Salam and good day, my fine readers! I bring to you another chapter to our adventure. I hope it is to your liking.
I don't own Sly Cooper or any of the known characters and game scenes. I will only take credit for the creation of Salira Panthera. All reviews and PM's are most welcome, but NO FLAMES or I will douse you with a firehose, LOL!
Read, Review, Enjoy!
(Salim POV)
I finally made it to the hideout with my soul mate in my arms, and I could feel her body trembling in my arms, from fear or exhaustion, I couldn't tell; but I did know that I needed to take care of her before she perishes. I could hear my brothers following me from behind but I didn't pay attention to them. My entire focus was on the trembling leopard in my arms. Her fur was dirty and burning hot against my arms; most likely from the burning sun and sand. I brought her to my sleeping area and turned to my brothers.
"We need to get her cooled off and her wounds taken care of!" I told them. They all nodded and the Tiger grabbed some cloth and made it wet and then laid it down on the ground. I carefully placed her on her stomach on the wet cloth so as not to hurt her. I winced when I heard her hiss in pain. I hated seeing her like this and I vowed to make sure she was never this way again.
"Salim, Kaya is here!" The Lion hollered out and I sighed in relief when I saw an old female monkey come in, covered from head to toe. She removed her veil and gasped at the site of my injured mate, then rushed over to her. She almost knocked me on my tail as she knelt down beside the leopard and examined her wounds. Kaya was an amazing healer but was also an oracle that had visions and sensed things that not be seen. She tried to touch my mates head, but then I heard the soft but threatening growl of the feline as her tail began twitching in aggravation. Kaya quickly backed up and this time knocked me down. As soon as Kaya backed away, the beautiful leopard calmed down and Kaya took a deep breath.
"What in the name of Allah was that?" The Panther asked. Kaya took slow steps towards the leopard so as to not provoke her in her sleep.
"It appears that this lady leopard is bound to someone, and since she's in an agitated state, her inner leopard will not allow anyone but her mate to touch her." Kaya explained. I took a deep breath and approached the sleeping cat. Receiving no growl or threat like Kaya, I knelt down and stroked her black hair. I smiled as I heard a loud purr coming from her and saw her tail lie still.
"It's ok now, my friend, I have calmed her down," I said, not taking my eyes off of my mate as she continued to purr in content at my touch. Kaya smiled and knelt down again and just looked down at her.
"I see that you have found your mate, at last, Salim!" She said as she began gently rubbing herbs on the leopard's back.
"Yes, I have found her, but not in the way that I wanted." I said, looking sadly at my mate as she flinched as the herb covered the slashes on her back and hushed her as she began growling again to keep her calm. This kept going for a while until Kaya wiped the sweat away and then gently covered my mate up with a thin blanket.
"She shall be fine, she just needs rest. Salim, I must ask, what happened to her?" Kaya said as we stood and walked away to let her sleep with some of my brothers watching over her. I took a quick glance at the beautiful sleeping feline before turning towards Kaya as she packed away her herbs.
"I fear that Clockwerk may have stolen her from her land and brought her here." I said, causing Kaya to gasp and then her paws began shaking and she looked at me at fear and then turned to my sleeping mate.
"Salim, hear what I say; some time ago, I had a most terrifying vision. I believe that Clockwerk plans on using your mate to bring your death. Please take care of her and make sure my vision does not come true! You are my friend and I don't want to lose you." Kaya said, tears building in her eyes. I pulled her into a hug.
"Don't worry, I will not make sure nothing happens to me or my mate." I told her as she pulled away. She smiled, nodded and then left the hideout. I took a deep breath and before I can do anything, I heard the words I have been waiting on.
"Salim, she's waking up!" The tiger said, and I rushed back over to the leopard and my brothers. Sure enough, I saw my mate stirring and stretching like the cat she was, quite gracefully I might add. She blinked her sapphire eyes open and looked around. I then sensed her tense up and painfully jump up into a defensive crouch, like she was ready to pounce. I could feel that she was still in pain, for her pain was my pain now and vice versa. My brothers backed off to show her they were no threat, but she ignored it, if her snarling and growling were something to go by. I slowly approached her with my paws in front of her. She quickly turned her fierce eyes to me and, as if by a miracle, she stood from her crouch and she relaxed, allowing me to approach her in hopes to soothe her into peace.
(Salira POV)
I finally came to, only to find myself on the ground surrounded by men I didn't know. I instantly jumped up onto my feet in a crouch and bared my claws and growled loudly, warning them to stay away from me.
"Easy kitty, we're not going to hurt you," one mouse said and I narrowed my eyes and growled louder, causing him to back up with his paws up where I could see them. No one approached me but something told me that someone else was approaching me from behind; I turned around quickly to tell them to back off when I froze.
Staring back at were the darkest brown eyes peering into my soul. Those eyes were the ones I have been dreaming about for the past month. I slowly relaxed from my crouch and retracted my claws as the owner of those eyes approached me with his paws where I could see them. He was a handsome raccoon that had a turban on his head, a black, sleeveless top that showed off his muscles without being too bulky and turquois pantaloons. He looked extremely familiar to me and not just from my dreams. It was like I have seen him before, but where? Just looking at him made me weak in the knees and it became worse he came to stand in front of me. I had a difficult time, breathing as he stared at me with a gentle smile, causing my heart to race rapidly against my chest.
"It is alright, my dear, you are safe. Nothing will harm you here." He said with a voice as smooth as velvet. He held out a paw for me to take, and shakily I took it and he led me forward.
"Where am I and who are you?" I asked. I had to know how this critter of my dream was, plus I wanted to know where that stupid bird left me at and why.
"Why, I am Salim, Salim Al Kupar, my dear" He said as he bowed to me, causing me to gasp. No wonder he looked familiar outside my dreams. This guy was one of Sly's famous ancestors, the one I admired the most.
"And you are in the hideout of the Forty Thieves, well 39 thieves at the moment." He continues while gesturing to all the thieves that surrounded us as they smiled at me in welcome. One of them came forward and kissed my paw.
"You gave us quite a scare when we found you and we're sorry if we scared you when you woke up. This fool here would not leave your side while Kaya worked on healing you." He said while nodding towards Salim and then at an elder lady monkey. I giggled while Salim groaned and narrowed his brown eyes at the thief.
"Lion, you are my brother, but you need to shut up!" He snapped, causing all the thieves and myself to laugh as he blushed and shook his head. I found it rather cute.
"Well, it's truly an honor to meet Salim Al Kupar and the legendary 40 Thieves. I am Salira Panthera." I said and all the thieves bowed down to me. I blushed when Salim took my paw in his and kissed the top of it.
"The honor is ours, Salira. Allow me to introduce the one who healed you, Kaya." He said as Kaya walked over and pulled me into a hug and then circled me.
"A fine, beautiful, and strong feline; she'll make a fine mate for our Salim." She said and I just gaped at her.
"WHAT?!" I shrieked and pulled away from Salim's grip. I didn't think anyone knew. I mean, I did feel the bond between Salim and me when he approached me, but I didn't think he would realize what I was to him. But apparently did since he is simply smiling at me.
"Oops, I said too much, didn't I?" Kaya asked while covering her mouth. Salim shook his head in annoyance and sighed.
"Yes you did." He sighed and gently took me in his arms, causing me to freeze and then instantly relax as he stroked my fur.
"My dear Salira, I know that this may seem scary to you, but you must know that I will not do anything to you that you don't want me to. If you will trust me, you will know nothing but love and joy. All I want at the moment is to get to know you and follow the path wherever it leads us." He said while looking into my eyes. I could see the truth in them and I felt that I could trust him. I felt that if I didn't take his offer, I would never be as happy as I want to be. Knowing what I wanted, I looked in his eyes, smiled and nodded. He smiled and then hugged me, hiding his face in my neck, causing me to start purring; as the thieves cheered for us. This proved that I made the right decision to give Salim and my heart a chance. We smiled at each other and faced the thieves and Kaya.
"Finally, now Salim can shut up about not having his mate with him!" The Lion exclaimed; causing all of us to laugh as Salim chucked one of his shoes at the Lion's head.
"You know, for too long we have been known as the 39 Thieves. That does not sound scary! I want to be called the 40 Thieves again." The one known as 'The Tiger' exclaimed. Salim smiled down at me.
"We do happen to have an open spot in our little family. How would like to become 'The Leopard' of the Forty Thieves, my dear?" He asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist. I smirked seductively at him as I pulled out of his reach and began circling around him. I brushed my tail beneath his chin, causing him to shiver and purr with desire, and took his dagger without knowing from his hip.
"And what makes you think that I'm even a thief?" I asked as I stood in front of him again. The thieves were snickering at my teasing. I quirked an eyebrow, then he smirked at me and put his paws on his hips. It was my turn to smirk as he froze, looked down at his hip and then started looking on his body, causing the thieves to laugh. Then he narrowed his eyes playfully at me as I held up his dagger. He snatched it and laughed.
"Cause that's my dagger you stole! You took it without me noticing; imagine all the treasure and loot we could steal together." He said while hooking me around the waist with his cane and pulled me to his muscular chest.
"YEAH, PLUS YOU COULD KEEP SALIM IN LINE FOR US!" The thief known as the Panther said, causing Salim to chuck his other shoe at his head; while we all laughed. I shook my head in glee and humor.
"Well, with an offer like that; how is a girl supposed to refuse?" I asked rhetorically, causing all the thieves to cheer. Suddenly, Salim pulled on my waist and into a kiss, causing me to freeze and then relax. I immediately felt our mating bond cement with that kiss. Salim wrapped an arm around my waist and I threw my arms around his neck and purred in his mouth as his tongue stroked mine. We pulled away as the thieves cheered for us. We turned to face them with his arm around my waist.
"Welcome to the Forty Thieves, Salira Panthera; or should I say 'The Leopard'!" The Tiger said while presenting me a sword. I took it and held it up as the Thieves and Salim followed while cheering. I smiled at the scene before me. It looks like I not only found my true soul mate, but I also found a second family and became the 40th member of the Legendary 40 Thieves. I don't know what Clockwerk was thinking when he left me here, but even though I miss Sly something fierce, I am grateful that bird dropped me here. Something tells me that mechanical monster plans to use me to get to Salim. Well I only have one thing to say about that, OVER MY DEAD BODY!
We celebrated my coming into the fold throughout the night, until all but I and Salim were asleep. I was looking around the hideout when I felt Salim's eyes on me. I turned my head and caught him staring at me and he didn't turn away, in fact, he was smiling at me.
"What?" I asked with a smile. He just smiled and took my paw and pulled me to my feet.
"You are more beautiful than I could ever imagine." He said softly, stroking my cheek. I blushed and looked away from his piercing eyes. He picked my chin up gently and then led me over to his sleeping area. There was so much excitement that we both couldn't fall asleep, so we stayed up and talked. It was going great until he asked the very question I dreaded.
"I am so pleased to have found you Salira, but I would like to know how you got here and what happened that got you hurt so badly." I froze at the statement. Salim must've seen it, for he took my paw in his. I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes.
"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to." He said as he stroked my paw. I smiled at him and covered his paw with my other one.
"I don't want any secrets between us, Salim. I must tell you so I can move on." I explained and he nodded, waiting for me to continue.
"The truth is that I'm not from here or even this time. I come from the future where your descendant is my adopted brother. I can't tell you his name, in risk of messing up the future." I began. Salim's eyes widened at the facts but nodded in understanding.
"My family has worked together with the Coopers for many generations, so when this evil monstrosity known as Clockwerk killed my parents, your descendants took me in." I looked down at my feet at the thought of losing my parents to that monster. I kept it hidden from Sly and my adopted parents and made them believe that I didn't remember seeing my parents die. I may have been but a wee kitten; but I could never forget those horrible, yellow, glowing eyes. Those eyes occasionally haunt me in my dreams; even after Sly and I destroyed him and Clock-la when Neyla took his form. I was startled from my head when Salim pulled me close to his body and I rested my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes in content as he stroked the fur on my back, cautious of the talon marks. He kissed my head and sighed
"When my brothers and I found you in the desert, I feared that it was Clockwerk who brought you here and took you away from your family." He said as he held me close.
"But the thing is my brother and I destroyed Clockwerk in our time years ago! How could he have possibly returned from the junk heap?" I asked rhetorically. Salim was quiet but then he pulled me closer.
"Salira, I need you to listen to me. Clockwerk is still alive here and has been trying to hunt me down. The last time I escaped from him, he vowed to find my weakness and use it against me." He said, causing me to gasp and pull away to look in his eyes.
"But what would I have to do with…" I began before we looked at each other with our eyes widened.
"THE COOPER MATING BOND!" We said together. I began to tremble and Salim pulled me into his arms. It was exactly what I was afraid of. Clockwerk knows that I am Salim's Cooper Mate and now he plans to use me against my soul mate. But I still had so many questions.
"What I don't understand is how he found me and how he knew that I was your mate." I said, my voice sounding shaky with fear.
"I do not know how Clockwerk found out about you, but that monster is extremely powerful. It would not surprise me if he found a way to travel through time to kidnap you." Salim said as he held me close and did not let go. Even though I just met him, I did not mind how close we were to each other at all. Then, a dreadful thought penetrated my mind.
"But if Clockwerk time traveled to get to me, what if he does the same and goes after the other Coopers, including my brother?" I asked looking at Salim in fear. He took a deep breath and wiped my tears of fear from my eyes. I didn't even notice I was crying.
"If I know Clockwerk, he will not rush in killing our family. He likes to take his time and hunt us down slowly; let us fear him and then he kills us." He explained. I sighed in relief, knowing that Sly will never encounter that monster again. But that still didn't quell my fear for Salim. Even though we have just met, I know that I love him and I don't want to lose him. I've lost enough people in my life.
"My dear Salira, I can sense your worry for me, but it is not needed. I promise, nothing will happen to me or you. Now that you are here with me, I fully intend to make sure you have a long and happy life with me. That monster is not going to come between us. I promised you a long and happy life full of love, joy and wonder; and I fully intend to make sure that happens." He grabbed my paw and placed it over his heart as I felt his tail wrap around mine. "This heart that beats in my chest belongs to you now, Salira Panthera. Not even Clockwerk can destroy the love I feel for you. I know that we have just met but I will happily accept the bond that is meant for us, if you will have me." He said while stroking my cheek, causing me to close my eyes and involuntarily purr in content. He chuckled softly at my reaction. I opened my eyes at looked at him.
"Promise that you will never leave me?" I asked. He smiled and kissed my forehead and leaned his forehead against mine.
"Until my heart stops beating, my Salira."He whispered and then leaned in, and I met him the rest of the way in a loving kiss. I place of my paws on his face as he cupped the back of my head, pulling me closer to him. The kiss made my insides melt into a puddle. I gasped at the intense feeling I was getting in my heart, knowing it was from Salim. This just cemented my belief that I had found my soul mate, ironically, in Sly's ancestor.
The only sad thing is that I may never see him, Carmelita, Bentley, or Murray again. We have been through so much over the past decade, stealing from criminals, avenging mine and Sly's parents, destroying Clockwerk for good in our time, finding the Cooper Vault, and Sly's favorite pastime, messing with Carmelita. I was torn from them so quickly and harshly that it broke my heart. Salim must've picked up on my emotions as my tears must've leaked into his mouth. He pulled away and looked at me.
"What is wrong, love? Aren't you happy?" He asked worriedly. I smiled and stroked his cheek, knowing what he was worried about.
"Don't worry, Salim, I am thrilled that we are together. It's just that I miss my friends and brother back home. Clockwerk stole me away from them and I wasn't prepared for it. We went through so much that it just hurts at the fact that I may never see them again." I said as I looked to the floor, my tears falling to my feet. Salim cupped my chin gently and made me look at him.
"If there is one thing I have learned, it is 'Never say Never'. If Clockwerk found a way to travel through time, then maybe so can your friends. I do not think Allah would be so cruel as to take you away from your friends permanently. I believe that you will see them again one day. You must have faith, my dear." He said. I smiled, nodded, and hugged him after he dried my tears. I was about to say something, when a yawn escaped my mouth instead. Salim laughed and took me by surprise when he lifted me into his arms bridal style and carried me over to an area that served as his sleeping place. He laid me on the rug and then made to lie down on the ground, until I grabbed his tail. He jumped in surprise, causing me to laugh.
"There's plenty room on the rug, Salim." I said as I moved over to make room. He smiled and then lay down beside me. After that I immediately laid my head on his chest. I felt him freeze for an instant before he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him. I purred softly as I felt his tail wrap around my tail and fell asleep, knowing that I was safe in the arms of my soul mate.
There you have it. Sorry it took so long to post, I had a writer's block and with work, I just didn't have the time. I will try to post the next chapter soon. Thank you all for being patient and enjoying my stories. 'Til next time!