:~:~:~:

The streets as usual were busy with cars driving by, the children playing, performers performing. Mangolia is still its lively self no matter what day you choose to visit. Sure there has been trouble here and there but it's still a good town with good people. The Academy has attracted many people to come by and try to enroll which is one reason why the town has became a popular city to visit.

The people also love this town because it gives off the happy vibes and emotions; to put it simply it feels like Home. It's the home of thousands of people that cherish the place deeply and would do anything to keep it safe and untouched by danger.

As the sun sets it paints a beautiful setting for the town as the orange and red hues mix. The pink clouds slowly fades adding its own color to the wide spacious sky. The leaves were dancing as they fall off from their old home of trees, sprinkling its amusement as the wind carries them away making the picture of the sky come to life.

It is warm but as night will slowly fall the cold will soon come. It's a bittersweet feeling.

Three boys were walking along side of the road; their laughter is audible and can be heard probably miles away. They're enjoying the time they have together before parting ways. One of them with salmon pink hair decides to enter the local connivance store called "Macao's" owned by Macao Cobalt.

"OH I'M STARVING!" cried the boy with pink hair, his friends that were with him followed behind. One was rather tall and muscular, he had a scar near his right eye and had white hair spiked up.

"Be like a MAN Natsu eat like a Man" he said as he dropped down his book bag. The FTA sigma was on it inducing that the boys were probably from the famous school.

Their companion looked at them with annoyance and amusement at the same time; he let out a chuckle as he watched his friends act rather weirdly in front of him. He ran his hand through his raven black hair before speaking up; his dark blue eyes showing a glint of mischief.

"When AREN'T you hungry Natsu?" he asks sarcastically. His friend Natsu stopped and actually took the time to pondered about it

"That's a good question Gray…um when I'm asleep?"

Gray laughed at him "Sheesh you actually took it seriously? Haven't you heard of a rhetorical question?"

Natsu furrowed his eyebrows "A Rhet—what? A question is a question so obviously I'm going to answer droopy eyes!" he retorted.

"Man, I knew you were rather dumb when we were kids but I thought you would at least grow intelligent over the years that I was gone..." he replied while rolling his eyes.

Natsu looked at him quizzically "Wait slow down I didn't understand what you just were saying. Was he insulting me?" he turns towards Elfman for an answer. The guy just sighed and turned his gaze towards Gray.

"You were DUMB. YOU STILL ARE DUMB. Understand?" Gray barked irritably. Natsu glared at him and put down the spicy chips that were in his hand.

"BRING IT UNDERWEAR MAN!"

"SHUT IT FLAME BRAIN!"

Before the usual brawl would commence Elfman banged their heads with his fist, at the same time causing them to flinch in response. Gray rubbed his head while Natsu sprawled over the floor knocked out.

"Tch what was that for?" he asked while glaring at Elfman, in response the latter just shrugged.

"Knowing you two I would probably have to use my allowance for the next two months to pay for all the damages you guys cost after the fight" he shook his head in disapproval

"I'm not paying for your idiotic mistakes even if I am a MAN"

Gray just clicked his tongue 'He says Man a lot ' he thought

"You wouldn't have to worry about that I would have just paid the damage I caused. I'm not irresponsible unlike other people we know" as he said this Natsu sprinted back to life looking over his surroundings before giving a glare to both Elfman and Gray.

He huffed and went down the aisle looking for a snack to eat before he returns home for dinner.

"Can you hurry it up Natsu? I have to be home before Mira cooks dinner and you know how she is when she's mad. Like a MAN she is dangerous." Natsu and Gray both shivered at the thought. Natsu nodded his head before he turned his attention to the snacks.

While scanning them he froze, there was a funny feeling in his chest as if he forgotten something. He looked up at the ceiling while he clasped his chin trying to focus. Gray interrupted his concentration.

"Oi Natsu what's taking you so long?"

"Mmm" he hummed in reply still not bothering to look at his friend.

Gray had a chip on his forehead at Natsu's response. He observed his friend with curious eyes 'What's eating at him huh?'

He waved a hand in front of Natsu's face to catch the boy's attention but to no avail it didn't work. Elfman just finished purchasing a magazine for his sister to read before returning to his friends.

He raised an eyebrow when he saw Natsu and looked at Gray for an answer but the boy also didn't know either and just shrugged.

"Yo Natsu you done?"

"Hmm"

"Yo BAKA Your hair is on fire" Gray lazily pointed out. I guess he knows his friend because Natsu started panicking and running his hands through his hair to check if it was okay.

"WHAT" he cried "DAMN YOU GRAY. It's not on fire" he says as he put his hands down after realizing. Gray flicked his forehead.

"Well what am I supposed to do? You weren't replying for the past 3 minutes. It was like you were in your own little world." he crossed his arms in front of his chest expecting for an answer.

Natsu rubbed his head while pouting "Sorry" he groaned "I just had this feeling like I was forgetting something. You know the feeling?" he asks

The two nodded "So what did you forget? It might have been important for a MAN if it's bothering you" says Elfman

Natsu looked down still thinking "I don't know but I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach..." and as if on cue his cell phone ranged.

It was a text message; he took it out and looked at the screen "Ah its Lucy" he smiled. This caught Gray's interest 'Is he interested in that brat?'

"What relationship do you have with blondie? Is she your girlfriend?" he asked while laughing at the thought. Natsu blushed a tomato red. and whipped his head to face Gray.

"W-what are you talking about? Lucy's my best friend! We're only friends you damn exhibionist!" he turned away to hide his embarrassment and decided to open up Lucy's text before Gray could tease him about it.

'Doesn't look like that to me Baka' Gray thought.

Elfman laughed "Way to go NATSU that's how a Man should be! Please the woman" Natsu groaned and yelled shut up before he read through the text.

As soon as he finished reading the message his face went from 'Happy' to 'I'm going to be sick'

He moaned in agony "SHiiiiiiiiit…" and muttered more curses under his breath.

Elfman looked at him worriedly "Ehh is something wrong Natsu? Was the text message MANLY enough? What did Lucy-san say?"

Natsu only grimaced after hearing the word Lucy, this peaked Gray's interest even more so he snatched the phone before Natsu can reply (Like he could he looked petrified)

He cleared his throat before he stared to read

"Thanks for ditching me without telling me beforehand Baka. But don't worry I'll get you tomorrow and I'll make sure Erza will help me when I see you. –Lucy"

He gulped after handing back the cell phone to Natsu. He did feel sorry for the lad.

"What a crazy woman you got there"

Natsu only nodded not really understanding what Gray meant by that. "Now I know what I forgot and to be honest I wish I didn't remember." he said sadly

"Well what did you do to piss the princess off huh?" Gray dully asked while he browsed around the store. Natsu and Elfman followed expecting Gray to find something to buy.

Natsu sighed "I forgot to tell her I will be hanging with you guys after school. Usually I walk her home and we made a deal that if we need to be somewhere else then we let the other know" he scratched the back of his head.

Gray gave him a confused stare "Huuuh? Well if you're not in a relationship then why are you walking her home? Tch you're not even her boyfriend and she's got you already whipped!" he says with distaste.

Natsu's eyes twitched "I'm not her boyfriend will you shut up already? We are just good friends and nothing more. We used to walk home together at the beginning of our first year and it grew as a habit to just errrh just walk home and hang out. Kind of like a daily routine."

"Whatever floats your boat but I still think you liiiike her" he teased while he rolled his tongue with amusement clear in his tone.

Natsu was about to punch him before Elfman stopped him, he shaked his head and gave him the 'Don't-you-dare-we-are-in-a-store' look. Natsu scoffed and headed towards the chip area and grabbed the first bag that caught his eye.

"Whatever Ice-princess I'm leaving.."

"Hey" Gray called out, Natsu just finished purchasing his snack before he turned around to meet Gray.

"It's good seeing you" he said while playing with the tips of his hair shyly. Natsu grinned at him.

"Glad to have you back Gray" he waved at him before exiting the shop "See you guys later!" he yelled while running towards the busy section of the street.

Gray slightly smiled and then looked at Elfman.

"Ready to go?" he asks as the doors slide open and they felt the crispy breeze fly past them. Gray shoved his hands in his pockets as he absorbed the lights, the breeze, and the scenery in front of him.

"Yeah"

xxxoxxx

A young man with spiked up white hair was setting his sights upon the mansion before him. With it's black sleek gates, greatly detailed architecture, and the lovely garden, which in a few moments will be glittered with light as now darkness is approaching.

He seemed pleased with the sight approving it in a manner with good taste, "I'm home" he mumbled before taking back the suitcases he set moments before on the floor to his strong but gentle hands.

He walked forward taking big striding steps, humming him self a cheerful tune. He pressed the buzzer that was connected to the house. He paused waiting for a response.

The beeper from the box was heard and low gruff voice came in "Hello?"

Lyon couldn't help but smile "Tadaimaa" he cooed.

"Oh, it's you" came in the voice. A click was heard and slowly the grand white marble door was opened. Lyon hurriedly brought himself in, taking in the smells and the new sight of his familiar old home.

"I can't believe we're back" he breathed, eyes widening with relief and also sorrow. He heard a cough behind him and smiled at the sight once he saw who came into view.

"GRAY!" he beamed. He ran and gave the lad a big bear hug which he grudgingly accepted "Get off me" his younger brother replied.

"Aww, what kind of reaction is that when you greet your older brother huh?" Lyon grinned showing his pearly white teeth.

Gray rolled his dark blue eyes "You act like we haven't seen each other in a month, it's only been two days Lyon"

He pouted "What? And you didn't miss me?"

Gray smirked, "Who knows?" he cocked his head to the side "So how was your flight?"

Lyon put down his stuff and led the way to the comfort of his living room "Quite pleasant actually. Mostly because she wasn't there" he slumped himself to the cushiony white sofa.

Gray raised an eyebrow "Oh?" feeling a happy relief in the pit of his stomach "She's not coming back?" he asked excitedly.

Lyon shook his head causing disappointment to well up in his younger brother "Sadly no. She said she couldn't bear to depart with her beloved France" he wailed his arms up making it more dramatic with his sarcastic tone "So she won't be here in a week she told me, but who knows? If we're lucky maybe she won't come back at all!"

Gray laughed "Lets cross our fingers then"

Lyon smiled "So how was school? Was it interesting as the rumors said it to be?" he sat himself up scooting towards the edge of the sofa giving space for Gray to sit on.

"The rumors don't even suffice" he said gently as he sat down with a small smile "It's better than what we both imagined"

Lyon watched his brother closely, he placed his hand around his cheek "Oh? Now I really can't wait to go if you're so interested in it."

Gray turned to him "They're there" he said beaming "Everyone"

Lyon's hand fell to his lap, his eyes widened with a new emotion that Gray didn't have a word to describe it. Before he could register the weird look his brother had the young lad was laughing "Everyone? Are you serious!"

Gray nodded, "Yeah everyone. Even the pinkie"

xxxoxxx

"So this is the reading list for this years' class. You will be reading three books on your own. There are exactly 24 books and you have to pick two the third book everyone has to read and it is my choice. I expect you to annotate that book for review because you will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the complete text in a 60-Question multiple-choice test after the school's festival. Did you get all of that brats?"

Gildarts was just explaining the main assignment to his students. Half of them were hardly paying attention like Natsu while the other half actually took it seriously like Lucy. And there were just a few who really didn't care like Gray.

"Yes sir" the class groaned.

"Well Good cause I wouldn't want to explain it twice anyway." he went down the aisle passing back the papers.

"Ne sensei can we have partners for this assignment?" asked Natsu groggily.

Gildarts eyed him not surprised that he asked "Nope. You're on your own kid." Natsu started to tear up.

"But you know I'm an idiot old man and I won't be able to do this on my own. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let someone help me on this!" he begged.

Gildarts shooked his head disapprovingly "No means No Natsu. You will just have to do the assignment in order to pass the class."

Natsu grunted as he placed his hands behind his head for support and placed his feet over the desk. "Fine. It's not like my talent deals with this school related stuff anyway."

The class laughed which made Gildarts exhale a sigh as he finished passing down the papers.

Lucy read over the list and was delighted that the books she wanted to read were on it. 'Yay now it wouldn't seem like an assignment since I'll enjoy it' she happily thought. Her desk partner didn't think other wise.

Gray squinted his eyes as he read over the paper; he had a bored expression plastered on his face when he finished. He put the paper away in his bag and let out a big yawn.

He stretched out his arms upward but made sure not to hit the person behind him

"I could use a nap about now" he said lazily.

Lucy rolled her eyes "Its nine in the morning it's too early for a nap right now"

"Ahhh I'm trying to sleep here blondie can't you see that you're annoying the crap out of me?" he said dully.

She glared at him "Well GOOD! At least now you won't be full of crap anymore"

Gray bit his tongue at her comeback 'It's too early to piss people off at this hour' he thought annoyed.

"Whatever" he laid his head on top of his desk and turned around to face the window. He looked off as the cool soon to be winter breeze flew.

"Well you could at least be interested in it you know"

Gray heaved a sigh 'This girl just won't leave me alone.'

"Why do you hate me?" he suddenly asked as he raised his head up from the desk. Lucy raised her eyebrow as she watched him with sudden interest 'Wasn't it obvious?'

"To put it simply; You're cocky and a player and you put no interest in anything." she said bluntly. Gray looked at her in awe while she fidgeted under his stare.

"N-nani?" She stuttered as she pulled a strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her left ear.

He chuckled "Is that all? I thought I probably did something horrible to you and I didn't know what"

She huffed out her cheeks "Well I just didn't like your attitude that is all." she turned away hiding her blush. Gray didn't seem to notice.

"Hey.." he called out a bit quietly. She didn't turn around but she still reply.

"What?"

"If you want to get back at Natsu I can help"

She twisted her body quickly to face him "How do you know about that?" she asked looking at him skeptically.

"I was there when he got that threatening text." he said with a smirk tugging on his lips.

Lucy furrowed her eyebrows "And what makes you think I let you get back at him?"

Gray leaned in closer until his face was inches apart from hers. She blushed and silently cursed in her mind. 'What the heck is he doing?'

He leaned in a bit more, his hair slightly brushing against her cheek, she felt a cool breath tickle her ears that were now red due to the proximity of how close they were.

"Well since I'm really good at pissing him off" he whispered. His voice was a bit deep and husky due to the fact that he didn't want anyone especially Natsu to hear what he was saying.

Her eyes widened 'Well it would be really good revenge if he heard that Gray was part of it' her mouth curved into devilish smile.

She faced Gray only to find it a mistake as she met his Grey blue eyes staring back at her; with amusement she might add. She flinched and backs away a little. Gray chuckled 'She really has funny expressions'

"So do we have a deal?" he asks

She grinned after getting over her shock

"Yeah it's a deal"

'As they grow close without themselves knowing they lose them selves when they grow too attached'