The Second Return

"So Lady Mina has already left? I'd have expected you to keep her around for longer."

"Not this time, she's got to get back and take care of her friends. It's still been two days either way."

Kat was laying out, her skin covered by a white sheet. She sighed, clutching her chest as a torrent of pain passed.

"My lady, please rest. I'll keep watch over her. You need to rest after taking your magic back in."

Kat only waved her hand, fading from sight as she closed her eyes. Miracle leaned against a wall, his eyes set in a heavy scowl.

"That girl... she's killing Lady Dyna. I won't allow this."

-

As her eyes opened, Mina instantly swung out her fist. The room trembled as she fell to her knees.

'Mina, she's trying her best. Stopping her would only cause problems. You can only be there-'

"Shut up, Hysteria! I'm done. She's not touching another Font. I'll absorb them myself."

Mina pushed herself to her feet, her rage quickly burning away. Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists.

'Don't do that. You're blaming yourself. None of this was your fault.'

'Hysteria, my power. It's already something that brings terror to my enemies. These last two Fonts, then the seventh sin. Am I truly capable of winning without losing someone important to me?'

Hysteria was quiet as Mina looked towards the door. A graceful, pale beauty stepped inside. Every step seemed to bring a chill with it as she approached Mina, her thin fingers touching the spirits cheek.

"You're freezing, Fubuki."

Twitching slightly, Fubuki began to pull her hand away. Mina caught it, leaning her face into Fubuki's palm.

"I need to be with my friends. You're the very reason I still struggle like this."

Before Fubuki could speak, Mina began to tremble. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Mina..."

Her voice came out more mature, matching her body to a greater extent. Her grace and maturity were unmatched as she pushed Mina against the wall. She lowered her head, her eyes meeting Mina's. They gleamed proudly as she pushed herself forward, placing her lips barely apart from Mina's. Turning crimson, she pulled back. Her hand covered her mouth as she turned away.

"I'm sorry. I can't take advantage of this weakness, though my heart yearns to continue being your shield."

Mina placed her head against Fubuki's back, one of the places her skin was laid bare. Her arms wrapped around Fubuki's waist, holding her tight.

"Don't leave me alone."

'Mina, your weakness... you're showing too much, too fast!'

Mina sniffled, her heart trembling harder as she felt Fubuki break from her grasp. A moment later, she felt her face buried between a pair of soft cushions. As her eyes opened, Fubuki could only sigh.

"I'd never. So long as my heart yearns to be beside you, you'll have my blade and my love."

Fubuki's ears drooped a little as she turned away. Her pale skin taking on that red tone made her all the more beautiful, drawing Mina in as she turned Fubuki's face towards her. Her lips were soft, although they left a slight chill on Mina's. Her breath was still hot, making Mina feel it in her entire core. Her eyes suddenly fell on a gem just above Fubuki's cleavage.

"Your core?"

"I've evolved again, making me something special. I even have a weapon hiding in there, though I can't hide inside of it."

Fubuki suddenly lifted her ears, her eyes dropping into a glare.

"We need to go outside. Some unwelcome visitors are here."

As Fubuki began to lead Mina out, a loud howl followed by a deep voice came out.

"I'm tired of waiting! Show me some results you bastardized daughter of mine!"

Fubuki could only snarl as they left the building, her graceful features slightly warped though she was still a beauty. Fubuki stared at a large pack of wolves, the leader bigger than the rest. He was in a battle stance, his eyes growing ferocious as he eyed the many people in the town.

"I'll handle him. That's my father, or I guess a pathetic excuse for one. I'll get rid of him before he hurts-"

She cut off as her father launched towards someone. Fubuki was already in his way, easily grabbing his muzzle and crushing it shut. Her eyes were filled with fury as she lifted him up and threw him to the ground.

"Father, must I show you your errors, or will you just leave?!"

A soft whine made Fubuki release her grip on his muzzle, though he quickly attempted to bite her. In response, Fubuki opened his muzzle wide and smiled with a dark grin.

"Mina's shield could never fall to a wolf bite."

In a gruesome moment, Fubuki snapped her father's neck and threw him to the side. Looking to the sky, she howled deeply and loudly. In response, the many wolves howled back. Every last one bowing to Fubuki's might.

"That idiot. Throwing his life away all because he was getting old."

Mina approached slowly, rain beginning to fall as she finally reached Fubuki.

"He was sick, barely hanging on at this point. His finally wish... he wanted me to take the pack and lead them wherever I so choose. Seems... I'm a shield for even more."

Fubuki gave a small smile, her ears low as she sniffled in the rain.

"Thankfully it's raining, or I'd make a dumb excuse for the tears on my face."

Mina grabbed her hand, leading her back to the building they had made their base. As they entered, many eyes fell on Mina. She shrank under their gazes, though she didn't release Fubuki's hand.

"Mina, that look in your eyes..."

Inferna asked no questions, only approaching and hugging Mina tightly. Her warmth made Mina tingle as she asked a question that surfaced.

"Where is Asahi, Suriza and Chisana?"

Fubuki and Inferna smiled as they spoke in sync.

"Grinding."

--

Thank you,

JScott and croix!