Makarov then yelled something, and Natsu closed the gap between us.

The crowd went up with cheer. I felt Natsu's hand at my hip and his other was at my neck, pulling me closer.

It felt amazing.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I hadn't noticed, but as Natsu was kissing me, he'd untied the ropes at my hands, and there was someone behind me who's untied the ropes at my feet.

Natsu suddenly swept me off my feet and carried me bridal style over to 'The Temple.' It was cold, but Natsu held me close to his warm body.

"W-where are we going?" I asked.
"To your room." He smirked.
"My room?"
"It's where you'll stay." Natsu told me. "I hope you like it."

He walked up some stairs and then opened a door. Inside, there was a room decorated with animal furs, wooden furniture and shining jewellery. In the centre was a huge bed, covered with blankets and pillows.

He lay me down on the bed, then stood up and looked down at me.
"Let me know if you want anything, princess." He smiled, turning away.

"Wait!" I yelled. He span round swiftly and looked at me.
"What?"
"I want answers." I demanded. Natsu sighed and sat down on the bed, opposite me.

"Okay, firstly.." I began. "What's with calling me princess?"
"That was my dad's idea." He sighed. "Sorry."
"I don't mind." I smiled. "It's kinda funny."

"So, why am I here?" I asked him.
"Because I caught you." He smiled. "You belong to me now."
"So why did you say that I could ask you for anything if I belong to you?"

"My father told me that in order to keep the population going, you need to be nice to your woman. He said you can't expect her to help you if you're a dick, so we have to wait on your every need for a week."
"This I could get used to." I smirked.
"Hey!" He whined, then we both laughed.

"When we were in cages going through your courtyard, I noticed there were no huts anywhere."
"They're hidden in the woods."
"And your main hut?"
"That's in the top left of our territory," He explained. "You go across the river and it's there."

"What was with that big ceremony?" I pursued.
"No idea." He sighed. "We have to do it because it's male tribe tradition."
"You weren't half terrifying."
"That's the point." He told me.

"It's meant to symbolise that you should fear the man, as well as love him."
"Well Gajeel scared the shit out of poor Levy, and I dread to think how Lisanna survived that." I laughed.

"Right," Natsu sighed. "I think it's only fair if you answer some of my questions now."
"Sure, go ahead." I smiled.
"What's it like in the female tribe?" He asked.

"Quiet." I replied. "Everyone's always happy, and we live peacefully together."

"It's always like that?" He asked me.
"No." I sighed. "When we trade with the male tribe, they always tease us or try and harass us. Remember what you did at the lake a while ago?"
"Oh," He sighed. "Sorry."

"Anyway," I continued. "All females were brought up to fear the males, especially the hunters. We were told that you do unspeakable things to us if we're captured."

"Honestly?" He gawked at me. "You couldn't be more wrong."
"But we can't exactly go back and tell them that, can we?" I sighed.

"I have one last question." Natsu stated.

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"Y-y-you want to sleep...here?" I questioned.
"Yeah." He smiled. "Since I have to make you happy, I think it's be easier if I slept here."
"There's another reason, isn't there?" I smirked.

"Well," Natsu looked down, like he was embarrassed. "I have to sleep in the temple for a week anyway, and I don't like sleeping in a room by myself."
"What did you do before?" I asked.
"I slept in the same hut as the other 8 hunters, so I'm not used to being alone."

"Awww." I smiled, and I tousled his hair. He looked like an 8 year old who didn't want to be treated like a baby.

"You can sleep here on one condition," I began. "Do not harass me again!"
"No promises.." Natsu smirked. "But I'll try my best."

We both got under the covers and I blew out the candle. When it went dark, I felt Natsu grab my arm.

"What now?" I asked. "Scared of the dark?" I got no reply.
"Really!?" I felt his head nod slightly.
"Just.... Just stay close." He mumbled. "Stay close and I'll be fine."

"What happened to fearing the male?" I teased. I heard a feint growl, but I just laughed it off, and drifted into a deep sleep.

Sleeping next to Natsu is nice. It's like relaxing in front of a fire; warm.

But that wasn't all. Before I went to sleep, I felt butterflies in my stomach.

What does that mean?

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