Wow! I can't believe how many people actually read the A/N and tried to help me out of my funk! (Thank you Freak014 for the slap it really helped) Some people decided to be weird and hugged me instead (peanut gallery) some even slapped me and hugged me!(Priscel, I am looking at you!) and then there was the entirely random stretching of my cheeks by memine. shakes head Nice to know you people are listening. Thank you also to the reviewers like Ultra Rodimus, Yasei Raiden, Silver cateyes, and matty-boy, people like you make me smile.
One last thing before I begin, at 200 reviews mark I'll be tossing another yaoi oekaki to ya! :D So, read and review people! grin When it hits 200 look in my profile to find a link to the picture, kay? It'll be on the top and the bottom.
Chapter 12
"Neko! Get off the desk! I'm trying to type!" Duo sleepily opened his eyes and looked up at Heero before yawning widely to show off his teeth and casually stick out his tongue. Ignoring the japanese man's protests he stretched out on his comfy bed, aka the keyboard, and went back to his nap.
"I mean it you mangy cat, get off." With another yawn Duo rolled his upper body so that his belly fur showed, knowing Heero thought it was adorable. For a moment he wavered before grabbing the cat and pulling him forward off the keys. Pouting a little Duo reached out and hooked his claws in his pet human's shirt, one on each shoulder, making them more or less face to face, remarkabley without Duo moving his back legs at all. The two had a staring contest for a long moment with Duo the eventualy victor, Heero growled and looked away. "Fine you can stay on the desk, but not the keyboard." Dragging the limp cat closer to his chest he made a warm nest with his arms which his furry rommmate gratfully snuggled into.
"You're a spoiled brat Neko." Muttering Heero slumped forward and nuzzled the cat affectionately, betraying his harsh words. With a purr and a lick Duo let him know his feelings weren't hurt. Staying hunched over the cat and resting his chin on its stomach Heero kept typing, even if it was a little ackward. Throughly enjoying the moment Duo cuddled in as tight as he could and happily breathed in the warm dark scent that was uniquely Heero.
For a long time they stayed like that. Finally though Heero stood and stretched out his back. Duo sleepily protested and was rewarded by an apologetic rub behind the ears. Purring Duo arched under his touch and nipped playfully at the digits when they stopped the enjoyable motions. "Silly cat." Chuckling Heero flicked Duo's ear playfully before scooping up the limp furball for more snuggles. "I love ya Neko." With a faulty purr Heero rubbed noses, not noticing the surprise in Duo's eyes.
He loves me? Breaking into loud purrs Duo affectionately made it apparent he was pleased. I love you too!
#
The days fell into a comfortable pattern, they would tease each other, eat together, bathe together and fall asleep curled under the same blanket every night. On occasion Heero even let him curl up in panther form to sleep. Duo liked it best when Heero painted him or had him pose for a sketch. It was pleasant to lay stretched in the lap of a human while in the body of the panther, knowing he was completely accepted. Heero didn't mind how big he was, he'd pet him and treat him just the same.
Nothing note worthy happened for almost two weeks, just a day away from full moon in fact. Feeling edgy with the moon nearly to her peek Duo had to get out of the house he had been cooped up in for so long, he had to run and be free and kill. Understanding Heero let him out when it got dark, simply wishing him well. The moment that dark wood door closed behing him a thrill raced through his body. Shivering he flexed his claws, aware of Heero watching him for a moment from the window. Howling ferally he tore off towards the treeline muscles bunching and rippling beneath his skin.
Already he could feel the itch in his fur, the slight tingle that sent remors up and down his spine. Tommorrow night, he was so very close to full moon. Above him the nearly complete moon danced, brightening his path and filling his blood with relentless energy. For once in so long he was truly alive, truly free. A familiar path fell beneath his paws, an old hunting trail that led him deeper into thick tangles of wilderness towards the fresh flesh his body longed for.
Miles from home he stopped and breathed in chill night air heavily, winded from his ground eating run. Panting softly he dropped his head to scent a track, knowing that life wold be taken at least twice before he was satisfied. Shivering he began stalking towards the beating heart loud in his ears. Each step was soft, finding a foothold beneath leaves and avoiding fallen twigs. With the wind stiff in his face he knew there was no way the creature could smell him. Moving suddenly he bolted from the covering and sunk teeth and claws into the flailing rabbit. Salty and unfathomabley wonderful the blood filled hi mouth, slaking the craving marginally. He longed to share this feeling with Heero, the hunt and the ultimate rightness it provided to his soul.
Even as his prey moved in it's death throws a fresh smell hit him from upwind and startled him into releasing the twitching rabbit. That was a human. Heero? Heart jumping he started towards the smell before realizing it couldn't be his pet, it was too far and the smell was all wrong. Curious now he continued slowly forward, ears perking at movement. Then a sound was loud in his ears and he jumped back in surprise.
Something was wrong. Eyes wide and pupils dilated he slowly lowered his gaze to his chest, seeing a large dart buried in his skin. Already the fur around it was matted with dark blood. As soon as he saw it the pain hit, sharp and peircing. Staggering a little he ripped the cruel lance from his flesh and stared at it, head swimming. Something was very very wrong. Struggling to breath he turned back towards home, flinching as another louder explosion heralded a second streak of agony arching through his shoulder. Glancing back he saw a flash of pink as the hunter raised her gun for another shot.
No thoughts except home and safety entered his mind then. Shoving his suffering to the back of his conscious he took off, ducking and dodging through trees in a path eating lope back where he came from. As he fled he was vaguely aware of little things like his breath catching in his throat and blood trickling down his leg. A couple of times he felt the itchy brush of a bush slapping against the open wound and he winced, knowing he was leaving a trail but too panicked to be more cautious. His legs were quickly becoming leaden and his mind fogged with each deperate lunge. Right in front of him his vision spiked and blurred.
So close now, he could smell Heero and the tang of cooked soup with a thick background of rancid garbage from the can by the road. Salvation was within sight, the light from a window raising his heart from between the trees. It was that exact moment his body gave way to the tranquilzer coursing through his veins, speed along by the frantic pumping of his heart. His front legs seized up first while his back kept moving towards his goal, sending him tumbling forward over his face, his chin hitting the ground hard. The impact made him bite his tongue so he could taste his own blood. Sprawled undignified that way he fell into blackness.
#
As the sun came up Heero worried over his mug of coffee. Neko hadn't come back last night, and while he supposed it was understandable it didn't change the fact he couldn't sleep with that warm bundle of softness purring in his ear. Sipping the black bitter liquid he walked towards the front door, wishing to watch the sunrise with his coffee. Holding the mug he pushed it open and leaned against the doorjam heavily. Ah. Breathing in sweet cold air he watched the soft oranges and yellows paint across pale pale blue sky.
Lowering his eyes to sweep across the treeline as he took another sip he noticed something dark and oddly shaped. Choking on the hot liquid when he realized that it was his beloved shapeshifter lying sprawled Heero dropped the uniform grey mug and dashed to his side. "Neko!" Seizing the large noble head in both hands he lifted it into his lap. "Neko, Neko."
Feeling numb he ran one hand through the fur, flinching when he found sticky dampness. Instantly fury filled his being, whatever had hurt His Neko would PAY!! Growling harshly he hugged the unconscious feline's head before shifting to draw the limp body into his arms. To his surprise the panther wasn't very heavy at all, not much more than the average person. As he turned and began back towards the house he realized Neko weighed the same in both forms, more than a house cat should but much less than a regular panther. Wondering on that fact he stepped across the shattered bit of ceramic and already cold liquid back into warm shelter.
Shifting Neko a little he kicked the door shut and hurried towards his room. "It'll be okay buddy." Whispering in the cat's ear he gently laid him down on the violet coverings and ran to get the first aid kit. Cleaning up and bandaging a panther was not the easiest thing he had ever done but he managed to get most of the sticky blood around the punctures off and wads of cotton pressed to the mouth of both entrances. Luckily the bullet had only skimmed his shoulder and from what Heero could see it hadn't been a bullet to the chest. After wrapping gauze in wide swathes around the panther's leg and torso ackwardly to hold the cotton in place his work was done.
Patting the still unaware animal he tugged out the covers and tucked his sweet Neko under the covers, not caring that he was treating him more like a person than a cat. Heero looked down at himself with a frown, blood and cat hair coated him like a badly made sweater. Sighing he turned to go and shower then clean up that broken mug.
Through the day he continued to check on the cat, concerned when he didn't wake up. Nervous he cleaned obsessively and ducked back every five minutes. He even ate dinner sitting cross legged on the bed, hoping the smell of food would wake up his roommate but no luck. Finally when the sun started down he wriggled under the blankets and hugged the limp panther. "Night Neko." Rubbing a thumb under his eye he let his head fall back on the pillow and drift off.
#
Fresh morning light fell into Heero's eyes waking him up slowly and painfully. Groaning at the peircing intrusion he buried his face against his bedmate's neck and hugged the yeilding body closer. For a few minutes he stayed that way, breathing in the smell of sweat and blood. Neko's body felt different... Eyes still clenched shut he stroked down his back, realizing the warmth he was cuddle against was completly furless. What? Pushing himself up he nearly had a heart attack to see the serene face of Duo in place of his precious pet.
Scrambling away his mind blanked in realization that under the covers Duo was completly nude save for loose and dirty bandages hanging around his chest and arm. Slowly, sleepily, Duo stretched out and moaned before turning weary eyes to Heero. "Why'd you stop the petting? Felt good..." His words slightly slurred Duo hugged a pillow close and sighed. Heart stopping Heero's gaze drifted down the bare body, silently cursing that damn blanket that obstructed everything beyond the defined curve of Duo's hip.
Very slowly his brain started working and adding things up. Let's see, Duo dissappears, Neko, a shapeshifter cat, shows up. Go to sleep with Neko, wake up with Duo in arms instead. Analysis Neko=Duo. Oh shit. The last thought seeming very appropriate to the situation Heero decided to voice it. "Oh shit!"
#
Well then, that's that chapter. He's pretty thick but Heero eventually gets the point, especially when it's demonstrated via a naked bishounen in his bed. Heh heh. Okay people, here is the link to the picture featuring Duo and Heero cuddling under a purple blanket, nekkid as far as you can tell. http:www. deviantart. com/view/9503286/ No spaces! Heh. Stay tuned for the next chapter which will be almost nothing but FLUFF!!!! YAY!!! Sorry for everyone who feels I cheated by skipping those two weeks...
