Chapter 18: While You Were Sleeping

Arion... Arion...Arion.

Yeah, I'm Arion.

Wake up. Arion.

Who are you, Mr. Voice?

Can't you hear me?

Yeah I can hear you.

Let her rest you've been at it for days.

"Yeah, I know but-"

Erza was the first to try to pry me away from the bed side. "Gray, Porlyusica said that the poison has cleared up and that she would be fine in a matter of days."

"Yeah, if Porlyusica said it, it must be true. She's really good at healing poisons." mused Wendy.

"But, I-"

"She'll still be here when you come back." Lucy says reassuringly.

"I guess you're right." I sigh as I shove my hands in my pockets and leave the infirmary with the other three in tow.

Its been about three weeks since we came back from Edolas and found Arion passed out outside the guild hall. She was covered in scars and a weird purple rash covering more than half of her face and her neck. It was just barely touching her heart. If we had've gotten her to Porlyusica any later, she would've...died.

I sigh as I walk over to the bar to have a drink. I need her to get better. "Gray-Sama!"

"What is it Juvia?"

"Well uhm Juvia wishes to uhm show her love with this." she held out a little package that was wrapped in wrapping paper with my face on it. "Open it."

"Uh ok." I open it. When I pull it out of the box, I pulled out a...sweater? It had a picture of me hugging Juvia with hearts around us. "No thank you, sorry."

"Why Gray-sama? Juvia wants to know why you will not accept her gifts. Is it because you love someone that isn't her?"

"Its not-" but, it is.

"Who is she? Juvia will dispose of her!" Her face went from murderous to devious as she rambled on. "If Juvia gets rid of this other woman, Gray-sama will have no choice but to love Juvia. And then Gray-sama will tell Juvia how much he..."

I get up and walk over to the door. I'm not in the mood for games right now. Before I can exit I hear a loud scream coming from upstairs. Arion. Her scream stopped everything in the guild. I ran up there as fast as I could.

"ROOOOAAAHHHH!" she was panting. Her screams were drifting in and out of dragon roars. She was thrashing around violently and her body was now even shifting the forms. "ROOOOAAAHHHH!"

"What's happening here?" asked Erza as she burst through the infirmary door with the others.

"I'm not sure. I just heard her screaming and I came back in here."

"Lucy, go get the master. Wendy, Porlyusica. Natsu and Gray, help me hold her down." we all nod and do as she told us.

"ROOOOAAAHHHH!" she screamed again only this time a slightly muffled whimper escapes as well.

You're gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay.

Get outta here Mr. Voice. I could kill you!

Snap out of it.

I want to kill you.

Please Wake up.

But...

If you wake up I'll buy you all the milkshakes you can drink.

"We can't hold her down by ourselves. One of you go get Gajeel or Elfman."

I instantly protest to Erza's suggestion "Gajeel? He won't even be in the same room with her anymore. "

"Well I guess I'll have to start now."

"Gajeel?!"

"Why are you here?"

"Cause I didn't wanna see her die."

Alright now wake your ass up.

Whoa! What the hell Mr. Voice! I thought we were friends. (I mean I was planning to kill you) but, that's no reason to be so mean.

Its not a question, hatchling it's-

Her thrashing suddenly stopped abruptly, causing Gajeel to choke on his words. "What did you just call me, iron breath?" she said ferociously.

"Arion!"

"You're Alive!

"Gehehe. Your welcome by the way." Gajeel laughs as he leaves.

She sighs. "Alive? How the?" She frantically starts touching her neck probably feeling for the rash. She then gets up and walks over to me and touches my face. She grabbed my hand and put it on her face as she began crying. "Gray? You're really here?"

"Yeah of course I am. Why wouldn't I be." with that she hugs me tightly and begins sobbing into my chest.

"Gray, I was so scared. I thought I was gonna die."

"It's okay now."

"Uh, we'll leave you two alone. Gray, don't forget Master's going to make his announcement soon." I nod in response and then look back at the crying dragon girl.

"Tell me what happened to you."

"W-well..." she began. "And that's when I saw that no buildings were here and it was just fog. I saw you in the fog and you told me to take your hand then disappeared. Then I saw Griffin and the same thing happened. A-and my mother blamed me for her death and I was alone and I-I didn't know what to do."

"Shhh. Don't worry I'm here now." she wiped her tears.

"Gray..." she wiped her tears some more and then spoke again. "Can you tell me where everyone was?"

"We got sucked up into an anima and turned into a giant lacrima in some opposite world called Edolas." her eyes grew wide.

"Opposite?"

"Yeah, there was Lucy Ashley, Gray Surge, Natsu Dragion, and even Erza Knightwalker but, she was our enemy there."

"You had to fight Erza?"

"No, she fought herself. I wouldn't stand a chance against Erza, she's a monster."

"Tell me more."

"Well Bisca and Alzac were married, Cana just drank tea all day and wore a skirt and a shirt instead of what she wears now, and Lucy and Levy argued the whole time. And you haven't met her yet but Lisanna, Mira and Elfman's little sister, came back from Edolas with us. "

"Was I, y'know, there?"

"I honestly don't know. I saw your face but, you were so different than how you are now. You were happier and you smiled a lot. ...Your hair was short."

"What?!" she freaked out and started patting her head to check. When she realized it wasn't true, she slapped me lightly on the arm.

"I'm kidding. Actually you were-."

"Gray, master is about to make his decision."

"Yeah okay." I stand up from the little couch and offer her my hand. "Come on then."

"Okay-wait a second. Why am I wearing Lucy's clothes?!"

"You were wearing some torn fancy dress so Lucy went to go get you something."

"But why one with a skirt and in blue? It clashes with my scales." she complains jokingly.

"I wouldn't worry about that. Either way, you look pretty damn cute."

A blush spread across her chocolate face. "Shut up. I'm married now so don't you try to kiss me again."

"Tried but, I'm sure you were the one to actually kiss me so..."

"Let's go, Ice boy." she grabs my hand again and I drag her from the infirmary room and into the guild hall where everyone waited. When we walked in, some of the other guys started making kissy face and lovey-dovey noises. I woulda taken them all out but, they cowered before I could. I turned around confused and looked at the dragon girl who was smiling widely. "MIRA!" She let go of my hand and ran over to the bar, I follow after her.

"Oh Arion are you feeling better?"

"I'm feeling GREAT actually but, I'd feel better for-"

Mira turned around in almost an instant with what she knew the girl wanted "A milkshake?"

"You're the best, Mira!"

"Arion don't run around so fast. You just got up not even an hour ago."

"I'm sorry. I can't help it. I'm JUST SO EXCITED!"

"Well, Arion's excitement aside. It is time for me to announce the participants for the S-Class wizard promotion trial." Master Makarov stood on the stage with Erza to his right and Mira and a man known as Gildarts Clive to his left.

I felt my arm being shook. "What's that?" I was too excited to answer her.

"The venue for this year's trial is Tenrou Island. The holy ground of our guild Strength, heart and soul... I've been watching for each and of these things this past year. There will be eight participants. Natsu Dragneel."

"Alriiight!"

"Gray Fullbuster."

"My time has finally come."

"Good job Gray."

"Juvia Lockser. Elfman."

"To be worthy to be called a man, one must become S-Class."

"Cana Alberona. Freed Justine. Levy McGarden and Mest Gryder." I felt a slight squeeze on my hand when the master called Mest's name. "This time only one will be selected from among them. Get into your best shape within one week's time." Everyone started to cheer once again and i was pulled out of the ground quickly.

"What's wrong?"

"Who's that guy? Mest I mean."

"He's been apart of the guild the whole time. Don't you remember?"

"Remember...? Y-yeah what was I thinking?...Uh I think I'm just gonna-"

"Go ask master if you can go so you can keep an eye on Mest? No."

"You can't make that decision-!"

"I don't want you there! I don't know what's on that island and I know I can't protect you there."

"I won't need your protection! I can handle myself!"

"And you handling yourself got you poisoned and beaten up. You can't go."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"I am someone who cares about you too much to let you go somewhere I can't protect you."

"And what about you? I don't remember his scent but for some reason I remember his face. If my nose says he's bad then I will trust. Especially since my Mind has played tricks on me before."

"All the more reason for you to stay here. What if you're wrong and you end up getting hurt because of it?"

"I'm going!"

"No you're not!"

"I am!"

"Stop being so stubborn!"

"You stop being stubborn!"

"Come on Gray, there's no need to argue. Especially with such a pretty girl."

"Hey. Gildarts, right?." She perked up so fast. No doubt she was planning something.

"Yeah. What is it?"

"Do you think Master Makarov would be alright with me going to Tenrou with you guys? I don't wanna compete. I just want to see what it looks like."

I lean against the bar with my arms crossed over my chest. "Don't fall for it."

"What do you think, Gildarts?"

"Don't do it."

"Shut it, Ice boy."

"I thinks it's worth trying, I guess."

"Then I'm gonna go ask him. Thanks Gildarts." She gets on her tip toes and quickly pecks him on the cheek. then she turns and gives me a triumphant smirk. "Gray." She looked happy but her voice was cold when she said my name. She skipped away to find the master, not looking back once to see if I was fuming. WHICH I WASN'T!

"That's some girl you got there."

"Yeah well she's married."

"MARRIED!? How is that possible? She's only 17."

"Actually she older than that."

"20 then? Well, good job Gray!"

"Actually its more like over 2 or 300."

"200? How is that possible?"

"Didn't master tell you about this last week?"

"Uh yeah well..."

"Right, well, I think I'm gonna go home."

"You're not gonna wait for her?"

"Nah. I don't think she would really wanna talk after that argument."

"Hey Gray before you go. I just want to know you shouldn't give a girl like that up-"

I had to interrupt his words to clarify. "She was never mine to give up."

(-Arion's PoV-)

Stupid Gray and telling me what to and being...STUPID! I just don't know why he just cant... Ugh he's just so infuriating. I continue skipping to the master just in case Gray was still watching me. I notice he was talking to Macao and Wakaba about...uhm...stuff. I tap the short man on the shoulder. "Hey, Master Makarov?"

"Yes, my child, what is it?"

"I wanted to ask you some thing privately. Is that okay?"

"Of course." He leaps off of the table and lead me to his office. "Now what is it that you need, Arion?"

"I want to go to Tenrou with you guys. Not to compete or anything just to look around."

"Hmmm...I don't think that would be wise."

"But-"

"Here is why. You are still recovering and if there is anything i hate more, its seeing my children hurt. Also, shouldn't you be getting home? I'm sure that you have some princessy duties to attend to, right?"

"I guess..."

"I'll tell you what. You can stay until the week is up then, you have to go home."

"Fine. You got yourself a deal." I reluctantly gave in. No sense in arguing with someone else about it. Master had a point, too. I was a princess and I did have things to do.

~A Week Later~

Everyone had their partners chosen and met at the docks. I, along with some of the others, went to see them off. The participants all boarded the boat, hurriedly. All except...

"Gray."

"Arion."

"Don't misunderstand my being here as forgiving you. I'm here for the others."

"And don't understand my calling Lucy's phone for a week to talk to you as me missing you."

Out of nowhere, he hugged me tightly for a second and let go just as fast. "Don't die. I will never forgive you if you do."

"Well, I wasn't forgiven in the first place so I have nothing to lose from you."

"Whatever."

"Whatever."

"Gray come on! We're about to go!" Lucy called from the boat.

"Bye, Ice Boy."

"Bye, Dragon Girl."

"Go then."

"I'm goin', I'm goin'." But, he wasn't actually moving. He stood there with his hands in green pockets, his shirt gone, staring at me.

"Gray please hurry."

"Well bye..." And he got on the boat and continued watching me as I flew home as I had promised.