The Seven Swords of Lucy
Chapter 1
Lucy was awoken in the middle of the night. She suppressed herself from screaming. It was just another bad dream, she sighed. "Where am I, anyway?"
The wind howled, and it shook the tent she was in. Oh right, I'm on a mission…with my team…
She realized she was alone. "Plue," she called. But no one was there. Didn't I summon him before I slept, so that I can have someone with me?
She crept outside. The coldness greeted her like some old friend with a gun on his hand. She braced herself with her arms. It was too late to realize that she didn't bring her parka with her. Stupid idiot…
Lucy found herself in the middle of the forest, with three tents standing in the center of the clearing. The bon fire was out already, and the winds made her shiver. But it didn't matter to her. She was already cold enough for that.
She looked at the first tent, where Erza and Natsu (and Happy) were in. Lucy could even hear Natsu's snores from the outside. She smiled to herself. I wonder how Erza could sleep with that noise. I couldn't even close my eyes with that one!
But the misery sneaked up to her, when her eyes drifted to the second tent. Where Gray and Juvia were staying…
Lucy smiled wistfully but not for joy. It was remorse, pity for herself. She wanted to run way and cry. She wanted it all out. She wanted to vanish; to never have existed because the pain was too much. Too much…
Lucy had been there when Gray had admitted that he loved Juvia, too. She was the first one to know it. Gray had confided to her that.
She had cried the nights after he had said this. Weeks after, she had found out that some things were worse.
Lucy had been there when Gray confessed…
When Juvia accepted his love… (That was totally instant)
When they first had dinner…
Where they first had dinner…
When they first kissed…
When they had a picnic under the sakura tree…
When they had their first anniversary…
When Gray gave a flower to Juvia, a red rose encased in ice…
When Gray almost gave his life for Juvia… (Many times)
And vice-versa… (Many times)
And when he proposed…
That was the final straw. She never wanted to see all of that. But she has to. She has to put on a brave face. She has to move on.
She can't.
Every time she sees them together, it feels like they were ripping her apart, piece by piece. She wanted to be happy for them, but she can't, even if she wants to. It became worse when they were all together for a mission, since she has to endure almost every day. By day she keeps on smiling at the couple, by night she cries for herself.
Just like now.
It was hard to keep every single thing to herself. She can't confide to anyone, because she's afraid that someone will know all about it, all about her feelings for Gray. She didn't even tell Mira all about it, even if she has some ideas about it.
Gray Fullbuster, why did I even fall in love with you?
Lucy was already sobbing, covering her face with shame. She sat on the ground, her tears fertilizing the soil. As if it can.
She continued sobbing outside of her tent while she controls her volume. She didn't want anyone, especially Gray and Juvia, to see her like she is now.
It was a mistake to be a martyr for love, but it is what Lucy is now, and nothing could change that.
A voice inside her mind spoke.
Even if Gray falls in love with you?
She tried contradicting herself.
That's impossible. Gray would NEVER fall in love with me. He has Juvia now.
Oh, really? How can you be so sure?
Because he will marry Juvia already!
And when is that?
After this mission…
Yes, and he will never be yours. NEVER!
If that's how it is, then so be it.
You'll be hurt.
I know.
And what will you do now? Cry for him forever?
Is there another way?
Fight for him.
No, I can't.
Why?
I don't want to hurt Juvia. I don't want to hurt him too.
And you can be the maid of honor for the wedding? No honor at all, even dignity!
She sobbed harder after realizing this. How can she be so stupid?
So what will you do now? What will you do to have the one that you love but not hurting others?
I don't want to hurt anyone.
But you don't want to be hurt either. Not anymore.
How will she do this?
What will you do now?
An idea came inside her mind. She knew it was risky, but if it is not the right thing, it is the best thing to do now.
Lucy smiled painfully to herself.
She had reached a decision. She came back inside her tent and started working, for her sake and theirs.
It was the break of dawn. But Natsu was already awake. Too unusual for him to wake up that early. This morning he had a bad feeling. As if something is missing…
He didn't mind it though.
That day he was full of energy, as always. So his first targets were…
"Hey, love birds," Natsu crowed to the direction of the couple's tent. "Still sleepy?"
"Natsu," Erza glowered at him. The Dragon Slayer was already on the verge of running. "Don't disturb them. They maybe had a tiring night."
"What were they doing anyway," Natsu asked, curious.
"Don't ask."
Erza was focusing on the task at hand. She was cooking, which was strangely unusual for her too, since she was not so good at it. Unfortunately, Natsu shares the same passion, so no choice. Too bad Lucy is still asleep. She can cook human food for us, might have been better.
This morning, Erza woke up early for her to hunt. Luckily, she had caught an antelope, enough for the five of them to last the whole day. If Natsu will eat a little less, she thought. Happy can hunt his own fish.
The couple was finally awake, with smiles eternally sculptured onto their faces. It was creepy though to see a half-naked ice mage doing it.
"What a morning," Gray exclaimed, still smiling.
"Yes, Gray-sama," Juvia agreed, her curls bouncing. "Mornings are times of new beginnings.''
They smiled at each other then laughed heartily.
Natsu arrived with Happy hovering beside him. Happy was already biting his fish.
"At last, our fire-griller has come back," Erza said. "Cook the antelope."
"Aye, sir," Natsu followed her orders.
Happy noticed someone was missing. "Where's Lucy?"
"Now that you mentioned her…"
"Let me wake her up," Gray volunteered. Juvia didn't even react about that.
He walked down to her tent. When he entered, he didn't see anyone.
"Lucy's not here," he muttered. Where could she be?
"Lucy's not here," he repeated to his teammates.
"WHAT?" they chorused. "Where is she?"
"Don't know," Gray answered. "Maybe she went for a stroll…"
"At this early morning?," Natsu snorted. "Nonsense."
"What's nonsense?"
"Maybe you."
Natsu and Gray continued bickering with each other, while Erza and Juvia laughed at them. "Typical early morning session, those two," Erza commented. Then they laughed some more.
But despite of her oddly cheerful behavior, Erza was bothered. Where could she be?
Just then, she had the initiative to enter Lucy's room herself. There she saw her beddings. All of it was still there. But she saw one thing.
Lucy's bags were gone. They could nowhere be seen.
As if it was not enough, she saw a piece of paper pinned by her pillows. There was a written message on it.
Meanwhile...
Natsu and Gray are still fighting...
"Squinty eyes!"
"Droopy eyes!"
"Ice-brain!"
"Bird-brain!"
"Flame-thrower!"
"You're right 'bout that one, frozen pea-"
When would they stop? Juvia thought. But still she laughed.
"Stop it, both of you!"
Abruptly they stopped. They knew that voice.
It was Erza. She was already fuming and trembling.
"Can't you see? Lucy's gone!"
"Don't you think it's obvious?," Natsu said. "She's not here right-"
Erza threw the tent at him. "Don't you think I know that?" She was already screaming. "READ THIS!"
Gray grabbed the piece of paper Erza was holding. It was wet but he instantly saw what was written. He was trembling, but he managed to read it aloud.
"Don't try to find me. Please. I don't want to hurt any of you just because of my selfish actions. I know it will hurt me the most but I had to disappear, so that everyone could be happy. Even without me. Maybe now's the time to do this.
I, Lucy Heartfilia, will now disband from my team. I will now not be a part of Fairy Tail and any other guild. I will now disappear, to never go back.
P.S. one last request. Please forget that I ever existed. I don't want to bother any of you anymore."
Their little camp was filled with silence. Then Natsu, who just recovered from Erza's blow, broke it.
"SAY WHAT?"
This is my first story ever! hi my name is arcturus (not my real name) and i'm new here at fanfiction...
as i've said before, this is my first story EVER, so please R&R, okay?
keep tuning in for the next chapter...domo arigatougozaimashita!