Summary: Times were rough when Lords sold their daughters for money and power. A contract was none negotiable once both parties signed. So what happens when Lucy finds herself amongst a group that will do anything for their beliefs? LaLu and other couples.
Authors note: I feel horrible for leaving this for so long. Really. I considered actually making this a sequel piece, like Contracted: A Guild Mage or something. But then I thought. No. I don't like short chaptered works personally. So I wouldn't do it to you guys. So I re-read my work (currently editing previous chapters). I hope you like the turn it's taking! Straight back into the action!
Disclaimer: I, in no way, own Fairy Tail!
Previously:
She placed her hand on the door, pausing when she spotted her ruined dress next to her feet. With a shake of her head, Lucy lifted her head height, "Come on Lucy. This is just a new beginning. It's time to write the newest chapter..."
And with that, she left the room, ready to face whatever waited for her outside.
Chapter 8: Shattered Beginnings
The tears trailed unbidden down her face, their words still ringing through her ears, 'Welcome Home Lucy!'
People approached, clapping her on the back or pulling her into a hug as she cried. The loneliness and pain she had suffered over time coming to the surface only to be washed away by the kindness everyone showed her.
"Thank you." She sobbed into Mira's shoulder, laughing when she caught sight of a miffed looking Natsu who sprung the second Mira moved away.
Heat enveloped her in an instant and she couldn't help but laugh. Laxus had left her by the door once they arrived at the guild, but she could still feel him watching her from a distance, observing the way everyone interacted with her. A little part of her found in sweet of him, but she stamped it down and shoved the thought into the furthest corner of her mind, never to be brought up again.
The pyro dragged her through the beer hall, straight to Mira where an array of food was already set out. But she stopped when she saw Makarov waiting for her, smiling widely, "My dear, before we continue, there is something we need to ask you."
Everything went silent, waiting with baited breath as they listened, the anticipation high.
"I must ask, do you think it's time to make you an official member of our family?" He lifted a wood stamp with the mark of Fairy Tail and Lucy felt her tears fall again. Natsu freaked out at her, his arms flying every which way as he tried to figure out what to do.
"Lucy! Hey. It's ok. You don't have to. We won't push you. W-" Natsu spoke a mile a minute and only fell silent when Lucy held up a hand, her fingers pressing gently into his lips.
"No Natsu. I'm not sad. I'm happy. Really." She held out her right hand expectantly, using her free hand to wipe her tears with the tissue Mira passed to her, the silverette beaming at her.
"What colour would you like my child?" Makarov stepped forward, the stamp hovering just over her skin, the heat of its magic warming her.
"Pink… Master Makarov." With a shared smile the small man pressed the guild mark to her skin and a wave of contentment settled over her, like a warm blanket.
"There. Now everyone. I think it's time we gave Lucy a proper Fairy Tail welcome!" The First Master appeared out of nowhere beside the blonde woman, causing her to jump. But she didn't have time to wonder on the sudden appearance of Mavis when a roar echoed from all the guild members, multiple of them cheering and yelling their congratulations.
"Welcome to the family Luce." Gray stepped up beside her and gave her a one-armed hug, "No hard feelings about when we were on the ship?" Despite his smirk there was a worried glint to his eyes and she smiled, shaking her head. He took that as her forgiveness and dove for the food, pushing Natsu out of the way.
"Watch it Ice Princess! I was here first!" Natsu's fist lit up and Lucy could feel the sweat roll down her face, amused by the familiar situation.
"If you eat first Ash for Brains there'll be no food left for the rest of us!" Gray slammed his forehead against Natsu's, the room cooling by a few degrees a second.
"Um... guys. Really. There's plenty of food in the kitchen." Mira tried to defuse the situation, only to get caught in the cross fire of the insta-brawl when a bottle nailed her in the forehead.
"Mira!" Lucy bent, watching as the woman just hummed to herself.
"I'm fine Lucy. I'm used to it." The blonde was about to check how injured the woman was when something hit the ground beside her and an icy chill rippled through the room, colder than even Gray's Ice-Make Magic.
"My cake..." Erza's voice was filled with venom and Lucy barely had time to duck as the red head leapt over her, swords out as she joined the ever-growing brawl.
"Goodness me. Children have so much energy." Mavis stepped up beside Lucy and smiled at her, "Don't worry. This is normal. They'll settle down now that Erza's involved."
Lucy just nodded numbly, watching in fascination as various flashes of magic lit the room and derogatory comments were thrown back and forth between the instigators of it all, "This is insanity..." She jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder and she felt herself tense when the smell of rain assaulted her senses.
"Get used to it Blondie. They're your family now too after all." His words held a note of tenderness in them and she felt her muscles relax against her will. She smiled then, embracing his words as the truth, watching as her new family battled it out.
xXx COntracted xXx
Lucy entered the guild, a wide smile on her face. Her skirts brushed against the ground, not worried about how dust gathered on its edges, knowing how much it irritated Laxus when she spent hours cleaning the hems just to spite him. He had refused to let her walk around inappropriately in the guild, stating not all men were innocent. He had spoken with a blush on his face and she had quickly learned it was a battle she wouldn't win.
"Lucy. You look happy today." Mira called from the bar, placing the pink concoction on the counter as though she had it waiting for the blonde.
"Of course, Mira. Today is a special day." Lucy felt her cheeks strain, but she ignored it in favour of sipping her drink.
"And what makes today so special? Does it have something to do with a certain Lightning-"
Lucy coughed, choking on the smoothie as she launched forward to place her hands on Mira's mouth, "No. No way in hell Mira." Lucy dropped into her seat, shaking her head in denial, "No. Today... marks the day I first ran away from home. And now I'm finally free."
The smile rose again on her face and it was infection, "That's wonderful Lucy. That sounds like something we need to celebrate."
The blonde woman flushed as Mira jumped on the counter, not caring whether she flashed skin at anyone, not like anyone would dare lay a hand on her in any case, "Listen up everyone!" The silverette called, drawing everyone's attention to her, and inadvertently, Lucy, "Today is a special occasion! Today is the anniversary of Lucy first running away from home. Because of that, we found a new Fairy!"
Cheers rose up all around and Lucy winced, the attention unwanted, "Go Luce! Stick it to em'!" Cana roared from further down the bar and it made the guild laugh, even Lucy.
She wasn't completely comfortable in the guild still, and she always gave Gajeel a wide birth, always drawing Levy away if they wanted to sit together for a while. The Iron Dragon Slayer understood her reservations, but he still hated when the bluenette left his side.
"I think we should celebrate. Don't you think Master?" Makarov approached the blonde woman and lifted his beer in her direction, drawing her eyes to his grin.
"To Lucy!" He yelled, his words echoed a thousand-fold until it was a roar in her ears.
'Well played you stupid little fairies. You just don't know when to quit!'
"No... "Lucy staggered backwards, moving away from those that she had been cared for by, "No way..."
The horrible crunch of shattering wood was there only warning for the to dodge, heavy beams falling as the roof was ripped off.
"Why?" Lucy bunched her dress and ran from the building to the field outside, "Why won't you leave me alone!?"
The wind carried her voice and she glared at the mobile building, as if she could she it's master at its helm.
"Oh Mavis. He can move his whole guild..." Mira gasped, grabbing Lucy by the arm and trying to pull her away as the mechanical arm pulled apart more of the their home.
'Little bird, little bird. You can't get away. We haven't been paid. And that's your fault. We'll give Jude a reason to give us what we want. Consider this a warning.'
xXx Contracted xXx
And there it is. Like I said, straight to the action! Also because I wasn't too sure how I wanted to go about this chapter. I hope you liked it, please let me know you're thoughts.
Also, a major thank you to those that reviewed the last chapter:
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