Secrets And Superstitions (sharkfish1e & darkangel76)

It was late afternoon and Jillian Wheeler was sitting by herself on the hillside staring down at the forest on the other side. From where she was sitting, it looked peaceful and serene. Though the villagers all seemed to fear it for one reason or another, telling children horror stories about the nasty beings that lived within the darkness of the those trees.

Jillian had heard the fairytales for as long as she could remember and could even recite some of the more popular ones verbatim, according to how the elders told the stories. Most of them dealt with fairy folk or werewolves or demonic creatures lurking and waiting to whisk away anyone who got too close. Most of these stories made Jillian chuckle to herself. Whether the villagers all truly believed these stories, she didn’t know since the strongest of their men did venture into them every so often to get wood, hunt or gather some of the more rare herbs for medicines or cooking.

Jillian personally, did not think such stories were true. She figured them to be the sort of thing to prevent the little ones from venturing too far from home. To keep them grounded and tamp down their sense of adventure. In a way, it saddened her that they forced such thoughts into young minds and she wondered if there was anyone like herself who secretly disbelieved. She’d never speak of it, not even with her family. For she did know that a fair number of the villagers were indeed superstitious at the very least and often afraid of things they didn’t know or understand. They were all so very stubborn about such things. And she didn’t see this way of thinking changing any time soon.

Heaving a sigh, Jillian looked down to the forest longingly. For some reason, it was beckoning to her, calling out to her. She wanted to run down the hill and take a small stroll underneath the canopy of trees, take in the sounds, smells and sight of the forbidden forest. The wind blew, causing her to have to brush her long, dark hair away from her face. Blue eyes flashing suddenly, she got up and began making her way down the hill.

As she approached the forest, Jillian could feel her heart racing. She knew that what she was about to do wouldn’t go over well with her family or most of the villagers. But she honestly didn’t care at the moment. When the wind blew, she caught the scent of flowers, flowers she’d never smelled before and she needed to see what kind they were.

Jillian was a curious sort and loved to learn about new things, things most didn’t understand. She was scolded for such behavior fairly often, but given the kindness and compassion she showed others of the village, most of the villagers let such things slide. Sometimes. But this? This might not go over so well should something go wrong. Though Jillian was fairly confident that nothing would. So she continued on.

The forest looked dark once Jillian approached the tree line. She swallowed lightly and took her first step beyond the trees. With that step, she felt a sense of freedom wash over her. It was wonderful and sweet. It made her smile. Again the wind blew and she caught the scent of those flowers, so she began walking in the direction in which the scent seemed to be coming from.

Jillian walked for quite a while, the sky getting darker and darker. It was twilight and she was starting to have trouble seeing with the oncoming darkness. She looked around, trying to figure out which way she’d come for she knew she had to head back. Even if she hadn’t been able to find the flowers she’d been searching for.

Glancing all around, Jillian started to realize that she was lost. She didn’t know where she was or which way to go to head back to her village. Immediately, she felt her heart begin to race, her body tremble. She was frightened. The wind blew, but on the wind she heard a menacing sound, like a demonic beast laughing at how it had found its prey and was about to snatch it up for itself in victory.

Jillian began to whimper as the growling noise grew louder. She looked around, trying to see if she could make out a figure, anything. But she saw nothing… until she caught sight of what appeared to be eyes staring back at her. She couldn’t tell what it was. Beast or other. But no matter what it was, she knew that it meant her harm. Backing away slowly, her blue eyes filled with tears, her body shaking, she finally let out a shrill scream in terror.

((I'm back, okay it was more than a 1-2 paragraphs lol. I made the weapon his using..))

At first it was two red eyes staring at the young girl in the darkness, then it quickly multiplied to eight eyes staring at her as if she was their next meal. They started to howl in synch creating a chilling noise in the night. It was getting incredibly dark now, which made it harder for humans to see. They stalked her in circles. They waited and watched her cower in fear. The moment she does anything, it would be that time they would of attacked her.

He was running around in the forests gathering up strange mushrooms, and exotic fruits. His heightened level of hearing picked a scream. To be exact a girl scream in the north of where he was. He was curious to find out what it was, that made her scream like that. His night trained brown eyes helped him to see where he was going at fast pace. Instead bumping into a tree in the middle of a forest full of them. His short brown hair didn't slow him down when he was sprinting to the area where had headed the sharp sound. Natsu hopped over the branches whenever they were in the way. He continue do this more and more as he went on, before coming to a stop.

He immediately saw a pack of wolves encircling a young girl. He couldn't make much of the girl from here. He was just too focused on the wolves. The reason popped up in his mind. The wolves. The girl. It all made sense now. Jumping down from the tallest tree, he landed with both of his feet on the ground along with his arms lurched forward. The wolves out of reflex hopped back for safety. Now that all the attention was on his sudden appearance. He was just in front of the girl. Natsu was a fairly small male, only 5 ft 6 to be exact. He stared them one of them with great determination, before he run at one of the four the wolves.

All in an instant he struck out an elbow crippling the wolf's head. With his hand-made wooden elbow blade which was tied firmly on both of his arms. Also called Side Edge. Utilising his speed and spin, he quickly knocked out the wolf, giving it heavy concussion. It yelped before crashing to the ground, striking danger to the other wolves.

It was dark now and everything happening around her was a blur. Jillian screamed out in sheer terror when she realized she was surrounded by a small pack of wolves. There was no way she could get out of this one. She was surrounded and would easily be their next meal. Her dead body would then eventually be discovered within a few days when the villagers finally decided they’d need to search for her.

Trembling, sobbing, Jillian fell onto the ground. She saw one of the wolves ready to pounce on her when suddenly, its attention turned elsewhere. It was like a miracle. She couldn’t see or hear what was happening, but one by one the wolves turned away from her, their interest focusing on something else instead.

Sitting up, Jillian tried to see what was going on. She heard movement in the darkness, but couldn’t see anything at all. Then, one by one, something struck at the wolves, making them yelp out in pain, cower in fear. She narrowed her eyes in order to see who or what was out there, but it was no use. She just hoped that whatever it was going after the wolves wouldn’t suddenly go after her as well.

He spun around carefully eyeing the remaining wolves. So far it gave them the urgency to strike at him, all at once. Natsu was a much bigger threat than the girl. Ignoring the crumpled animal corpse on the ground. The wolves circled him waiting for blind spot. In that moment two wolves charged at him from both sides, they were dashing for him. To avoid hitting each other if he dodges. One would jump and bite down at the neck, while the other would ponce and claw at his exposed chest.

Natsu knew wolves would normally hunt in packs for food or for defeating an enemy. Plus he had dealt with them before, years of experience for him. He was at an advantage. As they moved within biting distance, he took a step back so that his back was facing the wolf that was about to claw for his chest. With his elbow pushed back along with the acceleration of his falling back fast. He had impaled the wolf right across its head down to the small body of it in one motion. In that moment it didn't even have enough time to yelp as it stood there impaled by his side edge. As he was about to be mauled in the face another wolf, he flipped back over the dead wolf while removing the blade from its fractured skull.

As Natsu landed again he turned his arm inward so that his elbow was raised up, setting a trap for the wolf in mid-flight. He knew that wolves were agile on the ground, but once they were airborne then that's another story. The second to last wolf tried turn away from his blade before impaled by its own jump. It hang from his blade yelping in agony. With a flick of the his arm he chuckled the wolf on the floor followed a quick painless stamp on its skull. It was better to die instantly rather in pain over time.

After seeing all the wolves dead on the ground, the lone wolf fled the scene, as it realised it was hopeless to go against this strange enemy. How was it supposed to hunt with itself now. Once all the wolves were gone. Natsu walked over the young trying to not scare her in the dark. He shouted out to her "Are you okay?"

Jillian blinked, her eyes unable to focus on the figure standing before her. It sounded male, but all she could see was shadow. The darkness of the night and the cover of the trees just made it too difficult for her pale eyes to adjust and make anything out properly. And it didn’t help that she was still frightened about nearly being attacked by the group of wolves.

“Y-yes?” Jillian stammered, so unsure of what to say and how to say it without being able to see who the voice that had spoken to her belonged to. “I’m fine,” she added. “I want to go home.” She let out a small whimper, feeling helpless and hopeless being in her current situation.

Hands shaking, lips trembling, Jillian slowly stood up and brushed herself off. She glanced in every direction trying to see if the wolves were truly all gone. From what she could tell, they were. Though she wondered if any more lingered about in the nearby vicinity. The very thought made her shiver. She also wanted to see who it was that was speaking to her. Not being able to see the face belonging to the voice was more than unsettling. Who else would be out in the forest at this time of night?

Trying to stop her teeth from chattering, Jillian then said, “Thank you for helping me.” She bit down on her lip and hugged her arms around herself, partially out of fear and partially because the wind started to blow once more, making the air seem colder than it was. “Who are you?” she asked, desperately trying to get a look at the someone who’d saved her.

Natsu was relieved to hear her say something. Though her voice was quiet, then he had supposed she went through this ordeal. It must of shocked a bit. He could imagine that any person would want to go home now and gets a good night's sleep and forget about it. "I see." Titling his head as he heard what she said. He didn't want her to recognise him just yet. He didn't know much about the people who lived in the town. Just like they have heard rumours of beast-man in the deep forest. He only known about people through a book, his grandfather gave him.

He decided it was best to keep it a secret about who he was. With his knees he dropped to the ground, to camouflage his face with his hands as he pasted stripes on his face. Overall giving him a more darker look. He knew this sole called technique only worked in conjunction with the darkness. It had made a mask of complete darkness over his face, only the bright eyes staring out, gave him away. Hopefully she won't be too spooked.

Natsu replied "Its okay, i think just stumbled upon you anyway." As he got off the ground the moved towards her. "Me, emm, im just a local here." Trying to sound like he was part of the townspeople. " I heard you wanted getting down this forest, since im going down that way as well, let's together." Part of him was curious about the girl and local people, and the other tried to make him act like an friendly local.

Jillian’s eyes were wide as the man spoke. He told her he was a local, but his voice was unrecognizable. As was his accent. It didn’t sound like the one she grew up with and knew well. There was something off about it. And the nearest town was miles away and though she’d never been there, she didn’t think this man was from there either. It was all so very strange and made a shiver run up and down her spine.

“Why can’t I see you?” Jillian asked, trying to hide her fear and desperately searching the darkness to make out her rescuer’s shape and face. She was anxious to get back to her village and thankful to have been saved from the wolves, but she was still wary of who had given her aid. He wouldn’t let her see him. Why?

Slowly, Jillian stood up and brushed off her dress. Pushing her dark hair over her shoulders and out of her face, she bit down on her lip. Obviously, this man had his reasons for keeping himself hidden, for trying to fool her into believing he lived in her village. She just hoped it was to help ease her fear and not for some other reason. She was still rather shaken and the fact that her rescuer was being mysterious only kept her nerves raw and on edge. Still, he had saved her, helped her, was offering to escort her home.

Taking a deep breath, Jillian answered, “Yes, please take me home.” She wiped at the tears she felt staining her cheeks and waited to be led back home.

Natsu looked over to her in the darkness, "Because i'm afraid my horrible face will scare you away. Plus it's too dark to see now." He just wanted her not to see anyhow. It was not that he was ugly or anything. Quite the opposite in fact. Standing right next to her now, he replied to her plea of help. "Since you can't see as nothing now, i'll lead you down the forest and straight into the town. Though if you see some light and its the wrong path home. Do tell me straight away." He knew how to get down the forest, but not the rest of the way.

He decided to hold her hand, similar to dog leading a blind man. Only difference was he could answer back. Grabbing her her right hand with his left hand, he held her firmly as if he was never going to let go. Natsu trodded slowly down the forest. Completely aware of what might attack them or ambush. He couldn't help but blush a bit when he held her hand. This was his first contact with a human in years ever since the day his grandpa passed away. Despite the quickly made make-up on his face he glowed a slight amber over face.

He had thought this was the probably hardest thing to do, after the four wolves earlier. The difficulty was sky high. Natsu was just not used to it. "I'm going to guide you by hand okay." As he choked on his own words.

Jillian let her rescuer take hold of her hand. It was warm to the touch and though she still couldn’t see him well, she could tell that he was just a little bit taller than herself. Carefully, he led her through the woods, the trees and sounds not coming across nearly as menacing now as her hand remained in his.

Jillian’s rescuer’s grip on her hand was strong. It was as if he was afraid he’d lose her somehow as they traversed through the woods. She had to admit that it made her feel safe. She really had no idea as to where she was any longer, so being in the company of another person brought her some comfort. And it was clear to her now that he was indeed worried about her safety.

They walked for what seemed like an eternity to Jillian. But soon, she caught sight of the edge of the tree line. She could see the moonlight streaking through the thinned out canopy of trees and she knew she was close to the hill her village was located on top of. When they reached the hillside, a wave of relief washed over her. She glanced over at her rescuer and smiled.

“Thank you,” Jillian said. “I do know my way from here.”

Jillian looked up into her rescuer’s eyes and tilted her head. His face was hidden behind something… a mask, paint? She couldn’t tell what. But it prevented her from being able to distinguish any of his features. She wondered if he wanted it that way on purpose.

“May I ask the name of my rescuer?” Jillian asked softly, her cheeks reddening a little. “I am Jillian. Jillian Wheeler.” She smiled a little and went onto her tiptoes to give him a kiss of thanks on his cheek.

Natsu had the lucky chance feel her once cold hands warm up to his hands. It was a strange, but calm and warm feeling. As they continued walking, he stopped the moment she found where she was. His memory was once blank from moving tree to tree as they were all the same to him. It was different now, he had laid his eyes on something he had never seen before at night.

He had noticed she stopped and found relief at her town. Natsu was relieved too after he had heard from her. "Oh that's great." He could now stop worrying about her safety and well-being. He could see that she tried looking at his face. Natsu was worried a little bit for an instant. He had now heard her name, he tried repeating it after her.

He said her name slowly "Jill-ian.. Jillian.. Jillan." At first he found it difficult to say her name after a few attempts it worked. He stared back at her curiously and shouted a bit "Natsu.. Natsu Nanashi." He replied slowly to her. It had surprised Natsu all of a sudden, he caught of guard by a girl but not a beast. His cheeks blushed hard against his facepaint. It glowed a bit, hinting that he was blushing incredibly red. It had been the first time had been kissed by girl. Touching the cheek as he felt the sensation, he smudging his paint a bit, he revealed a smooth and clean peachy face.

He stood there for a while, not moving. Just releasing why he was there in the first place. He smiled a bit heavenly at himself. Back to earth, he had woke up from his dreamy state. Abruptly he told her once last time "Bye Jillian." He said her name properly now. After that he had dissappeared from her view in a blink of an eye. Now he had a new memory in his brain, he had hoped that won't distract him too much, as he got home.

Jillian quirked an eyebrow as her rescuer slowly repeated her name, as if he was trying to let the sounds play over his lips due to their being unfamiliar. It was rather curious, odd even. He looked at her then, his expression rather peculiar and introduced himself back to her.

“Natsu… Natsu Nanashi,” her rescuer said, giving Jillian a name to call him now.

Jillian tilted her head and smiled at Natsu. Though she couldn’t see his face very well, she could’ve sworn she saw him blushing. Feeling awkward, though not quite sure why, she cast her eyes downward and looked at her feet. She could feel Natsu staring at her, his gaze burning her skin, making it hot. She looked up at him once again.

Suddenly, Jillian noticed Natsu blink. “Bye Jillian,” he said quickly. And like that, he was gone.

Jillian’s entire body shook. She was startled, completely baffled by Natsu’s sudden departure. No. He definitely was not a local despite what he’d told her. He wasn’t even from the nearest town as far as she was concerned. It was clear that he had quite the interesting history. She imagined it to be fairly colorful, exotic almost. Biting down on her lip, she wondered if she’d ever see him again, hear his story.

Heaving a sigh, Jillian looked up the hillside and saw a soft glow in the distance. She knew it was the lanterns and torches of her village. And more than ever, they looked so warm and inviting. Beckoning for her to come back home. Glancing back towards the woods, her thoughts turned to Natsu. Such a strange man he’d been. Though she found her thoughts turning to him again. It almost unnerved her.

Trying to push Natsu from her mind, Jillian looked back in the direction of her village. She ran up the hill and once at the top, looked down at the woods one last time. Exhaling loudly, she then ran off toward her village. Her family, the superstitious people she’d known and loved her entire life.

Natsu speed up over the obstacles in his path. He knew that it wouldn't be long to get home from here. Trying not to concentrate to much about the distance from here. It was only a few more miles right at the top of the forest. He followed same routine of hopping and ducking over the branches and logs in the forest. He had done this a million times, maybe even more now.

Taking a rest as he had finally reached home. The little abode was empty and nobody but him lived here now. It used to be full of life with his grandpa around. It had a half decade, he had forgotten about the loneliness there. As he walked he opened the door to his abode. His ears picked up no strange or movement sounds apart from his own. Luckily he was taught how to cook and forage at an young age. He just missed the rabbit stew his grandfather made. Natsu quickly made some food for himself to eat. He stopped thinking about his grandpa in the past two years. Just he was now curious about that girl he saved today.

He spoke to himself "Jillian. Ehh. She is strange one." He wondered if he ever met her again. It was time to get some sleep now. More training to do tomorrow and foraging. He knew it would it be fun tomorrow. Just didn't know why it was fun. By training daily it help to clear his mind of ill memories. Plus it was good for his health. As he looked out of his room from above the forest. He could see the lights highlighting the town and slight glow of the forest against the light. But soon it faded out. It was time to sleep.

Jillian ran the entire way back to her village. Though she was anxious to get home, her thoughts continued to dwell on Natsu. She wondered where he truly was from and she wondered if she’d ever get to see him again, perhaps when the sky was light so that she could make out his features.

The dim lights of her village were a welcome sight when Jillian finally reached its outskirts and began to walk the familiar roads she’d walked since she was a small child. When she came upon her own house, she smiled. Never had she ever been so happy to be home. Usually, she was one to daydream and wander, the sort of girl as to why such fairytales were told of the surrounding forest.

Gently, Jillian pushed open the wooden door. It creaked as it opened and she was greeted by the worried expressions of an elderly couple, her parents.

“Jilly, dear! Where have you been?” Jillian’s mother, Elsa, had asked as she hugged her daughter tightly.

“Are you all right, daughter?” Jillian’s father, Joseph, then asked in addition to her mother’s inquiries. “The entire village had debated about sending out a search party if you hadn’t shown up by dawn.”

“Yes, I’m so sorry to have worried you both,” Jillian spoke, trying to catch her breath. “I’m fine…” her voice trailed. “It was just such a pretty evening and I caught scent of the most wonderful smelling flowers ever. I had to find them.”

Elsa looked at her daughter sternly, “Jilly, you didn’t.”

Jillian hung her head a little. “Yes, mother. I ventured into the forest.”

“Jillian!” Jospeh bellowed, a hint of anger in his voice.

“I know and I’m sorry,” Jilla said. “I got lost and was nearly attacked by wolves.”

“Oh god!” Elsa exclaimed, her face blanching.

“But I managed to escape them and find my way back home.” Jillian didn’t know why she felt the need to keep Natsu’s identity a secret, but she did. If she had to tell her family or anyone else about him, she would. But for now, it was their secret to keep. Hers and Natsu’s.

As her parents hugged and fretted over her, Jillian wondered how Natsu was doing. She wondered if he was thinking about her like she was about him.

It is now the early morning, and Natsu had already left his house. The early hours, he would do the usual which consisted of foraging for fruits, nuts, mushrooms, and bugs. Most of the time he would trespass into dangerous areas for the sake of ultra rare fruit. It was just his luck today, walking into a group of man-eating black bears. Normally the bears would be defensive unless they feel someone has entered their territory.

The two fairly large bears roared loudly shaking the trees. As the loud sounds echoed through the forest. Natsu gotten too much of their attention, as curiously as he was, he still wanted the rare fruit behind the angry bears. They were roughly twice the size of him. After emitting the animal roar, the two bears dropped on their paws and was ready to run down and maul Natsu to death. Or possibly eat him afterwards. "Nobody's having me for lunch." As Natsu shouted back with confidence. He was ready to get some lovely bear stew now.

He had known bears had immense speed and power. He just couldn't stand there and fight it one on one. Still Natsu was faster than the boulder with legs. He had a plan. Both of them rushed towards him with the intent to kill. The sight of a black bear chasing is quite scaring, and frightening. But Natsu had got used to it by now. As they met head on. One of the bears swiped his huge claw from left to right at him. Natsu quickly leaped over its over its swing, placing his right hand on the the bear head. With half his body in the air, he kicked off and bounced off the shocked bear. Giving him a boost in acceleration to get the rare fruit.

By the time the bears had turned around, they could see Natsu was putting the rare 'Ambolu' Fruit in his bag. They were furious now and raging all over. They ran at him as wildly as beasts can be. Ignoring the terrain they both swiped hastily, not bothered with which they clawed. Only that they had mauled him to death would be enough. Natsu wasn't foolish to block a swipe from a bear. Instead he ducked, and weaved around them. Evading all the powerful blows. With his outstretch right elbow he spun in a quick circle, cutting the exposed neck of the beast. As reach the end of the spin, he grabbed the other bear by its head hopping on its back and impaling it with his Side Edge.

Now that both beasts was dead, he found it hard to pick two of the bears, so he could only afford one of the bears for stew. As wondered back home for lunch from his forraging trip. He thought what would it be like if dressed up a towns person. He had brief glimpse yesterday of what Jillian was wearing through the lamps and light. Natsu didn't think it was that difficult to blend in with the crowd. As least that's what he thought. He was going to put the plan into action after his yummy black bear stew. Natsu was thinking of what it would be like to be an townsperson. Then maybe he could see Jillian again.

Jillian woke up early the next morning, the events from the night before still so very fresh in her mind. She shivered as she remembered the menacing glares of those wolves, wolves who’d have eaten alive, she was certain. Then she thought of Natsu. She hadn’t been able to make out his appearance, but the thought of him made her smile. He’d saved her from death, had made sure she’d gotten out of the woods safely. And then there was the sweet way in which he’d said her name. It had been endearing and she found herself wanting to hear him say it again.

Smiling, Jillian got out of bed, washed and dressed herself for the day. Her parents were already up and had gone out for the morning. They’d left her a note telling her that they’d be visiting with some friends on the other side of the village. So, she had the place entirely to herself until her parents returned. She looked out the window and saw that it was a beautiful day, so she decided to go outside.

The sun was shining and the air was the perfect temperature, not too warm yet not overly cool. She carried her basket and decided to head over by the woods once more. She promised herself not to wander within the tree line this time as she didn’t want to make the same nearly fatal mistake she’d made the night before. But she couldn’t help hope that if she went to the woods that she’d get to see Natsu again. And maybe, just maybe, this time get to see what he looked like.

Jillian hummed as she walked along the path leading to the hillside. Once at its topmost point, she looked down to see the woods in the distance. She could feel them beckoning her like the did the other night, the night she’d nearly been killed, the night she’d met Natsu. The wind blew and she caught scent of those flowers again. But she now knew better than to go looking for them.

“Right then,” Jillian said to herself as she began to descend the hill and head towards the tree line of the woods. She promised herself that she’d only stay along the tree line and pick flowers and berries for her family. She’d go no further than that. And if she Natsu didn’t appear, she’d just have to come to terms with that and let it go… if she could.

After Natsu had stuffed his belly full of food. He wondered around to the basement where he kept some of his granddad's treasures. Among the old treasures, he found a shirt and an pair of trousers. Both of the garments were around his size. Not to mention its colour is similar to the townspeople. Thinking back, his granddad may have been a townsperson before he settled here. Thankfully the clothes wasn't too dirty. Just a bit of dust to shake off. They were washed and cleaned beforehand anyhow. Like the basement where all his treasures were mostly clean, after he had departed.

Having a go to wear the new clothes, he stripped himself quickly revealing a smooth bum before he put on the dark brown trousers. He had just hoped that all townspeople were all toned like him. But he knew that was false. He had to cover his slightly toned body with the shirt. To prevent two unique weapons from popping out, he folded the blades so that he used them as secret wrist guards instead. Putting on the long sleeved gray shirt he found it was very fitting. Near miraculous for this to happen for both the garments. Walking up the stairs and out of his home, he had to go and visit the townspeople and Jill.

Trodding down the forest and through the trees, his weapons remained hidden and out of view. He couldn't stop himself from rushing down the forest at high speed. It was fun, the adrenaline rushed in his body and mind. Evading and hopping over the logs and branches as if he was born in the forest. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked dead ahead. Natsu had just saw her again. Jillian that is. Will she recognise him in his disguise. He wasn't sure. Staring from afar in the afternoon, rather than in the dark. He had found her far more beautiful, maybe because he could actually see her more detailed in daylight. Highlighting her beauty.

Some part of him, wanted walk up to her and say hi. The other was bit curious on how would she react to him. Though he was somehow more attracted her. With that in his mind, he held his breath for a moment before walking down to meet her. Though she probably wouldn't know who he was, unless she knew his peachy face, and small height from before. A low chance. Unless he had to fight against the beasts again. This time he was going for a gamble. As he walked right up to her "So what are you doing here in forest?" He asked like curious townsperson. Albeit slightly weirder.

Jillian remained just within the tree line of the woods, the hillside well in her sight. She walked along it, hoping that Natsu would somehow show up, revealing himself to her.

“So what are you doing here in the forest?” came a voice causing Jillian to jump a little, slightly startled.

Gasping, Jillian turned toward the voice. The owner was a lithe, well-toned man, only about an inch or so taller than herself. His brown eyes seemed kind and his hair so very touchable. Tilting her head she smiled at him. Something told her this was Natsu, her rescuer. He looked like no one from town and his voice was reminiscent of the man who’d saved her the night before.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Jillian responded with a smile. She walked toward the man and looked up into his eyes. “I know who you are,” she stated knowingly.

Of course, Jillian wasn’t totally sure. But something inside her told her this was Natsu. There was one way she knew she’d be certain and so she decided to test her luck. She took a hold of his hand within her own. Immediately, she felt safe and warm. The feel of his hand was very familiar. Yes, this was indeed Natsu.

Holding onto Natsu’s hand, Jillian gave him a low curtsey. She looked up into his eyes, unblinking. “Thank you for rescuing me last night… Natsu.” She held her breath for a brief moment before letting out a soft exhale. Her heart was pounding within her chest, her pale eyes transfixed on his dark. Standing up slowly, she leaned forward and gave him a hug.

Quickly trying to make up excuses, Natsu replied "Me, i'm just looking for materials here, more accurately branches, or smaller logs." He was now walking distance away from her. His vision magnified now that it was no longer the dark night like yesterday, while his hearing doubled, so much he could hear her say her subtle sentences.

He was shocked when she had claimed she knew him. More importantly who he was. With a stutter he answered back "I'm just apprentice blacksmith, if that's what you talking about." Staring clearing her back in the eye with a false determination.

While he was thinking up more excuses, to avoid her breaking his cover. She had suddenly taken hold of Natsu's hand. The surprise caught him off caught again. He tried to think there was a perfectly good reason for holding his hand. His mind was blank. There was none.

The feeling of her soft yet warm hand was rung again against his mind. He couldn't think of no more excuses for they were now completely useless against her. When she did a little bow to him, he couldn't help but stare at her cleavage. Blushing a little. He was thinking what to say to her. When she stood again she had hugged him straight away. Instantly he had felt her warmth and weight on him. Not to mention the curvy proportions of her body splayed over him.

Natsu whispered in her ear "Its alright Jillian, I'm glad I saved you yesterday" He smiled at her, with his bright expression. "As long as you don't tell other people who i am, or what i do." He was afraid he would get unnecessary attention from the townspeople. His strong arms wrapped round her, as he felt like she was someone he could confide with. Natsu's heart beated faster and faster. It strange feeling for him. Inside he felt warm. There was so many things to ask her now, but they can wait, as he embraced a tiny bit longer.

Jillian smiled at the words Natsu whispered in her ear and she felt her cheeks redden as he brought his arms around her body, returning the hug she was giving him. Being in his arms felt oddly nice and made her feel safe.

“Your secret is safe. I told no one about you. Not even my parents,” Jillian whispered back into Natsu’s ear. “I don’t know why, but for some reason, I didn’t think you wanted anyone to know.” She paused a moment. “The way you disappeared on me…” her voice trailed and she pulled back a little so that she could look into his dark eyes.

Jillian’s skin suddenly felt hot and her cheeks continued to burn. She wondered if Natsu had noticed the affect he was seeming to have over her. She looked down briefly, slightly embarrassed by her body’s reactions to being so close to him.

“So, why did you come back here?” Jillian then asked, her voice soft, barely a whisper. “If you are so worried about the people of the village knowing about you, why risk coming so close to it?” She then looked at Natsu’s attire. Though she’d been unable to see him clearly the night before, she was certain he hadn’t been dressed in the manner in which he was now. It made her wonder if he’d planned on venturing into the village itself or if he’d planned on just remaining near the tree line. She hoped his reasons lied with the former. Smiling at him, still in his arms and pressed against him, she waited for him to answer her question.

Natsu nodded at her. Her soft voice echoed in his ear momentarily before he registered what she was talking about. A moment later he was confirming with her, as he uttered the word "Good, its true i don't want anyone to know, but would you believe me, if I kept saying i'm not Natsu and acted, dressed strangely." Well if she could recognise him with the new attire, from just one look by yesterday. Then at most it would take two-three days for the villagers to know who he was.

He ignored her last question by remaining silent. Afraid he would say the wrong thing. Natsu could see that her cheeks brighting right up, similar to him like a mirror, he was blushing a bit. The weight and roundness of her breasts only seemed to distract and aroused him. As he was squashed between the orbs.

"Why did I come back?" Amused he told her right away "For two reasons, One i want to see what the village was like, and two.." He blushed a bit harder and brighter, as he stared at her eyes. He was definitely more attracted to her, and more curious about her in equal parts. To emphasis his second point, he squeezed her bottom playfully. Before breaking the comfy hug and his arousal, Natsu took her by the hand.

To avoid to be seen, by the villagers and others. He had to do it. Plus his failed attempt to blend in with her and the townspeople. Pulling her away from the tree line, he managed to get some cover between a few bushes, as he was holding her increasingly warm hand. Now they couldn't see him or her now. It may have looked like kidnapping case. It would of been strange to hug in a forest, he thought.

"Sorry about dragging you here," He paused to let recover her breath before speaking again. "Who do I risk it, its because all my life I have been living away from the town. I'm so curious to know more about it, maybe you can help me." He didn't loose any breath from that light run. But it looks like it was taking a small toll on her. He'd been so accustomed to living here, he had forgotten about common sense. "You can help me blend in and pretend to be a villager, I know I have found the right person," As he stared her so willingly, and confidently. "But its okay, if you can't. We can still be friends right."

Jillian looked into Natsu’s dark eyes and smiled, her cheeks still tinged a pale shade of pink. “I’ll help you, if that’s what you want,” she replied slightly out of breath. She tilted her head a little as she looked at him, her hand still being held by his.

Jillian looked at Natsu, taking in his appearance. He was dressed rather nicely, but it was clear that he had no understanding of her village at all. His mannerisms were different, even his accent. She smiled at his attempt as she found it rather endearing. She wondered why he suddenly was curious about her village. Then again, if she’d been living alone for a time, isolated from people, she’d probably grow curious too.

“Why the sudden curiosity?” Jillian asked anyway. She wanted to hear Natsu state his reasons though she felt as though she could pretty much guess what they were. “My village is rather ordinary. Nothing too terribly interesting ever happens there. It’s why I like to take walks just outside it.” She heaved a sigh. “Everyone there is so very ordinary, not to mention superstitious and opinionated.”

Scowling, Jillian sat down on the forest ground beneath one of the trees. She looked up at Natsu and gave him a smile. She pushed her dark hair over her shoulders and leaned back against the tree. It was so strange how being in the woods with Natsu made the entire experience feel so differently. She felt safe with him neaby, not like she did the other night.

Looking into Natsu’s eyes and noticing his silence, Jillian felt her skin become hot and flush a deeper shade of pink. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling, aren’t I.” She paused a moment. “My parents often tell me that I do that. So I apologize for the idiosyncrasy.”

Natsu smiled with a very carefree face. Shaking her hand up and down, without knowing the motion of a handshake. He thanked her without knowing what he was doing. "Then its a deal, thanks Jillian." As he was being inspected by her, he tilted his head to face her tilted head trying find out what was the problem. "Mmm.."

Yet another question for him now. "Well to be honest I'm kinda bored, I mean really bored. I done all the things i could done here in the forest, from hunting for food, harvesting nuts, defeating bears." As he talked, he explained with his hands, unconsciously he moved them away to demonstrate a few quick jabs. "I was thinking if I was doing this all the time and for the rest of my life. Then it would of been incredibly dull and boring. That is until i met you."

"I suppose i can't be too bad to be ordinary for a change. Since i'm not really ordinary right." As he chuckled half-hearty. Though in his heart, he felt that Jillian was not of an ordinary person. She was somehow special, he couldn't explain now.

Natsu looked into her eyes and uttered "Naa i rather you talked more, otherwise it would be horrendously quiet here." He chuckled as he tried to cheer her up. Natsu didn't understand the last long word she said. He wasn't that great with words and sentences, but just enough to hold decent conversation. "What's idiosyncrasy?" Scratching the side of his forehead, as he was slightly embarrassed.

He knew she was a bit curious about him, he was thinking of a better deal now. Brainstorming it in his mind. "How 'bout i'll teach you the ways of how I live? In return you can teach me 'bout your village. I know your little curious right." He tilted his head, as he was talking. He wasn't sure wether she would accept it or not. But it was worth a shot. All the while talking to her, he found it oddly calming, and more confident about himself. As with others who approached him, just had disappeared. Jillian was the one who lit the fire of curiousity within him again.

Jillian could understand Natsu’s want for human contact. Indeed, it could get boring, not to mention very lonely, to live by oneself, especially deep within a forest that was rumored to be haunted or worse. A dose of ‘ordinary’ might actually be appealing for one who lived in such a way. And from what she could tell, Natsu was far from ordinary. It was partially why she felt herself so drawn to him.

Jillian felt her lips turn upward into a smile as Natsu told her he found her interesting, curious and that he liked listening to her talk. Most people got annoyed when she rambled, so it was quite refreshing to not have to keep herself in check for once. It only made her crave being in his company more than she already did.

When Natsu asked her about the word ‘idiosyncrasy’, her cheeks tinged a pale shade of pink. She hoped she hadn’t embarrassed him by using such a word. It was one she’d heard most of her life because of her quirks. Casting her eyes down, she explained it to him softly. “It’s a habit, something one does that is considered odd or even annoying by most people.” She looked up at him again and he nodded in understanding, yet he gave her a smile, one letting her know that he didn’t think she was annoying at all. The look made her heart race.

Natsu then asked Jillian if they could make an exchange. If he taught her his ways, the ways of the forest, then she would teach him her ways, the ways of village life.

Jillian nodded almost immediately. The idea of being able to spend more time with Natsu was more than appealing. He’d saved her, so she felt like she owed him at least a little something to show him her gratitude. Plus, she rather liked him. It felt nice to be around him and she felt more than safe, even in the woods.

“I’ll definitely teach you. Whatever you’d like to learn, I’ll do my best to explain it or to even show you it, if that’s what you’d like.” Jillian smiled as she leaned back against the tree she was sitting under. Looking up at Natsu, she shifted her body a little as she sat there. “Tell me, what would you like to learn first?”

Natsu was completely flustered at this point. Suddenly the opportunity has risen, he had to make a quick decision on what he wanted to learn from her. With his hand on his chin moving up to his mouth, he was thinking incredibly hard. As she sat there a little, her pose made her look very relaxed and comfy. It was like his reply could wait for all eternity.

There was so many to learn from her. From the way he walked, talked, table manners, his posture. Moments later Natsu had finally made up his mind. "I want to learn the proper way to walk, cos' I think at the moment it's bit goofy and weird." He couldn't explain why it was weird but felt it would be. If he had at least learned how to walk their way, and kept silent he would pass as villager any day. Natsu's original walking pose is a bit off-the-rail. He doesn't even follow a straight line, or try being graceful and slow moving. "Here, look at how i walk."

From the tree and back, he started to take a step, it started normally until he started weaving around and ducking. Natsu had a habit of being random. It was just he was too fidgety, for today's strict rules and regime. The little walk itself very odd, like something out of a theatre. Despite being absolutely serious about this. Narrowing just one thing from huge list to be more ordinary, would be great step for Natsu.

Finishing he sat next to her. "So how was it?" He wasn't sure weither his heart was beating faster after the little walk, or the idea of performing infront of her. It was a little embarrassing but it was crazily fun with her watching. He supposed it would be the best company so far, not including the wild beasts.

Jillian giggled softly, yet sweetly, as she watched Natsu walk. Though he was human, his manner was more reminiscent of the sprites and elves she’d heard stories about as a child. He was free, fearless. He marched to the beat of his very own drum. But it was what made him unique, made him the man he was. She smiled at him as he sat down next to her by the tree.

“So how was it?” Natsu asked.

“You truly are an exceptional man,” Jillian stated. “I’ve never known a man quite like you actually.” She tilted her head and gave him a smile, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink. “You remind me of the stories I’ve heard while growing up here in the village. Stories about magical forest dwellers…” her voice trailed and she blushed a bit more, her cheeks nearly scarlet.

Jillian cast her eyes downward and she began to play with the short plants and grasses on the ground. She liked being with Natsu. She liked how unique he was, how beautiful he was. He made her feel safe and piqued her curiosity like no other. Looking over at him once more she giggled softly and then stood up.

“Here,” Jillian began reaching for Natsu’s hand. Once he was standing next to her she cleared her throat. “Since I’m a woman, the way I walk isn’t quite how you ought to walk. But this will at least help you a bit.”

At that, Jillian turned around so that her back faced Natsu’s front. She reached behind herself for his hands and placed them on her hips. The moment his hands gripped her, she bit down on her lip. She felt her skin grow warm and her heart skip a beat.

Gasping and letting out a long exhale to calm herself, Jillian glanced over her shoulder. “Now, try and follow the way I walk. Hopefully this will help you a little bit.”