Tales of Yibixus: Shooting Stars

I'm determined to get this ebook finished.
Here's the final story to be added to complete the flowing narration from character to character.
This part - We see Green and Ursula's relationship growing and the pair falling in love. However, things aren't as easy as they seem
Let me know if you've been reading alone and or if you thought this part was any good :)

Shooting Stars
Green bounds ahead, his excitement infectious as he turns back with a grin, his eyes shining almost as brightly as the starlight casting a soft glow over the park. The baum lining the path sway gently in the night breeze, their leaves shimmering silver under the vast Vastin sky. He gestures eagerly toward a cluster of bioluminescent flowers, their soft glow adding to the dreamlike beauty of the moment.

“Hey, Ursula,” he says, pointing at one particular baum. “It’s so incredible that even though we are from different planets, I know this mighty thing is just like a tree from Earth.”

Following up behind, slightly embarrassed by Green’s child-like enthusiasm for something so mundane, she nods and smiles politely.

“See,” Green looks up at the leaves. “I’d suggest their color and their shape has something to do with your solar system’s binary suns.”

For years, Ursula’s only focus was getting to the top of the Royal Guard Pyramid. She has to be brutal, unrelenting, and focused. She never had time for such frivolous thoughts. But that excitement on Green’s face makes her interested.

“Oh, I see,” she looks up, taking in the baum that towers over them both. She then becomes confused and looks at Green, wanting an explanation.

He smiles, pleased that the woman he’s falling for is curious.

“Well, see,” he pushes his glass up the bridge of his nose. “My theory would be that because there are two stars in the night sky, the wave length of the light they absorb is different to that of my planet. On Earth, the leaves on our trees are green.”

“They are named after you?” Ursula asks innocently. “Did you discover this back on Earth?”

“Ha. No.” Green face lights up. “I just happen to have the same name as the color.”

“So…,” Ursula points at a nearby flower growing beneath the baum. “Is this the color green?”

“That’s purple.”

“This?” She points to something else.”

“No, that’s orange.”

As Ursula scans the park for another splash of color to admire, she doesn’t notice Green stepping closer. Gently, his fingers brush beneath her chin, tilting her face toward his. The world around them fades as he gazes into her eyes, his expression soft, filled with quiet adoration.

“Green,” he murmurs, his voice warm as a summer breeze. “Just like the color in your beautiful eyes.”

Ursula knows for a fact that her eyes are dull and lifeless. Her family point it out to her all the time. It’s how everyone in the Royal Guard looks after years of service. So, how could he say such things?

“Stop that.” Ursula tries to sound firm, but the smile tugging at her lips betrays her. “We’re in public, and I will hit you.”

Green doesn’t let go. Instead, his grin widens as he watches her tail flick—a habit he’s come to recognize all too well. She’s flustered. And that, to him, is the most adorable thing in the universe.

“Your tail always gives you away,” he teases, tilting his head as if inspecting it. “I know you liked that. What woman doesn’t like a little flattery?”

Ursula scoffs, but the way she ducks her head to hide her face only makes him chuckle.

As Green chuckles, the warmth between them is interrupted by a quiet gasp—when he looks up, he finds a wide-eyed child staring at him, clutching their parent’s sleeve, fear flickering in their innocent eyes at the sight of the unfamiliar alien before them.

“M-Mommy?” the child says, hiding away as Green looks. “W-What’s wrong with that man. Why does he look like that?”

Ursula’s instincts flare, and she lets out a low, warning growl. The sharp edge in her voice, combined with the imposing presence of her armor and the cold intensity in her eyes, makes the child and mother recoil in fear. The mother grabs her child’s hand, muttering a nervous apology before hurrying away.

“Pathetic,” Ursula huffs, crossing her arms. “You’d think walking beside the Captain of the Royal Guard would be enough to silence their gawking—but no, they still have the audacity.”

“That little girl was just curious, Ursula,” Green says gently, offering her a soft smile. “You don’t have to be so defensive. Maybe next time, we could engage with them—help them understand who I am.”

Uncharacteristically, Ursula snaps, her voice edged with frustration. “Yes,” she hisses, her fangs nearly bared. “I do have to protect you!”

Green is taken aback by her reaction. Always calm and calculated, Ursula isn’t one for letting her emotions slip out like that. Kneeling down to be at her eye height, he holds her shoulders and looks deep into her eyes.

“What’s going on with you?” he asks, worried that the stress of recent events and the responsibility of power might be weighing her down.

“Nothing,” she replies flatly, meeting his gaze with a sharp glare before letting out a quiet huff. “You know I’m not good with kittens, and that upsets me a little.”

“That’s never bothered you before,” Green points out, his voice gentle.

“Well, it does now,” Ursula mutters, shifting uncomfortably as she catches more passersby staring. The weight of their gazes prickles against her skin. “Actually, why are we even here? I’m on duty soon—I don’t have time for pointless walks in the park.”

“Ah, now…,” Green lets go of her shoulders and turns to the large lake off in the distance. “Sophia tells me that on a moonless night, this is the only place in Vastin where you can see shooting stars.”

Ursula’s shoulders sag. Yet again, her best friend and closet comrade is meddling. She’s not surprised, and a smile draws its way across her face. Knowing what her people say about shooting stars, she begins to walk away.

“Well….” she looks back over her shoulder with a coy grin. “Are you coming?”

As Ursula strides ahead, leaving him behind, Green glances around at the staring faces. As always, he offers a polite smile to ease the tension, but deep down, the weight of their scrutiny lingers. No matter how hard he tries, he still feels like an outsider.

Love has a way of shifting the course of fate, but can he really ask Ursula to walk this path with him? To bind herself to a life of whispers, stares, and silent judgment? The thought settles like a stone in his stomach.

A decision too big for tonight.

The gasps ripple through the crowd as Green all but vanishes, his sudden movement stirring a rush of wind. Before Ursula can take another step, he’s at her side, grinning like a fool.

“Miss me?” he teases, effortlessly slipping an arm around her waist.

“No,” Ursula replies, her tail flicking in annoyance. “And yes, your movements are almost undetectable. Will you stop showing off already?”

Green pulls her gently to his side, his strong arms wrapping around her waist, holding her close. The warmth of his embrace feels so natural, but Ursula can’t ignore the flutter in her chest. As a female, she’s not supposed to let a man have this much influence over her.

Her tail halts mid-flick, and with a firm push, she shoves him away—sending him stumbling backward toward a baum trunk.

“I told you not to do things like that in public,” she grumbles, a deep sigh escaping her lips as she brings a paw to her face in exasperation. “I’m the woman, remember? I’m supposed to be the one in charge.”

Regaining his balance, Green touches the baum trunk just behind, knowing that Ursula once again held back and didn’t bury his head into it.

“What does that matter?” he says, rushing to be once again at her side. “I just want to be close to you. Does it matter who instigates it?”

Ursula’s tail flicks with a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Yes,” she says with a teasing grin, her eyes sparkling. “If you want to fit in here, Green, you’re going to have to play by society's rules. Being a husband means you act a certain way.”

Green raises an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk curling on his lips. “Is that right?” He steps closer, his tone playful. “So, thinking of marrying me, are you?”

Flustered, Ursula quickly catches her tail and holds it still, her cheeks warming as she becomes acutely aware of how it betrays her emotions. She shifts uncomfortably, trying to hide the slight twitching of the tip.

“You’re putting words in my mouth!” Ursula exclaims, folding her arms across her chest with a dramatic huff. “Besides, we still need you in the vanguard. If you become a husband, you’d—”

Ursula falters mid-sentence, her thoughts tangled as she suddenly stands still, her gaze dropping to her tail. With a soft sigh, she lets it go, and it flicks wildly behind her, betraying her emotions in the most obvious way.

“You’d have to look after our kitten,” she mutters, refusing to meet Green’s gaze as she nervously glances anywhere but his eyes. The words hang in the air, and Ursula is acutely aware of the softness in her voice, the way her heart stutters at the thought.

As Ursula stands there, trying to steady her breath, a small group of Royal Guard members approaches, their expressions hard and unyielding. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered female, sneers as she speaks.

As they walked toward the lake, Ursula found herself unusually at ease.

But even as she allowed herself to enjoy the quiet, the sensation of being watched prickled at the back of her neck. It was different from the usual wary glances thrown Green’s way—sharper, more deliberate. She flicked her tail in irritation, scanning the park subtly without breaking stride.

Her grip on her sword hilt tightened.

Green, ever perceptive, noticed the change in her posture. “What is it?” he asked, his voice low.

Ursula exhaled through her nose. “We’re not alone.”

The playful warmth between them faded as the heavy presence of approaching figures broke the peace. A voice laced with disdain sliced through the cool night air.

"The Captain of the Royal Guard, reduced to worrying about kittens and husbands? Seems like you’ve gone soft, Ursula. Maybe you’re not fit for the role anymore."

Instantly, the air thickens with tension. Ursula's tail freezes, the flickering movement replaced by a stiff rigidity, her anger slowly building. She turns to face the three Royal Guard members, fury lighting up her eyes like a fire ready to erupt.

"Which one of you said that?" she growls, the edges of her fangs threatening to show as her voice turns deadly low.

The same woman who spoke earlier steps forward, her stance smug as she casts a dismissive glance toward Green. “And with this thing too…” she sneers, his words dripping with contempt as she looks Green up and down. “It’s a disgrace. The Pride of the Royal Guard reduced to standing beside an alien like this.”

The ground beneath Ursula’s feet groans as her stance solidifies, the concrete cracking and buckling in response to the tension emanating from her.

Watching her closely, Green considers holding her back. However, he knows this isn’t the time. She’s got a reputation to uphold, and absolutely no one talks like that to her without consequences.

“Are you challenging me to a provocation battle!?” Ursula spits fury directly into the soldier's face.

Expecting them to back down, Ursula is taken aback when they bare their fangs in defiance. It's been so long since anyone had the gall to challenge her this way. For a moment, she’s stunned, speechless, as the tension in the air thickens.

“I’m not interested in taking you down, Captain,” the woman says, her gaze shifting to Green. Her paw grips the hilt of her sword. “I want to cut this abomination down to size. We all hate how it lords over us like it’s better.”

Green meets the woman's gaze, his expression unwavering, as if silently daring her to make a move. His stance is calm, but there's a dangerous glint in his eyes.

However, neither of them makes the first move. The air crackles with tension as the ground beneath Ursula cracks and shatters, followed by a powerful gust of wind. Two of the soldiers are sent flying backward, crashing into the nearby baum trees with force, leaving just the tall woman standing alone.

Green blinks, his eyes wide in surprise. When he opens them again, Ursula has the woman by the neck, her claws poised dangerously at her throat. The woman’s eyes widen in terror, but it’s the thrill in Ursula’s gaze that sends a jolt through Green.

If she’s going soft, she’s still far more formidable than anyone else.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t punish you with death for your transgressions?” Ursula asks with an almost sinister delight.

The woman can barely get her words out. She stutters in fear as Ursula’s grip tightens. The woman then looks at Green for help, but he just shakes his head. It’s her own fault.

Mercifully, Ursula releases her grip on the woman, letting her collapse face-first onto the ground. “You’re lucky,” she says coldly, stepping over the crumpled form. “If I wasn’t with my boyfriend right now, I would’ve ended you.”

She strides over to Green’s side, waiting as the woman slowly lifts her tear-streaked face.

“Y-Y… Yes, Captain,” the woman stammers, tears dripping down her fur.

“Get out of here,” Ursula growls, her tone biting. She points toward the other two soldiers, still dazed from being thrown. “Take these two idiots with you and report to a medic. If I see you again tonight, I’ll have all your heads.”

The woman scrambles to her feet, her voice shaky as she nods quickly before retreating, dragging her comrades behind her.

Green watches Ursula with a mix of admiration and amusement, clearly in awe of her strength. He smirks, a playful glint in his eyes. “Boyfriend, huh?” he teases, his voice light but filled with affection.

Ursula flicks her tail as she strides towards the lake, her steps confident and purposeful. "Yes, boyfriend," she says, her tone playful yet carrying a hint of authority. "It wouldn’t be proper for me to punish them in a male’s presence." She glances over her shoulder, her lips curving into a coy smile. "Well, my love, are you coming, or am I going to have to carry you?"

Green follows Ursula, his pace matching hers as they make their way to the serene lakeside. The stars above twinkle brightly, reflecting off the still water in a mesmerizing dance. The air is cool and crisp, carrying the scent of fresh earth and night-blooming flowers. They sit down at the water's edge, the soft grass cushioning their weight.

Ursula leans back slightly, resting on her hands, gazing up at the vast expanse of stars above them. Green sits beside her, his arm brushing against hers. The peacefulness of the moment settles over them, a calm contrast to the tension of earlier.

For a long while, neither of them speaks, simply enjoying the quiet, the soothing sounds of the night surrounding them.

“Ursula…?” Green says, his voice tinged with worry. “What’s a provocation battle?”

Playing with long grass with her paw, Ursula doesn’t immediately answer. But after a moment, she throws blades of grass at the water and grumbles a reply. “It’s how the next captain is chosen.” She lets out a breath like she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I can’t ever step down. It would be seen as a disgrace. So, when I’m becoming old or soft—a member of the guard can challenge me.”

Ursula brings her knees closer to her chest, her gaze fixed on the rippling water before her. “It’s a fight to the death,” she says softly, her voice tinged with a cold, detached edge. “If they win, they are stronger and have the right to be the next leader. If they lose, they weren’t strong enough, and that’s the risk.”

“I see,” Green replies, looking longingly over the water. He’s silent in thought for a moment but soon turns back with a smile. “Thank you for standing up for me. There’s not many I can call a friend here.”

Just before Ursula can react to his comments, Green reaches across and takes her paw, his fingers wrapping around hers with a gentle yet firm grip. He holds it tight, his eyes never leaving hers, the warmth of his touch offering a quiet reassurance.

“And there’s definitely only one person I want to call my girlfriend,” he says with a playful smile, his voice soft but filled with sincerity.

Ursula’s expression becomes tormented. She wants to smile, but something is stopping her. Green can tell something is bothering her.

“I’ve faced death so many times,” Ursula sighs, looking up at the starry sky. “Yet, I’d rather face that nightmarish thing again on H01D than let myself be vulnerable with you, Green.”

“Why?” Green asks, holding her paw tight

“I…” Urusla’s face drops, and once again, she plays with the grass.

“If you weren’t the Captian?”

“But I am,” Ursula replies, her voice tinged with both certainty and quiet longing. “And I don’t deserve love. There’s a reason I’m no good with kittens… I’m a monster.”

“I’m a monster, too,” Green replies earnestly, holding the paw of the woman he loves. “And I give my love to you whether you want it or not.”

Tears well up in Ursula’s eyes, but before Green can see the depth of her vulnerability, the sky bursts to life with a shower of shooting stars. The lake shimmers beneath the dazzling display, and for a brief moment, they’re both mesmerized, eyes drawn upwards in shared wonder. The beauty of the moment, so fleeting and perfect, seems to silence everything else between them.

Green smiles to himself, watching the wonder natural display

“Y’know,” he says lightheartedly but with purpose. “Sophia told me that in your culture, seeing a shooting star means you have to—”

Green’s words hang in the air, unfinished, as Ursula gently silences him with a kiss—a timeless gesture of affection passed down through generations of Grimalkins. Her lips meet his with a tenderness that sparks joy deep within them both. In that quiet moment, under the glowing cascade of shooting stars, they embrace, hearts full of unspoken love.

“Wow,” Green chuckles as Ursula bashfully pulls away, her ears flicking in embarrassment. His eyes shine with wonder as he holds her gaze. Then, with a playful grin, he finishes his thought.

“…Kiss the one you love.”

“I know,” Ursula murmurs, squeezing Green’s hand in her paw. A hint of vulnerability softens her gaze. “I might be a monster, but even monsters have dreams… and mine was always to bring someone here, under the stars, to share this moment.”

She pulls Green into her arms, holding him close as the celestial glow reflects in her eyes. “And now,” she whispers, resting her forehead against his, “that dream has finally come true.”