Kazu stirred as the first rays of dawn bathed the room in a soft, golden light. He turned towards the spot where Anna usually lay beside him, but the bed was empty, the sheets undisturbed. With a growing sense of unease, he threw on his clothes and ventured into the hallway, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.
He started with the twins' rooms, knocking on Felix's door, but there was no response. He pushed the door open, only to find the room empty and untouched. He moved on to Felina's room, his heart beginning to race. Again, the room was vacant.
Desperation crept into his mind as he made his way to Petal's room, but the bed lay pristine, untouched since he had made it up the previous day. He checked the mistress's room, the desperation turning to panic. No one was there.
His mind racing with worry, he rushed down the stairs, his bare feet padding on the cool stone. The foyer was silent, the house eerily still. He called out, his voice echoing in the empty halls, "Anna? Felix? Anyone?"
No answer.
His anxiety mounting, Kazu began a frenzied search, checking every room, every closet, every storage space. The kitchen, the dining room, the library—all empty. His heart hammered in his chest as he realized the house was deserted.
With a growing sense of dread, he made his way to the back door, his hand trembling as he reached for the handle. He swung the door open, and his worst fears were confirmed.
Arwain stood in the morning light, her face streaked with tears, cradling her daughter, Orelfa, in her arms. A rusted sword, its blade stained with blood, protruded from her chest. Orolfie lay a few meters away, her body still, her chest torn open.
Arwain's voice, hoarse and broken, reached his ears, "The orcs... they took them... after they killed... 'the traitors'." Her words dissolved into heart-wrenching sobs.
Rage, unlike anything Kazu had ever known, surged through his veins. His eyes began to glow, and with a determined stride, he set off towards the orc camp, his mind focused on one thought—finding his family, finding Anna.
Kazu feels himself pressing against something soft. He jerks away, muscles coiled and ready to spring, his eyes blazing with an ethereal, predatory light. A primal, guttural sound erupts from his throat—a war cry born of pure, desperate protection—before his vision resolves and he sees Anna, startled and wide-eyed, watching him from the bed with a mixture of concern and confusion.
"Kazu, are you okay?" Anna's voice trembles slightly, her gaze darting around the room. "What happened? Who were you yelling at?"
The fierce energy drains from Kazu's body, his glowing eyes dimming to their normal hue. He stumbles forward, collapsing into Anna's arms, his body wracked with suppressed sobs. "I thought I lost you," he whispers, his voice raw with emotion. "You, the twins, everyone I've come to love—I was prepared to tear apart the entire countryside to find you. It was a nightmare so vivid, so terrifying... I can't lose you. Not again. Not after losing my first family."
Anna holds him tenderly, a single tear trailing down her cheek and landing on his trembling shoulder. Her fingers weave through his hair, offering silent comfort as he struggles to regain his composure.
Slowly, haltingly, Kazu begins to recount the nightmare. Anna listens, her touch gentle, her kisses soft and reassuring. She pulls him closer, coaxing him to lie beside her, offering sanctuary in her embrace.
Suddenly, the door bursts open. Two orc women, faces set in warrior's grimaces, charge into the room, followed by a flood of others—all prepared to defend their savior from any threat. They freeze mid-stride, taking in the scene: Kazu's head resting on Anna's chest, her lips pressed against his hair in a gesture of pure protection and love.
Orelfa's fierce expression melts into a broad grin. "You yell during sex?" she asks, a mix of bewilderment and amusement in her voice. "Scare us. Thought dragon attack!"
Kazu rises, crossing to Orelfa and drawing her into a fierce embrace. "You thought a dragon was attacking," he says, a weak laugh threading through his words, "and yet you still rushed in to defend me."
Orelfa, her hand brazen and playful, squeezes Kazu's naked buttocks and grins mischievously. "I save ass. Good ass, front good too," she declares with a mix of pride and humor.
Kazu, unbothered by his state of undress, lets out a hearty laugh. "I don't even care that I'm not dressed. I am gonna hug you all. If you don't want my naked hugs, best run now." With uninhibited affection, he begins embracing each person in the room, his vulnerability and warmth radiating through each embrace. Even Felix, typically reserved, stays for a hug.
The last two to receive his embrace are Rask and Arwain. Dropping to his knees before Arwain, he pulls her close. During their intimate moment, she whispers in elvish, her voice soft and tender, "You've got a lovely family here. I see now you love them as much as they love you. My girls and I will be here for you if you want us to."
Touched by her words, Kazu kisses her cheek and responds in the same melodic language, "Sweet little Arwain, you three are always welcome here."
Rask is the final recipient of his hugs. With a playful tug, she pulls him to his feet, then wraps her arms around him. Kazu's laughter bubbles up as he realizes her strategic positioning, his mirth infectious.
Anna, observing with a mix of amusement and knowing humor, quips, "Just be glad he woke frightened and not… happily excited. Otherwise, you would have lost an eye hugging him like that."
Laughter ripples through the room, Kazu joining in. He apologizes for disrupting their sleep and suggests everyone return to their rooms. Rask, however, has other plans. Her arms remain firmly around him, an unrelenting embrace that speaks volumes.
"Looks like you might need a pry bar to get free from that hug," Anna jokes, her wit sharp and playful.
Kazu, exhausted but good-natured, turns to Anna with a weary smile. "Yeah, I have a bit of a Klingon issue right now, and I'm too tired to fight for this neutral zone." He addresses Rask directly: "Either head back to your room, or you'll have to discuss sleeping arrangements with Anna."
Anna, too tired for further negotiation, waves away any potential complications. "Just bring her. It's too late, and I'm too tired to argue about sleeping arrangements."
Kazu begins a slow, shuffling dance back to the bed, his movements deliberate and careful. Rask, still clinging to him like a playful koala, stands on his feet, her arms wrapped tightly around his torso. Her infectious giggling reverberates through his body with each tiny step, her head nestled against his stomach. The intimate proximity, combined with her rhythmic breathing and the soft tickle of her hair against his skin, causes a subtle physiological response. Rask, ever perceptive, notices immediately and cheerfully exclaims, "Hello there!" Anna joins in with a knowing giggle, the bedroom filled with warmth and mischievous energy.
Eventually, he navigates the short journey and collapses onto the bed, Rask still attached like a stubborn burr. Her hair cascades across his belly, creating a ticklish sensation that makes him squirm slightly as he settles into a comfortable position. Anna slides closer, her body a familiar, comforting warmth, and plants a passionate kiss that speaks volumes of her affection.
"Wow," Anna jokes, her eyes twinkling with mirth, "I bet you feel special. It takes two women to cuddle all of you."
Kazu, playing along, retorts with exaggerated mathematical precision, "Really? All of me? There's a solid 40% of me still uncuddled. It would take at least one more to fully achieve total cuddle coverage."
A sly smile spreads across Anna's face. "That can be arranged," she purrs.
Kazu kisses her forehead tenderly, his voice soft with affection. "I'm sure it could. Goodnight, you two. Sleep well."
A muffled "Goodnight" emerges, accompanied by a mysterious kiss that lands not on his lips, adding another layer of playful intimacy to the moment.
A few hours later, Kazu awakens to find the girls still entwined around him like human octopi. One of them has left a sizeable drool patch that definitely was not from the one resting her head on his chest.
He gently rouses them both with a cheerful morning greeting: "Good morning, ladies. Welcome to tomorrow."
The soft sounds of awakening fill the room as Rask and Anna begin to stir, their movements sluggish with the remnants of sleep. Rask stretches languidly, her limbs extending with feline grace before she burrows deeper into Kazu's side, a contented sigh escaping her lips. Anna, ever the early riser even in slumber, simply opens her eyes, a soft smile gracing her lips as she surveys the intimate tableau.
"Morning," Anna murmurs, her voice husky with sleep. She presses a gentle kiss to Kazu's chest, eliciting a soft groan from him as he attempts to shift his position without disturbing his sleeping companions.
Rask, caught between the worlds of dream and wakefulness, murmurs something unintelligible into Kazu's stomach, her breathing evening out once more. The sun, now higher in the sky, casts a warm glow across the room, painting the scene in hues of gold and amber. Kazu, caught in the gentle anchor of his companions, feels a profound sense of peace settle over him, the earlier terror of his nightmare a distant memory. He makes a mental note to reinforce the wards around the homestead,
Rask finally releases her human body pillow, and they begin their morning preparations. Kazu heads to the bathroom to meticulously clean off the unexpected drool. Anna's laughter follows him, a melodic backdrop to his morning routine.
"Do you need any help with that?" Anna asks, her tone a perfect blend of innocence and suggestion.
Kazu replied without thinking, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes, "If you helped with this, we'd be in here for hours." His voice was low, intimate, hinting at more than just cleaning.
Anna's cheeks flushed a soft rose color, her breath catching slightly. She giggled, a sound both nervous and alluring, then whispered, "Maybe I want to be in here for hours." The boldness of her own words made her blush even deeper, a charming mix of desire and embarrassment. She quickly turned away, busying herself with getting ready for the day to hide her sudden vulnerability.
A few minutes later, they descended the stairs together, their hands occasionally brushing, creating small sparks of anticipation. In the foyer, they encountered three of their guests, the morning light casting soft shadows around them.
"Hello, ladies," Kazu greeted warmly. "Besides me rudely waking you earlier, did you sleep well?"
Arwain, delicate and petite, was being carried by her daughter Orelfa. She whispered something quietly to Orelfa, who nodded in response. Then, with a gentle gesture, Arwain reached out toward Kazu. Orelfa carefully transferred her mother to Kazu's arms, and he cradled Arwain with the same tender care Orelfa had shown.
Arwain nestled against him, her small frame relaxed and trusting. "Yes, we slept very well," she replied softly in elvish. "Even your brief interruption did not disturb our rest. In fact, we've been discussing our future plans now that we're away from... the males."
"Excellent," Kazu responded, his curiosity piqued. "What are these plans?"
With quiet determination, Arwain explained their proposition. "We're hoping you'll allow us to stay if we can contribute to the household. I possess some nature magic that could be quite beneficial. Those grapevines on the side of the house? With my magic, we could potentially increase harvests from one to three or four per year."
Her daughters, Orelfa and Orolfie, chimed in enthusiastically. "We fight with," they added, "dungeon, hunting - when you want."
Kazu considered their offer, a smile spreading across his face. "Those sound like reasonable proposals. I'll need to verify with the lodge about half-orc participation, but I'm certainly interested. I wasn't even aware we had dungeons nearby."
Orolfie's response was sharp and pointed. "Many dungeons. Males not go, females worth less.. not go."
"Well," Kazu replied, his smile widening with genuine respect, "I know you two are anything but worthless. When I go dungeon exploring, you'll absolutely be welcome to join me."
Orelfa and Orolfie's faces lit up. They rushed forward, hugging Kazu in gratitude before darting toward the dining room. Kazu followed, still holding the diminutive Arwain securely in his arms, a small smile of contentment playing on his lips.
After entering behind them, he asks, "Today, Arwain, I'd like you to be with Anna and Felina if that's ok? They are our nature experts… well, Anna was a farmer, and Felina is a beast tamer… so that's as close as we got til you arrived." Kazu looks over to the dining room entrance and sees several heads peeking in. "Does that sound good to you all?" he asks.
Anna responds, warmth and genuine welcome radiating from her voice, "Welcome to the family, girls. I'm sure we'll all have fun exploring, learning, and growing together. Let's eat breakfast and get to know each other better."
"Speaking of our newest family member," Kazu asks, his tone gentle and caring, "where is Petal?"
No one knew, so Kazu headed upstairs to the room she had taken last night, his footsteps measured and cautious. He knocks on the door, listening intently, but hears no answer. Pushing the door open, he finds the bed unused and pristine. He methodically searches the room, checking the bathroom and closet, his earlier nightmare still fresh in his mind, causing a growing sense of unease. Just as he's about to leave and continue searching, a small movement catches his eye—a foot peeking out from beneath the bed.
Kazu walks over, his movements slow and non-threatening, and sits next to the bed. He leans down slightly, his voice soft and soothing, "Are you okay under there?"
A trembling, barely audible reply emerges: "I heard a loud noise last night as I was sleeping… it scared me… so I hid under the bed… and got stuck."
Kazu's heart softens with compassion. "I'm sorry, Petal," he says gently. "I had a nightmare last night, and it was me who yelled. I'm sorry I scared you and everyone else. Let me help you out of there."
With careful precision, Kazu lifts the end of the bed, which inadvertently lifts Petal off the floor by her shorts. While maintaining the bed's position, he reaches down and carefully frees her shorts from the bed's support. This allows Petal to finally crawl out from her hiding place. Timidly, she scooches over and sits by his feet, her ears drooping with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
Kazu, sensing her vulnerability, asks another gentle question. "You said you were sleeping when I scared you, but the bed is not slept in. Where were you sleeping?"
Petal's response is laden with years of ingrained subservience: "On the floor next to the bed where I'm supposed to sleep. Thank you for allowing me to use a room, but I know I'm not allowed to dirty the sheets with my disgusting rabbit body."
Kazu sits down next to her, his voice filled with compassion and fierce protectiveness. "Petal, this bed is yours as long as you want to stay here. You do not have to sleep on the floor. Like I said before, your bath last night, you are free now. No masters are telling you what to do. No one in this house sees you as being less than themselves. You are a beautiful woman. It does not matter if you have cute bunny ears or a fluffy tail. To me, you are just Petal, and that's all you need to be."
With utmost gentleness, Kazu reaches over and picks her up, cradling her in a princess carry that communicates safety and acceptance. He lays her down on the bed, then lies down beside her, pulling her into a tender, protective cuddle that speaks volumes more than words ever could.
He smiles warmly at her, his voice gentle and reassuring, "See, now doesn't this feel a lot more comfortable than that cold, hard floor?"
Petal's ears twitch slightly, and she nods with a timid smile. Her small hand tentatively reaches out, touching his chest with a feather-light caress, as if testing whether this moment of comfort is real. After several minutes of lying together in peaceful silence, Kazu softly breaks the quiet, informing her that breakfast awaits downstairs. She rises with a newfound grace, her rabbit-like ears perked with curiosity, and walks to the dining room with measured, deliberate steps - each movement a small act of newfound confidence.
The dining room buzzed with animated conversation when she entered. Arwain and the Half-Orc sisters dominated the initial discussion, their unique backgrounds and dynamic sparking intrigue among the group. Whispers about Petal's whereabouts soon intertwined with the conversation, which naturally segued into a detailed rehashing of the previous night's events. The women's chatter quickly devolved into gleeful, somewhat scandalous commentary about Kazu's impromptu naked hugging session, punctuated by giggles and knowing glances.
Kazu quickly dismissed himself after eating and called for Rask, the main instigator of the hugging conversation, and Felix to join him. Orelfa and Orolfie both got up to join the group as they left. Lina took the dishes to the kitchen, and Anna, Felina, and Arwain left to head to the vineyard and orchard.
Kazu's group headed out to the workshop. On their way, they stopped to see the progress the builders were making. After a short conversation with Va'mel, the foreman, they continued to the workshop. Kazu, Rask, and Felix started making more metal rods for firesticks.
"Rask, we need to discuss those new warding spells. The increased activity from the forest means we need to bolster our defenses," Kazu stated, his voice serious as he began shaping a rod. "I am going to head out to the fenceline and beef up our security. When I get back, we'll do some enchanting and practice our magic." An hour later, Kazu returned to the workshop, finding Rask and Felix diligently working, their brows furrowed in concentration as they crafted intricate patterns onto the metal rods, preparing them for the magical infusion that would soon make them formidable tools.
While Rask and Felix worked on making the rods, Kazu began inspecting his spatial bag's magic. He can determine how much it will hold and how to allow users to deposit and retrieve items with greater efficiency.
"This thing has a much larger capacity than I initially thought," Kazu mused, testing the limits of the spatial bag.
Rask looked up from her work, a glint in her eye. "Think you can fit all of us in there?"
"I know I can fit you in it; the only problem is that living things can not be placed inside," Kazu replied.
"Ah, that's unfortunate," Rask said, then added, "Can you at least teach me how it works?"
"As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know," Kazu replied with a smirk. "In the meantime, focus on these rods. We need to get them ready before sundown, or Anna won't have anything to work on tomorrow."
Several hours later, they head back inside the house. After finding out they are a few hours early for dinner, Kazu pulls out some games to play. The girls decide to play the one that has them putting their feet and hands in colored circles. After an hour of watching their grace and poise in action while playing, Kazu decides that he needs to introduce them to yoga.
Eventually, Lina let everyone know that dinner was almost done. Twelve minutes later, she serves them dinner. Dinner went by with nothing exciting happening.
After dinner ended, they all left the dining room. Felix, Lina, Arwain, and Petal went to bathe, and everyone else went to the living room. Felix and Petal went to their respective bathrooms, and Arwain went to her bathroom with Lina. Kazu follows them to fill their baths.
Kazu walks back into the living room after everyone has settled down and notices several of the ladies are sitting on the floor. He asked the ladies on the sofa, "Can I get you all to get up for a moment? I want to switch the sofa out with a couch."
They do as he asked, but look confused while doing it. Kazu puts the sofa into his bag, then pulls out a leather U-shaped wrap-around couch and places it where the sofa was. He then adjusts the couch from the U configuration to an L shape. Once the couch is set, he pulls out an oversized reclining chair and places it off to the side.
Kazu smiles and says, "There we go, now there is room for everyone. I'll be adding more stuff tomorrow." He then sits in the recliner and relaxes while the ladies talk. After an hour, Kazu declares, "I'm going to go to bed. You ladies enjoy the rest of your evening."
Anna asks, "Are you bathing tonight or tomorrow morning?"
"Tonight," Kazu answers as he walks away, "If you want to join me, you better come now."
Anna gets up to join Kazu, Orelfa, and Orolfie get up and follow her. Rask and Felina look at each other, shrug, then follow behind everyone else.
As Kazu gets to his room, he notices the trail of women following behind him. He laughs to himself and thinks, "I really need to stop issuing open-sounding invites. Everyone always seems to accept." Even though he thinks it, he does not say anything out loud.
Kazu begins to fill the tub as he normally does. By the time the tub is filled, everyone has already entered and taken a seat. Rask is relatively well-behaved this time. Orolfie and, of course, Anna are the two who are being playful this time. Eventually, everyone is clean, and they all get out and head to their rooms. Most of them leave the room with their towels. Orolfie, Orelfa, and Felina did not even bother with a towel.
Anna and Kazu dry off, and Kazu stores the existing bed in his bag. Anna confusedly watches as he pulls a larger bed out of his bag and places it where the original bed used to be. Kazu smiles at her, then says, "This bed is long enough that my feet won't hang off of it, and wide enough that six people can sleep comfortably on it. Another plus is that it feels like you are sleeping on a cloud. Give it a try."
Anna lies on the bed and immediately sighs in contentment. The first thing she says is, "How is this so comfortable? Even the sheets are soft and smooth. Get in here and cuddle me before I fall asleep."
Kazu gets into bed, cuddles with Anna, and kisses her on the forehead as she quickly falls asleep. As he starts to fall asleep, he hears a knock on the bedroom door. He invites whoever to open the door.
Orolfie walks in and asks, "Sleep here? Orelfa sleep growling, me no sleep."
Kazu slides Anna over without waking her and motions Orolfie to join. She heads to the bed, shedding her clothes as she walks. Once she reaches the bed, she climbs under the covers and cuddles up to him. She lays her head on his chest, kisses his pec, and wishes him goodnight. In turn, he kisses her head and wishes her the same. A few minutes later, they both join Anna in blissful slumber.