Author's Note: This chapter is almost 4000 words long. It's in Natsu's POV for a little bit at the beginning, but it goes back to Lucy. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not too good at making last names. So, sorry if Aquarius' name isn't that good. Or Virgo's, for that matter. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Also for the other celestial spirits since I will include some more in this story. Thank you!

Disclaimer: Hiro Mashima is the owner of Fairy Tail.

Chapter 3: Pink and Curious

Natsu POV

I leave my house like I do every morning. Why does Uncle always make ME get the paper and the mail? What am I, a dog? I mean, it's so far away. Right by the road. I would rather be eating right now! I'm so hungry. It's already been like 45 minutes since breakfast! The worst part is, there isn't even anything to see on my walk across the front yard. I can't even talk to the neighbor anymore. He moved away, complaining about me burning his grass, or something.

I sigh. That house has been empty more times than how many people have lived there. It didn't take long for the first ones to go away after we moved here, almost 13 years ago. Right after my old house burned down…

Wait. Didn't I see some people moving a lot of boxes into that yellow house yesterday? Ooooh! I hope we have new neighbors! And I hope they won't mind the singed grass. I think I see a couple people moving this way. I don't think they've seen me yet, so I'll just hide behind this bush so I'm not in their way. Huh. I haven't seen them around here before. And I think they're both female…

The one has pink hair, similar to my salmon hair, but pink. And the other… Oh my gosh! That blonde girl looks amazing! Also, she seems to be around the same age as me. But why does she look so sad? Did someone tell her that I might accidently scorch her house? I wish I could comfort her, but I can't. My legs won't let me move. I just stand there, behind a bush, watching them walk into the yellow house; it's almost like I'm some creep or something. I hope that girl goes to the same school as me. I can't wait to see her again.

I look down as something blue brushes against my legs…

September 8th Outside Fairy Tail

I still think about that day, two months ago, when I saw that blonde girl. I haven't talked to her or anything, yet. I haven't even seen her again. She has stayed inside that house the whole time, unless she left when I was asleep. The older woman with pink hair has left almost every day. Not that I've been watching their house this whole time. That girl must've taken a room on the other side of the house because I only see the pinkette in the rooms that have a window facing my house. I wonder why they live alone like that.

Right now, I'm busy walking towards my first day of school this year. Uncle made me leave early today so I'm not late like usual. What he doesn't know is that I would have run to school if it would allow me to find out of that girl goes to Fairy Tail. I see the gates up ahead. Hmm. I should hurry so I can get a punch in on Ice Princess for what he did this summer. Whatever it was. I'm sure he deserves it. So, I quicken my pace.

That's when the most wonderful smell fills my nose. Strawberries with a hint of vanilla. I can almost taste them as my mouth begins to water. I then hear a car drive past me slowly and it parks in front of the gates. Curious, I stop and wait to see who gets out.

A few minutes later and it's still sitting there! By now, I figured out that the smell of strawberries must be coming from that car. Mmmmm. I start to walk forwards again. The two people inside don't seem to notice me waiting for them. Maybe they're talking? Oh well. I can't wait any longer.

I put the biggest grin I can muster on my face and tap on the window to get their attention. That person is weird. Why did they just freak out like that? Such a weirdo, I chuckle to myself.

Lucy POV

I just stare out the window at this guy. What is he doing here? Who is he? Why does he have that stupid grin on his face? Seeming a little impatient, this guy knocks on my window again, a little more urgently this time. Worrying a little that he might have some problem he needs help with, I let my sensitive side take over as I finally exit the car to lend him a hand.

I was hardly ever farther from the truth.

"Yo!" he says to me like we've been best buddies forever. "Can I have some?" Okay. Now I'm extremely confused. Can he have some what? Wait. Does he want that? I back away slightly, afraid of what he's gonna do to me.

"Stay away," I tell him.

"I was right. You are a weirdo." Why does he think I'm weird? I guess no one will like me here after all. "I just want to know if you will share some of them with me." The look on his face tells me he hasn't eaten in at least three days. Does he think I have food for him?

Timidly, I ask in a quiet voice, "Share some what? I don't know what you're talking about, mister." Please just go away, I silently beg.

"Some of your strawberries!" he replies as if I should have know what he meant the whole time. He has such hope in his eyes that I can't help but feel a little guilty that I'm about to kill… I mean 'crush' his dreams.

"Sorry, but I don't have any. Why would even you think that? I don't even know you." The look of disappointment on his face is a little cute. Wait, why would I think something like that?

"Aww man! I was waiting here forever for you to get out of your car so you could give me some strawberries! How could you let me starve! I thought we could've been friends," he mumbles the last part, probably thinking that I can't hear it. But I did.

"You didn't answer my question," I remind him when it's apparent that he won't bring it back up.

"Oh, that. I could smell them on you. Did you already eat them all? And you didn't save any for me?" More disappointment spreads across his face. I blush at the first part he said.

"Sm-smell? You were smelling me? And you call ME weird," I practically shout at him.

"You're the one that smells like strawberries and vanilla. Humans don't smell that way. Strawberries and vanilla do." I giggle slightly at his simple-minded logic.

"I smell like that because of the body wash I use. I'm sure many other people use it, too."

"Yeah, but the smell clings to you like it's your natural odor. It's sweet and delicate." His face is so serious when he says this. It's like he doesn't know what he just said to me.

I feel my cheeks heat up to a light pink. So he thinks I'm sweet and delicate? Well, he's not bad himself. I mean, look at him. He probably works out a lot if his abs are that toned. And he does look a little cute...

"Princess, I'll be going now. Don't forget to get your schedule and make many friends at school today." Damn. I forgot Virgo was still here. There goes my last chance of skipping school.

"Yeah, thanks, Mom. See you later at home!" I wave to her as she drives away. When I turn around back to the boy who said I was weird, I am met with an unfamiliar sight.

"Please accept my apologies, Miss," Natsu spoke in a very repentant voice. He must be serious about this apology. However, it only freaked me out because he was kneeling on the ground at my feet. He almost seemed afraid to look up and get reprimanded or something. Then he continues, "I am so sorry for disturbing your Majesty. I did not realize that you were a Princess. Please forgive me. I won't do it again."

This has me dumbstruck for a moment. Then it dawns on me. "Look, I'm not a princess. My… mom, she just calls me that. There isn't anything remotely worthy of royalty about me. You can get up if you want."

With that said, he gets up and looks like he's mentally calling himself an idiot. "Well, don't I feel stupid." Yup, he just confirmed it. "But, if you don't mind me saying so, your voice could match an angel's." I am not the only one that blushes at his statement. Boy am I glad that I have this hood up.

"Thanks, but you don't need to try to make me feel better. I know who I am." Then, a thought occurs to me, so I voice it. "Oh, wait, do you go to school here?" He nods in response. "Well, I just moved into town recently, so I'm new here. What's your name?"

"Natsu. Natsu Dragneel. Who are you? And why do you have that hood on? It's pretty hot today."

"I'm Lucy Hear… er… Lucy Maiden. And you're one to talk! What's with that scarf?" I need to remember my new name. I can't have anyone here figuring out who I am. They might send me back to Him.

"I don't feel the heat. And my dad gave this to me. It's what I have to remember him by." A look of sorrow crossed his face as he said this, so I just decide not to inquire further. It seems we might have some things in common. By the way he said that, we both lost someone. Then, he scrunches his nose and leans in closer to me to smell. "Why do you smell like Happy?"

"First off, back up a bit, Natsu. Second, I don't know who you're talking about." Who is Happy? How can he even smell so much with that nose of his?

"My cat. He's blue. You didn't catnap him, did you?" There was a slight look of menace in his eyes as he said this.

"Wait, that was your cat? Does that mean you're my neighbor?" I say incredulously. I live so far away from the school, why was he walking here?

"That was YOU!" he practically shouts, causing me to stumble backwards and fall to the ground.

I knew it. No one could ever like me. No one here would ever be my friend. Why did I even talk to him so much? That was the longest time I've talked to someone other than Virgo, and he's already decided he hates me. He must've seen me at the house before I covered up my scars. Good thing I took my extra knife with me today; guess I'll be needing it. I…

He interrupts my thoughts by holding his hand out to me. I look from it to his face to see concern latched onto it. Why does he care? He's probably just mocking me or something. Yet, I still feel compelled to take his hand. And instead of pulling it back when I'm about to grab onto it like I thought he would, he helps me to stand on my feet again.

"I'm so sorry, Lucy," he says while rubbing the back of his head. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just surprised that I finally got to meet you like I wanted since the day you moved in. And why are you hiding your face in that hoodie? Don't you want people to see you?" Did I just hear right? He wanted to meet ME, of all people? Bruised, dirty, ugly little me?

"Why did you want to meet me so badly? I didn't see anyone out when I first moved in, so when did you see me?" Maybe I was too distracted with my thoughts to notice him at the time. I ignore his questions, but he doesn't seem to notice.

"Well, about that," he starts to blush and rubs the back of his head in embarrassment this time. "You probably didn't see me because I was hiding behind a bush." Then his blush deepens from a light pink to a deep red. "And, well, I wanted to meet you because I think you're…" *Ding DIng DIng* A loud bell interrupts him as he's speaking.

What did he say? I couldn't hear what he had said through the noise and I also wasn't able to read his lips when he said it.

"Oh no! I'm late again! So much for leaving early," a wide grin makes its way onto his face as he talks. Hold on a second. Late? That was the late bell? Ugh! Virgo's not going to be happy. I better get going to class. "C'mon, Luce. we gotta go. What class do you have first?" My mouth falls open as I realize that I don't even know, yet.

"N-Natsu, I still need to pick up my schedule. And I don't even know where to get it at." I start to walk closer to the gates because we're still outside.

"Why didn't you say so. I'll take you there. Follow me!" With that, he grabs my hand and starts to run. Strange enough, if feels somewhat comfortable to have his hand in mine. That's the only thing stopping me from ripping them apart.

"Natsu! Slow down, you're dragging me!" To my surprise, he listens to me and walks instead. "Natsu, you don't have to do this for me. It's my fault I'm late. Besides, you will be even more late to class. You should just go-"

"Nonsense. You would've been in school already if it weren't for me. And my teacher expects me to be late, so it's no big deal. Anyways, Gramps can be pretty scary, you won't want to face him by yourself." After he says this, we finish walking down the third hallway that we've entered. How big is this place? You couldn't see a whole lot from the outside because of the fence and the trees that surround it. "Here we are!"

Suddenly, my hand feels a lot colder. Looking down at it, I realize that Natsu finally let go. Why am I so disappointed?

"Hello, what brings you here so soon, Natsu?" I hear a silvery voice speak. "Did you get in another fight?" I look at the voice's owner to see the most beautiful female with long, silver hair. She seems to be around my age, so why is she working in the office? I wish I were that pretty. Then another thought pops into my head. Why did she say that like Natsu get into fights all the time? He's starting to scare me. Even more than before.

"Hey, Mira. I was just helping Lucy here pick up her schedule. It's kinda my fault that we're both late." Natsu didn't even react to Mira's question; it's like he was expecting her to say that. "She's new to Fairy Tail." There goes that grin of his.

"Natsu! You should be more careful. If you don't hurry, I'll have to tell Erza." Then Mira looks at me and smiles. "Hello, Lucy. My name is Mirajane Strauss. I am the Office Assistant for first period, but we may have a few other classes together. It wouldn't be many, though, because I'm a Senior this year. Anyway, Principal Makarov should have your schedule in his office." She points to a closed door behind her. "Just go through that door and you'll find him."

"Thanks," I say as I walk to the door she indicated.

She continues to speak to me, which amazes me. Why would she want to talk to me even more? "Sorry for Natsu, by the way. He can get a bit carried away, sometimes. But he means well. It was nice meeting you, Lucy. Goodluck!" And she waved at me as I enter the Principal's Office.

What does she mean by 'goodluck'? Will I be in a lot of trouble? Is there going to be punishment? NO, Lucy! This place is different! That was only your father. If there is any punishment, I'm sure it won't be THAT.

Nevertheless, I still feel really nervous about this encounter.

Upon entering the room, I am met with the back of a big chair behind a large desk. And by big chair, I mean a HUGE chair with a tall back. This, coupled with the large desk, lead me to wonder just how big and scary this man is.

"E-excuse me? Sir?" I begin. "I'm here to… um… to p-pick up m-my schedule?" I question with a noticeable stutter.

Slowly, the chair begins to turn around. My fear only increases as I find myself with no escape; my feet are stuck to the ground. Astonished at what I end up seeing, I feel like such an idiot.

"Yes, I've been expecting you, Lucy. What caused you to be so late to school? Or did you just have a tough time finding your way around? If that's the case, I could have Ms. Mirajane give you a tour," the man spoke, ending the silence that I found rather uncomfortable. This man, despite my original logic, was actually quite short. And old. In fact, there wasn't really anything that scary about him, to my utter relief. Also, for some strange reason, he seems familiar to me, like I've seen him before.

"Sorry, Mr. Principal, sir. I would never have made it if it weren't for Natsu. I would've been lost at the entrance," I shamefully admit. For a brief moment, a look of confusion crosses his face. It passes almost instantly.

"No worries, Ms... Maiden, is it?" I nod. "I understand. Here is your schedule," he hands me it as he says this. "Your first class is homeroom, in room 207. That's on the second floor."

"Thanks, Mr. Makarov…" I trail off, not even knowing what his last name is.

"Dreyar. Makarov Dreyar." When he says that, it almost seems like he is hoping for me to recognize something. Surprisingly, I now remember where I've seen him before.

"Oh, you were a teacher here many years ago, right?" He was in some photos that Virgo showed me from when she went to school here. It took me so long to remember because he looks so different, now. You know, with old age.

By his look of disappointment, this doesn't seem to be what he wanted me to say. "Yes, I was. By any chance, Lucy, did your mother attend Fairy Tail?"

I barely manage to keep myself from crying at the word 'mother'. "Yeah, my mom, Virgo, showed me her high school pictures and your were in some of them."

"Hmmm. Virgo, huh?" He strokes his chin as he thinks for a minute, then he snaps his fingers. "Ah, yes, I remember Virgo. Pink hair, I believe. Her little band of friends were quite the troublemakers, as I recall." That doesn't sound like the Virgo I know. Maybe people do change. Maybe Virgo was right when she said my father used to be different, that he used to be a kind man. If that's true, then it really is might fault for everything that's happened to me…

"... so you'll be having a sub, today." the Principal's voice tears me from my thoughts. How long was he talking?

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"I was just telling you that your homeroom teacher is sick with the cold. She won't be back until next week, so you will meet your temporary substitute teacher today," he explains.

"Thanks again, Mr. Dreyar. I better go, now. Bye." Without waiting for a reply, I walk out of the room. Waving to Mira on my way out of the office, I bump into someone's chest.

"Oi, you okay, Luce?" Looking up, I see the same salmon-haired Natsu that led me here. Did he gave me a nickname? He said that earlier, too, I think.

"Natsu, why are you still here? Don't you have to get to class?"

"It can wait. I was gonna show you to your class, first. So c'mon." He grabs my hand and almost drags me again. Feeling the warmth of his hand in mine, I simply follow without any further complaints.

It's just a short walk to the stairs that lead to the second floor. From there, my class is just seven doors down the hallway. It's not long enough in my opinion. Not for holding his hand, at least. Reluctantly letting go once again, we say goodbye and I enter the room.

"What do you want, brat?" an annoyed voice greets my entrance. It came from a pretty woman with long, light-blue hair. "Who are you?"

Obviously a little frightened at her demeanor, I hesitantly answer. "M-my name is Lucy. I'm new here, and I guess this is my class?" I hope it isn't. Everyone's looking at me and the teacher doesn't look happy.

"It's about time, you brat! Look, just introduce yourself to the class and then find a seat. I'm subbing for the real teacher this week. My name is Aquarius Finn. Make one joke, and you'll be dead." The seriousness and irritation in her voice told me that she wasn't joking.

I turn slightly to better view my classmates, keeping an eye on Ms. Aquarius at the same time. Just so I know if I do something wrong. "H-hello. My name is Lucy Maiden and I hope we can get along." I saw the teacher's eyes widen slightly at my name. What is that about?

Once I'm finished, I immediately choose a seat near the back, next to a girl with short blue hair. She waves politely at me as I approach. She seems okay, but I don't want to talk to that many people, yet.

The girl whispers to me as soon as I sit down. "Ms. Aquarius is the coach of the swim team here. She acts like that to everyone. Don't worry, though. Our real teacher, Ms. Dreyar, is actually pretty nice. I'm sure you'll love her." When she's done talking, she smiles at me.

However, I can only wonder how the teacher is related to the principal. I mean, Dreyar isn't a common name. Thankfully, since this girl called her Ms. Dreyar, she can't be his wife. I don't want an old teacher. No offense. So what does she look like? And why does the name Aquarius sound familiar, too?