The sound and shockwave momentarily stunned Tsugi as she whirled into the depths of the clear blue water. Ruzo dove under and nudged her with his nose, pushing her to the surface for air. She gasped for air and laughed at the thrill, feeling the elation reach even her fingertips. Swimming over his back, she grasped onto the fur on his scruff. “Dive.”
Holding a lungful of air, Ruzo dove into the deep depth of the clear waters. The sunlight gleamed through it and lit the rocks and sand below, bouncing off the bright green plants, waving in the turbulent waves. The fish quickly darted away, into the waving greens as Ruzo and Tsugi approached. The underwater sight was breathtaking, and in their case – quite literally. Tsugi was in awe at the magnificent radiant colors as Ruzo pulled her around the giant lake.
Kicking off the bed of the lake, Ruzo quickly moved to the surface as Tsugi slowly let out her breath with bubbles rising up behind them to the top. Reaching the surface, Tsugi gasped for air and wiped the water off her face. Brushing her hair back with her hand, she patted Ruzo on his head and let go of him. He joyfully swam around in circles then to one end of the lake and back. Tsugi swam back and forth doing different strokes and enjoyed the peaceful moment.
After a few hours of swimming, Tsugi got out of the water and laid on the grass to dry herself. Staring up into the partly cloudy sky, she watched as the clouds floated by. The warm breeze blew through the grass and caressed her skin. She placed her hands behind her head and imagined herself flying in the sky whirling around the clouds. She smiled softly and closed her eyes, listening to Ruzo run around and splash into the water again and again.
“Did you fall asleep?” Lugo leaned over her and blocked the sunlight from her face.
“No.” Tsugi groaned. “You’re blocking my sun.” She grumbled.
“Oh, sorry.” He quickly scurried to her side and laid down beside her. “What are you doing? And did you just come out of the lake? Why are you drenched?”
“I was enjoying the peace and quiet.” Tsugi muttered. “And no, I didn’t just come out of the lake. I was just laying here and then all of the sudden, a rain cloud decided it wanted to just pour rain over me.” She said sarcastically.
“Ha ha.” Lugo scoffed.
“Why are you asking the obvious if you already know the answer?”
“I was just trying to start small talk.”
“I have an idea, how about you don’t?” Tsugi smirked.
“Still as pissy as ever huh?” Lugo pouted. “Why did you jump in fully clothed? You could’ve at least taken your clothes off. You’ll get sick.”
“I didn’t want a pervert like you spying on me.”
“Only a little.”
Tsugi turned toward Lugo and gaped her mouth, playfully shoving him.
“I’m just kidding.” Lugo laughed. “No need to resort to violence. I wouldn’t want to make another bad impression for Ellie to see again.”
“Oh jeez, still upset about that?” Tsugi rolled her eyes. “What’s with you and wanting every girl to like you anyway?” She sighed and muttered under her breath, “womanizer.”
“It’s not just women.”
“Oh so you want to be greedy and have the whole world groveling at your feet then?” Tsugi snorted and shook her head.
“Yep! They will bow to me and kiss my feet! Muahahaha!” He said with a deep dramatic tone. Tsugi laughed and playfully shoved him again. “Ow!”
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“Stop being so dramatic, I didn’t push you that hard, you big baby.” They both laughed. “How did you know that I was here?”
“I have an ALL seeing eye!” He said and opened one eye wide, turning to face her before breaking into laughter.
Tsugi laughed. “You can’t even keep a straight face.”
“Who can miss an enormous warwolf, running across the field and jumping into the water, having the time of his life? I can hear his thundering footsteps from within the walls.” He chuckled.
“Really? He’s that loud?” Tsugi turned to look at Ruzo, who was running through the field, like an excited puppy in a pile of toys.
“No, I just have good ears.” Lugo said, and tapped his ear. "Have you packed yet?"
"No. You said we have a few days."
"I did. I was thinking we could leave whenever you are ready though. We can stay in town and scout the area ahead of time, and ask around about the mine,” he shrugs, “you know, research."
"And I thought I was going to be able to relax and enjoy my peace." She sighed and clicked her tongue.
"We still need to ask Ellie too." Lugo added.
"Of course. We wouldn't want you to miss your chance to hit on her every moment you have." Tsugi rolled her eyes and sat up. "Fine." She grumbled and got to her feet, her clothes still wet and clung onto her body like loose skin. "Ruzo!" She called and the warwolf quickly swam back to shore, shaking a furry rain onto them. By the time he finished shaking, they both looked like furry monsters, covered with wet drenched hair from head to toe.
"He needs to be brushed." Lugo said, frozen in place and spitting hair out of his mouth.
Tsugi chuckled and wiped the fur from her face, tossing it to the ground. "Down." She commanded and the warwolf dropped to the floor. Stepping onto Ruzo's giant shoulder, she hopped onto his back and held a hand out to Lugo. "Climb on." She instructed and Lugo looked at her hesitantly before taking her hand and climbed onto Ruzo's back.
"Hang on." She said to Lugo sitting behind her.
"I don't want to hold you. You're covered in dog hair and drenched."
"So are you." She cocked an eyebrow at him. But he frowned and turned away crossing his arms on his chest. Tsugi shrugged one shoulder. "Suit yourself. Home." Tsugi muttered and Ruzo took off.
"Holy!" Lugo gasped, nearly thrown off. His legs raised high into the air and Tsugi grabbed onto his shin, yanking it back down like it was a lever. Sitting back up, he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist.
Tsugi laughed up a storm, completely unable to hide her giggle and enjoyment. "I warned you!" She yelled over the wind in their faces. Once steady, Tsugi sat up straight and closed her eyes. The strong wind blew away the fur on her and dried her clothes a little more. She let go of Ruzo's fur and held her arms to her side, like she had wings and was learning to fly. The wind entered her shirt and waved it dry.
Lugo slowly released his grip around her and pulled back. “What are you doing?” He said after a moment.
“Air drying.” She smiled and heard a chuckle from him. “What? You were just complaining that I’m soaked.”
“I didn’t say anything.” He muttered and stifled his grin.
***
In the bath, Tsugi turned on the shower and stepped underneath the warm running water. Mounds of fur washed off her body and down the drain. Lathering her hair, she playfully designed them into horns, curls, beards, and mustaches. She chuckled at herself as she rinsed away the bubbles.
Watching the soap trickle down her body, she gazed at her breasts that were nice and plump, and massaged at the marks of the bindings. They were itchy and irritated with the connecting synapses, feeling the warm water brush against them. Fainting coppered scars still riddled her body with memories she can’t seem to erase. Instead she focused on the scars that weren’t as traumatizing, the long lengthwise scar on her forearm and calf that Lugo had helped bandage. The memory trickled down like a snowball rolling downhill and erupted all of her memories with Lugo: the legend of the fangloryth; the training; and the banters lit a small smile on her face.
As annoying as he could be, she was glad to have him in her life and wouldn’t change it for the world. She quickly finished washing up and returned to her room to start packing.
She wasn’t sure as to how long they were going to be gone and packed only a few pairs of clothes, figuring she could always do laundry if needed. Heading to the storage, she packed some herbs and ointment along with bandages into their respective pouches and stored them into her bag. Healers could only heal so much, so she needed to pack for the minor injuries and illnesses.
“Did you pack food?” Lugo peered around the corner into the storage room.
“Not yet, why?” Tsugi tied her bag.
“Good, don’t. We will still be in the town for a few days and we can always get provisions before we depart from there. There’s no need to pack food right now. Did you ask Ellie yet?”
Tsugi rolled her eyes. “Will you calm your horses? She isn’t even back yet.” She grumbled.
“Are you done packing?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Can you teach me how to sign?” He smiled sheepishly.