FLASHBACK PART 7

Lucy's POV

I am so tired. Today has been an adventurous day. I got to battle bandits who where trying to steal this last package I was to deliver to a rich couple. It seems they want the couple's solid gold wedding rings. But I didn't let them. I kicked their but alright. Wphew..I am beat..so tired..I wanna hit the hay when I get home.

Right now, I'm in the small forest inside the Crime Sorciere guild admiring the stars through the ceiling's opening as I lay down the soft grass relaxing and letting my worries go away.

"You know..if you like it here..you could build a small house here. There's enough space to make a two story house inside this cave." Jellal offered as he approached me.
"yeah..maybe...but I do like it here..it's so peaceful." There was silence in the air. I don't want an awkward time so I just broke the ice.
"So..how was the trip to the council?"
"It was awful...Grandoma bombarded me with hundreds of letters that are to be delivered. I had to finish my report on the last deliveries you have made. They don't know that it's you..they only thing they know is that you're a trust worthy person." He explained. Jella sat down on the grass next to me.

"How? I mean...how are they not yelling at you for letting an outsider touch classified information in little boxes and envelopes?" I asked quite curios
"Because...WE only let people who are TRUSTWORTHY enough for the role. We know you..you're very loyal Lucy...so If we trust you then that means the council trusts you." Jellal said. They trust me. Jellal and Meldy trusts me. Even the council.

"But..." he added
"But?...what?"
"Grandoma wants to meet you...he wants to personally meet the new messenger." Says jellal
"well...that's good..I guess." I stuttered.
"there's a problem." That caught my atention.
"what is it?"
"well...Grandoma thinks that you're not part of a guild...If he finds out we hired a wizard who STILL part of a guild..I don't know what he'll do." Jellal explained. He was worried about me. I felt it. I'm worried too.
"well...I want to meet him. Guildless or not, I have to. We can't lie to the council now can we?" I asked. I'm scared what will happen. There might be a punishment but nothing it will be a more serious punishment if I lie that I'm not part of a guild anymore. So it's better to come clean that dirty.
"I know..we can't lie..but still I'm worried about what will happen to you..what will happen to us...and the guild."
"whatever happens, I'll be there..Mledy will be there...the whole guild will be there to take on the punishment. After all...we're family." Now why does that word seem familiar to me? I feel weird. This warm feeling inside of me. It's the love of a family. Crime Sorciere is my family now so I have to fight for it too.

"you're right." Jellal smiled. I think he gets the message. "I kinda agree with you...I understand...we're not gonna lie..we're gonna face it together...cuz we're family." He stared at the stars just as I did. Yeah..we really are a family now.

"by the way...are you sure you don't want to make a house here?"
"Hmm..I'll think about it Jellal." I need time to think. I don't know if I want to live here. Fairytail is my home. My family...yet it doesn't feel like my home anymore. But still they're still my family no matter how bad it hurts to see them ignore me.
" I nkow what you're thinking...you can join us...if you want to..I gotta go now. Meldy needs me." Says Jellal. I was about to answer but when I turned to look at him, He already stood up and was walking far away from Fairytail...Join Crime Sorciere..that's a hard decision to make. Time wil tell what I shall decide.

Night Time...

I'm going back home. So tired from today's delivery but before I could go back to my apartment, I need to go to the guild to pick out a job before I encounter Natsu tomorrow. Once I carmelion landed on the guild's roof top, I secretly walked down the stairs straight to the secnd floor. What got me so suprised was that the guild was throwing a party.

Everyone was having a really good time. Some were playing games, some were getting drunk and some where just chatting. But what got my attention the most was natsu dancing with Lisanna. They were having the best time of their life.

"Okay minna...time to gather around the birthday cake." Says Mira as she readied the camera. birthday cake? That's when noticed the banner hanged up on top of the cake written in big bold letters.

'Happy Birthday Lisanna'

So today is Lissana's special day. How come I didn't know about this? Oh right..I haven't been present in the guild lately. I watched them all from above the second floor. I hid behind the pillar just like what Juvia would so to stalk Gray. They all look so happy. I feel like I'm not part of Fairytail anymore. Wht does the pain in my chest hurt so much? I feel like I never existed.

"okay minna...say cheese!" says the camera guy. When he clicked the button, Lisanna blew the candles after making her wish. I bet she wished that Natsu and I should get seperated now. I sound so evil..can you blame me? I'm hurt..I'm lonely and I want to blame it on someone. I'm not mad at Lisanna but I just have a feeling to blame her.

I had enough of this. I was about to leave the party but then Natsu jumped up on the table. He called for everyone's attention. All eyes were on natsu..including mine.

"I just want to say happy birthday to my best friend Lisanna! Give her an applause everyone!" everyone clapped. They were enjoying the party. Lisanna blushed at the attention.

"Lisanna...I know we haven't spent time together in the past after you came back..so I thought I'd make it up to you...Lisanna Strauss...welcome to the team. That's you, me, Happy, Erza, Gray, Wendy and Carla!" Natsu yelled in absolute delight. Lisanna's eyes sparkled in happiness.

I was frozen. My heart had been shattered. He left me out. Natsu left me out. He already forgot about me. I'm no longer part of the team. Why is this happening to me? Why? Why me of all people? This is worst than the time I used my shampoo..turned invisible..dissapeared and everyone forgot about me. But Natsu remembered me, that's how I'm back to normal. But this situation is different. Natsu didn't remember that I'm part of the team. I think he considers me as not part of the team anymore.

It hurts..it hurts so mcuh to know that the guild who had loved me from the brgginging till now has forgotten about my existense. I can't take it anymore. I did what I had to do. I ran to the master's office.

I didn't bother to knock. I just pushed the door away. The Master was there finishing up some work before going down to party with the others.

"Lucy..what is it that you want child?" Master makarov asked. This is it. I have to do it. I went near him and slammed my hand where my fairytail guild mark was imprinted.
"please...I want you to remove my mark master." I said. I was on the verge of tears but I can't show it.
"cry..." he said
"Huh?"
"I said cry child...whatever is happening to you..let it all out. A father can't stand to see his children getting hurt so let it all out Lucy." He said. I couldn't hold it any longer. I cried. I cried infront of the Master.
Master Makarov stood up and walked right next to me. I crouched down to his level of height. My eyes were still in tears. He looked at me like observing me.
"you've been through a lot Lucy..I may not know what it is..but I'm sure it was awful."
"oh Master...I..I can't do this anymore...I..I want to leave the guild." I cried
"I'm guessing there's trouble with you and the guild..but that's all I want to know...I won't push you to tell me something that you are not ready to tell." That's why I loved this guild. Master was part of it. He knew just what to say in times like this.
"I do want you to stay Lucy...fight your problems..but that would be selfish of me. If you want to leave..i won't hold you back..it's your choice..and I will support that." Master gently said. Ilightly smiled at him.
"Just tell me something...will you come back?"
"I...I don't know..maybe...I'll come back..when I finally find my happiness." I sobbed.
Master patted my head for reassurance.
"You'll find it soon Lucy." I hugged him anyways. The pat was not enough. Master hugged me back.
"Just tell me this...will you promise not to say any information about Fairytail? Never tell a single soul what information you have learned from us and never betray the guild who treated you as family ?"

I swallowed a lump in my throat and finally had the courage to say it. "yes...I promise Master Makarov."
"Child...I trust you Lucy...I hope you find your happiness soon. And now the proper Fairytail farewell party."

Master pointed at the window. It started. The fireworks spread out and exploded to different light of colors. I cried so hard. I went outside the Balcony. I see the Fairytail insignia being lit.

I noticed that the guild members are outside looking at the fireworks.
I believe they think that it's part of the celebration being held." Says master.
"No matter where you are Lucy..Fairytail...will always be your family." Master said. I broke down in silent tears trying not to let the others notice me.

This is it. I'm finally leaving Fairytail. I saw it. The mark on my right palm lit to a color pink light. It sparkled. And ever so slowly, the Fairytail mark dissapeared from my palm. I felt free now but still in pain. I looked at Master. He had this face that said 'Off you go'. I smiled at him.

"Thank you..Master Makarov." I whispered. Master nodded and left the office. I stood there on the balcony waiting for the guild members to go back inside so I can leave. Finally everyone had left. It's time to go.

I didn't want to go outside yet. I wanted to rethink what I just did. Focus on the facts. Natsu forgot about me. Everyone is happy without me..I'm a nobody to the guild and nobody cares. Yes..that's right but I still have this feeling to stay. No! I have made my decision..I'm leaving for good.

I need to do this. Go out there and just spy on them. If they really have forgotten all about me, I have to see it to believe it. Here goes nothing.

As I made my way back to the second floor, the whole guild was still in cheers. The party hasn't died down yet but there were some members who were already past out from too much booze. I silently hid behind the ground floor pillars hoping that no one sees me as I exit to the back door of the guild. I need to leave now.

As I was about to run to the last three pillars, Natsu was near the pillar I was hiding behind. He was on the table eating fire on a stick while chatting with the Gray and Lisanna. I feel so left out without them. I was about to move when...

"Natsu what about Lucy?" Lisanna asked
"what about Lucy?" Natsu asked while his mouth was still full of his fire food.
"I mean..isn't Lucy gonna be with us?" I wanted to hear his answer
"tsk...who cares...she thinks she's so strong going on missions on her own..I know Lucy and she's weak...a weak link to the gang. I'm just glad I haven't seen her this long...wouldn't want to break her little heart now do we?"

That was the last straw. I've had enough. I ran...I ran and never looked back..well maybe I did look back but only too see Natsu clutching his head and clenching his fist. This is my FINAL DECISION. Fairytail...you are NOTHING to me. I'm leaving for good. No more tears when I start a new life.

Once I made it outside the back door, I called my spirit, "Open the Gate of the Celestial Dragon: Carmelion!" Carmelion appeared infront of me. Floating on air. I hopped on and nudged him to move. We are leaving Fairytail..we are leaving Magnolia tonight. And that's that.

Once I had packed all my belongings, I summoned Virgo.
"Hime...Is it punishment time now?" Virgo asked me.
"No...can you please store my belongings in the sprit world?"
"Yes Hime."
"Arigatou Virgo."
"You're welcome Hime" Virgot lifted all my bags and disappeared into the spirit world. After Virgo had left, I went to the land lady and gave her my last payment for the rent. She asked where I was going and I told her that I'm going somewhere like a vacation. She said she'll miss me. I'll miss her too.

Carmelion and I are ready. He flew us up above the clouds. This was it. Time to say goodbye to Fairytail and say Heloo to my new guild, Crime Sorciere.

"Minna...gomene...and...arigatou...goodbye."

I'm sorry for leaving you but I'm doing this for my happiness.

Thank you for being my family...and opening up my eyes to the reality that not all fairytales last

and Goodbye..goodbye forever. You don't deserve a proper farewell from me. Because none of you ever deserve it. Goodbye for good.