Guys… I'm soooooo sorry! I've been working on getting my grades up **it worked!** and trying to get my learners permit… Ugh! LOTS O STRESS! Well… I hope this can make up for it! I love you all for commenting and reading my stories! ^_^

Anything you recognize, I do NOT own!

-Cody's POV-

I was lying in my bed, looking at the ceiling, when I felt it.

Something's wrong, I thought.

Despair and anger were washing over me…but it was NOT from me…

Katelyn!

Suddenly, I wanted to find her and knew that I could if I trusted my instincts.

I quietly snuck out of my window, figuring my parents wouldn't notice if I was gone for a couple of hours. Once I was on the ground, I turned into my panther form. (Actually…that's what my last name means: nahtepa is Russian for panther.)

Soon, I was running quickly on four legs.

When I knew I was only a block away, I turned back into my human form.

That's when I heard Katelyn yelling, "Why did you take her?"

The words confused me. Take who? What had happened?

Again, I was running. This time straight to the oak tree that my Katie was crying under. I stood over her for what felt like hours, just watching her cry her heart out. And it was KILLING me! I wanted so badly to go and just hold her while she cried, to find out what was wrong.

Finally, tired of just watching, I sighed loudly. Then I lowered myself closer to Katie.

She gasped and turned to look at me.

"Cody?" she whispered and I could feel my eyes brighten as she said my name.

"Hey, Katie," I whispered back, my voice sounding rough. I climbed down the tree and stood in front of her as she sat up and wiped the tears away, embarrassed.

"Why'd you call me that?" she asked, half laughing, half crying.

"I dunno. It was just easier to say." I shrugged and she chuckled, then motioned for me to sit next to her. I did so and positioned myself so I was looking right at her.

Katelyn took a deep breath, then asked the question I had been wondering how to answer. "How long were you up there?" she asked, glancing up at the beautiful huge oak tree above us.

"Ummm… A couple of hours," I admitted reluctantly.

Katie's eyes widened. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I was out for a nightly walk 'round the block and I heard someone scream 'Why did you take her?' So, I came running and when I found you, curled up and crying, I decided I'd stay and watch over you."

Katie looked up at me again, tears slowly falling down her pink cheeks. "Thank you," she whispered gratefully.

After a few seconds, I put my arm around her shoulders.

'You're so welcome," I whispered into her hair. I pulled back and positioned her so that she was facing me directly, but her head was down. I put my hands on her cheeks, attempting to lift her face to me, only ending up getting the most amazingly blissful shock of my life.

Katie's eyes widened and she then backed away from me. My hands were still on her face though, and the next thing I heard made me smile…"Soulmates!" It was Katie's thought. So, surprising her even more, I thought back, "Yes. We're soulmates. And I really love you, Katie." Her eyes were so moist now, that I had to pull her into a hug.

She started crying. I stroked her hair as she cried for her mom, herself, for us…but mostly her mom. I could feel the wave of depression rolling over her and crashing into me. It was uncomfortable, feeling this way. I wasn't used to such strong emotions.

Maybe this is for the best…