After months of college stress, the only thing that can relax me is Game of Thrones and writing. I was thinking off a story that kind of has the same vibe as Game of Thrones (Not the same. No dragons, no dire wolves, and no Khal Drogo ), but I don't know if you guys would be interested. Let me know!

Enjoy!

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Chapter 10: Force Your Way

Saying she was out of mind was an understatement. Juvia felt like she was out of the world. It had been three days and she still hadn't figured anything out. She couldn't see Gajeel since Gray had been so overprotective of her. Gray had also taken the days off so he could stay by her side and take care of her. She had found it sweet, but after the third day, she was going crazy.

"You're driving me crazy." She had said bluntly. It may have hurt his feelings, but she didn't know any other way to get her feelings out. He also agreed that it was time for them both to go back to work. As much as he cared for Juvia, his checking account was only decreasing. The next day, Gray had gone to work, making sure Juvia was able to accomplish simple tasks on her own before doing so. Juvia was still going crazy, even without Gray. She missed working, she missed having something to do. When the day was over and she realized she hardly needed Gray's help to do things, she decided to go back to work. She ignored Gray's protests and called her manager, telling him to expect her tomorrow. He was just as worried as Gray, but Juvia could hear the relief in his voice.

When the sun rose the next day, Gray's protests hadn't died down. Juvia didn't falter. She was determined to go back to work. Gray knew it was hopeless to change her mind, and instead opted to go with her instead of her walking alone. It didn't matter if it was only a five minute walk. Gray demanded to see her walk in there with his own eyes. Juvia rolled her eyes, but secretly admired his attitude. He cared that much for her, which made Juvia swoon.

The car ride there was silent. Juvia could tell he didn't want to drop her off at work, and would rather she stay home.

"So how was everything with Cana?" Juvia asked, realizing they had yet to talk about it. Gray rolled his eyes, "It was terrible. She knows she fucked up, but hates that I don't want her anymore. I don't get her. And she-" He suddenly stopped, but Juvia caught on. "And she?"

"Nothing. Forget it." Juvia rolled her eyes, "Don't. Can you just tell me?"

Gray realized they had arrived at 8Island, almost using that as an excuse to get her out. But he knew Juvia, and knew she wouldn't leave until she knew the truth. Even if it got her fired. She was insane.

"Cana swears you had something to do with it." Juvia shrugged, "Well, I did. Actually, I was responsible for it." Gray groaned, "She might come after you. Just be careful." Juvia rolled her eyes as she stepped out of the car. "I'll be fine. Now hurry and go!" She took a deep breath as she watched him leave. She knew Cana wouldn't take her on physically, but she could be following her to figure out her weakness. Just as sirens track a human's weakness to their advantage, Juvia was sure humans did the same to each other. If Cana had followed her and saw her transform, there was no way Juvia would win. She sighed, eyeing the piano as she entered the building. It was time to work.

She was about to start performing when she saw a familiar mane of black hair. Good. She had been waiting for him. This man was a secondary reason of why she wanted to go back to work. "Gajeel Redfox." She said. Juvia didn't let him get a word in, "A police officer and my best friend. The one who set up the recording of my first song, which later blew up and made me famous. Gajeel Redfox, the one who filed the police report of my disappearance and later confirmed my death."

He smiled, which confused her. Nothing she said was smile-worthy. "I would say come to my office so we can discuss everything, but since you're technically dead, I can't do that. So, if you trust me enough or are curious enough," He gave her a piece of paper, "That's my address. Come after 8." Juvia gave him a suspicious glare, "I know it sounds shady, but I'm about to share confidential information right now. I could get fired, which is why it needs to be in private."

"Then why are you telling me?"

He stared at her for a moment, "You're my little sister. My family. You'll always come first."

.

Gray was on the couch, suffering from what he assumed was a fever. The whole world seemed hazy and he couldn't get up. When he did, he felt heavy. He didn't know what it was, but he was stubborn and refused to go to the hospital. Juvia wasn't home anyway, and didn't know he had left work early due to a pounding headache. Gray didn't know where it came from, it had just hit him suddenly and he felt like he couldn't move. He didn't know how he made it home, but he did, and now he felt worse than he did a few hours ago. He downed what was his fifth cup of water that hour, but it still wasn't enough. He needed more. How long had he been like this now? Maybe an hour? More?

Gray barely heard the door open, and knew who it was, but couldn't open his eyes or mouth to welcome her. Juvia walked in and her eyes widened at what she saw. "Gray!?" He looked at her with droopier than normal eyes, "Water." He croaked out. He wanted to flinch at his own voice. She rushed to get it and gave it to him. "Are you okay?" He shook his head and downed his water, 'I think I have a fever." He held out his cup, signifying her to get more. She looked between him and the cup uneasily before complying, "Are you sure it's a fever?" Gray shrugged, "No. But I think something is going around. Natsu was sick a couple of days ago. Maybe I caught it." He started to grumble about how it was Natsu's fault as Juvia gave him the water. He downed it again and laid down. "Maybe I need a nap."

Juvia stared at the water again, wondering if maybe he finally having withdrawals. If it was, that worried her. They've had this arrangement for almost six months now. She's had water withdrawals at least two times a week, meanwhile this was his first time. She wondered if there was a meaning or if it was just because she had more siren traits in her than he did. She had been a siren for years. It would make sense that the change would hit her hard. "I told my boss that I would work a few hours into the night shift today since Yukino was going to be a few hours late." Gray recognized the name. He was pretty sure she was one of her employees. She wanted to stay and take care of him as he had done for her. "I can cancel."

He waved his hand. "Go work. When I'm sick, I just keep falling asleep, so you'll just be watching me sleep." Juvia wanted to say that she didn't mind, and would gladly watch him sleep if it meant she could take care of him, "It's only a few hours right?" Juvia nodded, "Maybe like two or three. Her flight back to Magnolia is delayed." He got up to get more water, "Then go. Just bring back some medicine." She nodded and left, guilt gnawing at her chest.

She had just lied to Gray. She felt as if she betrayed him. She betrayed a man who nothing but kind to her. A man who had given her everything when she had nothing. She couldn't have told the truth. That she was meeting up with his friend who was apparently her best friend to hear her past. She was afraid of what she would learn. She was afraid of Gray knowing the truth. What if he didn't accept her? Sure, he had once loved Ameonna, but he was a child. Things are different now, and she could tell he was a man who didn't like change. She just had to know, and if she didn't like it, she could bury it and continue living her life. She could remain as Juvia, a siren who had lost her memories.

Gray wouldn't have to know. Nothing would have to change.

Ameonna was 'dead' anyway. No matter what she learned, she wasn't sure she could even do anything about it. She arrived at the address and lightly knocked. She couldn't believe she was here. Although he may have been a stranger to her right now, she could feel that this man was special to her. She didn't know how, but she knew it was something. Today she was going to learn everything. Today all her questions would be answered.

She wasn't sure if she was ready.

She took a deep breath as the door opened. Gajeel just stared at her and moved aside, which Juvia assumed was a silent welcome. She went inside and sat down, staring at him curiously. She wondered if he had this place while she was her old self. Maybe she had been in her before. "I should let you know that I don't remember everything. I remember we were close but I don't know why. I don't have all our memories together, and I don't know how accurate the ones I do have are. So how about you just fill me in on my whole life, or at least what you know?" She cut to the chase, wanting to get back to Gray as soon as possible. Gajeel chuckled. Losing her memories didn't change her personality.

"Well you haven't changed. I guess I'll start with our childhood. My parents died when I was young. We were close because our parents were so close, so you guys took me in. I was distant and never talked, but you wouldn't ever leave me alone. I thought you were pretty annoying." Juvia gasped, certain images coming back to her, "Eventually you started to open up. I was the only one you would talk to for a while, but then you finally opened up to my mother, and then to all our friends back in Oak Town." Gajeel chuckled, "Nothing's really changed." Juvia smiled at him, "And then we became best friends again. Or well, just went back to normal." Juvia couldn't believe how quickly it came back to her. Maybe the memories never left. They were just in the back of her mind, needing a little push.

"Back in our Oak Town days, your mom put you to work in this five star hotel. Every night you would perform for a bit. Technically, your mom was the pianist, but she always let you play a few songs before it got too late. She loved to watch you play." Juvia nodding, now understanding where she got the talent. "Your mom couldn't sing though, but when she found out you could, it was her dream for you. You wanted to fulfill that dream, but couldn't come up with good lyrics."

"But then my mom passed away and I felt like I let her down. Even though I was only twelve or so, they allowed me to fill her spot at her work. I'm pretty sure it was illegal, but I think they wanted to do it for her memory." Gajeel nodded, "Jose Porla loved her and since he owned the hotel, he could do what he wanted. No one reported it either. They all wanted to hear you that badly. He was basically a slave driver though." Juvia rolled her eyes, "He took us in when we had nowhere to go. Now let me continue." Gajeel nodded, urging her on.

"So every night, even though I was so young, he let me play. I was even more inspired to fulfill her dream, but I couldn't come up with anything." Gajeel nodded, "You took on her name as your stage name. From then on, you were known as Ameonna to the world. The first time I heard you play, I was mesmerized. I remember you were so nervous, you forced me to go to your first shift, just to sit there and listen to you play. Even to this day, I never regretted it." Juvia blushed, not expecting the praise.

"That was our life for a year. I worked days at some fast food restaurant, and then we worked nights at the hotel. It was just us, sharing a room Jose let us keep. Then one day, you came back and said you were ready to sing and that you finally had some lyrics. My friend Totomaru was a just starting music producer and agreed to set it up at his work. We recorded it, uploaded it, and then you went viral." Juvia already knew where the lyrics came from. It had to be that night with Gray. Those lyrics were based off him. So it had been love at first sight. Or more like admiration at first sight.

"My first concert I was so nervous. That was the first full memory that I remembered." Gajeel nodded, "I remember. You wouldn't stop screaming all night and forced me to sleep next to you and stay up to talk. I wanted to kill you." Juvia couldn't stop herself from laughing at that. She couldn't believe she was so silly back then. She thought the closest she would ever get to someone was her relationship with Gray, but it seemed her and Gajeel exceeded that.

"There are more memories we have together but I'll go into those times another day." Juvia agreed, as much as she wanted to hear them. Gray was still waiting for her after all.

"So why was I declared dead? By you, no less."

"Because we couldn't find your body. At first, we thought it was a kidnapping, but after a certain amount of years, I had no choice but to close the case. However, you had a big fan base and because you were still young, I knew people would try to find you. Having inexperienced people messing around with what could be evidence would ruin everything, so I declared you dead and searched for you in my spare time. I took every clue, searched every area of Magnolia, even beat up that little shit Bora, but I couldn't find you."

"Bora?"

"As you were getting bigger, you met that guy. He really fooled you into thinking he loved you, but he just wanted you for fame. Funny enough, he released one hit song, which wasn't even a hit because it sucked, and was completely forgotten about." Juvia was waiting for him to go more in detail about Bora but he didn't. Maybe those memories pained her in the past and he didn't want to put her though that again.

"Some things are best forgotten." Juvia remembered the memory of her crying about a man and realized it must have been because of him. "You disappeared shortly after that," That confirmed it. She was heartbroken and a siren got to her. She briefly wondered what became of that siren.

"Now explain where you were for all these years." Juvia looked at the time and realized she should be getting back to Gray. "I have to go." Gajeel looked betrayed. "I promise I'll tell you, but Gray is waiting for me and I told him I would be back soon."

"Wait," She turned, hoping he wouldn't try to convince her to stay. Instead, he left and returned with some papers in his hands. "This was the song you were working on before your disappearance. I never threw it away because it just didn't feel right. And maybe because tossing it would mean that you were really gone, and I couldn't accept that. Anyway, it's yours now." Juvia hugged him, "Thank you." Hugging him didn't feel weird at all. She couldn't hide her excitement to looked over the sheets. "I have to go. I promise I will tell you everything." Gajeel watched her leave. He couldn't believe she was back. But now he wondered what she would do.

.

The pain he felt earlier was nothing compared to what he felt now. He felt like he was about to die. His vision was hazy and his heartbeat erratic. Where the hell was Juvia? How much time had passed? He closed his eyes, not able to keep them open. Was this really what a fever felt like?

"Gray!" Juvia shouted. Why was she shouting? Gray looked up at her, flinching at the loud sound. It definitely didn't help his headache. Wait. Look up? Gray looked around and realized he was on the floor. Next thing he knew, Juvia was lifting him up.

"Medicine." He croaked out, wondering why she was taking him to the door. He swore he saw her pick something up but couldn't tell if he was hallucinating or not. "I brought it, but you don't have a fever." Before he could ask, she shoved him into his car. He couldn't even ask her if she knew how to drive because as soon as his body hit the seat, he passed out.

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When Gray woke up, he realized he was submerged in the water. Juvia was swimming around him, as if this was perfectly normal.

"Juvia?"

She turned to him, happy to see him awake, "I was really worried. I knew it wasn't a fever from all the water you were drinking." He looked around, still confused, "What happened?" She swam closer to him, "I'm sorry. I didn't tell you about this part of the curse because you didn't seem to be affected by it. What you had was something called water withdrawals. As sirens, our home is in the water. Since we're still part siren yet out of the water, our bodies thirst for it. So, every once in a while, we need to come here so we don't get weak or die. Next time you feel sick, always assume its water withdrawals first and come here. Don't let it stay for too long. It could kill you, okay?" Gray flinched, not expecting it to be so serious.

"How do you know all of this?"

Juvia hesitated, knowing he would be mad. "I've… been having them for a while. Since the beginning of all of this." Seeing Gray narrow his eyes, she panicked, "I didn't want to worry you and you weren't getting them, so I thought it was fine. I'm sorry!" Gray glared at her for a few seconds, then grabbed her arm and pulled her into an embrace. It surprised them both. Gray wasn't sure where it came from, he just felt like doing it. "Tell me next time. I want to be there for you, for everything. Even if I'm not feeling the pain, I want to be there with you." Juvia was so happy, she felt like she could cry. Even though she knew all of this, hearing him say it made her heart skip a beat. She felt warmth, joy and radiance, and she never wanted this feeling to go away. She realized it at that moment.

She was in love with Gray.

Gray kept her in his embrace, not wanting to let go. As he held her, he knew what he felt for her was more than platonic. Was it love? Could he really be in love with her? He didn't know, but he did know that he never wanted to lose her. She had become so important to him and he couldn't imagine his life without her. Seeing her pain, knowing she was going through so much without him, it hurt him. He wanted to be there for her in every possible way.

"Hey." Juvia's voice broke him out of his thoughts. She held out a camera, which he recognized to be his. "How did you-" Juvia swam away from him, "Take some pictures of me." He just looked at her, wondering if she was on drugs. Juvia rolled her eyes. "Just do it." Before he could ask anything, she started to pose. He snapped, and she did another. It was like she was a natural at this. Gray just stared at her in admiration. She was beautiful. She posed against a rock, near the coral, and even with a school of fish. All her poses were the perfect in between of cute, beautiful, and sexy. He definitely felt something move down there.

As he took the shots, he wondered if falling in love with her would break the curse for them both. Unlike with Cana, he didn't feel hesitation at the thought.

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I know I'm late again. I hate myself. But cut me a little slack, I was taking 17 credits this semester. But I will finish this story before 2017 is done! I PROMISE!

By the way, in case anyone is wondering why Gajeel calls Juvia little sister, they're just that close. You know how some people say "He/She is like a brother/sister to me." It's like that. They are not blood related.

Any questions? Or comments? Leave it in a review and I'll try to get back to you.