. Oculto .

"Thank you, this is delicious. Haven't had something this tasty in months!"

Levy watched out of the corner of her eye as Eberos tore into the meat that she'd given him. They were in the shade left by a building, avoiding the sun, and Gajeel stuck as close as possibly, his arm brushing hers as he grouchily munched on a piece of iron that she'd made for him despite their current arguing attitudes towards one another. Neither was willing to give in, yet Gajeel wasn't willing to leave she or Eberos alone for more than an instant.

So here they sat.

Metalicana was watching from where he rested, too, his head resting among the sand. The rest of his body had been placed with care in the massive pit, a growl rumbling like constant thunder in his chest. He, too, was watching the newcomer with care.

Yet Levy was finding herself to be rather fond of him.

Originally terrifying with his similarity to the darkest of her nightmares - something she never brought up around Gajeel - he was now like some kind of puppy. He was friendly, chatty, and overall...nice. He'd complimented them all despite Gajeel's disgusted sounds, and had earned a smile from Levy for his efforts to be friendly.

"Excuse me," he suddenly said, catching her attention, "But why aren't we leaving soon? I would have thought you'd be eager to leave immediately, Levy."

He might be friendly enough to gain a small flicker of trust from Levy, but she didn't like the way his tongue curled around her name.

And neither did Gajeel, if the way his lips pulled back to show his sharpened canines was anything to tell by.

He looked more demonic than like a dragon in that split second.

"We're waiting on some friends," Levy explained patiently. "Natsu Dragneel is a fire dragon slayer, first generation like Gajeel. Lucy Heartfilia's his partner, and she's a celestial mage. She has contracts with ten out of the twelve zodiac keys. And Lily - Pantherlily - is an Exceed from another parallel world of sorts. He's Gajeel's cat, but our friend, too."

"Exceed…?" Eberos encouraged her to continue, and his eyes gleamed eagerly at the news that there was another dragon slayer around.

"A cat that can talk and occasionally has wings," Levy continued, and then glanced over when Metalicana rumbled.

"You shouldn't tell a stranger your secrets, little one." His voice was firm, but gentle, a reminder that it was a bad idea.

Levy flushed in realization and ducked her head, then glared when Gajeel suddenly pinched her arm in a near painful way. He was studying the sky above them, eyes narrowed. "Salamander should be showin' up in Oak Town soon if he went all night. If they keep up that pace, should be back pretty soon, and then we can head out."

"Got it," she hummed, stretching her arms over her head. She paused to fix her hair, pulling her headband out for a moment. Her blue bangs fell into her face, and she puffed irritably so that they flew up into the air for a moment.

Eberos chuckled at her actions and then finished his meal, patting his stomach happily. The action pushed the cloak he wore despite the heat aside, revealing massive scars that seemed to criss cross every inch of his skin. Catching sight of Levy's curious gaze, the man grinned almost teasingly and said gently, "Want to know how I got 'em?"

Levy flushed again, embarrassed, and Gajeel looked ready to tear Eberos' throat out for being so friendly with her. "I'm sorry for staring," she said apologetically, and then admitted, "But I do want to know...they're rather large."

Eberos winked, and then suddenly tipped backwards so that he was looking up at the overly blue sky. "My father. The dragon I was raised by. He was not the most pleasant of creatures and simply raised a human child to see what would happen since he was banished from going near them. Each scar is for each time I failed to protect myself from the age of seven. He disappeared a long time ago, of course. Hope he's gone to hell, honestly. I could care less."

Something about the way he spoke, the eagerness of which he said his words and the glittering in his eyes told Levy that he truly didn't care. Gajeel had claimed to feel that way, but there had still been that glimmer of grief deep in his eyes.

This?

He truly hated the dragon that had raised him from childhood.

Not that Levy could blame him, from the looks of those scars. One was inches wide and ran along his arm, disappearing beneath the ragged shirt he wore.

Metalicana was watching him with care, red eyes curious yet wary. "And what was your father's name, human?"

Human.

Not the affectionate terms that he came up for the rest of them, like "brat" or "little one" or even - as he'd begun to call Natsu when they discussed his absence - "the fire bastard's brat", but "human". And he said it in a derogatory way, as if he wanted to insult this stranger.

In other words, Metalicana disliked Eberos and wanted him gone.

Now suspicious and wary, Levy forced herself to keep up her friendly attitude, her fingers slipping to gently fan over the close Gajeel's, which were splayed out in the sand. Grunting to show that he felt her sudden nervousness, Gajeel sat up, nudging her just slightly with his shoulder. He rested his elbows on his folded knees as Eberos spoke.

"His name?" Eberos shrugged, not looking concerned as he answered. "Rhyszard. I've taught myself other sorts of magic, too, though, so that I'm prepared for many situations." He held out a hand, the smallest of lightning flickering across his fingertips. It was overcome with smoke a second later.

Metalicana accepted this answer, though something told Levy that he didn't believe him as he suddenly slid his head away and into his den. He remained there, not making a reappearance.

Deciding to check on his wounds later, she suddenly turned to Gajeel and studied the side of his face. He paused in eating to glance at her out of the corner of his eye, suspicious when she smiled.

"Can I-"

"No, shrimp."

She pouted. "But you didn't even let me finish!"

"You're gonna ask somethin' funny, so no," he retorted.

"I just want to brush your hair," she mumbled, frowning. It must have been tangled after riding Salutem all the way there, and she knew how hard it could be to brush out longer hair… He glared at her for the suggestion, but she only pouted. "Please?" she pleaded, "I promise I won't yank on it or anything…"

He sighed heavily and then figured it was better than her doing anything else, so he muttered, "Fine. You tug, you're done. Got me?"

"Got it," Lucy agreed with a huge grin. She rose to her feet. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go get my brush. I'll bring a headband back for you, too, if you want."

"Up to you, shrimp," he told her and she giggled excitedly before racing to get her brush. Gajeel watched her leave out of the corner of his eye and then focused on Eberos when he spoke, watching curiously.

"Is she your girlfriend or something?" Eberos asked, leaning forward a bit.

"Ain't none of your business," Gajeel snapped back, displeased with the man's presence. But Eberos took notice of his attitude and urged him to answer anyways, irritating Gajeel further. "Yes," he finally snapped. "Yeah, she's my girlfriend. Happy now?"

Maybe it'd help Gajeel keep the weird newcomer away from the solid-script mage?

"Not really." Eberos hummed as he leaned forward, looking a little disappointed. "She's a pretty woman, not one I would mind getting closer to, physically or mentally…"

Gajeel clicked his jaws in irritation, gritting his teeth as Levy came back into view with a hum leaving her. She dropped to her knees without a word, kneeling behind Gajeel, and he subconsciously slouched so that she could reach his head. She began to lightly undo knots with her deft fingers, combing them through afterwards.

He would never admit it, but it felt nice. He liked how her fingers felt in his hair, gently running through the coarse dark strands and massaging his scalp for a moment. His eyes fluttered shut for the briefest of moments when she began to run the brush through it.

Peaceful and relaxed, it seemed like ages before he felt her touch shift to pull his hair back, her hands expertly tying the fabric that she used as a headband into his hair so that it kept it out of his face. He grunted in gratitude and then sat up when she was done.

"There," Levy said, looking pleased as she set the brush aside. Neither seemed to notice the calculating way that Eberos was watching them. He shrugged after a moment and closed his eyes, deciding to doze right then and there.

Levy was amazed he'd placed so much trust in them.

Gajeel thought he was just plain stupid.

And from where he was resting, Metalicana thought about outright eating someone for the first time in centuries.

Time flew by quickly, and it was nearly a full two days later that Gajeel lifted his head, nose twitching as he inhaled deeply and announced, "Salamander's back."

Levy lit up like a Christmas tree and threw herself forward, scrambling in the sand. "Lucy! Lily! Natsu!" she shouted as she caught sight of the approaching cloud of dust that Salutem kicked up. It was moments later that Salutem slowed, heaving for air, and Lucy leaped from his back to throw her arms around Levy.

"Levy! You're really okay!" she wheezed. "I was so worried-"

"With no reason," Levy laughed, hugging her tightly. Lucy gasped, and it was only then that she yanked back to stare at the exhausted blonde. "Oh, no," she breathed, realizing that Lucy was covered from head to toe in various bandages. Natsu came to stand beside her, Salutem's reins in hand with a deadly expression on his face as Lily went to speak with Gajeel, who'd followed close behind. "What…"

"Oak Town," Lucy told her with a sigh, "Was attacked. We don't know by what, but Natsu showed up just after it ended. I'm alright," she said hastily when Levy clapped a hand over her mouth, "And so is Kenai and his mother."

"Good," Levy sighed, pressing a hand over her heart.

"But Kenai's father was killed in the destruction," she murmured, breaking Levy's heart all over again. "He came back not too long after you left...he was crushed beneath rubble when we were trying to get to safety. Loke tried to help, but…"

Lucy was torn up about it, Levy could tell, and she gave her friend another hug.

"Who's that?" Natsu's gaze was furious as he noticed the curious looking man that stood off to the side, watching with cautious red eyes. His nose wrinkled. "He smells funny."

"That is Eberos," Levy said, waving at him. "He showed up after you and Lily left, Natsu...he wants to help us out in exchange for a sparring match with Gajeel after we're done. He doesn't seem so bad for now, but...Metalicana's keeping an eye on him."

"So you actually found the iron dragon?" Lucy looked excited. "Can I meet him?"

"You need to relax, Luce," Natsu scolded, "You're hurt."

"What he said, but if you promise to relax in the shade for the rest of the day and tomorrow, I'll see if Metalicana will pop up out of his hole to say hi." Levy propped her fisted hands on her hips and then looked over when a rather grumpy Gajeel called, "Oi! Shrimp! Whenever you're done talkin' the deer needs somethin' ta drink and some sleep. Looks like it's gonna collapse."

Natsu scowled, but told Lucy to go with Levy, pausing as he looked over his shoulder. "We'll need shelter, too. Another sand storm is blowing up."

"The buildings are pretty well insulated, Natsu," Levy told him and then grabbed Lucy gingerly by the wrist and tugged her to where Gajeel waited. When they got over, Gajeel patted her on the head with a toothy grin. "Hey, bunny girl. Ya did good."

"Thanks, I think?" Dark eyes flashed with gentle amusement as she returned the smile, wincing beneath the rough pats. But she didn't complain, only propped her hands on her hips like Levy had and asked, "Where's your father? Did he say anything about Igneel? I want to meet Natsu's father, too."

"Calm down," Levy laughed. "I don't think you'll get any luck with Igneel, but he's this way." She kept going forward, leading Lucy through the sand, and Gajeel stuck close to both women. Eberos slid behind them, following at a polite distance, recognizing that he was not well-liked by anyone.

"He's pissy today," Gajeel warned.

"That's towards you and Eberos. He's fine with me," Levy said with a shrug, and then snatched Lily out of the air when he went to drop on her head. He yelped as she crushed the air from him. "Lily! I missed you!"

He clawed at her arms to try and get away, wheezing. "I can't breathe, Levy!"
Levy giggled at the Exceed, and then practically glowed with excitement when the sands shifted beneath her feet due to the sudden tremor in the ground as Metalicana shifted in his hoard and prepared to lift himself up to see what was going on. "Metalicana!" she called as she hurried forward. She held no fear as the massive iron head lifted itself from the pit to tower above them, a sound rumbling deep within his throat.

"Little one," he greeted gruffly after a moment, his breath rushing over them as he dropped his head to peer curiously at Lucy. "Your friends have returned...which one is this?"

Lucy flushed nervously and Gajeel grunted in exasperation. "He ain't gonna bite ya."

"No, not you. The brat perhaps," Metalicana mused grouchily. He snorted when Levy snickered. "You smell of the stars."

"I'm a celestial mage," Lucy explained. "I'm Lucy Heartfilia. It's an honor to meet the iron dragon, Metalicana. I've heard about you from the stories Gajeel's told on that rare drunken occasion."

He chuckled and studied her with a piercing red eye before deciding aloud, "I like her, little one. Keep this friend." He promptly dropped his head back out of sight and Levy clapped her hands together in excitement like a child.

Lucy looked fairly pleased as Natsu came scampering through the sand to join them, leaving only Eberos out. No one looked too concerned about it, however, as the fire mage inspected a scratch on Lucy's temple that was left unbandaged. "You need to rest now," he ordered, glaring when she protested.

"He's right, blondie," Gajeel agreed, rolling his crimson eyes with a scowl. Lily snickered under his breath from where he was held lightly in Levy's arms. "If ya wanna go with us, ya need to get better, and ya can't do that when you're runnin' around excited about the dragon."

"Right," Lucy huffed, shaking her head to clear it.

"I can get her settled into one of the buildings," Eberos offered as he sidled over, standing a foot or so away from the blonde with a friendly smile to her. She returned it hesitantly.

The look that crossed Natsu's face was one of utter disgust and rage. "Don't touch her," he spat, sliding between them. Lucy looked startled when he continued. "Come near Luce again, and I'll rip you to shreds. I don't give a damn about if you're trying to help or not. Got it?"

"Natsu!" Lucy gasped, but Eberos held his hands up with a look of understanding.

"Of course," he sighed, "I understand. Forgive me, Natsu-san, I'll keep my distance."

"Natsu," Lucy repeated, hitting him on the shoulder.

He didn't answer, but Levy frowned and exchanged a look with Gajeel. She still wasn't very comfortable around the strange dragon slayer, and that was just truth that she spoke, but usually Natsu was friendly towards people so long as they hadn't attacked his nakama.

But she'd try and give him a chance.

Even if Gajeel got fairly irritable about the idea.

"Here, I'll take her, Natsu," Levy offered, standing forward. "Why don't you men plan on what we should do when Lucy's up for traveling and we'll get things settled in. I'm assuming you'll want to be near Lucy, so I'll set up some extra space in there on the floor or something."

"Thanks, Levy," he said with a bright grin. "You know me so well."

"I've been around you since you joined the guild," she reminded. "Damn right I know you. Come on, Lucy." She slung an arm playfully around her friend's waist, nudging her forward with her hip.

Lucy smiled faintly and leaned against the small blue-haired woman, glancing over her shoulder with a sly smirk when she saw Gajeel watching them cautiously. He glared at the look on her face, and she gave a small shrug before turning her attention on Levy. "So how'd you meet this Eberos guy?" she asked softly, not wanting to be overheard.

"It was weird," Levy admitted. "Went to clean some clothes, ended up arguing with Gajeel about Metalicana. He left, and then came back telling me to get down. So I did, and then he grabbed me and dropped me into the oasis that we use for water, and...it was just strange."

"Interesting. I don't like him," Lucy admitted. "He's friendly, it seems, but there's something about him…"

Levy murmured her agreement. "I thought he was okay at first, but...we'll have to keep an eye on him until we can prove anything. I think Metalicana's going to try and insist on accompanying us to wherever we're going, so at least there's that."

"I'm grateful that there's a dragon that actually likes us going with," the blonde admitted with a sigh. "I don't know if I'd be able to handle the guy without him...I like Metalicana," she added.

"Metalicana's great," Levy agreed warmly. "Maybe he'd be willing to show you the things he has in his den there...he let Lily and I down there for a short time when a storm blew over, and it was lovely. You'd love all of the books."

Lucy's dark eyes glinted at the thought. "That sounds amazing," she responded.

Levy laughed. "It was," she admitted, and then glanced over her shoulder when Lily called her name. He dropped with practiced ease into Levy's arms. "What's up?" she asked, curious as she hugged him.

He grimaced at the tight squeeze and announced, "Gajeel doesn't want you two left alone and Natsu agreed. So I'll be with you whenever you're walking around."

"We don't mind you," Lucy promised with a kind smile, tucking her golden hair behind her ear. "At least you won't tell us to stop talking."

Levy scowled at the memory.

She and Lucy had dragged Natsu out with them to carry books when they'd gone shopping and the dragon slayer had moaned the entire time, complaining about everything from their nonstop talking to their ridiculous love for reading. Lucy had finished out the day by booting him from the store and threatening to throttle him if he came to her apartment for food later that night.

Levy giggled suddenly and teased, "At least he's worried about you. Maybe you'll get that date you've been wanting."

"Look who's talking," Lucy huffed back, flushing. "I don't think Gajeel slept a week when he was trying to figure out where you were. He even reached out to us, I hope you know, with no encouragement."

Lily gave a playful little smirk and made his input. "He worries about you often, even if he doesn't admit it, Levy."

"Damn it, Lily, shush!" Levy wailed, flushing a scarlet red. She nudged Lucy with care, not daring to shove her when she was injured. Even if they were all in the same guild, Natsu would throw a tantrum, which would set Gajeel off, which would likely get Eberos excited, and she just didn't want to deal with that situation, because Levy was pretty damn sure both of the Fairy Tail mages would turn on him the second he tried anything.

Lily smirked again and Lucy only giggled, amused by her friend.

As the three settled Lucy into a building close to the one Levy and Lily had been staying in, Eberos watched from where he sat in the shade of another. He'd slipped off when Gajeel and Natsu weren't watching to study the women with sharp eyes, and a slight smirk played on his lips as he did so.

The blonde was hot, and that was putting it lightly. Her larger chest caught his attention almost immediately, along with the way that her warm brown eyes sparkled as she smiled and her soft supple skin. Even with the bandages, she was good looking. And, to top it all off, she possessed rare keys to accompany her equally as rare magic.

But the other one - Levy. She was...simply something that made his guts twist in eagerness. He grinned wildly as he watched the petite girl giggle at something that cat had said. Her hair spilled into her face, her headband askew from moving something, and she pushed it back impatiently with a dainty hand.

He licked his lips in silent thought. He liked the small people; they were fun to screw with. Their minds were so delicate...easy to break. Easy to mess up and it was a hell of a lot of fun watching them turn from a functioning person into someone who couldn't function at all for fear that they'd screwed up.

When he'd found them, he'd been excited.

A first generation dragon slayer to slaughter, an actual dragon, and such a cute girl to toy with? And then two more interesting individuals had shown up, and it only got better!

But now, he was growing agitated.

And fast.

How the hell was he supposed to toy with the girls when the two dragon slayers kept such protective gazes over them? And that cat was a nuisance. He recognized the pink-haired one - Salamander of Fairy Tail was notorious for bashing up those who attacked his friends. Black Steel Gajeel - Kurogane - was even worse, not hesitating to kill if he thought the situation required it.

And even worse, the dragon. The dragon was hateful, just as protective as them.

He couldn't exactly get to either woman to start the process, and it was driving him crazy! It had looked so easy when he'd seen the blue-haired girl alone in her home, sleeping peacefully with the cat curled up against her.

But now...he couldn't even figure out where to begin.

But being a crafty person was good, and he was creative when it came to certain things.

He would take his time, he decided. Patience was important for things like this.

So Eberos sat back and closed his eyes to nap, a smug smirk curving across his face as he did so.

He'd deal with it. He was the dragon slayer of chaos, after all.

So...I'm exceptionally sorry for making all of you wait this long. I decided to write out the rest of Oculto before updating it again, and even now I'm not done. But I am writing the last chapter, so! I wouldn't expect any more lacks of updates! Sorry, guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Thanks to the reviewers of the previous chapter (Azar333, metalican overlord slayer, AfterWriter, Delione, sassykitten1701, Typhlosion8, NaLu and InuKag, and Naluislove4!) as well as those who favorited and followed!