I'm back! From NYC, that is. Thank God for wifi in bed...
I know most of you are excited for Evergreen's challenge, but, to be honest, I completely forgot about it. SO, since so many people asked for it, I'll plop it into the next chapter. It's already halfway done!
I'm going through the testing season, but since my last one is on Thursday (I hope), there should be no problem with the updates.
Big thanks to reviewers nanashitomboy, infinitelypanda, FlameDragonHime, Phiafairy, Helenezahl, KkMarie9005 (x2), guest account, Nanami B, Dark Shining Light, Celestialite, WeasleyofFairyTail, Starlight, I Can Show You Httyd, AnimeBo001, Yomi14, and Guest! Special thanks to those who are reviewing again!
Hope you like this one. I'm a bit sketchy. Eh...
~BrennaCoris~
"Play-by-play, pyro." Gray flicked a bundle of yarrow at a impeccably woven basket. It smacked against the handle and toppled out of sight. Natsu watched it land on top of several more bundles, the small flowers forming a sea of white that melted into an island of green.
He had left Lucy to sleep when he picked up Erza's scent and went to inform the beta of the pack's newest member. On the way there, he may or may not have started a fight with Gray. Loke and Gajeel, fresh from patrol, were quick to join them. They accidentally knocked into Wendy and scattered most of the herbs she was holding, which earned them multiple death threats from a furious Mira and before he was able to get a word in about the wolf sleeping in his den, Erza assigned the four of them punishment on the grounds that they really had nothing else to do. Now they were stuck in very close proximity to each other, in human form, and helping Wendy organize herbs. Porlyusica watched them with narrowed eyes from the shadows of the healer's den and Erza shot quick glances in their general direction every few minutes. Simply put, there was no escape.
"What did he do?" Loke asked, flicking ginger hair out of his eyes. He was one of the few wolves who had sworn loyalty to multiple packs, in his case Fairy Tail and the Zodiac Gates. Few shifters knew about the Zodiac pack, but all fourteen members were very close and together made up an extremely beneficial ally in battle.
"When I found Lucy, we fought. She pinned me after a partial shift," he explained. Gajeel choked on something.
"Did she really pin you on the neck?" Gray asked. Loke's eyebrows shot up his forehead.
"Yep. She began a shift to get me to loosen my pin on her shoulder, and then she forced me to roll." He stared at Gajeel, who was looking up at nothing and counting something on his fingers. "What?"
"I'm tryin' to remember how many shifters have ever managed to pin you at all." Gajeel said. His fingers showed three and he seemed unable to increase the number.
"How did she get you to roll?" Loke muttered, tossing three more bundles of yarrow into the basket.
Natsu frowned, thinking back to their fight. His fingers began playing with a loose thread on his pants. "Well... she pulled back. Just enough to make me think she was trying to pull me off my feet. Then she changed direction, shoving me away instead. I've never seen a shifter do that in wolf form before."
"Huh. She's got some good tactics, I'll give her that." Gajeel finished his count on four. "Four shifters, Salamander. That's it. And you fight everyone you meet. Bunny girl's got power if she joins that list."
"She does. Lucy also has no problem challenging my dominance every few minutes," he said.
"That's cause you let her," Gray said.
"Don't tell me Juvia's a sweet little saint. She told Lucy that you and I are both stubborn idiots like she would talk about the weather."
"She's completely right." Loke informed them smugly. He and Gray threw twin fists at his face, which he barely dodged. Gajeel snorted and aimed at the basket. A bundle of yarrow went soaring through the air to land with a quiet smack among its accomplices.
"Besides, when we fought, Lucy was exhausted. She took down an adult elk on her own." He smirked at Loke, who's mouth had fallen open. "I want to fight her when she's at full strength."
"That's a terrible way to court a lady," Loke said. Natsu shrugged.
"She asked for time. I have no problems waiting until she's ready to make her decision."
Gajeel's red eyes searched his face. "You don't like waiting."
"He's right. What makes you so sure she won't just disappear on you?" Gray asked.
"We have a full mating bond, and it's wearing down my patience faster than the ice prick."
"Like you're any better," Gray muttered.
Natsu ignored him. "I think she wants some time to adjust. Going from loner to pack wolf isn't easy."
"Full bond already? That's rare," Loke said. "I had a partial one with Aries and I know Gray had a partial one with Juvia, but that's it. I don't know anyone else with a full bond."
"I had a full one with shrimp, but it wasn't as obvious." Gajeel shrugged. "It just means that Sabertooth pup that's been following Salamander around will have a harder time trying to take bunny girl."
"I wouldn't let him take her anyways. " Natsu didn't follow.
"You'll be hell-bent on keeping her. If he challenges you for her at the Concourse, which I bet he will, your bond will kick in and keep you going. He'd have to kill you to win." Gajeel explained while tossing bundles of yarrow one after another. Each landed perfectly in the basket. Natsu stared at the red-eyed shifter in surprise, along with Gray and Loke. Gajeel shrugged again. "That's what happened when the wimps challenged me for shrimp."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Natsu discovered that he was very reluctant to leave the camp while Lucy was sleeping. After Wendy had taken the yarrow basket and Porlyusica dismissed them with some harsh words, he and the other three males had shifted with plans to go for a hunt. Contrary to Juvia's statement, he and Gray could stand each other's presence without causing a major incident, just not for too long. The moment his den was out of sight he found himself worrying over countless "what if's". Lucy could wake up and panic, some other male could try to claim her, there could be an attack on the camp and she could get hurt. He knew that his concern wasn't reasonable – Lucy could undoubtedly hold her own very well – but he couldn't squash it either. Gajeel gruffly told him that it would be easier for everyone if he stayed at the camp. He spent the rest of the day pacing or lying outside his den, watching the other shifters move around.
"Your mating bond must be fairly strong, keeping you here like that." Mirajane's voice crept up on him without warning. Natsu whirled around to face her and found a satisfied half-smile playing on her face, showing a sliver of teeth.
"I guess." He relaxed, but not by much. Mira could be unpredictable.
"I'm expecting lots of little pups from you two. Also, I claim the title of godmother." Mira calmly dipped her head in greeting to a passing Kinana. He stared at the almost-white female wolf.
"We met yesterday," he pointed out. Mira lifted her shoulders in a shrug.
"I'm not saying right this moment." She sat down and raked the ground with her left paw. He got the feeling that she had been sharpening her claws. They looked terrifying. "I'm just happy that you finally found a mate. You have no idea how difficult it was, trying to find someone to match up with you."
"Don't push her, Mira. Luce and I have an agreement," he warned her. She bared her teeth in a calculated smile.
"I'm glad. The alpha wants to see you."
He nodded and rose to retreat to the alpha's den. Anything to get out of a conversation about mates with Mira was welcome. Crossing the camp and taking the ledge in three powerful bounds, he pushed through the lichen curtain and was immediately treated to Erza's beta stare. The alpha was reasonably relaxed, finishing off a chunk of meat, the scent of which told him it was deer. His ears fell back and he shifted his weight to his hind legs, involuntarily ready to flee if the beta exploded.
"Natsu," Erza growled, taking a long step towards him. It took effort to hold his ground. "Why didn't you tell me about the loner?"
Indignancy took over his caution. "I tried to, but you told me to shut up and handed me a damn basket!"
"You shouldn't have been fighting with your friend," Erza snapped.
"Gray? My friend?" He imitated choking. "I'd rather be friends with a slug."
"Oh?" The beta's glare was nearing venomous. His paws slid back.
"Stop it, brats. I've had enough since the moment Porlyusica, as much as I appreciate her expertise, walked in to tell me what idiots you all were. Erza, he brought Lucy to me immediately, so there was no threat." Makarov began with a sharp snap, but slowly melted into his regular tone.
"I understand. However, I would appreciate being informed before half a year passes," Erza said.
"I told-"
"Stop," The alpha raised his head. "We need to discuss several points that could concern the safety of the pack. Most of them are about Lucy."
"What about her?" He didn't like the topic of their conversation.
"Evergreen seems to find Heartfilia a meaningful last name. Do either of you know anything?" Makarov asked. Erza shook her head.
"I found her near the towers. There was a male who set Lucy on edge, but she said it was only a hunter that had been following her around. He didn't follow us to the border," Natsu said, trying to remember what Lucy had told him about her parents. "She said her mother died when she was little, and she ran away from her father, who thinks shifters are freaks."
"Lucy's mother was the alpha of a pack called Love and Lucky. They were a formidable pack, and Precht formed a wartime alliance with them. They helped the pack through a few tight spots," Makarov began. "It disbanded several years ago after most of its members were killed by human mercenaries."
"The alpha?" Erza asked.
"Layla did not survive the battle."
"Lucy's mother must've been dividing her time between her human mate and the guild," Natsu muttered. Makarov nodded.
"We don't know who Lucy's father is, but he didn't want to live with the shifters."
"Few humans do." Erza began to pace. "They find us... distasteful."
"That's a rich way to put it," Natsu snorted. Erza lifted her head to glare at him but ended up rolling her eyes instead.
"Why don't you ask Lucy?" Erza stopped pacing long enough to look at the alpha. "She would know more."
"But she doesn't even know that her mother died in battle. She said it like her mother's death was something natural," Natsu said.
"Exactly. I want to have more information before approaching her. However, Natsu, I need you to see what she knows about her parents."
"Alpha, you aren't telling us something." Erza narrowed her eyes.
Makarov sighed. "The Heartfilia Konzern is a large railroad company in the human world, and the owner, Jude Heartfilia, is considered one of the richest men alive. He is also known for his hatred for shifters. I'm worried that Lucy may have ties to the company."
"I'll fight for her," Natsu snarled. Erza nodded grimly. She might have not yet met his mate, but if Lucy was taken or killed, his mating bond could very well drive him insane.
"I know you will, and I'm sure a few of the pack members who have met her will too. Shifters are stronger than humans, and an outright confrontation will result in our victory. The human alpha knows this, which is why he keeps humans out of our woods. There are more than a few who would be willing to test their luck for profit. However, starting an argument between packs is easier and safer, and if Lucy's father ever wants her back, he could simply goad the packs into war while he works in background to capture his daughter," Makarov spelled it out for them.
"So what are we supposed to do?" Erza asked. "We can't simply ask Lucy to leave. She's part of the pack and Natsu's mate, no matter what either of them says. Aside from that, having her go would mean Natsu leaving too."
"The Concourse is in three days. Lucy will go with us, as inter-pack law requires, and we will watch the other packs for reactions. I believe you have a possible challenge from Sabertooth's first commander to think about, yes?" Makarov directed the question at him and Natsu nodded in acknowledgment. "Erza, I'd like you to speak with her tomorrow and ask if she is aware of any possible threats. That is all."
"Of course." Erza rose and left the den.
"About the Concourse. Gray's patrol found a foreign scent cross our territory, coming from Sabertooth's border, and meet with a human before returning the same way. I want you and Lucy to go and check the scent tomorrow. See if she recognizes either of them, but make sure to remember the scents for the Councourse. We will see if they match. Also, Mirajane and Erza ran into a Mermaid Heel patrol today while escorting Wendy. The shifters were hostile, so we must be prepared for an accusation during the leader's meeting."
"Does the ice prick know?"
"Yes, but you must remain calm. Erza already told me exactly what she will do if you start a fight again."
He shuddered. "I won't start a fight."
"Good. I'm tired of forcing you brats to patch up the buildings."
XXXXXXXXXX
He pushed through the lichen curtain, pausing to take in Lucy's scent. It washed over him, satisfying the mating bond and calming any remnants of concern from his discussion with the alpha and beta. Evening had fully set in and bathed his den in shadows, but his advanced sight had no trouble picking out her sleeping shape. He padded closer and she stirred. Sleepy brown eyes blinked up at him. He picked out faint concern before it was completely flooded by annoyance.
"I'm going to need a rag to mop up the possessiveness dripping from you," she said. A large yawn punctuated her words.
"Did I wake you up?" he asked. She rolled her eyes and dropped her head back down to the moss.
"Mmhmm. Shut up and go to sleep. You're taking me on tour tomorrow."
"Of the territory?"
"What else?" Her tone was dry. He snorted and plopped down next to her, burying his nose in her fur. She let loose a quiet sigh and her eyes slid shut. A feeling of ease settled on him and he felt himself fully relaxing for the first time in years. If he could deal the damned Concourse, then he'd have all the time he needed.
Reviewer's Corner:
KkMarie9005: There is no way in hell I'm dropping this story. What do you think I do during photo class?
Cheers! See ya'll next week with some Ever vs. Lucy! :)