Author's note: I got a little dark in this chapter, so, just as a heads up, it's gonna get violent and bloody. If you are against reading stuff like that, I won't mind, so don't scroll lower.

lexie loves anime , yeah, he was never smooth to begin with, remember the episode when they announced the S-Class participants? Gajeel's way of picking up girls? I laughed so hard. also, you'll find out what he wasn't supposed to do ;)

Freshie95 , I imagined how she's feel if she was stranded away from home, without her family. no matter how many friends you have, they'll never compare to your family (of course, I'm talking about true family, not just people related by blood that don't care about each other)

I wrote this listening to Takey & Tsubasa - Sayounara wa Ashita no Tame ni


CHAPTER 4:

"Did you take care of the problem?" A man was standing in a chair with his back to Gajeel and the rest of the gang. Gajeel pursed his lips, looking down. "WELL?" The man bellowed, turning around to glare at Gajeel.

"No, boss..." Gajeel lifted his eyes to look at a livid Jose.

"No. I see. You are my best man and you can't take care of a fucking girl. You disappoint me, Gajeel. And you know that's never a good thing." Jose leaned back in his chair, lighting a cigar and puffing heavily, watching a silent Gajeel intently. He moved his finger and two guys grabbed Gajeel by the armpits, a third one punching his hard in the gut, continuing to pour punch after punch in Gajeel's face. "And because you are my best man and I care deeply for you, I will give you one more chance. Just one. More chance. Put her back in place or I will take care of both of you myself. Have I made myself clear?" The two men released the raven haired man, who stumbled back on his feet, wiping some blood from his lower lip.

"Cristal." Gajeel squeezed through his teeth, his fists trembling in rage. Jose snapped his fingers and five other men stepped forward.

"Six of you should be more than enough to send the message." Gajeel didn't say a word, fearing he would throw up if he opened his mouth to argue. "They will wait for your cue. But don't wait too long. I want this done in one week. The big boss is coming to visit and I want my territories clean."

"Yes, boss."

"Dismissed." Jose turned on his chair, waiting for his men to file out. Gajeel looked disgusted at the back of the chair, nudging his chin to the five men to get out.

The next day, Gajeel went to classes with a bruised eye and a swollen lip. People stared, but he didn't care. He dropped his stuff on his desk, thinking hard. He didn't pay much attention to what the teachers said, and when the bell rang for the lunch break, he stormed out of the class. Levy was walking calmly to her locker to leave her books, holding onto her obentou, when she noticed him.

"Oh, my God... What happened?" Levy stopped Gajeel in his track, clearly surprised she was standing in front of him. The bluenette extended her hand, caressing his eye, but he jerked away.

"Don't... touch me." Gajeel slapped her hand away, looking bitter. Levy looked offended, turning away from him.

"Well, sorry for caring." Gajeel's head twitched, staring incredulous at her back as she left. She... cares? He followed Levy to her place behind the building, watching her as she climbed in the tree and made herself comfortable.

"Mou... Baka Gajeel... So freaking moody..." She shoved some food in her mouth, chewing angrily. "Just when I made an effort to give a damn about him..." Gajeel sighed, cursing under his breath. He went to the tree, placing himself under Levy and quietly listening to her. A few seconds after she finished her monologue, Gajeel placed his hands on the lower branches, pulling himself up in a swift move. Levy gasped, pulling her legs away, letting him sit in front of her. The bluenette stared at him for a long moment, neither daring to speak. Gajeel didn't look at her, but Levy could see he was clearly upset.

"Would you like some?" Levy was taught to be better than the rest and share anything with someone in need, no matter who it was. So she offered her bentou, pushing her lunch box under Gajeel's nose. He stared at it for a long moment, looking incredulous at the girl in front of him, who watched him with warm eyes. She waited patiently for Gajeel to take something from the bentou, smiling warmly when he popped a small sushi roll in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

"Thanks..." Gajeel averted her eyes. "'S good." This particular comment made Levy blush.

"Thank you." Levy extended her lunch once more, this time Gajeel placing his fingers around another roll with confidence. "Are you gonna tell me why you're here or you just wanted to have lunch?" Levy smiled, chewing her food.

"Why do you care?" Gajeel said under his chin.

"Sorry?" Levy strained her ears.

"Why did you come up to me earlier? Haven't I done enough to you to hate me?" He burned his red eyes into hers.

"I don't hate you, Gajeel. I hate your attitude." Levy giggled, somehow finding his question silly. "Are you in trouble? Can I help?" It was Gajeel's turn to laugh.

"I'm not the one in trouble. You are." The bluenette looked puzzled at him, not understanding what he meant.

"I'm not the one with a black eye, but whatever, if you don't wanna talk about it, I'm not the type to pry. You didn't answer my question." Gajeel looked puzzled at her. "Why are you here?"

"Not sure, really. I just wanted to know why you were so concerned about me earlier, since all I ever do is fight with you."

"Well... I can't ignore someone's pain, no matter who is it. I told you, I don't hate you, it's your attitude." Gajeel snorted.

"You're really something, aren't you?"

"I am me. That's all that is."

"You're too good to be true, y' know?"

"Are you trying to compliment me, Gajeel?" Levy looked amused at him, but she noticed his torment.

"Shit... Why the fuck did you have to meddle?"

"In what? I'm not following..."

"This was a mistake... I'm sorry..." Gajeel placed his hands on the branches, getting ready to get back on the ground.

"What was a mistake?" Levy felt like he was apologizing in advance for something.

"I'm sorry!" He glanced at her one more time, turned and ran away, leaving the bluenette stare after him. Something twisted uncomfortable inside Levy's gut, feeling something was about to happen.

The rest of the day went on normally, Levy going to the Anime Club and ending her day reading at the "Bookworm" Club. She was the last to leave the 'Bookworms', Gajeel and his gang following Levy closely. He was feeling sick, something telling him in the pit of his stomach it was wrong what he was about to do.

They stalked her and made their presence noticed when Levy approached a dead end. One of the gang members laughed darkly when she sighed and turned to face whoever was following her.

"What do you want?"

"To send a message." Another man emerged from the shadows.

"And what message would that be?"

"You messed with the wrong people." Two more showed up.

"I see. And sending four guys to leave a message is quite pathetic. I mean, I am just a girl…" Levy snorted, throwing her stuff on the ground and preparing for an attack.

"Actually, it's six guys." A familiar voice finally spoke, the bluenette looking incredulous at the spot where the voice came from. Gajeel emerged from the shadows with another guy, all six men surrounding Levy. She took a defensive stance and prepared for a fight. Gajeel stayed away as the five guys lunged for her, watching Levy fighting bravely, punching and kicking, swiftly defending herself. A few minutes after breaking some bones, she received a few punches in the gut, kneeling and gasping for air. A trickle of blood oozed from her mouth as two guys grabbed her by the armpits and a third one punched her again and again. Gajeel looked disgusted at the whole scene, but one of the guys turned to him.

"Wanna do the honors?" He asked with a sadistic smile. Gajeel knew if he didn't do it, he'd be in a heck of a lot of trouble. So he approached the bleeding bluenette and squeezed his fist. The superior smile Levy gave him infuriated him. How could she still be so powerful when she was broken? He grabbed her by the chin and lifted her face to look him in the eye. Without opening her eyes, she laughed.

"What's so funny?" Gajeel asked darkly.

"Your face. It's priceless." She coughed, spilling blood on him.

"You're the one who's beaten, so what's wrong with my face?"

"You're afraid of me. That's why you'll never defeat me, no matter what you do." She laughed again, tired. Gajeel squeezed his teeth and slapped her face hard, making her wince and escape a few tears. How could she still intimidate him when she was beaten, bruised? "You'll never defeat me, you punk. I won't let yo..." Gajeel shoved his fist in her stomach, her gasp sickening him. One of the guys grabbed a handful of blue locks and raised her head. She was unconscious. They laughed maniacally, but Gajeel didn't. He felt he was going to hurl. The guys dropped her on the street and walked away. Gajeel called an ambulance before running to catch up with his gang.

TBC


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