Second chance

Chapter 4: Inner demons

Today as I walked into the guild with Juvia I was pondering upon how to make sure Juvia and I were left alone while training. My head snaps forward as I see a table flying at my face. Instincts kick in and I dive for the floor, which was unnecessary as Juvia instantly had had a water barrier covering the area I was in.

"Who.the.hell...DID THAT!" Juvia growled angrily. She was always protective of me along with Natsu and my pseudo brother Sting Bee.  It probably has to do with the fact that I was her team leader. After the war, all the guilds got together and joined Fairy tail so we divided into 4 teams. 

Team one was intelligence which I led. Team two was assault which Sting led. And team three was offence which Gary led. Lastly, team four was infiltration which Rouge led. Ever leader had a second in command. Mine was Juvia, Stings was Laxus, Grays was Erza and Rouges was Kagura. 

The leaders were basically protected by their second in command and were never supposed to leave their sight, but Sting and I broke that rule a lot... Not that Natsu knows. 

I knew that I could trust Juvia with anything, but sometimes I just needed space, Sting did too, especially after Yukino died. 

Everyone pointed at Gray immediately. Juvia softened...

"Wow, I really thought that a man Gray~sama would have better aim than that!"She said smirking. The guild was dead silent as Juvia winked to Gray while he gaped like a fish in water. 

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH~, YOU JUST GOT ROASTED!!!" Jet and Droy screamed in the background. The guild broke into some cheers, but mostly everyone was staring at Juvia who was realizing what she had just done. 

.......

I grab Juvia and drag her to Master Makarov's office. Nope Nope Nope Nope Nope! I ain't dealing with this, not today!

Once we arrive at the Master's office I knock on the door lightly.

"Come in" I heard gramps say from behind the door

Juvia and I walk in and close the door, once we know we're alone we break down and tell him everything...

3 hours of speaking between sobs later

"How did Laxus die..." He asks grimly

" He died defending his daughter," I said, remembering the 2-year-old blond that died way too soon. Mira and Laxus did everything for that girl, she was as kind as Mira, and as protecting as Laxus. Everyone said that she and Erza's and Jellal's son would get married in the future. 

We wait in silence for a bit and then leave his office knowing we will get stronger and defeat the one who did this to us.

Once we got down the stairs I was suddenly swept off my feet and carried away to god knows where! The only thing stopping me from snapping was the flash of pink that a knew was Natsu's.

I look up to see Natsu and my face heats up completely....not.good...

Once he stops we had arrived at a clearing in the forest. Natsu lets me down and looks at me intently. My face is probably red enough to rival Erza's hair and it's heating up even more!

"Luce... are you hiding something from me?" he asked. He sounds so sad... so desperate. 

"O-Of course n-not..." Dammit, why am I stuttering so much today! I look away with a red hue on my face and purse my lips. 

"Ya sure? I could help ya you know... I know I can be an idiot but I need you to believe in me, Luce... I don't know what I'd be without you..." He continues and I can't help but smile at the carefree Natsu of this time. Back in the war, every touch we had was rushed, soft, and longing for the time we didn't have.   

"-Natsu..." My lips pull up and I give a small chuckle. 

I quickly give Natsu a kiss on the cheek and start speaking.

"I trust you Natsu, I just can't tell you right now ok?" I say and Natsu's face brightens into the literal sun. 

"Okay, Luce!" He states and I can't help but think of Natsu wearing his blood-red armor, a scar tracing up his jaw, curving down against his cheek. His hair cut a bit shorter than it is now, his face set in a determined smirk, that is a shadow of his current grin. Wings made a fire coming from his back once he entered dragon force. 

I walk away from him quickly, he doesn't mean it that way, at least not yet... right? He told me he didn't realize he liked me until the Grand Magic Games when I got hurt. 

'I don't know what I'd be without you...' I shake my head, I'm sorry Natsu, but I can't risk you getting hurt again... I will do what I have to do to keep my family safe. 

Even if it means that we will never be together. 

(Juvia's POV)

I sit down on the bar alone watching as Natsu carried Lucy away bridal style... Sheesh, get a room you two... I had enough of you couples smooching all the time while I was single before the war... I feel someone tapping on my shoulder and turn around to see Gray...~sama...

"Hey!" I say "How are you, Gray?" I finish with a cheeky smile. 

He winces, did I say something wrong?... Oh, wait!

"I mean... GRAY~SAMA YOU'RE HERE" I scream as I tackle him. That worked out well. 

Instead of pushing me away like he used to, he dragged me out of the guild for a talk... Wait... I don't know if Gray noticed but he's still holding my hand *mentally blushes*. OK, I have made out with gray before and I blushing because he is holding my hand. Get it together Juvia.  

"Juvia I need to tell you something, I know you've been avoiding me and I think I know why..." He states as I freeze. I then instantly relax. There is no effing way that Gary has guessed time travel.  So what is he thinking?

"I haven't been taking your feelings seriously and I'm sorry, I just need time so... Wait for me okay?" He says softly, not too long after Gray surprises me with a kiss on the lips after a few seconds I start kissing back and after a minute I pull away. 

"Gray I-" I try to explain, but he smiles and raises both his hands in a surrender position. 

"I know, just wait for me ok? He finishes and I give him a soft smile. On the inside, I am freaking out, but war helps you hide your emotions pretty well.  I internally smirk and shrug for old times sake. . . 

"OKAY GRAY~SAMA!!!" I scream as I tackle him once more I feel him stiffen under the hug and allow the smirk to take over my face as I walk away... 

It's so fun making others unconformable, But I won't allow myself to get close to Gray just yet. My first priority is to save the future. 

The next day...

The next day we enter the guild to see master on the stage, it's time for a change...