Child of Hidden Magic

Series: Fairy Tail, Fairy Tail Future

Type: On-going Fanfiction

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure

Pairings: NaLu, Gruvia, Gajevy, Jerza; Elfever, Miraxus; and their children.

Updates: Weekly; Fridays

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or the characters. Purely fan made. However, their children I created from my own imagination.

Chapter Six

Ray woke up and looked at his alarm clock, it was eight in the morning. He groaned as he put his arm over his eyes. He barely got any sleep, probably five or six hours. And when he did sleep he was constantly dreaming. Of her. He couldn't stop thinking of Lucille. 'This is worse than when she disappeared eight years ago.' he thought. He moved his arm and stared at the ceiling. "I need to talk to dad." He said aloud to himself. Ray sat up, stretched, and proceeded to get ready for the day. He took a shower and put on a tight dark blue short sleeved under armor shirt, gray pants, black shoes, and a blue jacket. When he was finished getting ready he walked into the kitchen. Juvia had just finished making pancakes as Gray was setting out plates and cups with orange juice and coffee. "Morning." Ray muttered as he grabbed a seat with a yawn.

"Oh! Ray is up and ready early." Juvia said cheerfully as she kissed the top of his head. Usually Ray would groan or swat at her for dotting on him, but his mind was preoccupied. Juvia noticed this and looked to Gray, worried.

"You alright, Ray?" Gray asked as he sat down. His son looked at him then shook his head.

"Sort of. Dad, can we talk after breakfast?" He asked. Gray just nodded as they began to eat. Ultear came in five minutes later and sat down heavily, obviously not a morning person.

Juvia looked at Ultear. "How is Ultear this morning?" She asked cheerfully.

Ultear, while grabbing a couple pancakes, just shrugged. "I'm fine, just tired. I'll be better after breakfast." She mumbled. Breakfast was pretty quiet after that, but the room was filled with Ray's uneasy aura. Ultear finally looked at him and pointed at him with her fork. "What's up with you? You reek of anxiety! It's ruining my food!" She said giving him the stink eye.

Ray's eyebrow twitched. "I've got something on my mind. I'm talking to dad about it later. You'll survive." He growled out as he continued to eat.

Gray and Juvia just watched the two but Gray spoke up before they decided to fight with their magic instead of words. "Oi, just eat. No arguing or fighting." After that breakfast was smooth sailing. Ultear helped Juvia with the dishes as Gray and Ray left to go talk outside.

Gray pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a smoke of it before he spoke. "So, what do you wanna talk about?" Gray asked as he leaned against the front of their house.

Ray breathed in while brushing back his hair, trying to figure out how to start this. He sighed and decided to go from when Lucille came back. "When Lucille came back, I about dropped to the floor in shock. Not entirely believing it was her. I mean I tried so hard to forget her and then she just waltz's in?" Gray just listened silently as he smoked. Ray continued. "That night when I wasn't with everyone talking to her, I lied. I wasn't sure how to face her. Mostly because she was so beautiful. I mean back then I always thought she was pretty but now. She took my breath away. And I wasn't sure how to face her with how I felt about her at that moment. But gradually I've begun to think of nothing but her, since that night. I just feel like I want to hold her, be by her side, even.." Ray blushed, embarrassed about saying the last part out loud; especially to his father. Gray noticed this and had to hide his smirk. Ray coughed and continued. "And I just don't understand. What does this mean dad?"

Gray breathed out. "I think you know what this means. You just told me all the signs." He said as he took one last puff and then stomped on the cigarette. He crossed his arms over his chest.

Ray looked down as he sighed. "Yeah. I guess I was just afraid to admit it.." He looked up as he scratched his head. "So what do I do? I mean, what if she doesn't feel the same? I don't wanna ruin our friendship.." He said pleadingly.

Gray walked over to his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Well, that's a choice you'll have to make. Would you rather know how she feels and confess? Or forever wonder?" He said as he looked Ray in the eye. He knew his son had feelings for her. And he felt honored that Ray sought his advice. 'It's up to you.' Gray thought.

Ray looked back and saw resolve in his father's eyes. 'Yeah, you're right, dad.' Ray smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I think I'd rather know cause it's killing me now. But I'll think it over. Thanks dad." They both chuckled.

"So, you're good?" Gray asked.

"Yeah. I'm good." Ray smiled.

"Alright." Gray smiled as well.

Just then Ultear and Juvia came walking out. Ray began to walk ahead of them. Ultear raised an eyebrow. "Well his mood changed. He seems like he's on a mission." She said as she crossed her arms while she walked ahead as well.

Juvia grabbed Gray's shoulder as they began walking. "Is Ray okay? Juvia's concerned." She said with a worried expression. Gray held her hand that was holding her arm. Patting it he smiled. "He's fine. In fact, you were right. He's got it bad for Lucille." He said chuckling.

Juvia giggled. "Juvia's happy and hopes Lucille likes Ray back. Oh we'll have to start preparing for the wedding! Can Gray-sama imagine how cute our grand babies would be!?" Juvia said lost in her fantasy world.

"Me too.. Wait! Juvia he hasn't even told her how he feels yet! Get your head out of the clouds woman!" Gray said exasperated.

Lucille and Natalie were walking towards the guild as they were talking about their plan. Lucille wore a dark purple tank top with a yellow star on it, blue jean shorts, black boots, and a white jacket. Lucille would casually ask Cain what he thinks of Natalie and Natalie would do the same with Ray. Lucille, however, was starting to get cold feet.

"I don't think I can do this.." Lucille said holding her stomach. "I mean, I can do this for you. But not for me." At that point she stopped walking.

Natalie looked at her sister in astonishment. "But you were so gung-ho last night. What changed?" She asked with a hand on her hip.

Lucille looked away. "Last night I thought of us before I left. We had fun and besides you, he's my best friend. Nat, I don't want to ruin that!" She said as she looked at Natalie pleadingly. "Look, I'll ask Cain for you. Don't worry. But..don't ask Ray, okay? I mean I just came back, maybe I'm misinterpreting. Yeah! That's it!" Lucille said as she began walking, her happy mood coming back.

Natalie was flabbergasted. 'Uhh..what just happened!?' she thought. She shook her head as she ran to catch up to Lucille. "Um, okay I guess." She agreed as she scratched her head.

"While I ask Cain, why don't you ask Lydia if she'll join our team?" Lucille suggested.

Natalie puffed out her cheeks. "Ugh…alright. I'll bring Lance with me."

"What happened? You and Lydia used to get along." Lucille asked curiously.

"Let's just say that I lost to her in a fight and she never fails to remind me. She's so smug about it, flaunts it even! Ugh!" Natalie said as she began to walk faster because of how angry she was getting.

Lucille nodded as she ran to catch up to her. "I see. Well just bring Lance then." Natalie huffed which made Lucille giggle. As they walked through the guild Lucille located Cain, luckily without Ray. She turned to Natalie, winked, and made her way over to him.

Natalie looked over and found Lance, his nose in a book. It was never hard to find him. Just look around for books and he'll be there. She walked over to him and slammed a hand on the table, causing books to jump, shake, or fall over.

Lance didn't even bother to look up from his book. "Ya know, you just have to talk to get my attention." He said sighing as he set the book down to give Natalie his full and undivided attention.

"Sorry, I just don't wanna do this but Lucille asked me. I need to ask Lydia if she wants to join our team. And if it's just me she'll give me crap, I know it. But if you're there, she may be civil." She spouted off and looked at him. "So what do ya say? Will you go with me?" She said as she batted her eyelashes. "Please!"

Lance sighed and nodded. "Alright. But I don't see why it matters if it's me." He said standing and shrugging his shoulders.

Natalie looked away. "Well it's not intentional. You're just the only one who's not talking to someone out of our team." She lied. 'Yeah that works!' she thought hopefully. As she grabbed his wrist, she saw Lydia with Max and Jax. As she marched over, Lydia turned and groaned. Max and Jax nodded to them as a hello then continued talking.

"Ugh, what do you want?" Lydia asked until she noticed Lance. "I mean what can I do for ya?" She asked as she smiled.

Natalie and Lance waved to Jax and Max before Natalie nudged Lance. He looked at her questioningly but caught on. 'Great. Make me do it.' he thought and sighed. "We were wondering if you would want to join our team. Last night Lucille, Natalie, Cain, Ray, and I decided to form a team. And since you aren't really in one, we decided to ask if you wanted to join ours." He asked and noticed Lydia's wide goofy grin. 'Well she must not mind our team.'

All Lydia heard was "I want you to join our team." She heard nothing else but that. 'He wants me to join!? Me!?' she coughed and composed herself. "Sure. I don't mind joining. I'm happy you thought to include me." She said as she smiled.

"Cool. Well we'll let you know when we are going to go on a mission." Lance said as stoic as ever and turned to walk away, Natalie behind him.

Natalie sighed in relief. "Good! Thank you so much Lance! See I told you she'd be more willing if you asked." She said as she nudged him.

Lance just shrugged. "I got it, I don't understand why she always agrees with me or does what I ask.." He said puzzled.

Natalie stopped and stared. 'Okay. He can't be that oblivious..right? Maybe keeping his nose in those books is a bad thing…' she thought.

While Natalie and Lance were asking Lydia, Lucille had walked to Cain who was eating some cake…for breakfast. "Hi Cain." She said cheerfully. He looked up and smiled. "Hello Lucille." He said as he took another bite.

"I hate to bother you while you're eating your cake, but I had a question to ask you. It won't take long." She said as she sat down. Cain nodded as he continued to eat. 'Now, how to ask him without being blunt..Ah!' she thought. "When we were younger, Natalie used to pick on you a lot, huh? I remember she'd always smack you or punch you when you wouldn't fight her, or if something you said was funny." She giggled.

Cain chuckled as he remembered. "Yeah. I was a push over though. Sure I was tough but I didn't like to show it. I know she was just trying to help me not be a doormat." He said as he smiled warmly. "After you left, Natalie was so distraught. She wasn't her loud and rambunctious self. She stopped fighting with Ultear, and would always isolate herself when she was here at the guild, or at home. Finally, I had had enough. Sure I was sad you were gone too, but I knew we had to move on. So I grew a back bone. I went up to Natalie and pushed her." He said calmly as he took another bite.

Lucille's jaw dropped. "You..you did what!?" She exclaimed as she let out a few giggles.

"Yup. I pushed her. She was pretty surprised and confused. I told her to get a grip and fight me. She looked away, said she didn't feel like it. Then I pulled her up by her hand and held her arms. I said, 'I don't care! I know you miss Lucille and so do I, but you're not yourself. Fight! Get mad! Show some emotion instead of just being by yourself. If I have to fight you to bring you back, then I will!' After that, she lost it and began crying. But that was the first time she had shown emotion in months. Then she decided to fight me. I won. But that fueled her fire and brought her back." He said as he smiled warmly, thinking about those days.

Lucille smiled. 'That may have been when she started to fall for him..' she thought and felt it was the right time. "Thank you for helping her. So, obviously you're not scared of her. How do you feel about her now?" She asked.

Cain lost his smile and stared at Lucille. "Well..I feel for her strongly. She means a lot to me. I guess I should say instead that I care about her a lot." He looked away, thinking. He set down his fork. "I believe I love her. I probably always have, even when she'd pick on me." He said chuckling. He looked at Lucille seriously. "But I don't want her to know yet."

Lucille blinked. "Um, why no-"

"Because I'm…I'm not ready for her to know yet. And I'm not.." He stumbled over his words and a slight blush appeared on his cheeks. "I'm waiting till I'm for sure." He said low.

Lucille didn't quite understand, but who was she to judge? She doesn't want Ray to know her feelings either. Actually, she truly hadn't come to terms with hers. So she smiled and touched his shoulder. "I understand. I won't tell her."

Cain looked at her and smiled, relieved. "Thank you." Then he went back to finishing his cake.

Lucille got up just as Natalie walked back to Lance's table. She walked over and Natalie jumped up meeting her half way. "So?" Natalie asked eagerly.

Lucille shrugged her shoulders. "From what he said, it seems to me like he cares about you like he does everyone else." She said smiling a bit. Natalie just looked down as she nodded.

"Heh, guess it can't be helped." She said forcing a smile. It broke Lucille's heart to not tell her the truth, but she had to. "Oh! Lydia decided to join us." Natalie said to change the subject. She got closer and whispered. "I had Lance do all the talking and she joined like that." She said snapping her fingers. "I know the lightning woman has a thing for the book worm." She whispered giving Lucille a sly grin. "However, he's clueless to it." She sighed, earning a giggle from Lucille. They proceeded to go sit near the bar just as Ultear and Ray walked in.

Ray spotted Lucille and he stopped in his tracks, Ultear bumping into him. "Woah! Hey don't just stop like that!" She said but when he said nothing back, nor moved, she decided to get to the bottom of whatever was eating at him. She walked around to stand in front of him, seeing as she was a bit taller than him, she bent down a little to be eye to eye. "Hey, what's up with you? You're starting to worry me, and that's hard to do." She asked. To be honest, she was afraid he was spiraling downwards to how he was after Lucille left.

Ray shook his head and looked at Ultear. Saying he was worrying her made him realize that he was acting weird. He scratched his head as Ultear pulled him over to the side. "You gonna answer me? Or will I have to beat it out of you?" She threatened. Ray blinked and sighed. He looked around them to make sure no one was listening before he spoke. "Alright. The reason I've been acting weird is because I…think I'm in love with Lucille." He said lightly blushing. Ultear's eyes widened in surprise but the look didn't last long before she chuckled.

"That's what's been making you act all weird? You think you're in love with Lucille? News flash my idiot brother, everyone knows you do. Back before Lucille left Max and I, along with Naja and Jax, would laugh at you two. Whenever Lucille looked away you'd get all dreamy eyed! We knew then that you had it bad for her. So I hate to break it to ya, but this is nothing new." Ultear said as she pretended to inspect her nails as if she chipped them.

Ray stood there amazed. 'So I showed signs even back then?' he thought. "Well anyway, I'm trying to figure out if I should tell her or not." He said as he glanced at Lucille.

Ultear turned her attention back to him, kind of annoyed with how difficult he was being. "Why wouldn't you?" She asked.

Ray sighed. "For one, she just came back from the Spirit World two days ago. She still doesn't know everything that's changed, and she already thinks so much has changed. Pile on top that her best friend, whom she thought hadn't changed at all, is in love with her? That'd be major overload. It would be too much and..I don't want to scare her away. Plus," he trailed off but after taking a breath he finished. "I'm afraid of what her answer will be when I confess." He breathed out as he put his hands in his pockets.

Ultear stepped back and thought about it. 'I guess he really has thought this through?' she glanced at Lucille and nodded. "Seems you've thought this through, in detail I might add. So I'm guessing your answer is you're not going to tell her." She stated.

He nodded. "I'd like it also if you could keep this between us." Ray asked as he pointed between him and his sister.

Ultear nodded. "Yeah yeah. I won't say a word. But I wouldn't stay silent forever." She said patting his shoulder and walking to Max's table. 'Especially after hearing the bookworm has a crush on someone with blonde hair. I'm almost certain it's Lucille.' she thought sadly.

Ray walked over to Natalie and Lucille and sat down. Cain followed right behind him. "So what's up?" Ray asked just as Lance got up, making his way over to everyone, as well as Lydia.

Natalie looked exasperated, with a hint of sadness. Natalie gestured for Lucille to tell them as she put her head on the table. Lucille huffed as she began. "I wanna know where Happy, Carla, Lily, and Master Makarov are!" She said loudly. The whole guild went silent. Lucille looked around. "Uhh..what happened? What'd I say?" Natalie grumbled a, "See!?" Everyone looked at each other; exchanging sad glances as well as ashamed expressions. 'Okay seriously! What is going on!' Lucille thought angrily.

Lance stood up as he grabbed Lucille's wrist. He looked to everyone else. "I'll tell her." They nodded as he dragged Lucille away to the side of the guild, away from prying ears. He sighed, his expression strained and sad. Lucile went to speak but he held up a hand. "This is tough to explain, so I guess I'll start with the toughest to swallow. After you left, everyone began searching for you; including Master Makarov. We told him not to since he was really getting old, but you know him. Just like us, he never listens." This earned a strained giggle from Lucille. "A year of searching caused him to get sick. Ms. Porlyusica, even though she was quite old herself, tried her best to heal him. But she said that he would not make it. She assured us that even if he hadn't searched like the rest of us, he would have passed away in a couple years, at best. So Master Makarov deemed Erza as the next master. The next day, he passed away. And a year later, Ms. Porlyusica passed away too, but not before deeming Wendy as the head Medicinal Advisor; giving all her tricks, teachings, and her house to Wendy." He looked at Lucille whose face had gone pale. She put the hand with the guild mark to her heart. He looked down and continued. "As for Happy, Carla, and Lily; they also passed away three years ago. They're different animals and magical, but like all of them, they age faster than us. Lily was the oldest so he was the first to go. It was hard on us, especially dad. Carla was the second. It didn't faze Wendy till a couple days after she passed. She sort of lost control, her powers going berserk; dad, and Uncle Nastu had to snap her out of it and calm her down. And Happy died a month after Carla. We believe he passed away sooner from heart break. He couldn't take the loss of Carla. Aunt Lucy, Uncle Natsu, and Natalie grieved for days, Natsu taking it the worst." He finished and looked at Lucille. Her knees were shaking, her hands clasped together against her chest, and tears that she were unaware of, spilled down her cheeks.

"It's all my fault..it's all my fault…" Lucille repeated over and over. Lance's eyes widened. He grabbed her shoulders and made her look into his eyes.

"No it is not. I told you. Ms. Porlyusica said that he would have died in a couple years, regardless if you had left or not. It just so happened that he exerted himself too much and got sick faster. As for our cats, I told you they age faster than us. Both of these tragedies are not your fault." Lance emphasized. Lucille sniffled a little before she finally just began to sob. Lance pulled her against his chest and stroked her hair and back. He looked up sadly. Sure he was happy that he was holding Lucille in his arms, but not under these circumstances. He sighed as he continued to stroke her head, holding her tighter. After a couple minutes, she had calmed down and sniffled a few times. Lance pulled away as she wiped her tears using her jacket collar.

Lucille sniffled before she spoke. "I'd like to visit their graves." She said as her voice cracked.

Lance nodded. He wrapped an arm around her as he brought her back to their table. Everyone jumped and looked to them. Natalie stood and held her sister. "She wants to visit their graves." He informed Natalie. Natalie nodded as she looked at Ray, who stood up without a word and began to walk with them out of the guild.

At Kardia Cathedral, Natalie, Lucille, and Ray stood at the front of the grave yard. Lucille stood in between Natalie and Ray, holding one of their hands. Natalie spoke up. "Happy, Carla, and Lily are a couple rows up on the left. Master Makarov is straight ahead in the back." She said as she squeezed her sisters hand. She looked at her, Lucille's head was looking down.

"Let's visit Happy, Carla, and Lily first." Lucille decided.

They walked over to their graves. Happy's had a fish on the tomb stone, Carla's had a flower, and Lilly's had a sword. Lucille smiled as she spoke. "Hi guys. I'm back and I got my powers!" She said, trying to act enthusiastic. Her smile dropped. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't here before you all passed away. You probably had so many questions." She squeezed their hands. She let go and bent down. She put a hand on Lilly's stone. "Lily, you taught me so much. Between combat and life lesson's you learned in Edolas. I'm thankful for those days when you would just talk to me." She put a hand on Carla's. "Carla. I loved how you'd tell me about your visions. I never told a soul, and still won't. I wouldn't be surprised if you saw me leaving in a vision. If you did, thank you for not saying anything. And even though you disciplined me harshly, I still enjoyed your company." Lastly, she put a hand on Happy's. Her hand shook as she spoke, trying to keep her voice steady; but failing. "And Happy. Oh Happy.." She let a sob escape. "Happy, I'm so so so sorry! You were probably hurt and confused the most. You were my and Natalie's pal. We were a trio when we were home. You were our friend. I know I was your favorite," Natalia scoffed. "I remember you would always rescue me when I was in trouble and always cheered me up when I was sad… But then I just up and left..you were probably so confused and sad. I'm so sorry, Happy. I hope that you can forgive me." She said as she cried into her hand. Natalie dropped down and held her in a hug. Ray crouched down beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. Lucille cried in front of their graves for a few minutes before she dried her tears and stood up. She looked to Master Makarov's grave and breathed in. "I'd like to visit Master Makarov alone." She said as she touched their arms.

Ray and Natalie nodded. "Just call for us if you need us." Ray said. Lucille nodded and walked over to his grave. Natalie and Ray sighed as they watched her. "I knew she'd have to find out but..I feel it's too soon." He said shaking his head.

Natalie scratched her head. "She wouldn't settle for me telling her later. I didn't have the heart to tell her. So I let Lance. She wasn't about to wait for an explanation."

Lucille stood in front of his grave, her hands behind her back. "Hi Gramps. I don't know if you've noticed but I got my powers! I'm a Celestial Mage." She smiled. "You always believed in me. You knew I'd get my powers. Never had a doubt about it. And you were right." She kneeled down, put both hands on top of his stone and leaned her head against it. "I'm sorry.." She whispered. "I didn't mean for everyone to panic. But you all did. I know that I'm not at fault for your death, but I feel a little responsible." She said as tears streamed down her cheeks. She knew Lance was right and she pounded her fist against Makarov's stone. "Why'd you have to strain yourself! You were already weak and old!" She yelled. The wind blew fast past her and she gasped. She smiled a little, laughed and looked up. "You're probably mad saying 'I'm not old, you brat!'" She said as she laughed. Lucille looked up at the sky, the clouds disappearing and the sun shining brightly. "Is this your sign that you're not mad..? That I'm forgiven?" She asked. At that moment a slow gentle breeze blew past. She put a hand to her heart as she felt at peace, her feelings of sadness and regret washed away. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you passed," she started as she stood up. "I remember all the times you'd read to me, or pat my head when I was afraid or sad. You always encouraged me when I was worried. But I will not worry anymore. I'll move forward with everyone and live out my life as a proud Celestial Mage. That's what you would tell me." She said smiling. She kissed his stone. "See you, Gramps." She said before she turned around and walked to Natalie and Ray.

Natalie turned around and looked relieved when she saw Lucille smiling. Not a forced smile, but a genuine one. "So, is everything alright?" She asked.

Lucille nodded. "Yes. I've said everything I needed to and I feel at peace with everything now." She looked at Ray and Lucille. "Thanks for coming with me. I'm sure it's probably still hard on you guys too."

"Yeah, but not as much as you. Since you just found out. We're your nakama. It's our job to be here for you." Ray said giving her a warm smile.

Lucille smiled as she stretched. "Well let's head back." She said grabbing their hands again. 'I'll miss you guys. But I'll continue to move forward, for you.' she thought as she took one last look at their graves, before she turned around and walked away.

So here's this chapter. I'm sorry that this is sorta sad and that I killed off Makarov and the Exceed's. But I felt that Makarov and the cats would surely be old and would most likely pass away while Lucille was gone. (Along with Porlyusica.) I hope you're not too upset that I made it this way!

Also I don't want everyone to get into a relationship too fast so I'll be dragging it out a bit. Lol which means cute moments and "almost" moments that will probably make you groan with "just get together already!" XD

But I hope you like it and let me know what you think!