The Contract

Chapter 5

Levy walked behind the group, looking as if she was lazy. The sun was finally coming up over the horizon, causing the fog to disappear. She wore her yellow dress, and a used sweatshirt to cover her head. She needed to blend in and stay out of trouble. However, she felt protective of them even though she knew no one. Fixating on the sounds around her, she concentrated, staying alert.

"Hey, Shrimp."

She lifts up her head, cursing mentally. Gajeel stood beside her, his black hair unruly and long. His red eyes avert over to her, as he said, "i would like for you to come up by me."

"I'm fine here."

Gajeel just stared at her, as if he wanted to ask questions. He grabs her arm, and starts to pull her, remarking, "I wasn't asking Shrimp."

Quickly, she uses her strength to pull her arm away, causing him to be yanked back. Opps, she thought. There eyes connect and they just stand there. She froze as his intense red eyes focus on her.

"Gajeel, leave her alone for now," Lucy whispered at him. He looks at Lucy, snorts and waves his arm.

"Then you look after her. I'm not putting up with her right now."

They watch him go back to the front of the group, before Levy could breathe. Lucy looks at her, and pats her on the back.

"Don't worry. He just worries about us."

"I feel like he could be in a mafia book."

Lucy chuckles then gasps. "That would be great for my next book."

Levy looks at her with interest. "You are an author?"

Lucy's face goes red in embarrassment while she shakes her head no. "I'm not. I just write books. Romance in particular. I'm Not-"

"I want to read one." Lucy blinks her eyes, before remarking, "I am not that-"

"Let me read one. I loved books when I was a kid."

Was, Lucy thought, feeling her eyebrows go up. Levy's heart thumped loudly at the comment, holding her breathe again.

"I meant, I like to read books."

Lucy looks at her then nods, hearing Natsu start a fight with Gray again. Exhaling, Levy asks, "Do they always fight?"

"Yes, but it's not because they hate each other."

Levy watches them get in each others faces, yelling. Levy looked over at Lucy again, seeing a whip attached her to hip. She looked about 18 years old, with blonde hair, and brown eyes. She was pretty for that age, especially since her breast size was...huge. Levy felt a twinge of jealously then, because of her body. She couldn't be stuck like this forever; no. If she did, she would have failed her mission. It then dawned on her; she needed to find a partner. Her eyes look at everyone around her slowly before landing on Gajeel.

She shuddered, thinking, no way.

"By the way, I have been meaning to ask. Where are you from?"

Levy looks at her, and Lucy noticed her hesitating.

"Sorry, sorry. I don't mean to pry."

"It's...Okay. I am from...Well, I don't know really."

That was the half truth.

"Why not?"

"I was born...in this era. We were already running."

"Your mother didn't tell you?"

"...No. She just wanted me to survive."

Lucy looks ahead, as if thinking. "My mom, died when she was giving birth to me."

Levy looked at her, seeing the sadness in her eyes.

"My dad never really talked about her. He didn't even want to talk to me...Though, the maid told me stories."

"Maid?"

"Yes, I was in a rich family."

Levy nodded, as if saying continue.

"She told me how defiant mom was against dad, like I was when I ran away." Lucy sees the surprised expression on her face. "Yes, I ran away. I'd do it all over too, if I had the chance."

She points to Natsu, remarking, "I would have never meet him then."

"You must love him." Lucy blushes at Levy's statement, causing her to chuckle.

"And what about your father?"

Lucy's expression changes again, showing regret and sadness. "He never paid much attention to me as a kid, even in our circumstance. When I ran away, he did anything and everything he could get me back home. When he died, the letter he left me..."

"Told you he loved you, but he was scared," remarked Levy. Lucy just nodded, smiling then.

Sudden memories, flooded through Levy's head. Running, they were running away...Voices were yelling, including her mothers. Foot steps, pounded into the ground, closer, and closer.

"Levy? Levy you stopped walking. Are you okay? Your-"

Being snapped back into reality, she sees Lucy's concerned face, and grim look. Levy swallowed her feelings an croaked out, "Yeah, I'll be fine..Let's keep up with the group."

She continues to walk, Lucy beside her, looking at her from time to time. "I'm fine, Lucy."

"I'm-I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry about."

"You were remembering something, and it horrified you," Lucy whispered. Levy looks down, hiding her face with the hood. Silence took place between them until, Lucy said, "If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

"...Thank you..."