Mute slave

Chapter 2

I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRY PLEASE DON'T KILL ME I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!

Like I said sorry for not uptading sooner, I had a really big author block and I also worked on my other GaLe story ''Divorced yet in love'' so I didn't really had a lot of time to work on this.

Lastly, some readers told me the way the caracters were talking was a little hard to follow, so I decide to change that. I hope it'll be easier for you to read!

Everyone was sitting quietly in the cart, which was slowly rolling on the road, only the clip-clop of the horses was breaking the silence.

Gajeel was pondering on how he got the little blue-hair kid sleeping on his lap, and also how he got in the moving vehicle.

Flashback

''WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?'' was the first reply the old man receive from the whole group. Right after, Mira started squealing and saying things like '' Little baby sister! Little baby sisters!'', Jellal seemed excited to be able to train Erza right in the castle, Natsu was jumping all around the place to expressed his excitement, Gajeel looked quizzically at his king and Erza and Lucy looked like fish out of the water, opening and closing their mouths repetitively. As for Levy, she simply looked at the king blankly, who still had his hand in her head.

Looking at the three young girls expectedly, His Majesty told them:

-Wouldn't be great, my dears? What do you think about it?

-W-well, w-we wouldn't want to d-disturb y-you, Your Majesty, but it would sure be a great honor… Said Lucy, fidgeting with her hands.

''I think the same'' said Erza sternly.

''And you my child? What do you think?'' asked the King, looking directly at levy, wanting her to voice her thoughts.

The one addressed look at her friends, who were beaming with joy, before returning her attention to the king and nod.

Makarov, despite being happy by their positive answers, was worried by the fact that she wasn't talking at all. Thinking it was shyness, he said ''You don't have to be shy, you know? You can talk freely and with no fear!''

At his words, Lucy and Erza seemed really uneasy, and Levy still hadn't said a word. In fact, she seemed even gloomier than before. Finally, Erza break the silence.

''She can't talk. She lost her voice a little ago.''

The king was suddenly feeling really guilty, bringing back such a touchy subject, and quickly excuse himself.

''Well, since its settle, why don't we return to the castle? It' almost supper! I'm sure those children are hungry, no?'' said the king in a fatherly tone, rapidly finding his habitual happiness.

As an answer, 3 stomachs grumbled rather loudly. Mirajane laughed wholeheartedly and started to walk to the chariot to make more place in it, while Natsu took the squealing Lucy to give her a piggy-back ride and Jellal gently took Erza's hand, leading her to the vehicle.

Looking down at the sad bluenette, Gajeel couldn't bring himself to hate her or to be annoyed with her like most child. Seeing her lost like this remind him of himself before….

When he went back to reality, he found himself standing directly in front of the shrimp, so close that his feet was almost touching hers, his black shadow engulfing her small frame. Now aware of his presence, she looked up and directly met his crimson eyes.

''Shit, now she'll surely be afraid of me….'' He thought, a little sad.''What the hell? I shouldn't be sad over this!'' he thought frustrated.

But to his surprise, she stood there looking at him, not an inch of fear in her big eyes. Very slowly, he crouched on the ground and brought his arm around her fragile frame. She immediately tensed, so he stood still, waiting for her to relax. Once it happened, he slightly tightened his grip and stood up, her shivering body held close to his torso. After some hesitation, she gently placed her incredibly small hands on his chest and laid her head on his shoulder, slowly closing her eyes.

Seeing her dozing off, he walked to the carriage, ignoring the surprised stares from everyone. Feeling she will probably fall asleep, he climb into the carriage, not wanting to disturb her sleep by walking. The others quickly followed and they finally headed to the castle.

End of flashback

Since when he became such a softie? Especially for a child he just met? He really didn't understand. Maybe he should ask Pantherlily at the castle, this cat was way better than him to deal with emotions.

He groan as his stomach twisted, but didn't move an inch, afraid to wake up the blue shrimp on his lap. Glancing down, he looked at her sweet sleeping face. All of her upper body was laying on both of his thighs. Her long blue hair were sprawled on her back, half of them cascading down his legs. He had placed his black coat upon her weak body to give her at least a little warmth, something her current clothes failed to.

Ripping his gaze off of her, he looked around him. It was strangely silent, especially since Salamander was here. Talking him, he was currently asleep with Bunny girl (I decided to called her that way 'cause she looked like a bunny when she was jumping on the back of salamander) close to him, also asleep. The captain and the scarlet hair girl were whispering about weapons, conscious of the sleeping passengers, while Demon-woman and the old man were staring intently at Shrimp.

Gajeel really hate their regards. It seems that when they look at her, all they were seeing was a pitiful, hurt and weak creature. I don't know why, but this sight angered me. How could they thought of her weak and helpless? The fact that she is here alive isn't proof enough that she is strong? She just need someone to protect her damnit!

He probably look angered -heck, who wasn't with their fists balled at their side and sending a venomous glare- because the old man and the She demon asked me what was wrong.

He nearly laugh at this. What wasn't?

''Why are you fucking looking at her that way? She's not a fucking weak creature, damn it!''

Sensing the tension rising in the Iron dragon slayer, Makarov clearly understood he was worried about the girl but didn't want to show it.

''I think you misunderstood us, Gajeel. You are right to say she's not weak, like everyone, far from that. But we can't help to feel sorry for those young girls, especially the one on your lap.''

''I remember Erza saying that she lost her voice a little ago, so that means she could talk before…. She must have been through horrible events to bring her to close her mouth and be afraid of people…. Poor girl…'' Mira finished on a sad tone.

He must admit that she had a point. What happened to her, causing her to shut her mouth? Where is she from? What about her tattered clothes and bloody wounds?

What does her past hide?

Gajeel's mind was tormented by so many question, so much that he slowly fell into a dreamless slumber

….

The built man was awoken by movements on his lap. Looking down, he saw the little shrimp on her knee, still on his lap, looking through the window of the carriage. The scene would have been pretty cute and innocent, if it wasn't for her eyes wide open, filled with fear, her body slightly shivering and her mouth moving, forming soundless words.

He too looked at the window, searching for the object of her fear, and quickly found it.

Fairy Tail's castle.

She was afraid of Fairy Tail castle.

It was getting really complicated. Why be afraid of a castle? A white and beautiful castle?

Gajeel wasn't as dense as everyone though. Okay maybe he was a little, but not that much. He was good for analyzing people in general. By simple gestures, facial expression and words, he could pinpoint someone's fears, past and basic personality.

And she was no exception.

He guess she was afraid of castle in general. She probably never set foot in this castle. He would surely have heard about a little girl with blue hair and no voice. So the problem probably lied in another castle. Maybe a poor peasant who ran away from poverty? Or maybe an orphan trying to find a better place to live?

Or maybe a runaway mage?

In Fiore, not every kingdom welcome mage. Some think they bring illness and bad luck. Others used them for evil, just like his old king. Sadly, it was a common thing to find a bloody dead mage in some isolated land.

Returning his attention to the current problem, he slowly move his hands in circle on Shorty's back and brought her closer to his body in a comforting matter. Her respiration finally even out and she look up to fearfully meet his crimson eyes.

''Hey, calm down Squirt, ya have nothin' to fear here. Promise, kay?''

A little reassured, she nod and let herself being cradle in his arms as he got out of the cart since they arrived in front of the oak doors. He couldn't help to be relieve when she let her curious gaze wander everywhere. Sometime, she would tug on his shirt to get his attention and would point something, as a gesture to ask what it was.

He had to admit he prefer this personality instead of her fearful one.

The group finally arrive in the throne room. There, Makarov called Lisanna to ask her to give a bath to the three brats. At the beginning, Scary-glare and Bunny girl were ecstatic to be able to take a warm and bubbly bath, but Shrimp look like she was about to pee in her pants. He would never admit it, but Gajeel was worry about her well-being. Her wound would get infect and she could catch an illness.

''Shrimp. Listen to me. I promise nothing would happen to you, remember? I'm a man of honor and I keep my promise. So be a good girl and go with Snow-white there, okay?'' he ask with the most soft voice he could have, crouching in front of her and looking at her straight in the eyes.

As an answer, she simply grab both her friend's hands and let herself be head to She-demon's sister.

…..

After a while, the youngest Strauss walked back from the Springs to the group, who were waiting for the girls to come back.

He knew right away that something was wrong.

Her skin was pale, her movements shaky and unsure and sadness was present in her blue eyes.

''Lis what's wrong?'' ask the She-demon.

At least he wasn't the only one to think that.

''Well, it's k-kind of h-hard to explain, it would b-better for all of you to c-come and see…'' she respond.

Shit. That wasn't good.

So he followed the other, not a little bit worry for shortstack of course. She conduct them into a different room, not too far from the bathroom. Once Lisanna slowly opened the door he was oh so angered.

She was there. Alone, in a corner, wearing a backless tunic, sobbing quietly and shaking like a leaf caught into a tornado.

His fist was shaking in frustration. How dumb can Snow-White can get? Locking her in a small and plain room, without her friends?It's like she's punishing her!

He really wanted to hit her in the face, but Levy's sanity was more important. So he quickly went to her weak frame and, without much warning, he slammed her body against his. He was about to massage her back like back in the carriage, but stop right away when he touch the bare skin of her back.

Scars. Way, way too much scar for a defenseless little girl like her.

Finally daring to look, he saw all the scars she had. Some were tiny and numerous, probably done with a whip, others were long and thicker, surely made by a sword. Were there wasn't any, black and blue blotches were coloring her soft skin.

Fury was consuming him. As he was thinking of many ways to kill the culprit, a sweet voice interrupted his train of though.

''Gajeel….Look at this…..'' Mirajane said sadly. As he was about to barked that he already saw everything, the thing Mira was softly touching on her lower back made him close his mouth. As he look closely he discover it was a symbol, burned within her skin. There was another by its side, but he couldn't make out what it was because it was partially deformed by some scars.

One thing he was sure is that he was shaking in fury once he remembered what the intact symbol mean.

The symbol of slavery.

Levy was a runaway slave.

Pfff! I had some difficulties writhing this chapter, but I liked it. I hope you did too!

I sadly don't planned to uptade before the next two weeks because I'm in vacation.

So cya next time!

P.S.: If you're a big NaLu fan, go read the stories of my friend Soulreaper743, she's really good! ;)