Ch. 6: Under the Blue Lights

Natsu blinks at me and then his face turn a very light pink. I felt a little proud knowing I did that.

Natsu then look around. What was he looking for.

"Well," He rubs the back of his neck and fumbles with his words, "You know, I don't leave for a few hours, and I've kinda been dying to show you something."

"But I thought you had to get ready," I tilt my head to the side a bit.

"That can wait, but for now," He holds his hand out to me, "Lucy, would you like to go somewhere with me?"

I feel my heart flutter and my cheeks turn hot. On their own, the corner of my lips tilt a bit higher and I extend my hand out to his."Yes, Natsu. I would love to go somewhere with you."

He gives me a goofy grin and I can't help but giggle.

His fingers wrap securely around my hand that takes up only the palm of his hand, and then he start to guide me.

He seemed frantic to get there. We race through the plaza, practically running, dodging people. I had to hold my dress with my free hand but I didn't care. I was just happy to be with him. Running and laughing as the people looked at us as if we were the craziest people alive.

But at that moment, I felt like we were the only two people there. We finally come to the village exit and we come across a tunnel. We stop, panting and catching our breaths and I observe the cave.

"What's this place?" I ask.

"You'll see," He laughs, Grabbing hold of my hand and dragging me inside. We walk in the dark at first.

"I can't see anything!" I say.

Once I said that, I felt a hand land on my hip. I shudder at the touch and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I felt myself get pressed against a hard figure and then the place lights up. I look up and I can see Natsu's smiling face.

Wait, where was this fire coming from? His hand! Oh my God, his hand is on fire!

"Your hand!" I cry.

"Hm?" He looks at it and examines it. "What's wrong with it?"

"What do you mean, 'what's wrong with it?'! It's on fire!"

"Oh," He chuckles, "Don't worry. I'm a fire dragon you see, so I can eat, breath, and make fire."

"Oh...Why didn't you tell me that?!" I ask.

"I didn't?" he asks me, "Huh, I must've forgotten."

How do you forget a detail like that?!

We begin to walk down the dark tunnel when I ask, "Does everybody breathe fire?"

"No. Everyone's different. Only Dad and I breathe fire. Wendy and Grandeeney are sky, Gajeel and Metalicana is iron, Laxus is electricity, Sting is light, and Rogue is Shadow," He explains.

"Wow. What about Lissana and Yukino?" I ask.

He chuckles a bit, "They're not dragons, Lucy."

"That's right," I smack my forehead, "They're humans."

"Dragon Mates."

"That reminds me, I've been wanting to ask you," I say, "How do you find a mate?"

"Well, there are different ways," He avoids my eye contact, "You could either go into town and find one there, or you could find another dragon in the woods who is also looking for a mate, or...there's kidnapping one."

I gasp, "Kidnapping? Has anybody done that before?"

"One person in the tribe," Natsu answers, "A guy named Cobra. He was kinda like me. Couldn't get a mate but desperately wanted to an Adult. So, during Mate Hunting, he found a girl to his liking, poisoned her, and took her."

"How awful," I reply, "He should be punished for ruining a young girl's life like that."

Natsu's face becomes soft, "If that were the case I would've been flogged a long time ago."

Oh, that's right. Natsu still feels guilty about me being forced to stay here. It was quiet for the rest of our journey and then I see a faint light ahead.

"Hey, what's that?" I gesture to the light.

A wide smile comes across Natsu's face. The fire in his hand goes out and then he covers my eyes with both of his hands

"Huh? Natsu!"

"Just trust me," He whispers in my ear, his tiny breaths tickling my ear. I'm glad it was dark, I could just feel the blush in my cheeks.

He guides me for a few minutes and then we come to a stop.

"Alright, are you ready?" He asks me.

"As I'll ever be," I answer, a bit scared of what lies ahead. His hands open up, and I get blinded with a brilliant blue light.

When my eyesight focuses, he see we are in a beautiful cavern that was decorated with beautiful blue crystals. The water was so clear, that you could see the glowing coral below. I looked at Natsu as he admired the scenery as well. The blue light shined off his face and body, same with mine.

"Wow," I say softly, as my eyes wander around the caverns.

"I know," He replies in a gentle tone.

"Just look at that water," I kneel down and dip in my hand. Neon blue rings extend on the water once I touched it. I get started and pull away my hand, making sure it was still there. It was, but a faint blue low remains on it. It takes a few moments for it to go away.

"Don't be scared," I Hear Natsu behind me.

When I turn around, I see an even more beautiful sight. Natsu shirtless. He had taken off his one-sleeved coat and he wore only his white trousers, exposing his bare, and perfectly toned chest. Now I think i'm blushing madly.

He takes a few steps back before running towards me. I squeal and move out of the way and he hops into the water with a big, "CANNONBALL!"

My dress gets a bit wet and it begins to glow.

"Natsu!" I screech at my now glowing dress.

His head pops out of the water and his entire body was glowing. He spits out some water and then shoots me a ear to ear grin. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Natsu's now glowing teeth.

"Come on in!" He waves his hand at me.

"I can't!"

"Why not?"

"I...I..." I gulp. How embarrassing! "I can't swim!"

He looks at me and then chuckles, he swims to shore and stands up at the shallow water. He then extends his arm out to me again.

"That's okay! I'll show you how."

I smile and take his hand. I hold his hand with one hand and with the other I pick up my dress so I could walk in. I take both of his hands as we stare at each other.

"You're doing great, Luce. Now, just look at me," He instructs.

As he leads me in the water, I could feel it getting higher and higher. My eyes start to strain and every time they do, Natsu lifts up my head so my eyes meet his.

"Just keep looking at me," He says in a softly.

It wasn't hard. I could easily lose myself in his deep onyx eyes.

Soon, I feel the water touch my arms. I was so tempted to scream and flail, but I knew Natsu would never let anything bad happen to me.

"All right," Natsu sighs, "I'm going to let go now, okay?"

"No!"

"It's alright," Natsu smiles, just swim to me, I won't be far."

He slowly releases and I could feel myself floating. On instinct, my arms sway back and forth, to keep my head above water.

"Great!" Natsu cheers, "Now swim to me. Don't be scared, i'll be right here."

I nod and move towards him. After what seemed like forever, I finally make it to him, but I nearly sink when I reach for him. But catches me and he wraps his arms securely around me.

"Good job," He smiles, "You're a natural."

I don't know what it was, but I could feel myself being pulled to him. My lips longed to feel his. Being this close to him and not being able to touch him, was torcher. It took every fiber in my body to keep my breaths under control, and then my eyes meet his. By the way on how he looked at me, I would think he was reading my mind. He bites his lower lip, exposing his fangs for a split second, and then I see his face get closer to mine. I close my eyes, and the space between us closes sooner than I thought.

His lips press against mine. They were so soft and so plush. I was simply lost in time. His grip on me tightens and I wrap my arms around his neck as our kiss grows.

King Jude sits on his throne, leg thrusting up and down in a uneven beat. It had been almost two weeks since his daughter had gone missing and he was going crazy. He knew his time was coming and he was frustrated. He needed a heir and quickly.

"Your highness, Lord Gray wishes to speak to you," One of the kings loyal guards, Erza, informs him.

"Send him in," The kings waves his hand.

The doors open and A male with Dark hair and piercing deep blue eyes walks up to the king's throne, bowing.

"Your highness."

"Ah, Lord Gray. What business do you have, visiting a weary king like I?" The king says.

"I have come for a report. Has my bride returned home yet?" Gray asks.

"No sign of my daughter," Jude replies, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Your highness, if she is not found soon, I will be forced to move on to other kingdoms."

"I understand that," The king sighs, "I have sent out my best soldiers to find her."

"With your permission," Gray says, "I would like to go searching for your daughter myself."

King Jude blinks at the male.

"You do realize what is out there, do you?"

"I do," Gray nods his head.

"Very well. I cannot stop you. You have my blessing. I will provide you with a group of my best guards and weapons."

"Thank you, your highness," Gray bows, "I can assure you, your daughter will be returning home shortly."