Morning came and Asuka awoke to find Fuma seated beside her and smiling down at her. Gasping, she jumped out of bed and stood away from him. Standing and walking around the bed, he said," Good morning, little cat." Narrowing her eyes and pivoting on her heels, she turned and looked away. Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and said," I know you think of running, little cat, but I will never let you go. For you are mine as I am yours."
" No," Asuka said, turning and pushing him away," you…"
A loud banging at the door interrupted her. Smiling, Fuma said," What is it?"
" The news just reported a murder," a voice said. Walking over to the door, Fuma opened it and, seeing Raye, said," An animal killing?"
" Yes," Raye said," a camper was found ripped to shreds."
" Where?" Asuka asked.
" Not far from where you and your family were camping," Raye said," the…"
Without waiting for her to finish, Asuka ran over to the balcony and jumped out. Shape-shifting in mid-air, Asuka said, telepathically,' Serena, Mina and Lita, there's…'
' We know, Sis,' Serena said,' and we'll be waiting for you at the forest entrance.' Back in the bedroom, Fuma said," Damn it, is it one of ours or a real cat?"
" Jed's checking into it," Raye said. Nodding, Fuma went out and went downstairs. Joining Darien and the rest of his family, Fuma said," Amy, Raye, stay here. Guys, let's go."
-
Glancing around, Asuka sniffed the air and fanned out her senses. They had arrived at an animal kill and she had sent Serena and Mina to the site of the kill while she and Lita investigated the area.
' Where are you, little one?' came Fuma's voice.
' We came across an animal kill. Lita and I are currently searching the area. I've sent Mina and Serena to the site of the kill,' Asuka said.
' Stay right there, little cat, we're on our way,' Fuma said.
' Then I suggest you hurry,' Asuka said.
Catching scent of the killer, Asuka and Lita snarled and bared their teeth. Suddenly, without warning, a tiger with lavender eyes leapt from between the trees, teeth bared and snarling, straight at Lita and Asuka.
-
Serena and Mina were searching the sight of the kill when they sensed Asuka and Lita in danger. Doing a quick scan, they turned and ran back.
-
A white tigress and a yellow tiger fought ferociously, fangs bared and claws unsheathed, snarling at each other and circling. Lita laid unconscious, her shoulder covered in blood. The unknown feline hissed at her in hatred while Asuka snarled in warning, baring her teeth and standing guard over her cousin. She watched as the tiger got ready to pounce. As it flew through the air, two tigresses leapt from the bushes and knocked the feline aside. Recognizing them as Mina and Serena with their blue and silver blue eyes, Asuka smiled inwardly and said, telepathically,' Thanks, girls.'
' No problem, Sis,' Serena said.
' Is Lita alright, Asuka?' Mina asked.
' Yes. She's just unconscious,' Asuka said.
Growling in anger, the cat dove at Mina and Serena. They jumped away to avoid the feline's claws while Asuka struck out with her claws, tearing through the flesh at the tiger's side. A yowl of anger and pain accompanied the wound as blood gushed down its side. Snarling, Asuka struck out again, followed by Mina and Serena. With one final growl, the feline collapsed, dead.
With the unknown feline dead, they shape-shifted back into their human form and walked back to Lita. As they helped Lita up, who had long since reverted back into her human form, five white tigers bounded over to them. Seeing Lita's condition, Nephrite shape-shifted into his human form and said," Is she alright?"
" She'll be fine," Asuka said, fighting back her exhaustion," although her arm needs to be looked at right away."
" And the cat?" Darien asked.
" Dead," Serena said, pointing to the body. Scanning the tiger, Darien sighed and said," I guess he couldn't hold it back any longer." Hearing that, Asuka glanced at him and said," You know him, Darien?"
" Yes, we do," Darien said," his…"
" Are you ok, Sis?" Serena asked, cutting him off. Shaking away the dizziness, Asuka smiled and said," Yes. I'm…"
Before she could finish, everything blurred and went black. As Fuma rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground, Mina sighed and said," She pushed herself to her limit again." Glancing down at Asuka and then at Lita, Fuma said," Let's head on back to the mansion, everyone."
" Right," they said.
" Here, little ones," Nephrite said," give her to me."
" Ok," Serena and Mina said. So they hand Lita over to Nephrite and they all returned to the mansion.
-
Morning came and Asuka was awakened by the soft breathing at the back of her neck. Not bothering to turn to know that it's Fuma, she sighed. Remembering the events that took place the day before, she pushed back the blanket and sat up. Just as she was about to get out of bed, a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders and a deep, soothing voice said," Where are you going, little cat?" Shrugging him off, Asuka said," To check on Lita."
With that, she got out of bed and went out. Closing the door behind her, she reached out with her senses and smiled when she found that Serena, Mina and Lita were already awake. Then she turned and walked down the stairs.
-
Serena, Mina and Lita were seated beside Raye, Amy and their friend when Asuka came into the living room. Smiling, Asuka said," Good morning, girls."
" Good morning, Sis," Serena said.
" Good morning, Asuka," Mina, Lita, Raye and Amy said. Then, sitting beside Lita, Asuka said," How's your arm, Lita?"
" Good as new," Lita said, smiling.
" That's good," Asuka said. Just then, she sensed a familiar presence and frowned.
Glancing towards the entrance, Asuka, Serena, Mina and Lita gasped when they saw the couple that just walked in. Jumping up, they cried," Aunt Luna!" With that, they rushed over and, lunging at her, said," We've missed you so much." Stumbling back a bit, Luna smiled and said, " I've missed you too, girls." Then, pulling back and walking over to sit down, she said," So what are you girls doing here?"
" We…"
" They're our mates," Fuma said, walking into the living room with Darien and the guys. Then, before Asuka could protest, Luna said," Is this true, girls?"
" Yes," Serena, Mina and Lita said, standing and hugging their mates.
" That…"
" Anyways, who's him, Aunt Luna?" Asuka asked, changing the subject and pointing to the guy beside Luna.
" Oh right. Girls meet Artemis, my mate and husband," Luna said," honey, meet my nieces, Asuka, Serena, Mina and Lita Tenjou."
" Hello girls," Artemis said, smiling.
" Hello, Uncle Artemis," they said, smiling. Then, just as Fuma sat down beside her, Asuka stood up and said," Well… it was nice meeting you, Uncle Artemis. Now if…" Grabbing her hand, Fuma said," And where are you going, little cat?"
" Away from you," Asuka said, trying to break free.
At that, Fuma just smiled and pulled her down, causing her to end up in his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her shoulder, Fuma said," Surely you don't mean that, little cat."
" I do," Asuka said, shrugging him off," now… LET ME GO!"
" Never," Fuma said, tightening his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.
Growling, Asuka elbowed him in the stomach, causing Fuma to gasp and release her. As soon as he did, she stood up and ran out of the living room, towards the garden. As soon as she was gone, Artemis chuckled and said," She's a wildcat, this one." Oh yes, and I'm going to enjoy taming this little wildcat, Fuma thought as he stood up and followed her, I'm sure of it.
-
In the garden, Asuka sat on a bench within the gazebo, gazing at the pond and singing a lullaby her mother used to sing to her and Serena when they were little. However, in the middle of her song, she gasped as a pair of hands snaked around her waist and a strong voice said," Found you, little cat." Shrugging him off, she stood up, turned and said," Why won't you leave me alone, Fuma?"
" Because you're my mate for life, little cat," Fuma said, smiling.
" Go drown yourself," she hissed. Then she ran past him and into the house.
-
Retreating back to Fuma's room, Asuka walked over to the closet, bends down and opened her duffle bag. Taking her towel and a white dress out, she stood up and went into the bathroom. Closing the door behind her, she took off her dress, got in the shower and turned it on. Then, lifting her head, she closed her eyes and sighed.
Shortly after, she opened her eyes, turned off the water and got out. Drying herself on her towel, she slipped on the white dress and dried her hair. Then she picked up her discarded dress and went out. Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, she slammed into a hard chest.
Looking up, she found herself staring at none other than Fuma. Smiling, he wrapped his arms around her waist and said," My, my, my. What do we have here? You've finally given up and accepted me, is that it?" Scoffing, Asuka said," As if." Then, walking around her and nuzzling her neck, he said," Anyways, it just occurred to me that I forgot something."
" And what, pray tell, is that?" she asked, shrugging him off.
" This," he said and nicked her.
Gasping, Asuka broke away and turned to face him. Her hand going to her neck, she said," You…" Taking a step forward, Fuma smiled and said," Yes, me. Now you're mine and I don't share." Taking two steps back to match his forward one, Asuka said," You…"
Before she could finish, Fuma lunged at her and pinned her to the bed. Smiling down at her, he leaned down and claimed her mouth in a kiss. Turning her head away and breaking the kiss, she said," Get off of me, Fuma."
" No," Fuma said, nuzzling her neck.
" I have to go find Sere, Mina and Lita," Asuka said.
" They're in the living room," Fuma said, nipping at her ear.
" Uh… girl time," Asuka said.
With that, she pushed him off of her, jumped out of bed and ran out the door. As the door slammed behind her, Fuma chuckled and said, telepathically,' You're mine now, little cat, and whoever wants you will have to succeed in killing me first.'
' Go stick you head in ice,' Asuka hissed, stopping at the bottom of the stairs to catch her breath. Then, as she walked into the living room, Serena said," Where've you been, Sis?"
" The garden," Asuka said, sitting down.
" Oh," Mina said," and?"
" And the pond is so clear that I can almost see the bottom," Asuka said.
" Have you seen the flowers yet, Asuka?" Lita asked.
" No," Asuka said.
" Do you want to go see them, Asuka?" Raye asked.
" Would I ever," Asuka said. Smiling, Raye stood up and said," Come on then. Let's go."
-
Swiftly and silently, Asuka descended the stairs and opened the front door. Stepping out into the cool night air, she quietly closed the door behind her. Reaching out with her senses, she smiled and swiftly made her way out the gate. Disappearing into the forest, she stopped and turned back to look at the mansion. With a sigh, she said," I'm sorry, girls. Forgive me." At that, she turned and disappeared further into the forest, her duffle bag in hand.