Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Shane started to back away as Rai crawled towards him on her hands and knees.

“Listen!” Shane said. “It’s not that big of a deal. Who cares about one lousy vial of red liquid?”

Rai growled. “Who cares? Did I hear you right? Do you know nothing about your kind?”

Shane shrugged. “I know that we’re greedy.”

“You have no idea!” she snapped.

“I do,” Shane defended himself. “One time, I was jumping from house to house in the middle of the winter. Turns out, they wouldn’t let me use the shower, nor were they willing to let me eat.” Rubbing his chin, he smiled. “That was one of the better winters. It was much easier to steal the food when everyone is half-frozen.”

Rai’s expression softened. “You really have no idea what the liquid is, do you?”

“Yup. It was red and was thick. The vial wasn’t overly big, but it seemed like it would be really hard to break.” Tapping his temple, he added as if a sudden memory came back to him, “It was heavily guarded. I found that odd, since it was such a little thing.”

Rai groaned. “You didn’t think that maybe you shouldn’t steal something that guarded?”

“Nope!” Shane chirped. “The coin I received was enough to eat for a week without stealing. Do you know what I could with that money at the gambling hall?”

Shane watched Rai close her eyes and inch closer until their knees were touching again. “I bonded myself to an idiot.”

“Probably,” Shane said. “But I did save your life, and all I got for it was tremendous pain and now a lecture.”

“Oh, I haven’t started lecturing you yet,” Rai hissed.

“Did I ever tell you about the time Old Marge caught me and Rachel sneaking away with one of her pies? That was a good pie.” Licking his lips, he smiled as he remembered the sweet strawberry taste. Shaking his head, he said, “That’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say is that while Rachel ran with the pie, I was caught by the ear. Boy, can that woman talk. I think I still have the scars from where she beat me.” Lifting his shirt, he tried to look at his back. Turning, he showed Rai. “Do I still have scars?”

Rai touched his back. “There’s a few. But what does this have to do with me lecturing you?”

“I’m getting there,” Shane huffed. “What I was trying to say was that Old Marge knew how to lecture, and I mean properly lecture. I think I was in her house for four hours while she scolded me about stealing. Also beating me, but that’s beside the point. The point is… I’m not really sure where I need to go with this. I guess you can lecture me now.”

Rai watched him for several seconds before opening her mouth. She slowly closed it again.

“Fox got your tongue?” Shane asked.

“Why did you need to steal a pie, and how old were you?”

“I was eight-ish, and I was hungry. That was two-ish years after the world ended. Dad didn’t make it out of the Descendance, and I drove the car for the first time the day the world ended. Good times…”

Once again, Rai opened her mouth and closed it slowly.

“You’re going to catch flies if you keep gawking like that.”

Furrowing her brow, Rai shook her head. “You said you were six when my kind came?”

“Yup, just in the bloom of my youth. Summer barbeques, playing baseball in the sandlot, eating cake.”

“What? What does cake have to do with those things?” Rai asked, a tight frown on her face.

“You know what cake is?” Shane asked excitedly. Then he frowned. “I bet you’ve never had cake. Old Marge made the best cake.”

“She made pie and cake?”

“Yup!” Shane chirped. “Do I smell meat?” Sniffing the air, Shane homed in on the roasted meat smell from the next room. “I haven’t had meat in years. Well, that’s not true. I’ve had the fake meat that the vendors sell.”

Rai pinched the bridge of her nose. “There was meat, but I ate it…”

“You ate my meat?” Shane asked, his mouth hanging open before he narrowed his eyes. “How dare you!”

Grabbing his vest, Rai growled. “It wasn’t your meat!”

“My name was on it!” Shane growled in return.

“No, it wasn’t!” Throwing up her hands, Rai scooted back.

“You probably didn’t see it. Knowing you, you burnt off my name when you cooked it. Now I’m hurt.”

“I don’t even know what we’re talking about anymore,” Rai muttered.

“Meat cake!” Shane claimed. “There was this picture of a kid, well, before you destroyed my world. Anyways, the kid had a cake made out of meat and mashed potatoes.”

Running a hand down her face, Rai groaned. “I’m positive we were not talking about meat cake.”

“How do you know? Did you eat that too?”

Glaring at him, she bared her teeth. “I’m going to eat you and take back my essence.”

Waving a finger at her, Shane clucked his tongue. “That isn’t very nice. Also, this is one of the best lectures I’ve ever had.”

“The vial!” Rai snapped. “You stole the vial! How could you? Do you even know what that vial could be used for?”

“Nefarious deeds!” Shane said while holding up his fist and flexing his arm. “When the world falls, true evil will present itself!”

“The world already fell, you idiot!” Rai retorted, her chest vibrating.

“You’re growling a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Is it something I’ve said?” Shane asked with a tilt of his head, his fist still raised in the air.

Mouth agape, she stared at him incredulously. “What is wrong with you?”

“I’ve been told I’m a handsome boy one too many times,” he said.

Pressing her head against the den’s wall, Rai whimpered. “Who have I bonded to?”

“You should try smacking your head against the wall,” Shane suggested. “It tends to help me think and distracts me from hunger.”

Turning, she glared at him. “You’re not helping!”

Scooting back, he held up his hands. “Sorry! Anyways, your attitude reminds me of the ladies when they get on their period. They’re all over the place with topics and can’t focus. Also angry and grumpy.”

“That’s it!” Rai screamed before throwing herself at him.

Shane tried to dodge, but he was still weak from the transformation and lack of food. She connected and brought them both to the ground before she straddled his hips and held his hands above his head.

“Kinky,” Shane said with a wink. “I think we can use these roots for bondage. What do you say?”

Whimpering, she rested her forehead against his chest. “Do you take anything seriously?”

“Would you believe me if I said I thought you were beautiful?”

“No,” Rai hissed through her teeth.

“Your tail looks really soft. Can I touch it?”

“No!”

“I’m told I’m very good at brushing out hair. That’s one of those skills that helps with the ladies.”

Actual tears wetted his shirt, and for the first time, he felt bad. Nudging the top of her head with his nose, he whispered, “I’m sorry. I know we need to get the vial back, but what it does isn’t important. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll make it happen.”

Looking up, she met his gaze. “Just like that?”

“Yup! But, uh…” He glanced down. “Those tight jeans aren’t doing me any favors with you sitting on my waist.”

Blushing from her chest to her ears, Rai scrambled off him. “I thought I felt you.”

“Yup. I react quickly to pretty ladies riding me.”

“I wasn’t riding you!” Rai protested.

“You held my hands above my head and talked about tying me up. All that was left was slipping me out of my pants.”

“I didn’t talk about that! You did!”

“I’m pretty sure it was you.” Shane smiled. “I remember your words like they were yesterday.” Tapping his nose, he stoically said, “The roots would be perfect to tie you up, Shane.”

Closing her eyes, Rai rubbed the bridge of her nose before letting out an exasperated sigh. Sniffing the air, her eyes popped open and she scowled at. “We can’t get the vial back until you train. You’re going to have a new level of power that you will need to acclimate to.”

“Oh! Are you going to teach me kung fu?” Shane asked excitedly before sitting up. “Are we going to beat up the bad guys?”

“Stop talking, or you are never going to touch my tail.”

Shane mimed zipping his lips.

“Good,” Rai said with a nod. “Now that we are bonded as Summoner and Summon, we have increased physical abilities. We are faster, stronger, more flexible, and can even multitask better. Everything is improved, but that doesn’t mean you can simply use that increase. We need to start you on strength training and running. I’ll also help you with puzzle games to hone your mind.”

Shane started vibrating in his spot.

“Just say it,” Rai groaned.

“Kung fu!” Shane cheered.

“No! That comes after we reach your limits. You’ll tear your muscles if we jump straight into fighting. You will also need to learn how to use my powers for yourself without damaging your body.”

Shane froze. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m a fire fox, and you can now use fire powers,” Rai explained.

“No, I can’t. That’s not how Summons work.” Shane swallowed hard. “To be honest, I’m surprised you’re talking and have a new form.”

“I’m a Descendant,” Rai said. “I’m not one of those bastardized creations that you humans make.”

“We make?” Shane asked.

Nodding, Rai reached out and took his hand. “You have so much to learn.”

“I do, don’t I!” Shane chirped before squeezing her hand in return. “But I’m not going to be able to learn anything if I don’t eat soon.”

Letting go of his hand, Rai smiled. “First, I’ll show you your new home. Then I will go out and hunt. I’ll need my fox form back, and thankfully that isn’t something you can control.”

“What can I control?” Shane asked.

“Not much, to be honest.” Rai giggled. “I’ll explain more as we start training. But first, we get meat. After that, I will cook for you, and then we can stock the pantry.”

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“There’s a pantry?”

“There are many things in this den.”

“Are we sharing a bed?” Shane asked warily, his frown growing as his eyes narrowed.

“We are going to do more than share a bed.” Laughing at his expression, Rai moved to the next room.

***

Rai stretched out her back as she crawled on her hands and knees. The room was tall enough to stand in, but she wanted Shane to stare. He’s a very odd and exhausting man. But he seems to know that he messed up, and he wants to help.

When a hand grazed her tail, she froze. Looking back, she found Shane pinching the tip of it.

“I was right,” he said. “Super soft. Do you think you can bury me in your tail?”

Frowning, Rai shook her head. “Did I just guide you into a fetish?”

“Probably,” he admitted.

Rai smiled to herself as she turned forward. That was easy, she thought.

Getting to her feet, Rai brushed herself off. Shane joined her as they entered the next room.

“As you could tell, the room we were just in will be our pantry. It has a water source,” Rai explained. Looking around the current room, she pointed out the firepit off to the side. “That’s where we’ll cook our food.”

“What about smoke and suffocation?” Shane asked.

Rai smirked. “Well, I haven’t suffocated you yet, so I don’t think you have to worry.”

“Har dee har har,” Shane mumbled. “Someone turned on their fun switch.”

Narrowing her eyes, she poked him in the chest. “This room is for us to relax and cook.” Pointing with her free hand at the two other rooms that they hadn’t explored yet, she added, “The right room leads to our bedroom. The left leads out of the den. My scent is all over this place, so other Descendants will not bother us. I also need to get my scent all over you so that you are safe.”

“Uh-huh.” Shane chuckled. “Is that what we’re going with?”

Poking him again, she stepped into his personal space. “Yes. Now be happy I don’t strip you right here and now. Those clothes are god-awful.”

“You still aren’t wearing a shirt, so don’t judge me,” Shane said. Kicking out his feet, he drew Rai’s attention. “Also, I at least have shoes on.”

Leaning in until she was next to his ear, she whispered, “I don’t care.”

Shane stepped back. Crossing his arms, he looked around the room before reaching out and touching the dirt walls.

Rai walked towards the exit. “I want you to start stretching. Find the limit of your new body. Don’t play with your tattoo!”

Turning, she found him already fingering his tattoo again. Smacking her palm against her forehead, she groaned.

“What?” he asked innocently.

I have to admit, the tattoo I gave him is much larger than I expected. It’s almost like his body was made to take my essence. That worries me slightly, she thought to herself.

His tattoo ran from his shoulder all the way down to his wrist, wrapping completely around his arm. The sharp lines and swirls were mesmerizing to look at. And he was still tracing his finger along them.

“Stop that!” she chided.

Pulling his hand away, he pouted. “Stop being mean to me. If I want to play with myself, I should be able to.”

Covering her mouth, she hid her smile. He has a twisted way with words.

Turning away again, she brushed her tail across his chest. Just a small feel to keep him interested.

Stepping out of the den, she hurried up the slope. The forest stretched all around her, but the den wasn’t hiding. It was large enough that her fox form could walk upright to get in. She wasn’t small either.

Rubbing her hands together, she called on the power of their bond. Before, if she wanted to use her humanoid form, she simply could. Now she had to flow the power through Shane to transform.

Her body started to stretch as she dropped to her hands and knees. Fur sprouted from her body as her clothes disappeared. Within seconds, she was fully grown once again.

Looking over her body, she thought, I look good. But I have a feeling Shane likes my humanoid form more.

Sniffing the air, she inhaled the fresh scents of the forest. The slight stink of the bugs in the soil, the decaying leaves on the ground, the pine needles and spores of the pinecones. It was home, or at least what she could call home since she came to this planet.

It was true that her kind destroyed the world, but it was out of anger for being dragged here. She had been eight in human years when she came over, much smaller than she was now, but she still remembered burning humans that tried to approach her.

Some of her people were captured by the humans, and she knew what became of them. They were tortured and broken until they gave up their essences. Those essences were studied and reproduced by the humans into what were now called the Marked.

Shane was likely the only person in the world that was a true Marked, one with the full power of a Descendant—a Summoner. There might be more out there, but she hadn’t heard of them. Then again, it wasn’t like her people were close to one another.

Glancing back at her den, she sniffed the air again. Shane’s dirty scent reached her, and she sneezed. I’m taking him to the river after he eats.

Turning back to the forest, she started her hunt. She was far enough away from the city that animals populated the area. Her favorite was deer and bear. She didn’t know which one Shane would like.

I’ll start with the deer, she mumbled to herself.

Stalking through the forest, she made no sound. Her paws deftly touched the ground, and her tail was still as it trailed behind her. Long ago, she had trimmed the trees in the area so she could walk below the upper branches.

It didn’t take her long to come across the scent of a herd of deer. The whitetails were amazing to eat, especially when warmed. Their fur was a little hard to get around, but she hoped that Shane would be able to help with that.

Slinking through the trees, she approached the herd. Her flames licked through her fur as her excitement ramped up.

This is going to be so good! I haven’t had deer in a few weeks since I got injured.

She still needed to explain to Shane how she got injured so badly. The fact that she smelled him entering her forest and found him was a miracle, especially when he held no traces of the Marked taint the humans were known for. She knew the Marked were the only ones that left the cities. They even delivered the food and supplies.

Lying in tall grass, the herd had bedded down for the day. Shifting her paws on the ground, she calculated the power she would need to spring forward. The dirt pressed between her toes, giving her a euphoric feeling.

For Shane! she screamed in her head before leaping over the grass.

Her paws came crashing down on a doe that looked plump and ready for eating. The rest of the herd scattered from the attack.

Twisting her paw, she snapped the neck of the doe, ending its life quickly. With her prize in hand, she picked it up with her teeth, feeling warm blood seep between her teeth.

I have to remember not to carry Shane in my mouth again. He bled pretty badly last time.

Turning towards home, she wondered what Shane was going to say about her catch. She also was curious if he knew how to gut it, or would she be teaching him that?

***

Shane sat with his legs out in front of him. Bending towards his toes, he felt his muscles pull tight as he stretched them in a way that he hadn’t been able to before. He was nearly lying on top of his legs as he reached past his feet, touching his fingers to the hard, packed dirt.

That hurts. But I can’t complain about the efficiency that the bond increased me by.

Sitting like that for nearly a minute, he let the pain fade away. He didn’t know much about stretching, but he remembered a few things he used to do in gym class.

Coming back up, he rolled his arms, stretching them behind his back before bending to the side. I really wish Rai was here to show me what to do. Shaking out his arms after nearly a minute, he switched sides. I don’t think this is doing anything…

After another minute, he decided to give up. Pulling off his shoes, he threw them towards the firepit. “She’s going to make me burn them anyways,” he grumbled. “But what the hell am I supposed to do about clothes?” Touching his now holey vest, he frowned. “She didn’t have to puncture my vest to ribbons.”

Even his pants were torn and punctured. All he could do was roll his eyes at the memory of being carried off. “That hurt almost worse than being Marked. But she healed me, somehow. I have so many questions for that fox.” Pausing, he chuckled. “I’m talking to myself again. What happened to internal thoughts?”

“Shane?” Rai mentally poked him.

“Yes, my truest love?” he teased in return.

No response.

“Um, Rai, did I break you?” Shane asked.

“Shut up and come outside!”

“Feisty. I can work with that.”

Rai groaned in his head as he got up. His body was still weak, and he wobbled as he climbed up the slope to get outside.

A breeze of fresh air fluttered his vest. Inhaling deeply, he smiled. “It’s so nice to be alive.”

Rai stepped out of the tree line, carrying a dead doe. “What is wrong with you?”

“Your tail is much bigger in this form. Is that my blanket for the night?” he asked.

Dropping the doe at his feet, she transformed back into her humanoid form. Her clothes conjured around her, including a shirt and boots this time.

“Were you dropped as a baby?” she asked.

“Dropped into a pool of awesomeness!” Striking a pose with one leg out in front and his fist in the air, he gazed towards the sky.

He could practically feel Rai’s glare burning into him.

“You need to help me with this,” she said. “If you don’t know how to gut and skin a deer, you are going to learn.”

Dropping his pose, he moved to her side. “Show me,” he said seriously.

Rai paused. Glancing at him with one brow raised, she pointed to the crotch of the doe. “We are going to start here and cut our way up to the sternum. We’ll pull out the innards and use them as bait for more prey.”

Shane looked around. “I don’t have a knife.”

Clucking her tongue, Rai said, “We’ll remedy that eventually. For now, just watch as I do this.”

Extending a long claw from one of her fingers, she quickly and deftly cut through the doe’s fur and skin.

Blood spilled from the body, and Shane stepped back. “This remind me of the time I caught a duck.”

“You caught a duck?” Rai asked, her voice filled with incredulity.

“Yup. Used a worn axe to cut off its head and bled it out. Me and Joseph plucked and cleaned it. Then like idiots, we sold it to a vendor. They shorted us, of course, and afterwards, we realized that we should have cooked it ourselves.”

Rai pulled out the doe’s innards. “It’s nice to know that you were always an idiot.”

“A sexy idiot, need I remind you,” Shane said with a huff. “Your tail is getting blood on it.”

Rai glanced over her shoulder and shrugged. “We’re going to the river to bathe after this. You stink, and it’ll give you a chance to learn how to care for my tail.”

Shane perked up. “I bathed a cat once. It didn’t go well. You’re not going to freak out like a wet cat, are you?”

Rai stopped as she removed the heart. “Can I pick a different human? I think mine is broken.”

“And miss out on my charm and wit?” Shane teased. “You would miss me the moment I was gone.”

“I certainly wouldn’t have a headache right now,” she shot back.

“If I rub your ears, will that help?” Shane asked eagerly.

Rai rolled her eyes before going back to work. “Are you even paying attention?”

“With the way your tail sways, not really. Why did I have to save your life anyways?”

Rai paused while pulling out the intestines. “I got into a fight with a Marked that ventured into my territory. I couldn’t let them leave and reveal my location, so I ate them. During the fight, their boar nearly gutted me.”

“I see…” he whispered. “Now our lives are tied together. I always wanted a better life.”

Rai looked up at him with sorrowful eyes. A slight frown was in place as her ears twitched.

“I’m sorry, Shane,” she said after a moment. “Because of my people, you lost everything. The only thing I can do now is promise you that it will be better.”

Shane swallowed his emotions and forced a smile into place. “Are we going to turn the hide into clothes for me? I don’t know if I feel comfortable wearing the skin of an animal.”

“No.” Rai chuckled. “I’m going to teach you how to conjure clothes. Then we are going to burn what you’re wearing.”

“Already threw my shoes into the pit. I’m ready to go, lady.”

“Good. But first we eat and then clean you.” Rai’s eyes glazed over. “Then I can help you strength train.”

“You’re hornier than a fox in heat,” Shane commented. Then he paused. “You’re not in heat, are you?”

Scowling, Rai shot a venomous glare at him. “You don’t ask a lady that!”

Holding up his hands, Shane stepped back. “I thought you were going to teach me how to gut this deer.”

“I am!” she snapped.

“Then why have you paused?” he asked. “We made it as far as removing most of the organs, but what about the skin?”

Pressing her hands together, she raised them to her mouth as if in prayer. “I’m not going to kill him. I’m not going to kill him.”

“That’s a very good mantra,” Shane said, further retreating.

Turning back to the doe, she finished gutting it before sliding her claw up to its neck, cutting the rest of the way through its fur. Without a word, she showed him how to peel the skin and cut it slowly.

“I see,” Shane said, leaning forward. “If you get me a knife, I think I’ll be able to do this next time.”

“Really? Just after one showing?” Rai asked.

“Yup! You’re a good teacher.” His stomach growled again, making him blush. “Is there any way we can finish this quickly?”

Rai continued to cut, giggling. “I’ll be done soon. Why don’t you stay nearby and gather some wood.”

“Yes, ma’am!” he chirped with a salute.

***

Rai watched as Shane walked away. His body seemed to twitch slightly as he moved. His shoulders were hunched, and his face gaunt. His shaggy black hair was greasy and unwashed, matted and tangled. He clearly hadn’t cut it in years. Despite the spark of humor behind his eyes, they still looked haunted and hard, bordering on black as they pierced his surroundings.

Everything has to be a joke to him, she thought to herself. If he can’t laugh, the reality of his life would strike him down.

She acted annoyed with him, and most of the time she really was, but she couldn’t stay mad. She had a lot to explain to him still, especially the fact that he would age slower as their bond grew. Eventually, he would stop aging altogether.

I have to make his life better. She followed him with her gaze as he bent over shakily to grab branches and twigs. His legs trembled as he tried to move, and for the first time, her heart ached. He’s so fragile right now.

Pulling the hide back from the doe, she continued her work but kept her eyes on her bond. She knew he wouldn’t open his heart to her easily, but she hoped he would in time. Their bond needed to grow.

I should warn him that he can have more than one tattoo. He’s not bound by the same rules as the other Marked. He’ll continue to grow in power with every bond he makes, until no one can stand against him.

She understood that power wouldn’t be his driving factor, but she wanted him to always be safe.

Did he leave anyone behind in the city? she asked herself. We have to go back before long. We have to recover that vial, or the whole city will die.

But first, she would train him. He needed to be able to fight, especially with so many Marked scouring the woods. They wouldn’t find them with how far away from the city they were, but that chance always remained.

Tomorrow. We’ll get started tomorrow after he recovers. I’ll take it easy on him at first until his strength returns. With plenty of meat, he’ll gain muscle and fill out.

Shane brought back a load of wood with a smile. “Is this enough to get started?”

Rai smiled. “Yes. Why don’t you drop it off in the fire pit and grab some more? I’ll be done with this shortly.”

“Okay!” Shane chirped. Then in a much lower voice, he whispered, “I’m glad I can contribute.”

Rai’s ears twitched as she heard him. My sweet bond, you’ve contributed more than you can ever understand. I’d be dead right now if you didn’t accept me.

Rai watched Shane enter the den before she turned back to the doe. Pulling on the hide, she neatly removed the rest of it. She would have to smoke most of the meat in order to preserve it, and she would have to bake the hide to store the meat in. She didn’t think Shane would like to eat meat off the floor.

Placing the doe on top of the hide for now, she started sectioning the meat. She wanted to cook a few steaks before her bond collapsed.

It didn’t take longer than a minute for Shane to come back out. He had a limp now, but he also had a determined expression. She wasn’t about to stop him from helping.

Still, she pursed her lips as she debated how to help him. She didn’t have the energy left to heal him a second time, but then again, she didn’t need to.

His weakness was from nutrition and running for his life. She couldn’t heal that with her essence.

Focusing on her task, she was nearly finished when Shane stepped up to her with another load.

“I’m sorry,” he said weakly. “I don’t think I can gather more than this.”

Rai smiled up at him. “I’ll be there to start the fire in a moment. Let me just pack this up and carry it down.”

Shane nodded and started towards the den. Despite his shaking body, he descended the slope and disappeared. Now it was her turn to make sure he relaxed and ate. After that, she would pamper him in the river and teach him how to stay warm in the tepid water. Then she would put him to bed and share her scent with him. That was the most she could do in the short amount of time they had left in the day.