39"Pig-nosed alligator!"
"Buck-toothed foot-sniffer!"
"Baby-eating hourglass!"
Gajeel was dumbfounded. "What the fuck, woman?!"
The whole entire time they were walking, Gajeel and Emily exchanged profound, colorful, and sometimes just plain weird insults. They were following a path through a forest to reach a village, where their job of removing some bandits would take place. They were almost there, so a water break sounded about perfect at the moment; the insults also ceased.
Emily shrugged. "It was just the first thing that came to my mind."
Gajeel shuddered, taking a large drink from his canteen. "I don't wanna know."
The two drank in silence for a few minutes, until Gajeel broke the silence. "How's the burns, kid?"
She shrugged. "Fine, for the most part." She put the canteen back in her bag before erupting into giggles. "Does big bad Gajeel actually care for me of all people…?"
Gajeel stiffened. "You gotta stop bein' all dramatic like that." He pickup up his back and hoisted it on his shoulders. "Yer a new member of the guild, so of course I care about you."
Emily cheeks tinged slightly, but she smiled. "I'm glad. Truth be told, I haven't had many people care about me in my life."
If they weren't already, Gajeel's interest was piqued. "Wanna talk about it?" Emily didn't answer, but continued on the path. Gajeel dashed to follow her, and saw a sad glint in her eyes. "I guess I can, but let's keep walking."
Gajeel nodded as they continued walking. Emily began her tale. "I was born eighteen years ago, and out of wedlock. My dad was a very powerful dark mage, and my mother was relatively powerful in her own right. They loved each other so, so much, and promised to be there for each other always."
Gajeel didn't really know what to say, so he decided not to say anything.
"But tragedy struck when my mother died giving birth to me. Father flew into a rage and tried to kill me, because I was indirectly responsible for her death. I was spared because his guild mates sealed him away inside a book, and he's been gone for a long time. I can't bring myself to hate my father, but I know that he used his powers for nefarious reasons." She turned to gaze at Gajeel. "You probably think I'm some kind of freak, don't you?"
Gajeel scoffed as he set his bag down gruffly. "Please, don't be stupid. You're not a freak; if anything, I am." Emily's eyes widened. "I was raised by a dragon for several years until he disappeared. Metalicana taught me basic hunting and survival skills, and was never sympathetic with me. After he disappeared, I was left to fend for myself, and people treated me like I was some kind of freak." He turned back to her. "I didn't take anyone's shit, so I just fought my way through, and eventually, Jose and Phantom Lord recognized my skills. They were my first real family."
"I just went to an orphanage for a while…" Emily muttered more to herself than anybody.
"Then Fairy Tail came, and I was told they were my enemy, so I fought them…and lost." Gajeel chuckled. "After some thinking, and realizing that Jose was a lying, foppish piece of shit, Makarov invited me to stay in Fairy Tail. He was outraged and vehement that I had nearly killed three of the guild members, and told me I would never be forgiven, though. Despite the initial glares, I was welcomed into the guild with open arms, and since then, I've lived my life for the guild and its members." Gajeel cracked a smirk. "So you can have a family in Fairy Tail, too. As stupid as they are sometimes, they're a real fun lot."
"Gajeel…" Emily sniffed. "Thanks…it means a lot…the guild really is great! Mira, Lucy, and Levy are so nice, and the guys are so funny…"
Gajeel picked his ear with his pinky absentmindedly. "Gray and Natsu? Those shitheads are complete idiots, along with Elfman and those two cronies that Short-stack always hangs out with."
"They're funny, though." Emily giggled as she wiped her eyes. "Come on, Gajeel, you like them. Admit it."
"There isn't a day where I don't see Gray's junk, Natsu is a willing punching bag, Elfman won't shut his yap, and Chubby and Green Thumb creep around Levy all the time! Makes me nervous…"
"Really?" Emily asked. "Are you sure you're not just jealous of those two?"
You could almost see the embarrassed steam coming off of Gajeel's forehead. "N-no! Shorty can be with whoever she wants! Besides, they've been friends forever, too…they have priority."
"Gajeel has a crush, Gajeel has a crush!" Emily danced around him, laughing. "You like that blue-haired little pixie, don't you? I can understand, she's a cutie!"
Gajeel's face really reddened this time. "Screw you, bitch! She's nice and sweet, but I don't like her!"
"Your face is all red, Gajeel~!" Emily cackled evilly.
"Well…you're a ham belly!" Gajeel barked.
Emily stopped prancing to comprehend just what the hell Gajeel called her. "Ham belly? What on God's green earth does that mean…?"
Gajeel shrugged. "It's just an insult, apparently. I heard Erza use it once or twice, so I thought I'd try it out."*
"Well…you're a pothead!" Emily retorted with a satisfied look on her face.
"Well…" Gajeel racked his brain for a reply. "If it weren't for yer boobs, I would've thought you were a boy!"
Emily was indignant. "How dare you challenge my femininity! You have iron breath!"
"Well, you're a whiner!"
"You're a lizard-face!"
"Butt-kisser!"
"Chum-chewer!"
"Salt-sniffer!"
Suddenly, before Emily could retort, something hard and wooden came down on top of her head, and with much force. Gajeel began to laugh at her pain as she hit the ground, but not before he was struck also.
"What the hell was that?!" They both managed to cry out simultaneously.
"Be quiet, you brats!" An wrinkly old woman had appeared before them, and she appeared to be the perpetrator. "Don't you have any respect for the elderly who are trying to nap?!"
"Doesn't give you the right to hit us!" Gajeel barked loudly. She struck him again.
"Be quiet! We already have to deal with those ruffians, we don't need any more troublemakers!"
Emily blinked. "Wait…are you the one who put out the job for the thugs?"
"Yes…are you the mages who responded?" She replied, a scowl on her face.
"Yeah, we're from Fairy Tail." Gajeel growled, nursing his head. "And we can solve your problem, as long as you don't hit us again."
"Oh, I guess you're right." The old woman cackled with amusement. "My name is Naomi, and our sleepy little village has been desperate for help. These thugs refuse to leave, and they eat our food and steal our money, not to mention they bully the younger men! Please help us, and we'll reward you handsomely."
"Sounds good." Gajeel smirked as he set his stuff down. "We'll just leave our stuff here. Ready, kid?"
"Yep!" Emily chirped.
"Wait, guys!"
They turned to the sky where a tiny black speck was getting closer and closer. It was Lily, who had previously said he wasn't going before they left.
"I decided to tag along, but I took the long path." He panted. "Thought you would appreciate the help."
"Sounds good, cat." Gajeel said, staring at the direction of the bar down the street. "Are they in there?"
"Yes." Naomi replied. "There's about fifteen of them. Please be careful."
"We will, ma'am. Thanks for your direction." Emily said before dashing in the general direction of the bar.
"Wait up!" Gajeel laughed, dashing ahead.
Lily rolled his eyes in amusement before flying ahead. "Here we go."
Meanwhile, at the guild…
Master Makarov Dreyar of Fairy Tail sat in his rotating desk chair, sleeping peacefully. It had been a slow day, and not even the rowdiness of the lower level kept him awake. He was an extremely short man, but still an extremely powerful mage. Even in his old age, he could still knock some heads.
Without warning, his office door slammed open, scaring the man so bad he went careening onto the floor. At the door stood a red-headed, armored mage named Erza, who was quite pale.
"Erza! What is the meaning of this?!" Makarov snarled, standing up. "Is there an emergency?!"
"Yes, master. The book was taken."
"What book?" Makarov stalked over to her. "Explain!"
"The book."
Suddenly Erza wasn't the only one pale-faced. "Oh, no. Do we know who took it?"
"We…we think it was Levy, sir."
"What?!" Makarov's mustache and posture stood to attention. "I know she's a lover of books, but she would never do that! She's one of the most well-behaved in the guild!"
"It may not have been with ill intent, but she has been conversing with…him, sir."
"Damn it! Damn it all to hell!" Makarov bellowed, gleaking unintentionally. "Where is she?!"
"We…don't know. She's not in the guild or at Fairy Hills." Erza's expression softened. "Master, I understand you're upset, but please keep calm. We don't want you to be bedridden again."
Makarov took a deep breath, and exhaled. "You're right. I'm not mad at Levy, but I just want everyone to be safe. He cannot come out of that book…he simply cannot."
"I know, master. We've started a search party. All are present except for the Raijinshu, who are on a mission, and Gajeel and Emily, who just left for a mission today."
"That's good, good. We need all the power we can get."
Erza smiled slightly. "Trust me, master. Levy is a smart girl…she can see through his lies."
"Yes, I agree. I just," He paused. "I hope Gajeel-kun comes back soon. He'll talk some sense into her."
In an undisclosed location…
Levy, you've made a wise decision…
"Thank you, Aiel…" Levy smiled as she set the book on a tree stump. "Are you ready?"
Yes…trust me, Levy, you made a good decision. I will convince your friends to treat you better, and that Gajeel boy will wished he had never messed with you.
Levy felt like a million jewels. She had found solace in Aiel, a true gentleman and father figure, and he was willing to love her, unlike anyone at the guild. She was ignored by most, and picked on by the rest. That was done. She would show them just how powerful she was.
Now, listen closely.
Okay…I'm beyond sorry for the late update. Blame me, not Neko, it was all my fault. Between my other stories, school, and real fiction I've been trying, I've either not had time or forgotten. Anyway, we're almost done with this story! Hope you enjoy the chapter, and I'll work with Neko to get the next one to you as fast as possible, and I promise the wait won't be nearly as bad :P
* If anyone can tell me the reference for this, I'll love you forever.
