Fairytail- Losing me to Find Me

chapter 5

Team Natsu sat silently on the train, Natsu sat in front of Lucy glaring at her, while everyone else sat around them waiting for one of them to talk or cool down a bit. Of course, them being two stubborn people Grey knew that someone was going to end up hurt by the other one and he was just waiting for the bomb to diffuse.

"Are you going to keep glaring, like a child or are you going to speak Natsu?" Ezra finally asked, closing her cake container that no one was questioning where it came from.

"Stay out of it Ezra" Natsu growled back, turning his attention back to Lucy.

"If you have something to say just say it"

"Why does this have to be a whole group discussion? It can never be private, if he doesn't want to talk he doesn't want to talk it's that simple " Lucy finally said closing her book, looking at Natsu blankly.

"Now you want to say something but not before when I asked you a question?" Natsu fired back

"Now you want to act like we're friends? " Lucy gritted her teeth at Natsu.

"What are you talking about, what are you mad about that we had Lisanna come with us for one time, get over yourself. And I pretended to be friends? we were always friends."

Lucy stood up as she leaned over to Natsu.

"Don't do that, we both know this inst what it's about."

"Really it's not? Cause its sounds like your Jealous Heartfilia that someone stronger than you again came on a mission with the strongest team." 

"Seriously Natsu? You think I am weak?" She questioned as she sank down into her seat looking at Natsu in disbelief. She knew she was weak she knew she needed to improve she knew she was a burden but having him slap her face like that again was horrifying.

"That's not what I meant, Luce," Natsu said, staring at Lucy sincerely

"So now I am Luce again, I am sorry salamander that I burden you with my presence." opening back her book she began to ignore the world once more. The train compartment fell into a deep silence as everyone looked between the two, debating whether to speak or not, but ultimately holding their tongues not knowing what to say.

1 hour had passed when the train finally pulled into magnolia, the team piling out and heading to the guild in silence. 

~Juvia's Pov~

Juvia had another quiet day; team Natsu had departed a few days earlier and was supposed to return any minute. Juvia sighed and sat down at the bar table, waiting for Mira to arrive and take whatever she had planned to order. Gajeel was naturally worried at her shift in attitude, despite her best efforts to encourage him to stop worrying. She didn't know how to break the discussion with Gajeel, and she wasn't sure Grey would still be alive afterwards.

Mira eventually came over, her arms perched on the bar, and she glanced at Juvia with her normal cheery smile and kind eyes.

"Good morning, Juvia! Can I get you anything today?" Mira said

"Good morning, Mira-San. Juvia isn't very hungry, so Mira-san may prepare anything light and Juvia would be good "Juvia answered. Juvia grew accustomed to not being as hungry after eating so little, however, she did notice she was getting more exhausted. Nonetheless, she brushed it off.

"You and Lucy both, hm. Is something happening?" Mira began to murmur, but she shook it aside and kept worryingly glancing at Juvia.

Hai, Juvia didn't get much sleep last night so she's just sleepy. Juvia said, attempting to persuade Mira that she was at least somewhat alright with a little grin.

"Juvia If there is something wrong, you can tell me," Mira said softly.

"It's all fine Mira-San Juvia simply needs to sleep," Juvia said. Juvia just had less energy these days; she wasn't sure if this meant she was exhausted and needed to get more sleep or because of something else. She also didn't enjoy sewing as much, which was unusual because she usually had something in the works. When Juvia thought about it, she found herself not enjoying things she typically loves.

"Juvia.?" Mira asked concerned reaching out and gently tapping Juvia

"Ah, sorry Juvia just spaced out.?

Mira was ready to ask Juvia another question when she realised that Juvia looked exhausted and didn't really want to talk to anyone. Mira then turned away before giving Juvia one more look before starting to prepare her meal.

Juvia stared around the bar while she waited, her head resting on her hand. ignoring the regular fist fights and Cana challenging everyone to a drinking contest. Not really paying attention till Team Natsu opens the guild doors. Everyone appeared to be well, but Juvia couldn't help but notice Lisanna was looking away as she hastily departed Team Natsu's side without looking back. While Lucy just appeared unfazed by what had transpired while Natsu looked furious, Happy appeared sadder than usual. 

The team scattered as Lucy sat next to me, getting a cup of tea and was overall more somber; she wasn't the bubbly individual she usually was; instead, she sat there with her hands securely encircling the drink. Mira returned with my food, which included my favourite breakfast item—a little fruit sandwich—and peppermint tea. She also offered Lucy a sandwich.

"Mira I didn't order one?" Finally raising her head, Lucy locked her glossy gaze on Mira.

"I normally don't make these sandwiches unless it's for Wendy or Carla or a festival, but it's on the house, and I really wanted to make another one. So here it is." Mira chirped cheerfully.

Juvia and Lucy sat in a comfortable silence; neither pressure nor the thick silence that suffocated them was present, and they didn't feel the need to conceal anything from one another—something they had recently learned despite the fact that they hadn't truly spoken.

While the guild continued to cause chaos behind them, they both ate silently. Grey and Natsu were engaged in another fight, and of course, as usual, Grey's clothing was no longer there.

"Oh Juvia, Grey's clothing is off once more! Go Help your boyfriend! Cana sang cheerfully breaking the silence between them, the beer giving her a rosy glow to her face as she swayed on the table.

Juvia turned around confused at Cana her cup of tea still in her hands, "Why can't Grey do it himself? He's old enough he got hands"

They all gave a sceptical glance at Juvia as the guild stopped fighting, Cana & the others sat down their beer bottles, and Erza stopped savouring her cake. The guild suddenly became silent as they all turned to gaze at Grey and Juvia, completely perplexed. The water mage appeared to be just as perplexed as the guild, and Grey, who was the most taken aback, glanced at her with a sorrowful heart as he stumbled forward with his head down.

Grey lowered his head and ran a hand through his hair before rising and grinning despite feeling his heart shatter and being baffled by himself. He had always wanted her to call him Grey, so hearing her use the name without the usual honorific made him uneasy.

Juvia was perfectly fine; she turned around and sipped her tea and there wasn't any rain outside. Gajeel turned to face Juvia and realized that she undoubtedly had a problem; all he needed to do was figure out how to get it from her.

Grey picked up his clothes and left the guild. Sure, she occasionally said Grey, but more often she would say Grey Darling or Grey My Love, leaving the ice mage wondering why he had given a damn. She used to be the girl who was usually at his side, love-sick and eager to assist him.  He slumped against a wall, perplexed by it all. Instead, she was refusing to assist him and was even being sassy about it. He wasn't familiar with this Juvia, and he wasn't sure if he liked or disliked the fact that she wasn't his puppy lover anymore.  All he wanted was for her to leave him the hell alone which he had told now, but now oddly enough he's missing it. 

"Gah women, she probably be normal tomorrow." he thought as he walked home.