It had been nearly a year now, and Lucy was confident in her abilities. She had mastered her dragon slayer magic, and even created a unison raid with Laxus. After all, water and lightning create a dangerous pair. She got a katana, which she called Bloody Rain. It had a red hilt, with cherry blossoms engraved on it.

She had collected a lot more keys. She had gotten her hands on Pegasus, the winged horse. Piper, the swan. Ophiuchus, the snake charmer. And Chance, the wolf.

Laxus had decided that they would just stay outside in tents. At first, she was hesitant to sleep outside. But after awhile, she adjusted. She had gotten light blue highlights in her now butt length golden hair. Her style also changed a lot, because she realized how unpractical her old clothes were. Now she mostly wears pants, shorts, T-shirts, and hoodies. But occasionally, she would wear a skirt.

"Blondie, tomorrow we're quitting Raging Blossoms and heading back to Fairy tail," Laxus says, startling her. They were all sitting around the fire, enjoying dinner.

"Why?" Lucy asks, chewing on her cooked fish.

"S-class trials is coming up, and the old fart said he's nominating you. Plus, he wants me to help with the exams."

"Wow, Lucy! Even though you're fairly new to the guild, you got nominated," Happy exclaimed, grabbing a fish from the pile beside him.

Lucy blushes in embarrassment, twiddling her thumbs.

"Of course she got nominated. She got trained by the great Laxus Dreyar," Laxus boasted, grinning.

Lucy rolled her eyes before playfully punching his arm.

"Shut up, Thunder thighs!" She huff's out, crossing her arms over her ample chest. She shivers at the chilly air.

"Are you cold?" Laxus asks.

"No."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

"I can see you shivering."

"...."

Laxus sighs, before placing his fur coat on her shoulders. She flushes pink.

"W-What are you doing?" She questions.

"Just wear my coat, I know you're cold."

"Ugh. Fine," She grumbles out.

Laxus smiles fondly, not even noticing the huge cheeky grin on a certain blue cat's face.

"You liiiiike her," Happy says, giggling. Laxus shoots him a dirty look.

"Well, I'm hitting the hay. Night Happy, Laxus," Lucy said, before heading to bed. She sat in the tent, staring at the ceiling, not able to sleep.

I guess you could say she was nervous. She was going back...back to Fairy tail, and back to...Natsu. She hated to admit it, but she missed him. She missed everyone. Wendy, Romeo, Levy, Gajeel, Juvia, Charla, Pantherlily, Mira, Erza, Gray, Master, Natsu.

It seemed that the year without Natsu, had really helped her. She wasn't mad at him anymore. Or any of them. Honestly, she was happy things went the way they did. If they hadn't treated her so badly, then she wouldn't have become a dragon slayer.

Lucy tosses and turns, but can't seem to sleep. Finally, she gives up, and grabs a pillow and blanket. She trudges a little away from the tents and settles down on the ground. She admires the twinkling stars, finally feeling tired.

Tomorrow... tomorrow would interesting. She was excited to see her friends again, but slightly glum to leave. Laxus and her had gotten fairly close, and she was starting to really like him. But her feelings for Natsu were always there, lurking somewhere close by, taunting her.

She drifted to sleep, and didn't notice Laxus lay down next to her.

"Stupid Blondie, sleeping on the ground," Laxus muttered before laying down next to her. He smiled to himself when she snuggled closer to him.

Laxus hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, and was shocked at her satisfied smile. He knew how she felt about Natsu, but it didn't stop him from liking her. She was everything he ever wanted, beautiful, smart, kind, and accepted him for who he is.

Laxus fell asleep, clutching Lucy to his chest.

~Timeskip Morning~

Lucy awoke wrapped in Laxus's arms. She blinked in shock. She blushed brighter than Erza's hair, and frantically removed herself. She tried to ignore her pounding heart, by going to the river to catch some fish.

After catching nine fish, she started a fire to cook them. Happy was the first to wake up, drooling from the smell. She gave three of the nine fish, trying not to laugh at his disappointed expression.

"But Lushy! I wanted all of the fish!" He said pouting.

"Well, Laxus and I need some," She replied, flipping the fish she was cooking.

"But you're- I mean, Laxus is fat enough!" He said, warily looking at Lucy. She was glaring at him, daring him to call her fat.

Even after Lucy ate her share of fish, Laxus wasn't up. She just decided to get dressed. She put on a pair of black shorts and a teal blue T-shirt. She put on her black combat boots and strapped her katana to her back. She put on her yellow belt, which she had gotten from Laxus as a present. He made it so if anyone crabbed her key ring, it would shoot back to her belt like lightning. She thanked him so much, and even gave him a hug.

Lucy stomped out of her tent, and saw that Laxus was eating. At least he was up.

"Blondie, why did you only give me one fish?" Laxus asked annoyed.

Lucy frowned and stared at Happy, who was trying to sneak away. Laxus caught her eye, and growled.

"You stupid cat! You ate my food didn't you?" Laxus shouted, holding Happy by his tail.

"Are you sure you didn't eat it? Maybe you just forgot. We all know you're not the sharpest tool in the shed,

" Happy says, trying to get out of his hold.

"Are you calling me stupid?!" Laxus asked, holding him tighter.

Happy looked at him and nodded.

"Yeah..." Happy said honestly. Laxus loosened his grip for a second, allowing the cat to escape.

"I'm going to kill you!" Laxus says, chasing the laughing cat.

Lucy stares at both of them in amusement.

"Laxus, get dressed, we're leaving," Lucy says, before summoning Virgo to take all their stuff to the spirit world.

"Blondie, I got dressed while you were in your tent, talking to yourself like a crazy person."

"I'm not crazy!!" She says, before stomping off.

Laxus and Happy exchange looks, before following her. After they left Raging Blossoms, they headed off. Time to go home.