On Thin Ice (Fairy Tail fanfic)

Chapter 4

"Did you hear? There's a new member!" A jolly voice announces to his mates as they drink merrily. His cheeks flushed, showing that he was more than just tipsy.

"Aye! I heard she already started a job!" Another laughs, face tinted with a hue of pink, just a but tipsy.

"An eager bunch a' kids we have 'ere in the guild, aye?" The other muses with a huge grin as he looks to the front where a younger generation of wizards are crowded as they do their business.

It was already a common sight for them that the younger generation are always making a ruckus. It made their guild much more livelier.

Amidst the busy buzzing of the guild members, the door slams open revealing a pink-haired boy stomping towards the guild master.

"Hey, gramps! Where's the new kid!? I wanna challenge her!" Natsu declares, his hands placed on his hips and a smug look plastered on his face. He was just dying to show the new member just strong he was.

"No need to be excited, Natsu. She just left to go on a mission." Makarov informs Natsu, quite amused at his eagerness. "I bet you'd even lose to her!" Tears were falling as he laughs to his heart's content.

"What!? Why would I lose!?" Natsu argues, defending what he knows is true for him. "I'm the strongest in the guild!"

"Master, why didn't you stop her? Don't you think that six groups of bandits is too much for a kid like her to be taking that job?" Erza asks Makarov, concerned for the addition of the guild.

"I was about to decline, but as I looked at her, I saw that she left no room for argument. It seems that she was really determined to take the request." Makarov recalls the scene that happened just days ago.

"How long has she been out anyway?" An arrogant feminine voice asked, appearing beside Natsu.

"It's been two days now. She should be arriving at the place from the looks of her physique." Makarov answers, looking at his watch.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Gray asks, appearing without a shirt. He often had a bad habit of removing his clothing no matter how inappropriate the situation.

As Erza was about to say something, a loud thudding noise interrupted her. Everyone turned their attention towards the bar to see a light brown hair swaying slightly.

"Heather..." Makarov breathes, surprised that she is already here. The others were shocked that she came in here unnoticed.

"What the hell!?" Natsu cries in surprise.

Heather puts her right fist on top of her left chest and kneels on one knee, bowing her head. "Master, I have successfully finished the mission without causing any sort of damage to both the client and me. The injured bandits were made sure to keep quiet about what they have seen." She reports, remembering everything that the master should know. "The client was so pleased that he wanted to give you a gift of appreciation." She motions to the bag.

Heather turns to leave, but Makarov stops her. "Heather," he calls out. She turns again and waits for him to continue. "Why don't we have a celebration for having a successful first mission and a new member of the guild?" The whole guild stays silent, awaiting the girl's response.

Heather blinks in surprise, unfamiliar with it. "Why... do you celebrate such a small feat?" Then she points to herself. "And the coming of a new member shouldn't be celebrated."