Lucy was being carried deep into the woods. She didn't even fight back. Her body was at its limit and she knew she could not take on two men. It was impossible. She knew that they were still close to the Dragons guild. She knew that her friends were near. She wanted to see them so bad, but that crazy master wanted to kill Erza. She could not let that happen. But she had no idea what to do. Her keys were gone. She didn't even know where they were.

'Oh no...if these guys don't kill me...Aquarius will...' Lucy thought to herself. She sighed and looked ahead of her. She had to find a way to escape, but with her broken leg and arm, and her other injuries, that was kind of hard. She had to survive long enough for her friends to finish off the Dragons.

…...

"Where is she!?" Erza screamed in rage.

"I told you. She is dead."

"Damn you..."

"Are you going to attack or just yell at me Titania?" Hotaru laughed at the look on Erza's face. She was beyond pissed off. Erza re-quipped into her black wing armor.

"This time it won't be an arm I'm cutting off...it will be your head."

"Bring it on Scarlet."

Hiding under one of the tables in the room, Azami watched as Ezra lunged at Hotaru. The two girls went straight for the others throat. Erza had the advantage though since Hotaru only had one good arm. Plus the master hadn't fully recovered yet from their last battle. She was just plain insane if she thought she could win this. Natsu and Gray burst into the guild and saw the battle in front of them. Natsu sniffed the air.

"Lucy's scent is here. Come on Gray!" Natsu took off down into the basement and stopped when he saw the dead man. Gray pointed out the blood stains everywhere.

"Natsu...she isn't here. Is that her blood?"

"Yeah. They hurt Lucy..."

"We have to find her now."

"Yeah. Let's go!" Natsu ran up the stairs and Gray followed him. Erza swung her sword at Hotaru again. It cut across her stomach and left a trail of blood. Hotaru was cut up pretty bad and Erza seemed to be torturing her.

"Erza! You can't kill her!"

"She killed Lucy!"

"No! Fairy Tail doesn't do that Erza! You know we don't kill!"

Erza slammed her blade into Hotaru's gut. She started coughing up blood.

"She knows where Lucy is."

"You mean she isn't here?"

"No...but we know she has been beaten pretty bad." Gray stepped closer to Erza. She still held her grip on her sword. Her eyes were shut tight.

"Erza let us handle this. Go find Lucy." Everyone in the room turned to see the Master.

"Master!?"

"We will handle the girl."

"How did you find us?"

"Later now go."

Erza stared at Hotaru. "Where is she?"

"I..told you already..."

"Ummm...I know where she is..." Erza turned to face Azami.

"Who are you?"

"Azami...I can take you. We have to hurry though."

"Fine." Erza pulled her sword out of Hotaru and glared at Azami. "Get moving."

Azami ran out the door and Erza followed. Natsu and Gray raced after them. Makarov and Mira walked over to Hotaru.

"You made an enemy of Fairy Tail. You never should have done that."

…...

"Why are you helping us?" Gray asked. Azami just looked straight ahead with a sad expression.

"I've always wanted to help others...and Lucy is nice."

"You talked to her?"

"Yes...I tried to take care of her..."

"What do you mean tried?"

"I'm sorry..."

"Guys...up ahead." Natsu said looking angry. Gray looked in the direction Natsu pointed in. Two men had their backs to them and were both holding knives. At a closer look they saw the crumpled form of Lucy on the ground. One guy with red hair started to bring his knife down. Erza snapped his arm until she heard the loud crack. The other man swung his knife at her and managed to slice her arm. She brought her arm back and hit him in the throat with her elbow. He fell to his knees. Natsu and Gray grabbed both of the men and decided to beat them up. Erza fell to her knees beside Lucy. At long last she found her.

"Lucy?" Erza hesitantly put a caressing hand on Lucy's cheek. The girl whimpered at the touch and moaned. "Lucy...it's me...Erza."

"Erza?"

"Yeah. You're safe now...I won't let them near you."

"Erza..." Lucy started crying and Erza carefully pulled the young girl up so that she was in her arms.

"I'm taking you home."

"It hurts..."

"I know and I'm sorry. This is all my fault." Erza buried her face in Lucy's hair as she cried. She never wanted Lucy to feel pain because of her. She should have been more careful.

"Not your fault."

"Huh?"

"Not..your..." Lucy mumbled as she fell asleep. Erza smiled. She could talk later. For now she had to get Lucy to a hospital. Her injuries didn't look good. Natsu and Gray slung the now unconscious men across their shoulders and followed Erza. She stopped and turned to Azami.

"Come with us. If you really want to help people, join Fairy Tail."

"Really?" Azami asked brightly.

"You helped us save Lucy's life. I owe you." Erza continued walking and Azami ran off after her. They met up with Master Makarov and Mira. The council had sent some people to arrest the Dragons involved in Lucy's kidnapping. Azami helped explain what happened and why they wanted Lucy. Makarov decided to let Lucy decide on Azami being allowed in Fairy Tail. For now she was going to stay at Fairy Hills with Mira. Erza could finally rest knowing Lucy is safe from anymore harm.

'I won't leave your side again Lucy.'