Ghosts of the past

Chapter 13 : Uncertain

"Go to the mountains until my return in... lets say two weeks. We'll meet here in precisely fourteen days."

The group nodded once again while Makarov took a quick look behind the curtains.

"Go prepare yourselves for those weeks in the woods, and be quick. The village already starts to get animated and Magnolia is the first place they'll be looking for you."

"Thank you gramps" said Levy, using the affectionate nickname she had given him as a child, taking the man in her arms.

"Be strong, Levy. And know that there is a lot more of this strength you need in you than you think."

Levy said nothing, fearing to burst once more into tears if she added a single word, and left the house behind the others.

"We'll meet here in half an hour" announced Gajeel. "Take all that can be useful for the next weeks."

Therewith, she saw Gray getting away, followed closely by Juvia. Gajeel did the same. Levy knew he hadn't a lot of personal things, apart the sword he was wearing to his waist, by that he would try to obtain some supplies essential to their survival. So Levy went back home, piling in a bag her belongings that could be useful, struggling against her urge to pack up numerous books. Then she went back to Makarov's house to meet up with the others. A tall silhouette with black hair could be seen. When she realised he was alone, Levy was reassured. She had to transmit a message, thing she couldn't really do in front of the others.

"I have something to tell you" she said once near him.

The later rose an eyebrow, seeming to say: so just say it!

"Your father's proud of you."

The eyebrow he had kept up lowered. To his surprised expression, Levy specified.

"Your father asked me to say to his son, if I would ever cross his way, that he's proud of him."

"Pffff... How could the old man know if he'd be proud? I was a useless kid when he died."

"He...he also knew you'd be a precious ally" she added, ignoring his comment and blushing a little.

"Tssss"

This time, he couldn't find a retort. Could Gajeel really be out of words?

"He was right on almost everything" she said.

"He only forgot the part were I almost killed the queen to be?" he said with bitterness.

She ignored him.

"He was wrong about the fact that you are an ally. You're more than that" she quickly added. "In your odd, unbearable, exasperating way, you mean a lot to me. Not only as an ally but also as a friend" she concluded.

For a moment, she was afraid he would start laughing, that to him, she was only a source of problems. Then he laughed, but not the contempt smile she feared. It was rather that smile, charming in his own way, the one she rarely saw.

"Gihi! Don't tell me the shrimp has stop hating me!"

"I never hated you, idiot!" She pouted. "Well, not since you stopped acting like a brute" she corrected.

"You mean like that?" he said, throwing her on his shoulder like a sac of flower."

"No way! Not again!" She complained, half-serious.

She struggled to get off him, the action not even bothering Gajeel. Then he put her down in front of him, the young woman's arms still around his neck to keep her balance. Their looks met.

"Were you serious when you said you'd never let me down?" She muttered.

The young man's expression became serious.

"Do I look like the kind of guy who says things to please others?" he let out. "If I told you so, I mean it".

She couldn't hold the smile that grew on her lips.

"Perfect!" she said "So you'll keep your other promise?"

"I don't recall any promises" he sais suspicious.

"Train me" she however said. "During those two weeks."

He scanned her look, as if he was evaluating how serious she was.

"Gihi! We'll see what we can do with you on a battlefield, shrimp."

***

Juvia was nervous. She knew Gray also was, in his own way. Even though his expression stayed calm, he had taken off the shirt he had put on barely a minute ago, which was even faster then usual. She picked up the shirt on the ground, holding it in her arms then sat on the bed, sadness in her eyes. Gray continued packing a little more before noticing that the woman, usually full of life, hadn't say a word since their arrival.

"You're not your usual self" he let out. "Even with all the crap you faced until now, you always kept your smile no mater what."

"Juvia is sad" she muttered.

"That, I can tell" he sighed, not really knowing what to do in that situation.

"Juvia is sad because she cannot help but feeling some happiness to know that her love will be by her side. What kind of horrible person is happy to see sorrow fall on others? Juvia doesn't even deserve to have Gray by her side..."

"Hey! Don't cry!" Exclaimed Gray, obviously uncomfortable to see the tears that were starting to roll on her cheeks. "I..." he started, scratching the back of his head "even if I would never wish for bad things to happen to you, I'm also glad you're with me."

"Really?" Exclaimed Juvia, throwing herself at him.

"Yes but... ah!" He said, exasperated. "When I say with me, I don't mean on top of me!"

"But Juvia is so happy that Gray doesn't hate her!" she answered, cuddling a little more against his chest.

Gray closed his arms on her a little moment then pushed her off without delicacy.

"Lets meet up with the others" he announced, noticing that if he wouldn't get her off of him, they'd still be here at sunset.

Before leaving, Gray gave a last look at the little house he used for years. He had no idea when he could come back or if he even could come back one day. Whatever the future had in store for them, the next days would be uncertain, no doubts about it.

Hope you liked that chapter! Please give me your thoughts on it by commenting :)

Love you all!

Lily xxx