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For several days the kiss played over and over in the heads of Markus and Zelig. It hadn't progressed further than that simple, innocent kiss, both parties believing it was due to the other still needing to finish healing. Zelig took over most of the tasks of the household while Markus finished his own recovery, wanting the puma to rest more than anything.

When he wasn't out hunting or doing general chores around the house, Zelig worked under the mountain lions watch as he constructed a chicken coop. It wasn't the most difficult project by far for someone who had never done that kind of work, but Pirro's continuous getting under foot and generally in the way, slowed the process down somewhat. Markus tried to keep the whelp distracted but it was met with little success.

The two felines did get closer however over those few days, seeing each other less as friends and more as possible romantic interests. They still slept in separate rooms, but they tended to sit closer together during meals and started to see the house more as their home than purely Markus's.

"We should head into town to try to get some chicks for the coop... we will probably need at least one hen to start with too," Markus announced the morning after the work was finished. He gave a sigh as he pulled out his coin pouch and took a cursory look inside "Sadly I don't think we have enough money..."

"We can always sell some of the skins we have cured?" Zelig suggested while playing with Pirro, letting the whelp chase after a small bundle of fur that was tied with a string. It was something Zelig had remembered his father using on him when he was young too. It hadn't been hard to make either with all of the excess fur the two felines shed.

"Hmm, maybe... I haven't made any connections in town yet on who to sell it to though," Markus replied then shrugged "I guess now is as good a time as any... we may need the cart though with how many we have stockpiled... you really need to ease up on the hunting. We have more food now than we will probably ever need."

The Ocelot blushed a little, his inner ears turning red and dropped back. He had been hunting quite a bit, eager to stretch his legs, supply food, try to help around the house however he could and blow off some steam. In the wild he would have been hunting every day and the pent up desire to do so was difficult for him to control.

"Sorry... but I guess at least we have food for Pirro's growing appetite. Once he reaches my age he will be devouring half a deer a week," he replied and chuckled as Pirro pounced on the toy with a squeak and playful growl "The only reason I don't at the moment is because this form requires less food, if I was a dragon full time I would be too."

"At least by then he can help with the hunting... will you be able to help teach him that?" Markus asked as he started to get up, straightening out his clothes.

"I won't need to, it comes naturally, but I guess I can help him with it." Zelig answered with a smile "I assume you would like me to pull the cart? Maybe we should look into getting a small one that we can push or pull without needing my dragon form."

"Hmm, I'm sure we can find a handcart, problem will be cost," the mountain lion replied and gave a sigh "Unless we manage to sell the furs for a decent enough price. We may struggle to get the chickens."

"We should be able to find a good deal," the Ocelot replied with a shrug as he stood up himself starting to pull off his shirt "I'll get changed, you get the tack ready."

The trip to the village was quick, but not easy with Pirro making a pain of himself the whole time. The Whelp took the chance to be relatively unattended to climb over the cart, chew on the wood, or try to jump onto Zelig's back while he was pulling the wagon, each time missing and falling to the ground, needing them to stop to pick him up. He had been scolded by Marus each time, but it didn't stop him from doing it again, the whelp clearly finding enjoyment in his new game.

The search for somewhere to sell the skins took a while, many people being too distracted marvelling at Pirro and Zelig to give accurate information. They managed to find their way to a trader who they sold their surplus to for a decent price as it was all of reasonable quality.

A small farm just outside town was their next stop to procure some chicks and a hen. The owner of the farm had found Pirro and Zelig fascinating, despite having seen Sofia multiple times in the past. Pirro's cute antics put Markus in a an advantageous spot to negotiate the price, the farmers wife and children taking a liking to the curious whelps antics and Zeligs Stoic, yet friendly, demeanour.

Their next stop was a cartwright to inquire into a small push cart. As Markus spoke with him about their request, Zelig attempted to keep the whelp out of trouble. It was easier said than done, the whelp was constantly trying to chase after Markus or run through the garden beds to play.

It took only a moment of Zelig losing sight of Pirro for trouble to begin. A loud screech of distress gained everyone's attention to a pair of men standing by the road with Pirro held roughly in their arms.

"PIRRO!" Markus and Zelig screamed running over but stopped when the two men pointed a dagger at the whelp.

"Ah! That's close enough! We'll be taking this little one with us!" the one holding the whelp declared, struggling to keep the squirming dragon in his tight grip "He will fetch us a nice price!"

"No! Let him go!" Markus cried out and moved to reach for him but again stopped when the knife was pressed closer to the white dragons scales.

"Although we may get more for his hide," the one holding the knife said with a sneer "I'm sure some noble would like to have dragon scale boots!" the two chuckled and started to back away slowly. Markus whined loudly and tried to follow but Zelig kept his tail in his way to slow him down, fearful of Pirro's safety if he did.

As they watched the two men continue to back away from them, Pirro calling out pleadingly in distress, there was a roar from above and a green and blue blur slammed down on their location. It landed the two men and concealed them in a plume of dust that was kicked up.

"PIRRO!" Markus cried, finally getting past Zelig and ran towards the cloud of dust. The whelp gave a cry and came running out towards them, leaping into Markus's arms to be inspected closely. Zelig walked over and positioned himself between the puma and the slowly settling dust, a soft growl in his throat as he watched it settle. He was ready for the men to come charging out at them, flames welling in his throat.

However once it dissipated, his eyes widened as he saw the sight before him. The two men had been flattened by a large, emerald green dragon, which had landed upon them. It had either killed or at least knocked them out cold, but their fate was of little concern to the black drake. His eyes had widened in recognition of the beast that was before him.

"D...Dad?" he stammered in disbelief. The dragon looked up, its own eyes going wide, yet a moment later gave a hard choking cough, blood spilling from its maw before he staggered a few steps away and collapsed to his side.

The wounds on his scaled belly and chest were now clearly apparent. Deep and practically gushing blood, the male seemed to be struggling for each pained breath. Zelig rushed over and pressed his fore-claws against the gaping wounds, drawing a pained, whining hiss from the other male.

"Markus! P...Please! Help him!" he pleaded, making Markus rush over and press his hands over the worst of the wounds. The puma was at a loss at to just what he could do however, the male was too big to just keep pressure on the wounds, and he had no medical supplies with him.

"Go get the guards! Hurry!" Markus told the cartwright who nodded and ran off.

"Dad... what are you doing here? Why aren't you with the Enclave?" Zelig asked and the larger dragon seemed to try to chuckle but it was little more than a weak cough.

"I...I left a...after she tried t...to force me to mate," the dragon replied weakly as the cartwright's wife brought out what she could to try to help "when I r...refused her... saying th...that I would n...not mate again after y...your mother... she attacked me."

"I guess the past doesn't always stay in the past... if trying to kill Zelig was any indication," Markus said softly, pressing the rags to the dragons injuries "Try to stay still, just focus on breathing."

"I...I'm sorry I hurt you... I never wanted to," the large green dragon said softly looking at Zelig mournfully "Y...Your mother would be so upset with me. At least I managed to help that little one."

"Shh, just hold on, you'll be ok, right Markus?" he looked to the puma who wouldn't meet his gaze, the feline looking almost hopeless and desperate yet gave his head a light shake "Right Markus?"

"I... he..." Markus hesitated and gave a whimper "He's bleeding too quickly..." the black dragon's eyes widened and he shook his head pressing firmer against the injured dragons belly.

"No....nononononono, Dad hold on, please!" he whined out. The green male lifted his head a little, looking to his son and gave him a weak smile.

"Y...you're s...so much l...like your m...mother," he cooed softly before losing strength and his head flopped down to the ground "I... if only I c...could have seen her j...just one more time."

Zeligh hushed him, giving a whine as he kept his paws pressed firmly to his fathers chest. He could feel his breaths get slower before he gave a long gusty sigh, body going still.

"Dad?" Zelig asked giving a soft push to rock him "Dad?! Answer me! Please..." he whimpered loudly, Markus shifted to sit on his rear to look forlornly at his blood covered hands.

"I...I'm sorry... there was... I couldn't... he..." the puma stammered over his words, unsure exactly what he wanted to say. He slowly got to his hands and knees and crawled over to the large dragons head, gently closing his eyes and mouth as Zelig started to call out mournfully.

Pirro nuzzled up to the larger black drake and gave some soft chirps and trills, trying to comfort his den-mate. Markus looked up as the sound of approaching footsteps rushed their way, the guards and healer finally arriving but halted when they got close enough to see what was going on.

The return home was silent and gloomy, even Pirro remained quite for the trip, although he laid over Zelig's back for the trip. The cart carried, aside from the new chicks they had procured, the dead dragon's remains, Zelig having wanted to deal with the body himself but Markus stated he would do it.

Zelig dug the hole but was then sent inside to rest while the puma finished up. Pirro remained with the devastated drake, keeping him company while he lay on the couch in his ocelot form. The black feline cried softly as he laid there, wiping his face dry every once in a while with one hand, the other rubbing down the whelps back gently.

"Zelig," Markus called softly from the doorway after an hour had passed. He was covered in dirt, blood still staining the fur on his hands and arms "I...I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," he replied as he slowly climbed to his feet "there was nothing we could have done... he flew all that way with those injuries... he was dead before he even landed."

"Doesn't mean I still cant be sorry for you," the mountain lion said before pulling him into a tight hug, trying to help comfort him "Just... remember, you're not alone ok?" Zelig nodded slowly and Markus gave a soft sigh.

"C'mon, we both need a wash, let's get the copper boiling."