A/U

Ah, feels good to be back. I've been away from the fanfiction world for a long time, but then I found Fairy Tail. What a fantastic story and such beautiful characters. I needed to expand this universe somehow, so here I am.

I haven't written anything in a very long time, so this may be rough for the first few chapters, but I will find my way back eventually. So for all of you awesome people who have taken a chance on my work here, I truly do appreciate you.

Final thought: I don't own Fairy Tail, but I must also hand it to Mashima for such a remarkable and impactful story. Mr. Mashima, I deeply admire your artistic and creative mind. Thank you so much for birthing Fairy Tail.

With that said, let's get started.

I'm feeling fired up now!

~NumberSixteen

It's a beautiful day in Fiore. The sun is shining down upon our heroes as they wander through a luscious and spatial forest.

"Can we take a break?" A tiny sigh of exhaustion could be heard.

I countered the sigh with one of my own. "I agree with the cat… for once."

Erza didn't slow her pace, although it was already leisurely in her eyes. "It's perfect travel weather. We don't want to get caught in the rain again, do we?"

"No, but I don't see a cloud for miles." Gray chimed in this time. "It's not like we're in a rush."

Natsu rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Taking a break means I can eat."

"Me too!" Happy's energy seemed to rejuvenate immediately. He joyfully swooned through the air above Natsu. "I bet we could catch a fish in the river! Maybe a dozen!"

Natsu clenched his fist and grinned up at Happy. "You really know how to speak my language, buddy!"

Carla prodded along beside Wendy. "I think we could all use a break."

"Fine." Erza dropped the handle to her cart that lugs her mountain of suitcases. "We will break for no more than an hour."

"Oh yeah!" Natsu and Happy chimed together and immediately made beeline for the river bank, fishing poles in hand.

"Thank goodness," I breathed and plopped down at the base of the nearest tree. "I just need to relax for a while. Walking everywhere takes a lot out of a girl!"

"It definitely does," Wendy added as she and Carla settled in to the left of me. "It's nice to be doing normal jobs again, but I didn't think we'd be going so far!"

I smiled softly. "I don't think any of us expected it, but at least the powerhouse team is back together."

Wendy laughed lightly, "Just like good-ole times."

I leaned back against the tree, enjoying the shade it gave, and watched Gray settle in near Natsu and Happy. He opened his bag and grabbed his notebook and pen. He smiled subtly as he began to write.

"He's writing another letter to Juvia. How sweet!" I thought to myself. "I wish I could write someone back at the guild. I suppose I could write to Levy… I wonder how she and Gajeel are doing?"

After the entire debacle with Zeref and Achnologia, we've all been enjoying having normal lives again. I've finished my novel and I even won an award! Ever since, I've been looking for new inspiration for my second work, but I've come up with nothing substantial. Natsu suggested that I publish my diary, but of course I turned that suggestion down with a well-timed Lucy kick. But still, I can't shake the feeling of being without inspiration.

As I came out of my short trance, a shadow fell over Wendy, Carla and I. I looked up to see the sparkle of armor and scarlet hair. "Oh hi, Erza."

"I have brought treats for the four of us," She announced forcefully, shoving small platters into our hands. "Strawberry shortcake."

"Thank you!" Wendy cooed happily, her eyes dazzled as she admired the small but perfect portion of cake.

I laughed softly as Erza planted herself on my right with a 'thud'. "Where did you get this?" I asked curiously.

Erza passed us a small smile, "In the last town. I was waiting for a perfect time like this to indulge in it." She looked up and across the road toward Natsu, Happy, and Gray. "I thought that the lot of us could have a picnic, but I didn't want to risk several meals getting squashed on my cart, so I settled for a few small sweets."

Wendy, Carla and I gave a shaky giggle and forced smiles on our faces as our eyes fell on the cart that Erza has dragged nearly one thousand miles already. It was almost visibly wobbling under the load she has put on it. Since we left Magnolia, she's accumulated a lot more stuff and the cart is having a harder and harder time getting anywhere. But of course, Erza refuses to acknowledge the limitations of her cart, demanding that she because crafted it herself, it can withstand any beating.

"Well, thank you Erza!" Wendy shoveled the first bite past her lips. "This is amazing!"

Erza smirked at us, "I know all the good places in Fiore for top-notch sweets. You could almost say it's a weakness of mine."

"Almost?" I nearly choked on my cake but recovered quickly when Erza's smirk turned to a glare. "Nevermind!"

We settled in comfortably, enjoying our cake and chatting like the lot of women we are. We watched as Natsu and Happy impatiently fished and Gray scribbled his letter to Juvia. The noon-time sun slowly settled into the early afternoon, but the warm temperature remained.

A while after we had finished our cake, Gray suddenly slammed his notebook closed and shoved it back into his bag. We all watched as he rose and began stripping.

"Hey!" I shouted at him. "Put your clothes back on!"

"Shuddap!" He countered lazily. "It's hot out and I don't like that. I'm going swimming."

He threw off his socks and took off for the river. As he leaped in, Natsu and Happy visibly angered, probably due to their lack of success fishing.

"Hey Frosty!" Natsu shouted angrily, "We're fishing here!"

Gray simply ignored the fireball and floated along his back. "This feels so much better."

Wendy suddenly lept to her feet as well, "I think I want to go swimming too!"

Erza huffed irritably, "We really should get moving again."

"Oh, come on Erza," I smiled and got to my own feet. "It's like Gray said, we're not in a rush anyway!" I started toward the river myself, looking forward to a relaxing dip in the river.

Carla was the next to rise and head for the river. "I suppose just a short swim wouldn't be such a bad idea."

I hurriedly changed into my bikini and got into the river slowly, "Ahhh… This water feels amazing!" I sunk into the water until it came to my shoulders.

"No fair!" Natsu barked, "If I can't fish, then I guess I'll just have to swim too! But all of you better watch out because I am the king of water fights!" He ripped off his vest and pants, revealing a concealed pair of swim trunks. "You're going down, Gray!"

"Like hell I am!" Gray shouted back. "I'll kick your butt right now!"

"Wanna test me!?" Natsu hurled himself into the water and began trenching toward Gray. "I'm fired up now!"

"Boys!" Erza snapped at the pair angrily. "I'm getting in too so do not make me come over-"

The wave that washed over all of us could not have come a moment sooner as Natsu and Gray began to go at it, neither of them hearing Erza's partial warning. Well, maybe they did, but chose to ignore it. No matter, they still didn't know what was coming next. Erza was already drenched and while the rest of us saw the glint of fury in her eyes, the tussling pair did not.

I gulped as I prepared to witness the ensuing punishment she would deal out on the quarreling pair. "Natsu! Gray! Run!" I shouted at them hurriedly to warn them.

Both looked back my way dumbly, only to see Erza, in a fit of rage, barrelling toward them. "You bastardly boys! Are you deaf?!"

A/U

Okay, I think I accomplished what I was trying to do. I know this seems a bit one-shot-ish, but I promise it is going to flesh out more as I continue into later chapters. I want to take my time on this one and try to get as close to the characters as I can.

Constructive criticism is highly encouraged and I really could use it. I'm definitely aiming to give you all the best story I can possibly present.

Once again, thank you all. See you soon!

~NumberSixteen