Chapter 5: Trouble

(I drew Snowman on the paint program on my laptop lol He was grumbling at me for the photo, of course.)

The rest of the day went by pretty quickly. Grayson's last period was history but the teacher had just assigned them something to read that he had already done while being home-schooled, so the second the bell rang he was up and out. He darted down the hall, thankful that the class was right next to the entrance. He didn't want to get stuck with all the other kids and accidentally shift. Been there, done that. It had hurt.

As he ran down the steps toward the sidewalk, he fished out his phone from his pocket and dialed his mother's number. She picked up on the third ring with a cheerful but slightly quiet "Hey, Gray! How was your day, hun?"

He pushed aside the though of something being weird and smiled as he hopped up onto a cement pillar near the stairs and set his bag beside himself.

"It was pretty good. Oh, I met an elephant!" He said with excitement.

"An elephant? Really? I've never met one before." She replied, sounding almost as excited.

"Me neither. At first I thought I bothered him for some reason, but he was really nice once we talked for a bit."

He wasn't going to mention that Erin knew about him being a cross-shifter because his mother might overreact like he had and pull him out of school. He definitely didn't want that to happen. He almost had a friend, he thought, so he wanted to stay and see how things went.

"Well that's good, honey. Would you like me to come pick you up?" She asked.

"Mm, nah. I'll walk." He replied with a smile.

"Okay, thanks for calling me and I'm glad you had a good day. Dinner should be ready by the time you get back." She said.

"Okay!" He replied before they both hung up. As he was slipping his phone back in his pocket he heard a rather unsettling sound rumbling from right behind him. It was definitely a growl and sounded kind of like it was from a big cat...

"Hello, little mouse."

Considering that he couldn't really ignore the guy and he was sure whatever cat the boy was could easily run faster than him, Grayson hesitantly scooted his body around so that he could see who was talking.

The boy looked to be a bit older, so he guessed at least a junior or senior, but that wasn't really what he was focusing on. It was the boy's bright golden eyes and black stripes in his shaggy, dark orange cropped hair that were much more interesting.

"Hi..." He said awkwardly, chewing his lip a little when he noticed that the guy had taken his bag and swung it over his shoulder. Crap. He really didn't want to get into more trouble with anyone, but since he had already taken his bag, he doubted that the situation was going to end peacefully.

"Um, can I have my backpack back, please?" He asked anyway. One could hope.

"Sure." The boy said, sounding more like he was purring than actually talking.

"Why don't you come take a walk with me though, hm? I love getting to know the new students."

Another purr. No thanks.

"Um, can I just have my bag? I didn't mean to get your friends in trouble, if that's what I did, but they bullied me."

Grayson's eyes glanced around them, taking note of several students ignoring the flow of foot traffic to whisper behind their hands. He could hear each and every word since his mouse had great hearing, and it definitely wasn't liking what it was catching. Evidently, the guy was the bad kid of the school and it would seem that he was going to teach him a lesson about getting his friends into trouble.

Grayson watched as he seemed to think over his suggestion, then tilted his head and smirked.

"Let's take a walk."

I guess there's no yes or no answer to that? He didn't even think that it was a question anymore. After one more quick glance around, he sighed and slid down so that his bright tennis shoes hit the sidewalk. Erin wasn't there to help him this time so he guessed that he'd just have to try and make it through it by himself.

I'm so gonna be kitty floss.

As they started walking, the whispers behind them told him just that, along with other fun things that he really didn't want on his future resume. The boy was eerily quiet beside him but Grayson could feel his eyes looking him over. He knew that it was a long shot, but maybe he would just let him go on his way? He could totally pretend that he had beaten him up and he could even put on make up to look like he had bruises. He just didn't want to actually have the pain that came with said bruises.

They walked for a few minutes before the boy grabbed his wrist and yanked him into a small vacant lot where they were just out of view of the school.

Oh no. Time to try and reason. You can do this!

"Um, I really didn't mean to get them in any trouble." Grayson squeaked out, keep his eyes on the ground as he felt his face heat.

It was technically Erin's fault for telling the coach, but he wasn't going to throw him under the bus. Well, Erin could probably fend off the guy in front of him, but still, that wasn't what friends did.

"Well, you did and you're going to pay for it." The boy replied, a growl to his words as his grip tightened on Grayson's wrist.

"I already used my lunch money for today, but I could..." He started to say before the boy released his wrist, only to snatch the collar of his shirt and lift him off of his feet.

"That's okay. I'll just take my payment in punches." He purred.

I tried?

Oh, man. Had definitely needed that.

Tarren's fingers tapped some ash into a trashcan as he walked by before returning his cigarette to its home between his lips. He knew that it was a bad habit and his father would kill him if he found out, but damn did it help when he was stressed.

Better than taking my frustration out on random people.

As he walked toward the school on his way to work, he heard a loud squeak, then a... roar? What the hell? His feet quickly took him to an open lot of dirt and twigs where he saw a medium sized tiger running about swatting at a mouse?

"...what are you doing?"

He guessed that it wouldn't be that odd if he was just messing around with some mouse he'd found, but then he wondered why the mouse was wearing a collar?

Wait a second. That's the same type of collar Arron has.

"Hey Stripes!" He yelled, making the tiger snarl and spin around, roaring at him like he was some kind of macho cat. My little brother is easily bigger than you. Ignoring the cat's posturing, Tarren glanced around the area again and located the mouse by a pile of clothes. He also noted an extra backpack with the one a few feet away.

Yep, definitely a shifter, and likely a cross one at that.

"Alright fluffy, get out of here and leave him alone or I'll neuter you." He said nonchalantly.

He wasn't interested in fighting with kids but the tiger just continued to show his teeth and stalk closer.

You'd think he'd recognize one of the sons of the pride leader in town. Oh well.

"Fine then, fuzzy, I've been itching for a good fight so let's do this." Tarren growled as he dropped  his cigarette and quickly stomped it out. He then tossed off his shirt, pants, and underwear. The tiger's eyes narrowed on his body as it let out another warning growl, drawing a smirk from Terran's lips.

"Like what you see, fluffball? Well, it's going to beat you into the ground for bullying another kid."

The tiger jerked its head back and roared again, but this time, when Tarren shifted, he quickly shut up and even took a step back.

That's right you little aggressive ball of whiskers and malice, time to face the real king of this jungle.

With his own rumbling growl Tarren pounced, easily taking him by surprise with his speed and slamming him into the ground. The mouse squeaked somewhere off to the side but he was too busy jumping away as the tiger swatted at his face, then pounced at him. Tarren's lion didn't dodge very well considering its size, so he just met him head on, jumping and crashing into the other feline in mid-air before tumbling to the ground into a ball of rolling, snarling fur.

"Hey Lion!"

Tarren's head snapped up when he heard himself being called, only to see a wolf with the little mouse between its teeth. The tiny thing was struggling like crazy but it was completely useless. Next to the wolf there stood a human boy with a sneer on his lips.

"Get off Tiege and shift or your little mouse friend is going to be a quick snack for mine." He warned.

He looked down at the tiger he had managed to pin, which was now smirking up at him with a knowing leer. Tch. Well, I can't just let the stupid wolf eat the mouse, even though I'm pretty sure he wouldn't go that far. It was sad though, that he wouldn't even go to jail for it most likely since he could claim that his wolf had taken over and his friends would surely testify for it. Teenagers.

With an annoyed grumble Terran stepped off the tiger and let himself shift back. The human boy standing by the wolf gave a salacious whistle but his own attention was more on the tiger who was now rubbing against his thigh, giving off a deep purr as it stalked around him in a circle.

Cocky little bastard.

"You going shift or just admire my body from down there?"

He wasn't in much of a position to taunt him, but he hated waiting for things to happen. Since Stripes was taking his sweet time, Tarren turned his attention back to the wolf and little mouse between its teeth.

"I did what you said, now let him go."

The human and wolf both looked at the tiger still circling him, who thankfully nodded. Tarren's body relaxed slightly when the mouse was dropped, all-be-it roughly, onto the ground. He stared up at him for a moment but Tarren minutely shook his head, silently telling him not to try and help. Just run. The mouse seemed upset but nodded, shifting and running over to grab his stuff before he disappeared around the corner.

Once he was sure that the mouse was gone, Tarren jumped away from the tiger and began to shift back to his own feline. Unfortunately, the wolf was there right as he was finishing and latched onto his shoulder while the tiger rammed into his side, knocking him off his paws and into the dry dirt. The wolf had jumped away to keep from getting stuck beneath him, but it soon returned to clamp down on one of Tarren's ears barely hidden within his shaggy mane.

Tarren remained still, not because of the stupid wolf nipping at his ear like a mosquito, but because of the claws hovering right above his right eye. The tiger had slapped his paw down onto his face and made it very clear that he wouldn't hesitate to literally claw his eye out if he tried anything again.

Now the cat was rubbing its face against his mane, purring and nudging at it with his free paw while he sat on Tarren's back. Nothing like a show of dominance while basically threatening him to open his mind to his so that they could communicate without shifting. Normally you couldn't do it unless you really trusted the other person, but he felt the guy poking at the back of his mind already.

Mm, there you are...

Go to hell, Stripes. Tarren replied, the boy's voice in his head making his hackles rise higher.

It probably wasn't the most self-preservative comment to start off the fun conversation, but he was seriously getting annoyed.

Sorry pretty boy, I'll let you up soon. The boy replied.

Damn it, of course he could read part of the things I'm thinking.

He was way too upset to keep his thoughts in check.

It's okay, I like being able to tell what you're thinking.

The tiger's tongue suddenly began washing the side of his face, drawing a frustrated growl from Tarren's lion, though the claw near his eye kept him from doing much else.

What's your name, lion?

He wanted to tell him to go to hell again, but he knew better than to instigate an adolescent tiger. They were one of the most aggressive until they matured... and then usually more so afterward.

Tarren.

I'm sure you already know mine since Henry already said it.

Of course I know it, you egotistical fuzzball. Tarren replied.

Quite an attitude on you, hmm.

Don't you have some homework to do or something, kid?

That had laughter echoing through his mind.

Evidently the wolf felt out of the loop, because it decided to give his ear a good yank.

Get your damned mutt off of me. Tarren snarled, losing his patience and not needing a new earring hole.

Tiege looked at the wolf and gave a quiet growl, sending the annoying thing scampering back toward the human with a quiet whine. Good.

Shift back. He said after looking back down at him.

What?

Shift, now.

Stupid tiger...

Tarren grumbled but did as told, thankful that Tiege at least moved his paw away so that his claws didn't accidentally get his eye while his body changed. Everything tensed, however, when his disgusting tongue began licking at the back of his neck and hair.

Does this darn cat ever stop licking shit?

I could lick somewhere else if you'd like...

Perverted cat.

Hmm, how old are you by the way? Tiege asked, the thought a purr in his mind.

Twenty-four.

Ah.

He was quiet for a moment, but that was only because he was lowering his body over his human one. Hell no! He was not going to be blatantly dominated by some damned grade-school brat!

"Get the hell off me!" He snarled, his lion just beneath the surface.

The kid's damn tiger weighed half a ton. He could barely move it an inch while in his human form.

"Tiege! The mouse is bringing a cop!"

The tiger moved off of him abruptly, but Tarren wasn't done with the cocky bastard. His lion took over in seconds and lunged. His claws managed to clip Tiege's right flank, but then he ran onto the sidewalk and jumped clear across the street over heavy traffic.

You better run! Tarren roared after him. There was no way that he could cross the street in the same way, though, and his two friends were already high-tailing it in the other direction with his clothes and backpack.

Remember the name, Tarren. I'll see you again soon.

I'm training to be a vet, fuzzface. Find me again and I'll fix those tiny things you've got stuck beneath your tail.

He quickly blocked his mind from Tiege's response and shifted as the cop walked around the corner with the still-naked mouse boy.

"Hey officer. They ran off." Tarren said.

The young boy ran over and hugged him, making him fidget. Naked awkward hugs for all? He gave him a slight pat on the head before stepping out of his arms and getting dressed. The cop took his statement but there wasn't much he could do about the kids if they didn't cause any real harm. Sure, he had a bruise or two and a small bite on his shoulder, but he was an adult and could just deal with it.

Thankfully the young mouse boy had gotten away without any real damage. When the cop left, Tarren took out his phone and got the kids', who'd told him his name was Grayson, phone number. Then he sent him a quick text, grinning when the boy's pocket vibrated.

"Sent you a message so you have my number. If they bother you again, just call me, okay? The name's Tarren."

The kid's smile made him feel like the bruises were worth it. He had to admit, he was a pretty cute shifter.

"Thank you, Tarren!" He exclaimed as his nose turned a little pink.

"No problem. See ya around, Grayson."

With that he turned and sauntered back down the sidewalk the way he had been going before that little bout of play time. He was totally late for work, but he thought he had a pretty good excuse?

Yeah, time for another cigarette.