Next chapter everyone and some serious drama coming at you!

Disclaimer! All characters go to Master Hiro Mashima! I only own this plot here! Enjoy!

Chapter 11

About a half hour later, servants arrived bringing enough food to feed an army. They then left back to the house to have a little party of their own, while we, well mostly my cabin mates, devoured the food brought to them. They had everything, from fried chicken to roasted lamb to seafood. Nothing was left out; and nothing was left by the time everyone was finished, just some bones from the chicken. Even the crumbs were licked up greedily.

I glanced around, amused by all the celebration. It was our very first day off in ever and they were treating it like it was their last day alive. A week ago, I probably would've been as ecstatic, but now, as my belly was full and my status promoted (I think it was) I stayed by Natsu's side, holding his hand. Everyone else was standing up, just creating a ruckus.

Suddenly, a sweaty hand clamped down on my shoulder. Surprised, I looked up and saw the smiling face of Lyon. I smiled back and stood up, much to Natsu's dismay. Following him out, I quickly turned around and smiled reassuringly. He sighed in defeat and returned my smile with one of his goofy ones. Turning back, I chased after Lyon out the back door. Once the door was shut, our bodies collided in a huge hug. Some pats were exchanged and we broke apart, grinning to each other. But just as quickly, Lyon's face turned serious as he spun me around and lifting up my shirt to inspect my back. I heard a gasp and then a sigh of relief.

"Well, your wounds are gone and so are most of your scars. How the hell did that happen anyway?" Turning me back around, he gave me a curious look.

"They have some pretty advanced stuff," I told him, shrugging my shoulders. "Maybe the Master will heal you guys too." He laughed.

"Yeah right, I'm still suspicious of the young Master. That was quite a surprise, learning about a rebellion. You're not just playing with our emotions are you? You're not brainwashed?" I rolled my eyes.

"No were not messing with everyone's emotions. I'm the same awesome Gray you know, no brainwashing, as ridiculous as that sounds."

"You said they had some pretty advanced stuff. Either way, I'm glad you're back. I missed you," he said as he brought his voice down, coming closer to me. I tensed my shoulders and took a step back. A look of hurt crossed over his face and I instantly felt guilty.

"What's wrong, Gray?" He stepped closer again. He held his arms out, but I didn't come any closer.

"Nothing," I lied. But it wasn't. I wasn't attracted to Lyon anymore. A week ago, every time Lyon came close, my heart would beat faster and all I would want was to hold him close. Now, I feel nothing, but the same friendly love I have for the rest of my cabin mates. Everything that pulled me to Lyon had seemed to almost shift from him to a certain pink-haired teen. I really think I've fallen for my young Master. And it seems Lyon is catching on.

"It's obviously not 'nothing'. Something's wrong, I can see it in your eyes. What aren't you telling me Gray? You always told me everything, remember? What happened?" He came over to me and shook my shoulders and I averted my gaze.

"A lot has happened..." I started.

"Go on," he urged, trying to capture my eyes.

"All the time I was with Natsu-"

"You mean the young Master."

I nodded. "But he insists I call him Natsu. Anyway, through that time, things started really taking a turn…"

"A turn how? What are you talking about Gray? And why does he want you calling him Natsu?" I looked up a little bit to see confusion and anxiety in his piercing eyes.

"I….I think I'm falling for him. And him me." I confessed quietly.

It was quiet for a while as everything sunk in. I took another glance up and saw as a whirl of emotions flashed across Lyon's face, from shock to confusion to hurt to anger and back over again. I stared at the ground again, waiting for him to respond.

A few more moments of silence passed before, "What?"

Tears stung my eyes as guilt settled in further, making my chest feel heavy, a lump forming in my throat. I really thought I was going to cry, but I pushed the emotions to the back of my mind to deal with later. The tears in the corner of my eyes disappeared, but I kept my head down, preparing for his rant.

"Are you insane?! Do you have any idea what you just said?! Gray, I've seen you do stupid things, but this is the worst! It's against the law, dammit! You can be executed!" I flinched at the last comment. Yeah, any romantic relationship with Master and slave was forbidden. A few years ago a slave and young Master tried running away together and they got caught quickly. The young Master basically got a 'slap on the wrist' while the slave was executed by hanging. Yeah I know what I'm getting myself into, yet every fiber in my body seems to be screaming for Natsu. I don't know why I feel this way, I just do and I'm not going to question it. Though Lyon will.

I shrugged my shoulders in response and he glared at me, gripping my shoulders tighter, digging his nails into my skin. I winced.

"Don't act so nonchalant! This is serious Gray! I don't want you getting killed because of some infatuation." He sighed. "Maybe you should come back to the fields and not be with the young Master anymore. Maybe it's time to come home and be with your own kind."

My temper flared and I shrugged his hands off my shoulders. "What's that suppose to mean?" I looked up at him and glared up at him.

"Gray, he's a Mortu. You and I are Bistros. He can and just might hurt you. There may be a rebellion, but there won't be much equality. Not with the strength differences. Things just won't work out. We have to stick to our own kind. It's the only way to keep ourselves safe. Just come back. I miss you." His words stung me. Deep. I missed him too, but after what he said, sticking to our own kind? That's sad. We're fighting for freedom and he's not helping. I stepped back, ignoring the look of hurt that came to his eyes and shook my head.

"Do you want equality or not?" I snapped. He nodded. "If you do, then maybe he and I can help with that by breaking the law and starting a relationship."

He gave me a pained look as tears started forming in his eyes. Guilt was crushing me, almost making me want to cry too. I looked away.

"What happened to you Gray?" he asked quietly. He sniffed, but I still didn't look him.

"I guess things change."

All was silent, except for his silent cries and sniffling. I tried holding my tears back, but some still slipped over the edge, staining my face. Shame and guilt filled me the more as I heard him cry. Then he huffed.

"If that's how it is…" I looked up, surprised. He stood up straighter, determination prominent in his eyes, the tears wiped away. His eyes were still red and puffy, but he was no longer crying. Instead, he gave me a distant and stoic look, breaking my heart even further. "If he does hurt you, my arms are always open. But only if he hurts you. Otherwise, don't bother coming back." Now it was my turn to look hurt. I knew he would be mad, but cutting off our relationship altogether was just cold. His words struck me harder than any physical pain that could be put on me. He walked around me back into the cabin, not looking back. I stood out there for a few minutes before heading back inside as well. Tears prickled the corners of my eyes, but I kept them down. I didn't want to cry here. Not yet.

When I got back, Lisanna has seemed to have found the courage to talk to Natsu for she was laughing at something he said when I sat down next to him. My hand instantly searched for his, looking for something to grab onto. The guilt and loss were weighing down on me, making me feel as if I was suffocating. I really needed to get out of here, or else I would explode. I can already feel it building up inside me. When I felt Natsu's hand in mine, I gave it a slight tug to get his attention. He looked over to me, happy to have made a new friend, but that expression soon changed to concern as he saw the look on my face. He quickly turned back to Lisanna, who was practically sparkling in excitement, and told her we had to go. Although she did look disappointed, he assured her he would be back. He then pulled me up and guided me out of the cabin. Before we left, I saw a familiar white haired teen talking to a flustered Juvia. He looked over to me for a brief second and our gazes locked. I hoped he saw my guilt and sadness in my eyes and my silent apology. But if he did, he didn't acknowledge it. In fact, he actually looked colder and more distant, completely rejecting my presence. Then he turned back to Juvia, completely changing his demeanor from an emotionless rock to a, surprisingly, flirtatious playboy. Juvia looked over to me, tears comically streaming down her face, but her expression changed when she saw me. Confusion then jealousy took over her features as she then stared at my hand in Natsu's. I looked away and kept following Natsu, ignoring the urge to go back and plead his forgiveness, to ask him not to be so cold. It was breaking my heart, losing one of my closest friends like this.

We traveled all the way back to the house, getting several looks from some slaves, but we just kept walking, all the way to his room. He and I sat on his bed, and that's when I broke. Every tear that threatened to fall before, came back, streaming down as I buried my face into the crook of Natsu's neck. My sobs rang out loudly, but I couldn't control them. Everything I felt, from the guilt to the loss to the sadness to the loneliness just came pouring out. I had lost my best friend and he won't come back to me unless I dump the one person I have truly come to care for. I hugged Natsu tighter, determined not to let him go. We sat there for a long time, yet Natsu stayed by me, not even answering a knock that came on the door. He just yelled for them to go away and squeezed me tighter.

Finally, my tears had finally dried up an eternity later and I was left choking on silent sobs. I looked up from Natsu's soaked shoulder and he looked back at me, staring deep into my eyes. It only took that to comfort me. What came next felt even better.

My hand started to drift down and I tugged on his belt loop. My other slid up to his neck and pulled down for a fierce kiss. I hungrily sucked on him, getting my tongue in his mouth and exploring. I then put my hand under his shirt and played over his abs. He let me do all this so willingly, kissing me back, though with not as much ferocity. He didn't fight for dominance, but just pulled me closer and down onto his bed. It wasn't until I tried getting my hand into his pants did he stop.

"Ok, that's enough," he said pulling away. I moaned in protest, trying to pull him back to me. But he wouldn't budge.

"No. I know you're going through a lot, even if I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but I know you're not acting rational." I tried again, but he successfully pushed me away and he stood off the bed.

"I said no." I pouted, trying to look tempting so he would come back, but he only gave me a stern look. "I'm sorry, but you're not thinking right. I don't want you to do something you might regret." He then left to the bathroom and brought back with him a large glass of water, which I eagerly drank in one gulp. I felt much more refreshed, but the guilt still wouldn't go away. I sighed.

"I'm sorry, but Lyon…. He just," I sighed again, defeated. I was at a loss for words. "I guess he kinda broke up with me?" I didn't even know how to describe what happened. I only know he doesn't want to bring my friend anymore. Not unless I cut myself off from Natsu.

"He broke up with you?" He gave me a confused look, which then turned to jealousy. "Were you guys in a relationship?" I shook my head.

"Not quite, though, had things turned out differently, we might've. But now he doesn't want anything to do with me."

"Why? What could have possibly done? I mean, you just got back." He started pacing the room, irritated.

"He wants me to come back, to leave you." I said quietly. He stopped abruptly and turned to me. Then in a blur of motion, he was in front of me, holding my face.

"You won't leave me, will you?" he asked, worry in his beautiful onyx eyes.

"No, that's why he doesn't want anything to do with me. He's convinced you're going to hurt me." He snorted.

"I will never hurt you, Gray. That's a promise." He gave me a tender kiss on my lips. I was feeling much better now, the guilt subsiding into a small throb on my heart. I snuggled closer to him and he slung his arm around my shoulders as we leaned back onto his bed. I closed my eyes and sighed. All was silent except for the faint munching near the couch.

.

.

.

Wait. Munching? The hell! My eyes shot opened and I jerk up looking across from us to where the couch was. And there sat a small blue cat with a blue fish in his mouth. My mouth dropped open three feet as Happy stared back at me giving me an amused and curious look. Natsu sat up too and moment later and gave a similar reaction.

"Happy what are you doing here?!" he yelled. The blue fur ball only looked more amused.

He swallowed the last of his fish before he answered. "I sleep here remember? My question is why you two are snuggling together. Do you liiiiiiiike each other?" My face burned from embarrassment as he covered his mouth with his tiny paws, his cheeks puffing out ready to burst in laughter. Natsu took one of the many pillows on his red bed and threw it at the obnoxious cat. He dodged it easily and took refuge under the couch as Natsu dove after him in a fit of anger and embarrassment. He shoved his arm under the red furniture, groping around for Happy, but to no avail. Natsu pulled his hand out frustrated and sat down on the floor, crossing his arms, pouting. I chuckled, despite our little problem.

Sooooooo

Raise your hand if you dislike Lyon (in this fic) now

Me: (raises hand)

Raise your hand if you almost cried

Me: (raises hand)

Raise you hand if you're excited on how Gray and Natsu will deal with Happy's knowledge about them

Me: (raises hand)

Sooooooo, like, review and if there's anything I can do better, do tell and if have any suggestions for the next chapter, I'll happy to listen to them.

Review Responses:

x0xalexis8: (gives high fives to raised hands)

theabridgedkuriboh: He IS very sweet and compassionate. And yes, the slaves shall be FREE! And how's this for super jealous? ;)

Crystalangel554: Thank you and FREEDOM FOR ALL!

tydolt99: Surprised? ;) tehe