I frowned, watching Salamander bounce from person to person. We would be at the island in a few hours and all today he had avoided me. What was the deal with those questions anyway? Did he really want me to stay at Fairy Tail…? What would it be like if I did stay…? No. I can't think like that. Sabertooth needs me. He acted as if he was personally offended though, like he confessed some love for me and I shot him down. I just...Sting and Sabertooth. Yes Sting lied to me but perhaps he didn't know? And even if I'm not his mate then I must be the soul thingy Salamander talked about. I'm so gonna give him a piece of my mind.

I wonder if Juvi-June got back to the ship alright...I wonder what they've been doing while I was away. Was Sting worried the entire time? I can't wait to see them all, eventually I'll introduce the crew to Fairy Tail on good terms after I tell them of the peace made. They won't like it at first but they'll warm up to the idea.

"SG." I snapped out of my thoughts, turning to look at Jellal.

"Oh...hey. Sorry I was lost in my own thoughts." I told him and he nodded in understanding, joining me at the helm of the ship and looking down at the crew. Gray was a few feet away, steering the ship.

"Jellal…" I trailed off and I heard him grunt, waiting for my response.

"Did they invite you to stay?" I asked and he sucked in a deep breath, staying silent for a moment.

"They did." He answered, letting out his breath. I slowly nodded, not looking at him yet.

"Are you going to stay?" I asked, sad that if he stayed I wouldn't see him for a while but understanding. It wa pretty clear about his feelings for Erza.

"No...I do care for Erza...and I could get use to Fairy Tail's ways...but I need to be with you and J...une, especially if war is coming. What are you going to do anyway?" He asked and I ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm not sure...we can't just let them attack us…" I said, shaking my head and looking at him. He met my gaze.

"I don't know. I'll discuss everything with my crew." I added after a minute. A second later my eyes widened in realization. I had just decided to discuss things with my crew, giving them a choice. What the hell has happened to me? That's not how I am...or...that's not how I was...have I really changed that much?

"Sg...what's on your mind?" Jellal asked, standing up from where he had been leaning against the rail. I turned to him, resting my head on his chest. This action also took me off guard. Since when did I go to people for comfort? Before I was captured I hardly even touched Sting outside of when we were being intimate. I just wasn't a touchy feely person. But now I was?

"I just...I feel like I'm not the same person as I was when I was taken." I admitted, in slight despair. Jellal hummed, slowly hugging me.

"You've changed a lot while we've been on the ship. I can't help but to think they're for the better though. I haven't seen you happy in a long time and suddenly you're smiling a lot morae, you're laughing a real life. Sg you have changed but you're still you. If anything you're more you then you have been. Those times we met up in bars over the past two years...I don't know it's just." He took a deep breath, thinking about his words. He knew that I would listen to him more than most people. He was one of the few friends I had had when I was in the palace, we had come to an agreement when I was twelve; two years before his father declared him a bastard so that Juvia would be next in line, that I would chose him to marry so we didn't have to deal with anyone else and we could just pretend in front of everyone. Then when he was removed we had stayed close. I trusted him.

"I just...feel like Sabertooth is your crew...and I think Fairy Tail could be your home. You're able to relax with them, to not worry about appearances." He said and we both pulled away. I looked into his eyes, thinking about what he said and sucking in a deep breath.

"I...I know...and I do like being with them...but-" He shook his head, ruffling my hair softly with a sympathetic grin on his face.

"I understand what you mean, I feel the same which is why I'm leaving with you...I really care for Erza but I need to be with my sister and my best friend." He said and I gave him a small smile.

"You'll like Sabertooth." I told him and he nodded, turning away slightly.

"Well anyway, we've only got an hour or two before we get there. I'm gonna go hang out with Erza before we go." He said and I nodded, waving my hand dismissively.

"Hey Lucifer!" I heard, a flash of blue fur in my face. I screeched, reaching out and slapping the startled exceed away. He hit the wall to Salamanders cabin with a thud and groaned. I put a hand over my Sabertooth mark, over my heart and took a deep breath.

"Owwww Lucifer why'd you do that? You scared me!" He pouted, glaring at Gray who had snorted and started laughing over the wheel. My jaw dropped and my eyebrow twitched.

"Ya damn cat I didn't scare you! You scared me!" I yelled and he rubbed his sore cheek.

"You're a big meanie." He pouted but I knew he didn't mean it in a bad way. I crossed my arms, turning my nose up.

"Yeah well you're a shitty cat." I shot back. He mumbled something, floating over and landing on my shoulder.

"What are you going to do once you get to the island?" Happy asked and I licked my lips, letting out a deep breath, a very slight warm breeze running over me, making my hair billow before the cold settled over me again.

"I'll make my way to the main island and meet my crew there." I told him and he tilted his head.

"How?" He asked and I gave him a grin, eyeing him from the corner of my eyes.

"I've got my ways." I told him.

/-/?

No ones pov

Lucifer sucked in a deep breath, watching the small group that had come to shore with her. Jellal stood next to her. Erza stood with Cana next to Levy, Happy and Carla hovering over the group. Wendy and Gray stood a few feet away from the girls while Natsu stood in the long boat, his head tilted down so that his hat covered his eyes but he was watching intently as Lucifer hugged each member, casting a glance or two towards him.

She said her goodbyes, wished everyone luck. They returned the favor and then Natsu heard her calling him. He looked up, meeting Lucifers questioning and hurt eyes.

"Salamander…?" She questioned again. Erza scowled at him as he just stared at her.

"Natsu! Say goodbye!" Erza hissed as an awkward silence fell over them. Natsu swallowed, slowly moving forward. He felt numb. He climbed out of the long boat. Not stopping until he was in front of Lucifer. Her breath hitched and he grabbed her hand, holding it up tightly with his.

"You may not bare the mark of Fairy Tail...and you can claim to be with Sabertooth for however long you want. But you have the heart, the soul and the attitude of a Fairy Tail member…" His throat started to close as his emotions started to swarm him. He paused and forced himself to take a breath while Lucifer tilted her head.

"Salamander…" She trailed off and he shook his head.

"You've become friends with everyone here. You once fought against us but then you fought with us. No matter what...no matter what happens you will always be welcome at Fairy Tail...we're nakama. But you're leaving...and there's three conditions I have to say to anyone before they leave Fairy Tail." His voice grew stronger with each word. Lucifer was taken back, the sharp sincerity in his eyes. She glanced behind him, seeing Cana and Levy with their hands over their mouths while Gray and Erza had a proud, knowing gleam in their eyes.

"One. You must never reveal sensitive information about Fairy Tail for as long as you live." Lucifer was at a loss for words and he continued.

"Two. You must not have unauthorized contact with past clients or profit personally from them."

"Salamander." She whispered and he pulled her closer, their faces inches apart, passion in his voice.

"Three. Even if we walk different paths, one must always live on as strong as you are able too! You must never treat your own life as something insignificant! You must never forget the friends you love for as long as you live!" Lucifer had tears in her eyes but she wasn't ashamed, she saw them in his eyes too. Most of the group behind him was either crying or tearing up as well.

"You don't have to be with Fairy Tail...but you'll always have a place to call home and people to call your nakama! So you have to be strong!" His voice got louder, a single tear slid down his cheek while multiple had fallen on hers, going under her mask and down her cheeks. He suddenly gave her a heart shattering grin, pulling her close and hugging her tightly.

"Because that's the Fairy tail way!" He exclaimed and she hugged him back tightly, allowing herself to cry. He pulled away and she saw everyone excluding Jellal with their hands up, their hands forming an L with the back of their hands showing.

"Be safe Lucifer…" Natsu said softly, slowly lifting his hand as well. Lucifer lost it, sobbing her eyes out. She would never have guessed she would be like this. She had no idea that being captured would change her life. She wouldn't ever be the same again and she knew it. She had grown close to all these people, she cared for them. She met Natsu's eyes and Natsu let a few more tears run down his face. He didn't want her to leave, he really...really didn't want her to leave. But he wanted her to be happy...so they had to split ways. He gave her a reassuring look and her knees shook. She turned, grabbing Jellal's arm and started running, ignoring the tears that streamed from her eyes.

One day...we'll be together again. They both thought as Lucifer and Jellal disappeared into the foliage on the small island. Natsu slowly lowered his hand, taking a deep breath and with one last look, he turned his back.

-edited version-