Title: Rising Hope for Tomorrow
Genre: Adventure, Action, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Slight Humor, Drama
Pairing: GrayxJuvia
Summary: Team Natsu had decided on a mission for Lucy's impending rent. For some reason, Wendy, Charle and Juvia tagged along without knowing about it. It turned out to be in Juvia's hometown in which the rain had been nonstop. How could the water mage face her past self again? What could her new family do to make her embrace her present and future whilst accepting her past?
Disclaimer: Anime and manga © Hiro Mashima; Fanfiction Story © Mari Kia Aishiteru
Note: Pardon the errors. Reviews are welcome!
…
RISING HOPE FOR TOMORROW
By: Mari Kia Aishiteru
…
PART THREE: EPILOGUE – SUNSHINE
It had been a week since the defeat of the demon by the hands of Gray and Kyu. The town was recovering from the experience slowly. They were so happy and thankful though because the blue haired women were returned safely. They didn't remember anything though, which for the mages, a good thing. The rain also stopped, since there was no magic to keep it any longer. So the sun shone brightly in the town.
The mayor of Juvia's hometown was so grateful that he prepared a feast for the Fairy Tail mages, and so they had fun until the day that they had to leave to Magnolia.
Lucy and Wendy sat on the stairs of the mansion, waiting. Natsu had his arms crossed against his chest, eyes closed.
Happy and Charle sat with Lucy and Wendy. Erza stared up at the bright sky. And Gray?
He was by the entrance to the stairs, standing there with his hands on his pocket, eyes closed.
Team Natsu were quietly waiting… yes… quietly. For once.
…
"Kai-sama…"
"So you had to leave…"
"Hai… but Juvia is really happy to see you again."
"Me too, my child. I also thank you for saving Kyu's soul."
"No, Juvia didn't do anything. Kyu nii is the one who saved us."
The old man smiled. "Still, thank you, Juvia."
She bowed down. "Take care of yourself, Kai-sama."
He patted her head. "You too."
Juvia smiled brightly and went to the door. At the hallway, she saw Risa, probably waiting for her.
"You're going?"
She nodded. "Risa-san."
"Juvia, I want you to live happily." She said, with a smile. The water mage of Fairy Tail nodded. "Hai. Juvia will. Take care of yourself, Risa-san."
"Yeah, you too."
…
"Gray-sama."
He opened his eyes and turned to the voice. He followed her with his eyes as she stopped in front of him. "You're done?"
She smiled. "Hai. Thank you for waiting."
The rest of team Natsu stood up and nodded. "It's alright, Juvia."
"Let's go Natsu!" Happy said.
"Yeah!"
Lucy turned to him with teasing eyes. "Good luck in the train…"
"No way! I am not looking forward in riding the train!"
Wendy giggled as Charle shook her head.
The team walked towards the train station, Juvia and Gray beside each other.
…
As they wait for the train, Juvia stared at the landscape as the wind blew her hair. The air was fresh, it was soothing. From the balcony, the water mage could see the hill of bluebells and she smiled fondly.
"Juvia."
"Gray-sama…"
"Are you alright?"
"Hai…Just thinking."
"Hmm…"
A silence embraced them as they stared at the green landscape.
"Thank you, Gray-sama." Juvia suddenly said.
He turned to her in surprise. "For what?"
"For saving me. Juvia heard from Lucy and Wendy."
His cheeks reddened in embarrassment. "I-I see." He stared again in front of him, avoiding her gaze. "It's nothing."
Juvia giggled. It was cute to see him so embarrassed.
"You know, Gray-sama… Juvia is the one who made a deal with Shin eight years ago."
Gray turned to her in surprise. "Juvia… you…"
"It's okay. Juvia wants Gray-sama to know."
The ice mage nodded. "If that's what you want."
She smiled and turned to the landscape once again. "The deal had been about Juvia's rain. Because of it, the kids from the orphanage were bullying Juvia. She cannot take it anymore so when Shin offered the deal of stopping her rain in exchange of her 20 years of life span, Juvia accepted."
Gray's eyes widened. Juvia smiled softly at his reaction.
"Kyu nii told Juvia to stay away from him when he heard, but Juvia didn't listen. So, at the end, it was Kyu nii who sealed the devil away in hell, in exchange of his own life."
"Juvia…"
"Juvia was so heartbroken back then. The only person who cherished her died right before her eyes, all because of her stupidity. So Juvia ran away. She escaped."
"However, thinking about it now, she shouldn't have done that."
"You were young back then, it couldn't be helped." Gray reasoned.
"But still… Juvia should have solved the problem back then. This wouldn't have happened in the first place."
"Stupid. You should stop thinking about the past." She turned to him, only finding his eyes staring at hers.
"Gray-sama…"
"Whatever we do, past will stay as past. All we can do is to learn from them to make sure it won't happen again. And also, you are not alone now. You have us. So… you don't have to suffer that kind of thing again."
Juvia was so touched she wanted to cry. However, she settled on embracing him as she wailed. "Waaaa~ Gray-sama~"
With her head on his chest, Gray didn't know what to do. Actually, he didn't want to push her away. He sighed and settled with a pat on her head.
"It's okay."
Juvia was surprised as she slowly let go of him. "What?" he asked, seeing her look.
"No… it's just… Juvia's surprised. This is the first time Gray-sama did this for Juvia."
He remembered the night he comforted her. "I stroke your hair though."
"But patting of Juvia's head is different!" she pouted. He wanted to laugh because she was cute.
"Juvia…"
"Yes, Gray-sama?"
"Whatever happens, we're always here for you." He said.
She turned to him and got lost with the look in his eyes.
"I will protect you."
"Because Gray-sama promised Kyu nii?"
Gray continued to stare at her. "That's part of the reason." Juvia's eyes continued to probe his for answers. She was hoping. She was hoping that he…
"Then why…?"
He turned his body to her and she reciprocated his actions unconsciously. She cannot turn her gaze away.
"Because… I want to."
Her eyes widened. "I… want to protect you."
His hand made its way on her cheeks, thumb rubbing as he continued to stare in her eyes. He always found it so beautiful. He cannot tear his gaze away.
"Gray-sama…"
"Juvia… I…"
Suddenly, the sound of the incoming train was heard and Lucy's voice could be heard calling at them. "Oi! The train's here!"
The magic between the two mages disappeared in an instant. "Hai! We're coming!" she replied.
Juvia turned to Gray and gripped his hand boldly, causing the ice mage to blush slightly. She smiled brightly and he found it hard to avert his eyes.
"Let's go, Gray-sama!"
So, instead of telling her to let go of his hand, he gripped it back tightly and smiled back, "Yeah."
…
And that's the end of this story.
Woah. I finished.
Thank you, Dragon Cry! :D
Thank you, Mashima Hiro for that wonderful moment of GrUvia in the movie and last chapter of the manga!
The "Your body should be mine" part was really killing me… :D I am so in love with these two!
I hope to read many wonderful GrUvia fanfictions from now on. And a special chapter for this couple please, Mashima-sama. Onegaishimasu!
Sorry, I'm kind of ranting already.
Read and review!
Mari signing off now… 07-30-2017