Chapter 8

Outside of magnolia seventeen days after Rana appeared

Lily pov

Gajeel stared out at the town from where he sat at the base of an oak tree. It was close enough to be able to see the cathedral but far enough away that we decided that we'd be better off camping along the outskirts of town rather than wear ourselves thin trying to get home.

Gajeel: "Do yah think she'll be angry still?"

Lily: "Probably." I stated.

That idiot never stopped thinking about her the whole mission. Even when the town tried to throw that party for him he just wanted to leave. Pleanty of girls tried to get his attention doing Mavis knows what and yet he didn't react in the slightest. The dedication was almost endearing, except for the fact the man didn't have the courage to ask her out yet.

Gajeel: "Well fuck."

Lily: "Remember don't hide from her and don't wait too long, she will find you and you have to sleep sometime."

Gajeel: "I hate you."

His voice betrayed what his words didn't. It was probably as close as a 'thank you' for the advice as he would give me. I curled up on his chest and turned around before I replied.

Lily: "I doubt that."

Gajeel pov

I was thinkin about what lil said about sleepin sometime when we were layin down. He made it sound like the shrimp was gonna murder me in my sleep. I had a hard time picturin that but I got what he was sayin; Don't make things worse for yourself.

When I started driftin off somethin white caught my eye. It took me a second to notice it but a shikigami had landed in the grass next to my arm. I froze first then I jumped which knocked Lily to the ground. When he saw my face he looked almost confused.

Lily: "Gajeel you look like you saw a ghost. What happened?"

I nodded to the shikigami. I knew what it was but he didn't. Slowly he turned and picked it up.

Lily: "There's something written here… 'I'm not done with you yet Gajeel'... Gajeel what's this about!?"

Lil looked like he was gonna pop a vein and honestly I didn't know what to say. Fear and worry showed up on his features. I realized I'd have to come clean.

Gajeel: "It's from Ivan."

Lily: "Dreyar?"

He said it carefully like it was a name that filled his mouth with poison.

Gajeel: "Yeah."

I told Lily everything from why I was afraid to ask the shrimp out to all the jobs I went on for Makarov. I told him what Laxus had done that blew my cover. He stared at me like he didn't know me anymore after a while. I felt scared.

Lily: "Why didn't you tell me sooner about all of this?"

Gajeel: "It was s'posed to be secret. Makarov gave me this mission cause I could keep my mouth shut, and for cryin out loud it wasn't me who blabbed my mouth."

Lily: "True… Should we just go home then?"

Gajeel: "We?"

I felt confused. I was almost sure that he was gonna ditch me.

Lily: "I wish I would've known but I'm not gonna abandon you because of something like this. First thing in the morning we're going to see master though."

Master Makarov's office 6 ish am the next day

Gajeel pov

The guild hadn't opened for the day yet but Makarov let us in. My house had been trashed when we got there and after cleaning up lil and I were too wired to sleep. It seemed like a good idea to show up seeing as we couldn't sleep anyways but I was having a hard time staying awake in the safety of the guild. I guess I was comfortable there or something. Suddenly something tapped my boot waking me up.

Makarov: "you're not hurt my boy?"

Gajeel: "Nah I'm fine."

Makarov had brought spiked coffee for us in his office. Rum and coffee was a little weird smelling but it woke me up really quick. Lil had given him the note from Ivan when we came in and as soon as he had Makarov left the room and apparently I crashed out.

Gajeel: "Lil knows now."

lily looked more at ease like he could trust me again but he still looked worried.

Makarov: "I figured as much… sigh… Gajeel had been a double agent loyal to fairy tail until Laxus spilled the beans during his match against Alexi… but that's just the tip of the iceberg, if he told you that much Lily then he's told you everything necessary. New information has arisen since you both have been gone... Ivan is trying to capture Wendy."

I felt my iron scales start fighting their way to the surface from hearing that.

Lily: "for what purpose?"

Makarov: "I don't know."