"A word please." Erza said to Gray before leading him into another room. "If this is some kind of a joke consider it played. If it's money you're after I'm afraid you've been misinformed. We have no income. But whoever you are you are not to look at that child again, am I clear?"

Gray looked at the upset red head who was interrogating him. She was as tough as she was beautiful and protective too. He liked this woman. She reminded him so much of his old governess Ur. Strict but loving.

"You're devotion to family is admirable Miss Scarlet and your suspicion understandable." He said.

"Enough with the flattery. Who are you and what do you want?"

"I already told you who I am."

"You honestly expect me to believe that you're one of my ancestors?"

"So you are related to the Fullbuster family?"

"Not that it's any of your business but yes. Lyon Fullbuster was my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather on my mother's side."

"So Lyon married and had children? He was able to start a family."

"Yes. He married a woman called Meredy who he loved very much and they had five children who gave him plenty of grandchildren and descendants. According to various journals he lived a very full and very happy life."

Gray gave a sigh of relief. He was very relieved and happy to know that despite the horror of everything that happened all those years ago, at least his brother was able to find happiness again.

"They say he died with only one regret." Erza said.

"And what regret is that if I may ask?"

"That he couldn't help his younger brother Gray Fullbuster. The man you're claiming to be."

"Tell me, what do you know about Gray Fullbuster?"

"Just legends really. He was confident, strong, admired greatly by others, extremely devoted to his family."

"And what do you know about his death?"

"Not sure. Most people say that after the death of his father, younger sister, and fiance he became so overcome with grief that he committed suicide. But it was never confirmed or proven."

"That's because he didn't die."

"Alright now I know where this is going."

"Do you?"

"Yes. You think I haven't heard this before?"

"I beg your pardon."

"The legend about Gray being turned into a vampire by a witch. According to legend a servant overheard Lyon talking about it with the Fullbuster children's governess. Some believed the servant others didn't. I for one don't believe it and I'm really starting to lose my patience with you. In fact I think I'd like you to leave now."

Clearly this woman was nobody's fool. Not that he was trying to fool her but obviously he needed to try harder to convince her. He glanced over to the side and saw a tall mirror just next a chair.

"Would you follow me over to the mirror please?" He asked her.

"Why?"

"Just do it and you'll understand."

Though still suspicious, Erza did as he asked. They both walked over to the mirror but while Erza had a reflection that appeared in the mirror Gray did not. She looked at him in shock. She blinked a couple of times and rubbed her eyes just to make sure she wasn't hallucinating but she wasn't. Gray Fullbuster. Her centuries old ancestor was standing right next to her and he was a vampire.

"My God." She said as her eyes desperately searched the room for a weapon she could use to defend herself.

"You have no reason to be scared. I'm not going to hurt you." He said. "We are family after all."

"What do you want?"

"I've read about you Miss Scarlet. You're a hard working woman who does everything she can to support her family but unfortunately you have money problems. Am I wrong?"

"No."

"That is why I am here."

"I don't understand."

Gray tossed something toward her, she caught it in her hand and saw that it was a gold coin.

"Is this-"

"Real gold? Yes." He said. "And there's plenty more where that came from. Much more. Are you aware of the Fullbuster riches?"

"Yes it's the family's missing gold and jewels that Lyon had stashed away somewhere."

"He stashed them away along with me and the keys to the old house. I am willing to share my fortune with you and allow you and everyone else here to live in my childhood home."

"You'd actually do that? What's the catch?"

"No catch. Just one condition."

"What?"

"That I be allowed to live with you all and to help with whatever business the family is in."

"That's all you want?"

"That's all I want."

"Are you serious? I mean...I don't believe this. Why would you just share a fortune and a manor house with us? Aside from blood we're complete strangers."

"True but every member of my old family is dead. I cannot die so I shall never see them again which means I will most likely live a very lonely existence. However that can be avoided if I can somehow make a new family."

"You mean us?"

"Correct."

"But you're a vampire."

"Technically yes."

"You kill people and drink their blood to live. Am I wrong about that?"

"Unfortunately no. Yes I need to blood to survive. Because of what I am I can't control what I drink. But I can control who I drink."

"I don't follow."

"Well they are plenty of people in this world who are evil, abusive, psychopathic, have no feelings of remorse, morality, or empathy. People who would hurt others for selfish reasons or for their own twisted amusement. People like that don't really have a place on earth do they?"

"You're saying you would kill bad people for their blood?"

"In a nutshell yes."

"I don't know about this."

"Believe me if I could stop myself I would but I can't. If I must suffer with this curse then the least I could do is find some way to put it to good use."

"But how can you tell if someone's truly evil or not?"

"Being a vampire gives me a sixth sense that allows me to look into one's soul and see if they have any goodness in them. If I target a victim who has some morality I'll let he or she live and turn my appetite on to someone who has none and trust me there are a lot more people like that here than you realize. Your handyman was in a relationship with one of them."

"Natsu? What have you done to him?"

"Nothing. He's fine. A little traumatized maybe but in perfect health I assure you. However the same can't be said for his lady friend. She had a vile soul yet surprisingly tasty blood."

"Daphne?! You killed her?!"

"You're not going to tell me you actually liked that agonizing woman? She grave robbed, vandalized private property, attempted to steal a fortune that wasn't hers, was quite abusive to her partner, and when she thought I was going to kill him she tried to leave him to die. I seriously doubt she'll be missed."

"Does anyone else know about this?"

"Only Natsu. As a matter of fact he's the one who freed me."

"So he knows who you are and what are you are?"

"Yes and despite his low intelligence he's proven himself to be quite useful."

"What did you do with Daphne's body?"

"Simple I cut off her head and had Natsu burn her body."

"Why?"

"Because had I not she would have most likely become a vampire herself and I truly believe no one deserves that fate. Also it makes it rather harder for the authorities to find the body doesn't it?"

"I think I need to sit down." She sat in the chair. "So you will only kill bad people? You won't harm anyone in the house?"

"I give you my word that will not harm anyone truly moral."

"Alright." Erza though she still wasn't sure that this was a good idea. "But we can't tell anyone who you are or what you are. Natsu and I are only the ones who will know your secret. I'll make up something to tell everyone else."

"I don't really like to lie."

"In this case I'm afraid you have no choice but to lie. If anyone here was to know the truth about you it would cause a lot panic and God knows what else."

"My mother always said that lies only made things worse and my father always said that if a man cannot be truthful then he has no honor. But if you insist I won't say a word."

"Good." She said. "I shall have everyone get together to meet you. It's best to get introductions out of the way."

She got up from the chair and went to the door to the room. Before going out she stopped and turned back to Gray to tell him something.

"Welcome home Gray Fullbuster."