i carefully navigated the forest as I followed the small group, making sure to make my presence from the dragonslayers. I had found Lucy in the care of Mavis's guild a short while ago, now I watched over her from afar. In all honesty, it's killing me to be so close, yet so very far away.

I watched them go into a building, what looked like a dark guild's. I made a quick note of the name and size, along with who Lucy was with. I deducted that she'd be safe as long as she was with the dragonslayers.

It remained quiet for a bit. I assumed it was a stealth mission at the moment, so I made myself comfortable on the side of a tree.

A bit later, I heard screams and chatter, then the Lightning slayer ran out with the Sky slayer. 'Lucy!?'

"Dammit! She better be alright!" He screamed to himself.

"Don't worry. . Laxus-san. I can tell, she'll be okay in the end. I'm sorry." The small girl said before she fell limp in his arms. He continued on his way. I felt my anger flare, she doesn't have any of her major magic back yet! Images of Lucy trapped, bleeding, battered, all flashed by my eyes. All events that had happened before. THe images overwhelmed me as I sunk to the ground and felt the pain begin. I gripped my head as I felt the world decay around me. I felt the all too familiar dread and sorrow for the lives I've taken come back.

Once the wave was released, I felt the tightening of my chest cease, replaced with a whole new pain. I quickly ignored it as I sensed Lucy's magic becoming erratic. Only have just recovered, I moved as fast as I could to come to her aid. 'If she remembers, so be it. We'll survive'

Once I entered the immediate area, I was struck with the powerful stench of death and decay. The interior of the building was in ruin, with furnature broken and strewn around, pillars smashed, scaffolding handing precariously. Blood decorated the walls and bodies littered the floor.I weaved my way around the carcasses and wreckage, desperate to see her.

"LUCY!"

The girl I had been looking for, the one I love, was battered and bruised, holding her side with her eyes closed. Blood was trickling out of a few gashes on her and her, what I assumed to be once white dress, was soaked in blood. 'You can't handle your magic yet, can you.' I thought. Casting my gaze elsewhere as I walked towards her, I saw about fifty mages still up. I felt anger flare in me as I sent a multitude of Death Orbs out to each of the bastards, instantly killing them. Turning back towards Lucy, I saw her eyes flutter open barely. 'I'm sorry. I didn't get here soon enough.'

"Z-Ze" She started to say. I felt panic rush through me. No. You can't remember yet! He'll sense you! I wanted to say. If I had said anything, she may have her memories return. "Shh, Lucy. I must go now. . . sorry." I said, despair filling me. I came so far to find you, yet I can't stay. Slowly, I turned away and walked towards where I came from, careful to step over bodies. I took one last look at Lucy through tear filled eyes.

I'm sorry.

Later. . .

"Lucy! Come on!" I screamed towards my friend as we ran through the forest. I had wanted to show her a field of flowers I had found. They reminded me of her.

"I'm coming! Jeez, Zeref. You run fast!" She yelled as she caught up. I grabbed her hand. "Let's go!" I said as I led her to the field. I glanced over my shoulder to see her reaction. Her eyes were sparkling and her mouth was in a wide smile. I blushed at how pretty she looked. Pang! I felt pain in my chest. "Not now. Please!" I said in desperation. Ever since I had been with Lucy(A short while), my magic was controllable. But sometimes it would flare up and become huge, killing everything in a certain radius. Lucy caught wind of my plea, she ran towards me, arms stretched at me. "Protection!" I heard her yell. I felt the light magic barrier shoot up around us as Lucy wrapped her arms around my waist. "Lucy! You. . re gonna' get hurt!" I screamed, feeling myself lose it.

. . .

I opened my eyes and looked around. "Lucy?" I asked. I felt movement come from behind me. I settled my gaze on Lucy's battered form. "Lucy!"

"It's . . alright. I'm fine. . see?" She said with a faint smile. I panicked as I picked her up and carried her to Mavis's.

. . .

Mavis's eyes went wide as she looked at Lucy's body. She quickly plucked her from my arms as she looked at me, her green eyes shining with sadness.

"THank you Zeref. Don't blame yourself, please." She said as she disappeared into her room with Lucy. "I'm sorry, lucy." I said as I slinked down the wall. "I'm so sorry"

Why am I remembering this now? I thought as I fingered the white sash on my body. Since my run-in with Lucy a few days ago on the cliff. I felt immensely guilty. I no longer feel I can watch over her without hurting her. After coming to this realization, I felt fresh tears fall down my face. I wiped them off, smiling slightly.

"Lucy. I've become such a crybaby since you left. Heh, if you saw me now, you'd smile." I said to no-one in particular. New tears fell down. "Unfortunately, you won't see me again. You're better off now, without me."