Author's Note: To those of you who are reading, following, favourite-ing(?) this story, first, let me say thank-you! I really appreciate it! Those of you who reviewed! Cookies for all of you! Heh...on serious note, I ask your patience on this story. I know it's been awhile since I updated but this story is of a personal nature to me. Although the happenings of this story are far more extreme, the base outline of the story still hits extremely close to home for me. It is a story that I feel needs to be written and so it will...I simply ask for your patience. Thank you, and without further adieu...chapter four!

~The Most Beautiful Of Lies

As soon as they entered the gym, Levy and Gajeel went to sit in the stands. Lucy hadn't gotten three steps when she was tackled in a hug, strong arms holding her close.

"Lucy! We're up first! It's you and I fighting Ice-brain and Juvia!"

Thinking she would be fighting against Levi and Gajeel, Lucy had prepared herself to work against Levy's spells. She would fight along side Loke and Taurus, trying not to fall for Levy's traps while Natsu and Gajeel did their own thing. Now that she and Natsu were fighting against Grey and Juvia, her plan would need to change. Natsu she knew liked to rush into things, especially if Grey insulted him...that would be an issue...but one they could possibly work through. They would figure something out. First things first though...

Walking up to the teacher, Erza Scarlet – Miss Scarlet – she was happy to see the teacher was dressed in her gym clothes and not her usual armour. Either way, the woman scared the hell out of everyone who she thought would be a "problem" individual. For some reason, one of them was Natsu. Proof to her guess was solidified when Miss Scarlet glared over Lucy's shoulder, a few seconds later Natsu stood beside her, grinning but tense as he looked to Erza.

"Miss Heartfillia, there is no team changes. Natsu signed you up as his partner, it stays that way for the rest of the year unless some one is to injured to fight."

Adjusting her clip board, she blew her whistle and walked to the middle of the room, standing there with her hands on her hips. Looking around at the various mage students, the gym teacher began to explain in a clear, slightly raised voice.

"Training goes as this. Two teams of two will train together. Each person wears their bands, do not remove them. Do not try to alter them. Do not attack your opponents bands. The battle will be fought within the guidelines provided at the start of the year. If you've forgotten, it's simple. Dragonslayers, do not eat your element. That means no eating fire or iron. Any fires caused will immediately be put out. Any iron eaten, you will be forfeit immediately! Celestial mages – no more then one spirit at a time! If you summon more then one spirit, your keys will be taken from you and locked away for the duration of the week. I already have verbal and written permission to do so from your parents. It was in the package provided the first day."

At this, she held out a form. Lucy was the only celestial mage at this school, so she was the only one that needed to turn in the form. Shifting her stance, Lucy with Natsu beside her, listened while Miss Scarlet droned on and on about the rules. Beside her, she could feel him tense up, ready and waiting to fight. Guilt washed over her as she remembered that fact. As she remembered when they were kids, Natsu and Grey would get into fights all the time, Gajeel often jumping in. She could remember her and Levy sitting under a large cherry blossom tree, piles of books between them as they got lost in their own little worlds, the boys fighting in front of them. They knew now that it was for their affections, Gajeel so he could always protect Levy, Grey to get stronger for Juvia...but she never did figure out Natsu's reasoning. If he even had one...! The two were friends for years before the troubles began to happen, so she liked to think she knew him well. Years later though, Lucy was no more closer to finding a more better answer then Natsu just loved a good fight. It was frustrating!

The first time Natsu confronted her father about her bruises, Jude had forbid Lucy to ever see Natsu outside of school again. Afraid that her father would do something to hurt him to get at her, she'd slowly distanced her self from Natsu. It hurt so very much to do so...hurt to say that she hated him...that he was no longer welcome. Hurt to see that look of such sadness in his eyes, her favourite smile wiped from his lips in an instant by her words. She'd said such harsh things and yet he still hugged her?! Guilt washed over her and she couldn't help the tears that fell.

"Lucy?"

At the sound of his voice, Lucy felt herself lean towards Natsu, grateful and relieved when his arms wrapped around her. He was always so warm, with a scent all his own, so uniquely him. Lucy always used to feel so safe when he was near. Clinging to his t-shirt, she felt his arms tighten, his voice soft as he whispered. She knew she should feel the burning sting of her bruises, but his arms around her, his warm and soft voice seemed to wash it all away...for the first time in such a long long time, Lucy felt...indescribably good! Like a little bird, nestled safe in it's nest. How a regular child should feel in the arms of her loving father. But it went beyond that. Something more, something deeper...something Lucy couldn't describe just yet...

"You and I need to talk, Lucy...first though, let's beat these two, okay?"

Feeling rejuvenated, Lucy nodded and let Natsu go, ready to fight. Knowing he was beside her, she was ready. As Juvia and Grey got into their positions to fight, Natsu set his hands aflame, Lucy reached for her first key. Holding the golden key out, she spoke in a clear and confident voice, summoning the spirit.

"Gate of the Golden Bull, I open thee! Taurus!"

"Hell-ooooo, Miss Lucy!"

Instead of facing their enemy as he should, Taurus was instead slumped over, his heart in his eyes and tongue hanging out as he looked to his mistress. Taking a deep breath to control her frustration, Lucy pointed a shaking hand towards the ice-make and water mage, arguing.

"Taurus, there's no time for that, we're fighting!"

"Begin! Now!"

As soon as the whistle sung it's first note, Natsu was off the ground. Using his fire to propel him up, he managed to dodge an Ice Hammer attack from Grey. Sending fire out in a cone around him, Natsu used it to shield himself – much like a smoke screen Lucy noticed. She was so busy watching Natsu and Grey dodge and hit, she missed Juvia's Water Slicer spell! Only when the sharp sting on her arm and a sharp whistle from Miss Scarlet proclaiming a point did her mind jerk back into the fight.

I have to take this seriously! Stop watching Natsu and ignore my pain! I have to fight with my spirits, not hide behind them!

Unclasping her River of stars whip, Lucy swung the water-ribbon forwards, managing to break two of Juvia's water scythes and knocking aside an ice sword Grey had tossed. Taurus was already battering at Grey's Ice Shield that he and Juvia were hiding behind it, managing to break it before he was speared through by an Ice Sword. Mentally apologizing to her spirit, Lucy forced her sluggish mind into action. If she didn't get her head in the game now she and Natsu would fail this match! They couldn't fail on the first heat, he'd be so disappointed in her!

"Lucy! Grey, you bastard! Fire Dragon's Roar!"

Flames rushed towards Lucy, Natsu's body crashing into her mere seconds before the flames engulfed them. As he curled around her and held her against his chest, confusion washed through the celestial mage. Why was Natsu attacking her!? Very quickly her question was answered when chunks of ice as large as her head clattered around them. Gasping for breath, Lucy nodded and Natsu uncurled himself, charging back in. The whistle blew again, this time a point for her and Natsu as the fire dragonslayer had managed to land a blow on Grey with his Fire Dragon Iron Fist. Seeing how hard Natsu was fighting for them, Lucy became more determined! More "fired up!" As Natsu would say. Grabbing a second Golden Key, she held it out and once more cried out.

"Gate of the Maiden, I open thee! Virgo!"

"Yes mistress!"

One of her most polite spirits, Virgo wore the same maids outfit the day Lucy first became her partner. Before hand she was contracted to Lord Everdue, a weird sicko and pervert who liked to collect – in Lucy's opinion – not so beautiful women. Virgo was among them but her form had changed to more resemble Lucy. Petite, short pink hair, she still wore the shackles with a few chain links attached.

"Mistress?"

At her spirits words, Lucy pointed to Grey and Juvia, motioning what she wanted her spirit to do. With a quick nod, Virgo was gone as quick as she came, a hole in the ground where she once stood. A few minutes later, there was a loud groan from across the room and Grey lay curled in on himself, muttering and swearing. Virgo smiling happily as she waved to Lucy. Before Lucy or Natsu could cry out a warning, Juvia had her spirit by the arms, twisting them behind her back.

"How dare you kick my Grey there! You hurt Grey and Juvia's future children!"

Quick as a flash, Virgo was absorbed in a water bubble, all the air leaving her in a panic. Natsu rushed forward and tried to punch the bubble with his Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow, but it was useless, all his attacks went right through. Seeing Virgo gasping for air, Lucy panicked and forced her gate closed. Before she was able to summon any other spirits, Natsu appeared at her side and once again she found herself in his arms. This time however wasn't the same. This time nothing – not even Natsu – could stop the pain.

Pure agony raced through out Lucy as she clung to him, screaming. It felt as if her magical energies were sucked out until nearly gone, she felt so weak and useless, like a new born babe. As the whistle blew to cancel the match, Natsu was stone still, murmuring incoherent words softly into her ear. When she looked around, desperate to find anything – anyone! - to end the pain, it was as if she were in a dream. The only thing she heard was Natsu's words of encouragement and assurances that she would be okay. That he was taking her back to his house for Carla to heal, she just had to hold on a little longer! Just hold on a few more seconds!

Erza tugged at the silver band on her wrist, forcibly removing it and tossing it aside, as she did Natsu's. Levy and Gajeel were there quicker then the celestial mage could blink. Their lips were moving but no sound came. All Lucy could hear was Natsu's growling low in his chest when Gajeel reached out. Threats to rip Erza's arms off if she so much as touched a hair on Lucy's head. Demands that Levy reach into his right hip pocket and get his car keys, Gajeel would drive. All of this was just a blur as Lucy looked up into Natsu's dark eyes. The worry and fear, sadness and determination shining in them were the last thing she saw before her world went black.

"Lucy, I'll stop the pain, just hold on...it'll go away soon, I promise..."

Lucy missed Natsu's desperate words, the world already lost to her.