Disclaimer; I do not own Fairy Tail. It is owned by Hiro Mashima

EDITED

Lucy entered the guild with a bright smile on her face. Accompanying her was none other than Yukino Agria, a very powerful celestial mage. Yukino seemed to be blushing.

"You like Rogue?! I'd have thought you would fall for Sting, cause' he's, you know, the light dragon slayer and all...But then again, Rogue's pretty cool, and he's kind of sweet, too, in a shy, quiet way." Lucy said. She hoped she'd said enough so she wouldn't have to talk anymore. She just wasn't in the mood. She never was anymore. It was like losing her mother, and in a way her father, all over again. It had only been a few days when Fairy tail had gotten back together again. They were still searching for Master, but they knew they'll find him soon enough. They knew he was in Alvarez, at least, and they were going to retrieve him soon enough.

But Lucy couldn't help but feel lonely, even though she was back in the guild. She did not tell them about Aquarius. Maybe because she'd lost faith in them, or because she was a coward. Maybe she was being selfish, she should let them help her, after all, but she didn't want to burden them anymore. The Strauss siblings were still trying to forgive each other and find a way out of their guilt. Cana was spending time with her father, who was sorry he couldn't be there for her during such a horrible and dangerous time. But Lucy could see he was immensely proud, too. Levy and Gajeel along with Juvia and Gray were trying to figure out where they stood to each other, their relationship after all that'd happened. Erza was traumatized by being tortured, but Lucy noticed how proud and satisfied she was by being able to protect Jellal. Sting, Rogue and Minerva were trying to fit back into their lives and get stronger together. And then there was Natsu, Lucy knew that crushing pain of losing someone, but when you were looking for them for years...Would she have been able to have taken that, had she been in place of Natsu?

Lucy would've been too broken, she knew that, and so she selfishly felt relieved it was not her who'd lost someone she's been looking for. Perhaps, she didn't deserve to be in Fairy Tail, she'd become too unappreciative, selfish and guarded. She could not bring down the wall surrounding her, not even for Natsu, anymore. She did it so easily before, and then she'd lost her mother, the father she'd once loved, as he'd become a cruel, uncaring one, and had lived alone so long. She'd built a wall, then, too, and Natsu broke it in mere seconds then, but now…

"Lucy? Are you there?' Asked Yukino worriedly, tilting her head. Her white hair had grown a little longer over the year. Lucy may not have been able to open up anymore, but she sure as hell had missed her friends, terribly, so having Yukino, and the rest of Sabertooth, so close, had been one of the only good things in her life during those painful, horrible times. The worst year of her life. Finally, finding a family she loved with all her heart and more, people she'd give her life up for without a second thought, people she cared for as much as her spirits, only to lose them after losing two very important people in her life, no, make that three, her father, then Aquarius, and then Natsu, who left her.

"Yeah, sorry." Lucy faked another smile. She'd become very good at things like that, now. Smiling during her modelling career, doing it for Sabertooth, and for Jason.

You shouldn't have to endure this, Lucy.

That voice. She hated it, it was so horrible. It would say some very petrifying things, things Lucy didn't know she could ever even imagine.

Why don't you leave Fairy Tail? Fairy Tail doesn't deserve you, you know.

Lucy tried to ignore the voice. It sounded too much like him.

"Am I boring you? You don't have to listen to me if-" Yukino was cut off by Lucy abruptly grabbing her hands.

Lucy felt regretful because she actually had not listened to Yukino at all, but that did not mean she found Yukino boring, and there was no way she was going to hurt Yukino's feelings for it. But as she was about to speak, Mest rushed in, a letter in his hand. Lucy' eyes widened. She immediately recognised that letter. She would know it anywhere. But why was princess Hisui sending a letter to Fairy tail, was it because Natsu was charged for burning the palace? That idiot, not even the royal family could forgive because he'd made too many mistakes. Unknown to Lucy, she had a soft smile on her face as she thought of him and his idiotic, careless, actions. Most of the time.

It seemed that a huge, walking frog was accompanying Mest. The large amphibian carried a yellow scroll, which she opened up, as she asked, "Who here is Miss. Lucy Heartfilia?'

Lucy was just going to step up and say it's her, but, of course, the idiot had other ideas.

"What the hell do those bastards want, now?' Lucy knew Natsu was referring to the magic council, whom the frog seemed to have been, obviously, sent by. Surprisingly, Erza, Gray and even Wendy agreed with Natsu, glaring at the poor frog woman. The frog was cowering in fear, most likely from Erza's death glare.

This is obviously all an act. They don't care about you. They never did.

"Guys, it's alright. Lerell isn't from the magic council" Lucy reassured. They had no reason to act like they cared if they didn't actually care, it would be too much trouble.

"Lerell? Do you know, uh, her?' Gray inquired.

"Yeah. She's one of Princess Hisui's court ladies." Lucy answered

"Um, excuse me," The trio, Natsu, Gray and Erza, turned, mechanically, to the frog and resumed glaring. It seemed she'd only reassured little Wendy. The frog was obviously terrified, bet she's quitting her job as soon as she's out of here, Lucy thought, but she continued, anyway. "Can we get going?'

"What about Yukino?' Lucy asked.

"Miss Agria? Um, we will be visiting Sabertooth for her. Please do not worry about it."

"I'm right here," Yukino smiled, surprising the female frog. "You don't have to go to Sabertooth to get me."

"Uhh, I see," The frog cleared her throat, getting over the shock of seeing Yukino in Fairy Tail.

"So why the hell are you looking for these two, anyway?' Gray asked, confused.

"Princess Hisui E. Fiore has requested the presence of Lucy Heartfilia and Yukino Agria tomorrow morning at court for, uh, 'training'. I was sent here to meet with Lucy Heartfilia and Yukino Agria."

"Training? What do you mean training?' Natsu exclaimed.

"I'm afraid I wasn't informed why." Despite that, Lerell 'subtly' winked at Lucy and Yukino as she said that.

"I ain't letting you take Luce! You can go to hell." Natsu yelled, lighting on fire.

"Natsu…" Yukino said in awe, while, all Lucy could do was roll her eyes. And smile, just a tiny bit.

"Natsu, you idiot, I want to go." Lucy shook her head.

"Fine, then, we won't let you take Yukino!' Natsu said, not skipping a beat.

'Yukino, let's just go." Lucy said through gritted teeth. How had she missed this stupid, fire-eating baka?

"Wait. Now, that the guild is back together, could you at least explain this to me or Laxus, Lucy?' Erza asked

"Does it really matter? I'm honestly not in the mood." Lucy said nonchalantly, although she felt, inexplicably, irritated.

"Lucy, I think you should just tell her. I told Sting. It's not really a big deal." Yukino coaxed.

"Well, since it's not a big deal, does it really matter if I tell her. It'll be a waste of time. Let's just go. Lerell's waiting."

"Lucy, this is more of a waste of time. As the temporary, female guild master, I would like to know where my guild members are most of the time, especially if they are in trouble." Erza said, calmly.

"I'm not in trouble! I'm not Natsu!' Lucy exclaimed.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?' Natsu yelled while eating, across the bar, already, Lucy hadn't even noticed him leave.

"Lucy, that's not what Erza meant, I'm sure." Gray smiled.

"Since when can you read minds, Gray? Or is it something from Avatar. I forgot how much 'better' and 'stronger' that stupid guild made you. How do you know she doesn't think I'm troublesome. How do I know that's not what you think of me. I can't read minds, Gray." Lucy said, angrily. Why was she so angry?

"I don't think you're troublesome, Lucy. Do not worry. All I ask is to know where you're going and why." Erza assured.

"You're not my mother," Lucy said quietly.

"I am your guild master, so is Laxus, so you need to tell one of us, at least."

"Why don't I tell you, Erza?' Yukino asked nervously, at the tension that was growing rapidly. "Princess Hisui, as you know is a celestial mage, was studying celestial magic, she was looking for a way to get stronger when she found something very interesting. She wanted to share it with us. Basically, the first celestial mage is still alive, and we found her, and she said she would train us. She's been doing it for the past year, we go to the place once two weeks. Today's one of those days."

"See, Lucy, there was no need for trouble. It was as easy as that."

"Just cause' we've made you and Laxus the temporary guild masters does not give you the right to invade the guild member's privacy. I know Master wouldn't, he'd wait til' I wanted to tell him. You could never replace him!' Lucy yelled. Her eyes stung. This was the worst feeling, a guilt at the pit of her stomach, but she also felt unrivalled fury and was determined to tell them how she felt.

They don't understand. They don't get you, Lucy.

"You don't need to know everything about me, when I don't know you, anymore! It's been a year, and I know you've changed, so why can't you respect that so have I? Let's go, Yukino."

"Uh, y-yes, ma'am, I-I mean, L-lucy." Yukino stuttered.

As they were leaving, Lucy was sure she heard Natsu say, silently.

"You'll always be the Luce I know. You'll always be my best friend."

Lies. All lies.

Zeref watched from his lacrima.

"Brother. It seems you have found the Celestial Spirit Keeper. Well, that saves quite a lot of work for me. However, your affection for her makes it much more difficult than it would originally have been once I found her, too. Oh, Mavis, what am I to do?"

As his eyes turned crimson, and a shadow fell over him, Zeref laughed out loud, sadistically.

"This sure will be interesting."

"What're you doing, dad?'

"Oh, Zoe! Oh, don't you wanna meet your mum?'

"Mum! Yes, please."

"Well, then, Zoe Heartfilia, will you help me find your mother, Lucy Heartfilia?'

"Yes, please, Daddy. I can't wait!'