I won't give a long note for I know it'll spoil everything.

All I wanted to say was, this'll be a series of Unfortunate Events.

That's it. No more. No less.

Please enjoy! Thanks!

Chapter 21

Gray followed Natsu and he led them to the parking lot, to where their cars were parked. Quickly Natsu jumped into his car and so did Gray. They drove away from the hotel, their cars glinting with the lights shining on it as they pass by. Sure they know how to get attention, just by the look of their luxurious vehicles, not to mention its plates were a custom for their identity, and the roars it made as their speeds accelerated. It was like that until they reached the airport. Gray got curious as to why Natsu led him there. They came into an abrupt stop when they reached the part of the airport that is really deserted and was just separated from the runway by a metal barrier.

Natsu got out of his red car as did Gray.

"Oi Natsu!" He shouted in a rather irritated voice. Gray walked over to him briskly and punched his face hard enough for Natsu to fall back.

Natsu landed on his butt roughly and he wiped the blood at the side of his lip. He spit some blood from his mouth and stood up quickly, still not saying anything.

Gray pushed him and Natsu bumped on his car, now his back is aching. Gray's eyes were glaring at him. "You bastard! You said you're going to make her feel better!" And then, he punched Natsu again. This time Natsu hit the ground, his right hand first, to support himself. Gray grabbed him by his collar and pulled him up. "I thought you're going to make her smile, son of a bitch!" And yet another punch, now it landed on his stomach.

As Natsu took the blow on his stomach, he fell on all fours and was coughing bad. Gray then kicked him on his side and he fell lying down.

"Tell me what did you do to Lucy!" Gray shouted in anger.

Natsu grabbed onto his car for support as he stand. He had a cut on his lip and some blood on his face. Natsu didn't even look at Gray, he already knew he was glaring at him and was angry, he just doesn't know why or maybe he does. He knew how Gray has grown close to the girl.

"Why are you so mad?" Natsu suddenly spoke while wiping the blood off his mouth. "I helped her let it all out."

"Because you're an idiot, again!" This time Gray punched the other side of Natsu's face which made him step a couple of steps back. "You may have comforted her with her father's death but something's odd. What did you do?" And yet another punch.

"I did what I said I would." Natsu said walking back to where Gray was. "And I don't know what you're talking about!" He tried to punch Gray but Gray saw it and dodged it. He then launched a punch on his stomach.

Natsu coughed again.

This time Gray was surprised Natsu wasn't able to dodge that. Most of the time they both were able to dodge each other's attacks when one was able to at first. "What's your problem squinty?"

Natsu's eyes glared at him. "Like you hell care droopy!"

"Well if it includes my friend, which by chance at this situation was Lucy, then yes I do."

Natsu tackled Gray but Gray moved swiftly to the side and hit Natsu on his back, causing Natsu to fall on the ground face first.

"You shouldn't be attacking while shouting a battle cry. It really is obvious."

"Shut the hell up!" Natsu said standing up.

"Just tell me what happen, then I might consider sparing you some bones unbroken." One moment Gray was standing and the next thing he knew Natsu was about to kick him. He rolled over and immediately stood up. "I know she's something special now, to you at least."

Natsu looked at him wide eyed.

Gray saw this and chuckled a bit. "It's that obvious, you jerk!" He continued as if hearing Natsu's thoughts.

And then Natsu punched Gray straight on his face. "Who're you calling a jerk stripper!?"

Gray almost fell, good thing his left leg supported him and he was still standing. He rubbed the part where Natsu punched him and glared at him. "You're a jerk. Admit it!" But Natsu didn't say anything. "Well then are you that scared that you cannot tell her?" He walked towards Natsu, planning getting back on him for that punch.

"I'm not scared! Ice brain!" Natsu hissed, head butting Gray hard enough to push him back.

But Gray won't budge, he was pushing Natsu. He hold on to his shoulder and pushed Natsu, while they're still head butting. "Then tell he –"

"I already told her!" Gray was taken aback and he was suddenly pushed back, his butt hitting the floor. His eyes widen. Really? Natsu did tell her? How? For all Gray knew he'll chicken out or –

Natsu seemed to catch Gray's shocked face and knew what that meant. "Alright! I showed her."

Gray immediately stood up and hit Natsu on the head. "Idiot! Do you think Lucy would get that?!"

His eyes narrowed looking at Gray. "She's not dumb. Of course she would!"

"But this is a subjective matter she's never been into. You know how innocent she was!" Natsu was taken aback and Gray's words were followed by a kick on Natsu's gut.

"You're targeting my stomach you stupid!" And Natsu launched himself at Gray. "The point is I already showed her! And.. And.. I know she rejected it." His voice trailed, as he launched another punch on Gray's face while sitting on him.

Gray grabbed this chance to switch places and punched Natsu alternately on both sides of his face as he said each word. "How would you know she rejected it if she doesn't even get it?!" Natsu didn't even struggle from Gray's punches instead he lied there thinking of what Gray said.

Back then, he was acting under the laws of 'action speaks louder than words'. It's always been his and Gray's philosophy when they felt like not speaking at all. He was saddened seeing Lucy's reaction after they kissed. But he was glad Lucy returned the gesture, it's just he knew that she doesn't like it and so he is definitely rejected. For the first time in his entire life, Natsu of Fairy Law, or better yet call him in his real name in this situation, Natsu Dragneel that is. But no, Natsu can't be his old self. He just couldn't. Besides he can't remember who he was back then. He knew Lucy promised himself to him. No. Scratch that. Lucy promised himself to Natsu Dragneel, which was also him but was completely not him, well he was that guy 10 years ago. Maybe if he was he 10 years ago, there might be a chance for him to be with her. But as Lucy was saying, or just what he got to what she said, they were the total opposites so they won't understand each other. Her silence about this matter, her reaction after that kiss made him believe that there really is no word as 'chance' when it comes to the tw –

BOOGSH

He forgot about Gray. And now he was just feeling the stinging pain Gray's punch brought to his face.

"You're spacing out pink head!" Gray said as he launched yet another powerful punch on Natsu. "Lucy's sadder now and you caused it!" He punched him again and for some reasons Natsu was just taking each blow. "This is for making her feel that way!" Another punch on Natsu's face. "For being a jerk!" Another punch. "For chickening out!" Another punch. "For concluding things that easy!" Another punch. "For not fighting for you and her!" Another punch. "And this is for not moving and not giving a fuc –"

Natsy stopped a punch Gray was about to give him. He was smiling. "Yeah, I'm a pink head. It's hereditary. And you, shit head!" He head butted Gray which caused him to fall back and Natsu was able to sit up.

Natsu yanked him up just to punch him on his gut. Gray was caught off guard, but he knew he hit a nerve in him. And Gray was smiling through the pain Natsu's punch was inflicting on him. "That is for targeting my stomach! You know how much that hurt you stupid!"

Gray spit some blood when Natsu yanked him up once again, holding him by his shirt.

"I was guilty for making her feel something whether it is good or bad! But mostly the bad part." He shouted and punched Gray to his right cheek. "I am not sure of what she felt, and I just don't want to for –"

Gray kicked Natsu's leg causing him to fall on his knee. "You already forced yourself on her by showing her what you felt!"

"Dammit! I didn't know!" Natsu gave him an uppercut, both of them were breathing heavily due to the injuries and continued fighting they were doing. "I-I.." He can't say a thing.

"You what!?" Gray yelled hitting Natsu on his head causing him to bow down.

Natsu was taken aback. Yeah, Gray's right. He didn't even consider other possibilities. The possibility that Lucy might just have –

"..hurt her feeings! Why can't you see it? Are you too busy flirting with another woman?!" This caused Natsu to snap out of his trance. Did he really hurt her? That's impossible. He can't even think of the possibility that Lucy might have return his feelings, that she was breaking her promise that she is actually changing. Is that even possible? Well, he knew he has changed drastically over the months he's known and was able to interact with her. And that might just be all because of her. So this really is his fault? He actually chickened out that it turned out like this. Since when did he feel shy or even felt fear? He can't think of a moment. All he could think about was that time at the fire exit with Lucy. So he did affect her? He can't still think of this possibility. But it was all Gray was blabbing about all through their 'conversation'. Only one way to find out.. Natsu smirked.

Natsu and Gray kept on punching and kicking each other, saying insults to provoke the other. With each blow they say something.

"Stripper!"

"Idiot!"

"Exhibitionist!"

"Pink head!"

"Gay!"

"No! You're gay!"

And with that both of them were a meter a part, spitting blood from their mouth. In a flash both of them were running towards one another shouting a battle cry, each fists were aimed right through their faces. Natsu's fist came in contact with Gray's smiling face.

"Talk to her, and fix this mess. Stupid squinty!" Gray said flying away.

Natsu waited for Gray's fist but it never came. When they were having a talk like this they always end up punching each other's faces and falling down lying on the ground until they fall asleep or be in peace. This happens only when they need to talk about something serious and always end up hitting each other as they decided they've said everything that is needed to be said. A fight while talking is just their way to have a nice talk. Well, it's kind of weird but this is the only time they were able to say and discuss personal things. They both said that the punches were for the other to truly feel what the other meant with his words.

Natsu was still dazed, Gray missed his punch. And why is that he did that?

"Be thankful I didn't punch you last. If that hit you, you'll be waking up too late to ask for her forgiveness." He said lying on the ground. He knew Natsu was standing surprised he made his punch on him amiss. "Well, what are you waiting for? Lucy's wedding to that Sting?!" He mocked. Gray just wanted Natsu to fix the mess he's done right this very moment.

He just knew what Lucy felt right from the beginning, and he has grown accustomed to her. Gray treated Lucy as if she was the little sister he never had. He knew he is just a substitute for Erza, who was also a substitute, but if it's a substitute in Lucy's rather weird life, Gray thinks it is something to boast about. Gray knew Natsu, and he can read him like an open book. They've known each other for 7 years now and beneath their hearts even though they won't admit it they considered each other as best friends. So seeing a 'best guy friend' and a 'best lady friend' hurt because of each other made him sick, it's like he can't do a thing. It's like he was the one who knew everything, but for in fact everyone around them knew it, and felt like he can't even do a thing. So he insisted a talk with Natsu.

Suddenly a hand was reaching out to him. He looked at the owner and it was Natsu who's not even looking at him.

"This is just a thank you. So don't think of anything stupid about this."

Gray looked at him confusedly. "Nah. Leave me alone! How many times do I have to tell you go away before it's too late." Maybe it's double meaning but Gray meant both.

Natsu tched but hopped on his car and drove fast.

For these two just talking isn't really gonna work. They're men. They talk with actions.

They got to feel it, to remember slash realize slash learn.

"Sting!"

Sting turned to where the voice came from and he was greeted by a hit on his shoulder. At first he was surprised but when the image of the person who just hit him sunk, he tched.

"What's with the long face?"

Sting rolled his eyes. "You cheered for Fairy Law, the moment I was singing Yukino."

The said girl fluttered her eyes in a girly pleading way and pouted. "Are you mad about that?"

He stiffened. Is he mad about her cheering for the other side? Or mad because she didn't cheer for him?

Yukino leaned forward as Sting took a step back. "Ughhhh, someone is jealous!" She teased and giggled.

"I-I'm not!" He denied.

"Oooooooh. So what's with these red cheeks?" She pointed at his now beat red cheeks and poked it while giggling like a little girl.

"It's just because.. because of the.." He looked anywhere aside from Yukino's waiting eyes. "..heat. Yes! Because of the heat!" He cursed himself for feeling nervous about it. His hand pulled his shirt and back to 'give himself some air'.

"Oh really? But winter is just a few days away." She smiled feeling she outsmarted him.

"Arghhhhh!" He shouted in defeat. Yukino was laughing at him and he just stopped noticing how prett – "Where's Rogue?" He said snapping out of his trance, when he noticed Rogue's not around.

"Oh that. I remember before the concert, we met your father. Then he said I should leav –"

"What? Who's leaving? You've just arrived right Miss..?" Sting's eyes widen when he looked to their side and saw his father with Rogue following. This must be bad because Rogue looks frustrated. But of what? He was eyeing Sting but he couldn't get what he was trying to say.

"Yukino." Yukino answered hesitantly.

"Oh yes. Sting's.." He looked at Sting. "..friend. So where were you staying?"

"We s –"

"She's leaving." He looked at Rogue. "They're leaving." Sting said pushing Yukino behind him.

Jiemma stepped closer to his son looking a bit disappointed. "What? They just arrived. I insist they stay in the hotel until the Band Battle finished, at least."

Yukino smiled hopefully but Sting shoved her behind him. "No. They have an important appointment, so they needed to leave immediately."

Yukino pinched Sting's back which caused him to flinch a little.

"I want to take your father's offer." She pleaded.

But Sting won't budge. He looked away saying a silent 'sorry'. "She said –"

"Is it she said or you said?" Jiemma asked smiling smugly.

"She.." He wanted to look back but he knew when he looked at her he would just allow her and they'll be in danger. "S-She said. She said –"

"But I insist. I couple of days wouldn't hurt right? Besides, Yukino here is the daughter of that certain railway company that is allied to the Heartfilia. So most probably that appointment was with the Heartfilia.." He turned to Yukino. "Am I right?"

They fell silent. Even Yukino cannot move her head.

Jiemma chuckled. "Very well then. I'm glad you considered my offer." He flicked his fingers. And a group of men came walking. "Get their stuffs and assist them to their suites." After that command Yukino and Rogue were being 'assisted' towards their respective rooms leaving Sting and Jiemma.

"It's a good thing you led them here." Jiemma said smiling. "Now, I can smoothly commence my plans." Sting closed his fists.

"Don't you dare touch them." Sting hissed.

"Then do what I have to say or else give me something that would be of same importance as to what they have?"

Sting thought for it. He needed to come up of something, for Rogue and Yukino. They don't have anything to do with this. And he caused them to be involved now he definitely has to find a way as of –

"I-I remember! Mr. Makarov.." This caught Jiemma's attention. "..I saw him. I saw him talking to Fairy Law's vocalist, Natsu."

Jiemma was curious.

"I gave you information. Now, set them free."

Jiemma chuckled. "Pieces might be connecting.. Then tell me what else do you know about them?"

"I have nothing else. I just saw them together, talking like they've known each other for so long."

"Then, your information is insufficient."

Sting's eyes widen.

"Let them go!"

"Na-ahh! Instead I put them in real suites, locked. Maybe."

"Then don't hurt –"

"Oh no. I won't hurt them." He walked closer to Sting. "Just follow my orders and nothing.. nothing will happen to them." He whispered in his ear which brought shivers down Sting's body. His fists were shaking.

Sting couldn't believe it. He led his friends to this. Now, he's the only one who will be able to get them out of this. And maybe this could be that moment too, the moment in which he has to choose. But he felt like he doesn't have any option. All were leading down to what his father want it to be. So this is how things will go on, Sting for his father's happiness. He can run away, but that isn't an option now that his father has Yukino and Rogue. He'll definitely use them to make him do what Jiemma wanted him to.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "The father has died, now it's just the daughter." Sting stiffened. He doesn't get what his father was saying. "No. Don't worry. I won't dirty my hands any further. I have plans for that girl, including you in a wedding picture."

"Wh-What are you talking about?"

Jiemma smiled evilly. "A week and Heartfilia is mine." He clenched his fists while smiling. "The Heartfilia girl will be away for 3 days for her father's wake. When she comes back, I will announce your engagement." He turned around, leaving a stunned Sting.