Hello everyone! Firstly I would like to thank my friends who read this before it published so that this would be the best it could be before it got published! Now this is my very first fanfiction so constructive criticism would be great! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail and everything belongs to their rightful owners.

Note: Italics = a person's thoughts

Runaway

After Layla Heartfilia's death in July of the year X777, Lucy's relationship with her father drastically began to go downhill. For a ten-year old that was showered by the love of her parents this made a devastating impact on Lucy's life.

In the several months following her death, Lucy has attempted to talk to her father many times but they all ended in failure. Today Lucy was going to try to talk to him again and she constantly told herself that she will keep trying, but deep down Lucy can barely take any more of it.

Lucy slowly opens the door to her father's office and nervously walks up to his desk after closing the door slowly, making sure to make the least amount of disturbance as possible.

Lucy looks up at her father Jude as he stares at papers in front of him. Believing that he is unaware of her presence, she squeaks at him to get his attention.

"Dad-" Lucy squeaks before her father immediately interrupts her.

"Go away Lucy. I am working." Jude states coldly, giving Lucy a cold stare before looking back down at pile of papers before him.

"But-"

"No buts Lucy! Now get out! Now!" he screams, his voice becoming very hoarse.

After shaking in fear from his command, she turns around and makes her way to the doorway when tears begin to flow from her eyes. For each step she takes toward the door, she resists a sob that is trying to force its way out of her mouth. After closing the door to his office she collapses into the fetal position, completely giving in to the sobs and hiccups.

"N-no matter h-how many times I try, he only hates me even more," she whispers as the intricate rug below her soaks up her tears. I should just run away. He doesn't care about me anymore. He doesn't love me anymore. All he cares about is work. He's been like this ever since mom died. And no matter how many times I try to talk to him he only screams at me. This thought had only caused Lucy to create more tears and more hiccups. I'll run away tonight! As this thought crossed her mind a new look of determination forms on her face.

As day turns into night Lucy reaffirms her decision to run away. Tonight, I'll run away tonight! Lucy thinks to herself. Lucy then scurries off to her room where she hastily begins to pack her things and despite her age she knows to only pack the essentials… plus some of her favorite outfits.

When Lucy was finally finished packing Bero opens the door her room, completely taking her by surprise.

"Lucy what could you be doing up this late at night?" Bero questions as he looks at the suitcase that Lucy is attempting, although failing, to hide. Despite his question he already knew what she was going to do. After seeing her suffer so much from her father's outburst it was only inevitable that it would come to this conclusion. When Bero saw the determined look on her face earlier today he knew that today was the fated day.

Lucy looks at the ground nervously trying to hide her panic-filled face while trying to think of a lie for her actions. Knowing that she could not hide it, tears began to form in her eyes.

After seeing the tears fall from Lucy's eyes Bero approaches Lucy. In response, Lucy closes her eyes as if she is about to receive punishment for attempting to run away but instead she opens her eyes to see herself in Bero's shaking arms.

"Do not fret Lucy I will not stop you" he says as Lucy looks at Bero in disbelief.

"Although I am against letting a ten-year old run away," he says as Lucy looks back at the ground upsettingly.

"I know you are strong enough" he says as hope replaces the upset in Lucy's eyes.

"Now I am unable to lend any money but I know of a place you can go to".

"Where is this place Bero-sensei?"

"A guild in Magnolia called Fairy Tail. This guild is known for being very destructive. Although despite their destructive nature they treat each other like family so I know you will like Fairy Tail."

A ray of hope seems to shine on Lucy as Bero tells her about Fairy Tail. I'll go and join Fairy Tail! The thought resounds in her mind and a smile begins to grow on her face. Not the fake smile that she always put in front of the other employees of the Heartfilia Konzern to hide her sadness, but the same cheerful and childish smile she had before her mother had passed away.

"Now before you leave I must give you these" Bero says as he pulls out four silver keys.

"These four keys are the Gate of the Southern Cross Crux, Gate of the Clock Horologium, Gate of the Lyre Lyra, and Gate of the Compass Pyxis. Along with Aquarius and Cancer, given to you by your mother, you now have 6 keys. If you are in danger do not hesitate in summoning one of them, but be careful not to overwork yourself Lucy."

"Don't worry Bero-sensei all Celestial Spirits are my friends and we will always protect each other!" Lucy cheers.

Bero simply smiles in reply before Lucy gives Bero one last hug.

"Thank you Bero-sensei, I'm going to miss you so much" Lucy says while tearing up again.

"I'm going to miss you too Lucy. Now leave before it's too late"

When they finally pull away from each other, Lucy makes her way towards the window where she then proceeds to climb out of her room. After smiling one last time at Bero, she climbs out at disappears into the darkness of the forest.

"She's finally run away hasn't she" the maid Spetto says sadly as she enters Lucy's room.

"It was inevitable, but she will be happier this way" Bero says with a content look on his face. The content look was only replaced with worry when he realizes that he had forgotten to give her a map. Bero then immediately opens the window only to see the darkness of the night before him. With Lucy now out of reach he could only hope for her safety.

As Lucy goes deeper into the forest she looks back at the Heartfilia Konzern.

"Goodbye Mama, Dad" she whispers to herself before running deeper into the forest where the scenery begins to change. Behind her the ground is bare where the most exciting feature was the orange lilies that decorated the roots of the trees around her, but as she makes her way out of the forest she encounters a lotus-filled pond. Astounded by the beauty of the moonlight shining upon the pond, she dedicates her senses completely to the scene before her. She sees fireflies glowing gracefully in the moonlight. She listens to the birds and crickets speaking to one another. She smells the elegant fragrance of the lotuses filling the air. She tastes the mineral-filled water of the pond as she quenches her thirst. As she sets aside her little suitcase, she feels the soft grass below her as she lies on the ground while gazing at the beauty of the night sky overhead.

"This is so pretty!" she says with excitement as relaxation overcomes her. While stargazing she begins to drift off into a deep sleep as exhaustion begins to take over. Ever since her mother's death she always fell asleep crying and sad. Every single day she was always worried about whether she will be able to get through to her father and talk with him. But tonight Lucy did not have to worry about trying to talk to her father the next day. Tonight she did not have to worry about her father's anger. Tonight there was not a single thing she worried about anymore except for how long it would take for her Magnolia. Tonight she was calm and completely at peace. Tonight she fell into the deepest sleep that she has not had since the day of her mother's death. And tonight, she absolutely could not wait to continue on her journey to Fairy Tail.

Thank you guys for reading the very first chapter to my very first fanfiction! I hope you guys enjoyed it because I sure did when I was writing it! Again thank you guys so much and I'll see you guys next time in Chapter 2: Laxus and the Book of the Angels!