A/N: DIGIKO12 & saku32 - Thanks so much! I'm glad you guys enjoy the story! It means a lot to me c:
Grizzly98 - Thanks! Hoping the next chapter is just as good for you guys!
Neffateri13 - Ahh thankyou! Intensity may continue throughout the story though ;D But this story is definitely not going to be as dark or intense as my mafia one, so for those who aren't into that scene, don't worry, there's not really lots of it apart from the war which will eventually come along!
Chapter Five: A Favour.
Lucy groaned, head in her hands as she sat on the edge of her bed. There was no way she could actually do it. Sure, she said she would, she was under pressure so there was no other option! But thinking about it, honestly and rationally...there was no way she was ready for that kind of commitment! She didn't have any experience with children, pre-teen or not! Besides, she lost a leg last time she tried to keep him safe, and let's just say that she was lucky it was just that...okay so that had happened because she had been trying to keep Metalicana safe...but still...doesn't that just prove she isn't capable of looking after another person? Sure, they had a good point, unlike them, she no longer had a country to rule -the thought alone made her want to sob and throw a tantrum like a child who just lost their favourite toy- and she was strong...strength equal to that of a demon, but if she couldn't really look after herself how was she supposed to look after someone else, too? Lucy wasn't like the other leaders...sure she fought in the war, too, but besides then -which was so long ago that majority of the people only know of it from stories and journals- she was raised within the castle walls and catered to by her servants. Heck, unlike her parents and some of her subjects, Lucy didn't even know how to hunt! She had never really gave into her instincts...though she guessed if she were on the run with Natsu, she'd learn…
Lucy shook her head before slapping both hands to her cheeks. No, even if she did manage to learn or her instincts took over, how could she possibly be expected to look after herself and a half-demon-dragon teen! Not only that but to share a mating bond?! Temporary or not there was no way she was ready! "ARGH!" She groaned, messing her hair up by roughly crumpling the strands within her hands. Why had fate decided to screw her over? Sure, it warned her beforehand but she never expected it to happen so soon! She moaned softly before collapsing backwards onto her bed, arms outstretched and hair tangled as she stared at the ceiling. What was she supposed to do? Run away and leave a note behind saying: 'Sorry, I'm not ready yet' and abandon her friends? She couldn't do that, but the fear of screwing up was suffocating. She was a massive klutz, and if Natsu was taken away, she'd be sad. The little boy had managed to wiggle into her heart and become dear to her over the past few years. She'd feel guilty, Igneel had already had one son disappear on him, but to have another kidnapped while under the care of your best friend, there'd be no way she could ever make it up to him or even apologise. Then there was also the fact that if the enemy ever did get a hold of Natsu, then E.N.D would come back, Natsu will be gone and she'll suffer. Surprisingly, she didn't much care about her consequences, all she cared about was keeping E.N.D away and Natsu safe. Which is exactly why she was going to put her foot down and decline the request.
She sat up quickly before bouncing to her feet and stomping towards the door while her resolve lasted and before she began to feel guilty for her choice. Her hand grasped the golden knob as the door swung open, almost knocking her out as it barely missed her causing her to stand still, shock over coming her as her eyes stared at the door, warily and wide. She had literally felt it scrape against her nose, the breeze touching her skin. Only millimeters away from hitting her.
"Lucy?" Grandine's voice broke the blonde vampiress out of her daze, causing her brown eyes to focus on the four figures in front of her. The Dragneel's, including a small, blue haired girl. She began to feel her courage waver and break underneath her skin now that she was face to face with them; their faces stern and serious as sadness and hope swirled around their intense eyes. Oh kami, why me? Even though she felt ironic for praying to the deities since she was in the 'other' world, she still decided to attempt it since she couldn't exactly 'pray to the devil' since one simply did not exist, at least not here -seeing as they were all demon's much like the devil himself, and 'The Devil' of this world would most likely be E.N.D. "May we come in?" Grandine's soft voice called out again and Lucy gave one small nod before stepping out of the way to let them in. Please don't be here about my fate, please don't tell me to do this, please understand I'm not ready. Was all she repeatedly screamed in her mind as she tried to keep herself composed and together, trying hard to not show how her legs wobbled, how her gut felt as heavy as lead, or how she felt as though she may throw up from the fear of screwing up something that they may see as a 'simple' request. Out of all the people to lay this on...she was so not suitable for this job. In fact, Gajeel and Erza would have been better. Though she couldn't see Gajeel being much of a 'motherly' figure...or even just a parental one at that, he'd have Levy to help him. He was strong, confident and great with anything outdoorsy. The opposite of Lucy. Erza was a much better candidate, too, seeing how she was a great swordswoman. Like Gajeel she was also strong and confident, unmatched by so many and not once had Lucy ever known Erza to be defeated, no matter how many opponents she faced at any given time. Her stamina and endurance was pretty much limitless. Unlike Gajeel, however, she was a very good motherly figure and though she was one of Lucy's closest friends, she also filled in for the 'mother's role' whenever Lucy was in need of such support and comfort. At her side was the infamous Jellal Fernandez, he was pretty much a male version of Erza, both strong yet compassionate. There was no doubt that they were soul mates. If they were to believe in the 'soul' part as many humans did -though it was weird since humans 'fall in love' so many times during their short lives and demons only once.
Lucy swallowed thickly as she sat back down on the edge of the bed, her eyes scanning each member of the Dragneel family before resting on little, sweet silence was so tense and unbearably awkward that Lucy couldn't help but clear her throat before speaking, in hope to get rid of the atmosphere, and her inner turmoil.
"S-so...where's Natsu?" she had to forcibly stop herself from wincing. Great. Just jump right into the one person my whole 'fate' surrounds and hope that they don't bring it up...smooth move, Lucy Heartfilia. She watched as Igneel's eyes drifted to the floor, slowly becoming darker in colour yet misty from the building tears. Of course he still felt upset...anyone would if they knew that they were going to be separated from their children or someone dear to them for who knows how long in hopes that they'll be safe. Lucy felt like ripping her own intestines out and strangling herself with them, gruesome, she knows, but she would much rather hit two birds with one stone: get rid of the heavy feeling in her abdomen by emptying it, while strangling herself in hopes that she'll either be too focused on killing herself so she won't speak again, or actually managing to kill herself and finding a way out of her 'inevitable fate'. Oh, how she wished she was back in the castle so she could ask Virgo, an earth nymph and her maid, to make her a hole and bury her alive within it. Lucy inwardly groaned, here she was, while her friends were counting on her to help them, feeling sorry for herself.
"He's resting at the moment" Grandine was , once again, the one who spoke. Lucy nodded softly whilst chewing on the inside of her cheek before opening and closing her mouth, unsure on what it was that she was going to say. "Lucy...I know that you're worried about this, after all the consequences of your mission are…" the dragon woman trailed off before picking the sentence back up again, "We...just came here to check if you're okay more than anything else"
"Thank you" It was raspy and low but Lucy knew that they had heard her perfectly fine. The corner's of Grandine's lips twitched up in a small smile.
"Please, don't misunderstand us when we ask you to do this...we care about you both more than anything, but we need you to do this for us, please Lucy". The blonde flinched inwardly, knowing this was going to come at some point.
"Luce" the deep, rough voice of Igneels spoke out and Lucy looked up into his darkened, sad eyes. "Remember when we were younger, and the three of us had protected you from that assassin? And you said that you were indebted to us, so you would grant a favour for us each..?" he searched her face before licking his dry lips and glancing towards his siblings, then back to the brown-eyes of the vampires, "we wouldn't normally take you up[ on that, especially when it was so long ago b-"
"We would like to 'cash in' our favours. All three of us would like to ask for one favour: To protect Natsu" Metalicana stepped forwards then, unlike his two siblings, he wasn't shy or the type to beat around the bush. He was straightforward and confident, even cheeky if needs be. Lucy swallowed down the lump that had built up. Of course se remembered owing them all, they had saved her life! She looked down at her fumbling hands as they moved against each other. There was no way she could say no to this favour, especially when all three of them wanted to same one. 'An eye for an eye' mama had told me that once. Though it was a term many humans used for revenge, we had grew up with it simply meaning 'For you to gain one thing, another of equal value should be exchanged'. They had saved my life, so it was only fair that I returned the favour and save the life of someone else, even more so since it is one of their own offspring. She closed her eyes and let out slow breath before smiling up at the dark, long-haired male, then turning to glance at the others who occupied the room, even little Wendy who's hands were clasped in front of her chest, almost as if pleading with the blonde ex-queen. The vampire bit down on her lip and folded her arms before nodding.
"Alright. I guess since you guys are here and all, worrying so much and going as far as to ask for this favour, especially after that time when you saved me, it's only fair that I accept this mission" Even if I still don't agree to being 'ready'. She looked towards Igneel, a small, watery smile on his face as he relaxed with relief. Yeah, she had to do this for them and the rest of Other. She couldn't continue being selfish at a time like this. "We'll leave as soon as we're packed. Tell the others".
"So soon?" Wendy's voice squeaked behind Grandine and Lucy ruffled her hair.
"Yes. We don't know when the enemy will attack or from where, but the sooner we leave, the further I can get Natsu and the sooner the other groups will complete their separate jobs" She dropped her hand from the child's blue locks before turning to Metalicana, a huge smile plastered on his pierced face, "War can break out at any moment, Erza will need to reach Jellal and his group before it does, and Gray will need to meet with Juvia. Both Wendy and Natsu will need to be evacuated and away from here" Grandine bent down to pick up Wendy, holding her close to her chest and the blonde turned her attention to the embracing mother and daughter. "I know you want her by your side" she placed a pale hand onto the dragonkin's skin, relaxing at the heat from the womans skin. "But maybe it would be best if you allowed her to travel with me and Natsu instead of Gray.."
"No...I'll have Gray and Juvia escort her to my cousin, Porlyusica. You have Natsu to deal with, if trouble manages to come your way, it will be too much to expect you to protect both children". Lucy nodded. Porlyusica was probably the best option for Wendy. She looked almost identical to Grandine and could easily mistake one for the other, however, Porlyusica wore her pink air up in a tight bun and was a much older woman and far more advanced in her healing and supportive magic than Grandine was. With a magic type the same as the young Marvell child and the fact that she lived in a place far away from civilisation, it would be the perfect safe house for the bluenette. Lucy gave a sharp nod before turning back to her bed and fishing out a large sack from underneath it.
"Inform Gray of your decision and change of plan before packing Wendy's things. Igneel, I'll advise you to wake Natsu up now and spend as much time with him while gathering loose clothing. I'll pack some snacks but food isn't needed, we'll hunt once we reach the outskirts" Igneel and Grandine nodded before leaving.
"Thanks. Be safe out there, Hime" Metalicana chuckled before following his siblings out, probably to tell the others the change in plans and to get ready. Lucy shook her head. She he's still immature enough to take the mickey out of that damn title? Though they, too, were royalty, Metalicana often stated that she was a weird princess and that she acted more like a bunny rabbit than royalty. She never understood why he said that, and maybe she never will. However, it made him cry with laughter when Gajeel first met Lucy, back when he was a toddler, as he had taken a liking to calling her "Bunny Girl! Gihi!". Even the memory makes a vein throb on her forehead, she was still convinced that metalicana had something to do with that nickname, even if he continued to deny it.
She continued to stuff clothes into her back, throwing in a sewing and first aid kit before moving towards Igneels room. She knocked before opening the door. Empty. So he had probably listened to her and went to Natsu, it made it easier for her. She began opening and rummaging through his clothes, throwing some of his loose bottoms, baggy shirts and open vests into the sack. After all, once Natsu had gotten bigger, she'd need clothes that actually fit him, and there was only so much sewing her ones for him would do. She was just hoping that he wouldn't grow any bigger than Igneel and if he did then he'd just have to make do. She zipped up the bag before exiting and making her way back into her room to pull out a smaller backpack that could possibly fit on her back since the larger sack would be tied onto Plue's saddle. She moved to the Kitchen, shoving useful and medicinal herbs into it before going to the bathroom and placing two bars of soap, three new toothbrushes and two tubes of toothpaste into the bag. Hey, she wanted to keep up with her personal hygiene and even if they were travelling, there was sure to be springs and lakes along the way were they could bathe and brush. She frowned as she glanced at the hair brush before walking away from it, she just threw her hair up most of the time anyway and Natsu's hair was always messy that she wasn't even sure if he actually did brush it. Probably not since his father was Igneel. Instead she just shoved a small, compact 'brush & mirror' into the bag. Just in case Natsu actually did brush his hair...and thinking about it, she'd rather not have her hair knot up on her. Lucy sighed...she had no clue what to pack but she was trying and that counted right?
"Gah!" She threw the bags onto the bed before checking over everything and placing them back in -in a more organised way. She tapped her chin, thinking over anything she may have missed: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrush, medicine/herbs for medicine, pure alcohol for wounds, tweezer (Natsu could always get a splinter, right?), some weird 'all in one' thing that Cana gave her called a 'swiss army knife' -whatever that was, probably a human invention- two towels, plain clothes for them both, first aid kit, sewing kit, soap...she continued tapping her chin.
"I got these for you and the sprog" Cana giggled as she walked in, her almost naked body swaying as she handed Lucy two metal tin-like dishes with what looked like a spork with a knife at the end and a water skin bottle.
"Huh?" Cana rolled her eyes at her friends intelligent reaction before explaining what they were for.
"This" she held up one of the metallic dishes, shaking it slightly "is an aluminium mess tin. You can put water in it and use it for boiling food, or just boiling water, whatever, but you can also use it as a bowl and eat out of it" She placed it back on the bed and picked up the spork. "Well...this is exactly what it looks like...a spoon, fork and knife in one, it's acrylic so don't worry. The Knife is on the handle end, but it's not really sharp so if you need a knife use your swiss army one." She placed it back inside the tin 'bowl' and picked up the water skin "Thi-"
"It basically a water bottle, I know" Lucy growled, cutting the chuckling brunette off. Cana smirked.
"Oh, last thing. Here" She pulled out two round bags. "Sleeping bags, for you and the kid, unless you wanna share a large one?" Lucy gave Cana a look saying 'oh-so-funny' to which Cana shrugged. "I was being serious, it gets pretty cold up in the mountains so the kid could freeze" Lucy shook her head and sighed.
"Natu's the son of the fire king and is part fire demon, I doubt he'll 'freeze' and I'm naturally warm, I'll be fine, with or without blood, the cold doesn't bother me, just the light. Which won't harm me as long as I'm well fed and I will be. Thanks for...all this" she waved her hand over the apparatus the brunette gave her before moving around to that side of the bed to squeeze the stuff into the smaller sack, feeling lucky that it all just about fit in. Then throwing it over her shoulders and tying the strings of the sleeping bags to the straps of her backpack.
"You ready?" Cana smiled, crossing her arms under her generous chest as she jutted a hip out. Her delicate right brow raised in question as she glanced over the blonde Original in front of her.
"As I'll ever be" the beautiful vampire took in a deep breath before giving a sharp nod. "Yep, definitely ready...sorta.." she whispered the last word to herself before Cana's face softened, her tanned arms snaking around Lucy's slender, pale neck and bringing her in for a tight hug.
"The other's are ready and waiting, all that's left now is for you to make the bond and then y'all good to go".
Oh. That's right. Lucy has to share blood with Natsu to create the temporary mating bond.
She was beginning to feel weird about agreeing to all this, sure it had been her idea but...no one had been against it..
Then again, why would they have been? The bond would allow him to mature faster and develop within a small number of years compared to without it.
Right! That was the reason why she had suggested the idea...for his own benefit.
Besides…
Lucy groaned, wanting to hit her head against a wall, repeatedly.
They were just sharing blood. A normal occurrence for a vampire is to feed. However, she'd never been fed on and had only ever heard of what it felt like.
Natsu was only twelve, so he probably wouldn't feel like that...right? Oh god...would she still feel it even if he didn't? She felt so creeped out at that point. She was thousands of years old [human time]! Okay, yes, she was technically an 'eighteen year old girl' in their years and sure, Natsu is technically around-
"Lucy…" Cana sighed and pulled away "You think way too loudly and he's almost thirty in human years. He's twenty nine technically". Twenty nine. That doesn't sound as bad as twelve but still!
"Wait...seriously? I thought he was around sixteen in human years?" She never really understood how halflings aged. Or any demon in all honesty. Each race aged differently and she still wished they didn't. Cana just shrugged before nodding.
"Anyway, you should get a move on and hurry up with the whole 'blood sharing' thing, the others are starting to grow impatient.
Cana left moments later, and not long afterwards, Lucy's legs began to move, taking her to the young dragon-demons room. She knocked twice, listening for Natsu to reply.
"Come in" His voice was laced with sleep and worry and Lucy sighed softly before pushing open the door and walking into the room. He sat on the edge on his bed, his eyes watching her curiously as his fingers played with the end of his dad's scarf. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
"You ready, Natsu?" He nodded, a small smile on his face and a sharp canine poking past his lips.
"With you, always." A bright blush erupted on his face at that, his features dropping as he began to wave his hands in front of him, "I-I mean, y-you'll keep me s-safe and stuff, r-right? Yeah! I meant because you'll keep me safe! B-besides" he looked away, dipping his head down so that the scarf hid his face, a trait that he shared with his father. "I-it's always more fun when we're together. Whenever you're around I feel really happy". Lucy giggled and moved to sit next to his, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.
"It won't be forever. You'll see them again soon, and besides, you're right! I'll always be by your side to protect you".
"I-I'll protect you too!" He pouted, looking her in the eye.
"Of course" she giggled before swallowing and looking forwards. "Natsu...you don't have to force yourself to form this bond, especially because it means you'll be tied to me for so long...and the creation of it is...different to what other bonds are like." Natsu tilted his head to the side, a thin, dark brow raised. Lucy sighed and removed his arm from him. Leaning back onto her hands behind her. "To make this bond, I need to drink your blood, and you'll need to drink mind, are you okay with that?". Natsu shrugged before nodding.
"Uh, I guess so? I don't get what's so bad about that, you drink blood anyway right? My mother was the same, at least according to what dad told me...demon's aren't that different to vampires in a way, huh". Lucy chuckled.
"I guess not...She glanced towards him before pushing up her shirts sleeve on her left wrist before offering it to him. "Would you prefer to go first, or last?" She tried not to show just how awkward she was feeling, and by the way Natsu acted, she had succeeded.
"I guess first" Natsu smirked before reaching for her wrist. He just had to bite down, right? His dark green eyes looked up, meeting her brown ones as his canines pushed down into her skin before finally breaking through.