A/N: Alright so the story has kind of a slow start in the romance side since I wanted to flesh out Alaya as an OC, especially since she wont have the background of the other characters. I also wanted to apologize for this chapter being quite short, the rest should be longer.

For the romance, it starts at chapter 5 and then builds from there. Sorry it was kind of a slow build, but if you wanted to jump in that's where it starts and the more M rated stuff happens after that.

I hope you enjoy! This is the first story I'm actually posting to the world and constructive criticism and reviews would be amazing!

Side note: Don't own Fairy Tail, just a fan!

Prologue

Alaya walked down the forest path and while it had been years, she knew she would be hitting the edge of Magnolia in a few hours. In his last letter, Makarov had convinced her to come back to visit the Fairy Tail guild and meet some of the new members. Despite her reluctance, Makarov had worn her down over the last few months and she had agreed to visit the guild hall. It had been over three years since she had last visited Fairy Tail, and While she was technically a member, she spent most of her time in isolation, studying and training. Sometimes her studies took her to meet other mages but she ultimately always went back to her isolated cabin in the mountains where few ever found her.

Shortly after joining Fairy Tail, she ventured off on her own to study all magic. While being at the guild had helped her learn some, she found that she needed more than simply watching her fellow guild members. At first Makarov was reluctant to have her venture on her own, but ultimately respected what she wanted to do, and has kept in contact with her, giving her updates about the guild and its members. In fact, she felt as if she knew many of the members she hadn't met before already.

As she approached Magnolia, she started to get a little nervous. The older members would know her, and probably recognize her as she hasn't appeared to have aged much in recent years, but many of them may not have any clue who she was or remember her. Alaya also felt guilty that despite all of the trials the guild has encounters, from the Phantom Lord war to fighting the Oracion Seis, and everything in between, she had not been there to help. She did hear about all of this from all of the stories that had made it into the newspapers and through Makarov's letters, but being so far away and isolated she had never received word in time to help her fellow guild members. Even with the Fairy Tail mark, she hardly could count herself as part of the family.

Alaya sighed and continued to walk. She had told Mast Makarov that she would visit. She would meet the new members, try to learn what she could while there, and then most likely retreat back to her cabin of solitude. It was better that way.

Lucy sat at the bar watching her best friend and partner, Natsu, drinking with the man who had only just arrived the other day, Gildarts. His arrival had put most of the guild in an excited chatter and she couldn't believe that the town had basically walled itself off in his arrival. She was still shocked by how powerful some of the wizards were in the Fairy Tail guild. Natsu seemed to light up hanging out with Gildarts, and he seemed to almost treat him like a father, even after getting his ass handed to him in three seconds flat after challenging him to a brawl.

Mira brought over another soda for her as the doors to the guild hall opened and in walked a woman who Lucy had never seen before. As people began to notice the newcomer's presence, a hush fell over the room. The girl didn't look to be much older than Lucy, and she wore a pleasant smile on her pretty face that was partially concealed by a high collar of a long, hooded cloak. Her hair was flaming red that faded to white at the ends of her long waves. She was definitely striking looking, even in the dark clothing she wore.

"Who's that?" Lucy asked turning back to Mira. Mira had a semi-shocked expression on her face.

"Her name is Alaya," Mira explained, "she's part of the guild but none of use have seen her in years."

"I haven't heard of her before." Now that Lucy thought of it, even guild members she had yet to meet had been mentioned before. Lucy had thought by now she at least knew about all of the active members of Fairy Tail, even if she hadn't met them yet.

"Many know her as Ghost."

"Ghost?" Lucy thought. That name did sound vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Gildarts. "Ghost! How long has it been?" He seemed unphased by her sudden appearance. As he greeted her, some of the older members stood to say their hellos as well.

"A few years at least," she answered shaking his hand. "How have you been?" she asked him.

"Busy taking missions, just got back yesterday myself. What have you been up to all of this time?"

"Oh, same old," she answered, her smile never dropping. "Mirajane, where is Makarov?" she asked turning cheerful pale blue eyes at the bar tended.

"He's upstairs in his office, feel free to go up."