The Love of Nekos

Chapter 4 - Camp

We've been walking for hours through the forest with no real destination in mind except for a village or town to find our way home. Occasionally Lucy complained about her feet hurting but I couldn't blame her because mine were too. It takes twice the amount of energy to walk compare to when we were human. I understand why Happy complained about walking beside us and preferred to fly.

A nasty purple bruise had been forming on the left side of my stomach from when the buff man threw me at the wall and it was hurting a bit. Lucy didn't know about my injury and I wanted to keep it that way because I didn't want to make her worried. Luckily it's hidden underneath my vest.

"The sun's setting, we should camp for the night" I suggested. Lucy was looking tired and we haven't eaten for a day. She nodded tiredly and then sat against a big oak tree. I decided to collect some sticks to make a small fire for us or more specifically Lucy. Tonight was going to be a cold night. When I was done, I sat down but not without hissing a bit from my bruise. I tried to keep my hiss as quiet as possible but it seems Lucy heard me. "Natsu, are you ok?" she asked and I unconsciously held my side. "Aye I'm fine" I replied, 'stupid, stupid, stupid, why did I have to sound like Happy?! Hopefully, Lucy won't notice' I thought.

She narrowed her eyes at me as she leaned in closer and I felt myself sweating bullets. "What's under your hand?" she asked eyeing me suspiciously. I lifted my other hand, "nothing" I replied. "Your other hand" she sighed. Knowing my vest would hide my bruise, I lifted my hand. "See, nothing's in my hand" I said showing my hand. She sighed frustrated before tackling me to the ground, which I couldn't help but hiss, and opening up my vest revealing my bruise. "Natsu! How long have you been in pain?" she asked worriedly. "It gradually grew since that man threw me into the wall" I replied honestly. "Then why didn't you tell me?!" she complained, "because I didn't want you to worry" I replied.

"Well now I'm ten times more worried" she said before standing up and walking deep into the forest. "Where are you going?!" I called out to her as I sat up. "To find some supplies to help your injury and to get fresh air" she replied before disappearing behind the bushes. I could tell by her tone of voice that she was angry with me for not telling her. This was what I was trying to avoid but it looks like I've made it worse. I sighed and then rest my head against the tree trunk. I watched the campfire and noticed the flame looked like it was reaching for the stars above. It never crossed my mind before but for some reason it did now.

Suddenly I heard a howl in the distance and I began to panic. 'What if Lucy runs into a wolf or a beast?' I wondered worryingly. My fears became real when I heard Lucy scream in the distance. Without hesitation, I jump to my feet and ran following her scent. When I reached her, she was on the ground, with berries and leaves next to her, crawling backwards away from a grey wolf who was stalking towards her. "Leave her alone! Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" I chanted as I jumped toward the wolf and punched its snout with my flaming fist. The wolf let out a painful whine before running off deeper into the forest. "Yeah don't mess with us!" I shouted after him.

Without a word, Lucy stood back up and gathered the stuff before heading towards our camp. 'Is she still mad at me?' I wondered as I followed her. I tried speeding up to walk side by side with her but she sped up to get away from me. I copied her speed so she couldn't get away from me. "Lucy~" I whined from beside her, trying to get her to look at me. She turned her head away from me which hurt my heart a bit. I don't like it when she gives me the silent treatment.

We reached the camp and she still wasn't talking to me. "Lucy I'm sorry~. Please look at me" I begged and tried to stand in front of her but she turned her back to me. She walked over to the tree and sat down before starting to mix the berries together on a leaf. I sat in front of her so she was in between me and the tree so she couldn't avoid me. She licked her hands clean while still ignoring me. This was getting annoying. Without giving me eye contact, she leaned over and moved my vest away from my bruise then placed the berry covered leaf on my bruise which made me hiss.

Suddenly her hand that was holding the leaf in place started to glow a golden colour. Both of our eyes widened at the sight and then I noticed the pain on the bruise was gone. 'No way' I thought as Lucy removed her hand and stared at it. I guessed what she just did and then removed the leaf before licking the berries off. "What are you doing Natsu?!" Lucy exclaimed but once the berries were licked off I saw that I was right. My skin was back to normal where the bruise used to be. "You have healing magic like Wendy!" I cheered happily.

Wait a minute... "You talked to me, didn't you?" I teased and she huffed while whipping her head to the right. "Shut up stupid dragon boy" she said, 'now she sounds like Ice Princess' I mentally groaned but smirked. "You did it again" I teased and she pouted. She stood up and grabbed a large leaf about the size of our bodies before sitting a few steps away from me. She then laid down on her side with her back to me and covered herself with the leaf. I wonder how long will she be mad at me?