Okay, okay. I know I said no more chapters until after exams, but...

As it's my dear friend Gemmery's birthday, I thought I'd post this a a little 'present.' I hope she actually sees this and isn't too busy messing on Cubase. :p HAPPY BIRTHDAY NUMBSKULL!

Disclaimer: Not mine... (I'm running outta stupid stuff to write here)

"WE'RE BACK!" Natsu bashed the doors to the guild hall open with his foot.

"Welcome back, everyone," Mirajane greeted the team.

Lucy waved over to Erza who had recently returned from her job and the team joined her at the bar. Well, Natsu thought it would be much more fun to pick a pointless fight with Gajeel. Erza was snacking on her signature strawberry cake and didn't even look up from her plate when the team arrived. "So how did the job go?"

"It could have gone better, but we got the job done," Lucy winked.

"The reward was good too," Wendy smiled. "How did your job go, Erza-san?"

"Piece of cake," was her blank reply. The girls were about to ask more when they were interrupted by the beautiful bartender.

"What can I get you all?" she asked with a smile.

"I'll get one of your delicious smoothies, please," Lucy smiled.

"Ohh, me too, please," Wendy added.

"Make that three," Carla finished.

"Happy, I'll assume you want fish?"

"Aye!"

"Gray, want anything?"

"Just water... with ice."

"Natsu want anything?" No answer.

After Natsu and Gajeel grew board of their fight, said fire wizard went looking for another brawl... and he knew just who to pick on.

"Gray, fight me, you droopy-eyed bastard!"

"Not in the mood, flame-brain," Gray sighed, chugging his fourth glass of water.

The girls were shocked at Gray's reaction. Usually, Gray would jump at the chance to beat up Natsu, but today was different.

Lucy was the first to speak up. "Wait, did I hear that right? Did Gray, the Gray, just decline a fight with Natsu? What, you sick or something?" Lucy, jokingly, placed her hand on Gray's forehead and her eyes widened. "Actually, you do feel a bit warmer that usual." This peaked the others interest. "You okay?"

This got the attention of a certain blue haired wizard. "If Gray-sama is sick, Juvia will be more that happy to take care of him." She smiled, almost pushing Lucy of her chair.

"I'm fine," Gray rolled his eyes and pushed water-user away.

"Well, if you're fine," Natsu yelled. "Get your ass over here and fight me." He threw one of Cana's empty barrels, hitting Gray's naked back.

Gray gritted his teeth in pure anger before bringing his hands together. "Ice-Make: Ice Cannon." He fired in Natsu's direction. Having no time to react, the Salamander was forced to the floor, knocking down Gajeel in the process. The whole guild turned to look at Gray with surprise. Someone woke up on the wrong side of bed. What's got into him. That was harsh even for Gray, were the thoughts of multiple members. Erza whipped her head around to glare at the ice wizard. She was about to open her mouth when said raven rose from his seat - head down - and stomped out of the guild hall, again, to their surprise.

"What the crap?" Natsu stared at the door.

"Gray-sama," Juvia muttered.

Other members of the guild began conversing about the current events.

Gray kept his head down as he stormed through Magnolia. God, he hated Natsu sometimes. Couldn't he tell I wasn't in the mood Gray thought, slightly chuckling at just how much faith he had in the fire wizard. Memories of their previous fights flew into his mind - most of which took place at the river side. The old riverside was a very nostalgic place for Gray. He remembered it for fond reasons and for bad... mainly bad. Most were him and the previously mentioned flame-brain going head-to-head for reasons he couldn't remember. Feeling his anger rising again, he scoured his brain for happier memories.

He thought of Erza. When he tried to challenge her to a fight after many failed attempts of victory, only to find her crying through her one functioning eye. Gray smiled at his foolishness; he never knew what to do when a girl was crying, let alone one he used to have a crush on. The boy blushed at the memory. Erza was more of a big sister to him now so the former crush just seemed creepy. He decided not to think too much about it.

He thought of Cana. How innocent she used to be. They would always sit but the river side and divide up their Jewels after a job well done. He missed going on jobs with Cana. He had done for the longest time until he had been, unwillingly, recruited by Erza. Thankfully, Cana didn't seem the least bit fazed. That's what he liked about her. The stereotypical girl would have brought hell upon him for ditching his old team for a stronger one. Cana wasn't like that. As long as Gray kept his promise of their weekly drink together, Cana was a happy woman.

He thought of Gildarts. A father figure to many of the guilds youngsters (he literally was for Cana). Gildarts was the person that guided the raven to Fairy Tail. If it weren't for him, Gray would probably still be wandering around Fiore with no destination in mind. Every year, during the anniversary of his parents' and Ur's death, Gildarts would always find Gray sat by the river, watching the water flow down the seemingly endless stream. He wouldn't have to ask what was troubling the young boy; he knew all too well. It was commonly known that Gildarts had a close relationship with Natsu, but he cared for Gray more than the rest knew. He'd watched the ice wizard go from a broken boy with no home, to a strong and fearless wizard who'd do anything to protect his guild... and Gray was thankful to have Gildarts watching over him.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness sent Gray leaning into a nearby building; dark spots threatening to cover his vision. He clutched his jet black hair and tried blinking off the bizarre sensation. "Who knew thinking too much could actually give you a headache," Gray groaned to him self, regaining his posture. He decided it was due to lack of sleep on the train journey and brushed that situation out of his mind as he continued walking to his house. Little did he know that he was yet again being stalked by a particular blue-haired comrade of his, who frowned when she noticed her fantasy boyfriend's state.

Gray's house - an old, rundown church that he polished up - was located on the mountainside on the outskirts of Magnolia. Sure it wasn't anything fancy, but it was his home. His only salvation from the craziness that takes place at the guild. He yawned into his palm before creating an icy key and turning the lock. He threw down his bag and slumped down on his bed, panting slightly. Why am I so damn hot? he thought. He tossed his trousers to the other side of the room so he was just left in his boxers and tried to get himself comfortable. Just as he was about to nod off, there was a knock at the door. Great he thought.

"Gray-sama?" The voice called. "It's Juvia."

"Just great," he muttered to himself, heading towards the door. He slowly pulled the doorknob and was met with concerned eyes.

When the door opened, Juvia rushed towards her guild mate and placed her hand on his forehead. "Gray-sama, you're burning up. You're sick, aren't you?"

Gray rolled his eyes for what felt like the fifteenth time today. "You're overreacting. Ice wizards don't get sick."

"But..."

"I just didn't get much rest after the job, okay? Really, I'm fine."

"If Gray-sama is sure," the rain woman began to turn around, then stopped. "But, if you need anything, you can count of Juvia to take care of you."

"Jee, thanks," Gray replied sarcastically, as Juvia walked away.

As the bluenette made her way back onto the main road one thought went through her mind. You're hiding something, aren't you?

Yay! Honestly, I loved writing this chapter. Especially the parts where Gray reminisces about his close friends. Hope you enjoyed it.

This chapter used to be authors notes, but then I deleted that chapter and made this instead. So, sorry to IcePrinceRay and Gemmery 'coz as far as I know there is no way to delete reviews so you can't review this new chappie. Well, you could always review as a guest *wink, wink.* JK XD

This'll be the last chapter I post until after the 17th June (I may have got the date wrong last time :p) and this time I mean it. Thanks for stickin' with me, I'll try not to dissapoint in future chapters. XD

I have a internet cookie especially for you if you follow, favourite and review... haha... bribery (I'm so tired).