"Sakura." The slender black-brown she-dog called as she slipped into the brittle black-dark brown dying foliage near the back of the lush, bright garden bordering the ridiculously large house. She sniffed, smelling the refreshing, calming scent of her new friend. The small black she-cat's scent brought to mind clear, refreshing flowing streams, relaxing sun-dappled clearings and exhilarating, heady fresh flowers on a crisp breeze. The she-dog whined softly as she also smelled a faint, lingering trance of fear-scent, reminding her of the jarring, upsetting situation that had driven them both out here.
"Sakura," She called again, sympathy tinging her voice, "it's me, it's Lark. You're completely safe, I promise."
"H-He's not with you?" The she-cat called fearful, forcing her to recall Sakura's nightmare of probing fingers, misplaced over-excitement, panicked energy and very invasive touches along with worthless 'encouragement' directed at the laboring cat. What was supposed to be a happy, joyous occasion became nothing short of a nightmare brought on by a stupid, hyper, frantic human who though he was 'helping'.
The dog, a mother herself, wanted to roll her bi-colored eyes and growl at her owners' stupidity, it certainty sounded like something he'd do. Instead, she forced the fur along her spine to lay flat and took a few deep, calming breathes.
"No, he's in the house. Sleeping, I think." Not that the pissed dog really cared.
"Oh… then come and meet them." The she-cat said softly, motherly love and pride in her voice along with tiredness.
Lark, feeling lighter and happier at the promise of new life, trotted deeper into the undergrowth. In the cool, peaceful near-darkness, Sakura's yellow eyes blazed with fondness as she gazed down at six, tiny, squirming kittens at the curve of her belly.
"They're…." A stunned Lark breathed in awe, eyes widening, "prefect." She though nothing could be more precious to her or fill her heart with such glowing warmth as her own pups, she was wrong.
'Thank you, Great Spirits above.' She thought. Instantly, three names sprang to her mind with an almost demanding intensity. The names shimmered like starlight and crackled like dying fireworks, the simmering sparks trailing down for spine.
The black, magical-looking she-cat, as if sensing her throughs, smirked.
"You have names on the tip of your tongue." She purred warmly, eyes dancing with amusement.
"Yes, I do." Lark replied, "May I?" The she-cat nodded.
"Star kissed." She announced, gingerly touching a black kitten with orange and white splotches with her nose.
"Badger." She continued. Although she couldn't see the kittens face, pressed against his mother's belly, she could make out the start of a white stripe on his face.
"Midnight." She nosed a tiny, black tom who squeaked in response, squirming closer to his mother's warmth.
After waiting two weeks, to ensure her kittens were strong enough to handle their owner, Sakura and Lark carried the kittens back home and upstairs.
No sooner did the family get settled in the small, fuzzy room, did their owner excitedly enter, prompting Lark to flatten her ears at his loud, quick tone. She left as he chattered away to the strange, black, sleek deceive he always seemed to have as he plucked a kitten, holding it up as it mewled and squirmed.
'Humans', Sakura though with equal parts bitterness and amusement as she glared at him, which he totally missed, before shaking her head good-naturedly, 'will they ever learn.'