Christmas break is over and school starts back up soon. Though it was fun it seemed so short, I hope you all had a wonderful break as well. I am sorry I haven't updated in a really long time, I was caught up trying to write my other book "Hide and Seek". But also this break was incredibly busy, so I didn't have much time. Also, I am writing this in the car, so there are probably a lot of mistakes.

I dedicate this chapter to nalu_hanna!

Tell me something you did over break!
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Hours were closing and and days were ending, Lucy had a wonderful time with Natsu, but now it was time for her to take the test. As much as she didn't want to, she knew she had to. She decided not to tell Natsu what kind of test it was and let him stay oblivious, but he would find out. This is no ordinary test, but the annual ranking test required by the Council. The one Natsu had taken only a few weeks ago. Lucy's year had run out and it was time for her to take it again.

The problem was Lucy still hadn't recovered from her injuries, even the short time she was given wasn't enough. But the good thing was that after she took his awful test, she was done. At least for a while. It was time for her resting period, where she would travel back to the main guild. This was the first place she had seen Natsu, where they officially became partners. She had planned this on purpose, where she took the test and not have to right back into battle.

Stirring in the place of the bed she let her eyes wonder around the room. A sleeping Natsu laid next to her. He had insisted they both use the bed, so after more persistency he won. In a weird way she kinda enjoyed it, it was nice to have a personal heater while the room hadn't any heating. Most mornings she woke up cold and shivering, bit not since Natsu came.

She couldn't let him know, not how scared of nervous she was. Sitting up, she pulled her legs up to her chest. Cuddling them in hopes she would find any kind of comfort. Then suddenly, something warm pulled her back into the covers. Giving a small cry she was forced into something hard. She opened her eyes to the tan chest of her partner. She tried to wiggle out of his grip but he was a firm as a mountain.

Giving up on her lack of muscle she used something else she did have, something most others would find annoying or obnoxious.

"HEY NATSU!!" She yelled right into his face.

The poor, unexacting boy jolted awake. He screamed in shock as he shot straight up, dropping Lucy in the process. Meanwhile she held her stomach from the aches this hard laughter was giving.

"Lucy!" Natsu wined.

"...sorry...your face..." She barely made out between her fits.

"Don't you have your test today?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

Lucy froze as she remembered the painful events to the future.
"Yeah. We should get ready."

She walked right past Natsu and into the bathroom.

Natsu thought this odd as she, stormed right by without any other words. She went from happy and normal to scared and stiff in one second. Trying to push away the thought he dressed himself back into his clothes while Lucy showered. He only had one pair of clothes, so at night he just wore his boxers. It was only natural, he even told Lucy to wear her PJ's to bed too. But she immediately refused.

As they both finished they walked out of their room and started their long walk to the Masters office. But right as they stepped outside, there was a sight. A sight that most people only see a few times.

Big puffballs of white slowly drifted down to the ground from the sky. The entire valley was covered in these small balls, making the entire scene a sheet of cold. Lucy looked up to see a galaxy of white, tears formed in her eyes as it was breathtaking. A world without color danced before them.

"Snow!!" Natsu jeered as he ran around with his arms up.

They laughed and giggled all the way to the camp, snow balls were thrown and noses reddened. But the entire way seemed light hearted and joyful.

"We'er here." Lucy stated, stopping her childish behavior.

"Why so serious, what kind of test are you taking anyway?"

"It wont take long, I just want to get it over with." She sighed.

Ignoring her odd statement they entered the small canvas tent, where the Masters office resided. Just as before, he sat atop his table examining papers.

"Good morning Master." Lucy bowed.

"Ah, Lucy, Natsu. Your here, good to see you, sorry it had to be on such circumstances." The small man greeted. "Lucy, are you ready?"

Lucy nodded. Natsu still had no idea what was going on, he only knew she was going to take some sort of test. Maybe a knowledge test where they give you a series of questions.

"Good, Jellal!" He called.

From the inner foldings of the tent walked in the man with the mark over his eye, last time Natsu had seen him was when he had to take the annual test. Test...test?! Lucy was going to take that now?!

"Wait a minute!" Natsu yelled.

"Natsu stop!" Lucy grabbed his arm, stopping him from doing anything stupid.

"You cant take that test now, you are still hurt!"

"I don't have a choice, besides it is always like this. I'm used to it." She gave him a small, weak smile.

These words echoed around his brain as he watched Lucy walk into the back room with Jellal.

"Lucy wait!!" He called after her, but unknown hands kept him back.

That must he why she was acting so weird when he brought up the test, also her extra happiness in the snow. He cursed at himself for not realizing earlier. She was his partner and best friend, but he couldn't even tell she was in pain.