Chapter 2 - Promises & Dreams

The rest of the day carried on. When Kiyoko returned to the Clinic Sawako was still riding high on the compliment she’d received earlier, and wasn’t distracted by her school work like she usually was because it was during the summer holiday.The veterinarian tried to keep herself busy in her office to avoid needing to talk more, but it was difficult to avoid her. The office was directly adjacent to the entry room where Sawa’s desk was, and was only separated by a thin glass door which was not in the least bit sound proof. More than once The younger gal interrupted Kiyoko’s train of thought with various questions. “More coffee?” Later,  “Would it be alright if I listened to the radio?” She sang all the songs out loud. “Do you need me to help you sort any of your files?” 

Each time Kiyoko did her best to be pleasant, but declined or deflected where it was appropriate. In the quiet moments in between Kiyoko focused on something that was technically outside the purview of her usual work. A project she’d undertaken after moving back to the country was retrofitting her old family farm, which has been left neglected after her mother’s passing, to turn it into an animal sanctuary. Unfortunately it was tragically common for veterinarians to run into animals who were suffering from injuries that their owners could afford to fix. In those instances the poor creatures were often put down. She hated that, and intended to do something about it, however small her contribution might be. As such she’d started retrofitting her home to serve as an animal shelter, so that the various animals of her country could live out the rest of their days in peace and comfort. Likewise she loved the idea of living with the creatures she adored. 

Kiyoko didn’t have any pets. There was one stray cat that lived near her family farm, which she fed, and kept healthy, but that was it. She hoped that provided she could secure the necessary licenses, and build the needed amenities, that would soon change. After several hours, and a few phone calls to largely unhelpful government officials, the time came for them to close the shop for the evening. She went through her usual routine, but when she was just about to lock up she found Sawako waiting for her again. 

“Oh Kiyoko-san?” Began the youngster without prompt. “Listen- I know we don’t know one another very well, but I was wondering if you’d like to go out to dinner with me and some of my friends.” Her tone was nervous, but hopeful. She averted her eyes, and absent mindedly played with her hair as she spoke. 

Kiyoko smiled and said nothing. “What would be the best way to put this?” She thought to herself. Intrusive thoughts shot through her mind. “Fuck no. Absolutely not. Not in your life.” Fortunately she didn’t say any of these words out loud. “Ah- well thank you for the offer, but I really should be getting home. I’ve just got a few errands I need to take care of for tomorrow. Maybe some other time.” She turned away again and locked the door, confident that would be the end of the matter. 

When she turned back, intending to go to the car, Sawako was still standing there. “It’s just- well you seem like a really cool person, and I was hoping we could be friends outside of work too. I promise it won’t be weird. Most of my friends are older than me, in college already, a few of them are just back in town visiting for summer holiday. I know it’s rather inconvenient, but I promise it’ll be a good time!” 

Kiyoko took a deep breath, taking a moment to conjure the correct response. She was by this point well past her human interaction limit for the day, yet something about Sawako’s tone changed the dynamic. The vet found that with most people, in a relatively short period, they would do or say something that would disgust her; usually they would reveal some otherwise hidden pettiness, or suspicious moral character, they’d previously hidden. Sawako however didn’t give off that vibe. The more Kiyoko listened to her the more she felt the youngster still possessed a rare youthful naivete which she found strangely endearing. Nevertheless, she was not about to subject herself to a night out with a bunch of randos. That sounded like a fucking nightmare. As such she decided to make some concessions and let the sweet girl down easily. 

“I’m sorry Sawako-chan-” referred to her so casually felt odd, she didn’t talk to or about anyone like that. Nevertheless she continued performing without skipping a beat, “I really do have urgent business I need to attend to tonight. I’m afraid I just won’t be able to make it. Though, i’m not against getting to know one another outside of work. Perhaps we could meet up sometime this weekend. We could get… Brunch.” It took her a split second to search her brain for that last word. Though social etiquette wasn’t lost on her she wasn’t as adept in it as the average person. 

The young secretary’s expression immediately transformed. “That. Sounds. Wonderful!” She gushed. Looking to one side Kiyoko could practically see the cogs whirling in the girl’s brain. She thought out loud inadvertently, mumbling her stream of consciousness without realizing Kiyoko was still listening, “There’s a lovely little cafe two towns over, it’s only a forty five minute drive or so. Oh- but who will drive? I suppose I could borrow daddy’s car- but I’d have to ask in advance. Yes that’d be alright, and then maybe we could go do something together. There’s a park there, or maybe we should go to the zoo, would she like that-” 

The older woman interrupted her before she accidentally divulged more, “Lets go to the zoo.  I haven’t been there in years. We’ll get brunch and go visit it together. Would you like that?” She couldn’t believe what she was asking. At no time in recent memory had she invested so much of her energy and attention into another person. It felt totally bizarre. 

“A-alright!” Sawako replied with audible relief. “We can go this saturday- if you’re free I mean. It’s a date! Er- ffffu- no that didn’t sound right! I mean we’ll go together!? No,  Is that better!? I mean we’ll go together just as friends!?” Continued the teen, every bit as smoothly as an unpaved dirt road.

That was when it clicked in Kiyoko’s mind. Sexual attraction. That was what Sawako was feeling toward her. It’d colored her actions ever since the moment they met. She recognized it with crystal clarity looking back in hindsight. Usually, when she came to such realizations it filled her with contempt. This time was different though. For some reason she couldn’t quite bring herself to dislike Sawa. There was just something odd about her. That wasn’t to say their exchange hadn’t totally exhausted her. Though she had plenty of think about, she no longer had the energy to effectively engage with her colleague, and once again needed to escape. 

“Right. That settles it. I’ll be going now. Have a good night, Sawako. Get home safe.” She concluded politely before making haste to her car and driving home. The whole drive back her mind wandered. The day had unfolded so differently from how she expected. She was still delighted to have shared a sexual experience with Goro, as it felt like the actualization of a long time fantasy, and carried with it the promise of an exciting new relationship, but then Sawako entered her mind too. Why? Who was she really? Why was this girl so taken with her? Yes there was sexual sentiment, but was that all? It was bothersome to scrutinize. By the time Kiyoko pulled into her driveway she just wanted to banish it from her mind. 

Stepping in through the front door she began the ritual she’d invented since inheriting her parents house. She removed her shoes and clothes at the door, as all people did, but next continued to the kitchen where she turned on the rice cooker, to finish the dish she’d placed in it earlier that morning before heading to work. In a single fluid motion she passed on to the restroom, shedding her clothes along the way as she ventured down the hall, before turning on the tap to the bath and settling in for a brief soak to wash away the grime of the day. She wasn’t exceptionally dirty that evening so she elected not to wash her hair, which would have required a long time to dry. By the time she emerged from the tub she toweled herself off and wrapped herself in a bathrobe, then returned to the kitchen to grab her dinner. It was a simple dish matsutake rice, which she ate on the sofa. This part was the best portion of the evening. When she was finally alone she could immerse herself among the things she loved. Clicking on her TV she put on a nature documentary, one she’d seen before, but loved. Settling, she muted the program, having neither need nor desire to hear the human voice of the narrator describing the images that unfolded before her. Simultaneously she opened her windows and let the ambient sound of the summer countryside into home. The program was one she’d watched more than once before, about a particularly beautiful region in southern Europe called the Sava Floodplain. It was full of pristine meadows, deer, while boars, bears, native species of wild horses, and even storks that migrated up from Africa during the summer. After rewatching for a while, she clicked it off and went to her room to read before she fell asleep. 

Most of what she tended to read was fairly academic, and her latest find was no exception. To the outside observer it might have appeared that she was interested in ancient history, or anthropology, though if they had time to actually look through the breadth of her personal library they might detect a common theme. Exploring a deeper understanding of her romantic feelings toward animals appealed to her, and she found such texts sometimes provided insight. Though they were always about other peoples, and other times, they still felt like they were revealing things both to and about herself. The latest book she’d taken to reading was about a specific temple complex in central India that was once the subject of controversy. The exterior and interior of this particular temple depicted humans and animals having sex with one another, ostensibly purely for the pleasure of it. These images came in both the form of sculptures, and frescos which were painted on the temple’s interior. She found one image in particular, and the caption beneath it, particularly remarkable. It featured creatures commonly depicted in works of hindu spirituality, brahman, elephants, tigers, and many others, mating with one of their species, and then below it depictions of those same animals copulating with human women. The explanation stated that the true meaning behind the art in the temple wasn’t fully understood. Some scholars felt they were depictions of mythology, particularly due to the presence of non-domestic animals, Others posited that it may have been a depiction of some form of ritual whereby the animals likely served as living avatars of various gods. 

She would have continued reading but she was getting tired and the subject matter was making her fantasize. The thought of worshipping animals, and expressing her devotion to them with her body, sounded so romantic to her. Before long she put her book down and found herself dozing off to dreamland. 

Far off In her dream the images, thoughts, and events of her day, blended together into a surreal scene. She imagined herself walking naked through an autumnal forest. It was comfortable in spite of the chill in the air, and coolness of the breeze. Unclothed, and unhidden, she felt like she was being true to herself. Soon she found herself walking, feeling entirely content as she wandered, until she came upon a female red deer. Though those creatures are skittish by nature the animal showed no sign of being alarmed by Kiyoko’s arrival. They looked at one another for a long while. As she gazed into its eyes she saw her own reflection mirrored on it’s dark pupils, and the creature saw its own on hers. In a silent wordless language they came to understand that in spite of the difference of their forms they are in fact two of one kind. With a tender nuzzling of it’s head against her cheek the deer invited her to walk with it. Together, they advanced up the slope where a herd of others gathered to graze. Sitting among them she felt as if she belonged. Soon the tranquil atmosphere was perforated by a great bugling cry. Off to one side of the gathering a huge stag let fly a deep bellow that echoed, and carried across the dale. Gradually the other female deer parted, and gathered beside her to  observe a spectacle. Emerging from the thicketed slopes to the opposite side of their clearing another young male deer responded to the cry with one if it’s own. Both were furious, and determined, emboldened by a rush of testosterone brought on by their rut. The young buck’s horns looked new and thin, with only a few points upon them, seemingly having only just shed the last of their velvet. The old stag stood up to it, kept it’s head high, with the dozen points of its antlers reaching upward to the sky like a crown. Watching with a mix of awe and suspense, Kiyoko placed her hand over her heart to find it racing in her chest. Both were majestic and uniquely beautiful in their own way, and seeing them there, preparing to battle for her, she felt a profound desire to be theirs.

Pawing at the fallen leaves on the forest floor the challengers lunged forward and locked horns with a powerful crash. They sparred. Bowing their heads they speared their antlers forward one another. They twisted and swiped, repeatedly locking, and rebuffing one another with incredible agility. The young challenger let out a furious snort and with a twist of it’s head landed a blow on it’s rival, bloodying it’s front shoulder. The old stag however bellowed defiantly, showing no sign of weakness. In an instant the elder sidestepped another potentially mortal wound before charging and tangling horns with the youngster. Now with the decisive angle, the old stag used its awesome strength and years of experience to seize the upper hand. With a powerful stomp of it’s hooves it used its whole body to thrust back against the newcomer, at once hurling it sidelong down onto it’s flank. Overwhelmed, the Young buck struggled to regain its footing. The defender, sensing the opening, swiped down again delivering a glancing blow to the challenger.. The young buck realized it is outmatched and at once retreated back into the forest, to continue it’s search for a harem of its own elsewhere. Triumphant the old stag boomed, it’s breath turning to steam in the cool air, at once making it known to all the others in the valley that if they crossed him they too would be defeated. In that moment Kiyoko realized that the old stag, in spite of having both the power and opportunity to deliver a killing blow, chose to allow it’s opponent to live. Their instincts were not malicious. She felt she recognized a benevolence and nobility in them both; The youngster for going up against a clearly stronger rival to prove himself and earn her devotion, and the old buck for demonstrating such grace in victory. 

As calm returned after the battle, the old stag turned its head, and for the first time locked eyes with Kiyoko. It’s chest heaved, still panting from the exertion. The muscles in it’s shoulders tensed visibly as it emitted a deep beastial snort. In her heart she knew what it wanted. Moved by his performance for her, she felt utterly hot and wanting. Rising from her rest she approached him slowly. The creature tamped it’s foot in the soil instructively. She understood and she is glad. As she descended to her hands and knees it felt like she was exalting him. She extended her hands out, and bowed her head as the creature wasted no time walking behind her. At once she felt the hard wet flesh of his erection extending from his body before brushing up against her slit. It was massive, and musty, it’s odor amplified by the testosterone coursing through his it’s veins. Looking down she realized that it’s length was equivalent to her forearm, and possessed a sleek shape she’d never before experienced. Hooking it’s hooves over her shoulders it pierced into her vigorously. The power, and suddenness, of it made her cry out, though more of pleasure than of pain. In that moment it could not acknowledge her cries, It’s desire to breed was overpowering. It was infectious as well. It’s cock was so long she couldn’t possibly fit the whole thing inside, but the beast didn't care, and neither did she. She opened herself to him fully, inviting him to hammer her insides to it’s heart’s satisfaction. Pulling her shoulders in toward himself with his hooves The stag pumped it’s waist, thrusting without restraint. Her pussy gripped his warm flesh. The friction was intense and exciting. Her sex oozed nectre continuously as the stag buried it’s length with every movement. It was rough on her body, accepting him makes her insides ache, his firm hairy legs abrated her skin, the cool ground scraped her knees, but she loved it. She loved him. Willing herself she pushed her hands into the dirt and with all her strength threw her back end into him to let him rut her harder. She cried out, tearfully, eyes rolling as tantalized her in new places. Gritting her teeth, breathing hard, toes curling, he made her cum, effortlessly. Head swimming she felt overwhelmed with gratitude to have met him, this nameless god of the forest, and was glad to be his. For a long while her mind went blank, entering a state of thoughtless purity, while she summoned all over energy to satisfy him. Clenching her pussy around his cock she stimulated him in every way she could. Their bodies rocked, and swayed in unison, until again she felt on edge. Enraptured, she pinched her nipple as her breasts swayed below her. It is so much to handle she can barely contain herself, until she cannot contain herself. Without pause the beast’s furious thrusts made her cum again, this time squirting a huge glut of translucent fluid onto the ground. Her arms went limp, and she collapsed, looking up at him. That was when she saw something in his eye. Intention. It wasn’t just about craving, or satisfying purely instinctual needs. He wanted her to feel good, to enjoy herself, to make her journey into motherhood sweet. He was brave and generous. It all made her swoon.

Some time later, the beast gave her what she desired. With a bracing snort, it pulled her toward its body hard and held it in at the deepest point. It’s tip kissed her interior wall in a way that made her groan erotically. With a powerful spasm the creature hosed her insides with it’s seed. Pouring quantities like she’d never seen he filled her completely. It erupted from her before it even pulled out falling to the earth like a waterfall. It was thick and hot, and made both warmth and emotional satisfaction radiate through her whole body. It lingered inside of her, savoring the feeling of her body for a long while. When at last it freed itself it bellowed victoriously once again. Kiyoko rolled onto her back and pulled her knees to her chest. More inadvertently gushed out of her but it wouldn’t make a difference. He was surely fertile. There was no doubt she would bear his child. That was a joyous thought to her indeed. Silently she wondered if their offspring would be human like her, an animal like him, or a fusion of the two like a faun. It made her smile. 

She looked away for a split second and everything suddenly changed. Everything went horribly wrong. Standing in the distance looking through the trees like a was a shape like a spectre. It stared at her, and crushed her with it’s gaze. She didn’t recognize it, it’s human eyes were alien things she didn’t understand, nor did she wish to. 

“I know.” 

The deafening roar of its whisper rattled her down through her soul. Though it’s features were ephemeral it’s voice resonated in her mind with familiarity. It’s intonation hinted at a youthful vitality unbefitting for a ghost, but that only made it haunt her all the more. Fear like no other gripped her, and as fast as it all had come, it all went speeding away. 

With a sudden jolt she shot up out of bed, only to discover it was already the next morning. Cold sweat ran down her body. She shivered and clutched her blanket reeling as she returned to her senses. When she at last recalled where, and who she was, she calmed somewhat though was still deeply disturbed by the conclusion of her dream. It felt eerily like a premonition, as she’d never been discovered previously. She sighed and flopped back down on her pillow, letting her dark locks spill out around her. Unfolding her sheets she looked down at herself and realized she had indeed actually squirted on her sheets. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle an embarrassed laugh. She’d wash it out. As she got up to wash her sheets before going to work she contemplated the totality of her dream and what it all meant. 

Though she didn’t believe in visions, and wasn’t a particularly spiritual person, she decided that the dream must have been some kind of symbolic glimpse of her future. She surmised that she was in store for great joy, and potentially great fear. Accepting it, she resolved to try and be ready for both. 