Disclaimer: I do not own TUC. I wish I did but then, I might ruin it all for you.

AN: I kind of went on my own here so all the others had no idea what this pairing was (TwitchtipxTwirltongue), when I did it (Christmas Eve), where I was writing (jk, they probably know at least that much). Point is, this is my Christmas present to them. Merry Christmas everybody! Oh yeah...Dee here. :P

Rated: T (no lemon, sorry)

Extra Note: Okay, yeah. They're OOC, I know. I'm not the best when it comes to writing IC in such a time crunch. But I did what I can so I'll see y'all for the next pairing. It's also freaking short!

Affection:

"You don't belong here. Shouldn't you know that by now?"

"You're nothing more than just a waste of space, a waste of food."

As if I needed more reminders. Every day, I was pelted with these insults from Twirltongue and her gang. I made an effort to avoid them but they too made an effort to find me just so they could insult me even more. One day, things got physical.

"You're still here? What a shame. I don't know what Ripred saw in you when he decided to give you that trial run. Most likely, you won't make it. You're all weak. Probably going to die on this mission he gives you."

I remained silent. If I had learned anything from the previous attacks, it was that it was easier to remain quiet than speak up. The fact that Twirltongue had two gnawers flanking her was proof enough. They were quite large.

"Speak up, runt. Twirltongue's talking to you."

More silence.

"I said, speak up!" Before I could respond, the gnawer to the right grabbed me by the throat and started choking me. I tried to find a way out but the lack of oxygen put quite a toll on my thinking process.

The gnawer to the right sneered. "I say we have a little fun with this one. Look at her, all small and vulnerable. She'll be great for our entertainment."

"Of course! She's not going to complain after all. She did join because she wanted some company. So, let's be good hosts and give her what she wants."

Crap. I was going to be tortured, humiliated, and then killed by these guys. I knew their style and it wasn't pretty. I stopped fighting against the hold and hoped for the best…whatever that could possibly be.

"No."

Who said that? Before I could open my eyes to see, I was dropped and I no longer felt any force cutting off my air supply. While catching my breath, I looked up. The two gnawers were staring at Twirltongue who was frowning down at me.

"But Twirltongue…"

"Do you boys really think we can get away with it this time? Leave her alone before Ripred finds us trying to kill her. He's not going to be happy if we actually do kill her."

"I would be more than willing to be killed by Ripred if it means we can have a little fun with her."

Twirltongue gave him a hard look. "I assure you, we'll find others you can have fun with. Just leave her alone."

Both of the gnawers looked sad but somehow left without putting up a fight. Twirltongue glared at me before following them out. I stayed close to the wall, trying to erase the feeling around my neck. I could feel where each finger was and every time I brushed it, tears started to form. I continued to sit there, hoping that nobody would find me. Maybe I just needed time to myself.

"Knock knock."

I froze up. I knew that sneering voice any day. They were back. Or so I thought. I sniffed and realized there was only one gnawer in here besides me. Sniff. Female. What was Twirltongue going to do to me now? I heard a footstep and then another. They were light but I could hear them clearly in the empty sound of the cave.

"Stop. Don't come any closer to me."

She didn't listen to me. She sat down next to me, slowly breathing in and out. "I just want to talk."

I turned my head the other way. I didn't care if her intentions were good or bad; I didn't want to listen to her.

"Twitchtip, be reasonable. I'm just here to apologize. I shouldn't have let it be taken out of hand. Are you okay?"

Be reasonable? How the hell could I "be reasonable"? Her minions were about to kill me and worse! That was it. I had enough of her taunting and abuse. I clenched my left paw into a fist and aimed straight for her nose. Thankfully, she reacted the way I wanted. One of her paws cut my shoulder. I yelped in pain but I was quick to move back. I got a claw into her stomach and I was aiming for her head when she suddenly tackled me to the ground. This is it, I thought. I'm going to die. I waited for the blow but nothing happened.

"What? Are you too chicken to kill me?"

Twirltongue snarled. "Do you think I enjoy killing?"

I gaped at her. We were gnawers; it was in our nature to be brutal. "Yes?"

"You don't know anything about me then," she scoffed. "Why do you think I bring those two knuckleheads around? They do the killing for me."

Oh. Well that was definitely a nice thought. She would kill if she wanted to but she just wants her friends to do it for her. Wonderful.

"But you see, I don't want to kill you. If I did, you would've been dead a long time ago."

"That's only because you're scared of what Ripred would do to you!"

"Bah. That's what I told the two so I could scare them as well. No, I didn't want to kill you because I didn't want you to die. I like you."

I narrowed my eyes. "You sure have an odd way of showing your affection."

Twirltongue shrugged. "You can't really blame me. I have to be on my guard. I have a reputation to uphold."

I was still confused but I gave it up. "So…what do you want with me?"

"This." And she leaned forward and kissed me lightly.