Author's note: Wow, uploading another chapter so soon! I amaze myself sometimes..

Sketcher , hehe, sorry, love, can't disclose anything till you get the chapter mwahahahahahaha

Dvel , toma unos Cleenex! por favor, no llores! y muchisimas gracias!

JTBTB , I was really nervous for the fight scenes, I wasn't really confident I could pull it off. I like writing romantic scenes lol. And I don't think I've even been so touched by someones words like yours did. are you really 15? because I could swear you're 40 years old +. the depth of your words and the way you put your feelings into those words are far more advanced than a 15 year old's. you are very mature for your age and with a clear mind, not allowing to be lead by others. and I really wasn't aware that I put so much of myself in my stories. everything you saw/read is true.

All in all, thank you for all the patience and love and reviews and reading my fics... And everything! By the way, I'd love to see a review/comment in your native language! (Of course, please consider the writer, as well, since I only know 4 languages: Romanian, English, Spanish and Japanese, so add a translation, as well, if you guys happen to not be a speaker of those 4 languages)

Thank you for the infinite patience, my Misty~es! Lots of love from yours truly, MistyQue!

Chapter 6:

Gajeel started feeling his own body throbbing before he even got a chance to open his eyes. He tried to move an arm, only to feel sharp pain go through it, escaping a strained gasp. He tried to open his eyes and soon realized he couldn't open one of them. It was too swollen from the beating he got from Jose. He groaned again. His pride felt more wounded than his body.

Gajeel tried to evaluate the damage he took. By the way everything hurt and throbbed, it was quite difficult at first. He had to concentrate for a while to sort his wounds. Most likely a few broken ribs by the way it hurt every time he breathed, his right forearm hurt so badly he was afraid to move it, a few deep cuts on his legs that stung like hell, a bump or two on his head… And he was sure he looked like hell.

Once again he tried to open his eyes and realized it was dark. His nose told him he was in the dungeons. Everything around him smelled like rocks. Wet rocks. And rats. Oh, goody, the little creepers would eat him alive with those gashes. But he was too tired and too hurt to give a damn at the moment. So he slipped back into darkness.

"Master…" Natsu felt a strange knot in his gut after finding out from Lily that Gajeel never made it back to his place. "Don't you think Gajeel's taking too long?" His instinct already told him where his fellow Slayer was, he just hoped they would find him in one breathing piece. "The Phantoms started moving again."

"I'm aware of that. This is quite the predicament we're in."Makarov said in a grave voice, thinking hard. "A whole out war between guild is forbidden, but what am I supposed to do? They sent in a double agent to destroy us. We managed to show that double agent a better life, so he's one of us now. But then they attacked my precious children. That I cannot forgive. So screw the Magic Council. They want war? We'll give 'em war!" He closed his eyes and took a draft from his fill of tobacco, then made his decision. "I should've done this before Gajeel took matter in his hands. Now I got another child hurt."

"Master, you can't know for sure he's…"

"What does your gut tell you? Cuz mine is screaming at me to go and save him!" Makarov raised his voice slightly, desperation overcoming his better senses. "I know he's hurt! And, if we wanna save Levy, we gotta save his ass first!" Makarov jumped on his feet on the bar, raising everyone's attention. "Who's up for some Phantom whoop-ass? Cuz it's time to go to war!" Every Fairy cheered loudly, raising their fists in the air. Everyone followed Makarov out the door, happy to be able to do something instead of sulking and worrying for Shadow Gear and Gajeel.

Plop.

"Gajeel-kun..."

Plop. Plop.

"Gajeel-kun."

Splash.

Cold water nearly drowned Gajeel as he lay on the cold rocky floor. He started coughing loudly, his broking ribs protesting painfully.

"Gajeel-kun!" He finally heard loud and clear a voice calling to him. He tried to open his eyes, clearing them a few times. He could finally open both of his eyes, straining through the darkness. His nose worked faster, telling him who was trying to bring him back to his senses.

"You nearly downed me, idiot! And what the fuck are you doin' here? I bet Jose's startin' his attack on the Fairies, so you're not supposed to be here…"

"Master Jose woke the Phantoms. We're heading to Fairy Tail as we speak." Gajeel knew what she was talking about. A 'walking' guild filled with powerful wizards. Plus Jose's ultimate attack. Magnolia wouldn't stand a chance. He grinded his teeth.

"Juvia… came here to help Gajeel-kun…" The young woman said sheepishly, looking away from him.

"What the hell are you talking about, rain woman? The last thing I want is to involve you in this shit! Go back upstairs! I'll get myself out of this somehow! Besides, how can I know if I can trust you?" Gajeel moved his legs, trying to turn on a side. Everything hurt.

"Juvia is already involved! Because Juvia is Gajeel-kun's friend! Juvia was already punished for being Gajeel-kun's friend! So now Juvia wants to show Gajeel-kun her loyality! Juvia wants Gajeel-kun to life the happy life he found in Fairy Tail! Because… Because Gajeel-kun deserves happiness! And Gajeel-kun can trust Juvia, because Juvia doesn't want to be a Phantom anymore!" Juvia's voice echoed through the rocky dungeon, her words shocking the Slayer for a long moment. Before he could speak, Juvia transformed her body into water, passing through the stone pillars that kept the door closed.

"Idiot! Go back to Jose! I already got one girl in my life hurt! I don't want you to get hurt, too!"

"Juvia is really touched by Gajeel-kun's concern, but there's no need for that. Juvia can take care of herself. Now, let Juvia help Gajeel-kun." She pulled a bag from her coat, pulling out a few medical things. For a while, Juvia worked in silence on Gajeel's wounds, disinfecting them as best as she could. After a while, she decided to break the pressing stillness.

"Juvia knows why Gajeel-kun decided to betray Phantom Lord." She said in a soothing voice, smiling warmly. The man cracked an eye open and looked questioningly at her. "It's because Gajeel-kun loves that girl." She let the words hanging in silence, Gajeel being grateful for the darkness. Juvia giggled.

"What's so funny, damn woman?" He said in a low voice, feeling his cheeks burning.

"Juvia never believed to see the day when Kurogane no Gajeel got embarrassed."

"Ain't embarrassed! I just… I don't know how I feel…" He hissed when Juvia placed some disinfectant on a deep cut. "Watch it! I may be iron, but I do feel pain, stupid!"

"Juvia is so sorry, Juvia will place the healing potion in a moment." Her hands moved quickly, ignoring Gajeel's grunts of pain and occasional swearing. "Juvia was thinking…"

"About?" Gajeel asked after a long moment of silence.

"Juvia wants to become a Fairy, just like Gajeel-kun. Juvia is tired of being a Phantom… Juvia is tired to be hated… Maybe… Maybe Fairy Tail will accept Juvia as Juvia is… Just like they accepted Gajeel-kun. Does Gajeel-kun think Juvia would make a good Fairy?" She looked fearfully at him, his gut twisting uncomfortably.

He hated to admit it, but she was his only friend in Phantom Lord. Heck, she was his only friend period. Ever since Jose took him in, she was the only one to come and talk to him from time to time like he was normal, like she wasn't afraid of him. At times, he got the true impression she really wasn't afraid of him. Probably because her body could turn into water and she didn't give a damn if he lashed out at her. Physical contact was impossible if he wanted to hurt her. Heck, he even started liking her presence. She was the only one who was allowed to interrupt his dinner after a long mission. She would always come and greet him with a sheepish smile. She was always there to bid him farewell and safe journey when he left.

He tried to think what it would be like to leave her in the Phantom Lord guild. He hated the thought. So he made a decision.

"Yeah. You'd make a wonderful Fairy, Juvia." Her face lit up with the most genuine smile he'd ever seen.

"Then Juvia will help Gajeel-kun! But Gajeel-kun has to help Juvia become a Fairy! Deal?"

"Deal." Gajeel extended his hand for Juvia to shake it, the rain woman looking shocked at him. Then she shyly placed her small hand in his, shaking it with a smile.

TBC

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