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.

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

Chapter Twenty-five

"No! We are not!" Lucille declared firmly making Ray stiffen.

Ray turned slightly to look at Lucille. She had her arms crossed, her cheeks puffed out, and a scowl on her face directed right at Ray. He froze at her glare but noticed she had a blush to her cheeks. Was she embarrassed? Angry? He let himself be pushed backwards a bit by Lucille as she made her way past him, diving into the water. Ray felt slightly disheartened until he heard Leroy chuckle.

"I didn't mean to make her upset. It just looked that way, what with you being so protective and all." Leroy said giving Ray a challenging smirk.

Ray responded by giving him a challenging glare of his own. He understood now. Leroy has set his sights on Lucille, permanently. Not like his past flings. He was pursuing her seriously. Ray balled his fists. No way was he going to give up. He wasn't going to say she couldn't go anywhere near other guys, he wasn't that type of guy; plus Lucille would kill him if he asked her not to go around certain guys. She didn't like being contained or restrained; a trait she gained from both Lucy and Natsu. So Ray would have to try harder to gain Lucille's heart. He knew he had a part of it already. It was up to Lucille if she wanted to act on her feelings towards him. But that didn't mean he couldn't try to help her along in her decision.

"Well, let's go swim!" Natalie ushered as she ran straight for the pool, doing a cannonball. Cain chuckled as he dived in himself. Lydia stepped down into the pool and floated around.

Kenji went to lay in one of the chairs and closed his eyes, trying to relax and not involve himself in the matter.

Bea glanced at both Leroy and Ray and sighed. There was no hope for these two. Ray wasn't a shocker, literally everyone knew about his crush on Lucille; even if they weren't in the same guild. Although, Leroy? She wasn't too surprised. Especially, since he hadn't seen Lucille in years and so now that she had filled out nicely, she was his new infatuation. Bea sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "Look," she began averting them from their glaring contest. "You'd best remember what's good for Lucille, not you two. I know what this is about and the first thing you should do is take this from Lucille's point of view. She's not looking for a relationship. For Gods sake, she just got back from the Spirit World not even a month ago, has had to accustom herself with the changes in all of us and come to terms with all that she missed out on, and now has to deal with this prophecy that she is a part of! Now, add you two into the mix of wanting a relationship out of her as well?! I don't blame her for getting embarrassed and mad!" She seethed. Both of them looked down. She sighed and shook her head. "Just something to think about. I can't order you not to," she said as she walked to stand in between them. "But you should consider her feelings." Leaving them with that she made her way to the pool. Before she dived in, Leroy called out to her.

"Hey! That scent..you still wear it? Japanese cherry blossom?"

Bea glanced back to see him genuinely surprised but with a glint in his eyes. She smirked. "Of course. But not for you." She said then dived into the pool.

Leroy chuckled. He remembered the one time she began wearing that scent. He had told her when they were younger, and when they had been in a relationship, how she should purchase that scent because it suited her. She had blushed and smacked his arm playfully, obviously embarrassed. But he knew she had because the next day, she smelled of it.

Ray was engrossed in his thoughts. Bea was right. He needed to get a grip. Yes, he took it hard when she was gone, because he started to realize how he felt for her. But he couldn't just think of himself. Truthfully, he wasn't, and he had decided that for now, he would just remain by her side until he felt she was ready. But he was a man. And men, especially if they have strong feelings for a woman, tend to get possessive and protective over them. It's a contradiction, really. But Ray had to stay focussed, and keep his resolve firm.

"Hey." Leroy spoke up grabbing Ray's attention. Looking at him seriously he spoke. "Bea is right. I understand, and I know this whole 'doing what's best for her' is totally out of my zone. But, I'm not giving up." His face showed no playfulness. He was serious.

Ray's eyes widened. He never expected Leroy to back down, but the seriousness in his declaration and eyes surprised Ray.

"I'll stand by and be there for her, as I'm sure you will and have ever since you were young." Leroy crossed his arms. "But I will win her heart when the chance presents itself." And then his natural playful smirk appeared. Oh, he loved a challenge. And he would win.

As they stared at each other, in the background Bea and Natalie tried to get Kenji into the pool. Which he flat out refused. So, while his eyes were closed, Bea and Natalie snuck over to him and tossed him in, jumping in afterwards. Lucille and Cain chuckled, Lydia just rolled her eyes, Bea and Natalie laughing hysterically.

Once Kenji surfaced, he turned to glare at them. But suddenly the glare turned into a smirk. "Oh? You want to play that badly..?" Kenji asked, his voice laced with hidden intent. Bea, Natalie, Lucille, Cain, and even Lydia, stood frozen in fear.

Ray smiled, his resolve strengthening. He would not lose to Leroy. But he wouldn't push too far. He already had more of her heart than Leroy surely did. So he knew that his chances were higher than Leroy's. But out of the two of them, Ray cared more about Lucille's well being than Leroy. Truly, Leroy needed to mature a little more, even if he is two years older than Ray. "You can try all you want. But we both know I have a stronger chance. While I do appreciate you thinking of the woman first this time, do not think I will stand by and let you take her. She will choose me."

Kenji transformed his body into a type of water being. His body was light blue and translucent. He sported gills and his hands and feet became webbed. He smirked. His sister's plea's lost to him. Kenji lifted his left hand and using his index finger, moved it in a circular motion, creating a whirlpool. The water suddenly began to spin around the five of them.

"But Kenji! Cain, Lydia, and I had no part in tossing you in the pool!" Lucille cried.

Kenji ignored her pleas as well. They wanted him to have fun with them? Well this was his type of fun, after he specifically told them he didn't want to go in the pool. When he raised his right arm in the air, the whirlpool shot the five of them into the air. Screams and yells were heard as they all flailed in the air before they fell back into the pool, and not gracefully. Leroy and Ray turned to look at them, confusion written on their faces as they had been in their own little world. All they saw were Lucille, Lydia, Natalie, Bea, and Cain groaning as they swam away from Kenji, whom was laughing like a mad man.

Lance sighed as he finally finished his tracking rune after ten minutes. He watched as it slithered away in search of its prey. Zane looked at him and raised a brow.

"Is it done?" He asked.

Lance nodded. "Yeah. Now we just wait until it finds the person."

"How will you know when it does?"

"It'll send me a jolt or shock. Then it'll show me an image of the person and setting along with the shock."

"And you will lead us when you 'see' that?" Zane asked skeptically and Lance nodded. "How do you know if it will work? Have you tried it before? Are their side effects? Will it stick to the person till you arrive-"

"Woah woah dude! Calm down!" Lance laughed. He knew Zane wanted to know everything about how things worked. He needed to know the in's and out's. That's why Zane bombarded him with all those questions. "I know it'll work because I've casted it before. Freed taught it to me remember? No, there are no side effects. As for will it wait till we get there? It depends on how strong the person in question is." Lance answered in order.

Zane stood there with his hand to his chin. After a minute, he sighed, seemingly satisfied with those answers. "Alright. Let's go and report to my mom and dad." He said and they both began looking for the veteran spirit Mage and guild master.

They didn't have to search long before they saw Sting and Yukino talking to a man they knew to be Dobengal, the one who dressed like a ninja. When Lance was about to speak up he stopped as he heard their conversation.

"What do you mean you've been gone for three weeks?!" Sting exclaimed.

Dobengal just tilted his head. "Exactly what I mean. I was on a job. You should know. I got the okay from you, after all."

"What?" Yukino asked confused.

Sting looked flabbergasted. "I think I'd remember giving you the okay to go on a job!"

Dobengal closed his eyes and it sounded like he sighed, but you couldn't tell with his mask. "Well, I promise. I did get your permission, Master Sting. I even have the jewels to prove I completed the job." He said as he held a bag up to Sting so he could inspect it. Sure enough, there they were.

Yukino nodded and smiled. "Alright, Dobengal. We're sorry."

"We are?!"

Yukino gave Sting a look. "Yes. We are."

Sting shuddered and sighed. "Yeah, alright. You're free to go." They watched as Dobengal nodded and left.

"Something isn't right. There's no way I'd forget a member leaving to go out on a job. I mean, I'm master of this guild! It's my job!" Sting said frustrated.

Then something seemed to click with Lance. If Nina had infiltrated Sabertooth as one of the members, then it's quite possible that she disguised herself as Sting, gave the 'ok' to Dobengal to leave, then disguised herself as Dobengal! This would explain why Sting doesn't remember giving him permission, because he never did. So that means if Dobengal is back, Nina must be gone. Lance cursed causing Zane, as well as Yukino, and Sting to look at him.

"Woah! Zane! Lance!"

"Did you complete your rune tracking spell?" Yukino asked.

Lance gave a frustrated sigh. "Yes, but now it's completely useless." He told them how he overheard their conversation and what he had figured out. Yukino gasped and Zane growled.

Sting narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. "She must know that Lucille is here and is aware of what she's needed for." Lance's eyes widened but then his expression turned angry.

"Now she absolutely cannot be allowed to be without someone. Can you still keep your tracking spell up till you leave, Lance?" Yukino asked. Lance nodded. "Good. For now, just go about things as normal. We'll tell Lucille in the morning before you leave. For now, just enjoy the rest of your day here, okay?" She told Lance giving him a warm, comforting smile. Zane nodding to him as well as Sting.

It definitely helped calm Lance down. To know Yukino and Sting had their backs and would do whatever they could put him at ease. He'd be able to face Lucille and act like nothing was wrong as long as they had his back. Lance closed his eyes and smiled. "Alright. Thank you, Master Sting, Yukino, Zane."

"Go join the others. Leave the rest to us." Sting instructed. They watched as Zane and Lance left to go get their swimsuits on and join the others. His expression turned grim once they were gone. "Let's hope we can keep them protected till tomorrow."

Yukino glanced at her husband. He'd never show his unease to others but this time is different. This was someone who wasn't a part of his guild, and at the same time was someone so precious because she was his idol's long lost daughter. She watched as Sting began to search for Rogue and Kagura which she followed. His body seemed to shake with anticipation for what he knew and what he didn't. Since Yuuna was born, he hadn't gone out into the field for 8 years. So she knew he felt he was out of shape for an oncoming battle because they, including Rogue and Kagura, knew that is what it would come down to. A battle to keep their precious Lucille safe, now that she was finally with them again. And if they got other guilds involved, it could also become a war.

As Lance and Zane walked into the pool area they heard screams. They rushed in only to see Ray, standing on land in all his naked glory, with a sinister look on his face, spinning his index fingers around. Lucille and Natalie covering their eyes, Leroy, Bea, and Cain snickering and laughing, Kenji and Lydia lying on chairs, lounging. As Ray spun his index fingers in circular motions, causing whirlpools to appear in the pool, spinning everyone around and around. Everyone screaming and shrieking.

"So you think taking my swimming trunks is funny huh?! Who's laughing now?!" Ray laughed manically.

Lance chuckled and Zane sighed with a smile on his lips. But they stopped when suddenly a wave of water hit them and brought them into the water. Here, Ray had heard them and thought if they were also amused, they'd suffer as well.

After about 5 minutes, and multiple people hovering over trash cans puking later, things finally settled down. Everyone lounging and lazily swimming.

"Haaa, it feels like the whole group is back together now that your back, Lucille." Bea said as she laid on a raft in the pool.

Lucille who had been floating, stood up and looked at Bea. "Really?" She received agreements of "of course", "yeah", and "definitely"'s. Lucille smiled warmly, a blush to her cheeks. "I'd like to visit Blue Pegasus, and Lamia Scale. How are Adonis, Amber, Neve, Roxana, and Uriana?" She asked as her gaze softened as she thought of the other friendships she had gained with the other guilds.

Zane smiled a little. "They are good. Adonis took on Jenny's legacy as a model and Mage."

"Really?!" Lucille exclaimed.

"Yeah, and Roxana goes by Roxy now. She's even in a band and is a Mage." Bea smirked as she glanced at Lucille.

"No way! Sweet Roxana?! Wow.." She sat down on the steps of the pool as she tried to imagine what they look like now.

Leroy swam over closer as did the others. "Yeah, Roxy is a part of Lamia Scale and so is Neve, Amber and Adonis being a part of Blue Pegasus."

"What about Uriana?" Lucille asked hesitantly.

Leroy whispered low. "Crime Sorcière."

Lucille's eyes widened. "You mean..Uncle Jellal's guild?!" She whispered back. Everyone just nodded. "Well, that's not surprising..she was very clingy to Meredy." She smiled. She remembered wanting to play with her all the time but Uriana was literally glued to Meredy's side.

"Everyone figured out what they wanted to be and do. Uriana especially. She liked what her mother and them do to help people. So she wanted to help carry out their will." Zane explained.

Lucille closed her eyes and smiled. "It's a very understanding duty. It's honorable." She opened her eyes and looked at everyone, everyone smiling and nodding.

A couple hours later, everyone began to mumble about how they were hungry so they left to get dressed and returned to the hall for dinner. They chatted happily and talked with other members of the guild. When Lucille asked where Minerva was, Sting told her she was out on a job but that she be returning within a couple days. She sighed since they'd be leaving tomorrow but Sting assured her that he'd tell her and that Minerva would get in touch with her via lacrima as soon as she finds out. Lucille beamed and nodded as she returned to talking with the others.

By night fall, the boys and girls returned to their respective rooms. The girls gathered around and talked about girly things and Bea made a comment of how Kenji would love their conversation, earning ripples of laughter from them. After a time, Lucille voiced her worry that began to creep up since they left the pool.

"I don't want to leave..cause when we go back…that means that I'll have to tell my parents and all of Fairy Tail that I'm being pursued. And then..all of this will truly be real." Natalie crawled over to embrace her twin. Lucille accepted the embrace as she let her hair cover her face, hiding her unshed tears.

Bea and Lydia looked at each other knowingly before scooting over and wrapping her and Natalie in a hug as well. "It'll be alright, Lucille." Bea cooed.

"Yes. You know that once everyone knows, we'll do whatever we need to make sure they don't take you. You're our star after all, remember?" Lydia asked as she peered into Lucille's face.

Lucille looked back at Lydia and saw Lydia give her a rare, warm smile, looking much like when Mirajane would comfort her. Lucille's tears overflowed then but she smiled. "Aye.." She said as she hugged them all, letting herself cry freely in the safety of their arms. After a time they finally retired to bed. Lucille turned on her side as she stared out the window, looking at the nights sky. Everything would be alright. She had her friends, her family, and other guilds that had her back and would protect her. At that moment, she made a decision. That would be the last time she would worry and cry over this. Tomorrow, she'd begin anew. Once they returned home and explained the situation, she would train. Both her mind and power for the battle sure to come. She wasn't a little girl with no magic or power anymore. She had it, trained hard for it, and she wouldn't forget that now that she was home. She had the heart and strength of her mother and father. She could do this. With her resolve strengthened, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

Here it is! After such a long wait…so sorry about that. I tried to make this chapter both humorous and foreboding. And yes, you get the names of the other kiddos from the other guilds! Can you guess who belongs to whom? Hehehe~

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! (^o^)/