A/N Hello, so, I've had other FF accounts in the past, but this is the first time I'm going to write an M rated. It's kind of new for me, but I've got a fairly concrete plot formed. Hopefully some of you will be willing to stick with me on the adventure. I'm a hardcore NALU fan so I promise there WILL be smut. It just might take a little for the plot to build up to it. Please give me a chance! Anyways, nobody thought I was Hiro Mashima in the first place, but in case you did (hi, no one) I don't own FT. (I wish, man there would have been so much kissing at the end *sigh*).

"Mommy!" the little girl squealed, blonde pigtails bouncing excitedly.

The tall, elegant woman turned from the fountain, towards the young child.

"Lucy," She smiled, opening her arms to the young girl.

Lucy bounced forward, hopping into her mother's arms. "Can I watch? Can I watch?" Lucy's words were bubbling with excitement, eager for something. She reached around her mother's neck and pulled on a chain. The tinkling of metal filled the air. Lucy followed the chain to clasp around a few golden keys.

Her mother laughed, a delightful sound that blended perfectly into the rush of her young daughter's voice. A sort of electricity filled the air as Lucy touched the keys.

"Oh, just this once!" Lucy cheered with joy as her mother winked at her and lowered her to the rim of the fountain. Lucy stood at the edge, trying to decide if she'd rather stare at the water or her mother. She settled upon her mother as she loosed one of the keys from her necklace, dipping it slowly into the water.

"Open! Gate of the Water Bearer, Aquarius!" Lucy looked at the key which pulsed out a golden light before a flash of colors swirled into the form of a beautiful mermaid with blue hair. Lucy jumped up and down, before sitting down on the edge and kicking her tiny feet into the water, splashing the mermaid, gently.

"Layla!" Aquarius practically growled. "What have I told you about summoning me to play with your stupid brat!" She sounded angry, but there was a gentle fondness in her eyes as she looked at the mother and daughter pair.

"I'm sorry, Aquarius. But I just can't say 'no' to Lucy's cute face!" Layla reached down to hug her daughter. "Although," she continued, "It's probably a good thing you can. Because, if you spoil Lucy, too, when your key passes to her, I don't think she'll ever grow up."

At that moment, Lucy jumped into the water, completely. She splashed Aquarius, who grumbled, but blushed a little when Lucy suddenly cried out, "Pwetty! Pwetty!" pointing at the mermaid.

But, intent upon keeping up her grumpy charade, Aquarius turned to Layla, "I'll only let her call upon my key because you're the brat's mom."

Layla laughed, "Whatever helps you sleep at night," she winked. But Aquarius didn't notice, too busy helping a soaking Lucy back up the ledge.

I blink awake, the sun not even peeking through my curtains. Sleep was the one luxury the rich could never seem to afford. My maid bustles around the room and I groan, slightly. Annoyed that I can't even sleep in on my birthday, I try to bury myself under my blankets, but my maid simply rips them from my head.

"Pardon, Miss Lucy, but Lord Jude was quite adamant that you meet him for breakfast within half an hour." A spark of hope rises in my chest. Had my father remembered my birthday, for once? Not quite daring to hope, I leap from bed and busy myself, preparing for the day. I wish I could just put on some shorts and a T-shirt, but father would be scandalized by anything except for his idea of 'my' best. I let my maid lace up a ridiculous corset and tighten the strings on a gown that is far too concealing and poofy.

Once dressed, and exhaling in a burst of anticipation, I leave the room. Part of me wants to run down the stairs, but I know too many of the staff are loyal to father. So, I force my feet to carry me at a gentle pace and enter the dining room, letting the servant at the door announce me to my father.

He sits at the end of the long table, cup of coffee steaming up his glasses slightly as he lifts it to his lips. He pauses, setting it down upon my entrance, as well as the newspaper that rests in his other hand.

"Father," I curtsy, as ladylike as I can manage.

"Lucy," he begins, tone stern, "sit down." As I do so, he signals to a waiting servant who brings out a very healthy looking breakfast (much to my frustration). The food is rather plain, and I am disappointed to see that father clearly didn't remember what day it is.

"Today is a very special day," he begins, and I blink. Perhaps I'd been to quick in my judgement?

"Oh? Is it?" I respond, cautiously, not daring to hope.

"Indeed. For, today I have solidified a contract with Straight Inc. I am pleased to inform you, Lucy, that your future has been settled upon."

Everything inside me goes cold, well except for the rush of bile that tries to leave my mouth. He can't be serious.

"In what way has my future been settled, father." My voice is more venomous than I intend, but I don't exactly regret it.

"Why, through the union of you and the heir to the company, Daniel Straight."

A bitter laugh escapes my lips. Of course, he is serious. "Funny, I don't recall agreeing to any such union." My father's eyes go dark on the opposite end of the table.

"Lucy," He begins, tone warning,

"I can't believe this," I cut in before he can continue. "And here I thought you cared about the fact that it's my birthday." To his credit, it does seem like my words sting, if only the tiniest bit. But I don't care. "I'm not very hungry, not that your latest attempt to slim me down would have filled me anyway," I spit out, pushing aside my plate as I stand.

"Lucy, sit down."

"I don't think I will." And with that, I leave the room. I don't care to hear a single detail of my father's latest business venture. I am not a contract to be drafted and signed. I am a person with feelings and potential. I make my way upstairs, ignoring the furious calls that follow me. I don't even care to move slowly, this time. I run upstairs and begin ripping myself from my dress.

I change, briskly, into the shorts and shirt I'd dreamed of earlier. I move to my dresser and remove some of the clothes within. I push at a board on the bottom, opening up a hidden compartment I'd found years ago. I pull my journal from within and climb back on my bed, writing furiously.

Dear Mom,

Today my Father proved, again, that he's an arrogant prick, oblivious to any and all feelings outside of his own greed and ambition.

I can't even begin to express how DONE I am with this life. I'm sure some people dream of fancy dresses and dozens of empty rooms, servants who wait hand and foot and whatever else comes with this life. But that's only because they don't know what it's really like. Father gets to decide everything I do with my life. The strings of my corset might as well be attached to a puppet master, for all the will I seem to execute on my own life.

Today, instead of telling my 'Happy Seventeenth Birthday, Lucy!', Father told me he'd arranged my marriage. I'm absolutely furious. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now, well that's a lie. I know EXACTLY what I'm 'supposed' to do. The thing is, I don't want any part of it. And I can't help escaping the feeling that I'm meant for so much more. Which is horrible because despite hating so many parts of my life, I recognize that I'm lucky to have the luxury I hate so much. I have food (even if it's dietary food, Father is trying to cram down my throat to make me lose weight), clothing, shelter and memories. I have the greatest memories of you, Mom.

But even those seem distorted. I had the dream again, last night. The one by the fountain, with the key. I'm still trying to figure out what it means, because it wouldn't repeat so often if it didn't mean something. But, what does it mean?

I wish you were here, mom. I wish you could tell me what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. I've always felt like something was missing. Obviously, you are missing from my life. But, even though nothing is more important than that hole in my life, I get the feeling there's something else.

And now, Father is just making that hole worse, taking my future away from me.

Please, Mom.

Help me know what I should do,

Lucy

Blinking unshed tears from eyes, I stand and return my journal to its hiding place. I have just finished and stepped away from the dresser when the door opens, my personal maid entering.

"Miss Lucy," she curtsies, once, "Lord Jude demands that you meet in his study, immediately." Groaning I step towards the door. She blinks, eyes wide. "Although, I'm sure we could spare a brief moment to help you change into-"

"No." I push through the door, ignoring her protests. I move through the halls, quickly. Preferring to get this over with sooner, rather than later.

I guess father expected me to need to change because, when I enter his study, he isn't there, yet. Considering the most scandalizing thing I could possibly due to annoy him, I move to his desk and sit down, in his chair, placing my feet on the desk. I pause when I notice the picture of my mom facing me. I remove my feet, opting instead to lean forward and pick up the picture. I stare at my mom's face, tracking her features lightly with my finger. I notice the briefest glint of gold around her neck and pause, looking closer. The picture doesn't go further than the beginning of her breast, but I stare ate the gold of the mostly hidden necklace, curiously. It reminds me of my dream. I put the picture back, slowly. I've never actually sit in my Father's chair before. Unless father has demanded my presence for some sort of audience, I'm never even allowed to enter the study. But, the servants standing watch let me in because of that exact reason. I don't think I've ever made it before him. My curiosity is surging, urging me to take every opportunity offered me in this moment.

Quietly, I slide open one of the drawers to his desk. The majority of what I see look strictly like business papers. But, I see a couple of envelopes. I'm not so much of a snoop that I'd open father's mail. But, I'm surprised to see that the letters bare my name. With a cautious peek towards the door, I slide the letters from the desk and close it, carefully. Not wanting Father to come in, mid read, I search for a way to hide the letters. For once in my life I curse that I'm not wearing more than skimpy shorts and a shirt. There are two envelopes. One is heavy, and I can feel the outline of something inside it, the second is lighter than the first. I carefully shove them into my shirt, tucking them around my breasts, hoping they won't poke out. My heart is pounding.

The door to the office opens and my father snaps, "Get out of my chair," so suddenly I almost faint. But, I do my best to pull off a bratty smirk. I stand, haughtily and internally cheer myself on as my father tightens his jaw at my appearance before looking away.

"What are you wearing?" He snaps.

"Whatever the fuck I want," I practically spit the words at him. Venom enters his eyes as he sits.

"Watch your tongue, Lucy. I didn't raise a child with such vulgar vocabulary."
"You're right," I agree, seemingly startling him, "you didn't raise me," I finish.

We stare at each other another small moment before he breaks contact with me, digging inside his desk for something. I relax when I realize it is not the same drawer I had been inside. He pulls a large collection of papers from the drawers.

"This," he begins, "is the contract Straight Inc. and Heartfilia Railroads have agreed upon. You will sign them."

I laugh. "You're kidding."

"Lucy, I've tired of your attitude. You will sign the papers, agreeing to marry Daniel Straight and unite our companies and wealth."

"Tell you what, Father. I'll take the papers, and I'll even read through them. Then and only then, will I consider this agreement." His eyes steel.

"I will allow you read them before signing, but mark my words, Lucy, you will sign them." He extends the papers over the desk and I snatch them, clutching them in front of my shirt, just in case one of the envelopes is peeking through.

"Fine. I'll be returning to my room, now." Without waiting for his permission, I turn from the desk and head to my room.

Sometimes, I feel incredibly guilty for the way I speak to my father. I don't exactly like coming off as such a brat, but the day my father recognizes me as an independent woman is the day I'll begin respecting him as my father.

I rush through my bedroom, pushing towards my private bathroom. I never get any real privacy anywhere else. I lock the door behind me, tossing the stupid contract on the counter, before pulling the letters from underneath my shirt. I sit upon the cold tile of the floor and place them on the floor in front of me. One of the letters, the lighter one, has both my name and address and a return address. I recognize it as being of official business. The second letter simply has my name on it, in a beautiful, scrolling script. I turn to this one first.

Tearing it open, I reach inside and pull a simple parchment out, then still as four golden keys fall out, onto the floor.

Dearest Lucy,

I can only imagine how you are feeling. The fact that you are receiving these keys and my advice in such a fashion can only mean one thing: I am not there to do this in person. Which means, I have, indeed, passed away.

That thought, alone, brings a great sorrow into my heart. The world we live in is hard enough without the love a mother to guide her child. I can only pray that your father has not turned to the grief of my passing and kept the truth from you.

Lucy, the world is full of mystery, none greater so than that of magic. Although, more than mystery, magic is the world's most guarded and treasured secret. There are so many kinds that fill the world, kinds I expect you to study hard when your time to attend Fairy Tail comes.

Magic is most often an inherited trait, one full of history and tradition.

You have this magic inside of you. You might not remember, I may have died while you were to young to recall it, but you, like me before you, have the power to unlock the heavens. I may not be able to guide you personally, any longer. However, you will always have the stars to guide you. To help you do so, I pass along my greatest treasures (aside from you): Taurus, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Cancer. They are each a member of the golden zodiac twelve. And, they are yours to befriend and call upon.

You will learn, in time, the importance of friendship. But, may these four help you remember the importance of family. They each can teach you something I would have, had I been there to guide you in person.

My sweetest daughter. Know that, no matter what else, your parents, I, love you.

May the stars be your constant guide,

Mom.

I stare at the paper, tears dripping from my eyes, joining the faded marks where my mother's own tears had once fallen upon the page. So many questions burn in my mind. I pick up the keys and hold them fast to my heart.

Cautiously I pick up the other envelope, looking closer at the return address. Apparently, the sender of the letter is part of Fairy Tail, whatever that meant. Bursting with curiosity, I slide open the envelope and pull another letter from within.

Miss Lucy Heartfilia,

It is with greatest pride that I, Makarov Dreyer, extend an invitation to attend Fairy Tail, Academy for the Gifted. I, and those at my side, recognize in you the stirrings of magic and wish to assist you as you develop your powers, as well as teach you to defend against any powers which would harm you.

You are always welcome,

Headmaster Dreyer

I read through the words a few times before I can no longer deny them. But it isn't the words I am most shocked by. The date of the letter is the bigger shock to me. The letter had been sent two years ago, before my fifteenth birthday. I bite back a scream of frustration that my father has kept such secrets from me as long as he has.

I stand up, on shaking feet, and move back to my room, sliding my dresser in front of the doorway to the hall. I retrieve my journal and slip the letters within its pages. However, I don't return the journal. Instead I place it on my bed. I rummage through my jewelry before settling upon a golden chain. I slip off what had once been upon it and slide the golden keys on, in its place.

I move to my closet and pull out a bag. As quietly as I can manage I fill it with a few simple outfits, stuffing any money or jewelry I had into my purse. Once I feel satisfied that I'm packed, I return to the bathroom, pen in hand. In large letters, I sign the stupid contract sitting on the counter with two words: AS IF.

And, with that final declaration, I proceed to the window and climb down the vines to the ground, the address to Fairy Tail Academy burning in my memory.

If you review and let me know what you think, so far, I'll probably be encouraged enough to update soon. I'll try, regardless, but a little encouragement always goes a REALLY long way with me.

~ M