Chapter 1 - Regrets
"Why is unrequited love always the saddest?" Lucy thought as she got ready and ate breakfast. She loved him so much it was painful. If only she could go back to that time…
"Hey Lucy," Gray called out.
"Hey Gray!" she replied, snapping out of her reverie .
"Heading to the guild?" he asked giving her a grin.
"I was planning on it," she said flashing him a bright smile.
"Then I'll walk with you. Have you heard the news?" he asked.
"No, I haven't," Lucy quickly replied always eager for a juicy piece of gossip from the guild.
"Natsu and Lisanna are engaged," he stated simply.
Little did he know that those five simple words could paralyze and knock the wind out of her. Gray was worried whenever her cheery grin was replaced by a pale sick look.
"Are you okay, Lucy?" he asked, worried.
"Yeah. It shocked me that's all," she lied.
They walked in silence until they reached Fairy Tail.
As Lucy and Natsu walked into the guild hall, she was greeted with the familiar smell of sweat, alcohol, and men. Even though it was nothing fancy, it was the closest thing she had to a real home and family. Surprisingly, no one had started a fight because they were all in a circle around…Natsu and Lisanna.
The entire guild was happily congratulating them in their own way. Elfman was boisterously yelling his congratulations while Mirajane was simply smiling happily because her little sister was getting married. Levy, Droy, and Jet were giving their well wishes in their own goofy way. A half-drunk Cana was mumbling out something to the extent of well wishing. Makarov pulled on Laxus making him congratulate his girlfriend's little sister. Lucy loved seeing them all so happy but the sick feeling in her gut wouldn't go away.
She couldn't deny it, Natsu and Lisanna made a perfect couple. Interestingly, Natsu had calmed down since he had started dating Lisanna because she had always brought out the best in him. Even though the entire guild was congratulating them, they were sitting at a table completely and utterly absorbed wigh each other. Lisanna would laugh at almost everything he said while Natsu would blush whenever she smiled at him. Occasionally, Lisanna would kiss him softly on the cheek making him turn an even brighter shade of magenta. Lucy could hear Lisanna teasing him that his face was now the same color as his hair. Lucy was definitely sick now.
Erza came over to Lucy and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She knew all about the crush Lucy had on Natsu. She quietly whispered in her ear,
"Lucy we can go somewhere else if you want." Erza suggested, concerned.
"Erza, thanks but I'm fine." she replied while flashing a bright smile at Erza.
Erza knew it was fake, but she couldn't push Lucy to do anything. Although most people believed Erza to be a tyrant with an iron fist, she really wasn't. She truly wanted what was best for her friends and others. That sometimes involved her staying out of their problems. Leaving quietly, she smiled sadly at Lucy.
Lucy hated herself for lying to Erza, but….she couldn't appear weak now of all times. The entire guild loved her but viewed her to be weaker than her friends. It made sense considering, Ezra was and S-Class wizard, and Gray and Natsu were definitely two of Fairy Tail's most powerful wizards. She felt weak and insignificant. Well at least, her personal life was together, right? Wrong. Her nearly perfect relationship with Loke was slowly deteriorating, her relationship with her father had taken a turn for the worse, and worst of all she was fighting with Natsu.
"Natsu…" she quickly snapped out of her reverie. This was no time for daydreaming about the one man she truly loved. About a year ago, she would have never admitted it but after what happened there was no denying it.
Swallowing her pride, she walked up to Natsu and Lisanna with the best smile she could muster.
"Congratulations!" she exclaimed embracing them both. She could feel Natsu stiffen at the embrace. It was to be expected…after the fight she didn't know if anything would ever go back to normal.
"Thanks so much, Lucy." Lisanna gently replied. Even though she was marrying Natsu, Lucy couldn't hate her. She was always so kind and gentle.
"Thanks." Natsu mumbled out while glaring at her.
Lucy sighed. The worst was over now except she felt extremely dizzy and faint. She quickly grabbed the table, happy that no one had seen her. After that, she went over to the bar and grabbed a beer. Although she was under age no one noticed her. She rushed outside and drank the whole thing in two gulps. She felt much better now and the pain in her head had subsided.
"You probably shouldn't drink that, kiddo." A deep masculine voice said behind her.
"I wasn't…Oh, Macao! You shouldn't scare me like that!" Lucy yelped.
"How you holding up?" he said leaning up against the wall beside her.
"I've been better," Lucy replied knowing she couldn't hide the truth from him.
Macao had been kind of like a father to her since she joined the guild. He had always been a shoulder to cry on and would always talk to her when she was fighting with her friends. Macao had stepped up to be a surrogate father since she had a pretty lousy dad. She knew she wouldn't be able to keep the truth from him.
"It's about Natsu getting married, isn't it?" he gently questioned.
"Yeah… It's just that … I…" she stuttered.
"Love him," he finished
"Yes…" she admitted blushing.
"For how long?" Macao prodded
"What?" she asked confused.
"How long have you loved him?" Macao asked.
"Since…always. I didn't realize until after the accident." Lucy admitted.
"What about Loke?" he questioned.
"Don't even remind me of that… guy." she started, seething
"Everything isn't so perfect in paradise?" he chuckled.
"To say the least..." Lucy muttered.
"I'm a guy who hasn't had a lot of luck with women, but if you love him, tell him!"
"Gosh, you giving me romantic advice is so painful to listen to!" she joked, her eyelids starting to close.
"Well, I did…" he started.
However, Lucy had passed out drunk.
"I guess it was too much for her!" he laughed.
Lucy woke up in the evening, gasping when she saw the time. On top of her already horrible day she had a splitting headache. Levy came around the corner and handed her some aspirin and a cup of water. Lucy nodded in appreciation.
"Wow Lucy! Eleven in the morning and you got drunk with only one beer!" Levy chatted, teasingly.
"Yeah, as hilarious you find it, I got nothing. Uhg! This stupid headache is killing me!" she grumbled in frustration.
"Well, now I can pick on you because your wit and charm isn't working." she teased.
"Oh, well at least I have them unlike you!" Lucy murmured from under the blankets.
"Ouch! That one stung a little!" Levy shot back.
"I'm going back to bed…" she started.
"No, you're not the guild is having a little party for Natsu and Lisanna. Even if you have a headache you have to look extra sexy tonight!" Levy declared.
"Why tonight?" Lucy asked.
"Loke's back from the Spirit Realm." Levy replied.
"Since when? He can't…" she started.
"I know the two of you haven't been getting along lately, but you two can make up at the party!" she cried triumphantly
"Okay." Lucy replied, too tired to fight back.
Levy admired Lucy's beautiful figure in the mirror. She had curled Lucy's lovely blonde locks into loose curls and pulled half of it up into a loose mini bun. Dressed in a deep red dress that went the floor it really showed off her great figure. If she wasn't beautiful enough she had on light make-up that made her gorgeous brown eyes sparkle just a little more.
"Loke will be knocked off his feet when he sees you!" Levy gushed.
Lucy felt beautiful, but she hoped to actually catch the eye of another man. Suddenly, she thought,
"What am I thinking?! He's engaged to a stunning women already. But I love him…I want him…if only I had answered differently…"
"Lucy? Are you there? Which necklace do you want to wear?" she asked.
"The one on the left is good." she replied without looking at either of the necklaces.
"Oh man! Look at the time I'll never get back home in order to get changed! I really wanted to impress Gajeel tonight…" she mumbled.
"You like Gajeel?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Yeah…can't believe I said that out loud." She groaned.
"Here, wear one of my dresses. I'll make you look drop dead gorgeous tonight!" she said happily.
Even though Lucy had no luck when it came to love; she was glad she could at least help her friends in that area. Although love seemed so black and white in her friend's lives, it was a tangled web when it came to hers. Why did she end up like this? Why her? Was she destined to die with a broken heart as all her friends around her found true love?
She smiled when she saw Gajeel look at Levy. His jaw hung open for a second, and he was absolutely mesmerized by her. Gulping he made his way through the crowd or rather pushing the crowd out of his way; he gently took her hand and spun her onto the dance floor. As they danced, (Yes, Gajeel can dance!) they looked at each other with so much love and tenderness. Lucy wished someone would look at her like that. Soon afterwards, he tenderly kissed her on the lips. Levy was taken aback but then heartily kissed him back. Lucy sighed. She was happy…even though everything was going wrong in her life at least she could share part of her friend's happiness.
As she was sitting admiring the chemistry between Gajeel and Levy, a strange girl walked up to her. With a sea green Fairy Tail symbol tattooed on her forearm, she was definitely a part of the guild. However, she looked slightly dazed and confused; however, when she saw Lucy she brightened and came over to her.
"Are you Lucy Heartfillia?" she timidly asked.
Lucy cringed at hearing her last name because it brought back so many painful memories; however trying to be helpful she replied,
"Yes, I am. It looks like you're a new member. What do you need?"
"Well, I don't have enough money to stay in the girl dormitories or rent a place around here yet. So I was wondering if I could stay with you and split the rent. I know it's not the most appropriate place to ask but…" she said.
"That sounds great! I haven't gone on a lot of missions lately and I've been struggling to pay the rent. Oh, by the way what's your name?" Lucy replied.
"Thank you so much! Oh and my name is Cassie Reynolds." she brightly replied.
The rest of the night Cassie and Lucy got to know each other. Although Cassie was a bit timid, she was easy to talk to, and Lucy was sure they would get along well. Also, she was super cute! She wore a pale knee length blue dress that showed of her curves and made her brilliant blue eyes shine. Her light brown hair was pulled up in a pretty messy bun. Also, she had a long silver and ivory necklace that completed the look. Usually, Lucy wouldn't pay attention to jewelry but the way this necklace sparkled against her fair complexion seemed…magical. Before long, Gray came over and talked with them. Cassie blushed brightly when Gray complimented her and subtly flirted with him the rest of the evening. The only reason Cassie was able to flirt with Gray was because Juvia was currently away on a mission. She would be furious when she came home and saw Cassie flirting with Gray. Lucy laughed at the thought.
"What's so funny?" a deep voice teased.
Lucy knew the voice well, it was Loke's. As she swung around to give him a piece of her mind, he passionately kissed her in front of everyone. Lucy's cheeks were hot and red once he finished. For what felt like eternity to Lucy, he embraced her not letting go. Everyone smiled and hooted and hollered for them. They all believed that maybe two weddings were in there near future.
Once all the commotion died down, Lucy decided she needed to talk to Loke.
"Why are you here?" she demanded.
"I wanted to congratulate Lisanna and Natsu and I wanted to see you, gorgeous." he smoothly replied.
"Since when are we good terms again? Especially after what happened…" she said tearing up.
"I'm sorry Lucy! How many times do I have to tell you! After spending some time away I realized how much I need you." he replied sincerly.
"I haven't forgiven you, yet. You'll have to prove yourself to me."
"Prove I made the right choice going with you instead of Natsu." she thought to herself. Then she started thinking about what had happened between them.
"Get out."
"Lucy, Aries and I were just…" Loke started.
"Sleeping together in my apartment!" yelled Lucy.
"Lucy, it didn't mean anything. I'm sorry." Loke began.
"Sorry doesn't cut it! Do you even know what you've done!" she screamed, tears running down her face.
"Lucy…" he said.
"I said go!" she cried, running out the door.
She shuddered at the thought of the memory. When she was crying by herself on a bench, he came and comforted her.
"I hate him to be perfectly honest! He was sleeping with one of my celestial spirit, for heaven's sake! I can't just forgive him!" she cried to him.
"Lucy, I don't like him personally but you love him, right?" he gently asked.
"I don't know anymore," she sobbed.
"Then why are you with him?" he prodded.
"Because…. I don't know Natsu …I'm kind of a mess right now," she replied, slightly irritated.
"But if you truly love him you'll forgive him," he said.
"Natsu, I could never…" she started.
"Not right now. You're still recovering, in fact, I'd like to punch his face into a wall right now!" he replied returning to his usual self.
"Thanks Natsu," she laughed.
"Anytime we are best friends, right?" he replied with his usual big grin.
She still remembered his smile, the way he comforted her, and the way he held her. They could never have a conversation like that now, not with everything that had happened…
"Lucy? Are you still there?" Loke asked.
"Oh, sorry I was just thinking. Let's dance."
"Now we're good?"
"In your dreams, I'm still mad at you especially after kissing me like that."
"Want me to do it again or save it for later?"
"Very funny. Now shut up and just dance with me." she laughed as he twirled her on the dance floor unaware that a pair of dark eyes were watching them.
"She's beautiful…" Natsu thought as he looked across the dance hall at Lucy. Although he was mad at her for what had happened, he could never hate her, in fact, he could never stop loving her. Sure he and Lisanna were engaged, but he just wanted to make her jealous. Especially after her outright rejection,
"I love you, Lucy." he bravely confessed, blushing furiously.
"What?" she asked confused.
"I love you. I've always loved you." he confidently stated.
"Natsu, I can't…" she started.
"Why not?" he said his voice rising.
"I'm dating Loke now! Besides were just friends, right?" she asked.
"Lucy, if I wanted to be just friends I wouldn't have said that!" he replied heartbroken.
"Why are you getting mad, Natsu! I don't love you!" she yelled back, but she regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth.
"Fine. I see how it is." He said crestfallen.
"Natsu, wait… I'm sorry I shouldn't have said it like that." she cried.
"Well, you did and now I know exactly how you feel!" he said stomping off angrily.
He saw her the next day. Surprisingly he greeted her with the familiar grin and like nothing had happened. Sure their relationship was never the same again, but they continued to be friends.
"Natsu are you all right? Lisanna asked concern written on her face.
"You know me! I'm fine!" he replied with his usual ease and confidence.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Lisanna, you're my fiancée not my mother." he said.
"True, your mother wouldn't kiss you like this…" she replied, giggling like a schoolgirl and planting a kiss right on his lips.
"I don't love you but at least you don't break my heart every time I see you."
"Wow, that ended up being fun!" Lucy remarked to herself as she got undressed. Not only had she got a roommate to share the rent with but she and Loke had made up as well.
"I may not love him but at least we're on good terms again. But Natsu really did look nice tonight…"
"What am I thinking!? He's engaged, and I'm dating Loke! Get a grip!" she yelled out loud in frustration. She snapped out of it when she heard a knock on the door.
"Hey Lucy!"
"Erza, what are you doing here?"
"I thought I should come and see my friend."
"Erza, I'm fine."
"Obviously not."
"Erza, I…I…" she started before breaking into tears.
"It's okay, to feel sad! The man you love is getting married!"she said hugging her friend.
"But I'm already so weak, Erza!" she cried.
After she said that Erza got up and slapped her across the face.
"Ouch! What was that for!" she yelled in pain.
"Lucy! You are not weak! You may not be the strongest wizard, but you are just as strong as Gray, Natsu, and I!" she exclaimed angrily.
"How?" she asked crying.
"You persevere and never give up."
"I'm not that great of a person…" she started.
"Yes, you are! Are you going to give up on Natsu?"
"Yes! I have to he loves Lisanna so much…"
"He still loves you, you know."
"No, he doesn't. Especially after what happened…"
"I don't know what happened but he sure was looking at you a lot tonight." she said a slight smile on her lips.
"Erza, please don't make this any more painful than it is." Lucy said.
"Okay. But don't give up, Lucy. I have to go. I have to go on a S-class mission with Laxus tomorrow. Ugh, he makes crazy. See? You're not the only one with problems," she replied giving her wink as she walked out.
A week later after the party, Cassie moved in with Lucy.
"Oh, please be careful with that!" Cassie asked cringing at the way Elfmen was carrying her box labeled, "FRAGILE."
"Sorry Miss Cassie! Since I'm a real man, I always try to please women. I'll be more careful." Elfmen replied very serious.
"No problem, Elfmen. Thank you for helping me move in! You too, Grey!" she said, blushing.
"Happy to help. I think that's the last of them." Grey said while carrying in the last of the boxes.
"Oh thank you so much, guys! You're too kind!" she said.
"A real man is always happy to help a lady in need." Elfmen replied.
"Yeah, what he said," Grey said.
"Yeah, guys thanks! Do you want anything to drink before you leave?" Lucy asked the guys.
"I think we're both good see you guys around." Grey said before he and Elfmen left.
"Everyone had been so kind to me since I joined Fairy Tail!" Cassie said after the two men had left.
"Yeah everyone is terrific here! I'm sure you'll fit right in! We'll go over to the guild hall once you unpack everything." Lucy exclaimed, happily.
"Okay thanks!" Cassie replied, sweetly.
As Lucy helped sort through Cassie's stuff, she was amazed at all the cute clothes the girl had. All her stuff was super cute too!
"I'm sure she'll be a hit with all the boys at Fairy Tail….what's this?" she said, picking up a small silver box and starting to open it.
"Oh please don't touch that!" Cassie cried. Luckily, she was able to stop Lucy before she opened the box completely.
"Oh I'm sorry! I shouldn't be prying!" she said, extremely embarrassed.
"No, it's just that I don't want you to get hurt! That box contains some powerful magic." she said.
"Okay, what kind of magic do you use, Cassie?" she asked.
"Oh, I mostly use healing and water magic." she replied.
"Awesome! We'll have to find you a mission tomorrow!" she replied eager to help her friend out.
"I know that you just met me…and…ummm…" she stsrted to say.
"It's okay, say what's on your mind." Lucy said, chuckling.
"What's going on with you and Natsu?" she asked, timidly.
"You noticed? You know Natsu?" she asked, curious.
"I'm a newbie and I could sense the tension between the two of you. Also, I know of Natsu although we haven't officially met yet," she replied.
"Natsu is kinda famous but how did you find out about him?" she prodded.
"Well, I love studying about different types of magic…and Dagon Slayer magic is one of my favorites. I've always wanted to meet an actual dragon slayer." Cassie admitted.
"Well, Natsu and I aren't getting along right now, but I'm sure Grey would introduce you." she said.
"Really?! Grey is so nice." Cassie said, dreamily.
"Wow, you've got it bad!" Lucy teased.
"What?! It's that obvious?" she asked.
"I think he might like you but there's Juvia to consider..." she started.
"Wait…he already has a girlfriend!?" she cried out shocked, "I should have expected it! He really is gorgeous."
"No…no, it's this girl in our guild…she's kind of obsessed with Gray… she's also a super powerful wizard." Lucy said honestly.
"Too bad. I am glad that she didn't see me flirting with him! There would have been blood!" she joked, merrily.
Lucy laughed inwardly imagining the major cat fight that would have broken out. Girls at Fairy Tail fought like no other. Disrupting her thoughts, Cassie suddenly asked her,
"Lucy do you ever wish you had a second chance with Natsu?"
"Why would you want to know that?" she replied, slightly offended by the very personal question.
"I'm sorry that was really rude, but I need to know. Do you want a second chance?" she stated, rather bluntly.
"Yes, I made a huge mistake…but the past is the past, right?" she answered, honestly.
"It doesn't have to be. What if I could give you a chance to right the wrongs of your past?" Cassie asked sincerely.
"What are you talking about, Cassie? That's impossible!" Lucy replied.
"Not exactly, my magic also deals with the flow of time so I could cast a spell that could change your past." she simply stated.
"Really? All I'd have to tell you is how I want things to go?!" she asked excitedly.
"Magic makes things easy but not that easy. I'd send you back to a particular day, and it would be up to you to change things the way you want them to go." she said.
"Okay, I'll do it. Anything else I should know?" Lucy asked.
"Time doesn't like being…altered. Many things will try to stop you. Also, the day will constantly repeat until the outcome you want is achieved but be careful what you wish for…things aren't always what they seem." she replied honestly.
"Let's do it." Lucy exclaimed.
"Right now? I suppose there's no time like the present…" Cassie muttered.
With that Cassie rubbed her strange silver necklace, the room suddenly glowing silver. Lucy saw Cassie's lips whisper a spell, and the world went black.