Flames of Love

Prologue

Deep within a forest, a small pink haired boy walked with no destination. The boy was about 4'5" with innocent black eyes, pick hair, and a feminine body. So feminine, one could easily mistake him for a girl.

Suddenly, the air got hotter and the wind started to blow. This sent the boy flying into some bushes. "Ouchy," whined the boy in a soft voice, as he rubbed the sore sport on the back of his head. The pink haired boy looked out from the bushes and gasped at the creature in front of him.

There, standing in the field, was a bird made out of fire. The boy was so much in awe at the creature, that he didn't notice the bird's flames encircling him. "You, human, what is your name," the majestic bird demanded. The boy jumped and looked around at the flames around him. "N-Natsu," the boy answered. The bird nodded, "My name is Ignacia, it is nice to meet you, Natsu," the bird said as the flames depleted.

Natsu nodded shyly and looked up at the magnificent bird. "Umm...what are you?" he asked shyly. Ignacia cooed in amusement. "I am what is known as a phoenix," she answered. Natsu looked up at the bird again in awe. "You're so pretty, Ignacia-san," he said in awe.

Ignacia cooed again, "Why thank you, Natsu-chan," she said teasingly. The pink haired boy pouted, "You do know, I am a boy, right?" he asked as he looked up at the phoenix. The fire bird laughed, "I know that, but you act and sound like a girl to me," she counted.

Natsu crossed his arms and looked away. "Meany," he pouted. Ignacia laughed again, "Tell me, Natsu-chan, where are your parents?" she asked. Natsu tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Parents? What are those?" he asked.

Ignacia blinked in surprise, "You mean to tell me, you do not have any parents?" she asked. Natsu nodded, "Nope! No parents!" he cried. Ignacia walked towards the pink hair boy and lowered her head to him level. "Well you do now, Natsu-chan," she said softly. Natsu giggled and hugged the phoenix's beak.

☀☀☀

"Phoenix Slayer Magic? What's that?" asked a seven year Natsu. "Phoenix Slayer Magic, is a type of Lost Magic that is taught by a phoenix, that has the ability to kill a phoenix," Ignacia explained gentle. Natsu tilted his head to the side. "How do you kill a phoenix? They're immortal, right?" he asked.

Ignacia cooed in amusement, "So you were listening to me, when I went on one of my phoenix rants," she said. Natsu nodded frantically, "Yup! Their so interesting!" he cried. "I'm glad that you find phoenixes so fascinating," cooed Ignacia. Natsu giggled and hugged the phoenix's leg.

Ignacia laughed, "Let us get started, Natsu-chan," she said. Natsu looked up sat his mother and nodded frantically.

☀☀☀

It now has been two years since Natsu had started to train in the art of Phoenix Slayer Magic. Surprisingly, the boy had done quite well. Ignacia thought it would take him at least three or four years to master.

As time pasted, Ignacia started to feel weaker and weaker as she went. She knew her time was coming, but the phoenix had one last thing to do for her son, before she departed.

"Natsu-chan, come here," Ignacia beckoned. "What is it, mother?" asked the now nine year old Natsu.

The nine year old had changed a lot, since he began his training. He now wore a fire red jacket with a phoenix logo on the back, an orange-red short sleeved t-shirt underneath, and charcoal black pants.

Even the aura around him seemed to change. At the first time they met, Ignacia could sense that he would have made a great dragon and phoenix slayer. Now, his aura was full of power, beauty, and grace.

"My son, it is about time for me to burn out," Ignacia said. Natsu's eyes widened and was about to yell, but his mother cut him off short. "Keep your composure, Natsu-chan," Ignacia reminded him. Natsu cleaned his throat, "My apologies, mother," he said with a small bowed.

"It is alright, my child," Ignacia reassured. "When will your flame burn out?" Natsu questioned. His mother closed her eyes and she started to glow faintly. "Hmm...no that long," Natsu said sadly.

"Don't be like that, my dear, I have a plan," Ignacia said. Natsu smiled a little, "As stubborn as ever. What is your plan, mother?" he asked. "You remember Igneel, correct?" Ignacia asked. Natsu nodded, "Of course I do. You introduced me to him a week into my training," he replied.

Ignacia nodded, "He was generous enough to create a gourd out of his own scales. I am going to combust, while you suck my ashes into the gourd. After waiting for a few days, you will be able to use my ashes as a weapon," she explained as she pulled out the gourd and uncapped it.

To say Natsu was shocked, would be a HUGE understatement. "M-mother, are you sure about this?" he questioned. Ignacia nodded, "I have never been so sure of anything in my life," she replied.

The phoenix slayer started to tear up a little. "M-mother," he sniffled as he walked up to Ignacia and hugged her the best he could. The phoenix cooed softly and started singing.

"Rising the high the clouds unfurl
Gazing at the twilight's sky
Broken by a newborn's cry
Changes from the smallest things
Gazing at an angel's wings
Fall down, fall down, falls the rain
My life's not in vain...

Light and bouncy in the wind
Sing a song unto the world
Rising high the clouds unfurl
Fan the flames into the past
Here now our lives will last
We'll never know the times of pain
Fall down, fall down, falls the rain
My life won't be plain...

Light and bouncy in the wind
Sings a song unto the world
Fall down, fall down, falls the rain....
My life won't be plain..."

Once the last words were sung, Ignacia combusted into flames and her ashes were sucked into the gourd. Natsu stood up and wiped the tears away. He saw the gourd, that contained his mother's ashes, and smiled sadly. "I will make you proud of me, Mother," he vowed to the gourd.

Strapping the gourd onto his back, Natsu headed out into the world.