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And without further ado, let the second chapter begin.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail. Hiro Mashima does

Chapter 2 A dragon's roar. A dragon's promise

Breathing in the midnight air, Lucy began to reminisce as she walked through the familiar streets. That's where Natsu and Gray's fight broke the stall and I ended up paying, she mused with annoyance, but a smile on her face as past memories flickered in her mind. Eventually ending up on Strawberry Street, she began her usual balancing routine by the river, catching the attention of the boatsman.

"Hey Lucy-chan! Take care on your way home!" He called as he passed by.

To his surprise, she called out to him to stop. "Wait a minute mister! Can I ask for a favour?"

"Anything for Lucy-chan!"

"Do you remember my team? The people that break into my apartment?"

"Ah. You mean the pinky…the flying cat…the stripper…and the lady knight?"

"Yes…that's them", Lucy wryly said, "Eventually, all of them will be rushing to my apartment and if you could somehow stop them and pass on a message from me to go see my landlady, I'd be in your debt."

To her surprise, the boat approached her and the handle of an oar suddenly tapped her on the head.

"You going somewhere? Well it's none of my business but no need for any of that debt stuff. Just come home safely." The elderly boatsman said.

"…Right. Thank you… very much!" Lucy said gratefully, bowing to him before hurrying forward after a light tap on her butt from the oar.

"You better hurry Lucy-chan!" The old man winked. "'Til we meet again!"

Lucy raised her hand in farewell. "'Til we meet again!"

Finally arriving home she closed the door and placed her back against it, taking deep, shaky breaths. Saying goodbye was harder than she thought. But I made a promise to myself, Lucy thought, her resolve still strong, To grow strong. To be able to protect my family.

Striding over to centre of her bedroom, she took out a familiar golden key and holding it out.

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

"You called, Princess?"

"Can you help me pack up? I'm in a bit of a rush."

"Would you like me to store it in the celestial realm, Princess?"

"That would be great", Lucy said, before another thought popped into her head, "Oh! And Virgo, is it possible for you to get me a scent and magic concealing cloak from the celestial realm?"

"I will try my best. Is there anything else or is it time for punishment?"

"Nothing else Virgo! Thank you." Virgo nodded and began to pack up Lucy's stuff at a rapid pace.

Lucy moved over to her desk, taking out several letters that she had secretly prepared and concealed from her friends in preparation of her journey. After making adjustments to one and taking out an envelope containing this month's rent, she headed over to her landlady's home.

Hesitantly, she knocked, "Ms Landlady…Ms Landlady are you there?"

The door swung open revealing the landlady who fixed her with a glare almost as strong as Erza's when you squashed her cake.

"What?!" The landlady snapped.

"For you", Lucy began, handing over the jewels for her rent before continuing, "This will be my final instalment to you for a while, Ms Landlady."

"For a while? When do you plan to return from wherever you are going? Or, do you not even plan to come back?"

"I will return", Lucy said firmly, "I will. But while I am gone, I have a small request."

"Very well. This is only because you were a…decent tenant."

"Could you give these to my friends? They will most likely arrive here and approach you about my absence and this should appease them." Lucy requested as she held out the letters to the landlady.

"Fine. Is that all, Ms Heartfilia or can I not return to sleep at this ungodly hour?"

"Take care, Ms Landlady." Lucy smiled and then bowed.

"…You better come back quickly." The landlady whispered softly before she shut the door.

Lucy stood inside her empty apartment, a cloak in her hands thanks to Virgo. She looked around the place that had become a home to her, second best to the guild of course. And then without a glance back, she left the apartment, the hood of the dark cloak covering her face, moving towards the Magnolia train station.

"Lucy."

Lucy startled out of her mind by the familiar voice, fell backwards on the concrete.

"First Master?! How did you know I was here? Does everyone know? I thought only Master knew…"

"I overheard your conversation and you going to the train station had the highest probability according to my calculations." Mavis giggled. "And don't worry, only those that were in the room know."

Lucy visibly relaxed before looking at the First Master curiously, "So why are you here then?"

"I came here to propose that you go to Tenrou Island to train. Just for a short while before you make any rush decisions."

"Tenrou Island…?"

"Yes." Mavis smiled serenely. "At Tenrou Island, you will have peace, quiet and a place to train. There is currently no one on the island so you wouldn't have to worry about being spotted."

"I see…" Lucy got up, brushing the dust off her knees, "Well if you think I should go, then I guess I will."

"Good. May your journey be a safe one, Lucy Heartfilia."

In a moment of weakness, Lucy softly said, "…Look after them for me, First."

"I will."

"…Thank you."

And with that, Lucy Heartfilia left Magnolia, leaving behind her home, her family and her dragon.

It's always more fun when we're together, but sometimes you have to go on your own adventures. 'Til we meet again, Natsu.

Three days since Lucy has left:

A rowdy Fairy Tail's celebrations were finally over and the clean-up was now beginning. Levy who had been carrying supplies to repair the benches was interrupted by Wendy.

"Levy-san…have you seen Lucy-san? I wanted to return a book but I haven't been able to find her…" A worried Wendy asked.

Makarov, who was in hearing distance choked on the beer he was drinking, to which Mira and Laxus shot him knowing glances. Time is already up. I had hoped to give Lucy a bit more time, He thought grimly.

"Your right. I haven't seen Lu-chan for some time now. Gajeel, have you seen her?" Levy questioned Gajeel who was nearby.

"I haven't. And Bunny girl's scent has gone a bit stale."

"I wonder why…it's not like she just left Magnolia." The concerned voice of Erza chimed in, though a sense of foreboding filled her after her comment.

"And I remember talking to Bunny girl about…someone", Gajeel choked over his words, a blue-haired shrimp suddenly coming to mind, "And then she told me to… keep the guild happy…"

Gray joined in the conversation, piping out, "Lucy said something like that to me as well. She said to… make sure to keep the guild lively…and keep an eye on Natsu for her…"

Juvia from afar was shocked. "Two love rivals?! Natsu and first love rival?!"

A worried Erza and Gray headed over to Makarov, who had regained his composure and prayed that his lying skills still existed.

"Master. Has Lucy taken a solo mission?" Erza asked.

That's a perfect excuse, Makarov inwardly cheered, and will buy Lucy more time!

"Yes, she requested to go on her own and I allowed it. The duration of the mission will be at least… one week."

Erza and Gray relaxed, though they felt slightly hurt that their fellow mage had left without them. Carrying this knowledge, they returned back to their waiting guild mates with the news.

On the other hand, Natsu and Happy were devastated by the news. Team Natsu originally began with Lucy, him and Happy so why would Lucy suddenly decide to go on a mission on her own, Natsu anxiously wondered, what if she gets hurt, what if there are too many enemies, too many risks, I have to go after her!

Natsu practically jumped off his seat, startling Happy who Natsu had grabbed and placed on his shoulder. Together they headed towards the guild doors.

"Natsu and Happy! You are forbidden to go after her!" Makarov stated, wielding his authority as guild master.

"Why?! She's my partner!" Natsu shouted, a hint of his dragon emerging in the fiery tint to his eyes.

"And this is her mission alone!" Makarov rumbled, but seeing the worried state of the dragon slayer, he softened his tone, "If you go after her to protect her, aren't you taking away her independence? Lucy won't be happy at all…"

"…Lucy…won't be happy…" Natsu mumbled and with resigned steps, slumped back into his original seat with a heavy heart, weighed down with insecurities.

Makarov sighed in relief, slightly nodding at Mira and Laxus to stand down.

Five days later:

A whole week had gone by and Lucy was officially late by one day from her "solo mission." Master Makarov looked around the guild hall, wondering how much damage would occur now that the ruse was almost over. In particular, he wondered, how much damage will be caused by him.

The 'him' was a literally steaming Natsu who sat at the counter with a feral expression on his face. The air around him shimmered from his heat, proof that his patience had officially run out. And it wasn't only him.

Three seats down the row was an impatient Erza, colder than usual Gray and anxious Happy, all tired of waiting for their late team mate.

A flaming hand slammed down on the counter. "I'm done waiting! Happy, we're leaving!"

"Aye sir!" Happy agreed.

"We're coming too!" Erza and Gray declared.

"Natsu…I said-" Makarov began.

"What kind of a Master acts so normal when one of his "children" are possibly in danger?!" Natsu demanded.

"Natsu, calm down." Mira said in a soothing tone.

"I'm sure blondie is fine." Laxus said, seeming unconcerned.

However, all their attempts only made the dragon within Natsu rage harder, in turn causing Natsu to go ballistic. However, Natsu didn't shout or wave his fists around, which to all the wary guild members, was only a bad sign. Instead he stood straight and tall with a calm expression, the only evident sign of his anger in his slanted onyx eyes.

A silent Natsu could only mean he was absolutely furious and for a dragonslayer whose power could be enhanced by his emotions, the situation only spelled trouble.

"…Blondie—" Laxus was suddenly cut off as a flaming fist nearly hit him in the jaw.

"Her name is Lucy!" Natsu snarled as he crouched on the ground, like a predator.

Mira and Master Makarov worriedly watched on, seeing scales begin to form on Natsu's face and arms. Laxus who had dodged the attack got in a defensive position.

"Now, now everyone. Let's all calm down", Mavis appearing out of nowhere gently ordered, sending a glance towards Mira and then directing it towards Natsu. Mira nodded in response.

"Natsu…Lucy wouldn't want you to hurt the others, right?" Mavis asked, using a soothing tone.

Momentarily distracted by Mavis' words, Mira used the opportunity to knock Natsu unconscious, extinguishing his dragon-like features.

"Well now that everyone is calm, Team Natsu why don't you go check Lucy's house? Oh and take Natsu with you." Mavis said, hoping that the celestial mage had used the week given to her to successfully reach Tenrou Island.

Erza looked towards Master Makarov for permission who nodded his agreement. With that, Erza, Gray carrying Natsu, and Happy left the guild for Lucy's apartment.

Running at a brisk pace while Happy flew, Team Natsu was suddenly stopped when they heard someone calling for them from the river.

"Hey Lucy-chan's friends! Hey!"

Moving towards the source of the voice, they discovered the same boatsman that Lucy had talked to.

The ever polite Erza questioned, "How may we help you sir?"

"Lucy-chan asked me to pass on a message to you, now what was it…" The elder racked his brain.

"A message?" Gray inquired, curious.

"Ah! She said to go visit her landlady," He remembered, choosing to exclude his own suspicions for her reason for the cryptic message.

"I see…thank you for your help." Erza said.

The boatman waved his hand and continued down the river while Team Natsu moved at a faster pace, their worries and curiosity for Lucy pushing them forward.

Finally they reached Lucy's apartment, each of them using their own secret methods to enter. Gray unceremoniously dumped the unconscious Natsu on the bed who instinctively curled up, a smile gracing his face as he was surrounded in Lucy's scent.

"He totally likes her," Happy teasingly whispered, not wanting to disturb Natsu's peaceful sleep for the first time this week.

However, the teasing atmosphere vanished immediately as they took in the empty state of the apartment.

"Gray, check the kitchen and living room. Happy, you stay here and check this bedroom. I'll go check the bathroom." Erza commanded, firing out her orders like bullets. The two saluted and they each moved to their respective areas.

Gray entered the kitchen first, only finding empty drawers and fridge. He headed towards the living room, finding it spotless but also empty, picture frames missing from the walls. Putting a hand on a pink couch, a wave of nostalgia hit him as he looked at the couch.

"Gray, wake up and get out of my house!" Lucy demanded, as she spotted his unmoving form on her couch.

Gray snapped awake, the details of his nightmare still present in his mind and leaking into his voice as he roughly replied, "Right. Sorry."

He got off the couch and moved to the door when Lucy's hand gripped his bicep. "Wait. It's already too dark out. Just stay the night."

Gray nodded mutely, taking a seat back on the couch. He was taken out of his thoughts when a soft, pale hand held out a mug with steam billowing out of it.

"It's hot chocolate. It helps me calm down after my nightmares. I thought it might help you too."

He looked up in surprise at Lucy's understanding face. "How did you know?"

"That you had a nightmare? You're sweating which is unnatural for an ice mage like yourself, your eyes are red and you're all tensed up."

"You must have had a lot of nightmares to be able to spot the signs so easily."

"Some about my mother, some about father, sometimes both…" Lucy trailed off.

"…"

"What about you Gray?" She asked in a gentle voice.

"Ur and Deliora…" Gray said softly, surprised at how easy it was to open up to her.

"What kind of person was Ur?"

Memories ran through Gray's mind, "She was warm even though she was an ice mage…an incredible mage…"

"What else?" Lucy encouraged.

"She was strict as a teacher…always pushing me and Lyon past our limits."

Lucy nodded for him to continue.

"She was forgiving…easily riled…strong…passionate. She was like a mother to me…" Gray broke off, tears falling onto his clenched fists.

"What did she look like?"

Gray, putting both hands together whispered, "Ice Make…Ur."

Lucy looked closely at the figure of Ur, her heart warming as she noticed the incredible detail put into the ice figurine.

"She's beautiful. I know she would've been proud of the path that you've chosen Gray."

"…You think so…?" Gray questioned, his cold exterior gone, revealing a lonely, broken teenager.

"I know so." Lucy hugged him tightly, her warm embrace forcing out the numbing cold he felt. "From now on, whenever you have a nightmare, come visit me. Anytime."

A rush of brotherly affection passed through Gray as he returned the hug. "Thanks Lucy."

Gray lifted his hand off the couch, running it through his raven hair. "Where are you…Lucy?"

Meanwhile, Erza had entered the bathroom, also finding it empty. She scowled, as she slammed a fist down on the edge of Lucy's bathtub. Her expression turned sheepish when she lifted her hand to find a crack, reminding her of previous events.

"Erza! Why are you in my bathtub?! Again?!" Lucy demanded in a high voice.

"Ah Lucy, come join me."

"This isn't a public bath!"

"I've bathed with Natsu and Gray before. This is no different." Erza waved her hand dismissively.

Sighing in defeat, Lucy dropped into the other side of the bathtub. She looked at Erza's figure, spotting scars which she had never seen before due to Erza's armour.

"Hey Erza, how'd you get that scar?" Lucy asked, pointing at a scar over Erza's ribs.

"…From my time as a slave at the Tower of Heaven…" Erza replied rigidly.

An awkward silence permeated the room before Lucy piped up. "Hey Erza, you know you can loosen up right?"

"Loosen up?"

"Yeah! There's no need to put on a strong front in a bathtub," Lucy said enthusiastically, ending with a serious but slightly joking remark.

"A strong front…I…was not aware I did that…"

"Listen Erza," Lucy began, putting a warm hand on Erza's left shoulder, "Right here, right now, it's only you and me. There's no enemies and no comrades who are depending on you. It's just two friends taking a bath together…though that's also…"

Lucy continued to ramble on about friends, privacy and baths. She was stopped by the sound of Erza's laughter, not the fake ones but a real, warm sound that made Lucy laugh as well.

"Thank you Lucy." Erza smiled, a smile that reached her eyes.

"No problem Erza! We're sisters-in-bathtubs after all!"

Erza smiled softly at the memory before a rush of concern flooded through her system as there was no clue in the bathroom to find out Lucy's whereabouts.

"Where could she have gone?"

Using his exceed wings, Happy flew around Lucy's bedroom, checking every nook and cranny before resignedly sitting on the bed after finding nothing. Looking at the sleeping Natsu sparked a memory from not too long ago.

Happy woke up with a start, tears in his eyes after another nightmare about Lucy, a recent occurrence caused by the traumatic experience of future Lucy's death. He tried to keep his sniffles quiet to no avail as Lucy turned to him, a worried expression on her face.

"Though I'm annoyed that you and the idiot barged into my house again…what's wrong Happy?" Lucy questioned, her soothing voice chasing the nightmare away.

"I had another nightmare about you again…" Happy mumbled.

"Come here," Lucy opened her arms as Happy walked into them, feeling comfort in her embrace.

"Sorry for waking you Lushi."

"It's alright, I was already awake anyway."

"Why?"

"Watching future me die wasn't easy for any of us. I get nightmares too, you know." Lucy said, and Happy finally noticed her eye bags and red eyes.

"…"

"Sometimes they're about Fairy Tail, sometimes Team Natsu, sometimes you and Natsu…"

With Lucy's encouragement, Happy spilled about his nightmares about her. At the end of his talk, Lucy rubbed his back soothingly.

"Lushi…why are you so nice to me and Natsu? We break your stuff…break into your apartment...use the job reward for paying damages…"

"Well…it's because I love you Happy, you're like a son to me," Lucy said, making a shy grin burst out on Happy's face.

"I love you too Lushi!"

Lucy smiled at his words, patting his head.

"Then what about Natsu? Why are you so nice to him?"

"N..No reason!" Lucy stammered as she stole a glance towards the adorable face of a sleeping Natsu.

"You likkeeeee him." Happy rolled in a teasing voice.

"Lushi…where'd you go without telling me and Natsu…"

After regrouping in Lucy's bedroom with no clue behind the empty apartment and Lucy's absence, the four of them began to leave when Lucy's landlady suddenly barged in.

"Ms Heartfilia's friends, I presume?" The landlady asked.

They nodded, dumbfounded at her sudden appearance.

"These are for you." After handing the letters to Erza, she left.

"Letters? Who are they addressed to?" Gray questioned.

"One to Team Natsu…one to the guild and one to…Natsu." They all glanced at the still unmoving form of Natsu.

"What should we do?" Happy piped up.

"We'll take the one addressed to Team Natsu and to Fairy Tail back to the guild. I'll leave Natsu's with him."

Nodding their agreement, they left Lucy's apartment to return to the guild, leaving Natsu with his letter.

Sometime later, Natsu awoke, the light of sunset filtering in through the window. Sitting up, he looked down curiously, feeling a weight on his lap. He picked up the letter, first reading the attached note.

"Natsu", he read aloud as Erza taught him, "Happy, Gray and I have returned to the guild with letters written by Lucy addressed to us. You may remain there to read your own letter in privacy."

Setting down the note, Natsu examined the letter, bringing it to his nose to confirm it was indeed written by Lucy. He eagerly opened the envelope and took out the contents; a letter and a…wristband?

Opening the letter, he began to read.

"To my dearest dragon slayer, Natsu Dragneel…"

"If you are reading this letter then you have probably noticed my absence from the guild and my apartment. You may hate me for leaving like Igneel did…you may not understand why I left…but I will fight to earn your forgiveness when I return from my journey. However, for now, you will have to make do with these two reasons.

The first and main reason is that I am weak and this weakness makes me feel unworthy to carry the name of Fairy Tail and more importantly, be a part of Team Natsu. So I decided after the Grand Magic Games to go on a journey to train, to get stronger, to be able to protect those important to me like you do Natsu. Do not under any circumstances blame Master for my leaving. This decision was mine alone.

The second is that I contracted a sort of…incurable sickness. It makes my heart beat rapidly when you approach me with that toothy grin. It makes my body move even when my brain tells me not to. Like when you hold out your hand to me to go on a job that seems simple but I know will end crazily, yet I take your hand anyway.

I know it's more fun when we're all together but I hope you will let me go on this journey alone. I am sorry for leaving Team Natsu but you should invite Lisanna to join the team.

You're also probably hurt and angry that I didn't even say a single goodbye to you before I left. In my defence, I did want to say a quick goodbye to you at the guild celebrations but you seemed busy with Lisanna so I chose not to. I hope your romantic endeavours with her go well. [insert wink here]

Lastly…Natsu. This may seem like an unfair request with all that I have left behind but I hope you will keep the guild happy for me. I know some will take my sudden disappearance badly but I know that a strong person like yourself can hold them together. You're the glue that binds Team Natsu together and I hope you will continue to do so. Protect everyone as you always do, which should be easier without a burden like me and stay safe.

So promise this for me and I will promise to return as soon as I can. Don't forget that a celestial mage always keep their promises.

Goodbye for now Natsu Dragneel. May the light of Fairy Tail continue to protect you.

Love your best friend and partner, Lucy Heartfilia.

P.S I enclosed a fireproof wristband which I knitted myself [aren't I a super good knitter?!] and that matches one that I will carry throughout my journey. I hope you wear yours.

Natsu chuckled as he put it on, tears staining the wristband as they fell from his eyes. "You're such a weirdo, Luce."

Jumping out the window of Lucy's now former apartment, the wristband close to his thumping heart and tears still falling endlessly, Natsu ran to the nearby forest, running until he felt far enough from civilisation.

Natsu took a deep breath and then roared. A dragon's roar. A roar that carried his hopes, his worries, and most importantly his promise to her.

Promise to come back and I'll promise you anything Luce.

Far away on Tenrou Island, Lucy smiled in her sleep, hearing her dragon's words.

Sorry it took so long OTL.

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-howtodreamagain