This is my first NALU (NatsuxLucy) fanfic. I'm used to Sticy, but I've decided to try Nalu for once. It's a bit more difficult for me to write this and it may be confusing, but i hope it will clear up near the end:)

I hope you like this story! enjoy!

I do not own Fairy Tail! (Italicized are in Lucy's POV)

Chapter 1: Broken Hearts

He looked at me with bright, golden eyes, a smile spreading across the features on his face. There was a hint of red on his cheeks, "Luce, guess what? Lisanna and I are finally together!" It took a few seconds for my mind to process what he had just said. The smile on my face faltered. My heart shattered, and it was difficult for me to even stand there, smile, and congratulate him. "So from now, she's going to be going on missions with us? Isn't that great? Me, my best friend, and my girlfriend!"

The wide, grin on his face, was all that kept me from breaking down in front of him. He was happy, and that was all that mattered. "That's would be wonderful, Natsu. I'm very happy for you."

She knew it was wrong for her to be so envious of their relationship. Those smiles, sweet words, and kisses they exchanged caused her heart to shatter. So maybe Natsu has forgotten about her. Maybe now, Lisanna is all he could really ever think about. So maybe, Lucy lost her best friend that she happen to have developed feelings for. So what?

Lucy's chocolate brown eyes moved from one part of the guild hall to another. Sometimes her glance would flicker to her best friend and his girlfriend who had just "risen from the dead." They were both so happy, like nothing else mattered. Really, it seemed as if they had no problems, while Lucy, on the other hand, was alone. Even when she found out her father died, it was just Gray and Levy who were there to support her. Natsu was preoccupied with Mirajane's younger sister, while Erza had set off on an S-class job master had asked for her to do.

She hated the feelings she had for Natsu. Even back when she first realized she was gradually falling for him, she had tried to tell herself it was wrong. He treated her like a younger sister and that was it. Even when Mirajane had insisted that Natsu and her would make a cute couple (which Lucy had almost believed), she knew the moment Lisanna stepped in, he could never look at her as more than just a friend.

Lucy should have stopped depending on him and Gray to save her whenever she was in trouble. She should have stopped thinking they will always be there for her. Because now, she couldn't go on missions with a team, and only when Gray felt up to it. And she really needed money for rent.

She sighed, stood up, and made her way to the request board. There were so many jobs to choose from, and yet they were all difficult. Lucy groaned, Can I really do this? The celestial mage scanned the papers, trying to look for an easier job.

"Find a job, Lucy?" Mirajane smiled at the stellar mage.

Lucy nearly jumped from where she stood, oh jeez! When did she get here? Trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, she tried to force a smile, "Uhm, actually I was thinking..."

"Excellent!" Mirajane interrupted. "I have the perfect job for you. It's really simple, just a little search job. No one else wants to go because its too easy, but I think you'll do it." She smiled a rather suspicious smile. "Its $140000 jewels each."

Lucy's eyes suddenly gleamed. It was enough for two months of rental payment. "Each?" The last word hung in the air.

"It's a collaboration. Though, I'm not quite sure who you will be partnered with. You will have to wait until you get there." Mirajane, once again smiled. Lucy could not help but be suspicious about the job. $140000 jewels just to search for something sounds a little off. If it was that easy, shouldn't it be a lower reward? Not that she was complaining.

Her eyes flickered to Mirajane and back at the request paper. It must be another mage from another guild, but she was not quite sure if this soon to be partner of hers would get along with her. But if it meant money for rent, then she might as well, especially since it is a pretty easy job.

"Okay, I should hurry then," she took a quick glance at the couple by the door. They weren't really paying attention to anything else. "Bye Mira! Thanks!" She gave the take over mage a quick wave of goodbye and walked out of the guild doors. She did not bother to say goodbye to the others, seeing as they were pretty busy, with drinking, and dancing, and in Natsu's and Lisanna's case, making out.

Lucy took another look at the request paper. She was going to have to take the train to Balsam Village. A smile quirked up on her lips at the memories that flooded her mind. That was where Loki had suddenly showed up to save her from perverted creeps. That and the fact that the place was known for those really amazing hot springs. A small vacation afterwards wouldn't hurt.

The stellar mage was exhausted. Four days in the mountains searching for herbs, with the least expected mages to collaborate with; the twin dragon slayers of Sabertooth. One cocky jerk, and another who seemed like he was giving her the silent treatment. Another three days spent trying to relax only to run into them again. And for the white dragon slayer to accuse her of being a stalker!

For once she was glad to be back in Magnolia. Far, Far away from those two Sabertooth mages. She would have been glad if it were other mages from another guild, but why Sabertooth? Especially when they despised Fairy Tail so much. She could only hope that all other events that occurred during that mission would remain unspoken.

"Lucy, how was the job?" Mirajane greeted her with her usual warm smile. Lucy smiled back, and took a seat by the bar. She took note of her surroundings. Everyone was in their usual cheerful mood, but a lot more were drinking. She even noticed Gray taking shots with Natsu and Lisanna. Another tug of pain at her heart. They were smiling at each other, seemingly oblivious to everything else, especially her.

So what ever happened to the five man team that Team Natsu was? It was still a five man team, just a change in members. Sure Gray would help her out with jobs from time to time, but he was usually with the others. Even Happy seemed more cheerful ever since the younger take-over mage returned.

"Lu-chan," Levy took a seat beside her best friend. "You were gone for a whole week, where were you?" Lucy bit her lip. She really wasn't paying attention to anything but the breaking in her heart. It was getting hard to breathe without her eyes tearing up. "What's wrong?" at her question, the stellar mage finally looked to her best friend.

A smile, "Nothing Levy-chan. I'm okay, just tired from that job." No, don't look at her eyes. Eyes filled with so much concern and worry. They make you look pathetic. Lucy turned away as quickly as she had acknowledged her presence. She could not bring herself to even run to her best friend and cry her heart out in her arms, because she knew how weak that would make her look.

"How was your job, then?" Levy questioned. She was worried about her best friend, but she knew better than to push the subject further.

"Incredibly annoying. I'd rather spend a whole week with Erza than be stuck with two arrogant dragon slayers. Really Mira, you didn't know about that did you?" Lucy's gaze moved towards the take-over mage who had an innocent smile on her face.

"Of course not, Lucy. I just chose the job best suited for you," another innocent smile. "Dragon slayers, you say? You must be talking about Sting and Rogue then?" Mira's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Lucy sighed and gave up on questioning the take-over mage any further to prevent any more unnecessary subjects to arise, "It was very simple for something worth so much money. But I don't wanna question it. For once, Lady Luck is on my side." It was true, and the only down side was the fact that she had to work with Sabertooth mages. She was more than happy that occurrences like that were only likely to happen once in a lifetime. Never again will she ever work with such arrogant men.

"Good morning, Lucy, Levy, Mira-nee!" Lisanna, with Natsu right next to her, walked up towards the three female mages. Natsu's arm was wrapped tightly around the younger take-over mage's waist, but only Levy and Mirajane could see. Lucy merely raised a hand to acknowledge their presence and resumed trying to distract herself.

"What are you guys up to?" Natsu gave them a toothy grin, his hand never letting go of Lisanna. His eyes observed the three females from Levy, to Mirajane, and finally, to his best friend whose back was turned to them.

"Oh, we're just talking about finding our Lucy someone to spice up her love life," Mirajane smiled, while Lucy coughed behind them, her face a dark shade of red. "In fact, she just had her first date with the dragon slayer duo of Sabertooth."

"What?" Natsu's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Luce, you went on a date with them?"

Lucy did not look back to meet his gaze, but rather stood up, her hands on the table, "I'm sorry. I'm very tired. I think I'll head home for the day. Excuse me..."

The group watched as the stellar mage left, her shoulders slightly slumped. Natsu let go of Lisanna, confused and worried about his best friend. There was something wrong with her, but she has been so distant lately that it was becoming difficult for him to approach her.

"Neh, Natsu?" I smiled up at my pink-haired best friend. He stood by the river bank, while I watched the water flow. "We're always going to be a team right?" He looked at me incredulously, as if he could not believe I just asked that question.

"Of course, Luce!" He raised a hand in the air, a toothy grin flashed at me. "I'm always going to protect you, we're nakama, and don't you forget that." I could not help but smile at his words, my heartbeat suddenly spiked. I looked down, one hand over my chest. There was a unique feeling surfacing, the heat rose to my face, the beating of my heart quickening.

"I hope it will always be like this."

"Silly, you're acting un-Lucy like. Of course it's always going to be like this. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Lucy looked around the nearly empty room. Why exactly was she doing this? She was afraid. She has already lost so many people she cared about, she just could not watch someone else walk out of her life. This time, she was the one who was going to walk away.

Don't cry. But already tears were beginning to form at the corners of her eyes. If you do, you'll never be able to move on. Pushing the tears back, she zipped her suitcase, one last look around the place, before walking downstairs to hand over her apartment keys.

The night air was peaceful, no breeze, just the silence and the smooth flow of the water. She looked up, no stars visible, just the moon, and a blank, empty midnight blue sky. "I'm going to miss this place. When I become stronger, both physically and emotionally, I promise I'll come back." She was not sure if she meant what she said, unsure if she can really move on and pretend like she never once held feelings for Natsu.

"Natsu! You baka! You didn't have to destroy the whole building!" I placed both hands on my hips, my eyes narrowed in anger at the fire dragon slayer who continuously apologized, both hands clasped together. "There goes my rent," I sighed.

"Let's go on another job, Luce! I promise I will try not to destroy anymore buildings!" He smiled his signature grin and I could not help but accept his apology and smile back.

"Fine. Fine." We made our way back to Magnolia, walking rather than taking the train. I tried to avoid having Natsu spill the contents of his stomach on my clothes again. It was a little before sunset when we came to a stop in the middle of the forest. It was wonderful sight, especially with the moon shining right above us. The scenery alone was enough to make me smile.

Natsu had created a campfire, eating some of the flames every now and then. I took a glance at him only to find him staring at me, a lopsided smile on his face. "What?" I asked him, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.

"I dunno," he shrugged, "I just really like it when you're smiling." I could feel the blush rising to my cheeks. "Luce, I'm going to make sure you always have that smile on your face. If anybody makes you frown, or cry, I will make sure they regret it."

Natsu was seated beside Lisanna, every now and then running a hand over her arm. She was saying something, but he wasn't quite sure what exactly. Other things were running through his mind. Something was wrong with Lucy, and he could not help but be worried. The stellar mage did not show up to the guild and it was bothering him to no end. No sign of long, blond hair to be seen.

The fire mage took another quick look around. He felt as if he had abandoned her. He should have confronted her back when he first began to suspect there was something wrong. It has been a couple of months now since he last saw her genuinely smile. Even back when he had told her the news that he and Lisanna had finally gotten together, her smile differed greatly from before.

What bothered him most was the fact that Mirajane had told them the day before that Lucy had gone on a date with Sting and Rogue. What exactly was she thinking going on a date with two dangerous mages? He should have gone with her on that mission, but he just could not leave Lisanna behind.

"Natsu?" The fire mage turned to his girlfriend, and eyebrow raised in question, "What's wrong?"

"I'm just worried. I haven't seen Lucy all day," the sudden shift in the take-over mage's posture caused Natsu to look at her with curiosity. He noticed the way she suddenly felt uncomfortable, her gaze travelling away from his.

"Natsu...Nee-san told me, that Lucy left last night."

I screamed then kicked the warm body laying comfortably beside me. "Natsu! What are you doing here?!" I jumped off the bed and pulled the blanket off Natsu's sleeping form. He slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the darkness in the room. "Go home Natsu."

"But I like sleeping in your bed, Luce." He shut his eyes and went back to sleep. I sighed and walked over to the sofa. "Lucy...we can sleep together." Heat rose to my face at his words. Ignoring him, I continued to walk and plop myself down on the sofa, pulling the blanket over me. It was another one of those nights.

The following morning was not one of the best mornings. I woke up to the sound of Natsu and Happy rummaging through my already empty refrigerator and when I stood up, I could feel an ache in my body. Damn sleeping on the sofa. I don't know how Natsu could put up with it sometimes.

"Natsu, could you try not crash in here so often?" At those words, the dragon slayer feigned a look of hurt on his face.

"Come on Luce. I love your place. I don't think I would know what to do with my life without you and without it."

I sighed. It was just so difficult to say no to him.

Lucy wanted to scream, yell, and kick the nearest thing around her. She felt like the world was against her. She had made the decision to take an nice, long, vacation in Balsam Village, feeling a little more relaxed in the village than anywhere else. But to have to encounter one of the two most arrogant men in the world, she was really beginning to think fate was playing with her.

He seemed extremely pissed off, but so was the stellar mage. "What the hell are you doing here, blondie?" He glared at her, the playful tone from a couple of days back no longer present.

"None of your business," Lucy walked past him, trying to avoid any more conflict.

"Did Natsu-san finally decide to dump you? Is that why you packed your bags and left?" Lucy froze and turned to glare at the White Dragon Slayer. It really did look as if she was running away, with two filled suitcases in hand.

"For your information, Natsu and I are just friends. I only came here to get some peace and quiet," she turned away from him and continued to walk in the direction of the inn, where she was reserved to stay, but then paused. "What are you doing here?"

Their backs were turned to each other, neither one looking at the other. A cold breeze swept by, and they stood there in silence. Lucy waited for his response though it seemed as if he was not going to reply. The gush of wind was all that could be heard.

"That's...none of your business."

"Then don't try to meddle with mine." Lucy took a small step forward, but stopped when Sting spoke again.

"Guess we're on the same boat huh?"

How was it?

Read and Review Please!:)