Title: Ink and Vanilla
Author: Cyberwulf
Rating: 15s (R)
Summary: Buffy dreams of her soul mate. But who is it? Short and rather strange.
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: Joss owns the characters, I own the plot.
Distribution: You want it, take it, just tell me where it's going.
E-mail: Feed the Wulf! cyberwulf_1andonly@yahoo.co.uk
She ran through the jungle, enjoying the feel of the soft grass under her paws. A hundred colourful birds flew squawking out of the undergrowth and she growled in pleasure. She slowed as she left the greenery behind and approached the ridge, and came to a halt at the edge of it. From here she could see everything – the dark trees, the river that wound through the valley, the water hole glinting like a mirror in the moonlight. She was mistress of it all.
A tiny sound behind her caught her attention. She turned her head and gazed at the ancient, dying tree at the edge of the jungle. A shape as dark as the night sky was visible in its branches. He was still following her. She purred to herself and turned away. She would make him chase her a little more before she let him catch her.
He tensed as he saw her start to move again. He bounded easily out of the tree and ran after her. He had trailed her all day, as he always had since he'd met her, watching her as she fought and hunted, intoxicated by the sight of her lithe, muscular body and beautiful golden, spotted fur. They were heading down the hillside, back into the trees. He pulled up short, finding himself surrounded by vegetation and unable to see her. Carefully, he sniffed the air, and his nostrils twitched as he picked up the scent of vanilla. He padded softly in the direction of his quarry.
She reached a clearing and lay down, waiting for him. She smelled him before she saw him, and turned her head towards a gap in the bushes. His green eyes glinted in the moonlight as he approached, powerful muscles moving under jet black fur. She couldn't halt her growl of pleasure. He was a worthy mate, fit, agile and ferocious in battle. He stood above her and lowered his head, smelling her. She leaned up and licked his cheek with her rough tongue. He crouched and rubbed his head against hers, purring loudly. She reached up and batted him gently with her paw, and he lay down next to her. She licked the long, faint scar on the right side of his forehead before nuzzling him under the chin, making him growl. Suddenly he pounced, and they wrestled playfully in the grass. She beat him easily, and rolled onto her stomach, ready for more. He mounted her, leaned forward, and whispered in her ear.
" Age to youth… wisdom to innocence… knowledge to strength…" She gasped as he nipped her gently on the neck. " Male to female."
They mated for hours, dappled fur intertwined with sable, their scents mingling on the gentle breeze, until finally neither could move. She rested her head on his shoulder, and laid a paw against her stomach. Soon her belly would be full of strong, healthy cubs, and he would be there to help her watch over and protect them. He shifted his head, and she cocked her ears to catch his sleepy murmur.
" A Slayer slays…"
" A Watcher watches," she finished.
Buffy awoke in bed alone.
-^)--)~