Disclaimer - I do not in any way claim to own the series Fairy Tail or any of the characters.

A/N - I do, in fact know that Mira does not show in either the manga or the anime the ability to have poisonous acid as her power. However, not only for the story, but also because I believe that should be a power she has, she is a demon takeover mage, I have put it in the story and hopefully you don't find it too weird to read.

Mira didn't know why she was here. If anything she didn't even want to be here. All she knew was that all day she had felt a nervous itching in her throat. The likes of which she had experienced before, but every other time she at least knew why. It had made her edgy all day which had led to Makarov basically telling her to go home and rest. Or at least calm down a bit.

Either way now she was here, and it had been months since the events had transpired. And she couldn't have imagined ever coming here. Not when the wound still felt so raw. Not when Natsu had basically tried to choke the life out of her. Her hand instinctively went up to rub at the scars around her neck and she sighed.

Not when Lucy was still...dead. Not when they still hadn't had a proper funeral. Not when all that was left was ash.

But here she was. A clinking coming from the burning objects in her hand that the guild couldn't stand to give away. The objects that she had been keeping in her apron all this time, which had randomly started burning just earlier this day. Seeming to shimmer and glow.

Her white hair was blowing in her face but she couldn't even find the heart to mind as she stared at the building, her cloak billowing behind her. She didn't know why she had a compulsion to be here. Or, why she was here in the middle of the night. Coldness nipping at her skin, and the world seeming like an isolated wonderland.

But what she did know was that she was going to go in there. She was going to face Natsu..and whatever else was there. She couldn't leave. She knew that. But she wouldn't be allowed to go in with what was tightly clasped in her hands either. Which was why she drew up the head of her cloak and tapped into her magic.

The perks of being a demon, she laughed lightly, was that she could all but disappear into the shadows. Which she did easily, clenching her fists tightly to still the objects and all their noises. And to maybe distract herself from what she was about to do. She knew she would get punished for this if found out. Knew it would be bad enough that she was scared to go in. Knew Fairy Tail would be aghast and horrified to know of what she had done by sneaking in. Especially because she knew exactly what she was going to do and exactly the repercussions of such.

Months had passed, exactly three and so far only Erza had come. Every other day it seemed. Returning to her apartment, unaware of Mira's lingering eyes as she wiped the evidence of blotched cheeks off her face.

Stopping only once to tap into her magic once again and lash out with her tail, she dissipated the barrier that would tell of someone being here. She continued on, thoughts trailing off once again.

Even though Gray hadn't once visited Natsu she knew he was at least aware of his condition. With how Erza explained everything, to the tear hazed eyes of their guild mates. She felt them all, but she knew Erza was hit the hardest. Not because of her closeness to them because Gray had been just as close, if not more so with Natsu but because she was the one who bore the responsibility of coming here. The only one who could stand to leave the cold, sullen atmosphere of the guild and come to a place that was racked with even more misery.

Either way, Mira was here now and she had a job to do. She pushed all thoughts of her nakama out of the way and stood in front of the wrought iron door that towered over her. Legs beginning to shake from sheer nervousness at the scene she might see in front of her. She didn't know how she was going to get in there, she hadn't planned that far but she needed to at least find a way. No matter how damaging.

Taking a deep breath she shifted part way. Tensing as she tried to restrain the magic pushing back at her, trying to rush out but building up in a bad way. She had never tried this before but she had to now. Because anymore and an alarm would sound. With her tail swaying behind her and claws pushing from her nails she let out a hiss. It was a slow process that hurt far more than normal. Her hair threatening to turn a lighter shade of white as her eyes narrowed and condensed, gleaming in the dark. Showing her more than she could have seen before.

Taking in a deep breath between clenched teeth Mira lashed out with her tail at the door, leaping forward and being met with resistence, her claws clashed with the door. Letting out a resounding clang that echoed in the room. But she couldn't stop now as she lashed out again and again. With claws and wings. Fury and a storm of movement. Her legs hitting against the door and causing her to hiss. For they weren't fully transformed. So it hurt, even more than when she attacked with her fangs once. Locking them onto the door, ungracefully, in an act of desperation and seeping her venom onto them. The acid hissing away at the door as it melted.

But it wasn't enough and her eyes gleamed farther as she hit again and again and again. Each time becoming more tired but she continued. Anger filling her being, replacing the cold sulleness. Lash once. Twice. Tail. Double roundhouse kick. Flip and slash with claws. Throw more power into claws that lengthen and pull. Shuddering with black energy and slash.

Pull back and repeat. She continued for a short time before once again latching her teeth onto the door, throwing her magic into her venom, with the intent to melt, melt, melt. They sunk down deeper and she resisted the urge to stop, it was working, but it was leaving her fangs feeling tarred down. Hurting, badly.

And with a hiss once again she pulled away, a hole being burned on the door. The acid continuing to hiss and gurgle as it ate away the material. She smirked, and with a cocky grin punched right through the door and pulled down with scales that tore with sharp edges. Leaving a hole the size of half of her she shrugged and untransformed.

Instantly, she staggered and almost fell to the ground. Who knew how long she had been working on the door? Either way she straightened herself up and feeling nervous once again she slinked through the hole. Making sure to not tear the material of her cloak. It was necessary for her job.

When she came into the room she was met with the sight of electricity crackling in a wall like movement. With her over sensitive eyes she could see each line and it was hard to make out the shapes behind it.

Tapping off the magic to her eyes was like turning off a switch and she was immediately panicked at the lack of vision she had but she closed her eyes deeply and breathed out. She had been in worse positions, so there was no reason to be so panicked now. It was the flood of emotion. The anxiety, fear for what she was to see, guilt at what she was about to do, and hate at the person that killed Lucy and lead to this that really made her feel overwhelmed. Opening her eyes and sighing heavily, she turned back to the door and walked back over, picking up the keys that she had mistakenly dropped during her assault on the door.

Imagining the aghast look of Lucy, if she had seen that happen. She allowed herself a giggle. Lucy surely would've steamed at the ears had she seen her keys dropped so harshly. However, her giggle caught in her throat. Turning into a lump as she heard a dull thud from the the other side of the room.

That must be Natsu...she thought.

Though Erza had said he didn't do much. Said he was always staring, desolately. Or whispering Lucy's name in a moan.

She couldn't help the shiver that trailed up her spine, as if she was being watched. She peered around nervously as the thuds continued to grow louder. Tapping into her magic once again, staggering but she needed to see. With that she could see the electricity once again and growled in frustration, tears clogging her vision in annoyance.

With lack of vision she couldn't see at all. But with her powers all she could see was electricity. And she needed to see. She needed to at least see Natsu once before she went through with her plan.

Sighing deeply, she focused more. Wincing as a burning pain seared through her brain as she focused on her vision. Thrusting her power into seeing but holding back. So much holding back when all she wanted was to let it out. To scream. As a haze filled her sight, complete with dizzying black dots. For a second she hissed out a breath as she thought she saw a hazy figure standing beside her. But she couldn't focus on that and it was frustrating. So much so.

Finally, she could see through the barrier. The electricity now a dim haze. Even though it nagged at her mind, in a painful way.

Sucking in a startled breath she almost keeled over. Because she couldn't have imagined how bad it was. Couldn't have imagined what Erza had been seeing all this time. Her hands tightened, jangling noisily but all she could see was Natsu.

Sitting against the wall. Facing her but not seeing. Eyes glazed over and lips drawn. Hair oily and unkempt. The room a deep blue color. Contributing to the aura.

"The room...I believe it represents his emotions. They...they told me it might. If his emotions were too volatile to be kept in check they would leak out. Thats the way it goes in there. For those...w-who...might. If their emotions become too much, act out." Erza had said.

But Mira still wasn't prepared. To see the icicles that hung on the wall. The frozen, face of pain on Natsu's face-and Mira couldn't look anymore as she keeled over and heaved.

She couldn't handle it. She couldn't imagine seeing this everyday like Erza did and she felt a brief pang of pity. She did come everyday. She could only imagine what she would say if she knew Erza were here. But...she must have known something. When she had pulled Mira to the side. Just that very day…

"Mira. I want you to know something," She had looked weary, eyes panicked, "I-I've been going there everyday...you uh know this I know. But I just-" She had to pause to take a deep breath before continuing and Mira just didn't know what to say. Arms lying limp at her sides. "Listen...there is something weird..I think," Her eyes narrowed, "I feel-feel as if someone else is there. Watching me," she all but hissed, "and I don't know what to think. And Natsu is-he just isn't himself. Broken. As if he-is waiting for something."

Mira had taken in a shocked breath, "Bu-"

"No, just, just listen please," Mira's mouth snapped shut, "He loves Lucy, you know this, but I read something a while back. And I think…" her voice trailed off for a second and Mira opened her mouth to talk once again but was stuck dead at her next words, "I think Lucy can't move on. I think...she's still there. With Natsu. I didn't believe it either but I can't think of anything else. Wendy had said they were mates, right? And when I read the book it said mates have to die together or else they can't move on."

Lucy was still there, huh…

She couldn't help but believe it. Even when Lisanna had been dead, it didn't mean she was gone forever and even Wendy and Gajeel hadn't reacted to Natsu's being in the prison besides pitying looks. As if they knew something.

And when they had found Natsu. Because he had been burning. Scars trailing up his body and flames licking at skin, they hadn't known why. Couldn't know why. All they knew was Lucy was gone, a pile of ash dissolving from his arms and keys crumpled to the ground while he wailed.

She couldn't bear to think of it but it flickered through her mind.

Ashes falling

The name Lucy being screamed

Gold twinkles from her keys

As if they were screaming too

But the way they were still there

As if the contract had never died

Natsu's burning

His eyes onyx and bright

Dragon-like in their intensity

The scales

Trailing up with the fla-

Mira shook her head, dislodging the few tears that had managed to fall and wiped at her cheeks. She couldn't think about this now. She had to- She had to-finish what she had come for.

Sucking in a deep breath and tensing slightly. As she didn't know if this would really work. She pulled the hood of her cloak up and hesitated once, before stepping through the barrier. Feeling the air of static surrounding her as her hair stood on edge. But she emerged unscathed. Which had been the plan all along.

"Natsu." She said, voice tense as she tried to stop her trembling. "Natsu, I've come to help you." Because she had to believe that he could be helped. That she could do this. That, her strength could finally help someone once again. Because she had to. She had to. As she was in the barrier she didn't care anymore. She couldn't care anymore. It didn't matter that she was teetering and trembling already. That her fear was sapping her strength faster than the fact that she was already past exhausted. That she would never forgive herself for what she was about to do. That she could end up in this same prison. That her family would never look at her the same again. All she knew, all she could think was that Natsu had saved them all before. Even her precious sister. Had inspired them all to keep fighting and if she couldn't do the same for him...well what else could she do?

Hissing out a breath, she uttered out the words that made it even more real. "Takeover demon soul…."

Immediately, the words took effect with her determination as she screamed. Magic energy surging through her body.

She didn't even notice the massive light surge that came from the keys that still lie on the floor. A pale hand reaching forward. A hazy light erupting as a brilliant smile.

What she did notice was the startled gasp from Natsu as she stood there. Her eyes narrowed and gleaming dangerously. A demonic smirk on her lips and scales, a tail, and claws gleaming in the dim light.

She tilted her head to the side and caught the gleam of teeth as his mouth opened, "Lucy…" escaping in a moan of a hoarse breath. And her heart stuttered as she heard hushed footsteps and felt a presence behind her. Whirling around, she brandished her claws. Intent on silencing whoever dared interrupt her.

Then, for the second time that day she staggered. Eyes widening an insane degree as she witnessed the blonde haired girl standing before her. Brown eyes settled on the keys that were shining, almost eagerly. She was a haze and Mira's eyes burned as she continued to stare. Watching as the girl in front of her lovingly stroked the keys, her smile burning into Mira's memories. Erza...was right.

However, even though she was smiling her hair was rumpled and dirty. Her eyes were dry and blotched as if...she had been crying. And Mira remembered again what Erza had said.

"They both can't move on….until they're together, which-I don-I don't know if its possible!"

They both can't move

on

It was bittersweet and Mira wanted to cry. Her eyes filling with tears as a lump caught in her throat. She wanted to curse herself for being so weak, even as her demon side screamed at her to finish her job.

But she couldn't. Couldn't bear to with Lucy here. With that she crumpled to the ground. Head going down in a bow shape. "I'm sorry…" she breathed. Because she really was.

"Lucy…Lucy….Lucy…." Mira looked up once again, scuttling backwards as she saw Natsu barreling to the shape. His arms outstretched and a red gleam settling over his frame as his cheeks flushed with color. Then his arms were around her and she was smiling brightly again. Her keys still held in her grasp.

"Natsu." She said, her voice bright and Mira choked. Because she felt as if she shouldn't be witnessing this. This..personal moment. But she couldn't bear the thought of not having seen her friend, just once more. Just once more. Just see her smile. So happy. And she realized with a pang that she was the only one here to see it. And her other friends would never see this. They would live forever thinking Lucy and Natsu were both gone forever.

She was staring straight at Lucy and Lucy was staring straight back. Then, she nodded barely noticeable and Mira's breath caught in her throat. What…

Was Lucy…?

She shook her head harshly. No she couldn't...Her Natsu was back, she couldn't. And she couldn't believe her...that their nice Lucy would wish such a thing.

But Lucy nodded once more and her eyes were widened and panicked as her keys began to sparkle. Mira shook her head again more harshly this time. Natsu was back. He was back to how he once was. And she couldn't bear to.

But Lucy nodded once again and Mira noticed which key was gleaming the brightest and her eyes widened. Aquarius…

Because Lucy cared more about Aquarius than she could ever believe and Aquarius was once a sacrifice. However, she came back. She came back. And Lucy knew that they would never be without the other for long. Both her and Aquarius. And now...her and Natsu. They needed to be together and Lucy wasn't being selfish. She wanted Natsu to stop suffering. Because Lucy knew something no one else did. Something that Natsu was loathe to know….

"Once I die," she had said once, "I want you to know something Mira. I knew this a long time ago and I just...I've been thinking of the right time to tell someone and well." Here she had laughed her typical laugh and Mira couldn't help her usual smile back. Because Lucy was their happiness. When she was happy, so were they. "When I die, and please don't tell Natsu. I won't be going anywhere normal. I know this. Because of what I did for Loke and for my other celestial spirits and my sacrificing Aquarius. The Spirit King...he didn't tell me in any certain terms but...I will continue living. But as a star."

And Mira hadn't thought much of it. She couldn't. Not when the thought of any of her nakama dying made her physically sick. After what had happened with Lisanna. But she hesitated, only for a second before locking eyes with Lucy and nodding once to show she understood and Lucy smiled. Natsu still murmuring her name. The room glowing a red that once would seem comforting but was now ominous. Because they were together...weren't they? And that meant…

Summoning her last bit of magic Mira phased. Tears in her vision once again, who knows if they had ever left. And she walked forward. Lucy still hugging Natsu, their bodies fitted together once again. And Mira...she was right behind them, her claws held up and her tail whipping side by side.

And she...she did her job.

Choked gasp

Lucy crying but smiling

Sliver of claw erupting through

Squelch of flesh

The heat searing

Natsu smiling too

But breathing as if in pain

Finally seeing her and breathing

"Thank you…"

Then Lucy disintegrating and Natsu screaming

A key clattering to the ground as Natsu clawed for it but his hands phasing through

And then he was gone

And Mira could still hear the screams as she scooped up the key, shivered even in the confines of her cloak, and slipped through the door. Leaving it destroyed in her wake. Unaware of the blue cat who was sobbing on the ground behind her. Moaning out the names of his lovely caretakers. "Natsu...Lucy…."