The lost omega

Chapter 9 - Shadows

Natsu huffed in annoyance as he tried to reach his favourite tea that Gray had accidentally put on the top shelf. The alpha was on a job meaning Natsu couldn't ask him for help, he was just a little too short to reach the top shelf, and was unable to stretch due to his baby bump.

"Hikariiiiiii~" he whined out loudly. 

The humanoid dragon spirit appeared in a gleam of white light. "Hello little dragon, need help reaching the shelf? She asked.

Natsu nodded, lips pulled into a pout.

Hikari simply floated upwards to grab the herbal tea. "I'll make the tea, you go rest." She said softly, Natsu for once didn't complain and shuffled to the sofa. He curled up like a cat, watching the tv lacrima. Hikari brought his cup of tea over to him and stroked his hair gently.

"Missing your mate?" She hummed.

Natsu nodded. "Yeah...it's weird...we used to get on each other's nerves daily...now I can't bear to be away from him."

"Well you are mated now, your souls are bonded." Hikari hummed.

Natsu huffed in frustration. "Yeah well it sucks." He grumbled. Happy chuckled and settled on Natsu's swollen stomach. "He'll be back soon, and it won't be much longer before you can train again, it's only like a month and a half until you give birth right?"

Natsu nodded. "Yeah I guess you're right buddy, I can't wait to train. I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing."

"Aye sir! You'll be able to train really soon, and you'll be burning butts across the land!" Happy cheered.

Natsu smiled, sufficiently distracted from his moping. He finished his cup of tea before patting Happy's head. "How about we take a walk? I need to stretch, and we could pick some berries and nuts, and do some fishing."

"Aye sir!" Happy danced in excitement at the prospect of fishies. Natsu chuckled and sat up.

"Cmon then." He hummed as he stood up and stretched, Happy next to him. Vulpacula appeared in a shimmer of gold and yipped at him softly.

"You want to come too?" Natsu asked and the little fox spirit nodded.

Natsu smiled and headed out with Hikari, Happy and Vulpacula. They walked through the forest, not heading too deep.

Natsu carried a basket which he filled with wild blackberries and chestnuts.

Suddenly the smell of rot assaulted Natsu's senses. It was corrosive like acid or poison. Natsu scrunched his nose and looked around for the source of the smell.

"Natsu...Maybe we should turn back." Happy whispered.

"Don't worry little buddy. Everything will be fine." Natsu reassured as he searched for the source of scent. He tracked it down to a large tree. It's bark was black and oozed a white slime that seemed to be melting the trunk of the tree. It's leaves had all withered and died. It was the only tree affected.

Natsu frowned. "This isn't normal."

Suddenly the shadows seemed to warp, they reached out like nightmarish vines and grabbed at his body.

"Natsu!" Happy called out as he tried to pull the omega away from the shadowy tendrils but he couldn't pull his friend free.

Natsu squirmed pulling and kicking trying to free himself. It was futile. The shadows lifted him up, constricting him as he flailed in panic.

"H-Happy go get help!" Natsu gasped out as the shadow vines dug into the flesh of his sides making him cry out.

Happy flew off at max speed.