"Fairy Tail's gone."

The words are as empty as they always are when they leave my mouth, but this time I keep my eyes on Natsu's as I say them, though I'm more so looking through him. I'm too numb to focus on how either of the boys are reacting. Ah I can't help but sigh inwardly. Somehow I thought I'd feel relieved when they knew. I guess I should know by now that it's pointless hoping for things.

It takes me a few minutes to realise just how still and deathly quiet the hallway has become, but I manage to focus back on Natsu's face as though nothing has happened which surprises me because inside I know I'm a complete mess.

His lips barely move. "If that's a joke Luce, it's not funny."

I sit back as though I've been slapped, but with my emotions in turmoil, my face stays neutral. Only my voice betrays how I truly feel. Wounded. "Do really think I'm capable of making such a joke?"

"No" Natsu sighs but it's not a very convincing answer. "I'm just a little confused" he adds.

"You're just a little confused" I repeat. What right do you have to feel confused? I want to scream but it's no good because we've already established why he left, so I should no longer have any reason to be angry at him. But the feelings of betrayal and loneliness are so raw inside me that I'm struggling to see beyond the red haze that now clouds my vision.

"When did this happen?" he demands, his own anger and confusion blinding him.

My lips move on their own, "Three years ago. The same day you left."

If Natsu notices this last point, his face doesn't show it, his eyes are darting back and forth over the floor, his arms crossed tensely over his chest. "How could this have happened?!" he growls, teeth gnashing together.

"Master just said it was time" I reply with a shrug.

Natsu glares at me, clearly bothered by my nonchalant behaviour. "And what? You just let him go ahead and make that decision did you? Did you even try to stop him Lucy?! No one said anything?"

Something inside me snaps, my arms are so loose around Happy that it's a wonder I haven't dropped him. "Did I just let him go ahead and make that decision you say? Did I even try to stop him you say?" I spit his words back at him with enough venom that even Happy flinches, quickly climbing out of my arms and hides behind Natsu. "You have no right to- to be saying any of that!" I scream.

The fire dragon's eyes widen for half a second before going dim with some kind of silent understanding. His folded arms drop limply to his sides as he takes a step towards me.

"Don't" I warn. Halting his advance. "I know why you left Natsu. I understand. But right now I don't care because all that matters to me right now is that Fairy Tail disbanded that same day you took off." I taste something salty on my lips before I realise that I'm crying. "After I found your note, I went and looked for you. I told you that just before remember?" I ask, but don't bother waiting for his conformation. "When I couldn't find you, I went back to the guild. I hoped maybe you'd gone there. But no. Instead I found everyone in a panic. I tried talking to Gray and Erza, to ask if either of them had seen you but I never got the chance. The second they turned around, I knew something was wrong, something other than the fact that you were missing." I clench my hands, driving my nails into my palms as a distraction from the pain I feel in my chest. "The master had called everyone together to tell us that he was disbanding Fairy Tail. We all just stood there with our mouths open. I don't think any of us knew how to react. He said it was time. I don't remember what else happened before I got home. It was all a blur."

Neither Happy nor Natsu moves, they're both frozen in place, watching me with mirrored looks of pity that make me want to vomit. Don't feel sorry for me I want to beg.

"I didn't leave the apartment at first. I guess I was just too shocked to know how to function. I contacted Erza, Wendy and Gray a couple days later. I wanted to make sure they were all okay. I didn't expect them to be so resolved though." Natsu frowns at me in question. "They'd all decided if that was the master's decision, then they'd respect it. They weren't going to question him. I tried to argue but their minds were made up. It wasn't that they were happy. I know they were just as sad and confused. But they had somehow figured out how to move on. I hadn't.

"So stubbornly, I stayed behind and watched as everyone went their separate ways. I've tried to keep track of everyone's whereabouts but some of them have been harder than others-"

"Wait" Natsu cuts in.

"What?" I ask.

"You say you've been keeping track of everyone?"

"Well, tried" I admit.

"How?"

"Really, it's hard to explain. I mean unless I show you I don't really-"

Suddenly Natsu bends down and grabs my shoulders firmly, catching me off guard. His eyes glint with a familiar spark. "Then show me."


Thanks for reading and for all the support! I hope everyone who's followed this short story, has enjoyed it :)

Fairy Tail is my absolute favourite series and I have so much respect for all the hard work that's been put into it! Friendship, family, loyalty, determination, strength, courage, love, sacrifice. There are so many important lessons and values to learn.

I'm always praying that something "more" will happen between Natsu and Lucy, which is what inspired me to write this short story.

This next chapter will most likely be the last. I hope you all enjoy it and hopefully I'll be able to post another story soon! Thank you all again!