My very first Fairy Tail story. I have another that I'm gonna do that is a NALU but this is Natsu and my original character. Disclaimer I do not own Fairy Tail.
Chapter 1
Welcome to Fairy Tail!
Ryoko Kori looked over the letter that she had received from Master Makarov of Fairy Tail. When she had helped Master Bob the month before, he had recommended that she should look into joining Fairy Tail. He honestly believed that she would fit in better there, since Makarov was an expert at handling dragon slayers. He had actually reached out to Makarov to see if he was interested in her. Sure enough, Makarov responded to both Ryoko and Bob inviting her to Fairy Tail to see if she would like it there.
Magnolia seemed like a beautiful place. The streets were crowded with the townsfolk going about their daily lives. Beside her, Marie. A beautiful elegant calico cat with emerald eyes. She had found Marie as an egg when she was a small child and the two have been friends ever since.
Ryoko tucked the letter back into her bag and tied her purple hair back. It was a warm enough day but a wonderful breeze filled the air. However, that meant her waist length hair to go insane. "Marie, think I should get my haircut?" she asked as she glared at the runaway strands.
"You've already been down that road and didn't stop complaining until it grew back. Please spare us that torment," Marie huffed as she kept moving along the street. She was eager to get to their final destination. "Are you sure that you want to join a guild? We've been doing fine on our own."
Ryoko looked down at Marie and contemplated her question. "Marie, I need to have a place to call home. Ever since mom and dad disappeared I've felt like I'm missing something, you know? Aside from them. So if I join a guild, I can continue to make money, go out looking for my parents and still come home to a place of my own. Besides, Master Makarov already has two dragon slayers there. Maybe one of them knows where my parents are," she explained as she turned the corner and saw the Fairy Tail guild hall in the distance. She'd never seen such a huge hall before and she was still a few blocks away from it.
"We're almost there, Marie!" she said as she started to take off at a slight jog. She was excited to not only meet Master Makarov but also other members of Fairy Tail. She had seen at least an issue or two of Sorcerer Weekly and Fairy Tail always had a few articles in it.
"Let's get this over with," Marie grumbled. She was a cat who was never a big fan of huge changes. Marie shook her head and sprouted her wings and caught up to Ryoko.
Ryoko smiled at Marie as she continued on. People were staring at her as she ran past. She just smiled and continued until she reached the front doors of the guild hall. "Here's goes nothing," she whispered as she pushed open one of the doors.
The moment the door opened, she came face to face to with a full guild hall. People were talking and laughing while the clinked their mugs together. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming as she made her way into the hall. Wizards of all kind smile and waved at her as she worked her way to a wizard with white hair and a pink dress and was all too familiar with: Mirajane.
Ryoko forced herself to swallow as she looked down at Marie before turning towards Mira. "Excuse me," she said, gaining Mira's attention.
"Oh, hello! How can I help you?" she asked with a gentle smile.
"I'm here to see Master Makarov. My name is Ryoko Kori. I have a letter here, inviting me to meet with him," Ryoko said as she handed the letter over to Mira.
Mira glanced it over before smiling down at her and indicating for her to follow. "Oh! Hello, I'm Mirajane but most just call me Mira. He's right up these stairs. Please follow me, Ryoko," she said as she took the stairs that led to an office. Inside sat a small old man glaring at a stack of letters. Ryoko wasn't quite sure but she could have sworn he had tears in his eyes.
The old man looked up at the two of them and growled. "When Natsu and this team get back, I want to see them! They're suppose to be on vacation and now I'm getting letters from the magic council about those blockheads!" he shouted. Wow! Tiny and angry! She thought before he turned his eyes on her. "And who is this?" he asked calmly.
"Master, this is Ryoko Kori. You sent her an invitation," Mira informed him with a smile. "I'll leave her with you and keep an eye out for Team Natsu."
WIth that, Mira dashed out of the office rather quickly. Ryoko couldn't help but gulp. Why did Mira run like that and why did she leave me alone with him? She thought as she looked at Marie before turning back to Master Makarov. Without a second thought he hopped down from his chair and smiled at Ryoko as he held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ryoko. Master Bob has told me a lot about you. You've helped his guild out these past 6 months but he mentioned that you were looking for guild of your own. I'm just curious why you didn't join Blue Pegasus," he said as he looked at her.
"As sweet as Master Bob and the guild is, it just didn't feel like the right guild for me," she explained.
"And what are you looking for?" he asked.
"I'm looking for a permanent home to grow and work in. My parents left a long time ago. I've been looking for them ever since. But Master Bob thought I would fit in better here. He said it takes a special guild master to handle Dragon Slayers. Not sure what he meant by that," she said as she drifted in thought.
"When you meet Natsu and you'll understand. You seem to have a calmer disposition compared to other Dragon Slayers," he said admiring her calming quality.
"It's my nature. I'm an ice and water Dragon Slayer. Takes a lot to make me rage," she commented.
Makarov practically had tears in his eyes as he smiled. "Can you teach that to the rest of my children? Then the guild hall might need fewer weekly repairs," he said with a chuckle.
Ryoko gave him an unsure smile as she looked back at Marie. She had heard that this was a crazy guild but judging by how the Master was acting, she clearly had no idea what she would be getting into. Marie looked back to the Master and decided to chime in. "What can this guild offer Ryoko?" she asked bluntly.
Makarov looked at Marie and smiled. "Another talking cat. How interesting...Fairy Tail can offer both of you work, home, good times, and above all family. Fairy Tail values the friendships and family that is built here. We love and defend each other no matter what. I personally treat every guild member like my children. We all look out for each other," he said in such a tone that spoke of the deep love he had for them. "And if you join us, you'll be part of that family."
Those words were all she needed to hear. "How do I join?" she asked with a big smile.
Makarov returned her smile and led Ryoko back down to the bar. "Mira! Our newest members nee the Fairy Tail emblem. Please help them out," he said as he jumped on the bar and grabbed a mug.
Mira pulled out a stamp and smiled at them. "Where would you like it?" she asked.
Ryoko looked down at herself. She had a simple blue tank top and short jean shorts on. Um, my right shoulder, please," she said as MIra pressed the stamp to her arm. When she released it a bright blue Fairy Tail emblem was on her skin. Ryoko smiled as she looked down at Marie who had a lavender one on her back. "We're part of a guild, Marie. We have a home!"
Marie smiled up at Ryoko before turning towards Master Makarov. "Everyone! Please join me in welcoming Ryoko Kori and Marie to Fairy Tail!" he shouted as he raised a glass, toasting her. Soon the entire guild join in the toasting, shouting words of welcome.
Well everyone that is except for one member. Ryoko felt a dark figure come up behind her and whisper into her ear. "Well hello, Squirt," said a very familiar deep voice.
Ryoko spun instantly, coming face to face with the man from her past. "Gajeel Redfox," she said, a little less than thrilled to see him. She hadn't seen him since she was 13 when he left her to join Phantom Lord. As Gajeel stood in front of her, the rest of the guild watched them, giving Gajeel a dirty look.
However, there were a few faces who were friendly towards him. Master and Mira smiled up at him as they realized he was standing there. "Do you know Ryoko, Gajeel?" Mira asked.
"Yeah, she's the little Squirt who used to follow me around before I joined Phantom Lord. She's a slayer like me," he said quietly as he looked down at her. Ryoko had a sour face on her as she refused to look at him. "Ooh, icy shoulder, Squirt."
Ryoko bit her tongue. She would not laugh at his pathetic puns. Marie on the other hand snickered. "You won't get off that easy, Gajeel. She's still pretty mad at you this time," she warned.
"Well get over it, or I'll stick you outside to thaw," he said as he nudged her. Before he could make another poor joke, she was pulled away from the former Phantom member and vigorously questioned.
"You're a dragon slayer?"
"What kind of slayer magic?"
"Ice and water? Are their other slayers with two elements?"
"How do you know Gajeel?"
"Were you part of Phantom too?"
Ryoko didn't get a chance to answer before the Master interrupted. "Now. Now. The poor girl just got here and still needs to get settled. Plenty of time to get to know her. Ryoko, I believe you still need to find lodgings. You're welcome to room at the girls' dorm in Fairy Hills or do you want to do what Lucy did and get your own place?" Master asked.
"I think I'll look around Magnolia and figure out what I want to do. Be nice to get to know my new home," she said as she bowed out of the guild hall and worked her way through Magnolia. As she made her way through, she managed to find herself in front of Magnolia's famous Rainbow Sakura Tree. It was beautiful even though it wasn't in bloom.
"Don't be so angry at me Squirt. You know I had my reason," a voice said behind her.
Ryoko turned and looked at Gajeel. He must have followed her. "You left me and join Phantom Lord. They've done bad things and you willingly joined them. How could you?" she asked as she tried her best to keep her glare.
"It's complicated, kid but you had to find your own way. I'm not the man you think I am. Try as I might, I'll never be the man you need me to be," he began.
"You were my big brother! You looked out for me and then you left me. I was just a little kid and you walked away," she said as she wiped away a tear.
"Oh geez. Come on, Squirt. You know those tears always got me. Look, I'm not the same man who went into Phantom but I'm also not the warm and fuzzy type," he said as he turned his back on her. "But I'm really glad you're in the guild. I'll keep an eye out for you. As I've always done."
With that Gajeel walked away. Ryoko was confused at his words. She had no idea what he meant but she'd have to figure that out another time. Afterall, she had to a place to live so she can start her new chapter in her life. Walking through the town, she came across a large building that had a for rent sign in the window.
"Should we give it a shot?" she asked Marie.
"I think the wise option for you would be to stay at Fairy Hills. It's probably cheaper and you'll have other wizards there with you," Marie lectured.
"Come on, Marie. Wouldn't it be nice to have our own space? We've been on our own for so long that it just makes sense," Ryoko said as she knocked on the door.
As the door opened, a large older woman with glasses stood in the door frame. Both Ryoko and Marie both backed away by a step. "What do you want?!" the old woman asked.
"I saw that you have a room for rent and I was interested in it," Ryoko forced out.
"I have one remaining one bedroom apartment available. $70,000 jewel a month. I need one month in advance. I see you are members of Fairy Tail, you won't be the only wizard here. I know how that guild acts. There is to be no fighting here. PERIOD!" she said as she instilled her rules.
Ryoko smiled. "Of course! My I see the apartment?" she asked. The landlady took her to the top floor and to the right. The apartments was small but perfect for her and Marie and it was also furnished. There was a bed in the center of the room with one dresser off to the side. A desk sat in the corner with a chair and a bookcase next to it. The kitchen was a decent size with a small table and a chair. This was perfect for her and the price was very reasonable. Ryoko placed her bag on the desk and pulled out her wallet. There, she wrote out 1 year worth of rent. "Here, this she cover me for the year. I plan on going on as many assignments and don't want to miss a due date."
The landlady looked down, surprised that the young girl paid a year in advance. "Well, welcome home, Ms Kori. I'll stop in when you're out to make sure things are clean. I do that for the other wizard," she said as she walked out.
"Thank you," she said as she watch the landlady leave, leaving a key on the desk. "Welcome home, Marie and welcome to Fairy Tail."
Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you think!