Trail of a Fairy

07. Stories

Once the train stopped, Natsu was up like a flash. He grabbed his pack from the overhead and slung it over his shoulder. Pushing his way through the train, he was the first one off. Nashi followed behind, being pulled by the crowd getting off. Natsu waited by the conductor for his son. When Nashi got off, he didn't see his dad at first.

"Gotcha!" Natsu grabbed his son.

Nashi screamed. Natsu paused for a second, then burst out laughing. "You scream like a little girl!"

Natsu buckled over, leaning on the train for support. The nearby conductor watched, a small smile on his face. Nashi looked at the ground. He felt the heat rising in his face. And the annoyed vein popping in his forehead. Nashi looked up, and glared at his dad.

"I'm only eleven!" He defended. "I can still scream like a little kid!"

The conductor ignored Nashi and turned to Natsu. He tried to get Natsu off of the train. Natsu waved him away, but the conductor came back.

"Sir, please stop leaning on the train. It is time for it to leave!"

Natsu stayed leaning on the train in his fits of laughter.

"Just take him back on the train. That'll show him." Nashi grumbled.

Natsu stopped laughing. He looked at his son with horror in his eyes. It didn't take long for Natsu to shuffle away from the train. The conductor boarded the train as soon as Natsu and Nashi started to walk away. As they walked, they glared at each other.

"Scaredy cat."

"Puke bucket."

"Baby."

"Old man."

Natsu glared harder. "Don't call me that. I'm not that old."

Nashi raised an eyebrow at his dad. "Yeah. Right. A widower with a twelve-year-old son is bound to be the most youthful man in town."

Natsu looked away from his son and sped up. As soon as Nashi saw his dad do that, he shut up. He willed his legs to go faster to catch up with his dad's longer stride. Natsu kept up his pace, not wanting to look his son in the eye. But through the tears and in the corner of his eye, he made sure his son was right behind him.

Natsu headed for the main plaza. He knew that there was a small inn that provided good service. It was a rustic looking inn, with pale brown walls. The doors were rough rectangles of wood, with tarnished brass handles. Once inside, a small bell rang. The innkeeper was sitting behind a simple desk stacked with paperwork. The innkeeper was an elderly man. His hair was starting to bald and his wrinkles were becoming more prominent. Natsu remembered when the innkeeper only had a few gray hairs and a strong face. But the innkeeper smiled softly at Natsu.

"You're back again!" The innkeeper shook Natsu's hand. "It's been a long time."

The innkeeper glanced to Nashi and a big smile spread across his face. "Is this the baby you were always talking about? You and the missus must be proud."

Natsu flinched. Nashi looked at the floor. The innkeeper didn't notice. He looked around the front hall.

"Where is Lucy?"

Natsu sighed. He couldn't keep his head up. "She passed away a while ago."

The innkeeper's face dropped. He looked down at Nashi again. His eyes caught the blonde hair and brown eyes. Even the keys on Nashi's belt were caught in his gaze. The innkeeper sighed and pulled out a large book. He flipped the pages carefully until he found the page he wanted.

"So. Just a room for you and the boy then?"

"Yeah. It's just us."

Silently, the innkeeper handed Natsu and old brass key. On it was inscribed the room number; 14. Natsu nodded, and turned away. As Nashi began to follow his dad, he caught one more look from the innkeeper. A look of pity. Nashi turned his back and went after his dad.