Hi everyone! I am so sorry for the late update! But see i was grounded so i didn't have my laptop and my school blocks this site! But please enjoy this extremely late chapter! Reviews help too!

It's been nearly two weeks since Mizuru joined Fairy Tail and nearly two weeks since she tossed a Fire and an Ice mages' lives into turmoil.

Also, almost as if to welcome the female ice-mage to the guild, Fairy Tail had to once more fend off a power-hungry enemy. The reformed Oracion Seis.

Although Mizuru wasn't a part of the main action, she took the stage when it came to the celebration by challenging the guild's drunk and her idol, Cana Alberona, to a drinking contest.

This match between the two female mages is where we continue our story…

The cheering and the chanting of the on looking Fairy Tail mages was nearly deafening as Mizuru slammed down yet another empty glass, a drunken flush painting her cheeks. She wobbled slightly on the stool but quickly righted herself and grinned broadly. "Give it up, senpai, I'm not about to lose to you. So just hand over that title gracefully while you still can, ne?"

Cana just laughed. "Ha! I'm so not going to be drunk under the table by some sniveling brat!"

To back up her words, the card mage chugged down another round and slammed the empty glass onto the table, bringing their totals to 20 each. The cheering from the guild quieted down. The tension was thick in the air. Everyone could tell that the two women were at their limits and they knew that the two drinks Mira served next would determine the winner. It was quiet except for a few stray remarks from a few onlookers.

"Come on Cana! Don't let this newbie show ya up!"

"Oi! Don't listen to them Mizuru! Kick 'er ass!"

"Yosh!" Mizuru, riled up by the encouragements, reached for her glass first. Before she could raise it to her lips however, the effects of the 20 glasses of alcohol finally kicked in and she fell backwards onto the floor, unconscious. The older mage grinned as she downed her final glass. She raised her fist in victory as the crowed cheered and also passed out onto the bar. Everyone laughed and congratulated a now semiconscious Mizuru who was struggling to stand, because even though she lost, she was the first person to come that close to beating the alcoholic card mage.

Mizuru waved them off and stumbled toward the door, eager for a well-deserved nap. She gasped softly when she felt two strong arms pick her up bridal-style and carried her out of the guild. Her mind was too clouded to figure out who it was before she passed out again. Her departure was ignored by the other guild members who were too busy drinking and chatting to notice.

"Run…"

I don't believe a single word had ever terrified me as much as that one…

The rain poured down that night, making my short blue hair cling to my head. My bangs covered my right eye entirely, that plus the rain making it nearly impossible to see…

Nearly…

The owner of the voice that uttered that terrifying word now crouched in front of me. Blood matted his normally shaggy raven hair to his head, shadowing his eyes, yet a soft smile played on his pale lips. Before I knew it, I was sobbing, clinging to him as if it would sway the balance of Life and Death, in this case, maybe I hoped it would swing in his favor…

My tears blended with the rain as I nearly choked on my next words. "Please…no! You can't possibly expect me to run…and leave you! I'd rather stay and die with you!"

He cupped my face with his bloodied hands, wiping away my tears. He placed a feather-light kiss on my forehead before pressing his own against it. He pulled away and met my silver eyes with his own. His eyes were the most beautiful ice-blue, almost as if someone had sealed the arctic in them. A shiver raked up my spine and I could've sworn my heart had frozen.

His gaze softened, tears forming of his own. His mouth moved, forming words…but they fell on deaf ears.

My heart sank. It felt as if I was suffocating, drowning in despair. I knew I was missing something, something important. It was those words. What were those words?!

I shook him, begging him to repeat himself, but he merely smiled. His eyes grew dull, almost as if he was melting…

Melting…he was melting, surrounding me, choking me. Panic set in as I struggled to breathe, struggled to escape. Questions swam through my mind. Why not me? Why him? What did he say? What were those final words?

I tried to scream but my voice failed me. My vision became clouded but I still fought to hear those words…

What did he say?

What did he say?!

WHA-

Mizuru's eyes snapped open but almost immediately squinted close thanks to the harsh sunlight and a pounding headache, as if someone took a hammer to her skull. She groaned and went to rub her head but realized that her hand was held tightly in someone else's. She gingerly turned her head to see who it was and gave a soft gasp to see Gray laying on his back, sound asleep, beside her. Her hand was clutched tightly to his chest while his other hand propped up his head on the light blue pillow. While she was covered with the blanket, Gray had fallen asleep on top, meaning he fell asleep after her. Like that, Mizuru could see that as usual he was wearing everything but his shirt, revealing his pale, toned chest and his blue Fairy Tail mark on his right breast. His shaggy raven hair partially covered his eyes and his mouth was open slightly. Mizuru chuckled at how relaxed he looked. Despite his laid-back nature, she had yet to see him actually relax. This was mainly due to a certain pink-haired someone.

Turning away from the sleeping mage, Mizuru scanned the area around her; curious to see what kind of place her fellow ice-mage lived in (assuming this was his house). The room they were in was fairly large with the queen-sized bed centered against the wall opposite the door leading to the rest of the house. On the right side of the bed was a small white nightstand. On the left was a large dresser. A large window with light blue curtains was opposite a closed door to what she could only guess lead to a bathroom.

Mizuru glanced back at Gray when she heard a soft moan coming from beside of her. His eyes fluttered open and he turned those onyx orbs to look at her. Onyx…not ice-blue… Mizuru shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts but it only resulted in a sharp pain. Gray gave a soft chuckle at her distress and moved to sit up. His eyes grew wide when he realized he was still holding Mizuru's hand. He quickly snatched his away mumbling an excuse. "Erm…ah…sorry. You just looked like you were having a nightmare…thought it might help…must've fallen asleep…" Gray ran his now free hand through his hair. "Oh, you drank pretty heavily yesterday, do you need anything?"

"Ah, um I just have a headache…it's fine…" Mizuru grew awkward toward the handsome ice-mage. Is it because of my dream? Now that I know-

"Mizuru?"

Gray must've gotten up because now he was standing beside of her, a hand placed lightly on her shoulder. "Hey are you okay?"

Mizuru smiled at Gray's rare show for concern. "Aw Gray, that's so sweet that you are concerned for lil' old me! What's with the sudden change of heart?"

He turned away and started to leave the room, obviously embarrassed. He stopped at the door with his back to her. "You did that for me…I thought I could at least try to repay you…because now…maybe…I can have the courage to face him…maybe…" Gray's somber mood evaporated as he turned back toward her, replaced with impassiveness. "I'm going to make breakfast; if you can make it to the kitchen, you can have some." With that he walked out, closing the door behind him.

A pout formed on the bluenette's face as she struggled out of the bed and into the kitchen.

Mizuru sighed as she immersed herself in her bathtub back home. For an ice mage, she really loved hot baths. She watched as steam danced on top of the hot water, thoughts wandering and finally settling on the question Gray had posed her last week when they were enjoying a drink at the guild. "Why? Why are you doing this for me?"

Mizuru chuckled underwater, the bubbles popped when they rose to the surface, splashing against her cheeks. Why indeed…

Is it too cruel to say it was because she thought he was someone else?

Heheh late and a cliffhanger? I really am cruel... anywho to compensate, I will let you guys know that this is actually a Gratsu and OCxOC story! Ah well that's all i can say! Please stay tuned! (and while you are at it, review too!)

-Love, Insanity