Carnelia

Tsukiko shakes her head and she forces a fake smile.

"It's not as easy for me as it is for you.... a hint of me outside the castle in this town, I'm hauled back to the castle... you saw it.... it's the same everywhere else.... every country.... every nation... everything will bring me back to this cage.... the only way out is death.... where I can actually be my true self.... and then I could finally be with my mother... but until then I'm stuck here with my father's new wife, and in his cage where he figures if I'm here... my mother will come back...."

She says close to tears again and she looks down at the ground.

"There isn't anything anyone can do for me.... I wonder why I expected anything more from you..."

Tsukiko thought aloud bitterly while she falls back onto the bed but sits.

"Just go...."

Natsu looks at her with a sad expression showing some emotion and he looks at the door that leads to the hallway.

"Where's your father?"

He asks in a serious tone while he walks to the door.

"I'll break this cage for you.
Just....because we're the same."

Natsu whispers while he turns to her.

"So where is he?"

Tsukiko's eyes widen at what he says and she watches him with a hopeful look.

"Break the cage...?"

She murmurs with hope in her eyes but she looks down in thought to think it over but her eyes widen when she realises what he might do and she looks at him confused.

"Your not.... going to kill him.... are you?"

Tsukiko asks confused while she looks a little scared.

Natsu shakes his head.

"Not that..i am going to break the cage your in.
Let me talk to your father."

He opens the door when he sees the guards but looks back at her.

"So..where is he?'

Natsu asks with a small smile showing that he really wants to help her.

Tsukiko looks at him surprised at what he says and she nods before standing, careful not to fall and she walks to him with a confused expression.

"A-Alright.... he should be in the throne room..."

She says with a soft smile but the guards look surprised and looks between them confused.

"Tsukiko.....sama?"

One of them says confused and Tsukiko looks at them with a serious expression.

"Please take him to my father.... if he refuses to meet with him, tell him my life is at stake..."

She says with the same expression but she nods.

"Y-Yes Tsukiko-sama..."

The other stammers before they start walking down the hallway.

"Please come with us sir..."

Natsu looks at the soldiers with a serious expression but turns around when he's still standing at the door.

"Follow me."

He says when he looks at Tsukiko and takes a step into the hallway before he follows the guards.

"After i kill Magus i should head back to....that....city.
I hope mom and dad are alright..."

Natsu thought with a calm expresssion while he follows the guards.

"Hurry up.
I don't have much time."

He said to the guards in a cold tone.

The guards look at Natsu with a serious and angry expression expression but Tsukiko looks up at him sadly and she puts a hand on his arm.

"Please stay calm... they shouldn't even be doing this I think... so please be patient..."

She says with a weak smile while the guards smile at her weakly and they lead them down the stairs and down the hallway.

Natsu takes a deep breath when she puts her hand on his arm and looks around while he follows the guards.

"Tch..."

He looks back at her with a calm expression.

"What's your name princess?"

Natsu asks when he looks at Tsukiko with a curious expression.

Tsukiko looks a little worried when he takes a deep breath but she looks at him surprised when he asks for her name and she grins.

"My name is Tsukiko... how about yours?"

She asks while tilting her head cutely with the same smile and the guards look between them confused but shrugs while they lead him down the hallway.

Natsu looks down in thought before he looks at the two guards.

"My name's Natsu."

He looks back at her with a small smile but a serious expression goes across his face when he turns back to the guards.

"Are we already there?"

Natsu asks in a serious tone.

Tsukiko looks really happy when he tell her his name and a bigger grin goes across her face.

"It's nice to meet you Natsu! Welcome to Carnelia!"

She says which makes the guards crack a smile but it quickly disappears at his question and nods.

"Yes We are almost there sir..."

The guard says with a nod before stops at a large door that was at the end of the hallway and they stop.

"Here we are... but please wait a few moments.... we need to discuss this matter with his highness..."

One guard says before bowing at Tsukiko and he enters the hall.

a small smile goes across Natsu's face again.

"Th-Thanks...it's nice to meet you too...but...you don't have to hide it.
You have a lot reasons to hate me....remember?"

Natsu says with a raised eyebrow when the guard enters the hall.

"So I'll help you out..and leave right away."

He said with a wink before he crosses his arms and looks at the door.

Tsukiko looks confused when he says that she has alot of reasons to hate him and she shakes her head with the same smile.

"I don't hate you! I just don't agree with your reasoning..."

She says with a wink not mentioning the killing's he told her about in fear of getting him arrested. But looks confused at what he says and drops her hand from his arm when he crosses his arms and she looks down sadly.

"I see..."

Tsukiko murmurs a little hurt and the guard walks through the door again with a sigh.

"His majesty says that he is not meeting with anyone right now..."

He says with another sigh but Tsukiko looks up at him confused.

"What? but what about-"

The guard holds his hand up to cut her off and she looks at him confused.

"He wishes for Tsukiko-sama to leave this issue alone, and to go about your regular duties..."

He says looking away sadly and Tsukiko looks at him dumbfounded.

Natsu looks at Tsukiko and lowers his hands to his side.

"I see...well...we all have our own opinion.
Some people say that what i am doing is wrong but other people tell me that what i am doing is r-"

He's cut off by the guard that walked back through the door.
Natsu listens to what he says and his eyes widen in suprise.

"Wh-What?
Hmph...get out of my way."

Natsu said in a cold tone when he looks at the guard with a serious expression and grabs his collar before he throws him aside.
Then he opens the door that leads to the hall.

"Hey King!"

Tsukiko looks up at him with a pout when he hears what he says but she looks at Natsu surprised at what he does while the other guard quickly joins the one that Natsu tossed while Tsukiko quickly follows Natsu through the door where a large hall greets them decorated splendidly and people and running around with papers and good while a middle-aged man sits on a large throne in the back of the room talking to some other middle-aged men but he looks up with a raised eyebrow to see Natsu.

"Hmph... I told the guard I had nothing to discuss with you.... now please leave..."

He says as if uninterested but he see's Tsukiko who suddenly looked really nervous and he raises his eyebrow.

"Tsukiko.... please go to your room.... I already heard about your little "adventure" so please go.... I have nothing to say to you....."

Natsu laughs in a evil tone and he looks at the Hiro.

"You think you can command me?
I am not one of your soldiers that don't even try to stand up against one simple king."

He looks at the people around him and slowly looks at Tsukiko before he turns to Hiro.

"You stupid old fool.
All you care about is money, business, i don't know what you do to let your daughter think that suicide is the best option.
That she isn't special anymore...
Tch..you will understand how much she means to you when she's dead!"

Natsu yells when he turns to Tsukiko but winks showing that she doesn't have to worry about anything and he sidesteps behind her with a smirk.
He takes out his dagger and holds it close to her neck before he puts his other arm around her waist.

"Trust me...Tsukiko..."

He whispers in her ear while he holds her tightly with the blade close to her neck.

"Heh!
Your a fool!
I am the one that was trying to kill your daughter!
Now give me what i want or she will die!"

Hiro's eyes narrow at what he says but smirks.

"If that's all your here for then please do not waste my time..."

He says with a sigh while Tsukiko looks at him confused and worried when Natsu looks at her but Hiro looks slightly irritated at what he says next and she looks at Tsukiko as if angered that she didn't listen to him but he smirks.

"Her special? hmph... she was never special... all she is good for is to keep the connection between this world and the magical world.... my beloved Fumiko's world... that's all she is good for and it's all that I need...."

Hiro says with the same smirk while Tsukiko's eyes widen in fear and shock and it quickly turns into a hurt expression and she closes her eyes but Hiro looks confused at his last sentence and raises his eyebrow.

"When she is dead? I am sorry to say that she will live a very long life in this castle like she is supposed to... now Tsukiko go back to your room!"

He yells at her but Tsukiko looks confused when she see's the wink and her eyes widen in shock when she see's the dagger coming to her neck and she looks up at him with a confused expression wondering if he betrayed her up she calms when she hears what he says and she closes her eyes.

"I do..."

Tsukiko breathes before faking a scared expression onto her face and she forces herself to tremble. But Hiro's eyes widen in shock at what he see's and he glares at Natsu with an angered expression.

"Put my daughter down you insolent fool! She is the only connection between this world and the next world! You cannot kill her! I need my beloved Fumiko!"

He yells at him while a hurt expression goes across her face again but she blushes slightly at the suddenly realization of their closeness.

Natsu's eyes widen at what Hiro says and a angry expression goes across his face.

"So you only see your own daughter as a tool?!
Your a fool!
I am not going to let your daughter stay in such a place!
Your just a old man that doesn't know "life", only living in a fantasy world!
This girl here snapped out of that world, realising that there are more important things in this world then money!
YOU!"

He shakes his head with the same expression.

"Magical world?!
Connection?!
What the hell are you talking about!
She is not some kind of tool!
Tsukiko is your daughter!
From the moment when she was born did you thought that she was a tool?!
That she could be used as a connection between this world and the other?!
You lost your pride as a father the moment you thought your daughter is a tool!"

Natsu takes a few steps back while still holding his arm around her.

"Your...worthless...you can't rule if you can't even care for your own children."

He says in a serious tone while showing a cold expression but slowly pulls Tsukiko with him until he stands against the wall making sure no one can attack him from behind.

"Now..i am going to kill her.."

A crazed smile goes across Hiro's face at what Natsu says and laughs at him.

"How fun.... an outsider believes he knows what is going on.... do you think "that thing" you are holding onto my "daughter" is even human? She is a mixed blood..... mixed of human.... and fairy...."

He says with the same smile and even Tsukiko looks confused.

"She maybe my child.... but no one wants a filthy half breed.... think about it.... if she's not wanted she is a tool.... and that's all she can be.... but with that other half of her.... do you really think you can kill her just like that? It isn't possible... so just stop wasting our time."

Natsu tries to understand what Hiro's saying but his eyes widen in anger.

"Tool, half breed, filthy, fairy..."

He tightens his grip on her.

"If she is not wanted then she is a tool?
I want her..see I've proven you wrong.
Besides...she isn't a tool...your just a sick old man.
Who deserves to die...but...not by my hand...but.....by time.....you will see."

Natsu loosens his grip and looks down in thought.

"You want to stay here?
I can...find a place for you...a place...that isn't here with this guy.
I know it seems weird because...i just met you...but...i can...understand how you feel."

He whispers in her ear so that only she could hear it.

"So...what will it be.
Come with me and I'll take you to a place where you will be save...or stay here?"

Tsukiko looks down with a pained expression and her heart sinks at everything Hiro says and she closes her eyes tightly.

"I am just a tool..."

She thought sadly but she looks up at Natsu surprised at what he tells Hiro and a serious expression.

"You want a piece of filth like that? heh... don't make me laugh... but even so.... I cannot let you have her... she belongs here.... and here is where she will stay..."

Hiro says with the psychotic smile again while Tsukiko hears what Natsu says and she immediately reaches for his hand that is on her waist and she holds onto it tightly.

"Please... take me away..."

Tsukiko whispers sounding like she might cry.

[i]"But.... I just want to know one thing...."

She whispers again while bitting her lip hard worriedly.

Natsu looks at Hiro with a serious expression.

"I am not trying to make you laugh at all.
I am telling the truth."

He said with the same expression but he looks back at Tsukiko with a calm expression.

"As you wish...
Hmmmm..what do you want to know?"

Natsu whispers while he keeps his attention on her.

Hiro laughs at what he says and shakes his head.

"hehe... you say you speak truth.... but I am the one with the crown... I am King! that makes my words automatically truth.... law.... I am the justice! so of course sir.... you are telling lies..."

He says with a smirk before Tsukiko calms a bit at his response but she looks down sadly.

"Do you still think.... that my life is simple.... and fairytale like...?"

Tsukiko asks with a worried expression while she keeps holding onto his hand tightly.

Natsu ignores what Hiro says and shakes his head.

"Not anymore...this...so called...father...is...horrible...
But...I'll take you away from here..to a better place.
You might..not like it..but..it's the only place you can stay..for now."

He whispers when he also tightens his grip on her hand.

"Anyway run to your room and pack only the things that are important to you.
I'll be with you shortly."

Natsu whispered again while he loosens his grip on her.

"Go."

Tsukiko smiles at him with a happy expression, and is thankful that he finally understands but she looks surprised when he tightens his grip on her hand but her eyes widen in shock when he tells her to run.

"B-But..."

She looks up at him worriedly when he tells her to go and she nods sadly before stepping out of his grip and eyes him with a worried look but lifts her fist slightly as a sign to say good luck and she quickly runs out of the room and down the hallway where they came from. But once Hiro saw this he smirks and he snaps his fingers. After he does that 20 archers appear out of nowhere and they aim their arrows at Natsu and Hiro smirks.

"Goodbye.... outsider..."