Pocketing his reward, Gajeel began the trek back to the guild, a rookie thief behind bars.

It had almost been too easy.

She'd left a trail of suspicious traders behind her. Seasoned in their line of work, able to spot a fake from a mile away. The bejewelled brooch she'd tried to push was authentic, her tale of inheritance was not.

He'd caught up to her soon after. Waited for her to finish her transaction with a greedy pawnbroker who'd cared little for her story.

Free of the stolen good, she'd stepped out into the street counting the 700 jewels offered for it. Their eyes met, red on blue, what little relief she'd felt a moment ago, gone. Fear, pure and unadulterated, flourished in its place.

The kid never stood a chance.

She'd known it too, her eyes flicked back and forth. Searching for an escape where there was none. Threw a lame punch that wasn't worth blocking.

The client wanted their jewellery back, no specifics about the fate of the thief.

"Go home, kid." The words were on the tip of his tongue. But from her dishevelled state and groaning stomach, it was clear that she had none. Besides, why should she get that chance, he hadn't.

He'd dragged her to the nearest station, meals there were guaranteed.

He levelled the pawnshop for good measure.

The moon was rising when he swung through Phantom's hall. Gajeel received the usual praise and generous berth as he sat crunching an iron nut.

Jose called for him, barely intelligible over the torrential rain. Upon entering his office, Gajeel noted a lecherous tweak to his stretched lips. "Gajeel, meet Juvia." Rising to level him with a clear gaze, his red met blue for the second time that day.

"I have a mission for the two of you."