Kon'nichiwa, mina!  Welcome back for the next chapter, Chapter 13: Decision!  I hope you all enjoy!  I have track practice today, despite having the day off from school because of teacher's meetings! ✖ So, I might not be able to update again today...but I promise, I will try!!♡  I think I've done pretty good though, don't you think? ;)  This entire weekend I've caught up and published at least five chapters!  Woop!~  Anyways, I dedicate this chapter to j_viklimlovesanime!  I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and feedback is very much appreciated!!  Until next time!

♥ ♡ яу-¢нαи ♡ ♥

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Upon her awakening, Lucy saw that she was in the infirmary of the newly-rebuilt guild.

They finished building it already?  Lucy thought with happy surprise, staring at the ceiling.

She turned on her side, and that's when she took notice of the many bandages wrapped all over her arms and legs, especially around her torso.  Sighing, Lucy pulled the covers up and around her shoulders, her eyes shaking from the information Zeke had given her during her "testing".

What is the Junsuina?  She wondered, more confused and baffled than before.  And what about Star Mist?  What is it, and how do I possess it?!

Groaning softly in frustration, Lucy sat up, slightly wincing when she stressed her back a little too much.  I can't take not knowing the full story anymore!  I have to go and find my answers!

A knock came to the door, and Lucy looked up in surprise to see Erza standing in the doorway.

"Erza.."  Lucy replied with surprise.

Erza smiled.  "Looks like you're awake, Lucy."  She walked to the foot of the bed Lucy was in.  "How're you feeling?"

Lucy smiled softly in appreciation, though there was still a hint of misery and frustration in her expression.  "Better.  I have to tell Wendy thank you for healing me so much; she must've been exhausted."

There was a moment of awkward silence after that.  

"Lucy, what happpened?  It was Zeke, wasn't it?"

Lucy paused for a moment, but then nodded.  "Yes."

"I see."  Erza replied, cupping her chin with her fingers in thought.  "He's after you, that much is obvious."  She looked over Lucy.  "Do you know why?"

"Well..."  Lucy started, murmuring it slowly.

The image Lucy was so afraid of..the image of her friends dead because of her...flashed through her mind, and guilt over took her body along with her sadness.

She couldn't tell Erza.  Or anyone else.

Otherwise they'd be in danger because of her.

"..no."  She finished, breathing out slowly.  "All he did was confirm my suspicions that he was going to resurrect Daronyt."

Erza was silent for a moment.  "I see."

I don't want to get them involved anymore than I have to.  Lucy thought with a nervous sweat dripping down her brow.  I know what I have to do now.

"I'm sorry I don't know more than that."  Lucy replied, looking down at her lap.

Erza looked surprise.  "Lucy, it's not your fault.  You didn't exactly get a chance to ask questions or was in any position to force them from him."

Lucy nodded in appreciation, though she was still looking down sadly.  "Yeah.."

"Why don't we go on out and tell everyone you're alright?"  Erza asked, crossing her arms and walking over to the side of her bed.  "You think you're well enough to walk?"

"As ready as I can be.."  Lucy replied, smiling embarrassingly.

Helping her up, Erza let Lucy lean against her shoulder firmly, and they walked out the room together.  Walking down the steps, Lucy could hear the familiar callings of the guild, though they were slightly less noisey.

"Look, everyone; Lucy's up!"  Erza barked.

Erza let Lucy go as heads turned, and Lucy took a wobbily step forward with her shoulder leaning against the wall.  "Sorry to worry you, everyone."  Lucy replied.

"Lucy!"  Everyone exclaimed, happy cheers erupting from everyone.

Levy ran up to her and gave her a big hug.  "I'm so glad you're okay!  Oh, sorry Lucy!"  She suddenly replied, realizing she was hugging Lucy a little too tightly.

"Glad to see you on two feet."  Gray replied, setting a friendly hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks" seemed to be the only thing Lucy said for the next ten minutes, along with reasurrances that she was alright.

"Lucy!"

Lucy turned, and Happy slammed into her chest, hugging her tightly.

"You're okay!"  He blubbered, and everyone laughed at Happy.

Natsu walked forward, a look of happy relief on his face.  "I'm glad you're okay."

"Natsu.."  Lucy replied.

"Here,"  He replied.  "I thought I should get these for you."  He held out her keys, and Lucy took them with wonder.

"My keys!"  Lucy exclaimed, her eyes brightening.  She held them close to her heart.  "Thank you, Natsu."

He nodded, smiling slightly.

"You should sit down, Lucy."  Makarov replied, and Lucy turned to him.  "Don't strain yourself."

"I'm okay so far."  She replied, smiling gratefully at him.

Lucy did eventually have to sit down, but during that time she explained to them what happened..well, everything except why Lucy was being targeted.  Once she had finished, everyone set to the conclusion of finding Zeke, using any means possible.  Makarov assigned Levy and Warren to work together, while Cana used her cards to try and help.

While that was going on, Lucy realized she should go back to her house and change, since she was still wearing her torn clothes.

"I'll be right back."  Lucy was saying, waving over her shoulder.

"Wait a minute, Lucy!"  Wendy exclaimed.  "I don't think you should be walking so far right now!  You're still recovering!"

"I'll be okay."  Lucy insisted, stopping to look behind her.

"At least take someone with you."  Erza replied, her arms crossed as she sat at the table along with Wendy, Gray, and Natsu.  "You're being targeted, remember?  It wouldn't be wise to go on your own again."

"I'll go with Luce!"  Natsu volunteered, standing.  "If I see Zeke he won't be able to move by the time I'm done with him!"

"Natsu.."  Lucy murmured, gratefullness rumbling in her chest.

"Wait for me!"  Happy exclaimed.

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"Lean against my shoulder, Lucy."  Natsu replied, his face determined.

After a minute of surprise, Lucy nodded gratefully, wrapping her arm around his waist.  Natsu wrapped his right arm around her shoulders, and Lucy felt like a weight of tiredness was lifted from her shoulders as she leaned against him.

"Thank you, Natsu.."  Lucy murmured.

Natsu nodded.  "No problem, Lucy."

When they reached her apartment, Lucy felt Natsu stop and stare at the window, and with embarrassment she realized it was still broken.

"Did Zeke do that?"  Natsu asked, his voice low and rumbling from his throat.

Lucy hesitated, wondering if she should say anything.  "Yeah.  When he first attacked me, he..sent me flying through the window."

"What?"  

Natsu's hands clenched very tightly.

"I'll be right back."  Lucy murmured, shutting the door behind her.

Sighing, she walked into her room, and saw the still-splintered area on her floor where Zeke had caught her off guard.  With a shudder, she remembered the pain that had raked through her body at that exact moment.

It'll take me awhile to clean this up...  Lucy thought with annoyance, grabbing a pair of new clothes to change into.

Throwing away the ripped ones (which seemed like the one-hundreth time) she took a quick bath, washing off the excess grime from her encounter with Zeke.  She was careful to avoid the still-healing cuts and to press gently on the severe bruises all along her body, and she hissed in pain more than a few times.  Then, after her bath, she slipped on a fresh pair of clothes, feeling better now that she was clean.  She re-wrapped her bandages herself, knowing that Wendy needed some slack and that she could do it fine by herself.

"Oi, Lucy!  Would you hurry up already?"  Natsu asked, appearing in the window that wasn't broken.

"Natsu!"  Lucy exclaimed, slightly angered.  "There is a door, you know!"

Natsu shrugged.  "That would've taken too long!  Now hurry up; you're so slow!"

"I know, I know...I'm coming.."  She muttered, half to herself.

Slipping her keys onto her belt, Lucy stood from the side of her bed, opening the door and walking out.

I've decided.  She thought as she met Natsu outside, and they started to walk back to the guild.

I will leave tomorrow.

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Stay tuned for the next chapter, Chapter 14: Disappearance!

♥ ♡ яу-¢нαи ♡ ♥