Here we are~ Another chapter.
Warnings: Violence, AU, cursing, slight OOC, and Yaoi.
Italics stand for memories
"Took you long enough to get here."
Gray rolled his eyes, his hands fumbling with the buttons on his shirt subconsciously as he walked into the large empty ballroom that he had been instructed to enter.
After taking several wrong turns and getting utterly lost in the giant household the ice maker had finally given up his pride and asked a maid where he would find the room in which Lyon was led to.
Usually he wasn't that bad with figuring out where he was going, although his little confrontation with Natsu managed to rattle him up to the point where he found it difficult to think clearly. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone.
"It's your own damn fault for that, Jackass." The raven grumbled, tossing his shirt aside as he glared half heartedly at his best friend, "That Salamander held me up."
Lyon smirked slightly and shrugged before following Gray's lead, removing his shirt as well.
"Catching up with old friends?"
The shorter of the two boys scoffed.
"Hardly. Hell, just being around that bastard is enough to make me want to punch something. Preferably him."
"Well, this should help clear your head of him. It always has."
Stepping closer to the younger male, the albino paused for a moment before leading him to the center of the room.
"It better. I hate doing this when I'm irritated."
Gray unconciously felt his nails dig into his biceps at the mere thought of the pink haired idiot.
"Let's find out."
The two were now barely inches apart, their arms brushing against one another as they focused their attention on the shape in front of them.
"So, just dragons, huh?"
The silver haired sculptor nodded,
"So you really weren't listening when Lucy was telling us what to do, were you?" He chuckled lowly, "I didn't think you were. How immature Gray. "
Gray bit the corner of his lip, knowing full well that this was coming,
"Yeah, yeah. Spare me the reprimanding, Lyon. I was just distracted by something else."
"It was Natsu, wasn't it?"
The raven felt his body run rigid at the mere mention of the fighter's name. To the albino that was answer enough. Having known Gray for seven years, he was well aware that something had occurred in his hometown prior to his apprenticeship with Ur, however he knew only the basic facts. To be honest, from what he knew he didn't blame the boy one bit for disliking the obnioxious pinkette.
"Just a week, Gray, you can make it that long. I know you can."
Running a hand through dark hair, the raven sighed before using the other, free hand to gently caress the transparent susbstance before them,
"I hope you are right, Lyon..."
"Of course I'm right. I always am." Simpering, the white haired male knelt down to collect the needed tools he had laid out prior,
"Anyway, as for the sculptures, yeah, they are mainly dragons, although the girl, Lucy, also said for us to make a few smaller figures of this... thing... I think she called it a dog."
Pulling himself from his thoughts of Natsu, Gray glanced down to see his comrade holding a peice of paper up to him with one hand, the other appendage as well as its owner were busy digging in a giant bag that held their ice chipping materials.
"A dog... What the hell? This thing isn't a dog?!" Cobalt eyes widened and he shook his head in mock exasperation, "These damn rich people and their exotic animals. It looks more like a snowman to me..."
He flipped the paper around, letting out a small laugh at the name listed on the back,
"Plue? Plue the dog that looks more like a freaking snowman. Great."
Lyon allowed a small smile to grace his lips at the sound of his friend's laughter, all traces of his past anxity leaving the other's tone.
"Let's get started." The black haired boy grinned, stretching his muscular torso and arms as he sent his friend a challenging glance, "I bet I can make a better looking dragon than you."
He was met with another, equally determined smirk,
"You're on, Gray."
"Come on, Salamander, is that the best you've got?" Gajeel jeered, his voice demeaning as he slugged his younger cousin, who seemed oddly distracted today, "I'm kicking your ass easier than usual."
"Shut it, iron freak!." The pinkette growled, returning his rival's attack with his own, a victorious smile decorating his face as his opponent stumbled back several paces, "I'm still kicking your butt."
"Lucky shot." The black haired male muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "Bet you can't do it again."
"Bring it, wimp!"
"That's enough fighting for today, boys."
Both fighters ceased their heated glares at one another to see the owner of the voice, a low whine escaping the pinkette at their order not to fight any longer.
"But I'm just getting fired up!"
"It's late Natsu, and you two have been fighting nonstop for the past few hours. Take a break."
"I don't need a break, gramps! I wanna hit something!"
Makarov rolled his eyes and stopped just before the boys, his hands clamped firmly behind his back.
"It's late," He repeated, his gaze shifting from Natsu to Gajeel, "Give us a moment, Gajeel."
Grunting, the peirced man sent the Salamander one last glare before obeying and leaving, flinging a towel around his neck as he fled into the locker room.
"What's bothering you, my boy?"
The salamander crossed his arms in a slight pout,
"You ended our fight. I was just about to win too!"
The old man shook his head before bopping the shorter man on the head,
"Something else is bothering you. What is it?"
Biting his bottom lip, Natsu shifted on his feet, not wanting to meet his grandfather's gaze,
"It's just... Remember Gray?"
The lighthearted expression on the master's face swiftly dissappeared as a new solemn look overrided it,
"Of course. I can never forget one of my martial art children..."
"What happened to him?"
"Why are you asking me this now of all times, Natsu? It's been seven years and you know what happened just as much as I do."
The Salamander glanced down at the ground before sitting, his hands fiddling aimlessly with the scraf wrapped securely around his neck,
"Tell me again, I'm just curious."
Sighing, the master of the Fairy Tail gym and dojo glanced sadly down at the so called fire dragon slayer. Everyone at the gym had once considered the raven family, especially Natsu. They were constantly at one another's throats, but still he was certain that deep down they were best friends.
"Very well, my boy, it certainly has been quite a while..." Makarov paused for a moment, grabbing a chair before sitting back down in front of the still distracted pinkette, "It was seven years ago that he disappeared... You know that already though... This is what happened that day..."
"That boy is late again." Makarov sighed, shaking his head as he paced around the dojo, his impatience growing with each passing moment.
For the past several weeks the raven had been coming in early, earlier than the rest of the students, in order to get more time in for training. For some reason he seemed insistant on getting stronger. The white haired male suspected that it had something to do with the unusual bruises and cuts that commonly marred the boy's pale flesh; wounds that he was certain were not ones the boy sustained while in his presence during practice, "I guess I'll just have to go and get the brat."
Grumbling under his breath, the master left the guild, leaving his assistant trainer Mirajane in charge as he stalked off to Gray's house.
As he made his way down the familiar streets of Magnolia ,Makarov allowed his thoughts to wander to the young boy.
For one reason or another the poor youth had been coming to practice sporting numerous bumps and bruises, although whenever he was consulted about said injuries he would come up with ridiculous excuses. Never once would be agree to tell anyone just where he got the wounds.
However, the white haired sensai had a pretty good idea. He figured the poor lad was being bullied. By who, he never really was certain and the raven was of no help. The boy was far too stubborn and prideful to ever admit to such a thing.
"That child... He'll end up running himself into the ground if he keeps up that cold act..." He muttered to himself, a sad glint in his eyes. "At the very least he has Natsu..."
Allowing yet another sigh to escape he pulled himself from his muddled thoughts as he arrived at the familiar house of the Fullbuster family, surprised to find Natsu already outside the house, banging on the door.
"Oi, frost breath, open the door! I'm sorry about yesterday, alright?"
"What are you doing here, child?" Makarov asked, coming to stand beside the young pinkette.
"Oh, hey gramps! I just came to find Gray... Have you seen him?"
The white haired male shook his head slightly, a sense of unease suddenly surging through his senses.
"No, I came here to find him." Seeing the concerned look on the fourteen year old's face the master placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry, my boy, he must have just overslept."
Natsu nodded, not completely convinced, but returned to pounding on the wooden door nonetheless. Gray never ignored him like this, not even when he was mad. In fact, they couldn't hear anything coming from the house that was usually full of voices.
"This is taking too long!" The younger boy pouted, crossing his arms as he kicked at the door, "Let's break it down!"
"You can't solve every problem by being destructive, brat." He sighed, the sense of unease swiftly strengthening the longer he stood outside the house, "But just this once, I think you may be correct. Something's wrong."
Wasting not another moment the white haired elder kicked at the door, once, twice, the third time was the charm. The wood door groaned it's complaint but opened nonetheless, allowing both men enterance.
Eagerly, the young salamander stepped into the familiar home, his body stilling immediately and a small gasp resonated from him as he studied the house. There was the distinct aroma of blood in the air and the foryer was in complete disarray. The walls were broken in places and tables and chairs were overturned, a red substance splattered around.
"G-Gramps!"
"Oh dear... Natsu, go quickly and get help, I will find them!"
"But what about Gray?! I want to see him!"
"Go, Natsu! Now! I will find Gray!"
Without allowing the child another moment to speak Makarov gestured for him to leave before running further into the disastarous house.
Natsu, however reluctantly obeyed and ran as fast as he could to a neighbor of Gray's, his heart clenching,
"Please be alright, Gray, please..."
~ Later that day~
"What do you mean they're gone?!" The pinkette roared, his eyes brimming with tears as he glared heatedly at his grandpa, "They can't be, you said you would find him! He... He couldn't have just disappeared!"
Makarov looked down at his young grandson with sadness, knowing all too well how this news must be affecting him, for it affected himself greatly as well,
"I am so sorry, my boy, but his parents were dead when I got there. As for Gray... He was no where to be seen..."
Salty liquid ran freely down the boy's cheeks as he sniffled and balled his fists,
"B-but... how...?"
The master clenched his teeth as he too felt tears run down his aged face, his gaze flickering to the floor as he spoke the name,
"Deliora... The serial killer. That was what the police said. While they couldn't find his body it was deduced that his blood was scattered about. Quite a bit of it too...I'm so sorry, my dear boy, we just came too late..."
"Gray, you bastard! You said you would never leave me!"
He slumped to his knees and slammed his fist into the ground, uncaring as to the pain it brought, "You were supposed to be my rival and best friend forever! You said you wouldn't die on me like Lisanna and leave me like Igneel... Damn you..."
Gray was gone, his family killed and it was all Natsu's fault for not being there to help him.
"That was how it went down put simply..." The tired old man sighed before standing back up. He spared the youth of the gruesome details, knowing that that was something he would never be old enough to hear.
After a few moments of silence he began to walk away,
"Why the sudden interest? For the longest time you wouldn't allow anyone to even speak the name, now you want me to tell you the story again, child?"
"No reason..." The pink haired fighter mumbled, standing up as well, "I just... Thought of him today, is all."
"I see. Don't allow the past to cloud your thoughts, Natsu. I could tell they were while you were fighting Gajeel. We all loved Gray dearly but the fact remains that he is gone. We searched everywhere for him, but made no progress for five years. Go home and rest."
Without another word Makarov exited the room, leaving Natsu to dwell in a very dangerous place; his mind.
"Yes, you disappeared, you bastard, but what really happened that night?" He whispered, his fists clenching as he recalled his little confrontation with 'Silver Surge', "Why the hell did you leave, you icy bastard?"
He wanted answers and that was precisely what he was going to get.
"Damn, dragons are harder to make than I thought." Gray groaned, collasping on the ground, his body becoming sore from the nonstop work, "This is why I like making inanimate objects. They aren't so freaking hard."
"Don't complain so much Gray, we still have a week more of this. Besides, this'll give you more practice." Lyon smirked, studying his and the other's sculptures with interest. Both had gotten about halfway through their individual six foot creations.
"Yeah, I know. At least the snowman Plue will be easier..."
"Snowman? Don't you mean dog, frostbreath?"
A chill ran down the raven's spine at that painfully familiar voice. So he was here, was he?
"Whatever, salamander."
Behind him he could hear the sound of footsteps coming up to him, although he didn't turn around. The last thing he wanted to see was the damn fire bastard.
"Anyway, we need to talk, Silver."
Lyon, having already been
informed as to the fake alias that the raven adopted for this job, stared intently at the pinkette.
"If it's about the job than you should speak to both of us,no?"
"It's not." Natsu said bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest as his vest swayed with his every move. A determined look was glinting in his emerald eyes and his gaze was set firmly on the raven's back.
"Then what can I help you with, sir?" Gray's voice was cold and calm, his head turning to the side slightly.
"Yo, other ice bastard, leave for a moment, will ya?"
"You really lack manners don't you?" The albino scoffed, slipping his shirt back on as his glare intensified on the Salamander.
"Are you trying to start something, albino?"
"No, but I have no problem ending it."
"Ehem." Gray cleared his throat as he finally stood up and faced the fighter, "Leave it, Lyon."
Glancing from his comrade to his employer, the white haired male hesitated a moment before snickering, heading towards the door to the room.
"Fine, I'll be back in five minutes. I have to ask about our rooms anyway."
Two pairs of eyes watched silently as the albino left, uncomfortable silence lingering in the air for several moments before Natsu spoke,
"Cut the fucking act, Silver. I know that that's not your real name."
Stiffening slightly, the raven copied the salamanders crossed arm pose and glared at the other,
"Then who am I, Ash for brains?"
"You are Gray Fullbuster, my best friend who should have died seven years ago."
'Who should have died seven years ago...'
A humorless chuckle filtered throughout the room as the raven shook his head, his fingers digging into his arms,
"Looks like you aren't as dumb as I thought, fire brain. I'm surprised you recognized me."
"I didn't at first..." Natsu admitted,a hand coming up to subconsciously rub the back of his head, "but your cocky ass attitude and necklace gave you away. Silver Surge..." He snickered. "What a pathetic name. It doesn't even sound realistic."
"Is my fake name really what you came to talk to me about?"
"No." His tan face suddenly turned serious as he stepped closer to the ice maker, "You need to explain."
"I don't need to explain anything to you, flamebrain."
"Like hell you do. What happened to you? Where have you been?!"
"Like you care, Natsu."
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Of course I care, snow queen! I was your best friend! You know Fairy Tail was worried sick about you and have been mourning your death ever since you disappeared..." His voice lowered as he gritted his teeth, "we thought you were dead..."
"That was what I wanted. As far as you were concerned and for all extensive purposes the child Gray Fullbuster did die that day."
"But why, Gray?! We were your family!"
"Family? Don't go throwing that word around so freely, squinty eyes. You were never family. Fairy Tail was never my family."
"What do you mean...?"
"Get this through that thick skull of yours, dimwit! I was nothing but a joke to everyone there, including you. I was the pathetic punching bag, a favorite of Gajeel, Laxus, and my personal favorite..."
"Gray, please..."
"-you, Natsu. All I ever was to you was something to use and manipulate."
Natsu stepped closer to his once best friend and rival, a finger jabbing into the other's bare chest as his green eyes narrowed,
"I don't know what the hell has gotten into you, ice princess, but you're speaking nonsense."
"Am I, Natsu? Do you remember what happened the day before my parent's murder? Do you realize how much your betrayal destroyed me? I had trusted you and you went and did that!"
"And I regretted it from that moment on. Look, Gray... I'm sorry... I just... I didn't mean to betray you..."
"Save it for someone who cares, sulfur brain. You made a choice that day and it was against me."
Turning, his fingers gently glazed the ice sculpture beside him, a sad look flashing in blue eyes as he bit the corner of his lip. It hurt him to feel this hatred towards his former best friend, but Natsu Dragneel was a liability and played him for a fool.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. There would be no chance for a second time for he had burned all his bridges to Magnolia the night he left with Ur.
"The Gray you knew is gone, Natsu. I froze him solid that day. He was weak and because of that he shattered. I won't shatter again." He turned to face the so called slayer again, "Nothing you can say will change that."
"Don't say that!" Before Gray knew what was happening he felt a warm body against his own, sending him stumbling back against the wall.
"What happened to you? You finally come back and you don't want anything to do with us?! The past is the past, everyone would love to see you!"
"No." The raven's voice was stern as he glared at the male pressing him against the wall, struggling to push him away, "Are you fucking deaf? I told you that that part of my life ended years ago. You are the only one who knows I'm here and alive and it will stay that way. Once i am done here Lyon and I will return to Isvan and I will forget all about this place, just like before."
"No, you won't! I won't let you! You belong here with us, I... I missed you..." The salamander rested his head against the slightly shorter male's, his heart quickening at their close proximity and the familiar cool aura of the raven, "I'm sorry, Gray, I am..."
"Get off of me, Natsu."
"Gray..."
"Am I interrupting something?"
The pinkette felt his irritation rise at the familiar voice and he reluctantly released the raven, who wasted not a moment in stepping away from the other.
"No. I thought I said for you to leave us alone, damn albino."
"Your five minutes are up." His eyes shifted from the irritated looking Natsu to the equally agitated Gray, "Watch yourself, Salamander."
"You want to start something, ice freak?"
Without allowing the boys to continue their quarreling, Gray stepped between the two, his cobalt eyes narrowed,
"Shut up, both of you. Damn, I'm getting a freaking headache. Lyon, let's just go to our rooms. It's late and I'm going to punch something if you two keep acting like idiots."
Several moments of silence passed throughout the room as the taller of the three males continued their heated glare, neither willing to back down, that is until Lyon finally abided and scoffed,
"Fine."
Without another word the two ice users turned their back on the slayer and left Natsu alone with several unanswered questions hovering over him.
A bit of Gray and Natsu's past has been revealed O_O Butttt it probably just left you all with more questions. Whoops.
Anyway, I've been wanting to answer reviews on the bottom of my stories, however I never have the time. I only have time to post it. So, now that I have a bit of extra time I decided to do that! All 10 of them!
DreamscomeTRUEEE: Ah, i figured everyone would recognize the name Silver Surge but I just wanted to clear it up for those in the dark XD I'm glad I've caught your interest :D Thanks for the review~
Rewinsan: That they were ^.^ Thanks for the review!
: I'm glad you like it :D Thank you for reviewing!
6purplecats: There is indeed. That'll be a line that their relationship will be hovering over for quite a bit XD It's great to know you like it and Thank you for reviewing.
JaiDaw: That I will, I promise! I actually have quite a few ideas for this, so I will be continuing it and hopefully updating again in a few days. Thank you for reviewing!
ranchan-akari: Oh yes, that is the question, no? More insight is given in this chapter, although it probably didn't help all that much. :P Sorry. Thank you for reviewing!
Spring Epaya: Thank you! I'm glad you like the story so far! Natsu will indeed be forced to recall the past hes been trying to forget thanks for Gray's appearance. Thanks for the review~
All reviews have been responded to. Yay ^.^. Now, update wise I will (hopefully) be able to update every few days, although once June 6th comes around summer will start and I will be able to update a lot more.
Thank you everyone for reading and please review!
.oO: Thanks :D More will hopefully be revealed in the next few chapters~ Thank you for reviewing!