Chapter Two – The Journey Begins

It seemed like they slept for an eternity when the sun finally peaked through the leaves of the trees above to illuminate the forest around them. As Laxus woke to the sun in his eyes he noticed quickly the woman curled up to his side. She seemed to have such a tranquil look on her face, almost like she was completely at peace. He wondered how he could move without waking her. He didn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber, but he also didn't want to burden her further. Slowly he tried to quietly move away from the sleeping woman. Stumbling to his feet he tried to move quickly out of the camp.

"Where do you think you're going?" A voice sounded from behind him, but it wasn't the voice he had expected to hear. He growled softly to himself, how could he have forgotten about the cat that lay only a few feet away.

"You don't need to be running off alone in your condition," Mizuki sounded, her eyes were still closed and she hadn't moved from her position on the forest floor, but she was fully aware of every detail of their surroundings. Slowly she turned over in the grass, her venom eyes met his with such energy to them. The way the sunlight shined down on her eyes it made them appear to be glowing, it was truly beautiful.

"What reason would there be for me to continue hanging around?" Laxus simply huffed in his usual crude tone. He didn't believe he needed to continue to burden them any further.

"If you're worried you're being a burden, don't." Mizuki sighed; as she sat up she stretched her arms out above her head before pulling her tangled mass of hair behind her head and tied it into a low ponytail. "I wouldn't have bothered helping you if I saw it as a burden."

Mizuki's voice had taken on a hint of callousness; suddenly she was returning his rude behavior with a boorish attitude. She seemed like a completely different person than she had the night before. Laxus suddenly felt sorry for being so rude to her; after all, she was only trying to help him, but why did he feel sorry? He had been so coarse to everyone he'd ever known and never thought twice about it, with her, however, he felt like apologizing.

"I'm sorry," He spoke quietly; the words were like vinegar on his tongue they were so foreign to him.

"Not to worry," Rika chimed in. The sour look on Laxus' face made it apparent that he did not apologize very often. "Mizuki can be a bit gruff in the morning. You'll get used to it though."

With a roll of her eyes, Mizuki waved Laxus over to her and patted the ground next to her. "Come, sit down, we need to change your bandages." Mizuki's voice became calmer suddenly, almost nurturing. Had she really been so upset that he was trying to leave? Why would she care so much for his well-being? She owed him absolutely nothing if anything it was he who owed her and yet she was looking out for him and his health.

I'll get used to it? He wondered to himself, just how long did they intend on him being with them? He wasn't really accustomed to being around people for very long. He didn't even really spend much time with his team or guildmates at Fairy Tail and he'd known them for years. He grew up among most of them, which shouldn't have been a surprise seeing as his grandfather was the guild master.

Mizuki didn't say another word to him instead she simply got to work removing his bandages. Even sitting he was considerably taller than her, causing her to have to sit up on her knees to unwrap the bandage around his head.

"Mizuki," Laxus spoke patiently waiting for her to finish pulling the dirtied bandages from his wounds. "Why do you care what happens to me? I'm nothing but a stranger to you. You could have left me alone when you found me, what made you want to help me?" He questioned her, giving her a confused and curious look. When their eyes met he could see the pain that reflected back in hers.

"Penance," She spoke softly, her voice reflected the pain that showed in her eyes. "Like I told you last night, I've done a lot of bad things in my life, helping who I can now is all I can do to try to make things right. I added a lot of darkness to this world, now I want to add some light."

After she spoke she had bent over towards the river rinsing a small cloth in the cool water before dabbing it against his open cuts and scrapes cleaning them out. When she knelt in front of him to tend to his head he couldn't help but notice the scar on her breast just above her heart. It wasn't a large scar, but it was jagged and resembled more of a stab wound. He wondered who could have done this to her, she was much too kind and gentle for him to see anyone wishing her harm.

As Mizuki had finished cleaning him up, she noticed the bizarre rate at which his wounds had healed. Laxus was lost in his thoughts when she had stood from her kneeling position. Placing a hand gently on his shoulder she snapped him back to reality.

"If you really want to go off on your own, I will not stop you, but I wish you'd travel with us a bit longer, at least until we've reached the next town and you can find a proper doctor." Mizuki smiled half-heartedly down at him, she knew she couldn't stop him from going off on his own but she worried if he did he would end up back in the same state she found him in.

Laxus said nothing to her as she moved around their little campsite, placing the bandages and other supplies used that night back into her bag. Everyone was silent, the tension in the air seemed to thicken as no one spoken a word.

. . .

Not too far from the group but far enough away not to be seen, hidden in the shadows of the trees sat two others who watched this strange exchange. Not wishing their presence to be known, one's glasses shaded eyes took in every detail. His attention focused mainly on the young woman with silver hair. They had been following her for a few days now without her notice and had hoped this new addition to her group would serve as the distraction they would need. It wouldn't be long before they would confront the girl, but would rather do it while she was alone, if only they could find a way to separate her from the other two. If they continued to drag this out much longer they knew the others in the guild would be rather frenzied. For now, however, all they could do was continued to follow and watch from the shadows, hoping they would get their chance to get the girl alone.

"This could prove to rather interesting." One of them spoke quietly in a calm voice. He was a tall man; however was not really a man. His body may have appeared human but his head and face was that of a goat. He kept his eyes shaded by a pair of sunglasses and wore a long-tailed topcoat over a nice suit.

"Damn it Capricorn why can't we just take her now! I highly doubt those other two are going to put up much of a fight!" The other argued, his voice was higher in pitch and a bit chaotic. This man was shorter than the other; his long blonde spiked hair was wild and unkempt.

"Zancrow, keep your voice down," Capricorn spoke again with an unnaturally calm voice. If Zancrow continued to make a fuss they would be found out for sure but he was confident they were already. Mizuki had never been one to let much get past her, perhaps she would simply leave the group and confront them, or maybe she would continue to run hoping she would lose them eventually. Only time would tell.

. . .

Mizuki finished packing up what was left of the stuff around the campsite slinging the large bag over her shoulder she finally spoke breaking the awkward silence that had befallen the campsite. "Rika, we need to be heading out." There was a sense of urgency in her voice followed but the slight twinge of fear. Laxus wondered what she could be so worried about that warranted packing and leaving so quickly.

"If you don't mind I'd like to join you." Laxus stood and walked over to her. She simply gave him a sweet smile and nodded her head gently. He could tell something was bothering her, something had her scared enough to run away. Though incredibly uncharacteristic of him he wanted to help her if only to return the favor for helping him.

The three of them headed out, following the stream through the forest until they reached a narrow road. Following the road for a short distance, it lead them out of the forest and continued straight into the Town of Oshibana. By the time they had reached the town it was already getting dark, neither of them had spoken much the entire time they walked until they reached the hotel they decided to stay at for the night.

"I'll go get us a room." Mizuki yawned she was very tired after their long day of walking, but she knew they had to move fast. It was starting to get late and all of the shops would be closing soon.

"Alright," Laxus replied as his stomach growled. "I'll go find us some dinner." Mizuki smiled at him, it seemed he was starting to warm up to her. He certainly wasn't as rude to her as he was when they first met.

After Laxus had disappeared within the crowded town Mizuki turned and looked down at Rika who stood next to her. "They're getting close…" Mizuki's pain-ridden voice filled Rika's sensitive ears as the folded to lay flat against her head. "What if they catch us while he's with us? I don't want him to get hurt because of us." Mizuki's eyes reflect a sense of worry and guilt.

Rika let out a soft sigh, "We'll have to be honest with him then. I don't think he would just accept us running off without him since you made such a fuss over him trying to leave on his own this morning." The orange cat was right, Mizuki could have simply let the problem fix itself this morning but she was so adamant that he stayed with them.

"Alright, then we'll tell him the whole story tonight after dinner," Mizuki looked down at Rika if only for a little reassurance. Rika simply gave her an encouraging nod. That settled it, tonight they would explain everything to Laxus and hope he would choose to stay away from them and their problems.

The sun had set now as the three settled down in their hotel room for the night. Mizuki was washing the dishes after dinner with Rika lingering close by. The hotel only had the single queen room available, leaving them to either share the bed or one of them to sleep on the couch. Laxus it seemed had chosen the couch despite the fact he was a great deal larger than the small couch. Mizuki let out a reluctant sigh before turning away from the sink to look over in his direction.

"L-Laxus..." She spoke hesitantly. "Can I talk to you about something?"

He looked over at her curiously, diverting his gaze from the window he was staring out of. "What's up?" He asked her as she made her way into the main room, sitting across from him on the foot of the bed.

"Do you remember what I told you yesterday?" She looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

"Yeah, I think so, why?" He returned her question with one of his own.

"Remember how I told you about my past?" She let out a solemn sigh before continuing. "I may not have told you all of it..." She paused for a moment, twiddling her thumbs together as she stared down at her hands.

"Tell me..," Laxus spoke quietly. He had turned now to sit upright on the couch facing her. Hunched over he sat resting his elbows on his knees with one hand in the other.

"Well… I'm being hunted by my past, I guess would be the best way to say it." She reluctantly looked up at Laxus. The expression on his face was stone cold, emotionless. "The people I have been running away from they're still hunting me." She averted her gaze back to her hands.

"I was part of a really bad group," She continued, head hanging in shame as she spoke refusing to meet his gaze. "To be specific I was part of a Dark Guild. Two of their members have been tracking me since I left. Just this morning they were no more than 50 yards from us... I think we should part ways, there's a good doctor here that will take care of you…" Mizuki was cut off from her rambling when Laxus stood from the couch and walked over to the window. He stood there stoic, staring out into the dark town before him, everything taking on some sense of calm as the shops closed and everyone turned in for the night.

"After that big fuss this morning, now you want to part ways?" Laxus chuckled at her, the strange sound emanating from his throat caused her to look up in confusion.

"Is he laughing at me?" Mizuki wondered as she stared in bewilderment at the large muscular man by the window, his large shoulders shaking gently as he laughed.

Mustering all the courage she could find to face him, she stood and awkwardly made her way towards him, clumsily tripping over her bag she had left in the middle of the floor. Mizuki fell forwards towards Laxus who turned just in time to catch her slender frame with his strong arms, pulling her tightly into him. He held her close, her sizable chest pressed against his, her feet dangling a few inches from the floor due to their height difference. They stood there like this for a few moments, their faces a few inches apart, the feel of his warm breath so close sent shivers down her spine. They had no idea how long they had stood there staring into each other's eyes, her bright venom pools reflecting back to her through the grey storm clouds that were his eyes. His eyes seemed cold but there was a hint of something else. Something rather strange to her, this hint of something, was something she had never seen before in the eyes of a man when they looked at her.

"Um…" Mizuki struggled to find the words, blushing a bright rosy red she turned her face away from his. "Th-thank you for catching me." She stuttered, her tongue tripping over the words that cascaded out of her mouth next. "C-can you p-put me down please?"

Laxus obliged her request, setting her gently on her feet in front of him. Laxus let out a deep chuckle when he noticed the blush across her cheeks deepen. Reaching a hand up he brushed a stray strand of her silver hair from in front of her face, tucking it neatly behind her ear. Surprised as he was at his own actions what really caught him off guard was the way she flinched when he raised his hand.

"What kind of hell has this woman been through?" He questioned himself, "What is it about her that makes me want to protect her?" He tried to mentally shake these strange thoughts from his mind. Pushing gently past her to once again take his seat on the couch.

"Mizuki…" he spoke with an unusually calm voice, almost as if he was a completely different person. "I would like to keep traveling with you. I owe you for helping me in the forest and if that means helping deal with these punks so be it." His voice had returned to its usual gruff tone as if he were trying to hide his true motives.

"Oh… No… No Laxus I can't ask you to do that!" Mizuki was yelling now, her face buried in her hands, she still stood where he left her. "I can't let another person get hurt because of me!"

Mizuki pulled her hands away from her face to look down to her side when she felt the soft paw touch her leg.

"Mizuki it's alright," Rika spoke to her reassuringly. "No one's going to get hurt."

Rika smiled up at her lifelong friend. Before a look of surprise was strewn across her face as she watched two large arms wrapped tightly around her partner's waist. Laxus was embracing Mizuki in a tight but gentle hug from behind her.

Mizuki froze for a moment from shock, before she felt herself beginning to relax. The warmth of his body against her back sent a shiver down her spine as he leaned down to speak in her ear. His breath on her ear awakening some primal instinct inside of her causing her to melt into his embrace.

"Don't worry little lady, I'm a tough one to kill." He spoke with a cocky half-smile. Her fingers began to run lightly down his arms to meet his hands. Grabbing them gently she pulled his arms apart to turn and look directly up into his eyes. The strange twinkle in his eyes from before was still there.

"Laxus…" Her voice now barely above a whisper, she looked away and avoided meeting his eyes. "I don't want you to get hurt. Everyone around me eventually gets hurt."

She once again froze in shock when his hand lifted her chin to look him in the eyes. His intense eyes stared into her soft but fearful ones. Her mind raced unable to look away from his captivating gaze. His eyes trailed over the features of her beautiful face, eventually looking back into her beautiful venom eyes.

"What is this feeling, why does he make me feel like I'm less of a… Why do I want to…?" Her mind raced through so many thoughts at once that she had no idea how looking they stood there. Both seemed oblivious to Rika who was now staring out the window into the dark as if she was watching something… or someone.

"I'm not giving you a choice." He spoke finally, breaking her away from her thoughts. "I owe you a debt, you can't get rid of me that easily."

"Just what the hell am I thinking?" He mentally scolded himself. Not knowing what could cause him to act this way towards her.

His hand released her chin in a quick movement when Laxus moved swiftly a few steps away from her. Leaving her to stand there in a slightly awkward stance, with a deep blush crossing her high cheeks.

"We should try to get some sleep." Rika broke the awkward silence that had befallen the room. Causing both Laxus and Mizuki to look over to her and nod in agreement. Mizuki moved to climb into the bed as she noticed him uncomfortably stretch out onto the couch. He really was too large for the rather small couch.

After hearing him shift in his uncomfortable position for the fifth time Mizuki lifted her head off the pillow to look across the darkening room. With a soft sigh and a small smile, she pulled herself out of the cold bed to stand next to him, his tall masculine body nearly falling off of the couch.

"The bed would be more comfortable." She spoke softly as she checked over his injuries. "It would be easier on your injuries." Grabbing his arm tenderly she pulled him gently down into the bed with her. Once the two were lying side by side she turned over to face away from him.

She was laying as far away from him on the bed as she could. For a moment he just stared at the back of her head wondering why he let her drag him into bed and why he suddenly now had the urge to run his large fingers through the long, soft length of her silver hair.

He didn't know how long he laid there until he heard the soft snores coming from the woman next to him. Letting the subtle sounds she made in her sleep lull him into his own slumber.