Important Note To New Readers: If you haven't read The Diamond Keys, then I suggest you read that first!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail
A week had passed after defeating Tartarus. The dragon slayers had a long, difficult battle against the demons and then later, Acnologia, managing to drive it away, but at a cost. "Thanks for regrowing my hair, Lucy-san," Wendy gave a smile as she played with her newly regrown hair.
"Don't worry about it, Wendy. I think your long hair fits you better!" Lucy gave a smile.
"Um, Lucy-san. I have a bit of a favor to ask of you," Wendy's smile dropped as her eyes cast to the floor.
Lucy felt more concerned, knowing Wendy was about to tell her some depressing information. "Um, I request my key back from you, Lucy-san," Wendy felt uncomfortable saying that.
Lucy's eyes grew wide, feeling like she did something wrong. Wendy cast her eyes to Lucy and realized Lucy was taking it the wrong way. "Please understand, Lucy-san! It's not like you did anything wrong. I just want to do more training to become stronger to help you even more, Lucy-san, so please don't take it the wrong way!" Wendy explained.
Lucy looked at the floor, forcing to hold back her tears. Lucy thought for moments, not wanting to give up Wendy's key, but at the same time, wanted to allow her to do what she wished. "I promise I'll come back to you and hand my key over again when I'm ready," Wendy gave a promise.
Lucy looked at her ring of celestial keys and pulled off Wendy's staring at it deeply. "Alright, I guess I can hand your key back over. Though, please return to me when you are prepared. I'll be sure to accept your key once more," Lucy held Wendy's key out to her.
Wendy gave a small smile. "Thank you, Lucy-san. I'm glad you understand," Wendy thanked Lucy.
Lucy gave a nod and smiled back. "I'll miss you, Wendy. Please, take care," Lucy and Wendy bid farewell.
Lucy walked up the street and she could here two sets of heavy footsteps behind her. She stopped and the footsteps behind stopped as well. She turned, surprised to see Laxus and Gajeel. "Bunny Girl, we're here to ask for our keys back as well," Gajeel got to the point.
"You too?" Lucy was a bit surprised.
"Don't take it the wrong way. We'll return. We just need to do more training like Wendy," Laxus clarified.
"We'll be back to hand our keys over again, Bunny Girl. We won't disappear forever," Gajeel added.
"Alright. I'll be here to accept your keys once again," Lucy handed over their keys.
"Be well, Bunny Girl!" Gajeel gave a small smile and they walked away from her and Lucy watched them for a small amount of time before turning and heading home once again.
When Lucy entered her home, she gave a heavy breath and collapsed on her bed, tears streaming down her face. "What's wrong, Lucy?" A voice behind her asked.
Lucy turned to see Natsu and she sobbed. Natsu crouched down and Lucy cried into his shirt. "Why did they have to leave, Natsu?" Lucy asked.
Natsu stayed silent, seeming uncomfortable to answer the question. Lucy continued to sob and Natsu finally answered her question. "It's because we thought we were all too weak to protect our owner so we'll leave while it's peaceful to get even stronger. Though, we'll all be back together and that's a promise," Natsu told her.
"Are you leaving too?" Lucy questioned, tears streaming from her eyes.
Natsu felt guilty for having to answer the question. "Unfortunately, yes. It was an agreement we came to. I'm sorry, Lucy. Though, I promise that we'll meet again in a year or so. So don't worry," Natsu gave his promise.
Lucy picked off his key from her ring, but looked at it, unable to give it to him. "Do you promise to return the key to me when we meet again?" Lucy questioned.
Natsu gave a small smile and answered, "Of course. If not, then I'll deeply regret it."
Lucy gave one last good look over the key before handing it over, wiping her tears from her face. "Alright, Return to me soon, alright?" Lucy told him.
"Of course," Natsu accepted his key back.
"See you in awhile and take care, Lucy!" Natsu told her and walked out of her house.
"Hopefully I'll get to see you all very soon again," Lucy whispered aloud.
Okay, I saw the stupid story stats for November 2014 and I didn't realize so many people loved my stories so I decided to work more and try even harder now! So, I hope you look forth to more chapters! Tell your friends that I'm coming back to being more active to those that like my stories ;)