It was early in the morning when Lisanna called Gray with her lacryma.

It took him nearly the entire day. A horrible travel by ship. A stinky car full of sheep and a walk on the hottest day of the year to arrive where she was but he didn't mind it. In Gray's head, there was only one thing that mattered. The only thing that kept repeating, like a refrain, were Lisanna's words:"Something happened to Juvia. We don't know what to do!"

It was the second time he left her and she got sick. He could not forgive himself if something bad happened this time! He had always thought that for Juvia, being with him was a curse because his whole life was cursed. Everyone he cared about suffered, died. He had tried to keep her safe. Keeping her far from him, but she was stubborn, so damn stubborn and slowly but deeply Juvia had dug a hole in his heart, where she took a home and refused to go.

It was damn clear for him, when he saw her again, after six months, that his heavy heart was not about his mission and the fear to be caught (as he used to repeat himself); it was because he missed her like one misses his breath when he remains for too long under water. He was drowning, slowly and deeply, and he couldn't deny it anymore.

Like water, she took his breath away, like water she was the only thing that could quench his thirst. Now, admitting this in his mind meant for him, to condemn her to his own curse, so he did the only thing he could: he left her all over again sailing to Alvarez without a goodbye.

So why was she in danger again? He was ready to put a continent between them. She was supposed to stay safe in the guild, so why the hell was this happening?

The sun was going down when he ran in a little iron tent in the wood. Gajeel's made. Obviously.

When Gray entered the tent, Lisanna was at Juvia's bedside, while Mira was treating a wound on her stomach. The air smelled like disinfectant and he felt his gut twisting and his head lighter.

"What happened?" He nearly screamed but his voice came out raspy and gruff as he finally caught his breath walking to Juvia's bed. She was pale, her face was twisted into a pained expression, her lips parted. He touched the skin on her cheek. She was so cold and he felt like dying. Gray brushed her hair over her ear and focused on her breath looking at her chest rising rapidly, then he touched her white neck, feeling the blood of her veins flow under his fingertips. She was alive.

Mira looked relieved to see him there and went to hug him when he turned in her direction. "Gray!" He freed himself and grabbed Mira's shoulders, "What happened?" He repeated.

"I don't know Gray! We were fighting with a guy, a mage from the West. As soon as you, Natsu ant the others left, we went on a mission to find Laxus and apparently this guy had information. He seemed so weak and maybe we underestimated his powers but at some point, he equipped a bow and aimed at Lisanna. Juvia was the fastest and put herself in the line. She did not use her water body, she took the arrow in Lisanna's place!" Mira sobbed hiding her face in her hands "I feel so useless!"

Gray looked at Juvia. There was no way she could die for something like this! He knew her, she was damn strong. She could not...

"A doctor saw her," Lisanna said putting her hand on Gray's shoulder, startling him. "He said the wound does not seem infected and yet Juvia has the signs of a blood infection. He didn't know what to do or maybe he didn't want to help because we are not from Alvarez, however, he said that with her body water she has some chance. She has to fight."

Gray took Juvia's hands in his, touching her as she was made of glass and caressed her back with his thumb.

"She will fight!" He said looking straight in Lisanna's eyes.

She nodded drying with her palm a tear that was falling on her cheek."I know she will, now that you are here!"

Gray didn't leave the bedside all night long, keeping Juvia's hand in his, and wetting Juvia's lips from time to time to keep her well-hydrated.

Early in the morning Mira entered the tent and found Gray dozing off with his head on Juvia's lap and her hand still in his.

"Gray," Mira called softly. The ice mage opened his eyes and for a moment he seemed almost childish with his watery, puffy eyes, the red mark of the sheet on his cheek and the confused expression but then he looked at Juvia and his eyes turned worried and sad.

"How is she? He asked looking everywhere but at Mira's, slightly embarrassed about her founding him like that.

"I think she looks better!" Mira smiled weakly "Her skin seems less pale and she is breathing more regularly."

Gray nodded inspecting Juvia. Her lips were slowly returning to their peculiar shade of pink, she got a bit of colour on her cheeks and the hand he was still holding felt warm. The kind of warmth he always felt radiating from her body when he was close.

"I wanted to tell you that Cana and Gajeel called on the lacryma, they found the guy that shoot at Juvia!" Mira said hardening her eyes.

"Good, tell them to bring him here," Gray said shaking in anger.

Mira shooked her head with a vindictive gleam in her eyes "I don't think that's possible,Cana and Gajeel, they.."

As they had been called the two entered the tent.

"Gray you're here?!" Cana said hugging him.

"Yes!" He answered briefly "Have you discovered something? Maybe knowing what power the jerk had can help Juvia.."

"I took care of the guy." Gajeel said focusing his red piercing eyes in Gray's to make him understand.

"And.." the ice mage urged.

"Apparently, the arrow was poisoned! Here in the west, they use magic but also magic objects and potions and that arrow had a shit on its tip" Gajeel answered looking in Juvia's direction and crossing his arms on his chest.

"What? What does it mean? What kind of poison? Did he had the antidote?" Gray asked.

"He didn't!" Gajeel said, "believe us if I tell you the guy was ready to give us even his mother after the little talk we had!"

"He said he didn't know what effect the poison has. It seems that it has a different effect that depends on the target, maybe, so there is no antidote. He just knew how they call the thing here in the west,it is called Altromondo!"Cana said going next to the bed and passing a hand on Juvia's forehead.

Levy appeared in the tent, breathing hard, running and trying to keep up with Gajeel and Cana.

"Altromondo means another world" she explained regaining her breath.

"What?" Gray shout going paler while a cold shiver stabbed him in the gut. Juvia was hit by an arrow, the arrow was poisoned,there was no antidote and its name was a shitty suggestive name. Just great!

"I didn't find too much in the books I brought here!I need to go to the council to consult more books" Levy explained- "However I don't think Altromondo refers literally to another world, we don't know the meaning, yet!

Gray punched one of the iron poles with all his strength. Why?

Why always the people he loved?

"Gray, as Levy said we don't know what it really means!" Mira said placing a hand on Gray's shoulder.

He shook his head "I'm sorry I… I know! I'm calm now! Can I stay here alone for a bit?" he asked.

All the mages stepped out of the tent giving Gray a bit of time. Gajeel stayed a bit longer inside but then left too.

Gray knelt beside Juvia taking both her hands in his, blowing air with his mouth to warm them a bit more.

"I'm sorry!" He whispered – "It is all my fault, I left you again! I want to protect you and yet, I always make it worse for you. I don't know what is happening but please! Juvia please if you can hear me!Wake up! I thought that if I left you, you would be fine. But every time I am not with you, something happens too and I don't know what to do! It seems that you suffer my curse no matter what I do! Maybe just because you, care about me…" - He couldn't help his cheeks turning red saying this out loud. He, on instinct, brushed one strand of Juvia's hair from her forehead. She was so beautiful. She seemed so weak in this moment that he could feel his heart tightening "I just want to keep you safe! Please,Juvia, wake up! Come back to me"

He really didn't expect this to happen but he heard a little moan and when he looked at her face, purple marks started to appear tracing the path of her veins.

"Juvia." He shouted and the others came inside alarmed by his scared voice .

Gray was frozen.

It all happened in a blur.

Mira shouted.

Juvia coughed and started to shake.

Cana took her hands while Gajeel took her feet keeping them in place.

Then all went still.

Gray had his eyes wide opened. Fear was written all over his feature. He was shaking too,but then she lifted her lids and she focused her eyes on him. He rushed to her side

"Gray?" She whispered sitting on the bed while he helped her, and never in his life he had felt so glad to hear his name.

"Yes,Yes, I am here! I won't leave you anymore!"He said brushing her hair from her forehead, checking her face and hugging her with all his might.

She was back. She was back. The pure joy he was feeling in that moment was enough to make him forget all his fear and all the eyes that were on him. She was back and she was in his arms and this was all that mattered.

"Jeez, I need air! Why are you so clingy?" She said in a short breath

"I'm sorry. What?" He said blinking and looking at Juvia right in the eyes. Concern and confusion wrote all over his features.

"You know what a fucking personal space is?" She said tracing a circle in the air with her finger, all around herself- "Because if you do, you are totally invading mine! So.. Please.." She pushed him.

Saying that Gray was confused would be a bullshit. He was beyond lost..but he made a step back as she asked to.

"Juvia, are you ok?" Mira asked

"Sure! You think it takes only a fucking arrow to kill Juvia of the Great sea, honey?"

"Honey?" Mira repeated

"Juvia, did you maybe, lost your memory?" Levy asked.

"The fuck you saying? You are Levy! Then there is Cana, Iron shit Gajeel, Mira and Liz! Yo Liz, you ok?"

"Yes, I suppose" Lisanna shuttered

"Ok, you know who we are it seems!" Cana pointed out.

"Why are you all behaving like I am an idiot?" Juvia asked confused passing a hand in her hair.- "Sure that I know who you are, we are in the same guild!" She attested.

"Yes," Mira smiled - "and what about him?" The demon asked pointing to Gray that seemed still very shocked about the lack of attention from the water mage.

"It's Gray! Gray annoying Fullbuster!" Who else?" Juvia huffed.

Gray almost choked on his saliva. "How did you called me?"

"Oh come on, I don't remember a single day of my life where you were not there next to me! I mean I can protect myself, you know?While you are always there trying to save me and this bullshit like you are my knight in shining armour. Go find another damsel, Fullbuster! You are annoying and sticky!" Juvia said rolling her eyes as this was a conversation she was tired about.

"First of all, I am not sticky nor annoying" Gray said pouting "and you are the one that is always all over me"

"Yeah sure, is this what happens in your dreams?" Juvia grinned

"What? I.." Gray was speechless. Well, it was true that she was in his dreams, these days more than ever, so it was not like he could deny it.

"So, Ameonna! You're a bitch now?" Gajeel laughed

"Don't call me Ameonna idiot or I will Rip your spine from your mouth. Liz bring me a beer please!" Juvia said "and Why the fuck I am so covered up? It's hot as damn!" And with this, she started to push the sheets off her body giving a full view of all her underwear glory.

"Better!" she said.

Gejeel muttered something deciding to turn his head while Gray found himself unable to unglue his eyes from her body. Juvia rarely showed her body and she was never bold like this.

"I know you like what you are seeing Fullbuster but make me a favour and turn your head or I will make you blind if you keep that perverted look!" the water mage said.

"I was not...I mean..." Gray muttered feeling his ears getting warmer.

"This sure is strange!" Cana said, not without a note of amusement in her voice.

"She called me Liz," Lisanna said, "Juvia never calls me this way,but there was a time, I mean…there was another Juvia that used to call me Liz!"

"Eureka!" Levy shouted.

"What Shrimp?" Gajeel said, "Can you fix her?"

Gray looked at Levy expectantly.

"No," she said sadly-"but I think I know what happened! That potion: Another world, I mean, that mage couldn't know but we do! We know what is it!"

"Ok you are giving me a headache, explain yourself Shrimp!" Gajeel interrupted her monologue and Levy tried to make things clear: "The potion, it opens a bridge to another world! A small part of what "anima" could do, maybe! This is why the potion had different effects on people! Even if I think there is more, I will do researchers but for now, I believe Juvia's personality shifted from her normal self to…"

"No way!" Gray shouted

"I knew it! Only her called me Liz!" Lisanna said.

"Let me understand!" Mira interrupted "our Juvia has Edolas Juvia personality now?"

"You are so fucked Gray!" Cana laughed.