Yet Bittersweet

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SUMMARY: Juvia was desperate to know who Gray really loves. She has to learn the hard way, though. A space witch has decided to play a game with Juvia, Gray and Lucy. (GrayLu)

DISCLAIMER: The lowly author believes that it is part of the ethics within the FF community that no member owns any of the products/franchises/names they base their fictions on. Because, if supposedly they own any material, then they would probably not be here and making a biased fiction. –Ahem- If ever the author has that power, she would make sure that Gray and Lucy end up together.

Anyway, this fiction is fan-made. The writer owns nothing but the plot of this fiction.

REMINDER: Please review afterwards. This is like my comeback fiction after several years of hiatus. I would appreciate support. :]

CHAPTER 1: Something Serious for Fun?

We all know Juvia Lockser is pretty much addicted to the very (in)famous ice mage, Gray Fullbuster. She would do anything for her Gray-sama. She also gets jealous quickly over any girl who comes closer than expected to Gray. This applies most especially to the "love rival", Lucy Heartfilia.

However, Gray does not know how to respond to Juvia's feelings. I mean he likes her, yeah, but that's all. He doesn't see her more than as a comrade.

Actually, he is quite ticked off by Juvia's persistent attitude. He couldn't think of any way to stop her infatuation. Well, pushing her away is the one and only way he perceived. Why, you ask why? Why is he doing this to such a dedicated fellow?

Hm, blame Lucy for that.

It is not exactly Lucy fault that Gray likes her more than anyone else. A petty little crush you may consider, but he got a little hooked to her. He couldn't erase her from his head. He thinks she is just fantastic, despite the fact that she's the weakest in the team.

Her golden locks frame her beautiful face perfectly. Her skin is so smooth and fair that she could even surpass a real fairy, if one exists. Her eyes are something you could not resist to gaze on. Her breasts are the only things that could divert your gaze from her eyes. (It is also too impossible for Gray to stop looking at them).

Her intellect is something. She uses her wits to win over a situation. He admits that she could work as the brain in their team. Unfortunately, she is physically weak. She depends on her keys for power. Maybe that's why Gray wants to protect her more often he thought he would…

Hey, hold your horses a minute. Don't let things get to your head. Gray is not yet in love with her, he'll tell.

But don't let that get that to you, either. Yes, yes, he still in the denying stage. He doesn't want to admit yet even to himself that he wants Lucy more than just a friend.

Poor Juvia. She is too busy loving Gray and imagining about things they could do together (if they were a couple) that she didn't notice Gray doesn't love her back. At least, though, she knows Lucy is a love rival.

As friends and comrades, Juvia and Lucy are good and civil. In love, Juvia is a monster.

It is possible to see them in one mission, just the two of them, but with Juvia's Gray-sama? Goodness, you have just defined chaos.

And that's what happened. Erza and Natsu had teamed up with Gajeel on a different mission. Lucy and Gray were left in Magnolia. Gray found a job, and he invited Lucy to it. Since it was not good for only the two of them to take the job (because of the possible rumors that might arise), he began looking for another one.

"Juiva wants to be Gray-sama's partner!" Juvia exclaimed as soon as she noticed Gray took a post and then consulting Lucy.

Lucy came forward and smiled. "That's great! Gray, you were looking for a third person, right?"

Juvia gave Lucy an evil glare. "No, not Lucy! Gray-sama is Juvia's partner!"

To make Juvia stop, Gray had to agree that she is his partner, while Lucy was the tag-along.

Then and there, Gray knew that their simple mission (to get back a prized possession of a town back) would be more complicated than it was supposed to be.

It didn't really help when other guild members began yelping.

"Hey, Gray, take girls one at a time! You two timer freak!" One shouted.

"Whose ass said that shit?" Gray exclaimed and looked for the person. Then, a brawl began. This is nothing new in the guild.

The next day, the trio went to their mission. Gray never thought getting to their destination was difficult. Juvia kept on clinging on to him.

Before they could get on the train, Lucy cornered him. She was successful at separating the pair from Juvia for a moment. She summoned Gemi and Mini to transform as Gray and Lucy for awhile.

"Hey, Gray," she whispered. "Please as much as possible, don't strip. Juvia might not survive the horror."

"Horror?" Gray smirked. "My body is…"

Before Gray could say anything else, Lucy playfully punched him. "Just resist it. I'm concerned with Juvia."

Gray just agreed and nodded. He too couldn't imagine Juvia's would-be actions. She might just try to pounce and make love to him. Ugh.

It was easier said than done, though. Every time he would begin undoing his clothes, he would get a punch or kick from Lucy.

He was rather beat up when they reached the town. After the mayor explained what to do, and their possible rewards, they were set to chasing the culprits.

They were a very nice team. Lucy, being the most intelligent one, used her wits to track the bandits' hideout. Juvia on the other hand made it rain to know how many people are there. Gray did the rest of the physical stuff. The girls still took part in the battle, which was very helpful for Gray.

There was a perfect harmony between Gray and Lucy, being comrades for quite a long time. Gray would protect Lucy whenever one would try to hurt her and she didn't feel it, while Lucy would also watch Gray's back.

Juvia's jealousy on the other hand stopped this harmony. She would sometimes intentionally push Lucy to harm, in Gray's annoyance. Thankfully, Lucy was able enough to summon spirits at the right time.

Juvia doesn't really know when to annoy Grey. During a very crucial fight with the boss, Juvia deliberately directed her attack towards Lucy, making the Stellar Mage lose her balance and focus. Thankfully, Caprico, the summoned Zodiac at that moment made up for Lucy's momentarily weakness.

"JUVIA! FOCUS ON THE ENEMY NOT YOUR COMRADE!" Gray screamed at the top of his lungs from across the hall. This outburst gave the boss a chance to fight back. However, Gray was too much powerful for him. The mage's disappointment added to the severity of his attacks.

Ultimately, the team won. They sent the bandits to jail and got additional payment for that. The town was so grateful that they ordered a feast.

No Fairy Tail member could resist a party.

It was fun and light. Everyone seemed to get along. Gray became a little tired from partying, so he sat at a nearby corner. He watched as Lucy and Juvia danced. Actually, he watched Lucy laughed and danced (while Juvia would just suddenly block the view). He also became very alert when someone was flirting around Lucy.

He was about to charge when a girl went in front of him. He knew he was a lady killer, but he never thought he could attract girls easily.

"Excuse me, Sir, I would like to talk about…" The girl around 15 years old suddenly stopped and looked at him disgustingly. "But, first, can you please wear something?" She hurriedly turned around.

Gray looked at his body and where his hands were. They were already on the zipper of his pants. "Ah, sorry about that." Gray reached for the clothes scattered everywhere. "Okay, done. What do you want to talk about?"

The girl spun clumsily. She has strawberry blond hair tied in a loose bun. "Um, I am Laine. I am also a mage, and I was planning to join a guild…"

Gray smiled widely. "Ah, you must go with us back to Magnolia first. I am not responsible for making you an official member. Fairy Tail is great, so you must really join! What's your magic anyway?"

At that moment, Juvia noticed the girl talking to Gray. Surprised, she mindlessly charged the girl. However, to Juvia's surprise, the girl evaded Juvia's attack. The bluenette landed on Gray's arms.

"Juvia's sorry, Gray-sama!" She exclaimed.

"Well, don't just charge, Juvia! This girl wants to join Fairy Tail!" Gray said, as she helped Juvia stand up.

Lucy came to where they are at. "Really, join the guild?" She smiled and looked at the young girl. "Well, she looks like a normal addition. What's your name? And your magic?"

"My name's Laine, and one of my magic is…" She handed out some strips of paper to the three. When the trio touched the paper, their names suddenly appeared on the paper, and some symbol below their names, which probably represented their powers. Gray got a snowflake, Juvia a droplet and Lucy a star.

"Woah!" Gray said. "What is this for?"

"I collect information using them. Actually, I can use them without making the people touch it. But, I could not get sufficient information unless the person holds it." She took the papers from them. She looked at Gray's paper and smiled. "Just as I thought."

Gray looked at her suspiciously. Juvia looked at her in wonderment. She was thinking how she could use that ability to know Gray.

"What kind of information do you get from that?" Lucy asked.

Laine scanned the girls' paper like it has a very complicated message.

"You may only see your names and a symbol of your magic. For ordinary people, they could only see their names. But, for the caster like me, I could see any essential general information, like what they like to eat, when their birthdays are… and who they really like." She smiled widely.

Juvia suddenly brightened up, "Really like?" It's like a dream come true for her. "Does Gray-sama love Juvia very much?" The water mage reached out for Laine's hands.

Laine retrieved her hands and smiled at Juvia. "Do you want to know?"

The bluenette nodded.

"Hey, don't reveal my stuff to anyone else!" Gray firmly said.

"But," she said as showed the papers to the Fairy Tail members. Right before their eyes, the papers suddenly disappeared. "My actual magic is not these papers. I could…" She stepped back a few steps from them. "…control space."

She flicked her fingers, then giggled.

Juvia cried, "What do…" She stopped midsentence, as if shocked.

"Huh?" Lucy said.

"Lockser-san, I know you're desperately in love with this man. That's why I will help you! Your question would be answered, but in a very, very fun way." Laine said.

"What do you mean by that?" Gray said. "Was joining the Fairy Tail just a fraud? What do you want?"

Laine frowned at him, and then seriously told him, "I would really want to join Fairy Tail, but for now, I would like to have fun. I mean no harm, and they won't be harmed anyway. After a day, I promise everything will be back to normal. For now, I would observe from afar. Protect these ladies, Fullbuster-san."

She grinned widely and just disappeared.

Gray averted his attention to the women. They were frozen in shock. What the hell happened to them?

"Juvia, Lucy, are you alright?"

Juvia looked at him with her eyes wide open. "Gray… I…"

Gray was a little surprised that Juvia didn't address herself with her name. He looked at her caringly and said, "What, Juvia?"

"I am not Juvia, Gray. I am Lucy."

Confused, Gray looked at the blonde. She has the same affectionate face as Juvia's. The blonde just nodded.

"No way…" the ice mage uttered.

TO BE CONTINUED

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I think Gray was a little OOC here, but I still tried my best to keep his cool character. Any thoughts about it?

This would be part one of three. I am only planning to make three chapters. I tried making each chapter as short as possible, so that you, as a reader, wouldn't feel lazy. However, I think I did not succeed doing that.

Ah, one more thing. I would try to update weekly, or every other week. School is about to start, so I'm not sure…