Gray stood on the bridge near the river, rubbing his cheek that was still hurting from that slap he received across the face. Looking off into the distance. A mixture of sadness, confusion, guilt and regret clouded his mind. He didn't mean to hurt Natsumi like that. Even back when she was still... a he, Gray knew he could be a companion worth counting on, and one that he would bother save or count on count on to be saved by, maybe it wasn't obvious, but their past fights were mere friendly quarrels. But now, she's god knows where doing god knows what. Lucy ran up to him, panting heavily.

''You sure run fast don't, you?'' she said, catching her breath, only to no response.

Lucy walked up to Gray, who didn't even flinch, as if she wasn't there at all, continually gazing at the flowing water in a almost trance like state. Lucy didn't want to say anything either, knowing what he must be going through.

''It's not your fault Gray.'' Lucy tried to comfort him.

''I hate it when people say that, knowing that it's all but lies.'' Gray responded, ''I was the one who drove Natsumi away because of my suggestion, I was the one who broke my promise and let her identity get revealed to the entire guild, I was the one who pissed off Erza so much after she heard about my plans that she won't even talk to me anymore and I was the one that tore this team apart.''

Gray turned to Lucy and grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her in place.

''So tell me now, who do you think was responsible for causing this mess huh?'' he asked in with a hint of anger.

''You are...'' said Lucy.

''That's what I thought.'' said Gray, returning to his previous position.

''Also responsible for other things too.'' Lucy finished.

''Tell me then, I can only feel so guilty.'' said Gray sarcastically.

''You were the one that protected Natsumi when she was getting attacked by Bandits, you were the one who backed her up when she posed as a new guild member, you were the one that she relied on the most, the one she looked for when she was in trouble, you didn't tear this team apart, you made it better than ever!''

''Lucy... you really think that?'' asked Gray.

''Yeah! And you know how we can prove that? By helping her turn back into a man!'' said Lucy in a cheerful tone.

''I should really thank Natsu for bringing you into our lives, Lucy.'' Gray smirked as his eyes became lively once again.

''Then let's go! everyone else is waiting!'' said Lucy.

But before they could make a move, Wendy, along with the rest of the group, with Erza, Juvia, Gajeel, Lily and Carla ran towards them.

''Bad news everyone! We have to move, Quick!'' she said in a panicked tone.

''What is it Wendy?'' asked Lucy.

''It's Sabertooth! Natsumi heading to Impel Down with Sabertooth!'' Wendy cried.

''WHAT?!'' The duo yelled in unison.

Somewhere at sea...

''It was real nice of you to help me but, why didn't you bring the entire guild?'' asked Natsumi.

''You WERE the one who insisted on keeping your Identity a secret, right?'' asked Sting.

''Just be glad our ship is equipped with anti-motion Lachrimas, because the only conversation we'd have this whole trip would be excessive vomiting.'' said Rogue, ''It wouldn't be a problem if Lady Minerva was here, but we decided to keep our end of the promise.

''And why is that?'' asked Natsumi.

''We couldn't turn down a beauty a you's request.'' Answered Sting with a toothy grin while patting her head, making Natsumi blush deeply.

''S-so... how long until we reach our destination?'' asked Natsumi.

''According to the map, about 2 to three hours, so we should probably discuss how we tackle this prison, should we sneak in to charge in guns a blazing?'' asked Rogue.

''We might end up with bounties if we charged. Even though the World Government has no authority over Fiore, I can't stand having my reputation ruined by having a bounty, we are sneaking in.'' Said Sting.

Natsumi walked towards the cabins of the ship.

''Well, We have a few hours before the raid, so I've gonna take a shower and a nap.'' she said.

''Sounds good to me.'' replied Sting.

At the showers, Natsumi let out a sigh as the warm water seemed to lift all weight from her body. She always enjoyed having showers but nothing beats having one after a hard day full of stress or fatigue. She could almost feel the pain of the memories of Gray's betrayal become more and more distant. But thinking of Gray, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him, but now, she was with new allies, new friends, ones that didn't do what Gray did to break her heart. But what else there to them than that? Sting seemed a lot more chummy to her after she became a girl, could it be, that he actually liked her?

Shaking it off as Shower Thought, Natsumi turned off the shower, heading to the cabins. But her lack of attention lead her to the wrong door, as she walked in on Sting, passed out cold on the bed. Natsumi's heart nearly jumped out of her chest, but she made sure not to make any noise. Dragon Slayers have a tendency to wake up very easily due to their survival instinct and enhanced senses.

Realizing that she was in the wrong room, she attempted to turn around, but was instead mesmerized by Sting, lightly snoring. Like a slumbering Prince, while without the manners, makes up with all the looks. She didn't know what it was, but something about him just made her not want to leave. As if a ghost possessed her body, but kept her conscious, she found herself walking towards Sting. She approached his stoic figure, unmoved, not noticing her yet, and admired his well built body. She touched his hands, soft, just like how she remembered when he patted her in the head. She could remember what it was like, resting upon his chest, his aura of confidence and egotism giving him a prince-like charm.

''I'm owing you this one, for saving me.''

She pressed down one the bed to support herself as she was leaning down, approached him, and was about to kiss him, but she then heard a hint of chuckling. To her horror, Sting was awake all along, and was only acting.

''Hah! gotcha!''

Natsumi went red with anger.

''STING YOU JERK!'' She yelled out.

''Hey, you were the one about to kiss me, frankly, I should be the one blaming you for sexual harassment.''

Natsumi grunted with anger as she stomped out of the room and into her bedroom, realizing that she was still in her bathrobe.

''I can't believe Sting would do that!'' She yelled out, jumping onto bed, ''Although...''

Natsumi hugged her pillow, as she leaned against the wall.

''I would have enjoyed that kiss...''

TO BE CONTINUED...