Sherria might've been willing to read when asked, but Meredy wasn't figuring out how to get her to spar. Master and the rest of the guild had practically abandoned her to deal with this child alone while they focused on the latest news of where a potential book of Zeref's might be. Sure, Meredy had heard that they were on course to arrive in a new town to search for it, but that didn't mean Sherria was any less of a handful.

"Fighting isn't nice. I don't want to fight." Sherria frowned, looking at the spells in her book. "Look! I'd rather practice this spell." She'd found a page talking about yet another healing spell. "It says it heals physical injuries. And this one says it is for poisons. And look, another for motion sickness! Doesn't that sound a lot gentler than fighting?"

"But you're bound to get into a fight one day."

"Not if I make everyone my friend." Sherria was insistent on this fact. "So I'm not fighting and you can't make me."

She could. Yet, Meredy didn't want to break her trust. It was an odd feeling, a sense of attachment she despised herself for having. She wasn't weak, no matter how much this girl reminded her of her younger self. Meredy would do her job and help her guild reach their goals. So, that was why she found herself coming up with a new plan to balance out the two ideas. She still had a few transformation charms left in her room. All she had to do was convince Sherria that it was a stranger attacking and then the true fight would begin.

Meredy had informed Sherria that she'd be stepping away for a moment to retrieve something when the airship landed. It wasn't difficult to find the charm from her room, but when she returned, Sherria was no where to be seen. Frowning, she scanned the open space on the deck of the airship before starting to search further in the ship. During her search, she ran into Zancrow.

"Oi, watch where you're going, idiot."

Glaring at him, Meredy stood her ground. "I'm doing my job, unlike you."

"Yeah? Where's the kid then?"

Frowning, Meredy looked away. "I required tools for her training." She swallowed. "I'm looking for her right now."

"Looking for her?" Zancrow grinned. "Don't tell me ya lost the kid already. Ready to deal with the punishment so soon?"

"Hey! I'm still not finished searching."

"Well…I suppose I could help. After all, she may have gotten off this ship and my god-like strength can only be a boon on any mission we're on."

"You're just bored and looking for an excuse to explore the town." Zancrow hated being locked up inside. Master usually wouldn't risk letting him out often. Zancrow just had a tendency to be too destructive and brought more attention to their guild than they needed.

"See? We both win with this plan, now don't we."

Letting out a sigh, Meredy contemplated her options. Finding Sherria was her priority, but would bringing along Zancrow really help? Honestly, part of her was considering just letting the girl get away with it. Meredy could handle the punishment. Was it worth accepting to avoid bringing in a kid who actually had people out there to care for her? Unlike Meredy, Sherria had people left to return home to. She had an option and it was clear which option she wanted to choose.

Meeting Zancrow's eyes, Meredy realized it would also give her an excuse. Logically, inviting Zancrow along would allow her to shift some of the blame elsewhere for failing to locate Sherria. So, she found herself slowly nodding in agreement. "Very well. I suppose it wouldn't be too awful to have some assistance in town."

"Alright! Let's explore first. Gotta make sure we make the most of this trip together, you see." With a grin, Zancrow quickly left the ship and immediately began disregarding her original reason for leaving. Considering Meredy's choice, she found she couldn't quite be bothered to concern herself with his carelessness. It was just another tool she could use to bring him down along with herself for their upcoming failure of a mission.

Gray half-expected Zeref to be angry about his question towards Levy, but the black wizard simply had him go back to work when they arrived at the inn. "We're waiting for Natsu to return and you still have work to complete before using this magic." So, Gray had tried to go back to meditating, but unlike before, he just couldn't quite bring his focus back.

Lyon and Juvia had grown bored watching them and were off in town exploring or something. Ur was still watching them, not leaving Zeref alone for a moment. So, Gray was forced to sit in silence, questioning when the anger would come for pushing further into Zeref's past than the man wanted to share. "You aren't focusing." Zeref opened his eyes, glancing at Gray. "I'm not angry with you, I assure you. You'd know it if I were. So, relax and focus on the task at hand."

That got Ur's attention as well, making her glance between them. "Huh? Why would Gray think you'd be angry?"

"Because he's curious just like everyone else is about my history." Zeref shrugged. "I gave him a clue and he was clever enough to find a way to gain some small sliver of an answer from it. Really, it is my own fault for revealing so much, so there is no reason to be angry with him at all for the matter."

"I was the one who asked for answers, idiot. Clearly, you didn't want me knowing anything more."

Zeref shrugged. "I really don't care too much. So long as…he doesn't hear about the details, I think it will be fine." Zeref paused, his brow furrowing. "Probably. Simply knowing I am planning something might actually make matters more complicated…but that is something to deal with another time. Our focus is my curse, not this."

"So, what did you learn then?" Ur glanced between them.

Gray frowned. After a moment, he sighed and closed his eyes. "I need to focus on meditating. It isn't anything important, not really." Zeref smiled faintly and the room grew quiet again. Yet, Ur kept glancing between them, watching him. Either way, Gray needed to figure out something with this new magic before moving forward. If he couldn't even show that he had potential with it, all of this would be for nothing.

This time, the focus came slightly easier. It shouldn't have; having Zeref angry with him shouldn't bother him at all. Yet, strangely it did. Gray was the only person that worked well with Zeref on their team and if they started having problems, everything would fall apart. That was probably the only logic that made sense, but it didn't quite match how he felt. Really, Gray just felt strangely guilty for prying. Not having Zeref angry almost made it worse, though the explanation Zeref gave just fit him so well that Gray couldn't even dispute it himself.

Was he upset with that anger because he cared? Zeref had gradually become an odd friend of his, one that Gray was getting used to having around. Yet, Gray fought with Natsu all the time and he never cared if the dragon slayer was angry with him. This was just different somehow. That was when he belatedly realized he was focusing on his feelings and not on his magic once again. When he paused and shook his head, Gray glanced up to find Zeref watching him with a small frown. "I know; I'm not focused again."

"You were doing well before; it felt as if you were close." Gray nodded, turning away. "I'm normally quite patient Gray, but handling this curse does not give us the luxury of time. It will eat away at my sanity gradually and I will lose myself, one way or another. There is a reason why my morality is so difficult to find, why I'm so logical about everything I consider."

"Coming from the guy who's already dealt with it for centuries."

"And has earned the reputation that goes along with it." Gray went silent, while Zeref smiled weakly at him. "Take a break if you must, but your…current thoughts can be delayed. Your plans should take priority, in this case."

"Easy for you to say." Gray scowled, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair. "Would you be able to write off your troubles so easily if you were in my shoes?"

"Well…I imagine I would, yes." Zeref tilted his head. "However, I am not you and am used to controlling my thoughts constantly for reasons you already understand well, Gray. I am not claiming it is a simple thing to manage. More accurately, I am explaining why you must make an attempt to push these thoughts out of your mind for now. We can discuss them later, if you think it will help…calm your mind, but I imagine now would not be the best time." His gaze flickered towards Ur and Gray slowly found himself nodding.

"Keeping secrets again?" Ur shook her head at them. "Honestly, I'm going to find out about them sooner or later, Zeref."

"Perhaps you will, but it still does not negate this being an improper time for this discussion."

She frowned and Gray just shook his head. "Don't worry about it. He's right; now isn't exactly a good time for this discussion." He didn't exactly want her involved with it either, if he could avoid it. So, instead he just needed to clear his mind, right? It should be easy, or well, possible at least.

Focus like you had before, on your magic and my explanation. Factual topics tend to distract my mind rather well, if I want to evade emotions.

So, now he was getting advice on how to run from his feelings, from Zeref of all people. Gray snorted, smirking before closing his eyes. It was oddly amusing, but strangely functional to work with. He recalled Zeref's explanation of slayer magic, focusing on how he should be able to find an energy within him different from magic, but similar. There was no telling exactly where it would be, but it should be just as easy to draw from as his maker magic. Inhaling slowly, he began to search. He exhaled, continuing the process and finally working towards a calm mindset for the process.

Zeref was silent again and Ur just watched. Gray kept his eyes closed, not noticing the air growing colder around him as he stayed in his focused state. There was something there, he could feel it. It wasn't a pressure in his chest, but rather a sensation of something in his gut, strangely warm and burning rather than the biting chill he was used to. Yet, as he exhaled, crystals of frost were what emerged rather than the heat of the energy. "That is it…you've found it." Zeref spoke and Gray opened his eyes. As he did so, they widened at the sight of the room around them. There was frost spreading across the ground from where he sat, freezing into a sheet of ice. Yet, the ice didn't feel the same as his usual creations either.

"You've been growing that block for the last three minutes. Don't ask me why it happened; that's not normally a problem I see with wizards during meditation." Ur shrugged.

Zeref smiled. "Oh, that's normal in this situation. It is true that most wizards won't expel energy during meditation; that magic is more tamed and controlled, with meditation serving to regain energy rather than expel it. Yet, Gray now has two pools of energy; meditation cannot replenish both at once, so the more restless of the two will be inclined to expel itself without proper practice on containing it." He looked at Gray. "In this case, the devil slayer magic is more restless, which isn't surprising considering what I know of curse power."

"So, what next? I found that energy, but I know nothing of the spells that go along with it."

"Hmm…oh those aren't going to vary much from what you see Natsu do." Zeref shrugged. "All slayers have some variation of a breath attack, though there should be a slightly higher emphasis on creation with devil slayer magic as opposed to dragon slayer magic. The magic caters to the style of race it is mimicking and demons are humanoid in figure, so they often are capable of using weaponry. Dragons, in contrast, use claws and teeth to fight, meaning that magic excels in hand to hand combat instead."

"And that's all you're going to teach him?" Ur stared at him with wide eyes. "You're sending him into the heart of a dark guild! Do you want to get him killed?"

Zeref flinched at that and Gray felt a throb in his head in response. "He's simply locating the god slayer. I already explained it would be ideal for him to be new to this magic and seeking a trainer." Zeref paused, turning towards Gray. "At this level, he should likely be capable of demonstrating a simple outburst of energy of a lost form of magic and that will prove he is capable. Next, he needs more direct training on spells…which could easily be explained by another slayer."

"He needs to be able to defend himself, Zeref."

"I can intervene if things go wrong—"

"You aren't taking control of him like some puppet of yours either!" Ur rose to her feet, glaring at him. "I've about had enough of all of this. You make plans, you expect everyone to follow them, and you don't consider the possible outcomes. For whatever reason, you act like you can handle any problems that come your way, but you forget that you might not always be able to intervene. We don't have to help you right now, Zeref. I have half a mind to leave right now and find my own way to look for my daughter and this guild without you."

"I didn't want to follow this plan. I said before—"

"Oh, so this is revenge for us not listening then? A petty act to leave him defenseless against an enemy?" Ur shook her head and Gray wondered if he could intervene, but she wasn't giving him the chance. "Sorry, but we're done here. I'll take over his training from this point again. It can't be that hard to teach him a few spells."

"The more he uses, the closer he comes to becoming a demon, Ur. Further training will advance—"

"Well, who's fault is it about that?" Ur turned towards him. "Gray will still be himself, even like that. We'll find a way to turn him back and make things right."

"That task is almost as easy to accomplish as breaking my curse." She stilled and Zeref stepped forward. "I say this from experience. I know someone who has been looking for a way to become human again for nearly as long as I've been looking for a way to become mortal once more. It is no simple task, to unravel these side effects. So, do not take my warnings so lightly, or think I am doing this solely for some dark amusement or petty revenge. I have better things to spend my time on."

"Like planning the deaths of every person you've just tried to befriend here?" Zeref's hands closed into fists and Gray felt the slight throb in his mind. "I told you, I don't trust you and so long as you keep this kind of attitude up, that isn't going to change."

"Ur, that's enough. I'm fine with—"

"Stop defending him!" Ur turned on him as well, glaring at him. "He isn't your friend, Gray. He told me and Lyon that he doesn't even want you using iced shell anymore, but he refuses to explain that to you. He's just using you as a tool to end his curse. When he's done, he'll just go and start his war or whatever other chaos he wants anyway without you."

Something about those words created a slight twinge in him. He knew Zeref wouldn't do that, not with what little he'd heard. "You don't know him; he's already told me about no longer using iced shell—"

"And you kept helping him?" Gray didn't reply and Ur shook her head. "I don't understand, Gray. Being more forgiving is something I always wanted for you, so you could be a person who could let go of the darkness in your past. Yet, this isn't forgiveness, Gray. This is completely blinding yourself to reality."

"Then let me ask you this, Ur. Which one of us is currently holding on to the past and ignoring the present?" She stared at him, and Gray stepped forward. "Your daughter is gone, on some mission to do something with Zeref. You lost years of your life to Deliora after using iced shell, lost years of seeing both myself and Lyon growing up. Between the two of us, you have the stronger motive for holding a grudge, Ur, and this time, I think you're the one who can't let go of that anger." She took a step back, inhaling slowly. "Zeref made mistakes in his past and he's done terrible things, but he isn't that person anymore. I want to help him, regardless of whatever threats or manipulation he used to start us on this path. Fairy Tail wizards don't just stop on jobs half-way through and I'm not the sort to back down from a little challenge either."

Ur slumped down to the ground, hanging her head and taking in a deep breath. "Gray, I'm sorry." She closed her eyes, her shoulders shaking. "Maybe I am holding onto the past. Maybe…maybe I am just blaming him for Ultear, for everything that's changed, everything I've lost. I don't have a home to return to, I can't access my savings because I'm supposedly dead…I've lost everything and didn't expect to come back to have nothing. Yet, the way I came back…Gray, can't you at least understand? I came back to see that man threatening me and your happiness again. The same person responsible for taking so much just wanted to take more when I had nothing more to give. This time…I was the one who was too weak to let go."

Crouching down, Gray held out a hand towards her. "Then take a moment and realize it, Ur. Realize what you're doing and try and think about what you really want now." He glanced over at Zeref, who seemed to have calmed down slightly. He was watching them, inhaling slowly and trying to keep his mind blank again. "Do you really want to let your hate stop you from taking this chance to find Ultear now? Or are you ready to move on so we can keep moving forward and make some progress for a change?"

Ur stared at Zeref, before slowly taking a deep breath. She wiped her cheeks, nodding calmly towards him. "I…I want my daughter back, whatever it takes."

Zeref nodded, sitting down and smiling faintly. "Then we will move forward soon. Grimoire Heart operates out of an airship, rather than an actual guild hall. However, I should be able to pinpoint their location soon." He paused. "There are some connections of mine looking into the matter."

"More of your generals?" Zeref slowly nodded at Ur's question, and she sighed. "Good. They seem to at least be reliable with their work." She turned away, closing her eyes. "I can't guarantee this'll be the end of my irritation with you, Zeref. Gray isn't wrong when he says I'm blaming you for things beyond your control at this point, but it isn't easy to let go of that either."

"Considering I've done similar things in my past, I cannot say I disagree with you." He paused, tilting his head. "In fact, I cursed my former instructor after blaming him for my curse. You met him, actually. His curse forces him to ramble on about destroying the moon, quite a notable and distinctive request after all."

"The demon on Galuna Island?" Zeref smiled and nodded. Ur blinked at him, before sighing and shaking her head. "Well, I guess I was right to assume he knew something about you. That's one weird curse to choose, though."

"Oh, I didn't actually want to harm him." Zeref turned away. "I did go through the effort of resurrecting him, and he…helped, sometimes, when I needed it. Rash anger just leads to strange actions, I suppose."

She nodded, glancing over at Gray. "And you're certain you can handle this from here?"

"Fairy Tail is used to dealing with our problems head on without thinking ahead about the consequences. At this point, I'd say the little bit of planning we've done already makes this plan easier to follow than any I've worked on before."

"And I will assist, if necessary." Zeref met his gaze. "Just…be careful. I'd rather not grow too concerned over potential failure with our first lead, after all."

"What, worried your concern will make you lose control or something?" Ur grinned at him at first, trying to tease. However, Zeref nodded at her and her grin faded. "Oh." She paused, frowning. "I didn't think it would work like that. I mean, just wanting to jump in and protect him like you would a tool is enough to trigger it?"

"Oh, that logic would work fine. That's how I manage being around my generals, after all." He paused, looking over at Gray. "My logic involving Gray, however, would not quite fit with that reasoning." Zeref grimaced, touching his head for a moment. "And if you don't want me losing control now, I suggest changing the topic."

"Right." Ur looked between them, before leaning back. "So, Lyon and Juvia, when did that start? I didn't think he was involved with anyone when I reunited with you two before."

"I have no clue. We sent him off to look into Phantom Lord and he came back with a goddamn stalker it seems."

"From what I've seen, he doesn't seem to object to being stalked, however." Zeref frowned. "I'm not really certain which of them is more illogical in that sense; the stalker for creating the unhealthy environment, or the one being stalked for actually encouraging the stalking."

"I know! I even tried to warn him and Lyon just didn't want to listen." Gray sighed, shaking his head. "The idiot seems to think everything will be just fine. I'm keeping an eye on things, though. If she does anything too crazy, I'll make sure she knows to back the hell off for a change."

"Aww, you really are just like his older brother, Gray." Ur leaned over, ruffling his har. Gray pushed her hands away, glaring at her. "Well, technically you'd be the younger one, but still just as protective." She smiled, tilting her head. "I think they seem happy together, personally. If they're happy with how things are, who are we to tell them to change?"

"No one at all." Zeref glanced over at Gray, smiling faintly. Gray could hear him comparing it to his own contentment with their current relationship as well, making Gray turn away. "Though…I don't think that will stop me from finding amusement in the entire scenario. Lyon is hopelessly oblivious to the entire thing, it seems. He has yet to even notice my commentary towards Juvia is about her stalking…perhaps I should be more direct so he has some idea for a change instead."

"Who cares if he realizes it or not?" Gray sighed, shaking his head. "I blatantly tried to tell him he had a stalker and he ignored me. At this point, she's his problem."

"So, you agree as well? If Lyon is happy, we shouldn't do a thing," Ur said. Gray nodded, avoiding her gaze. He wished she'd had that logic about him hanging around Zeref, but she still seemed to insist on spying on them like this. Yet, after a pause, she sighed. "Talking like this almost makes me feel worse for how I've been treating you. When you're just resting like this, it's hard to picture the man history makes you out to be."

"History remembers me at my worst moments." Zeref looked away. "Right now…I'd say I'm closer to the person I was before I was cursed, closer than I've been in centuries now."

"Oh, so you were always annoying and a know-it-all?"

"Oh yes. I was prideful, arrogant, and refused to take advice from anyone." Zeref smiled faintly. "I was anti-social and worked in isolation as much as possible. And, since you are likely curious, I was just as secretive with my research then as I am now. No one knew about my projects until they were complete and even then, they only heard if I wanted them to hear."

"Yeah, I'm not seeing much of a change. You'd think someone would've grown in four hundred years or so."

"I did." Zeref looked away. "Just…not in a way that was preferable, I think. Reverting back is likely a better outcome for everyone."

"Well, I'd say you're doing just fine then." Ur smiled, glancing over at him. "You definitely have the patience for waiting for that sort of thing and at least you have some ability to be understanding towards others now."

"Patience is something that is impossible to not learn with immortality." Zeref didn't seem to have more to add, but the door opened then. Lucy and Natsu walked in, with the dragon slayer immediately walking towards a bed and falling face first onto the mattress.

"Ugh…that was the longest train ride ever! And we didn't even find Makarov!"

Lucy sighed, glancing over at the others. "Did you guys have better luck?"

"Seems like it. Lyon dragged him into the guild, Zeref got me started on devil slayer magic, and it seems like we're starting to get somewhere with our Grimoire Heart plan." Gray grinned at them.

"That's good to hear. Either way, I'm exhausted and am probably going to get some sleep like Natsu," Lucy said.

Gray nodded, thinking she had the right idea in mind. Yet, more good things were coming around too. Zeref and Ur were starting to work together with more ease and their team was adapting to having Zeref around. Overall, it made this entire process easier to deal with. My patience does extend to this as well, Gray. He frowned, before realizing what topic he was referring to. Gray saw Zeref move to walk out of the building in silence, likely vanishing to camp out in the forest. Think on the matter as much as you need. I do not need an answer, for I am content with the way things are. I do not expect anything in return and I know it is not the typical situation most would wish for.

Gray leaned down into his bed, lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling. Thanks. I'm not exactly the sort to think on feelings much, but I'm not exactly upset with the situation either. He didn't know what else to say, but it felt like Zeref deserved some kind of hope. Gray wasn't going to say he knew his answer, but he also couldn't deny the fact that as he got used to the idea, he was starting to find he was sorta happy about it.

Goodnight, Gray. Zeref didn't say much else and Gray didn't expect it either. The curse was acting out and he likely was trying to regain control, but it was something they both expected. For now, this was enough, just barely discussing the possibility and acting as if nothing had really changed. One day, Gray would have a real answer for Zeref, but until then, he'd help the man find a way to break free of his curse and be able to care about others freely.

I think I am going to start trying to post two chapters a week now, once on Sunday and once on Thursday. Thank you all for reading!