The Iron Dragon's Mark

Hidden

A door opened on the upper level and Porlyusica's face appeared at the door. "Will you all QUIET DOWN? It's gotten so a body can't think in here, let alone heal!" she grumbled, slamming the door behind her as she went back in.

"What's she doing here?" asked Lucy, confused, to Lisanna, who had put her arm around Lucy in support. "Lisanna, where's Natsu?"

Lisanna bowed her head and sniffed, a tear appearing in her eye. "Lucy," she whispered. "He was okay at first - he really was." She looked up. "He was a little sad and you could tell he missed you, but he made the best of it."

Levy came over and placed her hand on Lucy's other shoulder. "The team did a great job distracting him, taking him out on jobs. Even Happy tried his best. However, the longer you were gone, well..." she rubbed the back of her neck, not sure what to say.

Lucy was getting scared. She looked to Erza for an answer.

"Lucy," she began. "He started getting more aggressive and taking risks he shouldn't have. It was like he couldn't control himself or his magic. It was on our last job that..." Erza looked away, trying to compose herself.

"What happened?" Lucy whispered, horrified. So many possibilities went through her mind. "How long HAVE I been gone?"

"It's been six months, Lu-chan," answered Levy softly.

"Six months? One celestial week lasted three months?" Lucy pondered aloud. She turned to Lisanna and gripped her hands. "Where is he? Tell me what happened!" She couldn't face Erza.

"Lucy, he's alive, but he's not in great shape. Porlyusica and Wendy have been with him. It happened about a week ago. Let me take you to him."

Levy watched as her friend was led by Lisanna up to the second floor. She turned and buried her head in Gajeel's chest. Instinctively, he put his arm around her in support. The rest of the guild members dispersed, heading back to their usual spots.

When the team had brought in Natsu last week, things had looked bad. Erza was right - he had gotten more reckless with his power, even in the "challenges" the other mages threw at him to distract him from Lucy being gone.

No one had realized she would be gone so long, Levy sighed to herself. Watching Natsu swing between depression and rage had been almost painful. Hopefully now that Lucy was here, he would return back to normal.

The hall had quieted down after the Master had woken up from his spot at the bar and yelled at everyone to shut up! Lisanna was still giving Mira a glare now and then, but the sisters would soon make up. Bixlow had taken her over to his table and was currently tickling her, along with his "babies" help, trying to get her to smile.

"Should I check on her?" Levy asked, looking up at Gajeel.

He shook his head. "Nah. Let her have some time alone with him. Happy will let us know if bunny girl needs anything."

Levy nodded sadly. "I guess so." She glanced back in the direction of the stairs.

Gajeel squeezed her hand and lifted it up to his lips for a kiss. "Come on, Shrimp. I got an idea," he told her, leading her out of the guild hall. He suspected if they stayed there, Levy's mood would really sour, and he didn't want that for her. At her obvious reluctance, he repeated, "They'll let us know if we can do anything, okay?" He looked over her head and met Lily's eye. The black exceed nodded in understanding. Lily would let them know if anything happened.

"Now, do I have to pick you up and haul you over my shoulder or are you coming?" he asked gruffly.

Levy sighed, hanging her head and following Gajeel out the hall.

"They are such a cute couple!" Mira exclaimed to Erza as they watched the two leave. "Did you see how protective he was of her?" She sighed happily, her head in her hands. "And he kissed her hand! Who knew Gajeel could be so romantic!"

Erza nodded, swallowing a bite of cake. "Their magic compliments each other as well."

Mira smiled and shook her head. "Have you noticed she's been covering her neck lately? I mean, they're cute scarves she's been wearing, but I think she's hiding something!"

"You think he marked her?" asked Lisanna, who had joined the two mages at the bar. The sisters exchanged a glance and smiled at each other. All was well again in the Strauss household.

"I do, but I don't know why she's hiding it. I mean, hasn't she been spending a lot of time at his place? I never see her at Fairy Hills anymore!"

Lisanna giggled. "Mira, don't tell me you're planning on finding out?"

Erza waved her fork in the air, savoring the last bite of her cake. "She obviously doesn't want to reveal it yet. She's waiting for something. Let her do it in her own way."

Mira pouted for a moment, then brightened. "Gajeel won't let her hide it for long. Isn't the mark supposed to be a way to ward off any other, um, suitors?"

"Juvia needs a mark, Grey-sama. Then no one would try to steal Juvia away!" the water mage muttered as she listened to the girls' conversation. She looked over in her beloved Grey's direction, where he was talking with Elfman. "Juvia will just have to figure out a way to have him do so."