The beat pounded in my ears as I spun, my skirt flying to reveal my knees.

I began to tap my zils together as the musician began to sing. Rolling my hips in time, I spun from foot to foot offering a charming grin to an attractive man in the crowd.

Rolling my body I popped my shoulders forward at the beat. I smirked when the attractive man tossed a gold piece into the bowl near the musicians, shimming my hips to make the coins on my sash sing in appreciation. Spinning again, I tossed my hair flirtatiously and moved in a circle, popping my hip out with each step.

I began to body roll again lowering myself to my knees with every roll of my torso. Swaying from side to side, arms accentuating my movements. I rose with a chest shimmy before popping my hips some more.

Shimming towards the audience I briefly lowered my self to my knees again. While rising I began to rock my hips from side to side my arms crossed at the wrist, zils still chiming. Shimmying my hips to the beat I began to spin faster causing my skirt to send itself nearly level. Smirking when a heard an appreciative whistle.

I better get a nice tip for showing my shorts...

The musician brought his song to a close and I continued to spin to the beat of my zils for a few moments before stoping with my leg out at a jaunty angle with my arms crossed at the wrist and bent backwards till I could see the tops of the buildings behind me.

Applause broke out as I caught my breath, as well as some catcalls and wolf-whistles. I straightened and curtsied to the crowd before sliding over to the collection bowl, letting the next dancer begin.

"How's it look, Rufus?"

The scruffy bulldog glanced up from his record book and grimaced, "10 pieces of copper, 3 of silver and one gold. After you take out the 30% payment for the music, it gives you a total of 3 copper, 2 silver, and one gold."

"Good, that gold was a tip for me."

He snorted and rolled his eyes, "Whatever, you've been slacking. Last month you would get 5 gold pieces a dance, now you get one a day. Apparently, cats loose their novelty quickly."

A low growl escaped me as I snatched the coins from his hands, "Then I guess I will move to another town. This one reeks of wet dog."

Scrunching my nose for effect, I spun on my heel and began to maneuver through the crowd. Hearing a snarl and footsteps behind me caused me to shoot foreword in a panic. Yeah, I could talk the talk, but I couldn't walk the walk. Fighting was heavily avoided, I could outrun and out jump most people here anyway.

Launching myself onto a nearby roof freed me from the jumbles of people and I sprinted my way towards the center of the town, where the trading market was. I paused upon reaching it, scanning for the fabric merchant before gently leaping down to buy lunch. I nibbled on the fish stuffed bread, purring at the perfectly seasoned, flakey cod.

"You have an unhealthy addiction to that, my dear."

I snorted at the elderly fabrics dealer, "You're the one who first gave it to me, so you have no one to blame except yourself."

He chuckled and went back to folding a square of indigo raw silk, "Someone traded me a lovely bolt of brocade for all of the cotton we found in the East."

My lips twitched affectionately, Hound was such a sweet old dog, "I don't blame them, it felt almost like silk and was a very pretty color."

"Oh, and I almost forgot! I got in a wonderful woven crushed velvet in the exact shade of your eyes. I figured you could use it to make a new vest," he dug though the trunk that help all of his "keeper" fabrics. My eyes sparkled at the green fabric that did indeed match, "Thank you so much! How much do you want for it?"

He chuckled, "Nothing! Consider it a thank you for keeping this old man company. It's nice to be able to talk to someone other than the mule since Salukari passed."

I gave a weak smile, "Thank you again." I assume most people would push harder to pay, but I firmly believe in never looking a gift horse in the mouth. Money was tight, people were becoming less awed by a cat dancer and looking for new entertainments. I absently thought about home in Thunderia.

I wonder if the twins finally got caught?

I wonder if that one fisher finally complained enough to get his stall moved?

I wonder if the fountain still smelled like rotten eggs?

Heaving a sigh I pushed myself up and directed a farewell towards Hound. Wandering amongst the vendors, gazing at small trinkets, smiling when I saw things that would have caught the twin's fancy.

A yelp caused my ears to twitch. I glanced at two kittens darting away from a rather angry, rather large cat. They scrambled onto a tent, hissing in fear as the large cat snarled and attempted to shake them off. One of the poles snapped causing the kittens to fall to the ground, the tarp covering the large cat.

In a panic the cat stumbled around trying to rip the fabric off. He tripped and fell onto the jar I had been planning to buy. I gaped at the shattered clay, before whirling around with a snarl, "You idiot I was going to buy that!"

I picked up a hefty piece of the jar before heaving it at what I guessed was his head. It struck and he went down with a heavy thump. This caused me to pause, briefly wondering if I had killed him before he shifted with a moan.

"That was so cool!" I glanced at the kitten that had spoken, he grinned up at me, "I'm WilyKat, and this is my sister WilyKit! Thanks for helping us out back there!"

"If it weren't for you, I would have been able to buy that jar," I deadpanned before beginning to walk away.

Apparently this didn't deter them, "You don't know that for certain; what if a cabbage came out of no-where and broke it, or a snarf or something?"

I directed a blank stare at the female, Willykip or something, "A...cabbage. Yes, because cabbages are known for their particularly vicious attacks on jars."

She shrugged, "You never know. Besides, the guy trying to sell it to you has awful stuff anyway, it would probably poison you."

I sighed, "You two aren't going to leave me alone, are you?"

They grinned identical smiles, "Nope."

That had been the start of an...odd...friendship.

They had followed me around for the rest of the day before sleepily heading off to wherever they slept. I had sighed in relief and headed back to my own place, nothing more than a small one room flat with a stove and a sink.

As I had slipped into bed, which was nothing more than a giant pillow stuffed with straw, I had hoped that I wouldn't stumble upon them tomorrow. It had been nothing personal, it was just easier to keep to myself and not have to worry about others.

When I awoke the next day, half my house had been turned upside down as they pawed around my stuff. I had had a minor panic attack as they mobbed me for attention once they noticed I was awake. Apparently they had followed me home. Other random events similar to these had left me with a sort of vexing fondness for them.

"Servena!"

I could almost still hear their annoyingly cute calls.

"Servena!"

...Wait a sec-

I grunted as a smallish body collided with mine, followed by a second, "Servena! You're alive! We missed you!"

It took me a moment before everything caught up to me, "What are you two doing here? What do you mean "you're alive?" Why aren't you in Thu-"

A rather muscular tiger had just grabbed onto the twins, "You guys can't just g-"

His sentence was cut off by my foot slamming into his face. Hard. I caught the brief surprised expression before he dropped like a stone. Kit and Kat seemed torn at what to do, "Um, Servena? Tygra's a friend of ours, you didn't really need to kick him-"

"-Especially that hard. Even if it was awesome."

I shrugged noncommittally, so I have a possessive personality, "I thought he was going to hurt you. Remember, you two usually were in some form of trouble when we ran into each other."

A shadow loomed over me, "What happened here?" Turning I found myself craning my neck to look into the eyes of a large panther male.

"It was so awesome Panthro! Tygra gabbed us and POW! Servena knocked his lights out!" I swiped my hand around Kit's mouth, attempting to prevent her from saying any more.

Kat apparently didn't catch this and continued, "It's funny because Servena usually doesn't fight. She only fights for things that are hers. Which means you actually like us!"

The last comment was directed at me and caused me to roll my eyes.

A young lion with shocking red hair came forward, "So you're telling us that Tygra got Ko'ed by a girl who doesn't fight."

They nodded eagerly and my ears flattened when he erupted in laughter. I felt vaguely insulted, but I was still trying to figure out what was happening. I decided to save time and proposed this question.

Kat grinned, "Weeeell. This is Lion-O- he gestured to the lion- and he's laughing because you laid Tyra- gesture to the unconscious tiger- out flat."

Deadpanning, I tried to get them to elaborate, "I'm going to need a little more detail than that."

Kit took over, "Tygra is really good at combat. Lion-O can't even beat him!" This earned a loud "Hey!" from the aforementioned lion.

"Oh...Wait a tic. Isn't Lion-O the crown prince's name?" They nodded in sync. My thought process continued, "...And isn't the other prince named-...Oh. Oh, whiskers."

Apparently the twins thought this was the funniest thing ever because they burst into giggles. I was a little more concerned, I had just rendered a prince unconscious. There had to be laws, a lot of them, against that. My internal panic was broken by the large panther- Pantres? -hefting the tiger over his shoulder, "As much fun as this is, we need to meet Cheetara now."

The still chortling Lion-O nodded and turned to me, "Want to come with? If only to see his face when he wakes up? It will be hilarious, I can promise you."

The twins gave me no chance at escape as they each latched onto a hand, and began to drag me following after the panther telling me stories of their adventures. I only half paid attention, it felt too much like I was being dragged to my execution.

They had found Cheetara, introductions had been properly exchanged, and her first words were, "Why is Tygra unconscious?"

This had sent the twins and Lion-O into another round of snickers as Panthro rubbed his face tiredly. When she looked to me confusedly, I offered no answer. She was about to ask again when a low groan erupted from the tiger.

Panthro laid him out on a bench and we leaned over him as he slowly came to. Muttering gibberish phrases as he looked around dazedly, before spotting me. He seemed to jolt, "You!"

"Me."

"You kicked me!" He seemed shocked.

"You touched my kits." My blank expression never wavered, I was proud of myself for that.

Lion-O felt this was a good time to but in, "She knocked you flat with one blow, Tygra. Loosing your touch?"

His smug expression seemed to bring sense to Tygra, "Since you can't beat me what does that say about you, Lion-O?"

This time it was Lion-O's turn to look shocked as he attempted to sputter out an answer. Tygra turned his attention back to me, eyeing me up and down.

I didn't particularly like the way his gaze lingered on my chest, "My eyes are up here."

"And what lovely eyes they are," He didn't miss a beat and it threw me off.

His smirk unnerved me more.

I eyed him cautiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Just studying my attacker."

My ears began to twitch, that smirk didn't seem to waver and it made me nervous. Hr knew it, too. So I resorted to a snarky comment.

"Yeah, from what I hear, it's hard to take you down. Maybe you can tell me what happened."

My comment wasn't really appreciated judging by the low growl. For a second I thought he was going to hit me, but he turned his attention the once again laughing Lion-O and put him in a headlock.

"So you think it's funny?"

"Yes, yes I do." Lion-O's smirk fell when the grip around his neck tightened. Panthro decided now was a good time to step in, grabbing both of them by the scruffs.

I had lost interest by then and turned it to Cheetara, making polite small talk.

"So how is Thundera?"

This caused the entire group to fall silent, staring at me.

I shifted, "What?"

"Weren't you paying attention to us earlier?"

I slid my eyes to an exasperated Kat, "...Nooooo?"

Kit slapped a hand to her forehead, "Thundera was destroyed by Mumm-Ra and the lizards."

I opened my mouth and closed it again, searching for words. My home was gone. My cozy straw pillow was gone, the cantankerous fish merchant was gone. My eyes glazed over with tears at a sudden thought and I trembled before turning to the twins, "...did the fountain still smell?"

Judging by the blank stares I was getting, my comment was a little out there. Kat sighed, "Yes, the fountain still smelled. You put enough rotten eggs in the filter to last a lifetime."

Cheetara seemed to start, "Wait, that was you?"

I laughed breezily, "Of course not. Well I should go now."

Attempting to walk away was foiled by two lumps attaching themselves to my legs, "You're gonna leave us?"

"But we just found you!"

Four moist eyes stared up at me, pouts exaggerated. My ears flattened, don't look. Don't look. Don't lo-...whiskers. I let out a dramatic sigh, "Fine."

Their expressions immediately brightened, fakers. They darted back to the group, I decided to sulk.

I don't want more people.

"Servena! Child!"

My head whipped toward the call. Hound. Whiskers. Hound would offer to let them stay in our camp. Kit and Kat would probably accept for the group and my quiet night would be gone.

"Servena!" The needle slipped through the fabric and into my finger, eliciting a pained yowl. I whipped around with a snarl, causing Kat to cringe, "Never mind."

I bristled when a hand patted my head, "Calm yourself child." Hound chuckled before returning to tending the fire. I exhaled in an attempt to calm, my patience had been tried to its breaking point since the group joined us at our camp.

My first attempt to block out conversation was to begin to sew what would become my new vest. I had removed my old one to use as a guide, twitching when I saw Tygra wink at me. I was now about halfway done with sewing, and couldn't bring myself to continue anymore tonight. I sucked on my bleeding finger and glared into the flames.

"Will you come with us?"

I stared at the expectant twins, "No."

They seemed to wilt, "Please? We need to stick together."

"No."

"But-" Cheetara interrupted what most likely would have been what broke me, "If she doesn't want to come, it's her decision."

I meant the grateful look I sent her and she smiled in return. I focused back on the dejected kittens, "Try not to be too much trouble."

I tried to be lighthearted with a playful smile, but all I got was whimpering from Kit.

I can't do this.

So I turned and walked towards a building before crouching. With a small grunt, I launched myself vertically onto the roof. I heard murmurs of awe behind me, my lineage had bred strong legs for jumping as well as sensitive ears. I put my feet to use, sprinting towards the outskirts of town eager to dance it all out.

When I returned to the stand a few hours later, I began to sew again.

"Child."

I ignored Hound, but my next stitch was agitated.

"Child."

Still ignoring.

A hand came out and cuffed me behind the ears, "Servena!"

I dropped my vest, "What?"

Hound tisk-ed me and picked it up, "What are you doing?"

"...sewing a vest."

He sighed, "No, why aren't you with them?"

"I don't want to be."

"Lies. They are your kind. Whether or not you want them to be."

My ears flattened, "I would rather stay here."

"Biscuits! You deserve to be out adventuring, not stuck traveling with an old man. Now Go! You can catch them!" Hound turned back to his fabric, humming to himself.

What...just happened?

I gaped for a sec before quietly gathering up my things, did I just get kicked out by a senile hound? Snorting I turned back, "Bye old man."

"Have an adventure for me."

I pushed away my brief worry and nodded. Exhaling I made my way out of the city.

Once free from the walls, I stretched in preparation to catch up to the small group.

Let's see it's been about three and a half hours since they left...that should put them about 20 miles out.

Taking a deep breath a began to sprint.

Now, I'm not the fastest out there, but I can definitely keep up. It took me about an hour to spot them, because tracking is not my strong point.

I let a wicked grin cross my face before sprinting full speed towards the group, quickly adjusting to the twins. Their shrieks as I tackled them were so satisfactory.

The scruff of my neck was grabbed roughly and I curled slightly, grinning at the unamused Panthro. I wiggled my fingers at the group, "Fancy meeting you here."

"I thought you didn't want to be with us." Kat's snarky remark caused me to pout playfully.

"It's not that I didn't want to be with you, just that I-" The twins looks caused me to deadpan, "-Hound forced me."

They sighed and shrugged as if I was hopeless, "Well I guess we can't leave her out here."

I snorted, "You guys are happy, just admit it."

"Only if you admit you wanted to come with us in the first place." I smirked, "Never. Now, Panthro, can you put me down?" My neck was starting to hurt.

He arched an eyebrow and I cringed, "Please?" I was dropped unceremoniously, landing on my feet before my legs buckled sending me to the ground. The twins laughed at me, before attacking me with hugs, "Yay! We get to travel with each other!"

A hand appeared in front of me and I glanced up to see Lion-O, "Welcome to the team, I guess." I smirked and grabbed it, "...I guess."

He pulled me to my feet and I turned to face Tygra, "Try not to annoy me and I won't have knock you out again." I spun around and bit my lips to suppress a giggle.

"H-Hey! You just surprised me, that's all!"

"Uh huh. Sure."

"You just got a lucky shot! A rare, lucky shot!"

"Suuuuurrrrre."

This was going to be fun.

Well that was Chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed it, review if you have any comments or concerns. There aren't many episodes out yet so it's hard to judge personalities...let me know if you have any comments on that. Cheetara will be featured more in the next chapter when they have "girl bonding time."

Please review!