FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 7 & 8

Feast & Famine

Hatchet awoke with urgency, gasping as he choked in a breath of midnight air. He was fairly certain he wasn't breathing before. His skull was burning, and his body felt stiff as it ached mercilessly, leaving him dazed and winded while he leaned into the same tree he had died against.

'I died… I know I did.' The sell-sword thought in disbelief. He recalled his dreams, fleeting pieces of memories not his own; memories of a strange world far different than the one of wolves. He forced his eyes back open, looking down at his body, finding the summoned curled soundly into his lap. His head was resting against Hatchet's large chest, his right hand nestled within Hatchet's own.

The wolf blinked in surprise, less so from the show of affection, more so because the human's other arm was missing. The beast leaned forward some, instinctively cradling the human as he inspected the injury. The entire arm was simply gone without a trace. No blood, no detached limb, nothing. It had simply vanished, as if it had evaporated into thin air before the nub closed over.

Hatchet sucked in another breath, one of cold realization as he rushed to inspect his previously fatal injury. There wasn't a sign he had ever been struck at all. A particular part of those strange dreams returned to the beast. A hand crumbling away… a whisper of the strangest words. 'Don't worry. It's for the Master.'

'Did he? Is… is that even possible?' The wolf struggled to come to terms with the implications. His eyes wandered back to the human softly snoring in his lap, lingering on the missing arm, wondering if it was painful for the summoned. The mercenary cursed his own sloppiness. A few years ago, that other wolf would've never landed such a cheap shot. He was lucky that summoned was there.

His eyes softened as he stared at his human, drawing him just a little closer against him. He repeated his thoughts, whispering his quiet confession, “I'm so lucky that you're here." His larger hands gently caressed the human's hair as the wolf breathed in his scent. He owed this slave his life, unsure of why the human would even save a wolf like himself.

Something tugged at the beast's wrist; something that had been looped around it, clasped tightly between two intertwined hands. It was the leash of the summoned.

'Master Hatchet.' The title returned to him from torn memories. He sat in the silence of midnight, staring at the strap for a moment before finally releasing his hand from it, freeing his arm. He gently lifted the human off of his lap and placed him back against the tree. Hatchet needed to wash the blood out of his fur, and he needed to assess their situation. With a hefty stretch out of early atrophy, the mercenary headed off towards the river.

He spent a while cleaning his pelt beneath the moonlight, washing the thick globs of blood from his heavy fur. When he returned to the bank, he chose to simply remain nude, at least until he dried off fully. His clothes carried too much scent for his plans. The wolf looked off a short distance, where Shade and the blind mare were grazing. The larger workhorse had kept the mare near him, keeping both close to Hatchet as he and the human slept off their wounds.

'Good horse.' The wolf thought to himself. He walked over, taking hold of Shade's bridle, drawing the blind mare close behind. He led them back to where the human still rested before he quickly started digging into his supplies. They would be spending the night here, maybe two if the summoned needed the rest. Hatchet would make sure they had what they needed.

He unfurled the bedrolls, laying the first beside the human under the shade of the trees. He gently lifted the summoned, easing him back down onto the padding. Hatchet reached down, placing his palm against the side of the human's face, letting it linger there as he hovered over his charge. The sell-sword stared in silence for a little longer.

The beast reluctantly pulled away, venturing off to spend some time gathering wood for a steady campfire. He made sure he had plenty for what he had planned, and then he gathered some more to be safe. Hatchet placed six snares within walking distance of the camp as he gathered his wood, hoping to bag some easy small game with little effort.

The beast returned to his supplies, pulling some more twine from his horse's many satchels. He unfolded a small bit of leather, revealing a handful of fishing hooks. He threaded six lines here as well, baiting and setting them off of a young tree overhanging the water. He needed something that would snatch back when the hooks were swallowed, and the sapling was just springy enough to manage it.

Dusting off his hands, the wolf turned back to the summoned, finding he was still out cold. The wolf almost turned away before he noticed the missing arm seemed a little less absent than before. It was regenerating. It was evidently a slow process, but still progress Hatchet was elated to see.

With a renewed drive, the wolf walked towards where one of their three attackers had been slain. He located the bow soon enough, relieving the corpse of the weapon it would have no further use for. He pulled the quiver of arrows off as well, noting the six remaining as more than enough for his hunt. The wolf hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided he would at least drag the bodies near the road to be possibly found before they became some scavenger's dinner. When he moved the brown wolf, the boss of the band of wolves, he found another surprise. He tucked away the spoils, reasoning with himself. 'Who better to have it than the last person he killed?'

Without another thought for the bandits, the sell-sword returned to his camp. The beast walked over to the blind mare and tied her off to a tree near the summoned, securing her for the time being. He began stripping the rest of his supplies from Shade's back, leaving only the saddle and a short rope. He didn't need anything carrying extra scent. The wolf mounted his horse, passing one last look towards the summoned before he headed off into the woods.

Hatchet let his mind wander as Shade clopped along the forest. The hunter knew any ferals would quickly flee at the sound of his paw-steps long before he ever got close, but they wouldn't run from Shade's, not if they stayed up wind of their game. He initially hadn't planned on much hunting during this mission, but the human needed sustenance to heal; sustenance Hatchet was determined to provide. It was just early enough by then to see nature coming alive around him.

He let his steed lead him for a while, treading along slowly as the horse followed a game trail. The wolf tossed around what he had learned, trying his best to retain as much as he could from the murky human dreams. Hatchet was getting so lost in his thoughts that he never even saw the buck until they both shifted their heads at the same time.

The wolf looked up, locking eyes with the deer as they were startled by the other's sudden presence. The buck sprinted off. A mad dash for survival. The wolf scrambled for the bow, rushing to nock the arrow. He drew it back just as the buck had almost cleared the top of a hill. Hatchet released his draw, letting the arrow fly towards his mark.

Hatchet hoped the human liked venison.

~ ~ ~

The first rays of dawn coaxed sleepy eyes to finally part. He had a feeling he had been sleeping for a while, longer than he had in years. The human stretched on his bedroll, a huge yawn accompanying his peaceful awakening. That was when he realized his arm was missing.

He sat up, brief alarms raising within before his nerves were calmed. His eyes fell on the wolf. His Master was there. His master was safe, so he was safe.

The human beamed, a broad smile flashing across his face as dark eyes lit up. He couldn't remember all of that strange dream, but he remembered one thing for certain.

'Master Hatchet….' Knowing the name of the master he served brought the strangest joy to the human. It thrilled him, a wash of goosebumps assaulting his flesh the moment he recalled it.

The dark wolf had his back to the human, stark naked, standing a good distance away as he tended to something hanging from a tree. The human cocked his head in wonder, choosing to remain still until the Master returned. His patience was soon rewarded, as was his curiosity sated.

The wolf strode over, carrying a large carcass. It appeared he had already dressed out his kill, leaving a large slab of meat that admittedly had the human's full attention. The Master hung the meat on a closer tree, stepping off towards the river after to rinse his hands and knife. He walked back to the camp, heading directly towards the summoned who was finally awake.

The human waited breathlessly, weighing old habits in new light. He was starting to accept that there were some things he didn't want to change, not yet. He opted to kneel in the end, but he did not avert his eyes. It was not fear that bent his knee. Not anymore.

The wolf walked right up to the human meekly smiling up at him, the one that seemed insistent on clinging to some of those old rules Hatchet vaguely remembered hearing about. The “Gospel," as the human had put it. The beast took his own kneel before the human, squatting down to meet the summoned, but still towering over the smaller creature. The wolf gazed into those eyes; eyes so full of terror not so long ago. They were truly so soft in their natural state, the possibility of wonders lurking behind that stare endless.

Two large hands came forward, ebony claws once so frightening to the human now holding his attention for different reason. The human was certain he had merely dreamt that part…. 'Surely, the Master hadn't actually….'

His thoughts fell silent, dumbfounded by the chill of recognition that rattled even his bones. Two index fingers extended, curving into one another as they were crossed. The human watched his Master reverse those hands after, completing the motion for the sign meaning friend.

The beast flashed a smile in pride at his first step, expecting the human to return the gesture this time. Instead, Hatchet was pleasantly stunned when the summoned abruptly lunged forward and wrapped himself around the wolf's midsection, squeezing with trembling arms.

Hatchet wasn't sure what to do at first, and then he felt the first shudder of relief roll down the human's back as he sobbed into Hatchet's pelt. The wolf returned the embrace, holding his human closely, gently rubbing the head of his charge while nuzzling his maw into the dark hair. Hatchet understood after he thought about it for a moment. 'It must have been so lonely, never talking to anyone.'

The sell-sword soothed the summoned for a while longer, letting him sob in relief. Hatchet scoffed, still not certain what was so great about an old sword like himself, but admittedly grateful for the feeling to be mutual.

“I was worried about you, too." The wolf confessed. Hatchet was finding the human the perfect listener, despite his impairment. He gave his companion a final squeeze before he pulled away, bracing the bleary-eyed human with a gentle hand at his shoulder. They stared at one another, the wolf smiling as the human sniffled through the last of his overwhelming emotions.

The wolf pointed to the summoned, and then pointed at his own maw, parting it to try and convey his intent.

The human stared for a moment before his eyes fell near the piled wood ready to be set ablaze. He looked back to the hanging deer carcass after. The Master seemed to have prepared a few things already. The human turned back to Hatchet, contemplating the action.

'Food? Eat? I guess either way….' The summoned dropped his gaze for a moment, staring down at his right hand. Master Hatchet was trying to learn how to talk to him, but even with such evidence, it was hard to overcome his own safeguards. There was a reason he wouldn't try to sign anymore.

'The new master wants me to. It's ok… it's ok….' He repeated to himself, flexing his fingers nervously as he warily clenched and unclenched his fist. With a great show of trust, the human touched his thumb to his fingertips, bringing his hand up to his mouth and tapping those same fingertips against his lips.

'Eat? Hungry? Or maybe, food?' Hatchet thought. The wolf reached his own hand forward, lightly gripping the human by his wrist. He brought the hand closer to his face, studying the position of the fingers.

The human was doing his best not to panic, despite the familiarity. 'My Master only needs a better look.… He… he won't bite my fingers. He's not cruel.' The punishment for trying to sign was enforced on his first day in the world of wolves, among other new truths that had been set into place on that fateful first morning.

He briefly wondered how much of himself the first master had managed to consume over his time in that hell. 'How many fingers? How many eyes? How many… other parts?' He could not begin to guess, nor did he really want to. Despite that stance, he began reliving each instance the first master had cut, bit, or tore a piece of him away.

A touch at his face drew the human back to the black wolf, pulling him from the spiral he was succumbing to. Those brilliant, red eyes held his full attention.

The beast pointed to the human again before he shifted his hand, touching his thumb to his fingertips. He completed the motion after, bringing his hand up to his large muzzle. His intent was clear. “You, eat."

The way the human's eyes shone in that instant renewed the wolf's drive. He would tear through their greatest barrier one lesson at a time if it meant seeing the summoned smile like that.

The human had his attention drawn lower, where another movement caught his eye. A large black tail was just barely wagging, the end flicking back and forth. It was a stifled response, but one the Master couldn't quite contain; one the human recognized.

'Is he happy we're signing? Or is he happy we get to eat?' The human was not sure, but the action made his heart swell a little. However, it seemed his Master was ready to take matters into his own hands. The human appreciated when Hatchet did that.

The wolf grinned, flashing his fangs in excitement. He had plenty of time to prepare his surprise, but he just needed a little longer to cook everything. Hatchet gently reached forward to take hold of the leash, standing while coaxing the summoned to stand with him.

The human obliged, still basking in so many warm emotions. His feelings faltered when he stood, the precious fabric around his waist had slipped. His eyes shot to his pants in terrible recollection as he examined where they had been cut. His fingers fumbled with the tear, trying to see if there was something he could do to salvage the cherished gift. He clenched his fist around the cut, his hand trembling in frustration.

A dark touch reached out to steady his own, a rough palm pad laid across his smooth-skinned hand. The human looked up, catching his Master's brilliant eyes. A wash of chills cascaded over his flesh. His wary hand relaxed beneath the Master's as he exhaled slowly, focusing only on breathing, and those glimmering rubies he simply couldn't stop staring into. Another hint of warmth fluttered within his stomach.

The wolf was getting lost in those dark eyes again, finding he didn't want to pull his hand away from that waist. This wasn't like Hatchet, he was never one to dote on another this way….

Hatchet coaxed his human closer, lightly tugging that leash with his left hand, his right on the hip of the summoned. He pulled him closer, the Master towering over his slave as he released the leash. Both of the beast's larger hands came to rest on the human's hips, his claws grazing ever so slightly against the flesh as the wolf hooked them around the torn waistband of the pants.

More chills erupted across the human's skin, a faint shudder briefly rolling its way over his shoulders. He gasped as the beast began stripping him, leaving the human as naked as the Master was, albeit, with far less fur to hide behind. The summoned had grown used to being bared, but it felt unusually revealing this time. He wondered if he hadn't grown too used to the luxury of clothing again. The Master coaxed the pants off of him, even helping him step out of them.

Hatchet stood, tossing the torn pants over his shoulder. He could have those patched in a few minutes. Until then….

The wolf pointed towards the river, moved his hands in a scrubbing motion over his own chest, and then pointed back to the human.

The human stared for a moment, turned briefly towards the river, and looked back to his Master. 'I really need both hands for this one, but….' He raised his fist, closing it loosely as he brought it up towards his chest. He moved it up and down twice, making an arc over his torso. 'bath?'

The wolf mimicked the motion, trying to memorize as much as he could. The human smiled, but it faded soon after when he realized his Master meant for him to go alone. His gaze fell as he accepted the task in reluctance.

Hatchet saw the hesitancy. He weighed his options, sighing when he realized he had already made his mind up. 'And my fur was JUST now getting dry….' The wolf was looking at his complaining in a new light. It was proof that he was alive. That was reason enough to not stop doing it.

The wolf turned and walked away, heading towards their supplies as he sat the pants down for the time being. He moved to the wood stacked around the smaller kindling after, drawing his knife as he laid the flint he had taken from his bag across the spine of the blade. With a few focused passes, the beast had his fire steadily building. He would let some of the green wood smoke off before cooking anyway, so he had the time.

Hatchet briefly returned to the supplies, taking from them one of the few clean cloths they had left. He'd offer the summoned the towel until he could wash the others. The human deserved the decency. He tossed the towel over his shoulder and returned to the patient summoned. With a steady hand on a loose leash, the wolf and human walked side by side towards the river, both wearing little else but a smile.

~ ~ ~

The Master had moved one of the bedrolls closer to the fire, giving the summoned the perfect place to perch and let his mind wander between the flames and other burning thoughts as the wolf worked away.

The smell was spectacular, a mix of different proteins wafting up with the smoke. The meat sizzled and charred, mocking his restraint, making the human's stomach growl angrily in impatience. He clenched his jaw, swallowing the drool he couldn't seem to stifle. He cast his eyes low, desperate for a distraction from the alluring scent.

He spotted a small beetle scurrying towards a leaf, hoping to find shelter in a world of giants. 'I would've eaten that once… not even that long ago.' Now, he only found himself sympathetic to that creature's plight. The beetle scurried away, leaving the human to his gurgling stomach yet again.

Hatchet was finishing up right as planned, offsetting everything to be ready at roughly the same time. He pulled the first part from the fire with a cloth, setting the sizzling stone aside to cool for a moment. He reached for the skewers next, plucking two of the short spears staggered around the flames and holding them mindfully as he approached the human.

An entire plump rabbit had been speared onto each skewer, skewers the Master had drove into the ground in front of the human. He trembled in anticipation, recalling the last time his Master had prepared him that delicious meat. He wanted to reach out and snatch the rabbit up, but made himself wait. The Master held his hand up, instructing the human to do as much.

The wolf turned away, returning to what he had first pulled from the fire. He had only caught two fish, but they were good sized, large enough to leave four flaky-white fillets to be seared on smooth and scrubbed stone. He grabbed the larger two slabs, quickly carrying over the second course and also placing them before the human.

Once more, Hatchet commanded him to wait. Once more, the human obeyed with wavering constitution. He couldn't remember if he even liked fish before, but seeing that blackened, white meat still sizzling in its own oils had him squirming in place to find out. Again, the Master stepped away, only to fetch more spoils for his human.

Hatchet moved to the main course; his true prize of the evening. The deer had been placed on a large spit and propped high over the flames where it wouldn't scorch too quickly. Hatchet had been careful to rotate it as needed, making sure it cooked evenly. He fetched the last of the clean linens, drawing his knife as he went to work. He began stripping the back strap from the buck, the steam rising up in steady tufts, mercilessly teasing the human with the gamey scent of the meat.

The wolf picked the best meat from the deer, carving larger slices as he went along. He left a good bit of meat remaining above the fire, to smoke into jerky. Hatchet was never one to waste food, a sentiment he shared with the summoned.

The wolf paced back over to his eager human, placing the venison down in the center of the spread. The knife was stuck into the pile of meat, ready to be used where needed for the meal.

The human thought he was going to explode, everything smelled so enticing, and he honestly couldn't think of any way this feast could get any better. That is, until his Master stepped off a final time, returning with a flask, and a small bag tied off at the top.

The human was curious what was in the bag, but assumed he'd have to wait, given the Master had set it aside for the time being. The wolf did pull the cork off the flask, though. Taking a swig before he held it out towards the human with that flash of fangs the wolf called a smile.

Quite uncertain of the strange flask that seemed to have come from nowhere, the human wavered before he accepted it. He brought it to his nose, sniffing curiously at the contents of the container. It had a scent of something bitter, with just the faintest whiff of something equally as sweet. He was curious. The human sloshed the contents around before he brought the flask to his lips, closing his eyes as he tilted back his head, sampling the surprise.

It wasn't what he had expected at all, but the way it burned at his throat felt strangely soothing. How a drink could taste so dry, he was not certain, but the human enjoyed the fruitiness of the wine all the same. He brought the flask back to his lips, gulping down two more swigs before he stopped and passed it back to his Master.

Hatchet accepted the flask of the dead wolf's wine, gesturing towards the spread of meat around them after with a large swoop of his hand. He pointed to the human, and then back to himself before he closed his hand in a familiar sign, touching his fingertips to his muzzle. His message was clear, “You and I, eat."

He didn't have to tell the human twice. He tore into their shared meal with frenzied delight. He went straight for the rabbit, tearing one of the larger hind legs off as he sank his teeth into the sweetly familiar meat. He bit off mouthfuls at a time, the single arm barely even slowing him down as he chomped his way through half of the hare.

When he had sated his starvation, his thoughts -and nose- returned to the blackened fish still steaming on that stone. He went to pull a piece free, but was having trouble tearing the skin on the bottom of the fillet. He was about to simply give up and just pick the entire thing up when his Master came bearing a solution.

The wolf reached a hand forward, gripping the knife lightly with his left hand, his right one tossing a piece of venison in his own maw. He made a quick slice, freeing up the human's portion of the fish before he proceeded to cut the rest of it up into portions more manageable for his short-muzzled human.

The human smiled, thankful that his Master always seemed to help when he needed it most. He popped the fish into his mouth, the oily favor of the flaky meat melting over his tongue like butter, making the human melt with it. The charred bits had a little smoky crunch to them, and the skin that had been cooked on the bottom of the fish was crispy, like a potato chip. Needless to say, he learned that he very much liked fish after all. He had eaten his entire fillet before realizing it.

The human let out a content sigh, the flavor of the fishy oil still lingering on his taste buds. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a large breath in as he basked in the satisfaction of the hot meal. He opened his eyes, deciding to finally give the third type of meat his attention. A large hand was outstretched towards him, patiently waiting for his eyes to open. The master held a piece of the darkest meat yet between a clawed index finger and his thumb, offering it up to him, coaxing the human to try it.

Another flutter assaulted the human's chest as he realized the implications. He wasn't sure why, but the gesture of being fed by the Master's own hand felt so undeniably intimate. His pulse only quickened, but the human steadied his resolve, parting his lips slowly for the large beast.

Hatchet raised his hand to the human's maw, his offering poised just in front of the agape mouth, holding eye contact. The wolf pressed the meat to the human's lips, coaxing him to tenderly take it between them.

The human shuddered at the sensation, the flavor had a deliciously stout taste to it, a gaminess that wasn't so profound in the other meats. It was tough, but chewy; a combination that made savoring each bite an easy feat for the summoned. He was eager to have some more, diving back in as he indulged himself on his holy trinity of proteins.

A few minutes later, and the human finally seemed to be getting full. Of the three rabbits Hatchet had snared, only a half of one remained. All four of the fish fillets were long gone, the wolf only eating part of one before offering the rest to his human. The pile of venison had dwindled significantly, but there was still plenty of meat being smoked. The flask of wine sat empty beside them, the bag bearing the mystery still untouched.

Hatchet was simply thrilled to see the summoned so content. The human was evidently enjoying their bountiful dinner together as much as he was. It made every bit of preparation well worth it to the wolf, leaving him with a feeling of satisfaction when the summoned finally stopped eating.

The human let out a heavy sigh in relaxation. He felt as if he were bloated, floating among the clouds when he closed his eyes. He lifted his right arm and his left shoulder above his head, stretching them as he let out a huge yawn, letting himself fall back onto the soft bedroll and the green grass behind him. He just felt so sleepy all of a sudden…. That is, until he felt a familiar warmth in his gut, the sensation steadily rising until that feeling of electricity returned to him.

Hatchet was smiling stupidly as he watched the summoned stretch and fall back. He expected his human would need rest, as he usually did to heal after eating. That was the whole reasoning behind his grand gesture, after all. The beast was still musing over how a creature half his size could eat twice as much as him, so the wolf was alarmed when the human suddenly sat back upright, his hand clutching at his stomach with a look of shock so clearly written on his face.

Panicking with the summoned, Hatchet reached a hand forward, placing it on the human's knee in reassurance, and in question.

The human was startled by the sudden current and familiar feeling overtaking him, but was even more startled by the Master's concern. The human looked at the wolf reaching out to support him, smiling as he placed his hand over the wolf's own, trying to offer some assurance to his Master with a sincere smile.

Hatchet relaxed his shoulders some, his own relief so clear that it was concerning in some ways. Still, he was just happy his human was alright. He felt the human's hand against his own, trembling, as if the summoned was over-excited.

The human would agree with that description. That current of electricity was spreading inside of him, a ball of energy building in his core, where his stomach felt like it was vibrating. Arcs of that inner lightning ran through him, leaving a tingling sensation along every nerve he had, one that wasn't unpleasant. It felt… refreshing. He felt invigorated, like he was suddenly bursting with life.

The sensation of awareness from before suddenly returned to him. The human could feel the inner workings of his body again, his eyes closing as he trusted himself and this rising sensation to map it all out. He felt it all; his blood coursing through his veins and arteries, the steady thump of his heart that forced said blood along, the marrow residing deep within his bones, creating even more of those cells. He felt his muscles, the carefully interwoven strips of tissue that held him together. He could feel his bones, the true support for it all. He felt out so many parts of himself, and then finally, he mapped out the last of it, finding nothing that he had expected.

His circulatory and respiratory systems seemed normal, from what he recalled of high school biology, that is. His nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems also all felt exactly how they should. Even the intricacies of the endocrine workings all seemed pretty normal at first glance -not that he fully understood that one- but as he expanded into the digestive system, he found himself a little lost at what he was feeling. Or rather, what he wasn't feeling.

'Where… WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY GUTS?' He urgently thought, an uncanny sense of panic crawling over his skin. His mouth and esophagus seemed normal, but when he got to the stomach, the first of the discrepancies became apparent. It was larger than normal, nearly double the size of what it should be and taking up more space than normal. More concerning, however, was that it appeared to be one-way. There was no exit.

Bravely, not certain he wanted to know more, the human let that awareness fall lower, trying to figure out where the rest of his digestive tract went. His liver was present and accounted for, nestled exactly where it should be, but his gallbladder was nowhere to be found, seemingly consumed by the enlarged stomach. He wasn't sure where his pancreas had moved to, but he could feel it buried somewhere in there….

The real issue of concern was the complete lack of small intestines and large intestines. Even his appendix was gone without a trace. His rectal bits all felt accounted for, but he wasn't certain he saw the purpose. There was something else he couldn't get a good feel of, something detached from the rest of him, something resting below his stomach. It seemed shapeless, like there actually was some void inside of him all this time. He wondered what it was, afraid it was something the first Master had cut from him, but he quickly realized that wasn't the case.

There were noticeable cells scattered throughout his body, things he could identify that didn't belong, that weren't how they should be. It was damage. His body was slowly replacing those cells on its own, but at a very slow rate, and only focused on one area at a time. For now, it seemed quite set on his recently deconstructed left arm.

The electricity tingled at the amputation, reacting with the damaged cells. That heat returned at the contact, a violent burn noticeable where the injury was. Despite clenching his teeth at the sensation, the human found it strangely pleasant. He trembled beneath maintaining that focus, teetering on the edge of something he could sense with, quite literally, every fiber of his being. It was something he never believed he would have again.

Control over his own body.

He closed his eyes in euphoria, the bliss of that blistering burn consuming him. The connection surged, the lightning creeping from his wound and linking to his stomach. He could feel how much energy it held, his Master's grand feast supplying him with so much to use…. He suddenly understood why his digestive tract had changed; why it didn't feel like anything was actually missing, as was the case for the damaged cells. He didn't eat like most humans anymore. He converted the cells of one thing into another, something he had first consciously done to save his Master. There was no waste. It was all merely fuel.

The wolf's eyes widened at what he saw, staring in wondrous amazement as the summoned defied all logic yet again. His arm was reforming, his barely-budding bicep sprouting to life like plant magic as it rapidly reconstructed itself. The long humerus speared through first, extending all the way down to the elbow that had not yet caught up. The muscles stretched forward as they grew, weaving themselves back into their web as they retook the bone. Veins and arteries forked over the sinew, snaking down like rivers as the nerves reconnected around them. The flesh was the last to rebuild, the skin stretching over the rest, like a blanket of carapace, one snugly concealing the secrets to the inner-workings of a human arm.

The human managed to restore his appendage to halfway up the forearm, inadvertently healing many of the smaller scars littering his body in the process. He only stopped when he felt a sudden lurch in the power, like a car running out of gas. He realized how fair an analogy that was a moment after. His stomach let out a massive, roaring gurgle of emptiness. The human felt that part of himself again, noting the heat trapped before had all but absolved. He was surprised to find his stomach was empty again.

Hatchet stared in silence, the miracle of the rapid recovery left him speechless enough, but to hear the human's stomach rumble in hunger after eating a meal fit for three wolves was somehow even more incredulous. The wolf sat dumbfounded, not really reacting until the human shifted uncomfortably beneath Hatchet's blank stare.

The wolf shook his head as he snapped back to, starting to understand a little more about his human's gift. Hatchet turned back towards their leftovers, noting there was still plenty of meat to spare. He shifted back to the human with a flash of fangs, the connection between food and his powers was undeniable now. The sell-sword would happily indulge that need. He patted the knee of the summoned briefly before he jumped up, off to fetch even more meat for the needy human; a human that eagerly accepted the offerings.

By the time they had finished repeating this process, and after three rounds of dinner cycled through by the human, the summoned finally stood, closing his eyes, stretching heartily as he was restored, flexing his new hand in triumph. The evening sun cast a glow over his pale skin once so marred by the first master. He stood blissfully in the nude, unmarked by any scars, radiating with the sensation of being whole for the first time in so long. He could feel it as the remaining energy sparked within him, there was nothing left to heal, not physically, anyway.

He could feel a discrepancy between his knees, the shattered one wasn't constructed the same as his good one. His body didn't recognize the injury after it had been forced to heal incorrectly. The human wanted to try and fix it as well, but could admit he had endured enough pain for that day. He felt incredible in that moment, he felt right enough. He just wanted to bask in that bliss a little longer. The rest of his troubles could wait, this time was for him and his Master.

He turned to the wolf, both hearts thumping at the sight of the other bared beneath the setting sun; a prelude to a new dawn between them….

But first came the night.

~ ~ ~ ( ?° ?? ?°) ~ ~ ~

They went to sleep after resting by the campfire for a while longer, enjoying the fullness from the meal, and the peace that came with one another's company. Hatchet had finally revealed what was hidden away in the small bag, and the two sat enjoying their dessert of berries just before bed.

Leaving the last five fruits for the human, The wolf moved the two bedrolls beside each other, close enough to where the edges were touching, illuminated by both the glow of the embers, and the luminous moonlight. Hatchet plopped down on his padding, patting the roll next to him with his hand, coaxing his human to lay beside him beneath the stars.

The summoned happily obliged, popping the last berry into his mouth before sitting beside his Master, scooting close to the large wolf. He found it funny, for a beast so much larger than he was, the Master never made him feel small, even when the difference was so stark as they lay beside one another.

The human was feeling incredibly tired again, but found himself hesitating to drift off. His hands fumbled nervously with the end of his leash, eager to make a request, but still working up the courage to ask. He wouldn't end up having to ask at all.

Hatchet saw the way the summoned averted his gaze, his hands squeezing idly at the end of his own lead. He could tell the human had something on his mind, but Hatchet wasn't sure what. It didn't take him long to piece it together, recalling how they had awoken.

A large hand slowly reached for the human's smaller one, carefully enclosing the fist of the summoned within his own, eliciting a small jump from his human. Hatchet scoffed in admiration, his hand lingering in a comforting notion. The beast gently took hold of the leather lead, wrapping the end of the leash twice around his hand before the wolf rested it back on his own chest. He offered the beaming summoned a smile and a wink before leaning his head back on his other arm, the wolf's armpit bared for the human as the beast got comfortable.

The human felt his heart thump in response, his Master had actually taken his leash, just as he was hoping the wolf would. As the beast closed his eyes and relaxed back into his bedroll, the human studied him carefully. There was just some feeling the human had in that moment, something he could no longer recognize. Something his body was too well-trained otherwise to remember. That warmth fluttered in his stomach again, a tingle of longing hidden behind that noticeably rising heat.

The human caught his breathing just as it started to pick up out of nowhere, and quickly acted to steady himself, taking longer breaths instead to calm down. He ignored that foreign warmth, stifling his reactions as he forced his own eyes to shut as well. It didn't take long for his rest to become anything but forced. He faded off into slumber long before the wolf.

~ ~ ~

The human awoke soaked to the core, dripping in the heaviest sweat. The very air around him felt sweltering and stagnant, weighing down each breath he took. He was trembling, his body aching deep within, his core set ablaze by a fire stronger than ever. It relentlessly stoked the unbearable heat that was consuming him.

With murky awareness, the human was startled by something more pressing. There was something else unusually strange about him in that moment. For the first time since he could remember, the human was blissfully and painfully erect. His member throbbed into the night air, a copious bead of clear precum gliding down the edge as it lightly pulsed beneath the light of the moon.

He shuddered violently as his excitement ached, begging for some type of attention after so long in neglect. Confused eyes fell back to the Master as options were weighed, desperate thoughts clashing with lessons hard learned.

He wasn't to have pleasure, he was only to provide it for the masters. He accepted and embraced that role long ago, the first master had made him accept it. Any sign of arousal resulted in tortures he couldn't bring himself to relive, dark deeds he wouldn't dare return to. Pain, shame, and humiliation; that was all his erection ever earned him with a wolf. Even so, despite knowing such a thing was forbidden, he found himself longing for such release, working through his most confusing needs as he gazed at his Master.

He stared at the beast's barren body, finding the strangest comfort at how large it was, at how muscular. His Master was strong, and with that strength came safety.

He throbbed again, lustfully eyeing the wolf, letting his unsavory thoughts continue. He was far too tired to make sense of them; far too needful to fight. His eyes fell back to that leash, still wrapped around that hand rising and falling with the Master's steady chest.

Another aching pulse. Another soft reassurance as his restraint all but abandoned him. 'He holds my leash, but never snatches it, never beats me with it. I- I don't want him to let it go. I want him to lead me forever.'

Another surge of heat and pain, his legs quivering as he thrust his head back, teeth clenched in agony. Even the delicate kiss of the wind on his flesh was not nearly enough to sate this fire, but it was enough to tease his sensitives. Where he able he whimper, he surely would have.

It was more temptation than any bread that came before. It was something primal now, a need, not a desire. He did not allow himself to want, but still. 'I… I can't.'

His mind begged his body to be resilient, but his hand wouldn't be idle any longer. This madness surely had to end. This famine had to be fed.

'I'm sorry….' His hand moved lower down his stomach, trembling as it edged ever closer to his member. His shame only added to that burning fire. His tool only throbbed in anticipation. He clenched his eyes, unable to gaze upon the body of his Master Hatchet any longer. He was too guilty. He just couldn't come to terms with the impossible reality that he actually wanted a master to fuck him.

He sucked in a breath at the silent confession. His hand had reached the base of his dick at last. Shaky fingers eagerly wrapped themselves around the flesh, a throbbing pulse and a spurt of pre commemorating the end of the long separation of hand and crotch. He panted out, his breath fleeting in first contact.

'It's been so long….' He slowly drew his fist up, starting back into it with hesitancy, coaxing another spurt of excitement from his tip. He shuddered as he brought his hand back down, dragging his foreskin with the stroke. His balls were so in need of emptying, that even the lightest tap of his hand felt painful. He would not last long.

'Fuck…. circumcision should be illegal.' He had been cut like most men where he was from, but, unfortunately, like countless fingers and eyes before, his member had to be regrown on occasion. It came back fully intact, not that the human ever had a chance to test out the equipment since. Perhaps it was merely the neglect, but he didn't remember it feeling so good. Another stroke of his hand was beyond resisting.

A sigh of pleasure passed over his lips, his toes curling at the ends of quivering legs. He tensed, instinctively bucking into his hand. His thirst for release was unquenchable, that fire within only growing through his endeavor. He was getting lost, his mind giving way to pleasant memories and undeniable confessions.

The human thought of when he met the Master; when he drank from him. He cursed himself for not being more eager then. If only he had known how incredible that master was….

He slipped to when they traveled together, the Master behind him as he relaxed into that massive build. He lingered on that steady, rhythmic rocking motion as he rode in the beast's lap, muscular arms wrapped protectively around him. He never wanted to leave that moment.

Even so, his thoughts scurried elsewhere, to a more intimate time. He remembered when he first gazed into those eyes of brilliant ruby, the way he trembled in fear. He remembered the way the Master held him, and only gazed further into his eyes. He remembered strong hands with impossibly tender claws; claws that never harmed him. He remembered a quick lick in comfort, the undeniable permission that he may look upon the wolf…. That he was allowed to feel.

Another pump of his fist certainly made him feel things. He was picking his pace up, his left hand clenching at the bedroll as his right furiously tried to make up for every second of time spent apart from its affection. His breathing was getting shorter, reduced to a series of gasps and shudders.

His mind slipped to a final image, one that definitely hadn't happened yet. He imagined his Master on top of him, the black wolf finally taking what was his. The fire surged inside of him, the fantasy taking off in full glory. It was far too late for shame.

The Master rutted roughly, just as all Masters did. It was alright, the human wanted to bear that pain for the wolf. He just wanted to please his Master, because that was the one thing he was certain he could manage if given a chance. He wanted to be useful, to give something back to the wolf that had given him everything. He imagined being pinned, from behind, pressed helplessly against the ground as the Master had his release. He would be happily taken. Thankful. He wouldn't dare deny him. He would do anything for that wolf, even offering his body to be used as the Master saw fit.

He was so very, very close…. He just required a final bit of inspiration. Bravely, he forced his eyes apart, needing to lay eyes on the massive wolf. A desperate gaze traced up that powerful form, from the large paws, to the thighs like tree-trunks. He wondered what it would be like, to feel those legs spreading apart his own.

Another pump.

He moved to the torso next, the defined chest rising and falling in constant rhythm. He lingered on the hand propped on the furry stomach, the leash still secured in that grasp. His gaze greedily soaked up the sight of that armpit on full display, finding that possibly the strangest longing yet. The trap and bicep muscles were well-built, years of work and persistence playing extensively in the wolf's favor. The human practically drooled at the sight. His Master was truly incredible.

Another pump.

He was on the edge, the sensation rising within him the same as that incessant heat had. He cranked his strokes to the max, bearing down with full speed as he went for his climax with everything he had. He had just clenched his eyes when they immediately shot back open, honing in on a splash of color amidst the darkness. A glistening red tip was emerging from an ebony sheath. His Master was getting erect... which meant….

His gaze finally darted up higher, meeting the observant stare of the wolf at last.

The human jerked his hand away from his tool immediately, his teetering orgasm all but a memory. He stopped breathing, the dripping beads of sweat the only movement on his body. Wide eyes were frozen, trapped in realization the human was failing to react to. He was just about to break, to beg for forgiveness before Hatchet moved first.

Placing a hand on the human's chest, the wolf pushed his back against the ground. He used that hold to brace himself, quickly leaning forward. His right hand clamped down on one of the human's thighs just as his maw clamped over the human's member. The beast held the summoned as he bucked in surprise. Hatchet forced him back against the ground by the grip on his chest and leg. He already made his mind up. His human was finishing.

Hatchet had awoke to the show pretty early in, but decided not to interfere. He would ignore it. It was clearly something the human needed to do, and Hatchet didn't want to make him feel weird for doing it. He recalled the wire chastity from the beginning, and decided the human deserved this moment uninterrupted. Hatchet was just going to pretend to sleep. That is, until he registered that scent.

It was ripe, and heady. It was a scent that could cure an onion or peel a pepper. It was sulfuric, smelling strangely like iron. It was maddening, and captivating, and invasive and revolting all at the same time. It was the best fucking musk the wolf had ever caught a whiff of, and he was being drowned in it. It was like a cloud of lust was hanging thick in the air; a contagious cloud, it would seem.

The beast found himself unable to really look away. He watched as the human stroked his strange tool, finding it intriguing now that he saw it in action. There was something enticing about the human; something that felt different than usual. Something that felt different for the wolf.

His own arousal peeked from its sheath, eager for a little attention as well. Hatchet felt his heart thump as the summoned really cranked up the friction. The wolf was really getting into watching the human really get into it. Things changed when the human suddenly opened his eyes, clearly ogling over the wolf. The fantasies running through that mind needed no words to be apparent. The human wasn't just masturbating…. He was masturbating while thinking of Hatchet.

The connection made Hatchet's ego swell and his tool twitch, the movement just enough to catch the human's attention. Then the summoned finally looked him in the eyes.

Time stood still for them both. The human jerked his hand away, evidently afraid of what being caught meant; afraid that Hatchet would be angry. Those dark eyes wavered, panicking to choose a course of action; to run, to hide, to do anything but touch himself.

Hatchet couldn't have that. The human needed that release. He knew it may be a bit forward, but there was only so much time to act before the human inevitably headed towards a breakdown.

'If not by his hand… then….'

The human gasped, immediately trying to sit up before he was pressed back down by the firm grip. The Master's mouth was hot, and wet, and better than any sensation the human had ever known. He writhed in the unexpected bliss, helpless to budge beneath that hold, not that he would ever want it to stop.

The first pass of that tongue dragging across his skin was more than enough to bring him right back to that edge. He squirmed, his hands desperate to find something to hold. They snatched up the beast's ears, holding on for the ride of his life as he bucked and squirmed erratically into that maw. He couldn't be blamed, he'd never been the one to receive pleasure before. All he knew was the sensation of being overwhelmed and overstimulated, but he didn't want it to stop.

Another masterful swoop of that long tongue sent waves of pleasure rocking into the human, clashing with that burn, the combination of stimuli merging into something magnificent. He felt himself spurt more pre into his Master's maw. His hands were unsteady, his knees trembling, his mouth agape as his mind was subdued by the wild muscle. Thinking about anything but his first blowjob was out of the question. Then, more than ever, he was truly the captive of the wolf.

He felt a tingle, fighting to sit up, to warn his Master. 'Please…. I'm so close.' He clenched his jaw, thrusting forward and holding, his back arched as he trembled all over. The euphoria overtook all else. Not only had the Master finally taken his body, but he had done it in a way the human never believed could feel so incredible. This was way better than sex had ever been for him. It was nice, to be the one receiving the pleasure at last. His Master was truly too good to him. Even so, his body just wouldn't let him fire.

His eyes parted briefly, just long enough to meet the Master's deviant glare with his beggar's stare.

Hatchet understood. With as much of a smirk as he could manage, the wolf nodded, giving his permission, telling his human that it was alright. He held the summoned firmly while he came, pulling him deeper into his muzzle. His expert tongue never let up as he took him to the base. Hatchet kept passing his tongue over the soft flesh, relishing the feeling of a dick far different than any he had ever encountered as his maw was coated by the seed.

Hatchet loved the size of his human's maleness, how it was easily managed by his large maw, but still giving the beast plenty to play with. The member didn't detach from the sheath, the head far more pronounced than any wolf's was.

As the human began painting the beast's tongue, Hatchet had a devious thought come to him. Keeping his maw clamped over the erupting flesh, the beast dipped his tongue lower, lapping at the sack drawing up against his chin.

The summoned twisted blissfully, thrusting himself higher off the ground at the attention to his nuts. He shot another rope, hard enough to hit the back of Hatchet's throat.

The wolf smirked, satisfied his efforts were not in vain. Reducing his human to a puddle of squirming bliss with only his maw brought a special type of pleasure to Hatchet. It thrilled him beyond reason. It sated needs he didn't know he had. The human was his, and he deserved to be spoiled. Hatchet owed him his life, after all.

The human fell back to the earth, relaxing at last as he finally blew his long-overdue load. He rode the thrill of his afterglow for as long as he could. He panted, his undeniable needs sated for a moment. With his release came clarity, and with clarity, came a heart only beating faster. He parted his eyes from when he had clenched, looking apologetically towards the Master for losing himself so badly. He released his hold where he had crumpled the beast's ears, and nervously began smoothing the erratic fur back over, inadvertently petting him.

Hatchet was only staring, deep in thought as eyes the color of blood took in every detail of that smaller human. Finally, the beast began to pull off the tool, his tongue offering a final swirl in parting.

The human shuddered blissfully at the tease, sighing as his wet member met with cool midnight air. He lay panting on his bedroll, too spent to even consider moving, let alone rational thought.

The wolf tilted his head back, swallowing a final time as he downed the last of the seed. The human had an interesting taste. It wasn't as stout as wolves, but had a potent saltiness that was just as exciting. There was a lot of life packed into so little discharge. Hatchet wasn't mad about the amount. It was probably hard not having a nice, fat knot at the base of one's dick.

Hatchet suddenly brought his muzzle up to the human's own, quickly lapping at the rosy cheek still flushed from the ordeal. He felt strangely smug; accomplished, even.

The human gazed into those fiery eyes, the daring red so very close to his own. His Master had finally taken what was long overdue; what was his by right. He had claimed the human's body, but still managed to shatter any conceivable expectations of what that would entail. How could he ever resist such a master?

Pink lips abruptly pressed against a black muzzle; A kiss in return the only thanks the human had left to give.

It was more than thanks enough, at least to Hatchet. The beast blushed beneath ebony fur, finding it his turn to tremble as he broke the kiss.

They stared at one another in that sacred silence, choosing to see each other, to feel each other. Finally, Hatchet let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes as he forced himself to turn his head. The sell-sword leaned back against his own bedroll, propping himself up with an arm behind his head as he usually did.

The human kept staring, unsure of how he was expected to sleep after something so unbelievable. Despite that protest, he was admittedly tired. Still, there was one last thing he needed…. He carefully picked up the end of his leash, offering it to the Master with hopeful aspiration.

Hatchet took it as he previously had, wrapping it twice around his wrist.

The human beamed in response, but was even more elated when the Master threw that same arm around him, drawing him in, snugging him up tight.

Hatchet's held his human closely, guiding his head to rest safely on the wolf's chest. The wolf smirked, his pride and satisfaction both equally undeniable. He was finally starting to accept that this WAS his human, and his human would not be doing without… whatever that demanded of him.

As the human slipped into slumber curled up on the wolf, the beast revisited a thought, one he was finally starting to entertain. 'Master Hatchet, huh? Maybe it isn't so bad after all….'

~ ~ ~

This chapter certainly bloomed more than I expected. Did not expect the double drop, but splitting these 2 up felt wrong. Sorry for the delay caused by that. Hope you enjoyed it though! I'd love to hear any feedback or thoughts you may have. I really appreciate the read. See y'all next Ch.

~ Red Bayou