Daily Life of Monster Girls in Alabama

by GoatManofAnime

It's time for a MonMusu fanfiction that takes place in sweet home Alabama, nuff said.

69. Stocking Up

Chapter 63: Stocking Up

…The next day…

Inside a local Walmart, many shoppers, human and liminal, could be seen going about their morning before the evening weekend shopping rush.

"Ok now, you have a nice day. Come again.", A female worker in titular uniform spoke with a grin to a customer she just finished servicing. She then looks to the next customer in line, "Hello, how may I–'

The woman stops mid-sentence upon seeing a seven foot tall Arachne woman with sickly green skin covered in strange markings, black fur on her lower half with large dark green claws for fingers and the ends of her legs, matching crooked horns atop her head, and red talisman with Chinese characters covering her left eye. An Ushi-Oni.

She bared down on the human woman with an unreadable yet menacing stare as said human woman stood trembling and terrified.

"C-Can I…*ahem* help you?", The employee shakily asks.

The Ushi-Oni leans in slightly and replies in an unexpectedly sweet yet insecure tone with a noticeable asianic accent, "Y-Yes ma'am, can you please tell me if you have any egg dumplings? I wish to surprise my darling with a hot pot tomorrow."

The female working pauses for a moment before quickly regaining her senses, "Ummm…I don't–"

"There you are, Daiyu!", A human man stated.

"Eeeeeeep!", Daiyu the Ushi-Oni screeched, started by her human lover.

"Babe, you really shouldn't wander off. You know people are crazy nowadays. So, anyway were you trying to buy something or…?"

"N-No! It's not that…well, kinda but…umm", the Ushi-Oni spoke, visibly flustered as the female worker looks between the pair trying to process what was happening.

While that was going, Caleb could be seen entering through the sliding doors with Lyca, Drei, Ein, and Cheryl at his side.

"Hello, welcome to Walmart.", A weresheep girl, wearing a blue employee's vest, greets them with a smile.

The gang was currently stocking up on food for at least the first week of Caleb's absence. Caleb asked Cheryl to come along to see what he usually buys for the girls based on their dietary guides in their student care packages. Only things NOT in those packages though are personal preferences.

Lyca sniffs around getting a feel for the surroundings and she was about to go explore before Ein grabs her by the shoulder, shaking her head disapprovingly to the She-wolf disappointment.

"Huh, surprisingly not as packed today even for a Saturday.", Caleb commented before grabbing a shopping cart as 'Karma Chameleon' started playing on the store speakers.

"I think yesterday was a Alabama vs. Auburn game so maybe everyone else is still sleeping off a post tailgate hangover?", Cheryl points out grabbing herself a cart as well.

"Probably. I don't really keep up with football. Anyway, here.", Caleb says before producing two folded sheets of copy paper, "Everything on here is the usual fruits, vegetables, and carbs, and this one is the meats, dairy, snacks, and drinks. Which one do you wanna do?"

"Hmmm I'll go wiiiith the BLUE pill.", Cheryl joked, taking the list in his left hand.

"Damn, you gonna stay IN the matrix? That's crazy."

"Haha, what can I say? Ignorance is bliss."

"That explains how you got this job.", Drei comments.

"I…guess?", Cheryl says, unsure how to take that.

"Don't mind her, we're very grateful for your help.", Ein assures pushing her own shopping cart along.

"Hehe, right.", Cheryl replies then notices Drei's emotionless glare on her and recoils slightly. She didn't know why, but she was instinctively cautious around the shorter weasel.

"It's too bad the others couldn't come today. I bet Mira would've wanted to pick her own vegetables. She's really good at telling when they're fresh.", Lyca expressed a little upset at not having her whole pack with her.

"It is what it is, Fuzzy. We're getting a lot today, too much to carry on the trolley. Plus, Moon Pie…isn't quite built for a sedan."

"Camilla can fit in your car, right? I mean if she folds her wings down.", Cheryl points out.

"Yeahhh but this place is normally infested with humans, her words not mine, and she's pretty self-conscious about drawing unwanted attention. I'm not gonna subject her to that today.", Caleb answers.

"How considerate. Then I guess it's up to us bipeds and people…people to handle the shopping.", Cheryl remarks.

"I hope Zwei is fine watching those two. She seemed a bit upset not being able to join us.", Ein says in an uneasy tone.

"If she wanted to come, she shouldn't throw scissors first every time.", Drei emphasized, showing to fingers.

"You guys play rock-paper-scissors to decide who comes with me?", Caleb asks incredulously.

"Jaken, and yes, unfortunately, when we can't find a consensus.", Ein admits a bit regretfully.

"Not exactly diplomatic, but it works.", Drei shrugs.

…At Caleb's home…

Back at home, Zwei could be seen sulking on the couch pouting about results.

'Why does she always throw fucking ROCK?! Why should Drei go at all when she is going to be with Caleb for six weeks straight!?', she bitterly thought to herself before groaning heavily and spoke, "Whatever. May as well blow off some stress."

She knew Mirabelle was in her room reading her mangas and Camilla was taking a bath. She had time for a quick release. She takes out her tablet and starts opening a folder marked CxLwhich was full of videos of Caleb and Lyca's sessions.

"Ooh, yeah. Let's get the one from last week.", Zwei bit her lip, inching her hand down between her legs.

"Hahh, mucho mejor(much better).", Camilla sighed, walking in having finished her shower early. Hearing her, Zwei quickly switched over to YouTube and played random video.

"What are ju watching?", Camilla asks, curious at the strange noises coming from the device.

"Oh, nothing much just watching a video series I like." Zwei said with a toothy grin, turning around looking at Camilla.

"You like watching humans act like swine?" Camilla question, looking confused at her as Zwei looks down at a Nikocado Avocado video.

"Well it's funnier than it sounds." Zwei said keeping up her smile while questioning why THAT was in her suggested videos.

"What is?", Mirabelle asks, catching their attention and holding a V8 fruit juice bottle. She teleported into the kitchen wanting a drink.

"Just a video. Not that important. I just got a little bored since I couldn't go shopping with Lycs and Boss. " Zwei vents a little while changing the conversation.

Camilla scoffs, "Back in my day, if ju were bored, ju just find something constructive to do. Train your mana, repair any damages to your home, clean your room, something! It's certainly more useful than those video games or those twitchy things ju like so much."

"It's Twitch and thanks for the tip, boomer momma, but times change. It's not 1893 when cholera was a death sentence and incels didn't exist.", Zwei points out.

Sidenote: Camilla is actually closer to a GenX than a boomer.

"What is an incel? It sounds disgusting.", Camilla remarks, "Besides, it is still better than complaining like a child from not getting your way."

"This coming from the woman that nearly broke Boss' Switch in half over Mario party. Quite petty if you ask me.", Zwei shot back as Camilla flushed with embarrassment and annoyance.

"I DIDN'T ask ju and watch your tone with me little girl.", Camilla retorts.

"Stop! That's quite enough you two!", Mirabelle stated firmly, getting both liminals attention. They immediately back off each other not wanting to upset the nightmare.

"Fine. Even though she started it.", Zwei spoke, arms folded as Camilla shoots her a glare.

"I don't care! I'm ending it!", Mirabelle stated firmly, mimicking her boyfriend, even puffing chest a little to look tougher.

Despite knowing the power she wields, Camilla and Zwei couldn't help lightly giggling at her bad girl act. Mirabelle teleports near the TV stand's entertainment center and rummages inside .

"Now then, I know just the thing to get rid of that boredom of yours, Ms. Zwei.", Mirabelle says before pulling out a four Blu-ray movie cases, "TA-DA! Have either of you heard of Shrek?"

"Shrek?", Camilla raises an eyebrow before taking a look at the art on the case of a big green man, a donkey, and a cat, "Is this another one of those cartoons?"

"Oh, I heard of this! Never really watched it though. Between work and movies not available at home, I never got a chance. I hear it's really funny though!", Zwei stated, intrigued.

"It is and I was in STITCHES on the first one! Lyca and myself already watched the first two with Dear but I'll gladly watch them again with you both."

"Shoot yeah!"

"Hmm, I may pass. It seems a bit too…silly. If that is the right word.", Camilla skeptically replies looking at box art again.

"It's more mature than it looks you know. Not judging a book by it's cover is an important theme in these stories. Come now, give it a chance, please?", Mirabelle requested giving the Elder Devil pleading kitten eyes.

Camilla blushes a little at cuteness assaulting her senses making her look away sigh reluctantly, "Alright…I'll at least give the first one a chance."

"That's arguably the best one!", Mirabelle happily stated.

"Well, hurry up a plop it in the PS4 and let's go!", Zwei stated to which the Mirabelle happily obliges and Camilla shrugs realizing there was no turning back now.

…Back at Walmart…

"I'm sure they're fine. Ok, y'all agree we meet back up at these doors when we're done, right?", Caleb says.

"Fine by me, Chief."

"Roger roger.", Cheryl playfully salutes.

"No complaints from me."

"Understood sir"

"Ok, we'll leave the produce and everything else to you, Cheryl."

"Gotcha. See you guys in little while.", Cheryl replies before going off into the produce section but bumps into someone else's cart by accident, "Sorry! My mistake."

Ein and Caleb exchange looks for a moment.

"I'm...sure she'll be fine, sir.", Ein assures.

"Yeah. Oh hey, you doing some shopping too, Ein?", Caleb inquires pushing his cart along passing a credit union and an optometrist shop while other humans and liminals go about their shopping.

"Why yes, I figured we may as well buy more food for our home. I even have my own list with my beloved sister's "suggestions" for food."

"Half of which she'll ignore because of the 'Karmaitachi aren't supposed to eat that' rule. It mostly applies to Zwei but still.", Drei points out, "By the way, can one of you lend us room in your trunk? There's a LOT we need."

"Drei!? I was going to ease my way into it before asking! You can't ju–"

"Sure, just put it in my backseat.", Caleb says with a shrug stopping Ein mid-sentence.

"R-Really? Are you sure it's not too much trouble?", Ein asks, worried about taking advantage of his politeness.

"It's fine. I can always make room for you three.", Caleb replies before taking a look at his list, "Ok, first items on the list is…'meat.' "

"Yay! Meat!", Lyca happily exclaimed, her tail wagging.

Ein gives him a warm smile walking beside him before remembering what happened the other day in Zwei's room. A blush spreads across her face at the sensation she felt before shaking head.

'Stop it. It was just an accident. Still…why can't I get can't the feeling out of my head? He hasn't brought it up once since then. Maybe he wants to forget? Or is he ignoring it for my sake? Would it be weird if I ask him? No no, that's just stupid…but…ohhhh what should I do?', Ein stresses internally as her cheeks flush.

"Oh hey, looks like they got the Halloween stuff out already.", Caleb says, getting the others' attention as they approach a small section of shelves full of Halloween themed decorations, trinkets, candies, and other merchandise.

"Oooh, cool! What is all this stuff, Chief?", Lyca questions with excitement in her eyes as she happily examines a plastic Jack-o'-lantern.

"They're Halloween decorations, Fuzzy.", Caleb answers.

"Halloween? What's that?"

"Oh, it's a human holiday, Ms. Kessler. One where they celebrate the night where spirits of the dead can freely roam the earth.", Ein happily explains, welcoming the distraction.

"Wow.", Lyca replies, intrigued.

"It's also a time where kids and adults dress up in costumes, party, have fun, and enjoy all kinds of sweet treats.", Caleb added, sparking the She-wolf's curiosity even more.

"Don't forget the pranks and the demanding treats from strangers' houses under threat of said pranks.", Drei comments.

"That is the most disturbing description of 'Trick or Treating' I've heard.", Caleb replies.

"Ohh, Halloween sounds amazing."

"Still, it's surprising to see this kind of stuff on display now? It's only late August.", Ein points out.

"Yeah, we Americans tend to push the holiday stuff kinda early. Hell, I'm pretty sure the dollar stores had their stuff on display by the end of July.", Caleb replies before moving his cart letting a shopper pass by, "Actually, I'm kinda surprised you both know about Halloween."

"I mean, we actually learned everything about human holidays from our father. He kind of introduced the concept to our clan. Though, we don't really celebrate it the way typical humans do, it's become a bit of a tradition in our clan now; even our allies started their own variants.", Ein explains, reminiscing fondly.

"Whoa, that's actually really cool.", Caleb acknowledges.

"Yep, though there also is unanimous agreement not to prank Mama Wei Lei if you want to actually ENJOY the holiday. One clan learned that the hard way when they claimed we were fools for celebrating a 'human holiday' while insulting our Baba(Dad) and their children (me and my sisters) saying hadn't he already tainted their species enough already by making the half breeds.", Ein says, her tone slightly bitter at the memory.

"What did she do?", Lyca inquires.

"My mother "pranked" them, that's what, with help from Mama Hu Jin(Zwei's birth mom). I have never seen a literal ball of Karmaitchi looked like before then.", Drei chimes, putting a bag Halloween candy in the cart, "Did give the inspiration for my Bungy Balls though."

"Frankly, they should be grateful Baba asked her NOT to just kill them.", Ein remarks casually, taking the candy out of the cart and putting it back on the shelf to Drei's dismay, "But that was pretty funny watching them squirming around, bumping into stuff hahaha! Haaa, good times."

"Damn, y'all don't play when it comes to someone dissin' your family. That I can respect that. Glad nobody had to die still.", Caleb voices his approval yet relief.

"Of course! You disrespect or hurt one of us you deal with ALL of us.", Ein affirms, flexing her large bicep with a smirk.

"Unless they're allied with two or more clans, in which case, the deal with all us but with considerably less effort on their part.", Drei comments stealthily placing a bag of jelly beans in the cart.

"Ally with whoever they wish, the Zyklon clan will not fall.", Ein plainly remarks, taking the jelly beans out of the cart and placing them on the shelf.

"Wow, human holidays sure are interesting. We don't really those kinds of celebrations where I'm from.", Lyca says.

"Oh yeah, I remember looking up more stuff about werewolves some time back. I don't think I seen anything about holidays. You guys don't have holidays in your culture?", Caleb asks, curiously before moving away from the Halloween decorations going to the meat section. All the while human and liminal shoppers and workers go about their business.

"Not really. I mean, we do celebrate successful hunts, the defeat of an enemy pack, or the Alpha's birthing a new litter of brothers and sisters but that's about it."

"Ok, how do y'all normally celebrate?"

"Hmm, well we eat lots of deer and boar meat and the older members of pack have mock battles to test their combat prowess. The pups play games like tug of war. Oh, we even compete to see who can howl the loudest in the entire pack.", Lyca happily explains.

"So basically, you guys just eat, fight, and howl real loud all night?", Drei asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Sounds like a Florida family reunion.", Caleb remarks with a smirk.

"Honestly, it's a bit similar to how our clans used to celebrate special occasions.", Ein points out with a ponderous expression, politely maneuvering past a Wererabbit worker who was restocking a shelf.

"That is true.", Drei says.

"Oh, so you guys have like Karmaitchi holidays or something?"

"Kinda. Not necessarily the way humans do but most clans have few traditions that are universally celebrated. Like 'Duòluò zhī Rì' or 'Day of the Fallen', where we honor our deceased ancestors. As part of the tradition with anoint our scythes in the blood of a freshly slain enemy, typically a Bunyip, and ginseng oil to represent our passion as warriors and love for our clan sisters and brothers. Then we have a large feast, we play games, we dance, all while offering tribute to our ancestors and prayers for the clan's prosperity.", Ein says in a plaintive tone with a small grin on her face.

"It definitely sounds…pleasant but…you guys really kill another liminal person as like…part of the celebration?!", Caleb inquires a bit shocked.

" I know that may seem…barbaric by your standards but our species have what you call blood feud where the conflict between us for…well it dates back a several centuries from what my mother told us.", Ein explains.

"They've killed many of our people, most of them young children, by drowning them, sometimes out of spite or just for fun. We're naturally bad swimmers so it's an effective tactic. Despite that, we, in turn, have butchered plenty of their kind on sight.", Drei added with a neutral tone.

"Jesus, why do y'all hate each so much?"

"Like Ein said, we've been feuding for literal centuries, maybe even longer. So much it's just instinctive that we fight to the death upon seeing each other. However, we have had to train to suppress that instinct before we could become agents. Since, ya know, working with a variety of species we were BOUND to run into Bunyip in human care eventually." Drei explained.

"Still…it just feels…ridiculous to not even know why you hate each other.", Caleb says with a pensive expression.

"It's just the way it is, Chief. Everyone, every species just has another they just don't get along with. Even the same species don't get along sometimes. Any outsider werewolf that isn't related to the pack is an enemy that must die, plain and simple.", Lyca says, getting his attention.

"Honestly, this type of behavior isn't that different from humans. Your species have always been at each other's throats for one reason or another, correct?", Ein inquires.

"Yeah, and that's what I don't like about it.", Caleb admits as Lyca looks to him, "You grow up seeing, learning, and experiencing how awful your species and...I don't know, you just hope there's something better. That's…kinda how I felt when I first learned about other races besides humans. It gave me a little hope that maybe there were people better than us. But…after what I've been through…"

"You realize we're actually no different than humans?", Drei finishes his sentence, "Isn't that a good thing?"

"How so?", Caleb doubtfully asks.

"Well, we're just different enough to intrigue and surprise each other yet just similar enough to find familiarity in the best and worst ways.", Ein answers as the group comes into the freezer area.

"I…guess so. I don't know, it just feels…wrong to me."

"Listen, every race has it's good and bad apples, sometimes more than the other. We're not perfect gods nor are we evil by default, we're just people, just like you. ", Drei says with a shrug.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. No matter how things change they still remain the same. Never fully understood what that meant until now.", Caleb says shaking his head with a small grin.

"That's the first time I'm hearing it. Is that a human saying, Chief?"

"Yeah, more or less. Anyway, if I'm calculating this right, I should be done…", Caleb spoke scrolling on his phone's calendar, "Yeah, just a week before Halloween. Whaddya guys say we do something to celebrate?"

"That's a great idea, Chief!", Lyca expressed, her tail wagging in excitement.

"I agree, it does sound like fun! I'd love to participate in an authentic holiday from our Baba's homeland.", Ein spoke with a warm grin.

"I just want the treats.", Drei plainly utters.

"Can we wear costumes too?", Lyca inquires.

"Sure. Though we should be careful which costumes we choose. I remember some years back some vampires and a few other liminals races complained a ton about humans dressing up as what they saw as racist caricatures of their species. I think one guy in an orc costume got blasted on Twitter for shameless appropriation of Orc people…AND he got his ass beat by a group of Orcs! So yeah, now we have a list of banned Halloween costumes."

"I guess that's to be expected. So many different species in this country now, one or more are bound to be flabbergasted or even offended by some aspects of human society.", Ein points out.

"More people, more cultures, more opportunities to piss each other off.", Drei comments.

"Still, I'm sure it'll be lots of fun for us. The first Halloween with my new pack!", Lyca chimed, happily with childlike enthusiasm.

"Relentlessly optimistic as always, Ms. Kessler", Ein lightly chuckles.

"Heh, yeah. It's unavoidable.", Caleb chuckles with a small grin thinking to himself.

It had been a while since he was excited for the holidays. If it weren't for Uncle Junior and Vanessa, he'd have spent the last few holiday seasons alone. The first one without his parents was especially rough. Thanksgiving and Christmas are also coming up too. Would the girls enjoy them too?

"Hm? What's going on over there?", Lyca gestures ahead of them, seeing different liminal species around the meat sections.

Caleb is brought from his thoughts and looks ahead. His eyes widen in response as his wallet tingles in his pocket at scent of savings.

"Oh shiiit! They got the 10lb bags of Tyson chicken breasts on sale!?", Caleb expressed, alerting all three carnivorous liminals. They could also see other predatory liminals casually grabbing up bags by the arm full.

"Quick! Before they're all gone, Chief!", Lyca stated, impatiently pulling the front of Caleb's cart.

"I know! I'm comin'!" Caleb said following after her pushing the cart

Drei hops onto Ein's back, much to her surprise.

"Gah! Drei?!"

"Less talk, more push! Grab us a month's supply! Move it! YAH YAH!", Drei urges, whipping her sister's butt with her tail.

"Agh, I'm going! At least ride in the CART!"

…. Elsewhere…

"Ok…ambrosia apples, pink lady apples, AND Granny Smith apples. Apparently, Mirabelle likes her apples. Not sure if that's stereotypical or just cute.", Cheryl remarks, reading from the list. Her shopping cart filled with various fruits and veggies, especially stuff to make salads and other herbivore centered meals.

She pushes her cart trying to move it along, only to find the wheel stuck and prompting her to push harder as the wheel erratically wobbles.

"Haah, EVERYtime. Why do I always get the shittiest cart? Alright, whatever, up is…what the hell is a rutabaga?", Cheryl remarks, raising an eyebrow before taking out her phone typing out the word in the search bar.

Unbeknownst to her, a figure was watching her nearby behind one of the fruit stands. They simple black swimsuit cutoff at the joints underneath green, knee-length sundress to prevent their body from drying out and excess mucus getting on the loose fabric.

"Ah! I-It's really her!", The figure spoke, her webbed fingers clenching as her green, amphibious body trembled nervously while staring at the human woman. It was Lily; the Bullywug coworker from Cheryl's old job holding a blue shopping basket.

"Ohhh THAT'S what those things are? I just thought they were some kind of onions.", Cheryl expressed, ignoring the glances from people passing by.

'I guess she must be shopping too. I only spotted her a few minutes ago and wanted to greet her but…she's…', Lily thought gazing upon the human woman, her heart pounding before looking down conflicted on what to do as a blush spreads across her face, 'She's so beautiful. What do I even say?'

As the frog girl was debating with herself, Cheryl attention is caught by some rather unusual looking fruits and root vegetables she's never seen before. The ranged from apple-like fruit covered polka dots of different colors, gourds covered prickly but soft spikes, heart-shaped fruits with thick green spiral stems, and large purple roots.

"Huh? Liliraune berries? Mandragora roots? Macalas? Lilith Hearts?", She says looking at the respective produce before picking up one of the heart-shaped, pleasantly smooth, fruits curiously inspecting it. She then notices a liminal woman with panda-like features(a Ren Xiongmao) wearing a Walmart uniform walking by, "Excuse me? Ma'am?"

"Yes?", The Ren Xiongmao says in a thick Asian accent, putting on a smile.

"What are…all these? Is this like a new section or…what?",

"Oh! Yes! Produce shipped from liminal countries. Sold here now because of ICEP.", The panda woman enthusiastically answers despite the broken English, "You want to buy?"

"Uhh, yeah! Sure, I'll try anything once."

"Oh you want to buy?!"

"Yes! I want to buy!", Cheryl replies with similar energy, "Any suggestions?"

"Yes, you must try popular fruit of my homeland! Haokokoko!"

"Hokokoko?", Cheryl repeats, unsure if she said it right.

"HAOkokoko. Come , I show you.", The Ren Xiongmao happily says pulling the front of Cheryl's cart along forcing her to follow.

"Oh, ok, do you have to drag me though?"

'Eh?! W-Why are they coming over here?!', Lily expressed in panic, 'Should I stay or should I go?! I can't face her right now! Not after what happened! Um, ok, I'll sneak around to the other side and she won't see–'

As Lily was trying to hide, she mistakenly bumps into a lynx-type werecat woman's shopping cart.

"HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOIN', TOAD!", The lynx woman snarled.

"I-I'M so sorry! It was an accident, I swear!", Lily expressed, bowing her head in apology.

The lynx woman looked her up and down before scoffing and turning away, "Whatever."

Lily sighs in relief before a familiar voice calls out to her.

"Lily?! Lily is that you?!"

The Bullywug tenses up and turns around to see the human woman approaching her with a warm smile and a beautiful twinkle in her eye.

"AH! H-H-H-H-Hi?!", Lily stuttered, her cheek flushed in embarrassment.

"Hey! How ya been? Didn't think I'd run into you here. You shopping too?", Cheryl happily asks, noticing the little red basket on the floor beside her.

"Y-Y-Yeah. I…um…I-I was just p-picking up a few things.", Lily stutters, unable to look the human woman in the eye.

"Oh? She your friend? She want try haokokoko too?", The Ren Xiongmao jumps in, picking up a couple of the fruits. They looked like a cross between a pineapple and a honeydew melon with smooth green spiral pattern skin, "You both in luck. They nice and ripe. Very sweet."

"Really? Nice! I'll get a couple! I bet Caleb's gonna love these.", Cheryl expressed.

Lily's eyes shot wide upon hearing a guy's name escape her lips.

'Caleb? W-Who's Caleb? Is that her b-boyfriend?! N-No! C-Calm down, Lily don't jump to conclusions. M-Maybe they're just friends. GAAASP but what if it's one-sided romance! But who's pining for who?! Ahhhh!', Lily thought as her brain billows with steam on the verge of overheating.

"Thanks ma'am. Are you getting some too Lily? I noticed you were over here."

"Ah! N-No just…browsing right now.", Lily replies, fidgeting nervously.

"Oh Ok, nothin' wrong with that. Ok so it looks like I got everything on the list here, and then some. Now I just need to take care of…Quinoa? What the hell that?" Cheryl looked at her list confused unsure what she was looking at.

Lily eyes widen upon hearing the name as Cheryl turns to the Ren Xiongmao.

"Hey, miss, do you know where–"

"Sorry! I go on break now!", The panda woman stated waving, somehow already far out of range before rounding the corner into Subway.

"Dang. Well, guess I'll have just look around to find it eventually, right? Ok, nice seeing ya, again Lily.", Cheryl remarks a warm grin to the frog girl before turning her cart around.

"W-Wait, Ms. Cheryl!", Lily spoke up getting the human woman's attention, "I…I know what you're looking for. I can…show you where it is, if you'd like."

"Oh, I'd love that. Thanks a bunch!"

Lily beams in excitement with a wide grin before reigning herself, "Y-Your welcome. F-Follow me."

"Can do.", Cheryl replies.

…. Elsewhere…

"Ooh ooh ooh! Here they are!", a liminal woman with monkey-like features ( a Kakuen) cheerfully stated with a toothy grin, perched atop one of the shelves hugging an armfuls of strawberry banana Cheerios boxes, "I been looking all over these. Now to get back to Hubby."

"Ma'am, PLEASE get down off the shelves! You can't climb up there!", Berated an irritated dark skin human employee.

"What? They were really high up. What you expect me to do?", The Kakuen female nonchalantly replies, unbothered.

"Hey!", A another liminal female appears hovering on her beating wings behind her, a Honey Bee, getting the Kakuen's attention, "Don't just TAKE ALL the strawberry banana ones! Leave some for the rest of us!"

"My Hubby and I ARE the rest of us. Why don't you BUZZ off? Hehe, get it? You're a bumbly bee? Ok! Bye!", The Kakuen taunts, slapping her butt as her long brown swayed before leaping from shelf top to shelf top away from the Honey Bee; all while knocking down goods to the employees, increasing irritation.

"GET BACK HERE! I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU!", The irate Honey Bee shouts as she flies after the monkey lady.

"Oh my GOD! I ain't got time for this! Call MON! My blood pressure goin' up, DAMN!", The female worker complains as another employee nearby starts dialing the number.

Further away, Caleb and the girls could be seen at the dairy freezer with their carts, stacked with plenty of meat, as they along with other shoppers hear the chaos in the background.

"Well, sounds like someone's earning their paycheck.", Drei comments.

"This Walmart. That ain't saying much.", Caleb replies, grabbing five blocks of Gouda cheese and butter tossing them in the cart, "Anyway at least we got plenty of meat in that free-for-all back there. Thanks for help by the way."

"Oh, it's no big deal sir.", Ein insists.

"No big deal? Pretty sure that Red Oni dude was gonna break my arm over a 10 pound bag of chicken breasts. Then you come along and put the fear of God in him."

"Yeah, he folded FAST! I can't blame him! I could feel your killing intent too Ein. You were REALLY scary back there! You're a real badass!", Lyca acknowledges wholeheartedly much to Ein's embarrassment.

"It's to be expected. Two things you NEVER stand between a Kamaitachi: Food and Loved ones. That guy was unlucky enough to be in the middle of both.", Drei says.

"Oh, guess I'm a loved one with food. Lucky me.", Caleb teases, stopping by one of the freezes full of cartons and jugs of milk, creamers, juices, and other drinks.

"Drei?! I-I-It's not like that Sir! I was just…making a point that he shouldn't bully people to get his way! Plus, he WAS hogging all the good stuff anyway so…", Ein stated as her voice grew softer in proportion to her flushing cheeks as Drei places orange juice and butter in the cart.

"Hehehe! I'm just playin', Ein. Either way, I appreciate ya.", Caleb casually but sincerely replies before opening up the freezer grabbing some orange juice. Lyca curiously looks inside the adjacent door, placing a jug of green tea in the cart.

Ein glances downwards clasping her hands together, flustered at the compliment.

"Ok, I will never understand HOW this is legal.", Caleb says in disbelief showing them a carton of milk with an image of a smiling Haulster woman holding a picture of milk WEIRDLY close to her very well-endowed chest, "Haulstar milk y'all. They even got it in vanilla, chocolate, AND strawberry."

"I think ICEP's going overboard with their progressive campaign.", Drei comments, grabbing one looking at the list of benefits on it over standard milk as one particular detail catches her attention.

"You're telling me. Look at this, it deadass says on the back 'organically sourced from the healthiest, kindest Haulstar women you'll ever meet. Enjoy the cream of their love'? What the fuck?", Caleb reads out as Ein raises an incredulous eyebrow.

"You can say that again! Who is this even for?!", Ein stated.

"Excuse me?", Spoke a feminine voice getting the group's attention. They see a curvaceous Caucasian human woman with two children and a baby, "I'd want to just get by y'all and grab a few of those."

"Oh, yeah, sure. My bad.", Caleb replied pushing his cart out of the way letting the woman through. Her two young boys excitedly gesture what flavors of Haulstar milk they want.

They were then surprised to see several more humans, most of them adult human women, pull up as well to grab their cartons. Bizarrely enough, all of these were noticeably blessed in the chest area.

"Ok, looks like we know the target group.", Drei remarks as she puts back the carton she grabbed.

"No crap. Not only is stuff crazy high in calories. Look at this at the very bottom in fine print. 'Warning: Overconsumption of Haulstar byproducts may raise levels of estrogen in consumers. Please drink responsibly.' I'm just gonna put that shit back in there.", Caleb read before immediately putting his carton back in the freezer.

"To be fair, it is weird to be fully grown and still want milk. Even pups are weaned after about three months or so before they can eat meat.", Lyca remarks.

"Werewolf babies can eat solids after just three months?", Caleb inquires.

"Yep. Typically that's when their training teeth come in. Adults still need to tear the meat into easier to chew chunks through. Their fangs are still developing after all.", Lyca answers as the group moves from the small crowd and Drei puts a couple cartons of eggs in Ein's cart.

"Makes sense. Karmaitachi typically only feed on their mother's milk to get the nutrients for bone development, especially for our scythes. They're flimsy as paper at birth.", Ein explains, partially extending her scythe out her arm then retracting, "But after they've hardened for about 8 months, it's around that time we can eat solid food."

"Dang, y'all liminal babies be overachieving. We can't even SIT UP the first two months out of the womb.", Caleb replies, shaking his head, grabbing a different milk carton.

"It's more of an evolutionary thing. More hostile the environment, the faster babies need to mature. Human babies are just too privileged.", Drei comments.

"Not just babies but get the idea. Anyway I got what I needed anyway. I prefer almond milk since it doesn't have lactose. Me and Moon pie really like vanilla.", Caleb replies gesturing to the three cartons he just placed in the cart.

"Yep, definitely sums up your relationship.", Drei comments.

"I've heard of almond milk. It's supposed to be one of those plant-based alternatives to regular milk, correct?", Ein inquires as the group moves away from freezers, having got what they needed.

"Yep. Right up there with soy and cashew. I just prefer almond for that smoother taste with my cereal. It's much better option if you're lactose intolerant."

"I suppose. I just feel…odd drinking it. It's fine if YOU like it, I just have…reservations about drinking milk in general.", Ein replies, shifting her gaze away, squeezing her arm and involuntarily pushing her breasts out.

"Me too, I'm still not sure how I feel about ADULTS drinking milk. Regardless of where it comes from, it still feels like something for puppies, you know?", Lyca shrugs, putting in her two cents.

"Eh, to each their own. All I know is, and I'm betting everything I have in my bank account this what happened, the guy, whatever the hell his name was, who invented almond milk probably only did so JUST so he can say, 'This milk came from these nu–'

"Stop!", Ein blurts out, not wanting him to finish that statement in fear of triggering certain memories she was already trying to suppress, "We get the idea."

"So you just outed yourself as enjoying drinking nut milk?", Drei asks Caleb, raising an eyebrow.

"Goddammit Drei! Nooooo!", "AYOOO!", Ein and Caleb expressed simultaneously as Lyca laughed hysterically, other shoppers looked at them curiously.

"Dammmn, I laid that trap on myself. Shit.", Caleb remarked with a sigh as Ein slumped against her cart trying to hide while regaining her sanity and hiding her burning red face.

The group proceeds until they arrive in the snack aisle.

…. meanwhile….

"Ok, so basically, we just need to pick up enough to restock the bar. I'll handle the drinks, you can take care of the snack and shit.", A dark skin human male says to his liminal girlfriend. A tall, dragon-like woman with large burgundy reptilian claws, large wings, thick tail, tan skin, and two strange mouth-like appendages with tongues sticking from her lower body. A Jabberwock.

"Understood, my beloved. You shall obtain the sweet nectar of man.", She spoke in a domineering yet oddly sensual tone, her body swaying and mouth-like appendages licking their lips at him.

"You mean booze?"

"And I shall obtain the snacks that, as you say, SLAP!", She says, turning an walking away, hips swaying sassily before whipping the floor with her tail hard and loud to be heard by others, startling them.

He watches her leave wondering if he should go with her in case she does…something.

"Ahh, she'll be fine.", He shrugs before continuing on pushing his cart as Cheryl and Lily pass him. The song 'I want you to want me' could be heard playing throughout the area.

"Wow, so that's what this quinoa stuff is. Heh, at least we know little old Mirabelle isn't lacking when it comes to variety. What responsible host she has.", Cheryl remarks playfully, "Thanks for the help there, Lily."

"O-Of course, Ms. Cheryl. It's the least I could do."

"So, what have you been up to lately? You still practicing the calligraphy?", Cheryl inquires curiously.

Lily gives her a surprised stare, "Y-Yes, actually, I have been practicing with some new stroke techniques. I'm…surprised you remember me telling you. It was quite some time ago."

"What can I say? I find it hard to forget stuff like that. When I see people passionate about something I just can't forget that look in their eyes. I love it. Never lose it, kay? You have beautiful writing."

"R-Really? O-Ok.", Lily shyly replies, blushing more at being complimented by her.

Why was she always so kind and supportive? Even back when she first started at the restaurant, Cheryl was the first to make her feel welcome and appreciated. She loved her free-spirited yet caring heart and it made her so sad when they no longer could work together.

"Oh! Here's the honey wheat bread. Huh, they even have some liminal processed brands too.", Cheryl spoke curiously examining some loaves of bread with Weresheep icons on them.

"Ms. Cheryl…I…I want you to know I'm sorry!"

Cheryl was taken aback at the sudden apology, focusing on the frog girl, "Ok, that was a bit random. What for?"

"W-What do you mean 'what for'?", Lily stated, confused, "You lost your job because of me."

"Oh that? Pfft, don't worry about it. I'm not mad. You did nothing wrong, I'm the one who put myself in that position." Cheryl insisted casually brushing it off to the Bullywug shock.

"But, you didn't need to! I'M the one who spilled their food. You wouldn't have had to step in if I just handled it myself. It's because of me you…", Lily trails, clenching her fists to her chest, "How can you even stand the sight of me right now? Aren't you angry? Don't you resent me? Something?!", Lily spoke, her eyes welling up, expecting some type of retribution from the human woman.

"Of course not. Why would I?", Cheryl assures stopping near where all pastries were, "You may have had an accident but THOSE guys took it way too far! I'm not going to hold that against you, Lily."

"But…it was still my fault. I made them angry and–"

"STOP!", Cheryl stated firmly and angrily, startling Lily and the other shoppers. Cheryl looks around a second seeing people looking at her crazy, "Sorry, sorry about that folks you can keep shopping."

The other shoppers stared for a few seconds before they each carried on with their own business.

"Lily, do NOT try to justify the way those guys treated you! Regardless of how bad you fucked up NOBODY deserves to be treated like less than nothing! You're a person too and deserve the basic level of respect. No matter where you came from.", Cheryl affirmed, gripping the handle of her cart before taking a deep breath letting the bad memories subside. She then looks to Lily, "You understand, right?"

Lily stares at her a moment, sensing her anger was not directed out her or out of hatred but genuinely upset that the Bullywug would devalue herself so easily.

"I just…I just don't get why you're always so nice to me."

"Simple, there is no 'why'. I am because I want to be, so I am. If that makes sense. I don't need a reason to give you respect if you deserve it. If you're an asshole then I'll treat you such, plain and simple.", Cheryl replies to her as Lily gives her an intrigued stare, "So no more talk about that, ok?"

"Ok.", Lily complies touching her fingers together in thought before asking "So…have you managed to find new employment?"

"I have actually. I'm currently substituting for this host, Caleb, he's going off on business so I'll be caring for his students. Getting paid PRETTY well to do it too.", Cheryl remarks proudly with a smirk popping her non-existent collar. As she does that, a male voice could be heard yelling 'WHAT DO MEAN YOU'RE OUT OF CHICKEN?!'

Lily tenses upon hearing that man's name again, That's...fantastic news for you. Um…are you and this Caleb… d-dating?", she cautiously asks, gulping a bit as she awaits her answer.

"Whaaaat? No, we're just friends. Besides, he's pretty much already dating a purple Centaur. That's who I'm mostly shopping for right now.", Cheryl casually points out putting a couple boxes of Mirabelle's favorite blueberry muffins in the cart.

"O-Oh! Is that so?", Lily expressed, relieved upon hearing that.

"What about you? You got a lucky guy, gal or non-binary pal in your life?"

"N-No…not really.", Lily admits, flushing a bit.

"That's a surprise. I figure cutey like you would be the deep end of the dating pool.", Cheryl teases.

"Eh?! Y-Y-You think I'm cute?! B-But I'm all green and slimy and my hand are…weird looking.", Lily stutters, blushing read touching her webbed hands together in embarrassment.

"What are ya talking about? You're beautiful! That swimsuit coupled with that green dress and little black boots? Functional AND stylish? Plus, you have a nice, curvy figure most of us normies would literally kill for. I'm honestly jealous."

Lily's heart skips a beat and cheeks burn hot at the human woman talking her up. She couldn't help feeling a pleasant warmth grow inside her core.

"Do you…really mean it?", Lily asks, rubbing her knees together.

"Of course! You're a knockout girl, own it. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there.", Cheryl encouraged with an assuring smile towards the frog girl.

Lily's eyes widened at Cheryl's words before clenching her hands together and taking a deep breath. She mentally prepared to take her shot.

"In that case, there is…someone I've been interested in for a while n–"

"GET BACK HERE YOU MONKEY BITCH! GIMME THAT BOX!", Shouted a feminine voice interrupting Lily.

Lily and Cheryl, along with the other human/liminal shoppers, look up surprised to see an enraged Honey Bee woman zipping around chasing after a monkey lady swinging from the ceiling by her feet and tail to avoid her while laughing and carrying several boxes of Cheerios. A few shoppers could be seen recording on their phones to upload of platforms.

"Oh my God! They're on the roof now!?", A female employee stated.

"I just talked to MON, they're sending a couple agents over.", Another employee assured, "Trouble is, will they come in time before the really tear something up?"

"I knew we should have gone to Target.", lethargically spoke a random man with his human wife and infant in a cart looking up at the spectacle.

"Ooh ooh ooh, give it up already! There's plenty of other kinds of cereal!", The Kakuen chortles swinging around doing acrobatic flips using her tail as a safety harness.

"THAT ONE IS MY KING AND QUEEN'S FAVORITE! NOW RELINQUISH THE BOX AT ONCE!" Yelled the Honey Bee as she zips around trying to catch her.

Below, as Cheryl and Lily could be seen among the other shoppers observing and human man with ginger red hair emerges from the crowd.

"Keidra! KEIDRA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET DOWN FROM THERE NOW!", He calls out in a shocked and irate tone.

The Kakuen woman looks down, hanging upside down by her feet, to see her human host calling for her, "Babe?"

"Gotcha! W-Waaaaa!", The Honey Bee shouts tackling the monkey woman causing her to release her hold on the ceiling bars and instinctively grab onto her insectoid body. They start falling while screaming out much to the shock of Cheryl and the others.

"KEIDRA!", Her host cries out as the Kakuen woman clenches her eyes shut bracing for impact.

Suddenly, she and the Honey Bee stop their descent and were now hovering in midair over a display filled with assorted spices covered in yellow energy.

A male Triclops dressed in uniform steps from one of the aisles holding the sides of head as his third eye glows bright yellow. He moves the pair away from the spices and plops them on the ground much to everyone's surprise.

He lets out a sigh as his third eye returns to normal, "I JUST finished restocking that display."

The human and liminal shoppers applaud the worker for saving them.

"Holy shit, man! Thank you so much! Keidra!", The host expressed before going to see about his student.

"Oh God thank you so much, Jöl!", The female employee expressed hugging him tightly much to his discomfort.

"Ehhh obey the six foot rule please.", He groaned before she releases him immediately, aware of his dislike of physical contact, "Anyway, we're not done."

"Keidra, are you ok, you're not hurt are you?", Her host expressed, moving a couple Cheerios boxes out of the way.

Keidra looks to him in embarrassment trying to crack smile, "Y-Yeah, luckily."

"Get you FAT ass off of me!", The Honey Bee expressed, pinned to the floor on her stomach.

"Wha-who are y–ah!", Her host stated, even more confused before all three of their bodies glow with yellow energy. Every muscle tenses up completely immobilizing them as the Triclops approaches.

"You three are coming with us.", Jöl plainly says, third eye glowing menacingly as the human woman her arms folded ready for them to get their comeuppance for the trouble they cause.

Cheryl and Lily watch as the two troublemakers and the host are levitated away stuck in slightly compromising positions leaving the boxes of behind. The other shoppers continue on about their business.

"Well, that happened.", Cheryl remarks, "So who was it that you had your eye on?"

Lily tenses up with a deep blush, "I-I um…well…you… you know what? It's not important. Nothing to worry about eheheh."

Cheryl raises an eyebrow as he odd answers knowing she was hiding something but chooses to give her time to collect herself rather than force it out, "Alright then but even if it's nothing important I'd love to hear it still whenever you're ready." She told Lily giving her smile

"Ok. Thank you.", Lily expressed, her heart pounding with joy.

"Alright, got most of the bread. Now for cereal…first is two boxes of strawberry banana Cheerios.", Cheryl says reading the list, then looking up ahead where the Kakuen and Honey Bee were seeing the boxes of cereal laying on the ground surprisingly intact, "Oh look, there's some right there. Aren't we lucky?"

"Yep!", Lily happily agreed before thinking to herself, 'I love you so much.'

…Meanwhile…

Caleb and the others could be seen leaving one of the aisles with their carts stacked full of various snacks and drinks.

"Bruh, come on you gotta see this! These liminal are going at it on the damn ceiling! Come on!", A random shopper stated hurrying his friend to follow before almost accidentally bumping into Caleb, "Oh, my bad brother."

"Aight", Caleb replies seeing them hurry off in the direction of the produce and bread, "What the hell you think going on over there?"

"Something stupid I'm sure.", Drei comments.

"Are you listening?! I'm telling you there's a chimpanzee liminal or whatever she is fighting a bumblebee liminal over some damn Cheerios! DO I SOUND LIKE THIS A PRANK?! Get some MON folks down here!", A female employee stated passing by the group as the look at her incredulously.

"See? I told ya.", Drei remarks.

"Welp, that's their problem. Not ours.", Caleb says, turning his cart the opposite direction towards the home decor.

"Agreed, sir.", Ein concurs, not wanting to deal with whatever was going on over there.

"Anyway, at least I managed to get all our favorites this time. Four flavor assortment Takis for Camilla, Moon pie's golden Oreos, Lyca's animal crackers…", Caleb's lists off as Lyca happily holds up the bag, tempted to open them to munch on them now but restrains herself, "And plenty of Dr. Pepper for me."

"Really? You sure six cases will be enough?", Drei sarcastically remarks.

"No but it should hold me over while I'm at I.A. That and these drink packets.", Caleb replies showing three 12-pouch boxes of drink mix.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the poster boy of addiction.", Drei remarks.

"I'm not addicted. I just love the drink so much it's the lifeblood of my being and I might die without it.", Caleb calmly replies.

"That's called dependency.", She points out.

"Pfft, white people problems Drei.", Caleb brushes off, "Anyway, I noticed a lot of new stuff in these aisles I haven't seen before.", He says remembering the various liminal-themed snacks and treats on the shelves.

"You're right. It looks like ICEP is pouring quite a bit of funding to liminal-owned food franchises.", Ein says examining a pack of green corn puffs with a cartoon goblin holding a pitchfork labeled 'Goblin Giblets".

"Yeah, but you can't argue that some these are kinda iffy. I mean 'Slime Jello'? Organically sourced and no GMO. Weird thing is, it's surprisingly really healthy. Still wasn't gonna eat it tho.", Caleb says, not wanting to have anything to do with slimes for awhile.

"Understandable. The only thing more questionable than the ingredients in the products are the people who APPROVE their consumption.", Ein points out shaking her head, "That being said, we did find a few that seem ok."

"Same. I'm definitely gonna try these when I get home.", Caleb agrees, picking up a pack of cookies with a cute, liminal chipmunk labeled 'Suzuki Cookies', "These look good as hell."

"Where are we off to now Chief?", Lyca asked, as they entered the women's clothing area.

"I'm basically done so I thought I'd kill time until Cheryl finishes up. Gonna just loop around until we get back to our starting point. Might see something else I'd like to get on the way."

"Sounds like…wouldn't say 'plan' but it's what we're doing.", Ein says with a shrug, "What about you Dre–Drei? Drei?! Where'd she go?"

"She was here a second ago.", Lyca replies sniffing the air to try and get scent, "I can kinda smell her so she's not too far away."

"Even so, it's better if we're all not spread out in the store. Besides, I don't like her being alone around so many strangers.", Ein says, getting a little anxious.

"Drei's a big girl, metaphorically speaking, she's not the type to needlessly get herself into trouble.", Caleb assures her.

"You're right that more Zwei's thing. Still I really prefer it if we're not wasting time looking for one another."

"True, if you're that worried, you can go look for her."

"W-What? No. I can't just leave you alone! What's the point of me being your–"

Caleb stops her, "Shhh! Got it, no need for the 'B-word' in public where ANYONE could be listening."

Ein quickly covers her mouth realizing what she almost did, "Right. I'm so sorry."

"Anyway, it's fine. I just said we're gonna loop around the front. Lyca and I will meet you both AND Cheryl there to check out."

"B-But what if…?"

"We'll be fine. I'm not helpless. I can take care of myself, even more so now.", Caleb assures, discretely generating a purple barrier around his hand then quickly shaping it into a hard dagger-like design with sharp curves along the contour of his fingers.

"S-Since when could you do that?", Ein utters surprise and amazement.

"Been experimenting. Our little 'experience' gave me some inspiration to step my game up.", Caleb bitterly spoke before flicking her hand dispelling the barrier, "Go on get your sister. We're good, right Lyca?"

"Yep! We're strong!", Lyca emphasized showing her bicep with a toothy grin.

"Well…ok but if ANYTHING happens, don't try to engage just wait for me. And don't accept anything at all from strangers."

"Yes, ma'am.", Caleb replies with a slight eye roll,

"Don't give me that. I'm just looking out for the group's interest. I'll see you both soon.", Ein says before turning her cart around with ease leaving the pair alone.

"Haa, all three of them are somethin', I'll tell ya.", Caleb shakes his head, pushing his cart along with Lyca at his side.

"Ein's gonna make a great mom someday, Chief.", Lyca with a warm grin.

"What? Where'd that come from?!", Caleb expressed in surprise.

"Well, she just has that…energy, you know. I can feel she REALLY cares about her sisters and us.", Lyca explains, "You gotta feel it too. How firm but warm she is?"

"Firm and warm huh?", Caleb utters in thought.

He's suddenly reminded of his and Ein's "accident" the other day along with the sensation of her firm but warm body pressed on his–

'NOPE!', Caleb screams internally driving those thoughts from his head.

"Hm? Is everything ok, Chief?", Lyca asks, tilting her head slightly.

"Yep! Why do you ask?"

"Your scent just got stronger all of a sudden. Honestly, it's kinda putting me in that mood.", Lyca spoke in a sultry tone, her tail wagging as she presses herself to him wanting attention.

"Much as I'd like to, this is not the time nor place, Fuzzy. Later.", Caleb replies, trying to ignore those weird thoughts.

"Ok.", Lyca accepts with a disappointed sigh.

At the same time, he noticed a few liminal female shoppers staring at him as they walked by before looking away blushing the second he glanced at them.

'Why is this happening to me?', Caleb thought to himself.

….

Drei levitates down from a mini whirlwind as a few shoppers look to her curiously and starts walking along enjoying some party chicken wings she just bought from the nearby deli to quell her hunger.

She comes across the in-store pharmacy just in time to see a group of Asian foreigner human shoppers, some of them small children, picking up a couple of prescriptions. Drei looks around the aisle of artificial painkillers and cold medicine in disapproval. She then overhears the pharmacy employee explain what their insurance didn't cover along with their co-pay, much to the father's frustration.

"Ugh, this place reeks of unrepentant corporate shame.", Drei remark in disgust before biting off a chunk of meat from the wing looking around seeing two liminal women looking though various health care for liminal's a Lamia and a Arachne.

"I told you not to go to that place. You should have listened to me. Did it even work?" The Arachne woman said to the Lamia

"You don't have to rub it in. It seems like such a good deal at time and I won't know until IT happens so can please help me find something to make the itching stop cause I'm considering ripping my scales off if that makes it stop at this point." The Lamia woman pleaded.

Drei looks women for moment before sound of another voice catches her attention

"Yumi? Yumi? Yumi, where are you?!", A cat liminal woman with two tails worriedly calls out while frantically looking around getting Drei's and a few other shoppers attention, "Has anyone seen a small nekomata girl? S-She's about this big, um she is wearing a little pink shirt with a red skirt. Anyone PLEASE?" the Liminal woman begs, calling out for anyone's help, having a desperate look on her face. Some of the other shoppers ignore her, figuring somebody else will help.

"Māo, māmā(cat, mama)", one of the little foreigner children pointed to which the mother scolded.

"Ma'am? Is everything alright?", A human female employee walks up to Nekomata.

"No! I can't find my daughter. S-She was just by my side and I-I just looked away for a second, ONE SECOND, and…and…", The Nekomata expressed, starting to hyperventilate.

"Ma'am, ma'am we need you calm down. I'mma let the rest of the staff know if they see your girl, to bring her to service center. Now we'd have last see her?"

"S-She was with me near the appliances. I was getting a rice-cooker and I turned around and she was gone! Please, we have to find her! I can't lose her too!", The Nekomata woman expressed in despair, tears welling up.

"It's ok, you won't. Can I please get your name?"

"R-Rikka Yukimura."

"Ok, Rikka, let's go search there first. You're daughter probably came back looking for you.", The employee assures her to follow.

"O-Ok.", Rikka utters sniffling a bit, trying to calm herself a little but still very worried as she follows the employee.

Drei watches the pair leave while still eating her chicken. She hopes it works out for her but also had no intention of making that her headache.

"Māo, māmā(cat, mama).", The little human child says pointing at Drei this time.

"Bùyào nàme zuò(Stop that)!", The child's stated making her kid put his hand down.

"Qíshí wǒ shì huángshǔláng(Actually, I identify as a weasel), Drei spoke in her native tongue, much to the group's surprise. She then takes out a couple small vials with five and tossed them at the father, "Zhèlǐ(Here)"

"Zhè shì shénme(What is this?)", He asks, skeptically.

"Quèshí yǒuxiào de dōngxī. Yòng tā zuò nín xiǎng zuò de shì, zhǐshì bùyào èzhe tā(Something that actually works. Do what you want with it just don't take it hungry), Drei casually replies before walking from the group. The husband and wife look at the vial quizzically.

…

While that was going on Caleb and Lyca could be seen passing through the electronics area where other human and liminal shoppers could be seen window shopping or making purchases.

"Oooh. It's a little bigger than yours, Chief.", Lyca utters in amazement, staring into a 55 inch TV on display playing a Reese's Halloween ad.

"Eh, it's alright. Don't stare so close into it, your eyes will go fuzzy.", Caleb responds, gently moving her back from the screen.

"Hehe, then I guess you're nickname for me will make even more sense huh?", Lyca cheekily replies.

"Yeah, in a bad way.", Caleb replies noticing a few liminals shoppers accompanied by human buying whole TV's and new phones.

"It never gets old.", Lyca spoke.

"What?"

"I just keep discovering more interesting stuff about humans. You guys makes some really cool stuff. Stuff I and maybe even other species never even dreamed of."

"That's true. We are a…creative species, especially when it comes to entertaining ourselves. To put it nicely though, we DO get carried away, sometimes to a dangerous extent.", Caleb replies, his tone shifting a bit.

"Yeah, I get it, bad people are creative too. Still, I can't help being curious about everything, Chief. Humans are so different compared to Werewolves. Where I'm from, food isn't just sitting around somewhere nor is there always enough for everyone. Here, you just go to building FULL of food and take as much as you want or you have other humans BRING you food to home! That's crazy!",

"I guess. There WAS a time we hunted and gathered to survive but now…honestly it's kinda the same except we replaced spears with credit cards and bows and arrows with coupons. But yeah, most of us aren't struggling nearly as much to get basic necessities now."

"More things change, the more they stay the same, right?", Lyca says, repeating his words from earlier.

"Hehe, smart girl.", Caleb chuckles with a grin of appreciation as they make their way out of the electronics and towards auto parts.

Lyca smiles back, her tail wagging at the compliment. She always loved it when he praised her, even if it's small, it always made her feel good inside.

"Honestly, I'm hoping this'll be enough for y'all. I could probably do a second run tomorrow if we need more.", Caleb pondered

Lyca looks to him curiously, "You want more? I think we have enough Chief. We shouldn't take more than we need." Lyca said with a serious look on her face.

"...Ok...I just don't want y'all to worry too much while I'm up there. I'm already trying not to be nervous being there with so many liminal species around every corner…given what we've been through.

"Yeah, I understand…but it's actually a nice place, Chief. The humans were pretty nice to me and I met a bunch of different Kobolds and other nice liminal people there.", Lyca assured him, patting his shoulder.

"Oh yeah. Didn't you go through there before becoming a student?"

"I did but I didn't go there. More like I was brought there.", Lyca clarifies.

"Brought?", Caleb raises an eyebrow.

"Mhmm. It was about a month or two after I left my old pack."

"Yeah…yeah, now I remember. You told us you left your pack to find a better life but…I don't think I ever got the full story of why. With everything else going on it just never came up", Caleb replies a little ashamed, "I'd love to know more. I mean, if you wanna talk about it that is."

Lyca looks to him nervously, "Well…back then I wanted to leave sooner but…everytime I did I just came up with a new reason to stay. My siblings' pups still needed a nanny, the idea that maybe if I'm patient enough I'll get stronger, I'll be better, things WILL get better, that's what kept me going."

"It didn't, did it?", Caleb asks gently to which Lyca plainly shakes her head, to his disappointment, "What did you do then?"

"...I realized that I wasn't moving up the hierarchy and I wasn't really needed all that much. No matter what I did or how hard I tried…it was never enough. Yet I wanted more than the life I had. I didn't want to be the weakest anymore. As much as I don't like admitting it, there was nothing for me in my pack. So, I… spoke to my parents that I was leaving and starting my own pack, just like some of my older siblings. They wished me luck and...I left."

"Damn, just like that? They just LET you walk out on your own?"

"It's pretty common for pups to eventually leave and start packs of their own Chief. It's also the norm if those pups decide to stick with their original pack even when they're old enough to fend for themselves.", Lyca explains.

"That's…actually not that different from us humans honestly.", Caleb admitted while pushing the cart.

"Uh-huh. Besides, my parents gave me their blessing. I could tell…they were disappointed that I couldn't get strong in our pack and maybe hoped I'd do better on my own. That's what I like to think at least."

"Parents have a…funny way of showing their love sometimes, Lyca. They're far from perfect, believe me.", Caleb replies a bit somberly then quickly changes the subject, "Anyway, what happened next?"

"After that, I set off on my own. It wasn't too bad at first since my family controlled a lot of territory, full of elk and rabbit to prey on, so there weren't many enemies to worry about and I ate whatever I could catch when hunting. My troubles began AFTER I stepped out of our boundaries.", Lyca says with a heavy sigh, "I got completely lost and accidentally ended up deep into enemy territory belonging to the Zülu pack. They didn't like me in their hunting grounds so some of their eldest beat me up and chased me out."

"Damn, you didn't get hurt too bad did you?"

"Thankfully, no, I had some bumps, bruises, and some claw marks but I managed to evade them. I would've died if they caught me. It wouldn't be the only time either.

Caleb gives a worried look, "How so?"

"After I escaped them, I suddenly found myself without much food or decent water sources not controlled by rival or Ursa families. So I was starving and thirsty. What's worse, I found myself getting stalked by a pair of Lugaroo.", Lyca says with a hint disdain in her voice, surprising Caleb.

"Lugaroo?"

"They're what you humans call coyote-type Kobold. They're filthy, scavengers that kill any lone, injured, or elderly pack members they find and enjoy stealing our food any chance they get! They even kill our pups! A pack of them killed my sister's FIRST litter of pups just for fun!", Lyca says emitting a low snarl at the memory.

"Holy hell…they sound like bastards."

"They are! We don't tolerate their lot! They're tracked down and killed if we catch a whiff of their scent in our territory.", Lyca spat with pure disdain, "They're a sad, cowardly bunch so repulsive even fleas won't touch them with teeth so jacked up the rest of their face is always apologizing for it and a tail that droops with an aura of unending misery and foolishness. "

"Damn, Lyca! Never took you for the type to throw shade.", Caleb says in disbelief.

"That's what my mom says, I'm just repeating her words."

'Golly, her mom's roast game is crazy!', Caleb thought both impressed and disturbed.

"Anyway, one day I decided to take a rest at a riverbank for some water. That's when they attacked me. That pair of Lugaroo came back with their pack of nine others and they all jumped me at once trying to tear me apart."

"Goddamn!", Caleb expressed before noticing her caught the attention of a few shoppers who were passing by but chose to ignore the pair. He clears her throat, lowering his voice a bit, "How did you get away?!"

"Lucky for me, despite being weak from hunger and thirst, most of them were even weaker. A fought through but fell into the river and got swept away in the current. I managed to pull myself up to a riverbank miles downstream. They got me really bad though. My right arm and left leg were bleeding out and I couldn't see out of my right eye where they slashed it. The only thing I remember, before I blacked out, was the sound of a man's voice and the feeling of somebody picking me up."

"So…you were rescued?"

Lyca nods plainly, "Mhm. When I woke I was in one of those human settlements. Apparently, a human hunter that was hunting outside of liminal controlled territory found me and brought me to these other humans that were from Interspecies Affairs. I was wary though since it was my first time around humans."

"Really? Does that not happen often for werewolves?", Caleb pondered.

"It does. In fact, some packs have interbred with humans for years. It's just that most werewolves prefer to stay with their own kind to avoid the bloodline getting TOO mixed with humans. We try to keep too many humans out of our territory for that reason and because humans are too unpredictable…not to mention weird. Never understood why you guys shave the fur from your arms and legs. It looks ugly."

"It's not so much a choice, well some do shave it deliberately, but it's mostly evolution's fault. Never knew you found my hairless appendages ugly though."

Lyca eyes widen realizing what she just said, "N-No, I just meant that's based on our usual standards! I-I wasn't trying to insult you! I love you just the way you are!"

"It's fine I get it fuzzy. Different cultures have different views on what's attractive or ugly I imagine some stuff that humans find attractive or ugly might sound weird to you. I take no offense from that.", Caleb assured her much to her relief before asking, "So what was your first contact with humans like?"

"They were…pretty nice, all things considered. They treated my wounds and gave me food, even met and befriended some of the canine liminals and humans there. I learned all kinds of fun human stuff like sports and video games! I even learned how to read and write in your language. Only thing is, they were SO restrictive about where I couldn't do or shouldn't go. AND at one point, I even bit a woman out of fear."

"You bit her?! What did she even do?"

"She poked me with one of those needle-thing in my arm. She called it a teteetus shot or something."

"You mean tetanus?"

"That's it. I hated it. And they had the AUDACITY to try and give me two more, an antbionic and one for hypnosis A.", Lyca bitterly replies as Caleb pieces together what she actually meant.

"Really they give you immunization without actually trying explaining what it was and getting your consent? But still, what happened to the woman you bit? I imagine they were pissed after that."

"They were but not as much as I thought. The lady I bit complained about me and she had to get treated for…something about the 'werewolf virus'. I think she was afraid of turning into one like me.", Lyca says with a ponderous expression.

Caleb thought and then remembered from his research of lyca species that werewolves are a part of group species that can transform humans into their species through bites. They are the only Kobold species that can do that and it gets odder because only roughly 10% of werewolves actually carry the virus that can cause that. Even then, only humans with weak enough immune systems are actually affected. Meaning that actually happening would be very unlikely

"I think she was treated but was still angry, even got a bunch of other female humans angry too. Afterwards it became clear I wasn't welcome there anymore so, one day, these long eared people wearing clothes like Sterling had me write my name on some papers. I didn't understand what it all meant and had time to read because it was SO LONG so I just…did as they asked. After that, they put me in a vehicle and said I was 'now you're an ICEP student and under federal protection'. Then they said I was being 'relocated'. I tried questioning them about what they meant but this long eared lady pointed her glowing hand at me and I went into a deep sleep."

"Ah, so they made you a student to protect you from whatever that woman you bit was planning. Still, what the HELL is wrong with those ICEP guys? They make you sign some forms without explaining until afterwards that you're a student THEN they knock out while transporting you to FUCK knows where?!", Caleb stated incredulously, shocked at the tactlessness of the ICEP branch she was under.

"Yeah, looking back, it did feel like they were taking control of MY life and I had no say in it. I didn't like it. I felt weak and ignorant of what was going to happen. Imagine a full grown werewolf not in control of her own life. My parents would be even more ashamed.", Lyca expressed clenching her fists tightly before feeling hand against her back rubbing it comfortingly.

"It's ok, Fuzzy. At least that period of your life is over now."

"Yeah...but it just was the beginning of another terrible one.", Lyca remarks.

"What happened then?", Caleb gently asks.

"After they took me away from my home, they sent me here, to Alabama I.A. branch, hundreds of miles away. It took me a while to come to terms with it. I mean, I WANTED to leave my old life behind but…I didn't think I would go so far from everything I knew. Then I found out there weren't many werewolves in this part of the country. I really felt out of place then."

"Yeah, I guess it wasn't exactly the warm Southern welcome you should have gotten. It must've been hard for you to adjust."

"It was. The people at the I.A. branch here were at least a lot more patient towards me. They were all really nice and they told me I'd be able to fit in much better here once they could set me up with a host family. I was…actually really excited. The other liminals there talked about how their friends found human mates and how nice their lives are. I thought I could maybe find one if it was that easy here. But then they found a host to take me in and…"

"He tried to make you fight in an underground liminal fight club, right?", Caleb finishes her sentence, "To this day, I still can't comprehend how the hell ICEP could put you with someone like that."

"His name was Dylan. I could tell from his scent something wasn't right with him. But, he showed up to the meeting well-dressed and acted really kind in front of the agent. They insisted I give him a chance, despite my reservation, and I just went along with it. Figured I give him a chance.", Lyca spoke with a shrug before sighing in disappointment, mostly in herself, "After like, two days he showed his true colors. He was really mean and treated me like a stupid animal."

Caleb looks to her surprised as anger grows inside him. The image of Lyca being put in a small cage and treated like property made his blood boil.

"One day, he brought me to this weird building full of these…angry kobold liminals. I could tell something was wrong with them and this group of humans were cheering as they fought and tore each apart. It was horrible."

"God…then what happened?"

"Then a big Orc guy showed up and tried poking me with a needle so socked in the face and broke his jaw. I ran away as fast as I could! "

"Heh serves his ass right!", Caleb expressed before seeing the seriousness in her eyes. She wasn't in the mood to laugh, "Sorry."

"It's ok. Anyway, I just kept running until I these people from MON stopped, something about needing to be accompanied by a host. I told them what happened and they took me back to I.A. It wasn't until later I learned they arrested Dylan and the Orc AND brought in all those Kobolds for treatment."

"Treatment?"

"Yeah, they said those Kobolds were injected with…something called coakeen and gluttony fang. It was making them all really sick, Chief. Why would people do that?"

"I'm guessing it was to make you more violent Lyca. Just like pitbulls, they hop them up on drugs to make them mindless killers. That's what they wanted to do to you. People are fuckin' sick I swear to fucking god.", Caleb expressed trying to control his agitation, gripping the shopping cart.

"Chief?", Lyca says looking to him with concern.

Caleb takes a deep breath to calm himself, "Sorry, I'm fine. What…what happened after that?"

"After that…I spent a week at I.A. for physical and mental health treatment. They got rid of my old coordinator, after what happened, and set me up with a new coordinator, Sterling."

Caleb looks to her curiously, figuring he would come up eventually.

"He asked if I wanted to give the host game another try? I…didn't want to at first after everything I experienced but then he told me…I'm free to say no if I want but it'd be a shame if I left now and never experience the best of humanity."

"Sterling said that?", Caleb said, a bit surprised.

"Mhm. I don't know what it was but I decided to trust him. I still thought he smelled kinda sketchy but not AS bad as the others. After that, I left I.A. to see my new host and…even now, I couldn't be happier with that decision.", Lyca solemnly spoke before hugging his, pressing herself close to him.

"Heh, rest is history huh? I'm just glad you're safe after all that."

"Yeah, I am too. I'm so much happier with you, Mira, and the others in our pack.", Lyca hummed, hugging his arm tighter while matching his pace

"Good to know."

Lyca pauses a moment in deep thought before asking, "...Hey, Chief?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you…think we're good people?"

Caleb looks to her quite confused, unsure of how to answer at first then replies, "I…I would say so, I guess. Why?"

"It's just…I keep having bad dreams about…that cat lady who attacked. The one I…", Lyca pauses, choking on the word.

"I know. Yeah…", Caleb interjects saving her from finishing while also making sure nobody was listening in on them, "So you're having feeling…guilt over what happened?"

"That's the problem. I…don't feel any guilt for what I've done, Chief. I knew I had to protect my mate and even Zwei I should acknowledge it…but the more I do…the more I realize I'm a little glad I did it. Chief…am I becoming bad…just like the cat lady?", Lyca expressed with tears welling in her eyes. She yelps upon feeling Caleb tilt her head up, staring deep into her eyes.

"No.", He firmly says without a trace of anger in his voice, "Listen to me when I say this, YOU are NOT like her and never will be."

"But…", Lyca utters, still visibly worried.

"It's natural to feel a lot of things after going through what we did, Lyca. Hell, there are times when I think about those Malone guys. Sometimes I feel glad they're dead, other times I realize they were humans. Bad ones but still fellow humans. It is a complicated feeling Lyca, one you…just have to learn to live with.", Caleb expressed as Lyca stares at him, "Only thing I can say is, at least we don't have to live with it alone. We ARE a pack, right?"

Lyca's eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face before she hugged him warmly, pressing her body firmly against him, "Yeah!"

"That's my girl. Come on, let's go, look around the sports section for a bit. You might find something you like.", Caleb offered, wanting to cheer her up more.

"Ok.", She replied, hugging his arm as they walked together.

….

While that was going on, Drei could be seen walking along enjoying a bag of turkey jerky she just bought. She passes by a toy section with an assortment of bicycles placed high on display. She then sees two human boys excitedly rolling around on skateboards from one of the aisles. She raises an eyebrow seeing a neon green skateboard with black stripes.

Further away, male lemur-type liminal could be seen flirting with a female weremouse near the furniture section.

"Sup baby. I couldn't help noticing us both checking out this here futon. Whaddya say you and me test it ou-AAHOOOUUUCH!", He hollers to the ceiling as Drei passes by, accidentally skating over his tail.

….

Back to Caleb and Lyca, the pair could be seen in the sporting goods section. Lyca was testing out some of the dumbbells while Caleb messed around with Wilson basketball spinning it on his fingertips.

"Nice. Didn't expect the good shit here of all places.", Caleb remarks, dribbling the ball a little.

"Ooo, cool. You gonna get it.", Lyca asks, tail wagging, hoping he'll say 'yes'.

"I don't know. Don't really have space for a hoop and not sure if the park nearby has a court. Hmm…", He ponders out loud

"Aww, come on? It'd still be fun to play w–", Lyca stops mid-sentence, her ears picking up a familiar sound.

"Yeah, maybe, but still we'd–" Caleb was saying only to notice that Lyca wasn't paying attention. Instead, she was moving her head around as if she was looking for something as her ears twitched.

Seeing this, Caleb's body got tense and readied himself for whatever set her off, then quietly asked, "Lyca, what's wrong? What is–"

Without a word, the She-wolf takes off, rounding the corner of the aisle.

"Lyca, wait! Dammit!", Caleb goes after her, forced to leave the cart behind.

Further away, in an aisle full of paint and home repair supplies, a little liminal cat girl with two tails glowing with small bluish-white flames at the tips could be seen sobbing. She wore a pink shirt and red skirt but no shoes for her cat-pawed feet.

" *Sob sob* Mama…*sob*", She cries into her slightly soaked furry hands as the rest of her tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Hey there.", Lyca spoke gently, getting the cat child to tenses up before whipping around shocked to see the taller She-wolf squatting behind her with a warm smile, "What's wrong, little pup?"

The cat child cautiously steps back like a frightened kitten not responding. She was clearly wary of the werewolf stranger.

"It's ok. My name's Lyca. What's yours?", Lyca says in a gentle voice.

The cat child looks to her a moment, not sensing any malicious intent only genuine concern. She then softly responds wiping her tears, "Y-Yumi. Yumi Yukimura…"

"Lyca?!", Caleb stated, startling the Yumi, "There you are. Don't scare me like–"

"Chief! Don't just yell like that! You're scaring Yumi!", Lyca scolds him before turning back the frightened cat girl petting her head, "It's ok."

"Yumi?", Caleb responded, finally noticing the flaming twin tailed cat girl lightly trembling, "O-Oh. Sorry. Is she…lost?" Caleb ask lowing his voice as he glances at Lyca.

Yumi tears up again before uttering, "Yumi wants to go home. Where Mama? Can't find her!" She cried as her voice stuttered in slightly broken English.

"Shh, come now, it's ok Yumi.", Lyca spoke pulling her into a hug to comfort her. She then tilts her head up wiping her tears away, "Me and Chief will help you find your mama."

"*Sniffle* R-Really?"

"Of course. Right Chief?", Lyca says looking to him.

Caleb pauses, getting put on the spot, then looks to then looks at the helpless child. Her pleading blue kitten eyes weakening his ability to deny helping an adorable creature.

"Yeah. Yeah, don't worry. We'll definitely find your mom, together. Ok?", Caleb assures with a smile.

She looks to Caleb a moment then to Lyca. The fear and uncertainty from earlier quickly fades away by the warmth the pair exuded.

"Ok.", Yumi nods with a small grin.

"Ok! Up we go.", Lyca says picking up the little cat girl smiling at her as she smiles back, "Oh, this is Chief by the way. He's my ma-"

"Host. I'm her ICEP host.", Caleb interrupts not her to disclose their relationship in public for their safety, "Also, my actual name is Caleb."

"Lyca…san. Cal…san.", Yumi spoke, sniffing him a bit, then smiling and reaching out to him.

"Oh, do you want to go to him?" Lyca asked her with what most would describe as a mother-like smile.

"She's not an infant, Lyca. You don't have to carry her.", Caleb waves off, not comfortable with holding someone else's kid without permission.

"She's still a pup. Come on Chief please.", Lyca ask adding her puppy dog eyes with Yumi kitten eyes.

'Dammit! Both at once? I'm not going to win against that level of cuteness!' Caleb thought, feeling his heart melting into a puddle.

Begrudgingly, Caleb sighs and reaches out his arms and takes the small cat child in his arms, careful not to touch the fiery tips of her tails. Yumi smiles at him then nuzzles his shoulder. Caleb felt a sudden jolt deep within telling him to protect this girl no matter what. To his surprise, also, the flames of her tails weren't hot at all. It kinda reminded him of Moon pie's tail mist.

He then notices Lyca staring at them with a wide smile and sparkling eyes of adoration as her tail wagged furiously.

"W-What?"

"You look so good with a pup, Chief. See little one? He's really, really nice person.", Lyca croons with goofy grin.

"Don't make it weird, please?", Caleb says with an embarrassed blush and Yumi lightly giggles, "A-Anyway, let's grab our shopping cart first then you show us where you saw your mom last ok?"

"Ok.", Yumi agreed as the three started to walk back to where their cart was left.

''Haaa, I hope we meet back up with Ein or Drei soon. I could really use the help right now.' Caleb thought as he pulled Yumi slightly closer to himself.

…Elsewhere…

"I could really use a little help right now.", Ein remarks to herself, pushing her cart along trying to find her, "Drei?! Come on, we don't have time for this! Mr. Bizzell and Lyca are waiting for us! I swear, one of these days I'm putting a bell around her tail."

Ein then rounds a corner into another aisle full of canned foods and baking ingredients. Knowing her sisters, she'd probably be grabbing a snack of some kind by so she just need to search the aisles until–

"Eh?", Ein expressed stopping in her tracks before backing up. She looks to her right and sees a lone box of Oreo cakesters just sitting among the canned with no business being there, "No way! I've been looking all over for these in the snack section! I thought they were all out! What's a box doing HERE of all places?! Did someone just stick them here instead returning them to the proper shelf?! Who does that?"

After admonishing the now long gone scoundrel, Ein looks back at the box of her favorite American guilty pleasure and smirks.

'Oh well, they're loss and my gain. At least they'll be coming with me no–', Ein thought to herself casually reach to grab the box, only for it to be snatched from the shelf by a large, burgundy reptilian hand to her surprise, 'Wha?!'

She looks to see a strange looking tall dragon liminal woman with two mouth-like appendages sticking from her sides, their tongues hanging out like panting dogs. She held a blue shopping basket in her arm full of different snacks.

"Haha! Found them! The succulent confectionary fit for the Queen of Hearts herself! Master will be quite pleased. ~Perhaps even reward me~.", The Jabberwock expressed in a regal manner before switching to a lascivious grin biting her lip in ecstasy at the thought.

As she about to put the cakesters in her basket, Ein grabs her wrist stopping her. The Jabberwock eyes widen then looks to the weasel who's body trembled and emitted a menacing aura.

"Excuse me, I saw that box first. Give it back, now.", Ein spoke calmly her words laced with venom as she glared at the dragon.

"I don't see your name on it, fox, therefore I am free to take it. Now, if you value your insignificant life, you don't remove that hand of yours.", The Jabberwock replied, glaring down viciously at the weasel, her presence radiating dominance. The mouth tentacles bore their teeth threatening to bite into Ein's sides if she tried anything.

"First of all, I'm a WEASEL! Second, you clearly saw me reaching for it, therefore I called dibs. According to the universal dibs law, it is MINE!", Ein stated, not backing down.

"I know not of such a law! It's not my fault you would rather monologue than take what you want!", The Jabberwock rebuffs making Ein blush in embarrassment at being heard talking to herself again, "Now, if you're done wasting my valuable time, I shall take my lea–"

At the moment the Jabberwock was going to place them in her basket, Ein snatches them away then turns away with her cart walking.

"I'm take my leave too…WITH my Oreo cakesters.", Ein emphasized, shooting a glare back.

A vein bulges on the Jabberwock's forehead as pure rage filled her eyes and her teeth clenched tightly. Small billows of pink flames pour from her lips and the mouths of her tentacles.

"You dare? YOUR DARE!? YOU INSOLENT BITCH!", The Jabberwock roared before charging the wind weasel, a reel back and throw a hard right jab.

Ein pivots around on her heel then brings her knees up deflecting the punch. She then delivers a powerful kick sending the Jabberwock flying back before catching herself growling angrily.

"You want this box? Go ahead.", Ein spoke viciously, placing the box in her cart and positioning herself in front. Her eyes become blood red as she extends her scythes threateningly T-posing, "Take it from me."

Sidenote: NEVER take a Karmaitchi's food.

…..

"Umm…Yumi went over here. Play with BIIIIIIIG monkey! Bigger than Mama!", Yumi enthusiastically spoke pointing down the toy aisle at one of the oversize stuff animals. She was small enough to ride in the baby seat of the shopping so Caleb just made room.

He and Lyca were currently backtracking with the help of both Yumi's direction and Lyca's nose; mostly the latter.

"Yeah, that is a big monkey. So what did you do before the came here?", Caleb asks.

"Umm…oh! Yumi saw a really big lady on a scooter. It looked like fun to ride in.", She innocently answered as Lyca sniffs around.

"Yeah, they're not riding them because they're fun. More like because of bad life choices. Anyway, do you know where you were before that?"

Yumi thinks for a moment, "Ooh! Yumi saw Mama get a big thing to make rice! There was other stuff too like plates and spoons and pans."

"Kitchenware. Ok, let's head over there. You have a good memory", Caleb praises, patting the little nekomata girl on the head making her giggle.

Lyca looks back at them, smiling contently and they proceed.

"So, what kind of liminal are you, Yumi? Some kind of Werecat?", Caleb curiously inquires, looking at her fiery tails.

"Yumi's a Nekomata, just like Mama!", She proudly answers.

"Nekomata, huh? I feel like I've definitely heard of that species before.", Caleb ponders, then looks to Yumi. Now he thought about it, there was something familiar about this kid, like he's seen her face somewhere but that's not possible.

"A Nekomata? That's a new one.", Lyca happily spoke, "Were you helping your Mama get lots of food too like us?"

"Uh huh, we got lots of fish and chicken! Yumi picked the best salmon from the meat lady."

"That's so nice! You helping your Mama with shopping. You're big girl shopper huh?", Lyca praises.

"Yumi shop like a big girl.", The Nekomata girl happily repeated, bringing a smile to Caleb and Lyca's faces.

"How old are you, Yumi?", Caleb asks as he could see the kitchenware section in view.

Yumi takes a moment to count on her cat-paw-like fingers then shows five fingers, "Yumi is fou–no, five!"

"Wow, you ARE a big girl.", Lyca stated.

"Yep."

"But you know, Big Girls still shouldn't go off by themselves without telling Mama. It'll make her really sad. She's probably very worried right now and misses you a lot."

"She is?", Yumi asks, sounding a little ashamed.

"Yeah, that's why when you see your Mama, make sure to give her a nice big hug and say you're sorry for making her worry, ok?", Lyca calmly advised.

"Ok."

Caleb couldn't help smiling at the She-wolf admiring her nurturing side. He was sure from an outsider's perspective, they looked like a pretty mismatched family; somehow he was fine with that.

"Oh! *Sniff sniff* Chief, I got the scent! Let's go this way!", Lyca stated, gesturing for him to follow.

"Ok! Hold on tight, Yumi! Going into overdrive.", Caleb stated pushing the cart harder, increasing it's speed and turning it into a makeshift ride for the Nekomata girl who let out an ecstatic giggle.

…Meanwhile…

Near on of the entrances, an two MON agents could be seen, a Lizardman and a human female, with two store employees as they lectured the Kakuen and her host along with the Honey Bee her host/"king" whom they also called in. The human female agent lays into the group about respect for other customers and store property while holding the hosts especially accountable.

"Seriously, this is the fourth incident this week. Can I have ONE day not cleaning up petty bullshit?", The Lizardman sighed softly to himself, facepalming.

At that moment, Rikka could be seen wandering the store still searching for her little girl with the Walmart employee assisting her. They had just combed half the store backtracking where she may have been to no luck. What's more, they haven't heard anything from the other employees.

"Yumi?! Yumi, kotaete(Yumi, answer me)!", Rikka calls out frantically searching. Her heart wretched imagining the possibility of never seeing her daughter, her only reason to live in this world, gone forever. She tried not to entertain this thought, still not wanting to give up.

"Mama!", That is when she hears a familiar voice.

Rikka stops and whips around upon hearing her daughter's voice, "Yumi?!"

Her eyes widen when she sees her daughter running up to her.

"Yumi!", Rikka cries jubilant running to intercept her, sliding to her wrapping the child tightly in her arms as tears starting flowing, "My baby! You're ok! *sniffle* Thank the gods you're ok. Where were you?!"

"Sorry, Mama. Yumi should have stayed close to Mama.", Yumi apologies, wiping her mother's tears away with her small paws, "Lyca-san and Cal-san help me find you."

Rikka then finally notices two people that were with her daughter; one a werewolf with a pleased smile and the other a very familiar face.

"Hey.", Caleb awkwardly spoke with his hand up greeting her, "It's…Rikka, right?"

"C-Caleb?!", Rikka expressed in surprise, not expecting to see him here, let alone with her daughter. The feeling was mutual for Caleb as well.

"Do you know this man, ma'am?", The Walmart asked, looking at Caleb skeptically.

"Y-Yes! He works at the same building as me. He saved my life.", Rikka acknowledges, a slight blush forming at the memory, as the employee looks to him in surprise and fascination.

"Cal-san was the one that helped Mama?!", Yumi expressed.

"I mean…technically, yes! It was this weird thing with a crazy ass racist coworker, you know? ICEP did the real work though.", Caleb downplays, not wanting too much attention on him as the employee woman nods with intrigue, "So, Yumi is your daughter?"

"Yes, she is my only daughter. I was so afraid I lost her.", Rikka replies, standing on her feet with her daughter clinging to her side.

"We found this little pup all alone so we definitely had to help her find her mother.", Lyca jumps in surprising the adult Nekomata a bit before offering her hand, "I'm Lyca by the way. It's nice to meet you, Rikka!"

Rikka stares a moment at the She-wolf before clasping her hand giving a warm smile then bows graciously, "It's pleasure. Thank you both so much. Truly."

Caleb smiles at her as well, feeling a little good about helping someone today, "No problem."

"Alight, good to know it all worked out. I'll let these others know you found your girl. Take care.", The Walmart employee says, taking out a phone.

"We will, thank you.", Rikka responds before bowing to her as well much to the employees appreciation who then walks away. She then looks back at Caleb, "So, I guess this makes the third time you came to my aid."

"Third? What are you talk…oh, ohhh yeah with the sandwich and the breakroom, forgot about that. I'd hardly count that as anything, honestly. Just…not being a dick.", Caleb replies before Lyca nudges his shoulder causing him to remember there was a kid around, "Oh, sorry. Ignore that last part, Yumi."

"Ignore what part?", Yumi nods with a grin.

"Smart kid.", Caleb points out.

"Huhu, for better and worse.", Rikka concurs, sharing a light chuckle with him. She looks at him a moment, feeling comforted by his presence.

"Ahem. Well, we should be going now. I'm sure the others are waiting for us.", Caleb spoke, feeling like they were done here.

Rikka's smile fades then replies in disappointment, "O-Oh…is that right?"

"Aww, do we have to go already, Chief?", Lyca whined, looking at Yumi.

"Yes, Fuzzy, they're probably waiting around wondering where we are.", He says sternly but gently before looking to Rikka, "You both take care–"

"Don't go!", Yumi cuts him off, clinging to his pant leg to his surprise, digging her little claws in, "Yumi wants to play with Cal-san and Lyca-san more!"

"Y-Yumi! Come now, stop that!", Rikka stated trying to grab her child off him but she evades by climbing higher, now clung to his chest, her claws grazing his skin.

"Hey now! What did we say before, always stay with Mama?", Caleb lightly scolds picking her up off him.

"But…", Yumi whimpers on the verge of tears.

Caleb feels his heart sink upon seeing her saddened cat eyes.

"Please, Chief? Can stay together a little longer? They can meet Ein and the others.", Lyca half-pleaded with puppy eyes.

'Goddammit not this again!', he cursed, feeling his defenses waning. He mentally slaps himself for being so weak to their charm.

"Ok, I guess it's fine. Might as well meet up AND introduce our new friends, right?", Caleb says, giving into the situation.

"Yay!", "Yata(Yay)!", Lyca and Yumi cheered.

"Is that ok with you, Rikka?", Caleb asks the adult Nekomata.

"OH FUCK YES!"

Is what she wanted to say. What she actually said was…

"Yes, I don't see why not. My daughter seems to really like you.", Rikka says with a smile as her tails happily sway before a thought occurs to her, "Ah! I forgot about our groceries! Where did I leave my cart?!"

"Oh, is that it?", Caleb gestures behind him to a shopping cart parked near one of the aisles, "We found it by the appliances. Yumi said it was yours so we brought it with us."

Rikka gives a surprise but relieved stare at his thoughtfulness before sighing, "Good, that's a relief. I'm starting to think you're my guardian or something. Ironic given the legends you humans have surrounding my species."

"So that make me the guardian of a guardian? Like a therapist having a therapist?", Caleb chuckles amused by his joke as Rikka chuckles with him.

"Who bills who I wonder?", Rikka happily chimes as Lyca hands her the cart nodding to her, "Shall we?"

"Yep.", Caleb says pushing the cart with Rikka pushes hers beside him, Lyca at his side, and Yumi in his arm nuzzling his shoulder.

"Oh hey, you found your daughter!", A male wererabbit employee stated.

"Y-Yes, I did! She was with him!"

"Good, she was just with her daddy the whole time. You had nothing to worry about. Alright then, enjoy the rest of your shopping."

As he leaves, Caleb and Rikka take a second to fully process what he just said.

"WAIT, WHAT?!", they exclaim simultaneously.

"Sir? Sir?! No! No no no! Hold the hell on! I'm not her–where are you going?! HEY!", Caleb calls after the man to set things straight as Lyca gives him a supportive smile and thumbs up, "Why are you supporting me?!"

"H-H-He thought we were…you're her…I'm your…", Rikka stutters, blushing bright red, tail erect, gripping the shopping cart handle as her mind flooded with impure thoughts.

"H-Hey, Rikka!"

"Yes?!"

"We didn't hear that. It's just the ramblings of a crazy person."

"R-Right, of course! It's not we're a…a …", Rikka struggles to finish the sentence, feeling a lump in her throat.

Yumi looks between the pair, "Mama and Cal-san are flirting."

Rikka and Caleb jaws drop before simultaneously stating, "No we're not!"

"Not from what I'm smelling.", Lyca cheekily points out.

"We're not! How are you chill abou–anyway ignore–"

He's cut off when, at that moment, Bill Withes' 'Just The Two of Us' starts randomly playing on the store's intercom adding to Caleb's frustration and making Rikka's heart race.

'FUCK YOU, BILL WITHERS!', Caleb swore internally.

"Let's just go."

"Hai–I mean yes!", Rikka agreed, following beside him, a little closer than before.

….Meanwhile…

Drei skate through the store, weaving and maneuvering through other shoppers.

"Little girl, you CAN'T skateboard in here! Get off the board! I won't ask again!", One the liminal employees, a Werefox, stated, chasing after her.

Drei glances back unbothered then sees a chubby, Spanish-speaking female shopper with a cart full of food and skates towards her.

She leaps up doing an acrobatic somersault over the cart to the Werecat and lady shopper's surprise as the board slides right under. She lands on the other side right back on her skateboard casually doing a kick-flip.

"W-Waaa OH SHI–", The Werecat shouts, crashing right into the Hispanic woman's cart prompting her to curse out the employee in Spanish.

Drei continued down through the store until a small group of humans caught her attention near one of the aisles prompting her attention.

"WORLD STAR!", one of the humans shouted as he and a few others had their phones out record.

Drei raises a curious eyebrow, grabs the boards, then generates a swirling whirlwind beneath her feet levitating over the aisles to get a better look. Her eyes widened slightly at what she saw.

Ein could be seen in a contest of might against the Jabberwock. Both their palms interlocked, with the draconic woman's reptilian claws being considerably bigger than the weasel's, trying to overpower the other. Both completely oblivious to the crowd cheering in excitement.

"Give up already, fox! Makes this easier on yourself!", The Jabberwock growled pressed harder on her opponent who grunted a little from the strain.

"I…told you. I'm a WEASEL! And those cakesters are mine!", Ein stated through gritted teeth, pushing with all her strength refusing to give in to the Jabberwock's surprise and frustration.

'Fuck! She's a tenacious and she's pretty strong too! Heh, guess I'll have to change tactics.', The Jabberwock mischievously thought with a smirk looking down at her ample breast in black bodysuit.

She commanded both of her months tentacles to extend their slender, drool covered tongues and begin licking at the Karmaitchi's flesh orbs, much to her shock.

"WHA–WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! ST–AHHaaa!", Ein's eyes shot open in surprise at the gross, slimy yet bizarrely pleasant sensation of their wet muscles swirling around her breast as hot saliva seeped into her fabric to her heating the area with lust. Ein's knees begin to wobble and tremble.

"~Give up yet?~", the Jabberwock haughtily spoke forcing Ein to her knees the blows a billow of pink smoke in her face.

"N-No…", Ein utters through gritted teeth and heavy blush, refusing to give in to the Jabberwock's annoyance.

"Fine! How bout THIS?!"

In swift motion, the tentacles mouth open their maws inhumanly wide then gently but firmly sink their rigid teeth into her breasts.

"Haaaaaa!", Ein cries out, quickly losing strength, collapsing to her knees as the small crowd erupts in excitement before turning to confusion and shock complaining about their phones. Ein couldn't hear them over the slurping sounds of the mouth tentacles devouring her chest; their tongues swirling circles around her hardened nipples through the black cloth. Drool escaped her lips as her mind grew hazy, "S-Stop…"

The Jabberwock smiles in satisfaction, pink flames sparking from her lips.

"Pathetic. Can't handle pleasure to save your life. Looks like I wi–AH! *Cough cough* WHAT THE FU–UUuuuuuuuu…", The dragon woman berated before a pill-shaped object was shot down her throat before immediately becoming overwhelmingly fatigued then falling backwards unconscious, snoring loudly.

"Aahhh...Eh?", Ein utters, finally released from the overwhelming pleasure and sees then soundly sleeping Jabberwock.

"Should I even ask at this point?", Drei spoke from behind, approaching her with a skateboard in her arm.

"D-Drei? Ah! I've been looking all over for you! Where were–", Ein was about scold her sister before Drei hands her a pack of wet wipes.

"Clean yourself up.", Drei spoke plainly, seeing her drool soaked clothes as Ein quivers in embarrassment and disgust touching her chest frown at the strand of slime on her finger.

"Thanks. Is she…gonna be alright?", Ein asks, taking the wet wipes, looking to the snoozing Jabberwock.

"Yeah but we only have about three hours before she wakes up."

"Still not pulling your punches, huh?", Ein remarks standing to her feet, strength returning, then sees, to her surprise, several humans and a few liminal scrambling in a panic trying to remove sticky green goo from their phone and bodies, "Should I even ask?"

"Witnesses must be dealt with.", Drei says holding a Bungy Ball in her fingers.

"Haaa, I'm too exhausted to care right now. Let's just get back to Mr. Bizzell.", Ein says, wiping some of the saliva off her chest then grabbing her cart. She grins to herself seeing the Oreo cakesters on the ground and picks them up, placing them in the cart. It was mostly worth it.

"You know I'm getting half of those as compensation for cleaning up the mess you made, right? Unless you want to explain this to Caleb?" Drei ask gesturing to her sister's clothes.

"Half?! Ah…haaa fine.", Ein begrudgingly agrees, pushing the cart along, maneuvering around the Jabberwock's on the ground as her sister follows.

Drei then looked at the skateboard under her arm for a moment and thought, 'I don't want this anymore.'

She then sticks it right into the shelf among the food and leaves it there having NO intention of taking it back where she got it as two sisters leave the area.

Few minutes later two employees arrived hearing that some kinda fight was happening only to find a sleeping dragon woman and some kinda green goo all over the floor and a skateboard sticking out of the canned food shelf.

"I quit. I'm done.", the human male says, throwing his hands, removing his nametag callously dropping onto the floor and walking away leaving his liminal coworker alone.

"There goes another one. That is the third new hire this week. ", Jöl sighed as he opens his third eye using telekinesis to remove all the green goo, forming it all into one large clump, which actually took some effort to pull off the floor and thought, 'Geez, what is this stuff?' as he put in trash bags, he had on him as he turns his attention to unconscious dragon woman.

"Vorpula? Vorpula!", A man stated, running up to the unconscious jabberwock, kneeling by her side caressing her head fearing the worst, " Oh shit, somebody call a ambulance or MON or SOMETHING!

"Excuse me, are you her host?"

"Yes I'm her damn host! WHAT HAPP-", The man berated only to be interrupted as he levitated the jabberwock off the ground to his shock.

"Don't worry, I can sense she's not in critical condition just in deep slumber. I need you to come with me to answer some questions and get her treated." He said as he grabbed the skateboard hopping the MON agent's haven't left yet cause he really doesn't want to deal with this.

…Elsewhere…

"So I'm like, HOW is my last name that hard to spell?! The guy before me had like nine 'A's in his FIRST name and somehow mine's the hardest to spell.", Caleb reminisces a story from his college graduation making Lyca and both Nekomata laugh, "So yeah, before I could get it changed, I had to own a degree with the name 'Caleb Bizel' for almost a year. Yeah, I…I think I was living someone else's life at that time. "

Rikka and Lyca laughed harder as Yumi, now riding in the cart again, giggled along with them.

"Hahahaha! I'm just imagining you in the mirror, Chief! Who are you? I'm you. If you're me, who am I? I'm you. Who?!", Lyca jokes doing a little comedy sketch as Yumi laughs heartily along with Caleb and Rikka.

Rikka looks at Caleb and Yumi seeing them laughing together gives her an indescribable warmth and elation. She hadn't felt this relaxed for quite a while and pondered if it was because of this human. He appeared to be quite friendly with the kobold as well though her intuition told her it was definitely far more than just mere friendship given the way she looked at him.

How was she looking at him right now? She wondered with a blush then looked to his free hand at his side. She reaches out then withdraws.

'No, stop it! Not in front of Yumi. You have to be better. Still…is it wrong to–',

"Hey guys!"

A female voice interrupts Rikka from her thoughts. She looks up to see a human female and…what she assumed was a Kappa liminal by her side.

"Hey, Cheryl! We finally meet up!", Caleb stated before noticing the shy frog girl next to her, "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Lily. We used to work together.", Cheryl informs as the Bullywug shyly steps.

"I-It's nice to meet you, sir.", Lily spoke, keeping her distance and avoiding eye contact with the human male.

"You can just call me 'Caleb'. It's not like you work for me or anything, we're all friends here more or less."

"O-Ok then.", Lily says, slightly more at ease noticing his strange scent. It wasn't like a regular human but not unpleasant and even intrigued her. She still preferred Cheryl's though.

"What about you? Seems you picked up a couple new friends too.", Cheryl remarks, looking at Yumi and Rikka.

"This is Rikka, we currently work together and this little munchkin is her daughter Yumi.", Caleb's introduced as the adult Nekomata twirls her hair in embarrassment and he picks up her daughter making her giggle then putting her down.

"It's a pleasure to meet you.", Rikka lightly bows to Cheryl as her daughter copies her.

"Pleasure to meet you, Cheryl-san."

"Awww my God, I always wanted to be addressed with 'san' or 'senpai' at the end of my name. And she's so cute!", Cheryl happily squealed as Lily giggles at her. Rikka gives a slightly strained smile.

"I see you've got just about everything on the list, great work but…what's that though?", Caleb says pointing to the weird looking fruits in her cart.

"Oh! That's a haokokoko fruit.", Rikka stated, "I didn't know they sold them here."

"You know what this thing is?", Caleb asks while Lyca picks one of them up examining then sniffing it. She grins at the pleasant sweet aroma.

"Yes, it's grown in my homeland. They're quite delicious actually, especially when they're ripe like these."

"It's one of those new liminal products they're selling. Figured you want to give it a taste.", Cheryl points out, hoping he wouldn't be annoyed for making that decision for him.

"Nice, guess we're not the only ones wanting to try out some liminal foods.", Caleb says gesturing to the liminal snacks in his cart, to Cheryl's relief, "Alright, we just need to find Ein and Drei and we can check out."

"Here we are, sir!", Came the voice of Ein getting their attention she pushes the cart with Drei sitting atop the foot in front, legs crossed like a queen, "Sorry we're la-…oh, hello.", She paused noticing the new faces in the group

"Ein, Drei, this Cheryl's friend Lily and this is Rikka and her daughter Yumi.", Caleb quickly introduced.

"I know, we've actually met her before.", Rikka says, looking to Ein.

"Huh? When did…oh yeah! You were the hostage at Mr. Bizzell's workplace.", Ein says, her memory jogged.

"Wait, hostage?!", Cheryl and Lily stated simultaneously.

"Yes, TL;DR, I saved her life from a racist shooter.", Caleb sums, getting tired of repeating himself.

"And today me and Chief found her lost pup and returned her to her mama!", Lyca joins in, gesturing to Yumi who was being held in Rikka arms.

Cheryl, Lily, and the Zyklons look at them with mixed reactions.

"Cal-san.", Yumi spoke, reaching out for Caleb.

"I'm sorry, I guess she wants to go to you again.", Rikka apologies.

"No, it's…fine.", Caleb says, taking the Nekomata girl, who immediately hugs him, to the other women's, save for Lyca's, surprise.

"Ok, what is with you? We leave you alone for an hour and you become a baby daddy?", Drei comments as Ein nods, confused and intrigued.

"Why does everyone–I'M 25!", Caleb stated in irritation, instinctively covering the girl's cat ears. Rikka, once again, blushes at the insinuations of the people around them; not that she minded but still.

"So, our moms were 23 when they had us.", Drei replies, gesturing to Ein who blushes a little, not denying it.

"M-Mine was 20.", Lily shyly inputs

"21!", Lyca stated, throwing hers in.

"Did you just 'Price is Right' her?", Cheryl asked incredulously.

"It is also fair to say that, to most liminals, age is just a number, especially given their naturally youthful appearances." Drei added.

"Alright, got it! Please just stop with the daddy stuff! You're making me feel way older than I am. Now, has everybody gotten everything they needed out here?"

"Pretty much.", "I'd say so, yes.", Cheryl and Ein affirmed, respectively with Rikka agreeing as well.

"Good, then we can check out. Let's find a register that's actually usable.", Caleb says, pushing his cart along with the rest following.

"Do they not always work?", Ein asks.

"They're usually understaffed, so not enough cashiers. Hell, even self-checkout don't work half the time.", Caleb answers.

"It's saying something where even the machines made to work here, don't want to work here.", Cheryl chimes in before seeing the Triclops employee and two MON agents levitating an unconscious dragon woman out of the store with, whom she assumed, is her ICEP host by her side , "What the hell happened there?"

"Probably slipped and fell.", Drei shrugs as Ein glances away in embarrassment. She quickly changes the subject, "Anyway, are those haokokoko fruits?"

As they walk, Yumi nuzzles Caleb's shoulder purring softly, making him blush a little, shifting his gaze away.

"Don't be embarrassed, Chief, just think of it as practice.", Lyca says, walking by his side.

"Practice for what?", He raises an eyebrow.

Lyca smiles sweetly, contrasted with a zesty look in her eyes, "When we have ours."

Caleb's soul leaves his body for a moment before hastily returning as he looks to the She-wolf. He could see in her eyes she was deadly serious with a mixture of unwavering loyalty and love.

'I can't tell if I'm blessed or cursed anymore.', he thought with a tired expression.

….

After paying for their groceries, the group took them out to their vehicles. Since they ended up with more expected, Caleb's trunk and back seat were basically packed with his and the Zyklons stuff. Cheryl lightened the load by placing some groceries in her car.

Rikka and Lily boarded the liminal trolley, placing their bags in the small passenger storage areas.

Cheryl and Lily exchanged contact info to keep in touch much to the Bullywug's delight at prospect of getting the spend time with her the future.

While the Zyklons sisters moved most of their stuff to Cheryl's trunk, Caleb could be seen helping Rikka place her bags in the small storage compartment on the outside of the trolley with Lyca's help.

"Ok, that's the last one. You sure got quite a bit, you good carrying these home?"

"My landlords daughter usually helps me so I'm fine. Thank you though.", Rikka replies in appreciation for his concern.

"Bye little pup. Make sure to help your Mama now.", Lyca says petting the top of the Nekomata girl's head.

"Ok.", Yumi nods a bit sadly then asks, "Can Yumi play with Lyca-san and Cal-san again?"

Rikka, Caleb and Lyca give her surprised stares.

"Well…I'd definitely love that.", Lyca replies with a warm smile not wanting to force Caleb into the situation.

Caleb looks to Rikka stares back for a moment, her cheeks flushed red averting her eyes as her hands tremble nervously. This could be her only chance. She couldn't mess it up, not again.

"S-Same.", Caleb spoke, much to their surprise, as he realized how he sounded. He quickly corrects himself, "I mean, I guess it wouldn't be too much trouble to…keep in touch. You know, like work related stuff or…just wanna talk?"

Rikka expression lights up as a small grin spreads across her lips. She nods, "Right."

Caleb takes out his phone and the two exchange contact info. Lyca gives him a loving and proud smile.

"Ok then.", Caleb spoke.

"Ok.", Rikka nods, her heart pounding.

Yumi looks between them, "Cal-san and Mama and flirting again."

"NO WE'RE NOT!", They exclaim simultaneously much to Lyca's amusement.

BEEEP

The trolley horn sounds startling the group.

"Ow, asshole!", Caleb curses at the driver, "Guess that's y'all cue."

"Right, we appreciate you all so much. Come along baby.", Rikka says, taking her daughter by the hand as Yumi waved to the pair before boarding the trolley.

As Caleb and Lyca turn to leave, Rikka sits with her daughter looking at her phone. She renames the new number 'Caleb' then grinning to herself.

"Mama?", Yumi curiously spoke before her mother, who pulled her into a hug.

…. Meanwhile…

Back at home, Mirabelle and the others could be seen watching the end of the third Shrek movie.

"I wanna thank you for let me be myself again!", Zwei sang along Puss and Donkey doing a little dance as Mirabelle rocks her body along to the bear as well. Even Camilla was visibly enjoying it, rocking her head.

"Still not as good as the first but bloody close!", Mirabelle expressed, having thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

"Are you kidding? The fairy tale princesses kicking ass AND the funny as hell baby dream with Shrek?!"

'I wonder if Dear would ever have a dream like that?', Mirabelle thought to herself, plotting some mischief.

"Ju are both wrong. The second movie is better. An angels dies in it.", Camilla comments with a grin, finding herself enjoying these movies more than she thought. She found herself relating to Shrek, oddly enough, on a spiritual level, even more so in second movie seeing what goes through for the one he loves. She hated the fairy godmother, even more than racist Fuckwad, since her entire appearance and personality reminds her of Angels.

"She's a fairy, not an Angel you know.", Zwei points out.

"I said what I said.", Camilla brushes off.

"Ok! Let's keep it going girls. Now it's time for Shrek Forever After!", Mirabelle excitedly stated.

"Oh yeah let's goooooo!", Zwei stated.

"I doubt will match the second but sure."

"Well, it's the last of the franchise. SURELY they saved the best for last right?", Mirabelle optimistically spoke.

Sidenote: Ooooooof.

.

.

.

.

..

.

.

.

..

Sup Fam? Hope everyone is doing well. Yeah, I know I'm a little bit behind schedule. This was supposed to be out last Sunday buuut life was kicking my but for the last week and I took time off to heal for round two. I won and now I'm back on track.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter cuz I put a heart in it as opposed to my foot cuz I'm not gross. Lyca backstory I feel like could be done better but it works enough.

That's all for now. Check out my DeviantArt page more fan art at GoatmanofAnime. Don't forget to hug your parents, drink water, be glad you're not a Walmart employee in this universe, and I'll see you next time. Peace Fam!

P.S. If monster encyclopedia ever does it, let the record show your boy created Lugaru(Coyote kobold) FIRST

My mind by ProducedbyMelv plays in the background.