A/N: Hey guys! This is the first fanfic I've ever written for Fairy Tail so I'm a bit nervous about your reactions. However, I love this anime and I always feel up for a challenge. As time passes, I will probably get better and better (if I've learned anything from writing fanfics, this is it.) We grow the more we write, our writing changes and adapts.) I will also introduce more pairings such as: Gajevy, Lyvia, Mira & Laxus, Minerva & Rogue, Sting & Yukino, Hibiki & Cana but for the first chapter, the main core members of the guild are under the spotlight. You can also expect many platonic bonds and brotps! We cannot forget those!

"We need someone to get inside and give us information weekly. It's the wisest course of action." Jellal spoke, face hidden by a black cloth. Always a reminder that he was to walk the shadows and she was to stay in the confines of light.

Erza didn't agree with him. Hiding and plotting? It wasn't how Fairy Tail worked.

Her heart clenched painfully.

The guild had disbanded, its members scattered. It didn't matter how things used to be.

And yet, she was always going to think of herself as nothing but a Fairy Tail mage.

"I will do it." and by that, she didn't mean waiting and relaying data to him.

"You can't possibly take on all of them, Erza." Jellal protested with rare urgency.

He knew her too well and not nearly well enough. Nothing was too much or too dangerous if the price paid was for her precious people, her nakama. Avatar was a threat to everyone.

"You have seen me fight." she insisted.

"I have also seen you needing help." he retorted.

Erza couldn't deny that and knew exactly of what specific moment Jellal was referring to even if years have passed since Natsu fought in her stead at the Tower of Heaven.

"Natsu is an excellent mage but he is not good at stealth."

"Somebody else then. Good at both. Just not you, Erza."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I do not know whether to be offended or..." she stopped herself, shaking her head. "Leave for now. I have to think which of my friends will I endanger by agreeing with this."

Jellal's eyes softened as he reached out for her hand. "They will be in danger if we don't act. Besides, if it's for you, whomever you decide to do it, won't fail."

Erza closed her eyes tightly, gripping the sword in her hand as she trained. That particular memory always came to mind whenever she waited for Gray to call. These days, however, she wasn't waiting for receiving information as much as she was waiting for reassurance that her friend was still safe, still alive.

She'd never forgive herself if something happened to him.

Training was futile though because she wasn't into it. Anticipation was a strong emotion indeed, strong enough that it made it hard for her to focus, put her mind and body into something that used to come as a reflex.

"Erza."

Gray's voice echoed in her ear, courtesy of the earring communication lacrima. She immediately put her sword aside.

"Gray, how is everything? Are you alright?" the worry in her voice was unmistakable.

"I'm fine, quit worrying so much."

He didn't sound fine to her.

"Don't lie to me either. If something is wrong, I'm coming and..."

"No." he snapped, harsh enough that it surprised her. An audible sigh was heard next. "Gosh, I'm sorry Erza. I didn't mean to..."

"I know. It's okay." she assured him, feeling guilty. She was the one responsible for getting him into a dark guild. Kami knew what horrors were going on in there.

"It's not. You have the right to give me a lecture about it."

Is this how he saw her as? Getting offended by the smallest of things? Uncaring enough to yell at him, given the circumstances?

"To be honest, I'm too happy to hear you right now, Gray."

There was a pause on the other line.

"So am I."

Paradoxically, his sincerity warmed her on the inside.

Lucy was awake, only pretending to be asleep because no matter how tired she was, the fear in her bones was stronger. She felt as though she'd lose Natsu again if she so much as looked in the opposite direction. It was some childish reasoning she had going on right now but she couldn't bring herself to care.

She had been angry, betrayal leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Didn't he value their friendship as much as she did? Was she that easily to leave behind? Were their memories that easy to overlook?

She wasn't sure if she wanted an answer. The truth could hurt and she was sick and tired of crying over spilled milk. In hindsight, she knew she should just let things go. Fairy Tail had disbanded a year ago, Natsu had left but he was with her now.

And yet, how does one let go of family?

Lucy had none left. Neither her mama, nor her papa. Losing Aquarius had been the icing on the cake, however. In her mind, she always seemed this resilient, invincible spirit. Even more so than Loke with his bright smile and fierce loyalty or Virgo with her will of iron and desire to please.

When she was forced to break her key, some part of her heart broke along with it.

And Natsu, who had always been there to pick up the pieces and help her get back up, even stronger than before, hadn't been there.

Lucy knew he had a good reason for leaving, having emotional wounds of his own but that's what she hated the most. Natsu wore every emotion on his sleeve, but refused to let the pain crushing his heart show.

Refused to give some of his burdens to her as she had so many times to him.

In many ways, she was angrier with the fact that he didn't let her be there for him in return, choosing to put distance and miles away between him and the guild, between the people that cared about him the most.

Other than Happy but that was the kind of connection that she could never hope to beat.

She didn't want to either because she understood. What Natsu felt for the blue Exceed...so did Lucy for her spirits.

"You aren't good at pretending, you know that, Luce?"

Natsu is awake?

She was having a mini-heart attack now. Thankfully, they were back to back but she still shut her eyes, just in case. Although it was kind of pointless if he had figured it out...

Or that's what she thought until he spoke again, quietly, almost a whisper which was as strange as it got because he was always so loud and lively with his speech.

"You are trying to act as if you are fine as if you have already forgotten but I know you." he paused and she done not understand how he hadn't caught her being wide awake. Then she wondered how she hadn't noticed that he was. "And frankly, I don't want you to forgive me. Not so soon. I don't deserve that." when he felt his calloused, warm hand caress her hair, Lucy had to fight the urge to cry and scream that he was a big idiot. Of course she had already forgiven him! Just seeing him and Happy after so long again...

It was a given.

"I promise you this, however." now she was intrigued. What did he have in mind? On the other hand, though, she wanted to scream that he shouldn't go around making promises he can't keep. "I will never leave you alone again. They will have to pull out my teeth, break my bones and knock me out flat before I do. We will get Fairy Tail back, you and me. These two, are my promises. Anything as long as I don't see you cry again."

Lucy had to muffle a sob threatening to escape her. She felt guilty all of a sudden. Natsu thought he was saying all of this to her while she was sleeping.

She had to do her part, no matter how much she wished to bury her head in his chest and let him know that his words were the most genuine, heartfelt she had ever heard and that even if he wanted...she won't let go of him ever again.

They were partners, weren't they?

Through thick and thin, no matter what.

A/N: The first chapter is from Erza's perspective, then Lucy's. Next time I will switch and try the boys. Can't wait to hear what you guys think!