"How long are we going to be quiet about the dark and thick clouds that surround us?"

"Juvia," the voice was as sickening as it was sweet as it passed through yellowed teeth and purple lips. The man that stood in front of Gajeel and Juvia was no mere reaper. He was a Messenger, responsible for reporting to the Judges and getting their direct instruction. Reapers are generally given freedom to do as they would wish. However, when one may dabble in editing human fate, there were severe repercussions. It was the Judge's duty to decide the fate of a human soul and to choose to allow someone to live or take their life. For a reaper to chose on their own took that decision from the Judges, defying them and asserting your own power above theirs.

"Yes, Master Jose," Juvia bowed, causing the purple-haired mage to grin impishly.

"I have been asked by the Judges to interrogate you on the matter of Gray Fullibuster," he drawled out the words, his arrogance making Gajeel's ears twitch in agitation.

"What does Master Jose wish to know?" Juvia was stoic. She always shut down like that when she was around Jose. She didn't like him, "Juvia would be happy to-"

"I've been informed you refused to collect the boy's soul. Is this true?"

"Juvia didn't…"

"Are you denying the words of the almighty Judges?" his grin widened.

"No, Juvia would never do something like that,"

"Then you did refuse to collect his soul,"

"Juvia only wanted to…"

"You denied the Judges in your actions, Ms. Lockser. Surely you knew there would be consequences?"

Maybe it was the smug smile Jose had in just that instant or maybe it was the shock and worry in Juvia's eyes when he spoke, but at that minute, Gajeel decided he hated Jose. His voice grated on his nerves to the point that his hair stood on end and the twisted bastard only seemed to have his own power in mind. He was a shady fellow, and manipulative. Gajeel didn't have a doubt in his mind that the Judges had only asked for an explanation, not a trial and judgment to be made.

He gripped his iron staff and walked forward, placing himself between Juvia and Jose.

"Gajeel…" Juvia gasped. He shot her a look to silence her and brought his bloody eyes back to meet Jose's.

"I told her to let the boy live," Gajeel growled, letting his power cause his staff to glow green with activation.

"You, Black Steel Gajeel?" his eyes were suddenly guarded and they narrowed at his words, "I have a hard time believing something like that,"

"The woman I escorted to the gate wanted the boy to live. Not to mention he had a brother who would be left alone. Not allowing the boy to live would have just made it certain the second child die as well. You and I both know how much Judge Mavis is saddened by the death of children. I figured I was doing her a favor,"

Jose regarded him for a moment, his eyes staring at the Gajeel's staff, which was now threatening transformation. Gajeel didn't often activate his power, but when he did he did so without looking back. He wasn't a man to make hollow threats.

"Yes, well, that is something you have to consult Judge Mavis with herself. It is her jurisdiction to…"

"It seems there's been quite a few deaths this month," Gajeel said coolly, making Jose slam his mouth shut as Gajeel's staff turned into a large, shimmering black scythe, "So many more than usual. One might say, you're shirking your duties as a Messenger, Master Jose,"

Part of the job of the Messenger is to watch over mankind and keep stock of the births and deaths that occur every month. Each sector has a limit of deaths versus births that can occur. Gajeel knew very well that Jose had no interest in monitoring humans like a supernatural babysitter. He saw them as a herd of animals rather than sentient beings with thoughts and feelings. And even though Gajeel was mostly lacking in empathy, he did know that there was a balance that had to be maintained, one that Jose had been neglecting. If a Messenger neglects his duties, catastrophes often take a hold of mankind. War. Famine. Plague.

"You don't want to be responsible for… I dunno… a wild fire, would you?" a smirk made it's way across Gajeel's features as he stared him down, "I'd hate for your decommission to be brought about,"

"Are you threatening me, Reaper?" Jose's voice was dangerous and low, but his eyes were staring warily at the scythe in Gajeel's hands.

"Of course not, Master. I'm merely reminding you of your place in our world. I may be a lowly reaper, but I'm fairly certain you have bigger things to take care of,"

The two stared each other down for a while, Gajeel daring him to make a move and Jose unsure. Finally, he turned and scoffed, flipping his ponytail to the side, "I'll be sure to give your report to the Judges,"

"Thank you, sir," Gajeel's smile faded as Jose left. How boring.

Whack!

"The hell, woman?!"

"Juvia did not need Gajeel's help! Juvia can handle herself!" Juvia fumed, rubbing her wrist where she'd hit Gajeel on the back of the head.

"He was gonna frame you. The hell did you expect me to do?!" Gajeel growled, deactivating his scythe.

Juvia sighed and looked up to the raging reaper, "Juvia thanks you,"

"Yeah, yeah," Gajeel huffed, pulling out his pocket watch. Time to get back to work.