I guess I owe you all an explanation...well, it all started with a writer's block...and school...and more writer's block.

Am so sorry for the mini hiatus, hopefully things will be smoother now:)

Hope you all enjoy

Mavis carefully observed Zeref, his black eyebrows crinkled in concentration. His body tensed as he studied the pieces of the chess board, cautiously deciding his next move. They have been at this game for the past 30 minutes, Cana already started bets for the winner. So far it was no one's game. Or it may have looked like it to the other guild members. In fact, Zeref was losing, but not to his own accord. For unlike everyone else, Mavis noticed the distant look in his eye, the stiff posture he held, the heavy breathing, the trickle of sweat above his brow making bits of his thick hair stick to his forehead. To be honest, Zeref wasn't even allowed to leave the infirmary by Polyursica's orders. But, Zeref pleaded that he be allowed out for at least an hour for fresh air. So, Mavis challenged him to a game of wits, chess.

As she predicted, Zeref moved his queen three spots to the right, making a small opening in his defense. If Zeref was paying close attention, he would have noticed. He was not thinking straight. Letting out a breath, Mavis moved her knight and cut right through his defenses. Zeref's black eyes widened.

"Check mate." she said.

3/4 of the guild cheered. Zeref didn't say a word. Instead, he rubbed his temples with his fingers.

"Hey."

Zeref's eyes snapped open as he literally jumped from his seat, knocking the small coffee table forward and spilling the chess board and pieces all over the floor. He scrambled onto his hands and knees to pick the pieces up.

"Um, sorry." Gray awkwardly stated as he too kneeled down to help clean up the mess he indirectly created.

Mavis glanced up to see everyone in the entire guild watching the pair, Juvia stood proudly by the stair case, her hands clutched into small fists.

As soon as Zeref and Gray finished, Juvia gave a signal that only Gray caught.

"Uhg...um Zeref?"

"Yes?" The Black Wizard looked at him curiously.

Gray looked down at his feet, "Sorry... for...ugh...upsetting you..."

Zeref's black eyes widened in surprise.

"I-"

"ZEREF DRAGNEEL!"

Everyone in the guild visibly cringed as Polyursica threw open the guild doors, her lips formed an angry upside down "U".

"What are you doing out of bed! I told you not to come out until you gathered all your strength!"

"What if I don't want to go to bed...I feel fine. Plus, the room feels so tight that I want to tear my hair out!" He retorted, folding his hands to his ches, scowling right at the healer.

"I don't want to hear it!" Polyursica snatched his wrist and tugged on it roughly.

Zeref, in turn, dug his heels into the wooden floor, yanking back to stay in place.

"If you don't move it right now, I'll give you a Tetanus shot!" She threatened.

"OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!" Everyone in the guild hall gave him pitiable glances, this wasn't going to go well...

"Give me whatever shot you want, I couldn't care less as long as I stay out of that prison!"

"He just..." Freed started,

"Accepted the Tetanus shot!" Bixslow finished the sentence, the pairs mouths' fell open.

"Ohh, painful, ouch." Bixslow's dolls echoed.

Elfman jumped onto the table, "That's because he is A MAN!!!!!!" he shot his fist into the air, getting everyone in the guild to roll their eyes..

"STOP IT YOU OAF!" Evergreen scolded Elfman, herself getting onto the table.

Mavis smiled lightly, "Maybe it would be best for you to go, you have used a lot of energy playing chess against me. Plus, I wouldn't want you having lack of sleep from a painful butt!"

Zeref for a moment looked as if he was going to go, but his lips tightened into a straight line as he stubbornly shook his head,

"Nope."

Polyursica growled in frustration, "Someone help me!"

"Gihihihi!" Gajeel climbed from his seat, "I would love to mess with him!" With one swift motion, Gajeel lifted Zeref up like a toddler. He squirmed, absolutely displeased "Jee, you're so light too...not much muscle in you? Am I right? Gihi."

"LET GO!" Zeref thrust his elbow into Gajeel's nose.

Gajeel promptly dropped him.

"That didn't hurt at all Munchkin!" He demanded, the blood trickling out of his reddened nose proving otherwise..

Zeref jumped back to his feet, "Don't call me that!"

"Who's going to stop me?"

"That's enough!" Polyursica grabbed Zeref by his collar and literally dragged him to the stairwell, "Now I have to deal with two stubborn patients!"

From the bar, Wakaba and Macao shook their heads in unison,

"Poor boy..." Wakaba said.

"I agree..." Macao added.

Gajeel's face morphed into rage, "Oi, I wanted to carry that Munchkin!!!!"

"Then do so!" Polyursica dropped Zeref, causing him to stumble.

"I'm am not some prize to drag around!!!!" He growled.

Gajeel, ignoring Zeref's mood change, grabbed him by under his arms. Suddenly, the Black Wizard punched Gajeel under the jaw, sending the Steel Dragon Slayer flying through the ceiling.

Everyone bugged their eyes at him, Gajeel was twice his size at the very least...

Zeref's eyes widened in realization, "I...just...hurt another..." He clutched his head, "I haven't changed at all..." his shoulders shook as he sobbed lightly.

"Uh..." everyone sweat-dropped.

"I knew this would happen..." Polyursica shook her head, as she grabbed a hold of Zeref's hand and lightly led him up the stairs.

"We are starting the treatment today...Wendy will be joining us."

Zeref ducked his head in response, His jet black locks shadowing his pale face.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Where do you want to sit?" Wendy offered. Zeref inspected his surroundings, his eyes scanning the landscape. The sun was overhead, lighting up the valley in a yellow sheen. The young cropped grass flowed in waves in the light breeze. the trees were holding young fruits, still green and immature. Zeref moved his foot, feeling the grass crunch under it. He gave a nod. Polyurisca placed down the suitcase she brought with her, it gave a soft click as she unclasped it. Zeref watched curiously as Polyursica pulled out a notebook.

"Can you draw the landscape for me?" she asked, handing him the notebook and a small bag. With nimble fingers, the Black Wizard unraveled the bag, brushing against several hard objects. He pulled them out.

"It's nothing special, just my old supplies for art." Polyursica explained, her eyes distant with her recollections, "It was for herbalism."

"Thank you." Zeref responded as he opened the notebook.

Wendy cheerfully sat down next to him, watching him finger the pages.

"What are you planning to draw?" she asked.

Zeref looked back into the valley, nostalgia coming over him. That's right, this was the place he met up with Mavis the second time. All by sheer chance...

Placing the pencil onto the paper, Zeref started marking the page with small lines. Each stroke done with precision. He lifted his pencil and measured the tree on the right and marked its location on the paper. Wendy scooted closer, trying to take a sneak peak at his drawing. She let out a gasp, within minutes Zeref turned the ordinary piece of paper into the valley that was before her.

"Oh great god!" Polyursica scowled as she looked through her bag, "I forgot the medicine. Wendy, watch over him while I go get it. It will take me a few minutes."

Wendy nodded as she scooted closer to the Black Wizard to get a better look at the sketch.

"It's beautiful." She exclaimed.

Zeref glanced up at the young mage, "Thanks, I...learned it from my mother."

Wendy smiled, "That's a neat talent. I wish I could draw like that."

"I could teach you? If you'd like?" he offered.

Wendy immediately went starry-eyed, "Really!"

He nodded, a soft smiling dancing onto his lips.

Wendy snatched a sheet of paper and sat closer, just within a few inches of Zeref. He quietly handed her a pencil and pointed to a small stump.

"I want to see what you can do, so we need to start simple. Try drawing the stump as detailed and exact as you can. I will help you occasionally."

Wendy eagerly nodded and firmly placed her pencil to the paper. She bit her lip as she attempted to sketch the log. The pencil skidded off, leaving an ugly mark on the paper. She sighed lightly, slightly upset about her failure.

"Start with the measurements" Zeref leaned over, pointing at the stump,"How wide is the stump compared to its height?"

Wendy carefully observed Zeref as he leaned his pencil horizontally. He shut one eye, then used his thumb, holding it a certain distance from the tip.

"You try, now hold out the pencil at eye level,"

She obeyed,

"Close one eye."

She shut her right eye whilst still holding the pencil.

"Use your thumb to mark the width."

Wendy frowned as she placed the end of the pencil at the edge of the stump, and wiggled her finger to mark the other edge of the pencil.

"Now, flit it vertically, and how many times does the width fit into the height?"

"Two?" She looked up at him.

"Correct, now mark the height on the paper. How tall do you want the log to be? Then make the width be half of that."

Wendy furrowed her eyes in concentration as she marked the page. With her mind, she cut the figure in half and formed the outer edges.

"Well done." He praised her rectangle, "Now, as you can see, it's a cylinder. So you need to round the edges."

Wendy eagerly nodded and started rounding the edges. Zeref looked back at his own drawing- all that was needed was some water color. Suddenly, he heard a rustle. He froze, a chill running up his back...like an icy glare was piercing right through his skull. Wendy also appeared to have heard it, jumping to her feet. Her nose high as she sniffed the air cautiously. Zeref slowly got to his feet, listening carefully. Perhaps his senses weren't as keen as a dragon-slayer's but he still could sense magic power.

THONK

THONK

Two darts flew in out of nowhere, and before Zeref and Wendy could react, they hit their targets. Both of them sank right back to the ground, their worlds suddenly consumed in black.