Okay, I'm a day late. I said I'd update yesterday, but I was working on the plot line for this story sorted out so I could write the chapter without feeling lost. If you follow my other stories, I might update those. Maybe, I haven't decided yet.

If you care, the story will have four arcs. At the end of the story and maybe sometimes in between an arc or when I have some writers block I plan to do fun random "special" chapters like and OVA (something like a one-shot too). This chapter almost strayed from the plot outline path, but I brought it back so everything is still running smoothly. I'm also happy to announce that Happy will be appearing sometime in near the future, so if you like him then that should be exciting for you.

This AN is too long so I'll let you enjoy the story already.


The sun blinded Lucy as she awakened from her sleep. Despite her eyes being closed, the rays of light shown through her eyelids making flashes of red pass through her vision. She pulled the scarf she had draped over her over her face to shield her from the intense light. Lucy couldn't tell what time it was exactly, but she guessed it was the late morning at least. She slept surprisingly well considering she was laying on the bare ground with only a scarf. The piece of cloth seemed to warm her up just fine through the night.

Last night was a large blur. She'd remembered being furious at Natsu for not being there, but after his appearance in the middle of the night that feeling of anger was completely gone. Lucy wasn't completely sure if that moment was a dream or not, but the presence of the scarf let her assume it wasn't.

If Lucy remembered correctly, he said he'd ran into trouble. In the moment, Lucy was too tired to push him further on that, but she'd ask him what kind of trouble he ran into later. Though Lucy was barely awake, she could tell on his face he felt bad. That look alone was enough for her to forgive him. On top of that, he said he'd gotten her a surprise. Lucy knew that Natsu would have to have a good reason for missing the party. There's is no way he'd miss it for no reason. After all, he seemed more excited about the event than Lucy.

She gave her eyes a moment to get adjusted to the bright sun before sitting up with her eyes still only half opened. Most of her new guildmates were still asleep, but Wendy, Levy, and Cana weren't around. Wendy was probably back at camp and Levy and Cana probably headed that way as well. The clearing was a complete mess, cups and food were all over the place. The decorations were falling off the trees and lay scattered on the ground. Lucy scanned her sleeping guildmates with a smile. Erza and Mira lay near each other. Erza had cake icing in her scarlet hair and on her hand still. Mira managed to look perfect as always. Her head neatly resting in her arms and her legs brought halfway to her stomach in an S-shape. Her pearl colored hair still in perfect loose waves.

Gray, Laxus, and Gajeel lay scattered in several different locations. Gray was laying on his back his arms, legs spread out, and in only his underwear with his mouth hanging open. Laxus sat on a rock, his arms hanging at his sides, and his head hanging back; his face to the sky. Gajeel lay a small way away from Gray, laying on his stomach, his limbs were spread out in all different directions. Lucy couldn't help but laugh at the sight of all of them. Fairy Tail really did know how to celebrate.

Lucy stood up and stretched out. Her eyes caught the sight of the whip the others got for her. She lifted it up and whipped it a couple times.

"Layla, I hope I can put you to good use." Lucy smiled. She figured it was strange to talk to a weapon in such a way, but she thought maybe it could help her become more comfortable with it. She coiled the weapon and attached it to her belt alongside her keys. Lucy heard a yawn from were Gray and Gajeel were laying. She turned to see Gray smacking his mouth tiredly, his eyes squinted open. He saw me and smiled weakly.

"Agh, my head is throbbing," Gray said, his voice hoarse. Lucy laughed lightly.

"I'm not surprised. By the looks of this mess, we had a pretty good time." Lucy said, keeping her voice soft.

"You still sore?" Gray yawned. Lucy shook her head.

"Nah, not as much at least. I'm still a little achy, but I'm fine." Gray smirked and smirk that had Lucy very concerned.

"That's good. That means you get to train some more. I didn't get to see you train last time cause Cana and I were getting you your present." Gray said. Lucy frowned and groaned.

"Great. Sounds like a lot of fun." Lucy said sarcastically. Gray laughed. He stretched out his bare arms.

"I wonder if Natsu ever came back."

"He did. He stopped by in the middle of the night and woke me up." Lucy told him. Gray shook his head slowly.

"What was Flaim Brain's excuse?"

"From what I understand he went into town and ran into trouble. He said he got me something though. I'm not sure if he went into town to get me something, or was in town knew he was going to be late and then got me something. I didn't get any details cause I was half asleep." Lucy explained. Now the thought was really bothering her. Why exactly did Natsu get her a gift? The others already got her a gift from everyone. It must be that he felt bad for being late, well, actually, missing it altogether. Gray shook his head again. They seemed to do that a lot.

"What an idiot. I'm really not surprised he got himself into trouble. What does surprise me though," Gray smirked at her. Lucy wasn't very fond of Gray's smirks. "The fact he got you a present. Natsu isn't one to do things like that for people. He'll beat someone up for you, but give you presents? Not really his thing." Gray said. I waved my hand at him and press my lips into a line.

"I'm sure he was feeling guilty for missing the party." Lucy insisted.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say." Gray teased. "I should go find Wendy. She has medicine for hangovers that would come in handy right now." Gray walked in the direction of camp, waving goodbye to Lucy.

Lucy was feeling dirty. It had been a while since she'd bathed. She could use a relaxing bath anyway. It always helped gather her thoughts and make a little more sense of things.

With Natsu's scarf folded needly in her arms, she headed towards camp. She got there not far behind Gray who was heading towards Wendy's makeshift tent. She saw Natsu sleeping in his sleeping bag not too far off. He snored loudly. Which Lucy found immensely amusing for some reason. The trouble he'd gotten into must've had him tired. She set the scarf next to him before she began to dig around a little and find a bar of soap, a towel, a white tight fitting sleeveless shirt, a blue short skirt, a pair of underwear, a bra, a pair of long white socks, and a cropped brown jacket with sleeves that flared outward. She hoped whoever she was taking these things from didn't mind her borrowing them too much. Though, she was almost certain they wouldn't. She headed in the direction of a stream she saw the other day with the items piled in her hands.

The stream wasn't too deep, which Lucy preferred. The water was clear and she could see the many small pebbles at the bottom of it. The stream had a steady current. It was faster than the other day, but it wasn't strong enough to bother Lucy too much.

Lucy peeled off the clothes from the night before a folded them neatly next to the fresh pile. She put her foot into the water. The water was quite cold. Lucy usually took warm baths, but this would have to do. Hopefully, she'd get used to the temperature. She eased her body into the chilling water with a deep breath. She laid her head back against a large rock and sighed. She glided the soap bar along with her skin. She could feel the dirt washing away.

She eyes stared and the pink symbol on her right hand. She'd almost forgotten it was there. The sight of it made her happy. She was a part of Fairy Tail. She had a family. Her chin sank into the water at this thought. Suddenly, guilt spread all across her body. She had a family before. How could she have forgotten about it so easily? She'd lost her family. Her father, the maids, and the other workers in Heartfilia, all of them died. They died. It dawned on her in that moment. They died because of her. Because of her and the keys.

Her chest tightened. Would she bring the same fate upon her new friends? No, her new family? She hadn't been thinking when she'd decided to help Fairy Tail; when she became one of them. The decision was so impulsive. She didn't know why she joined in the first place. She was simply caught up in the guilds kindness. She was feeling lonely and wanted someone to depend on. She shouldn't of let herself make such a huge mistake. Now that she was thinking about it, it was the worst possible thing she could've done. She put all these people lives at risk, and for what? Cause she was feeling lonely? Cause she lost her family and needed a replacement? Lucy didn't realize it, but she was crying. Her tears rolling seamlessly down her cheeks and joining the stream.

She'd been selfish. She forgot about all the lives that were lost because of her. Did she even cry for them until now? She couldn't even seem to remember. Was she that fickle? She knew whoever was after her and the keys wouldn't stop. They'd do anything to get them, including hurting those she cared for. She'd just added ten new people to that list. They were bound to find her and once they find out Lucy joined a guild and gave her valuable service to such an unknown and weak guild, they'd surely make Fairy Tail pay. Her throat throbbed, her eyes aching from crying. She shouldn't have brought so much trouble upon Fairy Tail. She had to leave them. She shouldn't have gotten close to people when she knew it would put them in danger. And she shouldn't have betrayed her family by forgetting about them so easily.

She clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes. She prayed for this all to be a dream. None of this actually happened. She'd wake up at home in bed. Her father would join her for breakfast that the staff prepared. Lucy would thank them and listen to her father talk about the business and her duties. But when she opened her eyes she was still alone in the stream. The cold numbed her body.

She submerged her head into the water. Her gold hair spread out all over. Lucy opened her eyes and stared up and the distorted sky. She wondered if her mother was looking down on her ashamed. Today was her first official day as a member of Fairy Tail. Today had to be her last as well. After today, she'd never see any of them again and they'd be safe. She'd take herself and her problems far away from them. That's what she had to do. She shouldn't have let herself get attached. The one thing she was trying to avoid; she fell victim to so easily.

Lucy stood up with a stoic expression. Her eyes were red and puffy. She shivered at the touch of the air. She walked out of the stream and wrapped the towel around herself. She dried her body and wrung out her blonde hair. She wrapped the towel around her head and changed into the clothes.

She wondered how she should leave them. The easiest thing to do was to just leave without saying a word. But if it were possible, she wanted to get the symbol off her hand. She didn't want to leave any trace of Fairy Tail on her, but she supposed she could keep her hand wrapped to hide the mark until she found another solution. Besides she deserved the feeling of guilt the mark would give her upon leaving. A constant reminder of the terrible mistake she made and the people she let down. Fairy Tail deserved something of an explanation for her leaving though. She decided to leave them a note. Hopefully, Wendy and Gray were still busy and Cana and Levy were still off doing whatever they were doing.

Lucy headed back to camp. She was relieved to see that Natsu was still sleeping and the other guild members were nowhere to be seen. She found a piece of parchment and lead and scribbled a message on it.


Dear Fairy Tail,

I'm very sorry for having to leave, but there are some personal issues that I need to deal with. Things that a guild would get in the way of. I made a commitment that I didn't properly think through. I should have thought more before decided to join you. I'm so sorry. Please don't come looking for me. I really need to be on my own from now on. I hope you can find a more suitable Key Keeper. Farewell, Fairy Tail.

-Lucy

P.S.

Sorry I couldn't stick around to find out what surprise you got for me, Natsu.


Lucy set the letter near Natsu to be sure he'd find it when he woke up. She set the clothing, towel, and soap bar on a rock and set the whip on top of it. Thinking it over a moment, Lucy took the five silver keys she had and placed them on the other things. Lucy found her cloak and the clothes she was wearing when she first arrived and changed into them. She put the other clothes were she found them. She sighed trying to remember anything she might have forgotten. She needed to leave quickly. She didn't know when the others would be back.

"Luce, what's this?" Natsu's voice asked still tired. Lucy's heart skipped several beats and she turned around to face him. "You're leaving? Why?" Natsu asked. His onyx eyes stared deep into her. His expression was a mixture of sad and confused.

"I have to," Lucy said dully. Natsu clenched the piece of paper. He got to his feet and approached her.

"No, you don't have to," Natsu said. His voice was strikingly serious. Lucy looked down at her feet not meeting his eyes.

"Yes, Natsu, I do." Lucy insisted. There was no doubt in her words. She would leave. Natsu wasn't going to stop her no matter what nonsense he spurred.

"No, Lucy, you don't," Natsu said. The way he said her full name made her heart clench. His tone was deadly serious. He to had no doubt in his words either. He'd give Lucy a hard time. Lucy still stared down at her feet. "Lucy, look at me." Lucy shook her head. She swallowed the emerging feeling of guilt. She tensed her whole body in order to keep from crying.

"You're not gonna talk me out of it. I'm leaving." Lucy said. Natsu pulled Lucy's chin up, making her eyes meet his.

"Whatever you're running away from. Whatever you're scared of…" Natsu said. His voice was more sincere but held its serious tone. "We'll help you fight it. Fairy Tail is family and you look out for family. We'll look out for you."

"It's not your battle to fight, Natsu! It's my own!" Lucy cried out. She squeezed her hands together and held them to her chest. Natsu stared at her.

"Sometimes you can't fight battles on your own,"

"That's not how the saying goes. It's: fight your own battles." Lucy corrected. Natsu glared at her.

"I'm talking about another saying. The one that you should listen to right now." Natsu said not backing down. Lucy was done arguing with the pink-haired idiot and simply shoved past him. Natsu grabbed her right hand as she walked past him.

"I'm not letting you leave. As long as this symbol is on your hand you're a member of Fairy Tail whether you like it or not." Natsu held up her hand.

"I'm leaving, Natsu." She insisted, yanking her hand away. Lucy continued to walk away. Natsu stood there looking in her direction.

"Wait, Luce," Natsu called. Lucy stopped walking. "If you really are leaving. At least let me give you your surprise before you go." His voice sounded defeated. Lucy didn't want to stay any longer. Natsu was making it extremely hard. She was struggling to hold in her tears already. Lucy turned around.

"Fine then." Lucy walked back towards him. She stared and the ground again, not wanting to see the expression Natsu was giving her. Natsu reached into his pocket, pulled out a black box, and handed it to her.

She looked up to see his expression was blank except his waiting eyes. Lucy opened the box slowly. Inside were a pair of gold star earrings and pink crystal hearts. Lucy almost smiled but didn't. She wanted to make this exchange as quick and emotionless as possible. Lucy did absolutely love the earrings though. She wondered how Natsu knew she liked stars. He wasn't around when she told the others.

"Two?"

"Buy one get one free," Natsu muttered.

"They're nice," Lucy said with little emotion. Natsu seemed unfazed by the dull reaction. What was he doing? Lucy wondered. Why does he suddenly not care?

"They look expensive. " Lucy noted dully.

"Yeah, they are." Lucy shoved the box into her cloak pockets.

"Is that all?" Lucy asked. "Can I go now?"

"One more thing," Natsu said, reaching for his neck. He pulled off a necklace that Lucy hadn't noticed. It was a string. At the end of it was a gold key. Lucy's heart stopped. "My father gave it to me. He said to give it to a loyal Key Keeper." Natsu took the key and placed it in her palm. Lucy couldn't speak. Her face shown guilt and regret all over it. Her emotions leaked through. Natsu still stood expressionlessly. The tears Lucy was trying so hard to keep in seeped from her eyes. She let out a sob. She jerked the other direction so Natsu couldn't see her face anymore.

"Bye, Natsu," Lucy said with a sob. She willed herself to move forward. Her legs didn't move. Natsu reached out and pushed her lightly.

"If you're leaving then go," Natsu said harshly. Lucy stumbled forward. She really didn't want to leave. Of course, she didn't want to leave. But didn't she have to? Why wouldn't her legs just move? Lucy tried one last time to move forward, but instead, she collapsed in heavy sobs.

"Dammit, Natsu." She wailed. "I don't want to." Natsu kneeled down behind Lucy and wrapped his arms around her.

"Then don't." He said. The words pulsed in Lucy's mind. She shouldn't stay. But she wanted desperately to. She truly felt at home here. And with Natsu's arms around her, she felt the safest she'd ever been. She decided she'd stay. It put Fairy Tail in danger, but what she didn't realize was that they didn't mind.

Natsu and Lucy stayed like that for a long moment. Lucy's tears were becoming less heavy, and Natsu released her from the hug. Lucy wiped the rest of her tears away. Natsu offered his hand to her. She took it and Natsu pulled her up.

"But, uh, what did you really think of the earrings," Natsu asked, his face with a worried smile. Lucy grinned. It felt weird with her face all wet and sticky with tears.

"I loved them Natsu," Lucy assured. "I really really loved them."


Alright, this chapter was a bit dramatic, but it was fun to write. (Future Editing Ella from several months later: Terrible to actually edit. Dude, this is exhausting. Especially when you take hardly any time to edit the first time around.) I actually considered just letting Lucy leave Fairy Tail several times (that was me straying off the plotline path) but decided against it.

Be a sweety and review?

Have a lovely day!

Edited and Refined: 02-04-18