Lucy felt guilty as she got to know Zeref over the weeks and learned to like the dark wizard. His kindness rivaled that of the Strauss siblings and she couldn't understand how he had become the most feared dark mage in history. She giggled as he stared dumbfound at her cave.
"I never thought of living in one of the caves," He confessed as he looked around.
They'd been talking for two weeks now and Lucy had finally invited him to see her place as it started raining outside. He'd had little choice but to accept as the rain quickly turned into a downpour.
Lucy turned in surprise as she toweled her hair with the only towel she'd brought.
"Really? Where do you sleep?"
"Mostly wherever I am when I'm tired."
"What about when it rains?"
Zeref shrugged, "Under the trees."
Lucy shook her head, laughing, "You're just like -"
She cut herself off, her face falling, "Well, never mind that. You're going to stay here with me for now on, got it?"
Zeref grinned at her, nodding.
The two sat in silence for a couple of minutes as Zeref continued to explore her little home, stopping in front of the only picture she had in the place.
"This is you, and this is Natsu, but who are these two?" He asked, bringing the photo over to her.
"You know Natsu?" She asked in surprise.
Zeref's face fell. He had forgotten that she hadn't been around when he'd almost killed the dragon slayer. He still wasn't sure how the boy had survived, but a huge part of him was thankful that he had.
"Sort of," Zeref muttered awkwardly, looking down in embarrassment.
Lucy pursed her lips, but didn't press the subject.
"We'll the guy without his shirt is Gray," Lucy said, pointing at the photo. "And yes, he's usually without his shirt. He just has this habit of taking it off whenever he feels like it. Cana's always after -"
Lucy cut herself off again and Zeref didn't miss the way her eyes filled with tears for a moment before she cleared her throat. He wished that she would open up to him more. She was willing to talk about pretty much anything, but immediately would close herself off when she started to talk about Fairy Tail. He wondered if the wound was too deep still for her to discuss as he wrapped an arm around her, silently comforting the pretty blonde.
"Anyways, the red-head is Erza," Lucy continued after a moment. "She seems scary but she's actually really nice."
"And the blue thing?"
Lucy giggled, "That's Happy. He's an exceed."
Seeing his look of confusion she explained, "An exceed is pretty much a talking cat with wings."
"Oh," Zeref stared intently at the picture for awhile before handing it back to her. "They seem like friendly people."
Lucy nodded, "Everyone in Fairy Tail is very friendly."
Zeref smiled, "Well, maybe one day you can tell me about them."
Lucy smiled a real smile for the first time since he'd brought out the picture.
"I'd like that," She replied, laying her head on his shoulder.
Back at the guild the three people and one exceed that were being discussed sat around the table in a gloomy silence. Things had slowly started to return to normal, as was the way of the guild, but this group couldn't seem to get over their missing friend.
"Master refused to tell me anything more," Erza sighed in frustration, slamming her fist on the table.
"Yeah, and I think Levy knows something, but she said she couldn't tell me anything if Lucy hadn't told us," Gray said, annoyed at the blunette.
Natsu shrugged, "There wasn't much missing at her apartment, so wherever she went she fully expected that a lot would be provided for her or that she wouldn't be needing it. Obviously she felt she didn't need her keys - the only ones missing from the set we gave Yukino were Plue's key and Loke's. The only spirits that will answer when Yukino calls are Virgo and Aries. They told her that unless Loke says it's okay they can't tell her anything."
They fell silent once more as they thought about what Natsu had said. Obviously the spirits missed their former mistress a lot and knew something about her disappearance, but had been ordered not to say anything. Was it Loke's doing or Lucy's?
"You're still determined to find her, aren't you?" Mira asked as she set a mug in front of Natsu.
They nodded in sync.
"Maybe, I can help," She winked at them. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Can't let them think I'm telling you anything that could lead you to finding her or else we won't be able to speak."
When Mira returned she was carrying a tray of fish, which she set in front of Happy.
"Enjoy Happy," She winked before setting a note down in front of Erza and walking away.
The two boys looked at Erza expectantly as she pocketed the letter and stared back at them, wordlessly.
"Erza, we gotta know what it says," Gray said after a moment.
"Meet me at Lucy's place in fifteen minutes," She said, standing and walking out of the guild.
Fifteen minutes later the group was piled on Lucy's bed as Erza carefully opened the note Mira had handed her and read it out loud.
I'm not supposed to say anything, but I know where Lucy is. Master and Mavis think it's better for her to be on her own until she learns to control her powers, but how will she learn all by herself? Isn't that what Fairy Tail is? A place where you can be yourself truly?
Lucy has Life Magic - I'm sure you all have figured that out by now, but I want you to be careful because she's not really alone where she is. Someone more powerful than anyone in the country is there and he possesses Death Magic, the opposite of Lucy.
Natsu, you met him, I'm sure of it. Elfman described him to me and I'm sure it was him. I can't give you a name, but Lucy may be in danger, it's the only reason I'm telling you think. I'm worried about her.
If you haven't gathered it yet, the Masters sealed Lucy in Tenrou Island. I'm not sure if you three will be able to get in, but someone has to try to save her. Let me know if you need help, okay?
Erza handed the paper to Natsu, who immediately burnt it to ash.
"Tenrou Island, huh?" Natsu asked.
"Pack your gear, something tells me that Lucy is going to need us," Erza answered, staring at the door angrily.