ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

If there was anything undeniable about Hoshimi Miyabi, it was that she had impeccable control over her body.

Years of rigorous training—both physical and mental—had honed her into the perfect swordswoman. Her senses were as sharp as her blade, and her reflexes were second to none maybe except to Ellen. Almost all of her biological functions were under her control.

Almost.

In an otherwise unassuming night, the Void Hunter was roused from her sleep by a sudden feeling of restlessness. The muscles of her legs felt tense, unable to relax no matter how she positioned them. Her room felt unbearably warm, skin glistening with perspiration. Her back pressed up against Ellen's front, the scent of the shark Thiren filling her nostrils. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and only made her body feel even hotter.

Miyabi carefully shifted from her position, detangling herself from Ellen's warmth without waking her. A quiet groan escaped her lips as she sat up, her body sluggish yet painfully aware of the tension coursing through her limbs. She needed relief. Something—anything—to take the edge off.

Sliding off the couch, she padded toward the window and pushed it open. The cold night breeze rushed into the room, unsticking her bangs from her forehead and tussling the fur in her ears. The distant hum of the city nightlife mixed with the rhythmic chirping of insects. Her ears twitched, taking in the sounds as she tried to ground herself.

Yet, despite the momentary relief from the fresh air, Miyabi still couldn't shake the unease curling in her gut. It physically hurt, not too dissimilar to a stomach ache, but sitting just a little too low to be a symptom of nausea. She shifted from one leg to the other, finding it difficult to stand still. Her clothes clung to her damp skin, suffocating and constricting. She couldn't bear it.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the hem of her pajama top, hesitating for only a moment before hastily peeling it off. The cool air kissed her bare skin, eliciting a shiver that coursed down her spine. Her shorts followed suit, the damp fabric pooling at her feet. Standing nude in the dim light, she finally felt a semblance of relief. But it wasn't enough.

Miyabi exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as she tried to steady herself. The ache in her abdomen refused to subside, a persistent reminder of the strange, unfamiliar pull inside her. She wasn't naive; she understood what was happening to her body, but the intensity of it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

Her gaze flickered back to the couch, to the one responsible for this unbearable heat that refused to leave her body. Ellen lay undisturbed, her chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. The blanket had slipped slightly, exposing her toned stomach and the sharp lines of her muscles. Even in sleep, she looked strong, powerful—appetizing. And that thought alone sent another wave of heat coursing through Miyabi's veins.

She swallowed hard. Staying here wasn't an option. Not like this.

With a last glance at Ellen, Miyabi turned back to the open window, hoping that the cold air would be enough to calm the wildfire raging inside her.

Miyabi took a deep, shuddering breath as she finally managed to get her body under control, at least enough to think clearly. The cool night air from the open window helped, but it wasn't enough. The unbearable heat still coiled deep inside her, leaving her restless and aching.

She needed answers.

Moving swiftly, she slipped out of living room and into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. It helped, but only marginally. With a frustrated sigh, she left the bathroom and grabbed a fresh pair of clothes from Ellen's closet. The fabric smelled like her, which wasn't helping her situation, but she pushed through the distraction and dressed quickly.

Her eyes landed on Ellen's phone, still charging on the nightstand. She hesitated only a moment before grabbing it. She needed to call her father.

It took a few rings before a groggy yet familiar voice answered. "Who is this?"

Miyabi swallowed, suddenly feeling awkward. "It's me, Father."

There was a pause, followed by a sharp inhale. "Miyabi? Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? I saw the reports, the attack—why didn't you answer your phone?"

"I'm safe," she reassured him quickly. "I was… caught up in everything. I would've called sooner, but…" She bit her lip, knowing she couldn't delay the real reason she was calling. "Father, something's wrong with me."

The change in her tone made him immediately alert. "Wrong? What's happening?"

She hesitated before forcing herself to explain. "I don't know how to describe it. My body feels off—too warm, restless, and I can't seem to settle down. It's like an ache I can't ignore. It's not sickness, but…" She trailed off, feeling a spike of embarrassment creeping up.

A heavy silence followed before her father's voice lowered with realization. "Miyabi, is anyone with you right now?"

She frowned at the sudden shift in his tone. "Yes. I'm with Ellen and Mira. Ellen's asleep, and Mira is resting too." She made sure to introduce Mira, knowing how her father valued details.

Her father exhaled in relief. "Good. I was afraid you were off somewhere unknown."

"What's happening to me?" she pressed, gripping the phone tighter.

"…You're entering heat."

Miyabi's body tensed at the words. "That's not possible. Mother made sure I had an implant to prevent that."

"She did," he confirmed, his voice laced with irritation. "She was adamant about it, said she wouldn't let 'some mongrel or any relatives lay their filthy hands on you' if she had anything to say about it." There was an audible sigh before he continued, "But if you're feeling this way, something must've gone wrong. The implant might have malfunctioned."

Miyabi's nails dug into her palm. "So what do I do?"

"I can come pick you up," he offered. "You and Ellen. You shouldn't have to deal with this in an unfamiliar place. It'd be better for you to be somewhere comfortable."

She clenched her jaw. The last thing she wanted was for her father to see her like this. The shame alone would be unbearable. "No," she said firmly. "I can handle it. I don't want you seeing me like this."

Her father was silent for a moment before sighing. "You're sure?"

"Yes. Ellen's here. She'll take care of me, so it should be fine."

The moment she said Ellen's name, a fresh wave of heat pulsed through her. She inhaled sharply, biting back a curse. Just thinking about Ellen made it worse. Damn it.

"I have to go," Miyabi blurted out before her father could ask anything else. "I'm going back to bed."

"…Alright," he relented, though she could hear the concern in his voice. "If anything changes, call me. Understood?"

"Understood," she murmured before quickly ending the call.

With a heavy sigh, she ran a hand through her hair and checked the time on the phone. Not even past ten o'clock.

She exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It's going to be a long night."

Tucking the phone back onto the charger, she turned and made her way back to Ellen, who was still sound asleep. Watching her for a moment, Miyabi felt her heart tighten. Ellen had no idea what she was in for.

And neither did she.

The night was still and quiet, save for the soft hum of the city beyond the window. The only source of warmth came from the thick blanket wrapped around Ellen and the body pressed firmly against her. At first, she thought nothing of it, caught in the comfortable haze of sleep, but as the minutes passed, a peculiar heat began to crawl over her skin.

A deep, intoxicating scent filled her nose, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine. It was familiar, yet impossibly alluring, stirring something primal deep within her. The warmth against her intensified, and Ellen's brows furrowed as a sudden sharp pressure registered at the side of her neck.

Teeth.

Something was clamped onto her skin—not piercing through, but firm enough to stake a claim.

Her eyes snapped open, and she was met with the sight of slitted, glowing eyes staring back at her. Miyabi's white fox ears were pressed flat against her head, her body flush against Ellen's, her breathing heavy and uneven. A low, rumbling growl vibrated from her throat, the sound dripping with both fear and longing.

Ellen's mind raced, her body tensing beneath Miyabi's. The fox Thiren was straddling her, their legs tangled together, ensuring as much skin contact as possible. The heat rolling off Miyabi was unlike anything Ellen had ever felt before—it burned, yet it wasn't unpleasant.

She made to shift, to adjust her position so she could get a better look at Miyabi, but the moment she moved, that growl turned into something louder, something full of raw possessiveness.

Ellen stilled, instincts screaming at her to yield. Slowly, she let her hands slide over Miyabi's exposed waist, pulling her in closer instead of pushing her away. That seemed to satisfy Miyabi for the moment, as the growl softened into a deep purr, though her teeth remained clamped on Ellen's neck.

Through the corner of her eye, Ellen caught the way Miyabi's slitted gaze remained locked onto hers, wild and untamed, yet unsure. Ellen exhaled carefully, fingers tracing slow, soothing circles against Miyabi's back, her own instincts flaring to life.

She needed to make sure Miyabi felt safe. Needed to reassure her.

"Miyabi," Ellen murmured, her voice calm despite the pounding in her chest. "Are you in heat?"

The response wasn't verbal. Instead, Miyabi's jaw tightened slightly, her bite pressing just a fraction deeper into Ellen's skin. At the same time, her tail shifted, pressing firmly between her own legs as if to suppress the ache that wracked her body.

Ellen inhaled sharply, understanding clicking into place.

This was dangerous—she knew that much. The tension between them was thick, ready to snap at any wrong move. Ellen could feel the weight of this moment, the realization that this could either bring them closer or break everything they had built.

Carefully, deliberately, Ellen pulled Miyabi even closer, wrapping herself around her trembling frame. She pressed a reassuring kiss to the top of Miyabi's head, her own instincts guiding her toward something deeper, something more than just desire.

Ellen's breathing was slow, measured, though her body burned with unspoken heat. The feeling of Miyabi's bare skin pressed against hers, the weight of her on top of her, the possessive clamp of teeth on her neck—it all set her nerves alight. But more than anything, it was the look in Miyabi's eyes that held her still, the slitted gaze full of emotion—desire, fear, desperation.

She needed confirmation. She needed to know that Miyabi was fully aware of what was happening.

"Miyabi," Ellen murmured, voice calm despite the storm raging inside her. "Do you know what you're doing right now?"

She received no verbal response. Instead, Miyabi's jaw tensed slightly, her grip tightening as her entire body pressed even closer. The heat from her skin was nearly unbearable, but Ellen didn't push her away. She wasn't going to force anything.

Ellen took a slow breath, her instincts screaming at her to act, to take, to claim—but she resisted. "Miyabi, I need you to answer me. If you want this—if you want me—you need to tell me."

Miyabi let out a low growl, something deep and primal, her breath hot against Ellen's neck. She wasn't letting go. Ellen could feel the way Miyabi's tail curled between her legs, the subtle tremble in her muscles, the way she buried herself into Ellen's warmth.

Ellen clenched her jaw, frustration creeping in. "I want to help you, but I can't if you don't talk to me." Her grip on Miyabi's waist tightened. "I won't do anything unless I know for sure. I won't hurt you, and I won't take advantage of you. But you need to give me something, Miyabi. Anything."

The response she got was unexpected.

A sharp bite, harder than before—but instead of pain, a rush of pleasure flooded Ellen's senses. It sent a shiver down her spine, her instincts roaring in satisfaction, in relief. Her vision blurred for a split second, the overwhelming need to reciprocate clawing at her composure.

Then she heard it—Miyabi's voice, quiet yet full of raw, unfiltered emotion.

"I love you."

Ellen's breath hitched.

Miyabi's lips brushed against her ear, her words thick with need and longing. "It hurts, Ellen. I want you. So much it hurts."

Ellen exhaled sharply, her heart pounding against her ribs. The weight of those words settled deep within her, shaking her to her core.

This wasn't just instinct. This wasn't just heat.

This was real.

Ellen's breath came out slow and measured, her arms tightening around the trembling form pressed against her. The air between them was thick, filled with Miyabi's scent, something that had been driving Ellen's instincts into a frenzy all night. But now, as Miyabi lay beneath her, body pliant and vulnerable, Ellen knew there was no turning back.

She lowered her head, lips ghosting over Miyabi's flushed skin, and let instinct take over. Her teeth sank into the soft flesh of the crook of Miyabi's neck, an answering shudder wracking through the smaller girl's frame. A sharp intake of breath—half a whimper, half a moan—was quickly muffled as Ellen covered Miyabi's mouth with her hand, her other arm bracing Miyabi's back as she made sure her mate remained grounded, safe, and comforted.

The night blurred after that, guided by something far more primal than words. Ellen focused entirely on Miyabi—on her needs, on her comfort, ensuring that every motion, every touch, was meant to reassure, to claim, but never to hurt. She was careful, methodical, even as the storm of emotions raged inside her.

By the time the haze finally settled, the room was bathed in the soft glow of early dawn. Ellen lay on her back, Miyabi curled against her chest, her white fox ears twitching every so often as she clung to Ellen like she was her only tether to reality. The heat that had once plagued her seemed to have finally subsided, leaving behind exhaustion and a quiet, sated contentment.

Ellen traced her fingers along Miyabi's back, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Their bodies were bare beneath the covers, yet the intimacy now was different—softer, warmer. Ellen had done everything to make sure Miyabi was okay, to make sure she felt secure. And as she listened to the quiet, steady breathing of the girl in her arms, Ellen knew she had done right.

The only sounds in the room were the distant hum of the city and the occasional rustle of the blanket as Miyabi shifted closer, burying her face against Ellen's throat. Even in sleep, she sought her out, her body responding to the unspoken bond that had deepened between them.

Ellen exhaled slowly, forcing herself to relax, even as the weight of what had just happened settled into her chest. She had always known she wanted Miyabi—but now, she had her. And she wasn't about to let her go.

Outside, the world continued on, unaware of the shift that had just taken place. But here, in the quiet of their shared space, Ellen and Miyabi had crossed a line that neither of them would ever be able to return from.

And Ellen wouldn't have it any other way.