Chapter 27: Lucy Loses Her Hair

Lucy exhaled a deep, rich groan as she awakened to the steady rhythm of a horse underneath her. Annoyance washed over her when she realized her body lay thrown over the back like common luggage. The odd angle made riding very hard on her stomach, while her face was pressed into the animal's hindquarters. Human bodies were honestly not meant to travel this way. The putrid odor waffling from the rear made bile rise in her throat while suffocation threatened her lungs.

I lived on a ranch, for heaven's sake, horse shit was hardly the worse thing I have ever smelled.

The thought didn't stop her belly from rolling. Her arm also hurt something fierce.

Oh yeah, it's broken, she whispered to herself, thinking back. She breathed shallowly in quick gasps, lungs tight from the lack of oxygen, as her heart jumped to an erratic beating when she remembered that she had been captured by Jacob and Cain. A nightmare where a broken arm was the least of her worries.

Then she thought about Loke. All thoughts of discomfort vanished in an instant.

Loke was dead. And I couldn't do anything to stop it.

Two tears slid down Lucy's face before she could stop them. More drops threatened to fall, but she took deep, soothing breaths to calm the swelling grief clutching at her heart.

Her mind focused on one thought: escaping.

Disregarding the fact that she currently rode a horse traveling at top speed, Lucy squirmed and rolled her body, attempting to fall off. Her need to get away was that great. However, precautions had been taken to make sure she didn't fall off in her sleep. Her body was tied to the saddle - a smart move on the part of her captors.

Fear and anxiety pounded furiously in her as she remembered another important fact: Levy had been captured as well. Wincing slightly, Lucy tried to lift her head to locate Levy. Lucky for her, the small girl wasn't far, riding parallel to her with Cain. The poor pony looked exhausted carrying both humans... Well probably more from carrying Cain then Levy.

Lucy tried to make eye contact with her friend, but the girl would not glance her way. Tired from the effort, she finally gave up, instead observing the sky and passing scenery, quietly. The blonde was amazed how the terrain changed quickly from being grassland to rocky sand. She had absolutely no idea where she was. Her mind had absolutely no clue as to how much time had passed either.

Soon she became bored with the constantly changing landscape. All the plants and trees blended together. She did not know how long she lay trying not to make a sound, but every now and then whimpers escaped her mouth. Her arm throbbed badly. And she noticed that the longer they traveled, a wheezy sound became more prominent before she realized that was her own breathing.

The horse suddenly halted.

A weight moved next to her, jostling the saddle, before frantic hands shuffled to untie her. Her body was hoisted into the air; the sudden shift in balance making her head spin. Her captor's face came into view. She growled, not wanting to see Jacob's ugly mug, but the noise came out more of a pathetic whine. The last thing she expected to see was sadness flash before his eyes. All she could think about was why was he so sad when he won.

Shouldn't he be gloating?

She made a feeble attempt to push him away. The motion bumping her arm, making her vision swim. Black dots danced in Lucy's eyes.

Then he was walking, carrying her in his arms. Lucy lay still with no energy to move any more, not exactly sure how she could be so weak in her current state. She noticed it was night. The stars barely visible through the clouds. A slight chill lingered in the air, and she would have shivered if not for the warm arms carrying her that warded off the cold.

She was glad when he finally lowered her, even though being held in mid air felt a bit like flying. Once set down, the brush of grass blades penetrated her clothes, cold and damp, making her gasp in surprise. The ground didn't normally feel this freezing, did it? Wishing she could wrap her arms around herself, she tried to say she was uncomfortable but couldn't – her throat dry.

"Fix it." Jacob ordered.

Fix what? She questioned to herself since her voice didn't seem to be working. Had something broken?

"How the hell am I supposed to do that when you broke her?!" shouted a familiar voice.

Levy.

The girl sounded devastated. Lucy briefly wondered why Levy's voice sounded terrified. She turned to see but her eyelids felt weighed down. The blonde wanted to know what had distressed her friend so much. She needed to make sure Levy was alright, but couldn't move. A fog gradually seeped into Lucy's mind, making it somewhat dull.

Confused, Lucy tried to think through what was happening. She wasn't sure if she was even awake or dreaming.

More shouting occurred.

Then silence.

Not the calming silence either. The type laced with a trace of fear

Suddenly she was jolted out of her thoughts by something lukewarm touching her forehead. Lucy recoiled away from the contact with a moan, trying to burrow deeper into the ground. The wetness followed her, making her mumble unintelligible complaints.

"Her fever keeps getting worse."

In the midst of her emptiness, Lucy felt hands tugging gently on her hair.

"Why do you have to cut her hair? "

My hair?

She lay immobile, feigning sleep, feeling hands on her head. She heard Levy hissing some gibberish before her head felt another tug.

At some point, Levy tried to force some food in her.

"You need to eat Lu" the girl stated.

Was she eating? She opened her mouth to refuse the offer of food but a strange liquid is shoved in unexpectedly, making her gag. Someone petted her face while muttering soothing words. A second spoonful of the broth from hell is poured into her mouth, the flavor makes her stomach curl unpleasantly but Lucy swallowed.

"No" She whispered agitated when the third is forced pass her lips. She couldn't understand what was happening. Adrenaline vibrantly course through her veins, enough that she was able to pry her eyes open.

The blonde stared up to see a demon looking at her with snake eyes.

And screamed.

"Lucy! Calm down!"

Panicked, the sick girl began to thrash, elbowing and kicking. Weight held her down so she couldn't move. It was like one of those nightmares where you wake but can't move. While sweat pooled at her temples, she cried out desperately for the demon to just go away.

Maybe she was in hell? Was this some form of torture?

Had she died? A thought so frightening that she went paralyzed with fear.

Then the world grew quiet.

In the stillness, she heard a gruff, unfamiliar voice say, "We are going to try resetting your arm"

There was a pregnant pause before a million voices floated around her ears.

One particular male voice, lighter than the rest, argued with the first voice. The many voices continued to argue for what seemed like a while before the gruff voice, more prominent than the others, finally said, "When I set the bones, place the sticks and tie them really fast with these straps, shrimp"

"Why don't you tie the straps while I reset the arm? It's not like you have a doctorate in medicine." Levy replied snippily.

"It's not like you do either!"

"But I have read about it!"

"Like some crusty book knowledge can replace experience. I have practiced sewing soldiers on the battlefield and resetting bones of families crushed in war torn villages."

Exasperated, Lucy groaned at the bickering, causing the pair to quieten.

"Fine. But put this in her mouth so she doesn't bite her tongue. And don't be calling me shrimp any more, capiche."

"That is fine with me, word woman."

Something brushed a hand against Lucy's arm, she yelped before she could stop it. A spasm grasps her arms making her fingers twitch violently. The pain not receding like normal. A cold sweat break out on her forehead. The girl wanted to ask what they meant, but as soon as she opened her mouth, blinding pain shot through her. Her spine arched up off the ground in an almost inhuman way. .

Lucy could hear screaming in the distance, maybe some type of animal? The sound was so miserable that it sent a lonely throb down her own body.

Then she knew nothing.

"Ladies do not slouch."

"What?"

Lucy had no idea what voice could be speaking now but it oddly sounded like her old nanny. She slowly became aware of things around her in small additions. A street lantern. Iron gates. Busy traffic. And lots of people.

"Where am I?" she whispered before being shoved out of the way by a blue haired lady. One dragging a blonde hair girl.

"A memory?" Lucy asked as she watched the small blonde girl play with the ruffles on her pink dress.

"Watch me Aquarius!" The little girl lifted her skirt to a scandalous level before taking off in a run.

"Ladies do not run either." A hand snatched the little girl's hair before she could dart away. The crop came down hard on little Lucy's shoulder making the older Lucy wince.

"Owww! Aquarius!"

The snobbish nanny huffed before walking away. The small blonde child ran up, tagging the blue haired woman's leg. Lucy shuddered at the glare the woman gave the child who squealed, "Got you!" before running away.

"Come back here you brat. I will make you eat that." The lady took off after the little girl who shouted back, "But ladies don't run!"

Lucy wanted to smile at the scene but she knew what was coming. Still she followed at a safe distance.

"Aquarius! Aquarius! I see momma."

Horror filled the nanny's face before she started yelling, "Lucy come back here! Don't go to her. LUCY!"

The adult Lucy onlooking covered her ears as she tried desperately to forget that day. Loud, panick breaths escaped her as she stumbled back from the scene. It was that day all over again. The day that made her terrified her as a child

The little girl started screaming.

"Wake up! Wake up! Just wake up!" Levy's voice pierced through the memory, urgent and afraid. Lucy wanted to comply but didn't know how as everything spiraled chaotically around her.

Everything around her was dark, and Lucy floated in the sea of nothingness, wondering if another nightmare would start. She prepared herself for the worse, but the darkness began to fade. Then the nothingness took form as she became aware that she lay on the ground breathing raggedly.

The second thing she noticed before opening her eyes is the temperature, much hotter than it was earlier. She hesitantly cracked an eyelid, afraid of what she would see.

The snake man still stood over her in the midst of dawn's light. Upon realizing she was awake, his red eyes narrowed harshly down at her. "Don't move," He irritatedly muttered, "Today's not the day for you to wake up."

All she could think was that he looked like a demon.

She must have said this outloud because he stared at her in shock for a few seconds before laughing. A big booming sound that warmed his face considerably so he doesn't seem so scary.

"Well you look like a bunny. Scream like one too." He informed her, seriously.

"Bunnies don't scream" She corrected him.

"It's the fever talking, Gajeel," a female apologized. "She's delirious."

Sleep again took over Lucy before she could hear his reply.

Lucy blinked rapidly trying to restore her vision at the unexpected brightness that assaulted her eyes. Lured awake by the sound of waves, she was startled to find she was indeed lying on a beach next to a rolling body of water that could have been an ocean, but she did not live close to any oceans.

Disoriented, Lucy tried to wade through the fog of her memories.

How long have I been asleep?

A few shaky breaths were enough to calm her as she then realized although the beach was bright, but someone had place her under a palm tree. The gentle crash of the waves against the sand helped to calm her. Lucy then spotted Levy also asleep under the partial shade.

She dabbed tears from her eyes thankful that her best friend was alright. Then she noticed how someone had bandaged and splinted her arm. The ties were very crude, mostly leather straps and the splint itself was a stick.

"Hey Lev…"

A twig snapping behind her alerted Lucy that she and Levy were not alone. Lucy waited before turning, not wanting to see anyone else, tired beyond belief. Her stomach, already tied into knots, bottom out as she finally worked up enough courage to glance around at the noise.

It was the snake man.

Lucy eyed the newcomer warily, not at all pleased that the monster from her dreams was real. The one with the slitted red eyes and messy black hair. His face was covered in piercings along with tattoos that ran along his body.

"Don't wake her up. She's worried herself sick over you." He stated before squatting beside them.

"Who are you?" Lucy demanded.

The noise must have startled the other girl. Levy raised up, face clouded with sleep.

"Lu?" She asked quietly, hesitant, her eyes filled with question. Her body scrambled up in shock, staring at her best friend in amazement.

"Lucy!"

Levy's small form scurried forward before colliding with the poor blonde, knocking the wind out of her. She cried, hugging Lucy the wrong way by putting her neck in a choke hold.

"Levy, you... are... killing... Ehhh."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" stammering apologetically, Levy leaped back with a faint blush. In a somewhat harsh whisper the bluenette added, "It's just you have been unconscious for over a week."

Lucy awkwardly patted her head as she rubbed her sore neck. The two sat on the beach as the surf crash into the sand mass of tears and half smiles.

"Lu." Levy repeated, weeping like her heart was breaking.

"Yea…" Lucy smiled, "That's my name. Don't wear it out, Levss."

With no sign that the smaller girl would stop crying anytime soon, and the mysterious stranger not making any words with her, Lucy sat back running her hand through her hair, nervously.

Wait.

Where is my hair?!

She started brushing the her head for any type of strands. A few locks were longer than the other; but for the most part her hair was unevenly shaved to the root.

"Levy, where is my hair?" Heart beating erratically, Lucy had to take deep breaths to calm the rising anxiety as she waited for Levy's answer. Her pride and what she considered to be her best feature. The same hair that her mom had called Lucy's golden crown.

The bluenette straightened, sniffing a bit, "The native had to sheer it." She pointed to the grumbling man. "Because of your fever. It wasn't my idea. For a second I thought he was going to scalp you. "

"Nah I wasn't going to scalp bunny girl." The man folded his arms. "Although her blonde hair would look pretty to my collection."

The blonde blanched before noticing Levy roll her eyes, wiping the last of the tears away. "Don't be scared of him Lu. He's all bark and no bite."

"I have you know I bite very hard, thank you." He muttered darkly.

Lucy whispered, "And who is he?"

"His name is Gajeel. He took us from Jacob and Cain, watching over us. No he isn't a friend, but better then them. They are on that ship over there with their friends God Serena and that Marin person."

Lucy's face followed Levy's pointing to the galleon anchored off the coastline that she had not even notice until now. The sails stood high like clouds sporting some type of symbol she did not recognize. The side had a name written in gold that was hard to read at a distance with the sun's blinding glare.

"T-a-r-t…."

" Tartaros." Levy said, finishing the statement for her. Something about that word sent chills through Lucy's body.

"As in the Greek version of hell?"

"Yes. Probably someone got great amusement in naming that ship. Those are the slave traders. The ones that are preparing to set sail for Ishgar soon. And Lu, we are suppose to be sold to them."

Next Chapter: Tartaros

Somehow during my hiatus I missed how many followers of this story I had. Wow! Now this makes me super nervous. Thank you for the follows and the favorites and the reviews. Also poor Lucy, broken arm, broken rib, bruises, her hair cut off. She's going to look so bad when Natsu sees her next chapter. Yes, I am totally evil.

Also why did she have to lose her hair? It's a very old practice to cut a someone's hair during a fever. You might have read about it in books. Google it if you haven't. It didn't just stem from fevers. Royal families would sometimes shave their sons and daughters heads if they had the measles. Also people who cut their hair if they had food poisoning. I don't know why you would cut someone's hair for half these illnesses but they might have cut people's hair during a fever to help cool a person down. Since you lose a lot of heat through your head and long hair helps to insulate that heat.

And more next time about Gajeel and why he appeared.

Q/A time

Thanks FriendlyAnon! I'm doing better now but there was a while I was super depressed. And we will learn more about Mira and the baby later. As for the gunslinging. That's going to be next chapter during our reunion. (^.^)

Also I almost feel bad when I read your comment Silver light of dawn as I was thinking… dang…. Lucy losing her hair is exactly what is going to happen.

Juvia-is-my-spirit-animal - I have fun with my chapters. The dialogue and snippy comments thrown here and there. Slate is one of my favorite characters in my head. And so is Mira. We won't see what happens to Mira and the baby (and Laxus) until two more chapters.

Samurai of sunflowers - Cheers to the latest update email hitting you box. And thanks. It makes me happy when someone binges this story. That goes to ChasingMoonlightFire as well.

HammyJessa - I don't always write to give my audience's heart attacks, but when I do… I am sure that it is intense and sweat inducing…Wait... Somehow this reply sounded better in my head.

LoveroftheWord and the second Guest - The suspense is suppose to make you come back (+.+)

And to the other Guest - Yes, Loke's trail was something easy to follow for our trackers to be lead in the right direction. Once you know the general direction of your prey you can then determine most likely path they will take to find recently made trails and their destination. Plus if they are camping, people normally camp next to water sources or in sheltered areas. So you can decipher routes a large group would take. And Loke was meant to point Natsu, Jellal, Sting in the right direction.

And for the 3rd Guest - My story won't always have Nalu every chapter (-.-) It's just a personal decision as I love Nalu but I like variety of other characters and relationships.

Reddevil47 - A year ago I wanted to do a western because of the lack of Western genre in the fairy tail community. Glad you like it.

Serthrek871 - This chapter wasn't too bad? Nothing worse than a haircut… besides being potentially sold into slavery, right?

Sarara1.8 - Was it that shocking?

Lili3346 - More of this story is coming your way as I finally am in the mood to write again. Hiatus is over for now.

Mushi0131 - It's really funny because I was at work when you were catching up with the latest chapters. I went to check my email and saw you had commented on a couple of chapters and before I had exited, you commented on a third. So I went ahead of you during my break, reading the last chapters on my phone, and found all these little errors. Spent the rest of the time trying to get out of work so I could edit before you read it. Now my boss thinks I'm some nefarious internet person like a hacker or a stalker or something..But let me take this moment to say it was a privilege to get all those emails saying you commented on all my chapters. Made me do a happy dance (not at work; waited til I was at home to do this). It really made my week!

JC - Life has had its ups and downs. Doing better now tho. Hope you come back soon.

Saranau34 - Thanks so much. I am doing better now. So hope to have faster updates.

SheWhoShips - We will see what happens to the baby in two chapters. Also Laxus's reaction to what is happening.

RedPandaPaws - The situation with Irene is not complete yet. It is just put on hold. We should pay attention to what happened with Cobra and Erza as they will be popping up again soon.

4evrDorkly17 - Mira and Lucy just seem like magnets to bad things. As for you question on chapter 26 about Gray. I can't answer this at this time.

Dragonblade-Master - I try to do good cliffhangers; not sure about the one for this chapter

Darkrose9492 - Thanks for the recommendation. I hope your friend likes this story too. I do want to do better in updating as the fandom is at a weird point right now - waiting for the anime while the manga is ended. People (like myself) are looking for fanfictions right now to hold them for a few months and it seems the FT section is more sluggish in general lately.

JerricaHMcfarl3 and Tohka123 - Thanks for the complement.

Monika - You TOTALLY guessed it. Yes, this will change Natsu and Lucy's dynamic. I actually was going to put a sneak peek to next chapter of one of Natsu's two major reactions but then I thought it was too spoilery… But I can't keep secrets. One thing that will come up next chapter is something Gajeel did. Since Gajeel is Natsu's cousin, he recognized Igneel's blade that Lucy had and he left that along with Lucy's hair at one of their campsites. And let's just say that when Natsu finds these two things…. He's going to be mad.

PrincessSarahDragneel - The calvary is "en route" to rescue the two damsels. But can the two damsels rescue themselves? That is the question.

Peace out people!