Death Fire

3: crow

See end of chapter for notes.
The funeral by Band of Horses.
~
"Natsu..." A soothing voice said. At the sound of this voice the pink haired Mage slowly opened his eyes, he felt cold and bruised, his muscles hurt as he made small movements to get into a sitting position. His eyes felt heavy as he looked around from his place on the ground. He saw nothing but black, the walls and ceiling looked to be nonexistent, the only thing he could tell was there was the cold hard black floor that seemed to glow softly.

"Natsu.." the soothing voice called again, Natsu could tell this voice was female and it sounded strangely familiar... Natsu turned his head towards the voice, he did not expect the soothing female voice to belong to the creature beside him.

A crow?

He stared. The crow stared right back. Weirdly, the pitch black crow made him feel calm and happy.

"D-Do I know you?" He hesitantly asked the crow. He heard a soft chuckle and saw the crows white eyes squint a bit as if it was smiling.
"You do indeed little fox. But you won't Remember me... although I would love to catch up with you I came here for a reason, Natsu." Replied the crow as it hopped towards him. When the crow spoke its black beak didn't move at all, the voice seemed to come from the crow but there was no proof of it.

"Who are you?" He tried to ask but the crow brushed past the question and continue speaking.

"The man that has you under his control- king as you call him- can not live up to his threats... you know this Natsu. I do know of the spell he has placed upon you. Although I am from your past after your Dragon Father, I want to help you get through this with the help of your friends." The crow paused to allow Natsu to understand what she was saying. After awhile Natsu meekly nodded, so she continued. "I have heard and seen what has happened to you. These past two years have been utter hell... haven't they? I know how to help you escape Natsu, but you'll have to try and not be scared anymore... I will make contact with your friends and they will try and help as well, but you have to be strong for us. Do you understand?" The crow tilted its small head in question. Natsu looked at the bird in confusion but slowly nodded.

"Good, I'll see you again little fox. And when I do I swear I'll set you free from this cage that horrible man is keeping you in. But before I go, when you wake up, look at the palm of your right hand, there will be a tattoo of a crow spreading its wings. Now bye bye little fox." The crow said as it began to fly away.

"W-Wait! Who are you?! And what dose that tattoo mean?!" Natsu yelled after the crow, but the crow either did not hear him or ignored him, either way, he didn't care he just wanted answers.

Natsu lowered his head down in despair. He didn't know why but that crow made him feel many things he has not felt in the past two years, the feeling of safety was the major one. He wanted the crow to stay and make him feel safe forever, but he knew that the crow couldn't.
Natsu was about to get up when he was splashed with freezing cold water.

"Gah!" He gasped and jolted up.

"Good, your finally awake. I didn't think I knocked you out that hard..." a voice said above him, Natsu looked up only to be meet with a strong hand gripping his chin and the face of none other then King.

"You lead the fairies to us? Didn't you?!" King shouted in Natsu face as he harshly jerked Natsu's head up more.

"I-I swear I d-didn't king!" Natsu squeaked out in fear. He tried to pull his head out of the hard grip but failed miserably.

"Oh? Then how come they were on the same train as you and Croc?! Uh?! It couldn't have been a just mere coincidence! Or did that guy you were supposed to kill send a request to that pathetic guild of yours?!" King yelled, his voice getting louder and angrier as he came to the end of his rant.