Cave
Natsu went on ahead regardless of whether Erza caught up or not. 'I know that I can find him if I keep going,' he thought without ceasing. Leaves, even those not yet turned colors, fell around him. They brushed against his heated skin.
He remembered back to a time as a young child when his skin first gave off heat from his training with the dragon, Igneel. That fall the heat that came from Natsu was so uncontrollable that the leaves burst into flames around him when they came into contact with his skin. It was a bit scary for him, but he laughed in spite of it with Igneel watching over him close by.
Of course, this didn't bother him now as he had somewhat gained control over his power, but the thought of that time with Igneel made Natsu somewhat calmer as he continued on through the forest to find the boy and his friend. While traversing deeper into the forest, Natsu came upon a cave that was in the side of a ravine. The ground before the cave's entrance looked as though it had been dry in that place for some time, but Natsu could sense that there were two lives close by.
Meanwhile, Erza and the others continued on after Natsu. His trail seemed to be only known to the observant Erza and, of course, Wendy. The both of them walked together before Lucy, Happy, and Carla who were conversing about something or another, but they were all silent for a while as the sun started on its path toward Earth Land.
And then, Natsu walked toward the cave bathed in elongated shadows. The sunset line silhouetted the knob behind the cave. He walked into the cave's entrance without having to duck down. Not too far inside, Natsu could see a young boy in the shadows on the left side seated on what looked like a bench made out of greyish stone close to one of the cavern's walls. Natsu automatically lit up a fire above his right raised hand. "What are you doing way out here, kid?" he asked. The boy was frozen in surprise. As the light of the fire from Natsu danced on his features, he replied, "I'm looking for a friend of mine," with a then determined composure. Natsu smirked but quickly regained his composure, "Well, I haven't seen him, but—," The rest of the team interrupted as they powered into the cave. "Does anyone see Natsu?" "He should be right on ahead, Lucy," came Erza's voice. Wendy didn't say anything nor Carla, and Happy voiced his reply to Erza, "Aye!" He flew straight ahead and ran into Natsu's back. As he regained his flight, Natsu said, "Hi, buddy." "Hi!" Happy replied while flying close to him. The rest of the group caught up while Natsu turned his gaze back to the young boy. "Who's he…. Timothy?!" cried Lucy jogging past Natsu yet acknowledging him on her way. She stopped short in her surprise. "Your name is Timothy; isn't it?" said Natsu in turn to the boy. "Oh- Natsu stop—." Lucy's reply was cut off by the boy's reply, "Yes, that's my name, Timothy." His voice sounded timid and meek at the same time, and he shuddered for a moment.