They were known as Tigera for their ability to shape-shift into the big yellow and dark striped cat, the tiger. They had great psychic talents and all the extraordinary gifts granted to the cats in human form. Their sense of smell, hearing, speed, strength and sight were far greater than that of humans or any animal. Shrouded in mystery, their men were powerful predators and their women were both beautiful and sensually personified.

Their long life-spans as well as their human and animal cunning and mating habits is what set them apart from their feline brethren. While their feline brethrens never mated for life, the Tigeras have only one mate. Once found, they stay together forever; soulmates for all eternity.

A mate is recognized with the taming of the predatory urges to kill that lies within the male Tigeras. Without a mate, the males were doomed to lose their long life-span and become a man-eater, slaughtering and killing humans. Thus, these Tigeras are destroyed to protect their kind from the humans.

Tigeras lived in forests and wildlife preserves at the edge of cities. Like true felines, they hunt and consume large numbers of meat. Making do with human food was essential only when they are among humans, which they often avoid.

She was the oldest, their leader and, except for her younger sister and cousins, utterly alone. It wasn't that they lacked for male company. No, single and married human males alike were attracted to their beauty. Their loneliness was simply due to the fact that they're the only ones left of their pride and because they've never found their mates, which was fine with them as long as they have each other.

Like her mother before her, she had long silvery white hair and silver blue eyes. She was, at the moment, living in the city. Tonight, she and her family would be rid of city life, for good. She and her family have been living in the city for awhile now and they couldn't wait to get away from it all. Away from the sounds and smells of the city, the smells of humans.

Glancing at the red head sitting across from her, she sighed. In the many years that they've been living in the city, she and her family have made a few friends and it was breaking their hearts to have to lie to them, especially the red head seated before them. Glancing at her watch, she stood up and said," Well… we better go, girls, before we miss our bus. Good-bye, Molly."

" Right," her sister and cousins said, standing," good-bye, Molly."

" Good-bye, Asuka, Serena, Mina and Lita," Molly said, standing with them. Then she gave them a hug and said," I'll miss you, girls."

" We'll miss you too, Molly," they said, hugging her back. Then they pulled back, turned and left.

-

At the edge of the forest stood a beautiful two-story mansion. Behind and beyond the mansion and its beautiful gardens is a cliff with many jagged-edged rocks at the bottom. Within the mansion, everything is peaceful and quiet. And within the library of the mansion, a figure sat on the couch, reading a book. The figure had jet black hair, midnight blue eyes and wearing a white silk shirt and black dress pants. Suddenly, he lifted his head, his senses alert.

Sensing the arrival of his cousin, he fanned out his mind to pinpoint her location. Setting his book down, he stood up and walked over to the side door. Smiling, he opened it and inhaled. The scent of the forest filled his lungs as well as the scent of his brethren. However, another scent lingered, one that he hadn't sensed nor could he place it. It was the scent of a human, yet not. Frowning, he waited.

His wait wasn't long for soon a white tigress with blue eyes burst from the forest line and ran over towards him. As the tigress came to a halt before him, he frowned and scanned the forest line. Not finding what he's searching for, he returned his gaze to the tigress and said," Hello, Amy."

The tigress's form wavered and grew into that of a small woman with intelligent blue eyes. Smiling, she said," Hello, Fuma." Reading the question in his eyes, she sighed and said," Zoi isn't here. He's fishing upstream." Frowning down at her, he said," And Raye?"

" She's with Jed in the forest," Amy said," anyway, since you haven't been here for the past two days and just returned from the city this morning, I had to come and inform you."

" Inform me? Of what?" Fuma asked.

" Of the humans that we've been keeping watch over," Amy said," but they smell different."

" They?" Fuma asked, with a raised eyebrow.

" Four girls," Amy said," they came here four days ago, camping in the woods. Our people have been watching them and it was most unusual."

" Why is that, Amy?" Fuma asked.

" They're more agile than ordinary human girls and they're quicker," Amy said," also, their scent is different."

" Show me where," Fuma said.

-

" Ah, it's so peaceful here," Asuka said, floating on the water.

" Yeah," Serena said," but you know what would be better, Sis?"

" What, Sere?" Asuka asked, rising.

" A song," Serena said.

" Yeah," Mina said, smiling," and one from you, Asuka."

" Ok," Asuka said, smiling. Then she began singing.

-

Two tigers weaved in and out of the trees, leaping across lakes and moving as one. Their movements as fluid as quicksilver, the large white male with glossy blue-black stripes sheltering the smaller female with his large size and weight. With their speed, the pair reached the cluster of trees that opened into a clearing.

Spotting the cats, a young woman with long raven hair, amethyst eyes and a blonde man with green-blue eyes smiled and walked over. As they shape-shifted into their human form, the couple said," Hello, brother."

" Hello Jadeite, Raye," Fuma acknowledged with a nod.

" The humans are down by the river, bro," Raye said, nodding past the clearing below them," and whatever you do, don't growl."

Nodding, Fuma quietly and stealthily made his way down to the river. Seeing his twin, Darien and his two friends, Kunzite and Nephrite, he walked over, crouched down beside them and watched. They were quite surprised when the singing and the splashing stopped altogether. Though they doubted they had made a sound, the girls swung around, searching the forest for intruders.

" Who's there?" an angelic voice rang out, nice and clear.

" Show yourself," came another voice.

-

Ears pricking at the soft sounds of feet behind them, Asuka stopped singing while Serena, Mina and Lita stopped splashing. Turning, they searched the forest and, seeing no one, Asuka said," Who's there?"

" Show yourself," Serena called out, narrowing her eyes. When four guys stepped out from behind the boulders, they gasped and sank into the water until it reached their necks.

-

Glancing at each other, they shrugged and stepped out from their hiding place. Upon seeing them, the girls gasped and sank into the water until it reached their necks. Smiling at their predicament, the guys took the time to study them.

Two girls, most likely sisters, had slightly different but long silver hair and silver-blue eyes. Both girls had pale smooth porcelain complexion that woman would have died for. Next to them was a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Beside her is a girl with chocolate hair and emerald eyes. Glancing at them, one of the silver haired girls said," Who the hell are you?"

" I could ask you the same thing, ladies," Fuma said," seeing as this is a PRIVATE preserve. I could very well charge you for trespassing."

" You…"

" At least turn around so we can dress," exclaimed the second silver haired girl angrily, cutting off whatever it is the blonde haired girl was going to say.

Reaching out with his psychic abilities, Fuma frowned at not being able to read their emotions at all. Grinning, his twin said," By all means, we wouldn't want you girls to catch a cold." At that, they turned around while every animal instinct in their body was shrieking at them to face the girls and not turn their back.

-

As soon as they turned around, Asuka walked over to the rock and climbed out, followed by Serena, Mina and Lita. A sudden scream caused Asuka to turn around and grab onto Serena's hand. Pulling her onto the rock, Asuka said," Are you ok, Sere?"

" I'm fine, Sis," Serena said," I just slipped, that's all."

" Oh. Here Mina," Asuka said, holding out her hand.

Grabbing their hands, Mina smiled and climbed out. Then, as Mina and Serena helped Lita out, Asuka slipped her dress over her bathing suit and jumped down. When Serena, Mina and Lita got dressed and jumped down beside her, Asuka said," Come, girls, let's go."

" Right," they said.

Hearing that, the guys whirled around and found the girls putting on their shoes. With a burst of speed, they stood before the girls and blocked their path. Turning, the girls saw them and made to leave when the guys caught their arms. Surprised, the girls looked up at them and time all but stopped. Breathing in her scent, Fuma frowned. Here she is a human and yet her scent is that of…

" A tigress," Fuma said, tightening his grip around Asuka's arm," you're a tigress."

At that, Asuka and the girls gasped. Wrenching their arms from the guy's hold, they shoved them back and disappeared into the forest.

' What the hell just happened?' Fuma asked, telepathically; confused.

' Simple. They're our mates and they're disappearing as we speak,' Nephrite said. With that, they shape-shifted into their feline forms and ran after the girls.

-

' We had been wrong to have come to this forest, girls,' Asuka said telepathically,as they ran back to the clearing.

' Yeah,' Serena said.

' How was it that we didn't sense their presence when we arrived two days?' Mina asked.

' I don't know,' Asuka said,' but I'm not about to find out.' Reaching the clearing, they ran to the tree in which they slept in and jumped up.

-

With their powerful vision, they caught sight of the girls just as they jumped up into the trees. Glancing at each other and smiling inwardly, they silently padded over to the tree in which their mate had gone. As they did, they shape-shifted back into their human form and, once there, waited.

-

Grabbing her duffle bag, Asuka jumped down and gracefully lands on the ground. Just then, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a strong muscled chest. She gasped and struggled to get free but those hands merely tightened. Wriggling to get free, she said," Let… me… go!"

" Never," came the soft whisper in her ear," now you will cease your infernal wriggling for you're not going anywhere."

" N-No. Let me go," she gasped out breathlessly. The man was making it hard for her to breathe, being plastered all along her back.

" Come now, little cat, surely you know that you're not going anywhere," he purred seductively next to her ear.

God, could anyone's voice be so sexy and sinful? If so, it should be outlawed, Asuka thought, finally giving up. Embarrassingly enough, her body was responding to his when she didn't even know him. Chuckling, he said," Ah! But you do know me, little cat." At that, she turned and looked at him. Eyes narrowing at his predatory smile, she reached out with her mind to read his emotions.

Right now, all she could pick up were emotions of jealousy and possessiveness at the thought of her escaping. He stifled a gasp as she slipped past his shield and cut her off. He watched as she frowned at being cut off and, in retaliation of her earlier actions, nipped at her ear and then lapping it with his tongue.

Her yelp of surprise made him smile. She was his and there was no way she could ever escape him. He, Fuma Keisuro, will always be able to track her no matter where she went. Burying his face in her neck, he whispered," You are mine."

Asuka could not believe her ears. Here she is in the arms of a man she knew nothing about and the infuriating man had just said that she was his. She was no one's property, least of all a bossy arrogant jerk's. With a strong push, she pushed him away and said," Look, I don't know who you think you are but…"

" I am your mate," Fuma said," just as you are mine."

" You keep saying that and I will have to keep repeating myself," Asuka hissed. Then, poking him in the chest, she said," I AM NOT YOURS. Never in this life time will I be."

" No use denying it, little cat," Fuma said, reaching for her again.

" And get your hands off of me, lecher!" she snarled, clenching her hands and swinging it at him.

Catching her wrist, he hissed at her. Snarling, she met his gaze with an evil glare of her own. By the stars, this little cat's a feisty one, he thought, his lips curling into a smile. Lifting his eyes, he glanced over at his pride and found that Darien, Kunzite and Nephrite had easily subdued their mates.

" Are you quite finished, lecher? Because I would really like to be on my way," Asuka said, trying to wrench her hand from his grasp.

He returned his gaze to her, locking eyes with her. Unwavering, she met his gaze. Grinning devilishly, he lifts her hand to his lips, kissed it and said," No, not really. Come now, little cat, surely you don't mean what you say." Before she could answer, his tongue came out to lap a wet caress over the palm of her hand and smiled when he felt the little shiver run down her spine.

A howl broke the tranquility of the woods. Growling and yanking her hand away from his grasp, she cried," Great, just great. As if we don't already have problems of our own. They have to show up. UGH!"

" Fuma, I suggest we leave," Kunzite said, lifting his head at the howl," the wolves are growing restless with so many of us here." Nodding, Fuma reached out, grabbed her hand and said," Come, my little cat. I offer my home as sanctuary from both the night and the wolves."

" Sanctuary? Ha, don't make me laugh," Asuka said, laughing," I'd rather sleep with the wolves."

" Your impudence is starting to annoy me. What you need is a good spanking as a lesson in manners," Fuma said.

" MANNERS! Why, I'll show YOU manners, you arrogant, ill-mannered lout!" she hissed, lashing out with both her feet and fist. Dodging her attempts to hurt him, he caught her hand and, smiling, said," Ill-mannered? In what way am I ill-mannered?"

" You're infuriating, you blasted cur!" she cried, trying to break free.

" My, she's got a temper on her," Kunzite said, laughing.

" Yeah. I'll enjoy seeing Fuma try to master her," Nephrite said, snickering.

" She's a spitfire this one," Kunzite said, smiling.

" Aye, and we shall see who will be the victor in this battle of will," Nephrite said, smiling.

Binding her hand and gagging her, Fuma tossed her over his shoulder and walked towards his home. Telepathically, Asuka cried,' Put me down, you ill-mannered lout!'

" It's your fault you know," Fuma said," you could have come quietly."

' At least get me down from this position,' Asuka said,' I feel as if I'm about to throw up.'

Chuckling, he took her off his shoulder and carried her, bridal style. Smiling down at her, Fuma said," Better?"

' Much,' Asuka said.

" See, all you had to do was ask nicely, my little cat," he said, kissing her forehead. She just glared at him and looked away.

-

Entering his home, he went straight to the living room. Once there, he carefully set her down on the couch and removed her gag. Silence. Looking at her, he watched as a smile spread across her face as she looked around the room filled with beautiful artwork and sculptures. Smiling, he began to untie her legs and arms.

Once freed from her bondage, she stood up and walked over to the wall filled with paintings. She reached up a curious hand before dropping it to her side. Standing, he walked over to her side and said," Go ahead, little cat, touch it."

Looking at him, she shook her head and moved over to the sculptures. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her up against his muscled chest, he took her hand in his and brought it up to the painting. Gasping, she pulled back but he kept his hold on her hand and said," It's alright, little one. See."

Smiling, she looked up at him and then returned to the painting. Just then, a voice said," Aw… it looks like you finally found your lifemate, brother." At that, Fuma turned around and found Jadeite and Raye standing in the doorway with his pride behind them. Smiling, Fuma said," Little cat, meet Kunzite Ayasugi, Nephrite Ferial, Zoisite and Amy Praedari, Jadeite and Raye Higashi and my twin, Darien. And I am Fuma Keisuro." Pulling her hand from his grasp, she smiled and said," Everyone meet my cousins, Mina and Lita, my sister, Serena. And I am Asuka Tenjou." Then, catching the time, Fuma said," Come, little cat, let's retire to bed for the night."

" Sure," Asuka said, too tired to put up a fight.