Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail

Chapter 4

Starting Over

About 5 months have passed. You'd think Juvia was getting over the entire Gray incident by now. And she was. For the past couple months, Juvia had been eating away at her pain, going on countless jobs with Natsu. But the pain was still there. She just didn't notice it as much.

She couldn't pinpoint that feeling she felt. When she was with Natsu, something washed over her. Was it calmness? A feeling of relief? Safety? She shook it away. Now was not the time to be lost in thought. They were in the middle of a heavy battle with some earth-type mages, after all.

She looked them up and down. One was a shorter and scrawnier-looking guy, with brown, spiky hair. She shivered inwardly in disgust. She could only imagine the last time he took a shower. She quickly turned to her left. A tall, muscular guy, at least two times her height, was cracking his knuckles. His bright, blond hair stood out a little too much, leaving her blinking for a couple seconds. With hair like that, blinding an opponent should be easy. She couldn't tell if this was a tactic, or just plain stupidity.

Finally, on her right, a smaller, agile girl stood. She was a little shorter than Juvia, and her hair shone a deep black. Hair like that, it looked just like-

No, she couldn't think of that now. Let the past be, Juvia. Stay focused.

They all wore matching purple robes, and by the looks of them, they were novices. Their stances were unbalanced, their hands drooped to their sides. For all she could tell, she could probably just walk up to them and punch them; and get away with it too.

Regardless, she knew she should never underestimate an opponent. She stood, hands at the ready, about to conjure some basic attack, when Natsu held a hand in front of her.

Juvia gaped. What was he doing? Couldn't he see they were in the middle of a fight? But then he turned to her and smiled. Such a beautiful smile, she couldn't look away. She knew what to do when this happened. Just sit back and watch the show.

"I've been meaning to practice this new attack I've been working on for a while now." Natsu said, right on cue. "I've never tried it on an actual opponent, since… Well, you know what happened last time…."

Juvia shuddered. She could still see Max, lying in the middle of a gaping whole. There had been smoke everywhere. Get that thought out of your head! I do hope he's alright though…

"But I'll need you to help me!" Natsu finished.

Juvia turned her head in bemusement. "You want me to help?! Since when?"

"Since now!" He replied enthusiastically.

"Um, ok. But don't I have to actually know what to do before I do it? What do I say? At least tell me that!"

"Well, I've been meaning to let you know for a while, but it's a fire-water combination spell. Pretty cool, huh!"

Juvia blinked. "Won't the two just cancel each other out? I mean, fire and water don't exactly… you know, go together."

Natsu sat on the dirt floor, lost in thought. Then he perked up. "We'll make it work!"

"That's your plan?!"

"Well, yeah, I guess… Well, what do you think we should do about them then?"

Juvia turned back to their assailants. They had been talking for so long, they must have weirded out their enemy by now. Juvia grinned sheepishly and turned back to Natsu.

"You know what, your idea works, I guess."

"Great. Just hold my hand, and let's do this thing!"

As Juvia took his hands, she realized his hands were warm. She felt herself blushing. Wait, what? Why am I blushing? The only reason anyone would be blushing was if- No, that's not it.

As he placed one hand on her waist, she had a terrible flashback as she began gathering energy into her palms. This stance. It was so… familiar. Her and Gray had used a similar attack back when-

And just when they attacked, Juvia's hands slipped. She was shaking. It was all too much. She felt a heavy blow as she got propelled away from Natsu. She hadn't held her ground. That must've messed with the attack. As she hit the ground, she realized how this was all her fault. Natsu was always being so positive, and she was just getting in the way.

Natsu quickly recovered moments after he collapsed.

"Plan B!" He shouted mercilessly.

Juvia sighed, shaking away any doubts. Typical Natsu…

As Juvia sat she watched as Natsu had his fun running around like a total idiot as he obliterated the fools who dared to get in his way. With a little flutter, she felt something in her heart. What was it? Warmth?

No, that doesn't make sense. I've always had such a cold heart. Not my heart, figuratively, but I could've sworn I just felt a spark go off. Why would that happen? It's never happened before…

She had been so used to feeling this cold, empty void inside, even when she was with Gray. So why now…

They arrived at the guild hall a couple hours later. They were both a little out of breath, with Natsu recovering from his rampage, and Juvia with the blow that had thrown her a couple feet away from where she had originally been standing.

It hadn't bothered her before, and since Natsu had been so resilient after that, she hadn't really pain much attention to it. But on their way back, she had begun to feel pain in her left side. With a blazing headache to top that off, she was as good as dead. Figuratively speaking, of course.

She sat down on a bar stool, and began to fill Mirajane on the details. Mirajane had always been intent on hearing what was going on during their jobs. Her stories seemed to humour her. She was so exhausted, she didn't even notice Gray and Lucy walk by until it was too late.

They weren't holding hands, but they might as well have been. They were talking and laughing, too distracted to notice Juvia right away. She sat, frozen, in her seat. What should she do? Run? Not, that would draw too much attention to herself.

Before she could do anything, she felt a hand grab her from behind. Being led by a mysterious hand, she couldn't fully understand what her situation was. All she could see was a bright red mop of hair…

Natsu! He had… He had dragged her away from one of the worst scenarios she'd experienced in her lifetime. Her mind was blank. He was perceptive, she had to give him that.

Once outside the guild hall, they took a seat on the bench outside. For a while, they just sat there, staring ahead of them. She should say something. Then again, what was there to say? She glanced over at him nervously.

"Th- thanks. For…" Her words trailed off. She felt a sob rise in her throat, but she quickly forced it down. No more tears. I promised myself that.

Natsu quickly stood up. "Its nothing. You should go home now. Its getting late now anyway."

"I think I'll stay here a bit longer, if that's alright with you. I just need some time to think, that's all."

Natsu nodded briefly, then turned, and headed his separate way back to his home. As Juvia watched him walk away, she felt something click. It was like she felt some type of… tenderness towards him. The kindness he constantly has been showing her for the past few months. It was remarkable.

Wait, where are these thoughts coming from? I don't… like Natsu or anything, do I?

Juvia sat, thinking. Maybe… Just maybe.

When she arrived home, she noticed something sticking out from under the door. It was a paper. She opened the door, and peered down at the little note that had apparently been slid under her door.

That's strange. I've never gotten a letter before.

She curiously crouched down and picked it up. It read:

'Dear Juvia,

Something important I have to tell you.

Meet me at the park, at 10:00, tonight.

Don't be late.

Natsu.'

Natsu had given her a letter? How long had she been sitting on that bench for? Well, either way, long enough for Natsu to deliver this note, at least. And why would he want to meet her at the park so late? What did he want to tell her?

A couple scenarios passed through her head. Was something happening she didn't know about? Maybe… Juvia felt herself blush. Maybe he had feelings for her, and he was-

No, she was overthinking it. Natsu, serious as he could be sometimes, was still awfully childish. Confessions weren't his thing. Anyways, why were these thoughts running through her head?

Regardless of what she though, she still made sure to fix her hair, checking the clock constantly. Finally, around 9:45, she stood up, and began to make her way to the park. She twiddled her thumbs in anticipation. Don't be so nervous! Just act like you always do!

The moment she entered the park, she knew something was wrong. Just the air in the area was unsettling. And the fact that the place was empty was even more befuddling. Where was he?

Then, she heard a solid crack echo behind her. Before she had time to react, she felt a hand being clamped over her mouth. Then, darkness.

Thanks so much for reading! Sorry its been a while, so thanks for waiting this long. Wanted to leave you guys at a bit of a cliff hanger until next time! Anyways, thanks for the awesome reviews! Hope you'll bear with me until the next chapter! :)

Bubbles :3