TAINTED. GRUVIA

12

死の影 shadow of death;

Gray 氷

"Gray."

Jellal and Meredy are crouched beside me; we're surrounded by trees. "Where am I?"

"We found you unconscious in the middle of this forest," explained Meredy, "and it is supposedly near Pandora. I assume you have been searching for them as well?"

Unconscious?

My gaze fell upon the bruises that scorched my skin, and everything clicked. I immediately stood up, eyes scanning the area. "By any chance, have you seen Juvia?"

"We haven't," Jellal replied. "Why do you ask?"

I looked at them both straight in the eye. "That idiot joined Pandora."

Meredy's eyes widened, a slight gasp escaping from her lips. "This can't be... Not poor Juvia."

"If you ever find her, don't kill her," I said. "I believe that there is still some good in her, and I don't want to lose her yet.."

"Aw! Sounds like you really love-"

"I don't love her," I bluntly cut her off.

We suddenly heard a rustle from a nearby bush.

"Someone's here," Jellal observed, "This can't be good.."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to fight those bastards," I muttered worriedly.

"But you're wounded, Gray!" The pinkette pointed at my battered up body.

Jellal went up to me and inspected one of the scars. "She's right," he concluded, "With that many scars, you'll never survive a fight."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't underestimate me... I'm from Fairy Tail."

Ignoring what I said, Jellal continued, "I advise you leave at this instance. Meredy and I can take care of whoever is around."

As if on cue, a woman appeared before us. Flames were peeking out behind her; she was entirely surrounded by them.

"Great... Another Natsu," I pointed out, annoyed.

From further proximity, I spotted a girl with blue hair running towards us as well.

My face tinted white.

It was Juvia.

As if she were some kind of magnet, I couldn't resist the will to go after her.

Maybe this time, I could get her to change...

I attempted to take a step forward, to reach out toward my former guildmate.

Maybe this time, I could stop the rain, like I did when I first met her...

But I couldn't move. I was restrained. I cocked my head at Jellal to see his hands firmly grasping me. Irritated, I bitterly grunted, "Let. Me. Go."

"Gray, you know you can't-"

I yanked my arm from his touch and began to stumble towards her. Though, barely past a second, my face was already plummeting into the ground. I dug my nails in the grass, trying to lift myself up.

Why was I struggling so much?

"Idiot," Jellal said and helped me get up, "I told you that you couldn't do it."

"Shut up, wise guy.." I retorted.

The blunette glared at me.

"Jellal," Meredy sternly interrupted. He tore his gaze off of me in an instance. "Take Gray to Fairy Tail. I can handle them."