Ice Make New Generation (Fairy Tail Fic)

6. Family Reunion

The cave was difficult to get through. Me and Papa had to keep an ice floor on the ground continuously. By the time we got out, I was exhausted. I was leaning heavily on Simon as I struggled to help maintain the ice. Papa didn't show a sign of fatigue, besides the beads of sweat covering his face and arms. We finally reached safe ground and I let out a heavy sigh. Papa, who was leading, looked back and smiled at me. My hair was sticking to my face and I could barely keep my eyes open. Papa pushed the strands away from my forehead and kissed it gently.

"You did so well. But you didn't have to push yourself. I could've done that last part by myself," he said.

"I didn't want to give up," I answered, trying to steady my breathing. Simon's arm had wrapped all the way around my waist and he held me up. Papa shook his head lightly. He didn't say anything else and we walked out of the cave.

"Gray!" Mama's voice yelled as she ran right up to him. Kyle was right behind her to join in the hug. Simon guided me over and Mama and Papa held me up in the group hug. Kyle looked up at Papa in awe. Papa looked back in a similar way.

"You've grown so much," Papa mused, ruffling Kyle's hair. Kyle's mouth just hung open. He looked over at me and I nodded.

"Yes, Kyle. This really is our Papa," I said. Kyle wiped a tear away and hugged Papa even tighter. I don't know how long we stayed like that. All I know is that when we finally pulled apart, Simon had disappeared. I shook my head at nothing in particular. It was just like him to try and let us be alone. He was probably also heading back to let Erza know that he was fine. When I turned back from my search for Simon, Mama and Papa were kissing. Kyle was making a disgusted face at them and I joined.

"Cut it out you two!" I called. They pulled back and grinned at us. They grabbed each other's hands tightly.

"Are you ready to go home?" Mama asked. She was looking at Papa, but it was a general question. We all nodded and began the journey home. Kyle supported me this time, my energy still being drained. Before we even got halfway, Natsu, Happy, Erza, and Simon showed up with a wagon. Natsu was leaning over the edge, his face green. Erza jumped out and hugged Papa. He never let go of Mama's hand as he hugged her back. Natsu jumped out next, fire was shooting out of his hands.

"I'm all fired up Gray!" Papa grinned and an icy mist came from his hands. Mama pulled his arm slightly and the mist subsided.

"Not today, Natsu," Papa told him. Natsu grinned at Mama.

"Gonna keep him all to yourself Luce?" Mama nodded. Natsu looked at me and Kyle. "You may not realize this, but your dad has done quite a few amazing things."

"I know that my papa's awesome!" I told him. Kyle nodded in agreement. Natsu gave a small laugh. Simon jumped out and moved to stand next to me. I turned and slugged him in the arm, right where his yellow guild mark was.

"Ow," he muttered, rubbing it.

"Serves you right for disappearing like that!" I told him. He rolled his eyes and I glared at him, before sticking my tongue out like a child. He chuckled and patted my head. I grit my teeth. He knows how much I hate when he does that. It makes me feel more like a child. Simon removed his hand and grabbed me around the waist.

"Hey!" I protested.

"You look dead on your feet. C'mon, let's get you on the wagon," he said softly, leading me in that direction.

"I can do it myself!"

"No, you can't. When are you going to stop fighting with me?" he asked exasperated.

"When you start believing me!" I told him. I managed to push his arm from around my wrist and took a confident step towards the wagon. The world spun and suddenly my face was 2 inches away from the ground. Simon's arm was firmly around me once again. He had stopped me from falling straight into the ground. I sighed and allowed him to help me into the wagon. Kyle scurried in next, then Erza took the reins.

"Climb on and we'll head back to the guild," she called to the three adults still out of the wagon. Natsu took a step back.

"I think I'll walk," he said.

"Don't be a fool Natsu. If we return without you, Lisanna will kill us," Mama told him.

"Aye! And Lexi and Katie will start fighting again," Happy added. Papa looked at Happy quickly, then to me.

"Is it true that you two fight?" he asked. I pulled my knees up to my chest and nodded. Papa burst into laughter and Mama glared at him.

"It's not funny Gray! They almost destroyed the guild once," she explained. Papa laughed harder.

"Sounds like us, eh Natsu?" Natsu nodded, a grin on his face.

"They'd be really powerful if they worked together as a team," he added.

"Never!" I yelled.

"Darn it, Katie! I didn't think you'd hear me."

"You of all people should know that my hearing is almost as good as yours oh powerful dragon slayer," I taunted. "Can we just get in the wagon so we can go home?" Natsu grudgingly got in along with Mama and Papa. Happy got in as well, complaining that his magic wasn't what it use to be in his "old age."

With all of us in the wagon, it was an interesting ride. Good thing it was short too, or else someone would have gotten hurt. Probably Natsu. We passed through the town and people stopped when they noticed Papa. Whispers passed through the crowd until they reached the guild, who was already waiting with a real Fairy Tail party.

The second we pulled up, the doors burst open and the entire guild ran out to hug Papa. He never let go of Mama's hand. As much as I wanted to stay with Papa, I decided that I needed something to eat first. Simon was, once again, proved right in the fact that I was not strong enough to walk on my own as I clung to him to stable myself.

Lexi cocked an eyebrow at me from the bar as we walked in. "So you found your perv of an old man, huh?" I lunged at her, only to stumble and for the third time today, almost hit the ground.

"Katie, you need to eat. Lexi, don't taunt her. She's had a rough journey," Simon said. Lexi scoffed in her throat and I jumped up from the chair Simon had forced me in. His hands were quick to push me back down. I flailed my arms trying to get a solid hit in and get at Lexi.

"Katie!" Simon yelled. I froze. He very rarely yelled, especially at me. I slumped in the chair and waited for Mira to bring a plate of food. She set steaming salmon in front of me and I dug in.

"Thanks Mira!" I called with a full mouth.

"It's no problem," she answered with her motherly smile. A cold hand placed itself on my shoulder and I looked back to see Papa, Mama, and Kyle.

"Let's go home Kk," Papa said. It was a beautiful sight to see my whole family together again. My eyes watered slightly, but I wiped the fresh tears away and we all went home to our little house along the river. The men who were always on the river called to us as usual, but we paid them no mind today. We were a whole family again, and that's all that mattered.

Author's Note: I'm so sorry that I've left this for so long! Being a Senior is hard work. Anyway, MissDragonslayer was kind enough to draw Katie, Kyle, and Simon for me. So in case you wondered what they looked like, you have a pretty accurate image. I drew Lexi and she'll be the last one, because my art isn't as good as MissDragonslayer's. Enjoy chapter 6 and don't forget to vote, comment, and follow!