Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy tail. Slight sensitive material. Also, commissioned picture from a friend of mine! Like it? See more of her work on Webtoons. PM me if you want the title of her comic.

Chapter 3: Rivals

Serenity was walking towards the guild hall alone after some hard training with Loke and Natsu and felt sore all over. She wanted to be alone for a bit and they had to do other things anyway and left their session early. She rubbed her forearms and felt a few bruises as she did and groaned. Great, she thought to herself, Might need to bandaged that one up.

She looked down at it and sure enough it was bleeding, again. Man, I thought I didn't hit Loke's stupid training dummy so hard! Damn it… She walked into the guild hall, but everything was quiet and dark.

"Hello?" Serenity curiously yelled, walking cautiously into the guild hall. There was no sound at first, and then she heard soft pads on the ground. She turned towards it and the light was suddenly was blinding her eyes.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled in unison that was at the guild hall at the moment, popping up from all over like whack-a-moles. They all had party hats on and noise markers in their mouths, blowing into them to make them seem louder. Serenity jumped back a little, but smiled.

"Happy birthday Serenity!" Lucy ran over and hugged her daughter.

"Aw, thank you guys! To be honest, I forgot today was my birthday, with all the training going on," She sheepishly smiled. Ignoring her throbbing arm for now; besides it wasn't hurting her that much anyway. She can wait on it.

"No way could we forget when Natsu and Lucy first brought you in!" Levy cheered as she walked over with a party hat and put it on Serenity's head.

"I just can't believe it's been eight years! I remember when I first saw you and thought you were so peaceful" Lucy gently said, and then looked towards Natsu, who was walking towards them. "But then you followed your dad around ever since you could walk and became loud and obnoxious" Lucy teased.

"Hey!" Serenity defended, but Lucy wasn't wrong. Natsu always found a way to steal Serenity and Nashi without Lucy knowing and took them into town, or into the guild, to show them off. Then when Serenity was watching Nashi train with Natsu she wanted to learn Dragon Slayer magic too. Then there is recently where she has been going on easy missions.

"And now since you are old enough, you can officially join Fairy tail and finally get your guild mark." Mira cheerfully said.

"That's right! But first, why don't you enjoy yourself, and have some cake. I made it with Wendy's help just for you." Erza interjected, smiling and holding a plate towards Serenity. Serenity took it and thanked Erza. Erza went to help Wendy pass out the cake and Serenity went to go and sit down. Oh my god this smells amazing. Serenity thought. Then she heard a tck'd and sighed angrily, knowing all too well who was there.

"Listen Axel, I'm not in the mood. Go bother someone else." Serenity tried to say calmly. It seemed more monotone though.

Axel pulled away from the pillar he was leaning against near Serenity's table she sat down at. "I wasn't going too. Besides, fighting you on your birthday would just be pitiful, seeing as I would just win." The blue hair wizard retorted. His arms crossed in front of his chest and he held a smug on his face that Serenity just wanted to wipe away with one single punch. Axel knew this too. He loved riling her up; it was too easy, seeing as she took on her father's personality plus her mothers. Twice the fun he thought. Serenity looked up to glare at him. He was wearing similar clothing style like Gajeel, his father, but had the color scheme of his mother. Levy. His hair styled short but had the spiking-ness of his father.

"Can't you just pick on someone else? I'm starting to think you actually like me. I mean, come on! I thought we were 'Rivals' but the way you act, you seem to just enjoy talking to me. No fights or anything." Serenity teased, going back to her food.

"We are, but like I said, it's your birthday and that would just be sad. Beating you up on your own birthday; I never said that I wasn't going to tease you. You get so riled up!" Axel laughed and Serenity gritted her teeth. God damn it! Calm down, relax. Like he just said; he is just going to tease you. You can handle that. Serenity thought, having a mix of emotions cross her face and Axel seemed to notice and smirked. One more tease and that should do the trick. Axel thought evilly. "Oh well, guess I'll just tease Ronan then. He's always looking for a fight with me and, unlike you, can actually hold his own, funky eyes." Serenity stood suddenly, glaring at him, her eyes glinting with a hint of angry and power. There we go. Perfect. Axel thought as he started to unfold his arms.

But before she could do her attack, Natsu sat down in front of her. Axel glared at the pink haired man, tck's and walked away. "Maybe tomorrow bipolar; when it's not your birthday." Axel waved, heading towards where his family was and getting cake. Serenity let out a long heated sigh and sat down. She hated whenever he called her that. She hated her eyes; she wished she had eyes like her mothers or even her fathers. But no, she couldn't have those eyes, because she wasn't related to them. So she was stuck with them.

"Stupid Axel, I'm gonna kick his ass so hard tomorrow!" Serenity quietly fumed.

"Actually, I came over to ask you something," Natsu chimed, knowing his daughters personality all too well. Not like he raised her or anything; took her on almost every mission he's been since they've had her. No, no, no, of course he didn't know her at all. Whatever, she's not like him at well. Oh who is he kidding; she was more like him than Nashi was. "I wanted to see if you wanted to with me somewhere. It's for a mission."

"Where is it at?"

"That's a secret." Natsu evilly smiled.

"That's creepy...wait, is it because it's my birthday?"

"I guess you'll just have to come with me tomorrow to find out." Natsu chortled.

"Okay. I'll go with you then." Serenity smiled cheerfully, getting out of her angry mood easily. Natsu grinned, knowing what Axel's intentions were, whether Axel knew what they were or not, Natsu did. Those two were going to become a great team when they grew up, just like he and Gray did; fighting still no less but a great team none the less.

"Great! Now, enjoy the party and don't worry so much about Axel. He's just being a boy."

"I know. I just…" she looked down at her feet, holding back tears as her emotions starting to swell up in her again; less angry and more depression now. "I just…ugh! I wish I could punch his lights out!" Serenity wasn't going to cry, not in front of her dad. She would rather feel angry than depressed. Natsu laughed, not really seeing her mix of emotions crossing her face, as she was looking down and then reached to pat her on the shoulder. Serenity looked up at Natsu and he had a more serious face once his laughter died down.

"Hey Serenity?"
"Yeah dad?"
"Your eyes are amazing. Not 'Funky' looking. The moment you opened your eyes at me, I knew for a fact you were special and I wanted to raise you with Lucy to see just how special you could be. And Nashi had been asking us for another sibling for a couple of weeks and you were just perfect." Natsu showed off his canines, eyes closed and doing his goofy smile that made Serenity always feel happy, and so she smiled a similar smile.

"Thanks daddy, you're the best." Natsu stood up, moving his hand from her shoulder to her head and ruffled her hair.

"I know I am. And he's just jealous because he doesn't have awesome eyes like yours. To be honest, I am too."

"Lair"

"I am being truthful." He gave a thumb's up to her before walking away. Serenity sighed to herself, looking around the guild, watching everyone have a great time laughing and playing games. Occasionally coming over to her and wishing her a happy birthday. She felt so loved and wondered how in the world she was lucky enough to be dropped off at the door steps of these amazing people. Nashi finally came by, with a present in her hand.

"Hey! I want you to open my present first. You're gonna love it!" Nashi happily said. Serenity took it and opened it up and smiled hugely.

"Oh my god, you didn't?" Serenity pulled out a black one armed jacket, trimmed with gold on the edges of the jacket. She started to get all giddy, filled with happy memories of the time she and Nashi decided to raid their parents closest and try on their clothes.

"Oh I did. Remember when we were rummaging through our parents closest and just before we were caught you saw that and loved it? I asked mom if you could have it and she said yes. Dad still doesn't know." Nashi giggled mischievously and looked towards Natsu; who seemed to be occupied with a heated conversation with his royal ice princess. Serenity hugged the jacket tightly to her chest. She had given Nashi a similar gift only it was the vest, with the sleeves cut off. They loved their mom's clothing as well but none of them fit them around their chest, not yet at least.

"I love it! Thank you Na-Na!" Serenity stood and hugged her sister as much as she could with there being a table in between them and Nashi sitting down. Nashi smiled, patting Serenity's back.

"I did modify it a little though. Turn it around." Serenity turned it around and on the back was a large orange threaded fairy tail guild symbol, and at the bottom in cursive was her nickname; Sweets. Serenity gasped excitedly and gently touched it, awed by how much work Nashi put into the jacket.

"Wow! You did that?"

"With moms help, thought I would return the favor." Serenity squealed and put it on. It was baggy of course but she still loved it. She hugged herself and smiled huge closing her eyes. She took a deep breath in and could smell musty campfire scent, knowing the smell very well.

"Yep, just how I thought it would feel and smell"

"Where did you get that?" Killian came over. He was walking with a small present box and sat down next to the two girls, looking at Serenity with curiosity.

"Nashi got it for me, like it?" Serenity did a slight twirl in her new jacket, the bottom part of the jacket touching the ground barely with the twirl and then finally settling after she stopped spinning.

"Isn't that dad's?" The six year old asked, smiling at his silly sister.

"Not anymore. Mom said Dad doesn't wear it as much as he used to." Nashi said bluntly.

"Oh, I won't tell then." Killian teased, knowing that their dad would notice sooner or later. Not like he would be mad or anything, just would tease them about how they want to be like him when they grow up although they deny it every time he says that. He pushed his present across the table to Serenity. She sat down and started to open it. In it were bracelets and bangles.

"Wow! How did you get your hands on these?" Serenity looked at them, and pulled them out to show Nashi. They bracelets were a metal she had never seen before and the bangles each had one gem in them that seemed rare as well.

"With dads help; I choose the metal from a place that dad showed me a while ago. He got it hot enough to bend and helped me engrave them. The gems were near where I found the metal." Killian carefully said. "He kept getting frustrated since he doesn't normally deal with metal, like Gajeel does. But he was out so we eventually figured it out." Serenity started putting them on, she stood up again and gave Killian a similar hug that she gave Nashi moments ago.

"I love them. They are amazing. I'll thank dad later as well. You guys are the best siblings a girl could have." This time Nashi and Killian stood up and returned Serenity's hug. They all laughed and soon everyone started coming over with their own presents to give her. She opened each on and thanked the person who gave it to her. Eventually Natsu saw what Serenity was wearing and teased both girls for trying to be like him; like Killian thought would happen. Lucy chuckled as the three started to wrestle, the girls over taking Natsu, though Lucy knew that Natsu was letting them. He has a soft spot for his two little girls and little boy, and then she saw Makorav walk to the group, slowly. Age was always with him but it seemed like it more as each passing day grew. He was just too stubborn to realize it.

Serenity looked over after being head locked and getting nuggyed. She struggled to push Natsu away and stood up quickly. She took the gift and thanked gramps. He waved and walked away slowly, not saying much because his voice was starting to give recently. Serenity opened it up and, of course, was pictures of gramps' adventures for her album she collected as he went on them around the world. She loved his pictures and couldn't wait for the day when she could do some adventures by herself.

The party ended two hours later and most of everyone went home. Only Serenity and Mira really stayed behind. Serenity was putting away her final gifts and looked at around.

"Do you need any help Mira?" Mira smiled, pleased that Serenity had some manners to ask if she needed any help, even on her own birthday.

"No, no. You go home and enjoy your gifts. If I need help, I'll ask my grumpy children or Laxus." She waved to Serenity as she left and did some final cleaning.

Serenity walked by herself to her house, hauling a huge loaded bag. She perked up when she heard a noise then grew slightly annoyed as she recognize the familiar scent.

"What do you want now Axel." She deadpanned.

"Here." He walked over and gave her necklace, "This doesn't mean I don't want to fight you anymore. I'm still your rival" He smirked. The necklace was plain but made out of some blue metal. No pendants were on it and Serenity actually liked it. But she didn't want to admit that to Axel.

"Thanks. I'll make sure to keep it somewhere safe." She stuffed it into her pocket and continued to walk. Axel followed behind her. "You don't have to follow me. I know my way home." Axel looked uncomfortable at the thought but she knew that wasn't the reason he was following her.

"I wanted to say…" He sighed, "I'm sorry. You don't have funky eyes. They are actually pretty cool. You shouldn't feel like your eyes are funky because I make fun of you for having them." Axel said slowly. He was looking down at his feet, hands in his pockets.

"It's…" Serenity took a deep breath in through her nose and let it out through her mouth, "It's not okay but I accept your apology." She turned to face him, his red eyes already staring at her. "But this doesn't mean I'm not your rival anymore." She smirked at him, repeating what he had said moments ago. Axel smirked back and took off, waving her goodbye. She turned around as well and started walking again.. She finally got home and everyone there was waiting for her.

"Geez, took you long enough. What were you doing? Kissing your boyfriend?" Natsu teased and he went over to her and helped her bring the presents in.

"Gee, I would have been faster if you guys hadn't left me." She scolded everyone aiming mostly towards Natsu and Nashi. Killian wasn't there, meaning he was in bed and Lucy shrugged; that meaning she was taking care of Killian.

"Hey! We were looking for the right colors for your guild mark." Lucy walked over, chuckling to herself.

"Yeah and you are going to love it." Nashi quipped. Lucy pulled out the guild mark stamp that used on Nashi when she was eight.

"Where do you want it?" Lucy asked. Serenity had thought about this moment for a while now and had finally thought of the perfect spot. Pulling her new jacket off and sliding her shirt off of her left shoulder, and pointed to the middle of her shoulder blade.

"Right there" Lucy smiled and placed the stamp there. It glowed for a bit and finally it stopped. Nashi brought over a hand mirror and showed Serenity. It revealed to be half blue and half green. She smiled, her family really did know her and what she liked and she loved that about them. They are they absolute best.

I am so sorry guys! I know I said I would post every Thursday but I suddenly got very unmotivated to continue my story and then I got busy playing a video game called Ark and helping my friends and husband raise dinosaurs and ugh! Work! Oh my freaking work! Sometimes I really hate people and then there are time that I don't mind them. Anyways, I know that the chapters aren't having fun actions or much sensitive material that I put in the disclaimer but I am going to confess something. Serenity is based off of me. Oh! The horror! How dare I?! But listen, I made her be like I wish I was. This chapter was mostly is about when I was teased about my eyes. Yes, I do have two colored eyes and I was teased a lot for them. Mostly about my lazy eye but also because I was different. As I grew up though, everyone started to actually think I was cool for having two different colored eyes and soon I started to love them. Anyway, please leave a review or PM if you want to give me a suggestion for a chapter that you thought of! Don't worry, there is a plot and I really can't wait for it but I need more chapters!I don't want to move too quickly. Also also, what do you think of my cover picture?! I thought of the pose and then I had my best friend draw it up! She is amazing. Anyway, Toodles!