I do not own copyrights to hiro Chapter 1: Behind that smile It's been a couple weeks since Lucy woke up crying from her nightmare, the guild never notice behind her smile that held pain and sadness more than they ever realize. Lucy had learned a long time ago to put on a bright smile to hide her sadness. Everyone in the guild knew she had mother who passed when she was very young and father ignored her for years before turning a new leaf but it was during their time on Tenrou Island, he passed before they could fix their relationship. Now Lucy just has her friends in Fairy Tail who brought her a new type of happiness. A part of her felt guilty about never really telling them who she really was but the fear in the back if her mind always stopped her. She even had Gildarts promise not to tell everyone that they knew each other. He was hesitant at first, even went as far to try to talk to her about what happen to "them" but one look in my eyes told him she wasn't ready. With understanding nod he let the topic drop until she was ready but he could see that she was blaming herself and it was eating away her light. Natsu Natsu has always been close to Lucy, at first he didn't understand what made him want to always want to be with her. But as time went on, they started to get to know each other and that's when he realize after all this time Lucy's smile wasn't her "true" smile but just a mask to hide her emotions. When he first notice he wanted to find out why but when he decide to ask her, he stopped because the moment he saw her in the apartment alone thinking she looked like she was going to falling into thousand pieces. He quickly changed the subject to bring her out of whatever darkness she was trying to run away from. From that day on he decided he will wait until she was ready to let him help light her way out of the darkness she held deep within her heart. Lucy Team Natsu just came back from week long mission and Lucy's nightmare seem to be coming back more frequently, sometimes she would wake up screaming and crying but other times she just wouldn't sleep. The one thing she noticed was whenever her pink-hair partner was sleeping next to her that nightmare never came. It was like he was catching her before she fell into the darkness that held the bad memories of her past. To her it felt like he somehow knew he had to protect her from the darkness that he didn't know was there, and she was grateful to him. She smiled at the thought about how they met, how she was content about run away from the darkness within her heart. Out of nowhere the pink-hair fire dragon slayer came crashing into her life lighting her darkness in her heart. Some moments she'll found herself smiling just thinking of the fire dragon slayer that's always protecting her. "Luce! You weirdo what are thinking about that you're smiling for no reason?" Natsu lean in close to Lucy's face. Lucy broke from her trance to find Natsu within inches of her face grinning. Her face turn beet red from the closest of Natsu's face to hers she 'eep' before pushing him away. "Natsu, you're too close and what's wrong with me smiling is my smile that ugly that I shouldn't smile?" Natsu gave Lucy a toothy grin before answering her question. "Lucy you wouldn't answer me and no you don't have an ugly smile it's pretty." Natsu whisper the last part before quickly pulling his scarf to cover his blushing cheeks. He quickly pulled Lucy into the guild before he embarrassed himself more in front of Lucy. Lucy giggled at the fire dragon slayer seeing his antics was cute, she realize she held some feeling for him but she is always scare to let him into her heart. As she made her way to her best friend Levy, Natsu made his way to pick a fight with Gray. At the Bar Mirajane seeing the looks that Natsu shared only to Lucy, she decided enough was enough they obviously liked each other but something was holding them back. She was determined to make them a couple even if she had to lock them in one of Freed's rues. Mira thinking of a way to find what feelings Lucy held for the fire dragon slayer she finally thought of a way not only to help Natsu and Lucy but also to help the other couples in the guild. She quickly scanned the guild for the red-haired re-equipped mage, and spotting her eating her strawberry cake at a table by the window. Mira called Erza over to the bar to talk about the plan to help the couples of Fairy Tail. Erza looking at Mira questionably, "Yes Mira is there a problem?" Mira just lightly laughed at the re-quipped mage before turn to on a devilish smiled to the red-hair mage, "Erza I think it's time to help the couples of Fairy Tail come together, enough is enough I want everyone to be happy!" Erza was taken back with Mira excitement before signing at the match-maker of Fairy Tail. "Mira I know you mean well but don't you think we should let things happen naturally?" Mira grin at Erza ready to blackmail her if needed so she can help her with her plans to become successful, "Erza. Erza. Erza you wouldn't want the guild to know that you go off without anyone knowing just to meet your special guest, now would you?" Erza blushed knowing she was being blackmail but didn't want her secret to be let out so she quickly agree to whatever Mira's plan may be. Mira smile triumphantly, "Good I decided we will have a sleepover with all the girls at Fairy Hills, to find out how they see their love interest and hopefully have everyone come together with some convincing of course." Erza sighed the idea wasn't bad so it could be interesting so she agreed. Mira smiled before calling all the girls to the bar to tell them about the sleepover. Lucy and Levy were talking and giggling about their latest book they read before they could get more into their conservation they heard Mira called them over all the girls to the bar. She also heard Erza add, "No boys at the bar a less you what to punish. Understood?" All the boys quickly nod their heads and backed away from the bar to sit at the tables. But little did the girls know three dragon slayers were listening to the whole conservation. Mira smiled sweetly before announcing the big secret from the boys, "We are having a sleepover tonight at Fairy Hills 7pm sharp. We are going play games and have fun without any boys." Erza quickly added, "Every girl must attend the sleepover no excuses. Understood?" All the girls quickly nodded not wanting to feel the wrath of Erza or Mirajane. Lucy's mood changed quickly after hearing about the sleepover, she didn't want the others to know she was having nightmares. She agreed to meet the girls at Fairy Hills. She walked to the guild doors but once she was outside she quickly ran home with fear quickly flooring her heart. Lucy slammed the door to her apartment before sliding down the door to the floor. She brought her knees to her chest and began to cry fearing her past will be relieved to everyone. The bad memories that still haunt her dreams started to rush back but before she fell into the darkness a crash near her bedroom window jolt her out of the darkness. There was only one person that climbs through her window; she smiled sadly quickly wrapping away her tears she whispered, "Natsu." Natsu Natsu being a dragon slayer he heard everything about being a sleepover at Fairy Hills but girls only. He smiled mischievously and it seems he wasn't the only dragon slayer thinking the same thing. Before he could join in the conservation about the guys sneaking in on the girl's sleepover, he looked at Lucy's face and saw her eyes spirally into the darkness. She quickly made her way out of the guild. Natsu follow her to make sure she made it back to her apartment when he reach her apartment smelt salt and hear sobbing, Lucy's crying, he thought. He quickly made his into the apartment, he saw Lucy trying to hide the fact she was crying. He felt a pain in his heart knowing Lucy was hiding her pain for him but quickly try to brighten her mood. "Hey Luce what are you cooking for dinner tonight. Happy and I love when you cook for us." He let out a smile hoping he helped lighten her mood. Lucy laughed at Natsu's requested before answering him, "Sorry Natsu tonight you and Happy will have fend for yourselves. We girls are having a sleepover at Fairy Hills. I know, you boys should do something together for male bonding without fighting." Lucy smiled sweetly at Natsu that nearly stopped his heart from beating. He put on a pout answering her stubbornly, "Aww come on Luce you know you rather spent time with Happy and I." Lucy let out a laugh before running to hug Natsu and whisper into his chest, "Thank you Natsu but I promise the girls I will spent the night with them. I promise to make it up to you." Natsu held her tight before finally answering her back, "okay Luce I will hold you to that promise." Lucy giggled while pulling away from their hug, "Okay Natsu, you better get out of here so I can get ready for the sleepover with girls. Promise you won't do anything stupid just because I'm not around." Natsu walked over to the window before turn around giving Lucy a toothy grin, "I promise Luce, have fun tonight with the girls, and I'll see you tomorrow at the guild." He began walking to the guild, he starting thinking he was going to need help. He wanted Lucy to open up to him so he can help her with whatever darkness she is running from. Lucy is special to him and I knew she was the one chosen to be his other half. He was determine to make her happy and smile her "true" smile not the smile she hides behind but her real one. The only person who could help and understand the need to protect Lucy from her darkness was the iron dragon slayer, Gajeel.
