Standard disclaimer applies.
Kitsune = fox
Tsuchigumo = spider-like youkai
Hanyou = half-youkai
Nishikigoi (koi fish) = carp (common "decoration" in garden ponds in Japan)
Go meiwaku wo kaketa sumimasen deshita = I am sorry to have caused you trouble
The Unwanted
The sun arose from its slumber—a new day, a new beginning. Or so they say. Sunrise was supposed to bring positivity to the otherwise gloomy wintry atmosphere. But for three warrior youkai standing in the midst of a battered village, sunrise only brought a scarier nightmare.
Golden rays illuminated the surroundings of horror and gore. The harmonious tweets of the birds became the sombre dirge to the insignificant villagers. The cold breeze was filled with the heavy stench of blood, burnt flesh, and iron. The beauty of snow was tainted with a blend of spilt plasma and mud.
A light-haired kitsune youkai made her way towards a limbless corpse of a youkai child, no more than three in human years. His features indicated a mixture of bird and human—a hanyou. The child died a horrible death. The kitsune bent down and placed her palm to close the hanyou's eyelids. Her impassive persona prevented her from shedding a tear. No, she wouldn't show a moment of weakness in front of her comrades. Yet, something inside her stirred. Rage that she should control but could not. She could feel herself transforming, and her youkai form would emerge. A hand on her shoulder restrained her from doing so.
"Calm down, Sorano. This isn't the time to unleash your anger. We must report this to Jellal immediately."
It was Erik, an inuyoukai and the First Captain of the Fernandes' military unit. He, along with Sorano and Sawyer, a tsuchigumo whose youkai features had permanently merged with his humanoid appearance, were given the task by Jellal to investigate an alarming occurrence of brutal attacks of smaller villages in the outskirts of Magnolia.
"I just can't figure out the motive anymore. The first two were just human villages; next were residences of minor youkai. This one has a number of hanyou. There's no correlation whatsoever," remarked Sawyer, scratching his head in frustration. "It appears random, but it also seems well-planned."
"The lingering stench of an oni was the only consistent one," Sorano added, having calmed down already. "And oni are brainless creatures who won't be able to strategize such attacks." Sorano turned to Erik with a grim expression. "You are right, Captain. We need to go back to Magnolia and report this. I have a terrible feeling that this may just be the beginning."
"First, we must bury the victims." Erik instructed his three comrades with a glum expression. He wasn't one to be empathetic; but having witnessed senseless massacres of innocent youkai and humans, he was definitely letting his emotions get the better of him. But even if a human life was so insignificant to his eyes, they deserved a proper burial.
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Eyelids fluttered open, and the bluest of the blues came to his vision. It was fleeting, 'cause soon those blue eyes turned back to its original brown colour. She kept blinking, probably trying to adjust her blurry sight. It made her look dumb…and cute. No, definitely just dumb. She really looked so dumb; he just wanted to yell "Dumb! Baka! Stupid! Idiot!" but he also wanted to mumble "Cute! Pretty! Precious!"
Ugh, Gray wanted to pull out his hair in frustration. A loose wavy strand of blue hair rested on her face. He itched to brush it aside, but that meant making unwanted contact with her skin. His fingers twitched, trying to wrestle with the idea of just quickly sweeping the loose strand off her face. She got to it first though by groggily scratching her eyes, still doing that annoying, cutesy blinking.
"Wh-wh-where?" Her voice was quite hoarse.
Gray understood her question perfectly.
"Mansion," he answered curtly.
Juvia looked around as she sat upright from the futon. It was an unfamiliar place—a small bedroom of about 6 tatami mats. Her eyes widened as her gaze finally landed on him. That or she just realized who was sitting beside the futon with folded arms and staring at her.
"What?" He grunted. He should be angry, but that rage from earlier evaporated the moment she collapsed… Actually, who was he kidding? The moment he tasted her 'yucky' lips, he forgot why he was so pissed at her.
"What happened?" Juvia asked, still blinking.
Gray couldn't resist it anymore, so he outstretched his left arm and covered her face with his palm. "Stop that. It's seriously pissing me off how dumb you look," he scoffed. "Blinking like an idiot…" he muttered under his breath. "You collapsed, and I carried you here. We're in a spare servant's quarters." After removing his hand off her face, he tried not to look at her, but his peripheral vision caught her staring at her hands.
"Juvia feels strange," she said in a low voice.
"Yeah, well, the demon in you is reacting to me." Gray snorted at how nonchalant he sounded. But the truth? Inside him was a battleground. He despised the thought that his youkai form was craving to touch this useless weakling. Then, there was a part of him feeling concerned at what transpired earlier. While the process of transforming for every youkai differs, the stages and symptoms were similar. Gray knew that what the blue blob went through two hours ago was the early stage of a transformation.
Yet, there was another important matter he needed to bring up. It was the reason he sought her out, aside from the unwanted craving of touching and kissing her.
With a swift movement, Gray was on all fours, caging Juvia onto the futon. Juvia was caught by surprise, hitting her back onto the futon with a thud. Gray stared down at her big eyes gazing up at him.
"Do you think you have the right to become my bride? To become the mistress of this clan? Who do you think you are?" He meant for his voice to come out as a growl, but it came out low and husky instead
Shit! Being this close to her was clouding his senses. This was displaced anger—that much Gray can admit. He knew this sudden decision to marry the blue blob was his parents' idea. Why? His mother wouldn't give him a proper reason. When he heard it, he just felt an immense amount of anger.
Anger that they were forcing him into something he didn't like. (But does he really dislike it that much?). Anger that his parents ignored the fact he has a girlfriend. (But does he really want Ultear to be his better half?). Anger that it was with this blue-blobbed weakling that he's being forced to mate. (But why does he felt like marking her now?)
And still, Gray didn't move. His eyes observed the creature beneath him. Her big, brown eyes gazed at him with confusion, curiosity, and wonder. Her scent was strong; it was a mixture of fresh flowers and citrus. He also got a whiff of lust. Oh yeah… she's turned on! She bit her lower lip and started blinking again. He could tell she wanted to say something, question him, but she lost the will to open her mouth. He was moving towards dangerous grounds, but he couldn't resist.
Giving in to temptation, his left hand softly gripped her throat with his thumb caressing the bare skin on the base of her neck.
"I don't want to marry you," Gray hoarsely whispered then lowered his head. He placed his lips on her neck, just letting it linger there. "You're not fit to be my wife." She felt so soft against him, and he finally put all his weight on her. By now, he knew she felt the hardening in his trousers, as it brushed against her legs.
"Fullbuster-sama, please…" Juvia managed to let her voice be heard. "Please get off Juvia."
"Why? Isn't this what you wanted? Isn't this the reason why you accepted my mother's proposal?" He sucked on the bare skin that was his for the taking. He felt her hitching her breath, but she wasn't resisting. No kiss mark would be left on her pale skin, unless he sinks his fangs into it. So, he let his teeth graze her skin for a bit, prompting Juvia to make her move.
She tried to push him off with all the strength she got. "Please stop, Fullbuster-sama," she pleaded though her voice remained calm. "Also, Juvia has not accepted Mika-sama's offer."
Gray's head shot up, lifting his body weight off hers. "What? My mother said we are to be mated next month."
Juvia took advantage of Gray's confusion and managed to free herself from him. With a scampering crawl, she created a significant distance between her and Gray. She hugged her body with her arms, as if putting up an impenetrable shield. "No, Juvia hasn't made a decision yet."
"And who are you to decide?" Gray asked angrily. "Whether you agree or not, that shouldn't hold any significance. You do not deserve to be this clan's mistress."
"You are strange, Fullbuster-sama," Juvia spoke without hesitation. "One minute you are trying to mark Juvia, and now you say Juvia is insignificant. Then please, tell your parents to retract their proposal. If they do, Juvia will not have the burden of saying no."
Weakly, Juvia stood up and fixed her uniform. She was about to leave the room when Gray gripped her wrist and pulled her back. He glared down at her with his full height, letting his aura show his true superiority.
"Learn to know your place. You talk to me as if we're on the same level."
"Then why do you seek Juvia out and do all these unwanted actions, kissing and licking and touching? Juvia hates it!"
It felt like a slap on the face, and Gray was angry. He did his best to keep his youkai form in check, but Juvia gave him a look that meant she won't back down. He was about to open his mouth when he felt his mother's presence nearby. He let go of his hold on her and pushed her away. Without another word, he stormed out the room. Gray didn't say anything even when Mika called out to him.
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"We informed the school about your absence for today, Juvia. However, I have not sent a message to your mother. Please forgive me for not doing so, but…" Mika trailed off, pouring Juvia a cup of Jasmine tea first.
The two female youkai were sitting inside a gazebo-like teahouse situated in the inner garden of the mansion. Surrounding it was a small pond with colourful varieties of nishikoi swimming around. It was where Juvia first met the young Inugami heir.
"I have a feeling that if I sent a message to your mother of your whereabouts, she would not be pleased," Mika continued as she handed Juvia the tea.
Juvia nodded, accepting the hot beverage with a grateful smile. She completely understood what Mika implied. Before, Juvia never really gave much thought regarding her mother's cold attitude towards the Fullbusters. Vivian was always a proud and orthodox youkai, complying with strict regulations and set on following traditional values. Yet, she was very vocal of her dislike towards the Blue Emblem's leading family. This was becoming very obvious with the latest happenings, specifically concerning Juvia.
"Do not worry, Mika-sama. Juvia will tell Okaasan of what happened."
"Are you aware of what transpired earlier, Juvia?"
The blue-haired demoness clasped the warm mug in her hands, suddenly finding it very interesting. "It seems Juvia might be going through the transformation stage."
"I didn't get to speak with my son at all. However, when he arrived carrying you, he met Porlyusica-sensei and explained to her. From what Sensei had told me, it does seem you're finally going through your transformation," Mika explained.
"Juvia had witnessed her friend and brother go through their transformation. There were minor displays of their power here and there. Gajeel-kun's arms would turn to metal, while Juvia's brother would unconsciously teleport from one place to another. However, Juvia hasn't experienced anything of that sort. Is there something wrong with Juvia? Is it possible to gain a youkai form without any ability?"
Mika offered her another warm, reassuring smile. "No youkai was born without ability, my dear. Yours is a little delayed, but you will gain it. I am sure of it."
"Thank you, Mika-sama. Your words are always gentle and comforting. Juvia is truly grateful to receive kindness from you. However…" Juvia trailed off, unable to meet Mika's eyes. Expelling a breath, she gathered her courage to announce her decision.
"Juvia regretfully declines her betrothal to Gray-sama. Juvia isn't qualified to be his bride and to stand by his side as the clan's rulers." With this, Juvia deeply bowed her head in apology, her forehead touching the tatami mat. "Gomeiwaku wo kaketa sumimasen deshita."
Mika moved from her sitting position and gently nudged Juvia from her bowing stance. "Raise your head, Juvia. You have nothing to apologize for. However, please hear me out one last time why we are asking you to be my son's betrothed." When Juvia nodded, Mika continued, "It is because of a prophecy, Juvia, and we believe it refers to you."
The night of the blue moon descends on the children's face
A youkai born from the priestess of an inugami race
Evoking the majestic waves of the ocean to rise
Paving way for the sovereign of the Obsidian with the power of geyser ice
But first, must bind their fates with the eternal red thread
The ruling heirs of the blue emblem shall wed
Standing on a hill, a few miles away from the skyline of the city of Magnolia, stood a tall, lanky youkai. The sinister look on his face made his subordinates cower. His dark youkai aura filled his surroundings, bringing upon him fear and a mournful silence. Not even his allies and inferiors know of his youkai race, and he preferred it that way. To let other youkai know what you are would only expose one's weakness.
A young inuyoukai stood beside him. "There is another town with a number of hanyou living. We can send the oni there any time." He informed his master who appeared bored. "Some Blue Emblem warriors were spotted from the last site. Should we send an oni or two to eliminate them?"
The lanky man checked his long claws. Poison dripped from it—an oh-so-useful weapon he could easily access. "Let them be. It is better for those weak Blue Emblem clan to know. Anyway, they do not know who they are up against." He turned to look at his subordinate, etching a sly smile on his face. "Send the oni to attack this village you're talking about."
"Leave some survivors?"
"If the oni can help it, sure. If not, doesn't matter."
The young inuyoukai subordinate nodded and bowed, departing immediately. The lanky youkai turned to get one more glimpse of Magnolia. His plan was slowly getting into fruition. Just a few more…
"Just a few more, and I will return," he muttered under his breath. "Just as I promised, Vivian. I will make you pay for what you did."
a/n: quickly uploading this, so didn't get the chance to proofread. also, I'd like to thank everyone who still keeps supporting and leaving reviews. Those who take the time to write feedback/comments are the reason I continue to write the fic. So, I apologize if I can't name you again one by one, but please know I'm truly grateful. Hopefully, you all continue to enjoy (albeit inconsistencies and weird plot progression. lol)
Once more, please enjoy and let me know what you think of the chapter!
