Gajeel POV

I was jumping in victory the next morning. I practically skipped into the guild hall, immediately heading for the bar to order metal scraps. I has halfway there when I was stopped by Laxus, Freed, Bixlow, and Evergreen. They glared at me as I stopped in my tracks.

"What the hell was that stunt, Redfox?" Laxus snarled at me.

"What do you mean?" I glared at them.

"My sister is not your mate and we both know it." He snapped, trying to get me to jump at him.

I laughed. "I'm taking a guess here. I don't know who my mate would be, Thunder Thighs. I never finished my training. I have no idea who my mate is. I'm shooting in the dark here. Besides, we're taking a job tomorrow. It'll be an S-Class job, too." I wanted them to know that she had accepted this.

Freed placed a hand on Laxus' shoulder.

"I had a taste of her food, too." I smirked. I didn't notice her until she came up from behind and smacked me in the back of the head. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"For being arrogant! And Stupid!" She wacked me on the head again before heading over to Laxus, who was cowering behind Freed and Evergreen. "Nii-san! I am old enough to do as I see fit. I am capable of doing what I believe is correct! I am twenty-two years old Laxus-nii! I know you only mean the best for me but please understand I am not that wounded girl anymore. I know you don't want it to happen again, but Ryker will be dealt with as soon as I get Lepus's key. Then I'll be hunting for him…" She said darkly as darkness filled the air around her. I gently placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling as her stiff muscles relaxed. Her gaze turned to her grandfather, who looked at her with sad eyes.

"Lucy, follow your heart and believe in both yourself and the magic you wield. Let the Stars guide you and you will be where you belong."

She nodded and smiled. "I wish to take that quest, Grandfather. Don't worry, I'm not going alone. And I'll come back. I promise." She said sternly. I blinked at her, she made S-Class mages cower but not Master? And what scared me most is she dared to talk to the old man like she did. She wasn't requesting to take this mysterious job, no, she was demanding this. Her muscles tightened again and she whipped around to face me. Her face was stern but her eyes were soft.

I gave in to her silent demand and crossed my arms at the old man sitting before us. "I have her back, old man. She'll be fine. Besides, we both know she can handle her own. We'll take that job." I held out my hand waiting for the request flyer to be placed into it. Master sighed and pulled the flyer out of his pocket and placed it in my hand.

I looked at the flyer. My eyes widened. The request was one that specifically asked for Lucy to be brought to the requester. It was from an Ivan D. Ivan, Ivan. That man from Raven Tail… That man I was spying on for Master. That was Lucy's father. The same man that sent that rat bastard Ryker Myst after my mate! I let out a low growl and grabbed Lucy's wrist, dragging her out of the guild hall. Once out I let go of Lucy and walked to the train station, knowing she was following behind. My teeth were clenching, my fists balled tightly, growls releasing themselves against my will. I can't go very far without Lucy, or my magic will spiral out of control.

"Lucy," I barked.

"Gajeel… I know."

"No! I don't think you do! Why in the hell would you want to go to your father? Are you just going to live your life suffering, following his orders? That's how you want to spend your life?" I snapped, turning to face her. We were just outside the train station so townspeople were staring at us because of my outburst.

Lucy sighed. "Gajeel, you're making a scene. Come on, please…" She tugged my hand toward the entrance. I pulled her into my grasp and shook her lightly.

"Dammit, Lucy. Answer me."

"I'm not staying. I am a delicate fairy. Ravens are vile creatures. But when fairies are angered, they become very, very dangerous and I intend to make that point very clear." She said darkly. "Now, let's go." She tried, once again, to pull me into the station.

I refused to move. She tugged again. Still did I not move. She turned to look at me and she sighed. "Lucy, promise me right now. You will not do anything reckless and that no matter what, you will survive."

She smiled at me. "Please, Gajeel. Don't insult me. My father is weak and pitiful. And I forgive him, for he knows not what he does."

I sighed. "You read, too. Like the Shrimp, don't you?"

She giggled. "Not as much as Levy. But yes. I read." She began to walk into the station and I quickly followed behind her, staying about a foot behind. I admired her outfit, same as the one yesterday, the black jacket over a white tube top with a black skirt and black combat boots and the katana attached to the hip opposite of her keys. I watched the way she absentmindedly swayed her hips as she walked, the way her keys quietly jingled with every step, and the way she held her head high and without shame. Yet I could see the slight tensing and loosening of her muscles in her triceps and shoulder blades. We paid for our tickets and sat on the bench. She sat with perfect posture, whereas I slouched with my feet sticking out into the walkway. I watched as her grip on her black skirt tighten to the point where her knuckles turned white.

Her head snapped in the direction of the entrance as we stood to board the newly arrived train. I laid my arm around her shoulders, steering her into the train, much to my dismay. We sat in a private compartment, which was to my luck. I hated my motion sickness. It irritated me that I showed weakness in front of people. At least I was able to handle it most of the time.

The train lurched forward and I felt my stomach drop and my face pale. I tried my best to hide it, but I knew I failed when Lucy giggled at me.

"Gajeel-san, come here. I have motion sickness too." She pulled out a little glass container filled with red balls. She popped one out and handed it to me. "It also conserves magic energy. It comes in handy when I'm fighting tough opponents." She smiled at me and leaned against the window as though she were going to go to sleep.

I popped the pill into my mouth and swallowed. I instantly felt all traces of motion sickness fade into nothingness. "You're one of a kind, Star Heart… But how do you have motion sickness?"

Hey guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's late, I know. I've been playing Minecraft and doing homework. But those are excuses.

I have a few new series in the works. Another LaLu and a GaLu! Both were requests and I apologize if they are long overdue! Sorry.

R&R

P.S. Tell me if you find the Shakespeare reference in this chapter. And if you find it, tell me what play it is. I'll give you a shout out in the next chapter!:)

Love -SFL