I decided to write another story. Don't worry, this one won't interfere with my other ones. I'll still update the same times I usually do.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

"Switch to front snap kick!" Layla yelled across her classroom.

"Yes ma'am!" her students said in unison. She smiled in content and watched her martial arts students kick.

Layla Star was a third degree black belt in karate, a second in tae kwon do, and a fifth in kung fu. Four years earlier, she decided to share her knowledge and open a mixed martial arts academy. Being divorced for three years prior, she wanted something to do in her spare time. She teaches all ages. She was currently teaching her eight to twelve-year-old.

"Kick higher!" she ordered.

"Yes ma'am!"

Layla walked around the room, watching everyone carefully. She stopped in front of one of her favorites, Wendy Fullbuster. She was eleven years old, and already a purple belt. She had joined when the school started, at age seven. Layla held out a target and the bluenette kicked it with a force that shouldn't be possible for her size and age.

"Good job," Layla said with a smile. Wendy thanked her and continued kicking.

Ding!

Layla looked to see who entered her dojo. She was a bit shocked at the person who entered. She was about five-foot-five and had her long blonde hair flowing to her elbows. Her ripped, black, long-sleeved shirt exposed her purple tank top underneath. A green, spiral belly button ring was exposed because her shirt was pushed up. Her white jeans were ripped and so tight Layla was surprised that she could breath. Black converse were on her feet.

"Welcome to Star Martial Arts," Layla said, faking a smile. She wasn't a big fan of teens who had their tongue pierced. "What can I help you with?"

"You seem peppy," the girl snorted. She, in fact, was wearing a tongue piercing, which happened to be red. Layla was just making a stereotypical assumption. "You're Layla, right?"

"I am. And who might you be?" Layla looked at the girl up and down, trying to figure out who she was. She would surely remember a delinquent like the one in front of her. She knew she would never allow a child to dress like that. She had many talks with her students about dressing in such a manner.

"Lucy Heartfilia," the girl said, pulling her rectangular sunglasses off her face. "Long time no see, Mom."

Layla thought she was going to have a heart attack. After she divorced her husband seven years ago, she hadn't seen her daughter since. She left her daughter smiling and wearing a cute little sundress. Of course, she tried to take her with her, but the she didn't win custody. She couldn't believe that cute little ten-year-old she left behind turned into what stood before her.

"Take a short break!" Layla yelled. The last battle cries echoed off the walls. The students wiped the sweat from their faces and went to the back room to retrieve their drinks. Layla could think more clearly with the noise level down.

She took a deep breath. "What brings you here?" she asked calmly. She was very proud of herself for staying so calm. Her blood just boiled thinking about what caused her ex-husband to raise their daughter the way he did.

"I got caught running away, and the cops weren't too happy. They sent me here. They said something about Dad being irresponsible for not noticing I was missing for five years? I don't know, but I guess I'm here now," Lucy said with a sigh. Her voice sounded dull and lifeless.

"You were on your own for five years," Layla said in a low voice. It wasn't a question. "Where did you even go?"

"I traveled all over. I was in Paris for a while, then I went to Rome, I think I took the wrong plane and went to Cuba one time. I pretty much went everywhere I could to get away from Japan. I can't believe you moved clear to Fiore," Lucy laughed. "This is the first time I've been here, which is surprising."

Layla sighed. "I will figure out what to do about you later. For now, go sit over there. I have to teach," she said, pointing to the area the parents would sit while waiting for their kids to be finished with class.

Lucy rolled her eyes and found a seat. She watched her mother show the kids some weird kick and have them try. All the kids looked so tired, but they didn't complain or stop. They did everything as they were instructed to.

A few parents came in, so Lucy knew the class was going to end soon. She was sitting at the farthest seat from the door, so she didn't have to sit by any parents. They all seemed interested in what their kids were doing. She didn't understand the excitement.

"I'll see you all next class!" Layla told her students. They all bowed to her and went to the back room to grab their things. She smiled at their retreating forms before walking over to the parents. "Your kids are doing great," she told them. "I think I will be holding another test in a few weeks. Most of the students should pass."

Lucy watched as Layla talked with each parent individually for a few minutes. She seemed to really enjoy teaching. Lucy couldn't remember her mom, so she didn't realize she was this kind and nice. The few stories her father told made her mother sound mean and heartless.

"Hello."

Lucy flinched and looked at the little girl in front of her. She had long blue hair and big brown eyes. She was smiling bright.

"Hi?" Lucy asked.

"You look just like Master Layla," she said. "I'm Wendy. What's your name?"

The girl was a little too sweet for Lucy. She was about to say a few colorful words to the girl, but Layla talked before her.

"You've been working hard," the older women said, kneeling beside the girl. "You'll be just as strong as your brother before you know it!"

"I don't know about that," Wendy said, blushing. She had her hands behind her back and she was looking at the ground.

"Speak of the devil!" Layla said. The bell on the door went off and a man stepped inside. Lucy looked at him from bottom to top.

He was wearing black dress shoes, black dress pants, and a McDonald's shirt. A black duffle bag was slung around his shoulder. He took off his red hat, causing Lucy to look at his face. He had long raven hair. His eyes were pitch black.

"Have fun flipping burgers?" Layla teased. The man rolled his eyes and picked Wendy up, who was patiently waiting to get the attention she wanted.

"You're all sweaty. You've been working her too hard, Layla," he laughed. He set Wendy down. His eyes locked with Lucy's.

"Gray, this is my daughter Lucy. Lucy, this is Gray Fullbuster," Layla introduced the two. Lucy rolled her eyes and looked away, crossing her arms. Layla sighed. "Why don't you go get changed, Gray?"

"Yes ma'am," he said. He ruffled Wendy's hair before going to one of the back rooms to change.

"Lucy," Layla said in a stern voice. "You need to drop the attitude. I don't know where you learned to behave like this, but it stops now. Do you understand?"

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she mumbled. She didn't like how controlling her mother was being. She was tired from the plane ride, starving because it was almost seven at night, and really wasn't in the mood to be scolded.

Gray emerged from the back room wearing black sweatpants, a tight gray muscle shirt, and a black belt tied around his waist. He did, in fact, have a black belt in karate.

Layla took off her long-sleeved shirt, revealing a white shirt-sleeved shirt. She was wearing the same black pants as Gray. They were both bare-footed.

"Whenever you're ready," Layla said, pulling her hair into a ponytail. Gray stretched his arms across his body, bent down and touched the floor, then stretched his hands above his head. He put his hands up. Layla followed his action.

"What are they doing?" Lucy asked Wendy. She watched as Gray lunged at Layla. They started punching and kicking at each other. They dodged each other's attacks flawlessly.

"Gray is going to represent Master Layla in the NYMAC," Wendy explained. "He needs practice fighting."

"What's the NYAML?" Lucy asked.

"NYMAC," Wendy corrected. "It stands for National Youth Martial Arts Competition."

"You mean all of Fiore?" Lucy asked, shocked. Fiore wasn't exactly a small country.

"Yep!" Wendy said with a smile. She smiled a lot. "Gray was actually Master Layla's first student. She started teaching him six years ago, a year after she moved here. After she saw how well Gray was doing, she decided to start a school. That was four years ago."

Lucy watched Gray kick Layla's side. She fell to the ground, but did a quick roll and stood back up in one swift motion. Gray threw a punch, but she grabbed his fist. She smashed her elbow into his jaw with an upper motion. He fell to the ground.

"Gray!" Wendy yelled. She ran over to her brother. He sat up and wiped blood off his lip. The blood was quickly replaced, though, by more.

"That was a little rough, don't you think?" he asked. "Damn," he mumbled under his breath. Wendy ran over to the side of the room and grabbed a cloth. She used the sunk in the bathroom to wet it. She came back a minute later and pressed the cool fabric to his mouth.

"Buck up, Gray!" Layla yelled. "Do you think people will go easy on you? Those kids are brutal. I've seen kids leave the place with broken ribs. Anything goes. Now get up and fight!"

Gray smirked and handed Wendy the clothe. She was going to complain, but she saw the look Layla was giving her. She quickly went back to Lucy.

"She's a bitch," Lucy said. She watched Layla attack Gray once again.

"Don't say things like that!" Wendy gasped. "Master Layla knows what's best." Lucy scoffed and crossed her arms.

After thirty minutes, the fight finally ended. Gray sweep kicked Layla. While her feet were off the ground, he put his forearm against her neck and tackled her to the ground. He put slight pressure on her throat, stopping her breathing. His free hand was holding her wrists, and his ankles were holding her legs down. She was caught.

He let her go and helped her up. She grabbed his arm, flipped him over her shoulder, and laughed. "Great job! I think that's the first time you beat me!" she said.

Gray groaned and sat up. "I don't think the flip was necessary, though," he said, rubbing his head. Wendy came over and jumped on him, hugging him.

"Good job!" she said happily.

"That's enough for tonight. I think we'll work on your strength next class. You seem to lose it with speed," Layla said. "After you change, we'll all go eat somewhere, my treat." Wendy got off Gray so he could go change.

"Lucy!" Layla called. The blonde looked up when her name was called. "Take your bag upstairs."

"Upstairs? You mean we live here?!" she half-yelled.

"We have a four bedroom apartment upstairs. I own it, though. Now hurry up; I'm starving!"

Lucy rolled her eyes and took her bag upstairs. She was surprised by the largeness of the place. The first room is a large living room with two couches, a loveseat, a coffee table, and a flat screen TV. The kitchen is off the living room. The kitchen has double ovens and an island, so it's big. Down a hallway, there are five doors. The first one is a bathroom, and the rest are bedrooms. The first bedroom is used as a office. Bookshelves full of books line the room, and a desk is positioned in the center of the room. The second bedroom is a brown-themed room, who's Lucy assumed is Layla's. The third bedroom looks like a teenage boy's room. Lucy didn't give it much thought. The last bedroom had a dresser, a closet, a vanity, and a full sized bed. The room is all green. Lucy assumed it was a guest bedroom.

She sighed and jumped on the bed. She didn't realize how tired she actually was. The second she laid on the soft bed, she fell into a deep sleep, not knowing what awaits her the next day.

This chapter was pretty long. I am not sure if the others will be this long. You will see more of Lucy is the next chapter.

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