Hello, everyone! I'm really sorry for the late update, I can't believe that I'm having a hard time to think about the next chapter when I have lot's of time. It's spring break now. I'll post the next chapter as soon as school starts. It's easier for me to write when I'm in school. If you enjoy this chapter, please don't forget to review or follow! Thank you!

"I wonder where Rogue's gone, Frosch," Lucy whispered to the exceed who was in her arms. Frosch patted her arms as if comforting her when he spotted someone standing not too far away from them.

"Lucy, who's that?" Frosch asked pointing a finger. Lucy tilted her head and looked towards where Frosch's finger was pointing.

Lucy faltered for a moment as her breath hitched, "Zeref…" Zeref pulled down his hood and stepped forwards into the light. He smiled wistfully at her and spread his arms as if to hug her.

Lucy hesitated and stared at him. Was he really Zeref? She breathed in a little sharply and put Frosch on the ground; Frosch was pulling at her sleeve urging that they should leave and find Rogue immediately.

Frosch had sensed something from this man. He didn't like Zeref apparently. He wrinkled his nose and buried his face in his frog costume. "Lucy… let's go!"

Lucy didn't hear him, her eyes were focused on Zeref only. She took a step forward and reached out to him. One moment later, she was running towards him.

"Zeref!" Lucy cried, throwing herself into his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in his scent.

Zeref trembled a bit, he embraced her tightly back. He couldn't believe that he was holding Lucy in his arms. Zeref lifted her face and gazed at her. She didn't change at all. Zeref smiled at her once more and kissed her softly between her eyebrows.

Lucy blushed at this tender gesture, she opened her mouth to speak. He mind was buzzing with thousands of questions, but what she asked was: "Why did you leave me?"

Zeref paused and twirled a lock of her blonde hair between his fingers, "I… had to. Forgive me, Lucy."

Lucy looked at Zeref, her eyes searching him, "I missed you…"

Zeref's expression looked pained for a second before he sealed her lips with his own. Lucy blushed and pressed her own against his.

Frosch watched the sight through his paws, "Lucy!" He yelled. Lucy stirred and when she realized that Frosch was watching she pushed Zeref away.

Zeref smiled at her and pulled up his hood, "I have to go now."

Lucy perked up, "Now? When can I see you again?" She bit her lower lip, she didn't think that he would leave her that fast.

Zeref paused for a moment before saying again, "Midnight, I'll be waiting in the same spot. It's up to you if you want to come or not… I'll explain everything to you." Zeref whispered quickly. He didn't know if explaining everything to her was the right choice or not but Lucy was kept in the dark for too long.

But it was a risk he was willing to take. Zeref gazed at her once more before the magic runes appeared around him and enveloped him in its dark aura.

Lucy closed her eyes and opened them, Zeref was gone. It was as if anything which happened earlier was just a trick of her mind. But it wasn't. He was really here.

Lucy blushed as she remembered the way Zeref had embraced her. Frosch tugged at her cloak, "Lucy, who was that? Why did he kiss you?"

Lucy started and felt her face get warm, "Uh… Fro, he was my… friend. And I would really like it if you could keep this a secret?"

Frosch sat on the ground, "Maybe, Lucy." Lucy smiled at the exceed, "I'll give you an extra helping of fish."

"I promise that I'll never tell your secret!" Frosch chirped, satisfied with the outcome.

"Speak."

Sting frowned and let out a frustrated sigh, "It's their fault! I didn't do anything!"

Rogue growled, "I understand, but what did you say to Gray-san?!"

Sting paused for a moment before looking away, "He… said that Natsu-san was pitiful. And he said that Lucy leaving was all their fault."

Rogue raised an eyebrow, what he said wasn't exactly wrong… "

Sting leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, "I guess I snapped after that. I told him to stop flattering himself. I… well, I told him that Lucy chose the right thing to do, leaving Fairy Tail and all."

Rogue sighed, "Why, did you do that? I understand that you-"

"I hated him, at that moment. For losing his memories and all… when Lucy was the one who was suffering the most." Sting interrupted Rogue. He slammed his fist down the table.

"You… knew?" Rogue asked, did Lucy tell him too…?

Sting nodded, "Yeah, the rumors told me enough."

Rogue paused, he felt relieved for a moment. "Ah… oh yeah," He said, lamely. He tapped his fingers on the table, thinking.

Sting growled, "And then, that ice freak insulted the guild… I guess I lost it after that."

Rogue fell silent for a moment, he ran a hand through his black hair and looked at Sting sincerely, "Sting… I think you should apologize."

Sting's eyes widened as he looked at Rogue imploringly, "What? Why should I apologize?! That stupid Master of theirs already made me apologize to him."

Rogue reproached Sting, "Sting, you do know that we aren't in any position to have arguments and I don't think Lucy-san would appreciate this."

Sting opened his mouth to retort but fell silent as he thought it over again, he didn't want Lucy to feel upset. "I… fine. I'll apologize. But only once!" Sting relented.

Rogue nodded and sighed, he looked at Sting who was grumbling to himself. "Well, I'm going to go and look for Lucy-san. I left her with Fro."

"Lucy-san?" Rogue called out, he clenched his fists and walked towards her. For some reason, he felt nervous. He swallowed his feelings and called her name again.

Lucy didn't seem to notice, she was looking ahead of her; Frosch was sleeping on her lap.

Rogue frowned slightly, he approached her and put a hand on her shoulder. Only then, Lucy stirred. Her brown eyes gazed up and found Rogue. She smiled wearily at him and handed him, Frosch.

"Where did you go? Fro was waiting for you," Lucy chuckled, she stood up and smoothed out her clothes.

Rogue shrugged, "Sting caused trouble again…" He tried not to look at her, he was a bit afraid that she would start to ask questions but Lucy stayed silent.

She had her eyebrows drawn together in a frown as if she was thinking. "Say… Rogue?"

Rogue titled his head to indicate that he was listening, he held out a hand to her which she slipped hers into.

"Rogue, I… it's nothing," Lucy shook her head. Rogue turned his head to look at her, she had a pained expression on her face which prevented him from asking any questions.

Lucy bit her lower lip and grasped his hand tightly, 'I'm sorry…' she thought.

He wasn't there again. Lucy rubbed her cold hands and looked around as she waited for Zeref to appear.

She folded her hands and looked up, she let out a sigh and watched as her breath turned white against the darkness. Was meeting Zeref the right thing to do?

Lucy felt as if she was committing an act of betrayal against humanity. Zeref was… after all, he was the Emperor Spriggan. It was just an assumption, but Lucy knew that it was the truth.

"Lucy."

Lucy turned around and found herself staring at Zeref. She struggled to breathe, all the emotions which were locked inside her opened and poured themselves out.

"Zeref…" Lucy choked and reached for him. Zeref stepped forward and pulled her in, he pulled down her hood, allowing her hair to glint in the moonlight.

She buried her face in his shoulder, "I- missed you…" Lucy sobbed. Zeref embraced her tighter, "I'm so sorry," he muttered into her ear.

Zeref lifted her face by the chin and kissed her softly. He caressed her hair gently, Lucy blushed and bit her lower lip. She grabbed him by his collar and kissed him back. They stayed like that for what seemed like hours to them.

Zeref gazed sadly at her, "I promised that I'll tell you everything." Lucy nodded and breathed slowly, trying to calm herself down.

"Whatever you see… just trust me, okay?" Zeref bent so that their foreheads touched. Lucy nodded and gazed into his dark eyes.

"I trust you."

Rogue crossed his arms and frowned, now that he was finally alone he could use some time to figure out his feelings towards… Lucy.

He clenched his fists and exhaled, he couldn't exactly explain what he was feeling. Rogue felt happy and sad at the same time whenever he was beside Lucy.

He looked down at Frosch who was sleeping peacefully on his lap, Rogue smiled and pet him.

Rogue wondered about Lucy, he remembered that she said that someone willingly trained her, but what Rogue was curious about was who trained Lucy?

He closed his eyes briefly and opened them again, he felt as if there was a special bond between Lucy and that mysterious someone. He just knew, Lucy's eyes were tender when she spoke of him.

Rogue bit his lower lip as he realized that he was feeling jealous.

Sting's snoring sounds were too loud. Rogue covered his ears and growled, he was feeling frustrated.

What was he feeling? His heart hurt tremendously whenever he thought of her…

Was this …love he was feeling?