Ruben
�The humans here think that you are my bodyguard,� Akira said. �It�s probably because you�re unclothed, and you seem different than the other anthros.�
Shadowgrey nodded slightly, looking around the darkened room again. �Yer right, m�lady. I think it�s because a beautiful lady like yerself naught is seen with a burly creature such as I.�
�Shadowgrey, my name. Say my name, please.�
The big cat lowered his gaze somewhat. To him, saying her name in casual talk brought her down to his level, as his equal. He thought her as so much better than himself. �Akira,� he said finally.
Akira smiled, her eyes brightening slightly. �Thank you, Shadowgrey.�
A waitress came, a cute lapine anthro wearing a blue miniskirt with a top that left little to the imagination. �Can I get�cha anythin�?� she asked in between noisily chewing her gum and batting her eyes at Shadowgrey.
�Your best rum,� Akira said. �We�re celebrating.�
�Uh-huh,� said the bunny. �And how �bout you, sweetie,� she asked Shadowgrey.
The cat looked up at the bunny, his ears facing forward. �Some kind of meat,� he said.
She smiled na�vely. �Well, we have steak, made from the best beef this side of the Nexus.�
�I�ll take that,� he decided after flashing Akira an affirmative glance. �Rare, very rare. Bloody. So raw it�ll turn yer stomach.�
The bunny nodded and scribbled on her notepad. �I�ll be back with your drinks and fresh kill,� she said, as if her stomach was already inverted.
�We should see the innkeeper for a room,� Akira said, once the waitress was gone. �I hear the rum here can hit you pretty hard.�
�The drinks offered to us during the celebrations in my tribe were fairly strong, as well, m�lady. I�ll bet this rum is nothing compared to the drinks there.�
Akira chose to ignore the fact that he was putting himself down by calling her �m�lady� again. �I don�t know, Shadowgrey.�
The lapine returned with their mugs of rum, and Shadowgrey gulped his down like water. �This is a strong drink?� he asked. Akira was looking at him as if he had performed the impossible.
�We�ll have to go visit your tribe sometime,� Akira said, drinking some of her rum. Shadowgrey only played with the mug in his hands, and his ears faced backwards slightly at the mention of returning to his tribe.
Akira held onto Shadowgrey�s mighty shoulders as he carried her up the stairs. The rum had indeed hit her hard, and through it seemed like nothing short from water to him, Shadowgrey was feeling a little off-balance himself.
He looked at the key that he was holding in his paw for the room number again, and looked at the door that matched. Sliding the key into the lock, he pushed the door open and let it close behind them.
�On the bed,� Akira directed him, but he was already halfway there.
Shadowgrey placed her gently on the wool blanket that covered the bed, then returned to the door to lock it. When he returned, Akira had removed her cloak and was crouching provocatively at the foot of the bed, her tail swishing this way and that. Shadowgrey drew in a sharp breath and moved his ears forward in a curious expression.
�Come here,� she said. �It�s too cold to sleep alone, you know.�
Shadowgrey obeyed not only because he had to, but he was drawn to her. He climbed over the bed and lied down on his side, his head on one of the soft pillows, and Akira lied in front of him. She pressed close to him and he felt that she was indeed cold, and he wrapped her in his arms and allowed his tail to snake about one of her ankles. Akira snuggled against his chest, looking like a child compared to Shadowgrey. Her soft purring soon became evident to his ears and he waited for her to fall asleep.
�I love ye, m�lady,� he finally whispered after several long moments of silence.
Akira looked up to him and smiled.
�I thought ye were asleep?� Shadowgrey said softly.
�No, I�m just enjoying being with you,� she said simply. �You can call me whatever you like when we�re out in public, Shadowgrey. Please call me by my name when we�re alone. I love to hear it in your voice.�
�Yes, Akira, my beautiful lady.�
Akira smiled and kissed Shadowgrey�s neck gently. �It reminds me of when you first said it.�
Shadowgrey felt his face grow warmer and his ears flattened against his head as a shameful smile spread across his whiskers. �Purr, it is such a beautiful name, Akira.�
�I�m glad we have one another,� she said dreamily, snuggling closer to him with her whole body, her tail meandering up and down his legs.
Shadowgrey only smiled, holding Akira delicately to his chest.
�We�re leaving,� Akira said sharply, her harsh tone making Shadowgrey�s heart hurt. �Don�t question me why, just gather your things and let�s go.�
He decided it was best not to point out that he didn�t have anything to gather, so he picked up Akira�s cloak and stood out of her way. She tied the leather belt about her waist from which hung her weapons and poisons, including a pouch of silver and the dragon dagger from the Assassin in the field. Attaching the dagger bracers to her wrists, she looked nervously out the window.
�Damn,� she said under her breath.
Shadowgrey walked up to her side and put an oversized paw on her shoulder lightly, and she looked at him. Pure, unadulterated fear was behind her eyes, and he could sense it.
�What�s going on?� he asked gently.
She shook her head and looked out the window again and her breasts heaved under a heavy sigh. �Look, I don�t have time to explain now. We�ve got to get out of here � past them without getting caught � and fast.�
Shadowgrey looked out the window and saw a score of dark tigers on horseback, the leader of which was dressed completely in white, riding a black horse, his fiery red hair tied back in a long, tight braid. He was talking to the others, and they dispersed.
�Who are they?� he asked.
�Necromancers,� Akira said as she took her cloak from him. �They�ve been on my trail for a while. I guess I got too comfortable and forgot the price of being an Assassin.�
Shadowgrey felt as if she had just hit him, and subconsciously he told himself that she wasn�t referring to his presence. �I�ll never let them take ye from me,� he said, though the glance that Akira sent his way had an extremely disheartening effect.
�We�ve got to get out of here now, before they come back.� Akira was already at the door. �The innkeeper said he would let us use the back door, but if the men try to find us in here, he won�t keep them back.�
Shadowgrey nodded silently and followed her through the tavern and out the back, into a dark alley. They followed a chain of alleyways until they came to a ladder propped against the outer wall, and this Akira mounted and climbed.
For hours, it seemed, they walked, until they came to a lightly forested area and a calm lake, an area familiar to Shadowgrey. As they neared the warm water, his ears perked forward and his step was lighter. This was where he had met Akira.
Unfortunately, his female companion didn�t seem to notice. She still walked several paces in front of him with an angry aura. They arrived at the pool, and Akira finally stopped. She stood at the water�s edge and looked at her reflection. Shadowgrey reached her side and crouched down, drinking some of the delicious water from his cupped paw.
Akira, oblivious to Shadowgrey, dropped her cloak and weaponry and walked into the pool. She dove under and did not surface for a long time. The mighty cat stood on his hind paws and looked worriedly into the water, but the sky was the only thing visible on its surface. He was about to jump in when he saw her come up, and silently he breathed a sigh of relief.
He crouched down again for a moment, then lied down on his back, his thoughts racing. Akira climbed out of the water and crawled over his body, her wet fur dragging along his legs, stomach and chest, and he drew in a quick breath as he opened his eyes. Akira was laying on him with her full weight, which was almost nothing to him, but it felt so wonderful, and the sensation went directly to his loins.
�I�m so sorry, Shadowgrey,� she said softly. �I love you, and I pushed you aside as if you were just another problem.�
�But I�m a problem ta ye?� he asked, trying to push the need to mate with Akira down.
�Not a problem, Shadowgrey. I love you� and as an Assassin, I need to adjust to changes.� Akira leaned forward and kissed his lips softly, her breasts pressing against his chest and sending more signals riveting through his body.
Shadowgrey was vaguely aware that he had responded to the kiss, his paws holding Akira at the small of her back, pushing her against his body. His need for her was now evident, his organ exposed and hardened between their fur, and Shadowgrey opened his eyes as he let a hissing sigh escape through his teeth. Akira was kissing him again, her fingers lacing through the longer fur on the back of his neck and hair, her knees pressing lightly against his hips and pressing gently against him herself, all sending signals that were making him harder for her, the need for her so much stronger.
Shadowgrey leaned over, placing Akira gently on her back, but she sat up slightly and kissed him, placing a paw on his chest that was a sure signal for No. He groaned audibly and kissed her viciously, his organ hard as marble for her, throbbing and hot. His hands ran up her body and he pulled her closer to himself, but Akira only pulled away.
�What�s wrong, Akira?� he sighed, his ears flattened against his head as he fought the urges.
Akira looked into his eyes when he said her name, a light smile tracing across her whiskers. �Slow down a little, Shadowgrey. I�m not going anywhere.�
Shadowgrey purred deeply and smiled, leaning forward for another kiss. Akira responded affably, licking his muzzle as he drew back. Akira lied slowly on her back and Shadowgrey remained on her side. He brought one arm beneath her shoulders to cradle her head as he kissed her deeply, bringing the free forepaw up to knead gently at her breasts. Every small breath and sound she made added to the fire burning in his loins, until finally he reached a limit he had never imagined.
�I can�t hold back, Akira,� he whispered hoarsely in her ear, and Akira turned her head to lightly kiss his cheek, then opened herself to him.
Shadowgrey wanted to pounce on her, to relieve himself of the tension that was almost painful as quickly as possible. He resisted this urge, however, and entered her slowly at first, burying his muzzle in the soft fur at her collarbone, holding one of Akira�s thighs with one paw while the other grasped her paw almost too roughly. He started the motions, pulling almost completely out of her before thrusting in again, and he grew more vicious with each thrust.
Shadowgrey�s mind was a blur, his body warm all over, and he dug his hind paws into the ground in attempt to get deeper into her. He was tighter inside of her now partly because she wasn�t in her Heat, and partly because he was at a size he hadn�t before achieved. When he pulled up for the final thrust, Akira�s hips went up with him, and he pressed her into the grass below, her name trembling from his mouth as he released.
The mighty cat relaxed, holding himself over Akira with his elbows, his heart racing and his breathing labored. He opened his eyes and looked at the dark tiger below him, who purred meekly and smiled.
�Dream sweet, my beautiful lady,� Shadowgrey said softly. �I shall watch ye through the night.�
Akira leaned up and kissed his muzzle gently. �I think you need the sleep more than I do, Shadowgrey.�
He shook his head, a sure smile still plastered across his whiskers. �Sleep,� he said, putting a paw over her eyes.
�Akira,� Shadowgrey was whispering. �Akira, wake up. M�lady, we�re in danger. Please wake up.�
The dark tiger opened her eyes to complete darkness, the sound of hooves falling very near. She sat up. �How close are they?� she asked groggily.
�Fairly close. They�ve been searching the area.� Shadowgrey stood and helped her to stand as well. �We should find another place to go. They�ll find us here in no time, m�lady.�
�There�s nothing but open field for miles across these plains!� Akira whispered sharply, attaching her weaponry and gathering her cloak.
Shadowgrey shook his head solemnly. �There�s my tribal grounds,� he said gently, wishing there were some alternative.
Akira looked at him, her eyes finally focused. �Take me there,� she said.
Shadowgrey picked her up and carried her out of the forested area, towards the north.
In the darkness, the lanterns and bonfires of the tribe were clearly visible. Akira was walking when they came within clear view of the village, and it seemed that she was leading rather than Shadowgrey.
�Wait, m�lady,� Shadowgrey said softly. Akira turned. �I��
�Shadowgrey?� When he didn�t speak for several moments, Akira walked to him and put her head on his furry chest, wrapping her arms about his waist. �It�s okay, you can tell me.�
He pushed her away very gently, avoiding eye contact. �No matter what they say there, ye have ta promise me that ye won�t object.�
�What do you mean?�
Shadowgrey�s shoulders sagged; an unlikely position for such a strong creature. �They may have ta scar me for my betrayal. I will take my punishment, because I did break the rule. But, I don�t want ye ta see it when it happens� m�lady� it�s sure not a pretty thing to watch��
Akira nodded slowly. �I understand, Shadowgrey.�
The burly feline reached down and held Akira�s chin delicately in his fingers, lifting her head to kiss her gently. Akira could tell that he was afraid, and because he was afraid, she was as well.
They finally arrived at the outer territories, guarded by gray cat anthros with crossbows. They noticed Shadowgrey and nodded as he passed, glaring at Akira with contempt. Shadowgrey walked to the bonfire at the center of town, where it seemed all the adult cats were gathered. An older male cat with a long gray mane that fell down behind his shoulders stood and stepped up to Shadowgrey.
�Where have ye been, Ashpaw?� the Elder asked.
Shadowgrey stood straight, his ears flattened against his head. �I broke the rules, Enauch. I beg with highest dignity for yer forgiveness.� To Akira�s surprise, Shadowgrey got down on one knee and lowered his head.
�Rise up, Ashpaw. What rule did you break?�
�I allowed myself to be tempted by the scent of m�lady to your left, sir, and I��
�Speak up, Ashpaw, unless ye would like to join yer father�s fate!�
�I mated with her, sir!� He remained kneeling, his head lowered. �Twice.�
From the crowd of gray cats at the bonfire came murmurs of disbelief. Akira stood very still, keeping her eyes lowered and locked on Shadowgrey. He was trembling under the Elder�s stare.
�You understand the consequence, Ashpaw?� the old one asked.
Shadowgrey�s voice cracked in his reply, �Yes, sir.�
�The scarrin� will begin at dawn.�
The gray cat stood from his submissive position, bowed, then walked in Akira�s direction.
�Ashpaw,� The Elder called. Shadowgrey closed his eyes and a single tear traced down his cheek, sinking into his fur.
�Yes, Enauch?�
�Show the outsider to the visitor�s quarters,� he said.
Shadowgrey�s voice came out hardly a whisper. �Yes, sir.� He walked up to Akira and stood in front of her, simply looking at her as if he were about to die. �Come with me,� he said softly.
He walked away from the bonfire, to a darker area of the village. Akira walked a few paces behind him, afraid to say anything, but questions reeled inside her mind.
�Shadowgrey?� she whispered.
He lowered his head slightly and paused in walking, turning to face her. His eyes still brimmed with tears and he looked afraid, so afraid. Akira ran to him and fell into his arms, and he held her closely to himself whispering, �I�m sorry, I�m sorry��
A few minutes before dawn, two soldiers came into Akira�s hut and escorted her towards the center of the village. Shadowgrey was standing near a post that came almost to his shoulders, his paws bound by leather rope in front of him. Two guards that stood taller than Shadowgrey were at his sides, their yellow eyes glaring about.
Akira wanted to cry out to him, but Shadowgrey noticed her and shook his head slowly, closing his eyes. He didn�t want her to have to see this.
The Elder stepped up and addressed the tribe. �Fellow members of the tribe, we have come here this morning to witness a scarrin�. Shadowgrey has broken the rules and I bestow it upon Ratei to decide the punishment.
A cat with darker gray fur stepped up, holding a whip with several razors attached. Akira winced and tried to run up to stop it, but the soldiers at her sides held her back firmly. �If ye object, the more he will be scarred.�
�He can take it,� the other soldier said. �He isn�t the strongest, but his father was a great warrior.�
The first soldier glared at the other. �Don�t talk of that cat! And ye don�t know how Ashpaw will do. He�s never been scarred before.�
The darker cat stepped up to the platform where Shadowgrey stood, and his size made Shadowgrey seem much smaller than he actually was. �Turn around, Son of Burnember, you insidious fool.� Without a word of reprisal, the mighty cat turned and placed his arms on the post. Ratei whipped the air once as a practice and Shadowgrey trembled, his ears plastered against his head, his eyes closed tightly.
�Begin the scarrin�!� the Elder shouted, and the whole tribe let out a cry in agreement. The dark cat brought his whip back, and swung his arm forward, the razors flying across Shadowgrey�s back. The first three lashes seemed not to affect him, but by the fifth or sixth, tears began streaming down his face and anycat could see that his knees were weak. His back was torn and bleeding, the blood running down his tail and the backs of his legs, and the ruthless cat kept on whipping him. Shadowgrey had pulled loose of the leather rope that bound his paws and he began to slip, falling to a kneeling position with one of his paws clinging onto the top of the wooden post. His head was held down and every time the razors danced in the blood on his back he let out a weak cry, his teeth held together strongly and tears flowing like a river from his shut eyes. Akira was on the dirt ground, holding her head and rocking, begging with her soul for the punishment to end.
�Get up,� Ratei said huskily. Shadowgrey didn�t move. �Get up, traitor, outsider!� He walked over to the trembling, bloody mass that was hunched by the pillar still crying, and kicked him sharply in the ribs. Several of the tribal cats gasped, some roared in approval, but none made a move. Shadowgrey looked up to the dark cat with his broken soul through yellow eyes and stood, clasping and leaning on the post.
�Turn around,� said the dark cat. �I�m not finished with you, cat.�
Shadowgrey took several deep breaths through his nose, glaring absently ahead. Akira shook her head and covered her mouth with both paws as Ratei picked up his whip and sent the razors slicing across the backs of his thighs and calves, until Shadowgrey fell to his knees again.
Finally the dark cat turned and left the platform. The other cats began to leave, and Akira dashed to Shadowgrey�s side. He leaned against the post with his shoulder and stared mindlessly before himself, even when Akira took his paw in hers and whispered his name.
Shadowgrey sat at the edge of the pond, his hind paws in the water that came onto the land every couple of seconds, still staring straight ahead with an expressionless face. He had said nothing since the scarrin�, and Akira was extremely worried.
A female shaman was fixing one of the worse wounds on his torn back when Akira remembered that her hair and eye color still was not her own.
�Excuse me,� Akira greeted the shaman and explained her position. The shaman nodded and lifted the spells, and Akira walked to the pond next to Shadowgrey and watched her reflection, her fiery red hair and amber eyes. She looked to Shadowgrey and, to her surprise, met his gaze. Akira fell to her knees and held back a great urge to throw her arms around him, for fear that she would only cause him pain. Shadowgrey leant over and kissed Akira�s muzzle lightly.
�I�ll be fine,� he said softly. �Don�t worry about me.�
�Of course I worry about you,� Akira said, �I�ve never had to worry about anything else.�
Shadowgrey reached out and winced, but still touched her bright hair as if it weren�t really there. �I like it,� he said. �I knew violet wasn�t yer color.�
Akira smiled, her yellow eyes reflecting his. But she knew that on the inside Shadowgrey was not happy at all, that the scarrin� had indeed taken its toll.
The mighty cat that once walked with a little dignity, his tail held high and his ears forward and forever alert, now stood hunched over in agony, his tail touching the dusty floor, his ears pinned back in a saddened expression.
�Ashpaw,� the crackling voice of the Elder sounded through the crisp night air. �Son of Burnember.�
Shadowgrey stepped forward and faced Enauch. He tried with much difficulty to stand upright, growling under his breath with the pain.
�Do ye wish ta remain with yer tribe?� the Elder asked.
�Aye,� said Shadowgrey, his gaze softening. �This is my family.�
The Elder nodded. �You know the rule, then? That the outsider may not stay, nor will ye have authorization ta visit with her.�
�What?� Shadowgrey�s attempt at a cry of outrage was merely a raspy growl. �Why can�t she stay? Hasn�t she proven herself?�
Enauch shook his head, his eyes closing sadly. �Ashpaw, I would have thought for sure that by now ye would have been punished enough. Naught would I have thought you would leave yer family for an outsider, when you can be mated with the best of yer tribe.�
The gray cat�s ears flattened against his head, his yellow eyes narrowed. �Ye would rather lose me than ta accept an outsider?�
The Elder merely looked at him as if to say, You know better.
�Then I�ll leave here,� Shadowgrey said. �I would rather be with her and without yer tribe.� He cast about a glance.
�Then so be it,� Enauch said finally. �When the moon reaches its peak in the sky tonight, ye had better be gone. Ashpaw, outsider.�
Shadowgrey bowed his head in respect, though a low growl sounded from deep within his throat. He turned to face Akira and she merely held his gaze for a while, then nodded once, slowly.