Chapter 2

Lucy froze. There were very few people outside of the guild that knew her last name, even less that knew the connections that brought with it. Although, the association to her father was usually the one in question, not her mother. And NO ONE referred to her as "Lady Layla". She was almost – no, she was afraid – to face her interrogator, not because of the voice, but the magical presence the person possessed. But, she had to know, so scarcely breathing, she slowly turned to face their tracker. She was surprised by the sight that awaited her.

"Who wants to know," she heard Natsu say in a threatening tone. He had already stepped between her and the stranger, fists aflame. She could tell that he wouldn't hesitate to act if this person so much as breathed in her direction.

The stranger had a look of displeasure on her face. Lucy could see that it was a young woman, possibly around her age, with green hair styled in a short bob cut along with two, blue cross-shaped objects attached to the sides of her head like horns, and eyes the color of jade. Gold cross-shaped earrings dangled from her ears, and she was wearing something akin to that of a burgundy swimsuit, displaying her huge bust and a fancy golden coat with purple-indented flower patterns across its design, with blue fur trim around the collar. Lucy also noticed she wore a gold choker around her neck with chains attached to it, running across her back in a T-shaped pattern. Her outfit was completed by a pair of dark-brown high heels with purple nail polish coat on her toenails and a mark of association unknown to Lucy on her right thigh. She did not appear to have malevolent intentions, but Lucy had been kidnapped enough times to suspect anyone. But although she was suspicious of the woman, this was not a conversation she wanted to have on the street in front of her apartment. Unlocking the door, she opened it and motioned for her to come in. "Please," Lucy said. She could feel Natsu look at her in shock, but he stepped to the side to let the stranger pass and followed her inside, and Lucy closed the door behind them.

The woman took a step forward, and Lucy felt Natsu's flames flare up. If the woman felt at all intimidated by the dragon slayer, she hid it well. In fact, Lucy's unexpected guest's expression changed from displeasure to one of sheer annoyance with Natsu's nonverbal threat. It actually reminded Lucy of Aquarius, and if the atmosphere hadn't been so serious she might have cracked a smile. "My name is Brandish Miu. My mother knew Lady Layla, and has been looking for her daughter. It was her dying wish that I continue the search in her stead."

Natsu was already on high alert, standing between Lucy and the stranger with fists flaming. He was surprised to see a woman, especially one so similar in build and age to Lucy, but that wasn't going to stop him if she made a move to hurt his friend. That magical energy was unsettling to say the least.

"Who wants to know?" he growled fiercely. He eyed her up and down, taking note of her expression and guessed she didn't wish to be there as much as her presence wasn't wanted. He paused as he noticed the tattoo on her right thigh, his brows furrowing in suspicion. He had never seen one like that before, not even from the dark guilds, but he was sure that it couldn't possibly be good. He would definitely be asking Gramps about it later.

He knew from experience that appearances could be deceiving, the perfect example being the sky dragon slayer Wendy Marvel. Still the sweet girl the two had met from Caitshelter, but now also the stuff of legend having destroyed one of the Faces in the battle of Tartaros. He wasn't taking any chances with this person. NOBODY was getting near Lucy without her say-so.

Suddenly he heard a key turn and then a door open behind him. "Please," Lucy said, motioning for the woman to enter. What are you doing!? He couldn't manage any other coherent thought besides that as he stared at her. But, choosing to trust her instincts in this instance, he stepped to the side to let the woman pass and followed her inside. Behind him, Lucy entered and closed the door behind them. The woman took a step forward, and he let his flames flare. Even though Lucy would be mad, he wanted to make sure the impromptu guest got the message. The only response he got from the woman was a look of annoyance.

"My name is Brandish Miu," the woman said finally. "My mother knew Lady Layla, and has been looking for her daughter. It was her dying wish that I continue the search in her stead."

"Please, come in," Lucy said, walking into the main living area and motioning to the couch. Brandish followed and sat down, claiming it as if it were her throne while Lucy brought one of the chairs from the kitchen and sat in front of her with a glass of water in hand. She offered her some as well, but Brandish ignored her. Natsu stood next to Lucy with his arms crossed. Lucy sighed and sat down in front of the woman on the couch.

Better figure out what this is all about... she thought to herself as she took a deep breath.

"I am Lucy Heartfilia," she said, confirming what Brandish already figured out. "And I'm sorry for your loss. But I have no idea who your mother was, or why she would have been looking for me." She looked at the girl on her couch expectantly, hoping to coax her into telling her more.

"My mother's name was Grammi, and a former student of Lady Layla." Looking down at her lap, Brandish smiled softly. "I suppose part of the reason she looked for you is our mothers hoped one day that we would be friends."

Lucy eyebrows raised, taken aback by her statement. Obviously her mother and this Grammi woman had a strong relationship at one time for them to wish the two young women would be friends. She could tell by the woman's reaction that the death of her mother had affected her greatly. Lucy couldn't remember her mother ever mentioning that name, however, so she decided to remain silent, hoping the young woman would continue.

Shifting her gaze to Natsu, Brandish's smile faded and her expression became guarded. Her tone grew serious again as she spoke. "And who might you be? I was not told Lady Layla had a son."

Natsu scoffed at her comment, knowing full well that Brandish didn't feel he needed to be part of this conversation. "This is my friend Natsu," Lucy told her, finishing the introductions. "You can trust him."

"He is a fire wizard, I see,"she said flatly.

"Fire Dragon Slayer," he answered gruffly.

Lucy watched as Brandish's eyes narrowed. "... You are one of the Five...the one called END."

Now she had Natsu's attention as well. "Not anymore," he growled. His eyes betrayed him however with the surprise and fear that flickered there before filling with anger again. Putting one hand out to his side to shield Lucy and making the other into a flaming fist, Natsu's voice grew quiet and frightening. "Who sent you? And how do you know about that?"

Lucy looked from Natsu to Brandish in confusion. Who IS this woman? And what does she mean by "the Five"?

A strange smile crossed her lips. "I am actually quite knowledgeable on the subject of END. Emperor Spriggan was very fond of you, even willing to battle a lone wizard on Tenrou Island to decide your fate." Eyes wide with shock, Natsu pulled back and extinguished his flame. "You know Zeref?"

Ignoring his question, Brandish turned to Lucy. "The two of you are able to remain friends, even after what happened?"

"What are you talking about?" she said incredulously. "Of course we're friends. Natsu is my best friend!" She was getting tired of all the runaround questions. Get to the point already!

Brandish's eyebrow raised. She doesn't know...

"Just tell us what this is all about," Natsu said in a low voice, his patience running low as well.

Brandish took an exasperated breath. This was not part of her promise to her mother, and now she was stuck here with Lady Layla's daughter, oblivious to her mother's tragic demise. She wasn't expecting this little variable, and found it troublesome to have to spell things out for this ignorant girl. "The Five are the reason your mother died."

Natsu felt his blood boiling in his veins as the flames threatened to surround his body in his anger. He decided that she had to be talking about the five Dragon Slayers – Wendy, Gajeel, Sting, Rogue, and Natsu. He didn't like at all what she was insinuating, though. How dare she walk in here and accuse him of being responsible for Lucy's mother's death! And he really didn't like her mention of the term END. That was a dark reminder of his past with Zeref, and something that he wanted to keep that way: in the past. Suddenly, he heard a gasp and turned to look at Lucy. Her eyes wide and mouth open in shock, her hand dropped the glass of water she was holding. It fell to the floor and tipped over, spilling water all over the carpet, but she made no attempt to pick it up. "What did you say?" he heard her say under her breath. Struggling to keep his composure, he glared at the woman and attempted to keep his voice even. "Care to explain what exactly you mean by that?"

Brandish looked back at him with a coldness that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Her every feature seemed to lack even the smallest indication of sympathy. "I didn't realize that Lady Lucy was unaware of the details regarding Lady Layla's passing. It must be quite a shock to know that someone she calls her friend was responsible."

Teeth clenched, Natsu let out a deep low growl. The dragon slayer was quickly reaching his breaking point with this woman.

"That's not possible. My mother never knew Natsu." Lucy's voice was quiet but firm, trying desperately to rationalize what she had just been told. Her head was lowered so her bangs concealed her eyes, but he could smell the salty tears that were forming.

The green-haired woman's icy gaze turned to Lucy. "Lady Layla was a Celestial Wizard, was she not?"

Lucy nodded. She had fond memories of her mother promising to teach her to summon the spirits when she was old enough. Although, as fate would have it, Layla would never get the chance.

"Then you must have known about the decree placed upon your family."

Lucy shook her head.

Natsu watched the conversation between the two women carefully. "Maybe you had better start at the beginning, so we all know what the heck you're trying to say."

Brandish rolled her eyes at the dragon slayer and moaned in annoyance. This was becoming more troublesome by the minute. "Very well," she said finally. "It would appear I have no choice." Turning to Lucy, she said, "I'll take that glass of water now."