Chapter six! Hope that everyone enjoys!

Undergrounders

Chapter 6

Gajeel gave a grunt as he finished his reps and settled his weights back in the rack, grabbing the towel handing around his neck to wipe at the sweat on his face. Scowling at the mirror before him, before giving a sigh and turning to the bench press. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion, especially since he had to worry about Levy and an upcoming challenge!

Not even two week in, and she was going to have to see him in a match. He was still concerned with the fact that she had pushed herself so much just to accept the Fairy Tail group, now she was gonna have to see the true rough side during a match. What was worse was the fact that it would be one of his matches! He just knew that she was going to be terrified of seeing his personality when he stepped into that ring, and he didn't want that!

He had tried to tell her to stay at the apartment that day, but she had refused. Saying that she wanted to get over her unease dealing with all Underground groups, including watching the fights.

And when he had tried to get her to watch someone else's fight instead of him, she had crossed her arms and shook her head. Stating that she wanted to see the first fight that came along, and wasn't going to back down from it. She was going one way or the other.

Releasing a sigh, he finished setting the weights and started to lay back on the bench, pausing as the door to the group's gym opened and Laxus strolled in. The blond glanced at him in slight surprise before giving a nod and then waved to the weights.

"Need a spotter?" Gajeel merely shook his head before looking up at the bar. This much he knew that he could manage on his own, and knew that even with his refusal of help right then, Laxus wouldn't hesitate to help if he saw that he needed it.

"You've been in here for a while." The comment was made offhandedly, telling Gajeel that he was looking over the check-in board before scribbling his own name and the time he arrived on it.

"Got a lot on my mind." He growled out, lifting the bar off the rack, and making sure he had a good grip and balance before lowering it to his chest and pushing back up.

"The new member, Levy?" He merely grunted in response as he continued his reps in smooth, timed motion.

"I heard that she wants to tag along to watch your match. Are you gonna let her?"

"Can't very well stop her." He sighed out, lifting the bar up and slipping it back onto the rack before sitting up and staring over at Laxus, raising a brow as he saw that the man was merely sitting on the bow flex bench, arms crossed and watching him closely.

"True, you can't stop her, but that doesn't mean that you can't ask me or Gramps to convince her to stay behind." He offered, and Gajeel honestly thought about it for a moment before giving a sigh and shaking his head.

"I don't want to pull some stunt like that. I just wished that someone else had gotten a challenge instead of me. I'm not exactly the most easy going when I get into a ring." He grumbled, shifting and blinking as Laxus tilted his head slightly.

"Why do you care what she thinks about you? This concern never arose with any other members when they joined." Gajeel froze at that, keeping Laxus's gaze until the man quirked an eyebrow and received a growl from Gajeel in return.

"None of your damn concern." He growled, dropping back onto the bench and grabbing the bar in a death grip that had his knuckled turning white. Yanking it off the rack, he began more reps as he heard Laxus shift, no doubt reclining back in his own bench some before some clanks as he started pulling at the weights.

"I don't think you could come to care for her that quickly, although it is possible. But, you have to many walls for that, and she has just as many if not more so." Gajeel felt his face heat up at that before giving a growl.

"You're girlfriend's matchmaking schemes are moving onto you." Laxus merely chuckled at that, all the while keeping a thoughtful look on his face as he pulled the pulleys to lift the weights.

"Honestly, it looks like you're trying to make up for something...Gajeel!" Laxus shot from his seat, the weights he had set clanging loudly against the stand as he rushed to help Gajeel lift the bar from his chest. Giving a growl, Gajeel shoved off the bench once the bar was secured and glared up at the blond, who stepped back with his hands raised.

"Stop prying, damnit." He growled, surging to his feet and stalking past the man. Grabbing his gym bag and scratching down his exit time before storming out of the gym and toward the showers. There were some things in his past that didn't need to be touched on, and he would be damned if anyone got it out of him.

"Ah, Gajeel! There you are!"

"What!?" The snarl was out before he could even register who it was that was approaching him, and he tensed as fear entered Levy's gaze. Her small body going rigid, and her eyes skittering around, looking around for a quick escape route before she took just the smallest of steps back. Gajeel saw all of this, and inhaled while closing his eyes as he rubbed a hand over his face.

"Sorry, Shrimp. Just worked up about this damn fight and some other things." He grumbled, lowering his hand and raising them both up in a soothing manner. Keeping still as she studied him for a moment, before giving a nod and forcing her body to relax before a small, tight smile slid onto her face.

"I was just going to let you know, that Mira said that I can go home early tonight. Since it looks like it's going to snow, and doesn't want us driving to the apartments in bad conditions." She announced, and he gave a nod before turning and facing her fully.

"Then, we can leave if you're ready." He muttered, waiting as she blinked before pointing to his bag.

"But what about your shower? Surely you won't be comfortable..."

"It's a short drive home. I'll manage and I can just shower there." He muttered, not to mention at the moment he just wanted out of the hangout. Away from Laxus and the fact that the man was trying to figure out why he was so damn protective over Levy.

"Okay. I'll grab my coat then, and meet you by the door." She muttered, and he gave a mental groan as her brows drew together in slight concern. However, he knew that she wouldn't ask what was wrong since she had made it obvious that she didn't like prying into people's business. Something he wished that others would do as well.

Seriously, ever since Cobra had talked with him a few days ago, he had been edge. Worrying over the fact that Levy could very well go into an anxiety attack or depressed mood, and he wouldn't know what the hell to do. He had never had to deal with an over emotional woman, and wasn't sure if he could handle it. Hell, he was almost convinced he should ask Bunny-Girl to see if Levy would move in with her. Only thing stopping him there was the fact that he knew Salamander climbed into her bed at night constantly, and he didn't think Levy would be too thrilled with that.

Releasing a sigh, he dropped his bag long enough to yank his jacket over his workout clothes, before shouldering the bag again and waiting for the petite bluenette. Keeping quiet as she merely gave a small smile up at him, before following along to his waiting car. It wasn't until they were both situated in the car, waiting it to warm up slightly, that she broke the heavy silence between them.

"Gajeel? At your fight...Will...Will members of Phantom Lord be there?" Her question was a bare whisper, but it still had Gajeel tensing as he looked over at her. She was staring down at her hands, which were gripped together and shaking ever so slightly. Just a hint of bruises were still visible around her wrists, and he looked away before releasing a sigh.

"It's possible. Other Undergrounders come to matches to place bets and..."

"And scope out competition." She muttered, causing him to wince as he realized that was another part of her past. No doubt she had been drug to fights before, ordered to watch fighters closely to try and pinpoint a weakness or estimate how much a Phantom Lord member would have to train to beat one of the others.

Movement caused him to glance back over, and felt his chest tighten as she gripped at her left shoulder blade. Where her new Fairy Tail tattoo was hidden beneath the cream colored jacket, and red sweater that she wore. That symbol would need to be visible, especially for her, if she went to the fight. Something that she had already been told, and warned that some might cause fights over.

However, a few had already told her that it was good if she did go. That way the others knew firsthand to back off and stop bugging her! It meant that she would be a bit more freedom to go places herself, but also meant that if a good amount of Phantom Lord members were there...His fist tightened on the wheel at the thought. There was a good chance that the fight wouldn't just be in the ring.

"I still want to go, but not to make it seem that I just got Fairy Tail as protection. But to show that I'm not afraid of groups anymore. Even if a member of Phantom Lord approaches me, I want to be able to stand up to them and tell them where they can shove it. But..."

Gajeel twisted his body, raising his hand and clasping her hand within his. Watching as she jerked to stare at him, but relaxed as he kept her gaze and just gave a bare squeeze of her hand.

"You don't have to do all of this at one time. You are allowed to pace yourself. If you want to go to the fight, I won't stop you. However, if at any moment you feel like you can't take it...Don't push yourself to stay. Go to any of the others, and they will help you find someplace where you feel safe. That's the key factor at the moment, alright?" He whispered, watching as she stared at him before giving a smile that had his heart beating faster in his chest before giving a nod.

"Thank you Gajeel." She whispered, squeezing his hand in return before relaxing in her seat. He gave a nod, staring down at their hands before slowly retracting his own. Trying to ignore the sensation of sudden loss at the feel of her tiny hand in his own. Instead, he curled his hands around the wheel, and shifted the car out of park.

"Any time, Shrimp. Who knows, within a few months you might be ready to take lessons on fighting yourself." He grunted, smirking when she gave a little laugh.

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I don't exactly have the muscles to take anyone down." She exclaimed, causing him to give a shrug.

"As much as it goes against my style, brute strength isn't the only way to win. Everything is fair once you get into the ring, so long as you use your body and not weapons. With your quick wits I wouldn't be surprised if you could even bring down some of the toughest." He admitted, glancing over to see her shaking her had but she had a smile on her face.

"I thank you for the confidence in my possible ability, but fighting just isn't my style." She replied, causing him to shrug before focusing on the road. Not even voicing how he had thought along the same lines at one point about himself.

Levy sighed as she closed her book and sat it aside on her bed. Pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Almost two weeks had gone by now, and her life had changed yet again. All thanks to another Underground Group!

She still felt bad for thinking in the beginning that Fairy Tail would be just like any other group, but knew that they didn't hold it over her. If anything they were all surprised that she was willing to go so far, but in the end that was all she could do. There was no point in sulking around complaining about her life, especially when she could still change it for the better.

The bruises from the previous guilds and from working for Sawarr were finally fading away, and were just the faintest of brown on her skin. She figured about another week and they would be completely gone, and she could finally push it out of her mind. But something was still bothering her, and it was the fact that she could very well still meet her tormentors by going to the fights!

When she had heard that a fight of Gajeel's was coming up, she had been eager to go. She wanted to study his fighting style, not to gain information like in the past, but to actual just finally use her ability to understand fighting in her own way. Each person had their own style, own techniques, and to be able to study them just to see and understand. That was the best feeling in the world! Especially when she wasn't pressured into focusing on certain aspects, and finding weaknesses. She wouldn't have to worry about Fairy Tail trying to use her like the others had.

But, it was that very fight that was causing her to nerves to rebel against her and had her chest tightening in fear. Just the thought of being approached by someone in Phantom Lord, or any of the other lower guilds looking for her...Inhaling deeply, she rested her forehead against her knees and slowly released her breath. She was safe now, and she would be safe then. She had to remind herself of that! No one in Fairy Tail would let anyone dangerous near her. Erza and Mira themselves gave their promise not to leave her side, along with Lucy and Natsu.

However, that rose another problem. She didn't want any of them getting hurt while trying to protect her. If a Phantom Lord member was there, without a doubt they would try to approach her or worse. That would easily lead to a fight outside of the ring, and many could get caught in between. All she would be able to do was escape while everyone else fought, and that made her sick to her stomach. She didn't want to leave anyone to just protect her and themselves!

"With your quick wits I wouldn't be surprised if you could even bring down some of the toughest." Gajeel's announcement from earlier drifted through her mind, causing her to gnaw on her thumbnail as she thought about what he said. Trying to figure out how she would be able to fight when she had no true strength other than being quick and small.

Giving a groan when nothing popped into mind, she stared around her room and slid off the bed. Easing the door open, she stepped out and headed down to the living room. Peeking around the corner to see that Gajeel was merely flicking through the channels while absently rubbing Pantherlily's head. He didn't really seem to be aware of the constant channel surfing, since he seemed deep in though.

Gathering what little courage she had, she stepped into the room and cleared her throat. Waiting as Gajeel blinked before looking over at her, his studded brow raising in silent question. Shifting her feet, she rung her hands together and met his ruby gaze.

"When you said you could see me taking down some of the toughest...How exactly would I be able to do that? Now, I'm not interesting in fighting! But..But merely self-defense." She got out, all too aware that this was the most that she had talked to him within the confines of his apartment. Usually she just stayed to herself so that she wouldn't bother him with anything, but she knew nothing about fighting while he knew so much. To skip out to get some information on how to defend herself would be foolish! Especially if it meant she wouldn't have to put others in risk.

"Well, self-defense is an entire different section of fighting than what I do. I can teach you some of the basics, but to really develop any skills in that, you might want to also ask Titania, the Drunkard, or Bunny-Girl. Cobra would be a good option to, since he was the one who taught Kinana everything, but he's a hard coach." Gajeel announced, hitting the power button off and dropping the remote onto the couch to study her fully. She gnawed on her bottom lip, before giving a nod.

"If...If you can teach me what you know, then I'll ask one of them to extend on it. I..I don't want to have to depend on others all the time. Plus...I don't want them to get hurt because of me." The words were a bare whisper, but she knew that he heard them all the same as he gave a nod and stood. Moving over to his laptop and brought it to life with a few taps to the screen.

"First, we'll have to figure out your current strengths and see what kind of self-defense would be the easiest you could learn." He muttered, his fingers skipping over the keys before looking over his shoulder when she gave a sigh and slumped her shoulders.

"That's the problem. I don't really have any strengths. I'm..."

"I don't mean strength as in muscle wise. Your strength is based on your ability to see everything around you, take it all in, and judge possible outcomes. Lets see, put that with your speed and small frame. Hmm...This could possibly work." He smirked, stepping back and holding his hand out under the screen. Out of curiosity, and slight embarrassment at his easy announcement of her apparent strengths in a prideful voice, she stepped forward and stared at the screen.

"The basics to Kyusho-Jitsu; Pressure Point Fighting." She read out loud, blinking before staring at Gajeel in awe. She would have never thought of the pressure points in a fight! Hitting one could very well bring anyone to their knees, especially if she was able to hit multiple.

"It would be a bit harder to get effective hits against thick built, or much larger people. However, it would still be effective against them long enough that you and whoever could get away." He announced, and she felt a smile bloom across her lips before she jumped at him. Her small arms wrapping around his center as she rested her head against his chest.

"Thank you so much!" She squealed, realizing what she was doing when he tensed and quickly released before turning back to the screen. Trying to hide her embarrassment while also gaining some knowledge about the article. When he cleared his throat, she peeked over and saw the remains of a blush on his cheeks before he crossed his arms.

"We can start the basics tomorrow, at the gym within the hangout. Might as well let Erza and the others know. Hell, they might be interested in learning some as well." His voice was slightly husky, and she turned her head as a blush began to heat her face.

"Sounds like a plan! Well, um...Thank you again." She whispered, giving him one final smile before retreating back to her room. Once the door was closed, she covered her face and released a small groan. She couldn't believe that she had hugged him out of the blue! The feel of his abs and chest was...No! No, no, no! She couldn't let her thoughts go that way! There was no way that Gajeel would find any interest in a little thing like her! His embarrassment had to be from the fact that she had caught him by surprise.

Sulking over to the bed, she dropped onto the comforter and buried her head beneath the pillows. What the hell was happening to her life now?