Of Keys and Flames

Chapter 5

Natsu's P.O.V

The moment my eyes opened to another day I immediately decided that I'll take the day off. From what? For starters, fighting with Gray, annoying Erza, picking a fight etc. I probably would stay at the guild for breakfast then spend the rest of the day with Luce. This morning I didn't talk as much and followed routine as usual. Eat? Check. Brush teeth? Check. Putting on clothes? I half assed this one but I was no where near Gray. I threw on some sweatpants and sneakers ready for my run this morning. This is one of the main habits that stuck with me during training. Wake up at 4 a.m, out the door by 5 and back by 7.

Gazing up at the sky dark hues of blue, purple and pink announce the sun's incoming arrival as I step out our apartment. Our. I couldn't really pick a moment where is became ours. There was just a time where I needed her to be my light and she needed me to just be there, everything else just followed. I woke up to us entangled in a web of limbs, desperately close clutching on to whatever skin was accessible. It was my favorite part of the day, waking up to her. Whatever dark thoughts whispering in my mind that she was going to leave me, that I wasn't worthy of her were hushed. Nevertheless, they still murmur in the back of my mind when I'm alone to my thoughts. Separating myself from her took more effort then I thought, which cost me time off my jog.

Warming up at a light pace I head to the woods to follow my usual trail. The rough terrain and secluded surroundings gave me more then enough time to focus and sort my thoughts out. Sometimes I don't even think at all, letting instinct and muscle memory guide me. Today was one of those days where I didn't want to think about anything at all. Letting my mind free, all other senses heightened. Soon after I can feel my canines elongating and my vision sharpen to where the tiniest insect hundreds of feet away can be easily detected. The hum of the forest becomes alive with scurrying of animals, the dash insects, the batting wings of birds moving around starting their morning like everyone else. Yet, I feel a disconnect between me and the indigenous life. With every step I take I sense the wildlife cringe away from my presence. Even the plants find a way to maneuver themselves the opposite way.

This is the price I pay for having such an evil force awakened in me. To used to this treatment to react anyway but indifferent I begin my run with no hesitation. The crunch of the branches and leaves benefit my feet harmonized with the rush of wind resonating in my ears lulled me to a place where I can't name. This is my high. Conscious but strangely unaware. Numbed, but highly observant to every detail of your environment. However, this all came crashing down with a jolting sensation indescribable to even the master of storytellers.

Dragon Season.

I knew. All naturally trained Dragon Slayers knew what it was, the effects, purpose and importance it served to the Dragons. Hell, even Wendy knows. Gajeel is probably the most experienced when it came to his seasons. Think about Dragon Season as heat for Dragons. Every season, our darker more animistic elements surface to find and claim a mate. From there it's a separate conversation, but it is essential to isolate ourselves from society. The extent we will go through to pinpoint, protect and claim our mates is borderline psychotic. If we decide to stay it can go as far as forcing ourselves onto our mates because every basic instinct is screaming us to. Claiming a mate is not only a lifetime commitment, but even after death the two souls are joined and bound by whatever holds them together. Because of that Dragon slayers don't play around with their feelings. Dating just doesn't work for us and our mentalities of a partner are more carnal then mundanes.

While Gajeel is the one you want to find for the facts my seasons are exponentially more intense. If a Dragon Slayer during season is psychotic, I'm terrified to what I would be, especially with this...part inside of me. It lends itself logical when I find myself not fitting into society. I've always been more beast than man.