"Man that was tough," Gray panted as he lied down the ground to rest, "For a big guy like that, he sure cries a lot."

He didn't hear a response so he tilted his head to his side to see his partner sitting down meters away from him, also resting.

After an hour, Juvia suggested that they go find an inn and rent separate rooms so that they can rest for the day and go back to the meeting place the next day. However, luck seemed to avoid them because all inns were full and one inn only had 1 room left so they had no choice but to take it.

Gray took the couch and Juvia sleeped on the bed.

The next day came and one of the villagers came to them, "You're from Fairy Tail right?"

They nodded in response.

"Look, the guild that you were supposed to crush yesterday still has 1 small branch left at the southern part of this village. They caused a big ruckus this morning. Please finish them off, we beg of you," the villager bowed.

"Yes of course. We'll head there right away," Juvia assured the villager as they head down south as quickly as they could.

When they got there, Gray instantly kicked their asses and they easily took the remaining forces of the Phantom Lord.

Juvia sat down beside the running river as she soaked her hands to regain her strength. Gray only watched her.

She stood up and she was about to suggest that they tell the villagers that they're already safe and they should stop worrying now but he had other things in mind.

"We need to talk," she heard him say in a serious tone, "Seriously Juvia. We can't be like this. I'm tired of it," he said in frustration.

She had her back on him and she was really angry about what he did back in Avatar. This was what he wanted and she's giving it to him.

He knew that she was keeping her emotions bottled up and sooner or later she would just explode and he did not want that.

"I don't want to talk about it Gray," she said in a final tone, "Let's go, if you want stay fine. But I'll go," she sighed and walked away from him.

He was really frustrated about the situation and he did say that he will make her talk by all means so he did the only thing he could think of.

"Ice Make: WALL!"

He conjured a big wall of ice to block her path so that she would be forced to talk to him. He saw her stop in annoyance, "Put this wall down Gray, I said I don't want to talk," she said in a warning tone, "If you don't put this down..."

"Or what?" He responded, "What you gonna do? You gonna fight me?" He dared, "If that's what it takes for you to talk to me then let's fight."

She really was frustrated about the situation so she made a deal, "Fine. Let's make a deal. This is an all out fight. No wussies. If you defeat me, we'll talk. If I defeat you, you will stop bothering me."

"Do you really hate me that much, Juvia?" He asked.

"You did this Gray," she said in gritted teeth.

"I already said I'm sorry!" He said in a frustrated tone.

"We are fighting, remember?" She reminded him, "Water Lock!"

He was caught off guard and he easily shattered the water lock by turning it to ice, "Ice make lance!"

"Water nebula!"

He dodged her attack as he shouted at her, "Look Juvia! I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said back in Avatar!" He dodged another attack from her, "I can't take it back, I messed up, I'm sorry Juvia!"

"Roar of the Water Dragon!"

It gave him no choice but do do a counter attack, "Ice Demon Zero Long Sword!"

"Water Dragon Tornado!"

He was really frustrated, "Ice Demon Freeze!"

He momentarily froze Juvia when she easily melted the ice around her.

They stood against each other as they panted heavily.

Juvia was about to lunge another attack when Gray caught her off guard and he was instantly in front of her. She was planning to fist fight with him when he held her wrists together and he placed his other hand behind her neck bringing her face towards him and he kissed her, rough and raw.

She was retaliating but he kept her in place and even though her mind was telling her to stop, she knew deep in her heart that she still loves this man so she closed her eyes and let him kiss her.

When he felt her calm down, he rested his forehead across hers and waited for her to say something. He felt her shoulders shaking and he knew that she was about to cry.

She slammed each of her fists agains Gray's chest as she cried against him, "Gray left Juvia alone! He didn't even say goodbye! No note! Nothing!" She cried and shook violently. He did the only thing tha he could do, held her in place and listened to her, "Juvia was worried that she waited for him day and night but he didn't come back!" She sobbed as she stopped punching his chest but he felt her shaking, "Then Natsu-san found her and promised he would get Gray back, Wendy and Chelia healed her, Jellal found me and turned Juvia to a Water Dragon Slayer because she wants to be stronger for Gray," she sobbed, "Then we followed Natsu-san and Lucy-san, then Gray kissed her for the first time then he said stupid things to her," she continued, "It really hurts to know that she's not wanted," she stopped talking but she continued to cry against his chest.

He hugged her tightly against his chest, he can't say anything because he only felt even more guilty for hurting her like this. He found his voice, "Shhh. I'm sorry Juvia. I really am. I know I don't deserve you, but I'm too selfish and I don't want to let you go. It was difficult for me at that time," he breathed deeply then continued, "I left you when you were asleep because its easier for me to remember your beautiful face without worry and in peace. It made me sane," he smiled softly, "Then it terrified me when I heard your voice in Avatar so I did the only thing that I thought would keep you safe which is by driving you away," he rubbed her back to soothe her, "I'm sorry and I would do everything to make it up to you. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I want you to know that I love you," he finished.

Juvia calmed herself down, listening to his explanation. She wiped her tears and looked at the man in front of him, "Juvia can forgive Gray because she still loves you but she can't promise that she'll be able to trust you right away. But she's really happy that you're back," she said softly, "But she can't also promise that she will not be crazy if you're away."

He sighed in relief, "That's better than I hoped for. I'll work hard to gain your trust again, Juvia," he said sincerely, "I can't afford to lose you. I was shit scared when you were there in Avatar, not helping that you were very beautiful because I know Jerome eyed you with interest," he added, "And I don't appreciate Lyon's affections by the way," he huffed.

"Is Gray-sama jealous?"

He smiled softly at the suffix. He missed that and the girl in front of him, "Yes. Gray-sama is very jealous."

She smiled, "Then Juvia should also tell you that she is also the possessive type."

"Believe me, I'm worse," He said as he kissed her lightly on the lips.

They went back to the meeting place and everyone was surprised and happy to see them holding hands together (Gajeel was annoyed though).

Fin :D