Empathy

Story by Leopardian on SoFurry

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Empathy

By Leopardian

The following story contains scenes of explicit sexual acts between two consenting individuals, human and animal. If you are under the age of 18 or think you might be offended by such things, you should not read any further. All characters and events in this story are copyrighted to me. If you wish to use them, please ask my permission first.


It happened when I went to a zoo that was quite a bit past its prime and should've been shut down long before then. The term "zoo" was in fact too good for it. In reality, it was little more than a deteriorating park with badly kept cages that contained horribly neglected animals. This place was despicable. I'm an animal protection officer and had been sent there to make an assessment of the place after we received reports from concerned citizens of the deplorable conditions. I've been told I'm fairly good looking, though I consider myself average. I was 28 years old at the time, 6 feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes, I kept a clean shaven face and crew cut hair, and as usual wore my uniform. It was sort of a tan colored outfit bottomed out with boots and topped with a hat. I suppose I looked a bit like a cross between a cop and a forest ranger.

Upon entering the dilapidated place, I instantly knew the reports hadn't been exaggerated. Glancing around I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was definitely worthy of being shut down. I called the station and notified them of the situation. I was to take pictures of the different animal habitats, if you could call them that, and investigate further. My partner remained with one of the zoo keepers while I continued on through into the Big Cat "habitat". It was there that my heart skipped a beat. Inside the dank, smelly enclosure was what appeared to be a dead leopard. I turned my head and stifled a scream. By now my anger was seething. /How dare they allow this to happen?/ I returned to the front office where my partner was still talking to the keeper.

"I want to go into the leopard enclosure." I stated matter of factly.

"What?" Asked the confused employee.

"The leopard enclosure, let me in." I reiterated.

"Why?" The man stood, confusion still covering his face.

"Because it's locked, and I can't get in unless you let me in." I told him as calmly as possible. I was having trouble controlling my anger and annoyance.

"But I can't just let you in there. I have to talk to my boss." He tried to explain, but I cut him off.

"No, you have to give me the key so that I can get in, now." My eyes were cold and deadly as I stared into his. He simply nodded and fumbling pulled a key off of his belt handing it to me.

"Thank you." I said as I stalked off back towards the enclosure. My partner followed now thoroughly confused himself.

"What was that all about?" He whispered as we entered the enclosure.

I pointed through the bars to the seemingly dead cat. "That....is what it's all about."

He shifted his vision to where I was pointing and let out a gasp. "Oh my, it looks dead."

"Yeah, you noticed that, too?" I was beginning to get annoyed at him, but I knew it wasn't his fault I was angry. These so called zoo keepers were the cause. If I'd had my way, they'd have all been locked up if not worse. I inserted the key into the lock and turned it. There was a loud clank, and then I was able to slide the door open.

I entered first, my partner close behind. We moved cautiously not being sure that this was the only cat in the enclosure, though from all appearances that was most likely the case. It certainly didn't look like anything else was alive in there, or as if anything could be. I said conditions were bad, but upon closer inspection that was a major understatement. The inside of the cage was horrible. It didn't look like it'd been cleaned for months. I don't even want to go into further detail. You can guess the rest. In the middle of this mess was the leopard. She was most decidedly dead, and this confirmation stung just as badly as the initial discovery. I'd known that she was dead before entering, but I wouldn't let myself accept it until then. I had to check her just in case. Kneeling down I dropped my head and sighed.

"She's dead, Aaron." I said dejectedly. Aaron had been my partner for 6 years then, and we were best friends, still are. He was younger than me, being 27, and had darker hair than my own and brown eyes. While he didn't wear a beard, he did let his hair grow out rather long. He was outfitted in the same uniform as I was. As I said, he was my friend, and he knew how much I cared about animals, cats in particular.

"Yeah, looks like it." He was quiet for a minute. "Wait, she? How do you know it's a she?"

I looked up at him. "Am I ever wrong?"

"No." He dropped his own head and looked over the animal. "I wish that things like this didn't happen. It's always hard to deal with finding a dead animal like this."

"Yeah." I replied solemnly. Nothing else was left to be said. I couldn't tell him how special I knew she was, or what a loss this really was. He'd never understand. Standing, I turned to leave when I heard a noise. It was a small sound, almost too faint to notice, but then I heard it again. Raising an eyebrow I looked back into the darkness, as the cage wasn't well lit, and I saw something move. Slowly I moved closer being careful yet a bit bold. I had to find out if there was anything alive in there, however unlikely. As I neared a pile of bones, presumably from the few meals they'd given the leopardess, I saw a small quivering form behind them. I took a deep intake of air when I realized what it was I was seeing. There, behind the pile of various large bones, was a panther cub. It was small and looked to be in pretty bad shape, but it was alive. I was both elated and horrified at the same time. I almost bounded towards it in my excitement, but then I thought better of it. I didn't want to frighten the poor little thing anymore than it was. With slow, gradual movements I made my way to the cub. Once I was finally close enough to see it clearly, I knew it was far too weak to move let alone run. I hadn't expected it to anyway. If it could have, it probably would have by then. She, yes, if she could have. I have a knack about knowing these kinds of things. She was, however, frightened. Terrified is more like it.

"Shhhh, little one. It's gonna be all right. Everything's gonna be okay. Just relax." I tried to calm her while I moved the bones out of the way. Her deep blue eyes stared up at me worriedly. I could tell she didn't believe me. Yes, you see, cats are much smarter than most people give them credit for. They understand a lot more than most think as well. Even so young a cub, she could grasp basic concepts. She thought I was like the others. She was afraid. Yet at the same time, I could see hope in her eyes. They hadn't completely destroyed her spirit. So young and to have endured so much, it's a wonder they hadn't done so, but somehow she'd survived, spirit intact. Still, she was a terrible site. Her fur was tattered and dirty, her frame frail and thin. Wrapping my hands around her gently, I pulled her up and cradled her to my chest.

"Shhhh, it's okay." I kept repeating as I scritched her tiny belly. She wasn't convinced, but despite herself she started to purr. That is, after her shivering subsided. At first I wasn't sure when the shivering had ended and the purring begun.

"Cute, you have her purring already, Jeff." Aaron pointed out. That's when it actually dawned on me that, yes, she was purring. I couldn't help but smile. Then I made the mistake of looking up and seeing her mother. Cringing I walked out of the enclosure as quickly as my feet would carry me. She didn't need to see anymore of this, and neither did I.

As we walked back towards the front of the zoo, and the office, I told Aaron, "I'm keeping her."

"Wha?" Was all he managed before I continued.

"No one else is qualified." I explained.

"But there are several people in the area that specialize in big cats." He tried to detour me.

"I'm keeping her." I said sternly. He looked at me and sighed in defeat. He knew there was no stopping me when my mind was made up.

"All right, you're keeping her." Was his only response.

"Yes, I am." I grinned and scritched her under the chin. By now she was beginning to like this new sensation that she'd obviously never experienced before.

________________________________________

It took some doing, but I was finally able to arrange it so that I could take care of her. She was asleep in a small box full of blankets I'd setup for her. I looked down at her with a warm grin. There was something about that cat, I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew she was special. I'd just fed her and that's why she was asleep. It seemed that the formula I'd made would work out. I was glad she was now safe and content in her sleep. Well, safe anyway. She seemed to be a bit distressed as she slept. Her tiny limbs twitched and her face looked tense. I could tell she wasn't having good dreams. What she'd been through - I closed my eyes and tried not to think about it. Instead, I leaned down and ran my hand over her side reassuringly. Her whimpering quieted and the tension seemed to drain from her body. I continued my caresses until I was sure she was in calm sleep once more and then for a while after that. Her fur was soft and pleasant to pet. I just smiled and watched her while she slept.

Just then the door opened and Aaron stepped in. "Hi Jeff." He greeted me.

"Hiya Aaron. Today's the day. I finally get to take her home." I was beaming.

"You act as if you've been waiting ages. It's just been one day." He smirked.

"Yeah, but that was still far too long. At least I'll be able to stay close and guard over her now." I replied ignoring his taunting.

"Jeff, you slept here last night. For goodness sake, you're a mess." He brushed his hair back with a hand and chuckled.

"Perhaps, but I'm a happy mess." I reached down to scritch the little panther and received a contented mew in response. My smile broadened at the site.

"You'll never change. Always the pushover when it comes to a cute cat." He admonished me.

"I sure hope not. I rather like the way I am." I looked up at him grinning.

"So do I." We both shook our heads laughing as he took a seat behind his desk.

"So what's on the agenda for today?" He asked as he thumbed through a pile of papers.

"We're shutting down that place that dares call itself a zoo." I practically growled the words. I would have had I had the vocal chords to do so.

"Yeah, but I didn't think the warrant had come through yet." He replied.

"It came through just before you got here. Sharel brought it in while I was feeding the cub." I told him.

He glanced back down at the sleeping ball of fur and inquired, "So you haven't given her a name yet?"

"No, it has to be something that's as special as she is, something that fits. I haven't thought of anything so far." I answered.

"Ah well, I'm sure you'll think of something before too long." He assured me.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks." I couldn't draw my eyes away from the sleeping form in the box, and with them my attention was drawn away as well.

"I think I'll be happy once you have that cub of yours at home." He gestured towards her.

"Oh, why's that?" I asked.

"Because then maybe you'll be able to pay attention while at work again." He cracked.

"Don't you worry, I'll pay plenty attention when we go to shut down that 'zoo'." I said emphatically.

"Speaking of, since we've got the warrant, shouldn't we be going?"

"Oh yeah, oops. I was distra-" I stopped myself.

"You were what?" Aaron just grinned.

"Ah, never mind. Let's just go." With that I stood and he followed me out the door.

________________________________________

That night I was tired, but we were home, my panther and I.

________________________________________

I woke up to the mewling of a cub early the next morning. By early I mean the sky was still dark when I heard her cries. Stumbling out of bed groggily it took me a minute to remember what the source of the noise was. Then a smile came to my face. I hurried to the small basket I'd made up for her and set across the room so I could keep an eye on her throughout the night. There beneath the blankets she was awake, wide eyed, and crying out. I figured it was probably time for breakfast.

"You hungry?" I asked her as I picked the little cub up from her bed. It was as if she looked up at me and actually mewed in reply. "Thought so. Okay then, let's see what we can do about getting you some formula." Thinking about that for a second, in response to her disgusted expression, I laughed, "Yeah, I know it's not as good as your mother's milk, but it's the best I can do."

I hadn't even bothered putting anything on, so I walked into the kitchen with a panther cub cradled in one arm clad only in my boxers. Stifling a yawn, I opened the fridge and retrieved the bottle of formula I'd prepared the night before. While it warmed up in the microwave I soothed her as best I could in my tired state. "Shh, it's okay little one. It's all right. The food will be ready in just a minute." The microwave beeped as if on cue. "You hear that? Time to eat. Yes, it is." I removed the bottle from the microwave and tested the formula on my forearm to make sure it wasn't too hot. "Here you are sweetie." She suckled on the rubber teat hungrily, and pretty soon a tiny purr could be heard. "That's good. Take as much as you want." When she was finished she looked up at me and burped. Shaking my head chuckling I told her, "That hit the spot, now didn't it?" In response she just tilted her head quizzically at me. "How about we get some more sleep, eh?" I yawned again, and with that we went back to bed; the little cub nestled into her basket, and me practically collapsing onto the bed not even bothering with covers.

Unfortunately, my reprieve didn't last long. A short while after I'd fallen asleep, which wasn't all that large a span of time as you can imagine, I was pulled from my slumber once again. /Is it glumflumblle?/ My mind struggled with the thought. I, of course, then tried to speak with just about as much success, "Wanna sleep no go 'way mrffleglummmle..." The sound became louder. Forcing my eyes open I all but fell out of bed as I attempted to get my bearings. "You again?" I said glancing down at the tiny form in the basket. Kneeling down beside her I sighed, "So what's wrong?" She stared at me with those cool blue eyes of hers, piercing me all the way to my soul. "You're lonely, aren't you?" She mewled, and I relented. Into my arms she went and then into bed with me. I placed her next to me and curled up on my side pulling the blanket up to keep us both warm. I considered the possibility that I might roll over and crush her while I slept, but then I remembered the cats we had while growing up. Wherever they were on the bed, I'd be sure not to move even in my sleep. It was a strange ability I had to control my movements in my sleep like that. These memories brought back others including the reason why I as an adult had never had a cat. With my work I'd always been so busy I just didn't feel like I'd have time to give the love and attention a pet would deserve at home. So I never had one. As I settled in for sleep for the third time that night, curled up around this cub, I idly wondered what I'd gotten myself into. At the same time she began to purr. In that moment when I was just drifting into sleep, I thought I heard something. It sounded like the word "safe", although it wasn't really a word. It was more like a feeling I sensed; a state of being. I didn't really ponder on it much as I was asleep before I had time to do so.

________________________________________

Morning, true morning when the sun came up, was actually a welcome site. I know I should have been exhausted from my sleep deprived night, but I was quite the opposite. I was excited about this new life I was responsible for. /My cub./ I thought. /Yes, I like the sound of that./ So I spoke it aloud, "My cub." Grinning I looked at the tiny ball of fur still curled up beside me fast asleep. "I guess I really should let you sleep." I whispered. "After all, there's no reason to wake you up just because I have to get ready for work." I rolled off the bed as quietly and with as little movement as possible.

I was dressed in no time and ready to start my day with "my cub". After giving her her morning feeding, I headed off to work. She was wrapped in blankets in her little basket, which I'd set in the back. During the drive there I kept checking the review mirror to see if she was okay. I was a bit obsessive, I admit.

"Hey, Jeff." Aaron greeted me as I came in. "Got your cub with you I see."

"Yep. Where I go she goes." I replied setting her down in her bed.

"I still can't believe the bosses agreed to let you keep her." He commented.

"Well, you know how I can be when I want something." I scratched her behind the ears a little before standing.

"Yeah, that I do." He agreed while watching me. "I just hope it all turns out well for you. Raising a panther isn't easy."

"Don't worry so much. I know what I'm doing. I've had some experience with big cats from back when I was a volunteer at the sanctuary." I told him.

"I know. I just have to point these things out to you. It's what a best friend does." Aaron grinned.

I just laughed, "It is now? So am I to do the same whenever you take on insane responsibilities?"

"But of course." We both laughed at that. It was his accent that did it, that horrible attempt at a French accent.

"I'm going to go put the formula in the lounge fridge. I'll be right back." I let him know as I grabbed the cooler containing the bottles and headed back through the hallway.

A few minutes later I returned to find him kneeling down petting the cub. He didn't hear me arrive so I just watched for a while. "You like her, too, don't ya?" I said accusingly.

He looked up startled. Once he'd regained his composure he replied, "Yeah, I guess I do. And don't do that to me. You nearly made me jump out of my own skin."

"And here I thought that law enforcement personnel were supposed to always be on their guard." I quipped.

He scoffed at that, "Law enforcement personnel? We're animal police, Jeff, not Colorado Springs' finest."

"Our jobs are still important." I regarded him.

"True. This little beauty is testimony enough of that." He looked back down at her and resumed his petting, which had slowed nearly to a stop during our trading of jabs.

"She really is beautiful, isn't she?" I asked staring at her adoringly.

This didn't go without notice as Aaron saw my expression and inquired, "So have you thought of a name for her?"

I responded after the question registered, "You know, I hadn't...until now. I was just remembering something from last night- No, it couldn't have been real. I had to of just imagined it or dreamt it or something." I shook the thought out of my head and continued, "I'm going to call her Emaly."

Aaron thought about it and nodded saying, "Ah, that's a good name. A very good name indeed." Smiling down at "Emaly" he tickled her belly and in that tone everyone talks to babies and animals in asked, "Is that okay with you? Do you think that's a good name, little Emaly?" I just rolled my eyes and walked over to my desk.

"I think she likes it." Jeff informed me.

"Yeah?" I looked at him.

"Yeah."

________________________________________

The next several months progressed like that; Emaly and I getting to know one another, she growing both in form and spirit, and Jeff trading jabs with me while we worked to protect animals from cruelty in Colorado Springs. That's not to say that it was normal. This was all a new experience for me, one I highly enjoyed. Learning to take care of a panther cub as I went along, the sleepless nights resulting from her constant feedings, the destroyed items of clothing among other things throughout the house, and so on all were a part of our great adventure. An adventure we took together. She and I were nearly inseparable. In all actuality, we really couldn't be apart for long. I had to both feed her and keep her in line. As she grew bigger it became necessary for me to setup an enclosure for her to stay in while at home and a pen at the office. I really didn't have that much trouble feeding her while at work. Everyone loved her and chipped in to help. She'd grown into a beautiful adolescent female panther, her form sleek and strong. In the sunlight you could see through her dark fur and make out the rosettes of a leopard. She was nearing her first estrus though, and I had no idea how I was going to handle that. Those strange moments where I thought I heard something but didn't were becoming more and more frequent as well. Thus one night I found myself in an interesting predicament.

I was at home after having just gotten off work. I'd fed Emaly and sat down in the living room to watch some TV. That's when she padded in and rubbed up against me. I'd noticed her acting friendlier than usually lately, but I hadn't thought anything of it. So I just patted her head and mumbled something along the lines of get on the couch if you want, but be quiet. I wasn't really paying attention to what she was doing so when I felt her tail whip against my face, I grabbed it and moved it aside chiding her for it. A moment later I felt it again. Finally, I looked over to see what was going on only to find her turned away from me with her rump in the air. She was most definitely in heat. I was sure of it. So what to do; I had no idea. Sure I knew from past experience at the sanctuary I'd worked at, but this was different. This was my cub. I was at a loss and more than a little uncomfortable. I fled from the room and headed for my bedroom to think things over. I just couldn't be in there anymore. Something beyond the simple discomfort of the situation was bothering me. /It couldn't be, could it?/ I couldn't accept the possibility that I was sensing her scent and it was what was bothering me.

It didn't take long for there to be a scratching at the door. I opened it and regarded Emaly with a frown. It wasn't meant to be scolding, but I suppose she took it as such. My confusion and uncertainty weren't helping things any. I know that animals read our emotions so she must've been reading mine, and I was sending mixed signals. She looked back at me with the saddest expression on her face. Her ears were laid back just so that it made me want to take her in my arms and hug her tightly. I wanted to do whatever I could at that moment to make her feel happy again.

/Did I do something wrong?/ That thought broke my heart. At first I didn't consider where it came from or how. I just dropped down and hugged her. I was in tears and didn't even notice it. /Your face is wet./ She said, or sent I should say. As I explained before, it wasn't really like human speech. It was more of a sense of emotion and ideas.

Pulling back a little so I could study her, I did notice then that my face was indeed wet. I remembered all the times I'd just brushed aside as being imagined, all the emotion I'd sensed and yet thought was just mere empathy for her. /Why didn't you tell me you could talk?/ I asked her in a somewhat accusing tone that wasn't intended.

/...../ She didn't really have a response at first. Eventually she sent, /I didn't know how much you could understand./

"Why didn't you try more though? You knew I understood some, didn't you?" I wasn't sure how much I was understanding now, but it had nothing to do with the species gap.

Her gaze was painful now; I could tell I'd struck a nerve. /I wasn't sure.../

"You didn't trust me because of what my kind did to your mother?" I interjected.

She looked down, her tail still except for the tip which flicked up and down.

I was in a distressed state myself. "But you said that you were safe all that time back. I remember. I thought you trusted me."

/I did, in a sense. I just couldn't let myself trust completely, not after.../ She couldn't complete her thought.

"Do you now?" I asked.

She looked up at me again, her eyes staring into mine. I could see the turmoil going on behind them. /We're speaking, aren't we?/ It wasn't meant to be cruel, just a statement of fact, and an answer.

It was my turn to look down, both because I couldn't stand to look at her for the intensity of her stare and because of the shame I felt for grilling her so after all she'd risked in talking to me. "I-I'm sorry."

/For what?/ She tilted her head in confusion as she so often did.

"For being such an idiot, what else?" I grinned, and in return I felt her feeling of warmth and forgiveness envelop me. "You really are beautiful, my cub."

She perked up at that and resumed her seductive ritual. Standing she rubbed herself against me with a desperate purr. Then she circled around me giving me a pleading look. /Please./

"But I'm a, and you're a..." I was uncertain and afraid.

/It'll be all right. I said I trust you./ She purred and nuzzled into my chest. All the while her tail was sinuously swaying behind her purposefully gaining my attention.

"Trying to entice me, are you?" I grinned scritching behind her ears.

/Is it working?/ She asked. I leaned down and bit her ear lightly. She growled at that. It was a lustful growl.

I stared at her again, not moving to do anything more. "I'm not really sure what to do." I told her sheepishly.

/You are male. I am female. It's my heat. We just mate./ She advised me as if that were all there was to it. I guess that it was, in a sense. Then again, it was much more complicated.

"I've just never..." I trailed off.

She understood the thought even if the words weren't said. /But why not? You are a viral male. You should have sired many cubs./

"It's not quite as simple as that." I replied.

/Why not?/ She looked perplexed, and her patience was wearing thin. I could tell by the movement of her tail and the position of her ears. She was getting restless, her heat intensifying. Earlier it had just begun. Now it was really heating up, if you'll excuse the pun.

How to explain this to a panther, I had no idea. I tried to choose my words carefully, "I've always believed you should wait for the right person. It's more special that way, more intimate. Especially so if your mate has done the same. I guess it's just a sign of respect and love even prior to meeting one another. It's saying that you cared enough to wait for your true soulmate to be the one." I couldn't think of anything else to say. That was all there was to it, and yet so much more. How do you explain such a thing to anyone let alone a cat?

/I don't understand. You are strange, you humans./ She informed me and then stood. Her eyes caught hold of mine again with that same pleading look. /Mate me?/

I closed my own eyes and sighed. "All right, my love." And I did love her. I realized that then. I'd loved her since the very moment I'd found her behind that pile of bones. We were meant to be, and so I gave in.

My hands moved over that sensuous midnight black fur of hers, so velvety soft. I pressed my forehead to hers and held her like that for a moment. "All right." I repeated. Then I began removing my clothes. By this time Emaly was elated and very excited. Her tail whipped behind her and her thoughts met mine, both of intense sexual desire. I could literally feel her need. I didn't know why this was turning me on so, but to think of being with her like this made me wild.

I threw my jeans on the bed somewhere next to where I'd thrown my shirt not long before. Then I was standing there in front of her wearing nothing but my boxers. I'd been in this situation many times before, every night in fact. It was different this time, however. This time it meant something. Emaly stepped foreword and nosed at my crotch insistently. I obliged, pulling down my boxers and stepping out of them. This gave her freedom to nose directly at my cock and balls. She inhaled deeply and chuffed. I should have been scared having this large predator so close to my most favorite part of anatomy, but it was Emaly, and while I respected her I never feared her.

She lapped out her tongue and ran it over me. From my balls to the tip of my penis it rasped, rough yet warm and soft. I shuddered in pleasure. Seeing that this pleased me she continued for a minute. Then she must have sensed what I was thinking because she very carefully took me into her mouth. I felt her warm muzzle engulf my cock and nearly collapsed right there. Somehow I managed to remain standing, although I'm not sure how. I closed my eyes and let my head roll back. My hands found her ears, and I massaged them gently as she worked me to orgasm.

"W-ow." Is all that I said, and it's all the encouragement she needed. Her purring increased in volume and seemed to concentrate in her mouth while she moved her tongue over and around my pulsing cock. Now I'm not that big, though I am a comfortable size, but that didn't keep her from fitting my entire length within her muzzle. Thank God for that feline muzzle of hers; so much better than I can ever imagine a human female's being. I was loving it, and I was also close to cumming. I felt the tickling in my balls and called out, "Emaly, I.." I came into her muzzle before I could get anymore out, but I'm fairly sure she knew what I meant to say. She just purred and continued suckling my penis as she had that bottle so many months back when I'd fed her. I remembered those moments fondly, all kinds of thoughts of her flooding my mind as my body tensed and I shot forth my seed into her waiting muzzle. Her purring increased, if that's at all possible, when she tasted my seed. It wasn't at the flavor though. Instead, it was the satisfaction of knowing she'd pleased me. Her tongue swirled around my shaft as it pumped warm semen out into her mouth.

/Bleck. It doesn't taste very good./ She sent. It didn't slow down her purring though, and she didn't stop her ministrations either.

"But does it ever feel good." I said starting to come down from my orgasmic high. I looked down at her as she still suckled on my penis and smiled lovingly. "How'd you know how to do that?" I asked.

/I just knew what you wanted./ She told me, and that was all there was to it.

She released my spent penis, and I nodded kneeling down to hug her. "You were right."

/I know./ She grinned smugly in that mental way of hers, though her tail showed it just as well. You can tell a lot by a feline's tail. I've learned to tell their moods quite well, thanks in no small part to Emaly.

"I don't deserve you." I said tightening my hold around her.

/And here I was feeling the same about you./ She informed me.

"I can't imagine why." I shook my head not really knowing what I had that was worthy of one such as she.

/You saved me, you loved me, and I now choose you as my mate. You are deserving./ She sent with warm reassurance.

"Well, when you say it that way." I grinned squeezing her tightly once again.

/Your seed tastes horrible though./ She made a face, and I laughed.

"Well, how about we try putting it where it really belongs?" I asked a minute or so later once I'd had time to recover from my laughter.

/That is what I was getting you ready for, though now you'll have less seed for me./ She acted as if she was disappointed at that.

"Then I guess we'll just have to keep at it until you get enough, eh?" I said as I tackled her playfully. She fought back, but only half heartedly. When finished, we ended up with her pinning me, her tail swaying behind her happily. "You win. So now what?"

/You mate me, finally./ She said. /I mean, geesh, I've been waiting forever!/ I could tell there was humor in her thoughts and took it as the teasing joke it was.

She turned her back to me for the second time that night and raised her rump in the air, moving her tail aside to allow me access. I'd have growled if I'd been a leopard, too. What a sight, I'm telling you. Before I'd never looked at or thought much about it, but now...she was gorgeous. Her tail complimented her form perfectly as it was held aside from that wonderful smelling mound of hers. I could see her swollen lips, and then I couldn't take it anymore. I moved forward and pressed my nose into her inhaling as deeply as I could. The scent made me dizzy. Sensing my reaction, or perhaps just driven by the pleasure of the contact, she pushed backward nearly knocking me over. I held my ground though, and lapped out my tongue to taste her. If I thought her scent was something, this was another thing entirely. I grunted and lapped at her some more. What musky, feminine, feline flavor she had. I couldn't get enough. I felt my penis rock hard again bouncing between my legs. However, for the time being it would go ignored. I had more important matters to deal with, such as this sensational tasting female orifice I'd found. It seemed that she was enjoying it as much as I was. I knew it couldn't last forever, and sure enough she let me know when I had to stop just teasing.

/Please, I need more./ The thought was so intense that I barely made out more than the urgent need. It alone made my own desire pick up even further.

Complying, I dipped my tongue into her causing a shudder to travel through her body. Her tail slapped the side of my face as she extended her claws into the rug and growled. I knew I'd discovered something then. She liked that. She really, really liked that. Grinning I redoubled my efforts slipping my tongue into her again and moving it around then back out again to travel along her pussy lips. She was in heaven, her purring growing louder by the minute. I could hear her claws rip at the carpet as she pressed back into me. She wanted my tongue inside her, and I knew it. I was exploring her depths, savoring her taste, when I found it. The little nub of flesh that makes all females, whether human or feline, tremble in ecstasy. Her reaction to the mere grazing of my tongue over it told me what I was to do next, though I don't think she was expecting it. I took her clit between my teeth and bit down gently. She let out a roar that shook the room and hurt my ears as she orgasmed. I heard more tearing of the carpet, but at this point I didn't really care. She didn't whip around and swipe at me as many females of the feline persuasion often do. Instead, she just weathered the extreme pleasure digging her claws into my shredded carpet and breathing heavily. At the same time I circled my tongue around her clit and plunged it in and out of her persistently. I think she appreciated this. The raw sexual energy in the room was pretty much the only feelings I sensed, but later she told me as much. Her juices flowed freely into my greedy mouth. I was suckling on her now, taking in as much of it as I could manage.

As her high died down she turned and licked my face. I kissed her on the nose. Tilting her head she asked me, /Can we mate now? I mean truly mate?/

"You're recovered already?" I asked surprised.

/Yes./ She didn't seem to understand why I'd ask such a thing.

"It's just.." I shook my head and laughed. "I'll never get used to how truly different you are."

/You might if you'd mate me./ She tore me from my thought, and I laughed.

I nodded. "All right. I did tell you I would."

Maneuvering ourselves into our respective positions, her tail held aside for me, I readied myself to enter her. "Are you ready?" I asked.

/Yessss./ She hissed. I mean she literally hissed. So I did. I pressed the head of my cock against her opening, but it was she that pushed back taking me in. Oh what warmth I felt as I slid into her. I'd thought her mouth was hot, but this was the surface of the sun in comparison. I sighed and clenched my eyes shut. /If it feels this good with just my head inside her, I wonder what being in all the way will be like./ The thought led to me sliding in further, ever so slowly as not to hurt her. While I may have been highly aroused I would never have caused her any undo pain. Then came the barrier.

"This is going to hurt." I told her.

/Just do it./ She sent. I did as she asked, but as carefully as possible. In the end, it had to be quick as apposed to slow, which would have drawn out the pain. Of course, she cried out. I remember that. It tore me to my soul to hear, even feel, her pain. I vowed that I would never cause her such agony again, but she understood. I couldn't help but feel the incredible warmth of her surrounding me. My mind was soon clouded with lust, and all I wanted to do was plow into this beautiful panther until I released my seed into her. Mustering all the effort I could, I held back. She was too important for that. I realized, she being an animal would probably have understood and most likely not even given it a second thought had I done so. For some reason, probably some human reason, I couldn't. I wanted it to be as pleasant for her as I could make it. If she had to feel pain, then I'd not intensify it for my own selfish fulfillment of pleasure.

It all became null after several seconds of stillness anyway. She wiggled her behind and gripped at my cock with her vaginal muscles as if to say, let's get going already. So I complied, as I always did. I was always a pushover when it came to her. I pulled out, still being careful not to move too fast, and then pressed in again. The warmth, the internal ridges a feline vagina has, the slick feeling of flesh against flesh was all so astounding. Our breathing picked up as we increased speed. My hips would meet her rump, my balls slapping against her. I could feel her soft fur brush against them with every thrust. Again and again I pumped into her. She moved with me, and we found our rhythm. I could tell that we were both nearing our peeks. Her guttural purring and growls along with the strong sexual atmosphere told me so. My own tightening ball sack informed me of my own impending climax. I ran my hands over her back and down her legs, then questing underneath to stroke at her nipples. The fur added to the erotic sensations that surrounded me, and the nipples offered further arousal for us both. Even her lingering scent in the air, and most likely on my face and in my nose, drove me on. We were getting closer, and closer, I could feel it. I felt each and every vaginal ridge as my penis moved within her. It was something unexplainable; just pure ecstasy. I opened my eyes taking control of the situation, but just barely, so that I could pull out one last time. I removed all but the head of my cock and held it there for several tense seconds. Emaly turned her head to look at me with her ears folded back and pawed at the floor in impatience, but before she took it upon herself to push back, I plunged forward driving myself inside of her. Her roar was louder than before muffling my scream as we both climaxed together. Her pussy muscles gripped and squeezed at my penis milking it for all the seed it could pump into her, propelling my orgasm and drawing it out. In the same sense I jerked in and out in little movements continuing to give her stimulation. I felt our juices mix and dribble out between us matting down her fur. Together we quaked and tensed over and over again. While we rode our orgasms with one another each driving the other on she sent a faint thought to me, /Now your seed is inside me, where it belongs./

Some time later, I'm not sure when, I found myself draped over her back; she was lying down. I was surprised to realize I was still inside of her, and though limp not enough so that I would be forced to pull out. I liked that, I decided. I wanted to stay inside her. "I love you." I said as I drifted off to sleep. Her feelings of love wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket, whisking me off to dreamland. That was all that was required. I didn't need words. I had found my mate, and she was a panther. Her tail curled around my leg was proof of that.

________________________________________

A couple hours into the night I awoke to comprehend the full impact of what I'd done. The funny thing is, it didn't bother me. Like I'd said, I loved her. I looked up and noticed she was no longer sleeping either.

"How long have you been awake?" I asked.

/Not long/ She replied.

"What're you thinking?" I prodded further.

/I've just been watching you...and I have to pass water./ She was so abrupt it caught me off guard.

"Um, well...okay." I said still a little taken aback.

/I didn't want to disturb you though./ She told me.

"No, it's quite all right. Next time just wake me." I advised her.

/You're such a peaceful human./ Yet another thought surprised me.

"What?" I asked confused. She did that to me a lot, but I was getting used to it.

/I like to watch you sleep, but I really do have to pass water./ Was all she said before moving to stand. I removed myself from her so that she could do so.

I thought for a second before asking, "Could you, I mean..."

She cocked her head and twitched an ear, /Yes?/

"I mean, well, could I?" My words weren't coming any clearer, and this time neither were my thoughts.

/You aren't making any sense./ She sent.

"Why go all the way outside when you could just go here?" I inquired.

She looked aghast. /But this is your house!/

"Well, I didn't mean in here exactly..." I tried to clearify.

/Then what did you mean?/ She was more confused than I by now.

"Here, let me show you." I said giving into the fact that I couldn't really explain what I wanted, and my thoughts probably weren't helping her much to understand. Laying down behind her I prompted, "Now squat down as if you were going to urinate, and well.."

She craned her head around to look back at me. /Are you sure?/ No words of judgment or disgust, just curiosity and uncertainty.

"Yes, I'm sure." I nodded. It was her turn to comply, and I was happy she did. She squatted and with only slight hesitation let her stream flow. I held my mouth open and gulped most of it down, though a little ran down my cheeks and chin. As she was finishing I held my head up so I could press my human lips to her pussy ones in order to catch the last bit as it trickled out. Then I licked her clean and sighed. "Thank you."

/No, thank you./ She sent.

"For what?" I asked as I sat up.

/For mating me./ She replied and lapped up any of her "water" that remained on my face.

I grinned at her and looked over at the bed. "What's say we sleep in a place a bit more comfortable, eh?"

She agreed so we both climbed up onto it, and I pulled the covers over us as we snuggled close. Even if she could sense my thoughts and emotions, she didn't seem to realize that it was I who was in her debt.


This is my first attempt at a yiffy story so all comments and suggestions are welcome and can be emailed to me if you so wish. Thanks for reading.