“Are we there yet!”
“No”
“Are we there yet?”
“No”
“Are we-“
“Oh my lord Utaari! We are not there yet, please stop!”
“Well, how far away is it! We’ve been walking for several hours.”
“It’s been 2 hours, you’ll survive”, Rae replied. No way, it's been 2 hours. Gahhh, just how big is this damned forest? 2 hours of nothing but trees, trees and even more trees! I'm sick of it!
“Can’t we just go back to that stream you cleaned yourself up in? It was hot as hell watching you clean up. Ooh! Maybe whilst you clean yourself, we can go a second round. Come on! It'll be fun”
“Utaari, please be quiet”
“Don’t be a prude. Come on, let's go no-“
“No, I’m serious. be quiet”
I zipped my mouth up. The sounds of trees swaying filled the air,z as well as something else, something different.
“Is that-“
“Rae! Are you here! RAE COME OUT. THE WHOLE VILLAGE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU,” a deep voice boomed through the forest. could it be…
I looked towards Rae. Tears were streaming down her face like a river. “I can’t believe they found me.” Suddenly, she moved.
“Rae, wait!” I yelled, but before I could grab her, she took off. Dammit. This girl hasn’t forgotten something!
My feet pounded the ground harder than ever. I can't believe it, they actually found me.
“RAE! ARE YOU THERE!” a voice boomed
“I’m here!” I yelled as I continued to run towards them/
“I can hear something this way, men!”
I continued running to their voices; they are so damn close, just a bit further. A few figures started to come into view in the distance. I think that’s
“ABRAHAM. IM HERE ABRAHAM”
The figure turned around and started running to me. “RAE!” he shouted as he bolted towards me, and before I knew it, I was in his arms.
“Abraham. I was so scared there were these wolves, and I tripped and-“
“Shhh, it’s okay. It’s fine, we’re here. I’m just happy you're safe.”
He held me tight as the other villagers arrived. God, I'm so happy. I didn’t think they would-
“How could I forget! Quick, there is something else. Follow me!”
He put me down. I have to get Utaari and take her home. I owe her; she saved me from death. We walked through the forest back to where we had just been, but she was now nowhere to be seen.
“She was just here, Abraham. Just where has she gone?”
“Dont worry rae. Alright men! We’ve found one lost person now to find another well spread out in- “
“You don’t need to do that!” Utaari’s voice came from above. My head snapped. She was hanging on one of the tree branches. She leapt from the branch and landed in front of us.
“Sorry, I just don’t feel safe being on the forest floor.”
I walked up to her. She looked different, gone where her monstrous features were now; she looked… human. She had long purple hair, pale white skin, and bright blue cosmic eyes. She also wore a purple frilly dress. Just where did she find all this?
“Utaari, you look”
“Just like I always did.” She cut in, whilst glaring at me. Of course, how could I be dumb? Ari isn’t human if she came as she was then...
“So you're the famous Utaari! Rae’s been telling me about how you saved her. Thanks, she’s our little troublemaker, but she’s near and dear to us.”
“No problem any time hahaha.”
“Alright, men, let's go. Let's not make our stay here longer than it needs to be.”
Everyone turned around as we started to head back to the village. Utaari and I followed, making sure to stay far enough away to be out of earshot.
“Ari. Just how did you?”
“Shapeshifting. Technically, I'm still naked, and these clothes you see are just my skin. I hope this village isn't far, because being like this isn't very comfortable”
“Will you be okay?”
“Yeah, it just feels really weird. Also, why didn’t you tell me that Abraham guy was hot AF that lumberjack look is really doing it for me right now.”
I let out a sigh, this girl….
Utaari Pov:
Hot damn, this lumberjack was really doing it for me!
“Alright, men! We've found Rae and her friend, let's get her back to the village.”
All the men cheered in unison. Looking around, there were quite a lot of good-looking guys here. Some men were covered in black soot and wore nothing but a pair of jeans and a vest. If I had to guess, they were miners.
“They can drill me as long and as hard as they want”
“What was that?!”
“Nothing, it was the lumberjack. He was the picture-perfect definition of an outdoorsman; he wore a large buffalo plaid shirt, leather suspenders, bright blue jeans, and a large black-handled axe. All of this was brought together with a nice set of brown hair, blue eyes and a wicked 5 o’clock shadow. He was just-
“Hello”
I snapped back to reality. Had I been staring at him the whole time?
“Oh, sorry, it's just, you're quite handsome”
The man bellowed.
“Thank you, lady, for the compliment. Names Abraham”
Of course it is. He gave me his hand, and I took it. Even his grip was manly. The thought of those hands holding my neck as he took me from behind is just-
+25 arousal points.
I shook my head and pulled away.
“Nice to meet you, Abe, name's Utaari.”
“Nice to meetcha! Mind telling me what a young girl like you was doing out here by your lonesome?”
Shit. Now that I think about this. How do I explain myself? Telling the truth is off the table, so the only option I have is to lie. But what can I say that's believable? Fuck, I'm so screwed here.
“Well, you see, Abe.. I was....”
“I found her!”
I turned around it was Rae. She ran up to my side. “I found her lost in the woods. She was wandering around lost and confused. We looked after each other”
A smile crept up on her face. Thanks rae.
“I see,” Abe replied. “Could it be... when we get back to the village, it's best you both go to the town hall and speak to Kazeka, she might be interested in your friend.
I nodded. Anything to end this conversation seriously, Abe is quite inquisitive, isn't he? I fell back from Abe and walked along with Rae. Hopefully, the village isn't too far from here.
Some time later....
“And we're here!”
Rae yelled. It was quite the walk, around 3 hours, but we made it, and just in time, as well, the sun was setting. The village itself was a lot more robust than I thought. It was surrounded by thick stone walls and had battlements that overlooked the forest. If I had to guess, this place may be a sort of military outpost? Or could it be because of the forest?
“OPEN THE GATES, WE FOUND RAE!” Abe yelled. There was a brief period of silence followed by the loud mechanical groaning. Soon, the heavy wooden doors swung open, and we walked in.
“Woooh boy, my back, I'm getting old”
“Abe, you're 23, grow up.” Rae snapped. He chuckled. “If you say so, ma’am, how bout i escort you to the town hall after that? I'm going home to hit the hay.”
“Thanks, Abe,” I said as I moved back towards his side. I caught a glimpse of Rae rolling her eyes. I can't help myself, he’s an absolute stud. Abe walked us towards the town hall. On our way, I saw all manner of shops, sadly, all of them closed.
“Why is nothing open. I wanted to grab a bite to eat.”
“It's approaching sundown, Utaari. Shops close around this time unless you live in a city”
I see. So I guess 24-hour convenience stores aren't a thing in this world. Bummer. Oh well, I'll have to explore tomorrow morning. We kept walking forward until a large ornate building came into sight.
“Is that it?” I asked. Abe nodded, “And that building ff to the right is the academy. If I'm correct, Rae, you should be going into the final grade if I'm correct.”
“That's correct”, she said with exasperated breath
“Seeing that takes me back. So many memories, and who could forget the magical examination it was-”
“Enough abe! Let's just go inside. I'm tired.”
Abe glared at her but didn't argue. “Yes, ma'am.”
The air became thicker than mud, and I think I know why it is because Rae is LAME? Rae suddenly took off into the building. Abe and I quickly followed behind into the town hall. The second the doors swung open, I was met with a bright, ornate building made with old hardwood floors and marble. Dark wood desks, tables, and cupboards made up the furniture, and a brass chandelier hung High above us, illuminating the building.
I looked around the room, looking for Rae, but there was no sign of her. Did she dis-
“I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT, RAE! DO YOU KNOW HOW STUPID THAT WAS!”
“BUT-”
“NO BUTS, YOUNG LADY. YOU COULD' VE DIED, AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN FOUND YOUR BODY. WHAT YOU DID WAS RECKLESS AND DANGEROUS! SNEAKING OT TE VILLAGE AND GOING OUT ON YOUR OWN HOW COULD YOU!”
“I'm sorry, Kaze.”
The tiger woman opened up her mouth to yell again, but she immediately closed it.
“I’m glad you're safe. Dont do that again. I know why you want to do it, and I understand, but please. Both Luka and I worry about you”
“Please.... Luka doesn't worry about me”
“Rae, that’s not true, and you know it”
“Please…” before the lady could say anything rae stormed off. The lady sighed before turning to look at me.
“You there! We need to talk”
“Yes, ma’am!” I yelled, rushing over to her side. Why does she remind me of a drill instructor? I feel like she might beat my ass if I say the wrong thing.
"Rae tells me you found her in the forest, correct?”
I nodded.
“And you saved her life, correct?”
I nodded, “All I did was scare off some wolves, nothing too crazy” The tiger woman scanned me head to toe. She had golden slitted eyes and orange hair cut into a messy bob. She had 6 razor-thin whiskers, 3 at each side of her face, all of which were brought together with amazing skin.
“I see, and you don’t remember how you got into the forest?”
I nodded.
“It was a blur. I remember stumbling around for a little while, confused and dazed. It took me a while to come around when I did. I heard a scream for help. The rest is history, I guess.” The words left my mouth with as much confidence as I could muster. Which wasn’t much, considering this woman was staring into my soul.
“I see”, the tiger woman looked me over one more time before she backed away.
“I guess I wont be getting any leads from you. Sorry for the interrogation. We've had reports of caravans transiting through the forest getting attacked. I was hoping for a lead or some info that I could use to get the higher-ups off my ass”
The tiger woman relaxed. And leant against a nearby desk.
“The names Kazeka Tora. Or kaze. I'm the adventure guild master and head of security of the village. Make yourself at home.”
“t…th…thank you.”
“No problem, tell me, you got a place to sleep?” I shook my head. My original plan was to find a tree somewhere, but now I don’t think that will be possible without people getting suspicious.
“I see. Well, if that’s the case, you can-“
“Utaari can stay at my place,” Rae chimed in. Rae came up from behind and pressed against my shoulder. “We have a spare room”
“And is Luka-“
“I'll deal with her-“Rae interrupted. I don’t know who this Luka person is, but whoever they are, I don’t wanna meet them.
Kaze nodded. “I'll leave it with you then. Utaari is it?”
I nodded
“Come visit me tomorrow. I'll get you set up and explain all the burning questions you have.
“I will, thank you”, the tiger lady gave me a smile revealing a 4 sharp fangs. Damn, she’s actually quite cute. I wouldn’t mind a piece of her.
“Let’s go utaari!” I quickly gave Kaze a wave goodbye as Rae dragged me away. I guess it’s onwards to meet this Luka person…..