A/N: Hello everyone and welcome back! I know I said I was working on Vendetta…but I've been super stressed out these past few days and needed to blow off some steam (I find writing to be a very effective outlet). Seriously, learning statistics while also learning a second language isn't as easy as it sounds…doesn't help that I hate math…I hate math so very, very much. I just…I just needed to write something!
I haven't written a Side Story in a while so I had some time and cranked this out. This here is the third Side Story for Kids. It is also an attempt at some light humor.
I recently saw the Rave Master and Fairy Tail crossover episode…and it brought out my inner fan boy. But, having watched that, it got me thinking and in turn, prompted me to write this.
That's right, I'm taking a crack at a little Fairy Tail and Rave Master crossover for this chapter/side story. I altered the plot a little so this would work out…so please try to ignore that little fact and enjoy this chapter for what it is.
SLIGHT SPOILERS for those of you who haven't read Rave Master!
But quickly, here's a shout out to the reviewers.
-Kazenoseiren: Hello and welcome back! I'm doing just fine, how about you? I'm glad you liked the previous chapter and the scene with Sam and Lilly. I hope I'm not taking things too far with scenes like that. Sorry to say this, but aside from this chapter, don't expect another update for at least a few weeks. I will be focusing on my other story; I felt bad because I hadn't updated it in a while so I don't want people to think it's abandoned. Plus my schedule is very hectic at the moment so I don't know when I'll find time to write. Yeah, Igneel is getting a little worked up by all that's been happening…and it shall be revealed in due time, I'd say Chapter 17(or Chapter 22 by the site's standards). As for Gajeel, he may be tough on the inside…but he's got a strong heart on the inside. I'm glad your excited for the next chapters hut don't get too worked up, I don't want you to have a heart attack or something like that :). Oh! For the Jean de la Fontaine quote, that was actually something I looked up for the theme of the previous chapter. I don't actually know anything by him…sorry *Apologetic shrug*.
-GammaDancer: Hello and welcome to the story! I'm glad you like it so far; it's nice to hear that you couldn't stop reading the chapters…guess that means I'm doing something right? I'm not going to reveal anything but your assumption about the future is correct…but to what degree I will not reveal. But when I do…brace yourself. Yeah, the kids are doing their best to hide their secrets…but they can't hide them forever. About my mistakes…sorry, I type really fast and my mind plays tricks on me; even when I proof-read I miss a thing or two. But it's nice to know that you are understanding of mistakes when they happen. You think I'm a great writer? I wouldn't go so far as to say great, but do you really think so? I'm glad to know you'll be patient with this story, it'll pay off in the long run. And feel free to read Vendetta and drop a review if you can, I would appreciate it. :).
Now that that's settled, let's begin!
Oh! For Saito's "Roar", here's a youtube link for the sound; I hope you like it! Fast forward to 0:12 for the appropriate sfx: watch?v=9GWrzOJ1gIQ
*I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING BTW! THIS IS FOR ENTETAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!*
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Side Story #3: Old Friends…New Beginnings
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One day during the two month time-skip…
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"Is this the place Griff?" A young man asked as looked over the shoulder of the sentient blue, sentient Jelly's shoulder as their cart traveled at a steady pace down a dirt road.
Said Jelly had Tanchimo's reins held in one hand while holding a paper map in the other as he continued to guide the rabbit/emu horse with the spastically shaking head.
"If the map is right, the town there in the valley is Magnolia Town." Griffon Kato said.
"So this is where Natsu lives." The man mused with a bright smile.
He was tall with an athletic build and had spiky, silver colored hair and grayish blue eyes. He wore a black leather jacket over a light blue t-shirt with a pair of khaki cargo pants and leather boots.
His name was Haru. Haru Glory; the Rave Master.
"Puun, puun!" Said a short, white, carrot nosed dog…or celestial spirit, depending on who you talked to.
"You are most certainly right Sir Plue, I am as excited as you are to see those rowdy mages, especially that lovely blonde lady." Griff said as his eyes took on the shape of pink hearts.
"Puun, puun!" Plue said in a tone that could be considered offense.
"Sorry Plue, I keep forgetting she's your master." Griff said apologetically.
A giggle that reminded Haru of bells chiming caught his attention.
"It will be nice to see Lucy and the others again. Hard to believe it's been almost a year now since we last saw them." Said Elie Glory.
Elie was a beautiful woman with short brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. She had her one hand covering her brow to shade her eyes from the sun so she could properly see Magnolia while her other hand rested in her lap.
"…Though I hope we're not intruding on them with our visit." Elie added.
"It'll be fine," Haru assured his wife as he sat next to her, taking her free hand into his, "From what I remember about Natsu and his friends, I think they're used to random events happening on a day to day basis."
Speaking of which…let the chaos ensue…
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"What did you say icicle brains!?" Natsu yelled as he slammed his fists onto his table.
"Oy vey, what did he say now?" Sam Fullbuster groaned as he rested his forehead on the bar top.
"You heard me ash head!" Gray countered.
"I don't know, nor do I care." Igneel Dragneel muttered as his eye brow began to develop an annoying tick as he tried, the key word being tried, to read his book.
"You wanna fight!?" Natsu said as a malicious grin formed on his face.
"Bring it on!" Gray said as a similar look formed on his face.
The two rivals launched themselves across the table and the melee began. Igneel and Sam let out a simultaneous, tired sigh.
"Oh for the love of Mavis, why'd they have to do this now!?" Lucy called out as she dodged Gray's plate which had been haphazardly thrown in her direction.
"Gray-sama." Juvia whimpered worriedly before Lucy pulled her away from the chaos which had since dragged Elfman and Freed into the fray.
"You going to do anything to stop this?" Igneel asked as he turned his page.
Sam picked his head off the table, took one cursory look over his shoulder before slamming it back onto the table.
"Screw that." Sam said.
It was around that time that Saito returned from the restroom. Dodging and weaving his way through the chaos, Saito approached the bar while deflecting a plate with his hand just as Jellal and Cana, surprisingly, were grabbed by their ankles and sucked into the brawl, despite their extremely vocal and in Cana's case, "F-Bomb" laden protests.
"Have I missed anything?" Saito asked as he caught a wayward Maco before pushing the poor sap back into the fight.
Igneel and Sam looked at Saito, then over their shoulders, then at each other and then back to Saito.
"Nope." The two friends said in unison.
"Oh dear, not again." Mirajane said as she ducked beneath someone's shoe.
"Hi Aunt Mira." The boys said with varying degrees of enthusiasm…or lack thereof.
"Do you boys want a place to hide out until this dies down?" Mira asked as she gestured to underneath the bar.
"Beats the hell out sitting through this." Sam said as he pushed himself up and over the bar.
Igneel and Saito soon followed suite.
As much as they loved their parents and Guild, the three friends had grown…annoyed at the frequency of the fights that usually broke out in the Guild.
Annoyed, however, was the polite way of putting things.
The fight seemed to pick up in size and thus, Sam was not a happy camper.
"Bullshit, I call bullshit!" Sam hollered over the din and breaking of furniture.
"Just be glad your sisters aren't here for this." Saito yelled back.
"Where's Aunt Erza when you need her?" Igneel mumbled as he put his book away. He wouldn't be reading it any time soon if this fight continued.
Despite the chaos that permeated through the Guild, the sound of the doorbell tinkering somehow managed to reach Igneel's ears.
Poking his head up and nearly getting brained by a mug in the process, Igneel looked through the calamity to the main door where he saw two people standing. One was a man with silver hair and the other was a woman with short brown hair, the former keeping the latter held close.
"Uh oh, we've got guests." Igneel yelled as he ducked under the counter again.
"How many?" Sam yelled.
Igneel held up two fingers and then looked to Saito.
"Saito, if we don't stop this those people are going to get dragged into this. I think it's time you made some noise."
"You and Sam going to manage damage control?" Saito yelled.
"We got this, just wait for my signal."
"Got it!" Saito said as he and Igneel stood up.
"Oh man." Sam grimaced as he slapped his palms over his ears and closed his eyes' tightly.
Igneel frantically waved to the front of the Guild and caught the new comer's attention. He used pantomime to signal that he should cover their ears. When they did so, albeit hesitantly, Igneel signaled the same to Mirajane who was huddling with Sam.
"Let 'er rip man!" Igneel said as he tapped Saito on his shoulder before ducking under the bar and covering his ears.
Saito braced both his hands on the countertop, sucked in a deep breath of air until his lungs felt ready to burst as he bent his neck and spine back and focused his Dragon Skin on his lungs, throat and ears.
And in one fluid motion, Saito flung his head and chest forward and unleashed a powerful and ear splitting roar at the top of his lungs.
The sound of Saito's roar was instantaneous as the fighting instantly stopped and people grabbed their ears and began writhing on the ground. The roar was so powerful in its force that the Guild Hall itself began to shake, creak and groan. Several bottles of liquor and alcohol suddenly shattered into hundreds of pieces due to the decibel force and the windows near the main door began to crack.
The roar soon died down and Saito found himself leaning on the bar for support as his Dragon Skin faded. He then let out a series of violent coughs which were followed by a series of gasps for air.
It went without a doubt that Saito's roar had gotten the desired results.
Everyone in the guild, the new arrivals included, were frozen where they stood as they gaped open mouthed at Saito.
"Nice pipes." Max said in awe as he scratched his ear to make sure it wasn't bleeding.
"What in the nine levels of hell was that!?" Jet said as he winced, hearing his own voice through ringing ears.
Saito looked down at Igneel who in turn gave his best friend a thumbs up.
Saito nodded…before he promptly and comically keeled over and crashed to the floor. A series of dry coughs soon followed.
"That," Sam said as he stood up while helping Mira stand, "was Saito's "Kaiju Roar"."
The sound of Makarov's office door being violently slammed open caught everyone's attention. They all turned to see a very angry Makarov Dreyar clutching his one ear while his other hand pointed accusingly at his nakama.
"What in the Sam Hill was that!?" Makarov hollered, his hearing having not fully recovered from Saito's roar.
Everyone pointed to Sam, Igneel and Saito.
"Care to explain yourselves, boys?" Makarov asked through gritted teeth.
"I blame Igneel, sir!" Sam said as he snapped to mock attention as if her were in the army.
"Snitch." Saito muttered while Sam chuckled. Igneel simply rolled his eyes…his friends could be a handful sometimes.
Makarov fixed Igneel with a glare.
"Well, Igneel?" Makarov said expectantly.
"Well, this wouldn't have happened if someone I know," Igneel said as he casted an annoyed look at Natsu who simply rubbed his neck sheepishly, "didn't pick a fight that sucked in everyone and their grandma."
Igneel pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Through the chaos I saw that we had two visitors at the front door. To prevent them from being dragged into the mess against their will, I had Saito call on the impressive power of his lungs," Igneel patted Saito on the back, earning a rough cough from the latter, "to get everybody to shut up and calm the hell down."
"Visitors?" Makarov and the Guild asked in unison.
Igneel gestured to the front door where two unfamiliar faces stood, meekly waving to the mages.
Lucy suddenly let out a surprised gasp as a radiant smile broke out on her face.
"Haru, Elie!" Lucy called out as she stood up from the floor and raced over to the two mages.
"Lucy!" Elie called out excitedly as she took Elie in a warm hug. Natsu, having recognized Haru, was close behind her as he and Haru clasped hands.
"Puun, puun!" Plue called out excitedly as he hoped up into Lucy and Elie's hug, much to Lucy's delight.
"You even brought Plue along with you too." Lucy beamed as she pulled back from the hug.
"It's so good to see you two, you should have told us you were coming." Lucy said.
"Yeah…had we known you guys were gonna be here, we may have avoided that…incident." Natsu said as Haru cocked a skeptic brow.
"I sincerely doubt that!" Saito yelled out, much to Natsu's embarrassment.
"What are you guys doing here anyways?" Natsu, quickly switching subjects as the others began to make their way over to the new arrivals.
"We were off to see Let and Julia when we heard that your Guild was nearby. We figured we'd make a little detour and give you guys a surprise visit." Haru said.
"But we can't stay too long though," Elie said, "We want to be back home in time before the little guy arrives."
"Little guy?" Natsu and Lucy said in confusion.
Elie nodded and gently patted her stomach. It was then that everyone became aware of Elie's appearance. Lucy gasped in surprise as a large smile broke out on her face.
Beneath Elie's light green, sleeveless, Heart Kruez maternity gown was a very swollen belly.
"Elie your pregnant!?" Lucy said as she took the latter into a hug.
"Not for very long," Haru said, "sometime in the next few weeks, the little guy is going to pop out." Haru said as he wrapped his arm around Elie's shoulder.
"It's a boy?" Natsu asked as he gave a congratulatory pat to Haru's back.
"Yep, the doc confirmed it two months ago." Haru answered.
"Have you decided on a name?" Levy asked.
Elie looked at Haru with a smile.
"We've decided to name him Levin." Elie said as she gently rubbed her belly.
"A good strong name." Elfman said with a nod of approval.
Sam leaned close to Igneel.
"Good call with that whole roar thing." Sam whispered.
"Yeah, if got dragged into that brawl, I don't think I'd be able to live with myself." Igneel whispered back.
Saito simply shuddered at the implication of what could have happened.
"You must be tired then," Makarov said, "please take a seat, your child must be taking a lot out of you." Makarov said as Freed and Gray picked up a table and some chairs that had been knocked over in the fight.
"You have no idea." Elie said as she slowly sat down with Haru's help.
The two mages soon brought their counter parts up to speed on what had happened within the last year. They told of Haru's final battle and yearlong disappearance, Elie's amnesia, their wedding to finally receiving the news about the baby.
All the while, Sam, Saito and Igneel watched from the bar.
"It's weird seeing Levin like this." Saito said.
"I know how you feel," Sam said, "hard to believe that our moms were like that at one point."
"We all start from somewhere." Igneel said as he thought about his future friend, Levin Glory.
"Just hard to imagine that one of the strongest swordsmen of our time is nothing more than a baby, safely tucked away in his mother's belly."
Sam and Saito nodded in agreement.
"That's time travel for you." Sam said wryly.
Igneel chuckled.
"Something wrong Natsu?" Elie asked, catching the boy's attention.
Natsu was currently starring intently at Elie's swollen belly.
Natsu opened his mouth to speak but Elie quickly caught on to what he was going to ask.
"It's okay Natsu," Elie said, "you can touch."
Natsu gave Elie a hesitant look, only to have Elie giggle and gently grab Natsu's hand. She then placed his palm on her stomach and watched Natsu's reaction.
At first, nothing seemed to happen. Natsu let out surprised gasp however and slowly pulled his hand away.
"I felt him," Natsu said, "I felt him!" Natsu added with excitement laced in his voice.
"From what I felt, I think Levin tried to give you a fist bump." Elie said as she gently rubbed her belly again.
From her seat, Lucy couldn't help but smile at Natsu's reaction as her own hands gently touched her stomach.
"Perhaps…when the time comes, that will be Natsu's reaction for when we have Igneel and Lilly." Lucy thought as her mind conjured up an image of Natsu having the same reaction…only in her daydream, she would be the one who was pregnant.
It was a daydream Lucy enjoyed to no end.
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As the hours passed, Natsu, Lucy and the others told Haru and Elie about what had been happening on their side of the world. They spared no detail when the recalled the events of the Grand Magic Games, the bloody fights with Tartarus and the eventual arrival of their future children.
Haru and Elie were subsequently blown away by the last part.
Though from their experience, nothing was impossible. Still, it was hard for the two to imagine meeting your future children and having the opportunity to interact with them day after day.
"That's…that's just incredible." Elie said.
"It all seems so surreal, but it's true." Lucy said.
"Man," Haru said as he took a glance at Igneel, "it must be crazy getting to see your kids like this."
"It took some getting used to," Natsu said, "but after getting to know them, it feels as if they were always part of the Guild."
Natsu casted a glance at Igneel who was still at the bar. He received a small wave in return.
"Oh shoot!" Elie suddenly said.
"What's wrong, is it the baby!?" Haru asked frantically.
Elie shook her head.
"No, I just remembered that we have some errands to run before we head out again." Elie said as she stood up.
"Elie, what are you doing?" Haru asked.
"I'm going shopping, duh." Elie said.
"Elie, we discussed this; you can't go walking around too much, it's not good for you or the baby." Haru pleaded with his wife.
"It won't take that long, I'll be fine." Elie answered, stubborn as ever.
"But Elie…"
"No buts." Elie said.
"How are you going to carry everything then?" Haru asked as he crossed his arms.
"Leave that to us." A voice said.
Haru turned around to see Sam and Saito standing behind him.
"We were heading out anyway and heard that this little lady was going to run some errands." Sam said.
"It's on our way back home so it won't bother us if we make a trip or two." Saito added.
"Besides, no pregnant lady is walking around this town without an escort…especially with your reputation Mrs. Glory." Sam said.
Elie flushed in embarrassment.
"I don't mean to blast things with my tonfa…it just sort of happens."
Haru let out a defeated sigh before kissing Elie on the forehead.
"Be safe and hurry back soon." Haru said with concern in his eyes.
"I'll be fine Haru, don't worry." Elie said as Saito and Sam led her to the door.
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"Is this everything?" Sam asked as he held up a series of plastic bags.
"I think so," Elie checked her list, "just one more stop and that will be it."
"We can't be too long, remember?" Saito said, "I don't want Uncle Haru to worry about you too much."
Saito held to large paper bags in his arms.
"Yeah…" Elie paused as she set her list back in her purse before covering her stomach with her hands, a low groan escaping her lips.
"Actually, do think we could find a place to sit down for a sec?"
"You okay?" Sam asked.
Elie nodded.
"Just some pains, nothing unusual."
The trio soon came upon a bench and with the mages help, Elie leaned back into the seat.
"Phew, this little guy takes so much out of me." Elie said as she patted her stomach gently.
"What's up with you, you've been acting weird all day?" Elie thought.
"Has Levin been active today?" Saito asked.
Elie blinked before smiling. She wasn't used to her baby being called by his name yet.
Elie shook her head.
"Quite the opposite. Normally his fussing about and kicking my ribs. But today he's been quiet. I think the only time he was active was when Natsu touched me earlier."
Elie paused as she looked at the afternoon sky.
"You two are from the future right?" Elie asked.
Sam and Saito nodded.
"Can I ask you something?"
"About Levin?" Saito asked.
Elie nodded with a giggle.
"That easy, huh?"
Saito smiled.
"Levin will grow up to be a tall, strong man. Just like his father." Saito said.
"Tell me about him please." Elie asked.
"Well…" Sam said, "He's got an impulsive streak and he has some memory issues."
"I wonder where he gets that from?" Elie said with a knowing smile.
"But when it comes down to it, he's a nice guy to be around. Looks after people, always trying to do the right thing. He's a good friend." Sam said with a small smile as he lowered his eyes in though.
"A good friend indeed."
Sam looked at Elie.
"And that's all I have to say…I don't want to spoil things for you now do I?" Sam said with a sly grin.
"No…I guess not." Elie said before slowly standing up.
"Alright guys, let's finish this up and…" Elie said before her words slowly died on her lips. Her brows knit together in confusion as she clutched her stomach.
"Mrs. Glory are you okay?" Sam asked.
"I…don't…I don't know." Elie said as she took a step forward…and fell to her knees with a cry of pain.
"Mrs. Glory!" Sam and Saito said as Elie clutched her stomach.
It was then that Saito noticed a damp stain forming on the lower half of Elie's dress.
"Her water's breaking…" Saito thought before pausing.
His eyes slowly widened before he met Sam's frantic gaze.
Elie let out another cry as she leaned on her one hand for support, the other clutching her stomach.
"The baby…the baby…" Elie whimpered.
The baby was coming…
The baby was coming…
The baby was coming…
The thought hit the boys like a sack of bricks.
"THE BABY'S COMING!" Sam and Saito yelled in equal panic.
Elie gave out another cry of pain.
"The doctor…said he wasn't due…until a few weeks." Elie said as another contraction caused her to cry out.
"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh holy crap!" Sam said as he clutched his head and began to panic.
"What are we gonna do; WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!?" Sam yelled.
Saito, ever the voice of reason, took a calming breathe.
"Stay calm…don't panic." Saito said.
"Don't panic, are you nuts!?" Sam said in an exasperated tone as he pointed at Elie.
"She just went into labor and your acting like your made out of granite or-"
Still the voice of reason, Saito did the one thing that made sense; he slapped Sam, hard, right across the face before putting his hands on his hips and tapped his foot in a waiting manner.
Sam took a deep breathe.
"Okay," Sam said, "I needed that." The ice mage said having regained his composure.
"What do we do?" Sam asked as Saito picked up Elie bridal style.
"I'll take Mrs. Elie to the hospital. Sam, I need you to triple time it back to the Guild and let everyone know what's happened."
"Right." Sam said with a nod.
The two paused for a minute.
"Why are you just standing there? MOVE IT!" Saito yelled as Sam backpedaled.
"Sorry!"
Saito sighed before turning in the hospital's direction. Elie let out a groan and curled up in pain.
"No offense…but how are we getting to the hospital." Elie panted out.
Saito smirked before his Dragon Skin formed onto his skin.
Elie let out a surprised gasp.
"Like this." Saito said.
Using his Dragon Skins enhanced speed, Saito bounded off for the hospital as people jumped out of his way.
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It was a calm day in the market district of Magnolia town.
The afternoon shoppers mingled about as they sampled the many vendors as they offered their wares at various prices.
One man, happened to be selling fresh cabbages.
"Cabbages here, get your fresh cabbages!" The vendor called out as people passed his cart.
The man had originally sold his produce in the city of Crocus. But after the Grand Magic Games and all the chaos that had been caused by said event, the vendor looked for safer, greener pastures to sell his beloved vegetable.
After weeks of searching, he finally settled down in Magnolia Town.
"Cabbages, get your fresh cabbages! They're nice and fresh and real cheap!"
The sound of people yelping in surprise was followed by the frantic pounding of boots to cobblestone.
"What the?" The vendor asked as he turned towards the sound…
…And froze in place when a jet black creature carrying a woman in his arms charged his spot at full speed. Before he could cry out, the man watched as the creature suddenly pivoted on his right foot so that the left side of his back took the brunt of the hit as he collided with the vendor's cart. The wooden cart seemed to simply break apart like a boulder crashing through ice. Unfazed by the fact that the fact that he had just annihilated the man's cart, the creature pivoted on his foot so that he was facing forward once again and continued on his mad dash to wherever he was going.
In shock from what he just witnessed, the vendor collapsed to his knees as threw his hands to the sky as he screamed in pure, unbridled horror, "MY CABBAGES!"
"Oops." Saito said nonchalantly as he heard the man's scream.
"You didn't have to do that." Elie said, feeling bad that the vendor had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"You could have avoided him and-Eeek!" Elie cried out when Saito long jumped over a series of crates, his speed never breaking.
"I am currently running at forty-five kilometers per hour, (twenty eight miles per hour here in the U.S.), if I were to suddenly stop my running and tried to avoid that cart, I would have crashed right into it. I would be protected but you on the other hand would probably get banged up. Seeing as how you are going into labor, I can't let that happen."
Elie blinked as Saito's words suddenly became clear.
He was right; if he had lost his grip on her, she could have been flung forward and…
Elie swallowed hard as the outcome played out in her mind.
…And the baby could have been hurt. Badly even.
Elie let out another gasp of pain.
"We're almost there, hang on." Saito said as he pushed his legs to move faster.
XXXX
"They've been gone a long time, you think anything has happened?" Haru asked in a concerned tone as he checked his wrist watch while tapping his foot in worry.
"Nah," Natsu said as he placed a comforting hand on Haru's shoulder, "Elie probably had to sit down or they got stuck in a line."
Natsu took a sip of his drink.
"I'm sure they're perfectly fine-"
Natsu was cut off when a large shard of ice blasted the front door off its hinges and nailed it to the wall.
"-or not." Natsu finished his statement.
"My door." Makarov said in disbelief.
A heavily panting Sam strode through the doorway and right up to Haru.
"Elie…baby…hospital." Sam wheezed as he hitched his thumb over his shoulder.
"What!?" Haru said before Sam gripped his shoulders.
Taking in a deep breathe, Sam clarified himself.
"ELIE WENT INTO LABOR, THE BABY'S COMING!"
There was a brief moment of silence before-
"WHAT!" Everyone in the Guild yelled.
"Saito's taken her to the hospital…we have to get there A.S.A.P."
Haru was out the door in an instant. But in his haste, he forgot one little, tiny detail…
"Wait!" Natsu cried out, "You don't know where the hospital is!" Natsu said as he gave chase and was soon joined by the most of the Guild.
A heavily panting Sam was dragged along by Gray.
"You gonna be alright?" Gray asked
"…My lungs hurt." Was all Sam said.
XXXX
The large group of mages had made it to the hospital in record time.
Making their way through the front doors, they were soon directed by the front desk to make their way to the second floor. Having bounded up the stairs, the group found Saito sitting in a chair in the waiting area as he stood to meet his Guild.
"You made it just in time, the docs just took Mrs. Elie in."
"Is she alright!?" Haru asked.
Saito nodded before waving a nurse over.
"Can I help you?" The nurse asked.
"This man is the husband of the woman I just brought in. Could you take him to her please?" Saito said as he pointed at Haru.
The nurse gave Haru a surprised look before nodding in conformation.
"Of course, please follow me." The nurse said as she guided Haru to Elie's room.
Saito let out a sigh before sitting back down in his chair.
"Nice work." Igneel said as he and Saito bumped fists.
"Thanks." Saito said before he noticed Sam who was slumped up against a wall.
"Seriously dude, are you that out of shape?" Saito asked as a smirk formed on his lips.
Sam glared at his friend.
"Unlike you, some of us don't have magic super speed." Sam bit out much to everyone's amusement.
"…What happens now?" Natsu asked.
Igneel took his book out of his belt pouch as he sat down on a chair.
"We wait." Was all Igneel said.
XXXX
Six hours.
Six hours had passed since Elie had went into labor.
It had now been fifteen minutes since they heard Elie crying out from her room. The baby was being delivered.
Now there was silence.
The mages of Fairy Tail sat close to each other in the packed waiting room as they waited for any sort of news. Many of the mages didn't dare speak while others prayed to whatever deity they hoped was listening.
Igneel had since stopped reading his book and had closed his eyes as he lightly held Senna's hand, the latter having arrived two hours prior with Lilly, Chiara and Jenny when the found out what was going on.
And still they continued to wait.
The sound of doors opening followed by footsteps caught everyone's attention.
A doctor in medical scrubs soon entered the waiting room.
"How did it go?" Lucy asked nervously.
They doctor looked at everyone in the room…
…Before a gentle smile formed on his lips.
"The delivery went without a hitch," the doctor said, "the baby is just fine."
A collective sigh of relief along with a few cheers came from all those present.
"Both Mrs. Glory and her child are in perfect health." The doctor said as he turned to Saito and Sam.
"You boys should be commended for what you did. If you hadn't taken action the way you did, I don't think the birth would have gone so smoothly."
Saito and Sam nodded with embarrassed smiles as they received all around praise for their actions.
"Can we go see Elie and Haru?" Natsu asked.
The doctor nodded but held up his finger.
"You can go but only a couple of people at a time. Mrs. Glory had been through a lot today so I don't want her to become too stressed out by everyone visiting at once.
The doctor went back to Elie's room and motioned for the first group to follow which happened to be Natsu and Lucy.
"C'mon you two," Natsu said as he grabbed Sam and Saito by their arms, "You two really helped Elie out when she needed it. You two should get the first honor as well."
Sam and Saito made to protest but Natsu simply dragged them over to the room.
The four mages entered and found a heartwarming sight.
Elie sat propped up in her bed while Haru sat hunched next to her as Elie rested her head atop his. And bundled up in a blanket, held close to his mother's chest, was Levin Glory.
"Be quiet," Elie gently whispered, "he's sleeping." She said while smiling at the mages.
While Natsu and Lucy stood back, Sam and Saito crept forward before leaning near the bed.
"Thank you," Haru whispered to Sam and Saito, "thank you for what you did for Elie and my son."
"Just doing what was right." Saito said in an equally hushed tone.
For a preemie, Levin was a remarkably healthy looking baby. He was a little chubby, which was to be expected, and he had a small patch of dark silver hair atop his head. His eyes were closed in sleep and his little arms were held up close to his chin.
When Sam extended his finger out to gently stroke Levin's forehead, he was slightly taken aback when Levin's hand reached out and clutched his pinkie finger. It was almost if the baby sensed Sam's presence.
Levin's fingers were so tiny, they barely wrapped around Sam's finger.
"Grow up big and strong buddy," Sam whispered with a tender smile, "grow up big and strong just like your daddy."
Saito couldn't help the toothy smile that broke apart his lips.
The scene proved to be too much for Lucy and she found herself crying as she gently gripped Natsu's hand; their fingers slowly intertwining.
"What's wrong?" Natsu whispered.
Lucy shook her head as she wiped away her tears with a smile.
"Nothing." Lucy said before resting her head on Natsu's shoulder.
"It just that…seeing this…it makes you with for the future, doesn't it?"
Natsu looked back at Haru and Elie as they shared a kiss before they in turn placed two gentle kisses on Levin's head.
The newborn stirred slightly in his sleep.
"Yeah," Natsu said after a moment of silence before he rested his cheek on Lucy's head, "yeah it does."
With that, the two mages watched as Saito and Sam tenderly spoke to Haru, Elie and Levin, while dreams of the future filled their minds eyes.
XX-END-XX
A/N: So what do yall think? I hope I did okay with my attempt at some humor while trying to balance everything else out.
Any who, this marks the end to the third Side Story for Kids. I'll be jumping right back into working on Chapter Two of Vendetta but my schedule is pretty hectic at the moment. I should have it posted sometime soon. Like I said, I'm going to work on Vendetta for a little bit before I head back into this story. Just be patient, that's all I ask.
As for next time in Kids; Side Story 4: Learning the Ropes.
As per usual, if you guys have any comments or questions, please put it in your review and I'll make sure to respond to you in the next chapter.
Until next time; read, review and most importantly of all, HAPPY READING!