Chapter 1
-THE GUILD-
It was Saturday afternoon. Erza and Lucy had just come back to the guild from a long job. When they went in, everyone started yelling, for Natsu and Gray were throwing fists at each other as usual.
"Typical," said Lucy, smirking.
"When will they learn?" Erza muttered.
She stormed over to the two boys, bashed their heads together, and - after claiming her cake - she went off to talk to Wendy and Carla. Lucy went over to the bar. She sat down and asked Mira for a drink.
"The usual? Or we have some more of that soda you like," Mira asked happily.
"Um no, the usual please," Lucy replied.
She sighed and then grinned as she watched Natsu rub his head. Juvia was fussing around him and asking him if he was ok. Natsu just shrugged, and got up to walk over to Gray. It wasn't long until another fight started, and almost everyone got involved.
"Lulu, I see you're back from that job," said her best friend, Levy.
They spent quite a long time chatting, and after a while Levy said she had some work to do and went down to the library. Lucy went and sat down next to Erza. They chatted, as friends do, and eventually Natsu, Gray and Happy joined in their conversation.
"I have some fish for you Lushy," said Happy with half of said fish in his mouth.
"Oh, thanks Happy," she said and took it from him, and then gave it back after thinking twice. "I'm sure Mira would put it in the fridge for me to take home for dinner." She tried not to cringe. "And would you mind me asking when you caught that fish?"
"Tuesday."
"And has it been in the fridge since then?"
"No."
Gross.
"Why not?"
"You don't put fish in the fridge Lucy; you eat it when you catch it."
"Happy?"
"Yeah?"
"I've been on a job since Tuesday."
"Yeah, and I was keeping it for you until you got back. It's not my fault you only got back today."
"Hey, Happy?" said Natsu, butting in.
"Yeah?"
"Eat the fish if you want to, it's yours after all."
"Thanks Natsu," Happy said, devouring the fish.
-ON THE WAY TO THE GUILD-
The next morning, Juvia was walking on the well-trodden path down to the guild. In her hands she clutched a box containing fortune cookies that she had spent all night making for Natsu's birthday. Each cookie had a secret message hidden inside, and Juvia was excited but slightly nervous to give them to him. She was just going past the bridge, when an out of breath Natsu came running up to her.
"Hey Juvia, what you got there?" he asked, grinning.
She blushed, and tried to hide the box under her cloak.
"Err, nothing."
Natsu just grinned even more when he caught sight of her red cheeks, and he busted open the door to the guild.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATSU!"
The room erupted into cheers, and Natsu found himself surrounded by all his friends and guild mates. The guild hall was filled with balloons, and a big pile of presents sat in the corner of the room.
"Gee, thanks guys," he said, clearly embarrassed.
Everyone laughed and clapped as Mira brought the cake in. The cake was vanilla sponge with thick layers of whipped cream and strawberries. On top, there was the Fairy Tail guild mark and seventeen candles embedded in the frosting. After everyone had sang happy birthday and eaten the whole of the cake, it was present time.
Natsu made his way over to the great mountain of presents; he picked up the one at the top. It was from Levy. He tore away the wrapping paper and saw a book. It read: 'Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them.'
"Thanks Levy!" he smiled and hugged her.
Juvia tensed.
Gradually, the pile of presents got smaller, until there was only one left. Natsu assumed that it must be from Juvia. He smiled at her and carefully untied the ribbon, and opened the box. Inside the box, were nine little fortune cookies. He looked at one and took a bite out of it.
"Wow, these are really good, Juvia!"
"Really?"
"Yes! These are the best fortune cookies I've ever tasted."
He took out the message.
"'You will journey on an adventure of friendship to find your true soul mate'," he read aloud.
Juvia felt her face reddening and she turned away. Natsu offered her one but she refused.
"Aw, go on Juvia. It would be a shame to not taste your own cooking! Plus, I want to see what your fortune is going to be," Natsu said playfully.
She smiled and daintily took a nibble out of one. He was right: it was good. She frowned when she looked at the message.
"Well, what does it say?" said Natsu eagerly.
"It says: 'You are soon to find great disappointment, but if you search for it you will find the one'…"