Hey Minna! So here I am again, not dead and having yet another chapter up. This one's more of a confusing chapter because I'm throwing a bunch of plot bunnies at you, but I promise, all with be explained soon. I'm trying to update more now since I have less school work to worry about nowadays!

Anyway, DICLAIMER! I do NOT own Fairy Tail! All those rights go to Master Hiro Mashima! I only own the plot! Enjoy!

Chapter 22

Igneel's POV

"I see," I said. "So that's how it is." The man across from me, Zeref Black, nodded. He was sitting on the red couch of my west parlor. It had been a long evening, especially when Natsu and Gray had missed dinner and were nowhere to be found. I sent the white haired slave back to his cabin, so now I was alone with Zeref Black. He twirled his champagne around in his cup and gazed intently at it before looking back to me. He set the glass down on a coaster on the coffee table and folded his hands in his lap.

"We have to act now," he insisted. "While they're not expecting it. They know you've made a decision, however they won't expect action so soon. With what I told you now about Gray, we have to do everything we can to stop them."

It was quiet for a while as we stared out the window.

"But do they know yet?" I asked. "Do they know of the history and legend? Do they know about Gray?"

"I don't know. I may have high power, but even I have only so much information," he responded. "I just know something is going to happen."

"The rebellion has been going on for years and neither side has made any progress. What could honestly make so much difference that you would blow cover now and insist on acting out? Even the legend is very rarely known about. I haven't even told Natsu about it yet."

"I don't know if they found out or what they know, but they have something and there has been some restlessness in the higher ups. I just don't want to risk anything."

"But if you act now, you'll lose your cover and we won't know anything else from then on. Not to mention we may be rushing nothing. I have heard that funds weren't doing well ever since I chose the resistance."

He chuckled. "It was amazing to see so many aristocrats change allegiances just because you chose to support the Bistros. I envy your influence." Now it was my turn to laugh.

"I can only do so much." I paused. "I advise that you wait. If you do choose to act, do what you want, I will take no part unless they do know about what happened or have some secret weapon they are going to pull. Nevertheless, I suggest you not worry so much. They may be more concerned about money now, so you might just be charging in on something that is actually nothing."

He gave me an unsure look as he reached for his glass again, taking a tentative sip.

"I see. Well, I thank you for your input, but I believe I should be retiring for the night. Would you allow me to send word to my servants? I think I may find a place to stay for a few days and stick around, see the circus." I nodded coolly.

"Very well." I stood up and walked to the drapes and pulled on a rope, signaling the servants' quarters. "I'll have someone escort you to your room. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish," I explained politely. "And I will have a telephone brought to you shortly."

A knock came from the door. "Come in," I called. A young girl opened the mahogany and entered, curtsying politely.

"Take Mr. Black to his room," I ordered. "And bring a telephone to him as well."

"Yessir," she replied quietly.

"I'll keep you posted," was his final statement before he left with the girl. I heaved a sigh when the door was closed. I picked up Zeref's forgotten drink and downed it, taking the bottle on the side table and poured myself some more. All the while I kept thinking to myself, what am I going to tell Natsu?

Natsu's POV

I woke up to the warmth and scent of Gray the next morning. I moaned sleepily and snuggled closer and wrapped my arms around him. I heard him sigh as well and tighten his grip around me as well. Whether or not he was awake didn't matter, I just lay there blissfully enjoying Gray. I felt so nice.

.

.

.

Until I had to pee.

I snapped my eyes open and shifted in the blankets. Well, this sucked. I sighed and removed myself of Gray's grip. I began to lift myself from the bed when the pain hit me. I groaned and clutched my behind. It was a dull ache, but it made it difficult to pull myself from Gray, whose grip only tightened the more I struggled. I ground my teeth and shimmied around until I was at the foot of the bed. I sat up shakily and got off the bed, wobbling to the bathroom.

I sighed as I relieved myself and got a good look in the mirror. My hair was sticking up in several directions, I had some drool on the side of my mouth along with some questionable liquid and there were some dark circles under my eyes. Jeez, I got to shower, I thought.

It was five minutes after I got in that I heard the door open and the shower curtain being pulled aside. I felt Gray wrap his arms around my waist and place his chin on my shoulder. I sighed contently and leaned into his touch, then turned my head and gave him a kiss. He returned it, moaning happily and turning me around.

"I woke up and you weren't there. I thought you left me," he said when we parted. I gave him a smirk and pecked him on the lips.

"I would never leave you," I replied. He smirked back and gave me a deep kiss, pulling me closer. And thus began our second session…

…

I slicked my hair back into its usual spikes as me and Gray walked together to the dining room together. I slipped my hand into his as we entered the room, the table, as per usual, covered in food. I pulled Gray over to my usual place at the table and sat him down next to me. Dad was nowhere to be seen, which I found odd, but didn't think much about. I just dug in to my French toast and Gray his pancakes.

"Young Master?" a tentative voice asked about a half hour later. I looked up from my plate full of food to an unfamiliar servant standing across from me and Gray. She had orange hair and odd purple eyes. Weird, I've never seen her around here. Then again, I don't know all the slaves on the plantation.

"Wha?" I responded, mouth full.

"Your father sent for you," she said. I swallowed and wiped my mouth while standing up.

"Ok, where is he?" I asked.

"In his office."

I nodded. "Ok, I'll be right there. Take Gray back to my room, please." I then turned to him. "I'll see what he wants then come back as soon as possible." He gave me a small smile when I leaned down to kiss him on the lips. Then I left.

My dad's office isn't too far from the dining hall, so it only took me about a minute or two to arrive. I knocked twice and entered when I heard the deep rumble of my father's voice from the other side.

You called, dad?" I asked, sauntering across the carpeted floor. He had his back to me, looking out the large window behind his desk. The sun was high in the sky, providing natural light to filter the room. His coat was hung on the chair of the desk and his sleeves were rolled up. His graying pink hair was slicked back and the back of his neck glistened with perspiration. He turned around to me, expression tired. He looked years older than he usually did. There were bags under his eyes, which looked nervous and his posture, on closer inspection, looked tense. Something was going on. He didn't even have his morning coffee on his desk. In its place was a bottle of brandy and a shot glass. I looked up to him with wide eyes.

"Natsu, there's something we need to talk about."

Gray's POV

I watched Natsu leave the room then turned back to the slave. She really unnerved. I mean, who has purple eyes like that. The only one I've seen with them is…

"We should go." She spun around quickly and walked to the door at a fast pace. I had to run to catch up with her.

We made it back to Natsu's within three minutes. When we arrived I gave her a quick nod before opening the door. However I only closed it halfway when the slave suddenly stopped me and shoved me into the room, slamming the door behind her. I stumbled back a few steps, completely shocked. There stood the slave girl with orange hair and purple eyes, however she started changing. Her eyes stayed the same, but her hair turned darker until it was brown and her facial features changed until I saw the purple eyed slave from Zeref's home. Misaki, I think her name was.

"W-w-what the hell are you doing here?" I exclaimed, taking on a defensive stance. Her eyes really unnerved me as she slowly made her way toward me.

"Gray Fullbuster," she said lowly, voice husky. "I've been watching." I felt a bead of sweat glide down the side of my head. That was…creepy. "Zeref sent me to watch you."

I stopped breathing. Zeref? Why the hell would he send this weirdo to watch me?

"But never mind that," she continued, pulling me from my thoughts. "There is an important matter I've been tasked to discuss with you." She took a step forward and I took one back. She tensed in surprise to my reaction then sighed.

"It seems I've made a bad impression on you," she said, adjusting the collar of the slaves' uniform she must've stolen. "Maybe if I took another form, you might feel more comfortable. Say, one you might know?" And then she changed again. Into the last person I would ever expect.

Her brown hair changed to blonde and her eyes actually changed as well into a striking sky blue. She grew slightly taller and her chest size began to expand into an amazing size. When she finished shifting, my eyes widened as I looked at Misaki Yagami, Natsu and my tutor, standing in front of me.

"Recognize me now?" she asked, giving me the warm smile that she gave me my first day of reading. But I barely saw it as my ears started ringing and my vision became ringed in blackness until I saw nothing.

SOooooo, how was it? Too weird? I think it was. I just literally pulled this out of nowhere. Anyway, comment away! Constructive criticism is welcome! And I know I left it off at a big cliff hanger and I haven't been consistent on updating, but please know that I have school work to worry about! But if you feel like giving me an idea or a request for an update sooner, just drop me a review or a PM. Basically, more reviews, more updates! Trust me, I feed off of you guys, because you're just so awesome!

And for those of you who have asked me to write a request for you, if you are reading this, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you! it's a work in progress!

Anyway, until next time, Scarlet out! Loves y'all!

Review Response:

I know I said only anon's would get these kinds of reviews but I checked my outbox and I saw you guys didn't get any responses so this'll just be a one time thing:

Hi: I agree and I'm working on that, as you have read. Some action is definitely coming up ;) And you're so sweet! Thank you!

nazurath92: No problem! I'm glad you liked it ;)

Pholas: Thanks for dropping the review! First, I'm glad you liked my chapters, I don't think you realize how happy that makes me :) secondly, I can try to include Lyon, it might be a bit difficult, but I could probably do it! If anything, it'll give me more drama to work with :)

mooney-996: Thanks :D

Luvscookie: Thanks! And good luck with that! And I'll let you know if I have any suggestions ;)

Guest: Well thank you! That means a bunch! I'm really glad that you would do that. And you know, I'm really grateful for your review, because it was definitely the kick in the butt I needed to get myself to right this chapter! So kudos to you because you are awesome! (Gives a hug and a basket full of cookies) :D