Author's Note: Yuuki~desu! Okay, so let's skip the pretty part and get to the main point. *bows to the ground* Forgive me for neglecting you! I'm sure you're curious how this will go on and I just keep torturing you by not posting anything for three (four?)weeks. I'm just having a hard time dealing with my personal life AND studies... I know, I know, it's lame... You'll just have to accept it. The next chappie will be MUCH longer and hopefully, I will finally get to make a scene with both the Fairy Tail members AND Luciana soon. Now, enjoy! Yeah and REVIEW! :3

Chapter 21: Leo's Pride

"Lucy?"

I nodded, hoping it would suffice as an answer and the Stellar Spirit before me would just accept it.

Fat chance.

After a few seconds of tense silence and fierce battle of stares, Loki took a step closer to me. I thought of it as a good sign and smiled shyly.

Which only showed how stupid I really was, since right at that moment, a punch landed on my abdomen.

I hurled forward, trying not to retch. I sat there for what felt like ages, persuading my stomach to calm down.

Just when I was sure it wouldn't betray me, Leo grabbed my hair, pulling me up on my legs. I clawed at his hand, hissing and screeching in pain. To my dismay, it only made him more angry.

He flung me across the room, where I hit the bedpost with my head. I whimpered and rose my hand to the back of my skull, inspecting the possible injuries. Though I felt no pain while touching my head, I knew it didn't mean I did not receive any serious cuts or bruises. The more serious the injury, the longer time until the numbness faded away.

To my utter horror, the hand I used to palpate my head was bloody. I stared at it, trying to figure out just how bad the cut was.

A shuffling brought my attention away from the crimson liquid dripping down from my palm, onto the cold stone tiles. I looked up, only to meet a familiar pair of hazel eyes.

The only difference between the reality and my memories were the emotions reflected in them. Kindness, love and protectiveness have been replaced by contempt, indifference and brutality.

It was only now that he fully resembled the zodiac animal he was – lion. The lion who was searching for a missing member of his pride, determined to stop at nothing to find them.

To find me.

My vision became blurry. Whether it was from tears or blood loss, I did not know. But I do know that the last thing I remember is that I kept muttering the same words all over again.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." I was whispering, the words becoming weaker with my wavering consciousness.

I'm sorry for making you into this monster.