A/N - I only recently got back into writing fanfiction again after some things happened in my life. While the only ones I have written was to finish a story I started back in 2012 for the anime series Munto and a spin off of that story, I have been enjoying watching anime and reading again.

As such, I wanted to just make mention that writing fanfiction for me is more just a chance to cleanse my pallet and do writing exercises for my actual writing projects. Please do not expect to see anything of great editing or value in these pieces. Most of the time I will write a chapter, go over it a bit, and then go to my main writing.

I plan on updating once a week, as it keeps me on track for my other works. The only time I won't is the first two chapters. I usually post those together to help...sink your teeth into the story a bit more.

Let me know what you think, or any issues you might find and I will edit them as I go.

Enjoy!

Former Arrangements

By Genavere

Chapter One

A shiver ran down her spine as she looked out into the dark streets of Magnolia and hesitated in the doorway of the guild. It was silly, really, why would she be afraid to go home in this peaceful city? She was a wizard, crying out loud! If anyone could handle going home alone in the dark, she could.

Yet…

She barely caught herself from reaching up and rubbing her arms. That would have drawn the attention of the few remaining people in the guild, if her awkward pause in the doorway had not.

"Lucy?" Mira called out to her, a concerned list in her tone. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, of course it is," she gave her best smile. "Why wouldn't it?"

The barmaid frowned, setting down the tray of dirty plates and went to stand by the celestial wizard. "I don't mean to pry," –famous words that Lucy knew was not true in any sense— "but I have notice that you seem a bit off the last couple of weeks."

"R-really?" That surprised her. While she knew she had been a bit off, she had not realized it had been so obvious to others.

"Yeah, but only when you have been in town for a day or more." Mira pressed a finger against her lips in a manner of thought. "When you leave for a job, you seem relieved and eager. Has something been bothering you here?"

Lucy pressed her lips together, going over everything Mira said and her own thoughts. There were concerns, ones that had started months after the guild disbanded and she had been alone. Only her spirits knew about what she had gone through during those months.

She glanced back at Mira. Maybe… "Do you have time to talk? I know it is late, and you probably want to head home—"

A hand grabbed hers, tugging her away from the entrance and towards the bar. "I always have time to talk. Let's get something to drink while we do."

#####

Something to drink ended up with a spread of snacks across the table, a pitcher of a summer tea blend, and the two women sitting across from each other while Lucy talked about what had been bothering her. And if she was honest with herself, it was nice to just sit on equal grounds with the other woman and get things off her chest.

"It just seemed that once the guild was gone and Natsu wasn't by me, the dinner bell had been rung," she said, admittedly. "So many people came out of the woodwork to give me gifts and flowers, they asked me on dates or for signatures. At first it was kinda nice, you know. I thought with working at Sorcerer's Weekly and being a Wizard, things were starting to look up."

"I am guessing that's when you realized the darker side of that popularity," Mira smiled softly.

"Yeah…I actually had to move twice while in Crocus because my place kept getting broken into by crazed fans. The last place I was at had security, and Jason even managed to secure extra through our work to keep my place safe.

'Loke would make sure to walk me home at night, and I began really working on becoming stronger by training with Capricorn. With the war and going on that 100 year quest, I forgot all about it. Things had been really nice." She paused, her eyes staring off as if seeing something that was not there.

"But now…it just feels like there are eyes on me again," she sighed, dropping her head on the table next to her half full glass. "I can't tell Natsu, he will either think it is a joke like when I found out my father was following me or he will go overboard after everything that has happened over the years."

Mira thought for a moment, tilting her head to the side as she watched the woman in front of her. Gone was the inexperienced teenager that came through the doors so many years ago. She had bloomed quite fiercely into a remarkable woman who got along with nearly everyone in the guild. If any of their fellow guildmates had heard of these concerns, they would have stepped up to help. As any family would do.

"Hmm, I really do not believe you are giving him enough credit."

Lucy lifted her head up just enough to glance at her. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said," she smiled, her eyes curled as she did. "While he may still be immature in many regards, he takes things seriously if they could harm any of his nakama." Especially you, she added silently to herself, eyeing the marks on the blonde's neck. As the resident barmaid and gossip queen of the guild, not much slipped her notice.

"It is clear this is effecting you to the point you don't seem comfortable," she reached out and touched her hand with the guild mark. "And a few of us have noticed you haven't been as active as you usually are."

"Really?"

"Yep," she gave a firm nod. "I would suggest talking to Natsu and even the master about this matter. If you don't feel safe, then that needs to be addressed."

It would not hurt to take a proactive approach to the matter, Lucy thought. "Yeah, you're right. I mean, even if it ends up being nothing, it would be better to be safe than sorry." She sat up straight and nodded firmly. Talking to Master in the morning about what she had been experiencing helped her feel like things were a bit more in her control. And if Natsu got a bit out of hand with the information, he was one who could put him in his place easily.

"Now that I think about it, I almost feel like I should tell Erza and Gary, too." Wendy would be a good choice, too, she mused. And if Natsu knew, then Happy would find out, and from him Carla and Lilypanther. After that, Gajeel would know and then Levy…

Just the thought of how information spread in the guild made her eyes spin.

"Or, you know, maybe I will just sit them all down tomorrow and discuss it with the whole team. Not like the whole guild won't find out by the end of the day once the word gets out."

Mira chuckled and laid her cheek on her hand. "That's the spirit!"

"Funny how you didn't comment about the whole guild finding out…"

"Oh Lucy," she waved her hand in the air, "I know exactly how our guild is. Neither of us need to explain it." They both shared a laugh at that.

Glancing up at the clock, both of them realized how late it actually was. "Wow, I am surprised Natsu hasn't come looking for me yet." It would be a rare night that the Dragon Slayer would not at her apartment, unless he got there earlier and fell asleep.

"I did wonder, since you came back from that quest" –neither needed her to elaborate on which quest it was— "I have noticed none of you are quite the same. People change, yes, and I know you and Natsu got together during the quest, but I just need to ask: did something happen?"

Ghostly claws gripped her, encompassing from her right cheek down to her collar bone and blood ran down as they inched deliberately across her skin. An icy fear clenched her chest. "N-no…nothing more than usual."

Mira watched the blonde pale companied by a sheen of sweat. A heartbeat of a moment had her tensing for the woman to be sick, but the look in her eyes conveyed a different matter. After they had come back from the mission, the team reported to the master in the privacy of his office. They spoke of some of the things that happened, but not of everything.

She gave her a soft smile. It was guaranteed to be a difficult mission since even Gildarts had difficulties with it and had spent three years away to attempt it. There was bound to be trauma, especially with the track record Team Natsu tended to have.

"My, it is rather late," she said with a change of topic. "Why don't you freshen up while I clean up everything, then head home. Maybe you can call Loke to walk to you."

"Yeah…Yeah!" Her mood brightened. "Thanks, Mira, but are you sure you don't want help cleaning up?"

The Take-Over mage waved her away. "This is nothing compared to the mess those boys leave me with most nights. I got this."

Nodding, Lucy stood up and stared for the girl's lavatory in the back. Before she disappeared, she turned back. "Thank you again, Mira, for listening to me. I really needed that."

Silence filled the empty guildhall and for a moment, everything was peaceful. A sad smile spread across Mira's lips. With all her heart, she hoped that after everything that has happened in the last few years, their strongest team did not crack from the emotional pressure they each had endured.