Writer's Block is so horrible! I've been trying to write chapter 4 of Dark Blood, but all my ideas end up dull. So I may not update DB so soon. I ended up writing this instead, because when in doubt, write LMLY.

Chapter is beta read by my bestie, NIchiki

Natsu

It was a regular Tuesday morning for my family and it had been a lovely morning so far.

"Natsu, how many times have I told you, 'don't talk with your mouth full.' You're not a little kid anymore so I shouldn't have to be telling you this, honestly" Mom griped at me.

"C'mon, Dad doesn't chew with his mouth closed either!" I debated with scrambled eggs still in my mouth, pointing childishly at my old man trying to deflect some of her anger. Grandine walked over to dad and smacked his shoulder. "Igneel, stop it! You're encouraging Natsu!"

Igneel just looked at me and smirked the Dragneel smile, that all men in the family share complete with specks of eggs and bacon and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Y'all are funny!" Wendy giggled from the other side of the table, clutching her stomach watching our antics.

"Y'all are going to miss the bus if you don't hurry." Mother retorted, taking our empty plates away from us.

"Hey! I wasn't finished!" I protested, fork still in my hand waving the utensil at her.

"Natsu, your plate was empty." I furrowed my eyebrows beginning to realize she was right. "Fine.." I pouted looking over to dad and eyeballed his bacon still left on his plate, frowning when he shoved the whole strip in his mouth as he watched my face with a grin. Grandine just smirked at the both of us.

"Thanks for the meal, mom." Wendy said walking to get her backpack off the couch, and I followed doing the same.

"Bye, guys!" I waved walking out the door following behind Wendy. My sister and I started walking towards our bus stops, the High School and Middle School bus stops are pretty close, but not too close so eventually we will have to part ways.

Once we got to the corner of the street, we bid our farewells.

"Have a good day Natsu-nii."

"You too Wendy!" We smiled at each other.

I continued walking in silence to the stop but since I had nothing else to occupy my mind with, I let it wander instead to yesterday.

Yesterday was Lucy's first day and she had met all of us, but then I went and scared her off, asking why her eyes held pain. I knew better then to just up and blurt out the first thing that popped into my head, what was wrong with me? Now that was embarrassing. She had looked a bit shocked then disgusted, so I had decided to skip lunch to avoid the awkwardness. Yet I couldn't really help the fact that we had to attend other classes together and that we ride the same bus. Point is, we are going to see each other whether we like it or not.

I tried to play it off and act normal later on, but there was still some tension between us and I knew it was going to take a while before she would open up to me now. I get to see her again today, and get farther into my mission on finding out about her pain and perhaps just who or what gave her such haunting eyes. I mean the point of Fairy Tail is to make sure everyone is happy, so it will all be worth it in the end, I just have to get there first.

I finally got to the bus stop after sometime and noticed there were other kids standing there waiting, but I didn't really know their names, so I kept to myself, dragging out my phone for a distraction. After waiting for quite a while and getting to the highest level of tetris I ever had achieved before, the bus finally came, I slipped my cell into my backpack and boarded the bus heading to my seat. Everyone was already there, well except for Lucy.

"Hi Natsu!" Lisanna called as I slipped into my seat.

"Hey." If I must, I will explain about Lisanna. We've known each other since Elementary. You could call us childhood friends, but I would disagree. I use to have a crush on her, and she had felt the same way towards me. Eventually we had started dating in Middle School, but after sometime her father found out, and he didn't approve so he forced us to break up.

Now we're just friends, which is fine with me because I don't feel the same way as I use to anymore.

"Guys, when's our next mission?" I asked them.

"We haven't had that many requests yet, so not any time soon." Gray said from beside Erza. "Oh, okay"

The thing with Lucy's eyes is more of my own personal mission I have. I didn't know why I didn't want to tell the others, but I felt like I needed to keep this to myself, for a while at least. I promised myself just yesterday that I will find out why her eyes hold such sorrow, and that's what I shall do and I never go back on my promises.

The trip to Lucy's bus stop was filled with Gray and I bickering over who's more powerful or whose butt would be whooped the worst. It was a one sided argument since he probably knew that I would be more powerful in a fight, but Erza didn't agree with either of us. I knew better then to argue with her though.

Once we stopped in Lucy's neighborhood, I looked straight ahead awaiting her arrival and spotted her as she boarded the bus. She was sporting a hoodie that hid her face, and the only proof you had that it was her were a few blonde strands of hair that escaped the hood.

She trudged her way over to me slowly, then she calmly sat down in silence. Nobody spoke until the bus started moving again, like they didn't know how to break the tense atmosphere that seemed to follow her onto the bus.

"Hey Lu-chan why are you wearing a hoodie? We're only allowed to wear the school sweatshirts." Levy spoke to the blonde.

"I couldn't find my sweatshirt, so I had to wear this." She shrugged.

"You may have to take it off if you don't want to get in trouble." Erza spoke, looking from behind Gray.

"But I need to c-cover up." Lucy stuttered. Why was she stuttering?

"Is it because you don't have your uniform shirt under?" Levy asked again from in front of us.

"No, I'm wearing the shirt it's just..." She looked down, her hands twisted the material in agitation. It was obvious she was uncomfortable with the conversation, but why?

This time I spoke up, "You don't have to cover up if you're wearing the uniform. Just take the hoodie off so you won't get in trouble." I couldn't see her expression since her hoodie was still hiding her face, but she was probably frowning.

"F-fine..." I don't understand why she was being so reluctant. But then I remembered what thought came to me yesterday. Insecurity about your body could be debilitating so if she was worried about what others thought about her then I could kind of see why she was acting like she was.

My assumptions were answered when she took off her hoodie in a swift motion and my eyes went wide in shock. All I could do was stare at her body for a moment, my ability to talk pretty much went out the window. This was the first time I was seeing her actual body and I honestly couldn't figure out why she was hiding it.

She didn't have a wide stomach or anything, but her shirt was straining at her chest area and I could see her breasts were pretty much almost too big for her blouse. I began blushing at her revelation as Levy squeaked in astonishment, seemed I wasn't the only one surprised.

"Lu-chan! You've been hiding a body like that!"

"I wasn't h-hiding." Lucy stuttered once again. "I'm just not too comfortable with my appearance." The busty blonde sighed, slumping down into her seat like she wished it would swallow her up.

"Lucy, you should be proud." Erza proclaimed while Lisanna agreed wholeheartedly but Juvia just looked away from Lucy. I noticed the other guys were letting their eyes wander between the girls thinking God knows what.

All in all, I had to agree with Erza and Lisanna, Lucy should be proud, her body rivals Mirajane Strauss's and that's a high honor for her. She was gorgeous.

Lucy just blushed at all the attention as I finally looked back at her face and something caught my attention. There was a bruise on her right cheek and I figured the others must have not seen it since it was on her opposite side.

"Luce, what happened?" I asked her and she turned to look at me with worry in her eyes. "W-what do you mean?"

"This." I gently stroked her bruise and she slightly flinched.

"What is it?" Gray called from a seat away.

"She has a bruise on her cheek." I said with a lot of seriousness in my tone.

"What? Show us!" Erza demanded. Lucy glared at me, then reluctantly turned her cheek to the others.

"Oi, what happened?" Gajeel asked looking behind him to see Lucy.

"It's nothing really. You don't have to worry." She attempted to reassure us.

"Tell us what happened Lucy-san." Juvia lightly demanded, no longer looking away from the blonde but right at her.

"I just accidentally burned my cheek with my straightener. I was.. um trying to turn and I hit my face."

"Ouch" Lisanna stated.

"Are you okay?" Levy asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, it's just a bruise." Lucy shrugged.

"Oh, well okay then."

I wasn't too convinced of what she said happened. You would've had to hold the straightener with considerable force against the skin for it to form a bruise, but that's just my opinion. (You'd be surprised how many times Wendy has attempted to straighten my spiky hair). I just hope nobody is hurting her, or else they would have to pay for causing her pain.

After we arrived at the school I hung out with some of the guys before the bell rang as the girls made themselves scarce, they did that a lot.

Once the bell rang, I pretty much ran to class but it's not as if I was anxious to see Lucy, I was just anxious to... learn?

As I went through the doorway I expected to have been the first student in the class, but I definitely wasn't. Everyone was sitting in their seats and the teacher was speaking so I guess that was the tardy bell that rang, not the next period bell. But geez, there are like hundreds of bells, so I should I be able to tell them apart?

Good thing the teacher didn't seem to care and I made my way straight to my seat and sat my stuff down. Lucy glanced at me and lightly smirked, clearly enjoying my lateness. I looked at her trying to see her bruise that was on her cheek but it was no longer there which confused the hell out of me. I'm no doctor, but I know that a bruise can't disappear so quickly.

I leaned over towards Luce. "Lucy?" I whispered trying not to catch the teacher's attention and she turned to me with an eyebrow raised.

"What?" She softly answered.

"What happened to your bruise?"

She pursed her lips. "I already told you."

"No, I mean it's gone." I explained.

She turned away and gently stroked her check. "Oh, yeah... Lisanna let me wear some of her concealer to cover it up."

She didn't look back at me, so I was about to speak to her again. "Luce-"

"Natsu Dragneel! If you have time to talk during class than you have time to go to detention after school." I looked at the teacher in a bit of surprise. Detention? Crap. Just plain crap.

"But I have to ride the bus home!" I whined.

"You should have thought of that earlier." The teacher snapped back.

I growled balling my fists and remembered that Igneel and Grandine already got on to me last time I had detention, they were the one's who had to pick me up.

The teacher just continued on as if nothing serious happened, unsympathetic jerk. I felt like Lucy was looking at me, so I turned to look at her surprised to see she had an expression of sympathy on her face.

Lucy

I kind of felt bad for Natsu, since I was the one he was talking to, but I guess he'll figure something out. It wasn't any of my business after all.

After the bell rang, I started walking to my next class and as I was walking down the halls a bunch of guys stopped me but I couldn't tell who a single person was. They were all unfamiliar faces.

There were probably around 10-12 guys and they were circling me and that sent a cold chill down my spine.

"Excuse me I have to get through." I said trying to maneuver around them.

"What's your name?"

"Are you new?"

"Where are you from?"

"Who are your parents?"

"How old are you?"

"What's your bra size?"

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

There were so many questions coming from multiple directions and I started to feel a little insecure.

This is why I prefer to wear my hoodie. Whenever I don't wear it people can see me, the real me and they try to confront me, attack me, abuse me.

But when I wear my hoodie, it hides me. The real me. It makes people stay away from me and it keeps me safe.

The boys kept coming closer and I began to feel claustrophobic. My head started to spin and I just felt sick as I gasped and grabbed my head in worry fighting back the nausea threatening to overwhelm me. Why is this happening!? Why couldn't I just have my hoodie with me.

I felt my legs starting to get weak and I crumpled to the ground but the realized that wasn't such a good idea. "Stop please get away."I whispered. I just wanted to be somewhere besides here, besides home.

"GET AWAY FROM THE GIRL!" Someone screamed and I couldn't tell who the voice belonged too, but it sounded a bit deep.

The guys turned to face what I'm guessing is the person who shouted.

"Dude, that's Black Steel Gajeel."

"Isn't that the guy who got arrested?"

"He also got held back cause he was suspended for that whole year."

Gajeel, was he the one who yelled?

"I SAID, 'GET AWAY FROM HER!" Answering my question, the guys ran in separate directions revealing Gajeel standing in front of me.

"Thanks.." I whispered clutching my bag to my chest and he just looked at me with a straight face.

"C'mon and get up, the tardy bell is going to ring if you don't hurry up." He said looking down at me.

"Oh." I stood up brushing my skirt off. "Thank you again. I'm not good in situations when I'm the center of attention."

He just shrugged. "Whatever, Shrimp would have gotten on my ass if I hadn't helped you."

Shrimp? Who was he talking about? Perhaps Levy, I mean they seem pretty close.

"Are you talking about Levy?" I asked him, watching as a blush broke across his face at the mention of the bluenette's name.

"Y-yea. Anyways I got to go." He turned around and walked off and I wondered if Levy and him could be crushing on each other. How sweet! I wish I could find love, but the real question is, do I even know what love is?

Is love, hurting someone? Is it, abandoning someone in a time of need? Perhaps I've just got a lot to learn.

My next period was Science. Gray was about the only person I actually knew in that class. We were suppose to be going over the periodic table again, but some kid didn't know any of the elements, so the teacher assigned all of us to write a 1,000 word essay explaining the importance of the table and give 20 examples.

You can imagine how excruciating that will be. I understand the metals and metalloids thing, but I never learned all of the elements. I mean, I can name a few, but not 20 and I doubted I knew a single person who could, unless they were a brainiac.

If I had a computer then I would gladly google the periodic table and do the assignment, but I don't have a phone. I used to of course, but a few weeks ago Father threw it at me forcefully leaving a dark bruise on my neck and it didn't survive the drop to the floor, resulting in lots of pieces of shattered plastic. So that was out of the question.

I don't have any access to a computer either. Papa buys me only clothing occasionally, rarely technology. The whole process is simple, "Abuse, gifts, and again." Basically he hurts me any way he wants to when he's drunk, and then on Saturday he buys me something to keep me quiet. It was a vicious cycle that never seemed to end.

I don't really blame him for abusing me. When Mama died it made him become depressed, so he tried to resolve his issues with drinking, which turned into abuse. I know it may not be right, but he still provides me with a home and puts food on the table, so I'm very grateful for that.

Since Papa won't be giving me a device that I can access the internet on, I would have to find another source. Technology isn't one of my electives, so that's out of the question also but I'm sure I'll figure something out, thankfully it's not due until Thursday.

I had another 2 periods before Lunch, Art and History. I attended Art with Erza and History with Natsu and Gray.

In art we were starting to make pots with clay which was pretty fun, but you know how some people can get competitive? Well Erza is one of those people. She spun that pot so fast, it was inhumanely and I had no idea who she was even competing against but she was happy, so I guess that's what counts.

After that was History, my least favorite subject in the world. It's not as if I get bad grades, but because things can seem boring, like coma induced, drooling on your desk kind of boring.

My seat is far from Gray and Natsu's so we didn't get to talk, but I did get to watch them argue after class was over. I got up from my seat and followed over to them.

"Ice Freak!"

"Flame Brain!"

"Pervy Popsicle"

"Sqiunty Eyes!"

"Droopy Eyes!"

"Guys, shut up! We have to go to lunch now." They just looked me, just barely acknowledging my presence.

"Oh hey Lucy."

"Hey, Luce."

"C'mon, or we'll be late for lunch!" I told them grabbing their wrists and pulling.

"Okay, okay."

"We're coming." Gray and Natsu declared at the same time.

We walked all the way to the cafeteria together. (Unlike yesterday). Natsu hasn't brought up what he had said the other day, so I've kind of been acting as if what happened never actually happened.

The boys were talking to each other about something on the way there but I wasn't really paying attention though as I was smiling to myself enjoying the walk. After a while you learn to enjoy the little things in life, like how I'm walking with 2 of my new friends, instead of being with my father.

When we walked in the cafeteria, we sort of went our separate ways. Natsu and Gray went to the lunch line while I went to find where everyone else was sitting, I had brought a bento so I didn't need to buy anything.

Once I spotted Erza, Levy, and the others I went to get sit beside them.

"Hey Guys!" Erza, Levy, Juvia, and Gajeel all sat around the table. The bluenette's greeted me in return while the other 2 nodded. "So what's up?" I asked them opening my bento which I had made this morning.

"Lu-chan you won't believe it! Erza got asked to the dance." Levy squealed.

"Really?" Erza blushed dark red, making her face blend in with her hair.

"Juvia is happy for Erza-san." Juvia said adding in to the excitement.

I was happy for Erza of course, she must really like this guy since she's blushing so much but I'm honestly surprised that a school dance is coming up so soon.

"So who asked you?" I asked her blushing myself and leaning in.

"J-J-Jellal Fernandez." Erza began stuttering.

"Ooh, so tell me about him."

"Well, he's an upperclassman, he's the student council president, and my childhood friend." She said looking down. Levy, Juvia, I were practically fangirling. Gajeel was just sitting a little farther away from us, eating a hamburger and I swear I heard him mumble, "women," earlier.

"Aww that's so sweet. So you guys are childhood lovers, that's even better." I gushed. Hey! I have a weakness when it comes to romance.

"Now we just have to get dates also, then we can go dress shopping together. " Levy declared.

"Juvia knows Gray-sama will ask her to the dance." The bluenette said confidently, smiling widely.

"Well I don't think anyone will ask me..." Levy started pouting.

"Don't worry, I know someone will." I looked from her to Gajeel in a quick second and smiled as the black-haired guy just looked away avoiding our gazes, he had caught on to what we were saying.

Juvia and Erza understood what I was implying, so they nodded their heads in agreement.

"Well if you really think so, then I won't give up hope." Levy, replied grinning.

"Who are you going to go with Lucy?" Erza asked me.

"Oh, I'm not going." I shrugged.

"What, why? Come on, Lu-chan you have to go."

I shook my head. "I'm not into dances." I lied. The real reason why I can't go is simple:

1: I didn't even know there would be a dance coming up, I mean 4 weeks ago my old school had had a dance, so I wasn't expecting a dance here so soon.

2: I had gone to that dance and it didn't end well. I had gone with my friends and had a wonderful time, until I got home at least and that's when I got the worst beating in a long time.

"It won't be the same without you." Levy begged, I just shook my head.

"Lucy-san just tell us why you can't go." Juvia asked.

"I just can't."

"Lucy, just tell us." Erza tried. I stood up in annoyance, I wasn't in the mood or nor I will ever be to tell them the truth. I honestly don't even know the truth myself.

I closed my bento with a slam, just as Natsu sat down with his tray. "What did I miss?" In a hurry, I grabbed my stuff and stormed off before anyone could answer him.

Sometimes I wish people would leave me alone and stay out of my business. It's safer that way.

Natsu

There was still 12 minutes before school ended, which meant detention. I wasn't dreading detention as much as I was dreading to tell my parents about it.

My last period is math, my obvious least favorite subject. It's so boring and difficult... I would say I was paying attention, but I would be lying. I think they were talking about square roots or algebra or something like that.

The only person I know during this period is Erza, yet we don't sit next to each other so I don't get to talk with her.

The 12 minutes went by so slowly, it felt like a minute wasn't just 60 seconds but way more.

I've never had such a longing to go home before, too bad the freakin English teacher had to make such a big deal of me talking.

When the bell rang, everyone pretty much rushed out of class. Erza just walked up to me before she left. "Good luck talking with your parents, next time just try and be a bit more careful."

"Yea yea I know, thanks." She walked off soon after leaving me to do the unbearable.

I went and got my backpack out of my locker heading towards the detention hall. I took out my phone not too long after to call. The real question is whether to call Igneel or Grandine. Oh great... Igneel probably won't be as angry, but he'll eventually tell Grandine so I might as well stay alive for a couple of hours.

I searched through my contacts looking for my father's, when I found it I selected it and pressed the call button. After like a million rings he finally answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Dad, uh I got some news for you..."

"What did you so this time, Natsu.. Please tell me your not failing a class again."

"No, not right now."

"Then what did you do?"

"Well in English I was trying to talk to Lucy about something important, and the teacher didn't know it was important so she told me that I would have detention. Now I have to stay after school."

"Ugh Natsu, what have I told you... I don't get off of work until 5 and you know that. It's your responsibility.."

Yeah, he went on and on but I wasn't really listening anymore.

"Okay dad, I'll find some way home I guess." I hung up the phone and let out a sigh.

I began walking to the detention hall, I might as well get it over with then worry about how I'm getting home. The room I was suppose to go to was in another building, so I went outside to head towards it.

When I stepped outside the warm air hit me and I noticed for the first time it was a really nice day, but no I just had to have detention. Life is so unfair sometimes.

I walked towards the other building with thoughts just swirling around my head, that's when I saw her and honestly how could anyone miss her.

She was sitting on the railing, messenger bag around her shoulder facing away from me, looking into the sun. She looked looked so beautiful. Her long blonde hair was blowing in the light wind, going towards the east, the sun was shining through her hair making her appear like an angel.

"Why are you still here, did you miss the bus?" She turned to me slowing as I spoke to her. Her brown eyes looked straight into mine. "No" She mumbled beginning to stand up.

"Well the bus already left, it's passed 3:15." I told her, walking a little closer to her. "I know, I just wanted to wait awhile before heading home." She shrugged.

I could tell she was feeling a little down, I know earlier the girls kind of upset her.

"Are you going to walk home then?" I asked Lucy moving my hair back out of my face, the wind was a getting a bit stronger. "Yea, I'll probably have to."

"Well, I can walk you home then."

"But don't you have to go to detention?" She said shifting her feet.

"Eh, I can always make up for it another day. What kind of friend would I be if I left you to walk home on your own?" I grinned at her, but I know I'd probably regret this decision tomorrow. I shuddered thinking of my teachers reaction, but swept that to the side, I would worry about it later.

"It's okay Natsu, you don't have to." She tried waving me off, I just grabbed her arm and started pulling her arm. "Come on."

I pulled her with me towards the neighborhood where her bus stop is and she was trying to keep up with me, but I was sort of running. "Natsu, slow down. I'm coming!" I began slowing my pace.

"So what street do you live on anyways?" I asked her still holding onto her arm looking around.

"Um.. Strawberry Street." She said hesitantly.

"Okay, It's over this way then." I started tugging her arm in the new direction, she followed along more willingly this time.

Normally, we could probably walk home everyday after school, but it's about a 15 minute walk so that's pretty excruciating. 12 of those minutes on the way to Lucy's street, were filled with tense silence and I had no idea how to break it either.

When we finally started nearing the street, is when I finally spoke again. "Well we're almost there. What's your house number?"

"Um, I'll show you." She stated walking ahead of me this time.

She finally started slowing when we were supposedly at her house. The home we stopped at seemed like your pretty average home, except the front yard looked plain. It didn't have any plants, a swing, or anything that would make it unique just dead grass and a tree. The house itself was red brick and with a one story structure.

"Nice place you got here." I slowly started walking from the pavement onto the walkway to the house.

"No stop!" Lucy yelled startling me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, confused.

"You can go now, I'm already home." She seemed a little nervous, this is my first time seeing her like this.

"I'm just going to walk you to the door." I shrugged.

"I appreciate you walking me home Natsu, but I can walk in by myself I'll be fine." "Oh.. well okay." She started walking towards the front door leaving me to watch her from the sidewalk. She waved at me saying a short bye, then she opened the door and walked in closing it behind her.

I waited a little bit outside her house before turning towards the direction of mine. Now I get to walk 10 minutes to my house now. I left mentally preparing myself on how to explain things to Igneel and Grandine, Wendy better start getting a coffin ready for me.

Okay, this isn't going to be a fanfic about some school dance. I wouldn't do that, it seems a little too cliche in my opinion. 2 chapters and already 35 followers!? That made me so happy! Lol, btw sorry for the delayed update.