Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail

Soooo, I read the new chapter and I guess you all did the same and I just have to say a few things here... I was so incredible surprised because I always thought while I read ffs where Natsu leaves to become stronger that Mashima would never do that... Well, guess I was wrong there xD

So now I am really excited about next weeks chapter since I don't know if Mashima is just going to skip that year and say 'one year later' or if we really get a lot of chapters about Natsu's journey and the time the others spend meanwhile :bb

Wuaaa I can't wait ! xD

Enough now:D

Here's my version for next weeks chapter xD

Enjoy ;*

–-

Separation

She couldn't believe what she just read. How was he possibly leaving just like that? How could he?

Lucy's tears were running down her already tear stained face, dropping on the ground while she was running through town aimlessly, searching for Natsu and Happy.

Like hell she would just let them go like that.

It was outrageous enough that he simply wrote her a letter and not saw her off personally. Although she wished that they would never come to the scenario where they had to say goodbye to each other.

The pain which was slowly rising in her legs due to the stupid marathon she was running right now was unbearable but she learned to ignore it somehow.

Why wasn't she able to track out scents like he could do?

Why couldn't she bring up any possible place he could be right now?

Why the hell was she so extremely sad and disappointed and why was she feeling so alone and leaft already?

It wasn't that she owned Natsu and they never made any promises to stay by each others side, just because she actually thought it would be natural for them to always stay together.

Well, guess she was wrong.

Anyway, her thoughts slowly completely left her when she caught a glimpse of pink in the distance.

She started to run faster, stopping abruptly when she recognized that she would never reach him just like that.

Lucy inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.

''NATSU!''
It caught the attention of almost every single person on the street around her, also from the person she wanted it to hear.

As she looked up she was facing Natsu in the distance, looking at her shocked and confused.

With new determination she started to run again and was really surprised when she also saw him starting to run.

Was he serious?

She knew she was slower than him but still she managed to reach him somehow, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso from behind, stopping him as he froze in place when he felt her body colliding with his.

She felt him take even breaths as his chest rose and fell, her hands foisting in the fabric of his vest.

''L-Lucy? What are you doing here?''

''Don't gimme that!''

He felt her snuggling closer into his back, burying her face deeper in his scarf.

''Why?!''

Natsu gulped once. This is why he actually wanted to avoid seeing her off. This... He wasn't able to handle this.

''Why are you doing this, Natsu?''

He sighed audible, as her grip on him tightened yet again.

''Lucy, listen...''

Natsu's hands rested now over hers and he gently but still forcefully took them away from his chest. A bit hesitantly he turned around. He had no idea if he was able to see her the way she was right now.

''I... I will come back.''

Ah, that was stupid. He thought to himself as he saw her expression change from sadness to slight anger.

''Of course you will! If not I will hunt you down!''

She had her index finger pressed against the middle of his chest, a slight smile on her lips. He'd love to see her eyes but her bangs were covering them.

''I don't really want to hold you back here. But I don't want you to leave either.''

Her last word was lost in the air as she just collapsed forward and rested her head on his shoulder.

Natsu carefully wrapped his one arm around her shaking body, trying to calm her down in any way.

''I don't want you to go, Natsu!''

''Yeah, I know.''

She felt him pulling her closer. An action which surprised her though was the touch of his lips on top of her head.

''But I need to leave. In order to be able to protect you all.''

''I could come with-''

''No.''

She startled slightly by the serious tone he used but relaxed soon after, a ghost of a smile on her face.

Of course he wouldn't take her with him now. If he wanted to from the very beginning he would have just told her. But no, there he was and wrote that stupid letter for her.

She sighed against his neck, tickling him slightly.

''Why did you not come and tell me personally?''

His hand gripped her side a bit more after she asked. She felt his emotions, his own rage and disappointment, about himself.

''I wasn't able to.''

''Why?''

Natsu turned his head away. He knew her eyes were closed and she wouldn't see his expression but he still wasn't able to look at her while saying that.

''If I did, I wouldn't have been able to go...''

He heard her giggle slightly, her hands now resting on his cheeks as she looked him deep in the eyes.

''I'll miss you.''

He showed her his trademark grin which automatically pushed away all her doubts and fears and made her smile along.

''I think I will also miss you.''

Lucy arched and eyebrow at him.

''You think?''

The Dragon-Slayer lifted his hands in defeat.

''Okay, okay. I admit it.''

He looked her deeply in the eyes, suddenly more serious than she thought he could be.

''I will miss you as well.''

Lucy smiled sweetly at him.

''Just don't do something stupid when you're all on your own.''

''He's not alone!''

Lucy looked up and saw Happy flying above their heads, smiling down with tears in his eyes.

This wasn't easy for him as well.

''Yeah, I know Happy.''

As Happy now finally lowered his position, Lucy patted him gently on the head.

''Take good care of the hothead.''

''Aye.'' The cat cheered slightly while he flew up again.

''You'll also be careful, right?''

''If you're that worried about me why don't you just take me with you?''

''Luce...''

Said girl slapped his shoulder playfully.

''I'm kidding.''

The slight grip on his scarf didn't go unnoticed by Natsu though. He hated this. This was the reason why he didn't want to see her again before he left. He wasn't able to stand seeing her so hurt and sad. And more of that, he was the reason why she was like that but this was something he just had to do.

With a last deep breath he rested his hand on her head and ruffled her hair slightly.

''I'm off, Lucy!''

The blond nodded once and smiled.

''Yeah. See ya'!''

He waved at her as he ran down the street with Happy.

''You bet!''

Lucy silently remained standing there, fresh tears leaving her eyes, wetting the ground in front of her feet.

She wouldn't run after him though. She respected his wish and she had enough time now to train herself and prove to him that he never had to leave again in order to get stronger so he would be able to protect them. Because when he comes back she herself and all the others would be strong enough to stand on their own feet.

–-

Okay. I've got nothing more to say. I'm gonna cry now until next week xD

Love ya all :*