Chapter seven! Yus!~ Hope that everyone enjoys!

Undergrounders

Chapter 7

Levy shivered as she stuck to Lucy's side, her gaze skittering over each and every person around them. Some group tattoos visible, others hidden as members of different groups gathered to watch the fight between Gajeel and his opponent. Today was the day of his fight, and her nerves were only eased a little since plenty of Fairy Tail members were around her, and she had been able to get a few days of self-defense training.

While she wasn't confident about her abilities she knew enough to make a difference should a fight occur, she was confident enough that she could get away before a fight broke out because of her. Not to mention, she had yet to see anyone with a Phantom Lord tattoo, which settled her down some.

"You doing okay, Levy?" The question by Mira caused her to smile and give a nod as they moved through the crowd to the area designed for Fairy Tail members. Only to look forward when Cobra gave a sound to gain her attention.

"Just make sure you stay close. While you've been progressing with your self-defense, that doesn't mean you go looking for trouble." He announced, causing her to pout before Lucy glared at him while Kinana silently chided him.

"I don't go looking for trouble, it comes looking for me." She grumbled, watching as a smirk crossed his lips before he faced forward again, his mere presence seeming to cut the crowd so they could pass. She knew all too well that some members had looked at her in shock, having been told to be on the look out for her from the low ranking group. However, now with the pure white tattoo located on her left shoulder blade showed she was a member of Fairy Tail, none of them approached her. Although, she didn't question that word was already on its way to the group after her.

"Has Laxus already arrived, Mira?" The question from Lucy had her looking back to the barmaid, as she gave a nod.

"He sent me a text just a bit ago. Both he and Makarov are already talking with Gajeel and the other leader of the opponent group." She announced, and Levy tilted her head before turning to Cobra.

"Who is his opponent?" She asked, watching as the other women blinked before facing Cobra as well. Who merely raised an eyebrow.

"What makes you think I know?"

"Because you watch over the group even more than me. I would be more surprised if you didn't know." She announced, watching as something close to amusement flashed in his single magenta eye before he gave a nod.

"His opponent's name is Zoro, from the Straw Hat group." He announced, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb at a group of eight people already sitting on the other side of the ring. She blinked at that, a frown pulling at her lips.

"Straw Hat? But aren't they still a newly formed group? They only consist of ten people." Turning back to Cobra when he gave a shrug.

"From what I saw, the leader was just too insistent about a challenge. He actually said that he only needed those guys for a group, and isn't really opened up for any new members." He explained, causing her to give a hum before looking back over to the group. Briefly wondering what this Zoro person looked like, before finally stopping in their area and taking their seats.

Only fellow group members of the fighters were allowed closest to the ring, while everyone else formed a ring around them. A look around showed bets already being placed, and a score board was already set up. It was surprising to see that a near equal amount was for both Gajeel and Zoro. It made her wonder if Zoro was a known fighter somewhere else outside the Underground.

"From what I've just looked up about Zoro, he runs a dojo two cities over in Grand Line. Out of the group, it looks like he's ranked as the second strongest, right behind Monkey D. Luffy, the founder of this specific group. Although, it looks like Grand Line has just as many, if not more groups than the city of Fiore." Lucy announced, her gaze on her tablet that showed she was researching the groups.

"It's not all that surprising that other cities have their own Underground groups, is it?" Cobra asked, his voice sounding slightly bored, but his expression had focused on the members across the rings. A look over showed a young man finally taking a seat with the group, a beaming grin on his face as he chatted with the rest.

"That young man is quite a character." The joyful voice of Makarov caused her to turn in her seat as the leader of their group, with his grandson in tow, took their seats. She blinked once before spinning her head back in the direction of the other group, that young man was the leader of the group!? He was just slightly older than her!

"Gajeel's gonna have his hand full with this one. Zoro's build is close to his, but looks like he's going to be quicker on his feet." Laxus muttered, and Levy shifted in her seat as a series of bells sounded, signaling that the match was about to start.

"Master Makarov? Did their leader explain why he wanted a fight?" The question came from Mira, and Levy peeked over her shoulder to see that a large grin was on the old man's face.

"Mister Luffy heard about how we place first in the Underground in our district, and they're the first in their district. He merely wished to see a match between the two groups. Nothing more, nothing less." He announced, causing Levy to blink before frowning.

It seemed that the more she stayed with Fairy Tail, the more she learned about this group, and others! Usually the only reason a challenge was issued was to get back at a previous loss, or to try and gain a higher ranking position. However, since this fight was between two different districts, neither rankings would be affected, and nothing would be gained other than the winner getting a majority of the bet money!

The only time districts fought was during Underground tournaments, but it was still too early in the year for a tournament. For two groups from different districts to be fighting just to fight for fun...She had never heard of it before!

"Well, then maybe we could gather another group of friends if this match turns out well." Lucy whispered, causing Levy to blink before turning to the woman in confusion. Tilting her head slightly when the blonde merely blinked and then focused on the ring as the final bell signaled and the fighters walked into the ring.

Levy's eyes focused in on Gajeel, feeling a slight blush heat up her cheeks and thanked the heavens above that the lighting was dimming around them. That way the only light showed on the fighters.

Gajeel was wearing a loose pair of work out pants, and was completely bare chested. Showing countless scars on his arms, across his chest, and back. It spoke of countless fights, but did nothing to take away from his breathtaking looks. Ever since the night she had hugged him, she couldn't help but find him attractive, and the more she stuck around him, the more she felt for him. However, since he had shown no signs of even giving her a second look, she was attempting to crush those thoughts and feelings.

Closing her eyes, she inhaled softly before exhaling and clearing her head. Moving from Gajeel, she turned to study his opponent, and blinked as she took him in. He was slightly shorter than Gajeel, and while he was built, it still paled in comparison to the Fairy Tail member. His hair was green, not much different from Freed's but short on his head. One eye was forced closed from a scar, much like Cobra's, and she zoned in on Cobra when he shifted slightly. A quick look saw that the man was frowning and seeming to resist touching his own eye, but there was no recognition in his gaze, so she knew that he hadn't met the man before.

Focusing back on the man, she also saw a long, jagged scar on his chest. A shiver ran through her, knowing all to well that only a sharp blade could cause a wound like that. It made her wonder what kind of fights the Grand Line held, and how they compared to the fights here.

She sat back some, watching as the two men approached one another in the ring, shaking hands before giving one another a nod. Then slowly backed away and took their stances, waiting for the bell to start the fight. They both shot toward one another before the bell's echo even faded, followed with cheers from everyone. However, Fairy Tail's and Straw Hat's cheers rose above them all!

"Take him down Zoro!"

"You got this Gajeel!"

"Don't you dare lose, Moss Head!"

"Come on Pincushion!"

Levy remained quiet, to awe struck in her seat to give a cheer. Both of them were going all out, striking each other with everything their muscles allowed them to give. So far neither of them had taken a step back, or even attempted to dodge the others blows! Yet, neither of them seemed phased in the lightest!

She tried to focus her ability on them, but found herself shaking her head in awe. Just like with a lot of members of Fairy Tail, she didn't see any limit on either of them. Zoro had just as much limitless potential as Gajeel! And so far, they were matched with one another! Both in speed, strength, and endurance. It was making her wonder just how long this match was going to be! She actually figured that the time bell would ring before either of them even thought to give in to the other!

"Amazing." She whispered, blinking when Lucy nudged her with her elbow and motioned to the ring.

"Come on! Cheer him on!" She shouted, before pumping her fist in the air and releasing a cheer for Gajeel. An action that was mirrored by a red headed woman on the other side for Zoro. Levy watched a moment, before giving a smile and standing up, ready to cheer as well.

Before a sound came from her mouth, she froze as she looked across the ring toward the Straw Hat group. Words caught in her throat, and her body felt like it was about to shut down. Standing just behind the leader of the Straw Hat's, just on the inner side of the watching groups, was none other than Jose Porla! The leader of Phantom Lord, and his piercing green eyes were locked in on her. A tilted smirk was on his face, as he gave her the faintest of nods and she felt her knees weaken before she dropped back into her chair. Covering her mouth with her hands as she began to shake violently.

He was here! The man who had tormented her, who had taken her father from her, and who had drove her life into the ground, was just across the room from her! She felt like she was going to be sick!

Squeezing her eyes closed, she tried to recall that she was with Fairy Tail, that he wouldn't dare touch her. However, behind her eyelids it was like she could still see that dark red hair, that deep tanned face with the horrifying scowl standing over her as she crouched over her father's lifeless body.

"I told you. The only way to leave Phantom Lord, is in a body bag." His last words to her whispered through her mind, and her body seized up. Pressing her hands tightly against her mouth, she fought to breath, fought not to get sick.

"..evy!? Levy!" The sudden shout and hard shake on her shoulders caused her to gasp. Her eyes snapping open and she stared into a deep, magenta eye that was before her. Cobra's grip on her shoulders was bruising, but it seemed to ground her into the moment and she felt her eyes moving to look over his shoulder.

"Don't." He growled, causing her eyes to snap back to his. She swallowed, giving a tight nod before allowing him to help her stand and usher her away from the group. Waving his hand back when they called in question, and lead her toward an empty hallway. His body rigid, causing people to easily part for them until they were in the safety of the shadows.

"Take deep breaths, until you feel calm enough to talk." He whispered, standing at the entrance, a clear sign that he would block anyone from entering while she pulled herself together.

"S..Sorr..."

"No apologies. You've done nothing wrong." He cut in, and she tensed before forcing her body to relax and focused on breathing. Leaning against the wall, she steadied her breathing, and fought back the tears that began to prick at her eyes.

She had been hoping that if she had seen anyone from Phantom Lord, she could act like she had put them in her past. Not start cowering because of them again! Sliding down the wall, she brought her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms tightly around them. She was suppose to be making her life better, not letting them still control her! She was taking self-defense lessons for crying out loud! She should have control over this!

"Two self-defense lessons doesn't automatically make you feel safe. Nor will just being in a group for two weeks. Levy, you've been pushing yourself into feeling like nothing in the past has bothered you. You can lie to everyone, and try to put on a brave face. But you cannot lie to yourself." Cobra announced, his gaze scanning the crowd and she stared at his back for a moment.

Curling up tighter, she hung her head in shame. He was right, and she knew it. The only way to get over all this shame that she kept hidden, was to face it. Was to somehow deal with it and not give in to the urge to just accept that her fate was to live a shitty life. She shook her head, finally allowing a few tears to fall from her eyes as she curled up tight. There was just one problem, she knew that she needed to do this, but she wasn't strong enough to face the truth of her past!

Gajeel laughed as he and Zoro shared a final handshake as the final bell rang, signaling the time for the match was over. Neither of them had backed down, and even Gajeel had to admit that this fight was on par with the fights within the guild. This man was strong, enough so that the match was passed off as a tie. If his matches kept on like this, he was going to start getting a complex!

"Nice match, never met someone who could match blow for blow." Zoro announced, causing him to smirk as the man wiped away some blood that was trailing down his temple. Gajeel nodded his agreement while resisting the urge to check and see if his nose was broken. All he knew was that it hurt like hell!

He gave a wave before turning and looking up at his group, his lips dipping down as he saw that Cobra and Levy were both missing from their seats. Moving out of the ring, he strolled out of the tunnel and into the hallways that would lead him to the others.

He knew that Cobra wouldn't harm Levy, hell he had asked the man to watch over her while he was in the ring. Without a doubt some scum from Phantom Lord would be here, and while he was impressed with her seemingly natural ability at Kyusho-Jitsu, she had only been practicing for a couple days. It still wasn't enough to protect her from multiple people. And an ambush was something that Phantom Lord members just loved to pull off!

He gritted his teeth as an old memory tried to surface, but shook his head. He had no time in dealing with that, he needed to make sure that Levy was alright. It was the least that he owed to the woman's father for crying out loud!

"Gajeel, heard that the match was a tie. Congrats." Cobra's voice caused him to still, looking up to see that the man was standing like a freaking wall at the entrance of the hallway. A small sniff caused his gaze to fall, his chest tightening as he saw Levy sitting against the wall. She had seen someone from Phantom Lord, he just knew it!

"Levy?"

"I'll...I'll be fine. Just...Just out of all the people, I wasn't expecting Jose himself." She whispered, causing his entire being to tense. Jose! The leader of Phantom Lord had decided to show up himself!?

"Fuck!" The snarl from Cobra had both of them jumping, and he watched as Cobra faced him, a deep scowl of hate on his face.

"Get her out of here, now. I'll go tell Makarov and the others." He hissed out, waiting just long enough for his nod before turning and marching through the crowd. His scowl frightening enough that people were nearly falling over one another to get out of his way. Gajeel moved to Levy, and helped her to her feet.

"Lets go. This isn't the safest place to be at the moment." He muttered, keeping a hand at the center of her back as he lead her out of the hallway, around the crowd, and out of the Underground building that hosted the fight. All the while, his gaze on their surroundings, just waiting for some more of those bastards to appear from somewhere!

"I'm sorry, Gajeel. I thought I could..."

"You really need to stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault, Shrimp. No one would have guessed that out of all the members, Jose himself would appear." He cut in, watching as her head fell slightly as she tugged her jacket around her, covering up her Fairy Tail mark.

"Still, here I am, trying to get over my past, but I just...Why can't I stop letting them control me with fear!?" She bit out, causing him to blink in surprise before staring down at her. Instead of crying and whining, like he had thought she would do when all of this finally hit, she was pissed!

"Going to sound hypocritical here, but the past isn't so easily forgotten. I know I said you could forget your past, but through that I merely meant..."

"I know, I know. You meant that no repeat of it would happen within Fairy Tail. I got that. But how is it that they still have this hold over me!?" She barked out, causing him to wince and scratch at the back of his head. Unsure if he should actually answer, or just let her rant.

When she gave a sigh and glared ahead of them, he decided to leave her to herself for now. Something deep within him was telling him that he didn't want her anger directed at him at the moment, so instead he turned his gaze to their surrounding as they approached his car. His gaze narrowing on the windshield, or more specifically, the piece of paper that was stuck beneath one of the blades.

"What's that?" Levy's question had him shifting in the lot, unsure if it was safe to approach his car. However, just standing there wasn't exactly safe either.

"Keep close, but behind me a little." He growled, stepping forward and making sure that she followed behind him until they finally reached the car. Looking it over, he saw that it hadn't been messed with, except for the damn not pinned beneath the windshield wipers.

Carefully plucking the note, he unfolded it and allowed his eyes to scan the words. Feeling his body tensing with each line that he read. A snarl ripping from his throat as he finished, before looking down at Levy as she touched his elbow. Her questioning and concern filled gaze on him, before they flicked to the note that was not crushed in his grip. Gritting his teeth, he held the paper out to her.

"Read it on the way home. We've got a lot to talk about."

I want to give a huge THANK YOU to all the reviewers! I am so glad that you are liking the story thus far! Also, just a quick little note, I will be incorporating other series in, but this will not be a crossover since they really don't pertain to the story itself. They're more like background characters if you will!

With all that aside, I hope that you enjoyed the latest chapter, and I'll see you next time! Bye for now~~~