The Runaway

Chapter 28: Abide Integrity (2)

Jellal called Erza and told her that he couldn't come up there with them. For once,Ultear joined them cause of matters with Erza. Their circle consisted of Levy, Lucy, Erza, Juvia, and Ultear. Some girls were chatting to one another. Lucy and Levy about books, Erza and Ultear about their school work and Juvia was only cutting conversation between the two groups.

"Hey. I've been meaning to ask. But, where's Natsu?" Erza asked, looking over them.

"Oh yeah. Natsu can't come. Juvia thinks he's still in the infirmary,"Juvia answered thoughtfully.

"The infirmary?!" Erza exclaimed. "Did something bad happened?" she asked in pure worry.

"Ahh. N-no. Erza. Natsu's fine," Lucy quickly said. "He was only sleeping in class," she added. Though,she didn't bring up the fact that Natsu's bandaged up. And the most strange part, so is Gray. 

"Oh. Is that so," She answered calmly, relief was in her tone. "But, why was he sleeping in class?" she asked with a frown. Whether she favors Natsu or not, she still need to maintain the rules.

"We really don't know," Levy answered.

"Though, I think it might have something to do with Jellal," Ultear answered, taking a sip of her coffee. "I saw him carrying Natsu awhile ago," She added. Erza nodded and then they continued to talk. Minutes later, Juvia gasped.

"Juvia. What's wrong?" Ultear asked, a little concern.

"No, no," Juvia answered quickly. "Juvia just remembered something," she said thoughtfully.

"What is it?" Levy asked.

"Juvia finds it strange that both Natsu and Gray are injured," she said. Erza and Ultear stared at one another.

"Do you think that they seriously tried to hurt each other?" Erza clarified.

"Juvia is not sure," She said with concern.

"Of all the times they fought, it didn't actually cross my mind. That you know, the idea of those two hurting each other." Ultear said.

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.

"Lu. In case you haven't noticed. The fight that those two engaged were only spars and nothing serious. It only caused them body pain but hardly any bruises. But this time, Natsu was like ran over by a truck and Gray was no bette--" Levy explained but Ultear's glare made her stop.

"What are you saying? What happened to my brother?" She demanded.

"S-sorry, Ultear," Levy apologized, cowering beside Lucy.

"Calm down, Ultear," Erza said with her stoic voice. Ultear took a moment and tried to breathe. When it was clear, Levy continued.

"Gray looked like he fought a demon and barely escaped," she added. Lucy and Juvia nodded.

"Juvia knows that Natsu can be a fighter sometimes. Juvia is worried of Gray." Juvia said with a low tone.

"Juvia," Lucy called. "Just how strong is Natsu exactly?" she asked.There was a paused,Juvia hummed thoughtfully and tried to regain her memories.

"If Juvia is to be honest. Juvia would say that Natsu is stronger than Erza if he's serious," she said with an affirmative tone. They stared at her, Erza was only smiling.

'St-str-stronger than Erza?' Levy and Lucy stuttered in their minds. They knew fully well how strong she is, her strength can even match a Wizard Saint!

"Is that so? I'd like to challenge him someday," she said and took a bite of her cake.

"That strong huh," Ultear trailed off, staring at her reflection in her cup of tea.