Expect some fluff this chapter! ;)
*I don't own Fairy Tail
Kinana fidgeted in her sleep. Cobra glanced at her. Sometime during the night he heard her shivering so he took off his jacket and draped it over her.
It was morning and Cobra had taken a seat farther away from her. Right now, he was watching her sleep. Her purple hair reminded him of Cubellios' scales. And her green eyes seemed deep and snake like. He recalled when the council tried taking him away and Kinana almost interfered. She started transforming. Into what though? Cubellios?
Cobra looked back at the water as Kinana woke up. "Huh?" she said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She noticed Cobra's jacket around her and started blushing. "Oh so you're finally awake. Can I have my jacket back now?"
Kinana smiled as she moved and sat next to him. "No, it's cold." She answered hugging the jacket closer to her. She also added, "Is it morning?" I hadn't meant to actually fall asleep, she thought. "Yeah, and I'm starving." Cobra responded still not looking at her.
"Hey…" Kinana said slowly "Can I ask you a question? I didn't get too yesterday, because I fell asleep."
"Fine. What?"
"How did you get those scars on your hands? From one of the battles you've been in or something like that?" Kinana asked. Cobra glanced down at his hands and then finally faced Kinana. "From the R-System." he said.
"The R-System?"
"I'm sure Titania told you about the Tower of Heaven. I was there as a child. I got these scars from the torment I went through there." Cobra said softly as if he didn't want her to hear. "That's also where I met you, but as Cubellios."
Kinana gaped at him. That's where they had met? At a horrible place that enslaved children? "Then thank you." She said finally. Cobra looked confused. "Thank you?"
"I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't taken me with you when you left with Oracion Seis. I would probably be there now, still slithering around in snake form. So, thanks." Kinana said.
Cobra stared at her in surprise. He gave her a small smile, "You're welcome. But now I have a question. How did you get turned into a snake in the first place?"
Kinana frowned. "I really don't remember much. But my oldest memory is of a wizard getting angry with me for something and then casting a spell on me. The next thing that I can remember is Master taking the spell off me and asking me to work for Fairy Tail."
Cobra held his hands together. "I see…maybe you were a child at the Tower of Heaven too. I mean how else would you have gotten there? The tower was on an island and you didn't grow wings until many years after we left."
Kinana gasped. "Maybe that's true! It kind of makes sense. But why did the wizard turn me into a snake?"
"Perhaps it was a magic guard who was supposed to punish you for something."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, maybe you weren't working fast enough or you tried to escape. They were pretty brutal to those who tried to escape."
Kinana pondered this. Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief. She noticed Cobra's questioning look and said, "I feel like part of the mystery surrounding my past has been unlocked. It feels…nice knowing the truth; even if I don't remember it exactly."
"We don't know for certain that you were a slave there though. You should ask Titania if she remembers seeing a child that looked like you."
"I think I will. Oh and her name is Erza."
"I'm aware." Cobra said looking back at the water. "Why are you so grumpy?" Kinana asked. "I'm not, I'm hungry." Cobra answered. "Then let's go get something to eat." Cobra looked at her with an are you serious? expression. "I told you I don't want anyone to see me. That's why we're out here and not in the city." he said in annoyance.
"Fine. How about I go get some food, and bring it back here?" Kinana suggested. "There's an idea." Cobra said. Kinana glared at him, but still left to go some food. How can he be sweet and caring one moment and then completely infuriating the next?
Cobra watched Kinana walk away. "I'm sorry." He murmured, knowing full well that she couldn't hear him.
The biting cold wind picked up and Kinana shivered. With a shock, she realized that she was still wearing Cobra's jacket. Maybe I'm not giving him enough credit, she thought. He can be a jerk sometimes, but he can also be thoughtful. Kinana smiled as she tucked the jacket closer around her.
She bought a few food items and headed back towards the river.
Cobra heard her coming long before she came into view. He noticed that she was still wearing his jacket. No wonder I'm so cold, he thought. Yet when Kinana got closer she gave him an affectionate smile, showing no trace of her previous anger.
She tossed some food at him. "Bread and fruit? That's it? Are you trying to starve me?"
"Hey, it's healthier for you!" Kinana pointed out. "You made me breakfast once before and it was a lot better than this." Cobra said.
Kinana closed her eyes and held her forehead. "A simple thank you would suffice." she said. Cobra could tell she was getting angry again. "Thank you." he mumbled and started eating. Kinana opened her eyes and smiled, "You're welcome." She started eating a roll.
Cobra finished his food and snatched the roll out of her hand. "Hey! I was eating that!" she protested. He smirked at her. "It's not my fault you didn't get enough food." He said teasingly. "Give it back!" Cobra leaned in close to her face. "Make me." he said while taking a bite of the roll. Kinana reached for the roll but he held it behind him. He kept it just out of her reach by leaning away from her. He kept that up until he lost his balance and fell over, accidentally bringing her down too.
Kinana fell on top of him and her hand closed on his which was still clutching the roll. The suddenly close proximity made them both blush. Both of them were both too surprised to pull away immediately like they would have done. Their faces were about an inch apart and Kinana's heart hammered in her chest. "If you want it that bad, you can have it." Cobra said. "What?!" Kinana shrieked. "The roll." Cobra clarified pressing it into her hand. He gently helped her off of him.
"What did you think I meant?" Cobra asked. "Oh, uh nothing!" Kinana said in a high pitched voice. Kinana was still blushing furiously as she turned the roll over and over in her hands. Cobra looked uncomfortable as well. "I should…um…p-probably go to the guild. I think I'm late for my s-shift." Kinana said. She stood up and peeled off Cobra's jacket. "Uh here Erik. Thanks." She handed him the jacket. She stood there awkwardly for a moment and then turned away.
"Hey wait!" Cobra called, "Are we going to meet up tonight?" Kinana turned back, "How about in a few days? Some people at the guild were getting suspicious. Um…bye!" Kinana practically ran off.
Cobra wanted to chase after her, but held back. What's wrong with me? he thought to himself. What's this feeling?
Kinana burst into the guild and headed straight for the bar counter. Mirajane saw her and waved her over. "Morning Kinana! You're here early." Kinana just looked at her. "I am?! I-I mean um, I wanted to come in early to make up for leaving early yesterday." Kinana smiled sheepishly. Cana came and sat at the counter and ordered a drink from Mirajane.
"It's eight in the morning Cana."
"So?"
Mirajane giggled and looked at Kinana curiously. "Kina…there's grass in your hair."
"What?!" Kinana asked looking horrified. Mirajane eyed her suspiciously. "Here let me get it." She said. Sure enough, Mirajane started pulling strands of grass out of Kinana's hair. "Have a fun time last night?" Cana asked. Kinana glanced down at the unfinished roll in her hand and started blushing again.
Mirajane noticed it too. "Is that your breakfast? Here, let me go make you something." Kinana smiled gratefully at Mirajane as she walked into the kitchen. Kinana took her place at the counter and got to work. Cana walked off and started drinking booze.
A couple hours later, Natsu came into the guild. "Oi! Laxus! Let's fight!" Laxus glanced at Natsu with a bored expression. "Not now."
"Aw come on! Or are you just afrai-" Natsu suddenly stopped and smelled the air. He followed the smell all the way to the bar. "This smell…it seems so familiar." He leaned in close to Kinana. Kinana backed up. "What are you doing" she asked. "Where have I smelled this…" Natsu's voice trailed off as realization dawned on his face.
He looked at her with shock. "Kinana…" he began slowly.
Amenah: Thank you for the review and the advice on how I can improve my story! It really helped, and I just love Kinabra too!
