Hello, Fanfiction community! This is my first fan-fiction to be published on this site, and I hope you enjoy it. I will try to update it as often as I can.
The story will be following the characters Lucy Heartfillia and Cobra from Hiro Mashima's 'Fairy Tail'.
Please do leave a review and tell me what you think.
Thank you!

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Chapter 1
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The Fairy Tail guild hall was all in an uproar, what with the disbanding of the dark guild, Oracion Seis. Chief among concerns was the Master's questionable decision to accept Cobra as a member of the guild. This decision had initially been opposed, but with Kinana's insistence the rest of the guild had grudgingly relented, remembering how Gajeel himself had once been a member of an enemy dark guild.

Lucy strode into the guild hall, heading purposefully towards the mission board.
"Lucy!" Someone called out. Lucy turned to see Natsu and Happy barrelling towards her across the crowded hall. She smiled in response.
"Hey guys!"
Natsu grinned. "Hey, hey! There's this big festival going on in Magnolia over the next few days, our whole team should go. It'd be great! There'll be competitions, fights, -"
"Lots of fish to eat!" Happy contributed.
An apologetic look crossed Lucy's face. "Ah, well, the thing is I was just thinking about going on a mission this weekend. You know, um, save up some money."
There was a snicker from a nearby table, causing Lucy to glance over her shoulder. Cobra sat there with his back to them, coughing on his drink. Lucy didn't have time to think anything of it before Natsu interrupted.
"Aw, c'mon! We can go on a job when we get back! This festival won't wait!"
"That's right!" Happy chimed in, "Erza, Wendy and Gray are coming too, it would be sad for you not to come."
Lucy smiled sadly. "Sorry to let you down, but, uh, I already said I'd do it."
This time Cobra's laughter was unmistakeable, and he turned round to face them, smirking. "Oh, for Christ's sake. Salamander, blondie here's about to get kicked out of her apartment, right? She needs the money." Lucy froze. This was exactly what she didn't want everyone to know. She had nearly forgotten that Cobra's incredible hearing ability enabled him to hear people's thoughts, and he had spoken a bit too loudly for her liking.
"What?" Natsu exclaimed in surprise, "Lucy, is that true?"
She hesitated. Oh, thank you, Cobra. Thank you so very much.
Still smirking, Cobra muttered a "You're welcome," Before turning back to his drink.
"…I… yeah." Lucy replied to Natsu in a small voice. The Landlady had given her a week to catch up, or she'd be out on the street.
"Jeez, Lucy, why didn't you say anything? I can give you some money if you need-"
"-No! No, I'm not relying on anyone for financial support, Natsu. I appreciate it, but I need to deal with this myself."
Natsu stared at her sadly.
"Go on, go to Magnolia with Erza and Gray. Hopefully next time I'll be able to join you, okay? I'm really sorry."
"…Yeah, sure…" He muttered, "See you in a bit then." He grumbled, turning and walking away. With a parting glance at Lucy, Happy floated sadly along behind him.
Lucy sighed. She hated to let Natsu down like that, But she had no choice. She needed money, and she needed to make it on her own.
Angrily she turned to Cobra. "Thanks, jerk. I didn't bring it up for a reason, you know."
"Stupid reason." He muttered, barely acknowledging her.
"Huh?"
"You don't want anyone taking pity on you, or thinking you can't handle yourself. You don't need to be able to hear thoughts to figure that out."
"I… and what makes that stupid?" Asked Lucy, not really wanting to hear the answer.
Cobra rolled his eyes. "Everyone has bloody financial troubles from time to time, it hardly affects people's opinions." He sighed. "Oh, to hell with it. I'm sorry, okay? Now just leave me alone."
Lucy didn't need to be told twice, she gladly spun on her heel and strode away. For God's sake, she thought, Talk about intrusive. And now we're in the same guild? I don't know how long I can-
Suddenly realising he may still be listening, she stopped herself and turned her thoughts towards selecting a mission.