In Secret (Sequel to Behind the Scenes)

Devastation

Levy's P.O.V.

It felt like an eternity passed. I could feel the lack of magic reserves in my own body, my sides heaving as I kept just writing words, pouring everything I had into trying to put out the fire, at least enough that Gajeel and the kids could get out. But it wasn't working, none of my words did more than keeping the fire from spreading. I was wracking my brain for something else to use as I wrote "Water" once again, hurling it into the hole Gajeel had made in the side of the building. As my word left my fingers though, it exploded, expanding far greater than any amount of magic I had in me. I stared wide-eyed as it shot into the air, water joining it from every direction except the fire before the whole thing cascaded down onto the building, the fire hissing as it started to recede. 

I heard footsteps as people raced up behind us, and could barely make out Saki behind me sobbing out the name of a certain water mage as I sprinted into the building. The moment there was a clear space, I shot into it, not even feeling the heat that I knew was still there. I raced down what used to be the entrance hallway of the warehouse, skidding to a stop as I entered the skeleton of the main room. There were just beams left now... twisted, grotesque beams of metal and charred wooden logs that used to be supporting walls to the children's rooms.

I noticed little bits of fire around me that were somehow being pulled back out of the building, but my exhausted mind couldn't piece together that Natsu had come with Juvia and was calling the flames to him to eat them. All I could grasp was the destruction of this place that had become my second home. Suddenly there was a loud sound just in front of me and I jumped, looking around. Quickly realizing that the pile of ash in front of me was a soot covered child, I stooped, wrapping my arms around him and helping Kasai to his feet.

"It's m'fault, Miss Levy!" His words were barely understandable, but I shook my head, turning us back towards the entrance way. Well, where it used to be, anyway. You could just walk through what used to be walls without any issue. It'd been a dry year, there had been stacks of pallets everywhere that would have burned quickly. Gajeel had told me once that he could smell residual chemicals around the building from its former storage of that type of thing, and we'd always made sure that Kasai had practiced his fire in a clean area. But once the building started burning... and with magical flames, there wasn't much left.

I noticed as I gently pushed the boy towards safety that there were several of my guildmates there waiting. Lucy was just entering the building and I guided the boy into her arms, not wanting to talk to anyone yet. I still needed to find the others. Natsu was still pulling fire to himself and eating it, strangely subdued from his normal behavior, and I could see a young blue haired girl leaning over my twins to assist Saki. Juvia was standing with her arms in the air, moving water carefully through the building to catch the flames that hadn't been eaten, but I as I watched for that moment, she dropped them, wiping at her brow before meeting my eyes. There next to her I could see the Master, but I didn't look at him. I couldn't.

My ears caught a sound again and I whirled, trying to locate the source of his voice. As I walked further into the building, a cloud moved and the destruction was lit up by the sun. I caught a glint of silver from the scales on Gajeel's shoulders and ran towards him, knowing that he wouldn't be sitting still unless he was hurt. As I got closer I finally understood what he was saying, and my steps faltered. Over and over, he just murmured three words, and my heart felt like it wasn't going to beat again. "Little bird, my little bird..."

Stumbling up to him I saw a tuft of red hair on the girl cradled in his arms. Most of her beautiful locks had been burned away, but her face was surprisingly unmarred. I stepped a little closer and my knees gave out. Falling to the ground next to the Dragon Slayer, I sobbed, reaching forward to push the hair off James' face. He was laying in front of the other two, his eyes closed. His right hand held a light pen, gripped so firmly I don't know if I'd have been able to pull it away, even if I'd wanted to.

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Gajeel's P.O.V.

There were footsteps behind me and I heard the sharp intake of breath before the Shrimp fell next to me. I wanted to move to catch her, but I couldn't. I couldn't let go of my little bird any more than I could stop the words that were pouring out of my mouth. I couldn't stop this strange, awful ache in my chest that I hadn't felt since Dad had left. There were footsteps behind us again and I heard a small voice ask if she could help, but it was too late. Levy pulled the boy's body to her lap, just stroking his hair off his face, her tears mingling with the soot that covered his skin. Wendy backed out slowly, and I could hear Makarov telling everyone to leave us be. He set the Flamebrain and Juvia to watch over the building just in case and I heard him giving other orders.

I couldn't help the growl that escaped when I heard him tell Lucy to gather up the rest of the children and head to the guild, but I cut it off pretty quickly. The Shrimp had been right, we should have gotten help in the first place. Who was I kidding, thinking I could keep kids safe? Could train them to take care of themselves, could be trusted to know what was good for them? I'd let this happen...

It felt like hours that we knelt there on the floor, but I knew they wouldn't have let us stay there that long. Somehow I didn't hear her coming, but I still didn't jump when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I didn't have anything left in me to jump with, I was just empty. "Gajeel-kun must not blame himself. This was a terrible accident only, and there is no blame to be had." I shook my head as tears threatened again. Wrapping my arms tighter around the girl I held, I pushed myself to my feet.

"We need to go. Where are the rest of the brats?" My voice was lower than usual, and I winced as the words scraped out of a raw throat. The smoke and heat had done a number on me, but it was nothing compared to... I shook myself a little and looked down at the bluenette on the ground next to me. "Juv... Stay with her until I can come back?" The Water Mage nodded solemnly and sank to the ground, her hand resting on Levy's shoulder. "Do not trouble yourself, Gajeel-kun. The other children are safe with the guild, and Juvia will watch over Levy." The smaller girl didn't even seem to notice us, she was just rocking the boy in her arms and humming softly. I couldn't even tell what song it was, she was so quiet. I just turned and walked slowly from the ruined mess that had been made of my brats' home. Carefully placing each step to make sure I didn't jostle the little teleporter, even though she wouldn't know anyway, I left. I didn't make eye contact with anyone, just stared blankly ahead as I cleared the building and turned towards the edge of town. The Salamander didn't say anything, although I knew he was watching me as I walked away. I glanced down at the precious cargo in my arms, and as I entered the woods, I let my tears fall freely. 

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A/N - This is going to be one of the last chapters. I know, what kind of freak ends things on a sad note?! The answer to that might be me. Maybe not. Who knows? Maybe I'll turn things around somehow. Anyway, this has actually been planned since August of last year, and was just a matter of getting the story to this point. I hope you don't hate me too much.. Next chapter will be... soon, I hope. Life is a little hectic at the moment.