Hello Everyone!

We are coming to a close on day one. I'm thinking that once I have the first ten chapters done, I'm going to slow my pacing a bit. It's just a lot to get a new chapter out every two days. However, I will still try to get out two new chapters a week. Anyway, hope you are all enjoying it and feel free to comment and review.

- Singed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

Lucy

Lucy laughed heartily as she tried to stop her drink from going through and out her nose. Levy sat on her left and Cana was on her right, both were also laughing with her, while Mira stood on the other side of the bar, smiling. Mira would never say it, but this was her favorite part about the guild life. It wasn't the adventures, fights, or rewards, it was the simple moments interacting with her guildmates.

"So you're telling me that you walked in on his dancing with nothing on but boxers, a lei, and a wreath on his head?" Lucy giggled at the image.

Cana swallowed another large gulp of her beer and nodded. "Well, he was drunk, as usual, and apparently one of his guildmates convinced him to do it. Unfortunately, he actually liked it so he does it in his free time." Cana smirked and lowered her voice. "However, it turned out to be a pretty good setup for the main reason I was there. It was the best I've ever had."

Laughter turned to blushes in a hurry while Mira smirked and said. "Oh, Cana! When are you and Bacchus actually going to make it official? You two have been seeing each other for two years now."

"Nah. He doesn't want to be tied down and I may not be seeing anyone else, but I know he's not the sort of guy a girl marries." She said it so casually that Lucy almost missed the truth in her eyes. Cana was in love with Bacchus, but something was holding them back. Maybe it truly was one-sided. Maybe Cana was more attached than he was, but if that were the case, she needed to move on. Of course, that was easier said than done. After all, she could have dated plenty of guys for years now, but every time she got an option, she would think of Natsu and her heart wouldn't be in it anymore.

"Well, with Gildarts constantly asking for grandchildren, you'll have to settle down sometime," Mira added. Cana muttered darkly under her breath but continued drinking. It seemed odd to Lucy that Mira, who wasn't even seeing someone at the moment would be lecturing Cana. Then again, Mira didn't have a father breathing down her neck.

Lucy opened her mouth to add her two cents when the cathedral bells chimed the hour. Jumping, Lucy listened to the number of bongs and inwardly groaned. She'd only meant to spend an hour with her guildmates, but it was now five and she had more letters to write. "Sorry guys, I have to go."

"Oh, meeting Natsu?" Cana asked, glad to have the spotlight off of her.

"No, I just have wedding stuff to look after." The excuse was accepted and Lucy hurried her way home. The sun was still pretty high, but Lucy could still feel that the day was coming to a close. She felt the pressure of the five other letters and was simply relieved that as far as she knew, these next few letters should be pretty easy.

Stepping into her apartment, she immediately changed into pajamas. Once she was in pajamas she wouldn't go out again. Changing back into her tight clothes after being comfortable never seemed like a good idea.

Settling down, she picked up her quill and began.

Piece 6 – Your Concern

Letter 6

So Natsu,

After being captured, beaten, rescued twice, and then interviewed in-depth by the magic council all within a few days of each other, I really needed a break and relax. However, every time I tried I couldn't shake off my guilt. It had been my actions that had led to everyone's grief. It had been keeping my identity a secret, but more than that, it had been my running away, to begin with. I should have told my dad when I was leaving and I should have told him how it was going to be from then on.

So I decided, after writing a letter to my mom to head home and confront my dad. He needed to know that his daughter was not his slave. He needed to know that I was done with that life and that I was done with that sorry excuse for a family we had become. I guess I had held on for so long because of what we had been when mom was alive. It took me many years to realize that it was never going to come back and when I finally did, I left.

I had a new dream. One that did not involve getting my family back, but one that involved me becoming a wizard of Fairy Tail. One that had me on adventure after adventure. I had found that dream and more because I had found a family too and I was not going to let him take it from me.

So I boarded a train and went to the manor where I'd grown up. It was much the same; in fact, it hadn't changed at all. I know I've told you what I said to my father and how I'd handled it with confidence and a firm backbone, but what I never told you was just how scared I was. Regardless of what he'd done, he was still my dad and I still longed for his approval, and more than anything, I wanted to feel his love. I was terrified that by doing what I needed to do that I would lose it all. The crazy thing is that I think he had even more respect for me after I stood up to him and I later learned that I could never lose my father's love. It was more that he didn't know how to show it after my mother's death.

Anyway, I'll never forget Natsu how you, Happy, Erza, and Gray rounded that bend at full speed, coming to save me. I was shocked and had no idea what was going on. You all seemed so panicked that I worried perhaps Phantom Lord was coming for me again. It wasn't until everyone explained that I realized that you were all there to convince me not to go back home.

I remember laughing, but also being touched. I guess for you guys, I was also a part of your family. I was grateful to see how much you guys cared and I was more than willing to ride back with you. My mission had been accomplished and now I needed to go home and rest. I knew that soon I'd have to go on another job to secure my rent, but I was determined to give myself a few days.

The part you don't know Natsu is what happened on the train. Erza knocked you out again to keep you from being sick. Erza, Gray, Happy, and I all talked for a while, but Gray eventually fell asleep and Erza got up to stretch her legs and ask the conductor our exact ETA. Happy was cuddled up next to me, being the most cat-like I'd ever seen him and I started stroking his head.

"Hey, Happy," I ventured.

"Yeah," he all but purred.

"Um, did you and Natsu really cry when you thought I'd gone back home for good?"

"Uhuh," he muttered and circled up into a tighter ball. "I cried right away but got over it. He tried to hide it from Gray and Erza, but he couldn't hide it from me. We'd gone to your apartment to look for you and found your note. Obviously, we misunderstood and immediately jumped on a train. Natsu excused himself to the bathroom once we were in our seats and I followed just in case he needed help. He got sick and that is what he blamed the tears on but he's never cried before. I knew it was because of you."

"Ah," was all I could say for a moment. It was true that we had been through a lot together in such a short time, but that was just it. We hadn't really known each other that long. "I'm just surprised, I guess." In truth, Natsu, you never struck me as the crying sort.

"Well, you shouldn't be. You're his best human friend." Happy muttered.

"Already?"

"Yeah. Before you there was Lisanna, but you guys are an even better match. She was always trying to change him in little ways, just like everyone else. Nothing too bad, but even though you get on his case a lot, you never ask him to change. You just give your opinion and then let him be. It's good for him." Happy truly fell asleep then and I turned to look at you. There was drool coming out of your mouth, and while I was disgusted, I wouldn't change it.

"He's right, you know," Erza said behind me. "Natsu was very upset at the thought of you leaving. He knew how sad you were at home and how happy you were here with us. He was determined to bring you back, so you could be happy. He's also correct about Lisanna. Natsu was devastated when she died and he still misses her something fierce, but he would never be the perfect family man Lisanna desired."

"They dated?"

Erza smiled and shook her head. "No, but I guess you could safely call them childhood sweethearts. They were always playing house and she was always flirting with him, though he hardly knew what to do back, which was part of the charm. Still, if anyone asked, she was going to marry him someday but the picture she painted was always wrong. What she dreamed of would never be a reality with Natsu."

"Why?"

Erza sighed. "She wanted the perfect family, with a perfectly set up home, comfortable living, and the perfect kids where everyone adored each other. When Natsu finally decides to settle down, he will make a very good husband and father, but he will never be a perfect anything. He is far too impulsive. Besides, could you imagine trying to keep a pristine house with him and children around." I had just smiled and shook my head. I dozed off then but as I drifted off I think my heart melted. I felt the telltale signs of a crush starting. I was determined not to act on it. After all, we worked together so often I would know whether my heart was in the right or wrong soon enough.

So, I kept my growing emotions under tight control and they faded, just like I knew they would. Although, now that I look back at it, they never faded. I had just buried them so deep that I never saw my long-forgotten past crush turn into a soul-bonding love.

Love,

Lucy

Natsu

Natsu quickly turned on the lacrima and sighed. That had been a great workout! Sure, his hand hurt a bit and there was a still bleeding scrape on his left knuckles where a branch he'd broken had caught his hand wrong, but he was feeling less stressed. He was also sweating and he was sure he stank, but no one was here to complain so as long as he didn't mind he was good. He'd just need to make sure to bathe before tomorrow morning when he was set to go to Lucy's and pick up some more boxes.

Piece 6 - Controlling My Emotions

"Hey there Luce," he smiled largely.

"I hope you're doing well. I'm feeling great if you couldn't tell." His smile brightened even more, but if it wasn't for that, Lucy would have thought he was in trouble. Some of the blood had gotten on his face and it was smeared everywhere. Plus, his sweat had mixed in, along with some dirt. So to say that he looked presentable would be a lie.

"Anyway, I need to tell you about the next part. Well, I guess I should start by saying that we had gone to your apartment to check on you. I had this whole plan to take you fishing and play some games, just to get your mind off of everything. I was also trying to get out of work in the guildhall, but hey kill two gift horses with one stone is a bird in the hand I always say." He sighed and shook his head.

"I was so shocked when Erza found that note saying you were going home. My shock quickly changed to frustrated anger, as it always does, and I was the one telling everyone to hurry it along. That we had to go find your family. Side note though. When we went to your apartment, we found your letters to your mom. That was when I first realized that when you ran away your mom wasn't a reason. This furthered my anger towards your father and I was determined to give him a piece of my mind, especially if he tried to stop you from coming back."

Natsu stopped suddenly and reddened. He barely ever blushed so when Lucy watched, she couldn't help but laugh and smile. "The weird thing was that when I got to the train, I suddenly realized that maybe you wanted to go home. Maybe you didn't want to be a part of Fairy Tail anymore. That thought saddened me more than I care to remember and I think I actually cried. This sadness only stayed for a little while though because I realized that there was no way you wanted to leave Fairy Tail and if you did it was to protect the guild. This made me angry all over again and I was fired up until we found you."

"I remember being so relieved when I saw you standing there that I almost started crying again. When you told us your story, I will say that I was proud of you but also kind of annoyed. A simple note that actually explained the situation would have been great. I had been through such an emotional rollercoaster that day that I just wanted to go home and sleep after eating my weight in meat."

"I was taken out of my daydreaming though when you motioned to the monument behind you, which was actually a grave. When you told us that you were standing in front of your mother's grave, my world stopped for a moment. Your mom had died? Then why were you writing all those letters? I couldn't really understand it and to be honest, I was a little jealous. Jealous because you knew what had happened to your mom. You had somewhere you could go to grieve her. Igneel had simply disappeared. Everyone always told me he was dead. I knew he wasn't, I just knew he wasn't. Turns out I was right of course, but when he did actually die I later realized how stupid my jealousy was. Even though I had the closure you did, I still didn't have Igneel."

He sighed and shook his head, a smile reappearing. "Anyway, I remember after I woke up from Erza's hit to the head that we were back in Magnolia and heading to the guildhall. I remember eating and eating and eating. I was so happy to have you back. I was so relieved to realize you were staying that I was celebrating. Then, I made sure you got home safe and sound. You were tired, but you seemed happy for the company and actually invited me up to hang out. I remember that was the first night I slept over your place. I had the couch and you took the bed, but I was happy."

His smile increased at the memory and he shook his head. "I remember thinking while you slept soundly and Happy curled up on the top of the couch that it was strange how you could cause me to be so sad, and so angry, and so happy. I remember realizing as I drifted off that you were the first human to be able to have such control over my emotions. I remember wondering if that meant that we were more than just your average friends. I think it was then that I decided that you were, other than Happy, my best friend. I know that I mentioned before that I had planned to make you my best friend, but it had been one of those off-hand statements about the future people make. I was surprised that it had come true, and so quickly." Natsu's smile grew even larger and he shook his head. He was so happy with the idea of marrying Lucy at that moment that Saturday could not come fast enough.

"Anyway Lucy, I worked up a large appetite and I need to chow down on something or I'm going to starve. I'll record later." He switched off the lacrima and went into the kitchen. He basically started eating whatever he could find and by the time he was done, half of the food in his kitchen was gone. He'd have to go shopping again soon, though with the wedding and then the honeymoon, there was no need to stock up. He went to the bathroom after that, where he saw his appearance for the first time. He washed his face but decided to leave the bath for later. He just realized what he could say for his next recording and needed to say it before he lost it.