Her paws were restless, so as night fell the Empress made her way from Ashen lands. Her natural direction was westward, possibly because of her once home that direction. The West was where she had been born, but needing a change of scenery Venom followed the coast east. Through the Armada lands and then towards the Eastern pack Abaven. She had no intention of making it so far, and found her pace slowing as white gloved paws carried her over the sand.

As much as her paws resisted rest her mind did as well. She often returned to her memories of the night she'd spent with Hattori in the blue caverns. They’d cemented their relationship, there was nothing official but they’d both pledged their hearts to one another. Two hearts had become one. A small smile played on her lips at the thought as the moon broke through the cloud cover to bathe the beach in its blue light.

Venom sighed softly and sat back onto her haunches. Much had happened in the last year, but the future was bright and promising now that she had Hattori beside her. There was no looming deadline for their contract, the two of them were partners for life. Dual toned tail wrapped around her hips as Venom looked out over the ocean with sunset gaze, yes the future looked bright and she was eager to take on its challenges with her husband to be.

It had been several weeks since Kiyo had fled Iga after the threat on her life by her husband. She’d slipped away in the night after putting a sleeping draught in his tea to make sure he wouldn’t stir, her handmaiden Aoi and companion Yui, along with her deceased nephew’s Akita Anko following with her for protection and company. They’d run until they couldn’t anymore, Kiyo constantly looking over her shoulder expecting to see Hideki’s maddened eyes boring murderous holes into her. He’d been absolutely furious when he’d found out that she’d been taking herbs for years to prevent her from getting pregnant, more angry than she thought she’d ever seen him. His reaction when he’d found out, while terrifying, had left a small taste of satisfaction in her mouth. It had been the one thing she could do to have some semblance of control over her life and she’d taken it handily.

The four had bought passage on a ship set for a newly discovered continent called Boreas, sailing for a few days before they’d been dropped off on a beach. From there they’d found themselves in a mangrove, its currents frozen over from the cold of winter. In the summer it would certainly be teaming with life, but for that moment a soft silence had set upon them.

Leaving Aoi to build a fire and Yui to set up camp, the woman had decided that Anko and herself would go hunt for food. Aoi would do fine with her dried fruits, but with the Akitas and herself being carnivores, they’d need a bit more substance. Her steps were light as she trudged through the mounting snow, her breath coming out in puffs of condensation and her nose felt like it would surely fall off from freezing. Suddenly, with the breeze came a faint sweet scent, something familiar and just on the cusp of something more. Most others might have missed it, but Kiyo had taken care of so many pregnant women and helped to birth so many pups that she’d know that scent anywhere. Instinctively, she turned toward it, pushing her pale paws through the drifts until she saw her, a large woman clad in shades of black and white with a beautiful pair of purple eyes.

“Why are you out here alone in your condition, my dear?” She asked, a gentle, motherly smile on her lips. Surely she should have an escort?

She always considered herself a warrior deep down, one that could take care of herself and struggled in asking for help lest her self worth be devalued. In a fight Venom lost to Hattori and Sirius both, but instead of discouraging her she looked to work harder. Her confidence may have been too much and indeed a danger to her well being, but half the battle was projecting your assuredness in a win. Venom felt in control of her situation, and took the time to learn the surrounding landscape. Hopefully they would soon make expansions and she needed to know the lay of the lands around the Empire as much as within.

Knowing she could call upon Hattori had been a comfort before, but as time went on Venom became more comfortable with the fact. She didn’t have to ask him for help, he was just there. He quickly became her most trusted partner and making the decision to join their lives together had been an easy decision even if it was a long time in coming. Even here in the middle of nowhere her mind swiftly sailed back to him and knew all she need do was call and he would be right there beside her.

With a subtle grin playing on her features and her mind wandering she would have missed the stranger’s approach had she not heard the warning call from Poison in the forest behind her. Venom’s attention shifted to the pale woman as she approached. She shined in the moonlight and reflected off pale antlers and long fur. The sweet scent of her created a familiar sense that she couldn’t quite place, but Venom would ignore it for now as she listened to her words.

The purple eyes of the Empress narrowed slightly, both confused and astounded at the woman’s boldness. Still, the gentle motherly hen like aura of the sweet faced she wolf softened Venom to her. ”The Empress goes where she will,” Venom often kept her title secret, but felt compelled to answer truthfully. ”I have no ‘condition.” She tried to speak gently, but her offense at such an insinuation slipped through.

When she’d first seen the dark woman she’d had a grin splayed across her delicate features, like she was keeping a secret only she knew. It was a charming look, really, a look of genuine happiness that made Kiyo feel a sadness deep in her chest when it was gone. She much preferred the happy look of others, if only to steal some of it for herself as selfish as it was. The woman was an empath, that much had been apparent from an early age, therefore what others felt, she felt innately as if it were her own. Their sorrows, their pain, their anger, all of it diffused from them unto her, at times seeming more of a curse than a blessing. Therefore, she tried to keep things bright as best she could.

The grin had been replaced with a look of surprise and displeasure before melting into some more akin to gentle reproach. She wasn’t sure why until the woman spoke, naming herself an Empress and that she ‘had no condition’ before Kiyo realized her folly. Not only had she improperly greeted a monarch, she’d also outed something quite important that she had no idea about. The former Iga matriarch was quick to bow her head low in apology, the lichen across her antlers drooping forward like a veil. “My apologies, my lady. I was unaware of your position...in both manners,” she offered, her head coming back up. But, now that the cat was out of the bag she couldn’t very well put it back. Therefore, she continued with gentle prodding. “I do pray I don’t seem too forward in asking, but have you...known someone intimately...within the past month’s time?” It was a rather rude question, she was quite aware, from someone who she didn’t yet know, and she would think she’d react in much the same manner if asked such a line of questioning, but it was from a good place in her heart. The first few months of a pregnancy were critical to the health of the pups and any unnecessary hardship could well produce a miscarriage.

The antlered woman looked immediately regretful and lowered her head in apology as she spoke one. Claiming her ignorance and seeking forgiveness was enough for Venom and her expression softened slightly in acceptance. Her eyes met silver and was given another strange sense of familiarity that rocked her in ways she couldn’t quite understand. Venom tried not to show the struggle beneath the surface, but as the stranger continued her own gaze widened in surprise yet again. So bold! The Empress flushed and her skin grew red under char and ivory fur.

By now Venom was fully aware that the universe worked in strange ways. The odd creature in the swamp house had been one of her most wild experiences. Being here with this strange familiar and ethereal woman gave her much the same feeling that day had. Like she was here on this beach meeting her for a reason.

She shifted slightly in the sand, unwilling to hide her discomfort but feeling as though holding back was the wrong decision here. Even though she had literally zero desire to answer the question that was presented. The young Empress had been very intimate with Hattori not even a month’s time ago and the thought easily stirred up similar butterflies in her belly at the thought of him and their time together.

”You are very forward.” She vocalized her displeasure but the answer followed regardless. Eyes narrowed as she forced the words from her lips, ”If you must know, I have. If you breathe word of it though…” Venom raised her quilled hackles and flashed her teeth to back her threat, letting the horned woman know her sweet demeanor would not protect her if she shared what was not hers to give.

The woman’s sunset gaze went wide at her question and she was a stronger wolf than her to be able to keep her jaw from hitting the ground. If she were a wolf of Kiyo’s complexion there surely would have been a pink tint to her cheeks, yet Kiyo stood sagely, not a tint of embarrassment coloring her features. For all intents and purposes, this was routine for her. She did need to tread carefully, yes, but she bore no judgement toward her. It was a natural thing in her opinion, with a steady companion or not.

The woman confirmed her suspicions, though immediately followed through with a threat and Kiyos auds swiveled back, head drooping in vague submission. “I would never, my dear lady. A matter such as this is precious, and otherwise, I am new to these lands. I know no one, much less who you reign over, therefore I have no one to speak to of it. It is safe with me,” she said, her voice firm and reassuring. “If it is so, I feel I must tell you; I suspect you are with child. Your scent bears the hallmarks of the beginnings of a pregnancy, though it cannot be sure for a few weeks to come. I would not normally concern myself with the business of another, but it seems you are unaware and the first term of a pregnancy can be so fickle. Should these children be wanted and carried healthily to term, certain precautions must be taken,” after all, no one knew better than her how quickly a pregnancy could turn. There were 7 small graves to prove so.

The lilt of her accent and the stoic way she held herself continued to lend suspicion to the familiarity that was never going to come. While she felt like she’d met the woman before Venom was also quite certain that she had not. She spoke more easily of such intimacies with those closer to her, but felt quite affronted to be questioned by a complete stranger. The antlered she wolf was quick to cast away any worry about revelations.

She felt similar to Hattori in indulging in what was and was not proper. After holding out for so long to see the contract through they hadn’t the will power to see the second deadline. They were away from any prying eyes and they both had been satisfied to keep their actions secret. However much she wanted to do so Kiyo’s next words would prove her attempts null. Venom’s heart stopped and her jaw really did fall open as the healer further explained herself. All transgressions were swiftly forgiven and forgotten as she felt the blood drain from her face.

Like a deer in the headlights Venom felt her mouth gasp like a fish as she grasped for words. ”W..w..with child.” There were few moments Venom had stuttered in her life, but the diagnosis had come so far out of left field she’d never seen it coming. When her heart restarted she thought she would pass out at the sudden speed in which it beat. There shouldn’t have been as much surprise, but the timing hadn’t even been ideal… ”I see.” The words were a habit picked up from Hattori, when he wanted time to think about what she’d told him, every time he’d answer simply. Venom saw why.

The question of ‘what now’ hit her even harder than Kiyo’s words, she’d have to tell Hattori, the pack, preparations would need to be made, they’d have to marry much more quickly, these and a million more thoughts raced through her mind as she attempted to focus on the words given. The woman was indeed a friendly passer by, and her service should at least be appreciated. Her mind sought to focus on that instead of the overwhelming revelation. ”Precautions?” She questioned a little more confidently as she struggled to shake the shock.

More than anything else, it was clear that her words had completely taken the woman by shock. If she hadn’t already been sitting down, she might very well be after that. But, what concerned Kiyo even more was the sheet white look that crossed over her features. Instantly she was moving forward, pressing her side against the other’s to keep her from falling hard against the ground should she pass out. She cursed herself mentally for not taking the precaution, as it wouldn’t have been the first time such an incident had occurred. “You’re alright, dear. Take a deep breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth. It’s quite a shock you’ve been given, I can see,” she cooed, her liquid silver gaze filled with concern beneath furrowed brows.

The silver and white dappled woman kept her side pressed against Venom’s to try and keep her grounded, to let her feel her presence while she processed what she’d told her. She couldn’t tell by the reaction whether it was a happy shock or a bad one, but either way Kiyo wouldn’t judge. She had remedies and advice for everything, coming with years of experience.

Finally, she felt the other relax against her, the rigidity of the unexpected announcement melting from her body as she seemed to finally come to terms with it. In a much friendlier, albeit still a bit weak, tone, she asked her about precautions. A nod bobbed her head, the lichen perched there swaying to and fro, “Yes. You’ll want to avoid any unnecessarily strenuous tasks as well as make sure you drink plenty of water and eat foods high in protein. There are some herbs you can take as well, such as ginseng root for the immune system and peppermint for nausea. However, there are some others that you might normally take that could be dangerous for the pups, so be wary and always ask your healer beforehand.”

Kiyo paused, this time trying to choose her words carefully. It was another incredibly sensitive comment, but as a healer she was obligated to make sure the woman knew of all of her options. “However, should you find the timing...inconvenient, there are remedies for that as well,” another situation she herself knew all too well. As quickly as life could be made, it could be extinguished.

She took in a few deep breaths to help steady her shaking limbs, and even more concerning to her now was the reaction to the news. She hadn't held anything back, and she wondered if she even could. Venom swallowed hard and reigned herself in, but still felt quite shook as the healer was suddenly at her side and pressed close in a supportive position. Any other time the young Empress might shrug off the healer, but she was suddenly very aware of the danger in losing consciousness. Other than overwhelmed Venom wasn’t quite sure how to feel yet, she knew that this was an eventuality. One that had been able to be put off she thought, for another year.

Still, the way the healer spoke things could happen, there was a lot to think about when growing new puppies and a lot could happen. She took another steadying breath as Kiyo paused, collecting her own thoughts and suddenly feeling the restlessness of her paws return. The night was still young, she could meet with Hattori and they could at least discuss the situation…

Then Kiyo spoke again, Venom felt a dark shiver race over her skin as the words sank in. The power that lingered in them. The Empress tried to ignore it, and wouldn’t come to a quick decision on her own. ”Thank you.” She spoke softly, for the information and the support. Her decision neutral for now. ”For your help and discretion I can offer food and shelter for a night or two.” She added as she began to at least fake control again. Inside she was glad she hadn’t eaten dinner yet.

Kamikiyo could feel the skin beneath the woman’s pelt shiver at her words, and for good reason. It was a dark skill for a healer, and many she knew wouldn’t even entertain the idea, but she’d felt it valuable and even important to make sure she provided the option to any and all. The situation many women found themselves in could be precarious and their freedom dependent on having only themselves to take care of. Yes, she felt like she was doing a great service. She didn’t deserve the nickname Kamikiyo.

When the thanks was given, a simple nod of her head was given in acknowledgement before she moved to the side and literally out of the other’s fur. The next offer was one she hadn’t expected and she paused once more, unsure of whether or not she should. But, it was her impression that the Empress knew nothing of her identity or where she was from, and if she did she was a damn good actress. After a moment, she nodded, “I think I shall take your offer. Thank you for your graciousness. I have three companions with me, a macaque and two Akitas who are back setting up what we had planned to be camp. I would like to return to retrieve them, if allowed. If not, to at least let them know where I will be.” The woman would pay particular attention to the other’s response. If she was allowed to get her companions, she’d feel much more comfortable with her thoughts that the other wasn’t a threat. If not, she’d be sleeping with one eye open.

Suddenly, she remembered she hadn’t even offered her name. “My apologies for my poor manners, my lady. My name is Kiyo,” she offered with a smile. She purposefully left out her last name because, as far as she was concerned, she had none. She’d run away and left that life behind, floating around on a groundless tether. A little over middle aged, Kiyo should have been settling down with grandchildren, but that happy life wasn’t hers to have. Her only child was dead and, along with him, her heart. Now, all she hoped for was a quick and painless death somewhere down the road not at the paws of her husband.

Venom nodded as the healer took her up on her offer, though the young Empress had felt a little prickly towards her at first she might have literally tipped the balance of her pups (omg her pups!) lives. She shifted nervously again at the thoughts, having a better time ignoring the emotional response within. That vague familiar feeling returned as the woman accepted her offer and mentioned her companions. The Akitas really drew her attention as Hattori had one to accompany him. The moonlight masked most of Kiyo’s features but Venom wondered if she resembled a koi or if it were her imagination.

”You may retrieve and bring your companions,” she told her quietly before the older woman eventually gave her name. Venom nodded slightly, finally returning from such a heightened state, but was left with a developing headache in return. ”The Empress Venom Abraxas.” She tilted her head slightly but didn’t offer a bow. ”Be swift,” though worded as a command her voice was a soft request. There was already much to be done on a night she had deigned to do nothing.

Venom had no desire to be left with her thoughts alone for long. She shouldn’t have been afraid but the creeping feeling was growing stronger in her gut. She needed Hattori.