Author's Notes: Ok guys I'm feeling lazy today; my fingers are numb from swinging my racket to hard, my feet are sore from running everywhere, and it's midterm week (that should be a sufficient enough excuse). So I don't know how great this chapter will be, mistakes are guaranteed, so be nice to me… by reading the chapter and review. Oh, and… Let the awesomeness begin!

Chapter 6

It smelt salty…

Tears?

Who?

*sniff* *sniff*

Vanilla and strawberries…

Lucy!

I was up faster than I thought possible following the scent blindly, letting my nose guide me. How did I get downstairs though? "Ah!" I squeaked, squatting on the top step, just now noticing pain in my groin I hadn't noticed before. Lucy! That's right, worry about this later. I thought hurriedly, quickening my pace yet again towards the door that was slightly ajar on my right. I bolted through the door to see Gray, Erza (Demon), Mirajane (Demon), and Gramps surrounding her as she let tears stream down her face, her expression dull and emotionless. I quickly moved from my spot at the door pushing the others out of the way, giving them fierce glares in the process, and sat down next to Lucy and put my arms around her.

Gray and Mirajane started to whisper back and forth in a worried tone, 'isn't he supposed to be really dense?' Gray whispered when Mira replied with hearts in her eyes as she said, 'maybe i's love at first sight!' She whispered back excitedly, squealing in the process.

Erza just stood there, obviously lost in her thoughts, staring at the pair. While Gramps just sat there, at the edge of the bed, with what started out as a worried expression, his lips pressed into a thin line, when it suddenly changed into a perverted grin smiling at the two.

When I had finished scanning those in front of us I looked down at Lucy, her expression was just so broken. Her eyes had lost their usual pep as they spilled tears slowly, dripping softly onto the sheet covering the lower portion of her body. There was no smile present on her face, making me feel miserable just looking at her. On instinct I brushed my thumb underneath her eyes dissipating the tears on her forlorn face. I heard a gasp from Mira, but just scoffed instead of replying; it was pointless to say anything back to her when she was like this.

At my touch Lucy looked back at me, a small smile creeping its way onto her face. Her hand moved from its spot on her lap slowly reaching up to meet his cheeks, caressing it softly. I leaned into her hand, never in my life had I felt another person's warmth like this. I mean come on I'm like a freaking furnace!

She gasped and removed her hand from my face, life returning to her eyes, and started to blush profusely. Muttering a 'sorry.' I turned my head to the side also blushing muttering, 'no problem.'

"Ahem!" Gramps coughed into his hand, trying to grab our attention away from the wall that was now looking very interesting. "Natsu, I'm sure that you've met Lucy already?" I nodded vigorously, he continued. "Good! Well then turn and face our newest recruit!" He said a large smile now evident on his face.

I whipped my head around, facing Lucy again, and giving myself whiplash in the process. Staring intently into the blondes face noticing her now blazing blush, confirming Gramps notion; I grinned like an idiot, to which Gray exploded into his normal routine of insults.

"What's with the face, Flame brain, your kinda freaking me out?" He said looking at me warily, making bark back, noise levels rising.

"What'd you say, Ice Princess!" I yelled.

"I said you're freaking me out, Ash for Brains!" He barked back.

"YOU WANNA FIGHT, POPSICLE!"

"BRING IT, SQUINTY EYES!"

"YOU ASKED FOR IT, STRIPPER!" I was standing before I knew it, but before the fists began to fly I felt the flat side of a sword collide with the back of my knees. Gray followed suit, and we both looked to glare at the source of the hit but regretted it immensely when we looked into the eyes of the demon, "Titania."

"Did I hear fighting?" She said in deathly calm face, glaring at the two of us; frightening the pants off of Gray. Both of us shook our heads, as if our life depended on it.

"D-didn't y-y-you know th-that Gray a-and I are b-best buds!" I cheered with fake enthusiasm, wrapping my left arm around his shoulder. "R-right Gray!" I said staring at him in desperation.

He followed my example and gave a loud, "Aye!" Wrapping his right arm around my shoulders.

"Is that right?" She said, not letting up on her death glare. She is so scary! Both of us nodded our heads in unison. She sighed and said, "I don't want to see you fighting again, got it?"

"Aye Sir!" We both yelled. I heard a giggle that slowly turned into a laugh, I smiled at the sound. All eyes were now on Lucy as she rolled around in her bed. Mira walked up to her.

"Lucy, since you will be joining Fairy Tail you will have to have a guild mark. Where would you like it, and what color?" She stopped laughing and looked at Mira and smiled brightly.

"Can I have it in pink and… Hhmm… on the top of my right hand." She said, Mira nodded and placed the stamp on her requested spot. After the glowing of the stamper ceased Mira removed the device, revealing a pink Fairy Tail emblem as requested. Lucy shrieked in delight, "You have no idea how much I've been wanting to join this guild." She said really, really quickly as if she couldn't get the words out fast enough. I melted at her smiling face, her usual brightness returning slowly.

Erza stepped away from both Gray and I, who were both still seated on the floor. "Hello, sorry for not introducing myself earlier, my name is Erza Scarlet. My behavior earlier was also appalling, please hit me!" Erza said bowing towards a stunned Lucy.

"No, no that's not necessary, it's ok." She said hastily, making the red head stand up straight and smiling at the blonde.

Gray was next, he stood and walked towards Lucy. "My name is Gray, I'm an Ice-make mage, nice to meet ya'" To his surprise Lucy screeched when she looked at him.

"CLOTHES!" She yelled frantically, putting her hands in front of her face.

"What?" He said than looked down at himself and screeched in a similar manner and yelled. "WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!" He ran searching around for his scattered clothes.

Finally, Mira said simply, "My name is Mira, I hope we can get along!"

"I hope so too!" Lucy said cheerily.

"Well… now that introductions are done here, I think you should meet the guild. Don't you think so?" Gramps said as he started to walk out of the infirmary. Lucy followed, stepping from underneath the covers; bouncing on her toes in excitement. I smiled as I followed the others out as well.

"BRATS!" At that one word, everyone had their eyes on the small man standing on the railing located on the second floor. Curios eyes roaming towards the blonde standing next to their Master. "I'd like you all to welcome our new family member, Lucy!" At this the guild went wild. You could hear various people yelling things like.

'A cause for celebration!'

'LET'S DRINK!' (That was probably Cana)

'Welcome Lucy!'

I turned to see Lucy, who had glassy eyes, staring fondly at the people below her. A sly smirk made its way to my face as I slid my arm around her small waist, causing her to jump slightly. Whispering in her ear in a husky voice I said, "Welcome to Fairy Tail, Luce."

None realized that this was only the calm before the storm.