Sorry for the wait, again. School is just a pain and I have been distracted lately with Final Fantasy, but I usually find some down time during the weekend to write so don't worry! Hope you all enjoy this chapter~

Disclaimer; I do not own Fairy Tail. It belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Little Blue Script Mage

Chapter Four

x.x.x

"Makarov isn't really sick, huh?" Cana inquired, raising one of her dark, thin eyebrows. Porlyusica nodded, her hands wrapping up more medicine together for her other patients.

"I had to figure out a way to get Levy to go out to find the dragons." The herbalist explained. Cana was slightly surprised at Porlyusica's lack of compunction for sending Levy into the dangerous forest by herself. Porlyusica probably had more confidence in Levy's strength than Cana must have had.

The young fortuneteller had settled into the herbalist's shop for the time being, even though she be out in the open air market making some money but her mind was distracted. She had laid out her cards on a small table near the entrance, trying to read what must be going on with Levy. Cana had figured out that Porlyusica's future sight was more practical in serious situations, the elder was able to see years in the future. Cana was only able to see a few days ahead or silly love readings, but that kind of fortune telling was best used for marketing purposes.

As the rest of the cards began lining in a readable pattern, Cana could tell that Levy had already met the dragon and thankfully she hadn't be harmed by him. Though, the lightning bolt that covered part of the steel beast's card made her uneasy but as her hands continued to move on their own in placing the cards, it was revealed that they were able to get away from Laxus. Cana couldn't help but feel extremely guilty, she was the one who had warned Jet and Droy about Levy going into the woods. If her friends had gotten hurt it would have been all her fault.

However, something strange had caught Cana's eyes. The card that usually signified strong feelings of admiration, devotion, or love? It was dangerously close to the cards that represented Levy and the dragon's. That can't be possible! She tried to rearranged the cards around but they ended up in the same place. The book card was mostly covered by the heart. Knowing Levy, Cana would scratch this off as Levy having a small crush from being around a mysterious, strange man that somehow caught her interest and she would be over it as soon as it started ... but the cards shown more promise than that.

"What's the matter?" Porlyusica voice had brought Cana back to reality, her mind was consumed by the strange reading.

"N-Nothing." Cana muttered. It seems that Porlyusica's more practical and serious fortune telling couldn't foresee anything relating to love.

She'd keep this secret away from Porlyusica. The elderly woman was quite traditional and, even though she sent Levy on this mission, would do all in her power to stop this future from occurring.

The sun was nearing the horizon but there was still enough light to keep on traveling for another good three miles, which was all they needed until they reached Makarov's cabin in the center of the forest. Since the metallic dragon was still recuperating from the intense battle with Laxus, he hadn't jumped through the trees with Levy on his back for fear he might lose his balance and probably kill the tiny girl. Gajeel just led the way through the shrubbery, slowing his pace for the mage to catch up.

More than anything, Levy was distracted and her mind wandering to all kinds of possibilities. Why had Porlyusica lied about her grandfather being ill? Why was she sent all the way into the dangerous Magnolia Forest? What was really going on? Another thing that had bothered her was her company, the dragon. To a certain level, she had trusted the man, but there was still an unknown side of him. What if Gajeel was the one lying? What if he was just leading her into a trap where no one could find her and kill her? Levy started to break out in a nervous sweat, even though it was nearing the colder season.

Being to caught up in her thoughts, a branch had sneakily wrapped itself above her foot and tripped her. Levy land face first into the hard ground, Gajeel only staring at her with a unimpressed gaze. The sigh of frustration caused a red shade of embarrassment to consume Levy's cheeks. She must seem like some kind of fool to him. Why does it matter what he thinks of me?

"Keep your head straight, shrimp. You're slowing us down." Gajeel ordered, his crimson eyes narrowing. He could have easily caught her before she fell but he hoped the impact would knock her back to reality. The dragon extended a hand towards the girl, he would felt like an ass if he didn't help her up though.

"Sorry." Levy muttered, grasping his hand. It felt firm and callous and warm. The contact had sent a shock through her system as his warmth travel through her body, especially to her cheeks. Gajeel didn't seem to notice her expression and continued to pull her up. The tingling sensations of warmth and comfort left as soon as he dropped her hand, but the flustered blush stayed.

They pressed onward, Levy following behind Gajeel as she stared his messy, black mane that cascaded down his back. She felt somewhat guilty that she doubted him, thinking he was taking her deep into the forest to kill her. He saved her life twice now!

"So, how do you know Makarov?" Levy cautiously inquired. The dragon stopped in his step, almost causing Levy to crash into his back.

"Why do you wanna know, shrimp?" Gajeel's voice wasn't threatening, but it wasn't friendly either. Levy was about to press the issue his tone of voice had told her to back off.

"What about the wolves? It seems as if you can communicate with them." She decided to change the subject, noticing that ever since she met him, he hasn't revealed anything.

"You're a nosy one, huh?" Gajeel sighed, "I can speak with all the animals in the forest, since I'm a dragon. And I was sent to this part of Magnolia forest to protect the animals here, that's why I kill the hunters that enter. All those bastards want to do is kill all the beasts in the forest for their own selfish use."

"Really? That's so noble." The blue-haired mage smiled, the sun gave her hair that orange-ish hue. He returned the simple gesture with a grin as his hand rubbed the back of his head, no one has ever called him noble before.

She still found herself wanting to question him more about how he was connected to her grandfather but his reactions had told her to back off. The first time he was mention, while they were in the dragon's cave, Gajeel had shown fear and now he had shown an unfriendly, almost hateful attitude. Being lost in thought again, Levy had to quicken her pace to keep up Gajeel. He refused to slow down for her, she was thankful he wasn't treating her like some kind of pathetic, little princess but he could at least slow down! Her open-toed sandals weren't meant for traveling through the dense forest at his fast pace. Though she didn't complained and tried her hardest not to fall anymore, hoping to impress him ... or at least, not annoy him.

The sun had sunk below the horizon line, it was difficult for Levy to see but Gajeel seemed to have no problem in the dark. He assured her that this was definitely Makarov's home. The trees and shrubbery were spreading out and then they eventually reached a clearing where a small, two story cabin in the center. Smoke puffed out of the chimney and the aura from the cabin gave off a homey feeling. The place was similar to the one Makarov had built many years ago in Magnolia where Laxus lives now. The old, rusted mailbox with the name printed in metal 'Makarov' had confirmed it was her grandfather's home.

"Grandpa!" Levy called out in excitement as she raced up the wooden steps of the porch. Gajeel couldn't help but grin at her reaction. However, he still felt uncomfortable around this place.

The small mage held up her fist as she was about to knock on the door, but it had just slowly creaked open on its own. Odd. She walked into the threshold, Gajeel soon following her. There were no lights, nearly pitched black since the sun had set, and eerily quiet, "Grandpa?"

There was a rustling noise near the corner, Levy stepped closer to investigate and calling for her grandfather once more. The noise had came from a king-sized bed in the corner of the house, through the darkness Levy could see the blankets moving slightly. Was he grandfather really sick? "Grandpa?" She called once more but with cation this time. Levy reached out her hand to touch the blanket but as soon as she drew near-

"BAH!" Something sprung up from the covers, throwing the blankets everywhere. A flash of pink and red was all Levy could see before she screamed and landed roughly on her rear. Her body was trembling from the sudden scare and she forced her eyes to stay screwed shut, her hands covering her face.

"Damn, Natsu." Gajeel voiced growled from behind, "Turn on some lights. She can't see in the dark."

Apparently the one who had scared Levy almost to death was known as Natsu Dragneel, another dragon within Magnolia Forest. The news of another dragon's existence had shocked Levy, he had control over the element of fire instead of metal as Gajeel. His hair was a light shade of pink and heat radiated from his muscular frame, Levy assumed it was because of the fire in his belly. Natsu explained how he knew of their soon arrival and decided to surprise them, he couldn't help but laugh at Levy, who just blushed in embarrassment and looked the other way. The fire dragon had breathed a tiny amount of flames from his mouth to light the candles to brighten the room.

"So, where is Makarov?" Gajeel inquired, his voice nonchalant.

"Ah, gramps lefts a few hours ago to get dinner ready for our guests." Natsu had a constant grin on his face, Levy had noticed.

Just as Levy was about to ask Natsu about her grandfather's supposed illness, the front door of the cabin swung open. It revealed the a small sized man, spiky gray hair sticking out from the sides and a large, thick fur trimmed coat. In his hand was many vegetable plants and fresh meat in the other. "Grandpa!" Levy jumped up, racing over towards the man and embraced him tightly.

"L-Levy? Careful you're going to make me drop the food." Makarov slightly scolded, but his dark, brown eyes shown immense happiness for seeing his granddaughter for the first time in years.

The old man instantly began preparing the rest of the dinner, dumping the vegetable and meat into a pot of boiling water to create a lovely stew that was his favorite as well as Levy's. The two relatives started catching up, chatting innocently as he stirred the soup with a wooden spoon. Levy had forgotten to question her grandfather about Porlyusica telling her he was sick and how he knew she was coming to his isolated cabin. They were too busy talking about the past and what Levy had been doing ever since he moved into the forest.

As they continued their reunion, Gajeel sat upon the steps of the back porch as he didn't want to ruin their moment. The sound of footsteps made Gajeel turn his head, Natsu headed towards him. The fire dragon's black eyes shown hatred as he emitted a low growl from his throat. Gajeel only turned his head back away and gazed up at the starry, night sky.

"Why the hell did you come back?" Natsu snarled, his fist clenching. Since Levy was oblivious of the metallic beast's past, Natsu had decided not to start anything in front of her but now she was distracted, he need to confront him.

"Tch, she wouldn't have survived the forest on her own." Gajeel answered, "I was really close to killing her, especially since she had Makarov's blood."

"Why didn't you?"

"Heh, I'm not really sure." Gajeel admitted, he brought his hand through his thick, black mane.

"Makarov may try to forgive, but I won't." Natsu's hostility returned, "You tried killing Makarov, destroyed nearly half the forest, and killed Levy's parents."

"I know this." The steel dragon's voice was unusually weak, his teeth gritting at the memories forming in his head. The old man had claimed to forgive him, offering to take him in as he did Natsu, but Gajeel refused and tried to protect the forest on his own, trying to repent for his sins but only ended killing more people.

"Now, leave." The fire dragon growled, "And don't come back."

Gajeel didn't say anymore, he knew Natsu was right. He hated that damn fire dragon anyway, Levy would be in better hands with Natsu. She was starting to grow on him, for some reason, he had enjoyed the feeling of being dependent on. Even though it had made Levy seem weak, it felt good having someone rely on you. Just like how the help the animals in the forest. She was the firs human interaction he had in years, he would miss it, but if she ever found out the truth about him ... she would never look at him the same.

"I won't tell her about what you did to her parents." The somewhat kind gesture had surprised Gajeel, "But if you show back up here, I won't hesitant."

"Yeah." Gajeel grunted, standing up from his spot on the steps. Not looking back as he raced towards the thick of the woods and leaped into the branches.

A/N ;; More have been revealed about our beloved steel dragon, how will Levy react when she learns about his past? How can the dragons work together to save the forest when they hate each other? Natsu might be a little OOC, but hopefully not too much. Thank you for reading! Please leave a review and tell me what you think.