Hey guys :) So here's chapter 8 :) It's a sort of extra's chapter I guess; it's a break from the main story in a way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail (It's magic is credit to the amazing Hiro Mashima), only the my ideas and love for the show.

Chapter 8
Stories from the road

Gray P.O.V

"I can't believe you brought your cat!" I yell, jabbing my finger into Natsu's chest.

"I didn't!" the accused boy shouts back. "He stowed away in my pack!" I groan and glare at the small, blue (what kind of colour is that for a cat anyway!?) cat who stares back innocently. I found the cat when we got out of the carriages for a break a while back, it tiny head poking out of Natsu's pack

Flashback

"I'll get it, Juvia, don't worry," I say, heading over to our bags, where they lie just beside our transportation.

I bend to unclasp her pack, searching for her water bottle, when movement catches my eye. I look at the pack a few feet away form Juvia's, recognizing it as Natsu's. It sways form side to side, its motions fluid. I creep over to it, silent as I can, and poke it in a short jabbing motion.

It stops moving for a moment and then suddenly goes crazy, swaying quicker and quicker. A small ball of blue fur appears at the opening, only to become the head of a small, clue cat with large blinking eyes. I stare at it for a moment before glaring.

"Natsu!"

Flashback end

"Juvia thinks Gray should calm down," Juvia says soothingly from beside me. "Natsu did not mean any harm." I turn to look at the blue hair girl and nod. She smiles back and turns away, walking over to Levy and Lucy.

I watch her go, confused. She would have never done that before; walk away from me. She always clung to my arm, wanting to be with me all the time. Now that she doesn't I miss it. I hear a snort and look around. Erza grin at me from her seat on the steps of her carriage. I glare back and turn away, feeling heat seep up my neck.

Why did I agree to come on this crazy journey?

Lucy P.O.V

I stare at the map, my finger tracing the lang masses and oceans. Levy sits beside me, her hair pulled back in a bright orange bandanna She frowns at the map, scribbling something down on the note pad she always has with her. My eye's fine Drakan Island, searching the tiny island for the forest we need to find. It takes up about a third of the island, dense and dark. I've never been there before, but I've heard stories. About the ghosts and monsters that roam the trees. I shiver and try not to think about it.

"The ships course should be simple enough," Levy finally says. "I'll just need to alter it slightly and then Erza can steer it to the island." She then turns her eyes to the giant boat, floating in the water a few feet away.

Father bought it for me, a few years back. I gave it to Juvia, knowing she would get more use out of it than me. It's huge, I guess, compared to most of the ships in the harbor I guess it's a good one to, though I can;t really tell. I never did like boats, only sailing on them. The sails are a light cream colour, with the royal crest emblazoned onto them.

The crest always confused me when I was younger but now I understand It stands for the royal family - the giant crown in the middle- and the four nobles families. A quill for the McGardens; best known for their academics and studies. A wave for the Loxars; best known for their love of the ocean. A flames for the Dragneel; given their acclaimed ancestors being Dragons. Lastly, a mountain for the Fulbusters, which stands in the back of the crest. This stand of their homeland; Mt. Hakobe.

I glance up at the others and smile. I don't know if I could have gone though with this quest without them. Gray and Natsu are fighting, though they are grinning, while Erza watches amused. Juvia, Gajeel and Jellal are talking quietly. Elfman and Lisanna sit together, staring off into space. Happy the cat paws at one of our packs, playing with it's tassel. I giggle, which cause Levy to look up and smile at me.

"You seem happier," she chirps. I grin and nod at her.

"I think it's because I'm out of that stupid carriage and Natsu isn't trying to throw up," I laugh, thinking back to our not so smooth journey.

Flashback

"Erza, is there nothing we can do," I ask helplessly, staring at the green Dragneel. The red head across from me shakes her head and I sigh. Natsu now lies beside me, his head on my lap. His breathing is labored and his face a sickly shade of green Every now and then he gives a small gag.

He woke up an hour ago, after Erza knocked him out. Immediately his face turned green again and he began to throw up out of the window he dashed to. Erza tried to put him under again with a swift punch to the head but it didn't work. We made him lie down, telling him it would be over soon.

Lucky for us, he fell asleep quickly, once he was comfortable I can feel his soft breathing through the leg of my trousers. I smile down at him. In his sleep he looks like a child. I begin playing with his hair, fascinated with the pink colour. It's so out of place on a boy but it works with him.

Suddenly he jerks up and clamps his hand over his mouth, heaving. I yelp and scoot away, glaring at him

"You throw up on me and your dead, Natsu Dragneel," I threaten, pushing him to the window. I get a grunt in reply.

Flashback end

Sighing, I look at Natsu, who is now playing with Happy. My journey was better than Levy's at least. I wasn't fighting the whole way there.

Levy P.O.V

I have to admit, at first I was happy that I was sharing a carriage with Gajeel, even with Lisanna and Elfman there, but after half an hour I was going to kill him. He has the ability to make me mad and not even mean it. I mean, what is his problem with me exactly? I'm always nice to him.

Flashback

"Gajeel, I'm trying to read, leave me alone," I say, not for the first time.

"Come on, Shrimp," he moans. "I'm bored and reading isn't fun." I grumble and glare at him.

"One: stop calling me Shrimp, its derogatory " I snap. "Second: I like reading, I'll have you know, so find another way to entertain yourself other than annoying me." I look back at my book, letting myself fall back into the world of imaginary characters and magic worlds.

I guess it's only a few minutes later when I'm aware of something touching my leg. I glance down and glare. Gajeel is sitting poking flicking the end of my skirt, where it sits on my knees. He must really be bored.

"Gajeel," I say, my tone quiet and annoyed. He look up, eyes wide. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he quickly says. I glare at him and slap his head. This is going to be a long journey.

Flashback end

I glare at the him now, where he sits with Juvia and Jellal. He catches my glance and grins, until he sees my expression. His face pales and he looks away. Good. At least he know's I'm angry with him.

Normal P.O.V

"They sure are a lively bunch, aren't they?" Roxanne says, laughing as she watches the group interact. Layla nods and laughs to. She then turns to the man standing beside her.

"You should be proud of your daughter, Jeremy," she says, smiling at the blue haired man. "Levy is the smartest girl I know."

"I am very proud," he reply, smiling at his daughter. "Very proud indeed."

"As am I," Roxanne states. "All three of my children have grown so well and accomplished so much. And thank you Layla, for allowing them to work in your home.

"I know you would have done the same for me," the Queen reply's. Roxanne's children had been an amazing addition to the castle; especially Mira.

It was a sad fact that most of those teens have lost a parent. Some had even lost both. Yet they never let it show; they continued on with life and that's all their parents -alive or dead- could ask for.

So how was it? Let me know and chapter 9 will be up soon :)

Till next time :)