Shattered

Chapter Three: Introductions

A.N. Read and review! I won't continue if nobody reviews or comments! No pressure.

JASPER'S POV

Damn, she looked good.

The warm sun sparkles and shimmers on her silvery fur that was scattered with dark grey rosettes. Despite the snow leopard's beautiful fur, you could tell she was lithe yet robust by her flexing as she turned around to greet me. Her attractive azure blue eyes seem to widen as I announce my arrival. "Hey there." I bark, husky as always. Keep it together Jasper. I tore my eyes away from her piercing icy gaze, my own travelling across the well-put together quarters.

"So you're my denmate?" I woof casually, attempting at small talk. She nods, cool and collected. "It's a little odd they decided to combine one animal of each species in the same den. I like their idea of friendship and togetherness, although I worry some fights may break out." she turns back to the undulating hillside. I'd never really thought that through before.

The caribou pelt in the nook further back looks comforting. I jog up to it and set my leather pouch down. The pretty snow leopard sneaks a look at me. "Do you want to explore?" she leaps down from her high stone ledge to face me just as I turn around to walk out. She lands whiskers away from me. Our breaths mingle and a light blush dusts her cheeks. "Sorry!" she squeaks, suddenly realising she was too close to a stranger of a different species. She scuttles backwards, and honestly, I find it really cute.

I bark, "Chillax. Let us go explore the cavern- I didn't catch your name?"

SAPPHIRE'S POV

Why did I have to be so clumsy???

"Sapphire." I meow briskly. I was aiming for the 'oops-something-weird-happened-but-I'm-freaking-out-still-leave-me-alone-please' look. For the effect, I lock eyes with him. I've done this so many times when I had to convince my mother to let me out to play just a little longer in the falling snow. He nods, carefully casual, something glinting in his attractive forest green eyes.

"Suits you." he sidles up to me, furry brown tail grazing my flank. I throw a scathing glance to him. "And you?" I shoot. He chuckles. "I'm Jasper," Jasper informs me, sketching a mock bow. I roll my eyes. "You're dramatic." I jab my paw at him.

He walks out of the den, heading for a cluster of caves which branches off from the huge cavern. My brain screams at me and I separate myself from his warm side. He shoots me a sideways look. I turn to look at him. "So do you have any favourite subjects?" I ask curiously. He hums thoughtfully. "I do like science, music and battle training."

I raise my eyebrows. "Really, I-"

"SAPPHIRE! LOOK OUT!"

I spin to see a small missile of flaming woven stick and grass lanterns dislodge from its place in the wall, diving for me.  It occurs to me that I might die if I get burned, and with my too-fluffy fur, I will burn furiously. My life flashes before my eyes, memories of my solitary existence with my mother. My father's kind face zooms in front of me, and I recall the terrible hunter's gun wound in his head as it gradually stained the pure white snow red.

I was going to die.

I was going to-

Suddenly a mass of chestnut-coloured fur slams on top of me, shielding me from the fiery projectile.

My head accidentally hits the stone floor, hard enough to knock me out senseless.

Black.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"Words are life." ~The Book Thief

~Blizz