A/N: Okay, first of all, I'd like to apologise to my regular readers for not updating yesterday; I had a busy day and by the end of it, had no will to live, let alone write. So yeah, sorry!

Secondly, first moan I've EVER posted, so bare with me.

I really appreciate all of the reviews I get, and encourage constructive criticism wherever possible, as this would help me improve myself and my writing. However, when I get comments which are basically complaints about some spelling errors or basic mistakes, which have no positive outlook on the whole thirty odd chapters I've written in how many days, it doesn't feel good.

So I just want to say, if you have an issue with the spelling errors, they're there because I am a rush typer, I think something in my head and type it out as quickly as possible so I don't lose the idea. I do look back after a few paragraphs or pages, but as most of you PROBABLY KNOW word doesn't pick up every error. It's either that, or I publish it straight away so you guys have something to read.

I've had a few stressful days, so I am sorry if the writing is not up to standard. I am by no means victimising my reviewers or whatever, I appreciate being told where I've made major typos, but it really gets me when the comment just says "you made a mistake here" without any reference to the characterisation, plot or story.

Moan over, sorry, bad day! ;)

Hope you all enjoy this CHECKED AND RE-READ AND CORRECTED chapter. :)

One Week Later

Lucy's POV

The sleepover with the girls felt like it was ages ago rather than just a week. After that, they all (except for Mira) went on missions, and I stayed behind to train with Laxus and Bix.

They drilled me constantly, and I always fell into bed asleep before I hit the soft, feathery pillows.

I'd spoken to Master, and I knew he wanted me to go back to Tenrou to sort out my magic problem. I understood it was safer there, and was ready to leave straight away, but Master suggested I stay for a while longer before leaving with the Raijinshuu.

His reasoning was that since I'd quit Team Natsu, he didn't want them to feel like I immediately replaced them with the Raijinshuu. I understood, and anxiously waited with my bags packed for the word to go.

Last night, Master had given us the go ahead to leave early this morning, before the guild opened up. I felt slightly guilty as I left the notes for my friends on my desk. It felt like I was saying goodbye all over again, when I swore I wouldn't have to do this.

'Lucy, they're waiting outside.' Loke said, gently pulling my bag out of my hands and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I turned and smiled at him.

'I know. It feels like we've done this before, ne?' He smiled sadly at me and gripped my hand to pull me out of the apartment.

'I know you don't want to leave like this again Lucy, but you know they'd never let you go otherwise. This is important, and we shall support and help you. After all, it's because of us you're in this situation.' I heard Loke's pain and guilt in his mutterings, and squeezed his hand gently as I quickly locked my door.

They'd get in through the window anyway.

'It's not your fault Loke. I'm fine really. I just need to get stronger.' I grinned up at him before dragging him behind me and out of my apartment building. I'd already spoken to my Landlady, and she agreed to take payments from Master for my apartment till I returned.

I hated having to ask Master to do this, but I didn't have enough money to pay for my apartment seeing as the majority of my rewards went towards repairs for Team Natsu, the orphanages bills, or my basic daily living needs there wasn't usually enough left for rent.

I smiled at the others who stood outside, waiting. Loke pulled me into a tight hug before anyone could say anything, after throwing my bag at Laxus's head.

I felt my lips pull into a smile as he growled at Loke as I returned his hug.

'Be safe Lucy. I'll see you later.' I pulled back and grinned at him.

'See ya Loke.' He smiled as he disappeared, winking at me in his usual show of flirtation.

I rolled my eyes, now finding his flirtatious behaviour more amusing than annoying, especially seeing as he was not half as bad as Nick was. His idea of flirting was getting far too... handsy.

I knew he only did it for his own amusement; both Bix and Laxus had glared at him whenever he turned up during training without my call, and I could tell their ire just spurred him on to increase his flirtatious activity when he smirked devilishly.

'You ready blondie?' I nodded smiling at Laxus before turning to give one last look at my apartment.

Mavis had agreed the best thing to do would be to teleport us all there, as she had me.

We knew Natsu would try and sniff me out, and this way there was no trail for him to follow. Also, we could get there quickly and set up camp before beginning my training.

'Are you guys sure you want to come? It might take a while, and I don't want to take you away from your own lives.' I looked around into the eyes of Bix, Ever, Freed and Laxus.

'Lucy, I have to come; I can't leave you with this group of guys all alone! You need a girl for therapy talks.' Ever winked, crossing her slender arms across her chest.

'Lucy-sama, I shall do all I can to help you gain control over your magic.' Freed smiled as he bowed to me.

'As if you could get anywhere without me Cosplayer.' Bix scoffed as his babies nodded their agreement."Cosplayer! Cosplayer!"

'Shut up blondie. We know what we're doing; you ready to leave now?' I laughed and grinned at them all, tears gathering in my eyes at their willingness to help me.

'Thanks guys.' I whispered, stepping into Ever's outstretched arms for a tight hug.

'If you're all ready, I shall now take you to Tenroujima.' Mavis's voice rang out clear in the early morning light, and me and Ever pulled away with a smile as we nodded at the First Master of Fairy Tail.

'Okay, everyone hold hands and close your eyes.'

Erza's POV

I smiled contentedly as I lifted another mouthful of cake on my fork, relishing the sweet taste of strawberry as it exploded in my mouth.

I sighed in happiness as I cut another piece of the cake with the fork, lifting it slowly to my watering mouth.

'SHE'S GONE AGAIN!' Natsu's enraged voice echoed in the guild hall as he slammed the doors open. I turned around, agitates at him interrupting my cake time.

'What? Natsu, what are you talking about? It had better be important, seeing as you interrupted the religious journey of this sweet morsel of heaven towards my stomach.' I growled out, glaring at him as he trembled with his emotions.

We'd only returned from our mission last night, and already he was causing a ruckus.

'Lucy. She's gone.' Natsu choked out, holding up a wrinkled piece of paper he'd straightened out after crushing it in his fists.

I dropped my fork and leapt forwards, ripping the paper out of his hands and quickly reading it, before storming up to Master's office, Gray and Natsu right behind me along with Happy and Lisanna who'd all heard Natsu's words.

'Master! Where is Lucy?' I asked after slamming the door open.

I heard him screech as a huge stack of papers fell and exploded in the room, causing filled out paperwork to scatter in the air like large written on pieces of snow.

'My paperwork!' Master shrieked, grabbing his hair and pulling at it as his eyes swam with tears.

'Master! WHERE IS LUCY?' I screamed, my heart aching at Lucy leaving us once again without telling us, only leaving us a letter.

He turned at my shout, and seemed to realise the seriousness in which we were all looked at him with; even Natsu had deemed this to be a matter on which he had to restrain his childish antics.

'Erza, she's gone to train. She's not in any danger, unless you prevent her training. I can't say much more, she asked me not to alarm you.'

'WHAT? WE'RE HER TEAM MATES! WHY DOES SHE ALWAYS DO THIS?' Natsu yelled, his fists catching fire at his agitation and anger at Lucy. I understood his feelings, so didn't restrain him, and ignored the Master's alarmed shouts as Natsu's flames came close to igniting a piece of paper that fluttered too close to him.

I couldn't help but feel betrayed by Lucy's actions. I had believed myself to be a sister to her, one of her best friends, and yet she had left without telling me or explaining anything to any of us. I trusted her more than anyone, but right now I felt as though she didn't care about how her absence would cause us to worry.

'Master, please tell us. Is she alone?' I asked, placing a calming hand on Natsu's shoulders.

Master sat with a sigh, folding his arms as he looked down at the floor.

'She's not alone, Titania.' I turned to see Master Mavis floating behind us, smiling gently at us.

'She is safe, and I shall watch over her constantly as well as update you on her progress, and how long she may take to return. Please, understand that Makarov is only trying to adhere to her feelings and her wish to keep you safe.' I stared into Mavis's green eyes, analysing her words for any falsehood.

I sighed sadly before grabbing Natsu and Gray and forcing them to bow alongside me to Master.

'I apologise for our outburst. Please understand, we're worried about her.' Master looked at us sympathetically and nodded.

'I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but she said she will contact you via lacrima soon.' I smiled slightly before dragging an angry Natsu and Gray out of his office, Lisanna hugging Happy to her chest as she followed us out.

'Does she just not trust us?' Gray whispered, hurt that Lucy once again felt we weren't able to help her. I flinched as he spoke the words that had been floating in my head.

'Don't say that Gray. She must have her reasons for leaving us like this again. You know how painful it was for her to leave us like that last time-'

'ERZA! SHE QUIT THE TEAM AND NOW SHE'S GONE!' He shouted, pulling himself out of my grip as he shouted, tears glistening in his eyes. We now had the guilds attention, but I ignored the curious eyes that looked our way.

'Lucy has her reasons. You might not trust her anymore, but I do. When she returns, I shall find out why she had to leave, and shall ensure it won't happen again.' I felt my aura grow darker as I glared at Gray, before turning and walking out of the guild to expend some of my anger in vigorous training techniques.

Lucy... why this time? Why won't you trust me?

Laxus's POV

We set up camp relatively quickly, and immediately began to find sources of food and water. I knew blondies spirit could supply us, but I wanted her to get used to fending for herself without her spirits aid. This way, if there ever was a reason she couldn't use her magic, she would know basic survival techniques.

Despite this, I wanted her to expend her magic as much as possible, and so I had her hold open four golden gate keys and get them to watch our stuff while we searched in teams.

Ever and Blondie went to find two water sources, for bathing and drinking, Bix and Freed were searching for food sources, and I was setting bait traps for some of the smaller animals around the forest.

I returned to camp to find Ever and blondie sitting together chatting and laughing with the spirits. Blondie had called out Loke, the goat, the pink haired masochistic maid and the weird guy with a horse costume on.

Bix's nickname seems more and more appropriate as I see more of her spirits. I thought, stalking up to them and grabbing my bag, rummaging around for a snack.

'Hey Laxus! Trapping go alright?' I grunted my acknowledgement of blondies question, before I crammed some small lightning lacrima fragments into my mouth, chewing on the tingly electricity particles before sighing in contentment as I swallowed them down.

'Does Hime-sama require me to find some more tasteful lightning infused treats for her trainer?' The maid girl asked, staring at blondie with a scary intensity. She laughed and shook her head.

'It's alright Virgo, Laxus doesn't want me using you to bring us food and the like.' My mouth watered at the thought of eating better lightning snacks; sure lacrima were alright, but the lightning was usually weeks or months old. Storms were not usually strong enough to harness good lightning in the lacrima, and then it took time for them to be imported and sold.

I faced the spirit and snapped at her.

'Fresh lightning?' She faced me and nodded once. I gritted my teeth before turning to look at blondie, refusing to allow my hunger and need show on my face.

'Treats, now.' I commanded her, glaring as she tried to stifle her giggle, before she nodded at Virgo.

Seconds after the spirit left, she returned with a small bag, and handed it to me before turning to face blondie.

'Punishment Hime-sama?' Blondie shook her head, laughing as I ripped open the bag. I popped a small yellow ball into my mouth and bit down on it, groaning as I relished the fresh zing of lightning that shot through my system.

Damn, this is some good lightning. She is definitely coming on my team. I need this. Just have to convince her she'll be better off with us rather than the flame prick and ice brains.

'Thanks blondie. This is some good stuff. Think you're spirit could set me up with a regular delivery?' I smirked as she laughed, Ever grinning at me as I relished the flavour of fresh lightning. The only other time I got this kind of food was during a storm, when I lightning teleported into the storm clouds to absorb as much as I could.

'What happened to not using my spirits to provide food, huh?' She asked, eyebrows raised as she smiled smugly at me.

I stared at her blankly, waiting for her to back down as I popped another delicious ball of lightning in my mouth.

'Well if you want more you're going to have to ask Virgo if she wants to bring you more.' She said, before turning to talk to Ever and Loke.

I looked at the spirit in question, and she sent me a blank glare, before turning her back on me and sitting down beside blondie.

I scowled, and decided to save the rest of the treats; never knew when I would get another batch from grumpy maid lady over there.