Sorry it's a week late. I lot of stuff happened this week and I just didn't have any time to write. I hope you enjoy this chapter! And don't forget to review when you finish reading!
Chapter 7
Early the next morning Ryuu was awakened by a soft cooing sound as Kibou nuzzled his arm. Groaning, Ryuu flopped onto his stomach. The sunlight streaming through the window was blinding. Blinking, Kibou's little face came swimming into view. The baby dragon nuzzled him and licked his cheek.
"Hey, Kibou," he muttered. "G'morning…."
He sat up and stretched, yawning. The wyvern's tail swished back and forth, knocking the picture off of the nightstand. Ryuu winced as it clattered to the ground. The glass shattered. He quickly scooped up the frame. Picking out the broken shards, he stared down at the grinning face of his father, his mother standing proudly beside him, and on his shoulders was a five year old. Ryuu's laughing face mirrored Natsu's. He sighed. Kibou wimpered beside him, gently laying his head on Ryuu's arm.
"I'm okay," he said, patting the dragon on the head. He pulled the photograph out of the frame and folded it up. Ryuu tucked it into his pocket. "No use sitting around here. Let's go see if Sting-nii has any suggestions."
Hastily stuffing fresh clothes and supplies in his pack, Ryuu rushed downstairs. Kibou glided down alongside him. Lucy was already up and making breakfast when he hurried toward the door.
"Whoa, slow down there!" she hollered after him. "At least have some breakfast before you run off."
Ryuu walked into the kitchen. Lucy set a plate of eggs and sausage on the table in front of him. Kibou climbed onto Ryuu's shoulder and wrapped his tail around the boy's neck. Lucy recoiled slightly at the sight of him. But despite her uneasiness, she smiled all the same. Ryuu wolfed down his breakfast. He held up one of the sausages for the little dragon. Kibou gobbled it down. Ryuu snickered. Snatching up a slice of toast, he stood up quickly.
"Where are you off to in such a rush?" Lucy asked.
"Kibou and I had a great idea last night. We're gonna head over to Sabertooth and see if Sting-nii or Rogue-nii have any ideas about dad."
Lucy's face darkened at the mention of the guild's name. Sabertooth and Fairy Tail had been rivals for years. It was an incredibly complicated relationship.
"Ryuu, you know better than to go to Sabertooth's guild alone."
Groaning, Ryuu rolled his eyes. "Mom! I'm not a kid anymore!"
"I know but…I just…I'd feel better if you took someone else with you."
"Then why don't you go with me?"
Lucy sat down slowly. "Oh, sweetheart, I don't know…I haven't gone out on a job in many years. And after what happened at the games, I don't know if it would be best for me to go to Sabertooth."
"C'mon, mom! What about all those adventures you write about in your books? Don't you wanna relive it again?"
"Well…." She glanced at the photograph of their happy family. Natsu smiled down at her from the shelf by the window. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Alright."
"Great! So let's go!"
"Not just yet. I think it would be smart to bring at least one other person with us."
Ryuu groaned. But he knew his mother wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted. What had started off as a one-man mission, was turning into a team effort.
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Ryuu sat on the train, arms folded. He was annoyed and frustrated. Not only did his mother drag along another fellow guildmate, she dragged along three. Wendy Marvell, Gray Fullbuster and his daughter Myrna had tagged along for the adventure. Head resting against the glass, he watched the scenery rush by. Myrna stood up and plopped down beside Ryuu on the bench. She cuddled up beside him.
"Myrna is so excited to be going on another job with Ryuu-sama!" she said excitedly.
Groaning, Ryuu rolled his eyes.
"Hey! Stop getting so close to that kid," Gray said.
"Or what?" Ryuu snapped. "You gonna freeze me, pervy old man?"
"Ha! You have the same attitude as that hot-headed idiot! Fiery temper like him too."
"At least I don't pick up creepy habits like your stripping!"
"Why you little—"
"Oh come on! Stop it you too!" Lucy said, annoyed.
"Lucy-san is right," Wendy said. Wendy had grown from the little girl Lucy and Natsu had known into a beautiful and tall young woman. Her long dark hair flowed fluidly over her shoulders. Charle sat on her lap arms folded.
"Hmph! I think it's foolish for us to ask Sabertooth for anything. They're not likely to do us any favors," Charle said.
"Aye! But Sting and Rogue are Dragon Slayers just like Natsu!" Happy said cheerfully. "We never asked them before, but they might know something."
"Well aren't you optimistic," Charle said.
"A little too optimistic if you ask me," Gray said, his arms folded. "It's been what, five years?"
Lucy swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Yes, I suppose it has."
"Oh, Daddy, don't be so mean! There's always hope!" Myrna said. Kibou cooed softly. Myrna giggled. She scratched the baby dragon under the chin. "See? Even Kibou agrees."
"Shut up!" Ryuu shouted. "I can't think straight with all of you guys arguing!" He glanced at his mother. "Why'd you have to go and bring everyone?"
"I'm sorry, sweetie, I just wanted us to be prepared."
"Look," Wendy said. "We're almost there."
Ryuu pushed open the window and leaned out. He could see the jagged mountains that housed Sabertooth's guildhall. There was a small town at the base of the mountains, where the train station was located. But the guild had little to do with the town. It had always been that way. Slowly the train pulled into the station. As the train lurched to a halt, Ryuu slung his pack over his shoulder.
"Ryuu-sama, wait for Myrna!" Myrna cried, bounding after him.
Lucy stared up at the looming guild up in the mountains and sighed. "Why did I ever agree to do this?"
Wendy squeezed her hand gently. "It will be alright, Lucy-san. I'm sure Sting-san will be happy to see us."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Charle said. "Natsu beat him several times. And you know how competitive those boys are. I doubt he's forgotten it that easily."
"Then all the more reason he'd want to help us," Ryuu said, leading the way toward the guild. "If we find Natsu, he can have a rematch. There's nothing they like better than a good fight."
"Aye, sir!" Happy cried.
The guildhall was enormous. It towered high above the rest of the town. Perched atop the guild was an enormous statue of a roaring saber tooth tiger. The guild itself was the size of an entire city. The appearance of the guild truly suited the reputation is sported. Taking a deep breath, Ryuu marched confidently toward the front gates. He wasn't sure what kind of welcome they were about to receive, but he was determined not to leave without getting some answers.
Chapter 8 will be up on Monday!
