Chapter 1: Fairy Tail
"Why are you always in my way!?"
"In your way? You're the one in the way!"
"Are you looking to start something squinty eyes?"
"Bring it on, droopy eyes! I'll beat you to a pulp!"
"And they're at it again…"
A young, blonde female sat down at a nearby table, resting her chin in the palm of her hand as she watched two of her best friends go at it for probably the fifth time that day.
"Well, there'd be something wrong if they weren't getting into some kind of fight every hour, Lucy." Said a white haired woman, bringing a drink to the seated girl.
"Thank you, Mirajane." Lucy said back, taking the cup. "You would just figure that for as long as they have known each other, they would run out of things to fight about."
"True, but I can't complain too much." Mirajane giggled. "It is rather adorable when those sides come out."
"I'm not entirely sure if 'adorable' would be my exact word choice…"
"It doesn't matter how old they get. They will always end up fighting."
Both women turned towards the new voice, Mirajane lighting up when she saw who it was.
"Good afternoon, Master. Back from your errands?"
"Mhm. And right in time for the show, too." He replied.
"You really get a kick out of them fighting, don't you…" Lucy asked.
"What can I say? It's entertaining!" Makarov answered. "Unless Erza comes in and stops it, they always beat each other till they can't stand. What's not to enjoy? Plus, it's good for them. They push each other to become better fighters, so each time, they become a little bit stronger."
"Enjoyment of watching members beat each other senseless…" Lucy said softly, a small smile on her face. "So is the life of the Fairy Tail family."
"Ne…it smells funny here…"
Deep, chocolate brown eyes of a young girl scanned the rather large building standing in front of her. Rumors, and this scent, was what brought her here, her deep curiosity for these rumors only growing when the scent became stronger. Could she have possibly found what she was looking for?
"Fairy…Tail…"
For a good week, she searched for this place, only arriving in Magnolia that morning, determined to join if she could. She desperately wanted to go on jobs and make her own money. She wanted to get stronger and learn how to really control what she could do. And, most of all, she wanted to meet the rumored being who was said to be quite powerful. The one who had similar gifts as her own. That one person…
"Salamander."
Sniffing the air again, she knew he had to be here. Her sense of smell was never wrong. What was he like? What was the guild like? Was it better than home? She had heard and read that they could be quite destructive at times when doing their work, but, being someone who was a little destructive herself, she had no issues. And as for the home thing…well…anything was better than her home, right?
"Just be careful…"
If, somehow, she did get in, she had to make sure to always stay focused with her work. She couldn't get attached nor could she make friends. She wouldn't have time for it, nor did she have an interest in making any. Nothing would get in the way of her keeping her promise…
"The question now is how to get in…" This thought passed through her mind as a light breeze ruffled her long, deep brown locks a bit. Could she just walk in? Would she get in trouble if she did so? She wasn't exactly sure how to go about doing this, but in the end, walking in seemed to be her only option. So, with that in mind, she placed the map she had been carrying back inside her slightly tattered messenger bag, let out a small sigh, and headed towards the door.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Upon hearing the sudden pair of strange voices, she turned to find herself facing two boys, probably at least fifteen years old and both much taller than her, too.
"Were you planning on going in there?" Asked one with dirty blond hair. "If you were, think again. Only strong wizards can enter. You don't look very strong."
She remained silent at this, having no interest in speaking back. It was her silence, however, that caused the second boy with jet black hair, to walk over and push her, knocking her back slightly.
"Look at how weak she is." He laughed. "Can't even hold herself up with a little push. You're probably not even a wizard, and even if you can do some kind of magic, it's probably not any good. They would never let someone like you inside."
The boy that had pushed her did so again, this time knocking her right to the ground.
"Weakling…you have no right to be near a great guild like this, so get away. There's no place for you here."
"Excuse me? You're not picking on that girl, are you?"
"So what if we are?" they both asked, turning to face the voice. However, as soon as they saw who they were speaking to, their attitude disappeared quickly, fear filling their gaze.
"Oh no…it's her!" one of them said. "That armor…that emblem…that evil gaze…"
"Erza!" They both shouted, and moments after, they took right off running at the speed of light. "We're sorry! We didn't mean anything by it! Please don't hurt us!"
...
"Well…ok then."
This was not exactly what the girl was expecting. Guess they weren't so tough after all. Turning to face this Erza, she was expecting to see something extremely frightening judging by the boys reactions, but, when she saw her, there was nothing really scary at all. Yes, there was armor…yes, there was some sort of mark…but she seemed to miss that scary gaze that was mentioned. Instead, she saw a look of warmth, one that took her a little off guard.
"Are you all right?"
The girl did not answer, looking on in silence.
Leaning down, Erza held out her hand for the other to grab.
"I'm sorry they were picking on you like that."
Still, no answer, her gaze locked on with the woman's brown eyes. Though it might seem normal to some, seeing that kind of warmth was a little strange for the young female, so strange that it seemed to freeze her a little bit, leaving her unable to run off like she usually does. It was just…odd, because, for as long as she could remember, no adult ever looked at her warmly.
Finally snapping out of it, she pulled her gaze away with a small blush, not wanting to look like an idiot. Ignoring the hand, she stood up on her own, brushing away the bits of dirt from her black skirt. The mage could tell the girl was a little stiff attitude wise and might not want to be bothered, but a little feeling inside her told her to press on anyways, and she did so, standing up as well.
"My name is Erza. Erza Scarlet. I'm a mage in the Fairy Tail guild."
Still not wanting to make eye contact, the girl instead looked back at the building. So she was from Fairy Tail, huh? Were members of that guild that scary that they could scare kids like those boys so easily on sight?
"Here."
The girl was broken from her little trance when she suddenly felt a hand upon her back.
"Why don't you come in?" Erza offered. "It's really hot out in here, and a lot cooler in there. We can get you some water, too."
Was this woman serious? Most people would just leave her be once she showed them little to no interest in speaking to them, but this one did no such thing. This one, instead, was offering her a break from the hot weather, which, although she didn't mind the heat, a little water sounded pretty nice, but was it really ok?
Erza could see the conflict on the girl's face, the bit of unsettlement in her eyes, and in return, she merely smiled, nodding towards the guild.
"It's ok." She told her warmly. "It really is. Trust me."
Well now, trusting was something she wasn't going to do whether she went inside or not. Another thing that wasn't exactly her style, and though part of her wanted to decline the offer, she knew she had to get in there somehow, and what better way to do so then by one who is already a member? So, in seeing no other way, she accepted, following the woman towards the door. With the getting in part under way, her next step was to somehow become a member of the guild. It was the strongest one around, and this was where she wanted to be. She also had to meet this Salamander, which, with the scent still being strong, she knew he was inside. It was time to see if those rumors were true or not.
"You idiot! You call that a hit!?"
"Don't call me the idiot when you're the real idiot here!"
Punch after punch, kick after kick, the two kept throwing whatever move they could, each striving to be the better one.
"You call this fighting?" Gray asked, throwing an upper cut punch and landing it square beneath Natsu's chin. "When are you going to get serious?"
"What?!" Natsuki raged. Recovering from the hit, he jumped, turning in midair, and slammed a nice, hard kick onto the side of Gray's head. "Serious? I'll show you serious! Fire Dragon's Iron-"
"Ice make-"
"Are you guys fighting again?"
...
"Gah!"
Within half a second, both boys pushed away from each other, now suddenly acting as if nothing had even happened.
"Fighting? Us? Why would we do that?" Natsu asked nervously. "We would be never fight! We were just…hmm?"
Natsu immediately stopped speaking the moment he saw the little girl. In fact, not only was he staring, but everyone else was staring, too. Some with curiosity, some with no emotion at all, but regardless of expression, all eyes were on her.
"Wow…she can silence them as well with a few words…perhaps she is scarier than I thought."
Ignoring the stares, Erza reached out and gently ushered the girl to a nearby table for her to sit.
"Wait here. I'll be right back with some water."
Placing her bag on the table, she leaned back in her chair with a sign, crossing her arms over her chest. She could still feel their eyes upon her, leaving her to feel slightly uncomfortable. How she hated being the center of attention…It made her feel vulnerable…odd in her very own skin. She had a feeling a moment like this would occur, however. She was a new face after all, and it was only natural for others to stare when something new came around.
"Here you go."
Erza came back carrying a blue mug, placing it in front of the child upon arriving. The child wasted no time in picking it up, gulping away at it until it was empty. She failed to realize how thirsty she really was.
"What's your name?"
Erza had now taken a seat right across from the girl, questions flowing through her mind. Who was she? Where did she come from? How old was she? Why was she here?
"Did you have an interest in joining?"
It was common for people to just show up when they wanted to become part of the guild, even children. Many of the members who were here now started out here as kids.
"Is she even listening to me?" the scarlet haired beauty wondered.
Oh yes, the girl was definitely listening. She just wasn't ready to speak was all. She was still slightly busy taking in her surroundings and wondering what it took to become a member. She could really care less what others wanted to know about her.
"Maybe she doesn't know how to speak." Natsu piped in, making his way over. Standing beside the younger female, he gave a little poke to her head. "Or maybe she just doesn't understand."
"I think she does." Erza said back. "She seemed to understand what I was saying before I brought her in here."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I am sure." Erza replied.
The dragon slayer thought for a moment, still not fully believing the other mage.
"I don't know." He told her. "She kind of has a funny smell, but I can't pin point it. Hmmm…Oi! Hello? Do you understand what I am saying?"
Nothing.
"Maybe slower. I said, do-you-under-stand-what-I-am-"
"Salamander."
Natsu quieted when the girl suddenly spoke. In fact, any type of noise was quieted, people even more curious now that she had finally said something.
"Are you….Salamander?"
The girl locked gazes with the black eyed male, the other looking back questioningly at why, regardless of all the other questions being asked, that particular subject came up.
"Salamander is a nickname." He answered. "My real name is Natsu."
"Natsu…" she said slowly. "Natsu…"
Yep, she was right on target. If the scent wasn't enough to prove it, the fact that she walked in seeing flames around his hands on top of the move he began shouting out confirmed it all. This was the real deal…another dragon slayer….
"Interesting…" she said softly.
"Why is it interesting?" he asked.
"…I just didn't expect the son of Igneel to have pink girly hair."
….
"What?!" Natsu snapped, his mouth dropping. Those were not the words he, or anyone, was expecting to hear from the new comer, though the comment did get some teasing snickers from around the bar.
"I said I didn't expect you to have pink, girly hair."
"I don't have girly hair!" he shouted. "It's normal hair! Spiked hair! That's normal for guys."
"Yes, but pink is a girl's color." She said back. "Therefore, you have girly hair."
"I don't!" He was raging now. "Who do you think you are? Don't think that just because you're a kind I won't fight you!"
'"Hey, Natsu, don't get mad at her." Gray told him. "She was only telling the truth, but don't worry, the pink hair works great on you. It brings out your feminine side."
"Butt out ice boy!" he yelled, spouting fire from his mouth as he did so. "No one asked you!"
Moving her sight from Natsu to Gray, she shot him a hard but neutral gaze.
"I wouldn't be smirking if I were you." She told him. "At least he has his clothes on, pervert."
"What?" he asked, looking down before jumping out of his seat. "Gah! What the… I'm not a pervert!"
The girl just let out a small sigh. People could be so annoying sometimes. Leaving those two to rage on, she turned her attention to Erza. No point in keeping quiet now since she had already spoken.
"Hikari. My name is Hikari Kikoru."
Erza, who was also slightly shocked at the comments the young girl made (even though she did find them amusing) simply smiled once that initial shock went away. Regardless of what was said, she was just happy the girl was finally speaking.
"Hikari. That's a pretty name. How old are you?"
"Eleven." She answered, ignoring the compliment. "And yes, to answer that other question from before, I am looking to join this guild. Does your Master happen to be around?"
The woman nodded, pointing to the long bar table that was behind Hikari. Turning, she found a very short, old man sitting on top of it, arms and legs crossed with a staff in hand. Without missing a beat, she stood up and walked over, stopping when she was directly in front of him.
"Master." She said with a respectful bow. "I am very sorry if I am intruding here in anyway, but I am looking for a guild to join, and if you are accepting, I would like to join this one."
Makarov looked at her thoughtfully, not blinking once as he stared the girl down.
"There is no intrusion at all. Hikari was your name, yes?" he asked, the girl nodding in reply. "Good then. So tell me, Hikari. Why do you wish to join a guild?"
"To train." She answered. "I want to become a stronger person, not only to defend myself, but others as well. I want to learn how to control what I can do, too. I'm still a little rough with it. And I need the money. I live on my own and support myself, so I need whatever money I can earn."
"On your own? What of your parents?" He asked.
"….Dead."
There was no emotion in her voice when she spoke this. She was long over the death of her parents years ago. She was raised by her Aunt for a time after that, but that darkness of her past was not something she wished to revisit.
"She's alone…" Erza thought, her heart clenching a little. She knew what it was like to be alone like that and to always have to rely on yourself.
"I see…" he said. "Hmmm…with much training, you could become stronger to defend yourself or anyone from harm, but it is a long, harsh road to get there at times. Are you willing to face the trials of this?"
"Yes."
"And to control your gifts properly, that can take much time, focus, and practice as well. Will you take that time to learn?"
"Yes."
"Good. It matters not how long it takes someone to truly master their gifts. What matters is what you take and learn from your journey to get there. That is what helps you learn control and makes you stronger. Tell me, what is it you can do?"
Up till now, she had been pretty straight forward with her answers, but at this, Hikari couldn't help but shift a bit uncomfortably. It was the one question she was hoping would not come about.
"With all due respect, Master, I do not wish to share that right now. I would prefer to let it be shown when the time is right."
Makarov thought carefully about this request, but decided to let it be.
"Don't let her in, Gramps!" Natsu suddenly shouted. "She's barely been in here five minutes and she's already started trouble!"
"Says the one who causes trouble every five minutes." Erza replied back.
"Nobody asked you!"
The Master closed his eyes for a moment, pondering over what he would do. That answer came quickly though, for he, as everyone knew, was not the type to turn anyone with a willingness to learn down.
"Very well." He told Hikari. "You're in. Welcome to Fairy Tail."
Though it was the words she had wanted to hear, she couldn't help but raise an eye brow at the sudden verdict.
"Wait…that's it?"
"Is there supposed to be more?" Makarov asked.
"Well I…no." Hikari replied. " I guess if you say there's not. I just assumed it would be a lot harder was all, but I'm not complaining. Um…thank you."
In attempt to clean up the slightly awkward moment, Hikari gave another bow.
"If that's the case, I shall be taking my leave then. I want to find a place to live before nightfall. I'll be back in the morning to look for a job. Thank you."
And with that, she fetched her bag and walked out, not once looking back.
...
"Well…she looks like a bundle of joy."
Lucy peered over at Mirajane, who, as always, had that same calm and happy look on her face.
"Isn't she?" She asked. "It was funny to see her get Natsu and Gray all worked up. She seems pretty brave. In knowing who he was, she didn't even look scared when Natsu started flipping out or even when he threatened her."
"Brave or crazy." Lucy said back. "Master, do you really think she's ok here? She's already gotten on the bad side of both Natsu and Gray."
"Mhm." He replied. "I think she will do well here. Fairy Tail will be her home now. It is always a home for children who have none."
"And not to mention…" Mirajane said with a little giggle. "It seems like Erza has taken a liking to her."
Lucy turned her gaze to the armored woman who was still sitting at the table. Though much was going on around her, those brown eyes were transfixed on the door from when the girl left, the woman deep in thought.
"Taken a liking to her?"
"Yes." Mirajane told her. "Erza, like many of us, knows what it's like to be alone and to have to support yourself. Correct me if I am wrong, but I sensed and saw some Motherly instincts kick in."
"Motherly?" Lucy asked. She hadn't ever really pictured the woman a Mother, but in thinking about it a bit longer, she would probably make a good one. "But it seems that they just met today. How could a feeling like that kick in so quickly?"
"Connections forged that quickly happen all the time." Mirajane replied. "Two best friends, someone's first and true love, and, perhaps in this case, one of a Mother and a Daughter. I'm not saying anything will come of it, but I did see change in our Erza, however slight it was. Master is right. I think she will do well here, too. As I mentioned before, she is much like a lot of us here, coming in as children and having no parents. We learned the true bond of family together, in this guild, and that we are never alone. I think that with our help, in time, she will learn that, too."
Lucy smiled warmly at the woman's words. She was right. They were more than just a guild. They were a family. Nobody was ever truly alone.
"Let's do our best then to give her a warm welcome." Lucy said with a wink.
"Yes." Mirajane replied, returning the warm smile and the wink. "Let's do our best."
"Ne…finally…"
For the rest of the afternoon until close to nightfall, Hikari wandered around town, looking for an apartment. Not many seemed to be renting out, but just before night hit, she found something, a place only costing her 50,000 jewels a months to live in. She could swing that, especially if she got some decent jobs. It wasn't that far from the guild either.
Now that finding the place and making the deal was set, all she had left to do was unpack. This wasn't a long project seeing as she didn't own much. Some clothing, a few books, a bit of food, a few basic bathroom necessities….Just little things. She wasn't very high maintenance, so she didn't need much to get by.
When things were put away, she stopped and glanced around the area. For the price she would be paying, it really wasn't a bad place. She had her own bed, a little kitchen, a living room, a bathroom, and even a little porch with a balcony. That bit seemed to intrigue her the most. Heading over, she slid the door open and stepped outside. First, she looked down below, spotting a similar balcony to her own. She remembered the owner telling her that another wizard lived on the first floor, but she was never told who. Looking up, her gaze fell upon the blackened sky, her eyes widening as she stared at it.
"Wow..." Every star one could possibly think of was out, the moon full and bright. It was a beautiful night, and if possible, she probably would have stayed up just to watch it. It had been awhile since she had done so, but…
"Hikari-chan!"
Hikari's heart stung for a moment, that familiar voice playing in her head. Of course it would act up now. Why wouldn't it? After all, star gazing used to be their favorite thing to do together.
With a bit of a saddened half smile, the girl leaned on the railing, her eyes falling from the sky to the city in front of her. What a day it had been.
"Ne…I got in…Yuki-chan."
Those words were spoken out loud very softly though no one was there to listen.
"I got into Fairy Tail. I was surprised at how easy it was though. I thought there would be some kind of test, but, he just accepted me. Weird, isn't it? I found Igneel's son, too. His name is Natsu. It seems he has a quick temper. I do remember being told that I might find him someday, and that there was a chance he would be like that, too seeing as Igneel was known for a temper at times as well. Good thing I followed those rumors, yeah?"
Crossing her arms over her chest, she let out a small sigh.
"You know…I'm not entirely a fan of being part of a guild, but if it's the only way to help make me stronger…I just don't like being around people, especially adults. You know how I am. They're all just the same. Well…there was one who took me by surprise."
Her thoughts traveled back to the early afternoon when those kids were picking on her.
"I didn't really care about those boys, but did you know that someone actually came to help me? It was some woman named Erza. She's from the guild, too. She's the one who brought me in. Something weird happened when she helped me though. She didn't have that look I'm used to seeing. It was different. It was…warm. I know, it sounds crazy right? I was probably just seeing things."
Looking back up at the sky, she let herself get lost in the sea of stars. Sometimes she forgot how big it was, and that if you stared at it long enough, it felt like it would swallow you whole. Sometimes…she wished it had.
"I think….I should sleep." She spoke. "Or at least attempt to. I want to get to work as soon as possible, so I suppose a bit of rest is needed."
Taking one last look at the moon, she turned away, stepping back inside her apartment, but just before the door slid closed, another whisper made it's way into the darkness outside.
"Good night, Yuki-chan…good night."
