A/N: Hey sorry this is NOT a new chapter. This was the one I was supposed to upload for chapter 3 and just noticed that, once again, I uploaded the wrong one! I am very sorry about that! Working on chapter 4 now so it shouldn't be too much longer! Thanks so much and sorry again!


Natsu's New Rival

Chapter 3

I stood there staring at the now silent guild. All eyes were on me. My nose burned with the smell of alcohol as it reminded me of things that were best left forgotten. My eyes scanned the hall as I took in the scene. There were multiple tables scattered on each side that left a clear path down the middle that led to the bar on the other side. The floors, tables and even the bar were all made of the same type of wood.

On top the bar, hung wine and champagne glasses that reflected the low lights that the lacrima on the ceiling provided. A green sign with the Fairy Tail insignia was hung above it. The wall behind it was lined with shelves that held liquor and beer mugs. There was a set of stairs on the left that led to an open level on the second floor. The only thing preventing a fall to the first is a small wooden railing that wrapped around it.

No one moved nor said anything as I felt my stomach twisting in knots. I was approached by a white haired woman with vibrant blue eyes and a smile that could dazzle any man. Her silver white bands were pulled back into a small pony tail on top of her head that made the exotic beauty seem more innocent.

"Hey Gray, who's your friend?" I was struck by her beauty. Her voice soft as it broke the silence. It was angelic like, as if it was a lullaby that could sooth the soul.

"This is Lucy, she wants to join the guild," Gray informed.

I didn't need to be told this woman's name to know who she was. Here, standing right in front of me is the Mirajane Strauss. The famous poster girl of the Fairy Tail guild. She has been in several centerfolds of Sorcerer Weekly. I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe that I was actually meeting such a woman.

"Hi there Lucy, my name is Mirajane. It's nice to meet you," her smile was warm and inviting as her arm rose towards me.

"It's nice to meet you too," I took her delicate hand in mine. They were so small yet soft as silk. I could feel the eyes that lingered on me but I just ignored them. Being stared at was something that I was used too.

"Why don't we take you to go see the master?" I nodded stiffly in reply. Whispers started to buzz through out the guild but I paid no mind to them. My ears started pulsing as I became more nervous. I was going to be meeting the master of this guild. The powerful Makarov who controls the number one guild in Fiore. It was nerve wrecking. Mirajane seemed to notice my unease as she placed her small hand on my elbow and smiled warmly at me.

"Alright Lucy, Mirajane will take care of you from her. When you're done I'll be sitting right over there." Gray said pointing over to a vacant table right by the stairs.

"Right this way," Mirajane said as she signaled for me to follow. I went to follow but as I took the first step, a loud bang came from behind me as the guild doors were ripped from their hinges. Still standing in front of the doors, I had to duck to avoid getting hit by them. Dust littered the air and burned the back of my throat. I turned around to see what the cause was to be caught off guard by what I saw.

"MAX! Where the hell are you?" a man shouted as he stood where the doors once were. His onyx eyes scanned the guild in search of this Max. His eyes were deep and filled with emotion and he was clearly pissed. His eyes passed right over me not even pausing in the process.

Even in annoyance I couldn't stop my wandering eyes from taking in the image of this man. He had soft pink hair that spiked in all directions and swayed with the slight breeze that made its way through the entrance. His hair seemed messy yet it suited him well. The shade of his hair was a perfect contrast to the tan of his skin and dark color of his eyes. Somehow this man is able to take the most feminine color and make it manly. Not just that but sexy.

I let my eyes take in more of him as they made their way down to the white scarf wrapped securely around his neck. It looked worn yet well taken care off. It had a weird pattern that I just couldn't figure out what it was nor the material it was made of. Even though it was really hot out, he wore the scarf as if he was unaffected by the weather. He wore an open black vest with a gold trim and nothing underneath leaving his muscular torso for the world to see.

And boy was it a sight to see. Resisting, I felt the urge growing to reach out and rest my hand against his chest and run it across his toned muscles just to see what it would feel like. His arms were just as chiseled with a red guild stamp on his right. The more I looked at this man the more my heart began to race. He wore a pair of baggy white pants that cut off just below the knee revealing a small portion of his toned legs.

He wore sandals upon his feet and overall he looked comfortable in what he was wearing. My eyes met his once more as they stopped darting back and forth, landing on something behind me. Following his gaze, I spotted them on a man with sandy blond hair sitting a few tables away.

"You bastard! You gave me false information!" He accused as he stormed his way over to the man. Every step he took closer, I felt the room getting hotter and hotter. He walked right passed me and bumped into my shoulder on the way. He hit me with such force that my body jerked in response and pain ripped through my arm. My good arm shot up and held the now tingling arm as I watched in slight amusement not caring about the pain. What surprised me the most was when he touched me it felt as if he was on fire. No, more like he was made of fire.

He stopped a foot away from this man and in a flash the man was flying into the wall and crashing straight through. I didn't even see him move, he was that fast. His speed was unfathomable.

"I guess it didn't go as you hoped aye Natsu?" Gray smirked. Natsu? Does he mean the same Natsu he was telling me about? Is this really that man?

"Shut it stripper," the man named Natsu said without even so much as glancing in Gray's direction. A giggle escaped my lips when I thought of how fitting a nickname that was for Gray. Both boys turned in my direction, Gray upset that I was laughing at him and Natsu who's fury faded from his face and was replaced with curiosity.

"Who are you?" Natsu asked, starring into my eyes. I felt invaded for a moment, as if he could see straight through me. It was like I could keep no secrets from this man. I offered a sweet smile as I introduced myself.

"My name is Lucy, it's nice to meet you Natsu." Biting my lip slightly, I felt bashful under his intense gaze. He cocked his head to the side as his eyes looked me over. Something told me he wasn't looking at me the way I would like him to though.

"You're weird," I felt my right eye twitch as I took a deep breath. Calm down Lucy, you don't need to do anything rash when you haven't even joined yet. What if they don't let me join for something like that. I would be devastated. I am really going to have to try and keep my temper in check.

"Hey Luigi, you there?" said the same boy who was the cause of my mood change. He was waving his large hand right in front of me in an attempt to pull me from my thoughts. I could feel the heat he emitted as it reminded me of the warmth I used to feel as a child. His scent reached me and it was like nothing I have ever smelled before. It was unique and intoxicating. I felt my eyes closing as I breathed in the smell.

He burned like the heat of a thousand suns. His smile never quite leaving his eyes. With a single glance, he could ignite my inner most desires.

"It's Lucy, not Luigi," I stated as I ran a hand through my hair. I needed to get my emotions in check. All these new feelings were frustrated and confusing at the same time. He shrugged as if my words meant nothing to him and turned to head in the other direction. His presence screamed strength as he walked with an air of confidence about him.

"Hey flamer, is that how you greet a new member?" Gray shouted at his back. Natsu just kept walking.

"Leave me alone pervert," Natsu warned as a growl erupted from his throat. His voice was smooth yet fierce as I found myself yearning to hear him say my name right, just once is enough.

"How much of the town did you destroy this time?" Gray questioned as he was currently in the process of removing his shirt. Natsu swiftly turned around as a smirk formed on his face.

"I didn't!" He shouted, proud of what he just said. His shout gained the attention of the guild once more. I failed to realize that everyone had went back to what they were doing until the guild once again fell silent.

"Yeah right, since when have you ever went through a town and never caused any damage?" Gray asked sarcastically. I shivered at the thought. Just how powerful was this mage?

"Well I did, the town was just fine...it was the port that was destroyed," Natsu whispered the last part and I just barely managed to make out what he said but then again maybe I did hear him wrong because I could have sworn he said...

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Gray shouted. Both Natsu and I flinched at Gray's sudden outburst. Natsu didn't say anything in response just turned back around and started to walk away.

"Oh you are so going to get it when Erza comes back.," Gray snickered. The tan on Natsu's face vanished as he paled at the name. Sweat started to roll down his face as he turned to face Gray once more.

"There is no need to tell her right, I mean she doesn't have to know everything that happens," Natsu replied nervously. He was clearly shaken at the just the mention of this woman's name.

"Are you an idiot, even if we don't tell her she will still find out. Knowing her she probably already knows and is on her way here to kick your flaming ass.,"

"Hey, what did you just call me," Natsu said, grinding his teeth in aggravation. I just stood there watching these two bickering. How could two guild-mates argue so much. Aren't they supposed to get along? In all honesty, I thought Gray was exaggerating when he said that him and Natsu argue so much, but I guess I was wrong to make that assumption.

"I called you an idiot, hot head."

"Shut up pop-sickle."

"Make me bastard."

"You are asking for it pervert."

"Bring it!" And at that, Natsu launched himself towards Gray, and punched him in the jaw causing Gray to fall backwards a few feet. He quickly regained his composure and charged back at Natsu.

They threw hit after hit at one another and after several moments the two backed away from each other. I watched as Gray got into a pose and readied himself to use his magic. Natsu lifted his fist and the next thing I knew they were ablaze. The fire danced around his hands in a beautiful array of yellow, orange and red. It reminded me of a bright sunset. I could hear every blow, making me cringe at the sound.

Gray shot his lances towards the pink haired man as he quickly dodged then charged towards Gray with his ignited fist and made contact once more to Gray's face before landing another blow to Gray's stomach. More lances were shot towards Natsu as he struggled with trying to avoid them. The pure strength and speed of these two was amazing and I couldn't stop watching them in fascination.

Natsu then ignited his feet and used his flames to accelerate himself towards Gray. He attempted a kick which Gray managed to block but was still pushed back some. They continued to fight as another man approached them.

He had white hair and blue eyes just like Mirajane but this guy was huge with muscles rippling all over his body. He towered over the two boys as he had over a foot in height difference. He then shouted something about being a man, which I didn't catch.

"Shut up Elfman!" Natsu and Gray both shouted as they punched him and sent him flying.

The man flew back and landed on top of Mirajane as I rushed over and attempted to lift the heavy man off her. She was officially knocked out as well as a stream of blood trickled down the side of her face. Panic started to rise in me after I failed miserably to move the man. Crashes and bangs were heard from behind me as I turned around, I was shocked to see that most of the guild had joined the fight. Tables were destroyed, chairs flying all around, as broken glass littered the floor.

Watching with wide eyes as everyone fought amongst themselves, this person hitting that person, this one throwing that one, and others taking and receiving the hits. My eyes landed on Natsu and Gray once more as I noticed that Gray had only his boxers still on, everything else must have been lost during the fight. I stood up and tried to move out of the way but a table was thrown in my direction so I jumped to the side to avoid it. It landed just inches from where I just stood.

Before I could even finish my landing, something fell on me causing me to collapse onto the floor. A chill ran down my spine. A pain shot through my head. It was throbbing. Gray was now laying on top of me. Naked. Things were touching that shouldn't be. My chest was cold from where his head was laying.

His dark hair tickled my neck as his head rested against my chest. It felt hot even with such a cold man laying on top of me. His scent reached my nose as he lay there. His was cool yet unique in the same way Natsu's was but completely different. Closing my eyes, I tried to remind myself that I had an unconscious naked man laying on me. And things were touching that should not be touched.

Glancing up, just a few feet away stood Natsu laughing his ass off as he twirled around the unconscious Gray's boxers. His face bright with the laughter that filled my ears and made me feel like laughing in return. I found myself wishing that I could see that smile more often, it looked better on him then the scowl did. This man was the reason I was in such a situation, and I couldn't let these two get the best of me. I shoved Gray off me as I stood up. Natsu was too caught up in his laughter to notice me.

I grabbed at the whip that was attached to my side, and with a quick movement of my hand, Natsu found himself laying on the ground with my whip wrapped tightly around his ankle.

"What the hell?" He asked as his eyes followed the whip and then landed on me. "What's your problem Luigi?!"

"You idiot!" I shouted as I started to walk slowly towards him clenching the leather handle of my whip tightly. "First, you almost hit me with the guild doors when you busted them down, then you got my name wrong, AGAIN! Third you bumped into me earlier and said nothing in the form of an apology, and lastly you throw a completely naked Gray right on top of me! There is only so much that I am willing to take." My heels clicked as I took each and every slow step towards the pinkette, and with each step he became more nervous.

"H-hey, look I am s-sorry! I didn't realize it!" he shouted holding his hands up in defense. I stopped my slow approach when I was a mere foot away and smirked down at him. I watched as all the color once more drained from his face. His deep yet dark eyes were wide and focused on me.

"Do you think that saying your sorry will really help at this point?" I said in a low voice as he started to sweat and shift nervously around on the floor. "No, you need punishment. And maybe in the future you will know not to mess with me."

Tightening my grip on the whip, I released some magic into it as the guild watched in silence. The golden light circled around the whip once more, just like it did for the demon and spiraled its way down until it reached Natsu.

Once it made contact, Natsu howled in pain, it looked as though lightning was passing through him and sparking here and there. Someone was laughing in the background but I was too focused to notice. As the magic took its effect, I watched Natsu's muscles tighten under the pressure and my eyes roamed over his body once more. I released the magic as I noticed small trails of smoke coming from Natsu who was panting heavily on the floor. A drop of sweat rolled down his neck, onto his firm chest and down to his tight abs and sizzled away from the heat.

I felt as if I were to get close to him, that I would evaporate as well. The heat his body produced, right along with the spicy smell that came from him drove me insane. Everything about this man was utterly hot just like his magic. It was frustrating the way this man could effect me so much.

"Now what have you learned?" I asked leaning down to meet his eyes. They were unfocused and he had blood running down from his lip, which I assumed had to be from Gray since I didn't hit him there.

Natsu's eyes started to close as unconsciousness took over and a smile crept to my lips. That ought to teach him. I stood back up and noticed that everyone was still watching me. With a flick of my wrist, the whip released Natsu's ankle and wound itself back up as I attached it to my belt. Mirajane and the other white haired man known as Elfman, were now standing up along with the once unconscious Gray.

"Gray, your clothes," I remarked as I passed by him to sit down at the bar. I could feel all the eyes that followed me and could hear Gray shuffling around in search for his clothes, cursing along the way. I felt accomplished, even smug at what I had achieved.

"That was very impressive Lucy," Mirajane commented when she went behind the bar. Pride bubbled up in me at the complement that came from someone that I practically idolized.

"Thanks Mirajane," I said taking the drink from her that I didn't even order. I had no idea what was in the cup that she handed me but it smelled delicious so I tried it. I was clearly a smoothie of what tasted like banana's and strawberries and I wondered how she knew I would like it. I held the cold mug in my hands as the condensation ran down from the glass and onto my sweaty palm. The taste of the drink still lingered in my mouth as I wondered if I had ever tasted something so good in my life. Even the maids never made it this good.

"It's very rare for Natsu to apologize to someone and the fact that he did to you on the very first day is quite an achievement," she added. I just smiled at her. "I think you are going to fit in just fine, shall we go see the master?"

"No need Mirajane," said a small voice off to the right side of me. There sitting a little down some was a short old man, sitting cross legged on the bar with a large beer mug placed in his hands. He had short white hair that spiked out to the sides, and gray eyebrows that furrowed down to his small black eyes. His eyes spoke volumes of the wisdom and experience this man has. He wore a strange blue and orange hat on his head and a matching jacket and pants. Under the jacket lay a white t-shirt with the Fairy Tail insignia printed on it.

"So my dear, you want to join our guild?" he asked raising one of those big and bushy eyebrows. I nodded in response as I watched him stand up on the bar and walk closer to me. He sat back down a few feet away and faced me.

"Your name is Lucy, is that right?" he questioned after taking a long swig from his mug.

"Yes,"

"So Gray brought you here, and from what I can tell you are strong and are able to even control Natsu which is a feat in itself. Erza is the only one who is ever able to put that boy in check, now we finally have another. Mirajane, please retrieve the stamp."

Mirajane quickly rushed off to find what she was told to. I was having a hard time believing that this man was the master of this guild. If I remember correctly then he is also one of the ten wizard saints which is made up of the most powerful wizards of our time. Mirajane returned a minute later holding a small wooden box with the Fairy Tail insignia branded on the lid in gold. She had a skip in her step as she strode our way.

"Where would you like it and what color?" she asked sweetly as she prepared the stamp.

"On top of my right hand and in pink.," Mirajane nodded before doing exactly that. I watched as the mallet looking stamp was held over my hand and it started to glow. I felt a small tingling sensation in my hand before it quickly disappeared along with the light.

Once Mirajane moved the stamp, I glanced at the mark that was applied there and felt pride swell up in me. Mama, it's official. I made my dream come true!

"Is there a reason why you wanted it there and in that color?" Mirajane asked as I saw Gray and Natsu walk over and sit on each side of me.

"Well, I wanted it where everyone would see it and the color is because it's one of my favorite's. I always thought that pink and gold go perfect together, just like in a sunset."

A smirk formed on Mirajane's lips as I narrowed my eyes wondering what she was thinking. Her eyes darted from me to the pink haired idiot next to me and back again.

"I see, well in that case then look," she then reached out and pushed me and Natsu together by our shoulders and pointed to our heads. "Pink and gold does go well together!"

I shifted my gaze to the man on my right and just realized what she meant. Yes, he has pink hair and mine is blond which in a way could be considered gold but I never would of thought of something like this. I should have kept my big mouth shut.

Once I turned my face was inches from his. I felt my cheeks flare as I shoved Natsu away which resulted in him landing on the floor with a loud thud.

"What the hell was that for?" he shouted jumping up from his spot on the floor.

"For being such an idiot, pinkie!"