They did get the return hike to themselves.
Tai met Rei's sidelong glance with a smile and then clasped his hand in hers. "Where's your favorite fishing hole?"
"I've got a couple, actually. There's a nice one on the coast near Rhapala. Ryu showed me that one. Caught a whopper of a Sea Bass there. Must've been bigger than my arm!"
Tai nodded, expression brightening. "I love that fishing spot. It's so peaceful, and the sound of the water against the sand and rocks..." She looked ahead with a wistful smile. "I love lying on the sand for hours listening and feeling the water tickle my toes." Tai looked back over to Rei, who watched her profile with a wide smile. "Where's the other one?"
"It's not the best for big fish, but it's great for seclusion. It's really pretty, too. Sammy told me about it."
"I'd love to see it."
"Sure thing. I can take you when we get back. There's some great hunting on the way, too."
Tai nodded, then she motioned to the blades at his side. "Do you hunt with those?"
"Sometimes." He sent her a sidelong glance.
"What."
"Well, we Worens... We..."
Tai examined his expression. "Rei?"
Rei halted and faced her. "Here. Let me show you." He released her hand and urged her to step back. "Now don't be scared. Okay?"
Tai arched an eyebrow. "It takes a lot to scare me, Rei."
"Yeah, well..."
Rei cleared his throat and set his stance, balling his hands into fists as his eyes began to glow. A growl began to rumble deep within and his form began to change, becoming more muscular and massive. More feral and powerful. More deadly than anything she'd seen before.
The Weretiger snarled, muscles quivering as the growl rumbled again. Tai covered her mouth with a hand, but she didn't step back and she pale or scream in terror. Instead, she stepped closer and her gaze held his.
"Oh my," she breathed. Tai slowly lifted a hand to his face, stroking his thick fur as she smiled. "Rei, why would I be scared of this? You're... You're gorgeous."
The grumble became a deep and throaty purr as the Weretiger pressed his face against her hand.
Tai stepped closer, and Rei moved his head to press his forehead softly against hers. Tai closed her eyes and released a slow breath, gently gripping each muscular arm to stroke the fur with her thumbs. The purring softened as the Weretiger moved his forehead from hers, instead giving a soft moan of a growl as he rubbed his cheek against hers. He even softly touched her ear with his damp nose. Tai began to purr as she released her hold on his arms to fully embrace him.
Rei's form began to change, but the purring from both continued. "That's never happened before," he whispered. "I... When you touched me and talked to me... The blind rage just... vanished."
Tai adjusted her hold around him. "Maybe because I wasn't afraid."
Rei softly smiled. "Maybe because you're my mate."
Tai lifted her head to look into his face and eyes. "Maybe," she whispered.
Tai smiled, and then she drew him close and placed a kiss on his mouth. Rei blinked in surprise, but with the strong draw he felt for Tai, surprise didn't last long. He was a Woren. They mated for life. They didn't hold back when they found their mate.
Tai pulled her slowly away, opening her eyes after a deep exhalation of breath. "Wow..."
Rei nodded with a whispered, "Yep." Then he slowly smiled. "Are you always like this?"
"I go with the moment, if that's what you're asking," Tai said, eyes twinkling.
Rei held her gaze before lowering his head to rest it against hers. His purr grew slightly in volume as he closed his eyes and breathed deep of her scent, caressing her face with his as her purr joined his.
"Rei..."
Rei's cheek softly moved against hers, his breath tickling her ear. "...Yeah?"
"I..." Deep breath. Another. "Shouldn't we..." Slow breath, nuzzle of nose against fur. "...people."
Rei smiled and slowly lifted his head, keeping the soft skin of her face touching his the entire way. He looked down into her flushed face – lips parted, eyes closed – and lightly kissed her. Then again. He pulled slightly away. "I guess now's not the best time to mate, huh?"
Tai chuckled and opened her eyes, shaking her head.
Rei caressed the softness of her cheek and jaw... then lowered his hands to his side and took hold of hers to lead her ahead. "Sorry."
"For what?"
"Starting what I can't finish."
"I didn't mind," she responded softly. "Gives me something to look forward to."
Rei chuckled as he sent her a sidelong glance. "There's a not-so-great fishing spot at the base of Mt. Myrneg. You wanna try getting fish for dinner."
Tai nodded. "I stop there all the time."
Rei watched her profile, and the stripes, and the hint of fur... "You're really pretty, Tai."
Tai's eyes crinkled with the smile she flashed his direction. "Thank you." She stepped closer, holding his hand tightly between hers as she held his gaze. "And you're still gorgeous."
Rei halted, still smiling down at her as he held her hand and smelled her sweet musk-- "I could get us to McNeil faster. If you want."
"How?"
Rei's eyes began to glow, a growl growing in volume and his form changing as he scooped her up in his arms.
"Oh." Tai wrapped her arms around his massive neck as she smiled into his sharp feral eyes. The Weretiger began to purr. She pressed her forehead against his, closing her eyes as the sound of her purr joined his. "I don't mind the walking, Rei, but I don't mind getting there quicker either."
Rei voiced a mew-like growl and then adjusted his hold on her.
Tai lifted her head and met his gaze. "I'm ready."
Rei touched her cheek with his nose and then dashed forward. Tai gave a startled shriek that quickly blossomed to a laugh.
Rei's step never faltered as he bolted off the main road to traverse the game paths to and across Mt. Myrneg. Leaping and dashing over slight crevices or brooks, climbing up steep inclines or bolting across fallen logs. Tai hadn't ever felt as safe as she did in Rei's arms. Even with as many times as he adjusted her position within his hold so as to get a better grip on the terrain, Tai never once thought he would drop her. She only smiled down at his face, meeting his gaze when he looked over to check on her. Tai had never felt this safe or connected with anyone.
Tai lightly stroked the thick mane of fur behind his head, smiling wider when she heard and felt his purr. It rumbled clear through her.
Light began to fade, but Rei's speed or surety of footing didn't change.
One last leap and a quick and steady slide down an incline and Tai knew they were on the other side of the mountain. The Weretiger stopped and gently set her on her feet, still purring even through his elevated heart and breath rate.
Tai faced him, bringing a hand up to caress his cheek even as his form changed. She smiled, so did Rei. "That was fun," she whispered.
Rei wrapped a hand around hers to draw it from his cheek. "Come on, kitten. Let's go find a place to camp. It's getting dark."
Tai nodded and turned to walk beside him. "I like that name," she told him. Tai moved her gaze to his face. "At least, I like how you say it."
Rei smiled. "Me, too."
Tai held his gaze a moment... then she halted. So did Rei. She looked around them in concentration.
Rei lifted an eyebrow. "What."
Tai tugged Rei forward. She had found a slight clearing of the brush and spring greenery that rose up on each side of Yraall Road. Once there, she freed her pack and staff from her back and then stepped close to Rei, intensely examining the slight tuft of fur standing out from his shirt collar.
He watched her with a faint smile. "We're camping here?" Tai lifted her gaze to meet his, and he could hear the soft and steady sound of her purr. "You sure?"
Tai smiled and nodded as she lifted her hand to stroke his cheek. "Would I be here if I wasn't?"
Rei chuckled and drew her closer, caressing her face with his hands and then his lips and then his cheek as his arms surrounded her. Tai buried her face into the fur of his neck, her purr growing in volume as she pressed herself closer.
Deep breath. Purring. "...wow."
Female chuckle. "Yep." And then their purrs mingled.
The End