Chapter One: Broken Promises

The sun was shining brightly, spreading warmth all over the town of Magnolia, but the warmth couldn't to comfort him. He felt cold. Had for years. Nothing had been able to make him warm again. He knew why, but he refused to admit it.

Instead he stayed in a dark corner of the guild. Away from everyone and everything. Even his cat couldn't cheer him up anymore. Nothing could. He hadn't felt real happiness in years, and hadn't worn a genuine smile in what seemed like forever.

The one bright spot in his life had disappeared, because of his idiot mistake and poor temper. The only person he had ever loved.

No… Because of this he could never love again. He was convinced of it. He was too scared he'd make the same mistake, and would get the same result.

He was afraid to love, but the loneliness was suffocating, and the darkness of his depression only caused him pain.

All because of one promise he couldn't keep. One damned promise!

"Hey!" Slowly his eyes shifted over to the rosette dragon slayer who was probably going to harass him and piss him off.

Keep your temper Gajeel. The last thing you need is for this idiot to die because of you too… he thought and sighed. "What the fucking hell do you want Salamander?"

Natsu raised an eyebrow. "What's your problem?" he asked. Gajeel only sighed in response. "Anyway, Master wants you." After giving the iron dragon slayer a confused glance he wandered away, most likely starting another fight with Gray.

With a heavy sigh he stood, heading over to the bar where the old man sat, a young girl standing next to him. She had black hair down to her shoulders, and bangs over her right eye. Her eyes were steel gray, and she dressed in all black, with knee high boots, fish net stockings, a short black skirt, and a tight black zip-up tank top, with red outlining the fabric. Around her neck was a twisted metal screw on a piece of string. On her arms were black tip-less gloves that went up to her elbows.

His eyes landed on her for two seconds before he looked at Master. "You wanted me?" He grumbled.

"Yes. Meet Angel Childs. She's new to the guild. She's a Lava Dragon Slayer. Apparently she's a big admirer of yours," Master said. Gajeel frowned.

"Hi! It's really nice to meet you," she said with a bright smile. Gajeel sighed. Her smile fell.

"Gajeel!" He turned at the sound of his name, coming face to face with Levy and her team.

"Yeah?" he asked, wanting nothing more than to go back to his corner.

"You wanna go on a job with us?" Levy asked. He sighed.

"Depends, what's the job?" he asked reluctantly. Angel perked up as well.

"Gotta get rid of a whole group of Vulcans. About sixty of them." Droy said. Jet nodded.

"We can't do it alone man," he said. Gajeel sighed.

"Whatever," he said with another sigh.

"That sounds fun! Can I come?" Angel asked. Levy smiled.

"Sure! We could use as much help as possible," she said. Angel smiled back.

"We'll meet at the train station at noon," Jet said. Gajeel sighed.

Two hours… Great… he thought stalking away and back to his corner. He grabbed his things and headed out, heading home to pack, though he really didn't really want to go. He felt sluggish as he threw things into a bag. He hadn't seen Lily since this morning, but he also wasn't thinking much about it. His mind was too clouded.

Something about that Angel girl… It made him think of the past, and his broken promise… The only promise he had never been able to keep.

He felt a pain rise in his chest and he had to pause, his hands pressed against his bed, bracing himself against the rush of emotion. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe against the tightness in his throat that threatened to suffocate him.

"Why now?" he muttered, feeling a single tear slip down his cheek. "Why this? Why now?"

Her smile was the worst part. It made the memories so much worse, so much more real.

Sure, there was at least something that reminded him of her every day, but not like this. Nothing had ever choked him up this bad.

"Gajeel?" he jumped, still struggling to control his emotions.

"Hey Lily," he said standing, a calm mask of disinterest replacing his expression of pain. "You coming with us to get rid of those Vulcans?" he asked, throwing the last of his things in his bag.

"Of course. When are we leaving?" Pantherlily asked, landing on the bed next to Gajeel's bag.

"Noon. Gives a good two hours to do whatever," Gajeel said, turning to stare out a window. Pantherlily nodded.

"That's what I was thinking. I'll meet you at the station at noon then. Happy and Carla wanted me for something," the dark furred cat said, his wings unfolding once more. Gajeel nodded absently.

"Are you alright?" Lily asked as he reached the door.

"Fine," Gajeel said, turning away from the window and running his hand through his hair.

"If you say so," Lily said before flying out. Gajeel sighed, thankful to be alone once again. He sat down on the edge of his bed and his head fell into his hands. He sat like this for a few minutes before lowering his hands to his knees, before turning them over, his eyes shifting over the scars that decorated his wrists. Not just his large battle scars. Little, neatly made scars, at least if raking a razor over your wrist was considered neat. He had dozens of them, up and down both wrists, old, new, reopened. He couldn't count them all anymore. And no one noticed them anyway because he already had so many and no one paid any attention.

Once again Gajeel's head fell to his hands and he let out a shaky breath escaped him. He didn't want to give into the emotions that were swirling around his body, nor did he want to break down, but he felt like he was suffocating under all of the pressure.

Yes, he would need both full hours to himself if he wanted to be composed for the job.

At least, somewhat composed.

XxX

He ended up being late to the train station, however when he arrived Angel was the only other one there. She had greeted him, and he had grunted at her in response. She hadn't spoken to him since, seeing as she realized he didn't want to be bothered.

It was bout fifteen minutes more before Levy and the rest of her team showed up, Lily in tow.

"Sorry we're late guys!" Levy said apologetically. Angel smiled at her.

"Don't worry about it!" the lava slayer said. "It's not a problem. I was super early anyway." Levy smiled back and looked at Gajeel who was looking away, and not seeming to be paying attention.

"Gajeel?" she called softly. Jet and Droy shared a look of confusion. Gajeel didn't respond, and Levy spoke louder. "Gajeel." When he still didn't respond she walked over and waved her hand in front of his face. "Gajeel!" He jumped and looked at her.

"What?" he asked, scowling.

"Are you alright? You seem a little out of it," she said. He shrugged.

"I'm fine. Now come on, or we're gonna miss the train," he said in a bored manner, before walking away, towards where their train was located. The other four looked at each other in confusion as Lily sighed.

"He's right. Let's go," the cat said. The others nodded and followed after the iron slayer silently.

XxX

They had been on the train for almost two hours. It had given Gajeel time to think, and though it was loud, at least he was able to tune out for the most part. Levy, Jet, and Droy sat in one set of benches, and Gajeel sat on another bench, Lily next to him, and Angel sitting across from him.

However, since they had gotten on the train she had been staring at him, and he'd been able to ignore it for the most part, but now it was starting to bug the hell out of him.

"What?" he finally growled, tearing his gaze from the window. Angel shrugged.

"Nothing…" she said, not even flinching.

"You've been staring at me for two hours. Why?" he snapped. She shrugged again.

"I don't know. There's something about you, and I can't figure out what," she finally admitted, looking out the window, her arms crossed. He felt his lips twitch into a dark scowl.

"I don't see how what's wrong with me is any of your business," he snapped, his voice slightly threatening.

"It doesn't matter. I'm stubborn, and I will find out," she said. He scoffed.

"Whatever new girl," he muttered, looking out the window again. She giggled darkly.

"This is why I admire you. You don't take shit from anyone. And my name is Angel, not new girl thanks," she said. Gajeel just shook his head.

"Whatever."

XxX

"So, we'll head up and get rid of those Vulcans tomorrow," Jet said as they headed out of the train station. It was dark out, around eight at night.

"Sounds good!" Angel said with a smile.

"Can we go get something to eat?" Droy asked. "The food on the train sucked," he said.

Levy nodded. "After that we'll head to the hotel," she said as they headed towards the closest restaurant. Gajeel was silent, and just followed without input. It was quiet as they ate, and then they walked around town, trying to find their hotel. Gajeel kept his hands in his pocket and his head and eyes down.

"So who's with who?" Jet asked.

"Well, obviously, you three are sharing a room and Angel and I are sharing a room, "Levy said. Droy groaned.

"Why are you even complaining? I'm the one sleeping on the pull out couch," Gajeel snapped absently. Jet and Droy gave him a look and Angel laughed.

It was silent after that, as they finally found the hotel and checked in. They headed up to the room and Gajeel sighed. There was no couch in the room, only two beds and a bathroom.

"Oh, damn bro. Are you sure you don't want me and Droy to share a bed?" Jet asked. Droy didn't look thrilled, but he nodded.

"We don't mind," Droy said. Gajeel shook his head.

"I'll just sleep on the damn floor. Don't worry about it," Gajeel growled. They shrugged.

"Whatever man," Jet said. It wasn't long before they both were asleep and Gajeel was the only one awake. He sat next to the open window, Lily asleep on his lap. His mind was far away, as his fingers slowly combed through Pantherlily's fur.

That Angel girl… She had been bugging him all day. She reminded him of things he had never wanted to remember. And she looked just like…

He sighed. Well, if she was still alive anyway… She would have looked just like Angel…

He still remembered the day clearly. Remembered her smiling at him, and playing with him. He had been so young then. Just abandoned by Metallicana. She had been a bright spot in his life at a low point. And he had promised to always protect her, to never let anything hurt her.

And yet… he'd broken his promise because he lost his temper. She was dead because he was immature.

The fight had been so stupid. Something in his head had told him to walk away, and yet his pride wouldn't let him. He had to stand up to the guy who'd pissed him off or he knew he'd only get more pissed off.

And then, in the middle of the fight she started screaming, telling them to stop, but he almost couldn't hear her in his rage. Her voice hadn't been enough to stop him, or get through to him.

He'd barely felt her hands on his arm, trying to pull him away, to stop him, and yet, he just kept ignoring her. Kept swinging, rage and adrenaline fueling him.

And then, before he could react she jumped between them, taking the hit, which consisted of his arm being a metal pole, and then…

She had fallen limply to the floor, blood slowly seeping from her ears and nose, her eyes blank and dull, staring straight. Her skull had been completely shattered with just one blow…

The whole guild had gone silent, and both he and the idiot he was fighting stopped. He felt his eyes widen, and a sickness knot itself in his stomach. Never before then had he been so horrified, at himself or anything.

It was a day he would always remember. The day he had accidentally killed her in the middle of the Phantom Lord Guild Hall.

Graciea Redfox.

His baby sister.