Ch 3: Reach Out And Touch You

Autumn was biting the inside of her cheek, face as red as her mother's name as she watched the rabbit, "A-A–Autumn Rose!"

She nudged Azure hard and the cat grumbled, rubbing her arm, "Azure… Azure Xiao Long."

Jangri smiled, resting her chin in her hand, "Ah. Well those are wonderful names. So."

She stood and stretched, her body limber and Autumn let out a low audible gasp next to Azure which only made the cat's eyes roll and she nudged her cousin back, "I'm guessing you two are much too inexperienced for this mission so let's set some rules down yea? First thing's first, this is super dangerous, no going off on your own unless it's an order. Also, I'm in charge. What I say goes, got it?"

they nodded and Jangri smiled before turning to talk to the twins, Autumn mumbling, "She can be in charge of me any day…"

The cat frowned, moving to dig her cigarettes from her pocket, "Whatever… you are so hopeless…"

Autumn whined at her but scooted away from Azure and the window as the cat moved to it, not wanting the coat she was tucked in to smell of the smoke. Jangri was discussing with the twins getting a new meet up set up as well as figuring out getting the two second years some warmer attire. A quick look around the room made it clear they couldn't all comfortably stay here. As Azure was staring out the cracked window with her lit cigarette, eyes wandering to the alleyway they had been running down earlier, Jangri clapped her hands together, "Alright it's settled then! The kids will stay here with me since the room and their cover is blown. The twins will take Autumn and Azure's room at the other inn. Make contact with the recruiter again tomorrow and set up a new date. In the meantime I'll gather sizes for these girls and get them some warmer gear!"

Autumn was reeling at the thought, the twins and Azure all just accepting the decision as keys were exchanged and the twins were ushered out quickly to avoid any prolonged risk of association. When they left, Jangri turned to Autumn first, ears flopping sweetly before folding back along her hair, reaching out a hand and helping Autumn to her feet. The rabbit reached, grasping her coat on Autumn and sliding it down her arms to remove it. It was a simple gesture but Autumn's brain was reeling at it, "Now then, let's have a good look at you mate."

She lifted Autumn's arms out, face close as her hands ran the expanses of sleeves to Autumn's back, mumbling to herself as she went, taking a mental measurement along each surface. She giggled at how Autumn was turning an intense shade of crimson and trembling, breathing deeply at her touch especially as hands ran her back than around her waist, noticing how Autumn leaned into each touch but ignoring it, "Friendly one aren't ya?"

Autumn flustered, unable to say much in her defense that was coherent which only made the rabbit chuckle more, moving to stand beside her and take in a height guess. Jangri was about five foot ten so she practically towered over Autumn, and that was without considering her ears when they stood at attention. Autumn couldn't help the whine of protest when she moved away from her, typing the measurements into her scroll without a glance back to the girl before moving to Azure.

Azure hadn't been paying attention to them and she was glad too, not really interested in witnessing Autumn's goo goo eyes over the bunny. A hand reached out, taking the cigarette from her lips gently and putting it out, a kind voice speaking, "Let's not have any of that tonight yea? I'm not much of a fan."

Jangri wasn't phased by the harsh look Azure gave her, able to tell how distracted she was and easy to see the empty threat. She got Azure to her feet and she was subjected to the same procedure though Azure hated it, ears folding warningly and a growl in her throat as Autumn was glaring at them with jealous envy. To Azure, it felt way too invasive and her beast couldn't stand this faunus this close while the wolf was still on her mind. It felt like such a very bad energy in comparison that her beast was recoiling, making Azure give deep rumbles at times in protests.

Jangri took a step back when she was done. She was tall to Azure too who was only five foot six, "relax little cat. I just need to buy the right size clothing for you. I'm not after anything mate."

This room had two beds considering it was originally for Jangri and the twins. Azure stared at the rabbit for a bit before huffing, "Just… don't touch anymore…"

She got a nod in response as Jangri was adding her measurements as well. The girls sat on either bed while Jangri made a call, a woman with shades coming on the screen, "Hey Mama! I need a favor."

Coco grinned, lowering her shades before she spoke, "Shoot."

Jangri rattled off their sizes and a quick share over her shoulder at the two for her fashionista mother to take in their styles before she turned back to the screen, "Think you can get me some winter wear for them by tomorrow night?"

She got a chuckle in response, "You'll have it by morning."

They shared pleasantries as Autumn leaned over to Azure, hand cupped around her lips, "Think she'll let me share her bed?"

Azure's face scrunched up and her eyes rolled, small fangs showing in her bared teeth, "You are ridiculous. She's not going to be interested in you."

Autumn's cheeks swelled a bit with her pout before she kicked Azure playfully, "Not funny Azure!"

"What's not funny mate?" the rabbit asked, having joined them.

Azure ignored her but Autumn stammered, "N-nothing! Bad joke! Um so… it's pretty cold… maybe I could sleep in this one with you? It'd be warmer…"

The rabbit leaned over with a smile and booped Autumn's nose, "Let me stop you right there. You're a cutie and I'm flattered really, but you are much too young for me mate. Sorry."

Autumn visibly deflated and gave a nod, moving to crawl into the other bed Azure was on with a pout. Jangri just shrugged kindly, reaching for the light, "We should sleep. Long days ahead."

But even in the dark Azure couldn't sleep. She turned and hissed lightly as she tried, the other two already asleep as the night rolled on but all she could think about were those pale eyes and that feeling. When her eyes would close she couldn't stop seeing him. It was making her inner beast ache and cry out to nothing which was painful and sorrowful, frustrating her.

—-

By morning she was asleep, dreaming of that wolf again but this time she wasn't a girl anymore and he wasn't a boy. They were as they were now though the memory was otherwise the same. Jangri was opening the door to two boxes with a wide smile, setting them down on her bed. Autumn, who had slept plenty, was awake and trying to get ready when Jangri brought the boxes in, squealing in excitement, causing Azure to startle awake.

The bunny apologized as Azure growled, panting in her sudden alertness before all three looked into the boxes, the girls reaching in. There was a warm coat for each of them, Autumn's matching the design of her shirt with a double breasted set of buttons on red with white trim, the hood lined with thick fluff, a longer skirt of a heavier material and lined leggings with thick insulation within, boots about the same but with a warm lining and gloves with the same material as the leggings. Azure's had a large white coat with a fluffed lining and hood covered in a similar style as her usual shirt with straps on it, similar lined boots and leggings with thicker white shorts, the black shirt having a high collar and of a lined thigh material that held in warmth well and red and black gloves with lining.

They got dressed and were amazed at just how warm these clothes were before going out to get food. The day was difficult, Azure still exhausted. It was going to be a few days before the twins could make another attempt at a meet up with the recruiter so now all they could do was wait and keep their eyes and ears open. Morning stretched into night and Azure was restless. The many trips around town had turned up nothing Jangri didn't already know and seeing Autumn fawning over the rabbit who was just kindly ignoring any of it was almost nauseating, Azure's inner beast annoyed with a desire to be elsewhere.

Now stuck in the inn again having to listen to Autumn and Jangri play yet another round of a game was too frustrating, grating at her wound tight nerves. Getting on her coat and boots, she made her way to the door, "I have to step out. Desperately need a smoke…"

They didn't try to stop her, knowing this was not exactly the pinnacle of enjoyment. Through a door and slipped into a back alley, Azure lit a cigarette and let the smoke in her lungs do its best to try to calm her scratching clawing restlessness inside. She had another issue creeping up she was painfully aware of. Unlike other faunus, Azure always got her heats in the winter. She wasn't sure why no one was but Blake always assumed all the alphas in their home just threw Azure's chemistry out of whack.

Either way, it was bound to create many problems here once it came around. That thought alone would have been enough to stress her out in the current predicament but add to that the gnawing feeling her beast was giving to find the wolf and suddenly stressed was an understatement. Her mind wandered, thinking about the wolf fully again and how good she wanted to feel again like that closeness gave. Currently felt. 'Wait… no… right now? Where…?' She thought, looking up in time to see white short hair pass the entrance of the alley briefly, the silver ears flicking.

The wolf was wearing a dark jacket and jeans to match with a red cloth sticking out the back pocket, bracelets of metal and leather adorning the wrists and nails were painted black. When the pale eyes turned at her and widened, they both froze, Azure breathing in deep the faint scent of morning dew and cool damp air swirled around her, encasing her senses as the gentle calm washed over her beast. She could see his nostrils flare as well, and knew her scent was probably tainted right now as the smoke trickled from her cigarette in her hand. The idea made her beast irritable and she let the cigarette drop.

The moment it hit the ground, he took off and she couldn't stop herself from following him down the dark streets, through crowds of night life, shoving through people with a snarl as if they were trying to get in her way of the only thing she needed. He was leaping carts and crates, squeezing through people but she wasn't letting him get away this time, couldn't let him get away, her beast refused with such intensity it hurt and made every nerve ending feel like it was on fire and itched. She must have chased him for blocks, feeling her lungs screaming in her heaving chest and her legs burning. When he slipped into an old abandoned building she followed, only to have to duck as a fist swung her way, neither having a weapon currently.

As another flew towards her she caught it, throwing it to the side before rolling her wrist around it and gripping tight, twisting his wrist up hard in her grasp and eliciting a yelp from him. It startled her for a second and her grip loosened just enough for him to flip his hand free, grabbing her wrist and yanking her over, knee solid towards her side. Her elbow dropped to block it though it stung on her arm fiercely, making her hiss before she kicked out towards him for space, backing him up as his arms blocked what he couldn't step away from. Her foot caught his face at least once, lip bleeding but when it came towards his head again he grabbed it, quickly slinging her around into a wall where she let out a cry and slid some, dropping down onto a crate as dust billowed up around them in the old building.

They were both panting, bodies worn from running and the rapid exchange of blows. Their beasts were both screaming and writhing inside of them, the overwhelming sensation of each other's energy from such close proximity to one another was making the air thick with more than just dust. His eyes shimmered like pearls from blue to green and his nostrils flared and nose twitched as her eyes turned red watching him rub the blood that was trickling down from his mouth. She didn't notice until now that her chest was rumbling but not with a growl. She was… purring? Azure hadn't done that in all her grown life that she could recall, never feeling comfortable enough, her beast never wanting anyone enough to release such a drawing sound to another.

Feet had quickly turned to inches and his fist was thrown again with a growl, making her flinch and raise her hands to block but impact never came. As her red eyes opened, she saw his fist in the wood by her head. She watched his face and bit her lip. His growl was lowering though it still carried a strange type of warning she couldn't help being drawn to. Suddenly, her hands reached up instantly and she gripped his jacket, yanking him close. The taste of copper entered her mouth as her lips met his and every inch of her vibrated with his overwhelming energy curling into hers like the undertow of the ocean taking someone under.

His own lips moved into hers, a sharp breath pressing out his nose against her face as his hands reached for her, grabbing her hips and yanking her to the edge of the crate against him. All of it felt right. Like she belonged nowhere else. Her eyes closed and she let her tongue press with force against his lips until he gave way and accepted her. She could no longer tell her beast from his, unsure which was leading or following, which was making her head spin with such a soft fuzzy feeling of peace and bliss that she was scared that if she opened her eyes it would all shatter.

Nails were digging into the fabric in her hands, his own hands at her hips holding tight but she wanted more, needed more. She tried to press closer into him but he kept a gap between them even as her whine made him gasp against her lips. Both chests were alive with a deep rumble of purrs and soft growls of contentment, desperate breaths funneling through nostrils to fight off separating as long as possible. His hands were tightly rubbing down her thighs and back up, making her gasp against him, arching closer.

Both sets of ears folding back in pleasure as tongues glided along one another, saliva exchanging in turn but what finally caused her to pull away was the feeling of fangs growing in his mouth pricking her tongue. Her startled eyes watched him widely as he was watching her, eyes a pale yellow now as his hands continued to knead along her legs and hips slowly, both chests heaving for air. She could see the pricks in his lip and reached up, touching the new fangs in her own teeth in confusion. She could also feel the urgent desire to take him in and breathe deep his scent, find its strongest location and bury her teeth there. That she knew was her inner beast and it was something she had never felt before.

He leaned closer, blinking before those eyes shifted back to green and her scent of chrome and morning glories with smoke swirled in his semblance and painted a colorful picture of what she looked like, showing him her beautiful form before he breathed more deeply against her skin, closing his eyes and gripping her thighs possessively, "Shouldn't… Don't even know you…"

Azure could only whine against him, pressing her chest against his as her hands moved to tug at his shoulders, nipping along his temple and human ear, her voice making him tremble hearing it fully for the first time, "I know you… I feel like I've always known you…"

He could smell her desire as well and it was making him weak, especially as she shifted to alpha to try to flex her energy into his, desperate for more of him, his own beast being a shifting neutral that responded to other faunus quickly starting to cave to her, a whimper in his throat as his teeth burned with need to mark her skin, his voice so smooth it made her shiver, "I see you every night… yet I don't even know your name…"

She felt a hand moving to tangle in her hair at the base of her neck, fingers teasing the edge of her shirt collar. None of it actually made any sense to her but at this moment she didn't care, feeling so at peace the world around them didn't exist. Pain didn't exist. Sorrow didn't exist. Only calm and wonder existed here close to him. She felt his energy as her own grasped hold of it, pulling it into her own until she could no longer feel a difference between them, his hand on her thigh still rubbing his thumb into her inner leg not fair from where it met her body at the hem of her shorts and his fingers by her shirt collar tucking under, tugging at the fabric as his teeth grazed at her skin.

'Yes… please… mine… mine…' Azure's mind was screaming but suddenly he stopped, panting into her skin and whimpering as if in intense pain, her own hands grasping at him desperately, his voice low, "Can't… mustn't…"

Her disappointment and feeling of rejection escaped her in a sorrowful whimper that stole his breath painfully from his chest, her nails clinging to his jacket tight as she trembled, feeling him pulling away from her, barely able to force a whisper, "no… no please…please don't… don't go…"

He was staring at her, unable to properly see her with his blind eyes as she stared back, those eyes yellow now as his hand grazed along every curve and inch of her beautiful face, memorizing it in a different visual way through touch, his semblance painting her shape, "I have to go."

He didn't move at first, couldn't move. His inner beast refused, too comfortable there enjoying her presence and unable to hurt her as she was whimpering, still trying to hold on to him. But soon he pried her off at the wrists even as his beast squirmed and screamed inside against him, nuzzling her hands sweetly with his own pained whimpers and she could feel he was trembling too before he stepped out of her reach. She could only watch him as he turned to go, reaching to snag the fabric from his pocket without him noticing, tucking it quickly into her pocket. As he was about to leave, she found her voice again, "Azure."

When he turned, confused, she gestured towards herself, "My name is Azure."

A gentle expression was shown as he climbed onto the window ledge, "Lux."

She watched him slip away but when she darted to the window, he was nowhere to be seen and the feeling of his energy drained rapidly from her, leaving her feeling so swarmed with a deep depression and loneliness she could hardly stand it.

—-

When she made it back to the inn, she had a dead expression on her fallen face, dragging herself through the door quietly. Autumn ran over, worried, "Azure! Thank god we've been looking everywh... Azure?"

The cat's ears flicked at her voice but there was no other acknowledgement as she shed her coat and slowly climbed into the bed, curling up tightly on herself and dragging the blanket over her, trying to block out the world that felt even harsher and more painful than before. She wanted desperately to sleep and see that face again, those eyes, wanting to run towards the memory now rather than away, needing that peace so badly to feel ok.

Autumn stared at Jangri who just shrugged before watching Azure again. The bunny moved to the lights, "Maybe we should all sleep, it's pretty late."

As if a cruel joke, she still struggled to sleep, listening to the others sleeping as she laid there, pain in her heart making no sense and leaving her so confused. Her fangs were subsiding but the ache in her teeth wouldn't go away as she pressed her face into the pillow. She reached into her pocket, pulling out the red fabric and holding it close to her nose, breathing in that scent he carried until his scent finally lulled her to sleep.

—-

The leader watched him as he mopped around, laying across a hammock in the personal quarters, staring at his hand that he had traced her face with as if there was something special there the leader didn't know about. The smoke smell on his body wasn't all that strange, considering many seedy characters in town smoked so it wasn't all that alarming but he never acted this way.

She moved closer, ruffling the short hair, "Did something happen in town Lux?"

He glanced out the window by his hammock and shrugged weakly, unconvincingly to the woman. She hummed and seemed to be thinking before pulling away, "Get some rest. You start more training tomorrow. You'll be back out to keep watch for another recruitment soon and this can't go wrong this time."

He nodded, sighing as she left, staring off in the dark, his insides aching so painfully that once he was alone he felt swallowed up by it, wanting so badly to just feel Azure's presence again, placing his hand over his face, breathing in her faint scent, "Azure…"