"I was so happy then. From this tiny little body the future holds infinite possibilities. The power of life... I couldn't stop the tears from overflowing. This child is proof of my life."

Gajeel tread down narrow footpaths of a snow-covered mountain. Wind and hail pierced the air, raining down on him and tearing his robe from his chest though he felt no cold. His long black locks wiped the sides of his face as he traveled up the steep ridge, using his staff to help him up the rocks even though his strength knew no bounds. His watch was calling him silently in the storm, directing him to the next collection, and he obeyed.

As he travelled, his attention was caught by a blue figure walking up to him. Her dull blue hair ruffled in the harsh wind and her long blue dress was visible as her deep navy cape was pulled from her form by the wind. She glanced over at him with deathly blue eyes, an almost invisible smile touching her lips as she approached him.

"Gajeel," she said quietly, coming up to walk beside him, "It has been a while,"

"Juvia," his red eyes pulled away from her, looking up the mountain to a small ridge that jutted from the cliff side.

Reapers roamed the world mostly in solitude. But every once in a while there would be an overlap in reapers' jurisdictions, usually occurring in places where there is a high death rate. Mount Dehliora was one of those places. It claimed numerous lives every year with its storms that seemingly come from nowhere and often left even the most experienced hikers and climbers in shambles. He couldn't count how many souls he'd had to escort from this place, sometimes more than one at a time.

Which was why Juvia had appeared.

Her necklace was glowing faintly as she walked next to him, guiding her in the same way his iron pocket watch guided him. The fact that both of them had been called meant that two people were going to pass tonight. When the two of them would meet, it usually meant severing the arms of two lovers from being wrapped around each other as they said their tearful goodbyes for the last time. Each time, Juvia would be shaken by the occurrence. He figured it had something to do with how she had died in her former life. For Gajeel, he had stopped caring about humans long before he'd been called, although he had no recollection of his former life.

Some said his was the soul of a dragon, cold and unfeeling, looking down on the human world and all their toils with contempt.

"Gajeel, Juvia sees something ahead," she said, pulling his mind from his thoughts.

They knelt to the ground and looked up to crest, jumping with inhuman strength and force and landing gently in the snow above. Gajeel couldn't help but cock his head to the side at the figures lying in the snow in front of them.

There were three forms wrapped in blankets, one large and two much smaller. What remained of their tent was scattered against the rocks, ripped to shreds by the wind and hail. Nestled close to the rocks was a dying fire where the three huddled, one form curled against another with the largest form taking the rear. Her form was still and she bore just a small blanket and light clothing, having given her heaviest blankets and clothing to the two children cuddled against her waning warmth against a dying fire.

Gajeel approached the woman and knelt down beside her, leaving Juvia with a shocked expression on her face. Why she seemed in such distress he couldn't fathom. This was just another job.

"Ur Milkavich," he laid his hand on her shoulder, causing her to stir and gaze up at him. Her skin was pale and her realization was immediate, "I need you to come with me,"

She sat up with a dazed expression on her face and she turned her head to the two forms by her side. They were two boys, no older than ten or eleven. One had ice crystals touching his short raven hair and the other had hair as white as the snow he was covered in. Her eyes turned back to him pleading.

"But… the children… they'll die without me to keep them warm," she pleaded silently, "Just give me a few more hours, let them make it through the night. Then, please, take me,"

Gajeel looked down to his watch, its hands ticking by slower and slower. He knew by watching the small trinket that she didn't have a few hours, not even a few minutes, before the gate had to be opened and she escorted through.

"You haven't been allowed that amount of time," he was upfront with her. There was no need to keep her in the dark.

"But these boys, they're my life. I can't leave them here to freeze to death like…" she stopped then, looking down at her fingertips which had turned deep purple from the cold, "Just give me a little more time…"

Gajeel stood, holding his hand out to her, "There's nothing that can be done,"

She bit her lip, casting her eyes down to the sleeping, shivering figures. Tears started to stream down the corners of her eyes.

"There's nothing…" she clutched a numb hand to her chest, "But they're so young. They have their whole lives ahead of them,"

Gajeel opened his mouth again to say something, his anger sending green tendrils into the iron markings of his staff, preparing it to become a weapon instead of an accessory. Juvia came forward then, placing a hand on his shoulder before approaching the sleeping boy next to Ur. She pulled his blanket back just a bit, exposing his face to her, and she smiled down softly at him. He opened his eyes, then, meeting her blue eyes with his own deep blue. His eyes widened in wonder at her and despite his shivering he became very still.

Juvia's smile widened, "Sleep well, Gray Fullbuster,"

Gajeel withdrew a few paces as her necklace began to glow. Like most strong reapers, Juvia had the ability to manipulate humans' fates. She spread her fingers above her, calming the wind drastically and lessening the hail. She then turned to the fire and raised its strength, causing the shivering of the two boys to lessen. She turned to them then, her smile bright on her pale face.

"Juvia will watch the boys for you," she said lightly and Gajeel watched as her necklace's glow diminished and stopped completely.

"Thank you," Ur smiled, tears sliding down her face, "These two mean the world to me. Thank you, so much,"

She followed Gajeel as he walked her to the side of the cliff, opening up a door to the other side. He glanced once back at Juvia before disappearing into the blinding light.