FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Witch Maiden of High Bishop

She tended to have nightmares. Memories, flashes, instances of days gone. If I told you the form you see of her is not her true form, would you believe me? If I told you she had knowledge and wisdom beyond that of even your great-grandmother or great-grandfather, would you believe me? If I said this mysterious woman had a heart somewhere beneath all of the shadows, would you believe me?

Maybe... maybe not...

Centuries ago, four wise men from four different corners of the country, all went on a journey at around the same time. They learned of great things during their travels, and spread their culture and teachings as well. And then one day, these four men going on a similar quest, all met here on these beach-side plains. Back then, there were no buildings, no statues, not even the great fountain in the center of the city. No, there was nothing, nothing but one another.

They came together, and all throughout the night, they spoke, sharing their travels and ideals, learning and teaching, all until the sun rose... and even further beyond that. And from this conversation, these four men came to a brilliant idea. To create a city, one that would play home and host to all manners of knowledge, form all corners of the world. The religious, the arcane, the political, the simple; all would be welcome here. To teach one another, to learn from one another, and to advance culture and life as we know it.

This is how the city of High Bishop came to be.

This mountainside shrine was a mystery to all. When did it get here? Why was it here? What purpose does it even have? No one knew. Ask your parents... hell, ask your grandparents, and they'll tell you the same; it just appeared one day. And the woman who lived here – the maiden who tends to it – just appeared one day as well.

The stone walkway which once led up to the shrine's hollowed halls, were now aged and worn. Grass and vines grew through it, tugging on every faucet of the erstwhile pristine bricks. The formerly radiant wood of the shrine too had been marred down by the scythe of time, which reduced the aged structure to nary more than a house of horror. Yet the woman who lives in it is still as young and as beautiful as always.

Her name was Natsume, and she was the feline who lived at the shrine. Many stories had been told claiming she was a witch. Not a court wizard, not a mage, not even a spellcaster, but an honest witch. And you know what? They were all right.

There were just as many rumors about where she came from as there were rumors about what she did in that shrine of hers. A majority of people settled on the idea that she – and her now vanished family – came to High Bishop from the nation of Kuvatis. It's claimed that in those territories of the world, her clothing was worn by priestesses who attended to religious shrines; shrine maidens, as they were called. Though that seems to be at odds with other claims, for her psychical appearance as a black cat seems more in line with someone from the desert nation of Kahlil, and the gods she often invoke come from this land as well.

She stood outside of the decrepit shrine, wearing what she always wore; a white kosode and red hakama pants, further making her feel like some otherworldly spirit as oppose to someone or something tangible. And yet, when you gaze upon her, either from up close or from afar, you'd find a beautiful and mature looking feline, one whose slender face and sharp gaze had turned the heads of many who have passed her on the street.

Her fur was jet black, smooth, always maintained, and with a shimmer that runs through it when the sun cascades upon her body. Her hair was equally as black, and incredibly long, though almost always tied into twintails which fell along the side of her head. Despite the somewhat baggy nature of her attire, it's tied just tightly enough to make it known she has a voluptuous figure and slender build. But to what extent? Well...

That's a secret.

But despite her beautiful looks, and ethereal presence, no one would dare cross her on the street, and only a rare few would ever think about speaking to her. While you would be wise to blame it on her occupation as a witch, it was mostly because of her looks and persona that made her out as being rather... prickly. Her lips were always bent into a frown of annoyance or indifference, her brows slant with a gaze that was either irritated or bored, and her movements were always stiff and stout, with no bend or break or flaw in her striding steps.

There were a rare few who'd even think about speaking to her, and it was either for something business related, or someone too stupid to realize who she was. And then there was one boy who did both. And that boy... he...

Hmm...

The chatter of animals on the forest floor echoed all around Natsume, mixing in with the calls of birds in the skies. Back and forth, the end of her broom brushed off the leaves which had fallen upon her marred walkway, as if this would somehow fight back the ravages of time. Ultimately... it was all pointless, and she knew this, yes.

But she did it anyway... as if she was supposed to do this.

There were aged statues lining the walkways to the shrine, ones depicting figures, deities, that have long since been forgotten. Was this place really some place of religious worship years ago? And if so, to what purpose? What gods were these that Natsume and her family presumably attended to in their day?

It... no longer seemed to matter, in all honesty.

Hmm...

It was a softly stirring morning today when Natsume emerged from her shrine. Her brief sweeping having finished, the jet-black feline cut her gaze out towards the forest before her. In the distance she could see the people of High Bishop making their way through life, and she was about to join them.

“Haaaah... my package better have arrived today...” she muttered to herself, annoyance dripping in her tone.

Hanging nearby upon her shrine's banister was a light brown satchel, one containing all sorts of illicit and arcane goods. When she picked it up, the items within rattled about, and a wheezing noise even echoed from within.

“Silence...” she snarled at... whatever that noise was, causing it to cut short.

Once she had tightened the straps of her satchel around her shoulder, the black-eyed feline gazed down towards the rocky road in the distance, gave an affirmative nod, then began walking for her destination.

People were already up and ready for the day, walking left and right... only to part as they noticed something odd. A woman – a feline – wearing a white kosode and red hakama pants, was silently walking through the streets with a rustic brown satchel slung to her shoulder. She was as silent as a ghost and as intense as one as well, saying nothing as her heels clicked against the ground. Everyone who passed her were shocked by her out of place clothes, but very few had the courage to speak to her. But that didn't stop a rarer – perhaps stupider – few from heckling her, calling her beautiful, and just trying to flirt with her in general! And to those few brave and foolish enough to do so.... well, she had an 'appropriate' response.

“Heeey~~~! Beautiful, where are you--”

“Ecnelis...”

Ziiiiiiiip!!!

“Mmmff? Mmfff!? MMMMPHH!?!?”

Well... he'd be tight lipped for a while! It was as if a magical zipper had closed his mouth tight, making it impossible for him to speak. It wouldn't last forever, for thankfully, Natsume was in a slightly good mood today.

Slightly...

Every now and then, the feline would tighten her grip on her satchel, or even bite upon the tip of her thumb. The closer she came to her destination after hours of walking, the more her heart began to race! Eventually, her footsteps came to a halt, and her black eyes fell upon a building before her. Finally, after days of being denied her essential ingredients, it had arrived!

Holy Grace Deliveries. Simple, honest, and straight to the point... even if she thought the name was kind of ugly.

Remember what was said earlier? About how the only people who'd speak to her were either due from business, or foolishness? This establishment was more the former than the latter.

Ring-A-Ding!

“Huh? Oh! Hey! Natsume!”

This was one of the rare few areas in High Bishop where seeing the shrine maiden was a common occurrence. Holy Grace Deliveries, or 'HGD', was exactly what it said on the surface; a delivery station in the grand city. Honestly, it was one of many, since High Bishop itself was large enough to facilitate multiple post offices and the like. Holy Grace however prided itself upon its quaint, homely aroma... and the clothes proximity it had to Natsume's home.

“Good morning, Mr. Conway,” muttered the feline as she stepped in, her piercing black eyes glaring at the older man behind the counter.

He was a jovial, wolf of a fellow, that Mr. Conway, and one of the rare few individuals who could look Natsume in the eye and not falter. While witches may be an oddity to the people of High Bishop, it wasn't to this man, who'd lived beside more than just a few arcane spellcasters in his life. Perhaps it was his age, which while being easily in his fifties, he still had such luscious red hair, even with the gray streaks running through it. He knew a thing or two, because he's seen a thing or two, which includes how to speak and respect a witch. Especially one as powerful and as mysterious as Natsume.

Not everyone shared his intelligence.

“So... came for your delivery, right, Natsume?” said the man, to which the sullen-eyed feline nodded.

“Yes. Has it arrived?” she asked with that annoyed tone of hers.

He took no offense; this is how Natsume always sounds.

“Of course, of course!” he said as his mouth spread out with a great smile, “My deliverer just arrived a few moments ago; he should be in the back as we speak! In fact...” Clang! Clang! “Hey! Matthias! Natsume's here!”

That name. Matthias. Hearing that name sent a jolt through Natsume's body, and her eyes locked in on the door. It opened up shortly after, to reveal... him.

He... he was on the latter end of people who tended to speak to her; the ones who were too foolish to know what they were getting into. But where as most would be smart enough not to bother her after she's hex them once, maybe even twice, he was different. She could curse his blood to turn cold, could glue his eyes shut for over a day, could sew his mouth and ears so he could not speak nor hear. And yet, without fail, he'd always look up to her and say--

“Hey! Natty!”

“Ngghghh! Natty!?”

Matthias Neltzer... even now, she remembered the day he moved into High Bishop. From what she had learned, his parents had died from some plague in their home country, and he moved here to live with his uncle by result. At that age, he was only twelve, but seven years later now at the age of nineteen, he had grown into a fine, if not still childish at times, young man.

And a young man whose eyes were attracted to her.

He was a human. Not a beastkin, not a dog, not a cat, not a bird, not even a hybrid. He was 100% a human. Lean and young, with cheeks that were still a bit smooth, unkempt hair that was a reddish brown, and skin that was rather tanned due to all the time he spends under the sun. But despite his dusty, and even dirty appearance, he had this face that was... hard to quantify. For someone who was used to the night, someone who was always so dark, so dour, seeing a young man smile in a way that beamed, smiled in a way that made her feel like she was gazing into the sun... it shook Natsume.

He emerged from the back, wearing suspenders, a white shirt, and a cap on his head, and also carrying his satchel on his shoulders. As a deliverer beneath Mr. Conway, it was his duty to head to his destination and deliver his goods, or collect them in this case. It was a simple trade he picked up in his teenage years, and something he's continued doing since.

But...

What was it that drove him to interact with her? His childish ignorance? Some certain since of bravado? Perhaps courageousness? Whenever he saw her on the street, or happened by her on the dusty roads between towns, he'd always call her that nickname. That nickname that... absolutely made her blood boil.

“Good morning, Natty!”

She gritted her teeth.

“Ecnelis!”

Zzziiiiip!

“Mmmfff!”

“GAR HAR HAR HAR HAR!”

Eyes wide, he clamped his hands over his mouth, before relenting and falling over. Muffled words came from his sewn lips, while Mr. Conway laughed at his counter from behind. Natsume meanwhile clung closer to the straps of her satchel as she leered at the young man before him... where she saw him smile. Even with his lips sewn like this – perhaps forever if she so chose – he laughed and smiled as best he could.

It... it always annoyed her even more. His endless joviality. Were his parents not dead? Did he not endure excruciating discomfort beneath the sun? Did she not hex him multiple times throughout his life? Then why was he always smiling?

Always.

“Okay, okay, I think the boy's suffered enough,” said Mr. Conway as he shook his hand through the air, “Why don't you go ahead and unzip his lips, Natsume. I can't have him mumbling when he still has deliveries to make today.”

“Haaaah... as you wish,” muttered the feline as she rose her hand, “Kaeps.”

Zlurrrrrp!

“Guh! Haaah! Haaah! Hmmm... hmm... man... uh... eheheheh... I see you're in a mood today, Natty,” said Matthias, making her twitch, “But... still...” he smiled, “I'm happy to have made your delivery!”

Reaching his hand into his satchel, he rummaged about within it briefly, before going 'ah-ha', with realization. When his hand emerged, he was holding a jar in his hand, one containing ears. Yes, ears. These green and sharp ears were contained within this glass jar, sealed up to the top. Holding it in his hand, Matthias looked at the jar in an understandably shaken manner, before handing it to Natsume.

“Giving you weird stuff like this... reminds me of old times, doesn't it, Natty?” Matthias asked as he handed her the jar.

“You're too young to speak of our past meetings as being 'old times',” the feline replied, “And stop calling me 'Natty'. I have no qualms sealing your eyes next.”

“I'd rather you not,” Mr. Conway said, “Remember? I said he still has deliveries to make. Speaking of which...” he shifted his gaze back to Matthias, “Alright, Matt, time to head off. I need you to pick up a package for Dr. Fern in the neighboring city of Guva. Can you make the travel?”

“I'm on it, Mr. Conway!” he replied with a thumbs up.

Taking off his cap, he dusted it against his knee, before resetting it on his head. Then he turned for the door he entered in through, prepared to head out through the back exit. But before he left, he turned one last time to face Natsume, where – as usual – his face shifted into a bright, beaming smile. In response she stiffed in place, her black eyes leering sharply at him, and her teeth grinding against one another in a clinched growl.

But her heart jolted.

…

What actually exists within the witch's shrine? What actually sits beyond those dark, aged walls? Like many things surrounding Natsume, it was a rife with rumor and mystery. Some say that she was the kind of witch who kidnaps foolish children and cooks them. Though, that was typically the stories a parent tells their children to make them behave. Others say that it was a laboratory, and that she was secretly performing arcane rituals for the emperor. As with most things, reality was far more simple than that.

Sluuuuud!

The paper walls of her home were pushed apart as the witch maiden walked through them. On the outside, her shrine was was covered with the markings of time. Growth and vines slid along its walls and support beams, and really, had it not been for its Eastern influence, this building would very much look like a witch's home. However, due to its design, it instead looked like the haunted halls of a ghost.

Natsume could easily fit both descriptions.

The inside of her home however, was just as conflicting as the outside. If she was a woman from Kahlil in inexplicable Asian clothing within a Eastern house, then it only made sense that her home would be like... like... well, like a cross between an Asian house and a Middle Eastern house, right?

The shrine had your typical sliding doors befitting homes from Kuvatis, but there were statues standing about that depicted gods from Kahlil. The likes of Ra, Anubis, Set, Isis, Horus; you name one, they were probably here.

It was a bit of a strange mixture, since the two architectures were so... different. Her home naturally extended more towards its Asian designs, thanks to the flat floors and paper doors, but there were Middle Easter influences as well. The colors of her home were gold, black and white, giving it a somewhat opulent flair, despite the sinister miasma which seemed to ooze between its seems.

But this room right here? The one Natsume was currently walking into? Oh... this room.

If you had trouble imagining her as a witch before, then this room right here would confirm it. When the door before her slid open, it revealed her lair. There laid a cauldron in the middle, the floor was messily laden with various tools and items, and the walls lined with all sorts of arcane tools. Natsume had bookcases lining the walls, and while some were filled with actual books, others were filled with... less thrilling items. There were jars resting on some ledges, jars filled with things ranging from mysterious juices, to dead life forms such as snakes and birds... and even eyeballs.

Blinking, eyeballs.

Natsume wasn't bothered by this. This was... normal for her. In fact, she'd argue she had spent most of her days in this room lone. Sitting in her chair before her cauldron, her stirrer in hand, she'd spend hours upon hours performing all sorts of arcane rituals. Currently, her cauldron was pulsating with this seemingly sinister green liquid, one that was steaming hot both to the touch and merely to gaze upon. However, she could see her reflection in its surface, as her lips curled into a beaming smile.

She had been denied for far, far, far too long. It was time to get to work.

“Let us seeeeee,” said the feline as she looked towards a nearby pedestal, where upon it laid a book. Drawing her hand over, she began flipping through its pages, “Where are you...? Where are you...? Where are you...? Ah-ha! There you are!” here lips curled into a grin, “Finally... after so very, very long I have found you.”

And what is it that she's found? A little something called... turtle stew.

What? Were you expecting something more fantastic? Like some invisibility potions, or demon summoning? Is it any surprise that she uses her cauldron not only to create hexes and spells, but also to cook dinner? I'll have you know, that it's not uncommon for witches to use their cauldrons to also prepare meals for themselves! Though, some witches do use other cauldrons, or even kitchens to cook their meals. Natsume wasn't one of them; she preferred to use her cauldron for dinner, since she felt it brings out more flavor in her meals.

Though... it does sometimes come with... issues. But that's besides the point!

The art of potion making is surprisingly similar to the art of cooking, and many witches tend to be culinary experts themselves, though the same isn't true the other way. Natsume was no different, being a skilled feline when it comes to cooking. It showed itself now as she danced her fingers through the air, summoning her arcane magic to draw bottles and ingredients to her. Carrots were chopped, cheese was sliced, butter tossed inside, spices added, and to top it all off, the key ingredient next to the turtles themselves!

The severed ears of a goblin!

Drool hung hungrily from Natsume's mouth as she pulled the bottle of ears out personally. Once again looking over her recipe book, the excited witch maiden was just about ready to pop the top off of her jar and dump its contents inside... but she hesitated.

These ears... they were delivered to her by Matthias. And knowing him, had he not been sent off by Conway, he would have personally visited her shrine. What then would have occurred between the two of them, Natsume wondered. He was a young man now; not the auspicious little boy she met him as. The auspicious little boy who... who was always smiling.

She couldn't understand that most of all about him; his endless, endless smile. It's usually the first thing you'd see on his face when he looks at you, for he could brighten up a room with it alone. Even this dark and dismal room would become as bright as a summer day if Matthias stood in it with that grin of his.

“Haaaaaah...”

She couldn't remember when he started calling her 'Natty'. She hated the nickname, but she'd be lying if she said it didn't hold some... sway with her. No one else was allowed to call her 'Natty' or any such nickname. If they did, huh, she'd immolate them on the spot! But Matthias... well, he only got a zipped lip; a mere silence spell.

“Hmmm...”

He was a curious boy. Back before she found use in the delivery services of HGD, she'd often ask him for aid. Always ordering him around, telling him to collect for her something. And – without need of threat or hexing – he'd always head out to please her. Whatever she asked – gorgon's eye, kitsune's tail, a newt's toes – he'd collect them... somehow.

What did he call them again? Oh yeah, he said those were the 'old times'.

“Foolish boy...” Natsume whispered as she dumped the goblin ears into the cauldron, “Does he not know what he's getting involved with? He should focus on himself...” she began stirring the pot, “Tch... foolish boy...”

She could tell it in his eyes. Could hear it in his voice, could see it in his kindness... he was attracted to her. Natsume was not new to this. If it was not her unique clothing that attracted the eyes of others, then it was certainly her looks that did. Her sharp eyes, her jet-black fur, her stunning figure, and her cool face: the witch maiden was rumored to be a succubus because of all these things. It was annoying; what businesses would she have with such trite things?

But it was different with Matthias. Whenever he gazed upon her with that smile of his, she didn't see a lustful pervert. Sure, he may have some hidden lewd side within him – he is mortal after all – but he was not some fool who let it control him. He didn't look at her like a sexual object, or some mysterious force. He looked at Natsume like...

Like...

SSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

“AAAH!? WHAT?! RGGGH!”

Ears and tail shooting up, the feline realized she had accidentally added too much fire to her cauldron; her food was absolutely boiling! With a cast of magic, wind started billowing within her room, forcibly cooling off her cauldron and her meal. Haaaah! Stupid, stupid, stupid! How had she let her mind wonder like that!

“Darn it, Matthias! This is all your fault!” Natsume even cried as she shook her hand... only to relax and calm down, “And I was... looking forward to his meal... aaah...”

Her hand moved to the cleavage of her shirt to clutch it, while her lips bent into a frown of regret. It was one of the rare few times where her pensive and serious face was softer. Even this slight tint of red appeared on her cheeks, showing her growing embarrassment.

The feline had thought about trapping Matthias once. It was first one of her many threats. She promised to trap him in jar, but to keep him young and alive. Like all her threats however, it seemingly fell on deaf ears, for he continued to call her 'Natty'.

But thinking about it now, well, it had a certain twang to it. She could put him atop her bookcase of curios, but... no, that wouldn't suffice. If she was going to trap Matthias somewhere, she'd want to trap him in a place where she saw him often. Maybe then she'd carry him on her person at almost all times, snugly fitted away within her satchel. She'd remove him to marvel at him, appraise him, gaze upon him; like her most prized jewel. When she cooks, she'd put him on the nearest ledge, and when she sleeps, she'd rest him upon her nightstand. Would she allow him to watch her undress? To pull these clothes from her body in her own sensual display?

Inch by inch she'd pull those clothes of... taunting him... teasing him... letting him get a view of that which he would want, what he'd lust for, but what he could never have. This sensual, slender, elegant body, one hidden from the views of all but herself... and him if...

“Haaahhaaahhaaa~”

A shudder ruminated through Natsume's body as her eyes closed shut and she bit into her bottom lip. This carnal little daydream of hers continued on, thinking about how she could further escalate things. It wouldn't be too hard; she could pull Matthias from his jar, and use him like her own personal little sex toy. It's not like she's never explored the limits of her magical talent in a manner thought uncouth; eromancy is just as important as other branches of magic, and tentacles have certainly been quite the nightly friend.

Hmm... that may be a bit much...

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

“GAH!? AGAIN!? DAMMIT, MATTHIAS!!!”

Cursing his name for a second time, Natsume used her powers to once again cool off her meal. How could she be so foolish as to let her mind wonder? And so soon after the last time as well!? She was a witch! She usually had better control than this! If this was a spell she was creating, she could have possibly hexed herself! Hgggh!

Once again, she refused to take responsibility, and further blamed it on Matthias. Perhaps he was secretly some wizard of his own, and had cast a spell on her when she wasn't paying attention. That's the only way she could explain why he was still in her head. Was it a jump? Well, it's not like Natsume was known for her sane imagination.

After a few more billows of wind, the feline got her cauldron cooking at a more stable rate. And according to her recipe book, it was necessary to let things cook for a few more hours; seven of them to be exact. That's fine; it was still early in the day, and she could have a nice moonlit meal. So raising herself up, Natsume pulled away from her cauldron and faced the door.

Where she bit into her thumb.

It was a physical tic of hers that came whenever she was feeling an overabundance of emotions. Usually, it was annoyance, but now, it was... something else. Or, more accurately, someone else.

Of course she could envision Matthias in her head. His sweet brown eyes. His cute features. His messy, dusty hair. His charming, earnest voice. His soft hands. So soft hands. And his smile. This bright, bright smile that could enliven even the gloomiest of days. Thinking about this, thinking about him, drew a smile to her face... and then a frown.

No, it is confirmed; he must be a wizard! Of all the people she's come across in her long life, why is it only him that she's been attracted to? Because he was stupid enough to constantly speak to her? That... that does sound likely, honestly. But she never bemoaned her loneliness before, never cried about it.

She used to. She used to cry about it, used to lash out because of it, but she thought she stuffed that part away a long time ago. She thought she... ah...

She needed to confront him. The more she tried to run away from these thoughts of Matthias, the more he somehow infiltrated her mind. Wizard, witch, mage; whatever he was, she refused to believe he was nothing more than a simple deliverer. He had to have some ulterior motives when it came to his talking to her, and that smile. He wouldn't smile like that to just anyone, does he?

Why did the idea of him sharing his smile make her jealous? It was as if... huh... he's a young man, isn't he? In that age range where he's interested in girls? There was probably some young girl – most likely human – that he was interested in. Considering how simple he is, Natsume wouldn't be surprised if this girl he likes turned out to be a farmer's daughter, or something like that.

He'd never go for a beastkin. He'd never go for someone as mature as her. He'd never go for a witch that hexes him constantly. She was just 'Natty' to him. And that smile, that smile that can light up a room, he was going to be giving that smile to someone... else.

“Nonsense!”

Though... Natsume couldn't tell why she shouted. Was it because she couldn't believe he had once again taken control over her thoughts? Or was it because she refused to believe he'd be sharing his smile with another girl?

Whatever the case may be, the witch maiden was positively fuming now! Having given enough bites to her thumb to nearly break skin, she was going to confront Matthias about this, and uncover the truth of his deception!

After all, her being smitten with him was certainly not her fault, was it? No, it's all his! And she was going to prove it!

So slipping out of her home, Natsume stood upon its broken steps outside, her gaze traveling to the skies overhead. Was it her, or was there this... quivering in the air? It was hard to explain, but it felt like a tingle, a quaking, which roared through her body. When Natsume grabbed her satchel, not even the mysterious creatures within would speak.

Something was wrong...

…

Ring-A-Ding!

“Conway... huh?”

It's uncommon for HGD's counter to be unintended. If its not by Conway, then it's by his son, or his grandson, or his daughter-in-law. For there to be absolute no one here... well...

Natsume tensed up as she entered the delivery post, her eyes cutting one way, then the other, and back again. Though she did not work here, she knew the building like the back of her hand, and thus had no problems hopping over its counter and walking to its back door. Through it was a corridor where they collected their things – arrivals and departures – all contained within little shelves. At the end was another door, which was where the deliverers would come in to put their stuff. So she walked right up to it and pushed it open.

“GAH!?”

“WHAT IN THE-- NATSUME!?”

This room was where the deliverers would stop to break and unpack their things, but it also served as a room for meetings to be held whenever they were necessary. Now appeared to be one of those times, for before her was Conway and his son, Sprouse. They both looked at her in a confused manner, wondering why she was here. In response, she asked,

“Where is Matthias? Is he here?”

“Uhhh... did... did you need something?” asked Conway's son, to which Natsume--

“Ecnelis!”

Ziiiiiip!

“MMMFFF!?”

The wolf clung to his lips, trying to pry them open, while Conway himself sighed.

“Please, Natsume, release his lips!” he asked, to which she groaned.

“Haaaah... kaeps!”

“Gaaah!? Haaah!? What in Hela was that!?”

“Now that I have freed your son, tell me, where is Matthias?” she asked whilst ignoring Sprouse.

Mr. Conway looked at her, wondering why she would have returned whilst asking such a thing, especially considering what information he was just told. Was it coincidence or fate that led her to return? He wondered this, but he shook his head and just got on with it.

“Remember when you came by earlier? And I sent Matthias to Guva to collect a package?” Conway asked, to which she nodded, “You're probably unaware of this, but Dr. Fern is--”

“A philanthropist,” the feline cut off, “He's a doctor and a philanthropist. He constantly funnels money into smaller, growing companies. Such as...” she looked around, “Holy Grace Deliveries...” then her eyes returned, “Why does that matter?”

“Well... huh... I forget, you probably know more about High Bishop than I do,” Conway said, “Anyway, I sent Matthias to Guva in order to pick up a package for Dr. Fern. It was secretive and kept only as a package, but this package is actually a chest. Dr. Fern has started having money sent secretly from the bank in Guva, to the bank here in High Bishop. To make sure bandits don't attack, he's always called his packages just that; packages. Nothing special... but...”

“But? Let me guess...” Natsume walked forward, “Somehow, word got out that this package wasn't just a package, am I correct?”

Conway looked up towards her, swallowed his spit, and nodded.

“Yes,” he answered, “One of my deliverers saw Matthias getting attacked by bandits with the package in hand. We don't know where he's being held at, but if I had to think, he's probably somewhere in Hurst Ravine... but I'm not sure; he could be anywhere. We're about to alarm the authorities.”

“No need,” Natsume said as she turned to face the door, “I will deal with this.”

“Huh? What? But... you don't even know where he's at.”

“Not yet...” Natsume said before raising her hand to her head.

Placing two fingers to her temples, the witch maiden closed her eyes briefly, hummed to herself, then reopened her eyes.

“Now I do.”

With a mere push of her hand, the door to the back opened, revealing the worn footpath road that led out to the fields surrounding High Bishop. Natsume started down the path like a woman on a mission, while Conway and his son both watched her, stunned.

“Should we... do something?” Sprouse asked his father, only for the older wolf to shake his head.

“No... I think she's got it...”

…

“H-heyyy! Ow! C-could you relax a bit on those chains a bit!? They're... they're kinda uncomfortable!”

“That's the point! Haaaah... now get moving!”

PUSH!

“OW! WATCH IT!”

Ah, man, how did he get into this situation? He told no one of the package, he didn't act any differently or anything! He just picked up the chest, thanked the post at Guva, then made his way back to High Bishop. Everything was going well... until these bandits showed up.

Tugged along into a dark, dank cave he knew not the location of, Matthias winced as pain ruminated through his body. His clothes were split here and there, he had some bruises to his face and body, but so far, this wasn't any worse than falling off of a horse. But considering how violent his kidnappers proved themselves to be, Matthias would prefer falling off of a horse than going up against these guys.

Look, he knew the proper procedure in a bandit attack. They hold you up, ask for your goods, you give it to them, and you keep your life; simple, right? Especially when he's alone and not much of a fighter. He could defend himself against one person, but four? Eh... that's a bit much.

But these bandits? Oh, they seemed less of the 'we don't want to do this, but we need money to survive' kind of bandits, and more of the 'we're dirty criminals and enjoy the sadism of hold ups' kind of bandits. Just his luck, huh? He could probably get through this alive, but he had no doubts that it would probably mar him for the rest of his life.

On the outside, Matthias was hopeful, even chuckling and smiling sometimes. It was a brave face though. On the inside, well... he wondered how things could have ended up like this.

“Look, I don't know where I'm at, and you have the chest; just let me go,” Matthias said as he pulled against the chains around his wrists, “I won't be able to tell anyone where you're at!” Push! “AAH!?”

“For a hostage... you sure are talkative...”

Falling over upon his knees, Matthias panted softly as his nails dug into the moist soil of the cave. It was oddly lit in this area; perhaps he was in the bandit's den. When he drew his gaze up, yup, his beliefs were confirmed. Money and other ill-gotten goods were callously tossed about within this chamber, strewn all over the place without care. And the one overlooking all of this – the bandit who was seemingly in charge – was sitting right in front of him.

Slowly, Matthias worked his head up, his gaze falling upon the man directly before him. He hadn't gotten a good chance to really look at his captors before. The attack was so fast and they were wearing masks at the time. Now? Well, now, the masks had been removed.

That's never a good sign.

And what of the man in front of him? Some big and strong looking horse beastkin. Ironic, considering what Matthias was thinking before. He'd seen the horse in the attack, but once again, the mask he was wearing had been removed, revealing his short black hair and dark eyes. Dark eyes that were piercing the young man trapped before him.

“H-heeeey!” said the deliverer as he pulled back, sitting on his butt before the man before him, “You... heh... you must be the guy in charge here, right?”

“You're right, Tonic,” said the horse to the man who forcibly pushed Matthias inside, “He does talk too much.”

“That's what I was thinking,” his ally replied, “Perhaps then we should cut off that tongue of his? If we sent it to his boss, I'm sure Dr. Fern would splurge to have some innocent kid saved. He is a phil... a philan... a philanopalogist?”

“Philanthropist,” Matthias corrected, much to their annoyance, “And, hey, don't you think tongue cutting off is a bit much!? Like... I need this, ya'know!” WHAM! “GAH!?”

“See? He does talk too much...”

One good swat to his head, and Matthias fell over, face slamming into dirt as pain rumbled through his skull. His cheeky grin vanished as he writhed upon the cave's floor, while all the pain he felt made it quite a struggle to keep conscious. Still chained up as he was, he couldn't even rub the wound on his head.

Whoever these bandits were, not only were they serious, but they were quick too. Before Matthias knew it, he was being mounted by one of them, who prepared his knife and aimed it down with his maw. Matthias bit into his bottom lip defiantly – his last attempt to defend himself – but the man forced open his maw.

And then, with an almost violent, sadistic pleasure, the bandit slowly descended his knife down. Closer. Closer. Closer.

Matthias closed his eyes.

“What the? Where did you come--”

“DNIW!!!”

FWOOOOSH!

“WHAT THE!?” THOCK!!! “OOOF!?”

A mighty gust of wind suddenly knocked the bandit right off of Matthias' body, sending him careening into their pile of stolen treasure with enough force to make pieces of furniture and wood break beneath his body. But the young deliverer was still too dazed, and had just enough energy to bring his gaze up towards one of those bandits who held him hostage. They were retreating, while some mysterious force slowly walked up behind him.

“Where's Dirk!? And Vik!?” shouted one of those bandits.

“Dead...” replied a voice... a familiar voice, “And soon, you will be too... ERIF!!!”

A blazing heat roared from behind Matthias, one which callously traveled through the cavern. Before he knew it, the chamber was a light with a burning red fire, which danced upon objects and items like they were nothing but trash. The bandits weren't even quick enough to realize what was happening, before fire was caught upon their bodies. Flesh and fur was reduced to searing ash as skin melted off of bones in abstract figures.

Matthias winced in pain and recoiled, his eyes closing... then opening... then closing... then opening. The fire looked to be coming closer and closer, only to be stopped as if by some invisible force. Gasping, the young deliverer tried to parse together what was going on, but the pain he felt and his loosening consciousness made this difficult.

But a hand. A soft, tender, kind hand, gently cradled the back of his head, lifting him. Turning softly, Matthias' gaze met the black eyes of his savior. It was...

“Natsume...?”

She smiled.

…

Maaaaaaaaaaaack! Mack! Mack! Mack! Mack!

The sound of cicadas drifted through the air, while the amber glow of the setting sun gleamed through the open windows. Begrudgingly, brown eyes slowly opened up, scanning their surroundings... only to then widen in surprise.

Matthias pulled himself up, realizing he was no longer in that cave. In fact, he was in a place he hadn't seen in a long, long time. The floors were flat and brown, the walls were flat as well with the design of a desert upon them, the ceiling was flat and brown like the floors, and he was neatly tucked away into blankets. They were such nice, white, and soft blankets too, ones he could snuggle up to for hours.

Oh yeah. And he was naked. Completely naked.

“What the!?” he said as he tugged to these bed sheets in order to cover himself.

Not one stitch of his clothes remained in this room, having been removed and placed elsewhere. About the only clothing around for him to wear would be the black and gold yukata which was hanging on a nail just a few feet away. But, whoa, whoa, whoa! One thing at a time here!

What happened? He was kidnapped by bandits, about to have his tongue cut out, then he was saved, he remembered that. Saved by...

“Natsume...?” he muttered.

Yes, he was saved by Natsume! She appeared out of nowhere and rescued him! And that's why this building he was in looked so familiar; it was a distant room in Natsume's shrine! There were no traditional doors in this room, instead they were the sliding paper kind like in an eastern home. And immediately in front of him was a drawer, a drawer with a chest resting upon it.

It was Dr. Fern's chest, the sight of which made Matthias gawk in surprise. He was quick to restrain himself however, while his eyes gazed back to the door. If this really was Natsume's shrine, then it stands to reason that the witch maiden was in here somewhere. He'd just need to find her and thank her for her help... and hopefully, she'd be able to tell him where she put his clothes too.

Emerging from the bed he was rested in, Matthias quickly grabbed the yukata put up for him. He was obviously ignorant to how to wear one, and simply fashioned the garb like a robe. It left him embarrassed with how exposed he was, especially as the wind flowed up its skirt to grace upon his manhood. Jeeze, he was blushing up a storm!

“N-Natsume?” he called out as he exited the room, “Where are you?”

The halls of her shrine were silent... which drew to him memories of days long pass. It was rare when he'd get to come inside of Natsume's shrine... but not unheard of. Of all the people in High Bishop, he'd wager that he was one of the only few to actually see this place. And though it had been years since he last stepped foot in these halls, it looked the same now as it had done back then. Not even a spec of dust had been added to the eastern splendor of the exotic home.

“Wow...” he muttered audibly, only to focus himself. Right, he needed to find Natsume and his clothes; he could marvel later when he was dressed.

So he continued walking through the home, using his faded memory as best he could to navigate the area. This was her kitchen. She wasn't here. This was her library. She wasn't here. This was the shrine itself. She wasn't here. Then she must be here, in the living room? Walking up to it, he came to its sliding door... only to stop.

On the other end of this paper-thin door was the silhouette of a certain witch. The naked silhouette of a certain witch from the looks of it. Was... was Natsume... naked?

Pulling back, Matthias' cheeks turned as red as a tomato. Look, he's never lied to himself when it came to Natsume's beauty. She could curse him and hex him as much as she pleased, but the mature feline was without a doubt the most beautiful woman he's ever seen! She had such a slender yet voluptuous form, perfectly womanly and feminine in every way. From that long black hair that fell like streamers, to her busty chest, that hourglass shape, and that round buttocks, Natsume had turned so many heads on the street for a reason! The only thing that defended her would be the baggy nature of her miko attire. But even then, it flaunted how slim her waist was, and how lovely her chest could be whenever she sported her cleavage.

Matthias wanted to just push through the door immediately, but he had better self control than that. So swallowing his spit, he instead raised his hand and drew it forward, intending to knock... but...

Natsume's shade could be seen pulling some sort of robe upon her body, covering her before she turned to face the door. And...

Slluuuuud!

The door slid open, revealing a wide open and flat room that led to the outdoor patio, and Natsume on the other end. Her body was loosely draped in a white and red yukata that was framed rather tightly to her form. Now more than ever, her figure was on full display. The slender shoulders and hips, the tight waist, and of course, the ever so bountiful cleavage, which was being shown off thanks to the seam of her robe.

“Matthias... you're awake,” Natsume said as she looked at him with her seductive yet stern face.

He gawked at her, incapable of speaking momentarily while he drank in the sight of her body. He mouthed out 'Natty' and even caused her to tense up, but she nor him actually said anything. That is until Natsume blushed, gritted her teeth, then looked away.

“Could you stop looking at me like that?” she snarled whilst bringing up her thumb and biting on it, “You're acting as lustful as those fools I pass on the street!”

“I... what? Huh... oh... s-sorry...”

It took quite a lot to make Matthias' bright face vanish, but after being called out for his shameless ogling, he couldn't help but to look down. He was both ashamed of himself for doing something like this in front of Natsume... yet he also couldn't deny the fact that he'd do it again.

Maybe it was that realization that brought a hapless smile to his face. Looking up towards Natsume, he even stuck out his tongue in a silly expression that finally had her looking back at him. She was still pouting in annoyance, her cheeks slightly red... but then she brought her hand forward to gently clutch his cheek in a soft squeeze.

“Are you... okay?” she asked, to which he nodded.

“Yeah... I'm fine... heh... thanks, Natty,” he replied as he gently snuggled his cheek against her palm, “All my injuries are gone. What happened? And where are my clothes?”

Briefly, Natsume fiddled just behind her with her tail, picking up... a bucket filled with water. But that's not all, for when she placed the bucket on the ground...

Plunk!

She revealed that all of Matthias' clothes – even his hat – were soaking within it.

“You were injured,” Natsume claimed, “Some of your wounds were bleeding, and the dirt and mud they dragged you through had stained your clothes. So I took it upon myself to undress you and clean your clothes. But as you can see with the yukata you are wearing, I made sure you were well accommodated. Does it... feel nice? My yukata?”

“Your yukata,” he repeated as he looked down to the garment that hung loosely on his body, “I think... it feels nice, Natsume.”

But she frowned, then pouted, as if he had said or done something to offend yet again. He opened his mouth to ask what's wrong, but the feline swooped in with her hands. Suddenly grabbing him, Matthias could only offer up a brief 'HEY!?' in retaliation, but it did nothing to deter Natsume. Grabbing him at multiple areas on his body, the witch maiden fastened the yukata to his body, tightening its hold on his limbs so that there was no extra space. It was far better than what he had done, far tighter, and far more comfortable as well.

When Natsume pulled away, he lifted up his arms, then smiled as he turned one way then the other, as if to show himself off. The feline merely shook her head... but she did smile softly, happy to see him smile again as well.

That smile of his... aah...

Reaching over, Natsume pulled out a tray that had two cups of warm tea resting upon it.

“You've been sleeping for a few hours,” she claimed as she offered Matthias a cup, “Once I was convinced you were okay, I let you rest things off. It must have been scary being attacked like that.”

“Eheh... well... a little bit,” he replied as he took the tea from her, “Thank you... ah... but at least I have an interesting story to tell in the future. How I was attacked by bandits and saved by a witch. Heh! Sounds great, doesn't it, Natty?”

Her frown grew stronger, but she didn't actually scold him for calling her 'Natty' again. Instead she looked back down to her tea and took a sip, before returning her gaze towards him. It was a bit awkward on her end, sitting here with a man. Even in this wide room, the space between them was small. There was nothing but her tray separating the two.

She'd gaze upon his body before – nothing too lewd – but now things were different. She blamed it on the red tint of blush on his face; he looked so cute with his embarrassed face like this.

So cute. Yes. So cute indeed. He lacked that brimming smile he usually had, having replaced it with an expression she wasn't used to. And this shy, embarrassed face of his... she liked it? Strange. It – like his smile – was a face she wanted to bottle up and capture for her enjoyment and her enjoyment alone.

Forever.

But why was he making this face? Was it really because of her? Well... yes! Yes indeed! Though he had never spoke it out to her before for fear of retaliation (he was brave enough to call her 'Natty', but not brave enough to tell her how attractive she was. Look, he's courageous, but not suicidal!), Matthias found Natsume to be an infinitely mesmerizing and bewitching woman. This feeling was exasperated as he sat alone with her in this room.

She didn't really seem to mind how... well... how... um... how blatantly exposing her kimono was. Sure, it covered the witch for the most part... but that's just it; it covered her for the most part. Every now and then it would part as she drank her tea, revealing not only her perfect form, but the fact that she wasn't wearing anything beneath it. Too much cleavage here, or her thigh there, or how slender her shoulders were, and how slim her midsection was thanks to the tightly tied kimono she wore. It must have been through shear magic alone that her top didn't fall and reveal her breasts towards the young man she was with. Was Natsume doing this on her own? Or was she trying to break the young man's fragile libido?

It didn't take him long to gawk at himself, wondering why these thoughts were filling his head. He was with Natsume! For as long as he's known her, she's never once shown any hint of attraction towards... anyone! And certainly not him, the annoying farm boy turned deliverer who constantly calls her--

“Natty...”

“Hm?”

He tensed up, realizing his words slipped out from his mouth. Looking at her in the face, the suddenly awe-stricken young man wondered how he could get out of this situation. Natsume was even leering at him with that trademark pout of hers, further putting him on the spot. Fortunately, he was skilled in the art of scrambling.

“The chest! My package!” he said whilst averting his gaze and smiling sheepishly, “You took it in too! Th... thanks... with all that fire I saw, I'm surprised you even bothered with it.”

Natsume hesitated to answer him however, instead leering at him with an increased aura of annoyance. She noticed his scramble, and could see his growing embarrassment. Seeing him act like this when they were all alone in her shrine... urrrgh... it angered her.

And yet...

“Yes... I brought it,” she stated, “Money is of no object to me. However, your delivery service is important to you, Matthias. I don't want you to come across as a failure, so I made sure to collect your package.”

“Saaaay... now that I think about it...” he raised an eyebrow, “How did you know where I was?”

“Tch... such a stupid question,” she replied, “I cursed you, You have an eye floating around you, visible only to the magically inclined, which you are not.”

“I have... a... wh... what?” he said, his mouth falling open, “And... for how long has it been there?”

“Since you've gotten your job.”

“What? That's been... so... for the past three years?”

“Yes...” she took another sip of her tea, “Is that a problem?”

She said it so flatly, so simply, as if this was something normal while he could only look at her with his eyes and mouth wide. How does he even respond to something like this!? She admitted to spying on him! And yet... he wasn't that surprised now that he thinks about it. Why else did she always seem to appear right when he's returned to the post office?

Man... Natsume really is strange!

“But enough talk about packages and health,” said the feline as she placed her now empty cup upon the tray before them, “Matthias. You are a witch aren't you?”

“WHAT!?” he replied, astonished by her accusation.

“Or maybe a wizard. Perhaps a mage. But certainly a spellcaster of some kind,” she continued, despite his shock.

“Natsume, what are you going on about?”

“Don't act stupid with me, Matthias!” she shouted, her anger showing as a sinister miasma began flowing off of her form, “You must be a witch! You put a spell on me when I wasn't paying attention, I know you did!”

“Natsume, if I was a witch, or wizard or whatever, I wouldn't have needed your help to escape those bandits! I could've just escaped on my own!”

She opened her mouth to give a retort... but grew silent.

Fuck... shit... yeah, he's right. If he was a spellcaster, he could've just killed those bandits on his own. They didn't seem smart enough to fight off someone even slightly talented in the arcane arts. Still, she refused to believe the alternative; refused to believe he wasn't a witch of some kind. If he wasn't a witch, then that means... these thoughts she's been having... were...

“Natty...?” he said whilst looking up at her, making her tense up and retreat as she went on the defensive, “Why... did you think I was a witch?”

“Silence, Matthias! You are okay! Now be free of my shrine!”

He pulled back... but he didn't stand up or leave or anything. He just cocked his head at Natsume, realizing this defensive face of hers was out of the norm. Her eyes darted left and right, she bore her fangs, and... was that the red blush of embarrassment forming on her cheeks?

“Natty...?” he said whilst scooting close, causing her eyes to widen further.

“What are you doing!?” she shouted, “Begone, Matthias!”

Her miasma exploded, increasing its malicious power. But maybe it was because he'd already survived one near-death experience today, because Matthias continued his approach regardless.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, gazing her in her eyes as his face became one of concern.

She opened her mouth to hurl another insult his way, to scream at him, to cast a spell... but the words never left her lips. Instead she rose her thumb, biting upon it as she looked him back in his eyes. When she did speak, she thought it was so low that only she herself could hear it.

“I've been thinking about you...”

Matthias heard it.

“You've been... thinking about... me?” he murmured back, “Uh... what kind of thoughts?”

“I want to put you in a jar and keep you.”

Well... that's Natsume for you; brutally and creepily honest.

Matthias swallowed his spit, then opened his mouth to speak... only to pull back. Now they had both become embarrassed and shy, struggling to come to terms with what had just been shared between the two. But leave it to the deliverer to be surprisingly courageous towards her of all people.

“I think about you too, Natsume,” Matthias said as he faced her, his lips curling into a demure smile while his cheeks heated up with embarrassment.

“You... do...?” she asked, incredulous to his claims... though willing to listen, “And... what do you think about...?”

“I think about... ah... hah... umm...” he closed his eyes, grinning, though it was sheepish and shy, “I think about your hands.”

“My... hands...?”

“Yes, your hands... when I see them from afar, I... heh...” he scratched the back of his head, “I just want to touch them. They look so soft... I want to hold them.”

“Is... that all?”

“Noooo... no...” he shook his head, “I'm not gonna lie to you. You could probably read my mind if you wanted to, so...” he averted his eyes, though his smile never left his lips, “I've thought about you in... other ways before. In... um... in... in... uh... umm...”

“In a lewd way?”

His eyes widened and he looked back at her. She was blushing still, but her expression said something else. It's not like Natsume wanted to just know, it's like she needed to know the answer to this question. She needed to know if he thought of her in a lewd manner.

Matthias was a lot of things, and one of them was honest. Almost childishly honest; the young man had not a single lying bone in his body. About the only thing he could lie about, was whether or not someone stole sweets from his aunt's bakery, and even then he wasn't particularly good at it! So when asked if he had lewd thoughts about her, he just...

“Yeah.. yeah I do...”

“Mmm...”

Now the both of them looked away, and the room grew silent. Even the clicking cicadas outside seemed to die down into nothing more than silence. What would become of their relationship – as minuscule as it was – after this? Matthias held nothing but admiration for Natsume, no matter how many times she hexed him. Delivering her needs and helping her out was something he genuinely enjoyed. Yes, ever since those 'old times'.

“Back when you helped me... before you became a deliverer at Holy Grace,” Natsume said, “Were you only aiding me because you wished to do lewd things with me?”

“Of course not,” he said... and then he smiled. One of those genuine, beaming, sunlit smiles, “I just liked helping you. Getting away from my uncle's farm and collecting things for you, was like an adventure, Natty. Heh... I always looked forward to helping you. I loved helping you.”

Natsume smiled. Then her cheeks puffed up. And then they turned red.

This stupid, earnest, honest boy. In a way, he was a witch; he had casted his spell on her a long, long, long time ago. It just took her until now to realize it.

It was clear that the witch maiden... probably had no idea what was the next natural step in the way things were supposed to go. Ironically, you could call her the lewd sort, because she kinda thought this would be the moment where things would devolve into heated sex.

That's how it works, right? Two lovers admit to their shared feelings for one another, and then they make love? And going by the looks in her eyes, that's exactly what Natsume wanted. Her shy smile had shifted into a more alluring smirk, and her black eyes positively glowed with this purple energy to them. Matthias' smile faded as he found himself entranced by those eyes, and his shoulders started slumping over as well.

“Matthias...” Natsume said as she extended her hand towards him, “May I kiss you?”

He moved in closer and grabbed her hand. The answer was already on his lips.

“Yes.”

Reaching out for her hand, she gently grabbed his own and took it. He was right; Natsume's hands were soooooo soooooffttt! The way they stroked upon his hand, guiding and drawing him in, he felt compelled by the touch alone. Matthias couldn't look anywhere but at her face as it came in closer an closer and closer until--

“Mmmfff...”

“Mmmm...”

Has... has Natsume had a previous lover before? She wasn't just good at kissing, she was amazing at it!

Her thin lips pressed up to Matthias', being so well-trained and flawless enough to easily maneuver open his mouth. And just as easily, her tongue slithered into him, gently pressing up against his tongue. Her grip on his hand grew relaxed, and one hand even moved down his body to squeeze and grope at his shoulder. Natsume was aiming to take the young man's breath away with this kiss, and grew stronger with every passing moment.

Tongues brushing against one another, the two softly moaned as they traded spit and felt their heats, mixing and combing under the setting sun within Natsume's shrine. It felt like forever as they kissed, and Matthias was even left wanting for breath! But when the feline pulled back, he found himself entranced by the alluring smile and glowing eyes she gave him.

“You've done this before...” she remarked, making him smile sheepishly.

“J-just once!” he said defensively, “And it uh... didn't end up pretty well... heh heh... um... that's... that's not a problem, is it?”

“Of course not,” she said with a shake of her head, “In fact... I like it more this way. I will be your first time, correct?”

“My first time? Natsume, we don't have to--”

“No, we do, and we will,” she stated, firm in her statement as she began pushing more into him.

“Natsume, but-- mmmfff...”

She kissed him again, silencing whatever words would have spilled from him. Any defiance died way soon after, with Matthias clinging softly to the feline he was with. She hugged him back, increasing the hold they had on one another as their lips continued melding together. Soft moans, softer clicks, and audible slurps left the two as they kissed, with Matthias being clearly the more nubile of the two. But what he lacked in outright skill, he more than made up for with enthusiasm and courageousness.

His hands were at first content to merely hug her and clinch her shoulders. But then they began moving down, sensually dancing upon her chest through her kimono. Groaning amid their kiss, Natsume pushed back against Matthias' hands, feeling those fingers clinch softly upon her bust through her garment. After a few more kisses, the two parted from one another, a thin sliver of spit hanging between the two while the witch maiden's eyes peered into her lover's.

She could see how much hunger he had for her, how much desire. It drew a smile to Natsume's lips, a sensual and devilish one. She typically didn't flaunt her beauty, finding such a thing stupid and childish. What's the point in having beauty when it's bound to fade away for most mortals? Besides, it's such a trite pleasantry, and only skin deep.

But when Matthias drank in her image, when he marveled at her eyes, when he clinched at her chest, when he lusted at her body... oooooh, it sent shivers down Natsume's spine, and spurned her to desire more.

“Matthias...” she whispered.

“Natsume...” he whispered back... but...

Huh... for all the times she's cursed him for calling her 'Natty', or 'Nat' or even 'Natalie' that one time, hearing him call her Natsume now just felt... wrong. No, for him, and for him alone, she was Natty.

Turning around slowly, the feline flaunted her back to Matthias, who was stunned silent by her sensual movements. Raising her arms, she began hugging herself close, her fingers drawn up to the collar of her kimono as she tugged it. But...

“Take it off of me...” she whispered. Matthias nodded.

He was a bit clumsy in the art of sensuality, but he was desperate to learn. When he touched her shoulders, his hands pressed in and his fingers squeezed, kneading and rubbing her as his palms ran up and down. Then they came up to the collar of her kimono, slipping in where he slowly began drawing the garment down and off of her shoulders.

Inch by inch her midnight fur was exposed, and the slender shape of her feline figure. This body which had no end of rumors and suitors, was steadily being exposed before him. He gasped, bit his lip, tried to restrain himself, but he couldn't help but to be awed by her form. The kimono eventually grew loose upon her body, hanging down on her shapely hips, while she continue clutching her chest close.

Moving in, Matthias clung to Natsume, his chest resting on her back. In a romantic embrace, he hugged her in close, while his pursing lips kissed at her cheek, her neck, and then her shoulder. Every kiss had Natsume's heart racing faster and faster, her eyes closing shut, and her hand reaching up to clutch his head close.

He was such a kind, affectionate lover... aah...

With her kimono pulled down, he now had unbridled access to her chest. He didn't hesitate, his arms sliding under her arms so that his hands could grab a hold of her breasts; one in each palm. Those heavenly, juicey tits; each one filled his hand and then some.

At first Matthias was apprehensive; he's never done something like this before! But then Natsume looked over her shoulder at him, piercing him with her gaze, and telling him silently to move. So he moved, squeezing her breasts into his hands, and drawing a moan from her mouth. Her head leaned back, letting out an even louder moan which filled the air around them.

“Aaaaah... amazing...” Natsume said.

He'll say; the witch maiden's chest was amazing indeed. The feeling of them, the weight, the texture of her fur, the shape of their curvature; everything. Growing up, he thought witches were supposed to be ugly, old hags. Natsume was clearly older and more mature than he was, but he'd be a fucking fool to think she was old or ugly in any way.

And as he touched her body, as he explored it, as he felt her writhe and wiggle in his grasp, he realized just how... cat-like she was. Obvious, yes, but there's a difference between a mere feral feline you keep as a pet, and a lovely, voluptuous beastkin that he was pleasing now. And as his deft digits darted to her hard, pink nipples, poking and pinching and flicking them, he caused her sensual form to slide, shake, and quiver with desire.

“Oh Matthias... this feels so good...” she whispered, making him tense up.

Really? He was just going with what felt natural, and feared that – in reality – he was fumbling about. But being told the opposite – being told that his touches felt good – imbued him with so much courage. So he squeezed in, hard, pulling her breasts close to her chest, and pulling her entire body close to his chest. There he began kissing her along her cheek and neck, more and more, harder and harder, while her shapely buttocks perfectly fitted itself right upon his lap.

This throbbing length of his. Mmmm... it was so big. And with nothing in the way but the yukata he wore, she could feel it pressing back up against her posterior. He was this hard for her? Hooooh... this earnest, honest boy; he really couldn't lie to her. Not his lips, nor his body.

She wanted to indulge more in his desires for her. Wanted to see the absolute limits of need he had, and then push past them.

So Natsume pulled away, leaving Matthias' hands to grasp at the air in front of him. When he looked over and asked why however, his voice was silent. Instead he watched as Natsume turned to face him, her buxom and perky chest bouncing beautifully, while her sharp, feline eyes penetrated him.

Grasping the middle of her kimono, Natsume pulled it apart to reveal the full figure of her sensual form. Her slender shoulders, her busty chest, her wide hips, and her slim waist; none of it was hidden from his unflinching eyes. She was just so sensual and slender; from her head down to her feet, the witch maiden was the flawless grace all feline's would hope to attain.

But she wasn't done, and before he could speak, she fell upon her back. Legs spread wide open, Natsume sensually trailed her fingers down her body, along her navel, and right towards her womanhood. And there resting before him, were the soft, tasty folds of her pretty, pink pussy. Those southern lips oozed with honey and desire, glistening in the sunset-lit room they were in. Not even the shadows could hide how bright and how wet she was for him.

“Matthias...” Natsume whispered, beckoning him in with her sonorous, spectral voice, “Come to me, Matthias. Please come to me...”

He nodded.

Reaching out for her legs, Matthias grabbed Natsume by her knees to further spread her apart. That tight, pink pussy; it called out to him, enthralled him. He felt his mouth suddenly grow dry, despite the tea he just drank. He needed to quench his thirst, and the only thing wet around here, was spread out right in front of him.

He descend. His lips pursed. He breathed hard. And then he attacked.

“Mmmfff!”

“Haaaaaaahh... Mattthiaaaaaaasss...!”

Hmm? It was sour. And hot. And moist. And the fur here was getting stuck to his tongue and lips. But despite all of that, he kept lapping at her, kept licking, and eventually, he forced his tongue into her. Natsume groaned, her body arching off of the soft wood floor and her breasts clapping together, while her lover's tongue began teasing her vaginal walls.

Such a strong mouth. Heh... make of that what you will.

Feeling it explore her folds, it made Natsume wetter, hotter, and her eyes even began rolling back. Matthias himself was growing more courageous, more used to the feeling and taste of her body against her mouth. The sound of his lips smacking against her folds, audible bounced off the simple walls of her oriental home. Goodness, he was so fucking hungry; licking and slurping and drinking up her ambrosia. Every single little bit of it.

“Mmmff... mmm... hmmm... mmmm...”

“Ahaaaah ~~~! Aaaaahh~~~! Haaah ~~! Haaah~~! Nyaaaah ~~~! Maatthiaaaaass~~~!”

Her eyes closing shut, Natsume curled a hand beneath her chin as she writhed on the floor. Matthias had begun attacking her clit, licking and biting upon it to send surges roaring through her body. Twitching and bucking, the feline ground her pussy upon his face as she road out this pleasure by the hungry, if not outright voracious appetite her lover had. Even if he thought about pulling away, he couldn't once Natsume's hand gripped his head, holding him tight and keeping him pinned to her pussy. And before the feline knew it...

“Nngghhh! Haaaahh ~~~! Haaaaahhnnn! Aaaaahhn~~~! Cumming! Nrrrgghhhaaaaah~~~! Cumming! Aaaaaaah~! CUUMMINNNGGG! GAH!?”

Natsume's hips shot forward, her twitching labia lips pulsating around his tongue, and her flavor growing doubly intense. And before Matthias knew it--

“MMFF!?”

He was getting sprayed upon.

A thick, glossy sheen of feminine jizz, showered all over Matthias' face. He groaned against her, but he never pulled away, never stopped lapping at her folds. He just sucked, and licked, and kissed, until finally Natsume's legs stopped quivering, and the grip on his head grew lax. Then and only then did he pull away.

Her honey oozed down his lips, dripped off his chin, and then fell upon the floor. Panting softly, Matthias brought up his gaze to look Natsume in the eye. For a change, her cool an annoyed looks were gone, replaced with this desperate need for more. The feline even brought up her thumb slowly to bite upon it; a gesture he had seen her do plenty of times. But this time...

This time...

This time, Matthias crawled atop her, opened his mouth, and bit upon her thumb. The slight gesture sent a surge through Natsume's body, which itself brought a guttural groan from her mouth. When she looked down upon his face, saw those clinched teeth around her digit, and saw the sharp look in his eyes, Natsume... aaah... Natsume swooned.

He was usually so cute. Always smiling, always joking, always so carefree. This young man who lost his parents. This young man who lived for years on his uncle's farm. This young man who may never rise higher than his station as a delivery boy. This young man who – despite all odds – could always find a way to smile in the most harrowing of situations.

She didn't understand Matthias before. How could he be so jovial despite all he had been through? Maybe... maybe there was nothing to understand. Matthias is... well... Matthias is just Matthias, and it's as simple as that.

As simple as that.

Biting into her bottom lip, Natsume once again felt the flames of lust being activated within her. She couldn't take it anymore; she needed him now. So she pulled her thumb away from Matthias' mouth, and then rolled over upon her hands and knees.

Her hips swayed left and right like some sexy snake as she put on a brief dance for her lover. They were so saucy and so tantalizing to look at... and they were getting closer.

And closer.

And closer!

Until finally...

Pat...

Natsume pressed her ass up to Matthias' cock, sandwiching the tent in his yukata between her buttocks. Then the witch maiden began to slowly wiggle her hips back and forth, playing with her lover's penis as she caused it to get bigger... and bigger!

Teeth grinding against one another, the young man could barely stop himself from cumming right there on the spot. Natsume's body was just... relentless! The round and plump, peachy shape of her buttocks, had no equal. Not to say he was the type of man who fantasized and marveled at a maiden's backside (he was no lecherous pervert!), but being here with Natsume filled his head with depraved thoughts about her butt and her butt alone.

That seemed to be the point.

“J... just put it in, already.”

Matthias' eyes widened as he heard her request. Looking down towards the tent in his robes, the young man was quick to undo the sash around his waist, loosening the garb from his body. Letting it drop off, he revealed his long, hard, throbbing manhood, which oozed such sticky and syrupy precum at the tip. Even over her shoulder, Natsume could see the head of his dick angle towards her body like some meaty spear. Such an impressive length for a young man of his size... aaahh... and ohh... oh when it pushed inside of her... it was going to... aaah...

“Natty...” Matthias said, a moment of clarity descending upon him, “I'm not so... I've never... ya... ya'know, right? I've never been with a woman before... I don't...”

“It doesn't matter,” Natsume claimed as she shot him an annoyed expression, “You worry too much about such unimportant things. I care not for how well you perform, so long as it is only you who are performing. Now put it in. If I must, I'll handle the rest.”

Matthias opened his mouth, only to pout in a boisterous manner. What did she mean by, she'll hand the rest? Perhaps Natsume didn't mean it as a challenge, but he certainly took it as one! He may be apprehensive, but Matthias is no coward; never have been, never will be!

He just hoped his blind courage felt good.

Now then, focusing up, he leered at Natsume's womanhood. Still so bright pink, still with that glistening black fur resting alongside it, and still tingling with those lovely juices. Grabbing his cock by the base, Matthias slowly worked his way forward, hesitant a bit to make things go well. Oh, please, let things go well!

Press...

“Nmm...”

Natsume twitched and her eyes looked ahead. The head of Matthias' cock had pressed up to her pussy... then slicked off. He couldn't see it, but she was understandably peeved by his lack of understanding. Quite the tough woman to please, as you can tell.

Press...

Again, another push, and another miss. Annoying; didn't he work on a farm? Doesn't he know how breeding works? He's supposed to put it in her lower hole! Unless... unless this was his attempt to tease her! If this was a joke, she was going to hex him so--

Puuuuusshhh!!!

“NYAAAAAAAAHHH~~~!”

Matthias found it, and when he pushed in, it made Natsume's head spin. Her body arched, her eyes rolled back, and this loud moan penetrated the air. All the while, he sank in deeper and deeper, groaning as he impaled the witch maiden upon his cock. It took a bit more force on his end – he thought it would be easier than this – but after mustering enough strength within his waist, he forced every thick inch of his cock into her cunt.

And before he knew it...

“Aaaah...”

There was no more moving; he was perfectly fitted against her.

Natsume's pussy was so warm, so tight, and so moist. The juices of her cunt tangled all around his dick, and the pressure he felt further held him hostage against her. He gasped, tried to speak, but all that came out was nonsensical gibberish. Matthias was mesmerized by this feeling, so much so that he couldn't move. So he grabbed her tightly, sinking his fingers into her hips as the two were connected.

Connected...

Natsume herself clung to the soft wooden floors beneath them, her nails scratching lines into it. This feeling of a penis widening her out... had she ever felt it before? Felt it like this when... when it didn't hurt? Is this what it felt like to make love? If so, haaah, she could become addicted to this feeling.

“You can... nmmnnmm... hyyaaaah... you can move now... M-Matthias...”

“Yeeessss...”

Sliiiiiip... Pat!

“Nyoooooh~~~”

Sliiiiiip... Pat!

“Oooohhooooh... haaah!”

Sliiiiiip... Pat!

“Nyaahn~!”

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, Matthias began working his hips, driving his cock in and out of Natsume's body. Her arms wobbling, the feline felt the power in her limbs grow loose to the point that she fell forward, chest first. Her hips were still raised however, feeling his cock thrust in and out of her pussy with weighty impact after weighty impact.

Thoughts... they were pushed away, thrust by thrust by thrust. With every impact of his penis, the further and further away Natsume was thrown. It felt so good, feeling it push in deeper, running along her folds and ridges, and bumping up against her womb. Every thrust, every impact, had the feline's pussy swelling, while she grew looser and wetter as well. And his hands, they grabbed upon the plush exterior of her buttocks, sinking his fingers in as she sank back down on his cock.

Fuck this was sooooo goood!

This thought permeated and utterly dominated their minds. With every impact of their bodies, again and again, the two only thought one thing and one thing alone.

This feels soooo good! This feels soooo good! This feels soooo good! This feels soooo good!

THIS FEELS SOOOO GOOOOOD!!!

So this is what sex feels like.

Matthias may not have been particularly skilled at it, but fuck did he have the will and drive to please. Rushing into her, over and over again, slamming his cock in home, and then drawing back. His mind was in a haze from all the pleasure, while his eyes stared down upon the witch maiden's illustrious body.

The glow of the sunset, the sweat staining her black fur, the waves which ran through her form from impact after impact; all of this was perfect. Natsume's body was perfection. He couldn't help himself, couldn't slow himself, wouldn't dare think about stopping himself; Matthias just pounded into her, again and again, like an animal in heat. Drool had started hanging from his lips, while his teeth grew clinched, and his grip tightened even harder.

“Natsumeeeee!” he groaned, his hips a virtual blur of emotion and raw pleasure, “Natsume Natsume Natsume!” and then even faster, and even harder, “NatsumeNatsumeNatsume!” More, more! “NATSUMENATSUMENATSUMENATSUME!!!”

“STOP CALLING ME NATSUME!!!” she suddenly shouted back whilst curling in, “CALL ME 'NATTY!'”

He didn't hesitate.

“NATTYNATTYNATTYNATTYNATTYNATTYNATTY!!!”

Falling over upon her sensual back, Matthias' arms wrapped themselves around Natume's waist, grabbed her tightly, and refused to let go. All the while, his blurred hips continued driving his cock home, giving her no quarter, no space. The strong legs of a young man who walks for many, many hours of the day, was now being used to bury his length as deep into the feline's body as it could possibly go. And Natsume would have it no other way.

His penis was just perfect. Perfect shape, perfect size, perfect length, perfect everything. And while the technique may be lacking, Matthias clearly wanted to please her as much as he pleased himself. He had already brought her to climax with his mouth, and now he was about to do it again! She was about to cum again! She was about to cum all over his cock! She was about to--

“NYAAAAAHHHH!!!”

Even her tentacles... never felt this good...

Head held low, Natsume came, and she came hard. She probably came harder than she had done before. It rushed from her folds, flooding Matthias' dick and balls down with clear and slick juices. Strong in the way it rushed against him, and audible too, in the way it bounced off their hears.

She was milking his dick, absolutely hunting for it, hunting for that life-giving seed that only he could give her. And... and... and...

Well, he was a deliverer. He gave it to her, right on time...

“Aaah! Haaah! Haaaah! Ooooooohhh!”

Matthias' eyes rolled back as the most powerful climax off his life rushed through him. Cum. Thick, hot, copious, cum, roared from his balls, through his dick, straight to his glands, and right into Natsume. She felt it. Oooooh, she felt it! This strong, virile orgasm, of a strong, fit young man. Thick in its load, it absolutely overwhelmed every inch of her pussy in seed. Her womb, her vagina, her everything; it was all seeping with spunk like a basin of water!

And for a few moments after, neither side could move. They refused to move. They just wanted to feel this, to feel this pleasure as it faded off of them.

This was soooo good... haaah...

But after a few more moments that felt like an eternity, Matthias finally began pulling back. Inch by inch, his cock – covered in cum and feminine juices – slid out of Natsume's pussy with a loud and audible--

Schlop!

“Haaaah... haaaah...! Haaaah...! Ooooh...! Nnnghghh... hhaaah... fuck... aaahhhnn...” Matthias moaned.

Looking up towards the ceiling overhead, the young man recoiled from this tryst. Damn, he has walked from one town to another for hours on end, one time for two days straight, and yet this was the most tired he has ever been. Haaaah, but like a successful delivery, when it was all said and done, he felt completely satisfied. Nothing made him happier than a job well done.

“Selcatnet...”

“Huh? What was that, Natty?”

Bringing his gaze down, he stared upon Natsume as she shuddered. The feline's body was sexy, slender, sensual and shapely. Her usually midnight fur was shimmering too thanks to the sweat, and her pink pussy was marred white with his drooling, oozing seed. He smiled, finding the sight to be so lewd, so dirty, and so--

Swip! Swip!

“Huh? What the!?”

Tentacles.

Purple.

Slimy.

Cephalopod-like

Tentacles.

They appeared around Matthias via strange mist in the floor, where they suddenly swung down, Wrapping around his wrists and ankles, the writhing appendages held him close to the floor, back first. His eyes wide with surprise, Matthias struggled against the tentacles, while Natsume slowly arose up from the ground.

“Umm... uh... N-Natty?” said the deliverer as he looked up towards the feline, “Wh-what's going on?”

A sinister purple miasma had began flowing around Natsume, casting her body in shadows, save for her eyes. Eyes that glowed like the silver moon on a brilliant night. Extending her hand out to her lover, it was clear she was the one controlling the tentacles, as if that wasn't obvious before.

“S-seriously, N-Natty! Nggghh!? Wh-what's happening?” Matthias asked as the feline moved in closer... and closer... and closer... until, “Mmfff!?”

“Mmmm...”

She was suddenly so much more frisky with Mathias, clinging him close to her body as her mouth and tongue lapped hungrily at his own. Muffled yet powerful moans slipped from their mouths as they made out, with those tentacles still wrapping and slithering around his body to hold him hostage. Once she was sure he was properly bound – his arms pinned to the floor with no space to move, his legs likewise, and even a tentacle around his waist for good measure – then and only then did Natsume move.

“Mmmfff... oh, Matthias...” she whispered as she began kissing down his flat chest and stomach, and down toward the cock between his legs, “You feel soo good... mmfff..”

“Nattyyyyyy! Nnnghhaaaah... what's with these... tentacles?” he asked, causing her to give him a look of curiosity.

“What? You do not like them?” she asked, “Many a time my tentacles have been a friend of mine in bed. Say hello to Enos--”

“En-who?”

“I'm sure he will be as lovely a partner to you as he is to me. Now then, my darling Matthias,” her eyes pierced his very being, her mouth breathing hard upon his cock, “Tonight, we consummate our newfound relationship. Again...” she stroked her hand along his chest, “And again...” then her fingers trailed down to his cock, wrapping around it, “And again...”

“Natsume...”

“Until you can't go anymore... and then even further beyond that...”

Sweat began forming upon Matthias' body, while Natsume smirked up towards him. Raising up her butt, she wiggled her hips like a cat about to pounce, whilst gripping the shaft of his cock. It was a bit flaccid, but after tapping the head of his cum-oozing length upon her lips a few times, she felt blood start to circulate through it once again. It drew a giggle from her, before her mouth opened up wide.

That tongue, those fangs, those moonlit eyes; seeing them all somehow relaxed Matthias. He was trapped here, trapped here with her... but was that so bad? Aahh...

“Slurrrp... mmmfff...”

His cock slid into her mouth...

“Aaaaaahh...”

Matthias moaned and leaned back.

SLUUUUUD!!!

The doors slid shut around them.

…

She tended to have dreams. Premonitions, flashes, instances of days yet to come. If I told you the form you see of her is not her true form, would you believe me? If I told you she had knowledge and wisdom beyond that of even your great-grandmother or great-grandfather, would you believe me? If I said this mysterious woman had a heart somewhere beneath all of the shadows, would you believe me?

Yes. Yes you will.

Her name was Natsume, and she was the feline who lived at the shrine.

For years, she was the object of many a rumor and mystery. Who was she, where did she come from, what did she do in that shrine of hers, and whatever happened to her family? In those days, no one but the most foolish would dare speak to her, or even cross her path. But nowadays, things were different. Nowadays, she was different. Sure, she'd still hex any idiot stupid enough to get on her nerves, but now the once sullen and silent feline had a certain warm and approachable glow to her.

Well, heh, that and the fact that she let her hair down more often, such as right now. Oh yeah, and a doming stomach as well.

“Hello, Natsume!”

“Good evening, Natsume!”

“Hey! Natsume!”

“Ummm... hello...”

What the hell were wrong with the people of High Bishop? She gets pregnant, and suddenly everyone thinks they can talk to her whenever they want? Those fools; she was still the most powerful magic user in the land, and they think they can just say hello to her because she was an expecting mother? Natsume would hex them now but... he wouldn't like it that much. Besides...

It was kind of... nice... huh...

Ring-A-Ding!

“Huh? Oh! Hey! Natsume!”

She stood in the doorway of Holy Grace Deliveries. Where she once wore her maiden attire, the witch now wore one of her yukatas. The robe was black and gold, and depicted a feline goddess upon its surface. According to her, it was the goddess Bastet, recognized as a deity of childbirth and pregnancy in her religion.

Who better to give praise to when she herself was pregnant?

“Good evening, Mr. Conway,” said the feline as she placed a hand upon her fecund belly, “I have come to collect my husband.”

“Heh heh... such a wonderful way with words, Natsume,” said the wolf as he turned to face the door behind him, “Your husband just showed up not too long ago, so...” Clang! Clang! “Hey! Matthias! It's not wise to keep a missus waiting! Speaking from experience!”

Natsume heard footsteps, each one causing her to stiffen up before the door on the other end opened. And when it did, the first thing she saw of her husband, was that damn, bright, beaming smile of his. The way it lit up a room was only matched by the way it turned his wife's cheeks red.

“Hey, Natty,” Matthias said as he walked up to her, “Here as always.”

“What? Are you trying to insult me?” Natsume asked whilst leering at her husband, “I am never late. Unlike some people I know.”

“What? Heh! I'm never late too! It's why I'm so good at delivering!”

“Mmmm...”

She continued leering at her husband, a bit annoyed by his childish boisterousness... but it – like his smile – was able to break apart that cool facade she always had. Her lips slid into a smile, her cheeks puffed slightly as they turned red, and her eyes gained a softer glint to it.

It didn't remain that way for long, but the fact that the change happened at all was amazing in its own right.

Natsume looked away, then back, then away again, and then back again... before raising her hand and offering it to her husband. Matthias – saying nothing – gently took her hand into his own, holding it close.

“Come. Dinner is ready.”

“Let me guess... turtle soup with goblin ears?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“Eheheheh... never...”