Author's Note: For those interested, there's actually a sketch that goes along with this chapter that can be seen here: post/149858922203/mini-lions-chapter-3

Chapter 3

It was the same nightmare. Random bits and pieces that he could barely comprehend. Being dragged and tossed into a dark cell. The screaming and crying echoing throughout the halls. The desperate faces that would haunt him in the battle ring. There was no hope here.

No escape.

Grrr.

He had to get out.

Grrr!

He was strapped down, called them every curse word and insult he could think of.

Grr!

They didn't care, and proceeded to cut into his shoulder-

GRR!

Shiro bolted up right in his bed. His eyes searched the room for a weapon he could use in the dark, until he felt something headbutt his side.

Panting, he glanced down to see his lion growling softly at him.

"Black?" he whispered and shut his eyes to breath. "Right, not in Zarkon's prison. I'm in the castle, I'm in the castle," he repeated to himself and rang his fingers through his hair. "I'm safe, I'm in the castle."

Black inched closer and butted his elbow with her nose. Shiro gave a soft smile as he reached out and scratched under Black's chin. It was becoming an odd routine between them.

Shiro would have one of his nightmares and wake up to find Black nuzzling against him and demanding pats. The purring from her indicated she enjoyed the gesture, but truthfully, it was beneficial to Shiro. His mind was often in a live or die haze whenever he broke out from his nightmares.

Petting Black was grounding. It was a reminder of the here and now, a reminder that he didn't have to fight tooth and nail. At least not tonight.

"Thanks, Black," Shiro whispered as he pulled Black in for a cuddle. Even though she was made of metal and gears, the heat from her engine caused her to give off a pleasant warmth.

Black gave a gentle growl as she lay her head into his lap. Shiro chuckled amused.

"You know, you remind me a lot of Bandit," he said.

Black flickered her ears curiously at him.

"My grandpa's old dog," Shiro said, as he kept talking and laid back on his pillow. "Died when I was sixteen, but when I had nightmares, always found him laying next to my bed."

Black gave a huff, which Shiro translated as "I am no dog."

He gave a laugh. "Sorry, didn't mean it as an insult." His hand stroked her ears. "It's just...comforting."

Black tilted her head, but seemed to understand as she started to purr. Shiro continued to fiddle with her ears, until his eyes began to close again.

Like a lullaby he heard his mother sing to him as a child, Black continue to purr and soothed him back to sleep. He briefly wondered if Black just saw him as a giant kitten to take care of. He smiled to himself amused and let sleep claim him again.

No more nightmares came that night, and even if they did, Black made certain she would be there to drive them away.