Yay~! THANK YOU! For reading, for listing this story as your favorite, for alerting and for subscribing! I love you all! *hugs and kisses*
Who read the newest chapter? Is my heart the only one that had been crushed? T.T I have nothing against Juvia, but I don't like the cover, so I'm sorry for I am forever a GraLu fan,, *bows*
Anyways, I'm making Amanda (drawing, coloring), so if anyone wanted to see it, then let me know, ne? I'm trying my best to make her look somewhat like Lucy, and I fail miserably on my first try,, but I'm doing my best on my second try, so Ganbatte to me! hehe some of you have seen it already,, hehe
Again, English is my second language and I'm not good of a writer so I beg for forgiveness if there are wrong spellings or grammar…thank you.
Genre:Drama, Family, Friendship, Romance, some Humor, Hurt/ Comfort.
Pairings: GrayXLucy, ErzaXJellal, NatsuXLisanna, GajeelXLevy, SeigrainXUltear maybe.
Summary: Gray hates the world for taking his parents away, for making his life miserable. But with his new found family, friends and a certain blonde girl, will they make him change he idea about the world? Or will he just hate it even more?
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. I am NOT Hiro Mashima!
CHAPTER 25: Camp starts now!
"Alright, minna!" Mira started to get everyone's attention. Almost every person inside the hall was thrilled for the camp to start after what they've witnessed earlier. It was five o'clock and the teachers decided to start camp at eight so everyone still have some time to rest. Everyone looked at Mira with smiles on their faces that Mira was glad to see. I'm really hoping this trip will be a success. Mira smiled in return before continuing her speech.
"So the teacher and the council decided to have at least three hours of rest for you guys. And since not everything is ready, we would like you all to rest here for a bit and we'll just wake you guys up at eight." Mira said. "HAI!" said some.
"Girls will sleep at the right side of the hall while the boys will sleep at the left." She explained. Then she saw the girls shivered as they stared disgustingly at the boys, who had hearts on their eyes. "And the council will look after everyone." She ended making the boys slump while the girls sigh in relief and others squeal hearing the council, which includes the 'boy band', will be looking after them. I really don't think these girls will be able to sleep. Mira giggled as she went down the stage and approached her friends.
"Mira! You were so awesome! We never even have the slightest hint that you were practicing the boys for this!" Levy squealed in delight and praised the beautiful Mirajane with sparkling eyes. "It was a surprise after all. I even thought that Natsu spoiled it when Lucy asked me about the practice a week ago. It a good thing that he made up a good excuse and that no one asked further about it." Mira said as she calmed the excited Levy down, thinking that the girl got enough sleep being energetic and all, while scanning the room. She noticed that Lucy is not with Natsu anymore and became curious as to where she could be.
"Natsu, where's Lucy?" she asked inquisitively, then realized that some of the council members are gone missing as well, namely Erza and Jellal. Lisanna, hearing this, instantly looked at sister before diverting her eyes to the pondering Natsu as she absently clenched her fist.
"I don't really know." Natsu answered while doing a thinking pose that made Loke snickered on him, saying that Natsu never thinks. And of course it caused a chain reaction of Natsu getting all pissed to getting in a fight to thinking that something isn't right. Wait, what? Natsu and Loke stopped fighting and looked around getting the feeling that something is missing.
.
.
.
.
.
"GRAY-SAMAAA~! Waaaaah~! Where are you?" everyone squeaked in surprise and looked at a sprawled Juvia on the floor, wailing animatedly. This is when realization sinks in; Gray isn't there, which was weird because he never misses a fight with Natsu. Mira shot her head up and smiled realizing that Gray is indeed missing as well. Now where have those four gone to? She giggled inwardly once more.
"Juvia! Calm down! Everyone won't be able to rest if you keep on wailing like that!" Levy said, helping Juvia to stand up while the latter kept on wailing.
"HEY~! WHERE'S GRAY!" Juvia suddenly stopped and snapped her head the voice. Her eyes narrowed at the black haired girl who's been asking for Gray's whereabouts and Juvia doesn't like it one bit. She did not like what she heard but the next thing the black haired girl said made her explode.
"I just want to hug him~!" said the black haired girl, who's been back facing Juvia still. "Juvia won't allow you!" Juvia said as she pointed a finger at the black haired girl who turned to look at her. "Eh? Who's this?" the black haired girl, who turned out to be Ultear, said as she smirked at Juvia. The latter was taken aback once she saw her senpai but didn't show it. "Juvia Loxar, student council treasurer. Why is Ultear-senpai looking for Gray-sama?" Juvia asked rather politely but still having the same glare she had.
"Well, as I've said, I want to hug him. Why are you so protective over my brother?" Ultear asked as she raised an eyebrow while crossing her arms.
.
.
.
.
.
"Utear-senpai is…Gray-sama's…sister?" Juvia asked, dumbfounded by the truth. Levy and the others laughed at Juvia who was still processing the information in her head.
"Sorry Juvia! I thought you already know!" Lisanna apologized but can't hide the fact that she was preventing to laugh. Well, every other council member knew. Jellal, Seigrain, Mira, and Erza, being classmates with Ultear, they knew that detail little detail of her life. Lisanna is Mira's sister while Levy was Lucy's best friend, so the two of them know it as well.
"Everyone knew except for Juvia!" Juvia brought her hands up to her hair and messed it up in an unladylike manner while the others kept on throwing laughing fits.
While they are still occupied by Juvia's outburst, Mira took Ultear's hand and dragged her somewhere they could be alone.
"I need your help Ultear!" Mira said and used her puppy-dog-pleading eyes. Ultear tilted her head to the side and sends a perplexed look at Mira.
"It's about Gray and Lucy!" Mira said firmly. Ultear's eyes shone and nodded vigorously, getting what the other girl said.
"What do I need to do?"
..ooOoo..
Lucy, who noticed that Jellal followed Erza out, decided to tail them not knowing that there is someone tailing along with her. She is currently hiding in some tree while looking at a ruminating Erza and a reluctant-and-afraid-to-approach-a-girl Jellal. Sometimes Lucy hated it when she can't think of the right word to describe something. She shook the thought off when she saw Jellal making his way towards Erza with a determined look on his face. Lucy doesn't know why but, her heart is pounding surprisingly fast. She wasn't even the one being approached so why? Maybe, she thought, maybe she really wanted those two to be together. Her Onii-chan and Onee-chan together. The thought itself made her giggle. She knew that Jellal haven't apologized yet and she knows this is a great chance to say sorry and confess at the same time.
"Ganbatte, Jellal." Lucy said and smiled.
"It's really bad to eavesdrop, you know?" Lucy froze. She thought no one would see her in her hiding place, but she thought wrong. Then her eyes widen realizing whose voice it was. She quickly spun to see that it is him; Gray. Lucy scowled even if she really liked how Gray followed her, or not? Did he follow her? Anyways…
"What are you doing here?" she asked in impulse, whispering as to not disturb the 'couple', specifically Jellal and Erza.
"I should be asking you that. Why are you following Jellal? Don't tell me you like him?" Gray playfully asked as he gasped while bringing his hands on his mouth but, somewhere deep inside him, something is hurting, he just doesn't know what. Lucy slapped his shoulder earning an amused chuckle from the boy. Lucy just rolled her eyes at him as she turned her attention once again to Jellal and Erza who are still not talking to each other. "Stupid Jellal," she muttered under her breath.
"Hey you didn't answer my question." Gray demanded as he poked Lucy on the head making her twitched in annoyance.
"Can't you tell just by looking? Geez, sometimes guys are so stupidly dense." Lucy commented as she whispered the last part not wanting Gray to hear it. The boy took a peek and saw Jellal pacing as he approached the Titania.
Gray didn't realized that he was pressing his body incredibly close to Lucy, who didn't notice at all as she saw Jellal poked Erza cutely.
"Eh? So Jellal's gonna confess eh?" Gray said to no one in particular but Lucy nodded in response. "Uhn."
Lucy then looked at Gray and blushed seeing how close he was. What am I gonna do? She mentally asked. If nobody could see her, she would be prancing by now. But that isn't the point here! Gray is too close to her, and it seemed like he hadn't noticed it yet. Or is he doing it on purpose? Oh God Lucy! Don't think of unnecessary things! The matter at hand here is Jellal's confession! She nodded in agreement to her brain but then suddenly shook her head comprehending what she had just thought.
No it's not! I should be problematic about my closeness to Gray!Lucy thought but later then smiled. She could enjoy this while it last, right? Besides, Gray hasn't realized it yet. Lucy thought as she paid attention to Jellal and Erza once again.
..ooOoo..
Poke.
Erza was startled. She hadn't notice someone was there beside her. Maybe she was just too tired and wanted to get some rest. But, being the council president, she couldn't do that knowing that her fellow council members won't be sleeping as well to arrange some things for camp which will be held at eight this morning. She turned her head only to find Jellal smiling strangely at her. She raised a brow at him as she turned fully to face him.
"U-Uhm," Jellal started. Erza rolled her eyes at the stuttering Jellal. Why is he here? She thought. She really thought she could have a little rest alone but, Jellal has to ruin it, not that she minded it though. She was happy knowing that it's Jellal and not anybody else.Wait why is he stuttering? She asked mentally tilting her head on the sides.
"I'm here to apologize," Jellal said and sighed as she looked at the bewildered Erza in front of him. He chuckled slightly at the girl which made the latter's face flushed.
"A-apologize for what?" Erza asked as she composed herself. Jellal stopped chuckling and looked at Erza, this time calm and collected.
"Well, Lucy told me I should." He said and shrugged, thinking if the moment is right for him to confess. "Oh," was all Erza said. Silence lingered but it made both of them comfortable for a few seconds before laughing with each other.
"Lucy really can't help but mind other people's problems when she can't mind herself, ne? That's why I grown to love that girl," Erza said as she wiped a visible tear on her eye due from laughing. "I know." Jellal said, knowing that Erza forgave him already, thanks to Lucy that is. Erza sighed as she calmed herself.
"We should head back now." She said walking ahead, not minding if Jellal was following her or not, until a pair of arms encircled her body preventing her from walking further. She craned her neck and saw Jellal hugging her from behind. Being a girl, she blushed but being also thee Titania, she kept her poise up.
"W-What are d-doing?" But then again, her tone failed her as she stuttered with a coarse voice.
"Never avoid me again, you hear?" he said as he kept his firm hold on her. He won't let go without hearing her answer.
Erza was confused. What is Jellal trying to say? She's avoiding him? When? She rummaged her brain in search for a good answer to her questions. Then, her eyes widen remembering the time when Jellal was talking to a girl and she felt like a mess after that. That was when she started avoided seeing him, which is futile since Jellal is her classmate. She was mad. But she doesn't know why. Is it because she saw how Jellal made the girl happy just by talking to her? No, it was because she thought that the girl was Jellal's girlfriend or something, which was proven wrong after Mira did some 'research'. But even after learning that everything she assumed was wrong, she still didn't know why she kept on avoiding the boy.
"Never avoid me again, Erza." Jellal repeated sensing that the girl was lost in trance. The girl flinched but then later relaxed and smiled. She was thankful that it was Jellal who broke the invisible wall that she created between them. She was glad they could act as friends again, maybe even more.
Erza smiled and nodded her head making the boy tightened his hold on her in the cold morning breeze.
Behind a tree, Lucy fought the urge to squeal as she clasped her hands on her mouth. In her mind she was dancing and celebrating in joy. "I'm glad!" she said unconsciously. But then her 'fangirl' moment was disrupted with a poke on the head by the same person who she chose not to push away a while ago, as she was having the desire to spank him on the head for poking her twice now.
"What?" She snapped while narrowing her eyes at him.
"Someone's feisty today," he commented and hearing a growl from her, he continued talking as to not make the girl more agitated. "We should leave them alone," he said and walked back to the hall. Lucy sighed and took a quick peek at the 'couple' before skipping her way towards the hall. She halted for a second pondering something. "He didn't answer my question. Why is he there with me?" she asked herself before continuing her walk.
…
Gaah! What is happening to me! Why did I follow her? Why did I approach her? Why did I keep on looking at her when I'm supposedly looking at Jellal and Erza? Gaah! Maybe I'm just tired.
"Yea, I'm just tired." Gray said while running a hand through his silky jet black hair.
..ooOoo..
It was eight o'clock. The council checked and assigned ten students per cabin. Mira, together with Erza and Jellal, who she concluded were reconciled when the two came back from who-knows-where, also assigned leaders for each group for the whole trip.
"Alright, everyone listen up!" Erza called everyone's attention, after she woke everyone up using her menacing aura. The teachers somewhat put their task on the council's shoulder, which Mira found wonderful so she can do her 'plan'.
"The total number of students who came here at Camp Basanova totalled to 200 people, including the council members and the chosen students who we chose to be leaders. We divided everyone to 10 groups and assigned two leaders per group." Erza explained. She then turned and nodded to Mira for her to explain the rest. Mira stepped forward and showed everyone a stack of paper in her hands.
"These papers indicate the group number, its members and also shows who your group leaders are. It also includes your cabin number where 10 people will fit in. It means that per group, we have 2 cabins ready. I will post this outside for everyone to see. I think that is all, so I hope everyone will enjoy. I hereby announce that this trip will now commence." Mira said and bowed together with the council. Everyone clapped their hands and whispers of excitement started to erupt as the council lead everyone to outside.
…
"Lu-chan! Have you seen who your partner is?" Levy chirped as she skipped her way towards Lucy. The latter shook her head and smirked teasingly at her friend, making Levy stop halfway. "It seems like you already know who your partner is. And seeing your happy face, I think I know who he is." Lucy harrumphed glancing at a black haired boy with lots of piercings before turning to face a blushing Levy McGarden. Lucy giggled at the sight which made Levy realize that she's being teased. "Lu-chan!" she pouted while Lucy apologized.
"Anyways, let's go see who your partner is!" Levy offered then playfully nudged Lucy while wiggling her eyebrows before she whispered her thoughts. "It may be Gray. It's a chance Lu-chan!" she teased back but Lucy was unaffected and just rolled her eyes at her friend as she walked toward the board where Mira posted the papers.
"IS THIS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?" somebody yelled near the board. Levy and Lucy exchanged looks before excusing their way where the yell came from. As they got there, both their eyes widen at the scene. Lyon, whose eyes is sparkling and cheeks flushed, was holding onto Juvia's hands, who've been utterly shocked at what happened. "E-eh?" is all she said.
"He didn't wait a second!" Lucy commented as she clasped her hands on her mouth while staring awestricken at the sight. Levy, who didn't know what to do, just nodded.
"C-c-chotto. Juvia can't. J-Juvia…" she stuttered after experiencing the 'sudden' confession. They just met for Pete's sake!
"PANDEMONIUM!" Juvia yelled and her thought unbelievably appeared before everyone. Is that even possible? Juvia started explaining everything about her thought.
"What an imagination…" Lucy said and sighed. She froze once she heard Gray's name.
"Gray-sama. J-Juvia is attracted to Gray-sama." She fidgeted. Lyon stared at her in disbelief as Lucy stood there, holding her breath unconsciously.
"Heh? So Gray is my rival, eh? Can't believe I'll compete with my own brother for your attention. Good thing you're my partner." Lyon said smugly and smirked determinedly, surprising the fiddling Juvia. "Eh? Gray-sama's brother?"
"This trip is just starting but it's already awesome!" Lyon stated. He then looked at Juvia and took her hand. Lyon dragged her to where their group is. "Now let's go meet everyone else!" he yelled.
"I didn't know Juvia doesn't know anything about Gray's family, huh?" Levy giggled then looked at Lucy who was still in dazed.
"Oh, you don't know Juvia's feelings for Gray?" Levy asked, reluctantly. Lucy sighed and smiled sadly.
"Sorry Lu-chan. I thought you already knew!" Levy apologized and bowed repeatedly. Lucy chuckled and stopped Levy from bowing. "It's okay. I already decided not to care." Lucy said and walked towards the board. She scanned the board with her finger rather carelessly, which caused her not to notice her name and gone to the next page.
"LUCY~! You don't need to do that!" Lucy heard and turned to see Natsu with his toothy grin. Lucy raised an eyebrow at him and tilted her head to the sides before approaching the beaming boy.
"We're partners!" Natsu cheered startling the blonde but then later smiled and nodded her head at Natsu. "Yoroshiku onegaishimas!" Lucy said and bowed. Natsu waved his hands frantically and blushed at the gesture. "N-No need to be so formal!"
Lucy smiled and nodded. "Uhn." Natsu once again grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "Let's do our best, ne?"
Not far enough, two boys are grimacing while watching Natsu continually patted Lucy's head making the girl blush at being treated like a little girl. "Yameru, Natsu!" she said as she tried to stop Natsu from teasing her.
Mira saw this and wondered. She can see Gray feeling confused at what's happening to him. I can see the plan working but, Mira thought then looked at the boy beside Gray. Loke? Has something…for Lucy? Now, this…is bad.
Mira looked at Ultear and saw that she was ready to do what she was told but, seeing the dejected Loke made her think again.I'm doing this for Lucy. I'm sorry Loke. She casted a poignant looking smile before looking at Ultear expectantly, who is completely clueless about Loke's aura.
"Aww! Look at those two! They look so perfect!" Ultear cooed. Loke and Gray flinched and used their peripheral vision to follow Ultear's gaze. Their frown deepened as they saw what Ultear was talking about, with Loke gritting his teeth and Gray averting his eyes away from the scene contemplating as to why he was even concerned.
"Do you think some different kind of bond will bloom within this trip?" Ultear asked Mira and saw Gray stiffened, which she rejoiced mentally. Mira smiled and reluctantly answered, keeping Loke's presence in mind.
"Yea! They're adorable!"
Lisanna, who's been there the whole time, looked at Natsu and Lucy with a melancholy look. Why was she feeling this way? This was just a plan that Mira set for Gray and Lucy. It wasn't real. Why was she affected in the first place? She shook her head. Maybe I'm just nervous for the outcome. Yea, that's right. And maybe because I pity what Gray is feeling now. She thought and looked at Gray, who's been avoiding his eyes from looking at the sight before them. She decided to approach the boy, ignoring the tense atmosphere that Mira and Ultear created.
"Hey there partner!" She greeted and smiled at Gray who was shocked by her sudden presence.
"Partner?" he asked confused.
"Uhn. We're partners. It said so on the paper. Let's do our best!" she nodded. Gray somewhat smiled and sighed, thankful that Lisanna pulled him out of the confusion he's feeling.
"Alright everyone! Please arrange your belongings on the cabin you are assigned to and prepare yourselves for the first activity!" Erza yelled.
"President! Are our leaders sleeping with us?" someone asked. Erza nodded her head. "Yes. We essentially chose one boy and one girl to be leaders so that they can look after the students on their cabin which is assigned to them. As you should all know by now, girls and boys are separated." Erza explained and everyone nodded. The thugs are somewhat cooperating, much to Erza's relief.
"What are the teacher gonna do then?" Someone asked again.
"Well, Mira told me that they are the one's assigned the task of cooking." Erza giggled, shocking everyone, earning her silence. After noticing it, she coughed awkwardly and continued. "They will be the judge for the first activity."
"What's the first activity?"
Erza crossed her arms before answering. "Kayaking."
..ooOoo..
Japanese word meanings:
Ganbatte – "You can do it!" or "Good luck!"
Onee-chan – Big sister
Onii-chan – Big brother
Chotto – wait
Yoroshiku Onegaishimas – "Please take care of me!"
Yameru – Quit it
Sometimes Lucy hated it when she can't think of the right word to describe something.
~ sorry about this,, hehe, actually, this sentence pertains to me and not Lucy,, I'm the one who can't think of the right word, and I hated it… =_=
"The total number of students who came here at Camp Basanova totalled to 200 people
~ I'm too darn tired to even think about this,, hehe, so I made it exactly 200,, hehe, sorry! Author-chan is really tired!
Lyon and Juvia's scene back there is an actual scene from the manga|anime: standard disclaimer's applied.
Kayaking – pertains to an outdoor activity, specifically on water, using a "kayak" and a paddle.
Waaah~! I thought I'm never gonna finish this! Haha, hope you guys like it?
Ja'ne