So yes hello. I am sorry for the sudden disappearance of me and all my stories but I'm finally back after a stressful half year break. To make up for it I have a long and fluffy chapter. Hope you all enjoy fufu.


The Zodiac Archive Chapter Seven

Aries

Aries personalities are independent. Being the first of the zodiac signs, they venture out and are go-getters, often leading the way. Their upbeat and magnetic personality often entices others to follow their lead because Aries personalities bring excitement into others' lives.


Juvia stared down at the small piece of paper in her hands. Sprawled across the creamy white paper was 'The Engagement of Lucy Heartfillia and Gray Fullbuster', written in gold and cursive letters. She sighed.

For some reason she couldn't tear her eyes away from the paper. After the greeting of the Taurus family and some, well, special guests, Juvia had hurried back to her room to change into her night uniform only to find an envelope on her bed. Inside was an invitation, specifically the paper she was staring at, to the official welcoming of the extended Taurus family. Apparently, she had been invited as herself and not Lucy's maid and Juvia was half wondering what she had done to deserve this.

Her thoughts were currently occupied with the questions of why Erza and Cana had arrived with the Taurus royal family. She sighed and stretched her arms, standing up all afternoon wasn't pleasant.

Looking to her left she cringed at the black bag sitting on her bed. Juvia wedged over and opened the small zipper on the said bag, which made a surprisingly long and loud sound. She could see light blue material and her curiosity got the better of her. Ripping not so elegantly at the bag, she grabbed at the blue and pulled.

"Holy cheese."

Standing up to reveal the entire outfit, Juvia squeaked. It was a dress, or practically a gown. Light blue and reaching the floor, it had a very basic cocktail design. The white sequences that were stitched perfectly along the waist of the attire ran along Juvia's fingers as she placed the dress on her bed. Backless. She sighed.

"Why?" She whispered and turned back to the bag, grabbing out yet another envelope. It was very small and crested with the royal stamp. Juvia raised her eyebrow and tore at the paper. It read:

Juvia!

You may be thinking why you have received an invitation to the party as a guest plus a dress (which you must wear tonight). I basically used my amazing persuasion skills to get you, Natsu and Levy into the party tonight as guests. In return I have to be more 'open' about the wedding. Anyway, it will be a nice night! Someone will come over to Levy's and escort you both at sixth hour, make sure you are ready and at her room!

From the amazing Lucy-sama.

A laugh escaped Juvia's lips as she fell backward on her bed. It was very unlike the palace to let anyone go against the regulations. Juvia assumed it was because the Taurus family was here and they wanted to make the party seem as fun and friendly as possible. Uniting two countries and their entire people would need work.

Juvia looked back and at the sun, which had begun to set. Frowning at the thought of the entire situation, she grabbed her dress and invitation and headed toward Levy's room.

Running through the halls while carrying a huge puff of blue material, Juvia mentally cursed the situation. Her bare feet hurt against the rough floorboards and she had to hide twice from being seen.

Reaching a door in the female dorm section, Juvia banged on the door.

"Who is it?" A whistling voice called from within.

"The King," Juvia muttered, "Who else visits you? No offense. Let me in!"

"I don't know who you are, sorry."

"Levy-chan!" The bluenette cried and decided to take out her own key, which Levy had given her years beforehand in case of emergency, "Juvia is coming in!"

The room was identical to Juvia's, and the rest of the female staff, with one huge room which served as the bedroom and kitchen, and one small room at the back which served as the bathroom. Levy stood near her bed, clad in a surprising outfit which made Juvia drop her dress. She wore a short a line purple dress, with small heels and a smug grin.

"I know," The small librarian grinned, "Hold your applause."

Regaining her composure Juvia closed the door shut, "Juvia will not compliment you, even though you look amazing, as you did not let Juvia in, while she was carrying this huge thing as well, even though you knew it was her."

"You just did compliment me." Levy grinned, running a brush through her hair.

"Anyway Levy-chan! Why are you dressed up? Juvia knows you got invited to that stupid party as did she, but this isn't the time! Erza-san! Cana-san! How? Why? Ah this is complicated."

'Juvia, Juvia, Juvia," Levy cooed as she pat the said girls shoulder, "I know how you feel, we were all like that. They came here without notice but they really couldn't send anything to warn us. I met with them in the library after you left."

"What did they say?! Why are they here?!"

"Well we only spoke for about a minute. They said that this party was being targeted by another city or something, they didn't say which. Erza got permission to take Cana and herself on the boat as performers for the party, believe it or not. Erza said she would give Gajeel a letter explaining it all sometime tonight at the party. And lastly she said to be careful."

Juvia groaned and placed her dress on the bed, "Still, how can they expect the palace not to get suspicious when all four of us looked completely surprised earlier."

Levy just shrugged and looked over the dress, "This is pretty. What else to expect from your best friend… huh? Anyway, put it on! We only have half an hour or so. Wait… what about… you're… you know."

Juvia crinkled her nose, "Fine. My hair covers my back, so it should be okay."


The party was held in the great hall, as all celebrations were. It was lively as Lucy entered, at least two hundred people were gathered. She smiled at a couple of guests as she silently made her way to her table, which was joined with the Taurus family table. Gray was on the opposite side of the room, talking with some men and looking extremely bored. Lucy sighed and sat down.

As the chatter from the room engulfed her hearing, her thoughts started to drift to a certain boy. A small smile appeared on her face only to disappear at the sight of her father walking toward her.

"You look lovely as always." He smiled and sat down beside her.

Lucy nodded and smiled at him, "It's a lovely party."

"And it's only just started," He chuckled, "Why don't you go over to your fiancé? You aren't making a good impression on his family by sitting alone in the corner."

"Sure," She smiled and stood up hastily.

Somehow her tired feet took her across the room to where Gray was standing. He looked up at her and excused himself from the people he stood with. Walking over to her, he offered his arm to which she accepted.

"Thanks for that, they were super boring." He sighed.

"It's alright, the almighty King made me get up and converse." She said as they walked toward the entrance of the party, hoping to get away from the commotion.

"Hey Gray," Lucy started, glancing down the hallway, "What are we going to do. We have until July."

Gray sighed and leaned against the wall, staring down at his feet, "Lucy, you don't have to worry. My plan is foolproof and the best part for you is that you don't get into any trouble. Whatsoever."

When she didn't reply he frowned and looked up at her. She was staring down the hall with a shocked expression plastered on her usually smiling face. Gray followed her eyes and immediately understood.

Walking down the hall was Natsu, and he remembered Juvia had said that he was the one Lucy loved, and beside him stood a girl with blue hair. And Gray temporarily got excited when he saw the blue hair, expecting someone else.

Both he and Lucy could see something blue behind Natsu and Lucy spoke up, "Natsu! What is behind you?"

Natsu and Levy waved at the two as they came closer. They saw Levy roll her eyes and pull on the object, revealing a gown clad Juvia who was desperately trying to hide.

Gray rose his eyebrows at her appearance and silently thanked the person who had made the dress. It fell perfectly on her and he couldn't help but look away before his complexion darkened. Lucy gasped and he guessed that she and he were sharing somewhat similar thoughts.

"You guys actually came…" Lucy spoke, her eyes softening and Juvia didn't fail to miss the quiver in her voice.

"Yeah," Natsu grinned and Levy nodded her head while Juvia stood awkwardly behind the small girl.

Lucy suddenly piped up, "Well! Let's go! Dancing and cake awaits us!" She grabbed Gray's arm, much to someone's annoyance, and led him back into the room.

The three left outside exchanged glances before entering themselves.


Inside the ballroom, Lucy and Gray made a welcoming speech and everyone applauded. Juvia sighed from her seat and anxiously fixed her hair. Levy glanced at her took the girls hand. Juvia smiled back in response, thankful that Natsu wasn't looking. Her hair had gotten long. She had been growing it out since then and it now reach her mid back.

She didn't have to worry while in her maid outfit. It was a fully covered top, with a long skirt and she had grown accustomed to feeling comfortable in it.

But the gown she wore cut off just above her cleavage. Leaving her completely conscious.

"Natsu!" Levy screeched, hitting the unsuspecting and innocent victim, "Juvia is cold, give her your jacket!"

Natsu, with a face full of cake, turned around and huffed. Pulling off his jacket half heartily and throwing it to her. She bowed her head in thanks and watched as he returned to glaring at the engagement couple, who were greeting some of Gray's family. She placed it around her shoulders and sighed. Luckily he had been in deep concentration, otherwise he would have probably connected the dots and noticed.

"Juvia," Levy spoke, "Let's go for a walk?"

Juvia nodded and the two left, heading toward the balcony of the ballroom, intent on walking through the gardens.

And unknown to Juvia, Gray glanced over at her empty seat and frowned.


Levy linked her arm onto Juvia's. They were walking through the gardens just below the balcony of the ballroom. The night air was brisk and Juvia took off Natu's jacket and slinked around the two of them.

"We look like a couple," Levy whispered and Juvia laughed.

The moon was full and it reflected against the manmade lake beside them. Juvia cringed as she remembered her previous job with Gray and the book. They walked along the grass, their shoes making small marks in the green.

"Juvia knows he still blames himself," She whispered and Levy looked up at her with worried eyes, "It hasn't come up for a while, because I always wear my uniform. But Juvia knows, it eats away at him."

Levy sighed, rubbing her hands together, "It's a difficult thing. I think he doesn't like to remember. I also think that he has been trying to forget all the bad stuff and it makes it worse."

They stopped to look out at the lake, and Levy felt a hand clasp her shoulder. Screaming and readying her fighting stance, that Gajeel had taught her, she pun around. The jacket fell off both of the girl's shoulders and Juvia screeched as she readjusted her hair.

"What the hell Gajeel!" Levy cried and Juvia winced as she hit him. For someone so little she had a mean punch.

He was completely unfazed and held up the jacket, "Whose is this?"

"Natu's! Juvia wanted- ah- uh-"

"Juvia was cold." She stated, saving Levy who crinkled her nose and sent her a thankful look. Gajeel looked over at Juvia and she shrugged.

His harsh eyes clashed with hers and she tugged the jacket out of his grasp, "And she still is cold."

"Who gave you that dress?" He questioned, looking between Levy and Juvia.

"Lucy-sama. Who gave you that face?" Juvia frowned and flicked his forehead, turning to leave, "Levy-chan, enjoy having a stroll with that oaf. And oaf, give Levy-chan your jacket. Juvia wasn't the only one who was cold."

Gajeel just grunted as she left and did as she said. Levy sighed after her and thanked Gajeel before they continued walking.


Juvia skipped up the steps that led back to the balcony. Her blue eyes looked back over her shoulder and she smiled at the two walking through the grass.

"Now that looks like a couple." She giggled and rested her arm on the balconies edge.

Her thoughts drifted to Lucy, who was probably dancing back inside with Gray. Yet another sigh escaped Juvia's lips. She wasn't jealous. It was more a feeling of longing and helplessness. She couldn't change anything about Lucy or Gray or their situation and she wouldn't let anything get in the way of the mission.

She thought of Natsu and closed her eyes. He deserved happiness. After everything that she had seen of him, she just wanted him to get everything he ever wanted. He didn't deserve to watch his affection be with another man. And Lucy and Gray didn't deserve to be forced into it.

She thought of Cana and Erza, probably somewhere performing some sort of duet in the castle. She laughed as she remembered the first time they had met. It was in the Taurus countryside. Juvia was hiding behind Gajeel as she thought they were both terrifying. They ended up performing a dance to get on her good side. Then they sent them off to Gemini. That is when they met Natsu, and-

Juvia shook her head and gasped. She didn't want to think.

"Juvia."

Jumping quite visibly, said girl whipped her head around to meet the face of an angry prince. He stomped toward her and grabbed at the shoulder of her jacket, sending her toward him. She winced as her face hit his chest, a little too harshly, and before she could yell at him she felt the night air on her arms, rendering her speechless.

He had ripped her arm out of the jacket sleeve, followed by her other arm and sent the material to the ground. She closed her eyes at the feeling of her arms being stretched in an awkward way and reopened them when she felt her back touch the cold stone of the balcony edge.

He was glaring at her. With his arms on either side of her, preventing her escape.

"Gray-sama! What the hell!" She harshly whispered, glancing at the people beyond the party.

"Why," He too, harshly whispered, "Why are you wearing that jacket?!"

Juvia pushed at his chest, "Because! Juvia is cold!"

He ignored her attempts of escape and perused on, "Why would you?! You can't!"

Juvia frowned at him, narrowing her eyes, "She can too! Why couldn't she anyway! Natsu has known Juvia for a really long time and-"

"You can't wear his jacket because of me!" Gray muttered, face aflame.

Juvia sighed, her equally aflame face staring intently at his. Her eyes were soft yet harsh and she tried her best to ignore the sharp pain in her chest. Hesitantly she rose her hand and placed it on his cheek. Gray flinched at the contact but stayed strong, trying to ignore the smooth feeling of her hand, his heartbeat resounding through his body.

"July." Juvia whispered, rubbing her thumb up and down his cheek, "July is your wedding. You are getting married… to Lucy."

He stared at her, mouth agape. She stared back, a small and saddening smile on her lips. And after what seemed like hours, he nodded and stood back up, allowing her to move.

"Juvia, I…" He frowned, his face glued to the concrete floor of the balcony.

"Hey," She smiled, "This is pretty heavy stuff for a party, don't you think? Go, Gray-sama. Go in there and impress your in-laws. Eat some cake and dance with your bride. Juvia is going to go back to her room, okay?"

She readjusted her dress and hair before smiling at him and skipping down the steps. Her smile dissolving as she turned away from his vision. Tears threatening to form from the corners of her eyes, she let out a laugh and sped up. Almost running down the side of the palace gardens she refused to turn back and watch Gray walk back inside.

And as she turned the corner of the palace garden, leaving his sight, he turned and leant down on the edge of the balcony. His hand in his hair and his eyes scrunched closed.

Juvia will not fall in love until the mission is over, she repeated in her head.

Why does this have to be so complicated, he repeated in his head.


Boom that took me a while. I have been neglecting this story but finishing this chapter has reignited the flame of passion for this fic. I am going to write the next chapter now and if I finish hopefully it will be up tonight also. Just a heads up, after the twelve zodiac quotes are up, this particular arc will end. I'm planning on three arcs and be ready for chapter twelve as it will be very long and everything will change.

Thank you each and every person who has supported this story in one way or another, I look forward to the next chapters!