Juheena walked out of Riverwood, hardly motivated to march up to the Jarl's palace in Whiterun, knock on his door, and chat with him about dragons. All she wanted was to get home, to the Dark Brotherhood.

She ran her lithe fingers through her hair, catching on a nest of tangles. Sighing dramatically, she reached into her pack and plucked out a delicate looking brush. On the smooth side was an intricate depiction of Lady Dibella. Juheena smiled at herself. Babette gave it to her on her 16th birthday, ten years after she had been found and raised by the assassins. She was 24 now, still a small child in Khajit years, and already had her fair share of brushes with death.

Her bright orange eyes lit up when she saw a dark shadow pass overhead, and she quickly pocketed the brush, and drew her Ebony Greatsword from its resting place on her back. It was only a bird. Not a dragon.

She pressed her hand to her heart, and silently cursed to herself. You need to pay better attention next time. You know better than this. A bird? Really Juheena?

The walk to Whiterun would take her only an hour or so, so she decided to enjoy the sunshine for a few moments by the bright river. She could care less about dragons, or Jarls or politics. She killed when she had a contract, though only reveled in the kill if it was well deserved. Other than that she was a peaceable soul. Being part cat, she particularly enjoyed napping in the sunshine, something she was teased for mercilessly by her fellow family members in the Brotherhood. But she didn't care. She picked a flower here and there, found a few alchemy ingredients she would take to Gabriella, and then decided she had better go before it got dark, and even worse, cold.

"Curse this damnable weather. There's nothing like the warm sandy deserts of Elsweyr, and tropical jungles." The Khajit chuckled to herself. She had experienced them only as a mere kitten, yet she dreamed of the sandy beaches of her homeland commonly. She vowed to one day travel there, and possibly track down her birth family. And then she would kill them gleefully. She would-

She pushed the dangerous thoughts out of her mind before she lost her temper. She was almost to the gate, no need to snap at an unassuming citizen and run up –another- bounty, in yet -another -hold.

After informing the guard of her intentions, the gate was opened, and she set foot in Whiterun. She passed lovely shops as she made her way to the palace. There was even an alchemy shop, and a stand with cases filled with lovely jewelry. How she loved jewelry. She smiled at a young mother with her daughter working a vegetable stand and purchased a few apples. She chatted briefly with her girl, Mila she said her name was.

"Hello! You're pretty!" Mila chatted cheerfully. Juheena chuckled when her mother gasped, then held back laughter and replied, "Little fairy! Don't scare off the woman!"

Juheena laughed then pretended to whisper in Mila's ear, "Your mother is quite lovely herself."

Carlotta Valentina smiled ruefully, then replied, "Well I have a hard time keeping the men away. It's constant trouble! Some of the men who have proposed were even single!" At this, they shared a laugh. "There's a bard in the Bannered Mare that has been giving me a particular bout of trouble. Perhaps you could brandish that blade in front of him and get him to change his mind?"

"It would be my pleasure, Miss Valentina. Though, I have a thing or two to take care of first. Jarl's orders, you know." Juheena rolled her eyes.

"Well alright, then. I appreciate your helping me. My first concern is always my daughter Mila. I don't need a man to get in the way of that." Juheena nodded once in agreement, then waved as she left the stall.

xOoOoOx

The twins of the Companions, Farkas and Vilkas sat in the Bannered Mare, each with a pint of ale in hand. Farkas sat contentedly staring at nothing in particular, while Vilkas had his eyes trained on the bard, who had sung the same song three times that evening. If looks could kill, Vilkas would surely have a bounty on his head at this moment. Farkas looked up and saw his brother glowering, and smirked. He chunked a piece of bread at his brother, who in turn picked up a particularly large apple.

"I surrender!" Farkas laughed, raising his hands in defense. They shared a chuckle before they picked up their mugs and drank heartily.

Neither of them looked up when the doors opened, then closed as footsteps approached, then went past. They did look up, however, when a particularly sensual voice began to speak quietly, seeped with venom.

The brothers' heightened senses picked up on malice, and also the sweet scent of a woman. A Khajit woman. They looked up at the same time to enjoy the show.

The thin, but muscular woman leaned against the pillar nearest to the bard. Her tail flicked as an agitated cat's. She gazed at him with cool eyes as she murmured, "Leave Carlotta alone."

The bard barked a cruel laugh, then replied with "And why should I do that? Unless you're jealous." The challenge was eminent. The twins leaned forward in their seats, eager to see the woman's reaction. It was surprising.

Their eyes widened as she pulled the most beautiful ebony sword out of her pack. Their heightened eyes picked up on every intricate detail on the sword, almost as large as she.

Farkas whistled softly. "There's a beaut." Though, Vilkas didn't suspect he was talking about just the sword.

The entire tavern muffled laughter when the incompetent bard visibly shook at the sight of the weapon in a very serious cat's hands.

"All right, all right! I'll leave her alone." He then muttered some words incomprehensible to humans, but Juheena heard them. She grinned.

The twins, who had heard as well, began to laugh. Farkas called out to her, "Hey!" She turned around, and gazed upon them, clearly amused. She sauntered up to them.

"Hello boys." She winked at Farkas.

"My ice-brained brother has quite the way with words, wouldn't you agree?" She laughed. Farkas, not so amused, punched his brother.

"Please, let us buy you a pint of mead. That bard was about to encounter a far worse fate if you hadn't come in when you had." Vilkas offered.

"That bad, huh?"

"Yes" The twins said in unison. Even a few patrons sitting nearby added in with enthusiasm.

"If I hear Ragnar the Red again, I'll rip him in half with my bare hands." Farkas gruffed.

The Khajit laughed. Farkas and Vilkas were enchanted by the musical sound, though Vilkas, sour as always, only scowled his usual scowl.

She caught Farkas staring as she pulled up a chair, and he quickly averted his eyes, embarrassed. "I am Juheena." She said, picking up Farkas's green apple which lay untouched on the table. He made a grab at it, and they began a very childish brawl over it.

Vilkas rolled his eyes, and scowled. He said over them, "I am Vilkas, and this is my twin brother Farkas."

Farkas finally relinquished the fruit to her, and she bit into it triumphantly. Vilkas called to Hulda, and she came over smiling sweetly.

"What can I get for you?" Her heavy Nord accent hitting each syllable like a drum.

"Three of your finest honeyed mead." Vilkas said curtly.

"And a sweetroll." Juheena added quickly.

"We ain't payin' for that, lass." Farkas teased. And thus began hours of conversation at the Bannered Mare, seven sweet rolls consumed, and one stolen apple.

Author's Note

Juheena is my main character in Skyrim. I love my pretty kitty cat. And…so does Farkas! Please leave reviews, they make Farkas smile. Because he has the sweetest smile. You know you want to see it.

I know this chapter may be too talky and choppy, but the rest will be better I promise! :D