. Oculto .

"Do we have everything?" Levy questioned as she adjusted a new pair of clothes she'd pleaded her heart out for. They'd managed to acquire most supplies for free, as most people had recognized her and been eager to help if they could.

It was nice to know that they realized that she had a serious issue and had no money to pay them.

In money, anyways, she supposed that they were sort of protecting the town from a dragon…

"Yes," Lily decided. He paused to scan their possessions and then nodded to confirm it a second time. "We have everything that we could possibly need, including food to last somewhere close to a month. I'm hoping that we will be allowed to return when our food begins to run low...I'm glad that we were given many forms of entertainment, too."

Levy beamed. "That certainly does help, doesn't it?" she hummed, and then looked over when a worried young Ell called her name.

"Hm, I didn't expect to see them again," Lily admitted when they turned to find Ell and Kenai hurrying over, hand in hand. Ell was huffing, out of breath, and Kenai simply looked pleased to get to see Levy again, beaming in greeting.

Ell took a moment to catch her breath, and then said fiercely, "Good luck with whatever you're doing. I think you'll need it."

"We will," Levy agreed, and then said gratefully, "Thank you, Ell. Thank you so much for what you've done and are going to do for us. You're a kind person, and I hope that Fairy Tail sees to some kind of payment for what you've done."

"Nonsense," Ell scoffed. "We were happy just to help, right Kenai?"

"Yeah!" Kenai cheered.

Ell exchanged a look with Levy, her lips pressed together before she told her fiercely, "I'll make sure that your Gajeel hears the riddle you're leaving for him. If it's the last thing I do, he'll hear it, and manage to help you."

Levy smiled sadly. He wouldn't, she was willing to decide. He couldn't. As soon as he showed so much as a sign that he knew what was going on with she and Lily, they'd be forced to leave the area into some new hiding place, or killed immediately. But as much as Gajeel claimed to hate the iron dragon, she was willing to believe that he would trust Metalicana enough.

Taking a deep breath, Levy knelt to shoulder one of the heavy packs, grateful when Lily took on his battle form and grabbed the remainder, more than strong enough to handle them. "Thank you again, Ell. We'll hopefully be allowed to come back for more than supplies, and we'll stop by then."

Ell's eyes flashed with a look that Levy didn't trust. "How long?"

"Perhaps a month or so," Levy decided carefully. "Maybe though. No confirmation on that. It'll be hard to get back, I think, but if we're careful on what we do, we'll be allowed. We have to leave now or we won't make it by dusk, Lily."

"Right," the cat agreed. He glanced at the sands with a look of distaste. "Perhaps we will be met halfway there."

"That would be great," Levy groaned, not looking forward to the long trek. Lily couldn't fly her when they had so much supplies with them. At least they had water for the walk that they were faced with. "There's a good reason we're leaving a few hours before dusk, eh? Come on. Bye, Ell! Goodbye, Kenai!"

Kenai threw his hand in the air to wave excitedly, and Ell smiled faintly as she watched them start off. Neither of the mages looked forward to the walk before them, she knew, but they'd be alright.

Now, it was time for her to focus on the matter at hand.

And that matter was the telling of a riddle to Gajeel Redfox, who would be returning shortly if her guessing was correct.

It was close to dark when they arrived at Metalicana's side. The dragon had begun to look more than just a little agitated, and was glaring at them as they hurried over. "Sorry, sorry," Levy hurried to say, her cheeks flushed from the heat. "We couldn't fly here, and we underestimated how much time we'd have to get here."

"You told no one?" The dragon's rumbling voice was hoarse and irritable, his tail flicking and sending sand showering over them. Lily looked furious as he shrunk to his smaller form and shook his fur out.

"No," she confirmed. "No one knows that we're with the iron dragon Metalicana."

"Good." Metalicana's jaws parted as if he was tasting the air. And he was, Levy realized as his tongue came to hang out of his mouth. He was tasting to make sure that no one had come after them. "We will remain here for the night. You will rest, and then we'll return to the ruins come morning. I have gathered many of the old objects that once rested among the ruins," he added. He eyed Levy with sharp red eyes. "Perhaps they'll interest ya, shrimpy."

"My name is Levy," the solid-script mage muttered, and then carefully sat down in the sand, grabbing a blanket out of the package she'd carried. She wrapped it around her shoulders and then pulled Lily into her lap. Her body tensed as Metalicana curled around them, tail beneath his chin, his message clear.

They weren't going anywhere while he slept.

Sighing, Levy adjusted her new headband, and then touched the bandaged injury on her leg. Ell had seen to it the night before, and then had given her medication to keep on her person at all times should it start hurting again.

Closing her eyes after laying down in the sand with Lily curled up against her belly, both exhausted after their walk, Levy allowed her mind to drift. Her thoughts were full of regrets. Regrets that would haunt her if that decade went longer.

"One day down," she whispered aloud, voice hitching as tears filled her eyes. "Countless to go."

Metalicana rumbled a sound that almost sounded guilty.

The night passed by quickly, much to the tired woman's relief. She hadn't slept much, and when morning came, she staggered around with a sigh constantly leaving her lips, gathering up their supplies and tying them to herself and Lily, who would help keep her on Metalicana's back this time.

At least she wouldn't slice her hands constantly on Metalicana's heavy iron plating.

When they were on his back, waiting for the dragon to finish extending his wings, Levy spared a look over her shoulder. All she was able to see was sand, sand, and more sand, which she supposed would be all she saw for a while.

At least she'd have some researching to keep her busy. Maybe she could figure out just why the people had left these ruins to abandonment...she'd be famous if she could do that. Not that it mattered. Maybe…

Did Metalicana know about where they'd gone?

Excitement at the prospect that he might know what had happened filled her and Levy settled down as he suddenly shifted, wings pumping to get them into the air. A screeching cry left his parted jaws and trusting Lily to keep her on the dragon, she slapped her hands over her ears with a wince.

"Hate when he does that," she thought she heard Lily mutter.

The roar kept up for a few minutes before he finally shot forward like a bullet from one of Alzack's guns. Still not completely used to his sudden movements, Levy yelped and Lily only tightened his grip, promising that he wouldn't let her fall.

Levy tilted her head and looked over the desert as Metalicana flew.

"It's so pretty," she whispered as the sun broke the horizon, promising unending heat that day. At least she'd get some sort of tan while she was here, right? Her lips trembled just barely. Fighting the urge to cry, Levy looked down at the heavy plating that she was being protected from. Her gaze studied it, and then her fingers dragged gently over it, taking in the smooth and soft material that could turn razor sharp on the flip of a dime.

Perhaps she could learn more about iron working, too, she thought, so that she could grant Gajeel who knows how many gifts when she returned? She doubted he was as concerned for as he was for his cat. Of course, she didn't think that he didn't care at all, but Lily lived with him. Lily was the one who went on every job known to man with the iron dragon slayer. Lily was probably his closest friend, followed up by Juvia.

She was willing to hope that she was somewhere in there, too, of course.

When Metalicana finally decided to descend and land amongst the different buildings that made up the ruins, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth like some happy dog, Lily helped her down. Levy stumbled once or twice before catching her balance, catching one of the packs he threw down to her.

The dragon watched them curiously for a moment, red eyes gleaming, and then lowered his massive head to sniff at the sand, sending waves of it showering in the opposite direction. "...mm," the iron dragon purred, "Someone came investigating while we were away. I am glad that I chose to hide my hoard."

Levy eyed the massive expanse of sand where the pit had been. "How did you do that, anyways?" she questioned, looking up at him. She was willing to guess that it was Gajeel. He had left to look for them after all.

"Dragons are powerful creatures," was the only response she received, and a proud one at that. He dropped through the sand and slid into it with a happy sound, grateful to be home if the happy murmurs leaving him were anything to go by.

Lily came to stand beside her, looking a bit strained from the pull on his magic. They peered down into it together. "...this guy is something else," Lily muttered unhappily. "And it was Gajeel who was here."

"It was?" She glanced at him anxiously and he nodded.

"The sands shift at night, when the winds blow," he explained, "So it was hard to pick out his scent, but he was here. We missed him. Damn, if only we'd been here when he was here to look…"

"The iron," Levy whispered suddenly, glancing at him. "There's no way he wouldn't have noticed the amount of iron in this area. Mix that with...you know, and-"

A growl suddenly filled the air, and Metalicana lifted his head so that his eye was even with him, glaring fiercely. "If my brat shows up because of somethin' ya two did, don't think I won't kill you."

Levy flinched and met his gaze fiercely. "You've kidnapped us. You really think we wouldn't try to leave clues or let him know that we're safe? Relax. I didn't leave him a message telling him where we are. He doesn't even know we're with him. I gave him a riddle to solve, and knowing him, it'll take until it's time for us to go back to figure it out."

Not.

Lucy would help him, Levy was sure of it.

Metalicana growled even louder and lifted his head so that they could see his teeth better as he snarled, "You dare to challenge a dragon?"

"Levy," Lily warned, but she ignored him and planted her hands on her hips, raising her chin in pride.

"No," she retorted, "I dare to challenge the father of my nakama. Gajeel is worried about us. I know it. And you owe him at least this much after abandoning him and leaving him to wander around as a child, not knowing if you're alive or dead, you metallic bastard."

There was a beat of silence as Metalicana stared at her.

And then a sound rumbled, a chuckle from deep in his throat that grew until he was outright laughing. "Gihi!" he laughed, shaking his giant head from side to side and nearly sending the pair of them crumpled to the ground when he just barely brushed his nose against them while doing so.

"Alright," he finally purred, "Let's make a deal, little one." He lowered his head, chin landing on the sandy earth beside her, his red eye not once leaving them. "If my brat figures your riddle out and finds you, then you may go home - as long as no one knows of my location. But you stay here until he does."

Levy thought her heart would burst with excitement. "Thank you," she breathed, and then threw herself nearly straight into his mouth to try and sort of hug him. She then whirled on her cat friend, who shrunk down to his smaller size. "Come on, Lily!" she said cheerfully.

She set off for the nearest crumpling building.

"We have a building to remake!"

Gajeel was ready to start destroying things by the time he got back to Oak Town. He led the horse through the sandy streets, ignoring the looks of confusion sent his way. It nickered as it came across another, and he patted its neck after a man came forward with a gasp of relief. "Here," he said grouchily, shoving the reins into his hand. "Yer horse, right?"

"Yeah," the man agreed quickly. "Thank you for returning him, he's our fastest." He ran his hands down the animal's legs, searching for injuries, and was pleased to find none. "Did you find your friend? I thought I might have seen her wandering around town not too long ago, but I wasn't sure…"

Gajeel's attention sharpened. "She was here? Fuck, I'm gonna kill them when I find them!" Growling now, he crossed his arms, what looked like a pout appearing on his face. "Where'd ya think ya saw her?"

"Town square," the man said warily. "With a cat. And Ell and her boy. Late evening."

"Where does this lady and her kid live?" Gajeel demanded, getting angrier as the man thought over the information. How hard was it for someone to remember things like this! "Never freakin' mind, I'll just find it myself-"

"I don't know," the man interrupted sheepishly. "But Ell takes Kenai out to the square every night. Head there and you'll see her eventually. You'll know her when you see her; always smilin' and the likes."

"Thanks." Gajeel awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, not used to thanking people, and then gave a small wave. He hurried off, determined to sit around in the town square all day if he had to. He was well aware of people staring at his emblem, and he smirked. He was proud to be a member of Fairy Tail now. No one would ever convince him that switching into the guild had been horrible.

He never said as much, but he loved his guild. It was weird and no one gave a shit about what you did so long as you weren't hurting anyone.

It was something he appreciated when he shoved Mira's silverware into his mouth.

Gajeel wandered into the town square after a few minutes of walking, gloved hands shoved into his pockets and nose going into overdrive as he tried to search out any scents. His nose wasn't as good as Natsu's, but it would work well enough.

And he found himself grinning when he found the faintest traces of Levy and Lily. They'd been there, which meant that they were still alive. He touched the bloodied headband at his hip, tied to his belt, and then grabbed the nearest man by the arm. He gave Gajeel an annoyed look, but the iron mage ignored it and demanded, "You seen a small woman? Fairy Tail mage, blue hair, about this tall?" He gestured to show what he meant.

"No," the man growled, ripping free. "Now leave me alone."

Gajeel glared after him, and then turned on his heel, beyond frustrated. The fuck is wrong with these people?!

"Mister!"

A small hand grabbed his pants, and he almost backhanded the kid in shock when he whirled around, saving the child's face in the nick of time. "Gah," he growled, "Watch it, kid. What d'ya want?"

"You're from Fairy Tail, right?" The boy squinted up, unnerving Gajeel.

"Uh, yeah? Ya not see the emblem?"

The boy beamed. "I'm Kenai! You're the guy looking for Levy, right? C'mon!" Gajeel's jaw dropped as the boy fearlessly grabbed him by the wrist and started yanking on him, trying to lead him somewhere. He followed warily until the boy led him straight up to a woman who was searching the crowds anxiously, eyes troubled.

When she saw them, she beamed. "Kenai," she scolded, "I told you not to wander off!"

"Yeah, but I found the Fairy Tail guy," he muttered, not bothered at all by her sharp words. "Look! This is the one Levy was looking for, remember?"
"I'm aware of that," the woman sighed, rolling her eyes. She turned her gaze on Gajeel, apologetic. "I'm sorry, he's so pushy-"

"I don't care, least he knows stuff. You that lady I was told about? Ell?"

Ell looked delighted that he knew of her, and clapped her hands together. "Yes! And this is my son, Kenai. Miss Levy McGarden wanted me to find you." His eyes widened fractionally. "She left only yesterday, Mr. Redfox. I couldn't drag out of both she and her cat friend where they were going or what had happened, but she wasn't entirely pleased about it."

Gajeel forced himself to focus and be as professional as a Fairy Tail mage could be. "You know," he said gruffly, "That she's safe though?"

"The last time I checked, yes," Ell promised. "I wonder if someone powerful got their fingers on her though...she didn't even try to escape, she went back so willingly…" She trailed off, and then shook her head. "Even the cat was eager to get going to avoid angering whoever. I felt bad for both of them."

"Lily's good, too?" He folded his arms, glancing to the kid for answers, and the boy grinned reassuringly.

"Yeah, Lily's okay," Kenai promised.

"Good," he muttered, and then demanded, "Which way?"

Ell completely bypassed his demand and smiled. "Would you like to have dinner with us? Kenai is rather fond of your guild and while Miss Levy told him quite a bit, I'm sure he'd like to hear some more stories...and she left a message that I think would be best to tell you in private."

"She left a message?" His eyes narrowed, and he glanced around before grumbling, "Fine. Let's go. Hurry it up. I'll tell stories after I've gotten the message and sent word to my guild. Ya gotta communications lacrima?"

"The newest," was Ell's response. She indicated that he should follow her, and then started forward with her son close behind.

Gajeel trailed along behind them, his hands shoved into his pockets. His dark hair was a mess, he noted. Gross and wildly tangled from the wild running through the desert. Perhaps the weird woman before him would let him use a shower…?

After he heard Levy's message, though.

And made sure that no one was lying to him. That was something he could do just by setting foot inside her home though. So he wasn't too concerned about the matter.

"Damn it, shrimp," he grumbled, exhausted after spending so much of his time searching for the missing bookworm. "The hell was she thinking when she ran off like this...ain't no guardian that took her if she's runnin' around…"

There was a small giggle on Ell's behalf as she called over her shoulder, "Don't worry, Mr. Redfox, she was more than a just a little worried about you."

He arched a pierced brow, surprised. Was she? How interesting…

When they arrived at Ell's home, he knew immediately that Levy had been there. Both of his friends' scents flooded his senses, telling him that they'd been there not too long before. And it reassured him in a way that words couldn't.

Sighing, Gajeel turned on Ell. "What'd Levy say?" he demanded. "Tell me."

Ell searched his gaze before answering, "She left you a riddle. 'To enable nearness, risk our unhappiness, my dear sweet.' She said that you'd figure it out and if you couldn't, you'd probably go to your guild."

Gajeel gritted his teeth, beyond annoyed. Was she serious? Levy had left a riddle? She knew he wasn't good at them! Nevertheless, he carefully noted it and demanded, "Take me to yer communications lacrima. Need to call some people and let them know about what's happened and whatever. Gotta smart girl that'll know how to solve it."

Ell instructed him on where to find the lacrima, and then said, "Go ahead and use whatever you need. There's a room available if you want it. And if your friends come, they can stay, too. We're always willing to help people who have done so much for us."

Gajeel left her to find the lacrima, and then expertly used his magic with it to connect with the guild's. "'To enable nearness, risk our unhappiness, my dear sweet'," he recited thoughtfully. He couldn't help the chuckle that left his lips as he rocked back on his heels. "You tryin' to tell me somethin', shrimp?"

He was greeted by a smiling Mira. "Hello, Gajeel!" she cried, beaming at him. "Everything going well? How's Levy and Lily?"

Rather than answering, he demanded, "Bunny girl there? And Salamander?"

Mira blinked a few times. "Lucy's here, yes. Would you like to speak with her?" He nodded and she stepped out of the room that he knew the lacrima was in, calling for the blonde. When she came back, she was worried. "Is everything alright? How's Levy?"

Gajeel gave her a grim look, crimson eyes sharp. "Alive," was all he said. "Turns out somethin' happened and Levy's disappeared with my goddamn cat. Can't catch up with either of 'em. I think they were kidnapped."

"Will she be okay?" Lucy's voice came through the lacrima as the girl appeared, looking worried about her friend, and Gajeel shrugged his shoulders, muttering something under his breath that neither of them caught, thank the heavens.
"Dunno." He spoke gruffly, honest. He liked Lucy, she was high up on his list after several attempts to gain his friendship. And she was a kind person, something he recognized with ease.

Lucy's dark eyes flashed. "Well then, let's get to work on figuring out where they are. What do you need from me?"

"Shrimp left a message of sorts with the lady who owns this thing." Gajeel tapped the lacrima and frowned. "A riddle." He recited it and Lucy scrambled to write it down when Mira retrieved some parchment and a pen. "Think ya can figure it out, bunny girl?"

"Probably," she sighed. "Why'd you ask for Natsu, though? The guy's great, but he's as dumb as a rock most of the time."

"His nose," Gajeel answered immediately, crossing his arms. He searched her gaze, determined. "My nose ain't made for huntin' like a dog's. I want ya and him to come and track her down. Think ya can get here within the next day or so?"

"...are you asking for our help?" Lucy gasped, astonished. Mira giggled at her excitement by the prospect, though she did look a little worried about their fellow mage. "We'll be at Oak Town tomorrow. Let me go find Natsu, I'll work on this riddle while we're traveling."

"Sounds good," he grunted back. They bid him farewell and he simply cut the connection before glancing back, startled to discover that Kenai was shyly peeking in. Realizing he'd been caught, the boy smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

Gajeel rolled his eyes and moved over, pushing him forward. "C'mon, kid, I guess I can tell ya about Tenrou…"

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks to reviewers (NighttimeWonder, silverstorm116, Guest, and ClosetFangirl-chan!) as well as those who favorited and followed!