Chapter Three

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Gray POV ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walked towards my apartment, hands shoved in my jeans, the previous conversation replaying itself in my head.

'We're your nakama, we're a team Gray. You can tell us anything.'

Urgh, What's the matter with me!? Frustration bubbled inside my torso. They're trying to help me out, why do I always refuse. I'm terrible at all this emotional stuff, Argh this is so annoying!

"GRAY-SAMA!" a familiar voice rang out.

Oh God, please not her, not today. I attempt to smile and awkwardly turn to face the expectant water mage. "Er, Sorry Juvia, I urgently need to train."

Her expression was beyond ecstatic, she flung herself onto me and I took a step back.

"THEN JUVIA SHALL TRAIN WITH HER BELOVED GRAY SAMA!" That was the complete opposite of the outcome I wanted. 'Damn, how am I supposed to get rid of her without hurting her feelings.'

"I'm sorry Juvia, but I really want to train alone." I hopefully waited for a reaction. The elemental wizard looked heartbroken. 'Oh no, were those tears in her eyes!? What do I do!? She's crying on me!'

"Gray-sama hates Juvia, he's not really going alone, Gray-sama will train with love rival Lucy! HE HATES JUVIA!"

This happened so fast; I'm up to my waist in water! I have to stop her from crying anymore or the entirety Magnolia is going to be submerged! I grabbed both of her flailing arms and yelled over her anguished cries.

"JUVIA LISTEN TO ME, I DON'T HATE YOU. YOU'RE A GREAT PERSON AND I DON'T LOVE LUCY. I AM GOING TO TRAIN BY MYSELF, NO ONE ELSE. GOT IT?"

I watched in relief as the torrents of water thankfully subdued and retreated. Juvia was breathing heavily and sniffling between her words.

"Juvia is sorry...for doubting her...beloved Gray-sama...Juvia will...go home now." I mentally fist bumped myself for that victory, now I can finally go and train.

"Okay Juvia, thanks for understanding." She gave me a watery smile before skipping in the opposite direction. I shook my head in bewilderment, she was enthusiastic, then heartbroken and now she's happy again? 'I'll never understand girls.'

When I reached my apartment, I felt numb inside. The memories of Ur came flooding back, when she scolded Lyon for his cockiness, how every night she would tell us ancient legends and when she taught me my first ever ice shield. Amongst all my nostalgia, there was also that memory, the day she sacrificed her life, for me. I felt warm tears building up in my eyes so I squeezed them shut, not letting a single one fall.

'Gray Fullbuster doesn't cry.' I growled to myself. I felt empty; my chest felt hollow and painfully tight. Whenever it's near the anniversary of her death, the memories and the nightmares come back to haunt me, especially the nightmares. I clenched my fists in aggravation; I will not let my emotions get the better of me.

I took a deep breath and began to pack my rucksack for a week in Mt Hakobe. I didn't pack much, just the bare essentials; boxers, trousers, shirt (Just one because I'd probably end up loosing it.), a jacket, toothbrush, some bandages, water bottle and some jewels. Fully packed, I locked up my apartment and took a taxi that dropped me off near Mt Hakobe. I looked up at the vast snow coated mountain range.

"Ice make pick-axe!" Grasping the smooth tool firmly, I plunged it into the frozen rock and began my exhausting ascent to the top.