Note : Hey. This is my first Fairy Tail fanfic. I hope it isn't too OOC. Hadn't really watched it in a long time but I recently caught up with the manga. There's not really much plot here. I just felt like writing this. I'm not really sure whether it would turn out a story or just a random one-shot, two-shot, whatever you call it. If anyone has ideas, PM me. I'll consider I guess. It's only if there's no plot still, alright? (No NaLu. I prefer looking at them acting buddy buddy, I like their friendship and how people misunderstand that alright?) Enjoy. (Ain't really interesting. Later in the chapters will meet other mages.)
(November '13) UPDATE: So, I've been wanting to put in the summary in the first chapter for a long time. So while I'm fixing my mistakes, I'll do this too.
SUMMARY: Lisanna has returned, and when Team Natsu asks to spend more time with her, that is when Lucy starts to go on missions alone. Five months have passed and she insists on doing solo. No one succeeded in changing that decision. But can the arrival of a new guildmate change it?
Author: IceMaize
I would advise slow reading. Read slowly, people. Try to get in the mood.
She stood in front of the guild doors and said softly, "I'm back."
She entered, making her way to her usual spot and sat down.
"Mira-san."
The barmaid seemed to not have noticed her friend and didn't attend. Lucy expected this and now that it's been going for months, she couldn't find it in herself to care anymore. It had been months already. She would be lying if she said it didn't hurt. It did.
Sometimes, knowing the fact that it didn't hurt as much anymore, frightened her.
"Oh, Lucy! What can I do for you?" The barmaid said, giving her usual gentle smile.
"A glass of water sounds good."
She held the glass in one hand, her head balanced on the other free hand. She took a sip. It was as noisy as ever, that didn't change.
She had been going on solo missions since Lisanna's 'revival' for 5 months. She was actually getting hard being noticed by everyone. Well, not everyone. The only ones who actually noticed her were Mirajane (sometimes), Wendy, Charle, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia and Master.
She closed her eyes. When Lisanna came back, everyone was happy. Well, she couldn't blame them for that. She, too, would have felt happy for a returning long-lost friend but that wasn't Lisanna. Sure, they caught up to get to know a bit of each other but that was the end. They were more of acquaintances than friends. Lisanna was cute, gentle, caring, pretty. Lucy had no grudge against her after everything. Her, now former, team was spending everyday with Lisanna until they actually forgot about Lucy.
She was actually looking forward to making friends with Lisanna.
Sometimes Happy would stay the night at her place, she didn't mind. Having company once in a while was good. Happy would always come just in time for dinner, he would always talk about missions that they did with Lisanna and then they would always crack jokes.
She smiled and took a quick glance at her former team. Gray and Natsu were throwing insults at each other like usual, while Lisanna was talking to Happy and Erza.
She knew her former team well enough to know that they'll be fine. At least with one sane person in the team.
She sighed. It had only been two months since Lisanna had returned, and then the team came.
"Lucy!" Natsu approached the two with his toothy grin.
Lucy smiled in response.
Putting an arm over Lisanna's shoulder, he said, "Um, actually... We wanted to ask you whether the four of us could spend more time with Lisanna. It's been a long time, so -"
"Yeah." Gray interrupted. "This way you can get your rent money without trouble. Stupid flame brain here always destroys stuffs anyway and we end up getting lesser money-"
"What was that, Ice Princess?!"
"You can get stronger faster this way, Lucy," Erza said.
Lucy was beyond shocked. In the two months since Lisanna's return, they had spent less time with her, only greeting her and some short small talks. It had hurt to see them talk and laugh with Lisanna.
Lucy looked at Lisanna. It was clear that they didn't tell her.
"Wha-"
"Sure!" Lucy said with a forced smile and with an unintentionally loud voice, interrupting Lisanna.
"Yes! Thanks Lucy! Happy! Let's go pick a mission!" Natsu said.
"Thank you, Lucy. You don't know how much this means to us," Erza said, with such a sincere smile that somehow Lucy felt so bad inside. She saw Gray nod at her with the same smile. She nodded too and they started walking away.
Lisanna didn't walk away.
She whispered, "I'm so sorry."
"It isn't your fault. Just make sure they don't get in too much trouble," Lucy said with a smile. "They jsut want to spend more time with you. After a while, we'll all go on missions together."
"But," Lisanna said. "It's not fair. I don't understand why you can't come along."
Lucy put her hand on Lisanna's shoulder. "Lisanna, you worry too much. They just want to catch up with you. Everyone missed you. Just don't worry and have fun."
She went home that very night with a frown and she would find her pillow wet with a salty smell, every time she woke up from her sleep. It continued on for a few more nights, until it started to cease. Just watery eyes and maybe a tear or two every time she thought about it.
She walked to the request board and took a mission, which was to her standard, not so easy but wasn't too hard either.
She only had to defeat monsters in the forest nearby a town.
"Mira-san, I'm taking this."
Mirajane read it and said, "Are you sure? It's dangerous to go alone! You should at least go with-"
"Just let her go," Master said. "She's been going on jobs more dangerous than that like taking out a mini self-proclaimed dark guild."
"O-Oh, sure, have a safe trip, Lucy," Mirajane was hesitant but if the Master said so, then it would be fine.
Lucy nodded at the Master and said softly with a smile, "Thank you."
She was sure this job would only take a few days and only brought a backpack. She entered the train and sat by the window. The sun was starting to rise. She drew the curtains.
She had gotten stronger due to the solo missions. She could summon four spirits at a time, but if she did, she would be completely tired after that so summoning four spirits was a big no-no.
She would improve her physical condition by jogging and Loke was training her in melee combat. He had said that she was improving slowly, and it was better than not, really.
Upon arriving at the town, she met up with the client along with Loke.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail. I came for the job."
"I'm Loke, Lucy's charming boyfriend," Loke said as he bowed.
"My, my. What a cute couple," the client said.
Lucy laughed, her cheeks just a tad pink. "He's not my boyfriend. This is just the way he acts."
The old man chuckled and said, "Thank you for accepting the job." He looked at Lucy. "If it's not too much trouble, I would like you both to find a missing child as well. She was reported missing last night."
"That's so unfortunate..."
"Yes... You see, this girl always goes to the forest, even though she knew they were those vicious beasts out there."
"What does she look like?" Loke asked.
"She's about 6 year old. She has shoulder length hair which is light blue and black eyes. She always wears a T-shirt and knee length pants. Please...find her."
"Don't worry, we'll find her!" Lucy said, holding the old man's hand in hers comfortingly.
He nodded and led them out. "If you keep walking straight, you'll see the inn by your right."
"Thank you."