Another chapter, these take forever to write, and may not even be that good. :P
Oh well, this is still intro stuff, gutting to the meat.
The rain outside has not stopped, only grown worse. Gray shrugged off his coat to cover the file box, and because his button up must of been uncomfortably wet, he unbuttoned that layer too. Juvia held herself from staring, but noticed the muscles and abs, another indicator that he must be good at this business.
No regular thug put that much effort into maintaining physique.
As they turned the corner at the end of the block, the park straight ahead, Juvia gazed at the old bus stop, hazy in the rain. There was a vehicle there, reminding her of what Gray had originally said, about the person he was waiting for, before she came along.
What a great convenience, she must have been for him, not only knowing Totomaru's address, but with a handy key too. And what an ignorant, irresponsible fool she'd been to so blatantly offer.
Sol, Totomaru, and even Aria's deaths rested as much on her, as they did on man who pulled the trigger.
Juvia's grip on the box tightened, her face straight. Childish, idiotic, rain-brained girl. She had seen the predator, felt the hesitancy, and ignored it, leading Gray right into her den. How?
The excitement, the thought of learning more about her roommates, and the genuine pity she felt for the man, standing alone in the rain. Yes, that was where she made her error, putting altruism above realism. It was a mistake she vowed not to make again; though there was little chance she'd get the opportunity. As best she knew, people escorted away by gangs rarely returned.
The car ahead was a newer modeled jeep, which she could not name as cars were never her hobby. This one though, caught her attention. The thing was monstrous, with paint that glistened like embers, thick tires, grooves probably the length of her finger, and most startlingly, scars and tears in the frame, as it if had fought with an oversized can opener.
Damage like she'd never seen. A gash of torn metal ran down the length of the passenger side, the tail bumper was crinkled like newspaper, shrapnel suspended in the air like water from a busted pipe on the bottom edge, and across all, a smattering of holes. Holes like rodent burrows, that Juvia had seen in many cop shows, and just a few times in real like, and which, undoubtedly pointed to more horrible bullets.
What had happened? Had a rival gang found the car waiting for Gray and attacked? Some of Sol and Totomaru's teammates? And if so, where had they gone since?
A second look however, Juvia noticed something strange. The outer face of shredded and punctured metal had been painted over, the inner left as naked steel. There were no small scratches, or dirt or grime, just the jagged glinting edges.
These were old wounds, which had for some reason been kept and glossed. The owner had left them purposefully, so that the vehicle wore its scars.
Before she could even contemplate what sort of person would drive something so animalistic and wild, Gray opened the rear left door. He motioned for Juvia to climb inside. She hurried; worried Gray would not take patience with any further delays, and, if she were completely honest, a little curious about the interior.
A mud red cloth lined the frame; a furry bench of the same color spanned the Jeep's width. She slid in far enough for Gray to follow, the seats attempting to consume her, or maybe drink was the better term, as the hairy fabric curled around her thighs and clothes, sucking the rain from dress and skin, leaving her one more layer naked.
She made it to the middle of the seat, and noticed two heads up front.
Gray fit beside her, and the car door closed announcing the end of the walk. She was caught all over again, this time by the jaws of the beast, in the belly of the monster.
Her teeth clicked, startled when the car doors subsequently locked. The two figures up front became known.
One was a man, sitting in the driver's seat, white starfish spiked hair, and with both the muscles and frame of a gorilla. Gray was a toothpick compared to this guy, which made her almost nonexistent. But as tough as the gorilla man looked, his partner appeared innocent, not something Juvia would have expected. In the passenger seat, she was a female with the same snow colored, but long, hair and a thin, pale complexion. She had turned a candy smile and shimmering eyes, the hue of Juvia's coat, onto the back, a contradictory expression that made Juvia's stomach flip.
"OH Gray! We've been waiting for you for over twenty minutes!" The woman's voice was sickeningly sweet and high toned.
"Yeah man, why did you have to go ahead of us? I wanted to test myself on Aria." The gorilla asked, oppositely deep toned.
Juvia pressed farther into the fur as both their stares turned on her, one direct, the other through the mirror. Not only were these people bold, they were about her age, and Juvia had never been good with peers. Even of her roommates, only Totomaru, twenty seven, had been remotely close to her age, Sol and Aria in their respectable thirties.
"Got the opportunity, and really, it wouldn't have been worth the time. I ran into a little snag with her, but the others weren't anything." Gray answered.
His words stung, and hot salty liquid pooled in Juvia's eyes. She blinked, pulled it back, letting the heat wave wash over her face, but holding herself together. It hurt to hear Sol, Totomaru, and Aria dismissed. But she would not cry, would not become weak in front of these people.
The woman turned to Juvia, curious, while the gorilla started the car and moved them into the street.
"Hmm, who are you? Were you accidently caught up in this whole mess? Gray, did not hurt you did he?"
The woman's face locked on the bruised arms with pity, and there was glimmer of hope. Until, Gray answered for her.
"She's the fourth roommate and an accomplice. Juvia. The box has the business records for the last two months, but she coded them."
"Levy could break any code, Gray. You didn't have to bring Juvia along." The woman pouted, concern changing to obvious unhappiness over having a hostage.
"Doubting you're fellow member's skills, how unmanly." The gorilla added.
"Of course, I don't doubt Levy's skills, this is just faster and easier."
"Will she talk?"
"Cana knows how to work and read a person like none other."
The more they spoke, the bleaker the situation became. Gone were the last hopes that Gray had not connected her with the coded books. In came the fears of how these people would react when she had little information to give.
Her roommates had kept most of their business quiet and the scribe position had been a small side job. It was inevitable she had learned about some of the laundered money, but it had been too risky snooping into the details with her roommates constantly checking. She had tried once, only to be caught by Aria, almost losing both the apartment bedroom and her position.
Maybe she was completely useless to these people. Although quite capable, Juvia realized all her encryption techniques had been self-made. A seasoned or skilled coder might have be able cipher them, and then, the books would be open to read, without her.
What came next? Would Gray get the chance to finish off the last apartment tenant?
Afraid to think more, Juvia tuned her ears into the murmured babble from the front seat. Both men had stopped talking, as the woman spoke over a thin sleek cell phone. Juvia heard her greet another, calling herself Mira, and then proceed to relay the list of events. Again, Mira referred to the infamous Cana, a name which now was starting to wreck Juvia's nerves.
She held the box closer in her lap, wishing to hide underneath and tried to find something else distracting. Gray was texting, not that she had wanted to converse with him anyways. She swiveled to the driver side rear window.
Outside, the blocks of apartments and store fronts were passing quick, too quick to be anywhere near fifty miles an hour.
As if to agree, the car jostled violently on potholes and tar seams, vibrations she hadn't been attuned to before. There was traffic on the road, not that the gorilla man seemed to take note of, unless weaving by in the last inches.
One slip up, that would be all that was needed for a crash; they had to be moving at least eighty, ninety perhaps. One slick patch of this rain soaked road, and they'd be sliding into the guardrail, rolling, metal crunching, tires screaming all the way out into the bay.
At least they would make the news the next day. Unlike all those other poor souls who simply disappeared in this awful town. If not for a spectacular accident, she would probably just end up missing too. It was enough to make Juvia wish for the friction between rubber and pavement to give, for the beast to hydroplane, or not survive a last minute swerve.
Of course, that didn't happen.
She should have known as none of the other passengers expressed any excitement.
The city changed briefly to suburbia, then back to city again. A different section though, one taller, and well-manicured. The sky scrapers here towered over the townhouses; the sidewalks had well-trimmed rows of trees; restaurants actually displayed lit signs without missing letters; and they hadn't passed any windows indefinitely replaced by cardboard or plywood.
Juvia had seen photos of these buildings in magazines; reporters seemed never satiated with all the glitter and shine.
It was a very well-known area that made clear just where her captors sided.
Fairy Tail.
They had entered the Magnolia district, run by the infamous lunatics. Fairy Tail, a gang that had made the men and women of Oak Town cringe, because they were just so unpredictable and destructive. Articles and gossip leaked throughout the districts, and whenever Juvia heard Fairy Tail mentioned, trouble inevitably followed. It stuck like rain to a cloud. For her it was Gray.
Why did he have to be so handsome? Had he been disturbing or a creep, she would have left him on the curb, just like every other bum.
Fate seemed destined to prolong her misery
The car turned sharply into a two story garage, braking hard at the last second. Juvia careened rightward, hands occupied with keeping the box from flying loose. It left her only to fall into Gray's lap, right as she considered the last thought. Hair covered her eyes, but she saw enough. Between the wavy strands of blue was Gray, eyebrow cocked, and speaking of the word, begged Juvia's attention to which bodily area she had landed upon.
Dirty, dirty, dirty.
She shot back to a sitting position, blushing, entirely disgusted that she had even let herself fall so easily in the first place. It was the last position she wanted to be in with someone so hazardous. Thankfully, Gray said not a word, just shrugged and returned to his text conversation.
Yes, Juvia considered, Gray really was unpredictably destructive on herself; it was more true than she understood.
They parked in the back of the ground level where there were not many other cars and the dark lot grew lifeless. No one happened to be around to notice the new arrivals, her specifically.
Then again, what was she looking for? An average Joe, whom just conveniently was Superman in disguise? She'd have better chances swimming across the ocean.
Juvia quietly followed the others out, only slightly relieved to be free of the jeep's jaws.
On foot, they formed a small group, white hairs up front, dark hair in the back, and her in the middle. Mira's heels clicked, setting the pace, leading through the back exit. As soon as they reached the rain emptied streets (even here the rain had that deterring effect) the Fairy Tail main building became obvious.
Juvia halted, and stared open mouthed. She wasn't in a gang, but she knew enough that such groups generally kept their operations under the table.
Not Fairy Tail it seemed. They appeared to blast their name with everything but fireworks. A wide two story brick building stood opposite of the them, dulling the rest of the street's cute townhouses. The whole face of the Fairy Tail headquarters was covered in a patchwork of murals, each related to the namesake; there were dragons breathing fire, a rainbow petal tree, princesses and knights in shinnying armor, castles, witches, and treasure chests. There must have been tiny lights, for some of the pictures shined, despite the clouded skies. And across it all, ran an enormous pink neon sign, announcing the Fairy Tail namesake, to the world.
She had not even time to decide her emotion of the astounding design before Gray was shoving her again, right toward the polished oak entrance.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail." Mira called over her shoulder happily, and pushed her own way inside. The gorilla went next, but Juvia paused at the door.
It was like entering into the car; once in, she was in, no point in fighting while surrounded and caged. Not that there was anything to do otherwise. These people far outmatched her petty skills.
Through the door, the interior appeared dark, colorful light flashing over a large crowd of shadowed bodies. Clubbing beats bounced out of the room, the lights blinking with the rhythm. The last thought Juvia had standing there was she had never been in a club, then Gray was directing.
He probably thought she'd run, but Juvia wasn't that stupid, just shocked. Bodies crisscrossed before her, like cars on a crowded highway. Music pounded her ears and she had long lost sight of the two white haired company.
Still, the whole place was amazing, she could barely keep track of anything, where her footsteps were landing, what became visible in the flashes. But everyone around them must have had a better sense of the surroundings for she never bumped into anyone, and caught glimpses of stares through the darkness, as if they could smell a foreigner to their building.
Thankfully, the crowd navigation was over quick, As the two of them reached the bar, and went into a room behind it. Mira and gorilla were already there, waiting, along with a few others.
First, there was a tiny elderly man, the top of his head balding, but as if to compensate, with bushy gray mustache and thick sharp eyebrows. He wore a ridiculous orange ensemble. Ridiculous, Juvia thought, because honestly an orange suit would never be in style.
There were another three about her age. One rose haired boy, in baggy pants, sitting Indian style atop table. A blonde girl, with a heart shaped face, a sky blue shirt that gave daring peeks of her midriff, a short matching skirt, and, if Juvia was correct, a leather whip on her hip. She'd never seen anyone so bold. Lastly, there was a tall, thin brunette, in a black halter, and tan capris and heels, leaning against the back wall, beer in hand.
Juvia shrank further into Gray's hand instantly, then realizing this show of cowardice, and who was behind her yet, stepped forward to stand her ground. She had all the balance of a building with its support beams snapped. None could see, the fragility.
The secret would come out eventually, but not now. The last vestige of pride commanded she stand, until the actual assault began. Her eyes found a knob in the wood of the walls behind them, and she chose that to focus.
"Master. We finished the job, giving Gray all the credit." Mira greeted the old man, identifying him.
"Well Done! Ahhhaaa! Though, I sent three, what's with four returners?" The master came across as a jovial fellow, something all the more unsettling.
"You mean the three who kidnapped me were…" the Blonde began, and Gray was quick to notify.
"They're dead. Master, this is their roommate. She kept the business records, should have some further info about Phantom Lord to help us out."
Juvia's stomach churned. All along, the reason Gray had dragged her along had been obvious, but to hear it spoken aloud was entirely different; realistic.
The pink haired boy suddenly snickered, interrupting the conversation.
"What's that on your wrist iceman?"
All eyes went over her shoulder. Juvia turned too, momentarily forgetting what had transpired in the apartment.
First she caught his naked, sculpted chest, shirt gone. It made her all much more aware of the heavy damp dress that still clung to her body. Then, her eyes fell onto red swollen wrists, purple coloration in early formation. The zip ties.
Juvia stared in awe. She had apparently done more damage than she'd thought; and undoubtedly would be paying the consequence soon.
"Shut up, flame brain. Last time you came back with a bullet up the hole." His retort both fueled her sense of strength, and made her uneasy about these people. She had done damage to someone who downplayed a bullet wound.
Something in the air changed then, a sudden sigh, that shifted eyes away from her. They fell onto the pink haired street kid.
"What, you think you're tougher takin' it a little rough on the wrists? I'd have finished both unscathed, and in half the time." The boy taunted again, jumping to his feet, eyes burning. Some heads shook frustrated.
"Gray, Natus, come on, really?" The blonde girl tried to placate, but Gray ignored her, stepping around a confused Juvia, marching straight toward the aggressor.
"That a challenge?"
That's when the tension finally broke.
Without warning, Natsu lunged, and both fell rolling to the floor, fists flying. Juvia gasped, stared, but she was the only one. A glance around the room, the annoyed faces of the rest of the persons, let her know this was less cared for by them. Her gut sunk.
"Geez, you two, work first, play later." The brunette sighed.
Juvia's gut sunk further. This was play? Natsu's nose was already bleeding!
No one made a move to stop them; worse they turned their backs to the tussle, to continue as if nothing was happening. It distracted Juvia though, and just when she needed to focus.
The master walked right in front of her with a face of scrutiny. She forced herself to once more locate the knob on the back wall.
"You're name miss?" He asked, or demanded, Juvia wasn't sure.
Thankfully, it was not a question that really had any consequences to answering, so she did.
"Juvia Lockser."
"You're with Phantom Lord?" And as if the situation weren't bad enough, Juvia stuttered replying, probably making her response as believable as Nessi of the Loch Ness. Maybe she wasn't as ready as she thought.
"Never officially. Not usually…I, no."
This, the man seemed to ponder.
"She was the fourth roommate sir,…" Mira told him for the second time. The master just nodded, and twirled his mustache in postulation.
"And those are the records. Alright, Miss Lockser, how willing are you to comply?"
Juvia blocked the desire to flinch, or to break down and promise him any information he wanted. But then, her feelings changed.
Funnily enough, it was just like back in the apartment facing Gray. Courage and obstinacy that she knew was not within her appeared from nowhere at the most inopportune time. It would ruin her, she knew and still, could not stop the defiance that had begun stiffening her veins, or the stubborn thoughts.
Phantom Lord had no reason to receive her loyalty, but her roommates did. Sol, Totomaru and Aria would have not betrayed their gang. She could at least respect their privacy.
And at what price? She was pretty sure death, the worst consequence, was already coming.
The master grinned as if he could read her resolve clearly.
"Oh that way then… Well I am too old of a man to be making little girls cry, but if I must there's a room already prepared."
Juvia gasped, reeling back. She'd been prepared for threats, but not of that nature. Luckily, neither was anyone else.
"Master!" Mira outright scolded.
The whole room seemed too second the thought, Natsu and Gray stopping their fight finally, just to look disgusted, and Lucy muttering 'gross.'
Had he really done stuff like that in the past? He was so small; Juvia was pretty sure she could just stomp him out with a boot if necessary. The imagination of the elder trying almost came to mind, but Juvia squashed it, tore it shreds, then saturated the pieces till they dissolved. And then she shuddered, entirely freaked.
In that whole second, the brunette had snuck over by her side. An arm slammed down on Juvia's shoulder as the woman leaned over, tipping her drink to the sky.
"Ooops, what can I say, except that I am old and nothin' gets better than that? Cana, you'll take care of the interrogation I assume."
The brunette, the Cana, tossed her empty glass into a wastebasket in the corner of the room effortlessly.
"Yeah, oh yeah. I got this cutie here." She slurred giddily, an action that kept Juvia's horror roiling.
This was the Cana that supposedly was the master of interrogation, the woman that was supposed to break the hostage.
"You're drunk Cana, can't you ever take a job seriously?" Gray voiced with disdain, having come out of the cloud of limbs, hand swiping blood from a nick on his shoulder. The fight hadn't seemed to mar his face though.
Juvia nearly wished to request him in place of the master or Cana; based merely off the fact that he'd shoot her first, then ask questions.
Not that her wish would be granted.
"I am perfectly sober, you stuck up chill prick. Here take these files down to Levy."
Cana stood up straight, hand on hip. Without warning, she ripped the cardboard box away from Juvia's hands, kicking it across the floor to the others. The whole change of demeanor came so sudden, like a strike of lightning that no one had seen. The new Cana was menacing, and probably a bit sadistic if traces of the old remained somewhere in the mix.
"You raindrop, are coming with me." Let the waves carry her off, Juvia prayed.