James sat a distance from Luna, both of them watch the stars glint overhead. The burning winds of the night flares blew around them, heating their skin. Heat Resistance kept the ripping and tearing of their bodies at bay, but they couldn't say the same for their friends.

Ignoring their whimpers and screams, he held Luna's hand. "It hasn't been that long, has it?"

"Half a year about." Rolling onto her side, she held both of their hands to his chest. "My life felt so empty before I met you. Well…once I found the courage to talk to you and be around you."

Chuckling, he lifted her hand to his lips. "We're making new memories." Kissing her fingers, he added, "and now we have all of the others to make memories with."

Giggling, Luna looked over her shoulder and their writhing bodies. "You've gained a brother and a sister in our short time together."

"Not to mention a very horny cat," he joked.

Rolling her eyes, she agreed. "She won't do anything. Amber just wants to be part of your life. You should push her to match our level as soon as possible. She'll be a great addition to our leadership."

"They will all be a great part of our team." Pulling Luna closer to him, he waited until her head was resting near his. "We should sneak away for an hour."

"Oh? Is that your version of enticing me, my dear husband?"

"It is." Sitting up, he pulled her with. "We haven't had any time together in a few days. Ever since the giant and converting the others."

Quickly getting to her feet, she helped him up. Scanning the forest, they both nodded towards another clearing that wasn't far. There was no reason to rush over, so they simply enjoyed the short walk.

Souls brushed against his from across the forest. He had learned he needed to stretch his soul over large spaces in order to not overwhelm those around him. Despite his efforts to minimize his aura, he still couldn't enter the city without scaring everyone away within a few blocks of his position.

Luna had it the opposite. She drew everyone in and was given more gifts than she could keep track of. Just before bed, she emptied her ring and dumped hundreds of flowers onto the ground. The wind blew them away, while everyone ate the boxed lunches that she handed out. After that, they demolished two of the twenty cakes she had.

Despite the gifts, she proved she could be an excellent merchant. The day before, she had joined the stall of a woman that she wasn't influencing. None of them knew why some people were affected by their Soul Auras, and others were not. They were hoping that returning to the wastelands would provide answers.

When James first activated his soul, he was in an ancient city, fighting for every moment of life. He absorbed souls, devoured the flesh and blood of the Forsaken, and even cleared out whole districts before Luna came along. The Fenrir was chased out of her village and had tried to escape a pack of Plague Wolves by entering his city.

Naturally, he had killed the wolves while his vulture friends ate their bodies. The next thing he knew, he was nursing a Fenrir back to health. He was simply happy that she adjusted to him so quickly, or so he thought.

On one of his fights, she had tried to join him, but when his reserves had emptied, he had tried to eat her, scaring her bad enough that she fled. She kept her distance for months after that until the day he had to save her again. It turned out that she wanted to find him and apologize and restart their time together.

After fleeing the city and giant Forsaken, they had pretended to be husband and wife before he claimed her as his real wife. They had never been happier. He didn't remember much about his life before the city, but he knew Luna needed to be part of his life. He would never let her go, despite a horny cat making passes at him every day.

"We're here," Luna said before kissing his cheek.

The small clearing they were claiming was perfect for a few hours together without the others. Their souls were harmonized with one another. Everything was perfect when she was around. She was also the one that was going to help him find out answers about what he was.

"James?" she questioned softly.

Shaking his head, he smiled. "Sorry. Lost in thought."

"I could feel that." Grabbing his waist, she pulled him against her. "I better make you focus on something else."

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"Oh? And what exactly are you going to do to help me?"

To answer him, she kissed him deeply before pulling off his shirt. She was right. She really was going to succeed in distracting him.

***

Morning came swiftly as James and Luna returned to the group. Amber was the first one up, sniffing the air as she turned her gaze toward them.

"I see," she purred.

"No, you smell," he teased, "I thought you were the smart one?"

Frowning, her brows scrunched as Luna laughed.

"He has you there, kitty cat."

Getting up, Amber grabbed Luna's ear and twisted. "It's not kitty cat!"

"Kitten, my ear!" Luna howled.

Leaving them to their fight, James walked over to Mender. "You look like shit."

Scowling, the healer wandered over to a tub. "Please fill this so I can wash off the blood."

Jamie joined them a second later, already pulling off her shirt. "Look away, dear brother. I can't bare to feel your lustful eyes on me."

It would have been funnier if she wasn't yawning while rubbing the crust from her eyes.

"My dear sister," James said while pouring water into the tub. "I would never lust after you. It's bad enough that I have a horny nekorian that is on the verge of pinning me down, just to tease Luna."

Giggling, Jamie glanced at the two demi-humans. "She's not that bad. But seriously, James. Hurry and fill the tubs. We all need a bath so we can start our days. The city gates will be expecting us shortly."

Once the first tub was filled, he quickly moved to another. "It's a good thing none of us are worried about modesty." Glancing toward Linda and the oni brothers, he watched them wander over, already undressed. "Add all of your clothes to the last bin. I'll wash them while you are all in the city."

Everyone quickly complied. Even Luna and Amber, who had both stripped down to claim one of the baths. Minutes passed as he filled each tub before wandering over to the clothes and pouring water over them. Sprinkling in soap powder, he listened to everyone talk while he brought out his washboard.

"James gave me some cheap enchanted rings last night," Luna stated. "I guess they are low grade storage rings."

"Did he?" Jamie asked. "You are going to make so much money off them! Also, bring back more of those boxed meals. People are so generous to you."

Amber grumbled nearby. "I don't even want to enter my old district. I still shiver when I think of all of the people that wanted to sleep with me."

Chuckling to himself, he wanted to openly laugh at her curse. People naturally told her the truth and their secrets. Jamie was nearly invisible to others. While Luna drew everyone in, making them fawn over her. Mender was the lucky one and calmed everyone around him. Only James scared everyone away, clearing whole blocks of people.

"James, Honey," Luna called out.

"Yes, my dearest love?"

"My tail awaits you. A certain someone made it sticky this morning."

Amber snorted. "That's what you get for sneaking away with my husband."

Before Luna could slap Amber, James hurried over and held up a bottle of special shampoo. Pouring a bit into his hands, he started lathering up Luna's tail. "Don't mind Amber. She's just upset that Jamie hasn't been able to help her itch."

Growling, Amber splashed water at him, followed by Jamie. Everyone knew that Jamie was in love with Amber, while Amber was willing to entertain her. James didn't think anything would come of their attraction, but it didn't hurt.

Bronson and Linda were a couple, even if they hadn't fully admitted it. Boris and Brakin were pushing themselves to learn trades to help them settle in the wastelands.

After crushing the Running River Sect, the nine of them were heading out to claim an ancient city. The sect had attacked his people, and James wasn't going to let them forget who they had pissed off.

"Rinse me, my love," Luna whimpered. "I want to feel your fingers running through my fur."

Rolling his eyes, he did just what she asked. Once her tail was clean, he tossed Amber's bottle to Jamie. "Rub down your cat. I would do it, but I fear she would grow even more attached."

"Too late," Amber purred. "I'm already picturing you naked."

Giving her a blank look, he shook his head and walked away. Thankfully, Jamie finished cleaning herself before helping Amber. It wasn't more than a few minutes later that they were all getting out and drying off.

Clapping his hands, James gathered all of their attention as they dressed. "Once I clean your clothes, I'll be entering the city to find Elder Bo. You all need to practice gaining skills and fighting in the wilds. I expect you all to be level one before we leave in a few days."

Luna clasped her chest wrap into place. "Are you going to be making our plans today?"

"Yes," he stated. "Once Bo and I settle on a plan, I will fill each of you in on your jobs. For now, I just want you to focus on gaining skills and getting stronger. Work together if needed, but I know you all can fight these weak Forsaken without issue. Make sure to drop off the corpses in the city."

Luna glanced toward the sky where a flock of vultures was circling. "I'll feed our friends this morning after making sure everyone reaches the city."

"Thank you." Turning his attention back to the laundry, he added, "get out of here. We'll talk tonight about our timeline. Remember, we are setting out to crush Running River for targeting you. You all have unique skills only you can do. Whether you are crafting items for Luna to sell, or learning secrets of our targets, you all have a place. Make me proud."

Luna only gave them a moment to bask in his praise. "Let's move out! Our vulture friends are starving, so make sure we leave behind some fresh bodies if we can. If not, I'll handle it."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Before they left, Amber stepped up to his side. "Master?"

"Yes, Amber?"

"I'm going to be gathering more weapons, if you know what I mean. We need to train the others on them for safety reasons."

Turning to her, he nodded. "Put a plan together and get them to Jamie. She can make and replace what we spend."

"Yes, Master." Bowing, she hurried off to rejoin the others.

James thought of the rifles and bombs that the nekorian had used when the cultivators had attacked. They would be an excellent addition to their power. Moving forward, they all knew that they would be killing a lot of cultivators.

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