400 years

27

It was now late afternoon, we hadn't really talked much. With the hose running beneath us, we raced through the forest. Suddenly, Natsu reached out and put the reins in my hands. 'Huh? He wants me the lead on the horse?'

"Um, think we could slow down a bit?"

"If I'm going to teach you, it's not going to be slowly." With that being said Natsu kicked the horse into a gallop.

"Kyaaah!"

The horse charged forward into the forest. 'W-what am I supposed to do!?' Branches and leaves batted me, I couldn't remember how to slow a horse down. In fact, we seemed to be going faster.

"Keep your hands loose on the reins. They're not what keeps you on the horse."

"O-okay!"

"Squeeze the horse between your knees. That's how you stay on. Push against the stirrups and raise your rump to ride steady."

'Y-Yeah, easy for you to say!' My worries threatened to come true when the horse leapt over a small tree trunk in the path.

"Ahh!"

I was still seated. Large warm hands kept a strong hold on me, and made sure I was sitting steady in the saddle. "Eyes forward, if your nervous, he'll know."

"Right I think I'm getting it."

Securing my legs I bent forwards and held the reins. 'Rhythm, check!'

"How long do you tend on running at full speed? I'm curtain there's a cliff up ahead."

"What!?" The forest was quickly thinking out before us. Sure enough, there was a cliff.. "Halt, Whoa, horse!"

Natsu wasn't doing anything about our situation. The cliff was directly in front of us-

It was up to me, I pulled on the reins as steadily as I could. The horse's forelegs rose up in the air. We came to a stop just at the edge of the clif. The dust we kicked up settling around us. I huffed a reliefs sigh, 'At least the view of the valley below is stunning.'

"Seems you served your first riding lesson."

"Don't smile at me! We almost died! Plus, we're you just going to let us go over the cliff?"

"Heh, I could have stopped us, although it was getting rather close. Hm, on second thought, I might not have been in time."

'WHAAAAT!?!' "No, your joking. R-right?"

"Yes, you're learning."

"Your jokes are going to give me a heart attack! Who needs a cliff? Just take home a warlord!"

Natsu smiles like a boy with a mind full of mischief. He's not at all mad about me almost sending us over a cliff to our deaths, in fact he seems to be having a great time. He's proud, but doesn't mock people of their lack of skill. Even Natsu has admiral qualities.

I looked out over the cliff, the unobstructed view the vast blue sky made me feel powerful and free. Natsu continued to teach me the rest of the way to the hot springs. Finally by night fall we arrived.

Natsu said he had a few thing he needed to take care of , but told me to rest and enjoy the hot springs. I wasn't going to say no, but I thought we came here for him.. 'Maybe he'll take his later?'

Sinking myself in the warm waters of the spring and stretched my arms and legs out luxuriously. 'This feels so~ good!'I cooed in my thoughts. The water was thicker than bath water, but was the perfect temperature.

"Lucy, how's the temperature?"

"Mm, it's warm, but not, to, hot..!?"

Natsu was dressed in a already light cotton robe. But he qleft the top hanging at his waist. At this point the only thing holding it on was the robes tie at his hips. This shown off his bandaged midsection, and his well built body. 'Y-yikes!'

"Ah, you should get in." Through my nervousness and heavy thoughts.. I got ready to get out, but-

"I wouldn't bother." Natsu knelt down on one knee, catching my dripping wet arm and holding it firmly in his hand. His eyes were frigid, but his touch from his hand is hotter than the water.

Natsu drew close. "Your hand is mine, I suppose you'll have to stay with it."