Here's the newest chapter! I hope you like it! Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Chapter 5

The Results Are in!

Ryoko and Natsu had spent a week training together. In that time, Ryoko had worked hard to regain her stamina that she had prior to the Battle of Fairy Tail and she had Natsu to thank. He had stuck by her side, training her to be stronger but also helping her to understand her new family and her new team. The only thing she had left to do was to pass the Master's test and she would officially be allowed to join Team Natsu and take on jobs.

During her week of training, she also go to know her new team. She learned that she and Lucy shared the same apartment building and became close. They would walk to and from the guild together, talking of novels and adventures that Lucy had been on prior to Ryoko joining the guild. Lucy had even got Ryoko into journaling. Ryoko hadn't realized how relaxing writing really was. Lucy even helped in her training, using her spirit Aquarius to help out with her water nature. Ryoko adored Aquarius. Something in her personality reminded her of her mother. Likewise, Aquarius liked Ryoko and was always willing to help spar with her. Something about those who wield water magic seem to bond together. At one point, it was a three way battle between Ryoko, Aquarius and Juvia. A winner has still yet to be determined.

Gray was more than willing to help with her ice nature. However, whenever they spared, Juvia and Natsu were never far behind. For Natsu, he claimed that he was making sure that Gray didn't push her too hard. And normally after every session, Natsu interrupted claiming that Gray was being careless with her. This normally resulted in the two wizards starting a fight and with Erza ending it. Juvia, however, was just making sure that Gray and Ryoko didn't get too close.

When Erza found out that Natsu was training Ryoko, she naturally had to join in. Promising that she could make Ryoko stronger than ever. All she did was successfully scare Ryoko. But she also pushed her harder than any of the others. There was even a moment where Ryoko thought her heart would give out but she pushed through. She felt ready to face whatever the Master had in mind to test her, at least she hoped she could pass. The other members of her new team didn't hesitate to share the horrors the Master bestowed on his 'children'.

The only bad thing about the whole week was that Marie was still gone. She hadn't bothered to tell anyone where she was going or when she would come back. If she came back. Ryoko was heartbroken that her best friend had left. She wanted Marie to come back. She'd sit through any lecture that Marie had to offer, as long as she was there to give it. Natsu and Happy tried to comfort her and convince her that she'd be home in time for her test but every day that drew closer, Ryoko lost hope of ever seeing her again.

Ryoko had finished writing about her week long training and torture when a knock came to her door. Closing her journal, she went over and opened the door to see Lucy smiling while holding Plue.

"Hey Lucy!" Ryoko said as she let them into her apartment.

"You ready?" Lucy asked as she took a seat on her bed.

"As ready as I'm going to be. Think it'll be as bad as Natsu and others made it sound?" Ryoko asked with a shiver.

"Honestly, I have no clue. I may not be as new as you but I'm still pretty new and I haven't seen some of the things they've spoke of," Lucy said as she too shivered. Ryoko nodded as she hung her head in thought. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Ryoko looked at Lucy before handing over a letter she had received earlier in the day. Her mind had been mulling over the words since she read them at breakfast. Lucy took the letter and started to read aloud.

Ryoko,

I know words can't express how I truly feel or how much I wish I could how things turned out. But please know how deeply sorry I am for how you've suffered. Gramps has expelled me from Fairy Tail, as punishment for what happened to you and to everyone else. I really pushed things too far and let my temper and my jealousy get the better of me. Perhaps my expulsion will help me get a better idea of who I am. Am I Makarov's grandson or Laxus Dreyar? As of right now, I haven't a clue. But I'm not going to burden you with my philosophical debate. This letter is an attempt to set something that went wrong, right.

I know the extent of the damage you suffered at my hands. As a Dragon Slayer myself, I can't even imagine the pain and suffering you must be enduring because of the damage I caused. I heard from Freed that the old man is making you undergo a test to see if you can survive being a wizard. This is all my fault. So the only thing I can do to make it up to you is to give you this vow. For as long as I live, I promise to protect you. To Look after you. To defend you when you cannot defend yourself. I know that I'm not there now to keep my vow, but the Thunder Legion will look out for you in my absence. I hope one day you can forgive me but know that I will do all in my power to keep you and your heart safe. If you ever have need of me, please reach out to me and I will be there.

Laxus.

When Lucy finished reading the letter, she gave Ryoko a shocked look. Ryoko nodded as she put her favorite pair of boots on. "Wasn't expecting that this morning. Not sure how to take it," Ryoko said as she finished getting ready to go to the guild wit Lucy.

"This is really a different Laxus. It reads like he's taking on the role of big brother, to at least try and make up for your heart," Lucy said as she placed the letter on Ryoko desk. "Although how he'll pull that off after being expelled, I don't know."

"Yeah, I already have one of those and Gajeel is already a major pain to deal with. The lecture I got after I woke up…"Ryoko said as she rolled her eyes and headed out of her apartment building.

"So how did that relationship form because honestly, he's a creep. You'd be better off with Laxus," Lucy said as she remembered what happened with Phantom Lord.

"I heard about what happened between the two guilds. I heard Gajeel really roughed you up. Believe me or not but he's really isn't that bad. And I think Fairy Tail is the best thing that could have happened to him. He's really a good guy, maybe a little rough around the edges but still good. He looked after me for a long time when I was small. I know he'd never hurt me," she said as they made it to the entrance.

"He has come along way. Maybe it is time to forgive him," Lucy said as they walked into the guild.

For once, it was fairly quiet in the guild. Might have something to do with the fact Natsu was content eating instead of fighting. However, a large gathering had formed around a drawing of the all the different dark guilds and how they were all connected. Ryoko looked back at Lucy. "How was your last job at 8island?" she asked as she took a seat near Natsu.

"Ugh! Don't ask. You should know by now how things work with Natsu, Gray, and Erza. However, the restaurant is still standing so I guess we were successful," she mused before wandering over to Mira.

Mira started explaining to everyone about the dark guilds and just how dangerous they really were. Ryoko had come across one of the lower level guilds while on her travels. They weren't a joke. When the Master returned from his meeting he made it clear that things were already set in motion. The Oracion Seis were on the move and for the first time, the guilds were going to work together to bring them down.

The Master looked over at and frowned softly. "Erza, Gray, Natsu, Gajeel, Lucy, and Juvia. Come to my office," he said as he walked away from the gathering.

"Master?" Ryoko called to him.

"In a minute Ryoko. I know you're eager to find out about your future," he said calmly as he went upstairs with those that he called on. Ryoko huffed but went over to the bar and got herself a water. The Master took a seat at his desk and looked at those he had summoned. He had no intention of having her part take in some test but instead to train with those she would be working with. Only they would make the decision if she was able to handle jobs or not. He looked around at his children and took a deep breath. "Now listen here, when I call on you, I want you to tell me if you think Ryoko can handle the strain that comes with guild work. I want your honest opinion. Don't hold back because you care about her. This is her life and her future we are discussing, those are both more important than her feelings."

The group nodded. Their Master was serious about wanting their opinions for they would shape his answer. He looked toward Juvia and waved her forward. "Master?" she asked.

"Juvia, you have been working hard training with Ryoko. Do you think she can handle our line of work?" Makarov asked. Juvia looked at the others but turned her gaze back to the Master when he cleared his throat. "Do not worry, child. Whatever you say, will not be passed to her nor will it reflect badly on you."

Juvia nodded and smiled at the Master. "I think she can. While training with me, she practiced pacing her breathing and her energy. She made it very clear that if she kept herself at a steady rhythm she would be able to handle water manipulation," Juvia said with confidence.

The Master nodded and turned to Gajeel. "Gajeel, what say you?"

Gajeel grunted but shook his head. He would talk to the Master in confidence but not in front of the others. "No," was all he said.

The Master had expected that answer. Gajeel had been to him repeatedly to save them time and band her from work. He said he would claim financial responsibility of her if need be. Granted he would never let anyone know his true feelings towards Ryoko. The Master turned to Lucy and waved her forward. "Lucy? What say you?"

Lucy smiled and gave him a big thumbs up. "She's got this! She was rusty in the beginning but she's stronger than ever before," Lucy said.

The Master chuckled. "Always enthusiastic. Thank you, child. Gray?"

"She struggled with ice at first. Water is a little easier since it is a flowing element but when she finally found her footing, she destroyed anything I threw at her. She's got this Gramps. Putting her on our team would not only strengthen us but her as well," Gray said as he held up a determined fist.

"Erza?"

"She's come a long way, Master and with Gray and Juvia supplying her the elements she needs to consume to replenish her magic, she can do wonders. She, however, needs to be reminded when she needs to back off. She will push herself past her limit. Something we are all very guilty of. I would only recommend that solo jobs be off the table for her," Erza declared.

The Master nodded and turned to the last group member. "And Natsu? What say you?"

"She's a Dragon Slayer. She's powerful, strong, and determined. But I agree with Erza. She needs to be in our team so we can keep an eye on her and back her up when she needs us," he said with a rare seriousness that surprised his friends.

"Thank you. All of you. Now all of you but Gajeel and Juvia will be joining up with Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale and Cait Shelter to take down the Oracion Seis. I know that you will make the guild proud and take them out!" the Master said before dismissing them.

As they turned to leave, it was Natsu who stayed behind. "Gramps, what about Ryoko?" he asked.

"She'll be waiting for you all to return. At which point, she will be the new member of Team Natsu!"

I hope you guys enjoyed this new Chapter. More to come! Let me know what you think and please review! Thanks!