Hi! I hope you like this chapter which took me all day. Ugh this writer's block is terrible. That's also the reason why I haven't updated my other fics and I'm so sorry! Also! About Compliments, those of you who read it, PM what you want me to do with it! Because honestly I have actually no idea at all what I'm doing with it. The one I like most I'll use! Thanks! Anyway, hope you enjoy the newest chapter of Not Even a Spell!

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima


Not Even a Spell

Chapter 11: Setting Off

He wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to help Juvia. But he also couldn't move. Not to mention that she was the enemy.

"H-Hey," Gray called best to his ability. The siren didn't stir. "Juvia," he called again.

"Wh-what?" She whispered. Her voice was so faint.

"Are you okay?"

"Juvia just got hit in the stomach with a spiral of water made of Juvia's best friend, how do you think Juvia's doing," The siren replied, sarcasm leaking into her tone.

"Right, sorry. Wait, water made out of your friend?" Gray wasn't following. At all. Juvia sighed, the shakiness of her breathing rattling the sound of it.

"If you help Juvia, sh-she'll leave the island alone. That's what you want, right? And she'll e-explain." Gray finally mustered up enough energy to sit up in the sand.

"How do I know if I can trust you?"

"Juvia swears on her life. A siren's greatest treasures in life are the water and her own life." One last uneasy look at the girl sealed the deal. "Juvia just needs to get back into the water. It'll heal her." Gray nodded, stumbling up. His legs felt weak, his breathing was the slightest bit uneven, but he had to save the siren. In order to acquire information and to bring peace into the town.

It took quite a bit of struggle to help the girl back into the water when he was in some pain himself.

"Thank you."

"Yeah, but what about her?" Gray inquired, motioning towards the rosy-haired siren still crumpled in the waves.

"Meredy," Juvia soothed, drawing her into the water with her. "Everything will be fine. Juvia promises. Look, it's your favorite time of day! The sun is rising!" That seemed to get Meredy's attention, for she lifted her head from her arms, gazing at the orange-tinted sky. It was a brilliant sight, the way the sun peeked over the horizon and the cottony clouds were dyed a beautiful apricot. The waves in the ocean shimmered with the growing light.

"Isn't it beautiful, Meredy?"

"Yes…it is," She sniffled. Gray smiled.


I awoke again with the sun tinting everything orange and pink. Happy snoozed on my shoulder, where he had probably climbed upon during the night. I heard a knock at the door. Quietly, I walked over to the door, and when I opened it, I saw a fatigued looking Gray with an unconscious Freed slouched over his shoulders.

"So what happened?" I asked in a hushed voice, bringing them into the box-shaped room.

"I got them to leave the island alone. And of course he's still asleep," Gray huffed. "Hey Lava Brain, get your ass outta bed!" Natsu grumbled, sitting up and shading his eyes from the light filtering into the room.

"How'd you do?"

"The sirens won't be coming back any time soon."
"Good. Now let's get everyone and we'll set sail." I followed Natsu as we woke up Bickslow and Gajeel (Laxus was already awake). As we exited the inn I noticed the stares I got.

"Antlers?"
"She's just walking around barefoot?"

"What's with those ears?"

I heard all sorts of comments, both negative and what I suppose you could call positive. When we boarded the ship again, greetings buzzed around us, asking about Freed, teasing Laxus about his stoic expression, calling out to Natsu. Gray left to put Freed in his room.

"Natsu," He turned his attention upon me for a second, telling me he was busy discussing their next travel plans. I gazed around the ship and spotted Gajeel leaning against a railing.

"Gajeel!" I called. He stalked over to me, his regular uninterested look plastered on his face.

"What is it, blondie?"
"Do you know if I can take this off?" I asked, poking at the collar.

"'Dunno. Ask Salamander."
"He's busy."
"So then wait," was all he said before leaving again. And so I did.

Nearly twenty minutes later, Natsu finished.

"Natsu."
"What."
"Where are we going now?" My hands fumbled together. Why was I so nervous? Oh yes, probably because I was afraid our next stop would be Crocus, the city of my execution.

"An island called Elanoria Isles."
"How long will it take to get there?"

"Maybe a little less than a week if we're lucky. You ask too many questions." He started to walk away when I remembered what I originally wanted to ask him.

"Wait! Can I take this off now?"

"Ah, yeah, fine. I noticed ya kept scratching at it so go ahead. But you still gotta stay with me the whole time," He said with a smirk. I didn't respond. Instead, I trailed Natsu around for the rest of the day as he gave orders and directions to our newest destination. When night came, we returned to the captain's quarters, and Happy and I fell asleep in the chair in the corner once again.

I woke up, but I couldn't see the sun rising. In fact, I saw the moon still high in the sky, hanging suspended in the air. I couldn't hear the sound of Natsu's soft snoring. I grabbed Happy, drawing him close to my chest. Natsu wasn't in his cot.

"Mm, Lucy?" Happy asked in my arms.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry," I murmured.

"No, it's okay." He murmured back, looking around the dim room. "Where's Natsu?"

"I'm not sure. I'm going to look for him," I said. I exited the room with Happy still in my arms. It didn't take long to find the captain. He stood on deck, leaning against the railings and looking out at the dark sea.

"Natsu?" He turned around at the sound of my voice.

"What are you doing up?"
"I woke up and you weren't there."

"Right. Look, just go back to sleep, alright?" His voice seemed tired, so why wasn't he sleeping?

"You sound tired, shouldn't you go to sleep too?"

"Uh, y-yeah. I'll be there soon enough, now get back to sleep.

"…Okay," I murmured doubtfully, turning my back to return to the chair that I slept in.

"I doubt he'll go to sleep."
"Yeah, that's what I think as well," I said, crumpling into a ball in the cramped chair.

"Lucy?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think we'll ever be able to go home?" It took me a while to respond.

"I don't know, Happy." That was all I managed to say before Natsu came in. His eyes brushed over me for a moment, before he tugged off his coat and climbed back into his cot.

It had been hours, yet I never heard the gentle snores blow from his lips. I wonder if he was listening to see if I had ever gone to sleep.


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