Hey everyone...it's good to be back.
Chapter Four
Jade's body stiffened. "How do you know about that?"
The smile turned crooked. "You're a thief who leaves no evidence. Only one witness is needed to start a rumor. A dark-skinned girl with a high magic level, that's you. Plus, a robbery of precious jewelry is definitely something that can't go unnoticed. You're a dragon slayer of two elements. People will know. It's just a shock you joined a guild."
"You've got some baggage." Gajeel said a little surprise.
"Can it, Gajeel." Jade quickly spat at him.
"And you Kurogane Gajeel, an upcoming mage of Phantom Lord. You've got some business of your own." The woman replied.
Jade couldn't take it anymore. This woman had info on everyone. "Enough of the small talk! Tell us about our job."
The woman looked up at her, revealing her face. She had curly orange hair with bright green eyes. She wore blue eye shadow, red lipstick, and a mole by her lip. She had some money behind her name, so why did she need Knickson dead?
"I am Helga Matthews. I used to be Mr. Knickson's personal secretary. After he retired, I lost my job and he left me broke because of some of his personal scandals. I quickly build myself up but can't forgive the man for the struggles. All I need you to do is have him killed by the next week and money is yours." The woman explained.
"What about three days?" Gajeel asked.
"It depends; I don't want a bloody kill. That'll bring a lot of attention. We'll talk about if you can do it." Matthews answered rubbing her chin.
"Is there any more you can tell us on these scandals?" Jade questioned avoiding eye contact.
"Why would you need to know that? We already have our job." Gajeel replied turning to her. She gave him a dark glare.
"Knickson would gamble with his employees' money. Others had to do with grown-up things, doll." Matthews responded. Jade rolled her eyes. How old does she think I am?
"We'll get on it." Gajeel said pulling Jade by the arm out the alley.
"See you then." The woman called before creeping back into the darkness.
Soon they were far away, walking to a cheap inn. "What was that about? You do not go around questioning the employer. You can easily loose the job that way." Gajeel grumbled.
"That woman isn't telling us something. She's very suspicious. We can still do the job, but I know that she has more reasons than being fired and cheated on." Jade said leaving her thoughts.
"Of course, Knickson probably had sex with her then left after a one-night stand. We can figure out some stuff out after the first job is done. We might even get to kill two birds with one stone, literally." Gajeel answered.
"You're right." Jade replied.
After a few minutes, the two arrived and checked into an inn. The receptionist was very shocked to see two kids ask for a room, but after seeing the dark looks on both of their faces, he didn't budged. He handed them the key then was out of their sight in a blink of an eye.
"Tell me why you won't let me have my own room?" Jade asked folding her hands behind her head.
"Not taking any chances with you." He grunted.
"Perv," Jade mumbled to herself. "I'm going to the hot springs; I'll be back in time to teach you some manners."
"You're not going anywhere. I'm keeping my eyes on you, and I'm not leaving." Gajeel growled.
Jade walked to the door. "Yeah sure, I'll be back promise." She opened it and left. Gajeel was shocked at her daringness.
"Ah, this is nice." Jade stretched as she sat in the water. "Nothing like hot water on some sore muscles, that Gajeel can sure pack a punch." She said rubbing her stomach. Jade submerged her naked body in the water challenging herself to hold her breath the longest. She heard the door open but didn't make anything of it. It would be nice to socialize with some locals. I might be able to get some info on Knickson and his past.
After about three minutes, Jade popped out the water. "Wow three minutes, that's longer than normal." Jade chuckled.
"I can do five," a dark voice said from behind her. She threw a knife by its foot.
Jade turned and groaned at the person. It was Gajeel standing in nothing but shorts by in the doorway. "Good Lord! You nearly gave me a heart attack. What are you doing here?!" she hissed.
He chuckled. "I was just making sure you didn't run off."
Jade rolled her eyes as she sat down to cover her body. "Then why do you have no shirt on?"
"I thought I might take dip. I talked to receptionist and he said they only have one hot springs for both genders to share."
"Perverted man, don't come in here." Jade commanded.
"Or what, you gonna fight me naked?" Gajeel replied crossing his arms.
"If that what it comes to. Can't a girl have some privacy?" Jade answered.
"Considering that you're a known thief, no you cannot." Gajeel responded.
Well he got you there. "Ugh fine, you can come in, but leave your shorts on."
Gajeel walked then tested the water with his foot. "What's the problem, can't take the heat?" Jade teased. Gajeel mumbled some curses and stepped in. Jade moved to the other side of the pond.
Jade, what have you gotten yourself into? You're twelve almost thirteen, and you're sitting here naked in front of a boy. Jade gave a little sigh. She-
"Oh my gosh! This so interesting, so that's why you didn't care if he stayed in the clinic with you. You've guys already been naked in front of each other!" Mirajane gasped with absolute joy.
"When you say it like that, you make it seem like we did something." I replied.
"You can tell us Jade-chan. Did anything happen?" Cana slurred raising an eyebrow. The other girls nodded with amusement.
"I swear, you girls are definitely less innocent than it first seems." I muttered. I shook my head. "Nothing happened; Gajeel was just being a perverted, protective bastard." The girls groaned.
Erza who had been blushing the shade of her hair since I mentioned 'hot springs', suddenly put on a scary glare. "I will avenge your misery." She announced standing up.
I sighed then chuckled. "No need to, it wasn't awkward. Plus, I did that my own."
"Ooo, what do you mean by not awkward?" Lucy asked blushing a little.
"Let's just go on." I answered.
She's in deep water now. Jade turned her back to the boy. She began to mumble some curses.
"Hey what's your problem?" the boy asked.
"I'm sitting here naked with practically a stranger who's hormones are off the charts from what I've smelling." Jade answered not turning around.
"Don't ever say that again. What does some twelve years old know about that?" the boy asked.
"These are things you don't learn when you become an adult. Besides, I'm turning thirteen in a few months." Jade explained.
"Oh…" he replied. After a few minutes of silence, Gajeel picked up the conversation. "Hey, how did you even get a thieving reputation in a year in a half?"
"Well," Jade began.
"Wait, you need to turn around. I don't feel like interpreting what you're mumbling because you're shy." He interrupted. She growled. "I won't do anything to ya."
Jade turned and faced Gajeel. "I'm not shy; I've been bathing in that river not caring who saw me."
"Then why were you scrunching up just now?" he asked smirking a little bit. He couldn't see anything from shoulders down, but the idea pleased him.
"Because you're a perverted bastard," Jade teased. "You know the dragons' disappearance will be two years ago in a few months. Anyway, about a year after they left, I had nowhere to go, so I was just wandering as usual. I came across a large caravan of one of the richest families in Fiore. I followed them and waited for them to stop for the night. There was this kid who was crying, so I had to comfort him. He was holding his mom's necklace. She must have died. After we talked for a while, he went away for a moment then came back with this rare necklace. He gave it to me as a 'thank you' gift for making him feel better. I rejected it, but he was persistent and I took it. After a while, I left." Jade sighed. "No one believed the boy, and I was labeled as a thief."
Gajeel nodded. "So basically, you have a reputation because you're a softie."
Jade growled. Is that really all he got from that? "Yes and no. I've stole much more valuable stuff and sold them. You shouldn't be talking though. Who saved me because he thought I was a kid?"
"That was a misunderstanding. I should have left you alone." Gajeel defended.
"Nah, you should have let me go then we wouldn't be in this situation." Jade shrugged.
"Couldn't do that, would have made Phantom Lord seem weak. You should've known have not messed with us at all." Gajeel retorted.
"Whatever." Jade shrugged then leaned her head against the edge and closed her eyes. She started humming.
"Hey, where did you get that melody from?" Gajeel asked not sounding a bit annoyed.
"I don't know. I just always hummed it. Neither Sparkeous nor Minitacia ever sang it to me." Jade answered starting to sway her head a little.
"Oh,"
Jade then stopped, opened her eyes, and looked at the boy. "Hey Gajeel,"
"What is it?"
"What time is it?"
"Around 5 o'clock, why?" he answered.
Jade quickly stood to her feet. "Oh my gosh, we need to get going!"
"Um, ah, your, ah, che-, they're," Gajeel slowly stuttered.
Jade slapped the boy on his head. "Gajeel this is no time to be a perv. We need to prepare for our job!" Then the girl hopped out the pound, and by the door to grab a towel.
"Gajeel," she said while putting on the robe. "Come on, you need to learn some manners."
"What? Wait!" he called as the girl ran by the door. Jade turned around. "Oops, almost forgot my clothes." Gajeel rolled his eyes. How did I get in this mess?
Soon Jade and Gajeel were fully clothe and were now in a field area of town.
"Tell me again why we're here?" the boy grunted.
"Oh I had been devising a plan, but in order for it to work, I'll need your cooperation." Jade stated.
"What is it?"
"Well since Knickson is looking for a chef and butler, that's what we'll do. I'll be the chef and you'll be the butler." Jade explained.
"I'm confused. What does this have to do with us killing him?" Gajeel asked irritated.
Jade face palmed. "We go in to do the job. We would have to food poison him, but we need to do it so it'll look like suicide instead of a murder."
Gajeel shrugged. "Poison the food, and get it over with."
Jade shook her head. "No looks to obvious, and will point to us."
"We'll do it like this," Jade waved for Gajeel to come closer. She whispered in his ear.
"Are you it'll work?" the teen asked.
"Psh, of course. It's nice, easy, and quick, but you need to do your part." Jade replied.
"Wait, I'm not even supposed to be helping you!" he growled.
"But you are, and if this Mathews girl got baggage, you can have her head." Jade smirked.
"… Fine."
"Alright, let's begin." The girl exclaimed clapping her hands together.
*Ding Dong*
Jade stood at the gate. The gate opened slowly with an obnoxious screeching noise. She quickly walked to the courtyard and to the door. A middle-age man with brown hair and green eyes answered the door. He looked very tired.
"Hello, how may I help you?" he said.
"Excuse me sir, are you Mr. Knickson?" Jade asked in a business-like manner.
"Indeed."
"Hi, I am here to ask about the job opportunity for chef and butler." She explained.
"Ah yes, please come inside." Knickson said waving for Jade to follow him. She did. They walked into the foyer. It seemed very dusty. "Please excuse the mess, ma'am. You can see why I'm in need of a butler." Jade nodded. After some walking, they arrived to the kitchen. It was gorgeous! It had all the top technology, and was surprisingly spotless. "This is the kitchen. I don't do much cooking. I'm not very skilled in that area." Knickson continued to give a tour of the mansion. They were back the foyer when he was done.
"Pardon me miss, I never did get your name." He said.
Jade nodded. You got to give him a fake one. "It's Diane, sir. Diane Miller."
Knickson nodded in approval. "Well Miss Miller, will I be expecting you tomorrow?"
"Yes sir, around noon for lunch if you like." Jade agreed with a little bow.
"If it fancies you. Now, what was this you mentioned about a butler you knew?" Knickson said with a proper amount of curiosity.
"Ah yes Mr. Knickson. Mr. Rogers is a partner of mine and has fine training and patience for any even. If it's alright with you, he would also join me tomorrow." Jade answered sugar-coating every possible detail about Gajeel.
"Well, I usually wouldn't since many people are out for my head, but you seem like a trustworthy type of girl. I shall see you then." Knickson replied.
Jade did a little bow. "Yes, sir. Have a good evening." Knickson opened the door and Jade exited. She walked down halfway down the courtyard, then she heard Knickson close the door.
When she walked through the gate, she sighed. "Goodness, I don't think I can do the manners thing for a whole day." She said placing her hands on her hips.
"That doesn't matter. Are we in or not?" Gajeel replied.
"Is it too much to ask you not to creep in the shadows?" Jade groaned. She started walking towards the hotel.
Gajeel joined her. "Gee hee, it doesn't matter if you know I'm there."
Jade shrugged. "So you could scare a bystander."
"Not my problem." Gajeel said stuffing his hands into his pockets. Jade rolled her eyes. Bastard.
"Fine but for this to work, you gotta do your part. Either be polite or don't talk at all." Jade stated.
"I'll go with the second choice. Politeness is not my style." Gajeel replied.
"I know…" Jade muttered.
Jade put her into a ponytail and covered it with a bandana. She slipped into a white chef coat and a pair of black pants. She went over to Gajeel's bed. She snickered before she poured a cup of water on his face.
Gajeel woke up coughing. "Damn woman! What do you want?!"
"Get up, we need to get going." Jade replied.
Gajeel looked at the clock, 9:00a.m. "I thought we had to be there at noon!"
"No, lunch begins at noon. Put some clothes on we need to get going." Jade corrected as she threw a tux at him."
Gajeel growled. "Where did you get this."
"I know a guy. Hurry up, I'm leaving in five minutes." Jade answered. Gajeel groaned as he stepped out of bed.
"Let's get this over with."
Gajeel came into the kitchen. "I can't do this."
Jade stirred the mushroom risotto. "Shut it. All you've been saying is 'sir' every time you serve him a plate."
"Exactly that's too much for me." Gajeel replied. He watched Jade move around the kitchen preparing a variety of dishes. "Ya know you're making a lot of food for one person. And where's the poison?"
"Lower your voice," she said bending down taking a chicken out the oven, "We can eat the left overs. It's in the water. By the time lunch is over, he'll be done for." Jade served the risotto into a bowl. "Take this and be patient."
Gajeel took the bowl and mumbled something about bitchy girl.
Jade ignored him with a smile. "By the way, you look good with that ponytail." Gajeel groaned and exited.
He went into the dining room. He place bowl the bowl in front of Knickson. "Sir."
"Thank you Mr. Rogers. Please can you refill my glass?" Knickson said before taking a small bit. Gajeel took the pitcher and filled the glass. "And please compliment Ms. Miller on the food."
Gajeel did a little bow. "Yes sir." He choked out. He smoothly walked to the kitchen.
Jade based the chicken. "So?"
"He likes the bloody food." Gajeel said.
"Awesome, dessert will have a sprinkle of the poison to end it. For now, here's the chicken. Dessert will be ready in ten minutes." Jade answered with a cheerful smile.
Knickson soon finished his slice of German Chocolate Cake. Gajeel went into the kitchen and the two dragon slayers waited. After fifteen minutes, they still didn't hear anything. Jade went to check it out.
She saw Knickson finish a glass of water and wave for her to come by him. He held out his hands and Jade shook his. "My dear Ms. Miller that was a lovely meal. It was worthy of being my final meal in fact."
The irony. "Thank you, sir."
He let go of her hand. He took a napkin and coughed in it. There was blood on it. Knickson saw and giggled. "Come here girl." Jade leaned by his mouth. "Thank you for putting me out of misery. Take whatever you and Mr. Rogers want from the house. You deserve. Your actions might have been more evil, but you've done me a favor. Take care of yourself." Jade stood up and watched him slowly pass on.
Jade would saw she had fixed feelings. Knickson was happy about dying, and Jade got her freedom from Master Jose, but it was so weird. She ended a life.
Jade went back into kitchen. "Knickson is gone. He sent his best wishes to us, and gave us permission to loot the place."
Gajeel could tell she wasn't happy. "Okay we can go." They didn't take anything just left on the mansion and met up with Matthews.
Matthews was more than delighted to hear the 'disposal'—as she called it—of Knickson. It was a creepy laughter she gave when she handed Jade the money along with an extra five thousand jewels.
"Thank you for your work, even though this is just business. You may go." She said.
Gajeel gave a dark chuckle as he took a piece of paper from his pocket. "Not so fast. It says here that a Helga Matthews is wanted dead for some scandals with an under-lord. It seems this Matthews has a big bounty on her head."
The woman was scared. "You wouldn't dare."
Gajeel shrugged. "It's like you said: it's only business."
Jade turned around and walked out the alley. "I'll be at the hotel. Meet me there when you're down with your work with the bitch." she said calmly. She heard a 'gihi'
When she was far enough she could make out a loud woman scream. Gajeel got his pay, and the two dragon slayers were on their way to Phantom Lord.
"Here 50,000 jewels." Jade said as she placed the money into Master Jose's hand. She had the rest hidden.
"Thank you." The tall man paused. "You took on an assassin job and were successful. That's impressive. I would like you to join my guild."
Jade shook her head slowly. "Oh no thank you sir." Some of Master Jose's henchmen stood closer to Jade. "But I assume, you're not giving much room to enforce my decision." She punched the two men. Some lightning went through her body and exited the room—racing down the stairs and to the branches main floor. She rushed to the front entrance. She saw Gajeel. "Hey Kurogane, I'll see you soon." She waved before running away from the henchmen and out of the town.
Gajeel gritted his teeth. She's a reckless mess.
I ended the story and let the girl's soak it in.
"You're crazy." Lucy said shocked.
"So Knickson had wanted to die." Mira whispered.
"You are a strong character." Ezra replied. The room was silent.
"Well ladies you got your answer. Now let's drink." Cana replied holding a bottle of sake. The room cheered.
I went to guild bar and took a seat. I asked Mira for an omelet. Mira smiled. "You two our up early." I looked to my left.
"You were talking about me last night." Gajeel replied.
"Only explaining how we met." I responded.
Gajeel grunted. "Did you mention-,"
"I didn't hold anything back." I interrupted.
"Of course." He mumbled. Mira placed my omelet in front of me. "Having a hangover?"
"No just was drinking with Cana." I answered.
"Same thing." Gajeel shrugged. "Did you mention any other missions?"
"No don't worry your sorry little ass." I replied. He groaned. "Are you drunk?"
"He's having one of those days." Mira answered with a happy smile.
"No I'm not. Woman think a man has a little whiskey makes them automatically drunk." Gajeel muttered.
Jade gave him a sarcastic look. "Gajeel-san, am I anywhere near a normal woman?"
"No, you're just a girl with a woman's body." He scoffed.
I hit him hardly. "Shut it boy, you sound like a perv." He chuckled.
Mira giggled. "Seeing you two, is quite entertaining." I roll my eyes.
As the day went on, more and more guild members showed up and the day became livelier as usual.
(Dodges flying objects) I know it's been long. I'm sorry. I was just stuck in writer's block for a while and then had to update my other fanfic, but that's not a real excuse. I hope you enjoyed the chapter though…