Journey Evermore - Zeon: Chapter 6 & 7

“Hey. Hey! Are you alright sir?” Zeon turns towards the others then quickly runs towards them. Standing over the male, he kneels down looking at his face smiling triumphantly. The male shakes his head seeing Zeon’s smile then looks about the cave quickly. His expression was of someone waking from a dream while Meili and Annabelle still look at Zeon in disbelief. The male’s gaze returns to Zeon’s nodding slightly to him.

“That’s good. Did you at least eat some of the food I gave you?” The man nods once again to Zeon’s question, slowly trying to stand on his feet. “Yes…It was very good…but I’m afraid I’ve eaten it all…and drank all of your water…She kept me here for so long…” His tone was stronger then before as he staggers a bit on his feet. He almost falls backward until Zeon stands up, catching him in his arms with ease.

“Easy sir. You only just got free. Don’t push yourself. Rest.” He smiles helping him stand on his feet by his back. Annabelle and Meili both snap out of their shocked trances, looking towards the two in between them. The male takes slow deep breaths with the three watch him closely. Zeon gently pats his shoulders catching the male’s attention. “I don’t think it'd be good for you to walk just yet. I’ll carry you back to Zanbu Jiyuu.” Zeon’s smile grows a little keeping the male balanced in front of him.

The male begins to tear up looking down at his bare feet with a warmer smile. “To see my home once more…that is something I have yearned for…for so very long…” Zeon nods to his words, taking a step back from him. The male carefully stands still watching as Zeon removes his belt then lowers his pants to his feet. Meili quickly looks to her left covering her face with her hands blushing a dark shade of red while Annabelle takes a step closer; getting a better look at Zeon’s legs.

Slipping out of the pants, he offers them and his belt to the man with a smile, standing in his white shorts. “Here. It’d be weird if you went back to the village naked. You can wear these for now and I’m sorry if they’re too big for you.” Zeon watches the male takes his clothing then slowly slips them on while shaking before the three. Once the belt was tied around his waist, he looks towards Zeon gratefully and bows.

“They fit just fine young man…You have honored me by saving me from the Ushi-Oni and yet I don’t know your name.” The male stands up looking into Zeon’s eyes with his grateful expression. “It would honor me to know your name as I tell you mine. I am known as Akio.” Zeon bows in return then stands up quickly replying, “I’m Zeon, and this is Annabelle and Meili. They came with me to help save you.” Zeon looks back at them one at a time as Meili looks towards Akio and bows gracefully. Annabelle lightly smiles to him with a nod.

Akio looks both monster females over with a smile, but quickly tenses up in fear, hearing the Ushi-Oni's light groans from the cave’s back. Annabelle and Meili tense up in fear while Zeon looks back at the fallen rocks with a more focused expression. “We…We should take our leave before she wakes!” Meili exclaims loudly with Annabelle moving to the cave entrance. Looking over every part of the mountain side she could see, she turns her attention back to Zeon calling out in concern, “There’s no way all of us can get down fast enough or safe enough!”

Zeon turns to them each with a blank expression. Quickly, he moves to Akio; pulling him by his right arm onto his back then looks at Meili. She jumps a little as he runs to the edge of the cliff they had climbed up with Annabelle to his left. “Both of you climb onto me! We’re leaving!” The monsters look at him in stunned fear with Akio wrapping his arms tightly, but fearfully around his neck. Zeon smiles as Annabelle quickly leaps onto Zeon’s frame; wrapping her arms around his head slightly with her legs wrapped around both Zeon’s frame and Akio’s. Meili slithers after them hearing the Ushi-Oni's groans increasing by the second. Coiling her tail carefully around Zeon’s right side and chest, she holds onto his chest tightly while he winces a little, but keeps his smile.

He takes a step forward closer to the edge; looking down at the mountain side, he feels a cold breeze against his frame. Meili shivers from it, pressing her face against his shoulder while Annabelle and Akio look down as well in complete terror. Zeon carefully wraps his arms around Meili and Annabelle’s waist as the smile on his face turns into a grin. “Ze…Zeon…Are you sure…about this…?” Annabelle trembles in his arms, looking down wide eyed.

Akio shakes in terror while doing his best to hold onto Zeon as he nods, “Yep.” “Shouldn’t you think about…” Before Meili could finish, she yells in terror, “THIS!!!!!” Zeon leaps from the cliff with the others holding onto him for dear life. Rapidly, they descend down the mountain side with the monsters holding onto Zeon’s head and neck in terror of their lives while Akio prays rapidly. Each one screaming in their own manner while Zeon remains calm.

“We’re telling you the truth big sis! He literally jumped from the bottom of the mountain to a spot below where that Ushi-Oni's cave is!” The skin headed Red Oni spoke coming out of the cave with the pony tailed Oni, both having looks of stunned amazement. A group of ten other Red Onis come out as well with drunken expressions on their faces while a Blue Oni moves further along the path from them all.

She fixes her small black framed glasses with her right hand as her off golden horns stand atop her forehead. She doesn't carry anything in her hands but wears a loose fitting top and bikini like bottom of the same yellow striped material as her fellow Red Oni, but the stripes also had shades of black. Her blue skin sets her apart from the Red Onis while she holds up her ample bust with her free left arm. Carefully she examines everything until her yellow eyes widen seeing the four descending rapidly.

“What are those four thinking!? They’ll die!” She screams in concern showing her fangs as one by one the other Onis take notice only to show the same concern as the blue. The skinned head and ponytail Oni look on in wait at the fast fall of the four. Zeon grins a little pulling his right arm back as Meili takes notice despite the fast winds blowing against them. “MILLENNIUM FIST!” Zeon screams, thrusting his arm and ball up fist forward.

The same large fist and arm fall downward from them all with Meili and the Onis watching closer. Zeon’s grin grows as the attack hits the soft sand below, causing the sand to rapidly flare up from the ground. Erupting like a volcano, the sand reaches high above the path below as the four become engulfed in it. As the sand rapidly falls to the ground, the four fall to the ground with a thud, the three holding onto Zeon’s frame falling from him.

Once the dust settles, Zeon sits on the ground with his eyes shut; laughing childishly while Meili, Akio, and Annabelle cough heavily from the amount of sand and dust that had flared up. “That was fun!” Zeon gets to his feet, patting himself down where any sand or dust might be. The moment the dust was fully cleared, Zeon turns to the coughing Akio and pulls him onto his back again gently. Akio looks towards him slightly misty eyed with a weak nervous smile.

Growling, Annabelle sits up to Zeon’s front with her hairs standing on end and her eyes filled with fury, “ARE YOU CRAZY!!! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED US ALL!!!” She exclaims looking like she was about to kill Zeon on the spot, but he grins to her proudly. Meili however had her tail coiled around her frame smiling at Zeon’s back. The love in her eyes seems to have grown along with a light shade of red on her cheeks.

“Come on! If we hurry we can get back to town by morning!” “You mean…I will see my wife…and daughter again…?” Akio inquires in disbelief, the tears in his eyes flowing while looking at Zeon’s face. Zeon looks over his left shoulder at him and nods with a reassuring smile. Facing the area before him, he grins holding Akio along his back tight with his arms under his knees. Taking a single step forward, Zeon dashes along the shifted sands; leaving a great deal of dust behind in his wake.

Meili smiles lovingly, slithering far from the oncoming dust while Annabelle was hit by the dust in its entirety. Coughing far more then before, she covers her face with her paws; tearing up greatly. Meili watches for a moment until the dust settles with Annabelle looking in the direction Zeon ran with pure anger. “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING YOU FOOLISH HUMAN!?” She screams, but calms down, seeing Meili slithering after Zeon in a love-struck manner.

“Looks like he’s made his choice…and I’ll follow no matter what choices he makes from now on…” She thought lovingly slithering after him as fast as she was able. Annabelle growls more; slamming her right paw into the sand. Quickly, she follows after the slithering Shirohebi, doing her best to keep her in view. Far ahead, Zeon rapidly runs with a grin on his face while Akio lays against the young man’s body; resting as best as he could with his eyes shut.

As the three vanish from the mountain area, the other Onis watch stunned, confused, or in complete shock of what had happen. The Blue Oni however fixes her glasses once again with a proud smirk. Her gaze was on Zeon as he moves further and further from view. “Well, that’s something you don’t see every day. That boy reminds me a lot of our sisters who live on the main continent.” The Blue Oni spoke placing her fists along her hips as the others look about one another with proud grins. They each turn towards the cave and go back inside with the sounds of music, cheers, drinking, and lewd male and Oni moans coming from the entrance.

Sometime about the run, Zeon slows his pace down a bit so that both monsters could catch up. From time to time, he looks back to make sure they had caught up to him and Akio. Annabelle draws closer to him with her anger slowly fading by the moment. Meili was doing far better at keeping up with them, but her gaze remains locked onto Akio and Zeon. At times, she would slither to her left to get a better look at Zeon’s face blushing slightly every time she stole a glance.

The three move about the desert as quickly as they were before, never stopping once for rest. Akio however continues to doze on and off against Zeon’s back. Zeon smiles happily from the sounds of his slumber as they quickly leave the desert behind then back track along the lush flora and fauna doing their best to avoid anyone or other monsters the moment the sky was taken over by the night. Some of the monsters that see them running watch in awe or confusion while a few smile warmly at their advance.

The sun rises once more on all of creation as the people Zanbu Jiyuu go about their morning; preparing for anything and everything. Sometime during the morning, Chieko slowly advances towards the benches outside of the Twin Golden Dragon in a light spring violet kimono. Her eyes void of emotion as she sits down gently. Before her a small short red haired girl in a child’s kimono of the same color of Chieko’s bounces a small red and green ball at her sandaled feet. She smiles sweetly with the brightest hazel eyes as she watches the ball bounce against both her hands.

At times, she would look towards Chieko and wave happily with her right hand and the ball in her left. Chieko waves back slightly with her left smiling a little towards her. As high noon comes around, the girl walks towards Chieko and sits to her left; kicking her legs back and forth in the air with the ball in her lap. “Mommy, is Daddy coming back today?” She questions innocently looking up at her. Chieko turns slightly to the girl and smiles a little more, “Here’s hoping my little Katsumi…We just have to wait for that young warrior to return…”

Katsumi nods, but as she looks before her, she tenses up; holding onto Chieko’s right sleeve tightly. Chieko pulls Katsumi into her arms protectively as five shady looking men approach her from the front. Some of the people do their best to avoid them as the largest of the men leans towards Chieko’s face, standing in nothing but a white cloth wrapped around his crotch area and a pair of black sandals. His bald head shines a bit with the sun light as he looks towards her with his dark blue eyes.

Chieko quickly looks to her right while keeping Katsumi close as the little girl looks at the men with disdain. “Come on Chieko! You need to forget about Akio already! He belongs to that beast that kidnapped him and besides if he hasn’t become enslaved by her body, she probably ate him already!” He yells proudly as Chieko looks towards him with disgust, but jumps in shock seeing Katsumi run to the man’s right leg; kicking him sharply in the ankle.

The man turns his attention to the little girl, seeing the disdain and anger in her expression as she shouts, “Don’t talk about my daddy that way! He’s going to come back to us!” A shifty looking male among the group steps forward, getting to his knees before Katsumi. He wears a blue ronin style kimono with the bottom exposing his hairy legs. He rubs the top of her head with his right hand grinning with his slightly ridged teeth and short black hair with Katsumi squirming under his hand.

“Now, now little one. We all have to face reality sometimes. Whether your daddy has succumbed to that monster’s charms or she devoured him we aren’t sure of. But we are sure that this boy you all spoke of probably was taken by those monsters everyone said accompanied him.” He spoke in a raspy sneaky voice. Quickly, Katsumi pulls from the man’s hand as he stands up on his feet with the other three men advancing towards Chieko with want in their eyes, each wearing similar ronin style kimonos like his.

“If you ask my opinion: the boy probably wised up and fled when he could and you can’t blame him or these fine people of Zanbu Jiyuu. After all, this is an Ushi-Oni we’re talking about. There’s no way anyone could stand up to that thing and live to tell about it.” The sneaky male continues with some of the crowd watching. Within the restaurant, Hiroshi and Anka watch in concern at all that transpires with the crowd looking away at times guilty or fearful.

“And since Akio is long gone, you need to pick one of us Chieko! Now!” The bald headed male proclaims proudly as he and the other men take a step closer towards her. Katsumi quickly runs before her mother with her arms out defensively looking towards the men with hatred. Chieko stands on her feet pulling her daughter close to her chest while looking at the men in same disgust as her daughter.

“I don’t believe it!” One of the fishermen shouts to the right of Katsumi and Chieko as the crowd quickly runs down the street towards the fisherman who screamed. “What’s going on?” The sneaky male questions, crossing his arms. Chieko looks through the crowd as best as she could as her eyes widen in disbelief. “It…can’t be…” She whispers as tears quickly fall from her eyes as they show more life in them.

Katsumi looks up hearing her mother then towards the crowd perplexed as the crowd begins to part one by one with someone’s advance. “He did it…” “How in the world did they come back?” “It’s unbelievable…” The crowd spoke parting still until the person stood before them. Zeon looks towards Chieko smiling wide with Akio along his back. Akio looks towards Chieko and Katsumi in tearful joy as Chieko looks towards him pulling her hands to her lips; crying greatly.

Gently, Zeon sets Akio down to the ground as he slowly and weakly advances from his left towards them. “Chieko…Katsumi…” He spoke staggering towards them. The crowd watches with numerous expressions with the five men looking towards him in pure shock. “Daddy!” Katsumi shouts happily running toward him with Chieko following quickly. The two run into Akio’s embrace as the adults fall to their knees; pulling Katsumi into their embrace.

Zeon stands behind them watching with a happy smile as Annabelle approaches his left and Meili slithers to his right. The two monsters watch with happier expressions as Zeon turns to Annabelle and smiles more to her. She smirks to him proudly and he turns to Meili, seeing small tears forming in her eyes. She wipes them away with a proud relieved smile, giving Zeon a nod of approval. His smile turns to a grin as the three look back at the family before them.

“Daddy! Daddy! I knew you would come back to us!” Katsumi yells, cuddling to her parents overjoyed as Akio looks down at his daughter with flowing tears, “Yes my little Katsumi…I owe my return to the young man who saved me…” He looks back towards Zeon with a smile of pure joy as Zeon nods in return. Chieko releases her husband and child, getting to her feet. She slowly approaches Zeon as all eyes were on her. Once in front of him, she pulls him tightly into her arms; crying even more, “Thank you! Thank you so very much!” Was all she could say, voice choked with her tears.

Zeon pats her back gently with his left hand while holding her with his right with a reassuring smile, “I told you I would bring him back…I was happy to help you…” His tone understanding and proud, and Chieko nods gratefully in his arms. She pulls away looking at his face as he gently moves his left hand to her eyes; wiping her tears away. Katsumi quickly runs towards them as Akio walks behind her slowly.

The little girl runs to Zeon’s left smiling from ear to ear and tugs on his shorts gently. Zeon looks down towards her with Chieko doing the same with a motherly smile. Sitting on the ground on his knees, he looks at the child’s bright face with a smile, “What is it little one?” She quickly presses her lips against his left cheek then smiles, pulling away with a light blush on her light skin. “Thank you for saving my daddy! You’re my hero!” Quickly, she lunges herself onto him; wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.

He pats her back gently with his right hand, pulling her into his embrace with a wider smile, “You're welcome!” Meili wipes more of her tears away with Annabelle looking towards Zeon prouder as the people look towards him in disbelief and happiness only. Hiroshi and Anka watch from the restaurant’s main entrance with impressed smiles. “I don’t believe it! He did it!” Anka spoke smiling as her father nods crossing his arms. “Had a feeling he would…I could just tell…” He thought watching.

Annabelle’s ear quickly perks up as she takes a defensive stance, seeing the five men advancing the moment Akio stood with his wife. She growls a bit as Meili takes notice now, narrowing her gaze a little. Katsumi quickly looks behind her then pulls from Zeon’s grasp running before her parents. Akio steps before his daughter and wife and, despite his slight trembling, shields them both with a strong look in his eyes.

Zeon stands up looking at the men closely the moment they stand before Akio and his family. Calmly, he advances towards them with the crowd watching in silence. The sneaky male looks towards Zeon while the bald male stares him down with disgust. Zeon steps in between Akio and the men as the bald male spoke, “How did a little runt like you save Akio? Let alone escape an Ushi-Oni?” The bald man towers over Zeon as he looks upwards at his large face.

The bald man grins then laughs loudly with the crowd following everything before them cautiously. “I get it! It was all staged wasn’t it kid?” The other men begin to laugh as well with the people looking around perplexed. Hiroshi, Anka, and a few of the kitchen staff walk outside to get a better view with many of the diners inside moving to the windows, watching all that transpires before them in anticipation.

The bald male leans down placing his hand along Zeon’s right shoulder with him remaining still before him. Annabelle seems ready to attack while Meili watches closely, her tail moving slightly by her frame as if ready to slice someone’s throat. “Come on kid. You can tell us. It’s not like being sly and deceitful a bad thing.” The man smirks proudly as Zeon shifts his gaze to the man’s hand then back to his face.

In the distance, loud rumbling sounds can be heard as the people hear them one by one. Annabelle’s ears perk even more as her expression changes to terror. Shiftily, she turns around with her hair on end as Meili takes notice. Her eyes widen in fear as she looks behind her hearing the rumbling increasing. “What’s going on boss?” The sneaky male yells as the bald man stands up on his feet. The moment he does, his eyes widen greatly as a female yells, “RUN! THE Ushi-Oni HAS RETURNED!”

“ZEON! IT’S HER!” Annabelle yells in terror as all of the crowd and merchants quickly run further down the road while others duck into alleyways or houses. Zeon looks over his right shoulder, seeing the spider bodied monster advancing at a rapid pace. The bald man and his men tremble in place with Chieko shielding her daughter and husband with a mix look of fear and motherly protection. Zeon, however, calmly moves from the five men with an emotionless face along the street.

Annabelle and Meili watch his advance as did everyone else until he stops a good distance from the two monsters. “What is he doing? Is he crazy!? He needs to run! He was lucky to…” Hiroshi places his right hand along his daughter’s left shoulder, stopping her words as she looks up at her father seeing his strong expression. “Just watch Anka…Say nothing and watch.” He spoke as she turns her gaze towards Zeon.

“Notice how he went ahead to meet the beast without a drop of fear or hesitation in his entire being. He stands firm waiting for her to come to him rather then rushing blindly towards her. That is the mark of a true warrior…a man who is willing to stand against adversity for others rather than his own glory.” Anka listens closely to his words as did those near him while Zeon remains firmly in the Ushi-Oni's path.

“Before, the way he acted was nothing more then a facade. But when needed; he will shed that facade and rise up to the occasion. A warrior never shows off his power…but uses it when needed.” Hiroshi finishes with a nod as Anka looks towards Zeon with different eyes. “I…I had no idea…” She thought as the others eyes turn to Zeon only. Annabelle and Meili look ahead slightly hesitant but remain behind Zeon in wait.

“Don’t worry…I won’t go back with her…” Akio spoke pulling his wife and daughter into his weak arms protectively. “Zeon is a true warrior who won’t let anything happen to anyone here…” He finishes as Chieko nods with a stronger resolve. Katsumi watches, fearfully clinging to her parents as the Ushi-Oni comes to a halt before Zeon. The two lock eyes as the large spider pants slightly while Zeon remains still.

The five men hide far behind the restaurant; clinging tightly to an empty vendor’s stand as the two remains still. Zeon’s expression remains emotionless until he tilts his head to the left confused watching the Ushi-Oni place her large claws along the ground with her eyes shut. She bows to him saying in a sweet, but strong voice, “I am so sorry for what I did before to that man and tried to do to you!”

Zeon blinks confused as the crowd looks onward dumbfounded. “Are…they suppose to do that?” Annabelle questions blinking in disbelief of what she was witnessing. Meili shakes her head back and forth in shock, completely wide eyed. “I’ve never…heard of one doing that to anyone before…They normally…just steal men and rape them…” Zeon takes a step towards her, looking curiously at her face as the Ushi-Oni looks towards him with a warm smile.

Shutting her eyes once more, she bows again, “I have to thank you again warrior…Thanks to you…I remember who I am…or rather…who I was…” Sitting up before them all, they could see the bull skull centered on her waist with a leather belt along her body. Her two front legs dangle slightly as she looks towards Zeon once more. “My name…is Juri…” He smiles warmly to her then bows in returning shouting, “I’m Zeon! Nice to meet you!”

“Or…maybe he’s always innocent and pure…Just saying…” Hiroshi laughs a little nervously as Anka and the kitchen workers look towards Zeon in complete disbelief. Juri stands up fully, placing her claws along her hips with a proud grin, “You’re like a child…Innocent and sweet, but you have the strength, power, and skills of a true master. I could feel it despite my mind’s…other thoughts.” She blushes a little giving off a more maidenly face despite her monstrous features.

“You know now that I see her like this, she’s…kinda cute…” Another female spoke with her friends as they each nod, wearing various fashionable kimonos. “I wonder what he did to her…” Another spoke as everyone’s attention was drawn towards the sounds of a walking cane lightly hitting the ground. The crowd follows the source from behind them all and part ways each time the sound got closer to them.

Meili and Annabelle hear it as well as they turn around, keeping an eye out for the source. Zeon and Juri look for the source as well as an elderly male with a long white beard and bald head stands between the two monsters. His eyes were shut like Hiroshi’s and he wears a red vest and short sleeve white shirt. His sandals were cushioned for his feet as he stood in a pair of brown walking pants. His brown cane in his right hand, he looks towards Juri and Zeon carefully.

“Juri is it…? Hmmm…yes…Yes…I remember that name…But…it's impossible to believe that…you’re the same maiden from this village so many years ago…” He spoke stroking his beard with his free left hand as he advances towards them. Zeon blinks confused as Juri advances slowly beside him. With a sorrowful smile, she nods looking towards him. “Yes elder…I am sad to say…that it is true…I was the very same Juri…that guarded this town so many years ago…” Her tone was sad as many of the people gasp in disbelief.

Many of them begin to converse among themselves with Meili looking towards her in shock and Annabelle in confusion. The elder holds up his left hand causing all near to grow silent. “Yes…The previous leader of this village before my leadership told me of a legend…A story of a beautiful maiden whose looks could rival any beauty of the monsters of this day and age. She served as one of the guards during the earlier sieges that some monsters did much like the Ushi-Onis and Oomukade. She protected all with her mighty spear, never allowing any male to leave this town, but one day she left her duties to rescue her true love from the grasp of another Ushi-Oni…but was never heard from or seen again.”

Juri nods sadly from the elder’s words keeping her focus on him then shifts it to Zeon. “Yes…It’s all true. I went to rescue the man I loved; Masayuki, from the monster’s grasp…however I was foolish when facing her.” The crowd listens closely to her words as Zeon steps before her, looking at her face with a small amount of sadness. “You used bladed weapons didn’t you?” She nods to his question opening her eyes slightly.

“All that I wanted was to save my love from the fate of being a monster’s lover, but I knew nothing of facing the beast head on. Just how to repel them. So I took my katana rather than my trusted spear and used it on her flesh. But the moment I did, her blood spilled onto my body.” She opens her arms to all keeping her gaze on the ground. “Her blood changed me into what you see before you and with that, the urges filled my head. I was driven to find someone to calm these urges, but when I saw Masayuki he had given into the other Ushi-Oni and so I went searching for so long…”

The five men come out of hiding, trying to flee as Annabelle and Meili approach Zeon’s sides protectively with small hints of distrust in their faces. Juri looks towards Zeon with a smile continuing, “But…Something…something happen during or after our fight and the urges I’ve had have stopped…I can think for myself again and for that I came to say thank you and…” She bows before them all shutting her eyes once more. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

The people speak among themselves again with Akio stepping forward from his family. “Akio…” Chieko begs, seeing him move slowly to Zeon. Zeon looks back then steps aside with Akio looking towards Juri calmly. “As long as you never attack another married man again…I can forgive you…” He smiles as Juri looks towards him with a warm smile and a nod. Chieko and Katsumi come to his side; holding him protectively.

She blinks noticing the five men trying to sneak away as her lustful face emerges. “Tell me…are they married?” She licks her lips slowly as the men jump in fear, running away as quickly as they could. “Nope! Why don’t you take them?” Zeon points with his left hand with a grin. Everyone quickly moves to the sides of the buildings as Juri runs after them, licking her lips quickly with her arms extended before her.

The elder laughs in a calm manner, following behind Juri’s advance at a slower pace saying to all, “Everyone, I will speak with Juri to see if she will guard us once more…Perhaps now that she’s calmer she will assist us again.” He finishes moving along the streets keeping the fleeing men and the speedy Juri in view. Zeon nods with most of the crowd dying down along with Hiroshi, Anka, and their workers going back into their restaurant. Some of the crowd continues to try to take in what had happen while others come to a quicker acceptation of it all.

Zeon turns to Akio, Chieko, and Katsumi; seeing the warm smiles on their faces as they hold onto another with Meili and Annabelle standing beside him watching the Ushi-Oni chasing the men still in disbelief. Chieko steps close to Zeon then pulls him into her arms, giving him a motherly grateful hug. The two monsters take notice, but smile seeing Zeon hug her back with a smile. “I will pay you for helping us…I swear…”

Zeon pulls from her arms shaking his head with a smile. “I don’t want any reward. Knowing that I could bring you all together again and knowing you’re all safe is enough for me.” He smiles even more to her causing her to smile and cry a little. “Yes…that is true…” She nods wiping her tears away with her left hand. “Then perhaps I could offer you something.” A male voice calls from behind them all. They each turn around to find the source while the last of the crowd begins to die down one by one.

“Brother!” Akio calls out with an elated smile. “Uncle Takao!” Katsumi screams happily running towards the male with her arms in the air. The male leans down taking her in his arms the moment she was in front of him then advances a little closer to the others with a small smile. A bright white business kimono was his choice of clothing with a matching off white bluish obi along his waist. He stands in a pair of light brown sandals with his short black hair mirroring his brother Akio’s, but being far neater in style. He looks towards his niece with his light green eyes warmly keeping her up in his right arm alone.

“Have you been well Katsumi?” “Mmmhmm! And guess what! The hero brought daddy back and beat the monster who took him!” Katsumi answers her uncle’s question. “So I’ve heard and seen.” He smiles wider advancing before Zeon. “I want to give you something for helping my brother. Seeing that you won’t take anything from him or his bride or daughter, then I'd like to offer you a place to sleep.” Takao smirks proudly sitting Katsumi down before him as they both stand directly in front of Zeon.

“Come and stay in my hotel free of charge and as long as you like. It would be an honor to offer this to you warrior.” Takao bows gently before him with Katsumi looking towards him in an impatient cheerful way. Zeon smiles and nods in return, “Of course! I want to see more of Zipangu and I don’t have anywhere to stay, so I accept!” He answers with a bow of his own as both men then stands before one another smiling.

Chieko and Akio watch on happily until Zeon spoke, “However…” He turns towards Annabelle and Meili smiling to them warmly. “I’ll only accept if these two get to stay with me as well.” Both monsters approach his sides with wider smiles as the three face Takao seeing him nod in approval. “Of course warrior. I owe you a great deal for restoring my sister’s family.” Takao spoke happily as Meili looks towards Zeon slightly dreamy like while Annabelle purrs a little contently.

Zeon blinks a bit feeling a hand along his right shoulder. Looking behind him, he sees both Chieko and Akio standing behind him with grateful smiles. He turns to face them with Meili and Annabelle doing the same as Chieko pulls her hand away; holding them against her stomach gently. “I’ll have your belt and pants ready for you in the morning, but for now…” “Go and be with your family Chieko.” Zeon interjected smiling to her.

Chieko nods, tearing up a little as her husband holds her shoulders gently, but weakly. “Akio, rest up alright?” He nods to them with Katsumi quickly runs past the watching Annabelle as she stands before her parents with her arms behind her and the widest brightest smile she could produce. “Goodbye hero! And thank you again!” She calls as the family of three walk away calmly from them with the crowd still dying down, but with others still watching in disbelief.

Half way up the street, Katsumi quickly turns around, waving with her right hand in the air with the same smile along her face. Meili waves back gently with her right hand as did Takao with his left. “You’re welcome! I’m glad he’s safe and I could help!” Zeon smiles happily to her waving with his right arm high in the air with Annabelle smiling calmly to the child. She turns around and follows after her parents, seeing her mother gently helping her father along the streets.

“They will be fine. They live close to my building. But for now let us depart.” Takao spoke turning around from the three. “And take my word on this: you will enjoy being pampered by the best.” He smiles proudly looking at the three over his left shoulder. He takes the lead with Meili, Annabelle and Zeon following suit behind him. The townspeople begin to speak among themselves as the three pass by them all.

Sitting along his booth, the fisherman that Annabelle stole from was shifting through some chum in a small metal bucket he had at his side. With a small smile, he looks into the bucket and thought, “The kid proved me wrong…First time for everything…” He kept his eyes shut listening close as the four passed by his booth.

After walking through the streets, Takao leads the three towards a large three story Ryokan building. Its traditional design and coloring is breathtaking to the eyes as the three gaze towards it in awe. “We get to stay here!?” Annabelle exclaims in surprise, looking the building over from its rooftop to the double doors before them. Surrounding the building was a small stream of water lined with light gray rocks; filled with various colored koi fish that swim about.

“Of course, this is my way of paying you three for all that you’ve done for my family.” Takao said happily looking back at them all. He turns towards the building and walks through the white double doors as the others follow suit quickly. Once inside, the four are greeted by a group of fourteen women, all dressed similar to Takao as they each bow to him in unison. “Welcome back Master Takao.” He bows in return to them with a warm smile while Zeon, Annabelle, and Meili take in the décor surrounding them.

The inner atmosphere was calming to the guest's eye, with the group standing before a large hallway and two sets of staircases behind them. The walls were painted with various forms of art and coloring that gave the room a deeper feel. “Thank you everyone.” Takao complement, catching the attention of the three as they look towards the group before them. Some of the group was human while some were native monsters of the area.

“My dear friends, I want you all to treat my guest with the utmost respect as you would me. Zeon and his lovers will be staying with us for sometime and I would like them to remain comfortable.” Takao’s words cause the three to blush with Zeon looking to his left at the wall slightly embarrassed. Annabelle looks towards the floor with her tail lying straight behind her as Meili holds her cheeks gently swaying a little in place.

“Oh my…That’s the first time anyone said that about me…” She speaks in a loving happier manner causing Annabelle to look at her sharply while growling. “I’m hungry! What do you have to eat here Takao?” Zeon chimes with the blush on his cheeks quickly fading. Takao turns to him as his workers look towards the three with happy expressions of their own. “Only the finest my friend, but first, I want you all to rest. I know that you alone can eat a great deal so I asked Hiroshi to prepare a large meal for the three of you.”

“Does he work here too?” Zeon asks with Takao shaking his head with a smile. “He’s a friend of mine, but he’s a friend to all within Zanbu Jiyuu. He also insisted that he make your meal personally. You over paid him for the meal and the canteen and he wants to repay your kindness. Not to mention he spoke of your appetite, so he has his work cut out for him.” Takao laughs slightly with Zeon laughing a little himself.

Annabelle shakes her head with Meili giggling slightly. “Come. I want you all to follow me to your resting chambers.” He continues moving towards the hallway as his workers part from before him to allow him to advance. “I will only sleep where Zeon sleeps.” Annabelle blurts out with her eyes shut as she sits along the floorboard. Meili narrows her gaze at the Werecat then looks towards Takao warmly with a smile to match.

“As will I, Takao. Please make the arrangements before we go and rest.” She spoke as Takao looks towards Zeon in wait of his response. He looks back at him and nods saying, “I don’t mind. Just makes sure the bed is big!” Takao nods then turns towards the hallway. The three follow him closely with the workers watching them each with their feel of the group. The hallway was exquisite with the walls and doors being of traditional design for Zipangu.

Zeon stops part way looking towards one of the portraits hanging within the hallway with a small wooden table sitting under it with a branch of sakura sitting in a unique vase. The others take notice as Annabelle and Meili move to his side looking at the portrait. “What kind of monster is this? It looks like a Dragon.” He spoke curiously as Takao approaches them, looking at the portrait as well with a warmer smile.

“That is one of the goddesses that protects all of Zipangu and helps us to prosper each and every day. A Ryu.” Takao spoke in the utmost respect crossing his arms. The four gaze at the portrait seeing the Ryu holding the hands of a male in a white kimono while she wore a uniquely made kimono of her own with various orbs of orange floating around her. The two stood in a pool of water with rain clouds high above, but the dragon’s face was hidden by her long green and violet hair.

“I’ve never seen a monster like that before. Have you Zeon?” Annabelle questions; looking towards him. “I’ve seen a picture of a Dragon in a book that my master once showed me, but I’ve never seen a Dragon like her.” He answers looking down towards her. He looks back at the portrait and smile, “She is very pretty though.” “That she is. They are very rare and only appear to a chosen few. Along with the nine tailed Inari who also protects many with the power she possesses.” Takao spoke taking a closer step to the portrait.

“You mean like a Youko?” Zeon asks looking towards him as Takao nods. “Yes, but far less lustful. We see them here once in awhile when they leave from the Poseidon where you probably came from.” He answers. “Come. A guide will be here shortly.” He walks ahead with Zeon and Annabelle following closely. Meili however has a look of understanding and peace on her face while she gazes at the portrait.

Calmly, she places her hands together before her and begins to pray silently with her eyes shut. Zeon stops for a moment and looks back at her saying, “Meili, aren’t you coming?” Quickly she looks towards him and slithers after the three. “I’m sorry.” She spoke as Zeon nods to her. “It’s ok. I didn’t want to leave you behind.” She smiles warmer to him from his words while Annabelle advances ahead of them with an annoyed look on her face. “I would have…” She thought as Takao stops in his tracks, as did the three.

Standing before them a bit further down the hallway was a Werecat similar to Annabelle, but she stands on both of her back paws easily. She wears a sky blue kimono with light violet cat paw prints along various parts of the kimono. It was short in length showing off her knees and her light brown fur. She smiles happily to the four with her twin tails moving freely in the air. Her bright yellow eyes lock onto them as her skin was a lighter tone compared to Annabelle’s.

“Hello everyone! And hello to you too Master Takao! Welcome to the Kokoro Ryu!” She shouts as her gaze shifts to Zeon’s face. She smiles a little more until her ears twitch slightly hearing low growling. She looks down before her seeing Annabelle a bit closer to her being in a protective stance. She pouts a bit then smiles quickly placing her paws along her hips. Takao nods then turns towards the three.

“She will take good care of you three. I will leave you in her capable paws while I find a room suited for you each.” Takao bows to them each then walks back down the hall from where they came from. “Well don’t just stand there! Come on!” She exclaims happily turning around from them. She skips down the hallway quickly as the three follow behind her at their own paces. “Just so you know, everyone here heard of what you did for Master Akio! His family means a lot to us here. So thanks.” She spoke proudly while advancing.

Zeon nods with a smile picking up his pace as Annabelle advances a bit closer to his left side; switching her attention from Zeon’s face to the back of head of the skipping monster. “I wonder what kind of monster she is…” Zeon whispers to Meili as she slithers to his right. “I’m a Nekomata sir!” She exclaims happily, looking back at him over her right shoulder. “Wow you can hear me that well?” “Well, I am like her.” The Nekomata spoke looking back at Annabelle, but picks up her skips as they move further down the hallway.

“This way! We’ll go to the second floor for a little bit then explore the third!” She spoke happily moving up one of the staircases that came into view. Zeon continues to take in all that was around him while hearing the various voices of families, travelers, and workers behind the unique doors. Meili tries to reach for his right arm as she slithers with him, but stops, noticing Annabelle staring at her coldly.

When Zeon and the Nekomata couldn’t see either of them, the two monsters would look at each other coldly. The Nekomata leads them through the second floor quickly, showing off the rooms and speaking of the building’s history. Zeon listens closely while Annabelle pays her little mind. She continues to take in what was around her rather then listen. Meili however listens as closely as Zeon was. From time to time they witness a different area of the building until the Nekomata leads them back to the first floor towards the back of the building.

“Where are we going now?” Zeon asks, looking towards her as she smiles sweetly with her paws behind her back. She skips to her right as the three follow her. She stops before a large brown door with two open entrances with white signs dangling from the ceiling over them. One had a red kanji for “male” while the one to its right had the blue kanji for “female” along it. She opens the door swiftly and skips in as the three follow curiously.

After walking down a wooden hallway, the four enter a large room where they are hit with a small amount of heated air. The Nekomata smiles proudly while looking back at them slightly from her right as the three take in the spacious room with different reactions. The entire room looks like it was taken from a large cave with various smoothed stones placed along the edge of the large pool of water. There were larger stones within the blue green water.

The room was full of steam as Zeon looks around excited. Meili smiles happily taking in everything while Annabelle looks around cautiously. “And this is one of the things that makes’ our hotel so famous! Our large indoor hot springs that has been part of this village for many years.” The Nekomata spoke then quickly stands before the three with her right paw up in a pointing gesture. She leans forward towards the three then winks at them with her right eye.

“But for good reason and with the wishes of Master Takao, men and women are forbidden to bath together unless they're married.” Zeon nods to her understandingly, but Meili looks towards her a little disappointed. Annabelle shuts her eyes to her words as the Nekomata looks back at the hot spring water, seeing the large white cloth within the water that hangs from the ceiling. “If you want to turn the bath into an open air one let the controller know. He’ll use some of his magic to remove it so that you can connect with the outside bath with the others. But right now the three of you will have this one hot spring to yourselves!”

Zeon nods once again with Meili doing the same. “So for the women they’ll have to use the bath on the left while you sir use the one on the right.” She continues as Annabelle advances to the waters edge. She looks at her own reflection for a moment, feeling calmer from the heated floor under her paws. Leaning down towards the water, she sniffs it a little. The others take notice as the Nekomata grins a bit at the sight.

She stands up with her paws on her hips once more, “Nothing makes any man want you more than clean fur that shines and shimmers. Or in your case miss your lovely scales and pale skin.” Meili blushes a bit with a warm smile as Zeon walks about the bath. “The floor's heated too…It feels nice.” He thought looking back at the three entrances to his right. Two were open with no doors while one had two white sliding doors.

“Behind the sliding doors is the controller. Just let him know if you need anything else and your changing rooms are to your right sir.” She spoke as Zeon nods, going into the one he saw. He takes in the many empty baskets along with numerous shelves as he walks towards the closest basket. He begins to remove his belt as Annabelle takes notice then moves towards him. “Zeon, what are you doing?!” She calls to him.

Her advance was halted quickly by the Nekomata as she moves swiftly before the advancing Annabelle. Her arms spread out and with a more serious smirk on her face, her eyes meeting with Annabelle’s. “I’m sorry miss, but this is the men’s changing room. You’ll have to use the women’s changing room across from this one.” “I don’t like water of any kind unless I’m drinking it!” Annabelle counters, but the Nekomata shrugs her shoulders with her eyes shut.

She turns towards the entrance they each came from and opens the door. She looks back at the two monsters with a warmer smile, “If you need anything just let me know. I’ll be nearby to alert you when your meal is ready. Also, my name is Ume by the way. Well, enjoy!” She skips into the hallway as Meili and Annabelle watch her leave. Meili slithers into the women’s changing room taking in the décor.

It looks similar to the men’s with the walls painted a calming color while many baskets sat along the floor with additional shelves available. Elegantly, she begins to remove her kimono until she stands nude within the room. She folds her kimono up then sits it within the basket before her. Looking into the lower wooden shelves she sees various white towels of different size. She examines them carefully until she pulls out one large enough for her frame.

Annabelle remains still along the heated floor waiting near the men’s changing area. She watches closely until she sees Zeon running past her gaze. He grins while running towards the steaming water. He comes to a stop then slightly leaps into the water making a minor splash. He comes up from the water examining it then swims along it at a content pace. Lying on his back, he floats about the warm water with his eyes shut.

“Wow…This feels great…It’s been awhile since I’ve had a bath!” He exclaims happily drifting along the water’s surface. The cloth keeps him hidden from the female’s side, but not from Annabelle’s gaze as she begins to advance towards the water slowly. Suddenly, Meili slams her long tail before the advancing Werecat, causing her to step back in fear. She turns her cold gaze towards the standing Shirohebi as she in turn looks back at her with a colder gaze.

Meili holds her long white towel against her front; shielding her breasts from view while keeping Annabelle in her sights. “You heard Ume…Men and women may not bath together here. It is one of the rules here and we must obey them. Or do you not believe in them?” She spoke calmly, but Annabelle huffs, turning her attention back to the water. Leaping over Meili’s tail, she advances again towards the men’s bath.

“Annabelle, please do what Ume told us. I don’t want to get in trouble.” Zeon calls out from deep within the spring, as if knowing of Annabelle’s actions. Annabelle halts her advance with a sad pout and her ears resting flat atop her head. Meili smiles reassured as she slithers into the women’s bath while trying to see Zeon through the cloth. Once in the water, she sighs contently, slithering further into the water until she finds a spot she finds comfortable.

Sitting within the middle of the water, she faces Annabelle seeing her sitting along the heated floor with the same sad expression on her face. “You know, you should at least try to clean yourself. We’ve been following Zeon for two days straight and through it all we haven’t bathed once. And I bet your fur needs it.” She smiles slightly submerging all of her tail. Only her human half was visible, but Annabelle remains still.

“Besides, I bet Zeon would get closer to you if you were cleaner. But then again, he would rather have me near him than you.” Meili turns around as she finishes. Swimming within the heated water, her body seems to come more alive as she swims about much like a Mermaid would. Annabelle growls annoyed looking back at the swimming Meili. She runs towards the water then leaps in without removing her clothing; making a large splash that causes Zeon to sit up in the spring slightly curious.

Leaping out of the water in shock, Annabelle lands on the heated floor with her fur standing on end. Quickly, she shakes her body back and forth until a few droplets fall along the floor and her flesh causing her to open her eyes in disbelief. “Wait…it wasn’t cold…” She thinks as Meili slithers towards a larger white rock close to the dividing cloth. The towel wrapped around her slender body frame, Meili watches Annabelle closely with her hands along her lap.

She giggles a bit with Annabelle keeping her gaze to the floor embarrassed. “It’s easier and more comfortable if you remove your clothes. You can at least do that right?” Meili asks keeping her focus on the Werecat. Annabelle sits along the floor; taking off her top and shorts with ease while leaving them on the floor to her left. Slowly, she advances to the women’s bath with Meili keeping a close eye on her.

She comes to the edge looking deep into the still water. Slowly, she dips her front right paw into the water then smiles contently sitting her back legs into the water. Quickly, Annabelle melts in place then slips her entire being into the water until only her head was visible. Letting out a content sigh, Annabelle shuts her eyes; savoring the feel of the water against her body as Meili smiles a little bit swaying the bottom of her tail in the warm water slowly.

Zeon sits up against the cloth; listening to everything he could then smiles widely hearing Annabelle’s sigh. He swims away from the cloth towards the far back of the spring until he reaches the edge against the back wall. Turning around, he lets out a deep breath leaning against the wall with his eyes shut. Meili slips into the water once again and leans against the rock contently. The three continue to relax in the water in silence with no one else around.

After an hour, Ume returns to the springs with her happy expression looking back at both springs. “Dinner is served! Hiroshi has finished preparing a large feast for you all!” Zeon steps out of the spring first dripping with water and his hair sticking to his head. His soaked towel along his waist as he looks towards Ume with a calm smile. Ume looks towards him slightly shocked as she examines his toned frame from head to toe with a dark shade of red on her cheeks.

“Thank you Ume. Annabelle! Meili! The food’s ready!” He calls to them from where he stood, but heard no response. “Hey, are you two alright? You didn’t overheat did you?” He walks towards the women’s spring, but when he reaches the dividing cloth Ume quickly approaches him from behind; placing her right paw along his right shoulder. He looks over his shoulder back at her as she spoke shaking a bit in place, “Si…Sir…You know you can’t go in there…”

Quickly, she pulls her paw away from his flesh; shaking still in place with both her paws together against her front. He nods to her, “I know, but I’m a little worried about them. They’ve been quiet for a little while now.” “We’ll…join you later Zeon…Go ahead of us…” Meili speaks sweetly from deep within the spring. Zeon blinks confused while keeping his gaze on Ume; doing his best not to look into the spring.

“Are you sure? Annabelle?” “Ye…Yes…” She replies in a loud enough tone for him to hear. Shutting his eyes, he nods and smiles answering, “Well don’t stay in too long. You might overheat.” He laughs a little walking towards the men’s changing room. As he enters, he takes notice of the basket where he clothes once were, but in their place was a finely made white male’s yukata. He sighs a little leaning down towards the yukata and said to himself, “I’ve never worn a yukata before…Not even a kimono…”

Gently, he takes the clothes in his grasp then stands up letting it unwrap before him. He looks over the yukata perplexed while moving it about before his person. He sighs in defeat, but then jumps hearing footsteps outside of the changing room. “Do you need some help sir? Staff are allowed to help with clothing if there’s a problem. Is the yukata we picked out for you too small for your frame?” Ume spoke happily, almost eagerly, as she stayed out of sight.

“No! No, I’m…I’m alright thank you Ume…Just help Meili and Annabelle please…” “Very well sir. If you change your mind…Please let me know.” She says sweetly, walking away from the changing room. Zeon sighs gratefully, but turns his attention back to the yukata in his hands still with a perplexed look on his face. “I can do this…” He thought laying the yukata down on the floor then removing his wet towel to change.

After seven minutes, Zeon exits from the changing room’s entrance; wearing his yukata, but it looks horrible on his frame. He frowns in defeat with the obi tied wrong, the sleeves falling off of his frame and parts of his flesh easily seen from where the yukata was falling. He looks himself over then turns to his right. He heads down the hallway, but stumbles along the bottom of the yukata. He yelps a little falling on the wooden floor; letting out another defeated sigh.

“Sir, are you alright?” A tall male in a kimono similar to Takao’s asks, looking down at Zeon with four other men standing before him. Zeon looks up at them each seeing their different style kimonos, hair, eyes, and skin. He smiles defeated asking, “Um…Could you help me please?” The five men smile to him understanding with three snickering a bit. Two of the men help him to his feet as they lead him back into the changing room.

A few moments later, Zeon walks down one of the hallways towards the main dining room of the Kokoro Ryu; admiring the yukata now properly on his body. He moves barefoot towards one of the entrance ways with various decorations lining the top. As he enters the dining room a large gong was struck far from his person, but causes him to cover his ears from the loud sound it makes. He smiles, waiting for the sound to end and when it does, he takes in the large room’s décor.

The walls were painted a calm ruby with various white columns that reach to the ceiling. Among each of them were various paintings of different monsters and humans. Some who seem like deities and others being simple lovers to humans as they each seem to either being worshiped or embracing one another. The calming atmosphere seemed to help all within the large dining room enjoy their meals with the kitchen far to Zeon’s right.

He looks about, seeing various large round white tables with different people dining on various food items. They converse, dine, and laugh happily with the servers quickly moving to the kitchen to get what was needed. His gaze stops, seeing Annabelle and Meili sitting near a table by a large empty kabuki stage with the curtain down before all. He quickly approaches them as the two notice his advance as they smile to him, but Meili slightly blushes at his advance; taking in all that she could see
.
“Sorry that I’m late. Some of the workers help me with my yukata earlier. It was really hard to wear it.” He spoke sitting across from them with the two monsters watching him closely. “It looks lovely on you.” Meili spoke, wearing a white female yukata designed for Lamias with its length far shorter, but enough to cover her human half and parts of her Lamia tail. It's design hides her flesh well as she keeps her hands in her lap while sitting in a wooden chair.

Annabelle wears a yukata made similar to Ume’s but it was bit longer, shielding some of her upper thighs from view while she perched within her chair. She turns her attention to her yukata with annoyance; rubbing her paws against the front at a steady pace. “I don’t like these clothes all that much. It’s so hard to get them on!” She exclaims causing Meili to giggle at Annabelle’s outburst. “Ah, Zeon you’ve finally arrived.” A male server dressed in a dark blue kimono speaks, standing behind him.

Zeon turns around seeing his short light black hair tied against his neck with his light green eyes locked onto Zeon’s frame. “Mmmhmm.” He nods to the man as he bows in return. Lifting both his hands up, he claps loudly three times as eight different servers approach their table holding various trays in their hands. They stand around the table and set down ten trays before the three as a human female in a dark violet kimono sets down a unique ceramic tea pot and three gray tea cups before them each.

Zeon and Annabelle examine the food before them closely, seeing the variety and breathing in the smells. The female server pours them each a cup of hot green tea then steps back; bowing to the three of them. “Enjoy your meal. Hiroshi sends his thanks and if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask.” The male server spoke as they each went about the room to tend to another person. “Dumplings! Steam buns!” Zeon and Annabelle shout together as they quickly take a few steamed buns into their grasp.

They eat them quickly as Meili smiles at the sight. She reaches for a pair of chopsticks set on the table, pulls them apart easily then surveys the trays before her. She begins to sample all that was available before her from the dumplings that give off a unique aroma to various different dishes of fish. She takes a rolled makizushi sushi wrapped in seaweed from its bamboo mat and samples it happily.

Zeon and Annabelle both turn their attention to the small bowls of mushroom soup as both take a bowl for themselves. They drink it down easily then let out content sighs after a few moments. Meili giggles again watching them as she takes a plate from where it sat and slides it before Annabelle. She looks towards it confused then turns her attention to Meili’s face, “I’ve tasted the grilled bluegill and it’s very good. I think even Annabelle would eat it without complaints.” She spoke as Zeon looks towards her in shock then smiles in amazement.

Annabelle smiles happily taking one in her left paw and bit on its flesh happily. “Wow, you’re both getting along so well. I guess the bath together did that. I’m happy to see that!” His smile turns warmer looking back and forth between the two. Annabelle looks at him slightly, but returns to dining on the plate of bluegill. Meili however smiles warmly to Zeon’s words, but the moment he goes back to sampling what was available her eyes become distant as she gazes at Zeon’s face.

Moments pass as the three spend their time dining with one another until the last of the food was finished. Annabelle rests her head contently along her arms on the tabletop; purring slightly while her tail sways back and forth against the carpeted floor under them. “I feel so full…I couldn’t eat another fish…” She speaks softly with her eyes shut. “Yea, I’m pretty full too. Hiroshi made a lot of food just for us so we should thank him when we see him again.” Zeon spoke looking back and forth at the two.

Annabelle nods in agreement while purring still. Meili nods as well while sipping down the last of her tea. She lets out a contented sigh sitting down her cup while looking towards him silently. Zeon looks behind him at one of the entrances, but his attention shifts to the servers as they collect many of the leftover plates, trays, and uneaten food. “When I went to change my gi was missing. But I guess they wanted to wash it. It was really stinky.” He laughs a little as Annabelle giggles a little with him.

“Yea, our clothes were gone when we left too.” She spoke softly keeping her eyes shut as Zeon turns his attention to her. Meili does the same with her eyes still distant to all before her. Zeon gets up from his seat looking back at them both. “Well, I’m going to go to sleep. You two can have the beds if we have any. I’ll sleep on floor if there isn’t three. Sweet dreams.” He bows to them gently. “Sweet dreams…” The two monsters spoke as Zeon walks from their view to one of the entrances from their left.

Both monsters watch him closely as he leaves from their view then turn their attentions to one another. Meili nods getting up first as she slithers after Zeon. Annabelle leaps from her chair quickly following to her right as both begin to remember their time in the hot springs earlier. The images and words the two shared play in their minds closely as Annabelle and Meili both look calm with their advance behind Zeon. He looks over his left shoulder at the two and smiles at them, as they both smile back to him remembering everything.

“What do you mean you’re going to sleep with him!?” Annabelle exclaimed furiously looking towards Meili as she stroked her long white hair above the warm spring water. “It’s just as I said: tonight, I will offer Zeon everything that I am…My mind, body, heart, and soul and have him be my husband. After all, I’ve been showering him with everything I am and yet he hasn’t returned the same to me. It’s very strange to me…”

Meili swam towards the rock she sat on before then leaned her back against it feeling the heat go through her body. “To be honest, I don’t get what you're talking about when you say showering him, but I won’t let you have him…He’s mine!” Annabelle snapped with a growl looking directly at Meili, but the Shirohebi smirked proudly then sank into the waters; allowing her breasts to float along the water’s surface.

“Despite what you say, you’ve always been rude to him. He wouldn’t want a woman like that at his side for the rest of his life. I know that he and I have formed a deep connection and I plan to deepen it…” Meili sat up from the water then swam towards the edge, her eyes shut while Annabelle watched her coldly. Meili was about to slither out of the water, but fell back from Annabelle pouncing onto her back; wrapping her arms and legs tight around the Lamia's upper frame.

She growled coldly as Meili look over her left shoulder sharply at Annabelle saying in a low angry tone, “What do you think you’re doing?!” “Making sure you never touch him! I won’t let anyone take Zeon away from me! I picked him the moment I saw him before we came here and that was long before you came around! He’s my mate and that won’t change!” She exclaimed loudly with eyes filled with hatred.

Meili smirked looking back at her coldly as her entire being began to glow a holy white from the top of her head to the tip of her tail. “That may be…but you’ve caused him nothing but grief and trouble from what I’ve seen…Not to mention that tongue of yours has offered him nothing but sharp cruel remarks!” As she finished, both monsters look towards each other with murderous hate filled gazes until they both heard different footsteps advancing towards the women’s spring.

“Dinner is served! Hiroshi has finished preparing a large feast for you all!” Their eyes widen in surprise hearing Ume with their murderous gazes calming rapidly as they heard Zeon say, “Thank you Ume. Annabelle! Meili! The food’s ready!” Annabelle leapt from Meili’s back into the water making a minor splash as Meili slithered back into the water with the steam shielding her and Annabelle from Zeon’s sight.

“Hey, are you two alright? You didn’t overheat did you?” The two monsters listen closely, but tuned out Ume when she spoke to him to stop. They listened to Zeon’s words until Meili smiled, slithering further into the spring and saying sweetly, “We’ll…join you later Zeon…Go ahead of us…” “Are you sure? Annabelle?” Meili looked towards Annabelle quickly as she shut her eyes shamed, answering just as fast, “Ye…Yes…”

“Well don’t stay in too long. You might overheat.” They listened to his laughter and waited. They listened to Ume calling to him as both got a little agitated from her choice of words, Annabelle more so then Meili as the two advanced towards the edge of the spring. The moment they felt that Zeon had left the changing room, they both emerged from the waters onto the heated floor with looks slight concern and sorrow.

Among the center of the heated floor stood Ume as she watched them closely and sighed with her arms crossed along her chest. Her demeanor was calm as the two monsters advanced towards her until they stood a little before her. Annabelle took a step forward to speak, but stopped seeing Ume turn her back to them both. “That man…Zeon…He’s very wonderful, caring, and honest from what I’ve seen from him. And yet I heard you two bickering over him like spoiled children over a toy. If I was either of you, I would choose who deserves his heart and the other leaves him alone. Do it for all our sakes, because from what I can tell, you both are going to push him away sooner or later…”

Once finished, Ume walked through the doors to the controller as Meili and Annabelle watched until the doors shut behind her. They turned to one another and looked at each other with knowing gazes. “Annabelle…” Meili faced her with a warmer expression, but eyes slightly filled with pain. “Listen to me…I love Zeon…I truly love him with everything that I am…He saved me on more then one occasion and showed me kindness that no human has ever shown me…I…I just can’t let him go…”

“Well…He came to my side and helped me too…The humans on the boat I got on were going to hurt me or throw me off it…He stood up for me, paid for my ticket, and even let me have his bed…He even…smiled at me…Every human I ever meet back on our home land treated me like dirt…They threw rocks at me or tried to hurt me…He was the first who never did…Not once…” Both monsters spoke with love in their voices; averting their gazes to one another as they spoke.

After a short amount of silence, Meili slithered into the changing room then emerged holding a silver coin in both of her fingers. Annabelle approached her as she slithered before her with a slight look of sorrow on her face. “We’ll…decide with this…” She held the coin up before Annabelle allowing her to get a better look at it. “I had this for awhile ever since I left one of the villages sometime ago. It has the meaning of my mistress the Ryu on it…”

She showed the side of the coin with the kanji for Ryu on it then turned it around with a different kanji on it. “On the other is the meaning for love…We will leave this up to fate and flip this coin…If it lands on the side of the Ryu I will make Zeon mine for all time…If love…then you may have him…” Meili seemed to choke on her own words with her facial expression showing her sorrow towards her decision.

Annabelle nodded at her words taking a step closer towards her. “And you won’t follow us?” “I can’t promise that Annabelle…Zeon has my heart now…but I will not touch him…ever…” “Then…I won’t touch him either…ever…if you win…” She seemed choked up from her own words as the two monsters back away from one another. Both nodded to one another as Meili flipped the coin high into the air as both monsters watched and waited for it to land on the floor.

The two monsters shut their eyes the moment they make their way to the third floor of the Kokoro Ryu with Zeon running ahead of them down the hallway. He stops towards a set of sliding doors with his name on a door sign. He smiles then slides the door open. “Wow!” He spoke happily then runs into the room, taking in its size. It was extremely spacious with the walls painted a warm color much like the other rooms they had been to.

A few stone figures shaped like koi fish sit along a sitting table with another set of sliding doors to his far right. A finely made wooden dresser sat to the right of the sliding doors with a few white candles lit along its top that gave little heat. He looks to his left seeing a large bed with red and white sheets covering it and numerous pillows as the bed was neatly made. He runs further into the room taking in even more of the room until his attention turns towards the large balcony set away from the bed. He moves before it, but didn’t open the glass door seeing the steel balcony.

Slowly, he takes in the star filled sky and the quiet town below. “Wow…It’s so beautiful…And this room is great. I’ll have to thank Takao when I see him tomorrow.” He thought smiling happily. The sliding doors open as he takes notice, turning around to face Annabelle and Meili. He smiles, but it quickly fades at seeing the different expressions on Annabelle and Meili’s faces. Annabelle has a more loving happier expression, but Meili looks as if someone had ripped her heart out of her chest.

“Are…Are you two alright?” He asks in concern moving towards them. Annabelle advances slowly towards Zeon, her eyes focused on him alone as he turns towards her seeing her advance. He stops by the table then backs away from her. Slowly, she moves before the table forcing Zeon to back towards the bed that faces across from the other set of sliding doors. “Annabelle…what are you…” “I wouldn’t leap in here Zeon…you might break something…” She cuts him off in a more seductive wanting tone.

Zeon’s eyes widen from the change in Annabelle’s voice as he backs away from her still. Forgetting there was a large carpet underneath the enormous bed; Zeon slips on it by mistake; falling onto the bed with a slight yell. Groaning a little from the fall, Zeon had shut his eyes, but opens them slowly. His eyes widen seeing Annabelle over his frame with her yukata open; exposing some of her naked body to him.

“Annabelle! What are you doing!?” He exclaims in a mixture of confusion, fear, and shock as a great deal of red appears on his cheeks while trying to keep his eyes on Annabelle’s face. She gazes deep into his eyes with her paws placed gently along the sides of his head with her legs apart on the sides of his body. “Zeon…I love you…” His eyes widen from her words, but before he could say anything, Annabelle quickly presses her soft lips against his; catching Zeon off guard.

He feels the warmth of her lips against his own while hearing his heart beating a bit quickly in his own ears. His eyes widen a bit more while he slightly trembles under Annabelle’s person; gripping the sheets tight in his grasp. Meili remains where she stood watching the both of them, her hands against her chest, unable to pull away from the scene before her sad eyes. Annabelle deepens her kiss on Zeon’s lips, shifting herself a bit so that she was resting on Zeon’s body.

She shuts her eyes slowly moving her head to the right a little to feel more of his lips against hers with her tail moving gently against his right leg then his left in a pendulum manner. Zeon shakes in disbelief, unable to stop her or move from under her as he slowly loosens his grip on the sheets. Slowly, his eyelids begin to lower as his fearful shocked expression changes to one of desire. Annabelle breaks the kiss the moment she heard him loosen his grip; panting before his face while gazing deep into his eyes once more.

Zeon open his eyes a bit looking into her eyes showing confusion, but the same desire as he watches her sit up along his lap. With a wanting smile, she moves her paws to the upper parts of her yukata then lowers it down from her shoulders to her waist; exposing her entire torso to his gaze. Zeon’s eyes widen seeing Annabelle like this, but he quickly shuts his eyes tight; turning his head to the left while trembling under Annabelle’s weight.

“Zeon…Look at me…Look at my body closely…Take in all that I am…” Annabelle spoke getting up from his lap. Zeon continues to tremble as Annabelle takes extra care to remove her yukata from her entire body. She tosses it to the floor then turns her attention back to Zeon’s face in wait. “…From the bottom of my heart…I’m sorry for all the harsh things I said to you and all the trouble I caused you…but if you accept me right now…You can have me…all of me…”

Her tone was far sweeter then ever as a deep shade of red forms on her cheeks. She moves herself towards Zeon’s face then gently holds his cheeks in her grasp. Slowly, she shifts him to face her noticing his fear. Gently she places her forehead against his then softly licks his lips with the tip of her tongue. Her tail coils around his right leg in a tender fashion as Annabelle remains still in wait of Zeon’s next action.

“Zeon…please don’t keep me waiting…I beg you…” She spoke as Zeon slowly opens his eyes gazing into Annabelle’s. Slowly, she sits along his lap exposing herself once more before him with eyes of want and warmth directed towards him. Zeon looks towards Annabelle’s face, seeing her ears resting gently atop her head as his eyes slowly drift along her frame. From her face, he looks over her body carefully while trembling under her.

He takes in how fair and clean her skin has become as his eyes take in her supple breasts. Her pink nipples stand hard before his eyes as Zeon’s eyes trail beyond them towards her flat stomach. Finally his eyes come to a halt at her legs seeing her paws gently along her upper thighs. He looks carefully between her legs then trembles a bit more knowing what she had to offer him. “Take your time Zeon…I won’t rush you…” She said softly, but shifts a bit feeling Zeon sitting up before her. His gaze returns to her face as she lifts her right paw to his cheek.

Gently, she strokes his skin then smiles to him with a reassurance. Zeon’s trembling comes to an end feeling Annabelle’s warmth along his skin. He leans into her paw slightly, cuddling it as he turns his attention back to her face. She leans to his face and kisses his forehead softly as Zeon lowers his eyelids slightly from feeling her lips once more. Moving her right paw down to his hand, she guides his hand to her right breast.

Zeon watches in disbelief until she forces his palm against her soft breast a little hard; causing her to moan in delight loudly. “I’m sorry Annabelle! I never did anything like…” “Shhh Zeon…” She spoke softly with her eyes shut; guiding him to rub along her breasts further. “Don’t be so shy Zeon and don’t be afraid…You could never hurt me…So please…don’t neglect me…” She whispers, making him pleasure her breast further while moaning along his lap.

With each motion on her breast, Annabelle’s moans pick up in pitch with Zeon watching her in shock and concern. “I’ve…I’ve never done this…what if I make a mistake…” He thought trembling once again. Annabelle takes notice shutting her eyes slowly. With ease, she leaps from Zeon’s lap onto the floor with her paws gently resting along his knees. Meili slithers further into the room silently, getting a better view of what Annabelle was doing.

The Werecat turns her gaze back to Zeon’s face, watching him jump a bit in place from her sharper gaze. She smiles kindly to him, calming down quickly before him as she slowly drifts her paws along his yukata until she feels the obi in her paws. Zeon’s trembling resumes as he watches Annabelle closely until his eyes widen greatly from Annabelle pulling the obi from his waist. With great speed, she forces his yukata off his frame and onto the bed.

“Oh no…What do I do now!?” Zeon thought worried; grasping the sheets once more. Annabelle pulls back from Zeon’s frame, her attention focused now on his crotch as her eyes widen in delight and joy from the sight of his cock standing on end before her. Zeon looks to his right ashamed as his cock pulsates before her eyes with a healthy color and shape. Lowering herself to her knees, Annabelle begins to paw at it like toy with a smile that only a cat in heat could show.

Over and over she bats and paws at the head then pushes against the middle. Placing her left paw on top of the head, she strokes it gently causing Zeon to tense up in place gripping the sheets as tight as he could. “Annabelle…Stop…” Was all Zeon could muster to say, feeling her warmth once again. Meili’s breathing hitched a little with her gaze now on Zeon’s cock. “It's…It’s so big…” She thought, feeling her body heat increase while smelling her own scent of arousal coming from her lower body.

Annabelle stops her pawing turning her attention back to Zeon’s face. “I’m sorry Zeon…but I couldn’t help myself…” She giggles turning her left paw over. She gazes at the precum along her paw and smiles proudly. She brings it to her lips; lapping it up slowly until there was no more. “It’s sweet…” She thought crawling back onto Zeon’s lap. Placing her paws along his shoulders, she looks down at him straddling herself above his cockhead.

“Be gentle…Please…” She whispers lowering herself down until her wet slit felt the tip of his cockhead. “Wait…Wait I’m not ready!” Zeon screams in a panic as Annabelle quickly grasps his cheeks once more. Their eyes meet once again as Annabelle witness the fear in Zeon’s eyes. Zeon trembles before her, seeing only peace and love in Annabelle’s gaze. Quickly, she slams her ass hard onto Zeon’s lap; forcing his cock deep into her slit while letting out a large orgasmic scream.

“Annabelle! I’m sorry! I…” Zeon screams in concern until he feels Annabelle wrap her arms and legs tight around his frame; trembling greatly against his body. She presses her chest against his while he looks towards her in the greatest of concern. Meili looks towards them in shock and fear slithering a bit closer, but stops part way, watching Annabelle pressing her forehead against his with small tears flowing from her eyes.

“No! Don’t apologize! Hold me…and give me everything…Give me everything you are Zeon…Now!” She screams in passion sitting up before him with a quivering smile. Zeon looks towards her still with concern, but she quickly kisses his lips causing him to jump. Trembling still, Zeon slowly wraps his arms around Annabelle’s slender frame. She deepens the kiss then bounces her body up and down along his cock.

Zeon moans through the kiss with his eyes widening from what he was feeling from Annabelle. Her insides tug hard on his cock with every bounce she performs while keeping her lips pressed firmly against his. Zeon looks deep into Annabelle’s eyes, but his fear softens quickly, seeing the gaze Annabelle was showing him. In her eyes was a deep devotion and love for him while enduring for him. Shutting his eyes, Zeon’s trembling stops all together as he thought, “…I’m an idiot…”

Zeon wraps his arms tighter against Annabelle’s back as she sits down along his lap completely. “The pain…it stopped…and now…” She thought, but her eyes widen feeling Zeon thrust his hips on his own. He breaks the kiss, panting from the pleasure while feeling his cock sliding deeper and deeper into Annabelle’s tight pussy. Annabelle quickly tightens her grip on Zeon’s body letting him take the pace while moaning loudly for him.

Her tears stop, feeling him continue his upward slams into her inner walls while letting out loving moans for him. Their scent fills the room slightly with Meili continuing to watch in disbelief. “Zeon! Give me everything you have! I love you!” She screams loudly then places her forehead against his once more. She begins to slam herself onto his lap to meet his thrusts as Zeon shuts his eyes panting more from the pleasure they were sharing.

Gritting his teeth, Zeon’s thrusts come to an end, but Annabelle continues to bounce on his lap picking up speed by the moment. “Annabelle…I’m…” Zeon mutters, holding back with some slight shakes of his body. “It’s…alright…give it to me…I want it…all of it…” She moans loudly for him, turning her pace into rapid bouncing until Zeon’s hands move quickly to her slender ass. He forces her to sit on his lap as he trembles against Annabelle again.

His eyes widen quickly then soften as he feels his cum leaving him and spraying deep within Annabelle’s walls. The moment she felt Zeon’s cum entering her body, the Werecat lets out an orgasmic meow with her body slightly arching from the warmth going into her. She cums right behind him with her eyes slightly rolling into the back of her head. Twitching along his lap and her paws firmly on his shoulders, the only thoughts going through her mind was: “No matter what…I’ll never leave you…I could never leave you…”

She falls quickly onto Zeon’s frame, both panting heavily with a great deal of sweat dripping down their skin. Zeon smiles slightly sitting up a little as he looks down at Annabelle with caring eyes. “Sorry I was so bad at this…” He thought kissing between her ears softly. He pulls back a little, hearing her purring as he gently rubs the top of her head with his left hand. Annabelle smiles satisfied resting her head against his chest and left shoulder until she begins to breathe softer against his flesh.

Gently, Zeon lays Annabelle on the bed to his left as he moans slightly feeling himself leaving her insides. He looks over her naked frame once again and smiles sitting up while watching her sleep gently along the sheets. “I see…She was right after all…The first one who touched you…would be your lover…” Meili spoke choked up as Zeon’s eyes widen from her sad choked up tone. Zeon stands up to face her, but upon looking at her face, his eyes widen from her expression.

Tears flow from her eyes, down to and off her cheeks; staining her yukata. While she tries to smile, her eyes show great sorrow and pain. Her hands clasp together against her chest as her smile slowly turns to a quivering one of pain. “Meili…” He spoke taking a single step towards her, but Meili slithers back slightly; shaking her head back and forth while keeping his person in her sight. “We let fate decide who would remain by your side and love you…And I lost…” She smiles more shutting her eyes as more tears flow.

“So I’ll leave you in Annabelle’s care…I won’t bother the two of you…But Zeon…know this…I’ll always be watching you both…and I will come to your aid…if she ever hurts you or…breaks your heart…” She finishes in pain then turns around from his gaze. Slowly, she slithers from his person thinking, “Just leave…Leave before it becomes unbearable…” Before she could reach the door, her eyes widen feeling her left wrist grasped gently.

Trembling slightly more tears flow from Meili’s eyes with a smile to match the pain. “Don’t stop me Zeon…Please…You’re Annabelle’s lover now…You don’t need me!” She screams brokenhearted, trying to break free from Zeon’s grip. He smiles looking at the back of her head then laughs in a low tone. “He’s…laughing…” She thought even more hurt. Quickly she turns around screaming, “You think my pain is funny to you?!”

She gasps in shock seeing his face. His expression was gentle and caring with his eyes looking directly at Meili’s face. “I’ve been with you two through so much…What makes you think I want that to change? Besides, if you wanted what Annabelle just had, all you had to do was ask me.” He grins to her like his normal self as Meili smiles in a quivering manner looking at Zeon’s face. “Re…Really…You…You mean…”

Before she could finish Zeon steps closer to her then grins widely. He pushes her hard onto the floor from a playful tackle as she falls with a light thud. She groans, but looks upward wide eyes seeing Zeon over her; smiling lovingly to her. His hands plant firmly on the floor beside her head. “No! Zeon don’t do this! You’ve already slept with Annabelle! She’s claimed you as hers!” She screams in protest grasping his elbows tight.

She begins to push him away with no luck as Zeon looks into her eyes unwavering. He leans down to her neck and gently plants soft kisses along her flesh with his eyes shut. His body presses gently against hers as Meili’s eyes widen from the sensations running through her skin. Quickly her protesting comes to an end as her long tail begins to coil itself around Zeon’s legs. Quickly it travels along his naked frame then around hers; forcing the two closer to one another until they were gazing into each others eyes.

He smiles to her happily and knowingly while she gazes into his eyes in disbelief and fear. Slightly, he looks around seeing her tail coiling around them as his smile widens a bit. His gaze turns more loving and kind as he gazes deeper into her eyes. Laying on her gently, he moves his arms to her head while she watches him in fear; trembling herself from what was happening. In the utmost care, he holds her head gently while gazing at her still.

He giggles a little, “I guess your tail did this without you knowing…Your body speaks a lot better then your mouth Meili…Just like Annabelle. That part of you both…I’ve really come to love…” She blushes darkly from his words as he in turn does the same, gazing at her. She gazes into his eyes as the fear in her melts into nothing. In her eyes was the same love, devotion, and desire she had for him, but it was far deeper than before. It was like Annabelle’s gaze towards him as she moves her arms to his head.

Gently, she places her hands along his cheeks as Zeon waits. Quickly, she pulls him down to her lips as she kisses his as deeply as she could. “He…He does love me…” She thought as a single tear falls from her left eye. Zeon kisses her back but with a sloppier result. Meili shifts her head to her right to give Zeon better access to her lips. The moment she does, their kiss was far better as they both keep their eyes shut during their embrace.

The two remain still for sometime as they kiss each other. The two break the kiss gently as Zeon sits up despite the weight of Meili’s tail. Smiling to her, she uncoils her tail and quickly slithers away from his person. Zeon watches slightly as she stands in the path of the balcony with the light of the night shining on her body. In a seductive manner, she removes her yukata; tossing it on top of Annabelle’s.

Zeon gets to his feet as she turns to him facing him with her arms in a welcoming manner before him. “Please…Take me Zeon…I offer all that I am to you and more…No matter how much you crave…” She spoke with love in her tone as Zeon looks her over carefully. He gazes at her breasts that were far larger then Annabelle’s, but her nipples were a lighter shade of pink in comparison. Her waist was slender with her long white tail alluring to the eye, but Zeon’s attention stops at her crotch. Her slit was fully exposed and greatly wet with some of juices sliding down onto her scales as Zeon’s gaze returns to Meili’s.

“Please…Don’t make me wait any longer Zeon…I need you…” She spoke with a wanting smile as he slowly advances towards her. Moving her arms outward, she shuts her eyes, feeling Zeon tackling her to the floor once more. She braces herself feeling him against her frame, but keeps her tail from coiling around them both. Gently, she holds him for a moment in her arms, but then lowers him towards her breasts.

He blinks confused, seeing them before his eyes as his blush grows at having them. “I offer this first as a meal to you Zeon…” She watches in wait as he smiles shutting his eyes. “Thank you for the meal…” He spoke gently as he lowers his face to her breasts. Slowly, he licks along her right breast causing Meili to moan loudly in desire. A wide smile forms on her face as Zeon takes his time tasting her skin. “Yes…” Meili thought; feeling Zeon’s warm wet tongue trailing along her flesh.

When his tongue reaches her nipple, he gently runs the tip over it slowly as he opens his eyes slightly making sure not to mess up. He sits up for a moment then opens his mouth slightly. He takes her nipple into his mouth and gently sucks like a child to his mother. The sensation causes Meili to moan louder with her right hand firmly on the top of Zeon’s head while her left gently rubs along his neck and some of his hairs.

He continues to suck in a gentle manner causing Meili to squirm under him impatiently, but moan in pleasure none the less. “Please…Be one with me! Just like you were with Annabelle! I don’t care anymore! Zeon I love you!” She exclaims pressing her hands firmly against his scalp and neck. His eyes widen from her declaration as he sits up pulling from her nipple. He looks deep into her eyes in disbelief asking, “You…love me too…?”

She nods in response covering her face with her hands. Tears begin to flow from her eyes once more as they fall into her hair that rests along the floor. Zeon reaches for her hands slowly, keeping his attention on her. Gently, he moves them away seeing her crying with a smile of love on her face. “Please…Please…” She pleads as Zeon smiles in response with a gentle nod. He lays himself on top of her, feeling his cock against her crotch and waits.

Quickly, Meili’s long tail coils around the two of them until they were as tightly pressed together as they could be to one another’s body. “It’s…a little tight…” He spoke with a wince in his face from feeling the tip of her tail resting on the back of his head. His eyes widen a little feeling a good amount of heat against his crotch and erection. Zeon feels how warm and wet she is as she shifts herself so that his cockhead was pressing against her entrance.

“Wait! I…” “Shhh…” Was all Meili said as she uses her tail to force him into her gently. Zeon winces from the tightness of Meili’s insides and her tail holding them close, but Meili screams in bliss, feeling every inch of him entering into her body despite the slight pain her face had. Zeon looks at her in concern, but winces from the pressure of her tail coiling tighter on them both. He endures for the moment, but sighs in relief feeling Meili loosen her grip on them both the moment the last of his cock was within her.

“He…He’s inside of me…We’re finally one…” She thinks delighted as she begins to move herself along his cock quickly. “Are…Are you alright?” He whispers in between pants until he feels Meili’s arms wrap around his shoulders. Quickly, she pulls him to her lips; forcing another deep kiss onto his lips. Zeon’s eyes widen feeling Meili’s warm tongue pushing past his lips and into his mouth as he melts from this new sensation.

Meili continues to thrust herself against his body while running her tongue against his, making sure not to cause him any discomfort. Her thrusts became more passionate as she looks towards Zeon in a love sick trance as Zeon keeps his eyes shut, savoring every second of their love making. “It’s…its different then with Annabelle…” He thought savoring the pleasure as the two continue to run their tongues against one another quickly.

Breaking the kiss, Meili holds Zeon as tightly as she could to her chest; picking up her pace while letting out louder moans. “More Zeon! Give me more! Even more then you gave Annabelle!” She screams with loud moans as Zeon thrusts his hips against her, doing his best to fill her insides. Meili’s walls held onto Zeon tightly while the smell of her juices fill both of their noses. With each thrust he offers to her, Meili’s body temperature increases, causing her to look towards him with lewder eyes.

“Meili…I’m…” He spoke trembling as he holds onto her body tightly. “Go on! Let me have your children! As many as you want! Please my husband!” She screams then quickly kisses his lips with her eyes shut tightly. Zeon trembles against her kiss, but calms quickly, savoring the kiss as his cum quickly rushes into her inner walls. Meili convulses under Zeon from the large orgasm she feels overcoming her entire being while her arms and tail held him as tight as she could.

With her eyes glazing over from all that Zeon had given to her, she thinks overjoyed: “Zeon…You’re my love…The only man I love…I’ll never let you go…” She pants greatly under him with her eyes shut as her tail begins to slowly uncoil from both of their frames. Once fully freed from her grasp, Zeon sits up slightly looking down at her in concern, but with a warm smile. “Are you alright?” He asks as she slowly lifts her arms up; wrapping them around his neck gently. She pants with a joyous smile gazing deep into his eyes with her glazed over eyes, “Everything is perfect Zeon…Just perfect…”

He nod slightly, but blinks hearing a low pitch meow to his left. Looking towards the bed, he sees Annabelle lying on the bed’s edge with her tail moving slowly in the air before all. A large grin was on her face as her gaze focuses on Zeon with a look of pure love. “I thought you were going to leave Meili…That’s what we agreed on…” She spoke sweetly as Meili keeps her gaze on Zeon only; holding him tighter as she sits up before the Werecat.

“I was going to leave…but…Zeon stopped me…And…I couldn’t help myself…He’s such a beast Annabelle!” She answers honestly keeping her attention on Zeon with a lustful smile. “That he is…” Annabelle agrees, looking towards him still as both monsters gaze at his face with deep love in their eyes. Zeon however shifts his gaze between the two confused with the scent of sweat, lust, and cum along his skin.

“Wait a minute! What did you two talk about!? What’s going on!?” He exclaims as both monsters giggle happily with Annabelle sitting up on all of her paws. She growls lustfully towards the both of them with Meili shifting her attention towards Annabelle. “Don’t worry about that for now Zeon…We’ll tell you later…” Annabelle spoke her eyes lock onto Zeon seeing him as her prey. He looks towards her fearfully as he tremble a little in Meili’s arms.

“For now…Just know…” Meili spoke in a similar tone looking towards Zeon as her prey as well with a smirk to match. He looks towards her in fear trying to pull away, but feels Meili’s long tail wrap around both his ankles. He looks back at his ankles until he hears them both shout, “WE’RE NOT LETTING YOU GO!” They exclaim loudly as Annabelle pounces onto Zeon’s back; forcing him against Meili’s front.

Both monsters smirk in their own lustful way as Annabelle licks along one side of Zeon’s neck with Meili doing the same. Zeon quivers against them both feeling their bodies against his own causing his cock to grow against Meili’s body. “Already he wants us Annabelle…” Meili spoke lewdly moving her nose to Zeon’s, gently rubbing it against his slowly. “I hope so…He’s not getting any sleep for awhile…” Annabelle spoke lewdly keeping her gaze on Zeon’s face.

The room quickly fills with the smells of lust as Annabelle and Meili take their time pleasuring and tasting Zeon’s body. The two do their best to keep him satisfied and happy with one offering her slit to Zeon’s lips or their breasts, allowing him to lick and suck along them while the other took his cock within their mouth or deep within their pussies. Both monsters’ gazes were loving yet lustful, seeing Zeon struggling under them, but also showing an expression of want of the two as they continue to take him for sometime through the night on the floor before the balcony. The two continue to take what Zeon has to offer, becoming more drunk from the pleasure and cum he gives them while Zeon’s fear vanishes, turning into love for the two as his smile shows with every passing moment.

Further within the night, the three end their love making as they lay along the bed, covered in each others juices and sweat. Zeon sits up between the two of them, looking them over with a calm smile. The two monsters had looks of pure satisfied bliss with smiles to match as they rest gently along the sheets. Zeon begins to move from the bed towards the edge, but stops as his eyes widen, feeling his wrists both being held gently.

Looking behind him, he sees Annabelle and Meili looking towards him with pleading looks of love. Annabelle holds onto his right wrist with Meili holding onto his left. His smile returns as he shuts his eyes in defeat. Falling back onto the bed, he lays still between them as the two monsters shut their eyes happily. Slowly, they move towards his face breathing in his scent as they gently kiss one of his cheeks respectively.

Zeon blushes a dark shade of red feeling their lips along his skin as Annabelle moves her paw to his hand with Meili moving her hand to his. Both girls hold his hands gently in their grasp never moving from where they were. “Zeon…I know I put you through a lot…but I’ll make each day happier…” “I want you to know…that I will be devoted to you forever….and I will make you happy.” “But you need to make a promise to me….” “For Meili….” “For Annabelle…” The two monsters had similar thoughts as they press their lips firmer against his cheeks. “Please don’t leave us…Don’t ever abandon us…Because…we love you…with all our hearts…”

Zeon gently holds Annabelle’s paw in his grasp and Meili’s hand in his own at the same time. Annabelle places her other paw on top of Zeon’s hand with Meili doing the same with her hand. Breaking the kiss the two monsters place their heads gently along one of Zeon’s shoulders. The three smile happily as they quickly drift off to slumber with the scents still within the air. Both monsters coil their tails gently along his ankles to make sure he couldn’t leave, but also to keep him close.

The following morning, Zeon, Annabelle, and Meili stand outside the Kokoro Ryu as he examines his fully cleaned gi along his body. Annabelle and Meili watch in their normal clothing completely clean with Akio, Chieko, Katsumi, and Takao watching them from the entrance in similar warm kimonos. Zeon smiles proudly with a nod turning to the monsters standing behind him, “It feels really nice and clean!” Both nod happily as they turn to leave, “Shall we go now that we all have our things?” Meili asks as Zeon nods, walking towards them.

“Where are you going now?” Chieko asks as Zeon turns to face her. “To see more of Zipangu! I want to see more of it and know what it has to offer so I plan to keep going!” “Well don’t be a stranger alright?” Akio spoke standing with his wife and daughter with a smile. Chieko nods in agreement happily. “There’ll always be a room waiting here for you all whenever you return. And from myself and all of my workers, we thank you for staying and helping my family.” Takao bows to them all as Katsumi runs towards Zeon; hugging his legs the moment she gets close.

“Come back soon ok?” She speaks cuddling to his legs until she feels Zeon kneel before her with his normal smile. “Of course. We’re friends right?” She nods happily shouting, “YEAH!” Zeon gets to his feet and quickly waves to them all as Katsumi does the same giggling happily. The three run from the front of the Kokoro Ryu with Zeon leading the way. The three traverse through the numerous passing people as those who knew of them watch their movements closely.

Zeon begins to laugh with each step he takes as Annabelle smiles from the sound of his laughter running behind him. Meili giggles sweetly, following after the Werecat as the three vanish from the family’s view. “You know…It’s very rare for a Shirohebi to share her lover with anyone else. I had a feeling he'd win them both over somehow and I’m very happy he did.” Takao nods as he finishes. Katsumi runs back to her family standing before her parents as the four of them walk inside the building.

After a short amount of time, the three make their way towards one of the paths leading from Zanbu Jiyuu. Annabelle and Meili keep their gazes on Zeon rather then what lie ahead as their hearts beat for the young man that ran before them. “Come on! Let’ go!” Zeon shouts looking back at the two as their smiles widen as they did their best to keep up. Looking ahead, Zeon slows his pace to let the two monsters keep up with him as they each ran into the vast fields of Zipangu.