Chapter 91: Leaving

"Who are you? How come you know that we need a boat? " Erza asked with narrowed eyes. She'd never seen Juvia in the fight against 'Phantom Lord' since Natsu had already taken care of them at that point. Others also stared at Juvia suspiciously while expecting answers.

"Uhm… I'm Juvia Lockser, a water mage. I accidentally heard your previous conversation. You're looking a boat right?" Juvia answered the question making everyone relax a little. It looked like her answer had satisfied them for now.

"Then, can you lead us to where the boat is, Juvia? As you can see, we're in a hurry." Erza asked her with impatience written all over her face. She didn't want to waste any more time while her friend's lives were at risk.

"Um, sure. Follow me, I'll show you the place where I saw the boat." Juvia replied, leading them to a shore where there was a small fishing boat that could fit up to six people. The boat had two paddles on opposite sides to displace the water.

Natsu placed the unconscious kidnappers into the middle of the boat and looked at his companions.

"This boat can only support six people. Since the four spots are taken by these fellows, there are only two spots left." Natsu said, pondering the situation.

"So are you telling us that only two people can go there? Then, it's decided. I will go there with Natsu." Erza proposed, understanding the situation, but the others weren't happy with her proposal. They also wanted to go to the island.

"No way, we told you before that we're coming with you whether you like it or not. Besides, why do you need Pinkie to go with you? I can handle those villains myself." Gray protested. He didn't want to be left behind again. He wasn't happy to miss the battle against 'Phantom Lord'. So, now that there was another chance to fight some bad guys, he didn't want to miss it.

"Yes, you cannot leave us here, Erza-san. I want to go there as well. I'm not leaving my brother's fate in other's hands." Kagura strongly objected. It looked like she was going there no matter what. Her brother's life was at risk, so she didn't want to be left behind, not doing anything.

"You can't leave us here, Erza," Lucy complained weakly. She knew she wasn't strong enough to battle against their enemies but she still wanted to support her friends. Juvia just looked at them with a comfortable expression. It looked like she wanted to say something but she didn't know when to join in on their conversation.

Natsu looked at her, then at Gray, and then immediately an imaginary bulb glowed in his head. He looked like he thought of a wonderful idea.

"Hey Gray, do you think you can make an iceboat?" Natsu asked Gray with a smile. Gray was confused but realized his intention. He thought for a while and shook his head.

"I can make one but it won't last very long. To boat will start melting as soon as it touches water due to temperature difference. And even if I keep reinforcing it to stop the melting process, we don't have another set of paddles to use. Even if I make another set with my ice-make magic it won't be feasible. It's too cold for others to hold. And, I can't paddle and reinforce the boat at the same time." Gray explained the problem while making Natsu smirk. Then, Natsu looked at Juvia with a grin making her confused.

"Then, why don't you join us as well, Juvia? You're a water mage, right? It should easy for you to displace our boats. We'll probably travel faster with your magic rather than using those paddles." Natsu suggested making everyone wide-eyed in realization. That's right! With a water mage, it would be all too easy to travel on the sea.

"S-Sure, if that's what you want. I'd be glad to help you, Natsu-sama." Juvia agreed to his suggestion while stuttering. She was exulting in being able to help her crush. She had also wanted to help him deal with those bad guys.

"Thanks for the help, Juvia. Then, Erza and I will stay in this boat with these guys while the remaining people will stay in another boat." Natsu quickly decided on the boat he's going to use. He didn't want to freeze his ass sitting on the other one, so he quickly pushed the boat onto the sea.

"That's the plan. Let's get going, everyone. We're short on time here." Erza clapped her hands, accepting his proposal. Then, both Natsu and Erza hopped into their boat without waiting for any complaints.

The remaining girls could only fiercely stare at the duo with envy. They also didn't want to sit in an iceboat but alas, they had no other choice. Gray quickly made an iceboat with his ice-make magic before they begrudgingly sat on it.

Juvia quickly got to work and started displacing the waters beneath the boats making them sail forward. The speed at which they were traveling was a lot faster than it would have been while using paddles.

"So, do you have any idea where Jellal is? Or else, do you want me to wake up one of these fellows."  Natsu asked Erza for direction. The others also looked at Erza for answers.

"Hmm… If I'm not wrong, the island is to the south of Akane Island. Don't wake them up yet. I don't want them to wake up just to hear that their lives are at risk." Erza sighed after she spoke. She knew Jellal had brainwashed her childhood friends, so it would be useless to talk to them now.

"You heard her Juvia," Natsu told Juvia making her nod. Then, she adjusted the direction of the boat. All of them sat in the boat in silence. Erza and Kagura were too tensed since their loved ones were at risk. Gray was busy reinforcing the boat so that it wouldn't melt. Juvia was busy displacing the water with her magic, whereas Lucy could only sit in silence after feeling the atmosphere.

(A/N: Enjoy the chapter! Don't forget to give me all your power stones ;) It motivates me to write more.)