Hi! I know it's kinda late but somebody accidentally cut the internet line so I couldn't post anything. But now it's back and I can put this up! Enjoy!
Chapter 21
Natsu sat with Lucy at the bar in the guild hall as they recounted all that Sting had told them earlier that morning. When the mention of killing her came up, Laxus clenched his hands into a fist and glared at nothing. "Sting said he thinks that Jiemma wants total control over the crime in Magnolia and with me out of the way he would have nothing stopping him from taking over. He didn't seem to care that I wasn't having anything to do with my father or his business. He eliminates all of his obstacles when he wants something." Lucy said. The guild was rather shocked at all this new information. Finally, Makarov spoke. "Alright brats! We have an evil force targeting one of our own! This cannot stand! We are FairyTail! We fight to protect what is ours!" A rousing cheer sounded loudly from all the guildmates gathered. "Wait!" Lucy cried. They turned to her and waited for her to continue. Lucy told them her suspicions surrounding Ivan and Samuel.
At this, Makarov frowned. "That son of mine… why would he be doing all of this?!" Laxus was also furious. After all, Ivan was his father and Laxus knew how evil the man truly was. "He wants revenge. Ivan thinks that he deserves whatever strikes his fancy. First, it was Layla. When he couldn't have her, he tried to threaten her but that didn't work. So he resorts to murder. But he also blames Jude for taking Layla away from him so he is going to stop at nothing to eliminate the Heartfilia name from everyone's memory." Laxus said roughly. Makarov was surprised at his grandson's incite. "Jii-chan that means he is going to come after you and probably me for sympathizing with Lucy." Laxus added a minute later. All this talk was making Lucy both angry and sad. "I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was put you all in danger. I don't want to lose my family." She said. Laxus saw her sorrowful look and pulled her into a strong embrace. This was very much out of character of him but he didn't care right at the moment. Natsu sent her his big, trademark grin and said, "Don't worry Luce! We won't let anyone hurt you! You did all that research and now that we know who's behind all of this… I can just go beat them all up and we can get married and get on with our lives!"
Lucy had to giggle at that confident statement. The rest of the guild sweat dropped, including the Master. Laxus let a small
smirk spread across his face as he said, "Don't assume you're the only one getting to beat people up Natsu. I am not letting my bastard of a father get away with this!" Other guild members were quick to add their vows of revenge to his and Lucy grinned at her new family. "Thanks you guys!" she said with a huge smile back on her face. Makarov decided that this was cause for celebration (although, what wasn't with this guild?) and so much partying began. Lucy sat at a table with Natsu, Gray, Erza, Levy and Wendy. They were discussing anything that crossed their minds and avoiding the topic of the battle ahead. Natsu had his arm around Lucy's waist under the table and she was leaning into his shoulder to take comfort in his warmth.
"You're a really great brother Laxus." A soft voice said to the big man's left. He turned his head and came face to face with the She Demon herself. A slight tint of pink dusted his cheeks as he looked down at the drink in his hands. "Yeah well… Gramps would kill me if I wasn't." he muttered. Mirajane giggled and placed her hand on his arm. "Come on Laxus, we can all see that you love her. No, don't get embarrassed Laxus it's a good thing. A girl can always tell if a man is good by how he treats his mother and his sisters. You, Laxus, are a good man." Laxus looked with startled and amazed eyes at the woman before him. She was blushing! Mirajane Strauss, the guild's matchmaker and the scariest woman on Earthland (besides Erza) was blushing! He looked back down at his drink, suddenly nervous about what he had almost blurted. Then he frowned at himself. Laxus Dreyar was no coward! He took a breath and asked, "Good enough for you?" Now Mira's eyes were wide as dinner plates as she looked at the embarrassed man before her. Never in a million years did Mirajane think that he would return the same feelings she had felt for him for some time now. She slid her hand down his arm and watched as a small shiver shook him slightly. She slipped her small and deceptively delicate hand into his big and rough one. "I've thought so for some time now." She said quietly. Laxus squeezed her hand as his form of answering her statement.
…..
Makarov looked around the silent guildhall with a quiet smile on his face. A brawl had broken out about half way through the party and as usual, Gray and Natsu had started it. Now, they were rather bruised and swollen thanks to Erza but they were blissfully asleep. Natsu had found his way back to Lucy and they were both curled around each other with small smiles on their faces. The other guild members were sprawled about everywhere. Makarov chuckled when he saw Cana passed out with her face in a mug of beer. What made him full out laugh, however, was the sight of his grandson protectively cradling Mirajane against his chest while his head rested atop hers. Makarov was happy to see that his grandson had finally found his happiness.
His thoughts drifted back to the situation at hand and his face darkened. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out a lacrima. "Gajeel." He said softly. The lacrima flared to life as the metal studded, rough looking man's face appeared on its surface. "What is it old man. I haven't heard from you in a while." He said. "Gajeel." Makarov said. "It's time to pull back and come home. You've done well gathering information on Ivan. I'm ending the mission. A lot has happened since you left and we are in need of your skills here." He finished. Gajeel smirked. "Gihi! So yer askin' for some help are ya?! Well things were getting kinda boring around here so I guess I'll come home." He said arrogantly. Makarov frowned at the brat's arrogance then smirked. "Yes Gajeel we're in need of your help. We're going to war and it's going to be bloody. Everyone is fighting." Makarov's face turned serious and sad, "Who knows… I might even lose some of my brats…" he said. Gajeel frowned and said, "I'm comin' ya damn grandpa!" Then he paused for a moment and said, "Don't fight without me. If I'm there ya won't lose anybody!" Makarov laughed, knowing who the Iron Dragon Slayer was ultimately referring to. "She'll be happy to see you Gajeel. She's been hiding it but she misses you." He watched as the gangster's face went red and hung up before Gajeel could deny anything.
Makarov smiled for a moment before he made his way to behind the bar where there was a bigger, general lacrima on a stand. The one he'd been using before had many encryption spells put on it so it couldn't be detected or traced. He'd had Gajeel watching Ivan's movements for some time now but for a little over three months, Gajeel had been unable to leave Ivan's gang without looking suspicious. Before he'd left, things had been picking up between the Iron Dragon Slayer and the little Solid Script mage. For some reason, the two seemed to blend well together even though Gajeel was a bit standoffish. Levy had been quieter without Gajeel around to fight with and she also seemed sadder which made Makarov sad. Having Lucy around had brought Levy back out of her shell and Makarov was happy about that.
He cast his hand over the lacrima and after a moment of waiting, Gildarts' face was brought onto the screen. "Master! What are you calling about?" Gildarts was grinning from ear to ear as was his usual expression. He had left on a very long mission but Makarov was hoping he could come back. "Gildarts. I have told you about Lucy and her past." Makarov started. Gildarts nodded, noticing the serious look on the Master's face and becoming serious himself. "Events here have come to a head. We will be fighting in the very immediate future. We will be fighting two enemies and it would be good to have you with us." Gildarts thought over what the Master had said and suddenly his eyes narrowed. "This has something to do with Ivan doesn't it? Otherwise, you could just use Fairy Law to eliminate the enemies." He guessed. Makarov sighed. "Yes. Fairy Law only works on those my heart truly considers and enemy. No matter how many mistakes he's made or how evil he's become… Ivan is still my son and I can never think of him as an enemy." He confessed. Gildarts nodded. "I will come home Master. It might be a few days but I will come home." He said seriously. Makarov smiled and nodded. "Good. Thank you Gildarts."
Makarov ended the call to Gildarts and began to feel a bit better about things. With more members coming back to help, the fight just may be one they could win. He knew better than to underestimate his son; it would take a great deal of strength to defeat Ivan Dreyar. Makarov was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of the door squeaking open. "A-ano…" a timid voice called into the hall. Makarov stood from his place on the counter and looked at the slim, white haired girl in the doorway. She wore a white cloak with fur along the borders. Her bangs were pulled off her face and pulled into a blue clip and her blue eyes glanced timidly around the guildhall. "You must be Yukino." Makarov said. The girl looked up at him, startled. "No need to be frightened. We just had one of our parties and it got rather wild. These brats are sleeping cuz they're too lazy to go home by themselves." He explained.
At this, the girl gave a small smile. "I am Yukino as you say. Sting Eucliffe told me to come here. He said you all would protect me in case… someone comes after me. He said he would meet me here later on tomorrow." She said softly so as not to wake the sleeping guild. Makarov nodded. "Yes so Lucy told me. You are welcome here my child. For now, there is a bed in the infirmary for you to sleep in. Tomorrow morning we will come up with better arrangements for you. You do not have to worry; you will be safe here." Yukino headed back to the infirmary. She turned back to survey the guild just before she entered the room and giggled. Sting had said they were a crazy and wild guild! She slid between the white sheets of one of the beds and drifted off, wondering what the next day would bring.
Yay! I personally like Yukino and I kinda hope we get to see more of her in the next few chapters. Also... has anyone else noticed the lack of NaLu in recent chapters? It's making me sad... Mashima! Even if you're trolling all of us please bring back the NaLu moments! **SPOILER ALERT** I do like how everyone is turning into little children! They are so cute! **SPOILER END**
I hope you all enjoyed my chapter! Please leave a review and tell me your thoughts. I always love reading the reviews I get and I do try to respond to as many as I can. Thanks for reading! Look forward to the next chapter!
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