So here's the chapter I promised. Yes, I know it's late. I'm sorry, but I only needed a tiny bit to fit in somewhere and it just didn't want to be written. I took some days away from it before trying again. Anyway, I got it now, so here's the chapter! Like I said, more characters appear. The first part is kinda in Lucy's POV and the rest is Gajeel again. The next two chapters are already done and will be uploaded tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. You know.. if everything goes according to plan. XD

I want to thank you all you guys for following/favoriting and reviewing too! Your reactions make me smile. :D So now R&R!

WARNING: Because part of this chapter is sort of written from Gajeel's POV, know that there is some cursing.

Lucy hadn't paid a lot attention to her surroundings as she walked across Magnolia. Her thoughts were too centered around this day, and she was trying to keep herself from crying. Maybe it would have been better if she stayed at home, but the silence drove her crazy and she figured she would feel better if she was at the guild, surrounded by her precious nakama.

When she walked in the first thing she noticed was the down mood everyone seemed to be in. From the corners of her eyes she saw Gajeel sitting at his usual corner, alone and with a black aura that scared everyone off. But her attention was soon captured by Natsu. He was slumped over a table, looking just as miserable as she felt today.

Her mother died, his father went missing… They sure weren't a happy team today. She let herself drop next to Natsu, glancing at him. He seemed to notice her and turned his head to look at her. A small sad smile that was all the greeting she got before he turned laid his head back on the table.

She just sat there, staring at nothing in particular. A distant part of her was happy to have Natsu at her side, because he never failed to cheer her up.. even if he was depressed himself. But other than that she felt like crap. Miserable and sad like always on this particular day.

But when the doors swung open to reveal a crying Wendy, Lucy pushed aside her own pain to run to her side. Of course… how did she forgot? It wasn't only Natsu's dragon who disappeared today. Charle flew next to Wendy, in obvious panic. She was trying to calm her down, but it didn't seem to work on the Maiden of the Sky who just continued crying softly. Without hesitating Lucy let herself fall on her knees and took the sobbing girl into her arms, guiding her to Natsu's table. Wendy didn't seem to mind, as she wrapped her arms around Lucy, crying harder on her shoulder.

She briefly saw Gajeel get up and leave the guild before her attention went back to the crying girl who had now nestled herself in Lucy's lap. Lucy started rubbing her back softly, trying to comfort her a little.

As the doors closed after Gajeel stormed away so furious, Natsu perked up. He stared at the doors for a moment before sliding out of his seat and walking out of the doors. Lucy send him a glance but didn't ask what he was doing. She let him go, knowing he would return after he managed to find Gajeel. She wasn't so sure if he managed to bring him back, but if anyone could do it, it was Natsu.

The table seemed emptier when he left, but Lucy shook the thought away. She had to focus on Wendy now, because the girl seemed absolutely heartbroken.

She had buried her head into Lucy's shoulder, crying hysterically now that she was sitting on Lucy's lap. Lucy almost felt bad for making her cry harder, but she knew from experience that sometimes, letting all your emotions out was the best thing to do to ease the pain a little.

Her heart went out for this poor little girl who lost way too much in her young live. Unfortunately, Lucy knew how it felt to lose your mother and that was exactly why she didn't say anything and just held her close, waiting for the tears to run out.

It took Wendy a while to just calm down a little and Lucy had to wave away Mira and Erza's worried glances with a look that said 'I got this'. Not that it helped a lot, because they were still watching from the bar. But Lucy's attention was drawn to Wendy when she finally pushed herself away from her shoulder, looking up at her with puffy, red eyes.

"L-Lucy-san?" she started to say, "I-I'm sorry for being s-such a bother, it's just… I hate this day! I want Grandine to come back!" Her voice broke again and another round of tears began to fall. Lucy pulled her closer again and stroked her hair.

"Shhh Wendy, it's okay. Just let it all out."

Wendy nodded in her shoulder and continued sobbing. "I miss her so much.."

Wendy broken voice brought back memories of her own after her mother just passed away and Lucy had to force back the tears. She wasn't gonna cry, not now. Wendy needed her.

"I know, I know." She whispered, rocking softly back and forth. "My mom passed away when I was little so I know what it is to have your mother not around anymore."

She felt Wendy shift against her, listening intensely to her now. "But you know Wendy, there is still a chance Grandine will come back. And even if that still takes years, you'll always have your friends around you. We're here for you, okay? Never forget that. We're nakama."

Wendy's sobbing slowed down and she looked up to Lucy. "I know. I won't forget. We're all family here in Fairy Tail."

Gajeel continued stomping through Magnolia, slamming an iron pipe into the brick walls he passed. He didn't care if he damaged anything, he had to get rid of the urge to beat someone up.

Finally, he reached the forest. Figuring he probably wouldn't get into too much trouble for destroying a few trees he started punching and kicking around. Everything in his sight turned into unrecognizable pieces. It still wasn't enough. The trees didn't move and didn't scream, they didn't fight back. He wanted a real target to release his anger on not some stupid threes or rocks.

He was so focused on stomping that he never noticed the person approaching him until he heard him speak.

"You're an idiot."

There was no mistaking the voice and Gajeel turned around at lightning speed as soon as he realized who was behind him.

"Shut the hell up Salamander, I can do whatever the heck I want! Shouldn't you be at the guild, laying on some table as the pathetic piece of shit you are?!"

Natsu snorted. "It's not like you're any better."

"I don't fucking care! Why don't you get lost or something?! I'm not in the mood to deal with you! Not on this damned day!"

Gajeel was panting, both from his shouting and from his earlier round of destruction. But Natsu didn't move, He just stood there, staring at him with narrowed eyes. Suddenly the fire mage launched himself at Gajeel with flaming fists. A punch in the jaw made him fly back and hit a tree several meters away. Gajeel smirked. Salamander seemed to have a death wish today and Gajeel was more than happy to make his wish reality. Transforming his arm into a pillar of iron he jumped up and threw himself on Natsu with a growl. Natsu dodged and threw another punch at him. The pain only pissed him off more and before he knew it, the fight had gotten a lot more serious than he ever intended it to be.

But it didn't matter. Salamander was just as violent as he and their attacks were countering each other with deadly precision. Blow after blow, kick after kick they exchanged, until they were both so drained and beat up that they fell down. Unlike what happened in any friendly brawl, they now had real injuries. But it was worth it. Never before had Gajeel been able to release all his anger and frustration that this day brought like now. Salamander was a brilliant opponent, one who could withstand his heaviest attacks and throw back attacks just as powerful. It still held no candle to their fight when he was still a Phantom Lord member, but that fight had been way over the top anyway.

Salamander was the first to move and get up, as always to damn stubborn to just stay down. Gajeel glared at him but made no move to get up too. He was fine laying here.

"Come on metal-head, we need to get back to the guild." Salamander was standing next to him, looking down with a determination that hadn't been there before.

He growled back. "Why? I have no problem with staying here."

Salamanders answer surprised him. "Because we're not the only ones who hate this day you know."

"I don't see what that has to do with us."

"Nakama should be there for each other on days like this." And with that, Natsu held a hand out to Gajeel, silently stating he wasn't leaving before Gajeel got up.

Gajeel eyed Natsu for several seconds before groaning and pushing himself up. He ignored the hand of Salamander and set off in the direction of the guild. Footsteps told him Salamander was following him.

They arrived at the guild in silence. Salamander immediately walked over to his old table with his cat, Bunny Girl, and Wendy.

As he watched him sit down, Gajeel noticed Bunny Girl making a fuss about the injuries Natsu had. Salamander waved it off and smiled to Wendy. She replied with a little smile of her own. Her crying had stopped by now, and although she didn't look very happy yet, it was better than nothing. Surprisely, Gajeel also felt slightly better than he did this morning. The fight really helped him and strange enough also the knowledge that it wasn't only his bastard of a dragon who abandoned him.

Wendy seemed to notice his stare and looked around until her eyes crossed his. She looked at him with a puzzling expression before a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She nodded at him and turned her attention back at Charle who was talking to her.

He didn't know why, but seeing her sweet gesture was another thing that calmed him down. No, he wasn't alone. She felt it too. They all felt it, and somehow, with Salamander's walking after him and her smile, it felt like they were in this together.

"Gajeel-kun?"

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice he hadn't expected to heat today. Juvia was standing next to him, looking worried.

"Can Juvia sit here? Gajeel-kun looks like he can use some company."

Although he would never admit it, he was surprised she left her beloved 'Gray-Sama' just because she was worried about him. She really did take this whole nakama stuff very seriously.

"Sure. Do whatever you want Ameonno." He growled, looking away from her. She smiled in return and sat down, immediately starting a long story he didn't bother to listen too. He was sure it wasn't that important. She was only trying to cheer him up. So he grunted in response sometimes and let her talk. After all, he didn't hate her being there.