Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, nor anything else associated with Fairy Tail. I only own the plot of the following story (and prequel) and my OCs who help move the story along. (Of course, some of the ideas for my OCs come from research on certain things, or if I found nothing on that, I created it for the sole purpose of this fanfic.)

Author's Note: So, I've been debating with myself over whether I want to introduce new OC's or not. I still haven't decided yet. I hope you guys enjoy this little chapter. I'm really trying to stay true to character, but I'm finding writing a bit hard right now. I'm just running out of ideas currently... I have things for future chapters, just not the next few. And the new chapter! I can't wait for the next one. I really can't! Anyway, I really hope you guys are enjoying this! Please R&R! Bon soir!

Chapter 4: Relics

Lucy ran through the meadow towards the river, her blonde hair flowing behind her. Once she reached the banks, she sat down on the bank and let her feet dip into the water. She had come outside to enjoy the gorgeous day. The sun sat high in the sky, with white cottonball clouds. She would've loved to go shopping, but the nearest town was two miles downstream.

She smiled at the water, hoping one of her friends would be able to notice. The water flowed smoothly over the rocks that served as stepping stones to the other side. The calmness of nature calmed her mind from all the turmoil surrounding her.

"Don't touch me!" Lucy swatted Vesper's hand away from her arm.

"My dear Lucy, you really think I want to hurt you?" He sat down on the couch. "Don't you think I have feelings too?"

"I only came with you to keep you from demolishing Fiore. I will not, cannot, ever care for you, you bastard!" She smacked him, leaving an imprint on the side of his face.

As she left the room, she could feel his eyes burning into her back. "You'll regret that."

"I only regret one thing," Lucy muttered to herself. She actually enjoyed travelling to all these different countries. Vesper had started to treat her properly after she quit attempting to escape. He had, of course, attempted to take advantage of her quite a few times, but after their fight, he hadn't come near her, nor did she ever go near him. She would stay in her room for hours on end when he was staying at his house, just to avoid him. "Bastard. Don't think I won't forget what you're still attempting to do."

She stood up and began to jump across the river from rock to rock. The river spanned twice her height and the rocks were about a foot wide. Someone had placed the rocks there on purpose long before her current residence had ever existed, and before towns and cities had begun to pop up along the river.

As she moved towards the middle of the river, she noticed something glittering in a crack in one of the stones ahead. She hurried towards it and pulled it out. She gasped slightly, almost losing her footing. Quickly, she jumped to the other bank, sitting on quickly on her knees in the soft grass. She looked down at the key in her hands. Tears filled her eyes as she slowly bent over, clutching the key to her chest. Someone had noticed her smiling. Now they had the chance to notice tears of happiness and sadness mixing into one.

Natsu sprinted past the park, along the river. The ends of his scarf flew behind him. A grin had spread wide across his face as soon as he had left the guild, having completed his last mission before he, Happy, and Lisanna started on their quest to find Lucy. Happy flew behind him through the warm air. The warm front moving through brought the sea breeze from the coast of Hargeon Town.

The two moved quickly through the dimly lit streets suddenly stopping in front of Lucy's apartment building. Even though he hadn't seen her for a year and a half, he felt good about tonight. He had finally purchased the necklace he had wanted to give her for her birthday when he had arrived back after his last mission, ready to present it to her once she arrived back in Magnolia.

Since the window wasn't open, he pulled out the key. Barely able to contain his excitement, he almost dropped the key, catching it before it hit the ground. He opened the door and walked into the living room. He still couldn't get used to her not being her. It had broken his heart initially, but he eventually let himself be happy after having searched for her. He had a feeling she would show up when she wanted to.

He looked around the clean room. He preferred to not clean, but this was Lucy's place. He could at least keep her place clean and not dusty. The couch looked sat on, the table used. Natsu looked out the window before he moved through the kitchen towards her bedroom.

He slowly felt his energy start to drain. He wished for her to be sleeping in her bed, but he knew she wouldn't be. His shoulders slumped and his pace slowed. A melancholic look returned to his eyes. He could finally relax and let memories of her run around in his head.

Lucy sat on the couch, laughing with Levy. They had been talking all night about this, that, and the other when he crept quietly out of her bedroom. He smiled, knowing that Lucy wouldn't be in her bed for quite some time so he could sleep there. He crept slowly back into her room, praying to the heavens that Happy would not burst through the door, catching Lucy's attention.

As he walked into her room, he stopped moving, staring directly at her desk. Something was different. He picked up the scent of Loke. "That can't be right," he said to himself. Why would Loke have come? There wasn't a fresh scent of Lucy and the Loke's scent smelled faint, as if he had appeared days ago, after Natsu had left on his last mission.

Natsu's eyes drifted from her novel towards a brown pouch. He walked over and stared at it for a few minutes. Happy floated in behind him after having finished off the fish they had left in the refrigerator. He looked at the pouch, picked it up, and opened it. Keys fell out, Lucy's keys.

A/N: What key should Lucy have come across? I'd like to hear what you think.