Natsu was angry.

It had been six days since he'd been practically dragged away from Lucy, and he was not happy. When they got back to the guild, Erza had to tie Natsu up until he calmed down. After he had promised he wouldn't set the guild aflame and run back to the Heartfilia Estate, they finally untied him. However, they still didn't let him leave the guild, having Erza or Gramps guard the door at all times. This was to make sure Natsu wouldn't go breaking down Jude's doors, and to make sure Natsu was taking care of himself too.

Once the anger had subsided and Natsu had been untied, Natsu had felt…weird. He moped around the guild, hardly talking to Happy, rarely sleeping and barley eating. He couldn't seem to think about anything except Lucy.

"When Natsu's turning down a meal, you know somethings wrong." Gray had muttered under his breath on the morning of the third day.

Natsu hadn't really realized how normal Lucy had felt. He'd gotten used to her beside him at all times, and now he was left with only empty space and uncomfortable silence. There had been multiple occasions on the first two days where he had turned to talk to Lucy, only to remember she wasn't there.

Happy tried his best to cheer Natsu up, but it wasn't really working. The whole mood of the guild had been off since Lucy's departure. Natsu hated it. He hated feeling this way. Like he was missing something. He was angry and sad and confused to the point where it seemed like he couldn't feel anything.

On the fifth day without Lucy, Levy came and sat down next to Natsu. She had redness around her eyes and her hair was disheveled. If Levy looked bad, Natsu couldn't imagine how he looked.

"How are you holding up?" Levy asked gently.

"It's not the same without her." Natsu complained, pouting and resting his chin on his hand.

"Yeah, it's too quiet."

"I just don't understand. Why is any of this even happening?" Natsu thought it was all very unfair.

"I… I don't know, it just sucks. I miss her, a lot, and it's only been five days." Levy confessed with a strained laugh.

"I miss her too." Natsu agreed.

"I can't imagine how hard this is for you Natsu. Do…you wanna talk about it? About how you're feeling?" Levy questioned carefully.

"Thats the problem!" Natsu growled, running a hand through his very tangled hair in frustration. "I don't even know how I feel."

"It's like, I'm angry, but not at Lucy, just at everything. But… I'm also sad? And lonely, really, really lonely, even with Happy and Gray trying to help. Then at the same time, its like I'm only telling myself to feel these things because I should be feeling these things. When I don't feel like that, not really, instead I just feel, kind of…"

"Empty?" Levy asked.

"Yeah…" Natsu exhaled slowly, leaning back against the bench. "I guess I feel empty."

Levy looked Natsu in the eyes.

"You're never gonna be able to forget her, are you?" Levy whispered.

Natsu gaze fell to the table. "I won't have to. I will get Lucy out of there, and back to Fairy Tail, where she belongs." Natsu clenched a fist, lighting his hand on fire to let out some of his resurfacing anger.

Levy stood up, and placed a small hand on his shoulder. "Don't give up on her Natsu. If anyone can get her back, it's you." Levy said

"Yeah, if only they would let me leave this damn guild." Natsu said with a nod to the rather tired looking Erza standing by the door.

Levy leaned in a little closer, and lowered her voice.

"I didn't think some wooden doors were enough to hold back Natsu Dragneel." She stood up straight, gave Natsu a sly smile, and walked away.

Natsu watched Levy walk away, and came to a realization.

Levy hadn't given up on Lucy yet. And neither had he.

On the sixth day without Lucy, Natsu woke up in the guild hall feeling angry.

He quickly decided feeling angry was much better than feeling empty.

He walked up to the front doors of the guild, reaching for the handle, but an armour covered arm blocked his path.

"Where do you think you're going?" Erza asked.

"Home." Natsu stated, giving Erza a slightly menacing stare.

Erza seemed to debate something for a minute, before lowering her arm.

"Go ahead." She said simply, without meeting Natsu's eyes. Even Natsu had to admit he was shocked this had worked. Erza turned to glare at him, "Before I change my mind." She threatened.

Natsu pushed the doors open and broke into a much needed run. He heard the familiar sound of Happy flying behind him. He knew the cat had been keeping an eye on him.

"Natsu! Where are we going?" Happy panted as he tried to catch up.

"We're savin Luce."


Gray watched curiously as Erza let Natsu leave the guild.

"You know he's going straight to Lucy, right?" The ice mage said, approaching Erza.

"I trust him." Erza said cryptically.

Gray smiled knowingly at Erza. No matter how mad the red-head had seemed, he knew she missed Lucy just as much as anyone else.

And, much like Natsu and Levy, Gray and Erza hadn't given up on Lucy either.


It had been a week. An entire week since Lucy had watched her friends walk, or in Natsu's case, get flown away from the Heartfilia estate. She remembered how painful it was, watching them leave, through her bedroom window and a vision blurred by tears.

Was that really the last time she would ever see them? Lucy cringed as she remembered the last thing she said to Natsu,

"Get off this estate. And don't come back."

Lucy regretted the words with ever fibre of her being. Natsu had shown her nothing but kindness, and that was how she ended their friendship? After he'd saved her life, protected her, put her first always.

Not only that, but, though she didn't want to say it out loud, she missed him. A lot.

And now she would never see him again. She didn't want to believe it. But she knew it was best if they stayed away. Lucy had come to this conclusion:

Lucy was bad luck.

Lucky Lucy didn't fit her, she seemed to bring only pain and ruin to anything she approached.

Her mother, Fairy Tail, Natsu. Maybe she was better off holed top in this room alone for eternity.

Lucy knew in the back of her mind she was being dramatic, but she didn't care. For the past seven days, all Lucy had been able to do was lay in her bed, stare at the ceiling, and feel empty.

She couldn't even find it in her to cry anymore. She just laid, emotionlessly, letting her guilt and regret slowly eat away at her.

Lucy grabbed a pillow that was fluffed so perfectly that it made her angry, and threw it at the wall with a frustrated growl. Then she grabbed another buried her face in it, and screamed. She kicked and twisted like a toddler having a temper tantrum. She screamed into the pillow until she felt like she was going to pass out.

Then she simply pulled the pillow to her chest, and curled herself around it.

She didn't care if it wrinkled her dress. The dress had been hastily altered, and was too small in the waste and too large in the shoulder, causing the sleeves to slip off early and the dress to leave red marks on her hips.

Lucy laid there, wanting to do it all over.

She pulled the satin glove off her right hand and placed the glove next to her head. She stared at the pink Fairy Tail mark on her hand longingly.

If she had any tears left in her, Lucy would have cried. She traced the mark with her opposite hands fingers. She thought about all the memories she had made with Fairy Tail. She thought about Erza's bossy tone and loving personality. She thought of Gray's sassy comments and his confidence that had saved them all more than once. She thought about Happy flying her around and begging for fish.

Lucy thought about Natsu.

As she laid in silence reminiscing, Lucy realized why she had hated this mansion so much as a kid.

The house had always been so very lonley

Eventually, Lucy fell asleep.


Natsu arrived at the Heartfilia estate at sunset. He ran through the gates, approaching the house, he figured burning down the doors was sure to gain unwanted attention. Instead, he circled the house, sniffing the air. He walked a few meters to the left, and smelled the familiar vanilla sent he associated with Lucy.

"Fly me up to that one Happy." He said, pointing to one of the many balconies on the second floor.

"Aye sir!" Happy cheered, flying him up willingly. Natsu landed on the balcony rather ungracefully, but he quickly straightened himself out. The curtains of the room were drawn together tightly, making it so Natsu couldn't see inside. He sniffed the sliding doors one more time to be sure.

"It's Lucy's room all right." He grinned.

"Lets go Natsu!" Happy whined, growing impatient.

Natsu nodded, and gently knocked on the door.

"Since when do you knock?" Happy asked.

"We'll…what if her dad's in there or something?"

"Wow! Natsu's actually using his brain!" Happy teased.

"Shut it ya stupid cat." Natsu grumbled. Natsu didn't hear any movement, so he knocked again.

"Hey Luce, you in there?" He called. Still getting no answer. Growing a little concerned, Natsu pulled on the door, only to find it unlocked. Natsu separated the curtains and poked his head into the room.

"LUCY!" Happy cried happily, flying into the room before even looking inside.

"Happy, shut it!" Natsu hissed, entering the room and shutting the door behind him. He looked over to see Lucy's small form curled up in bed. The huge bed making her look even more petite.

"She's sleeping, thats boring! Wake up Lucy!" Happy complained, flying around the huge bedroom.

"Shhhh, let her sleep." Natsu whispered. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He noticed her glove was off, and she was hugging her right hand to her chest. Natsu realized the Guild mark was still there.

"Someones been missing Fairy Tail." He teased quietly. He liked Lucy when she was sleeping, she always looked so peaceful. He slowly reached over and pushed some of her golden hair away from her face.

"Natsu, touching sleeping girls is creepy." Happy stated.

"Would you shut it Happy!" Natsu shouted, jumping up from the bed. The sudden shift of weight must have woken Lucy, for he heard the bed sheets rustle. He quickly turned to see she was starting to wake up.

"Good job Natsu, you woke her up."

Natsu chose to ignore Happy. He sat back down on the bed and gently shook Lucy.

"Hey Luce, wake up."

Lucy's eyes fluttered open.

"Natsu…" She whispered groggily. She gave him a sleepy smile so genuine it did a weird thing to Natsu's heart.


Lucy was having a wonderful dream. In the dream, she woke up to Natsu and Happy yelling, and opened her eyes to see her best friend sitting right next to her, Natsu's hair was a mess and under his eyes were grey, but it was still Natsu. Lucy hoped she didn't wake up anytime soon.

Slowly, she pulled herself into a sitting position and looked at Natsu. He gave her his large toothy grin she knew so well. And she smiled back brightly.

"Heya weirdo." He said.

Lucy's warm and fuzzy feeling blinked away in an instant. She promptly hit Natsu over the head with her pillow.

"I'm not a weirdo!" She half yelled half laughed.

"Only weirdo's take naps at supper time." Natsu pointed out.

"Lucyyyyy, aren't you gonna say hi to me? Why does Natsu always get all the attention?" Happy whined from his place on the bed.

"Cuse she likes me better, obviously." Natsu scoffed.

"Oh stop it you two, come here Happy."

The cat eagerly jumped into Lucy's outstretched arms, snuggling into her shoulder.

"I missed you Lucy!" Happy cried.

"I missed you too." Lucy said with a sad smile.

"Hey, why do you look so sad?" Natsu asked. "We're gonna get you out of here, so don't look so upset."

Lucy gave a short laugh, patting the blue cat now resting in her lap. "It just feels so real." She said.

Natsu raised an eyebrow. "Of course it's real weirdo."

"Stop calling me that!" Lucy laughed, hitting him with the pillow again, but with less force. "I know it's just a dream, i'll probably wake up any second." She shrugged.

Natsu reached over and pinched Lucy's arm.

"Ouch! What was that for?" She yelped.

"To prove I'm real, obviously."

Lucy froze. It seemed too good to be true. But she could feel Happy, she could hit Natsu, she could feel pain. Slowly she reached over, and poked Natsu's nose.

Natsu swatted at her hand, annoyed.

"You're real!" Lucy shouted.

"Yeah, thats what Ive been sayin-" Natsu was cut off by Lucy throwing herself into him, knocking Happy off her lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

"You came back." She whispered into his shoulder.

Natsu quickly hugged her back.

"Of course I did."

Lucy pushed herself off him and sat back down on the bed. Wondering if she had just caught a glimpse of disappointment in Natsu's eyes as she pulled away, or if it was just the lighting.

"Why did you come back? After everything I said, I was so awful I thought…" The celestial mage trailed off.

"As if I believed any of that," Nastu shrugged, "besides, I had to bring you these." He said. And Lucy couldn't help but gasp as she saw him pull her gate keys out of his pocket.

"I didn't really have the chance give them back last time."

Lucy cringed at the thought of their last encounter. But it faded as she focused on the glimmering key set she had missed so much. She didn't take them out of Natsu's hand. She simply ran her hand over the polished shiny keys. Her spirits, her friends. She hadn't even had contact with them since the water mage had kidnapped her. She missed them so much. How angry would they be when they found out she had abandoned them? Though she presumed they already knew.

"Natsu…you shouldn't have." Lucy breathed, tracing each key with her fingers.

"Seriously Luce, it's no big deal, just take 'em. They're your friends."

Lucy moved to take them, but froze. Instead, she grabbed Natsu's hand. Closing his fist over her keys, and pushing his hand back towards him.

"No, I mean it. You shouldn't have."

The surprise on Natsu's face was evident.

"Lucy, what are you-"

"My father want's those keys. Im sure of it. He's hated the thought of them since my mom died. I don't know why. But now that I've gone and used them in association with a magic guild. It's shameful to him. If he ever decides he doesn't want them around anymore, he'll steal them and sell them, or have them destroyed all together."

"Lucy, they're you're friends aren't they? Don't you want to see them?" Happy puzzled.

"Of course I do. But…" Lucy took a deep breath, "because they're my friends, I want them safe. My keys aren't safe here. They're safe with you guys, back at the guild. You can protect them better than I ever could."

"No!" Natsu stood up, clutching the keys. "You need you're keys, your spirits. Not so you can go on missions or fight, but, because they're your friends, and you love them Lucy. And it doesn't matter if the keys are back at the guild because you're coming back with me." Natsu stated firmly.

Lucy stood too.

"Natsu, please understand I can't go back." Lucy insisted.

"So you admit you want to?" He snapped.

"What?"

"You said you can't, not you don't want to. So if you want to come back, then why won't you?"

"Because I can't!"

"Why the hell not Lucy?!" Natsu screamed, finally losing his temper.

"BECAUSE IT'S MY FAULT" Lucy screeched.

Natsu went dead silent, his rage disappearing.

Lucy collapsed back not the bed, head in her hands. Tears forming in her eyes again.

"Because its all my fault, everything that happened. And if I don't stay here…" she sobbed, feeling like a weight had been lifted only to make room for a hundred more. "If I don't stay here i'll just cause you all pain again."

"Luce…" Natsu began quietly.

"Just, shut up Natsu. Every mission, every adventure, I always seem to get you guys into trouble. Im never going to be as strong as you, yet you showed me kindness I hadn't known since my mothers death. You accepted me and protected me, you made me feel alive Natsu. And then I kept the stupid secret about my stupid father and I put everyone I love in danger. And when the time came that you were all in danger, there was nothing I could do to protect you all."

Lucy stood. "So this," she gestured to the room, " this is what I can do to protect you all, can you just let me have this?" She begged.

Natsu stepped towards Lucy, and she backed away.

"Lucy, no one blamed you for your fathers actions." Natsu stated.

"It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks," Lucy exclaimed, crossing her arms. "I blame myself."

"Lucy…"

Then there was a knock on the bedroom door. Lucy and Natsu froze, Happy quickly landing on Natsu shoulder. Lucy shoved Natsu and Happy into the corner of the room.

"Don't move a muscle." She commanded, before rushing to the door. She pulled the door open enough to fit her face through. Looking down, she saw little Mrs. Seppetto standing in the hallway, looking worried.

"Miss Lucy, I heard shouting, I wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"Oh, yes Mrs. Seppetto, everything is fine, I was just, um… practicing my wedding vows…very loudly." Lucy gave a large grin.

Mrs. Seppetto nodded slowly. "I see, well, its nice that you're preparing so far in advance, have they set the date yet?"

Lucy tried not the choke as she thought of actually having to marry Duke Schwan.

"Um, not yet, my first meeting with Duke Schwan is next Monday."

"I see, well, if everything fine, i'll leave you be miss."

"Yup! Everything's okay! Thanks for checking on me though Mrs. Seppetto!"

"Of course," Mrs. Seppetto leaned in a bit "please take care of yourself Lucy." She whispered politely.

Lucy followed the maids gaze down to her shoulder. Where the sleeve of Lucy's dress had slipped of her shoulder in her rush to get to the door. Her shoulder was now fully exposed, showing off the five round bruises her fathers fingers had left days ago. They had been purple, but had now faded to a sickly greenish yellow, but the bruises were still very obvious.

Lucy tensed as she remembered Natsu in the corner, could he see the bruises from there? If so he would not be happy.

Lucy quickly pulled the sleeve back onto her shoulder in futile attempt to hide the bruises from Natsu.

"Right, I will, thanks again Mrs. Seppetto." The maid gave Lucy a quick curtsey, Lucy curtseyed back politely, and shut the door with a sigh of relief. He relief was short lived though, as the second she turned around, she was face to face with a fuming Natsu.

He placed a hand on her good shoulder to hold her still, and practically ripped off her other sleeve. He examined the bruises, and Lucy could see his fury building.

He looked Lucy dead in the eyes.

"Did your father do this to you?" He growled.

Lucy pulled away from him, pulling her sleeve back up. "Natsu, it's really nothing."

"Did he do it to you? Yes or no?"

Lucy hesitated, "Yeah…yeah he did."

Natsu turned around and drove a fist into the bed.

"Dammit Lucy!" He shouted.

"Natsu, please, calm down." She rushed towards the dragon slayer, trying to calm him down before someone else heard them.

"And did that lady say you're getting married?" Nastu demanded, staring at the floor.

"Well, yes, but not anytime soon."

"To who?" Natsu's fists were aflame now.

"Its Duke Schwan, he's the Ginelle heir. There are a lot of benefits to our marriage-"

"Do you love him?" Natsu glared at her. Happy sunk down behind the bed in fear.

"Wh-what?" Lucy stammered. Natsu walked up to her until she could feel his breath on her face.

"Do you love him?" Natsu asked again, his eyes boring into her.

Lucy quickly looked away.

"I…haven't met him yet." She confessed quietly.

Natsu turned and walked across the room, and punched the wall, creating a large hole.

"Natsu…" Lucy whispered.

He punched the wall a second time.

"Natsu, stop!" Lucy shouted.

Natsu punched the wall again. Lucy ran up behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso, simultaneously pulling him into her and away from the crumbling wall. She buried her face in his back, feeling some of the tension leave his body by her touch, she pulled him in closer, and tighter, until the fire on his bloody knuckles disappeared.

"Im sorry." Lucy cried into him. "Im so, so sorry."

Natsu pulled himself off her roughly. Lucy couldn't hide her hurt.

The dragon slayer took a breath. "I'm not mad at you Lucy."

Lucy hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath. At least Natsu didn't hate her.

"But, can't you see that you aren't safe here? Take your keys, and come back to Fairy Tail with me. Thats why I came tonight, to get you back." Natsu held out the keys to Lucy again. There was desperation in his eyes.

"Lucy please, I need you." Natsu begged.

Lucy felt again as if she'd been stabbed in the heart.

'Go with him!' Her brain screamed. She looked around the room, and realized how suffocating it all was. How lonely. Her heart ached to be with Fairy Tail again.

"We miss you Lucy." Happy whined, flying out from his hiding spot behind the bed.

The temptation of freedom was overwhelming, without realizing she was doing it, she reached out, and took her keys out of Natsu's hand. Natsu's face lit up with a mixture of relief and pure joy, then the look vanished.

"Someones coming." Natsu warned. "We have to go, now." He grabbed Lucy's hand, and pulled her towards the door.

'Like that day in Hargeon.' Lucy thought, overjoyed. But just as she thought this, she too heard the heavy footsteps quickly approaching the door, and she abruptly stopped running. She knew those footsteps.

Natsu tugged on her hand desperately.

"Lucy! Snap out of it, lets go!"

"Come on Lucy!" Happy flew around the balcony franticly.

The footsteps grew louder.

"Its my father." Lucy breathed.

"Which is why we have to go now." Natsu hissed, tugging her arm harder.

Lucy looked at the open glass door leading to the balcony. She saw Happy flying out there eagerly. She looked at Natsu's worried face looking at her, she looked at their intertwined hands, Natsu's pulling her away from danger yet again.

Lucy looked over her shoulder at the hole in her wall and her wooden bedroom door. She looked at the glass door one more time.

'He'd do it again, wouldn't he?'

Lucy pulled her hand out of Natsu's and tossed her gate keys to the boy. Natsu caught them, but his face was full of fear.

"Go." She commanded.

"Lucy I am not leaving without you! Not this time."

"It was not a question." Lucy barked, pushing the boy with all her might. Making him stumble out onto the balcony.

"Get out of here you two, you'll only get yourself hurt." Lucy begged.

Jude's footsteps were seconds away.

"Guard my keys with your life."

"Lucy, come on!" Natsu pleaded

"Promise me!" Lucy shouted.

Natsu went silent. He looked at the keys in his hands, tears in his eyes. "I promise."

"Get him out of here Happy." Lucy ordered.

Her father was outside the bedroom door.

"Lucy…" Happy sobbed.

"Let me protect you two, just this once." Lucy instead, with a weak smile.

She heard her door open.

Happy nodded shakily, grabbed Natsu's coat collar, and flew away.

"Thank you." Lucy uttered, shutting and locking the door.

"Lucy, what is the meaning of this!" Jude yelled. Lucy turned to face her Father. She held her chin up, facing the man with a newfound confidence gained from helping her friends escape.

Jude pointed to the large hole in the wall.

"Oh, sorry, that was Natsu." Lucy deadpanned.

"That wizard friend of yours? Is that who you were helping escape when I came in here?" Judes voice was sinister.

"Yup, thats the one." Lucy confessed, refusing to show her father the fear he wanted to see.

Jude approached Lucy slowly, menacingly and roughly grabbed her by the collar of her dress. Pulling it so tight it nearly lifted her off the ground. But she refused to flinch or beg. She wouldn't give him what he wanted.

"Need I remind you, Lucy, that should that guild, or anyone in it…distract you in anyway, I will not hesitate to have them destroyed."

Lucy blinked. "If I remember our arrangement correctly, Jude, as long as I'm here, you are not to lay a finger on that guild. And if you do, well, I would hate it if things just happened to go wrong between me and Duke Shwan. It really would be a shame to see all that money and planning go to waste." Lucy had to hold back a devious smile. She wasn't afraid, she was strong.

Jude clenched his jaw and quickly raised his hand, and Lucy prepared herself for the blow. Yet still, she never broke eye contact with the man, she never let herself feel fear. His hand hung in the air above her for a minute, then, to Lucy's surprise, it dropped back down to Jude's side. He let go of her dress, and Lucy stumbled backwards a few steps.

Jude stormed out of the room, pausing in the doorway.

'I win.' Lucy thought happily.

Jude looked back at Lucy from the doorway of her room.

"Do you have something to say, Father?" Lucy asked politely.

"In fact, I do. Meet me in my study tomorrow morning after breakfast, we have important matters to discuss."

"Of course, father, about the marriage I presume?" Lucy questioned innocently.

"Actually, no, we need to talk about your mothers keys."

Only then, did Lucy become afraid.


W0W okay these chapters just keep getting longer don't they! *nervous laughter* Things got angsty in this chapter, raise your hand if your frustrated that Lucy won't just go with Natsu already! Well don't worry, I promise it will be worth the wait. Also I sincerely apologize for spelling Seppetto and Schwan differently every time, I really don't know how to spell them. Forgive me!

I do apologize in advance if updates are a little less frequent the next few weeks, school has stared back up for me and I have Exams very soon, so bear with me! (It's literally 1am for me right now but I really wanted to get this published!)

Thank you to anyone and everyone who has, followed, favourited or left a lovely review, on this story! :)

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