I'm sorry. Chapter! Ya! Ok…

~Jacin~

"I need you to really hear what I'm about to say, Jacin." My father stared at me seriously, his eyes searching mine. I shifted in my seat. He'd told me to sit in his armchair, a seat I'd thought of as a sort of throne for as long as I can remember.

"Dad, I don't-" I began.

"Jacin," my father said, "Do you understand?"

I hesitated for a moment and then nodded slightly, "I…understand."

"Hold out your hand," my dad said. I slowly reached forward. He placed something cold in the palm of my hand. I stared at it.

"A key," I said, confused.

"A celestial spirit gate key, Jacin," he said, putting a hand on my head and smiling. "This is my most important possession. The spirit connected to this key is my good friend."

"Why are you giving me this?" I asked.

"Pretty soon, you'll have to step up, J. You've got to be strong…to be a man. You need to take care of your little brother. You need to look after Annora, too."

I frowned, "Annora's older than me, though."

My dad shook his head and pointed to my chest, "But you're different from your sister, J."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"That's why I'm giving this key to you. He's called Othos. He'll look after you. And remember, Jacin. If you're ever in trouble, if you ever get lost, he'll be there for you. No matter what."

I clutched Othos's key tightly and nodded, clenching my jaw. My dad was right. I had to be strong. I didn't fully understand what he was saying, but I understood the gravity of his words. I nodded, "I'll keep Othos close. I promise."

~Lucy~

"A person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner," I repeated. I frowned, unsatisfied. I twisted a lock of my hair around my finger and touched the page. I was lying on my stomach, my elbows propped up on my bed.

"Hm?" Jacin asked.

I looked up to where he was sitting. "That's the definition of soul mate…at least, that's what it says here," I said.

"Why are you looking up the definition of soul mate?" Jacin asked, smiling a little.

"Curiosity," I said with a subtle nod, "But I don't like the answer."

"Why? How would you define 'soul mate'?" he asked, putting down his book on my side table.

I sighed, "Soul mates are people who bring out the best in you. They're not perfect, but are always perfect for you. A soul mate is the one who makes life come to life…the person you can love despite their shortcomings and flaws, and will do the same for you." I answered immediately; I'd pondered this subject before.

He smiled and stared at me. I shrunk back, a little embarrassed, "What?"

"I like your definition more," he said, standing up.

"Thank you…I put a lot of thought into that," I said and turned back to my book. It was a romance story; I partially blame it for getting me thinking about the definition of a soul mate, but I also blame Jacin. I could barely read a few sentences before my mind drifted back to him again…I was constantly wondering if he was my soul mate. That's why I had to look up the definition.

I tensed when I felt Jacin's warm hand on my back. I looked behind me to where he sat on my bed.

"Want to know what my definition of a soul mate is?" Jacin asked, grinning slyly.

I sat up, smiling, "Definitely."

His hand slid up my side and rested on my neck. His thumb stroked my jaw. I stared into his eyes, waiting for his answer. He slowly leaned forward and his lips brushed mine. My heart skipped at least three beats…

"You," he whispered. Then he kissed me. I could never get tired of Jacin's kisses. Each time his lips met mine, warmth flooded through me along with happiness…and desire. I was addicted to them, and I doubted that would ever change. Because he was my soul mate. I guess, when he was kissing me, that became clearer.

I smiled against his lips, "That was cheesy."

"You thought that was a line?" he asked, "I was serious."

"What?" I asked, looking up at him.

He nodded, "The dictionary sitting on my desk in my room, if you flip to 'soul mate,' there's a picture of you." His fingers slid along my lips as I smiled.

I laughed, "Where'd you get a picture of me?" I knew he was joking, but I'd decided to go along with it anyway.

"You know…Natsu did teach me the way of the ninja…you didn't know at the time, but…"

I laughed harder and leaned against his chest, "Are you serious?"

Jacin wrapped his arms around me, "No. That'd be creepy."

I looked up at him, touching his chest with my hands. He tensed under my touch. "No, it wouldn't."

"Huh?" he asked, slightly distracted. He was staring at me, his grip tightening around my waist.

"I wouldn't mind if you took a picture of me," I said. My hands slid down his chest. He furrowed his brows as if he was conflicted. The tips of my fingers found their way underneath his shirt.

"Lucy," he breathed, his voice ragged. I felt him shiver under my hands. He hid his face in the crook of my neck.

His skin was so warm. That was another thing I'd never get tired of. His warmth. I guess I'd lost a little part of myself when I thought he'd died. I don't think that's the only reason I enjoyed his warmth. I smiled softly; his heart was beating so quickly beneath my hands. My own heart was beating just as fast. His hand wrapped around my wrist and tightened. "I love you, Jacin," I whispered.

"Lucy," he repeated. His breath cascaded down my chest and I shuddered. I pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth. He nuzzled right beneath my jawline and I took his face in my hands. I lifted his face up so that I could see his eyes. His almost golden looking lashes shone in the little morning light that made its way through the curtains and cast little shadows down over his cheeks.

I ran my fingers along the side of his face, feeling the slight roughness of his cheek, "I love your eyes." He was quiet for a moment, staring at me.

He lost it at that moment. He shot forward and pinned me against the bed. He kissed me and fire coursed through my veins. I clung to him as his hands slid along my skin.

"I never want to leave you again," Jacin murmured as he kissed my neck. His tongue slid along my jawline and he gently bit my ear lobe. I unintentionally let out a little moan. I clapped my hand over my mouth. Jacin stared down at me, amusement on his face.

"Wait, that wasn't on purpose!" I said.

He nodded, "It was cute."

"I didn't even know I could make that sound!" I said. He nodded as his arms circled around my waist.

"You're blushing like crazy," Jacin whispered. His forehead rested against mine.

"What did you expect?" I replied.

"I'm not complaining," he said and kissed me again, "I think it's adorable." He put his hand on the side of my face and I pretend pouted.

"Adorable?" He nodded as his hand slid down along my neck.

"Yeah," he said quietly. I smiled as his hand came to rest on my chest.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

"Because you're beautiful," he replied immediately. That only made me blush more.

"You're not so bad yourself," I said.

He smiled, "Tha-"

"Lucy!" The door slammed open, most likely leaving a dent in my wall, and my team barged into my room. They immediately saw Jacin and I…on my bed…him partially on top of me.

"Wait, don't freak out!" I said, holding up my hand, but it was too late.

"Jacin," Natsu growled. He stepped forward. I shoved Jacin behind me.

"What's-" Jacin began.

"Quiet for a moment," I said to him. I looked up at Natsu, "Calm down, Natsu."

He lurched forward, but Gray grabbed him. "Relax, Flame-for-brains!" Gray said, putting Natsu in a full nelson.

"Natsu, it's none of your business," Erza said calmly. She looked at me and smiled, "I'm happy for you, Lucy."

"Uh…" I said. This was really awkward, actually. I was practically suffocating from the stagnant awkwardness that was hanging in the air.

"It is my business! She's my teammate!" Natsu argued. He broke free of Gray's grasp and charged forward. I stretched my arms out to protect Jacin.

"Natsu, stop!" I shouted.

"He can't just do those things to you," Natsu said. He tried to duck around me, but I kept my body in front of Jacin's. There was no way I was letting Natsu burn Jacin to death. No way. Plus, I didn't want my apartment being burnt down either.

"Natsu, he's my boyfriend. I love him. I'm not going to let you touch him," I said, pressing my back against Jacin's chest.

Natsu suddenly stopped and stood up straight. He looked up at me and I saw sadness in his eyes, "Does this mean you're leaving our team?"

I relaxed and smiled, "Of course not, you idiot!"

"We wouldn't let her leave our team, Natsu," Erza said, patting his shoulder. That was Erza for you. Her love was strong enough to give you a concussion…which had happened before. I mean…her armor is pretty hard.

"Natsu, I'm not leaving anyone's team," I said. He nodded and sat on my bed, glaring at Jacin.

"If you hurt her again, I'll kill you," he growled. He turned to me, "I don't like it…but you're happy." With that he stood up and left the room.

I slumped against Jacin's chest and he put a comforting hand on my arm, "He'll get over it soon enough. He's only like that because he loves you."

I sighed, "I know, but Natsu does everything with a flare."

"Including pestering you about your new boyfriend…congrats, by the way," Gray said.

"We came to ask if you were up for a job," Erza said. I smiled.

"Thanks, but I've got plans for today," I said. Erza nodded.

"We'll be going, then," Erza said. She turned, but looked back at me, "I'm happy you're back and safe. You, too, Jacin."

"Seeya, Luce," Gray said, waving to me over his shoulder. They shut the door behind them and I smiled. A thought occurred to me. I slid off my bed and jotted down a few words on a piece of paper; I didn't want anyone to worry.

We'll be back.

Think of it as a little vacation after everything that's happened.

-L/J

PS

Take care of Roawin! (If you don't, I'll kill you)

"What plans?" Jacin asked.

I returned to the bed, wrapping my arms around his neck, "Oh, you know."

"I don't, actually," he said, smiling and hugging my waist, "That's why I asked." I nodded and reached into my pocket.

"Your surprise, remember?" I asked. I showed him what I had in my hand, "You talked to Roawin like I said, right?"

He nodded, looking confused. "The lion?" he asked. I was holding Loki's gate key. I eased away from him and stood in the center of my room. I spoke the words to summon my spirit, and he appeared immediately.

"Lucy!" he shouted. He latched onto me, "Why haven't you summoned me for so long?"

I grinned, a little happy to see him after everything that had happened, "Sorry. But…about what we talked about."

He straightened and looked to where Jacin sat on my bed. He narrowed his eyes, "Are you sure?"

"Loki," I said, exasperated.

Loki raised his hands in defense, "Ok, ok. He's waiting for you."

"Who's waiting?" Jacin asked, confused. He was frowning at Loki, who had wrapped his arms around me again. I shrugged Loki off gently and Jacin's expression eased. I couldn't help but smile a little. The thought alone that he would get jealous over me made my heart jump.

"An old friend," I said. I reached forward, offering him my hand. He stared at it skeptically. "Come on," I said with a smile. He nodded and took my hand. I looked to Loki and took his hand. Golden light immediately shimmered around us, and I knew we were on our way.

I felt the celestial magic shimmer around me and sweep me away. I couldn't help but smile at how confused Jacin probably was. I shut my eyes to block out the intense light, and when I opened them I was filled with happiness. I stepped forward and turned to look at Jacin.

I held out my arms, "Welcome to the Celestial World!"

Jacin stood, stunned, staring at me. He looked down to see his new clothes, the reason why he was able to survive in this world. I couldn't help but smile. They looked good on him, and they left a significant amount of skin out in the open. His shirt wasn't unlike Natsu's vest, so I could see all of his defined muscles. I looked over to Loki and he winked at me, nodding as if he did me a favor. I knew, however, that it would only distract me.

"How…" Jacin asked.

I laughed and turned around, yelling, "Stash-face!" With a bright, shining light and a gust of wind, the Celestial Spirit King appeared before us. I grinned.

"It's been too long, friend!" he exclaimed, his voice booming. I put my hands on my hips.

"Did you trim your mustache?" I asked.

He chuckled, "I'm glad you noticed." He stroked his mustache and nodded.

"Um, Luce." I turned to see Jacin staring up at the Celestial Spirit King. "Is this really happening or did you put something in my coffee?" he asked.

I walked up to him and took his hand, "I met the Spirit King when I saved Loki and we've been friends ever since."

"With…the Spirit King?" he asked. I nodded.

"We're tight," I said, shrugging, "I figured you'd want to meet him…and I wanted him to meet you."

Jacin took a few steps forward and I let go of his hand. He looked up at the Spirit King. "It's an honor," he said.

"Hm," he said, leaning down close to Jacin, "Who is this, Lucy?"

"J-Jacin," he said. He was clearly still in awe.

I stepped forward, "This is Jacin. He's my boyfriend." I smiled.

The Spirit King laughed. "In that case," he said, holding out his arms, "We should celebrate!" The Spirit King snapped his fingers and suddenly all of my spirits surrounded us.

"Lucy!" they all chorused at once. Let's just say…they pounced.

~Jacin~

I watched, smiling, as Lucy greeting all of her spirits. She couldn't stop smiling, so neither could I. That's how I always was when she was around nowadays. Watching her being tackled by her friends made me miss my—

"You're looking better, kid," said a voice. I grinned and turned around. I was greeted by the sight of all of my spirits. Othos smirked.

"I was wondering whether or not you guys were here," I said.

"Jacin!" Rouge latched onto my, growing in midair and wrapping her arms around my chest, "Othos told me what happened. I'm super sorry I couldn't help you out."

"We all are," said Brezza.

"Don't worry, guys. I made it through…we made it through. That's all that matters. I won't be leaving you guys just yet," I said with a smile.

Grentha drifted forward and placed her gentle hand on my head. She spoke, her voice echoing as usual, "Good."

I smiled and glanced to my left. Crossman stood beside me, his hand on his sword, "I guess stalking was the right call."

I scoffed. "What?" he asked, shrugging, "You got the girl, after all." I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I did…" I turned to look at Lucy who was still talking with her spirits. Suddenly, someone punched me in the shoulder. I grabbed my throbbing arm, "Ow, what the-"

"That was revenge for calling me a sadist," Gallego said, flicking his head so that a lock of his hair no longer covered his eyes.

"That was forever ago," I exclaimed.

"Wasn't forever here," he said, crossing his arms.

"Careful or I'll unscrew you." I grinned widely.

"Elle!" Lupiyah launched forward and hugged me tightly. She gave me a squeeze and then pulled away.

"Missed ya," she said with a wink, patting my back. Her fangs peeked out at me when she smiled and a few of her black dreads fell down over her eyes bright yellow eyes. Lupiyah, or Ella—as she forces me to call her—has dark skin, dark dreads that she keeps out of her face with a black bandana, and a matching set of black ears and a tail. She was the wolf woman, after all.

I nodded, "I missed you, too."

"You don't deserve a rematch!" Mayla shouted, drawing my attention. Mayla flicked her tail back and forth annoyed.

"Thumb wars aren't an exact science! And I so do deserve a second chance! I deserve two second chances!" Diedos insisted.

"You do know that you can't have more than one second chance…I mean, it'd just become a third chance, D," I said, slapping his back. He grimaced.

"Jacin, you settle this. I won fair and square, right? Tell him!" she said, pointing to her brother.

"She cheated," Diedos said, nodding his head.

Mayla shook her head, "Nuh-uh."

"You did," Diedos said. "Didn't," Mayla responded. "Did." "Didn't." I honestly just shook my head and let them be. Sometimes that's the only way to avoid a headache.

"Before you ask, Roawin's fine," I said as Fleure walked towards me. She held out her hand and a tiny purple flower grew there. She picked it and handed it to me.

"Actually, I was going to ask if you were ok," she said, "After everything that happened recently, I was worried about you."

I nodded, twisting the stem of my flower in between my fingers. I looked over to Lucy and watched her laugh with her friends. She suddenly looked my way and smiled. I smiled and looked back to Fleure. "I wasn't…and maybe part of me still isn't ok…but I've got this feeling recently that I will be soon."

Fleure put a hand over my heart, "You've been filled with guilt for too long. It's good to see your heart filled with happiness instead." Her words made a new hope spring up inside me. The possibility of being completely filled with happiness, no troubles at all, had previously seemed inexistent to me. Maybe that could change…

"Aaaaaaaaaand…" I gulped, knowing what came after that long, drawn out, shout. I whirled around.

"Exxos, n-" I held up my arms, but I was too late. The red fox slammed into me, knocking me to the ground.

"Get 'im, guys!" Exxos shouted.

"Excuse me, but I'm not a guy," Venra said, slowly walking up next to us.

"Why do you have to spoil all the fun, Ven?" Exxos asked. He scratched his red head and one of his fox ears. The dirt that always seemed to cover his face almost hid his freckles. His brown eyes glowed as he sat on me as if fun times were all he had to live for. His bushy tail flicked back and forth, signifying his happiness.

Venra crossed her arms, her own pure white tail twisting around her ankles. Her matching white ears slumped, "I don't ruin anything…I'm just telling you that I'm not a guy and I don't like it when you call me one." Venra pulled her long, white hair to one side of her face and twisted it around her finger.

"You do ruin fun. Right Shiea?" Exxos asked, looking over his shoulder to see Shiea.

Shiea just shrugged, walking closer. Shiea never talked much, but when she did she usually said profound, insightful, or helpful things. I always had a soft spot for her. Shiea took Venra's hand and held on tightly.

"I know. It's weird seeing Jacin in the spirit world," Venra said, nodding.

"Not as weird as your big ears," Exxos said, pointing to the two black ears on top of Shiea's head. Shiea shyly grabbed her ears, shaking her head and hiding her tail between her legs.

"Don't be mean, Exxos. You're just jealous because Shiea is smarter than you," Venra shot back.

"Fine, your ears aren't big," Exxos said immediately. Shiea smiled and took Exxos's hand. Shiea looked at me, her blue eyes shining.

"You guys never change," I said with a smile, "Come here." I held out my arms and all three of my foxes huddled close to me.

"We're glad you're alright," Venra said. Shiea nodded in agreement.

"But you should have brought us souvenirs," Exxos added. I laughed as they climbed off of me.

"Hey, you guys want to go say hi to Lucy?" I asked.

"You didn't introduce us to her last time," Venra said.

"Well, we were being attacked by bandits," I said. Othos came over and offered me his hand up. I took it and he hauled me to my feet.

"I need to talk to you later," he said, "And to Lucy." I nodded and we headed towards Lucy.

"Lucy," I said, bounding up to her. She smiled brightly and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"So?" she asked, "Do you like your surprise?"

I nodded and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. I hugged her close to me and she wrapped her arms around my stomach.

"Definitely," I said, kissing her cheek.

"Oh!" she said, perking up, "You have to meet my friends!"

I nodded, "And you have to meet mine."

Somehow, when we were there, relaxing and having fun with our spirits…together, it seemed like nothing would ever change. It seemed like we would last forever, immortalized by our time together and by our time in this new world. I seemed that way. I knew that, even if times got hard again…Lucy would be there. We were never going to be apart again…I would make sure of that.

When I looked at Lucy, all I could see was her. Was our future. Sometimes it's hard to believe how much I love her.

Now you've met the rest of the spirits and you know what the surprise is! That doesn't make up for the huge period of time that I haven't updated, though. I just want to say that you shouldn't expect another update soon. I'm really sorry, but my school is killing me free time.

Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter! We'll continue our time in the spirit world in the next chapter, too. Something…AMAZING is going to happen in the next chapter. The best part of the spirit world comes next! AH! I'M SO EXCITED!

Just getting you all excited for the next one, no matter how long you'll have to wait.

Leave me a review! Maybe it'll force me to write the next one sooner.

I do hope you're glad I updated… :) I am…

In case you were wondering, we'll have more with Abigail and the rest when we get back to Earthland. Also, in case you're confused about the foxes, they look like they're about seven, (and are all the same age).