Thanks so much to xxFantasyxx, JackFrostsElf, KooriKitsune & vlasadiusdraculasbride312 for reviewing! Thanks for the ideas!
"…Would you like to get a cup of cocoa and walk the grounds?"
Natsuko hesitated for a moment, reviewing so many thoughts in only a second. She could get in trouble by the Council if she's seen walking around with him, drinking chocolate. But…Then again, she could always say they were just discussing the weather and how they plan on manipulating it.
Considering she was already wearing a very…revealing dress, she decided to risk it again. "I'd like that." She whispered softly, watching his eyes sparkle with happiness.
They snuck into the kitchen, grabbing two cups of hot cocoa while trying to dodge Bernard. Natsuko couldn't help but chuckle softly, feeling like a child playing hide-and-seek again. Although she loved the Head Elf like an older brother, she found that, like all siblings whether by blood or not, he got too over protective. She knew that he'd try and pull her away from Frost, for her 'own good'.
When they stepped outside, Frost inhaled deeply and blew on the hot liquid, turning it cold. A grin masked his face, his eyes and focus intent on the silver cup. His fingers on the silver made it have slight frost on it.
Seeing his blue face reminded the Summer Spirit of her dream. A very cold shiver went down her back; a shiver of fear. The dream, much to her displeasure, replayed before her mind in flashes. The feeling of fright came back; she almost was tempted to start moving away from Frost.
Forcing herself to keep up with the talking man, she felt herself get lost in thought. She remembered moving backwards after opening double doors. It was not an entrance to a room…it was…it held beans…it was a closet! But which room, which building, was it in?
And why, she wondered, was Jack trying to freeze her? Was he mad because she tried to seduce him and trick the council earlier? Or had she done something else? Then again, why was she dressed up like a human? She was no longer the summer in her dream, her nightmare…she was plain and normal.
Was it a sign?
Or was it just a dream, a silly thing of her subconscious mind? If so…why did her subconscious mind think of the…intimate part? She felt her cheeks warm up against the cool wind, remembering how his leg pressed between hers. His mouth was merely inches away, his voice sounding so far away and distant as he whispered in her ear.
"Natsuko…" The voice got stronger. It was no longer far away, in fact…it was close.
"Natsuko!" It was just like in her dream!
Suddenly, she jumped, realizing where she was. "You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" The man frowned slightly. That was more like a statement twisted into a question, as if he wanted her to tell him he was right so he could be smug.
His ice covered eyebrows twisted into a confused puzzle look. His pale white, almost blue, face showed…concern. This made her shiver once more, shocked slightly at how human he appeared. No…not human…he had emotions.
Trying to regain what little dignity she had left, she blushed. "Sorry Jack…I just got caught up in my thoughts." They continued to walk through the snow covered grounds. Natsuko glanced down, slightly surprised at how she had drank her cocoa without realizing it.
He started to talk about the council meeting. "I think that was just downright sly and dirty, what they did!" He stated. On impulse, Natsuko started to think of the story Bernard told her.
"Sly and dirty? You're right…" Her tone was sharp and bitter, but she wasn't sure of why, "They were almost as dirty as you."
Frost glanced at her through the corner of his eye, mildly surprised. "What do you mean?" The way his tone was careful…she faintly was reminded of her dream…of how he spoke to her.
She replied calmly, her posture straightening up. "Bernard told me what you did, Jack. During my absence, you tried to destroy the new big guy. He told me how you pretended to be their friend and then turned on them; charging people to come to the North Pole. You're a bit of a hypocrite to call the Council 'dirty' when you're the one who almost destroyed the toy shop and acted like an…"
She found her back slammed into a pine tree, the snow covering it falling on them. The tiny pricks of the pine made her skin burn slightly, the snow covering her hair and making look as though she were homeless. Branches were digging into her back, but that was the least of her worries.
The cold icy hand around her neck was her main worry.
Jack's face was twisted and contorted into rage, his eyes colder than the glaciers near by. He was not choking her, but the way he pressed her against the tree made her wish he was. His face was turning slightly blue.
"I've changed since then, Natsuko." He whispered dangerously.
Wincing, she grabbed his wrists with both hands and growled. She refused to show fear! "Release me now, Frost, or else." As if showing a sample of what would happen if he didn't, she focused her power on her hands. This, of course, warmed and almost burned up his wrist.
Immediately he yanked away, trying to calm down.
Not giving him the chance to speak, she quickly walked off.
Had that been part of the dream?
Next chapter: More dreams! Bernard talks to Frost about "Natsuko's Best Interest". Review please
