𝙉𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝙎𝙃𝙄𝙁𝙏 // 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙭 𝙤𝙘

ＳＩＸ．

Fuyumi patted the table lightly and then quietly slunk away, out of the guildhall. She wasn't two steps out before she was yanked into a snowy bush along the path up to the guild.
"What—" she started, before a gloved hand slapped over her mouth.
"Shhh," a voice whispered, "they're everywhere."

Her shoulders relaxed at the now familiar smell of jasmine and mint.
"Sting," she hissed, "what are you doing so close to the guild?"
"I know you said you'd see me at the bakery later, but I couldn't wait," he replied sheepishly.

"Ah," she said, cheeks pinking, "and, um, what's with the bush disguise?"
"I was hanging around waiting for you with Rogue, and then all of a sudden I turned around and Natsu was charging at me," he chuckled, "so I dived into this bush. I don't think he saw me though."

"Oh, right," she nodded, "yeah."
"Why's everyone at your guild running around, by the way? I saw at least five sprinters on the way here," Sting asked.
"You know, it's that time of year," Fuyumi grinned, but Sting's expression was only puzzled, "oh, you're not a guild wizard, yeah... well, every year, our guild holds trials called the S-Class Wizard Qualification Test."

"So they get to be classed as, like... mega strong?" Sting asked, "like Natsu?"
"Natsu isn't an S-Class wizard," Fuyumi giggled quietly, "he's definitely aiming to be. That's why everybody's taking so many jobs - so they'll be selected to take the test."

"So... your master personally selects who can do it?" Sting asked, "have you ever been selected?"
The Ice Dragon Slayer laughed at that, "gosh, no. I don't want to be selected yet, anyway."

"Imagine that, though. You would have to be the youngest wizard to become S-Class," he said.
"I'm fine with just being what I am now. I can focus on getting stronger, and then in a few years, I'll run for it," Fuyumi replied.

"Huh, true... do you think I'd have the strength to become an S-Class wizard?" Sting asked.
"Without a doubt," Fuyumi smiled, "especially with Rogue as your partner. Your magic complements each others' so well. You would be some kind of... insane power duo."
"Like you and Natsu, then?" Sting chuckled.
"If he let me fight alongside him properly..." she sighed, "we do when we're on jobs, but it's usually him making quick takedowns. And ever since Lucy joined the guild..."

"Ever since Lucy joined the guild... what?" Sting prompted.
"Natsu hasn't been paying that much attention to me," she sighed as Sting looked around and then pulled her out of the bush and down an alleyway, one of the many shortcuts they had learned to take to avoid the prying eyes of her guildmates, "well... as much as he used to. He used to take me on jobs all of the time, but now he ditches me and leaves with Lucy and Happy instead. Ohh... and his stupid Team Natsu! It was never a thing before she joined... it was just me, Natsu, Happy and Rue! Now he doesn't even want to go on jobs with me anymore."

"Oh, man. That must suck," Sting sighed, putting an arm around her shoulder, "sorry he's being such a sucky brother. This Lucy girl sounds like a bitch."
"Hey!" Fuyumi exclaimed and Sting jumped in surprise, "sorry, I made it seem that... ugh. Lucy isn't a bad person at all, I don't blame her for wanting to be with my brother so much. He's amazing. It's just that... I feel like she's taking him away from me, even if she doesn't mean to. And she's only been in the guild for half a year!"

Sting inhaled through his teeth.
"I, uh... I'm not really sure what to say about it. I mean... I don't know what you're going through, but I could understand it? It's just like if Rogue suddenly found this cool new friend and started hanging out with them everyday instead of me," he said.
"What, like you did to him?" Fuyumi snorted.
"Huh?! No way! Rogue was fine with me becoming friends with you," Sting squawked.

"Are you sure? You should ask him... it doesn't seem like he likes me that much," the girl frowned.
"Oh, that's only because of... y'know," he replied.
"Yeah," she sighed, "hey... Sting?"
"Yeah?" he replied.

"When we were younger, you always said you were going to join Fairy Tail when you were stronger... when is the 'when'?" Fuyumi asked, "you keep coming up with different excuses to... not."
Sting made a face akin to that of a cornered rat, "y'know, just... stuff."
"What stuff?" Fuyumi inquired, "you don't seem to have a lot of 'stuff' going on, huh, Sting?"

"What if... Natsu doesn't like me?" his brow furrowed, "or if I walk in there and make an idiot of myself, and he never speaks to me. What if none of your guild likes me?"
"Be positive, Sting. When you eventually decide you're strong enough to join us, they'll love you," she reassured him, "and they would love Rogue, too, I bet. Especially with Gajeel being there. And Lector and Frosch, they would fit right in."

"You really think so?" Sting looked at her, eyes doe-like and a weird kind of vulnerable. She nodded and, without a second of hesitation, pulled her into a tight hug.

"Thanks," he said, voice muffled by her shoulder.
"It's fine," she giggled, patting his back.

The two young Dragon Slayers were still standing down the dark alleyway, having not moved a muscle since leaving the bush. They stayed that way for a while, holding each other in the grimy alleyway, littered with trash and rats.

.·:*¨¨* ≈☆≈ *¨¨*:·.

Master Makarov cleared his throat and everyone leant forwards in anticipation - it was time.

"In an ancient tradition of Fairy Tail, I present..." his voice raised to an echoing boom, "the list of wizards eligible to take the S-Class Wizard Qualification Test!"

Cheers and shrieks rang out through the guildhall - it occurred to Fuyumi that quite a portion of the guild didn't know of this tradition, thanks to all of their new members.

"The location of this year's test will be... Tenroujima!" the master continued, "our guild's sacred ground.

"I have spent this past year trying to discern each wizard's power, heart and soul. There will be eight eligible wizards!" with that, he began to list: "Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Elfman Strauss, Cana Alberona, Freed Justine, Levy McGarden, and Mest Gryder!"

Fuyumi gasped, whipping around to her pink-haired brother - his brow was furrowed in a look of absolute determination. She ran over to him and threw her arms around him, squealing. He quickly reciprocated, face overcome with a grin.
"Natsu, you made it! Your name was called!" Fuyumi exclaimed.
"It sure was!" he said with a grin.

"This time, only one will be allowed to pass the test. It will take place in one week - go and make sure you are in top shape!" the master finished.

"Only one?!" the Ice Dragon Slayer gasped, "Natsu, you have to make the cut."
"I will, I will!" he cackled.

"Like hell you will," Gray snorted.
"What'd you say, snowflake?!"