Chapter 5: The Consequences Of Flying By Candlelight
"Fukurou??"
Kitsune calls a bit louder. His body is warm and flush yet solidly unresponsive. It's then that she remembers the ugly scratch on his leg after the skirmish with the snake. The wound appeared to be just superficial at the time and he seemed to shrug it off casually.
Another thought nags at her. Shapeshifting is energy expensive, especially when one shifts into a form that they have yet to master.
She turns towards him. His cock slips out of her, sending delicious tremors of pleasure through her body. Still, he doesn't stir. Now concerned and a plum pit of anxiety forming in her throat, she calls his name loudly.
"Fukurou!? Please wake up."
Nothing. She shakes him gently by the shoulders, calling his name repeatedly.
Still nothing. His breathing is deep and normal. His pulse seems to be normal. He's slightly flushed, a sheen of perspiration mists his skin. Clearly he's exhausted and in an immensely deep slumber.
Kitsune, growing more alarmed and concerned, takes three deep breaths. She must not panic.
"He's exhausted by today's events. He needs to rest. That's all."
She tells herself. Yet, her first thought of the scratch continues to nag at her mind. She gently rolls him over and inspects his left leg. The scratch is an angry red, inflamed and puffy gash. Red streaks lace into his skin on its edges. Parts of it have white pus seeping out and there is a mild putrid smell wafting from the wound.
The snake's fangs grazed him during the fight and leeched some of its venom into the wound. Somehow, his body has fought it off but his energy expenditures have left him vulnerable to the residual traces of venom.
A hot tear slides from the corner of Kitsune's eye. He admittedly told her that he's not the Fukurou of legends. He is also much younger than she is. His body is immensely strong for his age but she also knows that the shape of another predator, especially one with the gift of flight, requires a lot of energy. That's why he hunts so often.
Shape shifters, especially males, require the constant intake of calories and fluids. Failure to balance the energy costs can have dire consequences. She knows this all too well from her own experience.
The combination of the skirmish, being wounded, shapeshifting into an unfamiliar form and their lovemaking have pushed her newly found lover's balance into the negative. She will not lose another lover like this! Not so soon after her long search for such a potential partner as Fukurou.
Kitsune wipes a tear sliding down her cheek with an angry motion.
