Lucy was tired. Tired of being ignored or yelled at. Half the guild seemed to have forgotten she existed when Lisanna came back, and the other… They shouted at her anytime she tried to talk or get a jobs. This had gone on for months. After the first week, Lucy had been tired, but had still grudgingly accepted that they were excited to have Lisanna back. After two months, it was ridiculous. Lucy sighed, resting her head on the bar counter. Only a few people had actually stuck with her. Team Shadow Gear, Master, Mira (who, even though she was excited about Lisanna, still thought the rest of the guild was acting ridiculously), Wendy, Gajeel, Charla, and Happy. Happy was almost in the same position as Lucy, due to Natsu ignoring him in favor of Lisanna. Levy hopped up on a bar stool next to her and hit her, gently, with a book. Lucy raised her head to glare at Levy.

"Sorry, Lu-chan. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to come book shopping with me," Levy whispered, looking dejected. Lucy straightened up and faked a smile.

"It's okay, Levy. I'll go shopping with you."

Levy squealed and threw her arms around Lucy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I asked Gajeel but he said-"

"What did he do?" Lucy growled, looking for the iron dragon slayer. Levy gulped.

"T-that he already took a job…" she whispered. Lucy sighed.

"Sorry Levy. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't being mean to you, again. Why don't you go on ahead and meet me at my apartment in a bit," she gently suggested, pushing her friend towards the guild doors. As soon as she had said goodbye to Levy, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw Team Natsu gathered, as well as Lisanna.

"Yes?"

Natsu cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. "We want to add Lisanna to Team Natsu."

Lucy smiled tightly. She didn't hate Lisanna, but she still felt a bit miffed at the girl. "Okay."

Natsu looked pained, but Lisanna cut in. "He means they want me to take your place."

"Okay." Lucy would've cried, but she'd been expecting this since the fourth month. Natsu didn't seem to believe her, but Gray and Erza looked relieved. She sighed and pushed past them, back to where Mira was wiping down the counter.

"Hey, is the Master in?"

Mira glanced up at her and nodded her head. Lucy had discussed her plan with those who had remained her friends. They all knew what was going to happen, eventually. Lucy set her hand over Mira's and squeezed. She mouthed "It's time" and walked down the hallway to the Master's office. The small man didn't look surprised to see her. He'd been expecting this for weeks, months even. His children had disappointed him, so he couldn't help but frown.

"It doesn't have to be this way, child. You could stay," he offered, gently holding her right hand.

Lucy shook her head. "Yes it does. I have to go. It's time." Makarov sighed and removed the pink guild mark.

"Come back, eventually." His voice was thick, choked by his unseen tears.

Lucy smiled, a genuine smile, the first one in months. "I always will."

She left his office, holding in her tears and hiding her markless hand in her pocket. No need to alert Team Natsu to what she was doing. She nodded to Mira, who sat down hard, tears slipping down her cheeks. Lucy felt her own eyes grow wet, but she exited the guild before anyone could see. She met Levy at her apartment and told her what had happened. They cried together and Levy helped her pack. Lucy pressed three letters into her hand as she left. One was addressed to the entire guild, one to Team Natsu, and the third was addressed to those who had remained by her side. Levy wiped her eyes and promised to deliver the first two only when the rest of the guild realized Lucy was gone. They walked together to the train station and Levy said goodbye to her best friend.

"Come back soon, Lu-chan."

Lucy smiled softly. "I will."

Gajeel came up behind Levy as she waved to the departing train. He wrapped her in his arms and held her as she cried. When her eyes were dry, he carried her back to the guild to read the third letter to Lucy's friends. As they entered the guild, Natsu ran up to Gajeel, looking for a fight. He noticed Levy's eyes were red and assumed it was Gajeel's fault.

"What did you do to her, metal freak?" Natsu shouted, attracting the attention of the entire guild. Gajeel gently set her down, holding her against him as she swayed.

"He did nothing," Levy said, calm despite the anger she felt for the pink headed slayer at the moment.

Natsu was obviously confused. "Then why are your eyes red?"

"I've been crying, but it's nobody's fault."

This just confused Natsu even more, so she pushed him out of the way to go talk to Mira, who was still on the floor behind the counter. This drew attention to the fact that Mira was crying. Levy pulled Mira into her lap and gently stroked her hair to calm her. She whispered something to Mira, so quiet that the dragon slayers couldn't hear. When she stopped, Mira stood with a new determination and dragged Levy to the Master's office. The guild sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until Master came out and called some names off of a list.

"Would Team Shadow Gear, Gajeel, Wendy, Charla, and Happy please come into my office?"

Those whose names had been called silently walked into the room, only to have their fears confirmed. Lucy was gone. The Master cleared his throat and read the letter:

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for not ignoring or yelling at me for these past months. I'm leaving, or I have left, and I won't be back for a long time. I'm so sorry for any pain I caused you.

Mira- thank you for treating me like an actual person and always listening to my problems. Good luck with your matchmaking. Remember when you told me I was like another little sister? I really felt like you were my older sister and I'm glad you got your real sister back. I could never hate Lisanna, though I am angry with the rest of the guild.

Team Shadow Gear- thank you so much for keeping me sane these past months. I'm sorry I had to break our shopping date, Levy-chan. Bring Gajeel instead. Jet, thank you for helping me with some of those tougher missions. Droy, thank you for keeping me smiling when Levy wasn't around.

Wendy and Charla- thank you for taking care of me when I got hurt on solo missions. I'll really miss you guys. Charla, try giving Happy a chance. Wendy, you were like a little sister to me, and I hope when I come back, we can go on the spa trip you offered.

Gajeel- even though you hurt me a long time ago, I've forgiven you, and so has Levy, so let her in. Tell Lily I said sorry and thank you.

Happy- I'm so sorry to burden you more than I already have, but please keep my disappearance a secret for now. I promise I WILL come back. Thank you for sticking up for me.

If everyone could keep this a secret, I would greatly appreciate it. When the rest figure it out, let them read the other letters. Thank you all again, and I will see you one day soon.

Love

Lucy of Fairy Tail

The Master had had to stop several times to blow his nose and wipe his eyes. Everyone was in tears at the end, even Gajeel, who couldn't rationalize in his head how the two he had hurt most had forgiven him. When the group walked back out into the guild, everyone else was surprised to see the tears. Even Gajeel, the most unfeeling man any of them had met, was crying. Each member of the group was questioned repeatedly, but they respected Lucy's wishes and remained silent. Even Erza couldn't get an answer.

"Leave them alone." Master sat on the bar counter, drinking.

A/N- I really was not expecting the reactions I got to the story! I was so happy! Anywho, I forgot the disclaimer: I don't own fairy tail, only the single OC you will meet in the 2nd chapter.