~Gajeel~

"Ouch!" Levy groaned, face-planting the mat below our feet. We had been training for over three hours, and she was starting to wear out.

"Let's take a break," I said. Ignoring her protests, I sat against the wall and took a large gulp from my water bottle. As I watched her drink her own water and catch her breath, I frowned. What the hell am I doing? The ribbon she used as a headband was still tied around my arm, and caused her scent to drift into my nose every time I moved. Since we had been training, that had been a lot.

I had no idea what I had been thinking when I told her to train with me. Seeing her working so hard when I had arrived made me want to help her, though I wasn't sure why. It also made me angry that she felt she needed to train so hard. What am I thinking? She's a hunter, so of course she needs to train hard! It bugged me, thinking about her going on assignments with the two weaklings she called teammates. They couldn't protect her, even if they wanted to.

"Hey," she said, standing and stretching, "let's get back to it. If you're going to train me, you aren't going to slack-off. I'd like to get my headband back by the end of the day, so hurry up."

I grinned, watching her walk back to the training mat. She was anything but weak, I'd giver her that. She never quit. "Come on," she told me.

I realized I had been staring, and cleared my throat. "Don't get bent out of shape, short stuff. I'm comin'." As I faced her on the mat, I still couldn't believe we were the same age. I was a good foot taller than her, and about three times as big around.

She came at me again, punching hard. Had I been anything but a dragon slayer, it probably would have hurt a lot. But I am a dragon slayer, I reminded myself. For the first time in my life, that fact kind of bugged me. Sure, being a dragon slayer was great, and I was nearly indestructible, but that also put me in my own world-away from anyone who wasn't also a dragon slayer. Watching Levy fight so hard, I resented how different we were.

"-jeel. Gajeel!" Levy's stern voice brought me out of my own thoughts.

"What?" I growled.

"You were staring off into space. If you aren't going to take this seriously-"

"Calm down, Shrimp," I told her, "I'm taking this seriously enough."

"It didn't look like it," she grumbled under her breath.

"Attack me again. Then you'll see I'm being serious."

She didn't have to be told twice. Her right foot shot out, aimed at my stomach, and found its target before I could dodge it.

"Would you stop with the low blows?" I breathed, bending over slightly. Damn, she's got one hell of a kick.

"A hunter should always use an opponent's weakness against them in combat. You don't shield abdomen attacks as fast as you do other attacks, so aiming for your stomach would be the quickest way to incapacitate you."

As she swung her leg to kick me again, I hooked my foot around her left ankle and pulled her off balance. She tumbled to the floor with a curse. "And you always kick with your right leg, using the left one to balance," I smirked.

"So you do pay attention during a fight," she said, standing. "I'm impressed. I thought you were all fists and no brains."

"The hell are you tryin' to say?" I frowned.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Nothing."

I stared at her a moment as she laughed. Her hazel eyes seemed to glow as the warm smile lit up her face. Just like the first time I had seen it, I was shocked at how genuine her smile was. It was as though all of her joy was being displayed on her face for everyone to see.

"Alright, Shrimp, enough fun and games. I might think you aren't taking this seriously," I grinned, mocking her earlier lecture.

"Fine," she nodded, "let's go." She frowned in determination, waiting for me to make the first move.

I obliged, punching towards her shoulder. As she moved out of the way of my fist, I noticed the pink tint of a scratch on her chest. My earlier anger returned when I saw the line of damaged skin running down her chest. She must have had it covered up, because I hadn't seen it when we first started our training. Whatever she had used to cover it must have worn off as she had been sweating.

"You're wide open," Levy announced, punching me in the face. I stumbled back, shocked that she had actually landed a blow to my face. She grinned, obviously satisfied with herself.

"Lucky shot," I told her.

"That's what you get for not paying attention," she shrugged.

"You little-"

"Levy!" I recognized the voices of Levy's teammates, Jet and Droy, I think was what she had called them.

"I thought you two were training," she asked, frowning.

"What's he doing here?" The dark-haired guy asked, glaring at me. I don't blame him for not liking me, so his hostility wasn't a surprise.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him.

"We need to go to Fairy Tail," he said.

"Why?"

"It's the council," the other one said, "they're on their way."

"What? Why?" She gasped. I didn't like the idea of seeing those council bastards either.

"We don't know. Natsu came running into the weapons room a few minutes ago and told everyone in there."

"It must be big, if they're coming all the way to Fairy Tail," Levy said, looking deep in thought. "Alright, I'll go change and meet you there."

"Right," they nodded, leaving us alone again.

"Sorry Gajeel," she said, grabbing her water bottle, "I have to go. Thanks for the help!" She waved as she ran towards the locker rooms.

What's so important about the hunters' council? It's just a bunch of retired old geezers who have nothing better to do than to sit around and make up stupid laws.

"If the Shrimp's all worked up, it must be important," I murmured. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to go and check it out. If things get boring, I'll just leave. Somehow, though, I had a feeling it would be anything but boring.

~Levy~

I quickly washed the sweat off my body in the showers of the girls' locker room before rushing into my clothes and out the door. I strapped my gun around my leg as I ran, wondering what could have brought the council all the way to Magnolia just to pay a visit to Fairy Tail. I have a bad feeling about this.

"Master, why is the council coming to Fairy Tail?" Lucy asked Master Makarov as I entered the cafeteria in the main office building.

"I'm not sure," he sighed, shaking his head. "I received a letter announcing their visit about an hour ago, so they should be here shortly."

"What could they want?" Mirajane asked. "Fairy Tail hasn't been particularly troublesome for some time, so they should have no reason to come here."

"It's probably just something routine," Master told us, "I don't want you children to worry."

I noticed out of the corner of my eye Gajeel coming through the doors. He pushed himself into the back of the crowd, and I lost sight of him. Before I could really look for him, the doors were thrown open, revealing three members of the hunters' council.

"Org, Michello, Yajima," Master said, greeting the council members. I hadn't expected the second, third, and fourth seats of the council to come all the way to our organization. I had been prepared for lower-seated council members, but not those three.

Org was a tall man who had long white hair, and a matching beard. Yajima was much shorter, almost Master Makarov's height, and was completely bald. He had large gray eyebrows, and a small, square mustache seated below his strangely angular nose. Michello appeared, to me at least, like an old cat. He had brown hair that pointed up into what looked like cat ears, and a whisker-like mustache. The light yellow tail swishing about behind him added to his feline appearance.

"Makarov," Yajima nodded, "long time no see." A long time before he joined the council, Yajima was a member of Fairy Tail, and even fought alongside master Makarov. The two had stayed close, even after Yajima left Fairy Tail. Truth be told, Yajima was the reason Fairy Tail got away with so much. He spoke highly of our organization to the other council members, and convinced them that we did more good than bad.

"Enough reminiscing," Org, the second seat of the hunters council, said. He frowned at Makarov, then looked around at all of us. "We're here on business."

"I assumed as much from the letter I received," Master told him. "What, may I ask, was so important that three members of the hunters' council left Era and traveled all the way to Magnolia?"

"Black Steel Gajeel," Michello said, stepping forward. "We know you have been harboring him here, Makarov, despite the council's orders to execute him."

I gasped, looking around the crowd for any signs of Gajeel. If he's smart, he would have taken off by now. If the council catches him, who knows what they'll do!

"That's true," Master nodded, calmly.

"Do you understand the severity of your situation?" Org snapped, angrily. "You disobeyed a direct order from the council!"

"Last time I checked, the council didn't make a habit of killing those who refuse to fight back. Gajeel surrendered to the hunters I sent after him, and agreed to join Fairy Tail in exchange for his life." Of course, Master was lying through his teeth. Gajeel had nearly wiped out team Shadow Gear. I was sure Master had done something to convince him to join, but I still had no idea what that was. Yeah right. As if I could do anything against Gajeel.

"Fighting back or not, you were still given the order to shoot on sight," Michello growled. He looked even more like a cat when he was angry. His eyes here narrowed into slits, and his tail shot back and forth like an angry cat's.

"I'm sorry, but I refuse to take up arms against someone who willingly surrendered. That would set a bad image for hunters."

"He's right," Yajima said. "If his hunters had killed Gajeel, who wasn't fighting back, people wouldn't have responded well."

"Gajeel has been a menace to Fiore for years!" Org scoffed. "The citizens would have celebrated his death."

"You're wrong!" I found myself pushing through the crowd, standing directly in front of the three council members. "As veteran hunters, you all know the pain of loss, and have experienced death first-hand. Death is nothing to celebrate-no matter the circumstances! Sure, he has done a lot of bad things, but everyone deserves the chance to change and make up for their wrongdoings. He was once a hunter too, so we shouldn't just turn our backs on him. It should be our job to instead help him in making that change!"

"And who might you be?" Michello frowned, obviously not appreciating my forwardness.

"My name is Levy McGarden," I said, standing tall. Levy, why are you defending Gajeel? Look what he did to you! There is no reason for you to put yourself on the council's bad side just to save his life. Although I told myself that, I knew it wasn't true. No matter what he had done in the past, he was still a member of Fairy Tail now, and I had to protect him just like I would my other comrades.

"Levy, what are you doing?" Lucy whispered, looking worried. I didn't answer her because, honestly, I wasn't sure.

"Miss McGarden, I don't think you understand the severity of Black Steel Gajeel's crimes, nor do you know the extent of his cruelty," Yajima told me. "He has killed-"

"Are you saying you haven't killed?" I asked, making sure to meet each of the council members' eyes. "Have you not taken countless lives in your years as hunters?"

"Demon lives," Michello scoffed. "No one mourns the death of a demon."

"That demon's family does," I said, knowing first-hand the wrath of an angered and mourning demon family. "Just because they're demons, does that mean they are no longer considered living, sentient, beings? They feel pain and sadness just as we do."

"Miss McGarden," Org snapped, "while it is all good and well that you have foolish sympathy towards those creatures, that is beside the point. Gajeel Redfox is too dangerous to be allowed to go free. He may be cooperating now, but what if he grows tired of being obedient, and turns on you in the future?"

"He won't," Makarov said, sounding certain.

"You can't be so sure of that," Michello said. "He's been defective for far too long, Makarov. He must be dealt with before he hurts anyone else! If you keep resisting to give him to us, we'll have no choice but to arrest you, too!"

"Stop!" Gajeel's voice quieted everyone. The crowd parted as he stepped towards the council members. He glanced briefly at me before setting his gaze on the council members. "I'll turn myself in."

"They'll kill you," I said, shocked that he had stayed.

"Yeah, probably," he said.

"Org, Yajima, Michello, I can't allow this," Makarov said, stepping between them and Gajeel. "He has pledged his loyalty to me and to Fairy Tail, and has vowed to use his powers to help the hunters. After he has done that, I have an obligation as the master of this organization to help him follow through with those promises."

"Unless you can guarantee he won't defect again, I'm afraid this is out of our hands," Yajima told Makarov, apologetically. I knew that if he had said it, then there really was nothing they could do. Yajima was a kind man, so he wouldn't punish someone unless they truly deserved it. I knew he would have argued in Master's favor had he been able to.

A hundred thoughts began circling inside my head. I had to stop them from taking Gajeel. I can't just stand by and let them take him away to be killed! I could hear Natsu shouting as the guards who had arrived with the council members hand-cuffed Gajeel with special cuffs that he couldn't break using his magic. What can I do?

"Org, please, be reasonable here!" Master shouted.

"Like Yajima just told you," Org said, "unless you can be absolutely certain that he won't defect again, there is nothing we can do. These orders came from higher up than even me."

How can we reassure them that he won't defect? I gasped, the solution hitting me. It was a risky technique, and had always been used as an absolute last resort by hunters, but it was the only way I knew of convincing them.

"Bond us!" I exclaimed, stepping directly in front of Org and staring into his eyes. "If it will reassure you, then bond us." There were several gasps from my comrades, but I ignored them. I was well aware of how foolish a thing it was to willingly request this, but I had to do it.

"What the hell are you doin', Shrimp?" Gajeel snapped, glaring down at me. "Just shut up and do as they say."

"You do realize what that means, right?" Yajima asked, eyes wide in shock from my request.

"I know," I nodded, still looking at Org as I waited for his answer. As the second seat, he has the most authority here. If he agrees, then it doesn't matter what the others have to say.

"Absolutely not!" Makarov said.

"I'm sorry Master, but this decision isn't up to you," I stated. "Councilman Org, I am giving you the reassurance you want by suggesting this. I fully believe in Master Makarov's judgment. If he trusts Gajeel, then I will too-enough to put my life on the line like this."

"Org, we can't bond them," Michello told his fellow council member. "If he does end up defecting after they are bonded, the council will be to blame for the resulting deaths."

"I am well aware of this," Org said, considering me closely.

"Don't you think there would be a harsher view of the council if people knew you ignored this chance I am giving you, and instead went ahead and killed a man who isn't fighting back?" I asked. "At least if we are bonded, everyone will know it was a willing decision on my part."

"Fine," Org sighed, closing his eyes in defeat as he exhaled.

"What?!" Michello and Yajima exclaimed in outrage.

"Org!" Master growled.

"This is for the best. If the girl is so determined to protect the dragon slayer, I will give her this opportunity to prove she is correct about him. If she turns out to be wrong, she will pay the ultimate price, along with the dragon slayer."

"Thank you," I said, smiling at Org.

"Damn it, what are you trying to accomplish?" Gajeel snarled, stepping towards me. Several guards stepped in front of him, ready to retaliate if he attacked.

"I'm saving your life," I told him.

"I don't want you to save me," he spat.

"I'm not asking what you want," I said.

"I'll perform the bonding ceremony," Org announced. He instructed me to stand next to Gajeel, who was still fuming. Master Makarov was just as angry, and I think my fellow hunters were still in shock by my willingness to go through with this.

Org stepped in between us, placing one of his hands on the black Fairy Tail symbol tattooed on Gajeel's arm, and placing the other over the white one tattooed on my scapula. "As a hunter bound to her duty to protect the peace on Earthland, are you, Levy McGarden, prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to see that duty fulfilled?"

"I am," I nodded, suddenly extremely nervous. I had only ever read about what it was like to be bonded to someone, but had never met anyone who actually had gone through with the bonding ceremony. I hope this works.

According to my books, being bonded to another person was like winding the string of fate around each of your lives. In the past, if a hunter encountered a demon that was far too powerful for them to kill even with assistance from other hunters, they would bond themselves to the demon. Once bonded, the life of the hunter and demon were forever connected. If the hunter's life ended, so did the life of the demon-and the same went for if the demon's life ended. Neither could kill the other without losing their own life. On top of that, the two bonded souls were connected through thoughts and emotions. They can feel each other's pain, and experience each other's joy.

It sounded quite terrifying, the longer I thought about it. Gajeel would be able to sense what I'm feeling, as I would be able to him. We would feel any pain that the other felt, and would have that connection until one of us died-thus ending the other one's life.

"To ensure the protection of Earthland from the menace known as Gajeel Redfox, I hereby proclaim him a permanent ward of Levy McGarden. You will be bonded for the rest of your lives, and shall only be separated through death." I felt something strange happening to the mark Org was touching, but didn't move. I assumed Gajeel could feel it too, because he cursed in surprise.

"You are now bonded," Org said, dropping his hands and stepping away from us. The guards freed Gajeel from his handcuffs, and exited the building.

"I hope you know what you're doing, girl," Michello frowned, leaving after them. Org silently followed, leaving only Yajima behind.

"These are brave children you have," Yajima told Makarov, looking around.

"Too brave," he sighed, looking at me. When Yajima left, and the doors closed behind him, the organization erupted in a fit of disapproval.

"Levy! What were you thinking?!" Jet asked, grabbing my arms and staring into my eyes. He looked both worried and angry.

"I couldn't just do nothing," I said, quietly.

"You could die! We all know Gajeel's powerful, but he's reckless too! What if he does something stupid and gets himself killed?" Droy shared in Jet's mixed emotions.

"Alright, settle down," Master said, loudly. Everyone hushed, waiting for him to speak. "We may not agree with Levy's decision, but we must respect it. She did what she thought was best for her fellow hunter."

I suddenly felt a boiling rage course through my body that wasn't my own, but made me frown. I looked up at Gajeel, who was emitting a murderous aura. Without a word to anyone, he stormed from the office. I suppose I should have expected him to be angry. From the amount of anger I was getting from him, I was almost too afraid to go after him. Almost.

"Gajeel!" I called, running to catch up to him. "Listen, I know you're angry, but that was the only way-"

"Who asked you to do that?!" He shouted, turning on me. "I sure as hell didn't! Damn it! Do you even think before you act? For someone who's supposed to be the smartest person in Fairy Tail, you certainly are one hell of an idiot. What made you think I wanted to be saved? Maybe I gave myself to the council because I wanted to die!"

"No one wants to die," I said, quietly.

"You don't know that," he growled. "After what I've done, it would be a fitting punishment. But now you've gone and done something stupid like getting the council to bond us!"

"I just thought I was helping," I mumbled.

"I didn't want your help. You should have just stayed quiet and let them take me. Instead, you completely disregarded me and had us bonded. Did you think I would be grateful to you, having my privacy taken away from me forever? It would have been better to have the council execute me!"

His words stung, making me realize just how selfish I had been. Of course he wouldn't want to be bonded with me. As weak as I am, he probably thinks I'll end up dying soon in a fight. Not to mention the fact that we share each other's emotions. We barely know each other, so it was selfish of me to assume an invasion of his privacy this great would be met with gratitude.

His anger began to die down as he stared at me. "I'm sorry," I whispered, fighting back tears. Don't you dare cry, Levy McGarden! You made a promise! I had promised never to cry again, unless they were tears of joy. I would remain strong until the day I avenged the death of my parents.

"Damn it, don't get so depressed about it," he sighed. He must have been able to sense how upset I was, because I could tell he felt guilty for yelling at me. He rubbed his head in frustration, and when he moved his arm, I noticed something different about his Fairy Tail mark.

"Hey," I gasped, "your tattoo. It's outlined in white."

"Huh?" He frowned, examining the tattoo. Before the ceremony, it had been just a plain black mark. This must be the representation of our bond. Those bonded received a special mark, signifying that they were connected until death.

"What about mine?" I asked, turning so he could see my tattoo. If his was affected, I assumed mine was as well.

"Outlined in black," he said. "Why'd they change colors?"

"It signifies that we are bonded," I answered. "It's the link between each of our souls, connecting us to each other."

"Tch," he growled, crossing his arms.

"I'm sorry for acting so selfishly," I sighed, walking passed him. "I'll see you later."

I felt a little relieved when he didn't come after me. I wanted to be alone, and to give Gajeel his space, as we both came to terms with what this would mean. Hell, I had barely forgiven the guy before this. I sighed, heading to Marley's for some comfort food. I just know this is going to blow up in my face. There was no going back, though. Gajeel and I are bonded to each other. Forever.