A/N: I got no rant for this chapter. Let me know what you think of this one.
Over the course of several months, Fairy Tail was back to normal… as normal as it can be. The situation with celestial spirits has passed, Gray counted himself lucky there was no one to see him dance and now everything is returning to point as if nothing happened. With few exceptions. Though his situation with Juvia has improved, it was still very small degree of improvement, they barely spoke and when they did it wasn't anything more than a two to three minute chat. Hello, how are you, got any jobs lately? The questions were always the same. The second exception was that Juvia didn't know what Gray was doing with his free time… but Gray knew well what she was doing. It wasn't the stalking bit, no no, far from it, this was something completely new for him.
His nights were calmer, nightmares were rare and often related to his past, not to complications with Juvia although from time to time he would dream of that night in village. Wet dreams never bothered him… much… gave him one hell of a craving and urge for really cold shower but to him… it didn't help. This morning was one of such and he woke up, eyes wide, covers down on floor and forehead filled covered with sweat. There was no longer a day in his life when he didn't thought of her… but as bad as days were, nights were worse.
Gray got out of his bed… he was exhausted to a point where even a long night of sleep couldn't remove the effects. He walked out of his bedroom and intended to cool himself with the cold shower that would probably yet again have no effect.
"Still having troubles sleeping Gray?" Voice came from his couch, making Gray jump a bit.
"Mavis! Damn it Loke, Leo! Leo…" Gray calmed down, taking deep breath "Why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?" Leo asked, having small grin on his face. He was sitting on couch, arms spread over the back lean and his legs crossed. He was as immaculate as ever in his dress code.
"This! Randomly appearing in my house when I am waking up." Gray rubbed his face with both hands. "Not gonna lie, it is kinda creepy."
"I am just making sure you are alright. Gray, your clothes…"
"Leo, my house." Gray lowered his hands looking toward the Lion.
"Well can you at least… well cover yourself, it is a bit embarrassing." Leo adjusted his glasses and looked away, making Gray look down. It wasn't about him being naked, it was more about the fact he was in his full effect from his rather pleasant dream. He reached for one of the plates that was on table and placed it down to cover himself.
"Yeah, sorry, I was having a…"
"Sweet dreams? That would be new, improvement if I can say so. I expect it would happen after your job with Juvia. Don't look at me like that Gray, I told you before I can see everything that happens around my keyholder, I heard master Makarov and I saw you when you returned."
"So, how much did you hear?" Gray asked, his heart started beating hard at the possibility of him overhearing his conversation with Natsu.
"Everything. If you refer the little talk you had with the wrecking machine, then everything." Leo said, looking up at Gray again who at this point felt the odd chill wrap around his feet. "I had a little trouble at first, not knowing if I should congratulate you or smack you… both refer to your very rare moments of idiocy."
"And you came to tell me just that?" Gray asked, not exactly pleased to hear himself being called an idiot but far from the fact it wasn't truth… it was merely not wanting to have it being pointed out so bluntly.
"Actually, yes, but that is secondary. My primary objective is to talk to you about those little souvenirs." Leo pointed toward Gray. There were number of bruises and healed cuts, purple areas covering almost half of his stomach, all indications were the injuries were very recent. "I know also for a fact you went on jobs alone and that you were seen practicing your magic."
"Ok so I had some time to operate on my own, spread my wings and just be away from everyone, that is nothing odd. Plus, practicing magic is what I have to do like it or not. If you have forgotten I was to be S-class wizard."
"I know, Gray." Leo stood up and took few steps toward Gray, placing his hands in pocket of pants. "But I know for a fact that your magic is flashy by nature, beautiful, but flashy. Recently you have been practicing how to control that, haven't you?"
Gray just stood silent, not making a single move as he watched and listened to Leo, the mere fact he knows all this was absolutely terrifying to him.
"I have seen you trying to make your geyser burst and in the next second completely disappear. Not the kind of approach you prefer… And I also know for a fact Wendy could easily have rid you of those…" Leo took out his right hand from pocket and pointed at bruises on Gray's body. "I know what you are doing Gray."
"No, you don't…" Gray waved his head.
"I can read between the lines, you know."
"Then what are the odds you won't mention this to anyone?" Gray asked, making uneasy smile.
"I won't tell anyone. But be careful in following this little plan of yours. Still, I have to say, I am a little impressed in your sudden decision to take the risk."
"Enough to make one of your own?" Gray grinned and looked down, his 'effect' has subsided and he felt a little less uncomfortable, sufficient to place the plate back on the table.
"As previously mentioned, my place is to guard Lucy. Unlike you, the chances of me having a happy ending in that particular 'leap of faith' are non-existent. Not for me nor for the rest of spirits. But! It did give me a chance to seek a little bit of happiness elsewhere." Leo smiled wide as he yet again adjusted his glasses."
"Is it-"
"Yes! And not a word from you, hmm?" Leo winked at Gray and patted him on his shoulder before he disappeared in flash of light. Gray wasn't surprised by this but he wasn't exactly more at ease either. He looked down again, noticing all the injuries on his body and nodded. Stripping might be an issue but he was worried more at the fact that he could barely walk properly.
On the other side of the city, in the halls where Fairies dance, a peculiar conversation was held between girls, one that could make even Erza waste a perfectly good cake. At table, furthest from the rest, secrets were being shared, deep secrets, terrible secrets…
"I protest!" Carla shouted, folding her arms "This is not a conversation Wendy should listen!"
"Will you relax?" Cana patted her on back but the pure force made her stagger forward on the table.
"She is too young to be listening to this."
"Then I suppose when she does grow up dragon is gonna come back to teach her about sex?" Cana replied and she was right… Carla had absolutely no experience in this and list of suitable people capable of accomplishing this task was extremely limited and that list consisted of only Fairy Tail members.
"I… I wanna hear this…" Wendy stuttered, her cheeks were as red as they can be, making slightly annoyed Carla give up and she merely walked to edge of table and sat down.
"There, problem solved. Besides she will need this once Romeo grows up enough." Cana smiled and Wendy was quick to deny these outrageous accusations "Ok we heard Levy's version of roleplaying a baker and his lovely assistant in nothing but apron all covered in flour." Lucy grinned wide as bluenette blushed hard, not so much about the fantasy as much as having to say the names of participants in this little play of hers.
"So what is your fantasy then, Lucy?" Erza said, moving her head forward, clenching her fork and nearly knocking over the plate of the cake… still untouched.
"Well since we are on the subject…" Lucy tapped her lips with finger few times before the grin turned into wide smile "My fantasy would be a role play, I would be the maid, wearing a nice and skimpy costume, cleaning the house when suddenly I break a very expensive vase… My master would come and notice me trying to pick up the pieces and since I don't have money to pay for it… he would make me pay for it right there on the table, and once at the fireplace." Girls were in awe, completely mesmerized by the little share of sexual fantasy, but among them Juvia and Erza in particular were very interested.
"Ok now it's your turn Juvi…" half-drunk Cana placed hand on her shoulder, making the water-mage almost jump from her seat but fortunately due to little restraint that Cana provided, such feat was impossible. Unless she turns herself into water, but, small worm in her chest kept her from doing so.
"W…well… Juvia always wanted t…to… "she shuttered but she cleared her throat, trying to compose herself and after a short moment, she managed "Juvia always wanted to make love while still in wedding dress, everyone would be waiting and Juvia and her beloved would be hidden in some small room."
"Oooh wedding sex, kinky!" Cana chuckled adding oil to the fire "Is there a name for this mysterious groom?" There was no answer as she quickly looked down, mood quickly turned as every single fantasy of hers had Gray involved but now… there was no option for it. Girls quickly caught up on this and the focus switched.
"What about you Erza?" Lucy asked, trying to defuse this rapidly deteriorating situation.
"M…me? No, no I don't have any fantasy!" She quickly looked down, trying to act as if she is focused on her cake, despite the fact she was more involved in listening to these stories than anyone else.
"Come on, it can't be that you don't have any!" Mirajane interjected, standing behind Erza. Even though she was bringing drinks to rest of the guild, she came around to this particular table to overhear the talk… This one she wouldn't miss for the world.
"We shared ours, now it's your turn." Lucy said, moving a bit on her chair to be as close as possible to her "Plus I know for a fact you regularly get erotic novels from your regular dealer." Lucy looked toward Levy who at this point wanted to fall through the ground. That wouldn't stop them from pushing though.
"And knowing our Erza, that fantasy cannot be satisfied with just one man… maybe two?" Cana teased but annoyed and very red Erza was quick to answer to this.
"Three." Mouths gaped open at the number she spoke. Sure the image of dominant Erza was there but three guys? Just how much endurance does this girl have?
"Oh my…" Mira said, feigning the shock but she smiled wide "And do these strangers have names?"
Erza nodded, feeling uneasy having to say this out loud but this little fantasy of hers was something that she quite often thought about and her honor demanded to say it since everyone else did. "Jellal, Siegrain and Mystogan." If there was some room for shock left, it would be filled right about now.
"Hold on…" Cana moved forward, grinning from ear to ear as she slammed down her tankard against the table "Your fantasy is to have sex with three guys that look exactly the same?"
Erza nodded, again and cleared his throat. It wasn't difficult for them to visualize this and Erza's explanation was quite vivid. One to focus on her ample breasts, one to kiss her continuously and third to not let her be aroused which in her description would be kissing her thighs and lips. The image, though a little weird, was far from not being interesting and hot, and on this girls quickly agreed.
"Erza in her own harem, that is something I'd like to see." Cana chuckled as she bit her lip.
"Erza in what?" Natsu's came from behind Lucy and everyone straightened themselves, trying to hide blush that occupied their faces.
"It's nothing!" Lucy quickly answered, realizing that it would be easier to pretend nothing happened than to explain what harem is and give him wrong idea.
"Oook but why are you red? Haven't seen you like this since we-"
"I know and it's nothing!" Lucy said again, standing up and pulling Natsu away from the table. The rest of girls tried to find their grounds again from this topic. It was barely noticeable for Cana although Wendy might need to get ten minutes on fresh air. As for Erza… she was left in her own fantasy for a little longer.
"Well, Juvia should go and find some work!" She rubbed her cheeks with hands, desperately trying to remove the blush but it just made it worse. Instead, best way to get her minds away from these thoughts would be to find something to do. Still… thoughts of Gray persisted, if not for the wedding sex then at very least for the one that already did occur. She walked over to the board and looked at various jobs posted. Some were underpaying, others required extensive teamwork.
Perhaps something easier this time would be best she thought and grabbed piece of paper from board before walking to counter to report to Mira. Decent job, not too difficult, enough to keep her financial status in check but there was a strange feeling someone was constantly looking her way but she couldn't see who.
As soon as she left the hall, Gray made his move and came to the counter, waiting for Mira to deliver orders to guild mates. One minute was enough and he quickly took the book and went through pages, finding the last entry.
Wanted, wizard or group of wizards to dispose group of local gang members that harass Golden Duck Brewery… mm mmm 300 000 jewels… Perfect, it's in the city.
He quickly closed the book and before he could manage to slip out of the hall, voice came from behind.
"Taking another job alone again?" Natsu said, he was frowning at Gray.
"Yeah just need to… get my thoughts straight and this is helping me, nothing big." He responded, sporting a forced grin on face.
"I know things are difficult but you can at least count on us to help you. Come on man, we are your teammates."
"I am not leaving the team… just… need to get my mind clear. Blow some steam."
"Alright, I'll trust you… but I don't agree with you…"
Gray just nodded and left the hall. He was burning under his clothes and his magic did little to make him comfortable but it is better than to wear it in the bag. He slowly began undressing, removing his coat and pants but instead of being naked he revealed a tight, black uniform under, black gloves and shoes… If Natsu saw him he would shout "ninja!"… Perhaps he did look like one.
Juvia has already by the brewery and Gray was sitting on the roof, keeping mask up over his face. Hours passed and she was slowly getting tired as night was approaching. Gray, however, had his eyes peeled at her, not leaving her out of sight for even single seconds, silently overlooking and occasionally moving back a bit if she would to look up. The street where this brewery was located was long, having intersections every 50 meters and unlike rest of the streets, this one was poorly lit with lacrima crystals. It was secluded place at the very edge of the city suitable for various thieves and wizards who wanted easy prey. Not on his watch though, not tonight.
Voices came from down the street… hundred meters, maybe a little less. He looked down, noticing that Juvia was sitting by the door, her head leaned against her arms… Is she asleep? She must be tired but this was not a good moment to be asleep. He was in conflict… he cannot take them out on his own or she will not be able to complete the job but also he cannot warn her either, mere sight of him would make things worse. He had to leave her like that and he decided to run on the rooftops toward the source of the voices. There are six, no, seven different guys, big and small, no weapons or tools… they could be wizards. She wouldn't stand a decent chance against all seven at once.
They kept moving toward the brewery and he followed, looking down toward them. If only he could freeze them right there and now… Within couple of minutes they reached the building… Good she is awake he thought, smiling a bit under his mask as he watched her stand in front of them. She is probably gonna try and reason with them first. Maybe they will listen. But they didn't… two of them tried to get a jump on her but she quickly evaded back, turning herself into water. Morons.
Gray jumped on one of the balcony at intersection behind them and then slid down to the ground. There was nothing he could do from this place, it would be too obvious for him to attack so instead he can take them out one by one while they are not looking. He peeked from the corner to assess the situation… it didn't look good. One of them is sand-magic user, he could counter Juvia's magic easily if he manages create sand around and absorb her water, but she could do so as well for him. It would all depend on speed and skill when they clash. Other one appears to be purely earth magic as he kept trying to pierce her with spikes from below. He won't have enough tricks to take her down. The big hulking one… he is pure strength, close combat, fist-magic maybe… Won't be useful against Juvia but what of other four?
Situation quickly escalated and Juvia felt cornered, she managed to push back one of them, smaller one and he rolled over right to the intersection where Gray was.
"Bitch is gonna pay!" he shouted as he got up, attempting to cast a spell but before he could manage to do so large ice hand grabbed him and pulled him. His arm wrapped around wizard's neck and hand pressed against lips, tightening the grip until he was unconscious. That's one.
He peeked again and situation shifted, Juvia was now the one to attack and she managed to create several water slicers that she aimed at two of the gang members. One of them fell, other was unharmed… that has to be one with sand magic he thought. Situation changed again and not in her favor as five wizards decided that ganging up on her will be more effective so they did and she had little choice but to retreat further up the street. That was also the alarm for Gray to move. He ran forward, hoping that she won't notice him and his gamble paid off well… She looked completely preoccupied with battle to notice him and he had a window of opportunity. He closed his hands together and whispered Ice-make geyser. Wizard in front of him was enclosed with the ice, letting out a painful groan but that was second alarm for Gray to disappear and with motion of his hands the ice disappeared completely making the wizard collapse down on the ground. He needed a quick exit and with no alley to provide one he launched himself up with ice pillar. His chest tightened, strain was big but also due to the fact that couldn't figure out if she saw him or not. Gray was back on the roofs and he continued to follow the battle.
Juvia was struggling, her water magic was more than effective against rest of the gangs who were thrown around like ragdolls… but this sand wizard was particularly bothersome. With every spell she created he countered with his own, nullifying her efforts. This was a moment when she began to worry. There were four remaining and they kept pressure on her. Brute shouldn't be a problem if she could cast the spell but he was constantly being backed up by sand-wizard and there are also earth wizard and one who did not revealed his magic type yet. There was a simple plan… if she could enclose sand wizard in her water lock he could be rendered harmless and he would pass out due to lack of air inside. Problem was casting this magic as the fist-wizard kept sending punches her way.
The situation was deteriorating and Gray knew that well. One of them took several steps back, probably to prepare to cast and it could turn entire situation against Juvia. He had to act now. With short run he jumped down from the roof, not the smartest of ideas but he was desperate. Earth-wizard was in the mid of the cast but his priority shifted as he saw Gray land in front of him. Magic circle was complete and several spikes rose from the ground. It was quick, but Gray was quicker and from point blank he casted ice on his own fists and punched him straight on the face, knocking him out cold in that one strike. That is fourth one… Now there was no more room for him to risk being in open so he ran back toward the same alley he was in before and stood behind the wall. Exhaustion caught up, part from current battle, other part from unhealed wounds. What he didn't know is that he prevented disaster and Juvia managed to execute her plan, trapping sand-wizard into water ball until she could deal with rest, and she did. Battle ended, much to Juvia's confusion as she could have sworn it would be more difficult.
Pain persisted and Gray moved hand to get a better feel on the area, there was something there… lodged into his side. He grabbed it with fingers and pulled out, muffling out the pain with other hand as he yanked one of the broken earth spike… it must have been from that wizard, he didn't dodge then… He was about to stand up when he felt hand reach down and grab it.
"I knew it was you…" he heard hushed voice, one belonging to Natsu. There was a mix of feelings, on one side he was happy to see fire-brain, on the other he feared Natsu might uncover his position. He didn't seem to know what was going on. Natsu rose his head up and sniffed the air, suddenly his expression changed. "Oooh I smell Juv-" he tried to say out loud but he was interrupted. Gray suddenly stood up and pushed Natsu against the wall, hand covering his mouth as he moved close… he was breathing heavy through his nose, erratic, each inhale was caught in his throat as he was trying to endure sudden rush of pain. Juvia moved down the street and stopped at intersection, looking around at first and then toward Grey but darkness concealed both of them well and she continued walking toward the brewery. Gray kept his hand on Natsu's lips until he was sure she was in safe distance. Sound of door opening and closing was heard in the distance and he released Natsu, falling down back on his knees, with one hand holding his left side, trying to contain the blood from pouring out.
"How did you… found me?" Gray asked, struggling.
"I just sniffed you out. It is a lot easier when there are few people on street but… I wasn't sure where you were until I smelled blood." Natsu responded, pulling Gray back on his feet and taking Gray's arm over his shoulder. "So this is what you've been doing all alone."
Gray said nothing; exhaustion has completely caught up with him and this new wound made things a lot worse.
"Come let's get you to Wendy." Natsu said.
"Home!" Gray said in a bit louder voice before groaning "Take me home…"
Not having the room to argue, Natsu complied and they walked toward his home. Juvia on the other hand completed her job and with reward she left the brewery. Something was off, it really should have been much more difficult fight but for some reason it ended far too soon… but not just that, she could have sword she heard Grey's voice nearby…