Happy Friday!

So...I'm really excited for this chapter. It's the inspiration behind the entire fic. (Yep, for those wondering where I'm going with this, there's actually a method to my madness. Hard to believe, I know. XD). I just sort of needed the first four chapters to make it happen, lol. I enjoyed this one and I hope you do too.

I'll leave you with one final thought. I've said it before: The first sight of love is the last sight of wisdom. When your brain melts, common sense goes out the window... Hint, hint...

- K. Chandler

"You're overthinking it, Erza," he said. "Archery is all about muscle memory. Just go with it."

"I'm trying," she said.

Gray met her on the range twice a week. He'd work with her on improving her stance, sharpening her aim and getting more speed behind her shots. Erza could tell that she was improving, and Gray seemed pleased with her progress.

But no matter how much she practiced, Gray was still faster. Still better. Still more ready to protect their team. All the random arrows that were strewn around the range were evidence of that.

"You need to stop hesitating," he insisted.

Erza frowned, still uncertain. Gray shook his head, putting his own bow down.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I think we're gonna have to try something a little different," he said, marching down range. He planted himself between her and the target. "All right, Erza. Aim it right at me."

"What?!" she choked, shaking her head.

Gray had to be out of his mind!

"What's the matter? Scared you're gonna miss?" Gray's lips quirked into a mocking smirk.

"No, I'm scared I'm going to hit you!" she snapped, a frantic note entering her voice.

Rule number one when it came to weapons was never to point one at another person. Not unless you intended to injure them. That was part of respecting your weapon, something that had been drummed into Erza's head from an early age.

Gray shook his head. "You won't hit me," he said.

"Gray…" Erza let out a shaky breath.

"You won't hit me," he repeated confidently.

"This is foolish."

"Why? Because you know your aim sucks?"

Erza snarled. "My aim certainly does not—"

"Go ahead," he taunted. "Prove me wrong." His voice was flat, but a challenge lit his eyes.

Erza glared as she notched an arrow. This went against her every instinct. "Are you sure—"

"Quit stalling already."

The arrow flew from Erza's fingers, whizzing past Gray's ear.

"Ho! Not even close." Gray grinned lazily, his hands still in his jacket pockets. He still had his shirt and his jacket on.

He wasn't taking this seriously. No, he wasn't taking her seriously.

Erza's temper flared. "That was a warning shot," she said in a low voice, already notching another arrow.

"Well, consider me warne—Whoa! Hey!" Gray jerked to the side to avoid the shot. "That's more like it! But ya still missed…in case you were wondering."

The anger simmering in her chest only served to improve Erza's aim. She let the arrows fly in rapid succession, forcing Gray to dart out of the way.

You're overthinking it. That was what he had said. Don't hesitate.

She had never tried to hit a moving target with her bow, but years of fighting experience had honed her ability to land a strike. Erza surrendered to instinct and let her body act on its own.

Thwap.

Gray gave sharp hiss, staggering a step backwards. His disbelieving eyes widened, the color draining from his face.

The haze of rage cleared. Erza suddenly felt dizzy, her stomach churning in horror.

Gray crumpled to his knees with a grunt, curling in on his injury. His hands clasped at the arrow embedded in his side. Blood was already starting to stain his shirt.

She'd hit him.

Oops. Seriously, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Oh, wait... Guess that means the joke's over. Even though she's been off her game for a couple weeks, this was not a smart move on Gray's part. Or Erza's. Never point pointy objects at other people, guys. Bad idea.

I know this chapter's super short. If I haven't satisfied your Grayza kick for the week, consider checking out my angsty Grayza one-shot Always. If you haven't read it, I would definitely recommend it. Of everything I've written, it's probably caused the biggest stir.

Next time, in [Mazeverse] The Problem with Ranged Weapons, Gray hurts and Erza panics: "Calm down?! I just shot you!" she cried, her voice rising shrilly.

Stop back next Friday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.