The Rogue (A Gale fan-fiction) •Fairy Tail•

Chapter 10- Forgotten

-Gajeel's POV-

It had been a slow week, the weekend swept in not like it mattered. This shit really sucked. You thought work or school was bad when the world was normal, huh? Try doing your daily job in this piece of ass that we called home.

I sat in my office, in the main building in the compound. To be honest, I hated being commander. It didn't feel right, it belonged to someone like Erza or Laxus.

They saw me as someone who was tough, unforgiving and cruel. I wasn't seen as family by anyone, I was alone. I recognised Levy, I knew it the moment our eyes met. It was her.

She had encountered me before I became a good commander, before I gave a shut about the people I was responsible for.

*Two years ago*

"P-please you don't have to do this!" A familiar voice pleads.

My Crimson eyes crinkle in silent laughter, I turn to Juvia and she nodded, her hood shielding her identity.

The little woman lay limp against the chains, bloodied and bruised. I didn't have a reason to do this to people, I wasn't one of those creatures. I knew Juvia detested what I did for pleasure but she wouldn't tell anyone. She was loyal, even if it did damage her.

Her wrists were bruised due to the strain of the chains, our old compound mark, engraved in her soft flesh. She was strong, I never forgot that. She wouldn't shed a tear, resorting to gritting her teeth in agony.

I dragged a knife across her chest slowly, enjoying her wince in pain.

"We need to go..." Juvia muttered uncomfortably.

"I'm not done." I spat at her.

"Taking your anger out on the only people left in this world? This needs to stop, you'll lose your position as commander. You're going insane, LOOK AT HER!" Juvia screamed out.

I sighed in annoyance, she was right after all. I needed to let go of these habits, she would be my last victim, well, human victim.

"It's your lucky day." I hissed in her ear.

I undone her chains and watched her drop lifelessly to the floor, she was sure to die. I never expected to see those defiant brown eyes and curly blue locks again.

Juvia looked at her in pity but followed me as I walked away, leaving her bloody body on the floor.

Once we were far away, Juvia pulled her hood down and looked at me, disgust in her expression.

"Just because those things took away your mother doesn't mean, that you should go out and terrorise the weak. That poor girl, wasn't even strong enough to speak!" She growled as she quickened her pace.

"I can't help it" I reasoned pathetically.

"Your mother would be ashamed, I hope this haunts you for the rest of your days, Gajeel." She murmured.

~Present day~

I hunched over, holding in a sob. I was strong, commanders didn't cry. We all made mistakes, this world changes people. No one ever stays the same as they once were.

I realised after a while, that Levy did not remember me or recognise me. I underestimated her that day, I scarred her. You could see it in the way she carried herself, she was broken. What killed me more was that she didn't even know, half of way she was so broken and hurt.

I stood up, tired of wallowing in self pity, she was the one who was tortured. But she's my soul mate, I almost killed the woman I was destined to be with. I didn't deserve her. I was sure of it. Her memory of those events our bound to come back sooner or later, surrounded by those familiar eyes and voice. She'd remember and when she does, she'll look at me differently.

The next day I was colder than usual, I didn't stop to speak to Gray or Laxus. I couldn't be bothered pretending to care.

I walked in to the cafeteria  were everyone had breakfast, as soon as I walked in everyone looked my way and began clapping. I looked at them in annoyance, all these people praising me. I didn't deserve it. It made me sick. Before I could say anything Levy came running over to me.

"Gajeel would you like to sit with us?" She asked hopefully looking up at me with a smile.

I rolled my eyes at her and shook my head.

"Stop trying to get close to me, Ms Mcgarden. I am not your friend, I'm your commander. Unless you have information for me, stop bothering me, I'm not here to entertain the likes of you."

Her eyes turned a darker brown and she bit her lip.

"I'm sorry. It just feels like I know you, like before this. I know you." She muttered confused before turning away to sit with Juvia and Gray.

I couldn't breath, I felt like the walls were closing in. It was only a matter of time.

Juvia stood up abruptly and left the table, her eyes holding guilt. I followed her out of the cafeteria my face blank.

As soon as we were out of hearing reach, Juvia turned around and looked at me with a pale face.

"She- the rogue. I didn't recognise her, she was so helpless before. She will remember won't she at some point?" Juvia asked already knowing the answer.

"It's only a matter of time, the worst part is Juvia she's the one." I laughed out even though it wasn't humorous.

"Then show her who you are now. If you don't when she recovers her memory, that's the only portrayal of you she'll have." With that Juvia walked back to the cafeteria and sat with Gray.

She coughed and pointed to Levy who was sat awkwardly still, staring down at her empty plate.

I scratched the back of my neck and sat down.

"So shrimp, how about coming over and seeing Lily?" I asked looking anywhere but her face.

She didn't seem to be listening as she just kept eating, she looked like she was in her own world.

"Levy I was wondering-"

A fist slammed against the table with a lot of force.

"Can't you see that he's fucking talking to you?!" Reina hissed.

Levy looked up, eyeing Reina sharply. Her fists clenched.

"I suggest you leave." Levy murmured quietly.

"Or what? You'll hit me?!" Reina screeched.

"Physical attacks without my weapon or the intent to kill, would be pointless and a waste of time." Levy spoke lowly looking back at her plate and continuing to eat.

Reina seemed to had lost it as she knocked Levy's meal to the floor.

Everyone in the main hall was silent as the smash of the plate and clattering of the knife had finished.

"What's is your problem, Reina?" Levy gritted out, she stood up slowly.

Everyone was aware of the tension. You could cut the air with a knife. Levy clicked her neck as she waited for a response.

"Just leave it, both of you" I cut in.

"I'll leave it. Now take your whore with you." Levy spat out fiercely, her brown eyes glowing, warning Reina to disrespect her again.

"Don't speak to her that way" I growled at Levy. I wouldn't stand for it. She wasn't even a proper member of the compound, Reina had been here longer.

"Yeah, don't speak to me that way, look at you. You're worried about hurting me? Look at the size of you." Reina sneered.

"Quit the bullshit. I know you're afraid so scamper off before I kick your ass out of here. I've survived in the harshest conditions, been subject to sick, twisted games. I've been scarred, bruised and broken but I'm still standing. That alone should terrify you, if it doesn't I'll just put it down to you being dense."

With that Levy left. I didn't miss the way her whole body had tensed when someone questioned her capability.

I also didn't forget the look of betrayal on her face when I had chosen Reina's side. I wasn't good at taking advice it seemed. I vowed to myself that I would win Levy over eventually and just hope to god that memory doesn't return before I get the chance.