Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, just playing around lol.
Note: I am so sorry for how long this update took. I am not sure how well this turned out. I tried to make it interesting but not sure. All mistakes are my own. Thanks for those that have reviewed, favorited, and followed. Special thanks to guest Rook, that review was very nice and helped me to continue. Hope everyone enjoys the story! Now on with the show!
A malicious grin grew on an old wrinkled face as the doors closed on the silver-haired mage's back. The old man was now certain that the mage he was looking for was here by the way the other had acted, trying to dismiss him as he did. Now, how to best go about this was the question.
The man paid his check and headed out the door, going back to his guild. About half-way to the destination there was a puff of smoke and where the old man once stood was now a young girl. She had made sure no one was around when undoing her transformation magic. She started skipping, her long, teal-colored hair swaying back and forth as she thought about how to capture the ice-devil mage. She had been tempted to grab his friend then and there to use as either bait or leverage but there were too many uncertainties for that. So, she decided to round up some of her guildmates and make a plan that was sure to win. Then they could deliver the mage as a gift for their Master. He would be pleased to have such a powerful weapon and the Master knew all about devil-slayer magic. Maybe the mage would choose to join them willingly after all from what she had heard he had already killed some people so he wouldn't likely be let into any legal guild, at the least, and thrown into prison, at the worst. So, joining a dark guild really would be the best of his options at this point. And he was pretty cute after all, she thought, giggling to herself. It would be nice if it worked out that way, she would like to have someone around her age. It likely wouldn't be that easy, things never were after all.
Snow fell gently to gather on the roof of a little bungalow that sat in between two pine trees. The little lonely house stood out in a snowy plateau as a shelter for others. Right now, one occupant it sheltered was pacing the living room floor.
Night had fully fallen about an hour ago, the full moon now lighting up the sky. Not that Gray had noticed the beauty of the moon as he was busy worrying. Maybe he took things too far in locking Lyon out. Gray's pacing sped up as his thoughts swirled, he shouldn't have let his older brother go out into the night. He could be in danger, though logically he knew that Lyon could handle most any fight. They learned from the best after all; however, that reassurance didn't stop him from pulling at his fingers in a nervous tic.
His hands went to his pockets in search of cigarettes and a lighter. Only to come away empty as he recalled Erza beat the smoking habit out of him (literally) not too long after Lucy joined their guild. But damn if he didn't wish for one to magically appear. Of all the things they can do with magic, re-quipping came the closest to being able to call for an item of choice out of thin air. As it was now, he could not do that and so continued pacing and kneading his fingers while waiting for his brother to come back.
He had been so lost in thought that a sudden knock at the door made the ice mage jump out of his skin. His fingertips had just skimmed the doorknob when the passing thought stopped him cold.
"What if it's not Lyon."
He was frozen for a moment and was about to call out and ask who was there when a comfortingly, familiar voice demanded.
"Gray, you punk! Open the door. I come bearing the gift of food and I'm tired of being outside."
Relief washed over him and a smirk appeared on his face. He yanked the door open with a quip, about it being too cold for even a snowflake, on the tip of his tongue when Lyon shoved past him. The older mage set the food on the wooden dining table.
"You're lucky I got you food this time but if you lock me out again, I will make you pay."
Gray just nodded wondering if that was why Lyon had seemed to be tense. He figured not as the other mage turned to face him and Gray noticed a hint of worry in his eyes. Just as the younger mage was about to ask what was wrong; Lyon beat him to the punch.
"You need to be extra cautious, Gray." Intoned Lyon, "When I was getting the food some man asked about you. It seemed he had some info on you too. I denied knowing what he was talking about but not sure if he believed me.
Gray sighed as Lyon started setting the table up to eat. As they sat down to eat the older mage reminded the other.
"Don't let your guard down."
"I know, I'll be careful. I'm not like the flame-brain you know."
Lyon nodded.
"While true, that doesn't mean he hasn't rubbed off on you some."
Gray scoffed.
"No way, I'm not that reckless!"
"If you say so."
The silver-hair man replied with a knowing smirk lighting his features. Lacking a comeback, Gray just glared and stuck his tongue out at his older brother not caring if it was childish. Lyon burst out laughing at the silly look of the other's face. Gray's features soften into a grin at the sound. The evening passed amicably after that.
The morning brought with it chirping birds, bright sunlight, and shrill ringing. A pale hand shot out from under the covers, grabbing the miniature communication lacrima. There was a sleepy groan as a tousle of raven hair appeared from under the bedspread. Dark eyes glared at the lacrima for a moment, debating on answering. He decided he probably should as it was likely the Master with important news.
He answered the lacrima in a groggy tone.
"Fullbuster here."
He was startled into full wakefulness as a familiar, loud voice shouted,
"You idiot, ice-prick!"
"Flame-brain?"
Gray asked a bit dazed, then the words sunk in and Gray demanded.
"Why are you calling and insulting me!? What is going on?"
The ice mage heard a growl and he could imagine the flame mage holding back the urge to punch something, likely him.
"What's going on? Nothing much. Besides you disappearing!"
There was stiff silence for a moment as Gray wondered about how much Natsu and the others knew. He could not help his defensive tone.
"I didn't disappear, squinty eyed idiot! I am off training is all. Anyways, where is Lucy, Erza, and Happy?"
"That isn't important right now! Where are you!? The Master didn't seem to know that information. So where?"
Gray sighed, answering Natsu's demand with a question of his own.
"What did the Master tell you?"
"Everything else but your location."
"Then you know it is best that you and the others stay away!"
There was a scoff, followed by a short "Hey!" from Natsu and then Erza's voice was heard.
"Why would we do that? You guys didn't leave me alone with my troubles even when I asked, so why would we leave you alone?"
Gray couldn't help the growl that rumble through his throat and he felt a short surge of his devil-slayer magic.
"If you know what happened, then how can you still want to be near me!? How could you think to risk your own safety for me? I killed people! I am banned from the guild!"
There was tense silence for a few moments as his tirade came to an end. Once he calmed down, he continued more quietly,
"Even if the council decides not to arrest me, I doubt I will be allowed back to our guild or any legal guild."
Erza and Natsu shared a glance as they could hear the sorrow in his voice, and it worried them even more. Erza spoke softly.
"If you let us know where you are, we can help you? We don't care what happened, it's not like you did it on purpose and who cares about the council's opinion. Just let us join you so you're not alone."
Gray let out a sigh.
"I get you guys are worried but I'm not giving you my location. Also, I am not alone so don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
He tried to convey how fine he was with his voice alone, but he doubted he was successful as both Erza and Natsu knew him too well. Still, if he didn't tell them where he was then it would be harder for them to get involved.
"What the Hell, Ice—"
Gray hung up on the loudmouth, he was done arguing with them. It was for their own good anyways. He threw his lacrima on the bed and headed into the living room to get to the kitchen for coffee.
At the aroma of dark roasted beans, he realized Lyon was already up and sitting on the couch that had been his bed. The older mage gestured for the other to sit and Gray noticed that there were two mugs of coffee on the table in front of Lyon. As he sat, the silver-haired mage inquired,
"So, your friends found out, huh?"
Gray just nodded and took a sip of hot coffee, a hot beverage was not the usual for the ice mages but it happened now and then. The ice brothers sipped their coffees while contemplating life. Lyon was halfway finished with his coffee when he finally broke the silence.
"Are they on the way here then?"
Gray threw a confused look at him.
"Huh?"
"Your team?"
Gray shook his head, no.
"So, you didn't tell them then?
"No, they know what happened, but I was not letting them know where I am. I am not bringing them into this! And don't bother trying to convince me otherwise! It worries me with just you here, I am too dangerous."
Lyon held up his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Okay, okay. Chill out, I'm not going to."
The ice mages finished off their drinks and started their training for the day. They trained for most of the day only starting to leave once the sun started to go down. As they headed back to the cabin, neither noticed a crow, most unique for the teal feathers that almost looked like hair, watching them from the nearby trees.
Natsu P.O.V.
After the phone call...
He felt hot rage course through his veins, feeling the urge to crush the miniature lacrima in his hand. Growling was heard as flames started coming to life. Erza was quick to snatch the lacrima before it combusted.
"That droopy-eyed bastard! How dare he!"
The re-quip mage let the other have a moment before she brought up an armoured hand and slapped the back of Natsu's head.
"Focus, Natsu. We need to think about how to find him. Where would he have gone?"
Lucy looked up from her book, and piqued up.
"Also, what did he mean that he wasn't alone?"
"I don't know, who else would he have gon...
Natsu trailed off as a light bulb lit up above his head.
"That silver headed bastard!"
"Lyon?"
Questioned Lucy as Erza had an 'Oh' moment. Natsu nodded with a grin.
"Can we contact him to find them?"
Wondered Lucy.
"Not sure if he would give the location either."
Erza brought up. The three were silence for a few moments wondering about the next course of action.
"Perhaps we should contact Lyon's team and see what they know?"
At Lucy's suggestion, the other two shared a look then Natsu grinned towards Lucy.
"That is a great idea Luce."
~TBC~