Morning came and Fuma awoke to find Asuka gone. Reaching out with his senses, he frowned when he couldn't sense her presence at all. Getting out of bed, he walked over to the closet, threw it open and gasped at seeing that Asuka's duffle bag was gone. Growling in anger, he threw open his door and rushed out of the house.

' Where are you going, Fuma?' came Darien's voice.

' Asuka's gone,' were his only words, as he shape-shifted into his feline form.

She was running, sprinting actually. Her feet barely touched the ground before it was off the earth again. She's been running all night and hunger was slowly starting to eat at her. However, she pushed herself on, knowing that they will find her if she stopped to hunt.

Breaking away from the forest, she continued non-stop across the grassy fields. Spotting a herd of antelopes ahead, she finally gave in to her hunger and stopped. Setting her bag down, she shape-shifted and quietly made her way towards the herd. As she got closer, she crouched down and looked for the easiest and quickest prey.

Finding a baby antelope wonder away from its mother, she silently crept closer and pounced. Sharp canines sank into the helpless baby antelope's neck, tearing through muscles and veins. She held the baby in her jaws, as blood poured out from the wound.

The herd escaped, leaving her with her kill. Releasing the baby, she scented the air and then settled down to feast while reaching out with her senses to detect any movements going on around her. She had not feasted long before her senses picked up movement in the woods behind her and her ears picked up padded feet heading her way. Scenting the air, she inwardly groaned and was reluctant to leave her kill.

Bounding back to where she had placed her bag, she shape-shifted back into her human form. Bending down, she grabbed her bag and took off. However, she had not gone far when an angry tiger leapt before her, blocking her path.

' Just where do you think you're going, Asuka?' came Fuma's angry voice.

" Anywhere as long as it's away from YOU," Asuka said, with her hands on her hips.

' You WILL return with me back to the mansion!' Fuma growled, shape-shifting into his human form.

" Never," Asuka said, glaring at his bossy tone," I take orders from NO ONE, especially not from YOU!"

" You will return with me," Fuma said, walking towards her," or I'll drag you back."

" Go to hell, bastard," Asuka snapped, as her hand flew out and slapped him across the face.

Turning to look at her, Fuma smiled and, grabbing her hands, pulled her forward into his embrace. Pushing at him, she said," Let me go, you bastard."

" No," Fuma said. Then he lifts her up and, tossing her over his shoulder, walked back with Asuka kicking and screaming.

" Damn it," Lita said, pacing about the living room," why must she…" Just then, the front door opened and a voice cried," PUT ME DOWN, YOU MANGY, CHAUVINISTIC, ARROGANT, ILL-MANNERED LOUT! I SAID PUT ME DOWN, YOU BLASTED CUR! YOU INFURIATING BASTARD, PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!"

Heaving a long-suffering sigh, Serena, Mina and Lita went into the parlor followed by their mates. Sure enough, there was Fuma walking in with a screaming and kicking Asuka over his shoulder. Kicking the front door closed, Fuma smiled at them and carried her to his room.

Entering his room, Fuma kicked the door closed and, placing her on the bed, took out a rope from the drawer of his nightstand. Then, pulling her to him, Fuma said,

" I'm sorry but you leave me no choice, little one." With that, he tied her hands behind her with one end of the rope and the other around the bedpost. Tugging at the rope, Asuka cried," Damn it, what is it that you want from me, you bastard?"

" You," Fuma said, softening a bit.

" Go stick your head in ice," Asuka hissed," because you'll NEVER have me." Shaking his head and sighing, Fuma said," You can't keep running forever, little one. Sooner or later you're bound to accept that."

Glaring at him, Asuka turned and gazed out the window. Standing, Fuma turned and went out. Closing the door behind him, he sighed and went to his study. Sitting in his chair, he closed his eyes and massaged his temple.

' What's wrong, brother?' came Darien's worried voice.

' Nothing's wrong, little brother,' Fuma said,' I'm just tired.'

' She's your mate for life, brother,' Darien said,' she can't escape what has been preordained before our births.'

' Don't you think I know that, little brother,' Fuma snapped,' I just wish she'd stop resisting me.'

' Give her time,' Kunzite said,' she can't fight the fact that she's your mate for long. The attraction's too strong.'

Hearing the door close, Asuka sighed. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on calming herself. However…

' Asuka!' came Lita's angry voice.

' What is it, Lita?' Asuka asked, groaning and opening her eyes.

' Why did you run away, Asuka? Why, when you know that he'll track you down and drag you back?' Mina asked.

' No reason. I just didn't want to stay here anymore,' Asuka said,' you know me, girls, I can't stay in one place for long. I get restless if I do.'

' That may be true but its safe here, Sis,' Serena said,' even you can sense that.'

' Besides aren't you tired of running from place to place, Asuka?' Lita asked.

' No,' Asuka said,' I mean, I'd rather be out there in the forest running free than in here right now.'

' Why's that, Asuka?' Mina asked.

' HE TIED MY HANDS TO THE BEDPOST!' Asuka cried.

Soft laughter vibrated through her mind at the mental picture she sent them. Scowling, she said,' Oh, would you guys stop laughing. This is injustice, I tell you. He has no right to do this to me.'

' Sorry, Sis,' Serena said,' but he IS your mate, you know.'

' Thus, he has the right to punish you however he sees fit,' Lita said.

' Oh, forget it. I forgot who I was talking to,' Asuka said.

Sensing nothing from his room, Fuma frowned. Fearing she might have run off, he stood up and went to his room. Opening the door, he peeked in and smiled at seeing Asuka leaning against the bed post, fast asleep. Walking over, he sat down beside her and held her against him as he untied her hands. Once done, he carefully laid her down on his pillow and pulled the covers over her. Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, he kissed her forehead and said," I'm sorry, little one. Sweet dreams." With a peck on her cheek, he straightened and left.

Morning came and Asuka awoke to find herself in Fuma's arms. Reaching out with her senses, she smiled at finding Serena and the girls waking up. As she went to remove his arms from around her waist, Fuma frowned and tightened his arms around her. Wriggling, she said," Fuma." When he didn't respond, she frowned and said, telepathically,' Fuma! WAKE UP!' When he did nothing but snuggled closer, she said," That's it, you're waking up now!"

At that, she extracted her claws and dug it into his arm. Jolting awake, Fuma sat up in bed and grabbed his arm. Smiling, she retracted her claws and slipped out of bed. Assessing his injury and looking at her, Fuma said," That was not a very nice thing to do, little one." Shrugging, Asuka said," You only have yourself to blame, Fuma, I asked you nicely to wake up and you didn't. So don't tell me what's nice and what's not."

With that, she turned and stepped out onto the balcony. Shaking his head and smiling, Fuma got out of bed and went into the bathroom to wash up. Hearing the door close, she sighed, turned and walked over to the closet.

Opening the closet, she took out a sleeveless white dress and changed into it. Then, closing the closet, she reached out with her senses and found the girls just waking up. Smiling, she went out and made her way downstairs to the library.

Entering the library and closing the door behind her, Asuka walked over to the nearest shelf. Glancing at the books, she grabbed one from the shelf and walked over to the couch. Sitting down and glancing at the cover, she smiled and, opening it, began reading.

Closing the door behind him, Fuma turned around and was surprised to find Asuka gone. Not again, Fuma thought, reaching out with his senses. Finding her in the library with Amy and Zoisite, he smiled, walked over to the closet and changed. Then, closing the closet, he turned, went out and went down to the library. Just then…

' Everyone come to the living room,' came Jadeite's voice,' I have something to tell you all.'

" … within him," Zoisite said.

" It breaks my heart to have to kill the Tigeras that gives in to the demon within them," Asuka said," but …"

' Everyone come to the living room,' came Jadeite's voice,' I have something to tell you all.' Glancing at each other, Asuka, Amy and Zoisite stood up and, as they went out, Asuka said," Hmm… I wonder what could it be."

" Let's go and find out," Zoisite said.

Entering the living room, they nod in greeting to everyone in the living room and sat down. Entering the living room, Fuma walked over to sit beside Asuka and, wrapping his arms around her, said," So what is it that you wanted to tell us, Jadeite?"

" I'm going to be a father soon," Jadeite said, smiling and hugging Raye to him. Shrugging Fuma off of her, Asuka smiled and said," Congratulations, Raye and Jadeite."

" Yeah," everyone said," congratulations."

" Thanks, everyone," Jadeite and Raye said, smiling.

" Now if you'll excuse me," Asuka said," I'm going to go back to the library and finish my book."

With that, she turned and walked back to the library, followed by Fuma, Amy and Zoisite. As soon as they entered the library and before she could get her book, Fuma jumped over the couch and grabbed her book. Holding out her hand, she said," Can I have my book back, Fuma? Please."

" Um… no," Fuma said, looking at the title," because this is one of my favorite books, too."

" Good, you can read it when I'm done," Asuka said," now, can I please have my book back, Fuma?"

" Tell you what, little cat," Fuma said," how about we… read together?"

Before Asuka could reply. Fuma grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. Unprepared, Asuka ended up in his lap and, wrapping his arms around her waist, Fuma opened the book to where she left off and began reading. Grabbing her book, she jumped up and walked over to sit by the window. Sticking her tongue out at him, she opened her book and continued reading from where she left off.

Chuckling at her childish antics, Fuma stood up and walked over to sit beside her. Slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder, he said," Like this is fine with me too, little cat." Closing her book, she shrugged him off and said," Actually, I'll finish reading some other time." Then, as she made to stand, he tightened his arms around her and said," You're not…"

" As much as I'd like to read with you, Fuma," Asuka said, cutting him off," I can't because I, uh… I forgot I promised the girls that we'll go swimming again today. And it's girls only so… do you want to come, Amy?"

" Sure," Amy said, closing her book and handing it to Zoisite.

" Now will you let me go?" Asuka asked.

" Well, ok," Fuma said, releasing her," and little cat."

As she turned to face him, Fuma claimed her lips in a kiss. Breaking the kiss, her hand came up and, just as she was going to slap him, Fuma caught her hand and brought it to his lips. Growling, she yanked her hand away and stood up. Then, glaring at him, she turned and walked out of the room, followed by Amy.

Serena and the girls were seated in the living room when Asuka came storming in. Looking up and sighing, Serena said," What's wrong now, Sis?"

" She's just mad because Fuma kissed her," Amy said, walking into the living room and smiling.

" Aw… and we missed it," Serena said, snapping her fingers," darn it."

" Anyways, who wants to go swimming down by the lake?" Asuka asked, changing the subject.

" I do," Serena said, standing.

" Us too," Lita, Mina and Raye said, as they stood up.

" And…"

" Maybe next time, Asuka," Luna said, with a smile.

" Ok," Asuka said," well… let's go, girls."

" Have you seen Serena and the girls, bro?" Darien asked, walking into the library along with Kunzite, Nephrite and Jadeite.

" Yeah," Kunzite said," they're not in the living room. Well… except for a sleeping Luna."

" They aren't in the garden either," Nephrite said.

" Or anywhere else in the mansion for that matter," Jadeite said.

" That's because they're swimming down by the lake," Zoisite said, looking up from his book.

" When did…"

" A few minutes ago," Zoisite said, closing his book and standing," and it's girls only."

" Since when has that ever been a problem, Zoi?" Fuma asked, closing his book and standing.

" Never," Zoisite said, smiling.

" Let's go, guys," Fuma said, putting his book down.

" Right," they said, smirking.

' Freedom. YIPEEE!' Mina cried, telepathically as she ran towards the lake. Jumping up, she shape-shift back into her human form and dived into the water.

Smiling inwardly, Asuka, Serena, Lita, Raye and Amy stopped by the shore and shape-shift back into their human form. Then, as Mina surfaced, they dived into the water. Surfacing beside her, Asuka smiled and said," Hey, girls, race you to the other side and back."

" You're on," they said.

So they got into position and took off. Then, Asuka dived underwater, followed by the girls. Reaching the other side, she surfaced, turned and dived back underwater. Then, reaching their starting point, she surfaced and turned around. Soon Serena and the girls surfaced beside her.

Suddenly, a hand snaked around her waist and legs and lifts her out of the water. Screaming, Asuka looked up and, seeing that it was only Fuma, gasped. Chuckling, Fuma said," Don't worry, baby, I got you." Glaring at him, she said," Let me go this instant, Fuma!"

" Never," Fuma said, kissing her forehead and setting her down.

Growling, she shoved him away and swam to the rock. Climbing up, she slipped on her dress and stepped onto shore. Then, whirling around to face Fuma and hissing, she said," Stay away from me, Fuma!"

" No," Fuma said, smiling. Snarling, Asuka shape-shifted, turned and disappeared into the forest, heading back to the mansion. Chuckling, Fuma shape-shifted and took off after her, followed by everyone else.

Seeing the mansion ahead, Asuka shape-shifted back into her human form. Entering the mansion, she went straight to the library and closed the door. Walking to her seat by the window, she picked up her book and sat down. Then, turning to where she left off, she masked her presence and continued reading.

Entering the mansion, Fuma fanned out his senses. Coming up behind him, Darien said," What's wrong, bro?"

" Asuka's not in the mansion," Fuma said, frowning at not finding her anywhere. At that, Serena said," Try this, Fuma. Close your eyes, tune everything out and concentrate. Only then will you be able to find her wherever she may be."

" Ok," Fuma said.

With that, Fuma fanned out his senses, closed his eyes and, tuning everything out, concentrated. Then, opening his eyes, he smiled and said," Thanks, Sere."

" No problem," Serena said, smiling as Fuma walked down to the library.

Opening the door, Fuma peeked in and smiled when he saw Asuka asleep by the window with the book she's reading face down on her lap. Walking over, he picked up the book, closed it and set it down. Then he gently picked her up and carried her to their room.

Entering their room, he carried her over to the bed. Carefully, he laid her down on her pillow and pulled the covers over her. Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, he smiled, kissed her forehead and said," Sweet dreams, my love." Then, placing a light kiss on her lips, he straightened and went out.