"speaking"
"thinking"
On with the story
A week soon passed as our attention goes to a barren land where a train was passing by on the tracks
In Magnolia, there has been several breakthrough inventions such as the Magic Speed Train
the train is powered with a magic lacrima that engage the engines to turn gears and start rushing on the tracks
Inside the train were the Belserion High students who were going on their field trip to Corona town near the Corona Mountain
Each row can hold up to 5 people as everyone was seated according to their randomly chosen group that consists of 5 people except for one group that consists of 10 people
Natsu was sitting in his seat as the man had a rather hard time reading because of someone who was sitting next to him
"you know, your eyes are actually more gray than Cyan" it was Kyria and she was getting too close for Natsu's taste
Natsu sighs in annoyance as he ignores her and continued reading
He had been having a hard time trying to enjoy the school field trip but because of Kyria, he couldn't enjoy it at all
"I hope Happy is having a good time at the daycare" Natsu thought as he had left Happy in the attendance of a pet daycare while he leaves for the school field trip
Beside Natsu was Éclair and she looks to be sleeping while resting her head on Natsu's shoulder to which he did not mind. Sitting beside Éclair was Ikaruga who was simply sitting while her eyes were closed
"Kyria, sit down will you?" Erza said sitting beside Kyria due to her dismay "you're bother everyone else!"
"you're just jealous I got to sit next to him, aren't you?" Kyria said with a smirking taunt
A tick mark appeared on Erza's forehead as she clenched her fists tight
The seat facing them had Lucy, Mira, Kagura, Ultear, and Kamika
"w-why am I sitting here?" Kamika asked sweatdropping a bit to see the scuffle of two Empresses
"you think the train will last with those two constantly fighting?" Ultear whispered to Mira who shrugs her shoulders
"we'll be lucky if the train remains intact" Mira said before sighing a bit as she had wanted to sit beside Natsu, but Éclair beat her to it
"are we really randomly picked according to our class?" Lucy asked seeing that some of them are same ranked students who are supposed to be randomly distributed and should be indifferent groups
"it was. but when Kyria came back it changed" Kagura said before sighing
Flashback
three days before the school field trip
all members of the Seven Empress (except Kyria) were called into a meeting with Irene as they all entered her office
"you want us to what!?" Mira exclaimed in shock to what she hears from Irene
"yes" Irene said turning around on her chair "all of you are to be grouped with Kyria and keep an eye on her actions, well except for Minerva"
"why is she the only one excepted?" Erza said looking to the Tigress who had a smirk
"unlike the rest of you, she is the only Empress who I can find trustworthy" Irene replied "and she's the only one who hasn't been causing any trouble to the school…yet"
"and why didn't you invite Kyria-han to this meeting?" Ikaruga said folding her hands over her stomach
"if I told her of this, do you think she would care to come?" Irene asked
"fair point" Ikaruga replied
"Headmistress, with all do respect. Is it wise to let Kyria join the Schoolfield trip?" Kagura asked "you know what happened last time"
"I know, but ever since her little actions with the Lamia High's students. I've to allow her to join because of fear that she might go and do the same thing again" Irene said "it was hard trying to apologize to the Lamia High Principal, you know"
"This is going to be one long school field trip" Mira said rubbing her forehead
"don't worry" Irene said as she takes a piece of paper and placed it on her table before sliding it forward, "I think you might like being with her group very much"
Everyone looks to the paper as it holds the list of groups for the school field trip and sure enough, Kyria was grouped with Natsu, Lucy, Kamika, and Éclair
"she's grouped with Natsu!?" Erza and the others (except Ultear and Ikaruga) exclaimed in surprise
flashback ends
"if she hadn't come back, we would be having a normal school field trip" Mira said sighing as they see Kyria trying to seduce Natsu by taking off her shirt to expose her bra, to which got Erza to yell at her and started scolding, which was ignored by her "a very normal school field trip"
Natsu sighs as he reads his book while ignoring the bickering of Erza and Kyria
[dear Passengers, in 30 minutes we will be arriving at the Corona Station. Please always remember to check your belongings, thank you]
The P.E system voice out as everyone looks to the right-side window where they see a mountain coming into view
"so that's Corona Town, huh?" Lucy said looking through the window as they see a very large town filled with many ancient magic tools such as magic kites, magic seed spreader, and many more "look at those magic tools, you don't see them every day"
"Corona Town is, after all, a town that worships the ancient magic ways" Kagura explained "they have ancient magic tools that aren't found anywhere else in the world"
"and a place with a good Onsen" Mira added in with a grin
"an Onsen!?" Lucy asked before imagining herself soaking into the warm Onsen waters "I can't wait!"
Natsu reads his book while ignoring the constant bickering of Kyria and Erza before he closed it and looks to the Corona Town
He looks at the town before nostalgia filled his eyes
Flashback
A 6 year old Natsu was running around in the town as he had a big happy grin on
"hey, Natsu!" someone called out to him as Natsu looks up ahead and sees Igneel with some old looking guys with scars, seeming to be friends with Igneel "come here! We're going to have a big barbeque!"
"alright!" Natsu exclaimed as he drools
Flashback
Natsu looks at the town before he sighs when the bickering of Kyria and Erza got into his nerves
"you're just whining because I have bigger boobs than you" Kyria said taunting Erza even more
Erza's tick mark twitched as she was close to exploding and taking out her sword
"hey" Natsu called out as they look to him and sees him holding a coin attached with a string that was waving side to side
"what's this? You think you can hypnotize me?" Kyria said with a smirk while Erza was closing her eyes and looks away "this thing can't-zzzzzz"
Kyria soon fell asleep as Natsu pockets the coin before he continued reading his book
"very effective," Ultear said seeing how Natsu hypnotized Kyria and made her fall asleep very quickly
"mostly effective to people who don't have fully pure intelligence," Natsu said as he reads his book
"does that mean it can only work on idiots?" Kagura said with a sweatdrop
A few minutes later, the train arrived at the station as all students got off the train with the teachers
Mira was dragging Kyria by the leg as the Dragon's Blade Seven Empress was still fast asleep after Natsu's Hypnotism
"how can she sleep like that?" Lucy asked seeing how Mira just drags Kyria who was snoring loudly
"let's not ask and keep on moving" Natsu said holding a small suitcase while reading his book
"he's right about that" Mira said dragging Kyria while not caring about the crazy blonde's health care
Everyone walked around in the town in a big group as the teachers lead everyone in while a hired tour guide explains to them the majestic of the town
"the village's incredible and very fertile soil is the result of the Corona Mountain's eruption a century ago. The lava spewed out and flooded the land in flames. 50 years later, a man named Co and a woman named Rona came to this exact location and started a village where the crops were always thriving, and that is how the village and the mountain was named Corona" the tour guide explained as everyone sees a statue of a woman and a man together before they passed by it
"and here you can see the one of a kind creature that was once and can only be found in Corona town, the Valcaraka!" The Tour guide exclaimed as he points to an old statue of a creature that looks to be some sort of lizard that had fangs and a jagged tail while its back was covered in flames "in ancient times, the Valcaraka Beast was known as the Flame Walker. It feeds on lava and fire. Spewing it out even as a defense mechanism"
"like a Salamander" Lucy said as she heard of the creature's unique traits with that of the flaming lizard
"yes" the tour guide said hearing Lucy "many believed that the Valcaraka were the ancestors of the Salamanders before their disappearances. The Valcaraka was not only known for its unique fire capability but it is also known for its special fireproof scales that protect itself from any high temperature. Some might say the Valcaraka's scales can even withstand the heat of the sun itself"
"-whistle- that was some hot lizard," Mira said as they passed by the statue
Natsu looks at the statue as he smiled a bit
Flashback
Natsu was sitting in a wooden cabin as he looks at a small egg in his hand
The egg wiggles around before it cracks and a lizard head popped out
Natsu grins seeing the hatched lizard who squirmed out of its egg before its backlit in a small fire, and its tail started wagging
The little lizard squalled as it smiles to Natsu who smiled back
Flashback ends
Natsu closed his eyes to reminisce the memory while having a smile
"sir, you said that the Valcaraka disappeared?" a student asked the tour guide
"yes, the Valcaraka didn't go extinct like their descendant the Salamanders. Rather they disappeared into the Corona Mountain. Very rarely to be spotted by the human eyes" the Tourguide explained pointing to the mountain itself "some folklore said that if you ever laid eyes on a live Valcaraka in the Corona Mountain during sunrise, you'll be blessed with a great gift unlike anything you've ever seen"
The students chattered a bit as they find the folklore to be very fascinating
"the last known sightings of the Valcaraka was by a man who goes by the name Igneel" the Tourguide said as they passed by a billboard and he showed them a picture of what a live Valcaraka looks like "this was taken 10 years back and it is the last known photo taken of a Valcaraka in the Corona Mountain Range"
"Igneel? isn't he?" Lucy said before looking to Natsu who nodded with a smile
"I was there when he took the photo" Natsu said as Lucy wowed to hear his words
"now then, I will lead you all to your inn" the tour guide said as he now leads them to where they be staying for the entire week before going back to Magnolia
Arriving at an Inn, the group finds themselves at an Onsen Inn called 'Valcaraka Springs'
"here we are, the very famous Onsen inn 'Valcaraka Springs'" the Tourguide said as there was a giant statue of a Valcaraka on top of the roof
"I can see why they picked the name," Kagura said looking at the giant statue
The Tourguide soon excused himself while everyone else went into the inn
Entering a room, Natsu and the others arrived at their bedrooms
A traditional Japanese like room, with several pillow seats set up on the floor
Lucy set down on one of the pillow seats as she smiled to how soft it feels
"so soft~!" Lucy said touching how soft and squishy it is
"a very nice room" Kagura said walking around, seeing the room before feeling her feet getting warmed "the tatami feels warm"
"it's because of the self-heating lacrima installed in it" Erza said "I've heard that this inn provides good hospitality, and this is one of them"
"we got our own tv too" Mira said seeing a tv at the corner of the room before taking the remote and sits down "nice"
Kyria was snoring as she scratches her stomach
"how long does that Hypnotism last?" Ultear said seeing Kyria had been sleeping the whole day
"who knows," Natsu said reading his book while taking a seat
"let's leave her sleeping," Mira said flipping through the channels on the tv "it's better if she just sleeps the whole school field trip"
"I somehow think that is a good thing for some reason," Eclair said sweatdropping
"the only thing that can wake her up is-" Mira said before she was cut off when an inn staff came in, sliding the door while sitting dogeza
"excuse me, in 30 minutes; your dinner will be served," the staff said before Kyria snapped her eyes open and sat up
"dinner!?" Kyria exclaimed drooling
"that" Mira said before facepalming
"it was pleasant till it lasted," Erza said sighing tiredly
"I will come back to inform of you all when the preparation is finished," the Inn staff said before she closed the door and leaves
"while we're waiting, let's set up our futons" Ikaruga said going to a closet and there were several rolled up futons
"better than doing nothing," Mira said flipping through channels, but she didn't find anything interesting
Everyone sets their Futon except for Kyria who just watched tv
As the Futons were set on the floor, they realized that they were one futon less
"look in the back, maybe there are some more there," Erza said as Ikaruga looks in the closet and shook her head
"maybe we can ask the Inn to ask for one more," Kagura said
"yeah, better than rummaging the place around for a single futon" Mira said before a Staff inn came telling them that dinner was ready
Going to a large hall, all students sat down as the staff came in with their meal
Everyone soon said a prayer before they started eating
Natsu picks some rice from his bowl with his chopsticks as he eats his meal calmly while Kyria who was somehow beside him, just scarfs it all down crazy
"another serving!" Kyria shouted as she finished her meal
"I forgot how glutton this girl is" Kagura said sighing while eating her meal
"this is one of the reasons, I hate her" Erza added in
Soon everyone finished their meal as they all head back to their room
"bad news" Erza said coming into the room "the staff said that all the available futons are all taken in other rooms"
"so there's no spare, huh?" Mira said crossing her arms
"one of us has to borrow a guest bed at the end of the hall" Erza added in as everyone looks at each other
"I'll go" Natsu said reading his book before he gets up and takes his bag "you girls just stay here"
"I'll go with" Kyria said lustfully smirking before she got yanked back by Erza and Mira
"if anything, you're staying" Mira said with a glare
"the bed can only hold one person, not two" Erza stated
"you two wanna duke it out?" Kyria said with a smirking grin
"fine by me" Mira said as her right arm turned into part of her Satan Soul "I've always wanted to pummel you after what you did last time"
"this time" Erza said as she holds her sword in hand "I'll cut you down"
Kyria laughs with a smirk as she hold her hand up and her magic covered it in the form of a blade
"wait wait! Don't fight!" Lucy exclaimed trying to save the inn from a monster fight before pulling out a small can that had 10 sticks "let's just draw straws!"
"why do you have that?" Ultear asked seeing how Lucy took the can out of nowhere
"hehehe" Lucy laughed awkwardly while rubbing the back of her head
"fine then" Kyria said "but if anything, I'll just go in with him"
"this girl" Mira and Erza growled at Kyria as she was a pure whore
Everyone circled around as Lucy holds the can of sticks
"Ready?" Lucy said as she picks her stick with everyone doing the same "go!"
Everyone takes out their stick and sees that only one had a red mark
"see?" Natsu said as he got the red marked stick "just stay here"
"but I'm coming with" Kyria said before Natsu takes out the coin and hypnotized her again
Soon Kyria fell asleep as she fell to the ground and snores
"you've got to teach me how to do that" Mira said seeing how Kyria is fast asleep "it can come in handy so many times"
Natsu walks in the hall with his bag over his shoulder as he made his way to the guest room to where he will be staying and sleep at
Sliding the door open, Natsu finds himself a dark room, where there was just a bed in it and the moonlight slightly illuminates the place
He flicks the light switch, but the lights didn't turn on
"nice hospitality" Natsu sarcastically said as he just heads in and closed the door
Placing his bag beside the bed, Natsu sat down on the bed as it creaks
"at least the bed is good" Natsu said as he started taking off his shirt and pants
He wore his sleeping clothes before taking out his book to read
Silently reading his book, Natsu felt peace being alone
A few hours soon passed as Natsu was still reading his book when he heard footsteps coming towards his room
He closed his book and looks to the door as he sees a shadow behind the door and a few knocks was heard
"Natsu? Are you awake?" it was Éclair and she spoke very softly
"what is it?" Natsu asked getting out of bed and opened the door to see her wearing the Inn's Yukata
"can I sleep here? It's hard sleeping with Kyria-senpai's snoring" Éclair said as Natsu nodded and lets her in
He soon grabbed his bag and was about to head out when Éclair tugs his shirt
"can you…." Éclair voice out while blushing a bit "..stay? I don't like…being alone"
Natsu looks at her as he sees the small amount of fear in her eyes
He sighs before nodding, making Éclair smile a bit
Settling down on the bed, Natsu took the right side while Éclair the left side
Éclair rested her head on the pillow while Natsu just reads his book
"aren't you going to sleep?" Éclair whispered seeing Natsu reading
"in a moment" Natsu replied while focusing his eyes on his book "just sleep first"
Éclair nodded before she closed her eyes and slowly falls asleep
Natsu drapes the blanket over her before he went back reading
As he reads, Demonic Natsu appeared and looks to have just woken up
"what did I miss?" Demonic Natsu said while scratching his back before seeing Natsu with Éclair on bed "don't tell me!"
"not in your wildest dream" Natsu told the astral figure in his mind as Demonic Natsu looks bored instantly
"and just when I thought that the first time is going to be with her" Demonic Natsu said before he disappeared
Natsu sighs as he closed his book before going to sleep
The next morning soon came as Éclair moaned a bit while waking up
She felt a hand over her shoulder as her eyes focus and see that she was snuggling to Natsu's chest while the man was sleeping
Her cheeks redden as she was in very close proximity with Natsu
Natsu grunts a bit as he pulled her closer while he sleeps
"t-too close!" Éclair screamed in her mind as her face was steaming now
Soon she felt Natsu's body shaking as the man looks to be having a nightmare
"..no….don't….don't go…" Natsu muttered out as he frowns while his face was sweating up
Éclair saw this as she looks at his behavior
"a nightmare?"she thought as Natsu was pulling her and hugs her tighter, not wanting to let go
"..dad….please….please…don't go.." Natsu muttered out as he was tearing up
Éclair frowns seeing him as she did what anyone would do. She hugged him as she caressed his back
She caressed his back gently as she whispered 'it's ok' to him gently
Natsu's body stopped shaking as he relaxes and stopped crying
Éclair smiled seeing him calming down as Natsu leans his head on Éclair's neck and hugs her tighter
"h-hey, Natsu!" Éclair called out to him while being embarrassed from the too-close skin touch "wake up! it's morning!"
"a few more minutes…." Natsu grumbled out as he snuggled closer to Éclair
"hurry and wake up!" Éclair exclaimed as she started slapping his back but not that hard
"…ugghh…fine…." Natsu said before he lets go of Éclair but and sat up, yawning
Éclair sat up as she looks away with a hard blush on her cheeks
"that was too close!" Éclair screamed in her head as her mind was filled with thoughts of her sleeping and snuggling on Natsu unconsciously
Hands soon circled around Éclair's waist before Natsu rests his head behind Éclair's back while hugging her
"h-hey Natsu! Don't go asleep again!" Éclair exclaimed looking to the man before seeing him looking so sad
"just…a few seconds…please?" he whispered as Éclair looks at him with a blush before looking away
"f-fine…just for a few seconds…" she muttered out as Natsu pulled her closer to him while he rests on her
Every student then went out of the inn as they gathered in front of it
"alright everyone" a teacher spoke out as she stood in front of the group "for the first day of the school field trip, every single group is allowed to travel around the town and get to know its terrain with the townsfolk. come back to the inn before sunset, anyone who is late won't be getting dinner. Got it?"
"right!" everyone replied
"alright then, have a great trip around town" the teacher said before each group went around town
"where should we go?" Lucy said reading a guide book of the town
"let's go to the Valca Ringer, I heard that they are going to have a magic wrestling match there" Mira said while folding her arms behind her head
"the Valca Budo sounds better, they have a traditional magic dance there" Kagura said as Eerza nodded in agreement
"all of them sounds so boring" Kyria said having a toothpick in her mouth "the only not boring place is bed with him"
"you're just sick every single time" Erza said before sighing
While they bicker around, Lucy went ahead to group up with Natsu who was walking ahead with Ultear, Éclair, Kamika, and Ikaruga
"what do you think, Natsu?" Lucy asked showing him the guide book
"you guys decide, I want to meet an old friend here" Natsu replied as he walks towards what looks to be shrine that had a statue of a maiden riding a Valcaraka situated in front of it
"an old friend?" Ikaruga said
"a very old friend" Natsu added in as the group went to the shrine where there was a Shrine maiden sweeping the leaves around the temple
"Mayaka" Natsu called out as the Shrine maiden looks to Natsu and had a big smile
"Natsu!" she exclaimed as she went to Natsu before the two gave each other a big hug "it's been so long!"
"it has" Natsu replied with a smile and a bit of chuckle
"you know her?" Ultear asked seeing how the two are getting along
"yeah. I used to live here for 4 years or so. Worked in the shrine too" Natsu explained
"I'm Mayaka Valka, the Miko of the Shrine" Mayaka introduced herself as she bowed to them
"Lucy Heartifillia" Lucy said bowing back as everyone else introduced themselves except for Kyria who doesn't care
"they're my friends" Natsu said before looking to Kyria who yawns "most of them"
"I see," Mayaka replied before she looks to the shrine "everyone! Natsu is back!"
Soon, shrine maidens and shrine guardians came out of the shrine and greeted Natsu
"it's Natsu!" "long time no see!" "you're tall!" "when did you come?!" everyone bombarded Natsu who smiled in seeing them
"it's been a long time everyone" Natsu replied before looking to Mayaka "is Yaka-baa still here?"
"yeah" Mayaka replied with a nod before pointing to the shrine "she's in the Statue Hall"
"thanks" Natsu said before he and the group went to the shrine while being watched by Mayaka and the others
Inside the shrine, it was a bit dark, but the place was illuminated with candle all around and fire lanterns everywhere
An old woman sits in the middle while in front of her was a giant golden statue of a dragon that had flames raging in its mouth
Natsu and the others came in before he told them to stay back
He went near the center hall before he sat down in a dogeza
A wind blows in the shrine as the candle's fire wavers a bit
"it would seem that the small hatchling had come back to visit" the old woman spoke out as to have known Natsu's coming
"it's been long, Yaka-baa" Natsu said as he bowed down
"hohoho, it has" the old woman replied while chuckling "and you've brought friends"
"a school field trip" Natsu said as Yaka hummed in response "when I heard that the location was Corona Town, I thought that I would go and visit after so long"
"I see" Yaka said before the candle's flames died down "well then, let us see if you remember the Corona Dragon Dance"
"gladly" Natsu said standing up as he took a deep breath before exhaling
He lifts his right hand up, his left hand down, his legs spread as wide as his shoulders
Flames soon lit on both hands before Natsu started doing what looks to be a ritual dance
He waves his hands up before swinging them down and swings them to the side as several candles were lit back in life
Natsu stomps his feet down as his left leg lifts up and stomped behind him
He soon spins around as flames flied everywhere
All the candles were lit before Natsu stopped spinning and let out a fireball from his mouth, igniting the flames in the golden Dragon statue's mouth
"very good, it seems that your training hasn't worn off" Yaka said amused
"how can i? when you beat me up every time I do it wrong?" Natsu said as Yaka chuckled in response
Yaka stands up before she looks to Natsu
Yaka wears a Priestess outfit as she had a walking stick in hand
"it has been such a long time, Natsu" Yaka said as Natsu nodded before the two hugs "your aura seems more vibrant than ever"
"thanks, Yaka-baa" Natsu said before looking to Lucy and the others and motions them to come in
"meet Yaka Valka, she's Mayaka's Grandmother and the 25th owner of the shrine," Natsu said as Yaka did a bow
"call me Yaka-baa" Yaka said as Lucy and the others introduced themselves but not Kyria, yet again
"you guys want some tea and snacks?" Mayaka came in as she stands beside her grandmother "we serve you guys some traditional Valka Tea and Rice Cracker that can only be found here and only here"
"thanks" Natsu said with a nod before looking to Yaka "Yaka-baa, if you don't mind"
"I do not" Yaka said walking to a room with her walking stick "I'll keep your friends accompanied"
"thanks," Natsus said with a bow before he nodded to Mayaka
Going upstairs. Natsu went to the second floor where there were memorial stones everywhere
Natsu went to one as it had a picture of him and Igneel during his childhood
He blows caressed the memorial stone before he places a new incense and ignites it
"sorry for not been visiting in a while, dad" Natsu said looking at the picture "I had some things to do and been busy a lot in school"
Natsu soon placed his hands together as he did a prayer
"I never got to celebrate but 'happy birthday dad" Natsu said smiling before a single tear slides down his cheeks
After a day of going around the town
Natsu and the others went back to the inn, where they went to the Onsen
"this is so paradise!" Lucy exclaimed soaked in the Onsen water while having a relaxed and satisfied smile
"agreed," Kagura said while having a towel over her head
"this Onsen has a very healing property and has a good nutrient for the skin," Erza said as she reads a sign of the Onsen special ability
"not to mention, we have the Onsen to ourselves," Ultear said washing her body with cold water before going into the Onsen
"very calming" Ikaruga said drinking a cup from a floating bucket
"please tell me that is just green tea," Lucy said to Ikaruga
"it may be or it may be not" Ikaruga replied with a smile
"I can feel the stress of babysitting Kyria going away," Mira said rolling her shoulders around
"now that you mention it, where is Kyria-senpai?" Lucy said not seeing the Dragon's Blade Seven Empress
"don't tell me" Erza, Kagura, and Mira said at the same time before Kyria came crashing into the Onsen water from above
"Kyria-senpai?!" Lucy exclaimed in surprise as Kyria surfaced up
"geez, I was merely offering a back scrub and he just threw me to the other side" Kyria said wiping off the water on her face
"looks like you got kicked out" Mira said grinning
"only for now" Kyria said "until the right moment comes, he'll accept me and give me his seed"
"that's disgusting," Kagura said to her
They instantly bicker around while Lucy, Ultear, Ikaruga, and Kamika stayed out
"I really shouldn't be in this group" Kamika said feeling a bit scared of being near Seven Empresses members
"me too" Lucy agreed before realizing that one person isn't with them "where's Éclair?"
Natsu soaks in the Onsen of the male side as he sighs after throwing Kyria out to the female side
"every single time" Natsu said as he sighs again before placing a towel over his head
He sinks into the water, causing some rippling to flow out
Natsu peacefully enjoys the hot water before sinking further in and opens his eyes in the water
The world turned blurry for him but he was having peace
But that soon stopped when someone else entered the Onsen
He looks at the legs that entered and sees that it was a woman's legs
Natsu surfaces up as he heard a surprised yelp
"what are you doing here?" Natsu said as the one who entered the male side was Éclair
"that's my l-line! This is the female side!" Éclair exclaimed
"This is the male side, the female side is on the other side," Natsu said pointing to the big and tall bamboo fence that separates them
Éclair blushed as she covers herself before going out
As she got out, she slipped and was about to fall but Natsu catches her
"this place is slippery, don't run" Natsu said gently setting her down
"y-yeah" Éclair said before realizing that her towel got undone
Her face went red as she sinks into the water to cover herself
"here" Natsu said getting her towel and gives it to her
"t-thanks" Éclair said sinking down while covering herself with the towel
Natsu sighs as he sat down in the Onsen
"i-I should go" Éclair said getting up
"just sit down and relax." Natsu said washing his face with some warm water "We're the only ones here and the inn allows mix gendering after all"
"but.." Éclair retorted before Natsu sinks down to relax, only allowing an upper portion of his head up the water
Éclair looks at him before she sits down in the Onsen water
The two rests in the Onsen water with only the sound of crickets echoing around
Natsu washed some water around his hair and face before he sighs
Éclair just sits in the water while not wanting to talk of the embarrassing moment, they're having
"I haven't thank you, have i?" Natsu spoke out as Éclair looks at him
"thank me? for what?" Éclair said confused
"this morning" Natsu said as Éclair remembered before she blushed "thanks. Your voice helped me calm down"
"were you….having a nightmare?" Éclair asked as Natsu nodded
"an endless nightmare" Natsu replied "keep seeing people I love, die"
"your father…" Éclair said as Natsu nodded "I'm sorry"
"no need to" Natsu replied as he looks at the reflection in the water "I moved on but I still keep having nightmare of him dying always"
Natsu looks at his reflection as in his eyes he see his true self
"I sometime wonders if I should be alive when the people I love die?" Natsu said as his reflection ripples when Éclair got close to him
"you should be alive" Éclair said holding Natsu's cheeks "if you weren't alive, I would be living with an illusion all day long for the rest of my life. Everyone would not be who they are today if you are not here with us."
Éclair caressed his cheeks as Natsu felt a tear slides down his eyes
"always be grateful to be alive. And never forget that" Éclair said smiling to Natsu
Natsu felt the warmth of her hands as he touched it and leans towards it
"thank you…Éclair" Natsu said a bit emotional
Éclair nodded while smiling before Natsu pulled her in for a hug
Natsu hugs her tight but gently while Éclair caressed his back gently
"really…thank you…so much.." Natsu whispered as Éclair smiled and caressed his head
At the Corona Mountain Range
A large reptilian creature was stomping around the forest as flames were covering its back
It soon reached to an opening in the forest where there was a single stone pillar with a small wooden shrine on top of it
The large creature sniffs around before it circles around the small wooden shrine and nudge its snout
Before long, the bushes shakes and shakes as shadows came running from the forest
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Nets came flying as they drape over the large creature's head
The reptile growls as it shakes its head to get the nets off
Before long, a group of armed men surrounds the creature pointing their firearms at it
The reptilian creature growls before it spewed out flames at the armed men
All of them dodged the flaming attack as the ground was burned
"use the Extinguishers!" one man who looks to be the leader shouted as a couple of men came beside him and had bazookas in hand "fire!"
BANG! BANG!
The Bazookas fired as a powerful blast of ice hits the reptilian creature
The creature growls as the flames on its back rages on before it burns the ice and nets away
It growls before it spewed out lava at them all
"retreat!" the boss shouted as they all run away
The giant reptile roars at them before it looks to the small shrine as it had fallen over
A soft growl was heard as the reptilian nudges the small shrine before gently picking it up with its jaws and placed it straight to the ground while it shakes with the sounds of bells
The giant reptile growls softly as it rested down near the shrine and looks to the night sky above
A long yet soft echoing growl soon came out as it sounded sad and lonely
Natsu was walking around the inn's hallway before he heard the echoing growl
"that sound…." Natsu muttered out before a flashback of the small flaming reptile appeared in his mind "don't tell me"
That's a wrap!
Bye bye
