AN: Hello everyone this is my very first fic and english is not my first language, so please be nice :) I do not own Fairy Tail, I wish I did, at least for one day.

Torn

A series of unexpected events changes everything between Gray and Juvia. But would it bring them closer? Or at contrary, separate them once and for all? And if you include certain silver-haired mage who has been hovering in Juvia's thoughts more times than she would like, you'll have the perfect recipe for Pandemonium. Gruvia vs. Lyvia. Make some bets people, because nothing is certain. Who will she choose? A Little bit of NaLu, Jerza and Gale, and maybe another minor pairings.

Torn: (be torn) be in a state of uncertainty between two conflicting options.

You are my only hope

The truth that dealt the consequence

I know you don't feel the same

You're sensible but it doesn't make sense

I know I'm gonna weep my heart out

You know I'm gonna try much harder

You, my everything by Ellie Goulding

1. Fiesta

Strangely it was a day noisier than usual in the guild. Everyone was busy with different tasks. Laki and Kinana were providing a large table where a buffet would be served and in the kitchen Mirajane Wendy, Charle and Lissana were preparing different meals. Macao, Wakaba and Elfman order the tables and chairs around of what would be a dance floor as the latter starts speaking of the benefits of being a man. Max finishes testing the microphone by talking trough it.

Laxus counts the barrels of alcohol after he lectured Cana for the lost of half a dozen of them. Everything has to be perfect, thought the Lightning Dragon was a very special day.

The Raijinshuu Tribe was responsible for the illumination while Alzack, Bisca and little Azuka were decorating the walls of the building. Reedus finished a large portrait of a well-known magician and Levy, Jet and Droy fixed a sign that read: "Happy Birthday, master" Meanwhile Gajeel,dressed in his white suit, was trying unsuccessfully to liven up the day with a piece of his song "best friend ":

Colorful, colorful.

Shooby doo bop!

Tremble with love, steel-gray metallic

Doo doo shalalala

Shooby, doo bop, shalalala

Bite into it, hard! Sweet honey

Many members began to throw things at the poor Iron Dragon Slayer and yell at him to shut up.

"Would be good if you started helping instead of ruining everyone's ears" a voice echoed in the distance and Gajeel stopped singing.

"Say that again" he stood up angrily and went to face the one who insulted him, creating a new fight in the process.

Panther Lily sighed as he watched the scene from above. Even on a day like this, the number of altercations wouldn't decrease. It was Fairy Tail after all.

A 90th birthday is not something to be taken lightly. Makarov Dreyar had a good and fulfilling life, and was a very dear public figure in the magic world. The celebration was expected to be a big one that would last several days.

But something was missing in the guild. The strongest team as Mirajane used to call, hasn't returned yet from a mission. Three weeks had already passed since they left the guild and there wasn't any sign of them. A certain water mage, who had just come back from escorting the master at his meeting with his old friends, began to worry.

"Mira-san, do you think Gray-sama and the rest will be on time" Juvia Lockser asked the Take Over mage, as she approached the bar where Mirajane was looking for some glasses.

"No need to worry Juvia-chan. Erza is the most responsible person I know and I don't think she would have forgotten a very important day, especially this one" said the silver-haired waitress with a reassuring smile.

"Well, they should appear already. We are the ones doing the entire job!" snorted a grumpy Gajeel at the same time he was arranging a huge pile of gifts.

"And tell me, Juvia-chan, how did it go with the master?"

"He suspects absolutely nothing" responded the blunette with a smile, remembering how convincing was her performance while deceiving one of the ten saint wizards."Of course Porlyusca-san, Yajima-san and Goldmine-san helped a lot too".

"Good work " the oldest of the Strauss siblings said with a pleased look and then started talking about the celebration. "Everyone is putting a lot of effort to make master's surprise party a great one. Even the Magnolia neighbors will pay their respects with some fireworks".

"That's wonderful Mira-san". But then again Juvia seemed a little distracted and looked towards the guild's doors in a nervous way."Are you really sure that they ..." She whispered almost to herself and before she could continue the doors slammed wide opened showing a happy Fire Dragon Slayer followed by a Celestial Spirits mage, a very well half-naked ice mage, a red-haired knight and of course, a blue Exceed flying above them.

Mirajane greeted them as Natsu and Gray approached the group of Elfman and Lucy headed towards the bar.

"See Juvia-chan? I told they would come. Juvia-chan? The white-haired beauty turned to see the water mage, but she vanished from her spot almost magically. "Oh that's strange" Mira said inwardly. "I would swear that she would be the first one to run to greet them".

"What's all this, Mira-san?" the blonde mage asked, sitting and dropping her bag.

"Oh Lucy, don't you know? Today is master Makarov's birthday. I thought Erza had told you and that's why you made it just in time" the barmaid looked slightly confused with the idea of Erza being oblivious of these kind of important matters.

"Actually, we had a couple of hiccups on the way back" added Lucy as she remembered their encounter with Jellal and Meredy"

"Aye" Happy popped up of nowhere and included himself in the conversation. "Erza was a little bit distracted" the blue cat chuckled mockingly but suddenly he felt a dark aura behind him that made him shiver of fear and he knew he had to escape if he wanted to live.

"What were you guys talking about?" the re-equip mage demanded with a somewhat menacing tone.

"The master's birthday..." answered Mirajane trying to dissipate the tension, while she sweat dropped.

"That's true! How could I forget?" Her expression shifted to a guilty one only in a second. "I-I failed to the master and my comrades...give me the worst punishment I deserve it" Sometimes the mage could be really dramatic.

"Ehh... Erza, I don't think that's necessary. You're exaggerating a little" Lucy let out a little nervous laugh.

"We also need you to organize some things" added Mirajane.

"Oh. In that case..." A magic circle appeared under Erza's feet while she began to invoke her re-equip magic. After being surrounded by a bright light, she appeared wearing a formal suit, like an event planner. She even had glasses, a notebook and a megaphone.

Lucy looked at her surprised. "She's taking these all this business very seriously" the celestial spirits mage managed to mumble while watching Erza giving orders to a group of guild members.

"Hey! I do not want to see you people loitering!" the Scarlet-haired girl yelled fiercely.

Mirajane smiled warmly at the comical scene as she poured the usual drink in Lucy's glass. Gray approached the two girls and sat next to the blonde, Mirajane took this as a cue and she served Gray's glass as well.

" So, how was the mission?" Mira looked at them while supporting her elbows on the bar counter".

"Very tired, really, but we got a huge reward" Lucy replied smiling. "I'll finally get to pay my rent in time".

"We had to catch the leader of a dark guild called Poison Ivy in the village of Tulip" the ice mage started and made a pause to take a sip of his beverage."But that damn guy was very slippery and just when..."

Gray couldn't finish his sentence because a beer barrel hit him in the head. "Natsu!" the raven haired mage shouted, guessing the name of his attacker. "Are you looking for a fight?".

"You bet! Ice Princess" Salamander scornfully replied as he clenched his fist.

"Bring it on, then, fire breath!" Gray snapped at him and took an attack stance.

And so, both started again one more of their endless and absurd fights, dragging half of the guild in the process while a very annoyed Erza tried to separate them.

"Ahh, they never get tired, don't they?" Lucy let out a loud sigh. Happy flew over the still heated battle, trying to avoid it and seeing Erza wasn't with the girls anymore, he went towards them and started chatting merrily with Mirajane.

"Oh so that's what happened" the barmaid said looking at Lucy who was wearing the celestial spirits world clothes.

"Yes, it was very embarrassing" Lucy replied as she recalled the mission events. In the pursuit of the leader of the dark guild, team Natsu passed trough Mount Hakobe, where they were attacked by vulcans, one of them ripping Lucy's clothes off.

"And you should have seen Gray's expression" the Blue Exceed sneered. "He kind of got distracted and that's why one of the vulcans made a surprise attack, and he was sent flying very far away" The white-haired beauty gasped in concern and the blue cat just bursted out, laughing. Lucy made a sound of discomfort while hearing the whole thing. That devious cat. She had to admit he had a very devilish side that sometimes scared her.

What no one had noticed, was that Juvia had witnessed the whole scene from behind her favorite pillar which was being slowly destroyed by this same angry water mage.

Lucy, my eternal love rival! Wanting to draw attention again from my beloved Gray-sama.

Just as she felt team Natsu had arrived from the mission, the blunette hid herself quickly so she could contemplate her beloved from afar. Juvia wants to admire Gray-sama, before she can greet him. It had been so long since the last time she saw him, she told to herself with a hand on her chest as she watched him passionately.

After hearing the mission events, Juvia was beginning to believe that Gray could actually feel something for Lucy. "Love rival" she hissed under her breath as she tear the pillar's wood.

Juvia's jealousy towards any guild female member was something that she managed way better than her fist days as a Fairy Tail mage. She obviously respected them all and also acknowledged that they weren't interested in Gray, however, there was this part of her that couldn't help to feel furious when her beloved Gray-sama payed attention to other girls. Juvia was working on improving that part of her personality as well.

Gray returned to the bar in search of some refreshments once Erza achieved to stop the fight between him and Natsu.

"By the way, where is Juvia?" the raven haired boy asked no one in particular. He thought it was weird that the water mage hadn't greeted him with exaggerated gestures of excitement as usual. Before Mirajane or Lucy could answer, Juvia came out of nowhere just after he mentioned her name.

"Juvia's right here, Gray-sama" the blunette said with a shy smile on her lips.

"Where have you been?" The ice mage demanded nonchalantly.

"Ehh, Juvia was..." she tried to find an excuse but couldn't think of anything. Wendy approached and respectfully greeted both.

"I'm glad you are back, Gray-san" the blue haired girl chirped as she bowed slightly, she then turned to Juvia. "Juvia-san, Erza-san asked me to give you this" she handed her a piece of paper. "Erza-san wanted you to go to buy a few more things for the party" Juvia took the paper and an idea crossed her mind.

Maybe Juvia could ask Gray-sama to go with her, so they would have quality time alone and then he could confess Juvia his eternal love.

She watched Gray surrounded by red roses with many sparks. Juvia's mind completely disconnected from reality as she headed towards Daydream Land. Gray notice this and could only sighed in response. She really has a very wild imagination he thought inwardly.

"Hey Juvia-san, can you hear me?" Wendy grabbed her arm softly.

"Juvia is sorry, what did you said Wendy-chan?"

"You have to get back before 7, at that time the other guests will be arriving"

"Other guests? a surprised ice mage raised and eyebrow. "I thought that it was going to be just us".

"Actually invitations were sent to the guilds related in some way with the master. Blue Pegasus, Quatro Cerberus and Lamia Scale" the Sky Dragon Slayer pronounced the last one with emotion, you could tell she awaited the arrival of a certain young pink haired God Slayer.

"Lamia Scale? Don't tell me that idiot of Lyon will come". Gray groaned in annoyance. "Sure is my lucky day" he muttered under his breath.

"J-Juvia was wondering if..." the water mage had again missed part of the conversation, as she tried to find a way to ask him to go with her to the town. "Juvia wondered if G-Gray-sama could..." she started all over with her small and cute voice, filled with nervousness. But before she had the chance to finish her request, Gray interrupted her.

"Sorry what were you saying?" The ice mage turned around to face her.

"Well Juvia wanted to know if..."

"Oi Gray, we need your help over here!" Someone shouted from the other side of the guild.

"Well, duty calls me" the apprentice of Ur stated as he as he walked away slowly.

Juvia watched him with a defeated expression. At the end Juvia was not able to ask him. She sighed inwardly somewhat sad. But before the ice mage was gone, he turned around and grinned to her.

"It was good to see ya', talk to ya' later!" rays of light reflected in his handsome face as he waved at her. He looked more charming than usual.

Why Gray-sama has to be so prefect? Why? Juvia asked to herself and she felt her cheeks warm.

"Juvia hopes that next occasion, Gray-sama spends more quality time with Juvia. But he was so nice with her today". Without knowing, Juvia slipped into her reverie.

Oh gray-sama, she smiled as she imagined an ecstatic ice mage telling he was glad to see Juvia and then maybe mentioned something about having thirty babies or more.

Ok, perhaps this last part was way out of proportion, but again it was Juvia Lockser who we're talking about, the unpredictable and quirky girl we all love.

" Ohh Juvia is so happy!" she squealed in excitement as she headed towards the guild's exit doors. "Today might be the happiest day of Juvia's life, no that's not right! Her happiest day will be when Gray-sama kiss her or maybe when...

"Juvia!" Her fantasies stopped as the blue cat call out her name, she spun around her feet to see him. "Juvia, don't forget the streamers!" he squeaked keenly. "It's not a party without streamers!"

" H-hai" the blunette nodded, giving him a smile. "Juvia will not forget" Since when he's so fond of streamers anyways? She said to herself, walking away from the guild.

"Juvia looks very happy, wonder why's that?" the blue exceed said quietly." Must be Gray" he sneered maliciously. "She liiiikes him" he let out a laugh as he flew over to the place where Natsu was.

Juvia exited the guild and she did not realize she was being watched. A long-haired girl with green eyes was floating above her, and passing completely unnoticed by any other villager. Fairy Tail's first master just happen to be visiting her beloved guild. It was because of the important date, but she was starting to believe that she should leave Tenrou Island more often.

Makarov's children were really fun and interesting. Specially this one, the perky blue haired mage who had an apparently unrequited love, but was so unwilling to give up. She could swear she saw hearts in Juvia's eyes as she hummed some love songs. The first master's face shone with anticipation.

"Well, a little help won't hurt right? Mavis Vermilion giggled gleefully as some sparks began to form between her fingers. "This spell would not make people fall in love with her madly, but instead it will increased her natural beauty, and as happier she is, more attractive she will be" Mavis saw a glowing Juvia who was still completely oblivious and remained lost in deep thought. The founding member smirked. "This night will be so long".

As Juvia went through the crowded streets of Magnolia, her mind inevitably returned over and over to the ice mage. Juvia had done so much for him to notice her. Quite apart from the fact that she joined the same guild, she changed her appearance many times, just to please him, she created a spell in his honor, prepared his favorite meal anytime she could, among many other things. The water mage was also willing to protect him above all, but of course not her own life, because as she said to Meredy, 7 years ago, Juvia lives for the ones she loves and she definitely loved the raven haired boy. It wasn't just a shallow crush as many could think, it was that real and pure feeling.

Gray Fullbuster was, without any doubt, a very complicated man. He was very kind and friendly, but there were times when Juvia was discouraged by his apparent indifference. There were days when he seemed so... distant, like at the party which was held at the end of the Daimatou Enbu. There Juvia attempted to confess her feelings but he just replied coldly. She was hurt by his answer, but even so, she smiled. Juvia couldn't allow Gray to see her like that even if she felt an extremely pain in her heart. She had been depressed from almost a week but then her resolution was stronger, she wasn't going to give up just for that. Of course he didn't love her. Yet. And Juvia was determined to win the ice mage's heart.

She was sure they were meant to be. They were ice and water. It was fate, and from fate you can't escape, right? Juvia will try again and again, she said to herself. Gray-sama was a special person after all. He had a laid back personality but this was only the surface. Juvia could see more, she felt so close to his soul and she knew he had issues when it came to concealing his emotions.

And even if sometimes he treated her badly, she wouldn't care because of how grateful she was. Gray has helped Juvia a lot. He was the one who took away the rain from her heart. He was the reason she joined Fairy Tail, the first real family she's ever had. The water mage smiled remembering the first time they met. Then she looked at the clear sky with no trace of rain.

When she arrived to the store, she began to search for all items in the list and grabbed more bags of streamers remembering Happy's request. She approached the counter to pay and the shop owner greeted her respectfully.

"It would be 10,000 jewels, Juvia-san".

"Here they are" she replied smiling as she put the jewels in the counter.

"I think there's something different about you today, miss".

"Oh! Do you think so?" Juvia asked a little flushed.

"Yes! You look prettier...definitely you have a very positive aura. Huh, don't tell me! I know it, it must be love" the old man said with a wink.

" Arigatou, shop owner-san!" Juvia bowed a little, her cheeks rosy at the compliment.

Would it be something special in Juvia? Maybe that's why, Gray-sama said he was happy to see her.

Juvia got lost in thoughts again as she left the store. She was carrying several packages and couldn't see well what was in front of her.

Suddenly someone appeared and she couldn't dodge the said person, the packages inevitably hit the floor.

"Gomenasai" Juvia said quickly as she bent down to collect all the items scattered on the ground. There were many streamers, noisemakers, horns, confetti bags, and even a piñata. What did they even want a llama-shaped piñata for, anyways? She recalled Natsu saying that it would be funny to have one of those.

"Oh, I should said that, it was my fault after all" said an extremely familiar voice as Someone handed Juvia a bag of confetti. She lifted her head to see the other person and her face flushed a little.

From a near house's rooftop, Mavis looked at them and clapped her hands enthusiastically.

"Maybe she was right, now this is getting interesting. Water and ice, huh?"

Next Chapter: Fateful encounter?

AN: So this is it! I hoped you liked it, there would be some mistakes as I said, english is not my first language. There wasn't much romance in this chapter, but I'm trying to work in each character's further development. Specially with Gray, I'm going to put him to the edge, so he can finally confront his feelings (my intentions are good, I swear)

This story will have romance, friendship, adventure and a bit of angst. I wanted to started with something lively and funny before I'll go to darker places, and I know I didn't focus very much in the main characters, but next chapters will do that. Actually, the 2nd chap will be Gray centric.

I'm a newbie at the FanFiction world, and I really want to improve my writing skils. So please, leave your thoughts/suggestions/critics, I'd love to read them. Any Skins fans present? I used that Ellie Goulding song because it was in my head all week long and is very catchy and fun, but I also tought it kind of relates with Juvia's situation. I mention as well some references to Adventure Time and to one of the great fics written by lovely BonneyQ.

Soooo thanks for reading, see you in the next chapter. Have a nice day :)