A/N: Yo! Chapter 7: A New Comrade is now finished! Thanks for holding on and being patient. I'm trying my best to keep updating quickly! Thanks for being patient and for giving me much needed support. I will be continuing this fanfic as a Sticy, but if you want to read a Naiya x Lucy fanfic, then I can make another alternate path of the story in a seperate fanfic. OR, I can make it as a sequel to this one. Sting can break Lucy's heart (so cruel) and Lucy will go to Naiya. Of course, only if you want it. The alternate path would start from chapter 4. Anyways, I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL! FAIRY TAIL BELONGS TO HIRO MASHIMA! Well, read chapter 7 and enjoy! Please review and if you are confused about anything, then please tell me and I will explain it to you! Thanks for the continual support! Shout out to madeline-chan09 and her awesome reviews! Arigato Miina!

PS: I got a review saying that the links from chapter 5 did not work so I have the links on my profile. If they still do not work, please let me know! Thank you!

Chapter 7: A New Comrade

Recap: As I reached the cavern of the twin monsters, blondie's scent was getting stronger by the second and I could start to smell blood tainting her scent. I ran and with each step, I sweatdropped and grew paler. I was scared. Scared that I was too late.

Sting's POV In the cavern...

I roared, "No! Roar of the White Dragon!" I shot a beam of light at the monsters as I saw they were about to attack her. I could see that she was already defenseless and unconscious. I couldn't sense any magic power from her anymore, but I knew she was still alive from the faint rising and falling of her side. My magic hit the two monsters and they stumbled backwards. While they were distracted, I sprinted to the blonde and picked her up bridal-style. Then, when she was securely in my arms, I ran the heck out of there!

I liked how her in my arms. The feeling of her warmth against my chest in the freezing cold mountains. I clutched her closer to me and her head fell against my chest. I folded her arms around my neck and held her close as I sprinted.

I brought her back to the cave where I first smelled her scent in the mountains. I gently lay her on the ground and took off my jacket (A/N: Sting had put on a jacket sweater thingy before running to the mountains.) to make a cushion for her to lie down on. After all, the floor was cold and she was critically wounded. I treated her wounds and gave her little bit of my magic power. When I did, a maid popped up out of nowhere in a poof of smoke. And the best thing was that she had a first aid kit with her.

"Hello. I am Virgo, Hime's spirit. I am here to treat her wounds and get her back to health." the maid said plainly. I simply nodded and moved away. I tried to get a fire going so I wouldn't freeze to death either. When the maid was done, she bid me thanks for helping her master and disappeared.

I crawled back to her and sighed in relief. Her color was back and her breathing was stronger. Since she was all bandaged up, her bleeding had stopped and her cuts were disinfected. The only problem was that she seemed to be shivering. She also had a frown on her face as if she was still suffering, despite her physical body being in fine condition now, thanks to Virgo. As I gave blondie some of my magic power, her frown disappeared and her breathing became deeper and stronger. I assumed she was no longer unconscious, but more along the lines of sleeping peacefully rather than being in pain from injuries. I could only lay down next to her and share my body heat in order to warm her up. The fire I had attempted to make was lit, but still too weak to help. It gave us light and all I could do sleep and wait for the next morning.

Lucy's POV

When I awoke the next morning, I felt a heat source nearby and I snuggled closer to it because I was cold. I was getting comfortable until I felt the heat source move. Wait...move?! My eyes bolted open and when I tried to sit up, I felt an arm holding me down. I saw a guy sleeping there, next to me. He had blond hair too, but a few shades lighter than mine. He seemed to be about my age, but when I looked at his shoulder, I saw his white Sabertooth insignia and I also noticed his well-toned chest.

He's pretty hot. Temperature-wise and physical appearance. Wait a sec! What the heck am I thinking! I think I recognize him. He's that guy I saw on the train two days ago, he's one of the Twin Dragon Slayers from Sabertooth. But why is he here? Why would he be with a weak little "fairy" like me? I sighed and pushed his arm off of me. When I got up, I heard him groan and his eyes fluttered open. He squinted and sat up. Yawned real widely and stretched. He was almost like a big cat. Just waking up in the morning and all lazy. I giggled at the thought and looked away.

"What?" he asked. "What's so funny?"

I laughed louder. "The way you woke up." When I finally stopped laughing, I came to common sense and decided to ask him the main question. "Why are you here anyways? I'm sure I was fighting against the twin monsters in the Danaru Ken Mountains. But then why are you here, and why am I all bandaged up? I thought I died." I inquired with a suspicious look on my face. Right when I was about to ask who he was, he cut me off.

"Before you ask me any questions, isn't it common courtesy to introduce yourself first?" he rolled his eyes and smirked. "I'm Sting Eucliffe and the white dragon slayer. One of the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth and a member of the guild Sabertooth. Now who are you?" he introduced himself and I smiled, happy to know that my guess was right.

"Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia. I'm a celestial mage and a member of the guild..." I trailed off. I didn't want to say the name. I didn't want to remember any painful memories. Of being ignored. Being called weak. Being a replacement. And I definitely didn't want to think of him...

"Oi!" Sting called. "Finish your sentence. Which guild do you belong to?" he asked me clearly. I couldn't bring myself to say it so I just faked a smile and showed him the back of my right hand. "Oooh! So you are part of Fairy Tail. Why didn't you just say so?" he was curious. I could tell.

"W-well..." I turned away from him because I could feel the tears about to spill over. "I-I-I..." I trailed off again.

"Are you okay? Is it your wounds? Are you in pain?" he asked me worriedly. I felt happy that someone actually worried about me. But my attention was brought back to my original question.

"Oh yeah! Answer my previous question! How come I'm here, alive, bandaged up and why are you here?" It was now his turn to sigh.

"Well, when I saw you on the train two days ago, you caught my interest. On the train, you seemed kind of sad, tired and in agony. So I tracked you down to meet you personally. When I got to Nimaiba Town, I heard that you had gone on a solo mission to defeat the twin monsters in the Danaru Ken Mountains. I had heard about how strong they were and started to worry. So I tracked you down in the mountains and found you at the feet on the monsters, unconscious and defenseless. I couldn't sense any magic power from you and I distracted the monsters with my roar. In that little time they were distracted, I carried you and bolted out of the monsters' cavern. When I brought you here, I gave you a little bit of my magic power and your maid Virgo showed up. She bandaged your wounds and I laid you down on my jacket. You were shivering, so I laid down beside you to warm you up. there's your explanation." he had breezed through it like it was no sweat.

I started to feel so happy and grateful to him. I didn't like being in his debt, but I was happy that someone worried about me. "C-can I hug you?" I asked him. I blushed a little and was surprised by his answer.

"Uh. ok? Sure , if you want to. I guess it's fi-" I cut him off and attacked him in a bear hug. It ended up with us falling back onto his jacket. I buried my face into his shoulder and let a few tears escape my eyes. "W-wait up! W-what's wrong? Are you okay? Do your wounds hurt?" Sting sounded kind of worried and concerned.

"No it's not that.." I whispered out between sniffles. "I, I'm so happy. It's the happiest I've felt in so long. Someone actually worries about me. After so much pain, and the agony I suffered, I feel much lighter. I feel like I'm not a burden anymore."

Sting's POV

What the F?! What kind of life has she been living? Why is she so miserable? "H-hey... ummm what if you told me your story would that make you feel better? J-j-just don't cry anymore!" I embraced her back gently. She just nodded and let go of me.

"When I first joined Fairy Tail, Salamander Natsu Dragneel was the one who brought me there first. I got my pink insignia on the back of my right hand I went on multiple missions. Meeting Erza and Gray, we formed a team - Team Natsu." she smiled slightly and continued.

Gosh she's so cute when she smiles!

"One day, Team Natsu went another mission and this one was to defeat the dark guild Blood of Yami. They decided to use me as a bait and Natsu, Gray, and Erza trailed me, following my scent when I was captured. When I awoke, I was tied to a chair. Natsu, Gray, and Erza soon saved me and Erza and me ran up to the top of the building we were in to find the guild's master. When we kicked open a door, Erza and I were swallowed my shadows and knocked unconscious. Next thing I knew, I came to only to find Team Natsu completely trapped and bound together to be tortured and "punished." Lucy made some finger quotes when she said punished and rolled her eyes at the same time. "I saw Erza, Natsu and Gray were already starting to lose consciousness and were also covered in bruises and injuries. I was the only one without injuries or a lack of magic. So I casted an emergency spell that teleported us back to our inn right before Blood of Yami's master could land a deadly blow on us. We failed the job and had to rest in the Fairy Tail infirmary. The entire guild had started to ignore me whenever I talked, except for the few who talked to me, but not too often." I could now see the Lucy was currently on the brim of tears. "T-t-then... when N-natsu, Erza, a-and Gray were all h-healed..." she stopped to wipe away a few tears. She was starting to stutter a lot and I was getting worried. "N-n-natsu, G-gray and E-erza came up t-to m-me and t-told me that I-I-I was w-weak a-and they...they..." she stopped and burst into tears. I quickly snapped up and embraced her gently. I finished her sentence for her.

"They kicked you off Team Natsu and replaced you with that bitch Lisanna?" Blondie just nodded and cried into my shoulder. I pat her back and reassured her. "It's okay. If you don't want to think about those idiots and jerks at Fairy Tail, you can always leave them and join Sabertooth!" I perked up.

Lucy's POV

H-huh? Seriously? Is the Great Sting Eucliffe actually inviting me to join Sabertooth?

I jolted up my head and stared into his deep blue eyes. "A-are you s-sure? I mean...I'm too weak to join Sabertooth!" I had stopped bawling my eyes out like a baby and I wanted to take him up on his offer, but I didn't want to be insulted and humiliated again, like in Fairy Tail.

"Well, true. Master Jiemma would definitely not let you in since you're kind of weak. But that's why I'll train you so you'll be strong enough to join! Who knows, who may even become strong enough to beat everyone at Fairy Tail!" I jumped on him and as I embraced him I knocked him to the ground, crying into his chest. "Thank You! Thank you Sting!"

He put his hand on my head and softly said, "You're welcome."

Sting's POV

When Lucy knocked me to the floor, she burst into tears again. I just pat her head, smiled, and softly said, "You're welcome." She looked up again and her warm chocolatey brown eyes met with my own cold navy blue ones and she smiled warmly, matching her eyes. She put her arms around my neck and embraced me again.

Damn she's cute! Hot and has a nice figure too! I thought as I hugged her back and snickered. "BUT! On one condition!" With that, she quickly pulled away and frowned.

"Awww!" she pouted and I snickered again at how cute she looked. "What's your condition?"

Success! "You have to give me a hug and peck on the cheek everyday of your training, or I can attack you with a french kiss every day!" I smiled and tapped my cheek. She turned bright red and started stuttering.

"U-uuuuh. Okay...I guess I can do that..." her blush turned even redder and she lowered her head. I snickered at her cuteness again and spoke up.

"Then it's settled. Starting tomorrow, I shall train you. We'll head directly to the Seinaru Hikari Mountains (a/n: holy light mountains) and start your training." I smiled and stood up off the floor, brushing away the invisible dust off my clothes.

"W-wait! Can I say goodbye to Fairy Tail first? Or at least to Master. I'll get him to erase my Fairy Tail insignia." she called after me when I was about to walk away.

"Sure sure. Whatever. Come on, we'll talk more at the town. You need to tell them you failed the job and I'm gonna go home. You can head home too afterwards. I'll be at your place at 6:00am. I can track your scent later. See ya tomorrow!" I gave her a smirk and walked away.

Lucy's POV

"Ok!" I yelled after Sting. He left and I gathered my things. Some of my magic had returned and I summoned Horologium to take me back to Nimaiba Town. I met with the requester and told I had almost died fighting the twin monsters since they were too strong for me. I also recommended they post the job to Sabertooth too. I went got on the train and took a ride back to Fairy Tail. I went straight home from the train station and went to sleep.

The Next Morning... (Still Lucy's POV!)

I could feel something poking my arm, but I ignored it and rolled over onto my side. Suddenly, I was being tickled to death and my eyes burst open (so did my mouth as I hysterically laughed my mind away). When I opened my eyes, the tickling stopped and I looked over to my right to see the culprit. My chocolate eyes met a pair of deep blue ones and I recognized Sting.

"Yo!" he exclaimed. "Finally awake huh!" I gave him a cold glare and a sweet sadistic smile. I saw him flinch and when the glare disappeared. I got up to take a shower, telling Sting to hold on.

"Don't touch or break anything while I'm in the bathroom. And Don't Even Think About Peeping! Or Else You'll Meet Your End!" I gave him a glare that matched Erza's and Sting sweatdropped and went pale. I then switched to a sweet and innocent smile then left.

When I came out of the shower, I found Sting raiding my refrigerator. I wanted to so much beat the crap out of him, but I was only in a towel and I wasn't exactly strong enough to beat him either. I sighed and went to put on some clothes. I chose a white tank top that was lined with blue and some black jeans. I also put on my blue armbands (A/N: like Hatsune Miku's arm bands, but Lucy's don't flow out at the bottom and are blue.) I walked into the kitchen and punched Sting in the jaw. He flew to the wall and I ignored his complaints to cook some breakfast. I set some food down for Sting and he gladly ate.

"Woah! Your cooking's really good blondie!" he flashed me a charming smile and continued eating. I blushed a little at the compliment and started eating my self...staying silent. "Anyways," Sting continued. "Ready for your training to start? We'll be going to the mountains today to train you physically first."

"W-wait!" I exclaimed. "Lemme tell Master that I'm gonna take a leave of absence first." I stopped him for a moment to get a word in. "Gate of the Maiden, Gate of the Lion, I open thee. Virgo, Loke." I summoned Virgo and Loke and ordered them to pack my stuff and take it to the spirit world for now. The I returned my attention to Sting. "I'll meet you back here in my apartment when I'm done at Fairy Tail, okay? Don't wreak havoc and if Natsu appears, run away or hide and DO NOT PICK FIGHTS! Got that Stingy be?" I gave him the coldest glare I could manage and he sweatdropped again.

"A-Aye!..." Sting was scared stiff and I smiled again.

I left for the guild and ran through town. When I reached Fairy Tail, I decided to kick open the doors. "I'M BACK!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. I had appeared with much more enthusiasm as when I left.

"LUCY! You're back! And safe!" I only heard six voices and as expected, the only people in the guild who returned my greetings were Mira, Levy, Gajeel, Romeo, Juvia and Wendy. The rest of my "family" just flat out ignored me. I just sighed and shook my head. "Of course I am!" I gave each of them a genuine smile when replying and walking over to Mira. "Hey Mira, is Master here?" I continued.

"Yes!" Mira exclaimed. "He's in his office. But..What do you need Lucy? It's rare for you to ask for Master..." Mira frowned, thinking Lucy was acting suspiciously happy.

"Ummm. I just need to ask him something. It's nothing important. Mira just frowned and nodded her head. "Thanks though!"

I walked over to Master's office and knocked.

Master Makarov's POV

I was just sitting at my desk reading some papers and the reports of the destruction that the foolish rascals of my guild had caused, when I heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it? Come in." The door opened and revealed Lucy. Her hair had some black in it and she looked happier than three months ago. I smiled, happy to see her starting to feel better. She walked in and closed the door tightly behind her. "Welcome Lucy. What do you need?"

"I-I want to take a leave of absence from Fairy Tail for about three years." I saw her cringe while she talked, but didn't point it out.

Why my child? Why must you leave?!" I gave her puppy dog eyes and was about to burst into tears when I heard her words, but was able to suppress them for a little while longer. Errr, long enough to listen to her speak.

"I will use the time to train. Capricorn can help me with my training and I will go into forests and mountains to train. I have my reasons and I hope you will understand my decision." Lucy had such a clear tone of voice and I could also see her eyes, shining with determination. "I will get stronger and make so I am the one laughing. Not the one being laughed at."

These words were my breaking point. I bawled my tears out. *sniffle* "I-I u-understand... P-please return … s-safely back to me...L-Lucy." I was able to get out between sniffles. And with a wave of my hand, I erased her Fairy Tail insignia and hugged her. She smiled and hugged me back.

"I'll miss you Master, but believe me. I will get stronger. I shall see you in three years time then. I might even send a thought projection or visit. Either way, I thank you for understanding my decision. But please keep this a secret from the rest of the guild...especially Team Natsu." I nodded and Lucy gently pat my back. We seperated and she walked out of my office. I saw as she pushed open the doors of Fairy Tail and walked out. Leaving Fairy Tail behind. Leaving her nakama behind.

Lucy's POV

As I exited the guild I felt a few tears leave my eyes. I couldn't believe what I was doing. I dared leave Fairy Tail. Dared to leave my nakama. Leave my family.

But... I thought it through again. This isn't my family any more. a family doesn't ignore one another. Nor do they beat each other up. With these thoughts, I was able to stop my tears from flowing and sprint back to my apartment. To where Sting was waiting.

I couldn't wait to start training with my new friend. I have a fresh new comrade who won't leave me. I thought, as I approached my door.

"Oi! Stingy bee! I'm back. You ready?!" I yelled. I saw that Virgo and Loke had gotten there job done, 'cause I saw my room was completely empty.

"Yosh!" I heard sting yell back.
"Let's go blondie! To the Shomei Mountains! (A/N: Illumination Mountains)" Sting shouted and led the way.

"Hey! Shut up! Don't call me blondie! You're blonde too! Baka Stingy Bee!" I yelled at him pissed off and fulfilled his condition for the first day of training. I hugged him from behind and kissed him on the cheek. When I pulled away, I saw he had frozen up and was blushing a crimson red. I laughed and took the lead. "Haha! Just fulfilling your condition! Anyways, let's go Stingy Bee!" I ran off and Sting soon followed after me, quickly gaining on me.

"Oi! Don't call me Stingy Bee Blondie!"

"Then don't call me Blondie! You're blonde too! Baka!" We laughed and ran off towards the Shomei Mountains to start training.


A/N: Yaay! More Sticy is starting! Now the main pairing will be in complete focus now! I hope you enjoy reading this fanfic! Look forward to future chapters! And I will continue to try to update as often as I can! Thanks for the support! Review?