Fairy 17: Worried of an iced guy - Gray's POV

It has been a year since that day, and 2 years since Zack Smasher has joined Fairy Tail.

At first, Zack was a nightmare, like a new-born child, who wants to know about everything. However, Zack is also extremely smart, no matter you throw at him, he will devour whatever it is, and quickly learns it. Of course, there are things that even Zack finds hard to learn, and those things that one has to experience by oneself, like love, hatred, and even sadness, as well other human emotions, that cannot be learnt through others.

Soon after that, that guy begun to change. Zack begun to spar with him and the others. And Gray is thankful towards that strange guy, thanks to him. He understands how to react to different kinds of situations.

After all, for some reason, that guy once he sees you do a specific action. Next time you spar with him, he has several ways to deal with that action. It like he can see through everything you can do.

Thanks to Zack's insight and quick wits. He also taught Gray his weaknesses, as well told him that he is more suited as a logically thinker. He also forced Gray to fight with different weapons each time they spar. Thanks to that, Gray's skills in all kinds of weapons, even hand-to-hand, has improved greatly over the half year with Zack.

With Natsu, he taught him how to rely on his instincts. When they fight, Zack doesn't give out hits like he does with Gray. He just fights head-on, but it works with that little dragon. His instincts are inhuman, which Zack just strengths them when they spar.

Sometimes, Zack will just attack both Natsu and Gray all of the sudden, trying to get him and Natsu used to surprised attacks. He also asks them to attack him as well that he wouldn't expect it, training not only Gray and Natsu's skills in both ambushing and when they are being ambushed, but also Zack's own skills as well.

Of course, Gray sometimes thinks to himself, this training of Zack's, which not only effective. But also an excuse, a means to play with other children around his age. Gray himself didn't mind it, as he also has a desire to become stronger. And felt this strange guy that likes to pick up the role of a big brother. Never do something that is harmful towards others.

That is Gray Fullbuster's view on Zack Smasher.

He acts like an adult, but also like a child when something new and interesting comes along. But he also very smarts for his age. And likes to play with the excuse of sparring, even if those that spar with Zack, do actually improve a lot.

He has the instincts of an older brother. Like he has experience dealing with younger children then himself. He also seems to use to pain, but he was not used to what happened at the end of the year. The day that Zack Smasher changed for the second time.

When Gray and the other finally return back to Fairy Tail. When they arrived, they notice the ruined hall of the guild, as well the giant hole that leading to the wrecked training ground. It was surprising to the three boys plus cat. Since it is always them making that mess.

Which is why it was a rare sight for them, even if they're used to it. Becoming curious what has happened, Gray himself, along with Natsu and the blue cat, Happy. Went to ask the other guild members what must had happened. While Zack himself was slightly interested in what happened, but did what he always did, he begun to look for Mirajane.

That was their biggest mistake. Gray should bring Zack with him, that is because, this fight, the state of the guild was related to Zack himself.

Gray and Natsu at that time had a bad feeling, when they heard Erza trying to make Mirajane accepts her feelings. But backfired.

And it was when, rain begun to pour down in the town known as Magnolia. But when they arrived halfway to Mirajane and her sibling's place. They find Zack staring at the raining sky, with a blank look, sitting on some stairs belonging to some bridge. With light wounds on his face.

And besides him were Lisanna and Elfman, seeing the sad expressions on their faces. Gray known it was different compared to before. But he still went there, to listen what has happened.

In the end, Zack didn't speak a word, unfitting to his cheerful and carefree self. Instead, he felt if he just been broken into countless pieces.

Lisanna was the first to speak at that moment, and begun to explain to Gray and Natsu, plus Happy. What has happened.

Zack rushed to see Mirajane in a cheerful mood and rushed into her house. But when came into Strauss household, what welcome wasn't the stubborn Mirajane, or her hidden smile.

But cold icy eyes, that looked at Zack, as if he was the one that killed their parent's. Lisanna herself, didn't see what has happened. However, she did heard it, heard how she shouted, and even the sounds of one sided beating.

And when Lisanna arrived at the screen. She was met with Zack on the ground, badly beaten, and Mirajane that stared at him with cold lifeless eyes, that told him to never go near her again.

Of course, Zack himself tried to reason with Mirajane. But the girl herself refuses, and even used her Take Over Magic to threaten and informed Zack, if he get any closer, she will kill him. And from the looks of her eyes, Zack, and even Lisanna knew at that time, Mirajane was serious.

Zack didn't understand what happened. He thought their relationship was getting better and begin to doubt if he did anything wrong.

It was that time, Erza happened to be looking for Zack when she heard he had returned. And she went and hugged the confused and lost boy.

'I am sorry… this is all my fault… I thought I did was right… but I only made it worst. Blame me… since it was I, who put you two in this mess.'

That the first thing that Erza said while hugging Zack. But Zack who heard that, just patted her red hair, telling her he understands.

'If that's what happened… it means I am back to the beginning huh…'

With those words, Zack begun to mature quicker again. He didn't bother Mirajane and just waited. Waited when she able to accept her unstable feelings.

But Gray noticed it. The boy, whose talents was above them all, was losing control over his magical powers.

He begins to drink more he usual does, which Cana companies him. Of course, Zack made sure he seems fine before Mirajane and her siblings when they are around. And both Elfman and Lisanna still talked and laugh with Zack.

However, Zack also made sure he also distances himself from Mirajane, almost if he is afraid of making her hate him more, then she already does.

Gray cannot resist and asked why he bother with her. All he can see it; he is in love with her. Which himself didn't understand himself.

But his answer shocked Gray.

'I don't understand it myself… seeing her… it reminds me of someone… I just cannot do it… I can't be cheerful as her… is because we the same type… whose her?'

It was a leak of his lost memories. Which Gray understood what he meant. Mirajane and himself are the same kind of people? Which only deepen Gray's question, and that was, who was Zack before he came to Fairy Tail?

And who is she, that he is trying to be?

'Are you in love with her then…?' Gray asked. Even if he only 14(Maybe 15?) at that time, Gray himself, went through a lot. However this ice stripper, doesn't really understand love and all of that crap.

But what Gray did understand. Was the guy before him, is in pain. And just like the times when Zack helped Gray via their spars. Gray also wanted to help Zack, that is why he asked that question, all so he could get this guy out of despair.

(AN: If I am not wrong, Gray is a year younger than Erza and Mira, right? That means he should be either 14 or 15 years old, and both Mirajane and Erza are 15 or 16 years old at that time. Of course… one cannot forget… about the anti-aging drugs all children of Fairy Tail takes before the cannon… know what I mean.)

'Love… is it true… this feeling of having my heart ripped out of my chest… is it love? I want to see her… but I don't want her to hate me… Gray… I don't know what to do…'

When Gray heard that weak voice. He was shocked, seeing the side he hasn't shown to anyone yet. From the clueless naked stripper that doesn't know anything, to a matured but also still clueless brother, they all knew of. And now, a broken and a lost boy that doesn't know what to do with his broken heart.

Just like that, a year went past since then. As it is now X782.

In that year new members has joined them. And among them, was a strange playboy named Loke. But if one looked behind his skirt chasing personality. Anyone can see he is an alright guy that can read the mood.

He has spiky brown hair, and a pair of glasses on his face, and a green furry hood coat. At first, he tried to flirt with all the female guild members… but he stopped, when he earned the wraith of Erza and Mirajane that almost killed him at that time.

Another thing to know about Loke, he gets along with Zack very well, especially when Loke find out about his past. That Zack is in fact a victim of a cult, and has memory lost. And right now, the once cheerful guy is now suffering from a broken heart, from the very first person he has met when he came to this world.

In this year, Loke shown him a lot of things… even brought him along to mixers to meet other women. But Erza stopped him, stopped Loke from tainting her little brother further.

But Zack did find more about harems, as expected. It takes a true harem seeker… no, scumbag like Loke to explain what a harem is. Also love, and how to deal with women.

Zack did take notes and took Loke's brainwashing… no lessons seriously. But it was thanks to Loke, this playboy, that Zack was able to move on. But Gray knows he still have feelings for Mirajane, even now he still does.