Maekan continued to stare in horror, at the tall blonde mage and the short man. They stared back, in total shock as they didn't move a single muscle. The blonde mage reached out, his hand still shaking.

"Ma-Maekan? Is that you..?"

she flinched slightly before scooting back and stumbling to her feet. She was a bit sloppy at first before running away, not responding but taking glances back at the two.

"Maekan!"

he called out, his hand still stretched toward her direction. She continued running, running further away from them as more tears welled up in her eyes. She silently sobbed as she ran as fast as she could, not looking back anymore.

"I-I'm so sorry Laxus-nii..Jii-chan..Im sorry.."

she said in her head as she continued, now blending in with the immersing crowd. Laxus stared at where she ran off to until he jolted, sprinting toward where he thought she could've gone.

"Maekan! Maekan, where are you!?"

he called out, trying not to push people out of his way. An outstretch hand was placed on his shoulder as he looked back, his facial expression filled with hurt and a bit of shock.

"Laxus, that's enough.."

"But Gramps! She's alive! She's not dead!"

He looked down at the ground slightly, his facial expression about the same.

"I know..but..we can't let this go through our heads..when we have the chance..we'll find a way to get her back.."

he explained, now looking at him with a serious expression. He looked back, a bit hesitant at first before he silently sighed before walking back to where he was and standing beside him.

"Let's go back now..we'll see her tomorrow.."

he nodded slightly before following the old man. Laxus looked back, over his shoulder slightly, to the direction where his little cousin ran off to.

Maekan was panting, her hands leaning on her knees as she looked back at the game arena. She looked as everyone started to leave, making slightly sigh in relief as she saw no one around. She took this chance to relax a little, removing her hood as she looked down at her torso, where the insignia was placed. She smiled to herself as she slowly traced it, remembering the times before she was kidnapped on her first mission. The wind had a soft blow to it as it gently moved her brown hair to the side.

"Maekan?"

Her eyes widen she she heard her name all of a sudden. She turned around, only to see the one and only Ice Mage she knew beside hersef.

"Gr-Gray.."

she replied quietly, his eyes widening as well. He slowly approached her, Maekan taking a step back. She didn't go far since a cement pillar stopped her from going any further. He was right in front of her now, looking down at her slightly since she was taller than her. She looked back, a tear rolling down her cheek as he extended his arms, which Maekan gladly sinked into. Gray smiled slightly relieved as he hugged her back tightly, so he buried his face into the crook of her neck. She smiled, a few tears slipping now as she got to feel his touch, his breath on her neck and the feeling that he was missing her just as much as she missed him.

"I-I really is you.."

He muttered as he continued to hug her. He hugged her so tight, he thought that if he let go, he would never see her ever again. Maekan nodded, knowing that he could't see it, but can tell.

"Gr-Gray..I missed you.."

she whispered back, her eyes still closed as she leaned her head against the side of his. They parted just slightly to look at each other in the eye as she let out a small laugh, Gray chuckling at her remark. They leaned in, their foreheads touching as they smiled each other.

"I'm so glad you're back in my arms.."