The painful pitter patter of the heart

Chapter 8: Mission with HIM: Beginnings of a Long Journey...


Gray never did tell her that 'important thing' he wanted to say. But to Juvia, she didn't care. After Juvia had helped him home yesterday evening, he was so close to her: hugging her, and leaning on her for support, that she nearly had a heart attack. She winced to herself when she remembered dropping him from her anxiousness, and silently swore to herself...never again. Truth was...Juvia was kind of a shy girl...even if she didn't act like it.

She just had to get away from him. He had already hurt her enough as it is. If love was this painful... she never wanted to experience it... EVER again! Was being in love a hellish possession or a heavenly visitation? Or was it, as Gajeel would put it, a pain in the ass? If he were here with her now, he'd teach Gray a lesson. But he wasn't. He was with Levy-chan. She couldn't help but feel jealous that he wasn't here to hear her complaints. But what could she do?

The water mage unhurriedly trudged across town, wanting to crawl in a hole and rot. Juvia spied Lucy walking out of a store with Natsu and happy, and she sighed.

Lucy- her love adversary- can have Gray for all she cared, she thought somewhat haughtily and bitterly. The blunette felt a pang of jealously when she thought about Lucy and Gray skipping across an extravagant flowery field, full of smiles and holding hands. She suddenly had the uncontrollable urge to yell her frustrations out to the world, but then thought against it. Not knowing what to do next she made her way back to Fairy Tail.

Juvia had always somehow found herself alone. It was a sad truth, but Fairy Tail was such a warm place that she just wanted to spend all her time at the guild listening to their laughter and fights. Much better than Phantom lord, and she knew Gajeel loved it there no matter what he said. Maybe Mirajane will make her some of that delicious tea she had this morning. Juvia thought, her spirits lifting.

And the best thing was... She didn't bump into Gray all that morning... Or was it? The confused water mage wasn't so sure of anything these days and thoughts filled her head in her walk to the guild...


"WHAT?" Both Juvia and Gray shouted at the same time, when Master let the 'terrible' news slip. The two mages were both called up by Mirajane straight after Juvia had arrived at the guild. Gray was looking as cool as ever while waiting with Makarov who was close to the bar. She questioned his motives with her speculating eyes.

"I thought you two would've been happier from hearing that!" He waggled a suggesting eyebrow at Juvia, and she blushed. Gray stood there blankly and rather clueless...like always.

The two Fairy Tail mages kept quiet; Juvia silently was disappointed that he was reluctant to take a mission with her. Gray was the first to break the silence.

"Well...it's too late notice is what I meant, by the what!"

"Well you see, so there I was at a meeting when they—I don't remember their names—asked me whether I had a water mage, and... well it jusr so happens I do have one"-he glances at Juvia-"so I accidentally added that I also had an ice mage, and let me tell you, they were thrilled!"

"..." Juvia narrowed her eyes. This seemed a tad suspicious.

"They apparently need some mages who had water based abilities" Makarov rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "So, you guys will need to arrive at the village tomorrow, and be on the train by seven."

Juvia and Gray watched as Marakov scurried off with a slight smile on his face full of wrinkles. They both sighed, at exactly the same time. Juvia paused, and then took a brave glance at the ice mage besides her. She quickly looked down, embarrassed when she was caught. Another round of silence fell on the two. Gray was the one who broke the silence again.

"Well... I'll see you tomorrow then..."

"...Y-y-yes. Let's get this mission over and done with!" Juvia gave a small smile and then quickly walked off. Gray somehow, couldn't help but feel slightly eager spending a mission with her. It's been a while... hasn't it? He thought to himself.

While the two mages walked off, Makarov casually strolled up to the bar counter where Mirajane was cleaning a glass cup. He shot her a wink, and she returned the wink with a large knowing smile. She began humming a merry tune, and her customers caught her ebullient disease.

"Mirajane, why are you so cheery all of a sudden?" Ezra asked curiously and sat down in front of the white haired bartender.

Her smile widened. "What can I get you Erza?"

The red haired mage watched Mirajane suspiciously. "You've been... plotting haven't you?"

Mirajane shook her head, still with her very joyful smile. "So do you know anyone else getting close these days?"

Erza looked at her skeptically. "Lucy and Natsu look like they're getting along better-" Erza started.

Mirajane looked like she had stars in her eyes and the aura around her seemed to sparkle.

"WELL OF COURSE! WHY DIDN'T I SEE IT?" Her eyes seemed calculating, and she began to rummage around the cupboards behind the counter. She yelled in triumph, and then placed a small pop up sign up:

'Be back in 10 minutes...'

She walked up to the stellar spirit mage and the fire dragon slayer with delight. Erza watched Mirajane amused at her antics. She was going to say that they were getting along better as friends, but she didn't want to spoil the fun...


"W-w-what clothes should Juvia pack?" A certain blue haired mage yelled at her mirror reflection. Of course there was no answer, but the frantic girl was too busy panicking to think of minor facts like that.

She fumbled through her cupboard, making such a ruckus that soon there was a knock on her door.

"Juvia-chan...are you alright?"

Her head snapped up, and rigidly turned her heads towards the door. "Juvia is alright, Levy-chan does not need to worry!"

"Ah... If you say so... If you need any help, please call"

"Alright!"

Levy's footsteps could be heard receding down the hallway.

Juvia slumped besides her extravagant bed, and sighed loudly. And here she was, 'supposedly' trying to forget her love for Gray and trying to make him happy. It wasn't going to be easy, with this mission suddenly forced onto her. She threw the dress she had in her hands on her already clothes covered floor, and frowned to herself.

A person trying to forget her love is absolutely not meant to try and impress them! She shook her head to clear her mind, and her thoughts were absolute. She would try and act as if they were nothing but nakamas, as he liked to classify their relationship as. Juvia, once made up her mind, rummaged through her draws and cupboard with determination, to find more casual looking clothing. She began shoving the bundles of random bits and pieces in her small suit case.

"Juvia isn't going to lose you, Gray-sama!" She cried determinedly. She made a note to herself that she would be calling the cafe, to tell the manager she won't be present for a few days. Well least she didn't have to work... that was one of the only plus side of the mission, she thought gloomily to herself.


Gray had arrived at the train station a bit earlier than necessary. He glanced at the wall clock, and tugged his shirt uncomfortably. He spent a bit longer, than he'd ever had in his life time, choosing what to wear. This baffled him profoundly. And he couldn't help but think about Gajeel's reaction of having his girlfriend away from him. He noted to himself, that he would tell Juvia about Levy and Gajeel's forbidden relationship.

Ten minutes later, Makarov appeared and handed him the mission, Juvia was still nowhere to be seen. After a few more minutes, they spotted a blue haired mage, drowsily lugging a small suitcase, strolling towards them, somewhat swaying back and forth.

"Well I'll be off now you too. Good luck, and please try not to destroy anything!"

Juvia stifled a yawn, and pointed out to herself that Gray looked a bit more stunning than usual. Strange... this fatigue was getting to her. She wanted to face palm herself for the random thought though, tired or not. He looked down at the sleepy mage in front of him.

"What's wrong? You didn't get much sleep?"

"Juvia couldn't sleeppp last night."

Gray decided to leave it at that.

Her eyes were half lidded as she boarded the train. Gray was gentle yet manly enough to help carry her small suit case and guided her to a seat. Half her brain was malfunctioning, and finally sat down after a few stumbles. He sat down straight after. A few minutes had passed, and the train was on its way.

Juvia could feel sleep threatening to take over, and the slight rocking motion of the train was definitely NOT helping. Juvia dozed off for a few minutes, but woke up with a start after the train jumped slightly and her head collided with the person next to her. She felt her cheeks burn from embarrassment and burned hotter, as she noticed that Gray was currently staring at her.

He opened his mouth to say something, but looked like he was having an internal conflict with himself. Finally, he decided to speak.

"...You know... You could-erm rest on me if you...want..." It sounded like he was having difficulties composing his sentence.

Juvia smiled softly, completely forgetting her oath to herself, and slid closer to the ice mage. She slowly placed her head on his soft, yet muscular shoulders, and closed her eyes. All she could think was his how nice he smelt, and how she wished the train ride would never end...

...And how she had no other choice...right?


NAWWWW! HOW DO I COME UP WITH THESE CORNY SCENES? LOL! Hahahhaa! I really hope you like this chapter... despite its shortness xD Aright this mission will definitely get things going with our dear couple :D Please tell me what you think, and hope you guys tune in for nextttttt timmee~~ I think it was Jak Kinase who inspired me to update :)

Til next chapter:

Marina-chan (currently hyppooo) bwhahhahah :D