The door to the guild opens and the bright light from outside fills our vision. After blinking away the light, I can barely make out the figure standing there. Is that the new girl?

Everyone leans forward, just to be greeted by, "I'M BACK EVERYONE!!!!"

A stream of fire runs through the guild doors, and I react on instinct.

"ICE SHIELD!" I cry, forming my stance. The ice branches out and keeps the rest of the guild from getting torched.

"Look who I found!" Natsu says excitedly, as if he didn't just almost destroy the guild again.

"Who is it, flame brain?" I ask, rolling my eyes.

"Her name is Luigi, and she's our newest member!"

"IT'S LUCY," she screams, smacking him on the back of the head. I just laugh at Natsu's pain, but Cana creeps up behind me.

"Gray, your clothes," she whispers. I look down, and all my clothes are gone.

"Ack, that's unfortunate," I sigh. I walk up to the new girl and smile at her. "Might I borrow your pants?"

"N-no!" She cries again, hitting me on the back of my head. Damn, now I know why Natsu cried so much, that hurt!

"I thought master said this girl wasn't a Mage! Her strikes hurt!!" I rub the spot she hit, while Lucy tenses up next to me. Thankfully, Levy walks over to the new girl. Grinning, she pulls out her wipe off board.

'Hi, I'm Levy!' It reads.

"H-hi Levy," Lucy says, a little nervous all of a sudden. It's as if she's reverted back into some shell. "I like your glasses. I have a pair just like them!" Levy looks startled, until Lucy points to the top of her head.

Levy smiles as if she's about to laugh, then writes, 'Oh I didn't even realize I was wearing them! They're my favorite.'

"Mine too," Lucy starts to smile, warming up to our little bookworm.

'You should meet Erza or Mira, they'll introduce you to the guild.'

"O-ok." Levy drags Lucy by the hand and takes her over to Mira. I agree, I think she's the better choice to show the new girl around at this point.

I take a seat at one of the tables before realizing my clothes are still off. Taking a deep breath, I find my shorts and shirt, and slowly pull them on. The fabric brushes against my skin, making me feel like I'm wrapped in a cocoon. What I'm sure is supposed to be a protective shell just makes me feel confined. And the warmth... The warmth of clothing is the one thing I cannot stand. I would be naked my whole life if it meant avoiding that fear. That... flaw. I clench my teeth and breathe cold air onto my hands, just as our local fireball places an arm around me.

"What's up, stripper?" He calls energetically, before quickly removing his arm. "Ouch, I think I got a freezer burn! You ok there, buddy?" I narrow my eyes. Natsu's being more friendly than usual. Most of the time he's asking for a fight. My head turns to where Mirajane is leading the new girl around, thankfully in a humane way.

"I'm fine, Natsu. I would be better if you'd stop recklessly setting things on fire..." I mutter. Natsu just laughs in response. I guess it's easy for him, having such a lame flaw. At least his doesn't affect his interactions with people on a daily basis. I mean, look at Levy.

The small bluenette sits at a table sipping a drink, flanked on either side by her fanclub boys, Jet and Droy. I immediately punch my mental self for even thinking that. Levy's a cheery person, just as much as the rest of us. She likes to have fun with her friends, and she does extremely well in school. Nothing about her flaw seems to put her off, at least from what I can tell. I bite my lip. No use worrying about it now. I scan the guild, past Jet and Droy trying to grab Levy's attention, past Cana drunkenly enchanting Macao's hair different colors, past Reedus drawing a picture of Happy, past Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe (as they like to be called). I finally stop at where Master is giving the new girl her Fairy Tail ID. She picks the color pink for her insignia, then runs off with Mira, Erza, and Levy. They'll probably give her a tour of the campus.

I stand up, preparing to leave, when the Master interrupts me.

"Will you come here a second, Gray?" I follow him into his office.

I push past the door and stay standing, even when he pulls out a chair. "What is it?" I must appear impatient to him.

"I have heard unsettling news. Fairy Tail has been rising on the charts-"

"Isn't that a good thing?" I interrupt, confused for two reasons. Why would he call me in for that? Also, why call me in for this news? Why not Mira or Erza or somebody else?

The master just laughs. "I guess it is a good thing, but considering our standings and history I guess the council is just wary. I doubt they'd press us with charges of cheating, but they're certainly keeping a closer eye on us. That also means more competition from the other guilds."

I nod in understanding at that. "They never really saw us as a threat, but now that we're rising..."

With a slight shake of his head, the Master portrays his disbelief. "I don't know if I made this clear, Gray. We're already number four now." My mouth drops open. Fairy Tail has ranked seventh, the lowest position, for these past two years. Now suddenly we're number four??! Master continues, "Levy and Freed have always pulled us through with the academics, but now with everyone doing better in their classes, and even winning their GBs, we've increased at unimaginable rates. Lucy's records also show great academic skills. My children are growing up so fast..." he wipes a tear from his cheek, proof of the pride he must be feeling now.

"Don't worry, Makarov. We'll be careful. We are Fairy Tail, after all!"

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