Chapter 10:The sun was completely down, and most of the dinner prepared for the night had already been consumed, as a certain pair made their way to the food tent. It was nearly empty, as most already ate and retired for the night. Those on cleaning duty, and a few people with nothing to really do lingered in the tent.
Sayaka who couldn't keep look towards her mate that was happily clinging onto her arm, held the flap open for her. She was still embarrassed about their bath together. As once again, Miyuki showed who was really in charge in their relationship. Following a second later, both were surprised to find Kumi, but she wasn’t alone.
She was enjoying her stay with a certain Caravan Leader, who seemed to be telling a funny story, as Kumi was struggling to keep her giggles at bay. Yuka had this look in eyes, showing how much she enjoyed hearing the cute sounds from the girl.
Still feeling a bit awkward about before, Sayaka cleared her throat, gaining their attention. Kumi smiled brightly at the two, as she stood up and went before them. As if from natural instinct, Miyuki brought the girl closer to them, and hugged her. Kumi naturally melting into the embrace. Yuka couldn't help but watch, eyes flashing with jealousy. She wanted to be that close to Kumi too
“Did you enjoy dinner?” Miyuki asked, petting the girls raven locks.
Kumi nodded, into Miyuki’s shoulder. “Yes, I ate a lot of new stuff, and Yuka-san was entertaining me with funny stories.” The girl hummed, closing her eyes and sighing happily in Miyuki’s embrace.
“You didn’t do anything dumb did you?” Sayaka asked the Sakae shewolf, narrowing her eyes on her. They may have come to an understanding when plotting together, but when it came to Kumi, it was slowly becoming a completely different thing.
“You seem to think too little of me. Kumi-san was laughing when you two came in wasn’t she? We were having a nice time together.” Yuka retorted, before standing up. The two Alpha shewolf’s stared each other down, before Yuka sighed. “I’ll be retiring for the night. Good night.”
Just as she was about to slip out of the tent, Kumi separated herself from Miyuki and tugged on her arm. Looking back, Yuka raised a brow at the gesture, before she found herself in a quick hug. “Good night.” Kumi whispered, before retreating back to Miyuki.
Miyuki found herself chuckling at Yuka’s shocked expression, her mouth was slightly opened, and her face was red. Snapping back to her senses, she left, but her tail was wagging happily. Looking down at the girl who was hiding her blushing face in her shoulder, Miyuki decided to tease the girl.
“You like her don’t you?”
Kumi groaned shyly, but otherwise didn't’ protest against the idea of developing feelings for the shewolf. Stifling a yawn, she murmured something that Miyuki didn’t catch, so she turned to Sayaka.
The shewolf rolled her eyes, she had heard what Kumi said, and she relayed the message to her mate. “She’s basically said that she’s tired. I’ll carry her back to our tent. You can go ahead and eat.” Kumi looked up, her eyes already glazed with sleep, and before she knew it, she was being carried bridal style in Sayaka’s arms.
“I’ll grab something for you. Don’t take too long okay?” Miyuki asked, pecking her mate’s cheek
Feeling the corner of her mouth slant upward, Sayaka nodded, before taking off. She was hungry, but if Kumi was tired, she was put ahead of her stomach. ‘I feel like a parent.’ She mused to herself. Hearing mumbles, she looked down at the snoozing girl.
“Warm.”
‘I’m warm huh? Guess that only proves that I’m alive.’ Sayaka smiled to herself, as she tucked the girl in. She hesitated for a second, before she pecked the girl’s head. “Get some rest.” She said, before moving a lock of Kumi’s wild hair out of her face.
As she left the tent, she missed the smile that bloomed onto the girl’s face, as she turned over.
--
The following days were spent relaxing or in Sayaka’s case, giving Yuka suspicious stares whenever Kumi spent time with the caravan leader. Although, she did say that she’ll help Yuka get closer to Kumi on their first night at the camp but her urge to protect Kumi was much stronger. Even though, Yuka had explained that she never slept around or with the Sato sisters, in her eyes Yuka was a predator sniffing around her and Miyuki’s little girl. She wasn’t sure why she was feeling parental towards Kumi but it could be because of that one stray thought that her mind made up when she first saw Miyuki doting on Kumi.
That thought kept coming back and she was starting to like the idea of Kumi as their own too which only made her feeling more protective towards Kumi. It didn’t help that Miyuki’s suggestion of adopting Kumi was fueling that thought.
Meanwhile, Miyuki seemed happy to let Kumi spend time with Yuka. She always made sure that Kumi was comfortable or at least feeling safe before leaving her in Yuka’s care and she always had a satisfied grin on her face whenever she’d see Yuka and Kumi getting along quite well. Miyuki was like a mother pairing their daughter off with a nice young suitor.
And Sayaka was powerless to stop it.
In other more important matters, Yuka’s messengers have done their job because several envoys from other Sakae caravans came. Some enquired about Yuka’s intention to be Sakae’s Alpha then leave to confirm the news to their own leaders while some came to inform them that their caravan will be joining theirs with Yuka’s. A few looked suspicious and both Alphas thought that they were spies from the Matsui’s. Sayaka suggested that they get rid of those that belonged to Rena while letting go of Jurina’s spies but Yuka dismissed it, their plan was to catch the attention of both leaders in hopes that one of them would take the bait and capture Yuka. If that doesn’t work they can face them in an all out battle with their numbers increasing day by day.
“You seem stressed out.” Mieko hummed, approaching the Alpha to be, her sister in tow. The two of them have been just as busy as their friend, but they managed to make time to relax, unlike the caravan leader.
“Stressed is an understatement. We have new arrivals everyday, we’re constantly growing. I’m not getting much sleep, and worst of all...I barely get to see Kumi-chan.” Yuka whined, she desperately wanted to see the younger girl, but all her free time gets sucked up with making sure her new arrivals feel welcomed.
Mieko and Seira shared a look before smiling and looking back at the shewolf. “Why don’t you go see her. We can take over for now. Just don’t stay out too long.”
Upon hearing the suggestion, the shewolf shot up and hugged her advisors. “You two are the best.” and with that, she shifted and ran out of the tent. She ran past many shewolves, eager to see Kumi no matter what. It took a while to find her though all the people, but she finally spotted her.
Barking, she gained her attention.
“Yuka-san?” Kumi seemed to recognize her. even though it was her first time seeing her in this form. She was a bit smaller than Sayaka, and her fur was a shade lighter, instead of pure black, her fur was more a charcoal black, and her paws hand the faintest touch of white on them. “You look so cute in this form.” The girl cooed, her hands instantly burying themselves into the soft fur.
Yuka was on cloud nine from the attention she was getting, but it ended a moment later, when Kumi back away, a blush on her face. “S-sorry. I didn’t mean to get ahead of myself. Touching you without asking.”
Shifting back, the Caravan leader simply smiled. “It’s okay. I don’t mind...as long as its you.”
An awkwardly embarrassing silence hovered over the two, as they looked opposite directions, both trying to get their blushes to die down. Kumi being the first one to recover, looked up at the shewolf. “I thought you were going to be busy today?” She questioned.
Remembering her excuse of getting away, she blushed again. “My...uh advisors told me to take a break. So I figured ‘why not go see what’s going on?’ and I happened to find you.”
Absorbing the half-assed story, Kumi began to laugh. “Really?” Moving a bit closer, she hummed. “Am I just an added bonus then?”
Yuka swallowed nervously, as she stared down into Kumi’s eyes. She found herself speechless, as the girl got closer and closer. Kumi was simply trying to tease the shewolf, that she has grown quite fond of the past couple of days, but a sudden bump from some unknown shewolf, caused the gap between the two to shorten. Two sets of eyes widened, as their lips meeting for an accidental kiss.
The kiss lasted for a few seconds, before Yuka moved away. Both of them were unsure of what to say, it wasn’t unpleasant, that was for sure.
“I’m sorry.” They both said at the same time. Blinking, they both started laughing. The awkwardness that once surrounded them disappeared, if anything the kiss was an excellent ice breaker.
Yuka smiled at Kumi. “Do you want to get something to eat?”
Kumi nodded, shyly wrapping her arm around Yuka’s just like the way she saw Miyuki would hold on to Sayaka’s. She bit her lip as she looked up at Yuka and if it was possible Yuka’s smile became even wider. They made their way to a much larger food tent because of the increase in their numbers and unlike before, the two were now talking quite amiably.
There was almost no one at the food tent, except for those that were assigned on kitchen duty. Yuka smiled when she spied a familiar girl messing around with something.
“Dasu!” Yuka called out, waving at the girl. She and Kumi walked towards the girl who was waving both of her hands excitedly at them.
“Yuka-san! Aah, Kumi-san! It’s good to see you!” She greeted loudly causing Kumi to behind Yuka a bit and wave at the girl. “She’s so cute! Yuka-san can the clan adopt her?”
Yuka chuckled when she felt Kumi bury her face against her shoulder, she was thrilled at the contact and was glad that Kumi might even consider her as a protector. Kumi was still skittish around strangers and so far, the only people she acted normal around was with Sayaka, Miyuki and her.
“Unfortunately, Miyuki-san and Sayaka-san already have, judging from the way they dote on her. It’s actually adorable.”
“They’re so lucky; Sayaka-san acts like an overprotective father, I think I saw her chase away a girl that was flirting with Kumi yesterday. Actually I haven’t seen her since that happened.” Yuka gulped at this piece of information but Dasu kept talking. “While Miyuki-san really enjoys mothering her, I think Miyuki even started to teach her how to use medicine, I saw them in the doctor’s tent with Miyuki teaching her how to make poultices—”
“I’m still here…” Kumi whispered and both shewolves acute hearing heard her.
Dasu finally stopped talking and apologized for talking too much. She can go for hours with endless topics on her own. “Anyway, was there anything you needed?”
“We we’re thinking of getting something to eat when we saw you.” Yuka replied.
“I see…” She looked around the tent, it was empty and it wouldn’t be fun for these two to eat here. “Let me put together a picnic basket for you two. It’s a nice day out and it would be a bore for the two of you to eat inside.”
“Thank you, Dasu. We appreciate that.” Yuka acquiesced. She peeked over her shoulder and found Kumi still hiding her face against her shoulder. “Are okay in there?”
“Hm-hm…”
“So, Sayaka chased off a girl huh…” Yuka said, still peering over Kumi.
Kumi looked up at Yuka and the shewolf felt like she’d been punched in the gut with how cute Kumi looked. “I don’t know her. Pa—I mean, Sayaka chased her away before she could actually say anything. So, I don’t know what she wanted and there’s no need to be jealous.”
Yuka nodded and looked straight ahead, blushing profusely. “Good, that’s good… and if anyone bothers you in the future, I can chase them away too.”
“Thank you.” Kumi replied just as Dasu returned with a basket full of food along with a blanket and Yuka took it with a grateful smile while urging Kumi to walk next to her, instead of hiding behind her back.
“Have fun you two!” Dasu called out just as the two left the tent.
--
Squinting her eyes, Sayaka tried to make out two familiar figures walking the opposite direction of her. “Is that Kumi and Yuka?”
Looking the same direction as her mate, Miyuki too squinted her eyes. She could just see their outlines. “Maybe. Why does it matter, they’ve been getting closer as of recent.” She yawned, cuddling back onto Sayaka’s arm.
“It does matter! I don’t mind them being alone….as long as they’re around watchful eyes.”
Miyuki couldn’t believe her ears, Sayaka sounded like an overprotective father figure. “If it makes you feel any better. We could follow them….if you’re so worried about Kumi.” She suggested, already knowing that they would probably spend the next hour following the pair around. ‘I wonder if she’ll be like this when we do have children.’
“What’re you laughing about?” Sayaka inquired, catching just the faintest giggle from the woman.
Stroking Sayaka’s frowning face, she pecked her cheek. “Nothing. Now let’s hurry, they’re getting out of sight.”
Successfully changing the subject, the shewolf lead Miyuki after the other pair. They followed the pair to an empty area of the village, it had quite the view of the whole area. Not wanting to get too close and get spotted, Sayaka stopped right behind a bolder, and the two hid behind it.
“I can’t hear them.” Miyuki pouted, as they peeped around the rock.
“But I can.” Sayaka countered, watching as the pair stopped.
--
Yuka being ever the gentlewolf, placed out a blanket for the two of them to sit on. She smiled widely and motioned for Kumi to sit down. Opening the the basket, she found a wide variety of snacks inside. Sandwiches, some fruit, a waterskin, and a wineskin.
“What’s in that skin?” Kumi asked, noticing Yuka’s hesitance to pull it out.
“Wine...I don’t really drink wine. Do you?” She asked, hoping to not have to bring it out. The wine they drank was a lot stronger than human wine. She really didn’t want to deal with a drunk Kumi, and return her to a pissed off Sayaka.
“No.” Kumi shook her head.
‘Good.’ The shewolf sighed happily, putting the drink back. ‘But there is only one skin of water...We’re going to have to share it.’
They started laying out the food between them and Yuka making sure that the food Kumi likes is closer to the girl. She’d been taking every chance to learn about Kumi, even going as far as grilling Meiko and Seira for information.
Yuka watched as Kumi took a bite from a sandwich and let out a happy sigh when she liked the taste.
“Is it good?” Yuka asked and Kumi nodded in response taking another bite from the sandwich before offering it to the shewolf.
Knowing that they are interested with each other made Yuka feel bolder and allowed her to show a bit of her playful side. Yuka leaned forward, angling her head so she could bite from the same place Kumi did. “It is good!”
Kumi’s eyes widened when she realized where Yuka took a bite, it was an indirect kiss an attempt by Yuka to either make her blush or asking to kiss her again. The caravan leader was doing a great job in making her blush though.
“Yuka-san! If… if you wanted a kiss you could’ve have just... asked.” Kumi was blushing furiously and took another bite, the sandwich was falling apart now due to the two of them biting on the same spot.
“Really? So… it’s okay for to just steal a kiss?” Yuka chuckled when Kumi’s blush deepened but let out a surprised yelp when the girl practically shoved the rest of the sandwich down her throat.
The shewolf started to cough, beating her chest a bit to try and move the food down the right pipe. Kumi’s eyes widened, quickly snatching the closest skin she could reach so she could give it to Yuka. The shewolf took several gulps and released a sigh of relief when she could breathe again.
“Thank you…” Yuka sighed, as was able to breath clearly, but paused due to two things. Water doesn't have a distinct taste of berries, nor does it have burning effect as it went down. Looking at the skin in her hand, she gulped nervously. “Oh no…”
“What is it?” Kumi asked, eyeing the shewolf. She felt a bit guilty as nearly choking the woman, and now she followed the shewolf’s eyes, just to see her eyeing the skin she had just handed her. “Something wrong with the water?” She asked, tilting her head, as she looked over at Yuka.
Yuka heard the question, but she didn't reply immediately. She once again swallowed nervously, before taking a deep breath. She was starting to feel a little warm, the wine Dasu must have given them the strongest wine they have around. “That….wasn't the water.”
Hearing the reply, Kumi started apologizing so quickly. But when the shewolf held up her hand, she halted. “It’s not your fault.” She smiled, before stroking the younger girl’s face. “Luckily I didn’t consume too much, else there really would of been a problem. This stuff is really strong, so I might lay down for a bit. You can continue eating if you’d like.”
Biting her lip, Kumi opened her mouth. “You can rest on my lap.” She suggested, her face turning a tinge pinker.
Yuka’s eyes widened at the offer, and accepted it. Placing her head down on Kumi’s lap, she sighed happily, closing her eyes. Feeling a hand run through her hair, she opened her eyes once again, just to lock eyes with Kumi. “S-sorry. I just wanted you to feel more relaxed. Miyuki does this whenever I have a nightmare. It makes me feel better.”
The shewolf couldn't believe how sweet this girl was. ‘How are you even real?’ She wondered, before smiling once again. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m okay now and I kind of like it when you run your hand through my hair.”
Yuka made herself comfortable on Kumi’s lap while the girl resumed running her hand through Yuka’s hair. They were quiet for a while,Kumi idly trying each food while feeding Yuka some and guessing which food Yuka likes.
“Yuka-san, can I ask you a question?”
The shewolf opened her eyes. “I think you just did, Kumi-chan.”
“Kumi-chan?” Kumi tilted her head a bit to the side and Yuka mentally slapped herself for letting that nickname slip out.
“Is it okay if I call you Kumi-chan? You can just call me Yuka or anything you want.”
“Yuka-chan!” Kumi gushed as she ruffled Yuka’s hair while the shewolf half-heartedly protested at the attention but she was able to lean up and plant a quick kiss on Kumi’s lips, making the girl let out a surprised squeak. Looks like the wine made her a bit braver too.
While a nearby boulder shuddered angrily while the two of them continued to play around.
A few moments later both have returned to relaxing in each other’s presence and it was then Kumi tried to asked her question. “Yuka?”
“What is it?”
“I’ve been wondering, how did you become a caravan leader?”
“I’m not sure really, I was the only one in my clan that was knowledgeable about money and I guess that qualified me as to be their caravan leader. Well… that and, Meiko and Seira insisting that I be their leader.” The shewolf answered carefully and avoiding the actual reason. A war is not the best topic to talk about when wooing someone. “Why do you want to know?”
“Miyuki has been teaching me how to heal but I can’t seem to get the hang of it. I was thinking of trying something else… if that’s okay?” Kumi said the last part a bit hesitantly as if expecting to be rebuked by Yuka.
“Only if you let me be the one to teach you.”
“Thank you.” Kumi replied with a smile and tilted her head slightly a second later. “I have another question.”
“Go ahead.” Yuka prompted.
“I’ve met Meiko, Miyuki introduced me to her and at that time there was a woman with…” She gestured to her chest which the both of them blush. “...big ones. She was following Meiko around. Was that Seira?”
“Yes.”
“Oh… they’re big.”
“Impressive.”
They were silent for a while, Kumi thinking about Seira’s… impressive size and wishing hers were biggers while Yuka was admiring Kumi from below. She did her best to stop her gaze from Kumi’s bosoms but it was difficult with it only being a few inches from her face. She could also look at something else, like Kumi’s belly but she might end up sticking her tongue out to lick Kumi’s bellybutton.
She went back to looking at Kumi’s face or tried to, the wine in her system was making it hard.
“Kumi…” She called out to gain the girl’s attention.
“Hm?”
“I want to know more about you.” The shewolf started, besides the girl’s name and, her likes and dislikes Yuka didn’t know much about Kumi. “Like where were you born?”
“I don’t remember really.” She tilted her head to the side trying to remember anything before that. “I woke up with chains on me and a man.”
Yuka sat up when Kumi’s voice started to shake when she said the last part, gathering the girl in her arms. She had forgotten that Kumi was just a stowaway that Miyuki and Sayaka found. At that time the girl was not in her best condition. Kumi started to tell her about she was treated, the days she was forced to walk instead of riding a mount, the times that her captors had conveniently forgotten to feed her and the worst part was the beating she received on a nearly daily basis. She was lucky to still be alive and for Miyuki to be such a skilled healer. Yuka cursed herself for bringing this topic up.
“He sold me to the highest bidder and the one that brought me, he was planning to… Yuka I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“We won’t. I won’t ask anymore.” Yuka said comfortingly.
She rocked the girl in her arms, doing her best to comfort Kumi. Rage bubbled within her, Sayaka had told her that Futuotta might have been Kumi’s former master. She should’ve made him suffer more, instead of just burying him and his men in the sand alive; she should’ve cut off his limbs then fed him his limbs and let him wallow in his own waste.
“Let’s talk about something else.” Yuka stated, she felt Kumi tugging on her robe’s collar and she looked down, only catching the girl’s tear stained face for a moment before she felt the girl press her lips forcefully against Yuka’s.
The shewolf was surprised but she let the girl have her kiss. The girl was seeking comfort through it and Yuka poured all her love and adoration through it. Yuka pulled the girl on to her lap, moving Kumi around so she was straddling Yuka. The shewolf felt like her lips were being devoured by Kumi, the girl was ravenous and Yuka could only respond by tentatively running her hands up and down Kumi’s back.
When they managed pull away, Kumi wanted to go for another kiss but Yuka stopped her by placing a thumb on the girl’s lips but the girl started to kiss it. Yuka was doing her best to control her breathing, Kumi was in a lust haze and, though she didn’t it mind it and would’ve have her way with Kumi already but they were outdoors and barely even started their relationship.
“Kumi.” She growled out, the girl began to lick her fingers occasionally sucking on one of them. She felt her body become warmer from Kumi’s ministrations and was unable to stop herself from staring at the girl’s mouth, sucking suggestively on her middle finger. “Kumi, I need you to calm down. Or I’ll do something that we’re not ready for yet.”
--
“Dammit, Miyuki! Let me go!” Sayaka struggled against the girl that was clinging to her. “Miyuki!”
“But Sayaka they look so happy.”
“I'm not going to let a predator touch Kumi!” She tried to pry Miyuki off of her again but the girl was surprisingly strong. “I’m not going to let a pervert near Kumi!”
Miyuki pinched Sayaka’s ear, causing the shewolf to stop struggling and start whimpering. “Speak for yourself! You spent a month taking a bath with me and peeping on me! Not to mention you stole my first kiss before I even knew your name! Now stop hounding on Yuka and let them have their fun, understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sayaka whimpered.
“Good.” She let go of Sayaka’s ear and made a mental note to be extra nice to the shewolf later. The hand that was once pinching the shewolf’s ear, was now holding her chin, in which Miyuki used to keep her facing her. “Don’t you want Kumi to be happy?”
“I do, but-”
“Then let her be with Yuka-san. Besides us, who else does she smile that brightly with? No one.” Miyuki chided, stroking Sayaka’s chin. The shewolf’s pout was the only sign of defiance at this point. Moving her face closer to Sayaka’s, Miyuki purred to her “Besides….if Kumi is busy with Yuka-san. We have more time together.” She finished, pushing herself against the wolf.
Realizing what her mate was hinting at, she swallowed, before a small grin etched on her face. “Why are we still here?” She asked playfully, before dragging her mate back to their tent.
“I was wondering the same thing.” Miyuki laughed, allowing herself to be dragged away.
As the two retreated. they just missed an unfamiliar wolf.
--
“Well this saves me the trouble of having to search for you.”
Recognizing the voice, Yuka’s head shot up, nearly headbutting Kumi. The shewolf’s eyes widened, as she saw her former student before her. “Jurina…”
The interruption caused Kumi to fall out of her lust haze and realizing that they were no longer alone, she immediately moved off Yuka’s lap to sit behind the shewolf. Her hands found themselves gripping the shewolve’s robes tightly.
The girl being mentioned simply smirked. “Yup. You know news in this desert spreads pretty quickly. So... what’s this about about you trying to be Alpha, Yuka.” Jurina wondered, crossing her arms.
Clenching her teeth, Yuka mentally cursed her luck. She had been expecting Jurina to come after but she hadn’t taken the time to picture this scenario and make preparations for it. “It’s exactly what you’ve heard. I’ve gotten tired of watching friends die, all because you and Rena want to be on top.”
“So you think by spreading that message around, you’ll gain enough support? That’s cute of you.” The younger shewolf laughed, her gaze caught sight of a girl behind Yuka. “Well hello there. Who are you….Don’t tell me!” Jurina laughed even harder. “Is she your mate? A human? Gods, you’re pitiful, Yuka.”
“Leave her out of this, Jurina. This conversation is only between you and me.” Yuka warned. This wasn’t the same girl who she raised. She was different. ‘Has the war corrupted you too?’ The older shewolf could feel Kumi’s grip on her clothes increase. Looking back, she whispered comforting words to her.
“You’ve gotten soft. Falling for a human.” Jurina shook her head, as she got closer to the pair. When she was in arms reach, she reached out and grabbed Yuka by her hair, and brought her up to her feet. Hearing the human girl cry out for the shewolf, she glared down at her and growled. “Shut up! Before I do worse to you!” Once Kumi was dealt with, she looked back at her former Master. “We’re going. I have much more to discuss with you.”
Throwing Yuka over her shoulder, Jurina turned around and started going the way she came from. Kumi could only watch helplessly, unshed tears welling up in her eyes. Locking eyes one last time, Yuka managed to mouth something to her.
‘Tell Sayaka.’ Kumi deciphered, before catching one last thing. Yuka made a heart motion with her hand before pointing at her. Copying the motion, the girl waited for Jurina to be out of vision before springing to her feet and running as fast as she could to the tent she was residing in.
Her vision was blurry with the tears from her eyes and the emotions coursing through her currently, but she managed to make it back with no problem. Taking a deep breath, she entered the tent, and her eyes had to adjust immediately. Lucky for her, she didn’t walk in on anything too bad.
Noticing someone inside the tent, Sayaka looked up to see Kumi, out of breath and with tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Where is Yuka-san? Did she do this to you?” She asked, approaching the girl, but she stopped her questions when Kumi threw herself at her, soft sobs could be heard from the girl. Sayaka was confused and angry at the same time.
A moment later, Miyuki joined the embrace, trying to comfort the younger girl, with gentle pats on her head. While she looked up at Sayaka, she was thoroughly confused as the shewolf. Once the initial sobbing died down, Kumi pulled her face back from Sayaka’s chest. Small trails of tears were still rolling down her face, but Sayaka wiped them off.
“What happened?” She asked again, this time her tone was a lot softer.
“Y-Yuka, she was taken by someone...Her name was Jurina I think. S-she told me to tell you.” Kumi sniffed again, this time Miyuki took her into her arms.
Sayaka’s eyes widened at the news. “Shit!” She cursed aloud, looking to Miyuki, she got the ‘okay’ to leave. Shifting she ran out of the tent. Rushing past huge crowds of wolves, to Yuka’s tent. Barging in, she was faced with the Sato sisters.
Squinting, Mieko asked, “Sayaka-san? Why are you here...Where is Yuka?”
Shifting back, Sayaka replied with a single word. “Gone.”
“What? Wait... you mean the plan worked?”
Clenching her fists, Sayaka nodded. “You could say that. But because of how well it went, Kumi can’t stop crying. She was there went it happened.”
The two sisters looked at each other, before looking back at the Namba shewolf.
“We didn’t think-”
“I know you didn’t think.” Sayaka spat, as she cut Mieko off. “I expect you two to apologize to her.” With that, Sayaka left the tent once again. Staring upward, she sighed loudly. ‘Hopefully it can’t get worse than this.’
Taking her time back to her tent, she looked around at all the unfamiliar faces of Sakae shewolves. Some were laughing and telling stories, she saw one wolf practicing art alone. Glancing over her shoulder, she was amazed. It was small pictures of the wolves passing by, she drew them so quickly.
Shaking her head, Sayaka continued on her walk. She stood outside the flap, her ears trying to pick up any signs of Kumi still crying, but she heard nothing. Slipping in, she found the girl asleep, on Miyuki’s lap. Her mate stroking her hair.
“She cried herself to sleep.”
Without a word Sayaka sat next to Kumi, placing the young girl between them. She watched the girl breathe slowly in her sleep, there were dried tear tracks in her face and Sayaka licked her thumb before carefully wiping them off the girl’s face. Just like she did when she failed to wipe the dirt from the girl’s face a few days ago.
They never talked about Kumi’s life as a slave and, Sayaka and Miyuki thought it might be better to let the girl approach them on that topic. But she could see a few scars peeking out of the girl’s clothes, evidence of the girl’s hardships and it made her angry that she’d somehow contributed more to this girl’s misery. She shouldn’t have agreed to that plan.
“Sayaka?” Miyuki called out. “What do we do now?”
Sayaka replied a moment later when she was sure that she’d cleaned off the rest of the girl’s tears. “We wait and let the Sato sisters handle it. No one knows about this besides us and Kumi doesn’t know of the plan.” She paused. “Should we tell her?”
Miyuki shook her head. “Let’s just let her sleep and then maybe we can explain everything to her tomorrow. As for the rest, just as you said the Sato sisters can deal with it.”
Sayaked picked up Kumi, carefully so as not to wake the girl and placed her on the fur bedding. They all settled down with Kumi placed between them and let sleep claim them.
--
The next day came as if nothing happened at all but those that were aware of what happened the day before knew that trouble was coming and that they needed to prepare. The camp was vulnerable with their neutral location in the middle of a warzone but if word gets out that it’s leader has gone then the other Matsui might take advantage of it.
Kumi had woken up looking for Yuka and both Sayaka and Miyuki did their best to explain what was going to happen. The girl hadn’t taken it well and stormed out of the tent with tears in her eyes just as Mieko entered their tent.
“You two still have to apologize to her.” Sayaka said as she walked back and forth, she found herself unable to sit still while listening to Miyuki console the girl earlier. The scent of the girl’s tears was driving her mad and she was a bit glad that Kumi had left before she couldn’t take it anymore.
“There will be time—”
“No!” Sayaka interrupted, stalking towards Mieko but stopped halfway when Miyuki blocked her path. “I want you two to apologize because of your stupid plan, you bro—”
“Sayaka!” Miyuki interjected, her hands placed firmly on the enraged shewolf’s shoulders. “Please let Mieko speak, yelling at her won’t help Kumi and it might be important.”
The shewolf calmly wrapped an arm around Miyuki’s shoulders and took a few steps back without taking her eyes off from the older she wolf. Miyuki felt relieved that she was able to calm Sayaka down, she’d seen her get angry before but it was never this bad. She hugged Sayaka by the waist, Kumi must mean to Sayaka a lot if she got this angry.
“This better be important.” She muttered angrily.
“It is and it’s best we should discuss it in Yuka’s tent.” Mieko replied, seemingly unfazed at Sayaka’s outburst. Seira had warned that Sayaka was a bit short tempered. “We have to keep the illusion that she’s still around, otherwise we’ll have another situation in our hands.”
Without another word the older shewolf left.
Topic: Outcast and the Exiled Announcement 12/25 (Read 98817 times)