Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.


Osmosis - os·mo·sis noun

A process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, thus equalizing the concentrations on each side of the membrane.


"You know this is a huge risk we are taking, right?"

"Yes. But it will prove beneficial in stabilizing things. Besides, you said he was capable of this mission."

Silence met those words before a resigned sigh was heard.

"Then it is settled. The boy, your son, will do as we discussed. Besides, it'd be nice if things evolve nicely from there, considering the tendencies that landed him in trouble and on reformative probation."

A self-deprecating laugh was heard before the door to the office was opened, and in walked the subject of the conversation.

"You wanted to see me fa-" the voice of a young man trailed off. "I- Clan head, hello."

"Ho, ho, my boy, don't feel awkward. I've heard you've completed your family's training and reformation," A deep old voice boomed in the silence. "Hence, I've come with a mission for you. One I'm placing a lot of importance on."

A smile curled thin pink lips as green eyes narrowed under shaggy, unkempt red-orange hair.

"I take it I don't get a choice; I have to accept it or be expelled from the family?"

"Glad you caught on quickly. Now here's the folder with your mission details. Look it over carefully and then destroy it. And remember, failure isn't an option."

With that, the room fell into a heavy silence, except for the intermittent sound of paper being shifted.

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"Hey, Luce, did you hear?"

Lucy looked up at Natsu and patiently waited for him to continue speaking.

"We are getting a new kid. And he's a senior to boot!"

Seeing how excited Natus was, Lucy chuckled. She could tell he was ready to make a new friend and potential love interest.

"Flame brain, don't get your hopes up. Heard he's from a branch family from one of the Noble Elite families," Gray said. His words are soft to try and caution Natsu.

It concerned Lucy if there was a new kid from one of the Noble Elite families, as she had been introduced to them due to her mother's family. And it meant she'd have to keep her distance if her father heard and wanted to use her for networking via matchmaking.

"Hey, Luce, it's the stupid student council president and vice president, Laxus and Lyon. So I guess that guy with them is the new kid?"

"If so, he's good-looking; I wanna take a bite."

Hey, no laying claim. You know the rules."

"Well, we don't want a nobody thinking they can snatch him away."

Lucy flinched at these words.

Though the bullying had died down, there were still dissenters talking smack because she was friends with certain people.

"Natsu, don't bother. Let them be; they're not worth your attention, Lucy said in a pleading voice as Natsu started to stand.

The dark, almost murderous glare Natsu gave the gaggle do brainless bitches shut them up. It made Lucy feel happy as he sat back down.

Turning her head, Lucy felt her body stiffen as she met the brilliant green eyes framed by shagged, unkempt orange-red hair.

"Fuck!" she muttered before standing and practically running from the cafeteria. All she could think was, "Why him, of all people?"

Even when her name was called, Lucy did not stop. Her mind drifted back to her childhood visits to her mother's family. And how a particular little boy from the Lion branch family teased her without mercy every time he saw her.

"How? Why?" These were questions that kept running circles in her head.

000000

Stormy blue-gray and bright green gazes watched as the blond made her escape.

"Well, man, that answers that question," Laxus said, hiding his laughter poorly. "She remembers you. Good luck."

"Laxus shut it."

Green eyes darkened at how hard the mission given was going to be.

"Leo 'Loke' Lion, I hope you'll be able to do what you must. But know I'll only help a little," Laxus said. "Lucy is my precious cousin, after all."

Loke turned to glare at Laxus Drayer. He'd thought his good friend would be of help, but he knew this 'good' friend had just abandoned him. Then again, having read Lucy's file, up to the most recent incident involving a teacher helping to bully her.

Her trauma ran deep, and he was there to help keep it from worsening. Yet if she remembered him from their youth, being accepted and absorbed into her group would become much more challenging. Especially since he could feel the cold gazes of the two, she'd been sitting bored into him.

"Such a good friend you are, Drayer," he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"You know it."

Loke shook his head and let Laxus continue the tour of the High School's facilities.

TBC!