Chapter 1

Today was a special day for the rain woman. Yupp, a very special day indeed. Today, the young and gentle Juvia is having her first birthday celebration at the guild. The joyous woman decides to let her long blue hair fall into soft waves down her shoulder and she wears a cyan floral dress, adorned with a lacy hem.

Juvia is cute today, the silly girl thinks, Gray-sama is sure to notice her!

The woman takes a quick glance of her reflection in the mirror, nods approvingly, and grabs one of those oh-so-fancy crystal earrings and puts it on. She finishes her look with a pair of strappy black heels and hurries out the door.

"OI, JUVIA," the iron dragon slayer was sitting next to his exceed partner while munching on some spoons that he stole from the bar, and he urges the birthday girl over once she walked into the guild. Gajeel notices Juvia's change in appearance immediately and frowns, "What's with the shoes…and are those iron piercings on your ears? Who did this to yah? IMMA FIND HIM AND BEAT THE.."

"This is all Juvia's doing," Juvia laughs and greets Lily, who gave her a smile and mumbles a 'good morning', "And no, these are crystal earrings that Juvia bought from the festival a long time ago. Please refrain from eating Juvia's earrings…they were not cheap!"

Gajeel squints his eyes and gave her a harsh stare, "Why are yah all dressed up like you're about to somewhere all fancy and shiz. I don't like it. Well, not that you care anyways."

Gajeel was about to grab another spoon to eat, but realizes that he already ate the last one a minute ago. Gajeel swears under his breath and all of a sudden, his usual bloodlust-filled eyes widen.

"Wait a minute. Today's your birthday." He says in the most 'excited' tone he could ever manage to express. Juvia grins and hugs him. For a second, Juvia swears she could feel Levy stare daggers at her back. And maybe a few shurikens.

"Gajeel-kun remembers! Oh, Juvia is so happy!" The rain woman says and she turns around to see if anyone heard their conversation, especially a certain exhibitionist. However, no one seems to have heard.

"Happy Birthday, Ms. Juvia," Lily says and smiles pleasantly. The exceed was always so polite, unlike his partner, which had a totally opposite attitude than the cat.

"Juvia doesn't think anyone knows that it is her birthday," Juvia plays with the hem of her attire and sighed, "But Juvia thought if she wore something different, then people would ask her why, and then maybe Juvia will them it is her birthday. Then we can all have some cake and Juvia can blow out the candles, since Juvia never had a birthday party before. But I guess this is all too much for Juvia to ask."

Gajeel cocks an eyebrow at Lily and the exceed crosses his arms as if he knew what the dragon slayer would say next.

"Then, we will have a big celebration today, ameonna," Gajeel muses, and Juvia stops playing with her dress and looks at him with surprise. The exceed smirks knowingly and agrees.

"Really, Gajeel-kun? But would that be too annoying for you? I would not want to bother you if you have important work and…"

"OH, just shut up and enjoy today okay?" Gajeel stands up and drags the woman out of her chair, "But first things first, go home and change. I don't like your outfit."

"Please Gajeel, let the lady wear what she wants. It is her birthday after all," Lily suggests, "And I think is gorgeous today…well, every day."

"Thank you, Lily." Juvia laughs as Gajeel pushes her towards Mirajane's bar.

"Fine. Whatever. Go get a drink and I'll come back in an hour, then we can have a nice celebration okay?" Gajeel ruffles the bluenette's hair playfully, and Juvia gave a short protest and fixes her hair. Well, Gajeel does have his kindhearted side afterall, Lily thought. The dragon slayer grabs his belongings and kicks the door open roughly as if the door killed his whole family, and Lily sighs, Just when I thought he was gentle…he loses his cool over a door.

Juvia watches cheerfully as Gajeel and Lily rush out the guild and takes a seat next to Lucy at the bar. The barmaid gave her usual soft and peaceful smile and hands Juvia a mojito.

"Wow, aren't you a beaut!" Mirajane exclaims, "Your hair really accentuates the whole outfit."

Lucy turns to Juvia and she agrees instantly, "Yeah! Why are you so dressed up today? Trying to impress a certain ice mage?"

Juvia's face flushes ten shades of red, "Thank you Mirajane…thanks to you too, Love Rival." Juvia's eyes subconsciously darts over to Gray, who was taking off his shirt, near the bulletin board.

"I really am not your 'Love Rival' Juvia…"Lucy desperately tries to explain for the millionth time, but she knew it was futile. Mirajane could only stifle a laugh.

"You see, today is actually Juvia's birthday…" Juvia mumbles. Suddenly, a loud crash was heard and everyone knew, the daily 'manly' fight was starting between Elfman, Natsu, and Gray.

"Sorry…what about a birthday, you say?" Lucy asks, leaning closer so she can hear Juvia over the entire ruckus that the stupid guys were causing. Mirajane leans in as well, as she wipes one of the glasses dry.

"Today is Juvia's birthday!" Juvia exclaims, louder this time, and Lucy and Mirajane gasps.

"We didn't know! Happy birthday Juvia!" Mirajane and Lucy say at the same time.

"Let me tell everyone and…" Mirajane was cut short as the Master suddenly approached Juvia. The old, short man had his arms behind his back and his facial expression only showed a sense of worry and concern.

"I apologize for disturbing your conversation, ladies," Makarov states, "However, I have important business with Juvia here, so please, let me talk to her in private."

Mirajane and Lucy exchanged looks and Juvia nods and follows the master into his office.

"Well, you see Juvia," The old man starts, "I have an important mission for you. There is a group of fire mages causing trouble in a town next to Magnolia and I analyzed the situation very carefully. I need very capable mages to counter them and I believe that you and Gray would be the best choice. I originally thought of Natsu, but I have another mission for him."

Juvia gasps as images of her and Gray going together on a mission flowed through her mind. A mission with Gray-sama would include lots of lovey dovey actions and maybe some hugs and kisses and maybe Gray will know that its Juvia's birthday and ….Yet, the woman's active imagination was destroyed as she heard what the master says next.

"However, I'm sorry to say that Gray refuses to go on the mission with you, so perhaps, you would like to suggest another partner?"

Juvia's heart skips a beat. What? Gray-sama refuses to go on a mission with Juvia? Why?

"What do you mean…that," Juvia gulps, "Gray-sama wouldn't go on the mission with Juvia…"

"Well, I'm not quite sure, but he doesn't seem to like the idea. That's all." The master says bluntly, "So who else would you want on the mission? Someone that might not be the best to counter fire mages per se, but someone you think would be the perfect partner."

Juvia could only feel pain in her chest. A very, very strong pain that is not subtle in any way. Almost as if her heart would pound out any minute. Drip, drip, drop. The refreshing, crisp sunny weather outside is abruptly replaced with gloomy, dark clouds. The depressing rain drops heavier and heavier by the second. Drip, drip, drop.

Juvia swallows hard, and finally she manages to reply.

"Gajeel-kun. Gajeel-kun is perfect."

So what do you guys think of the first chappie? Do you hate this? Do you love this? It is my first time writing a Fairy Tail fanfic, and please review! I would like you to tell me how I could improve to make the story better!

Review review review!