You wake up fully naked with an equally naked Valentine in your arms. Your lover is already awake, lazily watching you through half-lidded eyes while resting her head on your chest.

This is a first for you.

The two of you are currently sharing a bedroll on the floor of your room. You remember that Valentine's bed has become unusable due to the activities of the previous night, and her room was stinking of sweat and sex when you left it for yours.

A low-sounding hiss drags you out of your recollections, pulling your attention to the bed neighboring your bedroll. You spot the two amber eyes framed by a silky mane of black hair peering down at you and Valentine from over the edge of the bed's frame.

"Good morning to you as well, Blake," you greet the catgirl who raises her head at the sound of her name.

"…Morning."

Blake's response attracts Valentine's interest as the ninja in your arms turns her gaze to the catgirl. Blake immediately shrinks back and lets out another hiss.

"Her cognition is recovering faster than I anticipated," Valentine comments. "Has she spoken a full sentence yet?"

"No, but she's getting there," you answer her.

Valentine lets out a humm, observing the catgirl hiding atop the bed. "Her behavior is still very animalistic. I wonder if it stems from the instinctual responses ingrained in her unique biology?"

"According to Weiss, Blake never acted like this before," you say before turning your attention back to the woman in your arms.

Valentine scoffs. "Correction, the princess hasn't seen her act like this before."

You shrug in response, neither willing nor caring to argue.


Cuddling with Valentine is a new and a very pleasant experience.

In all the previous times you two had sex, she had never let you hold her like this in the aftermath. Each time you woke up after spending the night in her company, you had found her gone in the morning.

Yet now, she has let you get closer contrary to her previous efforts at keeping you at a casual distance.

You've come to learn a lot about Valentine these past months, probably even more than she planned to let you. Yet, you are nowhere near close to figuring out this sexy kunoichi.

And you don't think you will be able to anytime soon…

Especially not when your mind is occupied by Weiss.

In the end, you do your best to enjoy Val's company until she decides to get up. Knowing you won't get any more rest, you follow her lead.

After dressing yourself and Blake, you regroup with your companions in the mess hall. You all grab something to eat and settle around an empty table in a corner far from everyone else.

There is no conversation around the table yet the silence itself doesn't feel uncomfortable or awkward. Hell, you might have even called it peaceful if only Weiss wasn't absent.

It lasts until a sand ninja walks up to your table to inform you that the Sand Devil has received news from Sho-Battai and asks you to meet him in his chambers.

This time, you bring your companions with you.

Surprisingly, the guards at the inner sanctum door don't object to the presence of your group and allow you all inside.

You find the old man seated behind the same table except now there are six cups resting on the table instead of just two. You take a seat before the table with Valentine to your left, and Zena along with Morena to your right. Blake crouches behind you, her body pressing into your back as she peeks over your shoulder.

You slightly bow your head to the old man in polite greeting and he returns it with a nod.

"My men have sent back word about your princess," the Sand Devil starts, getting straight to business which you appreciate and respect. "She is alive and well. The Imperial Guard has taken custody of her and left Sho-Battai the day after your group made its escape from it."

"Do you know where they are taking her?" you ask.

"Heft."

"The capital?" Zena mutters from your side.

The old man nods.