Well guys and gals here's the next chapter hope you enjoy as usual if you did leave a review so i know that you liked it. This chapter has a little hidden clue in it as to how the story will develop. And you may be pleased to know i've got my romance story in the works should be seeing it pretty soon. I've narrowed down to either Graylu or Grayza. Again i really want you guys feedback. Also i wouldn't mind some ideas for other couples. Without further adue (is this right?... whatever who cares)

Their journey was nearly over but there seemed to be some odd feelings within the group. Wendy was thoroughly embarrassed after waking up leaning on Gray, who just so happened to be the most oblivious guy on the face of the earth. He hadn't even noticed how red Wendy's face was when he laughed at her for drooling on him. They weren't the only people feeling awkward.

Elf man was in the lead because a real man always takes the lead. No one was particularly anxious to argue with him. He was still bombed about not being very useful on the mission. But the person with the strangest behaviour was definitely Mira. She was feeling oddly agitated after she overheard a conversation between Cana and Cassandra.

It was about how Gray was when he was younger, not a very strange topic considering they knew Gray the longest of the group. What had irritated Mira, not that she would admit, was when Cana brought up how cute Gray was when he was younger. Then someone the conversation shifted to how Gray had promised to marry Cassandra at a town festival. Mira couldn't explain it but after hearing that she was extremely agitated for some reason and to top it off she had hardly spoken to Gray after she acted as his lap pillow. Worst of all Gray was giving all his attention to Wendy, or so she thought, in actuality he was teasing her about her drooling. She decided to approach him.

He just happened to be by himself as miraculously Juvia had decided to talk to Elfman about something. So she took this opportunity to talk to him.

"Hey Gray what are you so focussed on?" She had just meant it as a way to start the conversation but the she noticed that he was honestly deep in thought.

"Huh, sorry Mira did you say something?"

"I was just curious about what you could possibly so caught up in."

"Oh nothing important was there anything else you wanted."

"Do you really think so lowly of me Gray? You're acting like I only ever talk to you when I want something." She then began her 'fake tears' act which Gray totally fell for.

"Uh n-no way Mira that's not what I meant at all!" His reaction was too cute. She quit the act almost immediately.

"So how do you plan to make it up to me?"

"Wait, what!?"

She really loved messing with Gray; it could almost be considered a hobby. She tapped her chin in way that would make you think she was contemplating something. "Well I guess you could treat me to dinner."

"W-w-wait! H-hold on a minute Mira."

"Hmm… I haven't been to La'Venore in a while that should be nice. So I guess it's a date!" She hadn't given it much thought but after saying it out loud Mira felt seriously self conscious. And she started to feel really hot especially in her cheeks while Gray was just completely stunned.

He finally managed to choke out the words "What just happened?"

Saved by the bell doesn't do justice to what happened next. They heard Natsu shout something so they both went to see what the issue was. Both of them gave a sigh of relief having realized that they were both just as awkward about it as the other. What they met was not quite what they expected. There was a giant raccoon like creature lying on the floor. Well giant for a raccoon.

It was around 4 ft tall light brown with dark brown concentric stripes and a light pink belly. Its face seemed to be frozen in a look of dread that was more creepy than scary. One eye was open wide and the other was squinting and bloodshot. Its mouth seemed to be caught between a wide Joker like grin a snarl and a frown all rolled into one. Apart from that t seemed to be unharmed but there was a ghastly scent in the air like it was dead.

Cassandra spoke up "It's a Biblocoon. They're type of beast that are master's at playing dead. In fact there's a legend that says a Biblicoon forgot he was playing and actually died. They're able to enter a state similar to hibernation but much more advanced as they actually stop their heart completely. It's almost impossible to tell if one is actually dead or not."

"But this one is definitely dead right? I mean just smell it" Lucy was the one who made the inquiry. There was a gagging sound in the background. The sound of Natsu puking, not surprising considering his super human sense of smell.

"Not quite. You see Lucy the Biblicoon doesn't have any natural offensive abilities. So… they bathe themselves in anything that smells disgusting to ward off predators. Biblicoons aren't classified as dead or alive cause it's not really possible to tell."

The group decided that it didn't really mater witch one it was and so they left it alone. Plus Natsu couldn't take the stench anymore. Mira had noticed that after Cassandra's little Biology lesson Gray had gone silent and seemed to be deep in thought. What she didn't realize was what was weighing on Gray's mind. Something Cassandra said was stuck on repeat in his head, 'neither dead or alive'. Maybe… Then it hit him. He finally understood what was needed of him.

Mira was just about to ask him what the matter was but Cassandra beat her to it. For some reason in Mira's head the name Cassandra was pronounced in mock fashion. "What's wrong Gray?"

He turned to her with a genuine smile on his face, which was rare for him. "Nothing's wrong. In fact things are finally starting to look up." He did something that was even more out of character and picked her up and twirled her in the air. For moment it was as if they were two little kids again, just enjoying life. Before everything was taken from them. It was then that Mira realized just how close Cassandra and Gray were and honestly it made her kind jealous.

"What the hell is wrong with you droopy eyes you're creeping me out"

"What's it got to do with you flame brain!"

"You wanna go popsicle!"

"Bring it on squinty eyes!"

Maybe Gray becoming more childlike wasn't so glamorous as it first appeared.

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