Sorry, it took me so long to update. Had a writer's block( kept on rewriting the chap so much and am still not rly satisfied with it) and was also occupied with work. The next chapter will be the last chapter. I will try to update as soon as possible. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I guess she's sleeping, he thought as he felt her breathing heavily against his neck. "Natsu," he called. No reply. "Natsu," he called louder this time and pinched her leg.

"Ah!" She jerked her head backwards, not leaning on his back anymore. "Sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Natsu, how many times have I told to stop apologizing all the time?"

"We are almost there." He kept walking towards where everyone else was. "Natsu, can you stop moving?" He said, when he felt her nose brushing the back of his neck once again."Th-the bucket," she whispered. She must have thought they left the plants behind. He lifted his left hand to show that he was holding it.

"Oh, I thought we left it behind. Can I get do-?"

"No."

"Semimaru, please."

Before he could reply he saw Arashi and Matsuri running towards them. "Semimaru! Natsu! What you guys so long?" Mitsuri started questioning before she was even in front of them. "Where is Natsu?"

He pointed at Natsu behind at his back. " Chill, can you give us a moment to breathe?" Arashi also got there then. He also looked around probably wondering where Natsu was and let out a silent "ooh" when he saw her on Semimaru's back. "Take this." Semimaru shoved the bucket full of plants and vegetables towards Arashi, to occupy his hands in case he had the any thought of carrying Natsu instead.

"What took you guys so long?"

"We went further than usual," Natsu answered.

"Why are you carrying Natsu?" Matsuri asked and winked.

"This clumsy girl here" he slightly poked her waist " sprained her foot. Being her stubborn self she tried to hide it till I noticed it. It's not very serious but we have to treat it before it gets more swollen."

"I knew this was what they needed. We will go with the other plan later." Matsuri whispered to Arashi.

Semimaru pulled Matsuri's cheek, "what is with that stupid grin and what plan? She sprained her foot and you are grinning like it's the best news you've heard since we found the boat."

"Ow ow ow that's is not why." she squealed and patted her left cheek when he finally let go "My poor cheek."

After arguing with Arashi about who should bandage Natsu's foot, Semimaru finally let him do it considering Arashi had prior experience in first-aid. He saw how Natsu blushed when Arashi touched her. He shaked his head to get rid of the jealousy he felt and then left to prepare dinner. Why did she blush when his hand just slightly touched hers? Does she really like him? "This is stupid, don't be jealous, don't be jealous," he muttered to himself feeling stupid for the slight jealous he felt. After reasoning with himself that he was being stupid about this he started to prepare dinner.

He couldn't help noticing how close Arashi and Natsu sat. They were now sitting at the campfire. Arashi had carried and sat next to her when he had called for dinner. They were all enjoying their dinner and chatting but Semimaru had only taken two bites as his attention was somewhere else. Natsu and Arashi were talking and laughing, it was mostly Arashi laughing and talking with Natsu just smiling and blushing. That is what bothered him, not them talking. From his observation it seemed like Natsu really likes Arashi, but then Matsuri keeps on feeding him false hopes of his chances with her. He rubbed his neck and got up to walk towards.

"You shouldn't eat and talk." He said looking pointedly at the two he was now standing in front of.

"What is the fun in eating quietly?" Arashi retorted.

"Natsu, seems you are done eating I will now carry you back."

"Uh... i-it's okay. Arashi will help me back, I can walk," she said waving her hands.

He felt hurt and it wasn't for his conversation with Botan he would have left her with 'her' Arashi she so wants.

Flashback

"Semimaru, this is not like you at all," she said. "I didn't think you were the type to run away."

" I'm just not good with these emotional stuff." He run his hand through his long hair with a frustrated expression." Besides all she sees is Arashi."

"I guess I was wrong about you. I would never have thought of you as a quitter."

" What the heck am I supposed to do?" He yelled. "Be a perfect gentleman like he is? Do everything like he does?!"

Botan took his hand and started rubbing the back of his hand to calm him down. "That is just not me," he said, almost in a whisper.

"Semi, all you have to be is yourself and with that I don't mean the jerkself you sometimes portray in front of her to hide your feelings, but your true self. You might be surprised by the outcome." She winked at him.

"So you think I have a chance?" he asked, eager to hear the answer.

" All I'm going to say is confront your feelings and talk to her and properly this time." She slapped his back and got up and left leaving him excited but also confused of how to go about his feelings.

End of flashback

"No, Arashi is washing the dishes tonight so I will help you." he said with a stern face.

"But to day is Matsu-"

Semimaru turned to him with a glare.

"Okay okay I'm off now.," he said with a grin and left them.