rose into the sky with ease.

Natsu watched him go silently until he was gone and then turned to Lucy, reaching up to ruffle Happy's ears. "C'mon," he said cheerfully, onyx eyes glinting suspiciously. "We've got a party to screw up."

Lucy only giggled and nudged him with her shoulder. "Race you there."

He smirked and took off at the same time she did, Happy flying beside them.

At long last, things were at peace once more.

"Ah, Rogue! Look! A flower!"

The entire group stopped, of course, as Rogue knelt beside Frosch to study the flower he'd pointed out. Lector scurried over to investigate, and Yukino peered over their shoulders with a smile on her face. Sting waited patiently with Orga and Rufus, a hint of a smile on his face as he watched the two Exceeds cheer excitedly over the sight, one of the rare moments of true joy that they'd shown over the few days since the defeat of the fairies.

Rather than taking transportation out of Magnolia, they'd chosen to walk, neither dragon slayer willing to deal with motion sickness for the time being. Skiadrum awaited, and Weisslogia had promised to do a fly by so that the guild could pester them before he went to hide in the caves along a beach hundreds of miles to the west.

In other words, life had been peaceful.

It didn't make the guilt and grief any less, but at least there were distractions.

"Sting-kun," Lector called. "It's white, do you want it?"

"Sure," Sting drawled, "Why not?"

"Here," Frosch said happily, picking it and handing it to Lector. He ran over and pushed the white flower into Sting's hands. He studied it, and then shoved it into his mouth without hesitation, smirking at the look of disgust on everyone else's face. "What? Jealous you can't eat it?"

"Relieved, actually," Rufus answered, shaking his head.

"It's disgusting," Orga agreed.

Sting merely chewed contently. "Tastes good to me! You guys ready to go?"

"Mhm!" Yukino agreed, smiling as she scooped Frosch into her arms and reached for Lector. "Come, Fro-kun, Lector-kun, let's go home. They're probably worried about us."

"Doubt it," Sting called back before starting forward, swallowing the flower. Rogue climbed to his feet, sweeping the dirt from his knees and followed them.

Suddenly, Sting stopped, going cross-eyed as something alighted itself on his nose, and Orga burst into laughter at the sight, wishing that he could have captured the image for everyone to see. "What the-"

"Oh!" Yukino shoved the cats into Rogue's arms, and then stepped over. With gentle hands, she scooped it into her palms, and then held it with a smile, showing Sting what it was. "A butterfly," she hummed, smiling gently at it as it's glowing white wings fluttered. He peered at it in wonder, and then blinked in recognition; everyone gathered around to see.

And then, it took flight. It soared off daintily in the breeze high above their heads, fluttering away with ease. It continued its journey for long after Sabertooth moved on, arriving at its destination near evening.

It landed upon a slim and dainty finger that was held out, waiting for it, and received a warm smile. Sharp burgundy eyes glittered with amusement as they read the information offered about the area around.

"Well done. It's time for you to rest now...thank you."

The butterfly dissolved into glowing orbs that faded into the starry sky above, leaving nothing but warmth behind.

Epilogue released. I couldn't help myself.

I was very nervous to release NAIS after I wrote it. Many people hate the input of OCs into things, and I worked incredibly hard for a while on this. I didn't expect as many people to like it, honestly. But I'm glad you did. :D

Thanks to reviewers (LePengwen, FairyDemonDust, CrystalVixen93, and PinkFireandGoldenStars!) as well as those who favorited and followed, and thank you to all that even looked!

If you enjoyed this, you're welcome to take a look at my other current in progress works, Between the Lines and Oculto. I'm working on a new fanfic, too, called In Tenebris (though it won't be out for quite some time) that I'm excited about.

So, as Snow Fairy states..."Don't say goodbye!"

~river