What do we have here? A new chapter, of course! :D

Not to mention, a thousand million billion thank yous to 27CansOfTuna, Saany, Rewinsan, MiyuTanemura, simply anonymous, mewsugarpudd, Shuiro, HubrisP, CsillaDream, hello and GodIsDead for their reviews. Can you guys see these tears of joy pooling around my toes? Can you? *squeezes you people* You guys are simply freaking awesome.

8. At The Edge

This was bad.

Sort of.

Gray probably could not handle Natsu at this point of time, post-heatstroke as it was, but maybe this… this he might be able to worm his way out of. The odds were not promising though. If this man was here, the rest should be on their way as well. It would be best if he limited his encounters with Fairy Tail mages to such this one—but even so, this could be tough fighting his way out.

Giving the other's chest a hard push, Gray was surprised to feel him fall back obligingly. He couldn't say he wasn't suspicious of that. Clambering to his feet, he dusted his scuffed clothes off and scoured the ground with his gaze, careful to keep one eye on the man. His water flask had slipped from his grip during his near-fall into the water channel. He was sure he heard it strike cement. It would be extremely inconvenient if it had rolled into the channel and was washed away. He simply did not have time to buy a new one—and a water flask was absolutely necessary for his journey.

"I take it you are looking for this?"

He whirled around to see the shiny metal container dangling from the man's fingers. Without preamble he lunged for it, only to miss as the other evaded his attempt by dancing out of reach. His anxiety over having his cover blown amplified and morphed into a fit of rage at the nonchalant expression on the other. That bastard knew he was well and truly cornered, hence was currently toying with him. The man was playing for time, keeping him in place while waiting for the others to arrive. He debated running now, while there was still time.

But he really needed his water flask. Would it be worth the risk of capture?

"Give that back."

A sharp-toothed grin in his direction was followed by a teasing, "Say please."

Then again, he could fight. The damn man was asking for it. He hadn't gone to such pains to escape just so he would be caught and serve as a lion's plaything. Slamming his fist on his left palm, he watched a familiar white-blue magic circle enlarge before his fist and growled, "Ice-make: Lance!"

From his magic circle sprung forth elongated ice in the shape of lances, curving rapidly towards the man in a deadly trajectory. At such speed, the close range between him and the man would make it difficult for the other to avoid the attack. Needless to say, the pointed end of one ice-lance found its mark and sank into pale flesh. The man ducked the rest of the icy barrage by flinging himself to one side, cursing all the way. The water flask was dropped unceremoniously on to the ground. Gray winced as it hit the cement with a loud, clanging sound. Darting over to retrieve his flask, he quickly backed away, eying the man like he was an agitated rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike. He felt a little guilty for thinking that of a friend—but it would be paranoia that would keep him alive and free for now.

"Damn, Gray, you didn't have to be so violent."

He didn't bother replying, being too busy trying to figure out how the hell could he defuse the situation. It wouldn't bode well for him if he started his journey with injuries. It would make him all the more susceptible to the dangers he would undoubtedly encounter. Fiore was teeming with rotten Dark Guild members nowadays, and their strength was not to be underestimated. His fingers tightened around his water flask as the other man resumed a casual stance and walked closer, but he didn't back away.

"You don't seem happy to see me. I'm hurt." A hand was pressed dramatically to his left breast to emphasise the words.

"Quit playing around with me!" Gray spat. "What are you up to?"

"What are you up to?"

"That's none of your concern."

"Then neither is my business here of yours."

Gray scoffed, knowing that the conversation would be going nowhere. "Why bother asking me what I'm up to when you already know?"

Seriousness nudged out the playfulness in the other's dark eyes. "You misunderstand. I'm not asking you what you intend to do. I'm asking you why."

"Is this a ruse to keep me distracted while the rest of Fairy Tail zeroes in on me?"

The man sighed. "If it was, I wouldn't have stopped you from touching the water."

This brought to mind the other's spoken words just before he dipped his fingers into the water channel. His eyes narrowed. "Yes, what was that about?" He received an amused look.

"I thought it would be pretty obvious since you know practically everyone is looking for you."

"Juvia?" Gray unconsciously put a greater distance between him and the channel, feeling a sort of terror that one would not have expected to be caused by a harmlessly obsessed woman. "S-She's—"

It was obvious that the man was trying to desist from laughing at the stricken look that was no doubt etched on his face. "No, she isn't here. Now tell me, who am I?"

He was shaken out of his fear by the absurd words and could only stare blankly. "What?"

"Let me rephrase… what am I?"

His eyes narrowed. "What the h—"

"What am I?" The other repeated forcefully.

This was definitely a ploy to keep him distracted. But he wanted to know where the conversation would be taking them, and his curiosity at other's uncharacteristic behaviour got the better of him. "What are you?" He said, failing to disguise the scorn and suspicion in his voice. "Leo, the lion spirit, of course."

"Yes, and if I'm out of the Spirit World, then…"

Gray felt like the bottom might have dropped out of his stomach. "Oh, shit. Aquarius."

Loke cast a half-wry grin in his direction. "Very good. Now what are you going to do?"

His anger was back in full force. Damn Fairy Tail for obstructing his way at every turn, for making it so horrendously difficult to accomplish his this one goal. Plus, it wasn't as if what he was doing was something that would affect the guild negatively. It wasn't betrayal. It most definitely wasn't illegal. And now it was likely all modes of transport were out of commission for him. He didn't notice that his fingernails were digging into his palm and drawing blood until another pair of hands touched his clenched fist and attempted to unfurl his curled fingers. He whisked away, suddenly frightened and ready to battle. "Get away from me!"

He didn't miss the flash of hurt in Loke's eyes. A pang of guilt forced him to relax noticeably enough in hope it might soften the effect his reaction had on the man. He glanced away awkwardly. "I didn't… I thought you were going to tie my hands so I couldn't run."

It was a stupid reason, one that showed plainly his mistrust, but it wasn't an excuse.

He could almost hear the strawberry-blonde smile. "And I stopped you from alerting Aquarius to your presence... why?"

Flushing, he insisted on defending his common sense. "Well, you could have wanted the glory all to yourself. Maybe you wanted to show off to Lucy." He winced inwardly at his last few words. It had revealed a tad too much than he was comfortable with. He hastily added, "Anyway, you're only here to capture me and drag me back to Fairy Tail."

His cheeks heated up further as Loke doubled up, laughing, before he had even finished talking. It was obvious where the mirth was directed towards.

"Shut up!" He threw a punch, trying to cover up his embarrassment with anger. His pride was significantly bruised as the other man caught his fist in a hand without even pausing in his laughter. When he attempted to brain the man with his flask, his wrist was easily caught. "Damnit!" He growled, desperation jerking his knee upwards in the classic defensive move. Laughter ceasing, Loke side-stepped effortlessly without breaking his hold on him and backed him into the red brick wall lining the pavement, pinning his wrists to his sides.

The lion spirit smiled down at him. "Who said anything about capturing you?"

"But Makarov—"

"I summoned myself out, as usual."

That explained how Lucy was able to have Aquarius out at the same time. Loke was also subtly hinting that by doing so, his obligation to follow Makarov's orders were ambiguous, as he was a Fairy Tail member despite being a Celestial Spirit. This meant that the lion spirit could actually be helping him this time. Gray felt a spark of hope flare within him, but quickly crushed it. He had gotten rid of Natsu for a very good reason; a reason that also applied to Loke. But first, he had to ascertain what the man intended to do.

"Then what are you doing here?" Gray asked, looking up suspiciously at the other.

"To warn you."

"Of what?"

"To stay away from water?"

"Oh." He felt rather silly. And touched. "Well. Thank you."

"But that's not all." The mischievous gleam was back in the lion spirit's eyes. "I also wanted to tell you to be careful and keep an eye out for Virgo… if you can."

His eyes widened. "Lucy summoned—"

Loke stepped back from him, releasing his hold to wave a hand dismissively. "No, no. I think Lucy is capable of summoning two spirits at one time only in the most dire of situations. She only summoned Aquarius. Virgo and I opened our gates out of our own volition."

"But how did you know about my… um, escape?"

A deep chuckle escaped the other's lips. "Ah, that was an amusing spectacle. Aquarius was having some lovey-dovey time with her precious Scorpios. I'm sure you can imagine the rest."

Gray chuckled lightly. "I certainly can. But, wait... why would Aquarius still be out here in this world then, if she went back to Scorpios?"

The lion spirit looked sheepish. "Well, I sort of blackmailed Aquarius. I told Scorpios to tell her to obey Lucy for this one time. You know how obliging people in love can be towards their significant other…"

"That's cruel." Though amusement was playing across the ice mage's face as he said that.

Loke laughed. "Well, I had to make sure we found you."

Gray paused at that, his eyes narrowing. "Really, what's the actual reason for you willing to summon yourself out to look for me? Did Lucy persuade you to?"

"No. We – Virgo and I – overheard Aquarius ranting to Scorpius, and we also sensed Lucy's distress through our contracts. I stayed behind a little while to convince Aquarius to help out, while Virgo went on ahead without me..." The lion spirit gave him a significant look as he trailed off. He caught on instantly. He had to haul ass immediately, before the lightning bolt that was Virgo dropped by, hauled him over her shoulder and deposited him at Lucy's feet in five seconds flat. He was already turning to go.

"Talk later. Maybe a couple of months later. Bye."

"What– hey! Gray, wait!"

He swiveled around, glaring dangerously. "I really appreciate your help, Loke, but in case I haven't already made it clear with my prior actions, let me say this once again: I am on my way to find and kill that bastard Lyon, and I am going alone. Alone."

There was a rush of wind and suddenly he was face-to-face with an enraged lion, coughing out air and feeling a dull pain spread across his back. He struggled to get a hold on Loke, wrapping his fingers around the other's wrists and tearing away the hands that were gripping his shoulders. In response, the strawberry-blonde pushed him even more roughly against the red brick wall, using his greater body weight to pin him in place.

"What the hell!"

"I should be asking you that!" Gray had never seen Loke so agitated. "So this was what you've been up to? You're trying to go after a dragon slayer who has attained his dragon-form? Do you have a death wish? Are you suicidal?"

But Gray didn't bother to defend himself. Instead, his expression was one of astonishment and bewilderment as he spluttered. "You mean... you mean, you didn't know?"

"Of course I didn't!" The lion spirit shoved at him in furious concern. "I didn't have the time to find out, did I? In between Aquarius and her whining and the distorted emotions we were getting from Lucy, we were guessing wildly as to what happened in your world. In the few minutes wasted while we decided if we should summon ourselves out, it was – well, that's self-explanatory. Don't tell me you've forgotten about the time difference in the Spirit World and this world?"

"I didn't forget," snapped Gray, his confusion slowly giving way to flustered outrage. "But, just now – when I implied that you knew what I was up to – why didn't you say anything?"

"With knowledge of your most recent quarrel with Natsu, I naturally assumed it was another scuffle between you two – albeit a more violent one, given the context behind it – and that you were going someplace particularly risky to let off steam," answered Loke, looking torn between annoyance and anger. "How was I to know you were actually planning to do something as precarious as this? Have you even considered the repercussions of your actions, especially the impact they'll have on your friends?"

"That's besides the point," Gray replied hotly, turning his face to the side to hide the flush on his cheeks. "Now that you know, will you kindly please let me go on my way without any further interruptions? I've had had enough of everyone obstructing me from going on my journey, Loke. Don't rile me up any further."

"Why are you still going after Lyon?" asked the lion spirit instead, his tone serious and persistent.

The dark-haired boy had to repress a groan. "Damnit, stop asking already! Besides, didn't you say you were helping me? Now you're just delaying me further!"

"That was before I knew you were going on this suicidal mission," growled Loke, his hands returning to their original position on Gray's shoulders and pushing hard enough to make the other wince. "And you haven't answered my question. Why do you insist on going after Lyon? Answer me!"

Gray refused to look up or reply.

"Gray, wasn't this issue long dealt with? Are you not convinced that this is a goal not worth pursuing?" The lion spirit tightened his hold on the boy's shoulders, making him suck in a breath. "Is this because you feel obligated to?"

That made the ice mage glance up in shock. Upon seeing his startled expression, Loke laughed grimly and pushed one of his shoulders hard against the wall. "I'm right, aren't I? You feel responsible for the attacks."

Push.

"You feel guilty for causing his insanity."

Another push.

"You want to give your life for those who have already lost theirs, even though you know it changes nothing."

At the fourth push, the dark-haired boy raised a fist and slammed it into the lion spirit's chest, who gritted his teeth but otherwise said nothing about the pain. "Gray, let me help you help yourself. You don't have to do this alone. You don't have to do this."

Gray bowed his head, until his forehead pressed against the other's chest, right where his fist had been previously. "I know," he said in a slightly choked tone. "I know, but I have to."

There was a pause, then Loke gave his shoulders a light squeeze, his tone warm and sympathetic as he said, "If you must... at least let me help you, then."

"How?" The ice mage murmured, tilting his head back to search the other's expression for giveaways of any sort. It would be friends, especially close friends, whom he had to be most cautious around, as it was likely they had his "best interests at heart" and would stop at nothing to prevent him from going on his journey. What will Loke do? "How are you going to help me?"

"In any way I can."

"Why?" the dark-haired boy demanded to know, suspicion colouring his tone once more. "Why do you want to help me?"

The lion spirit shrugged, but his gaze was sharp and steady. "Because I want to."

"You'll stop the rest from catching me if I asked you to?" asked Gray, keeping his eyes fixed squarely on Loke's face, almost fully expecting a negative response to his request. He was getting ready to make a run for it the moment there was the slightest hint of the other's change of mind.

"Yes," replied the lion spirit without a trace of hesitation.

Gray paused, expression contemplative as he absorbed the other's words. Meanwhile, he had to avert his gaze to hide the skepticism that was no doubt showing in his eyes. Dubious as he might be, he had no wish to unintentionally offend or hurt his friend by revealing what he truly thought of his friend's reply. Carefully schooling his countenance, he returned his gaze to Loke's face to find the blonde staring steadfastly at him. His teeth nipped and chewed nervously at his bottom lip as he pondered. Loke's sincerity seemed genuine, but was he willing to risk it? What if... what if, in the end, Loke betrayed him and had him bundled back to Fairy Tail? Or, worse, put his own life in danger for his sake? He couldn't even bear to think about it. No, it was hazardous for Loke to help him, or even be around him. Remembering the extent of Erza's and Natsu's injuries when they last fought Lyon to protect him, he knew he would be damned if he wittingly put more friends in peril.

Still, he couldn't help asking, "But why? I don't understand why would you help me? Besides wanting to, there is nothing else you would gain from helping me."

Loke smiled slightly. "Well, for one, you'll trust me more... as you should."

Gray tapped his fingernails against the metal casing of his water flask as he mused over the matter. Finally, with the concern of his limited time of freedom weighing heavily on his conscience, he decided he might as well help both the lion spirit and himself by taking the other up on his offer. It was tempting enough anyway, as it gave him the opportunity of escaping together. Though he had always maintained with his comrades that he absolutely had to hunt Lyon down alone, deep in his heart he had secretly longed for them to accompany him. Faced with the imminent prospect of wandering around strange lands all by himself, he had found his self-imposed task growing increasingly daunting with each setback to his plans for escape. He almost hoped that Loke came along with him in the end – almost.

There was no way he would allow a friend to endanger their life for him again. This was his responsibility, not theirs. If Loke wished to follow him after complying with his request, he'll have no choice but to sorely disappoint.

"Then, will you help me stall the rest while I make my escape?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, Loke." He gave the other a small smile before turning to go, casting uneasy looks around at his surroundings. He had wasted enough time. It was time to be gone. "I owe you one."

"On one condition," continued the blonde.

Gray swung around impatiently, letting out an exasperated gush of air through his mouth as he shot the other man an irked look. "Yes, what is it?"

"I get to accompany you on your journey."

Boy, it doesn't end, does it? At least we now know that Gray has really loyal and caring friends! :D And, don't worry, we'll be seeing much more of Natsu in the next chapter... I wonder if anyone else besides me found the Loke+Gray interactions adorable? I do have a bit of a soft spot for Loke/Gray, whether it is platonic or not! xD