"Looks like we're here." Said Erza as we reached the top of the mountain.

"Wow!" I exclaimed, gazing out at a field of blue lilies that sparkled under the setting sun. "It's so beautiful."

"Isn't it though? The snow lilies only grow on this particular mountain once every few years. They can be used as remedies for frostbite, the common cold and other ailments."

I looked at the request flyer. "Now it says here that the client asked for about a dozen of them."

"Easy enough." She said as she summoned on of her swords. She sliced through the lilies with her sword, chopping them from their stems.

"That's a bit overkill don't you think?" I said looking at a whole basketful of snow lilies. "You think you could have saved some for the mountain?"

"It's only half the field." Said Erza as if it were no big deal.

"You do know that these flowers are rare,right?They don't grow anywhere else but here."

"I am aware of that. Besides,we may just get a raise in our reward." She picked up the basket of lilies. "Now let's take these back to our client and head back to the guild. I suspect Gray is there waiting for you."

We headed down Mt Hakobe and back to Magnolia. Our client was a doctor that worked in the hospital in Magnolia and was more than pleased with our job. She even added 2,000J each to our reward. After dropping off the lilies, we made our way back to Fairy Tail.

"Oh, good you're back. " Said Gray. "How did it go?"

"Great! We even got a bonus."I said. "See Gray. I told you it wouldn't take long."

"Wow."Said Erza. "The guild looks spotless! You guys did a really nice job."

"Yeah," Said Natsu exhausted. "We just finished."

"Natsu and Gray just fought most of the time." Said Lucy. "It took us three days to finish."

"Psh!" Scoffed Natsu. "It was Gray's fault. He started it."

"Oh I started It? You hardly did any of the work!"

"Rgh! I did too! You're the lazy one Gray!"

"I am not lazy! I did more work than you did! You're just blind!"

"Blind,huh? Then what happened to your clothes?"

And sure enough, Gray was wearing nothing more than his underwear.

"Ah crap! Not again!"

"Cut it out you two!" Said Erza bopping both of them on the head. "No more fighting!"

Gray and Natsu rubbed their heads.

"Yes ma'am."

"Now I suggest we all go home and get some rest. It's getting late and we've all had a long day."

"Yeah,I'm beat." Said Lucy heading for the door. "See you tomorrow."

"Me too." I said stifling a yawn. "You coming Gray?"

"Yeah."

"Goodnight guys." I said as me and Gray went back to our apartment. It wasn't too far away from the guild. It was only just a block away. It was a two bedroom apartment and was only about 85,000J a month. Which was better than having to pay 100,000J for dorms.

"You know," Said Gray. "I'm really glad you're back. I missed you."

"It's only been three days." I said unlocking our apartment door.

"I know, but 3 days might as well be 3 weeks."

I could feel my cheeks burning red. I gave a small smile. "I missed you too."

We entered our apartment and he gave me a quick hug. "Goodnight Erica."

"Goodnight."

And with that we went into our separate rooms.

When I awoke the next morning, I made made some breakfast for me and Gray and we headed to the guild together.

However, when we got there, the guild was wrecked.

Windows were smashed and iron rods jutted out from every angle, damaging the roof and walls.

"Our guild hall!" I cried falling to knees.

What kind of monster would do something like this?

To our guild?

Our home.

My blood boiled at the sight.

Why would someone do this?

My punched my fist on the ground.

"Who did this to our guild?!"

Gray stood next to me too shocked to speak.

Mirajane emerged through the entrance doors. "It was Phantom Lord. They came and destroyed our guild last night."

"Was anyone hurt?" Gray asked.

Mira shook her head. "Everyone else was gone when they attacked."

So this was Phantom Lord's doing. They were the ones to blame for this!

"The basement is alright,though. So we could stay there until the upstairs is repaired."

We went downstairs to find everyone's spirits broken.

No brawls or arguments.

No laughter.

Everything was quiet…..except for Natsu.

"Rargh! Those jerks are going to pay!" His fists lit up in flames ready for a fight.

"Natsu!" Said Makarov, "We can't pick a fight with Phantom Lord."

"And why not?! You saw what they did to our guild!"

"That's enough Natsu! I will hear no more of this!"

It just wasn't fair what Phantom did. Natsu was right.

They had to pay.

Why didn't gramps see it that way?!

"It's not fair!" I blurted out.

"Erica…" Began Makarov.

"How can you just let them get away with this?! They destroyed our guild! Our home! We can't just sit back and do nothing!"

"I understand your anger." He replied calmly. "But we can't fight Phantom. Not only would we get in trouble with the magic council, but they're just as strong as us. If not, stronger. It would cause more harm than good."

I stood there,blinking away my tears.

Fairy Tail was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I was able to make new friends. find family I didn't know I had. And it reunited me with Gray.

But to not be able to stand up for Fairy Tail?

It broke my heart.

I rested my hand on my left arm. Over my Fairy Tail emblem.

"No way!" Said a boy with spiky pink hair. "So you're a Dragon Slayer too?!"

I nodded my head. "Yup! Freena taught me."

"Freena?" Asked Gray, confused.

"She was an Ice dragon….." I paused remembering how she left without so much as a goodbye. "...But she left 7 days ago."

The pink haired boy's eyes grew wide in astonishment. "7 days ago? But that's when Igneel left!"

"That's freaky." Said Gray.

"That's so cool!So you're a Dragon Slayer like Natsu." Said a girl with white hair and blue eyes like mine. "Hi. I'm Lisanna Strauss and this is my my sister Mirajane and my brother Elfman." She pointed to a 13 year old girl with white hair like her sister's and a boy about my age with white hair as well.

"Did you say 'Strauss?'" I asked.

That name sounded so familiar.

"Hey,"Said Gray. "Wasn't that your mom's last name?"

That was right! My mom's name used to be Isabella Strauss before she married my dad.

Mirajane, who was wearing a purple tank top and shorts lifted an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that I'm related to this wimp?"

Ouch! That was cold!

"Don't be mean!" Her little sister scolded.

"What's your mom's name?" Asked Elfman, curious.

"Isabella."

All three siblings froze, their eyes wide.

"Isabella?But that's our aunt's name!" Said Lisanna exchanging glances with her brother and sister.

Gray's jaw dropped. "No way! Then that means you're their cousin!"

"Yeah right!" Mira scoffed, crossing her arms. "Our aunt died three years ago."

My bangs hang over my face, shading my eyes. 'Deliora' I muttered.

Mirajane's eyes blinked furiously. "H-how did you?"

"You really are our cousin aren't you?" Said Lisanna.

"It certainly looks like it." Said Gray.

Lisanna placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry. We're your family now."

Lisanna….

"Hey Erica. You alright?"

I was pulled from my thoughts by Happy's voice.

"You've been quiet for quite a long time."

"Yeah. I'm fine." I said shaking LIsanna out of my thoughts.

"Did you hear what I said?" Asked Erza.

"Uh,no sorry."

"I said, I think we should stick together tonight." She said clearly annoyed.

"You mean like a sleepover?"

Erza nodded. "We don't know if Phantom's going to attack so it's best if we all stay together. You know, strength in numbers."

"Yeah. We could stay at our place tonight."

"Huh?" Said Gray eyes wide. "N-now wait a minute! No way am I letting Pyro,here, into our apartment!"

"Say that to my face! Snowball!"

"Is there a problem boys?" Interrupted Erza.

"No ma'am!" Gary and Natsu said in unison.

She turned to me. "Yes.I think your place would suit quite nicely."

"Yeah. Natsu,Happy and Gray can stay in Gray's room and Me, you and Lucy can stay in my room."

"Perfect!We'll come by around 6."

"At least it's not at my house." Muttered Lucy.

When 6 o'clock came, Erza was the first to arrive.

She was carrying a large suitcase.

"Nice place you got here." She said looking around. "Now. Where should I put my overnight bag?"

"That's her overnight bag?!" Said Gray.

"Got a problem with it?" Said Erza accusingly.

"N-no! Not at all!"

And then Natsu….

"All right! Party!"

"Aye!" Chimed Happy.

"Honestly," Said Lucy coming up from behind them. "Could you be any louder?"

"Aw lighten up!" Said Natsu. "It's a sleepover!"

Natsu bent over Happy ear, attempting a whisper. "Hey Happy. Let's draw on Gray's face tonight while he's sleeping."

"Hey! I can hear you! You know!" Gray fumed.

"I think he's onto us!" Happy whispered back.

"I can still hear you."

"I think you two need lessons on how to whisper." Said Lucy.

Natsu turned to me. "Hey. So what's for dinner?I'm starving!"

"You're always hungry,Natsu." Said Gray.

"How does steak sound?"

I really hoped they wanted steak because I just spent 4 hours preparing it.

"Woohoo! Steak night!" Cheered Natsu.

"Yay! Steak!" Cried Happy.

"Looks like you got their approval." Said Lucy.

Dinner that night was like any other meal at the guild.

Loud.

"Food fight!" Cried Natsu preparing to throw his steak at Gray.

"No!" Shouted Gray. "No food fight! No food fight!"

I had just cleaned the carpet and I was not going to let Natsu ruin it. So I gave as best a death glare as I could muster.

Natsu's face paled.

He took a quick bite out of his steak and gave me a nervous thumbs up."Great steak." He said with a mouthful of steak and quickly sat back down.

After dinner, we all sat around in the living room, chatting until it was time for bed.

"Goodnight boys." Said Erza.

"Goodnight."They replied, as we all headed into our separate rooms.

Although my room was across the hallway from Gray's, we could still hear the guys in the other room.

"Hey!" Said Natsu. "Where's the marker at?"

"No way are you drawing on my face!" Shouted Gray.

"Did you take it?"

"No!"

"Liar!"

"I'm telling you, I didn't take the stupid marker!"

"Well if you didn't. Who did?"

With a victorious grin, I pulled the marker out of my pocket showing it to Erza and Lucy. "We are drawing on their faces tonight."

Lucy began to giggle maniacally. "That cat's gonna get it!"

Me and Erza gave her a questioning look.

"What?He keeps calling me fat!"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Fair enough."

Suddenly, there was a loud thud coming from the other room.

"Give me back my bed Natsu!" Shouted Gray.

I covered my mouth suppressing a laugh.

"No way man!"

"My apartment. My rules!"

"Yeah,well, I'm guest. Learn to share!"

All three of us burst out laughing.

"It seems like Gray's sleeping on the floor tonight." Joked Lucy.

"Shh!" Said Happy from the other room. "The girls are laughing!"

"I wonder what they're talking about!" Said Natsu intrigued.

"Let's go listen!"

I guess they didn't know that we could here them as well.

"Yeah!"

"We are not eavesdropping on the girls." Said Gray.

"Come on Gray. Haven't you ever wondered what girls talk about when we're not around?"

"No…..."

"They could be talking about you." Added Happy.

Silence.

" be quiet."

Too late.

The door to the boy's room creaked open and I heard the boys gather around the door.

I quickly began whispering instructions to Erza and Lucy.

I counted down from three on my fingers, then all of us began giggling.

"No way!" Said Erza. "You actually wear these?!"

We all sat on the floor talking loud enough for the guys to hear.

"Come on Erza. Don't search her dresser." Said Lucy.

"Hey," I said. "You know what would be really funny?If the boys were..."

I could hear their ears pressed up against the door.

I silently walked over to the other end of the room.

"... listening to us right now!"

I swung the door open and Natsu, Happy and Gray collapsed into the room.

"Dang it!" Said Happy. "Caught."

"Good going, Natsu!" Said Gray.

"You know we could hear you the whole time, right?" I said.

"Stupid walls." Muttered Gray.

"Get out." I said pointing to the door.

Natsu,Gray and Happy headed out into the hall.

I poked my head out the door. "Oh and by the way," I held up the marker. "We have the marker."

Their faces blanched and their eyes grew wide in terror.

"Goodnight." I waved my fingers at them and closed the door.