A/N: Okay! Thank you for the response from the last chapter! I am truly happy at how much you love it. If you don't follow me on Tumblr or Twitter, I had a childhood friend pass away and I was occupied with funeral and traveling out of state to say my last goodbyes. I also went to Nashville over the weekend to see one of my favorite bands, Framing Hanley, last concert. The band that I base Dragon Slayers on (along with We are the Ocean). This chapter was supposed to go out last week, but because of the funeral I could not, so I apologize for that. Because Gajevy Love Fest is next week, you won't see a new chapter until the week of the 24th.

Anyways, here is the next chapter. It's going to get intense from here on out. Also, future chapters maybe short, because some are little drabbles and such. But, there'll be lengthy chapters too like this one. Don't worry. You just get more fluff and lemons, and who doesn't like a bit of that?

Enjoy!

Note: NSFW in this chapter.

Chapter Nine: The Hunted

Seven years ago.

He loved it.

The stifling heavy metal plated vest. The non-breathable fabric layered upon layers on his rigorously trained body. The scratchy burlap like scarf wrapped around his nose and stubble jaw, protecting from the harsh sandy desert winds. His short black hair matted down in the sweaty dome of his helmet matching the desert camouflage of his uniform. His heavy rifle on his back, the rifle in his hands, and the burden of ammunition in his pack would make anyone else fall to their knees. Five years in this life—in this world made him a soldier. The equipment he carried the armor he wore—it was part of him with no burden of the weight they played.

"Sergeant!" Gajeel turned around to see his men conversing with the locals in a small village. The Private was explaining to a woman in Arabic that there was no more room. "Sergeant! I tried to tell them the truck can only hold the severely injured." Gajeel pulled his sandy bandana from his mouth and looked at the mother holding her frail daughter in her arms. Two pairs of dark brown eyes stared up at him; mother cloaked head to toe, only revealing her eyes in her Niqab. The daughter in a bright purple Hijab. Black strands leaked out of her scarf, caked with sweat and sand.

The woman muttered something; Gajeel could see her breath move the cloth where her lips would be. "She said take her daughter. She is sick and needs help." Gajeel listened to him and continued to stare at the glistening pools of the woman pleading for their help. Another group would be back within a few days—his orders were to take as many.

"Private," Gajeel adjusted his pack and rifle. "She's small enough to ride with us."

"Sir?"

"You can ride shotgun," Gajeel handed him his gun and faced the woman. "We'll make room. Take my position as lookout and I'll handle the radio while watching her."

"Yes, sir." He said, turning to the mother and daughter and translated Gajeel's orders to them. She thanked them, crying tears of joy. Gajeel didn't smile back, only nodded and told his men to wrap things up.

"Private Belno." Gajeel grabbed his shoulder before he hopped into the front passenger seat. "Eyes open."

"You got it."

SERGEANT!

SERGEANT!

SERGEANT!

Gajeel shot up following the hauntingly familiar explosion woke him from his nightmares. The blankets were smoldering, sticking to his dampen flesh, heart pounding loud in his ears, and he could have sworn he smelled gunpowder and wet iron in the ridiculous thin air of his bedroom. That scared him the most. He was in his bed and the cot he usually slept on was folded and tucked away next to his dresser.

A warm hand touched his forearm, startling Gajeel from the contact, but when he looked down beside him…everything stopped.

"Levy," Gajeel muttered, gulping at the sight of her cerulean hair spread against his pillow. Lips slightly parted and her golden orbs peeking out slits, staring at him with sleepy eyes.

"Y'okay…" She asked slowly drifting back asleep before Gajeel could even answer. The soft grip around his arm slowly slipped back on the bed and he caught it before it did. He wasn't sure if she was still asleep or pretending, Levy turned over to her side, back facing Gajeel and with her hand pulled him behind her. He snaked his arm around her neck and she settled her head on his bicep. The smell of her apple blossom perfume lingered into nose, bringing back flashes of their passionate tangle not too long ago. Evidence of sex lain prominent in the air, mixing with the natural scent of his apartment and the woman in his arms.

Gajeel focused on that as he settled his arm over her waist and laced his fingers into one of her hands; back of it against her bare breast. The steadiness of her breathing and weight of her head on his arm indicated she was now in a deep sleep. He focused on her scent, hoping that her warmth and the sound of her beating heart would keep him from his nightmares.

"I'm fine now, shrimp." Gajeel muttered into her ear as he slowly drifted too.

The next morning, Levy stirred from sleep to a strange caressing at her waist. At first she thought she was dreaming, but then a set of warm wet lips graced the back of her neck, trailing slowly across her bare shoulder, sending delightful shivers down her spine. The lazy circles at her hips were becoming more daring as it traced over her hipbone and down her thigh and back up again in tickling fashion. Levy responded to his caresses by slowly grinding her bottom against his groin.

"Good morning." Levy giggled, still tantalizing him with her swaying hips.

"Morning," Gajeel groaned, responding with his own hips against hers. He continued to kiss along her shoulders, biting her skin and soothed it with his tongue. Levy shivered at the intoxicating tingle running back and forth down her spine. It electrified her, curling her fingers into the sheets, wantoning—squirming wildly against him. She pulsated with need, wanting satisfaction from the ache building between her thighs. And this teasing was just cruel.

She sucked in a heavy breath when Gajeel's fingers glided over her wet folds, rubbing the nub that sent her screaming. Her oversensitive skin burned from her core to every inch of her body, arching her back and grinding her ass along the length of his shaft. Levy was close…so close to the precipice and he hadn't taken her yet. His relenting fingers moving at her lush pearl that only fueled his need.

"Gajeel—ah!" Levy mewled, craning her head to see his face, pleading with her gorgeous eyes and her beautiful sound.

It was different from last night. That time was slow and even loving—not saying this morning of bliss was not—his act and hers as well cast something primal within them, wanting more of last night, and wanting it with need for their indescribable hunger. None of them have experience such acts of love with previous others. This? Was still all new.

Gajeel adjusted himself to her wet entrance and without any warning or more teasing, he thrust into her, releasing a delicious satisfying cry from Levy's scratchy throat. He rested his forehead on her back, gasping at the tightness of her walls. His arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her down as he reared back and took her again—and his pace quicken with each thrust until eventually Levy turned her body until she was on her stomach, burying her head into the pillow to muffle the sound of her delectable cries. Gajeel followed, settling above her and kissing the back of her neck as he reposition himself.

"Yer incredible." Gajeel said raspingly into her ear and then licking the shell. His body covered her, chest to her back and lips leaving a blatant mark between her shoulders. Levy sang, cheeks flushed and red, voice caught between gasps, and she squirmed beneath him, moving her hips in a circular fashion to meet with movements of his own. His hand grabbed one of her mounds and glided his fingers down her belly until he found her again, wet and inviting. He rubbed her with the pad of his finger, bringing out a new set of cries from her lips.

"G-Gajeel…" Levy cried almost pleading, though he has given her what she wanted. "…I'm so close…oh my—" Her breath became ragged and her squirming was limited to the small space given. Her walls begun to tighten and slick, Gajeel quicken his pace, groaning low and deep into her ear.

"Shit…Lev…" Gajeel's grip around her waist tightens as he felt her milk his throbbing length. He soon joined her, convulsing to his own orgasm and slumped beside her, planting lazy kisses along her skin. Levy slowly turned, facing a very sleepy Gajeel. His breathing was ragged and eyes hooded. She smiled, placing a hand on the side of his face, where he turned his lips and kissed the palm of her hand.

"Morning." Gajeel hummed against her hand and planted another kiss.

"Hm, good morning." Levy relaxed her head against the pillow and flickered her eyes, finally awake from her slumber. "What time is it?" Gajeel shrugged his shoulders and continued to kiss her wrist and down her forearm before he sunk down to kiss her on the lips. "Hehee, Gajeel…I'm serious…what time is it?" She giggled and tried to pull away. Her eyes looked around for a clock and one presented itself on the nightstand over at his side.

9:18 AM.

"Oh no!" Levy shot up, pulling the blankets against her chest. "The track meet!" She shuffled out of bed. "My hurdlers are reporting to the starting line at ten! I need to get home and get—" She paused and looked around for her clothes. "—oh man…no time…" It'd take her thirty minutes to get home, get ready and another fifteen to get to her work. "I have my swim team clothes in my office. Can I use your shower?" She finally turned around to face Gajeel, who was already up with boxer briefs on. He handed her clothing and pointed at the bathroom outside the room.

"I'll drive you to the school. Get ready and we'll leave as soon as you're ready." Gajeel laughed. "I'll get you there before ten." Levy didn't believe he could. The Saturday traffic leading out to the north side is horrendous. She had no other choice.

"Thanks," Levy nodded and hurried to the bathroom, turning the light on. Before she closed the door, she turned to Gajeel, who was fixing the bed. "You want to join me?" His back stiffened and craned his head back, long black locks cascading down his muscular back. She bit her lip, finally drinking in his body. Muscles taut and shining from the dew of their love making, tanned skin laced with fading scars and the way his broad shoulders moved had a domino effect on his back muscles.

"Y'sure you wanna have me in the shower?" Gajeel smiled wickedly at her. Heat coiled through her, warming her from within. If it weren't for the track meet, she would insist on a heated round three in his bathroom. "Shrimp?"

"No—I mean, yes!" Levy shook her hair, messy blue tendrils danced along the sides of her face. "Join me, but we can't be doing anything! We don't have time!"

"Whatever you say," Gajeel laughed, following her into the bathroom. "You owe me later."

"If you can get me to the meet before ten, then I'll owe you more than one."

Levy was afraid that Gajeel would cave and try to make a move on her while they showered, but he really took her words to heart, wanting ten favors from her if he did this for her. They finished within fifteen minutes, which made Levy very nervous as they only have twenty-five minutes to get there. Gajeel tried to tell her it's plenty of time, but she wouldn't buy it. He changed into jeans and dark red t-shirt and put on a thick leather jacket. She was starting to enjoy that color on Gajeel, bringing out his gorgeous red pools and the darkness of his hair.

"C'mon," Gajeel opened the coat closet and handed her an orange helmet. "Make sure the straps are secure." He grabbed a silver and black biker helmet with a tinted visor on it. Her heart sank faster than a flooded ship.

"W-Wait…" Levy swallowed the large lump in her throat. "Your truck…?"

"Still at the restaurant." Gajeel opened the door and held the door for her. "Even if I have the truck, it's faster to take the bike."

"You have a motorcycle?" She gulped. Her haste has disappeared and having second thoughts on being there on time. "I didn't know you had one." Maybe she could call Jet, letting him know that she wouldn't make it for his meet.

"Oh." Gajeel bit his lip. "I take it you don't like riding one?"

"It's not that…" Levy fiddled with her fingers. "I never rode on a motorcycle before." She followed Gajeel down to the second floor, where a door opened up to a set of stairs leading further down. At first Levy thought it was a basement, but it led to the private garage in the back of apartment complex. A plethora of cars were parked in their rightful spots. Each apartment had the right to three spots with their apartment number written on the concrete wall and ground. There beside the door were the three spots for apartment 4B. A lone charcoal gray Harley Davidson motorcycle parked in between his two other spots. Black leather laced upon the seat for only two, chrome finishing on the engine, handlebars and exhaust pipes were shined recently, and the height of the bike was taller than most yet Levy wasn't sure as she never been so close to one before. The handlebars came up to her breast. The bike was definitely fit for the strong and tall Gajeel.

"Here," Gajeel turned to Levy, grabbing her helmet and placed it over her head and snug it into place. The strap under her chin came together with a click and he tugged on the strap to tighten. He quickly put his semi-damp hair into a ponytail and put on his helmet. "Just hold on tight, 'kay?" Levy didn't want to say anything, afraid she might blurt something stupid. Gajeel offered her hand and she accepts it with clammy hands. "Place your feet here and keep it there. You don't want to burn yourself on the exhaust." She nodded, gripping her arms tightly around his waist. "Don't freak out. You'll be fine if you hold on tight. Trust me."

Levy trusted him alright, though that didn't make her fear disappear.

That was the last thing she heard once Gajeel turned the key in the ignition and the twin engine purred beneath her.

Levy wanted a motorcycle.

At first she was deathly afraid, and all the statistics on motorcycle related deaths, the odds of surviving a crash and stuff she read about the machine, came rushing through her head. Although it was very dangerous, all her logical reasoning was left in the dust once Gajeel sped down his street and through the side streets of Magnolia. She thought, considering time, they'd take the expressway. Instead, Gajeel weaved through the side streets, riding between lanes, dodging traffic and pedestrians carefully.

She couldn't see what was in front of her or behind her (afraid to let go of Gajeel). She could only see the sides, neighborhood businesses, buses, cars, people and so many things morphed into blurry streaks. It was like she was moving forward in time while everything else moved at a much slower pace. Thrilling as it may be, though it was indeed frightening knowing that a car could easily kill her excitement.

And kill them.

Fear overcame her nerves, however, Levy tighten her hold around Gajeel's waist, inhaling the sweet leather that protected his body. The exhaust fumes, smooth leather, his familiar earthy cologne was a newfound smell Levy quite enjoyed despite her fears. It slowly melted away, focusing her attention on Gajeel.

The night before and the morning was unforgettable, though she wished the rest of the morning didn't have to be so hectic. Why couldn't it be like one of her books, where the couple after a night of passionate sex would spend their morning naked while they drink coffee and eat breakfast in bed? That would be a dream, but Levy had responsibilities that she wished she hadn't.

"So much for sneaking in quietly." Gajeel clicked his tongue, noticing a bunch of students were crowding around his majestic Harley. "I swear if those fuckers tip my bike…"

"Then we'll catch them on camera and you can sue them." Levy laughed, swiping her ID card at the employee entrance. "It's ten o'clock, I need to quickly change and we'll head down to the track."

"Cuttin' it close, shorty."

"It's fine." Levy marched down the hall towards her office. Her new sneakers squeaked against the polished floors, shining like a mirror where the green lockers reflected off the floor. "C'mon, you got to keep on a look out while I change."

"Oi!" Gajeel followed her into the English office door. "What if there's a camera here?"

"There isn't" Levy pulled duffel from under her desk and started unpacking. "Keep watch." Levy slipped on evergreen sweatpants under her dress. The next thing was her gray shirt, slipping it over her head and dress, while unzipping it in the process. The dress fell to the floor, and then her bra. Many times she'd change in front of her guy friends, and Levy had skillful accomplish putting a bra with a t-shirt on.

As soon as she was dressed, they both ran down the hallway and climbed down some stairs where the sports lockers and training rooms were located. The muffled sounds of the crowd were close and came from the outside. Levy led him down the stifling corridor, where the air conditioning could not travel. A voice from the PA system outside was getting louder as they walked down the bright corridor, passing by some students adorning the Rams logo. They came to metal double doors where it led to the track field.

The bright sun greeted them and the refreshing breeze awakens the stuffiness in their lungs. For the size and reputation of the school, the track field was smaller and worn than expected. The lines on the track were beginning to fade, plus the turf was no long even and straight from years of wear and tear. The hurdles that have 'Home of the Rams' written in green were chipping away.

"Let's go." Levy jogged towards the 100 meter mark where a small group of Rams athletes were huddled in a circle. Gajeel stopped at one end of the track and proceeded to the metal bleachers where the rest of the spectators were watching. Levy turned to look for Gajeel, but he was no longer there. Her brown eyes searched for him and finally noticed him by the starting line over the metal fence. She smiled and turned back around, showing him 'Coach McGarden' written on her back.

He looked around towards the center of the field, where the coaches and officials were having a meeting. Gajeel recognized Jet amongst them along with a big boned fella that he remembers seeing on Levy's Facebook account. He must be Droy. He caught Jet's eye and he nodded and waved at him Gajeel held his hand up and returned his gaze at the beautiful coach talking to her students before the race. Some of the students who were in Levy's huddle glanced over to Gajeel, grinning like little school girls.

"Damn, kids." Gajeel clicked his tongue. He gave an annoyed scowl towards them, but that only fueled their flirty gaze. "Tch, I don't know how yer put up with them, shorty." He glanced down at his watch, 10:25. They'd be here for couple more hours, because of Levy's swim meet too. Gajeel didn't plan anything for today, but he certainly didn't expect to spend his Saturday morning at a high school. The only time he was in a school on a weekend was Saturday Detention. That was a long time ago.

"Alright!" Levy shouted from across the track. "Ladies and Gents, bring it all in!" She leaned into the huddle, putting her hand in the center. "On three…One, two, three—"

"GO RAMS!" The huddle shouted and cheered as they disperse.

"Lady Rams, take your positions." Levy clapped and jogged across the track to the fence opening to join Gajeel. Her bouncy curls were untamed with no ribbon or band to hold them back. They danced along her shoulders, layers of blue swayed as she ran to his side. "Hey!" She rested her arms over the fence along with his, touching his elbow. "Thanks for taking me."

"Yeah," Gajeel scratched the back of his neck. "It's nothing. Never thought I'd be in school on a weekend."

"I take it you never had Saturday suspension?" Levy grinned. "You'd look like the type."

"A regular with Salamander." Gajeel replied flatly. "It's Saturday Detention not suspension."

"Well, sorry!" Levy laughed, elbowing him against his. "Thanks again. You didn't have to do this for me."

"Again, it's nothing." Gajeel shook his head. "Make it up to me with dinner tonight?" He stared at her eyes, gleaming in the bright spring sun. The brightness of her smile grew with excitement as he asked her out again.

"Of course," Levy licked her lips. "Would you let me pay this time since I owe you one?"

"Tch, we'll see." Gajeel snickered.

"Oh c'mon!" Levy pouted. "I'm flattered that you want to pay for me, but let me treat you at least once!" He shook his head and side glanced her. Levy cheeks were puffy with annoyance and one of her hands at her hips. "How about coffee? After the guy hurdlers go, I'll treat you to coffee. There's a place down the street." She stared at him, seeing him think about the offer. Though as much as he wanted to turn down her treating him, he couldn't refuse coffee at the moment.

"It's a pain in the ass, but I guess it'll do." Gajeel sighed, but smiled back at her.

"Sweet!" Levy turned back to the track. Gajeel noticed the first heat was lining up. One Lady Ram was in lane three and the other runners wore jerseys from their respective school. "She's one of my best hurdlers. Her twin brother is on my swim team." Gajeel leaned down to hear her over the cheering crowd. "A Sophomore and already setting hurdling records. If she breaks her PR, then she'd qualify for State!"

"Runners, on your mark." The official was across the track and on the grassy sidelines. His arm straight in front of him. "Get set—" That same arm went above his head. But Gajeel looked at his raised hand, a gun was also pointed to the sky in the other.

A runner went before the first gunshot burst through the air and the official snapped another blank, indicating a do over. The crack echoed through the entire field, causing Levy to jump slightly. And although the gun wasn't a real, Levy didn't realize that Gajeel was down on the ground, head between his hands and knees to his chin, trembling like a child.

"Gajeel?" Levy called out to him, but not even the sound of her voice could pull him away from his quivering trance.