Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
"Are we there, uhhh… there yet?" Natsu-san said, was holding a sick bag that was half-full. We departed from town via a carriage to . Juvia was rubbing Natsu-san's back.
"Juvia's sorry but, she has to explain what kind of place Greybrook is."
"Don't, I like surprises…Urck!"
"Then, come here." Juvia laid Natsu-san onto Juvia's lap again. "Don't vomit on Juvia."
"I feel better already, thanks! But, aren't you gonna knock me out?" Natsu-san still has a sour expression on, like he's holding it in because he's on Juvia's lap.
"How about this?" Juvia stroked onto Natsu-san's head while singing a lullaby that Juvia's mother taught her when Juvia was younger.
"You're good at singing…Juvia…" He's dozing off already? He really is like a child!
Juvia didn't reply and continued singing until, Natsu-san was asleep, Juvia's hands didn't stop however.
"Thank You Natsu-san, you were Juvia's first audience you know?" Juvia whispered, not wanting to erase her hard work. "Juvia wouldn't mind singing for you again, ask Juvia anytime."
The carriage continued its journey to while Juvia admired the scenery. We were on a forest path. The trees leaves here has the same situation back in Magnolia, yellow and turning brown, some has already fallen off, creating a crunching sound when the carriage pasted by a piles of leaves. Juvia can make out the squirrels climbing around; the scurrying of mice; flapping of birds that are heading for a warmer place. In the distance, Juvia can see a wall of snow that is getting bigger; the mountain range. Finally seeing the mountain range for herself, Juvia decided to read up on it:
The Billows Mountain Range is a peculiar series of mountains that form a ring, trapping a forest: Greybrook inside. Known for its strong winds and cold climate, not much wildlife lives here. The ones that do are highly dangerous and merciless in this food sparse environment. These animals include Vulcans, Mountain Sabres, and other carnivorous animals. The most dominant being the Mountain Sabres.
Researchers conducted some surveys in the mountains, revealing hints of magic in the dirt, suggesting that this isn't a natural mountain, but one that is made by a wizard long ago. The purpose of creating the mountains is still unknown, however neighbouring villages and towns has folklore and legends that back the research results.
Travellers should prepare enough food and pack warm clothes, a coat that blocks winds are vital.
Good thing Juvia told Natsu-san to buy supplies, or we might've been in trouble. But knowing Natsu-san, he would eat the wildlife there if he gets hungry. Ahh! We're almost there.
"Natsu-san, wake up." Juvia skipped shaking Natsu-san's shoulders and went straight to patting.
"Mhmm…" Natsu-san seemed to have went into a deeper sleep.
"Natsu-san, there's some food over there."
"Food!?" Natsu-san shot up and darted his eyes back and forth. "Where's the food?"
"Natsu-san, there is no food, we're almost there."
"Liar…" Natsu-san wrenched again.
"Come on! Stay down." Juvia pushed Natsu-san onto Juvia's lap. "You feel better like this right?"
"Yeah. Thanks!"
"You're welcome."
"There really is no food?"
"Natsu-san!"
"I can't help it, I'm hungry."
"When aren't you hungry?"
"After I eat."
"Forget that Juvia asked." Juvia feels a headache coming on. Why did Juvia agree to this? "Natsu-san we're he—"
"Yahoo!" Natsu-san jumped out of the window and started to dance.
"Jeez, can't you have some patience?" Juvia trailed after the dancing monkey.
"I'm finally out of that death trap!"
"Listen!"
"Sorry."
"How do the others tolerate you?"
"Are you mad?"
"For ignoring Juvia? Yes."
"Sorry."
"It's fine. Hurry up, we don't have all day." Juvia stormed off to the foot of the mountain filled with trees.
"Wait up!"
"Let's take another break." We were treading on snow, the winds are picking up, nothing like the breeze from the lower altitudes. Looking up, Juvia can see there is still ways to go.
"Juvia's sorry for having us take the fifth break, if only Juvia was stronger."
"What are you talking about? You're pretty strong already."
"But Juvia—"
"I just have more stamina than you, doesn't make you any less weak."
"Natsu-san..."
"But still I'm getting pretty hungry."
"Then why don't we have something to eat?" Juvia reached into her bag and pulled out some rations and handed Natsu-san a bag.
"That isn't going to be enough!"
"What can Juvia do about it? We can't cook anything out in the open with all this wind."
"My flames won't be put out."
"That beats the point of eating for energy!"
"Then let's find a cave or something."
"Fine." Juvia reluctantly stood up. Juvia's legs instantly felt more tired than ever. Natsu-san wrapped Juvia's arm around his and supported Juvia.
"It's the least I can do making you push yourself. Plus, I can keep both of us warm." Natsu-san grinned.
"Thank You…" As we walked on snowy ground, Juvia looked back to see our tracks, the faraway ones disappeared without a trace. Our visibility was impaired, snow flying everywhere by the billions no matter where Juvia looked. Juvia is thankful for Natsu-san being here. A walking hearth is pretty handy in this cold climate. A hearth that can care for you, laugh with you, spend time with you.
Walking for half an hour just to find a cavern to cook food doesn't seem like a good idea, but we did it. Huddled together by an open fire, Juvia was stirring some soup with a ladle while Natsu-san was chewing on some jerky.
"Is it done yet?"
"No, you can't rush these things. Juvia swears, you can somehow eat more Gaje—"
"Shush, I hear something coming this way. A lots of them."
"Ehh?"
"Close the lid!" Natsu-san slammed the lid on Juvia's pot. "It's too late, they already got our scents."
"How many are there?"
"I don't know, too many to count, plus, they all smell so similar I can't make heads or tails out of any of them." Natsu-san grimaced. "And I'm hungry too, all that walking took a lot out of me. Sorry Juvia, should've listened to you."
"No, it's Juvia's fault that we are—" Low growls came from deeper in the caverns, then long shadows casted by the fire. Finally, pairs of furious eyes and snarling teeth showed itself. "Mountain Sabres! And so many!" A pack of white monsters the size of a male lions moved steadily towards us. Two long fangs protruded downwards from the side of their jaws, each one long as a fully stretched out palm. The leader of the pack was right in the middle. It was bigger than the rest, at least twice in size, battle scars were riddled all over his body. Most intimidating was the blood red eyes, while the rest has muddy ones.
"Maybe if we take out the albino, the rest will leave."
"Juvia look, they have cubs at the back, they aren't leaving anytime soon."
"So we have to fight."
"I'm all fired up!" Juvia released a torrent of water at the advancing army, only to freeze half-way and fall to the ground with a thud.
"Juvia can only use close-range attacks too…" Juvia really is useless. Four Sabres leapt at us, mouths open, fangs glinting. Juvia summoned a wall of water and let it freeze, while Natsu-san blasted them with fire. Three more jumped at Juvia, five at Natsu-san.
Juvia dodged whenever she could, sending them away with magic in the other situations. They were relentless, always having one sabre charging at us, wearing us down. Attack Juvia sent at them were avoided unless Juvia just dodged a charge. In which case, Juvia would smash their faces with 'Water Slicer', blasting them away or wounding them.
Natsu-san was doing better than Juvia, using highly destructive fire magic, he managed to knock out five of them, Juvia only got three. The temperature was rising rapidly around Natsu-san. He's going to roar in here!? The cavern temperature spiked as Natsu-san sent out his breath attack. It's weaker than usual…
The Sabres on Juvia rushed at Natsu-san along with the alpha of the pack. It was clear the added leader helped their formation. The once wild, but deadly dance became formulated, striking at Natsu-san when he's distracted by their brethren, drawing blood from his arms and legs. They didn't let Juvia rest either, three were circling Juvia not attacking, making sure Juvia can't get to Natsu-san, even going as far as to staying away from Juvia's strike range. If only Juvia was stronger…Juvia can't even protect someone she cares for.
Natsu-san blasted a sabre upwards, slamming it onto the spiked ceiling, killing it in the process. However, the ceiling shook violently. The heat and the impact sent tons of ice down onto Natsu-san, burying him and several other sabres. The leader jumped away in time. Juvia abandon all safety and ran past the sabres that was circling Juvia; received cuts from them on the arm. Juvia's arm felt warm and sticky, but she didn't care. Juvia's only concern was the dragon slayer that was too weak to bust himself out.
Reaching the ice tomb, Juvia formed a wall of water and let it freeze. Leaving her alone until the sabres gets in. They're already clawing at the walls, bashing into it. Juvia must be quick. Juvia used 'Water Slicer' after 'Water Slicer' chipping away at the prison slowly, going as far as punching the walls until Juvia's fist bled. Please, someone help us…
The wall Juvia built is starting to shake more and more, Juvia added more water to the walls, buying her more time but draining her strength. Juvia's hands were bruised and bleeding, to the point where Juvia's magic has taken a pink colour. "Natsu-san! Wake up!" Juvia slammed the tomb with her shoulders. "Juvia doesn't want to lose you" The ice glowed bright orange for a seond, then turned to a flickering dull red and into nothing. Juvia slammed, blasted, begged at the ice to give way, only to receive; a shivering body, low mana reserves and a hoarse throat. The sabres are almost through, but Juvia can't use make another wall. So, she did the next best thing: blast the tomb with everything Juvia's got "Natsuuuu, come back to Juvia!" …Hot! Ridiculously hot!
High pressure, scalding water came surging out of Juvia' palms and into the ice prison. How!? Juvia's water never got this pressurised! The ice melted away at an alarming rate. Juvia can do this! She will save Nat—. A sharp pain ran across Juvia's left leg. Something foreign invaded, Juvia turned and saw two oversized teeth sink into Juvia's calf and more come were coming! Juvia braced herself for the worse but, only intense heat and cinders came. The sabre biting Juvia got punched away too.
"Which…one you harmed Juvia?" Natsu-san voice was heavy and cold, almost laced with ice. Natsu-san stepped out of the remains of his restraints, unleashed ash-reducing amounts of heats that didn't hurt Juvia. Instead, it eased Juvia's pain. Purple spots were forming in Juvia's vision it's clouding with blackness, she is passing out. That's okay because, they invoked the wrath of a dragon.
When Juvia came to, Natsu-san was staring at Juvia with concern all over his face.
"Juvia you're awake!" Natsu-san pulled Juvia into a gentle hug.
"How long has Juvia been out?"
"Only for a minute or so."
"What about the sabres?"
"Some of them ran away, the rest, I killed." Juvia scanned around the cavern, charred or burned corpses were everywhere. "The big one got away though. They got their food anyway."
"But we're still here, and the campfire is untouched…you don't mean—"
"They took their own comrades? Yeah…this place is unforgiving, food is precious after all. They have to feed the young somehow." Natsu-san face was calm, has he seen this before? "By the way, how's your leg?" Juvia turned to her injured calf, two large holes was leaking blood and giving Juvia a headache from the pain.
"Not very good. It can't heal naturally."
"Hold on." Natsu-san walked off to his backpack, returned with a bandage and a bottle with transparent liquid. "Drink this. Supposedly, it'll heal all kinds of wounds, I got it from a quest a while back. The lady said she can only make five a year."
"Juvia can't accept something that valuable."
"Do you think I value money more than my friends?"
"N—no…"
"Then drink it, I'll bandage your leg in the meantime. Besides, Lisanna said a girl having scars is one of the worst things to happen." Juvia gingerly took the bottle from Natsu-san and downed it in one gulp, expecting something that useful to be bitter. It has no taste. A soothing feeling washed over Juvia, all her fatigue and mana deficiency disappeared. The comforting feeling gathered at Juvia's leg injury before staying there.
"Natsu-san?"
"Yeah?" He said replied as his hands went around Juvia's wound for the third time.
"Thank You."
"You're welcome. The lady also said for bigger wounds, the medicines needs at least a day to heal."
"Then Juvia should start cooking again while we wait."
"Please do, I'm really starving."
"Eat some the sabres then." Juvia said, intending as a joke.
"That's a great idea! You're really smart Juvia!" Natsu-san grinned in response. Wait, really? He's actually going to do it? What about Juvia's cooked meals? Didn't Natsu-san say it's delicious? Then why does he prefer that over Juvia's!? In the end, Juvia bitterly worked on a plate of pork as she saw Natsu-san happily devour a wild beast that was going to kill us not too long ago.
Once Juvia was finally done with cooking a meal, Natsu-san came over and tried to grab a piece. Juvia knocked the cheater's hand away.
"Why!? I wanna eat!"
"Didn't you eat some food? Juvia hasn't had anything yet. So you get the leftovers."
"J—Juvia you're scary."
"This is how Juvia always is. Juvia saw how happy you looked eating those creatures, so why don't you eat more of them? There's still plenty left."
"Come on Juvia! That was just the starters, they can't compare to the main course you made."
"It's too late for excuses Natsu-san, bear with it like a man. Thank You for the meal." Juvia picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
"Noooo!"
When Juvia was done with her meal, Juvia found Natsu-san unhappily gnawing on a bone with barely any meat on it, the rest of the bodies were picked clean too. Juvia sighed and pushed over the leftovers to Natsu-san which there was a lot of, because Juvia cooked too much in hopes to stop the glutton from eating those…things. He didn't of course. Natsu-san just being Natsu-san.
"You're lucky Juvia cooked too much." Natsu-san's lifeless eyes rejuvenated in a flash.
"Thank You!" Natsu-san pulled Juvia into another hug before wolfing down the remaining food.
"Now that you're done, let's get out of here before the sabres come back."
"Sure!" Natsu-san gave Juvia a toothy smile and swept Juvia off her feet, into the b—bridal carry! Juvia's back and legs was engulfed in Natsu-san's body heat that quickly spread throughout her body, especially the face.
"W—what are you doing N—Natsu-san?"
"You can't use your left leg, right? So let me carry you."
"W—why not t—the back then?"
"As if you can climb on with one leg. Why are you fussing so much for? Even Lucy didn't whine as much as you."
"Please continue!" Why is Juvia treating this like a competition? Regardless, Juvia won't lose! Not again to 'Love Rival'.
"Girls are weird." We walked out to light snow when we left the cavern. "By the way?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you suddenly drop the 'san' when I was trapped back then? Now you're back to adding 'san'. What's the deal?"
"S—sorry, Juvia was in the heat of the moment and got—"
"Keep that way. We're friends to begin with, you don't have to be so stuffy around me."
"Yes!"
"Juvia, look in front." Natsu's footsteps slowed down. Juvia can't blame him. Being so high up, Juvia saw most beautiful scenery ever. Even though we are in Autumn, the trees in Greybrook retained their green lustre, shining like an emerald of the highest quality. The sun is rising, adding a tint of gold to the painting, flakes of snow acted as cherry blossoms.
"Pretty…"
Juvia really is glad that she went on this job with Natsu.
Thank You for reading! How was the fight scene? I'm really anxious to know, I think it's one of the things I need to work on the most.
Again, I hope you didn't find the story rushing too fast, I aim for quality not a bunch of fluff that means nothing. I'm pretty happy with how Juvia's unnoticed jealously levels are and her developing feelings for Natsu. This chapter has been a blast to write, second to only the stalking one.
I really hope I don't choose the wrong time to put in humour and kill all tension of the scene. I think I done that when Juvia woke up, let me know what you think and I'll try to avoid in the future.
Until then, Thanks for the support! Hope you enjoyed!
