This is gonna' be a long one guys. posting the first chapter for now to see what reactions I get. Will post the second next week friday (10/17/14) and we'll go from there!
Enjoy!
One: Questions
Gajeel stared at Makarov. Here he found him, his clothes tattered and shredded, hair messy and tangled, in desperate need of a bath, and with a rather rusty gear wiggling in his mouth as he chewed on it. His red dragon eyes took in the small statured man in front of him. He searched the old man's face, taking in all the details of the wrinkled, and oddly warm smile aimed his way. Gajeel curled his lip and spit the gear out.
"Tch, let me get this straight…" Gajeel's tone was wary and questioning, heavy with his usual growl, "Yer offering the guy that demolished yer guild hall, harmed yer precious children, and did everything in his power to wipe you off the map… a place among them?" The questions was sharp and sarcastic, almost amused.
Makarov was quiet for a moment, the smile he had drooping slightly, and the warmth in his eyes fading. "What you did to my guild hall… what you were trying to accomplish while in Phantom Lord… I am willing to forgive and forget about. He paused, "You are in need and I have never let a wizard, no matter their history, go without help if I'm able."
The old man thought for a moment, his expression falling dark, brows pulled together. The air around the two wizards changed, it became heavier and electrified with power. Gajeel's mangy mane bristled with the power in the air and his fists clenched unconsciously. He grit his teeth, instinctively preparing himself for the strike he knew wouldn't come, this was just a threat, Makarov was reminding the Dragon Slayer of his place.
"But for what you have done to my children...!" Makarov's eyes narrowed dangerously, "I can never forgive nor forget! Especially what you did to Shadowgear… to Levy…" The anger in his voice softened at the name of the Solid Script Mage, his eyes flickered with several emotions, sorrow, remorse, determination, and… forgiveness?
Gajeel flinched, he knew this topic was going to come up eventually, but he wished it hadn't. After the fall of Phantom Lord, after his defeat at the hands of the pink-haired, loudmouthed, brat of a Dragon Slayer, he was being offed a home, and a home of that of the same people he tried to destroy… He didn't want to face the reality smacking him in the face. He was not the fearsome Kurogane anymore, no, he had been striped of all titles, honors, his pride and reputation as a dragon slayer, as well as whatever bragging rights he had. He was living like a dog in the streets, where once he ruled with fear and malice, now he groveled at the feet of the man who he was sent to take down, and failed. He was a failure not worthy of the offer at hand. He deserved to live as he was, he deserved the hatred shot his way by the people of Magnolia. That was one of the reasons he was held up here in this abandoned warehouse, to escape the public ridicule. He was not deserving of the second chance offered.
Against his will, he wanted to feel like he had in Phantom Lord, but more than that, not as one would in a family, more like a companionship, comfortable social interaction whatever... He was not the soft type and he hated anything remotely gushy.
He would never admit it, but the months spent in such a depressing state, the toll it had taken on, not only his pride, but physically and mentally too, he was running out of energy. He was lonely, far more than he had in his last guild, more than he had wondering the country before that, more so even than when Metalicana had disappeared all those years ago. His heart ached just thinking about the Dragon, about his loneliness, about the fact that he was being so pathetically weak.
Yet, he wanted to be done being depressed. He wanted to be done with being treated like a rat that everyone despised. He was done being alone. He wanted to be forgiven for the sins he had committed - quiet willingly, yet still sins he knew – and to… apologize… to those he wronged. To the person who had been haunting his dreams. The person whose screams of fear and agony he heard every night, whose terrified blood covered face he saw every time he closed his eyes, whose eyes he couldn't get away from. Those Amber eyes that had held so much emotion; deifying what he was doing to her, the pity and sorrow in those eyes, the pity and sorrow she held for him, the unwavering fact that she was pitying him for hurting her… the woman he couldn't get out of his head, those eyes boring holes into his soul. He hated himself for making her hurt, he had realized some time ago. He wanted to make sure that no one ever hurt her again.
Things were not going to be easy for him if he were to join Fairy Tail, they would be even harder on the members, a few in particular, he knew that things were only going to get worse before they slowly got better… he hoped they would get better. He knew this Makarov new this, and yet, something inside Gajeel told him that this was the right choice. He had to do this, really there was no choice for him. That joining the guild he once put all of his effort and malice into destroying, that it was the right thing to do, to join them now.
Makarov relaxed and the atmosphere cooled around the two wizards again. Gajeel too relaxed and, with a frown, hung his head to reflect on the struggle in his mind. The Master waited for him to speak. Finally after a few minutes, the Dragon Slayer raised his head and looked pointedly at the old man's shoes, glaring at them as if they had just greatly insulted him. In a way, the owner of those shoes had; but that was another matter.
"Fine. I'll join your fucking happy little guild..." he sighed, resigned to this new fate.
"Wonderful!" the master practically squealed. Gajeel looked up surprised at the sound. The small man in front of him suddenly bounded forward and began patting the dumbfounded dragon on the highest part of him that he could reach, which happened to be just above his knee.
"Now then, we must get you cleaned up and properly dressed! I can't have the newest member of my family looking like this!" Makarov said pulling that the tattered and fraying gray pants Gajeel was wearing.
"Huh?!"
"Come M'boy! Let us not waist more time! I'll have Mira prepare a feast to celebrate your arrival as one of our brothers!" Makarov grabbed Gajeel's pointer finger and, with surprising strength, began to pull the Dragon Slayer along with him as he began to walk out of decrepit warehouse that Gajeel was scavenging. Numbly, the dragon stumbled behind the tiny man how held a death grip on his finger still. He figured that a feast would have little effect on softening the blow of the latest addition to the Fairy Tail Guild. A celebration? Hell no, more like a funeral for what little sanity the guild members had left, and for what ever pride Gajeel had… maybe even for him… He greatly doubted that anyone would be happy about his arrival at Fairy Tail once more, even if it was the master who escorted him in. As he trudged along behind the practically bounding old man, Gajeel sighed. What was the worst thing that could happen? If he was killed, then so be it, Gods knew he deserved it for all the wrongs he had done, attacking Fairy Tail being only one of many.
The new grand entry of the newly rebuild Fairy Tail Guild hall could have fit half of Phantom Lord's guild hall inside of it. The echoes of laughter, voices and what seemed like a few fights were still ringing in the hall, even though not a person made a sound, nothing moved, no one breathed, there wasn't a heartbeat heard except for the Iron Dragon Slayer's as he stood in the doorway a step behind Makarov, who had just announced that Gajeel was their newest addition to the guild.
The appearance of the Iron Dragon Slayer, now dressed in his usual attire, the black feathers over his right shoulder reflecting the bright light in the hall, had caught everyone off gaurd. The studs in the dragon's shirt and skin glinted evilly in the same light that filled the hall, as the dragon looked down his nose, glaring slightly, the corners of his mouth pulled down in a frown. He was not sure what to expect, should he prepare to fight? Run? He didn't know how to react, so he gruffly folded his arms over his chest and puffed himself up. Intimidation was always his go to when he was under scrutiny, though this might not have been the best decision he had made…
There was a very pregnant pause that seemed to continue for what felt like hours to Gajeel. Then a white haired woman dropped the glass she had been cleaning, it shattering on the bar into a hundred pieces of glittering crystal. It was the catalyst for the onslaught of outraged voices that instantly filled the hall from every member. Gajeel winced visibly, it was louder and more intense than he had expected. People screamed at their master demanding a reason, demanding that he not allow the dragon to step any farther into Fairy Tail, demanding that he be taught a lesson about what happens when you mess with Fairy Tail, demanding blood, demanding Gajeels blood. Makarov let his children spew and curse and throw their respective fits, his arms crossed over his puffed up chest, eyes closed and nose in the air, looking like a stubborn child. Slowly the noise lowered and Makarov opened his eyes scanning the crowed before him. Eventually the hall was again quiet, but the aura was so think, you could have sliced through it with a spoon.
"Any one else..?" Came the master's question, practically daring someone to protest his decision.
"Yeah!" a voice piped up, Gajeels ears twitched, he knew that voice, "I say Gajeel should win his place in Fairy Tail! I say he should fight me, and if he can beat me then he deserves to be in the guild! I'm all fired up! Wadda' say metal head? Wanna go?!"
Half the guild cheered Natsu on, the other half deadpanned at the more than typical response from the fire Dragon.
Gajeel chuckled, well, if there was someone who would approve of his joining the Fairies, it would be that flame for brains Dragon Slayer. The brat just didn't know when to give up.
"No, Natsu," The master stated with a sigh, "I think there has been plenty of fighting between Fairy Tail and Gajeel. You will have your battle I am sure, but not now. Now we welcome our new member, and celebrate second chances… and forgiveness..." The last part was said pointedly, looking hard at the guild members with something related to a 'don't question me' air about it.
But someone did question it.
"How can we forgive him after what he's done to us?!"
"Why should we give that bastard another chance, he hurt us once, what's to say he won't do it again?!
"Did you forget what he did to us master!? What he did to… to LEVY?!"
"How can you let that MONSTER in our guild and allow him to be near Levy?!"
"JET! DORY!" The master's voice drowned out anything more the two male members of Shadowgear were going to say next. "I have not forgotten what the past has held, but I have forgiven the wrongs! Men are able to change, to see the error of their ways and to repent for their sins."
"Men like him will, never change! ...man such as HIM." It was the slim redhead with the ridiculously tall hat that spat the words at the master.
The master turned a stone cold glare to Jet, as he spoke very slowly, "That. Is. Enough. Jet!... I think it would be good for you and Dory to take a break from missions for a while you cool down and find some manners."
"Picking that demon over us… fine then if that's how it's going to be then we will leave!" Dory huffed crossing his arms over his chest, sending a glare at the master.
"We'll take levy with us, he can't be trusted anywhere near him, nor any of us for that matter! C'on Levy, We'll protect you from the son of a bitch…" Jet reached behind him and grabbed the small had of a blue haired woman in an orange dress with matching headband holding back her locks. Her golden brown eyes were large and shining, there were tears in the corner of her eyes and she was shaking a little, Gajeel noticed from his spot on the other side of the guild hall. She was staring directly at him, and he back at her, they had been this way for the past several minutes when he had finally found her tucked protectively behind her two 'guard dogs.' He had subtly searching her out since he first entered the hall. His eyes followed her as she was dragged towards the back of the guild and down a hallway and out of sight, Dory following behind her, sending one last glare at the master before he too disappeared.
Gajeel let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. There was still tension in the air, but it seemed to be lesser now. Silence once again filled the hall.
"Now my children," Makarov once again started, "whether you like it or not, Gajeel is a member of Fairy Tail, and you WILL treat him with respect, no matter your personal feelings or grudges towards him… Gajeel, will I'M SURE, do the same, right Gajeel?
The Iron Dragon grunted in response. There was silence in the hall after the master's words.
"Mira, if you would." His voice was softer now.
"Yes master…" was the quiet reply of the maiden who had dropped the glass. She slowly made her way to clean up the shattered pieces of the glass.
The rest of the hall eased their way back into conversation as Mira started preparing for the celebration. Within a few minutes the hall was again filled with noise, but not the same as before. Now there were hums and buzzes of hushed voices, cautious glances and hard looks, more people began ordering alcohol – seemingly trying to get drunk and pretend that this was all going to be a very unusual dream in the morning when they woke with hangovers. Makarov let out a long low breath and let his eyes close as he relaxed. Gajeel watched the crowed with one eye and his new master with the other. He was at a bit of a loss as of what to do.
Pinching the bridge of his nose with a hand, the master looked pained for a few moments. Then he turned to the dragon at his back and motioned from him to follow. Gajeel did, strutting stiffly behind the master, glaring back at the looks the guild members gave him. The men sat at the bar where Mira served them drinks, she watched Gajeel carefully, before turning to the master. Gajeel ignored their conversation, instead taking a long drink from his tinkered. He could feel the eyes glaring daggers into his back, he could hear some of the members whispering to each other with his powerful hearing, he knew this would go on for a while until the Fairies had cooled down. He set the now half empty glass down on the bar, letting his eyes fall to look at his hands resting on the hard stone of the counter.
Now what? He thought to himself, he had no where to go. He supposed the guild hall would be his home now, he didn't know if the mages stayed in the guild hall or if they had their own places, or even if he was allowed to stay here. As if reading his mind, the man next to him spoke up.
"Mira, when you get a chance, would you kindly show our new member to one of the extra rooms in the back? I'm sure Gajeel would like to settle in somewhat and, um… have some time to himself…" turning to the dragon, the master addressed him, " you are welcome to stay here as long as you like, until you find a place of your own… I live here as well, on the third floor, if you need anything at all I'm just upstairs." The master smiled warmly at him. Gajeel shifted uncomfortable on the stool, he was not used to being babied like this, nor was he used to the warmth that this master was showing him. He still couldn't understand why the old man was treating him so well. He merely grunted a response instead of saying anything, drowning the last of his drink in one gulp. Glancing up he saw the bar maid looking at him. There was no fear in her gaze, just an intense, almost wondering look. She smiled a little at him, catching him off guard.
"If you're finished I'll show you to your room." Her voice was sweeter than he thought it should have been. He simply stood and frowned, but nodded all the same. As she rounded the bar and motioned for him to follow her, he gave one last look around at the glaring faces of his new guild members. With a huff and a barely audible sigh he followed the woman to a corridor nest to a grand set of stair cases set against the far wall that lead to the second story. Mira lead him down the hall, passing a few doors, one was opened to a large kitchen, and stopped in front of the last one on the left.
"Here we are, there should be everything you need in here… the bathroom's just across the hall here." she told him as she opened the door and held it for him. He didn't bother to thank her as he stepped passed her into the room. It was lit with a single light in the middle of the small, yet cozy room. There was a dresser and mirror set against the far wall, a matching desk and chair to the right and a full sized bed with nightstand and a clock on the left. A small blue and gray round rug was in the middle of the clay colored wooden floor, it matched the blue and gray sheets and blanked on the bed.
He heard the woman shift behind him, turning he gave her a look telling her she could leave. She offered a small smile to him again before letting the door close as she headed back to the main hall. He let out a long sigh and flopped face first on to the bed. It was surprisingly comfortable and he felt the exhaustion he had been fighting for the past few hours began to over take him. He had no idea what to do next, but sleep was sounding like a wonderful thing right at that moment. His mind was racing too much to allow him to sleep. Was this really a good idea? What was going to happen tomorrow? Tomorrow, he thought, tomorrow… I'll deal with everything tomorrow. Now I just want to sleep… He forced himself to quiet his mind and succumb to his exhaustion. He drifted, in between consciousness and unconsciousness, the last thing he say before he surrendered, were those eyes, filled with tears… and fear.
Any one catch a movie line in there? ;) Its one of my favorite movies!
Let me know what you think about this story if you like kinds where this is going/style/character developments/etc.
