TRC – Oni and the Farmer Ch. 6

Chapter 6

“Umm… What?”

Ikuno smiled but didn’t lift her head off his shoulder, “I’ll explain later, take me to bed.”

Kal started walking again, “Sounds like there’s going to be a lot of that, like how you ended up overloaded with magic.”

Kal walked into the mouth of the cave, Ikuno snapped her fingers and a ball of light formed before them, leading the way into the darkness.

Ikuno was thoughtful, “I have an idea…”

“KAL! IKUNO! Are you alright!” came Perra’s voice. They could tell from her footfalls that she was running across the clearing towards them.

Kal froze and Ikuno groaned in mild annoyance. “Better put me down,” she said, “I’ll go get our clothes, it won’t be as big of a deal since we’re both women.”

“Nah, I have a better idea,” he half turned towards the cave entrance and called out, “We’re fine Perra!” they could hear the footsteps slow, “Could you collect our clothes and bring them inside in a couple minutes!” Kal smiled at Ikuno, “Now I can carry you to bed like you wanted.”

There was a pause before the girl answered, “Are you guys naked?!” Perra yelled towards the cave.

“Yes! Some magic stuff happened! Give us a minute to cover up, then bring our clothes in!”

Ikuno suppressed a chuckle as her sharp ears picked up the young girl saying, “I bet it was ‘magical’.”

Kal continued on into the cavern Ikuno called home and walked over to the bed. He was at a loss as to how to pull the furs back and lay her down with his arms full when she reached out and did it for him. Laying the oni on the bed, he then pulled the covers up and over her naked form. As he walked around the bed Ikuno piled up the furs she used for pillows into a wedge that Kal could recline against. Crawling into the bed, he covered himself up before leaning back and getting comfortable. A soon as he was settled the oni scooted under his arm and placed her head on his chest, closing her eyes in contentment.

Kal idly ran his fingers through her white hair. “Perra’s going to be here in a minute,” he said.

“Mmm hmm.”

“She’s going to have questions when she sees us like this.”

“That’s fine.”

“What are we going to tell her?”

“If she asks, we’ll tell her the truth.”

Kal was a bit nervous, “Wonder how she’ll react?”

“Looks like we’re about to find out, here she comes.”

The path to the cave entrance began to light up and was soon followed by Perra with a brightly glowing stone in one hand while holding Kal and Ikuno’s clothes in the other. Not long ago Kal and Perra had arrived while Ikuno was out hunting and were stuck outside waiting for her to guide them inside. Their next visit the oni presented them each a glowing stone that lit up with a word. Though it was meant to make things easier for the human visitors, Ikuno quickly appreciated not having to escort them in and out of the cave.

Walking into the cavern, Perra looked around and stopped dead as her eyes came to rest on Kal and Ikuno. “Well this is different,” she said.

Kal gave her a sheepish grin while Ikuno raised an arm and waved hello before draping it across him. Perra walked over to the stone chair and deposited their clothes.

Giving her her a questioning look, he said “Perra I can’t get dressed when my clothes are over there.”

Perra smiled, “No worries, I won’t be stayin’ long. You look like you’re wantin’ some, alone time an’ I don’ feel like spendin’ the next few hours pickin’ berries or huntin’ herbs like ya usually have me. Though I gotta say Ikuno, I’ve never seen you so lovey-dovey with him before.”

Ikuno gave Kal a little squeeze with the arm laying over him, “That’s because I’m his woman now.”

Perra’s eyes widened, “His woman? Does this mean you two are married or somethin’?”

“Yes?” the look on Kal’s face told Perra he really wasn’t sure.

“No.”

Kal looked down at Ikuno, “No?”

Ikuno sighed and sat up tucking the blankets under her arms to keep herself covered. Kal meanwhile scrambled to prevent her from accidentally exposing his naked groin to Perra. Ikuno looked over at Kal, “Much as I would have liked to say ‘yes’, I can’t. With the path you have chosen, it wouldn’t be fair to you,” looking at Perra she continued “In human marriage terms it’s as though he put a ring on my finger saying I’m his, but I didn’t put one on him.”

Kal was a little hurt that she didn’t want him to belong to her in the same way she claimed to belong to him, “I don’t understand, why wouldn’t it be fair to me?” he asked.

Ikuno waited patiently as Perra scampered off to the library and came back with a chair, allowing the girl to settle in before continuing.

“Let’s start with ink,” Kal and Perra both gave her a confused look, wondering how ink was related. “Since you are wanting to become a runesmith, you will be needing quite a bit. Back in ancient times if you wanted ink powerful enough for a runic tattoo you would need to find the largest, oldest giant squid or octopus you possibly could and find some way to extract the ink, usually by killing them. Understand?”

Kal and Perra both nodded then Kal asked, “Will I have to do that?