Nalu: It effects everyone

Chapter 4: I will be stronger

When we get to the guild Natsu opens the door like a regular person. No one looks up or even cheers as he comes in. I can tell the guild has been broken. Erza is picking at some strawberry cake. I decide to take the opportunity and hurry up to Gramps office. I knock before going in.

"Yes? Do you need something Mira?"

"Hey Gramps, long time no see." I speak quietly and try not to make a big deal about being here.

"L-Lucy? My dear child I missed you so much." Gramps stands up from behind his desk. I let a few tears fall before rushing into his arms. He feels so warm and very protecting. He squeezes me tightly and before I know it I let a little whimper out. "Dear, you are so skinny. Why are you in pain. Here let me see." Natsu also came in with me so I have no fear. I lift my sweater enough for him to see the black and blueness of my stomach. "My god, what happened?"

"She was abused for 34 days in a cell with little to no food." Natsu holds my hand tightly while I lean up against him.

"Where is this man?" Gramps was getting angry and I could feel how powerful he is.

"It doesn't matter. What's done is done and there is nothing we can do about it now. We can't change the past, and I don't think I would."

"If he comes anywhere near you ever again he will be a dead man for all I'm concerned."

"Alright." Gramps starts to calm down again.

"We need to tell the guild your back. They have missed you." I look to my feet and remember how much I didn't matter until now.

"Don't tell anyone about this then, not even wendy. I can handle the pain on my own." Natsu gives me a curious look as to why but I just lightly shake my head. Gramps leaves the office first and I go after Natsu.

"Listen up my children. Lucy has returned from her mission. It's time for a party!" I walk out from behind Natsu and everyone cheers. Wendy rushes up and squeezes me as tightly as she can. I don't let myself be in pain. Gray and Natsu start fighting soon and Erza of course has to make them stop. I sit and talk with almost everyone.

"What took you so long?" They all asked.

"There was more to the job than I thought." I always answered. Natsu state by my side almost the entire time I was here. After awhile I finally got a few minutes to myself. Natsu was fighting with Gray and Erza had been over trying to get them to stop. I decided to walk outside to get a little bit of fresh air. I feel the wind begin to pick up but I still don't want to walk inside. I stand there until Gray comes out too.

"Natsu is looking for you." I turn and look at him. Like usual he doesn't have a shirt on but actually has pants on.

"I figured he would. How have you been?"

"I've been lonely. You are like a sister to me and then one day you and Natsu go on a job but return late. I know that its wasn't just a harder mission. What happened?"

"A lot." I look across the city, it looks so beautiful at night.

"Lucy, you can tell me."

"I know. I meet the person my father almost made me marry."

"Did he not like you with Natsu?"

"No, he hated it. The job wasn't even real actually." I look up and see how brighty the stars shined in the sky. "Well, we should go back in." I turn and hurry into the guild to see Natsu about to come out.

"Luce, is everything alright?"

"Yeah everything was fine. Gray was just being overprotective again."