Chapter 18: Without A Trace

3rd POV

This was the moment. The day. It had finally come, and for once since that faithful encounter with Natsu which had brought her to Fairy Tail, the blonde celestial mage felt like she was evolving once again. Like this day represented a turning point in her life that would affect in a positive way. A day where she would become better than her past self, and grow into someone stronger without physically adding to her muscles and strength; and this would be the day.

And as she stared at her suitcase filled with the rest of her belongings, Lucy Heartfilia couldn't help but feel some sadness, even though she had thought she had gotten over it with spending time with a certain iron dragon slayer.

Her own life, she had always wanted to be a part of the guild known as Fairy Tail. It was her solace and sanctuary through the painful days of being neglected and verbally abused by her so-called father, who she now had forgiven. It was the reason why she continued to live each and every day, in hopes that maybe a day would come where she could be a part of their family.

But now, she was leaving everything behind, all because she once again was faced with mistreatment, and harsh dosage of depression. She had tried hard to make it still work, but in the end, sometimes you're fighting for the wrong thing. Sometimes there is such a thing as being too selfless, when every once in a while you need to be selfish.

Shaking the thoughts away, she continued to pack her suitcase full, even though she knew she could call out Virgo to help her, Lucy desperately needed the distraction.

I can't believe this, she thought to herself, a frown curving at her pretty pink lips, her eyebrows furrowed. This whole time I always thought I absolutely needed Fairy Tail in my life, and now look at me, running away, just like with my father… I guess some things are too good to be true. But I admit, after everything, they did teach me some valuable lessons, they did cause me to change in a good way. Without them, I'd still be the girl who relied on her spirits just to simply walk through some bad weather. She chuckled a bit, though it held no humor whatsoever, shaking her head lightly at herself; she remembered that time with Natsu, and now that she thought about it, it made her almost ashamed of herself. At the time she had whined about the smallest things, all because she wasn't used to it from being sheltered away her whole life, but since she had gained some freedom, Lucy learned that whining did nothing, doing something did.

And I guess without them, without running away from home, I would've never met Gajeel and Lily, Lucy continued to think, a dusting of a blush laying her cheeks. It wasn't till the other day did Pantherlily finally get home from a mission, and once he caught wind of the news regarding Lucy and Fairy Tail, well to say he was displeased was an understatement. The exceed was furious, and though he didn't know her nearly as well as Gajeel did, he still cared for blonde beauty, and knew no one deserved such treatment. And even though she still didn't want the two of them to feel hatred towards the guild, for there was still a couple people who were still good, she couldn't help but feel warmed by both Lily's and Gajeel's kindness towards her.

Suddenly, a doorbell went off, shattering Lucy away from her thoughts, causing her to frown. Both Gajeel and Lily were gone, off to gather some necessities for their trip to move somewhere else, leaving Lucy at home to tend to her own things. If it was the duo, they would've walked right it, and no one really ever came to Gajeel's door wasn't the kindest looking person out there, which meant either that girl came back or it was someone else she had never met.

Sighing, she gracefully walked over to the door, and opened it, coming face to face with a person she had never seen before. "May I help you," she asked, cocking her head to the side.

A sharp gasp escaped from her lungs, right before a blood curdling ripped from her lips, echoing through the suddenly ghostly empty streets.

Gajeel POV

I huffed irritably, rolling my eyes in annoyance. The second Lily had gotten home, I knew he's been itching to ask me about Bunnygirl, especially after seeing me kiss her more times than not, but never said a damn word. He of course, waited until it was just to two of us to ask about Bunny and I. And of course, that just had to be when him and I went to the store to pick some things that we would need on this trip. I absolutely didn't want to be talking about her and I's relationship right in the middle of a damn store, while all these prissy people listened in on it. It was none of their fucking business, but of course, they just needed something to gossip about. This is why I fucking hate people, I thought grouchily to myself.

"So, you asked her out," the exceed questioned, raising an eyebrow suspiciously, which was starting to piss me off. He knew that I had been too much of a pussy to ask her out earlier, so it was obvious he thought I was lying.

"Yes," I gritted, all but throwing the package of chips into the cart, listening as they smacked roughly against the surface. But like expected, I didn't really care.

"Look," Lily sighed, placing himself into the cart, a serious expression crossing his usual indifferent face. "I just wanted to know okay? I know you care about her, maybe even more than you let on, which was why I'm asking these questions. I was just shocked to come back and see the two of you kissing when you were too shy to even ask her out before. I just wanted to see what changed, was what happened at the guild that caused you to change, to try?"

"I… I wasn't shy," I grumbled rather weakly, my voice betraying me, attempting to glare at the little brown exceed, though he just looked at me with a bored expression back, obviously not believing in anything I had said. He and Lucy had to be the only people I knew that could with stand my glares and not be affected at all.

"So, what did change," he asked calmly again, a little bit more sternly than last time; it was clear he just wasn't to drop the subject that easily.

"I grew some balls, that's what happened. I-… Fuck Lily, let's just talk about it later when no people are around to decide to be pricks," I growled out, pointedly giving the couple near us a sharp glare, one that I knew screamed with a deathly intent, inwardly smirking as the duo instantly stiffened. Their eyes became unnaturally large, and basically they sprinted from the aisle, the scent of their terror lingering in the air. Apparently they didn't expect me to be aware of the fact that they had been listening in on our conversation, gushing over it like a couple of naïve school girls. It was annoying listening to the "awh, how sweet," "he's such a charmer," and "I wish you would be more romantic like that." It made me clench my jaw, being treated like a pussy, but truthfully, I only didn't mind it when I was around Bunny. Damn, she turning me soft fast, though I would be lying if I said I was angry about it.

Walking through the checkout line, not even bothering to look at the cashier, I slammed down my money and left with the bags draped in my hand, Lily following closely behind as we fell into a peaceful silence, my thoughts going over to a certain busty blonde beauty waiting for me at home. I didn't plan on telling Lily that a part of me, that gave me confidence to ask her to be mine, was because I didn't want her to be anyone else's. I wasn't going to pull a Natsu and stay dense about my feelings, not even realizing them till it's too late.

No matter how close I was with my exceed, I wouldn't tell anyone that. All that emotional crap just wasn't me, the only exceptions being with Bunny. And now that I think about it, pretty soon I'll be frolicking in the fields with flowers stuck in my hair, throwing petals with a bright ass smile on my face with the way it's been going.

I shuddered. Never, I vowed, slightly disgusted at the imagery, though I did admit, pretty soon I'll be better with feelings with how everything is with Bunny. I'm not sure why, but everything just feels so much lighter, something I haven't felt since I was just a boy, when I was with Metalicana.

Suddenly, a nonexistence force stopped me right in tracks, rooting me to the ground, and causing me to drop the bags, forgotten totally. A huge wave of horror, and darkness washed over, residing within the confines of my chest. My heart sped up rapidly, my tongue suddenly going dry, and my throat felt like someone was gripping it, like someone was trying to suffocate me. And before I could do anything else, my inner dragon roared inside my mind: Go find Lucy, NOW!

"Gajeel, what's going on," Lily asked, a concerned gleam in his eyes, watching me steadily.

"I don't know, but something's wrong," I managed to whisper hoarsely, and without a second thought, I was sprinting towards my apartment as my inner dragon continued to roar furiously inside my only, only increasing the fear growing with each passing second. It got to the point that I could feel my nerves prickling on my skin; I could feel each and every drop of sweat rolling down my body.

And once my apartment came into view, my heart lurched, my ruby eyes glowing with anger. For the door was wide open, and there was blood dripping from the door sill. Lucy was nowhere in sight.

To be continued…

A/N: I am super duper sorry for the very late update. I have been hitting a major writer's block with this so just warning you; it may be a while for updates from now on. I'm really sorry. Excuse any grammar errors!

To Watergoddess10: Sorry for such a long wait, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter.

To mariawalker112: I am glad you now love this pairing, I WAS SO ANGRY WHEN I FOUND THAT LEVY AND GAJEEL DO END UP TOGETHER IN THE END. Ugh, Lucy/Gajeel forever for me!

To AiMila: That will not happen, I promise you that!

To SuperPsychoNutcase: It won't be anyone in the series, it will be an OC. So don't worry, it wont be anyone like Sting, or such.

To 3: Sorry for the long wait.

To feefee242: Thank you very much and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.