Cats VS Dogs.

Training

Picture is of Chang. (I think you guys will like this chapter) 

Ross showed up the next day. He was gruff, bearded, and tough. "Those damn rogues killed my best friend," was all the explanation he gave. He didn't disappear like Kyan had, but he kept his distance. We only saw Kyan rarely, he usually ran away as soon as he saw us. He seemed to live in cat form. Thanks to Google, I had finally discovered that Kyan was a carcal cat. I'd never heard of them, but they did exist. 

Training was beginning in earnest. I was the smallest and most inexperienced, so I had a lot to learn. Quickness came from Dak, intimidation came from Lisimba, and now Jasper was teaching me how to defend myself against a larger cat. Ross and I faced off in jaguar and ocelot form. I hadn't been that surprised when Ross had shifted into a jaguar. I mean, I came out onto the porch that morning and saw a massive lion sprawled across it. Nothing shocked me anymore. I don't know how Jasper got Ross to agree to be my scratching post, but I was just glad it was him instead of Jasper's first choice, Shawn.

"Cassie, the most important thing for you is don't get caught," Jasper said. I remembered that from Dak. Never be predictable, and always be nimble on your paws.

"First thing you have to do is go for the eyes. If you can blind a wolf, your job is already mostly done. They have pretty thick pelts so your claws won't do much anywhere else. Remember, this is just in case you have to defend yourself. You won't actually be in an area where a lot of fighting is going on."

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm too small and weak, and I'll be more of a liability than a help. I'd heard it all before.

Ross, my mock wolf, jumped at me while I was still lost in my thoughts. I squeaked and went into preservation mode, not thinking at all about Jasper's directions. I ran up the nearest tree.

"That was good Cassie, but not what we're working on today," he called. I narrowed my eyes at him and jumped down. Not fair, I wasn't ready. 

"An attack can come at any time, you always have to be focused," Jasper instructed. "Now try it again." 

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Ross was coming at me again. I forced myself to stand my ground and swipe at his eyes. He dodged and rushed me. I almost defected to my tree, but instead, used a technique that Lisimba had taught me. I arched up as much as I could, my fur standing on end as I hissed loudly, laying my ears back. I saw Ross hesitate for a split second. That was enough for me. I went on the offensive and jumped at him, claws reaching for his eyes. 

I scratched his face, but missed his eyes. Now I was too close to him. He swatted me aside with a heavy paw. Now I defected and scampered up a tree. 

Jasper looked up at me and sighed. "You almost had it. The intimidation part was excellent. That will buy you enough time to get in a good hit. But please, stop running up a tree during this lesson." 

Layla came out of the bushes, and I decided to stay up in my tree. I didn't like the way she was looking at Jasper. As usual, he was dressed in a black t shirt that defined his muscles. I mean, sure, she was only human, but he was mine! 

"She needs someone to show her," she said, pulling her shirt over her head. Oh brother, I snorted. Could she be any more obvious? Jasper's expression was impassive, impossible to read. Ross looked bored. Wrong audience for your strip show, I thought smugly. She's probably the size of a housecat. My thoughts disappeared as soon as she shifted. If I thought she was beautiful as a human, she was breathtaking as a cat. 

Layla was a clouded leopard, I knew because I had once seen one in a zoo. She was small, but still bigger and sleeker than I was. Her coat was a silky pattern that made me want to touch it. Even Ross looked impressed.