NaLu- "The Princess and Her Dragon Knight"

Part 17

Ouch, Natsu thought as he clutched his side. Natsu nearly managed to evade the carriage, but still took a horse's hoof to his hip. There was definitely a cut there and bruises were eminent, but Natsu ignored the pain as he looked over the little girl in his arms, who seemed shook at the moment. It seemed that the carriage was empty and the horses had been spooked so they took off. A couple of men took off down the road, chasing the runaway carriage, but Natsu wasn't worried about that now.

"Are you alright, Asuka?" Natsu asked the girl. He had managed to twist his body in their tumble and blocked the girl from getting hit by the carriage and from hitting the ground. He was still worried that she could have a cut or something, though. The girl looked at Natsu when suddenly she burst into tears.

"I-I'm okay," she gasped, still looking unsettled.

Natsu tried his best not to grimace at the pain in his side as he sat up. He managed to put on his best smile at he patted the girl's head, "at least you're alright."

Asuka's parents got to them first. "Asuka, baby, are you alright?" Bisca asked as she pulled the girl into her arms. Her husband quickly followed them and grabbed both of them into his arms. Natsu looked away, no sure how to feel about the close family moment. He felt awkward but happy as well.

"I'm okay, mommy, not even a scratch," Asuka said with tears in her eyes.

Asuka's dad released the girls and reached his hand out to Natsu, who was still sitting on the ground. Natsu grabbed his hand and was lifted up to stand on his feet, trying his best not to clutch his side and make anybody worry. "I don't know how to thank you! What's your name?" Asuka's dad said as he tightly grasped Natsu's hand and bowed in a way to express his gratitude.

"I'm Natsu, and please don't mention it. I'm happy to help."

"My name is Alzack, please let me do something to thank you. You saved my little girl's life." Bisca walked up to the two men with Asuka in her arms. Azuka's tears were dried up but she still wore a face of worry as she looked at Natsu.

"Are you okay?" She asked him.

Natsu gave her a toothy grin, "as long as you're okay then so am I."

Asuka smiled a little then. She pushed away from her mom to put her down and ran to give Natsu a hug. Natsu bit his lip to avoid grunting in pain as he knelt down and she hugged him. She pulled away. "Thank you for saving my life."

Natsu put his hand on her head and pet it a bit. "Just promise that you'll watch where you're going next time." Asuka nodded. Natsu continued, "after all, you do owe me a dance."

Asuka smiled wide and giggled. "Okay."

An idea popped into Natsu's head. "Since I helped you, I may have to ask you for a favor at the ball."

Asuka's head tilted to the side like a small puppy dog and she looked surprised. "What can I do for a dragon slayer?!"

Natsu laughed at her sarcasm and surprised voice. "I'll tell you at the ball, alright?"

"Hmmm... fine."

It was then that Natsu realized the time. "Well, I have to go to work now, Asuka, but I will see you at the ball."

Asuka looked at her feet, disappointed. "Okay," she said, "and you promise to dance with me?"

"Absolutely!" Asuka hugged him then. This was the second time that Natsu had been hugged by a kid, the first time was five minutes ago. With that, Natsu turned around to head back home to clean his side. Before he got far, Alzack stopped him.