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Kurai Janguru "Hunter" or simply Hunter, lounged in a tree whose branches reached outward over the passing stream. He sighed contentedly, contemplating how nice this resting spot was. Even in the harshest summers, he noted that the shade was impeccable for comfort. He rememberedTieguanyin's tale, understanding how the spirit in the sky and the Earth Spirit would argue from time to time. Hence, the rain would come and go as it pleased. Still, he wasn't worried when the previous day's active storm struck the ground around him in a torrent of electricity. Now, he lounged within the tree, wondering what the evening would bring. Living as a curious feline shifter, he pondered if something amazing might happen this evening. Stretching his feral form, he yawned, preparing for an adventure. He couldn't put a claw on the exact reason, so he leapt downward, landing softly without a sound.

Moving onward, he stopped only to quench his thirst or nibble on grass. Hunter wasn't one for fresh kills. Only if he had to sate hunger would he ever consider the thought of fresh meat. Hunter loved everyone, though he was a bit of an introvert about everything. Moving through the tall grass, his feline form paused, gazing upward at the appearing stars. No storm seemed evident in the growing canvas that would soon be painted with stars. While he had never really stargazed, he grew curious, standing there idle. Shifting to his Soquili form, he seemed to smile, allured by the early twinkling lights above him. It seemed peaceful, almost a sign of contentment from the spirits.

WC: 265

Hunter had been thoroughly enjoying his grass diet, though a sudden sound left him uneasy. Quickly, the leopard shifter startled as he shifted back into his feral form. Unlike the blood-thirty species, Hunter desired a simple life out of the limelight and chaos. Currently, his simplicity had been disturbed by a soft voice. Quickly, he ran behind the nearest tree, peering outward. Trying to assess the situation, Hunter's orbs scanned the area for danger. Instead of an alarming situation, the timid shiter saw a lovely mare with a huge, fluffy tail. Her fur was contained moonlight, and her mane was ebony as night itself. Upon her head there sat a moon hued in blues and silver, as it shimmered from the lowering sun.

She appeared harmless; no scent of another shifter lingered in the air around him. Swallowing, Hunter took a chance that fate would be proud of his actions. "Hello," he whispered, yet audible and clear. Hunter wished he could be more like his brother, Forest. Was she watching the stars as he was, he pondered? Growing curious about this mare, Hunter stepped out from behind the tree, long tail swaying in the evening breeze. "Are you here to watch the stars, too?" he asked with uneasiness. He wondered how he must sound like a cub right now. His own shadow would make him anxious from time to time. There was something different about this mare, yet he was unsure. Not in a frightening manner, just a calm feeling resonated from her. This was the one reason he hadn't bolted within the branches of the ancient tree he stood beneath.

WC: 269

Hunter was astonished that this mare was genuinely good-natured. Most Soquili who gaze upon shifters either run in fear or stand their ground. He felt calm, relaxed enough to move out into the approaching night to get a better look at her emotions. Shifters could possess an innate talent for suspecting fear in prey. This particular fluffy mare gave no startling aggression toward him. The spotted shifter instantly became curious about her presence. The night was coming, carrying a slight chill of the higher mountains. Hunter wanted to join her, but he was hesitant. A twinkling light caught his attention; possibly something magical could be happening. The atmosphere just felt different for some unknown reason. Taking a deep breath, he willed himself to join her, curling up warmly in her tail. This was a safe spot currently, a moment of zen rushing over him. Sighing contentedly, he spoke. "Thank you. I'm really surprised you weren't terrified of me. I mean, shifters are a scary bunch. I'm not like most of them.... I don't care for meat unless I have to satisfy my appetite. I still love sweet grasses and lounging in my leopard form".

He then smiled up at her, "I'm Kurai Janguru, but you can just call me Hunter"


WC: 210

Hunter felt flabbergasted that this mare would protect him, rather than give him the courage and strength he needed. Settling into her soft, furred tail, Hunter felt like a pile of cubs, warm and safe. "I appreciate it, really. If you don't mind me asking... what's your name? It's just easier to know someone if they have a name to remember. He smiled in thanks as her own purr radiated in sync with his. When she mentioned being in a herd of shifters, his ears perked in curiosity. She wasn't a shifter, yet she was befriending him as if they knew each other for ages. She seemed curious as to why he desired grass over flesh. "I don't know why my Soquili form prefers grass over meat. It just does. If I stay feral, I'll eventually need to hunt, but it's really rare. I guess I feel safer without blood dripping down my muzzle.

He shrugged his tall shoulders. "It's just who I am". Looking toward the night canvas setting in like a watercolor painting, Hunter smiled at her words. "If I do need to hunt, I'd love some company". Gazing thoughtfully into his eyes, her attention was captured by something in the sky. Turning his head upward, he saw something mesmerizing as it blazed through the sky. Suddenly, more arrived — several, as they danced downward in a symphony of light. "Whoa," Hunter exclaimed, eyes wide with fascination. "Are you seeing this?!" Sitting a little taller, Hunter tried counting the random falling stars. He lost count after a while, but he wasn't cross; he simply started counting them all over again. It was an encore of the night as the sky was lit by hundreds of falling stars. Hunter had no idea what a meteor was, let alone a meteor shower. He just knew the sky was lit with lights, sharing it with his new friend.

WC: 316

Hunter now held a name alongside a face, which made this amazing event even more special. Thousands of sparkling lights just followed in sequence, chasing one another downward. It was magical to behold, snuggled up in some of the warmest fur he had ever crawled within. When she mentioned using her tail as a cleaning object for blood, Hunter shook his head. "Your fur is beautiful as you are. I would never think of soiling it with prey's blood". Taking his paws, he kneaded her tail softly; a purr deep as thunder emanated from his chest. Hunter was safe, content, and extremely cozy. His amusement involved Tsu trying to catch stardust in her paws. She was downright adorable in her own style.

Looking up at the falling stars, he asked, "How many do you think there are, Tsu?"

It seemed endless as they chased one another, perhaps in a lucid dream. Hunter knew they'd cease at some point, which would bring this warmth of companionship to an end. Still, he pondered what lay after the magic died in this special night. Turning his feline head, he looked at Tsu, wondering where she'd head off to once the stars had fallen. Hunter would probably keep wandering, investigating things of interest as he always had. Noticing the stars were thinning now, Hunter spoke, "I think the stars are almost done falling now. What do you have planned after this?" Hunter loved his company, hoping she'd stay a bit longer. A thought occurred to him: if she saw his Soquili form. Tsu seemed overjoyed to see his feral form, yet what would she think of the true form he was born with? Feral forms were sometimes regarded on the level of familiars, just a little taller and more savage in a shifter's case.

WC: 300

Hunter smiled, his teeth showing beneath his upper lip. "I really don't have any plans. Truth be told, I could snuggle like this forever. Tsu, you are special. Not one day past this would I not want to spend something magical with you." Paws continuing to knead her tail, he yawned contentedly. Though the lights were thinning, dissipating from view, Hunter didn't feel the urge to move; rather, his deep sigh mingled with his continued purring. "I can tell you who I am, but for now I think I'm going to stay here right in this very spot, His mouth opened widely, ears pulling back, creating a huge yawn as the night grew. Closing his mouth, he settled his head into her tail like an exquisite pillow of fluff. Eyes growing heavy, Hunter hoped she'd join him for a nice nap as his lids gently descended. As he fell into his dreams, he saw thousands of stars as Tsu's eyes twinkled alongside her smile. It was a memory he'd etched in his mind of a meteor shower and an enchanting companion that warmed his very soul.

~Fin

WC: 186