It was just before noon, and the kitchen in Yukari and Hinote's new home was filled with the aroma of freshly prepared food. For the first time in what felt like forever, Yukari found herself cooking with someone instead of burning everything to a crisp in frustration. Of course, Hinote was basically bossing her around the whole time, but Yukari tolerated it, mostly because Hinote was an annoyingly good cook.
"Okay, kid, stop looking like you're chopping wood and more like you're slicing vegetables," Hinote teased, watching Yukari attempt to cut a carrot. "Honestly, how have you survived this long?"
Yukari glared at her. "I've survived just fine without making fancy meals. I usually just... roast stuff."
"Yeah, well, you don't always have to set your food on fire to eat it," Hinote said with a smirk, flipping something in the pan. "Sometimes, you know, it's nice to have a meal that isn't charcoal."
Yukari rolled her eyes. "You're enjoying this too much. I thought you were supposed to be a mentor, not a chef."
Hinote winked. "I can be both. Now, pass me those peppers before you ruin them."
Yukari grumbled but complied, handing over the vegetables. The two of them worked in a surprisingly coordinated manner despite all the bickering, and soon enough, they had a decent lunch prepared. Yukari wasn't sure what to expect usually her food adventures ended in disaster but Hinote's cooking skills were undeniable.
"Alright," Hinote said, setting the table, "dig in before I decide to eat it all myself."
Yukari stared at the food, a mix of grilled meats, vegetables, and rice, and cautiously took a bite. To her surprise, it was actually really good. She nodded, impressed. "Okay, I admit it. This is pretty great."
Hinote grinned, looking far too smug. "Told you. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two from me about more than just fighting."
Yukari scoffed but continued eating, unwilling to give Hinote more fuel for her ego.
After they finished their meal, Hinote leaned back in her chair, satisfied. "Alright, now that you've had a nice meal, it's time for you to head over to the guild. And before you argue—" she raised a hand, cutting off Yukari's protests before they started, "you need to make some friends. You've been here for a while now, and you can't just hang out with me all the time."
Yukari frowned, leaning her elbow on the table. "I've talked to people already. Gray and Cana. That counts."
Hinote raised an eyebrow. "For about five minutes. I'm talking about real conversations, not grunts and half-hearted responses."
Yukari sighed. "Why do I have to make friends? Can't I just focus on training and missions?"
Hinote gave her a knowing look. "Because, kid, being in a guild is more than just doing missions. It's about having a team, relying on people, and sometimes, yeah, making friends. Besides, do you really want to be that person who sits alone in the corner while everyone else is having fun?"
Yukari crossed her arms, grumbling. "Maybe."
Hinote laughed, standing up and stretching. "Just try it. Go talk to Gray and Cana again. I'm sure they'll be happy to give you the rundown of how things work around here."
Yukari sighed heavily but nodded. "Fine. I'll go. But if they start talking about how fun skirts are or something, I'm out."
"Deal," Hinote said, grinning. "Now, off you go. I've got some very important phoenix business to attend to."
Yukari narrowed her eyes. "Phoenix business?"
"Yep," Hinote said, smirking. "And before you ask, no, it doesn't involve setting anything on fire. Probably."
By the time Yukari arrived at the guild, the usual chaos of Fairy Tail was in full swing. Tables were being overturned, people were laughing, and some were even brawling in the corner. It was loud, wild, and completely different from the cold, calculated atmosphere of Phantom Lord. For a moment, Yukari stood at the entrance, taking it all in.
And then she spotted Gray and Cana sitting at a table, casually drinking like none of the insanity around them was happening. She walked over and plopped down next to them, arms crossed.
"Yo," Yukari said, sounding much more nonchalant than she felt.
Gray looked up, still shirtless as always, and nodded. "Hey. Finally decided to hang out with us, huh?"
"Guess so," Yukari replied, her eyes scanning the room. "What's up with all this... chaos?"
Cana smirked, taking a sip from her mug. "That's just Fairy Tail for you. It's always like this. You get used to it."
Yukari raised an eyebrow. "Used to it? How do you even concentrate with all this noise?"
Gray shrugged. "It's just the way things are here. It might seem crazy, but it's actually fun once you get into it."
Cana leaned forward, eyeing Yukari curiously. "So, how are you liking Fairy Tail so far? You've been pretty quiet."
Yukari scratched her head, unsure how to answer. "It's... different. Better than Phantom Lord, that's for sure. People here seem to actually, you know, care."
Cana chuckled. "Yeah, we do. But we've also got some rules, even if it doesn't look like it." She motioned towards the large request board near the bar. "That's where we get all our missions. Some are easy, like helping with chores or deliveries. Others... not so much."
Gray leaned back in his chair, his arms behind his head. "Then there's the second floor."
Yukari glanced over at the staircase leading up to the mysterious second floor. "What's up there?"
"Only S-Class Mages are allowed up there," Cana explained, lowering her voice as if she were sharing a secret. "That's where the most dangerous missions are posted. You've gotta be pretty strong to even think about taking one."
Yukari's curiosity piqued. "And how do you become S-Class?"
Gray smirked, a gleam of ambition in his eyes. "You have to pass the S-Class Trials. Makarov holds them once a year, and only those who've proven themselves get the chance to take it. Even then, not everyone makes it. Some years, no one passes."
Yukari's eyes flicked back to the second floor, her mind already whirring with thoughts of powerful mages and dangerous missions. "So... it's not just about strength? You have to do a lot of missions too?"
Cana nodded. "Exactly. You've gotta prove yourself, show that you can handle anything the guild throws at you. And even if you do, Makarov's the one who decides who gets to take the exam."
Yukari leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Sounds tough."
Gray grinned. "It is. But that's what makes it worth it."
Cana took another sip of her drink. "So, what about you? Planning to become S-Class one day?"
Yukari thought for a moment before shrugging. "Maybe. Right now, I just want to figure out how this whole guild thing works."
Cana smirked. "Good answer. You've got time to think about it. But I'll tell you this if you want to get anywhere in this guild, you've gotta do more than just sit on the sidelines."
Yukari rolled her eyes. "Yeah, Hinote's been nagging me about that too. She keeps telling me to make friends or whatever."
Gray snorted. "Sounds like she's got the right idea. You might be strong, but no one makes it in Fairy Tail alone."
Yukari narrowed her eyes. "Is that your way of telling me I need to get all buddy-buddy with everyone?"
Cana laughed, shaking her head. "Nah, we're not like that. But it doesn't hurt to have people who've got your back."
Yukari stared at her for a moment before finally sighing. "Alright, fine. I'll try not to be a total loner."
Gray grinned. "Good. Now, what do you say we find ourselves a mission?"
Yukari raised an eyebrow. "Right now?"
"Why not?" Gray said, standing up and stretching. "Better than sitting around all day."
Cana smiled. "I'll pass on the mission today, but you two go ahead. I've got other plans."
Yukari watched as Gray walked over to the request board, her mind still lingering on the idea of S-Class mages and the second floor.
"Alright," Yukari muttered under her breath as she followed Gray. "Let's see what this guild has to offer."