Chapter Eight: Strength

"We just about finished a lot sooner than I thought we would." I commented as we were finishing up the last few yards of fencing. It was passed sunset now, where it was barely light out. I was beyond exhausted with all the materials that I had created for the barn and fencing. Gajeel had told me multiple times that I should slow down and rest but I refused each time, knowing that if I stopped it would be damn near impossible to get myself to get back up.

"But you look like ya bout ta drop dead at any second." Gajeel side glanced me as he secured the last bit of fencing, me holding it in place for him.

I shrugged tiredly. "At least we finished today." Hey, i'm someone who gets the job done as quick and efficiently as possible. I need to train more on my create magic so that it won't drain my energy after producing a lot. My legs felt like jello and my arms heavy, as well as light headed. The sooner we get this done the sooner I can sleep.

"And done- SHIT!" Gajeel exclaims as I suddenly decided to face plant into the Earth, only my face didn't get to touch the Earth before I was caught by the Iron mage. Cursing at how if I had rested that this wouldn't happen. My lips twitch upward. "But we got the job done." I muttered as he carried me back towards the mans house, while cursing me. His scent allowing my to relax in his arms. I can feel his eyes on me.

"HEAVENS GAJEEL, WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE POOR GIRL!?" I heard Rinju exclaim in shock as I mentally chuckled.

"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I DID SOMETHING!? CRAZY WOMAN DECIDED TO PUSH HERSELF TO FAR REGARDLESS OF ME TELLING HER TO REST!" Gajeel yelled at the old man and if I wasn't so damn tired I would have laughed.

"Well I see you both have finished the barn and fencing, here are ya'll's rewards." I felt Gajeel readjust me as he took the bag of jewels. "If you want ya'll two can rest up here for a bit." I heard him say and at that I forced my eyes open and used whatever strength I had to teleport out of his arms.

Using Gajeel's arm to steady myself I smiled apologetically to the older man. "Actually I really should be heading back now, I made a bet with some guild mates of mine that I would be back before they would. I intend to win that bet." I lied through my teeth. Rinju nodded in understanding, Gajeel on the other hand narrowed his eyes at me. Yeahhh he ain't buying an ounce of my bullshit, and I have a feeling that he ain't gonna let it slide that easily. Well Shit. I'll have to think of something then.

"Well I guess you two have a safe trip home, especially you Kyliera, yours is longer." Rinju said. I smiled down at him, he's so sweet. "Thank you and I will." I turned to leave. "See you later old man." Gajeel said before I heard him following me.

We walked in nearly side by side for a while before Gajeel decided to break the silence. "So you gonna explain what happened back there?" He asked as he side eyed me. "What? I have a bet going on with-"

"You and I both know that's a load of shit." He cut me off mid-sentence stopping in front of me causing me to nearly crash right into his chest. "You gonna tell the truth or what?" His stare was intense, but why? I didn't really think he would give two shits about me. I sighed and glanced at the ground. "There's just a lot that has been happening lately and I just want to get home as soon as possible. Plus, I'll be a bit honest Phantom Lord kinda scares me just a bit. But you're actually nice to me, you are a good person." Not a total lie, and as a bonus I made the Iron dragon slayer blush. I giggled as I grabbed his arm and pulled him along, continuing our journey.

10 minutes of talking later I realized that my arm was still wrapped around his but he didn't seem to either notice or care, so I just kept my arm where it was. He was surprisingly very warm, not as warm as Natsu, but still pretty warm. I might as well enjoy this contact as much as I can now because as much as I hate to say it but him and Levy are supposed to end up together. I don't know why that hurts so much. Sometimes I wish I can just turn these feelings off. I thought as I unknowingly tightened my grip on his arm.

"Hey, you alright?" I snapped out of my thoughts as he looked at me in concern. "Hm? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking. So question? How many songs have you wrote?" I asked him hoping to change the subject. The look he gave me said that he knew what I was doing but he decided to let it slide. "I have a few songs that I have written." And that's all we talked about till we entered town, nothing but music.

The moment we stepped into town my stomach growled, I haven't eaten since I first came into town. I soon heard another growl, as I snickered at a slightly red Gajeel. "Guess we should get something to eat before we go our separate ways." I nodded in agreement as we both seem to automatically go towards the restaurant we ate at earlier. I noticed that it was lightly raining, nowhere near as bad as when I first arrived. So that could mean one of two things, either Juvia is not as close or she's not in as bad of a mood like she was earlier. Speaking of, I think I might send her a message.

'Hey, you doing alright? I just finished up that request I was doing and bout to head out.'

Five seconds later.

'KyKy. Julia I so happy to hear from you. You finished so soon? '

'LOL yeah, I'm exhausted. KyKy?'

'Juvia don't doubt. KyKy is Juvia's nickname for Kyra. Kyra like?'

I giggled at that which gained Gajeel's attention. "Who you chatting with?" He asked as he looked over my shoulder. "Juvia? You know her?" "Yeah I met her when I first came into town today." I answered him. "So are you that one who made the rain lighted up?" I nodded. "Yeah, told her that I'll be her friend after showing her part of my water magic." I told him as I replied back to the rain woman.

'Yes I do like? It very unique.'

When I pushed send, not two second later the rain just about stopped, there just a few tiny drops here and there that you can barely feel. I couldn't help the huge smile that found its way to my face. Gajeel looked up wide eyed. "Well I'll be damned." I nodded as I walked in, Gajeel very close behind me. It didn't take long for us to order our food. When we got it we went to the same table we were at before. "At least it ain't as busy as it was before." He agreed as we both ate in silence. It was so nice having him here helping and being able to talk to him without any hostility. Part of me doesn't wanna leave him and Juvia... the other part of me however wants to get as far from this place as possible before they find out who I am.

All to soon we finished our dinner and were walking outside. Gajeel decided to escort me to the other side of town where I came in at, which I was grateful for and also cuz I didn't want to leave him just yet. Even though he is a part of a dangerous dark guild, I know that it won't be to long till he becomes part of Fairy Tail.

Soon we were standing by the tree line near the town. We were silent until Gajeel breaks the silence. "Ya sure you gonna be alright to travel?" He asks as he glanced at me. I nodded, looking up at him with a smile. The moon was up behind the mage, full and bright. Looked beautiful. "Yeah I have my hover board and boost, it shouldn't take too long to get back." I told him. He gives me a look. "But do you have enough magic?"

"Pff, yeah I got plenty for that." I waved him off. He still looked like he didn't believe me. Rolling my eyes I stepped toward him and grabbed his hand, ignoring the possible blush that is no doubt painting itself onto my cheeks. And I can see a slight blush on Gajeel as well, but before he could say anything I created a grey watch for him. He looked at it before looking back at me. "I'll let you know when I get back so you don't have to worry." I grinned up at him before taking a step back. "I better be going now. Thank you so much Gajeel for the help and the company. You're fun to be around." The Iron dragon slayer grinned. "Gehe I could say the same about you. Be careful and you better let me know when you get back." I laughed. "Don't worry I will. Bye Gajeel see you next time." I waved as I started walking away. My heart ached a bit the farther I got. I shook my head. Forget it. He's got Levy. I thought with a sad smile.

When I was far enough from the town I activated my hover board before flying off towards Magnolia. I should have plenty of magic for this.

...And I was so wrong.

About two and a half hours after I took off my exhaustion caught up to me like a freight train, causing my hover board to fade away from under me leaving me free falling. The only thing that saved me from death was the giant air mattress that I was barely able to create, grunting from the impact.

All I wanted to do was pass the fuck out but I know it's way to dangerous to do that out in the open in the middle of the night. Forcing myself to crawl off the mattress, I stood up with a tired sigh and rubbing my eyes as if it will rub the sleep away. I had half a mind to just call Laxus and have him come get me, but then I would more than likely get a lecture about pushing myself too much. Also it would mean that I can't take care of myself.

And contacting Gajeel was defiantly out of the question, I don't need him knowing where i'm going... and I KNOW 100% sure that he WILL lecture me about running out of magic and being too tired to fly. Either way, who ever I call I will be screwed.

My only option to avoid my ears bleeding from being lectured is to just suck it up and walk the rest of the wa... Wait!

I wanted to kick myself so bad for nearly forgetting that I can USE MY FREAKING TRUCK! Thank the lord above! I grabbed my crystal pendent and used the small amount of magic I have to summon it out. Half smiling I tiredly dragged my feet toward it and got in. First thing I did was started blasting some music to keep me from falling asleep behind the wheel. Luckily I only have about an hour and a half before I get to Magnolia, that two and a half flight would have been a 6 hour drive, so I don't have that much longer to go. As I drove I decided that I should probably let Laxus know that I'm not to far from Magnolia cause I don't know about anyone else but I don't feel like getting electrocuted before I can even get one step into the room. Yeahhh no thank you.

'Hey bubba, just letting you know that I'm about an hour and a half away from Magnolia. Just want to let you know so ya don't shoot me with lightning the moment I open the door.'

About 10 seconds later my watch starts buzzing indicating that I have an incoming call... and not a regular call, nah I was getting a VIDEO call from Laxus. Yeahhh I am screwed, I'm sorry ears I tried to save ya'll. Accepting the call, a hologram of Laxus popped up on my dash. Hair disheveled obviously from just being asleep and even though his eyes looked tired, I can clearly see the deep concern portrayed in them.

"Is everything alright? Why are you coming back so soon? Did you finish already? It was building a fence and barn right? Why are you traveling in the middle of the night? Are you sure everything is alright?" Holy shit, I swear he's acting just like Miko from Transformers Prime with all the damn questions at a 100 mph. I can feel my eye twitch.

"Ooook, Yes everything is ok, I finished the job a whole lot sooner than expected. Yes it was rebuilding a fence and repairing a barn. I'm coming back now because I didn't want to stay in Oak Town longer than necessary. And yes I an sure everything is alright, just very tired. " I answered all his questions. He was silent for a bit thinking everything over before looking back at me.

"Do you want me to come get you? It'll be a lot faster. Also what are you in anyways?" I rolled my eyes at his 1st question but chuckled at his 2nd. Though there was a bit of a strange look in his eyes, at least I thought so, I blame it on the exhaustion.

"Nah I got it. This here that i'm in is a replica of my truck from my home world. It makes traveling so much easier. So don't worry I'll be there soon." And at that I hung up. I turned the music back up and continued on my way listening to Avicii 'Wake Me Up'.

30 minuets... that's how long it had been when I heard it, though I barely heard it due to the music but I heard it nonetheless. That had better not be what I though I heard. I kept driving but lowered the volume so I can hear it again... and sure thing I heard it again, just slightly louder.

Thunder

Oh man, please tell me that it's just thunder for rain and not fucking Laxus coming for m-OF FUCK! I screamed as I slammed on the brakes and drifted to a stop as FUCKING LAXUS APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. After catching my breath and somewhat lowered my rapidly beating heart from the near heart attack I just about had I looked up to see the lightning mage walking up like he didn't just nearly become roadkill.

Rolling down the window I gave him as much of a glare I could muster, which didn't do anything. "What the hell Laxus!? Are you trying to get pancaked in the middle of the road? And I thought I told you twice that I am just fine and can make it back alright?"

"Yeah I heard you. But with how low you are on magic it is dangerous for you to be out, and it's a good thing I came too." He said and I raised an eye brow annoyed with him at this point. I said I can handle it just fine, this drive is barely taking 1% of my magic. I was about to tell him to go back when he spoke again.

"About 5 miles down the road there is a group of roughly 20 bandits waiting for someone to cross their path. All with magic. You don't have hardly any magic and you can probably barely stand. I'm taking you back." I wanted to tell him that i'm good to drive but he ain't wrong I have little to no magic and 0 strength left. It would be a suicide mission to continue onward.

Sighing in defeat I turned off the truck and opened the door. Laxus helped me out as my legs felt like jello. Using the last of my strength I put my truck back in the crystal. He put me on his back and making sure he had a good hold of my legs as I put my arms loosely around his neck. Sending a very short and discreet message to Gajeel since I know that it would probably take only a few minuets to get home.

I was out before he even took off.

3 days had passed since I did the job in Oak Town and met Gajeel. I was very surprized when the iron mage had texted me the next day and spent about an hour and a half just texting each other, and the same thing yesterday.

I am currently sitting on some giant rocks by the beach a little way away from the guild, just enough to where you can't see it. And the reason why you may ask. Well instead of texting me like usual, Gajeel decided to video chat. Yeah that almost gave me a heart attack trying to figure out where to go so he couldn't see the Fairy Tail guild. That's the last thing I need right now. I really would like to be his friend without being judged by the guild I am apart of.

"So anything exciting happening over there?" I asked him. I wanted to try and see if there are any hints that Phantom Lord might attack soon, cause the show didn't exactly give out the time frame between events.

The Iron Dragon Slayer opened his mouth to speak before he suddenly paused and seemed to be thinking. "Well, we are about to go on ah type of um mission. A uhhh retrieval mission." And that's the sign I was looking for, but how soon. "Oh really? How long till ya go on the mission?" I acted excited. I need to know how long I got till I need to be ready.

"I leave in 3 days." "Oh wow, hope it goes well."

3 Days...Well fuck.

And here you have it, Chapter 8 is now up. I'm sorry for how long it's taking to upload new chapters now. so much has been going on. Between work, paying bills, dealing with stupid people on a daily basis, and not to mention my increasing anxiety isn't helping matters at all. So please be patient and i have no intentions of giving up on my stories. Thank yall for following me and this story.