Rain in Winter [Gruvia] {The FT Love Chronicles; Book 4}

Chapter Five

 Juvia knew when she was finally awake because of the sudden rush of pain to her head. It sent stars across her closed lids, and shot straight to her temples. The aftermath of whatever she had been poisoned with wasn't as bad as she had been expecting, but it still caused her to lay there for several seconds after she had awoken.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she noticed that she was still in her room-like cell. When she looked out of the glass, however, she saw that her cell was no longer in the same underground spot it had been. She appeared to be in a cave now. A cold cave, she noted with a shiver.

"Where has Venus taken Juvia?" She pondered, struggling to her feet. She got up slowly to prevent the room from spinning, and was eventually able to walk around.

She wondered how Venus had been able to move the entire cell by herself—especially such a far distance. Judging by the temperature, they were fairly high up in the mountains somewhere. The island from before had been several hours at best away from any mountain ranges. She assumed the cell was some sort of magic barrier, but she couldn't figure out how to break it. If only Levy were here. But, since she was all alone, and had to get herself out of this mess, she would have to figure it out herself. So far, breaking through the glass seemed to be the only way out, so that's what she would have to do.

And then I can find Gray and take him back to Fairy Tail—away from Venus. She planned to pay Venus back for everything she had done before that, however.

"Oh, good, you're awake." The familiar voice caused Juvia to jump, pulling her from her thoughts. Venus came through the entrance of the cave, smiling. "Do you like it? I picked this place out just for you."

"Where are we?" Juvia asked.

Venus stood close enough to the glass that Juvia would have been able to touch her, had it not been in the way. "Where doesn't matter. We're away from that town, so that's all you need to know. Any day now, Gray will finally be mine. Then, it will be time for you to die, rain woman."

"Gray-sama would never harm Juvia," she snapped.

"Maybe so," Venus smirked, "but what if he doesn't know who you are? You see, he's going to forget all about you soon. Once he has fully accepted me, he will do whatever I ask—even kill you."

"Gray-sama won't accept you. He'll never let such an evil woman control him!"

"Silence!" Venus growled, slamming her fist against the glass. "He will accept me." She huffed, then turned to leave. "If you freeze to death out here before then, though, that would be such a pity." With a laugh, she strode from the cave, leaving Juvia completely alone.

Juvia threw a tunnel of water at the glass wall, but it dissipated immediately, having no effect. "Juvia's magic energy is weak again," she sighed, sitting on her bed and wrapping the blanket around herself. She would have to wait even longer to break the glass, now. But how much longer do I have?

As she sat on her bed, shivering, she thought of Gray. She knew he would continue to fight Venus, so she didn't need to worry about him. Gray would never hurt me, and he would never fall under Venus's spell.

“At least, Juvia hopes he wouldn't.” She wrapped the blanket around herself a little tighter when another cold breeze came through the cave. I have to believe in Gray. He will keep fighting.

~Gray~

The rain stopped. That was the first thought in Gray's mind when he woke up. Not that he was in a strange bed, or that nothing looked familiar. Nor was it that the back of his head was throbbing painfully.