"speaking"
"thinking"
On with the story
3 days passed as we turn our attention to Belserion High
"ball" Natsu said as he sat in his classroom with Meredy who he had brought with him to school and sitting on his lap
"bawl.." Meredy said looking at a children's picture book that teaches the alphabet on the table
"ball" Natsu said pointing to the picture of a ball in the book
"ball.." Meredy said, perfecting the word which made Natsu smile
Natsu patted her head with a chuckle as she was a learning child
"cat" Natsu said pointing to the next picture that was a chicken
The two had a parent to child bonding as Natsu teaches her how to speak because she didn't know how to speak nor did she know a thing of its name
The fan girls were outside as some were jealous while some were squealing to see the two like a father and daughter having a memorable bonding time
"Dog" Natsu said pointing to the picture of a dog in the book as Meredy looks at the picture
"dog!" Meredy said with a smile as she pointed to the picture as well "dog! Dog!"
"that's right, it's a Dog" Natsu said smiling as he patted her heard a few times before chuckling
Some fan girls awed to Meredy as the child was adorable while some were extremely jealous
"ahem" a teacher came as the student saw her "it's time for class"
The students soon bolted away leaving a trail of dust behind
"that's really handy" Mira said appearing beside the teacher who disappeared as she was an illusion created by Éclair who was behind the illusion teacher "I can use that to prank my little brother sometimes"
"that's so like you, Mira-san" Lucy said with a sweatdrop
Lucy, Éclair, Mira, Erza, Kagura, Kamika, Ultear, Ikaruga, and Cana went near Natsu's class as they watched him teaching Meredy about the alphabet
"it's weird that it looks so natural, right?" Cana said as they nodded
"they're truly like father and daughter" Ikaruga said with a smile
"it's so adorable" Kamika said with hearts in her eyes
"your eyes" Kagura stated seeing the hearts in Kamika's eyes
"did the headmistress allowed her to come in the school?" Éclair asked Erza who nodded
"at first, my mother was reluctant but she made an exception" Erza said as they all watched Meredy get carried up and down by Natsu, the child smiling and laughing so happily "no parent could bear to see a child in distress like that"
Meredy giggles happily as Natsu spins around while carrying her
Lunch break came as all students and teachers head out of their classes
Going to the Kenjutsu Clubroom, Natsu and the girls gathered with the addition of Meredy
Ultear cradled Meredy as she breastfeed her milk to her
Meredy sucks on her milk with a happy face as she drinks her milk up to fill her little stomach
"how long till she be able to eat solid food?" Eclair asked Natsu who sat beside Ultear who patted Meredy's back while the child suckles on her breastmilk
"don't know, the doctor said that she never received proper nutrient when she's an infant" Natsu said as he caresses Meredy's head "till she gets healthy and stronger, she has to drink Ultear's breastmilk for now"
"must hurt, right?" Cana asked while drinking her daily bottle of beer "getting your breast suck daily"
"it does hurt, but somehow.." Ultear said as she looks at Meredy with a loving smile and a gentle gaze "…I don't mind it at all….it feels..so natural for me"
"someone's feeling motherly here" Mira said with a grin
"yeah" Ultear said before seeing Meredy finished drinking her milk "are you full yet?"
Meredy sucks on her breast a few times but no more milk came out of it
The child let out babbling like sound to Ultear who sighs with a smile
"little glutton, aren't you?" Ultear said positioning Meredy to face her other breast as the child sucks on it, drinking more milk
"it's so beautiful, right?" Erza said as Kagura nodded in agreement "a motherly love for a child….one of the most beautiful things of life"
"and one of the greatest moments that is treasured for the whole life" Kagura added in
"then" Kamika said as she holds a camera out of nowhere "let's cherish it forever"
Kamika soon takes a photo of Ultear and Meredy with Natsu as the camera flashes
The photo soon printed out as the photo was taken perfectly
"nice shot" Lucy said picking the photo up and smiled in seeing it before giving it to Natsu
"thanks, Kamika" Natsu said looking at the photo with a smile
School was soon over as students started going home while some to clubs
Natsu and Meredy were in the school's garden with the gardening club
Meredy holds a small watering can as she waters the flowers and plants
She continued doing so while Natsu and Cosmos watched over her from the sidelines
"so, she's the little girl, huh?" Cosmos said looking at Meredy
"yeah, sorry about the plants she bite and ate" Natsu said "she didn't know better to do so"
"it's fine, plants can be regrown after all" Cosmos replied before looking to Natsu "but are you sure? Adopting a child in such an age. You literally have the most busiest schedule in the world"
"yeah, I am" Natsu stated "my father took me in, a stray on the street as his own child. I should do the same to Meredy, no child should be abandoned at such a young age.."
"even if it costs you so much?" Cosmos asked as Natsu nodded
"my time, my energy, my everything. I'll give it all for her; everything is for her" Natsu stated "that's what a parent is supposed to do"
"a parent..huh?" Cosmos said smiling as she looks to Meredy who was eying a butterfly on a rosebud before it flew away to the sky
Natsu now walked back home while carrying Meredy as the child sleeps on his shoulder
He walked gently and slowly as to not wake her up
"man, you're serious on becoming her dad, huh?" Demonic Natsu appeared as he floated beside Natsu and looks at Meredy "once you become attached to her, bad people might come and take her."
"I know" Natsu replied before White Natsu appeared on the other side
"if you know, then you should know the dangers you are bringing with her" White Natsu stated "that fellow Rusty or what his name is still seeking revenge on me or rather you and once he finds out that you have a little girl like her. He'll kidnap her and might I add torture her"
"I won't allow it" Natsu said as his eyes glowed red "I won't allow anyone to harm her nor anyone I love"
"that's what they all say" Demonic Natsu stated "and most of them always fail to comply to their words"
"agreed" White Natsu said with a nod
"don't you two have something else to do?" Natsu said walking away as the two spirits float around in the air
"what else can we do? Other than being stuck with you" Demonic Natsu said
"shall we feast our eyes on some maidens instead?" White Natsu proposed while pointing to a group of highschool girls
"oh mama" Demonic Natsu said whistling before he floats towards the girls with White Natsu following
Natsu was back home with Meredy as the little girl is playing with Happy and North while Ash and Hyrus were sleeping
"yeah…yeah…I know….don't worry, Ultear is here with me….she wouldn't mind taking care of her…I'll ask Dan to come and help" Natsu said on the phone while he was washing the dishes in the kitchen "no…it's fine…it's actually part my fault for forgetting….so?...after school?...got it"
Natsu dries his hands up with his magic before placing his phone away
"Meredy, it's time for your medicine" Natsu called out to her as he finds Meredy in the living room, cuddling around with Happy's and North's fluffy fur "come on, little girl"
Natsu picks her up and cradled her close before going to get her medicine
But as soon as he was going to get her medicine, his phone rings
Picking it up while pressing it against his ear with his shoulder, Natsu answered the call while feeding Meredy her medicine
"hello?" Natsu said on the phone "yes, doctor?...yes….yes…I'm giving her the medicine, right now…what?...oh…right…right…of course…surgery?...you can't be serious doctor…"
Natsu finished giving Meredy her medicine before telling her to go play again to which she runs back to the living room with an eager smile
"she's a little girl…but, that's just something unthinkable…what?...you found out on what those chemicals were?..hazardous?...very toxic to humans!?..." Natsu talked with the doctor on the phone as his eyes widen in surprise "is it really the only way?...another way….i'll do it…if it's for her, I'll do it..alright..three day's time….thank you, doctor"
Natsu hanged up the call as he rubs his hands over his face
"what's wrong?" Ultear came in as she was staying tonight to feed Meredy and take care of her
"nothing..just things getting a bit hectic that's all" Natsu said with a smile
"are you sure? I heard that you were nearly shouting and stuff" Ultear said with a frown as Natsu sighs before he frowns "what's wrong, Natsu?"
"the doctor just called me a few minutes ago" Natsu said as he took a seat by the dining table "he told me that Meredy's blood is filled with dangerous bacteria, viruses, and chemicals unlike anything that they ever seen and they're killing her from the inside out"
"what?" Ultear said in surprise as her eyes wide as saucers
"they told me that the medicines are slowing them down but in three days' time the medicine won't work anymore" Natsu stated as he rubs a hand on his face "and soon….she'll die"
"was there no way to prevent it?" Ultear asked with a worried face
"surgery" Natsu replied "but her body is weak and might not survive the operation"
"then…there's no other way, is there?" Ultear said as a single tear slides down her cheeks
"no, there is another way" Natsu said "the doctor told me that in the Ivor Mountain north of Magnolia; there's a flower called the Elixian. It's a rare flower that can heal any type of diseases in the world"
"then Meredy can be saved, right?" Ultear said with hope glimmering in her eyes "right?"
"yes, but…" Natsu said with a frown "that flower is rarely ever found….it's nearly a legend to some"
"but you can find it, right?" Ultear asked as Natsu nodded before he stands up
"I'm going to go there to find the flower, till then, please take care of Meredy" Natsu said with a determined face "and don't tell the others, I know that they might want to come with me if they know of it"
"alright" Ultear replied before kissing Natsu's lips "be careful"
Natsu nodded in reply with a smile before hearing Meredy squealing in laughter as she was getting slobbered in drool by Flaze, and North who are licking her all around
"hey, stop that. I just gave her a bath" Natsu said sighing before he smiled
The next day quickly came as we turn our attention to Natsu and Dan who were riding on North's back, the Blizzard Wolf had reverted to his original form and was running at highspeed out of Magnolia
"Big boss! Are you sure that we can find the flower?!" Dan exclaimed while hanging on North's furry back "that flower is called the mythical flower, you know!"
"we just got to try!" Natsu exclaimed on North's neck "I heard that flower has a faint bitter and sour smell! That's why we're going with North! A Blizzard Wolf's sense of smell is more sensitive than any other animal every found!"
"but it takes at least 3 days to get to the mountain! And raining season is coming soon!" Dan exclaimed "when it rains, the water pools up faster in the Ivor Mountain!"
"I'll handle the rain when it comes!" Natsu exclaimed "and never underestimate North's hunting speed!"
North barks loudly before the Blizzard wolf runs even faster
"forgive me for ever doubting him!" Dan shouted while hanging on for dear life
At the school
Meredy sat on a copy of Natsu's lap as she hugs Happy who was brought to school as well
"first a pet, and then a daughter." Cana said before drinking her bottle of beer "what's next? A Dragon or something?"
"don't say it or it'll happen" Lucy said with a sweatdrop as such things can happen
"there's no way it can happen" Kamika added in
"so? anything new on her?" Erza asked Natsu about Meredy's condition
"she's getting better, in a way" the copy replied while patting Meredy's head "the doctor said that the time will soon come when she gets healthier and stronger"
"that's good to hear" Kagura said with a smile
"she's a strong willed that's for sure" Lucy added in as Meredy is in good hands
"so, Natsu. Are you sure that you're available after school?" Éclair asked "it's alright if you have to suddenly cancel and all"
"don't worry, I never break a promise" Natsu said before scratching his chin awkwardly "although I can forget sometimes…"
Soon the door to the clubroom was slammed open by Kyria
"there you are!" she shouted surprising everyone and even Meredy with Happy "I finally found you!"
"this is a private gathering, please step out" Ikaruga said with a hostile look
"I don't give a shit!" Kyria exclaimed while Natsu had closed Meredy's ear, preventing the possibility of her learning a bad word "what I care right now is beating that punk!"
"Kyria, don't you ever learn?" Erza said "a Magic Duel can only be conducted if both parties are in an agreement with each other"
"so what?! I can just do this!" Kyria exclaimed as she swings a hand at Natsu but Mira and Kagura intercepted her attack
"how low can you be, Kyria?" Kagura stated with a hostile look in her eyes
"yeah, you would attack someone even with a kid nearby!" Mira exclaimed as Natsu had protectively covered Meredy with his body
"I don't give a damn about his brat!" Kyria shouted before Erza came and kicks Kyria's gut, sending her crashing away to the floor
"mind your words!" Erza exclaimed before she summoned a sword and pointed it at Kyria "or you shall face the consequences!"
"hah! You think you can order me around!?" Kyria shouted as she lifted her hands up, both getting covered in magic aura that formed blades
"then shall we propose a duel?" Ikaruga said while holding Natsu's blood red katana "if you are able to defeat all current members of the Seven Empresses, you shall be granted safe passage to challenge Natsu-han. But if you fail, then you fail"
"ho" Kyria said amused "that's an interesting proposal there"
"wait a minute! All current Seven Empresses!?" Lucy exclaimed as she was an Empress
"not to mention that the other is Minerva-san who might not take it lightly to be pulled into something like this" Kamika stated in
"I accept it" Kyria said as Lucy's face paled "I got a bone to pick with you all, especially you!"
Kyria pointed a finger at Lucy who shakes in fear
"you took my title, so I'm going to make you pay a gazzilion times!" Kyria exclaimed with a grin as she licks her lips "and I'm going to enjoy hearing you scream"
"eeeeh!" Lucy shakes in fear as she can already imagine how Kyria would torture her
"sorry, but you're facing me in the first round" Mira said while cracking her knuckles
"fine" Kyria said "I'll take you all on"
Kyria soon leaves the premises and so did Lucy's soul
"my my, what an unrefined maiden" White and Demonic Natsu appeared as the two floats around in the room "and to believe that she is another"
"you can say that again" Demonic Natsu said as he floated up before yawning
An hour later in the Ivor Mountain
Rocky hills, giant boulders, and hard soil everywhere as the eye can see
Natsu and the others hikes up the mountain as they were searching for the Elixian Flower
"how is it, North?" Natsu called out to his Blizzard wolf who was sniffing the ground for the Elixian Flower's Bitter Sour smell
North continues sniffing before barking loudly
"alright! he got the scent!" Dan exclaimed as North hikes up the mountain with Natsu and Dan following behind
After 10 minutes of climbing, they reached the peak of the mountain
North barks as Natsu and Dan got up the peak and stood up
"that's strange" Dan said as at the peak where they are standing, there is nothing "there's no flower"
"no" Natsu said as he crouched near North who was sniffing the ground "there is this"
Natsu holds up a withered flower as it looks to be nearly golden even withered
"is that?" Dan asked as Natsu nodded
"the Elixian Flower but this one is withered" Natsu said as he stands up and looks around the area
"what do we do now, big boss?" Dan asked
"we now know that the flower exists," Natsu said as he sniffs the air "let's find one that is not withered"
That's a wrap!
Bye bye
