[Juvia's Savior]

Juvia nervously opened her eyes, unknown. The voice was so familar and sweet to her ears, she just had to look to see who it was. Her eyes widened when she saw the figure to be Gray Fullbuster, the love her life, as he had blood on his knuckles from punching Lyon straight in the nose. He looked worried for Juvia as he quickly ate the ice holding her down, she only blushed when he bite the ice right about her mouth. Thankfully she's okay, Gray thought to himself, before picking Juvia up.

"Gray-sama," whimpered Juvia, "you saved Juvia... how did you know Juvia was here?" She asked him as he held her against his body, as Lyon held his bloodied nose with an annoyed expression.

"I didn't know you were here and I only heard your cry for help when I was about to leave, I... I was doing other things here, but I'll explain that later." He said, not losing his composed voice. "Right now, though, we have to go. It isn't safe for either of us." Juvia nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck as he ran out the door, she was thankful that he came for her.

A smile was hiding on her lips as the rain that was plaguing Juvia slowly lightened up to a lit drizzle. Happiness was invading Juvia, but the thought of Lyon about to kill her prevented the rain from leaving. Why, Lyon-sama? What did Juvia do wrong to the point where you wanted to kill her? It wasn't like she could ask him, though, so the question stayed burning in her mind.

Gray ran as fast he could to Fairy Tail, hoping that Lyon didn't get any ideas and followed them. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would be endangering Juvia when she's emotional so he thought keeping her as far away as possible was the best option. There was something... wrong about Lyon, so Gray also didn't want to find out what was wrong with him. Sometimes questions are best left in the dark, for the sake of others.

The run tired Gray out slightly but Juvia tight grip around his neck kept him motivated, she got scared earlier. Now... she was fine, and now Gray could allow relief to consume his body. Despite the burning in his lungs and muscles for him to stop, he felt as if everything was okay. Who knows how long that peace will last, though, peace never lasts long with the guild Fairy Tail.

After what seemed like forever, Gray allowed himself a small break to catch his breath. He refused to set Juvia down, because he felt better if he had a better ability to carry her. Her ocean blue eyes looked right at him, and silently said "Thank you". She had no idea how amazing it felt to see her so happy with him again, these two long years... it took a toll on everything, having people away gone for more than a couple of months is enough to make someone angry.

Gray should know, Juvia was definitely not please when he came back from the six months with that dark guild. It was terrifying and slightly relieving to see her, though, like all of their interactions. It's strange how Juvia can do this to him, it's almost inhuman how nice it is to be wanted by her. He could never tell her that, though, the teasing would never stop, from anyone. Erza would be the worst, she'd be saying, "I told you so~".

"Gray-sama, Juvia can walk on her own if she gets too heavy for you," she told him kindly but Ice Mage quickly shook his head.

"No, you were almost killed, Juvia! I want you to just relax right now, besides you aren't heavy. At least not to me." He said, standing up straight again and pulling her closer. "But... I think it would better if I didn't carry you bridal style anymore and if you got on my back." He said, catching his breath. The bluenette nodded and crawled out of his arms.

He knelt down slightly so she could get on and Gray grabbed her legs, frowning at the loose robe that cover her legs. Seriously, what was Lyon planning to do before he was going to kill her? He seriously wanted to know but left his curiosity behind and continue to head to Fairy Tail. He hasn't been at the guild all day, but that's because this is the day his old mentor died.

Ur Milkovich, he was glad he managed to save Juvia. The whole memory of watching Ur dying played in his head as he saved Juvia. He didn't know how he... no, he wouldn't be able to survive if he watched another person he cared about died. Even if it wasn't his fault, it would still haunt him, scratch at him until it drew him insane.

***

"Gray!" Ur yelled at the young boy, crossing her arms with a strict but not particularly harsh look. "What do you think you're doing?!" He was standing in the kitchen at who knows what hour with one of Ur's Ice Magic books. Now he was caught red handed trying to learn something beyond his skill level.

"I just saw it, okay? And I got curious so I read it, it's not like you're teaching us anything strong anyway! I want to be able better than I am now or how am I going to avenge my parents?!" He defended himself harshly. Her eyes softened at his outburst, but that didn't mean she was going to forgive him for snooping around.

"You don't know how dangerous Magic is, yet, Gray. All I'm doing is trying to protect you but you're not letting me. I get it, you're young and you want to be free to do what you want but that's how you get hurt. Why can't you understand that, even a little bit?" Ur asked softly, not getting angry at him.

Gray clenched his fist, regret and anger bubbling inside. "If that's so... if you're truly trying to protect me... then why couldn't you protect your own daughter?!" He snapped, letting his anger get to his mind. After he said this, it seemed like the world shattered inside of the strong willed teacher.

Even in the dark, Gray could see the tears starting to fill her dark eyes. Everything that made him angry just dissipated after seeing his parental figure break.

"I don't know, I guess," she started, her voice already broken. "I tried to save her, I did everything a mother could... she was my hope and joy in life and now she's taking away from me." Tears quietly streamed down her cheeks as she looked away. "That's why... I don't want to make the same mistake again, that's why I'm so strict and serious. I don't want to lose you guys like I lost my daughter, but you guys don't... no, you honestly can't understand that until you're older." She said, turning around.

Gray wanted to say something, but there was nothing to say. All he knew was that he wouldn't try to let his anger consume him again, seeing his master cry is devastating.

I'm sorry, Ur, Gray thought. Never again, I'll never do that again.