Ruthless Winds and Raging Seas

Chapter 38

"Laxus this discussion is over!" Natsu told him. "We're not going to hurt Juvia to make her cry!"

"We need that tear!" Laxus said.

"We'll think of another way to get it! But we will not use barbaric methods to obtain it!" Natsu then turned to Gray. "Gray could you bring her in here? I'm going to cut up some onions, see if that gets the water works going."

"Yeah."

Gray left Natsu's quarters and went to bring Juvia in but he couldn't find her. He checked the room that she stayed in with Erza, he checked aboard and below the deck, he even checked on top of the sail posts but she was no where to be seen.

"Where is she?" He thought to himself.

He then heard a the familiar melody of his mother's music box. He followed it to where he slept, expecting to find Juvia listening to it but she wasn't there. All he found was the open music box that had a small note in it. He picked up the note and began to read it.

Dear Gray

I heard what you said to Natsu and Laxus and I was greatly hurt by your words. Hurt and disappointed, I always thought that you were a decent human being. I always thought that you were living proof that my sisters were wrong about all humans being selfish and cruel. I thought that deep down you cared for me.

I know that you could never see me as a real woman, as a real human. I know that you could never love me the way I love you but I had hoped that you cared for me in some way even if it wasn't in the way I wanted. But I realize that I mean nothing to you and that I'm just some creature to be used. I would gladly give you the tear you so desperately want but I can't. I tried but I can't. So I have no reason to stay and I've decided to return to my sisters.

I'm sorry that I couldn't give you what you wanted but know this, despite the fact you've broken my heart and that I've suffered pain unlike any I have ever known I have no regrets. I now know what it's like to love and I realize that I would prefer a broken heart over a frozen one. I still love you and I don't think I'll ever love anyone more than I love you. I've given you my heart, it's broken but it is my heart no less and it's forever yours.

Sincerely Juvia

As Gray read each word on Juvia's note he felt the regret and guilt over his words hit him like a stone. What had he done? He didn't mean those words when he said them, he was just frustrated but then again how was she supposed to know that? He could only imagine how devastated she must have felt when she heard him say those awful and unforgivable words.

But what made the regret and guilt really hit hard was the knowledge of just how much she loved him. If the words written on her note were true and he had no doubt in his mind that they were, then that meant she loved him even though he had hurt her. In his mind that made her a much better person than him because he was sure if he had ever heard someone he loved say such words about him his love would turn to hatred in just two seconds. To be able to love someone even when they've hurt you in such an unforgivable way was undeniable proof of how strong real love could be.

"Gray are you okay?" Natsu asked walking in. "Where's Juvia? Did you find her?"

"She's gone."  Gray answered.

"Gone? What do you mean she's gone?"

"She left. She went back to the lagoon."

"Why?"

"Because she heard what I said."

"What are you talking about?"

"When I was talking to you and Laxus, she heard what I said about not caring about her. It hurt her and she left."