Moving on

Chapter 18 : Plan

It was Levy's turn to stare at Mira. Laxus. She was about to say Laxus. She put a hand on her mouth to cover her surprise.

- Since when you and Lax...

- Shush, she gently cut her off. To be honest, I don't really know what's happening between us. Lets just say that I don't really have the energy to think about a relationship right now. Anyways, Laxus will probably never have a steady relationship.

To that last sentence, Levy could swear she heard a glimpse of sadness in Mira's voice, but decided not to push any further.

- What are you doing? Barked Gajeel who was waiting for them at the entrance of the building.

The young woman noticed that, indeed, they had fallen behind more than she thought. Unless it was only that Gajeel and Laxus had speeded up their pace, annoyed about their girl talk thing.

- Coming! She yelled.

She put a reassuring hand on Mira's shoulder, indication everything would be fine. Then she blinked to her before running the distance left to the hostel, followed closely by Mira. She heard Gajeel growl something like "about time" but chose to ignore him.

She knocked on M. Makarov's door which opened on more people than expected. The young woman offered the owner a questioning look. The later couldn't formulate a proper answer before Laxus spoke.

- What the hell are they all doing here? He barked.

In front of them was Gray, seeming to defy Laxus for his last quote, Juvia and Lucy embarrassed, Erza waiting for Makarov to speak her arms folded and Natsu who didn't seem to know what was happening.

- They're here to help you, said Makarov with a tone so calm in comparison of his grandson's that it was hard to figure out they were related.

- Are you crazy, old man? They'll all get themselves killed when Ivan will hear about their implication! Fumed Laxus.

- I hate approving Dreyar's saying, started Gajeel but stopped when he realised Makarov had the same name... Well him, he pointed Laxus. Anyway, I agree. The shrimp and I almost died countless times only because we tried to bring back that stupid car!

- That's only another reason for you to not be alone in that situation.

- We just can't let them risk their lives for us, said Mira, her voice full of concern.

- Each of them already know the risks.

- But...

- Do you remember what I told you when you first got here?

- That I would find a family in Fairy Tail, she said after a moment.

Makarov nodded, confirming her saying.

- Just look around you. You're so different from one another and still, here you are, all ready to help each other.

A silence took place in the room and even the most impulsive in the group didn't add a thing to the patriarch's words.

- So? How are they supposed to help? Said Laxus after a moment, seeming to be annoyed by their presence.

- As you must have notice by your little...bickering, Natsu and Gray are pretty good fighters. As for Erza, every one already knows she's a black belt in karate since she's eleven. If Ivan is only expecting you in an attack, he will quickly be surprised by your number.

- And Juvia and Lucy? Asked Gray with a sign in their direction.

- Juvia is so happy to help Gray!!! Exclaimed the later while grabbing his arm... without a shirt on.

- Let go of me! He yelled, trying to get away from her. It's not even me we're helping!

- But Juvia will help Gray to help the others!

- Just do something with her! For God's sake! Complained Gajeel.

- M. Makarov? Asked Lucy, ignoring her light headed colleagues. I would also like to know our role.

- Well, Ivan is keeping a close eye on every Fairy Tail employee since he got out of jail.

Lucy got shivers to that saying and grabbed unconsciously Natsu's arm, whom still looked liked he didn't understand the situation. Although, knowing Lucy seemed worried, he whispered to her that everything would be fine, offering her his characteristic smile. Lucy gave him a faint smile in answer before taking back her attention on M. Makarov.

- He will know for sure that, after the destruction of their apartments, Laxus and Gajeel will live with Mira and Levy in Fairy Hill for a moment.

To that last remark, Gray lifted an eyebrow, a look full of suspicion on his face. He barely avoided hits coming both from Gajeel and Laxus for an answer.

- Which brings us to you two, continued Makarov pointing Lucy and Juvia. If he knows your habits, it's more than likely he'll be aware of our plans if some of our strongest fighters suddenly stay at Mira or Levy's place. So I asked the two person who are the most likely to have Natsu and Gray over, that to say Lucy and Juvia.

- Juvia is the only one for Gray! Exclaimed the young woman, taking back her hold of him.

While Gray was trying to get free from his new roommate, Levy asked the question that bothered her since the beginning.

- Wouldn't it be safer if we'd all leave far away for a moment?

- I'm afraid not, sighed the owner. Ivan is stubborn. He'll never stop before he's finished with you. You'd only have a fugitive's life until he finally finds you. I hope we'll be able to catch him when he'll attack Fairy Hill. After two missed attacks by his men, it wouldn't surprise me the least if he would show up in person this time.

The young woman approved, struggling against the wave of anxiety that was growing inside of her. She already knew he was one of the most dangerous men, but now, her fear was just multiplied.

- You okay shrimp? Asked quietly a voice behind her while Natsu and Gray achieved to find a reason to, again, hit each other.

She turned to Gajeel, ignoring the chaos around her. She wanted to say she was fine, to reassure him, but Levy simply couldn't pretend being something she wasn't in front of Gajeel. The dark haired man seemed to understand.

- Pffff, come on, he said in an annoyed tone, dragging her by her wrist out of the office where the discussion was clearly over.

Once outside, he guided her in a deserted hall.

- Go on, cry.

- What?

- It's obvious you want to cry, so go on while no one's watching.

She wanted to retort, but no word came. He was right after all. She really needed to cry. And that's what she did, curling into the arms of the one who became her pillar. As for Gajeel, he seemed to, slowly at least, adapt to his repeated contacts with the young woman and closed his arms around her waist the moment she was against his chest, patiently waiting for her to calm herself.

- You're done? He asked when the sobbing stopped.

- Yes, she whispered.

He didn't answer, just holding her a little closer before releasing her. They then went back to the others.

The die was cast. Only time could tell the result of Makarov's plan.