Even though she was clearly exhausted, it took Ayaka some time to fall asleep in my arms. For awhile she held herself tensely, resisting, but then she collapsed against my support with a soft mewl, her ears folding forwards, her nose twitching. The little cave was not an especially comfortable sleeping quarters, but I resolved to hold her for as long as her breathing stayed steady. She needed rest, and soon she would need food and water. The water part I could help with… food would be trickier. I was no expert forager, and while I could certainly catch game, I lacked the means to do any cooking.

I melted a hole in the ice wall to watch the rain as I listened to Ayaka’s rhythmic breathing. We had not passed any dwellings on our way to the sea, so the next day we would have to gamble and continue following the road in the opposite direction. I would carry the catgirl if necessary, even thought I knew she would fight it. We would find either a home or a cabin or a passing farmer on a cart. There would be something to assist us, something to help get Ayaka where she wanted to go, back home to Akashima.

There was nothing between us, both literally and figuratively. I did not consider her life a debt. I had been to blame for her poisoning in the first place. The only debt existed between Am’aleh and myself. I knew not what my goddess would ask in return, only that a favor would be required… and a great one at that.

The rain swelled, spatters coming in the window I had opened, and I sealed it up lest it should strike the catgirl and wake her.

Even if she felt that she owed me her life, in truth it was the other way around. I owed her her life, for I had almost taken it. She was my responsibility… and I would do whatever it took to see her safely back onto her path.

She had a crass manner and tongue, but also a strong spirit and matching skillset. I did not doubt that Ayaka’s notion of a debt between us would become an exploitable resource at some point in the future. And so I held her, beneath the rocks, beneath the rain.