Nymph
Elizabeth Knight
KB2
When Kyle saw Zantha stop, he called to her and urged her on. "We're being followed. Keep Going!"
She took off again, keeping to the trees as he followed. Kyle wasn't sure how far behind the saiyans were when Zantha finally dropped to the ground unable to get up again. He'd taken just a moment to collect a small vine and some moss to wrap around the arrow in her shoulder. He didn't dare take the time to pull it out and risk more bleeding. He knew they were still being followed because he could hear them. Zantha passed out, and he was tiering quickly.
Kyle saw the rocky outcropping not far ahead, and raced for it. On the way up its side, he lost his footing and Zantha went crashing to the ground. He picked her up and headed for the opening he knew was there. He could hear the saiyans not far away as he climbed through the opening and deposited his bundle in a dark corner. Her only chance of escaping unnoticed was if he could lead them away from her. He'd have to leave her here and bring back help. He heard the cracking branches just outside, and knew he had to leave. Kyle quietly climbed his way to the top, then deliberately made enough noise to alert them to his presence. He'd gone quite a ways before he noticed that only one had followed. He waited for the saiyan to give up the chase then followed him back at a safe distance. He crept forward in his panther form and laid down watching the long haired one emerge from the cave. Kyle could hear their voices, but couldn't make out the words. After they left, Kyle cautiously made his way to the opening and dashed inside. He wasn't sure exactly what he'd been expecting, but she was still alive for the moment. If he hurried he could get help, but he'd have to leave her again to do it.
Bra sat in ChiChi's livingroom with Bulma, only half paying attention to the conversation going on around her. "She's such a brave girl. She walked all the way here from her city. The two of you have to come over this evening and meet her. I really think you'll like her."
"I'm sure we will, don't you think, Bra?"
"Oh yes. Of corse. We'd better get home to get Dad and Trunks something to eat before they go to their posts thought."
"She's right, ChiChi. We really have to be running now, or we'll never get it done." Bulma said, rising from the sofa. "We'll be back this evening though. I can't promise to be on time but we'll try."
"You girls just get here as quickly as you can."
Bra gave ChiChi an affectionate grin as she left and ran out the door. Great! That's just what they needed in this over run female city. More competition. She hid a secret smile as she thought of what she wished ChiChi's guest was. She'd seen several native males in the prison, and appreciated their stature and strength. She found them quite appealing to the senses. They were a change from all the dull humans and stuck up saiyans. She'd never been so close to one as she had the day she spied the cat-man in the bushes. She should have run or something, but she'd been captivated.
Then during the raid, when he'd climbed through the window after the female native, he'd called her name. Bra's heart had skipped a beat at the strong rich voice, so like dark golden honey. It had washed over her and made her feel off balance. He was so tall and muscular, he'd taken her breath away, and those eyes......mmmm.
"What's that?" Bulma ask her.
"Hu?"
"Didn't you just say something?"
"No. I didn't say anything." Bra glanced over at her mother and thought she'd seen something move in the shadows. She turned to look again, but there wasn't anything there.
Vegeta and Trunks were both home when they arrived, so they all pitched in and had the guys dinner done in no time. "And remember to be quiet when you come in or you'll wake up the baby." Bulma was warning them rather sternly.
"I'll probably stay over at my post this evening. We've got a lot of extra work to do thanks to that raid. Don't wait up on us." Vegeta leaned down to kiss his wife in a rare show of emotion, then the two departed. Bulma and Bra finished preparing a desert and got Braedon ready to leave. They tidied up the house a bit, then left as well. It wasn't a long walk to ChiChi's, and they made it in silence. Bra's mind wondered else where.
ChiChi greeted them in her usual happy way and invited them into the livingroom to wait on everyone else to get in. Goten returned with the new girl, Deirdre, then Gohan and Goku showed up. Dinner was wonderful even if Bra was still slightly detracted. Bulma really didn't seem to notice and Bra preferred it that way. Her father was a little more perceptive of her moods, but since she wouldn't be facing him till tomorrow she was allowed to be slightly withdrawn without causing undue attention to herself. They said their goodnights after dinner and again made their way home in silence.
"Is everything alright, Bra?" Bulma ask her before she could retreat to her room.
"Yes mother. Every things fine."
"Are you sure? You seem unusually quiet this evening."
"I was just very tiered today. I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning. Good night, mother." She dashed up the stairs before Bulma could ask anything else. She really was quite tiered now that she thought about it some more. She kicked out of her shoes, and stripped out of her clothing. Walking to the door, she locked it and turned off the light. She crawled under the cool crisp bed sheets and gave a wiery sigh. It was warm enough that very little cover was required to sleep comfortably. Bra glanced at the open window as a nice breeze swept over her bare shoulders. She closed her eyes, and drifted off the sleep listening to the night sounds gently floating in the window.
Bra sat up in bed, breathing quickly. She looked to the window, but it was still dark outside. What had awaken her? She tried to recall her dream, but it was already gone. She gave a sigh as she brushed her hair out of her face and looked up. Bra gave a small gasp of surprise. He had been so still she had completely overlooked him perched on the foot board of her bed.
"Nymph." he whispered.
The sound of his voice shocked her out of her stunned silence, but before she could open her mouth, he flew forward across the bed. He had her body pinned beneath him and his huge paw across her mouth. It was a shock to feel the soft silvery grey fir on her bare chest. It slightly tickled when he moved his shoulders to slide lower. He nuzzled his face in her hair until she could feel his nose on her ear.
"Shhh." he purred, before whispering her name. "Bra. I'm not going to hurt you. You remind me of a little girl I met once. Same hair, same eyes, same name. Do you remember?" He lifted his head to look down on her.
Bra struggled to remember. She closed her eyes and let the old memory resurface. She'd been lost and afraid. An image of a kitten tickling her foot with it's nose flashed across her mind, and the feel of a soft fur covered paw beneath her finger tips. Bra opened her eyes and watched him as she brought her hand up to cover the paw over her mouth. His paws were still silky soft to the touch and she remembered those curious golden eyes now. How had she forgotten?
"Please, don't scream." He let his large paw slide to one side and land on the pillow still touching her face. "You've grown. There are things here I don't remember." He smiled down at her, but this time his smile didn't frighten her.
She smiled back at him. "You've grown as well. Although you have me at a slight disadvantage."
"I wasn't aware saiyan women preferred to sleep in the nude, Bra." He grinned down at her, but when she turned her head in embarrassment, he added, "If I'm making you uncomfortable, I'll move."
"That's alright. You make a rather comfortable comforter."
"Comforter?"
"Uh, blanket?"
"Oh. I see."
"Soft too." she told him as she slid her fingers down his arm in a soft caress. A low rumble sounded in his throat, and she jerked her hand away immediately.
"I'm sorry. Did I frighten you? I didn't mean to. It's just a reaction. I liked it."
"I thought cats purred when they were pet?"
"We usually do. Care to try again?"
Bra smiled at him and reached up to tuck a long strand of black hair behind his ear. Leaning forward he nuzzled back into her hair and purred in her ear. The vibration tickled and she giggled. "I like that." he whispered.
"What do you like?"
"The sound of your laughter. It hasn't changed too much. Are your feet still ticklish?"
"Yes, but if you touch my feet, I'm liable to kick you off my bed."
"Perhaps that would be best, but I don't think I'll risk it just yet."
"What are you doing here, really?"
"Getting reacquainted with an old interest, nymph."
"Why do you call me nymph?"
"When I first met you that's what I thought you were. A beautiful water nymph that cried rain drops from her eyes." He stroked her cheek and smiled at her.
"What should I call you?"
"Nothing. I'm simply a dream that vanishes before dawn." The cat-man whispered as he got up. He quietly made his way to the open window across the room.
"Are you at least a reoccurring one?" At the sound of her voice, he stopped and turned back to her.
"Is that an invitation?" he ask softly.
"I think so, yes." Bra sat up to watch him climb in the window.
"Why?"
"Because I'm fascinated by you."
"You've thought of me then?" he threw her a mischievous grin.
"Not until you reminded me." She watched him frown and smiled herself.
"Am I so easy to forgotten?"
"You might want to drop in again, just in case."
"I won't forget you nymph." he promised as his gaze raked over her one last time before he was gone.
"What a dream." she whispered, laying back down again. "What a dream."