(A/N:) Hi, long time no see! It's been maybe nearly two years since my last chapter update, am I right? So this must be a surprise to all the people following my story when this shows up in their emails!

I went though a time where I just lost all motivation to do everything, around the time I stopped my writing. I stopped playing guitar after 8/9 years of playing. I also stopped singing, and have only just taken it up over the last two or three weeks. When I started writing this, it was just after my GCSE's had finished. I had some free time, and I'd always wanted to write a fan fiction, after reading so many so often. I started by uploading constantly, and quickly realised that wasn't a strong method. My uploads became less frequent, and after 8 chapters, I had reached the end of the school holidays before my A-Levels started. Once my A-Levels hit, it was as if I'd stopped having hobbies; I was just so busy all the time. I stopped doing so many things. I can't even remember what I did. I focused incredibly on finding the right universities and then applying to university and all that stuff. Before I knew it, two years had passed, and I stumbled across my story again. I've now finished my A-Levels, and should hopefully be starting university in September. Assuming I get in, I'll be moving about 5 hours from home, and I'll be living in Halls. I'm hoping that this story will kind of bring comfort to me when I'm feeling lonely down there. Though I'm making a promise right here right now. I will not be uploading to any schedule, and I cannot predict when I'll be uploading. I'd hate to leave it this long again, but I'm not going to rush this story. I want to pace it, because despite the fact that I left it for so long, I do love this story, and I want to give it what it deserves. So, I'll upload when I can, thank you for understanding.

I'm sorry this chapter is so short. Unfortunately we needed one of these establishing chapters where they're apart and there's little to write about. The next chapter should be more action packed, so look out for that!

It's lovely to be back, and as always, reviews and PMs are strongly appreciated! Thank you so much for sticking by me and reading my story. I love you all.

See you next time. (END OF A/N)

The Roommate

A NaLu Fan Fiction

Chapter 9

As Lucy was led down yet another cascade of stairs by her escort, Draiko, all she could think of was the betrayal she'd just had to face as she looked down at her hand, which had now been tainted by the dark guild's imprint. No, Lucy thought to herself. This isn't betrayal. I had to save my friends. Let's just see this as an infiltration mission, assigned by the Master. Let's hold out and find out why they're doing this. If that other key really does exist, I'll obtain it and make my escape when they least expect it. However, Lucy was all too aware that this new mission wouldn't run so smoothly. After all, a pink haired fool would almost surely be on his way here right now. Though despite the extra fuss this would cause, Lucy couldn't help but feel her heart swell at the thought of Natsu jumping to her rescue. As much as she wanted to prove her strength to everybody, she also just wanted to be reunited with her partners; after all, she works best with her flame brained nakama and blue Exceed.

Lucy's thoughts had distracted her, and she hadn't even noticed that she'd reached her destination. Thankfully, her "new home" wasn't half as bad as the dungeon Ando had her previously residing in. This was a fairly small yet liveable room, with a single window facing onto a dense and dark forest. A small slither of light was streaming in, as if sending a message to Lucy, telling her not to give up, and that there's still hope yet. In the corner of the room sat a single bed, with a worn, yet surprisingly fairly clean blanket sprawled on top. There was also a small room which had a toilet and shower head. Whether the shower head was actually working was a whole other question, however Lucy was actually fairly pleasantly surprised by her temporary home. I suppose they decided I needed a comfy bed if they're to put me to work every day. Lucy thought to herself. "You best get comfy." Said Draiko, interrupting Lucy's room evaluation. He didn't look mad, or even phased. He seemed to lack all emotion, which caused Lucy to feel almost bad for Draiko. "You heard the master. I'll always be by your side, and I don't care what your opinions are about that. Keep them to yourself. I suggest that you don't kick up a fuss, because whilst I can block you out, some of the slightly more intolerable members of the guild might struggle to hold back on showing their anger." Draiko headed for the door, unphased and unemotional as ever. "I'll be on the other side of this door. And by the way, the windows are enchanted with a sealing spell, so don't bother trying to break them, because the Master will know, and you probably don't want that." Lucy stood in the centre of the room, feeling small, yet slightly calm, despite the current situation. "W-wait, so how long will I be in here?" Draiko stood in the crevice of the door, looking at Lucy. "Beats me. I'll be opening this door to take you wherever the Master says, whenever that may be. Could be now, could be tomorrow." With that, Draiko closed the door, followed by a few sounds which gave the impression that it was bolted shut.

For the first time, every event finally hit Lucy. She sat on the other side of the door, and just looked out at the window, contemplating the current situation she'd found herself in. She let out a long, tired sigh. Here she was in this cold, almost empty room. She missed the warmth and safety of her home. She missed her guild, where her nakama would be sat drinking and talking together. She missed Natsu, and the warmth and love she felt for him. Lucy didn't even have the energy or capacity to react to those thoughts right now; she was just so tired. Poor Levy. She thought to herself. Those fools better have let her go. Let's just hold up here for a little bit. I can't let my nakama get hurt. And with that, Lucy walked over to her new bed, sat down, and gradually allowed herself to fall into a hesitant slumber.

"Uuugghhhhh..." Natsu lay helplessly on the northbound train, as Happy sat opposite him, his eyes filled with both disgust for Natsu's current state, and determination to find Lucy. Happy knew how much Lucy meant not only to himself and the other members of Fairy Tail, but Natsu. Natsu and Lucy were like a pair. You'd never find them alone. Happy's ears lowered slightly as he pictured his blonde haired mage frightened and alone in a dangerous place. He looked over at Natsu, who was helpless whilst the train was moving. It occurred to Happy that Natsu would be having an even harder time, as Lucy wasn't here to play with his hair or comfort him on this journey. They weren't up to their usual standard without her presence.

"Luuucyyy" Natsu moaned, exasperated. Their stop had finally arrived. Happy looked out the window as the train made a slow stop. He noticed that they were in a dense forest, filled with a severely unwelcoming atmosphere. He picked Natsu up and flew out of the carriage, helping take a load off his friend's shoulders, even if just for a short while.

They had been flying for a short while, when Happy finally heard Natsu speak. "Happy, we need to find her." Happy smiled briefly. Natsu was a fool, but he was serious about Lucy. Happy noticed how Natsu would light up around her, and he'd even go to wild extents just to earn one of her subtle smiles. From floating trees down rivers, to pulling her in for a hug when she needed it, he would do anything just to warm her heart.

Happy slowly came to the ground, and allowed Natsu to carry him whilst he rested. A few short moments later, however, Natsu stopped. "Natsu, are you alright?" Happy asked his companion. Natsu's face turned from calm to anger. "I can smell her. There's somethign wrong though." Natsu looked off into the distance, eyes turning to slits. He held onto Happy as he broke off into a sprint. "We need to find my Lucy. I don't care if it's night, I'll find her with my nose. She's my Lucy, and nobody will hurt her! I'll defeat anybody who dares to get in my way! I'm all fired up!" Happy grew worried about how Lucy had been 'changed', however he also admired his friend's determination, and so decided to join him.

"Aye!"