A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry again for my lack of update. I was on leave from work so I didn't had the chance to upload it. Hopefully, this chapter can make it up to you guys^^

The Princess and the Dragon Slayer

Chapter 12

"Eeeek!" Lucy jumped onto me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Instinctively, I immediately held her up in a princess hold, one hand behind her back while the other under her knees.

"What, what?" I questioned as I looked around drastically.

"There are bugs crawling over there!" Lucy exclaimed as she hysterically pointed to the area.

Instantly, my face went from being super protective to why did I even bothered look. "Seriously Luce? They're just bugs."

"They're not just bugs. They are eeky bunch of bugs!" Lucy paused as she took a good closer look at them. "Look! They're coming towards us. Faster Natsu, go!" And this time, she screamed.

I used my pinky of the hand that was supporting her back to massage my eardrums that was the first victim to fall to her screaming. Man for not a typical princess, she really can scream.

"Natsu!"

"But if I carried you and walk at the same time, we have no light." Lucy blinked at me a few times like she was confused. I sighed in exasperation before continuing. "Look in front Luce, it's getting darker. The only light source we could use is lighting my fists on fire and I can't do that with me carrying you."

"How about I do it?"

"Huh?"

"I mean…" Lucy looked around at the ground before she pointed to a certain corner. "Grab that stick." I comply with her and grabbed it before passing it to her.

"Okay, now light this thing on fire." Lucy held on the stick as she looked at me. Then suddenly it clicked. Oh, she's going make me carry her still but instead she will be the light source. I did as I was told and now we have light.

"Okay, that's settled." Lucy held the stick happily as she smiled at me. "Let's go."

I couldn't help but to blush before nodding my head. We walked further deeper into the hidden passageway and I could see Lucy was so intrigued with the surroundings especially the drawings like how I was at first also. After finally reaching the entrance of the cave, I stopped and looked at Lucy.

"Okay Luce, we're here. Maybe you want to get down now? I bet the bugs are long gone."

Lucy looked at me before smiling sheepishly. "Oh, right…" She laughed nervously before she got down. "Thank Natsu."

I just shook my head in reply. "It's alright. Come." I grabbed her hand and led her into the cave. I could see she was more entranced with the inside of this cave than earlier when I carried her here.

"Woah Natsu… I didn't know such a place existed below the castle." I let go of her hand and walked towards the pond to drink up some water and freshen myself up. "How did you find this place? It's amazing." She said as she twirled around.

"Erm well I managed to, somehow I guess." I said as I stood back up and scratched the back of my head. Honestly, I also didn't know this place existed. It was just by a luck of chance that I accidentally tripped by the entrance to this place at the horses stable.

"So this is where you come to use your powers?" Lucy stopped to turn and look at me.

"Yeah… I can't be running off to the woods every time right?"

Lucy placed her index finger on her chin as she gave it a thought. "True." She paused before beaming at me. "So what are you waiting for Natsu?"

"Yeah, yeah." I replied as I walked further away from her before turning back to look at her. I waived both of my hands to her like shooing her, to signal her to move further back. She gave a pout before I could see she reluctantly moved.

She took a seat by one of the rocks near the entrance and once I know she's at a safe distance, I pumped my knuckles together before moving both of my fists to my mouth to let out my fire breath roar.

Immediately, Lucy jumped up. "Wow! Amazing Natsu, simply amazing." Lucy shouted as she clapped her hands. I could hear her compliments so I decided to give my all as I just wanted to impress her. I gave my iron fist attack, my claw attack and then my wing attack. I could hear Lucy cheering excitedly so I decided to give my best for the last act and that is my brilliant flame.

I ignited both of my hands in flames and I brought them together creating a large fireball, throwing it at the rocks which I regretted doing it because I went a little too far. I believed my power was too strong that the rocks hanging at the top of the cave shook vigorously and started to drop.

"Natsu?!" I could hear Lucy calling for me even though the rumbling and droppings of the rocks were loud. I turned towards her direction and I ran as quickly as I could to her. I took a glimpse above her and the rock was already on the verge from falling dead straight down.

"LUCE! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!" I saw Lucy look up and her eyes went wide and she started to run towards me but after a mere distance, I saw she tripped and wasn't able to get up. She was trying to tug on something but failed to. Was it her darn dress?

"Natsu!" Lucy shouted for me as she stretched her hand out but at the same time, tugging her dress as well. I ran as fast as I could at this point as I stretched my hand out, hoping it will do any good to reach her faster.

"LUCY!" Before the rock could even hurt her, I reached just in time to cover and protect her. I tried to tug her dress but it wasn't possible so I tore her dress and decided to brace for the impact.

"Natsu!" I saw Lucy's eyes went wide with tears threatening to fall as I hovered above her. I couldn't help but to smile as she was safe under my arms right now at least even though I was the one who brought harm to her in the first place.

I closed my eyes as I was prepared to take the damage instead but surprisingly and unknowingly, I didn't feel any pain. There were no more noises of the rumbling and droppings of the rocks so I decided to open my eyes to take a look at Lucy and this time, there were no tears brimming in her eyes instead just the look of appalled was left on her face.

I took a look over my shoulders and saw my body was lighted with fire. Fuck, I'm hurting Lucy.

"Oh my god Luce!" I quickly backed away, shocked as I looked at her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." My voice was staggering as I apologized to her.

"Natsu, why are you apologizing?" Lucy slowly crawled to me.

"Stay back Luce! Don't come nearer. I will hurt you!" I shouted at her even though I didn't mean to but how am I supposed to react? I was still on fire and I didn't know how to extinguish it.

Lucy huffed before standing up and persistently walked towards me. I tried to back away as she was coming closer to me but I failed to as she quickly drop down to her knees and hugged me.

"Lucy!" I pushed her away quickly after realizing what she was doing. This time, I took a good look at her and there don't seem to be any burns on her. "What?"

"Natsu, you weren't hurting me at all. You see, you're a good fire dragon slayer after all." Lucy said and smiled.

I blinked twice, trying to grasp what she was saying. My thoughts were interrupted when I felt her arms encircled my body again and her cheek on my chest. "So don't worry Natsu, I'm not going to be afraid of you."

With that, I decided to pluck up my courage and slowly move my arms to hug her back. I was so touched by her bravery and kindness. Honestly, I was still afraid that my fire will eventually hurt her but sooner or later, the fire surrounding my body started to die down.

I pulled apart from our hug and took a look at myself. It really died down. That was weird. Usually, my fire will burn and hurt people. Why was this time a special case?

"You see Natsu, you don't have to worry. You're not going to hurt me at all because I know you won't and even you, yourself know that too right?"

I was really surprised with what Lucy said. I didn't think she will be that intelligent to know how my body will work. Okay technically, I didn't think she will trust me that much that she wasn't even scared of me at all. This is why I love this girl so much.

"Thank you Luce." I said as I grabbed her hands in mine. Slowly, I moved in and claimed her lips. Lucy managed to slip out from my hold and wrapped her arms around my neck while I moved my hands to her face. Soon, I felt she parted her lips which I didn't hesitate to push my tongue into her mouth.

I heard her gasped when our tongues clashed together and at this point of time, I wasn't able to hold back anymore. We were on a fierce battle. I moved my hands down and encircled them around her waist instead as I pulled her closer to me, feeling her soft flesh pressing against my chest even though it was covered was just turning me on even more.

I broke our kiss apart and both of us were panting. I looked down at Lucy and her face was flushed furthermore her dress was torn and that was just making me blushed even more, seeing her fine skin legs exposed. I was about to remove my hands away from her but Lucy stopped me from doing so.

I looked at Lucy and she shook her head. No words were exchanged between us instead she closed the gap between us as she placed her hands on my chest and initiated the kiss this time.

A/N: And that's it for this chapter people! How was it? Interesting? I filled this chapter with NALU fluff and also some thriller. Teehee. Anyways, please don't forget to leave a review before you go. My next chapter is almost done(: