Chapter 2: Bye For Now


-(Normal P.O.V)- Lucy's apartment -

Like usual, it was a lovely day at magnolia. 8 o'clock in the morning and the streets are already hectic. The townspeople once again preparing for another busy day. Newspaper vendors with a pack of paper were now driving around on their bicycles, throwing newspapers at each house before turning to another block. People smiling as they greet one another, the sun up in the clear blue sky, birds chirping as they flew through the trees in the streets and the trees rustling with every cool breeze that blew. It was peaceful.

But then again.

"This is so not my day.." Lucy said as she yawns. She attempted to sit up from her soft bed, but it seems that she doesn't want to. To be honest, this is not her daily routine. She has one, but she can't seem to follow it. The reason is that most of the time, there were certain trespassers who would barge into her apartment. But she doesn't have anyone to do that now right?

After what happened yesterday, she decided to wake up early so she can get to the guild without gaining attention from a few mages. She knows that her fellow guild mates don't go to the guild at this time.

"I really should get going.." she muttered.

She successfully sat up from her bed, taking a look at her surroundings. The supposedly dim room, now brighten up by the rays of sunlight through her window. Her lips forming a small smile before crawling out of her bed to go the bathroom to do her business.

She took a short warm shower before she dries herself off with a towel. She stepped out of the bathroom, as she walks toward her cabinet. She wore a tank top with blue shorts and knee-high brown boots. It was her usual outfit. Now that she was done changing, she immediately packed her things. And it took her a few minutes, packing.

And when she was finished. She deliberately walked around her room, checking if she forgot about something and confirming if everything seems fine. She then walked towards her door, hesitant as she reached for the doorknob, turning it clockwise as she gently pushed the door open. She looked back once more. Instant flashbacks started to run into her mind. She immediately shook her head, narrowing her eyes as she whispered to herself, "I won't miss them...I'm going to make them regret kicking me out of the team.." With every word she whispered, she was slowly turning around closing the door behind her.

When she got down the stairs, she dropped her keys on top of the counter before she left. The minute she exited her apartment, she saw her Landlady standing besides the doorway.

"Oh..Landlady. Ohayo," she greeted, nicely.

She smiled back at her and replied "Oyaho Miss Lucy, I would just want to see you off"

Lucy's response "OH! Okay then..Well...Goodbye" as she walked off.

It was truly awkward. The two of them weren't close and they do not exactly greet each other, every time they see each other in the hallways. Yeah. Lucy was afraid of her back then when they first met each other. But it's good to have a change.

"Goodbye Miss Lucy" she heard her say, Lucy smiled at this "Oh, BTW, Landlady!" she shouted, she was already a few feet far from her "I don't know when I will be back but please take care of my room"

She nodded with a smile on her face.

After that, she walked through town with a somewhat sad smile on her face. She's going to miss this place for a while. She headed towards the guild with a quite heavy backpack. When she finally reached her destination, she looked up at the Fairy Tail Building. 'It was inevitable that there would be so many memories here.' she thought, eyes becoming dull. "Master should be the only one who know that I quit the guild," she said, hiding her backpack on some bushes next to the guild's entrance.


- At the Guild-

Lucy stood in the guild's doorway. It was rather silent though she can hear loud snores coming from the other side of the guild's hall. She sighed before she carefully walk towards the bar. There were few mages sprawled out on the floor, some were still holding mugs, some were snoring quite loudly and some were even drooling. Lucy sweat-dropped at this, but she then face-palmed when she saw Cana hugging an empty barrel of beer while drooling.

She finally reached the bar. And luckily it was the exact minute, when Mira appeared out from the kitchen, humming a peaceful tone. Lucy smiled and greeted her "Ohayo Mirajane!" casually sitting on a stool.

"Oh My!" Mira gasped. She was surprised, it was still a bit early and the guild opens at 10:00 am. Lucy apologized to her and minutes later they started giggling.

"Ohayo Lucy!" Mira smiled back. "Well, this is new. You usually go to the guild at 10 am" she paused "Do you need something?"

"Well, it is rare for me to go to the guild at this time." Lucy giggled "Well, I was kind of wondering if Master is in his office..?"

Mira looked at her for a second, wondering what she needs from the master. Though she shrugged this off and responded with a gentle smile "Yes." then she gave her a curious look "But why? Is there something wrong?" her voice filled with concern.

Lucy waves her hands "Oh Nothing! Nothing! I was just wondering..." she trailed off. Mira looked at her with sad eyes, she opened her mouth to speak but Lucy cut her off.

"Thank you Mira!" she smiled and hopped off the stool. She instantly headed towards the second floor, she even heard Mira saying "wait!" but she ignored her. She walked up the stairs and looked for Master's office. She was still wasn't allowed here, but oh well. The second floor was big, spacious to be exact. There were lots of doors that probably led to Fairy Tail's Deepest Darkest Secrets or..probably just the rooms of the S-Class mages. She sighed as she walked through the hallways, she was still hoping that Mira didn't suspect a thing. When finally she found Master's office, she knocked three times, not really bothering to wait for a reply, she reached for the doorknob and gently pushed the door. "Excuse me Master…" she said entering, quietly closing the door behind her.

She looked around. Master's office was quite roomy and yet somewhat boring. The walls doesn't have any wallpapers. And sometimes the floor forms a creaking noise every time you took a step. Besides that, on the left wall has two large bookshelves that almost reached the ceiling. It seems that Master reads a lot of books. While on the right wall, was a timeline of Fairy Tail's earlier masters. It also has the pictures of when he was young and some of the pictures contains the childhood of Laxus and some other members. Furthermore, in the middle of the room, was a brown rectangular desk, the desk has some picture frames –though the back was facing Lucy – and a huge pile of papers. On the right side of the desk was a trash bin that contains a lot of crumpled papers. And behind the desk was Master Makarov. He has a wide window right behind him, so that makes his light as he do some paper works.

He was pretty busy though, Lucy was pretty sure that he didn't even notice her presence, well not until he looked up and saw her. He looked surprised at first but the old man suddenly grinned "Oh Lucy, Do you need something?" he said with a gentle, yet crooked voice.

She smiled and walked near his desk and replied "Uh. Yes Master, I do need something.." she said with a serious look.

He looked at her and asked "And what is that?" His face also becoming serious. Lucy saw this and it sent shivers through her spine. She cleared her throat and said "Master I would like to quit the guild"

'Finally I said it!' she thought.


-(Lucy's P.O.V)-

"Master I would like to quit the guild"

Finally I said it. I won't regret this, really.

Master's eyes widened. He was obviously too shocked to speak "What?! Why..?" he croaked out. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. I sighed, smiling sadly as I said "I plan to get stronger Master..and by doing that I want to quit the guild.."

He didn't reply. He stared at me with eyes full of sadness and concern. I lowered my head and gritted my teeth. Tears started to form in my eyes. "In addition, it is also because of Team Natsu. Yesterday, they replaced me with Lisanna and it hurts me to see them together."

"What?" he asked "But Lisanna is on a mission and won't be back in two to three days.." he said rather thoughtfully. He looked at me, "Lucy, you don't have to leave. You could still stay here, you could train here."

"I don't want to stay here, Master.." I said "I don't even know if I should be mad at them.." Once again, I lowered my head at the same time covered my face with my hands. I don't know what to think anymore.

"Did only Natsu kick you out of the team without informing Erza and Gray?" Master suddenly asked.

"No...they all agreed to replace me with Lisanna..." My voice was low, I'm not even sure if Master even heard what I said. I'm hurting again.

Master was taken aback "I can't believe Erza agreed to this.." he muttered, massaging his forehead with his head. Moments later, He sighed and looked at me with a small frown on his face. "Lucy. I don't think that you're a replacement..."

He sat off his chair and stood up on the table. He looked at me, as he gently reached out his hand to gently pat my head. This sudden action, made me burst out to tears. I sniffed and looked at him

"...Master...will you please remove my mark..." He stopped patting my head.

"please" My voice was shaking.

"Very well, if you think is the right thing to do, then I won't stand in your way" he said in a sad tone. He sighs once again and with one snapped of his fingers, the mark on my right hand disappeared.

"Master please do me a favor. Please don't tell anyone about this, I don't want anyone stopping me and I FORBID them to look for me. Especially Natsu and the others" I said seriously as I wiped the tears in my eyes.

Master gave me a grin, fully understanding what I meant. "Okay Lucy..Have a safe trip"

As I turned my back on him I saw a glimpse of a tear run down his face. I smiled sadly "Thanks for everything Master..I promise that I'll be back"


-(Lucy's P.O.V)-

It's so hard to say goodbye. But well, for the first time I feel like I'm free again. I need to train hard!

But first I should get outta here before Natsu and his team comes back. Nevertheless, I'm surprised that they already took a mission after what happened yesterday. They could really be inconsiderate at time. I noticed that it was already 10 am so I quickly headed to the guild's doorway ignoring the stares from some mages. Especially from Mira who was looking at me worriedly, I flashed a 'fake' smile and a peace sign as I walked past the bar.

When I was at the doorstep I saw Natsu, Gray, Erza and Happy coming back from a mission. they were almost at the gate. I sighed. So much from getting outta here. I turned around and slowly walked back to enter the guild until I heard happy's voice "LUUUUCYYYY!" Happy shouted. Damn it. He saw me.

I turned around with a fake smile plastered on my face and said "Happy!" then he suddenly hugged me "Lucy I missed you!" he said. I hugged him back, of course. He looked at me and asked "Where are you going?" He was perhaps wondering why I was leaving the guild. I saw Natsu, Erza and Gray following behind.

"Etooo. I'm going to a mission" I said with a crooked smile as I scratched my cheek. I want to leave. Oh Kami-sama! Help me!

"Alone?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Yup!" I said in a cheerful voice "because my team replaced with somebody else.." I replied in a rather bitter tone. And at the exact time Natsu and the others caught up with Happy. I looked at them with straight face. They just stood there staring at me and Happy. Awkward.

Happy gave me a confusing look and asked "Lucy? What are you talking about? We're your team right?"

I faked a laugh "AHAHAHA!"

Well, not anymore Happy.

"Uhh..yeah..I just want to go on a mission alone.." I smiled at him. I just lied to Happy, Oh god I feel guilty. Natsu you idiot! Why didn't you tell Happy that you guys replaced me with Lisanna?!

"Can I come with you?" Happy asked, he's still hugging me, not really wanting to let go.

I smirked "No. Didn't I say I want to be alone?"

He frowned for a bit, but soon grinned and said "Aye! By the way Lucy! Natsu got a surprise for me!" He squealed then he hugged me again tightly. I smiled and patted him in the head, then I looked at Natsu "Really? I wonder what that surprised is?" They were still standing there, listening to our conversation. I thought they would just leave and went straight inside the guild. And I'm sure that the surprise is Natsu will tell Happy that Lisanna joined the team, and Lisanna replace Lucy. And then a celebration. Hahaha, well I wonder what Happy's reaction is?

"Are you sure you don't want to stay until the surprise?" Happy asked, he finally let go. He flew towards Natsu and landed on top of his head.

I refused and said "Oh don't worry, I think I know what the surprise is. And Happy you really should listen to what Natsu says. Even if it meant losing a nakama"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Happy asked, obviously dumbfounded. I smirked then looked away "Nothing~"

"You're Weird Lucy"

"Sure. Well anyways, See ya around" I give them a smile before leaving the guild. I'm sure gonna miss Happy. Well it's not like I'm not going to see him forever. I let a soft laugh. Well anyways I need to go to the train station.

My journey starts now!


(Edited: April 9, 2014)