Disclaimer: Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail, not me.

June X 784

Erza Scarlet, the famous re-quip mage of Fairy Tail, was feeling slightly annoyed as she walked to her guild. It was her fellow mages. All of them caused so much trouble for the guild and as an S-class wizard, she felt it was her duty to keep them in line. She could feel a migraine coming on just thinking of the antics of a few of them in particular. Maybe I should take a nice long S-class mission as a kind of vacation away from these idiots she thought as she entered the guild.

Once she was inside, the guild became silent—with one exception. She could hear the insults, punches, and kicks traded back and forth between the two mages that gave her the most trouble: Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster.

"You call that a punch flame-brain?! That was pathetic!" yelled the resident ice make wizard.

"Oh yeah, ice-prick! I bet Happy could hit harder then you! The fire-dragon slayer shouted as he aimed a flaming kick at his rival.

"Natsu! Gray!" Erza boomed. Instantly they shot together, clasping each other in their arms.

"H-Hi Erza" Gray said while trembling. "As you can see, we're getting along today."

"A-Aye." whimpered Natsu.

"Guild-mates should not fight. Do not make me remind you why." Erza warned.

"W-What are you t-talking about Erza? We're the best of friends!" Gray said as he trembled.

"Aye." Natsu squeaked out.

While she contemplated teaching Natsu and gray yet another lesson about fighting within the guild, Erza felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Ah Mira, what is it?"

"You'll have to discipline these two another time Erza. The master wanted to talk to you as soon as you got in."

Hmm. I wonder what the master could want Erza thought.

"Master, you wanted to see me?"

Ah yes, Erza, I have a special mission for you." Said Master Makarov as he handed her a mission sheet.

"One million jewels just for guarding someone for a few days!" Erza said incredulously. "That seems a bit high."

"Well, it's not just anyone you'll be guarding. It's the heiress of the Heartfilia Konzern, one of the richest and most powerful families in Fiore. It seems she's getting married and her parents are worried about her getting kidnapped as they travel to her new home."

"I see. Now what's this part about wanting 'entertaining' mages?" Erza asked, confusion lining her face.

Makarov chuckled. "Apparently, the daughter likes to read Sorcerer's Weekly and is a bit of a fan of our guild. That is what I wanted to talk to you about." He paused. "I want you to take Gray and Natsu with you. It is the after-effects of their missions that caught the attention of this girl and they do put on quite an unforgettable show after all."

"Master, have you lost your mind! Those two cause enough damage when they work alone and you want them to go on a mission together! Are you sure about this?"

"That's why you'll be there too. Just tell them that if they behave, the master might pick them for the exams in December."

"Natsu! Gray!" Erza boomed.

"We weren't even fighting this time Erza!" Natsu whined.

"Never mind that. The master wants the three of us to go on a special mission." Erza said.

"Special mission? Is it an S-class mission?" Natsu asked excitedly. "Wait a minute. I don't wanna work with that stripping ice-hole over there." he said gesturing to Gray.

"Same here, ash-for-brains." quipped the raven-haired ice alchemist.

"Too bad, you were specifically asked for and it's about time you two learned a little teamwork."

"Hey, I have a team—Happy is my partner." the fire mage crowed with a grin on his face.

"Aye sir!" said Happy, Natsu's flying blue cat companion, who had been floating above his head.

"And I take missions with Loke or Cana sometimes so I know about teamwork already too." Gray pouted at Erza.

"Yes, yes, but you two still need to work together since you're from the same guild. Consider it as training for being an S-class wizard."

Erza smirked as that shut them up.

"Ugh, I'm never taking a train again." Natsu groaned.

"You say that every time Natsu." said his blue friend.

"Yeah, but this time I mean it."

"Unfortunately for you Natsu, that might not be the case since we'll be guarding our clients while traveling." Erza said sympathetically.

"Ugh." Natsu groaned again, looking green.

"Now, now, maybe they won't take the train. If they go by horse and carriage you could run or fly with Happy."

"Well Erza, where do we go from here?" interrupted Gray suddenly.

"I'll ask. Wait here." Erza walked up to an old man who was sweeping the train platform. "Excuse me sir, but can you direct me to the Heartfilia estate?" she asked him.

"You must not be from around here young lady." the old man said.

"Why is that?" Erza asked.

"Because all of the land as far as you can see is part of the Heartfilia estate, but if you're looking for Mr Heartfilia himself just head that way" he said pointing towards the biggest building on the property "and you'll find him."

Erza looked around, blinking. All of this belongs to this one family she thought. Incredible. She headed back to her teammates.

"Follow me." she said as she grabbed her wagon of luggage.

"This town is huge! Maybe bigger than Magnolia." Natsu said with awe in his voice.

"Apparently, this is just the gardens of the Heartfilia's home." Erza replied.

"Well, I can see how they can afford one million jewels for a simple guarding job now." said Gray.

"I don't get it." Natsu said after they had walked for a few minutes.

"What don't you get, dumbass?" sneered the ice mage.

Natsu glared at Gray. He relaxed himself with effort. "There's only three people right? The dad, the mom, the girl" he said ticking off his fingers. "Why do they need all these extra houses?"

"For the servants I guess." Gray replied.

"Okay boys, remember to be on your best behavior on this job. That means no stripping Gray, no inappropriate comments Happy, no wanton destruction Natsu, and especially no fighting one another. You understand?" she warned.

"Yes ma'am." the three replied sulking.