Thank you for taking the time to review, those of you that have :) I'm glad you like it! And to the favers and followers and whomever else is reading this, much love .

I apologize if the length isn't quite as long as you'd prefer. I'll work on making them longer.

Shall we?

Chapter Two: Flee

Night had long since fallen and yet Lucy couldn't find it in herself to relax enough to sleep. Sure she was tired as all hell having just returned from a mission, but her body had wound itself up tight when Carla told her of the vision she had not long before she showed up, and so all her daydreams of crashing on her semi-comfortable bed as soon as she got back, respectively flew out the window.

She found herself drifting aimlessly in the small lake she had created behind their house, watching the clouds pass above her with a completely blank look on her face.

"He's coming.. I'm not completely sure when.. but I do know it will be during the day and it will also be raining.."

If only she had a weather predicting spirit. That way she'd know for sure and be ready. The last thing she wanted was to be caught unaware.

Then again.. she could always just leave before he even got there.. the rest of Carlas' vision was enough to make her want to..

*-*Flashback*-*

"Did you see anything else? Other than him and happy dropping on the beach?"

"I.. yes.. a little.."

"So? What happened?"

The poor exceed turned beet red and looked so uncomfortable that Lucy thought she was going to fly away without answering.

"I don't..."

"Did you see.. how I reacted to seeing him?"

"Yes.."

"And?"

"I.. don't feel it appro-"

"How did I react Carla?!"

"You tackle him down and kiss him alright! Right in front of Wendy and I, might I add! Have you no decency?! No shame?!"

"Why the hell are you yelling at me?! I haven't even done anything!"

"Not yet! But you will!."

*-*End of^*-*

She had frozen then and her eyes had widened as it dawned on her.

She was going to kiss him..and that was exactly what she was afraid of.

The scenario of meeting up with the dragonslayer played in her head so many times, but no matter how violent she would make them, deep down inside she knew exactly what would happen..

As soon as she lays eyes on that damn grin she had become so fond of, she would fall into his arms a sobbing mess.. she would forget all about her feelings of abandonment and anger, and forgive him instantly. Because it is Natsu.. and she could never stay mad at that moron for long.

Having Carla confirm what she hoped wouldn't happen only pissed her off even more. She didn't want to let him off the hook straight away. It was too easy.

"I'm aware that the water element doesn't effect you the same way anymore Lucy, but perhaps you should come inside in case your luck runs out and you end up bed ridden with a fever."

Lucy draped an arm over her eyes and scowled. "I'm thinking." She grumbled. "And I can't sleep."

"Try."

"Can't be bothered."

Carla huffed and studied the blonde with a critical eye. They had all grown much closer over the years. So close in fact, that Wendy often called her 'big sis', and Carla herself could read her like an open book.

"If it's troubling you this much, we could always leave."

Lucy sighed and sat up as though she were on solid ground. She folded her legs beneath her, one hand resting on her leg, and the other clenched on her lap, and Carlas' eye twitched.

In the beginning, over the hard months of training and struggling to survive, Lucy had begun to resemble her Edolas counterpart so much that it was honestly a tad bit disconcerting. She wasn't sure what she disapproved of more, 'sluttish looking Lucy', or 'biker looking Lucy'. She would never be a fan of those chains that hung around her neck and outfit..

"I should be excited." Lucy said as she flexed her fingers. "But I'm still so incredibly pissed off with him."

"Yes well, I doubt your anger will pass until you have a good go at him."

Lucy chuckled. "Perhaps.."

She dipped her finger into the water and began swirling it around slowly, creating a small whirlpool as a wistful look passed over her face. "To be honest I've been looking forward to knocking his teeth out for a very long time.. but now that I know I'll be seeing him soon? I don't know.."

Carla floated down until they were eye level and offered her a smile. "Then let's go. We can leave tonight."

Lucy sighed and shook her head. "I couldn't do that to the two of you. It wouldn't be fair."

Gone was the smile Carla was sporting and a frown slash glare combo replaced it. "We're family." She hissed. "And we stick together no matter what! Or have you forgotten that?"

"Of course not." Lucy snapped back. "But it wouldn't be fair! Dragging the two of you around with me just because I'm not ready to see that pink haired idiot yet? Yeah, not going to happen."

"I'm in."

Lucy and Carla blinked and turned their heads to see Wendy standing on the river bank grinning back at them.

"I woke up and could hear the two of you out here so I thought I'd come check to see if you guys were alright." She said before either of her guardians opened their mouths to ask why she was up. "I heard everything. And I think we should totally do it. I mean, Natsu left first right? It's only fair."

Lucy laughed when Wendy finished off with a wink whereas Carla sighed and shook her head. "I swear.. what am I going to do with the two of you?"

"More like what would you do without us. Right Wendy?" Lucy teased as she stood and poked the exceed in the middle of her forehead when she passed by.

Wendy giggled at Carlas miffed expression and smiled up at the blonde as she stopped in front of her.

"You sure you don't mind? I could always drop you off somewhere.."

"Yeah. Like that's going to happen." Wendy answered with a laugh. "We three stick together no matter what! Besides, I think it'll be fun."

"Think he'll get mad when he finds out we're dodging him like the plague?"

Wendy gave her a look that screamed 'obviously' and Carla rolled her eyes thinking the exact same thing making Lucy snicker. "Point taken."

"You realize that it will only make him that more determined right?" Carla piped in. "He's as stubborn as you are after all."

"Ah but you're forgetting the advantage we have over him." Lucy replied as she wagged a finger at the cat. "He gets motion sick, we don't."

"Minor set back." Carla rebuffed. "He has Happy. And if that tomcat has been training as much as Natsu has, then I'm sure travelling at top speed to reach their destination won't take much effort."

Lucys' grin faltered and she began to pout until Wendy raised her fist, a twinkle in her eyes and a smirk on her face. "Then let's leave them in our dust."

Carla sighed once more as the two bumped fists with matching grins on their faces. She watched as they ran inside to start packing and couldn't help but feel that she was in need of a vacation. Preferably alone. And for at least a whole week.

It hadn't taken them long to find out where the blonde was staying.

They had asked around Magnolia and found out that almost everyone had moved away. The only one that was still in the city was Max.

A few questions (threats) here and there and the beige haired man was spilling the information as though his life depended on it. Which, at the time, seemed to be the case.

He'd just have to remember to apologize to Max when they met up again.

"There it is buddy.. that's where she's staying with Wendy and Carla.." Natsu exclaimed as they approached the island. "Let's circle it first.."

"Aye sir!" Happy answered and swooped down a little lower. "Can you see anything other than trees?"

Natsu frowned and glanced over everything they passed until he saw a roof peeking through the canopy.

"Straight down buddy!"

Happy wasted no time and flew them down. They landed at what looked to be the back of the house, but made no move to head any further.

"I'm kinda nervous now.." Happy said as he floated down to rest atop Natsus' head.

"Me too."

"And a little scared.."

"Definitely scared." Natsu agreed as he swallowed thickly. "But there's no point waiting around.. let's just go in there and see what happens.."

Happy tried to hide amongst Natsus' wild hair and nodded. "Aye sir" He whispered. "She probably already knows we're here anyway.."

"Only one way to find out.."

And so in true Natsu fashion, he marched right up to one of the open windows and jumped in.

When they were met with empty space and an eerie silence, Happys' ears flattened against his head. Surely if they were home, they'd have ran out by now.

"I don't think they're home yet.." He said sadly. "But we can wait here until they get back right?"

"Of course!" Natsu answered with a grin. "Let's investigate while we wait!"

"Aye!"

The house was indeed small, but the atmosphere was cosy and the girls scents were every where so they were definitely in the right place.

A few minutes later, Natsu found himself standing in the doorway of one of the rooms and instinctively inhaled deeply. The color scheme was the complete opposite of her previous room, but this was definitely Lucys'. Her scent was the strongest here.

"Is this one Lucys'?" Happy asked excitedly as he flew inside."

"Sure is.." Natsu answered back with a grin.

He was about to leap onto her bed to see if it was as soft as her last one, until something caught his eye.

"What's that you got?"

Natsu lifted the small envelope up off the desk and felt his stomach drop when he caught sight of the 'L' sticker it was closed with.

"Is that a letter?" The exceed enquired, flying over to get a better look. "Open it!"

And so with slightly shaking fingers he did.

Happy watched as the paper slipped from Natsus' fingers and wondered what on earthland he had read to make his face look so stupid.

"Uh... Natsu? Are you.. okay?"

"Time to move out Happy." Natsu said as he punched his open palm with an ignited fist and a smirk on his face. "Looks like our mission to get Lucy has just started."

Happy blinked a few times before picking up the letter and following his friend back out of the house. He scanned over the letter and couldn't help but sigh.

I'm going on a journey (because you're a rotten jerk) with Wendy and Carla.

When I'll be back is none of your business (again, because you're a rotten jerk)

Give Happy the heads up okay? (Because unlike you, he's not a rotten jerk)

See you never, asshole! (Lucky you! A new name!)

Ps: Don't bother trying to catch up to us, it won't happen.

Lucy, Wendy, & Carla.

A/N ~ And so ends chapter two. Did you enjoy it ? :) chapter three won't be too far away. Until then :)