Chapter-22

Duel

"Are you sure about this, Lu-chan?"

Lucy fixed her friend with an exasperated smile. "Yes, Levy-chan. I'm perfectly sure."

It was after midnight, and both girls should have been in bed, fast asleep. Instead, they were huddled in Lucy's room, talking in hushed voices.

"The Oracion Seis were spotted to the North of Hargeon today," Lucy twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "It's our chance. If we head out tomorrow, we can capture them," She reasoned.

Levy huffed. "I get that. But can't you sit this one out, Lu-chan? You just recovered and I don't want you taking any risks. Wendy doesn't approve either, just so you know."

"Did you call her on lacrima?"

"Yeah. She said she'll do her best to get away from the castle so she can come with us."

"That's good," Lucy said in relief. "Is Gajeel coming, too?"

"He is," Levy's cheeks tinged pink. "At first, he wasn't going to, but since you're coming along we'll need as much man power as possible."

Lucy pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"That you're a magnet for danger. Oh, and Lu-chan-no using Urano Metria. I forbid it."

"But-"

"I'm serious, Lu-chan. I don't want you using that spell until you've mastered it."

"Who are you, my mother?"

"I might as well be," Levy retorted. "You've got no sense of self preservation at all!"

"Oh, alright," Lucy grumbled. "But I will use Star Dress."

"Jellal taught you that recently, right? I'm fine with it, as long as you don't endanger yourself."

"I won't, Levy-chan. Promise."

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Juvia applied the last of the makeup to conceal the purplish-black bags under her eyes and stepped back from the mirror, tucking the cosmetics away. It wasn't so much that she cared about her appearance but more of a desire for no one to see them because she just knew they'd be concerned.

She slammed down her palms on the dressing table and let out a frustrated groan. She was just so tired. Exhausted, in fact. At this point, all Juvia wanted to do was fall into bed and for once, have a nice, nightmare-free sleep.

But of course, that was just too much to ask for.

Juvia swept out of the room and banged the door with probably more force than necessary. Passing servants in the hall looked at her in alarm but she ignored the stares and whispers, striding down the corridor while keeping an eye out for Natsu or Gray.

That's when she heard Wendy's voice, loud and urgent.

Wendy was pacing up and down in her room as she spoke into a communication lacrima, the door left wide open.

"-yes, I know, but I can't make it. I'm so sorry, Levy-san," A pause. "Natsu kind of sprung it on me and wouldn't take no for an answer. I'll try to talk to him, now that he knows-" Wendy cut off abruptly when she saw Juvia standing in the doorway. "I'll call you back later, Levy-san." There was click as she ended the call.

Turning around, Wendy fixed Juvia with a painfully fake smile. "Is there something you needed, Juvia-san?"

"I heard a loud voice, so I came to investigate," Juvia replied warily. Wendy looked uncomfortable at her observation, so she decided not to push it. "Do you know where the Prince and-" she swallowed. "-and Gray-sama are?"

"I think they went down to the sparring grounds," Wendy tucked the lacrima away. "Let's go."

"Oh, um," Juvia panicked a little. Natsu had been the one she wanted to talk to, but she had asked after Gray for good measure, to ensure that Wendy wouldn't harbor any suspicions. She most definitely did not want to see Gray, but she couldn't exactly explain that to Wendy.

"Is something wrong, Juvia-san?"

Juvia exhaled, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Nothing," She said wearily. "Lead the way."

She really needed a nap.

Wendy looked a little puzzled at her reluctance but shrugged and started walking. Juvia followed, wringing her hands that were beginning to shake with her growing anxiety.

When they reached the sparring grounds, Gray and Natsu were already dueling. Juvia's mouth fell open. She had never seen Natsu in action before and he surpassed all of her expectations. His entire body was on fire as he struck out against Gray, making him look like a dragon. He didn't seem to have a particular style of fighting, simply using swift and brutal strikes.

Gray on the other hand, moved with certain grace and finesse, a sharp contrast to Natsu. Juvia noted with no little embarrassment that he was without a shirt yet again.

The power balance between Natsu and Gray was perfectly equal. Both of them gave as good as they got and neither seemed to be losing.

Wendy sighed. "This could go on forever."

Juvia glanced down at her. "Do you ever spar with them?"

"It's no use. They always go easy on me."

Juvia bit back a smile. It sounded like them. Gray had gone easy on her too, when they had sparred. She had held back as well, not wanting to…..accidentally kill him, or something.

So maybe she had been too harsh with Gray. He didn't deserve it, she knew. He had only been trying to help and she'd thrown it in his face.

Juvia couldn't exactly explain why she had tried to kill herself, though and an explanation was what he wanted.

Still, she owed him an apology at the very least, if nothing else. Juvia vowed to do it soon…..if she could get up the courage for it first.

Really, the thing that scared her most wasn't that he might be angry at her. Juvia knew anger. She knew how to deal with it and how to take it. What really terrified her was that she was beginning to care for him.

And she knew he saw her the same way, as a friend; if not more. He had comforted her, supported her and simply been there for her, even in the short time they knew each other.

So what would happen after Juvia betrayed them? Gray would never forgive her, she knew. How could he? And it was more than likely that they would fight and even more still that she would have to kill him.

The very thought of it made her feel sick.

And then there was the kiss that they had shared. Juvia had tried to convince herself that it had simply happened in the heat of the moment, that it was just a thank you for believing in me kiss but she knew better. Beneath the passion, the heat and the pleasure she had tasted raw emotion. Something that spoke of tenderness, affection, and even-

She couldn't even allow herself to think it.

Getting this close to him-to them had been a bad idea. What were you thinking, Juvia?

Simple. She hadn't thought at all, she just acted.

"It's tie!" Wendy's voice brought her out of her thoughts. Juvia focused on the sparring grounds again, glad for the distraction from her musings.

She really had to stop thinking about him.

Both men walked over to them. Natsu was grinning brightly, obviously in a fantastic mood while Gray's expression was exactly the opposite.

He caught her eye and she abruptly looked away, still unable to face him.

Coward, her subconscious taunted.

"Hey, Wendy." Natsu ruffled the younger girl's hair, smiled up at Juvia and glanced over his shoulder at Gray.

Juvia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Subtle, Natsu-san.

He moved closer to her. "I'm guessing you two haven't talked yet?"

"It's early in the morning," Juvia said snippily. "I'll talk to him later."

"I've got a better idea," Natsu said jovially and raised his voice so the other two could hear him. "I've heard you're pretty good at magic, Juvia. Why not put your skills to the test?"

"What, with you?" Juvia was pretty sure she knew the answer without asking it.

"No, with Gray."

Juvia's eyes sought him out again. He looked at her directly, raising a brow in challenge.

"Fine by me."

"Natsu-san," Juvia hissed. "I'm not so sure-"

"We don't have all day, milady," Gray drawled. "Are you coming or are you backing down?"

Juvia's blood boiled at the barely veiled taunt in his voice and clenched her hands into fists.

"Fine," She retorted and strode towards him. "Mind putting on a shirt first?"

"Why?" He shot back. "Afraid you'll get distracted?"

"Gray!" Wendy gasped in scandalized astonishment. His gaze snapped to her and Natsu and then blinked as if he'd forgotten that they were there.

"Right," Gray coughed and picked up his shirt. He shrugged it on, not bothering to button up and gave Juvia a mocking bow.

"Ladies first."

Juvia calmly unclipped her cloak and let it flutter to the ground, determined not to give him any reason to think his cocky little comments were getting to her.

He wanted a fight? She'd goddamn give him one.

"As you wish."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Wendy was feeling extremely confused.

Throughout the time Juvia had been in the castle, Wendy had observed a good friendship between her and Gray. But now, they seemed almost hostile in their behavior towards each other. Gray's words were short and sarcastic while Juvia seemed to have risen to the challenge, her eyes flashing with barely concealed anger and she stepped forward.

And Gray had blatantly flirted with her. In front of Natsu, who seemed to be enjoying all of this. And Juvia hadn't even batted an eye-as if I was normal!

Just what on Earthland was going on between those two?

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Natsu was having the time of his life.

Watching Gray and Juvia dance around each other had been amusing enough, but this was something else entirely. The tension crackling in the air as they circled each other was palpable and evident to anyone watching.

Natsu snorted slightly. Those two were so obvious.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"Water Slicer!"

Gray jumped to side, just barely evading the attack. He placed his fist in his palm.

"Ice-make: Lance!"

The spears of ice went right through Juvia's Water Body, as expected. From the sidelines, Natsu and Wendy gasped.

Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, Gray waved his hand, instantly trapping her in an ice cage.

"What's wrong?" he smirked. "I thought you could handle it?"

"You're the one who couldn't handle it," Juvia retorted before using her Water Cane to destroy it. She flicked her wrist and Gray was instantly pushed back by a wave of boiling water.

Gray hissed at the heat and tried to freeze the wave, only to fail.

Juvia chuckled and suddenly, the water turned ice cold and rushed over him with an alarming intensity. He grunted as the force of the water flung him into the ground.

Picking himself back up, Gray went on the offensive once more. "Ice Make: Ice Geyser!"

"Water Lock!" As Juvia focused on trapping the block in her spell, Gray called out another attack.

"Ice Make: Freeze Lancer!"

As even larger lances of ice descended upon Juvia, her eyes widened in panic and she abandoned her previous move and circled herself in Water Lock, leaving the icicles to glance off harmlessly.

"That the best you've got?" She panted, letting down the spell.

"Not by a long shot."

"Good." Juvia decided to let go of any manner of holding back and thrust out her hands. "Water Nebula!"

Two huge columns of water emerged from a magic circle, fused together and headed for Gray.

Gray retaliated instantly, freezing the water and sending it towards her. Juvia blasted the ice with her magic and it exploded into a thousand pieces.

They circled each other, observing every move. Gray broke the cycle first.

"Ice Make: Ice Impact!"

A large hammer of ice appeared in his hands. Gray slammed it into the ground. Juvia let out a sharp cry at the impact as her legs flew out from beneath her and she landed on the ground in a heap.

Gray was above her in a minute, an ice sword in hand. Juvia glared up at him. She was not going to lose like this. Magic hummed in her veins, the air between them thickened with tension. This was nothing like their last fight. He was serious.

Her heart hammered against her chest, either from the rush and thrill of the fight or from his proximity.

Juvia refused to believe that it was the latter.

She jumped back to her feet and thrust out her hand. "Water Slicer!"

Her aim was off and only one blade of water made contact, grazing his cheek, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.

Juvia's eyes widened slightly, and suddenly, she felt like her feet were fused to the ground, unable to move.

….she was twelve and Master Jose had just killed someone in front of her. She was sobbing, her teeth digging into her lower lip hard enough to draw blood

"-there. That's how it should be done, Juvia."

…..she was fourteen and she had just killed for the first time. She was unable to quell her tears and choked sobs, despite her guildmates praising and cheering her on.

…..she was eighteen and she felt numb and simply tired, watching her latest target collapse at her feet, lifeless.

She felt like a monster.

Juvia lost her focus only for a few seconds, but it was enough. In a flash, Gray was at her side, holding his blade lightly to her throat.

"Looks like you let your guard down, Lady Juvia."

His mocking words were what dragged her out of her trance. Juvia drew in a shaky breath and pulled away.

"It seems I have," Juvia said lightly. "Your win then, Gray-sama."

He blinked, looking startled at her graceful admission. Then his eyes narrowed as he searched her face.

"Everything alright?"

Juvia struggled to keep her face neutral.

How did he manage to read her so well?

"Of course," She lied. Gray clearly didn't believe her and was about to press some more when Natsu and Wendy came running to them.

"That was amazing!" Wendy gushed. Natsu nodded enthusiastically.

"How on Earthland did you learn to fight like that?"

"Lots of practice." Another lie, but she was sure they wouldn't care to learn of how she assassinated people at the bidding of Master Jose. Perish the thought.

"Well, you were brilliant," Natsu said brightly. Juvia was about to thank him when Gray started to walk away.

She hesitated, still at war at herself over whether or not to do this. Natsu, seeming to read her mind, gave her an encouraging nod.

Courage bolstered, Juvia whirled around, ran after Gray and caught him by the hand. "Gray, wait."

Maybe it was her grabbing him, or her use of his name without the honofric, but Gray stopped and looked at her.

"I'm sorry," Juvia said quickly. "I shouldn't have been so harsh earlier. You were only trying to help, I see that now. I'm just-" She chuckled bitterly. "I'm not used to opening up to people."

"It's alright," Gray said. "I shouldn't have pushed you like that, either. I was just worried. Sorry."

Juvia's cheeks warmed at the sincerity in his tone. She hadn't realized before their spar, just how much the thought of hurting him sickened and pained her. She really did care for him.

The question was, how much? How far was she willing to go? Could she give up her mission…..for the sake of-whatever this was?

"Thank you," Juvia said quietly. Gray tilted his head to one side.

"For what."

Juvia shrugged. "For caring."

The smile he gave her in return made her feel positively giddy.

Oh no, she thought dazedly. I'm in so much trouble.

"Anytime, Juvia."

Damnit!