As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.

A/N - Sorry about the long wait, I had to put a lot of thought into where I want to take this story so it doesn't just meander aimlessly. Hope the path I chose works out :) Please read and review.

Lucas watched in amazement as Lucy's frustration and anger melted away in an instant once they reached the town market. She practically hopped up and down in excitement when she spotted a vendor with beautiful flowing sheer silk flowing in the wind. Lucas looked up at Vander, confusion on his face. "Is that a Lucy thing or just a girl thing?"

Vander clamped a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome to shopping with the ladies. I have two sisters, totally a girl thing. Come on. We don't want to lose sight of her or who knows where she'll end up."

"But she's right there…" Lucas stared at the shop she had run to and there was no Lucy in sight. Vander pointed to a stall across the way where she was engrossed in a jewelry display. He couldn't help but laugh at the loud sigh the kid released.

Lucy was off in her own world looking for gifts for her friends and spirits. It was never too early for Christmas shopping. Vander stopped at the blacksmith to admire a dagger. The pristine white handle with tasteful gold inlays just screamed Kaleb at him and his birthday was coming soon. Lucas hung out with him while trying to keep an eye on where the Celestial mage wandered. She was across the street trying to reach something off a high shelf. He was about to tell Vander she could use help when the shopkeeper came up behind her apparently to help.

Lucy spotted the cutest little pink fluffy stuffed sheep that she knew Aries would love. Unfortunately, it was a little too high up for her. She leaned on the counter and went on her tiptoes but cursed her shortness when she could just barely feel it with her fingertips still. "Let me help you miss." A gruff voice sounded out behind her. She was happy for the assistance until she noticed him pushing her into the counter more, practically grinding into her backside and resting a hand on the bare skin of her side since her shirt had ridden up as she stretched. She very much wanted to Lucy-kick him into oblivion as his hand started to wander and he was taking far too long to reach the damn doll. Unfortunately, the display behind them was full of glass figurines and she did not want to spend the rest of the day in the lockup while the damages were tallied up. She'd had to do that far too many times in the past with her team. She was debating what spirit she could summon that could extract her without damages. Certainly not Loke, maybe Capricorn?

"Let her go." Lucy turned to see Lucas in the entrance, hands fisted tightly. The anger was obvious on his face but a quick glance behind him showed it wasn't affecting the people walking just feet away from him in the street. "Get your hands off my sister."

The man barely looked at the kid trying to appear threatening. "Mind your business kid. Why don't you pick out some candy while I help her out." Somehow he made the word 'help' sound utterly disgusting. About to summon her calmest spirit, Lucy was shocked when the man suddenly released her and started backing up. He backed into his own display and didn't even look as a few items fell and shattered on the floor. As she turned to see him, he looked… well absolutely terrified. "Go away. Just go away." He shouted at them and she watched him run off to hide behind his counter. She turned back to Lucas who just looked smug as he took her hand in his and dragged her outside to find Vander.

Vander had just finished up the dagger purchase when he spotted them leaving the store. Lucas was practically dragging the blonde out of the store and he could tell there was something wrong. He was by their side within moments asking what had happened. Shrugging, Lucas replied, "He touched my sister inappropriately so I scared him. I'm hungry can we get something to eat?" Lucy just looked confused after whatever had occurred so he though perhaps lunch and a chat was definitely in order.

Vander found them a small French cafe with outdoor seating that looked over a nearby park. They ordered before he decided it was time for one of them to talk. He looked at Lucas first. "The guy was touching her wrong and it made me mad so I made him stop. What's wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong with that but how did you make him stop?"

"I made him feel scared. I remembered how scary the void demons are that you told me about and pushed as much of that to him as I could." Lucas took another bite of his sandwich. "It worked."

"But you weren't actually scared right?" Vander prompted.

"Nope. Just mad. I kept that in like I trained though. Can I go play at the park?" He looked to Lucy who smiled and nodded at him. There were a few boys his age flying a kite that he'd been watching since they sat down.

She looked towards the Shadowquip mage staring at her expectantly and grinned brilliantly. "He called me sister!"

He couldn't help but return her smile, he already knew that's how Lucas felt about her but her joy was just bursting from her at the knowledge. "Yes he did and that is amazing. Congratulations, but we need to discuss his newfound skill. Also, that guy didn't hurt you did he?"

"No, Lucas showed up before I could even figure out which spirit to summon. I found the perfect gift for Aries, but I couldn't reach it. I guess I can't even go back to that store now. It was pretty amazing what Lucas did though."

"Amazing? Yes. What could be a fantastic skill? Absolutely. What could be terrifying if misused? 100%. We need to get him to Bosco sooner than later." Lucy nodded but he could tell she was only half-way listening. She was smiling while watching her new brother fly a kite for the first time. Vander smiled as he watched her watch the boy. "Let's stay in town tonight and go pack up the camp tomorrow. We can come back for a train the next day."

Lucy just waved him off without taking her eyes Lucas. "Virgo already packed it up when we left. We can just catch a train tomorrow. It's awesome seeing him get to actually be a kid. He looks so happy, I didn't know flying a kite was that much fun."

They were checking in at the hotel when a squealed "Lucy!" sounded out behind her, followed immediately by a slam into the counter as she was crushed into a hug. Bright pink hair tipped her off as to who. Turning she hugged the fellow mage back. "Meredy!" Looking past her she could see Bickslow shaking his head and laughing. "Bixy! What are you guys doing here?"

"Hey bro," the two fistbumped before he replied to the blonde. "I'm taking Meredy to visit Sorano at Sabertooth and she wanted to visit you first." Meredy had already let go of Lucy and was chatting with Lucas. They all waited together as the Seith checked them in as well. A key was handed to Vander and Lucy each while another was pulled out for Bickslow. Meredy bounced over to Vander and pulled his head down to whisper into his ear. His brow went up as he listened and a devilish smirk crossed over his face. The two, key in hand dissolved into the shadows in front of a very confused looking clerk. Bickslow just laughed and grabbed his key. "Let's drop off our bags and find someplace to eat. I'm starving."

"No need." Virgo appeared and bowed to her Princess. "Would you take Bickslow and Meredy's bags to his room please?" Bickslow showed her the room key number. "Lucas and I will in room 23."

"And Master Vander?"

"Nope he's on his own. Thank you so much Virgo!" With a flash she was gone and Bickslow, Lucy and Lucas headed back out to the town.

The clerk just shook his head and mumbled to himself about how much he hated mages.