*Juvia's POV*

Half a year later...

I woke up and I went straight to our guild's head quarters. To say, till this day I still can't believe that we're a guild again and everybody's back... Even Levy-san and Gajeel-san. To be fair with them, they already had positions in the council and they can't just leave. But still, after a lot of persuasion (between Gajeel-san and I) and fighting (between Natsu-san and Gajeel-san), we managed to get everyone back, including Gray. We found our Master at Tenrou island, studying the history of Fairy Tail with Master Mavis and Warrod Sekken-san. Gildarts is also back, Mira-Jane san acquired a new take over form, Elfman and Evergreen still dancing around their feelings for one another, Erza is still herself; she stayed with Mermaid heel for a year. Mest is also back with his memories. He stayed with Master at the island.

I feel happy because we're back together as a family. So I went to the guild to get a job for my rent.

I went inside and I giggled a little because the guild's still the same; rowdy and full of energy.

I sat down with Natsu, Lucy and Erza. Happy's with Carla and Pantherlily, who were both in their human form, much to Happy's dismay and jealousy.

I looked at my friends and remembered how we got this far. I sighed happily, knowing that they will always be there for me no matter what.

I stayed a little bit to chat with them, then I went to the request board to get a good mission with a good reward.

I was on my way there, when I saw him, looking for a job as well.

I sighed and went there nonetheless, tried my best to put an indifferent mask.

It still hurts. The pain never went away. He left me broken in the worst way. Since that day when he kissed me, when he told me that he doesn't want me in his life. I promised myself that if things will be okay like how Natsu intended it to be, I will forget about him. Even if Natsu gets him back to his senses, I will move on and forget about him, leave him be like how he wanted to.

After Natsu brought everyone back, including him, Gajeel-san, Levy and Master Makarov, I changed my ways. I continued speaking in the first person, forced the rain to go away with the help of my friends who made me laugh each day, trained with Gajeel-san, Natsu, Wendy and even Laxus-san helped me with my new magical ability.

I stood there and scanned the request board. He hasn't noticed me yet, but I watched him from the corner of my eye and I was wrong. He knows I was there and he stopped in his tracks, like he wanted to approach me or something. I dismissed my observation and went on to look for a good mission.

After I saw an easy one with a good chunk of reward, I handed the request to Mira-san and went to my friends to tell them I'm on a mission. As I approached their table, I saw that Gray was sitting with them and he looked at me with a glint of guilt and sadness in his eyes. He stayed in silence and watched me carefully. Again, I dismissed my observations and ignored him, just as I promised myself and bid farewell to my friends.

As soon as I passed him, he stood up and caught me by my wrist.

"Wait, Juvia," he called out to me, softly but firmly gripping my wrist to stop me.

I stopped and inhaled, then faced him and placed a mask of indifference and impatience with coldness in my tone I said, "What is it Gray?"

"I- uh..." He looked away, unsure of what he was about to say, "I'm sorry," he muttered.

I never expected him to say that. That had caught me off guard and I was shocked.

"I'm sorry for leaving you, for hurting you," he went on, "I never meant... Juvia I'm sorry."

Silence filled the guild with their attention directed at us.

I really don't know what to say, so I just nodded and said, "Okay. Ju- I uh... I have a mission. I'll be going now," and I hurriedly left the guild hall before tears fell down.

I went home, packed my things and took off to clear my head a bit.

*Gray's POV*

I watched her in silence. I always did. I never thought I will be back here, gladly Natsu kicked me back to my senses. The black marks are still there, Master Makarov taught me how to handle it and asked Mira Jane and Freed to help me out, being the only persons who can handle demon magic.

I was surprised when I found out that Juvia is now a water dragon slayer. She did not mention how she got it but she never looked better ever since. It suited her.

I never got that day off my mind. It was forever etched in my memories. That day when I told her that I'll be looking for food... That worried look on her face when she saw the black marks spreading and I just assured her that I'm fine. I waited for her to fall asleep before I decided to leave. Peaceful and calm face, I touched her cheek and she just sighed in contentment and continued her beauty slumber. That's how I wanted to remember her, calm and worry-free.

When I heard her voice in the tower while I was fighting Natsu and the others filled me with panic. I mean, she's supposed to be far from me... Safe from my darkness... And now she's there and I almost lost my control because I want to get her as far away as I could... Well I did lose it momentarily when she asked me to kiss her... But what I did after... was something I will always regret and I know that she will not forgive me easily, or she will never forgive me at all. But that kiss... Gave me sanity and hope... Perhaps she knew that it may change things, she hoped that she can get under my skin and make me reanalyze my decisions, which I did... And she hoped that one kiss can make me remember how glorious and warm my past was, despite of my cold demeanor, she knew how much I loved my guild, which she managed to victor over because I did not notice that I was punching Jerome instead of Natsu who just smirked and teased me, "Took you long enough Ice princess."

She just saved me, even after I hurted her.

"I don't need nor want you in my life. Stay out of it from now on. I don't want to see you ever again," I remembered what I said to her... That was pure bullshit. I can never unwant her. That's impossible. I clenched my fist as I remembered how she looked afterwards... broken, crying, angry... And I heard the rain fall harder than the first time that I met her.

I honestly don't know how to deal with this one. Luckily, Natsu was able to stop Rogue and Frosch and I later on found that it took a lot of persuading and Juvia reminded everyone the reason she's called "Juvia of the Great Sea." To say, Rogue locked himself willingly in his guild. Frosch was supposed to be my first kill and Natsu stopped that from happening and I am forever thankful for that because the council dismissed my case easily.

I sighed audibly.

"What's wrong with you ice princess?" the pink haired dragon slayer asked me in a teasing voice.

That's how I took the chance of diverting my attention from Juvia to other things. The usual brawl started just like that.