Love Me Not (Gale) {Fairy Tail FF}

Chapter Nineteen

 After Erza had recovered from her shock at my confession, she went into leader-mode once again. “I'm going to have to agree with Carla on this, Levy,” she told me. “While Wendy and Carla go to the guild, I'll go with you to get Gajeel.”

“Guys, I think you're worrying too much. After all, Lily is with him, remember? If something was wrong, he would have gone to the guild by now, right?”

“Not if he couldn't,” Carla said, flatly.

“She's right,” Erza nodded. “While I have faith in Gajeel, we must take precautions. That magic sounds incredibly powerful, so we should take the necessary steps to be safe—just in case.”

“Fine,” I sighed, “but let's go to Fairy Tail first. You should stay at the guild to help Master Makarov with the plans. I'll take Natsu with me, if it will make you feel better. He's one of the only people I know who can get through to Gajeel. If something has happened, then he'll be able to talk some sense into him.”

“I think you underestimate your own power when it comes to Gajeel,” Wendy said, smiling. “He seems to listen to you more than he does even Master or Erza.” I blushed and looked at the floor, trying to hide the happiness her words made me feel deep down.

“Alright,” Erza said, heading out the door. “Let's go to the guild. It will take a while for everyone to gather for a meeting in order to discuss this.”

“I'll meet you there,” I said, grabbing my bag. “Natsu probably isn't there yet, so I'll stop by his house and then go to Gajeel's.”

“Right,” she nodded.

“Levy, you should let me heal you some more,” Wendy said, staying behind as Erza left. “After exerting yourself yesterday, you're probably exhausted.”

“I'm fine,” I smiled, trying to sound reassuring. “I've been through worse, and this is no big deal. You go on ahead; I'll catch up after I go to Natsu's and go get Gajeel and Lily.”

“Are you su—”

“I'm sure,” I told her. “Thanks for your concern, but I'll be just fine without your magic, alright?”

“Alright,” she sighed, smiling. “See you at Fairy Tail!”

“Yeah,” I waved. We separated outside of Fairy Hills as she and Carla went to the guild, and I headed for Magnolia. It takes less time to get to Natsu's if I cut across town, so we'll be able to go to Gajeel's sooner this way.

About five minutes from Natsu's house, I had to stop running and catch my breath. The bruise on my neck—which I had covered up with a white scarf—throbbed painfully every time I inhaled. It honestly felt as if someone had had their hand around my throat while I was asleep. Whatever this is, it can't be anything good. I'm positive that that damned magic has something to do with this! The thought of something so awful being inside Gajeel made me ignore my pain and continue running. We have to find that book!

“Watch—umf!” I had been so focused on running that I hadn't noticed the person in my path, and ran right into them. “You're making a habit of running into me,” Makoto chuckled, steadying me.

“I'm sorry,” I gasped, embarrassed.

“Where are you off to in such a rush?”

“Natsu's,” I said, “then we're going to get Gajeel and go to Fairy Tail.”

“What, you need an escort just to go to Gajeel's?” Makoto joked, not knowing how right he was. I guess he probably doesn't know about what happened to Gajeel, does he? How could he, though? I stupidly kept it all to myself.