Thank you for all the love! This is a long chapter :)


Friar Marvell had just finished explaining the whole Natsu situation to Happy, and he gave him the letter of his plans to send to Natsu. "Take this to Hargeon where Natsu is residing. Do not tell a single soul of what I just told you."

"Aye sir!" Happy saluted and left. He was walking down the streets until he felt a figure looming over him. Happy quickened his pace, immediately sensing the person near him dangerously. "C-Can I help you with something?" Happy was ready to turn around and confront the person, until he felt a sharp pain on his head, and blacked out.


The Lockser household was crazy with activity. Juvia's wedding was today, and Lucy noticed that Juvia was running late. I'll go and wake her up. Lucy started singing as she made her way up the stairs. "Juvia-chan! You silly girl, what are you doing asleep?" She entered Juvia's room and walked over to her bed. "You fell asleep in the strangest position." Lucy shook her. "Juvia-chan it's your big day today, wake up!" She said in a melodious voice. "Juvia-chan. Juvia. Juvia?" She had a bugging feeling crawl its way up her spine. "Juvia! Juvia, oh no!"

Lucy screamed. She screamed louder than she ever had in her life. "My lord! My lady! She's dead, oh God, she's DEAD!" Lucy jumped up and down and ran out. "She's dead, she's dead!" Lucy's throat burned from how loud she hollered.

Jellal and Ultear scrambled into the room. "Juvia!" Jellal ran over to Juvia and lifted her cold hand. "No. This can't be."

"My baby." Ultear's eyes welled up tears and she grabbed Jellal's hand. "Jellal…" It didn't help that Lucy was sobbing uncontrollably at the foot of the bed, repeating 'she's dead' like a broken record. Ultear couldn't handle it and buried herself into his chest, wailing out in despair.

Jellal didn't know what shocked him most, the fact that his wife was touching him or that his daughter was dead. He put his arms around Ultear and cried out. "This was supposed to be a joyous day… The wedding preparations will be changed to funeral preparations." Jellal couldn't stop the stream from falling out of his eyes.

They all went to Friar Marvell, and told him of the news. He, of course, was already expecting the family to arrive. "You all need to stop crying, Juvia is in a better place now. Heaven will take care of her now. The heaven you, Jellal, created was for her to marry a wealthy family, and climb up the social ladder. And now you cry, even though she has risen above the clouds and in heaven itself? It's because of your 'love' that your child is there. Stop crying and put your roses on this beautiful corpse. As tradition, carry her to the tomb in her best clothes. It's natural for us to shed tears for her, but the truth is, we should be happy for her. Now all of you leave and I will prepare the choir." He shooed them out. A looming feeling washed over him, but he ignored it.


Natsu walked along the port, smiling widely. "I chose the perfect town to stay in." He sighed out joyously as the wind carried the salty scent of the sea. "It reminds me so much of her… and it's close to Magnolia." He bit into the biscuit he was holding. "I feel like the world is finally turning the other cheek."

Two fishermen were loading up lobsters and making small talk; Natsu couldn't help but to overhear what they were talking about. "Sae whaur ye takin' aw ay thes seafuid?" Natsu internally laughed at their heavy Scottish accents.

"Ah hae tae gie thes order ay lobsters tae Magnolia as suin as possible." The other replied. Natsu stopped and listened hearing his hometowns name. "Some lassie frae a noble fowk apparently killed 'erself oan 'er weddin' day."

Could it be…? Are they talking about…? Natsu started dreading that it was Juvia. "Excuse me, gentlemen." He approached them. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. If I may ask, who exactly is the girl who killed herself?"

"Er nam is Juvia Lockser." The man casually responded.

"Thank you." They were intimidated at the sudden change of his demeanor. Natsu clenched his fists, and had a sour look on his face. He walked away aimlessly, lost in his thoughts. I need to go back to Magnolia. This could all be a hoax, some rumor. I have to see if she's okay. Maybe she's not dead and just faking it so she doesn't have to marry Gray. He quickly returned to his townhouse and stared at the red cloak in front of him. "Juvia… I'm coming for you."


Juvia's funeral took place in the morning; the area was damp from the previous night, and soft dew fell down from their leaves. The sky was dark and somber. Thick gray clouds hung overhead, the air was heavy and humid, people were staring in shock and others were crying. Rogue was sitting vigil at her public memorial service; he was only staring at Juvia's lifeless body, decorated heavily with jewels, flowers, and fine silks, and listening to Friar Marvell's public speech. Everything was suffocating him and he looked up at the sky.

"Juvia was too perfect to be on this Earth. Nothing good can ever stay in life." A tear rolled down his cheek. "Juvia-chan… Tell Sting-kun I said hi… And watch over Natsu closely for me, please?"

Friar Marvell ended with a long prayer and motioned for the men to put Juvia into the tomb. Ultear was sobbing the loudest and Jellal cried silently. Rogue instantly knew who was missing from the picture. He couldn't take the lack of air and moved away from the crowd onto the street. It didn't take him long until he spotted the blonde sitting on a bench overlooking a small river (A/N: Think Venice, Italy).

"Juvia… My Juvia-chan." Lucy breathed in heavily and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "

Rogue couldn't bear seeing her so broken and put his hand on her shoulder. "Lucy-san…"

"R-Rogue!" Lucy whipped around in shock, shaken out from her thoughts. "I-I didn't hear you coming!"

Rogue couldn't help but let out a sad smile. "May I sit here?" Lucy scooted over and Rogue sat beside her, sighing heavily. There was a comfortable silence that covered them for a moment. "I saw the service. I couldn't believe the rumors until I saw it for myself." He only eyed her cautiously.

"I know. I couldn't believe it either." Lucy sucked in her breath, trying to stop the tears. "I don't know what happened…"

"Do you remember the first day we met each other?" Rogue put his arm on the bench and around Lucy casually. She nodded and he continued. "Sting was really excited to meet the two of you; he couldn't sit still for the whole way and made sure everything was extra special for the occasion." Lucy laughed out slightly. "What do you remember from that day?"

Lucy leaned back on the bench and closed her eyes. "I remember seeing Natsu and Juvia on the hill; the sun was angled just right and hit them perfectly. That was when I realized that they really were meant to be." She laughed out. "I remember Sting's smile when he said he'd protect Juvia just like he'd protect Natsu and how the three of us were just watching them… B-But..."

"Things went downhill when that idiot died…" Rogue only stared at a man riding by in a gondola. "Despite the fact that he was a dumbass, he always managed to keep the light shining bright in all of us."

Lucy finally rested her head on his shoulder and started sniffling. Rogue wrapped his arms around her letting her cry in his chest. He rubbed her back in a comforting manner until she finally calmed down and snuggled in his chest. "I-If Natsu finds out about Juvia's death… Do you think he'd come back?"

Rogue didn't even have to think to know the answer. "Most definitely."

Lucy lifted her chocolate orbs to look into his red ones. "Then we should keep an eye out for him, if he does come that is. Who knows what kind of trouble he'd get himself into?"

The day went by and Lucy and Rogue spent every second together, giving each other the comfort they needed from loosing their loved ones. They returned to the same bench and sat down, talking once again.

Natsu arrived during the night, he was walking at a slower than normal pace, and stared at all the stores and places that he once visited with Juvia. Everywhere he looked; there was some sort of memory of her, whether it was her walking, smiling, laughing, and even talking to him. We had a goodtime together didn't we? Natsu couldn't bring himself to smile, and continued on. He reached the Lockser mansion and climbed up the familiar orchard wall. He sat at the top; reminiscing on how untouched everything looked; like it was just yesterday he climbed the wall to see his wife. Natsu wiped away a tear that fell from his eyes and looked up at the moon. "Juvia, I will be by your side forever, I swear on my life."


Friar Marvell grabbed his lantern hanging on the wall and headed to the door. "I'm running late, Natsu must be waiting for me at the tomb." He put his hand over the doorknob and expected it to open.

Locked.

Friar Marvell's eyes widened in horror and he started banging on the door. "Help! Let me out! Someone! Anyone! Please help me!" No, no, no! This can't be happening!


Natsu was walking back down the street when he spotted Lucy and Rogue on the bench. He froze, not expecting to see the two at all.

Rogue stopped in the middle of his sentence, sensing a familiar presence and scent. "Natsu?" He stood up and turned around only to see a hooded person. "Is that you?" Natsu caught sight of the tear that fell down his face.

Lucy turned around to look at the two; she recognized the sharp canines from Natsu's mouth and she suddenly welled up in tears, gripping Rogue's cape nervously.

Natsu put down his hood and gave Rogue a sad look, but kept his signature smile. "Hey Rogue… I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye to you, I was with Juvia before my banishment."

Rogue wanted to step forward, but Lucy's grasp on his cape restrained him from moving far. "D-Don't worry about it. I didn't mind, but it's a nice surprise to see you." Lucy slowly got up and stood next to Rogue.

"How've you been, Lucy-chan?" Natsu scratched the back of his head. She only gave a weak smile in response. Natsu may have been dense, but he could definitely tell that the two were grieving heavily. "How's Juvia?" His heart snapped at Lucy's reaction and all the questions in his head were all answered the moment she burst out crying and fell to his feet. Natsu only looked down at her with a grim face.

"The day before Juvia's engagement to Gray, she asked me what she should do… E-Everyone wanted her to marry Gray, and Jellal t-t-threatened to dis-disown her if s-she didn't listen to him," Lucy was a blabbering mess. "I-I'm so sorry Natsu-san. I betrayed our friendship, I-I told her to marry Gray. I-I-I didn't want to see her dying on the streets! Forgive me Natsu, I beg, please forgive me! I didn't want this to happen! If I could trade places with Juvia I'd do it within a heartbeat. N-Natsu-san forgive me please. I didn't want you to find out like this. It's my fault Juvia is dead." Lucy cried for the millionth time that day, and this time she actually felt her heart breaking.

Natsu knelt down and put his hand on her head. Lucy looked at him in shock. He gave her a wide toothy grin. "You had every right to tell Juvia to leave with Gray. I'm not mad at you at all. I promise Lucy-chan." He enveloped her into a warm hug; Lucy let out a shaky breath. "Now. Did Juvia mention anything about Friar Marvell?"

"J-Juvia only went to confession." Lucy answered.

He looked at Rogue seriously. "Did she say anything to you?"

"No. I only saw Juvia being taken to the tomb." Rogue replied.

Natsu smiled. "I see… Well I must be on my way then. Rogue and Lucy… Take care. I know you've had so much hardship. But this is goodbye. I love you two more than you'll ever know. But I can't be here." He embraced the two of them and squeezed them tightly. He gave a confused Rogue a letter. "Keep it until it's the time to shed light on what happened." Natsu turned around and waved goodbye while walking away. "Where's that cobra when you need him?"

Rogue and Lucy were dumbfounded at Natsu's little speech. Rogue only stared at the letter that was given to him, and internally wondered what it was.

Natsu knocked harshly on the door, and a man opened it. "Who's knocking so loud? Oh. It's just you. I could hear you walking here a mile away. You know you're a fugitive right?"

"I don't have time for your sass, Erik." Natsu glared at him. "I need a poison that will be able to kill someone like me."

"Of course, you only visit your cousin because you need something. Don't tell me this is your revenge plot; are you trying to kill the King?" Cobra raised his eyebrow.

"No!" Natsu stomped ferociously. "Just give me something, I have the money and I'll pay you."

"I can hear your heartbeat. You're serious about something…" Cobra gave him a suspicious look, until he gave Natsu a flask. "Not even someone with the strength of 20 men can survive this poison. Now pay up." Natsu handed him the money. "Don't do anything stupid with it."

"I won't." I'm going to do something absolutely stupid with this. Natsu walked away.

Something seemed to click in Rogue's mind and everything suddenly made sense. The gears started turning as he added up Natsu's suspicious behavior. "Lucy." He whirled around scaring the life out of her. "Natsu's not talking about his banishment. I think he's going to see Juvia and kill himself."

"What?!" Lucy covered her mouth in dread. "We have to go and stop him!"


Natsu entered the tomb easily and easily found Juvia's death bed. Juvia was lying on a stone slab, decorated and dressed finely in silk and jewels. Candles surrounded her entire bedside illuminating the room enough for Natsu to see. He approached her slowly, and touched her hand like it was made of porcelain. He carefully removed the linen covering her face. "My beautiful Juvia… My love… My wife… Death has taken you away from me, but it has not yet ruined your beauty." He stood fully next to her, holding her hand tightly. "There is still red on you lips and in your cheeks; death hasn't turned them pale." He began to cry. "Ah, dear Juvia-chan, why are you still so beautiful!? Why was our love so cursed from the very beginning? This should've been me lying in this tomb, not you. Were the sorrows too much for you to bear that you rushed to death before everyone? I thought they were lying. I thought it was all just a lie when they said you were dead. But now I see it. I see it with my own eyes. You're gone. All gone." His voice cracked and his tears fell onto her skin. "I'm so sorry Juvia, I'm sorry I failed in our marriage. I love you and I miss you, Juvia please, please don't leave me! Don't leave me by myself." He buried his face in her chest and cried out. "I never wanted anything to end; I wanted to be happy with you forever." He kissed her lips, but ended up smothering her lips and covering her face with kisses. "I love you. I promise, nothing in the new life will ever separate us like this again." He stepped away, tears rolling down steadily down his face, he took out the little bottle and lifted it up. "Here's to our love." He drank the poison, not leaving a single drop. Natsu cowered forward, feeling the poison pump through his veins. "Damn that cobra! I will die a slow death now."

"Yes, yes you will." Natsu whirled around and stood in front of Juvia's body defensively, glaring at his offender. "You stole everything from me, and now I'm going to get rid of you once and for all."

"What do you want, Gray?" Natsu growled.

"I want to go to sleep tonight knowing that you're buried 20 feet under." He smirked. "This is your fault, you were the reason Juvia died."

Juvia was slowly coming into consciousness, and squirmed slightly. Lucy and Rogue were around the corner panting heavily.

Juvia's eyes fluttered open and she instinctively grabbed Natsu's hands making him scream out. Gray started in shock as Juvia began speaking. "Natsu-sama? Natsu is that you?" He stood frozen, staring at his wife coming back from the dead… literally. She sat up and smiled widely at him. "Natsu-sama! You came for Juvia."

"Juvia!" Natsu hugged her, falling down and burying his face in her chest. His heart thudded against his chest. "Juvia, I thought you were dead!" Juvia wasn't too sure about what was going on with him, but she ran her fingers through his pink locks. "I thought you were dead." He repeated, rubbing his face in her bosom. "I was so scared. I was so scared; I thought I lost you forever."

"Juvia is very alive." Juvia smiled softly. She looked up and locked eyes with Gray and her mind went blank. "Natsu-sama… What's going on?" She grabbed his shoulders and made him look at her.

Natsu looked up at her, still in shock. "I caught word in Hargeon that you killed yourself on your wedding day. I came here to make sure it wasn't all a lie." He shakily touched her cheek, in disbelief.

Juvia covered his hand with hers. "Friar Marvell was going to send a letter to you."

The two were cut from their moment as Gray began to laugh loudly. "I knew it! I found out the truth when I came to speak to Friar Marvell." He laughed. "I heard Friar Marvell explain it all to Happy, so when he went to alert Natsu, I knocked the boy out and read the leader. I know of this betrayal. I knew that Natsu would come to get you Juvia, so I planned all along to trap him and kill him for taking you away from me."

"You're mad!" Juvia screamed out.

"Yes I'm mad! And it's your fault. I went mad spending all this time trying to make you love me when you fell in love with my greatest hate! You're both scum." He concentrated his magical power at the two. "You can die along with my heart."

Natsu's sharp hearing heard the yelling coming from outside the door; Rogue and Lucy burst through the door. Time slowed down, Gray shot his beam straight at the two, Lucy crashed into Gray, and the two only saw the blinding white light.

"Lucy!"