It was a surprisingly dull yet peaceful day at Fairy Tail. Not a single brawl had begun yet. A black-haired blue-eyed girl sat in her brother, Gray's, lap, surrounded by a group of her closest friends. There was Natsu, the hot headed fire mage, Lucy, the young celestial wizard, Erza, the powerful titania woman, Juvia, one of the newest members with reign over water, and Happy, the flying cat. They all laughed as Natsu was scolded by Erza for having the nerve to take her strawberry cake. As she laughed, the girl spotted someone and smiled.

"Gajeel! Hey, come sit with us!" A tall muscular man with crimson eyes, long black hair, and a pierced face looked over at her, a quizzical brow raised.

"Nyx!" Gray snapped. She ignored her brother, and beckoned Gajeel over. "Nyx, what are you doing?"

"Inviting him over here," she said, matter-of-fact.

"Look, maybe you're ready to forgive and trust that guy, but I'm not," Gray explained, trying to keep his cool.

"You'll never be ready to trust him if you don't talk to him," Nyx argued.

"But he-"

"I don't care about that." Gray scowled, but dropped the issue as the iron dragon slayer approached.

"What do you need Jewels?" Gajeel asked, using his nickname for Nyx, as he sat beside her and Gray. She was never sure if 'Jewels' was just what he decided to call her, or if he just never remembered her name. Either way, she smiled and shrugged.

"Nothing really, just felt like talking to you." Though her expression and tone showed the utmost cheer, Gray could feel her whole body tense up.

"She's still afraid of him..." Gray thought to himself, his fists clenching, and jaw tightening.

"I told you, I ain't here to make friends with you people," he muttered.

"Fine with us, that means you can just get lost," Natsu said, glaring at the rival dragon slayer. Juvia bit her lip. Gajeel had joined upon her recommendation, and she found the fact that nobody was getting along with him upsetting. Gajeel wasn't bothered by it in the least, and he simply smirked.

"If that's what you want, then maybe I should just stay put right here."

"Yay!" Nyx and Juvia both said in unison, however, nobody else shared their enthusiasm. All of the others just scowled at the man, not afraid to show that they disliked him. He glanced down at Nyx, confusion as to why she was happy clear in his eyes, then he looked away with a huff.

"So...have you taken any good jobs lately Gajeel?" Nyx asked trying to break the uncomfortable silence. He shrugged.

"Sure, they've been alright. None of them were much of a challenge for me, though it seems they are to you." Her brow furrowed.

"Hm? Why do you say that?" she questioned.

"Yeah, why? Nyx has saved us several times. She's strong!" Happy said.

"Then how did you get all of those scars?" Her eyes widened. He was asking about the scars that started on the left side of her face, and ran down the left side of her body, covering her neck, arm, and torso, and filled her mind with frightening memories.

"I...well I uh...they're..." Before Nyx could finish what she was trying to say, Gray bolted to his feet, throwing her from his lap to the ground, and slammed his fist as hard as he could into Gajeel's jaw, sending him to the ground as well.

"Gray!" Nyx snapped. Gajeel stood, wiping the small line of blood from the corner of his mouth, and glaring daggers at Gray.

"What the hell was that for?" he growled. Gray held his cold gaze.

"Get the hell away from us," he demanded.

"What's your problem?"

"I said go away. Go away, and leave Nyx alone." Gajeel put his hands up defensively.

"Hey, she's the one that-" Seeing Gray's eyes ablaze with hatred cut him off. Gajeel glanced at Nyx, then back at Gray. With an irritated huff, he turned and walked away.

"Why did you have to go and do that Gray?" Nyx asked, getting to her feet.

"What do you mean why? That bastard-"

"Don't call him a bastard! Can't you tell he's trying to change? If he had wanted to, he could have punched you right back!"

"So?"

"He didn't! He wants to be accepted! He didn't fight back, even though he had no idea what the hell you were attacking him for!"

"I cannot believe what I'm hearing. Are you seriously going to stand there and defend that guy? Here I am, trying to be a good brother, and protect you, and you're just going to turn around and make me seem like the bad guy? You know what, fine, go ahead and side with him, but don't expect me to look out for you anymore!" Gray finished, throwing his arms up in frustration. Nyx placed her hands on her hips.

"Who ever said I needed you to look out for me? I'm just as capable, if not more so than you are! Besides, I think you need me more than I need you. Who else is going to remind you to get dressed in the morning, and more importantly, to stay dressed?" Nyx snapped, pointing out the fact that he was now standing there in his boxers. He let out a grunt, and sat back down beside Juvia, too angry to bother getting redressed. Nyx bit her bottom lip, and stormed off, her nails digging into her own skin, and her eyes watering.