A/N: Fairy Tail does not belong to me in any way, shape, or form. Thank you.

The child stared up at the sky from behind the dirty glass. A sigh eased itself through her thin lips, blonde hair floating upwards briefly before her bangs settled back over her forehead. She brought a hand up, resting her chin in it as she stared. "Princess?" The girl jerked, turning around quickly. The pink haired maid wasn't smiling, but she didn't look angry. Virgo didn't often show emotion, she knew that. "Your father wishes to speak with you." The child pursed her lips and nodded. Virgo then smiled, something that scared the child more than it comforted her: the woman's lips pulled up a little too wide and made her look psychotic. But the girl swallowed all the same, knowing she was only trying to help. The blonde reached out a hand and surprise flicked across the woman's face, joy almost alighting. "Is it time for punishment?" But when the girl merely took holding of her hand, holding tight to it, the smile eased into a more sincere one.

"Daddy's in his study, right?"

"Correct, Princess." And they walked out of the storage room where the child often hid, moving towards the Master's study where he awaited his daughter to tell her the good news. As they walked, the girl avoided the painting that smiled down at her from the wall, her lips pulling down in anger, not wanting to see the beautiful blonde woman smiling gently at her.

Lucy awoke with a start, eyes staring up at the ceiling without seeing anything, before they focused. She eased herself up slowly, stretching lightly and shivering in the cold morning air. The bluenette beside her shuddered as the blanket shifted. Lucy quickly righted it, hopping out of bed and twirling around the other bed directly next to theirs, quiet after all her years of practice. She tiptoed towards the door and slipped out, going to do her morning routine first for once. It was barely dawn, so she still had at-least three hours before the rest of the house was up.

So hopefully she could have a head start to the day and finish early.

At-least, that's the basic idea. She highly doubted it would work out in her favor.

"Lucy?" She whirled around, seeing Erza peer at her from the doorway of that same storage room. "You're up early." A smile graced the red head's lips and Lucy clasped her hands behind her back, shrugging a bit. "Perhaps you'll finally be able to visit your parents today," her friend murmured quietly. Lucy swallowed thickly and nodded. Erza turned back towards their room. "I won't keep you. Go ahead." And the door closed with a soft click. Lucy let out a shuddered breath as she continued her way to the restroom.

"Lu-chan," Levy whispered, pulling at her sleeve. Lucy looked over at her blearily, her eyes focusing on the smaller teen next to her. "I'll finish for you!"

"L-levy…? But I—" The mop was taken from her hands and the blonde looked up at Erza, the woman raising a brow at her. "Erza… Levy, thanks but—"

"Go." It wasn't a suggestion coming from Erza's lips, it was a command. Tears pooled in her eyes and she nodded. Levy slipped some coins into her hands and Lucy rushed to hug the both of them before taking off in a run, skidding across the house as she burst from the back door.

"Erza! Juvia! Come here this instant!" Lucy heard the voice shriek as she ran. "Alicia and Cecilia need to get ready!" And Lucy was just thankful their stepmother hadn't called for her.

It was barely one in the afternoon and all they had been doing all morning was working. Her lack of sleep had begun catching up to her while she had been doing the repetitive chores. She truly loved her friends, for everything they did for her. Of-course, when they covered for her she felt insanely guilty but they brushed her off and told her that she needed it. They all did the same for Juvia, it was the one of the things the two teens had in common with each other.

She swiped at her eyes, her feet flying over the ground as she ran, not even caring at this point how she looked. Her dress was tattered and patched, her shoes old and worn, and a bandana held up her hair in a messy bun, keeping it from reaching her eyes. But that was the life she led now, the one she had known for the past five years. Could she leave? Probably. Did she want to? Yes. But where would she go? Where could they all go? They'd only work in another house, for another family. There was no guarantee they'd be treated better. That was the main reason they all stayed.

Not that they wanted to.

"Watch it!" she wasn't paying attention so when she barreled into someone, she honestly wasn't surprised.

"S-sorry!" she stammered out, rising quickly. The man peered up at her from the ground and she snorted. Then her eyes widened terribly and she clapped a hand over her mouth, not daring to move as he picked himself up. She didn't even bother to try and stop her bandana from loosening and fluttering to the ground. "I-I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!"

"I gathered that, yeah," he brushed himself off, then sent her a curious look. "What?"

"N-nothing!" and she dipped down, picking up the stray ribbon and curling it into her pocket. "Sorry for running into you, but, I really have to go!" and she gave a quick wave and then she was off.

He watched her go, brows furrowed in confusion as she ran. But then he shrugged lightly, shoving his hands in his pockets and following her towards town.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Macao!" The man waved her off, winking.

"Anything for our Princess, Lucy!" She smiled warmly at him, cradling the beautiful bouquets in her arms. "Go on, I know you're a busy girl, shoo!" he motioned her away and she took a step back.

"Anytime you need me, just talk to—"

"Yeah yeah, I know. Don't worry, I'll be sure to get you girls down here more often. Erza's pretty good with arranging everything and as it stands…" he trailed off, looking into the disorderly mess he called his shop. He heaved out a sigh and next to him, his partner gave a low laugh. "Oi, watch it, you! You're just as much to blame!" The brunet raised his hands in surrender. Lucy smiled at them.

"She always likes helping out. And bossing you two around," Lucy looked at them smugly and they both laughed uneasily, still terrified of the fiery redheaded woman. "Tell Enno I say hello! Oh, and Miss Millgana!" Both men waved her off, promising her they'd send her regards. She turned on her heel, walking down the street and passed by all the vendors. She waved to those she knew, calling out greetings and they returned in kind, some motioning her close and forcing food into her arms. By the fourth, she needed a bag, which they were happy to oblige.

"Flowers? That's why you were in such a rush?" she jerked, blinking up at the man who walked beside her, watching her curiously.

"Y-you… Are you following me?" She narrowed her eyes distrustfully, inching away from him.

"Nah." She sent him another look. "I'm just killing time."

"Uhhuh…" He shrugged and she blew out a breath. "Yes, flowers are why I was in such a rush, if you must know." He said nothing more and she was called away by another woman, who waved from a shop.

"Lucy, dear! Come here!"

"Mira!" and the blonde was hurrying over, leaving the man to do whatever he wanted. She didn't notice him follow her over, still bored. "I was hoping I'd see you!" The woman, tall, beautiful with silvery-white hair and blue eyes, beamed. "Oh, Erza wanted me to—"

"No need, no need! Anything for a friend~!" the woman sang. Lucy merely smiled, knowing of their history and choosing not to comment on it. "Oh, Lucy, did you hear? Did you?" And Lucy knew that smile.

"Hear what?"

"Royalty!" the woman swooned. Lucy curled her lip in distaste. "Why, there's going to be a huge festival in a few weeks! Princes from the nearby kingdoms are coming for the Prince's birthday!" Lucy tried to force a smile on her face.

"Ah? That sounds… lovely?"

"Isn't it?!" Mira was too excited about this, she decided. "Why, I heard they're inviting everyone!"

"Huh?" The older woman took hold of her shoulders, pulling her inside the small shop.

"So we need to pick a dress! I'm sure there'll be an invitation for you! After-all—"

"Mira, you know I haven't gotten one in five years." The woman faltered, but then her cheery smile was back and Lucy definitely recognized the look in her eyes.

"I'm sure there'll be one for you~!" And Mira whirled her around, sweeping the blonde's items onto a table. "Pick a color!" Lucy faced the wall of fabrics and smiled fondly at the rainbow of colors, her fingers reaching out to brush against the satins. "Go on!"

"Thank you, Mira, but you know I can't afford you. You're too good!" The seamstress flushed at the compliment. "And besides, we won't be going. We never do. High society tends to look down on maids." The older woman's smile faded. "And really, four extra dresses? With how busy you'll be? No, we hardly want you to give up and leave us all for that vacation you've been saying you'll go on!" they both laughed and Lucy's fingers paused on a dark magenta fabric.

"That's a beautiful color for you, Lucy."

"Mm. Mom had one like this… a long time ago…" Mira patted her shoulder lightly. "Sorry, I really have to go, Mira," and Lucy picked up the bouquets and the bag of foods.

"Alright. Stop by on your way back, okay?" Lucy nodded and made her way out of the shop, surprised at the man leaning against the wall.

"Are you sure you're not following me?" He opened one eye and she raised a brow.

"Maybe. You seem interesting." Lucy snorted and made her way back to the street, continuing on her journey. He pushed off, moving after her. "So where ya going?"

"And why should I tell you?" The man shrugged and she took a moment to take him in. Taller than her, with sharp onyx eyes and pronounced canines. She could tell he was muscular from how his shirt pulled taut across his torso. Not heavily built, but enough that she knew he was strong. A white, oddly scaled scarf wound around his neck despite the nice temperature, and smudged brown pants were tucked into scuffed boots. And strange pink hair.

"You goin' to the party?"

"Hardly. Unless they're hiring." He glanced over at her and she motioned to herself. "Maid, remember?" She gathered he heard their conversation.

"Oh, yeah. Nah, don't think they are." She pursed her lips, telling herself not to hit this stranger. "So, Luce, where ya goin'?" She blinked as he grinned at her.

"'Luce'? It's Lucy!"

"Yeah yeah," he dodged her attempt at hitting him. His grin widened and he took her bag from her.

"H-hey! Give it back!" he danced around her as she tried grabbing it back. He was laughing, like he was having the time of his life. "Oi!"

"Let me carry it! Your arms are already full!" she scowled at him, but slowed her pace, letting him get his way. He threaded his hands together behind his head, whistling. "I was right, you are interesting, Luce~!" She huffed out a breath.

"Whatever…" and she stopped suddenly at the entrance to the cemetery. He paused a few feet in-front of her.

"Luce?"

She took in a slow breath before stepping through the gate. "Stay here. Please." And when she didn't hear his steps following her, she let out a soft sigh, picking her way towards her family's plot, settling in the grass before the graves. She gazed fondly at the warm stone before setting the flowers before the two headstones, bowing her head and pressing her hands together in prayer. A moment passed and she look back at them, tears pooling in her eyes.

No matter how many years passed, it still hurt. She knew there had been nothing she could do to help them, but it still hurt, knowing that she would never see them again and they wouldn't watch her grow up. "Hey Mama, Papa… I know I said I would be back sooner, but I couldn't get away. It's nothing for you to worry about, it's just work, after-all. The girls say hello and hope everything is going alright for you. I can't stay long, you know how it is. I really should go now. I've taken too much time and she's sure to notice. I'll try to come again in two weeks, I'll really try. I love you guys and I really miss you…" she pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead, head bowed as the tears dripped down. "I miss you so much…!" and she broke, holding onto herself and crying for what seemed liked hours. In reality, it was only a few minutes and when she sucked in air to fill her lungs, she pulled a handkerchief out, wiping her eyes harshly. "I'll come back in a f-few weeks… Bye, Mama, Papa…" and rose slowly, gazing once again at the stone before turning on her heel and marching towards the gate.

She needed to get back, she couldn't leave them on their own for so long. She took in a deep breath and smiled, warmth and light filling her as it always did. The boy at the gate watched her silently. She plucked her bag from his hands, starting back towards the main street. "So what's your name?"

"I'm sorry." She laughed lightly, grinning at him. He blinked.

"Thanks, but it's been awhile. They're together now." His brows furrowed as he picked up on her words. "So? What's your name? I'm Lucy!" she stuck out her hand and it was a moment of eyeing her—probably wondering at her mental stability—before he took it in his larger one.

"Natsu."

"Nice to meet you Natsu." She let go, swinging her arms a bit as she twirled.

"…You're really weird, you know?"

"Hush, I'm perfectly normal." He made a noise in the back of his throat that told her he didn't agree with her. "So what do you do, huh?"

"Do?"

"Mhm, I'm a maid, Mira's a seamstress, what do you do?"

"Oh… I work at the palace." Her lips thinned and he raised a brow. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing." He laced his fingers behind his head again, watching her from the corner of his eyes. She was still frowning.

"You don't like the king, do you?" Her eyes narrowed on him.

"Of-course I like the king! Stupid Natsu." Mira waved from the doorway once again. "I just have an issue with all the parties he throws. Who do you think has to sew all those stupid dresses with miles of ruffles?" The boy snorted, then laughed. She wasn't sure if it was at her or her words(weren't they the same though…?) and she let him, skipping towards Mira. The woman shoved fabric into her arms. "M-mira! I can't acce—"

"They're scraps, Lucy, that's all. I know Levy's been needing a new skirt for a while." The woman smiled gently at her and Lucy looked down at the colorful array of textures in her hands. "Who knows, there might even be enough for another, depending on what you have already at home." Tears appeared in Lucy's eyes and she hugged the woman tightly, thanking her for the gift. "There there, you need to go now, Lucy, otherwise you'll be late," Mira eased the girl away, pushing her back towards the street. "Be careful now, and have a good day!" Lucy gave her another tight hug before hurrying down the street. Natsu was about to follow when the woman grabbed hold of his scarf, nearly choking him. "I think we need to talk," the woman's voice was still that sweet and kind tone, but when he turned, he saw a dark aura in her eyes.

"A-about?" he wheezed out, trying to inch away from her.

A smile curled onto her lips.

Chapter one, up! Hello all you lovely people! And thank you for reading!

I have really high hopes about this, so, I hope you all like it~!

I fully intend on getting all the Fairy Tail members in here in some way. If you have any suggestions for a job for them, feel free to comment it! I'm open to anything at this point! Well, I mean, avoid the ones I've already mentioned, and the Strauss siblings. And Bickslow. And Laxus and Makarov. And the dragons and Wendy. Everyone else is fair game though~!

Cheers!