Chapter 8: Dragon Slayer Suspicions
Laxus was wondering just who had come to see Blondie that was keeping her downstairs for so long. A part of him was worried that she was with another guy. Even though they had been spending so much time together lately he still had no idea if the buxom blonde had feelings for him. Sure he knew that there was times that she was obviously lusting over him, which is why he walked around without a shirt so often, but lust didn't mean that she actually felt something for him.
No matter how difficult it was for him to do Laxus was being careful to keep by his word to the demon. There was no way that he was going to tell Lucy how he felt unless if she had showed herself inclined to him in some way or if she started everything. A part of him was worried though that his Blondie was only lusting after him, and that even if she did make a move that she would only want a physical relationship.
He wished he could talk to a girl and get her take on things between him and Lucy, but he was afraid of talking to the wrong person. Ever didn't really spend much time with Lucy so it wasn't like he could ask her, and Erza got embarrassed anytime feelings were brought up so she wasn't any help either. Cana or Mira would have been the perfect two to help him except for the fact that because of his mess up back when Phantom Lord attacked he was certain those two would never help him. They were too protective over their younger friend which was a good thing, but bad for him because he honestly liked her. Yet he didn't want to tell those two the depths of his feelings and have them still refuse to help him get the girl.
"Oi Laxus we need to talk," Natsu yelled barging into his office. It was also quite odd because of the fact that the pink haired pyro maniac shouldn't be able to get into his office. He would have kicked him out, but the other three that came in with him had such serious looks on their faces that Laxus didn't think that was the right thing to do.
"What do you want Natsu?" he growled hoping they wouldn't be here for long because he wanted Lucy to come back up, although she was probably still busy with her guest.
Not to mention he wasn't really in the mood for being around the pyro or the metal head considering the way they acted around him lately. He knew the two had made a bet about him and Lucy that Natsu had won and he was really curious about what it was. However he couldn't ask them without showing them that he cared about Lucy, and he didn't need that information in their hands. Natsu might actually try to kill him for going after his best friend.
Instead of replying the Master of that stupid Sabertooth guild handed over a pile of paperwork to Laxus. He still hated the stupid guild for what they had done to Lucy during the games, and hated when they were here and she never seemed to mind. What was it about Lucy that made her forgive those who had hurt her the worst? Even the metal head had harmed her and yet she had become friends with him. She had even accepted him back after what he had done at Fantasia and he still didn't quite understand how her heart was so big.
Realizing that the dragon slayers in front of him were waiting impatiently Laxus began to scan the papers that were an obvious interrogation of a dark mage. The words that really stood out to him was that the interrogation was marked a week ago and was talking about a dragon slayer child. He didn't think that there were any dragons other then Acnologia left, so how was there a new dragon slayer? It showed that the dark mage had been trying to hunt down the new child, but it didn't really go into much detail. No name no physical description it didn't even have information about what type of magic the child used. Without even the basic facts what made the dark mage and its guild believe that there was another child raised by a dragon to exploit.
"I don't understand. They don't have any information about the child so why is it a big concern?" he asked leaning back into his chair. So far he really didn't see why they had needed to bug him for this.
"Laxus-san the reason they have no information about the child is because the child hasn't been born yet," the Sabertooth Master told him.
Looking into the worried eyes he realized that it meant one of these men was about to become a father, but before they were told by their mate they found out that a dark guild already knew and was after the child. Or maybe since none of them seemed to be going on a rampage just yet it had just been a seer telling the dark guild and the child hadn't even been conceived yet. However either way an innocent child was being targeted for what their parent was and Laxus wouldn't take that sitting down.
"So what are we going to do about it?" he asked. Obviously they would have to keep an eye on the girls to figure out which one was pregnant or would become pregnant. Yet until they figured that out they would have to make sure they had defense procedures in place to make sure that the dark guild didn't just kidnap all of the girls.
"For the moment we are just going to have to make sure the girls don't leave our sights. The problem though is that shrimp stays in Fairy Hills and I won't be able to protect her there. Not that shrimp and I have taken steps that could lead to her becoming pregnant. Shrimp wants to wait for marriage and I'm not ready for that yet. Gihii," metal head explained.
"Perhaps we should ask Mirajane-san and Erza-san to keep an eye on her, although I guess Mirajane-san will be busy with Lisanna-san," the shadow slayer said turning towards Natsu and Gajeel.
Laxus didn't really understand what this had to do with him though, or Rogue really other than them helping to protect the other slayers mates. The other slayers were already in relationships with their mates, and he didn't even know if his mate had romantic feelings for him. As far as he was concerned he couldn't tell her she was his mate until he was certain of her feelings because otherwise she would feel obligated to be with him. Considering with her best friend being a dragon slayer she knew just how important a dragon's mate was to them. Heck he had to keep having meaningless one night stands to control the lust he felt for his little mate, although with her now living with him he hadn't in a while. It just hadn't felt right him leaving her alone so that he could fight off his lust for her.
He was also wondering why the poison slayer hadn't been contacted. If someone was going after the future child of one of the slayers he didn't understand why he was left out of it. Or maybe they thought that since Kinana was a part of Fairy Tail that they would be able to protect her. Then again it could also be that they hadn't been able to contact Crime Sorcière to inform him about the threat to his mate. Laxus really didn't even understand how the poison slayer could stay away from his mate as long as he does, or maybe they haven't finished the bond making it easier for him to stay away.
"Luce will be fine since she is already living with Laxus," Natsu suddenly said making Laxus jolt up and stare at the stupid pyro.
"What the hell do you mean by that pyro?" he stopped himself from shouting only because he didn't want Lucy running up here. Especially not how Natsu was talking about her. Natsu had Lisanna why the hell should he care about Lucy.
"Oh come off it Sparky, Salamander and I figured it out a couple weeks back when she was sleeping in your lap. Bunny Girls your mate, right? Gihii," the stupid metal head said with a smirk.
Glaring at the stupid slayers of his guild and trying to avoid the slack jawed looks of the Saber idiots Laxus wondered what he should be doing. Should he deny that Lucy was his mate and make the two look like idiots, or should he explain to them why he was waiting? He was certain that metal head at least would understand why he wanted to be certain she felt something for him first, especially considering how his relationship with the bookworm had started. Yet he wasn't sure if the pyro would be able to keep his secret and not going blabbing it to Lucy. She deserved to be able to choose who she wants to be with, not be forced to be his because of the lacrima his stupid father had forced into his skull.
"Actually now that I think about it, isn't it a little strange?" Natsu asked tilting his head to the side as he got a confused look on his face. At least it got the other slayers off of the topic of his mate.
"What's strange pyro?" he asked wondering what strange thoughts were going in the pyro's head. Especially since everyone knew that he wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
The look on Natsu's face told Laxus whatever he was thinking couldn't be good, but then again it is Natsu. Please just be one of those times that the pyro is just thinking of something random and thinks it connects to the current conversation. "Well Luce was attacked at her apartment a couple weeks ago, and then suddenly we learn of a threat to a dragon slayers mate and unborn child. It just seems really suspicious doesn't it?"
Laxus stared at Natsu in shock this was the first time he had actually heard Natsu say anything even remotely smart. Perhaps his white haired mate and his friendship with Lucy was finally rubbing off on him. Yet Laxus wished that Natsu had never said it because it could mean that Lucy was already in danger, but if she knew why she was in danger why wasn't she telling them. Maybe Lucy was only attacked because they still thought what most of Fiore did, that she and Natsu would end up together. Other then Natsu it's not like they could romantically link her to another slayer, unless if they had been spying on them and seen Lucy visit him often.
As the emotions flitted across Laxus's face the other Fairy Tail slayers also thought about how weird Lucy had been acting lately. Neither of them had smelled blood on her in a while like they usually did once a month with the other girls. Was it possible that she was pregnant already? But then again wouldn't Laxus look suspicious if it was possible that Lucy could be carrying his child. Not to mention the weird drink she had been having every morning instead of her usual milkshake that she had switched a while back to a smoothie. Lucy was just being really strange.
I was really enjoying meeting with Yukino and being able to talk to her about her new keys. I hadn't even known that she had contracts with keys other than the other two zodiac and the thirteenth gate, so it was nice learning about the other ones she has found. My eyes were constantly drifting back in the direction of Laxus's office though wondering what exactly the five dragon slayers could be discussing that was so important. Something told me that Yukino hadn't only been brought along to check on me for my spirits.
After having been constantly in Laxus's presence the last couple of weeks it feel really strange to not be around him. It's odd I went from avoiding being around him because I was embarrassed after we slept together to wanting to be around him all the time. Really I just want to be able to run into Laxus's office and throw myself in his arms because of this feeling of dread, but I know that will raise too many questions. Including why I felt so much dread which even I don't understand times like this is when I really need to talk to Crux.
"Lucy-sama are you alright?" Yukino interrupted my inner thoughts giving me a concerned look. Mira was also looking at us her eyes calculating like they have been constantly since I had started working with Laxus.
"I don't know," I told her honestly deciding keeping my fears locked up wasn't good. "I just feel a very strong sense of foreboding."
Both of them gave me a very concerned look probably thinking I am just being overly sensitive since the slayers are having a secret meeting. Yet this feeling has a tingling sensation running down my lap making me feel like everything is going to change soon. I just hope that my child will survive whatever is coming, although I have to hold off the instinct to wrap my arms around my stomach. Too many things adding up will end up making my guild mates suspicious especially since Cana had basically broadcasted it to the guild that I had lost my virginity even if she didn't know who it was by. I'm certain her and Mira will go on a rampage if they ever end up finding out that my baby's father is Laxus.
It was as I was trying to meditate to try and figure out more about my uneasy feeling that it happened. The anklet on my left foot the one no one ever commented on even though I've never taken it off started to burn. My face went pale as I realized the ramifications that the anklet activating could have, and tried to make sure that Yukino and Mira didn't realize I was in pain. The more I tried to push the feeling down and ignore it however the more my anklet burned as the seal tried to break apart.
Then as suddenly as the seal started to flare up it stopped and I found an innocent little piece of paper sitting in my hand. Making me realize that someone that had to do with him if it hadn't been him himself had been in the guild. Been in the guild close enough to attack, but they had arrived and left without anyone other than me being the wiser. At least it calmed me down a bit though since the seal was acting up to their presence instead of it actually meaning what I had feared it meant.
"I'll be right back," I told the girls with a slight smile trying to act like nothing was wrong. I didn't want anyone around as I read the paper, so I made sure no one would even notice that I was holding something in my hand.
Upstairs in Laxus's office the three dragon slayers who had been on Tenroujima shifted in rage as they smelt a very familiar smell to the dark mage they had met on the island. Not even giving an explanation to the other two slayers the three of them found themselves rushing down stairs to make sure their guild mates were already. Laxus fearing that their guild was being held hostage or being destroyed by the darkest wizard in the world.
Instead when they got down there except for the lingering scent that led up to the bar and then turned around back outside nothing was out of place. Well other then the fact that Laxus couldn't see Lucy anywhere, but he could still smell her so he was praying that she was alright. Yet the strange thing was that none of their guildmates were acting strangely, so whoever or whatever had appeared had gone unnoticed by everyone except for the dragon slayers. What if his scent being in the guild meant that he was the one who had ordered the capture of the dragon slaying child?
Not even caring that it would seem weird Laxus found himself following Lucy's scent to outside of the guild washrooms. He could smell Lucy's confusion and anger, but he wasn't sure exactly why she was feeling that way unless if someone had said something to her. Yet there was no fear and no noises from inside so Laxus found himself content enough to wait outside of the ladies room for Lucy, not wanting to barge in there looking like a crazy person if she was fine.
As I ran into the bathroom I felt my composure breaking as I stared at the seemingly innocent piece of paper. I knew that it had to do with my maternal family otherwise it would have been sent in a normal way, not to mention the foreboding feeling I had gotten shortly before it arrived. The feeling was still there, but it wasn't as strong as it had been before the note arrived meaning that this seemingly meaningless note was at least a part of the reason I had felt so much dread.
Unfolding it my eyes widened as I read the familiar writing. Writing I had seen my mother often read, but when I was younger she had always told me that it was an old family friend. Instead I had gotten proof that my mother had been in correspondence with her father even though she had never even told me. Fear welled up in me making me wonder if my mother had fallen from the light to the dark before her untimely death.
Lucilla I am certain that you are confused as to what's been happening. Do remember child not to allow yourself to fall into the depths of despair. The twins you carry shall not carry the family legacy thanks to their father's blood. Do be careful though Lucilla there are certain people in the darkness who will do anything to get your children, and that's without them even knowing who you are.
You're Loving Grandfather
Such a short and innocent note that had too many questions riding within it, and his warning had come a little late considering that I had already been attacked the once. I also noticed how he had made himself sound much older than he was, perhaps he had someone else write the letter and told them what needed to be included. Luckily unless if someone knew my grandfather's style of writing the letter would just seem like an innocent warning that a loving grandfather had sent to his beloved grandchild.
It seemed though that he was also warning me not to fall to the family curse or rather not to fall into the darkness. You would think with who he is that he would be encouraging me to fall into the darkness and for me to join him. Not giving me warnings that made it seem like he actually cared about me.
At least now I knew that I wasn't condemning my children to the same uncertain fate that I have. If it wasn't for the fact that I knew how resilient dragons could be against certain things I would doubt his word, but it seems likely that as long as Laxus is the father that my children will be able to live a normal life. Well as normal a life that they could live with their father being a dragon slayer, and hopefully they would be future Fairy Tail mages.
Now though I'm going to have to have a talk with Porlyusica again to see if she can check if I'm having twins. It seems a little odd that he would specify my twins when I haven't even checked to see if I'm having more than one child. At least I know that my children will never grow up lonely like I had to if we ever did end up needing to leave Fairy Tail, although I hope that that eventuality never comes to pass.
Shoving the letter into my key pouch I wondered what I should do about it. Destroying it might mean that I later forget the words of warning, and yet keeping it would be admitting I was pregnant. Not to mention that it would make my guild mates suspicious as to why I was being warned not to fall to the depths of despair.
Walking out of the bathroom I hoped that for now the letter would remain safe where it was. Not thinking that anyone would be right outside of the bathroom door I hadn't even bothered to lift my head up and I found myself once again crashing into a familiar chest. Although this time unlike this morning he pulled me into him instead of letting me go. Turning my head up to look at him I was a little surprised to see the worry in his eyes, and wondered once again what the dragon slayers needed to talk about. Especially since it seems to be whatever they spoke of that has made Laxus more touchy feely then he usually is during the day.
"Laxus is everything ok?" I asked him reaching my hand up to turn his face more towards me. A part of my wanted to pull him closer and tug his lips down to my own, but I resisted it knowing that at this moment it would just complicate things further. I still have no idea how Laxus feels about me, and I don't want to end up making a fool out of myself in front of him especially since I am stuck living with him until my magic works again. Meaning I can't leave him until after the twins are born, and by them I'm unsure of whether I will have cracked or not and told him how I truly feel.
"Just dragon slayer business nothing for you to worry about Lucy," he told me gently as he pulled his face away from my hand. Although the look in his eyes told me there was a lot more to it then he was letting on.
As I followed Laxus back to the front hall of the guild I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. It was weird and I wasn't sure if it was someone associated with my oh so loving grandfather, or just one of my guild mates for whatever reason. No matter where I looked I couldn't find anyone looking at me and even if they were looking in my general direction I didn't have the feeling that they were the ones staring at me.
What Lucy didn't know though was at that moment the other dragon slayers were all keeping an eye on her. Natsu having filled in the other two on the weird way she had been acting lately. Yet they weren't even sure if she was the one they should be watching especially since Laxus had never said anything about sleeping with her. His guild mates though knew how much he could drink at a time and knew he had blackouts once in a while even if he wouldn't admit to it. Until they were a hundred percent sure Lucy wasn't pregnant they would be keeping a very close eye on her.
"Lucy-chan are you alright you left so suddenly?" Mira asked as I sat back down Laxus still hovering by my shoulder.
"Yeah, nature called," I told her with a laugh hoping that Laxus wouldn't smell the lie.
Rubbing my ankle slightly without really paying attention I was a little shocked when Laxus grabbed my foot and was looking at it carefully. I was going to pull my foot away until I heard him and Mira gasp and followed their line of sight to the dark red burn mark on my foot. Their eyes were filled with worry and concern, and really if I had found a strange burn mark on a guild mate I would be just as worried.
"Lucy what the hell happened to your ankle?" Laxus asked his eyes filling with lightning as he gently held my foot in his hand. Mira was glaring at him almost like she was blaming him for what happened.
"Um it's a burn," I said dumbly trying to figure out a good cover story that would explain it without me actually lying to them.
"We can see that Lucy-chan, but how did it happen? Did Laxus do something to you?" she asked in her motherly tone. Really it's only with me that she seems to think Laxus is some sort of weird pervert or out to hurt me.
Glaring up at her I stopped myself from screaming my answer and resorted to hissing it. "No! Laxus isn't the type of person who would do something like that. I really don't know what your problem is with Laxus Mira-san, but please stop dragging me into it. I promise you even without my magic I can handle myself quite well, and if Laxus did something I didn't like he would know it right away. You are supposed to be our Nakama so I would appreciate it if you stop acting like he is a pariah. What more does he have to do to prove to you that he's changed and truly wants to be a true member of our guild now?"
I didn't even give her the time to respond I was so angry at her. So instead I just grabbed Laxus's hand and dragged him back up to the office. Only looking back the once to send an angry glare at the stone shelled Mirajane who looked like she would crack if someone did so much as poke her. Hopefully my response will get it so that she stops attacking Laxus's character in the way she has been the last little while.
"You didn't have to do that Lucy," Laxus told me once we were back in his office and my anger had died down a bit.
Turning to look at him I smiled at him. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he felt like he deserved for some people to still doubt him. Yet he had done so much trying to prove he has changed, especially allowing me to invade his privacy to make sure that I am safe. He wasn't the Laxus I had first met when I had joined Fairy Tail and I was glad because he was finally stepping out of his grandfather's shadow. He had done something that I don't even have the courage to do because I am too afraid to even admit to anyone who my maternal grandparents are.
"Yeah I did Laxus, I really did."