Children of Steel Page 8

  We sat down at the bar in the front and got a couple of beers from the buffalo tending bar. Gabe disappeared for a few minutes as soon as we got in, saying he wanted to call somebody he knew and over the next hour the place started to fill up quite a bit.

  I did see a few members of the crew turn up as well, most of them I only knew from sight but I did see Sheen with Clint, the Jag she was going with. We waved and said hello, but she seemed more interested in finding an empty booth in the back. I started looking around myself curious to see what possibilities the crowd might offer.

  I had only gone out with Leopards myself, and not really that many honestly. Looking around I didn't see any unattached female ones and shrugged. There were some cute females of other species around, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to date or even just flirt with someone who wasn’t at least another cat. There were some social barriers there that I didn’t want to try crossing or more likely tripping over, just yet. Cross species dating wasn’t uncommon, but I really didn’t feel that confident about it either.

  I continued to look over the crowd. There really were quite a few humans in the place, and I was surprised to see that most of them were paired off with animen. I guess Gabe had been right about this place after all. I didn't see any single Cats of any breed as I continued to look around while sipping my beer, but I did notice quite a few women, human and otherwise, were looking my way.

  "Don't worry Raj," said Gabe leaning over to me, "I've got it covered."

  "Got what covered?" I asked.

  "I called up the girl I met last time we were here, and she's bringing a couple of friends with her."

  "I don't know about this," I said, "I've never really had much to do with humans before."

  "It's their universe," said Dave, "time you started."

  "You don't mind?" I asked Dave.

  "There's nothing that says you have to sleep with them."

  "Anyway," added Gabe quietly, "they're here." He motioned to a trio of women who were over by the door. The one in front saw Gabe and headed over to us smiling. They appeared to be around twenty or so by my guess and I guess they were attractive by human standards, I know I liked what I saw. They walked up to us and the one in the lead gave Gabe a kiss, and then made introductions.

  "Hi Gabriel, it's been awhile. I'm glad you called." she was blond, about Gabe’s height, and had a slender figure, "I brought Terry along, who I believe you remember Dave." she indicated the other girl who had walked up to Dave. She was a little taller than the blond, and had a more ample figure. From the way Dave was putting his arm around her, I guess he did remember her. She then turned to me, "You must be Raj, I'm Karen and this is my friend Kathy."

  "Hi, glad to meet you." I said standing up.

  "Hello yourself." she said, looking me over as I looked at her myself. She was shorter than me of course, coming up just to my chin, and was wearing a black jumpsuit, which showed a well conditioned body beneath it, as well as an ample chest. She also had very long black hair, which I found very captivating. Leopards don't have any hair, just fur.

  "I like your taste in color." I said with a smile, hoping I didn't sound like a complete idiot.

  "Thank you, I had hoped you might. Shall we follow the others?" The rest were heading towards the booths in the rear of the bar.

  "Yes, lets." I put my arm around hers and we headed after the others. She wasn't wearing any perfume and smelled very nice, kind of like apricots. Most people don't realize it but some perfumes are really quite obnoxious to cats. Of course some just made you want to drool too, but those were the rare exception, not the rule.

  I found myself already liking her as we walked to the back. She moved well, and I noticed she drew quite a few looks from the rest of the crowd. As we got towards the back, where conversation was again possible, I asked her a question.

  "Ever been in here before?" Okay it was a stupid question.

  "Nope, how 'bout you?"

  Well, at least she didn't seem to think so.

  "Actually, this is my first day on the planet," I admitted.

  At this point we caught up with the others who were just sitting down. Kathy sat down and slid in, I sat next to her, looked at Gabe and smiled.

  "So Raj, Gabriel tells me this is your first assignment," Karen said, "how do you like it?"

  "Pretty much actually. I think I really got lucky."

  "What do you do?" asked Kathy.

  "I'm a shuttle pilot, like Gabe." I said taking a drink of my beer.

  "Oh!" She replied giving my bicep a little squeeze, surprising me, most humans usually didn’t like to get too close. "You look a little big to just be a shuttle pilot."

  "Well I do have some combat training too." I really didn't want to look like a, well, like what I was. Somebody trained to kill, and good at it too.

  "Don't let him fool you," said Gabe, "with the training he's had he could tear this place apart." I started to glare at Gabe, after all I didn't want to scare anybody off, when I suddenly noticed that Kathy was sitting quite a bit closer. I stopped glaring at Gabe, and realized I had a lot to learn about women in general. So instead of kicking him under the table I wrapped my tail around her waist instead.

  "Oh, what's.." She jumped a little then smiled, "Oh, it's your tail. I can't say anybody has ever done that before."

  "Then I guess you don't know too many cats, do you?" I smiled.

  "Well, not very close. But," she smiled at me, and I really started to find myself very attracted to her, "maybe that will change."

  "The secret to a cat's soul is in his tail," Dave spoke up from the back of the table.

  "Well, it is pretty nice," Kathy said stroking it with her free hand, "pretty thick too."

  "Yes but watch how it moves," he continued, "especially the tip. It can tell you all sorts of things about the owner."

  I looked over at Dave and he smiled back at me, suddenly I realized why I lost at poker.

  "It does seem to have a mind of its own sometimes," I confessed. "What do you ladies do?"

  "We're college students actually," answered Karen, "I'm in my third year studying law."

  "I'm a third year law student too," added Terry.

  I looked at Kathy, "And you?"

  "I'm only in my first year, but I'm studying law as well," She said shyly.

  "You look in pretty good condition for somebody studying law." I said, lightly squeezing one of her biceps with a grin.

  "I'm on the college track team. That's how I can afford to go, I'm on a scholarship."

  "I thought you didn't have to pay for school."

  "That's just the state run schools," answered Karen, "the private ones cost."

  "So why go there?" I was puzzled by that.

  "Because the better the school," said Kathy, "the better the job when you graduate."

  "Now that's something we can all relate to!" Laughed Gabe.

  At this point the waitress came by, and we all ordered another round. I was quite surprised when she asked the girls to show proof of their age.

  "What was that about?" I asked Kathy

  "Oh, you have to be eighteen to drink alcohol legally, and I guess I look a little young. I'm only nineteen."

  I thought about that a couple of seconds, I was after all only fifteen.

  "Does this law apply to animen too?" I asked.

  "Actually as far as I know it doesn't, why?"

  "Oh, just curious." I noticed she had nice green eyes.

  "Oh, really?" she said slyly, "And just how old are you Raj?"

  "Did anyone ever tell you what a lovely green your eyes are?"

  "No, but you're changing the subject. I get the impression you're under eighteen."

  "Does it matter?" I was getting a little concerned. I mean I really liked Kathy, and was getting definite ideas about getting to know her better. I didn't want to blow it now.

  "Well, if you were human it might, but Karen say's that you guys tend to mature a lot faster. So I guess it really
doesn't. I don't think they'd trust a child with a shuttle, would they?" She gave me a hug.

  "Definitely not."

  "So how old are you?"

  "I'll tell you later." I smiled at her, "There is a chance of a later isn't there?"

  "Oh I think so," and smiled back at me.

  The six of us spent the next hour talking mostly. Karen told what law school was like, it sounded kind of boring to me. I answered a few questions about some of the training I had gone through, and despite Gabe's remarks I left out the more gruesome details.

  By the time we were into the third hour, quite a few beers had been consumed, and the conversation had died down quite a bit. Everybody was getting pretty personally involved, and Gabe finally suggested we go some place more private.

  "My place would be good," Said Karen.

  "I don't think I can take Raj back to my dorm." Kathy said shyly.

  "That's okay," said Karen smiling at Gabe. "I don't think Terry or I will be using the living room. You can come too."

  So we all got up and headed for the door. Karen said it was only a few blocks, so we decided to walk. It was a beautiful night outside, warm with clear skies. We had gone most of the way there when we suddenly came across a group of young human males. Five actually.

  "Uh oh, trouble," said Karen.

  "Hey animals, what are you doing with our women?" Said the leader. He looked to be about 6' 5", maybe as heavy as I was.

  "We're not your women," said Terry hotly. "So why don't you just take a hike!"

  "Well now," he continued putting his hands on his hips "can't these animals talk for themselves or are they too dumb?"

  I noticed he was squaring his weight off and so were his friends. I looked them over while I disengaged myself from Kathy and moved her behind me; none of them appeared to be holding themselves like they had any serious training. I could feel the thrill of the adrenaline starting to run through me.

  "We talk rather well," said Gabe, "But I think you children should go home, back to your mothers' skirts where it's safe."

  "At least I have a mother, you scazzing animal."

  "You know," said Gabe slowly with a real big smile, "I think I had her too!"

  "Why you lousy…" Big and tough reached into his jacket. I didn't know why Gabe's remark had pissed him off so, but I decided to remember it. I had leapt at him as soon as his hand had started to move for his jacket of course and as it got there, so did I.

  As I pulled it out I bent a little to the side and kicked one of his friends in the groin. When he bent over I brought the heel of the same foot down hard on the back of his head. He dropped.

  I then looked at what Mr. Big and Tough had in his hand; it was a gun so I grabbed his arm with both hands and broke it. He screamed and dropped the gun. I clipped him on the back of the head and dropped him.

  This had all happened in only a second, and the other three were just now starting to realize what was going on. Two of them were going for belt knives, but none of them were really experienced. It lasted another couple of seconds and they were out as well. The whole thing had taken five; maybe six seconds at the most. I had to admit I still enjoyed it though. That was probably why I had been first in my class.

  I looked at the others; the girls were a little shocked.

  "Remind me never to piss you off," Gabe said quietly.

  Dave just smiled. I walked over to Kathy and gently put my arm back around her.

  "They aren't dead are they?" she asked me quietly.

  "No, but that guy with the arm may wish he is when he wakes up in a couple of minutes. Shall we continue?"

  We walked off leaving our assailants behind.

  "I never saw anybody move so fast in my life. Gabe wasn't kidding about you, was he?" she looked up into my eyes.

  "Ummm, actually he probably thought he was." I looked down at her, "I didn't upset you did I?"

  "A little shocked maybe, but not upset."

  We had come to the front of the apartment building by this time.

  "Actually," she continued quietly, looking shyly at me, "I'm pretty impressed."

  We stepped into the foyer and while Karen unlocked the door, we shared a long kiss, and then followed the others up to the apartment. Once in their apartment, Karen made everybody a drink, grabbed Gabe and disappeared into her bedroom.

  "There's some blankets and pillows in the closet." she said as she left. Dave and Terry disappeared shortly afterwards as well.

  We snuggled on the couch for a while, kissing and making out. I didn’t want to push it myself and I could tell that Kathy was a bit hesitant as well.

  It was an interesting study in contrasts for both of us I think, she was very interested in my fur, her hands explored quite a bit of it, and I think she found my muzzle interesting as well as we kissed for a very long time.

  I found her smooth skin to be interesting as I’d never really encountered anything as smooth or soft before, and her long hair was also something that I spent a lot of time exploring, as I was entranced by it. We didn’t talk much, just spent the time nuzzling and kissing, teasing each other a little here and there and just getting used to each other’s company.

  I went and got the blankets then, Kathy the pillows and we spread them out on the carpet. I then took her in my arms and any reservations I might have had, were no longer there and I could tell that she was as interested as I was at this point. We started by kissing slowly, and as I worked my way down, I undressed her. When I got to her breasts, I lingered for a while. Leopard women do not usually have large breasts and Kathy's were a very nice size indeed.

  "Umm, you like?" she asked as my lingering elicited little moans of pleasure.

  "Oh, yes,” I purred, “very much indeed."

  I continued on moving down. Her pubes were the same as a Leopard's however, and my attentions there had a very positive effect. After a while she turned her attentions on me, removing my clothes.

  "Umm, I like this fur." She whispered as she ran her hands over my chest and arms. "Nice buns too!" She smiled up at me, continuing her trek.

  "Ohhh, I think I found something not covered with fur." It was my turn to moan then.

  When she came up for air, we kissed again as I moved over her. She spread her legs and helped guide me as I slowly entered her.

  "Ohhh, yes. That feels so good."

  We rode a slow rhythm, enjoying each other as we built to our final release. When it came I had to remember to be careful with my claws, and she shook and gasped with me.

  "I really enjoyed that." she sighed later, when we had got our breath back.

  "Me too. I've never made love to anyone who wasn't a Leopard before." I felt a little shy admitting that. "And I didn't think it could be that good."

  "Well, I've always wanted to, and I'm glad I did."

  "Why? What's so special about me? Or is it us?"

  "It's you dear," and she kissed me then, "You're beautiful, very sexy looking with all that lovely fur. And dangerous." she started rubbing her body against mine when she had mentioned fur, "The way you took care of those guys earlier, that was something."

  "Well, I'm glad you finally got your chance." I smiled, "How about doing it again?"

  "Ahhh, that would be fine by me."

  We didn't fall asleep that night until the morning sun started to come through the curtains, and from what I could hear through closed doors we weren't the only ones up late either.

  7

  I woke up in the morning feeling quite refreshed. I woke Kathy up and we both took a nice long shower together in the 'fresher. We then dried off and I stretched out on one of the couches while she insisted on combing my fur. I was in seventh heaven and just lay there basking in the attention.

  When Karen came out with Gabe to take a shower, she lent Kathy a robe and then asked her if she needed to borrow any clothes. Kathy just pointed to the overnight bag in the corner and said smiling, "I left that here last night, just in case."

  I had c
ycled my clothes through the cleaning unit in the hall, as I really didn't mind wearing the same pair of shorts again. Hell, I didn't mind wearing nothing at all for that manner, but humans have strange customs.

  Eventually we were joined by Karen and Gabe as Terry and Dave took their place in the 'fresher. I was lying on my stomach with Kathy sitting astride my buttocks as she worked on my neck with the comb, I had lazily wrapped my tail around her under the robe and the tip was twitching just below her chin.

  "Well I see you've got him well under control Kathy." Gabe laughed, and I made a rude gesture in his direction.

  "Actually I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't the other way around," she said with a grin, "every time I stop this tail starts to tickle my face."

  "When Dave and Terry get out of the shower, how about we go get some food?" asked Karen, "I'm starved."

  "Sounds good to me and I can feel Raj's stomach growling, so I know he's hungry."

  "What do you want to do after breakfast, or is it lunch time now?" said Gabe looking around for a clock.

  "I would like to do a little sightseeing myself." I said, my voice muffled by the cushions.

  "We could rent a copter and fly out to the mountains." Gabe suggested. I gave him a thumbs up.

  "Sounds good to me," said Kathy, "but what about some food?"

  "There's a cafe around the corner, we can eat there." said Karen, when suddenly the door chimed. "Who could that be? I'm not expecting anybody."

  I heard her go over to the door and open it.

  "Oh, Good morning officer. What can I do for you?"

  "Seems we had a little problem with a few youths found unconscious in the street last night. They claimed that they were attacked by a couple of animen. A black leopard, a wolf, and a fox."

  I looked up from the couch, the officer was a bear so I felt a little better. However he was looking straight at me.