A/N: Thanks to all of the reviewers, my day is made each time I get one. Hopefully I can keep up to your expectations with this story! Enjoy the next chapter and I should have the next one done and ready fairly soon. Look forward to it!


Gray sat flatly on the edge of his barstool, leaning on the bar in front of him with his chin resting on his arms. He took a deep breath before sighing it out disappointedly.

In front of him sat a short, wide glass filled to the brim with spiced rum, ironically being one of the ice mage's more favored drinks despite it burning his throat any time he drank it. Chips of mostly melted ice swirled around the drink, threatening to spill some of its contents over the side and onto the bar top.

"Something wrong, Gray?" a pleasant voice asked on the opposite side of the bar, a washed out glass being dried by a damp rag in her hands.

"You could say that," Gray blankly responded to Mirajane, his eyes sitting on the rum.

"Want to talk about it?" she politely inquired, already knowing the answer but trying regardless.

"Nah, that's ok. I'll be fine once this damn storm passes over…"

Mirajane frowned at the ice maker. "You say that every time a snowstorm hits, you know?" she pouted. "I don't know what always bothers you, but you should cheer up! Go ice skating, get in a snowball fight, make some really cool sculptures! I know you'd be the best at these things, so this is really your time to shine, Gray!"

Gray carefully picked up the glass of rum, sure to not spill any as he brought it to his mouth for a swill. "Maybe you're right," he said halfheartedly. All he wanted to do was to drink himself silly alone and in peace, the sooner he could get the pink haired bartender off of his case the better.

Mirajane responded with an enthusiastic and warm smile. "You bet I'm right, now go out there and have some fun!"

"I'll get right on it, Mira." Gray's comment was laced with a sarcasm that escaped the bartender's attention thanks to her naivety. It was something he counted on, anyways.

"Good to hear," she finished, handing the cleaned glass to a new customer before turning her attention to him. "Here you go, Master Makarov!"

"Thanks as always, Mirajane." Makarov grew his arm to wrap around the cute bartender in a slightly perverted fashion.

"Master!" Mirajane pouted, holding off the guild master's attempts to cop a feel.

"Oooh, keep calling me that!" the wizard saint halfheartedly jested, partially wanting her to continue doing so despite the humorous nature of his comment.

Mirajane quickly poured Makarov's drink, a hot chocolate, into his cup before storming off to another part of the bar, leaving Gray and Makarov alone with each other.

Ignoring the rambunctiousness of the guild master and bartender, Gray took a large gulp of rum before placing the glass back down on a coaster, his eyes once again staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. Had he been his usual self, Gray would have easily noticed that Makarov had been staring at the ice mage since the moment Mirajane had left.

"Something troubling you?" Makarov knew something was wrong; he simply wanted to keep formalities with his child. There was a worried look in the old man's eyes.

"Nope." Sarcastic as usual, Gray continued to stare at the mountain of liquor bottles in front of him, vainly hoping that his tone and mannerism would send the message to Makarov that he wanted solitude for the moment.

Whether or not the wizard saint was able to catch onto Gray's act was unknown as the older man continued to press on regardless.

"I've known you for a long time, Gray…"

Gray frowned to himself, aware that the geezer was about to do one of those reminiscing things older people did all the time. He sighed audibly in chagrin and took another drink of rum.

"So I know well enough that there isn't much I can say to cheer you up right now."

The black haired youth paused his irritation for a moment. The last sentence from Makarov had surprised the ice maker since he'd expected the older man to try to lecture him. He gave the guild master a curious look and was met with a warm smile.

"You're like a son to me, you know? I've seen you grow up from an audacious young boy to a strapping young lad…" Makarov paused to take a sip of the hot chocolate sitting in front of him, lightly blowing on the steaming drink to cool it.

It was strange, Gray thought, why was Makarov saying these things to him? The ice mage found all of his attention being focused on the small man before him now crying out in pain from burning his mouth with the hot chocolate. A small smirk found its way onto Gray's face at the sight; his master sure was a goofy man, managing to burn his mouth despite his careful efforts to avoid it.

"That's why," Makarov continued on, his tone becoming serious and his humorously pained expression abandoned, "when I see you doing something laudable it's my duty as a parent to step in and reprimand you."

Gray's smirk quickly disappeared and he looked grimly at the tiny wizard, the old man now standing on his stool facing the ice maker.

"Let it go, Gray. Stop living in the past and grow up already." Makarov's eyes wandered to the ice maker's hand that held his drink, the grip tightening firmly. The guild master of Fairy Tail silently wondered if the grip would break the glass. He returned his gaze to the black haired youth. "I don't know what happened between you and this Ur that makes you become like this every time a blizzard comes through, but it needs to stop now."

Gray looked furiously at the man standing before him. Without warning, the ice maker threw back the rest of his drink and slammed the glass onto the bar, the loud slam echoing throughout the guild and bringing most of it to a silence. Those unaware of the situation quickly followed the stares of those watching and soon enough everyone's eyes were on the two currently staring the other down.

Memories flooded through Gray's mind and he couldn't even begin to fathom where he should begin in his rebuttal. Looking around frenetically, the black haired mage saw that all eyes were on him and quickly found the desire for isolation quickly overcoming that of his grievances with Makarov.

Gray stood up and threw his stool out behind him, the piece of furniture sliding out upright across the floor effortlessly. The ice maker began to make his way towards the exit before stopping momentarily.

"I'm going out, I'll be back later." The words were quick and direct, non-debatable. He didn't bother to turn back when he spoke nor to grab his shirt which rested on his stool in the middle of the floor. Without another word, Gray Fullbuster walked to the main doors of Fairy Tail amidst cries of concern, throwing them open. Furious winds blew in waves of snow and the insanely cold air stung and watered his eyes.

Standing directly in front of the ice maker was Erza Scarlet, her trademark armor on as usual despite the high intensity weather she currently sought refuge from.

"Oh, Gray!" She said, startled, walking in past him before noticing the distressed look on his face, "What's going on?"

Gray irately turned from the swordswoman without a word in response. Why couldn't people just leave him alone during the one goddamn day he didn't want to be bothered? Also, how come everyone always seemed to come in at the worst times?

"Gray, the hell is wrong with you? Don't turn your back on Master Makarov like that!" Natsu spat out in flames.

"Forget that, Natsu! Gray, the weather outside has worsened since we've gotten here. If you go out now, even you'll be in trouble!" Lucy got up from her table alongside Natsu.

"She's right, you really shouldn't—" Erza followed up before being shut inside by Gray.

The voices of concern didn't even faze the ice maker as he slammed the doors closed behind him, the snow that had managed to build up in the short amount of time the doors were open falling to the ground amidst the rest of the light sheet that had built up.

"Oi, Gray, you bastard! Come back here and apologize!" Natsu yelled out to a person who was clearly no longer within earshot. When the target of the dragon slayer's aggression failed to respond, Natsu angrily followed, rolling up sleeves he wasn't even wearing.

"I'll teach you some manners myself, then!"

"Wait, Natsu," Lucy pleaded, grabbing onto the fire eater's arm while trying to hold him back, "You going out there isn't going to solve anything!"

"Like I care!"

"Ugh, FINE." Lucy quickly gave up, letting go of the fire mage, the sudden release throwing him forward unexpectedly. "If you're going then I'm coming with you."

Natsu rushed towards the exit of the guild in hot pursuit of Gray, Lucy trying to follow close behind. His progress was suddenly halted by a violent tugging on his scarf and the dragon slayer fell down backwards, clutching at his throat. He looked above him to see Erza with a firm grasp on his scarf.

"And where do you think you're going?" Erza asked coldly with a strong glare. "Lucy was right, it's no joke outside. You'd end up in a world of trouble if you're out there; I honestly don't think anyone will be able to get back home from the guild in this state."

Worried groans suddenly arose from all around the guild at the information presented by the scarlet haired woman.

"Doesn't that apply to him, too?" Natsu argued, "Someone has to get his ass back here!" It was under the guise of interest for Gray's well-being, however Natsu only wanted to drag him back for punishment.

Erza wasn't fooled by the act and she narrowed her eyes at the salmon haired wizard.

"Erza, please," Lucy distracted the swordswoman's attention, "he's going to go out regardless, you know that. At least let us go now so we can catch up to Gray sooner than later."

Erza contemplated what Lucy had told her.

"Plus," Lucy continued with a wink of encouragement, "I'm going to keep this one in line." She gestured to Natsu, still struggling on the ground.

The scarlet haired woman looked over in the direction of the bar to where Makarov sat. "Master Makarov?"

Makarov, who had not once looked from the doors Gray had rammed through, looked quietly at Erza. "They're old enough to do whatever the hell they want as long as they come back safely!" He'd yelled the line, however Erza could feel the emptiness behind his words.

"Very well." Erza let go of Natsu's scarf and he and Lucy quickly left the guild in pursuit of Gray.

Wanting to follow them but restraining herself for the moment, Erza replaced Gray's stool to its rightful spot before sitting in it next to Makarov.

"What happened, Master?" she calmly asked, a touch of worry in her voice.

"Just a family quarrel is all…" Makarov sadly responded, his eyes distant. He looked at Erza. "If you wouldn't mind me asking, would you go look for Gray as well?"

Erza nodded her head. "I planned on it."

"That's good," Makarov continued with a weak smile, "When you see him again, tell him I'm sorry." The guild master's face brightened a little. "If it's you, my guess is he'll finally get around to talking about what's been bothering him. I have something of an idea, but there's no way he'd talk about those things to an old fart like me."

"What's bothering him?" Erza asked passionately. She desperately wanted to know what had gotten her childhood friend into such a state.

"That's not for me to say." Makarov meekly looked at Erza apologetically. "Sorry for forcing you to follow a selfish old man's request like this."

Erza looked sternly at the wizard saint. "Don't say such things, Master! You've got nothing to apologize for. I'll go get Gray and bring him back so we can resolve this!"

"Thanks."

Erza got up from the stool and grabbed Gray's shirt before making her way to the exit of the guild. Taking a deep breath and bracing herself, Erza opened the doors and walked out into the cold, stormy night.