Day 6 of CoLu Week 2017! Hope that everyone enjoys!

Serpent

Chapter 1

"Chumana, what are you up to?" Cobra stated, watching as his daughter jumped a mile at the sound of her nickname. He waited as she shifted some things around in her top drawer before turning to face him. Her eight year old body shielding the top drawer from his view while giving him an innocent look.

"I'm not doing anything Papa." She muttered, not quit meeting his gaze and causing him to hum before slowly approaching her.

"Lilith, you know better than to lie to me." He stated, crouching down so he could tilt her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. Nearly smirking when she puffed out her cheeks and held his gaze. Her soul going quiet, a tell tale sign that she was indeed hiding something from him. It was an annoying defense that she had somehow developed, which prevented him from finding out what he wanted with Soul Listening. He was proud and annoyed that she had discovered that ability, but at the moment more annoyed than proud.

"Lilith." He muttered, raising an eyebrow as she shifted and knew that he had won when she gave a sigh and stepped to the side.

"Just hear me out! He was all alone on the edge of town, and some mean boys were throwing rocks at him! He got hurt, so I thought I could take care of him! Please don't make me get rid of Pit!" She rushed out, causing him to push aside one of her shirts in the drawer and blink at the small animal she had rescued. While most kids would have taken in a bird, stray cat or dog, his daughter had decided to take in a small brown and black garden snake. He was so damn proud! However, he knew that Lucy wouldn't be thrilled.

"Chumana, I know you want to help...Pit? But, you know your mother is terrified of snakes." He muttered, hating how her gaze lowered and her small hands tightened into fits.

"But..Maybe I can just keep him away from Momma. She doesn't have to know." She muttered, shifting closer and rubbing her finger over the little snake's head, which she had actually wrapped in a small bandage. No doubt from where one of the rocks clipped him. Cobra gave a sigh, hating that he was in one of those positions where he rather had to face his mate's wrath for allowing a snake into the house, or deal with the fact that his precious little snake maiden was crestfallen that she couldn't take care of her new friend.

Staring at his daughter and the snake, he felt his resolve disappearing as the snake actually reached up and flicked his tongue over his daughter's finger. Before moving closer to her touch. Damn, there was no way he could make them part, it was almost like seeing how he and Cubellios reacted during the Tower.

With a deep sigh, he placed a hand on his daughter's head. Knowing that when Lucy did discover everything, shit was going to hit the fan. However, hopefully he could get his mate to understand why this meant so much to Lilith, and to him.

"Just make sure he stays out of Moms sight for now. We'll figure something out." He muttered, watching as her magenta colored eyes lit up before she pounced on him. Wrapping her small arms around his neck and clinging tightly.

"Thank you Papa!" She squealed, before moving back to the dresser and cooing down at her new friend. He couldn't help but to smile before straightening and crossing his arms.

"Also, you have to take proper care of him. Meaning you have to research..."

"I already have some slugs, crickets, and small frogs that he seem to enjoy. And in the back corner is a small water bowl." She interrupted, picking her friend up to let him twist around her wrist before lowering her face to his. Cobra watched closely, knowing that if the snake showed any sign of aggression then he would have no choice but to set it loose, or kill it. Only to relax as he actually heard small chirping like noises from the animal's soul before it's tongue brushed across his daughter's nose. Causing her to giggle and hold the snake closer to her body.

With a smile, he gave a nod before turning around. His daughter and her pet snake would be just fine together. Now it was only a matter of making Lucy see that, or seeing if he would be sleeping on the couch for a long time while the woman tried to convince their child that a snake wasn't the best pet. Giving a small scowl, he headed to the kitchen to start on supper for him and his daughter.

Lucy knew that something was up the moment she got home and Cobra seemed to hesitate on something. Only to push the thought to the back of her mind when Lilith came into the room and tackled her around the waist for a hug.

"Welcome home Momma! Was the mission with Uncle Natsu fun?" She asked, causing her to ruffle her daughter's maroon colored hair before bending down and pressing a kiss to her tan cheeks.

"Loads, and for once he didn't destroy anything so rent is actually paid." Lucy chirped, and gave a hum as Cobra moved over to greet her with a kiss.

"So, wanna tell me what you two are trying to hide from me?" She asked once they parted, and knew that it was true the moment Cobra winced before shifting.

"Wouldn't you like something to eat?" He asked, no doubt trying to change the subject and she crossed her arms before giving him a pointed look. Watching as he gave a sigh before rubbing the back of his head and gave a nod to their daughter, who quickly scampered off.

"Look, maybe you should have some coffee or tea or..."

"I already ate at the guild, Cobra. What is going on?" She asked, a feeling of trepidation coming over her as he shifted before raising his hands.

"Just...Hear me and Lilith out, alright. I'll explain. You see, Lilith ran across some boys abusing an animal. So, she stepped in and got them to stop while also bringing the animal home to take care of. I think it would be a good idea to let her keep it! She will learn excellent care taking skills, and already it has imprinted on her." He stated, pausing for a moment to no doubt gauge her reaction.

Lucy thought a moment. It didn't really seem like that big of a deal. Hell, she had done the same thing time and again when she was a child. Every child decided to care for a wounded animal at some point. It wasn't a surprise that Lilith would do the same, especially since she truly loved animals. No doubt the bird, mouse, cat, or dog would be fine under her care. So what was the big deal?

"Well...It's not any of those animals." Cobra muttered, no doubt reading her soul carefully. She blinked as she stared at him before narrowing her gaze.

"Baby fox?"

"No."

"Baby wild cat?"

"No."

"Baby wolf?"

"No."

"Damnit Cobra, what the hell is it?" She hissed out, watching as he winced slightly before giving a sigh. She hadn't thought it would be such a wild animal! If it was something crazy dangerous then maybe they should give it over to an animal caretaker.

"Momma. Meet Pit." Lilith suddenly stated, hoisted a small, scaly, slimy, brown and black snake up to her. Lucy felt her blood run cold before she gave a small squeak and jumped back. Her body trembling as she watched slight pain enter her daughter's eyes before she nuzzled the slithery serpent close to her body.

A look up at Cobra told her all that she needed to know. He had their daughter's back in this one. Not hers! Inhaling deeply, she met Lilith's gaze, intending on telling her that she couldn't keep it because snakes weren't meant to be pets. Only to glare up at Cobra when he cleared his throat, frowning when she saw him shake his head before giving her a pointed look. It clicked.

Cobra had Cubellios when he had been in the Tower. Of course it had been Kinana under a spell, but she still had been a snake. His snake. And now his daughter had protected one, and wished to keep it. Oh Mavis, there wasn't a way to win this one.

"F..Fine. P..Pit can stay, but you have to make sure he doesn't scare Mommy. Alright?" She asked, already feeling goosebumps litter her skin when Lilith beamed and Cobra relaxed some.

"I promise, you'll hardly know he is here. Thank you Momma!" Lilith squealed, jumping toward her and wrapping her in a hug. She could only tense and keep her gaze on the snake that was still wrapped around her daughter's wrist. Giving her a quick pat before she ran back off to her room, and released her breath once she was gone.

"You took that better than I thought. Not to mention I was for sure you'd have me sleeping on the couch tonight." Cobra muttered, stepping forward but froze when she pinned him with a glare.

"Oh, you are on the couch." She hissed, watching as he gave a sigh of defeat but nodded all the same. But brought his gaze up to give a little smirk of his own.

"You know, I also decided to help you get over your fear of snakes with this." He stated, causing her to feel the blood drain from her face before he gave a smile and waved.

"I better go make the couch more comfy. From your expression, I'm going to be sleeping on it all week."

Hope that you enjoyed! Also, *Chumana is a nickname meaning Snake/Serpent Maiden. Thought Cobra could use a nickname for his daughter, and found it appropriate :)