Beauty and the beast. Compete

Returning to the guild

I have spent 5 long months training since becoming a dragon slayer. I'm going to ask gray today if he thinks we should go back. We've been gone almost a year after all. Just one month shy of a year. I was in the woods training while Gray was in town.

"Ahh" I screamed as I shot a jet of water knocking over a tree. I have become a lot stronger over this year. Me and gray have become closer. Not like that though. Just better friends. I'm sure he'll be ready to go back soon.

"Yo! Luce you look tired. Let's take a break and I'll make you lunch." Gray said shaking his head at me. "Yea ok. What you gonna make me though?" I asked with a smirk. "How about yakitori?" He asked. My eyes turned to stars. "That's my favorite!" I yelled.

He laughed. "Yea I know. Come on." He said grabbing my hand and leading me to our apartment. When we got inside he started cooking while I took a quick shower. When I was finished I looked in the mirror at my black and white hair and blue eyes. Nobody would recognize me now.

I walked into the kitchen to the wonderful smell of yakitori. We sat at the table and ate. When we were halfway through I asked my question. "Hey gray?" "Hm?" He grunted. "What would you say about going back to the guild?" I asked.

"Well we have been gone a long time. And both of us have gotten way stronger. I guess if your ready we can go back." He said looking into my eyes. It's as if he were searching for the truth. Honestly I was scared to go back. After what natsu did i didn't know if I was ready to face him.

"I think I am." I said. "Might as we'll go back."

That evening we packed our bags. We would catch the train back to magnolia in the morning. I was happy to see my friends again. I knew gray would be happy to see everyone again. We were laying in bed when I heard gray say my name from across the room.

"Luce? You awake?" He whispered. "Yea Gray. What's up?" I asked turning to face him. "You know. You know that whatever happens tomorrow I'm here for you right?" He asked. "Of course gray. Your my best friend. Your always there for me." I said looking into his beautiful black eyes.

His eyes changed from happy to sad. I wasn't quiet sure what it meant. "Hey luce?" "Hm?" I responded sleepily. "Can I.....can I come sleep with you?" I thought about it. I mean natsu used to sleep in my bed all the time. Why should gray be different. "Sure come on." I said pulling the covers back and making room. He crawled under the blankets facing me.

"Goodnight Luce." He said kissing my forehead. I started to blush. I cuddled closer into his chest. "Goodnight gray." I whispered falling to sleep.

The next morning I woke up in grays arms. My face blushed furiously. I climbed out of bed without waking him and looked down at him. I had to admit he really was handsome. Over this year my feelings for him began to change. I couldn't place my finger on it. Something about him being near comforted me.

I woke gray up and we quickly took turns showering so we wouldn't miss the train. Me boarded the train and headed for magnolia. I was nervous the whole ride. When we made it to magnolia I breathed in the familiar scent. I missed this place.

We headed straight for the guild. Gray kicked open the doors and walked inside. All commotion stopped and turned our way. "Hey everyone I'm back!" Gray yelled throwing his arms into the air. Everyone cheered and greeted him. He turned and grabbed my hand. "Let's go talk to master first." He said dragging me along.

We were halfway to the stairs when I was knocked in the back falling on my face. "Kyaa!" I screamed on the way down. I looked up to see natsu sneering at me. 

"Who are you?" He screamed. "And why do you smell like Lucy!?"

My hood had fallen off revealing my black and white hair and blue eyes. I glared up at him. Gray came out from behind me and punched natsu in the face sending him flying. "The hell was that for ice princess?" Natsu screamed.