A/N: This story is dedicated to MinaKushi4LIFE who asked me to write something in this sort of AU, a long time ago.

Sorry it took so long to start it. Hope it's to your liking. :)
Also, disclaimer: I just watch ice skating casually. Heck, this year I sort of missed everything. So yeah, I do ask for suspension of disbelief while reading. Thank you.

The Swan and the Phoenix

Start

They met at the ice rink.

Natsu's parents had taken him to have ice skating lessons – which were just starting.

So after going through the several needed steps, as well as buying the needed things, classes were finally starting.

There was a lot of noise, the class was filled with a lot of kids who were excited about ice skating. Natsu even knew one or two from his pre-school.

"I'll be here watching, honey," his mother told him, ruffling his hair before she walked away.

Natsu put his game face and sat in one of the benches, making sure to tie the skates properly. From prior incursions to the ice rink, he knew that it was very important that the skates were well tied. Standing up, he slowly wobbled towards the entry to the rink. The skates still had the guards on and it was a bit odd; he should've practiced a bit more at home.

Standing by the entryway to the rink – and where there were two girls still standing, chatting while they removed the guards from their skates – Natsu got ready and stepped into the ice rink.

It was a freeing moment.

Just by stepping into the icy expanse, Natsu felt as if he had wings and could fly – such was the freedom.

The class was gathered slightly into a corner, lots of other kids and two teachers who seemed to be chuckling slightly.

Before long class was beginning, with the teachers giving them the proper form to the basics.

Everyone got to practice and Natsu did have a lot of fun losing himself in the motions. Yes, there were quite a few falls – his bum, knees and hands were sure to complain later – but all in all, it was very fun. He even started talking to a few of the other kids but before long, the problems started.

Natsu knocked against another boy and fell down.

When he looked up, the other was looking down at him.

"What're you doing?" the dark haired boy asked.

"You should look where you're going." Natsu grumbled.

"Me?" the other asked in disbelief. "You're the one who hit me!" He crossed his arms and looked stubbornly at him.

Natsu stood up and glared. He opened his mouth to argue but was interrupted by one of the girls, Lucy, he thought that was her name.

"Natsu, come on. We're waiting." She said, smiling.

"Sure," Natsu replied as he still glared at the other. "Better to be with people who know how to look at where they're going."

"Shut up." He heard the grumbling coming from behind.

Natsu shrugged and did his thing. But he couldn't help but catch the other in the corner of his eye.

Little did any of them know that this encounter would light the spark to a rivalry that was going to last for many years.