Tale of the Outcast Warrior: Declarations, adventure, and Wyverns.

Through out the entire deathmatch, neither, Kaori or Malico had moved from their spots. Kaori watched as the Monster baited the Reaper into his trap with the but scythe stance and continued watching as it then followed through and made the kill. She sighed at the barbaric display of severed head twirling, and turned away as the Monster launched both it and itself at the remainders of the Reaper's former gang. She turned to the completely pale Malico and gestured to the Monster massacring the men,

"Well what do you think?"

At the sound of kaori's voice, Malico found her voice again,

"Is that thing really the Tyler we know?"

She sounded scared, like a bawling kitten during it's first thunderstorm, I can't blame her, the Monster scared me too when i first saw it too She answered truthfully to the fearful cat,

"No, that is not our friend Tyler, that is something else completely."

Malico turned away from the carnage, as the Monster found another gang member, she winced at the horrible screams

"If that's not Tyler that who is it using his body"

Kaori sighed sadly as she watched the Monster stalking the man they had spared from the other day, she knew he wouldn't escape, no one could escape the Monster's wrath,

"that is the personality forged from the years of pain, sadness, loneliness, and desperation that he suffered growing up; it's called The Monster. And it is the backbone of Tyler's strength. You remember his scars? There's not a soul in existence that could go through that and come out the other side unharmed."

Both ladies winced at the last survivor's screams at the hands of the Monster, who was taking his time with the source of his catfriends pain and the reason the Monster had escaped his cage.

"At some point Tyler's soul split into two equal but different parts, one the light side, that side is the Tyler we both know and love, for all his faults and idiocy. That side is the one that dominates his body for the most part, and is the one that he uses in day to day life. It has suffered a lot, but is good for the most part at least."

The blonde had to stop speaking and cover her ears as there was a sickening crunch followed by even more intense screaming, which was promptly backed by whimpering. Kaori, now a little pale herself continued her explanation,

"The other part, however absorbed the overwhelming majority of the pain and suffering he had endured. Absorbed it like a sponge and retained it, so as to prevent it from corrupting the entire being with it's darkness. It serves as a depository for any pain Tyler might have to endure, and that's the reason his pain tolerance is so extreme. The only downside? It also has a will of it's own, but unlike the main piece of Tyler, it has no conscience, no remorse, no empathy or sympathy. Only hatred, rage, resentment, and a terrifying bloodlust. Tyler is aware of his darkness however, and actively seeks to isolate it from his psyche, and is trying to reincorporate back into his "light" side as to be one again. As such, if he seems quiet sometimes, it's because of the strain holding back the Monster. One year it got loose in elementary school, I was in a different school at the time so everything i heard was second hand. But to hear it described, tyler simply went berserk, and wound up putting three people in the hospital and was about to go for a forth before a cop hit him with a stungun,{a little box that hits someone with a severe lightning shock, paralyzing them.} He would have been sent to a mental ward but his family adamantly refused to send him. from what i heard, He wasn't' seen again that year at school, only reappearing at the start of the next one. Now there's something you should know Malico since you're going to travel with us."

Malico had crouched on the ground in a standing fetal position, her tail wrapped around her kness, "What?"

Kaori looked her in the eyes,

"When he comes back, he is gonna remember everything he did, and is going to be emotionally drained to the point of exhaustion. So he might snap at you more then usual, if he does just bare it, as that is just the residue of the Monster leaving his mind. He'll probably collapse and sleep for a while. When he wakes up he'll be himself again. We need to protect him until he wakes up, because while asleep he'll be completely helpless, even more so then when his magic was drained."

Malico nodded as she rose to her feet, determined to help anyway she can. The girls thought's were interrupted by approaching footsteps, and as they looked it their direction their blood ran cold for the Monster was walking towards them. Oblivion drawn and dripping as the evil Monster neared the girls. Kaori didn't hesitate, drawing Dawn and taking up a ready stance. Hid behind the blonde, terrified,

"hey why's he headed over here?"

Kaori gritted her teeth,

"He must've noticed us before his energy ran out! This could get hairy! Be ready to run!"

The Monster was covered in the blood of its victims, and Oblivion was also drenched and dripping, as the evil thing approached the quaking ladies. As it reached them however, The Monster's sinister grin broke into the wide smile of Tyler, who burst out laughing at the bemused women.

"Hey Barbie, I know I look like hell rolled over but you don't need to draw steel on me for it!"

Kaori and Malico both looked at each other, clearly confused at this turn of events. Tyler seemed his usual self, for what it was worth, and beyond that he showed no signs of physical fatigue! kaori was still wary, as the Monster was a devious creature and didn't want to be caught off guard. Tyler looked at the still distrustful girl, sighed and looked at Malico cowering behind her,

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Malico, truly, I wasn't expecting to have the Monster say hello, but when that bastard was talking about kaori like that, it pissed it off, next thing I know is it's asking to be let loose. You hear that? The MONSTER ASKED TO HELP. Apparently it has grown quite fond of you Blondie, so much so that after killing that last guy, it ceded back control without argument or a struggle. It even offered to come back if i can't do it myself and in its words, 'Bail my bitch ass outta jail again', so now I've achieved hulk status."

Tyler was talking like himself, and even apologized. something the Monster would never do, so kaori lowered her sword and relaxed, she glanced back at Malico,

"It's okay, it's truly him, he's back."

Both ladies let out a sigh of relief and turned back to see him flat on his back panting like he had ran a marathon. Kaori sighed and shook her head,

"Hey Malico stay with him okay? I got to heal Houndra and his wife while the idiot's down for the count. Kay? thanks"

The blonde girl left the still nervous busty catgirl with the panting Tyler and went to check on the elderly pair.

Malico went and crouched beside the fallen Warrior, casting a shadow over his face,

"Are you TRULY the Tyler I know?"

He turned his head to look up the concerned catgirl,

"Don't worry, Malico It's me, i promise. and you can relax, the Monster's sleeping now, it won't be back for at least a week."

He spoke with the usual warm tone and semi-kind eyes she had gotten so used to in such a short time. She breathed a massive sigh of relief and laid down beside him spreadeagled.

"well I am glad to hear it! I like this you better anyways!"

He chuckled at the friendly cat, before turning to ask a question that had been bugging him for a while now,

"Hey Malico, can i ask you something?"

The catgirl Turned her pretty face to look the exhausted warrior in the face,

"Hmm? what's up?"

He peered into her green eyes,

"well it's something you said when i woke up, you said your tail was my tail. I was just wondering what you meant by that is all"

Malico rolled on to her stomach, crossed her legs in the air behind her, and rested her head on her hands, before looking down into the man who had saved her tail,

"well it means, I'm your to do with as you please of course! I offered you my tail, which in NekoPlesian tradition is a sacred thing, and you accepted, albeit not knowing what touching the tail meant. I had planned to give it to you later on, but you were so concerned that you missed something that I kinda took advantage. So yeah, My tail is your tail is basically NekoPlesian exchange of vows!"

At the word vows Tyler sat up straight like he'd just been tased,

"Exchange of Vows, like as in marriage?"

She nodded, smug as all hell,

"Yep! According to our custom you married me as soon as you accepted my tail to inspect it for any problems. So yeah we're married, Honey!"

Tyler laid back down on the dirt, shellshocked by this curveball, after a moment he began to laugh in a most uncomfortable manner, Malico was concerned,

"Love, what's wrong? Why are you laughing like that?"

Tyler turned and looked at his new-found catwife,

"Well, I'm not opposed to the idea of marriage with you, but I'm afraid it's gonna be rather short-lived." She coked her head the side,

"Why, Love?"

Tyler burst out laughing again.

"Because my dear, once kaori finds out about this, she is going to KILL me and you'll be left a newlywed widow!"

Malico finally understood it, and her face turned a little paler at the thought of the blonde's eventual rage. As she considered the implications, she shuddered. Tyler had finished laughing, and felt strength in his limbs again. As he hauled his bulk of the dusty ground, he decided he desperately needed a bath, as the blood from the fight had dried and was now mixed with dust from the road. Malico also rose. Tyler was still weak but his strength was returning, and as such was walking a little slower then was normal. Malico supported the weakened man by sliding an arm over her shoulder and half-carried him to the tavern. As they went, Tyler reassured the catgirl,

"Look about us, don't worry, I'll talk to Kaori when I get a chance, and we'll figure something that hurts the least alright?"

Her response completely unexpected,

"Well why DOES someone have to get hurt? If she wants to be with you too I don't mind, in fact it's kinda rare for NekoPlesian men to marry a single wife, I've even heard that some have upwards of fifteen different wives. So if she's okay with sharing, then so am I."

Tyler just shook his head, right fantasy world gotta remember that!

"well, alright then, forget i said anything. though go easy on calling me nicknames until we explain things properly to her okay?"

Malico nodded, constantly amazed at how that blonde was always his first priority at all times. They reached the tavern to see a small crowd gathered outside, Tyler stopped leaning on Kaori and stood upright. He walked over to the building with a blood crusted Oblivion still in his hand. At his approach the crowd parted, allowing him access to the door, where upon looking through, saw a red glowing light by one of the tables. Upon walking through the front door, he found Kaori deep in concertation as she worked on healing a cut on Miyuki's little leg. Houndra was sitting by his wife, the old couple seemingly healthy as they leaned into each other. At Tyler's approach MIyuki's eye grew wide at the blood-soaked Warrior and his blade. Koari's spell finished it's work and the glow faded away leaving not even a scar. Now freed from her spellcraft, Kaori looked at the pair of Tyler and Malico with a look that was part glare, part heartbreak FUCK, she knows about the marriage thing doesn't she? figures Before tyler could say a word, Malico beat him to it,

"Kaori, let's go have a little girl-talk, okay? You go clean yourself up! and you, Get the bath ready."

Tyler blinked at the catgirls tone, but as he watched her lead the heartbroken Kaori upstairs, he felt something poke him in the leg. He looked to see Miyuki with a rag to her nose, stabbing at him with a long wooden spoon,

"Alright you Big Sis, bath time mister! It's this way, come on!"

Tyler couldn't help but smile at the little cat,

"Alright little missy, show the way please."

As he followed the marching girl, he shot a worry-filled look up the stairs were the girls had disappeared. With a heavy melancholy sigh he went into the steaming bathroom.

He stripped his blood soaked clothes off his frame and climbed into the large pool-like tub, soaking up to his neck. As he did so, he saw a cloud of red flow out from him in a dark miasma of death. It lasted for a moment and was gone filtered out by the cycling water. He dived under the water and stayed there for a good minute, rubbing his hair, before coming back up for breath, and sure enough more red had come from his hair and head. Tyler leaned against the ledge of the tub, unable to fully relax and enjoy the bath. His thoughts on how to fix things to with Kaori, he had hurt her badly, that much was obvious. He had never intended to do so, nor did he have any idea of the seriousness of his actions. After all he had only acted to help Malico avoid a cruel fate at the hands of humans. But in doing so he had unintentionally completed a sacred rite of marriage for NekoPlesians, a rite he had never known nor did he have anyway of knowing of. Now because of that, She probably thinks I lied to her, or worse tried to play games with her emotions, leading her on while I got cozy with a new girl. And after I told her all that stuff to help comfort her when her jealousy got the best of her too! I cant' imagine where her heads at right now. He sighed at the hopelessness of his situation, either he consoled kaori and risked breaking the rite with Malico, an act whose consequences he didn't know, but he assumed it would be Malico who would bear the worst of it, or shatter the heart of the one person who had ever tried to comfort him back in his own world. as he reached that conclusion he slapped the water in frustration at his own helplessness, and his own blunder, for if he had just killed the three men when they had first started harassing Malico, they wouldn't be in this emotional quagmire. He sighed and slumped down, about to dive again when the door to the bath opened wide behind him., he turned expecting one of the male cats to be joining him, but it was Malico, and a very Bashful kaori! He jumped in shock, splashing soapy water around as the ladies dropped their respective towels and climbed into the tub with him. Tyler was struck dumb by the site of the naked beauties, Malico's tall slender body glistened in the light reflected from the water, and as she sat her marvelous melons floated in the water. While kaori's own slender form complemented her moderate breasts perfectly, though she was still shy getting in the bath, more or less hiding behind the more confident Malico.

Tyler gulped,

"well would one of you explain what brought this on?"

Malico sighed happily as she soaked,

"Oh that feels nice! well, Tyler, we came to an arrangement, kaori and I. About this whole marriage thing that is "

The catgirl's tail swayed to an fro like snake dancing for a piper, while behind her kaori was fully red in the face in embarrassment at being naked in the bath with both Tyler and Malico. Malico stretched out her long legs, nearly reaching the other side of the tub with her flat feet, and effectively pinning Tyler between them. this was definitely new terrain for the inexperienced man, as with the exception for kaori, every other girl had essentially given him the cold shoulder as if he carried a new plague. And as kind as she was kaori didn't seem overly ready to jump into the bath with me like this, not that I'm complaining! Kaori huddled against the catgirl, hiding her front in the more comfortable girl's shoulder. Malico went on with her explanation,

"So our arrangement is really quite simple: The two of us will compete for your attention against each other. As you are a young male, I am sure this will seem like a wild fantasy for you, so try to maintain at least some semblance of control okay?"

Malico drew her knees up to her large chest. Her glorious rack getting lewdly hanging over her legs, and grinned at the awestruck, and frankly horny young man, who was still only a teenager at heart, despite having killed like fifteen people.

After a good two minutes of silence broken by the sound of running water, wind blowing through the trees outside, and the splashing water around the bathers, Tyler rediscovered both the power of speech and the power of thought,

"I'm sorry but I seem to be hallucinating here, could you repeat that please?"

His voice trembling from more then just the shock of having two drop dead gorgeous girl saying they're going to compete for his, that's right, his attention. Malico smiled and rested her head on her drawn up knees, or more accurately, on her ballooning breasts that were resting on her knees. But this time kaori, still hiding in the catgirl's shoulders, replied, her voice was strong, though she still had a tremor,

"We're gonna compete for your attention! Is it really that hard to figure out?"

Tyler was shocked as kaori was practically yelling this,

"I figured it out, but I guess I don't believe it. I mean, do normal girls compete for a guy as openly like this? I thought it was more cloak and dagger shit. And since you know I got to ask: where the hell did this come from? and how the hell did you jump on board, kaori?"

Kaori looked away, clearly shy,

"Well, after I heard from Miyuki about the NekoPlesian marriage rite, i was distraught,"

Here she seemed like she wanted to cry at the memory. Malico pleased her arm around the saddened girl, pulling her into her chest, oh man, if only this was a different time and place, that'd be pretty frigging hot! Kaori leaned into the hug,

"Then Malico came up and explained how she'd basically hoodwinked you into it, and how you were completely clueless about the whole thing until she told you."

Here she wiped her eyes, and smiled,

"Once she sat me down and told me how it happened, I thought it was soo typical of you! Getting married without even knowing just what the hell you were doing, we both laughed at that."

"Ya know something about that kinda pisses me off, but I can't put my finger on it"

Tyler remarked on a sullen voice. Both girls giggled. Here Malico picked up the narrative,

"and after we had a laugh, we discussed what to do about are feelings, since neither of us want to/won't surrender. So we decided to compete, with the winner being the one who gets the most attention at end of the night. So there you have it! You have two beautiful girls vying for your affection! you lucky dog."

Tyler was feeling pretty lucky, but he still had some concerns,

"Okay, you're gonna compete, alright, sounds good, but about in battle? Will you be able to focus and not get carried away? And, at the risk of sounding like a dense anime protagonist, could you explain what you meant by 'feelings'?"

Both girls looked at each other stunned, then they both burst out laughing uproariously at their hero's questions, Malico was the first to recover,

"HAHAHA, oh man Kaori, you really ARE friggin psychic!"

Tyler had a confused look on his face, causing more hilarity between the sexy pair. This time Kaori managed to recover first, and with a smugly satisfied voice simply uttered two words,

"Called it"

Malico recovered shortly after,

"Yeah you did, well shall we enlighten the blind idiot?"

kaori nodded but with a little clarification,

"Sure Mal, but he's not an idiot, he's just never experienced it before,"

"ever?"

"Do I need to point out his scars again?"

"Fair point",

Both girls turned to look the thoroughly confused man in the eye, and chorused in unison,

"I love you Tyler,"

Tyler's eye grew wide at the sweetly grinning girls, especially kaori, who seemed to finally relax in the tub. He looked at the blushing blonde,

"Really? When did this come about?"

Malico seemed a bit miffed that he was more concerned with the blonde, but let it go. kaori looked down shyly,

"Well, I've felt this way for a while now, I just was never able to come out and say it, and when how after Malico told you she was your Neko wife, she told me the very first thing that you worried about was me, and how I was going to take the news. She also told me how the entire way back, everything you talked about was how to both soften the blow, and try to keep me from getting my heart broken. it was the i finally realized just what the hell you meant to me."

Tyler sat back in the tub, and just started laughing, the girls were slightly bemused, until he started speaking again,

"Jesus, if you'd told me two weeks ago that i have not one by two hot girls competing over me, and one being Kaori and a friggin busty as all hell catgirl, I had said you were high, and asked for the name of your dealer and product cause i be needin some of that delusion! And yet here we are!"

Malico and kaori both started laughing as well at the absurdity of it all. Tyler stood up in the tub and placed his hand in the center, shame never having been a part of his character,

"Well ladies, lets load up and ride out, we got a wyvern clan to slaughter, a city to save, some monster waves to smash, and a helluva adventure ahead! So all that needs to be said is: You In?"

Malico was right there with him, rising to her feet as well, and slapping her hand on his,

"Oh hell yeah I'm in!"

Her cute face lit with an excited, feral grin. Kaori was the one still seated in the tub. She was at a crossroads in her heart, if she stood and took part in the brazen, naked declaration, she would say goodbye to the quiet, reserved proper girl she had always been, and embrace the wild life that both Tyler and Malico seemed to thrive on. The blonde had two choices: Stand and accept her new reality as an adventurer competing for the affections of the man she loved as an equal, or stay in the tub and....with a resolute splash, Kaori surged to her feet and grabbed the other's hands with her own. A wild light in her formally gentle green eyes as she also bared everything she had,

"Oh like hell am I getting left out! You two can count me in this madhouse!"

Together the trio of adventurers threw their hands in the air, roaring with the sound of their youth, spirit, and lust for adventure

"LET'S RIDE!!! YAHHHHH!!"

Outside little Colken and Miyuki heard the loud war cry, and were confused as to why they could get so fired up in the bath, at that moment, Houndra was passing and also heard the cry and subsequent scramble to dress, ready the horses and charge off. The two hundred and fifty year old catman, chuckled, recalling a similar trio from his youth, "

Well, Little Malico, I am glad you found a Warrior for yourself as well. I wish I was a hundred years younger. Ohh to take up my axe again and charge head first into battle! But as the bird passes his nest to his children, so must I. It's your turn to play heroes, and my turn to play mentor as it were. Go forth Mighty Ones, and carve you names into the very fabric of this world! That's as it should be eh, Gruven? I suppose that's the reason those two bare your blade, although they made some changes to it! Scamps." The elderly cat turned back to his cabin, where a magically taken photo of a much younger Houndra, Gruven, a very familiar-looking red haired Devil girl, and a tall beautiful blonde-haired green eyed woman stood around a slain dragon, with roguishly daredevil grins plastered on their faces. Houndra smiled at the memories of his companions,

"Aww Erica, that must be the daughter you would rave about. heh if only you could see her now, you would be very proud, I'm sure."

The trio thundered along the trail, Tyler astride Thunder leading the small party, with kaori on his right riding Gloss, and Malico riding her horse, Night, with her ass in the air and her long sleek cattail flying in the wind behind them. All three wore large smiles at the exhilaration at riding at full gallop along a dusty trail kicking a cloud as they did so. They rode the horses hard that day, both trying to make up for lost time and because they were having way too much fun on the trail. The horses took it all in stride, as this was their first true workout in a while and also seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the laughing riders. The little war party raced through open grasslands, tore through a small woodland, and crashed through a small stream with an open blue sky chasing them wherever they went. Tyler could not think of anywhere else he would rather be then right there on the trail, a sword at his back, trusted friends on either side of him, a warm breeze blowing him forward, a blue sky above, and adventure before him. this, THIS RIGHT HERE is what heaven is all about! His face, being unaccustomed to such a wide happy smile began to hurt after a while, but he smiled nonetheless. Kaori and Malico were right there with him, enjoying the thrill of the open road. kaori in particular was flying high. In the other world, she had been the posterchild for propriety, perfection and poise. Her father had wanted his baby girl to grow up like a proper young lady, like her mother had been just before she vanished. to that end he had hired a nanny to drill it in to her head whenever she was not at school. Kaori and the Nanny had fought constantly about everything from food choices to wardrobe to even the company she kept. Both the nanny and the father had tried to force her to be friends with the more 'proper students' the popular rich kids that were absolutely evil to the other students, the boys beating up the other boys every chance they could, and the girls doing everything they could to bring the other ladies down, even running up to one girl and slashing the back of her dress, leaving her nearly naked in the halls in front of everyone. every single person had either stopped and pulled out their phones or pointed and laughed at the cruelty. Only two people had not laughed and only one person had done something, Kaori had not laughed, but it was Tyler who had stepped up. He had taken of both his shirt and hoodie, and covered the sobbing girl, all the while the other students began throwing things at the boy as he escorted the traumatized girl, where she called her parents, who showed up not five minutes later to find a badly beaten and bruised Tyler still shielding the girl with his own body, taking everything the other students threw without a single sound, from pencils and scissors, to books and footballs. The girls parents had put the still-sobbing girl into the car, and sped off leaving Tyler shirtless for the day. The girl was never seen again, and no charges were filed either, as the rich kids parents were apparently friends with the town's only two judges, rumor was they simply moved to a less cruel town. Tyler never got his shirt or hoodie back and was beaten pretty badly everyday for weeks after that, but Kaori had respected her old friend a helluva lot more from that day on. She also resolved to be as close to him as they were when they were kids, since time had made the pair drift apart. Of course her father and the Nanny were livid when they found out she had started to hang back out with him, and had shunned the 'Right' crowd as they put it. Kaori had not budged, and would never budge.

"That brat will ruin your future! Do you know what the other parents all say about his family? do you?" Her father had raged, Kaori had looked her father in the eye when he said that,

"Of course I know, I've been there with him remember? Oh and while we're on the topic of remembering, who was the one who has been helping me with my schoolwork?"

her father refused to hear that his 'perfect' daughter was being tutored by such a 'lower' person, but kaori argued him into the ground, nothing he did made any impact. He'd take her phone, she steal the house phone, he's unplugged the house phone, she steal his, she sneaks out, he nailed the window shut, he nailed the window shut, she went out the front door. The night he had physically tried to stop her, and wound up getting kicked in the balls by his daughter finally drove the point home then the boy was to stay in her life. That, and the time kaori had asked Tyler to 'show the pompous ass his scars'. and when Tyler had removed his shirt and showed his torso to the man, he'd broken down in tears at the sight of this tortured boy with the scars, who still went out of his way to be friends with his daughter, regardless of the pain it was sure to bring him. If he could see his 'perfect' daughter now I wonder what'd he say? Riding full tilt, sword on my hip, bow and arrows on my back, and in a competition with a catgirl for Tyler's attention! he have a full-blown conniption! She giggled at the thought. Kaori sped along on her horse, happy to follow the man of her dreams into hell, or wherever he would roam. As for her part, Malico was also feeling the high of the open road and no strings to hold her down. She had loved her tiny village and it's people, but she was also bored of the same thing everyday. She would often stare out the windows of the tavern or out at the fields, and wish for someone to roll into town and sweep her along for some fun and excitement, and maybe a little lightning romance on the side. The day Tyler and kaori had walked into her family's tavern was one she would never forget for the rest of her days. She gazed at the fearless man beside her, and was beyond grateful for everything the man had done for her, from defending her from those ruffians who had nearly taken her tail, to saving her tail which was now four inches longer and far more furry then it was before, to rescuing her grandfather and village from the Reaper and his gang. She felt bad for tricking him with the Neko marriage rite, but that paled in comparison to the feeling of sheer joy she felt at traveling with him. She wouldn't trade her spot beside him for the world. Neither would kaori. Tyler wouldn't swap his companions for anything else either.

The three friends rode until the sun touched the horizon before making camp. Tyler chose a small forest as a decent campsite, situated in a small valley, with a small stream a five minute walk from the camp. The whole spot was surrounded by large pine trees, filling the whole area with the sight of the needles. as the trio hitched their horses to some trees nearby, Tyler caught sight of some fish jumping from the nearby stream, instantly his stomach gave a low rumble. The girls giggled at the sound, at least until their own stomachs joined the conversation. all three then laughed at the scene, then the trio split to make camp. Tyler gathering rocks and wood for the fire, Kaori saw to the horses, and Malico pitched the tent. Tyler built the pit in the center of a small sandy area in the middle of the spot, using the rocks to make a barrier like he did last time. The only difference was he made it larger, as to now accommodate Malico. Kaori had finished seeing to the horses and had broken out the rod and line, and went to catch some fish leaving Tyler and Malico to continue alone. Tyler had just put the final touches on the fire pit, all it needed now was a spark, and noticed that Malico was having problems with the tent. She threw the pole down in frustration, before jumping as Tyler tapped her on the shoulder,

"Hey, kitty, need a hand?"

He wasn't laughing at her, but he was at the same time. Malico blushed at her blunder,

"S-sure please, thank you,"

she said looking away. Tyler smiled as he helped teach the catgirl about pitching tents.

"here this pole goes here, and then you throw a rope over that branch and hoist,"

He pulled on the rope and it lifted the tent up until there was a click as the bars on the side clicked straight.,

"On we let go of the rope, and the roof will rest on the metal supports, also if we tie the rope over here, we get a convenient clothes line for laundry!"

He made it look so easy that Malico was a little impressed,

"Wow, Tyler, pretty good at this,"

Tyler chuckled at the busty catgirl, who even now served to hypnotize him with her endowments,

"Well, dear kitty, I am surprised,"

Malico cocked her head to the side,

"Surprised at what?"

He turned to look at her, laughter in his eyes,

"Well I was surprised you couldn't set up this tent, since your both good at pitching my tent and raising a certain pole!"

He turned back to fastening the ties around the tent legs, leaving a red-faced catgirl behind him, shocked into speechlessness. Tyler glanced back at the blushing girl,

"what? Your not the only one who can tease ya know!"

Malico broke out laughing at her love, then moved beside him grabbing his arm and cradling it in her massive chest,

"Well, well, I guess you can tease sometimes, but I can still fluster you...like this!"

she rubbed his arm between her large, soft breasts, figuring this would drive him wild, which it did, but his response was totally unexpected, he pulled his arm free, grabbed both her shoulders and buried his face in her melons, and then grabbed both of them squeezed his head between them, massaging them with his fingers as he did do. Malico's face went from seductive teasing, to pleasured strain as she tried to fight this new attack, moaning lewdy as he continued his enjoyment of her chest,

"Waoh hey-what ar-uh ohhf ohh myyy,feells good..."

He kept up the assault for about five minutes, rubbing his face all over her chest and rubbing her breasts with his hands, after which he abruptly stopped, and released the now panting catgirl. With a smile on his face, and a large tent of his own, he looked into the teary eyes of the aroused catgirl,

"Okay, I have wanted to do that for waaaay too damn long"

And here he leaned in closer to the still panting girl clutching at her full breasts, as if to defend them from another attack,

"And thats how you fluster someone...properly!"

He then took the still-ground ridden girl and helped her to her feet. Malico was completely aroused by his surprise attack, her nipples were standing fully erect, and were slightly sore, and she squirmed the tiniest bit under his approving gaze, DAMN he got me good! She thought before her minds was blown back the feeling of pleasure she had felt during his fondling. Tyler smiled at the girl,

"Well I can see you need to recover, well I'm gonna check on Kaori now so take all the time you need," Malico knew exactly what he meant by 'take your time', and was both impressed and slightly nervous in the face of this extremely perverted man. As he turned to head off after the blonde, Malico, grabbed his arm again,

"Wait!!, Please don't tell her about this. Okay?"

He smiled,

"Sure, I guess I win round one."

She released his arm and he sauntered off, leaving the hot and bothered cat near the tent. After he left, she went over to a small bush and kicked out of her shorts. A few birds watched curiously at the moaning girl, wondering what she was doing to herself. after her session, she lay back staring at the sky, her mind wandering and wondering, HOLY sweet hell that was intense, if that's what he does to FLUSTER someone what is he like when he really wants to...? She shivered as a gentle breeze blew through a now sensitive area, still though, this could turn out WAY more fun because of it too! I seriously hope so, Malico fell asleep at that moment, still not wearing pants.

Tyler found kaori without too much trouble, as she was standing on the rocky edge of the stream. as he approached he heard a splash and a satisfied gotcha in Kaori's voice. When he came around a large rock he saw the blonde pulling in a rather large rock bass, take the hook out, and toss it in to a nearby bucket with three other similar-sized bass. She was rebaiting the hook when Tyler got her attention,

"Hey Barbie, guess your doing alright for yourself!"

She turned with a wave,

"yeah the fish really like crickets here!"

he went to stand beside her,

"Hey where's Malico?"

Tyler smiled at the thought of what the catgirl must be up to right at that moment,

"She said she wanted to hang by herself and keep an eye on camp for a bit"

Kaori's eyes narrowed at the news, and noticed the still noticeable tent down under, but let it go, as she figured Malico would tell her of what happened at some point, if only to brag.

"Well, that's good I guess, since it's probably not a good idea to leave the camp unguarded. Anyway, what's up? You need something or just here to stare?"

Tyler grinned at the suspicious blonde,

"and what if i said I came to stare?"

Kaori blushed, and stammered,

"W-well I'd call you a pervert and probably whack you,"

He leaned in and glanced at her, further adding to her blush,

"Is that all?"

He said in a seductive tease, She blinked and gulped, her grip on the pole causing it to tremble in the water, She tried to keep her hands steady, but couldn't and her breathing was ragged at the lewd teasing he was putting her through,

"W-w-what the hell? Where is this coming from?"

Tyler chuckled,

"what the two of you are competing for my attention right? so why can't I tease you a little?"

kaori's heart skipped a beat at his closeness, but before she could respond, he stepped behind her and placed his own hands on the pole in-between Her's,

"Oh and another thing kaori,"

She could feel his breath on her neck, and it was sending her heart into overdrive,

"W-What?"

Her voice was shaking at the rush of feelings and sensations, Tyler's grip on the fishing pole before them tightened,

"I believe we got....A BITE!"

and he heaved on the pole with a massive yank, pulling both the pole, kaori and a ten foot-long pike out of the water all at once. The sheer force of Tyler's yank sent the large fish securely onto the bank of the river with no hope of returning to the water. As for Tyler and kaori, Tyler landed on his back, and Kaori landed on him, ending eye to eye and nearly mouth to mouth with the boy. Her face was beat red as she saw her position, gazing directly into the boy who she loved eyes, mere inches from her own. They could feel each other's breath on their faces, and the hammering of each others' heartbeats. kaori could also feel another sensation, below both their belts. Kaori panicked, but as she went to push off him, he stopped her with a hand on her face,

"wait a second, I want to say something,"

She Stopped moving and just stared into his eyes,

"What?"

her voice a soft whisper, he spoke with a sparkling softness in both his gaze and voice,

"Well I just wanted to say thanks for always having my back way back when. and that I hope you continue to do so in the future, as i fully plan to have yours."

Kaori placed her hand on his, her green eyes sparkling in the light reflected of the stream,

"I will always have your back Tyler, I love you."

He smiled, and pulled her back down against him and wrapped his arms around his dearest friend in any world. She didn't react act first, but then wrapped her own arms around the man who was her entire world, her safety blanket, and her strength. The pair stayed like that for a little bit, before both sighing and going to collect the pike before animals did. Tyler carried the heavy creature while Kaori brought the pole and bait. As they returned to camp, kaori felt the need to ask,

"so, what was up with you flirting with me like that earlier? You've never seemed the type."

Tyler chuckled,

"Well I got to beautiful girls vying for my attention, so I figured I have some fun too. I mean I'm the one who gets teased, so why couldn't I do some teasing of my own? Did you not like it?"

kaori blushed and rather snapped back

"I DID like it for your information, I just wish you'd do it more!!!"

She was yelling before she realized it, and when she did, she looked away blushing yet again and embarrassed. Tyler sighed,

"Look kaori, I feel like i need to say this, and I should probably say this to Malico too, I don't know what the two of you are going to do to get my attention, and frankly i don't really care, since I'm certain I'll like it. But I'd like to return the favor somehow, so if you'd like me to keep something in mind, like say a back rub, or flirting or something else entirely let me know okay?"

Kaori looked shocked at this, then remembered how used to putting other's people before himself, like that time he rescued that girl in the hallway. He's probably asking so he can get a piece, or he's still not used to it yet I should ask Malico if we can do something. Her mind set on a plan of action she focused on her companion,

"Well if your offering, then how bout you rub my shoulders after dinner? That poles murder."

Tyler smiled and nodded.

Quite the sight awaited the returning pair: Malico was sound asleep naked from the waist down, her arms and legs spread-eagled, her shorts hung on a nearby bush, her large breasts rising and falling with every breath. Her tail was strung out between her legs, and the grass seemed distinctively matted in places. Tyler smiled at the highly erotic sight, knowing exactly what had happened, Kaori had a decidedly more active response to the shameless catgirl's pose.

"Are You KIDDING ME?"

Malico came back to life with a resounding bang. Seeing kaori and Tyler staring at her sans pants, Tyler smiling like he'd won the lottery behind Kaori's back, and kaori furious at being shown up with sheer sex appeal in front of him, Malico's eyes grew large. Kaori dropped the pole and bait, and hauled the half-naked girl to her feet, disgusted at the sweat-like liquid on the catgirl's arms,

"What the HELL? While we're busy catching food for dinner you're here jerking off? seriously what the hell?!!!"

Kaori was pissed, not just at Malico's open sexiness and lewdness, but by how entranced Tyler had been at the sight, I SHOULD'VE TRIED THAT MYSELF!!! There was no trace of the prude and proper girl her father had tried to force her into becoming, now she was a sexy hotblooded woman. Tyler smiled at Kaori admonishing the still exhausted catgirl,

"Well, ladies, I got to take care of our catches, so I'll leave you to it!"

Malico whined at the thought of being left alone with an irate kaori,

"Uhh, Hey wait I want to help too! Hey Tyler let me help! Please?"

whatever he was about to say was washed away by Kaori, who had a different idea,

"Alright kittycat, Bath time! You get no food until you clean that mess of your skin! And I am gonna make sure you do! Come on!"

Kaori grabbed the girls' ankles and forcibly dragged her back down to a deeper part of the stream. Malico dug her hands into the ground pleading with the blonde as they went. Tyler laughed, having thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle. He then turned his attention to the fish.

He gutted and cleaned the fish and set them to roasting on the newly lit fire, before starting the casting process for his upgraded Protective Warning. Whereas it had originally been effective at fifty meters, and would only give a direction of the incoming threat, Tyler had upgraded the spell in it's License to both increase it's effective range from fifty meters to a hundred meters, and when a threat enters the field, it would now show an image of the threat on a clear flat surface bound as the spells anchor. Tyler used the inside of the tent for the anchor, as last time, they had been ambushed in the wee hours of the morning. Though for Tyler the more important reason was the driving off of the insect life from the spot. He finished the spell and the fish wouldn't be ready for another ten minutes, so to check on the girls, as it was getting dark and the stream was within the hundred meters. As he neared their bathing site he heard them yelling at someone or something. Tyler took off like chained lightning as soon as he heard a loud hissing noise not belonging to either of the girls. He was treated to a nerve wracking scene upon his arrival, Kaori and Malico were caught on the other side of the stream, both buckass naked as a massive lizard-like creature approached them. It was between ten and fifteen meters in length, stood about two meters tall. The creature resembled a massive Komodo dragon from his old world. What the thing was didn't matter as it was stalking the helpless girls; kaori's katana and other weapons on this side of the bank, along with Malico's chosen weapons, a large set of long daggers called dirks, and her bow. Malico was bravely standing between the large lizard and Kaori, who was bleeding pretty badly from an unseen wound. Tyler tore his bow from his back, he didn't have the time to cross this section of the stream which was deep and fast flowing . He nocked three arrows to his string, and chanting a quick spell, called ChainShot, he let fly all three at once. The shafts hit the large beast as it lunged at Malico, who had tripped on a branch during her retreat, knocking it to the ground with a bulldozing impact. Tyler already had another set of shafts, and this time switched to another spell, Piercing RainDrop, coating the arrowheads in a slight wetness, it's intent was to add penetrating power to the heads. Again he let fly, and the shafts buried themselves in the side of the monsters head, one even hit the eye, sinking nearly to the flighted end of the shaft in the creatures skull. This time when the animal fell it did not get back up. He raced to kaori's side, crossing the stream in a sheer panic, the sight of her blood the only thing on his mind. He crossed the stream and surged up the riverbank to find Kaori, holding her arm, which was bleeding from a two inch cut on her shoulder. Malico was hunched over, panting, her tail drooping in tiredness. Tyler paid her no mind and hurried to Kaori's side,

"Hey! Let me look at it, I'm sorry, I only just finished Protective Warning. I'm sorry I wasn't here. Here i can heal it."

It was clear he was in full-blown panic mode at the sight of his dear Kaori bleeding from a wound he hadn't been there to prevent. Kaori was flattered at his fear for her, but she was a little miffed at being treated like a helpless damsel in distress. Tyler gently extended her arm, causing her to wince in pain, triggering another furious round of self-deprecating apologies. Kaori sighed, knowing full well she'd have to wait to talk to him until he'd finished healing her and returned to his senses. Tyler's mana flared to life, giving off its usual blue-white glow, as he cast the spell Divine Care, which not only would heal the wound without leaving a scar behind but would also purge any poison or infection in the body. Kaori watched as the long cut closed over, leaving her arm soft and smooth once more. with the crisis ended, Tyler turned to the still panting Malico,

"Are you hurt at all? What happened and where the hell did that thing come from?"

Malico rose up, her naked breasts bouncing from the movement,

"I think we can tell the tale back in the safety of camp, wouldn't you agree?"

Tyler and kaori both nodded. Tyler took up a spot on a nearby rock with his bow ready, another set of three shafts set on the string, as the girls wearily crossed the stream. Tyler also kept eyeing the corpse of the one he had brought down, mentally tallying to cost fo bringing just one of them down, lets see, six arrows, and a set of enhancement spells for each volley of three. Quite a tough customer. I wish it were brighter out so I could get a proper look at it. as it were though the sun had fully set by the time the trio returned to camp. Tyler removed the now ready fish from the fire before they burned and laid them out on a flat stone near the still naked girls, who had not even redressed yet, tired and hungry as they were. Tyler handed them the largest of the fish and grabbed a blanket for the pair. They accepted the blanket graciously, wrapping it around themselves, before setting on the cooked fish. Tyler passed them skewers of meat until they stopped taking them and handed them a mug each of ale for their frayed nerves. After they had taken a sip each, he asked again,

"What happened?"

kaori spoke first, regaining her strength in the face of Tyler's quiet confidence and the reassuring presence of the flickering flames.

"Well me and Malico reached the streamside. She had whined the whole way and refused to get in. So after I stripped her, and undressed I dragged her in. I had just finished cleaning that gunk off her skin when we heard a branch crack on the shoreline near our clothes. Of course we thought it was you sneaking a peek on us, which I'm surprised you didn't do by the way, and I went to clean her rack and she looked over my shoulder and screamed. I'm amazed you didn't hear her, it was that loud,"

Here she stopped speaking to sip her ale. I probably was deep in my casting of Protective Warning, that plus a forests natural muffling of sounds there's no way I could of heard a gunshot at that distance let alone a scream Malico took up the narrative, shaking him from his musings.

"I noticed the Wyvern, that's what that thing is, and screamed, I must of startled it cause swiped us with it's claws, and kaori saved us by shoving us to the ground. Unfortunately it scratched her arm, and was between us and our weapons. I grabbed her and carried her across the stream and we barely managed to make it up the bank again before it cornered us again. Kaori's arm was paralyzed by the creature's claws and wouldn't be able to move for much longer, so I tried to buy time until you arrived. Which was nearly immediately after I made that choice."

She shuddered at just how close to death she had come. Tyler sat there with a thoughtful look on his face,

"So that's what a Wyvern looks like in this world. Thank you Malico...."

Exhausted from her one person pleasure session, plus the adrenaline rush of a Wyvern attack coupled with the warm food, ale and fire, the cat had passed out on her seat. Tyler chuckled at the brave girl. kaori was in better shape, but was still shaky on her feet, so Tyler carried the softly snoring catgirl to the tent and tucked the still naked girl into the bedroll. As he did so, she rolled on her side and whispered, "Thank you"

in a still asleep voice. As Tyler left the tent, he smiled at the girl,

"Anytime"

He returned to kaori who was still sitting by the fire. As he sat beside the blanket shrouded girl, she nuzzled into his arm, and he wrapped his arm around her pulling the scared girl close. after a moment she started speaking in a small scared voice,

"So, that is what we're gonna fight a clan of?"

Tyler sighed,

"Looks like it. In the morning I'll take a closer look at the beast and come up with a battle plan. I already have a few ideas on how to deal with them, but the body will tell me more."

kaori snuggled against him,

"I figured you would, you always know just what to do in a fight."

She still seemed frightened, but not of the monster

"Hey kaori?"

"Hrmm?"

"are you okay? Is there something else wrong?"

She shivered, but not from the cold.

"Tyler, I have a confession."

He held the girl tightly,

"Okay"

She spoke in the still scared voice,

"While we were trying to get away from the beast, after Malico screamed, I figured you would come flying through the forest like a bat outta hell, and I was sure the Monster would be in the drivers seat so enraged would you be. But you didn't come. YOU DIDN'T COME. Then I started losing the feeling in my arms and legs. Malico and I were helpless, naked and you were nowhere to be found. I started to think it had already got you, or that you had abandoned us. Abandoned ME. And that thought hurt more then you could ever know. worse then any pain. I was about to give up entirely when ChainShot hit."

She was crying, large tears streaking down her face as she gasped out the words, her entire frame heaving to the might of her sobs. Tyler threw his arms around the heartbroken girl, silently vowing to exterminate every single one of the creatures that had made her cry. He stroked her long blonde hair, rocking back and forth as she cried.

"Shhhh, Its okay I'm here now, I'm here."

He repeated the lines over and over until she grew silent, finally lifting her head to look him in the eyes. Inspite of himself, he couldn't help but find her extraordinarily beautiful like that, with her green eyes shining from tears in the fire light, her blanket cloak huddled around her modest frame, the firelight dancing along her beautiful blonde hair. she seemed so vulnerable and small like that, he both loved it, and loathed to see her so broken. He took her by the face and brought till they were eye to eye, "Kaori listen to me. I will NEVER abandon you. I swear it. Do not ever think that again okay? I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU, EVER."

His voice like a hammer with the force he put behind it. Her eyes sparkled, but not from tears this time as he continued,

"I will never abandon you and I WILL always come for you. Every. SINGLE. TIME. I WILL. COME. FOR. YOU. I promise."

She felt relief wash through her like a raging flood. Kaori released a long breath, exorcising all her doubts and fears along with it. She would never lose faith again, in either her hero or if he'd come for her. she laid her head on his shoulder, and he rested his arm around her side, pulling her close. They stayed like that for a few hours, until Kaori had a hard time keeping her eyelids open. Tyler lifted the tired girl in his arms and carried her to the tent. He laid her next to the slumbering Malico, covering her with the blanket. As he turned to go take care of the fire and have his own meal, Kaori grabbed his arm, she looked at him with the cutest set of puppy dog eyes he'd ever seen her use,

"Please stay with me?"

she pleaded, he smiled and laid down beside the still scared girl. She gave a sleepy smile and passed out shortly after. Tyler silently extracted himself from the tent without disturbing either sleeper. Once outside he finished the remainder of the fish and washed it down with the remainder of the ale. He placed the dishes on a tree, intending to wash them in the morning. He then put out the fire with a pile of earth to prevent sparks. Checked and double checked the Protective Warning spell was both active AND clear. and decided to turn in. He used the mana Lantern and as he climbed into the tent he saw that, in their sleep, Malico had embraced the sleeping Kaori like a mother would her sleeping child, and kaori had snuggled into Malico's ample bosom. Tyler smiled as he removed his own equipment. He laid down on the fireside of Kaori and put his arm over her and Malico, like a protective barrier over the blonde. Oblivion was on his other side in easy reach as always. Tyler drifted off to sleep with the sound of the girls soft breathing in his ears, and the sweet scent of kaori's skin in his nose.