CHAPTERR 2!

The Mission that will Change it All

After the party had finally ended Levy and I went back to my place, "Gray seemed really concerned about you today." She winked

"We are friends Levy, nothing else don't worry." I laugh.

"Finnnne! So what are you going to do about the mission tomorrow?" Levy asked

"I'm not really sure. I'm just going to do my job and then come back home. I can't let Lisanna and Natsu bother me." I sigh "He likes her doesn't he?" I ask sadly.

"He would be stupid to not choose you! That's what's important." She said

"Yeah but Natsu is stupid" I pout

"I know, but he can't be THAT stupid." She says

We laugh and watch horrible vampire movies the rest of the night while eating popcorn and a bunch of sweets. During the second movie and a few popcorn boxes later there was a knock on the door. I get up to answer it, Gray was behind the door.

"Gray!" I smile. I wasn't expecting it to be him but I was really happy that it was.

I had already taken my shower and changed into my loose tank top and some fluffy pajama pants, when I let Gray in Levy said she was going to go take her shower and she left us alone.

"Wow you guys are gong all out"he laughed sitting on the couch and looking at all the candy and popcorn we had ready to go for when we pushed that play button on the remote.

"Jealous much?" I joke with him.

"A little. We are going to have to plan our own night sometime soon" he smiled at me, making me blush. "Yeah right! Juvia would kill me! I saw you two at the party today." I wink at him and sit down next to him on the couch.

"Oh yeah, did you not see my cry for help?" He looked at me a smile still on his face.

His smile was so warm I found myself admiring him.

"So how do you feel about the new addition to Team Natsu? Are you excited?" I snap out of it and change the subject.

He studied me before answering "I think I could ask you the same thing. How do YOU feel about it Luce?" his voice is so loving and sweet. I look down at my hands and think about it. Damn he smells so good, I feel so light headed right now. Dammit Levy! She is the one who put this thought into my head.

I look back up to see him watching me with a loving look in his eyes. "I'm not so sure." i finally answer.

"Fair enough, I think I know how you feel. You and Flame Brian have been growing so close and then all of the sudden he's not by your side. You love him, don't you?" He asks boldly.

"I think so, but then again I don't really know what love is. I'll get back to you on that one when I find out." I give a weak smile.

He looks at the T.V. screen, there was a bit of silence until we heard the shower water start running, Levy was taking her sweet time.

I was now confused more than ever, I felt my heart race a bit faster the longer Gray was with me.

"Be careful tomorrow. I'll protect you but if I can't don't let those two get to you."

I just nodded.

Gray got up and I followed. I didn't want him to go for some reason. "Gray.." my voice was almost a whisper.

He turned around and pulled me in a hug. His skin was sweet and cool,it felt so right against my skin. What am I thinking? I love Natsu right?

I frown at myself.

Gray lets go "I'll pick you up tomorrow for the mission, just wait here for me." and then he leaves.

Right when Gray leaves Levy comes out of the bathroom "Bout time!" We both laugh

We get to the third movie before passing out, waking up Levy got ready to go see Gajeel for some breakfast at the guide while I got ready for the mission. I wore my suit from the Celestial Spirit World.

Gray got there right on time, we met up with the rest of the team at the train station. When we were all settled in and ready to go we discussed the mission details.

There was a town who was being threatened to pay or else they would kill a child everyday they are late on the payment. They got some one to request this mission for the town without the bandit knowing. The killer takes a liking to girls.

I sat by the window looking out and tuning them out and listening to the beat of the rain hitting the window. The sky was dark and the train was following a river.

It was going to be a long ride till we got there, and we are talking an overnight train ride. Everybody was chatting except me, I sat quietly looking outside. Getting hot and feeling crowded in I got up and said I was just going to go get some air.

I just kind of wandered as much as the train allowed, when I went back to the cart where my friends were I heard them talking.

"Lucy has been acting weird lately." Natsu said

"I thought it was just me! I know I don't know her as well as you but she does seem a bit different." Lisanna agreed with him.

Getting annoyed I left again, then all of the sudden Loke came out of nowhere. "Hello princess." he startles me.

"AH! Shit Loke! What the hell are you doing here?" I yelp in surprise

"Just checking in, I heard Lisanna was back. How is that going? Your soul just felt uneasy in a sense." He asked me

"Damn that's a bit stalker-ish, it's like you know everything about me." I laugh

"Well I have to know a majority if I can protect you." He chuckled.

Loke and I were good friends, he was a flirt but we were more like best buds.

We talked for almost an hour and a half before he had to go. He walked me back and opened the door for me, "I won't steal her from you any longer." Loke kissed my cheek and moved behind me quickly behind me.

"Hey!" I move and punch him in the stomach harder than intended. He laughs with the wind knocked out of him, "Saw that one coming!" He kept laughing. By now Natsu was annoyed. "See you around Lucy." Loke said before vanishing.

I went back to sit down next to Gray again.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, sleep was so uncomfortable. But at least we got off that thing first thing in the morning.

We made our way to town hall at 5 in the morning, checking in with the mayor. He gave us all the information he had and then he got us a few hotel rooms to stay in while we waited for night.

Natsu and Lisanna went out to explore the town and then they went to lunch with Erza. I don't know where Gray went but I studied the town I had gotten a map and had a good view from my room's window. It was starting to get dark when Erza and Lisanna came to get me,.

"Do you want to go to dinner before?" Erza asked "Everybody else is going."

I just smiled and said "No thanks I just called in some take out and I'm going to do some more research, can you guys come get me when it's time to leave though?"

Lisanna smiled "Of course, just make sure to get something to eat." She really was sweet but I didn't feel up to going out.

They left and I started to get ready, I got dressed in black leather leggings and a tight black tank top. I called for Leo and asked him to check the area and see if anything weird was going on around the outskirts of town mostly.

When he got back he got an idea of where the guys hideout was. Before he left we both felt black magic.

"Luce if you guys are going to get this done with the upper hand it needs to happen now." We both looked out the window.

"Wanna assist me to get the others and kick this guys ass?" I smirk already knowing the answer.

**Meanwhile the rest of Team Natsu was feasting on a 5 star meal and didn't even notice anything wrong.

Loke ran down the street with me trying to find the gang, when I saw a guy in a black cape with tattoos on his face looking straight at me.

"Loke you go get them, I found the guy I'll follow him! And don't even think about resisting this you are the only one who will be able to know where I am!" He hesitates but then nods and says "be careful before we split.

I run down to where the guy was and then look down a path that led into the woods, he was standing there as if inviting me to follow. I stop and calmly walk to him. He just slowly walks ahead of me and I follow wearily.

** Loke's P.O.V.

Finally running into the right restaurant and finding Team Natsu eating, Gray notices him first. Gray get's up "Loke? What's going on?"

Natsu looked up annoyed, "Yeah, what the hell are you doing here.?" Natsu grimaced.

"Shut up! Lucy found the guy and is following him and needed to come find you, we need to go now!"

"Wait, why the hell would she just go without us? That's just reckless." Natsu was frustrated. Why would she put herself in danger like this? Natsu thought.

"I suggested it, let's just go!" Loke said

** Back with Lucy

"You're a weird one. I've never had the girl chasing me." the mysterious man said.

I just put a hand on my hip and smirked "Now what?" I ask. Needing to buy time.

"Well usually I would kill you and hang you from the flag pol in front of town hall and leave a beautiful message. But since you are different from the other girls I'm not sure what to do for you anymore. Something makes me think you deserve a bit more than just a simple killing." He says in his husky voice. He seems like an older guy

Natsu would have usually been here by now I frown to myself. Maybe I should give up on him?

The man moves closer to me "You seem conflicted? Boy troubles perhaps?" He grins

I just look up at him, I'm going to have to deal with this creep myself.

He moved closer, he had me backed up against a tree and his hand was shadowing around my face and down my neck. My hands were down by my legs, I move my hand slightly I had a dagger hitched in my belt.

He noticed my movements and suddenly he had claws, he slashed at me.

I dodged it and quickly had out my whip out. Dagger was only for close calls, we stared at each other before making the move into battle. I whipped at him and twirled him into a tree uphill. I moved to the side as he dove back downhill to me, having my chance to get uphill I took it. I ran until I got to a cliff.

Well shit, I thought.

He was going to be here soon, maybe I can whip him down before me, or at least down with me. There were sharp rocks at the bottom there was no way even he could survive that fall.

A tear fell down my cheek, and then he was there. "What's the matter doll? Afraid of death?" He taunted me

I smiled "If it means I can save others I will welcome it with open arms."

"Lucy!" Gray and Loke yelled

Making their way to them Natsu hit him with his fire and sent him flying leaving Erza to chain him up. They cast a sleep spell on him and the chief of police took care of locking him up.

We got to stay at the hotel that night before leaving. I was in my room when I heard I knock on the door, curiosity took over when I answered the door. Natsu walked in ever so boldly.

"Lucy you could have gotten hurt today, you know that right?! You can't just run off like that. You're lucky we got there in time." Natsu spat at me.

I wasn't hurt I was mad more than anything, "Well at least I wasn't running off like this was some vacation!" I snapped back

"You know what Lucy I think you should quit Team Natsu for a while." He yelled and slammed the door shut as he left.

I was in shock

Tears started to stain my face.

So I guess there was my answer - even if I loved Natsu I couldn't anymore. I can't live like this anymore.

I go to bed and dread waking up