Shuddering from thunderclaps and the deep rumbling of the heavens above a woman darted between massive trees. The sky lit up, one strike after the next giving animation to the clouds. Nature itself seemed to be locked in a raging battle. The woman ran blindly with one hand reaching into the dark and the other clung to a small bundle clasped firmly to her chest. Suddenly she stopped and screamed out "Shifter, I have need of you!" Twice more she belted out the same sentence. Listening intently for any signs of life she stilled her breath. The ferocious storm had moved on but brought down torrential rain. Desperation began to set into her very core. This was her only chance to save her master's bloodline. The woman made her escape when the ruling houses broke out in war. With her, she took the last of the Paladin line. No one knew of the maid's quick actions, not even her beloved master. Tears sprung forth her eyes. "Please, Shifter I came to collect my favor. Please come forth!" Weeping she had searched for days. Fear began to replace all sense. Had he moved on or even perished? The maid sat down against a tree and held the bundled babe close. Anxiety clawed at her throat and tremors ran up and down her body. Closing her eyes to reminisce her first encounter with the shifter.

At the time she was sixteen serving under another house. A hunting party had been formed to hunt down a Paladin Forest Cat. Sought after by the rich and powerful the beasts had been hunted to near extinction. This particular incident ended with the annihilation of the hunting party. She was the lone survivor. The cats were highly intelligent and unmerciful to humans. The appearance of the cats was solid black with golden eyes, bodies the size of small horses. Their most noted and striking feature was the dual tails of the animal. The cat that hunted down every soldier, to her then master, was massive and the most unusual thing, its eyes were a glowing blue. Had those eyes been golden without a doubt she would not be alive today.

Breathing in she decided it was time to continue her search. Looking down to check on her little mistress she peered round her settings. Two brilliant blue eyes peered back from the dark. Her breath hitched and her body froze. Intelligence and fierceness glared through. Afraid to move the woman watched in hopes this was her Shifter. The eyes blinked, disappearing for a moment.

"Yuhina..."

The graveled voice sounded directly in front of her. Clutching the babe closer she mustered her bravery and whispered," Take this bundle, this child is in danger. Settle what you owe me with this. Raise her as your own child."

Silence followed her words. A flash of shock shown in the beast's eyes. The blue eyes seemed to intensify and a deep growl sounded out. Yuhina could barely make out the massive outline of his body. The wee hours were slipping by. The dark began to give way to dim light. Without a doubt, he was much bigger than when she first laid eyes on him. Calmer now she repeated her sentence and gazed into those blue eyes. The large cat's twin tails began to swish furiously. Anger suddenly overtook the cat. Turning away he let out an oppressive roar.

The bundle jerked and a soft wail erupted from the babe. Yuhina cooed and cajoled the babe to silence her. After a few moments, the little one calmed down. Glaring back at the cat ready to make a fuss her breath once again hitched. In place of the cat stood a tall, lean man. Droplets of rain followed the contours of his sinewy muscles and weighed down a mane of shaggy black hair. His glowing blue eyes bored into her. The shifter edged closer, towering over Yuhina. "Still as beautiful as ever Yuhina" The voice of the man was deep and sultry. Shivering from every syllable Yuhina remembered how much his human voice affected her. " Take the child and raise her as yours, ask no questions and give her your life."

Crouching suddenly he pushed his face within an inch of hers and growled"My life was meant for you, Yuhina." Tears flowed down her cheeks once more. Barely audible she whispered again. "Please."

A painful look came over his exotic face. Peering down at the bundle his heart felt like it tore in two. "Yours?" A questioning gaze elicited a vigorous shake of the head. Quickly Yuhina told him who the babe was and whom she served. After a long pause, he nodded and gently took the little bundle. "Shifter...no Guise, give me your word you'll raise her as yours?" Yuhina pleaded. Standing he began to walk away. Without looking back he softly replied," She'll be raised as what would have been one of ours."

Yuhina watched the tall figure disappear into the dense foliage. The night was gone now. Standing she turned away from the direction Guise had walked. Tears streamed even harder down her face. She couldn't stand the pain in her throat any longer and wept out loud. Once again her love went unrequited. Once again she chose to leave him alone in his world to remain in hers. Without looking back she began the long journey home. Yuhina traveled two hours before she reached the edges of the forest. Fatigued and hurting she stepped into an open plain. Giving pause she softly whispered over her shoulder, "I love you." In that instant, a deafening roar quaked from deep within the forest.