This fanfiction has a French Version traduced by the amazing LiGHTNiNGFAiRY59.
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Since Gajeel joined Fairy Tail, his life has been a nameless mess. He always thought he was pretty good to handle any kind of troublesome situations. But this damn guild was the exception. Those fairy freaks always brought trouble and HE had to help them fix their problems. He sighed, annoyed. It should be forbidden to be that noisy so early in the morning. He took a bite of scrap metal, chewing it with much more energy than necessary. Why was he even here ? Sure, he needed a job and the old geezer gave him that opportunity –God's knows why- but what made him accept ? A scent hit his nose when three people entered the building, greeting loudly the one that were already there. He turned imperceptibly his head to get the sight of sky blue hair.
"Hi, everyone ! shouted Shorty, cheerfully which everybody replied with the same energy.
Looking at her bright smile, his thoughts caught up his questioning. "Oh yeah...now I remembered why." Curiosity. Not only that though he would never admit that it was the first time he could get a second chance and he wouldn't spit on it, no matter what. He had been lost in anger for far too long and he needed to get back on his feet. Some would say it was a bit late for that, because he was a blood-thirsty monster. His only response to that would be a fist in the face. He wasn't some pansy who would cry forever on the fact he was abandoned. Not once but twice. First, his biological father and then, Metalicana. Those bastards...He won't let them bring him down, goddamnit! He was the almighty and strong Gajeel Redfox after all !
However, he would never forget Metalicana, but he couldn't let that tear apart his future. Just like his very first friend said: "Never let the past darken your future". He ignored that quote especially in Phantom Lord. He wasn't going to make that mistake twice. That's why he was a mage of Fairy Tail, now. He had pay back to take care of. After all, his honour as a dragon didn't allow him to walk away. And then with his mind free of any sins, he would continue his personal quest - and no, it had no link to Metalicana.
As his thoughts were wandering, the young blue-haired mage sat down three tables away from his, which gave him the perfect spot to check on her. She took out a book she had in her bag and started reading when her two clowns were unexpectedly integrated into a fight, initiated by Elfman who made Erza dropped her cheesecake. Discouraged, he rolled his eyes. Those idiots never learn. Being near Erza when she was enjoying a cheesecake was a big no-no, except if you were suicidal. Most of the morons in this guild were, apparently.
He brought back his attention to the petite mage, wondering how she could possibly get enough concentration to read with all the commotion going on. In fact, it wasn't his only wonder about that girl. She was technically his first friend in that guild. Besides Juvia, he never really had "friends" after Metalicana left. All the losers that crossed his paths were for most of them worthless jerks or boring weaklings. Juvia impressed him with her powers and since he didn't mind the rain, they decide to go on missions together. They tolerate each other and they were fine with it, so they spent a lot of time together. In short, she was the closest person to him even if he wouldn't declare publically that she was his friend, because he wasn't the talkative type anyway.
In general, since he was rather antisocial, he had plenty of time to observe people and to guess what was going on in their little head. It was useful in battles to judge an enemy and know what kind of person they were. It wasn't only a survival advantage, but it was an entertainment, too. He found it funny to see how they would struggle to hide their dirty little secrets. It was a twist way to harm people when he was in Phantom Lord. He didn't only have his fists which would surprise more than one. His high sense of observation and his perspicacity were his trump card, as he knew everybody thought he was a savage dumbass. That would be one of the reasons why he wasn't a people person. He read people too well for their own good and most of the time, he wouldn't like what he saw about them. Hypocrite bastards, hidden perverts, insanely disturbed people or just plain boring people. He saw it all.
With his fellow guild mates, it was the first time he met people acting like they really were, so carelessly. The only hidden part he could behold was their pasts that they took care to not brought it back to the surface. Unfortunately, he could guess for most of them. But, with that Levy chick, it was different. She was the one who make him doubt about his concealed gift. She was a mystery since the second time he met her, a few weeks after the war between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord. That was when the mess begin. When he, Gajeel Redfox, acknowledged Levy –known as Shorty- has an equal on the same level as Juvia was. The memory resurfaced.
Gajeel was waiting near the oak tree as the old geezer asked him to as he said he would give him a tour of the new guild. "That old bastard...to make me wait here to remind me what I've done. I ain't gonna feel guilt, if it's what you're trying", Gajeel ruminated. He remembered clearly his encounter with Master Makarov especially the moment when he felt overwhelming power oppress the air around him as the old wizard said he would never forgive him for what he has done to his "children".
He hated the fact he was now aware of his mistakes. He hit that wall called "consciousness" at full speed. Though, he would never admit it, he knew it would happen someday the moment the girl he assaulted said "You will regret this..." At first, he thought she was threatening him which in her position- pinned to a tree- was quite laughable since she wasn't the one with the upper hand in that attack. But then, he realized it was a warning. It was like she figured out that Phantom Lord would miserably lose and be disbanded and that the old man would give him a chance which means that he would have to face all his faults. The weight on his shoulders promised him a hard time.
All the hatred had consumed and buried his humanity, but strangely, he was ready to give life a second chance as Makarov gave him that chance. He leaned his back on the tree, vestige of his last error. Looking up to the moon illuminating the sky, he scratched his arm where his Phantom tattoo used to be. Even, if the old man was forgiving him at some extent, he highly doubted about the other wizards. Particularly, four of them. He shook his head. It didn't matter. He had planned to work solo, anyway. Surely, they would be all scared or mad and they would stay away from him. It would be better that way. At least, he had a work and those annoying dark guilds would stop bugging him.
Suddenly, his nose caught an unusual odour. Not odd as a disturbing kind of weird, but more like an improbable one. Maybe, he had caught a cold and he couldn't smell right, he thought until a soft voice said:
"Hey.
He lowered his head and saw what he least expected to see. A little blue-haired girl standing only a meter away from him. But, not any blue-haired girl, no. The very one that he cowardly attacked by surprise, beaten her up and nailed her to a tree. The same girl he picked, because she was so loved and cherished by everyone near her, that he had been sure it would provoke a war right away. Although, he didn't saw any injuries or bandages on her or she hadn't her eternal vivid smile from back then, it was without a doubt that girl. As he was disorientated, he shot abruptly:
"What the hell yer doing here ?
He was waiting to feel waves of fear emanate from her and to see her shaking little body move away from him, the scary and cruel Dragon Slayer. But, nothing like that happened. She just stood there, visibly displeased.
"How rude, I'm here to show you around, she huffed, crossing her arms in front of her petite chest.
"Huh ?
He could slam his head repeatedly on the tree trunk. Could he sound more stupid ? He doubted it.
"Master asked me to show you the guild, the girl explained, disinterested as it was obvious why she was there.
How could she act as if it was nothing ?! What was wrong with that girl ?! Didn't she have a little survival instinct ?! Maybe, she was just stupid. Maybe, he had to scare her to remind her who he was so she would know to remain aloof from him.
"Why ?! he asked roughly, imposing his tall stature to her sight.
He expected her to run away. She didn't move an inch. He wanted her to stay away from him. He didn't need a reminder of the past. His payback to her would be that he would let her be and wouldn't approach her more than 20 feet. He glared at her, sending her a clear warning. Or that's what he thought.
"When there's a new guild mate, someone has to show them the place.
Her tone let him notice that her patience has limit. She was mad at him. Finally, he saw there a normal reaction to his presence. Even though, he insisted.
"Yeah, I know, but why did the old geezer send a little girl to do the dirty work ?
When she heard the statement on her height, she clenched her teeth, impeded. He smirked, looking down on her. She wasn't detached anymore. It surprised him that he liked provoking her.
"I'm not a little girl ! I'm here as a mentor. Erza, Mirajane and I are the one responsible of the new people that join the guild. But, since the Tower of Heaven incident, Mirajane is busy helping the Master to deal with the Magic Council after their blunder with Etherion and Erza is spending some time with her old friends after defeating evil plans. So, I'm in charge. Any problem with that ?
"Those blockheads were getting in trouble so fast, pondered Gajeel to himself." She was kind of fierce for such a petite woman. He liked that. And then, "Consciousness" came back and hit him with one not-so-old memory. He hurted her, he has no right to like her.
"Aren't you scare, Shorty ? Gajeel asked, glaring intensively at her, to make her realized she was with a bad guy.
She looked up at him with her big hazel brown eyes, full of questions. He felt that the tension in her body was gone, which was paradoxically the wrong attitude.
"Should I be scare ?
The question flabbergasted him and would let him open-mouthed if he wasn't so used to keep a straight face. He didn't think anyone could surprise him. That girl showed him he was wrong. He thought she was no challenge when he attacked her and her friends, but now he realized he totally misread her. She had one of the strongest minds he ever saw. For her magical ability, he couldn't say yet, but she was one hell of a mage. That was for sure. However, what was weird was the fact that she was alone with him in the last place he thought she would like to be. He noticed the discomfort, but still no fear nor hatred.
"So, ya trust me ?
"Nope. Not at all, she said straight away.
He smirked at her reply.
"Smart girl, huh ?
"That's what I like to think, she replied, grinning. Soft guy, huh ?
Then, he lost his temper. That just showed him he stepped out of the line of being the feared and heartless guy he was suppose to be. He needed to make things straight.
"I ain't no fucking soft guy ! he growled.
She raised her hands in the air, symbol that she back off, a condescending smile on her freaking face. He sighed, irritated. This girl was fucking with his mind. She was annoying, he decided, which mean that he didn't want to deal with her.
"Let's get done with that visit crap already! he grumbled impolitely harsh. I have no fucking time to lose.
Visibly vexed by his tone, she still added:
"Actually, we're waiting for someone else...
As a cue, Juvia popped out from behind the oak tree and walked towards them. The Fairy Tail mage greeted her, joyfully as a contrast with her cold hail to him.
"Hi ! I'm Levy. Nice to finally meet you, I heard so much about you. You really did help Team Natsu in the Tower of Heaven, thank you !
Juvia blushed at Levy's compliment. She bowed and ceremonially presented herself.
"Nice to meet Levy-san, too. I'm Juvia Lockser.
"No need of formalities, we're nakama now, smiled Levy. Call me Levy.
She gave Juvia a warm grin that made her feel welcome. Gajeel could see that his former Phantom Lord fellow was revealed by that welcome. He hadn't the same treatment. He became aware that if it wasn't for Juvia, he still wouldn't have known her name. Levy. A small name for a small girl. Easy to remember.
"Hi, Gajeel-kun, said the rain woman.
He simply nodded to salute her. He was lost in his thoughts. So, she trusted Juvia enough to be alone with the two of them without fearing him. Interesting. As if Juvia could read his mind as he thought of their old affiliation, she asseverated:
"Juvia apologize for what happen with Phantom Lord. She'll do anything to make things up, just like Gajeel-kun.
"Oi. Don't put words in my mouth, woman.
He was starting to regret being there. Maybe, he could back off and avoid the humiliation of begging for forgiveness-which he wasn't planning on doing. It wasn't his style and never would be. Besides, he didn't want to hear what was on Shorty's mind on that matter. He had enough with his own "Consciousness" and all the guilt and remorse that It tried to make him feel. "I ain't the feeling type. Leave me the fuck alone", he thought.
"Don't worry, Juvia. The past is in the past.
"But..., began Juvia.
Levy interrupted her.
"Being a mage is dangerous and everybody knows it. So, if you're scared of being injuried, then you better quit, she declared forcefully like she just said all her convictions in one sentence.
She walked to Juvia and put one reassuring hand on her new friend's shoulder. Those were real words of wisdom. That Shorty was still surprising him.
"Look, if I was mad at every single one who has hurt me, I would be angry at most of the world, she laughed. We have to get over it so we can enjoy the future without resentment. Right ?
Juvia smiled at Levy. Gajeel looked the shared moment between the two women. Before he could yell at them to hurry up and end their little sappy moment – seriously, he was almost expecting the crying hug, as they would reassured each other that everything would be alright and that they'd live happily ever after surround by unicorns that pooped rainbows- , the Fairy Tail mage said something that destabilized him –again.
"I forgive everything that had happened, Levy said, weighing her words, watching both of them, him more intensively -or that's what I believed- than Juvia. Anyway, it wasn't like it was the worst beat up of my life...
She took Juvia's arm with her own and they started walking towards the guild, continuing to talk to the water mage. Her bright smile addressed to Juvia as they were going away contrasted the gloominess of her last comment. Gajeel just decided something he has been trying to convince himself for the past 10 minutes NOT to do. The aura around that girl was too much.
She had a secret and he wanted to know it.
I do not own Fairy Tail nor its characters. They belong to Hiro Mashima.
I hope you enjoyed that chapter. If you have anything to say, please say it in the reviews. See you soon!