Disclaimer: All rights of Fairy tail go to Hiro Mashima!

Shoes disturbed the sandy underground of the pathway surrounding the forest. The road was a mere indication of where to walk as no stones graced its edges, merely the forest on its left side. Leaves danced as branches swayed along in the wind. Memories tried to resurface in the form of a shiver along the back of the blue haired mage but Juvia tried to dismiss it as a result of the wind. They neared the meeting point and the memories from this place gained ground in her occupied mind. Gentle fingers found the ends of blue hair to curl them one by one as her stomach clenched tight. For a moment, she was lost in her memory but regained her composure and dismissed the feeling. Her head turned to her blonde companion on her right to distract her from the prison of her mind.

The girl didn't even know what was going on and Juvia could only admire her naivety in this dreadful situation. Lucy's eyes absorbed the surrounding nature and the town they passed by. Gold locks swayed in the wind and a smile graced her features as though she could handle anything that would come here way. As though everything would be fine. Normally, people wouldn't believe Juvia at first and it was her job to make them less awkward and jumpy until they believed whatever she told them. In her experience, it was easier to convince a man than a woman but it was still an art of psychology. Every assignment was different, with its own barriers to break before gaining trust. She was proud of her skills sharpened by her years long experience. She knew she was good at it and she knew how people thought.

That's why this was different.

She had lost total control when she faced that man earlier, confused by his presence and his way of handling things. The way he dealt with her was in the least consistent and she didn't know what he was thinking at the time. On top of that, this girl believed her and Mirajane immediately when they told her their rehearsed story. She hadn't questioned a thing. Not even when Juvia told her they had to meet someone as her raven haired companion had some business in town. It made her job easier but a long forgotten feeling took over as a knot appeared in her gut. A small sign of compassion tried to surface as she led her to the meeting point. But she couldn't let the feeling take over. She already felt little drops falling down from the clouded sky. This was her job. She was asked to deliver the blonde mage at the meeting point by the emperor himself. It was a big job and she wouldn't have to do anything for the next three months if she completed it. She had no idea what the emperor would want from such a naïve girl but it really wasn't her business. It was the first time she questioned her mission . Remembering herself not to be curious, she focussed on her task at hand.

But when her mind wasn't allowed to be curious, it drifted off to the abs and legs of that man… He had appeared in front of her as if he was the mighty Neptunus himself! Her legs wobbled at the thought of touching those abs and holding him tight. She was used to seduce the man, but he had released her from his ice and in her mind it was the sweetest thing anybody could do. He had wanted nothing from her. Not in goods, not sexually, not even the use of her magic. Maybe she acted wrong but the moment she saw him, she panicked. Not knowing how to deal with this new sensation, she had put up her defences. After their fight, she noticed she had healed him automatically when he started talking so sweet to her. Her mind was at peace listening to his calm soothing voice and she had missed it as soon as she left him in the woods. At the bar, she still couldn't get him out of her mind. Laxus was still on his job according to Mirajane so she thought it was a good idea to send him along that side of the forest. Just to see if that handsome man was ok and she hoped that maybe he could forgive her for what she was doing now. It was obvious that he had some feelings for this girl, may it be as friends or a romantic interest, he was a bit overprotective over her and it pained Juvia to be jealous about it. Juvia could have any man she wants, but there was never a spark of interest from her side. Realisation hit her as she knew that no man would be enough. She wanted him. She wanted him to only look at her. To protect her like he had protected this girl even though Juvia didn't need the protection. But how would she explain what she was doing? That he wouldn't see Lucy in the next couple of months if she delivered her? That it was Juvia's fault they were separated… Would he ever forgive her?

They neared the meeting point and she told the girl to wait as she wandered further and turned right behind a house to see a cloaked figure standing on the assigned spot. She wasn't informed of who the emperor would send. Only his most trusted men and women were aware of his plans and there was definitely something going on. Earlier this month, she had tracked down some mages for him and he only needed information from them but it was all handled in secret. Secrets triggered her cautiousness.

"What's the key?", Juvia asked the cloaked figure when she was close enough to be heared.
"E.N.D."

The man turned around and Juvia immediately recognised his blue hair and red tattoo across his right half of his face. It was definitely not the black hair she was suspecting. Alarms in her head went off and caution was the only thing her mind could muster. She watched his movements and put her guard up, but didn't let it show. If this man wanted to kill her, she wouldn't have any chance to block or walk away alive. So she tried to be what she could be best in front of this man... Bitchy Juvia trying to win him over to tell her everything. She pouted and stroke through her hair.

"Siegrain, what brings you here these days. Is the emperor too busy? Did he sent his dog for me?"

The man looked at her as though she was making a fool of herself for even trying her tricks on him. He wasn't shaken from her little act, he was up to her challenge.

"Not too glad to see me… Well, can't blame you since last time."

Juvia couldn't hide a moment of anger at the memories, creating small raindrops which fell from the sky. It didn't last long as she regained her composure. She lost and she knew it. He would push it too much if she didn't watch what she said, so she answered harsh.

"The girl is a few meters back."
"Are you done already with your act?"
"The jewels?"
"Too bad, I was just getting into it."
"Cut the crap Siegrain."
"Alright if you insist… The emperor didn't give me any jewels for you. He sent me so that I could say your debt has been paid with this job."

Siegrain reached for a document in his cloak and showed it to Juvia. Her muscles tensed in a mingle of cautiousness and excitement. It felt as though a huge load was lifted off her shoulders. Was he serious or was he only giving her false hope? Is it finally done? Siegrain walked towards her and passed her by.

"If you don't screw it up, that is."

Juvia was boiling. This man could never give her a break. She would never turn her back on him again. She would never forget what happened last time she tried. So she followed him to the place where she left Lucy and she couldn't believe her own eyes.
Fear overwhelmed her as she saw the destruction in front of her.
The road was cut in two, every tree close by was burned and broken. Everywhere was ash from several small fires. And Lucy was gone. The two of them looked at each other and Juvia hoped he would understand. But his face told something entirely different.

"… one simple job. Bring the girl. So you're still good for nothing."

Juvia backed away as he formed a sign with his hands and she knew what he was planning to do. She knew what his magic could do. Panic was prominent as she tried to reason with him: "Lucy was here… Juvia can still look for her!"

It seemed to work as he stopped his signs and the formed magic seal faded in the air.

"I forgot about that. It would be a shame to waste your talent… Find her. You were right on time, when a seal is formed I can't stop it anymore. Did you remember from last time?"

Juvia ignored him and her emotions, trying to regain her composure and doing what she did best. She took a deep breath and hooked her hands together in front of her. The sky suddenly became one blanket of dense clouds where normal clouds had been. When Juvia closed her eyes, the rain started. She enjoyed the feeling of the drops on her skin. First a small amount of drops, covering the ground with a radius of two kilometres around her. She focused on Lucy and her celestial magic. The raindrops fell and she sensed a light feeling of celestial magic. She focused on that spot and made it rain harder in that area. She saw the contours clear in front of her as the drops fell and it was most definitely Lucy. Suddenly, she lost her under some kind of umbrella. She followed the umbrella and it went in a house not far away. The house of the dragon slayer she had surveyed not too long ago. Just like she expected, the emperor was planning something big with these people. She made it rain for 5 more minutes to see if she went back outside, but it seemed like she didn't. Juvia opened her eyes and looked at Siegrain while the rain faded away.

"I know where she is."

Title: Alessia Cara – Scars to your beautiful

Thank you for reading!