*Author's Note*

(Fairy Tail is not owned by me but by some random dude who made it! However this fanfiction is written by me with the help of a demonic "Friend" on my shoulder)

*Chapter One - Apart*

As a bandaged girl appeared through the front doors of the guild. She took a deep breath, sighed and opened her eyes.

"I'm back everyone..." She said meekly. No one seemed to notice the girl as everyone was rowdy as usual. Already used to the pain of being ignored, Lucy walked slowly towards a certain bar stool hoping she would be noticed or at least get some food to eat. Aching with pain she managed to sit and call for her friend.

"Mira? Are you there?" She asked. Alas came a white haired girl with plates and drinks on both her hands. She was busy and full of things to do but she noticed the blonde and quickly placed the dishes on the nearest counter

"Lucy your back! I didn't expect you to be here," Mira exclaimed. 'So even Mira doubts my strength.' Putting that away from her mind she forced a smile and greeted the bar maid. But of course the white haired girl noticed.

"Oh Lucy, I didn't mean it like that! I'm so sorry I never meant to offend you" she drastically said.

"Ah! No, no it's fine. I should be grateful that you're even speaking me - today's one of my lucky days."

"Yeah, I'm still surprised you can do solo missions by yourself Lucy. You're definitely getting stronger but are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, it's just a few scratch and bruises," Lucy replied while looking at her bandages. But these were more than scratches - these were full, on wounds. From bullet holes to knife scars from bandits. There were not only physical wounds but mental wounds that hurt as much. Still she continued to smile and get over it.

"If you want I can make Lisanna make a team with you! She wouldn't mind plus I think she needs a break from tending the bar," Mira laughed

"Nah, it's fine plus she already helps me a lot. She, Juvia, Levi and Wendy always look after me and take care of me. To be honest they can take care of me better than I can take care of myself!"

"Well it's nice to see that my sister is helping you. After all family is what you get and sign up for when you entered the guild."

Guild, the first day Lucy joined Fairy Tail seemed ages ago. She remembered entering the great walls, meetings everyone, getting her mark and meeting Natsu… Nat.. su… Deep in thought she didn't realise Mira talked

"Lucy! Is there something you want to eat? The treats on me!"

"Really! Well time to dig in, can I please have a strawberry milkshake and some of your special Fairy Tail steak please!" As she waited for Mira Jane to cook her meal she began examining the guild. She saw Levi talking to Gajeel and Pantherlily, Erza eating Cake, Wendy playing with Charles, Laxus and his team, Romeo, Juvia stalking Gray who was fighting… Natsu. And of course Natsu was with his new girlfriend - Julia Emphergoth.

They met Julia after they were at a castle estate fighting bandits who held people hostage. Once everyone was saved she quickly hugged Natsu and proclaimed she was his hero. Natsu decided to keep her and make her join the guild. No objections were obliged and I was genuinely happy for her to be in the group so I could have a new friend. But she showed her true colours and bossed everyone around. Not everyone seemed to notice this but only a handful did. Others like Erza, Gray and Natsu were oblivious to this and did what she asked. I once called her out on it and she hates me.

Julia told me to stay away from Natsu. She often bullied me, abused me and blamed her mistakes on me. The others in the group seemed to notice this and replaced her with me. It's not like I got kicked out of the group but- that's what it seems. Erza calls it financial issues as "there's not enough jewels to share around after a job was complete." Gray calls it "An overpopulated group is not functional." Natsu said "I want to hang out more with Julia. So that's where I ended up being alone doing solo missions. I guess I've been staring too long because she suddenly glared at me from her table mouthing the words

'What the hell are you looking at you dumb blondie." I quickly turned the other way and saw Mira Jane ready for my meal. Smiling I prepare myself to eat and I even heard my stomach growl.

"Here your food Luc-" Suddenly she tripped on the wooden planks, "OUF~" The plates went crashing into Lucy. Steak sauce, strawberries and lettuce were all over her.

"Ah! Lucy I'm so sorry!" Mira said grabbing her handkerchief while trying to wipe off the mess off her body. The scene caused a huge commotion as everyone stared at the two mages. But across the room giggles were audible and heard by everyone. It was Julia...

"Ohohoho looks like Lucky Lucy isn't so lucky after all." She scoffed. "Maybe next time you can be more alert with your surroundings. Sharpen those senses - Maybe then you'll get stronger.

The whole Fairy Tail guild burst into laughter making fun of Lucy. Even Natsu… Gray and Erza shrugged it off as if it was just a joke while Laxus and his crew didn't pay attention. The handful of people who knew she was being bullied glared at Julia who smirked at them in return. Juvia glared, while Levi was ready to confront her until Gajeel stopped her. Wendy and Charla whispered to each other. Lisanna knew there was something off about the event, like it was triggered by an unknown force... Surprise suddenly appeared.

"Hey you okay Luce'? Here if ya want you can use Happy as a towel!" Natsu said while holding Happy

"Aye! I'm not a towel!" Happy screamed as he flew away from Natsu continuing eating his fish. The guild laughed again. Natsu slowly walked towards Lucy giving her a hand while Julia stared at what was happening, horrified look on her face.

"I'm fine Natsu just let me be," She replied

"Heh, that's what you always say. Come on I'll take care of you!" Natsu said trying to reach for Lucy's hands. 'I always have to depend on the strength of others.' she thought again. She didn't want that - she wanted to become stronger. So she refused the hand and to which Natsu's surprised look on came up in face.

"Seriously I'm fine I just need to go to the bathroom and get changed.." She quickly dragged herself to the women's restroom while Lisanna followed her to help. The guild murmured to themselves.

"Well that was awkward" Gray said to lighten the mood.

"What did you say Ice Prick!" Natsu replied.

"Don't think you're hot stuff you flaming knucklehead"

"What did you say!" Then a someone coughed as if to break the fight. It was Julia.

"Natsu, can I talk to you for a sec?" She commanded. "Now and somewhere private!" yelling out. Natsu put his hands on his pockets and signalled Happy to not follow him. He and Julia went outside to talk about things. It took a few seconds for the guild to get back together.

*Girls Restrooms*

"I'm such a mess," Lucy said to herself. "I can't take care of myself and can't even be strong. I ran away again"

"You didn't do the wrong thing Lucy" Lisanna tapped her shoulder. "You did the right thing backing out on that cat fight or else there would have been more drama" she said trying to cheer her up.

"I feel like a coward," She put herself down again. "Even Natsu saw that."

"He doesn't. He likes you Lucy"

"How can you tell?"

"Because I know him. He used to be my childhood friend remember. And I know the look on his face when he knows he made a mistake!"

"I'm not convinced..."

"Well what about this, he still looks at you with those soft eyes. He likes you just like when he showed his eyes to me a few years ago." Lucy remembered this and felt guilty, did she also steal Natsu away from Lisanna? If so she must deserve this punishment. Her face scrunched up.

"I know what you're thinking" Lisanna exclaimed. "You're saying that you took Natsu from me but you didn't Lucy! For once in my life I have never seen him smile so much before when he's around you. He didn't smile back then when we were kids so I'm happy for him." She took a deep breath. "I'm happy for you two to get together. I give you my blessing and I'll root for you!" she joked

"Lisanna…" Lucy started to cry and hugged Lisanna.

"Oi there if you hug me too, I'll get steak in my clothes," Lucy quickly let go and was going to apologise until Lisanna laughed and smiled at her. They both laughed and cleaned Lucy's clothing

"Now let's get you fixed Lucy!"

*Front of the Guild*

Happy secretly disobeyed orders and followed Julia and Natsu outside the guild. There he hid on top of a tree and listened.

"I can't believe you Natsu! Woo-ing another woman when you have me!" She snapped

"Jules I'm sorry but Lucy is my friend! Nakama don't abandon each other!" He retorted back.

"So what she's more important than ME?!" She shook her head, "I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS" She screamed. Passerbys seemed to notice this and stared at them, whispering to each other which gave Natsu an unnerving feeling.

"Julie no you're the most beautiful girl who I've ever met who completely understands me!" He said.

"Well it didn't seem like it there! You were smooching with Lucy!" She began to cry. Natsu reached out and hugged Julia.

"It's okay, shh, it's okay," He repeated. "What can I tell you to make it feel better?" He asked. Julia had a lightbulb moment.

"Kick her out of the group!" She commanded

"Wha?-"

" I said kick her out of the group!" she yelled again

"You don't understand it's Lucy! My best frie-"

"IF YOU TRULY LOVE ME THEN YOU SHOULD KNOW WHO'SE MORE IMPORTANT. ME OR THAT SKANK!: She yelled. Natsu contemplated about this and after 12 minutes of eternity Happy thought, he reached a decision.

"Fine, I'll kick her out" He proclaimed.

"Yay I knew I could count on you my Hot Dragon~" She said being back to her 'happy self.' "Let's go back to the guild and announce the news!" She trotted happily through the doors. Happy was spotted by Natsu and he showed him a horrified look and Happy said

"Don't do it!"

**END OF CHAPTER ONE**