DISCLAIMER~ I own only the plot. All rights go to Hiro Mashima.

Please don't kill me.

Chapter 14~ Bloody Pride.

I woke up on a Friday morning, dreading morning classes. I had history, and after the stunt I pulled with Professor Justine, I didn't think I could face him. Never, not in the time I have dull fully spent in his class, have I ever witness such a erratic display of emotions. I dreaded the impending knowledge that Prof. Justine would pull me out of class to have a few words with me. He might have noticed a difference in me. My eyes widened at the sudden thought. What if he figured out that I'm a pet now!?

Waves of nausea swirled in the pit of my stomach. I'm doomed!

Shuddup Lucy! I'm trying to sleep! Natsu yelled in my head.

Sorry. I didn't mean to be that loud.

Yeah well, you were. He paused for a moment, You'll be ok today. I doubt anyone would guess. Have fun at school.

I smiled, Natsu's words giving me ease, Thanks Natsu. Sleep well.

He didn't answer, so I rose up and stretched high, ready for whatever the day would hurl my way. Hopefully it wasn't anything too sharp.

…

School was buzzing with activity, students crowded the entry gate and I wondered what all the fuss was about. It seemed like there was way too many dramatical scenarios happening. I blame the writer. Pushing through the gathered school kids, I was shocked to find that Lyon has shown his ugly mug at school, and Gray was determined to sort him out. Much like the last time these two fought, Juvia stayed well away from Lyon, Levy and Cana standing protectively beside her.

The boys were having a mexican standoff; no-one spoke, even the audience was hushed with anticipation.

"After everything you've done, " I caught both boys attention, "You would dare show your face here? You are either really brave or really stupid. I'll go of the latter."

He scowled, "Quiet bitch. What's my business is mine. Quite sticking your nose in other peoples affairs."

I felt a strange calm wash over me; one that was mixed with excitement and something bitter. Anger, perhaps?

"What happens to my friends, is my business. What you did is unforgivable!"

"Lucy!"Gray snarled, "Don't interfere this time! He's mine!"

"Gray!" I paused until he looked at me, to see just how serious I was, "On my behalf, kick his arse."

His mouth curved up, into a genuine smile, "Count on it," he turned to Lyon, "Enough banter! Lets settle this!"

Gray got into position, fist curled in front of his face for protection, knees bent and balanced, waiting for Lyon to come to him. Lyon snarled and raised his own hands, charging Gray with a mighty battle cry, fury clouding his judgment. Lyon's eyes didn't sway from his brothers hands, ready to block the first hit, and then return his own. However, Lyon was blinded by his anger at both himself and at Gray, that he didn't anticipate Gray's true goal. As Lyon got close, Gray moved two steps forward before quite suddenly lifting his leg and bringing it down on Lyon's knee hard. There was a snap, and Lyon fell with an agonising cry. The crowd oohed and winced; Gray had defiantly snapped Lyon's knee like a toothpick. Gray looked down at his brother, eyebrows knitted in sadness and grief; for once Gray showed his true emotions. He had grown up with his foster brother; they played together, laughter together, cried together and fought together. Although they were not blood, they had bonded though hardships and happiness, and had become more than just the person you grew up with; they could now call each other brother. Gray remembered every trial, every tribulation that himself and Lyon crack down together; it killed Gray to fight his brother, but his love for Juvia rivalled that of his love for his brother.

"Why, Lyon?" Gray asked him, his voice betraying the sorrow he felt for his brother, "Why did you hurt Juvia? Why did it have to come to this? After everything we have been through together, how could you?"

"How could you, Gray?" Lyon spat out, clutching his broken leg, glaring up at his younger brother, "You knew how much I loved Juvia, yet you still pursued her, like it was your- your right. Your the reason our mother is dead, yet you live on, unashamed. You don't deserve happiness or love, not after what you did, Gray!"

Gray grit his teeth, before yelling, "So what your saying is you hurt Juvia to get to me? Is that right?! What kinda messed up reason is that?! Ur died protecting us! You can't blame the past all on me! She died that night protecting us from that Vampire, Deliora, not so you could wallow in self-pity for the rest of you life, but so we could live on!"

"You killed my dream!" Lyon spat back, "I wanted to surpass Ur! It was my dream to surpass our mother, but your revenge for the death of your parents was too important to you. You just had to seek out Deliora and destroy him, didn't you! Your thirst for revenge killed Ur!" Lyon swung up and punched Gray in the jaw, frustration and sadness leaking our of his eyes. Gray took it, his head down as Lyon took his frustration out on Gray, "It's all your fault Gray! If you hadn't desired your revenge, she'd still be alive, and I would have been able to surpass her! I hate you Gray! Why couldn't you have died that night, instead of Ur!"

Gray caught his next fist, blood oozing from his lip. Juvia clasped a hand over her mouth, worry engraved into her features, "So why bring Juvia into this, if it was me you wanted to hurt this whole time?"

"I wasn't trying to hurt Juvia," Lyon replied, "I just wanted her too see what a cruel person you are. I didn't try to do anything that night, I just wanted her too listen, but she wouldn't, so I grabbed her wrists and yeah, I'll admit, I did touch her, but it was an accident, I slipped and my hand…" He blushed slightly, before shaking it away, "But I had no intention of hurting Juvia. It was all a misunderstanding."

"Even so, you still hurt her Lyon. Do you understand how much you frightened her? She was scared out of her wits, you made her feel vulnerable and weak. I can never forgive you for that," Gray paused, gritting his teeth, "You're my brother, Lyon, " The dark haired teenager covered his eyes with his hand, "It didn't have to come to this brother. I never wanted this."

Lyon made a choking sound at the back of his throat and slumped back down, draping an arm over his eyes, "Sorry… I'm so sorry Gray." His voice overcame with emotion, sorrow and frustration leaking down the side of his face.

The resentment and regret had caught up over the years, and in one final battle, the brothers had found some sort of peace. Together they had fought, they had loved, and now together they finally mourned over the death of the woman who was their mother, their teacher, their saviour and, most of all, their family. Despite the fact that they'll never see her again, they accepted her death and were prepared to move on once again. But this time, together.

A strange calm washed over me as I watched the brothers let go of resentment and mend their brotherly bond, and I couldn't help but think of how proud Ur must be of her boys.

…

The classroom was deserted as soon as the bell for break sounded, leaving me alone with Proff. F Justine, whom had important matters to discuss. Levy gave me a thumbs up, but hightailed it out of their with the rest of the traitors. Silence made its presence obviously known between us, before Proff. Justine placed his pen down and stood up, walking in my direction and pulling a chair up so that we could talk.

"Proff-" I begun but was cut off.

"Let me tell you a story, Lucy Heartfilia," He began, "There was once a very strong Hunter, who was very good at his job. The Hunters Association grouped him together with three other people, and at first, they didn't get along very well, but over time, after they had fought together, they became more than just people who worked together, they become comrades, family," There was a slight pause in his words, his eyes glazed as if staring off into the some distant memory, "One day, that man took a very dangerous S class mission, which involved tracking down missing children, who mysteriously went missing. The group thought it would be a simple job for them; they had been so successful in past jobs that their egos were a little more than inflamed," He sighed and leaned back, "They travelled to the desperate town, only to find it completely abandoned, and when they investigated, they found that the people had left the village in fear, leaving the children who were stolen to whom, or whatever took them in the first place."

"Did they find the children?"

He nodded, "Yes, by they were already dead by the time they got to them. The Hunters found them as withered husks, so it came to the conclusion that it was a group of Vampires who stole the children. The hunters followed the trail and found a nest of them in a cave not to far from the village, but there were too many for them to exterminate, but their ego had inflated to the point where the groups of young Hunters believed that they were invincible. So, without calling backup, they went in and were immediately overcome by the blood thirsty brutes. Everything went dark, and when they awoke, their fearless and strong leader was being sucked dry. They couldn't move, as they were being pinned down by the Vampires lackeys. They tried desperately to save their leader, but no matter how much they begged and pleaded, the Vampire only laughter and killed him. The Hunters who were forced to watch their leader die whilst they lay helpless, thought that it was the end, but instead, the Vampire thought it would be much crueler to let them live with the knowledge that we were too weak to save him," He spat out, clenched his fist on the table, "That is why we cannot live peacefully with Vampires, Lucy. Because they are cruel and unjust."

I clenched my fists together as my parents faces flashed across my eyes, "Sorry," I whispered, "I've lost precious family too, Freed. I'm sorry for you loss, I had no idea."

"Yeah." he chocked, his hands shaking.

"But aren't you sick of hating?" My eyes went misty, as my chest clenched, "Of fighting and killing? Aren't you tired of it? I'm sick of it!" I sobbed out, letting the tears fall, "Why can't we find peace? I just wanted my family back. Thats all. That's all."

I lay my head down on the desk and sobbed my little heart out, whilst Freed patted me on the head and said, "If the peace you talk about is even possible, I believe that the person to obtain it, would be you, Lucy."

…

Um… Hi guys. Long time, no see. Ha ha. You're not mad are you? I hope you liked this chapter, sorry I took my time. I'm trying to write more, the inspiration is just sometimes hard to grasp…

MarinaHeartfillia: Are you happy? I updated! :)

Guest: Sorry i took so long!

Thankyou Deiasmir. I'm so glad I could make someones day! You all make my day infinitely brighter when I read all of your wonderful posts.I promise on my very talent as a writer, that the only time I would ever give up on this is if I die of my hands get chopped off. And even then, I would find a way to write for you, even from beyond the grave. I don't like it when writers turn cold turkey on you, so I won't.

Lucy Queen of the Stars: I think you may be a force to be reckoned with. (Laxus agrees).

OK, Guys. I am now back and in business. I moved back to my mums house which has wifi, so I will be able to Update more and more. Also, check out Wattpad. My name is BitterMondays on there as well. Until the next update!

Love,

BitterMondays