Chapter 6 : Surprises
Saturday
It was almost night as the sun slowly disappears, taking along its light with it. A black haired teen took a walk along the dark and narrow alley. An area where people would avoid for criminals would often wonder in that kind of place. Gray walked his feet, unaware that he was being followed by the hooded people hiding carefully. The people walked towards Gray and held a pointy thing in his grip, slowly approaching Gray.
The latter hears their footsteps and stopped. He was about to turn back when one of them quickly pushed Gray into the walls.
"Listen kid, you better tell me the name of your band if you want to live." He asked. Gray was confused.
"What band?" He asked, not feeling scared. Why, those hooded guys could be criminals! But...what kind of criminals is it that asks for the name of a band instead of money?
"Yuuguure, that's not a way to ask him, you're making it sound like we're kidnapping people," The other hooded person spoke. The hooded person removed his hood that was covering his face. He had a long white hair, tied in a low ponytail. His bangs are long enough to cover his left eye. Only his right eye is visible. It was blue. He grabbed his companion's arm that was held on Gray's neck and released him. "I'm so sorry about that. My friend here is quite new to his job."
The guy that held Gray before remove his hood. He had a bright yellow hair and blazing red eyes. "Hi, I'm Yuuguure, and this is Shin. Sorry for appearing like this but we are reporters from the Glitz n Glam Company. I'm sure you recognize the name." The pointy thing in his hand before was actually a pen without its lid. Yuuguure took out a little notebook." It's a popular magazine these days! We happened to be visiting your school the other day and we heard how your band members are all talented and you guys had such magnificent teamwork." His eyes were shining.
Gray put his hands in his pocket. "We're not a band, unfortunately for you. There never was a band. That happened by mistake."
"Oh. That was disappointing. Anyway, are you interested to be interviewed for the music corner article for Glitz n Glam magazine? " Yuuguure asked.
"What for?" Gray asked, sounding stupid. Who would believe such stories telling you they're from some famous agency when it looked like you're being targeted at night? That's just plain crazy.
"You stupid boy. Glitz n Glam magazines are the most popular and they sell in every country! Don't you get the idea you're going to be famous? If you'd like, we could introduce you to the casting agent."
"I'll think about it."
"Hah! See? I made him agree, Shin!" Shin smacked his head with his own notebook.
"Don't shout. It's late at night. If you have anything to ask or anything, please contact us." Shin gave Gray a business card. Phone numbers and important addresses are listed on the card. They cover their head with the hood and walked off. Gray studied the card. And then he looked at them.
"Why are they wearing hood?" He wondered. "So many weirdos at night."
The cold wind blew the night, trees swaying gracefully to the way of winds. The black sky was clear without the cloud. A lot of stars are decorating the plain black sky making it look beautiful with its twinkling colours. And then, the crescent moon showed up and lights almost all the earth. The night was perfectly quiet. The sound of winds sometimes breaks the silent night. It's perfect for someone who seeks for tranquillity or ideas.
Gray stopped in front of his house, thinking about the offer. It sounds like they were lying to him and then again it seems like they're not. Shrugging the matter off his mind, he made his decision. He won't be involved in such a thing. It's not a bad thinking but, it could be the lack of self confidence.
"Another day wasted." The latter turned the door knob and did not expect for someone waiting his return.
"Welcome back, Gray –sama." She was sitting on the floor in the traditional Japanese way and bowed to him as if he was her husband who just came back from work. The boy blinked several times, not wanting to believe what was in front of him. But no matter how much he blinked, she won't disappear.
He pointed her. "You again! What are you doing in my house?!" He exclaimed.
"From now on, Juvia want to be Gray-sama's slave no matter what." She replied him with a smile. She began listing all the chores she had done, counting each with her fingers. "Juvia did everything for you! She washed Gray-sama's clothes, she folded your clothes, she made you dinner, and she cleaned your room-"
"Hold on. You touched my clothes? Like, even my underwear?!" He asked awkwardly.
"Mm! Juvia didn't know you had a liking in kitties!" She stood up, giggling and took out a white underwear that looks new, that she kept inside the apron's pocket. She holds it with both hands and showed it to Gray. The underwear had a blue chibi cat image on the front. It had such a large pair of eyes. The back side of the underwear showed the blue cat's backside that had small white wings stuck at its back. Gray immediately turned red.
"What the-that's- Ultear!" He shouted. He quickly grabbed the underwear from Juvia's hand. Ultear was in the kitchen listening to the music with the earphone in her ears. She picked out a bottle of apple juice and opened the lid. The sweet apple juice entered her mouth. She closed the fridge; spurt out the juice when she saw Gray was standing behind the fridge's door when she closed it. Gray's clean face was washed with apple juice.
"Augh! What the fuck, Gray?" She was shocked. "Don't fucking appear suddenly like that!" She wiped the remaining juice at the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. Gray said something to her but it only looked like he was moving his mouth without saying anything. "What?"
Gray pulled out the earphone stuck in her ears. "This." He shoved the underwear in Ultear's face. "Must be your doing." Ultear laughed and took the underwear from him. She swings it in front of his already red face.
"But I thought you would like it! The kind old man gave it to me as a free gift!" She stretched the underwear as Gray looks at it suspiciously in disgust. "Oh don't worry; it's not a used item. It's safe for you to wear it."
Gray washed his face and wiped his face with a clean handkerchief. "Free gift my ass! There's no such thing having fucking hilarious underwear as a gift! And who said I was going to wear this?!" He threw it on the floor and stomped on it.
"Aww, that was such cute underwear. I remember when you used to wear bear printed underwear while you were still a brat. It suits you." Ultear crossed her arms. "Ah, have you taken a bath yet? Your girlfriend's prepared -" She stopped when she saw Juvia near the kitchen's door. She walked behind the blue head and placed both hands on Juvia's shoulders. "Here she is~ Hey, you did a good job washing his underwear!" Ultear haven't realized Juvia was all red on her face because Juvia overhead Ultear calling her as Gray's girlfriend.
"G-girlfriend?" Juvia stuttered.
"She is not my girlfriend." Gray said coldly.
"T-that's right! Juvia is not Gray's girlfriend!" Juvia supported him. She freed her shoulders from Ultear's grip. The bluenette waved hand as in a form of no to Ultear. This surprised Gray but didn't show the expression of it. Juvia played with her fingers, looking at her feet. "She is just Gray's slave..." She murmured quite loud and Ultear heard it.
"Slave?' Ultear questioned.
"Hey, didn't Ms. Scarlet cancel the contest? It wasn't supposed to be carried out anymore." Gray told Juvia. He tried to sound fine but Juvia can feel the depression under his tone. Why? Because she knew Gray loved the teacher. It's not a normal students' love to their teacher. Gray's love for Erza is different. Gray turned in being protective whenever Erza's name is mentioned.
"But the girls' team lost so much." Juvia said.
"Ms. Scarlet cancelled the contest. You don't have to do it." Gray hissed.
"Juvia told Gray-sama before she will be his slave no matter what." Juvia insisted. She puffed her cheek and frown.
"Oh? What do we have here?" The three individuals looked at the woman standing by the kitchen's door with paper bags filled with groceries. "Mind introducing me with your new friend, Gray?" Ur asked as she placed the groceries on the table. Ultear took a sip of the apple juice and put the bottle back into the fridge.
"Ur, this is-" Juvia cut off Gray.
"Nice to meet you! Juvia is the name and she is Gray-sama's slave from today!"
"I said you don't have to be my slave!"
"Slave? Gray, you do know that I find this rather...inappropriate, do you?" Ur set her arms on her hips, looking angrily at Gray. The sound of the car's lock alarm can be heard. Another character entered. It was a man with a brown hair and black eyes.
"Here are your keys. I parked the car and- Oh! What a fine lady we have here."
Gray face palmed. "This is going to get worse." Juvia bowed to the man in respect for older people. It was her first time in his house and yet she's already meeting with most of his family members.
"Hello. Juvia is my name. She is Gray's slave." She happily exclaimed. The man with the car keys dropped the keys to the floor.
"What? Gray, you should never let a pretty girl as her to be your slave! It's un-gentleman." He scolded Gray, ignoring the keys near his foot.
"Oh, Daniel would you please stop dropping my car keys? I don't want to waste money on repairing the car's remote alarm every time! This happened a lot if you are surprised." She scolded the man, who was feeling guilty now and looking at his feet. Daniel apologized to his best friend, only to be scolded again. Lyric won't be pleased with him if Ur reported this matter to her.
Ur then turned to Gray. "Now Gray. Tell me I misunderstood this slavery matter." She crossed her arms.
Still face palming, he responded, "Why don't we all just sit in the living room and I'll explain everything..."
Ur poured the hot caramel tea for herself and gently put the teapot back on its own plate. The living room was large. There was a corner for playing video games. Ultear was the one who bought them due to her friends' influence for videogames. Gray was forced to play with her because Ultear will often threat him to expose his secrets. But since Gray can defeat her almost in all her games, she became bored with those things and no longer plays them.
"I see. So that was Natsu's idea. Three months, is it? I think that's a bit long. " Ur said, blowing the hot tea gently.
"Yes but Erz- I mean Ms. Scarlet cancelled the contest so Juvia doesn't have to fulfil the slave role."
"Juvia have to. Since the girls lost most of the competition." Juvia said adamant to be Gray's slave.
"Hmm...Since Juvia seems to be a good girl, why not just let her be? They're considered lost anyway." Daniel added. Ur looked at him as if she was silently scolding him by telepathy. His cell phone rang and he went outside to answer the call.
"No. I don't need a slave. That'll make it look like I'm using you!" Gray exclaimed.
"You certainly do. You can't even wash your underwear. Your bedroom's a mess. Poor Gary." Ultear mocked.
"That was all your doing! Who said I can't wash my clothes? "
"You do." Ultear played with her nails.
"You are so frustrating, Tia." Gray rubbed his forehead and went upstairs to his bedroom. Gray shared room with his thirteen year old foster brother, Gary. He is Ultear's younger brother. Gary is sleeping soundly on his bed, clutching tightly onto his hugging pillow. Their beds are parallel next to each other's. The bedroom is large enough to put one more bed. Gray flew onto his bed and spread his arms and legs, burying his face to sink in the mattress. He turned his face sideways so he could breathe. He stood and took one of his guitars and starts writing a song.
It doesn't seem right. He keeps crumpling the papers with written lyrics and throws them aimlessly onto the floor.
Juvia, Ultear and Ur had a nice chat with each other although Juvia felt guilty that she may be the reason why Gray was mad. She holds inside the feeling and acts normally.
"So you're the one who helped Gary home." Ur laughed nervously. "That boy was never good with directions. How did you find him?"
"In front of Fairy Tail High girls dormitory. Juvia lives there. What a coincidence Gary happens to be Gray's brother!"
"That's far from home! What is he doing there?" Ur asked herself. Ultear looks at Juvia and shrugged. Juvia checked her cell phone and realizes it was late.
"Gary is probably looking for Gray." Juvia answered.
"But it's Saturday and there's no school on Saturdays. I'll never get the fact he's thirteen and still gets lost." Ur said. "Juvia, since you like my son so much would you like to come and help me anytime?" She offered. Juvia blushes and responded shyly with a nod.
Daniel's laughing voice could be heard from outside. Later, it sound like he was weeping and then he would say sorry repeatedly to his caller. Juvia stood. "Ultear, Ur, it's a bit late now so Juvia is going home."
"Okay. Careful on your way home." Ur reminded her. "About Gray's rude attitude earlier, please forgive him. My husband died along with his father in a car accident and he still can't get over it." Juvia showed a sympathetic face and shook her head.
She forced a smile and replied, "It's okay. Juvia understands."
"How do you go back?" Ultear asked.
"I ride the bus."
"Are you kidding me? The bus stop is pretty far from here." Ur was astonished.
Juvia smiled. "It's fine. Goodnight." She pulled the door knob and felt that somebody was pushing the door and she didn't let go of the door knob and was urged back. Daniel came in. His hair was a mess. It was a cold night and quite windy. He doesn't notice how his hair looked like. He looked like a lion. Ultear tried to hold her laugh as Daniel looked at her with a confused feeling but ignores her.
"Hey Ur, I gotta go now." He looked at Juvia. "You're leaving too?"
"Daniel, can you send her home? She goes by the bus. It's not safe for a girl to go alone." Ur requested.
Juvia was about to decline but was stopped by Ur. "It's safer if someone sends you home. Anything can happen to a girl, you know?"
The worried look on her face reminded Juvia of her mother.
The blue head followed Daniel into the car. Juvia thought of her parents who are currently staying in England for business matters. Vanness Loxar and his wife Judith Meridian who later changes her last name to Loxar is the owner of the famous perfume product company.
"Are you ready to go?" Daniel put on his seat belts on. He looked at the girl beside him whose mind seemed to wander far away. He snapped his fingers and she was back to earth. "Spacing out?"
She flustered and looked around her. "Eh? Eh? When did Juvia got into this car?" Daniel laughed.
"You climbed in, silly girl. You must have a lot of things on your mind. Otherwise you won't be spacing out. Now tell me where you live." Daniel turned on the engine and holds the steering wheel. They soon drove off. Ultear and Ur was standing in the doorway, watching as Daniel and Juvia go.
"Juvia Loxar. Loxar...? There's something familiar about her name." Ur wondered. She went back into the living room. Ultear went outside the house and closes the door. Meredy called her on the cell phone later on.
"Ultear! I'm sure you won't believe this but there are monsters in the park! " Growls and sounds of things being wrecked can be heard. The last thing she could hear was Meredy's scream. Ultear didn't get to reply her call as it was cut off.
"There shouldn't be monsters in this world!" She thought to herself. Ultear suddenly remembered Juvia and Daniel. They are going to pass by the park! And those monsters will surely destroy anything that's moving. Ultear couldn't bear to imagine what would happen to them if they cross upon the same path as the monsters are. She didn't think it would be this early. Using her magic power, she went into a portal she created from thin air just by extending her arm and muttered magic spells. It was a shortcut to the park. She appeared behind the bushes, and the portal slowly closed and vanished into thin air.
"Tia! Can you help me?" Ur called. She waited but her daughter won't come. "Ultear!" She went to check her at the front door. "Oh... That's weird. Did she went out?" She asked herself and went back into the living room.
Carefully, Ultear searched for Meredy. The green eyed girl was hiding behind the bushes too, waiting for Ultear. Ultear found Meredy in critical state. Her clothes are ripped and revealed most of her skin. She was holding her left shoulder tightly to stop the blood from bleeding.
"Meredy!" Ultear whispered loudly, worried. "Where is Jellal?" She asks. Meredy can't fight anymore. Three shielded orcs human-sized and the armed goblins as their underlings are too much for one. Ultear moved Meredy's hand away from her bleeding shoulder. The orcs are destroying the children's playground in the park whilst the goblins seem to play around with each other, throwing rocks happily. The orcs threw their shield at the goblins. The goblins cried and hand over the shield back to the orcs bowing their heads down.
'"I don't...know. He...I can't contact him..." Meredy said to Ultear as she gasps for air. She looked at her shoulder. Ultear laid her down gently on the grass and ripped some of her clothes to wrap Meredy's shoulder. Ultear didn't bring along a medical kit with her. Ultear bit her lip in anger.
"That moron..." She muttered and changed into her combat mode clothes. A glass like barrier carved with ancient writings appeared and covered most of the park. It was to help for a mage like her to battle without being seen by outsiders. However, noise from the battle still can be heard by outsiders. It will sound like whispers to them though. A stronger, powerful mage can create a barrier that completely keep the noise away. Ultear haven't gotten to that stage.
"Daniel, did you heard a noise or something?" The blue haired asked. She ignored the music and focused on her ear. She looked outside the car window. Nothing. Nobody. The road is free of moving vehicles and it was only them in the night.
"What noise?" Daniel questioned as his eyebrows are up in surprise. He turned the radio off and focused to listen the noise. "What was it like?"
"Juvia hears explosion...Or something like that. Don't you hear it?"
"You're dreaming. Why would someone explode something in the night?" He replied back and chuckled. However, Juvia proved him wrong when they almost reached the park. "I think you're right..."
"It came from the park." Juvia lowered the car window. Just when they passed by the park, it was clean. Nothing of human or animals or anything there. "That is weird. There's nothing there."
"Maybe we got our imagination mixed up. I'll get you home now." Juvia agrees to him with a doubt in her heart. That was not her imagination. She can feel it. A dark presence of something. At the park, Ultear had knocked all the monsters down. They were all sent back into their own world after that.
The blue head is enjoying the cold wind brushing against her face. Shortly after that, she safely arrived at the dorm. Thanking Daniel, she went inside when a woman she wasn't sure she hated or not pulled the door opened and they almost collide into each other.
"Ms. Scarlet?" Juvia was shocked. "Y-you lived in this dormitory too? Juvia thought it was only for students."
"Ah. Goodnight, Juvia. " Erza was wearing a jacket that reached to her knees and had boots on. It looks like she was heading out. "Well, this dorm is for both teachers and students. Only females though. Excuse me, let me go out..."
"Oops. Sorry." She quickly stepped aside awkwardly and watched Erza leave. Erza waved her goodbye and she returned it back. She went into her room and took a warm bath. She closed the windows before changing into her pyjamas. She turned off the light but let the lamp on her bed table on. She decided to take a peek from her windows and she saw...Ms. Scarlet and a guy she never met before. Could that be her boyfriend? Is that why she quitted her job?
"Gasp! They're eloping!" Juvia's eyes turn a cat-like and blushed.
"Jellal..." Erza called quietly. "I...didn't expect to see you here. Shouldn't you be at home now?"
"...I have something important to tell you." He gulped. "It's about last time." Jellal fixed his collar a few times, not looking at her.
"What of? I have accepted the fact that you're married. I should move on, don't you think?" The red haired said, flashing a weak smile. She waited for his reply to come out. Jellal looked at Erza for a moment and looked away again.
"That was a..." His voice lowered. It looks like he didn't want to finish his sentence. Erza had her eyebrows up.
"I'm sorry. Could you talk a bit louder? Your voice was too soft." Jellal scratches at the back of his head in frustration.
"It was nothing. Sorry I took your time. I'm sure you're busy."
"It's okay. Would you like to come with me somewhere tomorrow?" She asked him. Jellal looked at her. Juvia didn't get to hear anything watching from the window. The blue head watched the two as they walked away together in the night.
Her cell phone beeped a few times. It was a text message from her parents. She read it out loud.
"Juvia darling, mom and dad will be back in two more days! We missed you so much! Your dad had greatly mistaken a janitor lady as our client. Not his fault though. She was dressed neatly and haven't changed into her uniform. It was really funny. He got mad whenever I brought this matter up to him. Lots of love from mom & dad."
The text ended there. Juvia screams excitedly to herself after she finished reading it. Vanness and Judith had been in England for almost two months. If it wasn't for the school days Juvia would went with them. She just couldn't neglect her studies and...Gray. Ah, Gray. She should tell her parents about him, too. She'd met most of his families and they liked her. Even Gray's mother had asked her to come sometimes! Filled with excitements she hopped onto her bed and fell into a deep sleep with a smile on her face.
Guys, I'm sorry for the super late update. I spent too much time doodling and playing games. I had an artist block for days too! XD Homework had been holding me up as well. And...I gave up the idea to write a normal love story XD (spoiler alert!) A game's monsters' had influenced my thoughts and I loved that. Goblins are just so cute I couldn't help but make them appear in my story. I wasn't expecting myself to write this chapter and I surprised myself. Now that I have to write three chapters for the update, it may take me a long time to submit the new two chapters. Please keep up with me :)
I was supposed to submit this earlier...