A/N: I usually keep replies to reviewers in their own little section, but I think this should be an exception, since it could be of use to anyone getting a bit confused. So, as Random (Guest) requested for who is who with the nicknames. It'll be formatted as such, canon name = nickname:
Canon name = nickname:
Velouria = Vella. Keaton = Keaty. Hinoka = Hina. Setsuna = Seta. Corrin = Lupus. Sakura = Saku. Ryoma = Red. Azama = Monkundo. Subaki = Superman.
The others are, at least as of now, nickname-less. Buuut, just give Lupus some time, I'm sure she'll think of one later.
Also, to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to Azura... Alright, so in canon, the Hoshidans took Azura because Corrin's defenses were too tight… and please do (not) take that out of context, right? Well, since Corrin was absolutely nowhere to be found, I would think that they wouldn't bother with taking Azura this time. So, she's still over in Nohr.
SerpentFeather: And I hope to catch you more off guard for many more chapters.
Tincanman123: Azura's gonna be quite a ways away. I'm sure she's contemplating on how bad the water is over in Nohr right now.
Consort: It could've ended much worse, but thankfully her Hoshidan family is very keen. I could only imagine what would happen if Lupus traveled to Nohr, er towards the Nohrian Royal family, instead.
She does have a lot of options now. There's only really two obstacles left: Getting Kaden's and Selkie's support again and thinking of how to get this out to the Alpha properly.
The Alpha's word is law, even for his own mate and pups. There is no 'Prince' or 'Lord' or any other title of authority. The Alpha leads, and that's it. He will not take Lupus breaking her promise easily at all. Now, however Keaty and Vella take that response…
Yep, Lupus could easily lose Kaden and Selkie permanently or she could lose the very reason she left in the first place, the pack. The beast-races live far differently compared to humans… there's a reason they are separated.
Oh, she'd take Seta's cuddles with great joy. Simple meal indeed, keep those spices away from her! As for help with mending the rift between Kaden and Selkie? Maybe Seta could help, but unless the others can understand how the beast-races think, then they would end up doing more harm than good if they tried to lend a hand.
It's a weight off of Lupus, too. She doesn't have to make those gods-awful terrible lies about what she's really talking about… I'm sure I don't need to remind everyone of that dinner scene. The part where she says she complains about all of the steps to eating, so no wonder why everyone is so small compared to… bears.
Lupus wildly giggled as she ran to and fro, doing all she could to stay just right out of Vella's insistent grasp. Lupus did and didn't want to be caught. On one hand, it'd mean she would get a very desired itching fulfilled, but on the other she enjoyed seeing Vella so wound up trying to pin her 'crazy' sister down. So, after the third trip-up, Lupus turned the tables and pounced on Vella instead. "H-Hey!" The Wolfskin cried out, "Not fair. I am supposed to catch you!"
Already pressing down with her whole body, Lupus lies down on top of the prone Vella, mimicking where her body is… except her tail, of course. "Well, it's not fair that I don't experience all the things the others can." Lupus starts idly picking through Vella's fur. "Oh, by the way, have you ever been through it yet?"
"It?" She echoes.
"Y'know, the thing with the heat and the…"
"Going into heat?" Vella interrupts her. "Why are you so interested in it?"
"'Cause I kinda wonder what it feels like. Not the heat part, but being with…"
"Alright, stop." Vella cuts her off again, "Let's make this clear. It doesn't matter what the female feels..."
"It's about what the male feels, I know." Lupus plainly states, "But that doesn't answer my question."
"How it feels to be mating?" Vella manages to turn over, flipping Lupus off of her back, so now that the two are face to face, with Vella's eyes narrowed.
Lupus 'booped' Vella's nose with her own. "Yeah, actually." No shame at all, it's only natural.
Vella bites her lip, and she clearly starts to think on it herself, "I'd imagine he'd hold you down."
"Asserting dominance." Lupus nods. "Biting?"
"Biting." A pause. "Sister?"
"Yeeeees?"
"Why don't you go ask Keaty?" She, of all things, wags her eyebrows…
"No way!" Lupus huffs and scoots back, "I don't care if we aren't actually blood-related, we are still…"
"If you displayed interest, I doubt he'd deny…"
"Nope. I'm done!" Lupus rolls over, gets up and walks off, "Nevermind, I'm not interested." Then she stops mid-step, turns around and walks back… she then flashes her 'puppy' eyes on her sister.
Vella laughs, "Lay down and I'll take care of that itch."
Lupus blinked her eyes, willing the intense light away. She then yawns and stretches. She hasn't woken up so relaxed in a while. "Vella?" She asks, before remembering that she isn't in the den…
But that dream was so real.
Slightly crestfallen, Lupus gets up, only to feel the air hit her…
Why is she naked? She looked her body over again, then pinched herself. Nope, wide awake. Well, it's not like she minds so much… it has been a while since she's seen herself in her full glory, after all. And what else just so happens to be in this room?
A mirror.
Remaining stark naked, she walks over to the mirror, seeing the number of scars that she has gotten over the years. Most of them can be split into either a failed trap disarmament… or the 'rough' playtime with Keaty and Vella. There are a few new ones, however, and none of them she recognizes…
Those must be the ones where her family had to subdue her…
Frowning, she returns to bed, no wanting to deal with those thoughts again. She… she nearly killed Kaden and Selkie, and now they're going to leave.
She wants Seta back. Where's Seta?! No wait, she wants Kaden, no… Who does she want? She wants to feel more of the 'love' feeling from Seta. She wants to finally be able to feel 'mating' with Kaden. She wants to have Keaty and Vella again. She wants her family…
She wants everyone to be at peace with each other so she can have all of that.
"B-Big si… AH!" Saku squeaks as Lupus hears her drop something. "I-I-I-I h-h-have your cl-cl-cl-cl-clothes r-r-r-r-ready." She steps out and closes the door, leaving a set of clothes behind.
...Lupus still can't understand what's wrong with being bare. It's so… liberating.
Shrugging off Saku's behavior, Lupus walks over and looks over at whatever movement limiting… "Ooo." Lupus smiles as she picks up the very 'open' clothes. She gasps, "And it's soft!" Then she sees something she personally never wore before, though she did recognize what it is. "A bra." But of course, since she never used one, she doesn't know how to put it on…
So, she did the next logical thing, and threw it on the bed. Besides, it's not like her breasts are that noticeable… right? Are they? Pausing while looking over her clothes, she carries them while looking herself in the mirror again. Wait, hold on… why is she concerned about this in the first place? Vella and the other females didn't care, so Lupus naturally didn't care either. There were days, especially the ones who recently had pups, to have their nipples on full display, but it's natural, so there was nothing wrong with it…
Humans are weird.
Lupus glances at the discarded bra, then her breasts, then turns and observes herself in the mirror. Ultimately… she still shrugs it off and puts the clothing on without the bra. If she really needs to put that on, she'll ask… no, not Saku, she's obviously too timid. Hina, maybe? For some reason, the thought of asking Seta sends shivers… she'll stick with asking Hina, then.
Let's see… a sleeveless shirt that doesn't exactly reach her waist. Lupus stops the inspection right there, and realizes exactly why they got her a bra in the first place… Well, since they aren't, uh, 'contained', it's making the shirt unable to go all the way down.
Oh well. She likes how the cloth feels, so she really doesn't see a need.
Going down, her shorts provide a snug and not-so-limiting fit… She might have also discarded the offered undergarments, deeming them as too tight. However, it was then that Lupus realized there was something else she didn't put on. Narrowing her eyes at the offending 'shoes', she kicks them under her bed. "All done." She smiles. So what if she didn't put on half the clothes? She never really wore them her whole life and she isn't going to start now… especially those 'shoes'.
Stepping away from the mirror, she goes towards the door and opens it, ready to go out and see her family… and Seta… hopefully Kaden and Selkie are here and alright. Sniffing the air, she tries and make out Seta's scent from the rest. Lupus frowns as she realizes Seta didn't travel around this area recently. So, Lupus decides to track her down…
It's been a while since she's done something of that sort, anyway. So, the first question is where should she start? Considering that Seta is Hina's 'retainer', maybe she should follow Hina's scent first? Nodding to herself, Lupus instead focuses on that spicy smell she associates with Hina and follows that. She walks the hallways, completely ignoring all of the decorations that lie on the walls, the high-quality rugs and carpets, the intricately designed stones and windows…
It's all a waste anyway.
Turn by turn, Lupus can tell she's getting closer and where does she end up? The training yard. Hina and Takumi are both out there. Lupus reminds herself to get a proper nickname for Takumi. Unfortunately however, it seems Seta isn't out here. Well, none of the 'retainers' are. What's even worse, though, is that she still can't pick out Seta's scent. Weird.
"Oh, hey sister!" Hina calls her out before she can make her exit. "Perfect timing, I wanted I ask you…" She pauses as Lupus decides to walk in.
"What's wrong?" She obviously asks.
"You… did put on all of the clothes, right?" Hina indirectly asks.
"Nope." She proudly states. "I never liked shoes, I don't know how to put on a bra, and the undergarments were too limiting."
"Gods help her." Takumi sighs. "My big sister is half-naked."
"The rest of the clothes are nice, though. So, thank you!" Lupus smiles. "So, what did you want to ask me?"
After Hina clears her throat, "I was hoping to see what else you could do. Well…"
"Oh fine, I'll say it, then." Takumi rolls his eyes as Hina expresses her discomfort, which he ignores, "She wanted to do that… playtime like you did with the Kitsunes."
"You do!?" Lupus shows off her excitement.
"Uh, not right now…" Hina quickly states, "You still need your Dragonstone, anyway."
"Oh, it's alright. We won't do it rough and fast. I'll go slow and gentle on you."
"...And she's completely oblivious to the innuendos that has." Another sigh from Takumi.
"Innu… endo?"
"Double meanings." He simply supplies.
"Oh… Oh!" It dawns on Lupus. "I meant for playtime! Females can't mate."
"That's… not. Ugh, nevermind." Wielding his bow, he turns his attention to the dummies, muttering something about a 'weird' sister.
"So… what kind? The chasing part or the actual fighting part? Or both?" Lupus has the distinct feeling she'll have to go easy on Hina. Like… really easy.
But, who knows. Maybe Hina will surprise her? "I've seen you run, sister… so the one that is like sparring?" She gestures towards a ring of sorts, "Are you sure you'll be fine without your Dragonstone?"
"Of course! It's not like I'll have to give it my all." The way Lupus smiling confidence came out bothered Hina. The Wolfskin-raised human wonders if Hina is trying to imagine just how strong her sister is. "So…" she starts as they enter the circle, "I'm assuming we aren't supposed to leave this?"
"Yep."
"Why?" She tilts her head, "Real fights don't happen in circles."
"True, but for one: There are other parts to the training grounds besides sparring, so we need to make sure there's room for it. Two, it helps the sparring partners to focus on each other."
"Oh, that makes sense. The pack didn't have so many ways to fight." Lupus honestly can't count the number of times the grounds were used as a huge playfight arena. Sometimes the fights even extended to the forests around them. "Ready?" She eagerly asks.
"You… aren't going to get a weapon?" She asks as she grabs a wooden spear.
...She was going to learn how to use a sword, but… "I'll be fine." She flashes that confident smile again.
"Alright, it's your disadvantage." Hina tries to shrug it off, but Lupus can tell she's unnerved by it. "On three. One, two, three!" Hina takes the first strike, any earlier hesitation is completely gone. She goes to take a slice at Lupus…
Who easily ducks under it. Maybe Hina should have picked up something lighter? "Oof." However, Hina seems to have taken advantage of Lupus's overconfidence, and scores a glancing blow on her side. In retaliation, Lupus snaps through the lance's shaft with her hand, sweeps a leg under Hina, grabs her mid-fall, then pins her to the ground.
Hina's mind only registered her lance being broken by the time Lupus was over her. "Another round." She states, a fiery determination in her eyes. "That won't happen again."
"Alright." Lupus gets off of Hina, "Sure you still want a weapon? It really slows you down."
"People don't fight battles with their fists, sister."
"She's going to keep wiping the floor with you if you don't get faster!" Takumi calls out from his spot.
"Oh, it's easy to talk big when you aren't the one sparring her!" She shouts back, "Now, come on! I'm ready!"
"...Body is too stiff." Lupus points out as Hina takes a rather… bad unarmed stance. "Don't root your feet so deeply. Need to be able to move quickly." Blinking, Hina seems to think it over. "No, don't do that either. Thinking slows you down.
"Well yeah, I know that. It's why we do repetition, so we know what to do in a given situation."
"Don't clench your hands so hard, you need to be ready to grab, as well."
"Anything else?"
"Don't blink." She smiles.
"Huh… ah!" In that moment, Lupus closed the distance between them, grabbed Hina, before pinning her to the ground again. "Aw, come on! The match didn't even start yet."
"And be ready for a fight at any moment." Lupus seriously states, "Things aren't fair… people die if they aren't always ready to defend themselves… already lost enough of the pack because they didn't follow that. Poachers won't wait for a Wolfskin to shift." She gets off of Hina again.
"It was really that rough back then?" She asks as she gets up.
"Yeah…" She nods. "Few things hurt more than seeing a skinned pack member." In that moment, the air became tense and thick. Lupus even found it a bit harder to breathe. "Doesn't matter how long we knew them, losing one is always painful. It weakens the pack, the rest have to make up for the loss." She shivers as she visualizes the first time she saw one of the pack suffer that fate. "It was one of those traps with the sharp edges like a big mouth. He was one of the younger ones, first time on his own. Poacher was already there, and the trap had some sort of poison that immediately kept him from howling. I was on my trap-disarming route when I found him…" Tears start to fall, "The only fur left was around his ankle, the rest was skinned off. Poacher didn't even bother to kill him beforehand. He was alive during that! Pinned down to the ground and skinned."
"Gods…" Hina looks sick and Lupus hears Takumi gag.
"Told me to go ahead and kill him. Told me how much the air burned, how the grass…" She stops, "I understood, and he didn't even get the time to describe it before I stopped him from feeling more pain. It hurt, but it was for the best." She kicks some dirt around. "He wasn't the only one I ever saw…"
"That's just…"
"Terrible? Horrifying?" Lupus interrupts, "It's a reminder to stay alert is what it is. The mountains were never safe from poachers, regardless of how dangerous the area around a den is. It's why I was so valued, traps were easy for me. But I couldn't defend myself well." Lupus eyes bore right into her sister, "Hina, I might be strong to you, but I lacked the means to kill quickly. I didn't have anything to easily pierce a wild beast or poacher. If I wasn't in a position to ambush them or close the distance quick enough to twist their neck, then all I could do is run away." A pause, "Even when the alpha ordered to get a sword for me, even when the pack got one, it only helped a little bit. I had no idea on how to use one and there was no one to train me."
"Which is why you want to learn how to wield a sword so badly? Enough to leave them?"
"I'm not leaving them!" She snaps back, "It wasn't easy, Hina! I worry for them. What if it is my skill in disarming traps is what they really needed one day?! What if I return and they are dead? Skinned? Gone!?" Lupus physically trembles as that nightmare comes back, "Pools of blood, no Beaststones, no fur… no Keaty, no Vella, no…" Whatever Lupus had to say was cut off as Hina pulled her into a tight hug. "Tighter… please. It won't hurt."
There was a short delay, but Hina complied. "If that's what makes you comfortable."
"I miss them. I miss Keaty. I miss Vella. I miss those cold nights where they would cuddle up next to me. Where they would squeeze me between their furs. Vella would reach out and wrap her arms around me, even while she was still sleeping. Keaty would scoot back and press his body on my other side, and he was still sleeping. I miss how Keaty always denied what he was currently enjoying, how he always made excuses to why his tail was wagging. I miss getting and receiving scratches and scent-trading with Vella. I miss getting and giving them the treasures I found. I miss it all, the good and the bad. I miss them so badly…"
Hina remained silent through it all, perhaps she just didn't know what to say? Neither did Takumi. All that Hina offered was that one simple, tight hug. But, then again, that's all Lupus really wanted.
There weren't anymore sparring matches. Lupus didn't feel like having playtime. So, after that much needed hug from Hina, Lupus simply asked where Seta was. Perhaps Hina wanted to spend more time with her, but she ultimately complied and guided her to the woman she has feelings for…
That foreign thing called 'love'. Not the familial love she has for Keaty, Vella, and her family, but a different kind of love. The pull that Lupus feels, a pull that only Seta has… a pull that even Kaden didn't have when she felt the urge to mate.
Again, she wonders how Kaden and Selkie are doing… she should visit them later.
So, where did Hina end up taking her? None other than her favorite spot. Seta is sitting down on the grass in the garden, content with simply looking skyward. "I'll uh… give you some space." Hina offers.
"Hey, Seta." Lupus smiles as she takes a spot next to her…
And that prickly feeling came back, catching Lupus's breath and preventing her from looking right at Seta's face. "Heeeeey, Lupus." Seta scoots over. "Sky's pretty, isn't it?"
"Yeah… but it'd look better if it was nighttime." She admits… but she also thinks Seta looks better than even the nighttime sky. "Hey, Seta?"
"Hm?" She hums in response.
"Do you also get that prickly feeling? When we're like, this close?" Lupus feels some sweat forming, despite not having run for miles… she's actually been relatively lazy since getting here.
"Yeah…" She scoots another inch or so closer. "But, I also like that warm feeling when we're close. So, I focus on that instead."
Lupus doesn't need to look to know that she's looking at her now. "I didn't think to do that." She admits, "Wolfskin don't feel that, this I mean. What I feel for you. There is no advantage for having two women together in the pack." A pause, "Thank you. For knowing when to tell the secret."
"I want you to be safe, Lupus. Honestly, I was worried you'd take it the wrong way."
"Nah… You always seem to know what to do what's best for me." Lupus can feel that flush forming again, and the prickly things come back stronger, but this time? She focuses on the warm feeling instead.
So she is the one who scoots closer this time. "But, you're alright with this? Us, I mean? Are you worried for what Keaty and Vella would think?"
She's… right to be concerned. Keaty and Vella and the pack haven't had the same positive experience with humans. And just because Lupus has grown attached to one doesn't automatically mean they'll accept her, too. In fact, they might even react aggressively. It wasn't too long ago when she herself regarded humans in a similar manner.
How close-minded she was then.
"You know what? If they don't like it, then I'll show them that they're wrong." She resolves… with another scoot, then jumps in place as she is now close enough to feel Seta's hand. Warm feeling, warm feeling. Focus on the warm, try and ignore the prickly. She takes a deep breath. "Because you mean a lot to me."
The next thing Lupus knew, Seta rests her head on Lupus's shoulder. "Hey, Lupus?"
Feeling her throat getting suddenly dry, Lupus gulps. "Yes, Seta?"
"Remember how you told me I had a scent you couldn't place?"
"I still haven't thought of one."
"Well, you smell better than the best flowers I smelled." She replies, "You have like, the best scents nature has to offer, all in one lean and muscular body."
Lupus felt her body heat shoot up at that. "I wish I could describe your scent like that." She reaches around with her arm and pulls Seta even closer, getting rid of that offending distance. With her finally focusing on the warm instead of the prickly, she felt her body relax. "Hey, Seta?" And saying her name never feels like it's getting old.
"Yes, Lupus?" Hearing her name being said by Seta always feels good, too.
"Could we do that thing again? The kiss?"
"Only if you're okay with it." Seta slowly moves away and for the first time since getting here, Lupus looks at her.
Warm feeling, warm feeling. Lupus is finding it harder to ignore the prickly. "I want to. I really want to."
"I really want to, too." Seta moves in first…
And Lupus finishes off the remaining space. The prickly points all shot out, leaving Lupus with only that warm feeling. Warm and comfort and… just right. Without even thinking about it, her arms wrapped around Seta, and hers did the same. Closer, ever closer. Soon enough, that kiss changed.
No longer was it just lips brushing against each other. Now it involved open mouths and tongues. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Lupus could both hear and feel both of their hearts racing. She wants more, more! She's never felt this good, no great, no wonderful! It took nearly a minute to realize they were on the ground, and another minute to realize she didn't care. Outside is where she belongs…
With Seta is where she wants to be. "Haah, S-Seta…" Lupus moans as that warmth starts to spread, hotter and further. Once her arms gently held her, but now they travel, feeling more and more, wanting to explore what Seta has to offer. Suddenly, clothes felt like a burden, despite how soft they are, despite how well they fit Lupus.
She associates this feeling with mating, but it's… different. "L-Lupus, please…" Seta feels something similar then. Her hands are also exploring Lupus, and she can feel her skin ignite wherever she is touched. Soon enough, gone were the slow and careful movements as they became frantic and needy. Lupus doesn't care how others may see this, all that matters is the woman below her. To hear those changes in tone, the quick breathing, the quiet whimpering for more, more.
Not that Lupus knew what she was doing.
But, she got this far with ignorance, she's certain she could learn as she goes. With that in mind, she gets rid of that offending obstacle that has been constricting her so much…
And off goes her clothes without a second thought. Her hands fumble as she does the same for Seta, wanting to feel nothing more than her, just her. "Seta…" Lupus whines, not wanting to actually tear her clothes off.
Seta simply nods as her fingers glide around, removing her clothes off, and finally! The two crash back together with absolutely nothing in between them. Lupus presses her body onto Seta's, craving more and more of that warm… no, it isn't warm anymore. It's a burning feeling. Hotter than any fire she's been near, but it's a fire she wants more of. "Haah, L-Lupus… gods. I…" With her face fully flushed, Seta wraps her arms around her again.
Lupus is desperately touching Seta, trying to find those spots so she can hear more. More of the gasping and whimpering and moaning. She found that first spot when she grazed by Seta's breasts. The archer's back… arched as a wave of pleasure followed. Picking up on that, Lupus focused on them, touching and rubbing. "Seta…" Lupus felt like she simply couldn't say anything else.
But, saying her name never got old, there was always a spark.
Seta's nails dug into her back as Lupus's touches became rougher, more demanding. It was at this point that the dragon-shifter just knew where to go next. She felt it in her own core, burning with heat, but also wet and slick. Removing one hand from her breast, she slides it down, feeling each dip and rise on Seta's body…
And then she brushed by her core. Seta lets out a relatively loud moan as she practically crumpled under the pressure. Though her nails definitely dug deeper, and Lupus could pick up the scent of blood… she didn't care, all that mattered were those sounds Seta is making. "Lupus, Lupus, Lupus…!" She desperately repeats as her fingers finally slide in, the other bucks her hips in response, willing more in.
"S-Seta, Seta, Seta…!" Lupus responds in kind as she slides further in, then pulls a bit out. In and out, the motion repeats. Seta's thrusts matches Lupus's rhythm, allowing her to reach even further in. Lupus wasn't sure how long it lasted, but she knew when it ended.
Seta's inner walls clenched around Lupus's fingers, she lets out an undeniably loud shout of pleasure, and her nails practically rip into Lupus's back. "Haah, haah… L-L-Lupus…" For a moment, they lied there, her fingers still inside, unwilling to leave that precious spot of warmth and wet. "...love you. Gods, I love you." She finally says.
Love… the concept that was so foreign to Lupus. Something she wants more of. "Seta. I love you, too." But only from Seta.
"Sh-should… we…" Her breaths come out heavy and uneven, "public… area…?"
"Don't… care." She grunts as her arms give out, landing with an ungraceful thud next to Seta. A slick pop shortly follow as the liquid-covered fingers slide up Seta's body, before slowly reaching around to pull her close. "Just… worry… about us. Don't… care what… others think." The other arm snakes under Seta and only slightly above the ground. One hand slicked with Seta's juices and one with a fair amount of dirt, each grabbing the archer and pulling her closer.
"Suppose… too… tired." Seta lazily smiles before yawning, her arms still wrapped around Lupus, though she has released her death-grip on her, letting her hands relax enough to where her nails aren't digging into Lupus's skin. "Sorry, for…"
"Felt great…" Lupus assures her, "Don't… worry." With all of the offending distance removed, Seta rests her head in the crook of Lupus's neck. The two women's breathing steadies together, and they fall asleep like that.
Two nude women in the middle of the gardens.