Volume 10 - Extending Family, Chapter 69 - Night of Surprises
Cold winter wind whipped through Haru's long white hair and rippled across her fluffy feathers. She stepped through the back door of the butcher's shop, then bumped the door with her hip to make sure it had fully shut behind her.
Her wings were wrapped around a large cardboard box with 'KEEP REFRIGERATED' written in big letters on the side. With a big October storm currently blowing into the mountain town, keeping meat cold wasn't going to be a problem.
"This is the last of it, Sam," Haru called out into the shop as she maneuvered through the cluttered back room toward the main cooler. She set the box into the temperature controlled room and closed it again. Then she added, "Jonouchi said he'll be back with another delivery on Monday if the roads aren't too bad."
Sam was a muscular, stout, bald man with warm eyes and an equally warm smile. "Sounds good. Thanks," he replied distractedly, focused on his work at the cash register, tallying receipts and wrapping things up for the day.
Haru wanted to help clean up the shop, so she grabbed a broom and started sweeping. As she worked, she wondered, Yuisu's been going on a bunch of errands without me lately. Maybe she's just busy getting stuff for all the other girls in the house. As she swept past the main counter, she said, "Hey, Sam, do you have any idea why Yuisu would be so busy running errands lately? She's barely been home at all."
Sam froze totally still for a moment, then shrugged and said, "I don't know. Maybe she's gotta get supplies and stuff for the winter? Living up there on the mountain in the winter must be tough. You gotta be prepared for things like this storm that's blowin' in."
Haru nodded and said, "That makes sense." She went back to sweeping and didn't notice as Sam grabbed one specific receipt from the top of a pile and stuffed it away in the register.
Sam turned and grinned at Haru. "On that note, you should head home before the snow and darkness make it for you hard to fly. I'll wrap up here on my own."
"Ah, that's a good idea. Thanks, Sam," Haru said with a smile. She took off her apron then pulled a puffy coat over her head and snapped it closed under her arms. "Seeya tomorr—" she started, then corrected herself, "Ah, I'm off tomorrow. See you the day after!"
"Yup. Bye, Haru!" Sam replied as Haru stepped through the front door, out into the cold. Once she had left, he dug the receipt from before out of the register and returned it to the pile, now that Haru wasn't around to see the customer's name.
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Despite the light snow and wind, the flight home was no trouble for Haru. Snow was her natural element, and her flying ability had only improved since she started working in town and commuting by wing every day.
After flying all the way up to Yuisu's property, Haru landed gracefully on the front porch. She shook off a bit of snow, fumbled with a key for a moment to unlock the door, then opened it and stepped inside.
The entryway was dark and quiet. Haru sniffed the air, but couldn't smell anything except the sulfur-y smell of the hot spring outside, which was a little stronger than normal. Maybe the wind blowing down the mountain carried the smell to the house, she thought as she took off her snap-on snow jacket and hung it up on the overloaded coat rack.
The smell didn't bother Haru. She was more focused on the lack of light and people. It seemed that all the lights in the house were off, and normally the crowded house was bustling with activity at almost any hour.
"Yuisu?" she called out into the quiet halls, growing a little concerned. Is the power out? she asked herself, then tried the entryway light, but it worked fine. "Huh."
Haru wiped her talons on the entry mat and started toward her bedroom. It was then that she heard something coming from the living room.
She jogged into the living room, only to find it empty. The lights were off and the TV was just playing some old movie with the volume up kind of loud. This is weird. Where is everyone? Haru thought. And I guess I'll turn off the TV if no one's using it. She stepped up to the coffee table and reached for the remote.
"SURPRISE!" several voices yelled suddenly.
The lights turned on and the whole room burst into life. Tsuen and Quess peeked up from behind the couch, Mara climbed over the back of the armchair, and Yuisu jumped up from behind the coffee table, grinning like an idiot. From around the hallway corner, Mimi, Chione, and Iormu came into view, smiling as well. Everyone was wearing silly conical party hats in a variety of bright colors.
"What the?!" Haru squawked in surprise and fell backward. Iormu's tail quickly flicked out to catch Haru then eased her back to her feet.
Before Haru could really figure out what was going on, Yuisu started counting down, "3, 2, 1…"
Then everyone joined together and started to sing, "Happy Birthday" in heavily-accented English.
Throughout the song, Haru blushed bright red and when it ended, she stammered, "B-but, my birthday isn't until tomorrow…"
Yuisu pulled Haru into a light hug and said, "I know. This way it was a surprise!"
Mara skittered up to Haru and jumped into the air, then dunked a blue party hat onto Haru's head. While Yuisu helped fasten it on, Mara asked, "Well? Do you like it, Haru? Our surprise?"
A smile crept onto Haru's face and she admitted, "Yeah, it was pretty good. I'm impressed that you kept all this secret. I didn't sense you guys hiding at all."
Yuisu pointed a hand at the giant purple serpent that was coiled by the couch. "We have Iormu to thank for that. She suggested bringing in a tub of hot spring water to hide our scent, and using the TV to hide the sound of our breathing."
At that, Iormu did a little bow, sending her bountiful chest swaying.
Haru's eyes opened wide. "Wow, very impressive, Iormu." Then she nudged Iormu with a wing and added, "Please don't use your skills for evil. You'd make a terrifying villain."
"I make no promises," Iormu joked, then excused herself, "I've gotta go check on Puess. Be back in a bit."
After that, Quess passed out drinks to everyone and Mimi shuttled in a chest-full of wrapped presents.
Haru was surprised yet again, this time by the number of presents. "Those are all for me? Really?"
Yuisu clapped her on the back and said, "Of course!"
Haru blushed and mumbled, "I'm just not used to celebrating my birthday, I guess… But this is really nice. Thanks everyone."
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Mara pushed up close and said, "Don't thank us yet. Open the presents!"
While Haru started to unwrap her gifts, Yuisu slipped out of the room. The gifts were interesting and varied, from useful things like a warm scarf from Chione to joke gifts like a big foam novelty hand from Iormu.
"I saw how much you liked having hands in that dream," Iormu said, giggling.
Tsuen had already taken the tub of hot spring water back outside, and Haru started to notice the smell of cooking meat. Before Haru could mention it, Yuisu returned to the living room, carrying a large platter.
On it, there was a massive steak, cooked rare. It had numeral-shaped candles stuck in it, making the number 24. Yuisu set the platter down on the coffee table and announced, "As of tomorrow, October 16th, Haru will be twenty-four. I've known her for less than a year of that, but that was more enough time for me to fall in love with her."
Haru looked away, suddenly shy, but Yuisu pushed her forward and said, "Here's your 'birthday steak', Haru. Blow out the candles and make a wish!"
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After eating and drinking and celebrating in the living room for a while, Haru pointed out the window at the large, fluffy flakes of snow coming down. "You know, this is perfect weather for the hot spring."
"Great idea!" Iormu said, "I'm still chilly from going between the house and cabin to check on Pwess, so the hot water sounds wonderful."
Everyone else was on board too, and soon the entire party had made their way to the hot spring.
As all the girls stripped down, Chione blushed bright red and turned away, embarrassed to see all the naked women. She took off her own clothes, then quickly wrapped her wings around her body, hiding her nakedness.
"Loosen up a little, Chione!" Mimi called out as she tore off her own shirt and underwear in a flash. She tossed them toward the fence and stood up inside her chest, fully bare in more ways than one.
Several girls had turned when they heard Mimi's voice, and now they were all wondering the same thing, What's she planning to do? Is she going to put her whole chest in the water?
Mimi surprised everyone when she stepped out of her chest, staying connected to it only by her long fleshy hair. She gently closed the lid to keep the snow off of the part of her that was inside, then slipped into the water. Her pink 'hair' stuck out of the toothy mouth of the chest, looking a lot like a tongue with a girl attached to the tip, like some sort of sexual lure.
Yuisu shivered when she realized that, in a way, that's exactly what Mimi was…
Meanwhile, Iormu had taken over one whole corner of the pool, making sure to get her cold-sensitive body out of the snowy air.
"Hey, Iormu," Mara said as she paddled around like a little pink raft, "Where'd Quess go?"
Iormu lowered her upper body into the water, but her huge breasts were pretty buoyant and they bobbed at the surface. She replied, "Oh, she's not big on water, and she had to check up on Pwess in the cabin, anyway."
As all seven women relaxed and melted away their tension in the hot water, the conversation died down, except for occasional whispers between lovers. Big fluffy snowflakes fell slowly, disappearing instantly in the hot water but accumulating in a thin layer on the trees and rocks further out.
After a bit, Mara and Tsuen were the first to excuse themselves and leave the hot spring. Tsuen cited her work schedule, but the glint in Mara's eyes suggested that they had other plans.
Mimi, Chione, and Iormu trickled off too, until just Yuisu and Haru were left.
Haru wrapped her wing around Yuisu's shoulders and snuggled closer, thinking, I bet Yuisu's going to get all grabby and pervy soon, but for now, this is nice.
She was surprised when Yuisu stood up, her naked skin steaming in the cold air, and said, "Come on, Haru. I've got a special surprise for you in the kitchen."
"Oh, really?" Haru said, her interest piqued.
Haru and Yuisu wrapped themselves in towels, grabbed their clothes, and quickly fled into the warmth of the house to finish getting dressed. Once they were all dry and clothed, Yuisu pulled Haru along to the kitchen and sat her down at the table. "Wait here," Yuisu said, then she dug into the freezer and emerged with a pint-sized container.
"Lactose-free frozen yogurt!" she announced. "It's vanilla flavor and not too sweet, and I think it's really good." She dished some up into little bowls for each of them, then put another small container on the table.
"What's that? Some sugary toppings for you?" Haru asked, remembering their date at the mall and how Yuisu had covered her yogurt with so many toppings that it was almost more candy than yogurt.
"Nope, this is your birthday, not mine," Yuisu countered with wide smile. "They're bacon bits! I made them because I know you want to have meat in everything, and that you really loved the bacon at that buffet we went to. And, I've heard bacon goes well with sweet things."
With a flourish, Yuisu sprinkled a hefty helping on each of their yogurts, then sat down at the table across from Haru.
Haru raised an eyebrow and watched Yuisu closely as she took her first bite of white yogurt covered in bits of chopped bacon.
Yuisu braced herself for the bizarre mix of flavors, but she was pleasantly surprised. "Mmm, this is pretty good," she said as she swallowed her first bite. "Try it, Haru."
Haru looked down at her own bowl and reached for her spoon. The spoon had a big, wide handle: part of a harpy-friendly set of silverware that Tsuen had just given her a couple hours ago. Smiling at how wonderful her birthday party had already been, Haru lifted the spoon to her mouth and tried the yogurt.
Her eyes lit up. The savory, rich bacon perfectly complemented the creamy, tangy, sweetness and the crunchy bits were a great contrast to the smooth texture of the yogurt. "Wow, this is delicious! Thank you, Yuisu!" she blurted, before quickly scarfing down the rest of the bowl.
As they finished up, Yuisu said, "Oh no! I think we left the lights on in the hot spring. Can you please go turn them off, Haru?"
"Sure thing. Be right back," Haru called as she started for the back door. She was wearing jeans and had her feathers to keep warm, so she was happy to brave the cold for Yuisu.
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It didn't take long to turn off the lights around the hot spring, but when Haru returned, the kitchen was already empty, with their dirty dishes moved to the sink.
I guess she went to bed? Haru thought, then made her way to the bedroom. She opened the door, stepped inside, and immediately froze in shock. Her wings dropped to her sides, her jaw dropped open, and her face flushed red.
Yuisu was sitting on the low futon bed, wearing nothing but a smile and a big red bow around her chest. Her legs were crossed with the toes of her left foot flicking at the air playfully. Her green eyes sparkled with mischievous intent.
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"It seems you have one more birthday present to open, Haru," Yuisu said seductively.
Once Haru got over her initial shock, she closed the door behind her. Then she turned and stalked forward, her talons clicking on the floor. "Oh no! I'll have to fix that," she said, then she pounced and pushed Yuisu over onto the big, soft bed.
Haru straddled Yuisu, smiling down at her, then leaned in and kissed her deeply. At the same time, she started tugging on the ribbon of Yuisu's bow. Despite her feathery thumbs, Haru was easily able to unwrap it, releasing Yuisu's breasts.
Haru moved to Yuisu's neck and kissed the bare skin there. Lovingly, she worked her way down, kissing everything. She lingered on Yuisu's nipples for a moment, and then went lower, but Yuisu held her chin and stopped her.
"Hold on, Haru. It's your birthday, remember? I'm supposed to give, and you're supposed to receive…"
Haru peered up at Yuisu and said, "But I want to repay you for making this such a wonderful day!" Her golden eyes gleamed and she grinned wide. "How about a compromise? We can both do both…"
Yuisu wore a grin of her own and said, "I like the sound of that. But you're wearing far too many clothes." The naked beauty sat up and started pawing at Haru's white tank-top, tugging at it ineffectively.
Haru giggled and stood up from the bed. "I'll handle this," she said as she slowly peeled her shirt off over her head, revealing the practical yet sexy tan bra beneath. She pulled her huge, feathery wings through the wide arm holes, then threw the shirt aside and started on her pants.
Yuisu watched, wide-eyed and enraptured, as Haru wiggled and pulled her tight jeans down around her wide hips and her wonderfully round butt. Once her jeans were down around her ankles, Haru stepped out of the pants as gracefully as she could and climbed back on the bed, wearing just her tan bra and matching side-snap panties.
Yuisu playfully pushed Haru away with one foot. "Uh-uh, you've still got too many clothes on," she teased.
Haru kneeled and quickly unsnapped her harpy-customized bra and panties and dropped them off the side of the bed. Sitting there, entirely nude, she feigned irritation and said, "There. Is that good enough for you?"
Yuisu licked her lips, flexed her fingers and started to reach for Haru, saying, "Oh, yes. Yes it is."
Giggling, Haru batted Yuisu's grabby hands away with one wing, then pushed Yuisu onto her back. Haru crawled up the bed and bent over for one last mouth-to-mouth kiss. It was deep and sensual, and seemed to last forever as their tongues darted and teased and licked at each other.
Finally, Haru broke it off with a gasp and sat back up. With experienced ease, she flung one leg over Yuisu's head, straddling her face. Then she leaned forward across Yuisu's naked body, gently pried her legs apart, and dove in.