Chapter 1

UPDATE 6/06/2015:
Kay so chapter 1 and 2 have been re-done, I haven't rewritten them or anything I just remembered thanks a guest reviewer that I had forgotten to fix up the spacing within the paragraphs for these two chapters :P Hope it makes it easier to read now!


All characters belong to Hiro Mashima

Standing in front of her mirror she smiled at herself.

"Today's the day, I have to tell him."

She had planned to tell him for a while now and it terrified her beyond belief but she had to do it, it was too complicated trying to work with him while feeling what she was, unable to tell anyone. It had been little over two months now since she'd realized her feelings for the Dragon Slayer and it had driven her mad, she loved everything about him, the way he broke in everyday, the way he gave her that boyish smile when he got to see her, even the way he sometimes burnt half her apartment down when trying to cook for her and happy. She had talked around to a few people, asking them if they thought Mirajane was right about her and Natsu, lying she told them it was her way of trying to prove Mira wrong when really she had wanted more than anything for her to be right. Walking over to her bedside table she retrieved her keys and whip before glancing at her appearance once more, walking out of her apartment she locked the door behind her and set off to the guild, to find her man. Her walk down the streets of Magnolia was a pleasant one, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and she was glowing, every step she took had a bounce in it and as she pushed the doors of the guild open her heart fluttered at the sight of him, of Natsu.

He looked over to where she stood immediately and a slight blush tinted her cheeks, not long after she saw him turn her way did she the bundle of blue fur flying through the air towards her.

"LUCY!"

The exceed cried happily at the sight of his nakama and she laughed, pulling him into a hug before letting him go as he hovered in the air before her.

"Natsu and I were just about to come get you! He has some news he needs to tell everyone but he said he couldn't do it without you next to him."

The blonde beamed at Happy's words, unknowing of what it was he intended to say but secretly hoping it was what she had come to tell him. Walking over to her pink haired friend she rested her arm on his shoulder

"So what's this news you need to tell everyone?"

Looking at the blonde he stood up, pulled her into a hug, causing her face to redden further, and gave her that beaming smile he always carried with him.

"I have news but I couldn't tell everyone without you, you're a big part of it!"

Shifting slightly in his arms she had know idea how to react, nodding he stood up on the table and gave a small, or at least small to him, roar to gain everyone's attention. All eyes were on him as he spoke, placing a hand on his teammates head beside him, sucking in a deep breath he began to speak.

"A lot has changed lately and believe or not I've started to like someone. This girl means more to me than anyone could possibly imagine, she is strong, smart, beautiful and funny. She is the best possible friend I could ever ask for and I hope that she accepts what I am about to ask"

Looking down at the blonde he grinned as he whispered something in her ear causing her to freeze in her place, taking no notice he continued to speak.

"I know that this is the right choice to make, I've thought about this for a while and finally have the guts to speak up." Looking over at the girl he held out his hand. "Lisanna Strauss, will you be my girlfriend?"

Taking his hand the white-haired Mage stood up on the table with him, he pulled her into a kiss that lasted far too long but he wasn't done. Still beaming he looked down at his team, who were all standing there shocked, Lucy unable to meet his eye.

"I have also decided to combine my new and old team, meaning that Happy, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Lisanna and I will now be a team!"

The entire guild cheered at the occasion as the blonde stood there dying inside. No one noticed her departure, or so she thought, she burst through the back door and began to run; a pain ran through her body from her head to her feet that wouldn't stop. She ran as far as her legs would take her, taking no notice of how long had passed; collapsing to the ground in tears she began to clench her fists. Her whole body shook in agony, she was absolutely empty, not knowing what to do she began to punch the ground, over and over until her knuckles bled but she didn't care, this pain was nothing compared to the hole that now occupied her hollowed chest.


He had made no attempt to follow the blonde, assuming she was have gone home to have a cry about her feelings, walking to her apartment he knocked on the door with no answer. Smelling around it he could tell she wasn't there, where else would she be though? Sighing, he made his way back to the guild, the two new love birds had made him want to hurl but if he wanted to find Lucy then he had to track her from there. Walking inside he sniffed the air, following her familiar scent of Vanilla to the backdoor and out into the forest, it didn't take long to track her but something was wrong. She had been gone for over two hours now and he was beginning to pick up odd sounds, he continued along until something caught his attention; blood. He rushed through the trees tracking her scent more frantically than before, only to find her abusing the ground beside her as she sobbed, apparently unable to feel pain. She raised her fist ready to smash it back into the solid earth and he extended his arm, blocking her easily.

"What the hell do ya think you're doing Bunny Girl?"

She looked up at him through clouded tears and snarled, "What does it matter to you Gajeel?"

His name was hissed through her teeth, pouring as much anger as she could into it and he growled as she picked up her other fist and attempted to punch the ground. He blocked that as easily as the first one, crouching beside her he held her hands gently, he couldn't see any skin just blood and dirt.

"Why would you do this over that dickhead?"

She ignored him as she tried to pull out of his grip, "Stop it you moron. He's not worth it."

This time when she looked up her eyes were full of sadness and she spoke as soft as a mouse, "How did you know?"

He scoffed at her before remembering that he had to try to be sensitive, "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out… Besides, I heard ya heart beat pick up as he spoke."

She shook her head in frustration and pulled herself from his grip, clearly she didn't care about the fact had he not loosened his grip her wrists would've probably snapped, and threw herself at the ground screaming. Watching her hysterics he tried not to laugh, he had never thought Bunny Girl was this ferocious. Picking her up he put her over his shoulder, not caring about the blows or scratches she was dealing to his back, and made his way back to the guild.

"PUT ME DOWN YOU BIG BRUTE! WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE!?" he pulled her off his shoulder but didn't put her down so she was just hovering in the air in front of him.

"No one should have that kind of power over you and the Shrimp would never have forgiven me if I didn't come get you, okay?" Too shocked at his words she simply nodded before he put her back over his shoulder and carried her to the last place she wanted to go.


Still reeling from what he'd just said to her she hadn't realized where they were and as he kicked open the guild doors she squirmed. Subtlety wasn't exactly his forte but this was ridiculous, now everyone was going to see her in this state, she just wanted to kick him really hard. Refusing to place her down, despite her yelling he walked over to Wendy and whispered something in her ear, nodding she followed them into an empty room.

He all but threw her down onto a chair and glared at her, "you make one move to run and you'll be out cold before you can even blink."

A grimace grew on her face before she noticed the Sky Dragon Slayer standing in the doorway unsure of what was going on in front of her. Gajeel looked at her gently, with a gentleness the blonde had never seen him show anyone before.

"Her hands are badly hurt."

Nodding, worry evident all over her face the bluenette rushed to her side and gasped taking in the sight before her, she could tell these were self-inflicted and when she began to ask Gajeel simply shook his head at Dragon Slayer. It took longer than she expected for Wendy to heal her, she must have really hurt herself, looking up at her tears began to spill down the Dragon Slayers cheeks.

"Please take better care of yourself Lucy..." Unable to do anything else she nodded at her friend, giving her a small smile.

"If you're done playing hostage I'd like to get the hell out of here."

She glared at the Iron Dragon, he clearly didn't like someone standing up to him and crossed his arms with a deadly look in your eye. "Not yet, someone needs to speak to ya."

She froze as the words left his mouth and he realized what she was thinking, he was about to explain when a little old man opened the door, looking between the two Mages. Walking over to the blonde he put his hand on top of her.

"My child, what has happened to you?"

She let out a breath she had no idea she was holding and looked at Gramps.

"I uh, I don't know Master… I just, I lost it. It was all my own doing, I'm sorry."

At this his face saddened and he turned to Gajeel raising an eyebrow, his presence had not gone unnoticed "and what was your part in this?"

Gajeel scoffed "Well someone had to bring the Bunny Girl back." Nodding he dismissed the Dragon Slayer and turned back to Lucy "What brought this on? What is troubling that bright mind of yours?"

She knew he had good intentions but it was too soon to voice her pain, she shook her head and he nodded at her, understanding that she was too broken to verbalise her words. Leaving the room she heard him order everyone to leave her be, thankful for the time alone he had just given her.

She sat for nearly a whole hour thinking about everything and decided that she couldn't face him, not now, not ever. Her first instinct was to run home and hide under her covers forever but that wouldn't work he would just barge in through her window, her next option was to leave the guild but that seemed a little dramatic and she'd miss her friends. That left her with only one other option, she had to leave the team. Standing up she silently agreed with her thoughts, she would do solo jobs and not have to face Natsu and Lisanna making out all day. Checking her reflection in the mirror she approved and exited the room, she could feel so many eyes on her as she approached the request board, picking up the first job she liked she smiled. It was a difficult job that required her to travel to clover and deal with a mercenary guild that was causing havoc to the town at night, the reward set at 210,000 Jewel which was enough to pay her rent for three months. Walking up to Mira the Mage smiled at her as she handed over the flyer.

"Ooh! Is this new Team Natsu's first job?" the blonde shook her head, "Uh no, that's just for me." The Takeover Mage stared at her blankly before calling over the Master, who simply nodded in approval at Lucy's request for a solo job. Mira looked to the blonde and was about to protest her decision when Master Makarov stamped the page for her, gawking at them both she sighed.

"Be careful Lucy." She nodded at her friend before walking towards the large double doors of the guild, two figures stopped her in her path staring down at her.

"Gray, Erza." She acknowledge before pushing passed them leaving the guild. They burst out behind her with a million questions, them talking too fast for her to even answer one and before they knew it the three were at the door to her apartment. Unlocking the door she heard the deadbolt slide back and pushed it open, she let a sigh escape her.

"Well come on, if you want answers it's going to be a long night."

Walking into her apartment she went to turn the kettle on whilst her friends sat on her couch nervously, she returned to them minutes later with tea and some biscuits, the two thanked her and waited for her to begin. Letting out another sigh she began to speak.

"So for the past couple of months now, I've um, I've been in love with Natsu. In fact I had intended to come to the guild today and tell him of my feelings but…"

"… but then that flame idiot went and asked Lisanna out." Gray finished her sentence for her and she nodded.

"I freaked out, I was honestly stupid enough to stand there and think he could feel that way about me. He called her his best friend, the best he'd ever had and decided that I just wasn't even worth that status anymore. The worst part of it all though is he thanked me, my presence beside him is what gave him the courage to admit it."

Her voice caught in her throat as she spoke and the tears began to spill down her face once more, the redhead moved beside her and pulled her into a hug as Gray yelled off profanities at the Dragon Slayer before asking the question she truly didn't want to give them the answer for because she knew what would follow.

"So, what happened with Gajeel then…?" she bit down hard on her lip as Erza squeezed her shoulder to comfort her. "After I found out I lost it, I ran into the forest and began to punch the ground. When Gajeel had found me I had three broken knuckles and one of them was missing skin, he dragged me back here kicking and screaming so Wendy could heal me and then you guys saw me leave."

The two nodded at her story, they both owed Gajeel for taking care of her like that, and then the question she feared came up.

"So what are you going to do now?" Saying nothing she handed them the job she had take.

"We're going on a job?" the armored mage asked, shaking her head Lucy corrected her.

"I'm going on a job… I've decided to leave the team." At that the two looked like they were going to cry, they were her best friends and she was leaving them to work alone so she didn't have to face her feelings about Natsu.

Gray stood up and walked over to Lucy, nodding at Erza he hugged her. "We'll come with you."

She smiled at the thought but shook her head, the hurt looks on her friends faces made her cringe guiltily.

"I'm sorry you guys but I need to work on my own for a while. Not forever but for now I need to know I can do this without relying on you guys to save me all the time."

They nodded at her, smiling softly, as they accepted her explanation as they both pulled her into a hug. Hearing a knock at the door made the three jump and Gray went over to answer it, standing there half-naked he opened the door to see the pink haired moron standing on the other side. He slammed the door in his face as the Dragon Slayer began to yell, Lucy sucked in her breath at the sound of his voice and turned to Gray.

"Let him in, I need to tell him what's happening and I'd rather get it done sooner than later but you guys have to stay." He nodded opening the door with a scowl and Natsu barged in, pushing him aside.

"What's your deal man?" her turned smiling at his best friend who all but nearly hid behind Erza, speaking up in her normal formal tone the redhead addressed Natsu.

"Lucy has something to tell you, she has already told us and just like we have, you need to respect her wishes."

He scoffed at the redhead and went to sit down next to Lucy but Gray stepped in. "No, over there."

He said pointing to the couch opposite them. The Dragon Slayer sat down wearily, even he knew something was up with these three, Lucy met his eyes and flinched.

"Natsu… I'm leaving the team."

His face turned sad within an instant as he stared at her in disbelief.

"What?! Luce, no!" She nodded at him to say that it was definitely happening and he stood up with tears in his eyes.

"NO!" he yelled at the three opposite him and Gray stood up, putting himself between Natsu and Lucy.

"Natsu, I am no longer a part of the team, I already told Master and he agreed to it." His fists began to flame and his eyes darkened, the anger bubbling up in his chest.

"Fine, like I need you anyway! Lisanna and I will go on missions because she knows how to be a best friend. I always knew you were weak but I didn't take ya for a coward too." Erza now too stood up as Lucy clutched at her chest, wheezing from the panic attack she was having.

"That's enough Natsu!" He pushed past the redhead and glared at the three of them, "You're all assholes," he glared at Lucy "but you're the worst of them, good thing you were only a replacement."


He left the apartment slamming the door shut, leaving a crack in the middle, he made all the way back to his house before he realized what he had said to Lucy. His resolve broke and the tears came flooding out, he hadn't meant any of it but he wanted her to hurt just as much as him.

NB: Please review, I love constructive criticism!
I know Laxus isn't in this chapter but I didn't want to just throw him in randomly, I promise he makes an appearance soon!