Qing Lin's eyes flashed, his pupils narrowing to slits. He hissed, the sound sending chills down Xin Yi's spine. "Not you."
The massive panther snarled in response, lips pulling back to reveal enormous fangs.
Then, in a blur of motion and those horrible cracking sounds, Hei Yan transformed back into his human form.
His very naked human form.
Standing waist-deep in the river.
"AHHH!" Xin Yi squeaked, immediately covering her eyes with her free hand, the one that wasn't still trapped in Qing Lin's grip.
Hei Yan dove into the water with zero hesitation, swimming toward them with powerful strokes. "HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER!"
"You smelly animal," Qing Lin sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't come to this side of the river. This is my territory."
"I will go wherever I please!" Hei Yan reached them, his purple eyes blazing. Then he looked at Xin Yi, his expression shifting to concern. "How did you get all the way out here?"
Xin Yi was frantically trying to position herself in the water to cover her body, arms crossed over her chest, legs tucked up. "I'm between two naked men and I'M NAKED! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!"
"Answer me," Hei Yan demanded, though his voice was gentler now.
"A woman." Xin Yi blurted out. "One of your tribe members, she said she knew something you would like, brought me here, and then just.….LEFT!"
Hei Yan's expression darkened dangerously. "When we return, you will point her out."
"I want the female," Qing Lin said suddenly, his scaled hand still wrapped around Xin Yi's wrist. "She's very soft." He pulled her slightly closer, ignoring her squeak of protest. "And she smells nice."
"BACK. OFF." Hei Yan's growl was pure animal. "I found her first."
Qing Lin's lips curved into a smile that was equal parts beautiful and terrifying. He looked at Xin Yi, those emerald eyes glittering with interest. "We'll see about that.…..some other time."
Then he released her wrist and slipped beneath the water, disappearing without a ripple.
Xin Yi stared at the spot where he had vanished. "Is he.…is he gone?"
"For now." Hei Yan moved closer to her. "Are you alright?"
She was shaking, from the cold water, from fear, from the absolute insanity of her situation, and from being very, very naked in front of a very, very attractive man.
"I'm f-fine," she stammered, trying to swim toward the shallower water. "I just need to—"
His hand caught her waist to steady her.
And accidentally brushed against her breast.
"AHHHHH!"
SMACK!
Her palm connected with his face for the second time that day. Hei Yan fell backward into the water with a splash, resurfacing with a shocked expression. "What did I do?!"
"DON'T TOUCH ME THERE!"
"I was trying to help you!"
"Well, help me WITHOUT touching my—my—" She gestured wildly at her chest. "Let me find something to cover myself first!"
Hei Yan's expression shifted to confusion. "But I'll still see everything when I mate with you."
Xin Yi's face went supernova. "I DON'T CARE! THAT'S DIFFERENT!"
He sighed like she was being completely unreasonable. Then he swam closer again, keeping his hands very visibly to himself this time.
"You're a terrible swimmer."
"I KNOW THAT!"
Without warning, he scooped her up into his arms, carrying her toward the shallow water. Xin Yi was too exhausted to fight anymore. She just buried her burning face against his shoulder and tried to pretend this wasn't happening.
When they reached the riverbank, he set her down gently, then, surprisingly, turned his back to her.
"Thank you," she mumbled.
[Quest Alert: Make yourself presentable!]
[Suggested items: Large leaves (for coverage), soft moss (for comfort), fragrant flowers (for scent enhancement)]
"Fragrant flowers?" Xin Yi whispered, quickly grabbing the largest leaves she could find. "Why?"
[It will make the mating process more pleasurable! ♪(´▽`)]
"NO!" She squeaked so loudly that Hei Yan's ears twitched.
But she gathered the flowers anyway, weaving them into her new leaf outfit along with the soft moss the System indicated. It was more elaborate than her first attempt, almost like a primitive dress.
[Much better, Host! You look 10% less likely to die of embarrassment now!]
"Gee, thanks."
When she was finished, she found Hei Yan had also covered himself with leaves again. He turned to look at her, his nose twitching.
"Hmm. What's that smell?"
Before she could answer, he was on her, nuzzling into her neck and hair, making that deep rumbling purr sound.
"You smell amazing," he murmured, his voice doing things to her insides that she absolutely did not want to think about.
Then he lowered his head and pressed it directly against her chest, sighing contentedly. "So soft..."
"HEY!" Xin Yi pushed at his shoulders. "Personal space! I—I—"
He looked up at her, genuinely confused by her distress.
Then he sighed again, this time in what looked like resignation. "Perhaps.…..I should postpone the mating?"
"YES!" Xin Yi nearly collapsed with relief. "YES, PLEASE, POSTPONE IT! INDEFINITELY!"
[Aw, Host is no fun! (︶︿︶)]
"System, I will find a way to delete you."
Hei Yan stood, reaching for her hand. "Very well. But come with me. It is time for us to eat. And you'll also need to point out who misled you."
Xin Yi nodded, taking his offered hand. His palm was warm and rough against hers. They walked back to the village together.