And now, I present to you, twinSlayer for the last chapter of The's Tale~
*applause*
Thank you, thank you~ *bows head*
Okay, since this is the last chapter of my first fanfiction, I would like to express my gratitude towards my loyal readers who had always bear my laziness in updating my FF. But truly, this story had changed my life throughout my years in college. I started out when I was in my semester break. And watching Hibiki and Karen made me want to give a happy ending to him. Something in my mind told me, he deserves it. And…Walla! Here you go!
Yeah, sometimes in life, there is give and take. I had to use up all my pastimes to get this FF done. Because I love you guys so much. The feeling when you know there is someone out there reading and enjoying your work is too….wonderful. I cant put it into words. Though I can put so much 'XOXO's in here, I prefer not doing so.
Because sometimes, love cant be put into symbols and words. It's only there when you feel it.
Ergo, let's enjoy, the final chapter. *sniffs* Oh my God, I'm starting to cry…..*sniffs*
Disclai-*smack* Ouch, what was that for, Reika!?
Reika: Say the title first you baka.
Oh yeah. Ergo, let's enjoy, the final chapter of The's Tale: The Best Birthday Ever!
And disclaimer: Hiro Mashima-sensei created Fairy Tail. We, the fanfiction authors, are the one who keep complementing his work to match with your imagination.
-Almost a year had passed since we met...-, Hibiki speaks in his mind while staring at the clear blue sky. -Six months….You left me.-
"Oy". A hand slaps Hibiki's shoulder, making him jolted up a bit.
"Daydrrrrreaming~", Eve grins.
"Don't roll your tongue like that," he sweatdrops. His friends are becoming more and more like Happy, and that kinda scares him. Hibiki stands up, stretches out his limbs that felt weaken by the long sit. A groan leaves his mouth. "Where's Ichiya-sama?"
"Still in there. Wait a sec, I'll go ask Ren nii-chan." The petite gentleman runs back inside the building to meet with the leader. Again, Hibiki is left alone.
Minutes later, three silhouettes are seen walking out of the same buildings. They are Ichiya (MEN~), Ren and Eve, in their own special suits. The waiting ginger-head smiles. Walking alongside them, they start to chat about Ichiya's business just now.
"MEN~ Being a Master of the guild really is back-breaking, my beautiful men. I wouldn't maintain my concentration on the works without your help. These heavy assignments are wearing my parfums away~"
They chuckle. It's not easy to see Ichiya whines. All he ever did was blurting out his works with passion (and spraying bottles of nose-pinching perfumes). Those works must have been tough.
"Don't worry, Ichiya-sama. We'll go to your favourite restaurant when we arrive at the town", Eve comforts his master. He truly adores Ichiya, who has been so strong dealing with all this mess, plus without the presence of Master Bob. "And guess who is going to pay~?"
Ichiya, Ren and Eve smirk while looking at Hibiki at the corner of their eyes.
"What?"
"Your reason for this (forced) treat was because my work was the easiest one?"
Ren nods. While munching his mouth-watering burrito, he glances over his 27-year-old friend, Hibiki, who is slurping his cup of coffee.
"Aren't you going to have your lunch?"
He shooks his head gently. "I've had a heavy breakfast just now. Unlike you, I don't wanna gain weight, ya know?"
Pouting, Ren continues to chew his food. "It's not like I want to be chubby after marriage."
The other two just laugh at the tanned-boy's comment. True, Ren has become chubbier after his wedding with Sherry. And now, instead of a handsome flirty man, he looked much cuter.
"What are you looking at?" Ren complains after realizing Hibiki had been staring at him for quite a long time.
"Nothing." He looks back to his black coffee. "Nothing…"
-Such bliss in marriage….I wonder what have I done to have this much obstacle on early wedding days.-
"Hey guys, wanna know something?" Eve's voice suddenly interrupts his preoccupied mind. Quickly his gaze turns to the pale blonde boy.
"I thought tomorrow is someone's birthday….But I can't really figure out who that someone was."
"Now that you said it, MEN~…I thought so too. Is it someone that we all know?"
"Of course, Ichiya-sensei! I think Hibiki can clear our blurry memories."
Smiling, Hibiki hides his indignance. -Omae…..It's MY birthday…-
"I don't know. It's someone's birthday tomorrow? I can't say for sure that I remember…" He plays along with their little game of sarcasm.
The other three hold their smirk, trying hard not to exhibit their annoyance to that statement. -Yeaahhh….You don't remember your own birthday. Like hell we can believe that, especially when it comes from you.-
Slowly walking out of the restaurant after filling their stomach, Ichiya leads the small group to the wagon nearby. One by one steps into the cargo carrier behind and the wagon departs shortly after.
"Oh yeah, Ichiya-senpai," suddenly Eve pops a question, "Why didn't Jenny come along too? If not, this elite group would be perfect."
"My beautiful men, sometimes~ (sparkles) we have to give women a period of relaxation. Plus, now she has a boyfriend to take care of, it is more necessary for me to give her some privacy. (sparkles)"
"No doubt about her love now," Ren shrugs. "He even said that she was like some sort of Pharaoh princess, the beauty unflawed by time. All because of that necklace she always cling around her neck."
Agreeing, Hibiki nods. "Yeah, he is such a sweet-talker….. I mean, it is JENNY. She wouldn't give her heart so easily to people."
The other three look at Hibiki for a second before he realizes what they mean by that gaze.
"…..Well…..Except that one time when she fell for me…", he looks away.
"I can understand her feelings," Eve interrupts. "She put so much hope in this relationship. I believe that after seeing Ren and Hibiki married with their girl, she wanted to find her own happiness as well. In other words, she is jealous."
"Then how about you, young lad?" The tanned boy lifts his right brow while commenting. "Don't you have someone of your type?"
"Ren, isn't it too early for him to marry someone?" Hibiki elbows the raven head's ribs.
"I don't mean to just marry her, but start with a relationship first, like me and Sherry. Unlike you who just jump over Reika and-"
"-Actually…..I have someone in my mind….."
Ichiya, Ren and Hibiki turn over the blushing Eve. Their mouths wide open.
"…..Really, MEN~?"
Eve nods.
"Then," Ichiya plucks open a bottle of perfume, "Does that mean…I am the only one who didn't have a girlfriend yet?" Quickly, the atmosphere inside the wagon changes. The scent seeps into every corner of the carrier.
Sobbing heartily, he moves to a corner and puts the perfume bottle beside him.
"Ichiya-sensei…" they sweatdrop.
"Don't worry, Ichiya-sama," Eve tries to comfort him, "There must be someone for you outside there. You just have to…..Keep searching!"
The two Trimen agrees. "Of course! Don't be so sad, senpai!"
"Yes….And by that time you three already had two or three kids playing around your house….This is frustrating, MEN~" The perfumes spreads even more as he says 'MEN'
"Aughhh….."Trying hard not to vomit at the overwhelming smell, Hibiki asks, "By the way Ichiya-senpai, why did you take out that perfume?"
"This is a perfume for lonely people, to reduce their sadness over anything…..." Something snaps into his mind. "No wonder you three weren't affected to it. It is for lonely people…."
They look at their leader with a sympathetic look. "Boss…"
"That's why…." Ichiya's expression turns eerie. "I thought of pulling out my weapon, THE PARFUM OF DEATH!"
As he tries to reach the perfume bottle in his pockets, the Trimen hastily locks his movements. Eve at the arms, Ren tries to take away the bottle, Hibiki covers his eyes while head-locking Ichiya. There's no telling of what's gonna happen if that parfum of death is unleashed. Either it is for killing them or Ichiya, it spells trouble both ways.
"Lemme go, pretty men~ Lemme die in vain~" he starts to burst into tears. Hibiki's arm feels wet. "Ren, take that bottle, quick!"
"I'm….trying!" With much effort, he tries to push away Ichiya's muscular arms to throw away that source of problem. Sadly, Ichiya's hands are like The Great Wall of China! Unmovable!
"Eve, Lend me a hand!"
Eve holds out Ichiya's hand that he was grabbing since the start to Ren.
"NOT HIS HAND, I MEAN YOUR HAND!"
"Oh," He puts back Ichiya's hands into his lock and quickly helps out Ren to discard the bottle outside of the wagon.
"Are you done yet? I don't think I can hold much longer….!" Hibiki starts to sweat. This is why the Trimen didn't want to have a fight with Ichiya. He's troublesome in so many ways.
"Almost…there….." With so much effort, Eve and Ren pulls Ichiya's monstrous hand out of his pocket and successfully grabs the perfume.
"Got it!"
"Now throw it outside!"
And there goes the bottle of death, flying away from Ichiya's grasps. A shattered sound is heard a few seconds later, a sign of the bottle is now gone from the world. Meanwhile, Ichiya continues to cry even though the struggle has ended.
"Ichiya-sama…. *pant**pant* ….calm down…."
They all lie down on the wagon's wooden floor without any sound. Tired. Battered.
Suddenly the wagon halts. The driver pokes out his head to peek at his passengers. "Everything okay in there?"
Hibiki makes an 'okay' sign with his bruised hand while grinning as widely as he can. "Please continue the journey, sir. No casualties reported."
"Whatever," The driver chuckles and gently kicks the tummy of his horse. Neighing, it resumes back his small galloping.
She (carefully) hops down the car and stands in front of Fairy Tail building.
"Waaahhh~ Such a beautiful day~"
"And since when you've spoken and acted like a princess, huh, raven head?"
She glances over her best friend that is carrying her luggage. "Kraud, have some pity. I am pregnant, and you're a man complete with virile strength, so help me. " And she wraps up her reply with a pout.
"Okay okay….. Just you wait! When the baby's out of your tummy, there'll be a lot of fights we need to settle," Kraud complains. Once the bag is put on the ground, he lets out a heavy sigh. "Man…..Are you carrying clothes or stones? The sweat seems like I've ran miles."
"No complains." She happily steps into the most infamous guild of Magnolia. Inhaling veeeerrry deeply, Reika gives a loud yell-
"TADAIMAAAAAA!"
Everyone that is in the guild take a good look at the girly figure at the entrance. She grins, "I'm home~"
Mirajane and Lisanna are the first two person that run towards her and quickly pull her into a tight hug. Unconditionally, they cry because of happiness.
"You're back…." And then, the rest of the members comes near her, one by one. And then, they realized, her belly is…rounder than usual.
"Reika, you're…..pregnant?"
"Can't you see?"
"How many months is it now?"
"Judging from the size, it must be five months or more."
"Congratulations Reika!"
"You're gonna be a mother!"
"Thank you everyone," she smile whole-heartedly for the warm welcome they gave. Then, Master Makarov comes out of his office and welcomes Reika too. He jumps to the second floor and shouts (Author: Sheesh….FT members really have some liking towards shouting -.-)
"MY CHILDREN OF FAIRY TAIL! TO WELCOME REIKA'S COMEBACK, LET'S HAVE A PARTY UNTIL MIDNIGHT!"
After party…
"Master," Reika walks towards the head of Fairy Tail. Her hand is pulling along a certain blondie. "I hope you can employ Kraud Osborne here."
"Kraud Osborne?" Makarov looks at Kraud up and down.
"Hi. I'm Kraud Osborne from Mizu Village." Confidently he introduces himself in front of Makarov.
"Mizu Village?" Makarov turns back at Reika with a questioning look. "He's also involved in the conflict?"
"In a way, yes."
"Okay then. What's your specialty?"
"He's a bread maniac."
"Hey."
"You bake? That's good! You could lend a hand to Mira-chan sometimes." He rubs his chin slowly. "Do you have any other special attributes?"
"He's good in fist-fighting!"
Kraud glances at Reika, smiling. "Actually, I can say that myself, you know."
"But I said it first, right?"
"I'm just saying that I…..nevermind."
Makarov thinks about it for a while. "That's good. In case we need some back-up hands, you could help out." Without any further hesitations, he raises his short right hand while saying, "Welcome to Fairy Tail!"
"BTW Master, I have something to ask from you. If it's not troubling you…"
A click sound is heard once he spins the key at the doorknob. Hibiki steps inside with a sober feeling.
-My friends didn't remember my birthday, Ichiya-sama's gone on a rampage, Fairy Tail was dark and closed when I visited….And there's no news about Reika yet …..Can it be worse?-
Just when he was about to enter his house, he saw some faint footprints on the dusty ground. His mind begin to ponder.
-I wonder on what occasion that my neighbours had invited a lot of people to be around here? And if I recall I didn't hold a party in months too…- Neglecting them, he continues to step inside his house.
Hibiki plans to take a shower when he heard a whisper at the kitchen.
"Natsu, don't eat the candles' fire!"
"Yeah! At this rate the candles won't lit up even after the sunrise!"
"But it's too tempting!"
"Baka. If you don't want him to be gulping all the flames, why don't you just give him a special feast outside? You know, a campfire for him to enjoy 'eat-all-you-can" buffet."
"Like I have the firewoods to do that!"
"Oh…Sshhhh…..Someone's coming!"
Arching his brow, he sighs. These guys should have a better way to sneak into his house unnoticeably next time. And from what he heard, they may be scheduling a surprise for him…Like it would be a surprise anymore now.
Just now, it sounds like Lucy, Natsu, Happy and Gray. Those four are inseparable after all. His legs suddenly stop when he thinks about it harder.
-If they are here….Perhaps….-
He scans the house's interior once more. Feeling like someone is watching him from afar, he didn't look at the same place for too long. Because everyone knows how creepy that feeling is. Somehow, he felt like his feet is engulfed by snow because of the creepiness and coldness.
"Oh great….I've just had a very bad day, and now my home feels haunted…" he shooks his head and heads for his bathroom upstairs.
Once Hibiki is gone from the scene, they all come out of their hideplaces.
"Oh God, that was close…"
"Yeah, I feel like my snow was about to flow out…"
"You could've blown our covers, baka yuki onna!"
"It's not like I'm doing it on purpose!"
"Hell yeah. If he turned back for a moment there, I thought he must have seen Ayumi's snow flowing like some ghost story…..But what kind of ghost story that involves flowing snow anyway?"
"Okay, everyone," Erza claps her hand to get the members attentions. "our plan isn't completed yet. Don't sit around murmuring this and that! Now get going!"
All Fairy Tail and Blue Pegasus's members seems to scatter around the place doing props and decorations. (Author: By the 'members' I mean some of the original number of members. They don't have that big mansion to fit in all the members of both FT and Blue Pegasus. -_-)
Meanwhile, Lucy and the three guys are struggling to prepare the cake Reika and Kraud had baked. They are trying hard to do the finishing touch without ruining the already-beautifully-patterned batter. Though she had put her trust to her friends to let them do the rest, Reika is still unsettled. And as she thought back, she became more restless. Because Natsu and Gray is involved. Anything could go wrong if they start fighting.
"Let's just hope that they can repress their temper for a while…", and her snore is heard at the sofa soon after. Being pregnant really is tiring.
"….ika…"
Her eyes flicker. A voice?
"Reika…"
She rubs her eyes to get a clearer vision.
"Reika, the preparations are done." Erza holds her shoulder to wake her up gently. "Now, go and get Hibiki to walk down here. We'll take care of the rest."
She squirms for a while and stands up slowly. Her tummy needs a lot of care. Moreover, it is Hibiki's and her babies. Their proof of love.
"Go get 'im, Rei-chan."
"Yeah. If he didn't want to get down here, make sure you drag him downstairs."
"You're telling a pregnant mother to do that?"
"She's Reika. Whaddaya expect?"
And those voices faded away as she climbs up the stairs to meet her husband.
"Dearie, wake up~"
Hibiki snorts. On the other hand, Reika 'tch'ed as she found out about his style of 'leave-me-alone' during sleep. "Dear, wake up. It's me~"
-…What do you mean by 'me'…?- His mind starts to get out of the clouds of dream. He lifts his heavy eyelids slowly. It looks like someone so dear to him…..Just with a longer hair.
"Wake up…It's me…..Reika Laytis."
Quickly he sits up on the bed and hugs her tightly, never wanting to let go of her. Though Reika was a bit baffled by that, she was expecting it. She knows how Hibiki is.
Replying his hug, she begin to think back the time when she was taken to the research centre. -Boy…It sure is a long time…Even I began to miss his touch.-
"Reika….you're back." He releases her from the long and tight embrace. Holding her cheeks, he feels like a dream come true. His wife is now right in front of him! The warmth emanating from her cheeks proves that he wasn't dreaming.
She smiles. "Yeah…..I'm home."
He stares at the people crowding his home. Ren, Natsu, Sherry, Erza, Mirajane, Jenny and her boyfriend, Makarov and so on. The one thing they have in common is that they are smiling.
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIBIKI!"
Popping sound echoes once they sang the song Happy Birthday to him. Although Hibiki had already known about their presence in the first place, he still acted as if he was stunned. At his side, Reika smiles profoundly. It's a good thing when you see your beloved is happy.
"So, tell me. When did you get back?" asks Hibiki to Reika when the people are busy eating and chatting.
"Actually I arrived around noon but I went to Fairy Tail first." She takes the knife and slices down the cake for her and Hibiki to eat. "Sorry. It's not like I don't prioritize you as my husband, but…"
"No, I don't feel the least bit of jealousy," he chuckles. "There must be a party held afterwards, right?"
"You know how Fairy Tail is. Party everyday. And also, Hibiki, do you realize that our baby-"
"-A twin? Am I right?"
Blinking, she focuses back on her food whilst smiling. "That's my Hibiki."
"I never miss a single thing in your letter, honey."
Reika continues to eat, not realizing that Hibiki was looking at her the whole time. Only after she had finished her third slice, she accidentally looked at him and found him staring at her, very deeply.
"You're not going to finish that cake?"
He just smiles.
"Does it not suit your taste? I'm sorry if you don't like it…"
"No," he puts the plate on the nearby desk and holds her hands. "I just want to fill my time looking at you. My eyes had endured much. Without you in my sight, every day was incomplete."
The words touched her heart. "You want to spend the rest of the night just looking at me?"
Giggling, he replies. "Well….Can I?"
"Silly," she leans against his chest. "You can do more than that now, okay?"
"What are you suggesting, honey?"
"Figure that out yourself. You're Hibiki Laytis : The Archive User. And a smart gentleman above that."
While caressing her hair, he keeps on thinking what does she mean by that comment until something comes up in his mind. He looks at his wife again.
"You don't mean it in a perverted way, did you?"
She chuckles and hugs him back almost instantly. "Still the same old Hibiki."
That's all for now. Hope to see you again next time. I don't know what I'm going to do next but maybe I'll focus on my study first before I start a new story of Fairy Tail. Or maybe Naruto. Or maybe even One Piece. Or Tales of the Abyss! Gosh…..I have too much obsession. -.-
Well then, so long, my fellow readers~ Byeee! *waves with a powerful gesture and determined face*