The Iron Pearl

AN: Fist GaLe Fic! Usually I'm a total Gruvia girl but thought I'd give it a try, I would love to know what you all think and if I should continue?

Mirsanxox

I said goodbye to Miss Faye and sighed, "Lily wake up!" I heard my boyfriend of a year shout, "We've got a train to catch!"

I gave another exhale of defeat and stood at the threshold of our bedroom. "I told the client we'll be with her by morning; hopefully you'll be less riled up."

He scoffed, "fat chance of that, shrimp. The sooner we get there the sooner we get paid, this is the first time someone's requested us personally and not gone through the guild! By the way don't forget your sunscreen, you burn easy."

I couldn't help but smile as he carelessly threw some of our stuff into a bag. As much as he tried to hide it, beneath all that iron was a very soft centre and he cared for others. He cared for me. We had been together two years now and had been living together about a year. We moved into a cheap and tiny apartment, Gajeel suggested it, said he was tired of avoiding Erza to come spend the night with me and I hated the scrap yard.

Still smiling lovingly I came to his side, "you could try folding it a little more nicely," I said as I took one of my shirts and placed it in the bag neatly. "I don't think we'll be needing this much stuff though. We probably won't be there long."

He looked at me disbelievingly, what did I say? "Are you frickin' kidding me?" Gajeel asked rhetorically, his voice was rasping. "Last time we packed light you were all girly about it. You continue with this crap in here…I'll get your dumb books and glasses."

I frowned, "I don't need my books Gajeel, I told you…we won't be that long."

"I ain't taking any chances; you get cranky when you haven't read in a while." He called back as I head him search the bookshelf.

I chuckled a little and sorted through what he'd already packed away, I put away the stuff we didn't need. Gajeel is so disorganised, he doesn't think he just acts most of the time. That's how we got together…

...

I was just wrapping my towel about my body. That was long mission; Jet and Droy were pretty beat up. I was just glad to be back in my room at fairy hills within my fortress of literature. I grinned and touched the spines of the books, they were like gateways to other worlds and I had returned from each so exhilarated.

Suddenly the door slammed open, knocking some of my books off their shelves. It was Gajeel!

"Hey Shorty, got something I wanna tell ya." Gajeel stated as he entered my room like he owned it. He just walked straight to me knocking over any of my clutter in his way.

"Gajeel!" I squealed, clinging to my towel and blushing madly, "What are you doing here! It's late, I'm not decent and men aren't supposed to be here."

I kept backing away until I felt the coldness of a wall behind my back, he was so tall and I was little, he completely towered over me and I was cast in his shadow. There was a look in his red eyes…an intensity…Gajeel was leaning over me, his hand resting above my head.

"Shut up" he said dryly.

My blood was soaring, I had read about these moments in books. However, the women in those stories were always tall and busty…not short and scrawny like me. But the way the iron dragon slayer was looking at me right now, I could swear that I was just like them.

"W-what do you want?" I asked quietly, I couldn't even look at him, I was so nervous.

"I said….shut up" His finger hooked under my chin and I was forced to meet those blazing orbs of his. "Look at me, Levy" he ordered and came closer. I could feel his breath upon my face; I could smell is musky scent. I was trembling with excitement.

Gajeel let a smile touch his face, his rough palm touched my burning cheek, "don't move" he gave another order. That was easy enough, I was paralysed anyway.

I was about to ask him why and what he was planning on doing, but I was hindered by his lips catching mine. I was thinking that I should pull away, my mind told me to do so…I was wearing nothing but a towel, and he was not allowed in the girls' dorm. However that rational voice in my head was fading fast, because my body did not obey. He had knelt down so I could wrap my arms around his neck. Gajeel stood up straight so my feet were so far of the ground. I wrapped my legs around his waist and gripped his black hair; an unintentional groan from him indicated that he liked that.

The heat was overwhelming, he was strong…he was iron hard! An animal lust was devouring me and I unconsciously bit into his bottom lip.

He pulled back I surprise but then a grin stretched across his face, "who knew the gentle bookworm liked it rough…"

I giggled and Gajeel carried me to the bedroom, where we-

...

"-Hey Shrimp! Did you clean my underwear or have I gotta turn these ones inside out?"

No! I was so lost in that memory! Where was that guy now? Where did underpants guy come from?

I growled a little with annoyance, "Yes I cleaned them, there in the drawer with your socks, will you just look!" I stormed to the drawers grabbed him a clean pair and threw them at him, they landed on his face.

Pantherlily was leaning against the wall; I smiled at him, "why do we put up with him?" I asked the exceed playfully.

Lilly shrugged, "for me it's food and shelter…no idea what your excuse is."

Thanks cat, I droned sarcastically in my mind. I didn't need him to answer any way; I knew why…Gajeel would take a lightning bolt for me.

I got ready quickly, I knew the girls would be worried if I just up and left without telling anyone so I left a note. Gajeel and Lilly were waiting for me outside our, "You ready now?" Gajeel rasped, I smiled and nodded.

Gajeel's POV

Holy hell! I hate the train! This job better be worth it!

"So what does this work entail?" Pantherlily asked Levy as he sipped on kiwi juice, knowing he'd get no answer out of me at the moment.

"Well she was quite vague and it won't be easy considering what she intends to pay us, she said she needed the help of a dragon slayer, it's an item she was kept hidden but only trusted someone raised by a dragon to do so. Miss Faye promised to give us more details face to face." Levy explained.

I was lying down with my head on her lap right now. She was reading a book but still kept one of her cool hands upon my forehead to help with the motion sickness.

I had known a lot of women; I had been with quite a few. They were all exactly what most would expect my type to be. Y'know, busty, ruthless and experienced, total bitches most of the time. Then I met the little shrimp, she's kind, innocent, forgiving, smart and sometimes a bit of know-it-all. First encounters could have gone better…for the first few weeks in our relationship; every time I looked at her I just felt so much guilt. She noticed and forced me to "open up to her" and "share my emotions". When she finally got it out of me she smiled, took my hands and basically told me to get over it because she did a long time ago. After that I was glad she made me go through the sappy crap, only for a moment though.

I actually had Juvia to thank for all this, she was the one who encouraged me to head over to Levy's place at stupid hours of the night and "make her mine" as the crazy lady put it. That wasn't all I owed to the rain woman, if she hadn't found me after phantom lord then I'd never have joined Fairy Tail and I'd never be sharing a bed with Levy every night.

"You've been really quiet, you feeling okay?" Levy asked me.

I wasn't about to tell her everything going inside my head, I didn't want her thinking I was a wuss. "Yeah, better."

I felt her cool lips on my forehead, "Just sit tight ya big lug, we'll be there soon."

"I hope I at least get to smash someone's face in!" I felt the sickness rise again and turned to my side a little. Levy rubbed my back to try and make me feel better.

I still kept my head on her lap as I looked up at her; she was chewing her bottom lip. "Um….I've been thinking, maybe you should have found another partner for this mission."

This caused me to sit up, "come again?"

Levy shrugged, "Well" how would I put this so he wouldn't get angry "….now I know you have faith in me and we've had this convocation a billion times…but I may not have been the best option, I'll just hold you back."

I looked away from her, "You just don't get it, Shrimp" I had my arms folded.

Levy looked mad now, "what exactly is it I'm not getting?"

I looked at her, "I ain't going anywhere without you, I wouldn't choose anyone else."

The little bluenette seemed stunned at my answer but eventually she smiled. "Aren't you being cute today."

I shrugged, "Whatever, just get back to ya book know it all."

I know I'm not worthy…worthy of Levy I mean, obviously. I don't think I'd ever be. Still I didn't say it out loud but by the gentle smile on her face I could tell I didn't need to. I swear this girl is telepathic or something weird like that, she could read my mind better than she could read any of her books.

The train came to a halt and my stomach churned, "We're here" she chimed in musically and helped me up, she was trying to hold me up, but she was such a tiny thing.

"Come on Lily, sooner we're done the sooner you can go back to the peace and quiet." She called to him.

The exceed hmphed at her, "a fine chance in this guild."

Levy just rolled her eyes "Miss Faye gave us an address; I don't think it's too far, we can walk and get you some fresh air."

Levy's POV

"Is this really it?" I wondered out loud as I stared at the tiny run down building before us, it was pretty tucked away. "No way someone would really live here, why did she want us to meet her here?"

Gajeel sniffed at the air and then grew a dark expression, "Levy stay close to me, that's an order."

I frowned in confusion, "What's going on?"

"I smell blood…lots of it."

He rushed inside, Panthlily and I close behind him, it wasn't long until we came across something truly disturbing. It was that middle aged woman I spoke with via lacrima, our client, Miss Faye, there in a pool of her own blood.

I barged past Gajeel and dropped to my knees crying, "No! No…I'm sorry! I'm sorry we didn't get here sooner…NO!" I sobbed and held the poor women in my arms.

She managed to open her eyes slightly and they fell upon Gajeel, "Iron dragon?" she breathed.

Gajeel looked freaked out for a moment but then nodded, "Yeah that's me."

"The iron pearl…find it…destroy it….run…" was all she could manage before blood gargled from her throat and she died in my arms. Before her last breath, she placed something in my hands.

I opened my hands and there resting in my palm was pointed stone, it was incomplete, like some piece of a puzzle.

"What is the iron pearl, do you know of it?" Lily asked Gajeel.

"I remember Metalicana mentioning something about it but I was a kid then, I don't remember much about it." He answered.

He then sniffed the air again and the same look of panic came over his face. Gajeel grabbed me and held me under his arms. "We gotta go now! Lily fly us up!"

The cat grabbed Gajeel who was holding me and flew us up, Gajeel broke through the roof using his fist. We just made it out when the entire building exploded.

I screamed and reached out towards it, "she was still in there Gajeel…her body was still in there!"

He pulled me in close so he could sob on his chest, "Lily, to the station…now."

It was so strange coming back to our apartment; we were still so stunned by all that occurred, that poor woman. I kept thinking if only we had gotten there sooner, we could have protected her, saved her!

With nothing more we could, Gajeel, Lily and I returned home. My boyfriend was silent the whole way home, when we walked in the door, Lily went to his little private den for some peace and quiet.

"Gajeel" I called softly, I needed him…but more importantly, he needed me. I touched his shoulder. "I want you to know that-"

I was cut off by his embrace, he pulled me in tightly, and my face was buried in his chest. "I want you to promise me something." He said his fingers clasping my hair as he held me tightly.

I looked up at him, "what?"

He seemed hesitant, "Promise me…you won't ever die on me…okay."

I didn't know how to reply, it wasn't a promise I could keep, it wasn't in my control. "But…Gajeel-"

"-And you won't ever leave me like that dragon did!"

"Hang on, I don't think-"

"-JUST PROMISE ME!"

"OKAY! Okay…I promise….better?"

He pulled me in again, this time he kissed me. I loved his kisses; they always began so tenderly, but then grew more animal. They were like him…they had a soft side too, but most of the time they were rough and passionate, just as I liked it.

I now didn't mind being so petite because it made it so easy for him to sweep me up. He picked me up now and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

"Right…bath time squirt" he said devilishly and carried me into the bathroom. Oh yes! I love bath time! I kissed his face, neck and shoulders as he carried me in.

The water felt good, the warmth surrounded us and the steam filled the room. I lay between Gajeel's legs and rested upon his muscular chest. He just finished washing up my arms my skin still tingled from the contact.

"Feels good huh? Just what we needed" he said relaxing.

I hummed an agreement, I remembered the first time he suggested this I thought it was totally bazar. But now it was an every night thing, we bathed every night together, we'd talk about things we never usually would. We bounded in so many ways.

"It's a good job you're so little and built for doing it in small spaces." He put in, I laughed and splashed him.

"Pig!" I scorned playfully.

He folded his arms around me and nibbled at my neck and shoulders, growling lowly. I squealed with laughter and wriggled causing water to splash over the edge of the tub. When our playing was done we settled back down.

"We better get out before you rust." I told him only half joking.

He shrugged, "Nah, five more minutes."

I nodded, "Okay, well I think I'll get out anyway, before I start to wrinkle."

Just as I went to get out I felt hands on my shoulders place me back down into the water and lips touched my ear. "You'll stay put…"

Who the hell does he think he is, telling me what to do, he can't tell me what to do, he doesn't own me! I then felt his breath and lips nuzzle neck and his arms again envelop me.

"Okay" I giggled, okay maybe five more minutes.

Gajeel's POV

She always got sleepy after a bath; we were relaxing in our tiny sitting room, she sat on the couch and I was between her legs, she was drying my hair with towel. I was sitting sulkily.

"Stop moping" she said as she roughly rubbed my head between and itchy towel.

"I ain't moping." I replied shortly. I used to be so badass, now I got some little sprout."

She yawned and put down the towel, "today has been pretty horrific, we need a good night sleep. I want us to get up early, I'll head to the guild library and see what I can find out about this iron pearl. You and Lily should take up another job, we still need the money, hey maybe ask Juvia to go with you?"

I hummed in agreement; I loved how secure she was. Not many girls would have been comfortable with my relationship with Juvia. But Levy understood, I guess it was because of her relationship with Shadow Gear, she loved those guys but not in a romantic way. It was a little different though because they were in love with her, Juvia and I never crossed that line and was glad about it.

I shrugged "Sure…now when you say early you mean…"

"I mean before noon."

"Sure" I took her by the hand and started guiding her to our bedroom, "how about a quickie before we go to sleep?"

"WHAT!" she shrieked.

"It was just a suggestion, geez…you get worked up so easily."

Guess I could be more romantic and sappy like Bisa and Alzack, but honestly she'd probably think I was sick or something. We just reached the door when there came a loud banging on our apartment door.

"It's ten at night, who could it be?" Levy wondered aloud and moved to answer it.

I put my arm in front of her, blocking her way. I knew that scent…I knew that presence. Levy felt my arms tense up.

"Gajeel, who is it?" she whispered.

The banging came again this time even louder, I didn't know what to do; I didn't want to open it.

"Will someone stop that racket!" Lily yelled moodily.

I growled, "Get lost!" I demanded.

Then there came a giggle, it was fruity and fake, "Now-now Gajy…that's no way to greet an old friend." That feminine voice called in mockingly.

"Gajy?" Levy inquired with slight annoyance, only the rain woman had ever called me that before in front of Levy, she didn't so much as bat an eyelash, I guess it was the way the woman on the other side of the door said it.

This invader grunted with annoyance, "enough of this nonsense!" she said and of course she just stepped through the door. Levy's eyes widened, she had clearly never seen ghost powers before. Walking through walls was only a smidge of what this woman could do.

The tall lean girl stood before us with a hand on her hip and she flipped her long carrot coloured hair over her shoulder.

"Good to see you again, Gajy…"

I narrowed my eyes at her, "what do you want, Henna."

Her rouge painted lips stretched into a devilish smile. "Honestly, you're lucky I knocked…you know very well no locked door or vault can prevent me."

Levy's POV

She was so beautiful! She oozed temptation. This Henna, as Gajeel called her, was so much taller than me, her breasts rivalled that of Lucy's and her hips were well rounded. Her hair was beautiful too, long and orange, and those eyes! Bottle green, surrounded by thick lashes. Her body looked amazing in the little white dress she was wearing, and the way she smiled…I wish I could smile like that, but if I tried most people would probably think I had gas or something horribly embarrassing like that.

Henna looked like she had leapt from the pages of one my trashy yet exciting novels. The kind of heroine that had all the men both good and evil panting after her.

She took a step forward and ignored Gajeel's question, and stood over me. "You his new slice? My you're a tiny little thing…you look so innocent too, not Gajy's usual type at all."

I gritted my teeth, I was about to say something when Gajeel's hand took my shoulder. He was glaring at Henna now. "I asked you a question! What the hell do you want?"

Her sly and seductive turned into an expression so perplexed and acquitted, the transformation was shocking.

Henna tucked her hands behind her back, making her breasts stand more at attention and her perfectly plump lips pouted.

"I heard you've been in a spot of bother…I just wanted to come and see if there was anything I could do to help" she explained innocently.

I heard a growl rise from my iron dragon slayer's throat. "I ain't buying that crap ghost girl, what's the real reason?"

Henna's pout turned into a girly smile and she giggled, "Ghost girl? Oh Gajy, you haven't called me that in years! I do love your habit of nicknaming!" she checked his face and saw him scowling. "But honestly, havn't we all changed since Phantom Lord was disbanded? I'll admit I was never that kind to anyone, particularly you little friend, Juvia…but you see…I was just jealous. I mean I know she's powerful but so am I; I should have been part of the element four. But now that's all behind us I want to make amends and see if I can help my old guild mate. Please…just give me a chance?"

"No. Now get out or I'll throw you out!" Gajeel yelled, he grabbed her arm and started leading her to the door.

Something came over me, I suddenly felt the need to stop Gajeel and get to know this girl. I just thought of Miss Faye laying there in that pool of blood, if this Henna could help, we should accept. I would have to swallow down my envy and jealousy, for Miss Faye's sake.

"Gajeel stop!" I shouted and came between them. He looked at me with wide eyes as big as plates, but the shock and confusion on his face couldn't compare to that of Henna's.

I turned my attention to her, "Come in and have some tea, you can sleep on the couch tonight, I hope it'll be comfortable enough for you." with my hand on her back between her shoulders I guided her to our tiny kitchen and sat her at our table.

Gajeel followed staring at the scene as though he couldn't believe this was actually happening. I was getting irritated with him gawking.

"Gajeel if all you're gonna do is stare then please feel free to go to bed and I'll talk with Henna" I told him as I prepared the warm brew for me and our guest.

Henna couldn't seem to believe that I had spoken to Gajeel like that, more so that I let him.

"Now way, I'm staying!" he refused and pulled up a chair.

With a sigh I handed Henna a mug, I forced a smile on my face, "So…would you explain some things to me?"

"I was a member of Phatom Lord…sorry about all that destroying-your- guild-thing by the way" she started, "then again if you just handed over that rich blonde girl it would have been much easier on you all…oh well."

I had to bite tongue, don't lose it Levy…don't lose it. Henna narrowed her eyes at me and examined me closely. She then beamed and gasped, "Oh my! Gajy…isn't this the girl you beat up and nailed to a tree? What a twist!" she started laughing.

I had to check Gajeel, he hated being reminded of that…his temper would rise and shame would fuel it. I placed my hand over his to keep him under control. "That was a long time ago, ten years in fact…we spent seven of those at a place called Tenrou island which will explain why we have only aged three years."

Henna leaned her chin on her hand, "Oh word got around about that…to think Gajy was once the hot older guy to me, now he could practically be my toy boy!"

Seriously Levy it's okay! "Oh…Uh so, you two dated?" I inquired trying to keep the awkwardness and silliness from tone.

"We had a little arrangement of our own" she winked at Gajeel who averted his eyes in embarrassment, he wasn't denying it; there definitely had been something between them in the past. I couldn't get mad though, Gajeel didn't reveal much about his past. All I really knew what that he was raised by Metalicana the iron dragon and at some point Joined Phantom Lord. He did share little moments he had shared with his beloved dragon, aside from that he kept the past in the past. My boyfriend was always living in the moment; I was the one who looked to the future.

"I see" I said eventually, "If you don't mind me asking, why after all these years have you sought Gajeel out and want to help Juvia? Phantom lord was disbanded a long time ago, what have you been doing all this time?"

Henna sighed, "Well, after my guild was shut down…I went rogue for a while. Certain people would pay me to do…certain jobs that no one else wanted. My ghost powers come in pretty handy for that kind of work; I can go anywhere and not leave a single trace of evidence that I was there. It's a pretty dark industry I got into, met really bad people, and got into some bad situations. All I kept reading about was how well Gajeel and the rain woman were doing at Fairy Tail in sorcerer weekly. It was too late for me to join another guild, after Phantom Lord and the work I've been doing I built kind of a bad reputation for myself. I've been keeping tabs on all you for the past couple months, heard what happened to you guys today…thought I'd do some atoning, y'know make up for some stuff."

I listened so intently and realised that I actually felt really sorry for her, she had clearly been through a lot since Phantom Lord. Gajeel and Juvia found a home, this girl didn't and now she needed someone to take a chance on her. She took a sip of the tea made, leaving a red lipstick mark there.

"What a load crap!" Gajeel rasped, "Like I said I ain't buying any of this ghost girl, now get lost. We don't want any help from you and neither does that lady who died today."

"She was my aunt!" Henna blurted Gajeel shut up and the ghost girl took the chance to elaborate. She delved into her pocket and pulled out a little photo of her and Miss Faye together. "Her name was Arianna Faye, the woman practically raised me. I haven't seen the woman since I joined Phantom Lord, just when I was about to look her up, to get back on the right track and make her proud again…I find out she died….no…she was killed. My pride was talking before okay, I'm not here to offer you my help…I'm here to ask for yours. Will you help me find my aunt's Killers?"

"No" Gajeel answered dryly.

I scowled at my boyfriend and whacked his arm "Gajeel!"

He glared at me and gritted his teeth "what's your problem, don't you want her gone?"

I glared back, "No!" I turned my attention back to Henna and smiled, "I'm so sorry about what happened to your aunt, but in all truth, we were given our own little mission by her. I wish you all the luck in the world, but I don't think there's anything we can do. However, like I said you're welcome to sleep on our couch tonight."

Henna smiled, "thanks little Levy, appreciate it, think I'll go crash now…wake me up for breakfast…Gajeel knows how I like my eggs in the morning, don't you Gajy?" With that she went into our living room swaying her hips from side to side.

When she was gone there was a silence between Gajeel and I, I could tell he was fuming.

"What the hell was that?" he demanded slowly, controlling the volume of his voice.

I frowned, "She did annoy me a little with all her comments about the two of you, but aside from that I believe her, she's just trying to make amends and avenge her aunt. She is trying to change for the better and she has just lost someone very important to her, should we really turn her away?"

Gajeel grumbled something under his breath, probably cursing again. "She ain't a good person Levy; you don't know what that woman is capable of. When we were in Phantom together she was a nasty piece of work. I tell ya, she was ruthless and put Juvia through hell, that's why the woman is weird about making friends with girls. Henna messes people us!"

"How long were you dating before you realised that one?" I put in snidely.

Gajeel winced slightly, "we didn't date!"

"Oh no that's right, it was an arrangement. Why were you ever involved with her if she was so mean to Juvia?"

He just shrugged, "that was partly why it ended, she got really jealous over the rain woman and started getting a lost nastier to her. When Phantom was disbanded we ended things for good. Any way why am I getting the third degree? You're the one who invited her to stay; I wanted her to get lost."

I folded my arms "You know very well that I am a strong believer in second chances, anyone who is willing to atone for their previous behaviour is welcome in my home, now I'm going to bed are you coming?"

He again just stared at me, "Aren't you jealous or anything?"

This took me by surprise, I'll admit that a little bit of possessiveness came over me and yes there was a little but jealous. But I didn't want him to know that, I didn't want him thinking I didn't trust him, which I did.

"No, not at all…why would I be?" I answered with a shrug.

Gajeel's POV

Why would I be? Was she frikin' serious! I get why she isn't jealous of Juvia and the other guild girls…but the this was a new female encroaching on her every piece of territory, her guild, her man and she offers the bitch a place to sleep!?

That ain't the normal thing to do; this was someone I had a thing with! If I was approached by another guy who had once seen Levy naked I'd rip his face open like my hands were two big old bear traps!

I was still in the kitchen, I had been there for an hour just thinking about it all. The little one was probably asleep by now; I didn't like imagining that tiny frame in that bed all alone without me there hogging all the space and covers. I smiled a little, how does she put up with me?

With I sigh I got up from the chair, guess I better get in there, can't let her get too used to sleeping without me.

I exited the kitchen that of course lead straight to the seating area, this place is so small luckily we don't need anything bigger. I looked around, Henna was supposed to be sleeping on the couch but she wasn't there. Damn ghost woman! I could smell her still…the thing that used to fascinate me and entice me about this woman now irritated and creeps the hell out of me! She could be in a room and not be seen…watching and walking through the walls. The only person who could ever detect her was me by smelling her out.

"You got something to say?" I growled and turned, she appeared there in silver smoke, she was exactly where I thought she was.

Henna smirked, I looked down at what she was wearing, it was one of my shirts! "What you think you're doing wearing that!?" I snarled.

She giggled, "What? You used to love it when I wore your shirts…you like the way I filled them out, bringing back any heated memories?"

I narrowed my eyes at her, "I don't know what your game is, but I see right through you ghost girl! I don't like that you using my girlfriend's kindness against her, I wouldn't let you get away with it if it weren't for the fact that you had just lost your aunt. Tomorrow I want you gone and as far away as possible, got it."

Henna scowled at me, "What did my aunt want from you? She gave you something didn't she…she wanted you to find something…what did she say,Gajeel?"

I didn't like all the questions being thrown at me, maybe it was me being bitter for all the crap she's done in the past.

I leaned in close to intimidate her, "You ain't getting anything from me ya hex. You come anywhere near me, my girlfriend or our guild again….I'll cave your throat in, making it impossible to breathe."

Henna grinned and pushed herself against me, "you don't scare me with this big and tough act, Gajeel…I like it…I always have, you know that." Her hand touched my cheek and I pulled away. Her smile fell and was replaced with a sneer.

"Like it or not Gajeel I'm involved with all this mess, I ain't leaving until I find out everything…what she gave you, what she wants you to find and who it was that got there before you did. Sleep tight Gajy remember…you snore less when you sleep on your back." She returned to the couch and closed her eyes.

What could I do? Kick her out? I would love to but Levy might think that I was too eager to get rid of her because Henna tempted me. Obviously she didn't but I didn't Levy thinking she couldn't trust me. I went to our room and there was the little blue bookworm, sleeping like a little kitten.

I curled up next to her; she stirred slightly and nestled in closer to me, seeking the heat from my body. I kissed her bare shoulder that peaked through the sheets. How did I end up with someone so sweet and innocent? She deserved better.

The iron pearl? What is it and why did these thugs want it so badly, was that little piece of puzzle she gave us meant to help us find it? I wondered if this is something I should really be brining Levy into. What is she gets hurt. I had a really bad feeling but I know my shrimp…she wouldn't give up until she found the answer to all of this.