Arc 1: A whole new world

Warning: sexual content/nudity.

Our moment didn’t last long. She stuffed the bird in my mouth and fled with a pile on her back, asking me to wait. She was indeed strong. 

A token of 'friendship', was it? What does minute also mean? 

Her words, the stride on she walks, the objects she owns, everything was so foreign, I fcould only strive to wonder.

How did she learn to hunt? What clan is she from? 

I expired a while wondering, but there was no sign of her return. 

Oh. 

Is she unwilling to turn back after all? Was she just pretending to be fine while horrified inside? Or was it disgust? She did run right after touching me... 

Maybe this is but cruel reality?

How unfair would it be if I couldn’t have my way even in my dreams?

Could it be one of those cursed hallucinations caused by the scorpion’s… 

But it wasn’t a full moon’s night. 

She even took my prey with her; I refused to believe it as a sign of scorn.

So I stared down the path I came through. I was healed enough to walk as she stopped my bleeding almost instantly. In a subconscious act, I touched my scar. 

Was this at fault again? 

Every female I encounter either scream on my face, or start wailing like a trapped prey. 

Only her... sigh. She even refused me so kindly.

It was time to return. It was about time to break free of this fantasy. Yet for the love of my life, I couldn’t stop staring down the path she left on. I wished to see her one last time, my mind flowing to her scent, or rather her stench.

This time, as she came, she really did materialize off air, pinning me afoot, screaming and whispering oh the words- the craziest of phrases that calmed my frenzied heart just to send it into another. 

I even got to sniff her hair!

There are clans with females’ hair this long? I wondered some more.

Her scent was something in between plants and honey, in other words soothingly sweet. I was about to sneak in another whiff when- 

“Damn, you’re like a nest of cotton. but warmer. I could honestly fall asleep atop here.” 

Did she truly utter such, straddling me, smiling like that? Ack! 

There was no stopping my disastrous heart now. 

“Don’t you wanna visit my home?” 

So I figured finding where a female such as her came from would be the wisest procedure. But-

Is she aiming at LIFTING me? ME? She was clearly struggling and I wanted to walk by her side, in spite of my limp. But something about her left no room for negotiation. I gave up, awaiting her exhaution so she asks my aid herself, Only to be found tied in an artistic vine loop. 

“I'll put your injured leg on my back. That might have you hanging upside down. Bear with me, eh?” 

I secretly resented her smart mind, just a little. For the time being, I could only put my weight on my fore limbs, walking in reverse. A part of it couldn't but press on her still. I was awed at how she didn’t frown a tad. 

“Thumbs up, Kitten! We made it.” 

My thumb? Why?

And we made? What?

As for Kitten... was she naming me?

My heart shivered at her constant show of affection.

She set me down on a part of the riverbank from where a cave was visible. 

“That, there, is where we’ll be resting until you heal.” It was unacceptable that she’d be stuck within a lifeless forest in my sake! But if she suddenly hoggled my torso, adding- “I was alone. Always alone. Especially after I ran away. I’ve grown so numb to loneliness, I didn’t even notice there was no soul here until you appeared. Thank you for agreeing to keep me company. I feel human again.”

She’s in this state for she fled her clan? Maybe she was being sold? I was curious for details but not over my contentment with the warmth she shared- if she ever wished upon me, I knew I’d be glad to share her ache.

Our position forced my head to rest on her shoulder; me dealing the courage because this was a dream. She used the river water to clean dirt and blood from my fur so very softy, I almost fell asleep.

Almost.

“Sorry for not having much. I promise my best to become a worthy owner.” She said as she held out her palm, ”Hold if you promise not to leave. I feel like you do understand me to some extent.”

I barely controled the urge to hoggle her back as she eagerly rubbed our heads together upon my 'promise'. I was confused. How could that body's heat and scent all be my imagination? How could those fond touches and warm promises be real? She’d become worthy of ME? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I willed the scorpion bastard that poisoned me with such realistic hallucination die a wretched death. I could also tell why it was named a poison, for I might die of longing if I ever awake from this.

While I was in a daze, she had already dragged me into the cave, a pile of leaves and twigs gathered in the front of which, in between 2 trees, to the trunks of which was my prey hare tied by vines put through it. 

She also cooks differently from what I’m used to. I could still act if only she asked... fearing her annoyance, I laid back and watched with no clue why she was grinding medicinal herbs and applying them to the hare. 

But then I found her struggling to light a fire. 

If she continued holding her stone glints in that angle... 

She'll hurts herself! Where’s the other glint she used from before?

“Whoa!! When did you- you’re walking?! You need rest!” she yelped the moment I apprached her.

Those eyes... Is she worried? For me? Not annoyed? 

I contemplated if I was favored or cursed to witness this fantasy. The damned thing was getting to my head!

I reached from her hind to right her posture. One push on her wrist and the pile went roaring in flames.

She looked dumbstruck, glowering like I did the impossible. Then began to laugh. Her animated laughter threatened to put a silly grin upon my own face, which I bid best not to. My grin has only ever painted me uglier and scarier to all feminine eyes to this date. 

“O Kitten, smart Kitten," she giggled, "how’re you so human? I feel like I can do anything if you’re with me~” 

Is ‘human’ a word of compliment? I didn’t intend to grin. I truly didn't. I rushingly wiped it off yet- “Did you just smile? OMG! Do it again!” -her squeal didn't let me.

Whoa female, easy! Is she serious? 

“Smile more, Kitten, you look so handsome.” I wasn’t sure if the daze I fell into was because of her words, her smothering hold or the mouthwatering smell drifting out of the grilled meat as she cut it open.

“Open wide. Now I know you like being fed.” 

I could swear- no I ‘was’ swearing, NEVER in my life did I taste a meal this good. I ask in earnest; what more sorcery is she capable of?

“Wow, your expressions... is it only you or are all beasts here just as intelligent? How lucky, I met you.” It was my dream, yet she seemed to snatch my words right away. Her touchy nature was so infectious, I pressed my head on her cheek in adore; realizing only later what I had done. But then... she.rubbed.me.back! She... rubbed... me-ah.

So I knew. After waking up I’d definitely die, and I’d die happy.

“You know... you remind me of HIM,” she said as she ran off again, this time with the excuse of training, "It makes me want to keep you more." Climbing trees, swinging vines, aiming at random with the use of pebbles, thorns, vine knots and her blade, she played the whole day to her heart’s content while I was stuck pondering who she meant by ‘him’? 

Is ‘he’ lieu to why she‘s this kind to me? Am I replacement of someone she misses? I did declare myself content only with her attention, but couldn’t quite shake off the nipping envy. 

There was no visible spousal mark on her. When with intent to sense one I looked over, I only found myself shamelessly gawking. Her bottom round and plump, her chest elfin perky and the lowest amount of abdominal chub I’ve ever seen on a female. My gaze only travelled- up the bind of her hair, down the smooth vine wrapped around her body that did nothing to hide her privates but accentuated them.

She settled only as the sun did, jovially holding 5 birds, skinned and cleaned. “I brought snacks. Dig in.” 

Dig? 

Judging by the circumstances, does she will me to eat? Don’t females despise males who have their prey raw? 

She was truly a rare kind. 

Not that I ever minded raw. I actually quite liked it that way.

I bit in, watching her peel and relish fruits stored in a corner pouch. Ocassionally, her soft caress on my nape was triggering rumbles in my chest. I had yet used to her touch that it moved onto my face, “This scar...” she peered into my eyes, “Must’ve hurt so bad when you got this. I feel so... sorry.”

How’s she not disgusted yet? Is her heart made of a different soil?

I could feel heated moisture crawl around the balls of my eyes. But it wasn’t a time to. 

She had yawned. So I was pushing piled garbage out the cave to make space, when she suddenly begun to shed the vines.

"Thank you, sweetie. I never knew wild tigers were versed in spooning. Hehe."

Spoo...

Distracted, I wasn't yet done gawking with my arms still hollwed when she shocked me soulless by tucking herself within comfortably, leaving but a thin layer of dried mud as the only barrier between our skins.

Oh both Lords of hell and heaven. 

Maybe my fidgeting alerted her, as she exclaimed for no reason: “Not sleepy? You did laze around all day. Want me to sing something? Who knows, it might help?”

Sing? Like a bird? There’s a clan capable of doing so?

I thought up many possibilities but was definitely not ready for what followed.

Laboon ko Laboon pe sajao~

She was supposed to sing, no?

Kya ho tum mujhe ab batao~ 

Then what is this foreign concoction of ex- 

As if repsonding to my confusion the expressions reverted back the tongue understandable by me.

Arms that are spread open in hopes to comfort you,

Moments that are drenched by feelings I have for you...

...how I wish it hadn't.

Hold yourself- break yourself- In my arms, yes, in my arms~ I gasped.

A low melody. Risqué words...

That can’t be... The line between dreams and reality blurred further as her words slowly wrapped me in.

Believe me as I say, I find life in your graceful smile and hearty mischefs,

Follow me as I lay, discarding honor, doubt and discarding shame~

Oh how I would love to. 

Put yourself, lose yourself- In my nights, yes, in my nights~

Such words to me, the loveless, the worthless, fated one in solitary...

If I breathe in your breath- I'm afreshed, lifted higher,

If I trap in those sighs, I feel spiked on your desire~

Even if she was the devil, I was ready to be charmed to the depths of hell if it meant dying hearing that I was hea- At that moment, I felt a warm bunch of fingers creep across my neck.

If you're shy, if you hide, cover that face not those eyes-

They caressed my face- 

Cause when they lock with my pair- you will see the way I see

Caressed my eyes-

Mirrored will be, my love, how adorable that you are.

Oh my.

My heart almost stilled.

Her hand had steered into my ear.

If you're shy, if you hide, hide that head in my chest

Cause when your ear... is on my heart...

As her clear voice began to slurr- she was lazily, very lazily playing with it.

Beaten will be-

She said.

Beaten will be...

The rest of that sentence failed her as reason failed me. It was only a simple touch to the ear, I never new my body could convulse so...

Or was it the excitement to know what's left of her song?

I needed to hear! I needed to feel! I needed MORE! So much MO-

Why, O why-

"Hmm? Oh... my love, how desirable that you are."

What?! That... was that the end? She called me her...

Oh deities...

Her slurred words continued amidst the storm in my heart, 

“I’m Ash by the way.” 

My thoughts changed course. 

A name small and sweet, so like her. But...

The SONG! Why... such words for I-

“Starting today, we’re mates, hmm?” 

My thoughts changed course again, roaring, soaring. 

m-ma- She just said THE WORD! 

I was so happy I could bite my own tongue and die!

The urge to feel her face against my bare palm was too strong. I transformed only the arm above her as to not disturb her sleep but accidentally brushed past her chest. She made a- “Mmm, what?” and I rushed to pet her back, as one does in coaxing a babe.

Then again, she had never stopped talking, had she?

“Should I just name you after him?” 

Is it ‘him’ again? The 'envy' crushed within earlier today boiled back up. 

So all she said till now... it was all but for 'him'?

And I submitted to it, fuming at her mumblings. 

“In the look's department, You're basically twins...”

“With who?” Cold rage growled within me as I transformed at whole, "Pray tell, sweet ASH~" My hands flew, poking the perky mound of her chest in punishment. "What name- His... He is..." However, the cushiony softness of her flesh and the groggy moan that echoed from deep within her throat only messed with my thoughts. 

Gently, 

"Hey."

Warmly, 

"Hey, Ash-"

Well until- “Kaywin...” 

I froze; every unbecoming act halted. 

Surely, she didn’t... But that was my name! My LITERAL name! 

“Kaywin who?” I asked in urgency. 

Whilst she replied in an even drowsier tone, “White tiger. White hair. Beastman, Kay...” 

Her caressing fingers, heavy with exhaustion, languidly fell inside my wide open mouth. 

“Silver eye... 4 stripe... a scar...” 

It really was me! 

Has this sly dreammaker treacherously made me envy myself?

Why me? What do I mean to her? Why so much sentiment on my behalf? Joy threathened to stream down my face. I had so many questions. But...

Her hand was back up again, brushing my scarred cheek as she travelled in and out of consciousness. For reason unknown to me, she swiped it with a lazy smile. “So what if 'that' Kaywin is with someone else, YOU belong to me, no?” 

I... belong... Oh this cursed dream! I shan't-

“My Kaywin...” 

I shan’t lose it. Darned thin strings of sanity, I-

"Maybe this place really is enchanted. To have this charming a prince visit my dreams just because I sang of Lust and Laboon*. Is it your true self, hmm, Mr. Tiger? Might as well just decorate our Laboons, just as I sang for? Whad'dya say? Hehe. Such a handsome dream..."

After that, quiet fell.

This time as slumber befell her, it finally swallowed both her cursed caressing hands and cursed singing voice into it.

But alas, slumber failed to grasp me.

How could it, when I was boiling red and blue with the sensation left on my face.

Right before being consumed by said slumber, she had pressed HER LIPS on MINE! 

I...

That softness.

I... 

The warmth.

I...

The colour. The shape. The scent-

Oh Goodness Gracious. 

I might never recover from this.