AN: Chapter 13
Suuuuuuper super suuuuper sorry I have not posted a chapter up in a long time… this chapter was actually almost done but then I got stuck and couldn't get back into my story, thus why I was writing for Centaur Paradise. My friend, MsKtk finally kicked me in the ass and told me I needed to update. So I sat down and reread this chapter and was like, ok. Time to do this. And now here we are. A SUPER long chapter for you guys! :D I really hope you like it caz I honestly wasn't feeling all too happy about it probably half way through…. So please review and let me know what you think! Replies at the bottom!
** Side note… in case you all forgot…. This chapter you find out the mystery man Juvia has been dating. Bum Bum Bum!**
Juvia walked up to Rain's bedroom door, knocking on it lightly. "Rain? May I come in?" The water mage cracked the door open slightly and peaked her head inside, her eyes searching for her daughter. Rain was sitting on her bed with her knees brought up to her chest, her head resting peacefully on her knees. Juvia let out a soft sigh as she entered the room, making her way to her daughters' bedside. "What's the matter sweetie?"
"Nothing is wrong mom…" Rain replied quietly.
Juvia turned her head to the window across the room, eyeing the gloomy storm going on outside. She half smiled as she turned her head back to face Rain, placing a hand over the young girls' short blue hair. "Rain, if something is bothering you, you can tell me. You don't have to hide everything from me."
Rain's emotionless eyes looked up into her mother's as she sat there. The young girl secretly would have liked to tell her mother everything, but knew that it wasn't a good idea. She was trying to be happy for her mother, she truly wanted to put a smile on her face and act like everything was fine between them, but something was nagging at the young girl. She couldn't put it together, but she knew she was right about her feelings. Her feelings about this new man her mother had been seeing for the last month. "I'm fine mom. I guess I'm just a little bummed that I haven't gotten to see Finn for a while… or dad for that matter…."
Juvia felt her heart sink slightly at the mention of Gray. It had been so long since she had seen or talked to her husband. She would often catch herself thinking about how he was doing, wondering if she should go see him. But her head would then bring her back to the truth. He was the one who pushed her away, he let her go without a second thought. And from what Finn would tell her on his visits, things weren't going so well for Gray. She wanted to be happy, so she had to get away from him. Was this just all one big mistake?
The rain woman would constantly ask herself this every day when she saw her daughter. She would have thought this move would be better for not only her, but for Rain as well. They were away from the fighting, the stress, starting over with a clean slate. But ever since they moved here four years ago, Rain has been the same. Quiet, and reserved.
"Well, Finn will be here tomorrow sometime… as for seeing your… father… I just don't think it's the best idea right now."
Rain turned her head away and down slightly as she spoke. "That's because you haven't talked to him in so long…."
Juvia felt the dagger pierce her heart as Rain threw the guilt in her mother's face. It was true that Juvia had not even attempted to contact Gray after everything had happened to them. Finn would mention how Gray was doing when he would visit, but never in full details. She let her hand fall from Rains short hair down to her shoulder, rubbing it lightly. "Maybe after this weekend… we can try to plan a visit for you to go see your father."
Juvia sat there for a moment longer as she watched Rain remain silent, not giving her mother any sign of happiness. The water mage smiled slightly as she leaned in forward towards Rain, placing a soft kiss on her head. "I promise I will make the call." As Juvia stood, she kept her eyes on her young daughter, hoping she had believed her words.
Rain waited for Juvia to leave her room before she glanced back up, making sure her mother was out of sight before stepping off of her bed. She walked over to her small desk beside her window, opening the laptop as she sat down. The young girl brought her knee up and rested her foot on the seat of the chair as she looked through her photo gallery. All of her pictures were of her family years ago before the fighting had started. She went through them all, seeing herself and her father playing together, Finn and Juvia building sand castles at the beach, all of them celebrating New Year's together. In every picture, their smiles were bright and full of love for each other.
As Rain clicked further through her photos, she came across some of all of the kids and parents together when they had all went to the summer house for the first time. All of her memories from that time came flooding into her mind as she looked through them all. The start of a smile began to form over her lips as she found pictures of Leo attempting to hug her with Finn holding him back. She remembered that was the first time Leo had told everyone that he had a crush on her, but seeing how he said that about every girl, no one really took him seriously. The young girl stayed on the picture for a few moments longer as her mind took her back to that day.
As she looked on at the picture, the young girl did not realize her eyes had begun to tear up. She did not feel the warm tear fall down her pale cheeks until it had fallen onto her knee. Solid blue eyes looked down and saw the small droplet, raising a hand up to her face. 'I'm… crying?' Rain looked back up to the computer that had gone into screensaver mode from the lack of movement from her hands on the touch pad. All of her pictures appearing over the screen one at a time. 'I guess… I really do miss everyone….'
Rain set her head down on her knee as she watched the pictures on her computer change every few seconds, her slight smile coming back to her lips. 'At least I get to see Finn tomorrow….'
Finn pulled into the small driveway of his mother's house, turning off the car after putting it into park, and quickly making his way to the front door. He had about an hour to spend with his mother and sister before this new guy was supposed to show up. 'I would have had more time if I didn't have to stop by Lily's again… why she needed me to come over and pretend to be with me again was pretty annoying.. but at the same time… I guess I can't complain…' The ice mage thought to himself as he smiled, his cheeks growing red as he could still feel the dominating touch of Lily as she forced him to the bed once more, jumping into his lap just before her parents came back home. He could tell that this time, Gajeel was not as understanding and got quite an earful from the iron dragon slayer. When Finn tried to explain what happened this time, Gajeel didn't really want to hear it and immediately kicked him out of the house. Finn couldn't be happier to leave at that point. He knew he had to get home to grab his things, make sure Gray was going to be set for when Finn was gone, and get on the road for the long drive to his mother's house in the next town over.
Finn knocked on the door and waited a second before the door swung open quickly. His mother smiled brightly and threw her arms around Finn's neck, hugging him tightly. "Finn! It's so good to see you!"
Finn could feel the warmth of this mothers embrace now, all thoughts of Lily leaving his mind as he hugged his mother back. "I know, I missed you too mom."
As Juvia pushed herself away from her son, she held onto his shoulders as she spoke. "I was starting to get worried you weren't going to come to dinner."
Finn rubbed the back of his head as he smiled. "Yeah… I kinda got held up before I was able to leave."
The water mage waved her hands in front of her. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that you are here. And let me tell you… this means a lot to me that you are doing this…thank you Finn. I really think you will like him."
"I wouldn't have missed this, mom. If it means this much to you, then it means a lot to me."
Juvia's eyes widened suddenly as she realized he had been keeping her son outside of the house this whole time. "Please, come in! I just got so excited to see you I couldn't wait to get my arms around you!" She said with a laugh as she moved out of the way for Finn to enter the small house.
'At least she looks pretty happy again. This guy must really mean a lot to her. I just hope I like him too.' Finn thought as he followed his mother inside. "Is Rain home?" Finn asked as he closed the front door behind him.
Juvia took Finn's bags and brought them into the living room by the couch. "Yes dear, she's up in her room. Or at least that's the last place I saw her today. She's been acting quite different for a while now. She only comes out of her room if it's just the two of us. Any other time, if she isn't in school, she stays up in her room. She really has me worried…"
"I'll go talk to her, mom. I'm sure it's nothing. She probably is just having some trouble getting used to having another guy around her that isn't me or dad." Finn smiled back at his mother as he left her to go find his younger sister. He walked down the small hallway and knocked on Rains closed door.
"I'm busy mom…" Came a quiet voice from inside of the room, causing Finn to smirk to himself as he moved closer to the door.
"Too busy for your big brother?" he said cheerfully. Finn could hear Rain scrambling out of her chair and running across her room to reach the door. She swung it open as fast as she could, her solid blue eyes meeting her big brothers smile and loving gaze. The younger girl jumped up and wrapped her arms around Finn's neck, squeezing tightly. "Oof! It's good to see you too Rain. How have you been?"
Rain let go of her big brother and looked down at her feet. "Mom told you I've been acting weird, didn't she?"
"Yeah… she mentioned it. Did you want to talk to me about it?"
Rain turned on her heels and walked back into her room, sitting down on her bed with a huff. "No… I told her I was fine. She just doesn't believe me."
Finn followed his sister into the room, making his way around the other side of the bed and sitting down next to his sister. "You can lie to mom, but you can't lie to me. What's wrong?"
Rain grabbed one of her pillows and ran her fingers over the stitching on the sides, silently thinking of the next thing to say to Finn. "It's… just that… I… I don't know."
Finn nudged his sister lightly as he spoke softly. "Come on… tell me what's wrong."
Rain let out a sigh, fiddling with the pillow in her hands. "I just don't like this new guy mom is with. And it's not because he's not dad, I just… I have a bad feeling about him. And I don't know how to tell mom. I want her to be happy and she's become way happier since he's come around. But at the same time… how can I tell her that I don't think this is the right guy for her to be dating without hurting her feelings?"
"Hm.. well… that's kinda hard not to do if you tell her how you really feel. Tell you what. Let me talk to this guy and if I get the same bad feeling that you have, I'll tell mom to cut it off with him."
Rain turned her head to her brother, eyes widened slightly. "You'd do that?"
Finn smiled as he nudged his sister again. "Come on, you think I wouldn't?"
Rain looked down at her bed and smiled slightly. "Thanks Finn." The younger girl waited a few minutes before speaking once more. "So how is everyone doing?"
Finn sighed as he leaned back on the bed. "Where do I even start? Uncles and aunts are doing fine, Lily finally got her interview with Sorcerer Weekly, Leo is still a playboy and wanted to come with me, devastated when I told him no, and dad…" Finn paused as he got to his father. 'Should I even tell her about the other night? I don't think I should… they don't need to know what happened or rather what's been happening with him.'
"Dad is alright. He could be better but for now… he's ok."
"So… does that mean I can come over next weekend and see him?" Rain asked as she looked to Finn.
Finn sat up slowly on the bed, thinking for a moment. "I… don't think that would be a good idea just yet."
"But you said dad was ok. Why can't I come see him?"
The young ice mage stood from the bed, running a hand through his spikey blue hair. "I know I said he was ok, but he's just… not that well enough to have visitors right now. I promise you can come see him soon, just not right now."
Rain threw her pillow away from her as she stood. "That's all you and mom do! Make promises I know you both can't keep!"
Finn quickly turned around to look at his sister. "Rain, you've gotta understand, I'm saying this to protect you. You don't want to see dad right now."
Rain shook her head in anger. "I don't care what he looks like! I'm tired of living here! I'm tired of being away from dad, from our family… from you…."
Finn could feel his heart sink as the younger girls' eyes swelled with tears as she spoke. He wanted nothing more than to just take her home with him to see their father together. He just needed more time to help his father get cleaned up. 'Rain shouldn't see him in this state… I don't want her to get that image of dad stuck in her head. She wouldn't be able to forgive him and the way he's been living.'
"Just forget it…"
Finn stared at his sister, and after a few seconds, walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her lightly. "I don't want it to be this way either… trust me. But… I don't want the image of dad now to ever enter your mind."
Rain rested her head on Finns chest, fighting back her tears. "…Is he really in that bad of shape right now?"
"It's the worst I've seen him since mom left. I just want him to clean up and actually start doing something right with his life. I swear I'm not doing this to hurt you, Rain."
The young girl brought her hands up slowly, wrapping them around Finn's form. "I know. I just miss him so much…"
"Say," Finn said as he placed his hands on her shoulders, pushing her away slightly. He put on a smile for her as he looked down at his younger sister. "Why don't we go see if mom needs some help cooking dinner? Like old times?"
Rain wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, nodding her head in agreement. 'Maybe with Finn here… he'll be tolerable.'
As the two siblings made their way to the kitchen, they could hear their mother on the phone with someone, chatting cheerfully to the person on the other end. Finn turned the corner and saw Juvia sitting at the table, giggling like a school girl. He raised a brow as he walked over to her, motioning to the counters, silently asking if anything needed to be finished up. Juvia smiled brightly as she giggled, nodding and pointing to the large salad bowl she had started on the counter. The ice mage turned slightly to his sister, motioning her to follow him to help. Rain glanced over at her mother at the table as she passed quickly, not making too much eye contact because she didn't want to talk. She didn't want to get wrapped up into another conversation about how she doesn't open up to her own mother.
As the two walked to up to the counter, Finn grabbed a knife, a cutting board, and some carrots to be cut. He set them down in front of Rain and whispered. "Here, you can cut these up, I'll cut up the celery. That seems like the last couple of things mom needs in here."
Rain nodded as she took the knife from Finn, slowly cutting small pieces of carrots on the cutting board. Finn's blue eyes glanced over to his sister one last time before moving down to his own hands, watching as he carefully cut the vegetable on the counter. "So how's school going?"
Rain shrugged her shoulders slowly. "I would be lying if I said I liked it there." She replied coolly.
"You mean to tell me that after four years of living here, you still don't like the school? Even I am kinda jealous. It seems like such a nice place." Finn said with a half-smile.
Rain stopped her hands briefly, her head hanging down slightly. Her voice was soft as she spoke. "You don't know how it really is… what it's really like on the inside…."
Finn turned his head to Rain, about to speak when the doorbell rang at the front door. Juvia stood up quickly and excitedly clapped her hands together. "Oh! He's early! I knew he said he would be here early, but I'm not even finished with preparing dinner!"
Finn kept his eyes on his sister as he spoke to his mother. "I'll get the door mom, you can finish up in here…"
The water mage grinned as she took Finn's place in the kitchen. "Thank you so much Finn! This will be a great chance for you two to get to know each other before dinner!"
Finn rinsed his hands off and dried them quickly, making his way to the front door. 'So this is it… mom's new boyfriend is behind this door. I really hope Rain is wrong about him. I truly want to see mom happy like this more often….'
Finn placed his hand on the doorknob, taking in one last breath as he opened the door, unsure of what he was about to see. The young ice mage opened the door and was surprised to see the man before him. He was a tall and slim man with mildly short, spiky dark blue hair jutting outwards, with a long fringe left hanging over the upper left part of his face. He noticed the man had a mildly rectangular face with sharp features, dark eyes and thin, dark eyebrows with a strange tattoo above his right eyebrow. He wore very ornate pieces of clothing, with polished dark shoes, and three large metal bracelets around his right wrist and forearm, making it quite obvious to Finn that this guy had money.
'He looks like total opposite of dad… which probably means he's gonna act nothing like dad… this might actually be interesting…' Finn thought to himself as he looked the man over silently.
The dark haired man grinned as he closed his eyes, he brought his hand up to his chin, while the other went to his elbow as he spoke. His voice slightly deep and smooth as he spoke. "You must be Finn. I've heard so much about you."
"Uh… yeah… and you must be my mom's new boyfriend?"
The man smirked as he moved his hand up to his hair, running his fingers through the overhanging locks. "Indeed I am, young man. The name is Bora. Bora of Prominence. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
Finn rubbed the back of his head as he watched the man hold his hand up by the part of his hair he just ran his fingers through as the other hand rested on his hip. "Um… no I'm sorry. I'm not from around here. I live with my dad and don't really have time to—"
Bora quickly cut off Finn as he walked in past him. "No matter, son. I'm sure we will be getting to know each other quite well soon enough. Now then, where is your beautiful mother?"
Finn watched the man walk past him as he slowly closed the door. "She's… in the kitchen…"
Bora made his way to the kitchen and saw Juvia's back to him. He smiled as he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her tightly, speaking into her ear. "Hello, my precious jewel."
The young ice mage watched his mother giggle and turn around to face Bora, wrapping her arms around him as well as she looked up into his eyes. "Did you get a chance to meet Finn yet?"
Bora pushed her away slightly, holding her forearms lightly in his hands. "Why yes. He seems to be quite the gentleman, much like myself. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better over dinner." Bora's eyes moved over to Rain who was placing the cut carrots into the large salad bowl. "Rain, darling, so good to see you out of that gloomy room of yours. How are you doing my dear?"
Rain paused slightly at his words. She hated how he spoke to her mother, more so how he spoke to her. She often would simply ignore him, but because Finn and his mother were now in the room, she didn't want to make things difficult. "Fine." She said quickly as she took the bowl to the table, setting it down and quickly taking her place in her seat. Bora turned his attention back to Juvia and smiled.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" He asked smoothly. Juvia let out a soft and happy sigh as she spoke.
"No, you can just go sit down at the table. Finn can help me bring in dinner."
Bora held up his hand to Juvia, tipping his head towards her slightly. "Please… allow me, my dear." With a snap of his right hand's fingers, along with a small gesture with his same hand, everything Juvia had been preparing began to float out of the kitchen to the dining table, gently floating down into place. As Finn sat down at the table, he noticed Rain roll her eyes at the magic Bora was performing. He didn't think it was that weird because he was simply helping his mother so she didn't have to carry everything.
Bora and Juvia both made their way to the table as well, sitting down next to each other and across from Finn and Rain. For the longest time, dinner was quiet and awkward. Finn couldn't figure out a good time to ask questions, Rain picked at her food with her fork, not really interested in eating, and Bora was once again using his telekinesis to bring a fork with some food at the end of it to his mother's mouth, receiving a giggle or two from her in the process.
Finn swallowed the food he had been chewing for a minute and opened his mouth to speak. "So… Bora… how did you and my mom meet?"
The dark haired man smiled as he brought his hand to his chin once more, wrapping an arm around Juvia's shoulders. "Well you see, young man, one day while I was making port, I was in town and just so happen to see this lovely beauty walking by. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew I just had to meet her. One month later I made my move, and now here we are."
Finn raised a brow at the two older grown-ups sitting across from him. "And what kind of business do you do?"
"Ah, very good question." Bora said as he removed his arm from Juvia's shoulders only to hold a finger up towards Finn. "You see, I am in the… trading business. I take my yacht all over to the different towns, buying and trading my merchandise. I also rent out my yacht or throw extravagant parties for fundraisers or charities, so I am surprised to hear that you have not heard of me, young Finn."
"Well, like I said, I'm a pretty busy guy. Between school, work, training, and… taking care of my dad… I don't have a lot of time to do things that I want to do." Finn said as he looked at Bora who raised his own brow towards Finn.
"You mean to tell me you have been taking care of your father all on your own?" Bora asked in amazement.
Finn shrugged his shoulders like it was really nothing. "Someone had too. It isn't that bad now that I have a routine with him. I mean unless he goes out on nights that I have work and a ton of homework, then I'm stuck going to pick him up and—" Finn stopped himself midsentence as he thought to himself. 'Wow… I just started talking to this guy like I've known him forever… I guess he isn't that bad… I mean, I'm talking to him without any real awkwardness.' His solid blue eyes glanced back over to Rain and saw she was still picking at her food. 'Why do you feel so uneasy around this guy Rain?'
Finn turned his head back to Bora and apologized quickly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to start talking about my dad and what I do back home."
Bora waved a hand at Finn. "Not a problem young man. Your mother has already told me so much about you. I think it's quite admirable of you to help your parents out like that. I see a lot of my younger self in you, Finn."
"Finn is nothing like you."
Everyone around Rain snapped their heads towards the young girl, eyes wide in disbelief that the first words of the night out of her mouth were those. Juvia's wide eyes grew angry as she looked to her daughter. "Rain! Don't talk like that!"
The young girl stared back at her mother silently. Bora simply laughed it off as he placed a hand on Juvia's shoulder, running a hand through his hair once more. "Don't worry about it my jem, she didn't mean anything by that."
Rain shot a look to Bora as he spoke. Her voice calm as she talked back. "Yes I did. You are far from being anything like Finn. He's a thousand times better than you'll ever be!" The young girl quickly stood up, slamming her hands on the table before her mother could get another word out. "Please excuse me…."
The rain woman stood as she watched her daughter leave the dining room and head back down the hall to her own room. Finn stood just as fast as Juvia did and held up a hand to his mother. "I'll go talk to her mom, excuse me."
As her oldest child left the room, Juvia sunk back down in her seat with a heavy sigh, her hand coming up to her forehead as tears formed in her eyes. "I'm so sorry about Rain… she's been in a mood more than usual lately."
Bora smirked as he hugged Juvia lightly. "It's alright my love. She's still trying to adjust to me. I know it's hard for such a young girl to have another man in her life while her father is still in the picture. Give her time, I'm sure she'll come around."
Finn entered Rains room just as she jumped into her bed, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked down at herself. "What the hell was that all about Rain?"
"You heard him Finn… he's a pompous jerk that doesn't deserve to be with mom." Rain said coolly.
Finn out stretched his hand as he spoke to his sister. "I don't see the problem with this guy. Yeah he's a little out there, but I'm not picking up any bad vibes like you are."
Rain snapped her head towards Finn, her hands making fists as they went down to her sides. "That's because you don't live here! You don't know what it's really like when he's around! And you don't know what I have to go through on a daily basis here at home and at school!"
Finn snapped back angrily, raising his voice to his sister as he yelled back at her. "THAT'S BECAUSE IM STUCK BACK HOME TAKING CARE OF DAD! I'm too busy with college, with work, with… keeping him away from the bar every night! On top of that, I'm trying to train with his drunk ass any free time I get! So yeah, I can't be here all the time to see what's really going on!" Frustration was written all over Finn as he groaned and turned his back to his sister, rubbing his head with his hand, kicking himself mentally for losing it with his sister. He had never yelled at her before, let alone raised his voice. He just needed a minute to calm down and regain his thoughts. Unfortunately for him, Rain was not going to let that happen just yet.
The younger girl stood from her bed quickly, raising her own voice at her older brother. "Then let me come back home with you! I hate it here! I hate the college I'm in, I have no friends here. All of the girls at school don't talk to me, and none of them make an effort to come to me. I'm alone in there. "
Finn turned on his heels, pointing an accusing finger to his sister as he spoke angrily. "You don't make an effort to talk to others! You are the one who doesn't like to talk to people and you're not giving this new college, that mom is paying for mind you, a chance! It's an all-girls school so I don't see what the problem is. You shouldn't have to fear trying to make friends with other girls, Rain."
"I'm not afraid of making new friends! I just…" Rain looked away from Finn's hard gaze, her thoughts racing through her head.
"What? You just what?" Finn said in frustration.
Rain's head snapped back up, her eyebrows crossed as tears appeared in the corner of her eyes. "I'M SO UNHAPPY THERE THAT I BRING RAIN WITH ME! AND ALL OF THE GIRLS MAKE FUN OF ME FOR IT! THIS PLACE, THIS SITUATION, HIM! THEY ALL MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY! I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!"
Finn waited a minute to speak as he watched Rain stand before him in anger, trying to catch her breath slightly from shouting so quickly at her brother. Finn sighed slightly as he looked at Rain. "You know the rain doesn't always come around just when you're upset… it's just… weather…"
"You're wrong! Mom told me that rain would follow her around all the time when she was my age, all because she was sad. I'm the spitting image of mom and everything going on is making me feel so upset that it rains all the time… it rains so much because of me."
"Rain that's ridiculous! I'm upset all the time but you don't see the rain following me around, do you? It's just a coincidence that it just so happens to be raining when you are feeling down. Mom also told me that it rains here quite a bit around this season. I think you just need to suck it up and deal with the fact that mom is moving on. She has someone who… makes her happy. We need to be happy for her now. You need to buck up and try to make some friends, maybe then you won't be so distracted by this guy." Finn turned back around and let his head lean back slightly as he stared up towards the ceiling, his voice softening. "And then I won't have to worry so much about you when I'm back at home with dad…."
Finns eyes widened slightly as slender arms reached around his waist, hugging him lightly as a head rested on his backside. Rain stood with Finn for a long minute in silence, feeling bad that her brother had to do this on his own, how he constantly worried about her and their mother while he was away. "I could come home and help you know… I could watch dad while you're in school and at work… I could take the night classes so then you can be with him while I'm away…" Her voice was soft and full of sorrow. Finn smiled slightly as he turned around to his sister, making her look up into his solid blue eyes.
"I know you want to come help, but its ok Rain. I've got everything under control and like I said, I don't want you to come home just yet." Finn could see the tears swelling in her eyes as she looked away, saddened by his answer. "Say… why don't we go take a walk? Clear both of our minds and just get out of this house. I think we both could use it."
Rain brought a hand up to her face, wiping away her small tears away from her eyes as she moved away from Finn. "Can we go to the town square? It's not too far away walking distance…"
Finn smiled as he wrapped his arms around Rains' smaller frame. "I'd walk to the ends of the earth with you Rain. Just let me go tell mom where we are going."
The two siblings smiled at one another, both heading back down the stairs to where their mother and Bora were left at. Rain glanced into the dining room, catching Boras' gaze as she passed. He had a smile over his lips as he watched her walk past, sending chills down her spine. Finn placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her further past the dining room. "I'll let mom know we are heading out." Finn said quietly as he turned to move further into the dining room.
Juvia quickly stood as she watched her daughter walk past the doorway, and her son entering the room. "Is everything ok? Is she alright?!" She asked worriedly.
Finn waved a hand, signaling that everything was fine. "She'll be fine mom. We're going to go out for a bit."
Juvia let out a soft and relieving sigh. "Thank you Finn… I was really starting to worry about her." The water mage slowly sat back down in her seat as Bora began to stood, making his way over to Finn. The dark blue haired man made his way around the table to Finn, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder as he spoke.
"Finn, I'm having a soirée on my yacht tomorrow night, and I would like to invite you and our sister to come along with your mother."
Finn raised a brow as he glanced from the man's hand on his shoulder to the narcissistic look on his face. "Uhh… what for?"
Bora grinned as he brushed his fingers threw his hair. "In honor of myself and my business, the Rune Knights Academy and a few other important and very well respected people I owe quite a bit too. I have these parties every year around this time. I won't lie, this event isn't for some penniless bum off the streets. Its invitation only and I only invite the well-known, rich and famous, or in this case, the beautiful woman that is your mother and her two very precious children. And if you were ever interested in getting into the Rune Knights Academy, it would be a good chance for you to meet its head master. I might even be able to put in a good word for you, my boy."
Finn slowly moved his shoulder down away from the man's hand, standing back upright as he spoke. "Thanks… I'll uh… I'll think about it." The ice mage turned on his heels and made his way back to his sister by the front door, motioning her to leave the house quickly. Bora turned back around to face Juvia, grinning smugly to himself.
"I sincerely hope those two will decide to come with us tomorrow night. I've put a ton of work into this party."
Juvia smiled slightly as she watched Bora walk back to his seat beside her. "I know, my love, I'm just… so sorry about Rain… I honestly don't know what has gotten into her lately." The water mages' blue eyes began to swell with tears, her head lowering slightly as she spoke.
Bora smiled as he moved his hand to Juvia's' chin, lightly lifting her face to look into his dark eyes. "My darling Juvia… it is quite alright. She is simply adjusting to having me around. Don't not stress over it. You can clearly see I am not." The mage said as he planted a soft kiss upon Juvia's' lips, making the water mage blush slightly.
The rain had ceased as Finn and Rain walked in silence for half an hour to the towns square, thinking quietly to themselves as the moonlight helped light their path along with the lanterns on the stone path. Finn glanced up at the night sky, noticing some darkened clouds beginning to roll over them. He could sense something was coming, deep within him. He always thought it was because he had his mothers' blood inside that he could tell when it was going to storm. Whenever it did storm, he could sense something inside of him, urging him to use is magic, almost like it was granting him more power than he could ever imagine having. He would always ignore this gut feeling, seeing how whenever he felt it, thunder would shortly follow.
As Finn stared up into the night sky and at the rain clouds rolling back in. They looked slightly darker than the rain clouds he was used to. He wondered if a thunderstorm was headed their way. He spoke slightly nervous to Rain. "S-so how is your magic coming along?"
Rain looked up at Finn with a small smile. "I could show you, come with me." She grabbed Finns' wrist, gently pulling him along with her as she walked faster to the large fountain in the middle of the towns square. She let him go a few steps before the fountain and motioned him to wait for a second. As the younger girl stepped up to the fountain, she took in a deep breath, breathing in the cool air that was rushing past her from the anticipated rain storm. She could feel something inside her too. Something powerful. She took her stance, spreading her feet apart, her hands coming together. Finn noticed she was using a different technique for her magic, wondering if it was something she picked up in school.
He watched as the girl slowly brought her hands down to the fountains cold stone, ice quickly forming over it. He watched as the water began to freeze in place and was amazed how she was able to make ice sculptures in the ice from just where she was standing. He looked over to her, seeing how effortless it was for her to perform this magic. It made him envious of her, wishing he was able to perform at the same level as his younger sister. She stood up straight and smiled at Finn, holding a finger up as she spoke. "I can do this now too."
She walked around to where her ice sculptures were formed over the fountains frozen waters, placing a finger on each of them and making them come to life. Finn's eyes widened as he watched the ice moving on its own. "That's…impossible…. No one has been able to make ice objects move on their own unless they were first made animated."
Rain made her way back over to her brother, quite proud of what she was able to do. "I can't do it all the time… only when it rains. It's weird. I can feel something inside of me when it's about to rain… it nags at me and makes me want to use my magic. It makes me feel stronger."
Finn chuckled slightly as he wrapped an arm around his sisters' shoulders, completely forgetting about the nervousness he was feeling minutes ago. "You make no sense Rain."
The girl looked up at her brother confusingly. "What do you mean?"
"You complain that whenever you are sad, the rain follows you like a gloomy cloud, yet just now, you told me that it makes you stronger and I just witnessed something that's never been done before. You say it's because of the rain. Which technically means that the rain is quite special to you in more ways than one."
Rain crossed her arms over her chest as she rolled her eyes. "Name one other thing that makes the rain so "special."
Finn turned his sister around and started walking back the way they came. Rain turned slightly and waved her hand towards the fountain, causing the ice to melt into water and start running once more. "Have I ever told you how you got your name?"
Rain looked up at her brother, remembering that it was he who had given her the name Rain. She thought back to the day he told her.
"Finn, Rain, make sure you put on your rain coats and boots before you go outside!" Juvia called from the kitchen as she washed the dirty dishes in the sink.
Finn stopped before he made his way to the front door, turning around to face his mother in the kitchen. "It's not supposed to thunder, is it mom?"
Juvia smiled as she spoke. "No sweetie, just rain."
The two young ice mages smiled and laughed as they sat down near the front door, eager to get outside in the light rain that was passing through. Finn was first to put on his rain boots and rain coat, buttoning the blue buttons quickly. He looked at his sister who was having trouble putting on her yellow rubber boots. Finn quickly knelt down and helped her shove her tiny foot in the shoe.
Gray came up from behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist, planting a kiss on her shoulder lightly. "They seem pretty excited to get outside."
Juvia smiled as she placed a clean plate in the empty sink beside her. "It's been a while since it's rained here. Not to mention Rain has been sick every time it rained here so she hasn't really experienced it a whole lot."
Gray smiled as he moved away from Juvia to watch his children get ready to go outside. "Make sure you stay in the yard Finn. Don't let your sister out of your site out there."
Finn looked back to his father, a smile over his face. "I'll watch her dad!" The young boy helped his sister up and placed a yellow rain hat over her short blue hair. He grabbed her hand and quickly made their way outside. Finn helped his sister down the front steps of the house and walked with her to the yard, hand in hand.
Rain willingly followed her brother into the wet grass, her big boots squeaking as they rubbed against one another. Finn let her hand go as he ran through the grass in circles, giggling and holding his arms out at his sides. Rain stood in the middle of Finn's circles, unsure what to do in the rain. She brought her hands up to her face as she watched Finn carefully, slowly turning in a circle to keep her eyes on her big brother.
"Isn't this fun Rain?!" Finn said excitedly as he ran and jumped all around the yard.
Rain shook her head, not saying a word as the rain came down on her.
Finn stopped and stood there watching her for a second as he caught his breath. "Why don't you like it?"
The small girl shrugged her shoulders as she looked down. Finn ran up to her and put an arm around her small shoulders. "What's wrong? It's just water."
"I don't like it… its cold and its making me get all wet…"
"Yeah but think of it this way. It's like we're out here with mommy. She's called the Rain woman, and your name is Rain."
The girl looked up at her brother. "Why?"
"Cause that's what I named you. Mommy and daddy asked me what they should call you and I said that Rain was a good name. I also said it's because I like the rain and mommy, and I knew that I would like you too."
"So… the rain is a good thing?" the girl said hesitantly.
Finn raised his hands up in the air excitedly. "Yeah! Plus you can do this!" The young boy ran over to the driveway where a dip was and jumped into a puddle, making a big splash. He waved a hand to his sister, motioning her to try. "Come on! It's fun!"
Rain made her way to her brother, stepping one small boot into the puddle and looking up to Finn. He shook his head as he pushed her back lightly. "Like this." He crouched down and leaped into the puddle once more. Finn turned and looked at his sister. "Come on Rain! It's fun!"
Rain looked from her brother to the puddle. She took a breath and shut her eyes as she jumped into the puddle. She opened her eyes just before her feet met with the ground. As she watched the water splash around her feet, she smiled brightly. She giggled as she stomped at the water one foot at a time, turning around in a circle as she played.
"See? Its fun isn't it?"
Rain giggled as she followed Finn, jumping in puddles that he had just splashed through.
Gray moved to the window in the living room, looking out to his children as they played. "She seems to be enjoying it now."
Juvia dried her hands off and walked over to Gray, smiling as she too watched her kids play. "I'm glad." Juvia said as she let out a soft sigh, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Do you think they will discover how important the rain is?"
Gray grinned as he wrapped a hand around Juvia. "Maybe one day they will find out on their own how the rain will help them."
Rain nudged Finn's side lightly. "Yes… you did. When we were younger."
"So they why do you think the rain is such a bad thing?"
Rain shrugged her shoulders as they walked together, letting out a sigh as she spoke. "I don't know… ever since we moved here… that's just how I've been feeling about the rain."
"Well know that you remember, try to cheer up." Finn said as he gripped his sisters' shoulder. "And come with me to that party tomorrow. It'll mean a lot to mom too if you come along."
Rain frowned slightly as she thought to herself. "If I go… it won't be for mom or… Bora…. It'll be because you asked me to come along."
Finn smiled as they walked. "Come on, I'm sure it'll be fun."
Finn held his glass lightly as he scanned the room around him. He saw important figures speaking to one another, feeling out of place even though he had looked the part of some rich fellow. Bora had bought his mother, Rain, and Finn brand new outfits to wear for this soirée he had created. The yacht was cramped and full of important business people that apparently all know of Bora. Finn took a sip of his drink as he walked slowly through the heavy crowd. His blue eyes scanning the room as the music filled his ears of its smooth sound. He looked over to who was playing. A small group of musicians sat in a tight, nit group. Most of them were just old men but there was one in particular who stood out.
A young girl, with platinum blonde hair playing the violin caught Finn's eye. He stopped and watched her play. She was wearing a long white dress that framed her entire body, showing little of her light skin. Her light blue eyes were glued to the paper in front of her as she played, not noticing the ice mage staring at her for quite some time now. He admired how she made it look like playing the violin was effortless. Her movements were precise and damn near perfect. 'She's not half bad with that thing…. She's not too bad looking either… she looks like the total opposite of Lily…'
Finn's thoughts ended as a hand landed on his shoulder, causing Finn to turn his head quickly. Bora stood beside Finn now with another man beside him. "Enjoying the entertainment, Finn?"
Finn looked from Bora to the girl sitting beyond him. "Uh, yeah. I just happened to notice that they were right there playing. At first I thought it was something on the overhead speakers."
Bora grinned as he put a hand to his chin. "No my dear lad. There is nothing too expensive for these soirées. I only get the very best to play on my yacht. As you may have noticed, the one playing the violin is our newest edition."
Finn's solid blue eyes moved back to the girl. "She is quite good. Is she one of your clients?"
The man beside Bora now spoke up. "She is my daughter."
Finn nearly spit out his drink that he had just taken. His head turned slowly to the man who just spoke. He was a slim man of average height with long, tied up black hair; two bangs frame his face and an unruly tuft covers his forehead. His eyes were lavender that seemed to pierce right through his circular-lensed glasses. He looked like he was a very important figure that Bora knew just from how he was dressed.
Bora held out a hand as he spoke. "Where are my manners? Finn, this man right here is none other than Master Lahar of the Rune Knights Academy. I figured you would like to talk to him in case you were ever interested in going to the school."
Finn held out a hand to Lahar as he stood up straight. "It's very nice to meet you sir. I've read a lot about the Rune Knights Academy, and it was the place my father was constantly trying to get me to attend. It seems like a very nice school, but as I've told my mother and father before, I just don't think it's the right place for me."
Lahar took Finn's hand into his own, squeezing it with a firm grip. "Bora has told me much about you Finn. I find it interesting that you wouldn't want to attend the most renowned school that still is standing to this day. We could help you achieve a higher level with your magic skill, among other things. There are dorms on site so you wouldn't have to worry about finding a place to stay. Bora here as even offered to pay for everything."
Finn took his hand back as his eyes flashed to Bora. The man smiled as he looked back at Finn. "Yes, it's true. Your mother has told me that it would be hard for her to support two of her kids in very expensive colleges at once, so I went ahead and made arrangements for your schooling at the Rune Knights Academy. Should you choose to go there one day."
"I… I don't know what to say…"
Bora wrapped his hand around Finns shoulders. "Say yes, my boy! You wouldn't have to worry about a thing and you would be able to see your mother and sister more often. The Rune Knights Academy is less than an hour away from them."
"We have also read over your school records. You are more than qualified to attend my school. Probably one of the brightest minds I've ever seen. You should reconsider joining the Academy."
The ice mage smiled slightly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm… truly grateful for the offer, but I'm afraid that I am going to have to decline."
Lahar closed his eyes and smiled. "I respect your decision, but should you ever change your mind, our doors will always be open for you Finn. Now if you will excuse me…" Finn moved out of the way and watched Lahar walk past him and to his daughter who had just finished playing their song and was now taking a break. As she stepped down from her seat, she smiled brightly at her father who looked her over in amazement. He could tell he was quite proud of his girl. Finn turned his attention back to Bora.
"I'm really sorry."
Bora waved a hand. "It's not a big deal Finn. My offer will still stand should you ever choose to go there one day."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Now if you will excuse me, I have to go find your mother and introduce her to someone. Why don't you go check on your sister?" Bora said as he glided past Finn, brushing his fingers through his overhanging locks.
Finn rolled his eyes as he turned in the opposite direction of Bora, heading back through the crowd the way he came. He spotted Rain at one of the tables, boredom over her face as she ran her finger around the rim of her drink. Finn quickly made her way to her and sat down in the stiff chair beside hers, letting out a sigh.
"Man, I think Bora is trying very hard to get me to like him. He just introduced me to the head master of the Rune Knights Academy and offered to pay for my schooling… it's kinda weird." He said with a laugh as he looked at his sister. Rain had her elbow propped up on the table as her head rested in her palm. She continued to watch her finger movements over the glass as she spoke to Finn.
"He's trying so hard caz I don't like him. He's desperate to get you on his side so no one will believe me how I have this bad feeling about him."
Finn grinned as his solid blue eyes went down to his own drink. He watched the dark liquid swirl around in circles as he turned his glass. "I don't know Rain. I still don't sense anything bad about him." He quickly cut Rain off before she could start arguing with him over the subject. "But that doesn't mean that I'm not giving up on this feeling you have. I still haven't made my decision about this guy. But you can't deny the fact that he's making mom happy."
Rain's expression softened as she turned her blue eyes back to her drink. "I know…"
Finn turned in his seat, throwing his arm around the top of the chair. "Not to mention he does know how to throw a party. I mean, it's pretty boring with all these higher ups prancing around here…" Finn said as he started to imitate someone stuck up, holding up his glass with his pinky out, his head stuck up. Rain watched as her brother made fun of everyone around them further. A small smile came over her face the more he imitated them talking and the different things they were doing.
Finn kept up the charade until Rain couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. He joined in her laughter as he set his drink back down. It felt good to hear her laugh again, to see that smile on her face. The ice mage was glad he still had it in him to make her laugh.
"Heh… you know… that's something I probably picked up from Leo."
Rain's laughter slowly died down as Finn spoke, a soft smile still left on her face. "Yeah… it does sound like something Leo would do if he was here."
"He really did want to come see you. I was half tempted to let him come along to be honest. I didn't tell him that though."
Rain looked down at her drink and continued to smile. "He would have tried even harder if you had told him."
Finn leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. "Yeah, well… I wasn't sure if you were up to seeing him and I honestly didn't want to be watching him constantly." The blue haired boy leaned forward and moved closer to Rain. "You should give him a call one of these days. It'll get him off my back for not taking him with me to see you."
"Hm." Rain pondered the thought in her head for a long time, once more watching her fingers glide over the glass.
"There you two are! I've been looking all over for you two!"
Finn turned his head and looked up to his mother as Rain continued to stare down at her drink. He smiled at his mother as he stood up from his chair, moving over to the chair on the other side of him and pulling it out for Juvia. "Here mom."
"Oh, Finn. Thank you." Juvia sat down and fanned herself with her hand as Finn sat back down in his seat. "It's a little warm in here with all of these people isn't it?" She said with a smile. "Are you both at least enjoying yourselves? I know it's really crowded tonight and Bora has been dragging me around to meet everyone here."
"Yeah we're fine. I thought the small orchestra was pretty cool. Oh and I met the head master to the Rune Knights Academy."
"Oh? How did that go over?"
"Did Bora really agree to pay for everything mom?" Finn asked seriously as he stared at his mother. His solid blue eyes unwavering.
Juvia turned her gaze away from her son as she folded her hands together on the table. "Finn… I honestly didn't want him to do it… but if you were wanting to switch schools, I knew that I was going to need some help."
"Mom, I could have paid my own way in. It's no different from me paying for my schooling back home. Not to mention I turned down the offer."
"You're not going to even consider the option Finn?" Juvia asked as she looked back up at her son. "It really won't be a problem if you want to go there."
Finn sighed as he clenched his fists under the table. "Mom, please—"
"Can I have your attention everyone? Yes, please, your attention!" Bora's voice rang throughout the yachts' dining area. Everyone's heads turned to the center as Bora held up a hand in the air as the other held onto a small microphone. "Thank you all for attending my soirée this lovely evening. I would like for you all to enjoy this last bit of entertainment before we end the night. A promising young woman with a new violin solo that is still growing in popularity. Please, lend her your undivided attention." As the lights began to dim down, Bora made his way to the last empty seat at the table Finn was sitting at. He placed a hand on Juvia's shoulder as he sat down in between her and Rain, smiling at the young musician who was about to perform.
Finn, Rain and Juvia turned their attention to the center where someone had come into view with a single spot light upon them. Finn noticed it was the same girl playing the violin with the small group of older men. She had changed her outfit to a shorter and loose fitting sun dress, white with a pink trim around the edges. She was barefoot and blue eyes were closed as she stood in place like a statue. He raised a brow as he watched her standing perfectly still with her violin up against her chin, resting peacefully on her shoulder.
As the girl began to play, she slowly started to move her body along with her music that she was playing. It was soothing, almost reminding Finn of the ocean. He watched her dance and play her violin with ease, dancing around the center of the room, all eyes glued to this girl in awe.
Finn watched as she moved so fluidly, her eyes closed softly, and never once bumping into anything or anyone. He was amazed at the talent this girl had. He had never seen another musician play as good as her, besides Lily that is. But she mainly played electric and acoustics. Nothing simple like a violin. He watched as she spun, her platinum blonde hair swirling around, her feet barely staying in one spot for very long as she performed her song. He imagined her playing this by the waters, and like a water mage, trying to control the unforgiving sea with her song. Her song was commanding and full of power and excitement, but then it was passionate, and soft, constantly changing… like the ocean. Finn leaned in towards Bora and whispered. "What is the name of the song she is performing?"
Bora leaned in and whispered back with a smile. "Master of Tides."
Finn turned back around to watch this young girl play. 'Master of Tides…' He watched her finish her song with such grace. After the very last note she hit, she opened her eyes and held her bow up into the air as she struck her last pose, taking a soft bow at the crowd as they clapped and cheered for her. Mostly everyone sitting down stood almost immediately and gave her a standing ovation. Finn found himself part of the crowd as he stood and began to clap for her, still amazed at her skill.
'Maybe coming here tonight wasn't too bad after all.'
AN: I quickly reread over this so I hope I caught everything…. . also! In case you were wondering, Master of Tides is an actual song played with a violin. If you would like to hear it or look it up, its Master of Tides by Lindsay Stirling. She is quite amazing at what she can do. :)
Also…. Who knew it was going to be Bora Juvia was dating? Shocker anyone? lol
FairyTailFairy32027: haha yes. I do like to write drama. Thank you so much for enjoying it ^^ I try to put all of my feelings into my stories. It definitely helps because then you all enjoy it even more!
Depressica: thank you! hopefully this one is just as good.
Nyma: lol its ok, like I said, I sometimes don't always get to post up every week like I want to. And yes gray does. Perhaps sometime soon he will? And yes, I tossed around the idea of Juvia dating Bora or Lyon for quite a while. As much as I wanted it to be Lyon… bora fit the category for what will happen later on down the road. Finn will get to a happier place… I'm just not gonna tell ya when ;) and I love you too! I love everyone who has reviewed and kept up with all my stories thus far! It really means a lot to me that I have such awesome followers! *hugs!*
Mgaa: lol yeppers! And probably not the person you wanted her with I'm sure :P