Trail of a Fairy

12. Oh. Right. Train.

Nashi readjusted the pack on his back. The sun was starting to go down for the afternoon cool, and here they were, kicked out off their inn. Nashi looked ahead to his dad.

"I'm sorry, dad."

Looking back, Natsu smiled at his son. "Don't worry about it. I was the one who started jumping first, remember?"

Nashi shrugged and looked away. He could see the train station ahead in the distance. It was obvious that was where his dad was headed. The slight lilt in his walk meant that his dad was anticipating the motion sickness. It wouldn't take long for his dad to be stopping on the side of the road; prepping for the nauseating ride.

"Where are we going, dad?"

Natsu chuckled to himself. "I already told you kid; Your mom and I's first official job."

Nash groaned. "And where is that?"

"You'll find out."

"Yeah, right." Nashi scoffed. "I need to know when to haul your sorry ass off the train."

"Language kid, you're not even twelve!" Natsu glared back at his son. "Where did you even learn that?"

Nashi sped up past his father. He didn't get far before Natsu pulled the strap on his backpack. Nashi tried to keep his feet on the ground, but failed. His dad was so much taller than him. Natsu held his son just barely off the ground. The kid wriggled around, but made no progress.

"Tell me, Nashi."

Nashi tried to wriggle his arm out of his backpack. But it didn't take long for Natsu to notice. He gripped his son's arm - hard. Nashi could already feel the bruise forming.

"Fine! Uncle Gray!" Nashi whined.

Natsu dropped his son with a tsk. He didn't want to hurt his kid, but he sure would lay out the beating on Gray when they returned. Which might end up sooner than Natsu had hoped. The constant churning of his gut was getting to be too strong; he knew he wasn't ready for this. But Natsu pushed onward nonetheless.

"C'mon, kid. Let's go catch a - hurk - train."

Nashi laughed silently at his dad. It was going to be a long train ride. And he was excited for it. His dad may not love trains, but Nashi sure did. There was something inexplicable about them that he liked. Maybe it had something to do with where they would take him. Like Fairy Tail, trains were an endless adventure.

The two were soon climbing on a train. Natsu immediately keeled over in his seat. His red face was distorted in discomfort and nausea. Ignoring his dad, Nashi looked out the window. The train station was soon ripped away. Trees looked like blurs as the train sped up. Nashi could almost feel the wind ripping by the train. Every fiber in his being wanted to open the window, but he didn't. He didn't want that much noise. Even without much training, Nashi could feel the Dragon Slayer traits taking over. He could even feel the small churning in his stomach. But he willed it not to get stronger.

Nashi slumped in his seat. It was a long ride to Oshibana station from Hargeon. It was almost the full line - minus Clover town. But there was never any reason to go there.

"Dad?" Nashi tried.

Natsu barely managed to look up at his son. But that was all he could do. He didn't dare to speak - that could have disastrous consequences. But he did look his son in the eye. A signal to which Nashi responded.

"Nod if yes. Did you and mom really defeat that Bora guy and run away from the army?" A weak nod. So he continued. "Did mom know you were from Fairy Tail?" Another weak nod. "Did you and mom start dating soon after that?"

Natsu shook his head. He tried to straighten up on the seat at least, but couldn't. The motion of the train was duly reflected in his stomach. It was as if his stomach was jumping up his throat then back down into his gut. So Natsu gave up and slouched.

Nashi paused for a minute. "But - but you said mom was the only person you ever really loved?"

Nod.

"Why'd it take you so long?"

Silence. Nashi blushed with embarrassment. "Oh. Right. Train."

Natsu could barely look up. Partly because of the train, but partly because of Nashi. He had that look. Her look. When she was curious, or knew she had done something wrong. The way her eyes became downcast, and her mouth ever so slightly tipped at the ends. It was all her. Nashi was just like her. So Natsu looked away; for once, thankful for his motion sickness.

Nashi looked back out the window. Even through the mask of motion sickness he could see it. The small flinch in the corner of his mouth, and the way his eyes looked away from Nashi's. With a sigh, Nashi looked out the window. Briefly, his hand clutched at the keys by his side. He knew each key like his own self - their curves and their corners. The familiarity comforted him. Along with one extra key.

It wasn't one of his mother's. It wasn't even a celestial key. But the coolness in his hand comforted Nashi. With a sigh, he glanced down at it. I guess I'll visit Gael and Aunt and Uncle when I get home...

Later, Nashi listened to the train. The thump thump as it went over each bolt was becoming slower. The trees outside the window were becoming more distinct as well. Soon enough, Nashi could see the train station coming into view. Oshibana Station was a larger Station - and Nashi had never been this far before. Nashi had never gone too far away from his home. From his mother's grave.

Natsu could feel his stomach settling as the train slowed down. He knew which stop it was - it was the stop that he would get off at. Standing as soon as he could, Natsu grabbed his pack and ran down the aisle. He didn't even wait for Nashi.