Meilin: I have written this chapter three times….THREE TIMES! My computer decided it wanted to piss the hell out of me this month. SIGH. I really don't want to write this again but things happen…sigh. I didn't reread this chapter so please point out any mistakes you see. I'll do my best to fix them.
BROKEN BIRTHDAY BONDS: Episode 4
I seriously didn't understand how they could walk two straight days in the desert. I mean, honestly, what normal person could withstand this heat?!
….Oh right, Natsu could.
Stop it Lucy! You left on this mission to stop thinking about them. I slapped my hands against my cheeks and put on a look of determination.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah, Sting! When did you get so close to me?"
He stared at me closely and I began to feel a bit uncomfortable. No, not because he was inches from my face, more so because Minerva was glaring daggers into my skull.
"What's up with you? You've been making strange faces ever since we left the guild."
"I'm being forced to go on a mission with you guys of all people! Of course I would have mixed emotions about it." I reasoned. It wasn't entirely a lie, but they didn't need to know about what I was really feeling. "What type of mission are we going on anyways?"
"Not that you need to know," Minerva interjected. "But Sabertooth was hired to ensure the safety of a woman."
"What kind of a woman are we escorting," Lector questioned.
"There wasn't much detail on her. We only know that she wears a hooded cloak and she goes by the name Michelle," Sting said, informing his partner. "But as long as we get the reward it doesn't really matter who it is, right?"
As always, Rogue stayed silent but his exceed, "Fro thinks so too!"
Minerva stopped walking when we came in front of a building. "We're going to take a little pit stop. Grab what you need before we depart again. We shall meet back here in five hours. Do not make me wait." She went her way.
"Who died and made her the boss?" I blabbed without thinking.
The White Dragon laid his hand on top of my shoulder causing me to jump. I wasn't expecting that! "She is the daughter of Sabertooth's master, so she has the right to do what she wills. Try not to get on her bad side."
"Too late," Lector snickered, stating the obvious. They both laughed at me while I fumed in the spot I was standing in.
"Sting."
All three of us looked over to where the voice came from and watched as the Shadow Dragon spoke once more. "We are wasting time."
Sting sighed. "Right, right, let's go stock up on some food for the road before we head off again. Lector…"
The owner of the exceed extended his hand out to the cat and Lector sprung up onto his hand and climbed onto his shoulder without hesitation. They both smiled at each other and bumped fist to paw. I couldn't help but let my lips stretch out into a smile. They may have some sort of mischievous behavior but behind that somewhat of a cold attitude was a caring heart.
"Oi, blondie! If you keep daydreaming like that we're going to leave you behind."
I broke out of my daze only to find the four members walking down the road. "Wait up guys!"
…
"Natsu, will you come with me to the place where we found Happy?"
"Lisanna?"
"I just wanted to relive some of the memories with you. I mean, something horrible could happen to me again and I just want to make sure that I get to do the things that I love before…I die."
"Well you're not going to die anytime soon. I'll make sure of that. I will protect you," he said with a toothy grin.
The younger take over mage clung to Natsu's arm like it was her last life line. She snuggled closer to him and said, "This is nice, isn't it? We get to be together like the old days."
"You know, I really missed you Lisanna."
"You did?"
He nodded. "And everyone in Fairy Tail missed you too. It was hard without you."
"Oh, Natsu…"
"After you left, it was hard for me and Happy…you were gone so there was no one to make us any food! We had to go on more jobs to pay for restaurant food. The prices were so high!"
Lisanna sweat dropped…but then she laughed at his silliness. Of course Natsu would say something like that.
He continued to tell his story. "But then I met Lucy in town and she became a member of the guild. Everyone loved her and Cana said Lucy kind of reminded her of you. But that's beside the point. After Lucy came in, Happy and I didn't have to starve anymore, hehe. She let us eat whatever she had in her fridge. I'm sure you two would be great friends! I know, I'll introduce you guys when she gets back from her mission. But we should get back to the guild. It's getting dark."
Natsu turned around with his hands behind his head and began walking towards the sunset.
"If she gets back from the mission," the white haired girl mumbled.
"Did you say something Lisanna?"
"Nothing, let's go back," she said smiling.
…
Minerva took the lead once more when they headed towards their destination.
"It's too bad we couldn't stay in this town a little longer. There were so many cute shops I wanted to check out," I pouted.
"We don't have time for such trivial things," the queen bee buzzed. She flicked her long dark hair behind her shoulder and stated, "Unlike Fairy Tail, Sabertooth has set their priorities straight. There isn't room for playing."
I sighed. Same Minerva, she's just as "lovely" as ever.
On our way to pick up a girl named Michelle, we ran into a few thieves and bandits. They tried to steal my keys, they attempted to kidnap Frosch and Lector, and tried to grope Minerva…that last part I didn't need to see, but they weren't successful in doing any one of those things. There was no way I was going to let anyone lay a hand on my keys. Sting and Rogue protected their companions with no hesitation and Minerva sent a glare that shocked the enemies in their spots.
"What's wrong Minerva? You always enjoy beating the crap out of idiots. Are you losing your touch?" the White Dragon Slayer teased.
"Shut up, Sting."
"Maybe you're just getting old."
"Not another word from you, dragon slayer."
"Oh? But this is too much fun," he snickered. "If you keep frowning like that, you're going to develop early wrinkles."
For once, Minerva didn't retaliate to Sting's immaturity. She put up with it for quite a few hours until we passed about 3 or 4 more towns. I've never seen her so quiet. Something was up, but I didn't want to pry and end up dead. Sting could say whatever he wanted and get away with it, but me…I think if I valued my life, I should keep my words to myself.
It was a little after the sun had set when Minerva decided to sleep at an inn until the sun rose again. The five of us rented a master suite that had two large rooms and a pull out couch. Unfortunately for me, Sabertooth members got first pick. I was stuck on the couch. It wasn't entirely bad though, the couch was more comfortable than any room Fairy Tail could afford…then again, we did get charged for breaking everything.
I couldn't sleep knowing that I was at the center of Sabertooth's strongest mages. Who knew, they could have killed me in my sleep! In all honesty, I think I was just nervous, but I hugged my keys close to my chest. They provided me much comfort and eased me. I still didn't fall asleep though.
I heard a door creek open and I shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep. A few moments passed and all I heard was cabinets opening and closing and pill bottles shuffling around. I peeped open one eye and saw Minerva's figure looking for something through the medicine drawers.
It didn't seem like she found what she was looking for, so I quietly walked up to her and handed her a white bottle with pink pills in it. "Here," I offered. "This should numb the pain for a few hours."
She took the bottle from my hand and read the label. Her face had a slightly shocked expression on it, but I didn't say anything to make her embarrassed. After all, we're both girls and we have to have each other's backs when it came to this type of thing. I crawled back under the covers of my soft couch and closed my eyes. I fell asleep instantly after that. I guess I wasn't so nervous now after all.
The time came again to depart the town and move forward. I woke up a little bit earlier than everyone else to take a nice shower before leaving. As I stepped out in my skirt and blouse, I noticed sting holding a bottle as I was drying my hair.
"Who's are these? Wait, don't tell me? Is this why you were acting strange, Minerva? You're on your monthly? Ahaha! Who would have guessed that this type of thing affected even the strongest women," laughed Sting. He slumped over, holding his stomach in laughter as Lector did the same. Rogue cracked a smile (him still being of the male species found it funny) but turned his head to hide that fact. Frosch had a worried look on his face. He didn't think what Sting was doing was very nice and he feared that Minerva would harm them if this situation was pressed further.
A woman being on her period is embarrassing no matter who you were. Only if guys understood our pain, but they don't. Minerva's cheeks were getting a little pink and no one has ever embarrassed her before, at least not directly like that. I felt bad for her! A woman's monthly was nothing to take a stab at.
"Actually, those are mine," I said. It's not a lie. They are mine, but I didn't exactly use them last night. I went up to him and snatched the bottle from him. "If you don't mind, Sting, I'd rather you not be a pervert. This is for women only so keep your claws off. Yes, I'm a girl and I get my period every month. It's nothing to laugh at. But I see you're still a little boy, a tiny baby lizard, so I wouldn't expect you to understand. Besides, talking to you wouldn't do anything. Hmph!" I shoved the bottle in my bag and walked past Minerva, but not leaving without giving her a little wink.
You're probably wondering why I stood up for her when all she ever does is beat me down. Well, I'm human and she's human. We're both ladies and even if she wasn't a friend of mine, I'd stick up for anyone who ever needed me. That was how my mother raised me, Lucy Heartfilia to be a respectful adult.
I packed up all my belongings and marched out the door with my head held high. "Well, aren't you guys coming or are we going to have to wait for the Dragon Slayers to sharpen their claws and scales?" I giggled and waited outside for them. I wonder if Erza would be proud of me. Teehee.
Meilin: Hm, so I don't think I should be making promises to update faster. I mean, I'll still update until it's done, but school is too busy and I hate telling you guys excuses about work and school. I'm not done with this story yet, there's still much more to go! And I hope you guys will stick with me through the end. I really appreciate you guys continuing to read even though I disappear every now and then.
Natsu: But you can always count on Meilin!
Happy: Aye sir!
Lucy: Mind telling me why I stood up for Minerva? Did you NOT see what she did to me in the Grand Magic Games?!
Meilin: Calm down, Lucy, who knows, maybe she'll be nicer to you for sticking up for her.
Minerva: Don't count on it.
Lucy: See?!
Meilin: -_- Thanks for having my back Minerva, but I expect nothing more from you. Please R&R and I'll try to update faster. After my next exam tomorrow I should have a little more free time, but I'm not sure how fast the next chapter will come out. See you my lovelies! And sorry for no preview this time, I'm not sure what will happen next ^.^"