Once upon a time, there was a dragon and a princess whom met one fateful day, both terribly lonely and longing for someone to rely on. Their story was one written in the stars, a true fairy-tale in which the trust they held for one and the other was unwavering. And yet, as the season passed and the warm summer breeze was replaced by the bitter frostbite, the dragon distanced himself from the golden haired princess for he held strong feelings toward one delicate silver haired maiden living not to far away, unknowingly departing with one's broken heart.

Falling in love was one's hidden desire, a wish to experience what many called true love. Having the hidden colors illuminating one's monotone world as your heart skips a heartbeat… That was what many dreamed of. Falling in love was supposed to be a wonderful thing in which the soul finds comfort in another's presence. However, unknow to many, love could also be a dangerous trap, one capable of ending life if handled carelessly.

Lucy Heartfillia fell in love with Natsu Dragneel as soon as they first met, for he had not only saved her but also brought her to Fairy Tail, her dreamed guild. As he protected her time and time again, she couldn't help but fall more and more in love for him as he was not only caring but also protective of those he loved. The celestial mage envisioned her adventures with the dragon slayer as a fairy tale where love conquers all, but what she refused to believe was that not all fairy tales had a happily ever after. And that no matter how hard she would try, sometimes, things never were meant to be.

It was a warm April morning in which Magnolia Town was buzzling with life as the town prepared itself for it's annual blossom-viewing festival. Everything seemed to be perfect, starting with a magnificent weather, the sun shining in the soft blue sky devoid of any clouds. A warm breeze blew, bringing with it the delicate aroma of the blossoming flowers. The festival always was a favorite of many of Fairy Tail's guildmembers as they had all eagerly waited for that special day. However, to a certain celestial mage, this day was more than special. It was the day when Natsu unrooted one of the rainbow cherry blossom tree for her to look at from her apartment's window as she had been sick, the beautiful petals shimmering underneath the dimmed moonlight, their colors radiating in front of Lucy's chocolate orbs.

Two years following that day, Lucy had decided it was time for her to confess her deep feelings for the fire dragon slayer. And as the sun slowly set, letting place to nightfall, the blush pink petals turned into a flash of brilliant colors under the awed eyes of the wizards. The celestial mage knew it was the perfect time for her confession. A smile gracing her plumb lips, Lucy turned around in search for her partner, her heart exposed there in plain sight on her sleeve. The celestial mage was humming a soft, loving tune, one her mother used to sing to her. Her heart was beating loudly into her ears, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Although she was nervous, Lucy felt confident that Natsu returned her feelings, he did after all spend most of his time with her and promised he wouldn't let anyone steal her future. He was also very protective of her whether it was from deadly enemies or simply perverted men that would stare at her. Since Lucy had joined the guild, she and Natsu were practically attached to the hip, always seeking each other's presence for comfort. It was just like how her mother used to describe true love.

Lucy's lips were spread into a wide grin as the celestial mage played with a part of her golden locks, her cheeks tinted in pink. Cheers and whistles were suddenly heard from across the park, pulling the blonde girl out of her thoughts. Lucy looked over, curious and she now wished she hadn't. Natsu, the one who stole her heart at first glance was gently holding Lisanna Strauss hands as he showed her his heartfelt message, written in golden, bright flames. It proclaimed his infinite love for the take-over mage, promising to forever cherish her as that she had his heart since the very beginning when they were children.

"I love you Lisanna. Be mine and I will always cherish you!" proclaimed Natsu, his fist firmly pressed against his chest where his heart was.

"Aye" piped Happy, flying above his parents of anything but blood. "We'll finally be the family we wanted to be back when I was still a baby!"

"Oh Natsu… Happy…" whispered Lisanna as she gazed into Natsu's obsidian orbs, flaming with passion and love.

The young takeover mage, her slim frame shaking, threw herself at the dragon slayer as cheers were shouted by their audience. Many were exchanging money as others wiped away a tear, impressed by Natsu's surprising romantic confession.

"Kiss!" yelled Cana as she waved her bottle of beer, her cheeks red.

"Yeah Flame Brain!" shouted Gray, standing only in his boxers. Juvia was staring at him from the distance, her eyes filled with hearts at the sight of her beloved Gray. "Didn't know you had it in you"

"Shut up Gray" responded Natsu laughing before he turned back to Lisanna. He tenderly caressed her cheek, gazing lovingly at her sapphire eyes. He lowered his head, locking his lips with Lisanna's in a passionate embrace. Everyone cheered.

As for Lucy, she clapped, torn between the idea of leaving in a hurry or stay and support her best friend. But the sight of the one she fell for kissing another, loving another was just too much for her to handle. Her chest clenched in pain, tears were glistening in her eyes as the butterflies in her stomach disappeared. She was slightly shaking, her brain unable to register her loss. And she left the park.

On her walk back to her apartment, Lucy was walking dazingly, immune to the cold wind. Someone called out at her, but she ignored him. The celestial mage threw herself in her cold bed and cried.

It broke the celestial mage's heart to know that her love was unrequired, that she wasn't enough to be worth Natsu's affections. She honestly believed what the two partners had was unique, unreplaceable. Did her love for Natsu made her blind to the point she did not even realize she lost him? Was she that pathetic, Natsu never felt the same way? Once upon a time, Natsu Dragneel would burn into a pile of ashes anyone who would dare make Lucy cry as it pained him to the point, he lost all control. Once upon a time, Natsu Dragneel would have moved the Earth in order to make Lucy smile. And now, he wasn't there to hold her tight, his shoulder was no longer available to cry on. How ironic he was now the cause of such pain.

Tears slowly escaped her eyes, trailing her soft, fair skin and dripping to her already drenched pillow. Lucy felt as if her heart was breaking piece by piece, her memories of the dragon slayer only rubbing salt into her deep wound, one impossible to heal. Her heart was beyond saving as she gave it away that fateful day, not aware that she would have it broken. Time would maybe ease the pain, it's true however it will always linger, haunting her. After all, she couldn't forget all the memories he gave her. Her sore throat released an anguish cry, full of pain and sorrow, as she hold her head, desperately trying to ease her aching. It hurt, so very much to the point it was hard to breathe. A sob escaped her lips, her body rocking back and forth as she continued to wail, Loke holding her close. The celestial spirit tried to ease away the pain but to no avail. No one could heal a broken heart.

And after what seemed to be hours of crying, Lucy felt her eyelids become heavy and before she was assaulted by the dark, she muttered in a broken, pleading tone "Don't leave me… Natsu…Please"

…

A week passed by and no one noticed how helpless the celestial wizard was. To the outside eye, Lucy Heartfillia appeared to be overjoyed for her closest friend, only reproaching him for not telling her beforehand.

"Honestly Natsu, I'm your best friend, that's my job to look out after you. And that includes helping you confess to your soulmate. Why didn't you tell me?" she said, her face twisted into a small frown. However, the twinkle sparkling in her orbs told Natsu a different story, how thrilled she was for him and he couldn't ask for a better friend.

"I'm sorry Luce, but you know, I love Lisanna since a very long time and her departure for Edolas for two years made me realize the pain of losing my mate. I had to show her how much I care and love her and that alone. But I do need help for my proposal if you're interested. "
She nodded, a knowing smirk curving her blush lips as she turned her back to the love-sick mage. Why wasn't it her, why wasn't she the one Natsu loved so dearly? Lucy couldn't help but sigh bitterly. A tear escaped from her eye. She wiped it away hastily. She had to get away before her mask slipped, she refused to break in front of Natsu as she didn't want him to be burdened by her feelings towards him. It wouldn't be fair no neither Lisanna nor Natsu, now that they were happy together.

Once safely hidden in the safe heaven that was the library, away from prying eyes, the Heartfillia heiress dropped her smile, her usually lively eyes dulling. The shock of Natsu's sudden confession had led to a pure helplessness as she realized that although she had lost him, her heart didn't accept it, no matter the evidence.

Yes, it broke her heart to know that she wasn't enough, that someone else had the ending she had longed for as a child. However, she couldn't bring herself to hang on a tread of hope that one day, Natsu will come back to her, he never will. He loved Lisanna and as his best friend, she had to accept it no matter how painful it was to know that she never was the one. That she fell in love alone. After all, Natsu was never hers in the first place and realizing that in such a way hurt her. She was struggling to breath, her stomach twisting painfully as her body silently trembled from her sobs. And then suddenly she felt it.

Her lungs burned as if they were pierced by something sharp. Lucy felt as if her light had just been stolen away. She felt her heart constrict, the organ torn into pieces as her anguish and sorrow rooted themselves deeply in her chest, fueled by her love for the dragon slayer. She couldn't breathe as something crawled up her throat, itching as it passed. Lucy gasped desperately for air as she coughed violently, tears flowing freely from her redden eyes. It hurt. With a final cough, a petal, it's blush, soft pink tainted in red, escaped her mouth, twirling elegantly in the air before landing gracefully on the dark, wooden floor. The Heartfillia heiress stared at it blankly, a small drop of blood trailing for her rosy lips. It was a sakura petal, it's delicate frame painfully reminding her of Natsu and how gentle he could be. The color made her think of Natsu's rebellious salmon colored locks and how she used to tenderly stroke them. How he used to seek her presence to comfort him. As Lucy eyed the petal, one painfully reminding her of times when she had been happy, she chocked a sob. The taste of blood and bitter lingered in her mouth.

"Natsu…"

She coughed and as she did so, a cloud of petals soared through the room, small drops of blood splattering the Guild's floor.

"What the hell is that?" Lucy thought, her eyes flickering between the petals and herself. She knew something dire happened for her to start randomly coughing bloodied petal, however, she did not know the reason and it scared her.

Brandishing a silver key, Lucy called "I open thee, gate of the clock!" and smiled softly as blinding light appeared. However, the Heartfillia heiress gasped in surprise at the sight of Loke, standing in Horologium's place. The celestial spirit looked dishevelled, his eyes blood shot.

"Loke! Are you alright?" Lucy exclaimed, rushing toward her dear friend, worried. In response, the lion flashed a sad smile in her direction and with tender hands, cupped her cheek.

"I'm sorry Lucy" he whispered, his amber eyes glistening in the room's light. His voice was cracking, full of sorrow and guilt, feelings the celestial mage could not comprehend.

"Sorry? What for?"

"I let you fall for Natsu. It was my duty to keep you out of harm's way and I failed to do so. I'm so sorry, I never wanted you to get so heartbroken. If only I was more careful…"

"What are you talking about Loke?" Lucy snapped at him. "Yes, my heart was broken, but I do not regret falling for him. He brought me so much joy. It's only a heartbreak, I can still love Natsu in secret, I can't let him go, it's fine. It is going to be fine."

"But don't you see? It's not fine for you to love someone so deeply when you know so well, he is in love with another. It is not right for you to suffer in silence, you deserve a happy ending too. "

Loke's voice cracked in despair.

Lucy looked at him, curious for such an extreme reaction from her loyal spirit.

"Loke… what's wrong?" she asked softly, twirling nervously a strand of golden locks. Never had she seen the lion so desperate and sorrowful. He had crouched down on the floor, picking one of the cherry blossom petals, a tear trailing down his sharp cheek.

"Lucy… you're dying."