GMG Part 1

As you may or may not know, Gramps ended up being Guild Master. Again.

Yup, Gildarts put Laxus back in the guild before taking off again, leaving Cana a bit sour. Okay, more than a bit.

I have to say: nothing changed at all.

Everyone's happy again, laughing and celebrating like our members weren't gone for the past 7 years. Erza still hasn't gotten over the fact that Bisca and Alzack got married without her and Jellal's always by her side with cake.

Team Natsu is off on a couple of quests currently. Me including! <3

But I really wish I didn't come...

"Watch it flame brain!"

"Haha! I beat more than you!"

"Sky Dragon's Healing!"

"You want fish, Carla?"

"Not now, Tomcat."

"Focus idiots! They're surrounding us!"

I sighed. I do admit, this is one thing I didn't miss during those years. The destruction of towns...

So. Much. Paperwork. How depressing.

"We did it!" Natsu cheered, high-fiving Lucy.

Wendy collapsed on the floor, catching her breath. Gray shivered. Weird. An ice mage is cold? Erza was polishing her sword. My feet swung from the tree as I smiled sadly.

"I wish I wasn't just an extra," I whispered. "I want to be loved like that too."

"Did you say something?" Natsu asked innocently, looking up at me.

I jumped off the tree and forced a small smile onto my face. "It's fine, Natsu. Let's go get that reward, hmm?"

"Yes! Money!" Lucy said, pumping her fist in the air.

"Rent again?" Erza said, looking over at her.

Erza and Jellal had moved in together recently and she was surprised at his cooking skills. Knew that class was good for something.

"Thank you for not destroying the town as usual," the client said, handing over the money.

He turned to me suddenly, surprising me.

"Where are those 3 handsome boys with you?" he asked as my friends turned to look at me.

"They're preparing for the GMGs. Hope you root for us 'cause we're taking the gold this time!" I chirped, making everyone chuckle.

"Anyway, thanks again," he said, closing his door.

We walked down the hill towards the train station.

"You went on quests with Sabers?" Erza said.

The group went silent as everyone looked at me. I silently nodded, looking down.

"Is that why you didn't go on quests with us last week?" Gray accused, pointing a finger at me.

"N-no! I just--" I stammered.

"It does make sense though," Natsu admitted.

I felt my heart shatter. So much for being a Dragneel. I thought that family sticks together. I looked down and clenched my fists, my bangs covering my eyes.

"Guys. Isn't that a bit rude?" Wendy said softly, her eyes still on me.

"Wendy's right. That was really mean of you, Gray," Lucy said, backing up the dragon slayer.

"I-it's fine," I said, my voice cracking. "If you don't want to listen to my explanation, then don't ask."

"W-wait. I'm sorry," Gray said, ashamed.

I ignored him and picked up my pace. The group ran after me. I turned around, my eyes filled with tears.

"You don't have to buy me a train ticket. I'll get home myself. You can take my share of the money as well."

With that, I teleported back to FairyTail, tears streaming down my face. I pushed open the doors quietly and slipped in, ignoring the weird stares.

I walked over to the bar and buried my face in my hands. A figure sat down next to me and rubbed my back. I looked over to see the youngest Strauss smiling at me.

"What's wrong?" she asked, softly.

"G-Gray," I croaked out, grabbing Juvia's attention.

"Gray-sama? Is he hurt?" she said, worried.

I let out a bitter smile. "I can tell you he's not the one who's hurt right now."

Lisanna's eyes widened in recognition. "He hurt you."

"Gray-sama would never!" Juvia gasped, sitting down on my other side.

Mira walked over and stood in front of me, wiping a glass cup clean. She frowned.

"I don't think Gray would do that," she said. "Maybe he didn't mean it."

"How would he know? He didn't even let me explain," I said bitterly.

"What happened?" Lisanna asked, rubbing circles on my back.

"The client and I met a few times before for different missions in the past," I said. "And he asked why the 3 Sabers I was with last time weren't with me."

"What does it have to do with Gray-sama?" Juvia asked curiously, a hint of doubt in her voice.

"He said that I didn't go on quests with them last week because I went with the Sabers."

"Did you?" Mira asked, sliding over a smoothie.

I smiled at her thankfully before shaking my head.

"I was..." I looked around the building for a familiar blonde person and sighed in relief to see that he wasn't there.

"Trying to make a gift for Laxus and Gramps because next week Monday was the first day I joined FairyTail," I sighed.

"Oh, I remember! You came in with a basket, right?" Levy said, eavesdropping on our conversation.

"Surprised you still remember," I said dryly.

"Who wouldn't remember the girl who got us over 100 members in one sneeze?" Levy laughed, making the guild burst into laughter.

I blushed. "That was that one time only!"

"But Gray really shouldn't have done that. Erza or Natsu should've whacked him on the head, right?"

I shook my head, starting to cry once more at the memory of the betrayal.

"Erzie was confused, Wendy and Lucy were on my side, but Natsu... agreed."

"He didn't," Lisanna gasped just as Team Natsu burst into the Hall.

"We're back!" they shouted.

Most of the members responded except those who heard our conversation. Juvia walked up to them as I watched confused. She brought her hand up and slapped him.

The guild grew silent and watched the spectacle unfold.

"How could you do that to Lilith-sama?" Juvia said, tearing up. "Juvia liked Gray but Juvia can't believe what you did to her. You deserve it!"

Her voice rose as she shouted the last part. I was shaking as tears flowed down my cheeks.

"Juvia's right. I think we can say that we're all disappointed that you didn't listen. Even you, Natsu," Levy said sternly.

"Shrimp's right. You really should've listened. Hell, I would've even backed her up! She was with me and Cana most of the week," Gajeel huffed.

"She also baked a cake with me," Mira said, joining the conversation.

"And buried in paperwork," Jellal said, walking over.

"Thanks, Blueberry," I sniffed. "All of you. Really. Thank you."

"What are friends for?" Lucy said, smiling.

Natsu and Gray looked down, a guilty look on their faces. I walked over to them and wiped away my tears.

"I'll forgive you guys this time."

They perked up, a smile on their faces.

"I just hope you learn to listen to people before making accusations."

Gray winced at my sentence but gave me a small smile. "Thanks."

"It's no problem. Anything to make our stripper happy," I chuckled.

He looked down at himself and yelped. Juvia immediately appeared at his side with his clothes. He smiled at her gratefully before taking them. I looked over at Natsu, who was getting lectured by the girls.

Maybe it isn't so bad having friends that you can depend on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you ready, brats?" Gramps shouted, wearing the new coat I gave him.

"The group for the finals will be Natsu!"

"I'm fired up!"

"Gray!"

"I knew it."

"Erza!"

"Got it."

"Finally, Lucy and Wendy!"

"What? Us?" Wendy squeaked.

"Aren't we a bit weak? Aren't there stronger people?" Lucy protested.

"I chose you because of your skills. Have faith in yourself," Gramps assured them.

"Elfman will be the backup!"

"Getting in is manly!"

"Laxus, Juvia, Mira, Gajeel, Lilith, Jellal! My office!" he shouted.

Laxus and I looked at each other before smirking. Typical Gramps. Jellal walked over to me casually as we climbed up the stairs.

"You think he noticed the two team plan?" he whispered.

"How could he not?" I snorted. "I put it on his desk and highlighted the reward multiple times."

"Come inside," Gramps said, throwing open the door.

We walked into the office. Mira sat down in one of the chairs, Juvia next to her. The rest of us stood up or leaned against the wall.

"FairyTail Team B?" I said, making everyone surprised.

Gramps's eyes widened but he nodded. "Winner gets to make the other team do whatever they want for a day."

We smiled at each other evilly. "We got this in the bag."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's so beautiful!" I squealed, stepping out of the train.

"Yeah. It really is pretty here," Mirajane said, not noticing the stares from all the people around us.

"Let's just get to the hotel first," Gajeel grumbled, his face paled.

Laxus stumbled out, Juvia supporting him. I looked at our team. Maybe it's better to just teleport to our hotel...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here. Take these bracelets. Just break it to return to the Hotel. Be back before midnight," I reminded them.

Laxus and Gajeel decided to stay behind to sleep off their, uh, problem. Jellal decided to shop for tonight's dinner and Mira went with him as well. Juvia went to go find Gray so it was just me.

I had decided to wander the streets of Crocus. Lots of vendors recognized me and gave me free food.

I walked down the busy streets of Crocus, waving at people when they screamed my name. Because that's the polite thing to do.

I felt a pair of eyes on my back, which made me feel a bit uneasy. I whirled around. No one.

I froze as I remembered what happened to Wendy. Raven Tail.

I turned around and ran. Ran as fast I could, but that feeling never left. I closed my eyes and kept on running until I ran into something. Or someone.

My eyes flew open as I fell backward. A pair of strong arms caught me and lifted me up bridal style. I instinctively wrapped my arms around their neck. I inhaled in their scent. It was a familiar smell of pine...

"You done smelling me up, Princess?" the person chuckled.

"Pfft. Who would do that?" I scoffed, a blush spreading across my face.

"What were you doing anyway?" Kai asked, putting me down.

"Just felt that something was off," I said, looking back. The feeling was gone.

"Is someone following you?" he asked, playing with my hair.

"It's fine, Kai," I said softly, brushing a piece of hair out of his face.

"If you say so," he said winking, kissing a piece of my hair.

"No PDA please," Sting complained.

I turned around, bright red at his voice.

"When were you standing here?"

"Since you arrived," he said, crossing his arms.

I smiled sheepishly as Kai wrapped his arms around me.

"I miss you," he whispered.

"It's only been 3 months," I replied.

"3 months is too long," he whined, making us laugh.

"Lilith? What are you doing here with them?" Natsu asked, popping up.

"Talking. Why?" I asked, tilting my head.

"They could steal our ideas," Natsu said.

"No, they won't. They're good little kids," I chirped.

"K-kids?" Sting said, horrified.

Rogue coughed as he hid his laugh. Kai, on the other hand, did the complete opposite of Rogue.

"She's too innocent to be tricked. Any person that tries tricking her ends up telling the truth," he chuckled.

All the members nodded in agreement. I looked around in shock.

"No, I don't!"

"Yes, you do," he said, pinching my cheeks.

I pouted, making him blush a bit. He hugged me suddenly, pressing me close to his chest.

"Kai?" I said, looking up at him.

He was glaring at someone or something.

"Mind your own business," he hissed.

I was confused but kind of delighted at his behavior. And he said he doesn't look like a cat.

He's agile like a cat, hisses like a cat, and is extremely picky. Like a cat!

"Before you say anything, not a cat," he huffed, making me burst out in laughter.

"It's almost midnight!" Lucy cried, grabbing Natsu's hand.

"Whoops! Got to go!" we exclaimed.

"See you later, Princess," Kai said kissing my cheek, leaving me flustered.

"See you later, my Prince," I said softly, breaking the bracelet around my wrist.

"You're back!" Mira chirped.

"Why do you smell funny?" Gajeel and Laxus said in unison.

"Uh..." I backed up as 3 pairs of eyes focused on me.

"The first challenge starts!"

They turned around to the window as our inn started floating. I sighed. Saved by the ki-- er, pumpkin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Aw, man. We got second," Gajeel grumbled.

"That means they got first again," I sighed, climbing into my bed.

"Who?" Mira asked, getting into her own bed.

"Sabertooth. It's always us or them," I said, turning on my side.

I started dozing off before I heard Gajeel yell out something, waking up Mira.

"Wait. We never asked her why she smells so funny!"

I smiled to myself as Mira whined at her missed opportunity. I touched my lips and closed my eyes.

Don't worry. I know. I just hope you know that the feeling's mutual, Kai...