The story so far:
Juvia woke up from her coma, unfortunately she fell asleep when Gray finally visited her.
Gray was still consumed with guilt, but he finally decided to visit Juvia once again.
But Makarov had another plan for the ice mage, so it's up to Erza to back Gray up...
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"I know it's not my business, but I want you to know something about him," the scarlet-haired mage's words stopped Juvia's step completely. The blunette turned around to face her.
Erza cleared her throat, "But first of all, thanks for protecting Wendy. I'm very grateful,"
Juvia slowly shook her head, "Don't mention it Erza-san, it's natural for Juvia to protect Wendy-chan,"
The older woman blinked, "Okay, but still, thank you,". Seeing slight nod from the water mage, Erza continued her words, "And about Gray, he is…"
Juvia contemplated whether she wanted to hear about the ice mage or not and she decided, no. "It's okay, Erza-san. Gray-sama must be too busy so he doesn't have time to visit Juvia here," as she walked back to the kitchen.
"No, you got it wrong!"
This time, Juvia didn't stop her legs. She skillfully took a little kettle and began to make the tea.
"Juvia?" Erza understood easily the drastic change in Juvia's attitude. The usual Juvia would bounce happily everytime Gray's name was mentioned. 'She is obviously feeling abandoned! That stupid Gray!' Erza screamed in her head.
'But wait, he was planning to visit her today, if not for the request from master. It's definitely not my style to interfere with people's affair but this condition is irritable for my high sense of justice!' Frustrated, Erza squeezed her forehead.
The other girl was still busy with the tea, doing her best not to let sadness washed over her.
Seeing Juvia's face, Erza couldn't help it, she inhaled and exhaled slowly then decided to tell her, "Gray always visits you everyday,"
Juvia's hand movement stopped as she was about to pour the tea into some cups.
"He never visit you directly like the others, but he always sees you—"
Erza's words were cut off because the water mage suddenly shook her shoulder like crazy, "What do you mean? What happened to Gray-sama? Why did you say he never visit Juvia directly?!" the water mage squeaked in fear, "Always sees Juvia? What does it means? Does it means something happen to… ... Oh no! Please tell Juvia that Gray-sama is still alive! Don't tell me that he's somehow being a ghost Juvia can't see!"
"… … Uh… …"The scarlet-haired woman sweatdropped and blinked a couple times. 'So actually, Juvia is still as caring as ever about Gray, huh?'. She slowly took Juvia's hand on her shoulders and smiled a little, "That Gray is fine, healthy and alive. He just… never meet you directly, but, seeing you from the outside,"
And the blunette was left speechless, "Eh?"
"Everyday,"
Juvia dropped her hands as she tried to process the information, "Gray-sama does?"
"I heard that he always stands by the wood over there," Erza pointed the window by the bed Juvia'd been using. Several metres across the window, some big trees stood up. She looked at the wide-eyed water mage who stared at the trees through the window, then smiled softly.
Juvia recalled some occasions when she heard weird sounds by her window, and Wendy's comment after she looked through her window the previous day, 'So maybe it's Gray-sama, but….', "But why didn't he visit Juvia directly then?"
Erza looked away slightly, "His guilty toward you is too unbearable,"
Juvia's eyes widened in wonder, "Guilty?"
"He felt guilty for not being able to protect you,"
The water mage was taken aback, "B-but he doesn't have to…"
"I heard that he promised to protect you, right? When you fight the machine before that incident,"
Juvia tilted her head, "If Juvia remembers correctly, yes…"
"So, doesn't it explain everything?"
Juvia was still unsatisfied, "But why?"
Erza shook her head, "Just try to reverse the order. If you're in his position, somehow I feel like you will do exactly what he's doing right now,"
That last statement surprised the blunette. "Erza-san…"
"You two are somehow very alike,"
"Juvia and Gray-sama are?"
The scarlet haired mage sighed again as she was wondering why did she even butt in this matter. Somehow she felt like Mira and her legenday match-making. "Anyway, Juvia,"
"Y-yes?"
"Gray has very bad ability in speaking about his feeling. When you meet each other, please let him finish what he wants to say to you, will you?" 'Do I become someone's mother or something?' Erza mentally smacked her head, but couldn't help but helping those two.
Juvia blinked. One. Two. Three. "So… Gray-sama actually cares about Juvia?"
"Juvia, please don't ask me to explain what I've explai—" the Great Titania shot a look to Juvia, only to find Juvia's eyes slowly changed into heart-shape, her hands entwined together in front of her, and soon serial of squeals filled the hut. Erza could see clearly that Juvia was suddenly being consumed with tremendous happiness, a complete contrast from her cold attitude earlier.
Erza shook her head. 'Am I in position to help others' love affair anyway?'. She took a glance at the non-stop-squealing water mage, then suddenly Juvia screamed in pain. She sighed hard as she saw the water mage holding her wound site.
The armored mage helped Juvia to sit on the bed, "Actually, Juvia…" Erza hesitantly spoke, "… … uh…"
Juvia winced, but she managed to asked, "Yes?"
"Gray has… … vis… visit…" the beautiful Titania was arguing with herself abot telling Juvia that Gray had directly visited her once when she was asleep. And her conclusion is, no. She wouldn't interfere any further. Besides, Juvia would certainly be happier to know about it from Gray than from her.
Erza cleared her throat, "Gray has… has… has visited the guild to take a mission t-today. A simple one, though, at least that's what I heard," 'A little lie is not that fatal, he is taking a mission anyway,' Erza concluded.
Juvia blinked, then smiled, "Is it? It's good then,"
"Y-Yeah. And, that's it, I'll take my leave," Erza started to walk to the door.
"Erza-san!"
"Y-Yes?" Erza looked back to the water mage to find one of the most genuine smile she's ever seen.
"The tea is ready, won't you enjoy it with me for a while?"
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The water mage stood alone in the hut, staring at the blue flowers she had placed on the vase next to the bed. Deep inside, she felt guilty for having negative thought about certain ice mage. Soon after Erza left, she tried to place herself in Gray's stead, and she found out that the armored mage was right. 'If Juvia was in Gray-sama's position, Juvia may also do the same thing,'. The water mage smiled to herself, 'Juvia will try her best to give Gray-sama all the time he needs before he's ready to face her,'. Then she frowned, 'Juvia hopes it will be soon though,'
And then she beamed again, 'But the fact that Gray-sama is actually thinking about Juvia is heart-melting!' . The water mage was filling the air with happy squeals and pink floating hearts when the door creaked open. Juvia turned around and see the old healer came in, "Welcome back, Porlyusica-san,"
The old healer paid her a glance, but didn't bother to answer as she walked to her table and put a basket, full of herbs. Porlyusica turned back to her, quickly recognized the drastic change in her attitude. The water mage was full of smiles and the twinkles in her eyes gave Porlyusica some signs of recovery. "Let me look at your wound again," the old healer stated.
The smiling Juvia nod and lied on the bed, as the old healer thoroughly examined her, from head to toe, searching for any abnormality possible. Porlyusica spent longer time inspecting her closing wound, and then came in conclusion.
"Juvia, I think you can go home tomorrow,"
"Eh? Really?" Juvia smiled in surprise.
"I will make you some more healing potions and I will tell Wendy how to help you to use it soon after she's back,"
The water mage almost jumped in joy. 'First was Erza's explanation, second is this! Aww… Juvia's so happyy!'
"Remember to apply the potion everyday until you fully recover,"
"Yes, Porlyusica-san!"
Porlyusica took a look at wide-smiled beauty, "Aren't you in high spirit today?"
Juvia was surprised and quickly revised her attitude, "J-Juvia is sorry, Porlyusica-san…"
"Not that I'm complaining about it, but don't stretched your body too fast or your wound may be reopened again,"
"Yes, Juvia will be careful,"
The old healer smiled a bit, "Anyway, Juvia… I don't think I can do anything with the scar,"
Juvia held her breath for some second, then slowly let it out, "Juvia is alive after such injury, Juvia can't ask for more,"
After some more seconds, the old healer slightly smiled, "I understand. Then I will tell the guild about your coming back,"
"Eh? No, Porlyusica-san, you don't need to—"
"So you plan to go across the wood inhabited by Vulcans in that state?"
"Uh… Juvia… No…"
"I'll ask Makarov to send someone to pick you up tomorrow,"
"… … Yes, thank you, Porlyusica-san,"
The healer stopped in her track, "Ah, and one thing,"
Juvia looked at the elder, "Yes?"
"Did Erza say something to you?" the healer somehow guessed that the change of the blunette was related with the armored mage.
Juvia beamed in happiness again, "Yes! Erza-san told Juvia that Gray-sama was actually thinking about her! Juvia is so happy to know that!"
Porlyusica stared at the squealing woman, at first she thought that letting her know about Gray would make her sad, but the sight in front of her said the opposite. 'I guess I was wrong. If I knew that she'll be this happy, I'd tell her sooner,'. The healer stood up and walked to her table, "So Erza has told you that Gray visited you on the day when you opened you eyes, huh? At that time, you're already fell asleep, so he just sat there beside you, saying nothing... I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, I thought it would make you sad and—"
"WHAT?!"
Porlyusica stopped her step and turned back to see a pure shocked face of the blunette, "Huh? She didn't say that?"
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"Juvia is allowed to go home?!" Lucy jumped from her chair as soon as Makarov read the letter from Fairy Tail's legendary scary healer.
"It's written here," the old man showed the letter and everyone in the guild cheered in happiness.
"Thanks, Mavis, finally…" Lisanna wipe the slight tear on her eyes.
"Let's make a welcome home party for her in Fairy Hills!" Levy suggested.
"Oh, that's right, I'll bring as much booze as I can for her!" Cana rose to her feet.
"Cana, I don't think Juvia is allowed to drink for a while," Mira smiled.
"That's unfair! Why should you hold the party at Fairy Hills where boys can't enter?" Jet protested.
"That's right, what's the meaning of party if it's only for girls? Let's have it here! Right, Happy?" Natsu added.
"Aye!"
"That's because Juvia should rest at home, which means, Fairy Hills!" Lucy retorted.
"But Fairy Tail is a home!" Natsu replied stubbornly.
"How about make an exception and let the boys enter Fairy Hills for once?" Mira asked sweetly.
"Entering girls' dormitory is a man!" Elfman shouted.
"NOT A CHANCE!" Erza smacked Elfman flat to the floor, made everyone screamed in horror. "Juvia will go back to Fairy Hills, and I won't let any male species to enter the dorm!"
"Male cat too?" certain blue neko asked jokingly, but soon being pierced by Titania's stern gaze.
"E-E-E-Erza-sama… The m-m-m-male cat… w-w-was kidding," Happy felt his whiskers shook in tremor. The dreadful silence filled the guild as Erza The Great continued to pierce the poor cat with her killing gaze.
Nobody dared to speak first.
"Cat is fine," Erza broke the silence. And the whole guild fell on the floor. "BUT HAPPY IS MALE!"
"I'm a cat!"
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The sun was almost set when a raven haired man entered the gate of Fairy Tail's guild. He spent the whole afternoon finishing the quest as instructed by Makarov and was planning to report about it to the guild. Though he said 'simple', the reward was obviously a very good item. Gray shoved a tiny box of reward into his pocket.
'Well, it had to be very good reward on the first place, because it was a really 'delicate' work,' he thought to himself. The mission was asking for an ice mage to make a sculpture of certain couple for their wedding. They wanted to have ice sculptures with very good details so it's too delicate for mere artist to shape the ice. He remembered the red ink letters he read on previous day and sweatdropped again, 'That pervert Jii-san, asking me to remember the details of bride's curve so I can make one sculpture of her for him,' Gray sighed.
"BUT HAPPY IS MALE!"
Gray tilted his head as he walked across the guild's yard. 'As noisy as always,' he thought to himself as he entered the guild.
"Gray!" a voice greeted him. Certain blond mage and her pink-haired partner walked over to him, "Juvia is allowed to go home tomorrow!"
Gray's eyes widened. It's just a day and he's already missing important things?
"Good to hear, don't ya think, ice freak?" Natsu grinned at his rival, half expecting the ice mage to throw a fight to him. Afterall, he hated this version of Gray, 'Gray-with-immunity-to-insults'.
"Really? She's recovered?" was all Gray said. Natsu sighed, his rival hadn't recovered.
"Yep," Lucy smiled.
"It's really good to hear," the ice mage let out a breath and smiled slightly, even though deep inside he felt a big surge of relief washed over him.
Erza's voice quickly dominated the crowd inside the guild, "Then it's been decided! We will held the party on the FRONT YARD of Fairy Hills. NOT INSIDE the dormitory. Tomorrow, Reedus will be the one preparing transportation, since Juvia still couldn't walk very far. Next is to decide who will come with Reedus to pick her,"
Lucy quickly grabbed both Gray and Natsu, "We will go!"
"EEEHHH?!" both the ice and the flame shouted to her ears.
"We were in the same mission right? So it's just natural for us to be the one who pick her up. Happy, you go with us too," Lucy explained.
"Aye! It's been a while since I met Charle," the nekomander cheerfully agreed.
"Well I don't mind it though," Natsu scratched the back of his head.
"How about you Gray? You sure don't mind, right?" Lucy beamed at the still-shocked ice mage.
"… … Yeah…"
"Yosh! Levy-chan, do you have some book portraying beautiful wagon? Let's have Reedus paint it!" Lucy let go both Gray and Natsu's arm and ran toward her best friend.
Gray tried to shrug off his perplexed feeling as he trailed his gaze to the bar where the girls chat lively. 'Okay, let's see… How should I face her anyway?'
"It's hard to face her, eh?" Natsu suddenly spoke beside him.
Gray turned to his rival with a surprised look on his face. 'T-This idiot, there's no way he has ability to see through me!'
"I did feel the same when I failed to protect her," Natsu gazed at certain celestial mage who was laughing with Levy and Lisanna. Gray followed his gaze, still unable to believe his ears.
"But I did the opposite of what you're doing now," Natsu grinned as he turned to his rival. Gray's eyes widened. He remembered the day when Lucy was badly injured in one of their mission. At that time, Natsu was continously being angered by simple things and…
"And at that time, you did THIS!" the legendary Salamander suddenly punched the silent ice mage. He punched hard. Very hard. Gray was thrown by Natsu's fist power across the room, breaking some tables and chairs in process. All activities inside the guild was stopped in instant. A black-haired dragon slayer put down his drink to savor the moment.
"Natsu! What are you doing?!" Lucy strode to the fire dragon slayer, but soon stopped as she saw the serious look on his face. "Natsu…?"
"Come, Gray, like you came to me that day,"
The said man slowly stood on his feet and wiping the blood on the corner of his lips. He set his glare to his rival, "Stop kidding me, NATSU!" Gray landed a similarly powerful fist on Natsu. The said dragon slayer was thrown out of the guild, and soon the raging ice mage stepped outside.
"W-what happened with them? Natsuuu?" the blue exceed fled outside to see his partner finally stood on his feet again.
"What's with the lame punch, Gray? You usually punch like THIS!"
"Stop that! What happened with you two?" Levy was finally getting worried but a pat on her shoulder by certain metal eater stopped her from complaining further.
"Take your words BACK!"
"Oi, Erza, you don't try to stop them?" Cana tapped at Erza's shoulder, but the almighty Titania only continued to gaze at the fight before them. She has done her part for Juvia, now it's up to Gray.
"You won't win, ICEBRAIN!"
"Lucy? Is this really okay?" Lisanna turned to the celestial mage, who was on the same state as Erza.
"Like you'll win, FLAMEBRAIN!"
"Rivals are strange," the sixth master of Fairy Tail stepped forward, "As they fight each other, they also strengthen each other,"
"I'LL NEVER LOSE TO YOU!" both ice and flame shouted. For some moment, everyone was unable to make any further comment.
"If there's someone who may erase Gray's doubt, it's Natsu. Vice versa," Lucy finally spoke as the fight between her fellow team members continued. Another dragon slayer grinned in agreement at her comment.
"Can't believe those two llllliiiiiikkkkeee each other!"
"Don't ruin my wise words, Neko!"
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to be continued
a.n. It's the 7th chapter! Yay! ^^ I am so happy and feel grateful for everyone who followed and favorited the story, and especially for the reviewers : BrigitteoO, animegirl115, Medaka-chan, Darkhope and SkyDragonSlayer, thank you, the story will unwrap all the answer you need one by one :)
I like the relationship of Natsu and Gray. Frienemy! Oh, and please look forward for the inevitable meeting of our favorite couple soon (do I spoil something?).
Feel free to give me a review :D