Chapter 2

After being stamped, everyone began to crowd around Sakura, greeting her and asking multiple questions: what her magic type was, where she came from, who her family was, how did she know Gray and Natsu, among others. She dodged as many as she could, but answered a few of the questions she deemed less personal: why did she join Fairy Tail, how did she find it, questions like that. Gray had kept close to the raven-haired girl, and upon noticing her start to tire, began to attempt to ward off the wave of curious mages.

"It's getting late. We should let Sakura rest," Makarov shouted to be heard over the roar of voices. "Do you have a place to stay?" He directed the questions towards Fairy Tail's newest member. She turned to Gray briefly, a question clear in her silvery blue green eyes. She was met with a nod, and turned back to the master.

"I can stay with Gray-chan," she replied. "I'd like to catch up with him anyways."

"Alright. Gray, don't do perverted things to her," ordered the master.

"Now who's being a pervert?" shouted the ice mage.

"Says the pervert." That was Natsu, who was trying to rile up Gray.

"You're the one that sleeps in Lucy's bed!"

"You wanna go at it, Iceblock?!"

"Come at me, ash-for-brains!" Erza moved to break up the fight, but before she could, Sakura moved forwards.

"Tsu-chan, stop riling up Gray-chan. Gray-chan, stop riling up Tsu-chan. It's too late for this and I'm tired." The two instantly backed down.

"Yes, Sakura-san," they said in unison. Everyone was amazed at the display. Usually only Erza could break them apart when they decided to go at it, but Sakura had done so with only a slight glare.

"Hey! Don't copy me, Stripper!" Natsu shouted.

"Tsu-chan!" said Sakura dangerously. "If you don't stop trying to get into a fight, then I will be forced to resort to... other methods. Understood?"

"Aye, sir!"replied Natsu, instantly straightening and looking utterly afraid. Lucy sweat dropped. 'She can turn him into Happy 2 also?' she thought. Speaking of the little blue cat, she realized she hadn't seen him since Sakura came and wondered where he was. At that exact moment, almost as though reading her thoughts, Happy flew in, a bunch of fish trailing behind him.

"Sakura! Do you want some fish?" he asked excitedly.

"Of course, Happy. I'm not very hungry, so I'll only take two. You eat the rest, okay?" replied Sakura gently with a fond smile. She took two out of the six fish, and patted Happy on his little blue head.

"Aye sir!" was the excited reply.

"Come on, Happy! We have to cook the fish," added in Natsu. The two left, hopefully for their own house. After the main troublemakers were gone, everyone else started to leave for the night.

Sakura and Gray made their way to Gray's apartment, the ice mage in the lead. The walked in a comfortable silence, both simply enjoying the cool clearness of the night. It was a full moon tonight, and stars sprinkled the blue-black sky, twinkling over the two mages. It was a romantic night, a night for lovers. For the two walking through the streets of Magnolia, it was simply a peaceful night. Once they entered Gray's apartment, he quickly showed her around. A small living room with a couch and a chair, a kitchen, a bathroom with a bathtub and shower, and one bedroom with a small couch.

Sakura immediately made herself comfortable on his bed, and the ice mage sat next to her. It was Gray who broke the silence.

"How long has it been since we last saw each other?" he asked.

"I'd say... four or five years?"

"Probably. It sounds about right."

"How have you been? Fairy Tail seems to be doing you some good, though I see it hasn't helped your stripping habit one bit," grinned Sakura.

"Hey! It's a bit better!" Gray replied defensively. "But I've been well. I got roped into being on a team with Flamebrain, Erza, Happy, and Lucy. How have you been?"

"I've been fine. I haven't really done anything particularly notable. Been traveling, mostly."

"Why did you come here, Sakura? I know you, and I know that reason you gave to everyone was utter crap. 'It sounded like a fun guild' my ass. I'm amazed that anyone believed that."

"I was tired. Tired of always moving, always being alone. I wanted somewhere to stay, someplace stable. A home." Sakura's voice was wistful as she spoke.

"I'm glad. That you came, I mean," said Gray warmly.

"I am too. I should have realized you were here. Now that I think about it, all the newspaper reports of a naked guy walking around town and stealing underwear should have tipped me off."

"Hey! It's not my fault that I do it."

"Gray-chan, both Lyon and I trained under Ur, and neither of us strip subconsciously. Only you retained that habit."

"I'll have you know that I've seen Lyon do it whenever he's about to fight!"

"Does he take off his pants too, or only his shirt?" Sakura questioned flatly.

"Just... his shirt," mumbled Gray. The raven haired girl next to him laughed quietly.

"The only reason you don't do it is because you don't have a shirt to take off."

"True, but you're still the worst." The two burst out laughing, easily falling into their old bantering.

"Come on, Kura-chan. Let's get some sleep," said Gray softly as he noticed her yawning. The ice mage stripped and slipped under the covers, Sakura facing him as she took of her jacket and began to take off her bra and change into something more suitable for sleep.

"Turn around, Kura-chan," reminded Gray. The girl slipped her jacket back on and turned to enter the bathroom. 'Oh, Kura. Why do you always hide your back? What happened to you?' he thought as Sakura returned and slipped under the covers beside him. The two soon fell asleep, cuddling closely to one another.