It's been over four months since Lisanna got back from Edolas, ever since then I have been ignored by mostly the entire guild except Happy, Carla, Levy, Gajeel, Lilly, Juvia, Mira and Master, they still talk to me occasionally when I'm around the guild. I feel as if I were a replacement for Lisanna and now that she's back my existence is no longer needed, Natsu doesn't even come round my apartment anymore. Even Wendy ignores me. I like Lisanna though, I have absolutely nothing against her, she's really kind and sweet and very pretty. I understand that everyone thought she was dead and everyone missed her and that it's a miracle that she's come back but that doesn't mean I have to be ignored and excluded by everyone right? I'm still apart of this family, aren't I?

"Hey, Luce!" A warm feeling filled my heart as Natsu's voice called the nickname he had given me almost immediately after we had met. I don't know why exactly but when Natsu acknowledged me after such a long time I felt so happy and relieved like a weight had lifted off of my shoulders, but then I saw his face, his face looking serious, he only ever looked like that when he was about to say something important, which wasn't often that or when he was pissed at the enemy. My heart along with my smile sank to my stomach and the feeling of relief turned into a pool of anxiety awaiting what he was about to say.
I had known this would happen soon, it was so clear what he was about to say next I could have stood and smiled and said something along the lines of 'before you ask I want to quit the team' it would have helped a lot and what entailed wouldn't have happened and I could still keep my dignity and face everyone in the guild. But no, I didn't like jumping to conclusions so I heard him out, I wish I hadn't

"Y-yeah Natsu? W-Whats up?" I asked choking back my fears causing me to stutter.

"Well...The team and I were talking and well... we thought it would be best if you weren't apart of it. You're just too weak and uh, We're tired of having to save you all the damn time. You're out of the team." Natsu said not looking me in eye as if he were feeling guilty. If he actually felt guilty about it then he wouldn't be kicking me off the team without actually seeing how much more powerful I had become, since Lisanna had taken my place on the last few missions I decided to train and go on some on my own, guess that meant nothing now. I noticed he had his hands clenched as if he were waiting for me to show an emotion like anger or sadness or violence to the words he had just said but I bit back the tears and the words that I wanted to yell at him and the others, it wasn't worth it. They weren't worth it if that is how they wish to treat me.

"Oh? Well, I uh, I guess I can't argue if all of you want me out. Though I am wondering, are you going to stay as a group of four or are you going to replace me with someone in the guild?" I asked though I already knew the answer to that question, it wasn't hard to guess by the enlargening of his eyes. I was attempting to sound as if I couldn't care less if I was in team Natsu or not but I could feel my voice wavering, I could feel it in the back of my throat and my eyes stung as I fought my tears. The entirety of the guild suddenly fell silent as they heard our exchange, the exceeds had come over to see what was happening, Happy munching on a fish enjoyment clear on his face. I really like that damn cat even if he's an obnoxious idiot at times, he's cute and always knows how to cheer you up, and I really wish his best friend wasn't Natsu right now.

"Yeah! Lisanna's gonna be replacing you! She's so much stronger than you and she can actually defend herself without getting kidnapped and stuff." Natsu's words stabbed at my heart, I really wanted to hit him, how dare he say that when all I do is what he says is a bloody plan! His words cut through me like a knife through butter and the tears threatened to show in my eyes so I turned my head down to the table where Lily, Carla and Happy sat looking at me sorrowfully as if they wanted to do something to help me but knew not what to do. I wanted to scream, I wanted to tell him to go die or something but I couldn't. I love this guild too much to hurt them with my words even if they hurt me with theirs. I was about to tell them I was alright with the news and fake a smile as I'd seem to have perfected by now, when a loud 'SLAP' sounded travelling throughout the guild hall, I looked up to where it came from to see that Lisanna stormed over to us and slapped Natsu hard around the cheek angry tears spilling down her cheeks, my eyes widened in shock at the scene, why was she crying? why had she slapped him?

"L-Lisanna?! What the heck was that for?!" Natsu yelled completely shocked that Lisanna had been the one to slap him, he'd obviously expected it from Lucy being as it was her he was insulting.

"NATSU WHAT THE HELL?! WHY ARE YOU KICKING LUCY OUT THE TEAM?! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WANT TO BE ON YOUR TEAM IF THAT'S HOW YOU TREAT YOUR MEMBERS AND WHEN THE HELL DID MASTER EVER SAY ONLY 4 COULD BE ON A TEAM HUH?!" She screamed at the top of her lungs making those who weren't already looking over to see what was going on. Her entire body was convulsing in shivers of pure rage.

"Lisanna, it's really fine, I'm not the strongest even Happy can get out of danger easier than me, I'm sure you'd be a great teammate for them... I knew this was coming eventually, I'm just not strong enough to be with them. You're better suited to be on team Natsu than I'll ever be." I said, trying so hard to keep my voice from wavering as everyone stared at us. Couldn't they mind their own business?! And because Natsu was as dense as a brick he didn't seem to notice that I was close to breaking down in tears as I spoke,

"See Lisanna, Luce doesn't mind, All's good!" Natsu said with his big dorky grin on his face, Did he really believe I didn't care, is he really that gullible? And why is he still calling me as if we're still best friends or friends at all?

"YOU IDIOT! HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE SHE'S ABOUT TO CRY! ARE YOU SERIOUSLY THAT STUPID?!" Lisanna screamed tears of anger still streaming down her face, I was happy that she is getting angry for me but I don't want to cause her trouble with him, I know she likes him and always has liked him since they were children. Though right now she seemed angrier than I was at him.

"L-Lisanna? What's wrong? Why are you screaming at Natsu like that?" Mira asked her sister sweetly as she came over to see what all the commotion had been from the corner of the guild.

I couldn't stop myself now the tears were going to overflow I had to get out of there before I bawled in front of them all, I refuse to show my weakness. I slowly stood from my seat not looking anyone in the eye as their eyes followed me and mumbled to Lisanna 'Lisanna, I don't care if I'm kicked out. Just, please help them and make sure they don't get themselves killed when they go overboard on missions.' I then proceeded to run out the guild crying as everyone's eyes followed. I secretly hoped someone would chase me, but of course, life isn't a fairy tale.

(Makorove's POV)

The brats didn't notice me as I watched them from my usual spot. Natsu's a giant dense dragon Idiot as per usual. I just hadn't realised how stupid you could honestly be. I had noticed that Lisanna had gotten a lot more upset for Lucy than Lucy had gotten for herself, but that was natural as the two had grown closer over these four months of Lisanna coming back. I could see Lucy trying her hardest not to cry but I guess she couldn't keep it in any longer as she ran out after mumbling something only Lisanna and the dragon slayers could hear.

"YOU'VE GONE AND DONE IT NOW HAVEN'T YOU BRATS!" I yelled jumping from the second floor startling a few members of the guild slightly. They all looked surprised to see me as they stared in my direction all except Mira as she knew I had been watching as I usually do.

"M-Master?" Lisanna stuttered while still crying in her sister's arms. She really cared about how Lucy was feeling after this whole thing.

"It's alright child, I know exactly what's happened, and I'm afraid I know what comes after, I'm afraid Lucy will quit the guild as she feels none of you would notice nor care if she did leave. She sees his guild as her family but right now you're not acting like one. I can just see her doing it...coming to me looking calm with red puffy eyes and asking to leave. She adores the guild and everyone in it but she doesn't like the fact that you've all completely ignored her for four goddamn months!" My voice boomed through the guild so everyone could hear. I heard a few muffled whispers and saw a few heads lower in shame.

"Actually, Me, Carla, Levy, Gajeel, Lilly, Juvia, you, Mira and Lisanna haven't. We've all talked to her every day that she was here!" Happy chirped in still munching on his fish. I sighed and nodded at the flying cat. I knew that already.

"So, She's weak as hell, we don't need her." One of my brats spoke up in the guilty silence of the guild, I looked up to find Laxus leaning on the second floor bannister with a smirk that said 'good riddance'.

"LAXUS!GET DOWN HERE SO I CAN HURT YOU!" Lisanna yelled as she was now being held back by Mira who didn't look all too happy with Laxus' statement as she glared up at him.

"Ohhh scaryy~" Laxus replied sarcastically with his smirk permanently placed on his lips

"Calm down Lisanna, Laxus is only telling the truth why get so pissy over it?" Gray said emotionlessly as he removed his trousers.

"Gray, clothes," Erza said not looking at him, she hadn't hadn't commented anything yet but I knew what she was thinking I could tell by the way she averted her eyes.

"So, ye all want 'er ta quit? Huh?! Well, I ain't surprised, since ye haven't seen 'er in action lately, she's been training with us ain't she Lilly" Gajeel said to the guild shocking everyone, I was quite surprised he had spoken up for the girl he had previously beaten the life out of. The guild went completely silent as the guilt set in.

(Lisanna's POV)

Natsu, You bloody freaking brainless idiot! How can you not tell she likes you it's so obvious even Happy noticed it! She may not have realised it herself but come on, didn't you see the way her face lit up when you called her name?! And when he said that about Lucy to her face, I just couldn't let her pretend to be okay. I had to do something about it! So I slapped him, which probably shocked the entire guild, I shocked myself, to be honest, never thought I could hit any of my guildmates like that.

"Lisanna? What's up, don't you want to join team Natsu?" Erza said while eating her strawberry cake. I looked at her as if she were crazy, why would I want to join if they're just going to replace me once they think I'm too weak!

"Not if that's how you treat your Nakama. I'd rather not be on a team where I'd have a constant anxious thought about whether or not you think I'm too weak for your team and just replace me!" I yelled I was utterly infuriated by what they were doing and acting as if they weren't saying anything wrong just ticked me off even more.

"What do you mean? If you asked Natsu calmly why he kicked her out and called her weak, he'll explain it to you now she's gone. He wasn't trying to be mean, He didn't even mean what he said about her being weak, though he probably could have tried to not make her cry," Erza said casually eating her cake, I gave her and the rest a quizzical look, what on earth was she talking about? Natsu let out a small sad sigh.

"I did that so she wouldn't find out a surprise that I'd planned... I wanna buy her something special and everyone else has been ignoring her because they wanna throw her a party, but we didn't want her to quit the guild, we just wanted to make her happy, she's been looking so sad lately and she hardly ever comes to the guild anymore." Natsu said in his stupid sad tone as he looked down at the floor and I gently hit his head for being such an idiot.

"She's been down because you've all been ignoring her, go apologies right now before she leaves!" I grumbled, hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes into a glare. I guess he likes her too... I hope they actually get together soon, I know that seems weird as when we were kids we'd played happy's parents and said we'd get married,well I did, but I feel after being in Edolas we have definitely drifted apart, Lucy deserves to have someone who pampers her like I've been told he does by many of my guildmates.

"But... what should I say, Lis? I don't wanna give the surprise away but I don't want her to think that she's super weak and unreliable. I wanna make her happy but I don't want her to know about the surprise. Gah! Why is this so haaaarrrrdddd!" Natsu moaned and grabbed his hair in confusion. I gave him a hard glare and he ran out the door as fast as he could looking slightly terrified, I think maybe Mira-nee was behind me with an intense Aura before he ran out. He is such a dense idiot.

(Natsu's POV)

Okay okay, I probably shouldn't have said that... I should have done it in a more sensitive way but in my defence, it was Erza's idea! I really hope Lucy doesn't leave... I mean she's my best friend! Why would I want to replace her?! She's funny, weird and cute... wait what did I just think Lucy was?!

"Natsu!" Happy yelled as he flew after me,

"Oh, hey Happy, Don't tell Luce the surprise, 'k," I said with my usual cheeky grin and casual tone as I ran around looking for Lucy, I was heading for her apartment as I couldn't think of where else she'd run to,

"Natshu, Lushy isn't der" Happy said still munching his fish,

"what do you mean Luce isn't there?!" I asked tilting my head at him panic rushing through me. Did she catch a train while I was explaining to Lisanna? Did she run off somewhere? Please say she's still in Magnolia!

"She went dat way" He pointed towards the park where my blonde best friend had gone, I sniffed the air and then I ran all the way there and found her sat by a tree crying her innocent brown eyes out.i felt like shit, how could I? how could I have done that.

"LUSHY!" Happy yelled as he flew right into her hugging her trying to comfort her,

she seemed really happy to see him as she smiled at him cuddling his tightly to her chest but her smile didn't reach her eyes and her smile disappeared completely when she saw me. It was obvious she didn't want me there nor did she want to talk to me.

"Luce, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean what I said you're not weak, you're really strong we didn't mean to ignore you... p-please don't quit the guild... or at least stay until next Friday, we love how you do random things and are really weird all the time and your smile always brightens up the place, we just wanted to make you smile as bright as the day you first came to Fairy Tail" I blabbered as I stood in front of her out of breath. She gave me a sad expression obviously not believing my words, I mean what sane person would, I sighed and I bent down to her height from where she sat by the tree.

"Lushy?" Happy was sat on her lap with a fish in his mouth yet again. He didn't seem to want to let her go.

(Lucy's POV)

When happy flew up to me and crashed into my chest hugging me, I felt so extremely happy because the little fur-ball hadn't ignored me, even when his stupid best friend did, but then I noticed Natsu, just, stood there looking at me with a look I had thought it was disgust. Oh Mavis, What does he want now? was there something he forgot to tell me like to jump off the closest bridge because it would be better for everyone? But his words, the rushed, but sincere words he blurted out surprised me, was he really sincere? I had no words at all to reply to him, could I believe him? Should I? But I wouldn't be here much longer, this would just help me leave them if they had just continued to ignore me. That's the reason I had looked at him sadly, My brother, my long lost brother was on his way to get me, this was because he had recently found out he had a younger sister and he wanted to get me out of the guild that didn't seem to care for me. I couldn't stay until next Friday, but what can I say to Natsu? I don't want to tell him about my brother. I don't want him to know anything else about me. I don't want to give him any more ammo against me.

"I'm sorry Natsu... I can't stay, I really can't," I spoke my voice was small and it wavered slightly, tears welled up in my eyes once again

"Why not!" Natsu replied loudly, I flinched at the volume, I hated it when he raised his voice, I've seen him do it against so many individuals he despises.

"I just can't okay!" I said with more power in my voice, I had to be forceful, I didn't hold back my tears as they flooded down my face "But I wish I could" I whispered softly knowing he'd heard me, and then out of nowhere, Gray appeared and punched Natsu square in the jaw.

"Oi, Flame-brain! This is all your dumb plan, So fix it... Stop making her cry for Mavis sake!" Gray growled though he was hard to take seriously as he was in his underwear again, wait, plan huh? what is he on about? I gave them both a quizzical look and Gray sighed knowing he just screwed up.

"Plan?" I sobbed as I tried to stop sobbing,

"Crap.. uh..it's nothing.. just stay until next Friday. Please?" Gray said almost pleading as he turned his head away trying to look cool. I rolled my eyes at him, was he seriously trying to act cool in this situation.

"Ice block, She just said that she can't, but she won't tell me why!" Natsu yelled at Gray they both began butting heads,

"Don't call me Ice-block!" Gray yelled back to Natsu offended by the name,

"Why can't you stay?" Gray said calmly as he turned to me with a slightly hurt expression,

"uh... Well..." I hesitated, was it okay? Should I? Well, I should probably tell someone... "My brother is coming for me. I only remember him due to Aquarius telling me who he was after he got in contact with me. Apparently, my older brother was sent away by my dad when I was only 4 years old so I can't remember him. He called me and told me he'd be coming by this Friday," I mumbled hugging Happy tighter to my chest trying so hard not to start crying again. Why did I tell them? It's not like I can stick around.

"Then ask him to come meet us! We really would like to send you off with a proper Fairy tail goodbye," Erza casually spoke as she walked out behind the tree as if out of nowhere, Where were they even coming from?! The boys, who were arguing just before, had now got one arm over each other's shoulders as if they were 'best friends' and gave me a cheeky grin as if to plead to me to please not tell Erza they'd been fighting moments before.

Erza gave me a piece of chocolate cake as she sat next to me, taking out a piece of her favourite strawberry and vanilla iced cake. I have always wondered where she kept all this cake. I gave her a small smile as we munched on the cake and the boys tried to stay all buddy-buddy. Then as I was about to tell them I was returning to my room Loke came out of his key and looked rather displeased that I was with them.

"Loke!" I raised my voice in surprise as he gave the others a fake smile then turned to me to speak. Ignoring the boys' antics.

"Princess," Loke said with a slight bow, "Aquarius wants to talk to you, and she wants you to summon her to your apartment when you get home and are... alone... I would go now if I were you, she doesn't seem to be in the best of moods" Loke said with his flirty smile and he then went back to his key.

"Oh.. I should go... I don't want to make her mad. I'll see you all at the guild later" I mumbled before running back to my apartment as fast as I could. I quickly filled up my bath to summon Aquarius.

"Open Gate of the water bearer: Aquarius!" I yelled and there was a 'poof' sound and Aquarius was in my bath looking rather happy she wasn't summoned in a puddle for once, I gave her a smile and surprisingly she smiled back.

"Lucy, your brother has contacted me and said he will be here by Thursday, and he would like to meet the guild that has taken care of you, anyway, onto a more serious matter, you have a crush on the hot head don't you? It's pretty obvious by the way you behave, need help with him?" She said grinning at me in her evil way, I went red, Erza's hair red. She had hit the mark right in the centre.

"N-n-no!" I denied rather loudly at the mermaid who smirked at my reaction.

"Mhm..." Aquarius hummed as she disappeared.

I emptied the bath, I debated drawing another hot bubble bath to chill in but instead decided against it, I was elated, I felt I could tackle the guild ignoring me, and so I decided now I was calm and happier to head to the guild once more. I got to the guild but I stopped at the door, would everyone really still completely blank me again? I was just about to enter when the door flung open revealing in front of me a tall blond man with a scar right above his eye, he looked rather agitated which made me take a step backwards, strangely though looked familiar though intimidating as his blue eyes pierced through me as he looked me up and down.

"Hmm, are you Lucy?" He asked almost anxiously, his eyes seemed to be gleaming as he sent me a warm smile hoping I was Lucy, I could feel everyone's eyes were watching us as we interacted. It made me feel uncomfortable, though I still hadn't replied to the man in front of me.

"Hehe, did Aquarius tell you I would be coming on Thursday just like I asked? You must be in shock," The man said with a small chuckle, my eyes widened as realisation dawned on me,

"Y-You're Sting... m-my older brother?!" I said loudly in shock, the blonde gave me a cheeky grin making me smile and as if an instinct, I hugged him tightly. I still had a family I could rely on.

"Hey, little sis," He chuckled hugging me back gently, he wasn't that much older than me, but he was a lot taller than I was and his voice was very deep, but it seemed to shock everyone in the guild more than it did me, including Laxus.

"One of the twin dragons is your brother?!" They all yelled seemingly making the guild hall shake, I smiled sheepishly and nodded at them all, I was happy they noticed me, but, did they have to stare? As I looked around the guild at everyone I noticed a dark-haired boy with little to no emotion on his face stood behind Sting.

"Who's he?" I asked pointing at the dark-haired boy, who stood there still no emotion showed upon his face,

"That is Rogue... he's the other twin dragon, the shadow dragon. I'm the light dragon" Sting beamed, as we walked back into the guild, as he turned I noticed their guild marks.

"You're in Sabertooth?" I asked looking at his white guild mark, It looked rather elegant against his tanned skin.

"Yeah, so is Rogue, oh, and this is my Friend Lector, he's an exceed, and that's Frosch, Rogue's exceed and best friend," Sting said as I bent down to their size and smiled gently,

"Hello, I'm Lucy Heartfeilia, it's a pleasure to meet you both," I said with a kind smile, Lector stayed silent which I found adorable.

"Fro thinks so too!" Frosch said as he smiled up at me, he was adorable in his little frog costume. I giggled at him and pet his head gently.

"Lushy!" Happy walked up to us with a fish in his mouth, does he ever stop eating those?

"Hey Happy, this is Fro, and that's Lector, why don't you try being friends with them?" I said pointing at the two new exceeds.

"Hewo, I'm Happy, would yew like a fwish?" Happy said holding the fish in his mouth, I patted Happy's head and stood up straight again.

"Is Happy your exceed?" Lector asked looking rather concerned at the cat as he kept asking if they wanted a fish. I looked shocked at him wondering where he got that idea from but I smiled and shook my head no.

"No, He's Natsu's, I don't have an exceed best friend, I have my celestial spirits instead," I said looking down at him.

"Hello there, I'm Carla, Wendy's exceed friend, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Carla said having just walked up to us away from Wendy who was talking to Romeo, the two looked rather adorable together.

"Sup... I'm Pantherlilly." Lilly stated with folded arms and his rather big sword on his back. He's just like Gajeel but I guess that was to be expected. I watched all five exceeds walk to a corner and start to chat happily getting along with each other. Natsu, Gajeel and Wendy watched their exceeds carefully, Natsu and Wendy looked worried over their exceeds.

"Hey, Natsu, Wendy why do you look so nervous?" I asked with sincerity in my voice, They looked at me and I gave them a gentle smile,

"We just worry about our exceeds, we're all very close and we don't want them to run off and ignore us..." Wendy said shyly as she watched her exceed laugh with the others and then she realised that is how I must have felt when everyone ignored me and she hugged me tightly. "Lucy-san, I'm so sorry!" She whimpered and began to cry, I had to kneel down a bit now to wipe the tears from her face and give her a gentle smile.

"Oh Wendy, I already forgave everyone, It's alright, c'mon calm down, please. Stop crying, Wendy its okay." I said hugging her gently and then Carla came rushing over, worried for her precious dragon slayer.

"Whatever happened child?!" Carla asked worriedly landing on Wendy's head-patting it softly.

"I Just realised how Lucy-san felt when we began to-" She was cut off by Natsu who was... sweating?!

"Hey, why don't you two go for a walk and catch up...while we prepare a party," Natsu said pushing me and Sting out the building. 'wait... did Natsu say prepare... and is he.. Blushing?!' I thought looking at him confusedly, he made me blush a little but I shook my head a bit and giggled.

"Alright... alright... you can stop pushing us out the guild hall now. We'll be back soon" I said giving everyone a wave