Today is a very special day for me, and I hope you all share the joy with me. One year ago, I published my first story here on FanFiction. (In the Woods, a Fruits Basket story.) It all really started when I had this dream. I thought about it and thought that it would be fun to see a story with the characters from Fruits Basket. I remembered that my one friend told me about FanFiction, so I decided to try writing. I really had no clue what I was going. It took me forever just to figure out how the website worked. But after I finished the story, I decided to write another one. And another and another and another... Looking back at old stories, I can't believe how much I've grown as a writer. I never even noticed that I became better. I guess practice really does make perfect.

So, in honor of my one year anniversary, I have a few special treats for you guys. First, I uploaded all my stories! (Not Meister and Reaper. It's still on hiatus.) So you may all enjoy reading updates on my stories in mass productions. The second prize for you all is a little more personal. I want to practice one-shots. If any of you have an idea for one, of just have a pairing request, PM me and let me know. I'll write it. And if I really like it and see potential, I'll eventually make it into a story. I'll write for any anime as long as I've seen it. Just ask me.

I really just want to thank you all for your love and support. I would have never imagined myself being this popular a year ago. I know I'm not super popular, but it seems like it when I write a story, wondering if anyone reads it at all. Just thank you so much.


Lucy had been pretty upset about the project for Biology, but by the end of the day she wasn't even giving it a second thought. At the moment, her and Levy were really just wondering what all the commotion was about. Mostly girls, and a couple guys, were talking in a hushed tone. Some even stared at the two as they walked past. They didn't really understand what they were all whispering about until they arrived at their lockers, which were side-by-side. And leaning against Lucy's locker was Lyon.

"Hey, Lucy," he said, kicking off the locker. He smiled brightly, making a few girls around them glare at the blonde.

"Oh, Lyon." Lucy was surprised that he was there. She completely understood the attention she was getting. An S-Class waited at her locker, after all. Even if everyone didn't think he was the most attractive of the group, it was still a big deal that he was there, waiting for her.

"I figured you could just ride home with me." To others, who clearly didn't know the situation, it was very suspicious. Lucy barely even knew why he wanted her to ride home with him. She could feel the intense glares piercing her back like a thousand needles.

"Do you two have a date or something?" Levy asked innocently. She thought Lucy was after Gray, so she was pretty confused. Lucy just wanted to punch her friend. The glares increased, as well as the heat in her cheeks.

"You have that project with Gray, right?" Lyon asked. Lucy nodded. "Ultear said that she was dragging him home whether he liked it or not so you two could work on it. Then once you got enough done for your liking, we can head over to the rink. That is if you still want me to teach you."

Lucy tried to ignore the huge grin Levy was giving her. Of course she would react that way. She hadn't been informed of her and Lyon's arrangement at the ice rink, so it was news to her. Even if she didn't think Lyon was attractive, just as before, the fact that he was an S-Class changed everything. Realizing that she still hadn't replied to Lyon, she said, "that works."

Lyon smiled again. "I'll take your backpack," he offered. He stepped forward to take it off her shoulders. She wasn't sure if it was intentional, but he stood just close of enough that her nose hit his chest. She literally stopped breathing for a moment. She remembered that time that Gray caught her skating. He smelled heavily of smoke, but there was a hint of vanilla mixed in there, almost like ice cream. She didn't know why she was thinking about that.

"Did you hear me?"

Lucy snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Levy. Lyon was standing beside her, her backpack slung over his shoulder. He was serious about carrying it. Of course he was. He wasn't just going to get that close and act like he was for the hell of it. "Sorry, what?"

Levy sighed. "I said I'll see you later. Lisanna and I going to hang out at the rink to get to know each other better." She turned so she could open her locker. "I expect my usual when I get there, okay?" She laughed and shut her locker, already getting what she needed. She smiled at Lyon for heading out to catch the bus.

"We better get going," Lyon said. He put his hand at the small of her back to lead her out of the school. The thought never crossed his mind that he was obviously flirting with her. She didn't really notice either, so it worked out. He just wasn't an obnoxious guy like Gray or Loke. He was more subtle.

In the car, Ultear was up front, singing along to the radio. Gray was in the back seat, staring at the window with his arms wrapped around his legs. She got into the back seat as well, and Lyon got into the driver seat. The whole ride she spent watching Gray. He was totally spaced out. She found herself wondering what he was thinking. It probably wasn't anything deep, she assumed, since he didn't seem like a very deep individual. Then again, if those rumors the girls at lunch that one day were true, then he may have been thinking very deep thoughts. Or maybe about when he would get to smoke again.

When they got to the house, Ur was overjoyed to see Lucy early. That joy left her as soon as Wendy came running into the room without any clothes on, laughing. She latched onto Lyon's leg. "She just took a bath and doesn't want to get changed. I almost had her, too," Ur said.

"I'll change her," Lyon offered. He picked Wendy up and carried her upstairs, most likely to her room.

Ultear turned to Gray. "You are going to work on the project with Lucy. She's too nice to fail just because of your idiocy," he hissed. She smiled at Lucy before leaving the room.

"You two have a project to work on?" Ur asked, raising a brow. She found it surprising that the two would pair up together.

"The teacher drew sticks," Gray mumbled. Ur nodded in understanding. That was about the only reason there could be. He usually paired with one of his druggie friends, then neither did any work. At least now she knew he would do something. Lucy wasn't one to take crap, that's for sure.

"Let's go work," Lucy said. Gray rolled his eyes and went into the living room. She sat beside him on the couch. "So today we should just make outlines for stuff. Like when we'll work, who will do what, who'll get materials, and stuff like that."

With the groan she received, she realized that getting Gray to corporate would be harder than the project itself.


This chapter was very uneventful. Sorry about that.

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