A loud noise resonated across the guild. Gajeel crashed on the floor. A small public was around the table where occurred the drinking contest opposing the infamous Cana Alberona and the new guy, Gajeel Redfox. Elfman and Max, along with Macao and Wakaba now awake, were yelling and betting. Juvia was cheering her friend (although, she already knew the match's result, having faced Cana a couple of days ago).

Gajeel's soul escaped from his body as he tried to contain his rebellious stomach who wanted to exit all the liquor. That damn chick was no human. How possibly could she stand there, claiming her win with such energy ? She was now doing a victory's dance on the table, acclaimed by the present men.

He raised himself hardly to get back on the bench in front of him. His head was spinning and he was pretty sure that people normally didn't have two heads. Two heads and a half ? Damn, he was so waste. He fell back again, slipping on a puddle of liquor he must have dropped during the shooter speed-up contest.

An ash-blond haired guy was counting down enthusiastically in a similar way as in a boxing match. Cana stopped him.

"Max. I think he got enough already. He's not gonna make it."

Maybe, that chick was a monster, but he wouldn't back down until he died from trying. Groaning, he grabbed the table a little too roughly, raising himself to her level.

"Like I said, you wish."

He sat down heavily, defying her.

"He's doing it like a man !" yelled a white-haired giant. "A real MAN !"

"Let's go, kid ! You got farther than we thought ! You can do it !" cheered a middle-aged guy, smoking.

"Shut up, Wakaba ! Don't encourage him to kill himself ! Stop it ! You have done enough, moron !" warned Macao.

"Hush !" ordered Cana, scratching her nose red from her drinking. "Let's see how much more he can take."

She grinned, evilly. What a fool to challenge her in an expertise field. She didn't mind. She would crush him, anyway. He could saw that it was what she was thinking. And he wouldn't denied that he was on the edge of falling into coma. He had to defend his honour, or rather his 'secret' that had the misfortune to be caught by a devilish woman.

He lost the count of his drinks. Too many names of alcohol were popping in his head. His cheeks puffed as he attempted not to throw up. Max and Elfman prepared the ten next shooters while the two older men were checking out the barmaid being too busy with the other customers.

"Don't push yourself too much." She smirked, taking the first shot, waiting for the signal.

"Don't think you can beat me by making me drink girly stuff." He plagued, hiding his discomfort.

Cana busted out laughing. She had an easy laugh. Especially for stupid remarks like that. She leaned on her barrel in order not to fall. She was drunk too, after all. She was just more resistant...

"I'll make you regret you ridicule machismo, you punk !"

Customarily with men due to her drinking habits, she knew how to deal with dumb machos that didn't know their right place. By crushing their dignity. Men were nothing without their 'male pride' as daily remembered by Elfman. And right now, the guy in front of her was about to learn it the harsh way.

"GO !" Macao and Wakaba shouted in unison.

She drank her shooters skilfully, slamming the glasses down on the wooden surface. For his part, he infrequently swallowed, aiming to keep a straight face.

He failed miserably. He was defeated. He clenched his fists, staring at his last shooter. He was going to reach for it when his stomach had the brilliant idea to try to escalate his oesophagus, maybe to take some fresh air.

He slapped his mouth and walking fast towards the exit. Not running, trying to keep the little dignity he had left. He couldn't allowed himself to show more weakness. He didn't say a thing before passing the doors, apprehending to be in a less honourable state than he already was.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Gajeel !" applauded some people behind him. Probably, the four men who were his cheer squad. For some reason, since his performance, they had been quite civil with him. Now, they were welcoming him.

Although, it didn't matter at that moment since he was giving up on everything that his tummy held, next to a tree in front of the guild. Iron and alcohol. It was never pleasant, but those two items combined were particularly repulsive to regurgitate.

"Told you to be careful." The drunkard woman said, standing behind him.

"If it's to scorn me, right now is not a good time." He raged, wiping his mouth.

He felt disgusting and dirty. What a shame to be in such a state in front of a woman, even a heavy drinker like her.

"Go away." He protested, still feeling her presence.

A cold plastic poked his elbow. He looked over his shoulder to see her holding a bottle of water. He took it, mumbling a quick "Thanks" and drank avidly the refreshing liquid.

"You're better than I thought." She said before drinking a bottle of fine wine she brought with her.

Crazy chick. As if she wasn't drunk enough ? Any normal human being would had been dead by now. She was strong. He had to admit at least that.

It meant that... His life was over. His reputation was thrown to the trash. His cover would be blown. He would probably never know Shorty's secret. After knowing that he is intrigued by her, she would most likely avoid him like the plague. The scenarios succeeding in his head weren't pleasant. He wanted to leave.

"I lost. No need to rub salt in the wound. Now, go tell everyone whatever you want and be the stalker you secretly are."

He threw some water on the grass to wash away the reason of his wounded ego. He couldn't leave any evidence of his unfortunate defeat.

"I'm not Juvia." She chuckled.

She got a point. His former partner had become a total freak. And now, he was associated to that damn stalker. Apparently, between friends, you had to stick to each other no matter what. Juvia continued to talk to him. She wasn't hypocrite and he was proud that she called him a friend back when they first joined Fairy Tail. She hasn't just left him, dealing with his own problems. Although, he felt guilty to not have seen her as a friend earlier.

"And, looks who's talking." She added. "Is it a Phantom Lord thing to stalk ? Besides, I just got lucky to catch you in the act."

Don't bring that up, he brooded about his former guild. He was already half way out when he noticed something that piqued him about what Cana said. And why on Earthland did he felt as there was a drummer player using his skull as an instrument ?

"What the hell do you mean... ?"

"Mira and I are the ears and the eyes of this place. We practically know everything around here. You could say we are what you were in Phantom."

So, that girl knew about his 'past-time'. Or rather his secret weapon.

"Did your homework like a good girl, didn't you ?" He said, being ironic.

Apparently, those two women were quite good to be able to know that about him.

"It's amazing how people are careless around drunk people..." She explained, smirking.

"Tell me about it..." He mumbled, rolling his eyes, out of exasperation.

He couldn't tell who gave the game away, but at least, he learnt something quite important.

"I know now who to avoid." He walked away, waving at her, before saying. "Anyway, have fun destroying my life."

"Well...now that we talk about it..."

He stopped. He was still feeling funny and his thoughts were still unfocused which made him less clear-headed. Was she going to explain more detailed how she was going to ruin his life ?... Sadist.

"What now ?" He asked anyway.

"Since you did something unexpected such as admitting your defeat..."

"Oi ! Shuddap." He yelled, having trouble keeping in check the flood of emotions that was beginning to get out of hand because of his overdose of alcohol.

"...I'll reconsider telling our little secret. I had fun. You've been initiated. Everyone wins. But..."

Now, it was getting interesting. But, why did she stop ? He disliked suspense. In fact, there were a lot of things he hated if he recalled what he enumerated previously...Losers, hypocrites, emotions, secrets... And the list was going on and on. Wo, he needed to focus on the Boozechick. She was going to say something.

"But what ?" He inquired.

"But, you looked so ridicule earlier. I didn't believe you would end up so helpless." She laughed, now sitting indecently on the asphalted entrance like she owned the place.

"I don't know what restrain me from rearranging your face right now." He growled, annoyed by her free-and-easy attitude.

"...'Cause if you do, I might forget what I was about to tell you." She implied, mischievously.

Okay. Fine. She wanted to play. He would.

"And what would it be ?" He thoughtfully asked, wondering where she wanted to go by forcing him to stay.

Cana looked at him and then grinned, seeing she caught his attention.

"I shouldn't. Really..." She rectified, placing a hand in front of her reddened face to repressed a chuckle.

"Oi, don't begin to say s'mething and take it back afterwards !" He shouted, frustrated.

He didn't like being fooled. She was just messing with his head. Like every damn fairy was. Damn it.

"You're right... I'm way too drunk to remember saying anything to you after you ran away." Cana hiccupped. "I mean, you're one of us now. No need to hide anything from you, right ?"

"I didn't run...wait what ?"

She patted the ground beside her. She wanted him to sit next to her for not yelling the stuff she was about to say. Might be a good idea. He didn't want any eavesdropping from any fairy, so he sat.

"I'm the one who arrive the first among the young generation. I know them all since they joined. Their past and what they're aiming for." She told him confidently. "...Except for Levy."

A million questions were popping loudly –too loudly- in his head. He chose to shut up, wanting to hear the rest, especially because Cana's expression darkened.

"Her past is unknown from everyone." She continued. "I tried everything. Drinking contest, trade, truth or dare. Nothing worked. She always found a way to avoid the confrontation... Or Erza would interfere. The only who seemed to have the full version is the Master and it looks like he involved Erza to keep it a secret... But, I don't think she knows much..."

She got lost in the contemplation of the stars. She looked really stupid. He didn't tell her. He was waiting for the continuation of her narration.

"And...then ?" He encouraged the drunkard.

"I forgot what I was about to say." She beamed, distracted by her empty bottle.

He inhaled vehemently. She was obnoxious. She was doing it on purpose. He could have sworn.

"Three barrels." He signed.

"Okay... so as I was saying..." She slightly smiled, making Gajeel wanted to shove it off her face. "I remember the day Levy appeared through those gates. She was supporting Jet and Droy who were completely beat up by some bullies on their way to the guild since they wanted to learn magic here."

Well, that explained their absolute worship for the small blunette.

"She was all bashed up and looked like she hadn't eaten nor sleep in days." Cana mentioned. "She was patched up by Polyussica and then, she was part of the family after a weird talk with the Master..."

She paused. For a long time. Oh no, you must kidding me, this f-...,Gajeel sworn angrily.

"...Three more."

Cana pretend to yawn, exhausted. She began to get up.

"I'm soooo tired... I'll go get some sleep."

"Okay, make it eight more." Gajeel stopped her by grabbing her purse and pull her down.

She yelped and rubbed her butt, oblivious to his rudeness.

"Yeah, that really weird conversation... Though, I didn't hear a thing..." The woman admitted.

"Then, why are you saying it was weird ? Dumbass !"

He calmed down as he was starting to see white spots before his crimson eyes. She poked roughly his side to warn him to be more polite and then, hiccupped unaware that it displeased the Iron Dragon Slayer. However, it didn't last long because Cana dropped a bomb.

"Because when the Master and Levy came out of his office, he had a black eye."

"The Shrimp did what ?!"

It exceeded him completely. He felt the old man's power and it was oppressing. How could a little girl could have harm a force of the nature like him ? Even if the old guy haven't attack her –surely-, he would defended himself so, how come she could have left a mark ? It was crazy. Beyond that. Improbable... How...

"Awn, how cute. You gave her a nickname." Cana interrupted his thoughts by faking her love for cheesy and romantic stuff.

"Shut up, Boozechick." He rebuffed her.

"Oh...don't be a meanie..."

She got up and brushed off the dirt on her pants before going towards the guild.

"Hey, where you're going ? What about those 11 barrels, huh ?!"

He wasn't giving money away for alcohol so she could enjoy herself. No, he wasn't a nice guy. He wanted the information he paid for. Wow...he found himself quite low. It was for a good cause, though...Currently his sanity.

"You can give more. That's all I know about her past. Which is close to sweet nothing. Bye." She concluded.

He fairly accepted that it was all he could benefice from their conversation. Although, he still was curious about one thing.

"Why did you tell me all that ?" He queried before advising her to spare him with the bullshit about him accepting his lost.

"Hum...'Cause I want to know too. And you might be the only one that can find out since she wouldn't be suspicious of a prick like you."

He nodded which was the closest thing to a "Thanks". He wouldn't say it twice in the same evening. Pushing her luck too far wasn't a good thing and Cana knew it.

She clumsily continued her path before turning around and

"Let's drink again someday." She winked and put on a toothy smile, Fairy Tail style.

She made a deafening entrance in the guild hall by screaming : "The boss is the house ! Time to shake things up ! Bring more booze !"

"Tch."

All he had to know about the others was that they were all freaking wacko.


Gajeel was about to leave when he smelt a fragrance of paper and fruits. She was here. He hid behind the tree, easy task thanks to the obscurity of the night. She was alone. It was odd. Her two annoying leeches were always glued to her. If they weren't, she usually had a friend or two with her since she was quite popular and appreciated. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't have one minute to herself even when reading. It explained how it was an odd sight.

Levy passed quickly and when she was out of sight, she began to run. Gajeel followed, alerted. A small yet ceaseless ring was making noise from a strange bag she was holding. At a corner, she halted in a dark alley. He growled. Reckless and silly girl. Did she wanted to die that much ? He heard she had some kind of strength but, still looking for trouble wasn't wise.

"Master." He heard the Shorty whispered.

She was carrying a Communication Lacrima Crystal, a fairly old model. The silver ornament was all rusty and a fine layer of dust persisted on the glass.

"Levy, have you done the research I asked you ?" A suppressed voice inquired.

Eavedropping was becoming quite a nasty habit. Even considering this fact with contempt, he didn't move and continued to listen. After all, it wasn't like he was invading her privacy...right ? He was insuring her safety since she was in an inappropriate place for a young lady at such a time. He firmly nodded to his justification.

"Yes, I have. The Baram Alliance is making a move. We will be dealing with the Oracion Seis guild. They're aiming for the Nirvana."

"Have you asked Mirajane to contact the other guilds for our own alliance ?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good..."

Like he thought he didn't encroached her privacy. It was only guild matters.

"You have to send Natsu." She urgently required.

Gajeel didn't like it. Why was she thinking of Salamander of all people ? He was way stronger than him. Okay, he got beat up by him... But, only once and it was because he wasn't feeling like fighting for real. He would show them what a real Alpha was. Not that he wanted to impress Shrimp, just because he was in the mood to deploy his true force. Plus, he had to bring back to health his dignity since his...humiliation with the booze... Whatever.

"Why ? I've been planning to send Erza, Mira and the Thunder Tribe." Makarov explained soberly.

"The Thunder Tribe has left for a job and Mira isn't ready to take jobs again. Plus, Erza can't go alone. She must go with her team." Levy suggested oddly imperative.

"You suggest to send Team Natsu ?! Do you know how much money I have to spend on those destructive brats when they're together on a mission ?" He began to shout going pale, imagining the worst scenario possible.

"I do know." Levy assured.

Suddenly, the atmosphere went cold as she said, disheartened.

"But, it is back."

The only thing that was missing was the low yet sinister thunder, resound far off with the nightmarish flash of light. The gloomy set was tense like it was the worst thing it could happen right now.

"...Again ?"

She nodded. It looked like they had to deal with it before. So, they knew what kind of 'problem' they were facing. It annoyed Gajeel that they used such a nebulous pronoun. He didn't like to be left in the mist.

"Master, you have to send Natsu." Levy insisted more firmly.

Whatever it was, neither of the mages seemed to take it lightly. Why was she talking like Salamander's life depended on it ? What was thebig deal, huh ? If Salamander couldn't deal with a few obstacles, well too bad. Jungle's law, damn it. The stronger lived. The Master was strong. He wouldn't let a little girl dictate his decisions as a guild master.

"I know, I know. I will." The Master granted, discouraged by the perspective of the future bills for compensation.

Gajeel's jaw dropped. He wouldn't have guess she had that much 'political' power. He thought only the white-haired barmaid was like his assistant. Maybe, he didn't pay attention at the right time and missed something...

"Those four and Gajeel." Levy added.

What ?! Gajeel almost yelled. Why was he involved now ? He could take care of himself just fine. Tch.

"No, he can't."

"Then, if you don't trust him, why did you ask him to join ?" She snorted.

"It was the right thing to do. And because, Juvia asked. And so, did you." The old man reminded her softly, all worries slightly forgotten as he seemed to trust her to deal with their mysterious problem.

Gajeel's curiosity was at his apogee. He would finally know why this girl was acting the way she was. It must be a pretty damn good reason, although he couldn't see what...

"I had to."

...What ? That's all ?! What shitty reason is that ?

"Why ?" The Master echoed his thoughts to Gajeel's. "Because everyone deserve a second chance ?"

She looked away from the crystal, fearing that the Master could read her like an open book as he was so used to do.

"He does..."

"And you imply that you don't ? The old man got indignant. "If you forgive him, why don't you expect others to do the same with you ? Don't be so harsh on yourself, kiddo."

So, the Boozechick was right. The Master did know Shrimp's past. Surely, Gajeel couldn't ask to him directly –he wasn't that stupid-, but he felt relieved that she hadn't been alone with her burden. It was obviously a burden or she wouldn't be hidden it, right ? At that moment, he believed that he had to know for her sake as well. Living in a past was a real pain in the neck and she was making that terrible mistake he made back then. He wouldn't let her ruin her present for regretting the past. He owned her that, at least.

"It's not about me. It's about Gajeel. You have to send him away. Before it came here."

Again, with the mystery, he was eager to discover what it was that both of them dreaded to let near Salamander and him. A good fight would be on his schedule soon enough.

"He can't. I have something else planned for him."

Great... Gajeel thought with irony. I'll meet his creepy son again...Ugh.

"As long as he is as far as possible from here, I'm okay with it."

You wouldn't say that if you had met that ass-kisser...Ivan, Gajeel shivered with disgust.

"Always so concerned about those Dragon Slayers, aren't you ?" Master's reflection sighed through the lacrima.

"Someone has to. They've been left alone for far too long. Plus, they don't know what is waiting for them. Someone has to look after them."

Her voice sounded so...remorseful. Why was she feeling sadness ? Why ? It wasn't her fault if some enemies came for Dragon Slayers since they were envied for their rare magic. That she wanted to protect both him and Salamander was quite generous of her. She could have let them deal with their own crap. She was too compassionate for her own good.

"You're a good kid."

"I try every day to be." The Shrimp weakly smiled.

"Well done, then."

The crystal ball went blank. Their conversation was over. She carefully put it back in her bag. Gajeel was waiting for her to comment what she just said to Master Makarov when he remembered she didn't know he was here.

Leaving some distance between them, he decided to follow, hum scratch that, escort her to her apartment. After all, she helped him with his wounds. It was just a payback to that favour. Nothing more, nothing less. He was no damn stalker like Juvia.

Suddenly, he saw a shadow jumping from a house to another at high speed. Levy turned right to the next street at the same time as the stranger landed on the building nearby. Gajeel tensed his muscles, the adrenaline rushing in his veins. The guy turned slightly and gave him a cold smile, his eyes sparkling with a burning need of blood.

And apparently, it was Levy's...


Author's note :

Haha, Cliffhanger ! I only like them when I'm the one putting them... I'm drinking tea with Satan ;)

So, as promised after two weeks, here's the new chapter ! Sorry for the delay. I'm still in my exam period. Two more weeks and I'll be free ! Be patient what happens next will be totally awesome ! I'm so looking forward to write it ^^

So, stay tuned and leave a review if you liked it !

P.S: Still doesn't own Fairy Tail. H.M. does !