I do not own Fairy Tail. Here's the first chapter, it is AU and a Gratsu, if you don't like either then I do not recommend this for you.

I trudged along the road side, making my way back towards my place of residence. The afternoon sun beat down against my back. Let me explain who I am, after all this is the story of me. My name is Gray Fullbuster, I attend Magnolia High School as an average student, oh, and my life utterly sucks.

I lost the only real parent I ever had, my mom Ur, a few years back. After that my two siblings, Ultear and Lyon, and I were sent to a dump of an orphanage. If you're expecting some sappy, heartfelt story about some kid at this point, don't count on it. My life isn't one of those childhood stories where some kid grows up with no one when suddenly, out of the blue, they get adopted by some loving, caring family. If anything, I really don't want anyone to "adopt" me. When Ultear was old enough she left the group home to go to college. About a year ago, Lyon did the same, though he has been fighting for custody of me.

I'm not the most talkative of teenagers. I've mostly kept to myself these past few years. The handful friends I have include school mates of mine, Lucy, Erza, and Loke. Though I usually don't spend time with them after school. Loke was always on a date or trying to get one. As much as I like Erza and Lucy, spending a lot of time with two girls can drive any guy insane.

Back to what I was doing. I slowly made my way to the group home I was currently stuck in. I walked up to the gateway and pushed open the rusty gate. I looked up at the sign above the door for about the thousandth time in my life.

Fairy Tail Home For Children

That sign has always annoyed me. For children? I'm not a little kid, most of the kids here don't even like being called a child. I saw a few people in the kitchen when I entered. I ducked out of view before anyone saw me. It's not like I didn't like anyone here, it's just that I really don't like other people.

I hurriedly made my way up the stairs onto the second floor, where I my room was. It wasn't exactly private; I shared the cramped room with seven other boys. Luckily I got my own bed, that's the closest thing I had to a room of my own.

Two of the younger kids were sitting in the corner of the room playing. I waved at them in greeting (I'm not completely unsociable). I plopped down on my bed and opened up my textbook, The Complete History of Fiore's Monarchy System. (What were you expecting when I got back from school? An opera? My life's boring, learn that now.)

Sometime after that I must have nodded off.

I walked into first period to see Erza and Lucy talking together. (Loke was off talking to some girls with very noticeable figures.) I sat down next to the girls and put my head down, as not to draw attention to myself. I couldn't help overhear their conversation.

"So he's really moving back?" Lucy asked Erza.

"He is, he told me he'll begin school here any day now."

Gray could feel Lucy next to him bouncing up and down. "Yay! It's been so long since we've seen him. Don't you agree, Gray?"

"Hmm…" I looked up at the blonde in slight confusion. Who is she talking about?

"Gray never met him, remember?"

"Oh, that's right." Lucy stopped bouncing. "He moved away before you two could meet each other." She put her chin in her hand, a thinking position of hers. Lucy snapped out of her thoughtful pose in a second back to her cheerful, bubbly self. "I can already tell, you two will be great friends!"

I raised an eyebrow at her. Great, another person I don't want to talk to. "Who is this agai-?"

I was cut off by the late bell. Loke slid in the seat across from as our teacher, Mr. Macao, walked in. "Alright class, if you're not here you're late. If you're late, then you miss this exciting day of knowledge." I stopped listening after that. Macao wasn't the best of teachers, he didn't teach much and what he did teach I had already learned from Ultear when she was stuck in this class.

Loke nudged me awake after class. "So beautiful, how's life treatin' ya?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Like all the girls that have turned you down today. Now stop flirting."

I grabbed my backpack and moved onto my way to my next class. "Do you mean stop flirting altogether, or stop flirting with you?"

"Like I would flirt back." Loke mumbled something under his breath that sounded a lot like a maybe. "What did you say?!"

Loke looked up at me in surprise. "Oh, nothing, you'll figure it out eventually." What is that supposed to mean? Loke waved me off as I headed to my next class. Why do I always make friends with the weird ones?

The rest of the day passed in a blur until lunch. Erza sat next to me talking to a girl from our class named Lisanna. "I can't waaaaaaiiit." Lisanna sang. "Last time we saw him we were kids. You think he's changed a lot."

"He's still his usual cheerful, goofy person."

"I bet he's still cute like he was back then." Lisanna swooned.

I looked at the white haired girl. It wasn't often she acted like that, or at least that he's noticed. Must be the same guy Lucy was talking about.

"I bet you'll think likewise." I almost jumped out of my skin when Loke whispered that against my ear.

"Geez, don't sneak up on me like that." Loke gave me one of his signature smirks. Wait a minute, what was he implying?

"Oh. Come on, Gray. I'm just teasing."

"Teasing about what?" Lucy piped up.

Loke slid his arm around her shoulder. Lucy blushed bright red. Loke moved her chin up so they were gazing into each others eyes. "Don't worry about it sweetheart."

I snorted at Loke's attempt to seduce her.

"Loke, stop trying to debauch her," Erza commanded. "Lucy," the scarlet turned to her. "stop being such a temptress."

Lucy's eyes widened. "What did I do?!"

Once again I slowly, painfully, made my way back to the group home after school. (See how repetitive my life is.) I pushed open the old gates at stomped up the porch steps. I jammed my key into the lock and jiggled it until the old lock gave in. I glanced about the entrance and made sure no one saw me as I tried to escape up the stairs.

"GRAY!"

So close…

"Yeah?" I asked nervously as the group home caretaker glared at me.

"Where have you been?"

"Umm, school?" I smiled sheepishly. I swear Ooba just liked having someone to criticize.

She scolded me for a few moments. "There's a letter for you on the counter." The elderly lady turned away abruptly and left the room. I heard a few animadverts as she left. A made sure on one was looking while I tore open the letter, already knowing who it was from.

Dear Gray,

I've made a few arrangements, give everything a few more months. Until then just hang tight for a little while longer. Make sure to stay out of trouble until then. No news from your sister yet, though I assume she'll contact one of us sooner or later (chances are it's the second one).

Love,

Lyon

p.s. Don't do anything stupid.

I read the letter a few times through to just be sure. Months? I can't wait that long. I sighed in frustration. It's not like it's his complete fault. Part of him having to wait so long for the custody change was Lyon being so young and his guardian skills to some of the adults that grant custody was questionable in their eyes. (He used to be in a gang called Lamia Scale with his friends when he was younger. Now they consider him incapable. Even though he never broke the law.) I folded the letter into my pocket and went upstairs.

I know this wasn't the most exciting chapter. But on the other hand, Natsu comes in next.