Hey guys! I don't have anything to say, here's chapter 22! enjoy!
Rosella6199 : thanks for the review! ^_^ I'm relieved that it didn't came out crappy, hehe, we'll see as the story progress,, :)
PurpleDiva888 : waaah~! Thanks Purple-chan! There! I uploaded the next chapter! Haha,, yes! Aren't they cute? But still, GRALU FTW! ^_^ haha, well, it's their fault for being so damned sexy! Haha you made me laugh with your idea! Waaah~! Really? I didn't noticed that *checks FF(dot)net* you're right! Haha
Xx-Confused-Angel-xX : haha, thanks for the review! ^_^ hehe, well stories needs drama sometimes,, hehe, I'm glad you liked it! Yea, Lucy harem is the best! Hehe
LOVE3: waaah~! I'm sorry for worrying you! Gomen and thanks for the review! ^_^ I'll try to upload sooner,, that's after I typed the next chapter! Hihihi
Hachibukai : Joy-cha~an! Hi…again! Haha, waaah~! Oo nabasa ko na! grabe tawa k okay Mira! Haha, and ang ganda pa ng takeover nya, may iba palang version ang satan soul? Haha, and Charle, yea, bakit hindi na lang nya sabihin ung nakikita nya, so they can avoid or they can at least be more cautious, ne? hehe, sorry about that, but that's drama,, haha, you hate him(here)? Me too! Even if I'm the one writing this story! Haha, I just need to do that,, oh, that, wala naman syang sakit, sadyang worn out lang sya due to crying so much,, ganyan din kase ako, sa sobrang iyak kinukulang ng oxygen, kea aun nag cocollapse,, tubig lang kelangan para maiwasan, but unfortunately Lucy and Natsu didn't have any water with them,, hehe, alangan namang ipainom ko ung tubig sa may greenhouse? Haha dadating tayo kay Loke,,
Sappfire : thanks for the review! ^_^ yea, I'm glad Natsu was there! Haha, even though I'm the author,, haha, I'm weird I know!
Girl-in-the-tiger-kimono : I love everyone that's why I've updated faster! :) thanks for the review!
Emil C : thanks for the review! ^_^ haha, let's see in the future chapters, ne? yea, Loke will have his chance!
WolfieANNE : waaaah~! I thought you said you're lazy? But then you made a long review! Haha,, thank you! ^_^ well, Lucy is afraid of bullying that's why she wanted to keep the promise, she only treat boys like that because she doesn't want to look down upon but deep inside, because of her fear caused by Laxus, she's scared as well,, thanks again for the review!
Nameless: hehe, more will come during the trip! Thanks for the review! ^_^
Narissa: Thanks for the review! ^_^
lollipopXgal : Thanks for the review! ^_^ haha, yea, but I had to make him like that! Haha after the trip? let's hope so! Haha, Amanda will be introduced when Gray and Lucy's relationship is…GAAAA~! I'm spoiling it! Gomen, I 'm just so talkative sorry bout that!
Anyone: glad you liked it! ^_^
OTL: waaah~! I'm so flattered! Thanks a lot! ^_^ haha, about the kiss,, well, you need to read the chapter,, haha
Taeminie : waaah~! Glad you liked it! ^_^ thanks for the review!
Sailorironcrow: here's the next chapter! ^_^
NoemiNalu : yea! More in the future chapters! ^_^ thanks for the review!
Elorah: haha, you made me laugh with your review! Thanks! ^_^
Again, English is my second language and I'm not that good of a writer so I beg for forgiveness if there are wrong spellings or grammar...thank you!
Genre: Drama, Family, Friendship, Romance, some Humor, Hurt/ Comfort.
Pairings: GrayXLucy, ErzaXJellal, NatsuXLisanna, GajeelXLevy, LokeXsoon to be revealed?, SeigrainXUltear maybe.
Summary: Gray hates the world for taking his parents away, for making his life miserable. But with his new family, friends and a certain blonde girl, will they make him change the idea about the world? Or will he just hate it even more?
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairytail or any of its characters. I am NOT Hiro Mashima!
CHAPTER 22: He actually cared
Gray was walking homeward while holding his swollen jaw, wondering why his so called 'friend' will punch him as seriously as earlier that could even kill Gray if his 'friend' didn't stop himself from doing more. What could possibly be the reason why he punched him like that? Sure, they were always seen bickering and fighting constantly is normal in everyone's eyes but, there is something in Natsu's behaviour earlier that, dare he say it, terrifying but he wouldn't admit it out loud.
Thankfully, Mira dismissed them early so he could do some medication when he got home. He went to the infirmary but he was so annoyed by all flirting girls surrounding him, asking if he's alright and asking if they could treat him instead, that he went out as soon as the nurse told him what to do with his swollen jaw.
He sighed as he got home. Why would Natsu do that?
"You don't know that you hurt L – you made her cry." He remembered what Natsu said. I hurt her? I made her cry? Who's 'her'?
"This is the only thing I could do to make you pay for what you did."What did I do?
"Thank her that she told me not to tell anything so I could only punch you once, because if she didn't, I could've remind you everything…with every word I say comes with a matching punch in every single part of your body leaving your eyes the only part without a bruise." What is it that I had to remember? Gray kept thinking of what Natsu told him. Who is her? What should he remember? What did he do in the first place? These thoughts stopped him from opening their front door, a slight frown appearing from his face. In a swift motion, the door flung open revealing an overjoyed brother of his, Lyon, who tried to scare the shit out of Gray and make him snap out of his trance. But the latter merely stare at him in irritation. Gray walked inside and took off his shoes. He slipped in his comfy slippers and was about to precede upstairs, avoiding Lyon's gaze at what he was suspecting his swollen jaw, but Lyon was quick and saw what he needed to see.
"What happened to you?" he asked in confusion. Lyon was well aware of Gray and Natsu's constant fighting but this was the first time he saw Gray with such injuries.
"Nah, just had some fight with Natsu." Gray answered.
"Was it so serious that your jaw had to swell like that?" Lyon asked again, closing the door behind him while his eyes never left the stiffened back of his brother.
"Why not ask him? He walked out before I got the chance to land a single punch to that bastards face." He answered and shoved his left hand deep inside his pants' pockets while his right hand swung his bag on his shoulder. Lyon was about to question Gray again but Ur appeared from the living room and approached the teens with a sweet smile.
"Gray, you're home early?" she said.
Seeing his mother made Lyon remember something.
"Oh, mom. I have some news about Lucy." Lyon said. Gray promptly looked at his brother hearing Lucy's name. Well you can't blame Gray for being caring to his friends but his quick reaction made Ur smile knowingly, she thinks the other way around.
"What is it?" Ur asked, feeling that Gray would never bring himself to ask that question. Lyon frowned as he told them what he had heard from Natsu when the latter went to their classroom to get Lucy's things.
"She collapsed earlier this lunch. Natsu told me that she fell dizzy and he took her home with the help of Lucy's Nanny." Lyon said. Ur and Gray's eyes widen. Something inside Gray felt like breaking once he heard the news. It's either because Lucy collapsed or because of something else. And that 'something' concerned Natsu, which he somewhat didn't like.
"Is she alright?" his sudden reaction betrayed him from showing what he truly feels: he cared for Lucy that's for sure. But at this moment caring about that is one of his least worries.
"Natsu said she's alright but, she had to stay home tomorrow. He asked me to tell Levy and the others that Lucy won't be able to help them with council works for she needs to have a day's rest from all the exhaustion she finds at school, being the top student and part of the council that is." Lyon explained and once he's finished, he saw Gray sigh in relief and smirked mentally.
"Thank God she's alright." Ur said. She ushered his sons to the living room but Gray decided to just go to his room instead. He just can't take his mind off of what happened earlier with him and Natsu and now Lucy just had to invade his thoughts as well.
"What's his problem?" Ur asked curious of her son's behaviour.
"I'm on the same boat as you, mom." Lyon shrugged and smirked.
..ooOoo..
The next morning, Levy ran towards a certain classroom to find a salmon-haired man to ask him a question.
"Natsu?" she asked as she looked around the room. She spotted him chatting with someone before he turned and walked towards her.
"Hey, Levy! What's up?" he asked.
"What happened to Lu-chan? Is she alright? What did her doctor told you? When is she going to school again? Is she in a bad condition? Oh God! This is all my fault for not accompanying her yesterday!" Levy said in haste. How did it end up being her fault? Natsu sweat dropped at Levy's outburst.
"Calm down Levy. She's alright but she needs rest so she won't be coming to school today. But her doctor told me that she could come to school again by tomorrow. And she's not in a bad condition. She told me she just fell tired so she needs to rest." Natsu explained. He heard her sigh and looked up to him and smiled apologetically.
"Thank you for being there Natsu. If it weren't for you, who knows what would happen to her. But why didn't you just take her to the infirmary?" Levy asked curious while furrowing her brows.
"I WAS SHOCKED! I don't know what else to do so I just did what I was told. She asked me to call Nana Supetto so I called her using Lucy's phone! Do you even know how traumatic it was to cut class again, huh?" Natsu exasperatedly said.
"C-Calm down, Natsu. I was just asking." Levy sweat dropped. Natsu sighed and apologized for his sudden surge.
"Hey, do you think it's okay for us to visit her today?" Levy asked. Natsu looked at her and nodded which Levy responded with a smile.
"Okay, I'm gonna tell Erza and the others. They're worried for her as well. If you wanna come just tell me okay? Oh and ask Loke and Gray as well, alright?" Levy said and waved goodbye before walking away. Hearing this, Natsu scowled and clenched his fist. Gray…is it okay for him to come? Will it be okay for Lucy? He thought and came up with one conclusion: he needs to help his friends to reconcile, well for Lucy to forgive Gray and for Gray to realize his mistake. He knew Lucy was hurt but, looking at the dejected friend of his, he knew that Gray was troubled as well. He sighed and walked up to Gray while pushing his hands deep inside his pockets.
"Hey," he greeted with a scowl. Gray looked up and was surprised to see Natsu but later returned the look.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Do you want to come with us?" Natsu asked; the 'look' never leaving his face.
"Go to where?" Gray asked casually.
"Lucy's," with the mention of Lucy name, Gray's face lit up in a flash but, Natsu caught it. And there he realized, Gray does care for Lucy deeply but didn't want to show it, knowing that Gray didn't want Loke to think something else of it. They were too preoccupied that they didn't notice everyone was listening to their conversation.
"AWWWW! How sweet! They're friends again,"
"I thought with the little scene yesterday, they won't be talking in about a year."
"I won the bet! Hey pay up! Told you they'll make up sooner!"
"Gray and Natsu are really cool! Kyaaaa~!"
"A man reconciles with his friends!"
Gray and Natsu sweat dropped. How did it become like this? The two of them looked and smiled at each other before bumping their fists together.
"Waaaah~! They really did make up!"
"WILL YOU ALL SHUT UP!" were the last words uttered before everyone fell silent.
..ooOoo..
Later that afternoon, all council members, Mira, Natsu, Loke, and Gray went to the Heartfilia's to visit their friend. They didn't tell Lucy that they were going; Levy told them it was a surprise. But knowing her friends, Lucy didn't even have the slightest hint of being surprised. What shocked her was the fact that they brought Gray with them that didn't even want to look at her. That made her thinks that Gray was just forced to come. She was a little disappointed by that thought but she didn't dare show it. She hates him, right? So what's the point of being hurt?
They were inside her room, talking casually with her, telling jokes and some teasing just made Lucy's day. She was thankful to all of them for being there for her, for caring, for being her friend. She loved this life, many friends unlike before, no more bullying but she hated it as well for having a lot of lies and secrets that she doesn't want to reveal.
She was glad that Natsu didn't tell them the truth. She learned that he told them that she fainted for being exhausted and was pleased that it was a good excuse.
"Princess! Do you want me to take care of you? For life?" Loke joked. That made Lucy smile. He never changes.
"Thanks but, no thanks." was her reply that made him pout cutely. She chuckled at Loke's childlike attitude that made everyone smile, especially Natsu. He was happy that she doesn't feel depressed anymore.
Lucy looked over at Jellal and noticed he's gazing at Erza. That didn't look good. It seems like he hadn't explained everything yet. She sighed at her friend's cowardly attitude.
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Just like her. A coward of love. No, a coward to tell the truth.
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She then looked at Mira and remembered something.
"Oh yea, how's the practice going, Mira?" she asked and smiled. The boys stiffened while Mira and Erza's eyes widen in shock.
Mira then looked over at the stiffened boys with a smile that could make anyone dig their own grave. She looked back at Lucy. "What practice are you talking about? And who…told you that?" Mira asked sweetly. For Lucy, it sounds normal, but for the boys, they knew the 'end' is near for them.
"Well, Natsu told me that you're practicing him, Loke and…G-Gray," she answered having difficulty in mentioning Gray's name. Mira looked over at the flinching Natsu and smiled at him. Oh Dear God, please help me! Natsu prayed, sweating. The other boys and Erza faced at him as well and sent a 'you'll-regret-ever-mentioning-this-to-Lucy' and 'you're-dead' looks while Levy, Lisanna and Juvia looked at each other with confused eyes.
"He told me that it's for the trip," Lucy added, which made Mira's eyebrows to twitch. "What else did he tell you?" Mira asked, eyes never leaving the fretting pink-haired boy having a look that says 'we're-going-to-have-a-LITTLE-talk-later'.
"Uhm, he told me that since the three of them are helping the council, you're practicing them on being a leader type person." Lucy answered.
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"OH! Is that it? It was supposed to be a secret but I guess Natsu wasn't the type of person to keep his mouth shut." Mira said in delight. "Natsu! You should really learn how to shut your mouth every now and then." Mira said sweetly and smiled. "H-HAI!" was all Natsu said and sighed. Everyone else sighed in relief that Mira didn't turn into her demon form, or else. Levy, Lisanna, and Juvia didn't really get what was happening so they just shrugged and chatted to Lucy instead.
"Lu-chan! I'm sorry for not accompanying you yesterday!" Levy said apologetically which Lucy replied with a smile. "It's okay! Natsu was there, so no harm done!"
"Juvia is so relieved that Lucy is alright. Lucy should not worry. The council decided to give Lucy easier task so she won't get tired easily." Juvia said with a concerned tone.
"No, you don't have to do that. I mean, I can handle my tasks. I just happen to have some extra…things to be taken care of." Lucy said.
"Are you sure? Because I'll be more than happy to take care of it for you." Lisanna assured but Lucy shook her head and smiled. "Thank you, for caring so much but, I can really handle it on my own."
The four of them kept talking but Lucy constantly glances at the room only to find that Gray was not there anymore. She felt like the latter didn't want to see her, like he's bored of her that's why he left and that caused Lucy to be sad altogether. But, she never showed it when she knew that her friends, who're present in her room, will get worried and she doesn't want that.
An hour had passed and they decided to leave Lucy and let her relax the rest of the day. One by one they said their goodbyes to her.
"Bye Princess! Take care of yourself now!" Loke said before leaving the room, leaving Natsu inside.
"Thank you Natsu," she said. Natsu smiled and patted her head. "You're welcome. Take care now! Jaa," he said before closing the door.
Lucy sighed. She was happy knowing her friends came all the way from school just to check if she's alright. Bringing Gray with them made her a bit happy, but the thought of him avoiding her brought the hurt back.
She was about to cover herself with the comforter when her door opened again revealing an apologetic looking Gray. Her eyes widen. He's still here? I thought he went home early. Lucy thought as she didn't know how to act in front of him, considering what she said that she hated him.
"U-Uhm…h-how are you?" Gray asked as he walked towards her bed while looking at her.
"Huh? U-uhm, I'm fine," she said and averted his eyes.
(Silence)
Gray gulped and heaved a sigh before breaking the silence "I really don't know why I'm still here," he said and looked downwards. Lucy faced him, confusion evident in her eyes.
"Yea, I was shocked that you're still here. Everyone just went out. Where were you? You just disappeared while everyone was talking." She said reluctantly but, she really wanted to know where this boy had been. He looked away to hide the blush that's creeping on his face. "I-I was looking for the toilet…and got lost." He said.
"But I have one if you must know," she said.
"R-Really? I didn't notice, maybe because it's crowded here a while ago," he explained again.
"But you were gone for an hour." She just had to rub it in.
"It's because you house is too darn big!" Gray yelled getting really frustrated of not finding a good answer to her questions. She chuckled that made Gray looked at her. "Why are you still here then? They went home already," she said.
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What now? Gray thought. His brows twitched for not answering her quickly. Her look made it even worse.
"Actually, I really just want to know if you're alright but…I don't know," he said as he seated himself at the edge of Lucy's bed.
"I told you, I'm okay now. So you should go home already!" she said and crossed her arms while she looked away.
Without getting any retort from her companion, she looked back at him only to find him eyeing her intensely. She flinched at his look. What's his problem now? She asked herself mentally.
Lucy's eyes widen when Gray started leaning towards her. Oh my gosh! What is he doing? She thought as her heart started beating so fast that it felt like it wants to escape from her ribcage. He kept on leaning until their faces were only inches apart.
Is he gonna kiss me? NO! I promised myself never to involve myself with Gray ever again! But…why does this have to happen? Lucy thought as her face flashes all shades of red.
"W-w-what are you d-d-doing?" Oh God! Why did I let myself stutter? And worse in front of him? And much worse him staring intently at me? But the worst thing is, HE'S TOO DARN CLOSE! She thought. Gray kept on leaning and Lucy had no other choice but to close her eyes, even if she can push the boy, she doesn't know why she can't. She didn't get any reply from the boy, and she's suspecting that he's still leaning.
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Closer…
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Closer…
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"OUCH!" Lucy yelped and held her forehead. She opened her eyes to find Gray still in the position from flicking her. An angry icon appeared on her forehead, she can't keep it in…
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR? I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION!" She yelled at him while Gray's reaction towards this was to put one finger from each of his ears as if he knew what was going to happen.
He smirked making Lucy more irritated.
"Yea, I can see you really are alright now," he said and stood up receiving a confused look from Lucy. He walked towards the door but stopped halfway and looked back.
"You don't have to close your eyes and be so flushed when I'm about to flick your forehead." He snickered and turned to leave.
Lucy however, cursed under her breath while gnashing her teeth and clenched both her hands with brows twitching in both irritation and embarrassment. Can't contain her anger any longer, Lucy burst in annoyance.
"DAMN YOU GRAY! I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT!" she yelled but was met with a closed door when she looked up.
Again she cursed under her breath while scrunching her comforter in her grasp. She was about to cover herself eith the comforter when the door opened revealing Gray walking towards her again.
"What do you want now? You successfully annoyed me! What else would you want?" she snapped at him and crossed her arms as she closed her eyes, never wanting to look at Gray's face that would probably make her even angrier.
"I forgot something," he said casually.
"And what would that be? Your sanity?" she once again asked.
"No. This," Gray held Lucy's head once she looked at him to see what he forgot. He leaned in again and before Lucy could even react to his sudden action…
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He kissed her…
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Lucy once again held her forehead but this time not because it hurts but because of the sensational emotion she felt. Eyes wide, mouth agape as she stared at Gray who just got out of the room. Gray just kissed her…forehead? Why?
Why? Why did he do that when she made herself swear she'll hate him forever? That she'll keep her promise. She decided that she'll give her love up and move on, but how can she do that when he's being like this?
Oh God, I need to rest! She thought and covered herself with her comforter. But before she fell asleep, a knowing smile crept its way to her face.
..ooOoo..
WAAAH~! why do I have a feeling that I don't like this chapter? hmm, I'm degrading muself again, but I really find it crappy,, so I really can't blame you if you'll criticize my work! but I still hope you enjoyed the chapter! ^_^ and I'm laughing now because of the chapter title! haha, I don't know why! I'm being weird again! GOMEN! _ tell me if you find any mistakes!
Ja'ne
P.S waaaah~! I want to be your facebook friend! check my profile and add me! ^_^ and please tell me if you're from FF(dot)net,, hehe
