Chapter 4

Levy skipped down the road in front of Jet and Droy, her spirits high despite their ruined guild hall. Jet and Dory whispered behind her, no doubt plotting another scheme to try and convince her to exercise more caution. With their guild hall destroyed and everyone on high alert, her two partners constantly pestered her about at least staying in the girl's dorm near the guild.

She knew they were simply worried about her, but she also knew that out of the three of them, she could hold the best in a fight. It was up to her to keep her partners safe, no matter how much they tried to baby her.

"I just don't know about this, Levy. We'd feel a lot better if you just went to the dorms." Jet finally spoke up and Levy didn't need to turn around to know he was nudging Droy on the arm.

Levy smiled and kept her lighthearted pace down the road. "Don't worry about it. We're a team, remember?"

"Levy!"

Really? Squealing again?

She chuckled softly and shook her head. There was no point in stopping them; they had acted the same way for as long as she could remember and she doubted they would change any time soon. And it really did warm her heart each time she heard how much she meant to them. That was the value of friendship, of having a guild that you could trust with your life. They were a family and family looked out for one another.

Her feet slowed and her thoughts once again drifted to another mage, one who seemed lost and alone.

I wonder if he's left his guild yet.

Levy shook her head to dispel the negative thoughts and watched her two friends, her heart swelling with sisterly love. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and a chill ran up her arms.

She spun on her heel, eyes trained on the buildings behind them. She stared at the shadows, feeling eyes watching their every movement.

"Don't worry, Levy!"

"Yeah, we'll protect you!"

Shaking off the slimy feeling on her skin, she flashed a bright smile at her partners.

"I know!" She said, quickening her steps.

She hurried them down the street, her oblivious partners none the wiser of their fast pace.


He jumped from rooftop to rooftop, a silent shadow in the night. His trained eyes followed his three targets as they walked unknowingly down the empty street.

Really, how dumb are they? I've been following them for blocks now.

Gajeel shook his head, wondering if he had chosen too easy of prey. He could easily take out the two bumbling yahoos; their magical energy was nothing to worry about. But the girl in the middle could prove to be a hassle. Her magical signature was nothing compared to his, but he still preferred to wrap up his mission swiftly and cleanly before heading back to the guild for the night.

The trio paused and he lowered into a crouch, waiting for the two bozos to finish their caterwauling. The girl laughed at whatever they said and Gajeel's blood turned cold. His foot slipped on the tile roof and he darted behind a chimney, peeking around to watch his targets.

The girl turned and stared at the buildings. Blue hair wisped from underneath her yellow ribbon and her familiar brown eyes scanned the shadows carefully. A fearful frown replaced the teasing glint that he remembered from just a few weeks ago. Gajeel's chest ached.

Why is she…!?

The girl shook her head and with a final glance over her shoulder hurried down the street, taking her two yammering dogs with her. Gajeel's legs buckled under him and he collapsed onto the roof. He pulled his hands through his hair, his breathing heavy.

Just what am I gonna do now?