Chapter III

Gajeel never stopped running. He couldn't stop. He never wanted Laxus to catch up with him, or see him ever again. He knew Laxus would just persuade him over and over to tell him. There was no way he would. José would literally kill him; telling Laxus would be considered screwing up. He stopped in an empty patch with nothing but dirt and bushes. He had no idea where he was, or where to run next, or even how far away Laxus was, "Fuck!" He jumped him and held him up, so he wouldn't fall.

"Let go of me you bastard!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, "Let me go!"

"No, Gajeel! We need to-!" Laxus was whacked with a metal bar, and Gajeel was set free. He backed away from him, catching his breath, and watching him stand. He wiped the blood off his forehead, and sighed, "Gajeel…you need to tell me what's wrong!"

Gajeel collapsed on his knees, "Laxus…I…I can't…" He muttered right when he started walking towards him, "I-I can't…say…!" His breathing became heavy and his face turned red. Laxus kneeled with him and grabbed his shoulders when all of a sudden, without giving Laxus a chance to speak his name, People jumped out of the bushes. No, not just people…mages. Some had swords and knives, all aimed at the both of them. They were robbers.

"Whattaya doin' on our island, fuckers?" One stepped up and said. He looked like the group's leader, and he had a major western accent. When he spoke, smoke from his cigar poured out of his mouth like a waterfall, "I'm afraid you don't belong here…Gajeel."

Laxus jumped, Gajeel's heart stopped. "Phantom…?"

"Yeah that's right, we're rebuilding Phantom. And if you tell anyone," he blew smoke in his face, "You'll be killed instantly." The troop came in closer, aiming their weapons at Laxus. "Why don't you put your hands in the air and come with us? Join us and maybe you won't be killed..." Laxus held in the coughs.

The man grabbed Gajeel by the collar and lifted him up, choking him, "Why're ya' crying, ya' little bitch!?" He screamed in his face. He struggled to break free. "I-I'm not crying…you ass….you asshole-ugh!" He gasped for breath. Gajeel was thrown across the field. Laxus stood up, "Shit!" He changed his position, ready to fight, "Who the hell do you think you are!?"

There was a roar behind them. It felt like thunder. A large shadow emerged from the trees, and stood in front of Gajeel, pointing a sword towards the enemies. They immediately retreated. Laxus stood up, staring at the figure. It turned to them, "Why did you come here?"

Gajeel, literally, fainted.

"What the fucking hell Lily!?" Laxus yelled, "You had us thinking you were dead!"

"Well I'm here now, aren't I? What were you, doubting me, Laxus? Oh, you bought Gajeel."

"No…He bought me. Well…Gramps SENT me with him."

"I'm sure." He kneeled to Gajeel along with Laxus, and swept him off the ground, over his shoulder. "Well, let's get going, then. We need to get these people out of here to where it's safe."

"In what boat that will fit this many people?" Laxus laughed and Lily laughed in his face and said, "The one you're building."

Out on the beach Laxus returned with huge tree logs. He dropped them on the sand which splashed everywhere like water. Gajeel stumbled over, and handed him some rope and tight vines. He watched Laxus tie the logs together. Gajeel sat next to him. He looked up, "You okay…?"

"Yeah…" He brushed the hair out of his face. He looked up to see the village's elder. She smiled, "Dear, could you come with me? I think I left something back at the hut." He followed her back to the empty village. Everyone is at the beach, preparing for their leave. The bandits have really taken over the place. They entered the empty hut to recover the rest of the fruits she had, and underneath it, a scarf. The scarf was very old and tattered, but warm, and in still of good use. "I noticed you were attempting to hide that bruise of yours…"

"Ah…?"

"I wish to give this to you… I don't wish to have anyone harassing you for…what had happened."

"…Oh."

She wrapped it around, gently, around his neck, covering his mark. "You do know…you must tell him eventually. Why not now?"

"I…I just can't, he won't let me…" She held his hands and massaged them and whispered, "As much as he may forbid it, the only way for you to be safe…is if your friend knows."

"I know, I know! It's just…"

"He's worried about you…If he never finds out, he could die trying to save you! Open up to him, tell him what happened, and…tell him how you feel."

"Uwaii…" Natsu moaned, "I give up…Maybe he'll come home today!"

"I seriously hope so." Gray growled through his teeth. Lucy watched Erza finish off the taffy and…faint. "Are you serious?" Lucy Got up to drag Erza back home, when she noticed a group. A small group with very masculine men. One had panther ears.

"You guys!" She shouted happily, dropping Erza, "You're okay! The Guild was worried!"

"It's…only been three days." Laxus said…soon glaring at Erza, "What the fuck is that? She finally died?"

"…oh. N-no." She quickly dragged her home. Laxus turned to Gajeel and whispered in his ear, "Did you just wanna go straight home?"

He held the tattered scarf given to him by the old woman, "Y-yes."

Laxus went off to the guild. Lily was stopped by Gajeel, who suddenly grabbed his hand. "Gajeel, what's wrong?"

"…Can we just go home?"

"What do you me he went HOME!?" Natsu shattered windows, "That bastards gonna pay for bein' such a PUNK! You think he can do that to me and just run off, huh!?"

"He said he wasn't feeling well-!"

"Ah, so he's so scared he's nauseous? Can't wait 'til he shows up tomorrow, I'm make him throw the FUCK UP!"

"Will you SHUT the fuck up?" Gray threw a crushed soda can at his face.

"You frozen FUCKER."

Laxus couldn't stand anymore of their shit. He stopped at the marked on the way home for fruit, and walked past Gajeel's.

Gajeel…

He knocked on the door. Gajeel answered immediately, slightly peeking through the door. "What do you want?" He muttered quietly.

"I wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine; I can't talk right now…"

"Why not? Where's Lily?"

He's unco- Uhm…he went to the market."

"I was just there."

"He…just left."

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"That bruise."

"What bruise?"

"Dammit—the one on your FACE, Gajeel."

He touched the bruise on his cheek, hiding it. He frowned and looked at his toes. There was a long moment of silence, until Laxus grabbed his hands, "Tell Lily I came by, okay?"

"Okay."

He left. Gajeel slowly closed the door, and watched him leave. He finally turned around, "H-he's gone."

"Good, Gajeel. You told him nothing, correct?"

"I said nothing José."

"Excellent," He smiled, "Now get back in your position.

"Yes Master José." Gajeel moved to the couch watching José strap him down until he couldn't move a muscle. He beat him, "This is what happens when you run away! Do you understand!?"

"Y-yes, José—ah!" His nose splashed out blood.

"Next time you run into them, you go with them, you got that!?"

"Yes—AH!" His face was stepped on.

Laxus stood in front of the door, listening, "Son of a bitch…"