Chapter Two

The journey to Magnolia was... quiet, to say the least. Well, quiet on his part.

I tried to start conversations a dozen times, throwing questions at Natsu like darts at a board. "So, what's Fairy Tail like?" Silence. "How long have you been a wizard?" A grunt.

At one point, I even resorted to muttering under my breath, "Guess you're not much of a talker, huh?"

He didn't even glance at me, though his lips twitched slightly—maybe a smirk? It was hard to tell. I huffed, crossing my arms as we walked.

The only one who seemed remotely friendly was his flying cat companion, Happy, who fluttered beside him with a cheerful grin. "Aye, Natsu's not big on words. Don't take it personally!"

"Gee, thanks for the tip," I said dryly.

Despite the lack of conversation, I couldn't deny the growing excitement buzzing in my chest as we approached Magnolia. The idea of seeing the legendary Fairy Tail guild—the strongest, most infamous guild in Fiore—was almost enough to make me forget Natsu's grouchy behavior.

Almost.

When we reached the guildhall, my breath caught. It was massive, even more impressive than I'd imagined, with its towering structure and ornate decorations. The guild's insignia glinted proudly above the entrance, and I couldn't help but stare.

Natsu pushed the doors open without hesitation, his heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor as he walked inside.

The moment we stepped in, the noise hit me like a tidal wave. Laughter, shouting, and the unmistakable sound of glass shattering filled the air. Tables were scattered around the large hall, and it seemed like half the guild was either arm-wrestling, arguing, or dancing on tabletops.

"This is Fairy Tail," Natsu said gruffly, gesturing toward the chaos as if it explained everything.

I stood frozen for a moment, taking it all in. They weren't what I expected—no stoic, mystical wizards meditating in dark robes. These were vibrant, messy, real people.

A beautiful woman with long white hair behind the bar caught my eye first. She was smiling sweetly, her bright blue eyes kind despite the chaos around her. She wore a modest yet elegant dress and had an air of calm that felt at odds with the rowdy scene. She waved cheerfully when she saw Natsu.

"Hey, Natsu! Welcome back!" Mirajane's voice was soft, almost melodic.

"Shut it, Mira," Natsu muttered, brushing past her.

She giggled, unfazed. "Always so grumpy."

A large, shirtless man with spiky black hair was leaning against one of the pillars, his arms crossed. "Tch. Thought I smelled something burning. You bring trouble with you, or is that just your natural scent?"

"Say that again, ice block!" Natsu barked, turning toward him with a glare.

"Uh, should we... stop them?" I asked, glancing nervously at Happy.

"Nope," Happy chirped. "This is normal."

I watched in stunned silence as Natsu and the other man started arguing, their voices rising over the already chaotic din.

"Oi! Natsu, don't break anything this time!" A short, bald man with a long white mustache and bushy eyebrows called out from near the bar. He wore simple yet regal robes, and though he was small in stature, there was something imposing about him. I could tell right away—this had to be Makarov, the guild master.

Despite his size, his voice boomed across the room with authority. His stern gaze softened slightly as he caught sight of me.

As I stood there, a cheerful voice piped up beside me. "Hi there! Are you new?"

I turned to see a petite girl with blue hair tied in pigtails, her face lighting up with a bright smile. Beside her was a boy about the same age, his dark hair a little messy, like he'd been dragged into against his will.

"Wendy," the boy muttered, elbowing her lightly, "you're embarrassing me."

"Oh, hush, Romeo," she said, swatting at him playfully before looking back at me. "I'm Wendy, and this is Romeo! Welcome to Fairy Tail!"

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Thanks. I'm Lucy."

Before I could say anything else, Natsu stomped back over, looking just as grouchy as before. He gestured toward the bar. "C'mon, you're gonna want to talk to Gramps."

"Gramps?"

He pointed a thumb toward Makarov, who was now standing on top of a table, shouting something about unity while holding up a mug.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail," Natsu muttered, his tone almost reluctant. But as rough as he was, there was something... protective about the way he glanced at me, as if making sure I didn't feel out of place.

Makarov hopped down from the table with surprising agility for someone his age, his sharp eyes scanning me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. I shifted nervously under his gaze, clutching the strap of my bag a little tighter.

"So," he began, crossing his arms, "who are you, and what brings you to Fairy Tail?"

I hesitated for a moment, glancing toward Natsu for support, but he was already wandering off to grab food from the bar. I was on my own.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened up. "My name is Lucy Heartfilia. I'm a Celestial Spirit wizard, and I'd like to join Fairy Tail."

Makarov raised a bushy eyebrow. "You'd like to join, huh? And how exactly did you end up here? Natsu didn't mention anything about bringing a recruit."

Of course, he hadn't. I shot a quick glare at Natsu's back before turning back to Makarov. "I ran into Natsu earlier today, and he said I'd need to talk to you if I wanted to join. So… here I am."

Makarov hummed thoughtfully, stroking his mustache. "And why Fairy Tail? You know we're not exactly the most conventional guild out there."

I smiled softly. "That's exactly why. I've always admired Fairy Tail—the strength, the spirit, the way everyone looks out for each other. You're not just a guild; you're a family. That's the kind of place I've been searching for."

Makarov studied me for a long moment, and I felt like he was looking straight through me. It was both intimidating and oddly reassuring.

"Family, huh?" he said at last, his tone softer. "Well, you've got the right mindset, I'll give you that."

He stepped closer, pointing a finger at me. "But listen here, girl. But being part of Fairy Tail isn't just about magic or dreams. It's about heart. If you're ready to stand with us through thick and thin, no matter how messy it gets, then you're welcome here."

I nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I am."

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if testing me, before he finally let out a chuckle. "Alright, then. If Natsu dragged you all the way here, you must have something special. Welcome to Fairy Tail, Lucy Heartfilia."

I blinked, surprised by how quickly he came to his decision. "Wait, that's it?"

Makarov shrugged. "You've got the spirit. Besides, if you stick around long enough, I'll know whether or not you're cut out for this guild." He turned toward the bar, shouting, "Mirajane! Bring the guild stamp!"

Mirajane appeared moments later, her smile warm was welcoming as she held the wooden stamp. "Where would you like your mark?"

I held out my right hand with a grin. "Right here."

Mirajane pressed the stamp down, and the pink Fairy Tail insignia appeared on the back of my hand, glowing softly before settling into place. I stared at it, feeling a wave of pride wash over me.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail," Makarov said with a small smile. "Now, go on and introduce yourself to the others. They'll be your family from now on."

The room erupted in cheers, and Makarov raised his mug high. "To Lucy, Fairy Tail's newest member!"

Amid the chaos, I caught Natsu glancing at me from across the room. He didn't say anything, just gave a small grunt and a faint nod before turning back to start a fightwith the shirtless guy. I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself.

The guildhall buzzed with excitement, and I found myself swept into the whirlwind of Fairy Tail's energy. Members clinked their mugs, laughed loudly, and shouted over each other to make themselves heard. It was overwhelming in the best way.

Before I had time to process it all, a shirtless man with spiky black hair approached me. His smirk carried just enough mischief to put me on edge.

"So, how'd you end up meeting up with him?" he asked, jerking a thumb toward Natsu, who was leaning against a nearby pillar, looking as grouchy as ever.

I let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, you know… pure coincidence. He kind of… barged into my life, really."

He snorted, clearly amused. "Sounds about right. He's good at that."

"Gray, leave her alone," a voice cut in, smooth and authoritative. I turned to see a young woman with long scarlet hair, wearing armor that looked both practical and elegant. Her presence commanded attention without her even trying.

Gray rolled his eyes but backed off. "Relax, Erza. I'm just asking questions."

The woman—Erza, I assumed—offered me a polite smile. "Welcome to Fairy Tail. I'm Erza Scarlet."

I nodded quickly, suddenly feeling like I was meeting royalty. "Thanks. I'm Lucy. It's, uh, nice to meet you."

Her sharp gaze softened slightly. "You'll fit in well here. Just try not to let the chaos overwhelm you."

I glanced around at the bickering and occasional crashes echoing through the room. "Yeah, I think that's easier said than done."

Erza let out a soft chuckle, but before she could reply, a booming voice called out from behind me.

"LUCY!"

I spun around just in time to see a mountain of a man barreling toward me. His broad shoulders and muscular build were impossible to ignore, and his enthusiastic grin made him look more intimidating than friendly.

Before I could react, he grabbed my hand in his enormous hand and shook it with enough force to make my teeth rattle. "I'm Elfman! Welcome to the guild! Being in Fairy Tail makes you a real man!"

"Uh… thanks?" I managed, trying to wrestle my hand free.

Mirajane appeared at my side, her soothing presence a welcome relief. "Elfman, don't scare her on her first day," she said with a laugh.

Elfman released my hand and nodded sagely. "Right. A real man knows when to hold back."

I stared after him as he walked off, completely dumbfounded. "Is he always like that?"

"Pretty much," Mirajane said with a wink. "You'll get used to it."

Her cheerful tone was enough to calm my nerves, but my attention kept drifting to Natsu. He was still leaning against the pillar, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. He seemed completely uninterested in the celebration, his dark eyes scanning the room like he didn't quite belong.

I caught his gaze for a brief moment, and something flickered there—something raw, guarded, and impossible to interpret. My stomach twisted as he quickly looked away, muttering something to Happy, who perched on his shoulder.

Mirajane followed my line of sight and leaned closer. "Don't take it personally," she said softly. "Natsu's... complicated."

I frowned, folding my arms. "He's been acting like I'm a burden ever since we got here. If he didn't want me to join, why bother bringing me?"

Mirajane smiled knowingly. "If Natsu brought you here, it means he saw something in you, even if he won't admit it. He has a hard time expressing himself but trust me—he wouldn't have gone out of his way unless it mattered to him."

Her words lingered in my mind as the celebration continued.

As the evening began to wind down, I found myself sitting at the bar with Mirajane, who handed me a glass of cider.

"So," she began, leaning on the counter, "have you figured out where you're staying yet? We have a girls' dormitory just a short walk from here. It's affordable, and you'd be close to everyone."

I shook my head quickly. "That sounds nice, but I think I'd prefer something more private. I need a little quiet to recharge after... all this." I gestured to the lively chaos around us.

Mirajane chuckled. "Fair enough. There's an apartment building not far from here that might be perfect for you. The landlady's a bit strict, but the place is safe and cozy."

I perked up at her words. "Do you think I'd be able to get in?"

She pulled a small piece of paper from behind the bar and scribbled down an address. "Just tell her I sent you. She'll take care of you."

I smiled, taking the slip of paper and tucking it into my bag. "Thanks, Mira. For everything."

"Of course. Welcome to the family, Lucy."

As I stood to leave, I glanced one last time at Natsu, who was now seated at a table, staring into the distance with a pensive expression. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his mind.

With a sigh, I headed toward the door. Fairy Tail wasn't exactly what I'd expected, but it already felt like home. Even if one particular member seemed determined to keep me at arm's length.