I didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked, but it didn't matter now. I was to meet Natsu and Happy at the guild hall in thirty three minutes. There was no more time to try and catch forty winks.

I got out of bed and slipped into an all black stealth suit, then pulled my normal close on over top of it. I turned in the mirror, making sure the stealth suit was perfectly hidden. I placed my dagger in its scabbard, as well as some throwing knives at my waist. I slipped another knife into my boot for good measure. Even though I had been over my plan a million times, both with August and alone, killing Natsu was going to be no easy feat. I would need to maintain perfect focus.

I did one last check in the mirror, making sure that nothing seemed out of place. I practiced the smile that I would use to greet Natsu, then I walked into the living room where August was waiting.

"Glad you're up," he said, "I was about to wake you." he didn't ask if I'd sleep well, and judging by the dark circles under his eyes he hadn't either.

"You know the plan?" he asked.

"We went over it a million times last night," I reminded him.

"Well what's one more then?" I could tell that he was asking not for the sake of my nerves, but for his.

I sighed. "I will go to the guild hall with you, I'll act sad that you can't come with me, and not want to leave right away. Then I'll go to the thieves' guild with Natsu."

"And then?" August pushed.

"Then we will do the job like nothing is wrong, but when I see that about half of the thieves' are taken care of I will slip away from the battle and find my mask and gloves where you hid them in the big oak tree to the south of the building."

"Good, and then?"

"I'll put them on and ditch my civilian clothes, and then I'll attack Natsu from behind right as he finishes the last of the thieves. I'll take care of him, and then Happy, and then I'll add whatever injuries are needed to make it look believable to both Natsu and myself, so that it looks like we were attacked."

"Then?" August asked.

"I'll change back into my clothes and walk to the road, and try to get a ride back to the guild hall."

August nodded, satisfied. "And then you'll have a lot of acting to do." he said.

"But if I seem off, you'll blame it on shock and we'll be golden."

"Right," August nodded. We stood there in silence. I tried to push my fear away. If I kept to my plan, everything would be alright. And even if something did go wrong, I had the mask, so I could just make a run for it, then come back later as the Violet that Fairy Tail knew. Even worst case scenario was pretty good. I told myself that there was no reason to worry.

August opened the door for me, and we made our way to the guild hall together. But even as we did, I knew that when I came back it would not be the same, not after I told them what had happened.

I told myself that Fairy Tail wasn't my problem, that I would be leaving with August soon anyway. It didn't make me feel any better.

We approached the guild hall all to soon, and I tried to push my fear aside. I had to act normal. I had to benormal.

August placed his hand on the door, preparing to push it open. "Ready?" he asked.

I took a deep breath, then nodded.

August lead the way forward, and the emotional atmosphere of the guild hall washed over me just as strong as the first time I had set foot inside. I spotted Natsu at the bar, and took a long deep breath before walking towards him and leaning against the counter causeway.

"Heya," he waved, "Glad you could make it."

He was happy to see me, excited for the mission, satisfied by the food he was eating. Nothing out of the ordinary.

"Yeah," I nodded, "I'm looking forward to our job." was that too formal sounding? I couldn't tell. People seemed to make friends fast at Fairy Tail. Lucky Natsu's emotions didn't change.

"You need to get any breakfast before we go?" Natsu asked.

"I already ate." I lied. It was a bad habit of mine to skip meals before missions. I knew that the lack of nourishment could cause problems, but it was more likely that I would end up throwing it up anyway.

"Alright then," Natsu cracked his knuckles, "Let's get this show on the road."

I glanced at August, "yeah…"

"Pity you can't come too," Natsu told him, as though an afterthought.

"Yeah well," August shrugged, "gotta be there for Takashi."

Natsu nodded, understanding. He was a good friend.

"It is going to be weird not having you with me though" I lamented.

I felt August's heart sink, he'd read my double meaning. "You'll be fine," he assured me, "it's just like any other job."

I nodded. Just like any other kill.

"Welp," Natsu said, "You ready Vi?"

"Yep." no.

"Happy!" Natsu called. "We're heading out!"

Happy flew out of the crowd, landing on the bar next to us, "let's go!" he said.

I followed Natsu and Happy out of the hall, not trusting myself to look back at August again. I used my silver tongue to tell that Natsu really did think this would be like any other job. Before I could stop myself, I ran up to walk next to him. "Isn't there anyone you want to say goodbye to?" I asked.

Stupid, Stupid Stupid. You're going to tip him off, dumb ass.

Natsu tilted his head to the side, "It's not that long a job, Vi," he said, "We'll probs be back before dinner."

I will.

"I guess you're right," I said, thought I wished he would have taken my advice. He wasn't going to have time to make his peace. But there was nothing I could do about that.

I was going to release him from this life, free him from the world. I should have been happy for him. But the thought of what kind of guild would be waiting for me when I returned from this job alone lingered in the back of my mind. And I knew that if I kept thinking about it, I would never be able to hold on long enough to do what I needed to.

So I pushed the thoughts aside, and followed Natsu out into the sun lit streets of Magnolia.