A/N: You guys are something else. Your feedback is awesome and so are all of you!

As always, I hope you enjoy.

_-Gray POV-_

We were walking through the tunnel after our battle (if you could even call it one), not a scratch on either of us. I glanced at the playboy beside me who was walking forward lazily. A disappointed yet amused grin on his face. "That was way too easy."

I sighed as I ducked under a low hanging mass of vines. "I had expected more of a challenge from him."

Loki laughed, "Come on, did you really expect much of a fight from someone who rarely shows his face and when he does it is only when getting into trouble by things he finds that are interesting?"

"Ha, you're right." I nodded, "But wait, that sounds a lot like you too."

He punched my arm, "Ha ha, very funny smartass."

I grinned. "Hey, Natsu likes this smartass."

"Oh yeah, speaking of Natsu, I want details." Loki said, standing in front of me.

"Eh? What details?" I felt myself blush. I knew exactly what details.

"A little birdie told me you haven't even touched him yet." Loki smirked, "I didn't think you'd keep off of him this long."

"What of it?" I said, stepping past him. "I'm not that pushy."

"Uh-huh, next you're going to say that the thought hadn't crossed your mind?" Loke smirked.

"It has. But I'm not gonna jump him like some bitch in heat!" Plus the fact that his brother was always in the next room keeps us on our toes. But it's not like I'm complaining. Even though Senji can turn into a rabid fangirl wanting every detail whenever I take Natsu out for 'couple time' as we have been calling it. I chuckled lightly at the memory of the first time I'd taken Natsu out between training for the S-class trials.

I had barely stepped in the door that night before I was nearly tackled, a half asleep Natsu jolting from his place at my side in surprise. What I found when I looked down was a determined look I knew all too well. I remember Natsu going into each and every detail of our date. It was almost terrifying when Senji turned that curiosity my way once Natsu turned in for the night. I chuckled at the memory as it passed.

I glanced up, wondering just how long this cave was and thankfully, I could see that the tunnel was getting lighter as we turned a corner. No reliving that terror for the time being. I turned to Loki motioning for him to hurry up. "Come on, we're almost out of this musty tunnel."

Loke shook his head, "Yeah yeah." He smirked, "I'm just waiting for you to end up jumping him in public or something though."

"Loki!" I shouted back at him in exasperation before sighing, "That won't happen. I don't want one of those relationships built on sex."

"You've had no problems with them before." Loke pointed out."Then again, those would have ended by now."

"I was only in those relationships because I was a hormonal teen looking for sex at that time." I frowned, "I don't want this relationship ruined because of something as trivial as sex."

"Well, well. Looks like someone has grown up." Loke smirked, "Would you like a prize?"

"Fuck off." I huffed. "Let's go, I don't want to be the last one to arrive just because you're poking in my sex life."

"And lack there of." Loke snickered.

"Don't even get me started on you." I said, pulling the collar of his hood down, "I know these marks have marks under them and under those and so on. Your love life with Lucy isn't exactly a secret." I grinned in triumph at the blush that dusted his cheeks. For someone always hitting on women it seemed that his relationship with Lucy tamed him.

"Let's just go..." He coughed, walking past me and out of the cave tunnel. "I'm hoping that Fried or Natsu got tagged out already. Cana too."

"Nah, I don't think Natsu would get disqualified this early, he has Senji with him." I yawned, "Same with Fried and Cana. But even then it wouldn't exactly be smooth sailing."

"I know that but can't a man wish?" Loke chuckled, "I'm still just impressed that we beat Mest as easily as we did."

"You mean I did since all it took was one punch." I grinned, "But it still seemed a bit off."

"How so?" He asked, "Did he smell funny?"

"Why does that sound like something Natsu would say..." I sighed, "No. It just seems like he was stronger before."

"That just means we've gotten stronger." Loki replied simply.

I frowned trying to think back to a time where I might have fought him, "Well that's strange...I don't remember ever fighting him before."

"Same here man." Loke yawned.

"Didn't he participate in the S-class trials before? I think he'd gotten very far then."

"That seems right..."

I stopped walking for a moment, "But who was his partner then?"

"I have no idea..." Loke admitted.

I frowned, "It seems that it must've been a long time ago, the memories are hazy." We stayed put for a moment, trying to remember before we gave up and started walking again, pushing through the thick bushes to find a camp of sorts.

"Gray, Loke!" Senji called from the far side of the fire. He stood up waving us over, Natsu sitting beside him seemingly in his own world.

"Hey, how was your route?" I asked as we walked over. Senji beamed as what I asked registered.

"We fought Gildarts."

I grinned, "And won? Good job." I ruffled his hair and walked past him to Natsu. I went to speak as he shot up to a standing position.

"Alright!" He shouted, startling me and those closest to us. He had a grin across his face as if he'd just worked past something before he noticed me standing there. "Gray! It's about time you got here."

I smiled. I had thought something was wrong when I saw him sitting there but it seemed like he was better now. I made a mental note to ask him about it later. "Yeah yeah, sorry I'm late." I chuckled.

Natsu beamed as Senji began to retell their fight with Gildarts, adding bits here and there. Even how Natsu had been shrunk down at one point into several mini copies of himself.

"It was cute. So many little Na-chans." Senji cood, poking at his brother who sported a bright blush.

"Shut up..." Natsu grumbled, biting his lip. "I'm not cute." I felt a pang, that expression in itself was cute.

"Yeah you just tell yourself that." Senji chuckled, wandering off as Lucy and Cana stepped over, although he kept his distance from Cana. Honestly, I couldn't blame him. That girl had been trying to get at the poor boy since he first stepped foot within the guild doors.

"Senji~" Cana called, trying to latch onto the poor teen. I chuckled lightly, at his attempt to push her away with little success. He looked around himself for a savior. Unfortunately for him, Natsu and Lucy had gotten into a very energetic sounding conversation so they wouldn't be much help. I was almost tempted to let him deal with her but when a pair of begging eyes turned themselves my way, I sighed. Damn them for being so identical.

"That's enough Cana, lay off him." I said as I walked their way. I pulled him away from her firmly to get my point across to the woman.

"You're no fun." She whined punching me, but not hats enough to hurt.

"Today's not supposed to be all fun." I yawned, noting that the last few stragglers walked into camp. Elfman and Evergreen had definantly seen better days. I grinned lightly at their expressions as someone asked j how they beat Mira. Those two - as much as they try to hide it - are in a serious relationship and I think Mira is now in the loop. I've got to praise them for managing to hide the truth from Mira this whole time. Especially since she was the rumor mill in the flesh.

I felt a tug on my sleeve a moment later. I guess Natsu and Lucy were done with their chat as he slipped his hand into mine. A soft smile settled into my expression. I had just opened my mouth to speak when the voice of Makarov boomed through the camp.

"Quiet you brats and listen. The second exam is as follows: find the grave of the first guild master, Mavis."

"A treasure hunt? Sounds like fun." Senji grinned.

"Yup!" Natsu grinned back as Makarov continued.

"The time limit is six hours. I'll be waiting for the lucky brat who finds this place first."

"Well, this ought to be interesting." I sighed. Finding a single grave on this entire island? What madness. But since it was placed up as an exam, there was nothing we could say against it.

"You're telling me." Natsu frowned. "But either way, I'm gonna find that grave!"

"Not before I do!" I taunted with a smile.

Senji laughed lightly from behind us, "Come on you guys, everyone is leaving." I glanced over to see that it was true. Everyone seemed to be going off in their own direction. With a sigh, I moved to go and join Loki to get this exam started when I felt my balance shift. Someone had jumped on my back, latching on tightly to my shoulders. I couldn't help but smile when I realized it was Natsu.

"Forward!" He shouted pointing the direction where Loki was standing.

"Eh? But..." I started then deciding to just go with it. "Okay then." I was glad I did.

"I just wanted a little more time with you before the next exam." Natsu muttered into my shoulder, almost sounding like an apology.

I put him down just before we got to Loki. "Good luck Na-chan." I teased, earning a pout in return. A very cute pout mind you. I leaned forward, kissing him, nipping lightly on that pouty lip. "Go on. I'll see you later." I said as I pulled away. Messing his hair up as I walked past him.

Shit. I was seriously holding myself back right now. I glanced forward catching Loki's smirk. Damn him. He was right, at this rate our first time may very well be in public.

"If I end up jumping him I'm blaming you." I said with a growl.

"I thought you might." He laughed in response.

A/N: what'd ya think? I had a major block on this chapter but it's gone now. So on that note, I should be able to get a new chapter out each week (or every two weeks). But as you all know, I'm awful with meeting self-set deadlines but we'll see.

Also, if anyone would be so kind, I have a poll up on my profile for what story I'm going to start next. Since I like to have a few stories revolving and Second Life only has about 5-6 chapters left, it's time for me to start plotting a new story. There's the titles and description on each and a bunch to vote from. So please, vote if you have a moment to spare.

Until next time~