A/N: I have become QUITE obsessed with Fairy Tail in the last few months. I think I binge-watched the entire availabe episodes in a matter of a couple of weeks. Swear. Time off of work? Watching Fairy Tail. Doing dishes? Watching Fairy Tail with my phone propped on the window sill. Taking a shower? Finishing at least 3 episodes while my phone is set up on a toiletry rack. It. Was. Bad. Now, you all have to deal with the consequences of my latest obsession. Expect to get several chapters with Fairy Tail wizards making an appearance! I'll start things off with a chapter containing my personal favorite Dragon Slayer ;3
WARNING: Major spoilers ahead if you aren't caught up with Fairy Tail. Feel free to ignore this chapter entirely if you don't want Season 9 ruined for you!
Pairing: Kagome Higurashi x Gajeel Redfox
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Fairy Tail, or any of their characters
Live
Nakama was something Kagome took very seriously.
She had been a part of Fairy Tail for a few years now, and she could honestly say that she had never felt more at home. She had come into her magic a little later than most. When she left home looking for someone to teach her how to use it, she had stumbled across this guild. It was here that she had found friends, a family; It was here she had found her place. She wasn't a particularly powerful wizard when it came to attacks, but she was definitely one of their best defensive spellcasters. This came in handy with the current situation her beloved guild was facing: a war with Phantom Lord.
If she hadn't been off on a job, she might have been able to prevent most of the damage done to their Guild Hall, but she- like several other mages- had come back to Magnolia to find their home wrecked by one of Phantom Lord's elite mages. Bars of iron had skewerd the building, a calling card from some bigshot iron mage that she could vaguely recall hearing about. If it had just been the building, she could have looked past it. But that wasn't the case here...
Kagome's hands shook at the sight of the tiny form of Levy between her teammates, Jet and Droy- bodies bruised and broken after having been attacked by the very same wizard that had laid waste to their Guild Hall. Makarov had already delcared a counter attack, and she knew that she would be asked to stay here, to protect what was left of the guild and those inside it that could not defend themselves. Kagome was not close with the tiny script mage, but Levy was Nakama. That meant that every single wizard in this guild would gladly put their lives on the line to avenge her- Kagome included. For now, she would just have to stay here and do what she was best at, even if it meant not getting the chance to personally do some damage on the wizards who had done this.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
There was instant tension in the Guild Hall the second Gajeel Redfox made his appearance. Kagome's own gaze was locked on the Iron Dragon Slayer, her hands clenched tightly around the mug of ale she had been enjoying before the man came in.
She didn't know why he was here, but she was surprised at what she saw when she looked at him. Here was the man that had single-handedly destroyed their guild, took out Team Shadowgear, and had assisted in the complete destruction of the hall when her barrier had failed during their battle to rescue Lucy and defeat Phantom Lord in the process. She wasn't surprised at his physical appearance; she had known what he looked like based on descriptions from Levy, who was still having nightmares after her ordeal. He was all bulging muscles, dark hair and glistening piercings- a stunning combination that Kagome had to admit she found surprisingly attractive. She was surprised, however, at the amount of purity she was able to see in his soul with her magic.
Kagome's Holy Magic was something of a mystery to most. She had a hard time controlling it when she first came to Fairy Tail because there weren't many that knew what it entailed. She could cast barriers, though the smaller they were, the stronger; she was still working on perfecting her large-scale ones, especially after the battle with Phantom. She was also capable of purifying negative or poisonous energy. This came in handy when she went on jobs to take down low-level monsters, but she was still trying to find a way to channel her purifying powers properly. Her strongest power though, the one she'd always had, but hadn't been aware of, was the ability to read auras: the spiritual energy of a person that determined the dominant traits of their personality, and overall what kind of person they were. It was this last power that made her eyes widen a fraction as she ran her eyes over the Iron Dragon Slayer.
How could someone who had assisted in so much evil, be so good on the inside?
Kagome's curiousity was piqued, and when Master Makarov announced that Gajeel would be a part of their guild along with the strange water mage, Juvia, she knew that there had to be more to the tall, dark wizard than met the eye. As if sensing her sudden interest, a pair of ruby eyes met hers and she tensed. They stared at each other for a long moment before he turned his gaze elsewhere, his studded arms crossing in front of his chest as he took in the sight of the newly rebuilt hall and those inside it. Kagome smiled despite herself.
She had always loved puzzles, and Gajeel Redfox would prove to be an interesting one.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"You're pretty annoying, you know."
Kagome giggled from her place in front of Gajeel. She nestled into her seat and began to dig into the food she had just gotten for herself. It hadn't taken long for her to get the Iron Dragon Slayer to start talking to her. A few shared meals and the occasional team-up for random jobs had made them friends, at least to her. He had yet to tell her otherwise, anyway. He was coarse in the beginning, still was for the most part, but they had a banter together that she had never had with anyone else. She had friends, sure, but she found herself getting closer and closer to the iron mage, and it made her undeniably happy. Even if he spent most of their time together tossing insults at her like confetti.
She could see now, even if he hadn't said it in so many words, that he was just a devestatingly loyal man. His allegiance to Phantom Lord had been a mistake, one which he had admitted, but he was dedicated wholeheartedly to whatever guild he was a part of. This had proven to be accurate in the short time he had been a part of Fairy Tail. Despite the open hostility that almost everyone threw at him, he never once retaliated, even though Kagome knew that he could easily overpower at least half of their members on his own.
She understood her guildmates' hesitation where the black-haired wizard was concerned, but she could see something that they could not. She could see the light in the depths of his soul that spoke of a pure heart. She could see the constantly-fluctuating colors of his aura as he struggled with his emotions, emotions that he had never had to face when working with Phantom Lord. Kagome's smile widened as she watched him pick up and munch on the scraps of iron she had found for him, a small flush on his cheeks as he tried his best to avoid eye contact with her.
"Thanks, though," he said softly, the tips of his ears turning pink and his aura turning a soft yellow. Kagome felt her heart throb at the sight of him and fought off a blush of her own.
He was just too cute sometimes.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
It took a lot to make Kagome angry, but she was certain she had never been so livid in her life.
They had survived the run-in with Team Natsu, who weren't exactly welcoming upon finding out that Gajeel was now a part of Fairy Tail. They had made it through Gajeel's painfully embarrassing (but incredibly endearing) attempt at singing for everyone onstage. They had even wrestled their way through an all-out brawl with all the members of their beloved guild, one that was reminiscent of the times before the battle with Phantom Lord, and made Kagome feel that there was a chance that the others could actually warm up to the idea of Gajeel being a good person.
But then they had to deal with this.
"This" was Team Shadowgear- at least two members of it, anyway- calling Gajeel out of the Guid Hall to "speak" privately. He had asked her not to go, but Kagome could see the angry red auras surrounding the two male members of the Fairy Tail team, and she knew that it would not end well. Gajeel could take care of himself, but now that she had become his friend, she wanted him to know that he didn't have to. She was planning on remaining hidden, only intending on revealing herself if it was necessary; but the second she saw Jet and Droy hesitantly step aside to reveal a hostile Laxus, Kagome's heart nearly stopped in her chest.
Gajeel was strong, but Laxus...
Kagome was running out from behind the tree she had been using as cover and instantly threw up a barrier to shield Gajeel from the streak of lightning heading directly for him. She heard Levy scream her name, but Kagome knew she could take a hit from the lightning mage's magic without her barrier breaking.
Just one though.
He was coming at them then, reaching out to knock Kagome aside with a flick of his wrist and Kagome cried out when she saw him direct his attention on Gajeel. She screamed, watching as the blonde wizard stomped on the man viciously, and without remorse. Kagome noticed then that Gajeel still wasn't fighting back, and she struggled to get to her feet to help him. Jet and Droy were shouting at Laxus to stop, and she he saw the wild look in the blonde mage's face as he spun around, directing his anger at the trio behind him instead. Kagome's stomach clenched in fear, realizing that he was about to strike out at them instead. Her eyes widened, and she reached out a hand uselessly as her mouth parted to scream just as a bolt of lightning was sent toward the unprotected form of Levy McGarden.
In a blink, Gajeel was suddenly there, taking the hit meant for the Solid Script Mage.
Kagome's voice died in her throat, and she felt her legs give out at when the smoke cleared and she saw that he was okay. She watched as he stared down Laxus before sending a brief look her way, almost as if to say, "I told you so." Kagome's heart clenched painfully as she watched him grip his injured arm, staggering away from the small group with a gruff, "Leave me be" thrown over his shoulder. She felt anger boil in her gut and she wished she had just made Gajeel stay with her at the Guild Hall instead of letting him come out here. Kagome bit down on her lip and she turned her eyes toward Team Shadowgear, who were all watching the dark-haired wizard leave- but one set of shining hazel eyes was staring with something a little more surprising than the shock the other two sported. Kagome's eyes narrowed a bit, blinking several times so that she could be certain about what it was she was seeing. Her Sight had never been wrong before though, but it was hard to believe what it was she was looking at.
Levy's aura was turning a soft pink at the edges.
o0o0o0o0o0o
Kagome could see it; the growing interest building between the two mages that she never would have thought would come to have feelings for each other. She saw the questioning stares after the ordeal with Laxus and his cronies. She could see the colors in their auras, fluctuating between yellow shades of confusion to pink tones that hinted at something more personal. She watched from her place by his side as they shared awkward moments of comradrie and even signs of a budding friendship. This was what Kagome had wanted; for him to fit in and find a family here as she had- but in the midst of it, she had realized that she, herself, had started to fall for the gruff, unpolished Dragon Slayer.
And it hurt.
Because no matter how close they had become, or how much time they spent together- on missions or otherwise- she knew that he only saw her as a trusted comrade. He shared with her stories of his past, and details about his life with his father, Metalicana. She was able to come to him with her worries about her magic and her fears that she would never get stronger. In every job they took together, they supported one another, each with the unflinching resolve to get the other home safely. Still...
Then they had gone to Edolas, and though she hadn't exactly been "present" for most of the ordeal, she instantly felt the distance between them stretching when he had found Lily and the two became partners like Happy was with Natsu, and Charle with Wendy. She loved the dark Exceed, she really did, but it took Gajeel finding his cat for her to realize that the iron magic user was capable of so much affection... but he had never even hinted at directing it toward her. Sure there was the occasional nudge when they exchanged jokes, and he even stopped pushing her away when she found herself leaning on him when she was tired. Once, she had even woken up on his couch after she had gone to his house after a job, and rather than kicking her out, he tossed a blanket over her and let her stay the night. She had thought then that maybe he saw her as something more, but...
She saw the way that he watched Levy when he thought no one was looking. She could feel the tension between them every time they exchanged words in the guild hall. She could hear the interest in his voice any time the bluenette was brought up in conversation. It was impossible for her to not feel jealous.
She wasn't normally so lovesick, but she had never felt this strongly about anyone. In all of her time as a member of Fairy Tail, she had tended to keep to herself. She got along with everyone just fine, but she had never been overly personal with anyone, and she had never even been part of a team until she became partners with Gajeel- and that was more her decision than his. It wasn't like she had given him the option of not working with her. If anything she had forced this entire friendship on him and...
...And maybe she should give him some space.
That was how Kagome found herself sitting by alone at the corner of the bar, her head resting on her palm as she twirled her straw in her drink. She kept stewing in her thoughts, thinking maybe she should just skip out on the announcement of the participants for the S-Class Trial. It wasn't like she would get picked- she didn't have the attack power for that. She sighed, ready to leave when she saw Master step out on the stage with Erza, Mira and Gildarts. Kagome pouted, knowing that there was no way she could leave now; Her curiousity would have killed her.
She listened, smiling a bit when she heard the list of those chosen. Her stomach jolted a bit when she heard Levy's name, and she felt her jealousy spike just a bit at the reality that even the tiny script mage was more powerful than she was. It made sense though, after Levy had managed to take down Freed's enchantments during their battle with Laxus. Even Kagome hadn't been able to do a thing back then. She really wasn't surprised at the others that had been chosen either. All of the wizards selected had really grown over the past year. Swallowing back her own self-pity, she cheered along with the others, proud, and temporarily forgetting her troubles-
Until the participants began choosing partners.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Thanks again, Kagome," Gray said from beside her.
Kagome had to fight back the burning flush on her cheeks. She was sure she could have blamed the scorching heat that was attacking all of them as they traveled by boat to Tenrou Island, but it was actually her partner's nudity that was the cause of her distress.
"You're naked," she said weakly, closing her eyes and sinking into her chair.
She had been surprised when Gray had asked her to be his partner. He was one of the strongest wizards in Fairy Tail, and she...wasn't. But her power did come in handy once in a while. She could protect him with her barrier if anything. At the time he was asking her, she was so busy trying to drown out the throbbing pain in her chest with alcohol, that she didn't even realize that the ice mage had been speaking to her until Juvia had appeared, screeching about her being a new "love rival." Kagome had agreed, though that was more because she had wanted the chance to prove herself useful than anything else. This had caused quite a bit of chaos when Juvia had started to scream, sending spells at her and Gray, garnering the attention of everyone in the guild.
Everyone but him.
"He's always naked."
Kagome heard his voice and visibly tensed. She had been avoiding Gajeel since the participants of the trial had been announced. She hadn't meant to, but when she heard Gajeel volunteer himself to be her partner... Kagome couldn't bring herself to face him. It was childish, but she had seen it, the interest between the two of them when Gajeel promised Levy victory in the S-Class Trial. He saw the way their aura's had nearly caressed each other, colors blending into something complex, and unsettling...
...and beautiful.
Kagome pushed away the painful realization that Gajeel was a lot more important to her than she was to him. He was her friend, and that would be it. She had seen for herself the connection between him and Levy; had witnessed their compatibility for herself. How could she possibly get in the way of something like that?
When Master stepped out onto the deck to explain the rules of the first part of the trial, she was silently grateful that she didn't have to make an attempt at responding to him. She caught Freed's sly look and knew that the wizard was no doubt planning on setting up a few of his traps, but she wasn't worried. She had a couple of tricks up her sleeve. She felt a painful twinge in her heart as the image of Gajeel with his arm resting so casually on Levy's head earlier popped into her head, something he had never done with her. She swallowed painfully and turned her attention toward the island just as Master gave the okay to leave the boat.
She smirked as the others were met with resistance against Freed's barrier. She wasn't normally a spiteful person, but she could be a bit petty when she wanted to be. Kagome snatched Gray's hand, ignoring his nudity as best as she could, and took off in a sprint toward the railing, hand outstretched and glowing with her power. She had been researching spells she could use during the time they had to prepare for the trial. Now, she would put some of those spells to use.
"Hurry! I can only keep it open for an instant!" she shouted, hearing cries of outrage from the others behind her.
"Oi! Gome!"
Kagome nearly froze when she heard the nickname being shouted from behind her. If she hadn't been so upset with him, she might have just waited and let him pass through...
She tossed a glare over her shoulder as she and Gray jumped over the edge of the boat, Gray forming a path of ice as they did so. She saw the surprise on Gajeel's face, could see the gray leaking into his aura, but she didn't have time. Not when Levy was already working on rewriting Freed's spell. She turned her attention back toward the island and away from the look of betrayal she knew would haunt her.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Kagome had to ball her hands into fists at the sight of Gajeel so injured. They had barely survived the battle with Grimoire Heart, and all she wanted was to make sure that he was okay- but then that deafening roar had assaulted her ears and she was on her knees, holding hands to her head as she bit back a scream at the wave of malice that struck her like a physical blow.
"Kagome!"
She heard the cry of concern from her fellow guildmates, all had been shocked by the sound, but it appeared that she was the only one that had been physically affected. She had to swallow back a wave of nausea, pulling herself unsteadily to her feet. This was something she had never felt before and she felt terror strike her in her very core. She heard Wendy say something about a dragon, and Master had said a name. Acnologia.
"Such darkness," Kagome said softly, looking up into the sky, feeling out where the energy was coming from. "Pure evil. Hatred. Unbridled rage and disgust. I've never felt anything so vile."
No sooner had the words come out of her mouth did the beast appear.
Kagome had known danger. She was no stranger to fear. She knew that being a wizard of Fairy Tail meant facing down any foe, no matter the cost, if it meant protecting her Nakama. Still, when she saw the dragon, when she saw the pure inky blackness of its aura, she thought to herself that she had never known true fear after all.
Still... In the face of certain death, she and her guildmates rushed to the aid of their master, despite his wishes for them to run away to safety. She and the others threw every ounce of magic power they could at the monster, and when that wasn't enough, she watched with her heart in her throat as their three Dragon Slayers combined their own attacks in an attempt at stopping the dragon from destroying them. Her heart hammered away in her chest as she watched Gajeel display the entirety of his power, terrified about what would happen if he and the others should fail. She waited, with bated breath, praying for a miracle.
It seemed that her prayers weren't enough. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Levy, a look of burning determination on her face. They were going to combine their power in an attempt at creating a defensive spell to protect them from the dragon's attack. Kagome only hesitated for a second, every awful twinge of jealousy she had ever felt for the tiny woman suddenly seemed like the silliest thing...
Kagome took the Solid Script mage's hand in her own, tears burning her eyes as she go to her feet. She saw Gajeel take hold of Levy's other hand, and Kagome smiled sadly at the short nod and smirk he sent her way before he raised his crimson eyes to their foe up ahead. Kagome felt someone else grip her free hand, but she didn't dare take her eyes off of Gajeel.
She wasn't sure if this plan would work. Defense was her specialty, but she was nothing in the wake of Acnologia. None of them were. Still... Hope burned in her chest like a white blaze and all she could think was that she didn't want to die knowing that she had spent her last days ignoring the man she cared about the most just because she was jealous. If they survived this, she promised herself that she would be happy for him, no matter if he chose Levy to be by his side. She loved him; She knew that now. She was in love with Gajeel, and she knew he did not love her- but that was okay... She just wanted him to live, and be happy. After the life he had lived, she knew that he deserved it more than anyone.
Kagome felt a surge of hope as the combined powers of her guildmates surrounded them in a blanket of warmth, their voices crying out together as the blast from Acnologia drew closer. Kagome let a few tears slip free as she kept her eyes locked on the dark-haired mage before her, memorizing the sight of him screaming at the skies in defiance. She felt a small skip in her chest when his eyes lowered, just in time to meet hers before she was blinded by the light of the blast that swallowed everything.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
She should be grateful.
She had promised that she would be happy for him.
She was a filthy liar.
They had survived Acnologia. Against all odds, they had made it, and all it had cost them was seven years. The holy mage had lost her grandfather in that time, and came home to find a gray-haired woman had replaced her mother, and a young man her brother. She knew they were still her family, and she should be happy that she had anyone at all- but she felt that this world wasn't her own anymore. She was out of place, and Fairy Tail was really the only thing that was keeping her sane at the moment. At least it would be, if she wasn't currently having her heart skewered by the iron mage just across the hall.
Kagome turned away from the sight of Gajeel patting Levy on the head, affectionately calling her "Shrimp" while the bluenette flushed and appeared to be disgruntled at the nickname. Kagome knew better though. She could see the bright, bubblegum pink of the little mage's aura and knew that she truly enjoyed the attention the iron mage showered her with. Kagome sighed and stared up at the request board with tired eyes.
"You will not be training with the others?"
Kagome looked down as the voice of the dark Exceed met her ears. Beside her, Lily was staring up at her with knowing eyes. Kagome gave him a weak smile and squatted down to rest on the balls of her feet. Lily just stared at her, waiting for her to answer and Kagome gave him a small shrug. The training he was talking about was for the Grand Magic Games, something that apparently become popular during the time they had been "asleep" on Tenrou Island. The others were all preparing to leave to train as much as they could before the competition, but Kagome planned on keeping herself busy with work instead.
"I'm not interested."
"Even if you have no interest in the Games," Lily said in a slightly patronizing voice. "There is still much to be gained from training. Especially after having spent so much time laying idle while our peers grew stronger. Those of us that were trapped on the island need this training the most."
Kagome narrowed her eyes at the Exceed and puffed out her cheeks.
"I hate it when you make sense," she grumbled, and rolled her eyes when Lily laughed at her before hopping onto her shoulder.
"Come train with Gajeel and I," he suggested. "We have not seen much of you since we all returned to Magnolia. He misses you, even if he won't come out and say it."
Kagome winced and reached up to scratch Lily behind one ear before she discreetly looked over her shoulder to where Gajeel was holding book up in the air teasingly, far out of Levy's reach as she hopped up in an attempt to get the item back. Kagome felt the familiar kick to the gut she always got from seeing them together, even though all she wanted was Gajeel's happiness...
But it still hurt so much to see that his happiness didn't involve her.
"I don't know..." Kagome said softly, turning away from the scene to stare up at the Request Board once more. She bit the inside of her cheek as she fought back the burning in her eyes, finally sighing and shaking her head after a moment. "I'd probably just get in the way, Lil."
"In the way of what?"
Kagome jumped at the sound of his voice at her shoulder. She whipped around, sending Lily stumbling off of her shoulder so that he had to use his wings to keep him from crashing to the floor. Kagome gasped and reached out a hand in apology but froze the instant she felt a large hand come to rest on her head. Her cheeks burned red and Kagome looked up hesitantly, blinking wide eyes up at the man that had been a part of her every waking thought since the moment they'd woken up on the island. Her heart lurched in her chest at the genuinely curious look in his scarlet eyes as he stared down at her, waiting for her to answer him.
"I was just telling Kagome she should come with us to train before the Games," Lily piped in then, and Kagome caught the mischeivous lilt in his voice and felt her lip curl in a snarl fo warning toward her feline friend.
"Lil-" she started, just to choke on her words when she felt a thickly muscled arm suddenly loop around her neck, pulling her close to a warm, solid chest.
Kagome's eyes nearly bugged out of her head, and she felt her entire body flush at the contact that she had never even dreamed would be possible with the adorably awkward man. Her hands came up to grip the arm, mostly to keep her upright in case her legs gave out.
"That sounds like a great idea!" she heard Gajeel say. "Been a while since it was just the three of us, eh, Gome?"
Kagome's heart warmed at the genuine excitement in the man's voice. She could see his aura spreading out over her, feel just how much he actually wanted to be around her. She sent a sad smile toward a smirking Lily and let her body relax against Gajeel's. She knew then that she wouldn't deny him, even at the cost of her own heart.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
After training for three months in the wilderness with no one but her favorite Dragon Slayer and his Exceed partner for company, Kagome couldn't deny that she was stronger. Not only had her magic power increased alongside her physical strength, but she felt that she had managed to strengthen her heart as well.
Most of their time had been spent doing actual training, but there were the occasional moments- the moments between boughts of rigorous exercise, or the few minutes before they would finally lay down to rest for the night- that they were able to reconnect and bond the way that they had before. It was then that Kagome realized that all of the distance she had felt was entirely of her own making. Sure, Gajeel may not have any kind of romantic interest in her, but he had never once doubted their friendship the way that she had. It nearly broke her heart to think that she was the reason so much time had been lost between them.
Now, after having come to terms with the fact that she may never have the life she wanted with Gajeel, she knew that she could at least stay by his side as his trusted friend for his sake if not her own.
When Gajeel had been chosen to participate in the Grand Magic Games with Fairy Tail's B Team, she knew that she would be right there to cheer him on. She and Lily, alongside a slightly awkward Levy had been together throughout the Games to cheer on the Iron Dragon Slayer and his teammates. The two females hadn't done much talking- hell, Kagome wasn't sure she had even made eye contact with the tiny Script mage- but they were both there to send their support. Did the little bluenette know how Kagome felt? Kagome wasn't sure, and there was no way she would ask with so many prying ears around- so she bit her tongue and tried her best to ignore the awkwardness that nearly made her sweat.
It wasn't until they were watching Gajeel take on Rogue in the final battle that she found herself reaching out to take hold of the tiny woman's hand. She was mildly surprised to feel the woman turn her hand so that she could clasp Kagome's in return, squeezing tightly. Neither one looked away from the lacrima screens above them as Gajeel's skin turned dark and metallic, and shadows began to dance around his form. He had never looked so dangerous before, and Kagome had absolute faith that he could win this battle- but at the cost of great injury to his body.
Both women gasped in surprise when Gajeel's form sunk into shadows that began to race across the battlefield. Neither breathed as they watched his form dipping in and out of the darkness, exchanging powerful blows with the younger slayer before finally releasing an attack so powerful that it sent the young man shooting into the sky. Kagome's eyes were locked on the image of a panting Gajeel on the lacrima screen.
He looked bruised and battered, but he was alive. Kagome looked over at Levy, unsurprised to see that the tiny female had tears welling in her eyes as they shared a relieved smile. They were suddenly throwing their arms around each other, bouncing and laughing as they cheered for their slayer. That was the moment she realized that she could handle this. She could handle being around Levy for Gajeel's sake, even if a part of her would always envy the girl. She could put their happiness above her own, and she could be happy in her own way.
Somehow.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
It seemed the members of Fairy Tail would never know peace.
Kagome wasn't sure how much more strife she could handle. Her body trembled in a fear she was becoming accustomed to after all of the trials they had face. Now, though, she had something much worse pressing on her. She was breathing heavily, sweating, with her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she and Levy caught their breath for a moment. They had to keep searching. They had to find him. Something in Kagome's gut was screaming at her to hurry because he needed them.
Gajeel...
She wasn't entirely sure how it had happened. One moment, they were celebrating the spoils of their victory in the Grand Magic Games, keeping themselves occupied with the surplus of jobs that came with it, and the next-
Kagome reached an arm out to stop Levy, something in her magic flaring and telling her which direction she needed to go in. She took hold of the blue-haired woman's hand, jerking her along as she bolted to the left, her heart threatening to leap out of her chest as panic began to take hold. She wasn't sure how she knew, but Gajeel was in danger and he would be gone forever if they didn't get to him soon.
Kagome and Levy came to a screeching halt when their feet were met with the black water that had flooded this area of Tartoros's fortress. They looked at each other worriedly, both knowing that this had to be the reason they hadn't found him and the others yet.
"How long can you hold your breath?" Kagome asked, reaching up to tie back her unruly black curls.
"Long enough," Levy said with eyes blazing in determination.
"Good." Kagome turned her attention to the water, power building in her hands as she focused all of her magical energy toward the tainted liquid. "The water is toxic, but I'll do what I can to purify it some. You get to Gajeel and the others as quickly as you can. Help him."
"You can count on me."
Kagome looked into the eyes of the tiny woman beside her. She smiled, seeing that even though the girl was visibly shaking from head to toe, she was determined to get Gajeel back to them. This was what the iron mage saw in her. She wasn't the strongest spellcaster, but inside, she had the heart of a lion. Or a fairy. Kagome gave her a quick nod of approval and she watched Levy jump headfirst into the murky depths of the cursed water without hesitation.
Now it was Kagome's turn to help. She dipped her hands into the darkness, skin stinging almost instantly at toxic energy she could feel in its depths, and got to work to remove as much of the poison from the liquid so that she might buy her friends some time. She closed her eyes tightly, forcing all of her will into her magic, and silently prayed that Levy would be able to get to him before it was too late. She would have gone herself, but this was where she could be of the most help. Kagome grit her teeth and let out a sharp hiss as her magic strained. She was already feeling weak.
Save him, Levy. Please.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Impossible."
Kagome stared up into the sky in wonder as they descended. She wasn't sure how long she had been there, but at some point the water had vanished and she was left standing there, alone, trying to gather herself. Her battered body was drained of energy, so she had accepted the fact that this would probably be her final resting place when the world as she knew it ended- but then they had appeared.
She had heard Gajeel's story of his father numerous times. Hell, even Natsu's and Wendy's. But she had never imagined that she, in her lifetime, would see what she was seeing at that moment. These weren't like the bloodthirsty monsters that had attacked during the Grand Magic Games. Her heart thundered in her chest as she kneeled there on the hard ground. She watched as the large, looming shapes moved across the skies, the wind roaring as they cut through the air with deadly precision. They were unleashing attacks left and right, and for only a moment she felt fear that they were the enemy- but then she heard the cheers of her comrades and she knew that it was the Faces that the mighty beasts were targeting.
Kagome felt tears escape her eyes and she allowed herself to collapse where she was, letting out a sigh of relief just as her strength left her. She could hear the echoes of a thundering voice, and from what she was hearing, she was certain it was Igneel, Natsu's dragon. Kagome smiled weakly and thought of how happy the Fire Dragon Slayer must be, and hoped that one of the dragons currently soaring through the skies was Metalicana. It would make Gajeel so happy if it was...
Kagome wasn't sure how long she had been laying there when she felt warm hands shifting her, moving her onto her back. Her eyelids were heavy though, and her vision blurry. She could only make out a dark shape as she was lifted and nestled against a warm, firm chest. She was too weak to use her powers; She had spent too much magic trying to purify that poisonous water. Whoever held her, they were incredibly gentle. Kagome could feel the warmth of sunlight, and she could pick up the lightening of the sky through her closed lids, and she felt relief that they had survived to see another morning.
She was being carried for a short while, and when they stopped she heard several voices around her. Then there were voices, loud and echoing, and she managed to blink a few times to focus her eyes up at their source.
Dragons.
One in particular was staring down at her and Kagome felt a wave of dread wash over her before she heard it's words.
"You still have that nasty look to you, I see."
Kagome felt the body that held her jerk in surprise before an angry voice was shouting, "Shut up!"
She smiled, nestling against him now, knowing that it was Gajeel that held her. She should have known. Nobody's aura was as comforting to her as his was. She rested against him, not quite asleep, but not completely awake. She could pick up their voices, heard the secrets to where they had all been all these years. She wished she could manage to do more than lay limp in Gajeel's hold. She felt him tense with words of their departure and she desperately wished she could at least take his hand to comfort him. Then she heard Wendy's voice, shaking with tears.
"Let's see 'em off. With our heads held high," she heard Gajeel tell the young Dragon Slayer, and Kagome had never been more proud of him.
He had grown so much in the time she had gotten to know him. She couldn't have asked for anything more. She finally slipped into total unconciousness, just as a warm pink light enveloped her senses, and she knew that the love between the Dragon Slayers and their dragons was one of the purest she'd ever witnessed.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Kagome's hands were shaking as she entered the city.
One year. It had been one year since she had laid eyes on any of her guildmates. Even him. She wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing. What if she was the only one that answered Lucy's summons? Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat and kept walking, looking around for signs of anyone she knew.
She wasn't sure how the busty blonde had managed to track her down. Kagome had kept her distance from everyone after Fairy Tail had disbanded. When Natsu had left town almost immediately upon the battle's end, she took it as a sign that things would be different for all of them. Lucy had told her then, that the Dragon Slayer had left to train and build his strength, and Kagome felt the information strike a chord within her.
All she had ever wanted was to be stronger; To be able to protect the ones she loved. She thought back to all the times she had been absolutely useless to her guild because the only thing she was good really good at was reading auras- and what good was that in a fight? Kagome had left that same day, packing only what she needed, and leaving no word with anyone. With the guild gone, she knew that the others would soon leave as well. Without Fairy Tail, what was it that could hold them together?
She wanted to say goodbye. She really did, but she knew that if she tried to say goodbye to him, she would never leave. She knew that if she was given the option, she would stay by his side, relying on his strength, for the rest of her life. Kagome just couldn't do that. Not to him, and not to herself. So she had left, searching all of Ishgar for power similar to hers and trying to find a way to make herself stronger. It had been difficult, and she had almost ran back to Magnolia with her tail between her legs on more than one occasion, but she had done it.
She wasn't helpless anymore.
Kagome shifted the bag she held by the straps over her shoulder, careful not to knock it into her bow for risk of damaging it. She had just gotten it polished after all.
"Well looky here."
Kagome started at the sound coming from up head as she approached where the Guild Hall had been. Her heart leapt at the sight of them, not all, but most of her guildmates, gathered at the ruins of what had once been Fairy Tail. She received wide smiles and shouts of greeting from several familiar faces, even had to drop her bag so that she could receive an excited hug from one overly excited Script mage.
"Kagome!" the shorter woman exclaimed excitedly.
Kagome was laughing, fighting back tears as she held the petite woman tightly before she pulled back, looking for the source of the voice she had heard earlier. She heard Levy chuckle a bit as she stepped away, hands behind her back as she stared off into the crowd, and Kagome followed her eyes. She gasped then, and felt her hands shake at the sight of him.
"Gajeel..." she whispered.
He really hadn't changed at all, and she found herself thankful for that. He was smirking at her, ruby eyes soft as she took a hesitant step toward him. She found her cheeks flushing and she bit down on her lip, not sure if it would even be okay to run at him the way she wanted to. She had left him after all, without so much as a note to where she was going. He had every reason to hate her now. She felt a weight settle on her shoulder and she looked over in surprise at a familiar Exceed smiling knowingly at her.
"Lily," Kagome bit out, and her voice was shaking as tears built up in her eyes.
"It is good to see you again, Kagome," the tiny warrior greeted before Kagome pulled him off her shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Kagome was rubbing her face into his soft fur and muttering how much she had missed him, making the Exceed laugh against her. Kagome was so distracted, she nearly forgot-
"And what about me, huh?"
Kagome's eyes snapped open in surprise at the sound of the voice in front of her. She gasped and looked up, heart nearly stopping as he reached out to put a hand atop her head. Kagome's lips parted and she struggled to get any words out past the lump in her throat, so she just gave him a weak smile, even as more tears watered in her eyes and blurred her vision.
"It's been a while, huh, Gome?"
Kagome let out a strangled laugh and she lowered her head, nodding once.
"It has," she agreed, voice barely above a whisper. "Gaj-"
Her words died in her throat when she suddenly felt an arm loop around her and she was pulled against a familiar chest. Kagome gasped, body tense, heart pounding in her ears as she realized what was happening. She felt all of the emotions she had been pushing down this past year bubble up and overflow, and then she was crying. She felt a soft pat of a paw against her cheek and she chuckled at the sight of a very much crushed Pantherlily sandwiched between their bodies.
"Missed ya, Gome," she heard him mutter against the top of her head, and Kagome couldn't hold it back anymore.
"I missed you, too," Kagome bit out, burrying her face in his chest and releasing Lily so that she could wrap her arms around the large man before her. She let a few sobs loose and she heard her dearest friend chuckle softly as he tightened his hold on her. Kagome wasn't sure if things would be exactly how they were before, but she didn't care. She was just so happy to be back by his side.
She'd make sure that she stayed this time. No matter what.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
It was funny really.
She had accepted a long time ago that as long as Fairy Tail was around, there would be trouble for it. She should have known that the instant the guild had reunited, and their master had been found, that danger would find them once again. Now, not only were they fighting for their lives, but the lives of the entire world.
Kagome darted out of the way as an attack meant for Gajeel was hurled her way, tackling a startled Levy in the process. The tiny mage let out a grunt as they hit the ground, rolling a bit from the momentum of Kagome's body. When they came to a stop, both females were scrambling to their feet. Kagome's eyes widened when she saw the visible amounts of Bane Particles spreading around them, heard Gajeel's cries to run, and Kagome was stringing an arrow and aiming ahead.
"Stay back!" she shouted, firing off a purifying arrow that cleared up a large amount of the toxins.
Gajeel sent her a thumbs up before turning back to the enemy, covering his body with iron as he did so. Kagome was immediately putting up a barrier where she and Levy stood, charging an arrow with the spell before burrying the tip into the soil. So long as the arrow was in place, the barrier would hold. Kagome was about to mention this to Levy, but stopped when she heard a grunt of pain from Gajeel.
Looking up, Kagome saw a him struggling to stand upright, just as the dark wizard before him prepared for another attack. Kagome grit her teeth, darting out from the safety of the barrier to rush to his aid. She knew Levy would have done the same, but that was the beauty of Kagome's power. She could control who or what came out from behind a closed barrier like the one that currently surrounded the Solid Script user.
"Kagome!" Levy cried out, just as Kagome lifted her bow, absorbing the brunt of the attack before it could hit the Iron Dragon Slayer, though it sent her crashing backwards a bit.
A steady pair of hands were gripping her shoulders, keeping her up as she fought back a cry of pain. She was sure her arm was broken.
"You shouldn't be out here," Gajeel growled, though he handled her carefully. "I can handle breathing in this stuff but you-
"My magic nullifies this poison," Kagome bit out. "I'll be fine."
She wanted to eat her words when a flurry of very familiar curses were hurled their way. Gajeel took the most damage as he tried to shield her from the first few attacks. It was with Levy's help that the familiar Dark Deluge was drained away, and Gajeel was able to nullify another- but then the wizard that was made entirely from Bane Particles sent out a curse that had the pair of them separated, attacked by waves of power that had Kagome screaming out in pain before she managed to gather her wits enough to send out a blast of Purification to stop it.
When she opened her eyes, she and Gajeel were both on the ground, gasping and sweating from the ordeal. Kagome looked back to where Levy was pressing her hands against the barrier. Kagome was glad she had thought to make the thing impenetrable, even from the inside. She knew the script mage would have physically run out to help them if she hadn't. Kagome knew that Gajeel would be too distracted if she was out here in the thick of things. She needed to stay safe so that he would stay safe. Kagome struggled to her feet, her broken arm dangling uselessly as her burning blue eyes glared up at the enemy.
"All your struggling is for naught!" Kagome heard the wizard shout, just as he sent out another blast that had Gajeel flying away from her.
Kagome let out a scream when she saw Gajeel send a determined look her way before his lips parted and he started to inhale deeply.
"DON'T DO IT, GAJEEL!" Kagome screamed, and she heard Levy shouting the same.
The stubborn man didn't listen. Suddenly his body was dark and metallic, his hits finally connecting with enemy, and Kagome felt her body relax just the slightest bit. Gajeel's attacks were coming in a flurry, each one harder than the next, and then just like that, the enemy was disappearing. The holy magic user let out a sigh of relief and let her shoulders relax, one hand carefully cradling her injured arm. Ahead of her, Gajeel sent a smirk over his shoulder, one that she returned with a smile of her own. It should have been impossible, but she was starting to realize that there was something about this man that defied the possible.
"You okay?"
Kagome felt a pulse of something and her eyes were wide in panick. Gajeel frowned, turning toward her, but Kagome was already in motion.
She was on her feet, running, and she sent a blast of her power at Gajeel, sending him flying out of the way. There was the cool wave of relief before she closed her eyes and accepted what was coming. Kagome smiled, despite the curses he was sending her way when he gathered himself. She was smiling when she finally opened her eyes, and his eyes found her, and his face paled in horror. She smiled when she felt herself being pulled back with increasing speed, and she watched Gajeel get to his feet and try to run toward her, but she just kept getting further and further away. She was smiling, even when her body's descent slowed some, and she reached out with her good arm, thankfully the one that wasn't bound within the curse that was slowly pulling her body away, and sent a shield of power that halted the Dragon Slayer in his tracks.
"KAGOME!"
He was hammering his fists against her power, and she saw Levy running their way. Smart girl must have figured out that knocking the arrow out of place would destroy the barrier. She was at Gajeel's side, her tiny fists slamming against Kagome's power as well, and Kagome could only smile. Their faces looked so frantic as they fought against it, reaching out in all directions for a way past her magic. There was no arrow holding this barrier in place though; just the power of Kagome's will to keep them alive, and that was the strongest part of her.
"It's okay," Kagome said, though her voice cracked as a few tears managed to escape. "Guys, it's okay."
"Kagome, what the hell!" Gajeel roared. "Drop the fuckin' barrier! Now!"
"Kagome, please!" Levy was in hysterics, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Kagome shook her head once, trying to ignore the pounding of fear in her body as she was slowly pulled toward her death. She closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts before she looked up again to meet her favorite pair of crimson eyes. Eyes that were watering now, shedding tears for her. Kagome felt warmth in her chest then. Had Gajeel ever shed tears for her before? She didn't think so. It was a small comfort to know that he felt that strongly for her now. It made what was about to happen less frightening somehow. She swallowed painfully and let out a sound that was half-laugh, half-sob.
"Take care of him for me, Levy," Kagome called out, looking to the blue-haired woman for an instant before locking her gaze back onto Gajeel. He was shaking his head, staring at her with wide, scared eyes.
"You can count on me," she heard Levy choke out, and Kagome could only laugh to herself.
"Gajeel..." Kagome wasn't sure she could get the words out. More tears spilled from her eyes, but she could see the color of his aura fluctuating violently as he met her gaze.
"'Gome," his voice cracked, and she saw him try one last time to slam his fist against the barrier she put in place.
"I love you."
Kagome spit it out, cutting off whatever he had to say. She was dying after all. What did she have to lose? She saw his eyes widen in surprise and she giggled, wincing when she felt the action take a strain on her body that was slowly dying the further she got pulled into the portal.
"Wha-?"
"I've always love you, you idiot," Kagome laughed, shaking her head. "But...But I was happy just being your friend. No... That's a lie. For a long time, I let my jealousy get the best of me." Kagome looked up and smiled sadly at Levy, who was looking at her with wide, confused eyes. Kagome tilted her head and met Gajeel's eyes, more tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry about that, Gajeel. But, I'm not sorry for this. I'm not sorry I took your place. I'll never be sorry for saving you."
"Stop talking like you're dyin', you idiot!" Gajeel shouted, a blush flooding his face even as he started to swing at the barrier again, his skin going metalic as his magic covered his body. "I'm gonna save you, dammit!"
"It's no use," Kagome told him sadly. "I'm already half-dead anyway."
That made him freeze, and she saw his body start to shake before his legs gave out and he fell to his knees. He stared at her, tears running silently down his face, and Kagome wished that she could have held him one last time.
But this wasn't a fairy tale. She wasn't going to get her happy ending.
"Don't blame yourself for this, you hear me?" Kagome shouted. "Don't you dare waste your life thinking you could have stopped me! I chose this! I chose your life, because you have always meant more to me than my own happiness. Always, Gajeel..."
He was shaking his head, and she knew the poor man had to be so confused, but that just endeared him to her all the more. He had never been a romantic, she knew. He probably didn't even completely understand that he was in love with the tiny woman at his side. Kagome bit down on her lip before she closed her eyes tightly. She wasn't sure how much longer she had...
"Both of you," she said, her voice steady with her seriousness. "Both of you, live. Live enough for me, okay? Have enough happiness for me, too. That's all I have ever wanted."
"Kagome!"
Kagome opened her eyes one last time, taking in the sight of him reaching out to her just as her barrier flickered out of existence. This was it. She saw him and Levy rushing toward her, crying out her name. There were tears, and desperate hope on their faces, but she knew that they would never reach her in time. She let herself imagine for a moment though, that they would, and how awkward things would be after her confession. She let out a slightly hysterical giggle at the thought before she shook her head, another tear slipping free. Kagome let out a soft sigh, taking in the sight of her Dragon Slayer staring at her one last time before the portal flashed, closing forever.
And taking Kagome with it.
END
A/N: This is the end of this story. No convenient spells that'll send Kagome back to the world of the living. See, I was a teensy bit conflicted here because for all that I love Kagome, I ship tf out of Gajeel and Levy. I didn't wanna split them up, even for fanfiction, so this story popped into my head and I thought it was wonderfully bittersweet so I just had to share it with y'all. Let me know what y'all think!
