ok... yeah... this chapter sucked... I tried to make it up by adding a bit more humor to it but I hope someone likes it at least...
I'm a good writer ok! Just give me a while...
disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL
SCARS FROM NOWHERE
"There's no reason for you to carry me like this." Tess scowled. She was getting tired of Gray babying her. Ever since they have agreed to become a team, he's has been nothing short of overprotective.
"Will you be able to walk fine?" He lifted an eyebrow.
"I can if you would help!" She nearly growled.
Reluctantly, he set her on her feet. To her surprise, she found herself disappointed as well. He guided one of Tess's arms over his shoulders for support as well as slighted lifting her by her hip.
"If I hadn't left my energy supply back at the guild, I wouldn't be in this mess…"
"You wouldn't have made it this far without me." Gray said walking.
Tess scoffed, "Whisky would've been alright dragging my ass home if he wasn't such a jerk!"
"Jah! Now now, Mama, that's no way to tell someone thank you~" He purred.
They continued trekking down the dirt road through the woods towards her home. The sun was far gone and the stars shone above surrounding a waxing moon. A hoot of an owl could be heard nearby and Whisky shivered. This did not go unnoticed by Tess.
"I didn't know you were scared of owls." She smirked.
"I'm not!" He denied, "They just freak me out! That's all! The way they're able turn their heads all the way around and the way they swoop…"
The owl hooted again and this time Whisky hid himself behind Tess and peered over her shoulders at the path.
She turned her head and whispered to him, "Pull another stunt like this again and I'll feed you to one." The orange exceed squealed in fear.
Gray coughed, "Why are you always so against about me helping you out?"
Tess scowled and looked at him, "It's not like I don't appreciate it… but I've made it this far without anyone's help for years. If I should ask; why do you feel the need to treat me like I'm made of fragile glass?"
He stopped at that and didn't answer. He couldn't let her know that he was trying to figure out the truth from her. After she's working so hard to hide it from them, she may decide to disband the team and go solo even after it just got formed.
"Never really had a partner I can look at as an equal." He finally answered.
She was surprised to hear this, "Really? You haven't done the same for the rest of your guildmates?"
"Natsu's strong but he's a dumbass. Lucy is strong but can be a ditz at times. Erza's waaayyy stronger than any of us. Gajeel's alright but doesn't notice that his singing talent needs work…"
"Can you say that yours is any better?" Tess lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm not even in that field." He scoffed, "Anyway… you see the point I'm trying to make. Tess, you're really strong, smart, and fun to be around. Everyone likes you even though you've only been part of the guild for a week now. You even already have a few fans around town already. Don't you see? You are hard to hate and that's coming from me…"
"The guy who heart is cold as ice?" Whisky blabbed.
Tess bopped him on the head and didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She has never been complimented like this before and it was silent with happiness. She could feel tears forming from her eyes and tried to fight them.
"That… really means a lot to me thank you…" was all she had to say.
They made to her home after a short silence between the two of them. They walked up the porch steps, and Gray reached for the door handle when it swung open by itself.
"Ah! My darling Gray has finally arrived with that oblivious, over-esteemed bitch!"
"Juvia?" Gray blinked in surprise and Tess glared at her.
"What are you doing in my house?" She growled, "and WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"
"Master Makarov told Juvia to give this to you." She handed her the energy pouch she had accidently left behind, each crystal glimmering inside of it, "Also, it would take some time before you fully regain your strength so I'm also hear to help Tess with anything she needs."
"I think I should be fine…" The crystal dragon slayer groaned, popping a crystal in her mouth.
Juvia sniffed and pinched her nose, "For starters… a bath…"
Tess blinked, sniffed herself, and blanched. She probably hadn't had one in four days. She could smell the work of training plus the last two missions she had been on. She even had a claw from one of the monsters stuck in the fabric of her coat.
She suddenly became very aware of herself now. The fact that she smelled this bad the whole time she was with her new partner embarrassed her to the core. She felt her cheeks flush with the awkwardness of the situation and began to sweat a little, "Yeah… okay… Maybe I do need one…"
Again reluctantly, Gray handed Tess over to the water mage who roughly slid her over inside her home. As Gray tried taking a step in, She stopped her.
"No, My Love. You are done for tonight. I'll take care of her from her."
Gray scowled, "Juvia, whatever you do, don't hurt her. I need my partner in full health."
"Only for you!~" she sang.
"Oh! Here are your clothes Gray…" Whisky said flying towards him and Gray looked shocked that he was half naked once again.
After the exceed handed him his clothes and flew into the house, Juvia closed the door on him leaving the three of them alone in the house.
"Come on. Juvia has already prepared a hot bath for you."
She half carried her towards her through the house, into her bedroom, and finally her bathroom where the said bath was waiting for her. Juvia let go of her so she could gather her shampoo and things while Tess undressed herself. When Tess lifted her arms herself to slide her cloak off, she hissed in pain and dropped them.
"So… uhh… can you help me again, Juvia? …Please?"
The water mage blinked at her and walked over to help.
"You've really worn yourself out. Our guild master has noticed that you hardly take any time to relax and replenish yourself. You should know that it very important to rest, especially in between missions."
"I know… I just want to catch up starting a new life here, you know? I easier to do that with more jewel…"
When Juvia slid off her cloak, she gasped.
There were scars… scars of many shapes and sizes on her back. From what she could tell there were varying claw marks, slash marks, abrasions, and even bite marks that covered a majority of what she was hiding.
Tess heard the gasp and froze. Crap! She had forgotten about those! Think fast, Tess! Think!
"Juvia would like to know where these came from…"
"Umm… What?" Tess decided to play dumb and turned around to look at her. She has a fearful, worried look on her face, "Oh! Umm…"
Crap! What could she say?!
"I can be a real klutz sometimes. Those are all from accidents that I cause myself… You know… accidently falling over and landing in a thorny bush… some of those were even caused by past battles!"
"Really?" Juvia frowned. She didn't buy it… but she pretended she did, "Then what about the rest of your body? Why are there only scars on your back?"
"My back is the hardest for me to heal for some reason…" Tess answered sheepishly, "That I don't know how to explain…"
"I see…"
Juvia continued to help undress the poor girl until she was down to her panties. From there, Tess took care of that herself by sitting herself down at the edge of the tub first. After she was completely nude, she settled herself in.
Tess release a relaxed sigh from her smiling lips. She sniffed and felt the water for a bit before asking, "Did you put anything in here?"
"Just some soaps Juvia has gathered from your cabinets. Juvia has also grown accustomed to using Epsom salt in her bath so she has taken the liberty of adding some in as well. It's really quite healthy for the skin."
"Will it help fade my scars?" Tess asked skeptically.
"Not that I know of but it will help keep you looking young and pretty." Juvia giggled and winked at her. Then she paused, "B-but that does not mean Tess should use her feminine charm to win over my darling Gray!"
"Shut it, Bimbo! I have no intention to and I can do what I want! So bleeehhh…" Tess childishly stuck her tongue at the water mage. Juvia glared at her and summoned water to be splashed in Tess's face.
"You hardly have to body to please such a man."
"I have a sexy body thank you very much! HEY!" Tess squealed out as Juvia reached out and groped one of her breasts.
"These are hardly big enough to satisfy him! You have no chance!"
"Do you really think he cares about that! Sheesh woman! Get your grubby hands off of me!"
Tess shoved the water mage back and splashed her for additional satisfaction. The water was merely absorbed and the blunette smirked at her.
"If Tess wants Juvia's help to wash her hair then she should be mindful!"
"Fine! Fine!" Tess growled and turned her back towards her, letting her all of her hair fall behind her. Juvia poured some of Tess's shampoo into her hand before she began scrubbing her scalp.
Tess was scowling the whole time. She didn't like people doing things for her that she could do herself… especially when it involves her being naked and having to get herself cleaned! However, she calmed herself and decided to try to start diverting away from the hateful gestures.
"So when did you first discover that you loved Gray? And could you please try not talking in third person? It makes you look like an idiot…"
Juvia stopped scrubbing for a second before continuing and answering, "Juvia doesn't really know. Sh… I always thought it was the bond of love at first sight… that sort of thing."
"Uh-huh… So you don't have a real explanation for it. You just do?"
"Ju- I really can't explain it, but he always had that charm that drew me close to him. Plus water and ice magic go really good together so that must mean we're meant for one another!" The mage squealed.
Tess groaned in annoyance, "Has it ever occurred to you that he might not feel the same way about you?"
A torrent of water was poured on top of Tess's head without warning, rinsing her hair clean. Tess coughed after it was done, beating her chest a little to help clear her system.
"Juvia will do anything she can to win over the heart of her one true love! Gray will notice me for the woman I am and fall head over heels for me as I did for him! Nothing can come between us and the beautiful bond that we share!"
"Whatever you say, Lovebird…" Tess sat hunched, her hair over her face dripping from the rinse. She took care of cleaning the rest of herself before getting out and getting dressed (again with some help from Juvia). After Juvia helped settle her into her bed, she handed Tess her pouch. The dragon slayer eagerly ate a few more crystals before she sighed and nestled herself deeper into her sheets.
"Lucy and the others will be here in the morning to get you for the shopping trip. After that try not to over exert yourself again so I won't have to go through this another time."
"Trust me… You and I both…" she groaned and then stopped, "Oh yeah, Juvia?"
"What is it now?" the water mage turned to find her eyes drooping.
"Thank you." Was all she said before falling asleep.
Juvia stood there for a few seconds looking at her before making her way out of the crystalline house. She turned off the lights while she walked and gently shut the door behind her. There was a cough behind her and she turned to see Gray still standing there waiting.
"Gray, Darling! Did you wait all this time out here just for me?!" She squealed, popping a leg up and sparkling eyes at him.
He merely frowned, "Yeah actually… As crazy as that might sound, I have a question to ask you."
"This is it! This is where he confesses his true feelings to me!" She thought to herself.
She squealed again, "Anything, my Love! What is it?"
"Tess…"
Her heart nearly stopped.
"What about her?"
"You must have noticed by now… She's hiding something from us…"
She stood there merely dumbfound for a second before she clicked, "I have… actually…"
"You wouldn't have noticed anything odd about her have you? Anything unusual?"
"Well… yes… you see-"
yeah... I can't promise the next one will be any better but I will do better! I promise! Reviews are really helpful! I don't care if they're mean!