Thank you to everyone who had been reading and supporting my story! I love you all! I uploaded this really quick yesterday so I couldn't add a nice rant at the top. I hope you don't mind! I hope you like it so far, please review and let me know! :)


Chapter Four
Runaway


"Igneel…," His whispered name slipped out of her mouth. She closed her eyes as the large carmine dragon's face appeared behind her eyelids, indulging herself with thoughts of him. She could almost feel the smoothness of his crimson scales, almost feel her hand gliding down his cold reptilian skin. She could nearly hear the sound of his breathing; the rising and falling, and the soft echo of his lungs being filled with oxygen.

Realizing what she had just done, she clamped her hands over her mouth as her eyes grew wide with horror. How could she be so negligent? Letting her guard down and inadvertently whispering his name? She was better than that. Her composure was faltering, all because of the mere thought of him!

Natsu reacted to the name instantaneously. His body became rigid, and his blood ran cold. Trembles threatened to break his composure. Looking down, a shadow cascaded over his eyes, obstructing them view. Igneel? He questioned. There was no way he would mistake that name. He had definitely heard her say it.

Kaida, unable to read his expression, could see his hands, bawled into fists that rested on his thighs. His breathing had become very controlled, almost as if he was trying to hold back something.

"What was the name you just said?" He asked in a hushed tone. Almost as if he were trying to confirm his hearing. Her hands moved to sit in her lap. Laughing nervously she tried desperately to pretend like she didn't say anything which frustrated him.

"I didn't say anything, ha ha, I actually don't know who taught me," she paused, trying to make it seem realistic as her voice became weak and crackly.

"I don't remember who it was," she mumbled, lying to the two sitting with her. Lucy's face twisted into sadness, her right hand resting over her heart. Clearly buying it while Natsu's eyes remained down. He wasn't buying it one bit. He knew she was hiding something and he was going to find out what it was.

Looking at the clocked, Kaida hopped up and stretched, eager to chase the two from her house. Her body ached from being so tense.

"Well, it was nice having company for dinner, sorry I wasn't more prepared," Kaida laughed, changing the subject. Natsu watched her, seeing right through her little façade. She was definitely hiding something.

"Well you guys should probably get going, it's getting late and I'm beat from my travels and I'm ready for bed." Kaida grabbed Lucy's hand and pulled her to the door, awaiting Natsu to follow. Soon after he did, very nonchalantly. Kaida grew impatient with his lazy footsteps.

Pushing them out she rushed to close the door which Natsu held open with his foot. Eyes black once again.

"Don't go anywhere or else...we're not done here," he muttered harshly. Kaida felt her anger stir as she leaned down, her lips brushing his ear. The simple touch sent shock waves through each of their bodies.

"Don't threaten me Romeo, I could wipe the floor with you in seconds," she whispered, slowing standing back up, allowing her teeth to gently graze Natsu's earlobe. Her heart did a few awkward nervous thumps before going back to its normal pace. Natsu's face was red when she shut the door.

What's wrong with his heart? He couldn't figure out why his body felt so hot. Maybe he should go back to Lucy's and rest.

"I-I'll be back," he mumbled, turning to catch up with the oblivious Lucy, who was several feet in front of him.

Closing the door she slid to the floor, feeling her face get hot. Why had she done that? What was she turning into? She had never been or acted like this ever! She had thought of Igneel when her anger stirred but, he wasn't Igneel. She barely knew this kid. Closing her eyes and sighing, Kaida let the embarrassment consume her until she fell asleep, not caring she was on the floor...in front of a door.

*Flashback*

I could hear the sounds of birds chirping, singing to each other as they flew from tree to tree, creating a dance known only by them. No matter where I looked, everything was the same. I was lost. From somewhere behind me I heard a stick breaking. I jumped, feeling my heart begin to pound with terror, there was a lump in my throat making it difficult to breathe, but without a second thought I began sprinting in the opposite direction, trying desperately to avoid a confrontation with the stalking predator.

Heaving, desperately trying to fill my lungs with air, I stood, hands on my knees; always alert. I breathed in deep, held for a second and let it slip out, creating a hissing sound. But, before I could take in another breath something caused me to suck a quick breath in and hold it.

Nearby I could hear a deep rumbling, almost like a purr. I could tell this belonged to something very large. It didn't seem threatening though; the atmosphere didn't feel heavy but light and almost, warm? Curiosity got the better of me. Not allowing myself the fear it, I cautiously followed the sound waves. The louder it grew, the more my heart pounded with fear. No, it didn't feel dangerous, I cannot allow fear to cloud my judgement! That's what HE had taught me.

The edge of the woods met with a beautiful golden pasture. I reached out my hand, running it over the soft shimmering field. Smiling, I could feel a warm breeze lift my hair, circling around my neck and caressing my back. Breathing deep I spun around, letting out a little giggle as the grass tickled my legs, my hair fanning out around me.

I heard that same deep rumble, this time it sounded almost like a laugh. I froze, scanning the area to find its source. My heart thumped loudly in my chest.

There! My eyes landed on a magnificent crimson dragon, his scales shining brilliantly in the warm sun, creating little rainbows upon his hide. Underneath his chin and underbelly was yellow, creating a beautiful color contrast. His ears fanned out like that of a water nymph. While a thick, menacing looking horn lay upon his nose. My eyes ran over his enormous body; head to tail. He was beautiful. His eyes were terrifying yellow slants, but I could feel the kindness being emitted from those golden orbs.

"Hello there, young one." His deep booming voice rang out, creating goosebumps on my skin. His voice was a pleasant smooth tone. I wanted to hear more of it.

"My name is Igneel." His head tilted slightly, reminding me of a dog.

"Hi, I'm Kaida" I said nervously, unsure how to talk with another dragon. I could hear him laugh.

"Little dragon…," he mumbled, saying the meaning of my name. HE is the one who had given me the name.

"What brings you here, to the middle of the woods?" He asked, watching me with those golden eyes of his. I could feel my body run cold but my face felt hot. I didn't want to answer that. A deep rumble sounded out.

"Are you lost perhaps?" He asked, I nodded slightly, embarrassed. He laughed, a deep throaty sound. I folded my hands and tried to look smaller, becoming even more embarrassed. I heard him take in a large breath before blowing it out. I could feel the air become warm around me from his exhale.

"You smell of something familiar," he said, scrutinizing me. I could feel his eyes watching me intently.

"Where did you run away from?" he asked, lowing his head so that it was resting on the ground; his eyes never leaving my face. I turned on him, slightly frustrated.

"I didn't run away from him!" I yelled, Clamping my hands over my mouth I tried to calm down.

"I just wanted to explore a little," I said almost inaudibly, but he seemed to hear my just fine.

"Curiosity isn't a bad thing. Why did you have to sneak out though?" He asked, clearly picking up on the situation. I looked down, feeling hurt and lonely. He patiently waited.

"I was forbidden to leave the cave; unless he was with me," I mumbled, choosing my words carefully. It was forbidden to use his name and I always almost do.

"Hmm," he pondered this information a moment. I saw him glance at me once more and then sniff me. I sat still, unsure of what to do. He just sniffed me.

"This scent...I know it," he grumbled, his face twisting with anger. He bared his teeth, showing off his massive sharp teeth. He looked terrifying. I felt my body shrink away from his predetorial form. He looked down at me, his eyes softening.

"Do not fear me, my child. I will not hurt you," He said, bringing his nose down to rest on my forehead. He was enormous!

The ground began to shake as familiar footsteps were heard in the distance. Each step caused my heart to quiver in fear. He was going to be so mad at me for running off and getting lost. I fell to my knees, shaking, covering my ears, trying to make him go away. Igneel stood, standing over me defensively.

"I knew it was him," he mumbled, bracing for the confrontation. I could feel my body run cold.

The footsteps stopped. He was here.

I looked up into his furious eyes which seemed to pierce through me. I shrunk even farther into the ground. I could feel Igneel shift above me.

"Give me back what's mine, Igneel." His deep rough voice rang out angrily. I could feel my body flinch. Igneel's wings unfolded, creating even more of a shield.

"Acnologia..." Igneel's voice was so soaked with hatred. I could feel heat wash over my body. Looking up I saw Igneel open his mouth, preparing to blast him with fire. I could see it working its way from his belly to his mouth. I stood up, terrified. I ran out from under Igneel, away from the beginning of a terrible fight.

I was trying to reach the forest before any blows went off but Igneel fired before I was there, causing me to be thrown into the trees. Before I could catch my breath, something large landed directly in front of me, still in the clearing.

"Get over here," he growled, the air becoming thick and angry. My body rushed over to him as he scooped me up into his claws. He flicked his tail once, causing the ground to crumble. Releasing magic from his tail, he threw it at Igneel, hitting him head on, sending him flying yards away.

Acnologia's powerful wings unfolded and shot us into the air. Towards the cave and my impending punishment.

Looking back I saw Igneel getting up. My heart began to ache. I didn't want to leave him there like that. I saw him look up at us and lock eyes with me, those golden eyes angry with the lust for Acnologia's death. His eyes stayed locked with mine until we were completely out of sight. That wasn't the last time Igneel and I were going to see each other.

*End flashback*

Kaida woke with a start, sweating and panting hard from her nightmare. Acnologia. The name sent shivers down her spine and brought back horrid memories. She could feel her skin start to burn with his punishments for sneaking out to see Igneel. He hated that she loved him. It's weird, right? Loving a dragon? But Kaida didn't care. She didn't love Igneel for his outer appearance. She loved him for his kind human-like personality. He protected her, cared for her and showed her the beauty hidden in the world. He was a prince, in a dragon's body. Kind of a messed up fairytale right?

Even Igneel himself didn't understand his connection with a mere human girl. But to him, she wasn't just any human girl, she was a girl he started having weird feelings about. The thought of Acnologia having her all that time started to bother him. Jealousy. Kaida had told him about jealousy, but he'd never known the power it could have over you.

Kaida could feel the cold damp stone of the cell she was locked away in. Acnologia locked her away in a cell for 3 years, only allowing her to come out for training, nothing more. This was his punishment for her constantly defying his rules. No Igneel. He told her be grateful a dragon like him was willing to take her in and teach her his magic. She would be the most powerful dragon slayer who ever lived, he would tell her.

Kaida jumped out of bed, banishing any thoughts of him from her mind. It was time to leave, she wished she could stay longer but that Natsu kid was suspicious of her and she didn't want to know how he knew Igneel. She didn't want to talk about him.

In the morning she will be gone. On her quest once again to figure out why all the dragon's disappeared 7 years earlier.

Igneel.


Thank you for all the support you guys have been giving me, I apologize for this late really quick update, I've been quite busy but I'm definitely going to try to update this frequently! I hope you enjoy! Review review review please!