The Iron Dragon's Mark

Distraction

Two Hours Later:

"Well, that was quite a match!" Erza nodded at the two exhausted slayers laid out on the ground.

"Do you need me to heal them?" asked Wendy, approaching her. Most of the Guild had watched from a safe distance, money exchanging hands during the match.

"Give them a few moments, and then only if they need it," Erza stated carelessly. "Too bad it seemed to be a draw," she remarked to Grey. "Natsu fights with a lot of raw emotion, but Gajeel is more strategic."

Grey nodded. "Knowing Natsu, if Wendy heals him, he'll want to go at it again."

Erza nodded. "Yes, I think it's enough for today." She glanced up at the setting sun. "Maybe tomorrow."

The crowd left, leaving the two slayers and their exceeds alone.

Happy looked worried. "Do you think we did the right thing?" he asked Lily.

"Most definitely. They both got their emotions out of their system and I hope, by God, that Levy's back by now!" he said, more to himself.

"Ugh!" Gajeel groaned, sitting up and holding his head. "Did you say Levy's back?" he asked his exceed.

Lily sighed, cursing Gajeel's enhanced hearing. "I don't know. No one has said."

Gajeel stood up and looked at Natsu, who was still lying on the ground.

"Come on, Salamander," he said, reaching out his hand. "Time to go."

"I don't need your help," grumbled Natsu, who despite his words, let Gajeel help him up.

"Good job. You've gotten stronger," Gajeel acknowledged.

Natsu smiled tiredly. "Yeah, maybe we should do it again soon."

Gajeel laughed and slapped Natsu on the shoulder. "Always liked that about you - you never lose your spirit!"

He started to walk away, then looked back at Natsu, who was standing staring at the stars that were just coming out in the sky.

"Don't worry about bunny girl. She'll be back here soon," he told him before walking off. "Just don't do anything stupid"

Minutes later, Gajeel entered the noisy Guild Hall, searching for his blue-haired mage.

"You just missed her!" Mira called out to him. "She just left so you might be able to catch her!"

Gajeel nodded, then turned around and quickly walked out. Lily, though, hopped up on a bar stool and gratefully took the kiwi that Mira handed him. "Thanks. That worked out well."

"Anytime!" she grinned at him.

Gajeel walked quickly, knowing Levy usually took 2 steps to his one, so he should be able to catch up with her.

He frowned when he turned the corner to Fairy Hills and didn't see her. He looked up at her window and saw it was dark. Maybe she stopped somewhere before coming home?