No one can face the darkness alone.

Ana's POV

The same dream. Over and over. Never changing and never stopping, the same dream...

I reached out absent mindedly for something, my eyes flew open when I realized it wasn't there. 'What isn't here?' I asked myself. I recoiled my hands. 'Why am I so surprised that there's nothing there? I ran away after all, I knew that I'd be alone the moment I left.' I pulled myself up to lean my back against a tree, brought my knees to a chest and let my mind drift.

I took a long look at Gajeel's sleeping figure. His soft breathing, the way he looked so defenceless, yet not completely relaxed. I pulled myself up to stand on my shaking legs. I tilted my head to look at the rising sun, judging weather or not I'd have enough time to wash my face. Blood. The image flashed across my mind. 'Run' A voice called out amongst the dark whispers of my mind. Before I could even register it said, I was obeying.

I stopped at a familiar river, sharp breaths rolled out from my throat. '3 miles in less than ten minuets, that's well over my limits, I should be-' A pain shot through my leg and I fell to my knees at the riverbank. I stole a glance at my right ankle, or, more importantly, my ankle bracelet. The silver chain was slightly warm, can't believe I forgot about that. "Gihii" I smirked. 'Thanks uncle Jet.' I thought as I ran a finger over the magicly enchanted chain.

Suppressing the urge to lay down and bask in the warm morning sun, I crawled over to look at my reflection. I tried to get a good look at my own features but my eyes just glided over them, never taking them in, no matter how hard I tried. Making sure no one was around to hear, I let soft melodic words tumble from my lips. I let the words take the place of tears.

"Tell me no more stories, and I'll tell you no lies. No one wants to hurt me. But everybody tries. And if you think that I've been waiting, for my planets to align, It's time you go on Get your things, get up, get out I'M DOING FINE!" I screamed the last words, almost hoping they'd dispel the voices, and clenched my head in my petite hands.

The sound of my voice was fresh in my mind as I took a look at my reflection. I was so similar to my parents, yet so different. A few dark blue locks fell, from my bandanna, to brush my face. Two drops of crimson pierced through the water. I was so alike, yet so different. I wanted to punch my reflection, destroy it, distort it, anything just to stop that face looking back at me.

I cupped my hands and let the crisp water pool in them, before splashing my face with the liquid and standing up. I took another look at my reflection, my eyes slithered over my features. Taking a deep breath, I wrenched myself away from the water and trudged back to Gajeel.

Gajeel was still sleeping when I returned, and, judging by his movements, I had about an hour before he woke up, so I picked up a piece of paper and started to sketch. Well I say sketch, but I didn't have a pen or pencil, so I moulded iron into thin strips and bent them into shape.

I had just finished my portrait when Gajeel started to stir. I hastily stuffed the picture into my shoulder bag and made sure I was presentable. 'I wounder if he's a morning person? or if I get that from mother?' I thought. He turned to face me. I stared at his face as he turned, only to be greeted by a dark glare. 'Nope, not a morning person at all.'

I wanted to say "Mornin' Gajeel." and talk to him. But if anyone heard my voice the spell would be broken, so I met his glare and smiled. For a moment I thought that, maybe, he had heard me earlier.

He stood up and looked at me with... disapproval? "Up." He barked gruffly. Within seconds I was by his side. 'You better not look down on me.' I thought with a smirk. Noticing my smirk, Gajeel matched it with his own and decided to test my confidence. He ran. I immediately darted after him. His strides where wide and fast, but he crashed through the foliage, slowing him down, I on the other hand, may have been be smaller but I was nimble. I darted through the small gaps in between trees and bushes and threw knives to remove feeble branches that scoured my vision.

The mighty 'Kurogane' picked up speed, I started to loose sight of Gajeel. 'Oh no you fucking don't.' I thought. I knew he was testing me, but at the same time I knew that if I failed he'd leave me... or beat me into next week, but I was more fearful of him leaving me. So, I picked up my pace. Being small had certain advantages, such as: being nimble and being a difficult target ect.

Eventually Gajeel stopped. We had exited the forest and stood at it's edge, he turned to face me. A looming shadow was cast over me, next thing I knew an iron fist was pummelling downwards towards me. I lept out of the way and glared at the owner of the attack. A low growl escaped my lips. He grinned at my response. "Looks like you wont be to much of a hindrance." He muttered, retracting his fist.

I kept close to Gajeel's side as he made his way back to his apartment. Well I was in his care so I guess it was... our apartment? Gihi, I liked the sound of that.

Xxx xxX

It soon became apparent that Gajeel didn't care much. He didn't bother locking the door to his apartment, (who'd be stupid enough to brake into the mighty kurogane's house anyway?) He didn't care that I followed him home, nor did he care how he clean his apartment was.

I shut the door behind me and stood near the doorway as Gajeel went to take a shower. His apartment wasn't dirty, but it wasn't particularly clean either. It consisted of about three rooms. The first was what I could only presume to be a living room, it was fairly dark and the only furniture was a wooden coffee table and a faded sofa, no doubt the furniture was forced upon him when phantom gave him his accommodation. The lounge had a counter and fridge in the corner, which acted as a kitchen (but wasn't it's own room so I counted it as part of the living room.) A dark wooden door lead into a bedroom which appeared to be furnished with little more than a four-poster bed. Another door connected the bathroom to Gajeel's bedroom.

It could almost be called clean... if it wasn't for the small mountains of iron that littered the place. 'I wonder where he'll live after he joins fairy tail' I wondered silently.

Gajeel emerged from the bathroom a few minuets later, towel drying his mane of raven hair. "Ya gonna stand there all day?" He asked impatiently. I puffed my checks defiantly and walked past the topless man, stealing his towel as I went. He seemed a bit shocked that I stole his towel so causally. He turned to face me, but I was already at the bathroom door, so I stuck my tongue out at him and slipped into the wash room.

I locked the door and turned to face the bath. The room was still steamy from Gajeel's shower, but I could easily make out a bath, shower, sink, toilet mirror and a toothbrush through the warm mist. With a delicate wave of my hand the metal tap moved to allow water to cascade out of it.

I slipped out of my socks (having already disposed of my sandals when I entered the apartment) and unravelled my shoulder bandage as I made my way to the porcelain tub. I held my dress up and jumped into the bath. The water barley covered my feet so I kicked, splashed and danced in the warm liquid for a while. Mid-spin I flicked my wrist, threw my dress on the floor and sunk under the relaxing water. I had to suppress a moan of pleasure, as I granted lowered myself further into the bath.

I worked my hands over my slender body. Scratching and scrubbing at the persistent dirt. I plucked a few twigs from my hair and slipped my bandanna out of my tousled locks. I took a deep breath and drove my head under the water. It was strange... seeing things through a shifting barrier. Some strands of hair shifted to frame my field of vision. Part of me wanted to stay like that forever, but a burning in my lungs told me that I had to breath. And, unfortunately, breathing trumps beauty. So I broke the surface, keeping my hair submerged as I pulled out a bottle of shampoo and conditioner from my bag.

Carefully -as to not get any in my eyes- I worked the formulas through my wild locks, washed them out and stepped out of the bath. I pulled the towel around my body and moved towards the door. I was about to unlock it when I realised I had to cover up the mark on my shoulder. Hastily, I pulled the discarded bandages round my shoulder and pulled some underwear from my bag. I shimmied into the panties and bra, then searched around my bag for some clothes. 'God I love re-quip bags... You can't actually use 'em to re-quip but they still store things in another dimension for you.'

I donned a pair of baggy cargo pants and a grey top that was too big, so I had to tie a knot in it. I threw the towel over my head, unlocked the door with magic and opened the door with my but, as my hands were busy drying my hair.

I walked out of the room backwards. I almost bumped into something and, when I turned around, was greeted by a dripping wet chest. Gajeel let out a low growl. I looked up just as a giant hand was coming down. He swiped the towel off my head and walked into the lounge. I puffed out my cheeks and ran after him. I snatched the towel off his head and stood, smugly, in front of him, a large grin plastered on my face. He let another growl loose from his throat before lunging after the absorbent fabric. I dodged all of his 'attacks' with practised ease. Eventually he gave up.

And started to use magic.

Gajeel aimed an iron club at my head. He narrowly missed, but my grip on the towel loosened. Gajeel slipped in close and grasped the fabric, an evil smirk plastered on his face as he brought his arm back. I quickly recovered from his surprise and retaliated with my own magic. I made small, intrecate gestures with my fingers as I brought my hand to my stomach. Gajeel droved his fist into my belly... or at least, he tried. I grasped his fist before it could hit home. With a small release of magical power metal spikes formed in the palm of my hand and punctured the rough flesh of Gajeel's fist. He gave a small yelp of surprise, before regaining his composer. Using the towel as a lifeline for his attack, Gajeel pulled me close and hurled me through the air. I spun, so that the base of my feet where facing the wall, as soon as they made contact I looked at my opponent with crazed eyes and an almost sadistic grin.

I let magic course through my veins as I prepared my next attack. Gajeel's eyes grew as crazed as mine, but his grin was full on sadistic, I felt his own magic flow through his body. Our joined power made the air pulse with magical tension. My hair started to float in reply to the call of magic, as did Gajeel's. I pushed of the wall and lunged at Gajeel, my arm drawn back in preparation for my attack. My hit was about to make contact when there was tap at the door.

Both Gajeel, and I stopped immediately, our fists where millimetres away from the other's flesh and shone with a green light. We dispersed the magic at out fingertips and went to answer the door. Well. Gajeel went to answer the door, I took the opportunity to grab the towel and lounge on the sofa. My fingers massaged my damp hair through the towel. I stole a glance at the door. Judging on the fact that no one was being hurled through a wall I guessed that the visitor was important.

I was right.

Master Jose was at the door. I HATED referring to him as 'Master'- He didn't deserve the title- but I had to. He chatted with Gajeel about, something to do with, revenge, heartfillias, Fairy tail and- OH DEAR MAVIS THEY WERE PLANNING THE START OF THE PHANTOM VS FAIRY TAIL WAR! Hastily I scrambled off the sofa and made a beeline for my bag. I had to find out what day it was. 'Please, dear-god, don't let it be-' My hands trembled around the calender. One week. It was one week until the war would start. One week until... 'Mama...'

"Oh, Gajeel-kun, I see you're taking care of her like I asked. How's she? Week, due to her stature, I presume." Sock manifested into disgust. 'How dare he control papa. How DARE he talk as if he knows me. Hoe DARE HE BELITTLE ME!' I gripped the calender so hard my knuckles turned white.
"Damn right she's weak." My heart stopped beating for a moment at that. "But S'not annoying, or predictable, that's for sure." Gajeel grunted. 'Wait... did Gajeel just... praise me?' My grip on the calender loosened as I looked at the iron-dragon-slayer with joy filled eyes.

"She'll need to be more than that to be an assist in our battle against the fairies." Jose said he exited the -correction- OUR apartment. 'Wait... I'D have to take part in the war!? And I'm Gajeel's partner... that means...' My eyes widened in shock.

When I felt my room mate's eyes on me I relaxed enough to stop my trembling hands. He hit me round the face and said I was an idiot for showing weakness. I simply looked up at him and gave him a reassuringly and angelic smile, 'My mother's smile.' Gajeel blinked, in almost innocent confusion, a few times before looking away. He obviously wasn't expecting me to be so kind.

'...That's right... he's still walking the path of darkness...'

Eventually we settled down and an prepared to sleep. I changed into a soft nightgown -my former outfit got a bit... ripped, in our spar earlier and it was all I could find, in the way of nightwear, in my bag. I took the sofa, while Gajeel took the bed.

I faked slumber until I was sure Gajeel was asleep, then, I tip-toed into his room to watch him sleep. I stood in the doorway. Faint moonlight danced around the many silhouettes of the room. A normal person would think that Gajeel was sleeping peacefully. But I wasn't a normal person. I could see his eyes move franticly under his eyelids. I could hear the slight difference in his breathing. I could smell the sweat forming on his brow. I moved closer the the defenceless dragon slayer. No. In that moment he was nothing more than a frightened kid, still walking the path of darkness, almost beyond the point of no return. I sat at the edge of his bed, the plush mattress dipped slightly under my weight. Careful not to wake him, I lent over and brushed away the pieces of his black mane that had stuck to his sweaty brow. He visibly relaxed slightly under the gentle touch.

A week pasted, in next to no time, and before I knew it it was the night before Gajeel would attack the guild hall and commit his greatest regret. I snuck into his room again that night. I wanted to give Gajeel at least one moment of peace to make up for the events that would soon transpire. I hummed a soft tune that lulled him into a calmer dream and deeper sleep. I was about to leave when Gajeel grabbed me in his sleep. His hold had a desperation to it that screamed 'Don't leave me.' He was probably dreaming about Metalicana, but in that moment I saw how a young boy was abandoned by his foster father. How he was forced to face the darkness, alone. 'If I stop him from attacking fairy tail, he'll never find the light... but...' I lent in so that my face was hovering above his. '...It's not fair. When I was scared of the dark, sister would hold my hand and then the darkness wouldn't seem so scary.' In that moment I decided that -even if Gajeel had to sin, even if he had to hurt her, even if he was forced into darkness once again- I wouldn't leave him. I would walk in the dark and share in his sins. I pressed my lips to his forehead as I wished him goodnight. With a final glance back at him I left the room.

'...If I walk in the darkness with you... would it seem so dark?'

WOOP CHAPTER 2! Here's a bit that didn't make it into the story but I couldn't bring myself to delete it. READ AND REVIEW PPLLEEAASSEE

"The next night I slipped into his room again. This time I let him rest his head on my lap as I wiped the sweat off his brow and resisted the urge to sing. The night after I concluded he had a soft spot for bluenettes, and that he only opened up to them"

MMAASSS UUPPDDAATTEEIINNGG SSPPRREE!