Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.
Here you are~! Thanks to all who reviewed my last chapter and now I hope you (and others) will review this one. Enjoy~!
Gajeel walked silently and alone. The cold night air bit at his skin but he didn't let his discomfort hinder his pace as he made his way to Raven Claw. It had been quite some time since his last actual talk with Ivan... to be honest he had completely forgotten about him. Now, here he was walking down a small dirt road to his other guild. He'd be damned glad if he could get this over with quickly and get back to Levy. Ivan could've planted that note in hopes Gajeel would come just so he could capture Levy. Gajeel growled angrily at the possibility and cursed for not thinking about it earlier. There were all sorts of possible outcomes for his hasty exit and he damned his "Master" to hell and back just so he could damn him again. And again. And again.
"Ivan, you lousy son of a bitch..." He hissed to the dark expanse before him. He had a few hours of walking to get there, it was so out of the way that there was no actual transportation to the guild. Kicking angrily at a stray rock on the road Gajeel desperately wished a monster of some sort would jump out of the bushes and allow him to alleviate his anger with it.
Seconds ticked by and turned into minutes which surely enough turned into hours and no monster came to help Gajeel. Mentally screaming at the monster for hiding from him, he was sure there was at least one out there, Gajeel came upon a bleak field in which lay Raven Claw. Hours of walking all by himself in the dark seemed to be paying off now as he was just steps away from completing his task and getting back to Magnolia.
Glancing up at the sky Gajeel noticed that the sky seemed to be lightening somewhat and allowed a small smirk to creep onto his face. At least he could give the bastard an enjoyable awakening.
(^.^) (^.^)
Mira hummed cheerily as she wiped the beer mugs with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Last night she had waited silently as Master held his meeting with Gajeel and had allowed the Iron Dragon Slayer to leave without so much as a good bye. The Master had taken the coffee without a word and she had left, closing the door behind her. Master still hadn't opened the door and she admitted to herself that she was worried. On top of that Levy still hadn't shown up yet either and it was bothering her to no end.
"Mira-Chan~! Over here~!" Macao and Wakaba sang out drunkenly. Mira nodded quickly, placing two brimming mugs of beer on a tray and passing it over to Kinana who took it without complaint, teasing the two older men by placing the mugs on the table and immediately dancing out of their reach before making her way back to the counter.
Moving her attention to the counter Mira began to scrub meticulously at a groove already in the counter from countless times of anxious cleaning done before. She absently bobbed her head to the beat of her unheard tune as Romeo told his father to stop leering over their Nakama.
The guild doors burst open then and Natsu barged in, knocking over a few tables in his haste to fight Gray before Erza showed up. She had taken a mission a few days ago and was due back today. Mira allowed a faint smile to grace her features at the feeling of normalcy the boys petty fight gave her and her gaze travelled to the door where Lucy was dragging a tired Levy in.
"It's two o'clock. You needed to get up and eat." She heard Lucy say exasperatedly. Levy grumbled about how she just wanted to stay in bed and plopped down on a stool at the bar, slamming her head down onto her crossed arms. Lucy sighed as she slid in next to her and offered Mira a tired smile.
"Would you like something?" Kinana asked when Mira stayed silent.
"Ah, yes. The usual please." Lucy replied, placing a hand softly on Mira's as Kinana made her way to the kitchen. "Mira-San, are you alright?" Mira nodded slowly and smiled gently at Lucy.
"Of course... just... I guess I'm worried." Lucy offered a sympathetic smile and squeezed Mira's hand lightly.
"We all are Mira, we all are."
(^.^) (^.^)
Gajeel stared expressionlessly at Ivan Dreyar while silently congratulating himself on this morning. He had gone right into the guild, which would have been nigh impossible even for him had he not had the guild stamp, and marched straight to Ivan's chambers, knocking firmly on the doors until a disgruntled and quite annoyed Ivan appeared. Now he was waiting silently as Ivan woke himself up with a hot cup of coffee. He had the note clenched tightly in his hand, hidden out of sight in his pocket. He was keeping silent as Ivan quietly drank his coffee. They were currently the only people awake in Raven Claw right now and Gajeel intended to keep it that way for if he had to make a hasty retreat.
"So... you are here without the other three Dragon Slayers because..?" Ivan finally asked, looking up from his empty cup.
"I wish to know what exactly you want and when I must have them to you by. I also wish to know what "little one" you are threatening." Gajeel answered firmly, staring unwaveringly up at Ivan. Smirking slightly Ivan motioned for Gajeel to remove the note from his pocket. Gajeel pulled it out slowly and handed it over.
"Well, as you see here... I wish for you to bring me the other three. As for the due date... well I suppose will leave that up to you to decide. But, don't screw around with me boy. I know you've gotten... close shall we say to the others and I don't want you to back out now. After all, that wouldn't be good for your little one now would it?" Gajeel stared up at Ivan in mild confusion.
"I will repeat." Gajeel ground out as quietly as he could and without angering Ivan. "What little one?" Ivan chuckled darkly, pulling out a small lacrima ball.
"You're so naive. Guess." Was all he said as the lacrima glowed dimly and an image of the back of a little blue haired mage appeared.
"Wendy?" Gajeel finally spoke, refusing to admit it was the other little blue haired mage. Ivan grinned widely.
"Now, now, Gajeel. Why would I threaten my prize? You know quite well who I mean." Gajeel paled slightly at those words as all of his fears came back full force and beat at him repeatedly.
"Why Levy?" Gajeel ground out slowly, clenching his fists in anger.
"Levy? Oh, your little mate? I don't want to hurt her." Ivan drawled slowly, tapping the lacrima twice. The image in the little ball blurred and Gajeel found himself staring at Levy's face. "Quite a beauty I admit but no, I don't want to hurt her. After all, she's already had more than her fair share, no?" Gajeel gritted his teeth in an attempt at calming himself down.
"Then what the fuck do you want to hurt?" Gajeel spat, glaring heavily at his so called Master.
"Not what, who. Your little one of course. I've said this before." Ivan told him in a bored tone. Gajeel blinked slowly.
"I don't have a little one." He laughed. "Just Levy. What game are you playing at?"
"Oh? No little one? You really are naive." Ivan chuckled, tapping the lacrima again and this time Gajeel watched as the view zoomed onto Levy's stomach. Gajeel's eyes widened at the prospect but he quickly shook off the thought. It was only last night so there was no way she could be pregnant right now. Besides, even if she was there would be no way Ivan could tell.
"Don't fuck with me." Gajeel growled still staring intently at the vision on the lacrima.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Ivan assured Gajeel. "I just like keeping myself aware of possible Dragon Slayers. You, my boy, have made me a very happy man. None of my guild members has ever had four possible Dragon Slayers for me." The room darkened as Ivan's words sank in and the sky filled with angry storm clouds.
"What makes you think I'd hand over my child if I had one? I'm not yo-" Gajeel yelled angrily, forgetting his hope to keep the other Raven Claw members asleep.
"Well, you are one of my most loyal members, aren't you Gajeel?" Ivan interrupted calmly, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. Gajeel clamped his mouth shut. He had just sealed his fate. Either get killed now or comply with Ivan's request and possibly get killed after. No matter what he chose the fact that Ivan wanted to kill him remained the same. The worst part was that he was now risking the life of his could be family because of his stupid slip. He was sure that Ivan could've gotten the information other ways but this was a surefire way to get Gajeel's loyalty... or head.
"So there you have it. Deliver the Slayers or be slayed along with your lovely, blossoming family." Ivan mocked, smashing the lacrima. "Dear... I do hope you make it back before something bad happens to your... Levy, was it?" Gajeel nodded curtly.
"Of course Master. I must've lost my head." Gajeel replied in a surprisingly calm tone. He turned around and swiftly exited Ivan's chambers but not before catching Ivan's gleeful smile.
Natsu, she better be safe you bastard! His mind screamed as he made his way out of the guild, passing guild members that reminded him of Phantom Lord. No smiles, waves or greetings of any form other than the occasional glance or snarl. Allowing the doors to slam behind him Gajeel had to cover his ears as the sky rumbled furiously and the rain began to pound down around him. Beginning the trek back Gajeel found that he knew where he was going and didn't have to even look, he feet just carried him there. Which was good considering that the rain was so dense he couldn't even see through it. He hated Ivan with every fibre of his being. He had never liked the man of course but this was too far. Picking up his pace Gajeel thanked the gods that he didn't need to think about falling or losing his direction, he just ran to where he knew his only salvation was. He'd be damned if he didn't get to her before something else did.
(^.^) (^.^)
Levy watched the guild through her curtain of messy blue hair. After bringing her to the guild Lucy had pretty much left Levy to sulk by herself. She occasionally tried to start up a conversation or offer Levy some food but Levy just shook her head or offered small, few worded responses in return. She'd eat later. No, she hadn't read any good books recently. Yes, this was some wet weather they were having.
Mira had stayed at the counter with Levy all day, allowing Kinana to service the drunken or soon to be drunken guild members. She had worn down three and a half rags and had such a deep groove it could now qualify as a bowl. Lucy placed her hand over Mira's.
"He'll come back." She assured Mira and Levy at the same time. Mira nodded and some fire seemed to light up her eyes. Wakaba called for more beer and this time Mira hefted the tray up in her graceful hands and allowed Kinana to have a rest as she served beers to her beloved Nakama. Lucy smiled at her handiwork and called over Natsu.
"Hiya Luce." He greeted happily, briefly glancing down at Levy's hunched form.
"Can you pick her up?" Lucy requested, walking over to a shirtless mage. Natsu quirked a brow at his partners retreating form before scooping Levy up and following Lucy. Levy didn't protest at being manhandled nor did she appreciate it.
"What now?" She whined unhappily. Natsu cringed at her high pitched question and Lucy motioned for him to place Levy beside Gray. Natsu widened his eyes but did so, gently placing Levy down on the bench. As soon as she was sitting Levy crossed her arms on the table and flopped her head down onto them. Now Gray and Natsu both gave Lucy a confused expression to which she responded to by shooing them over to the bar. Gray grumbled briefly about having to leave since he was there first but one look from Lucy and he immediately jumped up and headed to the bar with Natsu walking quietly behind him.
"Juvia, don't follow him please. Levy needs help." Lucy declared to seemingly nobody. Juvia suddenly popped up beside the blond and Lucy almost fell over even though she was expecting exactly that.
"Love rival is keeping Juvia from Juvia's beloved Gray-Sama. Why?" Juvia chirped, staring down at Lucy somewhat curiously.
"As you can probably tell, Gajeel isn't here today and Levy is lonely and worried. Can you please tell her that Gajeel will be okay?" Lucy practically pleaded. Juvia considered for a moment before nodding and Lucy let out a grateful sigh.
Quickly making her way over to her partners Lucy watched as Juvia sat down beside Levy and somehow lulled her into a conversation. Soon both blunettes had deep blushes adorning their cheeks and Lucy immediately knew what Juvia had started talking about. Lucy smacked her head on the bar counter repeatedly for not trying that sooner. She had noticed a few bruises last night that could definitely qualify for love bites but hadn't thought to tease her best friend. Now she wished she was over there so she could find out just what happened but she had left Juvia in charge so she had to stay here.
"Well then, what do you guys want to do?" She finally asked, turning around only to find that Natsu and Gray were gone. In fact, they were in the middle of a guild brawl right now which left Lucy all alone.
"Whoop-dee-doo..." She muttered, sliding into "her" stool and watching the rain pound outside.
The doors slammed open then and Lucy jolted upright as a bolt of lightening lit up the room and framed a masculine figure in the doorway. Everyone went silent and the brawlers paused mid punch to see the newcomer.
"Levy..." The voice called. It was deep yet had a dangerous edge to it and Lucy found herself protectively hovering over Levy.
"That voice... it-it's him!" Lucy heard Levy gasp and strained to see the man better with the pounding rain and lightening all around him. Watching apprehensively as Levy dragged herself upwards it took all Lucy had to not stop Levy when she threw herself roughly at the man.
As sure as she was that her friend could handle anything if need be she wasn't quite sure that it was a smart idea for Levy to throw her small frame at a could be attacker. Apparently Mirajane was thinking the same thing as she came out of the kitchen with a tray full of food just in time to see Levy launch herself at the man.
"Levy!" She screamed, dropping the tray in terror. The whole guild watched as Levy and the man fell and a lone bread stick rolled out the guild doors as they closed without a sound.
A/N:So there you have it. A lovely cliffhanger if I do say so myself. Anywho, the person should be quite obvious, afterall, she wouldn't just attack anyone. Er, she is attacking him... right? Anyways, love it? Hate it? No real opinion either way? Review no matter your thoughts. If they were too OOC or I messed up then just let me know. Thanks again to all who reviewed and I'll be updating next week. Love ya'll~!