________

10| SNOW FAIRY

________

Mama,

I'm sorry I stopped writing to you, I'm sorry I left behind all the other letters behind. I didn't have the heart to keep them with me, and I didn't think I'd write again, but I need to now. I need a sense of escape, something that keeps me close to you.

I miss you and papa so, so much, and I wish you both were here. I wish you were here to tell me what to do and hold me while telling me everything was going to be alright until I believed it might be. I try to be positive, but I know my fate is sealed. I am to marry one of these vampire brothers in a matter of time since my year is up, and the worse part is I think I might be okay with it.

Papa had made a deal with their father when I was a child and now I'm paying the price, and no matter how much I wish I could hate him, I can't. I know papa wanted the best for us, for me and that he went about it the wrong way. I can't blame him or be mad at him for this situation. As bad as they seem, they aren't that horrible. Sure they hurt Yui and I, but I truly don't think they'd let me die and that they might even protect me. I truly believe that they are capable of being human, but the way they had been raised as corrupted their hearts.

Not only that, but they brought Edgar back home, but he goes by the name of Yuma now. At least one good thing came out of this past year, and that was him.

I know it's him even if he says he's not and tells me his name is Yuma every time now. I believe in the last letter I wrote to you, I told you that Fairy Tail was gone, that Master Makarov disbanded the guild. Well, Fairy Tail is back together now, but I don't have the desire to go back just yet. If I ever could go back.

I can barely admit it out loud, because it seems so selfish. I'm mad at them, for just leaving after everything we've been through. We all lost something, and I am not saying I lost the most, but I lost more than Aquarius that week. I lost my best friend, I lost my family, and I lost myself. I've lost myself, mama, and I'm scared.

Loke has tried to help, but he's a reminder. He wants me to be the same girl I was, but how can I be the same when everything has changed? I understand his need to protect me, and I understand how he hates this situation and new life I'm living, but he can't see that it's not always bad. I love my spirits, but I wish they would trust my judgement.

Which brings me to the two reasons why I can't leave, nor go back to Fairy Tail anytime soon. Maybe one day in the future, but not now. My life is now here, and it is here where I am needed. I promised to marry one of these brothers, and not only that Yui. I want to make sure she stays safe, I want to make sure she stays alive. They treat her differently, and it is because she is purely human. Plus Yuma, he's here and he's my only family I have left that is alive. Well as alive as a half blood vampire is.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm okay. I'm mad, and I'm sad and Yuma made Reiji not give me anti depressants, but I don't need then. I have to remind myself that this is happening for a reason, and that I've been through worse. That no matter how bad they may seem, they aren't truly the monsters they try to make themselves out to be.

I'm here for a reason, and I need to stay here for now. I promise that I will make these brothers into better people who are more rational, and make them realize that they aren't as evil as they believe they are.

Love,

Lucy.

It had been two days since the night Yuma stayed with Lucy, holding her while she cried and until she fell asleep. It had been the first time Yuma felt himself actually care about someone other than himself or his brothers. Since that night, it seemed that Lucy snapped out of whatever funk she had been in.

The blonde celestial mage had gone back to her studies, she helped around the new mansion, and not only that but she was now out of her room most of the time. She smiled more, and she spoke more, still getting into arguments, but it was something they all noticed.

"She's finally come to terms with everything." Laito says, leaning against the wall besides Reiji, who watched Lucy train with Loke.

Reiji nodded, "It seems she has, but the question is- who is it she will marry? The time will come soon that our father will want her final answer."

Laito let out a little giggle, "I'd like to think Subaru or Shuu are still in the running. She can't stand Ayato and myself, not only that but you and Kanato were taken out of the running from the very beginning."

Reiji chuckled, shaking his head. "It was a ridiculous question. Shuu, he's the one who's territorial. More so than us and he's lazy, so it might be time we accept what it is."

"Are you saying we should back off and let Shuu take the win?" Ayato scowled, popping out of nowhere. "Yours Truly has to disagree with that completely. There's still time."

"I suppose we'll just have to see who my dearest cousin will pick." Yuma muttered, looking up from the garden he was tending at while the idiots talked. "I just really hoped it won't be Ayato, the stupidest one of all."

"Oi, what did you say!?" Ayato snarled, green eyes glaring.

Yuma smirked, "Didn't think I stuttered, stupid."

Ayato went to say something, but Reiji stopped him and began to rub his temples from the oncoming headache.

Lucy stopped her attacks in her stardress, taking a deep breath as sweat trickled down her forehead as she looked Loke down. She understood he was worried, and the look he was giving her told her more so. She offered him a little smile, wanting to ease his nerves just a bit but knew it would do nothing.

"I'm okay, Loke." She tried to reassure but he shook his head, not having it.

"No, Lucy, you're not." Loke replied, taking a step forward and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Please go back to Fiore, go home. This place, it isn't your home."

Lucy grabbed Loke gently by the face, giving him a little smile. "I'm getting stronger here, I'm becoming one with the magic here, because of the Stellium, and I'm safe."

The three and a half months they lived here, Lucy had trained and had learned to draw her magic from the stars and to be connected not only with the Celestial Realm, but with the stars as well. She had grown significantly stronger as a Celestial Mage, and it was because she used it as her outlet. Her training allowed her to get her aggression and frustrations out, especially during one on one battles with her spirits.

Loke just wished she would use this new magic to leave, but she was too stubborn, "That's the thing, you aren't safe-"

"I am." Lucy said firmly, determination in her eyes. "Please, just trust me. Everything right now is happening for a reason. We just need to trust what fate has in store for us."

Loke frowned at her, "Did Reiji give you a new type of tea, or do you really believe the idiotic words leaving your lips? Please tell me you don't really believe that."

Lucy sighed, frowning now, "They aren't idiotic Loke. You just aren't seeing what I mean."

"I think you've clouded your judgement with lies that everything is going to be okay." Loke says softly, taking a step back. "You aren't seeing things the way you once did. The Lucy I know, she would want to go home, she would want to go see her nakama, and she wouldn't be okay with getting married to someone she doesn't love."

Lucy looked down, biting her lip and taking a deep and shaky breath as she looked up to meet the eyes of her beloved lion spirit. He wasn't wrong, but at the same time he was. She held those morals still, but she also held different morals now. There was things she need to do, and that required her here.

"You can't see things the way I do, Loke." Lucy argued gently, wrapping her arms around herself. "I guess I'm not the Lucy you knew, and that you can't accept me for the way I am now."

Loke frowned, not liking that answer. She was saying he didn't know her, but he was the one that knew her the best. "Call me out when the Lucy I know and love is back, because this isn't her."

Lucy said nothing as Loke went back to the Celestial World, but she kept her eyes on her right hand where her pink guild mark was. She wasn't the girl Loke wanted her to be, Lucy of Fairy Tail. Didn't he understand how unfair it was, his expectations? How was she supposed to not change? Was she supposed to just be okay with everything now that Fairy Tail was back? Act like everything was fine and dandy when it really wasn't?

No, she refused to forgive so easily. To go back to that girl so quickly.

"Lucy." Reiji called, catching the blonde's attention as she let her Star Dress form go and made her way over.

"Reiji-san." Lucy greeted, looking over at Laito, and Ayato before offering Yuma a small smile as he planted tomato plants. "What is it I can do for you?"

Yuma scowled at the proper language Reiji had Lucy speak in. Honestly, it was just doing the most. He hated it.

"I need you, Ayato, and Shuu to go into town to fetch some supplies for dinner tonight. It's the annual monthly family dinner." Reiji says, and at this all three of them roll their eyes. Lucy had to refrain in front of Reiji or she'd hear it from him.

"Those dinners are stupid anyways." Yuma says, shovel in hand. "They just end up in petty arguments. Last time Kanato and Azusa ended up throwing their forks and knives at each other."

"They actually just got Kou in his shoulder." Lucy added, giving Ayato and Laito a look when they snickered. "Behave."

They then snickered at her and rolled their eyes, causing Lucy to stick out her tongue. It was a small acts, but it was one of the first times they were acting more civil. A little bit more human, but it only lasted for a moment.

"I'll go get Shuu." Lucy says, brightening up slightly more at the mention of Shuu. "Ayato, go wait for us by the door."

"I'm way better than that lazy ass, Melons." Ayato calls after Lucy, his eyes and Laito's eyes shamelessly watching her ass as she walked away, causing Yuma to growl again.

"Oi, stop that you two!" Yuma snapped.

________

Gajeel, Juvia, Levy and Lily had been tasked to memorize and scoop out different pathways and ravenous points throughout the kingdom of Stella that might help provide shelter for once the secured the Dragon Cry scepter. If Gajeel was being honest, there was something about this place that was rubbing him the wrong way.

His instincts told him something was going to happen, and if that was good or bad- he didn't know yet. Considering this was a mission, and Natsu was taking part of it, Gajeel would go with things going south.

Team Natsu and them had already been given the briefing in Fiore, by the King himself. This mission was indeed highly sensitive and they could not afford a slip up at all.

Sitting at a long wooden table it the castle of the king, the ten of them looked over at the king who sat at the very end. He sat there looking each and every one of them down, and for a moment he wasn't too sure that so many people should be going on such a mission. Yet he knew Fairy Tail worked better together and had high faith they would pull this particular mission off.

"The grave of dragons. I believe some have already seen it at the Grand Magic Games." He says, his face settling into a grim expression. "Yet below the Arena is a place where ancient dragon bones are resting. It is the last resting place. The dragons who once stood against the black dragon, Acnologia, fought and defeated it."

"My ancestors have examined the sight several times. In the end, they built the area to commemorate the dragons. About one hundred years ago, a staff was found in the tomb of dragons."

"What does this staff do?" Erza questioned for the group, wanting all the details in whole.

Happy raised his hand, "Was it the walking stick of a dragon?"

"No." The King answered. "It is a subject of men. This staff absorbed the anger and grief of the dragons and accumulated power, deforming its original shape. The name of this staff is Dragon Cry."

"Oi, what exactly does it do?" Gray asks next, sweat dropped slightly at how Natsu looked a little bit excited about this particular mission. Better than him moping.

"This staff has the power to obliterate an entire empire. A few days ago this staff was replaced by Fiore's former Prime Minister, Zash Caine." The King's face contorted with anger. "Zash is a follower of black magic. In secret he planned to overthrow the royal family, but failed to do so. Yet before the military could arrest him, he fled abroad with the help of his comrades."

Hisui, who stood by her father, continued on, "But when the exile in the Kingdom of Stella was preserved, he died. All his subordinates, as a gift for the Kingdom of Stella."

Their eyes widened around the table, and this time it was Natsu who spoke up, "He killed his comrades?"

"After his emigration he had climbed up to Stella's state minister by his spying ability and brutal ways." The King added.

"What a terrible man!" Carla commented.

"This dangerous man took possession of a dangerous object, please get the staff back before he does something bad with it."

"Definitely." Erza and Gajeel says.

Lily was the one to pipe up next, "Where exactly is the Kingdom of Stella?"

"It is located in the southeast Ishgard, surrounded by a steep cliff wall." Levy answered easily. "It is an island isolated by the foreign countries completely."

Natsu paled slightly, "An island!? Does that mean we're going by boat?"

"Is everything alright, Levy-chan?" Juvia asks, seeing the concentrated look on Levy's facial features. The question itself brought Gajeel out of his thoughts.

Levy shook her head, "I have a really bad feeling that something is going to happen. I don't like it. How we always seem to get into these dangerous situations."

Juvia offered a smile, "Juvia thinks is because we protect people as a guild, people rely on us to keep them safe. Juvia thinks it's an honor."

Levy couldn't help but wonder if it was a curse, because it caused them to lose so much as well. Not just pieces of themselves, but sometimes it cost them loved ones. Like Natsu and Igneel, Gray and his father. Then Lucy, she lost something too and Levy knew it because Lucy was her best friend. Levy knew it and she didn't ask, and it bothered her.

Natsu and Happy plopped down in a seat besides Juvia, who glared since that seat was for her precious Gray-sama, and shortly after the others followed in pursuit. Erza had gone into a game plan, talking low as she munched on strawberry cake. Wendy was listening contently with Gajeel on what they were to do.

They were to fo after Zash at his favorite pub, but they were somehow going to need to get his ring off him for Gray to make a copy so Wendy and Natsu could get into his vault. Gajeel muttered under his breath about how it was a bad idea to send Natsu, which caused Natsu to get a bit fired up.

"Natsu, behave." Erza says sternly, leaning back in her chair as she looked her team over. "We rest tonight and put this plan into action as soon as possible tomorrow. We need to get the staff and back to Fiore as soon as we can."

Gray nodded her, "We rest tonight after a long day of traveling and be ready in the morning."

Levy poked her head into the conversation, " We do have somewhere to stay at right?"

At this question, the table grew silent and they looked at Levy as if she grew a second head. Well everyone but Gajeel and Lily, who were used to Levy and her quick thinking. Apparently she assumed as they did that Team Natsu would have planned ahead, but apparently not. No doubting that must had been Lucy's job.

Gajeel sighed at that idea, knowing that Team Natsu struggled without Lucy in the team. The dynamic was all off, and it was visible to everyone.

"Forgive me for not thinking ahead." Erza bowed in front of Levy. "You may hit me as my punishment."

Levy sweat dropped, "That isn't necessary! I'm sure there are places here we can stay as tourist." Levy says, waving her hands in front of her. She could never hit Erza, nor punish her for such a simple mistake. 

Erza nodded, "Alright then. We shall seek a place to sleep."

Gray shook his head, sometimes somethings never change. Yet glancing at Natsu and how he looked out the window, he came to terms that somethings do change and they hurt. "Oi flame brain, finish your food before it turns cold."

Yet he didn't get the reaction he wanted, Natsu's eyes stared out the window- narrowing slightly. Eventually everyone had finished up their dinners, paying the waiter who helped them and began their new mission of finding an inn to sleep at for the night.

It was quiet among them, with the occasional comments from Carla to Happy and the low conversation between Levy and Gajeel. Gray and Juvia spoke as she clung to his arm, much to his dislike at the moment and Erza silently watched Natsu walk ahead of them. He had been different without her, and Erza knew they needed to focus on finding their comrade after this mission. At least Erza could have faith Lucy was safe at home, not worrying a bit at the moment. Yet that thought hurt Erza slightly, because she belonged here with them.

Wendy was the first to notice the familiar scent, pausing nearly at the same time Natsu had. Erza ceased her movement seeing Natsu suddenly stop, and teased up that maybe they had been figured out. The fire dragon slayer's head tilted up, towards the right and inhaled the air. Erza found it out, and looked over her shoulder at the others only to find Wendy and Gajeel following Natsu's movements.

"You smell that Natsu?" Wendy asks softly, hearing Gajeel take a sniff of the air around them once again.

"What is it you three? We have to hurry and go to sleep." Gray reminded the three dragon slayers, just wanting to get some shut eyes, despite it being early evening.

"That man." Natsu's onyx eyes narrowed on the red haired man who had just emerged from a door and paid no mind to their presence.

Wendy glanced at Natsu, then at Erza. "That man was in Crocus, he had Lucy's scent on him then-"

"And he has it on him now." Natsu growled, a glint in his onyx eyes shining. He knew he smelt Lucy's scent here on the island. That it wasn't just his mind playing tricks on him like it's done so many times before. "I need to know where she is."

Gray frowned, not liking the feeling that overcame him at the idea. "I don't know man. Maybe you should cool down and think this over. Are you sure you smell Lucy's scent on that guy over there? He could just be a local."

"Gihi." Gajeel chuckled, causing the attention to turn to him, which made him smirk. "That's definitely Bunny Girl's scent on him."

Just like that the shop doors open with a loud slam, redirecting their attention, and a blonde with long hair suddenly grabbed the man by the ear and yanked him down- her familiar brown eyes narrowed as the redhead scowled.

"Oi! Let go of Ore-sama!" He shouted, yelping when Lucy twisted his ear.

"No!" She snapped, about to drag him off as a taller male with blond hair chuckled as he left the door way. "You didn't think I wouldn't find out Ayato!?" Lucy snapped again, letting go of the man the others now knew as Ayato, crossing her arms angrily.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, having saw the poor woman who worked her bandaging a wound on her wrist made by fangs. It hadn't been Shuu, who stood next to here with a check list that Reiji had given them.

"I was hungry and you and Yui have been stingy." Ayato growled. "No, you've been hiding Yui and refuse to let anyone close-"

"You're acting like a child throwing a tantrum!" Lucy snapped, upset that he had hurt someone innocent. "This was stupid, even for you- to slip up like that!"

Ayato growled, "You better watch it before I remind you of your place."

Lucy's brown eyes glared him down, unnerved as he glared back. Shuu on the other hand wanted to just go sleep, away from this nonsense. He had a headache and they'd only been out of the house for barely fifteen minutes.

"Lushy!" Happy cried out, blowing the cover of the group, not able to hold his emotions as he flew towards the blonde he missed dearly.

The blonde's head snapped up at the familiar nickname, her brown eyes suddenly losing all of her previous anger and was replaced by surprise. Happy, not even hesitating, flew into Lucy's chest crying.

She was honestly too stunned to say anything, but when Ayato went to grab the fuzzball off Lucy, she was quick to wrap her arms around Happy protectively and glare at Ayato as she took a step back.

"Don't you dare think of fucking touch him." She hissed, causing Happy to tense up feeling the dangerous tension. Since when did Lucy curse?

Shuu sighed, this was giving him a bigger headache. Really he knew deep down that this wasn't going to be a nice, simple trip to the store. No, he had a good hunch that something was going to happen because something always happened when Ayato was let out of the house. Like a damn dog, Ayato had to go bite someone.

"I'm sorry we left you Lushie!" Happy cried, tears running down his face with some snot. "We will never leave you alone again! I promise!"

"Oh Happy." Lucy whispered, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. This wasn't happening. Not now.

"Lucy!" A course of voices yelled, once again causing the Celestial Mage to look over. Faces she missed, faces that made her heart clench. They were really there. Why?

Ayato was quick to grab Lucy's arm, wrenching it hard enough to force her to let go of Happy and caused her to cry out in pain. Happy's eyes widen, looking up from the floor to see Ayato staring in Lucy's rather impassive face.

"What did I tell you about defying me?" Ayato snarled in her face.

"Oi! Let go of her asshole!" Gray shouted, seeing how the man grabbed Lucy roughly. No one touches someone of his family like that, no one.

"Answer me!" Ayato yelled, his grip tightening on her, smirking when she cried out again. He didn't care if these were the people Lucy once knew and loved. She wouldn't get the happy reunion she wanted with them. He would make sure of that.

"Ayato, release her before you break her arm and have to deal with not only Reiji, but Yuma." Shuu advised, not wanting to deal with his uptight younger brother or the annoying half blood.

Lucy took a sharp breath when Ayato pulled her close, feeling the smirk against her ear. "Take care of them, Melons. I want you to make sure they get the point they are not to be apart of your life. You're not their friend anymore. Or I might actually kill Yui this time around when I sink my fangs into her skin. I'm starving and can lose control.."

With that final push knowing he'd get what he wanted, Lucy was released and she looked down at Happy, who clung to her leg as she cradled her strained arm. "Go away Happy."

"Lushie-"

"Now Happy." Lucy hissed, her eyes flashing with a plead that Happy knew something wasn't right. He nodded, quickly flying away.

"That cat just talked, and flew." Shuu muttered, standing besides Lucy and looking over her arm, earning a hiss and a glare. "I wasn't the one who did this, woman."

"You'll pay for hurting our comrade!" Erza growled, getting ready to transform before Lucy looked away from Shuu and sighed, moving quickly to stand in front of Ayato. "Lucy, please move. These men took you and hurt you."

"No one took me Erza." Lucy said softly, confusing the redhead. "I knew that the guild was back together from the start, I chose not to go back of my own free will."

Silence. Lucy was met with blank stares from her ten comrades who stood before her. They were taking this moment to process her words, the serious look on her face, and then at the two men who accompanied their comrade. It was obvious something was just wrong here.

"I'll just burn you to a crisp for hurting Lucy." Natsu snarled at Ayato suddenly, fists lighting up with fire and getting ready to strike with Erza and Gray in that single moment, as if they all thought the same thing in sync. "And for turning her brain into mush!"

Inwardly, Lucy sighed and felt the expectant eyes of the two vampires on her back. She was to protect them from magical harms, like they would protect her from their enemies. She could snort at that bit. "Open, Gate of the Golden Bull and The Lion- Taurus, Leo!" Lucy yelled out, opening both gates and standing in front of Ayato protectively.

The three Fairy Tail mages froze, seeing the defiance in Lucy's brown eyes. Loke stood next to her, looking torn but his loyalties laid with Lucy. Even if he didn't agree with anything she was doing, Loke would do anything to assure Lucy's safety.

Natsu's flame went out, as did Gray's ice make and Erza's swords. On the side Levy was torn, while Juvia and Gajeel were really to hop into the fray with Lily. Wendy was watching, observing the two men behind Lucy, frowning.

Meanwhile, Carla's brown eyes widen, "That's the man from my vision." She whispered, realization that her vision wasn't a nightmare, it was a warning. "The man that hurt Lucy."

"What are you talking about, cat?" Gajeel muttered, catching Carla's words as Wendy looked down at her. "You had a vision about Lucy and said nothing? That she was hurt?"

Carla looked up at Gajeel, her eyes holding worry and a bit of fear. "If it was true, then we are dealing with something bigger here."

"Luce, what are you doing?" Natsu asked, clearly confused as everyone else with Lucy standing protectively in front of the man that nearly broke her arm. "He hurt you."

Lucy looked down at the ground, taking a deep breath. "You don't understand Natsu. I can't let you hurt them, or their brothers."

"There's more of them!?" Gray yelled, perplexed as his shirt got tossed aside. "What the hell is going on here Lucy?"

Lucy looked over at Ayato, who merely smirked that damn smirk she hated. She wanted to wipe it clear off, but she couldn't. She was bound by a contract, she couldn't break it. A Celestial Mage never broke their promises, or their contracts. She knew that look in Ayato's piercing green eyes, what he expected of her to do. What she had to do.

Reminding me of my place and that I have no saying. I have to obey, especially for Yui's sake. Yet she couldn't attack the people she loved. Her family, ddep in her heart she just couldn't bare the idea.

"I can't." She whispered, loud enough for Ayato and dragon slayers to hear.

"Then Yui will be meeting her maker sooner than later." Ayato grinned, causing Lucy to flinch for the human girl.

The girl she considered a sister after this short time together. Natsu watched with Gray and Erza as Lucy looked back over at them, the stoic expression in her brown eyes that once been so bright. She had come to her resolve on what needed to be done, and it was against them.

Gripping Loke's gate key, Lucy placed it on her chest and closed her eyes. "Star dress, Leo form!"

Lucy felt the magic air shift around her, her clothing being replaced by an elegant, frilled, black ball gown that is slit up their left leg and tied with gold sash that sits around their hips. with the mark of the Leo zodiac emblazoned upon it falls between her right breast.

"She transformed." Erza muttered, eyes wide as she took in the magic that was similar to her own.

"Oi, Lucy- you've gotten stronger." Natsu stated, getting off track for a moment to really take in how much more stronger Lucy's magic power had grown.

"Lucy." Ayato hissed in warning.

"Yes master." Lucy muttered bitterly, looking over at Loke with a silent order.

Then, after one pointed look, Lucy and Loki were taking off fast. Loki's fist lighting up in Regulus punch while Lucy's whip crackled to life with a blazing blue electricity. Natsu and Gray were fast to dodge out of the way, making a strike towards Ayato. Only Natsu felt gravity shift as he crashed into the wall, Loke hovering over him and Gray being pulled back by something wrapping around his ankle.

Ayato merely smirked at Erza as the redhead requipped, moving inhumanly fast behind Erza and pushing her forward with extra strength. Confused, Erza whipped around quickly to face Ayato, only to meet Gray's back side flying towards her.

"Lucy can sure as hell throw." Gray moaned, sitting up as Loke went at it with Natsu.

Erza ignored Gray, focusing on Lucy- who was now panting as she stared down Ayato. There was something way off about this guy and whoever else was with them. Erza just didn't liked the vibe she was getting, or the fact that Lucy was placing herself against her nakama. It just wasn't like the blonde.

Lucy could fight, but maybe this was her chance to make her point to Ayato. Make an official power play and put him into his place. Yet he seemed to know what she was thinking, because he was in front of her all of a sudden.

"Lucy!" Erza called out when Ayato moved and gripped Lucy around the neck.

Yet Lucy never looked her way, nor did she struggle when Ayato moved closer to her, capturing her lips in a possessive way. Gray wanted to rip Lucy away from the guy, but he also was quick to notice Lucy's lack of response, how she was just submissive. Why was she being submissive?

"You're mine." Ayato growled out into Lucy's ear, refusing to let Shuu have her completely, and licked her neck before he was suddenly being grabbed from behind and thrown into a wall behind them.

"Luce ain't nobody's!" Natsu snarled, Loke standing behind him looking at Lucy innocently.

She knew damn well the two started to work together the moment Loke saw her distracted, and as much she wanted Ayato to get his ass beat, her life was still bound and she was going to get hell for not listening. Looking Natsu dead in the eyes, she moved towards Ayato and lifted Loke's key.

"Force close gate!" Lucy yelled, quickly swamping keys, yet Natsu was quick to take advantage and caught her wrist before she could call out the next celestial spirit at hand, Virgo.

"Luce-"

"Let go of me Natsu." Lucy coldly demanded, her eyes narrowing at the pink haired male.

"No." Natsu responded, his grip pulling her forward and wrapping her in his embrace. "I'm not losing you again."

Lucy's brown eyes shifted right then and there. The warm browns were a sad gaze. These were the arms she missed, the arms she craved- so why didn't she feel safe? Why didn't she feel safe, and warm and loved like she always had before. Her eyes locked on Shuu's, and deep down she knew why. Pushing Natsu away, her eyes bore into his, 

"I was never yours. Besides, you left me first."

________

This, yes this, was the chapter that was my favorite to write. Fun fact, I had this initial 'reunion' typed out since chapter two and waited for this very moment. I am beyond grateful for the support of this story that I receive, it really does keep me motivated. Since I had finally finished this chapter today, I couldn't wait to post it- so double updates within 24 hours!!

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if it wasn't what you were expecting- then I'm sorry. Yet I still hope you enjoyed the read!

Please leave me a comment on your thoughts and a vote! :)