Chapter one needed editing for this story to progress the way I want it to, so if you've already read it go back, it's new. On a side note, I'm not telling you all what the pairings will be, I want an edge so :P.

Thanks for reading!

Cana sat opposite me, cheerfully reading her cards while sipping from her hidden canteen. I noted the smile on her lips as she mumbled to herself about different fortunes; she had been doing this since we left Magnolia, seemingly pleased with the outcomes. I tried my best not to look like I was eavesdropping, my eyes focused on the scenery whipping by the windows of the train.

I was trying not to think at all, knowing that it would only lead to more brooding. I had hoped to catch a nap, since I couldn't seem to concentrate on the book in my lap. I had read the same page twelve times or so, but the words still didn't make sense. My eyes were finally starting to feel heavy when Cana coughed, drawing my attention to her side of of our little compartment.

"Lucy, can I ask you something personal?" I could feel my brow furrow at the brunette, when had she ever asked permission for intruding on my personal life?

Never.

"What do you want to know?" A mischievous smile made me wish I had blown her off, but I suspected she would ask her question with permission or without. It was probably better to cooperate.

"How long did you know he was gone?" I couldn't hide the expression of shock on my face; my wide eyes gave away my secret with ease. I was determined to talk my way out of it though.

"Why do you think I knew anything?" I retorted, disbelief making my voice sound weak. She simply pointed to her cards giving me the 'you should know that by now' glare. I sighed, of course Cana would put the whole thing together. She would understand why my reaction was so extreme, she would have figured everything out on her own anyway. "The day before everyone else found out." I didn't really want to think about it, but Cana had that look, like she was waiting for an explanation.

"Why did he leave a letter than? He's never done something like that before."

I sighed and spiraled into the story of what happened the day my best friend left me behind.

I leaned back in the chair of my writing desk, a yawn spilling out of my mouth, and I put my pen down. Normally I would still be in bed at this hour of the morning, but a nightmare had shaken me awake. It sent shivers through me, and I found that my body refused to return to sleep in fear that I might return to that place.

I took it as an opportunity to put some interesting material into the novel I had been working on, after all what was a heroine without a little tragedy and conflict? The best characters were steeped in misery, and this seemed like the perfect development to my main character's back story.

I lazily looked out the window, to see the light of early morning sparkling off the canal in front of my apartment. The sight always took my breath away, and I was almost so mesmerized that I missed the man standing just below, almost.

My heart jumped into my throat, he was finally here. Maybe things would be alright.

His messy hair looked as though he had tossed and turned all night in his sleep. I tilted my head, trying to get a better view, and realized that he was talking to Happy in a very somber tone. The blue cat seemed angry, his words punctuated with violent hand motions.

Confusion was the first feeling that captured my heart that morning as I watched them battle it out. I strained my ears, trying to catch the conversation between them. Natsu was losing his temper, causing his volume to rise.

"I've made up my mind Happy, she can't come with us." His face was obscured by his bangs, the long morning shadows aiding in hiding his expression from me.

"It's not fair Natsu and you know it!" I could hear the tears in his voice, and I felt my own beginning to gather behind my eyes. My heart stopped for a moment, and I felt as though I couldn't breath.

The sight before me made no sense, where was he going, and why wouldn't he take me with him? He was my partner, and we had just begun to become something a little more. Or that's what I had thought. Natsu and I had shared something deep and special over the past year, not that it was something public or over the top, but to me it was the world.

I couldn't imagine a day without stolen glances and passing touches. He was just starting to accept my feelings, he couldn't leave.

"I can't tell her, I just can't." Natsu handed over a stark white envelope, his face still hidden in the shadows. My mind was reeling, but my body was sluggish from exhaustion. "It has to be this way, and you know it."

Those words made adrenaline pump through my veins. I was up and out the door, not caring that I was clad only in a night shirt, or that I had left my keys on my bedside table. Every breath felt labored as I took the stairs two at a time, my bare feet protesting as I skidded to a halt at the front door. I threw it open, the brisk morning wind hitting me in the face like a slap.

He was gone, they both were.

Cana watched my with sympathetic eyes, the kind that I didn't want people using on me. I hadn't told anyone about how my relationship with Natsu had changed. I hadn't told anyone how embarrassing it was to bare my heart to him. No one had to know that I had cried the rest of that day, receiving the letter from Mira the following day.

"What was in that letter?" I could feel the blush creep up my neck; Cana really had no tact, none at all.

I sighed, pulling the delicately folded paper out of my knapsack. I slowly and carefully opened it up, my finger sliding along the untidy script with what I was sure he would call a creepy smile. It was my treasure, no matter what the words on it said.

"Excuses and apologies." My voice, it sounded so hallow, even to my own ears.

"Wow, I didn't think Natsu knew how to write." Cana mumbled, snatching it out of my hands. I cried out in protest, but she was already half way through. I could read the expressions as they crossed her face, all too well. First disbelief, than anger, and finally sadness; she felt sorry for me.

"I guess I can't hide it anymore. Natsu, we… well I don't really know what it was anymore. I guess I read to much into all of it." Cana handed the paper back with a sneer.

"So when you said he was off to search for Igneel..." She crossed her arms over her chest, expelling a breath to calm her anger.

"I wasn't lying, look at the back." I reached over to flip the paper around, it was scribbled there as an afterthought, along with his apology for not taking me along. He said it would be too complicated, and he just wanted to focus on his task. That he hoped I understood, even though he was pretty sure I wouldn't.

"I never knew he could be such a jerk."

"Please, keep this between us, I haven't even told Levy about it. Not any of it actually." Desperation, it tasted bitter against my tongue, but I wasn't ready for the rest of our little family to know.

"This will be perfect, you must have a sixth sense or something." I was puzzled by the smile that broke out across her face. I gave her a look encouraging her to continue. "Hosenka, it is the best place to nurse a broken heart."

For the first time since Natsu had disappeared, I felt the weight lift off my shoulders. Cana was right, I needed to take care of myself, and stop pining for someone who didn't want me in that way.

"A soak in the hot springs couldn't hurt, I suppose." I shrugged my shoulders, feeling what was left of my anger evaporate. Cana's smile was infectious, and I couldn't fight back my own for long.

A few minutes later the PA system cut through our laughter, announcing our arrival at Hosenka station. We gathered our things, trying not to get in the way of other passengers. The train was more crowded that I had expected, oh well, it didn't really affect me.

After we exited the train, the gossip began to flood from both of us. Cana filled me in on the readings she had been doing on our journey here, and what she expected to come home to when we returned to the guild.

I was feeling like myself again as we came a stop at the gates of our clients mansion, just a mile out of town.

Cana let a slow whistle leave her lips as she appraised the sweeping drive and large traditional style home. I took in the sweet smells of the country, feeling somewhat nostalgic. It wasn't nearly as large or grand as the Heartfilia estate, but it was surely impressive.

We both broke out of our silent appraisal of our client's residence when a creaking that signaled the gates opening greeted us.