Behind the scenes

Juvia

"Ugh!" Why does waking up hurt so bad? Damn! I stopped trying to sit up, looking around. I was on the floor in a strange room, but I had a pillow and was covered by a blanket. I could hear rain on the roof, and my sense of smell was telling me I was somewhere familiar, I just couldn't place it.

"Gajeel-kun is finally awake? Juvia was so worried!" The rain woman came into the room with a tray of food. I smelled metal too, so maybe it was for me?

"Juvia? What am I doing on the floor?" I groaned again. My whole body hurt, what the hell happened?!

"Juvia is sorry!" She exclaimed, her face turning red. "Juvia found you in the alley where our guild mates dumped you, and brought Gajeel-kun here, but Juvia could not lift you off the floor!" She looked like she was about to cry.

"Wait, what? Where they dumped me? Wha-?" I stopped, as the memory of being drained of my magic and then beat up flooded into my mind. "That's right," I growled, "those bastards did this to me. That's why I'm hurt. Juvia! How long have I been here?"

Juvia looked at her feet, "Well, Juvia couldn't get a healer without Master finding out, so Gajeel-kun has been sleeping here for about three days..." She faded out talking as I growled again, and forced myself to a sitting position. "Gajeel-kun! You'll make your injuries worse!" Juvia exclaimed as she rushed to my side. She dropped the tray next to me, and tried to help me.

"I don't need yer help, dammit!" I snapped at her, snatching my arm away. Almost immediately I regretted it. She looked as if I'd hit her. "Juvia is so-" I help up my hand, "don't be sorry. Ya didn't do anything to be sorry for. Just stop." I sighed. "I'm the one who's sorry. Yer just helpin me, an' I don't like bein weak. Ya know that." I paused, and raised an eyebrow. "That metal for me?"

Juvia smiled and slid me the tray, laughing a little when I eagerly snatched the bits of iron. The food smelled good too, but the metal would replenish my magic faster. "Fanks..." I mumbled around my meal.
"Of course. Juvia is just glad she could help Gajeel-kun." Juvia smiled again, and then left the room.

I finished eating, and collapsed back onto my pillow. I could hear the taunts of my attackers echoing in my head.. "Weakling...pansy...useless..." I knew who each voice belonged to... and grinned wickedly as I planned how to best make them regret their words. Those cowards could only attack me after Aria had drained me... They'll learn to fear me.