Phew, I managed another chapter! Man, I think life tried to sabotage me writing this story. As soon as I posted the first chapter, just instantly, bam! Life hits me right in the face. Anyway, it is here, I have finished another one. It's not the most exciting chapter but we do start to learn stuff about Mirai so here goes nothing. Oh, but first, a review, yayyyy!

JuggernautJJ - Me too, mate. Me too. Yeah, the first chapter probably wasn't the best in terms of originality but I think I was more focused on trying to introduce Mirai and her way of thinking than introducing the changes she'll be making. Don't worry, I have a lot planned for Mirai, and while sometimes she will just have to be added into fights and conversations (it's just inevitable at times for an OC-insert like this), I'll seriously try to avoid it as much as possible. Thanks for reviewing, I hope you enjoy it from now on!

Now, on with the story!

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

I didn't end up helping much with rebuilding the guild. My skill set wasn't exactly built for construction work and, while I tried to help out where I could, the fact that everyone kept forgetting I was there or even who I was certainly didn't make things easier.

In the end, I gave up and filled my spare time with training. It'd only been a few days but I'd already been abruptly reminded that I'd neglected my training during my travelling. Evidently, that wouldn't do and priority numero uno.

As for my guild members, I was having a poor time trying to get them to remember me. Few people remembered my name, namely Makarov, Mirajane and Erza, but hey, it was more than I expected so I took what I could get.

Finally, Mirajane announced that Fairy Tail was taking jobs again and I smiled at the enthusiasm in response, drifting over to the bar while everyone crowded around the notice board.

It wasn't long until something went wrong though.

"Just you try to say that one more time!" Erza shouted, throwing a table across the room. I rose an eyebrow in interest as the table crashed into Natsu.

The redhead was facing off against a blonde guy I hadn't seen before. He had spiked headphones, a leering expression and just an overall not-friendly appearance. I didn't know body language could scream 'smug aggression' so loudly but Fairy Tail was teaching me a lot.

"Let me spell it out so you really understand! This guild has no need of weaklings!" He sneered. "Those wimps from Phantom were able to show us up! I can hardly show my face anymore out of shame!"

Wow, a tad melodramatic.

"Who's he?" I turned to the nearest person, Mirajane, and jabbed a thumb in his direction. Mirajane frowned, seeming troubled.

"That's Laxus," she answered. "He's one of our S-class wizards and the master's grandson."

I looked back at the blonde, turning on his own guild members, and I didn't see the resemblance. Master's grandson? All I see is an overgrown, arrogant brat. Still, I wasn't here to fight so I looked away, ready to ignore the noise and get on with my day.

I wasn't fast enough. Our eyes met and he gave a ridiculing smirk as I quickly glanced down at my hands. "Who're you looking at?"

I said nothing as he moved closer.

"Hey... you're that newbie the old man took in, right? I heard you're gunning for the S-class exams," he chortled. "Hah, like a pipsqueak like you could be S-class! I bet I could pound you into the ground and not break a sweat."

I blinked slowly and opened my mouth to reply. No, Mirai, you're supposed to be avoiding the fighting, not starting it, don't let your-

"Why are you dressed like a pimp?"

-anger get in the way of your brain. Good going. Why don't you just go into the mountains and poke a few Vulcans for fun while you're at it? You'd at least stand a much better chance in that fight.

Stupid.

There was a brief moment of pure regret since I had not meant to say that and a vein popped on his forehead as he leaned towards me threateningly.

Thankfully, Mirajane intervened and then Natsu flew at him and I took the chance to sink into the background because holy shit, why would you say that, Mirai? Are you trying to die?!

"Are you ok, Mirai?" Mirajane peered over the counter to find me huddled beneath it. "Did Laxus scare you?"

I puffed my cheeks out and climbed to my feet. "No..."

"That's good," she beamed. I admired her ability to bounce back after that mess. "Please don't let your opinion of our guild be influenced by Laxus. Really, he's not the best example of a true Fairy Tail wizard."

"Of course not." I returned the smile easily. "Most people I've met are far more polite than that guy."

"Well, on a separate note, are you going to take a job now that you can?" she inquired curiously. "I always recommend that new members first try taking jobs with other teams but you seemed to hold your own in the fight against Phantom Lord. It might help you get to know some of your guildmates though."

"I think I'd prefer solo jobs for now but I'll keep the suggestion in mind," I responded, draping my torso across the counter lazily. "I should probably go pick a job then, huh?"

"You'd best hurry," Mirajane hummed. "The jobs'll probably all be taken quickly since no one's been able to take one for a little while now. Everyone seems excited at the idea of getting decent pay again."

I glanced over at the notice board, realising she was right. The crowd had cleared by now and there were significantly less jobs up now.

"Damn," I said, hopping off the stool and drifting over to see the few sheets left. I reluctantly skimmed through what was left.

Uh, something about acting... bug extermination, ew... haunted apartment is definitely not in my area of expertise... finding a lost cat, maybe? Nah, I only just got here, I'd probably get more lost than the cat at this point.

I sighed drearily. Nope. All the good ones were gone.

What am I going to do...?

I hesitated.

"Say, Mirajane, could you maybe use a hand with the bar?" I checked desperately. "At least until there are some better jobs?"

Mirajane paused thoughtfully and smiled. "Well, I could ask the Master I suppose. It never hurts to have a helping hand around here. It can get a bit crazy from time to time."

"You're a goddess!" I teared up as I beamed brightly at my saviour. She giggled and wandered off to find the Master.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

Makarov didn't mind me working at the bar for a little while. Especially since I'd really only just gotten here. Working in the guild rather than running off on jobs and having to travel all the time gave me the chance to get my feet beneath me and get used to the guild lifestyle.

It also helped me learn everyone's name and helped everyone start to remember me more.

Of course, some oddities occur working in a place like the Fairy Tail guild.

Oddities like this one.

I hesitantly tapped the shoulder of a certain blue-haired stalker as she peered around a corner at a certain black-haired shirtless ice mage.

"Uh, you're Juvia, right?" I spoke up to get her attention.

She squeaked and leapt back, her face flushing red in embarrassment. "Juvia wasn't stalking him, Juvia was just... admiring the view!"

I quirked an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I have no doubt you were," I said dryly, shooting a meaningful look in Gray's direction. "Have you talked to him yet?"

"To Gray-sama?!" She gasped, seemingly scandalised at the thought. "Oh, Juvia couldn't do that. Juvia is happy just watching from afar."

"Hmm, alright," I hummed, shrugging nonchalantly. "Not really my business anyway, just thought I'd suggest it. You've been sneaking around here for a few days now after all."

"Juvia is grateful for your concern!" She exclaimed.

I nodded slowly. "Right, well, let me know if you want a drink or something," I replied, already starting to drift back towards the bar. Her next words made me pause though.

"You... You don't think Juvia is creepy? Or evil?" She asked, fidgeting nervously with her hands.

"Well, yeah, the stalking is a bit on the creepy side," I answered honestly. She drooped in response. "But I also think it's adorable. You know, young love and all that. I'm a bit of a romantic at heart."

"Really?" Juvia gasped. She latched onto my arm. "And you're not Juvia's love rival right?!"

I frowned, a little uncomfortable with the sudden proximity and all. "For Gray? Uh, solid no. I mean, it's nice and all that he's managed to remember my name but I really don't know him. He's all yours."

"Then will you be Juvia's friend and help her claim Gray-sama's eternal love?!"

I was kind of regretting coming over here at this point and probably should've just stuck to serving drinks and such. "I'll, uh, try my best?"

She squealed and threw her arms around my waist. I lifted my own in discomfort as she squeezed in excitement. "Juvia's first female friend!"

Well damn, if that didn't tug your heartstrings.

"Yeah, yeah," I mumbled, patting the top of her head awkwardly. Eventually I had to pry her arms off me and return to work but it was a nice hug. I hadn't had a hug in a while, after all.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

"Is Loke here?" I blinked as a girl wearing very little clothing slammed a manicured hand on the bar counter. I paled at the sight of at least six other girls behind her, looking like they had the same question.

"I don't know," I stated bluntly, hoping that would be the end of it. If only. They were more persistent than I'd have liked.

"Last night he suddenly hits me with a break-up speech!"

"Me too!"

"He even did it with me!"

"Why would he suddenly say something like that?!"

I gulped. "Ah, well, let's be calm about this..."

Where the hell is Mirajane when you need her?!

"It couldn't be that he's found somebody else, could it?!"

"Who is it?! Is it someone in this guild?!"

I frantically looked around for some back-up, the sudden aggressive attention causing some severe panic, and zeroed in on Lucy, a few stools down. Our eyes met and she froze.

"A little help please," I hissed.

"Don't involve me!" Lucy cried as the women turned on her.

Oops.

I watched blankly as the blonde took a run for it and the horde of girls charged after her. That... was probably my fault, huh...

Well, no helping her now, she made a noble sacrifice. I silently sent her my best wishes and returned to cleaning the counter.

Hell hath no fury, I guess. But good for Loke, getting his life together.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

"I don't think I've seen you around here before," the tiny, blue-haired girl spoke up from across the bar.

"I think you have," I responded idly, scrubbing at a particularly stubborn smudge on the glass in my hands.

This was the third time I'd 'met' her.

Levy was one of the more tolerable people I'd met so far in this guild and it was rather frustrating that she always had trouble remembering me. The two boys I always saw her with were across the guild, talking with some other members. Whether she wanted to talk to me or whether she just wanted a quick break from her somewhat overbearing teammates, I had no clue but I didn't particularly care either.

"Oh, right," Levy blinked. "Um, M... M... Mina, right?"

"Mirai," I corrected, setting the now sparkling glass down and reaching for another.

"Right, Mirai. Sorry," Levy blushed awkwardly.

I finally looked up at her, my amusement evident. "It's ok. Happens all the time."

Levy watched me work for a few moments longer before speaking aloud. "Do you ever get annoyed about that?"

I shot her a curious glance and she plowed onwards. "I mean, I didn't even remember that we'd met until you reminded me. Doesn't that get irritating?"

I looked down thoughtfully, staring at the damp glass to hide my surprise. "Well, yeah, it used to make me really angry. But I'm kind of used to it by now, more resigned than irritated. Besides, no one really forgets, you just need some prompting. It's just... inconvenient."

"Hmm," Levy nodded slowly, an unreadable expression on her face. Suddenly she beamed at me. "I guess we'll just have to be friends then!"

Caught off guard, I jolted and fumbled with the glass for a moment. Setting it down carefully, I stared incredulously at the girl. "Huh?"

Where did that come from?

"I'd never forget a friend," Levy exclaimed, leaning forward across the bar in her excitement, "so we should be friends. I'll remember you, I promise!"

"You don't need to go that far," I spluttered, my cheeks warming up in embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it," she insisted cheerily, holding her hand out. "I'm Levy, nice to meet you."

I studied her outstretched hand cautiously, unsure of what exactly was happening right now but it was probably the cute, hopeful grin on her face that got me in the end. Sighing, I tossed my rag to the side and shook her hand. "Mirai. Please take care of me in the future."

Much to my surprise (and delight), Levy never really forgot my name after that.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

"You're a celestial spirit?!" I paused at the sound of Natsu's voice as I passed by. I looked over to find him flitting around Loke suspiciously.

"He's a what?" I wondered aloud, before I gathered enough common sense to stop myself.

"A celestial spirit," Gray supplied, without a single glance in my direction. "I never even guessed."

"What's a celestial spirit?" I questioned curiously. Sounds cool.

"You've never heard of celestial spirits?" Lucy asked in surprise. I shook my head. She paused for a second at the sight of me before continuing and I raised an eyebrow. Yeah, she's totally forgotten who I am. "They're magical beings from their own separate universe, the Celestial Spirit World. Celestial Spirit Mages, like me, are able to summon Spirits by opening their Gates via the use of Celestial Spirit Gate Keys."

She held up her own keys to illustrate. I'd been wondering what kind of magic she used. I'd never seen this kind before.

"Wow, that's pretty cool," I drifted over to examine the keys. They were quite pretty. "And the flirt's one of these spirits?"

"Uh, his name's Loke but yeah," Lucy confirmed awkwardly.

Loke was one of the people I hadn't really talked to at all while I worked. In truth, he was far too busy flirting with other females or avoiding Lucy to actually notice me, but that was also partially due to the backlash of my magic. Besides I never made any attempt to meet him myself, mostly because, well...

"I don't believe we've been introduced," Loke cooed, taking my hand in his and delicately holding my chin in his other. I think he was sparkling too but that might've just been me. "I'm Loke. It must be a crime that I haven't met such a beautiful young lady such as yourself."

Yeah, that would happen.

He sweatdropped at the utterly unimpressed look I sent him in response.

"That's Mirai," Natsu grinned, resting his hands behind his head. "You've probably already met her and just forgot 'cause of her weird magic."

I could practically see a lightbulb light up above Lucy's head as it finally clicked who I was. I sighed. Of all the people I expected to remember me, Natsu wasn't even top ten. That's surprising.

"That's an odd kind of magic," Loke commented curiously. I realised he was still holding my hand and blushed a little, tugging it out of his grasp.

"The word you're looking for is inconvenient," I acknowledged before turning the topic back to him. "So you're not human...?"

I blinked. Wait, was that mob of girls from before... not him pulling his life together then?

Then I remembered, I don't care. Covering up a yawn, I started to wander off as they discussed how he looked the same, trying to remember what exactly I'd been doing before. I'd totally forgotten during this little detour.

"Wait just a minute! You too Mirai!" I glanced over my shoulder idly as he presented Lucy with multiple slips of paper.

"I can't spend long amounts of time in the human world anymore..." he explained when Lucy asked what they were. "There are tickets to a resort hotel I intended to go to with my girlfriends but now, since I feel that I owe you people, they're yours."

I perked up and shuffled back towards them, taking a ticket of my own with a appreciative look. Huh, maybe he wasn't that bad after all. I mean, I gotta wonder how many girlfriends he has though...

Natsu and Gray sparkled at the expensive side of the tickets while Lucy and I exchanged happy looks.

"I don't think I've ever had a vacation," I realised.

Lucy gaped at me. "Never?!"

I shook my head. I mean, I'd travelled a bunch, but none of it was for enjoyment or anything.

"I've already given a ticket to Erza, so have fun, everybody!" Loke called just as he disappeared.

"So what are you all standing there for?" Erza said, strolling past in a floaty ring and dragging a huge pile of stuff on a wagon behind her.

"That was way too fast!" Gray and Lucy yelled.

"Also, I really don't think you need stuff like that on a vacation... is that a shovel?" I squinted at her 'luggage' suspiciously. Yep, that was a shovel and there was a statue in there too...

Ah, I need to buy a bathing suit.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

First things first, I let Master know about the vacation. Apparently Erza had already told him but I wanted to check that he knew that I was going too.

Then, leaving Master weeping over the idea that the most destructive team in Fairy Tail was going on a vacation in an expensive resort (he should really retire soon, all this stress isn't great for a man his age), I went shopping for anything I might need.

I didn't really expect to run into anyone in the swimsuit store but about fifteen minutes in, a familiar brunette ducked through the doors with a cheerful wave and a giant barrel over her shoulder.

"Cana?" I blinked. Cana was also one of the few people who remembered me now, simply because I worked at the bar and she drank there all day long unless out on a mission.

"Mirai!" She called, heading straight for me. Yep, she's borderline drunk. As usual.

"Is that all booze?" I gaped at the giant barrel she placed on the ground as soon as she reached me. "Do you even have a liver anymore or has it just dissolved in all that alcohol?"

She dismissed my remark with a snicker, throwing an arm around my shoulder casually. "What're ya doing her'?"

"Uhhh," I shot an obvious glance around the swimsuit store and then back at her.

She did the same and chuckled. "Right. Bikinis."

Oh, Cana.

"I'll *hic* help!" She cheered, letting go of me to plunge through the racks of bathers.

"You really don't need to-"

"How about this one?!"

I despaired as she proceeded to hold up the skimpiest bikini, that was really more of a fun string pattern than a bikini.

"Uh..." I slowly reached out, plucked it from her hands like it was a dirty rag and placed it back on the nearest rack. "Well, how about we make that Plan Z and keep looking."

"Ah, no fun."

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

I did finally find something suitable to wear though, with Cana's influence, it was a bikini instead of the one-piece I'd originally planned to . But it wasn't some outrageous pattern and it covered everything that I needed covered so it was good enough for me. Cana sobered up a bit by the end of it and sent me off with a grin and a loud "have fun!"

"Eh? Is that all you're bringing?" Lucy exclaimed as I rocked up at the train station with a half-full tote bag.

I frowned. "Beach stuff is expensive. I don't want to blow all my money at once."

"You should've told me," Lucy protested, smiling as she looped her arms through mine. "I could've seen if there was anything I could lend you. We're the only girls here, you know, we should stick together."

"Erza's a girl," I pointed out.

We both looked off to our right where the redhead sat on a bench nearby, her humongous pile of junk and unnecessary shit beside her. Someone asked if she could move her stuff so they could get to the seat and she then effortlessly lifted the wagon with the giant pile (that's like, what, a couple dozen kilograms) with one arm and set it off to the side without breaking a sweat, the innocent bystanders all stopping to openly stare at the spectacle.

"Yeah, right," Lucy sweatdropped.

"She's not human though," I added dryly.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

"So, he's always like this...?" I mused, idly poking Natsu's cheek. The pink-haired boy was splayed out in agony on the seat beside me, groaning. His face was a sickly shade of green.

"Yeah, he really can't handle any form of transport," Lucy laughed. "He'll be fine as soon as we stop though, don't worry."

"As long as he doesn't puke on me," I grumbled, ready to throw his carcass across to the others if he showed any signs of doing so. She sweatdropped at my sheer lack of concerning.

"So, Mirai," she continued, making small talk to pass the time. "We don't really know much about you. Where are you from?"

I paused at the sudden topic change and at the fact that both Erza and Gray suddenly tuned into the conversation.

"No clue," I said simply.

Lucy hesitated. "Y-You don't know?"

"What, do you have amnesia or something?" Gray butted in. Wow, way to be frank.

"Something like that," I answered vaguely, casting a glance out the window and silently wishing the train would move just a little bit faster.

"So you don't remember anything?" Lucy pressed. "What about your master that you mentioned?"

She remembered that?

"My master, uh, found me on the streets one day and took me in," I explained, beyond uncomfortable. "What about you guys? Where are you all from?"

There was a pause before they all simultaneously avoided eye contact.

"Th-That's not important," Lucy stammered.

"Y-Yeah." Erza nodded stiffly and Gray... started to pull his shirt off.

I sighed and glanced out the window as Lucy snapped at him, cheeks red in embarrassment. I was just grateful that he'd managed to completely divert all the attention away from me.

I'm such a liar.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

"You should really just talk to him," I chirped, startling Juvia once again.

Everyone had been enjoying the resort hotel to it's fullest, even me, but I kept noticed the familiar blue-haired girl peeking at us from behind various objects.

"Juvia cannot!" She exclaimed, her cheeks going bright pink. "Surely Gray-sama would not like Juvia after what Juvia did in our first meeting."

"Actually, I don't think he'd mind too much," I countered, thinking on it. "He's pretty chill, no pun intended. And you seem pretty sorry about it so he'll probably forgive you."

Juvia trembled nervously and I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to but you can't just stalk him for the rest of your life."

"Juvia can't?" She frowned thoughtfully. I sighed. Oh boy...

"Well, do what you like. Not like it's any of my business," I remarked, walking away with a quick wave.

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

"Why is Lucy being chased around by some angry buff guy?" I wondered, watching as the poor girl ran for her life.

Nearby, Natsu hugged a watermelon and laughed even harder. Gray was snickering too and it wasn't too hard to piece the situation together.

I sighed and grabbed her arm just as she ran past, pulling her off to the side and letting my magic envelope her just briefly. We observed as the angry guy slowly came to a halt and scratched his head curiously.

"What was I doing again...?" He wondered, having completely forgotten. After a moment of consideration, he shrugged and returned to his towel while Lucy tearfully threw her arms around me in gratitude.

"Mirai, you're my hero...!" She blubbered.

She seemed to get over it pretty quickly though when she caught sight of a certain laughing idiot.

"Natsu!" She howled, reaching for his neck as though to strangle him. "I'll kill you!"

The boy in question laughed a bit more before recognising the danger and making a run for it and I blinked. Gray laughed even harder at the sight. I cracked an amused smile.

Erza broke it up soon enough, tossing a beach ball up and down in her hand with a confident smile. "Anyone up for some beach volleyball?"

"I'm on Erza's team!" Lucy yelled immediately, jogging over to the redhead.

"No fair!" Natsu and Gray yelled at the same time.

"Don't we have uneven numbers?" I wondered, counting the five of us. "Should I referee?"

"No way," Natsu protested desperately. "They get Erza so you should be on our team."

I squinted at him suspiciously. "Are you planning on using me as a shield...?"

His suddenly innocent expression confirmed it easily and both him and Gray despaired as I started walking towards the girls' side in retaliation.

I eventually relented after ten minutes of rather desperate begging from the boys and an attempt by Natsu to bribe me.

"Don't be going easy on us now," Erza smirked, getting ready to serve the ball. I paused and realised I've never actually played beach volleyball before.

"We just hit the ball back, right?" I checked at the last minute, watching her movements closely and missing the way the two boys paled. Neither of my teammates had the chance to answer anyway before Erza sent the ball hurtling right at us.

"So fast!" The boys exclaimed, hugging each other in fear.

I darted in front of them and jumped, batting the ball away with a loud slap, sending it flying back over the net just as fast as it'd come.

Lucy yelped and dove for it, missing completely. The ball had already hit the ground and rocketed past her before she could blink.

I landed lightly and shook my hand. Man, slapping it kind of hurts... maybe I'll try the base of my palm instead next time...?

Erza took this as a challenge and cracked her knuckles. I glanced to the boys questioningly to see whether I'd done it right.

Everyone but Erza and I gulped at the quick exchange. 'Th-They're monsters...!'

Erza got a new ball, readying herself for another serve and I grinned in anticipation as the others threw themselves to the ground for safety.

Beach volleyball seems fun!

~{}~{}~{}~{}~{}~

Ta-da! Ok, so not the most exciting chapter in the world, but it had some nice fluffle moments and quality bonding time? Yeah, I kind of skipped over the Loke and Celestial Spirit King arc a bit, but it made no sense to me to involve Mirai considering she really only just joined and wouldn't really have much motivation nor the means to get involved. But she will not miss out on the upcoming drama, oh no. She will be getting far more involved with the main cast soon enough.

Anyway, pretty please, review! Let me know what you think! I always accept criticism and feedback and advice, etcetera, and reviews make me super happy. I can bribe you with a new chapter...?

Ok, until next time!

- Dragon