Chapter 14:
"I'm worried," she whispered
Gray, Natsu, and Lucy were sitting near the heater in their tent, the only light coming from a lantern in the far corner. It was late, but no one seemed tired enough to sleep, "They should meet up with us soon right?" she asked.
"Not necessarily, if they won the battle they could have made camp where we left them, and that was a while back. We might have to assume they won't catch up with us until we reach the palace." Gray sounded grim, he wanted to wait, he wanted to go out and bring them back himself, he was sure everyone did too. He glanced over at Juvia, she was sleeping, but her breathing was shallow, and he knew their time was running out.
"We should get to sleep guys, stressing ourselves out isn't gonna help us beat that bastard," Natsu stated with a determined grin. Everyone nodded and headed to their mats. Gray walked over to Juvia, but as he did he noticed her body shivering under the blankets, he went to grab her hand and noticed her fingers were a pale white/bluish color. "Damn it."
"What's wrong?" Lucy turned in concern.
"She's freezing, look at her hands, damn, damn..." Gray was trying to be calm, he didn't wanna wake her. Lucy came over and observed what he was seeing, she bent down and applied the heat in her hands to Juvias. After a few movements of rubbing, it seemed the color returned a bit. Lucy sighed in relief. "It's alright Gray, we just need to make it warmer for her somehow, but we can't do this all night...at least you and I can't."
"Excuse me?" Gray's eyebrow arched in suspicion
"Well...Natsu is technically pretty warm…" Lucy mumbled, and Gray's eyes grew wide.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!" Lucy smacked him hard at his outburst.
Natsu snickered behind him, and Gray slowly met his gaze to see a huge smirk on his face. "Well, it looks like it's my time to shine." Natsu enjoyed the power trip that he was getting off this idea, not that he actually wanted to 'sleep' with Juvia, but he knew it annoyed Gray, and that was always enough for him. "No. ." Gray snarled.
"Gray, I'm not exactly jumping for joy either, but what other option do we have right now? You're ice wizard, you can't help her with this, and I don't have enough body heat either." Suddenly Happy floated over Lucy "why would you not be happy Luuccccyyyy?" Suddenly Lucy's fist smacked Happy across the tent "Shut up Happy!"
Gray was frustrated, she was right, he didn't have a choice. He knew that Natsu wouldn't do anything, but Juvia was his. He wanted to sleep with her, help her, and make her feel better. It made him feel helpless that Natsu could and he couldn't. "Fine. Just do it." Gray stomped towards his mat, not wanting to look in their direction. Natsu smiled and turned to Lucy, "Don't be jealous I'll sleep on your mat tomorrow." Lucy also smacked him "I'M NOT JEALOUS AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING YOU MORON!" With that, she followed the same path Gray did and slumped on her mat facing the far wall.
Natsu made his way to Juvia and gave her shivering body a small nudge, she stirred a bit and slowly opened her eyes. "Hey, scoot over a bit okay." She was so tired she didn't even question it and allowed Natsu to join her. Once he slid in he picked her up so she was laying into him, and her legs were wrapped around his. She was so cold that it even made Natsu shake at first, but very quickly he felt her body warm up and her muscles relax. Seeing her so fragile like this reminded him of the time he found her in the house she and Gray had shared for a while. He remembered vowing to make her feel better back then because he wasn't used to her being so weak. To him, that was the moment he realized Juvia's importance in his life. "N-Natsu-San…" she was so quiet, he only heard her because she was so close to his ear.
"What's up…" he whispered back.
"J-juvia is h-happy that she had a f-friend L-like y-ou...th-thank you." Natsu gave a wry smile.
"Hey, don't sound so sad, I'm still here, you still got me as your friend, you aren't going anywhere…" He could feel her wince as she tried to move.
"Natsu-san, J-Juvia is af-fraid she wo-won't be st-rong e-enough…" Natsu felt his heart drop.
"No, remember what you told me the other day... We balance each other out, I'm doing that right now, my powers are helping you, just like you helped me. You taught me that Juvia, you're strong, you always have been. We all love you, so you've got to stay positive." He felt himself holding back tears. Juvia could feel that wave of warmth, the same that she had felt before with her other teammates. Her breathing felt better than it had in hours, and she no longer felt cold. She exhaled and really tried to hone in on this feeling. Juvia needed to hold on to it, for Natsu, for Gajeel, for Gray, for everyone. She would try, she had to. Soon they both fell asleep, with only the humming of the heater filling the large desolate cave.
*The next morning*
Gray felt his eyes slowly open; a small light coming from outside the tent, which led him to assume that it was already morning. He sat up and looked over towards Juvia, she was facing him, her face very peaceful and rested. He was surprised at how she looked. Gray could also see Natsu laying behind her almost like they were spooning, and suddenly a large amount of heat rose in his cheeks and he jumped out of bed. Suddenly standing over Natsu, he bent down towards him "Hey, rise and shine dragon breath." Natsu shook and looked up tiredly. "Mhmm, yes I will take more dumplings thank you…" Gray raised his eyebrows, he was still asleep?! Gray got closer to his ear "GET THE HELL UP NATSU!" He jumped up suddenly wide awake, looking around very disoriented. "What did you do that for! I'm up!" He barked at Gray.
"Oh yeah, how were those dumplings?" Gray rolled his eyes.
"Gray-Sama?" He looked down and saw Juvia hiding under the covers, her eyes barely peeping up. "Is Gray-Sama mad at Juvia and Natsu-san? She is very sorry! But she swears it was only to help each other!" She looked like she wanted to cry and Gray felt like an idiot for making her sad. Then Lucy, also awake, gave a nasty look to Natsu "OH? AND HOW DID SHE HELP YOU NATSU?" Natsu gave a shaky laugh "You guys are taking this way out of context." Lucy rolled her eyes and started getting dressed.
Gray smiled at Juvia "I promise it's fine. Do you feel any better?" She got up slowly, feeling light-headed. "Juvia's body still aches to move, but she isn't shivering as much and can breathe a bit better." It wasn't the news Gray wanted, but he couldn't show that he was disappointed so he squeezed her shoulder and nodded "Let's get going then?" BAM! BAM!
Out of nowhere, the cave shook violently, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Natsu shouted. Gray looked at Juvia "It's time to move, hurry!"
Outside the tent, the rest of the group was also awake staring at the entrance of the large cavern. "Something is out there, and it's big," Cana stated. BAM! BAM! Again, the walls shook and a giant shadow swept past the cave. BAM, SQUUUAAAWWWKKKK! With a flash of green and a large screech, a giant pterodactyl-looking creature entered the cave, its eyes yellow and red with hunger.
"Holy shit," Natsu stated.
Juvia locked eyes with the creature, and its pupils grew large and it charged right after her. "JUVIA MOVE!" Erza raced towards the beast and punctured it with one of her magical swords. The creature screamed, flapping its wings in anger and its wind was so powerful everyone flew into the wall. Juvia felt her head spinning, those eyes look familiar and it made her want to throw up. "Juvia!" Wendy reached down to help her up.
The monster quickly flew outside the mountain and that's when the group took the opportunity to try and run out. When they did, however, they were almost hit by another, there were three in total outside of the cave, slamming their clawed feet into the mountain. Swooping around and diving for attacks. Erza cursed under her lips, they couldn't do this. Just like Gajeel had said the day before, they needed to keep going. "EVERYONE, I'LL DISTRACT THEM GET OUT OF HERE!" They stared in shock. "YOU CAN'T TAKE ON THREE OF THESE THINGS BY YOURSELF!" Natsu screamed in anguish. They blocked another attack.
"We have to keep moving, no matter what, we all promised we would get Juvia there! You know that we can't fight, survive this weather, and stay alive at the same time, the elements will only get worse. The map is in Lucy's bag, I will be right behind you." Natsu was in awe.
"You still can't take this on alone, no matter how powerful you are, don't be an idiot!" Gray yelled, holding Juvia up for support.
"Gray is right, but so are you, which is why I'm staying." Cana approached Erza and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Then so am I" Wendy also stated.
"You can't!" Lucy shouted. Erza and Cana looked down at Wendy but she didn't budge, she turned to Natsu and Gray "They need my healing magic, this way it will be three on three, and unfortunately there isn't any more I can do for Juvia, Yura is fighting against me, so you see... you have to go." Erza looked up at the four people staring at them, all with tears in their eyes. Suddenly Juvia lept into Erza's arms ``NO, PLEASE, DON'T DO THIS BECAUSE, OF JUVIA, JUVIA WILL NEVER FORGIVE HERSELF IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HER FAMILY!" She wailed in tears and Erza had to lift her off. "It will be alright, we need you Juvia, if you die then a part of each of us dies too, we will meet up with you soon, I promise."
"No, please…" Gray came up and carried Juvia away, while Natsu and Lucy gave a nod of encouragement, running quickly away from the creatures. "ALRIGHT LET'S GO!" Erza shouted and prepared for battle
"Please we should go back!" Juvia protested, but Gray wouldn't put her down.
"Juvia, sweetie you know we have to keep going, it is three on three, and they have fought bigger and tougher creatures, they will be fine." Lucy's voice was shaky and not confident, she wanted to believe her words, but she also couldn't be sure.
Juvia didn't argue anymore but she slowly began to whimper into Gray's chest as he held her tight, whispering in her ear while Lucy and Natsu led the path. "I'm sorry Juvia, I promise we will be with our friends again, it's alright, just breathe, shhh, shh" His soft voice did calm her down, the crying made her pain worsen, and she felt overcome with fatigue.
After quite a few hours, the four members were freezing and exhausted, the snow had stopped, but the temperature dropped. "Luce, how much farther," Natsu stated and for the first time ever Gray saw him shaking. "Natsu, are you cold?" he asked in shock, and Natsu gave him a sneer "NO! I'm just tired Ice pick, this is the longest we've walked, we have to be close!"
"We are...Look" Lucy stopped and pointed upwards, and when the boys squeezed their eyes and looked way up they could see a large outline that looked like another mountain, but it wasn't... it was Yura Palace. You couldn't see the details, it was still about a day and a half's journey, but they could see it and to Gray, it was a sign of relief.
"ALRIGHT! LET'S GO WE CAN TOTALLY MAKE IT IF WE-" Natsu was getting fired up when Lucy cut him off.
"No, look at the sun. We have to make camp here, if we can't see where we are going then we can't see any signs of attack either." She was right, but Natsu turned to look at Juvia, her breathing was becoming short and heavy again.
"Luce." she looked down with a painful expression "I know, but we don't have a choice, it would be stupid to run into danger like that."
Gray felt himself holding back tears, he knew what Natsu meant. "Juvia may not make it another day and a half." But he couldn't afford to think that right now. "I'll set up the tent and get Juvia situated, you guys can handle fire and food. He didn't look at them and walked past to a secluded tree area. "Gray we didn't mean-" Lucy tried but Natsu grabbed her hand "Let them go, come on."
After a few minutes, everyone had finished their tasks, Natsu and Gray were eating, and Lucy swapped to watch Juvia and help her eat. "Cough-cough-cough!" Juvia started coughing after she woke up, and it seemed painful. "what can I do?" she took a sip of water and gave a small smile. "It's alright Lucy-San, it's nothing, if I get some tea that should make me feel better." Lucy quickly walked to the fire and got the stuff for tea. Gray tried to ask, but Lucy said not to come in for a bit. "Here you go." She placed the warm cup in her hands and Juvia sipped it slowly. "Juvia is very sorry, for all of this, maybe it would have been better if she never came back to Fairy Tail."
"Don't say that ever again! You hear me!" Lucy shouted. Her hands formed into fists.
"Do you know how awful it was, not seeing you every day! I know we didn't get along at first, cause you thought I was some love rival (Juvia gave a look of confusion), but I really like you. Y- you're my best friend Juvia, I want to continue growing our friendship, so don-t ever- s-say that you never should have come back." The tears were falling out of Lucy's eyes, her anger turning into anguish. Juvia felt her heartache while watching this, Lucy said Juvia was her best friend. In her soul, she could feel that before the war she always wanted a best friend. She cried, not as hard, not as loud, just small silent tears while Lucy fell to her knees and embraced her in a hug. "Juvia is sorry Lucy-San, and she doesn't mean it, as much as she knows if she wouldn't have come her friends would have been safe, she didn't want to be without them either."
Lucy took a few deep breaths, settling down and giving Juvia an understanding smile. She tried to get her to eat more, but as Juvia took her fourth bite, she felt a pain in her stomach "ack!" she was going to be sick. "Juvia what's wrong?!" she sprang up, which in her condition took almost all her strength, and ran outside puking in the snow "COUGH-COUGH-COUGH!"
"Oh no!" Lucy quickly grabbed her hair and held it back.
"What's happening!" Gray yelled rushing over.
"Her stomach won't take the food, she is throwing it back up..." Lucy was frightened by this, she needed food, especially now. After a few deep breaths, Juvia stood up straight. "She is sorry you had to cough cough Ek-!" Juvia went to bend down again, but this time it wasn't vomit... it was blood. "...see this." she finished her sentence and held her palm to her mouth.
Gray's eyes grew wide in terror, this wasn't good, what should he do, she was dying, she was- He was going into a shock-like state when he heard a burst of menacing laughter behind him.
"My how unfortunate…for you that is." They turned around slowly, seeing a tall figure standing on the other side of the fire.
"Kurayami?" Lucy whispered.
"Ah the celestial mage, did you miss me?" He smiled in their direction.
"I'M GONNA DESTROY YOU, YOU BASTARD!" Natsu ran towards Yura "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!" he lit his entire body ablaze and charged Yura at full speed.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, isn't that right Juvia?" She had been hiding behind Gray, but now she finally locked eyes with him, they were red, soulless…the man from her nightmares. Suddenly his eyes flashed and Juvias entire inside burned "AAAAAAAGGHGHHHHHHHH!" she grabbed her body and fell to the ground screaming, Natsu quickly halted his attack. "JUVIA!" Gray shielded himself in front of her and Yura laughed "Hahahaha, you think that will help?! How pathetic. I am the only one who can start and stop this, for however long I want."
Gray wanted to attack, he wanted to kill him, but he was killing her faster "STOP! PLEASE STOP! We made a deal remember! We still have time!"
Kurayami pondered this and his eyes glossed over once more, and the screaming stopped. "I suppose you are right. You have one day left."
"No way! You said we had ten days!" Lucy shouted and Kurayami smiled.
"Day's and time on this mountain are controlled by my magic, for every one day passed it's actually two, and so on and so forth. I use it as a way to trick those who dare climb this mountain." He snickered
"That's not fair you jerk! You never told us that!" Natsu clenched his teeth.
"You never asked, that little blue-haired one told you the elements are unpredictable." He was talking about Levy and Gray's blood was still boiling.
"WHERE ARE OUR FRIENDS?!" Gray shouted.
Again he began to laugh "I would be more concerned about the water mage if I were you, for you see if she doesn't reach the castle by sunset tomorrow she will die, and I for one can't wait to watch hahahahahahahahahaha!" With a swift gust of wind, he vanished into thin air leaving the two couples alone and frightened.
"Juvia?" He was holding her, but she was in shock from the blast of pain she experienced.
Natsu bent next to her "It's alright, he's gone okay, you are going to get to that castle tomorrow, and then we are all going home." He squeezed her hand.
"Natsu is right, we will all go home together, just like before." Lucy was leaning against Natsu. Juvia looked up, and started to cry "home…I want to go home, please…" Gray picked her up and went inside the tent. He didn't say anything, just put her on a mat and slid in beside her, holding her close and tight.
Lucy and Natsu watched but stayed outside the tent. He looked down and saw Lucy holding back tears. "Luce…" Suddenly she threw herself into him and sobbed quietly, he stroked her hair and returned the hug. "I don't want to lose her again," Lucy whispered. "I know, but you have to stop crying okay, you gotta be positive." Natsu stood her up away from him, but she still kept crying "I-I can't." He felt heat rise to his cheeks, maybe now was as good a time as any. If something were to happen, he wouldn't have any regrets. "Let me help..." Natsu gently lifted her chin and placed his lips on hers quickly before she could react.
Lucy indeed stopped crying, she was slightly shocked, she had thought about this moment for a long time, but never thought it would happen. They never talked about it, but it felt good. She didn't hesitate and kissed him back. Natsu held her closer, caressing her face and deepening his kiss, Lucy's lips were soft and gentle and he never knew just how amazing kissing her would be. After a moment they parted and stared at one another.
"You never said-" Natsu cut her off.
"I know, but I am now. I love you, Lucy, you are so special to me and I'm sorry it took so long to tell you. I'm also sorry that we may not live to enjoy it." she knew what he meant
One day, if something else were to happen Natsu would sacrifice himself just as the others had. He hoped they were safe, but there was always the chance that they weren't. She knew there was nothing she could say or do to stop him, so she would do the next best thing. "I'm staying with you then, and don't even try to tell me no. I'll push you right off this mountain." she gave a small giggle and Natsu nodded "I wouldn't want it any other way Luce, come on let's go to sleep."
"...But uh, since this may be one of our last days alive we should take the opportunity- smack!" Lucy's hand whipped right across his face and she rolled her eyes. "Way to ruin a perfect moment." She headed towards the tent. "So is that a no?" Natsu stayed far away just in case she hit him again, but she just sighed and turned to him. "We can share a mat, but that's it" He smiled and followed her inside.
Meanwhile Gray was still holding Juvia, praying and shedding tears into the locks of her long blue hair. "Please don't give up."