Summary: Ice Mages are going missing, disappearing in alleyways next to words written in dripping blood. Gray was their next target, now he's gone and Fairy Tail isn't too happy about him missing. How will they get him back? How long will they have until he is gone forever?

A/N: Thanks so much for all the support guys. And thanks again to the 7 favorites and 17 follows. You guys all mean a lot to me! So thank you so much.

Review Responds:

Icy Cake:Thanks so much. I'm glad you agree that Natsu and Gray are like brothers. :D I hope this chapter helps show a little bit more in depth of what the man with the top hat is planning.

GrayFuckingFullbuster:Yay! Oh thank you so, so, so very much for the review. You're to kind :D

AsDarknessSpreads:Your idea isn't really on the money, but it isn't a bad idea either. I think this chapter helps you understand what is really going to happen in the near future.

Odette12:You're review made me squeal. Thanks so much! I'm so glad I made my evil guy evil. Just to let you know, I made him just a little bit more of an ass just to show you how evil he can be – but just by a little bit. I've got to keep him hidden until our hero's show up. ;) Thanks for the review.

DiaUmbraCaelum:Thanks so very much for your review! But I can sadly say they won't find him for a while…next chapter may seem like it but…well you'll just have to see :)

Scarlet Demon:I'm sorry, my promise did not live up to what I had said. Please forgive me. I knew I was screwed when I wrote it down but I wanted to test myself and see how far I could really push myself…I guess 2,783 words will have to do…but I did push myself just a little further – just for you! :D Thanks so much for the review, it means a lot.

Just Me: I'm not lazy today! Look here's another chapter and do not worry next week I will work myself to the bone if I have to, just for an update! Thanks so much for the review :D

Warning: Cussing, graphic scenery, some misspelled words and slight grammar issues, and hopefully no OOC issues.

Disclaimer: I don't own, and if I did…well let's just say there would be a lot of friendship moments.

Please enjoy!

Eleventh Day

"He's out there!"

"I know."

"He's out there, somewhere, probably bleeding to death!" He paused, waiting for a response. Not receiving one, he slammed his fist onto the table, making the cups and plates rattle violently. "And we're here, sitting around this fucking table – drinking God. Damn. Tea!"

The sound of wood skidding across tile came too late as Erza shot to her feet and tossed the table to the side. She grabbed onto Natsu's scarf and reeled him in. "I know!" Her voice shook and she growled as she pulled Natsu closer, "You think you're the only one concerned? News flash, Natsu, we're all worried about Gray! Why do you think the whole guild dropped their own jobs, just to start a search party?"

Natsu sneered and yanked her hand off.

Erza swallowed and stepped closer as Natsu tried to move away. "He was my childhood friend too," she whispered as Natsu took his hand and wrapped it protectively around the sword hanging around his neck.

Natsu clung to Gray's necklace and shifted his slowly saddening gaze towards the floor. It had been a week and a half since he had found the jewelry covered in his rival's blood. Since then, the guild members had seen a drastic change in the Salamander. He had gone missing the first few days after he told the guild and every day since then, Natsu would only show up if Erza dragged him in. Even during those times, Natsu would only stay for a few minutes before slipping into the shadows and disappearing again.

"We haven't looked hard enough," he whispered and tightened his hand around the necklace. "We haven't found him, so we haven't looked hard enough."

"Dammit, Natsu," Erza screamed. Her fist clenched and the sadness she held moments ago evaporated. "We've looked for him! Day and night, we've searched until we collapsed! We're still looking!"

"We shouldn't give up!" Natsu shouted his arms swung out to his sides and then forced a finger onto Erza's chest. "He wouldn't give up on looking for you. So why are you giving up looking for him?"

"I didn't say we were giving up looking for him," Erza snapped.

Natsu hissed, "Like hell."

"I meant that we were just taking a break, a few minutes to rest before we look again."

Not taking anymore, Natsu shoved past Erza and stomped ahead as smoke curled up from his skin.

"Where are you going?" Erza demanded.

As Natsu turned to face her, his eyes blazed and he growled out, "I'm going to look for my friend."

He didn't mean to be so rude.

He knew he had crossed the line when he accused Erza of giving up on Gray. He knew that she had looked longer than most of the guild. They both had panicked by the second night of their search; she just knew how to control her rage – unlike himself. By the second night he was up and down the streets raging panic. He kicked down trashcans, which made stray animals jump with a hiss and scurry away. That night he had pulled his head back and screamed into the night sky with flames flying into the air along with the crack in his voice.

He admitted it now, he was frightened.

As of right now, Natsu couldn't think straight. He was tired. He was angry. He was worried (though he would never admit it). Most of all, he was confused, confused of many things actually. Like, for an example, how the hell was he not able to get any other scent from Gray? The only place the scent that he was able to pick up was from the alleyway scene, and that was a week and a half old. It was as if Gray had just vanished.

Though Natsu had felt as if he hadn't taken a single step towards finding the Ice Mage, he had found something. Though it was necessary for him to breathe in the toxic air of Gray's blood for a stretched out amount of time, Natsu managed through it – even if the smell clung to him even till this day. Natsu had known that Gray wouldn't just get up and leave behind the guild, his necklace and still manage to disappear without leaving a trail of blood. So, someone else must have been involved. Natsu had sniffed down the alleyway; his nose had checked every crack in that dimly lit narrow area. After an hour of sniffing the fowl sent of metallic liquid, Natsu had arrived upon a light scent. The odor was different and Natsu growled.

Gray was taken and Natsu was fuming with rage.

"He's right," Erza whispered into her hands as she pressed them against her forehead. "I shouldn't have allowed myself to sit down and rest while Gray is out there."

"Don't beat yourself up over that, Erza." Lucy said quietly and placed her hand on Erza's shoulder.

Erza sighed and her eyelids hovered open in sadness. "You saw how much blood there was," Erza said as she looked towards Lucy. It was true; every member in Fairy Tail had set their eyes upon the sight. That day, it had massacred the happiness that was once bubbling inside the guild.

The doors had flung open. A strong gust of wind whipped inside the building and tussled with the group's hair. Conversations and laughter quickly came to a standstill as they all turned to face the intruder. Natsu stood tall but his shoulders were slumped but his arms were raised to his sides with clenched fists. He was breathing hard, his chest rose and fell over an extended period of time and the Fairy Tail members waited.

Natsu looked across the crowd till he was able to lock eyes with Erza, Lucy and Happy. He let his open gasping mouth close. He swallowed then licked his lips. The Fire Mage's eyes sparkled with, what seemed to Lucy, alarm. He opened his mouth in attempt to speak, but quickly closed it and shut his eyes.

That's when Erza knew something was unquestionably wrong, "Natsu?"

Natsu turned and took off.

Along with Lucy and Happy, Erza sprinted after him with a shouted order: "Get the master!"

They ran after the Fire Mage, following him through twist and turns. Pushing herself to go faster and catch the male Mage, Erza sailed past Lucy and the now fly blue cat. "Natsu," she shouted in attempt to get his attention. However, no matter how many times she had shouted out his name or told him to stop, he had seemed to push himself faster and further away from the group. That was, until he had turned and disappeared from their sights. Cursing, Erza flung out her hand and grabbed the side of the building then hurled herself into the alleyway, but skidded to a sudden and unexpected halt, avoiding the back of Natsu by mere inches. "Natsu," she breathed out in relief.

But something felt off.

Grabbing onto Natsu's closest shoulder, Erza pulled it back in attempt to see his face, but was taken back when she was met with a puddle of dry blood. "W-wha…" Erza was confused. Why had Natsu led them here? Did he do this? Was this his blood? Had he found it?

Questions rambled around in her head in misunderstanding, that is, until Natsu looked up from his shadowed eyes and lifted his palm to show her what he had been clenching in his fist. She gasped.

Numerous sounds of heavy foot fall came from behind them. Erza turned around to find the guild squeezing their way into the tight alleyway, all pushing and shoving to see if Natsu was alright.

Lucy walked slowly towards Natsu, her hands clasped together and held to her chest. "Natsu," she leaned to look into his eyes, "What's wrong?" Natsu looked back down to the puddle before him and hid the object in his fist. The Fairy Tail members that could see into the alleyway followed his line of vision. Lucy gasped in surprise and covered her mouth. Blinking back tears, Lucy ran up to Natsu and wrapped her arms around one of his and turned him to face the crowd of her. "Natsu, are you alright?" She waited for Natsu to reply. He looked up and clenched his jaw. "Natsu," Lucy placed her palm on his chest and crinkled his shirt into her hands. "Please tell me if you're alright," she begged.

"It's Gray's," Erza spoke for Natsu. "Show them, Natsu."

Natsu slowly raised his hand into the air and unclenched his fist. Showing the crowd, Natsu swallowed thickly, waiting for their reaction.

In one sudden burst the crowd of Fairy Tail Mages yelled and screamed. They demanded an explanation, and asked what had happened. Some pushed forward and others jumped back in attempt to look for other clues. Then they all stopped as their guild master stepped forward.

Without saying a word, Makarov held out his hand and looked up into Natsu's eyes. As if it pained him, Natsu placed the necklace into Makarov's hand and let his eyes fall under shadows. Makarov studied the necklace in sadness. Turning around, he watched as his children held their breath. "What the hell are you waiting for? One of our own is out there! Let's get looking!" Some cheered others screamed, but they all had disappeared within a few minutes. Turning back towards the Fire Mage, Makarov grabbed Natsu's hand and placed the chain into his hand. "It's safer with you," Makarov said gently. He turned towards Erza and spoke with a determined voice. "If you find anything, report it to me immediately. Search high and low. If you hear whispers around the town, don't take them for being just rumors." Pausing, Makarov walked closer towards Erza and the watery eyes of Happy and Lucy. "And one more thing," he added with a whisper, "Keep your eyes on Natsu."

"You snapped."

"He was disrespectful."

"You have better control of your emotions, or so I thought."

"Did you hear how many fowl words he used?"

"I know you do not like that, but you did not have to lash out at him."

"He was requesting it."

A groan, "Now we have to find someone else."

"I'm sure he will be suitable up until the ending."

"You almost killed him."

"Again, he was had requested it."

"He has lost a great deal of blood."

"He still has an enormous amount of power. Do not fret he is suitable."

"Suitable?" He rubbed his eyes, "Fine. But if this one dies too quickly, you will be the one to take his place."

"Do not worry he will survive up until the very end." With bow, he turned and walked out of the shadowed filled room. Once the doors had closed behind him, the man let his poster sag and he took off his top hat with a groan. Leaning onto his cane, the man rolled his eyes as he fixed his green tailed jacket. "Of course I blew up at that fowl mouthed Ice Mage. He needed to learn his lesson. Though he was lucky I did not cut out his tongue." Happy with his appearance, the man placed his hat back on gently and proceeded down the hallway. "Though now he won't be saying much after tomorrow." With a chuckle, the man paused to listen to the blissful scream that had begun to echo. The man's smile grew. Though he was saddened by the thought that he couldn't listen to the screams for much longer, the man proceeded forward with a new objective: To find a new Ice Mage.

Natsu decided. He was going through with this plan – no matter the consequences. He was going to grab Happy and Lucy (because he knew they would come without a doubt) and drag them to the next town and look for an Ice Mage.

He thought it was a great plan, because Lyon and Gray had gone missing and they were both Ice Mages. So why not ask around towns and see if any of their Ice Mage's went missing as well? The plan sounded great and he wasn't going to let anything or anyone get between him and finding the stripper.

"No," Makarov said without an emotion.

"But," Natsu shot back. "Old man, this is something we need to do!"

"I cannot allow you to go off on your own-"

"I'll have Lucy and Happy with me."

"And waste your time by asking if they've seen Gray. Along with that, what if you are taken? How will we know if you are safe? How will we find Gray, if you've gone missing too?"

"They won't – and can't – take me. They've took Gray and Lyon, they're both Ice Mage's."

"I'm sorry, Natsu. I know that Gray means a lot to you, but I cannot risk anymore of my children's lives. Even if that means not being able keep one safe."

Those words stung and Natsu winced. Fine. Hell with the old man and his thoughts. He was going to go grab Lucy and head for the nearest town. He was going to find Gray, alive. So he walked out of the guild without another word, waiting for the old man to try and stop him with shouts of rage and protest. But he didn't. In return, Natsu pushed the door open with a frustrated growl and glanced back towards Makarov. The old man was smiling, his eyes showing understanding and just before the door was about to close, Natsu thought he saw the old man mouth: Go find your brother. Natsu stopped and blinked at the closed door.

"I'm coming with you," a rough voice spoke from his left. Natsu jumped and looked towards the sound. It was Erza and she had packed. "I know the master had told you know, but I don't agree with him. I want to stop looking in the same places and coming up with the same answers. I want to find Gray."

Natsu smiled.

God it hurt.

Pain coursed through every part of his body, almost as if had merged with his blood and was pumping through his veins. God he was in agony. His fingertips felt numb and the large needles sticking into his palms and arches of his feet stung with an unbearable amount of discomfort. Each time he shifted or even breathed, blows of excruciating pain blew through his muscles.

He screamed. His throat already numb from the amount of pained cries.

God he was in so much fucking pain.

He was already crying by this point. Rivers of salty tears snaked down his cheeks and dripped onto his bare chest. The tears squeezed past his tightly closed eyes. He was afraid to see what was happening to him. God he was scared.

At first, when he was hooked up to the machine, he had gritted his teeth together, in attempt to compress the whimpers of uncomfortable unexpected stings of pain. That was until he looked down at his arms. They looked dry. Not needing lotion type of dry, but desert dry. His arms were dressed in cracks; his skin popped and opened up to reveal small shadowed covered canyons. He screamed. His skin crackled and popped as it slowly crept up his arm. He stared wide-eyed at the now desert floor arm. He screamed again and pulled away at his restrains, thinking he was hallucinating. But he wasn't, the man stepped forward and smiled at Gray. Then he slowly reached down and tore off a cracked open piece of skin. Gray's eyes widened, he looked down at the canyon that was dug into his arm. He wanted to throw up, and the man swung his cane and held the dry piece of skin in front of Gray and chuckled.

"Once we drain you of your magic and life source, you will crumble away into dust and be carried away by the wind."

Then the pain began.

And he screamed once again.

A/N: I'm happy with this chapter. I didn't write it as long as I promised last chapter, but I did get in what I wanted and I guess that's all that counts. The last part was really fun to write, I think I explained Gray's skin well, but if I didn't please go look up cracks on the desert floor and I hope you'll get a better gist of his skin. Also, if you have a question about something, please don't be scared to ask. Um, I don't have much to say…Oh, if you guys have any ideas on what you would like to see in the next chapter please tell me, because I have an idea but it will not really fill in the chapter.

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