Title: The Rhythm of Love

By: Mari Kia Aishiteru

Date start: June 4, 2017

Fanfiction Anime of: Fairy Tail

Genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Adventure, Action, Angst, Friendship

Pairing: GrayxJuvia, NatsuxLucy

Theme song/s: Catch the Moment by LiSa and Trust You by Itou Yuna

Summary: Juvia's past has caught up to her and she had decided to face it by leaving Fairy Tail. Gray had come to terms of what he really felt for the water mage. Is it friendship? If it is, is it possible for these feelings of his to blossom into love? GrayxJuvia

DISCLAIMER: Anime characters and setting © Hiro Mashima; Fanfiction story © Mari Kia Aishiteru

...

The moment my voice rang out,

My heart started counting the limits of this life

A wish that will never end, no matter how many times it comes true!

The second hand of this world, running with sweat upon its brow will someday leave me stranded here, unmoving.

How many more times will I be able to smile with you?

I'm testing my own limits: Catch the moment!

...

THE RHYTHM OF LOVE ∞

Rhythm 02 – The Painful Resolve

...

Juvia woke up that morning with a deep sigh. Her mood was different the day before. She slowly stood up from her bed and started to prepare for the day.

She felt down but also determined. She never thought that her past would catch up to her. She already put it behind her however, with a single letter she knew her current life will change.

She just didn't know if it was for good.

She also felt sad and scared, since she will not be able to see her Gray-sama. It was a big possibility.

If... he will reject her today.

Juvia, the water mage, sighed once again.

After dressing up, she lightly pat her cheeks and tried to smile. Take note. Tried.

With a depressed sigh for the third time that morning, Juvia began her painful journey to her guild.

...

Arriving in the guild, the water mage stood at the balcony in front of the big doors, staring at the members. She took her time observing them: their actions, their bickering, their smiles, their grins. Juvia wanted to engrave them in the deepest place in her heart, so that she wouldn't forget; so that she would have something to remember them by.

With a sad smile, she walked down towards the bar, while still looking around. Because of it, she didn't notice her friend slash brother-figure crash into her.

The iron dragon slayer held her shoulder to avoid crashing her into him. Juvia looked at him in surprise.

"Ah, Gajeel-kun! Juvia's sorry! She is not looking in front of her!"

"Yeah, I know. I've been looking at you since you came in." He said staring at her suspiciously. "What's wrong with you, rain woman?"

Juvia looked away guiltily. She couldn't tell him. She just couldn't.

"There's nothing wrong with Juvia." She smiled but her long time friend knew she was forcing it. But he didn't say anything. He shrugged instead and walked towards Levy, who was reading at one of the tables.

Juvia smiled sadly and looked around, searching for Gray. If she was going to do it, she had to do it now before he leaves on a mission. Not that she heard of him having a mission today since they already had one yesterday.

She saw him sitting by the bar with Mira, Erza, Natsu, Happy and Lucy. They were chatting happily. She hoped she could intrude.

She gulped and braced herself.

"Um... Gray-sama?" she called out in a small voice.

They all turned to her and she could hear the beating of her heart so loudly against her chest. She stiffened and it didn't go unnoticed from the group.

"Juvia? You need something?" Gray asked.

"H-Hai..." she stuttered.

She punched her head in her mind several times. Darn it, Juvia! Get a grip! It is Gray-sama! What are you getting nervous for?! She thought angrily.

"Um... Juvia?"

She was out of her reverie. "Gray-sama!" she called out, a little louder than she had expected. Gray frowned. She was acting weird. Is there a problem?

"What?"

"C-Can we talk… in private?" she raised her eyes to meet his. He looked surprised and exchanged glances with his friends "Sure." He replied, standing up and walking outside the guild. Juvia smiled a little, bowed down to the other members and followed her beloved.

As soon as they were out of sight, Lucy faced them excitedly. "Do you think Juvia's going to force Gray to like her or something?"

"It's totally something like Juvia would do." Natsu replied, arms behind his head.

"But she's acting all nervous around him." Mira commented worriedly. "It is the first time I've seen her like that."

"Me too." Erza said. "But I could feel her determination as well. She seemed that she had decided to do something."

"Or maybe... she's going to tell him that she's moving on from him!"

"Natsu has a point." Erza nodded. "She could be telling him that she will give up on him."

Mira shook her head. "No, I love them both! I want them to end up together!" she whined with a pout.

"And... Juvia's not the type to give up that easily. She loves Gray too much." Lucy added thoughtfully.

Erza stared at the door. "I just hope everything will be fine regardless."

They all nodded in agreement.

...

Gray sat on the grass, overlooking the horizon. They were at the backyard of the guild. Juvia sat next to him, fingers fidgeting nervously.

The ice mage was confused. This was the first time Juvia was so nervous around him. It was making him uncomfortable. Unable to contain the silence between them, he cleared his throat.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" he asked, glancing at her. She lowered her head so he cannot see her face. "Juvia?"

After a few seconds, she raised her head and faced him. He could see the determination in them.

"Gray-sama!"

The ice mage stared at her. This Juvia… she looked so determined. She only looked like this in battle. He was curious as to why she was acting like this right now. He waited.

"Juvia… Juvia always say this and she knows you already know. Juvia apologizes if she keeps on repeating it but today… today is different. Today is very important to Juvia so please Gray-sama, Juvia wants you to be honest with her."

Gray realized what she was talking about. So it's about her never-ending proclamation to him?

He stared at her again and slowly nodded.

Taking a deep breath, she confessed. "Gray-sama, Juvia loves you. You took away her rain by defeating her in battle. You gave her a home, you gave her friends, you gave her a family and she was truly happy."

"It was all thanks to Gray-sama that Juvia has finally accepted who she was. So Gray-sama, Juvia wants to know Gray-sama's feelings for Juvia. His real feelings."

Gray stared. He knew she loves him however he didn't know the reason why and how much. It was the first time he heard of this and while he was flattered, he…

The ice mage sighed. "Juvia… you said that you want me to be honest with you. And I plan to."

The blue haired water mage prepared herself for the worst however somewhere in her heart, she was hoping.

Hoping that Gray will reciprocate her feelings.

Gray breathed in. "I like you. But not the way you feel for me. I like you as a friend, Juvia. You are always there for me, and I was grateful. I want us to continue being friends."

The blue haired girl's head lowered. Gray almost felt guilty but he knew he would be unfair to her if he wasn't honest.

All of a sudden, Juvia raised her head and with a bright smile, she faced him.

"Thank you so much, Gray-sama!" she said. "Really, thank you for being honest. It is enough for Juvia to know that you don't hate her and you like her… even as a friend." Her voice was gentle and Gray was mesmerized with her smile.

"Thank you, Gray-sama."

"Juvia…"

She suddenly stood up and stretched. "Haaa~ Juvia's so relieved. She is so glad she talked to you, Gray-sama." The ice mage stood up as well and smiled. "You can always talk to me if you want. We're friends."

"Hai! It's like what Gray-sama said. We're friends." She faced him and held out a hand for a handshake.

"Let's be friends forever, Gray-sama!" she exclaimed with a wide smile.

The raven haired mage gripped her hand and smiled as well. "Yeah."

And with the sun as their witness, they sealed it.

They were friends, nothing more than that.

Juvia walked the path towards Fairy Hills later that day. "This will be the last time." She muttered. She will miss this path. She stared at the sun setting, and her lips trembled. Her mind wandered to the discussion she had with her beloved ice mage.

Though she was happy he likes her as a friend, it was still painful. It was really painful.

She shook her head and held the tears in.

It was enough. There was nothing she could do.

She had decided.

That night, Juvia prepared her things needed for her journey. She had also stared at her Gray-sama stuff toy. Out of all her things related to the ice mage, this one was her favourite. So she decided to bring it with her.

She turned to her study table and wrote a letter for her friends. Her family. After what it seems like forever, she sealed its envelope and left it on her desk. Before she left, she had to talk to someone personally.

He stared in front of him. It was a good thing he stayed in the guild for the night. His child, the water mage, had just finished her explanation with sad but eager as if she had resolved and decided on her decision.

"Are you sure?" he asked although he already knew the answer. The girl nodded.

"Yes master. Juvia apologizes. However, she has a favour to ask."

"Whatever it is, I will do my best to do it, my child."

Juvia fidgeted. "Can Juvia keep her guild mark?" she requested with a small voice. Master Makarov wanted to cry, instead, he rose from his chair and ushered the girl to come to him. Juvia complied and the small man embraced her and with a soft voice he told her, "Juvia, my child, you are one of us. Wherever you go, wherever you are, whatever decision you have, we will be here for you. You are part of our family. Always remember that."

Juvia sobbed and tears that she had been trying to stop finally shed. She was touched. She felt so loved.

"Thank you so much, Master. Juvia loves you so much. Juvia was so happy she became part of Fairy Tail."

So keeping her head high and with the guild mark remaining on her right thigh, she moved on with her journey.

Out of the Magnolia, she turned around and let out a sad smile.

"Juvia's so sorry, Gray-sama and thank you. Please be safe always."

...

To be continued...