The Beginning, the start of what's about to come. Who Cana ends up with is up to how her heart mends. So far, Laxus, her childhood friend and object of her affections rejected her. Gray, another childhood friend shows signs of affection for the missing Cana. Bacchus, a drinking buddy and currently training partner, seems to like her more than a friend.

Story so far: Cana is in Daffodil Town with Gildarts. She met with her friends from Quatro Cerberus and they agreed to train her and give her a makeover. Laxus and Raijinshuu arrive at Daffodil Town and they see Cana.

Chapter 06 – The Beginning

"Cana?" Cana stopped mid-sentence when she heard her name called by a familiar voice. She spun around and her blood ran cold.

"Cana-chan, come on," Bacchus said, leaning in to whisper into her ears. "Not yet," he murmured.

"Hi?" Cana greeted before looking at herself and blushed. "Um…I'll see you back at the guild," she said quickly as she pushed Bacchus. He grabbed her hand and tugged her to a restaurant.

"That sly girl, she's dating Bacchus?!"

Laxus clenched his fists as he frowned. He was right about her but something in him wasn't happy about being right.

.::/::.

Bacchus stared at Cana who was poking at her food. "Cana-chan, you have to eat in order to train."

"I must look horrible…he didn't even have any reaction," she whispered before tears welled up in her eyes.

"God," he murmured, clenching his fork. "If you would listen to yourself, what happened to the confident and prideful Cana that we all know and love? Just because you got rejected doesn't mean that you have to kill Cana Alberona! You're renewed and reborn but it doesn't mean EVERYTHING about you has to change!" She blinked, staring at him as she wiped her tears.

"You're right. I'm not the one at fault. After all," she began sultrily before leaning in. "I'm getting a rise out of you and the other males in the vicinity." His cheeks flushed and he gulped down his drink as he quickly asked for the check. She finished her food and wiped her lips before glancing to see Raijinshuu and Laxus entering the restaurant. "Bacchus, do me a favor?" He gave her a look and sighed. She smiled, leaning in and his eyes widened before she pulled back. "Thanks," she said and he glanced to see Laxus staring at them.

"Well, Cana-chan, let's go." He set the correct amount of jewels down before getting up. She followed him, smoothing her skirt. She smiled at him before following him out.

"Rocker, Semmes, both of you at the same time!" Bacchus commanded as Cana groaned, dodging as she whipped out her bo staff. She unlocked it and swung the other end, whacking Rocker down before she spun, locking it to slam the end into Semmes' stomach. They both groaned as Cana rubbed her bo staff.

"Wow! This baby is amazing." She slipped it into her holster before pulling out her baton. "Let's test this baby."

Bacchus stared at Cana in shock as she was the last one standing. He chugged the rest of his sake as he got into ready position to attack her. "Don't go easy on me, Bacchus."

"Tough luck, Cana-chan, I'm drunk, easy's not in my vocabulary," he said as he charged at her. She quickly swapped her baton for her bo staff. She leaped back and slammed her bo staff into the ground as she spun around to kick him in the face. She landed, twirling the bo staff over her head and brought it down quickly. Bacchus was frozen because he caught a glimpse of her panties but he quickly dodged her follow up. He tried to trip her but she flipped herself to the side. She landed on her feet but winced when she landed too hard on her left ankle. She fell down and he looked at her. "Cana-chan?"

"I twisted my ankle."

He groaned and pushed himself over as he helped her up. "Guys!" They rolled over and looked at them. Cana was wobbling and they blinked.

"Cana-san?"

"I twisted my ankle dodging," she murmured in shame.

"I'll bring you back. You guys, go call the healer." Bacchus held her princess-style as she slid her bo staff back into her holster.

"Thanks, Bacchus." He rolled his eyes.

.::/::.

"Woah," Bickslow commented as Laxus was talking to the requester. His 'babies' were repeating after him and Evergreen peered over her shoulders to see what Bickslow was looking at. She let out her own whistle. Laxus glared at them before glancing too and he froze.

Cana's hair was a mess and she was panting, her breathing ragged and clothes dirtied. Her skirt was hitched up her legs and Laxus growled softly before frowning to himself. Why did he care so much?

Evergreen hid a giggle at the sight.

"Ever, we're here to work, not play," Laxus rebuked.

"Cana?" Gildarts called as he answered the door, half awake. His eyes widened. "Cana!"

"Sorry, I twisted my ankle," she said as she reached for her father. He took her and sighed softly before looking at her outfit.

"This looks good on you, Cana," he said as she smiled softly. "I approve of this outfit."

"She still attracts a lot of attention," Bacchus commented. "Oh and we saw the lightning dragon."

"Oh?"

"He had no reaction." Cana buried her face in Gildarts' chest.

"It'll take time. His brain is probably under a huge mass of muscle." Cana found herself giggling at that before she patted her father's arm.

"Dad, I want to shower first." He nodded, bending to grab her bag before bringing her to the bathroom. He set her down and stepped out, locking the door on his way out.

"So, what do you plan to do now?"

"Well, the dragon slayer didn't have a reaction but if he does truly care for Cana-chan, he'll react sooner or later. You said they were childhood friends?"

"Yea, they practically grew up together. She said she'll be his wife and he forgot about that!" Gildarts fumed. Bacchus ignored the pain in his heart and Gildarts looked at him. "You alright there, Bacchus?" Bacchus remained silent and Gildarts sighed. "If Cana wishes to give up and there is no reaction from Laxus, you're freed to court her." Bacchus stared at him in shock before a huge smirk appeared on his face. "Though I'll know if you don't give it your all to transform Cana into someone Laxus grovels for."

"Cana-chan didn't need to change," he murmured, crossing his arm over his chest.

"She didn't but it'd be best for her. I don't want her dying from liver damage or kidney problems shortly after we reunited."

"The drinking, I'll give it to her but why change her appearance?"

"If she continues to dress like how she used to dress without an ounce of care, she'll be raped," Gildarts said seriously before freaking out. "They'll drag her to some random dark corner, tie her up and they wouldn't have to do much too…I can't even think about it!" He rambled as he stared wide eyed at Bacchus. Bacchus let out a shaky laugh before looking at the bathroom door. "Plus, I want her to be as innocent as she really is."

"Hah! Cana Alberona, innocent?" Bacchus laughed. Gildarts eyed him seriously. "No way," he whispered.

Laxus and Raijinshuu passed by a hotel. "Shall we stay the night and then-"

"It hurts! Bacchus, stop!" Cana's voice cried out in a soft plea. "Bacchus," she whined and they glanced up to see Cana with a robe on as Bacchus appeared in sight. Laxus's eyes widened in fury as he spun around. "Ow, ow, ow! Pull away!" She cried again.

The electricity in her room went off and her cries fell silent as Laxus stormed away to another hotel. His face was dark and Raijinshuu didn't comment.

Author's Note: I tried to keep Cana in character. Laxus is just a lost boy now, what to do with him? -sigh-