For the newer readers, this story is based after the Grand Magic Games, but... it's after my Grand Magic Games, because when I started this story the Grand Magic Games arc was just starting. So, basically, Sabertooth won, Fairy Tail was second, and gained their respect back. Lucy left to get stronger, and all the messed up but really cool shit from the point Minerva kicked Lucy's ass on didn't happen. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

Italics are flash backs.

A now twenty-two year old Natsu smiled widely. He looped one arm around Gray's neck, and one around Rei's. "That was great!" he shouted, causing several people walking down the street to look over irritably.

"Keep it down, Flame Brain, people are staring." Gray grumbled.

"What was that, you-"Natsu started. His sentence, however, was cut off when Erza hit both him and Gray over the head with the hilt of her sword.

Rei shifted away nervously. Gray grinned towards the newest Fairy Tail member. The brunette, blue eyed Earth Mage had just recently joined the guild, but had become immediate friends with Gray, and by extension, Natsu, Erza, and Happy as well.

"Well that was fun, huh?" Gray said. "How was that for your first Fairy Tail mission?"

"It was… pretty fun." Rei said quietly.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you!" Natsu shouted.

"I said it was fun!" Rei shouted back. Natsu stared at him for a moment, and then broke into a toothy grin.

"Yeah!" He agreed loudly. Erza hit Natsu over the head again.

"Quiet Natsu, you're disturbing the peace."

"Aye!" Happy smirked, flying higher when Natsu swatted at him.

As they neared the Fairy Tail building, they noticed a big crowd outside. Frowning, they moved closer. Three people, plus two Exceed, stood in front of them, with nearly every Fairy Tail member crowding around the doorway to the building. Two men stood, arms crossed, a bit behind the third person.

As Natsu and the others joined their Nakama, they realized who this third person was, and why their guild was so quiet. The last person was a girl. She stood slightly in front of the two men and their Exceed. She was wearing a dark purple skirt, ripped black leggings, leather boots, and a black leather vest. Her long blonde hair reached to the middle of her back, even while pulled up in a thick ponytail. She also had piercing brown eyes and a sly smile that pierced the hearts of every Fairy Tail member that has been in the guild for more than at least five years.

As she watched the slow recognition dawn on their faces, the young woman smirked and licked her strawberry sucker.

She was Sabertooth's strongest member. She was Jiemma's favorite. She was practically the daughter of her guild leader. She was-

"Lucy Heartfilia."

Natsu's POV

The second Laxus spoke her name, chaos broke out. Levy burst into tears, turning to hug Jet and Droy, who also started crying. Elfman wrapped his arms around Lisanna. Team Natsu, now consisting of Erza, Gray, Natsu, Happy, and Rei, all wore emotionless masks.

Rei had never met Lucy, he was eighteen now, and had only been in the guild a few days, but he'd heard the stories of the strongest Celestial Spirit Mage. When he came to Fairy Tail, he was shocked to learn she wasn't there.

"Um,Gray? Where is Lucy Heartfilia? Is she not part of your group? The magazine said..." Rei asked quietly. Only the people at that table heard her question. Erza threw her strawberry cake at the wall angrily, Natsu pushed off the table and stormed out, and Grays face hardened.

"Lucy… left. It's a sensitive subject, so don't bring it up around anyone but me, okay?"

Rei nodded, and slid his gaze over to Erza, who hadn't moved since she's thrown her cake. Rei could see the pain in her eyes, as well as the tears that the Titania wouldn't allow to fall. He turned to look at the debris left after Natsu had stormed out. The door was loose from the top hinge, the floor was smoking, and flames lapped at the windows. Mira sighed and extinguished the fire. Elfman picked the door up and fixed it back into place, all the while going on about how handy it was to have a good man around in times of crisis.

Now, looking at the Lucy of Sabertooth, Rei wished he had sucked it up long enough to ask Gray why Lucy left.

Licking her sucker again, Lucy smiled slyly. "Yo."