FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Dark dreary, the rainy day on the Sun's Nest Plains was like no other. The clouds gray and heavy, the wind cool as it came off the distant sea, and the yellowing grasses bent over as if they were too tired to hold the weight of the world on their strong stems. No animals roamed the prairie; preferring their dry, cozy, homes to the damp day abroad. Even those that could fly above the clouds remained in their nests and caves until the storm front decided to move inland to give precious water to the highlands. Thunder rumbled like a giant beast just above the flashing clouds; threatening to do more but not quite delivering.

Out in the middle of the vast prairie, set along side a lonely road in need of repair. Though the main yard was wide and open with trampled grass making a single path to the main entrance, it was still muddy and partitioned from the rest of the complex. Wagons of all kinds lined up along the eastern side to keep sheltered from the winds when they picked up and animal pens marked the western boundaries. Lowing cattle, horses, and other beasts of burden waited out the storm with their heads down and facing away from the wind. Only the lights in the lower windows gave hint of the warmth inside. Outside, where the gates lay open to welcome new visitors, an old sign beckoned travelers to stop and stay a while at the Mercadia Gardens.

Renowned for their wines and the annual trade fair, the inn had seen better days. Before, it looked crisp and clean, without anything out of place or broken. Now, the paint was faded, missing in some places where repairs had been made. The gardens no longer there, only a place where weeds have take hold, but business still remained strong thanks to the caravans passing through.

None of that seemed to matter to the lone figure that slogged through the mud to the door. Tired from walking in the rain, the traveler glanced up at the sign above the door, No Weapons Beyond This Point, then looked at the boar dozing in the window before entering the inn. Pulling the cowl forward, they walked in, following the short hall to the main tavern and looked around to find an open seat. No one greeted them and no one seemed to care that another had joined their ranks.

"What'll ya have, stranger," the old, wolf, bartender said while drying off one of many glasses behind the bar.

Dark eyes peered out from the shadows of the cowl before a low voice uttered, "Warm honey mead will do." The shine of those penetrating eyes disappeared as the face was turned downward, keeping an air of mystery about themselves.

The wolf nodded then went to fill a stein with some mead from a simmering kettle by the main fire. No one looked his way except a few of the patrons but even they returned to their own conversation quickly. When he returned, he set the stein down none too gently and spoke, "That'll five copper."

The clink of metal coins hitting the smooth wooden top from a gloved paw then the bartender was dutifully ignored. He didn't care, it was just another day in the tavern and the more coin he brought in, the better it'll be. Without saying anything else, he left the stranger be to keep watch an make sure there were plenty of clean glasses for all.

Such was the quiet, rainy, day out on the Sun's Nest Plains.

As the laden clouds moved on and became darker with the ending of the day, the rain slacked up just slightly, making it more dreary than wet. Running barefoot across the soggy ground, a lone woman heads for the only building she can see. Frantic and panting hard for breath, she dodges a stone thrown at her by a mob of farmers following not far behind her. In her attempt to dodge, she slipped in the mud, sending her skidding through grass and puddles under one of the out lying fences of the complex

Stunned, she lay there to catch her breath and gather her senses just enough so she could roll over and crawl onto her paws and knees and crawl as far as she could to more stable ground. Using the fence to help, the female wolf hobbled as fast she could, only to be over taken by the angry mob. Her screams of fright and pain ring out across the prairie only to be ignored by the animals standing there watching and moving out of the way of the men gathered around.

The screams didn't go unnoticed. By the time the screams became whimpers a group of patrons flooded out the door to see what was going on, most of them to make sure their animals weren't being harmed. While the horses and cattle were disturbed and trying to get away from the angry furs, they weren't being harmed, but their commotion lured the traders over to discover the wolf's beating.

"Hey!" one of the traders shouted, "Get away from them thar animals," then rushed over to prevent any accidental harm.

About to turn on the one who shouted, one of the attackers turned and saw the group coming toward them. Right about then, seeing men far more burly than himself, he tapped another on the back, grumbled something then smacked the other before getting up and jumping the fence to gt away from a worse beating than what they were giving their victim. Others looked up and noticed, as the traders drew closer then also quickly departed.

Shouts from the traders grew louder and more threatening the closer they got closer, forcing the angry mob to leave in order to protect themselves. They ran off into the ran, slipping through mud and stumbling over their own feet in their headlong rush back to where they came from.

The traders broke off into two groups, one to chase after the farmers to make sure they didn't come back and the other gathered around the beaten victim. One knelt down to make sure the wolf lady was still breathing, getting a whimper for his efforts when he placed his hand in front of her rain wet nose. While talked among themselves, she started coughing and groaning, obviously in pain from the beating she received.

One of the younger men gently picked her up and carried her inside while the others either followed or stayed out to make sure their animals were safe and secure before it got too dark to see. Soon enough, the rainy sky would become pitch black until the next dawn.

Inside, the wolf femme was brought to the fire and laid down on someone's damp cloak to protect her from the cold wooden floor. At some point, during that brief time she was carried, she passed out, whimpering still as if troubled by something in a dream. Otherwise, the men left her alone and kept watch. None of them knew what to do to help her. There were no healers among them and no way to get to the closest town to find one before it became too dangerous to ride.

Curious, the cloaked stranger wandered over, still sipping at their stein of mead; which had since gone cold. They peered at the troubled face and watched as her head moved subtly and the powerful jaws worked between whimpers. They could see the swollen eye turn color beneath the gray fur and more swelling around the jaw where she had been hit in the face. It didn't take a genius, or a healer, to figure out there were other injuries hidden by fur and clothing that were causing the defenseless woman pain in her unconscious state.

"Move aside," the calm voice said as the cowl was pushed back to reveal an auburn headed white tiger. Something about the victim spoke to the tiger and they took pity on her. Using the magic thy knew, a healing spell was cast.

Within a few moments of the last uttered phrase of the spell, the wolfess seemed more calm and in much less pain. There were still plenty of injuries, but a simple spell could only do so much. She needed professional help.

"She's fine for now.," said the tiger before standing. "Bar keep, I need a room. Um... for two." The tiger looked back at the wolf laying on the floor. "I'll take care of her." It seemed the obvious choice since none of the traders wanted, or had any kind of skill in helping someone who had beaten almost to death.

The bartender stared at the tiger, the normal bland expression a frown. "We don't appreciate magic bein' used in here. You can have a room, but don't be usin' any more magic in the tavern."

While the tiger did listen, they only shrugged and went back to where the wolf lay. "One of you carry her upstairs," they said, not quite a command, but the tone speaking more than the words meant. Then, the tiger turned and headed to the stairs after retrieving the key.

Throughout the night and over the course of the next few days, the tiger stood guard, tending the wolf and using their magic to speed the healing along. They knew nothing about how to cure or properly, but they knew that she could not be moved until they knew she was conscious. Once in a while, they'd go down to enjoy a drink, eat, or simply watch the traders as they came and went.

The rain did finally end on the morning of the second day. After that, there were fewer people in the tavern to watch and that seemed just fine to the tiger. All they did was watch. Rarely spoke to anyone and didn't seem to care that anyone was around. Why they picked up the wolf, anyone could guess. The tiger was strange, even for a stranger.

When the clouds finally left the sky and the sun could shine through the single window, the wolf opened her eyes and found herself into into the eyes of a rather unamused and nonchalant tiger. She blinked and gasped, not expected to see someone, let alone be someplace inside when she knew she was outside the last time she was awake. It was a startling but comforting feeling.

"Oh, hello," her soft voice wavered with fatigue even though she had been asleep for days. "Wh... where am I?"

A brow lifted slowly then the tiger sat back, yawned, then looked toward the window. "An inn in the middle of nowhere."

Slowly sitting up, the wolf winced and let out a pained whimper. "Okay," she panted after getting herself up that far. "How did I get here? Last I remember... I was being..." She cringed, unable to continue as the vivid memory flashed into being in her mind. "They aren't here. Are they?"

Mildly curious, the tiger glanced at her and asked, "Who they?" The same brow lifted again but the overall expression remained blank.

She blinked then looked toward the window. "The men who beat me. There were so many of them and they were so angry with me. There was nothing I could tell them they would have liked." Shivering, she pulled the blanket up, holding it tight beneath her chin as if it could protect her from being hurt again.

"Huh," the tiger shrugged then stood and went to the door. "I wasn't out there to see that. You were carried in by some trader that was avoiding the rain with the rest of them."

Confused, but grateful, the wolfess nodded then laid back down, curling up on her side and tugging the blanket tight around her shoulders. "Thank you," she then whispered. Quiet for several minutes to let the strange tiger decide what they were going to do next, she then introduced herself. "I'm DreamSinger."

An ear twitched, but the tiger didn't seem to care. All they did was just look at her then shrugged and opened the door. "I'll be back with food." That was all they said and quietly left the room without another sound.

DreamSinger found the tiger to be confusing. Nothing about them pointed to either male or female for one, not even the voice. They could easily be a low octave for a femme or a high tenor for a male. Not even the figure she could make out through the clothing seemed to give any kind of hint what so ever. She also found it strange that the tiger didn't speak much at all and didn't seem all that interested in anything that went on whether they helped or not. For now, she thought, she was stuck with them until she could get about on her own. She could only hope that her own talent wouldn't get in the way and cause even more trouble. At least, for now, she was safe from further harm.

Some time later, Sage returned to the room with a basket of stale bread under one arm with a small cask of wine. In the other, a plate with pieces of over cooked meat and some cold vegetables is balanced precariously. Only a few uttered words opened the door then closed it behind with a soft click of the latch.

Only after everything was set down on the small side table did the tiger notice that DreamSinger had fallen asleep. They had already eaten while down stairs. The food could be better, but at least the mead covered up the lack of seasoning and the burnt after taste it left behind. The room was at least quiet; unlike the tavern downstairs where the latest group of traders were arguing and just being loud in general. Not even the poor bard that decided to come in for the night could be heard over the ruckus.

Hours passed while Sage kept watch. The sun set and the sliver moon rose high over the waving grasses of the prairie. Night beasts could be heard in the distance, startling the horses and cattle in their pens. Only once did the tiger see the bright flames of a dragon up in the sky. Normally, they'd go out to watch and lure the great beast down to harvest spell components from the scaled bodies, but not this time.

The helpless wolf kept them there. Sage had no idea why but there they could not bring themselves to get up and leave. She was more than healthy enough to leave when she was ready. But, something kept them there. What ever it was, it was a force stronger than magic. Something totally unfamiliar to the tiger and never felt before.

Just as they were about to doze off in the chair, DreamSinger awoke. Or seemed to wake up at least. Her eyes were wide open, empty and luminescent. The wolf's limbs hung limp at her side and her jaw hung open slightly. Though her ears twitched and laid back, she didn't otherwise move. Her voice, when she finally spoke didn't seem to be her own, "Find the heart of life and become one with the bearer before the season ends or none shall come ever again." As she spoke, Dream turned to look at Sage, speaking directly to them alone through the vision.

No sooner than she had stopped speaking than she fell back onto the bed in a faint. Her breath came shallowly from the exertion, as if she had fought to keep it back while she slept. All Sage could do was listen and watch, confused by what was said.

A few days later, when Dream felt strong enough to travel again, sage packed up their few things and paid for the room. The wolfess made her departure just a short time before; taking all that she was found with, her clothing and cloak.

The lack of her presence was keenly felt, as if a great sorrow suddenly fell on the tiger's shoulders. Though alone again for the time in about a week, they felt as though something was now missing. The words of Dream's vision echoed in their ears, sending a chill up their spine. They missed something that shouldn't have been missed.

Sage felt no sense of urgency, however. They left the way they came, quietly, but this time with thoughts not like the normal. The wolf's image remained strong in their mind and pressed heavily on their heart. It was strange, the feeling that seemed to want to make itself known. It distracted them more than anything else. Wondering if some strange spell had been placed on them, the tiger decided to go find the wolf and make her remove the spell one way or another.

Finding her proved the more difficult than expected. While she did leave just a short time before the tiger, DreamSinger managed to get a ride from a passing fisherman heading inland to visit family near the capital city of the kingdom. The old otter was kindly and and talkative, entertaining her with stories of his exploits out on the sea. He helped to pass the time and didn't press her about her own past or the fact she kept looking back toward the inn in the middle of the prairie. For once, her visions didn't bother her except when she closed her eyes to plague her dreams alone.

The old trade route took them through an old forest along side the river; leading them over hills and around a butte that seemed to have no way to the top except along a single, treacherous path along the western face. It finally brought them to what remained of a city. People were rebuilding slowly. Most stopped their work to watch the wagon slowly roll by.

Just outside the city, DreamSinger got off and thanked the otter with what few coins she had left. He tried to refuse, but at her insistence, he accepted then tipped his hat to her and left; singing a bawdy sailor's tune as he drove out of site.

She felt alone suddenly. More alone than she had ever felt before and it tore at her heart like it had never done before. Before tears could begin to flow, she quickly went back into the ruined town to find the temple she knew was there before the War. It wasn't her patron goddess that she went to, but she knew someone there would listen and offer advice.

What was left of the temple was little more than the dormitories for the priesthood and most of the gathering room where the altar still stood as if never touched. One wall had been destroyed, allowing fresh air and sunshine inside; along with anything else needing to seek shelter from the weather and the bird nests were only the visible proof of that. At the base of the altar, she stood and looked up at the golden statue of the cat goddess. There, the tears started to fall then she went to her knees, sobbing for no real reason except for the feeling of loneliness and loss of something she never had.

That is where one of the acolytes found here; a slender panthress with yellow eyes and soft voice. "What seems to be the matter," she asked curiously while reaching to wipe at the tear filled eyes of the wolf.

"I don't know," Dream whimpered, "I just don't know. I feel like I've lost something important but I don't know what it could be. I haven't felt like this since I lost my family."

Nodding, the panthress showed pity. While she didn't know the story, she knew the wolfess needed comforting and sensed she also needed healing as well. "Please, tell me all about it. Perhaps I may have some insight for you." Though her delicate hand-paw rested on the wolf's shoulder, she didn't apply her skill, yet. "While you speak, would like for me to take care of your injuries? I sense you had been hurt and have not been fully healed, yet."

"Yes, ma'am, please," Dream whispered, knowing the panthress wouldn't turn her away or hurt her. As her head dropped, she started to tell about her run in with the farmers out on the prairie and how they finally caught her and tried to beat her to death because of the visions that plagued her while passing through their small community. It wasn't something she could control, as much as she wished it. Her story went on to tell about the tiger, Sage, a being she thought to be an enigma and could never figure out the entire time she was under their care. Somehow, in her story, when reached Sage's part, she described more than just the tiger, but the feelings they evoked. Not just feelings of gratitude for what they did for her, but other things which welled up inside uncontrolled.

The acolyte listened carefully while she healed her and asked questions which brought on the extra information in the story. She had an idea as to what may have happened and smiled wistfully. So few find themselves being so strongly pulled to another.

"I just don't understand," she ended, "why I am feeling like this. No one I have ever met has made me feel so... strangely or made my visions seem less... forceful."

With a smile, the acolyte nodded and patted her shoulder. "I think I know what has happened. It is a rare and wonderful thing but something you need to discover on your own with this Sage. Go and find them, then see what happens. If they were kind enough to take care of you before, I'm sure they will do more for you." Then, she stood and let her hand-paw go to her side. "Let the Fates work with you and through you, DreamSinger. The answer will come to you."

"Are you saying I need to find this tiger," Dream asked curiously as she stood. "I still don't understand."

"You will in time, child," the acolyte said, "you will in time. That much, I can promise, and it will be a wonderful thing to have."

As the panthress left, DreamSinger stood there, watching, more confused than ever but she felt better. Not just because her injuries were gone, but also the feelings of loss and sorrow seemed less ominous than what they were before. Slowly, she looked up at the statue again then sighed, "I guess I will have to give this a try. Where could the tiger have gone, though?"

The same question was asked to the moon when Sage paused for the night within the old forest, following the same road that Dream had traveled not long before. "Where could that wolf have gone," the tiger muttered, annoyed that nothing they've tried could give a hint as to where she was. Ever scrying in a bowl of blood from a fresh kill could not bring any clues. It seemed they were being blocked at ever turn to quickly find the wolf.

A ghastly giggle suddenly erupted near by then a wisp of a bird like creature faded into view. "Can't find your new play thing, master," it cackled, amused by the turn of events. "I didn't think you had it in you to do more than live within your own little world."

"She's not a play thing," growled the tiger at the ghostly raven, "You do well not to annoy me, bird. I can banish you back to the realm of the dead."

Laughing, the bird swirled around the tiger. "Oh my, such a threat. This wolf lady seems to have gotten under your fur and you barely even know who she is. My, my, this is quite the development. My Sage is finally starting to grow up. Tell me, which side does she tickle when you think about her. Hmm? I want to know."

With a hiss, the tiger waved a hand-paw as if to banish the ghostly, but only succeeded in making the ephemeral being fly apart like waving off smoke. The bird came back just a little further away and still amused by the turn of events. "Shut up, Hector. She doesn't tickle anything."

"Oh, but I think she does," the bird cackled again. "You can't hide anything like this from me. I saw how your heart went all pitter pat when you brought her up to your room at the inn. You could have easily left her alone most of the time, but you didn't. She's got a hold on you and you know it."

"Gah! She does not," Sage hissed again then stomped off toward the stream to bathe. "Just shut up and make sure no one intrudes on my bath."

The tiger listened to the amused laughter all the way to the stream then stripped and dove in. The cold water helped, relieving the beginnings of a very familiar feeling in their loins. "Damn bird is right," the tiger sighed, "That wolf has stirred something in me with some kind of spell."

The obvious erection only matched the inner tingling. There has been nothing to relieve either in hir life. All sie could do was hope the rain cold water would erase the needs of both hir sexes.

Herms were rare and misunderstood. Depending on where they were, anyone with both sexes were persecuted as being part devil or cursed. Sage had lived in such a p[lace and was disowned and chased out of hir homeland. Only an old sorcerer took hir in and taught hir magic, even allowing hir to master necromancy; the school of the damned, since there was a War going on and ever school of magic was needed.

Now, sie was alone and no one wanted hir kind of magic even though she found it quite useful. At the moment, it was more useful than the cold water.

While the desire had diminished, hir erection was still full. Sighing, sie did the only thing sie could and gave hirself some self love by stroking it until sie arched hir back and growled with the surge of hir orgasm within.

Hir familiar watched, snickering at the tiger while sie stroked hirself into spilling hir seed. All sie needed was a male to handle the other side, then maybe sie'd calm down and see things in the world around hir. Too bad he wasn't alive, or he'd enjoy hir body. All he could do was tease hir until sie went blind with ecstasy and filled the water with more of hir thick seed.

"You know," Hector chuckled, "you should find yourself a lover to take care of those urges, Sage. It would be infinitely more fun for you."

Sage had finally returned to the small camp, naked and wet with hir erection finally sheathed. Hir mood hadn't gotten any better since sie left for to bathe. "What would you know about what I need," sie growled. "You're a ghost, and even in life, you were just a simple bird."

Hector shrugged and grinned as well as a bird could. "That doesn't matter. Every spring I had my share of females to make nests with. After the chicks were gone, my mates and I enjoyed a few good romps among the branches before we parted ways. Even then, I had watched many a couple do the same from their window sills. My how they got tangled together and mess they'd make together just to make a single child."

Sage's ears went back and hir upper lip curled around sharp teeth, but the message hit home. Sie was alone in the world with no one except hir familiar and he was little help. The strange things DreamSinger said while apparently asleep still disturbed hir. Winter would be setting in soon and, if the words were true, there would be no others to even attempt to be with in hir life. The sense of loss returned, making hir heart sink. When sie was younger, sie wanted a family of hir own, a child from hir own womb and others sie had sired. But, no one, not even hir teacher, wanted to have hir. They couldn't see anyone wanting to be with someone who was both male and female and couldn't decide which to be.

Hir only question was, would the wolf accept hir as sie is. Somehow, sie doubted that. But, sie felt sie could handle the strange things she would say in her sleep. What's a waking dream anyway? Not common, rare in fact, but nothing more disturbing than a raven ghost for a familiar.

"I'll keep looking for her," Sage muttered. "We'll see if she can handle being with a herm. At least do something with her before the chance is lost forever. Didn't she say we needed to become one?"

"Oh, something like that, master," squawked the raven. "Of course, that mean several things."

"I know," the tiger mumbled, "I know. Go stand guard. I'm going to sleep." Sie flopped back, still naked, and pulled hir cloak over hir body for warmth.

The fall night was chilly, but not so cold sie felt the need to dress. Sie could feel the damp chill harden hir nipples through the thick fur covering hir tiny bosom and make hir maleness nestle even deeper inside hir sheath.

Sage looked a lot like a young man with wiry muscles beneath hir white and black striped pelt. Sure, hir sheath looked impressive as far as tiger go, but sie didn't feel male. She didn't feel female either. Hir figure never really developed beyond the small breasts and the slight curve for hir waist. Nothing about hir pointed to one sex or the other, not even hir voice. High for a male but low for a woman, nothing remarkable, not even the shoulder length hair which sie kept tied back. Sage eventually fell asleep with those thoughts running through hir head, wondering how a very feminine wolf would take a non-sexual tiger.

In hir dreams, sie was with the wolfess, dancing with her through the forest while children that looked like the both of them played. Sie felt hir own belly, huge and round as the full moon against another just as large and full and both of them happy. Their children were a mix of male, female, and herm and all bright-eyed and playful. While sie danced with the wolf, sie felt hir erection grow and the wolf had one also. It was just them and yet, sie was pregnant by the very woman sie had saved. The dream started to fall apart, causing fear in the tiger's heart as sie grasped at the screaming wolf's hand-paw and the children who ran fearfully away into the gloom.

Sie awoke, panting heavily, and sporting a new erection that was painfully hard. Right then, sie wished sie did have a lover, or someone who could help make it go away. All sie had were hir own paws and it felt strange jacking off when sie felt scared of loosing what had caused the problem.

As soon as sie could, Sage dressed and gathered hir things. A wave of the hand put out the fire then sie was following the road toward the next town. With luck, sie'd find the wolf there and hoped there would be some sign as where sie should look next.

Luck wasn't with either over the following weeks. Both were mere steps away but always just missing the other. It seemed as though the fates were playing with them. Sage sensed it and grew annoyed each time sie found sie had just missed DreamSinger by mere hours. The season was progressing faster and faster toward winter, and sie wanted to find the wolf before the frost set in. For now, the mornings dawned dry and cold, but not cold enough for the first whispers of winter. Only the slowly changing colors from the vibrant rainbow toward brown and deep green told hir time was limited.

DreamSinger didn't have much luck, not trying to find Sage, but in trying to find shelter for the coming cold. Her visions told her it was going to be a harsh winter with storms that could bury homes and cold that could kill if not prepared. It had her worried. What places she could find were already filled and she just didn't have the instincts to fight the denizens. All through her search for a temporary home, her mind kept lingering on the tiger that helped her and the mysteries that surrounded them.

Many nights, she paused to look up at the star studded sky and watched as meteors streaked past and asked herself how she could make the Fates work with her. They already worked through her by showing her what the future held. Lost as she was, she could only sigh and wish with all her heart to find the answer and a home.

One cold, blustery day, the Fates allowed DreamSinger to find part of her wish. Huddled against the wind and heading deeper into the woods along an old dried up stream. Shivering from the cold, Dream looked around, seeing where the dried stream turned muddy where it met another, larger, creek, then listened over the wind to the roar of a waterfall. Slowly, she worked her way across the muddy stream bed then toward the sound of rushing water when she found a log bridging the creek. Thankful, she climbed up and scurried across as nimbly as she had done when she was a tiny lass in the northern hills.

Even though the wind had blown the grass nearly flat, she could see the remnants of a path leading away from the water but toward the butte before it disappeared among the trees. Curiosity lead her through a protected trail to an abandoned cottage nestled back from a small pond beside the butte. High, reddish rock walls loomed overhead but they offered their own protection from the elements while the trees formed a decent wind break. All she needed was for the cottage to be as empty as it appeared.

Holding her breath, she walked closer and called out to see if anyone was there then peeked through dirty windows and saw only a few scattered remains of chairs and a table. The door, when nudged, opened easily and she went in to explore further.

The dust alone, thick and gray on every surface, proved that no one had been there in some time. Only a few animal tracks told her that there were holes to be fixed, but then again, she realized that when she came out of the vision that pointed her to it. The place was quiet and well away from anyone who might hear her when she was over come by visions. It was perfect.

Now, all she needed to do was to gather enough provisions to get through the winter and there was very little time top do it. Her work would never end, it seemed, so she set right to it.

That same day, Sage spotted who he thought was the wolf sie helped and decided to follow her off the main road and into the forest. Sie hung back when ever she'd stop to look around and kept quiet so as not to scare her. The tiger watched as the wolf discovered the abandoned cottage and went inside. Curiosity drove hir to peek in through the windows to see if she'd be alright before showing hirself.

What sie heard came unexpected to even hir own ears. "Home, I have finally found home," the wolf said clearly, happy for the first time in a long time. Sage smiled for her sake then watched as the wolfess started cleaning.

Seeing how Dream moved started something stirring within hir loins. She was quite pretty, if thin and dirty, to hir jaded eyes. Hir eyes never left the wolf for a moment, seeing every move and blushed when the dress came off, leaving the busy femme in nothing more than her bloomers and camisole. There, her figure could be seen in clear detail and sent a wild urge down hir spine.

So close and sie found hirself frightened by what she'd think of hir. Hiding from view, sie pressed hir back against the stuccoed wall and took in deep breaths before running back toward the creek.

Hector appeared, floating above the retreating tiger, laughing at how childish sie was being. "Don't tell me you're scared, Sage. Really, you've face bigger things than this and now you're scared? Will wonders never cease."

"Shut up, bird," sie growled after skidding to a stop. "I'm not scared I'm... just making sure I don't frighten her, is all. She's not expecting anyone to be around here"

"So," inquired the bird, "that has never stopped you before. Go knock on the door. Introduce yourself since you never told her your name. I'm sure she'd at least like to know that much."

The dubious look sie gave the bird said enough. "Okay, have it your way, but the season will be turning any time now if you're going to take what she said seriously. I say grab her now and have your way, then settle in for all the niceties later. You'll have all winter to fool around and get to know one another."

Sage sighed and swatted at the ghostly bird. "I am not going to force myself on her like that. Nor anyone for that matter."

"Excuse me," came the soft voice of the wolf behind hir, "Who are you talking to? What won't you do?" Her deep brown eyes looked so innocent and wide while she peered at the tiger, marveling at the white fur and tan colored stripes.

"Oh," exclaimed the tiger as sie spun around and knocked hir cowl back. "Oh, uh... no one. Just my familiar," sie added then jerked hir thumb toward the barely visible ghost bird.

Strangely, she wasn't scared of the bird. More like, she was intrigued but didn't try to reach out toward it to see what it felt like. "Fascinating," she breathed while she tracked the specter. "I haven't seen a ghost bird before. Only ghosts of... never mind." She suddenly looked away and laid her ears back from embarrassment.

Interest piqued further, Sage blinked and leaned closer while waving the ghost to move in closer. "You like him," sie asked. "Not many do." Sie paused then asked, "What do you mean?"

Hector moved in closer as he was asked then acted surprised by her reaction. "Well, now this is an interesting development. Someone who isn't remotely uncomfortable with me around." He was definitely happy by the prospect. "I am curious as to what else you may have seen, my lady, if you're not scared of little bitty me."

She nodded, a smile teasing at the edges of her guarded expression. Surprised the ghost could speak, she blinked then smiled even more. "Just... just... wandering souls. Nothing more."

Sensing there is more to the woman, Sage started to question further, but saw the discomfort in her eyes and how she was trying to edge away from hir. "Ah, I see," sie finally said and left it drop until another time. "Excuse me, but may I ask a question." Sie just had to know what the dream speaking meant that night in the inn.

The bird also sensed something, but he kept quiet, understanding people far better than the one he called master. He faded back to let the living speak and kept quiet watch for anything that might intrude on the pair.

"Oh, uh, sure, you can," Dream said with a blink, wondering what the odd tiger could want to know. "Ask away. Do... do you mind if I try to catch some fish, though. There's nothing left to eat in the cottage."

Without thinking, the tiger shook hir head, "Don't mind at all. I can help... if you'll allow." Sie grinned a lopsided grin while sie followed her down the creek and wondered how the wolf was going to catch fish without a pole or bait. "What I was wanting to ask was... what did you mean by what you said back at the inn? Something about becoming one before the season ended or else there would be no other chances."

She blushed even more while she took all but her camisole and bloomers off then waded into the water. It was cold enough to make her squeak and shiver but she gritted her teeth and moved slowly to where she thought she spotted some fish when she passed by earlier. Aware of the question, but not the staring, she concentrated on trying to tickle a few fish from the water before her feet went numb from the cold.

Sage couldn't stop the pulling in hir loins if sie wanted to. The pressure grew as hir maleness pressed against hir breeches against hir will. Wanting to hear the question, sie waited and squirmed to try and hide hir obvious interest in the lovely femme.

"Honestly," she began hesitantly, "I don't know what I meant. I wasn't even aware that anyone was there to hear it, let alone awake. All I saw was what was described." She felt ashamed and kept her head down trying to find the fish in the water. One was spotted and she made her way slowly to try and catch it. There was no way she could deny having a vision and voicing it when she was asked about it.

Turning away to keep from staring the further into the water the wolfess got, Sage nodded and tried to think of things which could kill an erection. "I see. Do you have these often?" Just curious and wanting to know, sie didn't mean anything by the question itself.

Silent and shaking from more than just the cold, Dream whimpered, "Yes," then clenched her teeth and made a wild grab for the fish she saw. Amazed that she managed to flip it onto the bank, she scrambled after it then ran off to the cottage.

That killed the surge sie felt. Never did sie expect her to suddenly run off. Sie didn't even know the wolf and sie already felt protective of her. Some how, sie made her upset. At least sie had an excuse to go back to the cottage.

Once inside, Dream shivered and wrapped her cloak around her shoulders to warm up and sat in the middle of the floor. The fish still flopped about on its side trying to find water and was slowly dying. All she could do was cry into her hand-paws. Even when she heard the knocking on the door, she cried, and shuddered in misery.

"DreamSinger," Sage called out through the door, "I brought your clothes back from the stream. I'm... I'm sorry if I offended you." Sie didn't sound at all upset or concerned that sie did touch a nerve or two in the wolfess.

Before she could answer, the ghostly bird appeared beside her and hovered there quietly for a moment or two. "Is it so bad? You can tell me, my lady," Hector said nicely and with concern. "I'm a good listener believe it or not."

She looked up, brown eyes shining from the tears and her cheeks as wet as her feet. "Its horrible," she whimpered. "My visions drive everyone away when they don't hear anything they like. No one trusts me and everyone fears what I may see or do. I can't control them. I wish they'd just go away." Why she was talking so openly with a ghost, she didn't know, but it seemed to help.

"I see," the ghost stated simply. "You and my master have something in common, then. But, I will let Sage tell you about that part." Hector looked around at the ramshackle home then spoke again. "Let us help you get this place fixed up, then you can decide whether or not we can stay."

Her crying subsided, Dream looked up at hector then over at the door. "I have no money to pay you nor any kind of skill to offer in trade." She knew she needed help if she was to get the holes patched up and any kind of supplies ready before the storms arrived like her recent visions kept telling her.

"Let us determine that," the bird said cheerily then disappeared. Voices were heard outside the door, mostly Sage's voice raised in anger and the bird cajoling hir for being so upset over something so little.

Still wrapped up in her cloak, the wolf decided to get up off the floor and do something about the now dead fish. What little wood was there was tossed into the fireplace then she set to work rubbing sticks together to get a fire going. It was a long hard process but she was willing to do it.

Finally, the conversation outside stopped and she thought both had left. After a few minutes of silence, she let out a sad sigh and kept working on making the fire until at long last, she got a good ember to feet strings, twigs, and bit of thatch before adding the wood. Just the kindling alone made her feel warmer than she had been in a while and took her time making it into a good burning flame.

The single fish had been eaten by the time darkness fell. It was small but it did well to help her feel better. All she needed to do next was gather some extra firewood to get through the night, then the real work would start. She didn't look forward to going outside, but she needed to retrieve her clothes if they was still where she left them near the water.

After banking the fire, she opened the door and standing there in the cold wind was Sage holding an arm full of wood and several bags scattered about hir feet. The tiger looked mildly annoyed and tired, but there was something else about hir the wolf could see. Blowing a strand of hair from hir face, the tiger looked at her then spoke nonchalantly, "I was talked into getting a few things for you and help you get your home fixed up in time for winter." Sie shrugged. "If you want all this, that is. It's no huge deal if you do or don't."

Dream's heart jumped. Never had she seen so much in her life, not even when she was young. "Thank you," she said breathlessly, "I... do come in. There's so much here. How did you get it all?"

"Bought it," was the simple answer and as uncaring as the first time she first heard the tiger. "I've got plenty of coins to handle what is needed. Hector made me promise to help you if you'll let us. Seems he has taking a liking to you."

Too overcome with joy, Dream could only nod then started bringing in the lighter things while Sage handled the rest. She could smell food, basic things every pantry needed and the salty, musky scent of cured ham and venison. Her mouth watered as they brought it all inside. There was enough dried food to last a month with just the two of them and for that, she was grateful.

One of the bags seemed to be overflowing. The contents pressed tight against the drawstring until she released the knot and spilled out cloth. Not just cloth but dressed like the one she had. There, on top was her dress, looking old and worn against the newer garments. "You... you brought back my dress? Thank you, Sage. I was about to go find it myself when I opened the door."

Looking rather embarrassed, the tiger nodded and tried not to make eye contact. "I figured you would, so I brought it back. You never answered the door earlier when I tried, so I held on to it while Hector and I did some shopping. It came in handy finding the right size."

"Thank you," the wolf said, her voice full of the gratitude she felt. "You didn't have to get all of this. Really. I would have found a way to get all I needed for the winter."

Sie looked at her then shrugged again. "Yeah. Well, you did find a way and without having to do anything you didn't want to do."

Resting on her knees with the bag of clothes in front of her and her dress clutched in her hands, she smiled and nodded. "True that." Then, surveying everything, she sighed. Plenty to do so everything has a place out of the way. For the moment, it needed to stay in what ever bag, box, or basket it was carried in until things were made. "Looks like tomorrow is going to be a busy day gathering wood for both the fire and for building furniture." She didn't look forward to the task, but it will occupy her time.

"I can help with that," Sage volunteered without any kind of prodding. "I can use my magic to help gather everything and build what you need. But, I think the holes in the roof and walls should be patched first, or else the cold will get in and make the fire useless."

"I suppose you're right," she agreed then set her dress down on the opened bag of clothes. "We still need wood for the night. I'll be right back."

While she proceeded to get dressed, Sage came over and placed a hand-paw on her shoulder. "Let me. It's dark out there and I can defend myself better should anything sneak up. Hector can stay in here with you."

Speechless by the offer, the wolf could nod and smile. She watched as the tiger slipped out into the night and close the door. Sure enough, the ghost raven was there hovering near her with a rather amused look on his face. "You know, master really likes you. You make hir feel things sie's never felt before."

Confused by the terminology, Dream asked, "Your master is a woman?" She then glanced toward the door then back to the ghost. "She doesn't look like a woman or sound like one."

The bird just grinned and shook his head. "Let her explain. The fact you've not inquired too much about hir has helped a lot. You'll be surprised. Just, don't turn away from hir. Sie's rather sensitive about some things."

With the ghost watching, DreamSinger set to work sorting through everything and putting things in the rooms where they belonged. In the bags, she found more than just food but seasonings as well and things to cook with. She also found several warm, this blankets, several she folded to make a soft place to sleep in front of the fire. How good it felt to have something so warm to snuggle into at night instead of her cloak which had seen better days.

While she was in one of the rooms, Sage returned with plenty of wood and stacked it near the fire. Sie was amazed at how much the wolfess had done in such a short amount of time then smiled to hirself. For the first time in weeks, sie felt at ease and the sense of loss was but a memory. But, the vision sie was given nagged at the dark corners of hir mind. Sie needed to do something, and soon but sie didn't know how.

DreamSinger had the same thoughts running through her mind. That same vision stuck with her, plaguing her thoughts alongside the tiger's visage. As much as she wanted to ask, she just couldn't figure a way without sounding rude or seeming intrusive. For now, she needed to get her new home ready and hoped there would be plenty of time for thinking.

Together, the pair worked on patching the thatched room and the beams which held all the sheaves of grass in place. They wove together supports and lashed them to the rafters before tying down each sheaf in place. Over that, they had fun plastering the grass with mud then they tackled the walls. Within days, they were laughing together and having fun; growing closer without realizing it.

Just in time were the repairs to the cottage complete. The very next morning, snow was falling gently, covering everything in a thin blanket of white. They both looked out the window together and marveled at the beauty of the season. The first snows came early, fall hadn't quite finished and they both knew it.

While outside packing the snow against the sides of the house, DreamSinger was suddenly caught by a vision. Her whole body went stiff and shook like a leaf in the wind. Her eyes went wide and distant, seeing things only she was privy too. Sage watched as the vision gripped hir only friend tight and saw why the wolf was so frightened and how others could be scared of her too. Sie listened closely to what the wolf had to say then slowly shook hir head.

Before Dream could fall over, Sage was there, catching her in hir arms and holding her close. "Hey," sie whispered, "are you okay, DreamSinger? Speak to me." Sie sounded worried for once and looked around frantically before finally carrying her inside to lay her on the pallet in front of the fireplace.

Hector hovered close, watching but not interfering with his master's attempts. "What happened, master," he finally asked when he noticed the wolfess wasn't responding to hir efforts.

Sage shrugged and pulled off the wolf's cloak and dress then covered her in all the blankets sie could reach. "I don't know. She had a vision, that much I know, and it was a warning."

"A warning about what," asked the bird, concerned though amused by how worried his master was for another being's welfare.

"That, I'm not sure," sie said, "A war, maybe, or some kind of catastrophe coming. No way to know except to watch and wait." then, sighing, sie added, "I can see why she's so upset about her visions if they do this to her all the time. She has no control over them."

Hector nodded and floated about, keeping out of the way. "Strange, she's old enough to have had some training or learned to control them herself."

The tiger watched hir friend as sie settled onto hir heels. "I think so too, but then again, what if circumstance kept her from getting any kind of training and the visions have been too strong for her to try and hold back."

The idea was there and the ghost could see it forming. All his master needed to do was to accept it and say what it was. To encourage, the bird asked, "So... what are you going to do about it?"

Sage didn't answer immediately. Sie worked hir jaw and looked the wolf over; watching her breathe while she slept. It seemed hours passed before sie spoke again. "I'm going to have to stick around and teach her how to control her vision."

A huge grin formed on the bird's face as he did circles around the tiger's head. "A splendid idea. I'm sure she'll appreciate the gesture."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," muttered the tiger then laid down beside the wolf, nestling close so she knew she wasn't alone this time. No one left and no one will ever leave. "Hector... I think she's kind of grown on me since we moved in with her."

Seeming to catch on to the idea, the ghost paused and peered at his master. "Yes...?"

"It's not been very long but..." sie paused to think, garnering another 'yes' from hir familiar before continuing, "Never mind. I like her. She's pretty and... well... she's interesting." Not to mention the wolf needed someone there to help protect her went through hir mind.

Nothing else was said. Hector knew that was as good s it was going to get until sie felt more comfortable. And yet, the ghost knew that those feels his master felt were strong enough to make hir open up and enjoy life more.

Under the ghost's watchful eye, Sage decided to try something. Sie looked at the wolf's sleeping face, memorizing every detail before trying to place a kiss, how ever clumsy it was, on her lips. Sie had heard it in so many stories and hoped it would work in life.

What happened was unexpected for the both of them. DreamSinger woke up when she felt something touching her lips then saw the tiger up close. At first, she tried to move away, but the attempt was so gentle, she stopped herself to enjoy it then pressed up into it. Before she knew it, she was holding the tiger in her arms and giving back a much more heart felt kiss and was receiving the same thing in kind.

A dam seemed to have burst in that moment. They held each other close, touching only tentatively and exploring each other's mouths before parting; both breathless from the lingering kiss. Neither had experienced anything like that before. Both were red cheeked, even their ears tinged pink from the flood of emotion they shared. They looked into each other's eyes, the world standing still in those long moments before they kissed once again.

It was a kiss to transcend time. They feel one another's heart beating in unison. Their hands caressed; exploring while they sought to find their own limits. Sage pulled her into hir lap, holding her in hir arms protectively. The magic of the moment couldn't be stronger and it tugged deep within, wrenching hir gut in a way sie never felt before. It was a feeling sie wanted to keep having.

The tender moment couldn't last forever. As the heat of the moment grew, both felt a strange pulling toward one another and felt the need to touch more than just clothing that covered them, but actually feel the fur and muscle hiding beneath. Nature also decided to press the same desire further, uncontrolled and yet, in the back of the tiger's mind, wanted.

Feeling something pressing against her thigh, DreamSinger tried to push it away gently and unintentionally making things more prominent before she parted from the kiss. Panting, she pressed her hand-paw against it, feeling the appendage twitch and pulse then she went wide-eyed and stared at the tiger.

"What's wrong," asked the mage, not quite connecting what had happened, only realizing sie didn't want the wolf to stop.

Her fingers traced the firm lump in the loose breeches then she glanced down at where it was before she backed away. "How could you? I... I thought you were female... like me. You lied." While she may not have been with a male before, she knew what they had tucked away in their pants and what they wanted to do with it. "Your familiar said as much."

The moment died as quickly as it had came upon them. Seeing the fear and disbelief in those deep brown eyes, Sage tried to bridge the gap between them only to watch her back away further. "What do you mean," sie asked at first then felt hir obvious maleness jerk. With an inward groan, sie sighed. "I am.. sort of, but... not."

"No," the wolf said sternly, trying to sound strong enough to fend the tiger if she needed. "Stay away from me. I don't want you touching me." But the words didn't ring true. She felt deceived.

"Ah, my lady," the bird interjected, "I didn't say that the master was a female or not. I told you that was something sie needed to tell you hirself."

"You referred to Sage as a her, how could I not assume," she retorted. Somewhere, she missed something, but she recalled the conversation.

Hector laughed, amused by the wolf's anger and his master's sudden quiet. "You misunderstood. What I said was hir, not her. But, as I said, sie must explain it for it is not my place to speak of such things about the master."

"Shut up, Hector," the tiger said, eyes lowered and not sounding as commanding as sie normally did with him. "He's right. I've forbidden him from saying what I am for good reasons."

DreamSinger seemed more angry than what she was and narrowed her eyes. "You both lied to me. Just because I am a simple girl from the north lands doesn't mean I'm stupid."

Now, the tiger showed emotion, angered that the wolf would call herself simple. "You're not a simple country girl and you're certainly not stupid, DreamSinger. You're a bright and caring woman. You are more complex than you know and intelligent. You're..." Sie couldn't finish, hir own heart was starting to betray hir.

"Then why haven't you told me about yourself more," Dream asked, still angry, but quickly calming down. But, she wasn't letting the tiger near her, yet. "You could have explained things to me so I'd know."

Calmly, Sage shrugged and said, "You never asked. Just because you accepted the fact that I use necromancy doesn't mean you'd be so accepting of... other things." Sie looked away, frowning and cursing at hirself in hir own mind. "Haven't you ever wondered why I'd wake up during the night and not come back until after you've fallen asleep again, or not let you look at me first thing in the mornings?"

Shaking her head, the wolfess took a step closer then asked, "Why would I not accept you being male? There's nothing wrong with that. Sure, I've wondered but thought that you had things to do concerning your magic. I'm not magic user, but I do understand that those who do got to do things a certain way for a reason and find ingredients at odd times."

"You honestly don't know, do you," sie asked. "To you, there's only male and female, nothing else." Gathering up hir courage, Sage turned to face DreamSinger, baring hir soul to the woman sie has come to adore in the few weeks sie had lived with her. "There is more."

Tilting her head to one side, the wolf blinked and looked very curious. "More than just those two? That's all there is. Isn't there? All that's need to make babies anyway." She had no clue that could be another gender. One that allowed both to work equally within one body.

With a nod, the tiger huffed. "There's one more. We're not very common and... not very welcome anywhere." Sie shuddered at the thought of being turned away, but sie needed to show this beautiful being what sie actually was. Slowly, and with great care, sie started to undress, much to Dream's chagrin.

Realizing what sie was doing, the wolf blushed and covered her eyes. "You... you don't have to show me. Just... just tell me." And yet, she found herself peeking between her fingers at what the tiger was doing.

"No, I have to show you, Dream," sie said softly, "so you can understand what I mean." Sie took comfort in understanding that she didn't know what a hermaphrodite was. Any back lash will be small and out of misunderstanding, not bias from outside sources.

The tunic came off first, dropped beside hir feet then sie finished untying the belt holding up hir breeches. Holding them with one hand-paw, sie spoke, "Please look," then let the leather fall to pool around hir feet. Standing naked there naked with only the fur sie was born with, Sage shivered and covered hir small breasts with hir arms.

Amazed that her friend would want to undress completely in front of her, Dream watched, her hand slowly falling away from her face when the pants fell. Though not fully hard any more, the pink length of flesh was still impressive; hanging limply along hir thigh as it shrank slowly. Her cheeks flushed red, showing through the dark fur and coloring the insides of her ears. Just seeing it there looking so harmless, she felt something unexpected inside. "You're... you're male and... female," she asked, not sure what to make of the spectacle.

Sage nodded and even turned to bend over to let the curiously blushing wolf see that sie also had the same slit she did. "I am what is called a herm. We have both sexes and... like many others, they both function properly," sie said with some shame. "I've been reviled because of this and my magic."

In all honestly, Dream never saw a herm before, nor knew what one was until now. Seeing hir like that made what anger she may have felt melt away. Knowing sie was hated because of something sie couldn't help made her feel sympathy toward the tiger. "Now, I understand why Hector said we some things in common." She paused, quietly thinking then added, "I'm sorry for how I behaved, Sage. I didn't know."

A smile returned to the tiger's face. "Don't worry about it. How could you have known?" Hir clothes lay at hir feet, forgotten while sie stepped over them to stand in front of the wolf.

Still not quite sure, but accepting of this new development, the wolfess glanced at the swaying rod before turning her eyes toward the tiger's. "Yeah," she stammered and seemed shy all of a sudden. "I wonder, if you are both male and female, aren't you already considered one? I mean, you can mate with yourself, can't you?" Innocent enough, coming from her and she was honestly curious.

Hit spine stiffened with the question as sie shook hir head. "It doesn't quite work that way. When I'm hard, it doesn't bend. I'd have to collect my seed some how and pour it into my own body and that's messy and difficult. I saw others do it when they were desperate to have a child."

Her question answered, Dream nodded then tentatively touched it, letting her finger glide along the surface until it moved. She stopped immediately when she heard the pained gasp from the tiger.

"No, you don't have to stop," sie mewled, frustrated with how things were changing so much so quickly. "Please, don't be afraid. I won't do anything you don't want to do. I mean it." Sie really wanted her to do more.

"I... I don't know," Dream said in a whisper. "You're the first herm and male I've seen naked... ever and... "

Then, sie caught on. "You've never been with anyone before, have you." A shy smile appeared then sie reached for one of her hand-paws and held it to hir groin. "Don't be afraid. Just be gentle." Then, in a sudden burst, sie blurted out, "I've never been with anyone either."

Something else they had in common.

While she struggled at first when her hand was grasped, she did as she was asked and brushed her fingers along the lengthening penis. The soft skin moved and she could feel it grow warm with every passing second. While she didn't know what to do with it, she had an inkling of an idea and touched for now.

So close, she could now see the small breasts her friend had and felt the slight curves of hir body. Sie could pass for a girl easily with how slight hir figure actually was. While one hand caressed the growing erection, she traced the mound of one breast with the other, surprising the tiger with what she was doing.

"If you keep this up," sie warned, "things could happen. We could end up... mating." Sie gulped, excited and scared at the same time about finally being able to be inside another female.

Her fingers fell away after the warning, eliciting a whimper from the tiger and herself. "I..." she dreamed about this moment for a long time; knowing someone would want her in spite of the sudden and forceful visions. "I want to but... I don't know how."

Sage nodded, in the same boat as the wolf then smiled. "We can learn together." Sie took her paws and lead her back to their pallet on the floor. After helping her to sit, sie started untying the bodice, curious to see what she looked like without anything on.

Seeing what sie was doing, the wolf helped and tugged the bodice up, over her head then let it drop with the rest of the clothes on the floor. Next, she wriggled out of the skirts and the shift she wore under them so she only had her camisole and bloomers. There, the tiger insisted on helping, seeming almost feral in a way as hir need grew.

Together, they pulled the bloomers off and cast them aside. Sage paused to marvel at the trim stomach and near flawless fur covering her abdomen. Before moving further, sie placed a paw between her thighs and searched for her clitoris hiding beneath her fur covered mound. Sie knew sie liked that feeling when sie woke up after strange dreams and started to rub gently to entice the button into emerging

Never before had DreamSinger felt anything like that. Her body arched and moans escaped her parted lips while her clit was teased out of its hood. It was as if she had no control over what her muscles did as they twitched and sent fluttering pulsations deep inside her belly. Whimpering, she begged for more when Sage stopped then moaned again when her wish was granted.

Sage could feel her body responding to that simple touch and felt a flood of nectar cover hir fingers before sie pulled them away to lick them clean. Sie let hir lover relax, whimpering in the ebb and flow of hir first climax while sie gently removed the camisole.

Fully naked, DreamSinger felt unprotected and tried to move her arms to cover her bosom. Though she was by no means well fed, she had something to be proud of beneath her clothes. Her figure was that of a grown woman with gentle curves and a full bosom. Her breasts were big enough to fit in the tiger's paws and sie kneaded both gently until the pink tips of her nipples showed through the fur and flushed red with her growing arousal. Then, on a whim, sie took one into hir mouth and suckled, bringing on a new set of moans from the now aroused wolfess.

The tiger's attentions brought Dream to heights she could never expect to see. She felt her body pulse and writhe beneath her love though they haven't don't much more than heaving petting. With the stronger cat on top, she wrapped her arms around hir shoulders and held hir there, whimpering for more as she started to feel hot all over and something pull deep inside with the suckling. Both nipples were graced with the attention and the lapping of a rough tongue until she nearly squeezed the breath from hir lungs.

Feeling hirself start to loose control and the surge building up behind hir swollen sac, the feline groaned and wriggled free to spread those beautiful furry thighs open and view the wet furred slit of hir new lover. The musk of her arousal was strong and spoke of desire untamed. Sie was ready and knew that she was too. If they stopped now, they'd never bring the vision to the proper ending.

With all the gentleness and care of an experienced lover, the tiger stroked her labia then gently probed inside with a finger to part those soft lips for the very first time. Listening to the moans, sie delved deeper, finding the hymen before backing out; knowing the truth before sie pressed the tapered tip of hir meat against the opening to her canal.

"Are you sure you want this," the tiger whispered, trying hard to contain hirself to be sure. "We can stop now, if you want."

There was no way she could answer verbally and simply nodded. Her teeth were clenched tight, straining to feel more as her gut twisted and shook, sending shocks to her channel so that it itched with a need she never had before. The time had finally come and she was too far gone to stop it nor did she want to.

Sure of what she wanted, sie pressed into her willing body slowly, gasping and moaning at how tight the wolf was. Little by little, sie entered until sie felt the tough membrane marking her innocence. That was far enough, sie needed to heighten hir lover's desires further before sie could break through. Hard as it was to do, sie rocked hir hips, stopping only when sie felt the barrier then backing off, savoring every motion and growling in hir throat.

DreamSinger arched her back when Sage started moving inside of her. The motion made her slick, untouched walls tighten and quiver. There were sensation she couldn't begin to explain as she was pushed toward another climax. Opening her legs further and drawing them up to cradle her lover between her thighs, she tried to buck her hips and help push more into her needy body. She was loosing all control, left with instinct and desire to guide her every move.

Together, they felt the moment when her hymen broke, both crying out in pain and ecstasy as they became one together. Fully hilted, the cat panted, heaving with the effort to grind hir way deeper into the tight depths of hir lover. Lost to the moment, hir efforts became erratic as sie pumped in and out of her tight well.

Cries of pain became demands for release as wave upon wave struck the all too willing wolfess in the throws of passion. She writhed with the tiger, bucking and twitching to feel more until she felt every muscle in her body go stiff and the fluttering walls of her vagina pulsate around the thick girth stuffed deep inside her body. All she could do was cry out, howling at the top of her lungs with her release.

Soon after, by a mere stroke, Sage roared and let loose a torrent of thick, ropey seed into the now open womb. Sie continued to thrust deep, pushing hir spunk in as far sie could before giving in and letting the pulsing, twitching, rod spill all sie had on its own. Sie panted, hot and heaving from the efforts of the last few minutes.

They finally came together at last, willing, and wanting each other. Sage felt suddenly protective of the young beauty laying beneath hir. All along hir length, sie could feel the strong pulses of hir lover's orgasm milking hir length of every drop of jizz sie had left. For once, sie felt at peace spilling hir seed where it belonged.

Hector merely watched while the pair united with unspoken promises and felt no shame at all witnessing the act of creation. He had been there himself many times when he was alive and felt wistful.

Wrapped in each others arms under the blankets, the pair slept until well past dawn. The sun had fully risen and was shining down on the snow covered earth. Winter had officially arrived. Holding each other with a blanket draped over the both of them, they looked out the window then sighed. Neither wanted to say it, but they didn't want fall to end.

"I guess the season ended while we were still talking last night," said the tiger sadly. Sie felt bad, but somehow complete after the wild night of lovemaking. Their first time turned into something totally unexpected and sie didn't feel guilty about wanting to do go through with the act of mating.

Sighing, the canine nodded then turned away from the window, leaving her lover there with the blanket. "I guess so," she whispered then sunk down to her knees in front of the fire. She felt strange inside, as if something had been set free and it filled her with a new kind of warmth. "If you want to leave, you best go now before the storms bury us until spring."

Blinking, the feline turned to look at the wolf then shook hir head. "No. Why would I want to leave? We're not finished with preparing your home, yet. There's still a lot to do before I could even think about leaving."

Feeling some hope, Dream looked up at the tiger then let a smile appear. "Thank you, but you don't have to feel obligated. We did what the vision wanted but..."

"But what, winter came," came the replay in a tone that said more than what could be seen in hir face. "That doesn't mean I have to leave. Does it? You need someone to help you. I want to help you. Surely fall ended wasn't what your vision meant." Sie hoped that wasn't what it meant.

"Could mean anything, really," she finally said softly. "Could mean one of the seasonings you brought for food is gone. Or something else is over..." She blushed and looked away girlishly. She couldn't bring herself to say the next.

"What kind of something else," asked Sager as sie settled down beside hir lover and placed a hand-paw on her shoulder. "You can tell me."

"I... I don't know," she stammered, "it's kind... personal."

"Personal? In what way," sie inquired, completely oblivious to what she was alluding to.

Then, Hector spoke up, clearly amused by the turn of conversation. "I think, master, she may mean her own cycle. I could be that you have until her own season ends."

Blinking, they both looked up at the apparition. "You mean, her... heat...," asked the tiger then peered at the wolf carefully. They had been awake for a while and hir morning erection seemed more persistent than normal.

"Yes, that," he cackled, "and it seems something already knows and the two of you don't know it yet."

"But... what does that mean," sie asked, too new to the whole sex game to understand and no one had bothered to explain before what mating does when done enough and at the right time.

"It means," the wolf volunteered rather ashamedly, "that... that I could have a... cub if we... mated during my... my heat." As much as she wanted to have one of her own, she couldn't take care of a child without someone else to help.

Still confused, even when told exactly what it means, Sage stared at the wolf then up at hir familiar. Smirking, the bird added to what the femme said, "You've been through it before, but much less intense than probably what hers will be, master. It's an itch she won't be able to scratch very well without your help."

Mentioning the itch made Dream squirm. She felt it, though light for now and never quite so noticeable. Only now was she properly fed and gaining health. Never before was there a male around to even trigger the beginning stages. She had been constantly on the move without a chance to settle.

"How... how long does it last," sie finally asked hir companion. Sure, sie felt a need of hir own but managed to handle it. But sie never had to starve even when run out of villages and towns. "Is it starting now?"

"I... I don't know," she stammered as she looked up into her lover's eyes. She felt afraid, more than she did before when she was run down by the farmers. "I think it is. There's an odd... feeling down there."

"I would have to say yes, master," said the bird, then he drifted toward the door. "I don't think you need a voyeur for the next few days. Call me if you need anything." He disappeared, leaving them to contemplate what to do next.

Drawn to the very obvious male in her company, Dream smiled up at hir. "Don't leave me. I don't know what I would do if you did. You... you're the only one who hasn't tried to hurt me because of what my visions say or make me do."

Kneeling in front of her and taking up one of her delicate hand-paws, Sage smiled and looked her in the eyes, trying to be as sincere as sie could muster, "I will never leave you. You are the only one who has accepted me for what I am and I do. No one has ever accepted me before and... you've touched a part of my heart I didn't know I had."

The insides of her ears flushed red. It was a feeling she had, too, and didn't know how to voice. She looked away coyly and fluttered her lashes to keep back the tears of joy that wanted to break free.

Seeing how shy she was, the feline smiled gently turned her head by the chin to face hir. "I will help you through this if you will let me," sie purred, "I'll even help you learn to control your visions and protect you from anyone who may hurt you because of them." Sie sounded sincere and hir words heart felt. "I want you to know that... since we first met, I felt something for you. When we were apart, I felt miserable and I dreamt about constantly. I couldn't get you out of my mind."

Blushing even more, Dream nodded then leaned in to kiss hir cheek. "I was the same but I couldn't understand why I felt so lonely, more than what I normally did. When I found this old cottage, I just knew that it would make things better and take away the loneliness and the hurt I have felt most of my life."

"Will you... accept me as your mate," sie finally asked, holding her hand-paw firmly and begging with hir eyes while sie stared into Dream's eyes. "I don't care if we missed our chance or not. I only care about you and your welfare."

Shocked by the suddenness of the question and feeling behind the words, she shook her head. "Don't ask me now. Ask me when my cycle is over and we're not influenced by what nature has intended for us. I do love you, Sage, but lets be sure, first."

Disheartened by the refusal, sie took heart in what was said. "Very well, I will wait. But only because you asked me to wait. Until then, will you allow me to help you through this period?" Sie was starting to ache in hir loins from the growing need to be with hir new love.

This time, DreamSinger nodded and moved closer, brushing her fingers along the twitching length of tiger meat. "You may," she then whispered into hir ear before settling in for a long passion filled kiss that lead into more wild love making.

The passing days seemed to short while they succumbed to nature's calling, sparing few moments to eat or sleep and always in each others arms. Their moments were tender, filled with sweet nothings and whispered words that drew them ever closer into a union that no one would be able to break. Even after her heat ended, they shared each other's bodies and celebrated the coming of spring together when the storms ended and their souls bound as one.

From above, the Fates smiled at what they had done, chuckling as even the ghostly bird did before swirling away to touch more lives.