I am so sorry about the delay guys, I'm in college and its finals week and then I got COVID! I do finally have an update, and I hope you all enjoy. See you soon!
Chapter 7: I'll Bless My Homeland
"Juvia." a male voice startled Juvia.
She was standing alone in a dark place with no light. The voice felt like it was coming from all around her. "Who is there?" she asked.
"You're mine Juvia..." The voice echoed. "Ju-Juvia is not anyone's!" she shouted.
"I'll be waiting for you Juvia. Bahahaha." The voice boomed with menacing laughter and Juvia's blood ran cold
"NO!" Juvia screamed, jumping straight up in her bed. She looked around her room disoriented and frightened, it must have been a nightmare. As Juvia tried to quickly calm herself down there was a knock on her door.
"Juvia? Is everything alright?" It was Wendy, the second she made eye contact with Juvia she could tell something is wrong.
"Juvia is sorry, she didn't mean to wake up Wendy-san! Juvia just had a bad dream." Wendy approached Juvia and took her hands. With a small amount of force Wendy began soothing Juvia's feelings with her magic. Juvia felt a warm tingle melt away the cold and fear within her and felt immediately at peace.
"There, that should make you feel a bit better, and please don't apologize Juvia I was up anyway." Wendy gave her best comforting smile and gave Juvia's hands a soft squeeze.
"Thank you, Wendy-san." Juvia squeezed back.
"You need to be up anyways; we have to meet everyone at the guild hall in an hour!" Juvia looked at the clock and realized she had slept in.
"Oh no! Juvia didn't realize it was so late." Juvia sprang out of bed and immediately started throwing her stuff into her bag for the mission. She was grateful that her guildmates had left Juvia's things untouched, otherwise she would have nothing to bring, let alone anything warm. Mt. Kumo was located in one of the coldest regions of the world, and Erza directed everyone to dress and pack warm, even the dragon slayers, like Natsu. Juvia showered and quickly got dressed. She forfeited her usual slitted skirt for a dress with a full one that was made of thicker material, and her winter shawl. She pulled out a pair of white gloves, her brown winter boots, and her usual winter hat. Being a water mage, Juvia was usually adaptive to her environment, but she had heard from Levy that the cold conditions could chill even the warmest of wizards. Once Juvia had everything together she made her way down to the kitchen in Fairyhills.
When she arrived Wendy, Carla, and Cana were already there. Wendy was wearing a winter ensemble of purple pants, a blue dress and snow boots, a purple jacket with matching hat and gloves and a thick brown scarf. Juvia wanted to giggle because of how cute she looked. Cana was sporting a pair of brown pants, black snow boots, a blue sweater and a thick brown trench coat with fur lining, along with a pair of, gloves, and a hidden flask in her pocket.
"Wow these clothes are suffocating!" Cana whined.
Carla rolled her eyes at Cana "Well of course, when one usually wears almost nothing, they would find actual clothing suffocating. Carla had on a small pink winter coat and matching earmuffs that Juvia found adorable. Cana glared at Carla "I don't remember asking you brat!" she barked. At that moment Erza had also entered the kitchen as well. She was wearing a pair of thigh high white winter boots and a long dark blue parka. Everyone looked ready to go, and Erza suggested they all head out. As they made their way to the guild hall, Juvia could feel herself staring off at her surroundings, taking in every detail she could.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Erza had fallen back from the group to be by Juvia.
"Juvia is trying to remember all the details she can about Magnolia, just in case." Erza had a sad pitied expression on her face. She knew that meant that Juvia had doubt she would return home after the mission. Erza would be lying if she said herself that she hadn't thought about the exact same scenario. Erza had to plan for all outcomes, it was in her nature, even if sometimes she wished it weren't. "You don't think we will succeed?" Erza asked.
"Juvia will try her absolute hardest to complete the mission, and she is full of confidence, but at the same time Juvia just returned home with little memories, she doesn't want to forget it again." Erza placed her hand on Juvia's shoulder.
"Juvia. You are one of the bravest wizards I've ever met, and I'm proud to not only call you my comrade, but also my family. I don't know if I could have been through everything you have and come out so positive, but you inspire me. We will defeat this enemy together or die trying, but please don't keep your emotions inside. I know what that's like, and it makes you lose focus on what's right in front of you. So, if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here." Juvia wanted to cry. Erza was trying very hard to keep Juvia positive, and Juvia would do the same. She nodded in agreement and moved on with the rest of the group to the guild hall.
When they arrived, the guildhall was bustling with other members chatting away and wishing good luck to the team on their mission. Juvia approached Mira at the bar where she had a blueberry cafe latte waiting for her. "Thank you, Mira-san." Juvia cupped the mug in her hands taking in the sweet froth and aroma. Mira came around the bar and sat in the stool next to her "How are you feeling?" She seemed concerned for her friend. "Juvia is nervous, but she knows that with the members of Fairy Tail anything is possible, even the impossible." Juvia may have lost her memories, but it didn't take long for her to understand the values of the Fairy Tail Guild. Mira reached out and pulled Juvia into a small hug which Juvia kindly returned. When the two girls were face to face again Mira smiled "I'll see you when you get back."
"LUCY THIS IS STUPID!" Just then Natsu's voice boomed in the guild.
"Just shut up and put it on NATSU!" Lucy yelled back
"I already told you I don't want to, now keep that thing away from me!" Juvia could see Lucy tailing behind Natsu with what looked like a pink parka, one matching the exact shade of Natsu's hair. "ERZA said you have to pack warm you idiot! No put on the stupid coat!" Lucy barked again.
"I'm a Dragon Slayer who can shoot FIRE out of my mouth, I'll be just - THWACK!- OW!" Erza smacked Natsu upside the head.
"I'LL GIVE YOU TEN SECONDS TO PUT ON THAT COAT OR I WILL MAKE ONE OUT OF YOU!" Natsu shed a tear and got it on in under five. Along with the coat Natsu had on black pants, snow boots, black gloves, an ember brown sweater, and his usual white scarf.
"Juvia thinks the jacket looks nice Natsu-san!" Trying her best to cheer him up.
"It's not that Juvia, I couldn't find anything else at the store, and this jacket makes me look like a-"
"Wow, lookin 'good Salamander." Natsu cringed at the name, but Gajeel seemed oh so happy to say it. That's when it clicked for Juvia, the jacket even tailed off in the back, looking just like a salamander's tail. She wanted to giggle but didn't want to make Natsu anymore embarrassed then he already was.
"Look who's talking Marshmallow!" Natsu shouted.
Gajeel had on thick white snow pants, black boots, a dark blue sweater, a large puffy black parka, and matching gloves, along with his dark red head warmer. He looked twice as large then he usually did, giving a very intimidating look. Levy popped in right next to him smiling at the group. She had on a thick yellow puffer jacket, a grey sweater dress, black leggings made of warming material, brown winter boots, and a matching hat and glove set. "Are we ready to head out yet?" Levy asked.
"I think we're just missing Gray?" Lucy stated. She was wearing a dark maroon parka, brown winter boots, white pants, a beige sweater, and a brown scarf with matching hat and gloves. Juvia thought it was very odd seeing Lucy with so much clothing on, seeing as she hadn't worn a whole lot since she'd met her. Lucy was right though, where was Gray? Everyone looked around, but nobody could say that they'd seen him.
"I'm sure he will meet us at the train station, let's head that way now and load up all of our gear and get the tickets, shall we?" Erza suggested. Everyone agreed and made their way out, but Erza stopped Juvia.
"I know where he is, if I direct you would you go get him for us, please?" Erza asked politely, and Juvia agreed.
After walking for what felt like forever considering Juvia wasn't familiar with her surroundings she finally reached the location Erza told her to go. It was a small little plot of land, not a place many would travel too purposefully. Juvia noticed near the end of the clearing a person knelt down on their knees, upon closer inspection she could see it was Gray, kneeling in front of a small wooden cross, a grave perhaps Juvia thought? She didn't want to interrupt him, it seemed like he was having a personal moment, but her presence was sensed long before she got this close. Gray could always feel her when she was near him.
"Juvia is sorry to interrupt Gray-sama, Erza-san sent her to find you, but she didn't know you would be someplace like this." Juvia apologized, feeling like she was invading Gray's privacy.
"It's alright, come sit here with me." He reached out his hand to pull Juvia down to his level. "This is my father's grave." Juvia looked at the cross, reaching out with her hand and tracing the carved-out word "Gray'' with her fingers. Gray mentioned a few things about his father to her the night she returned, but she was drawing a blank at the moment. "Does Gray-sama visit here often?" she asked.
"When I can, or when I need to ask for advice or strength. I don't know when I'll be back, so I figured I'd come say goodbye for now" He gave a small smile and squeezed Juvia's hand.
"Juvia will also help give Gray-sama strength too if he needs it." she said it so quietly, but he heard every word.
"I know, thanks for coming to get me, I'm sure Erza is losing her shit that we aren't there yet, so let's get going." Gray got up, but as he did something fell out of his pocket, a long piece of gray fabric. Juvia reached to go grab it, but as she touched it she felt a zilch of power surge through her, it was only for a brief moment, but it felt like lightning. She stared at the item in her hands, a scarf. "Juvia? Are you alright?" Gray asked.
"Ju-Juvia made this." Gray looked at her in shock. "Y-yeah you did. For Christmas one year, do-do you remember that?" he was afraid to ask, he didn't want to upset her.
"Yes. Juvia doesn't remember everything about it, but she knows she made this for you." Juvia felt her hands clutch the fabric, it was almost like she could feel the love that went into making it, the hard work and determination to make it special. Tears started to well in Juvia's eyes, she hadn't felt anything like this since before her fatal encounter with Invel. She wanted the feeling to be stronger or to last longer, but as quickly as it came it faded. Her memories were taunting her, like a fish on a hook, and she hated it. She felt a hand tilt up her chin, Gray looked down at her with such determination. "I'll get them back for you Juuves." She stretched out the scarf, reaching up and putting it around Gray. "Together?" Juvia asked. "Always." He smiled and they began the trek to the train station.
They arrived just in time, everyone was now boarding the train and Erza was able to book a train car that could fit the eight wizards and the three exceeded, so everyone could be together. As they were all getting settled in Juvia took a seat nearest the window, so she could watch the train leave Magnolia. The sky was dark grey, and the wind had picked up, not making for pretty scenery. The leaves had only just begun to change for the fall, yet it felt like a storm was coming, that's when Juvia noticed the small little flakes falling from the sky. She stood up approaching the car window and pulling it down.
"Juvia what are you-is that red snow?" Cana asked. Suddenly everyone moved over to see for themselves, and they saw it. It was light, but noticeable against the dark sky, red snowflakes falling. Juvia reached her hand out, catching one of them in her hand and pulling it inside. "Juvia feels like this is a warning." Everyone seemed to nod in agreement, this wasn't normal under any circumstances. Erza turned to the window again and noticed the snowflakes had disappeared with the sound of the train whistle. "Kurayami wants us to know that he's watching."
"Good. He knows we're coming, and he should also know that we're Fairy Tail; We don't lose." Gray looked around at all the fierce faces of his teammates, they would save Juvia and complete the mission, no matter the cost.