Gaining Courage: The Search for the Lost Keys (a Fairytail Galu story)

Chapter Four: Broken

Lucy POV:

As I entered the guildhall the quiet could have been considered peaceful if one didn't know it was a false sense of security. Knowing the absence of destruction meant my team hadn't made an appearance yet I breathed a sigh of relief. Making my way to the bar, I smiled softly at Mira as she came out the back to take my order. Not wanting to waste any time hers or mine, I quickly placed an order for kiwi fruit and a strawberry smoothie. I heard the doors open and with a quick look I saw that Gray and Juvia had arrived. Another look round the guild confirmed that neither Master nor Laxus were in sight. Thanking her as she placed both a bowl and a glass in front of me I had taken my first bite when she spoke up.

"Lucy when are you and Natsu going to give me some god babies? Brown-eyed pink-haired babies, onyx-eyed blonde-haired babies. Eeeeeee."

As I started to choke on the fruit now lodged in my throat I realised she couldn't have phrased it better to rip open the worst wounds of my heart. For one moment in time between heartbeats that thought had been a deeply buried far off dream. My mind stalled as I relived Natsu's nightmare.

Flashback:
On the battlefield as I clasped E.N.D. to me with his claw having just thrust itself through my body I realised that I loved him. I couldn't help but think it was a stupid time to come to the realisation when I was dying. I knew that if the spell didn't work I'd lose him for good so I forced the last of my magic into his body willing my Natsu to fight to come back to me. As I lost consciousness I let the words past my lips for the first and unknowns to me last time.

"I love you Natsu Dragneel."

Dragging myself out of my head I swallowed as best I could then gulped down half the glass of water Mira had placed in front of me. Lucky for me Mira assumed the tears gathering in my eyes were a result of the kiwi and not what she said. Realising the best thing to do was ignore it I wiped my face and finished the bowl. With one more glance round I thanked her placed the required jewel on the counter and stood.

"Mira is Master and Laxus in the office yet?"

With a nod of her head as she finished cleaning up my mess I waved and made my way to the second floor. As I reached the top I heard the guild doors slam open. Even before I turned I knew who it was: Natsu. With Gray's name screaming from his lips he charged in already mid-flame. I smiled sweetly as I gazed down watching as my two male teammates converged on each other. Having seen Erza early in the far corner with Jellel, I knew everything was under control. Without waiting further I made my way to the Masters office and knocked.

"Come in Blondie."

Entering I saw both Laxus and Master were already there. Smiling and greeting them I tried to gauge what they had decided. Clearing his throat Master hopped up onto the desk as he started speaking.

"Lucy child I'll get right to the point, we have discussed the matter and I have to say we are deeply concerned about you attempting this mission by yourself. The length of time as well as the distance this mission and your own personal quest would entail is substantial and we feel that it would be detrimental to your health for you to..."

Before he could finish Laxus rose from his chair and interrupted.

"What gramps is trying to say is you aren't going off running all over the country for a year by yourself. It's not safe. End of story."

Sighing under my breath I had known that out of the two of them Laxus was going to be the hard sell. Getting closer to him had made me see what a great guy and guild master he was but the downside was he had become slightly overprotective. Since I'd already had this conversation a thousand different ways in my head I didn't have to think about my answer.

"Masters please don't misunderstand I have thought long and hard about my decision. It isn't easy leaving my home for an indefinite length of time; we've only just gotten it back."

Letting them see the tears and sadness in my eyes I finally had the chance to express what I felt about the disbandment.

"The last year being alone was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. When I needed everyone most they were gone. Master I know you did it so we could grow stronger and follow our dreams but you also broke up my family. You left me alone when I needed you the most. We were all dealing with a horrible situation and having our family abandon us, abandon me was cruel."

I let that thought sink in before I could continue.Clearing my throat I couldn't stop one of my tears from escaping and falling down my face. No matter what had happened since I knew that I was still broken from that time. Yes I became stronger but it was at a cost I never would have paid if not forced into by my 'family'. Gaining control of my emotions I forced myself to get past the pain like always and finish what I started.

"While I'm glad FairyTail is back together you have to understand that for me everyone isn't here. I have to get Aquarius back and on my honour as a celestial wizard I will brave the deepest depths of the ocean to find her. Because that's what FairyTail does isn't it; we fight for our nakama."

Gazing between the two of them I finally let my eyes meet Master's as I firmed my resolve. I saw the moment he realised that this wasn't a prank or a whim for me. That if it came down to a choice between the guild and her that this time, this time I would choose her. Sighing he reached onto the desk and picked up a piece of paper. He looked down at it one more time before gazing at the scowl on Laxus' face and then leaned forward and handed it over. Looking down at the authorised S-Class mission I held my breath waiting for the catch.

"Though I would prefer you take an S-Class wizard with you I can understand your need to accomplish this task yourself. My only advice is to be safe my child and to always remember that a FairyTail Mage is never alone."