Laxus's POV

Laxus rose to the sound of Bickslow and Sienna creep in during the early hours of the morning. He hadn't truly be asleep. Their lack of presence had bothered him more than he'd like to admit. He waited until he heard through Sienna's goodnights and apologies before he decided to go confront Bickslow.

It wasn't every day that Bickslow pissed him off. Usually between the members of the Riajinshuu, Bickslow was the most tolerable. However vanishing with Gajeel's sister in tow, was definitely not the Sieth mages wisest decision. Laxus had been given the responsibility of Sienna safety by Gajeel himself and didn't plan to mess up. He was about to scold Bickslow for vanishing without a word, before he realised that Bickslow was repacking his closet. Laxus pondered that for a second before coming to a very worrying conclusion.

"Did you just try to abandon us?!" Bickslow looked up in surprise. He hadn't noted Laxus enter his room. With a sigh, Bickslow opened his mouth to explain. After all with Laxus glowering at him, he knew that Laxus wouldn't leave until he explained himself. So that was exactly what Bickslow did.

"We can't associate too much. Her presence drives me crazy. Dammit Laxus, I'm a Sieth mage. Dealing with seeing another's soul is difficult and I can't comprehend hers. I'm worried I'll attack her."

Laxus listened to Bickslow's explanation of the evening. He was shocked to hear that Bickslow couldn't handle the temptation of her soul. Bickslow was indeed the most powerful Sieth mage he knew. Further, he was confused at his own reaction when Bickslow mentioned that Sienna had practically leapt into his arms confessing her past sins to him during their earlier confrontation. Jealousy, like Laxus had never known before coursed through him. He had no real claim to Sienna as anything but a friend and clearly Bickslow, despite his fears, was infatuated with her.

Still the idea of the raven haired girl in Bickslow's arms enraged him to the point where he could barely contain his lightning. Could he actually be jealous of one of his oldest and most faithful friends? The idea sickened him. Luckily Bickslow, hadn't noticed Laxus's inner turmoil.

"Can she live with her brother? Please Laxus. I can't do this." Bickslow's head was in his hands. The mage clearly appalled with himself for not being able to control his urges to steal her soul. It was the first time Laxus had ever seen him so distraught. Laxus quickly agreed, informing Bickslow that he would have a word with Gajeel.

Laxus exited the room, wary of his emotions. He had agreed to send Sienna away. Her staying with them had always been a temporary thing, at least until she and Gajeel could come to grips with the fact that they were family. Laxus hoped she would join the guild quickly, he didn't know why gramps was stalling this much. She was a mage, homeless, had a painful past and was extremely powerful. If that wasn't pretty much a checklist for getting into fairy tail, Laxus didn't know what was.

He knew her leaving was the best solution, even if it was a bit early. However he wasn't sure what was the most important factor in this decision. Was out of concern for Bickslow or the jealousy that made him want to drive them apart? Laxus didn't know. Not caring about the hour, Laxus swiftly made his way to Gajeel's cabin before he could lose his nerve.

Gajeel's POV

It was barely a day since Laxus had paid him a visit at some ungodly hour requesting that Sienna move in with him. Gajeel wasn't naive, he knew that something drastic had to have happened to drive the lightning dragon slayer to this decision. As far as he knew the Riajinshuu adored Sienna Redfox and Laxus, in Gajeel's opinion likely had a crush on his sister. It wasn't surprising, the man liked woman who were able to pose a challenge, evident from his exes Mirajane Strauss and Cana Alberona.

Gajeel wasn't unwelcome to having Sienna stay with him. They'd gotten to know each other as best they could over the two weeks he'd been aware of her existence. He couldn't technically even call the girl his younger sister. There was a 6 year age gap between them when she'd been born. And he'd been on Tenroujima for 7 years. That made his sister 27 years old and in his opinion, capable of handling her own suitors. That didn't exactly mean he was keen on her being with Laxus though.

So when Bickslow showed up with his sister to drop her off, Gajeel was astounded to see the man firstly without his armour and dolls and secondly so, for lack of a better world infatuated with every word his sister said. Sienna was totally oblivious. No wonder Laxus had been so strange. Bickslow was his rival. Still, there was something unusual about Bickslow. While he was always pleasant to Sienna once in a while a look of extreme concentration would cross his face, as if it were an ordeal to be there.

So, when Bickslow eventually left Gajeel decided to enquire from Sienna what exactly had happened.

"Slave girl, what did you do to piss them off? I thought they'd have practically adopted you by now." Gajeel handed Sienna some scrap metal hoping he hadn't crossed the line by asking such a question. However his worry was short lived as Sienna simply shrugged, chomping down on an old spanner.

"I suppose my soul freaks out Bickslow, which freaks out Laxus. I knew I couldn't stay there forever, Sieth mages are extremely sensitive to people like me. It's too bad, I liked Ever and Freed's company. I wonder if they'll visit." Sienna said the statement so nonchalantly that even Gajeel would've missed her sad smile if he hadn't been sitting directly in front of her. Feeling bad he tried to make her feel better.

"You freaked out fairy tail's freakiest mage? Don't get ahead off yourself, that guy seen worse than you. Hell, he sees me all the time." Gajeel assumed this would make things look better in her eyes but to his surprise Sienna burst out laughing. It actually made him angry. How dare she laugh at his past? He wasn't proud of it but he didn't try to hide it the way she hid hers.

"Gajeel Redfox, do you dare to think you've outdone your sister when it comes to sinning? Please, I know your history. Don't ridicule me."

"I've done things you could never begin to imagine, slave girl!"

"Yeah, yeah you crucified your girlfriend to a tree and beat up her side kick. Big deal!"

"How do you know? Wait, Shrimp ain't my woman. You are making shit up!"

"Yeah right.."

"I could never, after what I've done be good for her! She deserves the best, not a damn monster like me."

"Gajeel if you're a monster, I'm the devil."

They were both standing and glaring at each other, neither noticing a sheepish Pantherlily enter and awkwardly grab some kiwi juice out of the fridge before evacuating. A wiser man would've backed off and left the woman to brood. Yet, as the universe would have it, Gajeel was not the brightest.

"Tell me what the hell you did woman. I know the old geezers been holding out on bringing you into the guild. As long as you want to live here, we don't keep this shit secret." The minute Gajeel said it, he knew he'd done something wrong and before he could muster an apology, Sienna exploded in rage. Red eyes narrowed, hands on her hips and her power spiking dangerously; Sienna really did look like a devil.

"I murdered thirty two people within one hour. There were only two survivors, both of whom were significantly injured." And with that, the raven haired girl stomped off towards her new room, leaving behind a completely dumbstruck Gajeel Redfox.

Strangers POV

He neared Magnolia lost in thought. He wasn't surprised his prey had managed to survive the slave bracelets. He had knew her true power, having barely survived it all those years ago. The same little slave girl was free now. Sooner or later she'd need to answer for her crimes and he'd best be there when she did. He hadn't expected hunting her down to be this easy but then again she was strong now, associating with one of the most powerful guilds in Foire.

Perhaps it was her brother that had drawn her to the guild. Or maybe their ethics, putting their nakama first. He hoped for her sake it was worth it. Running from Leaonne was a risky move on her part. Surely, she knew that even a guild as influential as Kain couldn't help her now that her bracelets were off. She was a girl with plenty of people who'd have paid dearly to see her humiliated, violated and dead. It annoyed him, people of such low calibre trying to claim her life.

Maybe she knew she was being tracked, and decided to wait for him to find her. They would be equals now that she'd gotten her wretched bracelets removed. The anticipation of their inevitable showdown excited him. It had been a while since they had fought and truly, who wouldn't wish to see two prodigy's clash?

Few people could say they were mages with two dominant powers. Yes, he was well aware dragon slayers could eat the attacks of their rival dragon slayers and gain auxiliary powers, but this wasn't the same think. They were truly two of a kind. Two individuals with powers so great they'd had no choice but to reach S class just to survive the strain on their bodies and souls as their incompatible powers sought dominance.

Yet, the two of them were survivors and had used every ounce of self-control, tenacity and brutal perseverance to be called Leaonne's best. Yes, Sienna Redfox definitely knew he was coming her way. When he finally would see her face to face, she'd best be prepared for the consequences of being found so easily.