I'm back everybody! Finals are over and now I have nothing better to do than write more chapters. This chapter was inspired by the nightmare scene in (NOW) Disney's Anastasia, so I felt credit was due. As always I do not own the rights or characters of Fairy Tail, and I can't wait to see you soon!
Chapter 8: The Journey Begins
Juvia silently watched as the raindrops raced down the foggy window, turning it into a little game to help pass the time. She'd smile if she won, and maybe with a spin of her finger make her opponent's droplet disappear before she lost. She was enjoying a cup of coffee in the dining car. Levy had prepared a soothing potion she found in Sorcerer's Weekly for the dragon slayer's motion sickness before they left. Soon after the group's departure they took the potion but were directed to sleep right after for it to take full effect. Cana naturally found her way to the bar car, dragging Erza and Gray along with her. Levy and Lucy went to find a quiet place to read, so that left Juvia with the three exceeds, who naturally were starving. She ordered them each fish, and just as quickly as they ate it, they fell asleep in the booth. Juvia didn't mind, of course, it gave her time to relax and calm any anxiety she was feeling. The journey to Iceberg would take a few days, so for now, worrying would be pointless. Still, she couldn't help it. She returned to the window ready for another race as the storm outside had picked up again. Juvia had chosen her opponent and watched as they went, she was confident at first that the little droplet she had chosen would be the winner, but soon the other drop had picked up speed and Juvia knew she'd lose. As she went to raise her fingertips the drop immediately froze into place. "That's cheating." Juvia smiled as Gray placed himself next to her in the booth. "And yet Gray-Sama has helped Juvia win." When he froze the drop hers was able to swipe past it and crash into the windowsill declaring her the winner.
"Have you been here by yourself this whole time?" Gray asked.
"Not exactly, Juvia had company." She pointed to the other side of the table where the sleeping exceeds were.
"Sorry about that, Cana insisted on having a drink, or six in her case anyway." Juvia smiled.
"Gray-Sama doesn't need to apologize, Juvia was fine just relaxing here." He smiled back
"Wanna race again?" Gray smirked at her and Juvia nodded in agreement.
***(Yura Palace)***
"They are on the train master!" a shrieking voice screamed
"Indeed, just as I predicted." Kurayami smiled in amusement. "What a bunch of optimistic simpletons they are." He peered into the large looking glass that showed him the members of Fairy Tail relaxing on the train. "They have absolutely no idea who they are up against."
"Why not use the girl now? And kill them all!" he sneered at the little urchin he called Totoro.
"Not now you, pompous halfwit! There's no need, they won't even make it halfway up the mountain. With quite the arsenal of creatures at my disposal, the girl won't even be necessary. However, if the absurd chance occurs and they do somehow survive long enough to make it here I still have the girl as a last resort." Kurayami watched Gray inch closer to Juvia and his teeth clenched.
"Even so, perhaps we should send our little Juvia a proper greeting. Totoro, you know what to do." The little imp nodded with a devilish grin and ran off.
***(The Train at Nightfall)***
The guild members had returned to the main car for the evening after a night of relaxing, eating, and enjoying each other's company. Even the dragon slayers joined them, feeling much better after their small nap that morning. Erza had finally instructed everyone to turn in, that's when they realized the sleeping arrangements.
"What do you mean we have to pair up!" Lucy cried.
"The seat compartments lift up and give us room for sleeping mats on the floor unfortunately we only have five of them." Erza sighed
"So how are we supposed to pair up?" Wendy asked.
"Wendy and Levy can sleep together. Levy, I assume it's alright with you?" she smirked Levy's cheeks went red "Whh-why would you say that?" Levy yelled.
"Well, Gajeel is so large I felt he could take a matt by himself and let the three exceeds sleep with him, just didn't want to make you sad is all." Erza winked
"Oh, just get on the damn mat shrimp it's fine!" Gajeel barked, but you could see a small tint of pink in his cheeks. Erza continued "Lucy you share a mat with Juvia." The two smiled and agreed, thinking it was a fine pairing. Gray gave Erza an annoyed expression. "So, who am I sharing with? You?" he asked sarcastically.
"Oh no, Cana and I can share a mat so that means you and Natsu get the last one." Cana laughed
"Are you out of your mind! I'm not sharing with that hot head!" Gray yelled.
"YEAH, I'M NOT SHARING WITH ICE FOR BRAINS OVER THERE! Especially if he thinks he is gonna strip!" Natsu yelled.
"What'd you say dragon breath?" Gray squinted
"You heard me snowball!" Natsu was now facing the ice wizard
"You are the one who would make it impossible to keep my clothes on! Your body temperature will sweat me right off the mat!" Gray said annoyed
"What's wrong popsicle afraid you'll melt?" Natsu gave a cocky grin.
"WHAT? Do you think I can't handle a little heat!? Just wait till I freeze your pathetic ass with all my clothes ON!" Erza stepped in between the two "Then I guess it's settled, and the challenge is accepted. Sleep tight!" Erza smiled, picking the two boys up with her hands and thrashing them into and under the mat. "Damn," Gray mumbled under his breath.
Everyone else got into their respected mats and were all sound asleep as the train trekked on into the night. Juvia fell into a deep slumber, feeling almost weightless like she was on a cloud, and soon...she began to dream.
She was in a forest covered all in white, the snow coating every inch of the trees. It was light and fluffy beneath her feet, yet she didn't feel cold. The sky was bright, and ahead of her, a path that led to what looked like the sunrise. She began to follow it, feeling so happy and full of joy with each step she took. As though she knew this path would lead to her heart's desires. She could hear the voices of her comrades saying, "Come on!" "Let's go home Juvia!" "We love you Juvia." She wanted to see them; wanted to go wherever it was they were going, she just needed to go a little farther
Thunder violently shook the cabin and Gray jolted up from his mat, looking around quickly, dazed and confused as to what was going on, He sought the faces of each of his friends to see if everyone was alright, or if anyone else had been awoken by the sound. It seemed they were all asleep and accounted for except-. "Juvia?" Lucy was rolled onto the end of the mat and Gray could see she was gone. He whipped out of bed and ran as fast as he could for the door, "Juvia!" he shouted up the hall looking to see where she had gone. "Gray?" Natsu poked his sleepy head out the door concerned about why his friend had jumped from the room.
Gray checked the dining car, the bar car, the bath car, and yet Juvia was nowhere to be seen. Where could she be? He thought. He was worried; he knew she was in trouble. He finally made it to the back train car and saw the door leading to the outside was wide open. "Oh no."
"You're almost there Juvia!" Wendy's voice spoke through the trees. Juvia was running, eager to find her friends, "We found your memories Juuves." she stopped. That was Gray's voice, she looked ahead of her into the clearing, and he was there, holding a small golden lantern. Inside was a familiar bright blue light, her magic...her memories. Gray had found them for her; her love, her light, and soon she would finally remember him!
"JUVIA!" Gray screamed. He could see her on top of one of the train cars, barefoot, and the rain was coming down hard on both of them. He needed to be careful, the rain had made the train roof slippery, and he didn't want him or Juvia to fall. Gray needed to get to her fast.
"Gray-Sama!" Juvia was so happy.
"Juvia, come on, let's go home." She ran up to Gray and put her arms around him.
"Gray-Sama found Juvia's memories!" he wrapped his arms around her.
"I never lost them, my dear…" huh?
"ICE-MAKE: KITE!" Gray created a kite from under him allowing him to fly above the train and land closer to Juvia, who had now teetered herself to the edge of the roof. "Juvia stop!"
Juvia could feel cold sharp claws pierce into her skin "AAAAAHHHH!" she screamed, pushing herself away from the figure holding her. She landed in the snow with a harsh thud, and when she looked up, she saw a menacing man, tall, with wicked red eyes. His hand looked like an ice claw, the fingertips coated in red blood, her blood.
"WHO ARE YOU!" Juvia cried.
"Your master Kurayami Yura!" When he smiled his teeth were sharp like fangs. Juvia couldn't stop shaking in fear, this wasn't a man, this was a monster. She tried to get to her feet and run, but she felt the cold claws grab her neck and lift her off the ground. "Ghh- Stop! Please!" Juvia cried.
Gray watched Juvia levitate above the ground in pain, as though she was being held up by some invisible force he couldn't see. She wouldn't open her eyes, and that's when he realized she must be in some sort of dream. He needed to wake her up, if she just snapped out of it, she would be safe. "Juvia wake up!" He shouted, "It's just a dream!"
"JUVIA WAKE UP!" eh? She could hear a small voice in the distance, but it was hard to focus on as she was holding on for dear life, trying to stop the man from crushing her vocal cords.
"Do you think any of your pathetic friends can help you? No one can save you, so just give up!" Kurayami shouted.
"N-no, Ju-Juvia will n-never give u-up, now l-et go!" Juvia screeched.
Gray could hear her, could see her struggle to breathe, "ICE MAKE: STAIRS!" he quickly created a staircase made of ice and ran up towards Juvia her hand just in reach of his. With a quick jump, he grabbed it and tried to pull her away from whatever force was holding her.
"GAAAHHH! What is happening?" Juvia's palm began to glow with a bright light and the figure began to loosen his grip. "Juvia said LET HER GO!" With all her might she took the energy in her hand and blasted Kurayami. "NOOOO!" suddenly the figure evaporated and Juvia felt herself begin to fall.
"NO!" Gray grabbed Juvia's hand tighter and pulled her into him, falling backward on the stairs and landing on top of the roof with a large thud.
"LET ME GO!" Juvia screamed. Her eyes were still closed trying to loosen herself out of Gray's grip and run away.
"Juvia, please stop, it's me, it's me!" Gray grabbed her hand as she went to smack him and gave her a harsh shake of the shoulders. Juvia's eyes quickly popped open.
"...Gray-Sama?" she asked, looking him up and down. Juvia could feel the rain now, pouring onto her and seeing it slide off Gray's chest. She couldn't slow her breathing down; Gray placed his hand on her cheek.
"It's me Juvia, I'm right here." Juvia felt the tears well in her eyes as she threw herself into him and began to sob.
"GRAY ARE YOU UP THERE?" Natsu's shout could be heard through the storm to the pair on the roof.
"We're here! We're coming down!" Gray picked up Juvia and carefully carried her back inside.
Once inside, Gray refuses to let go of Juvia; insisting that she sleep next to him for the rest of the night. Everyone was woken up at that point and after being told what had happened, agreed with Gray and moved all their mats on both sides of his to better watch Juvia. After everyone got settled once more, Gray whispered to Juvia "I'm so sorry." She looked up at him and said, "Gray-Sama shouldn't be sorry, he saved Juvia." she put her arms around him and wrapped her legs around his, trying to be as close to him as possible. "But if I wouldn't have come, or if I hadn't woken up then-" Juvia placed her finger to his lips giving him a kind and quiet "shhh" "Juvia is strong, Juvia is safe, that's all that matters." He nodded and put a protective arm around her. "I'm going to destroy Kurayami Yura."
Gray is mad now! Don't worry, he will get his chance to tell Kurayami how he really feels soon enough! Hope you all enjoyed it; Please follow, favorite, or review!