I am more than sorry for not updating earlier, I have no valid excuse but I still hope you can forgive me, I'll try to publish the next chapter sooner.
It's all your fault, do something!
-So you finally realized it? – asked a certain iron dragon slayer in a bitter tone, walking up to the group of depressed mages.
-Gajeel? You knew? – Gray asked him.
-And you didn't – he did not mean it as a question – I'm disappointed the most important person in her life, couldn't even notice she was gone!
-Do you know where she is? – Lucy asked him, clearly worried.
-I do, actually, but it's not like you care so, why should I tell you? – he questioned angrily.
Gajeel and Juvia weren't close friends, but they had a past together, a sad one; he at least acknowledge her and knew how much she cared for him, Juvia was so good to everyone, a kind-hearted girl who could only direct mean thoughts to those who harmed her friends; and she was especially sweet and caring toward the icehole standing in front of him, how dare he not even notice she was gone? That pissed Gajeel off very much, he didn't deserve any of her love, yet he got every last bit of it, the Dragon slayer couldn't stand it
-Please forgive us, we are truly sorry! – Lucy apologized in a pleading tone.
Truth be told, even with all the "love rivalry" they supposedly had, Lucy liked Juvia, just like any of her friends, they were family. And she wasn't about to let her family walk away from her just like that, without any explanation; Mira and Erza seemed to be blaming Gray but she needed to know what exactly had happened so that she could fix it, she had to fix it, they had to bring Juvia back, where she belonged.
-It isn't you who should be apologizing – the cold voice of the former Phantom lord member pulled her out of her thoughts, as he gave the ice mage a not-so-discreet accusing look.
Gray looked as if he wanted the earth to swallow him and he probably did, he felt guilty as hell and he himself thought he deserved it, but he wasn't up to be humiliated by some though guy who only now showed any signs of caring for her. Not that he had ever done so himself.
-I know this is mostly my fault, but I didn't mean any harm, I swear - he defended himself.
-Listen to me, you piece of sh*t; I don't know what you did to her, and please don't tell me 'cause I night kill you, but whatever it was, it hurt her. Big time. The least you can do is to feel guilty about it and I'm not here to make it easier on you.
-I could do more than feel bad with myself, I could apologize, if only you told me where she is – he reasoned, with a serious expression.
-You want to find her? Good, but you won't have my help – he stated firmly as he proceeded to leave.
Lucy, Natsu, Gray and Mira stood confused, Natsu more than the other three, while Erza glanced at his departing figure along with Panther Lily who walked by his side. The exceed had been quiet through it all, she had noted. "He must have been there when Juvia spoke to Gajeel, he has to know where she is" With that in mind she followed them, hoping she could get him alone somehow, though she doubted it.
-Erza where are you going? – Mira questioned her.
-Somewhere important- she said without stopping or turning back, leaving the four mages to themselves.
-I'll talk to master – she told the other after a few seconds of silence – See if I can get him to tell me where she is, or why she left – she said the last part looking at Gray, not glaring murderously at him like Gajeel had, but it still hurt him to know everyone was blaming him, guilt stung hard deep within, he knew they had the right to hate him, he WAS guilty after all "But I didn't mean to hurt her!" he told himself, trying to ease the ache, but failing; he wasn't thinking when he said what he said, heck, he wasn't even half conscious last night when he did that awful thing to her. But it was still his fault, all of it.
He had to do something.
Next chapter will have Erza talking with Lily and Gajeel, Mira with master and Gray with Natsu and Lucy so you can hope it to be longer than this. Hope you enjoyed and leave a review!