Rules Chapter 2

Disclaimer: If I owned the manga or anime these characters would be featured a lot more often.

Thank you for all of the support and reviews for "Rules," your love has inspired me. I was asked several times for a continuation for this story, so here it is! There will be another four chapters after this one. Special thanks to Star197 and glodenglowingsnowdemon for suggesting I incorporate Gray's reaction- it's totally in here, but I still wanted to focus on the Fraxus as well. Hope you enjoy the continuation!

Chapter 2

Freed looked up at the front of the Fairy Tail Guild, wondering- not for the first time- how he and the Thunder Legion would be received. Laxus's temper had often resulted in long trips to distant jobs for the Dragon Slayer and his team, in an effort to keep the fragile peace that was threatened by Laxus in a dark mood. Sometimes it hardly felt they were part of the Guild family, just long-distance cousins to be called upon when past slights were forgotten in the shadow of some new danger. This latest excursion had been too short, the job too easy. Freed expected it had to do with his recent concussion- Laxus had been more protective over the last few days, despite Wendy's excellent job healing him. He must still have felt guilty for hurting him. The Rune mage certainly didn't mind the attention, but the light work of the job brought them back to the Guild too soon. It was less than a week since Laxus attacked Juvia. Freed sighed, and hoped it had been enough time for tempers to cool down. He remembered too late to be careful what he wished for, because as the Thunder Legion entered the Guild they found it downright chilly.

Evergreen and Bixlow evacuated to the dormitories, knowing they would be summoned if they were needed, while Freed followed Laxus to the bar. Of course the Dragon Slayer had apologized, a beautiful rarity that would threaten Laxus's reputation if widely known, and so his uncharacteristic plea for forgiveness remained known only to Juvia, his captain, and himself. To the rest of the Guild Laxus was just an electric bastard who had attacked a girl and run. Mira quietly served Freed and Laxus, then disappeared into the kitchen. She clearly didn't want to take sides in whatever was about to happen. Laxus tried to take a drink, but by the time the liquid reached his lips it was frozen solid.

Laxus hadn't sat down, and though when he turned to face the rest of the hall his face was neutral, his bearing was formidable. Freed spun around on his barstool and took a sip. Gray Fullbuster stood in front of them, cold fury on his face. "Back so soon?"

"Yeah." Laxus's voice was relaxed, and it took a moment for Freed to recognize the Dragon Slayer's intentions. He wasn't going to fight.

Gray cracked his knuckles, his hands almost toying with a hand-sign.

"Good," he grinned. "You done with your drink? 'Cause we've got some unfinished business."

The Guild was silent.

"YOU MORON!"

Freed looked over at where Natsu and Lucy sat with Happy at a booth.

"Natsu's right, Gray." The Celestial wizard called out, "You're going to get yourself killed!"

The Fire-Dragon Slayer jumped over the table and landed next to Gray. "Yeah, you're gonna get yourself killed, unless I help!"

Lucy dropped her head on her arms and moaned "They're both morons!"

Gray bristled. "Hey, back off, Flame-Breath, this has got nothin' to do with you."

"Why not? I like Juvia. I mean, she creeps me out sometimes, but she kicks butt."

At the booth, Virgo had appeared next to Happy. "Would you like me to help with the punishment, Mistress?"

"No!" Lucy wailed, "Not you too!"

Freed rolled his eyes and took another drink from his glass. The Guild was sounding normal again, but ne knew it wasn't over yet.

"I'm afraid Lucy is right." The voice was vaguely familiar, an arrogant lilt snaking up from the back of the hall, followed by its owner in a fanged and horned helmet. Freed felt the temperature of the room drop by a few more degrees. Lyon Vastia, the ice-wizard of Lamia Scale. The one who was madly in love with Juvia.

"The hell are you doing here? You're not a member of this Guild." Laxus didn't sound angry, just puzzled.

What are you doing here? You shouldn't be a member of this Guild." Lyon shot back. "You have wounded dear Juvia, and deserve retribution for your actions."

"So quit yammering and start fighting!" Natsu started to fling himself forward, but with a flick of his hand Lyon incased him in a globe of ice.

"Ah man, not again!"

"As I said, Lucy is right," Lyon continued. "Even if he let us attack without fighting back, which is unlikely, we still could hardly harm him physically."

Now without Natsu to bicker with, Gray spun to face his childhood rival, demanding, "Then what do you suggest?"

"I say we hit him where it hurts." Lyon strode closer to Laxus and met his eye. "The heart is located outside the body. I know- you crushed mine and I was miles away. You hurt me by hurting someone I love. You deserve no less. I suggest for your punishment," he paused, his eyes sliding to Freed, "that we hurt the one dearest to you."

"What?" Laxus was taken aback, but Freed knew Lyon had a mind that worked backward, and the Rune mage had anticipated this possibility. Lucy piped up.

"That actually makes a lot of sense. And eye for an eye."

"And it isn't as if your Captain were the most innocent wizard around here." Lyon smirked.

Laxus got over his shock, and his face hardened. "Hell no."

This time Freed could detect that spark of danger in the Dragon Slayer's voice that was a warning sign something- or someone- was about to get broken. Lyon lifted his chin in triumph.

"See how the thought of it torments him already! Maybe this will teach you that breaking the rules has consequences."

Gray seemed less certain. "But Freed didn't do anything wrong."

Lyon's response was a whisper. "Neither did Juvia."

"I said no." Laxus snarled, stepping in front of his Captain, but Freed finished his drink and stood, laying a hand on the Dragon Slayer's arm.

"They're right, Laxus. This is the logical course of action." Turning to the ice-wizards, he asked "Shall we take this outside?"

Laxus lunged after them, then fell back, the rune wall he'd hit shimmering purple before fading once more into invisibility. "Freed!"

The Rune mage closed his eyes and kept walking, trying to block out the tremor underlying the anger in Laxus's voice that he almost didn't recognize as fear. The Guild doors shut. Outside, Gray looked apologetic.

"Freed, you know I don't want to hurt you, right?"

Freed dipped his head. "I understand." He removed his sword belt.

Lyon cocked his head. "You know what they say about revenge? It's best served cold."