CHAPTER 2: HOME

A/N: Wow! I thought my writing was all rusty and no one will really like my entry but my pessimistic mind was proven wrong! Thank you to: Darkhope,
Liraz Nightray, inukekarynatsusu, TheUniqueFangirl and Guest for leaving such encouraging words! And without further ado, I present to you, day 2!

WHERE THE HEART IS

They both had different definitions of "home" when they were much younger.

For him, it was waking up to the loud voice of his father and the melodious laugh of his mother. But when it was taken away from him, he found home in the midst of snow and a woman who taught him everything she knew about magic.

During his young teenage life, when his teacher passed, he came across a loud and raucous guild, but surprisingly, he found himself fitting right in. He joined in endless fights, challenges and missions, and he found himself thinking that it's home—everyone is family and all is well. Though there are times when they had misunderstandings, at the end of the day, they managed to resolve them.

For him, home is where guild mates throw barrels at each other while laughing good-naturedly and punching each other while smiling.

She, on the other hand, begged to differ.

Born with a curse of rain, sadness followed her. Her home during childhood was her room, where she made endless teru teru bozu dolls for company and nobody blamed her for the rain that never ceased. Her teenage years were no different: a powerful guild became her home where her own guild mates fear her and her power. She was Ame-onna, a water mage and a member of Element Four. Everyone worshiped the ground she walked on. They praised her and her abilities. But she knew, oh she knew, that deep inside they somehow resent her. Because everywhere she went rain followed.

On the outside, she schooled her expression to become indifferent and unyielding. For years, she tried to convince herself that their opinions don't matter. But inside, she never felt like she belonged.

For her, the rain became her home. It was her second nature and it never left her alone.

Everything has changed since then. Now, both are in the same guild and are married. What was once his/her home became theirs.

And "home" became more meaningful.

For them, home is waking up in each other's arms, preparing meals together and going on missions. Home is simply sitting under the blooming sakura and talking about the future. Home is arriving late from a mission and finding the other sleeping on the couch and a hearty meal on the table. Home is kissing in the rain and amidst the snow. Home is lounging in bed and feeling their child kick over and over again.

Home is whenever and wherever they are. It didn't matter that they live in a simple house, as long as they have each other and their guild, that is home.

For Gray and Juvia, their home is in each other's arms.

-gltnfls