Everything was finally back to normal in the beautiful city of Magnolia. The citizens continued about with their daily lives, unaware of the events that almost led to Magnolia's total annihilation. The air was sweet with the smell of cherry blossoms and the sounds of the bustling city filled the streets. Cardia Cathedral proudly stood sentry over them all and the bells tolling could be heard all the way at Magnolia's local magic guild, Fairy Tail. The mages of Fairy Tail were finally settling in again after a whole week of nonstop celebrating. Everyone had returned from Edolas safe and sound along with the exceeds and more importantly…Lisanna. The white-haired, blue-eyed beauty was back home and the whole guild basked in that miracle. However, there were three people whose exuberance outshined the rest of the guild. Even three days after her return, Mirajane and Elfman showered their baby sister with love and attention. Elfman smothered her in bone crushing hugs and Mira was constantly preparing her delicious food. But it was Natsu that seemed the happiest. For the past week, the pink-haired mage had stuck to her like glue. Refusing to let her leave his sight when she entered the guildhall every morning. Even now they sat at a table surrounded by Team Natsu.

"Lis I still can't believe you're back! We all missed you like crazy!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Aye!" Happy agreed as the blue tomcat flew around his adoptive father's head.

"I missed you guys too." she said.

Natsu looked over at his old friend and couldn't help the smile that broke out on his handsome face, canines flashing and all.

Lisanna took one look at the fire dragon slayer and her cheeks began to turn red and she quickly looked away.

From the bar she could hear her brother shouting how blushing was manly or some other nonsense.

"Big Brother Elfman, how many times do I have to remind you I'm a woman!" she whined.

Everyone at the table broke out into laughter around her and when Natsu threw his arm around her shoulders she could feel her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest.

I sat across the guild at an empty table watching my team catch up with Lisanna. It'd been like this for almost a week, my team all laughing and having a good time while I observed from afar. I watched as they all burst out laughing over something Lisanna said and I felt a miniscule part of my heart break off and die as I watched Natsu put his arm around her shoulders to pull her closer. During the short time that Lisanna returned from Edolas, she and I had gotten along extremely well. The girl seemed kind and caring just like her older sister and she had the funniest stories to tell about Natsu. But that doesn't mean it didn't still hurt every time he saw the way Natsu looked at her or how he completely ignored me when I was at the guild, all for the sake of spending time with Lisanna.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the obnoxious dragon slayer and his blue feline trashing my apartment every evening. Despite these depressing feelings, I was happy to see the old friends reunited. And so, every day for the past week I shoved down my feelings and plastered a smile on my face for my friends. I did my best to shove the heartbreak deep down. I was gathering my courage to walk over and join my team when I heard Natsu speak up.

"Things just haven't been the same without you here Lis. It's like I finally have my family again!"

I froze where I stood as I watched Natsu give Lisanna his signature fangy smile. The one that had melted my heart countless times in the past. The smile that had reassured me everything was going to be okay in times of hopelessness. I felt my heart thud dully in my chest and I quietly slipped out of the guild doors to begin the lonely walk back to my apartment on Strawberry Street.

BACK AT THE GUILD

In the corner of the guildhall sat a rather large and burly man. Iron studs adorned his face and arms, and his piercing red eyes watched the drama unfold with distain. His only companion at the table, a black tomcat sitting with his little paws crossed, gazed out at the guild like his stoic companion. Gajeel watched as Bunny Girl slinked out of the guild and he kinda felt sorry for her. He knew how much she cared for the ungrateful little shit. Gajeel looked over at Salamander to see him still grinning like an idiot at the white-haired girl and he had the urge to get up and punch him in his stupid face. Anyone with eyes could tell the celestial mage harbored feelings for the fire dragon slayer, everyone but Salamander it seemed and it annoyed Gajeel to no end how he was constantly taking advantage of the girl's kindness. He had to notice his supposed 'best friend' was no longer in the guildhall, right? But no, the idiot just continued laughing with the rest of his team without a care in the world. He glanced over at the bar and noticed Mira looking at Team Natsu's table with a troubled look in her eyes. She looked over at Gajeel and when their eyes met, they shared an understanding look. This whole situation could get ugly fast.

BACK AT LUCY'S APARTMENT

I lounged in the tub for a long time just trying to sift through my chaotic thoughts. The water was no longer hot but lukewarm and I looked down to see my fingers and toes had begun to shrivel from being in the water too long. I sighed and prepared to get out, but my thoughts gave me pause again.

'I don't want to feel this way anymore. Constantly questioning my relationship with my friends, my family, my nakama…Was I merely a substitute? Just a replacement? A sorry placeholder after Lisanna was gone?' She had to choke back tears as the awful thoughts plagued her mind. 'And what about Natsu? Was our entire friendship all a big lie as well? After everything we've been through together…I considered him and Happy my family, but it looks like I was never really a part of theirs…'

I shook my head sharply and slapped my cheeks. 'I'm being ridiculous. They just really missed Lisanna! They grew up together! They thought she died for Mavis' sake! Even if we're not as close as I thought we were, and even though the flame brain may never return my feelings, Natsu and Happy are still my closest friends in Fairy Tail and as their friend I should be happy for them…I'm going to give them time to rebuild their friendship with her. It's the least I can do after all they've done for me.'

I let out a deep sigh.

'And it'll give me a chance to get my emotions in check' I thought guiltily.

'The team is supposed to be starting missions again tomorrow but maybe… I'll take a solo mission and let Team Natsu spend time with Lisanna. And when they come back maybe Lisanna and I could even take a mission together. If Natsu considers her family, I'll do my best to get to know her even better and hopefully we can become good friends as well.'

My mind more at ease, I climbed out of the tub and finished my nightly routine. It wasn't very late, and I thought about calling out Plue to keep me company, but I felt drained both mentally and emotionally so instead I climbed into bed for the night. I rolled towards my window to look out onto the dark streets of Magnolia, hoping that I'd wake up to a head of pink hair and a ball of blue fur in my bed beside me. It wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep, my hand clenching my shirt over my breaking heart.