Lucy groaned and rolled over onto her side, warily opening her eyes. Immediately, she gasped and sat up. She was back at home in her own room. What was going on? Was this some kind of nightmare?

She looked down at the clean white sheets of her bed, sighing. This definately wasn't a dream. "Natsu," Lucy whispered, remembering the events that had led up to this.

In the midst of all her thinking, there was a quiet knock on her bedroom door. "Come in," she croaked, feeling more tired than ever.

Her door opened and a maid came in. Her big blue eyes widened at the sight of Lucy. "Good morning, Miss Lucy. Your father wishes to see you in his office."

Lucy's eyes instantly filled up with hot, angry tears that threatened to spill down her face, but she choked them back. She had to be strong about this.

Following the maid, Lucy walked down the long hall that led to her father's office. Jude sat there at his desk, looking all-business. As usual.

"Father... you needed me?"Lucy whispered as she approached him.

"Yes." He looked at her sternly. "I have finished arranging things with the Hokkaido clan."

Lucy looked down. "You mean my arranged marriage?"

Jude nodded. "Yes, that's what I was getting at. You will marry their son, Daichi Hokkaido."

Lucy swallowed hard, trying to surpress her anger. She knew nothing about the boy she was supposed to marry. She had never met him, or even seen a picture of him. Who was he? When was she supposed to marry him?

As if reading her thoughts, Jude leaned forward. "The wedding will be in six years, right when you turn sixteen year old. That is all. You may leave now."

Not being able to take anymore, Lucy ran out of her father's office and headed straight into her room, slamming the door behind her. Why couldn't she choose her own future? Why couldn't she choose her own husband?

The worst part about the situation was that she didn't have anyone to talk to about what was going on. Immediately, she thought of Natsu. He would listen to her and comfort her at a time like this.

However, as she thought of Natsu, a question popped into her mind: Did he miss her too? It was sort of a silly thing to ask, but it was still an idea that wouldn't seem to leave Lucy alone. They were best friends, so it would only be natural for Natsu to miss her, but... it seemed as though Lucy would never get over something like this. She had no one.

Would Natsu get over it? Maybe he would be sad for a few days, but would eventually stop thinking about her. About all the moments they had shared together. Would this just become a small chapter of their lives? A fragment of fading childhood memories?

The worst part was that she was never able to properly tell Natsu how much he meant to her. She had never realized this before, but he saved her life. He took her in when she had no where else to go. He was her first real friend. And now he was gone.

a.a.a.

The guild doors burst open and everyone gasped. Mirajane and Elfman seemed to be in shock. However, that shock soon turned to relief as they rushed forward and engulfed their sister in a huge hug.

"Lisanna!" Natsu rushed forward and took a close look at the girl he once knew. Her silver hair had grown and now fell a little past her shoulders. She wore a silky lavender dress with black sandals. All in all, she looked much older and much more mature than the last time he had seen her. "Where have you been?"

Lisanna let go of her brother and sister, facing Natsu. She then took a deep breath, as if the steady herself. "We need to talk, Natsu."

Natsu narrowed his eyebrows. "We need to talk? You need to talk! And not to me, but to your family who has been worrying about you for almost a year! Now, I'll ask you one more time, Lisanna. Where have you been?"

She stayed silent for a few minutes, but finally sighed, dropping her shoulders. "Fine. I'll explain everything after we talk." Lisanna looked at her brother and sister. "We'll be right back." And with that, she grabbed Natsu by the arm and yanked him outside.

"W-wait a minute, Lisanna! What are you doing?" Natsu struggled to break free of her tight grasp, but it was useless. Giving up, he decided to remain silent as she dragged him across the dirt which was still damp from the rain that had poured down on them the night before.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lisanna finally stopped. Natsu righted himself and looked around him, furrowing his brow in confusion. "Where is this place?"

LIsanna looked at him. "So you don't know about it after all. I thought that maybe you would, since you know so much about the woods and the meadow."

Natsu shook his head slowly. "I mean, I do, but... this is nothing like the forest or the meadow."

"I know." LIsanna took a deep breath and walked up to the clear pond surrounded by rocks and wildflowers. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Natsu breathed. He crouched down by the pond and dipped his fingers into it, watching as the cold water sent ripples through his reflection. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"It's just..." she paused, as if contemplating what to say next. "Something really... strange is happening right now. That's why I had to come back."

Natsu looked up at her with a confused expression on his face. "Strange? What do you mean? What's going on?"

Lisanna sat down next to the pond and closed her eyes. Natsu watched her for a while, not sure what to do. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked right into Natsu's.

"The reason I came back is because I had to tell you something," she said, her expression blank. "I know where Lucy is."