Leaving to become stronger

Part Four

Lucy walked slowly towards Erza, Gray, and Mirajane.

"Hey guys..." she greeted her three close friends as she approach them.

They just looked up, expressionless.

"Want a milkshake, Lucy?" Mirajane offered softly.

Lucy shook her head, "Not today, Mira-san."

"What's up, Lucy. Is there something you want to tell us?' Gray questioned with his poker face on.

"I just wanted to bid farewell to you guys before I leave tomorrow." Lucy spoke lightly, enough for all three of them to hear.

Erza, Gray, and Mirajane could no longer keep wearing their blank faces on, and they showed her an upset expression.

They all stared down. Worry was clearly evident on all their faces.

"Why so soon? Are you really leaving?" Erza questioned, quietly- hiding her face.

"Hai... The sooner I leave, the sooner I come back." Lucy answered honestly.

"For how long?" Gray manages to ask while frowning.

"I don't know... Yet..." she answered honestly, looking down.

"You will come back, right?" Mirajane smiled a little, sounding hopeful.

Lucy looked at all three of them firmly and seriously as she answered "Hai."

She slowly smiled sweetly at them, as tears pour down uncontrollably from her eyes.

They remained silent for a moment.

Lucy broke the silence.

"Ah Mira-san, is it okay if you're the one to break the news to everyone else, once I'm gone?' Lucy asked sadly.

Mirajane hesitated for a bit, then sighed "Sure."

She wiped her tears using the back of her hand, and they all gave her a bone crushing hug.

"Ack! Can't breathe!" Lucy gasps, turning blue.

"You look like Happy!" Mirajane teased.

They all laughed at this.

As soon as Natsu and Happy entered the guild, the entire guild went silent.

"Happy..." Lucy called, softly.

"Lu-shee, you look sad. Is there something wrong?" Happy asked, as he flew above Lucy's head.

Lucy shook her head, "Hmm? Of course not. Can I talk to you alone?" she asked, wearing a fake smile.

"Sure, Lu-shee..." Happy responded, sounding unsure.

Natsu butted in and got curious.

"Yo. What's up, Lucy?" he asked casually, while draping an arm around her shoulder.

"Etto... I'd just like to talk to happy alone for a bit... Haha...' Lucy answered, laughing awkwardly.

As soon as she released herself from Natsu's grasp, she dashed outside grabbing Happy.

"Huh? What's that all about?" Natsu asked curiously, scratching the back of his head then shrugged.

-Meanwhile-

"Lu-shee... y-you... You're... Leaving?" Happy questioned, stuttering.

"Yeah. I already talked to master about it. He already agreed." Lucy answered, calmly.

"But why? Is there something that we did, that made you upset?" inquired the Blue neko, fighting back the tears wanting to spill.

"Nope. It was just... you could say... a sudden urge?" Lucy chuckled.