Sorry guys, there was a problem with my account! I couldn't log in to update the story :/

Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or its characters. Made up plots & characters are mine. :)


Chapter 16

I'm staring at my insignia using Lucy's mirror. I reach over with my right arm and run over it slowly with my fingers, admiring the shape and color, the fact that the sign shows I belong to my dream guild. Lucy comes up behind and I say, "I can't believe this is real."

She laughs and stands next to me in front of the mirror. "Believe it. You're one of us now."

"Yup you better get used to us too." A male voice says from behind us. We turn to look - it was Natsu and Happy sitting on the couch.

"This is my apartment!" She screams and gives a Lucy-kick to Happy and Natsu. "Why do you always come in uninvited?" At the same time, Erza, Gray, Wendy and Charle walk into the apartment.

Lucy slumps down on the chair, holding her head with her hands and sighs, "There is no privacy in my own apartment." She looks up at me and apologizes; she says I would have to deal with this every day. I shrug; it is her house so I shouldn't be complaining.

I start fidgeting, unsure how to ask the question that is bothering me. Finally I decide to just let it out, "Umm, Lucy-san. HowshouldIpaytherent?"

She looks at me, "Huh?"

I took a deep breath and squeak out the words, "The rent?"

She chews the inside of her cheeks then says, "Oh it will be cheaper if-" but I cut her off from nervousness, "We can split the rent in half between the two of us so it will be cheaper? It's no problem I will find a job and pay half of the rent?" All the things I say seems to end with a question. Oh no, that makes me sound like I'm a cheap-skate. 'Well, I am a cheap-skate actually.'

She smiles at me and nods, "Yes, that would be best. The rent in total is 80,000 jewels" I put on a straight face while I saying this in my head, 'My heart is so loud. Can anyone hear it? 80,000 is a lot…' "So we would be paying 40,000 jewels each." I sigh in relief, relief of what I am not quite sure myself. She looks up as if she is recalling something, "The rent used to be 70,000 jewels, but the landlady increased it." Tears rolled down her face. 'I understand how you feel Lucy. I think I would have created a sea of tears at just the mention of 10,000 jewels. But I'm holding myself back here.'

"So shall we go on a job?" Gray asks. "I'm getting bored."

"Yeah I found one, I came to tell Lucy but she kicked us." Natsu says, unaware that he is shoving a piece of parchment in Erza's face.

"Oi, easy there..." Gray and Lucy say eyeing Erza, the parchment still shoved in her face.

I see Erza's eye twitch once, and in one solid movement knocks Natsu on the head and pulls the parchment off of her face and begin reading. 'Oh my lord, but he deserves it.' I think to myself and see Gray, Lucy and Wendy looking elsewhere. Natsu is on the floor with Happy pinching his cheeks calling his name. I sweat-dropped. 'She's tough man. No wonder everyone in the guild is afraid of her.' I gulp.

"Hmm this could be a good one." Erza says, nodding to herself and sits down at the table. Lucy and the rest go over to read it, while I transform into a cat and jump on the table to read the parchment: 'Help a village overtaken by the Vulcans.' 'Ohh, that sounds simple, just get rid of the Vulcans right?' "I think this would be good for your first job Lia." Erza looks at me. I shrug. First job, eh?

"That's what I was gonna say!" Natsu says.

"Alright, when are we going?" Gray rubs his hands together.

"We?" I ask, surprised.

"Uh yea, we're going to help you?" He replies.

"You...?" I raise my eyebrows. 'Excuse my slow mind.'

"And Erza, Lucy and pink-hair and Happy." He looks at Wendy.

"Err, Wendy-chan?"

Wendy smiles and nod, "Ohh I would like to help too." I nod.

"Alright, let's go tomorrow. Meet at the station in the morning." Erza says.

After everyone left, Lucy asks where I would like to sleep. "Ohh don't worry, I don't need a bed."

"You want to sleep on the floor? No I won't let you sleep on the floor." She objects.

I shake my head, "No umm, how do I put this? I, aahh automatically transform into a cat when I fall asleep. It just happens, so I don't need a large space."

"So you wake up as a cat?" She asks with her eyebrows up. I nod and she frowns, trying to make sense of the information. 'I sound weird, don't I?'

"Umm I can just sleep on a-" I trail off when a light appears at the side. A woman wearing a maid outfit with short pink hair appears. I frown, wondering where she came from.

"Virgo!" Lucy says in surprise. 'Ahh, one of the Celestial Spirits!'

"Princess, I fixed your Fleuve d'étoile." She hands Lucy a cylindrical object.

"Ahh thank you Virgo. Here, meet a new friend, Lia."

Virgo looks at me and bows, "Nice to meet you Lia-san. Here, a mattress for you to sleep on, as a gift from the Celestial Spirit World. I apologize; I was eavesdropping on your conversation." I stammer Thank You's to Virgo.

"Although, I don't need a large space..."

"Don't worry, Lia-san. It is a magical mattress; it will shrink in size depending on the person sleeping on it. Princess, is it time for punishment?" I stare at Virgo in awe. She's so kind.

"No!" Lucy screams and Virgo disappears. Lucy then straps the cylindrical object onto her belt. "Ahh good my Fleuve d'étoile is fixed, I can fight properly now."

I put the mattress next to Lucy's bed. She invites me to shower with her. I stammer, "I- I- can?"

She nods and says, "You're like a sister to me now." I can't help but smile widely.

While showering, I felt a little self-conscious, the fact that my body is nothing compared to Lucy - her curved waist and large breast. She is very beautiful. 'I think all of them are gorgeous, Lucy, Erza, Levy, Mirajane, the barrel drinker, Wendy, and the others. They are all beautiful mages. Would I say I am envious of them? Hmm, I think I am.' I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't hear Lucy call my name until she waves her hands in my face. I blink and shake my head.

"Lia-chan, are you ok?" Lucy asks me, looking worried.

I nod, "Yeah I'm ok, and sorry what were you saying earlier?"

"I was saying, I like your hair, I think it's beautiful. You are pretty in general anyway. I was also telling you about Milliana." She smiles at me.

My cheeks flushed pink, "Umm, really? Um thank you. I think you are very pretty." She smiles at me and continue to wash her hair.

We get out and get ready for bed. I realized I have to get a pair of pajamas since I've been sleeping in my normal clothes in the shed. Lucy changes into her pajamas and gets into bed, then says goodnight to me and switches the lights off. I reply good night and lie down on my new mattress and cover myself with my thin blanket. Suddenly Lucy speaks, "Lia-chan, please don't be shy from now on, with me and everyone else. I understand that you need time to adjust, but I'm sure you will get used to Fairy Tail soon and we welcome you with open arms."

I manage to make a noise to acknowledge her comment, then a proper Thank You. She giggles and bid me goodnight again. I drift off to sleep pretty quickly, feeling content.


Oh dear, what a panic that gave me not being able to log into FF :O

Anyway, till the next chapter :) ~