Chapter Ten

A loud crash resounded through the building. The person in bed lifted a tired head and blinked dully at the intruder at their door before going back to staring out of the window. The rain rolled down the windowpane, zigzagging into a delicate filigree that was there one minute and gone the next.

"It's been raining for a week now, Juvia," Meredy said. Concern interlaced with annoyance as she eyed her friend. Juvia did not respond. Instead, she hugged the plushie she was holding tighter. Meredy flopped onto the bed next to her friend. "Get up! Getupgetupgetup!" Each 'get up' was punctuated by a playful punch to her friend's thigh. Juvia did not react.

Her listlessness had come upon her suddenly. True, she had been moping around the guild since Gray and the others had left, but she had at least gotten out of bed every day and, Meredy leaned in and gave an experimental sniff before recoiling, and had showered regularly. Meredy had thought it best to leave her depressed friend alone until Cana had mentioned that the last time Gray had left Juvia, it had rained for six months. The weather around Juvia was effected by her moods but it also drained her magic. She had never figured out a way to control the phenomenon and if this kept up, she would fall sick again. Meredy could already feel the warmth of a low fever radiating from her body. She absently played with Juvia's hair and evaluated a course of action.

"It will be two months soon," Juvia mumbled, after some minutes had passed. She sighed gustily and buried her face in the plushie. Meredy had to strain her ears to hear her. "Gildarts-san was gone for three years when he took the same mission. How long will Gray-sama be gone?" Hollow eyes turned to Meredy. "Why did he not take Juvia?"

Meredy's heart broke for her friend. She looked around the room, at the various similitudes lining the shelves and tables. Every surface was covered with Gray. 'A bit ironic,' thought Meredy, 'since he has never set foot in here.'

"Gray-sama, Gray-sama. Is that all there is to your life?" Her voice came out colder than she had intended. Juvia had to blink back her surprise. Meredy sighed. She recognised obsession when she saw it. She had once been obsessed with Gray herself, albeit in a less romantic, more murderous fashion. She forced more kindness into her tone and said, "You cannot live your life for someone else Juvia. What about you? Your hobbies? Your interests?"

Juvia's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "Gray-sama likes-"

"No. Not what Gray likes. What you like."

"I-I don't understand." A pause. "Juvia likes Gray-sama."

"Err… right." Meredy decided to try a different tactic. "What do you think Gray is doing right now?"

Juvia bolted up in bed. "He had better not be spending too much time with Love Rival!"

Meredy had once read that with every sigh, one loses a bit of their happiness. This conversation with Juvia was going to drain a lifetime's supply at the rate it was going. "Juvia, Gray is having new adventures, is learning new things, is growing as a wizard and a person." Or so she hoped anyway. "What is he going to say when he comes back and finds out that all you have done is mope around in bed?" She shrugged in feigned casualness. "He will leave you behind."

Alarm flashed across Juvia's face. She hurriedly threw the covers back and bolted for the bathroom. Meredy could hear the creaking of the taps followed by the sound of running water. She moved a Gray doll off the window seat and sat down. It was not the healthiest of motivations, but at least the sun was shining again.


Natsu lay pale as the pillowcase under his head, his breath coming in short shallow gasps. "I'm sorry," Wendy said helplessly for the hundredth time. Her magic could not eliminate the poison from his body and she had exhausted herself trying.

"It's OK, Wendy," Erza replied. She patted the girl gently on the back of her head. She had sent the others away, Gray and the Exceeds to search for the Tiger, Lucy to find a quiet place to consult with Crux, so that she could talk to Wendy alone. She wanted to try and lift her from the dumps the young girl found herself in.

"I'm just too weak." Wendy's voice cracked. "I'm supposed to be able to help everyone. Heal them. But I've failed twice already. Once with you, Erza-san and now with Natsu-san. What good are these powers if I cannot help anyone?" Hot tears dripped onto her hands as they twisted in her skirt.

"Wendy," Erza said earnestly, "Look at me. You are only fourteen years old yet you already know so much. You can do so much. Of course some things will be beyond your abilities. There are some things you may be still to learn. And that is OK. It does not mean you are useless. You have helped us all so many times and I am sure, you will find some way to help Natsu too. Do not give up." She brought her arms gently around Wendy's narrow shoulders and embraced her. "I am proud of you."

It only made Wendy cry harder.

"Now come, dry your eyes. I have been noticing the way you are holding yourself." Erza fixed Wendy with a stern look. "Where are your injuries?"

Wendy sheepishly lifted her shirt, revealing skin mottled by painful-looking purple splotches. She had cracked a few ribs when the Snake had stepped on her. Erza reached for a roll of bandages with brisk efficiency. Wendy was almost reluctant to submit to Erza's care, still having a vivid recollection of Erza's aggressive bandaging style from Tenroujima, but she had no choice. She could not heal herself. Erza carefully wrapped her chest and then made a cup of tea from the lacrima kettle in their room. She had just managed to force the liquid down Wendy's throat when the others returned with the Guardian.

"You're very lucky," the Guardian said without preamble, "You were already on a Task from me when you were taken. Otherwise I would not be able to help you at all." She leaned over Natsu and examined the wound on his neck. "It's bad," she looked at the ashen faces around her, "but it's not fatal. Not yet anyway. You're actually twice lucky. My element is wood; I was made to help fire. We might need to get out of the city for this. Do you still have the jeep?"

"Slow down," Gray interrupted, "how exactly are you going to cure him?"

"I'm not. Natsu is a fire mage, yes? If I lend him some of my wood ability, he can get his fire to an incredible temperature. It is possible that will be able to burn the poison from his body. It won't completely disappear, but I daresay Wendy should be able to keep it under control. As long as Natsu doesn't overexert himself and use his magic at the highest level, the kernels of poison in his bloodstream should remain dormant. But if he does," she paused, scratching her ear contemplatively, "I just don't understand it. He should not have done this. Guardians are forbidden from killing Questers at the first encounter. A fatal blow like this one… it is against the Rules of the Quest."

"He gave Natsu a choice. If he leaves the Quest, the poison will disappear from his body," Charle explained, "as such, I don't think it counts as a fatal blow."

"Or he could simply reappear when Natsu is near death, thereby circumventing the clause. It's poor sportsmanship, but technically allowed."

"We're wasting time," Lucy said testily, "Grandpa Crux couldn't come up with anything. This is our only option. We can discuss the fine-print of the Quest's rules after we help Natsu. Wendy, do you have anything that will wake Natsu long enough to use his magic?"

Wendy nodded. "Yes. But it will only last for a few seconds. I can only use it when we are ready for the rest."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!"


Lucy was going mad. She paced around helplessly as Gray and Erza established a perimeter around Natsu's body. "No. Bigger. Natsu managed to burn up the entire Domus Flau last time he unleashed his powers. This won't nearly be enough." Gray and Erza obediently spread out another half a kilometre. Across the field, Charle and Happy did the same. They were using Lucy's Fleuve d'étoiles to measure out the boundary. The sun edged ever closer to the horizon, tinting the landscape in beautiful pinks and golds. Not that Lucy could appreciate it at that moment.

She prayed it would work. The one thing that they had all agreed on was that stubborn, headstrong Natsu would not quit the Quest. It was far more likely he would try to find the Guardian Snake and try to beat him to a pulp. 'Stupid idiot,' she thought, pinching her nose to stop her tears in their tracks. She could cry later. She had something important to do here.

They had driven a fair way out of the city, past the small villages that dotted the countryside around it, to no-man's-land. Lucy did not expect any regular citizens to appear this far out in the country, but it was better to be safe than sorry. She knew the power of Natsu's flames. And that was without the Guardian Tiger's help.

Wendy and the Tiger stood with Natsu at the centre of the field, a speck of blue, orange and pink in the green landscape. They almost looked like flowers. When it looked like the perimeter was adequate, Lucy waved her hands. She jogged over to Natsu and summoned Horologium. "Ready?" she asked Wendy and the Tiger. The nodded back at her. She bit her lip and stroked the hair back from Natsu's forehead. "Here goes nothing."

Wendy spread her arms and chanted, "Body Anomaly Creation Magic: Nadnercze!" Balls of green light shot from her hands and flew into Natsu's lower abdomen. He woke with a gasp. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stared at his surroundings, his eyes not taking anything in, the pupils too shrunken in fear.

"Natsu, listen to me," Lucy said, "I'm in danger. You have to release your fire. Burn everything Natsu. Help me. Burn. Everything." The flames began to lick at Natsu's wrists and the Tiger stepped up and placed her hands on his head. Horologium swallowed up Lucy and Wendy and carried them to safety. Lucy felt a bit bad about lying to Natsu, but if there was anything that could get him to go all out, it was this.

"Ice Make: Wall!" Gray's protective barrier shot up from the ground, tracing the inside of the barrier marked by the River of Stars. It had just curved around and closed in on itself when the first flames licked the boundary. Erza, Happy and Charle came rushing up to meet them.

"Don't worry. It will work," Erza reassured them. She handed Lucy's whip back to her.

"It had better work fast, I don't know how much longer I can keep this barrier up," Gray grunted. Sweat was dripping down his nose, though whether it was from the exertion or the conflagaration just on the other side of the wall, it was hard to tell.

For years after, the people of southern Giltena spoke of the night the moon did not rise, of the blazing inferno that brushed the sky and scared the very Gods from the heavens. No one knew what or why it had happened, just that it had been glorious to behold.

Legends are prone to exaggeration, the tendency for hyperbole in a poet's heart too easily lead astray by romanticism. In reality, it was all over in ten minutes. The flames died down and Gray cautiously lowered the wall. Natsu sat in the middle of the field, naked as the day he was born save for the scaly scarf around his neck. Lucy broke into a run, vaulting over the rapidly diminishing wall of ice. "Natsu!"

Her tears glittered as brightly as the stars that shone down upon them. She lunged toward him, knocking him over. They rolled for a few metres before they came to a stop. "Don't ever do that again," she sobbed, holding him to her chest.

His arms circled around her, coming to rest gently on her back. "I told you once before. Stop crying, Lucy. Because we'll always be together."


"Empanadas," the Tiger said decisively.

Lucy looked up at where the Tiger and Erza were deep in conversation near Gray's bed. She pulled the covers up around Natsu and Happy and went to join them.

"No. I am telling you. Manjuu," Erza replied, just as insistently.

"What are you guys talking ab- ack!" Lucy drew back at the sight of Gray's bare bottom. He was lying face down on the mattress, snoozing blissfully, his clothes having been discarded on the floor by the bed. "What are you two doing?!" she hissed.

"Ah, Lucy," Erza said, "We are having some trouble here. Do you think Gray's buttocks are better described as empanadas or manjuu?"

"I'm not participating in this perverted discussion." She was not even going to look. She stared at the far wall, deliberately, determinedly not looking. OK, maybe they were a little like plump, shiny dough pockets. Not that she was looking. No sir, not her.

"We should cover him up before Wendy wakes up." Erza's tone was almost wistful. The three of them turned as one to look at Wendy and Charle, sleeping peacefully in the bed next to Natsu's.

"Yes. We should." Lucy's voice sounded as if it was coming from a long distance away.

'Really, it is all the Tiger's fault,' Erza thought. She had seen Gray naked plenty of times before. Far more than she cared to count. Yet she had never really considered what a fine physical specimen he was until the Tiger had pointed it out. Her eyes travelled downwards from their object of discussion, taking in his powerful thighs, his well-muscled calves and his big, sturdy feet. They really were very attractive feet. And that back. How many times had she washed that broad, strong back? It was a tragedy that she had never appreciated it before then. She should have been encouraging his stripping habit all these years instead of thumping him every time he took his clothes off. Her eyes returned to his firm bottom. She turned to Lucy urgently. "Do you happen to have a coin with you? I think we could try bouncing it off-"

"No," Lucy said firmly, "Now come on, we need to buy breakfast for everyone." She dragged Erza off before she could come up with any more ideas.

The Tiger watched them go with only half an eye. "Definitely empanadas."


Fairy Nail was kind enough to reschedule the Tiger's audition for that evening. "I have nothing to wear!" she wailed desperately, "You! This is all your fault." She looked at Natsu reproachfully. "You burned away the cool outfit we bought for me last week. I don't even know if we have time to go shopping again!"

"Don't blame me for that, you overgrown pussy cat!" He jumped out of bed, ready to fight.

Erza glared at him. "Get back in bed."

"A-Aye Erza!"

"That reminds me, Tiger," Lucy said, "you said the treatment we gave Natsu won't cure him. Do you know what will?"

"I'm afraid you'll have go to the source of the problem for that."

"Alright, yes! Let's go beat up the snake guy! I'm getting fired up!"

"Idiot!" Lucy swatted him across the head with a newspaper. The Tiger merely fixed him with a long-suffering look and raised a finger. The room began to shake. The intense pressure the group had felt against the Guardian Snake was back. Lucy's knees buckled and she fell on Natsu's bed. She and Happy were pressed into his body by the Tiger's magic energy. The lacrima-lights overhead popped one by one. Wendy, Erza, Gray and Charle found themselves being forced to the floor. The bed Natsu and the others were on collapsed.

"Stop. We. Get. Your. Point," Charle said, every word a struggle.

The Tiger put down her raised finger and shrugged. "And I wasn't even trying."

"Geez, you didn't have to wreck the room." Lucy surveyed the damage. Who was going to pay for this?

The Tiger struck a strongman's pose and continued, "Guardian Spirits have been around since the dawn of time. It is impossible for you to beat us head on. You would have to use considerable trickery." Her expression grew troubled as she said the last part.

"But those hunters from Artemis Nock almost managed to kill the Guardian Pig," Lucy interjected. That was a gruelling battle she was not going to soon forget.

"There are various limits and constraints placed on the Guardian Spirits here on Earthland. The Rules of the Quest, so to speak." She gave them a tight smile, indicating that this was a subject she was not fond of speaking of. "Every set of rules has its loopholes."

Lucy opened her mouth to say something further but the Tiger smoothly cut her off. "Or you could, you know, try to accomplish his Task. Like you're supposed to."

"But we weren't given a Task!" Gray protested.

"Weren't you?" the Tiger replied cryptically. She spun with a flourish towards the mirror and fussed again, "What am I going to wear!"

Sensing that the topic was closed for discussion, Erza pulled up the organiser for her pocket dimension. A rectangular hologram appeared before her. "Let me see if I have something." Her fingers flicked expertly across its translucence as she sifted through her inventory. She paused upon a promising outfit, dragging it across the hologram. A pair of ripped jeans and a leather bustier appeared in the air before her, dropping to the ground with a soft plop.

The Tiger picked them up gingerly, her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Don't you have anything more… butch?"

"I think I have just the thing." She scrolled through her wardrobe even faster.

Gray's eyes chanced upon a flowy white dress as it whizzed across the screen. "Erza," he struggled to disguise the laugh in his voice, "why do you have a wedding dress in your armoury?"

"I-i-it's not what you think!"

"Really Erza, are you expecting to be married soon?" The Tiger's eyes were wide in the anticipation of some hot gossip.

"Charle, does this mean Jellal-san proposed?" Wendy whispered.

"They're in llllllooooove."

"N-no, you have it all wrong." Erza cast about desperately for a distraction. "Tiger thinks Gray's butt cheeks looks like empanadas!" She pointed an accusatory finger at the Tiger.

"Hey! That discussion was private!" The Tiger pointed right back. "Erza thinks they look like manjuu!"

"Juvia always says that they look like shokupan."

"Really, Happy? I always thought they looked like brioche buns," Natsu added conversationally.

"What the hell! Stop talking about my butt!"

"If you want people to stop talking about your butt then put on some clothes, ice pervert!"

"Argh! Where did they go?"

Wendy sweatdropped as she watched her Gray scramble around for his clothes. There was never a dull moment with her nakama around.


There was something comforting about the smell of beer. Stale beer, damp wood and a not-unpleasant undertone of sweat. That was what Fairy Tail smelled like. Gray opened his eyes and looked around the room. It was also, unsurprisingly, what Fairy Nail smelled like. The performers' guild was as lively and raucous as theirs; the beer flowed freely, hot-headed artistes brawled every now and then and even the people looked the same. It was just like home. Well, except for the lack of magical energy. It gave the room around him a slightly off-balance feeling, making him feel slightly homesick.

The Tiger's audition had gone off without a hitch. Erza had found a sleek white suit from her inventory, claiming that she wore it when she performed in a trio with Gajeel and Lily. Lucy had made the mistake of asking Erza about it, causing them to be subjected to a two hour concert of 'Steel Panther Swords 'n' Roses'' best work. Gray was surprised that the Tiger managed to retain any musicality at all after that.

She was currently on stage, dancing with the microphone stand as she performed an upbeat jazz number. The audition was long over but the Tiger wanted to perform for longer and so an impromptu party had started up. "I'll give you the Key at the end of the night. But for now, let me bathe in the adoration of my fans," she had said, throwing her arms out and enunciating 'fans' with the theatricality of a diva.

"Care to dance?" a short girl with twin pink ponytails said. Come to think of it, she looked a lot like that girl from Lyon's guild. She extended her hand to the person standing next to him.

"Go on." Gray nudged a blushing Wendy forward. She gave him an embarrassed smile and went off with her new friend. Natsu and Lucy were already on the dancefloor, Natsu looking beleaguered as Lucy harangued him about missing a step. It was good to see him up and about again. Happy hovered nearby, not even pestering Charle for a dance, nervously watching Natsu for any sign of a relapse. Gray sympathised with him. After the events of the battle with Alvarez, he was a little on edge too. Lucy had rewritten Natsu's book, but did that make him fully human? Would the poison influence Natsu differently? Gray shook his head. Natsu looked healthy and Wendy had given him the all-clear. That would have to suffice.

"Gray." Erza's deep voice broke him away from his thoughts. "Would you like to dance?" she asked.

He was struck with a vision of spinning beigoma."Uhh, I think I-" he scrambled for an excuse but then he saw the hopeful expression in her eyes. "Fine. But only if you let me lead."

"What do you mean?"

She looked so confused that Gray thought it better not to explain. "Just, let me direct you in the steps ok? At least, try." He took Erza's hand and twirled her once before leading her onto the dancefloor. He clasped her hand loosely and placed his free hand high on her back. Her free hand slid onto his shoulder. "Ready?" he said. He began stepping forwards and backwards in time to the music.

"Gray. This is too slow. Dancing should be full of passion!" She let go of his shoulder and spun him around several times.

He had to reach out and grip her waist tightly to make her stop. "No. I'm leading remember? Damn it Erza, that doesn't mean you have to go limp in my arms. Just… be natural."

"Leading is my natural state."

Of course it was. Gray chuckled. "Fine, then you lead. Just, don't go overboard. OK?"

"OK." She wore a look of intense concentration, struggling to resist the urge to fling him around the dancefloor. Gray could hear her counting out the steps carefully under her breath. It was kind of cute. They settled into an easy rhythm. It was not exceptional or particularly complicated dancing but they moved well together. As in sync here as they were in battle. When she was satisfied that Gray had no complaints, she spoke, "What the Snake said about you. Is it true?"

Gray stiffened and missed a step. His eyes were focused somewhere beyond her ear.

"Is that why? During Alvarez, when you fought Natsu-"

"It's not a problem. Forget about it." His hand tightened on her back and he took over, setting the tempo of their movements.

"No." She twirled in his arms, slipping easily from his hold. She cast him away from her and then quickly pulled him back, making him spin as he returned. "Answer me, Gray."

He twisted her arm over her head, turning her so he faced her back, practically wrestling her into the hold. "This is supposed to be a fun dance, Erza. Let's not ruin the mood." He was grateful when the song finally ended. The two of them stepped back and politely applauded.

The band started up the slow strains of a soulful melody. "This is for all you lovebirds out there," the Tiger crooned into the microphone. Erza pulled Gray back into her arms. "Is this song serious enough for you?" She was craning her head back to give him her trademark glare.

"This is meant to be a romantic song, Erza. Maybe you should wait for some interrogation music."

The new song did not require her to do more than hold Gray and sway in place, so she could devote her full attention to scowling at him. He would cave eventually.

Gray sighed. "I have it under control." Onstage, the Tiger scatted, filling the gap in the lyrics with a meaningless melody.

"It did not look like that against the Snake. You had a slightly unhinged look in your eye."

"You would know," Gray muttered under his breath.

The saxophone grew louder, its sound a paradox, simultaneously harsh and melodious. "Fine," Erza said. She leaned forward and placed her cheek against his. They rocked in time to the music, the movements too simple to require leading. "Just remember, if I think you are going too far, I will cut you down myself."

Her armour was hard and unyielding under his palms, but the hair that slipped through his fingers was as soft as silk. "I know."


An iridescent key floated in the air before them. "You did well. Even though it was only for one night, I got experience what it felt like to be a celebrity." The Tiger vamped and posed for an invisible camera.

"I'm going to miss your crazy poses," Lucy said, wiping away a tear.

"They are not crazy. How you look on the outside can change how you feel on the inside. See?" She planted her fists on her hips and thrust her shoulders back. "I feel so confident now."

"I'm sure having a crowd of people cheering for you for several hours had nothing to do with that," Charle muttered in an aside.

"Oh yeah! I feel it too. Right Happy?"

"Aye sir!" Natsu and Happy stood on either side of the Guardian in identical poses.

"Go on then, touch the Key. I've got people waiting for me up there you know." The Tiger winked at them all.

"Yo, Kitty-chan. Thanks for everything."

"Aye, thanks for helping Natsu."

All seven of them placed their hands on the key simultaneously. The air around the Tiger began to shimmer and she began to fade from view. Sparkles danced in the cool night air. She looked at them seriously for a moment. "Don't give up. You're doing better than most."

"Never. The words 'give up' aren't even in our dictionaries," Gray said.

The Tiger grinned and struck one last pose. "Goodbye Questers!"

"Goodbye Tiger-san! May we meet again!" Wendy called as the last of the glitter rose towards the heavens and disappeared.


The walk back to their hotel was a quiet one. They had grown attached to the Tiger in the weeks they had spent with her. 'It's always sad to lose a new friend,' Lucy thought as she turned down the corridor to their room. Suddenly Erza shot out a hand. "There is someone in there!" she whispered.

"Not again. Isn't being kidnapped once in a week enough?" Lucy complained.

"No. This scent," Wendy sniffed. A smile broke over her face. "It's safe, Erza-san. Don't worry."

Erza pushed open the door to their room and stopped dead. She could feel something thud into her back as the people behind collided with her. It was nothing compared to how strongly her heart was thudding though. Standing before her, his usual hood drawn back, was the last person she had expected to see.

"Jellal?"


A/N: Smh y'all, there were so many typos in the previous chapter. Including a comma in the middle of a word! Yikes. Hopefully I caugh everything when I edited it today. If you notice any typos in the work, please point them out in your reviews. It's so embarrassing to have them up X_X. I've planned out pretty much the whole fic, so if you think something doesn't make sense right now... things change. As long as there are no plotholes when the epilogue is done.

I was rereading the manga because I'm planning to submit a few fics to the Grayza fanzine (check out their tumblr page and download when it releases!) and oh damn, the Nirvana arc. The Jerza is too strong. I had to tell myself, 'Be strong! Do not succumb to this angstfest! Think of how mismatched Gruvia is!' I had to reread the Tower of Heaven arc just to feel better. Though thinking about Gruvia did inspire me to add a Juvia scene to this chapter. Smh, come on Juvia, I'm sending you some Simone de Beauvoir for Christmas. I'm rooting for you.

Thanks to everyone who faved and followed! Shoutout to the Guest who reviewed, I had planned to mention it in the next chapter, but your comment has made me decide to flesh it out more. And add a scene in another, later chapter. So thanks!

I write such long A/Ns, I'm thinking or titling them 'artku's Ramblings' like Mashima's ramblings from the Manga.

A/N 2: Wendy's spell's name comes from the Polish word for adrenal glands, so it's basically a Sky Dragon Epipen. I wonder if I have any Polish readers? I liked the word. It's a pretty language.

I added in some Gray fan service this chapter because why should only the women bear the burden of the fan service, eh? The empanadas were a shoutout to my favourite show, The Mindy Project.

For what it's worth, I agree with Juvia. They are definitely shokupan.