Worth the Wait

Summer, X784

"What?" Gray screamed. "He left?"

Everyone in the guild was muttering about it. Mira looked upset, but what could she do? A mage was free to come and go as they pleased. Still, rarely did a person leave Fairy Tail so suddenly, no warning, no massive case of destruction that they felt they needed to flee from in order to avoid being arrested. That was the usual reason for someone sneaking in, asking in a whisper for her to give their regards to Master and the guild. Loke was one of the least destructive people in Fairy Tail. Unless it was women problems. After all, he had dumped all of his girlfriends the previous night.

"He can't leave," shouted Gray. Memories clouded his reason.

Hey, Loke... the S-Class trial, do you think I could make it? If I'm picked, do you think, maybe... would you be my partner?

Gray shook his head. It made no sense. Granted, they had only been on a few missions together since that night in the mountains, but whenever he hinted at wanting to be an S-Class mage, Loke always assured him that they still had a promise to be partners. Of course, lately he said it with that sad smile of his... that smile that hid growing weariness and pain.

"Loke, you lying bastard." Gray hated to be deceived, especially by someone who was supposed to be his friend.

Natsu leaped up and ran to the guild hall doors.

"Where are you going?" Erza demanded.

The Dragon Slayer turned around with flames in his eyes. "To find Loke and drag his ass back here."

Cana stepped forward. "I can't find him with my cards. I never was good at getting a reading on that guy."

Macao stood next to her. "Who was the last person to talk with Loke?"

Wakaba laughed and puffed on his pipe. "That guy rarely talks to anyone but pretty ladies."

Mira thought with a finger to her mouth. "Well, half an hour ago he told me to inform Master about leaving, but he left out the back door. Elfman said he saw Loke and Lucy talking by the public bath earlier tonight. I also heard he rescued Lucy yesterday."

Gray's brow tightened. When had Lucy been in trouble? They were on that mission and stayed in the ryokan last night. Granted, she disappeared during the "pillow battle," but she had not mentioned anything about meeting Loke. Then Gray realized she had all those Spirits. Maybe one of them was a bloodhound that could track Loke.

Despite his pillow battle injuries, Gray raced to Lucy's house and slammed open her door. He was shocked to see Happy there with her and some new Spirit he had never seen before. Just how many did the girl have?

He leaped into the room, scaring her. "Lucy, big trouble! Loke left Fairy Tail."

She looked stunned. "But why?"

Why? Gray only wished he knew. "Nobody knows. Everyone's looking for him."

His eyes dropped in consternation. Loke's weakening vitality, his growing paleness, his rampant increase in girlfriends, suddenly trying to be friends with Lucy while still acting terrified of her, and then the rumors that he dumped all of his girlfriends. It didn't make sense!

"That guy, he's been acting strange lately." In the three years Gray had known him, Loke had never once seemed disappointed with Fairy Tail or its members, besides his fear of Lucy. So why quit? Why now?

Lucy looked like she knew something. "Could it be..." She took off in a rush.

"Hey, Lucy! Where do you plan to go looking for him?" he asked, eager to help. She did not say, only ran in desperation. Gray would have followed, but his injuries still pained him. "Lucy! Dammit, woman, what did you do to Loke this time?"