THE FINAL CHAPTER. This is it, guys! ;W;  I can't believe this is over!  I don't want it toooo! ♡ Guys, I'm about to cry right now.  Is it a bad thing to get this attached to the story you've written? |D  Cause I feel a deep pain in my chest, right now. T.T  Wahh, I loved writing this!!  As the final dedication, I dedicate this to LiveLoveActing; you were so incredibly nice to me while I was writing this!  Your comments made my day!  Thanks so much for always supporting me, Love-chan! Well, feedback is very much appreciated, as always. c":  And as the final chapter, I'll see you all later~!

Until June 19th, minna~!

♡{ яу-¢нαи | тнє иαℓυ ωяιтєя }♡

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There was an incredible uproar when the guild members got back; they all extremely wanted to know what had happened after the Caballeen Forest.  So, it was Erza and Gray who explained, with an occasional childish interruption from Natsu.

"Amazing..!"  Levy murmured, turning to look at Lucy.  "You sounded like you did incredible, Lucy!"

Lucy flinched, jerked out of her thoughts.  "Oh..yeah, I guess."

Natsu watched her from the corner of his eyes, sympathy in his chest.

Makarov looked at them all.  "I'm glad you're all safe.  But.."  He looked at Lucy a second longer than the rest of the team.  "Even though Zeke was originally an enemy, I feel regret for his passing."

"Did you bury him?"  Mirajane asked, taking a step forward.

"Haa?  Of course we did!"  Natsu whined.  "Why wouldn't we?"

Erza continued.  "We gave Zeke a proper burial back where Daronyt was destroyed, on a cliff overlooking the rising sun.  I think he would've liked that."

Everyone nodded in silent agreement, and stayed quiet for awhile.

Then, Levy spoke up.  "Huh?  Where did Lucy go?"

Everyone looked up with alarm, and saw that she had disappeared.

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"Oi, Lucy!"

Lucy turned her head, surprise on her face as she was leaning against the tree along the cliff.

Natsu came to a panting stop beside her, his hands on his knees.  "Oi, whatcha run off for?"  He asked, his expression lame.  "I was scared for a second you had disappeared again!"

Lucy turned back, resting her head in her arms; which were wrapped around her knees.  "Sorry, Natsu.  I didn't mean to make you all worried, honest.  I just..."

"..wanted to think."  She finished after inhaling.

Natsu stood there, watching as Lucy stared out at the evening-scenery.  

"The memories won't bother me, anymore."  Lucy replied softly, and Natsu sat down next to her, crossing his legs.  "Even though I can still see them, I know they won't happen because of Zeke."

Natsu resided a hand on her shoulder.  "Lucy?"

"It's alright."  Lucy replied, smiling slightly.  "I promise I'm okay now."

Natsu's face was impassive.  "Oi, you know you've got me to protect you, right?"

Lucy turned her head slowly, her eyes widening in surprise.

This time, his face was determined.  "Even though I know you're perfectly fine by yourself, I want to protect you."

A slow blush rose in Lucy's cheeks.

"After all,"  Natsu continued, smiling childishly.  "I love you, Lucy!"

Lucy's eyes widened for an instant, but then they softened and tears gathered in her eyes.  Abruptly, she collided into Natsu, hanging onto his vest as she started to cry.

"Oi, what're you cryin' for?"  Natsu murmured amusedly, resting a hand on her head.

Lucy shook her head, pulling away while struggling with a smile.

She rubbed away her tears.  "Thank you, Natsu..!"

Natsu grinned.

"I..love you too!"  Lucy hiccuped, realizing how much Natsu has been there for her.

Her eyes suddenly widened, and Lucy froze.  Natsu had pressed his lips to her forehead, pulling back her bangs in the process.  Breathing in slowly, the blush deepened on Lucy's cheeks.

When Natsu pulled away, a faint blush was on his face as well.  "Oi, does that make you feel better, Lucy?"

Lucy looked at him, her surprised expression still fully there.

Then, she pushed at his shoulder playfully, smiling with embarassment.  "You're such an idiot, you know that?"  The tears on her cheeks had vanished, but there were still little specks on the corner of her eyes.

However, she leaned against Natsu's shoulder.  "I didn't realize..how much you've been there, Natsu."

"Eh?"  Natsu asked.

"Thank you for always being there."  Lucy murmured, drowsiness taking over.

After a minute, Natsu's expression softened and he rested a hand on her arm, pulling her close.  "Ah.  And I'll still be here, too."

"I'm...going to protect you, too."  Lucy replied, her eyes closed.

"I need protecting?"  Natsu asked, smirking.

Lucy nodded dignantly.  "Of course you do, stupid!  Maybe not in battles, but other things..."

Natsu grinned.  "Sure, Lucy."

They stayed there in silence, and Lucy completely realized how grateful she was for Natsu.

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"Geez, why do those two always cause trouble?"  Gray muttered, walking along with Erza.  "Where did they go??"

Erza came to a stop, a hand on her hip as she smiled in amusement.  "I think I know."  She guestered ahead.

Gray followed her instruction, gasping in surprise.  

"That idiot.."  He muttered, amused as well.

Natsu and Lucy were asleep, leaning against the tree that looked out over Magnolia.  Natsu had his arm around Lucy's back, his hand residing on her upper-arm.  Lucy was leaning against his shoulder, blushing even in her sleep.

Erza turned to go.  "We might as well let them sleep in privacy."

Gray turned as well.  "As much as I would like to scare em'...I know you're right."

Erza looked at him with surprise.  "You're turning down a fight for once, Gray?"

Gray looked away, rubbing the back of his head.  "Nah..It's not worth my time."

"Hai, hai."  Erza agreed, almost rolling her eyes.

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Lucy sneezed, walking down the path to her house.

"Oi Lucy."  Natsu muttered, walking with his hands behind his head in relaxation.

Lucy stopped.  "What is it, Natsu?"

Natsu grinned, taking Lucy's hand.  "Zeke..wanted me to give this to you."

Lucy, her eyes widening in surprise, looked down to see what he was placing in her hand.

The Caballeen Stone.

"T-This is..."  Lucy murmured, surprise on her face.

Natsu nodded, letting go.  "Ah.  Zeke said there wasn't any magic left inside, but it still should give you a feeling of power."  He rubbed his head.  "Uh..at least that's what I think he said...Or was it that he said it would give you security..?"

Lucy smiled, jumping up as she wrapped her arms around Natsu's neck, surprising him.  "Thank you, Natsu!"

His expression of surprise softened into affection.  "You're welcome, Lucy."

She grabbed his wrist, suddenly pulling him along.  "Let's go!"

"W-Where are we going?!"  Natsu exclaimed in alarm, his eyes puzzled as he was dragged along.

Lucy was dazzling.  "To my apartment!  I have a really good dinner planned, and you along with Happy can have some!"

"Food?!"  Natsu exclaimed with excitement.  "Alright!"

Lucy laughed, her face shining with cheerfulness.

Natsu watched her with relief and happiness as well, glad that she was finally back to her old self.

Catching his footing, Natsu walked alongside Lucy and entertwined their fingers together.

Lucy breathed out slightly, serving as a small laugh.  Her eyes had softened, as well as a fresh blush on her cheeks.

Natsu cheered all the way there.

I'm so glad you're by my side, Natsu.  Lucy thought as she entered her kitchen, gathering all the ingredients.

Happy flew in from the window, excited as well.

Lucy glanced at the two with amusement.  I couldn't ask for better friends!

She turned, suddenly seeing Erza and Gray there.

"What the--?!"  Lucy exclaimed, horrified.

Erza smiled at her.  "Mind if we join in, Lucy?"

For once, Lucy didn't yell at them.  Instead she nodded, smiling.  "Sure!  I'll just make some more than planned!"

They all looked at Lucy with smiles and amused faces.

Lucy looked at Natsu though, who was laughing.

Thank you, Natsu.

The Caballeen Stone resided on her desk, next to her in-progress story.

It flashed brightly, but then dimmed as laughter erupted in Lucy's room.

Thank you too, Zeke.

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Thank you all for reading!  You guys all mean so much to me; I couldn't ask for better fans!  All of you are my friends!

Sorry, but please don't ask for an epilogue, okay? ^^; This was technically the epilogue, so..yeah. owo

Truly though, thank you all so much!  I hope we continue to support each other, ne?

яу-¢нαи,

тнє иαℓυ ωяιтєя ♥