The Heartache

When the blonde mage woke up in the morning she was prepared to see pink hair next to her bed, but to her dismay, he was not. Lucy whimpered a small amount, she would never tell him that, but it made her sad when he wasn't here. She sat in her bed for a couple minutes thinking about what she was going to do today.

Lucy had figured out that she was in love with Natsu from the moment they fought Kain on Tenrou Island, she never said anything about it though and that was almost a year ago. She tried her hardest to make him realize what she felt without telling him, that would just be too embarrassing for Lucy. When she didn't leave him on the island he looked at her with so much admiration that she wanted to see it forever.

Even after the games, her feelings grew immensely. She tried to hide it then too, but it may have been too noticeable.

She believed that she wouldn't make it off that island at all, so she would never leave him. She thought that he understood the underlining message she was sending but nothing came of it. He never showed interest in her after that, never told her anything like she wanted to.

Lucy walked into her bathroom, skipping the mirror, going straight into the shower. As the hot water hit her face she thought about why he wouldn't like Lucy, she thought that she was attractive before coming to Fairy Tail.

The blonde would always look in the mirror and admire her curves and beautiful features on her face but now, she didn't look at herself the same. Lucy would look for hours at her features, what was wrong with her that Natsu didn't want. He was simple, he liked food, he liked sleeping but he just didn't seem to like Lucy.

When she left the shower, Lucy stared at her foggy reflection, sighing when she saw her blonde hair matted down her face in an unattractive way. Maybe that's why he doesn't like me, she thought to herself.

As Lucy was walking down the street to the guild, she looked around at the people and saw girls that were way more attractive than her. She wondered if Natsu thought they were attractive.

Lucy had to put on a smile for her guildmates, she was happy but not when she knew Natsu didn't feel the same way about her. It hurt to know that the one you love doesn't love you back, she doesn't even know if he remotely likes her.

Lucy walked through the open doors of the strongest guild in Fiore, it was a hot day, that's probably why the doors were wide open. Lucy also dressed for the weather with her black pleaded skirt and a loose-fitting white shirt. Her boots were brown that matched her belt and key holder. Lucy left her hair down because she was in too much of a hurry to get here.

To her left she saw Gray and Natsu fighting, she tried not to look to closely at Natsu's muscles, or his loose pink hair flowing whenever he moved. Lucy tore her eyes away and looked to the bar where Mira was gazing at her with a twinkle in her eyes.

The stellar mage sighed as she sat in her usual bar stool, this was not going to be fun, "Hey Mira! Can I get a strawberry yogurt?" Lucy asked in a polite voice, hinting that she didn't want to talk about it.

"Oh, of course Lucy!" the white-haired mage smiled sweetly to her and went to get what she asked for. Lucy was very suspicious about this, hopefully she doesn't try anything. "Natsu!" she yelled as she sat down the bowl in front of Lucy, "I need your help with something!"

Lucy turned her head slightly to see that Natsu saw she was sitting there and smiled, she smiled out of reaction. She loved his smile, his canines were sharp and dangerous, she wanted to lick them. Lucy shook her head; damn, when did that happen?

A weight was set on her shoulders and a blush painted on her face, "Hey Luce, didn't know you were here." His breath was so close to her ear, she almost sighed in euphoria. Almost.

"I only just got here Natsu. Don't feel bad." She gave him a small smile as he sat in a stool next to her. His arm rolled off of her and she missed his warmth, even if it was very hot outside. His warmth was a feeling and she wanted it forever, his warmth was comfortable.

He smiled but to Lucy it looked forced, "So, Mira what did you need me for?" he questioned, leaning his elbows on the counter. Great! He was even changing the subject. He's so uncomfortable around me.

Mira tilted her head and giggled, "I wanted to know something," her eyes glanced to Lucy who furrowed her eyebrows. "What is your ideal girlfriend?" Lucy chocked on her own spit.

Natsu tilted his head, actually thinking, Lucy gazed at him from her seat. She didn't think he would put any thought into it. "Well, I would have to say. A girl would be nice." Mira looked like she wanted to throw something at him. Lucy just shook her head, of course he would answer like that.

"Of course, it would be a girl. What else would you want your girlfriend to have?" she tried again, and Lucy just kept her head down, this was not going to end well. Keep your hopes down.

"Hmm, she would have to be nice." Natsu held his chin in his hand, "Oh! She has to know how to cook!" he exclaimed with a wide smile.

Mira looked at Lucy and the blonde just shook her head, telling her to stop. The barmaid smiled at her sympathetically, but the celestial mage just looked back down at her empty bowl.

"Luce! We should take a job." Lucy nodded, walking over to the board with him to look at jobs.

Some of them were monster killing missions that she didn't think they should take, one was a missing cat. She scoffed at that, that was a newbie job. One was fixing a village that was destroyed by a wyvern. That didn't seem to bad, she turned to Natsu who was looking over her shoulder.

Lucy yelped and stepped back out of surprise, "What did you find something?" he asked.

"Uh, it doesn't have any fighting. So maybe we should pick something else." The stellar mage suggested, and he picked a flyer, stretching over her shoulder, picking one about fighting.

Town needs help with rogue mages damaging buildings and injuring townspeople.

Reward: 500,000 Jewel

Lucy looked over the details of the mission and saw that it was in the neighboring village. It looked easy enough for them and it was enough for her rent for the month.

Turning her head towards the fire dragon slayer, seeing that his eyes were looking away from her to the people in the guild. "Yeah, this is great. Did you want to bring someone else?" She tried, he looked like he wanted to ask someone else to go with them.

"Uh, no. its fine." He scratched the back of his head. Did he really not want to be around her?

Her fingers gripped the flyer tighter, ripping one side as her nail went through the white paper. She cleared her throat, "O-okay, um, did you want to leave today?" He nodded and smiled towards her, walking off to pound Gray for saying something stupid to him.

She never got a clear answer as to when they were leaving, maybe Happy would come with them too. Lucy walked over to the small Exceeds sitting at a table. Carla and Pantherlily were having a conversation with each other as Happy was munching on a huge fish.

The blue cat looked up as the blonde walked closer, "Hey Lucy! What's up?"

The stellar mage sat in front of the Exceeds with a small smile, "Hey Happy, Natsu and I just picked a job. Would you like to join us?" Happy nodded excitedly. Lucy smiled at him but looked back over to Natsu who was actually talking to Lisanna and not being up Gray like she thought.

His smile was bright and very toothy, she giggled at the pink-haired mage; holding a hand to her mouth. Lucy watched as Lisanna's hand grazed Natsu's arm as he stepped closer to her. The blonde gritted her teeth, should she be jealous as someone who is not even with her.

"Lucy, you okay?" Happy's paw rested on her elbow, he looked concerned. She only nodded to him, slowly and she picked up the small cat. The blonde started to pet the exceed as he started to purr.

The stellar mage walked over to Natsu and Lisanna, holding Happy in her arms, both mages looked over to the blonde. "Hey guy," Lucy started quietly, "Um, Happy said he would go with us. Did you want to leave now?" she asked as Happy flew out of her arms to sit on Natsu's fluffy pink hair.

"Sure, we can go. See you later Lisanna, we can go when I get back." Natsu smiled at Lisanna before walking off with Lucy to their job.

Lucy wondered what he was talking about, were they going on a job after they get back? Maybe she needed his help with something. She didn't know, but she let out a long breath, walking behind the slayer and floating exceed.

The village was only a short ways away, so the partners decided to walk the whole way. It may only take a day to get there and capture the rogue mages. Lucy grazed over Pyxis' key, he told her that the village was 2 hours away from their current spot. Oh, that's shorter than what I thought it was.

"Um, the village is only 2 hours away." She explained to Natsu who turned around with his hands behind his head.

"Oh, neat! I want to get back as soon as possible." He stated with a smiled showing off his canines, he started walking backwards, looking towards Lucy. Happy was strutting slowly with the two mages because of his little legs.

Lucy's hands fiddled with her shirt, "Any reason why?" She tried but he just shrugged at her and turned back around. Great, he didn't want to talk to her.

She was about to say something else, however, a bright shimmer was to her left. Out popped up Loke, in his crisp suit and shaded glasses. His smirk evident on his face, he took her hand to kiss the top of it. "Princess, I came to accompany you on this walk." He stared but leaned closer to her ear, "I felt your stress, I came to make you feel better."

Loke and Lucy had talked about her feelings and Loke told her the truth, even if she didn't like it. The spirit mage told her that Natsu probably didn't have feelings for her and Lucy had cried. All night. He comforted her and told her to move on, but she couldn't. She still wanted to know if he did or not and maybe she could move on. In order for Lucy to move on, she would have to get away from Natsu, she didn't know if she could do that alone.

"Thank you." She whispered to her friend.

Their walk was fixed with multiple conversations with Lucy and Loke while Natsu and Happy talked with each other. At one point, Natsu had told Happy something that made him squeal and fly in a circle in the air.

Lucy and Loke had no idea what they were talking about, but her heart clenched at the thought that maybe it wasn't about her. Especially at the blush on Natsu's tan face. Loke just rubbed his masters back in comfort.

Once the group arrived at the village, Loke went back to ensure his strength for the fight later. Natsu started sprinting towards the Major's office. Happy flying max speed behind him while Lucy was falling behind them. She tried running after them, but she wasn't fast enough.

Lucy finally got to them as Natsu was bouncing on the heels of his feet, she guessed that he didn't want to do the talking and let Lucy do it.

The blonde knocked on the large wooden door and stood back for the Major. After a few minutes and Natsu grumbling that it was taking too long, the door swung open with a small maid peeked out from the corner. "Yes, how can I help you?"

Lucy shifted her feet and waved towards her, "Hi, we are the Fairy Tail mages for the mission." Behind her Natsu smiled to the timid maid with his sharp canines.

"Uh, okay. Come on in, I'll go get Major Ken." The maid stepped aside and ushered the mages to the lounge area. Lucy looked around at the giant manor that housed the Major. It wasn't overly expansive, but it was extravagant. Pillars and lots of house plants, were all over the lounge with a leather couch in the center.

Natsu fell onto the couch with a bounce and Happy gently sat on his head. Lucy slowly walked over to the couch, when she sat down the couch squeaked; Natsu and Happy chuckled at her but she glared at them to stop.

They heard footsteps to the left of them, they saw a tall man in a red crisp suit and shinny black loafers. Lucy thought the color of his suit was too much, it was a deep maroon color with a bright white tie. As the Major sat down, he unbuttoned his suit vest and shifted it behind him as he sat in a big leather chair in front of the couch the mages sat in.

"Hello, my name is Ken and I seem to have a problem in my village." His voice was smooth and gruff.

Before Lucy could ask him more details, Natsu blurted out, "Yeah, where are they? I wanna fight them!" he held up a fist in an aggravated manner. Lucy slapped his arm and narrowed her eyes at him, Natsu slinked back in the couch as Happy was being very quiet.

The Major coughed and shifted his vest, "Right, well you must be the famous Salamander that loves to destroy things."

"That's me!" He pointed a thumb to his chest and gave a half smile.

He hummed, and Lucy thought they might not get all the reward for his mission, she sighed and lowered her head to her hands. "Well, the criminal mages have been stealing from shops during the day and injuring my townspeople. I've heard of an old woman, I've known since I have young, she was pushed into a glass door; breaking her hip." Lucy cringed at that, she's heard that hurts.

"Do you know what they look like?" Lucy asked, trying to make a mental note since she forgot her notepad.

The Major turned his head to the stand beside him, pulling out a folder. He handed the thin folder to Lucy who flipped through the papers and photos. There were only two photos of two men, they looked like twins but one of them had a giant scar across his face.

"They were put away a couple of years ago in the neighboring town but was let out a couple weeks ago. It hasn't stopped since then and I am not having it. When you two do capture them, I will make sure they never get let out." Major Ken explained while holding a fist on the arm chair.

Lucy stood up and with determination in her mocha eyes, "Don't worry sir, we will help you get these two behind bars." Natsu jumped up beside her with flames lighting his fists.

"Yeah!" He screamed as Happy flew up in the air letting out a small 'Aye sir' with them.

The Major let out a small smile at the mages in front of him. What they told him about the guild of Fairy Tail was true, they are very strong-minded, he just hoped this pink-haired mage didn't destroy his town.

"Well, thank you both. I hope this won't be too hard of a job for you two." He stood up to his feet and buttoned his vest again before shaking the stellar mage's hand.

Lucy, Natsu and Happy were patrolling the village food market. Happy was standing on the fire dragon's shoulder, waiting for something to happen. The blonde was looking all around at the stuff she wanted to buy and not focused on the job at hand.

After they passed the second bread stand Natsu heard a scream from behind them, he turned his head and Lucy watched him, wondering why he stopped walking. Then the dragon slayer ran towards the noise, Lucy only followed behind him; in his shadow.

Lucy gazed passed the slayer to see the two criminals beating up some teenagers and stealing their bags. "Open gate of the bull, Taurus!" Lucy silently chanted, she didn't was to attract their attention.

However, Natsu held up his fist aflame, smiling sinisterly at the criminals. Her partner ran to the criminals, full force and having patrons' part for him. Lucy just sighed, shaking her head as she followed him with her bull spirit walking with her.

Natsu's flames were flying wild, flying right passed a woman's face, making her child jump back and falling on their butt. He was punching one of the twins in the face while the other one jumped up on Natsu back, clawing his neck. At that time, Happy flew up with his wings to smack the back twin in the head.

"Can you get that one off of him?" Lucy asked the bull who threw his axe over his shoulder.

"No, problem Miss Luuuuucy." Steam coming out of his nose, rattling the nose ring. The bull pulled the rogue mage off Natsu, throwing him to the ground, sending dust everywhere.

"What the hell? Who the fuck are you?" The mage asked while leaning on his elbows, Lucy looking at his hands, seeing that it was glowing red.

"Taurus-" Lucy tired to warn her spirit, reaching towards him. Yet, the mage blasted her spirit in the face with an explosion. Her bull spirit disappeared in a glittery flash, as Lucy gasped. The stellar mage was angry, he hurt her friend and it looked like Natsu was working on beating the shit out of the other twin with a giant scar on his face.

Her whip was undid from her belt and lashed it to her side while she stepped up to him. Her fleuve d'etoiles glowed a bright blue color, with her mocha eyes engrossed on her target. The mage got on his feet glaring her down as well. Lucy determined that he looked no older than 25. The blonde unrolled her whip so fast that it swiped his face and he couldn't do anything about it.

His cheek was dripping blood when his gaze turned back to her. He started shooting explosions at her with both of his hands, almost hitting her feet. Lucy had to jump up between her left and right feet and jumped back to avoid them.

"Open gate of the lion: Leo!" She swung her key in front of her. A shining light was beside her as her most trusted spirit shrugged in his suit jacket.

"What can I help you with my Princess?" His cat ears twitched, as he caught the noise of loud bangs from before him. then saw a bright red and yellow light coming at them, he immediately threw a regulus punch to the explosion.

Lucy tried to throw her whip to capture his feet together, but he was smarter than she thought, he kicked it out of his way in midair. Loke ran towards the mage, his fists ready, using his Regulus Gatling impact on the mages face. The criminal was taking every punch because he couldn't move otherwise.

Her feet shifted as she thought she wasn't doing enough, until a blast was towards her, she wasn't paying attention to the fight since she was watching Natsu finish off one twin and attempting to tie him up. She was suddenly lifted off her feet as the blast went off where she was standing.

Lucy lifted her head and saw Happy hold her in the air by the back of her shirt. "Thank you Happy!" She smiled to the blue cat.

"Aye Sir! You are very heavy so I'm dropping you off over here." The exceed dropped her off to the side, by another vendor stand.

Normally Lucy would yell at him but now since her confidence was lower, she just sighed and looked down at herself. After another five minutes both rogue mages were caught and tied up. Yet, Lucy was standing off to the side as Loke went back to the Celestial realm and Natsu whooped and high fived Happy.

xxxLINExxx

The group was walking back to their town after the Rune Knights took the twin mages away. The Major was very pleased with their job, other than the many stands that Natsu had destroyed in the process of getting the rogue mages.

Natsu was chatting and telling stories with Happy while Lucy hung back from them. She felt like she didn't do enough on this job, she felt weak, and she didn't want to be around anyone. As she walked, she held her right arm with her left. Lucy barely talked to Natsu and Happy, she didn't want to or else they might make fun of her.

After an hour of them walking through the woods, they arrived in Magnolia. It was very late almost 9 at night, when Natsu pushed open the guild doors. Lucy was surprised when most of the guild was still there, she would only stay for little but saw that Natsu ran over to Lisanna once they arrived. They smiled to each other and left the guild together without Happy.

Lucy walked over to Mira to get something to drink, "Hey Mira! Can I get a water?" Maybe if she didn't get smoothies all the time, she wouldn't get so heavy.

The white-haired mage smiled and quickly got an ice-cold glass of water for the stellar mage, "Can you believe how grown up Natsu's become?" Lucy could hear the excitement in her voice.

What was she talking about? Natsu being grown up? After Lucy took a drink, she set it down with a confused face, "What?"

"He asked Lisanna on a date, that's where they are now!" The takeover mage smiled with hearts in her eyes. However, Lucy stopped, they were on a date? Why didn't Natsu tell her? Now, she really had to get over him, she didn't even get to tell him how she felt.

Lucy coughed into her cup of water, "Um, yeah that's, uh great." She mumbled.

Once Mira walked over to help someone else, Lucy pushed the glass away from her. She walked out the guild doors and hugged herself as she walked to her apartment. She didn't want to cry but she felt the tug in her heart that hurt so much. Lucy took a breath but chocked out a sob.

"Damnit." The blonde whispered, wiping her eyes, trying not to cry.

Then she arrived at she place of solitude, slamming the door behind her, she didn't know if she was angry or sad. Finding her bed, she fell on it, letting a pillow fall to the floor but holding another one. Laying on top of the covers and holding a pillow to her chest.

Her tears fell on her sheets as she silently cried to herself.

This was something I wanted to write for a while, I want it to be different from the other Natsu rejects Lucy. I've been through this kind of heartache, being around someone you like a lot, but they don't want you at all. It hurts.