Baby?

By: CSI-Panther

Summary: Gajeel and Lily find an abandoned infant in the woods on their way back from a mission.

A/N: I don't own Fairy Tail or its characters. And the beginning may suck a little, but I hope it doesn't.

" I can not believe how easy that was! " Gajeel grumped as he stomped through the woods, arms crossed and looking just as grumpy as he sounded. His companion, Lily, who also had his arms crossed, remained silent as he listened to his friend vent his frustrations.

" Why are you complaining? We didn't do that much damage to the town, got the bad guys, and got the reward. All in all, I'd say that was a good day. " Lily finally spoke as his friend calmed down.

" Yeah well the so-called bad guys didn't put up much of a fight! They practically ran to the authorities! All I did was use my Iron Club one time! " Gajeel went on another tirade, making Lily wish he had bought a set of ear plugs with their reward.

The job was simple, catch some thieves that was stealing in a large town west of Haregon, the gang wasn't that big, but the reward was. They would now have enough to restock their fridge and cabinets.

Their home was a bit larger than Natsu's and Happy's house, Gajeel had built their home himself using his Iron Dragon magic, the furniture was made entirely of the trees that was cut to clear the area for the home.

During another quiet time with only Gajeel growling low in his throat, Lily picked up a faint sound, Gajeel stopped as well, having heard the sound too.

They stood still, waiting to hear the sound again, a slight rustle of grass to their right caught their attention, walking over, Gajeel peeked over the bushes while Lily poked his little head through them.

There on the ground before them was a weak, slightly wiggling, low whining, naked, little infant girl.

Lily went to the infant, " The poor thing. " he muttered seeing that she had been out here for some time as she was weak from hunger and from the elements.

Gajeel grunted and started to walk away. " Gajeel! We can't just leave this child here! She'll die! Do you really want that on your conscience! "

" Not my problem! I ain't taking care of her. " he replied carelessly.

" Gajeel! " Lily scolded.

" Not gonna happen! "

Time skip

" I hate you. " Gajeel growled to Lily as they walked down the road, heading for Haregon train station, a new member added to their tiny group.

The infant was wrapped in Gajeel's scarf like a sling around said man's chest, a bottle in her mouth with some milk vastly leaving the for mentioned bottle.

" I didn't think you'd really leave her there anyway. Seeing as you hardly put up a fight and you could've left her at the town we passed through. " Lily replied with a grin.

" Yeah well I didn't like how that place smelled. Not exactly a good place for a sickly infant to stay if you want to get her better. " his friend retorted, adding emphases on the ' you ' while glaring at him.

The infant began to wiggle a little more at the growl from his chest.

" Easy ya little devil, I ain't growling at ya. " Lily heard Gajeel mutter to her, causing him to grin thoughtfully.

' she's already got him wrapped around her little finger and doesn't even know it. I wonder how the Guild will react to this? ' Lily thought as they continued on their way.

Time skip, scene change, Gajeel and Lily's home

Gajeel sent Lily out to get a couple of things for the baby while he got her cleaned up, as well as getting what they would need until they went out again.

It didn't take Lily no time to get what they needed and what the little baby would need, a new bottle, some nutritional formula, a few outfits, and diapers.

It surprised Lily though, that Gajeel knew how to put a diaper on an infant, to which Gajeel acted insulted that he wasn't as brainless as Natsu and knew some stuff.

The sound of a tiny tummy gurgling stopped his tirade.

" What food did you get her? " he asked quietly, picking her up, her outfit would have to wait until after she was fed.

" Something that was nutritious and for an infant her size, the healthier she'll get, we can a different kind. "

" You asked someone didn't you? "

" Well what do you expect?! I don't know the first thing about infants! "

" Well neither do I! "

They glared at each other for a minute before Gajeel went and got the formula and bottle. He followed the directions on the box and soon the baby was eating again, still trying to drain the bottle as fast as she could.

" Hey easy there ya runt, you'll get sick if ya do that. " Gajeel gently scolded her as he gently as he could pulled the bottle away from her, some of her food coming out of her mouth as he did, using his scarf, he wiped it up and set her up a little more.

" Now go slow, there's plenty here you don't have to eat like that Salamander and his cat. " he said gently still as he eased the bottle back to her and Lily saw that she was going slower with her eating.

" You astound me Gajeel. If not for your attributes of being so rude, you'd actually make a good father someday. " Lily teased.

" Fatherhood ain't my style Lily. Besides, it ain't that hard to take of a baby. "

" Some would say otherwise. "

" Yeah well some don't have a weak little runt that was left to fend for itself either! "

" True. So what are we going to do with her? Keep her? Find her parents? Let the Guild know about her? "

" Forget about her stinking parents. They obviously and deliberately left her to die! We'll keep her until she's better and then take her to the Master and see what he says. "

" Why not let the Master know now? "

" Fine we'll tell him after she's fed and dressed, but only him. I don't want anyone at the Guild getting the wrong idea about me going soft. "

" Oh please, they all know how you really are, despite the tough guy façade you put on. "

" Just go get the Master. "

" Fine. I'll be back shortly. Think you can handle the situation until I get back? "

" Lily, this kid is weak and starving for food and attention, I think I can handle her until you get back and don't tell any one else but the Master. "

' seems like he's becoming attached with her rather quickly than we first met her, maybe she's using magic on him? No I would've sensed it even in her weaken state. Maybe, she reminds him of himself somehow? Did his birth parents abandon him at birth as well? Why would either of their parents do such a thing? Perhaps he can tell me about it someday. ' Lily thought as he took to the air and towards the Guild Hall.

When he got there, it seems that his questioning of the baby formula and the other items he bought had gotten around to his Guild mates and they were trying to get his attention about it.

Spotting the Master, Lily went to him and whispered into the old man's ear, causing him to spite his drink out, before getting serious and nodding his head to Lily, was picked up by him and out of the Hall, leaving the others to wonder what was going on.

By the time Lily and Makarov got back to the home, Gajeel had gotten the baby dressed and the two were sound asleep on the couch, with the baby on Gajeel's chest, his hand on her back, keeping her in place.

" Awe how sweet! He's quite the father, isn't he? " Makarov commented with a big grin as he looked at the usually sourly Iron Dragon Slayer sleeping with a tiny baby on his chest.

" I can hear you, you know. And try not to wake her, I just now got her to sleep. " Gajeel said quietly.

" Where did you two find this poor child? " Makarov asked.

They told him everything of happened and how they had found the child.

" And your sure her parents or any other person was no where near where you found her? " Makarov asked after a moment of quiet.

" Yes. We asked in the next town we came in if anyone was missing an infant, but none came to claim her. One of the older women there gave us a bottle and some milk to hold her over until we got here. From the looks of her she has been without food and in the elements for some time. " Lily answered.

" Yes and yet she still clung to life. Quite a tough little girl. Should I have Wendy come and heal her? "

" I don't think that's necessary, she's not hurt, just weak from hunger and being out in the weather, some regular meals and a warm place to stay will be enough, but if she gets sick or worse than I'll bring her to the kid. "

" I see. So, you'll keep her until she's strong enough to be placed elsewhere, or are you going to keep her as your own? "

When Gajeel didn't answer, " Your silence is telling Gajeel. I didn't take you for the fathering type. "

" I'm still deciding on what to do with her. Should we put in an orphanage or have her taken under the Guild's wing? "

" For now we'll let her get better that's more important than where to place her while she's in this state. "

" Alright. "

Makarov made his way to the door, " And if you need any help, just ask. " as he and Lily left,

" You know asking for something ain't my style. But seeing as I don't know much about babies, I'll let you know if I do need any help. "

Makarov nodded as he and Lily left.

" Aren't you a little curious about his attachment to child? He was rather reluctant at first to take her with us. " Lily asked he brought Makarov back to the Guild.

" Not at all. I see this as another learning experience for him. And for you as well. You haven't been or seen that many infants correct? "

" Yes. that is true. "

" There you go. I'll try to keep the gossip to a minimum but knowing our Guild like I do… "

They'll take it way out of proportion. "

Short time skip,

That next morning, team Shadow Gear arrived back from their mission, they had heard all around the town that there was a rumor about Gajeel's cat asking for baby formula and other baby stuff for Gajeel's newly discovered baby.

The three of them laughed it off saying that was the craziest thing they had heard even for the Guild! Sure Gajeel was a little rough around the edges and did get along well with Wendy, Romeo, and Azuka, but having his own kid?

But when they got there, even their Guild mates were talking about it.

" I say he got careless and got a girl pregnant and she wanted him to man up and take care of the kid. " one said.

" That's not true! Gajeel would take care of both them! He wouldn't skip out on taking care of his own child! " Juvia quickly defended her best friend.

" If it even is his kid. I mean what if the woman wanted him to stay with her and lied about the child being his? " someone asked.

" So now it's the woman's fault is it?! " an angry woman asked.

" Oh I wonder what the baby looks like? Would it look like Gajeel or it's mother? " another asked.

" Let's hope the kid takes after the mother! " someone shouted.

" There is nothing wrong with Gajeel's looks! True he's not as handsome as my darling Gray, but still! " Juvia intervened again.

" Mira, what is going on? " Levy asked the gossip queen as she came up to the bar.

" Well one of the shop owner's in town said that Lily came in for his and Gajeel's usual supplies and had asked her what kind of baby food he should get for a baby and what else a baby would need. Needless to say, she was shocked and asked how old the baby was, Lily replied saying that the baby was tiny, probably no more than a week or two old at the least, she helped him with that and the outfits, she also got some diapers as well,(giggle) the poor guy was confused and asked why he needed them for. " Mira laughed at that.

" So it's true then? " Levy asked, starting feel disheartened.

" Well that part is, as for the Gajeel having a secret love-child from an unknown woman, well, that could just be another spin in the mill. "

At that time, Makarov came in and everyone bombarded him questions about this so-called love child of Gajeel's.

" QUIET! " Makarov roared over them. When they quietened down, he cleared his throat,

" Now I believe you are curious about Lily's questioning of and getting some baby stuff yesterday. That is true. But not because of what your thinking. He was merely helping a young mother with some errands. So there for, your little bets of Gajeel having a love-child can be called off and taken off that betting board Kana. " he went on to say.

" Aw man! " she exclaimed and erased the bets and gave the money back to the others.

While the master continued, Levy drowned out what he said, ' that was too easy to cover. He knows something. ' she thought, ' but than again it's totally possible, there's lots of young mothers here, some with a few kids and have their hands full. ' she continued and brushed off the rumor as the others did.

Well almost, it still brought up what any kid of his would look like if he did have one or more.

' probably have his eyes, mother's hair color, with his wild spikes, a perfect mix of both parents facial features. Maybe be an iron dragon slayer that could use script magic…wait what?! '

" Levy, are you alright? Your face is red. " Mira asked as she placed a chocolate/cashew milkshake in front of her.

" Y-Yes, I'm fine! Thanks for the milkshake! " Levy replied shaking her blush off, took her glass and maneuvered her way through the now fighting Guild Hall to a quiet place and enjoy her treat in peace.

Time skip, one week later

Levy walked down the street when she saw a familiar black exceed coming out of a grocery store, she was about to call out to him, but saw that Juvia had come out with him, also carrying a few bags. In one, Levy saw a package of diapers sticking out of the top.

Curious, Levy decided to follow the two.

She followed them out of town and into the forest. There, she continued until they reached a rather large home made entirely of iron. She recognized the iron being that of Gajeel's. She was impressed by how both beautiful it was and how unique it was to be made of his iron.

Levy was brought out of her thoughts when the door opened and Gajeel stood there. Her eyes widened when she saw a tiny infant squirming in one arm. she ducked behind the bushes and was careful to not be heard by either of the three as she got closer to them.

" How's Senshi doing today Gajeel? " she heard Juvia ask.

" She's a lot better since last week. " Gajeel replied as he shifted the baby to a more comfortable position.

" That's good. Seems you did right in giving her that name. " Lily commented, Levy could hear the relief in their voices.

" How soon do you think we can take her to see the others in the Guild? " Juvia asked.

" Maybe some time next week, with all the food she's putting away, she'll be strong enough to put up that rowdy lot. " Gajeel answered, Levy could hear the slight pride in his voice as spoke about the baby.

" I'll inform the Master tomorrow then. " Lily replied, going into the house.

" Here, hold her while I get these things in here. " Gajeel said, Levy looked through the bushes and saw him hold his arm out with the baby laying still in his hand as Juvia reached for her like she had done it a thousand times, handing her bags to him as she spoke,

" Come here my little Utsukushī tenshi " Juvia cooed to the baby, who merely looked at her before reaching out to her, a bit reluctantly as though she didn't want to leave Gajeel's strong arm.

" Don't be that way. I'll hold ya again when I get your dinner ready for ya. " Gajeel said gently to the tiny girl as though he could sense her reluctance to leave him, which knowing him, he probably did.

When the infant was in Juvia's arms, she settled down and seemed to just wait patiently. Levy saw that the baby looked really tiny in her yellow onesie and that she was a little pale. Her hair was midnight blue with a slight curl to it, her eyes, from what she could see, were the same crimson red as Gajeel's.

" I'm surprised with how good you are at this. " Juvia commented quietly as she saw Senshi going to sleep.

" Yeah well it ain't that hard. You staying for dinner tonight or are you going back into town when she's fed? " he asked, turning to go inside.

" I think I'll stay. I'd like to spend as much time with Senshi as I can before the Guild takes her away from me and you next week. " she answered with a teasing smile at his back.

" They ain't taking her away for long, just pass her around. But if they upset her. " he growled.

" Now, Now, let's not go in full on Protective Daddy mode here. " she went on to say as they went inside, his response muffled by the house.

Levy watched all of this in complete shock.

' so he really does have a child. And…Juvia's her mother? But I thought they were just friends? Did they get drunk one night and… don't get ahead of yourself Levy. It's probably nothing. ' Levy crept to the house and looked inside, she had a clear view to the kitchen and she was surprised to see that Gajeel was at the stove with Juvia beside him, he held a wooden spoon to her for her to taste whatever it was he was fixing, she nodded in approval with a smile, one that Gajeel returned.

' then again….' She thought again, becoming even more disheartened by the scene before she snuck away just as quietly as she had come, a few un-noticed tears fell from her cola slushy brown eyes as she went back into town.

Here's the 1st ch. Hope ya'll like it so far.

Utsukushī tenshi: beautiful angel

Senshi: warrioress