It's Monday! And we finally get to catch up with our girl, Juvia. I think she'd probably be too caught up in her Jose-contract problem to really pay attention and give us good narration during the ceremony (I know I'd be super distracted and stressed if it were me). Hopefully this week's chapter makes up for her being off-camera for the last couple of weeks.
guest: You are so on-point with that one, it's a little bit scary! XD. But you'll see; I won't spoil it. Thanks for reviewing!
- K. Chandler
He wasn't getting married.
Relief hit her in a dizzying wave as her heart drummed in her throat. With the interruption of Gray's wedding, Juvia felt like she could fly. She brought a trembling hand to her forehead, taking a calming breath.
She barely registered the way Mr. Heartfilia was taken into custody by the Navy officers. She hardly noticed the way Lucy had taken refuge behind Natsu's protective arm. And she almost missed the look of utter relief in Gray's eyes when Lucy had left him at the altar.
On another day, any of these observations might have made Juvia's heart sing with joy. But today, the only thought in the maelstrom of Juvia's mind was that she still had a chance.
Her soul didn't belong to Jose. Not yet. If she acted quickly, she could still save herself. But she was almost out of time.
Levy had made her way through the contract easily. The convoluted prose had been no match for the Royal Scholar's keen mind. Now, she was arguing with Gajeel about what was to be done.
"That might just be the dumbest thing I've ever heard!" snarled Gajeel. Juvia could feel his annoyance clearly through their Sensory Link.
"It's easier to fulfill the contract than to break it!" insisted Levy. "All Juvia has to do is get Captain Fullbuster to kiss her. Once that happens, she'll have met the terms and Jose will have no power over her. She'll be free!"
"Well, excuse me for not having a lot of faith in this Captain of yours, Shrimp," seethed Gajeel, filling their link with a flutter of disdain. "If he were more reliable, we wouldn't be in this situation at all."
"We just have to explain the situation to him," said Levy reasonably. "I'm sure he'll understand. It should be an easy request to fulfill, especially now that he's not getting married."
"You volunteering to explain this to him?" asked Gajeel with a snort. "'Cause I'm not gonna."
"Don't be so difficult, Gajeel!" snapped Levy.
"I am not being difficult. I'm being practical."
"You are the most difficult person I've met!" Levy was almost shouting.
Seeing Gray headed their way, Juvia tapped her palm to the side of the boat, trying to get her friends' attention. She gestured wildly, drawing attention Gray's arrival.
Gajeel picked up on Juvia's message immediately. "Well, don't look now, Shrimp, 'cause here's your chance," Gajeel told Levy.
"Juvia! There you are," said Gray, his shoulders slightly hunched. "I was looking for you."
Juvia gave him a wary look, her mind racing to find a solution. Whatever happened, she could not let him see Gajeel.
"Listen, Juvia. I…" Gray swallowed hard, shaking his head. His hand worked at the collar of his jacket. "I'm sorry. About everything."
Juvia tilted her head curiously, her eyes narrowing slightly. There was a part of Juvia that wanted to hear these words. But another, even stronger part, reminded her to keep her focus.
Gray grimaced, his gaze flitting to her face before darting away. "I know you've got every right to be mad at me, especially after I disappeared on you like that. And I know that I should have said something, but I… I couldn't. It was too risky."
That's what he wanted? As upsetting as the whole sham of a wedding was, Juvia understood Gray's need for secrecy. It sounded like he hadn't even let Cana and Natsu in on his plan, and they were his closest confidantes. Besides, that was in the past. There were more important things right now. Like breaking a contract.
Reconciliation could wait.
"I hurt you. And I'm sorry. Is it asking too much for you to forgive me?" said Gray quietly, offering a regretful half-smile. He started to extend his hand, then retracted it jerkily. His fingers clenched into a fist, hovering uncertainly in front of his chest.
Juvia flashed him a warm smile, taking two steps towards him. She took Gray's hand, clasping his fingers in a reassuring squeeze. Then she pulled him away from the side of the ship. Away from Gajeel.
Gray's breath left his lungs with a whoosh. "Thank you," he breathed, the ghost of a smile crossing his lips.
Juvia nodded, continuing to deliberately steer him away from Gajeel.
"Where are we going? Juvia? Is something wrong?"
Juvia tugged on his hand again, more insistently this time.
Gray ignored her, glancing over her shoulder at the side of the boat, where Levy had stationed herself. Levy's arms were spread, as if she were trying to take up as much space as possible.
"What's going on here?" asked Gray, narrowing his eyes.
"Captain!" Levy piped up. "I need you to kiss Juvia. Right now," she blurted.
Juvia cringed, the heat rushing to her face. This was not how she had envisioned having this conversation. She wished she could just disappear.
Gray jerked back, dropping Juvia's hand. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Now hurry up and do it," said Levy, her hands on her hips. "You do like her, don't you?"
"What? I…" Gray blinked at her, his cheeks flushing. He coughed awkwardly. "Levy, what brought this on?" stammered Gray.
"It's hard to explain."
"Try." His jaw clenched as embarrassment melted to irritation.
Levy shrugged, shifting from one foot to the other. "Well, you see…" she faltered.
"Juvia?" asked Gray, shifting his piercing gaze to her.
Juvia shook her head rapidly, her face feeling impossibly hot.
"What are you keeping from me?" Without waiting for an answer, Gray took three long strides to the side of the ship.
"Wait!" cried Levy.
Juvia tried to catch Gray's elbow, but he pulled away.
Juvia's heart raced as Gray arrived at the side of the ship. He bent, starting to peer over the edge, but he was interrupted by a shout from the other end of the ship. Cana was pointing at the horizon.
A sharp chill trailed frigid fingers up Juvia's spine. The sky grew unnaturally dark. A familiar ethereal fog rolled in, swallowing Gray's ship in an abyss of haze. Shadows that stretched and reached began swooping around the ship, circling it like gulls.
Juvia trembled, her lungs tight. She shook her head desperately. No! She needed more time!
A tall man melted through the mist. He wore a long robe of aubergine purple. Cold, dead eyes bored into hers, a twisted smirk teased at his lips.
"It's the Phantom Lord," gasped Cana, her cards springing to her fingers in preparation for an attack.
Erza's posture remained unaffected. "That's just a myth," she huffed, her eyes narrowing in disdain.
"Does that look like a myth to you, Knightwalker?" Prince Lyon asked sternly.
Next to her, Gray shifted into a combative stance. "Levy. Juvia. Behind me. Now." He pressed his fist against his palm, poised to defend them with his magic.
Juvia and Levy silently complied on leaden legs, allowing Gray to back them towards the rest of the wedding party. But it was no use.
Juvia's time was up.
The Phantom Lord let out an unpleasant chuckle. "You don't look pleased to see me," he smirked, "…Miss Heartfilia."
What?! Jose is here for... Lucy?!
A swing and a miss for Gray and Juvia... and just when we thought they ready to patch up. ;) Seriously, how many more curve-balls do you think I can throw at them before I run out of ways to keep them apart? :P
Personally, I think this week's excuse is justified... Juvia has priorities, saving her soul being at the top of that list (not getting Gajeel killed is up there too). She and Gray do still need to have a serious talk at some point. Stay tuned for that... (not for a couple of weeks).
Next time, in Silence: "Let me explain something to you. You can't just enter a contract with the Phantom Lord and expect to get out without paying me what's due."
Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.
