ShapeShifter

Big Cat

A duo of unnatural blue lights reflected between trees, a silhouette surrounding them in a form that seemed fluid in motion, but yet still almost a bit too small for what the owner of the silhouette was. In the moonlight, the glossy coat as dark as shadow was barely visible anymore, and low her joints crouched as if about to pounce. Those unnerving blue eyes scanned through the clearing, amusement playing on feline features. Slowly, she crawled into the patch of grass ahead of her and kept her eyes ever moving. Through the treeline above, across the grass surrounding her, in the shadows she called her home. Always vigilant to her surroundings.

And there he was, watching over her from a sturdy branch above. While her coat was dark, the spotting only seen in sunlight, his was golden. His spot pattern was clear to see for the world. Green irises were constantly on her, the same humoured light in her blue matching in his green. He had been laying there, waiting for her. Waiting for her to catch up and find him. She was rather close, she could sense he was there but not quite figure out his position laying in the tree. She could feel he was there, but she couldn't narrow it down yet. She was younger than him, less experienced in such things, so on the nights they could get away he would lead her on a chase. Help her reach her potential.

As she walked the perimeter of the clearing, still crouched low in the long grass as if in a tiptoe, she eventually looked up into the tree that she found herself next to. A low rumble left her throat, spotting him up above her. She would know those eyes anywhere. She went to jump onto the branch next to him, but before she even made it off of the ground he was jumping and knocking her to the ground. Her surprised cry rang through the night, stirring nearby birds from their sleep. It wasn't long until the larger, older leopard finally won out, pinning the younger female to the ground as if ready to bite. Her eyes were not discouraged though, still sharp and determined as she tried to kick him off. But the teeth never became visible, never went to tear out her throat. That was never a thought between the two of them. Instead, the sides of their faces met softly, a gentle nuzzle, warm greetings to each other.

The two stayed close for some time, mates embracing under a waxing moon, until when they finally pulled away as different forms entirely. Skin soon revealed itself as fur shifted away, hair returning in it's place. Black that grew down to her hips while brown reached his nape. Her arms wrapped around his neck, keeping him leaning close to her now. Mates they were across two worlds, the human and the wild lives they lived together. She was radiant, skin of moonlight and summer freckles as a gift from the spot. She contrasted against his earthy and welcoming tones, their smiles for each other the only thing matching between them. The low rumble from her chest returned, becoming a contented sigh as their lips briefly met. "I'm getting better."

"You're still taking a long time to narrow it down though. You won't focus in and just over-whelm yourself," he reminded her, moving her long hair out of her face before leaving a chaste kiss to her forehead.

"With everything else you've given me I've been fine. I've done better than anyone else at this. I'm still the best we have for this," she commented to him, letting go and sitting up in front of him.

"Shhh, I know. I know kitten. You're the best I've seen, and you somehow make those around you so much better. But you still have so much you could do, so much you can still reach for ahead of you. I want to help you get to what you've never imagined having before," he assured her, laying next to her in the grass on his side, his head propped up on his hand. "You're still so-"

"Young," she cut him off. "Still so young. Still so small. Still so unprepared for when you won't be around for me anymore." She laid on her side now as well, her back facing him. Rather than propped up, her head rested as if on a pillow even if what was really beneath it was just her upper arm. "Still so behind everyone."