Chapter One: A goodbye?

Erza was sitting on the edge of the roof of Fairy Tail. She knew the plae was one where few people came, and she enjoyed the peace for a moment, to reflect upon the past few weeks. Nothing out of the ordinary had really happened, but thoughts of her past overwhelmed her once again.

She sighed. The summer sky wih a setting sun made her feel melancholic. It had slowed her thoughts and brought a strange mood to her mind. That's why she didn't often did these things. To not think about it. It was painful and a dark period. She thought back of when she first joined the guild. The people had accepted her reluctantly, because you don't see an eleven years old girl in armour and with a significant amount of magic power every day. Not to mention her eyepatch and her troubled past It had stayed like that for quite a while, until she had somewhat healed from the wounds and opened up to her friends. She never took on missions with someone else, however.

Years passed, and everything seemed for the better, until Lucy came. Then it was like the sun came through the clouds and her world was lighter and brighter than ever before. The blonde had changed the balance between everyone to say the least. Erza became close with the rest of the guild. She helped many people, Lucy, and cared deeply for all.

Lucy also noticed things no one else did. Like the loneliness in Erza's eyes, the pain when nobody saw it, the shaking of her hands when the Ten Wizard Saints were talked about. Just like now, Erza thought wryly when she heard light footsteps, Lucy noticed when Erza needed companionship.

"Mind if I join you?" The blonde's voice was soft and gentle, not wanting to disturb the calm, peaceful mood. It was still warm outside, although the sun was setting, and the air had a summer tint. They both loved it.

Erza shook her head. Having Lucy there was unexpected, but very pleasant. They sat in silence for a while, looking at the sky and each within their own thoughts when Lucy suddenly looked sideways at Erza and smiled a little.

"A Jewel for your thoughts."

"Only a Jewel? That's not much." Erza smiled too. She breathed deep in, smelling the forest and freedom above the city.

"I would pay a king's ransom for you, but I'm not sure if I wish to know your thoughts. One often says: be careful what you wish for."

"That's all too true, but I wasn't thinking anything bad. I was thinking about you. Wonderful thoughts, indeed."

"Then it can't be too much trouble to tell me what exactly you were pondering about?"

"It's a secret" Erza winked. She looked away to hide her blush.

Lucy nodded. "Why don't you come inside and party with us? I've been feeling lonely without you. There isn't anyone to keep them in check now."

"Ah. I wanted a bit of peace and quiet. Sometimes it's good like this. A setting sun and a very dear friend to talk with."

"I'm afraid I'm not that good company. Maybe I should go." Erza didn't know what caused this, but she was certainly not letting her go. She reached out for Lucy's arm, and softly but firmly held it. Lucy looked back with sadness in her eyes, which was quickly replaced by happiness. Erza saw through the masquerade.

"There is no one's company I enjoy more than yours, Lucy." She said sincerely. "Please don't leave."

A breeze toyed with their hairs, and silence descended for a mere moment before Lucy sighed. "Okay." She said.

She sat back next to Erza again, legs hanging over the edge. Erza's hand slid down to meet with Lucy's fingers and they intertwined without saying anything. They were both waiting for something, but neither knew what. Erza didn't know how to start with all she wanted to say.

"Can I tell you something, Lucy?" Erza asked, a little formal. Finally the tension was broken a little and still watching the sun, Lucy nodded once.

"I want to thank you for all what you've done for us."

Lucy looked her surprised in the eyes and smiled, a little bitterly. "What I've done for you? I should have to thank you for saving me and helping me over and over again. Sometimes I feel that it's as if I only need to be saved and am useless."

"That's not true!" Erza exclaimed loudly. She scraped her throat when she saw Lucy looking at her. "I'm sorry. It's just, you've caused so many changes for the better in Fairy Tail. In me, too. Have you really not noticed? Since you joined, Gray has become warmer, Natsu smarter, I less strict. Happy feels more at ease, he told me. Wendy sees you as a big sister, Cana wouldn't have gotten the courage to tell Gildarts the truth without you! Everyone would've been in trouble countless times without your wits… But that's not even half of it, Lucy. Not for me." The passionate way and intensity Erza was talking with paralyzed Lucy. She looked at the redhead with wonder and care and something quite else.

The Requip Mage hesitantly continued. "You see things no one else does, you notice other people's pain and try to help if they think they don't deserve it. You've listened to me countless times, Lucy, and have always been there for me when I needed you. Thank you for being my friend. I know I'm not the easiest to put up with, and you held on." Tears started to well up in Luc's eyes, and Erza herself shook under the power of the confessions.

"So, I want you to know that I'll be there for you. I will be there if you need me. If you need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen or anything else. You've been strong long enough, Lucy, o if anything is bothering you, tell me and I'll help you." She stopped talking and smiled gently. Lucy was crying hard now.

"I just wanted you to know this. You don't have to, of course, but I've noticed things are a little bit off with you lately."

She stopped talking altogether, or she might have burst into tears herself. She pulled Lucy up and hugged her from behind. She held her tightly, and the sun set completely during the time they stood there. Lucy's tears dried and she calmed down in Erza's steady embrace.

"Okay?" Erza whispered in Lucy's ears.

"Okay." Lucy nodded. She was silent for a couple moments and seemed to decide something, because she turned around and took Erza's arms away from her.

"Erza, thank you so much for these kind words; they mean so much to me. But I originally came here to tell you something."

Erza could see Lucy struggling. "What is it?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow." The statement was blurted out and shocked her deeply. Not now!

"What? Why?" was all she could say.

"Because I have to. There's something I need to take care of, and I want to do it alone. Everyone downstairs knows of this. I don't know how long it is going to take me I'll come back, for sure."

"I want to come with you. Please, Lucy." She begged. She immediately knew and accepted Lucy's words. But she couldn't live with it. To wait and wait for her, no, she couldn't and wouldn't handle that.

"No, Erza. This is something I have to do alone. Otherwise, it might be solved, but I'll never be free of it, you understand?"

Erza understood. It was like Jellal and her. She had wanted to defeat him herself, otherwise she would've been haunted forever. And she still was now Natsu had beaten him. She also knew Lucy was making a mistake and walking into a trap, but she couldn't stop her. It was getting colder at last.

"I do. I'll miss you. Good luck. And Lucy? Don't forget you have a home here." She said, tears flooding freely. To see Lucy disappear into the unknown was hell. She didn't want it and denied it with all her might, but reality said something different.

"I'll miss you too. Will you wait for me?" Lucy asked, fearful.

Erza stood stiffened for a moment. Neither kew what the question exactly contained, and an answer could mean anything. Maybe it was asked too much…

"Of course."

Lucy smiled and turned around, walking away from her family, her friends and especially, the person that meant most to her.

Chapter One: end

I'm sorry, but I can't promise regular updates because, well, my heart's broken and I don't know when or how I'll find the inspiration to write something that isn't extremely depressing XD

Oh, and I have no clue how this will turn out, so predictions what you want to see may actually happen ;) please review!