I paced the padded floor of the gym. The gun fire had stopped a few hours ago and Grandpa and Phoenix were doing their best to help dad. I had come down her to vent, but I was feeling something other than anger. Something I had never felt before until yesterday, when Kyleigh was attacked. It was fear. I wasn't afraid of anything, not until the strongest man I knew was taken down so easily. I turned to the punching bag I was pacing in front of and just started wailing on it. I didn't care about form or effectiveness. I just wanted I hit something.

I punched away until my hands hurt and even then I didn't stop. Not until a hand landed on my shoulder. I tensed up slightly as I stopped. I knew I would meet silver eyes when I turned around. "What do you want?" I asked quietly. "Spar with me. Take your mind off things." "The punching bag is fine." He sighed. "Not for much longer," right as he said that the chain snapped and I sighed. "Fine. Don't hold back." "You too Shadow." I groaned a little but walked over to the sparring mats.

I took a stance and stared Jay down as he took his. I clenched my wrapped hands, they were still sore from the punching bag abuse. He shot forward and I spun to the left, jabbing into his side as he passed. He swept his leg towards me and I lept over it. While my feet were in the air his fist shot out and caught my gut. I fell but rolled back to my feet. My hand shot out again but he grabbed it and spun, flipping me over his head and slamming me onto my back.

I panted heavily as I looked up at him. While the fight had kept me occupied, my mind and heart were still heavy. I felt something wet on my check and touched it. I was crying. I sat up and wiped my eyes but they wouldn't stop. I heard Jay sit beside me but I didn't look at him. I tensed a little as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his chest. We were facing each other so I was slightly curled around him.

"You don't have to hold it in. You've had a rough two days."He said quietly. I tried to hold it in but it was no use. With Kyleighs kidnapping and dad coming in half dead I couldn't take it. I clutched at Jays shirt and burst into tears. In all my life I had only cried once, when my moms cat Lily died. And even then I didn't cry like this. Bone jarring sobs racked my body as I clung to Jay, soaking the front of his shirt. He was so patient and calm, just holding me and rubbing my back. I wasn't sure how long we sat there until I started to calm down. I was still sniffling and even had the hiccups when the door opened. I didn't look up until I felt the slender hand on my arm. I looked up at my mom and ha to fight back a new wave of tears.

Jay let go of me as my mom wrapped her arms around me. "My darling girl, I know your trying to be strong for us all. But you don't have to be strong forever. We are all here for you." she said with a smile. My eyes teared up again and I clung to her. "Mommy..." I choked out. She stroked my hair as I cried a little more. I finally calmed down after a little while longer. "I actually came down to tell you your dad's out of surgery. Do you want to sit with him?"

I shook my head as I stood up. "I want to take out Phantom first. That way when the old man wakes up, he can just relax." she smiled up at me before standing. "You are his daughter,"she said quietly. We headed back upstairs and I cod see the manor was preparing for the fight of our lives. For the first war in nearly twenty years. I met up with Erza and got set up with weapons. Swords at my hips along with guns, and a shot gun on my back.

"Alright guys, the fire may have stopped, but they are still around. Use caution as you prowl the streets. These bastards picked a fight with the wrong family!!" Laxus shouted as he stood by the front doors. We all shouted, raising our weapons in the air. Jay stood beside me, a sword in hand and grinned at me. "Stay by me Shadow, don't want you getting shot again." I puffed out my cheeks but grinned. "Just don't get in my way Green Bean."