Book 1: Fragments of Crystal (Fairy Tail Fanfic)

Chapter 26

Akira's P. O. V:

The sound of birds chirping fills my ears as I sit next to Gray in the small boat we're taking to wherever Erza, Happy and Momo are, a worried expression on my face. Juvia sits at the prow of the boat, Lucy sits opposite Gray, her right hand on the steering lacrima that controls the movement of the boat, and Natsu has draped himself over the edge of the boat, trying not to vomit into the ocean.

I'd healed Natsu of his motion sickness just before we left the resort. It's been almost three hours since then and my healing spell has worn off, so now Natsu is battling his motion sickness as I'm trying to save my magic power for the battle ahead.

Lucy says worriedly as we sail along tranquil waters, the sky a clear blue above us, "I'm worried about those people who are stuck in the cards. You think they're okay?"

Gray replies, leaning his elbows against the side of the boat, "We let the military know about 'em before we left, so I'm sure they'll be fine."

"I hope so..."

"...." I don't say anything, just keep looking down at my lap, gripping my fingers together. I haven't said a word since we left the resort. I was being quieter than usual as I'm afraid for my sister and the cats. I just couldn't stop thinking about what could be happening to them right now.

I feel Gray look at me, and say, his tone of voice a bit softer than normal, "Don't worry, Akira-chan. I'm sure they're gonna be fine. We'll find them, you'll see."

Gray tried sounding positive, but it wasn't working.

"......" I still didn't say anything, and my solemn expression made Gray, Lucy and Juvia sweat drop a little.

Gray suddenly asks, looking around, "Wait a minute! Where the heck are we?!"

Juvia responds, "I don't know. We've been following Salamander's lead."

Looking to the pinkette, Lucy asks seriously, "Natsu, are you sure we're going in the right direction...?"

Her only response was Natsu attempting to keep from vomiting, tears pricking his eyes as beads of sweat appear on his face, drool coming out of his mouth.

Lucy deadpans at him, smiling sheepishly.

Gray snaps in annoyance, his arms crossed over his bare chest, and a yellow tick mark of annoyance throbbing on the side of his head, his eyes annoyed white triangles, "Man!! We're relying on your sense of smell. Pull it together!"

Her eyes angry white triangles, Juvia snaps at Natsu, "How dare you disappoint my love with your childish actions!"

Gray mutters, "Geez! I can't believe how easily they were able to knock us out and kidnap Erza, Happy and Momo. We're pathetic!"

A gloomy aura appears around me as I bow my head more at the reminder of our friends being kidnapped. Gray flinches in surprise as the others widen their eyes. "I was so useless!" I cry, anime tears pouring down my face. "I couldn't protect Momo-chan, let alone, my big sister!"

"Uh, it'll be okay, Aki-chan! Please don't cry!" Gray tries to calm me down as he waves his hands back and forth in a placating gesture.

Juvia states, "In our defence, they must've been powerful wizards to beat one as strong as Erza."

"What...?!" I snap angrily, jerking a glare to the blue haired girl. "They didn't beat her! Quit talking like you know her, 'cause you don't!"

Juvia cries, "Juvia is sorry!!"

Lucy cuts in and says in a calm tone, "Calm down! What's your problem? Those goons that attacked us said they were old friends of Erza's. Which makes me wonder... If we know her any better than Juvia does."