Stuck with you

Chapter 4

Sharp scent. A quick whiff, but enough to enter Natsu's nose and wake him from his slumber. His eye lids twitched, and his black orbs were slowly revealed to the world. He blinked a few times to clear his vision before sitting up.

The smell hit his nose again, this time accompanied by the sound of something sizzling. He recognized the scent immediately the second time around. Someone was cooking fish. He turned to his kitchen, his eyes falling on the back of a young woman with long green hair. Her body lightly swaying to and fro as she fiddled around with Natsu assumed was a pan.

He yawned, alerting her the young woman to his presence.

"Oh, Natsu!" Hisui turned and bowed to him with a smile. "Good morning. Did I wake you?"

"Morning." he yawned again. He took a step forward, but his foot caught something and he immediately fell to his face with a thud. "Agh!"

"Oh no, are you hurt?" The princess gasped.

"No...I'm fine." Natsu groaned and sat on up his knees, rubbing his reddened nose. "What the hell was that?" he turned his head and saw one of Hisui's bags at his feet.

"Did you trip over one of my luggage bags?" The princess guiltily inquired.

"It's ok." Natsu stood up. "What are you doing over there?"

"I was hoping to prepare something for breakfast, but the only thing I could find was fish. I hope that's ok."

"That's fine." Natsu stretched his arms overhead. "But you don't have to do that, you know? I can just find food in the lake."

"It's no trouble. Really. I want to do this. It's a show of appreciation for allowing me to stay here in your home."

Natsu shrugged. "Suit yourself then I guess."

"Thank you." Hisui smiled again. When she rose from her bow, Natsu noticed the bandages on her left elbow and knee.

"What happened?"

Hisui looked down at her bandages. "These?" she let out an embarrassed laugh. "I had some trouble getting out of the hammock this morning and fell onto the floor."

"Are you ok?" Natsu had a bit more concern in his voice. He knew better than anyone how hard his floors were.

"Yes." Hisui nodded. "I'm fine. I was quite uncoordinated as a child. I fell and tripped on my own two feet all the time. So I'm quite sturdy."

Natsu raised an eyebrow at her explanation, but the smile on her face didn't look like a forced one.

"As long as you're ok."

"Mhm."

Natsu sniffed the air again. Something was wrong. He looked behind Hisui and his eyes widened in shock at the smoke billowing behind her.

"Hisui! Fire!"

"Hm?" the princess turned around and was met with the fish, now engulfed in flames. "Oh no!"

Natsu quickly moved her out of the way. He ate the fire until it was gone, but the smoke was still floating around the house.

"We have to open the windows and get out of here!" he shouted to Hisui.

"O-ok!" Hisui coughed. She held her arm over her nose to block the smoke and rushed out of the house while Natsu opened the windows. He soon followed her outside, and the two watched as the smoke billowed out of the windows and chimney.

Natsu groaned. "It's gonna take hours to get that smell out."

"I-I'm so sorry!" Hisui repeatedly bowed in regret. "It's all my fault for not paying attention to the fish! I should have just waited until you awakened before doing anything!"