"Holy Smokes this is awesome!" Lucy squealed happily as she hugged her bag of money tightly. "I can pay my rent for a year with this!" She was doing virtual happy dance as we walked through the forest.
"Assuming she doesn't spend it on shoes." Happy whispered to Natsu, who snickered. They both ended up flying from a Lucy Kick.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." I whispered to Gray beside me, who snickered as well.
"Damn right!" Lucy yelled at me, making Gray and I stiffen.
"How the hell does she do that?!" Gray asked in terrified bewilderment.
"Does she have ears of a fox or something?!" My tone was similar.
"No. It's just Lucy has a sixth sense that tells her what people say about her behind her back." Wendy sweatdropped.
"Something tells me that she and Luna are gonna get along swell." I sighed, rubbing my temples.
"Luna?" Erza asked me with a raised eyebrow. "Is that your Exceed's name?" I nodded.
"I named her Luna because her fur is dark as the midnight sky, and her eyes sparkle in the moonlight with their azure color." I said with a fond smile.
"You must really care for her." Carla observed, smiling.
"I do." I affirmed as we continued walking. "Luna's been there for me ever since Plasmia died." My smile turned sad. "She's cheered me up when I was down, fought by my side in the tough times, and even pulled me out of several pity parties." I looked at the sky with a smile. "I honestly don't where I'd be without her. The years she's been with me have been the best since I lost Plasmia." I sighed.
"Speaking of which, how old are you?" Wendy asked me with a strained smile. Heh, must be trying to change the subject. Sweet child. I smiled and placed a hand on her head, earning a blush, but bright smile. She really likes it when I do this.
"I'm 22 Kiddo." I smiled at her.
"Waah?" Lucy gasped in shock. "You can't be 22! You don't look that much older than us! 19 at most!" She protested. I chuckled at er shocked state.
"I'm just a little older than I look is all." Understatement of the millennia. "Besides, I'm hardly the first man whose looks differ from his age." I pointed out. Lucy chuckled sheepishly as she realised I was right, rubbing the back of her head.
"So wait." Natsu piped up. Hey, when did he get back? Heh, the boot print on his face is funny... "If you're 22, how old were you when Plasmia found you?" He asked curiously.
"Four, why?" I asked. He hummed in thought.
"And how old were you when 'you know what' happened?" He asked.
"15. Again, why?" I asked. He gasped as his jaw fell to the ground.
"That means you got 11 years of training in your Dragon Slayer Magic!" He screamed in shock and awe.
"I did…" I confirmed, extremely confused by what was happening.
"I only got five! Gajeel got the same, and Wendy over here only got two!" He yelled. Out of nowhere, Erza came up from behind him and punched him into the ground, leaving him with a massive pink bump on his head again.
"Quit your yelling." She ordered him, wiping the blood off of her hand. "And stop bringing up painful memories." She growled. I chuckled as Natsu got up, clutching his head.
"Yes Ma'am." He squeaked weakly.
"Whipped." I whispered to Gray, who snickered again.
"Hey, Hawke…" He trailed off, suddenly turning serious. "I never thanked you for getting the poison out of me… thanks." He told me with a small smirk of appreciation.
"No worries Man." He and I fist bumped. "It was my fault you got into that situation in the first place. It was the least I could do." I smiled at him. "Just be glad you weren't awake when I did it. The result would not have been pleasant." We both shuddered at the thought, though for different reasons. "Don't worry about the marks though. They'll be gone in about 3 days. Best to keep your shirt on until then; people might start talking." We shared a laugh.
"Oh hey! We're closing in on the village!" Wendy exclaimed with a smile, running ahead. "Hurry up you guys!" She called out to us, jumping and waving. We all smiled at the sight. So cute~
"Hey Hawke!" One of the farmers of the village waved to me.
"Yo Hawke!" A man on a carriage greeted.
"Hawke's back!" Some of the children cheered.
"Wow, you're quite famous here, aren't you?" Erza asked me with amused smile. I chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of my head.
"Well, I come here often." I informed. "And this is the kind of village where everyone knows everyone's name." I explained. "Plus, I saved this place from a pack of savage wolves a few years ago. Since then, I've kind been considered a hero here, since very few people ever come here."
"Cool! Does that mean free food!?" Lucy asked eagerly, eyes sparkling and lips drooling.
"No." My blunt answer crushed Lucy's spirit. "I don't like taking advantage of people." I explained. It did not help her spirit.
"Hawkie!" A young, childish voice called out to me. I faced the owner of the voice, seeing a small girl, a little less than three years old, running towards me, her auburn hair flowing and a familiar black cat on her head. "I missed you!" She squealed happily as she pounced me, sending me to the ground. I laughed and hugged the girl back.
"I missed you too Lexi." I said, hugging her tightly.
"And what am I, chopped liver?" A voice asked in anger. I looked up and saw my favorite little Exceed floating above with black angelic wings. She had black fur, bright azure eyes, wearing a dark red shirt, black tights, a red hairband, and a mini katana strapped to her back. "I'd appreciate being missed too you know." She huffed, looking away as she crossed her arms.
"I missed you too Luna." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Now come here you stupid feline." I ordered with a bright smile. She shook her head and shot straight towards me, hugging my neck. "It's good to have you back." I whispered, hugging her and Lexi tightly.
"Hawkie! Hawkie!" Lexi got my attention as I let both of them go. "Momma said Luny can teach me magic! Look what I can do!" She squealed happily, holding her hand out to a rock. The rock split down the middle in half a second. I noticed Luna's eye twitch when Lexi called he 'Luny.' Heh, nobody knows that I taught her that~ Just to annoy Luna~
"Nice Lexi!" I complimented the girl with a grin, ruffling her hair. "Someone call the Magic Council! A little girl needs to be arrested for being too awesome!" I cheered, picking her up. She screamed in delight as I tossed her up and caught her, repeating the process.
"Aaaw!" Lucy cooed at the sight. "Who'd have thought Hawke was good with kids?" She laughed with a smile as she saw Lexi and I smiling brightly.
"So guys," I started as I stood up. "Introductions are in order I believe." I dusted myself off. "This Luna, my Exceed partner and closest friend." I introduced. Luna nodded in greeting to the rest of the gang. "And this adorable little bundle of love is Alexandra, Lexi for short; my Goddaughter, and daughter of my psychiatrist." I introduced, smiling as I hugged the little girl. Lucy cooed over her cuteness again.
"Hawkie! Are you gonna stay today?" Lexi asked with shiny eyes.
"I'm sorry Lexi, but I can't. I have work to do." I told her with an apologetic smile, earning a pout.
"Aaaw! But I want you to stay more!" She cried, jumping out of my arms. She landed and grabbed onto my leg, holding tightly and not letting go.
"Uh, Lexi? What are you doing?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm holding on tight so you can't go anywhere!" She declared, wrapping her legs around my ankle. So cuuuute~ Wendy and Erza even joined in on cooing over this adorable little girl.
"You know what? You guys go on ahead to the train station in the next town. I'll catch up in about an hour." I told the rest of the gang with a sigh. Lexi's cute, but quite a handful.
"Sure." Erza chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "We'll book a train for 6pm. Don't be late." She told me. I gulped at the thought of a train as they others walked off in the direction of the next town.
"Still no like trains huh?" Lexi asked me, tilting her head adorably.
"No sweetie, not at all." I sighed. She giggled as I picked her up again.
"So, what say we take you back to Mommy hm?" I asked her. She pouted.
"If you do you'll leave!" She whined, latching onto my neck. "You're not going anywhere!" She declared with an adorable glare. I smiled at her and patted her head.
"Don't worry, you know I always come when I can." I told her. Her glare hardened as she narrowed her eyes.
"Promise?" She asked.
"Promise."
"Pinky promise?" She held out her pinky finger.
"Pinky Promise." I chuckled, hooking my pinky finger with hers.
"If you tell a lie, you'll have to swallow a thousand needles~" She sang as she shook our pinky locked hands.
"So childish." Luna rolled her eyes as she landed on my shoulder.
"She is a child." I deadpanned.
"I wasn't talking about her." Luna smirked as Lexi giggled.
"Oh great, you're starting a mutiny!" I whined. "Eventually, all females are going to be against me." I grumbled as I walked off, the both of them laughing at my expense.
"So, you be good for Mommy OK?" I asked Lexi as I handed her over to her mother, a buxom woman with the same hair and eyes as Lexi.
"I will!" Lexi chirped.
"And make sure eat all your veggies." I wagged my finger at her playfully.
"I don't wanna!" She whined, making both her mother and I chuckle while Luna rolled her eyes.
"Thank you for letting Luna stay here Hawke." Lexi's mother smiled at me in appreciation. "It gets difficult here without her father." She smiled sadly as she put Lexi down. Said child ran inside.
"Hey, don't worry Ella; he'll be back soon enough." I smiled at her. She sighed.
"I can't help wondering when though." Ella looked at the sky, a distant look in her eyes.
"He's a powerful Earth Wizard, he'll be fine." I told her soothingly. "You just need to have faith." She smiled in gratitude at my reminder.
"You're right." She took a deep breath. "Thank you." She bowed.
"No worries." I grinned to help her spirit lift a little more. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have a train to catch." I shivered, making Ella chuckle.
"Why not just take Luna or Ebony?" She asked with an amused smile.
"Because neither of them can carry six people." I told her bluntly. "Still, you have a point, I should probably get to town soon though. It's almost 6pm." I hugged her. "Bye Ella." I said to her. She hugged me back.
"Goodbye Hawke. Thanks again." She said as we separated. "Don't forget, our next session is in a week." She reminded me. With a smile, I nodded and walked a small distance away from the cottage she lived in. I reached into the back pocket of my pants and pulled out a bronze key.
"Open! Gate of the Black Serpent! Ebony!" I called out. The key glowed brightly as bell sound could be heard. Out of the light, emerged a massive black cobra with a white underbelly. It was about 10 metres long, and had two large, bat-like wings on it's back. "Hey Ebony." I held my hand out. She hissed softly in greeting and pressed her snout into my palm, allowing me to pet her. "Do you mind giving me ride? Just to the next town. There's a train station there where some friends are waiting for me." I explained. She hissed in affirmation, bending her head down to allow me on. "Thanks Girl." I smiled at her and hopped on. "You gonna fly or ride, Luna?" I asked my Exceed partner, who answered my question by landing on Ebony's head. I love her, but Luna isn't much of a talker. I can respect that. "Let's go." I told Ebony, who nodded. She pumped her wings and took off towards the next town.
"Wooooooohaaaaaa!" I cheered as Ebony soared through the air, me standing on her back. Man, this some of the most I've had in this world! It's one of my favourite pastimes! "Man, this never gets old." I grinned widely, sitting down.
"What? Flying? Or being on a moving object without throwing up?" Luna asked with a cheeky grin. I rolled my eyes at her.
"Both if I'm being honest. Ebony flies faster than you or me." I petted Ebony's side, earning a grateful coo from her. "Plus, it's great being able to get around without the Dragon Slayer Motion Sickness." I shuddered. "Might just fly next to the train instead." I mumbled thoughtfully.
"Yeah well, make your choice quick. We're coming up on the train station." Luna informed, pointing at the ground. Sure enough, I could see the next town, and the train station was in clear view. I could even see my friends waiting in front of it.
"Eh, let's just go to them. They'll probably have more questions for me anyway." I shrugged, though I was groaning on the inside. "Ebony, land by those people." I instructed, pointing at my friends. The Black Serpent Celestial Spirit nodded in understanding and slowly started descending towards the train station. "Yo!" I called out to my friends, who looked at me with wide eyes when they saw Ebony. With a smirk, I jumped off of the snake and landed close to them. "Were you waiting long?" I asked them, loving jaw-dropped looks on their faces.
"What the hell is that!?" Lucy squealed and hid behind Natsu as Ebony landed behind me. Wendy was hiding behind Erza.
"This Ebony, a Spirit I'm contracted to." I introduced with a smile as Ebony curled around me. "Ebony, these are Wizards from Fairy Tail. Erza, Gray, Natsu, Lucy, and Wendy." I told the snake as I scratched under her chin. She cooed happily at the gesture.
"Wait, did you say Spirit?" Lucy asked from over Natsu's shoulder. I nodded.
"Yep. This the Black Serpent, Ebony." I smiled, holding up Ebony's key. "Thanks for the lift Ebony. Appreciate it." I smiled at Ebony, who affectionately tickled my ear with her tongue before her gate closed in a bright flash of light.
"You just weirder and weirder, you know that?" Gray asked me bluntly. I shrugged with a sweet smile as we all walked into the train station and boarded a train.
"So, you're a Celestial Mage too?" Lucy asked as we tried to find seats. I nodded.
"I'm contracted to seven of the One Hundred Animal Spirits." I told her. She looked at me with an impressed face.
"Impressive. Bronze Keys aren't as rare as the Gold ones, but they're almost as powerful." She noted as we sat down, Lucy next to me and Wendy opposite me. Erza was on Wendy's right and Natsu was next to Erza. Gray on Lucy's other side.
"Animal spirits?" Wendy asked.
"Well, just like there are 12 gold keys containing spirits represented by the constellations, there 100 bronze keys represented by animals." I explained to her, gaining the attention of the gang. "The 100 bronze keys are all represented by an animal, hence the title. I have seven of them." I continued, pulling out my key ring, showing seven bronze keys. "The Black Serpent, The White Wolf, The Red Serpent, The Black Wolf, The Flaming Raven, The Deep Sea Eel, and The Dark Scorpion." I listed. My stomach quivered as the train started moving. "Uuuuuugh!" Natsu and I groaned as we both hunched over.
"You guys are ridiculous." Lucy giggled with a shake of her head.
"Agreed." Luna sighed up as she landed on the armrest on my right. "It baffles me how he can fly with me or his spirits just fine, but on a vehicle." She rubbed her temples.
"Aye. Natsu's the same." Happy piped up from Erza's lap.
"It's because they're allies." Carla explained. "Unless the vehicle is seen as an ally and/or friend, or made specifically for Dragon Slayers, motion sickness is the result of a Dragons Slayer on a vehicle." She continued.
"She's right." I gagged, holding down vomit. "I just wish this train was an ally." I put my hand over my mouth as colour drained from my face. Lucy chuckled from beside me.
"Here." She shook her head and pulled my head down onto her lap. "This should help." She said with a faint blush. I would have blushed too if I had blood flowing through my face right now…
"Thanks…" I murmured, trying not to make eye contact.
"They're in loooooooove." Happy snickered. Lucy and I glared at him.
"If I didn't have my/his head in her/my lap I'd pummel you." We growled in unison, blushing as we finished. Well, she blushed, I just looked away from her.
"They're even in total sync." Happy snickered again.
"I dont have the energy for this right now…" I groaned. "Lucy, you mind if I fall asleep like this?" I asked softly. She blushed faintly in embarrassment, but nodded. "Thanks." I said with a small smile and slowly drifted off.
"Well, this isn't what I expected to come back to…" I deadpanned as I walked into the Guild Hall. It was almost completely empty, save for Cana at the bar, lying her head on the counter, drunk as a skunk, Mira trying to wake her up, and some members at one table chatting over dinner. Well, maybe it is... "So, deal with this often?" I asked with an amused smile as Cana flicked Mira's hand away.
"Too often." Mira sighed, pointing to the side. There about 20 empty barrels in pile there.
"She has to be using some kind of magic to drink that much." I said incredulously.
"Nope." Mira sighed again, shaking her head. "She's just able to drink that much. Nothing else to it." She said with a fond smile towards the fainted girl.
"It can't be that simple." I rubbed my temples in exasperation.
"I'm afraid it is." Mira giggled. Chuckling, I grabbed Cana by her shoulder and picked her up bridal style. I'll take her home. She lives in Fairy Hills right?" I asked. Mira nodded.
"Yep. Just ask the landlady for her room number." She told me. I nodded.
"See ya." I bade her farewell, leaving the building. Cana stirred in my arms as I walked.
"Heeeeey!" She greeted me with a very drunk smile. "How ya doin?" She asked, grinning with a very red face.
"Just fine. You?" I asked casually.
"Fuggin awe-shum! Hic!" She slurred, hiccuping as she spoke. "Where ya takin me?" She asked, trying to take in her surroundings with narrowed eyes.
"To your home. You're pissed drunk." I deadpanned in response.
"Naaah!" She waved me off. "I'm jusht a little tipshy! I walk jusht fine, hic!" She tried to get out of my grip. With a sigh, I let her onto her feet, only for her to stumble. I quickly caught her. "Shee? I can waaaalk…" She slurred her words again.
"Yeah, clearly." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes as I draped one of her arms over my shoulder, helping her walk. "Just let me help you get home." I sighed.
"Alright Hoddie~" She giggled, tracing circles on my chest with her free hand as we walked. "Maybe we can ave shome fuuuun!" She drawled out with a grin.
"Sorry, but you're not that kinda girl, and I'm not that kinda guy." I said with a sigh as Fairy Hills came into view.
"How do ya knoooow hm?" She slurred with a sensual smirk, running a finger down my chest.
"You said so yourself." I responded, deadpan again, and knocked on the front door. It opened, revealing the landlady, a short, elderly woman with grey hair and narrowed purple eyes.
"Who are you?" She demanded of me. Wow, not the kindest woman is she?
"Name's Hawke. I'm just here to take Cana to her room. She's drunk again." I answered with a sigh. Cana was still giggling like an idiot as she hung on my shoulder.
"How do I know you're not going to defile her hm?" The landlady asked with a glare. Paranoid too...
"I promise you Ma'am, I'm not that kind of guy. I'll just put her to bed, make sure she's ok, and be out within 15 minutes." I told her calmly. She narrowed her eyes at me. Her gaze seemed to look right into my soul before she scoffed.
"Fine, but I want you out within those 15 minutes, got that?!" She barked. Geez, add strict to the list...
"Promise." I nodded. Her glare not fading, she allowed me in and directed me to Cana's room. With a sigh, I went into her room and set Cana down on her bed.
"Geez, you're a lot of work you know that?" I asked Cana in exasperation. She giggled as she managed to stay sitting.
"I know." She smiled, seemingly sobering a little. Wow, that was fast. I shook my head, but stiffened as she stretched, getting the kinks out of her bones. Her soft, slightly tanned neck was wide open for atta- NO! I shook my head and slapped both cheeks to get those thoughts out of my head. "What's wrong?" She asked as I turned away.
"I'm sorry…" I murmured, plugging my nose to block out her sweet scent. "I haven't had any blood today, and you're practically half-naked." I explained. I heard her giggle again.
"You wanna suck my blood, don't you?" I could hear the smirk in her voice. "Well then, go ahead." My eyes widened as I turned to face her. She had draped her hair to the side, tilting her head to allow her neck to show a little more.
"You don't know what you're offering." I gulped, turning away. My heart was racing.
"Sure I do." She sounded confused. "It's just a little blood. I don't mind." She told me.
"You should." My breath started getting heavier. "If I take blood by force, it's painful. But, if you offer it…" I trailed off, still not looking at her.
"Yeah?" She asked expectantly. I turned and looked at her with a faint blush.
"It feels good, really good. Even sex pales in comparison, but that's not all." My blushed deepened. "It's an aphrodisiac. By the time I'm done, you'll be begging me to take you there and then." She opened her mouth to retort, but I cut her off. "You will, trust me. I speak from experience." I shuddered at a few memories.
"Oh." She said, blushing as well.
"Your scent isn't helping either, and you do smell nice." I admitted, plugging my nose again. "I don't mean to be rude, but I should probably leave. I don't want to do something I'll regret." I said, walking towards the door. "I like you Cana; I won't subject you to something like that." I said, looking at her with gentle eyes. She smiled at me softly.
"Don't worry about it." She said. "It just goes to show that you're a good guy." She pulled out a black long sleeve shirt from her bedside drawer and slipped it on. "Better?" She asked. I sighed and nodded. At least her scent was less potent now.
"You look good in black." I complimented her with a smile. "But you didn't have to do that. I'll be leaving anyway." I told her. She chuckled and nodded.
"Right. See ya." She bade me farewell. I smiled at her, saying goodbye and left. I went straight towards the forest; I needed to find something to feed on. And right now, I need a LOT of blood.
Cana sighed as she lay on her bed in her favourite sleeveless, black night dress went down to her thighs. After having a nice cold shower to help her sober up, and then a hot one to wash up, she threw on what she was currently wearing and lay down in bed with a bottle of wine and a book, getting comfortable in bed. However, she could find herself focussing on the book. Her mind was filled with what had just happened with Hawke.
Hawke's a really nice guy; Cana's type if she's being honest. He may be a bit of a flirt, and he does make jokes with small sexual components, but he is a real gentleman, and he treats her with respect. Any other man would gladly used the opportunity to take her blood and get into her panties. He, on the other hand, told her exactly what she was in for, and allowed her to resend her admittedly naive offer, which she did.
Cana felt her face heat up faintly when she thought about what kinda guy Hawke is. He's funny, handsome, smart, sweet, gentle… She'd never met anyone quite like him before. Another big thing she liked about him was the fact that he was honest. He told her exactly what would happen if she gave him her blood, what the consequences would be. It would have been beneficial for him, but he refused because he thought she would regret it.
"Would I?" Cana asked herself, placing her book down on her bedside table. "He is handsome, he cares for and respects women… would it be a terrible thing to…" She trailed off in her mind, blushing at the prospect of pushing him onto her bed and mounting him while sucked her blood. "Not terrible, no… But maybe fast…" She thought to herself as she found her hands roaming her body. She gasped as her hands made it to her breasts, massaging them. "Still, he is quite the catch." She bit her lip as her right hand roamed downwards.