Gray and Juvia had a splendid time in the jungle that day. He showed her so many beautiful locations, like down by the river where a glorious water fall was showering over the edge.

"Would you like to go for a swim?" He asked her.

"I would but I'm not properly dressed." Juvia said.

"I thought humans didn't swim with their clothes on."

"You mean you want me to take my clothes off?" Juvia asked blushing.

"Well isn't that what you do when you swim?"

"Sort of. I mean, actually humans wear special clothes for swimming."

"That's sounds strange."

"Well we don't anyone to see our gender organs. You yourself don't go around completely bare. You wear those old trousers you found."

"Okay then. Swim in your trousers."

"I'm not wearing trousers. I'm wearing an underdress."

"Swim in that then."

She looked at him astonished.

"Oh I couldn't possibly. What if someone should see me? Oh good lord if they reported it to my brother, Heaven knows what he would do."

"But there's no one here but me."

Juvia had to admit, they were miles from any form of civilization with a dense jungle between them. Excited by her own boldness, she removed her dress and stripped down to her undergarments.

Now such behavior would be most improper for Fiorian young lady. But Fiorian undergarments weren't exactly revealing. It was just a white chemise, corset, and a pair of bloomers, all Gray saw were her legs, arms, face, and bit of her back. Though the manner in which those clothes fit Juvia did leave much to the wild man's imagination.

Juvia carefully eased herself into the water, feeling how cool and fresh it was. It felt especially wonderful on a hot day such as this. She and Gray spent several hours splashing about in the river and filling the jungle with their laughter. When the afternoon came around, they rested in the sun to get dry.

Later Gray took her to meet Panther Lily and she was not afraid this time. She wasn't afraid because she trusted Gray when he told her that no animal he befriended would do her harm, and Panther Lily did not lay a claw on her. However he was a little suspicious of her. He was familiar with Fiorians, and he had known a large number of them to be poachers or hunters who kill for sport. But once he got a good look into her eyes, he saw the gentle heart that she possesed.

"He's magnificent." She remarked to the panther. "So handsome and regal."

"He's also the wisest creature in the jungle." Gray added. "He's been my teacher for as long as I can remember."

"He's your teacher?" She said impressed. "Odd. I never thought an animal could teach a man anything."

"There's a lot that animals can teach us."

"What does he teach you?"

"He teaches me about the jungle. He teaches me it's ways and it's laws. He knows a few things about man too. He would observe them to just know their ways and how could avoid their traps and hunting tactics."

"Has he ever been hunted?"

"Couple of times."

He said something to Panther Lily in jungle speech and the panther out stretched his neck to her. On his neck there were scars made by chains, chains that had been forced around his throat. Juvia looked upon the panther with kind eyes.

"How terrible." She reached out to touch him but she stopped herself.

Gray however gently moved her hand on to Lily's neck, silently assuring her that it was okay. Juvia then proceeded to gently rub his neck, internally wishing that there was something she could do to make those scars go away.

"I wish I had brought my notebook." She said "I

could have sketched him."

"You sure do like to draw animals." Gray observed. "Why?"

"Well for one thing, I can see their beuaty all the time without keeping them in a cage or whatever. In fact that's one of the many reasons people draw or take pictures of animals. Another reason is I'm kind of trying to prove something."

"What are you trying to prove?"

"Everyone knows that there is a harsh, brutal, and savage side to wild animals but Dr. Dreyar and I don't believe that's their only side. We believe that they can have a gentle, caring, and soical side too."

"Doesn't everyone believe that?"

"Sadly no. Most people think they're just savage beasts incapable of any feelings, so poachers and sport hunters don't really see anything wrong with harming the animals. As for those who don't poach or hunt for sport, they don't see any reason to put a stop to such acts. But if Dr. Dreyar and I can bring to everyone's attention that animals are just as capable of love and family as people are, it might change things around here for the better."

"I didn't think any other humans care about animals."

"Well Dr. Dreyar and I believe that all living things should be treated with respect and compassion. Just because we're a different speices doesn't mean we don't feel the same amount of pain or have the same desire to be loved."

Gray found himself more smitten with Juvia than ever. Her beauty and her funny quirks intrigued him but it was her kindness and her empathy to both humans and animals that captured his heart. Apart from Erza, he had never known any other creature so lovely and tender-hearted. Yet his feelings toward the young woman were not at all the same as the ones he felt for the tiger that raised him. These were new feelings. Feelings he did not know the meaning of. Just what was happening between him and Juvia?

"May I ask you something Juvia?"

"You just did." She teased with a giggle. "What's on your mind?"

"Well I was...I was wondering...What exactly are you and Dr. Dreyar trying to do to me?"

"We're trying to teach you to be proper and civilized."

"Why?"

"So that you can communicate with your people better. Maybe attend a university, secure a fine occupation, and..." For a moment she felt a little embarrassed. "Court a young lady."

"Court? What is court?"

"It is when a gentleman becomes romantically involved with a lady, typically with the intention of marrying."

"Marrying?"

"I suppose you wouldn't know what marrying is, would you?"

"No. What is marrying?"

"Well." She blushed again. "It's how humans mate. Once a gentleman and a lady have decided to become mates that have a ceremony called a wedding. Oh weddings back in Fiore are so beautiful. The bride is in white with lace and a train so long that it takes four flower girls just to carry it. And the men wear morning suits and there's music, and dancing. Beautiful flowers, wonderful food, and a gorgeous cake. But the most important part is when the bride and the groom, that's what you call the woman and the man who are getting married, when they vow to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives."

"That's when they become mates?"

"Yes."

"And they mate for life?"

"Yes. I know a lot of animals take more than one mate for breeding purposes but humans only have one mate. Fiorian humans that is."

"And how do you humans choose a mate exactly?"

"Well that's kind of tricky. Not all humans have the same method of choosing a spouse. That's what we call human mates. For Fiorians, our families typically decide who we marry. My brother is my legal guardian here so if a gentleman wished to marry me, he would need my brother's blessing."

"Uh-huh." He said understanding the concept. "And how does he get your brother's blessing?"

"I'm not entirely sure. I am expected to marry a proper Fiorian gentleman, but Gajeel does want me to marry for love. He's never really spoken of the kind of husband he'd believe would suit me."

"Well what kind of huh...Hum...What did you call it? Husband?"

"Yes."

"What kind of husband do you want?"

Juvia thought for a moment.

"I would like for him to be kind and clever. Sensitive and smart. Perhaps a romantic side."

"Romantic?"

"Romantic is-" But before she could explain, she noticed that it was sundown already. "Oh no! It's become so late! Gajeel is going to be so cross with me! I have to get home right away! If it's dark by the time I get back, Gajeel will never let me leave the estate for a month!"

Gray hurriedly took Juvia back to the estate, just barely beating the sun completely going over the horizon. At the parapet of her estate, she thanked him for the wonderful day and kissed his cheek.

"Goodnight." She said sweetly.

"Goodnight." He said a little dazed.

Invel and Bloodman were idling below, and they had both seen what Juvia had done.

"Was that a kiss I saw?" Bloodman teased. "Seems you have competition old boy."

If looks could killed, Bloodman would have become a corpse just by Invel's stare alone. His eyes were full of seething rage but he remained calm and composed.

"She's the captain's sister." He said. "She serves a purpose."

"You are ambitious." Bloodman remarked.