.
.
"She had fire in her soul, it was easy to see
How the devil himself could be pulled out of me.
There were drums in the air as she started to dance,
Every soul in the room keeping time with their hands.
And we sang 'ay oh ay oh ay oh ay',
And the voices rang like the angels sing.
And singin' 'ay oh ay oh ay oh ay',
And we danced on into the night"
-Santana, "Into the Night"
(:)(A)(:)
Ignite
Chapter #4: Flash Point
(:)(A)(:)
Natsu let out a loud, satisfied belch and patted his stomach. "Damn, that was good!" He had to hand it to Lucy, she had picked a pretty cool mission after all. Not every day he got to eat lava fire and get paid for it. He could almost forgive her for the three hour train ride...
Not so much the sixteen hour boat ride though. She'd be paying him back for that for the rest of her life. Even if the reward for saving the village at the base of the volcano was seven hundred thousand jewel (apparently exotic fruit was big business and the island's inhabitants had cashed in) and the mission was practically made for him.
Hovering next to him, Happy cheered. "Yeah! Take that you stupid lava!" The blackened rock, still warm but devoid of any flames, remained silent. One quick glance to the other side of the active volcano showed similar results but with clouds of vapor hovering over the slumbering magma. Lucy must have been able to convince Aquarius to help her out after all. Maybe summoning her with that holy water the tribe offered had actually curbed the spirit's destructive tendencies toward his blonde partner for once.
Natsu sent his furry blue friend a grin. "We showed it! Now I've got -"
"A fire in your belly?" Lucy finished for him, rolling her eyes in exasperation. Still, there was a little smile playing at the corner of her mouth as she crossed her arms under her chest and cocked a hip. "You know, you use that line every time."
Happy and him shared a look, neither of them really sure what the problem was. "But it's a good line," they echoed, completely flabergasted.
She gave them a bright smile, full of amusement and waved a hand flippantly. "Yeah, yeah. Lets just get off this mountain. You might have just had a meal fit for a king but I'm starving!"
"Oooh! Do you think they'll have fish?!" Happy, always a traitor for fish, immediately brightened.
Laughing, Lucy carefully made her way down the rocky slope. Pebbles rolled down in a jumbled symphony of clicks and clacks. "Well, we are on an island so I'm willing to bet they'll have some fish for you. But we won't find out until we get there right?"
With an exuberant cry of pure, undiluted, joy, the Exceed flew ahead of them and left the two mages to find their own way back. Natsu smiled, hands laced behind his head. Happy always did love fish. He was about to comment to Lucy when he saw her foot slip on the pebbled rocks. Immediately he was grasping her elbow to steady her. "Wow Luce, you really are clumsy."
She frowned up at him, her feet once again gaining purchase and righting herself up. "It's not my fault! There's too many stupid rocks," she grumbled, and Natsu tried to keep himself from admiring how cute she was when she pouted. "I hate mountains. They're hard to climb up and they're hard to climb down. It's like, a lose lose."
He chuckled, his hands still hovering over her as she took another step down. Last thing he needed was to be chasing a pissed off Lucy down the mountain. "Are you sure it's the mountains fault? You didn't exactly wear good shoes." True story there. Lucy had decided to scale the mountainside in a pair of flimsy sandals. Her feet and calves were blackened with ash from the volcanic rock.
She shot him a dark look and he laughed nervously. "Right. Mountains fault. Got it."
Nodding in approval, she took another step and ended up sliding forward a foot, her free arm waving wildly to keep her balance while the other gripped his forearm. "Uhg! This is going to take forever!"
Natsu agreed. At this pace they wouldn't get back to the village until morning. If Happy hadn't been so eager, the dragon slayer would have just had him fly Lucy down while he ran behind. Putting pressure on her arm to stop her descent, Natsu offered her his back. "Hop on. It'll be faster if I carry you."
"I can't do that!" she screeched, and Natsu looked over his shoulder to see a flush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck. He frowned, confused by her reaction.
"Why not?"
She crossed her arms under her chest, looking away from him in embarrassment. "B-because! I'm wearing a skirt!" She sputtered.
Oh.
His eyes trailed down her body with out his permission, landing on the tight jean skirt that didn't even manage to reach mid thigh. Right, definately wouldn't be able to carry her on his back then. Not without having her creamy thighs exposed to, not only the rest of the world, but his hands as well. He swallowed thickly, and he was sure his own blush was probably dusting across his cheeks.
Piggy back was defiantly a really bad idea.
"Oh," he mumbled, ducking his heated face into his scarf to hide his embarrassment as he dropped his hands limply to his sides, "Right." Well, crap. That idea was out. Still, he eyed his blonde companion thoughtfully, just because he shouldn't carry her on his back didn't mean that he shouldn't carry her at all.
She was tucking a lock of hair, the one that remained too stubbornly short to ever stay in her pigtails, behind her ear and glancing down the steep incline with a bit of trepidation when the thought came to him. Before she could protest (because he just somehow knew she would protest) he swept her up, one arm wrapping around her shoulders and the other hooking beneath her knees, and tried not to be too pleased by her startled yelp. Or by the way her hands immediately clutched the fabric of his shirt. He couldn't stop the bright smile that split his cheeks as he looked down at her flushed cheeks.
"N-Natsu?" Mavis, the way her voice squeaked when she was embarrassed was adorable. "What are you doing?!"
"I'll just carry you this way," he declared, shifting her in his arms so that she would be more secure. "You said you were starving right?" When she nodded, her chocolate eyes still wide and trained on his, his smile widened. "Then just hold on! I'll get us there in no time!"
Her answering squeal as he took off down the mountainside was muffled by his scarf as she buried her face in his neck. Her hands fisted in the fabric of his shirt with such force he wouldn't be surprised if the fabric failed before her stronghold. He was pretty sure he heard her mumble something like 'idiot' but he only laughed, enjoying the feel of the wind in his face as he barreled over the cooled lava rock. It wasn't nearly as exciting as flying with Happy, but with Lucy warm in his arms it was a different type of thrill.
He made it to the small village in what felt like mere minutes (but was closer to an hour) and skidded to a halt in front of the main gate, his breathing only slightly more labored than normal and his body flushed. Almost immediately, the villagers began filing out and the pair was quickly surrounded by a sea of tan skin and the deep red cloth that seemed to be the tribe's signature color. They cheered loudly, offering their praises freely and exuberantly. Happy must have already informed them of their success. No doubt the Exceed was already stuffing his stomach full of the villager's fish."See Lucy?!" he exclaimed, smiling brightly down at the blonde as he unhooked her knees and helped her stand, "that was way quicker than if you had walked!"
She gave him a flustered smile, her legs shaky underneath her and her strong grip leaving imprints on his shoulder. "Yeah ..." She grimaced, a pained hiss pushing passed her teeth as she took a tentative step forward.
He frowned, his hands instantly supporting her by her arms. "Luce?"
She waved him off, a strained laugh passing her lips. "I'm fine! My legs just fell asleep on the way here." She gave him soft smile that he knew was meant to ease his nerves. "They're just waking up now is all. I'll be fine in a few minutes."
Still concerned, but overall relieved by her explanation, Natsu was about to offer to carry her to somewhere she could lay down when the crowd around them parted for their chief.
"Well done, wizards of Fairy Tail!" his voice boomed, towering over the two mages. He was a well built man, rivaling Elfman's brute stature, but the braided white hair that fell past his shoulders was due to age instead of genetics. He must have been one hell of a warrior, because there were battle scars criss crossing his bare chest. Natsu suspected that there would be even more hidden under the red cloak hiding his back and shoulders.
With a large hand, Chief Something-Natsu-Couldn't-Even-Hope-To-Pronounce waved a group of ten or so women over, speaking to them in the tribes lilting dialect before turning back to them, his eyes lingering on Lucy. "Yalani and the others will help you with whatever you need, Lucy of Fairy Tail. I'm sure you wish to freshen up before the festivities."
The dragon slayer noticeably perked, eyes lighting up in excitement. "Festivities? You guys are having a festival?!"
The Chief gave an amused nod. "Yes, it is time for our seasonal thanks to Mt. Konicte for the rich soil that allows our lives to be enriched by bountiful crops." His dark eyes twinkled, "Also, the village wished to express their thanks to you. The mountain is generous, but sometimes it must be tamed before it becomes destructive."
Natsu didn't really hear anything passed 'yes'. "Awesome! Will there be fire food?!"
Lucy elbowed him in the ribs, sending him a look before giving a small, respectful bow of the head to the chief. "Thank you very much! We would be honored to stay for the festival!"
"Wonderful!" he said, and moments later Lucy was being led away and fussed over by a handful of women. The chief's hand landed heavily on his shoulder. "Come, Natsu of Fairy Tail! We must get you ready as well!"
A baffled "huh?" barely escaped his lips before he too was led into the village. An hour, and a flurry of elderly women cleaning, scrubbing, dressing and (if their tittering laughter was anything to go by) gossiping over him, Natsu was mercifully released back into the world. His ash stained clothing had been replaced with a deep red tunic with sleeves that ended just above his elbows and had decretive trimming around the open collar to match the band of gold at the hem. The pants, blessedly similar to his own, matched.
He was tugged at the clothing, wishing the old crones would have just let him wear his own clothes, when he heard Happy's shout from above him.
"Natsu! I've been looking all over for you!" the Exceed called, his feathered wings bringing him to the dragon slayer before disappearing with a 'pop'. Immediately, the rose haired mage felt the feline's weight on his shoulder. "Where have you been?"
The dragon slayer glared at him, but the effect was ruined by the smile tugging at his lips. "I should be asking you that! You totally left me to the mercy of those grandmas you know!"
Happy gave a grin, completely unrepentant. "I was with Lucy and the other girls," he pouted, "but then everyone stopped paying attention to me and started fussing over clothes and girly stuff so I went to find you."
Natsu looked around, seeing no sign on his blonde partner. "She done yet?"
The blue Exceed shook his head, his whiskers ticking Natsu's cheek. "Not even close!" They shared a look and sighed. Women were so weird.
It wasn't until the sky had darkened and a large bonfire had been lit (courtesy of him of course) that she emerged with the rest of the women. She was dressed in what he guessed were the tribes traditional festive clothing and matched the other young women. Natsu could feel his cheeks flushing just looking at her. The crimson cloth didn't hide much. The full length skirt had slits running up either side, exposing her creamy legs with every move she made, and swath of red cloth that bound her breasts seemed to be solely held up by a intricately designed clasp of golden metal that encircled her neck. Her arms and torso were completely bare save the golden bangled bracelets that jangled on her wrists that matched the set on her ankles. Her hair, tied up in an series of loose braids that made Natsu dizzy just looking at it, left her neck and shoulders bare.
She was busy chattering with the other girls, but when she saw him she smiled and he gave a little wave back. Before either of them could even think of moving towards the other, Lucy was being dragged off to the other side of the village and Natsu shook his head and turned to Happy who was busy drooling over the prepared fish in front of him to notice anything else around him.
He sat across from the chief, folding his legs to sit on the generous floor cushion, and let himself be distracted by the massive amount of food in front of him. Saliva filled his mouth as he inhaled and basked in the delicious aroma. Let the women be weird, he thought to himself. It just meant more food for him!
It was some time later that the chief's rich timbered voice drew his attention away from his meal. "Ah, that Lucy or yours is a natural," he said, a hint of approval in his voice.
Natsu, having just taken a chunk out of his fourth turkey leg, paused to chew. "What the hell are you talking about?"
The old man smiled, his bushy white caterpillar brows raising in his amusement as he gestured to the bonfire that had been warming the dragon slayers back. "Take a look for yourself."
Sharing a bemused glance with Happy, Natsu obligingly looked over his shoulder. The women of the village were dancing around the fire, long skirts flickering like the flames themselves as their bare feet tamed the ground. Lucy was among them, still dressed in the traditional clothes they had given her, body swaying to the beat of the drums with the same unscripted grace as the fire itself. The golden jewelry they had accessorized her with reflected off her slender extremities and, combined with the sheen of sweat coating her exposed skin, made her glow with the fires warm light.
She was beautiful and warm, and everything else that was Lucy. Seeing her shouldn't have made his pulse jump and his hands sweat, but it did. He had always known that she possessed those traits - even he wasn't dense enough to ignore that Lucy was more than pretty - but somehow tonight was different. With the fire casting warm light across her skin and her honest laughter parting from her lips as freely as breathing, it was like she had become a part of the fire itself. She was more than just pretty. More than beautiful.
She was captivating.
"She is quite the woman, Natsu of Fairy Tail," the chief said, a smile in his voice. Natsu, mouth suddenly dry and eyes all but glued to his partner's form, nodded in agreence and the chief chuckled. "You should go dance with her."
Next to him, Happy (that little traitor) agreed, voice sly and so full of implication. "Yeah Natsu!" he sang, "I bet Lucy would looooove for you to dance with her!"
The dragon slayer could feel his cheeks flushing, still unable to tear his eyes away from her. He was about to decline - because there was no way he would ever be able to do her justice out there - when her eyes caught his and he swallowed the words down before they could even be born. He knew he should look away and at least pretend that he wasn't staring at her, but his movements - his thoughts - were sluggish, and she had already caught him. Her movements paused and the other women continued their dance without her as her head tilted curiously as she regarded him. Soon a smile lit her face and (to Natsu's panic) she wasted no time walking towards them.
Look away. He should look away right now. But he was completely mesmerized by her. By her smile, by the way her body moved, and hey had her hips always swayed like that?
Suddenly she was in front of him, her hand outstretched and palm up in invitation. The smile she was giving him, so full of joy and warmth, did strange things to his resolve. "Come on Natsu! It's not like you to miss out on the fun!"
He swallowed, looking from her eager smile to her waiting palm and back. But how could he possibly deny her when she was looking at him like that? The moment his hand was in hers, she had him stumbling after her as she pulled him along. Her joyous laugh rang through him, and he could swear he could feel the sound ringing in his chest.
Briefly, he remembered when she had pulled him in for a dance at that ball - the one that turned from a mission to an engagement party for the girl whose name he couldn't bother remembering. She had grabbed him just like this and it had felt just as awkward as it did then but he at least had the security of memorized steps. Now, with their hands connected, Natsu realized that he had absolutely no clue what to do.
As if sensing his hesitation, Lucy took the lead and twirled in his arms, her voice rising above the heavy drums. "Just go with it Natsu!" Her eyes shone in the firelight. "You can't do it wrong!"
Awkwardly, he nodded, sending her out into another spin. With her smile encouraging him, he slowly grew braver - more sure - and soon they were both smiling and laughing. Their feet moved in rhythm with the drums heartbeat, their bodies twisting and spinning around each other with the bonfire acting as their center of gravity. Other than their connected hands, they barely touched until, feeling bold, Natsu's hands gripped her hips and lifted her into a spin. Her shriek of laughter was his reward and he basked in it. By the time the drums ceased, they had already escalated into a beat so fast that their limbs could barely keep up and they were both panting for breath with faces sore from the force of their smiles.
He had always thought she was a child of water. She was always nurtering, always kind; but for as much as she dreamed she never ignored the realities like he had the tendency to do. His passion burned while her empathy soothed. She thought her actions, her words, through with careful consideration where he rushed into everything with only instinct as his guide.
But this ... the way she moved, the way she laughed. It was like fire. He saw it in the way she threw her head back when she laughed, and how her eyes emulated possibilities instead of realities.
He didn't understand it. So he shrugged it off, let it float away from him like ashes in the breeze, and enjoyed the rest of the festivities.
That night his dreams were filled with her.
Her mouth hot and wet against his neck, her bare legs wrapped around his hips, and her encouraging moans filling his ears. He dreamt that they were both encircled by fire, heating their flesh and causing their sweat soaked limbs to slide against each other's. As her moans escalated into pleasured screams the flames grew higher and licked against their bare skin. It was only as his name left her kiss swollen lips and he saw the reflection of flickering flames in her eyes, that Natsu realized that the fire wasn't his, but hers.
And he was burning.
AN: I kinda agonized over this chapter. Possibly to the point where my edits did more harm than good. Sooooo, I'm just going to post it now so I can't fuss with it anymore. I've had that last scene written since deciding that this was going to be a chapter story instead of a one shot, so this has been with me way too long.
If you need some more NaLu fluff action feel free to take a look at my one shot "Whiskey Burning".
Thank you so much for the reviews, favs, and follows! I always look forward to reading your responses and seeing the favs/follows always gives me that extra boost of confidence to keep plugging away!
Looking forward to seeing your responses for this chapter! ;)