Cloaked And Hidden

1.

Lucy POV

Bombardment of sharp comments filled my ears as I sat at the table, my bangs shadowing my eyes. By now, you'd think I'd be used to them and just take them on the chin, but, no. I still took them as seriously as ever. There were still a few who didn't take part in the ridicule, but they were to scared to speak up in fear of being cast out themselves. I didn't blame them. Who would want to be in my position?

The criticisms continued on and I zoned out, the words mere whispers in the back of my mind of insults. How could they, when they were once so protective and caring to me, now say such things to me? Were they now sick of me? Did they think I was just a helpless girl, always in need of protection? No. I'd show them.

I stood up, my hands curled into fists. The speaking stopped briefly, but soon carried on, more spiking comments directed at me.
"Ooh? Being brave, are ya'? That's new!"
"No! You shouldn't stand up on your own! We need to protect you so you don't hurt yourself!"
"Maybe she needs to get her 'star friends' to protect her from the dangerous outside world!"

I straightened out my skirt and flicked my hair from my eyes I looked at each and everyone of them surrounding me. Lisanna, Gray, Juvia, Elfman, Romeo. Natsu. All of them.
"Shut up." I said, a tear streaming down my face. They looked at me, slightly shocked. "Shut up." I said again and began walking to master's office. I walked up the stairs and nocked on his door, earning a grunt of allowance, and, I entered.

He looked at me, his eyes caring but tired.
"Yes, my child?" He asked, knowing what I wanted, but just making sure.
"Please remove my insignia," I replied "I wish to leave Fairy Tail."
He nodded and walked over to me, taking my hand with the pink symbol on it.
"Rule number one; Never release any personal or potentially threatening information about Fairy Tail until you die.
Rule number two; Never contact past clients for your own and the guild's safety.
Rule number three; Never forget to live your life to the full, to live everyday as if it was your last and to cherish the memories of your time in this guild forever." He recited while removing the emblem.
He sighed and looked up at me. "Lucy, remember that last rule, always." He said, gripping my now-bare hands. "You must leave now."
I nodded and headed towards the door, pausing before I sent out. "Thank you, master." I whispered and closed the door, walking towards the forever-bullying mages who I once called guild-mates and friends.
"Hey, scumbags," I greeted, my tone sharp and unforgiving, "Guess what?" I asked a smirk growing on my lips.
"What, did you finally manage to go to the loo on your own?" They laughed.
"Ha, that's funny. But, unfortunately, no." I slammed my mark less hand down on the table they were all gathered around. "I quit the guild."

Their reactions were priceless. They stopped thinking up clever comments right at that second their faces flooded with guilt.
"G-good joke, Luce. Now rub off whatever is covering your guild mark!" The flames-for-brains idiot exclaimed, stuttering in disbelief.
"Oh, there isn't anything covering a guild mark, cause there ain't no guild mark to cover!" I replied, kicking him in the shin, hard.
"We all know you're joking, Lucy!" Said Lisanna, her eyes darting from my smirk-plastered face to my hand.
"Then why are you looking for proof?" I said handing them my hand to examine.
They all looked at it and someone reached out to grab, rubbing at the skin.
"Oh." Someone mumbled, clearly shocked.
"You know we didn't mean anything we said, right?" Gray said, searching for an excuse.
"Y-yeah, it was just a joke!" Backed Lisanna, stuttering.
I raised an eyebrow. "You should've said that sooner." I walked out the door.

The breeze blew my hair wildly, a huge weight just being lifted off my shoulders.
"That felt good." I murmured, smiling at myself.

I began to walk back to my apartment, the cold night air sending shivers up my arms. I sighed an rubbed my arms, vainly trying to push some warmth into them. Maybe leaving Fairy Tail was I bad idea? I mean, they said they were joking, right?
Damn it Lucy! Get a grip! They weren't sorry. They only said that because they felt guilty! Stop rethinking your actions!
I need to be less forgiving. I would never forgive Fairy Tail. Not for what they did to me.

I sat down on a bench by the side of the road, watching the clouds of my hot breath rise into the sky. I sighed and shut my eyes briefly, leaning my head back.

A figure sat next to me and I froze, silent.
"Hey, Blondie. Why are you crying?" Said the figure, looking at me.
I sat up and touched my cheek, feeling the dampness of tears on my fingertips. Had I been crying? I hadn't even noticed! It is because I'm so used to it?
The figure spoke up again, slightly impatient "Blondie?". I couldn't see their face clearly due to the dim lighting of the street but I could tell he was handsome. Really handsome.
I turned my head towards him and shrugged " I-i don't know... I didn't realise I was crying!" I almost burtlst into floods if tears, right then, right there but I sniffled and wiped them away, unsure of how I was feeling.
"Woah, there, Blondie. Calm down" He said. Although the lighting was awful, as far as I could tell, he was blond too! "Wait, but you're blond too!" I said, smiling slightly.
He shrugged and scratched his perfectly chisled chin, one finger tracing the line of his beautiful lips. Woah, Lucy, get a hold of yourself. You just met this guy and you're already imaging what'd be like to kiss him. Geez, brain, you're such a party pooper.
He interrupted my train of thoughts quickly "Well, I'm Sting." He grinned and held out his hand for me to shake.
"I'm Lucy of Fairy Ta-" I stopped "I'm Lucy." I took his hand and shook it, his grasp strong.
"Wait," he replied, "Aren't you that chick in Team Natsu?"
I looked down "I was that chick in Team Natsu." I muttered, a slight hint of venom as I said my ex-guildmate's name. "I'm not even a Fairy Tail wizard anymore..." I sighed and shook my head.
He nodded, seeming to understand, or just not wanting to pressure me into explaining.
Wait, did he say his name was Sting? Isn't Sting he name of the Sabertooth guild master? The guild that Yukino is in?!

Sabertooth! I'd join there instead! They were rivals with Fairy Tail, they were strong... And I could get stronger if I was there! I could train with another celestial spirit mage and I'm sure we could find some spells that we could cast together...
But, would they let me join?