Ok first off, I want to say thanks to everyone who's reading this fanfic. I really didn't expect this many people to be interested in this so THANK YOU all so much! Now let's continue the story.

It was barely sunrise. There was a slight chill in the air and a thin layer of fog on the ground. In the woods near the Crocus capital, we find four people and an exceed sleeping on the ground. Blue hair, pink hair, blonde hair, and white fur could be seen amongst the green that is the forest floor.

Wendy Marvell, Sky Dragon extraordinaire, was sleeping soundly in her sleeping bag with her exceed Carla curled up against her.

Meredy Milkovich, user of the lost magic Maguilty Sense, was lying on her back, unaware of the slight drool going down her chin.

And finally, we have Jellal Fernandes and Lucy Heartfilia, who were both lying on their backs next to each other but had their hands up near their heads on the ground. However, the curious little detail is that their pinkies of their hands were touching.

Not so much as to be curled around the other but enough to be able to feel the warmth of the finger.

Out of the people laying there, it was Lucy that had begun to stir. Slowly but surely her consciousness returned to her. Her eyelids fluttered briefly before they opened completely. She quickly blinked away the blurriness and saw the early morning light and, turning her head to the left, the cloud like fog that surrounded her and her friends on the forest floor. A warm breeze was gently washing over her, making her feel content but also igniting a shiver down her spine.

Feeling a slight warmth on her right hand Lucy turned her head to see what it was. And promptly blushed the color of Erza's hair.

Jellal was sleeping less than two feet away with his left hand outstretched slightly and his pinkie finger was touching hers. The 'warm breeze' she thought she felt was actually his breath as he breathed in and out.

And Lucy, being the intense bookworm that she is, blushes even more when a particular myth she read about comes to mind.

There is a vein in your body that leads from the heart to the pinkie, so small that it is sometimes overlooked. That is why when we promise things from the heart we wrap our pinkies together. It is said that the Kami have destined everyone with someone they're supposed to meet. That this person is meant to be at your side and to be with you forever after you have met. The Kami have tied these people together with an invisible red string only they can see, with each end being tied around a person's pinkie. It is better known as 'The Red String Of Fate'. It can get twisted, tangled, or stretched but it can never be broken, for the two people who've been connected by the string are destined by the Kami themselves.

Lucy stared at Jellal for a moment longer before she retracted her hand ever so slowly, and got up from her sleeping bag.

Wow...I don't even know how we got that close, much less how we came to touch. But it felt so warm, like you're sitting in front of a fireplace and you stick your hands out in front of you. I know it sounds strange but...now my whole hand feels cold.

With a final glance towards Jellal, Lucy went off to freshen up—and to clear her head. Minutes later she was pulling on clean clothes courtesy of Virgo and was about to head back towards the others when she had second thoughts.

They're probably still sleeping. It couldn't hurt to go walking around for a bit and see more of the forest.

With her mind set, Lucy picked a random direction and started walking. With the fog on the ground it made it kind of hard to see where she's stepping. So a few minutes later, when she came to a small clearing with a clear view of the sunrise, she almost missed the edge of a small cliff. Luckily, her newfound reflexes allowed her to safely avoid the fall.

With the immediate danger out of the way, Lucy took her time in looking at the sunrise. The sun itself was starting to peek out from behind a hill and it bathed the valley below in a beautiful golden light. Even the fog seemed to slowly dissipate when hit by the sun's beams.

Staring at this enchanting scene of nature reminded Lucy of a song her mother would sing in the morning sometimes. If she closes her eyes, she can imagine her mother right next to her singing the first two lines.

Kimi no koe ga
Yobiau sono hikari he

Lucy smiled and opened her eyes. Then, started singing the rest of song herself:

"Usuginu goshi ni ima
sekai wo mitsumeteru.

"Tobenai kago no naka
hane wo chijimete.

"Kaze wataru mori he to
saki tsugu hana-tachi no.

"Kokyuu wo mane shite
hane wo sotto yuraseba.

"Hora kimi no koe ga.

"Kataku tojita mama
uzukumaru
kono ashimoto
terasu yo.

"Kizamareta mirai ga tooku
mienai basho demo,
Osore wo, nugisutete

"Kimi no moto he.

"Fureawanakute mo tsutawaru
tashika na omoi ga.

"Nando demo, mukuo tsuyosa ni naru.

"Kawatte yuku tame ni."
(A/N: Can anyone guess what anime I got this song from?)

Lucy smiled as she stop singing. A few tears were in her eyes at the memory of singing this song with her mother but her mood was one of contentment.

That is, it was, until a voice spoke up from behind her, almost scaring her senseless.

"That was perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing," it said.

Lucy whirled around, unconsciously dropping into a self defense stance Jellal taught her. Only to see the man himself leaning against the tree smiling at her.

She straightened up. "Oh, Jellal, I didn't even hear you walk up," she admitted.

Jellal's smile got bigger but only by a little bit. "You were so concentrated on your song it's not all that surprising that you didn't hear me. But really, about your singing, I meant what I said."

Lucy blushed slightly. "Really?" she asked shyly. "I mean, I don't really try singing that much so this was the first time I've done it in years out loud."

"Well to me, from how you sounded, I would've thought that you've been singing your whole life. When I was still trapped in the Tower Of Heaven and the younger kids would get even more scared than they already were, Milliana and Erza would always sing to calm them down. They've got really good voices but I'm betting if you three had a contest, you'd take the cake," he informed her.

Lucy laughed. "Maybe, but I don't think I should take Erza's cake."

"True. Most people would like to walk away with both their hands."

"Hands? Try their life."

"Touché."

They both looked at each other before bursting out into laughter. Lucy wrapped her arms around herself so she can remain standing and Jellal had to brace himself against the tree he was leaning on.

"Wow," Jellal said as he wiped away a tear from his laughing, "I haven't laughed liked that in a long time. I needed that."

Lucy curtsied in an exaggerated motion. "Glad to be of service," she said seriously.

And just like that, there were laughing again.

Unnoticed by the both of them was a girl with pink hair peering at them from behind a tree. And smiling a blinding smile at what she was seeing.

She did it. She actually made him laugh. I don't know how you're doing it but you're amazing Lucy. You're changing him for the better and I don't even think you're conscious of what you're doing. And even if you're not, I'd like to say thank you when the time is right. You're healing him, and I'm really grateful.

~wWw~

A beam of sunlight woke the white haired Take Over Mage from her sleep. But she set up her curtains that way so she can rise with the sun. That way, she'll get to the guild early enough so she can start making the food.

Mira got out of her bed and made her way to her shower. She sighed as she felt the warm water soaking her hair and cascade down her back. She stood under the warm spray of water for a minute, thinking about what Lisanna said last night.

She didn't know she felt that way. She didn't know that she felt all those things she said. But that didn't excuse the things she said about Lucy and it didn't excuse her behavior in the guild. The members of Fairy Tail weren't just people who joined and took jobs for money. They were all members of the Fairy Tail family, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins, and even moms and dads. And with the Master as the grandfather.

Mira sees Lucy as her younger sister and treats her as such. And she, along with the rest of the guild, don't take too kindly to those who insult and/or threaten a member of their family. Even if that person is someone from their own guild. The so-called 'Battle Of Fairy Tail' is proof of that.

After Mira got out the shower and had gotten dressed she went to her living to grab her things before she left. To her surprise she found Lisanna sitting on the couch in regular clothes and reading a book.

"Lisanna? What are doing up so early?"

Lisanna glanced at her briefly before returning her attention to her book. "I couldn't really get to sleep," she admitted. "I've been awake for awhile now."

Mira stared at her for a moment longer before she sighed. "Well, come on then. No use just sitting around the house."

Lisanna looked at her uneasily. "I don't think I'll go today nee-chan. Maybe I'll just walk around Magnolia or something," she said.

Mira rolled her eyes. "No, you are coming with me and helping out at the guild. Maybe later you can take a mission if you feel too cooped up," she said with finality in her tone.

Lisanna looked at her pleadingly. "But nee-chan, they...they probably all hate me," she said in a small voice.

Mira refused to let up. "Tough, get over it," she said in a hard tone.

Lisanna looked at her with wide eyes but Mira cut off what she was going to say. "You made your bed now you have to sleep in it," she said sternly. "Own up to your actions instead of cowering and hiding like a coward. Now let's go."

When Mira used that voice, there's no way you can say no. Knowing this, Lisanna nodded glumly and followed her sister out the door.

Minutes later when they arrived at the guild there were hardly any people around. However, the people who were there, shot Lisanna looks that clearly said 'we haven't forgiven what you said about Lucy'. In response she just moved closer to Mira.

An hour later they had food and drinks all ready to serve to everyone who started pouring in. Most of them ignored Lisanna and she did the same. The only people she were truly hesitant to see were the remaining members of Team Natsu. Well, them and Levy. Who knew such a quiet and short girl could slap that hard?

The sun was high in the sky before Erza and Gray walked in together. As they walked towards the bar they caught sight of Lisanna and dark scowls took place on their faces. But they didn't say anything and sat down at the bar and ordered food from Mira.

Lisanna took notice of their scowls but pretended to not see them. She knew she should apologize for what she said but she couldn't bring forth the courage to.

The guild doors opened again and this time it was Natsu and Happy who came in. The guild went quiet for a second as Natsu stared hard in Lisanna's direction. She felt his gaze on her but, just like with the others, she couldn't find the courage to face him head on.

After a while he approached the bar but he ignored Lisanna completely. Happy however, shot her a gaze filled with so much venom that Lisanna almost didn't realize it was Happy who did it.

The guild steadily regained its noisy atmosphere but the tension was still in the air. And just as it was starting to leave, the guild doors again flew open and banged against the inside of the guild.

The noise died out again as everyone looked at the person who caused it. When Lisanna saw who it was she couldn't help but wince slightly.

Oh shit...it just had to be her.

It was none other than Levy McGarden. And you can tell by looking at her that she was still pissed about yesterday.

Like the other members of Team Natsu, her eyes roamed the guild before they rested on Lisanna. But, unlike the others, she didn't ignore her. Oh no. She walked up to her, placed her hands on her hips, and started tapping her foot impatiently.

Lisanna and everyone else in the guild were confused by the Script Mage's actions. Gajeel, however, had a bowl of popcorn and was relaxing as he 'enjoyed the show'.

"Well!?" Levy demanded.

Lisanna was still confused. "Well what?" she asked.

Levy arched a brow. "Aren't you going to apologize for how you acted yesterday?" she asked in a 'no duh' tone.

Lisanna flinched slightly but didn't back down. "No," she said with conviction.

Dead.

Silence.

You can't even hear anyone breathing.

Levy's eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared in a clear sign of anger. "No?" she asked quietly but her tone was clearly one of fury. "You're not going to apologize for acting like a whiny bitch?"

Lisanna flinched again. "No...because I'm going to wait until Lucy gets back so I can say it to her face," she said.

Levy scoffed. "Whatever, you better. But there's on old saying you should know; 'Beauty Is As Beauty Does.' And what you did yesterday was fucking ugly," she hissed out.

Silence once again reigned inside the guild. Before anyone can say anything about what Levy said, the door to Master's office opened and he stepped out.

"Is everything ok out here?" he asked.

Levy smiled and any trace that she was mad was totally gone. "Everything's just fine master," she said sweetly.

Everyone but Makarov sweat dropped at Levy's change in personality.

"Actually," Levy said, her demeanor changing to one of seriousness, "there was something I wanted to ask you."

Master's brow flew to his hairline. "Oh? And what would that be?" he asked. Everyone was listening to what they were saying.

Levy steeled her nerves. "Where is Lucy, Wendy, and Carla really?" she asked.

At that question everyone looked to the Master. He seemed to be sweating profusely. "What do you mean Levy? I told you they went on a—"

Levy cut him off. "I don't think so. Lucy's been acting weird ever since the GMG's and I saw her go to your office without Wendy and Carla. After she left, Wendy and Carla went in your office as well and then rushed out after her," Levy stated firmly.

"Also," Mira spoke up, "there's no record of Lucy, Wendy, or Carla having taken a job in the last couple of days."

Natsu stood up. "Well jiji? What the hell is going on?" he asked urgently.

Master looked at everyone and saw they had the same look of urgency that Natsu had. He sighed.

I am sorry Lucy but they've backed me into the corner. I'll keep them from going after you but I have no choice but to let them know now.

"You are right Levy, Mira," he said quietly, "they aren't on a mission."

Gray stood up next. "So!? Where the hell are they!?" he asked incredulously.

Master sighed again, knowing the exact reaction they were gonna have at his next words.

"Lucy, Wendy, and Carla," he began, "have temporarily left the guild."

There was silence.

And then—"WHAT?!"

The windows of the guild rattled from the yelling.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY LEFT?!" Team Natsu yelled in unison.

Makarov sighed. "I meant exactly what I said."

Natsu started for the door. "That's it! I'm gonna go find her right now!" he shouted.

"Aye sir!" Happy yelled as he flew after him.

But before they can step out, they were grabbed by Master's 'giant' hands.

"I've said this the first day and I'll say it again now," he said lowly. "You will do no such thing."

"But Jiji—" he started saying but quickly fell silent at his glare.

Master let them go as he said, "They aren't gone forever, they've merely taken a training trip. They should be back in a couple months or so."

"But why wouldn't she have invited or at least told us?" Gray asked while gesturing to the rest of the group. "We're supposed to be a team."

"Lucy wanted to do this alone and she didn't want anybody worrying about her," he explained, "the only reason Wendy and Carla are with her is because Wendy overheard us talking and wanted to go with her."

"But," Erza started saying, "why would she think she needs to get stronger?"

No one had an answer to that.

Levy was taking everything rather hard.

I wish you could've told me how you felt Lu-chan. I understand it though, that's just the type of person you are. And like I said before, I'll support you all the way.

Gray was feeling his 'big brother' protective streak kicking in.

Damn it imōuto, I wish you could've told me about this. I swear to Kami that when you get back I'll help you in anyway I can.

Happy, surprisingly, was thinking about why Lucy had left.

Levy said that she's been acting weird since the Grand Magic Games. Let's see...she lost to Flare and Minerva. That could be it but Flare was cheating and only a couple people in the guild could've taken on Minerva and won. Before the last day of the games she was thrown in jail by the Royal Guards with Yukino. Me, Carla, Lily, Mira, and Natsu went to rescue her but were thrown into that creepy cavern under the castle. And then we fought the Hungry Wolf Knights But we were able to beat them. And then we were let out of that creepy dungeon by...Future Lucy!

"That's it!" he yelled out, forgetting that he was surrounded by other people.

"That's what Happy?" Levy asked.

"I think I know why Lucy left to get stronger, and why Wendy and Carla went with her," he answered.

"Well?" Romeo spoke up. "What is it?"

Happy's mood changed to a solemn one. "The only people," he said quietly, "that know about it, other than Lucy, are Princess Hisui, Colonel Aracadios, Loke, Natsu, Wendy, Carla, Lily, and me. Oh, and Crime Sorciere "

Natsu went rigid. "Wait," he whispered, "you mean...you mean that?"

Happy nodded sadly. "Yeah...they need to know Natsu."

He said nothing but got up and left the guild, slamming the doors on his way out.

Erza looked to Happy. "What happened Happy?" she asked. Not only did she want to know what happened but she also wants to know how Crime Sorciere is involved.

How do you know about this...Jellal?

Happy took a breath before beginning his tale. "You guys know how Rogue came from the future? Well, he wasn't the only one."

"He wasn't?" Laxus asked, surprised.

Happy shook his head. "No, someone else came back too. Someone on our side and was the one who led us through the castle."

"Who was it?" Cana asked, surprisingly sober.

At this point, Happy seemed to hesitate. So Lily spoke up.

"It was Lucy," he said.

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"Wait wait wait," Gray said. "You're saying it was Lucy who also came back from the future?"

"Hai."

"Damn," Gajeel said. "Well what happened next Lily?"

He sighed. "Future Lucy told us about the dragons so we were trying to find a way out the castle to warn you guys. But before we could get out, we were surrounded by the Royal guards and the Hungry Wolf Knights again."

"Kami-sama," Kinana breathed out. "And then?"

Happy took over the story. "When it looked like we were gonna lose a huge shadow covered the floor and swallowed everyone up. That's when Future Rogue showed up. He told us about the future but in his version, he said it was all Lucy's fault."

Happy started crying so Levy came over and wrapped him up in a hug. "H-He t-threw a sword made o-of s-shadows at o-our L-Lucy but t-the one from the f-f-future jumped i-in the way a-and took the hit i-i-instead," he sobbed.

Everyone else either had their tears in their eyes or rolling down their cheeks.

Happy began to hyperventilate. "T-T-There w-w-was b-blood—*gasp*—THERE WAS SO MUCH BLOOD!" he screamed.

Mira hurried over to calm him down. Even people like Laxus and Gajeel had tears in their eyes at hearing the story.

Gray was holding onto a crying Juvia but he was seconds away from breaking down himself.

Gajeel was comforting Levy who seemed to be almost close to hyperventilating herself.

Alzack and Bisca were hugging a crying Asuka while trying to hide their own tears.

Bixlow was comforting Cana who was thinking about everything Lucy had done for her.

Evergreen was dabbing at her eyes while muttering something that sounded like 'a true queen of the fairies.'

Erza was trying to control how much she was shaking, the situation was reminding her of Simon's sacrifice.

It took awhile for everyone to calm down. And even when they did it was Lily who continued the story. "There was nothing we could do she...she had lost too much blood for Wendy to heal her. Loke and Natsu were in too much emotional shock to move. Before she died, Future Lucy asked us to protect the future."

Even Makarov, who already heard this story from Lucy, was crying tears of sadness.

By this point, Happy had calmed down and continued on where Lily left off. "Future Rogue tried to attack our Lucy again but Natsu punched him in the face and drove him back. He told us to get Lucy out of there while he handled Rogue. That was the first time in a long time that I had seen him cry," he finished sadly, still sniffing.

The only sound left in the guild were tears falling to the ground.

"Wait, you said the princess and the guy in the white armor knew about it. How'd they know?" Gray asked.

"And Jellal...a-and Meredy and Ultear," Erza added.

Lily spoke up. "When we caught up to Princess Hisui and Colonel Arcadios they asked us what happened to her so I told them," he answered.

Happy spoke up then. "And Natsu told me that Ultear and Meredy helped him out against Future Rogue. And when I was looking for Lucy after that dragon threw her, I saw them telling Jellal what happened," he said.

Silence, again, reigned supreme inside the guild.

Then, the master spoke up. "Now you know," he said quietly, "now you know why she had to go on this trip. And considering Wendy's relationship to her and Carla's relationship to Wendy, can you honestly blame them for wanting to do this? Can you really go out there and find them and demand they return home? Can any of you honestly tell me you would do that?"

Everyone squirmed in their seat when they realize the full reason for Lucy, Wendy, and Carla's leaving.

Then Levy spoke up. "Even before I knew the real reason Lu-chan left, I supported her leaving. She's my best friend and I know she always does things for a reason. I respect her decision," she said with finality in her tone.

After she spoke, people were nodding along with her reasoning—including a very reluctant Team Natsu.

"Oh, and Lisanna," Levy said as she turned towards her, "now you can really see what kind of person Lucy Heartfilia is."

Everyone glanced between the two, not wanting to break the silence. Lisanna however, was thinking about what Levy said.

She's right. I don't know who she really is and I judged her without getting to her and without a need to. When she gets back, I'm gonna try hard to be her friend, and not just a jealous observer.

For those who think I've made Levy a little OC, you have to admit that she gets an attitude with people who insult her friends or herself. I mean, she did hit Gajeel with her bag hard enough to knock him down when he insulted her.

And those who haven't figured out where I got the song Lucy sang from, it was an opening for an anime called 'Red Data Girl' and you can look it up on YouTube.

And finally, Mira needed to set Lasagna (oops I meant Lisanna...stupid autocorrect) straight. She can't just act that way and then hide when she scared to face everyone.

Well, that's this chapter! Thanks everybody for tuning in!