A/N: Well so much has happened within such a short period, I ended up going on a hiatus. However I had a couple reviews and both of them told me not to drop it and how much they loved this particular story. I felt touched and since I went on vaca for three days to my favorite river, I've been taking time to write for not only this story but chapter 11 for TLDE too. Part of the crazy that happened was my actual legitimate and very real soulmate and I, had been brought together. Our story is a miracle in itself. So without further or due the story, and thank you for being so patient with me.

Chapter II

Fateful Introduction

All day, all damn day bad things have been happening. From the dorm's water heater busting, to catching her skirt on thorn bushes (which were scattered all throughout campus to deter outsiders), then getting drenched with muddy water at the gate (because a car happened to pass through the only puddle in sight). Hoping that would be the end of it, slipped into a ditch.

Struggling to stand back up reflected on how her entire life had been filled with bad luck; even before she could remember. The result was believing some higher being must have cursed her to some damning fate she was yet unaware of. Lucy gave up for a bit and sat bitterly remembering her morbid past. Those very rich and doting parents, died very early in her toddler years from the same type of illness they got while in another country. They were replaced with an aunt, who for lack of better words, was slowly losing her mind. After finally getting free of the ditch, walked on auto pilot continued her muttering in a daze as she approached the academy gates.

"Then there was the bullying, the thefts from my locker, my dog dying and all in the same week…" Speaking of bullying, her back was shoved causing her to tumble forward."….Ow…."

"Hey, looking blue this fine morn." The end of his sentence seeped of venom.

And then there was this asshole, Kinto Dreyar. He stalked and pushed her around since she came to this academy two and a half years ago. Now in their Jr year it was worse than ever. Kinto got off on calling her his moon and whatnot. Lucy wanted nothing more than to punch his block off, but refrained because he was one of two sons of Makarov. Kinto had straight black hair, stunning blue eyes though a bit heavier in build. Not quite fat, but heavy. Ironically enough he was second most popular in school to Grey.

"Yeah, yeah…" Dusting off, didn't so much as spare a glance in his direction and stalked off up the stairs to the door, when her backpack was pulled from her shoulders then thrown to the bottom. Sighing with now scraped up knees and palms, went over to it and picked it up like it was always there, and went further into the school refusing to feed into Kinto's shenanigans. This aggravated him more, prompting him to throw a rock at her head, which she dodged with ease. After constantly getting rocks thrown at her by said man for the past two and a half years, she developed that little life-saving reflex. He continuously yelled profanities, called her names to which she turned bite her thumb at him, then ran for first class making it to her seat just as the bell rung.

The Professor in his monotone voice, went down the line when a new name popped up, Natsu Dragneel. That's a name if she ever heard one. "Lucy Heartfilia" there it was, "Here."

"I request you show our new student around." After giving said student a once over further declared, "And please clean up, your uniform is muddy and in shambles. Don not come back till after you fix yourself up, and the mandatory tour."

Then there was that, of all the days including being drenched in water, dirt and blood it had to be today. However obediently obliged her professor, but not without a curt tone at the end of his name. "Yes Mr. Lang."

Lucy prayed to whatever was above that this kid wasn't another asshole. Peering in his direction caught his eyes and developed a deep feeling in her gut that she knew him, which scared and confused her all at the same time. The other half of her told her this man was trouble and to be weary. Perhaps it was the part that had been terrified of that instant connection.

"Natsu, Lucy, if you two are done staring at each other like long lost lovers" pausing for emphasis heard his class laugh with a few passing giggles "you may be dismissed as per regulatory procedures for a new student." He then faced the black board, "As for the rest of you, turn to page 34 titled "The Dark Ages of Earthland", follow exercises 1-10 and turn in either after class today or at roll call tomorrow. Mr. Dragneel before you go, just for today you are exempt from this assignment; but see me for your alternative assignment before the end of the day."

Exceptionally disgruntled, grinded her teeth against a retort, but relaxed after hearing they were exempt from homework. "Yes sir." Picking up her backpack finally, slung it over her shoulder and casually glanced over at him. "Please follow me."

"Aye aye." He felt thrilled when catching that flash of recognition previously, the bonus was he nailed her as his tour guide. This day was a win for him. Once they were out of the classroom he immediately went into his first part of the plan. Befriending her. "Soooo, do they always pick you to take the newbie around?"

"Not usually no, it just so happens that I'm caught up in my work with an A in the class and can afford to be your guide. They usually pick the student within the top ten students overall. I happen to be third out of that number."

Whistling, sped up his pace to walk backwards in front of her, "Then who is the top two?"

"Can you please-"

"Use Natsu." He beamed enjoying himself and calmly placed his arms behind his head.

"...Newbie...please stop that... To answer your question, they're the most popular and unlikely students."

"Names, dear."

After hearing him call her such an endearing term, with a touch of huskiness, halted in her tracks. She vehemently threw her very heavy pack towards him. "Don't call me that."

It was a simple task to catch her pack before it hit him. "What? Dear? What's wrong with that?"

"I barely know you, that's why. Do you want this tour or not?"

Natsu realized he slipped at the tone and how it may have come across. "My apologies, to show my sincerity how about I carry this for you?"

"N-no, you don't have to go that far."

"Please, let me do this much. I am asking."

Never in her life has someone been so forward in such a blunt way. "You're so...weird..." Scrunching her face at him, crossed her arms over her well-endowed chest and contemplated. "If it means that much to you."

"It does."

"Then newbie…follow me this way to your next class. We must go to each Professor on your schedule in order, they'll give us a pass and a check-mark to the next location. This way you get acclimated on your first day, so if you're late on the second, you have no excuses. Most students that go here, are high achievers and can remember where everything is after their first day. Some professors give you a break on your second or third day, others are vicious enough to kick you out of class if you are a second late."

"Yeowch, that sucks."Up to that point Happy had been so good nestled quietly on top of his head, invisible to the world. So why couldn't SHE see or hear him; unless that part of her got buried after all these centuries and wasn't easily accessible.

Natsu was so deep into thought he missed her hand wave back and forth in his face. "Huh what?"

"I said I need your schedule. You're so weird, do you always space out this often."

"Yeah, when I am in space."

That quip almost got her. "Riiiiggghhht, it seems for whatever reason they decided to give you the same classes I do. That works out for you then, you won't have to worry about being late."

He wasn't passing this chance up as he gracefully side stepped behind her, for a chance at a new intimate moment.

"What're you doing? You're too close."

Or not. "Relax, I was just trying to see what you were seeing. That is all. Are you always this temperamental?"

New student or not, her fist flung on reflex then spoke through gritted teeth. "I don't regret punching you, come on newbie next class is Sciences in the Natural World." Before pressing onward, she rudely snatched her pack back from Natsu.

He remembered that punch like it was yesterday, any brief doubt vanished instantly. His moon would punch him all the time in the beginning, he'd say something "smart" and would receive a nice right hook because of it. Natsu chuckled darkly as he got up off the floor with expert ease.

He stood there massaging his cheek barely phased physically."Excellent punch, good strong arm too."

"Are you seriously complimenting me right now?"

"Yes."

A heavy sigh released, then she stopped to stare directly into his eyes baffled for all she was worth. "What are you? You're so bizarre."

He paused with enchantment, his heart beat as fast as it did when he first saw her corporeal form. How badly he wanted to touch her cheek and ebb away any hurt she may have; how painful it was to know he couldn't push things just yet. He clenched his hands into fists and released them in preparation for an answer that would kill his body and spirit.

"I am going, to be your best friend."

Lucy wasn't prepared for that answer, nor was she prepared for the hidden depth those words had. This enigma of a man had her stumped, enough so to go blank while fishing for any kind of response, which was to blink at him. Dragneel wasn't hitting on her exactly and he had only been nice to her; she made the decision to give him a chance.

"Let's start with acquaintances first, and go from there…" To her shock and horror this somber boy from two seconds ago, clamped on her arms and began to bounce up and down like a rabbit.

"I WILL TAKE IT!"

"Then we need to stop screwing around and get this tour done and over with deal? NO MORE DISTRACTIONS…please?"

"Deal!"

::***::

Their day went on without too much trouble except for one incident with Natsu during lunch. The boy tried to request every side in the line, making for a very difficult lunch period. Other than that, it went smoothly. Heartfilia was able to change into her spare uniform she kept in her locker right after. They even got their alternate assignment with ease, till the end of the school day where he would not relent.

"PLEEEAAASSSEEEE LUCY! Let me go with you!"

"For the last time, NO!"

"Why nooooot?"

"Because it's a girl's dorm only!"

"Awww that does not matter, I shall be your ninja!" He pulled his scarf out of his bag, after stuffing it in there when he and Lucy were getting ready for their tour from AP English, only to wrap it around his face and head three times.

"Do you wanna get labeled stalker after your first day?"

"No."

"Then don't push it."

"Alright, alright fair enough." Unraveling himself from the scarf, mumbled under his breath to where only happy could hear, "You used to like it when I stalked you…" However not low enough.

"What was that you just said?!"

"NOTHING!"

"You said something…" She didn't know what, but she'll make damn sure he tells her.

"Fine, I said that I would rather be a stalker than lose you as a friend." Thinking to himself it wasn't a bad cover up, not nearly close enough, but hoped it would deter from what he really had spoken.

"That's actually kinda sweet."

Natsu couldn't help the toothiest grin bolstered by his natural warmth, making his skin nearly glow.

For the umpteenth time today, she was taken off guard and flustered. "Look, how about we start spending our lunches together okay?"

Not much, but Natsu decided once again he'll take whatever he can get. "Yeah, I would like that. Can I at least walk you to your dorm?"

Thinking about it realised she was still weary, however knowing Kinto would be out soon figured it was the better option. "Yeah, yeah you can."

"Sweet, I will tell you all about our first day of school."

A merry laugh escaped her lips. "You're exhausting!"

Finally, he got to hear her laugh and it was as melodic as he could remember.