Where Do We Go From Here?

Kitatanya

Chapter 23

A/N: Thank you guys so much for reading! You're awesome!

Read on, loves!

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Adora thanked every star in the sky as she and Catra and Melog topped the next peak and finally saw the lights of the town they'd rushing towards glittering in the distance before them. She was utterly exhausted and stumbled as an acute sense of relief stole her flagging strength upon seeing the town whole and at peace, with no signs of any battle or distress that she could see. Catra caught her, holding her steady, but she didn't have time to anything more than send her concerned mate a tired smile of reassurance, before Scorpia, Perfuma joined them in a similar state.

"Oh, thank the First Ones!" Perfuma cried, all but drooping into Scorpia next to her.

"We made it." The tall princess sighed, wrapping her claw tighter around Perfuma's shoulders as she sagged a bit too.

Adora hated to still their relief, but she had to. "It's not over yet. We still have to make it there first."

The both of them looked at her, weary affection in their eyes, before steadying themselves. Adora felt a burst of pride towards the both of them as they set their jaws with determination and looked towards the town. Behind them, the first of the squadron of soldiers drew close, all of them as weary as herself. She glanced to the wagon Mermista was sleeping in beside the clone she and Catra had saved. Even with their support, the soldiers had been wary of him and they'd decided unanimously that his place for now was that very wagon when she and her mate and friends weren't talking with him to try to gather more information.

He hadn't had much more to tell them than what he already had, but he had tried his very best to answer all of their questions with an eagerness that had begun to remind her fondly of Dak. He still didn't have a name, though all of them had suggested a few when they'd still had the energy before the toll of travelling so quickly over the difficult, mountainous terrain had begun to set in. From the set of his expression she knew that was what he was thinking of this very moment and it drew a tired smile from her as she realized it had been a nice, tiny distraction from her heavy thoughts. Her immediate fondness of him had startled her at first, but now, she simply accepted it and Catra had been right along beside her in that respect too.

She took in Mermista's sleeping form and decided not to wake her just yet; she needed her rest. Perfuma and Scorpia had both had a short nap too, but she, Catra, Melog, and most of the soldiers hadn't had a wink of sleep in the last two days. All of the mages of their forces were still in Chrytsalyis or with Netossa and Spinnerella in the town already. They had learned now that Melog knew more than a few spells, but the transport runes were not among them. They'd had no choice but to keep going on foot, because even after the messenger they'd sent back to Glimmer arrived back in the city, the young queen and the mages there at her disposal would have no way of reaching them without their current location. They had, however, sent him with a rough map, because in light of the speed they'd then had to move, half of the wagons had had to be left behind and they'd complied as many of the supplies onto the res as they could. Not wanting to abandon any of the horses and to relieve the strain of the heavier loads over the mountains, they'd hitched them in teams of two to the remaining wagons. Glimmer would be able to send people to reclaim the supplies and gear left behind; none of Etheria could afford the loss of supplies right now.

They'd also still wanted to confirm the absence of more clones in the forest as had been their primary objective before. Melog could have carried herself and Catra on ahead, but neither of them had been able to bear the thought of leaving their friends or the soldiers behind. It had also been a bit of a blessing and a curse, because they'd both had to call She-Ra more than once to help the horses and their drawn wagons over terrain that would have been impossible for them to traverse. If they'd left, all of the wagons and the horses would have had to have been abandoned long ago, but it had left the both of them utterly drained of energy even quicker.

It made her again thankful that the battle for the town had not yet begun, because with everyone this exhausted, they'd be less than the most useful of reinforcements. Still, they had to press on. She could only hope they'd all have at least a short time to rest before Blood's forces inevitably struck.

She also felt a rekindled burst of gratitude for Glimmer's instincts as she started carefully down the dark, steep, rocky incline before them. Just thinking about what would have happened if it had been a wandering group of innocent civilians who'd wandered into the ambush they had two days ago filled her with dread. They hadn't seen any more signs of clones since and she could only be thankful for that too. It seemed that was all she'd been reduced to right now. Exhaustion, hunger, dread, gratitude, and the grim determination that kept her going. And, as always, her love for Catra beside her.

They'd barely even spoken these last two days, because the both of them had been too focused on their destination and their determination to arrive in time to stop the worst they feared would happen. But still, even though their exhaustion and drive, having her mate here, feeling the same way she did, was a blessing that she hoped would never cease to amaze her. She saw it too in Catra, with every tired, determined glance they'd shared and with every tiny unspoken gesture of their devotion to each other; like occasionally forcing each other to take at least a few bites of their rations. Even here in the grim face of war, what they shared and the promise between them hadn't faded from its blinding wonder in the slightest.

She reached for her with one arm, simply wanting to be closer to her, even if it was only for a moment. Instantly, Catra was pressing against her side and her mate's arm was slipping around her waist as hers was winding about her shoulders. The immediate response spoke a world to her and it filled her tired soul with more energy once again. She kept her eyes on the barely visible, steep and rough terrain in front of her feet so that she wouldn't send the both of them stumbling, but she smiled and squeezed her tighter for a moment, already knowing her mate would sense what she was feeling. They had remained apart from their bond for most of the last two days too, both knowing that if they didn't, they'd get lost in each other; it was what they both wanted, after all. But they couldn't.

There was no time and it made her despair a little at their reality. This was the way things had to be until they'd at least prevented this one calamity they could almost physically feel approaching them. It was comfort knowing for certain her mate felt the same way, but it was a small one at best.

One of the horses skidded on the stone behind them with a terrified whinny, sending a rush of debris down the steep incline. Alarmed, she looked around only to see a few soldiers had already leapt forward to steady the animal and her companion and to stop the wagon from overtaking them and sending the both of them hurtling down to crash on the rocky ground far below them. Thankfully, it wasn't the wagon Mermista was sleeping in, but a glance her way showed the sounds had woken her. She was crouching in the back of it, casting around in alarm as if ready to face an attack.

"It's alright." Perfuma called to her softly. "We're safe."

Mermista was tense for a moment longer, before dropping to sit heavily down where she stood with a frustrated groan. "Great!" She called back, obviously trying not to sound grumpy, before burying her face in her hands.

The way she was hunched made Adora suspect that her friend had dissolved into tears. If she was actually crying though, not a single part of her betrayed it, so she decided not to offer her comfort at the moment. Instead, she silently gestured to Catra for them to continue walking after they shared a glance that let her know her mate echoed the decision. Mermista was a lot like Catra still sometimes was with others besides herself. They both tended to try to hide their emotions behind a front of anger and sarcastic defiance or indifference and would often lash out with one or another in the face of any perceived pity. It didn't make her think less of Mermista, just like it didn't make think less of the woman she loved. It was just a part of who they were and it was a piece of what made them both special; in different ways of course.

Strangely it reminded her of the joke she'd played on Catra when they'd been on their way to her surprise of a day to spend only with each other. She knew logically that it hadn't been very long ago at all, but the sheer amount of things that had happened, tinged the memory with a nostalgic sort of feeling of regret. Again, she steeled her heart against more despair and took a deep breath to gather herself once more as she pushed the feelings down and away. The more exhausted she'd become, the more her thoughts had begun to wander in all sorts of directions and it had become harder and harder to focus each time. Thoughts of Catra beside her were the hardest and most painful to push away, but still, again, it was what she had to do. The needs of her home, her people, and the universe had to come before her own selfish wants. Her devotion to her mate would always come first, but that didn't mean they could stop doing what they had to do to indulge in each other just yet.

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Hours later, they finally stepped from the last stand of trees and vegetation into the fields around their still peacefully sleeping destination. These fields were not the grassy ones that surrounded Chrytsalyis, but were instead teeming with all manner of growing crops. She remembered vaguely through the haze of her utter exhaustion that this town was a farming settlement and was highly valuable in the face of the lack of food all over their kingdoms, but still could not remember its actual name. For a moment, she thought they'd have to circle around to the road that wound around the mountains they'd just crossed, but then her eyes saw a wagon trail a few sections down and let out a brief sigh of relief that was echoed by Catra at her side as she followed her gaze.

"There." She pointed as their friends and the first of the soldiers drew up on them and Melog, who had been a constant, silent presence by their side.

Silently, they all followed, their steps reduced now to an almost painfully slow shamble. Her exhaustion had started to alarmingly resemble the way she'd felt when lost in her mind. The thought made her shudder and Catra's arm instantly tightened about her waist.

"Just a little further." She murmured, her tired voice determined and reassuring.

The words and gesture filled her tired spirit with love and awe and wonder, chasing away her thoughts of being broken at once. Adora risked looking away from the loose soil beneath her feet so that she could smile softly at her mate. "I love you." She murmured, trying to express everything she felt surging inside her with those three, all-important words.

Catra looked up at her too, tired eyes glittering with a storm that echoed everything she felt. "I love you too." She whispered back, a broken purr rising in her chest.

All she wanted in that moment was to kiss her, but there was still a little further to go and a flash of that tired pain she felt went through Catra's eyes almost simultaneously; again, it filled her with love for the woman beside her and the way their thoughts were almost always in unison. With a mixing of love and regret in their eyes, the both of them put their attention back into last leg of the journey. Just a few more steps, just a little further to go and then, they'd be able to rest for a least a little while. She just had to focus on the very next step and everything would be fine. The much-repeated thought had started to ring a little bitter, but it was still true nonetheless.

A soft cry of alarm from the low wall around the city rang through the air, echoed in seconds by more. Adora was almost instantly blinded as a bright, magical sphere of light was launched into the air over them. Melog let out a low roar of challenge and she was immediately on edge, reaching over her shoulder to grasp her staff as she turned her body, trying to pull her snarling mate behind her. The cries of echoed alarm quickly became happy calls of recognition and her tired mind realized that, of course, their forces had set up a watch around the town. She felt a little bit like an idiot as she let her tired arm fall and shared a look of weary amusement with her equally frazzled mate as the weary soldiers broke rank and were pouring towards their friends and fellow soldiers in a burst of tired celebration. The light faded and Adora was all but blind again in an instant.

"Guys!" Netossa's voice rang through the air. Adora could not see were she was, but Catra's low laugh let her brace herself in time before the net wielding princess crashed into them with a fierce hug.

"I'm so glad you're all safe!" Spinnerella cried and finally Adora's weary eyes readjusted and she could see again. The air weaving princess had caught Scorpia and Perfuma up in a hug too.

Almost as one, Netossa let go of them and Spinnerella let go of Scorpia and Perfuma and the both of them turned to draw Mermista into a tight hug. The gesture spoke worlds to her and let her know that Netossa and Spinnerella were just as worried for her as they were. It filled her with a burst of love and affection for all of her friends. They were all even closer now than they'd become during the first war and what had happened to her and Catra had only sealed their unique, intermingling bonds even more. She kept seeing it, but it kept right on amazing her each time.

"You guys look awful." Netossa fussed, drawing away from Mermista to regard them all.

"We thought you weren't arriving until late tomorrow." Spinnerella added softly.

Adora felt a tiny burst of dismay at the thought that their messenger to Glimmer had been delayed. He should have reached her by now and she knew Glimmer would have informed their friends about what had happened in the forest and the warning of the coming attack almost immediately. Again, she felt a horrible sense of despair at the lack of communications and how very badly off they all really were in this war. The pull of the universe in her heart was growing stronger every day and that same urgency was always echoing in the depths of Catra's eyes. Maybe it was because of her exhaustion, but it felt even bigger now and she suddenly felt dizzy with all of the thoughts roaring in her head.

Catra was already holding her tighter even as she swayed and their friends around them let out low cries of alarm. She cursed herself and forced her mind back on the here and now. There was no time for her to be weak; she'd already been weak enough before. Catra let out a near-silent growl and she looked down to see her mate gazing up at her with a swirling mix of concern, chastisement, and more than a little anger. Catra had seen the broken look in her eyes and hadn't liked it at all. She sighed down at her and tried to be reassuring, but Catra only narrowed her eyes and looked out at Netossa and Spinnerella.

"She needs to rest. Now." She snapped, her tone almost possessively angry.

Adora balked a little. "I can make it until after we have a meeting." She insisted.

"No. Now." Her mate's firm words were echoed by sounds from their friends.

"Look, you guys have been working harder than any of us." Scorpia said softly, her lips set in a tight line. "We can handle the information and get the troops settled."

Again, her sentiment was echoed by the others and Catra made a sound low in her throat that was almost another growl. 'They speak truth.' Melog's voice was firm and she glanced down to see them regarding her with that no-nonsense expression that was becoming all too familiar.

In the face of Catra's still angry and determined expression and the reminder of their promise along with the firmness of all of their friends and Melog, she was helpless to deny any of them. "Fine." She looked away to try to hide her scowl, but was unable to keep the bitterness from the word. Then, Catra's near-silent relieved sigh and the lessening of tension in her body made her feel a little less bitter almost immediately.

Catra loved her. Melog loved her. Their friends loved her. If they said she had time to rest, then she had to believe them. In a flash, she realized her stress and exhaustion had made her more angry about it than she would have been otherwise and felt the urgent need to apologize to them all. Especially Catra

She smiled down at her mate, trying to show her all of the love and the apology and her gratitude in that one, tired expression. "I'm an idiot." She murmured softly.

Catra's relieved and tired expression dissolved into such a tender look it all but stole her breath. "You are." She murmured, eyes flashing with that familiar mix of mischief, humor, and love. "But it's okay, 'cause I love you for it." She looked back at their friends before Adora could reply to those words of love. "Anyone got a spare tent we can borrow?" She asked lightly.

"We do." An unexpected, but familiar, voice called from the direction of the wall.

Adora felt Catra tense with surprise a moment before she recognized the three shadowy figures walking towards them. It was Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle. The three of them were looking at them with a mix of wariness, determination and affection in different measures. Then, Lonnie flashed a familiar fierce smirk and Adora's surprise gave way to affection in an instant.

"Kyle says you can use his tent." She said lightly, jerking her thumb back at him.

He gaped at her for a moment, before letting out a low laugh and shaking his head with affection and exasperation. In that one gesture, she saw that Kyle seemed much more mature than she'd last seen him and it made let her see the change in all of them. No longer were they putting on the arrogant air that had been so common among them in the past. They all seemed relaxed and happy in a way she couldn't quite describe. Their time away from the Horde had obviously been good for them and all she could feel was happy about it. Catra was trying to stifle her sudden burst of purring and Adora all but swooned at the rush of giddy affection she felt for her as she realized her mate was just as happy about it as she was.

She gazed down at her, but Catra only flicked a slightly annoyed ear her way. Her mate knew exactly what she was feeling for her at the moment and she almost laughed aloud before Catra spoke. "Lead the way. This idiot's gone delirious and if she doesn't sleep soon, I think we're all going to regret it." The words were a playful and mischievous growl.

Laughter broke out around them and Melog pressed against her, chuckling softly. She glanced down to see them looking up at the both of them with affection and no small amount of pride. Melog was happy for them and had no doubt felt Catra's affection for their former friends and sensed her own. It made her realize again just how much Melog loved them and she looked around to see their friends all looking between themselves and the trio of ex-Horde soldiers with quickly building affection and pride too. None of them knew the details of their tangled past, but they'd sensed the renewing connection between them and were happy for them too. Now, she was all but dizzy for a totally new reason and realized that yes, she definitely needed sleep, and soon.

"C'mon." Kyle said then, and she saw concern in his expression as he gestured for them to follow. Lonnie and Rogelio were echoing that concern and she let Catra all but drag her forward to follow them without resistance.

She was reeling and only made out the vaguest details around them as she stumbled forward with her mate. Catra reached up, drawing her arm even further around her shoulders and taking more of her weight. She didn't say anything, but the way her fingers tightened about her arm and waist, reminded Adora acutely of how Catra had supported her just like this on the way to the Heart of Etheria.

How had they been so blind before? How had they not realized what was between them sooner? She still didn't fully understand it, but she was beyond thankful and grateful that they did now. That flaming promise of selfless devotion rose inside her, consuming every other thought as Catra began carefully lowering them down. In a dim burst of clarity, she realized she hadn't even noticed their arrival at the tent and was helpless to do anything but sag down onto the bedroll beneath her as her mate helped her to stretch out.

She gazed up at Catra's tired face above her as saw so much love and devotion and tender concern in her sparkling eyes that it brought tears to her own. Catra smiled, her eyes suddenly glistening with them too. She leaned down and Adora lifted up ever so slightly to meet her lips. The kiss was soft, gentle, but it expressed everything they felt in the most perfect of ways. Even as it was perfect, exhaustion was tugging her down and she felt Catra's lips leave hers, before she moved to curl around her, head drifting down onto her chest. She reached up through the fuzzy haze surrounding her and ran her fingers over her mate's hair, petting her softly. Catra purred and nuzzled closer to her chest, squeezing her tightly.

Adora wanted so badly to tell her she loved her, but her mind was too sluggish to speak. Then she smiled and reached for their bond. Catra followed the tug and they were at once in that tumbling space of shared thought. Love, pure and undiluted love, filled them both and the both of them were smiling like utter fools with the strength of it as the gentle darkness of sleep pulled them under.

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And there we go! Thank you so much for reading! I know my intros and outros must seem pretty generic by now, but I really do mean them every time. And I also mean it when I say that I hope you all continue to enjoy our adventure and I do very much hope to see you along as we forge on towards the future.

Until next time, loves! Stay safe and read on! Ja!