Hey Guy!
So this is the last OFFICIAL chapter, but I've decided to write an epilogue to wrap up some final strings. I'll be posting it next weekend as a Christmas gift for all of you following the story. As always, hope you enjoy and thanks for reading and liking my work! You guys are awesome!
- Singed
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
A cheer went up from their guild mates as Lucy, Natsu, and Igneel stepped out into the daylight. Cana seemed especially glad to see them and a few others glared in their direction for a while.
"Hey," Natsu fumed as he led his family to a tent off to the side. "Give us some room." Lucy smiled and shook her head. She looked over at the others and saw more than one couple making out and a few inappropriate noises were coming from the furthest tent. Natsu, hearing this, made a disgruntled noise.
"Jealous?" Lucy asked smiling, even though her cheeks were reddening.
"No. Disturbed. Those are not noises I want to hear coming from Erza." Lucy looked back in shock. Sure enough, all the other couples were accounted for. Yeah, she really didn't want to hear that from her either.
"Well, now that everyone is here," Laxus said, standing. "I have an announcement." Everyone looked over and quieted. Mira stood behind him, smiling with joy though she looked embarrassed. Lucy remembered her and Natsu's ceremony and smiled. She could relate.
"Okay, look. Mira is my mate." Laxus stopped and cleared his throat. Some people looked shocked, but most weren't. Freed was crying over near some trees, although whether because he was happy for his friend or because his dream was never to be realized who really knew. "Anyway, that means that I will protect her and no one is to ever think of her in her bathing suit again." A few giggles were heard and Mira stepped forward, taking his hand.
"It should be known that I love Laxus as well and will take revenge for all those sly looks ladies." Mira pressed her face into his shoulder as a sign of affection, but all the single women in the crowd swallowed hard while the men laughed outright. It was the official start of the most dangerous couple in the guild.
"This calls for a celebration!" Bacchus called next to Cana.
"We should wait until we reach the guildhall," Rogue said.
"You trying to ruin the fun?" Max groaned, more than ready to try his luck at wooing some of the women from Saber Tooth.
"No, he's being practical," Lisanna said, coming up behind Rogue and taking his hand. He smiled but blushed and everyone took a moment before they started cheering.
"It's about time!" Levy yelled
"Yes!" Gavey called, making everyone double over.
"A double reception! Oh how wonderful!" Mira quickly grabbed her sister and they went off, talking of plans. Rogue joined the others and explained that though they had finally admitted their feelings they'd have the actual ceremony at the guildhall.
"Saber Tooth and Fairy Tail aren't near each other at all," Elfman stated. "What are you going to do?"
Rogue paled a little before Mira came back and answered. "Oh Elfman, stop scaring him! Lisanna's going to Saber Tooth of course!" Everyone started at how happy she sounded.
"Look, it makes the most sense." Thinking about it, everyone nodded but it did dampen everyone's spirits a bit. Soon after, everyone decided that they'd start their journeys in the morning. Lucy had worried that she'd have trouble going to sleep, since she'd be sleeping on the ground but her genuine exhaustion and the presence of Natsu's arms lulled her to sleep immediately.
Jegan sighed as he stared down at the camp of the combined Fairy Tail and Saber Tooth guilds. Everyone had made it out alive, just like he knew they would. Whatever kind of luck these guys had, it was far too powerful for anyone to think they could beat. Hearing a small noise behind him, he turned to find Reina standing. He'd had very little time to gather personal items in his rush to get out of the complex but he had prepared a little bit beforehand. A small black duffel sat next to his now standing mate filled with some of his clothes, some of her clothes, a few necessary personal items, and enough money to see them settled somewhere quietly.
"We made it?" Reina asked as she stumbled forward.
"Yes," he said reaching out to offer a stable support. She ignored it and looked down at the celebrating crowd.
"It would seem that they made it too."
"Disappointed?"
She took a moment to answer, before she shook her head and sighed. "No, relieved. I just wanted all of this to be over, now it is."
Jegan's face scrunched for a moment in thought and nodded. "For Haja, Julius, Berial, and Deep Snow it is. For you and me, we were given a second chance."
Reina looked over at him before turning back to the noisy crowd. "So what now?"
Jegan sighed and looked at Reina in exasperation. "Do I really need to answer that Reina? Haven't you figured it out by now?" Reina turned towards him, her surprise only showing in her enlarged pupils. They suddenly shrank and she stiffened.
"I've been taught these past few years that hope is for fools and assumptions are often wrong, sometimes with deadly consequences. So sorry, you'll have to spell it out."
Jegan didn't say a word. He simply shot his arm out, grabbed her chin far more gently than the move's ferocity suggested and kissed her. She stiffened and then melted into the kiss before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself closer. He grabbed her waist and back of her neck and deepened it further to prove his passion. He pulled back after a time and felt a thrill of satisfaction as he saw her flushed face and a deep sense of pleasure and contentment deep within her emerald eyes.
"I love you," he whispered. It was probably the sappiest thing he'd ever uttered but it was also the most truthful statement he'd voiced. By her smile, she knew it and appreciated it.
"So it would seem. Are you hoping for a returned affection?" For a moment, he had a soul quaking terror that he'd misread her attachments to him all this time, but her smile and eyes spoke the truth and he relaxed.
"Eventually, although if you want this to be a binding ritual I'm afraid that you'll need to reciprocate now rather than later."
She pulled back a little in confusion. "What?"
As if on cue, Mest, Wendy, Romeo and two of the flying cats from Fairy Tail came walking out of the forest. "I may have arranged for some people to be here for this. I figured that we'd have to go into hiding for a while and I wanted to make sure that we'd go as mates." He could tell that Reina was a bit surprised and was contemplating whether she was ready for such a step, but when she leaned forward and kissed him after a moment he knew her answer.
"I guess I love you too, but you better be prepared to live with one prickly mate."
"Only if you can live with an abrasive one." She smiled and kissed him again as she offered her right wrist. He took it with pleasure and left his mark of a hidden eye. After that she walked off towards a barely visible cabin that they'd be staying the night in while he turned towards the small group from Fairy Tail.
"I guess I should be thankful that you showed up when you did," Jegan said to the blue and white cats. They'd been doing a perimeter check when they'd seen Jegan and attacked, fearing the worst. He'd quickly convinced them that he was no threat and then asked them to bring a few more friends. "Although," his eyes shifted towards Mest and his gaze darkened, "I didn't think you'd bring the council's watch dog."
"I don't work for the council," Mest fumed. "I'm just the only one from Fairy Tail that they'll deal with. Anyway, according to the others, you helped us out so I won't mention your survival." Jegan nodded and turned to Wendy.
"Well Wendy glad you guys survived. Just let the others know when the timing is right that we made it. I have no real desire of become part of the larger world again, but our children will."
"Okay, I guess. For Reina anyway, she helped us at least." Jegan smirked and ruffled the hair on her head. He watched Romeo puff in anger, but Mest's reaction of stiffening and a quick building of power was far more interesting. He'd have to watch this.
"You think Reina was the only one helping you guys? Who do you think made sure that Haja didn't see or hear all those 'secret' planning conversations?" Wendy looked at him for a moment before blushing and nodded. He turned and started walking towards the cabin where Reina waited.
"Bye Fairy Tail. If I never see you again, it'll be too soon." With that he disappeared into the trees, while Mest transported himself and the others back to the group down below. Jegan looked back for a moment and sighed. Yes, little Miss Wendy would need to be watched in the coming years. Something told him that when her biology took over things were going to get more than interesting.
The next morning, Fairy Tail and Saber Tooth ran into an assortment of problems. One was Natsu and Gajeel finally realizing how thin both Levy and Lucy were. This caused breakfast to become a two hour event as Natsu and Gajeel insisted on more and more food. Lucy and Levy had tried to explain that they couldn't possibly eat so much, but the guys weren't having it. Finally satisfied, they allowed everyone to start packing. Those that were ready started heading out and so they lost about half of the camp with the hour. Lucy thought that this would make the going easier, but just as everyone else was starting to pack up all of the dragon slayers, except for Wendy, fell over in pain.
"What's happening!" Yukino wailed. Everyone else was just as concerned, but the dragon slayers were able to speak. The facility was still burning inside the mountain and the flames must have finally reached the box of Reina's that took their special senses. They had just gotten their noises, ears, eyes, and tongues back at full capacity and it was painful. Severe headaches soon followed and all of them had to wait another night. At the urging of the mates many of the others still there left, which was fine with those who chose to stay behind. It was nice to have peace and quiet again.
Natsu and Lucy sat in their tent, talking. Natsu was probably in some of the worst pain, compared to the others but he just wanted to lie there holding Igneel and speak to Lucy. Igneel and he were completely inseparable and Lucy melted inside. Natsu would pause sometimes, mid-sentence and just stare at him or rock him while humming. When Lucy had to nurse or change him, Natsu would stir just enough and hold her or hold Igneel's legs up so it was easier for her to change him.
"Do you think we'll be able to go tomorrow?"
"Yeah, my head ache is already better and a good night's rest should help. From some of the sounds coming from the other tents, I know that some of the others are already 100%." Lucy blushed and sighed. She and Natsu hadn't had time yet, but honestly she wasn't in any real hurry. After all, she wasn't particularly pleased with the idea of everyone hearing.
"Doesn't it embarrass you?" Lucy asked. Natsu shrugged and settled a little more.
"If I really feel anything, it's more discomfort. Most of the time if I were a normal person I wouldn't be hearing anything. So, I've gotten good at ignoring it."
"Hmm, you know with Igneel being a dragon slayer, he'll be able to hear things. We'll have to be quieter from now on."
"My hearing didn't really develop until I was about 10. I think we have some time."
"I guess."
It was two hours past sundown and Lucy decided to go to bed. Igneel was already asleep and Natsu gladly made room for her. As she settled, Natsu cleared his throat and she felt him preparing for something.
"Okay Luce," He finally said. "I think it's time you and I came clean about something." Lucy sighed and nodded. Yes, they needed to have this conversation.
"I agree Natsu."
"Good. Did you eat all the cake?" Lucy stiffened and sat up in shock.
"What?"
"Right before this whole thing started, did you eat the rest of the cake in the refrigerator?"
"Uh! Natsu, of course I didn't! In case you haven't noticed, Happy flies in an out whenever he pleases. But then again," Lucy said turning more towards him. "You know that I didn't eat it because you could just check the bond right?" Natus just smiled up at her with boyish charm that melted her resolve. It really wasn't fair that he could still do that.
"Okay Natsu, time to come clean."
"Sure Luce, but you first." He raised his eyebrows at her and she blushed, realizing that he had her.
"Fine! Shortly after our bond was completed I worked on turning it into a one way radio and tracker. I never told you because I knew that you'd ask me to show you how and I really don't think I could have taught you. Imagine my surprise when I felt you figure it out a year or so later."
"Yeah." Natsu said, pulling her back down and wrapping his arms around her. She snuggled closer and listened to his heart beat as he spoke. "I'm not really sure what finally did it for me. I was just thinking about you and some happy memories or two and bam there I was inside your head."
Lucy nodded and yawned. "Yeah, I remember that my connection was finally made by remembering all the times you saved me." Natsu kissed her head as a reply and settled more comfortably. Lucy drifting off by his side and for the first time that night, they were able to share their dreams.
Both woke refreshed the next morning. They set off after another crazy big breakfast and made pretty good time. Now they were on the train heading home. Sherria, had agreed to stay behind with the injured had put all the dragon slayers to sleep. She still didn't have enough magic to put them all under the troya spell thus this was the best she could do. So, Natsu's head was cradled in Lucy's lap while Igneel slept in a basket next to her. Juvia was across from her with Gray, flipping through what appeared to be a baby name book.
Lucy and Natsu had been thrilled to see the couple reconnect and Lucy's heart warmed at how loving Gray had become towards Juvia and the baby. "Huh," Gray finally said. "I guess we'll just have to see him or her when they're born and go from there."
"I agree. How can we know what name to give this darling if we haven't met yet."
"Still," Lucy cut in, "I think having a few picked out before the birth is a good idea."
"We do," Juvia said, pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to Lucy. Lucy's mouth dropped. In tiny script, Lucy saw 102 guy and girls names.
"Well, at least you'll have plenty to choose from."
"Can we see it?" Erza called. "We haven't discussed this yet."
"Get your own list," Gray called as he tossed Jellal the book. Erza stood probably to beat Gray to a pulp, but Jellal pulled her down and they began to look through it together. Lucy looked around and saw Mira asleep next to Laxus. He'd declined being put to sleep and watching him stroke Mira's head as she caught up on much needed sleep showed why. He was trying to be macho, but he couldn't help but be caring towards his mate. They'd work out just fine.
Lucy sighed and sat back with a smile, remembering another similar train ride years ago. Everything had worked out as it should. Her son was sleeping by her side, Natsu's head was cradled in her lap and her guild mates had their backs. Yes, everything had gone well and that was all Lucy could ask for.