Chapter I

Gajeel went to the guild the next day despite. He brushed passed Lucy and Levy, not even giving them a glance. Lucy jumped and turned to see Gajeel wonder over to get himself a job—maybe. "You think he's still looking for Lily?"

"Maybe," Levy said as though she weren't paying attention, which she wasn't. She and that new book of hers are Fairy Tail's newest couple. Lucy laughed, and then turned her attention back to Gajeel. He seemed different. She could really tell when Natsu decided to screw with him. "Hey metal-head!" He shouted at what sounded like the top of his lungs, but unfortunately wasn't, "Fight me! C'mon I'm PUMPED! Let's go-!"

"No."

The rest of the guild (even Levy for a short five seconds) turned their attention to them.

"…when do you ever say no?" He stood on his toes in attempt to look him in the eye, and failed miserably. "Gajeel snarled at him, and simply said, "Fine."

They spent a long time trying to pry an unconscious Natsu out from in between the walls. He walked towards Makarov and his grandson at the job board. They casually sat and watched as Gajeel almost killed Natsu. "Lily startin' to get on your nerves?" Laxus laughed.

"Yeah," Gajeel lied, "So?"

Makarov smiled, "Laxus, why don't you go help look for Lily? There's something for you to do. Go on, Laxus." He rolled his eyes.

"Old man, are you assuming we work well together?" He sighed, "Ain't Lily supposed to be back soon?"

"Yeah, Laxus, days ago. Boy you need something to do. Just go look for Lily with Gajeel." Makarov sounded annoyed. No one left for a job but Natsu in a week. Laxus had been hanging back, bothering his grandfather and taking Mavis to random places (wondering why the hell she was still there), Cana wounded up in the hospital after drinking and swimming, Levy has yet to stop reading her new books and Gajeel was looking for a missing Pantherlily, who was gone all week.

And now Laxus was involved with his problems.

Since the duo set out to sea to find Lily where he took his mission, Gajeel had said absolutely nothing. He sat at the edge of the small boat, staring at his reflection in the water. Laxus just watched him. Something's going on, and he had the feeling it had nothing to do with Lily.

"Gajeel."

He jumped, and snarled, "What the hell?"

"You haven't said anything up until now. What you miss Lily?" He taunted him.

Gajeel turned his head, "No."

"What he ain't your best friend? Then tell me what's up."

"Absolutely nothing. Why don't you just butt the fuck out so we can find Lily and go home?" Laxus laughed at him, "Quit being so cute, Gajeel." He continued to tease.

"You stupid bastard!"

"Now now, Gajeel, there is no need for that kind of language."

Gajeel glared at him until they reached their destination. It was an island with trees so tall you couldn't see the tops above the clouds. The sand was almost white, almost like sugar. Not to mention the flowers on some large vines hanging from the trees. Once the boat had reached shore, Gajeel pounced.

"What the fuck!?" Laxus yelled as he was pushed off the boat and on the sand. Gajeel held him by the shoulders and began strangling. "You son of a fucking bitch!"

Laxus was so right about the two of them working with each other. Lately they tended to talk, Laxus mocked, and Gajeel pounced.

Eventually, though, Gajeel stood up and focus his attention to finding Lily. There was a stone path at the start of the small jungle. He turned back to Laxus. "What?"

"L-let's just go."

The forest grew larger and darker as they went further inside. Laxus watched his every move from behind him. He noticed Gajeel's breathing became heavy, and he grew silent again. It was as though he was expecting someone to jump out at him. It was very late, and the sun was just setting. You could see a few stars already. The moon shined bright, but it did not affect the inside of the jungle. It was still dark, and they could barely see their own feet. Laxus noticed Gajeel began to shiver. "Yo Gajeel-!"

Gajeel punched him instantly.

"What the fuck, Gajeel!? What the hell was that!?" He screamed at him, then froze. Gajeel looked frozen himself. He looked…scared. "Gajeel?" He called. Gajeel slipped out of his grip and kept walking.

"Gajeel?"

"Look, Natsu," Gray complained, "We have been looking for Gajeel and Laxus all day! I don't even wanna fight them…"

"C'mon! I wanna fight someone! And no one else wants to!"

"Well I want to go home!"

"Me too…" Lucy whined, "It's almost 10 at night, Natsu!"

"Plue…"

Natsu sighed and ignored their complaints. He marched off through the city to look for his prey. "Gajeel promised me a fight when he found Lily and I'm gettin' impatient! It's now or never, guys! Now or NEVER!"

"Aw FUCK Natsu! I'm going HOME!" Lucy snapped and stormed of, followed by an oddly tame Erza, who's yet to say anything. Gray was about to go home until Natsu angrily grabbed him by the arm, causing cuts.

"Natsu you could've torn my arm off! You stupid bastard!"

"I'd've gone for the SHIRT if it were THERE!" He pulled him along, "C'mon stupid, let's go."

It was as though the Jungle would never end.

Laxus found a spot to sleep and sat down. Gajeel rested on the soft sand, although as soft as it felt, it was messy and cold.

"…Gajeel."

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. They sat and stared at each other for a while until Laxus offered him some berries.

"Where the hell did you get those?"

"I found them when you went to the bathroom. I was surrounded by them. You'd think you'd notice." He gave a small smile, and handed him the bag of berries. "They ain't poisoned, I promise. I'm still alive." Gajeel gave him a look, and finally took the berries. It grew pitch black in the forest and lighting a fire was almost impossible. Laxus kicked around for some sticks until there was enough to pile up. "Why am I doing all the damn work, Gajeel?"

No response.

"…Yo Gajeel, are you still there?"

He saw a nod. What's going on with him?

The fire was lit and he sat back down on the sand. Gajeel was already asleep. He looked like he tried really hard to get sleep, too. Laxus walked towards him and stood over him. His face was flushed and wet. Is he sweating? ...No. He's…crying. Laxus without a single thought took off the coat hanging on his shoulders and threw them on him. …what the fuck is going on?