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A/n: Thanks again meow Orbit for the words, please be as critical as you want. There is no such thing as hateful feedback to me.

had a friend look it over for me, hopefully shouldnt be bad.

Anyway enjoy the next installment of Divisions!

Please leave a Comment/ Critique/ Review if you enjoyed.

Chapter 3: Running

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The halls of the Heartfilia manor were dark, barren. At midnight most of the staff retired for the comfort of their rooms. Lucy was aware of the schedules that they had, and knew the routines they went through. She wasn't a 'master' to the staff, but rather a friend. Lucy never wanted them to hate her, especially after her mother died.

She crept around the corner, being careful to make no noise as she passed her father's bedchamber, the house was specifically designed so certain points would squeak and make a small noise, making it easier to guard the house. She fiented behind a pillar as Capricorn, her father's chosen head of the nightwatch, made his way around the corner.

"I know your behind that pillar. You might as well come out Lucy." Capricorn stated.

Lucy slowly came out from behind the pillar into the light of the flashlight.

"Hey cap," Lucy said, shifting back and forth nervously on her feet. "So I'm just up for some-"

"Exploration into your mother's study?"

"Ye- No. Wait how did you?-"

"The entire staff has heard about the conversation that happened Miss Lucy, we understand that your father was extensively rude. I expected you would want to leave for a while. And I suppose I was right in expecting that your mother's study would be the place you wanted to rest in."

"How did you know? I haven't been to her study in…

"Four years about, it will be five soon." Capricorn replied. He turned and begun to walk down the halls. "Remember Lucy we serve the Heartfelia name, not just your father." Capricorn grinned as he moved farther down the hall, leaving a stunned Lucy to gawk at his back.

Lucy followed him down the rest of the hall, glancing at memories permanently preserved in their beauty. Pictures and paintings of her mother, when she was alive, and even some of the things that she had discovered herself.

Capricorn walked up to the room. Its doors remained untouched by any members of the household for years. He opened the door and allowed Lucy inside, following after her.

"Here, I have one thing to give you before anything else happens. After that I will leave you to your own wiles." Capricorn moved forward and reached up onto a large dresser, its frame was dusty from years of disuse. He picked up a large book, its binding was leather bound, but still covered by plastic. He handed the book to Lucy.

"I was asked by Layla to give this to you. Especially to make sure you found it. She said you reminded her of herself, often adventurous and highly curious. I expect that it was meant as a compliment."

"Thank you Capricorn." Lucy looked at the pages of the book in front of her.

The Diary Of Layla Heartfelia.

"My mother kept a diary?" Lucy asked.

"It seems so," He smiled at her. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go rest for the remaining night. I'm rather tired and I believe that it's about time I check on the rest of the guards." Capricorn walked out of the room, a light whistle flowing from his mouth and a happy pace set by his feet."

"Wait. You're going to sleep? Why? I thought you patrolled all night?"

"Why, yes. Normally I do. But something about tonight tells me I should remain clear of the grounds, and make sure the guards take a rest as well." He turns and smirks at her. I even heard that Aires had prepared some rather nice travel pastries and a large packed lunch for your father tomorrow."

"Wh-Why are you telling me this?" Lucy asked, caution bleeding into her tone.

"Hmm? Oh don't mind me, its just the mumblings of an old servant." He began walking away into the house, slowly growing dim in the blackness of the hallway. He turned around once more then turned around, nodded once. He opened his mouth and whispered a small string of words, unheard by Lucy. But she thought she could make out what they were supposed to be.

"Good Luck Lucy, may you remain in good health."

"Well, he is rather happy isn't he." Erza stated sarcastically.

"Yeah, he is quite the ray of sunshine…" Juvia replied sarcastically.

The two were walking slowly down the street talking about a past friend, and an acquaintance. Natsu. It was growing close to 3 am but that did not bother either of the girls, Erza had already stated that she could sleep on the couch that Juvia had in their arbour. The two strolled peacefully in relative silence, occasionally talking about Natsu, then quickly quiet down as the weight of his sadness pushed them to sealing themselves off.

"I just wish Natsu could realize what happened to him."

"Do we know what happened in the first place?"

"No, I know he has a police record though." Erza replied sullenly. "But that's enough about Natsu, how have you been? I hardly get to talk to you alone now that Gray has been taking your time."

"Pfff, I wish he was, he hardly listens to me anyway."

"Oh come on Juvia! You and Gray are getting better, maybe you should try to just ignore him for a change, he might get annoyed and start coming after you." Erza winked at her blue haired friend and began chuckling as Juvia failed to hide her dumbfound face.

"Why haven't I tried that…" Juvia asked herself.

"Because you needed someone to tell you we is actually interested. Enough about Gray, he's off getting drunk as fuck anyway. How has that reasearch been going?"

"The research?" Juvia asked. "Oh! You mean the one I'm doing on the brains and nervous systems of animals? I thought you hated that."

"Yeah, the one I called really cruel at first…. Sorry about that by the way. I failed to realize how amazing it was until you saved that poor hound the other day."

"Oh, thanks… it wasn't really much. Wait you heard about that?"

"Yes… Yes I did." Erza replied, suddenly turning to hide her face. Rush of emotions purely visible through her facade.

"Erza? You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine, don't worry about it." The two finally arrived at the house, Erza stood at the porch for a moment before entering.

"You sure your okay Erza?" Juvia asked.

"Yeah, just some… old memories." Erza turned then pasted a smile to her face, "Come on, let's check on Natsu. I bet he's asleep or something."

"Or at work," Juvia replied sadly.

"He would work this late? Wow… before ne would never work past 10 pm…"

"Really? He has always worked late now… even gonna back in sometimes after working a full shift."

The two entered the kitchen, the lights were dimmed. All the cabinets were closed, their dark color draining the room of energy. All but one of them.

"That's odd, why is that one open." Juvia reached up and began to shut the door that overhung the fridge, its hinges were silent, unlike the rest of them. "Why is this… What is- Oh my god…" Juvia stepped back clutching a package in her hand, her fingers trembling. "DAMMIT NATSU!" She yelled.

"What is it? Did he do something? Do you need me to-"

"No Erza…. I made him promise me a while back he would stop… and apparently he never did."

"Stop what?" Erza asked, leaning down to pat Juvia on the back in comfort.

"Smoking… he had this terrible cough for a long time, but he quit for a bit. I made him promise me he would stop. DAMMIT, WE HAD A DEAL." Juvia stared at the package, tears threatening to come out.

"Hey Juvia-"

"I'm fine Erza just leave me alone."

"Juvia, read the date on the package." Erza said calmly.

"2015. Oh… what?" She opened the package and out poured a small handful of items, each one seemed to be of importance. First were four cigarettes, the rest were small packages, wrapped in linen cloth. A small twist tie from a common grocery bag tied each package together.

Juvia reached down and began to open the first cloth, a small scrap of paper fell out, heavily crumpled in an attempt to fit it in a tight space.

"What's that?" Erza asked. Leaning forward and grabbing another cloth wrap from the ground.

"When I told him to quit.. He had about 8 left before the pack was gone… I remember this pack, it's the one I tried to burn…" Juvia picked up the cigarette package again and looked sadly at the side.

"How do you know for sure it was- oh it's burnt on the side." Erza observed as Juvia turned it around. "What actually happened that day?"

"It was a while back, maybe three years ago… a little bit after he first helped me…" Juvia began to slowly twirl the box in her hands, lost in the thoughts pervading her mind. "And it was around the time I really started to realize that something happened. He finally started to talk a bit to me. When he first helped me he was a wall of stone…"

"Hey Juvia, if you don't want to continue-" Erza began.

"No it's fine, I need to say it I think." Juvia moved the box away from her hand. "But I realized that something serious happened to Natsu, I just got so mad that someone who was nice enough to help me when I really needed it was ruining himself…"

"Have you ever gotten to talk about his past? I haven't talked to him at all. I guess we all forgot about him when he suddenly disappeared. Lisanna said something once but we all assumed he moved since he just stopped showing up one day." Erza sat back up and leaned against the wall behind her, slowly looking at Juvia's depressed expression.

"I wonder why he decided to help you still though, I'm glad he did. It means some part of him hasn't given up. Nobody deserves to fully give up. No matter what this world puts them through… we really need each other to survive."

"Erza…" Juvia looked at her red haired friend, he face a blank expression. "That's not just something you picked up somewhere. What happened for you?"

"Its… nothing. But anyway lets see what's in these bags." Erza reached down and began to untie the first one, a curious expression painted across her features.

Lucy looked down at the diary in her hands, its pages were delicate, and nothing that she ever expected. Slowly she opened the old tome, dust rising slightly as she moved the cover. The first few pages were completely blank. The first one with writing however made her completely pause. Her heart began beating rapidly, The simple words across the page meant the world to her. It was something she hadn't heard for a long time.

To My Loving Daughter, May You One Day Find This.

Tears formed in Lucy's eyes. She raised her hand to the page slowly, as if a single breath would blow it away. She set the book onto the table next to her, on it sat many instruments that she remembered her mother using.

"Mom…" Lucy touched the book again, pushing it slowly.

A single piece of paper fell from the book, as if the book had begun to shed.

"Whats this?" Lucy said aloud, her intrest distracted momentarily.

She picked it up, delaying the unfolding as she read the cover. It was written in a messier yet recognizable script. That of her mother's when she found something and began to think faster than she could write.

Though, possibly, in a frantic manner.

Lucy began to read the script on the paper its words were simple, not complex and blunt. Unlike her mother in every way.

Lucy,

I hope you read this in time, once you enter this room again I need a final favor.

I entrusted this diary to Capricorn for the time being, something is happening that I can't explain.

Weird reactions and research vanishing overnight.

Once you find this memorize it, and burn it.

Maybe keep it somewhere safe.

But never, never tell anyone else about it.

At least not until your ready.

-We are counting on you, both the dragon and Fairy.

"Dragon and fairy?" Lucy stuttered out. "What the hell does that even mean…"

She got up and began to look over the items strewn about the table once more. On it sat some vials and basic measurement equipment, as long as marine biologists had the tools of a butcher.

"Ok, Lucy." She said to herself. "You need to get out of here before something happens."

She picked up her mother's notebook and grabbed the small note that had fallen out of it quickly, she moved as silently as possible to move the chair back, then placed her hand onto the lamp on her mother's desk one more time. It shifted slightly as she touched it, slowly falling under the pressure as if it was some form of pillow.

Lucy smiled as it pressed down, remembering how protective her mother was of the lamp. She would always tell Lucy to never touch it no matter what she did. It felt rather nice to finally be able to feel something her mother must have valued highly

Lucy placed her mother diary into her hand and snuck back down the hall. She lowered her guard as she noticed that there were no patrols at all.

"Why is there?- Oh right capricorn had them off duty." Lucy said quietly to herself.

She walked casually down the hall to the kitchen and peeked inside, on the counter sat a highly compact package of food and some water, enough for a small feast.

Or rations for a hiking trip.

Lucy leaned forward and gripped the bag, slowly pulling it towards her.

Then she saw the hand gripping the other side of the bag.

Aries lay silently snoring across the table, her head had fallen onto a book in peaceful manner. However this peaceful manner was about to be interrupted as Lucy slowly moved her hand forward and set it aside.

"Sorry Aries, I hope my dad isnt too mad about this…" Lucy frowned as she thought what her dad would do to her. "I will make it up to you somehow."

Lucy slowly crept out of the room, cautious to avoid the loose tiles in the floor and pranced to her room.

From behind her she thought she heard a voice for a moment, if she had turned around there sat many statues against a pillar that led to the east wing, her father's study. Each of the statues were an equal distance apart and made of a cold hardened marble. The color reflected in the moonlight on all the statues.

All but one. It slowly began to follow Lucy. She ran into her room for just a moment, then quickly came back out, a backpack and small purse on her back and shoulder. She made her way down the stairs to the front of the mansion and opened the front door, letting it slowly slide till it almost closed. The figure stopped the door right before it closed and used a cloth to guide it back onto the hinges, muffling the usually loud bang it could make.

The figure slowly drew his hood back and shook his head as his shaggy mane came to rest on his shoulders. The orange color glowing brighter than the lion statues from where he had began to follow Lucy.

"Good luck, please succeed… for all of our sakes."

The servant and friend of Lucy turned towards the tray in his hand, it contained three simple items.

A teapot, cold now from the time it had been left out, sat on the tray. Its contents diminished by a single person as a midnight drink before bed. Beside it was a silver cup decorated with an elaborate amount of gold leafs. Each connecting together to form a distinguishable vine.

The final item on the tray was a small vile. It had label on it done in simple handwriting from a pharmacist. It was labeled as sleeping pills.

Leo looked forward into the direction Lucy had run off too, worries began to creep among his thoughts.

"So, you think it will work okay?" Asked a voice, Leo felt his arm get tugged down slightly and his sleeve become rumpled. He looked down and smiled brightly.

"Yes my dear, I believe we will be fine," Leo wrapped his free arm around Aries, her small form snuggled against his in the cold of the night. The leaves had started to turn again.

Maybe… that's why they call it fall. Leo thought to himself. It's not just about the trees starting anew… but everyone. All the world in its cycle… Leo looked down at the head chef in his arms and smiled softly.

"Come on Aries, let's tell the cap it was a success." Leo pulled her after him and reentered the house.

"And prepare for the wrath of Mr. Heartfelia?"

"Actually… I think I have a plan with that one…" Leo smirked and made his way to the mess hall where the rest of the maids were stationed, refusing to answer anything that Aries asked.

Cling.

It was a soft sound, like a small pile of pillows decided to take a few steps or possibly an angel decided to laugh. But this small object was neither. Erza looked at the small band curiously.

"Is this a ring?" Erza asked.

"No it's a sword, Erza, can't you see?" Juvia replied sarcastically.

"It is? That is impressive then, you have good eyes."

"What? Did you just- oh nevermind." Juvia buried her face in her hands as she thought Erza believed it was a sword.

"I'm not an idiot, Juvia, I do understand humor, ya know." Erza smirked at the girl next to her.

"Really? I cant believe that's possible. When did you learn to?"

"Honestly… ever since Natsu left. I slowly began to try to be the funny one for a while. Without Natsu everyone kinda gets grim and grumpy…"

"And now he's the grim and grumpy…"

"Lets leave off of Natsu for the time being. What is this ring anyway? I have never seen anything like it." Erza replied

"What if he was gonna be forced into a marriage and something happened?" Juvia said.

"No, the Natsu of then would have been vocal about it. Something had to have happened."

Erza slowly untied the second bag, this time a small slip of paper fell to the floor. Its cover was sealed in wax. The wax seal had a small dragon shaped emblem imprinted on it. Erza slowly began to open it, slowly peeling away the wax.

"What the fuck are you doing? And why are- NO." A voice yelled.

Natsu stood in the now open doorway that led to the rear deck, the last few remains of a cigarette in his hand. A frown covered his features, his fists clenched at his side.

"Hey we were worried-"

"Whatever," Natsu moved forward and gathered the small array of things off the floor. Each of the bags he placed carefully bag into the box, then into his longsleeved jacket. "Its rude to go through people's stuff you know." He turned and walked out of the room, only to stop when a hand grabbed his wrist.

"What happened to you Natsu… You were once-" Erza started.

"Once what? Useful? Happy? Maybe even fun? That Natsu died a long time ago. Now leave me alone." Natsu flinched slightly as Erza squeezed his arm desperately.

"Natsu… please let us help…"

"Help? Where the fuck were you then? You people forgot I existed, you knew where I lived. And who showed up to check on me when i needed it? Nobody. Not a damn soul, Miss Scarlet. Not even Lisanna came to check on me." Natsu stood in the doorframe, Ezra desperately holding on to his arm trying to keep him in the room. Her head was bowed to the ground in shame.

"Natsu… I just assumed that you had left the city or something. Its like you vanished. But I never forgot… Natsu please, at least listen to me-"

"No, Miss Scarlet."

"My name is Erza, dammit!" Erza shouted as she spun Natsu around with his arms, gripping his shoulders and keeping him arms length away. The Scarlet haired woman stared him dead in the eye. "I still want to help Natsu… this isn't you."

"Well that really damn sucks, because it is now." He replied attempting to get out of Erza's grip, She tightened her hold and he flinched in response as she gripped his arms to hold him firmer in place.

"You do realize how early in the morning it is right? Go to sleep or something." Natsu refused to meet Erza's gaze. He pulled out of her grasp finally, moving his hand to crable the box of possessions they had been going through."

"Natsu… Please listen to her…" Juvia pleaded.

"Oh, please not you too. Fuck this I'm going to work."

Erza reached out and grabbed his arm, squeezing tightly at the edge of his forearm. Then released him without saying a word. Natsu simply flinched and walked out. Erza stared at her hand, a confused look on her face.

"Erza… thanks for trying.. But-"

"There is more than just his hope that's messed up… Something else is at risk here. And if I'm thinking this is what it is then we really need to help him. No matter what he tries to do."

"Umm… what are you talking about Erza?" Juvia asked, edging closer to look at her hand.

"Because this is blood. There was blood seeping through that sleeve. And it was fresh… still wet and not scabbed. As if he is stabbing himself."

"Oh my god." Juvia fell to her knees and looked at the now depleted cigarette butt that natsu had left on the table. "What have… w-what kind of person am I?" Juvia yelled, tears began to fall down her nose and make a path to her chin. "He helped me so much, risked his own welfare when I was sick even. And I couldn't fucking tell he was suffering. And I don't even know how long it has been." Juvia sobbs onto the floor, her hands braced against the now cold tile.

"Juvia, I don't think he wanted you to know." Erza said. "And that tells me there is still some part that can mend… no matter what, I promise you we can find a way to get him back to normal."

"Thank you Erza… I really hope we can." Juvia looks up to the cabinet where she had pulled the box from. She stands up and walks over to it, beginning to close the door.

Then she stops and stares.

"Juvia?" Erza asks.

Juvia reaches forward with trembling hands, each finger quaking as she pulls out a small frame. The edge was a simple brown unstained, unadorned slab of wood. No fancy curves or embroidered edges were present. In the middle was a simple picture, one of a young boy who she assumed was natsu. But holding onto the younger Natsu was a man she had never seen before. His hair was long and had a single ponytail that went down to the hips. A black jacket ran up his figure and tinted glasses sat atop his head. The cheekbones were defined and well placed.

"This must be part of it… Natsu has never talked about his family… ever…"

"His name was Igneel, I believe." Erza stated as she looked at the frame. If Natsu lost his father… my god, why would something like that happen to a child…" Erza hugged Juvia as she began to break into tears of her own helplessness, slowly crying into her shoulder.

Lucy looked into her mirror again. Fearing the worst when another vehicle passes her by. Trees had begun to speed past the windows of the vehicle that she had taken from the lot.

She thought it was strange how easy everything went. Each servant had been perfectly capable…

"Holy shit," she exclaimed loudly, nearly losing control of the car as she took a sharp turn into a town simply called Magnolia. "They knew I was going to leave. And they let me too…" She looks out the window as she slows down at the bottom of the ramp. The scenery was nice. It was completely new to her as well.

Billboards advertising shops were held atop long poles, trees lined the streets where there was not a building making itself known. Small sidewalks lined the edges of the street. She drove slowly down the street keeping an eye on the scenery and looking for a hotel. Then everything went to chaos.

The man pulled the rifle to his chest, it's cold barrel a weight against his skin. He dropped his scope back into the bag, slowly pulling the small caliber round out of the rifle.

"Why does it have to be like this. He pulled his hood down farther over his eyes, pulling out his phone and typing the first and only number saved in the contacts list.

"I assume you have a finished your task?"

"I believe so," The man answered, shouldering the now packaged rifle onto his shoulder, he began to walk to his camero, its metallic blue surface glinting in the moonlight. "But there is no true way to know for now.

"Well, did you put a bullet in the head?" The voice asked.

"I believe so, however the car was armoured. No telling how it reacted."

"That is troubling… but no matter, you can live as you please for now. Thank you." The line threw back static as the man threw it beneath his feet and stomped on it.

"Damn you." he said aloud. "DAMN YOU." He shoved the broken phone over with his foot so it landed in the bushes. The man walked over to his car a single drop falling down his face. He pulled open the door and threw his bag into the back and sat on the driver's seat. He pulled his hands into his head and began to chant slowly to himself.

"Remember you do this for her, you do this for them. Stop now and they will fall."

He repeated his mantra multiple times until he began to calm down. He looked into his palms, his eyes wide with fear.

"What am I becoming?" He stated. "Why… why does this shit have to be like this…"

He dropped his head into his hands, sobbing quietly as he sat in the car.

Behind him the gun simply sat still. Unmoved. Unprovoked. Like a simple tool used to change something in someone's life, just another creative tool for mankind.

A creative tool he had almost used to kill someone.

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Oh my, who is this? anyone have a guess? I wont spoil it but it shouldn't be that much of a surprise. ;)

Take care and happy reads!