Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
"That's enough Natsu" Erza commanded. He was ranting non-stop how Gray stood frozen in their encounter with Juvia. She understood why her comrade refused to attack. Her death was recent and had taken a toll on all of them. Gray for so long tried his best not to create a close bond with anybody. He had lived through too much death to add another. But Juvia wasn't having it. She was determined to end Gray's loneliness with love, care and companionship. He was her second chance to happiness so she fought to be his. Except their happiness didn't last. But Gray wasn't ready to let go. He still wasn't.
"But he let her go!"
"If it was Lucy would you have attacked?" Erza raised her eyebrow. Natsu's response was sheer silence.
"Exactly. Gray shouldn't have that burden. And we won't make him. We have to kill that woman for Gray and our Juvia."
"He asked to handle her."
"If we need to knock him down we will. Understood?"
Natsu nodded avoiding further confrontation.
Natsu left the room relieving Erza. She was holding back during the entire conversation because her friends needed a strong leader. She didn't want to be the one making all the hard decisions nor be who reassures they'll survive this harsh blow together. But there was no one. She was all they had. The moment she heard the door close entirely she dropped to her knees to cry silently with a hand covering her mouth. Her entire body was shaking with sadness. She bit her hand to help with the pain embodying her soul. The tears dripped with each shiver forming a river. She shut her eyes to help calm her nerves because through the water she kept seeing Juvia's face. The face of the loving girl who was her friend. The face of the water mage who she consoled and embraced for comfort. But most importantly, the face of the person whose death she was responsible for.
For ten minutes Erza mourned nonstop. Then she picked herself up with a new resolution: to end the life of the living entity who is pretending to be their Juvia.