Thank you Shaded Star of the Sky for the review post, this chapter is dedicated especially to you ;)


Someone was singing.

That was the first realisation that came to me as I came around. Someone was singing rather prettily. Where am I? I know I can't be at home, because none of the maids sing that well and it's certainly not my brothers because their voices all broke ages ago and they could never sing in the first place.

I felt a whole lot better than I had done before. In fact I was peaceful. There was no pain, no hunger, I was warm and in fact, I was laying on a soft bed with lavender incense wafting through the room, giving off a soothing aroma that made me inhale deeply before I opened my eyes.

Sunlight filled the room and I gave a dreamy smile, unable to remember the last time I had felt so comfortable. My head turned to the side and I saw Mirajane sitting by the window, sewing with her lips moving in a soft song that I had never heard before but already I greatly admired.

As if sensing I was awake, she turned and looked at me in surprise before smiling. "Good morning! I'm so glad to see you awake. You slept through the night. You gave us all quite a scare, falling into the guild that way. Your magical energy was dangerously low and you had a raging fever but everything seems to be back to normal now." She trilled happily as she came forwards and touched my brow, checking my temperature as I slowly sat up, feeling a little stiff now that I was moving.

"Thank you, I'm sorry to have caused so much trouble." I murmured to her as I touched my head gently but Mirajane only smiled and shook her hand reassuringly. I loved her smile, it was so honest and kind.

"No of course not! Don't be sorry, it was our pleasure." She told me before sitting down beside my legs, turning her gentle blue eyes onto me. "Can you tell me your name?"

"I'm Fae." I answered, drawing myself up a little with a smile. "I've travelled for three months to get to Fairy Tail, I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I joined the guild. I need to earn a living and this is what I want to do with my magic, I've always dreamed of finally doing something constructive with my powers and I heard that this guild is the greatest around." I explained as Mirajane checked my pulse and poured me a glass of water, obviously hearing how my voice was cracking slightly.

"Three months? That's a long way to be travelling, no wonder you were so exhausted." She said to me as she handed over the cup and I drank deeply from it, the coolness of the water soothing my throat and further awakening me. "Well, as far as I can tell, you've shown real determination to be a part of our guild, so I don't see a problem!" She beamed at me and I exhaled with relief. "What kind of magic do you use?" She questioned me and I slumped slightly, blushing deeply.

"Oh…well I…I use…"

"Don't worry, you don't have to tell me, I was just curious." Mirajane waved her hands at me and I nodded my head, giving her a small smile. "Master Makarov has already seen you and he says that your magic power is very strong, so he's already given his approval." Mirajane told me then reached out to pick up a large stamp from the bedside table. "Now, if you're certain that this is what you want, then we can sign you up right now."

"Really? Just like that? I get to be a member of Fairy Tail?" I sat bolt upright and my eyes glittered with a hopeful wonder. I didn't think they would accept me so quickly, I thought I would have to go through exams or tests of some kind, did they really just trust my word?

"Of course. Master Makarov is very good at determining a person and he thinks you deserve a little help and a break from what you've already had to endure. Besides, he's not one to turn down a pretty girl." She giggled and I blushed modestly, glancing away as an uneasy smile touched my lips. "Now, where would you like your insignia?" She asked me and I thought for a moment then glanced over my arms, trying to find an unscratched part of skin.

I turned over my right hand and looked to my inner wrist before holding it out to Mirajane who pressed down the stamp, which glowed brightly and I felt a strange tingling prickle at my arm but then it was over so quickly. When Mirajane lifted away the utensil, I blinked as I saw a golden tattoo shaped like a strange wing rested on my skin. "Wow, I don't think I've ever seen it turn out gold before. That's just got to mean you're special."

"Thank you Mirajane." I murmured, touching the marking tenderly before smiling. I really made it. It's almost unreal, like a dream.

"When you're feeling a little better you can come out and meet everyone else and I'll explain everything to you, okay?"

"I'm feeling better right now. I'm alright, don't worry about me." I promised as I shifted in the bed, making to get up. "I'd like to see everything and I promise I won't overdo it." Mirajane hummed in thought, conflict flickering in her eyes before finally she nodded and held out her hand, helping me up.

When I finally stood from the bed I blinked in surprise to see that I wasn't wearing my own clothes. "I hope you don't mind but your old things were a little dirty, so I've washed and fixed them up a bit." Mirajane said to me, pointing to a pile of folded clothes on the side. "Though I think you could do with some new ones, so I've left out some spares of mine, feel free to change. I'll be waiting outside for you." Deeply grateful I nodded my head and slowly made my way over to the chair where Mirajane had set out some of her own clothes.

The shirt was a white buttoned up sleeveless turtleneck with red rimming the hems, modestly covering my slim frame with a pair of black shorts to go with them. The shorts were rather revealing and I flushed with embarrassment at my legs which were still a little bruised and scraped but I ignored this factor and pulled on the sneakers Mirajane had left me as well. Black and red with white laces. I felt like a completely new person, refreshed and revitalised.

Noticing a brush on the table I picked it up and worked it through my hair before taking the red ribbon and tied my hair back from my face though a few unruly tresses framed my cheeks, the rest of my hair spilling free down my back. Mirajane must have washed it for me as it smells absolutely wonderful, like cinnamon.

"Fae? Are you ready?" Mirajane called out with a gentle tap on the door so I walked slowly over to it, still feeling a little lightheaded and sore, then stepped outside. "Wow! You look great! Even prettier than before."

"Thank you Mirajane, this is so kind of you. I truly am grateful." I said to her quietly but she only smiled and chuckled before leading me forwards.

"This way, I think you'll like it here. We've got wizards of all types in this guild and we're also one of the largest. You're certain to make many friends here and the ties that you make last forever, we're more of a family than a guild." She explained to me as we left the infirmary room to enter the beer hall where everyone was hanging around. "Over there is the request board. You can take any quest you like with the consent of the master and if you can successfully complete it, you'll get paid by your clients which you can spend however you choose."

"What kind of quests are there?" I asked her as she led me over to the board then gently lifted her hand to gesture towards it.

"Take a look for yourself." She encouraged so I turned and began to read some of the posters. Wow, there was certainly a wide variety. Bandit catching, lost jewellery recovery, ancient artefacts, beast taming or killing. It was endless. "I advise that you don't go on a job on your own for the first few tries but instead take someone with you who has a little more experience, that way you'll learn on the job and be much safer."

"I agree." I nodded my head then tensed, my spine stiffening as I suddenly realised that there were eyes watching me. Slowly I turned around then yelped, jumping backwards to find a crowd had gathered behind me and they were inspecting me closely with rather intimidating looks on their faces. I jumped behind Mirajane and cowered behind her, gripping my fingers into my chest as I nervously looked over her shoulder as she laughed.

"Don't be afraid, these are your new guild mates. Say hello everyone!" She called out and suddenly there was a chorus of shouts, all of them grinning and waving whilst calling out their greetings as I trembled behind Mirajane. You should see some of these men, they were huge! One of them was at least twice my size with white hair and a scar running down one side of his face from the eye. He looked terrifying as he nodded his head to me. "That's my brother Elfman, he's not as scary as he looks." Mirajane said with a giggle as her brother suddenly dropped his arms to his sides and clenched them into fists.

"A real man looks as intimidating as possible! And I'm a real man!" Okay, now I'm a little freaked out. I'm uncomfortable around guys to begin with but this one was like a giant to me and looked like he was going to grind my bones for bread.

"Hey, you're super cute! What's your name?" Two guys called at the same time, one of them wearing a large hat however a smaller blue haired girl pulled them back with a concerned look on her face.

"Come on you two, give her some space! Can't you see she's shy? Honestly." She shook her head then leaned forwards, giving me a warm smile. "Hi there, I'm Levy, it's nice to meet you." She greeted and I relaxed a little, giving her a smile in return but then an arm dropped around my shoulders and a full flooded panic shot through my body.

"Well then sweetheart, how about I give you a tour of the city? I'd be honoured to accompany such a beauty like you." I didn't even hear what the guy said, all I could imagine was the restraint being locked around my neck and the pressure being applied. I couldn't help it, but I screamed out loud.

Everyone leaped back in shock, startled by my sudden outburst as I flung out my arm to push the guy away from me and leaped away from him, scrambling to put as much distance between me and him as possible so I hid behind the board as everyone just stared at me whilst I trembled like a pathetic leaf in the wind. "Please don't touch me. Please don't." I begged with a trembling voice.

"It's okay, Loke didn't mean to scare you, please come on out." Mirajane urged softly, peeking around the board to see me hunched over myself, arms wrapped around my waist as I struggled for breath. "He's just a little overly friendly, he's not going to hurt you, no one is." Mirajane smiled so I exhaled and ordered myself to get a grip. You're a part of Fairy Tail now, Fae, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.

"Okay. I'm sorry." I whispered tightly and stepped forwards to reappear.

"Hey! The name's Natsu and this is my buddy Happy." A pink and spiky haired boy suddenly dropped down in front of me and ignited his fists into flames as a blue flying cat circled around his head.

"Aye sir!"

"How about you and I go for a few rounds? Let's see what you're made of!" He made to swing a fist straight at me, still burning with bright firelight and I cried out again, flinging myself back as Mirajane desperately called out for Natsu to stop, however a shirtless guy suddenly stepped in the way, glaring at Natsu as he cracked his knuckles together.

"You're such an idiot Natsu, she's clearly freaked out because you're getting all in her face." The barely dressed guy said icily before grinding a fist into one hand, forming a cold icy magic in his palm. "How about I pummel some sense into you?"

"Bring it on icicle, I'm all fired up and ready to kick your butt!" And then suddenly it was an all out war. Natsu and the ice wizard flung themselves into a full fisted battle which then dragged everyone else into the fight as well, insults flying left right and centre as Mirajane hurried over to my side with worry written in her features.

"Are you hurt? I'm so sorry, Natsu is a little hot headed but he didn't mean anything by it, he just wanted to make you feel a little more at home." She explained to me with a chuckle, smiling with closed eyes over the ruckus that now consumed the beer hall. I could only stare in shock. This was homely for them?

"Don't look surprised, we've already had two fights between Natsu and Gray already. They fight all the time so this is pretty normal." Levy said as she walked over to my side and with two girls standing either side of me I instantly relaxed. "Hey, you're not afraid of the guys, are you?" Levy asked me, her keen eyes noticing my now relaxed frame. "They won't hurt you, you know."

"I have a bad experience with men in general." I murmured, lowering my head as I felt a wave of sadness rush over me. "They frighten me no matter who they are. I don't like to be near them because it's safer if I just stay away." Mirajane and Levy both started in surprise then stared at me with sympathy and confusion, obviously wondering what I meant by what I said. "I'm Fae by the way." I introduced myself so Levy shook her head to snap out of her stare then smiled.

"Nice to meet you. Welcome to Fairy Tail. I hope you like it." She laughed as one of the guys was thrown our way and knocked into a table where a woman was drinking deeply from a barrel, the same as before.

"Jeez, what's a girl to do to drink in peace around here?" She mumbled before kicking her invader away then pulled out some cards, smirking as she fired a few off and they exploded among the fray, making me stare in shock before she winked at me. "The name's Cana, welcome to Fairy Tail, kid." She drawled with warmth, making me giggle slightly.

My eyes were then drawn to a guy who sat on the far side of the room with his arms draped around two girls, head rolled back with disinterest. I instantly recognised the green duffel coat and his scent, my eyes widening as I realised he was the same guy as I'd seen yesterday hanging around an alley. Well what do you know? Small world.

He had short orange hair and the same shades as I'd seen before, a casual smirk on his overly handsome face with the two girls fawning over him like he were some god. Did girls really fall for guys so badly like that?

"I see you've spotted our little heartthrob of Fairy Tail." Mirajane teased me gently, making me jump slightly as I awoke from my slight daze. "Handsome isn't he?" I blushed slightly and looked away from her. "That's Loke, the one who surprised you earlier."

"Oh." Was all I could think to say. I felt a little guilty but looking at him now, I could see his ego wasn't bruised at all by my obvious rejection so I didn't sweat on it for too long. I bit my lip as I looked at the continuing fight, wondering if there was something we could do to stop them all. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if they wrecked the entire joint.

Without warning the doors flew open and silence deafened the hall, causing me to gasp slightly at the sudden change in dynamics. Everyone had frozen in place as a figure walked forwards like a scarlet storm, the long hair riding on the breeze as the armour clad woman entered with a stern look of disapproval. "What is the meaning of this? Put this place back to order at once!" Her commandeering voice instantly demanded respect and I stared as she continued to storm forwards, everyone parting to make way for her. "Natsu, stop choking Gray, Gray put some clothes on for goodness sake. Cana, find a different outlet other than drinking, Jet stop racing up the wall and get back down here this minute. I want this place spotless by the time I look over my shoulder!" Wow, I wish I could be as tough as her.

Her eyes suddenly turned to me and I jolted, going stiff as a board as she turned and began to walk towards me whilst the guys behind her instantly scrambled to put the mess hall back into order. "You're new here." She stated with a studious look over me, arching an eyebrow. "You look as if you've been in the wars."

"You could say that, ma'am." I answered quietly whilst trying to hide the shake in my hands. I feel as if I should be saluting to her and I had to halt my hand as it jumped to do so, giving a slight twitch instead. A slow smirk turned her lips upwards and I relaxed a little, giving the warrior woman a smile in return as she reached out and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Well then, welcome to Fairy Tail. I'm Erza Scarlet." She greeted.

"Fae." I replied but gave no more than that. Fae was all I wanted to be, so there was no point in giving my last name.

"Fae…wonderful. I hope you settle in nicely, I'm sure everyone will treat you well." She emphasised pointedly before glancing over her shoulder, smirking at the innocent grins she received back from everyone behind her, the beer hall somewhat returned to its former state minus a few broken chairs and tables. Wow, they sure worked fast with Erza barking the orders.

"I look forward to my life here." I assured her before groaning softly, my hand jumping to my head as it started to spin uncontrollably and my knees buckled as a heaviness slammed down against my shoulders.

"Be careful!" Mirajane squeaked as she and Levy quickly caught me together, holding me upright as I gripped onto them for support. "You're still not completely healed, you need to rest and restore your magical energy, it's still a little weak." She told me tenderly.

"Here, we'll help you back to the infirmary." Levy said then slipped an arm around her neck to help carry my weight as I gave her a weary but gratifying smile.

"Thanks…Levy…Mira…" I breathed heavily as Erza frowned at me.

"They are right, you should rest. Make sure you take all the time you need to recover." Erza said to me before stepping aside, allowing Mirajane and Levy to help me walk back to the infirmary where I fell back into bed the way I was and swiftly fell asleep.