Testing My Luck in the New World

As it had the first, and probably second time, Yua's return to the village drew in a large crowd of happy, naked, cat-kin. Only this time it was Mana's name on their lips.

"Mana, where have you been?"

"What happened? Are you okay?"

Men, women, and children alike instantly crowded around her the moment we stepped through the portal. Children playfully tugged at her arms, lobbing curious questions about what she found in the human city. Women hugged her while a few more checked her all over for wounds. And the men let out sighs of relief over her safe return, all while Mana held a confused smile on her face.

She thought her people were ignoring her, but she had truly been misjudging the situation all this time. Their obvious concern over her and their relief at seeing her return so soon when it took Yua years to do the same, made Mana start to tear up a little.

"Your father has been worrying so much," said a rather large-chested woman named Moka. "He hasn't gotten any sleep since you left."

"Haha... Yea..."

At the mention of her father, Mana's ears drooped. Yua had explained that Mana was with us when she went to make her report, but it apparently hadn't stopped the people from worrying. Especially, Mochi, apparently.

I nodded solemnly to our fate. Telling Mochi what we did was going to be hard enough as is, but knowing that he's sleep-deprived doesn't make it any easier.

As I lamented the future, surrounded by sea of pointed ears, swishing tails, bare breasts, vaginas and penises, all of which belonged to the crowd clamoring to know what happened to us over the last few days, I took a moment to steady myself.

Being use to the sights and sounds of the village by now, I didn't let it get the better of me. Nor did I let myself regret the fact that keeping my clothes on this time had really made me stand out. There was no time. We had other pressing matters to worry about.

"Let's go," Yua said, unmoved by her people's glee. Her expression only grew more serious as she pulled us out of the crowd.

The repeated flicking of her ears and her refusal to return any of the greetings that came her way were proof enough she was searching for someone. And knowing who that someone was, we let her drag us along.

I'd teleported us to the edge of the village to avoid the possibility of my violent father-in-law diving through the portal, assuming a fight was waiting for him, only to end up unleashing his power in an easily-destructible, high-class inn whose repair bill would no doubt be staggering. My caution had only prolonged the search, but thankfully, the crowd caught on and quickly quieted.

"..."

After we broke free of the mob, nobody spoke to us. The obvious tension carrying Yua forward made them grow serious. None looked at me with anything resembling hostility, but knowing why we're here made their collective gazes feel accusatory.

Mana squeezed my hand. Any joy she'd had in finally getting to undress without being scolded was gone now that we'd returned. There was nothing to do but follow Yua through the village, until...

"There he is."

Even though the front flaps to the chief's tent were closed, Yua glared at it as though she could see her target standing in front of it, mocking her with a vicious smile.

Fully beyond my control at this point, Yua squat down into a runner's stance. With her ass up in the air and without acknowledging what those behind us could see of her, her tail gave a single flick before she took off. Jetting through the village, kicking up a cloud of dust in her wake, she flew. With something akin to fear on their faces, everyone she passed was either pulled out of her way or jumped aside to avoid being mowed down. We rushed after her.