CrookedMoonlight

The Rain Woman - Chapter 17 -The Last Raindrop

  A/N: Thankyou for the reviews of last chapter and all the follows and favourites!  This is it!  The last one! Enjoy 😊

Beads of sweat descended off the icemages forehead, rolling down his cheeks and chin, dripping its salty solution onto the floor.  His bare chest rising and falling with each exhausted breath.  Gray had been trying to brake or squirm out the chains that bound him for what seemed like forever.  The door across the room creaked open and three silhouettes entered the dark space.  A ball of flame appeared slightly illuminating a wizards face before it fired off into the sconces on the walls and the candle chandelier on the ceiling in the middle of the room, throwing the whole area into colour, well colour being the dreary gray brick and green moss that lined both the walls and floor.

“Your time has come little ice wizard.”  The middle one smirked his voice velvety smooth, his dark blue hair stuck out at odd angles almost as if he had been dragged through a hedge backwards and his lime green eyes stuck out like a sore thumb against his tanned skin.

“Yeah and don’t try anything funny.”  The one on the left spoke with rough, grating tone of voice, he was built like a tank with short, close cut light green hair military style, they moved towards the icemage in a line, the fire wizard reaching out towards Grays feet with some more restraints, Gray shoved his shoulder back against the wall feeling the cold, damp of it on his hot sweaty skin, before kicking his unbound feet into the fire wizard sending him stumbling back a few paces groaning in agony.

“Why you little…”  His right hand clutched at his abdomen, the left aimed a fire ball at Gray who was helpless to do anything, the fire burned a sharp but short searing pain through his body as the icemage closed his eyes to take the attack, he opened them again briefly only to be met with a punch squarely in the face and one around his head causing him to smack his head back on the wall behind him, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth where he had bit his tongue and they had busted his lip. Gray felt the shackles fasten around his ankles, as he let his body go limp, one eye creeping open as he was dragged out the room in the bright light and a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Juvia sunk back on her knees once she was alone, tears streamed down her face dripping onto the floor as anger made her blood boil;

“STUPID! STUPID JUVIA!”  The watermage pounded on the floor repeatedly, why did Juvia not tell Gray-sama about the letters from the very beginning?  Juvia let out a sob remembering the threat which had been made against him. Juvia watched her teardrops amounting on the floor, could Juvia turn herself into a puddle and seep through the bars?  She was sceptical after all it could be an electrical forcefield and not just the bars themselves, but still, she had to try, her beloved’s life was at stake.

“Waterbody.”  Juvia whispered feeling her cells change as the door opened once again and hurried footsteps could be heard, they pounded urgently on the floor and Juvias eyes grew wide at the sight of the person in front of her; Mitch.

“Need a hand?”  Mitch smiled that crooked smile at her, hitting a button on the opposite wall as he stepped closer.

“How are? Why are you?”  Juvia was lost for words.  “How does Juvia know she can trust you.”  Juvia already knew the answer, he had always been looking out for her.

“We don’t have time for all that, Gray is about to be killed!”  He didn’t shout but he raised his voice in a matter of urgency, as he opened the lock with a key and let her out.

Juvia made a run for it her heels clicking on the floor only pausing when she got to the door way, was she to go left, right or straight on? She chewed the inside of her cheek.

“Hold up a minute!”  Mitch shouted catching up with her, “you don’t know the way.”  Juvia stared at him, her eyes narrowed but Mitch could see clarity and purpose in them now, no, he could see life.

“Well then let’s go if you are going to assist me.”  Juvia said in a low, impatient voice.

“This way.” Mitch led her off to the right at a run, it wouldn’t be long before guards were swarming the place and surrounding them.  They went straight at another cross roads before taking another right straight into four wizards completely blocking off the corridor.

“Water nebula!”  Two columns of water took out two of the wizards, sending them flying back and through a large metal door.

“I’ll handle these last two and anymore that have followed us up behind.”  He locked his eyes on Juvia, “Gray is through those doors.”  Juvia wasn’t sure whether he was leading her into a trap or not, but he had opened her cell door and had led her this far.  

“Thanks.” She nodded at Mitch before launching herself through the metal doors into a room full of people and her Gray-sama, head bowed, knelt and bloodied at the centre.  Was she too late?  “GRAY-SAMA!”  Juvia hadn’t even known she had spoke let alone shouted until she heard her own voice echoing off the walls back at her.

  Gray could barely make out the faces and he struggled to regain the focus in the left eye, he could open it now, but everything was blotchy.  He was jeered and spat at as he was dragged through the crowd like an animal carcass on parade, a lamb to slaughter, a sacrifice. The icemage was pulled up onto a platform and forced to kneel.  His mind wandered to Juvia, her beautiful smile, her loving eyes.

“Fellow wizards!”  Juvias father bellowed, silencing the gathering, the icemage remembered the first time they had met on the roof of phantom lord one rainy day, how he thought she was beautiful even then, sad, but beautiful, the prophecy which had been spoken to him not so long before about “water and women” she was ‘the rain women’. “You are all here to witness the death of a pesky Fairy Tail wizard, one that has foiled my- “He cleared his throat, “our plans.  He has led my daughter awry and with his death she shall follow us once more!”  The crowd cheered and clapped, Gray still remembered dying for her at the Grand Magic Games, a secret he kept to himself, he didn’t know the extent of his feeling back then.  He thought of the missions they went on together, the pool table they had been given as a gift.  The background noise stopped, the crowd had stopped cheering, am I dead?

“GRAY-SAMA!”  His raven eyes shot open wide, his heart pounding hard in his chest as if trying to break free, he’d know that beautiful voice anywhere.  There she was, Juvia, his Juvia, standing tall, a sudden look of relief on her face as he had lifted his head.

Juvia flew into action the second she saw that black mop of hair rise and those coal black eyes bore into hers, she would save him, she could save him, she still had time. Wielding her water magic Juvia attacked any and all, conjuring up dark water nebulas and cyclones, water clawing any who came too close.  The watermage managed to wipe out the top two rows of ‘spectators’ in the semi circled seating area.  Panting hard she looked up towards the platform where her father stood enraged, a look of pure evil and anger across his face, teeth gritted together hard.

“Why you!” He roared across the room as he motioned to the two wizards either side of Gray, who nodded to one another, one used his wind to tear bit by bit at the icemages skin, Gray grimaced, why couldn’t they just kill him already if that was their intention. He looked up to see Juvia making her way over as fast as she could, he had to act now.

Juvia didn’t have to think as jumped and leaped over the rows of seats knocking the opposing wizards sideways and blasting them with jets of water, her one goal, her one path was to get to Gray-sama before the two wizards could harm him further.

Gray bent his legs up so only his bottom was on the floor and used his shackled hands to spin himself around 360 degrees, sticking his legs out straight, he took the two wizards by surprise sending them toppling over and off the platform edge, before he to, jumped up and half hobbled half jumped off the platform himself only to be caught mid-air in a water noose.

Juvia had almost made it all the way down to platform, her eyes locked onto her Gray-sama, only a few metres to go. Juvias eyes went wide as the ground suddenly rose up in front of her blocking her way.

Juvia glared at the offending wizard, “boiling water cyclone!”  The watermage shouted as the boiling cyclone melted through the column like a hot knife through butter.  Nothing would get in the way of her getting to her beloved.  The watermage lurched forwards just as Gray threw himself off the low platform, he almost hit the floor but what happened was worse.  Her father had him in a water noose, dangling in the air in front of her, taunting her.

“Gray-sama!”  Juvia shrieked, looking suddenly to Jimquin.  “Release him!”  Desperation in her voice, “Please!”  The watermage begged, clasping her hands in front of her, even though she knew it was futile, her father was beyond reason now.

“Pah!” He shouted, “look at you, begging for your ‘beloveds’ life.”  He paused, a twinkle in his eye, “just like your mother did when I had my men dispatch her on the road.”  Juvia threw her hands to her face in horror.  Her mother!  Had been murdered?  Under her own fathers’ instruction.  Tears filled her eyes, spilling over the edges and sobs escaped her mouth.  Grays heart twisted in sympathy, but anger crackled through him.  “She would have only spread alarm, of both my plans for you and the whole of Fiore.”  He gloated, “she had to be dealt with accordingly…”  Jimquin almost sounded sad as he trailed off, seeming lost in past memories, maybe of their happy days.

“Water key.”  Juvia whispered, not breaking her fathers eye contact, she had never tried to make a water key before, but clearly Gray-sama was unable to use magic otherwise Juvia was sure that he would’ve broken free by now.  The water key floated towards the shackles that bound Grays hands in front of him.

“But I am sure that once this bump in the road is dealt with, you will join us again.  I’m sure Jose will be happy to see your improvements.”  The water wizard sounded proud, it sickened Juvia to think she was his pawn as she had been Joses’ pawn but this was worse, he was her father he was meant to protect her.

“Water key.”  The watermage conjured up another water key, both Gray-samas restraints would have to be released at the same time.

“Juvia will never join you.”  She glared at him, as the keys slotted into place.

“Fine.” The noose tightened a bit and Gray choked.  “Have it your way!”  A clicking sound could be heard, as the shackles came undone, crashing to the floor in a heap.

“Gray-sama!”  Juvia shouted, “Water slicer!”  Juvia added some dark magic into the water, overpowering her father noose and cutting Gray-sama free.

The icemage fell to the floor, only for a few seconds as Juvia raced to his side, before his devil slayer magic took hold, the black mark covering half his body, “Let’s get outta here.”  He smiled at Juvia, taking in the smile and slight blush in her cheeks.

“Yes, my love, let’s.”   Juvia turned to her father, who was stood in shock.  She is stronger than I thought, the dark magic has more of an impact on her water magic than I thought possible.

  “I think you’re outnumbered.”  He smirked at the two Fairy Tail mages, straightening his suit.

Gray and Juvia glanced around them, they were surrounded, would they be able to take on her father and the room of wizards?  Or would they just escape with their lives and leave Juvias father behind?

The watermage turned to Gray.  “My love, what are we to do?”  The stood arm to arm, a warmth and power flowing between them.

“Damn it.” Gray groaned.  “I think we’re going to have to just make a run for it, I’m pretty low on magic.”  He paused. “But I have enough for this at least.” The devil slaying magic tingled at his fingertips.  “Ice-make Hammer!”  Gray took Jimquin by surprise as a devil slayer ice hammer landed on his head, knocking him unconscious.  

The room of wizards closed quarters on the pair of mages.  “Now let’s go!”  Gray grabbed Juvia by the hand and began to pull her away.

“Lightning dance!”  Someone shouted as random bolts of lightning rained down striking both Gray and Juvia with a strong current.

“Wind slicer!”  

“Earth hammer!”  More attacks came flying in, as they struggled to dodge them, Juvia dress coat being sliced open to reveal a green corset, and Greys trousers ripping down the legs.

“That’s enough!”  Juvia shouted stripping down, her dark water magic rising inside her, “Water lock!” Gray looked surprised as Juvia focused on only allowing a certain amount of the dark magic to be used as each and every person was encircled in their own water lock.  “Go my love!”  Juvia gritted her teeth in concentration.  “I’ll be right behind you.”

“No way!” He replied, “I’m not leaving you! You can’t keep this up.”  Juvias hand wavered as Jimquin stirred behind them.

“Go!” Juvia pleaded, Gray just took her soft hand in his, the other turning her face to meet his.

“I said, I am not leaving you, Juvia.”  The waterlocks broke as tears brimmed in Juvias eyes.

“Gray-sama…”  She trailed off awash with emotion.

“We’re getting out of this together.”  Gray paused as the wizards in the waterlock began to pull themselves up off the floor and regain their breath.  “I’ve been meaning to say…”  his eyes frantically searched hers.  He had practised this a million times over, but now, looking into the vast sea of her navy-blue eyes he felt lost.  “I…” He craned his head, his hand still cradling her cheek and placed a soft kiss on her lips, feeling the soft plumpness of them, the sweat scent of a fresh spring morning, meadow flowers and that lavender shampoo she always used, he felt like putty but at the same time strong.  They say action speak louder than words.

Grays lips met Juvias and at that moment she felt like the world had simply fell away, that it was just the two of them, she felt whole, light and joyous, like all her wishes had come true at once, she felt strong but at the same time vulnerable.  The icemage pulled away slowly.  “Love you.” Her eyes shone at those words, her spirit renewed as Gray-sama still held her hand.

“Let’s go home.”  He smiled at her as their magic grew, melding and sparking, wind whipped from nowhere, water rose and span around them mixed with shards of ice as they stared at their foes, feeling joined in more ways than one.

“Gahhhhh!” They both shouted leaning forwards and throwing all their magic, dark and good at the enemies who stood in their path to happiness and freedom.  All the mages went flying into and through walls screaming as a huge tidal wave of water and ice hit them hard, Juvia and Gray didn’t waste any time in making a run for the doors.

“STOP!!!” A loud booming voice that could only belong to Jimquin resounded through their very core.

The pair made it through the threshold and straight into Mitch.  “You guys made it!”  He exclaimed.

“Yes, but Juvias father has regained consciousness!”  Juvia blurted out quickly.  “We must go!”

“Wait a sec, isn’t he bad?”  Gray folded his arms staring at Mitch.

“No, my love, he actually helped Juvia, he helped me not lose control of myself and my magic.” She paused, “he also broke me out of the cell to come rescue you.” Gray glanced at Juvia then back at Mitch.  

“Well then let’s all get out of here!”  The icemage pulled Juvias hand again.

“You two go, I’ll keep Jimquin sealed in here with my shielding magic.”  Mitch spoke not looking at the pair, “I work for the magic council and sent word to them just before we left to come here.” Juvia was shocked.  “They’ll be arriving any minute.”  

As if on cue a large group of magic council members stormed the corridor, their white cloaks gliding majestically along behind them.  Juvia looked at Gray confused then back at Mitch.

“But… if you were a council member all along then why didn’t you stop anything from happening?”  Juvia enquired, head cocked to one side, half annoyed, half curious.

“I…” Mitch ducked his head as the council members poured into the room Jimquin was in, “I wanted to Juvia,” he looked at her apologetically, “I was told to wait, to find out Jimquins grand plan… he started to keep close tabs on me when I started asking more questions… you were falling deeper and the last thing I wanted was to be killed or forced to leave when you were in danger from yourself, and a danger to everyone else.”  Mitch bowed his head and Juvia chewed her lip.

“So, you were playing both sides then.”  Gray wanted to punch him and thank him both at the same time.

“Yes… I wanted to contact the council sooner but we didn’t stay in one place long enough, when I knew we were headed here, when I saw Juvia lose control of her powers in the bar, when we chased the old man, I contacted them then, Jimquin was far behind me and you were too far ahead to hear me speaking, and then again when Jimquin went upstairs to talk to you about your mother’s death.” He finished, his pale blue eyes almost ghostly in comparison to Juvias.

“Murder.” Juvia spoke coldly.  “My mother was killed.”  Those last words wavered and Gray squeezed her hand gently.

“That bastard.”  He muttered, as Jimquin was escorted out bound in a strait jacket and the same anti-magic shackles he had used on Gray, flanked on each corner by council members.

“Do you two need an escort back to Fairy Tail?”  A blond-haired council member asked.

“No, we’ll be fine thank-you.”  The icemage glanced at Juvia, “there is somewhere I want to stop off first.” Juvia looked up questioningly but she remained silent.

The two mages walked hand in hand, as Juvia relayed to Gray the story of her mothers romance with the real father, she also spoke about he abusive step father and how she joined and moved up the ranks of the Element 4, Jose’s connection to Jimquin, her mothers kidnap, the machine which injected her with dark magic and finally about how when his name was mentioned a little spark grew stronger. Gray listened intently the whole time as the sun beat down on them, warming their bodies and their souls although the ground was still sodden underfoot, birds were tweeting and flittering about.

The icemage stopped as Juvia continued her story, it was all confusing, but it all added up at the same time, he had always known she had more power than she knew herself and it made him angry that others abused it, abused her very nature, tried to twist and kill her goodness.

“You’re safe now Juvia.”  Gray cupped her cheek as her blue orbs seemed to grow larger and softer, a small blush spread over her cheeks, she was safe, he would keep her safe, even though Jose who knew of Jimquins plans was out there still.

“Gray-sama…”  She whispered as his mouth closed in on hers, “did Gray-sama mean what he said earlier?” She tilted her head slightly, her blue waves cascading down one arm, “that he…” her face went crimson, “loves Juvia?”  The watermage cast her eyes down completely abashed.

“Yes,” Gray lifted her chin up gently with one finger, “I love you Juvia…”  A red blush spread across his cheeks now as Juvia let out a squeal and leaped into his arms, feeling his muscles contract and relax as they embraced, she could feel his heart beating hard and fast in his chest but revelled in the moment.

The watermage pulled back slightly, “Juvia…”  She pursed her lips, “I love you to Gray…”  His eyes filled with delight, she had dropped the “Juvia” (even though he thought it was secretly cute) and the formal “sama”.   Her lips met his first this time, the kiss deeper than before, their bodies touching in every place, Juvias hands wrapped around his neck and his settled around the small of her back comfortably.

“I thought I had lost you…”  The icemage rested his forehead on hers staring deep into her eyes wanting to dive down into them.

“Gray-sama never gave up.”  The “sama” was back, old habits die hard.

“I never will.”  His eyes steeled and Juvia felt safer than ever there in that moment.

“Where did Gray…sama,” she blushed “want to stop off before we went back to Fairy Tail?” Juvia asked holding her hands behind her back wondering what Gray-sama had planned, her mind drifting for the first time in a long time into Juvia land.

“Here actually.”  He scratched the back of his head, snapping Juvia immediately out of any romantic overnight hotel stay fantasies she had.  “Close your eyes.”  He instructed and Juvia obeyed, placing her delicate hands over her eyes.  Gray wandered off towards a hollow in a tree where a destroyed red tote bag lay, covering a Juvia plushie.  He gentle picked the plushie up with his rough hands and walked back over to Juvia.  “Okay you can open them now.”  Juvia swiftly moved her hands, the biggest smile on her face.

“Oh Gray-sama!  Juvia knitted that for you!”  She grinned, “Juvia was meant to give it to Gray-sama but then she had to….. OH!” Juvia went bright red.  “Has Gray-sama been in Juvias room?!” Smoke may as well as been coming out of her ears with embarrassment.

“NO!” Gray waved his hands in front of her shaking his head, “no the girls retrieved it when they found your letters.” Juvia let out a sigh of relief.

“Does Gray-sama like it?”  She teased poking his arm and putting on her best puppy dog eyes.

“What sort of a question is that?!”  Gray looked away, “and also I want to stop and say thankyou to Mary and Mr. Squiggles if that’s okay?”  He changed the subject but took Juvias hand in his.

“Yes! Juvia would love to!  You met Mr. Squiggles?  Isn’t he the cutest?”  Juvia cooed over the little black kitten as they walked hand in hand into the sunset.

A/N: Well that is it!  I hope you have enjoyed reading this fanfic even with the huge delay in chapters at one point, thankyou to everyone who reviewed especially Juvia.hanks, all the reviews are such good inspiration and motivation to keep going forwards.

I am especially happy that I have now finished this fic, I used to get so annoyed reading Juvia backstory ones that never got completed!

Read & Review  —> https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12261807/17/The-Rain-Woman 

The Rain Woman - Chapter 17 -The Last Raindrop

  A/N: Thankyou for the reviews of last chapter and all the follows and favourites!  This is it!  The last one! Enjoy 😊

  Beads of sweat descended off the icemages forehead, rolling down his cheeks and chin, dripping its salty solution onto the floor.  His bare chest rising and falling with each exhausted breath.  Gray had been trying to brake or squirm out the chains that bound him for what seemed like forever.  The door across the room creaked open and three silhouettes entered the dark space.  A ball of flame appeared slightly illuminating a wizards face before it fired off into the sconces on the walls and the candle chandelier on the ceiling in the middle of the room, throwing the whole area into colour, well colour being the dreary gray brick and green moss that lined both the walls and floor.

“Your time has come little ice wizard.”  The middle one smirked his voice velvety smooth, his dark blue hair stuck out at odd angles almost as if he had been dragged through a hedge backwards and his lime green eyes stuck out like a sore thumb against his tanned skin.

“Yeah and don’t try anything funny.”  The one on the left spoke with rough, grating tone of voice, he was built like a tank with short, close cut light green hair military style, they moved towards the icemage in a line, the fire wizard reaching out towards Grays feet with some more restraints, Gray shoved his shoulder back against the wall feeling the cold, damp of it on his hot sweaty skin, before kicking his unbound feet into the fire wizard sending him stumbling back a few paces groaning in agony.

“Why you little…”  His right hand clutched at his abdomen, the left aimed a fire ball at Gray who was helpless to do anything, the fire burned a sharp but short searing pain through his body as the icemage closed his eyes to take the attack, he opened them again briefly only to be met with a punch squarely in the face and one around his head causing him to smack his head back on the wall behind him, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth where he had bit his tongue and they had busted his lip. Gray felt the shackles fasten around his ankles, as he let his body go limp, one eye creeping open as he was dragged out the room in the bright light and a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Juvia sunk back on her knees once she was alone, tears streamed down her face dripping onto the floor as anger made her blood boil;

“STUPID! STUPID JUVIA!”  The watermage pounded on the floor repeatedly, why did Juvia not tell Gray-sama about the letters from the very beginning?  Juvia let out a sob remembering the threat which had been made against him. Juvia watched her teardrops amounting on the floor, could Juvia turn herself into a puddle and seep through the bars?  She was sceptical after all it could be an electrical forcefield and not just the bars themselves, but still, she had to try, her beloved’s life was at stake.

“Waterbody.”  Juvia whispered feeling her cells change as the door opened once again and hurried footsteps could be heard, they pounded urgently on the floor and Juvias eyes grew wide at the sight of the person in front of her; Mitch.

“Need a hand?”  Mitch smiled that crooked smile at her, hitting a button on the opposite wall as he stepped closer.

“How are? Why are you?”  Juvia was lost for words.  “How does Juvia know she can trust you.”  Juvia already knew the answer, he had always been looking out for her.

“We don’t have time for all that, Gray is about to be killed!”  He didn’t shout but he raised his voice in a matter of urgency, as he opened the lock with a key and let her out.

Juvia made a run for it her heels clicking on the floor only pausing when she got to the door way, was she to go left, right or straight on? She chewed the inside of her cheek.

“Hold up a minute!”  Mitch shouted catching up with her, “you don’t know the way.”  Juvia stared at him, her eyes narrowed but Mitch could see clarity and purpose in them now, no, he could see life.

“Well then let’s go if you are going to assist me.”  Juvia said in a low, impatient voice.

“This way.” Mitch led her off to the right at a run, it wouldn’t be long before guards were swarming the place and surrounding them.  They went straight at another cross roads before taking another right straight into four wizards completely blocking off the corridor.

“Water nebula!”  Two columns of water took out two of the wizards, sending them flying back and through a large metal door.

“I’ll handle these last two and anymore that have followed us up behind.”  He locked his eyes on Juvia, “Gray is through those doors.”  Juvia wasn’t sure whether he was leading her into a trap or not, but he had opened her cell door and had led her this far.  

“Thanks.” She nodded at Mitch before launching herself through the metal doors into a room full of people and her Gray-sama, head bowed, knelt and bloodied at the centre.  Was she too late?  “GRAY-SAMA!”  Juvia hadn’t even known she had spoke let alone shouted until she heard her own voice echoing off the walls back at her.

  Gray could barely make out the faces and he struggled to regain the focus in the left eye, he could open it now, but everything was blotchy.  He was jeered and spat at as he was dragged through the crowd like an animal carcass on parade, a lamb to slaughter, a sacrifice. The icemage was pulled up onto a platform and forced to kneel.  His mind wandered to Juvia, her beautiful smile, her loving eyes.

“Fellow wizards!”  Juvias father bellowed, silencing the gathering, the icemage remembered the first time they had met on the roof of phantom lord one rainy day, how he thought she was beautiful even then, sad, but beautiful, the prophecy which had been spoken to him not so long before about “water and women” she was ‘the rain women’. “You are all here to witness the death of a pesky Fairy Tail wizard, one that has foiled my- “He cleared his throat, “our plans.  He has led my daughter awry and with his death she shall follow us once more!”  The crowd cheered and clapped, Gray still remembered dying for her at the Grand Magic Games, a secret he kept to himself, he didn’t know the extent of his feeling back then.  He thought of the missions they went on together, the pool table they had been given as a gift.  The background noise stopped, the crowd had stopped cheering, am I dead?

“GRAY-SAMA!”  His raven eyes shot open wide, his heart pounding hard in his chest as if trying to break free, he’d know that beautiful voice anywhere.  There she was, Juvia, his Juvia, standing tall, a sudden look of relief on her face as he had lifted his head.

Juvia flew into action the second she saw that black mop of hair rise and those coal black eyes bore into hers, she would save him, she could save him, she still had time. Wielding her water magic Juvia attacked any and all, conjuring up dark water nebulas and cyclones, water clawing any who came too close.  The watermage managed to wipe out the top two rows of ‘spectators’ in the semi circled seating area.  Panting hard she looked up towards the platform where her father stood enraged, a look of pure evil and anger across his face, teeth gritted together hard.

“Why you!” He roared across the room as he motioned to the two wizards either side of Gray, who nodded to one another, one used his wind to tear bit by bit at the icemages skin, Gray grimaced, why couldn’t they just kill him already if that was their intention. He looked up to see Juvia making her way over as fast as she could, he had to act now.

Juvia didn’t have to think as jumped and leaped over the rows of seats knocking the opposing wizards sideways and blasting them with jets of water, her one goal, her one path was to get to Gray-sama before the two wizards could harm him further.

Gray bent his legs up so only his bottom was on the floor and used his shackled hands to spin himself around 360 degrees, sticking his legs out straight, he took the two wizards by surprise sending them toppling over and off the platform edge, before he to, jumped up and half hobbled half jumped off the platform himself only to be caught mid-air in a water noose.

Juvia had almost made it all the way down to platform, her eyes locked onto her Gray-sama, only a few metres to go. Juvias eyes went wide as the ground suddenly rose up in front of her blocking her way.

Juvia glared at the offending wizard, “boiling water cyclone!”  The watermage shouted as the boiling cyclone melted through the column like a hot knife through butter.  Nothing would get in the way of her getting to her beloved.  The watermage lurched forwards just as Gray threw himself off the low platform, he almost hit the floor but what happened was worse.  Her father had him in a water noose, dangling in the air in front of her, taunting her.

“Gray-sama!”  Juvia shrieked, looking suddenly to Jimquin.  “Release him!”  Desperation in her voice, “Please!”  The watermage begged, clasping her hands in front of her, even though she knew it was futile, her father was beyond reason now.

“Pah!” He shouted, “look at you, begging for your ‘beloveds’ life.”  He paused, a twinkle in his eye, “just like your mother did when I had my men dispatch her on the road.”  Juvia threw her hands to her face in horror.  Her mother!  Had been murdered?  Under her own fathers’ instruction.  Tears filled her eyes, spilling over the edges and sobs escaped her mouth.  Grays heart twisted in sympathy, but anger crackled through him.  “She would have only spread alarm, of both my plans for you and the whole of Fiore.”  He gloated, “she had to be dealt with accordingly…”  Jimquin almost sounded sad as he trailed off, seeming lost in past memories, maybe of their happy days.

“Water key.”  Juvia whispered, not breaking her fathers eye contact, she had never tried to make a water key before, but clearly Gray-sama was unable to use magic otherwise Juvia was sure that he would’ve broken free by now.  The water key floated towards the shackles that bound Grays hands in front of him.

“But I am sure that once this bump in the road is dealt with, you will join us again.  I’m sure Jose will be happy to see your improvements.”  The water wizard sounded proud, it sickened Juvia to think she was his pawn as she had been Joses’ pawn but this was worse, he was her father he was meant to protect her.

“Water key.”  The watermage conjured up another water key, both Gray-samas restraints would have to be released at the same time.

“Juvia will never join you.”  She glared at him, as the keys slotted into place.

“Fine.” The noose tightened a bit and Gray choked.  “Have it your way!”  A clicking sound could be heard, as the shackles came undone, crashing to the floor in a heap.

“Gray-sama!”  Juvia shouted, “Water slicer!”  Juvia added some dark magic into the water, overpowering her father noose and cutting Gray-sama free.

The icemage fell to the floor, only for a few seconds as Juvia raced to his side, before his devil slayer magic took hold, the black mark covering half his body, “Let’s get outta here.”  He smiled at Juvia, taking in the smile and slight blush in her cheeks.

“Yes, my love, let’s.”   Juvia turned to her father, who was stood in shock.  She is stronger than I thought, the dark magic has more of an impact on her water magic than I thought possible.

  “I think you’re outnumbered.”  He smirked at the two Fairy Tail mages, straightening his suit.

Gray and Juvia glanced around them, they were surrounded, would they be able to take on her father and the room of wizards?  Or would they just escape with their lives and leave Juvias father behind?

The watermage turned to Gray.  “My love, what are we to do?”  The stood arm to arm, a warmth and power flowing between them.

“Damn it.” Gray groaned.  “I think we’re going to have to just make a run for it, I’m pretty low on magic.”  He paused. “But I have enough for this at least.” The devil slaying magic tingled at his fingertips.  “Ice-make Hammer!”  Gray took Jimquin by surprise as a devil slayer ice hammer landed on his head, knocking him unconscious.  

The room of wizards closed quarters on the pair of mages.  “Now let’s go!”  Gray grabbed Juvia by the hand and began to pull her away.

“Lightning dance!”  Someone shouted as random bolts of lightning rained down striking both Gray and Juvia with a strong current.

“Wind slicer!”  

“Earth hammer!”  More attacks came flying in, as they struggled to dodge them, Juvia dress coat being sliced open to reveal a green corset, and Greys trousers ripping down the legs.

“That’s enough!”  Juvia shouted stripping down, her dark water magic rising inside her, “Water lock!” Gray looked surprised as Juvia focused on only allowing a certain amount of the dark magic to be used as each and every person was encircled in their own water lock.  “Go my love!”  Juvia gritted her teeth in concentration.  “I’ll be right behind you.”

“No way!” He replied, “I’m not leaving you! You can’t keep this up.”  Juvias hand wavered as Jimquin stirred behind them.

“Go!” Juvia pleaded, Gray just took her soft hand in his, the other turning her face to meet his.

“I said, I am not leaving you, Juvia.”  The waterlocks broke as tears brimmed in Juvias eyes.

“Gray-sama…”  She trailed off awash with emotion.

“We’re getting out of this together.”  Gray paused as the wizards in the waterlock began to pull themselves up off the floor and regain their breath.  “I’ve been meaning to say…”  his eyes frantically searched hers.  He had practised this a million times over, but now, looking into the vast sea of her navy-blue eyes he felt lost.  “I…” He craned his head, his hand still cradling her cheek and placed a soft kiss on her lips, feeling the soft plumpness of them, the sweat scent of a fresh spring morning, meadow flowers and that lavender shampoo she always used, he felt like putty but at the same time strong.  They say action speak louder than words.

Grays lips met Juvias and at that moment she felt like the world had simply fell away, that it was just the two of them, she felt whole, light and joyous, like all her wishes had come true at once, she felt strong but at the same time vulnerable.  The icemage pulled away slowly.  “Love you.” Her eyes shone at those words, her spirit renewed as Gray-sama still held her hand.

“Let’s go home.”  He smiled at her as their magic grew, melding and sparking, wind whipped from nowhere, water rose and span around them mixed with shards of ice as they stared at their foes, feeling joined in more ways than one.

“Gahhhhh!” They both shouted leaning forwards and throwing all their magic, dark and good at the enemies who stood in their path to happiness and freedom.  All the mages went flying into and through walls screaming as a huge tidal wave of water and ice hit them hard, Juvia and Gray didn’t waste any time in making a run for the doors.

“STOP!!!” A loud booming voice that could only belong to Jimquin resounded through their very core.

The pair made it through the threshold and straight into Mitch.  “You guys made it!”  He exclaimed.

“Yes, but Juvias father has regained consciousness!”  Juvia blurted out quickly.  “We must go!”

“Wait a sec, isn’t he bad?”  Gray folded his arms staring at Mitch.

“No, my love, he actually helped Juvia, he helped me not lose control of myself and my magic.” She paused, “he also broke me out of the cell to come rescue you.” Gray glanced at Juvia then back at Mitch.  

“Well then let’s all get out of here!”  The icemage pulled Juvias hand again.

“You two go, I’ll keep Jimquin sealed in here with my shielding magic.”  Mitch spoke not looking at the pair, “I work for the magic council and sent word to them just before we left to come here.” Juvia was shocked.  “They’ll be arriving any minute.”  

As if on cue a large group of magic council members stormed the corridor, their white cloaks gliding majestically along behind them.  Juvia looked at Gray confused then back at Mitch.

“But… if you were a council member all along then why didn’t you stop anything from happening?”  Juvia enquired, head cocked to one side, half annoyed, half curious.

“I…” Mitch ducked his head as the council members poured into the room Jimquin was in, “I wanted to Juvia,” he looked at her apologetically, “I was told to wait, to find out Jimquins grand plan… he started to keep close tabs on me when I started asking more questions… you were falling deeper and the last thing I wanted was to be killed or forced to leave when you were in danger from yourself, and a danger to everyone else.”  Mitch bowed his head and Juvia chewed her lip.

“So, you were playing both sides then.”  Gray wanted to punch him and thank him both at the same time.

“Yes… I wanted to contact the council sooner but we didn’t stay in one place long enough, when I knew we were headed here, when I saw Juvia lose control of her powers in the bar, when we chased the old man, I contacted them then, Jimquin was far behind me and you were too far ahead to hear me speaking, and then again when Jimquin went upstairs to talk to you about your mother’s death.” He finished, his pale blue eyes almost ghostly in comparison to Juvias.

“Murder.” Juvia spoke coldly.  “My mother was killed.”  Those last words wavered and Gray squeezed her hand gently.

“That bastard.”  He muttered, as Jimquin was escorted out bound in a strait jacket and the same anti-magic shackles he had used on Gray, flanked on each corner by council members.

“Do you two need an escort back to Fairy Tail?”  A blond-haired council member asked.

“No, we’ll be fine thank-you.”  The icemage glanced at Juvia, “there is somewhere I want to stop off first.” Juvia looked up questioningly but she remained silent.

  The two mages walked hand in hand, as Juvia relayed to Gray the story of her mothers romance with the real father, she also spoke about he abusive step father and how she joined and moved up the ranks of the Element 4, Jose’s connection to Jimquin, her mothers kidnap, the machine which injected her with dark magic and finally about how when his name was mentioned a little spark grew stronger. Gray listened intently the whole time as the sun beat down on them, warming their bodies and their souls although the ground was still sodden underfoot, birds were tweeting and flittering about.

The icemage stopped as Juvia continued her story, it was all confusing, but it all added up at the same time, he had always known she had more power than she knew herself and it made him angry that others abused it, abused her very nature, tried to twist and kill her goodness.

“You’re safe now Juvia.”  Gray cupped her cheek as her blue orbs seemed to grow larger and softer, a small blush spread over her cheeks, she was safe, he would keep her safe, even though Jose who knew of Jimquins plans was out there still.

“Gray-sama…”  She whispered as his mouth closed in on hers, “did Gray-sama mean what he said earlier?” She tilted her head slightly, her blue waves cascading down one arm, “that he…” her face went crimson, “loves Juvia?”  The watermage cast her eyes down completely abashed.

“Yes,” Gray lifted her chin up gently with one finger, “I love you Juvia…”  A red blush spread across his cheeks now as Juvia let out a squeal and leaped into his arms, feeling his muscles contract and relax as they embraced, she could feel his heart beating hard and fast in his chest but revelled in the moment.

The watermage pulled back slightly, “Juvia…”  She pursed her lips, “I love you to Gray…”  His eyes filled with delight, she had dropped the “Juvia” (even though he thought it was secretly cute) and the formal “sama”.   Her lips met his first this time, the kiss deeper than before, their bodies touching in every place, Juvias hands wrapped around his neck and his settled around the small of her back comfortably.

“I thought I had lost you…”  The icemage rested his forehead on hers staring deep into her eyes wanting to dive down into them.

“Gray-sama never gave up.”  The “sama” was back, old habits die hard.

“I never will.”  His eyes steeled and Juvia felt safer than ever there in that moment.

“Where did Gray…sama,” she blushed “want to stop off before we went back to Fairy Tail?” Juvia asked holding her hands behind her back wondering what Gray-sama had planned, her mind drifting for the first time in a long time into Juvia land.

“Here actually.”  He scratched the back of his head, snapping Juvia immediately out of any romantic overnight hotel stay fantasies she had.  “Close your eyes.”  He instructed and Juvia obeyed, placing her delicate hands over her eyes.  Gray wandered off towards a hollow in a tree where a destroyed red tote bag lay, covering a Juvia plushie.  He gentle picked the plushie up with his rough hands and walked back over to Juvia.  “Okay you can open them now.”  Juvia swiftly moved her hands, the biggest smile on her face.

“Oh Gray-sama!  Juvia knitted that for you!”  She grinned, “Juvia was meant to give it to Gray-sama but then she had to….. OH!” Juvia went bright red.  “Has Gray-sama been in Juvias room?!” Smoke may as well as been coming out of her ears with embarrassment.

“NO!” Gray waved his hands in front of her shaking his head, “no the girls retrieved it when they found your letters.” Juvia let out a sigh of relief.

“Does Gray-sama like it?”  She teased poking his arm and putting on her best puppy dog eyes.

“What sort of a question is that?!”  Gray looked away, “and also I want to stop and say thankyou to Mary and Mr. Squiggles if that’s okay?”  He changed the subject but took Juvias hand in his.

“Yes! Juvia would love to!  You met Mr. Squiggles?  Isn’t he the cutest?”  Juvia cooed over the little black kitten as they walked hand in hand into the sunset.

A/N: Well that is it!  I hope you have enjoyed reading this fanfic even with the huge delay in chapters at one point, thankyou to everyone who reviewed especially Juvia.hanks, all the reviews are such good inspiration and motivation to keep going forwards.

I am especially happy that I have now finished this fic, I used to get so annoyed reading Juvia backstory ones that never got completed!

Read & Review  —> https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12261807/17/The-Rain-Woman 

The Rain Woman - Chapter 16 - Raindrops Of Agony

  A/N: Well here it is!  The penultimate chapter!  Enjoy!

Jimquin stared at the figure stood in the open front door of his house, the rain falling from the skies behind him in sheets, the way his ice magic seeped from his fingers freezing the patches of floor it dripped onto, his black eyes full of anger, his mouth in a hard line much like Juvias.

“Juvia is comin’ with me.”  The icemage stated, his body crouched slightly to prepare for attack, his wounds still evidently hindering him.

“I don’t think so.”  Jimquin laughed at the boy, did he really think I didn’t have a backup plan?  “Come on out boys.”  Jimquin raised grinned, his hands to either side of him as wizards appeared from surrounding rooms, Juvia and Gray were encircled as two other wizards dragged Mitch off.

“Well crap.”  Gray muttered looking at Juvia whose navy orbs were wide, slightly fearful but also determined.

Gray and Juvia didn’t have any time to think of a battle plan as Juvias father lackies came at them hard and fast, mainly lightning users to target Juvias weakness, Jimquin felt that she was the biggest threat.

“Ice-make arrows!”  Gray shouted, shooting frozen arrows at only two of the wizards, his ice magic and Juvias water magic were no good in such confined combat, they were at a huge disadvantage.

“Water claw!”  Juvia scratched at one of the wizards closest to her with a fierce claw of water, only to be hit by a bolt of electricity by another wizard who was at the far end of the room.

“Juvia!” Gray turned to see Juvia being hit, “Ice-make hammer!”  A huge hammer of ice appeared and knocked the wizard who had shocked her out cold, that’s one less pesky lightning wizard to deal with.

“Storm shred.”  A wind user with grey hair spoke calmly from Grays’s right as small, sharp blades of wind tore at his bandages ripping them clean off and cutting into the wounds which hadn’t fully healed, stinging pain and fresh blood seeped from them.

“Gray-Sama!”  Juvia shrieked seeing the twisted look of pain on his face as she dispatched the wind user who had attacked him with a water cyclone trying to keep control of her power as she turned back to fight the enemies in front of her.

Another attack came at Gray before he could fully recover, this time a duo of a fire cyclone mixed with lightning struck him head on in the chest, the fire burning new burns into his skin, the lightning electrocuting him before he blacked out.

“Gray-Sama!”  Juvia shouted again as her beloved fell to the floor in a heap smacking his head hard, she couldn’t save him, the area to battle in was too small and she couldn’t completely control her magic.  

“Lightning cane!”  A cane of lightning swept Juvias legs from underneath her as she tried to make her way over to Gray.  The water mage was propelled into a wall causing it to crack on impact, she glared up at her opponent feeling the dark magic rise inside her.

“Quickly!” Jimquin shouted from the back of the room, “sort her out quickly!  Before she has a chance to let rip!”  He was angry, very angry, his brown eyes were hard and set, like Juvia was a bug who needed to be squished.

Tucking a light-blue lock behind her ear Juvia got up, “water slicer!”  Juvia sent water slicer after slicer after him but he was just too fast at dodging them, they sliced through walls and shaved a few heads but didn’t hit their mark.

“Lightning cyclone!”  The lightning wizard somehow had gotten close to her and Juvia had no time to move as the cyclone hit her straight in her stomach.

“Gahhh!” She cried out as her whole body jolted, she wouldn’t give up, she had to protect Gray-Sama.

“You… won’t… keep Juvia down!” The water mage shouted, squeezing her eyes tight to try and find some way to push through the pain and dig deeper.

“I can keep this up all day.”  Yawned the scrawny purple-haired lightning user as his attack went on, “maybe I’ll let my buddies join in.”  Juvias eyes flew open, she was surrounded, “Boss wants you put down the way quick.”

“Water! …water…” Juvia drifted off as something sharp pricked her neck making her feel sleepy, as she slumped to the floor, she knew one thing for certain, she would have her revenge and next time she wouldn’t hold back no matter what building or person stood in her way.

  Juvia had no idea how much time had passed when she awoke in a jail like cell with metal bars, it was cold and damp, the rain could be heard on the cell roof and puffs of air clouded out her mouth with every breath, she wished she had her hat. A glance around showed no sign of her Gray-Sama anywhere, there was no noise either, has Juvia been left down here to rot?  What had happened to Gray-Sama?  What did they do with Mitch?  Juvia looked around to try and spot any cameras but she couldn’t see any, they didn’t mean there weren’t any though.  Annoyed, the water mage began to pace around her cell puffing out her cheeks as worry coursed through her entire body.  There must be a way out of here! Juvia thought exasperatedly.

Gray awoke in a strange room, shackled to the wall.  Where am I?  His vision began to clear, there wasn’t much light in the room, a small oil burner and the light which poked through from underneath the door. I wonder what has happened to Juvia?  He thought gritting his teeth, he should’ve done more to protect her, should’ve gone in with everything he had even with the confined space.  The icemage sighed.  He had given it almost as much as he could, his injuries had still been quite bad and he had still been exhausted after his battles with Juvia, his magic levels weren’t up.  A lump rose up in his throat, I’ve failed her again! Balling his fists, a silent tear rolled down his face as sadness and determination washed over him.  One thing fuelled his fire and kept his spirit going; knowing that she wanted to come home, back to him and back to Fairy Tail.  I wonder if the master has sent anyone after me despite me telling him not to?  Although what are the chances of them finding me anytime soon, even with Natsu’ nose.

Guards came and went in and out the room Gray was being held in and in a random order, no set shifts so he couldn’t work when there would be time to make a dash for it, if he could ever get these stupid chains off, his arms were beginning to go tingly from lack of blood flow, his ice magic seemed to be having no affect whatsoever, either he was too weak or they were somehow magic resistant, Gray wasn’t one for giving up easily though, he kept struggling against the metal, twisting, pulling and yanking.  

A new guard came to take over duty from the current guard, “Turns out the water bitch is awake now and looking for a way out.”  The new guard spoke, his voice clear.  At least she is alive and breathing. Gray thought, stopping his struggle to listen carefully, quietening his breathing.

“Yeah, well there ain’t no way she is escaping.”  The other one chuckled.  “She’s in for a shock if she tries anything you know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t actually…”  The new guard stepped further into the room.

“Well that holding cell is electrified.  Her own personal prison.”  He started to leave and got to the doorway.  “So much for this being their family home.”  The new guard stared hard at the icemage who was now glaring at the pair, he just had to escape and get to her.  “What about him,” he jerked his head in Grays direction.

“This one is to be sentenced to death, I’m not sure if he is to be executed or if Jimquin wants to have some fun first.”  He gave Gray a smirk, “bet you wish that you’d never made the effort now eh?”  He laughed at Gray who looked like a lamb in the slaughterhouse.

“No.” He bowed his head, “you’re wrong.” He glanced up angrily, “Juvia is worth fighting for and I’m not done yet, not until I am dead.”  He gritted his teeth, his dark eyes full of hope.

“Well your wish is soon to be granted.”  The guard took a seat to watch Gray as the other one left, the room once again fell into almost complete darkness.

  Juvia paced back and forth in her cell growing more and more infuriated by the second, stopping only when she heard the first sound since waking up groggily. Footsteps made their way closer and closer, could it be Gray-Sama?  Juvia looked up hopefully, her heart pounding against her chest, cheeks flushing red, only to be disappointed, it was one of her father’s pawns.

“So, you are awake.”  He grinned, his dark, red, spiky hair contributing to his evil smile and demeanour. “Have you heard the news?”  He enjoyed taunting her, knowing full well that he was the first visitor.

“No Juvia has heard nothing, you are the first person to visit her.”  Juvia stepped closer to her cell bars, “tell Juvia at once!”  She narrowed her eyes standing her ground firmly.

“Your friend…”  He clucked his tongue, “Gray is it?”  Juvias eyes went wide with fear, “he has been sentenced to death.”  He laughed, “boss hasn’t decided if it will be swift or painful yet.”  Juvia felt murderous.  “Not that you can do anything to help him stuck in here.”  He scoffed, smirking delightfully.

Gray-Sama… Juvia felt like her heart was breaking, “Juvia will get out!”  She grabbed for the bars, as soon as her hands wrapped around the metal, she was shocked and sent flying backwards, skidding across the floor on her back, an electrified cell, she was in an electrified cell! “Water cyclone!”  Juvia fired her dark water magic at the cell bars only to have it dissipated before her eyes. How was she to escape?  How could she help her Gray-Sama?  The evil wizard was right, there was nothing she could do to help.  She lowered her head, her light blue hair hiding her face as tears streamed down her cheeks, Juvia must get out of here, Juvia must find a way to save him!

  The wizard had already turned and was walking away from the distraught mage. Juvia got up and wiped the tears from her face, “JUVIA WILL GET OUT OF HERE!  JUVIA WILL RESCUE GRAY-SAMA!  JUVIA WILL SAVE HIM!”  Juvia screamed those words putting her entire belief into every one of them.

A/N: One more chapter to go!  Can Juvia save Gray and bring down her father? Or will she have to let her father go so they can escape with their lives? The final chapter won’t be out for 10days.

READ AND REVIEW —> https://www.fanfiction.net/story/story_preview.php?storyid=12261807&chapter=16/

The Rain Woman - Chapter 15 - Icy water

  A/N:- Thankyou to Juvia.Hanks for your continued support and Review after such a long break from this story, thankyou to everyone else who has followed, favourited and reviewed, a slightly shorter chapter but choc full!  Enjoy!

 Gray lay in the muddy ground, the dirt wedged under his fingernails, wishing he could become part of the park, tears streamed down his face, his eyes still staring at the plushie, where Juvia had stood moments, minutes maybe hours ago now, he didn’t know, he felt empty again, what had they done to her?  The Juvia plushie smiled at him from her spot, although soaked by the rain Juvia had captured her own smile perfectly in the plushie, it could brighten anyone and anything.  The memories of their missions, their arguments and Juvias general persistency over the years played over in Grays head.  His heart squeezed, he missed her, he wouldn’t give up on her, she would never give up on him.  He remembered when she melted his ice-make gungir earlier, she had become her old self, she was the Juvia he knew if only for a few moments, which meant that she was still in their and could still be saved.  

The ice mage pulled himself up gradually, wincing and cursing at his ribs.  Glancing over at the red tote bag proved fruitful, some potions and bandages were not destroyed in Juvias final attack.  Gray walked over slowly assessing his injuries before picking up a potion and drinking it, almost instantaneously feeling the benefits of it working in his system.  He found some wound cleaner and a few gauze strips to patch up the worst of his gashes and bandage for his torso.

“Right, I’m coming for you Juvia.”  Gray looked up to the rain heavy skies, the colour wasn’t much different to what it was during their battle which meant that she must be close by.  Gray stuffed a few of the smaller potion vials into his baggy trouser pockets, deciding to leave the plushie in a nearby hollow of a tree with the remainder of his tote bag on top of it to keep it dry, Gray strode off, looking at the ground he noticed there were footprints, three sets, not yet been washed away by the rain, it was worth a shot to follow them he didn’t remember anyone else passing by.

Juvia walked through the doors of a large house owned by her father on the outskirts of Allium Town, she had wondered why they hadn’t stayed here before.  The watermage took in the magnolia colour walls with their white skirts and navy-blue carpet, almost like a beach, she walked into the living room where there was a glass coffee table, a sofa and an armchair arranged neatly around a open fireplace with old logs sat in the middle ready to be burnt. The kitchen was again simple but large and charming, a range cooker, a large kitchen sink, work counters and a wooden dining table with four seats around it, there was a small downstairs toilet which was completely white tiled.  There were many other spacious rooms; a study, a dining room to seat eight guests and a few rooms for storage and what appeared to be a small library of some kind, the shelves and book all with a thick layer of dust, the house felt damp, unlived in, which was odd for a house which could quite easily be lived in.

Upstairs more rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 ensuite and 2 large bathrooms which both held big deep bath tubs with jets which Juvia could imagine sinking her cold aching self into, shower cubicles were also in each one, a lovely ivory sink with a big rectangular mirror above and an empty counter next to it with a cupboard door so it must have been for storage.

Juvia looked in each of the bedrooms, 4 of them all had a double bed with white duvets and pillows and nightstands next to them, a white chest of drawers and wardrobe for storage, the 2 single bedrooms had a single bed each with magnolia duvet and pillow sets, and a wooden chest of drawers and wardrobe, all the rooms upstairs had the same magnolia walls as downstairs but the carpet was now cream and pristine like it had never really been walked on, it was still soft and springy underfoot.  The watermage felt the house was homely, but it smelt musty, damp and unloved.

“Juvia!” Her fathers voice rang loud and clear from downstairs his voice echoing off the walls.  Juvia made her way down the stairs to find her father and Mitch sitting on the yellow sofa in the living room smiling a strained smile at her as she entered.  Juvia took a seat in the armchair, relaxing back against the soft spongey fabric.

“How do you find the house?”  Jimquin grinned at her and Mitch looked uncomfortable his face tight and drawn.

“It is a nice house,” Juvia paused, she just had to ask, “why is it unlived in?” Juvia met her fathers gaze which seemed to falter.

“To tell you the truth…” He began, looking down at his hands which were clasped together. “I brought this house for your mother and I to live in, to move her away from Primrose Village, of course I didn’t know you were my child, I didn’t even know she was with child.”  He took in a deep breath.  “I would have tried harder if I had known that you were with her.” Juvia nodded.

“That explains why it is all furnished then….”  Juvia thought back to her mother, with her loving smile and how she loved her garden so much tending it day after day making the most beautiful blooms.  “Does this house have a garden?”  The question blurted out of Juvias mouth without her realising.

“Why of course it does Juvia, your mother loved to garden, it has a greenhouse aswell.”  Answered Jimquin, it all seemed a little too perfect to Juvia.

The watermage sat in silence for a few minutes, as memories came back to her, the memory of her agreeing to work with her father if he were to free her mother, how terrified her mother was for her safety.  “How is Juvias mother?  Did she get home alright?”  Juvia asked, Mitch snapping his attention to her, eyes sorrowful as the room seemed to hold its breath.

“Juvia, your mother died on her way back home… bandits attacked her…”  Her father held her gaze as Juvia seemed to disappear into herself, her eyes going wide, her hands scrunching up her dresscoat as they held onto it tightly.

“She…she…” Juvia stuttered, “is dead?”  Her eyes were hollow and distant, the rain began to pour out the sky in torrents, the wind whipping and lashing against the window panes, pots and outdoor furniture bashing, crashing and flying around all over the place “Juvia needs to excuse herself.”  The watermage got up without permission and made her way up the staircase into the furthest double room and threw herself onto the plump unslept in duvet, burying her head.

Her mother, her beautiful and kind-hearted mother…was…dead.  Juvia felt emotion surge through her as tears began to roll down her cheeks, she wished she had gone to visit her sooner, that she had plucked up the courage to get to know her and not be a coward because of her step-father.

Juvia lay on the bed for a while, her head swimming, she felt guilty.  Slowly the blue haired beauty got up, pulling herself together a bit more and made her way over to the bedroom mirror, she looked at her reflection, really looked and what she saw made the tears spill out silently again.

She was not who she wanted to be, how had she become so lost?  Her mother would be disappointed in her, the way she had been acting, yet, it felt to Juvia as though it wasn’t actually her who had done all those horrible, maniac, torturous things to those poor people in the bar, that it wasn’t her who had held an elderly man by a water noose, that it wasn’t her who had held her beloved-

“Gray-sama…”  Juvia whispered bringing a fist up to her chest, she had hurt him, really, badly hurt him, not once, but twice, how would he ever forgive her?  She felt the tingle of the dark magic again, Juvia swallowed hard trying to shove it back down, she would control it and not the other way around.

“Juvia?” Jimquin knocked on her door, “may I come in?”  Juvia felt a sudden panic, as well as a swell of anger, he had used her and nearly destroyed her soul.

“Yes.” Juvia spoke as mute as possible she had to pretend that she was still under the magics influence.

Jimquin entered and noticed his daughters red tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes, she had evidently been crying, “are you alright?”  His voice didn’t sound like a concerned father but more like someone who was fearful that all his hard work would go to waste.

“Yes, Juvia is fine now.”  She met his gaze, her navy eyes cold and unyielding.  “Juvia would like to know the next plan of action?”  Her heart thudded as she waited to her what her father plotted to do when they got Midi.

“We will gather more followers and use your power to make them yield to us, I want complete control of Fiore.”  A big grin spread across his face, “I need you and your unrelenting magic to do so Juvia.” He pulled subconsciously at his suit, a greedy expression on his face.

Juvia felt her temper rising, but she had to control it, she had to get downstairs. “Juvia thinks she can more than handle that task, after all you have unlocked the true power that Juvia possess’.” The watermage brushed past her father as she felt a sudden feeling of desperation course through her, she had to get out of here, she had to get home.

Mitch was in the living room pacing, he looked troubled, oh no, Juvia thought, I forgot about Mitch, his shield could block me in if I don’t dispatch him first.  The watermage chewed the inside of her cheek, her father was hot on her heels.

Gray had been walking for about half an hour in the constant, fine drizzle, he had his eyes cast down partly to keep the rain out of his eyes and partly so he didn’t lose the three sets of tracks in the mud, he felt like he was getting closer and closer.  The icemage looked up through some trees, a spot just through them in a small circumference seemed to be having an absolute downpour, Juvia!  Gray knew that must be her, as the rain used to follow her and only her, when she was particularly upset it would focus on one area where she was.  Gray broke into a run, the sodden ground trying to stop him in his tracks, making his feet feel like leaden weights as it sucked and pulled and caked his shoes.  The rain grew heavier and colder on his bare torso, soaking his bandages and flattening his raven hair, the wind was ripping off branches and hurtling them about, uprooting small trees, it appeared like it was almost like a hurricane or a monsoon. A large house came into sight, bushes and flowerbeds were strewn everywhere with furniture and smashed pots blowing about, he’d have to be careful to not be knocked over or be assaulted by pottery shards.  The house had lights on and Gray could make out Juvias shape in the living room, his heart leapt as he ran for the door like never before.

“I have told Juvia about our plans in Midi.”  Jimquin said proudly, as him and Juvia walked into the living room, Mitch was scowling, his fists clenched.  Juvia wondered what he was so worked up over.

“Your plans to use her, us as pawns you mean?” Mitch spat at his boss, “you are willingly to destroy her soul, her life all for your own selfish gain.”  Jimquin looked taken aback.

“I think you’re tired Mitch and need to rest, you know I care for my daughter.”  Jimquin glared at Mitch.

“Juvia…”  Juvia clenched her fists as a wave of homesickness jolted through her, “Juvia will not be your pawn-“ She started, her eyes narrowing.

“No, you could be my equal Juvia.”  Jimquin tried to tempt her, Juvia could feel his magic at the ready to attack.

“Juvia does not want to be your equal!”  The watermage spoke through gritted teeth, “Juvia will not be used by you, Juvia is no longer shackled to her power!”  Jimquin looked worried, he fired a water cyclone at Mitch sending him flying back against the wall knocking him unconscious for safe measures after his little outburst.

“He might get in the way, was it him who turned your head? I knew I should never have put him in charge, he hadn’t been with me long enough.”  Her father raged, Juvia looked to Mitch, remembering how he had tried to help her, how he would talk sense into her every time her magic got too much.

“No.”  Juvias voice went soft her head bowed, “Mitch had nothing to do with it.  He did as you asked, and this is how you treat him.” It wasn’t a question it was a fact. “It was Juvias mother who brought her back, Juvia would feel disgraced if she could have seen what Juvia had done, and it was Gray-samas persistence that brought Juvia back also.”  Juvia looked up to him again, she had to escape, she had to get out.  “JUVIA WANTS TO GO HOME!  BACK TO FAIRY TAIL!”  The watermage wailed as tears spilled down her face as she turned to see Gray-sama in the doorway having heard her plea for freedom, her heart jumped and squeezed as delight filled her soul, he had come back for her.

“I want you back to Juvia.”  His eyes were cold and hard as he eyed up Jimquin preparing for battle.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter :D the next one will be up by Monday/Tuesday, as always please review!

REVIEW HERE—>  https://www.fanfiction.net/story/story_preview.php?storyid=12261807&chapter=15/

Gray himself says he is grateful to have Juvia. He is not bothered by her presence, rather he likes and appreciates that she is always by his side. This is the difference in Gray’s behavior when he’s alone with Juvia (where he’s more open, gentle and soft) as opposed to when he’s with her in public. The shocked reactions he has to Juvia’s displays of love and antics are merely Mashima’s way of exploring their comedic aspect. It is also common in many manga and Japanese humor in general, and in no way meant to be compared to real life conventions. Mashima tends to showcase lots of fanservice that often verges on sexual harassment, as well as a number of peculiar habits, like Cana drinking tons of booze, Gray stripping, Elfman’s obsession with the word ‘man’, Natsu breaking into Lucy’s house etc. Those antics are shown to cause exasperation/dismay to the rest of the characters and their reaction serves to create comedy. It’s the same with Gray’s reactions towards Juvia. Not everyone is going to like it, but that doesn’t change the fact it’s meant for laughs. Their relationship has had so much growth and development over the course of the story that when someone focuses solely on the comedic bits, they end up not seeing the forest for the trees. That said, his expressions that were once harsh and implied Gray is uncomfortable have drastically changed:

Gray has made it clear he can say “no” if he wants to. So there’s no chance he would have lived with Juvia if he truly didn’t want her there. We saw in Juvia’s flashbacks that they were happy, doing things that show they had a nice, peaceful life together:

Instead of pushing her away, Gray kept letting Juvia in. Even when she was about to give up on him and the right to love him, Gray didn’t let her do that. He has initiated both physical contact and emotional proximity with her, completely on his own accord, all while he knows well that she’s in love with him. He held her hand and comforted her when she was worried, he cried in her chest, thanked her, he let her know how grateful he is to have her and promised her an answer once there’s no more danger threatening their future. He wouldn’t have done any of these if he truly wished for her to stay away from him. 

When in a relationship, it’s only natural you won’t like every aspect of your partner. But that doesn’t mean you love them any less. Gray is a character who can be blunt, lash out (especially towards those he cares most about; Ur, Natsu, Juvia), and is known to hide his feelings. Since the time skip he’s become more open, smiles a lot more, and is softer in his approach. I can’t help but wonder if that’s thanks to living with Juvia, since we’ve seen them pick up each other’s habits. It’s wonderful character development, especially for someone who has gone through so much trauma in the past. Gray is finally ready to be open with his true feelings towards Juvia, those same feelings we’ve only seen a glimpse of in his head and through his actions are going to be brought out in the open and I can’t wait to see how Mashima is going to do it.

As promised! My Gruvia oneshot! 414 days! *says in happys voice*

414 Days.

A/N: I’ve written this one shot based on the 413 days episode which I LOVE! I loved it in the subbed version and fangirled like never before after watching the dubbed version last night!! Here is my version of the following day.  414.  Enjoy!

Gray sat slouched at the bar, his chin resting in his hand as he stared away into nothingness, yesterday had been a bad day, it had been the anniversary of Ur’s death, the day she laid her life down for him, the third person he had lost in his young life.  Ur wasn’t just his teacher or his mentor; she was a second mother to him.  She had cared for both him and Lyon, taking them under her wing, the pair of them always causing trouble and getting into fights.  The ice-maker magic had been hard and demanding to learn at first – they had to become one with the element, no matter how naked they had to be.  After their first ‘naked’ training session both Gray and Lyon had been absolutely frozen to their cores, their soft skin feeling beaten and raw from the constant nip of the cold snowy mountain air, that was when Ur had given them her scarf to keep the two of them warm – and it had.  The thought of the scarf brought the grumpy icemage to Juvia, his thoughts had been on her a lot lately and if they weren’t taking missions together then they were doing something be it eating, talking or going out for a walk around town.  He sighed at the memory of the dejected watermage sat on the floor in anguish at his rejection of her gift.  Their 413th day anniversary.  The idea was ridiculous but her gesture had touched him.  When she first mentioned it was an anniversary he thought that she somehow knew about Ur’s death but upon realising its true origin he had grown cold, how could a day like that be considered happy?  She wasn’t to know which was why he had politely walked away just wanting to be left alone as the snow began to fall.  After a while of wandering the snow covered streets wallowing in self loathing, looking back on all his memories with Ur, the memory of the scarf she had given him and Lyon had weaved into his mind making him feel guilty for how he had treated Juvia as he had frantically made his way back to where he had left her a crumpled heap on the floor as fast as he could, he shouldn’t have been so icy towards her.  When he had found the scarf he promptly put it on feeling the instant warmth the hand knitted item gave him revelling in it as he walked back to his apartment.  

“Yo! Earth to Gray!” Gray was jolted out his thoughts by a loud bang on the surface of the bar.  It was Cana. Gray slowly turned to Cana, her gaze fierce.  “You’ve been gazing at the same spot for hours now!” Gray looked puzzled at the card mage.  Hours?  Had he really been in thought that long?  He gazed up to the old clock it was almost 2pm.  Crap! Hours really had flown by, he took a quick glance of the room but Juvia was nowhere to been seen.  “You missing Juvia?” The cardmage asked winking at him before chugging away at her sake barrel.

“What on earth gave you that idea?!” Gray shouted defensively as he stood up, a vein popping on his head as a small barely noticeable blush framed his cheeks.

“Are you okay Gray?” A soft voice floated over to him from behind the bar. “You didn’t stop by the guild yesterday, Juvia was looking for you.” Mira smiled at him, Grays expression turned downcast at her name his heart sinking, he still felt guilty, he needed to apologise to her.  

“Yeah I bumped into her.” Gray replied grumpily.

“Hmmm it is strange that she isn’t here yet, she’s normally an early riser.” Mira thought out loud pinching her chin. Her gaze fell to Gray turning from innocent to murderous.  “You wouldn’t know anything about this would you Gray?” Mira was damn scary when she got angry her face rivalled that of Erzas.  

“I…uh…err…” Gray sweatdropped panicking.  If I tell her truth she’ll have my guts, if I lie and she finds out the truth another way I’m a dead man!  Mira continued to give Gray a look of scrutiny as Lisanna came over to the trio.

“Hey, if you’re wondering about Juvia…” Crap, crap, crap! Gray thought.  “I passed by her room half an hour ago and she was sound asleep, she didn’t come back until late last night.” Miras face was now one of complete confusion, the transformation mage didn’t know whether that meant things had gone well with Gray or bad, but before she could question him further he was already retreating out the guild looking sheepish.  Bad.  She thought.  Things must’ve gone bad.

Gray breathed a sigh of relief as he walked out the guild stuffing his hands deeper into his warm black leather jacket as the rain began to fall.  The icemage gazed up into the deep gray sky feeling the patter of the cold raindrops on his face as they fell from the heavens.  Juvia was sad, he was sure this was her doing.  Kicking a stone down the path he headed towards town.  413 days, he thought smiling to himself.

Juvia awoke from her sleep with a thick haze, she felt awful, like she had  been hit by a train.  She was exhausted emotionally and her bones ached from the bitter cold that she had subjected them to the night before.  As she made her way to the bathroom she tried to feel positive, today was a new day, a different day, and like Erza said each day is what you make of it.  However as the watermage reached the mirror and saw her reflection she knew that today wasn’t going to be a good day.  Deep dark circles lined the underneath her blue eyes accentuated by her taught pale skin which somehow impossibly seemed paler, she sighed through her half closed lids as she ran a bath hoping to soak her worries away.

The room was full of steam and water vapour as the weary watermage sat in her deep oval bathtub, her knees drawn up into her chest as she drew patterns in the water with her index finger.  Juvia was so selfish.  Juvia should have known what yesterday meant to Gray-sama… A few tears trickled down her cheeks, she hadn’t meant to hurt him but she had.  Sighing for the umpteenth time that afternoon, deciding that the bath was not helping her thoughts just clouding them over even more, Juvia got up, dried and dressed deciding that a walk in the fresh air might centre her thoughts and quell her depressive mood, she had to give Gray-sama some space.  Juvia placed her hat on her head as she walked down the corridor of Fairy Hills to the outside.  The air still had the bitter edge to it that it had had the night before and the whole landscape was covered in white snow, the town looked beautiful, like something off a postcard or a Christmas card.  The wooden beams and porches on the towns houses were snow topped and the lights inside them gave off a warm feeling, but not warm enough to melt the cold heaviness that ladened Juvias heart weighing her down.  Everyone was allowed off days weren’t they?  The rain fell down from the overcast sky, it had been raining ever since Juvia had awoken, the rain was her doing.  The watermage bit her bottom lip as she trudged through the snowy streets towards the edges of the town; she was half tempted to put up her pink heart umbrella but didn’t want any attention drawn to her.  Not today.  Today she wanted to blend in like a piece of the scenery.

Gray had stopped by (broken into) Fairy Hills to learn that Juvia was in fact no longer there.  If anyone had caught him sneaking in through an open window (he got that trick off Natsu) he dreaded to think of the consequences, the thought of Erza, Mira, Cana and heck even Evergreen reprimanding him scared the bejeezus out of him.  The icemage had passed back by the guild peering in to see if maybe Juvia had gone there but she hadn’t, Gray now found himself bustling through the surprisingly busy streets in and out of shops hoping to ‘accidentally’ bump into her, but he had no luck, it was like she had literally vanished from Magnolia.  Guilt gripped his heart hard, what if he had driven her away completely?  What if she had left Magnolia?  Left Fairy Tail?  His thoughts had him feeling more and more desperate to find her, there was one more shop left to check out.  Quickening his pace he made his way to the little shop through the pale dirty slush which now lined the cobbled streets, the rain hadn’t let up all afternoon.  As Gray entered the shop he was greeted by a brilliant warmth from the heater, he knew he didn’t really feel the cold anymore but this rain was cold on a whole other level to the rain they usually had here.  As his eyes adjusted to the dim light in the musty little shop Gray found himself immersed in the little trinkets and items the shop had to offer, he had never been in this shop before, even though he wasn’t one to judge a book by its cover the general run down-ness of its outside appearance compared to all the other booming brightly lit shops around it had always subconsciously deterred him.  As he gaze grazed over the odds and ends, tracing his finger over some of them his gaze stopped on one particular piece his heart quickening.  It was perfect.  Gray purchased it and left the shop, it was dark now and the street lamps had all come on giving what was left of the white snow a yellow tinge making it glisten in the light.

Juvia stood on the old little wooden bridge her fingers pressed in the damp railings watching the rain fall into the river below her, the ripples varying in size as big and small drops plummeted into the murky depths.  The wind blew, whistling and ruffling the trees, the sound of the leaves rustling against its tyranny filling Juvias ears as she shivered into her navy dresscoat her exposed thighs burning in the cold icy air, she had no idea how much or little time had passed still in the same hazy daze like state she had been in when she woke up, her lids still half closed, her eyes that were normally so deep were now dull and shallow, murky like the river beneath her feet.  Tomorrow.  Tomorrow she would face Gray-sama, be it to apologise or be ignored.  She had to tell him she was sorry

“Juvia…” Gray spoke, he had been observing the watermage as he had approached her he couldn’t believe she was this far out of town this late into the evening on her own, he had also never seen anyone look so lost and down beaten.  Her head had lifted slightly at the sound of her name but she didn’t turn in his direction as he kept walking closer and closer.  “Juvia.” He said again this time more confidently when he was mere inches from her.  The blunette snapped her attention straight to him turning so she faced him fully as the beautiful blue waves blew about in the freezing air.  Gray studied her features, she looked tired, very tired, her eyes that were always so full of life were now hazy and lifeless, they were lined with dark circles as she looked at him (more like through him) through half open lids.  She was lost in a depressive world of her own, if her fantasies were anything to go by then the prison of depression that her mind must have concocted would be deadly poison.  He reached for her gently tilting her chin up to face his gaze before dropping his hand back deep into his jacket pockets as her eyes grew wide in realisation.  

“Gray-sama…” Her voice was barely a whisper as the fog in her eyes faded her mind scrambling as it desperately tried to string a sentence, an apology together.  “Juvi….Juvia is….” Her cheeks flushed pink and hot fresh tears leaked out the corner of her eyes down her cheeks.  “Juvia is so sorry Gray-sama!”  She bowed her head to him.

“Uh, no.  I’m the one who should be sorry.  I was a jerk.” He scratched the back of his head as the woman that was bowed down in front of him sobbed.

“But Juvia should’ve known! She was selfish! She tried to make the saddest day of Gray-samas life happy!” She looked him in the eyes and he was sure that he could see her heart bleeding out through them.  He felt awful.

“How were you supposed to know?  I never told you what day she died.” He looked away feeling uncomfortable.

“But Juvia…” She stammered her eyes pooling with emotion as she peered up at him through her lashes.

“You cherish every day Juvia, each and every day.” He looked back to her his gaze boring into hers making Juivas heart flutter.  “You always see the good in everything.  Even me.” He paused not knowing where to go with his words next.

“So… Gray-sama isn’t mad at Juvia?”  She questioned, her voice hopeful as she straightened up the wind blowing between them.

“What…. No… Why?” He stared at her astounded, why would he be mad at her?  It was his fault Ur was dead.

“Juvia is forgiven?” She pushed her question again not completely satisfied with his answer.

“There is nothing to forgive Juvia.” He sighed seeing her eyes fill with happiness once more as a smile grew on her lips, he could practically feel the positive energy emanating off of her, a smile playing at the edge of his mouth too as he pushed his hand into the pocket of his navy jeans feeling a little pouch there.  “413 days wasn’t it?” He smirked seeing her face brighten even more as the rain stopped its descent.  “I don’t wanna make this a thing but….” He pulled the little red draw string bag out.  “Here’s to 414.” Juvias face was a mixture of confusion and elation at the same time which doing funny things to Grays blood pressure as she took the velvet pouch from him speechlessly.

“Oh Gray-sama!” She squealed as she carefully opened the pouch to find a delicate little silver charm bracelet endowed with a small snowflake and sun charm.  “It’s perfect.” She whispered as Gray fastened it around her wrist as their eyes locked, the two mages blushing at the warmth spreading through them despite the bitter air around them.

CrookedMoonlight

The Rain Woman - Chapter 13 – Frozen Water

A/N: So sorry for the long wait on this chapter! I was away for the best part of December then as soon as I got back I ended up with that ridiculous flu which I’m still not over 32 days on!  It completely sapped my creativity!  Anyway, please enjoy! A big thankyou to Juvia.hanks and the guest who have religiously reviewed every chapter and to everyone else who has your continued support means a lot to me!

  The rain cascaded down from the sky in thick sheets of cold, a cold that Gray didn’t notice as he lay face down in the boggy ground exhausted, both physically and emotionally, he had no idea how long he had been lying there, all he knew was that Juvia was gone, The Rain Woman was back with a vengeance.  He had failed.  He hadn’t been able to reach out to her after all.  

Gray pulled himself up onto his knees slowly, his body in agony, purple bruises lined his ribs and face, cuts and gashes up his forearms and legs. Finally, on his feet Gray slicked back his sodding raven hair glancing up at the huge mansion before turning his back, fists balled, turning his back on Juvia and all hope.  He had left it too late, but surely, she had known how he really felt?  Or had he been that cold to her she had given up?  Maybe he should have fought back instead of just defending?  Despairingly Gray made his way to Rhodonia Village and soon enough back to Fairy Tail.

  Juvia and Mitch walked into the mansion silently, Juvia squinted in the bright lights which illuminated the kiwi-skin-green papered entrance hall.  Mitch was muttering something to the lilac haired woman who promptly rushed off, her heels clicking franticly on the shiny wooden floor.

“I told her about the guys out front needing medical assistance.”  He smiled at Juvia, his light blue eyes almost sympathetic. “How do you feel?”  Those same eyes grazed her up and down.

Juvia blinked her eyes before looking down at herself.  She looked fine, her clothes weren’t torn, and she couldn’t see any marks on her body.  “Juvia is fine.”  She paused to stand a bit taller.  “Why wouldn’t she?”  Mitch seemed slightly surprised at the bitterness in her words.

“Er… Well, your magic, it’s powerful.  Jimquin would want me to make sure that you felt alright after using that much power.” He scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably averting his gaze down.

“Juvia is fine.  It wasn’t that much power.  Nothing she can’t handle.”  Her navy-blue eyes steeled as she walked back to her room where she fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

  The watermage entered the dining room for breakfast, she had had a deep restful night sleep even though she was sure she didn’t feel tired when she spoke to Mitch.

“Good morning, Juvia.”  Jimquin greeted his daughter, staring at her as she made her way over to the table, her navy eyes full of strength and renewed energy.

“Good morning, father, Mitch.”  Juvia acknowledged each of them as she took a seat at the table.  “Is there a particular reason Mitch is having breakfast with us this morning?”  She asked curiously as she put different varieties of melon on her plate, mangos and blueberry’s. The vibrant colours sparking a hint of emotion inside her, before she could ponder further her mind was carried back to the conversation.

“Yes, there is actually.” Jimquin dabbed at his mouth with a serviette.  “I heard about last night, about that Fairy Tail wizard who tried to infiltrate us.”

“He was here for Juvia.”  Juvia interrupted him meeting his gaze, his brown eyes searching hers.

“And how does that make you feel?”  The blue haired water wizard probed.  Juvias’ eyes narrowing at the question.

“Juvia told you when she agreed to let you awaken her magic.”  Her fingers gripped the fork in her hand tighter.  “That is all in the past, Juvia has cut those ties, there is no going back.” The bluenette met her father’s gaze fearlessly.  “Unless you don’t trust Juvia.”  She spoke sharply.

“Of course, we trust you Juvia, you have already proven yourself last night, I was just curious.”  Jimquin chuckled, a smirk framing his face, the trio eating in silence for a while longer, the only sound being the clattering of cutlery on plates before Juvia spoke again.

“That still doesn’t answer Juvias question as to why Mitch is eating with us today.” She set her fork down having eaten her fill of food, Mitch had finished to, her father was eating the last of the meat on his plate.

“Well Juvia, you do remember me saying that I planned to go to Midi?”  Juvia nodded, one of her blue tresses falling out of place which she quickly righted.  “Well we’re leaving for it today; Mitch, you and I, at least for now.  The others will join us when they have recovered…” Jimquins brows furrowed and he balled his fists on the table.  “Although things aren’t looking to bright for Jack.”  Juvia couldn’t remember who Jack was, Mitch seemed to pick up on her confusion.

“He’s the lightning wizard.”  Mitch smiled at her before looking back to his master.

“Yes, it seems his injuries are most fatal, he isn’t doing well at all.”  Jimquin shook his head.  “When do you think you can be ready to leave Juvia?”  I need to get her away from those Fairy Tail wizards, they could be trouble.

“About an hour.”  The watermage felt a twinge of anxiety, like this was her final step out of what little light remained somewhere deep inside her.

“Maybe you and Mitch could spar some more before we leave, or you could just practice your magic outside, there is no shortage of water.”  Jimquin mulled.

  By the time Gray had struggled to Rhodonia Village the sun had begun to rise, the darkness of night replaced by the overcast sky and still the miserable drizzle remained.

Half-naked, Gray stumbled through the streets of the sleepy town, stopping more often than he’d have liked to catch his breath, his ribs groaning with every ragged breath.  Seeing the town square closer with every step gave him hope, someone was bound to be there. Upon reaching the proud statue of the deity of nature, Gray decided to take a break on the edge of the wall surrounding it, he stared at the paved ground watching as the raindrops hit the puddles, the ripples moving out like shockwaves.  This continuous rain must be because of Juvia… how long will it be like this for?  As long as she’s here?  Gray now looked to the sky, desperately seeking some kind of answer, when something soft but wet brushed his leg.  The icemage looked down to see two familiar green eyes blinking up at him expectantly.

“Mr Squiggles….”  The cat seemed to meow in response, Gray was shocked to see the little black cat out here in the square, he seemed like the stay-at-home type cat.  Still, the raven-haired wizard reached down, wincing at the rebellion in his body as he moved to stroke the soggy fluff ball.  “What do I do…”  Gray pondered as the little cat purred.

“Mr Squiggles!”  Another shrill voice shouted his name, causing the cat to spin around facing the noise.  “I’m sorry about him-“The female voice began, stopping when her aged eyes took in the man in front of her.  “Oh! Gray dear!”  Her hands went to her mouth.  “What on earth happened to you?”  Gray felt embarrassed as she moved closer.

“It’s nothin’ honestly.”  He tried to brush her off, turning his injured body away slightly, but Mary the little old lady, was already making her way over to him.  

“It isn’t nothing, you are coming back with me! I’ll clean up those wounds of yours. I’ve got some potions that’ll heal you as well.”  Mary looped a frail arm through Grays muscular one helping him up as best she could. “It’s a good thing Mr Squiggles found you.”  The cat meowed again, Gray just thought she was crazy.  How would a cat know I was injured?

The trek back to the flowery cottage felt ridiculously long, Grays whole body felt heavy, more-so his heart.  The pair walked through the little front garden gate, the flowers seemed fed up of the water their colourful petals and leaves scattered the floor.  When they walked through the threshold, Mary guided him to a little downstairs room, sitting him on the bed as she went to fetch the things she would need to clean him up after he had showered off the mud, which seemed like a second skin.

Mary returned with an arm full of supplies; cotton wool, bandages, some sort of solution and gauze. Gray let out a small sigh as he sat with a towel around his waist, covering his most private area.  Mary was humming a tune as she went about setting up the medical supplies, but Gray just stared straight ahead, his mind still on Juvias blank expressions, almost tasting the darkness, which tinged her magic.

“Uh Gray?” Mary was waving a hand in front of Grays face as he came back to reality, a blush framing his face.

“Sorry, I kind of zoned out there.”  He apologised bowing his head slightly.

“May I?” Mary gestured to start treating the raw red gashes on his arms which tore deep into the skin, Gray winced as the wet cotton ball came into contact, the sting of pain heightening his emotional state.  “So, how did you get yourself into this state?  Did you find Juvia?”  Mary glanced up as she said Juvias name, her eyes full of concern as she went about cleaning up the holes and slits where he had defended himself.

Gray took a deep breath as he began to tell Mary of how he was wrongly abducted, of how he had found the mansion deep in the woods, how it was the same wizards who had ‘wrongly’ accused him the first time were the ones to fight him, to stop him from seeing Juvia.  His voice broke slightly as he came to tell her of Juvia, of her darkness, her fierce attacks, how he didn’t want to fight back, he didn’t want to hurt her, and how she had just walked away, leaving him in the mud battered and broken.

Mary finished applying the last gauze to his ribs bandaging him up, she too took a deep inhale drawing up a chair to sit in front of him, her eyes meeting his steadily.

“That is quite the ordeal.”  Her hands clasped in her lap.  “That doesn’t sound like Juvia at all.  She seemed so polite, pleasant and caring.  I wonder what happened to her.  Did she find her father?”  

“Yeah, I think he is behind all of this, I think he messed her up somehow.  I just don’t know how or why.” Gray felt himself getting irate, so he took a breath of cool air to curb his temper.  

“Maybe you need to reach out to her.”  Mary suggested, her voice quiet as she too tried to process it all.

“I did.” He ran a hand through his raven hair. “I tried, I didn’t fight back, I tried to make her remember, but she was relentless, it was like all she cared about was the power in her magic.  It was so dark.”  He paused, taking a breath.  “She doesn’t want to be saved.”  Gray growled clenching his fists, causing his muscles to bunch up under the gauze and plasters straining to hold his wounds together under the force.

“Well.  Maybe you need to reach out physically.  Yes, you don’t want to hurt her, but maybe you do to make her feel something, she sounds like she’s the one who has lost all hope.  I think she needs you more than you know.”  Mary got up, putting the chair back against the wall.  “Sleep on it.”  As the cotton topped lady exited the room, a small black blur ran in jumping up onto the bed as Gray had begun to lie down.  The four-legged nuisance sat watching Gray settle down into the pillows, his tail swishing as his dilated pupils took in the dim light from the table lamp.  Just as Gray closed his eyes he felt a small weight press up against his side. Cocking his head, Gray saw the little black cat curled up next to him, purring away in comfort.  Gray grumbled grumpily, but his heart squeezed a little, the cat was cute, but he would never say that out loud.

  Juvia, Mitch and Jimquin reached their first stop, Allium Town, a coastal village with a likeness to Primrose Village.  The town was given the name ‘Allium’ after the plant which can grow near the sea.  The watermage looked around the hamlet which was blanketed in darkness, the only sounds were falling of rain and the occasional hoot of an owl.  It was late, about 3am, they had travelled for hours with little rest stops for food and water.

“We’ll rest up at the inn for the remainder of the night.” Jimquin nodded towards the largest building in view, the yellow lights giving off a warming glow in the cold, damp November air.  The older water user ran his fingers through his sky-blue hair, before subconsciously pulling at the edges of his suit, as if to straighten out any creases which subsequently weren’t there.

“Yes Sir.” Mitch nodded, his dark green spiky hair which resembled that of a pink haired wizard the watermage once knew.  The green colour was a dark green, like the moss growing on the trees in a damp woodland.  Juvias eyes followed the two men as they walked towards the inn, Juvia following along behind them.  

As the trio neared the building along the cobbled road, its details became clearer in the darkness illuminated by the nearby streetlamp.  The inn wasn’t dissimilar to the houses in Rhodonia, except the dark wooden beams wound their way around thick whitewashed stone not yellow.  The building had its charm that was for sure.

Stepping inside, shaking off their wet jackets – except Juvia as she only had her dress coat, no umbrella to shield her from the mood induced drizzle, Jimquin strode forwards towards the reception desk, which looked like it was once a small bar, as he moved across the short distance he gave off an intimidating aura, like a wolf cornering a deer.  Placing his hands on the edge of the desk, looking the timid woman in the eye, who in turn, looked terrified as she peered through her thin square black framed specs to meet the eyes of a monster, stammering over her sentence:

“H-how can I he-help you s—sir.”  She barely choked out, shrinking back into her chair.

“We have 3 rooms booked.” Jimquin smiled at the receptionist, not a friendly smile, a crooked hungry smile.  “The name is under Bashfield.”

“Right…. Erm.”  She poured over the check-ins book searching frantically for the name, skimming over it several times as a lock of her pink hair strayed from her bun, wafting a calming strawberry scent, allowing her to see the name Bashfield. “He-here it is.”  A clicking sound was heard as she rifled through the drawer, a jingle of shiny silver keys appeared in her slim hand.  “Rooms 3, 7 and 10.”  Pushing the keys across the small run-down bar, not wanting to touch the suspicious man.  Jimquin picked them up delicately, slipping them into his suit pocket and gradually leaned back releasing the bar from his grip.

“Thanks.” He smiled once more before he motioned for both Juvia and Mitch to follow him, Mitch went first followed by Juvia, the red carpeted stairs creaking under each step they took.  They reached the first floor into a narrow corridor which held only 10 rooms.  “Any preference on which room number?” The water wizard asked his two puppets, who both shook their heads.  “Okay. I’ll take room 3, Juvia you take 7, Mitch take 10.”  He handed out the respective keys to each of them and began to turn away, before glancing back.  “Don’t worry about being up in the morning, we’ve got a lot to do and Juvia you especially will be needing your rest.”

The watermage only nodded as her father turned and walked away unlocking the white wooden door to his room, the click of it shutting broke the silence.  

“Well.” Mitch sighed swinging his arms.  “It is almost 3:30 so I’m going to hit the sack.” He flashed his key at Juvia before departing up to the top end of the corridor into room 10.  

“Wait, Mitch.”  Juvia followed him up the hallway, her room was close to his. “You’re not exactly a hard criminal so what do you do for Juvias father?” Her navy-blue eyes pierced into Mitch pale ones as she pursed her baby pink lips.  

Mitchs eyes narrowed and his voice stone cold. “That is not of your concern Juvia.” His voice lightened up.  “You’ve got bigger things to worry about than my position.”  Once again, he turned away and into his room.

Juvia entered her own room and switched on the light, a little lamp hung from the ceiling, flickering on and off, struggling to maintain power, before it finally settled on a dimmer setting than Juvia would’ve liked.  Looking around the room the watermage was surprised by the contents; it had the same blood red carpet which seemed to run throughout the inn, followed upwards by vanilla yellow wallpaper with brown skirting.  The double bed in the middle was plump and cosy looking, the sheets a lavender colour.

Exploring more of the room, Juvia found a small ensuite bathroom with only enough room for two people to fit side by side. Chewing on her lip, the watermage decided a hot shower would be good – however she didn’t feel achy or tired from the travels like she would expect to feel.  Climbing in, Juvia thought about the previous night, she hadn’t felt tired then either, yet she slept deeply, it was like something was overriding her brains signals spurring her to keep going.  

The shower spouted out cold water, jolting Juvia out of her thoughts, a signal her shower was now over, the hot water had given up. Indifferently, the blunette stepped out the small shower into the cramped bathroom, dried off, slipping on a pale green nightie and glancing in the mirror at the hard eyes that stared back at her, the eyes of her past which now also held her future.

  Gray awoke with a start; something heavy was sitting on his chest, but didn’t move as he tried to jerk up, only to be dragged back down by the pain tearing through his weary body.  Adjusting his eyes to the bright room, the sun breaking through the white curtains, the raven-haired wizards gaze was met by two big green orbs, belonging to the little black cat, who let out a short friendly half meow noise before purring loudly, Gray let out a low chuckle before flopping back down onto the pillow in exhaustion.  A glance to his left, showed Mary had left a glass of water on the bedside table next to him for easy access.  Gray just stared at the clear fluid, as his thoughts scrambled together, he was returning to the guild, without Juvia.  That thought stung, but he had tried, hadn’t he?  The conversation with Mary last night resurfaced, she had mentioned that he should try to fight back to get Juvia to see sense.  But he couldn’t do anything just lying here.  A faint knock at the door made Grays new fluffy admirer jump as Mary entered the room, shifting the icemages attention from the glass of water.

“Ah, you’re finally awake! I was beginning to get worried.”  The cotton topped elder cooed as she walked over to Gray.  “Mr. Squiggles hasn’t left your side unless absolutely necessary.” She smiled at her cat giving him a stroke.  

“How long have I been out of it?”  Gray rubbed his sleepy eyes.

“About 16 hours.”  Mary mumbled, her full attention on the little black cat.

“What?!” Gray raised his voice, “16 hours?!”  His mouth was hanging open.  

“Well you obviously needed the rest dear.”  Mary smiled up at him, “how are you feeling?”

Gray licked his parched lips, “I’m fine.”  He propped himself up on his elbow, trying not to grimace in pain.  “I need to go and see Juvia again.  I have to try.”  The icemage swung his legs out of the bed, causing Mr Squiggles to jump down onto the floor scowling at him.  Gray stood up, his head spinning.  “See… I’m fine.”

Mary reached out a frail hand, “You don’t look fine you’re swaying.” She didn’t catch him in time as he fell back onto the bed, hissing as the wounds threatened to burst open again.  “Your wounds are still tender Gray.”  Mary fussed, helping him to lie back down.  “I know you want to save your… friend or whatever she is to you, but there is no point going if you can barely stand on your own two feet, let alone wield any magic.  Let me find some more potions.”  Gray blushed, knowing Mary was all to right.

“Fine. I’ll stay until tomorrow morning.”  The icemage gritted his teeth.  Another day Juvia then I’ll get to you.  I will save you.

  A/N: Thankyou for reading! This chapter was supposed to be longer but I had to split it in two other it would be well over 6000 words!  It’s amazing how when I planned this fic it was to be 10 chapters maybe 12 and it’s currently now planned at 17-18 chapters :-D This chapter is a build up to the next two!

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  CrookedMoonlight

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