To be totally honest with myself, I never minded Natsu's presence, he's a pest but he doesn't have the worst ideas. His cat on the other hand aimlessly complained about eating as we rummaged through the bushes and trees. I was following forward breathing heavy to catch any whiff of Levy.
     "Why are you breathing so hard Gajeel? Getting tired all ready?" Happy giggled flying in the air. I sighed.
     "No ya flee ball, the hairband had fresh blood on it, we need to track it down, like I've already said an hour ago." Happy just giggled, to me that was sickening, worried sick n he's cracking jokes. Natsu seemed to not react to Happy's jokes, instead he jogged over to my side.
     "Do you know what were going to do if Levy's blood is untraceable?" He asked, I looked his way, his hairs on his shoulders were slightly risen, he's been smelling around the area too.
     "No idea, I don't want to think like that, Levy is alive I'm absolutely sure of it, its like a feeling." I said, Natsu slightly smiled.
     "Ya know, when you're old guild almost killed us, I got the same feeling about Lucy when she was taken, maybe you're on to something." Even though Natsu meant to sound helpful, it only shoved the memory of that horrible time back down my throat, I never spoke to Lucy about that day and probably never will, regrettably so.
     "Could we not bring that up right now ya think." I sharply said implying it more of a command than a request. The last thing I needed was to think about the horrible person that I was...maybe still am. Fuck.
    The sky was darkening making it harder to passage ourselves through the route we once took months ago. Ever since the battle the area was deserted back to its natural state, wild and untamed. Finding it now was going to be hard, as we walked I followed my feet and wondered if we should just rest the night out when there was an abrupt holler.
    "NATSUUU!" The girls cry pierced both Natsu and I's ears which were heightened for so long that it physically hurt. The girl ran out from the trees we were passing and let it behold was Lucy, following directing behind her was Erza, Grey, Juvia, and Lily. I grunted and look towards Natsu.
    "Why the fuck are they looking for you?" I asked using a sharp tone once more, things just got more complicated. Natsu scratched his head looking at a very stressed out Lucy.
    "Well, I didn't exactly tell anyone where I was going, I just started following you."
"So I was doomed after all." I snarked back. Natsu nervously laughed his mistake away as the group quickly approached.
    "You did not need run off the way you did Gajeel, if answers are what your seeking for Levy's disappearance then let us help you, you have worried your companions." Erza spoke in a stern tone, she walked up to me, she was about chin length of me so her eyes weren't hard to miss, they chilled my core but I kept myself composed.
     "I don't need any help. It wasn't a big deal till you made it one." I explained. Erza's dimeter remained scorned.
     "It doesn't exactly matter what you want when the focus is on someone else all together. We're coming with you two." Erza turned without giving me a chance to speak and rested by Lucy's side. Whom was a crying mess, Levy and her were very good friends. So seeing her in this state probably aware of the bloody hairband doesn't look good. I felt the need to say something before Grays loud mouth spoke, talk about a pain in my ass.
     "Why exactly are you so worked up Gajeel? Got a crush?" His smirk was cocky, Erza was quick to swat him in the head as she scolded him. Juvia huffed with frustration at the joke he had made. Me and her were members together in the Phantom lord Guild, but she was in love with Gray so she didnt know how to react to his words. I felt a hotness inside pressuring me.
     "Worked up? A guild member is missing and I'm supposed to be cool like you? You fucking snow-man." I let the words come straight from my thoughts storming in his direction. Erza was quick to put herself in between us striking Gray a warning look before looking at me.
    "Please save it, the energy for what's the come in order to find her depends on us," She took her hand off my chest and paused, "You all need to understand that this is about Levy. Getting her home as soon as possible."
"As soon as the sun comes up, Juvia's afraid we wont find anything visible in the middle of a forest." Juvia said peeking her head out from behind Gray.
    "Unfortunately she's right, we can move further up but not long." Natsu exclaimed, he began to walk ahead, ushering everyone else with his hand with a grin on his face, always trying to stay optimistic, we all followed in silence. As we walked Lily made his way over to my side, for a moment he hesitated but began to speak.
    "You have every right to be upset with me." He said, I grunted, not feeling the need to say anything. Lily was the type to read the room and act upon it, in this scenario he remained quiet for another half hour before looking at me.
    "I'm sorry Gajeel, I know how important finding her is."
    "Pfsh, you know nothin, but I appreciate the apology I guess," I patted his back, assuring him that we were still good, he's my cat after all.
     "We're stopping here," Erza said up ahead, we stopped at a patch of tall trees, ahead were a wide but small field, beyond that were small hills. We knew this stop because its where we stopped for a break the last time we all voyaged here.
       I settled against a tree, propping my legs out. Lily sat close to me from another tree, as for Erza and Gray, who sat back to back in silence watching the land ahead keeping first watch of the night. Usually Natsu would be right there with them but Lucy was partictually upset so he was laid up distracting her. Watching the ones I call guild mates find comfort in others without immense emotions, it was an empty feeling without the one person who makes everything 10 times better. I sighed, pulled it together despite the mental torture and dug myself further in the warm dirt clutching the thin blanket waiting for the exhaustion to take over me.