Natsu: Happy New Year, minna!

Me: Oi, Natsu, It passed last month. It's already February.

Natsu: But only wrote a story and posted it today. And what's up with a new story? Don't you have many others to finish?

Me: They have some plotholes in that so they might have to wait. To top that, I was inspired to write this story so I had to. I just love the way it turn out.

Natsu: Does it have me? Lucy too?

Me: Obvious. I wonder why I can't resist writing about you even though you're such a pain in the neck.

Natsu: Not my fault. Besides you don't own me do you? All the characters belong to Mashima sensei. All you own is the plot.

Me: Yeah yeah I know. I'm tired Natsu. Minna-san, enjoy this story.

A letter to Igneel

Prologue

Dear Lucy,

I'm sorry to have left you alone in the vast world at this age. It might be insensitive of me to ask you in this way but forgive me. I did not wish to trouble you with my health condition. It is one of the reasons why I kept my distance from you all these years ever since Layla left us. I hope you still do well in whatever you chose to pursue. Never forget us and the fact that we always love you and are proud of you. You've grown into a fine lady, Lucy. I only wish I could've seen more of your growth.

It's breaking my heart more than ever to imagine the hardships you'll face once I'm gone forever. Having a lone past, I can understand the pain of not having someone to look forward to. I know you too understand it. People who come must leave too. That is the rule of the world, though I need not explain this to you. You're a smart and kind girl. I know you'll make many friends, the ones whom you couldn't have within the four walls of Heartfilia Konzern and you'll be loved, I can assure you that. So, don't ever feel lonely. I'm sure, mama and now me will always watch over you. I'm glad to have a daughter like you.

I also apologise to have never let you into the company matters. If you've received this letter, then you probably are not at home. The company had gone bankrupt and the tension seemed to worsen my condition. The property would've been sealed off and having a knowledge of the above facts, make me feel even worse. That's why I'm writing this letter to you so that you could at least reach a person who can help with your situation. He's a friend of mine and Layla's from our college days and knowing him, he'd still stick around his old place. His name is Igneel Dragneel. He's the only person I can entrust you with. So when you meet him give the other letter I enclosed with this one.

Take care, Lucy. This is our good bye here.

Love you loads,

Papa

(Signature: Jude)

She knocked on the door, hoping the person her father mentioned in his letter was still living at the place. It took a while for her to locate the place which was on the outskirts of the city and near a park. She couldn't understand what kind of person would live in such a place considering the creep it gave her ( a forest was nearby and who knows what will come and attack you all of a sudden) and that too for a long time. That was none of her concern though. She needed to meet this person called Igneel for he was the only person who could help her.

Seeing there was no reply, she knocked again. This time she got the answer as the door creaked open. Greeting her was a man with onyx eyes, his beard wasn't shaved for a couple of days giving a shaggy appearance, the striking thing being his hair which was pink, an unusual colour for hair. From the looks of it, she could tell, he was a person with a messy life style. He was dozing off indicating that he was probably asleep when she knocked earlier and woke up after the second round of knocking.

"Ano, Igneel-san?" she asked in doubt for the man seemed to be her contemporary, if older maybe by a year.

The guy looked from head to toe while letting out a yawn. She had blonde hair and a worried look, her brown eyes flickered alternatively with hope and fear. She squeezed her hands and tightened her suitcase?

He gave a disinterested look and replied, "He's not here"

The door was closed on her face.

What? This couldn't be happening. She had to meet this person called Igneel.

She knocked on the door again and was greeted by the same man.

"Is he in there? Please, let me in. Is he busy? My father said he lives here," she asked again.

"No, he doesn't live here," he replied, slamming the door on her face, irritated.

"Igneel-san? Igneel-san? I have to meet you. Please! Please, I request you-" she began calling from outside, one of her desperate attempts to meet the person.

"Is it so hard to understand? He doesn't live here!" The door opened suddenly and he shouted.

"But… I… Can you give me his current address?" she asked, looking down to the ground. She felt like she was troubling this man in front of her.

"I wouldn't have had to stay here if I had known that! Now leave me alone and let me get some sleep!" he shouted.

"I understood," she said, walking away from the door. I guess no one can help me…

He watched her leave, with the sun painting the sky red and the stars appearing out of the light that hid them. He wasn't sure what was happening but he had a bad feeling about all this. He wasn't even half awake at the moment these things are happening. He had to stay up for the whole night yesterday because of assignments and stuff. He hadn't gotten any sleep in the entirety of the previous week too. If you were him, would you calmly respond to anyone who had woken you up within 3 hours of the time you've been sleeping?

"Ano," he looked at her when he heard her voice. She tried not to show her face but he saw against the contrasting background, her brown orbs were filled with water that sparkled due to the sun's light. His eyes widened at the sight. He had never made anyone cry, not even once. So that was the bad feeling he had. "If ever Igneel-san comes back, could you tell him that Lucy Heartfilia came to meet him? It's important you see,"

A gust of wind blew as she walked away. Her own misfortune consuming her mind, she failed to notice that the wind had blown the letter that was addressed to Igneel Dragneel. Where was it to land? Ironically, it landed at the feet of the man who forced her to leave.

"To Igneel Dragneel…." He read, his mind now fully awake. After reading the letter, he realised messed up big time.

~0~

She sat down at a bench in the park. What should I do? Even Igneel-san is not here. Where should I go?

"Here" a voice broke the trail of her thoughts. She looked upto find a handkerchief being handed up to her. "You don't look good crying"

Her eyes widened at the sight of the source of the voice she heard. It was the same guy from before. What did he have to do?

"I'm sorry about earlier. I haven't been sleeping lately and so I got crazy a bit," he said as he sat on the bench. Lucy distanced herself from him while wiping off her tears. He smiled at her but she continued to look at the ground.

"I'm sorry for the trouble," she said, not sparing a look at him.

"Now come on Lucy. Don't be like that. You know me," he said, talking as if they were friends for lifetime.

"I don't even know your name. Stop acting like you know me," she sent glares his way.

"That hurt," he faked a hurt look but then smiled at her, "It's Natsu, Natsu Dragneel. I'm the one who's going to help you"

"Dragneel? That means you know where Igneel is?" she asked with her voice filled with hope.

"I wasn't lying when I told you I don't know about his whereabouts. In fact, I'd be the first to run to him if I had known," he averted his eyes which he knew depicted the sadness in him, from hers. Though Lucy sensed the change in mood, she remained silent and chose to look forward to what he had to say. "It's been 9 years since he left on a job and never returned. I've been waiting for him…. Ever since. All I want is to just find him and stay with him…."

"I'm sorry… I didn't know that" she bowed her head. It seemed like her story wasn't the only one which is sad.

"Don't be… I'm living aren't I? I know someday I'll definitely meet him. But Lucy, since Igneel is not here, I'll be the only one who can help you, right?" he said, smiling at her.

"Nani?" she asked in confusion.

"I read the letter your father wrote to my old man. Since he's not available, I'll be the one to take charge. Right? Atleast that's what Igneel has told me before leaving…" he said, trying to remember the exact words.

"…"

"So, Lucy," he stood up. The night fell faster than it usually did. The stars shined as he extended his hand for her to take. "Will you come with me to my house?"

His question left her thinking. She was not sure. What should I do? Mama, Papa… Please help me…

"I… I…"

"It's alright, I'll be there for you, always," he said, remembering the words from the letter.

Dear Igneel,

It's long time since I wrote one of these to you. I hope your still sticking around not going on your little adventures. I hope you settled down too.

This girl here is my Daughter Lucy. I've written to you in my previous letters about how Lucy and I were the only ones left with Layla gone. I'm afraid I'm going to meet the same fate and I feel bad about leaving Lucy alone to fend for self. My company got bankrupt and she barely has a roof to stay under. Since I'd be long gone before you receive this letter, I want you to promise this old friend of yours that you'll always look after Lucy. She's a smart girl and a very kind girl so I'm worried about how she'll do in this world. Besides, she's naïve considering she has never been outside the gates of the Konzern. So, I want you to protect her with all you can. If she's in your hands, I'm sure my soul can rest in peace. Will you do this as a part of my last wish?

I don't know how to end it but this just may be my last words. Good bye.

With regards,

Jude

(Signature : Jude)

"I…" she hesitated but then thought it was for the best, considering she had nowhere to go, "Alright"

They shook hands. Both of them smiled at each other and broke into laughter at how silly it felt grinning like idiots. Natsu offered to carry her luggage, reasoning that she was working too much. Lucy laughed while she walked in the front, saying he was sounding like her dad.

"I promise I'll protect her with all I can. You can rest in peace, Uncle," he said to no one in particular before following her and complaining to her that the suitcase is heavy.

Me: So, minna-san, how was it? Good? Bad? Worth continuing? Or "Stop it here! It's horrible"? Why don't you leave a review and let me know what I should do? I'm confused about that.

Natsu: You made Lucy cry in the first chapter! You're so wicked.

Me: But you met her, didn't you? And she's staying with you?

Natsu: Still! *sticks out his tongue* Minna-san, please tell her to make it better. All you have to do is post your comment, opinions, suggestions etc in the box below. Tell her to stop writing such things. She's creating so many troubles.

Me: That hurt, Natsu. I'm too tired to fight you anyways. I hope you all liked it. Thank you for reading it! Leave a review if you can *yawns* that'll make me happy and who knows, it might inspire me to write more and faster.

Natsu: Don't forget to do what I said! Good night!

Me: Gud- n8… *snores*