I very much appreciate everyone who are still there reading this story,, thanks a lot for the reviews, faves, alerts and subscription! HONTO NI ARIGATOU GUZAIMASU! Author-chan wa minna o daisuki! (Author-chan loves everyone!)

English is my second language and I'm not that good of a writer so I beg for forgiveness if there are wrong spellings or grammar...thank you.

Summary:Did you ever find someone cute but at the same time irritating? Because I had! And I can't shake her off me if I wouldn't wish three times! But what will I wish for if I can have everything I need and wanted. In short I don't need her! Right?

Genre: Friendship, Romance, Drama, Humor, Hurt/comfort.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. I am NOT Hiro Mashima! Standard disclaimer applied for my inspiration, Disney's Aladdin.

Please enjoy the chapter! ^_^


CHAPTER 12


As I looked at her, I saw her face damped with tears. But the fear her face once held wasn't there anymore. Still, seeing her crying got me thinking. Why would she shed tears after seeing a box full of papers and other scraps? Well, for me they are. But it might hold a very significant familiarity, to her at least.

I didn't realize I was staring at the box until a sniff made me snap my eyes back to her face. And something inside me cringes at the sight of her fighting the urge to whimper. She bit her lower lip as her brows creased further in utter —err, I couldn't figure out if it was sadness I'm seeing.

But after a while of looking at her, my eyes widen. A smile tugs her lips in a very alluring way. A smile so bright the sun would be embarrassed to ever share it rays again.

It made me a teensy bit —err, okay, it made happy. Really happy. Having seen her smile like that would be one of the greatest things I've ever seen in my life. And I didn't have much of those 'great things' happening.

But at the same time it got me irked. My full attention was again directed towards the box— what was she so happy about seeing a box with nothing but a pile of papers, or are those letters, stuck on one side, another was rolled up, and a smaller box that Lucy took in her hands? I felt myself knitting my already creased brows as I waited in anticipation, and what feels like anxiousness, for her to open it.

And when she does, my mood sank, which is currently unidentified as to why.

Her smile grew wider as she drew a golden ring out before placing it on the middle finger on her right hand. I stayed frozen on the sides, and may be left forgotten by my companion, but I remained silent, contemplating why something inside me is constricting…specifically the left part of my chest.

"I didn't know he'll give it back," she said, wiping her tears away. She didn't say it as if she's talking to me, instead she said it as if she's talking to herself without minding that I'm still there beside her.

And it made my mood much worse than it already is.

Shaking my head to clear my head, I scowled at the box and randomly took a paper, specifically the rolled up one (yea, so much for random), and unfold it without Lucy's permission. Well, I know it's rude, but I've been rude to her since the beginning so it doesn't really change anything. And she's ignoring me so doing this wouldn't really matter.

I sounded bitter back there. Huh.

My eyes widen as I let it gawk at a very beautiful painting of a lovely, young woman leaning on a banister, looking up at the majestic moon illuminating her face in the right places. Her brown eyes shines and hold wonders most people like myself wouldn't have, her blonde hair was pushed back softly seemingly by the night breeze, while her lips stretches into a small smile.

It was clearly Lucy. Only difference was, she has a white scarf draping around her neck, protecting her from the cold.

A scarf so familiar I wanted to rip the painting in my hands.

"What's that?" I looked at her and saw her leaning towards me while her eyes, that still has some remnants of tears, looked over my shoulders. I saw her eyes widen for the umpteenth time this day, and once again my chest constricts as I saw tears threatening to spill once again. Not really because of the tears, but because of the next word that left her mouth.

"Natsu…"

And that was it.

I rolled the paper and handed it to her. She looked at me in surprise before I stood up and proceeded to walk out of the room because honestly, I can only contain so much pain.

A pain I didn't know about.

"Gray, where are you going?"

"Out."

And I let the door close behind me. Good thing she didn't follow me. I guess I made it clear with my voice that I didn't want company. You wouldn't know the relief I felt after getting out of there. But truthfully, I wish she had followed me.

But alas, that didn't happen. And that only made me feel worse.

Damn, heart.

..ooOoo..


"Where did you go last night?"

For the eleventh time, she attempted to make conversation since we left for school this morning. But for the eleventh time, I hummed in reply. My neck cracked as I let my head rolled from side to side. I swear I wouldn't sleep on the couch again.

But then again, before I know it, I'm waking up on the same couch every morning. So much for swearing.

Yep, been sleeping outside my room for quite some time now. And I've been having this conversation every single morning. Annoying.

"I was waiting for you to come back, you know."

"Hmm,"

"You seem tired. Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Hmm,"

"Hey, why aren't you talking to me?"

"Hmm,"

"Did I do something wrong?"

And this is where my patience snaps. Usually, this part comes when we're already at school and the bell always saves me from answering it. And honestly, I seriously don't want to talk about it. Or talk to her.

I stopped walking and faced her, giving my indifference front. Her bag that I was holding along with mine was pretty heavy with her things and it's only making my mood more awful than it already is. So I did what any rational person out there would do: I pushed her bag to her arms.

"If you can't shut up, then walk to school by yourself."

.

.

.

Yea, it's not really rational.

And as expected, her brown eyes widen while a look of hurt crossed her face. But before I could wallow in my urges to take back what I said, I spun and started once again towards school.

I seriously couldn't face her yet. Not when I'm confused. Confused on what I'm feeling since that night. Confused by the pain.

And, as if by cue, something hit my head so hard I almost lost my balance. My free hand instantaneously found its way on the sore spot with the thought of having a bump there would likely to happen. I just hope it wasn't hard enough for me to have a concussion.

What? I'm dramatic at times. And mind you that having a concussion is serious.

I quickly swirl my head back I thought I'd have a whiplash, before turning my whole body and saw a raging blonde panting heavily while holding her bag (which I highly think was the object she used to hit me, and yes, I suspect her as the one who hit me) tightly with her hand. I swear my eyes were large as saucers. She took a step towards me making me take a step back because right now she's turned back into violent-Lucy. And that is never a good thing when her attention is focused on you. Wait, wait, undo, undo – 'that is never a good thing ESPECIALLY when her attention is focused on you.'

I was about to say something to calm her down when her face changed to the upset look she gave off earlier. "Did I do something wrong?" she breath out, hurt and confusion evident in her voice. And this is where I lose.

As my voice found its way back, I heaved a sigh before speaking. "You didn't. I just…just had a rough night, I guess."

And then her upset face turned into understanding, she might know that my sour mood shows itself when I didn't have enough sleep. And that is an understatement. "Where did you go last night?" she said, concern laced in her voice, "And every other night?"

And I guess I really just need her to explain some things to me. So instead of answering her I just motioned for her to follow me, which I was thankful she didn't argue with and just followed me like I'd instructed her— but of course, with her showing her concerned and confused face.

I looked at my watch and saw that we still had time to talk and led her towards the school, with me leading the way. I don't want to walk beside her so I purposefully walked faster when I felt her walking beside me. Fortunately, she got the idea and stayed behind me all the way.

We headed to the rooftop, where I know we could talk with no interruptions, except for the bell that is. I dropped my backpack and slumped down beside it against the railing. Lucy hesitantly sat a few feet away from me. And the simple gesture made me grateful and disappointed at the same time. I'll remind myself to try and not to feel that again later on.

"So," she started, "What's happened?"

I turned my head to her and stared at her for a few seconds, making her blush (I told myself not to think more about it…maybe she's just being self-conscious or maybe…damn! I said I'm not going to think about it!), before sighing and looking up. "Let me ask you a question first," I intended to pause for a little while, probably waiting for her response. But when she didn't say anything, I continued, "What happened to you?"

"What…do you mean?" I heard her ask.

"That night," I said and turned to face her confused look, "why were you crying?"

Understanding showed as the words left my mouth.

"Oh, that…" she began fiddling with her fingers on her lap and her eyes found the specs of dust on the floor interesting to look at when she continued, "I just remembered something from my past."

"Yea, that's pretty much obvious," I mumbled in sarcasm, and flinched when I realized I said it much louder than expected. My eyes slowly turned to her face and instead of the usual scowls she sends whenever I use that tone of voice, she smiled.

The smile I saw that night.

A smile that pains me to see.

But no words were uttered. And it left me confused, at the same time irritated that the only response I got was the smile I'm conflicted whether to hate or love.

"What? That's it?"

She looked at me and unconsciously bit her lip – the lips I almost tasted again.

.

.

.

Blood came rushing towards my face as I processed the thought I had. W-why did I…? I shake my head once, getting rid of the pleasant…err, getting rid of the 'memory' of that night.

"I was…" she started, hesitating to continue, "I was a genie for a long time now. You couldn't even begin to imagine how long. I wouldn't believe it myself if I wasn't there to live it."

She said the same thing to me and Natsu. Even now, I still wonder what she could be hiding.

The smile vanished from her face. I could tell from the way she creases her brows that the next words she utters will be emotionally painful to say out loud.

"Do you ever wonder why I'm still a genie right now? If I were able to grant the wishes my previous masters asked of me?"

My thoughts stilled for a moment, processing her (probably) rhetorical question. And then it suddenly hit me. But before I was even able to respond or ask back a question, she began speaking again. Something that shocked me, to say the least.

"It's because they never actually wanted to turn me human in the first place. I'm a being that the only significance for being alive is for granting wishes. A being passed on for generations – a 'thing' that everyone calls as a family heirloom." She said, with eyes devoid of any emotion. "For generations, I've suffered in the hands of the most ruthless beings ever lived in the world, the Corona Family.

"I was abused, maltreated…assaulted,"

The shock refuses to let me talk, to let me move. I can only stare at her while she reveals her deepest memories. Something she never wanted anyone to hear, probably.

All those times she thought no one could hear her when she mutters to herself, all those 'I shouldn't tell them' and 'I don't want them to worry' speech of hers, she doubtlessly doesn't want anyone to know her life, her story.

She shifted in her seat on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest, "I've been with that family since the beginning. I couldn't even remember a time when I got to serve another from outside that family…" she said and paused. My eyes never strayed from her form, and unconsciously, my body began moving closer to her.

But then she smiled.

"Until him…"

My mind struggled to deny what I know, to deny who 'him' was. But I know it's him.

Natsu.

Well, not really the Natsu I know. But the thought that Natsu and his great, great, grandfather looked so much alike you would suspect he's resurrected.

She softly laughed, traces of sadness suddenly disappearing with just the thought of him. I gritted my teeth.

"Let's just say, he stole me from them," she said laughingly.

"'Stole?'"

She nodded her blonde head and shrugged, "He never knew what he stole though, what the lamp is, what it holds…what I am. Natsu just took whatever he thinks can sell well— money matters."

A scoff broke from my mouth, I can't help it. Typical Natsu. "Nothing changed much, though— I guess he inherited it from his great, great, grandfather."

"Inherited what?" Lucy inquired, looking up at me and was surprised. Well, who wouldn't? I'm suddenly beside her. As in, beside-beside her, when I don't want to be near her earlier.

I looked away, trying to feign innocence why I'm sitting close to her, and answered her question, "Stupidity." She slapped me playfully on my unsuspecting shoulder and laughed. My lips lifted slightly, knowing I was the reason behind that laugh.

"That was rather rude!"

"Well, isn't he?"

She laughed more but nodded nonetheless. See? We think alike.

"But," I looked at her after hearing this, "He saved me. He rescued me from that hellhole. And I can't be more grateful to him…even if he didn't know what he did for me at first."

And then she went on with her story with him.

Apparently, the idiot didn't know what he stole. The only reason why Lucy's lamp wasn't sold off was because of that one night when that Natsu was cleaning his merchandise, a.k.a. the things he stole, and then Lucy came out.

Let's just say his reaction towards that incident wasn't that good but fortunately, Lucy was unharmed. If she did got hurt back then, I'll go and send Natsu's head where it belong— under my foot— as revenge to whatever his grandfather did. Hmp.

"Don't get him wrong though, he stole to earn money for the town he's in." I didn't bother answer, he's still stupid.

Lucy told him what favor he did for her, she told him what she is and what she can do. And that was the start of their Master-Servant relationship, as Lucy called it. Natsu, unlike me, was very grateful to her presence since the very start, and immediately promised to fulfill her one wish— to be human. She helped him support the town he lived in.

That's the first wish of course.

"What's that painting about?" I asked, interrupting her story for a while.

She placed her pointing finger on her chin and looked up, a pose she always do when thinking. Damn, so adorable.

"I don't…know?"

I was left dumbfounded and felt a twitch of my eyebrow. "You…don't know…" I repeated.

And she nodded, "Uhn, I don't know," she stretched her legs in front of her to cross her ankles together and letting her hand fall on her lap before continuing, "I always borrow his scarf, so I don't know when exactly did he paint it. And why he painted me."

Although I don't really wanna say it, "Maybe he missed you?"

Supplying that answer would make her laugh, or smile. Or so I thought. But then, her eyes darken.

"His second wish was for me to take my lamp and ran away, to a town called Magnolia."

.

.

.

Ow..kei… I didn't expect that. At all.

"W-what?"

"He gave me a letter and told me to give it to a woman named Mavis Vermillion."

My eyes widen. Mavis Vermillion? Mavis Obaa-sama? No freakin' way! I couldn't utter anything due to shock. My mouth opens and closes but no words are coming out, like a fish out of water. You mean our families go from way back? Natsu and I are THAT connected to each other?!

"The letter said and I quote, 'Bury the lamp and don't you dare rub it!'"

I almost fall animatedly on the ground. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

My head was aching, not only from information overload but also because Lucy hit me. Again. Seriously, one of these days I'm going to end up in a hospital bed because of a concussion…or head damage…or broken bones…or something. But you get my point.

"Watch your language!" she said, scowling at me.

My hand once again found its way to my head, "What are you, my mother?! THAT HURT!"

"You're exaggerating," She rolled her eyes at me. "Anyway," she said, knowing that I will have my say in that. "I've always thought that Natsu was the evilest person ever lived, after that."

I looked at her in surprise while still nursing my injury, grimacing now and then, "And here I thought he's your precious master. You said you missed him yet you despised him? I don't get you."

She sighed and smiled fondly, "Yea, I despised him for some time. But then, Mavis dug me up (the lamp) again and read me a letter that is apparently attached to the other letter that said, 'Read this to her while not letting her out.' I don't remember the exact words inside it but to sum it up, it said:

'Lucy, I'm sorry. But I can't fulfill my promise to you. I can't let you roam as a human in this ill littered world. People got wind of who you really are and are hunting you for their own personal pleasure and I can't let them capture you. The Corona family was probably behind it. They want you back. And I won't let them.

You deserve to be happy in a better time, a better world. So along my second wish, I also prayed that you will find a person good enough to give you what I cannot, the one wish you truly desire.

In time you will achieve it. In time you will be human, you will be happy. I'm sorry you couldn't attain it through me. Forgive me.

"And I did…forgive him." She sniffed and hid her eyes through her bangs, while trying to breathe evenly to stop herself from crying. "After that, Mavis buried me again. But before that she promised me that after three generations, someone will find me. But I didn't believe her. I don't want to wait that long. So I waited for him, hoping to see him again. I never lose hope…until a hundred years after, when I know he no longer walks this earth."

The left side of my chest suddenly scrunched up. I feel her pain. I feel her sorrow. My heart goes out to her. Waiting that long…I can't imagine how lonely that is. My arm, like something possessed it, moved from its place from my head and towards Lucy's shoulders. Pull her close, comfort her. Was all I think about. But then…

.

.

.

"I miss him," she sobbed.

.

.

.

No.

.

.

.

She must've loved him.

And then the bell rang.

..ooOoo..


A/N: Owkei, that wasn't the ending I planned for this chapter. I originally planned for it to be light but… yea.

Anyway, HIIIIIII EVERYONEEEEEE~! Whoever thought I'm dead…I've resurrected to give you this! Hahahahaha, so basically, I'm a zombie…

Meeeh…

Again, thanks for the reviews, the faves, and the follows! I know this story has been forgotten, as was I, because I haven't given you an update for sooooo many years (2 years, 2 months and 7 days, I'm exaggerating it— caught this from Gray), but if ever there are some people out there still waiting for the next chapter of this story, I'm truly grateful to you! You guys keep me alive (as a zombie) hahahha!

AND! Sorry for the awful cliffhanger I left 2 years ago. Hahaha. *cries in a corner because of the death glares I'm receiving*

Thank you: WolfieANNE, kurage-hime-chan, jdcocoagirl, dianaloveanime, Le' CarolinnaXannej 421, , Lady59, Fullbusterrulesmyheart, Oishii-.-Flakes, lucylover (Guest 02/10/13) — I'm from Cavite! *smile*, MademoiselleRED, anja (Guest 02/13/13), natpereira, Umi Ryuuzaki Fullbuster, Naruleach98, 1farytaillover, Guest (04/14/13), 1PkFire, Bhey (Guest 05/02/13)— I know, and I'm sorry if he loves Juvia here, but it's important in the plot, it's GRAYLU, don't worry. *smile*, Graylufan (Guest 05/03 13), Choco Oka, Shizuki Nagairo (Guest 05/20/13), luciolla (Guest 08/10/13), spark01, netteskies01 (Guest 10/09/13), Kyto Touche, StoryWriter369, and Lillian M.

Love you guys to bits! Mwua! *hearts*

P.S. Can't promise you anything about the next update. As well as the update of my other stories.. hahaha,

P.P.S. A lot of you guys are planning on killing the poor box that Lucy dropped and interrupted Lucy's supposed kiss with Gray. I killed it for you, don't worry.. hahaha

P.P.P.S. Sorry about the 'Corona Family being mean' thing in this story. I was angry at Flare when I wrote chapter 11. And I'm too lazy to go back and change in into my favorite villain's surname, Orlando (Minerva) even though she's in the good side now in the manga *spoiler!*

P.P.P.P.S. for the awful reviewer, Graylu sucks (Guest 06/10/14),, from my other fanfic called 'What are Words', he said: "Who the hell ships Gray with Lucy? I know all Lucy fans are crazy pairing her up with each and every guy in fairy tail but seriously Graylu ?! Lol! No offence but u guys make her sound like a slut. I hate Gruvia too but atleast it makes sense unlike Graylu . If Gray and Lucy weren't in the same team this would probably be a crack pairing. Seriously people why dont you'll just leave Lucy with Natsu."

My answer: You suck too! Hahhahahaha! Pairing her up with Gray makes her a slut? To hell with that! "No offense" but you insulted us after? Get a life! So you're saying that if Natsu and Lucy are not on the same team it'd be a crack pairing too? Question: ARE YOU STUPID OR ARE YOU STUPID? Pick one! Or pick both for all I care! Natsu and Gray have their own moments with Lucy and you can't ever take it out of the manga/anime if you're not Hiro Mashima. Don't you dare make fun of our ship. I love Graylu with a burning passion (even if I'm not that much active anymore) but I do love Nalu too! And unlike you, I don't hate Gruvia, I just don't like pairing Gray up with anyone except Lucy. AND for the hundredth time, PEOPLE CAN SHIP WHOEVER THEY WANT TO SHIP! YOU CAN'T FORCE THEM TO LIKE ANOTHER! "Seriously people why dont you'll just leave Lucy with Natsu." You say? Why don't YOU leave US the hell alone? Huh? Tsk!

AHEM.. sorry of the rant… I've always wanted to tell him/her that ever since I read it! I just don't know how since he/she is a guest. Again, Sareee~ hahaha

Ja'ne! *flies*