Something Furry This Way Comes

Disclaimer: Not mine, except in my own twisted (but fun!) little fantasy world. You already know this, so I won't linger over it any longer.

Notes: Answer to the "Strife and the Kitten" challenge by Marion on strife_lust. Hey, my very first challenge response! Yay!!!!!

challenge:
"Strife and the Kitten"
Yes, I know it sounds cute.
It's been said before, by me and by others in various fics, that Strife has certain feline qualities... So write a fic about Strife where he has/finds/is given/gets turned into/cuddles/tortures(erm..) a black cat/kitten with blue eyes.
Again, anything goes; mushy and mooky (hey, mushy can be fun you know!), dark and evil, obscure or thoughtprovoking, a deep exploration of the character or just some mindless fluff.
But no bestiality if you can possibly avoid it. Not because it would particularely squick me, but because it would be an 'easy way out'. Try to be creative!
Marion

It was raining.

Here he was, stuck out in this godforsaken, scummy little town doing scut-work for Ares, and to top it all off, it was raining.

And because he had to do the 'mortal' thing on this assignment, Strife couldn't even do any fiddling around to make sure he stayed dry.

The result -- a sodden, irritable God of Mischief.

Hearts quailed at the very thought.

Well, they would if they knew 'bout it anyway. Damn, this sucks! Strife swiped at his hair, which hung limp and dripping in his eyes. He caught sight of his reflection in a relatively undisturbed puddle and frowned. I. Look. Like. Crap!

Shaking his head, he turned away. That's it. Goin' home. Am totally not gonna stay out in this any more. Unc can jus' deal! Stupid warlords are his prob anyway. He was just about to disappear when a small noise caught his attention.

Normally, he'd have ignored it, considering the mood he was in. But this sound...soft little mewling noises. Kinda sounds like a little kid or somethin'.

Contrary to what many may have thought, Strife had a soft spot for children. Cute little troublemakers, they really are! A significant amount of his worshippers were those unwitting children who delighted in playing pranks on their neighbors. Much like Strife himself was wont to do.

Determined to save a prospective follower of his, he bent to peer behind a stack of baskets, reaching in to pull out...

A cat.

A bedraggled, scrawny, pitiful looking cat.

The cat looked at Strife.

Strife looked at the cat.

The cat opened its tiny pink mouth and let out a weak, pathetic sounding cry.

Strife melted. Glancing around covertly to check if anyone might be watching, he bundled the feline close and vanished.

He reappeared on Olympus, in a small temple, drying himself out in the process. Hey, may not be big, but it's home! Starting a fire in the hearth, he placed the soggy cat down and summoned some dry, fluffy towels. Gingerly, he rubbed the cat in soothing, circular motions, until its black fur spiked up, only slightly damp.

Placing it on a warm towel near the fire, he watched the weakly moving cat, thinking. Um, ok. It's a cat. Cats like...what do cats like? Ok, milk. Everythin' likes milk, right? A saucer of warm milk appeared. "You want somethin' ta eat, too? Hmm, don't know if ya could handle meat or anythin'." Another moment of thought, and an egg appeared. Strife cracked it open and mixed it in with the milk, then pushed the saucer close to the tiny form.

Nose twitching, the cat lifted its head. Rising, it moved toward the bowl on trembling legs. It sank down beside the bowl and began to lap hungrily, a rumbling purr rising in its throat. The milk-egg mixture was soon gone, and the cat blinked sleepy blue eyes at Strife.

Strife grinned. Anyone watching wouldn't have recognized that grin; it wasn't maniacal, or mocking, or bitter. It was...sweet.

He gently scooped the drowsing creature up, cradling it close to his chest. Sneaking a peak under its tail to determine gender, he looked back into a fuzzy face to see a rather supercilious stare. He chuckled, rubbing under the cat's chin. "Well, girl, looks like ya found yourself a new home."

The cat yawned, her pink tongue unfurling, then snuggled closer to Strife's warmth.

Still grinning, he carried the cat to his bedchamber. He set the cat on his bed, undressing and slipping quickly under the covers. The cat followed, nudging blankets aside as she claimed her space. He giggled as whiskers brushed against his neck, then the small cat began to vibrate with her purring. The two fell fast asleep, for once in their lives content.

Bored.

Bored, bored, bored. Strife sighed, sprawling in a chair, arms dangling over the sides. Why's it so quiet!? No errands to run for Ares, no one to torment on Olympus since he'd made the mistake of playing a rather nasty practical joke on Zeus. Got Hera to laugh with that one, though. He giggled.

The humor didn't last long, though, and then he was back to pouting, albeit in a...godly type of way.

Something furry nuzzled at his hand, then a not-insubstantial weight landed in his lap. Strife smiled as the cat began to knead, sharp claws pricking through his clothes. He picked up the cat and moved to the floor with her, dangling a string over her head. She leapt up, batting away madly.

He then dragged the string along the floor. She pounced, hissing.

After a few minutes of this rousing game of stalk-the-string, she lost interest, turning to chase after something only she saw in a nearby sunbeam.

Strife sighed. "Must me nice ta be a cat, little one. Ya nevah get bored." He watched the cat a while longer. His eyes brightened, and an evil smirk grew on his face. I may be semi-grounded, but who's gonna question a cat bein' around?

He tilted his head, concentrating hard. There was a sudden flash, and the cat arched her back, hissing and spitting at the empty room. She glanced around, then settled back down, licking her fur.

Strife opened his eyes. Wow! This place got huge! He got up, stretching his legs. He felt a sudden itch behind his ear and sat back, scratching it with his hind leg. He paused. Cool! He looked down to see two furry black feet. He padded over to a mirror, stumbling a bit until he got the hang of walking on four legs. A black cat stared back at him, with an expression that looked suspiciously like a smirk. Yeah, I did it!

Absently, he began licking his belly. Noticing what he was doing, he pulled back. Ew. 'Kay, gotta watch that. I so don't wanna be hackin' up furballs. The cat's consciousness hovered in the background, ready to come to the fore if Strife lost concentration.

He examined his new body curiously. I'm gettin' fat. I mean, she is. Gotta watch what I'm feedin' her. He shrugged mentally. So, who should I spy on first? He laughed.

If anyone had seen, they would have wondered at the strange wheezing sound emanating from the cat before it disappeared in a shower of sparkles.

Strife-cat materialized in a very...black...room. Yep, good ol' Uncle Ares. Gotta love that lack of originality there. Not. He wandered through the temple, looking for a trace of the War God.

A muffled thumping caught his attention, and he crept in the direction it was coming from. Being careful not to use any powers that would attract unwanted attention, he carefully nudged the door open, stepping softly inside.

Tha action on the bed caught his immediate attention.

Oh. Oh wow! Damn, he's hot! Strife-cat watched avidly as Ares pounded into the moaning, writhing form under him. From this angle, he couldn't tell who the poundee was, but from the timbre of the cries, guessed it was a man. An extremely satisfied man, if the hoarse groans of completion were any indication.

Whoa, izzit gettin' hot in here, or is it jus' me? He began to pant slightly, moving closer for a better view.

Holy crap! His feline jaw dropped as a flushed, sweaty face came into view. That's...that's...

"Joxer!" Ares came with a shout, his body stiffening before collapsing limply on top of the mortal.

Oh. My. Gods. Strife-cat let out a strangled sound of disbelief.

Joxer turned his head weakly toward the strange sound, barely heard over his and Ares' loud panting and gasping breaths. He nudged his lover. "Ares?"

"Huh? Wazt?"

Joxer shifted slightly, feeling softened flesh slip out of him. The two let out twin sighs of disappointment. "Ares? When did you get a cat?"

Ares lifted his head, giving his lover a strange look. "What? What are you talking about? I don't have a cat." He followed Joxer's pointed stare to a cat that seemed to be...in shock?

The God of War scowled. "Mangy little thing. Wonder where it came from?"

Joxer smacked him on the arm, frowning. "It's not mangy! It's...it's kinda cute, actually."

Ares snorted. "Sure. If you say so."

"Hey, you hurt its feelings." Indeed, the cat did look rather...wounded.

Ares stared into those sad blue feline eyes, and caved. "Oh, fine. It's cute, ok?"

Joxer smiled, giving Ares' neck a loving lick and kiss. Ares was just starting to get in the mood for another round when the sensation disappeared. Opening his eyes, he saw Joxer climb from the bed and walk unabashedly over to the cat. While admiring the view it provided him of a luscious ass, Ares was a tad upset over the loss of his love-pillow. However, he could see that, at the moment, Joxer was fixated on the cat instead of him. Not good.

Joxer knelt in front of the cat, who stared up at him. "Hey there--" he picked up the cat, taking a quick peek under its tail. "--girl. You hungry?"

Strife-cat twisted as large hands lifted him, meowing indignantly as he was examined. Hey! Rude much? Watch it! He sniffed as he was put back down on the floor. Well, that was humiliating. He glared up at Joxer, who only smiled.

"Ares? Could I get a bowl of milk?" Joxer asked over his shoulder.

Ares rolled his eyes, but complied. "So, what? You taking in strays now?"

Joxer took the bowl, placing it in front of the cat. He grinned at Ares unrepentantly. "Why not? Worked for you."

Strife-cat darted for the bowl of foamy, sweet-smelling liquid. Lapping it up, he purred. Oooh, this is good! No wonder cats like it! His eyes narrowed to contented slits.

Ares slipped from the bed, kneeling behind Joxer and rubbing up against his back. Nuzzling the man's pale neck, he bit down gently and sucked, raising a deep red mark. "Mmmm. Yeah, it did." He trailed his hands down Joxer's chest, cupping his swollen balls with one and closing the other around reawakening flesh.

Joxer tilted his head back, moaning. "A-Ares," he gasped out. "She's watching us."

Ares spared a brief look at the cat, who had finished her impromptu meal and was staring at them, little tongue darting out to clean off her whiskers. He shrugged. "She's a cat. Let her watch."

Yeah. Just an innocent little kitty here. Lemme watch! He tried to project an aura of feline-ness, hoping to get a free show. He settled with satisfaction as the two focused on each other.

Ares continued to nip and suck on the soft skin of Joxer's neck, while his hands teased and tormented. Nudging slim legs apart, he pressed his own hardened flesh into the crack of Joxer's ass.

Joxer moaned, opening himself even more. He felt the hands move behind him and spread his cheeks, then Ares pushed into him.

Ares groaned as he slid into the well-lubricated channel. The tight walls gripped him, massaging his length. Thrusting softly, he held Joxer close. Moving easily, he shifted until he was sitting, legs spread out in front of him. Joxer sat astride him, back against his chest, thighs parted wide over Ares'.

Strife-cat moved between Ares' legs, eyes wide at the view. He could clearly see Ares' large, flushed cock moving in and out of Joxer's ass. Joxer's cock rose straight and proud, sliding in the channel of the man's hand. Ares' hands were at work on Joxer's hips, raising and lowering him, controlling the pace. Oh, yeah. That is so hot! He could even see how the ring of Joxer's anus was stretched wide around the invader, twitching with every thrust.

Joxer lay his head back against Ares' shoulder, panting hard. He felt Ares lift him, then slam into him with bruising force. He screamed, grinding himself down onto that wonderful cock inside him.

Ares moved feverishly, making sure to rub against the small bump with every stroke. He felt Joxer stiffen, then shudder. Knowing he had cum, he thrust even harder into Joxer's tight, spasming ass. He too came, sending his seed deep inside his lover.

Strife-cat was watching, open-mouthed. Damn. I never thought Joxer would be so...wow! He stared as the mortal lazily rubbed his own cum into the white skin of his belly. When Joxer twisted to kiss Ares, he had a perfect view of Ares' spent cock sliding out of Joxer's still-twitching hole followed by a stream of sticky fluid. He swallowed. Oh, man. I-I gotta go. That was just too...wow! I am totally in awe here.

Feeling a bit claustrophobic inside his cat-cage, Strife shook himself, then padded softly out of the room.

God and mortal sat for a few minutes, regaining their breath. After exchanging a passionate kiss, they snuggled a bit, Joxer sighing happily. Looking around, he crinkled his forehead. "Um, Ares? Where did the cat go?"

Strife-cat popped back into his temple. He paced for a moment, trying to work off some sexual tension. Ok. That was a totally non-expected thing, there. Woah. Still, he didn't want to give up on his idea of wreaking havoc cat-form. Not that it wasn't a great show. Yum. He shook himself. Ok, mind back on track. Let's try this thing one more time. Taking a deep breath, he again disappeared.

This time, it was a white room. Very white. Hurt-your-eyes white, accented by splashes of blinding gold and rich red. Gaudy much? Gotta hire these people some decorators! Wonder if it runs in the blood. Ares, monochrome black; Cupe, gaudy white. Ick.

Strife-cat wrinkled his nose in distaste, then went searching. I know he's around here somewhere. Where-- He cocked an ear sideways. Oooh, jackpot! He stepped through the halls, padding gracefully over the marble floors. Walking through a beam of sunlight, he paused, mesmerized. There were little...floaty things. Cooool. He batted experimentally, then jumped up to try and capture one. The shimmering objects floated through his paws, dancing away.

Strife-cat gazed at them wistfully, then moved on. Well, least I know why she finds sunbeams so interestin'. They are kinda fun ta play in.

Moving through an open doorway, he found Cupid. Sitting on a chair, back toward Strife-cat, wings fanning lightly. Making really...strange...growly noises. Strife-cat crept silently around the room.

Woah! Geez, is there somethin' in tha air t'day? He stared as Cupid, golden skin gleaming, one leg bent and raised on another chair, slowly jerked himself off.

Nice. Very nice. He licked his lips, edging closer.

Cupid ran a hand over his chest, while the other stroked gently along his rigid cock. Tweaking a nipple gently, he quickened his pace. His breathing grew erratic as he moved closer to the edge.

He closed his eyes, picturing a slim body laid out under him, flushed with passion, begging. Imagining his fingers tangling through dark hair, tongue plunging into the lush mouth, he shivered, tensing.

"Strife!" Cupid came with a gasp, head flung back in abandon.

Strife-cat jumped. Oh. Oh, wow! He...he said my name. My name! Oh, man! Today was definitely a day for shocks. He smirked a little. This is good. I can use this. Oh, yeah.

He watched a moment more as Cupid lifted his hand, smearing it through the mess coating his stomach, then brought it to his mouth, licking it clean. Now even more twitchy and frustrated than when he'd left Ares' temple, Strife-cat quickly made his way out of the room. Once he was in the hallway, he vanished.

Pulling his fingers from his mouth, Cupid opened his eyes. He frowned. How did a cat get in here? He watched as it left the room, tracking it. When it disappeared, he cursed softly. What the--? Determined to find who the cat belonged to, Cupid cleaned himself, dressing and then following the trail of power back to its source.

Strife-cat reappeared once more in his own temple. Setting a brisk pace, he darted to his bedchamber, skidding to a halt on the smooth floor. Oh man. Oh man, oh man, oh man. Cupid. Wanted him. Oh man! He looked down at his feline body. Gotta get outta this. Concentrating, he carefully separated himself from the cat.

He took a shuddering breath. His cock, pressed against tight-fitting pants, ached fiercely. He was about to reach for it, when a low voice stopped him.

"You little prick."

Cupid gritted his teeth when the trail led him back to Strife's temple. He saw the little black cat race off, and he quickly followed it. He stepped through the door to Strife's bedchamber in time to see a hazy figure lift itself out of the cat and reform into...Strife.

He growled. "You little prick."

Strife whirled around, gaping at the furious winged god. "Um, C-C-Cupe! What, uh, what are ya doin' here?"

"Hunting," Cupid snarled, stalking toward the smaller god. "Guess who?"

Strife gulped. It was times like this when Cupid's paternal lineage stood out. Never had he looked more like Ares than now. Oh, shit. I think he's pissed.

"You watched me. You spied on me. Using a cat!"

Strife bit his lip. "Um, would it have been bettah if I'da done it usin' a mouse or somethin'?" He winced as Cupid stalked closer.

In a deceptively calm voice, Cupid stated, "I don't like to be spied on. There is such a concept as privacy, you know." He shook his head slowly. "I'm going to have to make you pay for that."

Strife gulped. "Oh--" His voice squeaked, and he cleared his throat. "Oh, really? So...what're ya gonna...do?"

A grin wicked enough to rival one of Strife's own grew on Cupid's face.

Uh-oh. Strife glanced around nervously. "What!?"

Cupid leered at Strife's still hard cock, which hadn't ceased straining to be freed. "Strip."

Strife's jaw dropped. "S'cuse me?"

Cupid glared at him. "You heard me. Strip." He settled back into a chair, making himself comfortable. "You got a free show, now I get one." He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair. "And make it good."

Oh gods. Oh my gods. He wants me to...in front of him...naked and... Oh. My. Gods. He stood a moment, motionless under that implacable gaze.

A deep sigh. "Well? I'm waiting."

Strife blinked then, with trembling fingers, undid the fastenings on his clothes. Ok, right, this is just like all tha othah times ya done this. Except, now ya got a buff, gorgeous hunk of god watchin' ya. Ohhh. Determined to put on an exceptional performance, he smoothed out his movements, adding a sensual swaying.

Cupid's eyes darkened with lust as he watched Strife peel off the clinging bits of vinyl, baring creamy strips of pale skin. A touch along his ankle distracted him momentarily, and he glanced down to see the cat weaving around his legs. Picking her up, he deposited her in his lap, stroking her silky fur as he returned his attention to the show in front of him.

Strife, now naked, turned to crawl onto his bed, giving Cupid a mouth-watering view of his rounded ass. Turning to lay on his back, he sprawled out wantonly, legs wide, angled slightly toward Cupid.

Cupid grew hard as he watched. Strife had lined himself up so Cupid was able to see everything from the shadowed cleft between parted legs, to the dripping cock, to the flushed and eager face. He winced as the cat purred, kneading his sensitive flesh.

Strife's eyes drifted shut. He sucked on a finger, wetting it thoroughly, then dragged it across his nipples. Pinching one roughly, he brought it to a reddened peak, arching his back at the sensation. With his other hand, he tip-toed a path around his navel, circling it teasingly.

Moving the hand down, he skirted his erection and trailed it across his inner thighs. Rubbing along the crease between leg and groin, he brushed lightly over his balls. The hand still playing idly with his nipples also began its trek downward. He dipped it into the puddle of pre-cum that had formed on his lower belly, coating it thickly.

The glistening finger moved farther down, and Strife spread his legs wider, bending them apart. The finger hovered over his opening a moment before darting briefly inside the rosy pucker. A strangled moan made Strife open his eyes, and he peered heavy-lidded at Cupid, never ceasing the movement of his hands.

Cupid, fighting hard to remain impassive, lost the battle when he saw a long, slim finger press inside the beckoning little opening. Staring hungrily, he leaned forward, impervious to the mewl of indignation from the cat on his lap as she was squished. He didn't even notice when she wiggled free, flouncing away with a wounded air.

Strife suppressed a grin, eyes fluttering closed once more. He plunged his finger all the way inside, searching. Finding the little nubbin, he flicked his finger over it, quivering as sparks shot up and down his spine. Shifting position, but still open to Cupid's watchful gaze, Strife sat up a bit and pushed another finger inside.

The fingers thrust in and out, stretching the ring of muscle. Strife panted, moving them faster, harder. He finally took hold of his weeping cock with his other hand, and pumped it gently. His body took on a light sheen of sweat, the pale skin stained a faint pink.

Cupid hung on the edge of his chair, nearly drooling with lust. As he watched Strife writhe on the fingers sliding in his ass, his hand drifted the brush lightly over his own erection. He saw the other god begin to tremble, the pink stain deepening to almost red.

Strife twisted his lower body, hands moving in a blur. Plunging his fingers inside again, he stroked hard over the fleshy nub, letting out a breathless cry as he came, seed spurting out to coat his chest and stomach. He fell back on the bed, panting.

A hand on his leg brought him back to awareness, and he struggled to open his eyes. Cupid loomed over him, hunger plain in his face. The winged god, now naked as well, climbed between Strife’s legs, pushing them up and back. Burning gazes met, Cupid's holding the question and Strife's giving the answer.

Grinning, Strife held his own legs bent almost to his chest.

Cupid's hand stroked down Strife's skin, collecting the fluid pooled there. Swiping the sticky hand over his pulsing cock, he thrust quickly inside, groaning at the tight heat surrounding him. He braced his arms beside Strife's shoulders and pulled out, hips snapping forward again to slap against soft flesh. Dimly, he felt legs wrap around his waist, pulling him deeper inside.

Strife watched breathlessly as Cupid, lost in a mindless haze of need and desire, pounded into his pliant, willing body. As the other god rode him hard, he felt his own cock begin to take interest again. Grunting, he reached up to pull Cupid's face closer.

Cupid felt his head being tugged down, and he blinked, clearing his sight. He stared at the lips bare inches from his own, then swooped to capture them in a possessive kiss. Tongues met, introduced themselves, then proceeded to get down and dirty. A hard rod of flesh rubbed against Cupid's abdomen, and he ground himself against it.

Strife bucked up as his cock slid along hot, slick skin. He devoured Cupid's mouth with his own, squeezing hard on the cock forging its path inside his tender ass.

Cupid tore his mouth away, cumming with a muted howl as he felt himself being gripped tight. He dropped his weight onto the other god, gasping for breath. Eventually, he noticed Strife still wiggling under him, cock digging into his stomach. Pulling away, he pushed Strife's hips down onto the bed, holding them in place.

Strife whimpered when the hard, delicious body of his lover moved away from his cock, leaving it unattended. He stared down at Cupid, pleading with his entire body.

Cupid grinned. He moved down, breathing over the wet, sensitive flesh. Bending his head forward, he took Strife's balls into his mouth, rolling them gently with his tongue. Letting them slip out, he licked a fiery path across the patch of skin there, moving to the open, quivering hole.

Pushing Strife's thighs open, Cupid blew over the opening, eliciting a throaty growl from his lover He watched as a thin stream of his seed trickled out, then leaned close and swiped his tongue over it, capturing it, tasting. Strife let out a muffled scream, and Cupid glanced up to see pale blue eyes staring at him, swollen lips covered by the hand pressed between them.

He licked again, and again, then pushed his tongue inside, seeking out every trace of his own flavor. He felt the muscles squeeze, trying to draw him in deeper. Finally, he left the needy, grasping hole. Moving back up, he engulfed Strife's purpled cock, swallowing it down.

Strife's body lifted off the bed, and he pulled his hand away, screaming loudly. He shook, his cock pulsing in the hot, wet mouth of his lover. Throat muscles massaged his length as Cupid worked to drink down his offering.

Milking his lover dry, Cupid pulled off of the softening flesh. He shifted up to cover Strife's body with his own, laying slightly on his side as he stroked the smooth, creamy skin that he had so often fantasized about.

Strife recovered his breath. "Wow. I mean...wow." He sighed happily, snuggling closer to Cupid.

Cupid nodded. "Yeah. Same here." They lay quiet for a while, content to simply hold each other. Eventually though, Cupid lifted his head. "So, um, what was the thing with the cat?"

"Huh?" Strife looked over to where said cat was watching them with a supercilious stare. "Oh, her. Dunno. I was bored, she wasn't. Decided to try bein' her. 'Sides, who's gonna suspect her of doin' anythin'? I couldda had a lot of fun."

Cupid frowned playfully. "You mean you didn't?"

Strife snickered. "Course I did, dummy! I meant, what with bein' 'grounded' by Gramps, I could use her ta get away with a bunch of stuff."

"So, why didn't you just turn yourself into a cat, instead of hitching a ride in her?"

"Duh. If I'da done that, I'da been spotted right off. This way, I was camof-- uh, camouflaged."

Cupid nodded in understanding. Then he thought of something else. "Do you have to go inside totally, or can you just kinda use her like another set of eyes? You know, if you wanted to just sneak a peek at something wherever she was."

Strife shrugged. "I've done that, too. I just kinda wanted to, I dunno, experience the whole gig. Catch my drift?"

"Yeah. You were bored. I got it."

"Yeah, I was bored."

A hand stroked Strife's side. "Bored now?" came the whisper in his ear.

Strife turned his head, bumping noses with Cupid. "Nah. Not now."

"Mmmm. Good." Cupid kissed him softly, lips nibbling. Suddenly, Cupid reared back. "Ow!"

Strife looked over him to see a black ball of fur making itself at home on Cupid's back, right between his wings. He giggled. "She usually sleeps up here with me."

Cupid sighed in resignation. "Can you at least get her off me. She weighs a ton. What have you been feeding her?"

Strife scooped the cat away, tucking her in beside his neck. "Just milk and water and meat. Stuff like that."

"Hmm." Cupid scratched the cat under her chin. "What's her name?"

Strife blinked. "Umm..."

Cupid lifted an eyebrow questioningly. "You haven't named her? How long have you had her, anyway?"

"Just a coupla weeks. An' I was gonna name her. Was tryin' out a few of 'em." He pouted crossly.

Cupid licked the lip that was poking out. "Like what?"

Strife pulled his lip back, thinking. "Um, Fang?" He received an incredulous stare. "Claw? Talon?"

"Those are animal parts, not names!"

Strife's brow crinkled. "Shredder? Mangler?"

"You've got to be kidding! What about Fluffy? Or Snowball?"

A loud snort. "Snowball? She's black, for cryin' out loud!"

"Well, it's better than Mangler!"

Fang-Claw-Talon-Shredder-Mangler-Fluffy-Snowball cracked a blue eye open to glare at the big noisy things in her bed. She sniffed haughtily, jumping down. This looked to last a while, and she knew there was a bowl of milk around here just waiting to be stalked.

Epilogue: A few weeks later.

Strife pulled Cupid into his bedchamber, walking backwards as he dragged the other god toward his bed.

Cupid grinned and pushed Strife onto the soft surface, following him down.

A yelp, a yowl, and two shocked shouts later, the gods picked themselves off the floor and peered over the edge of the bed.

"Cupe? There's l'il black wiggly things infesting my bed."

The little black wiggly things mewled softly, and a larger black creature bounded onto the bed, glaring icily at the intruders.

"Um, Strife? Those are kittens."

"Really?"

Cupid nodded.

Strife grinned proudly. "Mira had kittens! I'm an uncle." He frowned. "Or somethin'." He grinned again. "See, she wasn't fat!"

They watched the kittens nursing, then Strife spoke up again. "Hey Cupe? Ya evah wanted your very own little spy network?"

Cupid tilted his head. "What...exactly do you mean?"

"Well, I gotta bed full of potential little spies who are gonna be lookin' for new homes soon. Who on Olympus do you think needs a pet? Gotta keep up practice doin' the ride-along bit with my little buddies here."

Cupid stared at him, aghast. "You...you wouldn't."

Strife just giggled. Oh yeah, things are gonna get interestin' 'round here in a coupla months!

Finit

And here's a cute picture Marion drew for my story. Ain't it adorable? :)

So??? Let me know what you think!