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Description

Innocent Curiosity

A collab with the awesome CCWashi featuring our two little bois <3.

I had a blast working on this with you CC! The rp was so much fun and I loved the beautiful lines and BG you did <333 so pretty! I sketched, CC lined, I coloured, CC did BG, and I shaded! :'D

Go fave CC's as well!!

Annnd here's the rp

RP featuring

Sami

And Shadow II

Wordcount: 3547
EP
+ 7 for wordcount + 5 for rp + 4 for pic + (2x2) for extra characters = 20 EP for Samael and Shadow II

Sami was starting to be known by his mother for unintentionally getting into mischief, he didn't mean to do bad things and make Momma worry! It just...Happened, he trusted too easily and was super curious about things, add that to a love of climbing and heights and you had one small shy little trouble maker. Today was another one of those days, one moment Cyrus was watching over him and his siblings playing and making sure no one got hurt. The next moment Sami was gone, and Cyrus hadn't noticed, not yet. It wasn't the first time he slipped out under the apprentices gaze. And probably not the last, all he wanted to do was climb up this small vine leading up a brick wall into something on the other side. He dug his little claws in with a huff and a puff as he clambered up. Pulling a little too hard on the last bit and sending himself flying over the wall into a pile of flowers and leaves on the inside. A little excited squeal leaving his lips for the small bit of air time he got.

There was a small figure sitting there just outside the flower bed, large watermelon eyes had seen the whole tumble, and he sat silently as the cub came tumbling into his yard. Little Shadow said nothing. His father was in the stable with his mother, both receiving training and even his siblings had been taken elsewhere for grooming and house training at the moment.

The little Sami boy found the world upside down with his feet in the air, a few useless kicks, some squirming and finally he rolled over onto his stomach and paws. Big eyes gazing around the beautiful garden, a particularly large flower caught his gaze going up to it to sniff the purple flower. "Prettyyy..." He cooed to himself, that was when he saw Shadow - and almost jumped right outta his fur - the other cub was dead silent the whole time. "O-Oh! H-Hello there...I'm Sami!" He said a bit sheepishly.

The little cub still said nothing, watching this stranger enter his yard and sniff his flowers and then spook like a sparrow. His little left ear gave a twitch. What a strange cub. Entertaining though.

Sami waited for a reply, but it seemed none would come. Odd, huh, he paused for a long moment glancing left, then glancing right, before finally setting his sights on the other cub. "S-so, what's y-your name?" He asked once the silence had stretched for long enough. He hoped the other cub wasn't angry, he didn't mean to intrude. Momma is gonna be mad oh no...

Oh he did want to talk. That was annoying. Shadow prefered not to talk if he could help it. "Shadow. But my humans call me Raythin." Daddy had said City cats would probably prefer the human given name. Shadow was always putting what he parents said to the test.

"Shadow, or Ray...Rayf...Rafeen....Can I call you Shadow?" Sami asked cheeks flushed red as he tried and failed a few times to say the other cubs human name. He could say most basic words now but some things he still struggled with. Long ear's perked up as a small bee flew by, the small tribune batting at it. "W-what you wanna be when you grow up Shadow?" He asked as he chased the bee, glancing back at the cub.

Shadow's head turned to watch this flighty cub now chasing a bee. "You don't want to catch that," he warned softly. Bees.... didn't like to be caught

"Why not? Its makes a weird noise." Sami replied, not looking at Shadow as he ran after the bee and through the flowers, sending pollen into the air and making him sneeze. "Whoops...I-I'm sorry I hope I didn't mess them up..." He said suddenly worried he had ruined some part of the garden.

"You're too small to mess those flowers up..." Shadow said matter of factly slowly following Sami across the yard now, feeling like a need for intervening would be soon. "Because, bees bite."

"Oh...Okay...Thats good, my owner gets upset when I step on the flowers. Do you know what humans mean when they say stuff? I never understand them, Mommy says that's normal though..." Sami pondered this out loud seeming relieved that he wasn't in trouble. That bee was still buzzing nearby and the cub hadn't taken his eyes off it despite no longer moving towards it.

Shadow came to a stop not far away. Not seeming to be in much of a hurry. "Yes.... I understand humans." He answered. In an upper window of the manor in view a servant was shaking out a rug. Shadow's ear twitched but he didn't look over. The sound not enough to draw his attention. There was a well nearby and a fountain bubbling.

"Oh? You should come by my house sometime! Maybe you can tell me what master is saying...That'd be fun! I bet you like my house we got a lot of flowers too." Sami boasted about his home, watching as the bee buzzed by his face. There was a long few seconds of silence where one could tell the struggle to not try to catch it was going on inside the small cub. He lost. He jumped for it and soon a loud "OW!" could be heard.

The tiniest twitch of a smile touched Shadow's maw but he came over and batted the dying bee away. "Now you've gone and killed it." he said not unkindly, but matter of fact. "Hold still, you still have the stinger in."

Sami whined quietly laying down in the edge of the flower patch they were in, holding up his paw as Shadow approached. "They do bite..." He said quietly, "Its dead?" He asked in surprise, starring down at the unmoving bee on the ground.

"Yeah, you pulled its heart out." Shadow took Sami's paw and sniffed around for the stinger, taking a few attempts but he finally pulled it out and spat it into the grass like his mommy had done for daddy a few weeks ago. "You could have believed me you know."

"I-I did? I'm sorry! I didn't mean too..." Sami looked down sadly at the bee, feeling bad now. Poking it with a claw as if it would come back to life any second now. He nodded his thanks to Shadow, lowering his head in shame as the other cub spoke more. "S-Sorry it looked fun to catch...If it helps you were right though." He admitted.

Well, it hadn't really helped the bee that Shadow was right, but Sami had learned better now. "Just don't do it again." He scolded. "Bee's help flowers grow, at least that is what my mom says. Where are you from?" Now that this cub had proven himself harmless Shadow would be more chatty

The hybrid nodded eagerly, he felt bad for killing the bee, he didn't wanna do that again...It seemed cruel. He didn't wanna be cruel, he wanted to be a good boy that helped protect animals and humans from bad things, and make his mama and papa proud! "I-I promise I won't do it again Shadow," he reaffirmed, a pause, "I'm from the city, My Mama is Alexei and My Papa is Pacino, their both Hunters. Wh-Where are you from?" He asked in return, curious to learn more about this quiet cub.

Shadow looked unsure all of the sudden. His brother had already been bullied by cubs who found out their parents were from the Empires. ".... My mommy is Sunshine, and my daddy is Cloud. They are both pets. My Uncle is Jasper an Elite. I was born here." he said, his tiny bunny tail twitching as his paws shifted.

Sami licked the place he had been stung, "Oh I know Jasper, he's the brother of the Hunter Leader, he's scary...But one of the best Hunters! Or thats what my Mommy said anyway, I've only seen him once or twice." Sami admitted sheepishly, giving the other cub a smile, he didn't recognize Cloud or Sunshine, and didn't know who they were, but he knew of Jasper. The famous Hunter who had more recorded captures then anyone else in the Hunters, who wouldn't know him? Sami had to admire him, he wanted to be that good some day, to protect the cities walls diligently.

Shadow gave a little smile. "Yeah he is scary. He and daddy don't get along." Over in the corner of the garden, several birds were playing in the birdbath and a squirrel darted around the base of a tree. "So why did you fall off the wall anyway?"

"Aww, that can't be too fun, I'm sorry." Sami frowned, he didn't like it when his parents argued sometimes so he could imagine how it made Shadow feel. He watched the birds curiously, "Oh...Uh...Well...I was curious what was on the other side, I like climbing stuff. Do you like climbing?" He smiled shyly, before looking back at Shadow.

Shadow's ear suddenly twitched and he turned his head around. "My uncle is coming home." he whispered, and across the yard through the side gate an orange speckled pelt strode into view, a few startled pigeons taking off in a flutter.

Sami went stiff, sure he had seen Jasper in passing but he never actually spoke to him, he was too scary to talk to. "Oh bee's" he muttered, ironically, "I don't have time to climb back - I should hide!" Without waiting for a reply he ran to the back of the garden and dashed behind the biggest bush he could find.

Perhaps the movement caught the trained leopards eye, for Jasper paused in his stride and looked over. Shadow was sitting innocently in the middle of the yard, alone looking at his uncle. Jasper frowned slightly at this and turned to start coming over. "....Raythin," he greeted in his deep voice that was surprisingly smooth. "Hi uncle Jasper." The little cub said up at him, "Where is your mother?" Shadow was doing an incredible job for one so young in avoiding even looking in the direction Sami had gone. He instead looked toward the stable. "In the stable. Jorell and Anabelle are getting groomed. I'm all done." Jasper watched his little nephew carefully, thinking, his tail twitching behind him.

Sami watched with growing fear as the famous leopard padded slowly into the gardens, watching with increasing admiration for Shadow. Seeing how calm and innocent the cub appeared as his terrifying uncle asked him where his mother was. He didn't even flinch - Shadow is so brave! He thought, trying his best not to move, even the slightest bit. Heart pounding in his ears as he peered at Jasper between the leaves. He couldn't help it as the wind blew his direction, moving some of his cover, he crouched down even lower, wishing he could melt into the very ground itself.

The slight breeze and wiggle of the leaves Jasper's red eyes flicked directly at Sami "..... did you let someone in Raythin?" Jasper asked with a slight rumble. Shadow still didn't look toward the bush, he shuffled his paw a little. "Yes," he said, owning it rather than saying Sami had kind of just let himself in.

Sami shook his head don't tell him, don't tell hi- he told him. Well, now he had to come out and face it. So with a deep breath he slowly stepped out of the bush, ear's down, tail tucked in. "H-Hi Jasper s-sir..." He just had to stay calm, polite, courteous. Everything would be fine. ...Then he lost his cool "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you, I was just curious, and I got too curious, and I fell in, and then there was a bee, and Shadow told me not to chase it, but I did, and I killed it, and I felt so bad, and I didn't know I wasn't suppose to be in here, I just wanted to say hello, and I'm really sorry I won't do it again I swear!" He spouted it all out in one long run-on sentence in fearful panic before finally finishing his little apology.

If Jasper had thought he would need to fish a trouble maker out of the bushes he was alarmed to see this panicked cub emerge and start rambling. He recognized the coat colors of Alexei and Pacino..... they would hear later about just letting their cub wander around. "Quiet," he ordered softly, not a yell, just a very clear command. Jasper had little patience with cubs. Jasper then turned to Shadow. "How often does this happen?" Shadow had the eyes of young innocence. "This is the first time uncle Jasper." ".....very well. As you were." the large leopard turned to pad away. Whatever else he was thinking left hanging unknown in the silence. Shadow smiled at Sami. "You can stay!"

Sami shut up as soon as the command left the older felines lips, stiff frozen, i'm standing in front of one of the greatest hunters in the city. How did this happen?!? He thought to himself, but when he saw the Hunter turning and leaving he let out a loud breath. "R-Really? I can? Thats awesome!" He realized he was a bit loud, and lowered his voice slightly, "We can be friends right? Do you wanna be friends?" the hybrid asked the other cub, feeling relieved and excited

Shadow shrugged. "Sure. I don't have friends. What do you do with them?"

Sami smiled, "Well friends are like uh, felines you trust, who you can reply on, they do fun stuff together..." He paused, what else did friends do? "They help each other when they need it, and hang out, and go on adventures...Stuff like that!" He explained, hoping he covered everything, it was hard to narrow down what a friend was.

Shadow's ears twitched. "That sounds like family." That was what his mother said family did for each other

"I guess friends are like non-blood family maybe?" Sami suggested, tail swishing slowly, ear's twitched at the sound of birds.

"Oh like Uncle Judas. Mom says he's not blood, but he's family."

"Yeah! Like that, friends are like that." Sami nodded confidently, not actually sure if it was true though.

Shadow still felt like something was off, but he nodded. "Okay. So what do you want to do now? I could show you the koi pond."

"Oh yeah! That sounds fun, I've never seen Koi" Sami said excitedly, jumping to his paws.

Shadow stood, he was awfully mellow for a cub, no bounce to his step, just turning at an almost slow pace for the direction of the pond, padding across the garden

Sami followed after him, he wasn't in any hurry either so he happily padded alongside him. "Do you like fish Shadow?" He asked, curious if the other cub had ever tried fish.

Shadow nodded. "Yeah... but I like lamb best." They started walking along a stone path now off the grass

"Ohhh lamb is good I have to agree, I had chicken once that was pretty yummy too, picking the feathers off sucks though." He make a frowning face sticking his tongue out for emphasis. Following along the stone path, the rocks feeling cool under his paws.

The pond came into view and Shadow sat with a stiff hip there at the edge, bright orange, white and brown fish swimming slowly around the lily pads. "Why does it... suck?" he asked.

Sami propped his front paws on the edge, peering into it with wide eyes, ear's perked. "Huh? Oh-" He glanced back at the other cub "I mean like, its not fun...Cause I have to pluck each feather out." He explained.

Shadow watched how close Sami was getting to the water and had an idea. but that might be a mean idea, so he asked. "Do you like to swim?"

"Hmm yeah! Swimming is fun, you?" He asked, not looking at the other cub now, instead watching the fish closely, "The Koi are pretty," he admitted quietly.

Shadow brought up one paw to push Sami in.

And Sami suddenly got a very close view of the fish as he went forward with a loud SPLASH into the water. A moment of panic, before his head popped up above the water, eye's wide in shock.

Shadow had a rare smile on his face. "Did you catch a fish?"

"Uh...No...Sadly," Sami admitted, sheepishly, seeing Shadow smile, well...It was hard not to smile back at least a little. Then he got an idea, a ear twitching "Your turn!" He said, almost daring.

Shadow supposed that meant he was supposed to get wet the Koi fish were swimming in frantic circles now after the splash, alarmed. Shadow got up and padded over to a shallower area of the pond, stepping in slowly, a little shiver running through his pelt he got in up to his chest, almost so slowly a few fish swam under his belly in their panic.

Sami didn't actually expect him to do it, so when he did he swam over, just to be there in case he slipped or anything. "Aww I think the fish are scared of us, oh well, they should be," he chuckled quietly, "The water is really cool."

Shadow navigated some of the stones. "See if you can catch one. Don't kill it though that would make Anabeth sad."

"Oh okay, we don't wanna make her sad, their too pretty to kill anyway." Sami admitted, smiling as he splashed a little water at Shadow once the other cub was settled in.

Shadow shook water out of his ears and tipped over, getting back up looking very soaked now. "Oof," he said, knowing he deserved it

Sami giggled slightly, "You can splash me back if you want," he said swimming closer to peer at the other cub more, ear floof's now dripping wet and making his long caracal ear's droop down.

Shadow didn't look like being told he COULD splash Sami made it fun. "But then wont you splash me back" he asked bluntly

He paused for a moment, "Uh, I mean...Yeah? Isn't that the point?" He asked wide eyed with confusion.

"Just asking." Shadow splashed him, making the fish freak out again

Sami wasn't expecting that splash so he blinked in surprise for a few seconds before a smile spread over his maw. Splashing Shadow back excitedly, and running to the other side of the small little pond.

Shadow shook his head again, and bounced out of the pond so he could chase Sami around from the outside

The hybrid mutt wasn't looking so when he reached the other side of the pond and turned back to look for Shadow - he was gone! "Where'd ya go?" He asked looking around before his eye caught sight of a little blur-

Shadow splashed a paw in to get Sami in the face now that he had turned around. Okay, this was fun. Shadow giggled

Sami laughed, "Your a sneaky shadow! It fits your name well I suppose" he admitted, with a smile. He reached up with both paws and brought them down, sending a little wave at the other cub.

Shadow jumped back away from the side of the pond and scurried under a tree, plopping his rump down and panting. Winded. "That was fun."

The hybrid clambered out of the pond shaking his pelt out and senting water everywhere as he padded over to the tree, sitting under it next to Shadow. He was a bit tired but not too winded yet, "That was fun, thanks for playing with me Shadow." He purred.

Shadow smiled back. "Yeah, maybe when Jorell and Anabelle come out we can play more with them."

"Oh that'd be fun" Sami agreed enthusiastically nodding. "I'd bring my other siblings but I don't know that Jasper would like that..." He glanced around left and right as if by just mentioning his name would make the leopard appear.

There was, fortunately, no sign of the leopard hunter, but that didn't mean he wasn't watching "Well maybe my mom will let us all go to your house." Shadow lay down in the grass, his little pelt still wet

The hyrbid relaxed at seeing no Jasper and laid down besides the other cub. "That would be awesome! Oh your'll love my siblings, their lots of fun. And I'd love to meet your siblings too" He added with a smile, "Your still wet...Don't worry I'll keep you warm" he said without much thought he snuggled up against the other cub, fluffing his pelt out like a fluffed up blanket.

Shadow adjusted so that they were side by side and looked like he might fall asleep. "Yeah, yeah I think mom would like that." He said softly

Sami let out a little yawn himself, he was feeling kinda tired now, a short nap wouldn't hurt. "Hmmmhm I think my Mommy would too... Some day we're have to... Do that." He said but it was more muttering by now. "Maybe we could take a nap?"

The only answer Sami got was a tiny snore

He smiled to himself, resting his head down he let sleep take him over.

Description

Innocent Curiosity

A collab with the awesome CCWashi featuring our two little bois <3.

I had a blast working on this with you CC! The rp was so much fun and I loved the beautiful lines and BG you did <333 so pretty! I sketched, CC lined, I coloured, CC did BG, and I shaded! :'D

Go fave CC's as well!!

Annnd here's the rp

RP featuring

Sami

And Shadow II

Wordcount: 3547
EP
+ 7 for wordcount + 5 for rp + 4 for pic + (2x2) for extra characters = 20 EP for Samael and Shadow II

Sami was starting to be known by his mother for unintentionally getting into mischief, he didn't mean to do bad things and make Momma worry! It just...Happened, he trusted too easily and was super curious about things, add that to a love of climbing and heights and you had one small shy little trouble maker. Today was another one of those days, one moment Cyrus was watching over him and his siblings playing and making sure no one got hurt. The next moment Sami was gone, and Cyrus hadn't noticed, not yet. It wasn't the first time he slipped out under the apprentices gaze. And probably not the last, all he wanted to do was climb up this small vine leading up a brick wall into something on the other side. He dug his little claws in with a huff and a puff as he clambered up. Pulling a little too hard on the last bit and sending himself flying over the wall into a pile of flowers and leaves on the inside. A little excited squeal leaving his lips for the small bit of air time he got.

There was a small figure sitting there just outside the flower bed, large watermelon eyes had seen the whole tumble, and he sat silently as the cub came tumbling into his yard. Little Shadow said nothing. His father was in the stable with his mother, both receiving training and even his siblings had been taken elsewhere for grooming and house training at the moment.

The little Sami boy found the world upside down with his feet in the air, a few useless kicks, some squirming and finally he rolled over onto his stomach and paws. Big eyes gazing around the beautiful garden, a particularly large flower caught his gaze going up to it to sniff the purple flower. "Prettyyy..." He cooed to himself, that was when he saw Shadow - and almost jumped right outta his fur - the other cub was dead silent the whole time. "O-Oh! H-Hello there...I'm Sami!" He said a bit sheepishly.

The little cub still said nothing, watching this stranger enter his yard and sniff his flowers and then spook like a sparrow. His little left ear gave a twitch. What a strange cub. Entertaining though.

Sami waited for a reply, but it seemed none would come. Odd, huh, he paused for a long moment glancing left, then glancing right, before finally setting his sights on the other cub. "S-so, what's y-your name?" He asked once the silence had stretched for long enough. He hoped the other cub wasn't angry, he didn't mean to intrude. Momma is gonna be mad oh no...

Oh he did want to talk. That was annoying. Shadow prefered not to talk if he could help it. "Shadow. But my humans call me Raythin." Daddy had said City cats would probably prefer the human given name. Shadow was always putting what he parents said to the test.

"Shadow, or Ray...Rayf...Rafeen....Can I call you Shadow?" Sami asked cheeks flushed red as he tried and failed a few times to say the other cubs human name. He could say most basic words now but some things he still struggled with. Long ear's perked up as a small bee flew by, the small tribune batting at it. "W-what you wanna be when you grow up Shadow?" He asked as he chased the bee, glancing back at the cub.

Shadow's head turned to watch this flighty cub now chasing a bee. "You don't want to catch that," he warned softly. Bees.... didn't like to be caught

"Why not? Its makes a weird noise." Sami replied, not looking at Shadow as he ran after the bee and through the flowers, sending pollen into the air and making him sneeze. "Whoops...I-I'm sorry I hope I didn't mess them up..." He said suddenly worried he had ruined some part of the garden.

"You're too small to mess those flowers up..." Shadow said matter of factly slowly following Sami across the yard now, feeling like a need for intervening would be soon. "Because, bees bite."

"Oh...Okay...Thats good, my owner gets upset when I step on the flowers. Do you know what humans mean when they say stuff? I never understand them, Mommy says that's normal though..." Sami pondered this out loud seeming relieved that he wasn't in trouble. That bee was still buzzing nearby and the cub hadn't taken his eyes off it despite no longer moving towards it.

Shadow came to a stop not far away. Not seeming to be in much of a hurry. "Yes.... I understand humans." He answered. In an upper window of the manor in view a servant was shaking out a rug. Shadow's ear twitched but he didn't look over. The sound not enough to draw his attention. There was a well nearby and a fountain bubbling.

"Oh? You should come by my house sometime! Maybe you can tell me what master is saying...That'd be fun! I bet you like my house we got a lot of flowers too." Sami boasted about his home, watching as the bee buzzed by his face. There was a long few seconds of silence where one could tell the struggle to not try to catch it was going on inside the small cub. He lost. He jumped for it and soon a loud "OW!" could be heard.

The tiniest twitch of a smile touched Shadow's maw but he came over and batted the dying bee away. "Now you've gone and killed it." he said not unkindly, but matter of fact. "Hold still, you still have the stinger in."

Sami whined quietly laying down in the edge of the flower patch they were in, holding up his paw as Shadow approached. "They do bite..." He said quietly, "Its dead?" He asked in surprise, starring down at the unmoving bee on the ground.

"Yeah, you pulled its heart out." Shadow took Sami's paw and sniffed around for the stinger, taking a few attempts but he finally pulled it out and spat it into the grass like his mommy had done for daddy a few weeks ago. "You could have believed me you know."

"I-I did? I'm sorry! I didn't mean too..." Sami looked down sadly at the bee, feeling bad now. Poking it with a claw as if it would come back to life any second now. He nodded his thanks to Shadow, lowering his head in shame as the other cub spoke more. "S-Sorry it looked fun to catch...If it helps you were right though." He admitted.

Well, it hadn't really helped the bee that Shadow was right, but Sami had learned better now. "Just don't do it again." He scolded. "Bee's help flowers grow, at least that is what my mom says. Where are you from?" Now that this cub had proven himself harmless Shadow would be more chatty

The hybrid nodded eagerly, he felt bad for killing the bee, he didn't wanna do that again...It seemed cruel. He didn't wanna be cruel, he wanted to be a good boy that helped protect animals and humans from bad things, and make his mama and papa proud! "I-I promise I won't do it again Shadow," he reaffirmed, a pause, "I'm from the city, My Mama is Alexei and My Papa is Pacino, their both Hunters. Wh-Where are you from?" He asked in return, curious to learn more about this quiet cub.

Shadow looked unsure all of the sudden. His brother had already been bullied by cubs who found out their parents were from the Empires. ".... My mommy is Sunshine, and my daddy is Cloud. They are both pets. My Uncle is Jasper an Elite. I was born here." he said, his tiny bunny tail twitching as his paws shifted.

Sami licked the place he had been stung, "Oh I know Jasper, he's the brother of the Hunter Leader, he's scary...But one of the best Hunters! Or thats what my Mommy said anyway, I've only seen him once or twice." Sami admitted sheepishly, giving the other cub a smile, he didn't recognize Cloud or Sunshine, and didn't know who they were, but he knew of Jasper. The famous Hunter who had more recorded captures then anyone else in the Hunters, who wouldn't know him? Sami had to admire him, he wanted to be that good some day, to protect the cities walls diligently.

Shadow gave a little smile. "Yeah he is scary. He and daddy don't get along." Over in the corner of the garden, several birds were playing in the birdbath and a squirrel darted around the base of a tree. "So why did you fall off the wall anyway?"

"Aww, that can't be too fun, I'm sorry." Sami frowned, he didn't like it when his parents argued sometimes so he could imagine how it made Shadow feel. He watched the birds curiously, "Oh...Uh...Well...I was curious what was on the other side, I like climbing stuff. Do you like climbing?" He smiled shyly, before looking back at Shadow.

Shadow's ear suddenly twitched and he turned his head around. "My uncle is coming home." he whispered, and across the yard through the side gate an orange speckled pelt strode into view, a few startled pigeons taking off in a flutter.

Sami went stiff, sure he had seen Jasper in passing but he never actually spoke to him, he was too scary to talk to. "Oh bee's" he muttered, ironically, "I don't have time to climb back - I should hide!" Without waiting for a reply he ran to the back of the garden and dashed behind the biggest bush he could find.

Perhaps the movement caught the trained leopards eye, for Jasper paused in his stride and looked over. Shadow was sitting innocently in the middle of the yard, alone looking at his uncle. Jasper frowned slightly at this and turned to start coming over. "....Raythin," he greeted in his deep voice that was surprisingly smooth. "Hi uncle Jasper." The little cub said up at him, "Where is your mother?" Shadow was doing an incredible job for one so young in avoiding even looking in the direction Sami had gone. He instead looked toward the stable. "In the stable. Jorell and Anabelle are getting groomed. I'm all done." Jasper watched his little nephew carefully, thinking, his tail twitching behind him.

Sami watched with growing fear as the famous leopard padded slowly into the gardens, watching with increasing admiration for Shadow. Seeing how calm and innocent the cub appeared as his terrifying uncle asked him where his mother was. He didn't even flinch - Shadow is so brave! He thought, trying his best not to move, even the slightest bit. Heart pounding in his ears as he peered at Jasper between the leaves. He couldn't help it as the wind blew his direction, moving some of his cover, he crouched down even lower, wishing he could melt into the very ground itself.

The slight breeze and wiggle of the leaves Jasper's red eyes flicked directly at Sami "..... did you let someone in Raythin?" Jasper asked with a slight rumble. Shadow still didn't look toward the bush, he shuffled his paw a little. "Yes," he said, owning it rather than saying Sami had kind of just let himself in.

Sami shook his head don't tell him, don't tell hi- he told him. Well, now he had to come out and face it. So with a deep breath he slowly stepped out of the bush, ear's down, tail tucked in. "H-Hi Jasper s-sir..." He just had to stay calm, polite, courteous. Everything would be fine. ...Then he lost his cool "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you, I was just curious, and I got too curious, and I fell in, and then there was a bee, and Shadow told me not to chase it, but I did, and I killed it, and I felt so bad, and I didn't know I wasn't suppose to be in here, I just wanted to say hello, and I'm really sorry I won't do it again I swear!" He spouted it all out in one long run-on sentence in fearful panic before finally finishing his little apology.

If Jasper had thought he would need to fish a trouble maker out of the bushes he was alarmed to see this panicked cub emerge and start rambling. He recognized the coat colors of Alexei and Pacino..... they would hear later about just letting their cub wander around. "Quiet," he ordered softly, not a yell, just a very clear command. Jasper had little patience with cubs. Jasper then turned to Shadow. "How often does this happen?" Shadow had the eyes of young innocence. "This is the first time uncle Jasper." ".....very well. As you were." the large leopard turned to pad away. Whatever else he was thinking left hanging unknown in the silence. Shadow smiled at Sami. "You can stay!"

Sami shut up as soon as the command left the older felines lips, stiff frozen, i'm standing in front of one of the greatest hunters in the city. How did this happen?!? He thought to himself, but when he saw the Hunter turning and leaving he let out a loud breath. "R-Really? I can? Thats awesome!" He realized he was a bit loud, and lowered his voice slightly, "We can be friends right? Do you wanna be friends?" the hybrid asked the other cub, feeling relieved and excited

Shadow shrugged. "Sure. I don't have friends. What do you do with them?"

Sami smiled, "Well friends are like uh, felines you trust, who you can reply on, they do fun stuff together..." He paused, what else did friends do? "They help each other when they need it, and hang out, and go on adventures...Stuff like that!" He explained, hoping he covered everything, it was hard to narrow down what a friend was.

Shadow's ears twitched. "That sounds like family." That was what his mother said family did for each other

"I guess friends are like non-blood family maybe?" Sami suggested, tail swishing slowly, ear's twitched at the sound of birds.

"Oh like Uncle Judas. Mom says he's not blood, but he's family."

"Yeah! Like that, friends are like that." Sami nodded confidently, not actually sure if it was true though.

Shadow still felt like something was off, but he nodded. "Okay. So what do you want to do now? I could show you the koi pond."

"Oh yeah! That sounds fun, I've never seen Koi" Sami said excitedly, jumping to his paws.

Shadow stood, he was awfully mellow for a cub, no bounce to his step, just turning at an almost slow pace for the direction of the pond, padding across the garden

Sami followed after him, he wasn't in any hurry either so he happily padded alongside him. "Do you like fish Shadow?" He asked, curious if the other cub had ever tried fish.

Shadow nodded. "Yeah... but I like lamb best." They started walking along a stone path now off the grass

"Ohhh lamb is good I have to agree, I had chicken once that was pretty yummy too, picking the feathers off sucks though." He make a frowning face sticking his tongue out for emphasis. Following along the stone path, the rocks feeling cool under his paws.

The pond came into view and Shadow sat with a stiff hip there at the edge, bright orange, white and brown fish swimming slowly around the lily pads. "Why does it... suck?" he asked.

Sami propped his front paws on the edge, peering into it with wide eyes, ear's perked. "Huh? Oh-" He glanced back at the other cub "I mean like, its not fun...Cause I have to pluck each feather out." He explained.

Shadow watched how close Sami was getting to the water and had an idea. but that might be a mean idea, so he asked. "Do you like to swim?"

"Hmm yeah! Swimming is fun, you?" He asked, not looking at the other cub now, instead watching the fish closely, "The Koi are pretty," he admitted quietly.

Shadow brought up one paw to push Sami in.

And Sami suddenly got a very close view of the fish as he went forward with a loud SPLASH into the water. A moment of panic, before his head popped up above the water, eye's wide in shock.

Shadow had a rare smile on his face. "Did you catch a fish?"

"Uh...No...Sadly," Sami admitted, sheepishly, seeing Shadow smile, well...It was hard not to smile back at least a little. Then he got an idea, a ear twitching "Your turn!" He said, almost daring.

Shadow supposed that meant he was supposed to get wet the Koi fish were swimming in frantic circles now after the splash, alarmed. Shadow got up and padded over to a shallower area of the pond, stepping in slowly, a little shiver running through his pelt he got in up to his chest, almost so slowly a few fish swam under his belly in their panic.

Sami didn't actually expect him to do it, so when he did he swam over, just to be there in case he slipped or anything. "Aww I think the fish are scared of us, oh well, they should be," he chuckled quietly, "The water is really cool."

Shadow navigated some of the stones. "See if you can catch one. Don't kill it though that would make Anabeth sad."

"Oh okay, we don't wanna make her sad, their too pretty to kill anyway." Sami admitted, smiling as he splashed a little water at Shadow once the other cub was settled in.

Shadow shook water out of his ears and tipped over, getting back up looking very soaked now. "Oof," he said, knowing he deserved it

Sami giggled slightly, "You can splash me back if you want," he said swimming closer to peer at the other cub more, ear floof's now dripping wet and making his long caracal ear's droop down.

Shadow didn't look like being told he COULD splash Sami made it fun. "But then wont you splash me back" he asked bluntly

He paused for a moment, "Uh, I mean...Yeah? Isn't that the point?" He asked wide eyed with confusion.

"Just asking." Shadow splashed him, making the fish freak out again

Sami wasn't expecting that splash so he blinked in surprise for a few seconds before a smile spread over his maw. Splashing Shadow back excitedly, and running to the other side of the small little pond.

Shadow shook his head again, and bounced out of the pond so he could chase Sami around from the outside

The hybrid mutt wasn't looking so when he reached the other side of the pond and turned back to look for Shadow - he was gone! "Where'd ya go?" He asked looking around before his eye caught sight of a little blur-

Shadow splashed a paw in to get Sami in the face now that he had turned around. Okay, this was fun. Shadow giggled

Sami laughed, "Your a sneaky shadow! It fits your name well I suppose" he admitted, with a smile. He reached up with both paws and brought them down, sending a little wave at the other cub.

Shadow jumped back away from the side of the pond and scurried under a tree, plopping his rump down and panting. Winded. "That was fun."

The hybrid clambered out of the pond shaking his pelt out and senting water everywhere as he padded over to the tree, sitting under it next to Shadow. He was a bit tired but not too winded yet, "That was fun, thanks for playing with me Shadow." He purred.

Shadow smiled back. "Yeah, maybe when Jorell and Anabelle come out we can play more with them."

"Oh that'd be fun" Sami agreed enthusiastically nodding. "I'd bring my other siblings but I don't know that Jasper would like that..." He glanced around left and right as if by just mentioning his name would make the leopard appear.

There was, fortunately, no sign of the leopard hunter, but that didn't mean he wasn't watching "Well maybe my mom will let us all go to your house." Shadow lay down in the grass, his little pelt still wet

The hyrbid relaxed at seeing no Jasper and laid down besides the other cub. "That would be awesome! Oh your'll love my siblings, their lots of fun. And I'd love to meet your siblings too" He added with a smile, "Your still wet...Don't worry I'll keep you warm" he said without much thought he snuggled up against the other cub, fluffing his pelt out like a fluffed up blanket.

Shadow adjusted so that they were side by side and looked like he might fall asleep. "Yeah, yeah I think mom would like that." He said softly

Sami let out a little yawn himself, he was feeling kinda tired now, a short nap wouldn't hurt. "Hmmmhm I think my Mommy would too... Some day we're have to... Do that." He said but it was more muttering by now. "Maybe we could take a nap?"

The only answer Sami got was a tiny snore

He smiled to himself, resting his head down he let sleep take him over.