New chapter! Sorry it's been a while! Disclaimer! I don't own Fairy Tail. All characters go to Master Hiro Mashima! I only own the plot here! Enjoy!

Chapter 8

"Do you really expect me to do that? Do you actually think I'll go against my Master and his son?" I asked, shocked to see that they would get such ideas.

"Well, no, not really. I know it's a scary and I know you've been taught to fear something like a rebellion. But there's no doubt in my mind you wished at one point in your life, that you wanted relief of a life that was never fair. That you wished you were never a Bistro," Levy said, leaning forward excitedly.

I looked at her, dumbfounded. In truth, yes, I really wished I wasn't a Bistro, when I went to sleep every night. I don't know what looked I gave, but Levy smile successfully, knowing she had got my attention.

"There are several plantation owners that are for the resistance. But there are more opposed plantations. That is why you need to get the Dragneel Corporation on our side. Think about your freedom. Think about the freedom of the people you truly care about."

My cabin mates instantly came to mind. Each of their faces flashed in my mind until settling on Lyon's face. I was instantly blushing as I saw his pale skin, dark green eyes that were strict yet sweet, his smile warm and inviting. It was then that I realized that I really did want freedom. But not just for me. It was for my cabin mates. My friends. Lyon.

"So are you in?" Levy asked.

"Yeah," I said with a smile.

...

I shifted my weight nervously as I waited for Natsu-sama in front of the garden. I glanced over to Loke and Levy next to me, poker faces in place, giving no indication of what had happened in the room. I on the other hand had a problem with keeping a secret like this a secret. The minute we were called to the garden to meet up with our young Masters, I was nervous and guilty that I was going to manipulate Natsu-sama. He was so kind to me when after I was whipped, now I was going to use him. I felt sick to my stomach.

It felt like forever until Natsu-sama and Mistress Heartfilia finally came around the large bush of the maze they were in. They were both laughing, leaning into each other. Once they calmed down, their faces were inches apart and were slowly coming closer. My heart beat faster, and it hurt each time it thumped. For whatever reason, I didn't want them to kiss. I had the urged to go and stop them. Luckily, I didn't need to. Loke cleared his throat and got their attention. They immediately jerked their heads back, and looked over to us, blushing profusely. They both looked a little guilty as they looked down as came over to us.

We all bowed low in respect to our young Masters. When we straightened, their blushes had disappeared. I must say, I was a little disappointed. Natsu-sama's blush was rather cute.

Wait. Cute? I thought my young Master's blush was cute? I kept my expression neutral, while on the inside, I was panicking. I was not supposed to think that way. He was my future Master with a fiancée. I tried to shake the thought from my mind, but instead, it got worse. I started thinking of him holding my hand and getting close to me and laughing with me as he did with Mistress Heartfilia.

I quickly pinched myself to stop these thoughts. It worked, but when Natsu-sama came up to me, I had to pinched myself again, because then I started thinking about us snuggling closer…

I was then overrode in shame as I then remembered Lyon and how we had our almost kiss and how I was suppose to help him get his freedom. I felt as if I was betraying him. But then I saw Natsu-sama smile, and I relaxed a little.

I pinched myself once again and nearly yelped in pain. I kept my face inert as Natsu-sama motioned for me to follow him.

"Come on Gray. It's time to go home." He smiled warmly and kept walking. A butler appeared in the doorway ready to escort him and me out. Before going inside, though, he stopped and turned around to address the Mistress.

"It was fun being with you Lucy. I enjoy getting to know you more. I can't wait to spend more time with you." He then bowed like a gentleman. In response, Mistress curtsied and smiled a white, benevolent smile. Turning around, he walked away, following the butler. I gave my own bow in respect to her and followed him.

Lucy's POV

"He seemed nice," I observed, looking over to Loke, once Gray disappeared. He glanced over to me and smiled.

"Indeed," he replied, sunlight glinting off his shaded glasses. "And he's quite handsome, too." His hair covered his eyes, hiding his expression. Did I hear jealousy in his voice?

"Yes, but I have eyes for another," I countered, trying to set him at ease.

He looked up at me, surprised. I smiled to him, hoping the message got through. I then turned my attention to Levy.

"What did he say?" I asked her.

"He said he would help. Hopefully we can turn events around and end slavery once and for all."

"That's good. And how are you guys doing, reading wise?" I inquired. I haven't gotten to reading to them all week, so they haven't had much practice.

"I was able to read pretty easily," Levy said proudly, smiled happily at her accomplishment.

"I'm coming along. I was able to get most of it," Loke said, smirking.

"That's good news. I'll go into my father's study today and get you guys something else to read for later. Is there anything we have to do currently?" I asked Levy since she memorizes my daily schedule every day from my father's personal slave.

"You have music lessons now, ma'am. Today you are to practice the harp." I nodded.

"Alright then let's go."

Gray's POV

"Natsu-sama, the carriage is over here," I called out to a retreating young Master. He was walking toward the road, completely ignoring our ride home.

"A walk home shouldn't be too long," he replied, not stopping. I sighed, and looked over to the driver. He rolled his eyes, but didn't look too worried.

"Young Master," he called. Natsu-sama ignored him and quickened his pace.

"Sir, you father told me before we left that if you didn't take the carriage home, he would have Gray be sent to work in the fields again."

He skidded to a stop and turned around. Uneasiness was in his eyes, along with uncertainty. He looked behind him to the road and back to the driver. I smiled at his reluctance as finally came over to the waiting driver, his face taking on a small hue of green as he climbed in.

Before I went in after him, the driver stopped me and handed me two pills. I gave him a questioning look.

"They'll put him to sleep," he answered, turning away to the driver's seat. I climbed in.

He was lying on his stomach, eyes closed. His face was still slightly green even though we haven't even moved yet. I nudged him to get his attention. When he opened his eyes, I held out the pills.

"These will put you to sleep," I told him. A smile of relief broke on his face as he reached over and took the medicine from my hand. After swallowing them, his eyes immediately began to droop. Lifting up his head, I sat down and placed it in my lap. When I heard him snoring softly, I called out to the driver to go. The coach then jerked forward and headed home.

I didn't take my eyes from his peaceful face. It was amazing what sleep could do; it made him look like a little kid. Too cute, I thought. This time, I didn't stop the thoughts of him and me together. I smiled down on him and caressed his cheek lightly. I traced his face with one finger, over the eyelids, under his jaw, on his nose and finally onto his soft, pink lips.

In the back on my mind, I knew this wasn't right. I shouldn't be taking advantage of him while he was unconscious. And he is my young Master. I was about to pull my hand away when he suddenly softly moaned and smiled in his sleep.

Adorable, I thought. Now I couldn't help myself. Ever so slowly, I leaned down to his face. When the tips of our noses were touching, I closed my eyes and brushed his soft lips with my own. Just a touch. I breathed in his scent. He smelled like sweat and sunshine.

I pulled away reluctantly, still feeling him on my lips. I resisted the urge to keeping going and looked out the window to the fields of wheat rolling by slowly. Sunshine glinted off of them, giving off a small golden glow. Leaning back, I sighed and closed my eyes. So much has happened since I got whipped. Natsu-sama has been taking so much care of me when the slaves should have been. Opening my eyes, I looked down to his calm face once again and wondered why. Why me? I'm just like any other slave. Was it that…..he liked me? The thought brought a blush to my face and made my heart fluttered a little.

Well there's one thing for sure: I like Natsu-sama.

Natsu's POV

When I woke up, the carriage had stopped, the sun shined in my eyes, blinding me. I held my hand in front on my face and saw Gray looking down on my, his curious dark orbs boring into mine. Realizing my head was in his lap, I blushed and sat up. Swinging my legs over the seat, I got up and jumped out of the open door and stretched as Gray came out after me.

Without looking at him, I sauntered over to the front door. Some slaves opened the doors and we headed into the large mansion.

"There is nothing on your schedule until after dinner, sir," a nearby butler announced to me. I nodded my head and kept walking, making my way to my room. Halfway there, I saw a small blue ball rushing toward me.

"Natsuuuuuuuuuu!" Happy yelled as he launched himself at my head, hugging me, while also suffocating me. I heard a chuckle behind me and knew it was Gray. I took Happy off my face and gave him a hug.

"Hey Happy, how's it going?"

"Natsuuuu. I didn't see you when I woke up. I thought you left me forever!" Tears were in his eyes.

"I would never leave you! I just had to go somewhere you couldn't come with," I told him, trying to calm his mind. He sniffled and buried his face into my chest.

"Who's that?" I heard Gray ask. That's right. He never met Happy. He's been holed up in the guest room until today. I turned toward him, putting Happy down.

"Happy, this is Gray. Gray, this is my cat Happy."

Gray smiled cordially and waved. "Hey," he said.

In response, Happy ran up to him and gave him a hug. "Hi Gray. Did you protect Natsu while he was away?" he asked.

Gray laughed. "Of course. I wouldn't let anything happen to him."

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, for which I guessed was because two of the people I cared about were getting along so well. I laughed. This was too wonderful.

"Come on guys. Let's go to my room," I said. They looked to me and nodded.

Five minutes later, we were sitting on my bed, relaxing. Well, I was lying down on my bed with Happy on my chest while Gray lounged on the couch. When I invited him to come lay down with me, he blushed and stuttered a no thank you. Then he went over to the other side on the room and sat down on the couch.

Odd, I thought. He never minded when I laid with him when his was in the guest room. I wonder what the change of heart was. I was really disappointed when he walked away. I came to enjoy being next to him, and now he was acting distant. I decided to try again.

"You can come over here, you know," I urged, hoping he would take the invitation. It felt very lonely sitting alone, even with Happy with me.

"No, sir," he said, averting his gaze. I squinted at him. Something was up.

"Didn't I tell you to call my Natsu?" I asked, attempting to get a conversation out of him.

"No," he replied. "You told me to call you Natsu-sama. But sir sounded more appropriate." He still wouldn't look at me. Now I was getting mad.

"Look at me."

Surprised by tone, he complied. He blue eyes stared into mine as I assessed his change of attitude. Ever since I took him in, he's been really difficult to read. His face was almost always neutral and he only laughed when something was really funny. But now, instead of his normal apathetic gaze, there was a hint of a blush on his face, slight embarrassment in his deep blue orbs. That took me off guard. Was he sick? I wondered, since he looked flushed.

"Are you ok?" I asked, very much worried for his well being.

He nodded his head in reply and looked away once again, his blush deepening just the slightest. He rubbed his arm nervously; sweat starting to form on his brow. Ok, now I know he's sick. Lifting Happy from my chest, I got off the bed and sat right next to Gray, and pulled his chin up so I could get a good look at him. His face was now beet red as I did this. He shifted away and tried to stand up, but I pulled him back.

"Something's wrong," I stated. "Tell me why you're so flushed. Are you ill? Are you hot? It's only been a week since I took you in. I know you aren't fully healed yet, so tell me what the matter is." I grabbed his shoulders and shook him slightly.

"N-nothing's wrong, Natsu-sama. I guess it's a little warm in here. But you are also getting really close." he said, leaning away from me, trying to shake off my grip. Realizing our proximity, he blushed too and leaned away, giving us both our personal space back.

"Gomen," I said, my face heating up. "I'm just worried. Your back may be healing, but you're not fully recovered yet. If you're sick, you need to tell me. You are my guest in this house. If there's anything that you need, tell me!"

I looked over to him. His face was downcast and he was still blushing, although not quite as deep anymore. This one made him look cute, like a school boy. I smiled a little at that. He really is cute.

I leaned closer to him, unknowingly, until our shoulders touched, but I didn't pull away. Luckily enough neither did he. Instead, he leaned toward me as well. It felt nice to be near him. I felt comfortable; safe if you may. Laying my head on his shoulder, he tensed slightly but I ignored it. My senses were starting to drift away, as I entered the world of dreamland.

The dream was all sweet and colorful. I saw every member of my family. My father stood in the middle, his arms open in welcome. Happy sat on his shoulder eating a blue fish Even Lucy was there. I looked at all the people I loved until one particular person came into view. My whole focus suddenly became this radiant raven haired teen. My dream self drifted to him, reaching out my arms to embrace him and his warm, soft body. He hugged my back, resting his head on top of mine. I rubbed my palms around on his back. Instead of feeling all the scars he had been given over the years, I felt perfect baby smooth skin. No tension was there and when I looked into Gray's eyes, I saw warmth and happiness I have never seen in anyone before. I reached up on my toes as he leaned down, our lips just about to connect.

Weeeelllll, how was it?

Raise your hand if you liked the Gratsu moments

Me: (raises hand)

Raise your hand if you can't wait until they are actually a couple

Me: (raises hand)

Raise you hand if you really wish this was a real couple

Me: (raises hand)

Was it too cheesy? I was trying to finish this before I did my homework and I did a lot of backspacing. So tell me what you think. Comment, like. And do tell me if you have any advice on what I could do better! I love you all and thank you for your reviews! Until next chapter, Scarlet-chan out!