Blue-Eyes-B-Dragon, Shadowecreeper, Thanks so much for reading and Favoriting!
Thanks so much to, Janet Mann, Manguepassion, Runay, Strawberry1314 for reading, following and favoriting this story!
Thank you, Elephantinmyroom, PokeTail, laylaheart, Sweetcat1025, for reading and following!
Thanks mdelphin for your nice review and for reading and following as well!
So it looks like this is going to be three chapters and not four due to one of the chapters being too short and therefore I edited them together.
Have a nice day and thanks to everyone whose reading this for reading my stories!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail, and the next Chapter is the one that would never have turned out the same way if my sister hadn't let me use two things she made up in our game to put in this. Which are the parts in the last chapter that will be the beginning of a rant which was "promise to promise," part, and the code word "drool or drooling" those two parts were made up by my sister.
So thanks everyone! And I hope you have a good day!
Chapter 2 Break In
Night had long since fallen and Natsu still lay in his bed wide awake, thinking about the things that were brought up in the guild that day.
Clearly something was bothering Gray, and it seemed everything hinted to it being something between the Freezerbrain and Natsu himself.
Natsu frowned and sat up in his hammock quietly, careful not to disturb the sleeping Exceed who lay asleep on the hammock with him.
Natsu just managed to climb out of his hammock bed, when Happy began to stir.
Quickly Natsu petted him gently, and Happy seemed to fall back to sleep, leaving Natsu to sigh in relief.
So technically, he didn't really mind telling his companion what he was doing. But considering how tricky it was going to be, Natsu had a feeling it would be easier to do it alone, especially if he was to end up messing it up. Or simply for the fact that-
As Natsu crept away from the hammock he suddenly tripped over something hard and metal, nearly falling to the floor. But Natsu regained his balance and used fire on his fist to see what he had tripped on.
Oops... Natsu thought to himself glancing down at a dirty food covered frying pan he'd forgotten to wash and put away from dinner.
But wait... Natsu and Happy had eaten at the guild today, hadn't they?
Oh well... Natsu thought. It was from dinner. Maybe not tonight's dinner...but another nights dinner.
Natsu was about to sigh in relief that the noise hadn't woke Happy, when a familiar voice spoke from behind him.
"Natsu...?" Happy whispered sleepily.
"Yeah pal?" Natsu asked quietly after a moment.
"What're you doing Natsu...?" Happy asked tiredly.
"I've got something I have to do." Natsu replied. "Didn't mean to wake ya." He added apologetically.
"Where are you going? It's the middle of the night!" Happy asked sleepily.
"Well..." Natsu started, trying to think of a way to put it that wouldn't sound awkward or stupid. "Well you see...I'm going to go...uh...fix...or...not that...uh..." Natsu stammered trying to figure out a good way to word it.
"Are you heading over to Lucy's without me?" Happy asked his eyes widening sadly as if he were being betrayed.
"No! Now way! Of course not! I'd never leave you behind!" Natsu exclaimed. "I was just going to...do something...that really needs to be done." Natsu finished smiling at his companion.
"Oh..." Happy said quietly. "Where are you going?" Happy asked.
Natsu sighed. Looks like he had to explain himself to Happy. He didn't really have a choice.
"I'm going to Gray's." Natsu admitted.
"Did Erza say you had to? I thought she said we'd all be going tomorrow if he doesn't show up at the guild...but I suppose she might've told you to go since it's got something to do with you, at least judging by how Gray's been acting..." Happy asked.
"Well...no." Natsu replied awkwardly. "This is just a rare occasion I suppose..." He added.
Happy's eyes widened and he looked more awake now.
"So you're going to settle things with Gray?" Happy asked.
"I'm going to find out what's going on and then make that Freezerbrain behave like he normally does." Natsu confirmed.
"Oh...!" Happy said in realization.
"Huh?" Natsu muttered in confusion. "What is it, Happy?"
"So that's why you were so confident when you said Gray would show up at the guild and he'd sort it all out and be fine." Happy realized.
"Huh? Happy..." Natsu said, slightly irritated that Happy could figure out his plans so well.
"So you're going to go find out what's wrong and make sure it gets sorted out before tomorrow when we all go to the guild?" Happy asked.
Natsu smiled.
"Exactly." He confirmed happily. "I'm not going to let him go off sulking and making Erza worry."
Happy smiled back, as best as a cat could smile.
"Need any help?" Happy asked.
"Not sure. I wouldn't want to keep you up dragging you around places at night.. Plus I don't know how long I'll be, because...well...you know how Gray is sometimes." Natsu replied.
"You already woke me up." Happy pointed out.
"Yeah...sorry about that." Natsu answered slightly guiltily.
"So can I come?" Happy asked growing slightly impatient.
"Do you really wanna come?" Natsu asked.
"Natsuuuu!" The blue Exceed exclaimed in annoyance. "Yes, I wanna come. Maybe I can help Gray too. After all, he's my friend too." Happy answered.
"Okay then. Let's go." Natsu said, then startled slight as he realized an error. "But you know Happy...Gray and me are kind of more rivals than friends...right?" Natsu asked quietly, some of his doubts slightly showing at the hint to his worries.
"What?" Happy asked accidentally not hearing the Dragonslayer's words.
"Never mind." Natsu answered quickly, realizing he didn't want to go there.
"Okay." Happy nodded.
The two had closed the door behind them and had been walking through the forest for awhile until they finally reached the end of the forest.
Then Natsu turned to the direction he always went to get to the guild.
"Uh, Natsu?" Happy started.
"Yeah Happy?" Natsu replied.
"You don't remember how to get to Gray's house do you? 'Cause you're going the wrong way..." Happy answered.
"Uh...oh...oops." Natsu muttered, turning to go the other way.
"That's not the right way either." Happy said.
"It's not?" Natsu asked.
Happy shook his head no, clearly looking tired and annoyed.
"Don't worry Happy, I'll just sniff him out." Natsu said brightly.
"But why can't you remember where Gray's house is?" The blue cat asked.
"Uh...maybe...probably because I always just sniff him out if I want to fight with him or something!" Natsu exclaimed with a toothy smile. "It's probably just been awhile."
"Oh...right...and I thought you just followed me without paying attention. At least whenever we head to his house." Happy said. "You know...Gray knows how to get to your house on his own." Happy pointed out.
"Oh yeah? Well..." Natsu started in frustration. "That's just him being weird. Just look at his clothes finding skills! They totally suck! He clearly can never find his shirt! Sometimes his pants too! But his shirt is pretty much always missing!" Natsu argued rather loudly.
"Hey! Would you keep it down, down there! People are trying to sleep!" A man called down from his upstairs window.
"Uh...yeah?" Natsu called back in slight confusion.
Surely he hadn't been that loud.
"We're sorry mister!" Happy called to the man, who simply slammed down his window again.
Happy sighed and shrugged at Natsu.
With his powerful Dragon hearing Natsu could hear the man muttering complaints about noisy kids or brats...
"This way to Gray's place, Natsu." Happy directed quietly.
"Really, I can just smell him out." Natsu insisted.
Gray sighed in frustration as he rolled over in bed. His mind was so busy and he couldn't get the memories out of his head.
Gray shoved his face into the pillow. Would he ever be able to sleep properly? Sure there were times he slept really well, nowhere near as well as he once did back when he was a little kid growing up in Isvan with his parents...before Deliora ruined everything. Sometimes it felt like an entirely different life, with a very different person. But Gray didn't really care about worrying how much he'd been changed and messed up after that.
He was too angry and disturbed with himself for all the things he'd done. Making so many problems that other people had to fix.
Gray shook his head, sitting up in bed, willing the guilt-filled memories away hoping they didn't reemerge as uncontrollable flashbacks.
Taking a deep breath, Gray let it out in a sigh as he let himself fall back onto his pillow.
He didn't realize how long he'd been trying to sleep, but he was getting extremely tired, despite how he ridiculously still couldn't get to sleep.
Slowly his breathing became more even and he closed his eyes. His mind turned more into random memories rather than clear thoughts of memories.
First he thought about everyone at the guild, probably all fast asleep in their homes, unless their celebrating had lasted way longer than he imagined.
Second his guilty memories resurfaced again, and he thought of Erza...and then of Natsu. He felt guilt rise more inside him, and part of him couldn't help but wonder what the Dragonslayer was doing. Most likely sleeping...but then, he couldn't help but wonder if Natsu was still worried about their friendship like he'd revealed to him when he'd been upset that Gray had tried to use Lost Iced Shell.
Gray tightened his fists as he felt guilt and regret and all sorts of heartache rise inside him again.
He squeezed the bedsheets tightly, his consciousness fading into sleep.
But before sleep took him, he thought of all the people that would always come to his mind before sleep.
Mostly the guild at first, but as the list went by it went through everyone that he'd lost as well...ending with his master Ur.
"So..." Natsu muttered as he and Happy stood outside Gray's house. "Front door or window?" Natsu asked the blue cat.
"Well knocking would be more polite but I doubt he's awake...I mean...it's pretty late..." Happy replied hesitantly.
Happy flew forward and tried to turn the door knob.
It was locked.
Happy turned to Natsu and shrugged, but the Dragonslayer didn't seem to be paying attention to the Exceed.
"Natsu?" Happy asked. "What-"
-"Shh!" Natsu hushed quietly but firmly.
"What's wrong...?" Happy whispered.
Natsu didn't answer; instead he leaned closer pressing his ear to the door listing carefully with his powerful dragon hearing.
"Let's take the window." Natsu said suddenly; his voice strangely urgent sounding.
"Aye sir!" Happy replied, picking up the Dragonslayer and flying them up and through a window and into Gray's house.
Natsu slid open the window, and the two climbed inside. Natsu stumbled as he stepped on Gray's discarded pants with the belt still attached through the loops, but managed to catch his balance before falling.
Happy hid a silent laugh. Natsu glanced at his companion with confusion.
"How many times are you going to trip on things?" Happy asked whispering softly. "Why not turn on a light or use your fire?"
"Because! We're being like Ninjas. Ninjas don't turn the lights on when they're sneaking on their missions. That'll give us away Happy." Natsu explained in a hushed voice.
"Uh...Natsu? I made sure to get us into a different room and not right away into his bedroom." Happy informed him.
"Why?" Natsu asked.
"Because we're tired and need to make sure we don't wake him unless your plan was to wake him up if he's not already awake..." Happy replied.
"Alright, nice job pal." Natsu nodded, pulling his scarf around his head to look like a ninja.
The two walked quietly through the house as Natsu led the way to where Gray's bed was; beside a window with a shelf with some books and random items on it.
"I think he's asleep." Happy whispered as they reached Gray's room.
As if saying that it changes nothing, Natsu continued into the room, with Happy following closely behind him, somewhat hesitantly.
"You sure we shouldn't just wait till morning? He's definitely sleeping and he won't be very happy if we wake him up." Happy warned.
Natsu looked at the Exceed and shrugged.
Suddenly Natsu was sure he heard Gray say something under his breath.
"What are you-"? Happy started.
"Shh!" Natsu hushed quietly as he listened carefully.
A few confusing moments passed for the flying blue cat. But he remained quiet as he watched his friend stand very still and silently, looking very serious.
Natsu appeared to possibly be listening for something somewhere, but Happy wasn't completely sure what that was, or even where, since Natsu's fire dragon Slayer magic also gave him incredibly enhanced ability to hear and smell.
Gray whimpered softly in his sleep. Happy quietly landed onto the end of the bed, and glanced at the sleeping ice mage.
"Maybe he's having a bad dream?" Happy suggested. "Should we wake him?" Happy suggested as Gray shifted in bed as he whimpered softly. "He'd be pretty angry if we do that though." Happy added quickly.
"That's true..." Natsu replied distractedly, as he listened carefully to hear if Gray said anything other than whimpering.
Natsu frowned. Gray didn't whimper. This wasn't like him and it only proved something was definitely wrong.
Suddenly Gray made another sound that caught Natsu's attention and he listened as carefully as he could so he would know exactly what Gray was dreaming about or at least something more than what he knew from Erza and Happy and his own experiences recently.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Gray whimpered desperately under his breath as he shifted in bed uncomfortably.
"Gray?" Happy whispered.
"That's it." Natsu said suddenly his expression determined and his voice final. Any kind of guilt that was strong enough to make Gray apologize so desperately had to be a bad sign, even if it was in the ice mange's dreams or nightmares.
"So you're going to wake him?" Happy said but trailed off as Natsu moved closer to the sleeping ice mage and punched him on the shoulder.
Gray flinched in his sleep slightly and Natsu frowned.
"Get up ice princess." Natsu hissed as he tried to shake Gray's shoulders to wake him.
Gray groaned slightly and Natsu shoved him hard, accidentally sending the two boys off the bed and crashing loudly to the floor.
Gray cried out as he crashed to the floor somewhat painfully, as he landed on his face.
Natsu winced at the result of his mistake but shrugged it off as he got up to his feet, ignoring Happy's quiet 'uh oh's.'
Gray trembled slightly as he pushed himself onto all fours. Had his nightmares really gone back to being so bad that he'd fallen out of bed again? Gray shook his head squeezing his eyes shut tightly, allowing the nightmares to resurface in his mind, before quickly shaking his head in an attempt to make the images disappear.
That hadn't been a bright idea.
"Gray?" Happy whispered hesitantly with concern. "Are you okay?"
It took Gray a moment to calm his rapid breathing and figure out why he heard Happy when he was sure he was in his own house.
"Yeah..." Gray managed as he tried to stop his body from shaking.
The ice mage lifted his head to look at Happy, only to see the exceed sitting on his bed looking worried.
"What're you doing...?" Gray muttered sounding tired and almost monotone.
"Well...it's kind of a long story...but Gray...are you okay?" Happy replied worriedly.
Gray opened his mouth to say something, but a louder voice interrupted him, making him startle.
"So, you ready to get up off the floor and tell us what in the world is making you act weird and giving you nightmares and worrying Erza?" A loud yet strangely serious sounding voice asked.
Gray's form startled but otherwise remained still. Happy saw that once again, Gray winced.
There was a long moment of silence.
"Ice princess?" Natsu offered awkwardly.
"What...what are you two doing?" Gray demanded, the strange almost tired and choked up sound disappearing and leaving slight anger in its place. "You can't just break in, in the middle of the night-" Gray started angrily.
"Did you miss the part where you upset Erza?" Natsu demanded.
Gray fell silent.
Happy glanced between the two mages; Gray remained silent and strangely shaky looking, and Natsu had this determination in his eyes, and Happy was sure that when Natsu was telling Gray he'd upset Erza, that he was also referring to himself as well, only in a way that no one knew. Because no way would he be worried for the snow-runner.
Or at least that's what Natsu thought, because Happy had known them long enough to see through at least Natsu's behaviour.
Happy sighed quietly, hoping that the two would be able to sort things out and that this wouldn't end in a huge fight between the two boys.
"So...?" Natsu asked impatiently. "I asked if you're ready to get up off the floor and tell us what's going on. So get up." Natsu told him.
Gray let out a shaky sigh, and Natsu's eyes widened when he noticed that Gray was still trembling, clearly trying to hide it and pull himself together, but not doing a very good job at it tonight.
Natsu hesitantly outstretched a hand towards the ice mage. But Gray still didn't look up at the dragon slayer.
"Gray...?" Natsu said hesitantly. "Get up." He challenged after a moment as he watched Gray sitting quietly on the floor, where he would slightly tremble once in awhile that made Natsu feel more concerned.
Happy started closer to Gray, putting a paw on the ice mage's knee, it seemed to snap the ice mage out of the strange trance or whatever it had been that he was in, and he glance briefly at Happy before petting him, and then standing up on his own only catching a glimpse of Natsu's outstretched hand. But he flinched startling slightly, and pushed passed his rival and headed downstairs tiredly.
"Hey!" Natsu protested as he scampered after Gray.
"Go away..." Gray dismissed sleepily.
"Where are you going?" Natsu asked pushing in front of Gray as they reached downstairs.
"Nowhere..." Gray replied in frustration.
Natsu felt his anger at Gray's stubbornness flare up and he grabbed Gray's arm.
"You can't just run away from the guild when you're upset! You realize you upset Erza by making her worried? You can't just-" Natsu started but Gray swiftly pushed passed him and slipped out the front door.
"Come on Happy!" Natsu shouted as he ran out the door after the ice mage.
Natsu ran out the door of the house, breaking into a run to chase after Gray.
No way was he going to get away and not let them find out and fix whatever was wrong.
"Hurry Happy!" Natsu called, unsure as to whether the blue cat was flying behind him or not.
"I had to close the door!" Happy called from further back.
"Alright then!" Natsu replied.
Natsu quickly glanced around for Gray. He didn't see him anymore, but he could totally smell him.
Hurriedly he followed Gray's scent trying to avoid all the weird directions the scent kept leading them. Clearly Gray wasn't going to make this easy.
"Natsu!" Happy shouted.
Natsu mind raced with all sorts of different thoughts. No way was Gray going to get away without letting his friends learn what was wrong so that they could help fix things.
A pang of worry shot through the fire mage's stomach.
What if with all Gray's strange looks and avoidance that was all mostly seeming to be in some way because of Natsu...was the ice mage trying to give him a message?
Does he not want to be friends anymore? Natsu wondered fearfully, but clenched his fists in determination. Our friendship is not over and the ice block is going to tell me what's wrong and we will find a way to fix it!
Natsu paused, hearing Happy's voice and to catch his breath.
"What's up Happy?" Natsu asked, shivering slightly at the cold nighttime breeze.
"Maybe we should wait til morning like Erza said..." Happy said shivering slightly. "I don't think he wants to talk right now."
"We can't give up and leave him out here." Natsu argued stubbornly.
Happy smirked mischievously and opened his mouth to say something.
"If we leave him out here then it would be giving up and letting him win and he'd get his way." Natsu added quickly, despite knowing that Happy was fully aware that he and Gray were friends and not just two guild mates who could never get along and acted like they hated each other.
Natsu tried to push away the doubts that seeped back into his mind about his and Gray's complicated friendship.
"Come here." Natsu said to the feline, gesturing for the blue cat to climb into his vest, in which Natsu wrapped Happy in, snuggling safely against his chest.
"It's kind of cold out, but you're always so warm..." Happy said purring slightly as he hugged his friend tightly.
Natsu nodded and continued after the tricky ice mage.
As tricky Gray had been with taking weird routes, the ice mage had to be extremely tired since he hadn't tried to trick Natsu with any kind of attempts to mess up his scent, or lay out any kind of traps. But then again, was he really wanting to keep everything secret that bad?
Natsu ran clutching Happy as he followed the ice mage's scent, until he caught up and found him.
Gray was hiking down the hill, the same hill Natsu and Gray had always fought on when they were younger, when they'd been sent out of the guildhall for their destructive little fights.
Natsu watched quietly as Gray continued down the hill, heading down towards the river.
Natsu shook his head and slowly started to make his way down after the ice prick, despite having no idea what he could do or say to fix whatever was going on.