Giant flakes of snow drifted through the still night air, adding to the already thick blanket that covered the dimly light streets. Each flake sparkled in the light of the streetlamps. One by one lights from the windows turned off as the tenants turned in for the night, darkening the streets. The moment that the last light was turned out, wind began to pick up and blow the snow across the ground and forming drifts on the walkways that lined either side of the street.
The wind grew stronger and caused the lamps that stood above the pavement started to flicker before popping and dying out completely. The blizzard began to spin in the middle of the road, cleaning the powder from the ground, leaving a patch of black asphalt. The wind calmed as quickly as it began, it stopped. The snow began to drift straight down once more.
Laying within the circle was a young mountain lioness who looked no more than twenty years of age. Her golden fur looked severely ill kept with dark patches of soot and mud.  Dark red lines ran from the corner of her eyes and down over her cheeks like tear. She only wore torn jeans and a tight fitting knit sweater, Christmas patterns decorating the front. Her modest C cup breasts were motionless and giving no sign of breaths; yet clouds of vapor billowed from her nose and open muzzle.
The silence of the night was shattered by a car's horn. The cougar shot up and screamed in panic and pain. They were weak and raspy, but her shaking form emphasized her fright. She looked along the ground and saw her shadow being cast by the high beams from the car that stopped just behind her. Hearing the door creak open and a male's voice call out over the sound of his car which sounded like he needed a new muffler. 
“Are you okay?!” The mountain lion turned and squinted to see a short homely looking badger walk up to her, carrying a blanket. “Dear lords, what are you doing laying in the snow like this?” he said and wrapped her up in the thick blanket. “What's your name, lass?”
Kara stared up at him, confused and clenched her paws around the blanket. Her fingers felt stiff, like someone had wrapped bandages thickly around each one; Her whole body felt like that. She swallowed “I-I'm Kara...” She croaked the reply. “I-I don't know. I can't remember.” She added in response to his other question. Kara tried to stand up, only able to do so with the help from the badger.
“Where do you live. I can take you there.” He said and walked her back to the car. 
“N-No, I just live on the..edge of the block...” She said quietly and looked to the corner where her flat was. “Thank you though.” She said and gave a weak smile as she began walking to the sidewalk and turning towards the flat. She only got halfway down the street when her teeth began to chatter, the blanket being of almost no use once the snow began piling on her shoulders. She climbed the short steps to the door of her and her mate's apartment and dug her paws into the pockets to locate her keys, coming up empty handed. Heaving a sigh, she pressed the doorbell and waited. She heard movement behind the door before the heavy wood creaked open to expose a pale fox. “Hello?” he rubbed his eyes.
“H-Hey, Vax. It's just me.” Kara brushed her dirty blond hair out of her face. “I guess I lost my keys somewhere.” She walked passed the stunned fox.
“Kara?!” Vax barked as he followed her back inside, shutting the door quickly. “How'd you...I mean you were--” He stuttered as she pulled off the blanket.
“I Just woke up...uhm on the street. I guess I passed out or got attacked. I'm okay, though, hun.” she gave a weak mew as she turned around and made to kiss the vulpine.
Vax pulled away and shook his head, his large ears laid fully back. “It's not that, Kara...You weren't...uhm how do I say...” He looked at the cougar, who looked utterly confused. Sighing, Vax shook his head again, giving a hissing inhale. “It's been a year. Since your accident. Since you've passed.” He gave a low whine, eventually breaking eye contact with her and stared into the smoldering remains of the fire.
At that second, it felt as if all the air was sucked out of the room. Kara stood petrified. “W-What?” She said when she could find her voice. Her whole body felt numb. “Passed...? You can't mean...but I'm standing right here!” She squeaked.
“Kara, a year ago today you were killed in a car accident.” The fox nodded and looked up to her, seeing the pain and confusion. “I'm not lying, Kara. I was just at your grave today...”
“No, that's impossible. I-I remember everything I did yesterday. We went out for our date at that new restaurant, and—and you gave me this!” Kara pulled a necklace from under the jumper, the chain holding a silver paw shaped pendant. The middle pad was in the shape of a heart and on each of the toepads where the letters L-O-V-E.
Vax looked like he was going to be sick at the sight of the pendant. Lowering his head, he shook his head. “Kara. That WAS last year. I am not lying to you.” He spoke each word sharply before he was caught off guard by a yawn. “It's late, Try and get some sleep. I'll show you tomorrow.” He turned and walked back down the hall to their room and shut the door with a light click.
Kara shook violently where she stood, the pendant still held in her paw. She gave a soft whimper of panic. “O-Okay.” was all she could muster. She sat down on the chair to the right of the fire, looking into the coals. A thousand different thoughts and instances crossed her mind as she stared blankly into the fireplace. From the back room, she could hear Vax's infamously loud snoring. Then the thought struck her: that if what she was told was true, then Vax wasn't her mate anymore. That thought alone almost hurt worse than the thought of her being dead. Though it certainly went hand in hand. Then the thought of her family and other friends floated into her mind. Each face bringing a strong feeling of fear. How would they react when they saw her?
The sun crested over the horizon when she began to feel the weight of sleep. Kara was still sitting in the armchair, her eyes closing and and slowly drifting to sleep. Even the sound of the front door opening and slamming shut didn't wake her.
A beautiful Jackal, just about as old as Kara, but quite a bit taller than her walked in. Hanging her jacket up, she brushed her paws over the steel blue fur that covered her form before pulling the tie out of her black hair and combing it with her fingers. Walking into the living and froze. The Jackal held her breath and stared at Kara until she heard the alarm going off in the bedroom. Dashing back, she slipped into the bedroom and shut the door, locking it. She saw Vax sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing his muzzle lightly. “Vax, There's a cougar sleeping in our living room! Did you just sleep through her breaking in?!” Sh barked and picked the phone off of the bedside table.
Vax barked in return and reached over to press the phone back onto the base and taking her hands in his. “Natasha. No she didn't break in, I let her in.” He sighed and pulled her down to sit on the bed with him. “That's my ex-girlfriend. You know, the one who was in that accident last year? I don't know what's going on, but she's back. She came here last night. I let her stay until we...until she gets things sorted.” The fox explained.
The steely jackal sighed. “Well...I GUESS I don't see a problem. I just wish you could have text or called me. You know, to let me know of a 'guest'.” she said and made quotation marks with her fingers, to which Vax sighed at. “Anyway, I guess I'll try to sleep. It was a really long night.” 
“Okay, sleep well, love.” Vax gave her a kiss to the cheek and slipping out of the room. He walked out to the kitchen and yawned. His thick fox tail waved back and forth as he set about making his coffee. Turning around, he gave a sharp bark of surprise, almost dropping the mug he held when he found himself nose to nose with Kara. “Oh god, clear your throat or something.” Vax patted his chest to calm his thumping heart. “Are you okay?” 
“Yeah, I'm doing fine...I just couldn't sleep anymore.” She mumbled and rubbed her shoulders. She felt stiff once more, a dull pain began to form in her right side. Heaving a long sigh, she looked into Vax's eyes. “So what were you going to show me?” 
“Hm?” he sipped from his coffee, ears falling back. “Right. We'll go in just a minute, you know how long it takes me to get ready for the day.” Vax wiggled his tail again. “Want something to eat?” The vulpine plucked a pan from the rack that hung under one of the cabinets.
Kara shook her head and looked down. “But maybe some coffee.” She said and walked around Vax to reach the coffee pot. Her body was still cold and numb. Like the mountain lion was frozen. The night in front of the fire didn't help in the slightest. Kara opened the cabinet and pulled the mug from the shelf. Turning the ceramic cup over, it slipped from her paw and shattered on the tiled floor. She gasped and quickly ducked down to pick up the pieces. “I'm so sorry!” The cougar whimpered as she piled the ceramic on her palm.
The pale orange fox set the pan down and knelt down with her to pick up the other shards. “It's okay, Kara. It was an accident.” He said quietly. “I've got a dozen like it.” Vax added to comfort her. Sliding his own cup to to her. “I'm not going to drink the rest, you can finish it.”
“Th-Thanks.” She mumbled softly a faint smile on her muzzle. “Sorry again.”
“It's okay.” She said and gently patted her shoulder and saw her flick. He pulled his paw back and lowered his head. “Sorry. Anyway, I guess breakfast can wait, we can head out when you're ready.”
Kara nodded and rubbed her shoulder. “I just feel a bit sore.” She whispered. “I”m good when you are.” She felt her heart beginning to throb strongly in her throat. Swallowing, she grabbed her jacket by the door and pulled it on. They walked down to the fox's car. The mountain lioness was hesitant to get in the vehicle. She pulled the door open and felt a strong jolt of electricity running through her form. Her breaths became shallow as she stood in the open door. 
“It'll be okay, Kara. I'll be safe.” Vax said from the driver's seat. It still took her a minute to actually climb in the vehicle. Through the drive, Kara had the window down multiple times. Every time she rolled it up for a long stretch of time, she felt as if ever surface was caving in around her. When the freezing air rushed over her face, it calmed her down immensely. “Okay...We-we're here.” Vax said, his teeth chattering as he shut the car off and proceeded down a long path into the cemetery. 
Kara watched him walking ahead of her, a newspaper folded under his arm. She jogged to catch up with him along the shoveled path and then the pair of them stopped. He silently gestured to one of the gravestones. It was cleared of snow and a dozen lavender branches laid just in front of the marble; they were always her favorite flower. Across the face of it was her full name and her birth date and the date she thought was yesterday. 
Vax lifted the newspaper and pointed to the date printed in the upper right hand corner. “This is today's paper. As much...as much as I know this hurts, I'm not lying. It happened, Kara and I am so sorry.” She said and rubbed her shoulder again. 
“N-No that – that can't be.” She stuttered and lowered her head, her long tail whipping around behind her. Stepping closer, she laid her paws on the cold stone, fingers tracing her name lightly. “No!” she screamed and reeled back to slam her fist into the stone. Kara cried the word over and over with every hit, blood began to spatter the pale stone from her splitting knuckles.  She leaned against her own gravestone and began crying again. 
Vax watched Kara, his heart sinking in his chest at the sight. After a few minutes, he knelt down next to her. “Come on, Let's get you home.” The fox helped the feline to her feet and walked back to his car. The drive home was filled with the weak sobs of the mountain lion. Vax helped her into the flat and set her down in the chair in front of the fire. “I'm sorry Kara. I mean that. I really wish I knew what was happening...and why.” He knelt in front of her. “You're more than welcome to stay here while you get things sorted.”
“Stay...Right.” She managed to say weakly. “Vax – I...” Kara sat there with her mouth open  before she shook her head and closed it. “N-Never mind.” She gently rubbed the back of her paws. She felt the blood drying in her fur, making it become prickly. “Thanks, Vax.”
“You're welcome.” He said and walked to the kitchen and wet a rag, coming back, he began to gently rub over the blood soaked paws when Kara quickly wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed tightly. Vax heard her begin to cry again. “Kara!” He barked and held his paws back in surprise, and to catch himself on the mantle before he fell into the fireplace. “Kara, it's alright. We'll get things figured out. I'll do what-” He was suddenly cut off by another sharp bark.
“Hey, get your paws off him!” Natasha shouted from the doorway. “You tram!” She ripped the mountain lion away from the fox. “What makes you think that is even the slightest bit okay?!” The Jackal stood between Vax and Kara. Her eyes were narrowed and her steel blue fur gave her a much more feral appearance.
Kara whimpered as she stumbled back, her paw catching on the rug, sending her back onto her tail. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
“What am I doing her?! This is my bloody house!” She barked and stomped towards her. “I don't care who you think you are, I want you OUT!”
“Natasha!” Vax yelped and grabbed her arm tightly. “It's nothing like that!”
“Oh Really? Your ex just happens back in town and now I catch her all over you! She's nothing but a slut!”
Kara hissed , her pupils where slits in her glassy eyes. “Fine. I'm gone!” She cried and yanked the jacket she'd been wearing from the chair.
“Kara, wait!”
“Let her go, love. You don't need her. We've an anniversary to get ready for.” Natasha barked with a devilish grin. 
“An-anniversary?” Kara turned around and looked at Vax.
Vax flinched at Kara's voice. “It's...I just...” 
“You what Vax!?” She hissed before seeing the Jackal's wide grin over the fox's shoulder.
“Today is...me and Natasha met.” He mumbled next week. “We uhm...” He grew quiet as she saw the look on Kara's face.
Her face crunched up and and looked even more feral than Natasha had been. “I”m not dead a month and you're already moved onto someone else!”  Tears rolled down the red lines that ran from the corners of her eyes. “You're the worst kind of man!” She shouted and ripped the necklace that hung around her neck and threw it at Vax's feet. Kara whipped the around and slammed the door open, storming out into the cold afternoon streets.
Vax picked up the silver paw necklace and looked at the word LOVE across the toepads. “Kara!” He yelled after her. “Nat, what the hell is wrong with you? Kara!” Vax barked at the jackal before racing to the door, seeing Kara's black tipped tail snaking out of site between a group of otters.
***
Kara cried as she stumbled through the crowded sidewalk, bumping passed others without an apology. Her clouded eyes were growing red and hot as tears continued to pour down her cheeks. She rounded a corner and collided with a larger mountain lion. She looked up and saw the face of an older male cougar with the same red markings down the sides of his muzzle. She made to stand up but caught a patch of ice with her footpaw and fell back onto her tail. “D-Dad?”
“Do I know you, kit?” He said with a deep growling in his voice, something he'd always had since she was a cub.
“D-Dad it's me. It's Kara.” She replied quietly, “I-I don't know...but I –“
Kara was cut short by a strong blow to her ribs, knocking the air out of her lungs. “How dare you make a mockery of my daughter!” the male hissed and cracked his knuckles before reaching down to pick her up by the front of her shirt and slammed her into the wall. 
“Dad!” She yelped out as she hit the wall. “Please. It IS me! I-I can't – I don't know how, just listen to me, please!” She wiggled and kicked her feet as the mountain lion reeled back to punch her.
“Honey, I forgot something in the shop.” A female panther stepped around the corner to find her husband pinning Kara against the wall. “What are you doing?” She mewed sharply. “You put that poor girl down right now!”
“Sorry dear. Just giving her a lecture about pick-pocketing the wrong beasts.” He growled at Kara before he let her fall heavily on the ground.
Kara hung her head and began to sob and cry again, more than she'd ever before. The panther reached into her purse and placed a few dollars in her lap.
“Here, don't cause any more trouble, young one.” Her mother smiled at her.
“Let's get going, we're going to be late.” The male said and took the panther's paw and started down the block, scraping his foot back to kick a large clump of dirty snow at Kara.
The mountain lion's cries continued  when she was plastered with the wet, muddy slush. She rubbed her eyes and looked down at the bills in her lap. Each one looked like it'd just been printed. She picked them up and brought them to her nose. She could still smell the faint scent of her mother's perfume. Kara's body felt entirely empty. A sharp pain spread through her chest; like a giant shard of icy glass was piercing her heart.
Kara stood up and stumbled down the pavement. She heard others laughing and gossiping over the latest sitcom or the latest war game. The more the feline, the more she hurt. Her heart had felt like it was being ripped to pieces in side her chest. The world around her grew quiet as she started to cross a bridge that spanned a churning river. The water breaking violently against rocks and discarded shopping carts. 
She gripped the railing and looked down at the rapids below. Wiping her cheeks, she felt her fur bristling from her frozen tears. It crunched oddly under her finger pad. Sighing heavily, she she tightened her grip on the icy rail and looked over the water for long, silent minutes. Kara breathed in and looked up before she put a foot up on it before pulling herself up.
Using the light post, she climbed up onto the top rail. Her stomach lurched as she stared down into the water some fifty feet below. Swallowing, she began to speak quietly. “Just...just one step, Kara. Then we'll be gone again.”
“Don't jump, lass.” 
Kara turned her head and saw a tall raccoon in a police uniform. “Leave me alone!” She spat, her long tail whipping around.
“I'm afraid I can't do that.” He said calmly and smiled at Kara. “Not until you come down. What's your name.”
The cougar looked at him and hesitated. “Kara...” 
“Hi, Kara. I'm Neil. May I ask what you're doing up there?”
“I'm looking at the river...” She growled lowly. “What do you think!?” 
“You're...right, that was a dumb question. You just began your life.” Neil said and took a step forward. “It'll get better.”
Kara hissed softly, her tail whipping around. “I've already died. What does it matter if I die again? Nobody will miss...” She whispered and whimpered.
“I'm sure that's not true.”
“My parents disown me. My mate dumps me. All in a single day. The world...I'm nothing anymore.” Kara mumbled and looked down into the rapids again and tears began anew. “I'm sorry.” She breathed in and held her breath as she stepped forward off the railing.
“Kara!” Neil barked and leaped for her as she fell from the railing. He was just barely able to grab the mountain lioness' paw, his shoulder popping and dislocating as Kara's weight threatened to pull him over as well. “I'm sorry, lass. I can't let you die.”  He barked as she began to kick.
“No! Let me go!” Kara yowled out as she heard a dozen or so shrieks and looked up to see a couple of beasts helping Neil pull Kara back over the railing. He set her down on the sidewalk, her back up against the frozen light post. “Dammit!” I-I didn't want you to! Damn you!” She cried out and struck out at him, her claws unsheathed.
Neil flinched back as he felt the razor sharp claws catch his forearm and paw of his uninjured arm. “Lass. Calm down or I'll have to put you under arrest.” Neil said and fought off another attack of her claws. He grabbed her wrist and flipped her down onto her stomach. Pulling a pair of handcuffs from his belt, he quickly clicked them into place.
“Dammit, Let me go!” Kara screamed out at the officer. The mountain lion struggled  as she was pulled up to her feet.
Neil didn't say anything more to Kara. He walked her to his squad car and sat her down in the back. Coming into the driver's seat, he gave a light sigh. “I'm sorry that things aren't...everything you imagined. But like I said, you're young. And things will be okay; just give it some time.” Neil said and started the vehicle, looking at Kara in the rear-view mirror.
“I'm not young. I told you I'm already...I already died.” Kara hissed as they drove away. 
Neil looked at her in the mirror. His eyes couldn't hide the confusion and skepticism he felt. “We're going to stop by the clinic, then we'll take you to the shelter.” 
Kara could only glare at him before she turned to watch the shops pass by. The pair remained silent through the drive. They got to the hospital and led Kara inside.
“So where are you hurt, Kara?” A small ocelot female said as she started looking into Kara's pale eyes. 
“No where. Least anywhere I can feel.” She mumbled as the doctor checked her heart and breathing next. Kara sighed and breathed in deeply, tugging on the handcuff that held her to the bed. She heard Neil growl lowly as he was getting arm taken care of. 
“Hmm, your heart and breathing is abnormally slow. Are you taking any drugs?” 
Before Kara could respond, a ferret intern came in with a couple of clipboards in her arms. “I found her records, ma'am. There's just...I think someone's playing a very poor joke on us.” She shook her head and handed over the clipboard.
The ocelot opened the cover. “Deceased.” She blinked and flipped quickly through the pages. “I don't get it, They don't look forged.” She sighed and tossed it back at to the ferret. “Go find her papers.” The doctor pulled the curtain shut. “I need you to  take off your shirt, please. I just need to check you over for any other injuries.”
Kara sighed and did as she was told, letting the jacket and shirt hang on the chain of the hand cuffs, leaving her only in her bra. She adjusted on the bed. “Those weren't joke documents.” She said emotionlessly. The ocelot didn't seem to hear her as she continued her examination.
“A few old bruises. Did your partner do this to you?” She asked and gently brushed Kara's fur back so she could see the bruises.
Kara shook her head. “No, I must have gotten them...a while back. I had an accident a year ago.” 
“A year. Kara, these are new bruises, something you've gotten a day or two ago. You can...and need to to tell me if your mate is hurting you. You're safe here.”
“No!” Kara roared out. “I have NOT been beaten! I had an accident last year and it. Killed. Me!” She said and made to stand up, but was jerked back by the handcuffs holding her to the bed.
“I need you to calm down, Kara.” The doctor stepped back. “I think that you're suffering some...mild delusions. Your brain is creating a false memory to...protect yourself from the trauma.” The Ocelot said ans stepped forward to continue.
“Why does nobody believe me!?” She cried out and fought with the handcuffs, trying to pull it off from around her wrist, growling out as she jerked her hand back. “I am not making this up! Why would I just make it up!?” 
“Ma'am, please, calm down.” She said and stood her ground.
Kara hissed as she grabbed her thumb and gave it a sharp jerk, with a pop she dislocated it, allowing her paw to slip from the handcuff. “If no one is going to help me, I'll just...” Kara cut her self off and yanked her jacket and sweater from the bed as she stormed out of the curtained area; pulling her sweater and jacket on as she went. She barely made it ten paces whens he felt the raccoon's strong paw on her bicep. “Let me go!” Her free paw clawing at Neil's arm that held her. 
“Lass, calm down, or I'll be forced to put you in holding for a night or so.” He growled out threateningly as he grabbed her wrist when she struck at him.
“I don't care what you do. None of it matters anymore!” She sunk her claws into Neil's arm and managed to break his grip. Kara ran to the exit as fast she she could, her long, black tipped tail whipping around and knocking things off of carts as she ran passed. The mountain lion almost reached the doors when an antelope pounced on her and pinned her to the floor. She struggled and looked back at him, seeing that he was in the same uniform as Neil. “Let me go! You can't do this!” Kara screamed and fought. She saw the raccoon and the ocelot briskly walking to her. The doctor knelt down next to Kara, the smallest glance of a syringe before she felt the tip pierce her pelt. In seconds, all the fight in her drained instantly; Her vision began to fog as she was pulled from consciousness. Everyone around her spoke in garbled, mumbled words. She felt the weight on her back disappear and she tried to roll over, but her muscles wouldn't do anything. She looked up towards the Ocelot who was speaking to Neil while writing down on a pad. The next moment, there was nothing. 
Kara groaned as she moved around. She found she was laying back in the bed once more. Making to rub her face, she found her hands to be bound to the bed again with a pair of padded braces that kept her hands in a nearly pinned position by her side. “What the hell?” Kara mewed sharply in surprise. It was nearly pitch dark, the lights had been turned off for her to sleep, the only light glowed from the windows across from her. “Hello?” The cougar called out and tugged on the bindings, panic beginning to set in.
The door clicked open and both Neil and the ocelot came in. “Good morning, Kara. How are you feeling?” She asked with a light smile as she took a look a penlight from her pocket and began to examine her eyes, not pulling as Kara started to lightly growl. “I'm sorry for Yesterday, but....” She clicked the light off. “You'll be able to leave in a little bit. Officer Neil will be taking you to a shelter today. And you'll also be taking these. Twice a day.” the ocelot flicked her tail as she set an orange bottle down on the table near the foot of the bed.
“You're giving prescriptions to a suicidal beast?” Kara grinned sarcastically
“Yes, but you're not going to be in possession. The head of the shelter will give you the dose.” the smaller feline smiled lightly and wrote in a small notepad, ripped out the page and handed it and the prescription bottle to Neil. “If you or Father Thane need any questions answered, just give us a call.” She said quietly before she turned and took thee cuffs off of Kara's wrists. “Your jacket's just on the table.” the ocelot turned and walked out of the room, receiving a light thanks from Neil as she passed.
Kara rubbed her wrists and sighed. She climbed out of bed, stumbling and finding it a tad bit hard to walk for a few moments. She slipped her jacket on and turned to Neil. “I'm ready to go.” She mumbled lightly as she straightened out her shoulder length hair as best as she could.
Neil nodded. “Alright, did you need anything to eat? We can stop for something on the way.” He said and walked behind her out of the hospital to his car.
Kara shook her head and climbed into the back when he opened the door for her. They drove through the city in nearly total silence, the only voice issued from the radio, calling between the other police in the area. After a long half hour's drive, traffic making any sort of progress forward nil, they reached the shelter. The letters that spelled out “Fairgrove Shelter” had little piles of snow on top them.
“Here we are, Father Thane is the man you want to meet with. He will help you adjust and have more than enough resources at your disposal.” He said and walked around the car to let her out, then walked with her up to the door. He knocked and was greeted by a young mouse in a habit, she didn't look more than a few years older than Kara did. “Hello, Sister, I'm just here to drop off Kara. You did receive my call ahead?”
“Yes, we did, Officer. We've gotten everything set up for her.” She said and held her hand out for Neil to give her the medication and the doctor's note. 
The raccoon flicked his long ringed tail and nodded. “Very good, as always.” He smiled and handed her the bottle before turning to Kara. “If you need anything that you can't get here, you can reach me on this number.” He said and handed her a card. With that, he turned and walked down the steps back to his car, leaving her with the mouse.
“Wait here, and I'll fetch the father.” She said quietly and walked into the office next to the entrance, leaving Kara there waiting. Eventually she saw a tall, large bodied panda step out of the office, wearing an entirely black outfit, the only splash of colour was the white on his collar. 
“Ah, Kara. We've been expecting you.” He said with a light lisp to his voice. “I'll be showing you where you'll be sleeping, helping and so on. You see, we all live as a bit of a community; everyone helps with the upkeep, even the cubs.” He led her into a large room, filled with cots, a dozen or so taken by sleeping cubs and adults alike. “We're not a very...large shelter, and so we never were given the ability to expand and give pairs or foursomes rooms. We hope to have that changed next spring. Thankfully it hasn't caused any problems as yet. We keep a good eye on all the residents.” He spoke softly as they walked around the side of room. He showed her the bathrooms and showers, which reminded her quite a lot like a school locker room. Lastly the mess hall before they returned to the main room just when they were approached by the mouse again.
“Father Thane. You've got a call waiting.” She said with a light bow.
“Thank you Abbagail. I'll be right in.” He said and smiled widely at her. “I've got to take this, Kara. You can choose any open bed and make yourself at home.” The panda said and gently rubbed her shoulder before walking back towards the front of the building.
Kara was barely able to mumble her thanks before she was left alone again. Looking over the cots again, the feline couldn't help but think of the time she'd been a cub and a tanker had overturned, forcing her entire neighborhood to live in the high school gym for a few nights. She gave a light chuckle when she then remembered how she and a few of her friends  had sneaked out to 'tour' the school''s closed off areas while the adults were looking after their younger cubs or asking around for any information about the wreck.
She walked through the cots, a few with untouched blankets folded up in the middle, a greater majority were messy and held a few toys and clothes. Kara could only shake her head at the idea of so many cubs living here on their own. Finally she took a seat on one cot near the back of the room, shoving the folded blankets and pillow towards one end. The silence was only broken by the occasional snore or the laughter and shouts of a group of cubs that ran in from outside. A group of four husky boys running as a group through the hall and disappearing into the mess hall, their laughter echoing and quickly fading in the large room.
Kara's ears fell back as she laid her head in her paws as she was left to her thoughts. Her mind was racing with a billion thoughts an hour.
Why was she resurrected?
How was she brought back?
What was she going to do now?
Kara clenched at her bangs and gave a soft whimper, tears forming in her eyes once more. She shook her head slowly, trying to clear her thoughts, not having any luck. Her claws tickled her forehead as she heard the soft voice of a boy behind her.
“M-Mom?”
Lifting her head, she saw a young, pale tiger cub standing next to her. He wore a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt that was several sizes too big for him. A bright blue cast covered his palm and wrist stopping just before his elbow. His fur was a pale, golden orange color. He almost looked like a lion if it wasn't for the golden stripes that just barely showed up. She shook her head. 
“I think you have me confused, kid.” Kara said rather coldly. The tiger cub lowered his ears. “Why don't you go find someone to play with?” She waved her hand to shoo the boy away. He turned with his head hung, his long tail tucked between his legs as he went to lay down on a cot a few rows down from Kara. She heaved a final sight before grabbing the ragged quilt and laid down herself, quickly falling into a restless sleep.
The mountain lion woke up a while later, light filled the room from a large window in the ceiling. She groaned as she was first met with the sound of barking and laughter. A small voice pleaded mingled with the laughter. She sat up to see the young tiger cub surrounded by the gang of huskies. The feline Jumped up and down in front of the largest of the canines. Held high above his head was a gold locket, spinning lightly as his fingers just barely brushed the locket.
“Come on guys. Give it back!” He mewed out as he jumped up and down trying to grab the pendant. He yowled out sharply as he received a strong punch in the chest and sent back onto his tail.
“Oh no. I'm sorry.” The tall husky said in false sympathy. “Need some help?” He lifted the tiger up, almost pulling off the huge shirt as he did so. He gave a strong push to the cub, two of the others grabbing Tyler before he fell down. “I wonder how much we could get for this. Is this honest cold, Tyler?” He asked and turned it over in his paw. The tiger cub shook his head violently, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Ah well, might, we might get something out of it, even so?” He said and grabbed the tiger's muzzle with his paw. “Unless you can offer us something better.” He chuckled and swung the locket in front of Tyler's face.
“Please. I'll give whatever you want. Please!” He mewed in protest and tried to grab the pendant from the older husky.
Kara narrowed her eyes and stood up. Storming towards the gang of canines, she quickly snatched the husky by the scruff “Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size!” She spat and lifted the husky off of his feet. The husky yelped out and dropped the pendant as he was lifted in the air as he clawed at Kara's forearm.
The young tiger broke free of the two stunned canines, grabbed his locket and bolted out of the door. Kara watched him run off before dropping the husky. “I hear about you bulling him again, I wont stop with just a warning.” She growled dangerously before she walked out after the cub. Kara was about to call out when she realized that she didn't catch his name. She'd heard the husky say it, but having just woke up, she didn't remember it. Kara walked around the block and began to ask if anyone had seen the feline. With no one giving her a positive answer, she sighed “Oh well...I'm sure he's fine.” Kara mumbled and turned back to head to the shelter again.
She closed the door and turned around to come nose to chest with Father Thane.
“Hello, Kara. I was wondering if I could have a word?” He gestured to the office. He waited until they were both in the office and the door was shut before he spoke again. “So, I was told that you attacked one of the cubs?” He raised an eyebrow.
Kara lowered her ears and rubbed her forearm. “I...I didn't attack.” She whispered her reply. “I was stopping them from assaulting another cub.”
“Well, I wasn't told about any other bullying. Aside from you picking up and threatening Matt.” He taped his chin. “But with no substantial evidence, we can not say for sure. But with a group of cubs in the mix, we take the matter seriously.” 
Kara was forcing herself not to roll her eyes. It felt to her like she was getting a lecture from her father.
“But given your own circumstances; and to follow police orders, we will let you stay.” the panda nodded. “Speaking of which.” He pulled out the orange bottle from a locked cabinet that sat behind his desk. He shook two pills into his paw and handed them to the mountain lion with a small paper cup of water. He watched her quickly drink them down. “And open your muzzle.” Father Thane said as she complied.
Kara's cheeks flared red hot as the older panda looked into her open muzzle. Once she was cleared to leave, she stood up and walked out the door back into the entrance. The door opened to the outside opened once more to reveal the tiger. He stopped and pulled the door shut once more, his ears back. “Th-Thanks for your help. And uhm...sorry for disturbing you a while ago.”
Kara smiled softly. “You're okay.” She said, her stomach dropping a bit as she looked at the boy staring at his footpaws, his ears tucked back. “It's not your Fault. I've just been...having a hard time lately.” That was easily an understatement. “I'm Kara. How long have you been here...uh?”
“Tyler.” The tiger said and lifted his head once more. “I've been here since fall. I ran away after my dad came home drunk again....with his new girlfriend. That's when he did this actually.” He said and lifted the arm with his cast.
“Oh, I see.” She paused and rubbed her neck as she walked back to her cot with him hot on her tail. “So what's so special about your locket?” She asked and gestured to the golden chain around his neck.
“It's my mom's locket. She gave it to me before she left me and dad. It's got a picture of her in it. It used to have dad's but after that...I couldn't stand looking at his face.” He said with a low growl to his voice. Tyler pulled to locket out and opened it to show Kara the picture. On the one side was a picture of a tigress. She had much lighter fur than even Tyler, though she had darker stripes. She even had the same chocolaty hair that both Kara and Tyler shared. The mountain lion could see how she could be confused, especially if she was wearing the coat.
“She's very beautiful. I can see where you get your looks from.” She teased, chuckling as he ticked the locket away and blushed profusely. “Hey, I'm still feeling pretty tired. I'm going to lay down again. If you want, you can lay on that cot.” She pointed to the cot next to hers. She laid her head down and almost instantly, she was asleep again.
Kara found herself starting out the windscreen of a car. The road ahead was covered in fresh, white snow and more coming down in giant flakes. She remembered this sight. The day that felt like it was only a few days ago. Kara had just been visiting a friend in the next town over, and she had drove home in straight after. Watching the snow falling, her eyes fell shut and quickly she was asleep. Seconds later metallic scraping and crunching filled the air. Kara's eyes shot open to see the events from the sidewalk. Her gray Honda had clipped a parked car, causing it to bounce and flip over. Kara watched with wide eyes as her body was flung from the car as it toppled over once more onto it's wheels, sliding to a stop as it hit another car against the curb. Her eyes followed her limp body as it hit the asphalt, the snow doing little to protect her as she fell on her neck, breaking it on impact. She flopped as she tumbled towards where Kara stood now, sliding until her body was laying at her feet. 
Kara swallowed and looked down into her own eyes. They stared up at her with an icy, vacant look to them. They made her cringe and step back several paces, covering her face with trembling hands as a crowd began to form around her battered corpse. “No-No. Get me out of here! Help!” She screamed out, echoing around, no one appeared to hear her. She took a few more steps backwards until she felt her back pressed against a solid form, hotter than anything she could imagine.
Kara didn't turn around. She wasn't given the time before she felt a long fingered hand wrapping tightly around her neck and lifting her easily off her feet. The mountain lion was turned around to face her assailant: a giant of a raven stood in front of her, holding above his head. He was covered in jet black feathers, making him a shadow with blood red eyes.
The cougar began screaming as loud as she could while she was strangled. Her vision was quickly fading away, the raven turning to a blurred mass. The last thing she heard before her vision faded completely was the harsh, piercing screech that made her head ring. Kara screamed out as she shot from her cot, shaking off an invisible foe. Everyone was staring at her while she screamed.
“Kara! What's wrong?” Tyler's soft voice could be heard as he reached out to touch her. To try and calm her, reaching out to try and take a hold of her paw only to get knocked backwards.
Father Thane came running into the room, quickly taking a tight hold of the feline's shoulders. “Kara!” He shouted to be heard over her shrieks of terror. She fought with amazing strength; swinging her arms around to break the panda's grip, clawing though the sleeves of his shirt and sinking them deep into his arms. “Kara! You're okay. You're safe!”
Kara's cries grew quieter, her fight diminishing just as quickly. Falling against Father Thane's front, she began to sob heavily, shaking violently as he held onto her. She heard him speaking, but they were muffled and distant. Over the course of several long minutes, Kara calmed down. Her sobs grew quieter though the tears streaked her cheeks. After nearly a quarter hour, she pulled away from the panda, wiping her cheeks.
“Are you okay, Kara?” He asked as he knelt in front of her.
Slowly, Kara nodded. “Y-Yeah, I – guess.” She whispered, feeling a dull ache in her chest, like she was having a heart attack. The raven's face lingered in her vision every time she blinked, so she kept them wide open as to avoid seeing it again. “I just need some...fresh air.” She mewed weakly and stood up, staggering before almost falling over.
“Give yourself a minute, Kara.” He said and helped her sit once more. The panda nodded at Sister Abby who walked out of the area, bringing along the others. The only other one that remained was Tyler. “What happened, Kara?” he asked softly.
“I just had a bad dream!” Kara mewed sharply. “I'm fine.”
Father Thane nodded. “Okay. May I ask what was your dream? Sometimes dreams can have a lot of real world –“
“I just watched my own accident!” She roared out suddenly, her fur standing on end. “I saw my broken body! I saw my death!” She shouted as she began to shake. “I-I have to got...I got to....” She said much quieter, just a hair above a whisper and stood up. Quickly stepping passed both Tyler and the large panda. Tyler quickly stood up and followed a half dozen paces behind her and only losing ground unless he ran. 
He managed to catch up to her, only after she slowed to a shamble. They didn't say much at all as they walked, Kara was rubbing her arms and petting the fur down to calm herself. They finally stopped when they came to a small park and the cougaress sat down on a bench. Sitting next to her, he looked off across the snowy playground, seeing a few cubs not too much younger than himself throw snowballs at each other; using the swings and slides and merry-go-rounds as cover. “Are you oh...How are you feeling, Kara.” Tyler asked carefully, his round, golden ears tilting back as he looked up at her.
Kara stared down at the young tiger and sighed. She felt drained after her outburst, and it showed. Her fur was all flat again and her tail hanging limp behind her. “I don't know, Tyler. I've just been through so much in only a few days. “ She looked over at him again, new tears filling her eyes. “I lot my house and my mate and my parents...” She cut herself off. “I'm sorry. I really shouldn't complain to you, Tyler. I doubt I've been through nearly anything you have.” Kara mumbled and waved lazily at the cast on his arm.
“I guess.” He paused and rubbed the blue cast gently. “This isn't the first time that he's injured me like this, I've had a few cracked....” He took his turn to cut himself off. “I-I'm sorry. I don't want to bring you down more...” The tiger said with a quick flick of his tail.
“Yeah...might be best. No point in opening old wounds.” She said and without warning, she pulled the young cub tightly to her. “It will be okay now.” She hugged him tightly.
Tyler gave a jot as he was pulled in and hugged. His eyes as big as saucers. Flicking  his tail, he slowly hugged her back and began to shudder. His eyes filling with tears as he buried his muzzle into Kara's shoulder. Tears rolled down his cheeks and over her jacket. It was a bit odd to him having her hug him; having anyone hug him like this. He hadn't felt any sort of real compassion since his mother left. Tyler felt her paws gently rubbing her back, making him pull away just enough to lift his head. “I-I'm sorry Kara.” He whispered. 
“You have nothing to be sorry about, Tyler.” She said with a creaking voice, her own tears streaked her face once more. The emotions flooded over the pair of felines. They both held each other for several minutes more. Kara was the first to fully pull away, though her paws lingered on his shoulders. “Tyler...I'll watch over you. You won't have to be alone again.” She said kindly, wiping the tears from his cheeks.
Looking up at the cougaress. His long, stripped tail waved slowly, but excitedly behind him. “R-Really, Kara?” He whispered. “I-I don't want to be...I don't want to feel like you have to?” He said just before his stomach growled loudly. He gave a sharp mew and blushed, turning his head to the side. “Uhm, heh. Sorry, I haven't eaten for a bit...those huskies always...” He shook his head, “Well yeah....” he stuttered.
“You're okay, Tyler. We've all got to have someone looking out for each other.” She said before the loud rumble of his stomach. Fishing into her pocket, she pulled out the few dollars she'd gotten from her mother. “I know a small cafe', we could get something to eat there.” She said as she got to her feet, helping the tiger to his.
“Sure.” He smiled and wiped his cheeks again, feeling the crystallizing tears in his fur, making it crunch under paw. “Thank you, Kara.” He held her hand as they walked down the pavement.
The mountain lioness returned the smile and gave his hand a gentle squeeze before replying. “You're welcome.” The two felines walking paw in paw down the street. The cafe' wasn't more than a half dozen blocks from the park they were at. Stepping in, they a bell rang just above them, the door hitting it to announce that they had entered. The strong scent of coffee and frying eggs assaulted their noses; a welcome feeling to the cold they'd just left. “Their breakfasts are to die...uhm, They're amazing...” She stumbled with her words as her tail lashed about, almost knocking over a wall of coffees that sat on the table closest to the counter. “Sorry!” She mewed out at the group of corgis that were glaring at her. “Sorry...” Kara repeated as her smile weakened, turning to the menu that hung above the counter.
There were countless drink options from teas to cocoas and coffee. The food menu wasn't anything to be disappointed in either. There were sandwiches and wraps for both lunch and breakfast, made to order; any time of day. She quickly looked over the menu as she waited on Tyler to make up his mind on what he wanted. When he stepped up, Kara was right behind him. The tiger asked for a chicken sandwich and a small hot chocolate while Kara ordered a bacon and egg bagel with a black coffee. Both of them stepped over to the side to find a seat and wait for their order.
It wasn't too crowded like it'd been when Kara would frequent when she was still alive. The newest chain of coffee empires had come in and set up shop a little ways down the street as Kara had seen while they were walking. She figured they were pulling in a lot of the clientele from here.
Tyler sat down at a booth, and Kara was just about to sit as well when their order was called. When she took hold of the tray, she heard a sharp gasp and the sound of a metal bowl clanging on the floor, startling her and half of the coffee shop behind her.  “Kara!?” A gray wolfess briskly stepped over to her and looked down into the mountain lion's face. “What are you.... How are –?” she spluttered.
Kara stepped back as the wolfess came closer. Then she gasped as well. “Sasha? Y-You're still working here?” She said softly.
“Never mind me!” Sasha barked and quickly took the smaller female in a tight embrace. “Gods damn. You're as cold as ice. How the hell did you...?” She began whispering, trying to make sense of what she was seeing.
“I'm not really...I'm not sure, Sash. I woke up a while back, and...well don't know.” She grabbed the tray and walked back to the table. “Tyler, I'm going to have a minute with my friend. Catching up and all that. We'll just be right here.” Kara smiled and ruffled his headfur as she set the tray down and took her coffee and sandwich. She and the wolfess walked over to a near by table, the remnants of another meal left on the table. “I;m...honestly surprised you didn't attack me too. Thinking I was an impostor too.” She sipped from her coffee. It was rather tasteless and barely felt warm despite the steam rising from the cup. Her food wasn't much better, having an almost dusty taste.
“Why would I attack you? We've been friends since grade school. And...well, and while you were killed, I can sense you aren't a...dark spirit wearing a skin, so to speak. You know I'd know if you were.” She said, brushing her bright red hair back out of her face. “I've never stopped visiting your grave, I kept bringing you some lavender and sage every day. I will...admit I was praying I could have seen you just once more. Guess they were answered.”
“Heh, so it was you who brought me back?” Kara couldn't help but jest. It was like the days she and Sasha would hang out here before and after her shifts here during high school. It was the best feeling she'd have since she woke up the night before last. “But...It's more than what Vax did for me.” She took another swallow of coffee. “And my parents...” She shook her head.
“Yeah...” Sasha said lightly and drummed her fingers on the table, the claws clicking on the glass top. “Where are you staying now?” the wolf asked next, changing the subject.
“Tyler and I are staying at that shelter down town.”
“Why don't you both come stay with me. I live just above the shop. I've got an extra room for you two. And if you need, I can give you a job here as well.”
“S-Sasha? I couldn't be an inconvenience to you like that? I'm sure I could find something.”
“Nonsense. I don't mind at all.”
Kara looked over at Tyler. He was drinking his chocolate, being surprisingly slow with it. Though his sandwich was more than half way devoured. She gave a light sigh and thought, taking a bite of her own egg bagel to buy herself a moment of time.
“I insist, Kara. I hate the idea of you being stuck down there at that shelter. Thane's nice and all, but...” She said and placed a paw over Kara's, almost in a more lover's act, a smile on her muzzle.
Kara looked down at their paws, flipping hers over to take a gentle grasp of Sasha's “Well, If you really don't mind. We'll stay.” She said with a smile growing on her own face.
“Of course not.” She stood up and waved her long tail. “I've got to head back to work. Why don't you two head up stairs and get settled in. I'll show you your room when I'm off. I've got a few things I need to move out of there.” She rubbed the back of her neck, a blush growing dark under her fur.
Kara smiled with a knowing grin as Sasha turned away to return to work behind the counter. She got herself up and stepped back over to Tyler. “Hey, did you want to head upstairs? Get comfortable? My friend said we could stay here, if you'd like.” She said and leaned against the table in front of Tyler. He wiped his muzzle of hot chocolate and gave slow nod. “Heh, grab your stuff then, Tiger.” She chuckled as he squeaked and quickly grabbed his sandwich and wrapped it up again, finishing the rest of his cocoa. 
They dropped their dishes in the return and went outside. There was a staircase on the side of the building that led up to the flat above. The door clicked open and stepping in, the smell of coffee from below was diminished by a more powerful lilac scent. Kara's long tail swayed back and froth as she pulled off her jacket; Tyler doing the same. Kara hung their coats on the rack before she took a look around.
The living room was decorated with all sorts of native items. A large dreamcatcher was hung above the entertainment center. On the wall behind the couch was a woven blanket with depictions of feral wolves and bears. Looking above the doorway, Kara saw a braid of sweetgrass, wrapped in a red bandanna. She gave a soft, comforted sigh when she remembered what the wolf had told her about the sweetgrass: hung above a doorway like that would help ward dark spirits from entering. It made her feel safer and relaxed.
Tyler was busy looking around the room like...well like a kitten in a new house. His nose scrunched up as he stopped in front of a book shelf in the far corner of the room. “Ugh, what is that?” 
Kara walked over to him and looked over the shelves. ON the highest of the shelves, just at her eye level were rows of small toys and plushes; many she remembered Sasha owning when she was young. In the center of them all was a mountain lion plush, a small red heart stitched to its chest. She smiled, curling and uncurling her long tail as she stared at them until she heard Tyler sneeze. Looking down to where he had been staring, she saw an abalone shell  with soot in the bottom, a twig of sage laying on top of that. “It's just sage. She burns it when she needs comfort.” She said and pulled a dried leaf off the twig. “See?” She said and handed it to Tyler, patting his head lightly. When he took it from her, she turned and walked to the kitchen and put her left over sandwich in the fridge.
Tyler walked up behind her and slid her own sandwich in next to Kara's “Do you think it'd be okay if I watched TV?” He asked as they stepped back towards the living room, his eyes falling on the thirty-two inch flatscreen. 
Kara shut the fridge and flicked her ears a bit. “I don't see why not.” She shrugged and followed the tiger to the couch, picking up the remote from the coffee table and began to flip through the channels. There wasn't much on, never was in the afternoon; guess something never change. She thought as she handed the remote to the tiger cub “Here, I'm sure you can find something good. I haven't watched TV in a year or so...” She gave a shallow chuckle.
He took it and sat down next to Kara, his tail curling up around his legs as he began to go through the channels, a bit quick to pick anything out. But eventually he stopped on an animated movie that Kara actually recognized. It was one she'd watched rather often as a cub herself. As it played, she found herself remember many of the lines, mumbling them on occasion when it got to a few of the better ones.
Halfway through the film, she found herself fighting a losing battle with sleep. The 'nap' back at the shelter kept making her fearful of fully falling asleep and meeting up with the raven again. Each time her eyes would drift shut, she'd force them open again but as always sleep would win and she drifted off.
Kara jolted awake again, thinking she'd caught herself as she found herself still sitting in Sasha's livingroom. All around her, she felt cold, like she was locked in an ice chest. Her breath billowing from her muzzle. The TV in front of her was still playing the movie, though it seemed as though the tiger had muted it. She stood up and looked around for the remote when her eyes fell upon not only Tyler asleep on the couch, but herself. 
She was leaned back on the couch, her head cradled by the thick padding on the back. Leaning against her side was Tyler. She took a step back and stumbled on the glass coffee table and fell backwards onto her back with a sharp yowl of paw, her footpaws laying on the table as though she were sitting on its side. Rolling over to her hands and knees, she coughed a bit when her eyes caught sight of a pair of gigantic, taloned feet. She jerked back and looked up, wide eyed.
Towering above the cougaress was the raven from her dream. He wore an entirely black suit, unbelievably darker than his fathers. A red tie hung from his neck and matched his eyes which were no less intense. They felt as they were burning her through to her core.
“There you are, Kara.” the raven spoke with a deep, rattling voice, each word making her whole body vibrate. “I've finally found you.” His beak clicked lightly as he spoke and grinned.
“Who-who the hell are you.” She mumbled as looked at him, trying to avoid looking directly into his eyes and backing away from him.
His grin widened as he offered a long fingered hand to her, his wings opening and giving a slight shake before folding up against his back. “Nerru.” He told her as she grabbed his hand, seemingly fighting an invisible force that pulled it to his. Pulling her to stand, he leaned close and whispered into her rounded ear. “I'm here to take you back, Kara.” Nerru hissed.
“B-Back?” She mewed and pulled away, finding his hand had moved from her paw to powerfully grip her arm just above the elbow.
“You escaped me once, I'm not allowing that to happen once, Kara. You have debts to paw.” He screeched as she continued to fight, making him tighten his grip. “You'll be coming with me. Now.”
Kara continued to struggle against the raven's grip, which felt like it was going to break her arm any second. “NO! I-I won't!” She roared and clawed at the avian's hand, forcing him to release her arm. Kara bolted to the door and made to rip it open.
Nerru slammed his hand into the door, his wings spread wide to block her and pinning her against the door, the handle digging into her back. “Don't think about it, Kara!” He slammed a heavy blow into her chest, making her gasp as the air was forced from her lungs. Gripping the front of her shirt, she was lifted into the air. “It'll be more unpleasant if you run.” He clicked into her ear as he tossed her back into the room, catching the coffee table and shattering it. “You're already damned, would be a shame to be tired too.” He cackled as he straightened out his tie and stepped up to her.
Kara was coughing, trying to get the air back into her body. She shimmied back out of the shards, not bothered by the prickling of the glass cutting her pelt. Before long, she was pressed against the wall with no where else to go. She gave pause at his words before she looked over at the couch, seeing Tyler leaning against her side in sleep. Suddenly, Kara felt a surge of heat jolt through her form. Like a fire was ignited inside her belly  and quickly spread through her body. “I'm not going with you!” She spat out and began to stand up, shaking violently. “I have reason to stay.” Her icy eyes flicked over to Tyler.
Nerru followed her gaze and looked at the tiger cub. Looking back at her. “Adorable.” He said with a flat tone and a devilish grin. “But you ow a debt, Kara. As I said. There is nothing you can do to but pay now.” He cawed and closed the gap between him and her in a flash. His long fingers were wrapped around her neck and lifted off the ground. He growled lowly as he watched her struggle once more, her tail thrashing wildly as she fought for breath.
Kara chocked as the grip around her neck tightened, her footpaws kicking the air uselessly as she was lifted off of them. Her claws dug into the raven's hand and forearm; tearing feathers that floated to the floor below. The raven didn't let her go and only tightened his grip, his grin splitting across his beak as he watched her fight begin to diminish.
Before her vision faded, he pulled her away from the wall and threw her through the window. She screamed as she fell what seemed hundreds of feet before she hit the ground. Looking up, she saw that the coffee shop was stretched and distorted like a nightmare-scape. She rolled over onto her hands and knees once more and began to cough violently, blood spattered the black asphalt. She stood up and shook, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Kara turned to look back at the coffee shop and saw that it had disappeared in a blanket of fog. Spinning in a circle, she found that the fog was all around her and growing thicker with every moment. 
“This is where you belong Kara. A sinner's home!” Nerru's caw could be heard as an echo all around her. She turned and saw him coming through the wall of fog, wings stretched wide. “Did you care to take a look.” He said and flapped his wings before she could answer, dispelling the mist .
Kara was almost knocked off her feet again from the wind that was caused by the wingbeat. When it calmed down, she opened her eyes and saw what had been beyond the cloud. The world around them was nothing but smoldering ruins. Every building was engulfed in bright orange fires while the plants and trees on either side of the streets were nothing but standing charcoal. The roads were in shambles, large chunks of asphalt were ripped from the ground and littered the pavement on either side or hovered a few feet above the holes they came out of. “N-No, I don't belong here! I-I...” She whispered and turned to where Nerru had been standing, finding that the raven had disappeared. 
“But you do, Kara.” His disembodied voice echoed. “But...I'll tell you what: If you can escape from here, I'll let you go.”
Kara's fur stood up on end as she felt his cold breath on her neck. “And...if I get caught?”
“I'll bring you back to my quarters...and you'll be my own personal toy.” His beak clicked next to Kara's ear. “Start running.” 
Kara hesitated. She could run like he ordered. But there was no telling what would happen to her if she couldn't get away from him. Shaking her head, she started to run as Nerru began to count down from thirty. She had to try, if not for herself, then for the tiger cub. Kara sprinted down the road away from the Raven , glancing back to see him standing where she had been, his arms folded as he slowly counted backwards. His voice echoed loudly in her ears, his voice ignorant of the distance between them.
Growling she put everything she had left into running, her legs making her dash across the road at amazing speed. She shot down an alley and was about to turn down another side passage when she saw Nerru standing at the far end near the entrance to another street.  “Zero. Ready or not...here I come.” He said in a raspy whisper. The Raven flapped his wings powerfully and shot at her like a bullet. His open hand slammed into her chest and caused her to fly back and hit the wall of the charred building. Kara stumbled on her feet for a second before she saw Nerru floating down above her. She staggered away from the spot, her body shaking violently. Kara could hear the talons clicking on the pavement behind her as she stumbled down the street.
As she caught her breath again, she started to run again, the sound of his talons fading as she came up to what used to be the park. Leaping over a large hedge of bramble, she shrieked as pain shot through her leg, forcing her to down and grip at her left calf. Her pant leg was torn away, exposing a nasty gash on her calf; blood streaming through her fine fur.
“Looks pretty bad.” Nerru spoke as he came to a stop above her. Reaching down he grabbed her leg and gave the wound a brutal squeeze, forcing more blood from the lesion. She screamed and yanked her leg away, more pain shooting through her. “Ready to give up? I must say: this chase certainly has fueled my appetite.” he said and licked the blood from one of his long fingers, the broad grin on his beak once more.
Kara quickly got up, limping with her bad leg leaving a trail of blood in her wake. She felt Nerru's presence heavily on her back, like he was riding her shoulders. And the next instance, it was gone. Coming to a stop, she looked around. The cougaress was now standing on the center of the bridge that she'd nearly jumped off of a few days prior. Her heart thumped loudly in her ears. Breathing in and out hurt, even with the smallest of breaths, her lungs felt as if they were on fire like the buildings around her. She soon started forward again, heading to the other side of the bridge when a line of crows appeared in an explosion of black feathers; blocking her path forward.
“You were so close, Kara.” Nerru tapped his beak, speaking with sarcastic sympathy. Kara turned around to see him walking up to her, another line of crows standing behind him and blocking the last means of escape from the raven.
The crows that she'd first seen pushed her towards Nerru. Quickly she staggered forwards into him, his hands gripping hers like they were about to dance. “No...” She pulled away and began to back up once more. She didn't get to far before her back was pressed up against the icy light pole and railing of the bridge. “No, I won't give up.” She whined and shook her head quickly.
“Look around, Kara. You have no where to go.” The raven cackled again and walked towards her, taking her paws in his and grinned. “You're really going to be a fun one to play with.” He hissed as he pressed up against her, his beak millimeters from her ear.
Kara squirmed with what little room she had left. “I-I will never be yours.” She hissed in return. Raising her knee, she slammed it as hard as she could into his groin. He shrieked out as stepped back, allowing Kara to quickly scramble up the railing and with out a second thought, she jumped off of the bridge, squeezing her eyes shut tightly as she fell.
The hot air ripped through her fur and felt as if she was going to catch on fire any second. In the next second though, the air turned once again to ice, forcing her to curl up into a ball. With her knees to her chest she shivered, trying to fight off the chill she felt. Her tail hung limp, as she opened her eyes to see that she wasn't falling any more and now hovered a few feet above a large piece of pavement hanging in an a black void. She uncurled her self and set her paws on the freezing sidewalk.
“I'm sorry, but there is no escaping from here. There truly is no where to run.” Nerru spoke as he floated down from above, a pinprick of light could be seen far away. He curled his wings and waved his hands. “You can not run from your sins, Kara.” he added as a dozen or so large orbs began to appear and circle around the mountain lion. They showed still images of the cougar. A few of them displayed her taking  products from store shelves or taking money from an empty table in a restaurant. But the half dozen that circled more closely showed her mating; each one with a different male. 
Tears filled her eyes as she looked at each of the orbs that came into view. She squeezed her eyes shut. “That was....It was so long ago.”
Nerru pulled an orb in front of her, showing her as a cub of about ten years old. She was sneaking a candy bar into her jacket as her mother walked a few feet ahead of her. An unseen power opened her eyes and forced her too look at the orbs. “Some, yes. But sins don't go away with time.” He pulled another orb close. “Six years ago. This was your first man. You were no more than fourteen at the time, Kara.” He said and made her watch herself being ravaged by a large, well muscled wolf. “Looks like you were enjoying yourself.” He said and flicked it away, making it circle around her more quickly. Nerru continued to pull orbs in front of her, showing her stealing or starting fights or being bred by a different male. Each new orb he brought in front of her was given a lesser and lesser time. 
“And a month before you accident.” He pulled one final orb over, showing Kara bouncing on top of a tall dragon, silently panting and moaning as he held her hips and brought her down roughly onto him. Nerru grabbed the mountain lion's hair and brought it to her nose. “All the while, Vax was way visiting his sick grandparents.” He hissed.
“I-I...” Kara was sobbing as he let her go, tears ran down her cheeks, following the red markings on either side of her muzzle, as she was made to look at the scene until the both of them climaxed, only to have it start over again like it was on repeat. “P-Please. I-I'm sorry.... I'm –“ Once she was released from Nerru's grip, she fell to her knees, her paws covering her face as he raven smirked above her.
“That is enough!” a loud feminine voice rang out, a bright white light filling the darkness. A snowy owl landed in front of Kara, her silvery talons clicking on the pavement just as Nerru's had. She had flawless, why feathers that covered her entire body. Which was wrapped in a nearly translucent length of fabric, keeping her body well enough covered. A golden necklace hung from her neck, a sun emblazoned on the medallion. “Stand, child.” She offered a hand to Kara, a warmth radiating off of her and began to fill the void just as the light had.
The second the mountain lioness took the offered hand, she felt as though a thousand pounds had been lifted off of her shoulders, gripping the hand in fear of floating up off the ground. The orbs that circled her stopped and began to fall, shattering on impact with the ground. Kara's ears fell back as she looked up at the foot and a half taller avian. “Who-?”
“This has nothing to do with you, Aroura!” Nerru cawed and stormed over to her, his wings spread wide and twitching irritably. 
Aroura's own wing curled around Kara, the pale feathers glowing brightly and halting the raven in his tracks. “You are right. This is all about Kara, Nerru.” Her voice echoed as she spoke sharply to him.
“She is mine!” He shrieked, the sound piercing the air. “Her soul has been tainted and marked by sin!”
“And Kara is making up for each one.” The owl said and took hold of the fabric that wrapped around her right arm. Images began show up on it like a film strip. It started with showing Vax and Kara by the tombstone then to when she'd run away after meeting his new fiance. Her father and mother leaving her on the sidewalk with not but a few dollars. “She has suffered the loss of her friends and family. And now...she's fighting to stay, for the cub.” She said, the last image was the two felines laying on the couch together, their tails draped off the edge and curled together.
“She has done far too much to make up for. Kara has earned an eternity of –“ Nerru's voice was silenced by a length of white clothe wrapping tightly around his beak, forcing it shut. The ribbon grew and wrapped around his head and down his body, forcing his arms to be pinned to his body. As the clothe tied itself around his legs, he looked like a mummy, freshly prepared for burial. The next moment, there was a loud cawing as Nerru disappeared, the wrappings falling to a heap and a few onyx feathers floated on top of them.
Kara stared at the pile before turning to look up at Aroura. “What's going to...happen to me now?” She whispered after the silence began to ring in her ears.
The owl looked down at her and gave a warm smile. “You're going to go back to earth, Kara.” She whispered back. “You are...still far from repaying your debts. But you have time.” She paused and heaved a small sigh. “I should not be telling you, but you deserve to know: Tyler did not have a bright future. But when you both met, when you helped him with the huskies and that you'd be by his side, his potential began to shine again.” Aroura said and wrapped her arms around Kara's waist, both wings coming down to embrace her.
Kara closed her eyes as she felt her whole body warmer and lighter than ever before. Her paws left the icy stone and she was filled with the sense that she was flying. Holding onto the owl in return, she began to feel a heavy weight of sleep on her. She opened her eyes to fight it off and saw nothing but the white wall of feathers all around her still. The wings were pulled away and she felt her paws on the soft carpet of Sasha's flat. She looked around and saw that everything was exactly how it had been before Nerru showed up; the table was intact and the TV was playing sound once more, though more quietly than it had been when she was still awake.
She looked at her body laying back on the couch her tail curled around Tyler's as a soft purr was issuing from the boy's chest.  “The higher spirits are giving you an opportunity, Kara. You are allowed to stay here in this realm with Tyler. Permitting....” The owl looked down at the tiger, a sadness spreading over her face.
“Permitting?” Kara asked and looked up at the owl when she was able to finally pull her gaze away from Tyler.
“If you commit a single sin, you will be given to Nerru, I will not be able to protect you this time. But if you avoid any temptations of such acts; when Tyler comes of age, you will have to leave him and continue on to the after life.”
Kara's heart sank at the words that were spoken. Given the events, and seeing Nerru, she knew she could avoid the actions easily. But just thinking about the latter, “So-So I get to stay with Tyler for ten more years, then...that's fair.” She mumbled sarcastically, tears rolling down her cheeks once again.
“Life...and even death are never fair. But everyone has to play by the rules. While you do have some extraneous circumstances, you too must follow the rules set before you.” Aroura whispered and turned to Kara, placing her long fingered hand on top of her head. “I will come to you again, Kara, when it is time for you to come with me.” She said and ran a thumb over the feline's forehead.
Kara's vision instantly went black, the last image she saw was the Owl's  smiling face. Her eyes shot open again and her body jerking like she'd just been shocked.
Tyler woke up with a start as well, her jerking making him mew sharply as he did so. He gave his eyes a rub and looked up at Kara. “Is everything okay, Kara?” He said, trying his best not to yawn while he spoke.
Kara panted and looked around the living room, her tail lashing about. When her eyes fell upon Tyler, she gave a light smile and sigh. “Y-Yeah, just a nightmare.” She whispered, before quickly pulled him in a tight hug, making him squeak. She nuzzled the top of his head and gave soft whimpers. “I promise. I promise I'll never leave you.” Kara whispered into the boy's rounded ears, making them twitch as her breath teased the fur.
He blushed as he was held tightly, his tail quickly being wrapped and twisted by Kara's. “I-I uhm... I won't leave, either, Kara.” He said quietly and returned the hug. “W-What's this all of a sudden?” Tyler whispered as he nuzzled her collar bone.
“I-It was...I'll tell you later.” She whispered in return and continued to hold the tiger close.
“Alright. Got your room all cleared out...aww.” Sasha said as she walked out into the living room, catching the two hugging.
***
“Happy birthday, Tyler, Happy birthday to you!” Both Kara and Sasha sang out cheerfully from either side of the tiger, both clapping while Sasha blew a party horn and nearly catching his muzzle as it unfurled. 
“Finally eighteen, how's it feel being one of us?” Sasha asked and put the blower down and watched Kara plucking candles out of the small cake.
“Not bad, Doesn't feel too much different than yesterday.” He chuckled as Kara hugged him. The tiger had grown considerably in the time since she'd first met him. Tyler now stood a head above her, his stripes growing darker and looked much like a male form of his mother. 
She gave him a tight squeeze and flicked her long tail, the black tip had grayed a bit over the last ten years. “Yeah, surely you remember your eighteenth? Well...maybe not yours in particular.” she stuck out her tongue at the wolfess. “Well, it should be special, Tyler. You're a man as of today.” She said and rubbed his shoulders as he took the first bite of cake.
“Heh, I guess that's true. Still, I can't wait till I'm twenty-one.” he laughed as he heard Kara's low, but playful groan. “All I'm saying is one drink can't hurt much.” he said before she bonked his head before turning to serve herself some cake.
Kara froze up as she heard a soft female's voice whispering her name. Her ears fell back and turned to the source of the call to see a perfectly white feral owl sitting on a branch that hung over the fence and into the lawn. Her stomach dropped and turned to ice, he owl's large eyes looking directly at her. It gave a small hoot before it took off, flying deeper into the woods just past the fence. Kara swallowed and got up, patting her hands lightly. “I uhm... I've got to....” She paused before slipping between the two of them and hugged them both tightly, kissing their cheeks. “I love you both sooo much. I always will.” Kara whispered before walking away with out another word.
Tears were already streaming down her cheeks again, matting the fur as she walked to the house. Rather than turning into the back door like they thought she would have; Kara passed the house and followed the fence around the side towards the street. She walked as though she was in a trance, stopping as she saw a large group of cubs playing in the cul-de-sac when she heard the hoot again. 
Kara's head fell and she turned around to start walking down the ally towards the woods again. Her head was hung and her paws dragging, fearing what she was about to do, what she was going to be leaving. When she lifted her head, she saw Aroura standing in the center of a clearing, her wings pulled close to her form, a weak smile on her beak.
“Why – Did it have to be today?” The mountain lion sobbed, her body beginning to tremble.
“I am sorry, Kara. I honestly tried to stall as long as I could.” She whispered and stepped up to the feline and placed her hands gently on her shoulders. “But there are some things that I can not control.”
“Kara?!” A male's voice called out.
Kara's heart dropped as she turned around to see Tyler walking up behind her. “T-Tyler...” She choked out and wiped her cheeks, though tears instantly soaked her fur again.
“Wh-what's going on, Kara?”
“I'm sorry, Tyler. I-I have to...to go.” She sobbed strongly and took his paws in hers and rubbed the backs of them. “I-I know I should have told you. But I-I could--” She squeezed his paws and closed her eyes. 
“What do you mean, Kara?” Tyler asked and looked at her, then letting his eyes move over to the owl, his rounded ears falling back. When he looked at her, a warmth filled him, but it couldn't battle the confusion and fear he was filling.
“I was given a...second chance, Tyler. To stay here with you and watch you grow into...into the handsome man you've become.” She paused to finally open her eyes and look up at him. “But I knew and was reminded every day that I woke up, that it was just one day less time that I had to be with you and Sasha. Even knowing that...it never stopped me from enjoying my life with you.” She stared into his eyes, her cheeks were absolutely soaked in tears.
“Second chance...Kara, I don't understand.”
“I-I died ten twenty years ago...and I was brought back...or I escaped somehow. I-I don't know that answer. But when I met you...I gave you a second chance and...and so the powers gave me one more chance too.” She sobbed, her head falling into his chest.
“It's...it's not fair.” He said as tears dampened his fur as well. He pulled her close and hugged her tightly, the pair of them sniffling and sobbing.
“That's what I said too.” She said softly as she hooked her arms around his chest and gave him a powerful squeeze. Her head was pressed against his chest as he held her in return. “I love you so much, Tyler. I always will.” She nuzzled the tiger and held him until she felt the owl's hands on her shoulders. “I love you so much.” She repeated before she stepped back. “Be good, Tyler. I'll always be looking over you.” 
Kara smiled and squeezed his paws, holding his gaze for a while longer before turning around to Aroura and nodding. The owl's arms wrapped around her before the wings followed suit and encompassed her; giving her just enough time to look back at Tyler and smile before she was hidden behind the white feathers.
Tyler was forced to cover his eyes as a bright light filled the clearing. When it faded, the air felt colder. The world around him seemed to have gone completely silent. He held his breath until he began to shake again. Tyler's sobs came back in full force and a deluge of tears streamed down his cheeks. He slowly walked back down the alley and around to the lawn, having to use the fence for support.
“Tyler? What happened?” Sasha barked and jogged to his side as he came around the edge of the house, still leaning on the wood. “Where's Kara?” She whispered and helped him along the middle of the lawn to the picnic table. 
“Kara...Kara had to go...” Tyler mumbled and began to recount what had happened not a few minutes ago.
When he was finished, Sasha was nodding and holding his paw. “I-I knew Tyler...I'm sorry.” She whispered and rubbed his back gently as he cried. “I promised Kara that I wouldn't tell you...That she wanted to tell you herself.” The gray wolf's heart throbbed painfully at the look of hurt on Tyler's face. “I know...I'm sorry Tyler. It's going to hurt...for a while.” Sasha bit her lip and breathed through her nose, trying to keep her own composure. “But you won't be alone Tyler. I'll be right here beside you. As will Kara.”
“Th-Thanks Sasha.” Tyler spoke in a hoarse whisper, leaning into her and sighing. “I-I just can't believe that she's gone...just like that.” 
“I felt the same way back then...and do now. But...heh, as cheesy as it sounds; as long as we remember her, all the times we had together, she really won't be gone.” she smiled and hugged the feline close and rubbed his back.
Tyler hugged Sasha in return and began to cry a new, his face buried in her shoulder. Tears were rolling down her own cheeks while she rubbed his back. Sasha's eyes looked up into the sky and saw a white owl flying up into the sky, a long, dusty tan ribbon held gingerly in its talons. Sasha smiled as she watched it fly soundlessly over them and disappear behind a low cloud, a few drops of rain dropping on their heads as the ribbon vanished from sight.