Chapter 2

Gray and Juvia got out of the house and into the car as they drove into town. Juvia was the one driving the car as they headed for the bridge that led into town. The one thing that was on their mind as they drove towards town was the fact they get to spend 2 weeks alone together.

Even before they went on vacation, Gray had thought they could have vacationed anywhere romantic, like Venice, Italy, Rome, France or even Spain. However, Juvia thought nothing could be more romantic than staying at home. And there was the fact that Juvia was not a big fan of taking vacations in cities, which is why they settled in a small community like Kamikochi.

"By tomorrow, we won't have to worry about anything," Gray said to Juvia. "I can't picture anything better than just the two of us alone."

Bringing up the conversation she had with Meredy, Juvia said, "Meredy actually thought we could buy a better house if we sold ours."

Gray sighed. "Look, I know Meredy means well, but where we live and what we do in that house is our business. I know things didn't turn out well at first. But we could try again while on this vacation." He rubbed Juvia on her right shoulder.

Juvia slapped his hand as she laughed. "Dear, stop it."

They crossed the rickety covered barn like bridge. The car shakes a bit as it bobs up and down each plank.

Once they were on the other side of the bridge, Gray looked back and said, "You know, they really need to fix the planks on the bridge. One of these days it's going to give out and next thing you know, it's going to be an accident waiting to happen for the next people that cross it."

"I couldn't agree more, dear," Juvia agreed.

As they drive into town, Juvia stops the car to let a Benji like dog cross the street. Across the street where they stopped, they saw a man smoking a pipe, playing cards with his buddies. Gray recognized the man was Wakaba Mine.

"Hey, Wakaba, how's your luck going?" Gray asked.

Wakaba grinned and replied, "Oh, my luck is going really good so far."

Before they drove off, Gray called out to his buddies just to mess with Wakaba. "Be careful, old timers. He cheats in his games."

Wakaba's mouth dropped with shock as his buddies stared at him with suspicion. "That's not true. I swear fellas. I'm not cheating."

Juvia pulled the car in front of Gray's shop, which was a motorcycle shop he ran himself. Not only did he sell motorcycles, but he also sold some ice sculptures he handcrafted himself. Next to the shop was a barbershop, which was runned by old man Yajima.

Gray gets out of the car as he goes into the store to get what he needs and happens to see old man Yajima, hanging outside his shop.

"Ah, hello, Gray," Yajima greeted. "You and your wife look as lovely as ever."

"Oh, thanks, Yajima," Gray replied.

"By the way, do you need a haircut before your vacation?" Yajima asked. "I'm willing to knock off half the price just for you."

"It seems tempting, but no thanks," Gray told him. "Besides, Juvia actually thinks this hair style of mine makes me look cool."

Yajima chuckled. "Oh, I bet she does."

"I'd love to stay and chat, I got something important I got to take care of," Gray said.

"Oh, by all means, go ahead," Yajima said to Gray. "Just one more thing, how is your model of the town coming along?"

"It's going great," Gray said, sounding enthusiastic and looking forward to finishing it. "It just needs a few touches and she'll finally be finished."

"Well, I look forward to seeing it," Yajima said.

"Catch you later, old man," Gray waved, as he went inside the store as quickly as he could, getting the new chain he needed for his motorcycle, locked up the store and got back in the car with Juvia as they drove back towards the house.

As they drove right back towards the bridge, Juvia said, "I can't wait for our vacation to start. I already have a few romantic things planned out. Not to mention we get to finish the house while we're at it."

"Are you sure about this, Juvia?" Gray asked her. "I mean wouldn't you rather somewhere more relaxing like the Bahamas. I've heard the best spa treatments over there."

Juvia replied, "It all sounds fancy, dear, but I prefer our home to be…"

Noticing the same Benji-like dog they saw in town in front of the bridge entrance, Gray shouted, "Hey, look out for that dog!"

Juvia swerved the car into the right and lost control of the car as they crashed into the right side of the bridge. Assuming the car had stopped, Gray and Juvia turned and realized their situation wasn't looking good.

The car was nearly tipping on the side of the bridge, with a piece of plank sticking out and the only thing that was keeping the car from tipping any further was the weight of the small dog, standing at the other tipping point of the plank.

Signaling for the dog to stay where it was, hoping to slowly get out of the car, it was too late. The dog jumped off the plank and the car fell into the river as the dog looked over the edge and barked.