Ice Cat

Chapter 2: Kaedin

   I awoke with a feirce pounding in my head and my face hurt, no doubt with large bruises on my cheeks. I couldn't have been out for very long but Vince was gone and I was still outside. The freezing air felt nice. Snow leopards are more tolerant to cold than most cats. I sighed and got up and decided i would stay outside for a while.

   Would you like to go for a run?, I softly asked my leopard. She didn't reply, but I knew she wanted to. I shifted to my beautiful snowy white leopard, my thick fluffy fur keeping me warm. I bounded off into the forest behind the cabin. There are no other snow leopards here, the non-shifters live only in the Himilayas.

   The first time I shifted, when i was 14, I fought back against Vince. He beat us to the point of near death. I was weak then, and i plan on fighting back again one day, when I'm stronger. Everytime he beats me, my leopard curls up inside me and becomes distant for a while, but she always comes back eventually because she knows i need her.

   I even tried to escape once,  not long after i had fought back. I ran, but he stopped me. I was in my leopard form, him his cougar, and he mauled me so i couldn't shift back for three days. He had broken my right hind leg and now i have a small peice missing from the left side of my left ear.

   He is always watching me.

   Aspen, forget about that right now. My leopard brought me back to reality. I was glad she was talking again.

   I know. Your right. I silently replied.

   Well of course I'm right. I just giggled at her in a weird leopard way and ran faster. There was a waterfall up ahead. It's usually frozen, but it's beautiful. I swerved around the trees and through the snow. I skidded to a halt in front of a wide river, the waterfall was only about a mile down the river. I didn't dare step onto the ice, though. My heavy body would have broken through the ice. Being a werecat, my leopard is a lot bigger than the non-shifting snow leopards.

   I trotted along the frozen river bank until i came to the frozen waterfall. I carefully picked my way across the rocks in the frozen water till i came to a hidden cave like area. There was always grass and flowers here, seems impossible because everywhere else is frozen, but what do i know? I'm a frickin werecat so nothing is impossible.

   I lay down on the grass, and was close to falling asleep.

   Hey Aspen?, my leopard asked.

   Whaaaaaat?, i asked, very annoyed by the sudden interruption.

   Jeez. Nevermind, go ahead and sleep, 'cause that's a lot more important than your leopard., she said sarcastically.

   What, no! I'm sorry!, I said frantically trying to mend my mistake.

   Fine, she sighed, well i was just wondering why you haven't named me...

   what? I'm supposed to name you?

   Well yeah...i think....

   Ok...well...How about Kaedin?

   Oh, thats perfect! i could feel her excitement and approval, she contently purred inside me. We were both happy. Me and my snow leopard, Kaedin.

*Wow....I seriously thought that was longer. Anyways, first person to comment gets a dedication on the next chapter!

~MeowDragon