The Ice-Mage (Gray Fullbuster x Reader)

Chapter 42

(3rd PoV)
"I am never getting on one of those things again!" Natsu exclaimed as he stood up from the ground.

"Natsu, you always say that." Happy said as he tossed Natsu his bag.

While the two of them started to argued, the rest of Team Natsu got off of the train with their bags.

"Let's go check into our hotel rooms first then we can go over to Rai's house." (Y/N) said as she started walking. Team Natsu nodded and followed after her.

-—-—-

As soon as (Y/N) knocked on the brown wood door, it flew open and a blur of green and blue engulfed (Y/N).

"You're finally here! I-I missed you so much!"

(Y/N) wrapped her arms around the girl that was attached to her as she replied, "I missed you too Rai."

Rai stood back and wiped her eyes. She looked at me and then looked around. "You brought friends!" Rai said excitedly. (Y/N) nodded as she gestured for them to introduce themselves.

"My name is Erza Scarlet. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Wendy Marvel and this is my partner Carla!"

"I'm Gray Fullbuster."

"I'm Lucy Heartfillia! It's nice to meet you!"

"I'm Natsu Dragneel and this is my buddy Happy!" "Aye sir!"

Rai nodded as she gave them a small wave. "My name is Rai Shizuma. It's nice to finally meet all of you. (Y/N) has told me so much about you guys!" She said as she flashed them a grin. (Y/N)'s fave reddened a bit before going back to normal.

"Finally? You've heard about us before?" Lucy asked curiously. Rai nodded rapidly, "Of course I have! I've heard of you guys in the newspaper, in magazines, and from (Y/N)!"

"You talked about us (Y/N)-san?" Wendy asked happily. (Y/N) nodded as she glanced at Team Natsu, lingering on Gray for a few more seconds before looking away with a slight blush.

"Enough about that, let's go inside so you don't have to be standing around anymore!" Rai said with a grin as she led everyone inside.

-—-

"The viewing is today from 6:30 to 8:00. I have to go earlier since I have to make sure that everything will go well. You all are welcome to drop in and leave when you please. You do not have to stay for the whole time, but it's your choice." Rai said as she looked at Team Natsu with a small smile. They all nodded as (Y/N) suddenly stood up and excused herself to go to the restroom.

Once Rai heard the door close, she looked back at (Y/N)'s friends. "(Y/N) spoke highly of you all throughout the time you disappeared, so I'm sure that you will help her get through the death of my mother." She said as she looked down at her hands, which were resting in her lap.

"I knew my mother didn't have that much time left, but (Y/N).. (Y/N) hasn't had time to visit us as much as she used to, so she couldn't have known.. It may not look like it, but the death of my mother has taken a toll on me. I am just hiding it so (Y/N) doesn't see.."

"Please.. Please take care of (Y/N) for me right now. She needs you all while she goes through this. (Y/N) isn't used to having someone comfort her through her times of need. While you all weren't here, (Y/N) would sometimes crack and break down in front of me about how she missed you guys.." Rai explained as she gave Team Natsu a sad smile. They looked back at her with various looks of shock. They had not known this. Not even Gray.

"But after about 3 years of your disappearance, that all stopped. She completely stopped talking about you guys. I would sometimes bring one or all of you up in some conversations, but she would pretend that didn't hear me. As if she didn't want to talk about you guys."

".. I wouldn't blame her." Lucy spoke up. "Why would you say that?" Natsu asked. "3 years had passed. (Y/N) wasn't sure if we were alive or not. We've been her family since she joined the guild. She had been grieving out loud for a long time. She must've stopped because she couldn't stand talking about us without getting sad." Lucy explained with a sad look. Rai nodded, agreeing with Lucy, "She's right. Whenever (Y/N) talked about you guys, she would be happy for a few seconds then instantly get sad."

The bathroom door then opened and closed after (Y/N) stepped out. Silence filled the living room as (Y/N) stepped in. "Why are you guys so quiet? Did something happen? I couldn't hear you guys since the air in the bathroom was loud." (Y/N) said as she gave everyone a confused look. Rai, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Alicia, Carla, and Happy all glanced at each other before shaking their heads, "Nothing!"

(Y/N) was quiet for a few seconds before shrugging and sitting down next to Gray.

-—-

"This is your little sister?!" Rai exclaimed as she pointed at Alicia and looked at (Y/N), shock evident on her face. (Y/N) nodded slowly, "Yes.."

"You never told me that you had a little sister!"

"That's because I just found out a few weeks ago." (Y/N) said bluntly.

Team Natsu watched as Rai started asking (Y/N) and Alicia different and various questions.

"I didn't realize that Rai-san could be this.. Energetic." Wendy said with a surprised look. The rest of Team Natsu nodded in agreement. "She sure didn't seem like it when we first got here." Gray commented.

After a few minutes of Rai asking (Y/N) and Alicia questions, they went towards Team Natsu. "I have to leave soon to get ready for the viewing. I'm not trying to make you guys leave, but I have to get ready.." Rai said hesitantly. (Y/N) chuckled softly as she nodded, "It's alright. We'll see you there." Rai nodded as she pulled (Y/N) in for a quick hug.

After everyone said bye to Rai, Team Natsu left and started the walk back to their hotel. Gray walked beside (Y/N) and grabbed her hand, squeezing it lightly. (Y/N) looked at Gray and gave him a small smile.

"So that's Rai huh?"

(Y/N) nodded as she glanced back at Rai's house. "She can get.. Energetic." Gray said with an amused look. (Y/N) smiled widely as she also had an amused look on her face,

"You have no idea."