The Bounty Hunter

January 29th, 2089

After I came back home, I fell asleep due to exhaustion.  I slept solidly through my alarm in the morning and came to school late.  I kept dozing off throughout my classes throughout the day and had to have Hikari shake me awake several times.  I managed to get home where I immediately went back to sleep.  After another solid 8 hours of sleep I finally woke up feeling normal.  Repeated unnatural rapid healing, whether from magic or potion, puts a strain on the body.  I can endure the exhaustion during the fight, but afterwards I have to rest.  

Kira’s pendant suddenly started signaling me, meaning it was time to apply more healing magic to Grandma Kuma.  I immediately left for the other world and arrived at Grandma Kuma’s side.  Kira and Veronica were there, with Kira in tears while Veronica was comforting her.  At my appearance, Veronica took Kira from the room to let me work in peace. 

As I examined Grandma Kuma, I frowned as I saw that her dwindling life force was nearly gone.  “How long do I have Terra?”  Grandma Kuma asked me calmly.  “1 week.”  “Ara, that time is coming up quickly.”  “You’re awfully calm about this.”  “Of course I am, dying from old age in this world is a great blessing and a sign that Adligo favored me.” 

She started to purr, showing she was content, but it sounded different from what Kira usually does.  “Why does your purr sound so different from Kira’s?”  I asked her.  “It’s because I’m purring from contentment with my friends and family, which is not what Kira does with you.” She responded.  “Huh?” “Fufu, I shouldn’t say this but I can’t resist seeing the expression you’ll make when I do.”  Grandma Kuma smiled mysteriously while baiting me. “What are you talking about?” 

“Cat-kin have two different types of purr you know?  One is for friends and family like I just did, and the other is only for your mate.”  A dumbfounded look appeared on my face as I stared blankly at Grandma Kuma, who giggled mischievously.  “B-but she’s been doing that purr for as long as I can remember.”  “Of course, since she has been in love with you from the very beginning.”  I am having trouble thinking straight right now.  My assumption that Kira developed her attachments to me due to the trauma of Hafor has been blown out of the water.  I used that thought as an excuse to play dumb and avoid her feelings, now I don’t know what to do. 

Grandma Kuma pressed me while I was confused “And it’s obvious to me that you love her as well, so what are you hesitating for?”  “I c-can’t, I already have Veronica.”  “So?  It’s only natural to have multiple mates.  One needs to have many kittens after all.”  “B-but, she’s only 14!  That’s too young!”  “For a human maybe, but for a beast-kin she’s an adult as soon as she experiences her first heat.  It’s about maturity after all.  Otherwise, wouldn’t you be far too young for Veronica?”  Geh, Grandma Kuma has been easily brushing away all my feeble excuses. 

She laughed lightly as she saw my consternation “Terra, you have been like another grandchild to me all these years.  It pains me to see you deny yourself happiness with Kira due to guilt from Hafor.  Go talk to her yourself now and figure out your thoughts.”  Grandma Kuma looked towards the door and called out “Kira, you can stop eavesdropping now.  Terra’s coming out, so finally tell him how you feel.” 

At Grandma Kuma’s urging I left the room to see both Veronica and Kira right outside the door.  Veronica chose to go downstairs, but not before whispering to me “I like Kira a lot, so don’t worry and be true to yourself.”  I stood still for a moment, but followed Kira into her room where we could talk. 

We sat on the bed, looking at each other in silence for a while before Kira finally spoke “I love you Terra.”  “I love you too, Kira.  But I’m no good for you.”  “…Why would you say that?”  “Because I failed to save everyone back then.  I couldn’t even save your parents!”  My voice was full of sorrow and I could see the corpses of Kira’s parents in my mind.  Kira fell silent as well and I knew she too was remembering Hafor. 

She started breathing heavily as she muttered something “-iot.”  “What?”  “Idiot!” Kira shouted, startling me.  Her eyes turned watery as she looked at me “Why do you insist on tormenting yourself about that?”  She pressed close to me as she continued to breathe heavily, putting her face close to mine.  Her body was extremely warm.  I could see her sculpted face with its perfect features and her amber cat eyes looking at me intently.  That beauty mole in the shape of a nine stood out beneath her left eye and her golden hair shimmered in the light from the magic orb illuminating the room. 

Kira continued to speak as I stared at her.  “When you rescued me, I was still conscious to some extent.  I remember you crying as you kept saying ‘I am not a hero’.  You couldn’t be more wrong.  You may not be a hero, but you are my hero.” 

Huh?  My eyes widened as I continued to stare into Kira’s amber eyes.  She gave me a gentle smile as she continued “You were my friend when I was alone as a kid, you saved my life many times and supported me as I grew up.  Thanks to you, I’ve been able to find happiness again.  You’re my hero, Terra.  Without you I wouldn’t be here today.  So don’t you dare blame yourself any longer.” 

I am her hero.  I am her hero.  I am her hero.  Her words echoed inside my head as I could feel something warm trickling down my face.  I reached up my hand to touch it and realized it was my tears.  I haven’t shed tears since Hafor, so why am I crying now? 

Kira started to purr, the one cat-kin use only for their mate and the one she has used with me since the beginning.  She leaned over that small distance still between us and kissed me.  Her lips had an intoxicating flavor that set my heart pounding.  Kira started to pant heavily and her face started turning extremely flush.  The body heat emanating from her spiked as she continued kissing me. 

It was clear that Kira was starting to experience her first heat.  Female beast-kin experience a “heat” once a year after their maturation.  It is a state of arousal that amplifies their feelings of attraction towards males they like.  It makes them aggressive towards the ones they identify as potential mates and they also release pheromones that act like as an aphrodisiac to the males that share their feelings.  Kira’s pheromones right now have hit me full force and my mind has started to go blank. 

I tore off Kira’s clothing as she let out a loud “nya”.  She likewise had torn my clothes to shreds with her claws.  She fell backwards onto the bed, giving me a full view of her newly developed body.  Unlike Veronica’s soft and slender figure, Kira’s figure was taut and athletic.  Her muscles had a well-defined tone which only added to her sex appeal.  Her large well-shaped breasts and prominent curves rivaled Veronica’s and her cream colored skin was flawless.  I pounced onto Kira and we proceeded to spend the rest of the night like the animals in heat that we were.

Sunlight streamed through the window as I awoke in the ruins of the bed with Kira sleeping peacefully in my arms.  I started remembering the previous night and sighed in amazement.  I never knew how potent a beast-kin’s heat was.  The bedframe was broken into pieces and the mattress had many gashes in the cloth.  The sheets were still damp from all the sweat and I had multiple bite and claw marks on me due to Kira’s enthusiasm. She definitely liked it wild and rough. 

I heard Kira purring and looked down to see her awake in my arms and looking at me lovingly.  I smiled back at her while petting her gently.  We spent some time like that before finally dressing and going downstairs.  Veronica was there waiting for us.  Kira ran over to her as she happily spoke “Vera, you were right!  Terra really is amazing in bed!”  Huh, what on earth do those two talk about? 

I gave a glance at Veronica to see her embarrassed look as she realized she was busted.  But before Kira was about to start chatting with Veronica she turned back and gave me an intense look as she said “Don’t forget our conversation from yesterday!  Remember, you’re my hero and Vera’s hero as well.”  She turned to Veronica as she asked “Right?” and I saw Veronica smile and nod in agreement “Yes!  Terra’s our hero for sure!” 

I looked at Veronica and Kira smiling at me and a refreshing feeling starting spreading throughout me.  The best way to describe it was that I felt lighter.  My heart felt like it was beating more easily and my shoulders felt like a weight had been removed from them.  I let out a sigh and finally, after more than 3 years, moved on from Hafor.  I guess even the ugliest scars can fade away.  The tears that had begun yesterday started up once more.  I smiled back at the two loves of my life as the tears flowed freely down my face and simply said “Thank you.”