I am so sorry I didn't update in a long time. I was busy with other fanfics and such. This story is about to become more "intense" with romance, starting with this chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter: 8

Flash-Forward

After the bounty mission, Stranger and Mysti were already back at the house. Stranger was counting the reward money in front of fireplace. Mysti came in from the kitchen with two mugs filled with coffee. "How much did we make?", she asked, handing him a mug. "$2, 000", he answered, grabbing the mug.

"Wow, that's a lot." Mysti said, sipping her coffee. Stranger noticed something odd about her. After drinking her coffee, she just stared at the fireplace, as if she was in a trance. He sat next to her. "You seem sad, are you okay?" He asked.

"Oh, I'm okay! Really, I am. You know, you didn't tell me why you needed that operation. Why did you need it?"

"Well, I ……."

"Come on, you can tell me." She said, nudging his shoulder.

"Alright, alright," he started, "It's because of my four legs. I'm considered an animal here. I just wanted to be normal, like everyone else. And you know what, I'm kind of jealous of you, Mysti."

"Why? Is it because of my two legs?"

"Yes, that's right. Steef with two legs aren't worth hunting."

"You mean, Steef with two legs are worthless."

"Yes----I mean no. I didn't mean you're worthless. I meant they look more normal."

"You know what's so weird? I'm kind of jealous of you, too, Stranger."

"Why's that?"

"It's your legs. I wish I had four legs like you. If I had four legs, then at least I'm worth something. Because back home, I was treated like a freak. All because of these two legs of mine. I was the only Steef with two legs. Everyone made fun of me, and even my own mother rejected me. She was a normal four-legged steef, but I wasn't.

When I was just small cub, my mother abandoned me. I was all alone until an elder steef came and raised me. Unlike my mother, he didn't care if I had two legs; he just wanted me to be safe. He taught me how to fight and how to survive. He only stayed with me for three years, then he went back home. I wanted to put my skills to good use, so I became a bounty hunter.

So, you see, Stranger, sometimes it's best to stay the way you are."

He was very surprised and also shocked to hear her story. It sort of made him feel bad. Then suddenly, she started crying. "What's wrong, Mysti?" He asked. She smiled at him, wiping her face. "It's nothing, really. It's just that this is the first time I have ever said this story to anyone other than my brothers and sisters." She answered.

Stranger leaned even closer to her. "Hey, Mysti, I want to ask you something." He asked. She became skeptical about him. "Okay, what?" She answered back.

"Can I kiss you?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'CAN I KISS YOU?'?" She yelled at him. "Why do you ask?"

"'Cause I want to………"

"'CAUSE I WANT TO'! WHAT KIND OF EXUSE IS THAT!" She crossed her arms and sighed. "Well………..alright, go ahead. Just be lucky, I'm 'in the mood.'"

He leaned toward her. And soon, his lips met with hers. They kissed. Slowly, his arms were wrapped around her waist. Mysti's hands were entangled in his mane, and pulling him in even more, increasing the pressure of the kiss. Stranger started getting that feeling inside him. He turned this simple lip lock into a deep French one. "Come on, Mysti, loosen up a little." He thought. Seconds later, she moaned. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" His hand traveled from her waist to her chest. He cupped her breast and gave a little squeeze. This made her moan again.

This kiss lasted for only a few minutes. Mysti broke the kiss and looked at him. "Why did you do that?" She asked. He blushed at her. He answered, "I want to make love to you, when you're ready." Mysti was speechless. She backed away from him and said, "This is just getting weirder by the second." She left him and went to her room. She could hear him yell back to her. "I'M SORRY!" She yelled back to him. "IT'S OKAY! YOU'RE A GUY!" She could hear him walking back to his room.

She smiled evilly. "This is too easy! He's practically wrapped around my finger already. I'll have to get the information. But if he drags me to HIS bed, he's DEAD!"

Okay, this is my first intense romance scene. I think I put Stranger out of character again. Forgive me!