I walked the forests of Tenroujima, an island that I had come to get used to. The trees and life on this island don't die once I walk past due to a blessing Mavis told me about. I came here for solitude.

"Zeref?" Mavis asked, walking beside me. I looked down at the Strategist.

"Hmm?"

"You told me. . . that you had given up. Do you really believe you can just let her go like that?" She asked, green eyes analyzing my face for the truth.

". . . No. As I thought, it's impossible to get her out of my mind. I'm plagued by my memories. . . I don't think I'll ever be able to fully escape." I said softly. Holding back tears, I continued "I'm a coward aren't I? Instead of helping her, who has done more for me than she'll ever believe, I decided to sit and rot alone on this island."

Mavis seemed to read the situation. "There is nothing I can do anymore to help you, Zeref." She said as she began to walk away from me. "But you've dug yourself in a deeper hole than you thought." She called to me before disappearing out of sight. I sighed as I thought of ways to escape the pain. I could have Natsu-san kill me. . . he's not ready to do so though. I could sacrifice myself to Acnologia, maybe. . . he wouldn't accept it. Lucy was the sacrifice. I felt a presence in the air that I hadn't noticed before.

"Z-Zeref?"

That voice. The voice that haunts me, yet I love so much. I mentally cursed Mavis, she probably led her to me, dammit. If Lucy's here, I'll just hurt her again and again.

"No" I said, more to myself than to her. I can't hurt her anymore, or let her get hurt for me. Something gleamed in her eyes and she ran up to me with surprising speed and knocked me down. Thoughts of things gone wrong filled my being, I scrambled to get free. She wrapped her slender arms around my waist. I felt tell tale feeling of tears soaking into my robe. I stared at her in awe and worry. If she regains her memories. . . Acnologia won't let her live. I can promise that.

"No!You can't! Your memories. . . he'll come!" I screamed, not letting my words out right. If she's captured or killed, I'll kill myself. Somehow. Someway. I'll join her.

We sat in silence.

"x302?" Lucy asked me. I weakly nodded. "Can you. . . tell me. . . who I am?"

I stared into her eyes, her chocolate brown orbs always entrance me. That stare should be illegal.

"I'm sorry." I said, not being able to find a sound reasoning without releasing any information. We sat in silence for another moment. I inspected her attire, noticing the black sash, I felt a certain warmth. I smiled slightly. She looked at me and smiled as well. "You know. . . I don't know anything about you. I don't even know how I knew your name. You're dark, sad, and a bit scary. . . yet I can't help but feel comfortable with you. So . . . can I stay with you?"

I looked into her eyes, seeing nothing but determination, I sighed. "Okay."

"I'm taking a leave of absence from the guild." Lucy said to her guild as I watched in the shadows. Many of the men there, such as Natsu-san, protested. I felt a small flare of jealousy.

"Aren't we family? Why are you leaving?" A redhead asked. . .well. . . more liek demanded.

"Yes. I think of you all as precious family. . . But I want to find my roots. I've found a lead and intend to follow it." Lucy said. I mentally cursed myself, she won't let it go anymore.

I watched as she said her goodbyes. Few of them gave knowing stares, sensing her determination, I thanked Mavis for that. I decided to go to where we previously met to wait for Lucy in the morning. As I turned to leave, I glanced at her smiling face.

"I missed you. . . " I said, happily.

After walking for awhile, I came across Mavis.

"You set this up." I said in slight exasperation. She smiled innocently. "I know you believe you're powerless if he returns, but I believe that you two will overcome it. I know it." She said. I smirked as I sat against a tree. "Maybe your right."

Rustling was heard a slight distance away, I readied for battle just in case as Mavis left, she'll probably join us later. Lucy emerged from the trees.

"Can we go find somewhere to stay now?" She asked. I smiled slightly. "Yes."