HOME for the NIGHT[Dakota]

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

He still held her hand tightly in his, but he knew his time was running short. She'd never like him after she saw what he shifted into. He hadn't said a word the past few minutes that they had been walking, so deep in thought and concentrating on holding his feelings in. He could feel his stomach growling for the food that his shift wanted. With sweat on his brow, he looked to Dakota. Meekly he spoke, looking back toward the houses that stretched out before him.
"Whic-Which one is yours?"

[/size][/center]

[F L A M E]

Dakota looked at the houses, and pointed to one, just enjoying being with him. She did wish he wasn't going to leave so soon. The only company she would have after he left is Striker. She sighed, and held onto his hand, waiting for him to start walking toward her house.

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

He smiled, trying to act as if there wasn't anything wrong, and followed her point to the house. Meekly, he started walking again, squeezing her hand as they walked. He didn't want to loose her; he was afraid that if he walked away then Striker would turn into her boyfriend and they'd have a good laugh together. He was frantic now, but they were at her doorstep. But he couldn't let go of her hand, and he looked to the house and then to her.
"W-well, w-we're here."
There was worry in his eyes, what would she do?

[F L A M E]

Dakota looked at him as the walked toward the house, and felt as if something was wrong. When they reached the house she asked, "Would you like to come in?" She dearly hoped he would say yes, for she did not want to be alone. She watched him, searching his eyes for the answer she wanted. Dakota wanted to be with no one else right now, and she really didn't want to be alone

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

A dog like whimper escaped his lips as she asked him that question that he has so wanted to here. His eyes turned to the ground, he couldn't say no, but he didn't want to scare her away.
"I doubt Striker would like it...I-I get kind of s-scary at night."
He dared to look up at her, into those beautiful eyes, and he was lost in them. He was lost in them as the time passed, and his watch alarm beeped. He yelped, then slapped his hand over his mouth.
"D-Dakota..."

He couldn't stop it. He turned and ran, tears in his eyes because he didn't want to leave her side, but this was his burden. He ran to behind the mailboxes, and growled, shifting in the darkness to the black leopard he was at night. He slunk from the mailboxes slightly, gazing out at Dakota. Would she accept him this way?

[F L A M E]

Dakota watched as he ran off, her eyes saddened and she shifted into cat form running off after him. She meowed lightly then said in a light cat voice, "Koko..? Please stay..." Her eyes saddened and she sat down. wrapping her tail around her. She wondered if she should just... leave.

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

He looked at her worriedly as she changed, bounding after him. He growled softly under his breath; more of a purr. He stepped from out of behind the mailboxes and looked around, seeing no one about.
He padded over to the now cat, and laid down in front of it so he was on eye level.
"Hey, hey don't cry. I'm right here."
He smiled and reached out and nuzzled her, wrapping his paw around her and pulling her a little closer.
"I'm here. Right here, don't cry."

[F L A M E]

Dakota purred as she heard Koko's voice and she looked up. So he's a leopard.... thats why he ran She had a tear dripping from her eye, and she said, "I don't care if your a leopard, just please stay... Don't leave me, please don't ever leave me." She licked his cheek with her small tongue, and longed to tell him how she felt. She could still feel tears streaming from her eyes though Koko was right in front of her. She purred louder and finally got up enough courage to say "I love you." Dakota had wanted to be with him always, even if his other form was a leopard.

-my muse went up a bit lol-

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

He smiled weakly, and reached out his other paw and pulled her even closer, rolling over onto his side and cuddling around her; his little feline princess. He nuzzled against her, his eyes looking at the stars. They twinkled like never before he had thought, but perhaps that was because he wasn't alone for once. He nuzzled her again.
"I love you too."
He softly whispered, licking her neck gently with his large sandpapery tongue.

[F L A M E]

Dakota purred louder, cuddling up next to him. She had finally found the one for her. Now she would never be alone again, she licked his chest with her rough tongue. Her tail rubbed his ears gently and lovingly. She wanted life to be like this forever, always having Koko by her side. She looked up at the sky and lightly whispered "I'm not alone anymore..."

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

A smile spread across the leopards face as he felt her tail against his ears, and he, the big cat that he was, started purring. He nudged her playfully when she spoke, a chuckle escaping from his lips before he spoke.
"I don't really think either of us was ever alone. God was just keeping us apart so that we'd mean even more to each other when we finally met."
He laid his head down on his front paws, pressing his neck gently against her to make sure she was still there.
"Da-Dakota? Can I ask you a question and you not laugh at me?"

[F L A M E]

Dakota leaned up against his thick, warm fur and meowed in agreement. Then when he spoke again she meowed softly, "Of course you can." She wondered what he wanted to ask, that he actually though she would laugh at him! Her tail still brushed over his big leopard ears as she waited for his question to come.

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

He bit his lip and looked over at her. She was the most beautiful cat he had ever seen, and he nuzzled her again. He looked away once more, the question burning in his mind like it had before. He stumbled over the words at first.
"I-I know I should be do-down on one knee, and I should probably ask you in human form; but I can't get it out of my mind."
His gaze shifted back to her, and he nudged her gently, softly whispering into her ear.
"When we're older, Dakota, will you marry me?"

[F L A M E]

Dakota purred right in his ears at his question and replied "Yes, yes I will!" She gently nipped his ear with her fangs, still purring loudly. Then she meowed, "I would never want to marry anyone else, Koko." Her tail lashed happily behind her as she thought about the future. She meowed like a cute little kitten, and laid her head gently on Koko's back.

[|K|o|y|a|m|i|]

He smiled and nudged her gently, not wanting to upset her perch atop his front paws. She looked genuinely happy. He'd never made anyone happy before, and it was a wonderful feeling to have made someone smile. He chuckled as she nipped his ear, and he could not help but yawn slightly as he looked to her. He always slept as a leopard, it was just easier that way. He licked her again and nudged her, trying to think of some response to her comments.
"I thought I'd never find anyone, and here I have. I've met you."
He playfully nipped at her tail, not trying to actually catch it but just to play.