~~~9~~~

"No," came his simple answer, though he couldn't have said more if he tried.

"Then what's your name? Are you from around here or just visiting?" she continued.

"I'd prefer to keep my name classified. As for being here, we're just stopping through," he responded, clenching his fists tightly before releasing them.

Juvia pressed, "Are you sure I don't know you? Everything about you reminds me of… Of…"

The ravenette only nodded before backing away as she took a step closer. It was then that he declared to himself that he should have drank with Cana to be drunk enough. Though he continued to stand as if a deer in headlights, clenching and unclenching his fists. There was nothing else that he could do.

She questioned, "Gray? But, you can't be… Unless…"

"Unless?" he pressed, sad eyes locked on hers in a mesmerized trance.

"Could you be…?" she asked, raising a hand to touch his stubbled face. His eyes fluttered shut at the contact and she whispered, "You're… You're from the future, aren't you?"

His eyes opened again to give her an unsaid answer. The sorrow hidden in them were clouded though she could tell. Juvia could tell her Gray apart from anyone. Through hardships and disaster. Through time.

"Gray?" Juvia's lips quivered and his did as well.

"Yeah?" he answered, breathing heavily.

"Wh-What happened? Am I… Am I... G-Gone…?" Juvia guessed and the tears that slipped passed his eyes tore her heart to shreds. She hated it when he was sad and wiped his tears away. She reassured, "I'm here. I'm right here, Gray…"

With that the man cried out and grabbed her tightly for a crushing hug. She returned the hug with all of her might back. His sobs caught in his throat and heaves caught the attention of nearby members. Heads turned to look in question of the two separated from the guild.

"H-How could y-you tell?" he asked, pulling himself away from Juvia. "How could you guess that so quickly? I mean… Hell…"

"I love you. Of course I can tell," she answered.

What shocked the onlookers the most was when the ravenette crushed his lips on hers. Confused questions echoed through the guild, but none deterred the two in the nigh abandoned corner. Not even Gray's furious protests from the bar reached their ears. The passion shared was static.

The future Gray released Juvia and backed away, apologizing, "I'm sorry, I didn't think… You're not… I'm not…"

Juvia stood frozen in awe. Her brain raced to comprehend what was happening. Everything moved in slow motion for the bluenette as Future Gray turned away to leave. Her hand extended, but met air before she jumped back when something, or someone, attacked the ravenette. She went to cry out in protest, though couldn't make out a word when she realized that Gray of the present was the one responsible.

Gray growled, pulling the ravenette up by his scarf, "The hell is wrong with you?!"

"Gray! Stop!" Juvia commanded, gaining both Gray's attention.

"The hell Juvia? This asshole just kissed you outta nowhere!" Gray retorted.

"Stop, please. Let him go," she begged and he reluctantly did so, dropping the man to the floor. She inspected his cheek that was sucker punched, and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Fine. I can take a hit. I deserved that anyway," he responded, lifting himself off the ground.

Ariana rushed over to his aid with a group of members gathering around in confusion. She echoed Juvia's question and received the same answer of reassurance. Whisperings spread through the guild, asking about what had happened. The answers were unknown.

The ravenettes glared at each other until the one of the future announced, "Wasn't the first time I wanted to punch myself in the face. Just now I guess I had a reason to be able to."

Gray spat, "You're not makin' any sense! Speak normally for once!"

"You're me, I'm you! Get it?! I'm from the future. So now you know," the future Gray returned.

"What…?" Gray and many others in the group questioned.

"You're Gray?" Natsu asked from the crowd. He continued, "Prove it."

Future Gray formed an ice-make cage around the fire mage to the awe of the crowd. Before anyone could question him further, he turned on his heels and head out the guild doors with Ariana behind him.