This. . .this was supposed to be a week-long mission?

Natsu bit back a growl of frustration, trekking through some thorn bushes. The acute prickles didn't bother him one bit. What did bother him is that Makarov suddenly sent him away.

The bag on his back weighs him down suddenly as if it suddenly gained thirty pounds. His feet drag to an abrupt stop as a frown graced his features.

"This is stupid, " He grumbled aggressively before continuing on his way. "Why couldn't someone else do this mission?"

He hated Blue Pegasus! Master Bob was on a whole level of major creepy! Makarov should've sent that annoying jerk Gray instead of him! If he had been given any other mission, he wouldn't be as so sour, but Blue Pegasus?

He would literally rather be locked in a room with those damned Sabertooth bastards than near Master Bob.

The negative mind wandering was put to an end when a twig somewhere around Natsu snapped. The sudden sound caused the pink-haired man to immediately become defensive, his fists engulfed by his magic fire.

"Alright, don't be playin' games with me!" He narrowed his eyes at a certain thicket of trees. There was someone there, not anyone he recognized, though. They had the scent of blood and dust, not a very thing to accidentally inhale. "I know you're there, so might as well come on out!"

"My, my, " Amused, a feminine voice rattled out, amused by the demand. "Very well, I shall play."

From the branches stepped out a very beautiful woman who had long purple hair, reaching probably the ground. She had red eyes; red eyes that trained primarily, and directly at Natsu. A smirk graced her red lips, she steps out into the opening.

Natsu took in her appearance at full. The woman was slender and very curvy, well she seemed to be like so, but with that dress she wore, he couldn't really tell. Like, seriously? Was this lady goin' to a ball or something? And why the heck is she out in the woods with something that fancy-looking on? Despite all of that, there was definitely something weird about this lady. Not only did she give him the creeps, but she's got strong dark magic. Very strong dark magic.

He wouldn't be bothered, usually. His body stiffened under the intensity.

"It's rude to stare, young man."

Natsu tensed, eyes trailing to the flickering red orbs. "So is stalking. Who are you!?" He bit back hostilely.

"I will remain anonymous. . .for now, " The woman's frowned arose into a smirk, snapping her fingers, sending a wave of cold at Natsu, his ignited fists suddenly disperse, much to Natsu's angered confusion and dismay. "As for you, Son of Igneel, we are going to have a little chat."

"What the hell is wrong with you two?!" Makarov's loud booming voice harshly scolds Erza and Mira.

The two women were on their knees, giant, steaming bumps on their crowns (curtesy of Makarov, obviously).

I watched from afar, sat on an undamaged chair as Wendy tended to the cut on my hand. Oh, right. See what had happened was. . .

"WATCH OUT!"

The shouts of my friends reached my ears, but it kind of was too late to try and dodge. Thinking that I was going to be injured, or worse, I throw my hands up in front of me. It was a bad idea, but it was a reflex.

The only thing going through my mind was nothing. I was frozen. Petrified. Unable to flee from impending doom. Squeezing my eyes shut is the only thing I felt like I could do right now.

And then. . .it happened again.

The searing heat passed through me. Exiting my body came fire; surrounding me. Protecting me like a cocoon. It protected me from the flying blade, yet, the pain sliced through my left palm.

I couldn't exactly detect what had happened next, but Erza's sword had melted into red hot goo and I slipped into a daze.

"That was unexpected!" Levy sat next to me.

"Very, " Wendy nodded in agreement, adding the last touch of her healing magic on my palm. "That power was incredible! I don't I've felt so much pure, good magic before!"

They were still so marveled by the baby's power. It's not really surprising, I still am too.

"Your own baby protects you! What're the odds?" Gray comments, tugging off his shirt subconsciously.

"I. . .it's hot, " I say glumly, fanning my face with my uninjured hand. "The last few times it's happened, I pass out cold. Porlyusica warned me to be careful, yet I keep waltzing into dangerous situations. I'm a terrible mother!" I cry.

"E—eh? Y—you're not!" The ice mage and others scatter to reassure me, but I don't listen to them.

How am I supposed to nurture and raise a baby when I can't even protect it now? This baby isn't even out of the womb yet, and I'm already screwing up as a mother! My heart flutters rapidly with guilt.

"Oh, shut up and give me your hand!" I bark at my friend, who complies. His hand felt very nice in mine.

Not in that way! Juvia would kill me!

"Holy shit! You're burning up!" Gray grimaces.

"That could cause complications, " Wendy states, her professionalism wavering. "I think all the excitement is too much for your body."

A mangled snort from somewhere behind me rings out, "I'd say."

"Cobra, " I sigh deeply. "Be nice."

I only received silence. He probably got bored or felt the need he didn't need to talk back. I resume holding Gray's hand. The cold seriously felt super nice~

Glancing back at Mira and Erza—whose scolding was over—they were making their way over to us. Probably to apologize for accidentally endangering my life, not to mention my unborn child.

"Forgive me, Lucy!" Erza clambered down to her knees, hanging her head in shame. "Caught up in my pride, I've forgotten about your safety! You may strike me!" Summoning a sword, she holds it up to me.

"A—ah! Whoa! I'm not going to strike you! Put that thing away!" I push the sword away from me, I didn't want any sharp things near me right now.

"Forgive us, Lucy, " Mira began genuinely with a small smile. "Our argument got out of hand, we really didn't mean to send harm to your way."

"I—it's okay," I say with a small nod, taking my hands from Gray. "What. . .can I ask what you were fighting about—you know, without fighting about it again?" Asking was probably the worse mistake I could have done.

The two S-Class mages stare each other down intensely. The stare was very short when Makarov gave them a stern look. It's like two children fighting over a teddy bear. . .

"Th—they happened to mention who would get to be the baby's godmother, Lucy", Lisanna whispers into my ear.

Oh. A godmother? Why. . .why would they need to worry about that? Wait, am I supposed to choose someone before the baby comes? Oh, shizz. I hadn't even thought about having a godmother. Why is it every time I learn something I have to do, there are other things that pop up? What's next? Is there some home birthing they're gonna try forcing me to do?

"It's Lucy's decision who is worthy of her child's godmother!" Erza's voice sternly growls.

"Anyone would see, I'm the better candidate!" Mira had crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nonsense! I am more fit!" Erza bickered back.

I should probably stop them before things escalate again. Opening my mouth to attempt a defusing, I never got to speak out a single word. There was a sudden, acute pressure/pain in my liver. My hands fly to my belly, hissing out and folding myself the best I could. Y—yep. . .this kid's gonna be a soccer player. . .

"You okay?" My friends jump the worry train.

"No, I am not, " I grimace, sitting back up. "I am so sick and tired of this child kicking things. It's so small but has a giant kick." I glare at my bulging bump.

"I—it's kicking already?" Erza was surprised, an expression of awe blossoming onto her face.

"Yes, " I nod. "It's usually not so bad, but sometimes the little stinker just. . .ugh! "It's gotten better, I suppose." I take a long hiss in and hiss out to relieve my stinging organ of the painful throbbing.

"M—may I touch you? I. . .I mean! The baby! I wanna feel the baby!" Erza erupts into a heavy blush the second she stuttered.

I laugh half-heartedly. "Just take the armor on your hands off."

With the flash of light, Erza's hands were bare, shaking as they inched toward my belly. Her fingers touched my bump lightly. Goosebumps break out over my skin. Her hands weren't cold, per se, I guess it was really weird to have another person touch me other than practitioners like Cora and Porlyusica. I wasn't sure if Erza noticed me stiffen or not.

"Ah!" The redhead gasps, feeling the baby kick again. "Amazing!"

For you. I nearly wanted to grunt sourly, but I stop myself knowing it was just the hormones talking. I couldn't be mean to my friends like that, especially after all this time.

"Can I feel?" Levy and Mira piped up, nearly shoving Erza backward.

And then suddenly, hands began to press against my belly, feeling around to catch a glimpse of the tiny kicks Erza had felt.

"It's got a strong kick! It's definitely Fairy Tail mage material!" Mira praises, smiling so bright, I thought I'd go blind.

"Alright, alright, " Makarov saves me from anymore curious touchy-feely hands. "I know this is all very exciting, but the girl is not a petting zoo."

Thank you, Makarov, I silently sigh in relief.

"Besides. . ." The little old man approached me. "It's grandpa's turn~"

Hm? What was he. . .?— I deadpan the second he pats my belly tenderly. Of course. He hadn't been able to feel the baby yet. His entire face melted into happy wrinkles, eyes gleaming brightly. I feel my heart swell as he refers to himself as 'grandpa'.

"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK!!" Shouts directed at the guild master rang out rather loudly, but the bubbly old man paid no mind to the retorts and playful insults.

!

"Here eat some of this."

Plates of steaming, mouth-watering foods were placed in front of me, Cobra, and Midnight. The chicken was especially mouth-watering. It was juicy and totally crying for me to eat it.

"Thank you much, Mira!" I gratefully scoop my fork into my hand and dig in.

"It seems pregnancy takes a toll on women, huh?" Mira giggled, observing my appetite.

"You think this is bad? She nearly ate a restaurant out." Cobra grunted amusingly while eating his own food.

I choose to ignore him, sipping on the juice Mira slid me just now. I didn't think I missed Mira's food so much until now. It's like eating heaven~ I melt chewing the delicious chicken.

"Oh my, " Mira giggled. "That mustn't have been healthy."

I shrug, gulping down my food with my juice. "I can't help it. Cravings and all." I peel back with an innocent smile.

"It's getting late, " Makarov perked up from his spot on the counter. "Will you be renting a room?"

I glance at the old man after finishing the last bits of my dinner. "If I'm being honest, I didn't expect us to be staying overnight. I didn't bring any extra money except for the train ride back home."

"Oh! You can stay with me at Fairy Hills!" Mira jumps the opportunity train, clapping her hands together excitedly.

"That's awfully kind of you, Mira, " I say before jabbing my thumb at the felons next to me. "But, I can't leave them."

The white-haired mage immediately becomes crestfallen. "I see." She pouts disappointingly.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Mira", I apologize, guilt bubbling into my chest.

"Then, where will you stay?" Mira turns back to us, eyes flurrying with concern.

"Well, we can stay with Makarov?" I suggest, but the old man suddenly drops to the counter, snoring like a bear, drunken blush spread across his cheeks from the many drinks he had consumed. I deadpan watching a booger bubble inflates from his nose.

"Yeah. . .we're not stayin' with the geezer." Midnight scoffs distastefully.

I couldn't necessarily disagree with him, but I didn't exactly know a female who wasn't a resident of Fairy Hills, and I wasn't so sure about bunking with one of the men of Fairy Tail. I mean, I could ask Gray, but I do not want Juvia thinking I'm trying to steal 'her Gray-sama'. Speaking of the blue-haired water mage, I haven't seen her around. She must be on a mission or something.

I sigh in defeat. Most of the girls had gone back, with their deepest goodbyes and loyal promises to stay in contact.

"U-um. . ." Lisanna's extremely timid voice caught our attention as she approached from behind. "Y—you guys can stay with me."