"How long until we reach this place?" Natsu groaned as he continued following behind Kagura.
"It shouldn't be long now." Erza answered, still on Natsu's back. "I apologize if I'm weighing you down."
"Oh no I didn't mean it like that." Natsu said with a slight blush. He scratched his cheek with his index finger. "Besides, you're not as heavy as I thought you'd be."
Erza raised an eyebrow in response. "You don't talk to women much do you?"
After narrowly escaping from the soldiers in Onibas, the four unlikely companions made their way towards the contact that Makarov had set up for Erza and Kagura. Running for what seemed like hours through the wilderness, they eventually lost sight of their pursuers.
Kagura remained silent ever since the group's exit from Onibas, having taken point on the journey towards Kunugi Station. Her stone silence and furrowed brow masked an inner torrent of anger that the others around her could clearly feel.
Natsu and Happy kept their mouths shut, assuming that the dark haired mercenary was still angry about being shot. Erza on the other hand, knew what was really going on with Kagura. She always gets like this. Erza thought.
"Kagura-"Erza began, but she was cut off when Kagura raised her hand.
The raven haired mercenary crouched lower the closer she came to the brush line at the edge of the forest they ventured through.
"What's going on?" Natsu whispered.
"What do you see, Kagura?" Erza asked.
"I see the station." Kagura answered.
…
Lahar pushed ud the bridge of his glasses with his index finger. "I'll ask one more time." his erudite tone was laced with irritation. "Where are Kagura Mikazuchi and Erza Scarlet?" His stone demeanor unnerved both Lisanna and Levy. The others of Fairy Tail were more hardy.
"If we knew that, do you think we'd be sitting here being interrogated by the council's lapdog?" Cana retorted before sipping from her mug.
"Cana." Mirajane hissed. She looked back at the fortuneteller and shook her head. Cana sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.
"Kagura and Erza are not here." Makarov answered, looking up at Lahar.
"Well, where are they?" Lahar asked looking down at him. His condescending tone tested the old man's patience.
"I recall saying they weren't here." Makarov retorted. Lahar's eyebrow twitched.
"What does the council want with them anyway?" Elfman asked.
"They are currently under investigation for the train bombing that occurred 2 days ago." Lahar answered. "Our sources say the two were seen leaving the wreckage with an unknown pair."
"And you believe that Salamander is one of this 'unknown pair'." Makarov surmised.
Lahar nodded. "Until we hear their side of the story, we are to assume that that is the case." Everyone's eyes narrowed in anger except for Makarov and Mirajane's. If looks could kill Lahar would have been dead on arrival.
"You really think that they had something to do with train blowing up?!" Cana yelled angrily. "They would never do something like that."
"We never said they were directly involved in the accident." Lahar corrected, not looking at her. "We are only flagging them as potential suspects."
"Well you sure as hell sound sure that they did it." Elfman accused.
"Yeah." Droy chimed in. "For all you know they were probably taken hostage by that guy."
"Calm down, everyone." Makarov said. Everyone quieted down. "I assure you Erza and Kagura had nothing to do with the train explosion, and if we knew where they were we would tell you; but we haven't been able to contact them for the past 2 days." He explained to Lahar.
Lahar and Makarov stared intensely into each other's eyes, seeing which one of them would blink first before Lahar once again pushed up his glasses. "I see." He said. Well I…"
A loud voom outside suddenly caught everyone's attention.
"What is that?!" Lisanna yelled, covering her ears.
"I don't know!" Mirajane shouted back.
All of the Fairy Tail employees looked out of the window. They saw what appeared to be a large air ship descending in the middle of town. A metal passenger area, supported by a balloon bigger than a long train car. Emblazoned on both sides of the balloon was the council emblem. As it lowered closer to the ground, a gust of dirt and rock blew through the main street of Magnolia, causing people on the street to seek refuge in nearby buildings.
"What is that?" Lahar asked, covering his eyes.
"It looks like the Epsilon, sir." One of his men answered.
"What is it doing here now?"
The door of the undercarriage slowly lowered and a lone person stepped out, breaking into a run once they touched terra firma.
"Captain! Captain!" A soft voice yelled from the approaching stranger. The closer they came to the Saloon they sooner everyone discerned that it was a young girl, no older than Lisanna or Levy. She was dressed in the council's trademark blue and white uniform, her long lavender hair tied in a high ponytail. Stopping just short of Lahar, she bent over, placing her hands on bent knees to catch her breath.
Lahar's eyes widened in surprise "Laki? I thought I told you to stay at the garrison base until I called for you."
Having regained some of her composure, Laki stood straight up, pushing up her simple oval glasses. She looked up at Lahar and saluted.
"I'm sorry for disobeying orders, Captain." She apologized. "But we've received information on the whereabouts of Kagura Mikazuchi and Erza Scarlet, sir." She reported.
"What?" Cana gasped as she and the others looked on in disbelief.
"Where?" Lahar asked.
"A pair of women fitting their description were last seen at an inn in Oak Town. We currently have men stationed outside of the building and are ready to apprehend them on your order."
"Good. Have them hold their positions until I arrive." Lahar ordered.
"Yes sir." Laki saluted again.
"Come on, men." Lahar ordered as he left the Fairy Tail Company's doorstep, his men following close behind. They approached the steam powered air ship with a sense of urgency. Soon only Laki remained at Fairy Tail's door.
"They're heading towards Kunugi Station." Laki said not looking at the Fairy Tail employees. "They and their mysterious companions were nearly apprehended by soldiers at an inn in Onibas. I suggest you hurry before they get into any more trouble. Lahar won't be fooled for long…Master."
Makarov nodded. "We will, thank you Laki."
"Don't mention it." Laki smiled. She lifted up her uniform top slightly to reveal the Fairy Tail tattoo on her side. "You put me here for a reason right?"
"Stop dilly dallying and board the ship, Laki!" Lahar yelled.
"Y-yes sir. I'm on my way." She replied, feigning nervousness. She looked back at Makarov and winked. "Good luck Master, give my best to Erza and Kagura." She then ran off to join Lahar and his men. Once she was aboard the ship it closed its gate and lifted off the ground. Reaching a safe height above the city, it began turning until it was pointed towards the direction of Oak Town.
"Who was she?" Levy asked as she watched the ship take off.
"Laki Olietta." Mirajane answered. "She also works for Fairy Tail."
"But she's part of the council." Jet pointed out, more than a little confused.
"That's the mission Master gave her: infiltrate the council and give us any inside information she can on them." Elfman said.
"I almost forgot she was still undercover. It's been three years now, right?" Cana asked.
"I believe so." Lisanna answered.
Makarov stood on the bar top and cleared his throat, garnering everyone's attention. "Alright everyone..." He began. "Laki has bought us some time so we need to make the most of it. Based on what she just told us, Kagura and Erza are still meeting the contact at Kunugi Station. Our job now is to meet them there and give them an update on the situation. Also, we need to find out who it is they are travelling with and ascertain if they are friend or foe."
"Jet and Levy." He pointed at Shadow Gear. "I want you two to meet up with Erza and Kagura at Kunugi Station. Give them an update on the current situation."
"What about me, Master?" Dory pointed at himself.
"You stay here, Droy. We need as many hands as possible in case the council makes another house call."
"Alright." Droy said a bit sullen.
"It's ok, Droy." Levy reassured. "We'll be back soon."
Jet picked her up bridal style, apparently it was the easiest way to carry her. Levy always found it to be more embarrassing than anything. She also speculated that Jet mostly did this to cop a feel.
"Be careful you two." Lisanna smiled.
"We will." Levy nodded smiling back.
"Be sure you avoid any army patrols along the way." Makarov said.
Jet nodded, "Don't worry Master we will." In a gust of air the pair was gone.
…
Kagura inched closer to the bush, using her hands to make a peephole. She peered through it, looking down a hill that lead to Kunugi Station on the other side of a small valley. Natsu, Erza, and Happy sat a small distance behind her. Kagura remained silent as she surveyed the area.
Posted around the small station were armed members of the council's army. Kagura surmised that there were guards posted at every station in order to intercept "Salamander".
"The army is here. Five soldiers by my count." Kagura said. She cut her eyes across the points that the guards stood near, all possible entry points were guarded. "They must have posted guards at every train station in response to the bombing. It will be difficult to rendezvous with our contact as long as they are guarding the area."
"What should we do?" Erza asked.
"We need a distraction." Kagura answered.
A light bulb went off in Natsu's brain. "A distraction? Hold on, I can handle that." He reached into his pack and took out two medium sized black spheres.
"You're really gonna use those?" Happy asked, slightly uneasy.
Natsu nodded. "No better time to try'em out right?"
"What are those?" Erza asked intrigued.
"These?" Natsu asked holding up the objects to her. "They're bombs." He answered with a wide smile.
"They're what?!" Erza exclaimed.
"Are you insane?" Kagura asked, looking back at him. His "idea" had garnered her full attention.
"Don't worry." Natsu said waving off the two women's concerns. He drew his hand back and threw them. "They're smoke bombs…I think."
"You think?!" Erza yelled as the balls touched down near the soldiers. Kagura and Erza looked on in horror, awaiting the explosion. To their surprise, and slight relief, there was nothing.
"I guess they were duds." Natsu said with a hint of disappointment as he scratched the back of his head. Erza grabbed his collar and brought him closer to her.
"You fool!" She scolded. "Do you know how much danger you could have put us in? We're already wanted for the destruction of the train, we don't need the blood of soldiers on our hands as well."
Natsu broke out in a cold sweat as he looked into Erza's piercing gaze. She was surprisingly strong for a person who was still healing from nearly dying in a train explosion a couple of days prior.
"What do we do now?" Happy asked worriedly.
"We have no choice but to launch a frontal assault." Kagura stood up. "Salamander, grab Erza and hold her tightly, we have to move quickly and quietly to keep surprise on our side."
"O-ok." Natsu looked back at Erza with a nervous smile, the red head sighed and let go of his collar.
"Cat, you can sit on my shoulder." Kagura said to Happy. He complied, climbing up to her shoulder and siting there, his paws holding onto the collar of her shirt. "Be sure not to fall off." She said sternly.
"Ok." Happy nodded.
"Alright, here we go." Natsu said, grabbing Erza and holding her bridal style. "You ready?"
"Yes." Erza nodded. "Let's just hurry before we lose our chance."
Kagura looked back at the two and nodded. "Let's go. Do not fall behind me, Salamander." She dashed through the bushes.
"Man, she sure is bossy." Natsu sighed as he followed right behind her.
"Don't worry." Erza grinned. "I think she's warming up to you."
Natsu looked down at Erza, who was looking ahead at Kagura's back. For whatever reason his eyes were focused squarely on her lips, which glistened in the exposed sunlight, her red hair glowing even more so. Her arms, which were wrapped around his neck to steady herself, were soft, their aroma stimulating his senses. A small blush appeared on his face.
"We're approaching the guards." Erza pointed ahead, shifting Natsu's focus back to where it needed to be. "Make sure you don't lose Kagura."
"R-right." Natsu said as he regained his bearings. "I know."
"Are you alright?" Erza asked a bit concerned, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." Natsu said quickly. Erza smiled softly when she noticed his red cheeks.
Natsu sniffed the air, his face turning serious as he began slowing down his pace. "What's wrong?" Erza asked. "Why are you slowing down?"
"Someone's coming." Natsu said.
"Can you tell who it is?" Erza asked, now more alert.
"No, but there's more than one of 'em comin." Natsu's eyes narrowed. "It could be more soldiers."
"We have warn Kagura. She could be walking into an ambush." Erza said. Natsu nodded and quickened his pace to catch up to Kagura and Happy.
Kagura approached the first guard. She gripped her sword tightly, but before she could knock him out she stuck her feet into the ground. She slid forward a bit to slow her momentum before steadying herself and leaping backward, kicking up a good amount of dust. Happy barely managed to hold on, Kagura's sudden movements nearly knocking the blue cat from the swordswoman's shoulders.
"Why did you stop?" Happy asked groggily. His head was still spinning when they landed back on the ground, a good distance from the guards.
"Something is coming." Kagura replied looking off to the left. Happy squinted as he looked in the direction Kagura's head was turned. Sure enough he saw a large cloud of dust heading towards them.
"What is that?" Happy asked, his small shoulders tightening as he gripped Kagura's collar tighter. "M-m-more soldiers?"
Kagura gripped her sword. "Perhaps, we should be ready for a battle if there are."
"B-b-but I can't fight."
"What is that?" Erza asked looking at the dust cloud. "Is that the smell you were talking about?"
"Yeah." Natsu nodded.
"What's that?" One of the soldiers asked also noticing the dust cloud heading his direction. "The wind here isn't near strong enough for a-"suddenly he felt a something press hard against his abdomen. He let a loud, painful groan as he doubled over.
"Hey!" the soldier facing the opposite direction yelled after hearing his comrades scream. He ran over, gun in hand, but soon found his footing gone. He flipped onto his back, hitting the ground with a loud thud. The impact knocked him unconscious.
Soon after, all of the other guards were knocked unconscious. Kagura and Natsu stood on guard as they watched a mysterious blur walk towards them through the dust.
"Who is this guy?" Natsu asked, his gaze narrowing. "Is it the fake me?"
"Ow! Be careful, Natsu." Erza scolded. Natsu looked down at her irritated face. In his nervousness, the thief had unwittingly tightened his grip on Erza's leg and back.
"Sorry." He apologized, loosening his grip.
"Be on your guard." Kagura warned. "The dust has almost settled."
All four of them stood on edge as they awaited their confrontation with their mysterious savior. The dust dissipated and to Erza and Kagura's relief, it was Jet. Kagura and Erza relaxed, but Happy and Natsu were still worried.
"It's ok." Erza said. "He's a friend."
"If you say so." Natsu acquiesced, relaxing his muscles.
"I'm glad we caught up to you guys." Jet said with a smile as he stopped in front of Kagura.
"We?" Kagura asked raising an eyebrow. She then saw a hand rising up from behind Jet. She stepped back, instinctively grabbing her sword in anticipation for an attack, but slowly let up when she saw a wavy bush of light blue hair. From behind Jet's shoulder rose Levy, her hair and clothes nearly covered in dust.
"Jet…" she gasped in exhaustion. She removed the goggles from her eyes and set them on her forehead. "I told you to warn me…when you speed up."
"Ha-ha, sorry about that." Jet grinned apologetically.
"Levy is with you?" Erza asked with widened eyes.
"Yeah, the Master sent us to make sure you guys made it to your contact." Jet replied.
"We appreciate the help but we have to hurry inside the station. More soldiers may arrive." Kagura pointed out, getting everyone back on task.
"But what are we going to do about the ones already knocked out?" Happy asked. "We can't just leave them here, can we?"
"I suppose you're right." Kagura sighed looking at all of the unconscious soldiers.
"Did that cat just talk?" Jet asked, his mouth falling open.
A few minutes later, the group had tied up all of the guards, placing them next to the station before proceeding inside. An elderly man was standing behind a check in desk when they entered the station. He wore a visor on his head, his hunched over body shaking lightly. No doubt due to his advanced age.
"You can put me down now, Natsu." Erza said as she looked up at the pink haired bomber.
"Oh, yeah." Natsu blushed again. "Sorry." He slowly helped her to her feet.
"Thank you." She said.
"No problem." He replied. Happy rejoined him after having left Kagura's shoulder.
"What can I do for you fine kids today?" The elderly man asked with a smile as the ragtag group approached the desk.
Kagura broke away from the pack and approached the desk. She opened her hakama top, showing the Fairy Tail tattoo on her ribs just below her left breast. The others stood astonished as they watched Kagura basically flash the elderly man. Erza simply sighed and shook her head.
The old man, while initially shocked, and attracted, by Kagura's slender and fit form soon remembered procedure and moved to the wall on the left side of the counter. He pressed his hand against it, causing a piece of the wall to slide open. The group looked at the new opening, inside was a winding, descending staircase.
"Please." The old man bowed, his arm leading the group towards the stairs. They entered stairway, the old man giving Kagura a wink. She returned his wink with a hardened gaze that sent a shiver through his old bones. Once the group had entered, the old man closed the door and went back to the counter.
The stairway was lit by torches that hung on the walls, although that didn't serve to make Levy or Happy any less nervous.
"I could have shown him my tattoo." Erza said to Kagura, pointing at her own arm.
"I didn't want you to exacerbate any of your injuries." Kagura said plainly as she redid her top.
"Wow this place is kinda cool." Natsu said as he looked around.
"I'm glad you think so." Happy shuddered on Natsu's shoulder.
"Are you alright, Levy?" Jet asked noticing the young girl's stiff shoulders and hesitant pace as she walked in front of him.
"I-I'm f-fine." She said with a small smile. "I'm just not good with dark places."
Kagura pointed down the end of the stairs. "I can see a door."
The group stopped once they reached the bottom of the stairs. In front of them was a medium sized wooden door with no knob. Kagura knocked on it. A small slide hole opened at the top.
A pair of dark eyes peered from the opening. Kagura and the others could tell that they belonged to a child. "Show your mark." The young boy demanded, and all of the Fairy Tail employees complied. He looked over to Natsu and Happy. "What about them?"
"They're not members." Kagura answered.
The young boy looked at her for a few seconds, trying to decide the best course of action to take. "Ok." He said finally, moving away from the slot and opening the door. The group walked inside the door to see a well-equipped waiting room. Two beds against the south wall, with a kitchen space on the west wall. Under different circumstances it would be quite the living space.
"Are you our contact?" Kagura asked looking down at the boy. He looked up at her, his black hair partially hiding his face as he shook his head.
"I'll go get him." He replied. "Hey, Dad! Wake up!" the young boy yelled into a doorway before walking away. "Come on, Dad. They're here." They heard him say to his unknown father.
"Ok, ok I'm up." A gravelly voice yawned from the doorway. A few seconds later an older man walked out of the door way. He looked at the group and his eyes widened. "Erza! Kagura! I didn't know Makarov was sending you two."
Erza smiled. "It's nice to see you, Macao."
"You don't look too good." Macao said suddenly noticing Erza's dirty bandages. "You should lie down for a bit."
"I'm fine." Erza protested.
"Listen to him, Erza." Said Kagura authoritatively. "Do you have any fresh bandages?" she asked looking back at Macao.
"Yeah there should be some in here somewhere. Romeo, go check in the store closet, will ya?" He said his son.
"Ok." Romeo replied as he ran through the doorway.
Macao sat down at the table in the kitchen area. He noticed that everyone was still standing. "Sit down. Take a load off. I can tell you guys went through hell to get here." Kagura waved him off, but the others took the informant up on his offer. "So what took you guys so long? I've been down here for two days."
"There was an incident that impeded our progress." Kagura said. She chose to stand against the wall facing the table.
"Don't tell me you were all caught up in that train bombing?"
Kagura nodded. "To be more precise Erza and I were caught in the explosion. We met up with Jet and Levy just before coming to see you."
"Damn." Macao leaned back in his seat. "No wonder, Erza's so banged up. I'm amazed you survived that at all, but then again you two are the 'Twin Demons.'" Macao smirked.
"Please don't call us that." Erza said from the bed.
"Found them." Romeo called emerging from the door way, clean bandages in hand. He handed them to his father.
"Good boy." Macao said standing up from his seat and walked to Erza. "Let me just change you out of these dirty bandages and-"He stopped cold when he saw Kagura's sheathed blade in between he and Erza.
"Levy." Kagura said not looking at her.
"Y-yes?" Levy stammered, nervous from the Kagura's sudden action.
"Will you redress Erza's wounds?" Kagura's words sounded more like an order than a request.
"Um, yeah sure." Levy rose from her seat, grabbing the bandages from Macao and sitting on the bed next to Erza.
"Thank you." Kagura said, lowering her blade. Macao sighed in relief and went back to his seat.
"Don't you think was a bit much?" he said.
"I've heard stories of your wandering hands." Kagura replied.
Macao looked across the table at Jet, Natsu, and Happy. "How rude, I didn't even introduce myself. Name's Macao Conbolt, and this is my son Romeo." He rubbed the young boy's head.
"I'm Jet and that's Levy." Jet pointed to the blue haired girl who waved before continuing to change Erza's bandages.
"I'm Natsu Dragneel, and this is Happy." Natsu introduced pointing at the blue cat who was sitting on the table.
"How's it goin?" Happy said with a smile, causing Macao's jaw to drop and Romeo's eyes to light up.
"Cool! A talking cat!" Romeo exclaimed.
"Do you work for Fairy Tail?" Jet asked Macao.
"Uh, yeah." Macao answered trying to refocus. "I mostly work as a contact between the members and give Master Makarov updates on jobs and such. I haven't seen you three before, you new to the company?"
Jet nodded. "Levy and I joined with our friend Droy a couple of days ago."
"What about you?" Macao asked looking at Natsu.
The pink haired rogue shook his head. "No, I'm not a mercenary."
"Then why are you here?" Macao asked curiously.
"Well I'm-"Natsu began.
"He's helping us with this job." Kagura chimed in before Natsu revealed himself. "That's all that matters."
Macao knew Kagura and the others were hiding something from him, but he relented. "Good enough for me." He shrugged.
"How is Wakaba?" Erza asked, wincing slightly as Levy tightened the bandages around her ribs.
"I'm sorry." Levy apologized. "Did that hurt?"
"I'm fine." Erza reassured with a smile.
"I haven't talked that old fool in days. Last we spoke he was heading towards Crocus to recruit someone for the company." Macao said.
"Who is this someone?" Erza asked intrigued.
"Wouldn't tell me, said it was a surprise."
Erza smirked. "He sure can be difficult."
"Tel me about it."
"What information do you have for us, Macao?" Kagura asked.
"Well according to the chatter outside, Salamander is still on his way towards Oshibana. Although the time he'll be there is unknown, but most speculate around half a day. Everyone is already in the city waiting for him."
"Who is everyone?" Erza inquired.
"A few of the other mercenary companies. Most notably the tri-mens from Blue Pegasus, a couple of guys from Quattro Cerberus, hell I even heard that Phantom Lord sent a couple of people."
"Phantom Lord?" Erza asked with piqued interest.
"Yep, it's a who's who of who's ruthless. The council is expecting things to get pretty messy."
"This is certainly not what we were expecting." Erza said perplexed.
"There's something else as well." Levy spoke up.
"What is it?" Kagura asked.
"The military is looking for you two." Levy answered.
"Why?" Erza asked, genuinely surprised.
"They think that you have something to do with the train bombing." Jet answered. "Seeing as how you two-"he looked over to Natsu and Happy. "Well four, were the only ones to leave the train car before the medics arrived."
"Honestly, if it wasn't for Laki we wouldn't have found you at all." Levy added.
"Laki came to the saloon?" Erza asked. "That mean's Lahar is the one looking for us. This job keeps getting more difficult."
"Is there any way to contact Fairy Tail?" Kagura asked Macao.
Macao shook his head. "Nope, the soldiers shut down all communication lines until Salamander's been caught. No calls in or out."
Natsu listened to the others talk about his imposter and his muscles tensed. He tightly clenched his fists. Happy looked back at him. "Calm down, Natsu." He said low.
"Damn that jerk." Natsu growled. "When I get my hands on him-"
"It doesn't sound like we have many options." Erza said as Levy finished up. "Thank you Levy." She said with a smile.
"It was no trouble. I'm just glad you're ok." Levy replied warmly.
Kagura looked over at the pair. "Levy, how do you fare in battle?"
"W-what?" Levy yelped. She was caught completely off guard. "Well, I have a pistol in my knapsack, but I'm not a good shot." She let out an uneasy laugh.
"That will have to do." Kagura said.
"Wait, what?" Levy said in disbelief.
Kagura looked over to Jet. "Jet return to Fairy Tail and tell the Master and the other's what's going on. Take Erza with you."
"What?" Erza spoke up.
"You're injured, you would only be a liability in a fight." Kagura explained. "You need to recuperate, and the best place for you to do that is back at the saloon."
"Kagura, I'm not leaving you alone." Erza protested. "I can still fight." She stood up slowly, wincing in pain awhile holding the right side of her abdomen.
"Erza." Kagura said stern. "Please." Her voice softened a bit.
Erza sighed in defeat. "Fine, but you better not do anything reckless."
"I won't." Kagura smirked.
"There are a couple horses tied up around the back of the station. You can use those to get to Oshibana." Macao said.
"Thank you for all your help, Macao." Erza said.
"Don't mention it." He waved. "If we don't look after each other, no one will." He smirked.
Once things were all in order, the group moved back to the store up top.
"It doesn't look like any more soldiers came." Levy said.
"Then let's get going." Kagura said.
They walked outside, splitting off into two groups: Jet and Erza in one, and Kagura, Levy, Natsu, and Happy in the other.
Erza was being held bridal style in Jet's arms, however unlike Levy she didn't seem to mind.
"Be careful with her." Kagura said, staring a hole into Jet.
Jet gulped and nodded.
"You be careful as well, Kagura." Erza said.
"I will." Kagura nodded. The two women gave one another a small smile before Jet and Erza took off.
"So how long will it take us to reach Oshibana?" Natsu asked.
"It should be about 8 hours on horseback." Levy answered.
"Man that's gonna take forever." Natsu whined.
"Would you have rather taken a train?" Happy asked with a sly smile.
"We don't have much time before Salamander arrives in Oshibana. We need to go now." Kagura said.
The four headed to the back of Kunugi Station, untying the horses from the post. Kagura and Levy sat on one, while Natsu and Happy sat on the other.
"Is everyone secure?" Kagura asked looking behind herself.
Levy nodded. "I'm ready." She said, her arms wrapped around Kagura's waist.
Natsu however was less than prepared.
"Hold on, I've never ridden one of these things before-"
"Hiyah!" Kagura snapped the reins and the horse took off.
"Wait!" Natsu yelled, but Kagura and Levy were already a good distance ahead of him.
"Come on, Natsu!" Happy shouted. "We're gonna get left behind."
"Gimme a second would ya." Natsu snapped back. "Let's see here." He mumbled. "Like this?" he grabbed the reins and snapped them. "Hiyaaaaah!" he yelled frightened as the horse took off at breakneck speed.
...
Wow it's been a while since the last chapter huh? Sorry about that, I was stalled on this for a while, still working out kinks and developments from time to time. I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but I think you guys for being patient. As always thanks for reading and let me know what you think. :)
