Mizukori

Chapter 4

Juvia rushed down the staircase quickly. She held the tray of food balanced on one arm and a bowl of water in the other. She skipped a few steps at the bottom before rushing to the door. She shuffled the objects in her arms to get a better grip and grabbed the handle of the door, swinging the heavy metal toward her. She didn't bother closing it as she usually did, she was in too much of a hurry. She had so much to tell Gajeel, and she didn't want to forget a thing.

Speeding forward, she stopped in front of Gajeel's cell, breathing heavily.

"Whoa, what's up rain woman?" Gajeel asked. Juvia didn't say anything, still trying to catch her breath and she pushed the tray through the slot, propping it open with the bowl.

"Gajeel," Juvia said, she turned and slumped to the ground, her back against the wall. "I have so much to tell you."

"Alright," Gajeel said, his mouth full of bread. "Start at the beginning."

Juvia told him about the guests that had arrived yesterday. She told him about the symbol on Lucy's hand and he grunted. "That's for the Fairy Tail guild. Don't know too much about them, but they definitely aren't a dark guild."

Juvia nodded. "I don't think so either, but that's not all." Juvia told him about the dinner, and how Jose had used the shock on her when she spilled the pot of soup. Gajeel was livid, and let out a string of expletives, causing a smile to cross Juvia's face. She wasn't ashamed to admit Gajeel's concern for her was flattering.

"But, Gajeel," Juvia said, leaning her head against the wall as she remembered the look in the Fairy Tail guild member's eyes as she was harmed, "they were worried. They honestly didn't like that Jose had caused me harm. I could feel their anger and sympathy."

"Maybe they ain't that bad; maybe they can save us," Gajeel commented.

"After dinner, Jose offered up all the girls to the members for entertainment," Juvia said and Gajeel slammed his hand against the ground.

"What? That bastard!"

"And one of the members, Gray, asked for me," Juvia said and she swore that Gajeel punched a dent in the metal wall.

"When I get out of here you better show me who Gray is first because I'm gonna beat the shit out of him," Gajeel growled through clenched teeth.

"It's alright, Gajeel, it's not what you think. Let me tell you what happened...," Juvia began, her mind wondering back to the night she was stuck in the room with one Gray Fullbuster.

Juvia couldn't move as a chill surrounded her body. Gray was so close she could feel his breath on her face.

"What do you mean?" Juvia asked. How could Juvia be what Gray would want? She offered nothing to no one except misery and rain. "I can assure you, Sir, I will not be much in the way of entertainment for you."

Gray chuckled sightly, before turning and moving back to the chair he was originally sitting in. "Listen, Juvia, I didn't bring you here for that, so you can rest easy."

Juvia almost let out a sigh as the tension within her slowly began to dissipate, but she couldn't let her guard down. He obviously wanted something from her.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but," Juvia began, but Gray held up his hand, stopping her from talking.

"Not Sir, just call me Gray," he said and Juvia felt a slight blush reach her cheeks.

Juvia didn't feel right just calling him Gray, so she opted to go with something more appropriate. "Excuse me, Gray-sama," Juvia began and she saw Gray almost blanch at the name. She turned her face away to hid her embarrassment. "Why did you call me here tonight?"

Gray stood up and it was then that Juvia realized he was shirtless and clad only in his boxers. She turned around, the red staining her face, as she hid her eyes behind her hands. "Gray-sama, your clothes."

Gray chuckled again. "Sorry, it's a habit," Gray said. Juvia heard shuffling before Gray began to speak again. "Ok, you can turn around now."

Juvia spun around slowly, moving her hands from her eyes one at a time. Gray had slipped on a simple black t-shirt and black sweat pants. He really was a handsome man. He turned toward the window and looked out over the night sky.

"It hasn't stopped raining since we got here," Gray commented and Juvia felt her body freeze. The topic was still very sore for her and she forced her tears to remain hidden. She didn't want to look so weak in front of Gray. She didn't completely know why, but she felt a connection with this man. Something was pulling her toward him and she wasn't sure what it was. She had no idea what type of person he was. He could be as bad as Jose, or worse. Juvia shook her head at the thought. She just couldn't picture Gray as a bad person. Maybe that was the hope talking.

"So, I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you here," Gray said. He turned to look at Juvia, and she bowed her head, trying to show some respect. She nodded her head slightly. "Please, don't bow for me. Come take a seat on the bed."

Juvia's eyes widened at the statement. What? Didn't Gray just say he didn't want her for that, yet he wanted her to come sit on the bed. Was this all a lie? She felt her body begin to tremble.

Gray must have sensed her fear because he sighed and rolled his eyes. "I already told you, didn't I? I didn't bring you here for that. I guess I can't blame you for being wary, it doesn't look like you've had many people treat you well in a long time." Gray moved to sit on the bed and motioned for Juvia to take the chair.

Juvia moved to the chair quickly and sat down. She kept her hands in front of her and her face turned toward the ground. Her nerves were shot, she didn't know how much longer she could put up with this anxiety. Her heart had yet to slow down it's frantic beating.

"Listen, I need information," Gray began and Juvia looked up at him.

"Information?"

"We came here knowing that Jose was working with dark guilds, but we don't have any proof of his misconduct. We accepted this job he wanted us to do so we can spy on him, but I don't think that's going to be very easy," Gray explained. He grabbed a book by his bed and flipped it open. "We need someone on the inside."

Juvia knew where this was going, but she immediately jumped up, moving toward the door, her arms waving frantically. "You can't mean me. I can't do that. If I spy on him, he'll...," Juvia trailed off. Fear had completely gripped her and she wrapped her arms around herself. She couldn't do something like that. The only thing she had ever done was confide in Gajeel, but she knew she could trust him. Could she trust Gray? What if he turned on her; ratted her out? What then? She knew Jose would do something worse than an electric shock. Juvia was so lost in her thoughts she didn't hear Gray approach her. She suddenly felt hands on her arms, holding her steady.

"I know what I'm asking you is difficult, but I could see the fire in your eyes, Juvia. I know you want out of here and you have some willpower left. Vera is completely loyal to Jose and I haven't met the other two, but if Jose felt the need to hide them from us I can't imagine they are very strong. He clearly used you to show us he could capture a strong wizard," Gray said and Juvia looked up into his eyes.

"How did you...," Juvia began and Gray smirked.

"We can tell who is like us and who isn't. I could see the slight defiance in you when Jose punished you. You wanted to use your magic, but couldn't. I'm assuming it's because of this," Gray said. His hands came up and traced the collar along her neck. Juvia could feel the ghosting of his fingertips as they swept against her neck. She unconsciously reached up and grabbed the collar, stepping away. She turned her head, ashamed at being seen so weak and fragile.

"I can't imagine what you've been through, and maybe this sounds harsh, but I don't really care to know. We just need to find some information that can help us turn Jose in to the Magic Counsel. He's wrecking havoc on this land and Fairy Tail isn't going to stand for that," Gray admitted and Juvia felt her heart break slowly. She knew from the beginning that they weren't here for her, but she didn't expect Gray to be so cold.

Gajeel had told her to be brave and that when an opportunity to get out came up, not to let it go, and this was it. If he wanted her help, she was going to get something in return. Juvia felt her willpower surge forward. She stood resolute and turned to look Gray in the eye. "If I help you, I want something in return."

Gray seemed to be a little stunned by her sudden confidence. "And what is that?"

"When you leave, you have to take me and my friend, who's locked in the dungeon, with you," Juvia said. Gray backed away, his head slowly shaking.

"No way, we definitely can't do that," Gray said. He turned away from her. "We can't get involved in anything like that. We are simply here to collect evidence against Jose, nothing more."

Juvia felt anger build within her. She wasn't giving up. She rounded on Gray, facing him fully and stared directly into his eyes. "You need my help, you said so yourself. You won't get far without me and that means risking my life to help you. I'm not going to do that for some person I just met. I've been stuck in this hell-hole for months, made into a slave for months, fearing for my life day after day. I'm treated like cattle and restricted from my magic, making me into nothing more than a helpless girl," Juvia huffed, her anger ebbing away and her emotions taking over. The tears began to pool in her eyes. "You're right earlier when you said you have no idea what I've been through, because you don't. I can't live like this much longer. You need me and I need you."

Gray didn't turn away, but Juvia could feel his unease. "You would fit in well at Fairy Tail," Gray commented and Juvia's eyes widened. She had never been told she would fit in well anywhere, much less a guild.

"So, it's a promise?" Juvia asked, her eyes searching Gray's.

"Fine," Gray said, crossing his arms.

Juvia held up her pinkie and Gray looked at her confused. "Pinkie Promise."

"Huh?"

"Hold up your pinkie," Juvia said, and Gray slowly lifted his finger, eyeing her warily. Juvia wrapped her pinkie around Gray's, shaking their hands lightly. "Now the promise is sealed. Don't you forget, Gray-sama."

They let go of their fingers, each stepping back slightly, and Gray nodded his head.

"This Gray idiot seems like a bastard, I'm not sure if we should trust him or not," Gajeel commented. He took another bite of bread and sipped some water.

"I'm going to try and trust him, but I promise you, I won't let my guard down," Juvia said.

"I hate to say this, but it might be the only way we can escape," Gajeel said and suddenly the creak of a metal door got both of their attentions.

Juvia jumped up from the floor, turning to look at where the sound came from. Juvia gasped when she caught sight of who stood looking into the corridor, her face also showing shock.

"Who is it?" Gajeel asked and Juvia couldn't move. Staring back at her was the small, feisty girl Juvia had grown to like so much.

"Juvia?" Levy questioned, stepping further into the light, her face showing worry and confusion.

"Shit," Gajeel muttered and Juvia couldn't help but agree.

New job has caused delays...new chapters should be back on schedule