Two halves become whole

Dimyri entered the tent accompanied by Alma by her side. Both of them locked eyes with Felix as he smiled upon viewing them. KuliKuli was beaming with joy, her tails waving happily from side to side while Ori'chi remained in her cat form asleep on Felix's lap. Dimyri hurried towards them, standing by his head with a wide grin on her face. Without hesitation, she leaned in and gave Felix a welcoming hug, resting her chin on his shoulder as he hugged her back. Her ear flickered when she heard him suck in air through his teeth, causing her to pull back with a look of concern.

"It's nothing, just sore." Felix smiled, waving his hand to them.

Dimyri smiled and bowed her head. "You were giving your mate a stressful pair of weeks. I was beginning to grow concerned myself, you kept us waiting."

"I'm sorry, I'm glad I made it back whole." Felix nodded as Alma stepped forward. "What happened when I fell under?"

"I caught sight of the tower's sudden change of form, only for it to later be followed by its apparent destruction. We came to inspect and were pleasantly reunited. We brought you all back and established a new campsite while we wait for some of the wounded to recover."

"It's temporary, we've been searching for any remaining followers of Perdilius. Most of them ran out into the jungle and we've yet to find any of them so far. But it seems like all of us are here, alive and in recovery. You were the last one to come to." Dimyri explained as her sister stood up beside her. "Now that you're awake, we were hoping to know if we could travel back to your home and make camp?"

"My home? You mean the farmhouse?" He blinked.

"Yes, it would be a temporary stay and that way we can take you back home while getting out of the jungle ourselves. Two goals accomplished in one task, with your permission first. You can say no if you feel it is best."

Felix locked eyes with KuliKuli and smiled. "Sure, I'd like to go home myself."

"Yay! I miss the farm!" KuliKuli beamed, kissing him on the cheek.

Felix smiled back. "I do too, it's been a while since... oh my god I am fucked!"

"What is it?" KuliKuli asked.

Felix combed through his brown hair in a stressed manner, drawing out an exaggerated sigh. He shook his head and laughed to himself. "I don't think the cattle had enough food for the time we've been away. Auguste is gunna kill me."

"Who?" Alma wondered. "Should we be concerned?"

"No, it's my butt he's gunna kick. Dimyri, the farmhouse isn't mine I was tasked with caring for it while its owner was away. Auguste owns the farm, he would be gone for several months to visit some family. I was to look after the cattle and homestead while awaiting for his return."

"Oh so it's not yours?" Dimyri asked with a puzzled look.

Felix shook his head. "It's not, in fact I was suppose to remain there. There is a chance he might return soon if he hasn't already."

Alma squeezed her fist in her hand, popping her knuckles with a stern look. "I'll be in charge of negotiations should a quarrel arise upon our arrival."

Dimyri placed her paw over Alma's hands, politely lowering them while giving her a nervous smile. "Or, we can all go there and explain to him why our friend had to leave his post for an emergency."

"Emergency, that's what Mom would say when she had to leave the clutter for some time!" KuliKuli had thought to herself, incidentally speaking out loud for all to hear.

Ori'chi meowed and lowered her head onto Felix's lap, closing her eyes and wrapping her black tail around as he continued petting her furry head.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean sis. I think we have had enough quarrels to last a lifetime, don't you?" Dimyri laughed to herself, with Alma smiling back. KuliKuli leaned her head against her beloved's shoulder, both of them nodding in agreement. Dimyri raised her eyebrow and winked. "That reminds me, we should get going. You two have a lot to prepare for, especially you Felix. I hope you're ready because you're about to enter a new kind of adventure!"

"Another? I-I don't know, can't I rest first? I barely managed the last one." Felix shyly rubbed his head with Dimyri shaking her head and turning around walking towards the exit.

"Don't think you have a choice on that anymore. We'll let Nityri, I'm sorry, KuliKuli share the news with you." Alma added, following Dimyri's leave.

"Actually!" KuliKuli spoke up, alerting the two gals who stood at the exit with Dimyri holding the tent flap open. "Call me Nityri Kuli!"

"Nityri Kuli?" Her sister repeated to her sisters approval.

"Uh huh, I want to have a last name just humans do!" She giggled as Felix looked surprised.

"You pronounced it right this time Kuli, you said humans!" He smiled wide when she gave him a warm hug.

"I've been practicing, hehe!"

Dimyri tilted her head in response. "What is your full name Felix? I don't think I ever heard your name in full."

Felix nodded. "I never gave it in full, I don't have a full name. I called myself Felix after my tag when a friend said they looked like letters that spell it. I can't read so I just took their word. Besides, I like the name Felix."

"Felix." Kuli giggled, "How about Felix Kuli?"

"Felix Kuli?"

"Yea, you named me KuliKuli after all. So I'm going to name you Felix Kuli, because the day we met was the best thing that ever happened to me."

Felix smiled, squeezing KuliKuli's paw while staring into her beautiful yellow eyes, glistening like gold under the latern light. "Felix Kuli, that's perfect. Felix Kuli, named after the day I truly began to live."

"Felix Kuli and Nityri Kuli, fitting. Nice to meet you Felix Kuli, and nice to meet you Nityri Kuli. I like you better than the last Nityri." Dimyri teased with a wave of her paw before whistling. Ori'chi looked up and Dimyri cocked her head, signalling for her to follow. Reluctantly, Ori'chi wiggled her butt before pouncing to the ground, her little feline legs scurrying towards the others leaving the couple alone.

Felix turned to his lover. "What news?"

KuliKuli giggled as she reached out with her paw. He looked and awkwardly raised his hand to meet hers, before she slowly guided him to touch her belly. "This news."

Felix felt his jaw drop as his heart began racing at the possible implication, he wondered if he was still dreaming or if this were real. KuliKuli met his worried eyes and smiled back, pecking him on the lips. "You're not dreaming Master, this is real."

"We're... really?"

"Uh huh." KuliKuli blinked her eyes in rapid motion repeatedly, nodding quickly to confirm. "Are you... ready for another adventure, Master?"

Felix swallowed what felt like a large lump down his throat, biting his tongue to keep from saying anything. This was real, this is happening. But, was he ready? Would he do well in this new role for him, how would he provide? He had no role model, would he end up like her father?

She reached over and caressed his face with a warm paw, guiding his eyes to meet hers. She wanted to reassure him, but she said nothing. She needed him to be strong, to be ready, but she needed him to decide for himself. This was a huge step for their lives, the first step towards something bigger than either of them could imagine. She needed to know, is he ready for her? Because despite her warm smiles and happy tears, she was frightened too. She had no clue what she was doing, what they were doing, but it did not matter. She would jump into a world of madness if he were at her side. Alone, she would be lost. Together, she always had a home.

"I'm..."

Felix was still worried, but one look in her eyes and he understood. This was no longer about him or her, it was about someone else. Someone special, someone soon to enter their lives. He never imagined he would ever reach this step in his life.

And to think that this began with him scared for his life when he first encountered a Monster Girl in his home.

He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, closing his eyes and welcoming her warmth. She wrapped her arms around him, returning the kiss. It was an act they both needed at that moment, something to ease their nerves. When they parted, Felix briefly licked his lips and tilted his head forward so that their foreheads touched.

"I'm ready." He whispered to her.

"Th-Thank you Master, Felix. I am yours."

"I am yours as well."

"I love you."

"I love you."

He held her tight, ignoring the flash of pain in his sore body. It was worth the pain if it meant holding onto her, after all. It was a change in his life, the pain was always familiar to his upbringing. Maybe this time, it can mean something better, a pain worth fighting for.

"Aaaaaaaall set!"

Alma's voice echoed throughout the forest, alerting any woodland creatures and wildlife of their departure. Several Nekomata's tugged at the binding rope with their teeth and tails, holding still while one of the village elders secured the end with a nice knot over the wagon. With a thumbs up, he signaled to the elf that their belongings were safe and ready for traveling.

Alma nodded her head, scanning down the long line of wagons and cat girls waiting in preparation for their next move. With her hand forming a check signal, she looked up to the front of the line one kilometer away. Spi'Reto nodded and raised his fist up high, a signal for the march to begin. The front horses whinned with a hoarse grunt as they began to pull ahead in soft steps, leading the way for the others to follow. Still in recovery, Felix had the fortune of resting in one of the middle wagons when it was more common for the young and the elderly to rest. The majority of the village would keep up to pace on foot as they had too large a population to fit.

And so the journey began as the large group departed from a setting they grew familiar with, perhaps even fond of over time. And as they began exiting the forest and venturing over the hill tops, some heads would turn for one last time, glancing over the tree tops. Where the tower once stood proud and mighty now stood a desolate mountain, the ruins of the building were long swept by the flood of the river shortly after its destruction. There was a tower not too long ago, it's gone now. One quick glance and it's like a tower never existed.

Raz closed his eyes and hung his head, following at the rear end of the line where some of the cat girls would stay distant from him. Although the clutter did not agree with accepting him in their group, Dimyri compromised with the decision of allowing him to travel with them to their destination. It was the least she felt she could do, as it was not in the best interest to go against the voices of many. She seeked advice from both Alma and Emyri, and both replied in the same way. Although she meant well, it was important for the Head Mother to do what was best to protect her clutter, even if it meant rejection. It was a difficult decision for her to come to terms with, but her mother stood firm. This was a display of many hard choices her daughter would need to make when she takes over.

Felix shuffled his feet around, squirming genlty trying to restore life into his numbed limbs. He was not use to resting for so long, his childhood as a **** and his later years working in the ranch taught him to keep busy at all times, rest would only take place at night. Looking to his left, he saw Janette furiously scribbling away at her book with her eyebrows scrunched together, occasionally pausing to wiggle her writing hand in the air before dipping the quill back in ink for another go.

"What's got you back into writing?" He asked.

Janette didn't bother to look up, her focus remained on her book. "Someone should keep a journal of everything we've experienced, don't you think? I wouldn't want our journey to dissipate once our time passes on."

"Hmm, is this about Vardare?"

Janette's hand froze briefly when he mentioned his name, he noticed her eyes glance a different direction before setting them back on her work.

"It's a possibility. Part of this is for memories, part of this is for studies. Monster Girls, magic, and now we are expecting kittens from you two soon. Is she nervous?"

Felix chuckled leaving Janette turning red.

"Right, stupid question." She paused, setting her book aside and scooting closer as her eyes fell to him, giving him her complete focus. "I've been thinking, how in the world would we go back home if there is no home waiting for us? You were homesitting and Perdilius burned down my home. We don't have anything there."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think that far myself. It was just a spur of the moment thing for me, but I honestly don't know." Felix, in truth, hadn't a clue what would happen. "I guess maybe I could adjust living with them for the time being."

"You don't know how they live, and more importantly you need your space. KuliKuli needs her space, and I have a business to run. Remember?" She reminded him with a raised eyebrow. Felix nodded. "I've been thinking, perhaps our mutual interests can function together through shared work and effort. Perhaps, we can ask them for help rebuilding my house."

"Your house?" Felix chuckled. "It's quite big."

"All the more reason to ask, I'm not rebuilding that alone. And it's my family home, I'm not letting some bastard take that away from me without a fight. That's like letting him win one last time, no way."

"But, rebuilding it from scratch?" He asked.

Janette nodded. "If there is one thing dad taught me, it's that wealth never comes from a lazy mind. I'll be honest, a lot of my fields caught on like torches in the night. But I'm hoping some of those trees can be saved. That is step 1, secure the trees. Step 2, begin anew, plant new trees. And step 3, rebuild the house."

"With what money?" Felix wondered, he didn't like opposing her plan but he knew she had to be aware about her lack of funds.

"I spoke to your wife about that, managed to secure a deal."

"A deal?"

"A handshake deal. I would work for her, she would let me stay in one of her rooms. But I get to keep the tips for self profit. I don't need a lot, just enough to survey the marketplace and find anyone selling new seeds. In the meantime, our cat girls can help clean up my field and remove the dead trees. You know about farming, you can teach them about fixing up the soil for planting, right?" He nodded. "Good. Then it's a set plan."

"You've been giving this a lot to think about. But what about Syri?" He asked, noticing her awkward reaction. "You two haven't spoken much. Are you guys okay?"

"We're..." Janette pulled her hand away, rubbing her arm and biting her tongue. "It's complicated. We were super loving but I think part of it was because we didn't know how this thing would end. Now that we are still here, reality is kicking us in the ass. I still cheated on her weeks ago, that's not something she's going to forget about soon."

"Jay-"

"It's okay." She responded, raising her hand and clearing her throat. "Look, we didn't know each other as well as you and KuliKuli do. You two had months to know each other, I slept with Syri because I was turned on and she had a crush on me. We don't know each other well enough, her mother was right. We rushed into it."

"I'm sorry." Felix paused, reaching out to hold her hand. They bounced when the wagon hit a dirt mound as they shared a moment of silence. "What does this mean now?"

"It means," Janette drew in a deep breath. "For now, we need time to think. It means, we aren't sure if there is an us yet. It means, I don't know. I don't know what it means for us, if their is an us in the future. I still feel her, she's hurting and feeling lost. But I can't tell if that even is her or not, I don't know."

Janette sighed, shaking her head. "You spend a lot of years studying Monster Girls and when you have one on your lap, you screw it up. I screwed up."

Felix didn't know what to say, squeezing her hand and letting her know he was there for her. "It's a good plan."

Janette sniffed and rubbed her eye, forming a soft smile. "Yea, you think so?"

"I know so."

"Thanks, Felix." Janette leaned forward, giving her friend a hug. As they departed, he noticed her blinking her eyes quickly before adjusting herself. "So, your wife Nyitzcha. What's going to happen there?"

"Uhhh, I don't know. I haven't thought that far yet." Felix nervously replied.

"Does KuliKuli know?"

"I plan to tell her, but she doesn't know what marriage is."

"Better explain it to her soon, you don't want to keep secrets like I did." She giggled, causing Felix to laugh with her in agreement.

"Definitely."

"You do know, that tradition has it so that the couple are required to consummate to make their marriage complete. Have you slept with her?"

"Slept with her, yea?" He gave a funny look which made Janette frown.

"Had sex, have you fucked her yet?"

"Noooooooooooo I have not." Felix shyly answered.

"You don't have to, just saying."

"I don't know how it would work, I mean she's not around my size." He whispered to her, causing her to smile back and punch his arm.

"Jerk. She's older too, wouldn't that make you bigger in her eyes?"

"I think everything looks bigger in her eyes." Felix smiled back, making her laugh hard.

Janette snorted, regaining her breath. "You're a dick."

"I know. I'll think about it as well, see what happens. I'm with KuliKuli, there's nothing changing that."

"She's very lucky. I think you two would make a happy family."

That comment made his heart melt. "Thank you, Janette."

"You just need a job, a home, and a decent income to manage it. Besides that, you're a good man. A poor one, and a homeless one, but a good heart." She teased, poking his arm as he pushed her hand away.

"Jerk."

"You know it." Janette smiled, looking outside. "There's a huge life waiting for us Felix, it all starts tomorrow. But we can change it for better or worse depending on what we do today. Remember that."

Felix leaned back, closing his eyes. The gentle rocking movement of the carriage added comfort, making it easier for him to take a nap. She was right, yesterday was a busy day. Today, they were going home. Tomorrow...

Well, who knows what tomorrow will bring?