Fairy Tail

Ice Phoenix

Chapter Six

After I had explained to what had happened up on the mountain, I sat at the bar, sipping on a glass of beer, watching Silver and the guild members having a good time. I had to chuckle with Mira as Silver went through the crazy motions of being "shot" at by Asuka's toy gun. Everyone laughed again when their new feathered friend fell over and kicked her legs in the air, and made a mournful cry as she "died."

"She's a great friend Gray; so accepting. And I must say, you seem to be a little more relaxed...happier since you met Silver." Mira replied as she set a plate of food down beside him.

"I do feel a little different; like a hole inside me has been filled. Maybe meeting her was meant to happen." I answered as I looked towards Silver. "You should see her fight though. She slaughtered those blizzard wyverns like they were nothing."

"Juvia believes Mira is right. Gray-sama does seem to be happier. Juvia would like to get to know Silver-sama." Juvia replied, coming up to the two.

"I think she would like that. Silver, come and get something to eat before we head home." I called out. Silver chirped in reply and came flying over to the bar.

She landed on the rail of the bar and looked over at Juvia and waited; knowing the young woman wanted something from her. When Juvia stroked Silver's head, the feathered friend made a whirling sound in happiness and pushed her head into Juvia's offered hand; accepting the water mage as a friend. Juvia looked over at Gray for reassurance.

"I believe that means that she accepts you as a friend." Gray replied, then glanced over at Silver as she nudged his right hand, He guessed that she wanted him to practice forming ice balls. "You're right Silver, I should practice. Mira do you have a big bowl?"

"Yes I do Gray. What does Silver want you to do?" Mira answered bending down a little to get a bowl off of the low shelf in front of her.

"Just before you came and found me earlier, I told Silver that I needed both hands to use my magic fully and brought up a bit of mist. Master Ur had told Lyon and me that we had to use both hands for an effective attack. But Silver guestured with her beak and wings, for me to try and make an ice ball with one, I've tried once already, and it sort of worked. She's asking me to try again." Gray reported.

"If Silver-sama thinks you can do it, Juvia does to." Juvia encouraged.

"If these two think you can, I do to Gray. You never know until you practice a bit." Mira replied.

"Go for it my boy." master Makurov encouraged from where he was sitting on the bar.

"Well with that kind of encouragement...why not!" Gray stated firmly and raised his right hand and concentrated. This time I concentrated harder, and before I knew it, a more complete ice ball was forming in my hand before it stopped and started to disintegrate. "That was a little more complete than the first one."

"That was great Gray-sama, and Juvia can see that Silver-sama is very happy for you to." Juvia replies, clapping her hands lightly. They all chuckled watching Sliver hop up and down, showing her happiness for Gray's success.

After getting Silver's food order (please use your imagination here), Mira went in to the kitchen to prepare it. The beautiful bird had to force herself to wait until the white haired barmaid had put it down in front of her. It smelled absolutely delicious. They all had to chuckle as Silver looked around for something to clean off her beak.

"You must really love Mira's cooking Silver. You have it all over your beak and chin." Gray chuckled as he picked up Mira's damp cloth and wiped off her face. Her eyes danced with mirth as she held still for Gray. She let out a sound of laughter and crossed her eyes at him.

"Someone's getting a little cheeky." Juvia giggled as I stood up and put the pad on my shoulder.

"Alright, if you're done miss smart aleck, it's time we went home." I smirked as I presented my shoulder to his feathery friend. Silver hopped up on to the shoulder, bobbed her head to Mira and Juvia and politely bowed her head to the master.

During the fifteen minutes it took for Silver and I to walk home, Silver Storm seemed to be checking out and memorize her new surroundings. She was fond of her cave up in the mountains, but it was time for her to move on. She had started to find the real meaning to her life; and that was to be a familiar to her new human friend that she had rescued. She couldn't be happier with the new friends she had met and had gotten to know.

"Here we are Silver, this is where I live and your new home. I hope you will like it here." I replied and walked to the side of the house and to the front yard. Silver jumped off my shoulder and on to the back of a nearby steel garden bench. We sat outside for a while and watched the sun go down in an array of beautiful colors.

This trip, albeit short had indeed been eventful. An experience I wouldn't soon forget. Now with my team meeting Silver, that would be a another adventure in itself. Knowing that idiot Natsu, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to fight her. And Erza had better not attack her; or she'll have to not only deal with me, but the rest of the guild. I know from what I saw today, they really care for her to.