Beast or male, she didn't care. As far as she was concerned, she did not want to be trapped again and dragged away. In her skin she was unable to protect herself, she was in a vulnerable state, weakened by old wounds and by her inability to even defend herself from the sharp teeth and deadly claws. She had been dragged before, but never by her jeans by the teeth of a giant jungle cat. Rather it was always by her limbs, or tight hands around her neck, or long fingers grasping tightly through her golden brown curls. Being stuck in this position not only sparked fear within her, but basic instinct that screamed if she should fight or flight. In the past, among her pack, she never fought or attempted to run, she accepted it, because as they always said- it was for her own good. Yet this was a leopard, she had no trust, and she didn't see the reason as to why she had to be dragged. So, when she punched him square in his face she felt him drop her form. Ignoring his snarl, as she attempted to get up she felt his heavy paw slam her back into the ground. Yet she would grow still as she saw his claws slowly come out. Clenching her teeth, eyes closed as she waited to feel his teeth sink into her pale scarred flesh, but she was startled to feel only his rough sandpaper like tongue work on her wound. Shifting quickly into the only skin she was comfortable, the familiar feeling of warmth overwhelmed her as her thick fur began to settle in place, she would move her battered form in his direction, ready to give the damn spotted cat a piece of her mind. Blue-grey eyes watched as he brought a paw to his muzzle, rubbing it. As his words snapped at her, she noticed his long stringy tail crack like a whip against his sides, that still showed his bones. Her head would lower slightly, her ears going back in an apologetic way. Her tone soft, as her words gently entered his mind.



"I didn't know you were helping...I thought...you were going to attack me...Everyone attacks me...always...no one...ever helps me."



Truly she didn't assume she was in the wrong. After all, anyone be they Were or Human wouldn't assume a leopard charging and pinning her to the ground was an act that showed kindness. She was not aware that he would show kindness, let alone, receive that from anyone. The scars on her skin and hide spoke of not an easy life, and she was not treated by others when she was hurt. As his shoulder rammed into her obsidian scarred chest, her small bulky frame would move back from his weight, taking a step back as he continued to press past her. Her fluffy grey and black tail would go down, the tip rubbing the back of her paw as she wallowed on the spot. As he sauntered off, she would take a tentative step towards him, but she would pause as she felt his words twist and stab her heart. To know that she could have had a friend, for the first time, it had brought her such pained joy. Joy that someone would want to be around her, but pain because she had ruined her chances. Wolves, like humans, were social creatures. Being alone and anti-social was not natural...it was unhealthy. Nature demanded that these creatures were indeed to always be among others, to live together, and she had been alone for so long, even within a structured society. She would take another step forward, her ears pricked forward, as her soft tone trickled gently, weakly.



"I want...a friend...I...don't want to be alone."



A very soft whine barely came from her close muzzle. As he got closer to the woods, not stopping, she would follow quietly behind him, not a peep was made. His words were sharp and bitter to take in. She wasn't used to someone wanting to spend time with her. Every now and then they would cross paths and stick around and then leave to go their merry way. She had caught various scents on him, all feline, male and females. Yet she never questioned it. It was not her place to ask such things. She was a loner, and she was not involved in any sort of pack or pride. Besides, they had other matters to attend to than her asking him what life was like, being in a good stable pack. Mostly it was just finding food. She was aware that she was being used for such a thing, but at least she was needed for something. But the possibility of being moved up to a more familiar status, like a friend, well it was too hard of an opportunity to pass up. As she got closer to him, she nervously stood beside him extending her muzzle as she gently nuzzled near the back of his neck, between his shoulder, the touch was gentle and soft her gentle voice entered his mind once more, before she pulled her head back towards her.

"Please...please be...my friend...never had one...I'll be good...I promise."



Her tail would lift slightly in a friendly manner, but it would falter as her dial would tilt to the side. His comment about his face being broken caused her to simply stare. She knew full well her punch wasn't that damaging to his face. As he would continue to walk forward, her head would tilt once more as he suddenly crashed to the ground. Her ears would perk up at the groaning sound he was making as he continued to roll on his side. Shaking her head she would give him an annoyed look.



"Tobi...you are faking...you are not hurt..."



She would slowly start to move around his form, her head lowered as her cold nose wiggled tasting his scents. Nothing on him proclaimed that his annoying yowls gave away any form of weakness that would cause the leopard to lie down and roll around in pain. As she got up on his other side, not wanting to tripudiate over him, blue-grey eyes met his golden ones, as a wolfish grin appeared on her muzzle. Her fluffy tail would gently slide over his muzzle up his forward, slowly and good-humoredly, before she lifted it and returned it to her. Her tone held a teasing note to it, showing a playful side. She wasn't sure if they were friends or not, let alone, what one does with a friend, but she assumed teasing lightly was appropriate.



"Do you...want to admit...to others...that I beat you up? Tobi...want to admit a girl...hurt him?"



She would bounce back, away from him, should he be enticed to leap up and pounce on her. Wagging her tail some she would lift her head, tasting the gentle winds that blew past them on this chilly night. She would turn her head to the right catching the scent of a herd of deer not too far away from them. She would move, carefully, slowly putting more weight on her injured paw, careful not to stretch her limbs too much to cause the wound on her side to open again. She would turn her neck around looking at the leopard, ready to follow him should he want to lead and asking her question.



"Come on...if...we get food, we can...play?



Time would tell, to see, if he was being truthful about being friends or not.

I'd Rather Feel Pain Then Nothing At All

Raven