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"I'm back." The feline's words would be the first sign the rabbit would have of her return. Her barefoot step was silent, and the door to her house well oiled, and the cat habitually did everything with a silent grace. It might almost seem she appeared out of thin air. Somehow, even though was dark outside, inside the feline's cave there was still light., and he'd see her clearly smiling down at him She'd walk over to the rabbit, squat down, scoop him and stand, holding him close and nuzzling him.

Resting in relatively the same location he was left, the lapine would give a slightly startled *squeak*. He'd spin around quick, and look up to find a large feline, looming over him with a wide smile. Surely he'd panic now. A cat, and one looking happy to see him? There were few things more frightening to a little bunny. And yet, strangely. . . the sight had calmed him, and he'd smile back, "O-oh. . . h-hello Tabatha." he'd reply soft, allowing himself to be picked up without protest. He'd press in deep and nuzzle back, little teeth grinding. . . a sign of contentment.

The cat would rock her shoulders, rocking the bunny as she held it. It felt surprisingly pleasant to have someone to come home to. He smelled so nice, and he felt so soft and furry against her. For the first time, it occurred to her than Jaabir might have a point, keeping a prey at home.

He'd soon raise his head, peering up to her, with just a little concern growing in his expression. "D-did you find Jaabir. . . and Lichthia? Did you. . . tell them I'm ok?"

The cat nodded, cheek rubbing against the rabbit's shoulder. "I told them both," she'd answer. "They were very relieved to hear you were ok." The cat chose her words carefully; as always, she felt it her responsibility as a pred to take responsibility for and protect a prey (provided of course she wasn't currently eating them). On the one hand, she couldn't over-stress how worried Jack's friends had been about him, as the innocent fellow would surely blame himself for their error. She certainly wasn't going to tell him they had thought him dead, and were beyond devastated when she found them. On the other hand, she couldn't entirely belittle their suffering either, lest the bunny conclude his friends didn't care about him. She hoped she'd struck the right balance.

Jack would consider the words, and his tiny smile would not leave him. "T-that's good. . . Thank you. . ." He'd offer her another nuzzle. "I didn't want them. . . to be scared." He's bring his head closer. "Lichthia says Jaabir worries about me. . . that he misses me when I'm away. I know she does too. . ."

'Not nearly worried enough,' the cat would think to herself. "Does he?' she'd say out loud, smiling, "Well I know they both care about very much.She'd stroke the rabbit's back. "Shall we go outside together and look at the stars?" she'd ask, already walking towards the front door as she spoke. "I imagine you might like a little time outside after being indoors for so long."

The rabbit nodded, feeling happy. A few months before, he didn't have any friends. Not only was he alone, no one even gave him a kind word. It felt good now, to be so cared for. He'd raise his lightly arc back against the stroke and look up. His head looked to tilt at the question, blinking. . . confused. "But it's still bright out." he'd look around, the cave seeming well lit by the sun. "There's no stars yet. . ." In a short pause he'd add. "I g-guess I'd like to go out though. . ." He'd slowly meet her eyes, head lowering, "If you're close by."

The cat chuckled, stroking the rabbits ears. "It's actually night time," she'd explain to him. "The light is only inside my cave. . . . which I call my house by the way." She'd be forced to stop stroking the rabbit long enough to open the door. The pair would be enveloped by a cool air as the cat carried him out, and suddenly it was indeed night and the sky was full of stars.

Jack's head tilted in a new direction. "House? . . ." he'd repeat. None of this wasn't making much sense. Showing, proved to be the best method. The rabbit stared at that shiny piece of metal the cat was playing with, before the cool breeze came against his fur. He'd turn then, to see the 'cave' opened up. (Lichthia had her own method of covering for her burrow, but it wasn't as nice as that.) His head quickly raised, nose sniffing, eyes looking all around in wonder. "G-gosh. . ." he'd mutter, "It really is night. . ." He'd look behind, eying the bright light behind him with further confusion.

The bright light behind them would disappear as the cat closed the door. "Yes it is," she answered, sitting down on the steps to her front porch. She'd turn the rabbit a little so it would be easier for him to see the sky. The evening air was cool, and he'd smell both grass from her yard and vegetables from her garden.

She'd hold him like that, just enjoying the experience for the moment. It felt so right to have a rabbit to hold as she looked up at the sky. She hadn't expected having a rabbit to feel like this at all.

The rabbit gave a final look behind, before disregarding the light for now. Instead he'd face ahead, looking up and around, sniffing and taking in the world around them. Normally he was afraid to be outside, worried a big mean owl might swoop down and carry him off. With another near, especially holding as Tabatha was, it didn't feel as scary. Jack would go calm, relaxed, looking up at all those pretty stars in admiration, his back leaning against the feline.

The cat lifted a paw and scritched the rabbit the rabbit again. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay home all day tomorrow. 'll have to leave you alone for a while," she told him apologetically. "But tomorrow morning, I'll show you how to get outside and inside on your own. I'll show you where it's safe, and which food is alright to eat." Truthfully, most of the territory around the cat's house would be fine; the local preds respected her territory and stayed out. He'd be even safer though if he stayed within the fenced in yard; it was a little limited, but still plenty of room for a bunny to hop around in.

Jack would almost grow 'distracted' by taking in all the sights, smells, and sounds, without having to be so afraid them. He'd been outside with Jaabir and Lichthia before, but, though he wouldn't be so rude as to tell the snake directly, the cat's territory looked and smelled much nicerhe winner on 'sounds', was debatable. He'd raise an ear at the words behind him, albeit slowly, and raise his head straight up to look at her. "O-oh." he'd reply, not looking too bothered, "That's ok. . ." he'd assure back, still listening with interest. "And that's good. . ." he'd think to comment with a smile. The rabbit would lower his head back down and think for a moment. "I g-guess. . . you. . . have to go hunt? . . ." Finding 'food' was the only explaination he could think of, for why a predator would need to leave their den, especially one as nice as Tabatha's. He'd turn muzzle and nuzzle against her slow, in a gesture to show he didn't seem to think to badly of her either way.

The cat would sigh, raising her muzzle to accept the affectionate gesture. "I don't have to hunt," she'd answer, standing up. "I have to wooork." She'd give mock sour face and then smirk, turning around She'd open the door to her house and the light would stream out again, as she entered.

Jack would turn his head back, tilting it as before. "Work? . . ." he'd repeat, unsure of himself. The feline didn't seem to like it much. He'd give a small frown back.

The cat would laugh seeing the rabbit's frown. She'd lift him up, and nuzzle his head. "Don't worry," the cat answered softly. "That's something you'll never have to understand." Walking forward, she'd open the door, and carry him inside.

He'd lean against her as the 'covering' to her den opened, and that light enveloped him. The curious lapine attempted to figure things out by looking around and twitching his nose.

She'd walk swiftly over and set the rabbit down on the overstuffed couch. The cat moved swiftly, but she was graceful, and the movement would feel fluid and easy. She'd pull off her shirt, and just as before, her upper body was suddenly dark grey.

Laid down on the couch, Jack wouldn't know quite what to make of it. He was with the cat when she sat on it before, but she was holding him. At first he thought it was some sort of rock, but no. He'd raise and lower his little paws, finding them to push down quite easily, much too soft for a rock, even softer than dirt. He'd turn his head and stare down it, pressing his dew claws against it lightly, maybe he could dig there? He'd grow a little distracted, looking up as the cat removing those strange. . . what did the mouse call them, robes? The bunny would just look at her for a moment and blink.

"I'll check up on Jaabir when I can," she told him as she undressed. "When he's caught something, and I know you'll be safe, I'll take you back to the nest." Inwardly, she frowned at the idea. Only this afternoon, she'd resented the python for failing in his duty and forcing her to baby sit the rabbit. Now that she actually had him, she didn't want to give him back.

"Oh." Jack would respond, nodding calmly. That was what Lichthia did too. She got close to the snake's nest and looked to see if he was full. "That sounds good. . ." He'd smile, liking the idea of seeing his other friends soon.

The cat would smile, but felt a twinge of regret at the rabbit's reply. If he'd seemed disappointed at the prospect of leaving the cat to return to the. . . ..No, she told herself. She mustn't be selfish; what was important was what was good for Jack. He'd be safe with the python, and he and the mouse could both keep him company during the day when she could not. Putting her pants in closet hamper, the feline was almost a different cat, her lean feral body covered in dark grey fur, save for the yellow flashing eyes., her grey tail lashing behind her. She felt antsy without her rabbit and walked over to pick him up.

The bunny raised and blinked twice, Lichthia never had 'robes' that covered her legs. It was the first time he'd seen the cat in only her fur. It really was strange to him, how different she appeared now. He was actually pretty sure it was still her, but would sniff to be certain. Jack would see her approach and reach out. Growing used to the idea of the cat picking him up whenever she came close, he'd already lean in and raise up for her.

The rabbit was swiftly inundated by scritches and pets and nuzzles and cheek rubs, the cat holding him close. It's time for us to go to sleep," she'd tell him softly. Simultaneously, there'd be a soft *click* and suddenly it was dark.

She'd carry him swiftly up the staircase, though again so gracefully, it would hardly feel they were moving. Now they were in another room and it was light again. The cat would pull back the covers of her bed, and set the rabbit down on the cool silk sheets. The cat was not typically ostentatious, but she valued comfort.

The rabbit wasn't sure what was going on much anymore. Where did all the light go? It was just there. He just saw it. It didn't fade away in water or get caught in trees like the sun does. And. . . wait the lights back. Where were they now? This looked different. Wow. . . this feels soft. Everything just seemed to happen so quickly, he couldn't process it, and all those rubs and scratches had made it hard to think much in the first place.

She'd walk a few steps away, and with a *click* again it was dark. She'd crawl onto the bed next to him and pick him up, this time to place him on top of her as she lay on her back, stroking him.

Jack blinked slowly, looking around, or at least, trying to in the darkness. He'd tense a little then. Where did the cat go? It was scary to be in the dark, in a strange new place, alone. His nose would twitch, and he'd relax soon enough, picking up the cat's scent and. . . soon feeling her take hold of him. He'd actually give just a little reflexive wince at that grab, but it was awfully dark. Any lingering nervousness would melt away as he lay against her chest, teeth grinding gently at those pets. He'd be silent, just laying there contently, muzzle pointed toward her own. After some time he'd bring his head down to nuzzle against her fur. "This is. . . where you sleep?" he question, thinking he might have figured this one out.

"That's right," the cat murmured happily, stroking the rabbit yet again. "You know, Jack, I've lived alone for such a long time," she'd murmur. "It feels very nice to have someone I can share my house with. It feels very nice having someone to hold as I lie down to sleep."

Jack continued to lay still along the feline, giving pleased little grunts at the pets and attention. Raising an ear, he'd bring up his head, staring to her glowing yellowed eyes: The only thing he could easily make out in the darkness. He wasn't sure how those eyes made him feel, the gaze of a predator staring over him. His instincts should be urging him to get away, this predator had him, she was going to eat him! And yet, he didn't feel so scared. She already caught him now, several times, and had always let him go. . . even given him scratches and rubs. Her scent, her appearance, it was starting to feel 'safe'. And not just that, her hold and embrace, even the eyes watching him over. . . it brought a comfort. Nothing else could get him, because this predator had him already. He'd rest his head against her then, eyes still looking to her face.

He'd blink as she spoke. She had felt lonely? That was something he could relate to, those months alone in his burrow. He expected it would have been easier for her to have found a friend to share her cave. . . 'house' with. Maybe she didn't realize she needed one? Well, she did now, and he was there, so that made him feel good. He'd smile sweetly. "I'm glad. . . that. . . you like me here. That you. . . don't mind." He'd burry his head, body laid relax, "Jaabir says it feels good to hold me too. . . and Lichthia. . . when he sleeps."

The cat would hold the rabbit tight as he buried himself in her fur. Jack would feel the warm lean body thrumming as she made that noise that seemed to be the noise cats make when they're content. 'I'll bet he does,' she'd think to herself, and again she'd wonder if she had to bring the rabbit back. After all, the python already had a mouse of his own. But no. . . .it was best for Jack to see his other friends, and Jaabir could look after him better at least on days when the cat worked. Of course one thing she wouldn't do was to offer the rabbit a choice. It would only cause unnecessary tension to make him choose between her and his other friends. No, it was her role as a predator to make such choices, to decide what was best for him so he wouldn't have to worry.

"If you need anything," she'd say softly. "Just wake me, I won't mind." She'd close her eyes and sigh. Given the rabbit's predilections, she was confident he'd only wake her for something important, and would need encouragement even to do that much, or she might not have been so free in her offer. "We cats are light sleepers, so you shouldn't have any trouble."

The rabbit's own noise of contentment, his teeth grinding, would grow a little louder. He wasn't sure why the cat was purring. He didn't know if it was because she liked him so much, if enjoyed feeling his warm fur, or if it was just some predatory pleasure in having prey in her arms. It didn't seem to mater much to Jack: He just liked knowing she was happy because of him. He'd begin to shut his own eyes, an ear lifted slightly at the cat's voice. "O-ok. . ." he'd answer back gently, uncertain, "I. . . I should be ok." Waking up a cat? He of course wasn't so sure about that, even if he had come a long way in getting used to Tabatha herself. Some things would have be delt with in time. Jack would still smile though, still look so happy and content, "I. . . will if I need too though" Of course, the rabbit wasn't sure what else he could need at all now.

The cat would lift her head and nuzzle the rabbit one more time, before laying it down again. It felt so nice to have a plump rabbit nestled against her. "Good night, Jack," she'd murmur, eyelids falling shut.

Eyes still shut himself, Jack returned her nuzzle. Soon his head rested back, warm floppy ears, like velvet, drapping along her chest. The rabbit too felt happy, to have the cat laid beneath him, holding him gently, keeping him safe. "Good night, Tabatha," he'd whisper back, rubbing in with his soft little nose. "Thank you. . ."