~Hinata~

This was quite the predicament. Katrina had called her the morning after her cousin mated with Densetsu, and the news was quite dire. The Temporal Rift Protocol would need to be extended for quite a while longer at this rate, and even expanded into the base for duration of their campaign.

NOW!>

Within ten minutes, Opal had arrived in the meeting room with her and Eden. Hinata had never expected Opal to stay in her true form in public, but she was also glad for her. At the same time, she was disappointed in her.

"Ugh... what's up, Trina?" Densetsu yawned the words, possibly unaware that he was still in his loincloth. This oaf clearly had no idea what he was in for.

With a huff of annoyance, Hinata crossed her arms, looking to Katrina, "Should I be the one to tell them?"

"...Densetsu... Opal... what were you thinking!?" Katrina bellowed, her stance one of a Drill Sargeant as she approached the two.

Hinata had never seen Katrina like this. All of her intellectual, complex speaking patterns as well as her melodic voice had been replaced by a chastising leader with dark, reverberating echoes for words.

Opal was clearly fearful, as she had hidden behind her now-mate as if she were a weak-willed child who had stolen from the candy drawer at school. Densetsu was somewhat more stoic, but Hinata could sense his terror from where she stood. She knew Eden could as well, as his eyes had widened in surprise and his hand was clutched against his chest.

With a sigh, Hinata spoke, "Guildmaster, I know they made a mistake but..."

"No buts! Opal, you just... you're...." Katrina groaned the words, grasping her face in what was likely stress-induced exhasperation, "Densetsu, you knocked her up last night!"

A thud resounded in Hinata's earlobes as Opal hit the floor. Densetsu wobbled, but kept his composure enough to mutter out, "Wait, what...? Oh, dammit, the pheromones meant...!"

"Yes, it meant she was in season, you dolt! And the medication Opal bought was hormone-control, not a contraceptive!" Katrina continued her tirade, grasping Densetsu's neck fur, "Do you have any idea how much of our funds it will take for the technology to keep her alive with the condition her body is in!?"

At this moment, Hinata could sense the entire room fill with scent and sensation of pure worry and dread. Densetsu was speechless. For the first time, she had seen him completely overtaken by his fear.

Dropping Densetsu to the floor, Katrina turned to her with an expression of pleading. The melodic tone slowly returned as she spoke, "Hinata... if it is not too much to ask, could you bring Eden to the Side-Mission Hall? We are in need of money..."

Eden took her hand, flashing his usual warm smile. Drawing her into a hug, he then spoke, "We'll do all we can to help those two, right Hinata?"

"Yes, of course..."