Cats of the East
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CATS OF THE EAST
by Iscin
This is a work of erotic fiction.
All characters portrayed within are 18 years of age or over.
All rights reserved © 2015.
CHAPTER ONE
Cabin Life
Paul had expected to see Kenta begin treating Qiang with a little more compassion this morning. The lion had been purring so loud and intensely last night with, with his strong arms around both the human and the tiger. It was one of those almost cute moments that Paul has the privilege of witnessing once every so often. However, the first thing that Paul hears this morning is the loudest damn roar he has heard in an even longer stretch of time. It is so bostrious that it is booming far beyond their little camp, shaking the leaves of the forest like a shockwave blast. Its epicentre is the sandy coloured big cat himself, standing over the no longer sleeping tiger like some sort of malevolent serial killer poised to strike. Both Paul and Qiang get up on their feet, nearly falling over one another in the tent. But the only one who Kenta is staring down is Qiang.
'Where is our breakfast?!' Kenta demands, his claws drawn out, his chest heaving up and down.
'I... what?' Qiang looks confused and, at least by Paul's assessment, genuinely scared.
'You're so useless!' The lion fumes, his voice now down to a low growl.
His conscious self still processing what is happening, Paul's autopilot has him beginning to get dressed. He is convinced that something serious is about to go down, but before he can finish getting his pants on the lion is already storming out of the tent. It appears as though Kenta's expectations from the tiger might have been higher than were realistic. Qiang gives the human a look that conveys all of the fear and paranoia that Paul would normally expect from himself. But, as antagonistic as the two often are with one another, the smaller mammal does have an idea of how they can postpone any indignation and consequences on the part of the prince.
'Why don't we go see Meng? I'm sure he'll have something we can eat.' Paul suggests to the tiger whilst buttoning his shirt up.
'I don't want to tell Kenta that right now. I value things like my blood remaining inside my body.' Qiang replies, falling back on his classic snark.
'No need. I'll tell him.' Paul smiles, feeling proud of himself for finding a solution for the tiger, even though the striped feline hardly deserves such generosity.
Outside their tent, the lion is once more besides the lake. He is performing his morning exercises, starting with his pushups. The only thing he has on is a pair of jeans, and those he will be wanting to take off once he motions to bathe in the lake. Paul approaches cautiously, not so much hearing as feeling the gigantic lion's constant growling as it vibrates through the air. Stopping just inside the feline's field of view, the human is noticed by the big guy. The human parks himself on the grass and waits a minute or so before the lion stops and faces him, ready to talk.
'I have an idea,' Paul starts to say, trying to look chipper and not nervous. 'Maybe we don't need to wait for Qiang to make us breakfast.'
Kenta's ears flick at the mention of the tiger's name. Paul has been around the big cat long enough to understand the importance of such a subtle act of body language. Pressing on, the human chooses to omit any references to the tiger, trying to focus on the idea itself. Paul tells Kenta that can they pack up everything but the tent and go to Meng's cabin. Of course, Kenta had seen the black jaguar but had not been properly introduced yet, so the human is quick to paint the picture of a perfect gentleman and someone who he believes they can trust. And even if Meng is not so pleasant in extended contact, the human is confident in the lion's ability to rise to any challenge.
'Hmm, it does sound tempting.' Kenta says, mulling it over whilst continuing stretching his arms, flexing his muscles and rolling his shoulders to make sure they're limber after the pushups.
'I have the directions right here!' Paul says and waves the small piece of white parchment.
There is now a pause whilst Kenta muses over the suggestion. Surrounding them, Paul can hear the sounds of the native wildlife greeting the morning whilst the sun is still climbing up above the tree line. Yet it is not the present or the near future, but rather the past that is still on the human's mind. What occurred yesterday and the day before that is still being processed in the back of his confused mind. Something is going on between the two big cats, but exactly what he is still well and truly in the dark. Perhaps by having a third party involved will grant him the opportunity to discover the causation of these changes for himself.
'Very well,' Kent finally says. 'We'll leave in ten minutes. That is if Qiang can get the tent packed away.'
'I'm sure he'll try.'
***
Rustic is the first word that comes to Paul's mind as he sees the cabin for the very first time. It is in stark contrast to the far less practical artifice that the lion had procured for the three of them. It is kind of on the small side too, though from a distance it does seem to have a lot of vacant space in its vicinity; probably the result of some mild deforestation during the initial construction. Looking over to his two companions Paul thinks he can see some mild disappointment shared between them. Although, in the case of the tiger, Qiang has been sour-faced all morning long.
Kenta takes the lead of the trio as they are approaching the cabin. His head turns from side to side, ears swivelling as he tracks for any sign of the black jaguar. They soon spy something moving around behind one of the windows. It quickly becomes apparent that the black figure has also noticed their approach as the door begins to open for them. Paul quickens his step, drawing up alongside the lion and leaving the tiger to pick up the rear. Some part of him thinks that it is best if the first thing that Meng sees is the human, and not two disgruntled big cats.
'Is that him?' Paul asks the Kenta, squinting his eyes to try and make out the person in the doorway.
'Looks like it. Why don't you go and greet him since you know him best.' Kenta suggests, a smile on his lips as he watches the human now dart off ahead of him.
Paul does not know why he is this excited, this much in need to see the jaguar again. Perhaps it is the novelty of knowing someone who seems a little more mature than the two cats he has been shacked up with all these months, albeit with the same astonishing body that he has grown to admire and enjoy. But in truth it probably has more to do with wanting a distraction from the ever growing eccentric and esoteric behaviour between the lion and tiger. Those matters can wait for later though as he now nears the front porch of the cabin and slows himself down to a light jog, a walk and now standing still as he looks up at the imposing black feline who is stood waiting.
'Hello again. I didn't expect to see you so soon.' Meng says his voice a cacophony of rolling sounds as he stretches out, his long furry arms disappearing behind the doorframe. A large black paw is extended and Paul shakes it, squirming at the feel of the immense hand enveloping his own smooth-skinned one.
The smell of coffee and frying meat tells Paul that the jaguar must just have been eating his breakfast, if not just about to. Dressed in a simple chequered shirt and baggy combat fatigue pants the jaguar appears handsomely dishevelled and a little comically uncoordinated. It is all suggesting the state of Meng still waking up and throwing on anything that will fit. However, even as the human makes an assessment of the black cat, so too is Meng looking on past the human and observing the two approaching big males, especially the larger of the two.
'No no, we thought we'd see you whilst we knew you'd be here. Being good neighbours and all.' Paul says.
'And will all you be wanting a good breakfast to match then?' Meng asks wryly, his eyes back on the little man on his doorstep.
'Err...' Paul's brain is ceasing to work, his face flushing red. Clearly the jaguar's perceptive powers are acuter than his own.
'It's okay. I'll put out some more plates.' Meng says and turns back, walking back into the cabin with his tail flicking around as if beckoning Paul to follow.
Filing in one at a time the three guests enter the black jaguar's home away from home. The interior is as rustic as the exterior, with not a single example of the kind of luxuries that Paul has become so used to Kenta buying. There is a fireplace, several worn seats, a filthy looking rug and only a couple of desks off besides the window. Looking back at the big lion Paul can see Kenta scanning the room with a bemused glimmer in his eyes. Clearly, Paul is not the only one that finds the cheap look of the cabin unusual. Whether that is just from a lifetime of being pampered or something more the human is unable to say.
'The kitchen is just back here.' Meng says and waves a black hand over in the direction of the door at the back of the room. 'But the stove is going to need some firewood. Do you want to help?'
'Me?' Paul asks.
'Sure, and the big guy over there.' Meng points a claw in the direction of the lion looming behind Paul.
'No, no. I don't do... that sort of thing.' Kenta hisses. 'But I'm sure Qiang will be only too eager to help you out.'
'The tiger right?' Meng asks, his voice now more guarded from the reaction Kenta has given.
'Yes. He is better suited to physical labour. Kenta is, err, too sensitive about his fur.' Paul says, interrupting before the lion can say anything more.
The implication of Kenta being something of a slacker and superficial is a little dangerous of Paul to suggest. However, the lion now just grunts, flicking his mane back and exits the way he came, saying that he will make sure Qiang knows that Meng wants some help. It is an odd moment as Paul watches one towering feline and then the other. For some ineffable reason he is receiving a very different vibe from the jaguar than any of the other big cats he has met so far. It is best if they can all settle a little before opening any hidden pandoras boxes about... social statuses.
'So where do we get the wood from?' Paul asks.
'I'll show you.' Meng tells the little guy with a charming wink.
***
The cabin has access to an abundance of firewood in the form of the deciduous trees only a few metres away. With the human and tiger in tow, the big burly black jaguar is explaining to them that normally he would go deeper into the surrounding forest to avoid deforesting the immediate area. But considering both Paul and Qiang's relatively diminutive statures he will allow them to use a couple of the smaller trees relatively near to the cabin. Predictably this statement of fact elicits a chuffing sound from Qiang, but otherwise the tiger is doing as he has been instructed by Kenta.
After five minutes walk they reach a tree that Meng decides is sufficient for their needs. Since he has come all this way the black jaguar decides to start showing the pair how he usually does this. Of course, shining an axe is simple enough, it's all in the core muscles and robust shoulders, whilst keeping your elbows locked. However, it is something else as the two smaller males are standing, obviously awestruck at the rate and ferocity with which Meng starts swinging his great sword of an axe.
Every swing is coming down with such force as whole chunks of the bark and trunk splinter away, shooting back around the big black cat like shrapnel from a grenade. Watching the jaguar's naked torso flex and heave, the muscles in his arm like haulage vehicles finding their right parking spaces, it is all really quite tremendous. After only half a dozen swings the tree is already beginning to bow at the weakest point. The wood audible creaks as it protests this decidedly violent treatment.
'Keep back.' Meng says commandingly as he ceases chopping and repositions himself to the opposite side.
With a single immense paw, the black jaguar pushes the trunk from the opposite side and it starts falling towards the incision into its structure. Both of the observers are standing a good distance away as leaves, branches and trunk start coming down. Meng says timber a little late and is keeping one eye on the tree and one on the pair watching as the tree comes crashing down onto the unobstructed grass in the direction of the path they have come down.
Even with the source of fuel defeated in a one-sided contest it is still far from over. Meng straddles the trunk and begins hacking away, taking branches off in quick succession with his colossal axe in only his right hand. Paul can feel his collar beginning to feel constricting around his neck again, a telltale sign that has become familiar from the many times he has seen the lion working out, or on the rare occasions he actually does something strenuous that is not for leisure.
It has taken the jaguar all of five minutes to fell and hack away the branches of the tree. He tells the pair that they can collect the branches and leaves, they have other uses. But, he himself is picking up the trunk all by himself. With the same effortless display as before he lifts the entire trunk up, not even split into logs, as he holds it underneath his leg arm, hugging tight against the side of his furry black torso.
'I'll let you two get the rest then, alright?' He says rhetorically and begins waltzing off, seemingly unimpeded by the mutilated plant that he is now carrying under one arm. 'Oh and make sure you get at least two each. Five should do for the remainder of my stay here. Least yo can do for free food really.'
'Have you ever seen Kenta do something like that?' Paul asks once the jaguar is out of earshot.
'Nope.' Qiang replies whilst looking at his comparatively smaller axe with a kind of quiet disdain.
CHAPTER TWO
Backfoot
Paul arms are hanging limply against his sides like two dead animals. He tried, he really did try, but at the end of the day he is no equal to a seven-foot tiger, let alone a demigod of a jaguar such as Meng is. The human has not even been able to carve his way through half of his own tree before Qiang was already felling one ahead of Paul. Realising that his efforts are never going to stack up to anything Paul excuses himself, telling the tiger the he is going to go and see if there is anything they need help with back at the cabin. Perhaps he can find a chainsaw.
Of course, Paul doubts that there are any power tools at the cabin. But all he really wants is to get some distance from Qiang. Something about the tiger is very wrong. A disturbing look behind those eyes and the human no longer feels safe when left alone with the striped predator. Now that he is nearing the cabin again he starts hearing the deep voices of the two big cats inside. It seems as though Kenta and Qiang have found themselves in a heated discussion and, ever the curious ape, Paul wants to find out what they are talking about.
'-doesn't mean that we have to upturn everything for a few. That way lies economic depression at best, civil unrest at worst.' Kenta can be heard bellowing.
'So you think they don't deserve the same rights? That just because they look different then they should be treated differently? Inferior?' Meng replies.
'They aren't treated badly! During the Ying-era yes, but now there are laws. Besides, tradition has always told us the importance of charitable gratitude to be shown to servants. They are well taken care of,' Kenta retorts.
'So long as they are under your paws, am I right? Typical lions. Blind to their privilege in all matters, even toward your fellow species.' Meng parries.
'Hey! Now you're just getting personal!' Kenta growls.
At this point in the conversation Paul finally opens the back door to the cabin. His ears having been assaulted by the ongoing argument every step of the way. Despite their loud conversation both felines pointed ears pick up the sound of the door open on its hinges and they both go quiet. Kenta would call out to ask who it is, but the lack of any grumbling or heavy footsteps lets him know that it is the human returning alone. Paul enters the cabin's main room ten seconds later and he looks at one cat and then to the other. They are both sitting on opposing sides in front of the cold fireplace, arms slumping forward from leaning towards one another as they walk.
'What were you two arguing about?' Paul asks, genuinely curious.
Not expecting to be disturbed so soon they are both a little surprised, standing up as the human enters. Whilst the jaguar is just surprised, the lion actually looks embarrassed as if he has been caught doing something he is not supposed to do. From the little that Paul picks up on, he thinks he understands just what it is that they were discussing so passionately. Logically the only subject makes sense with two people who are otherwise strangers is something fundamental to their shared culture, from their homeland. Probably of a political nature, clearly something that Kenta is not eager to begin discussing with the human.
'Nothing important.' Kenta says, the first to respond, a little too eager to close off any discussion.
'What do you mean? The civil rights movement for humans is very important.' Meng challenges, one eye kept on the sole representative of the species.
Kenta shoots the other cat one of those looks, the kind that most just want to see an end to before it really turns nasty. But, here and now, the strange but clearly confident jaguar presses the issue. Paul meanwhile is already pulling up a seat, glad that he does not have to explain why there is a lack of any firewood whilst Meng starts explaining the topic that started a few minutes ago. However, even before Meng gets into detail about any of this the human can already tell that what he is about to learn not only about their peoples' history but Kenta's opinion on such matters, might sour his own thoughts on his two roommates for quite some time.
Unlike here, on the western supercontinent of their world, the eastern peoples consist of two distinct species. The physically impressive cats, and the less physically-abled humans, or apes as the more traditional cats tend to call them. Although there are delineations between certain cats, such as lions and tigers, they are basically a single species with racial variations, just like the humans of both continents are. This asymmetrical dichotomy has led to a very simple one-sided history of cats conquering, enslaving and ultimately abusing many of the indigenous human populations in the east. Meanwhile, the western human cultures have remained isolated from all of this until a couple of centuries ago.
Paul already knows all of this, including some of the accounts and questionable case studies conducted by western academics into the contemporary culture as well as recent history of the east. However, even that is marred by a shroud of misinformation. Specific and non-specific geopolitical factors have created a strained yet mutually beneficial relationship with the prime national movers of the two sides of their world. This has in turn led to a great deal of self-imposed ignorance in regards to the plights of the underclass counterparts to people like Paul. Sure, there are some organisations who try to expose atrocities and campaign for full rights, but even now there is a strong caste system in all of the eastern lands.
'The problem is Paul, even if we were to ignore our problematic past, there is still a caste system.' Meng says.
'You say that like it is not how it has always been and for good reason!' Kenta interrupts Meng's explanation. 'And just how is that any different to the class system we have seen over here? Traditional structures have value in any society.'
'Perhaps, though as someone from an upper caste yourself I would expect such ignorance! The plain truth is that there are no systems by which someone from one cast can move from one to another. Except perhaps through a questionable marital union.'
'Excuse me,' Paul interrupts. 'But can I just ask you something concerning yourself, Meng?'
'Sure.' The jaguar says, leaning back in his seat whilst the lion on the other side audibly scoffs at the thought that the jaguar's answers should matter more than his own.
'If you're unhappy with the way things are back home. Then why are you here and not back there where you can try and change things?'
'Ah, well...' The jaguar's expression sours, his posture shifting to something new and intrinsically nervous.
'He has a point you know.' Kenta says, rubbing it in, noticeably proud of his human's perceptive query.
'Don't be absurd!' Meng growls. 'He is clearly under the misunderstanding that your society is one of democracy and a public forum.'
'My society and not our society? You're really disassociating yourself now.' Kenta hisses.
'Hang on. What do you mean that it's not a democracy? I thought you guys had a parliament or something.' Paul wisely interrupts before it gets personal again.
At this juncture, both of the cats shake their heads in near unison with one another. Even Kenta is astonished by how little the human knows of his homeland. Although the lion has never broached the topic. What would be the point? He is living here now, with Qiang and Paul. It is only because of the radically minded jaguar that is now feeling the need to discuss and even defend his home. Surprising even Kenta himself just how much he really cares about the distant place.
'We have a council of nobles, a shogunate. Voting only occurs on an inter-caste basis.' Kenta explains.
'It's a military junta, complete with kangaroo courts.' Meng clarifies. 'And, if I am not mistaken, your friend here is part of the samurai caste of the Miyo prefect, aren't you? Bureaucrats to the elite, and only slightly less bad.'
Kenta growls again, turning his head to the unlit fireplace as he stews in this quite reasonable analysis of the situation. It is not that he believes that his home is perfect, but tradition exists for a reason, even if in this case tradition has benefitted himself and his family immensely. Now that Meng is dragging it out, in front of the human no less, other facts may well start becoming readily apparent for Paul to understand and make judgement upon.
'I should really read a book.' Paul says after the silence has stretched beyond a reasonable amount of time.
***
Why did I ever agree to that stupid wager!
Qiang's tail is flicking erratically, his ears laid back, and his teeth are barring at everything he looks at. There can be no mistake, the tiger is livid. Kenta is watching the tiger from the other side of one of the cabin's rustic windows. Behind the lion, both Meng and Paul are stall in active discourse, the jaguar readily filling in details of life back home that both Kenta and Qiang were reluctant in providing. If not for the approaching storm, the lion might be trying to intervene, though he can not begrudge the ape for his latent curiosity in such matters.
'Excuse me a moment.' Kenta tells the other two even though he is already walking with purpose for the rear exit from the cabin.
Even in front of Paul, the tiger having a meltdown would be a nuisance, but in front of the jaguar it would be an embarrassment of a whole new level. Despite some of his best efforts, Kenta is every bit the regal lion that his father has done all he can to raise him to be. There must be decorum and a measure of control in all affairs concerning his personal life, especially that which is projected for outsiders to witness. Anything else is to be considered a blemish on his character, and by extension his family's reputation. Of course, trying to explain that to a pissed off tiger who actively has his claws drawn out and has eyes of some fearful symmetry is entirely impossible.
'Is that the firewood? Great job getting so much!' Kenta is starting with positive reinforcement and immediately regrets the patronising tone doing so is creating.
'Are you... patronising me?' Qiang replies, his mouth curling up at the sides to bare sharp fangs with every syllable.
'Look why don't you get off your feet and relax a little now.' Kenta suggests.
That is it, the limit breaker. Whilst Kenta has become far calmer over the past hour talking with Meng and Paul, quite the opposite has happened to Qiang whilst chopping wood all on his own. In addition, the tiger's frustration has been mixing in with the already weary sentiments from the way that Kenta has been treating him ever since arriving at their extravagant cabin and actually forced to submit to that furless freak. Well, it is all enough for any self-respecting middle-caste tiger to blow his or her top off. Even the lion takes a step back as the tiger begins a litany of slurs and barely formed arguments against the sleights against him, both real and imagined.
Even with the ranting tiger in front of him, the lion's attention is divided with the activity just inside of the cabin. He hopes that the pair inside are still talking with one another, even if Meng is filling Paul's head with less than flattering ideas of his homeland. Even that is better than the tiger's display of barely restrained indignant emotion made manifest. With a particularly nasty slew of disparaging remarks about the ape and how he has become Kenta's favourite, ironically casting himself in a similar servile position, Qiang appears to be calming down once more.
'Are you finished?' Kenta asks, both paws raised as if ready to block or grab the tiger making any sudden moves.
'For now...' Qiang says, his shoulders slumped forward as he sets the wood down, his claws having left their mark on the bark.
'Good. Want to come inside now? I think we all need to eat still.' Kenta says and brings one very large arm down around the tiger's shoulders giving him a curt half-hug.
CHAPTER THREE
Tabling It
Protein is not something that Paul ever seems to be shy off around these folks. Despite the almost pseudo-hippy mask that the big jaguar has been presenting, at least to Paul, concerning his politics, his choice in cuisine is not of the painless variety. After a thorough forty minutes slaving away over his modest stove and grill Meng has been able to either pan fry or grill a large selection of cuts, sausages and thick steaks. Where he is keeping all of that meat in this rustic home none of the trio can guess, but none of them are about to complain none either.
'This is great!' Kenta exclaims loudly whilst digging in with the worn fork and steak knife that has been provided.
'Thank you very much.' Meng accepts the compliment. He is sat watching the others, nothing but a glass of water for himself seeing as he has already had his own breakfast.
Despite his relatively smaller stature Paul has received a portion just as large as what Kenta and Qiang are tearing into. He slices off a sliver of the steak and picks it up with his fork. The medium-rare meat quivers on the edge of his lips before he pushes it inside and slides it off of the prongs of his fork. The texture is soft and melty, the taste full and delicately seasoned. Paul's face reflects his surprise at the divine umami taste. It is hard to believe that out here, in such a rustic setting, one man can create a dish this good.
Hooked on Meng's brilliant cuisine, all three are now gorging themselves. Even when faced with such impressive portions the human does his best swallowing all of it down, after plenty of mastication of course. The jaguar does have seconds prepared, just in case the lion and tiger want any, but is nonetheless surprised by the human's ability to keep all of it down. He intentionally made sure all three plates were equal, reflecting his own egalitarian philosophy, but he never really expected the ape to be up to the task of consuming everything that is on his plate.
'I hope there is more.' Kenta says as he comes to finishing polishing off his plate, pushing the empty dish out to the black cat.
'Sure there is. But don't overeat. I've seen was that does to lions.' Meng says whilst picking up the plate to refill it.
'Actually I think I've had all I can eat now.' Paul suddenly says, suppressing a belch as he pushes his plate away with a couple of the sausages being left over.
'Figures. Can't even eat on our level. Fucking monkey...' Qiang quietly grumbles, but not quietly enough for neither Kenta or Meng to not notice.
Paul gulps, Kenta sneers and Meng blinks not sure what just happened. Looking over the cowering human between them, the lion gives his old friend a look that is somehow meaner than the miniature meltdown he had at dawn for the striped cat. Qiang raises his hackles for a moment, his tail thrashing anxiously, before he remembers himself and quickly calms himself down again. There will be time for words later, for now he had best not make a scene in front of their host. Even the proud tiger recognises the importance in that modicum of decorum.
'Seconds for you then?' Meng asks the tiger, all the while keeping his eyes on the nervous human.
***
Minutes bleed into one another until amorphous units of time called hours pass on by. The breakfast, more of a megalithic brunch, has coaxed Kenta and Qiang into a sort of digestive repose. Perhaps it is from the long trek coming out here, and the continuing adjustment to their new environment away from urban life, but the pair are lounging on the worn couch in the cabin; content to have a catnap as noon sails on by.
Paul on the other hand finds himself taken to one side, and then outside, with Meng to enjoy the natural beauty of the forest and its denizens. The human is not sure what surprises him more, how quickly Qiang seemed to settle down after they ate or that Kenta seems to perfectly trust Paul being along with Meng. Well, that last part is probably not too surprising. The jaguar seems to give off an aura of calm, collected self-control. By the human's own assessment, Meng is unlike most of his own kind.
'Birdwatching?' Paul's voice reveals his disbelief, along with his expression as he watches the jaguar pull out a pair of binoculars from his satchel.
'What's wrong with it? There is a lot we can learn from our feathered friends. Their lives may be simple, but they're also contended.'
Paul chuckles to himself. This Meng is something so different that he might as well be an alien when compared to the other two cats. In fact the thought has crossed the human's mind that this might be an act, some kind of mask to distract others from what the jaguar is really all about. But, that is a feeling, a gut reaction and nothing more. Everything up to and including this point has shown Meng to be nothing but a gentleman and even a little bit of a hippy. Provided, a hippy with the kind of arms with claws on the end that can probably tear apart a hog with one mighty motion.
'So...' Paul begins, finding a fallen tree to sit upon whilst the jaguar scans the treelike for his own avian avarice. 'What do you think of Kenta?'
A grimace flickers on the black cat's face. He is quick about concealing it though and sets the binoculars down, falling softly against his broad chest. He turns and looks back to the human who is now twiddling his thumbs and looking up with the face of someone twice removed from innocence. It is a curious thing for the ape to ask Meng about two people who have been closed to and known the human for far longer than the jaguar has. Given a different person or circumstance Meng might think this more of a test of his own character; but he can tell that something is bothering the little guy. Enough that he is soliciting the words of a near stranger.
'He's alright, I guess.' Meng says shrugging as he pauses. 'Like all of his station he is a little myopic. But he seems genuine enough.'
'And... Qiang?' Paul presses, his eyes now fixed on the grass beneath his shoes.
'Ah well.' Meng sighs. 'I don't know him at all really. But...'
'But?'
'He doesn't seem to like you very much. That much is obvious without knowing any history.' Meng purses his lips, not wishing to say anything more on the matter.
'Yeah, I guess he sort of doesn't. Not now anyway...' Paul also sighs, guilty for sharing his discomfort with the big cat.
Without saying anything else the jaguar steps up, casting a shadow over the human, before now kneeling down and reaching for him with both paws. Paul's heart skips a beat, startled by the sudden physical contact of two immense black paws squishing against either side of his head. Meng pushes strands of light coloured hair out of the way as he guides the human's head inclining this way and that. The human now realises that he is being examined as the big cat moves on to limbs and torso, lifting the ape's shirt up to check for the hallmarks of fading bruises and minor scars left from scratches. He makes a cushioned puffing sound as his hands now come away.
'Have both of them had you then?' The big cat asks, his face only a couple feet away, at a slightly higher elevation even crouching, from Paul's own.
'I guess it's obvious if you examine like that huh?' Paul replies. 'They're never cruel! At least Kenta isn't... Qiang sort of toyed with me a couple of times.'
'You know you could get a serious injury one of these days. Even the best of us can be,' Meng searches for the right word, 'too intense.'
There is something there lurking within the unfamiliarity of a stranger. It is near indescribable for Paul but somehow he knows that he can trust this jaguar. Or perhaps it is that the jaguar trusts him. The human blushes, an involuntary reaction as his thoughts wander and his eyes once more avert themselves from the other's. Whatever this gentle giant is really like underneath, whoever he wants to be seen as, Paul hopes that it is someone who truly cares.
CHAPTER FOUR
Make Love Not War
Returning to the cabin with the jaguar, Paul makes sure that the first thing he does is go to the water closet. He wants to freshen up a little before the lion sees him, for once those eyes lock on their prey there is no escaping the predator's lustful grasp. It is almost that time of day again. Paul knows how Kenta's amorous side peaks at a particular hour in the lazy late afternoon of the feline's soul. The only thing that interrupts this natural rhythm would be a class or gym session. But both of those are far removed from Meng's cabin all the way out here, of course, which leaves only one possible situation.
However, unbeknownst to the human Kenta is going to involve more than just their close trio this time. He has been waiting for both the human and jaguar's return. Now that he has confirmed his suspicions, Meng can see the body language as he re-enters his home away from home and sees the lion sat in a lewd repose, legs spread wide. Meng chooses to ignore it and walk over to the sink, there should be enough water left in the tank outside to finish cleaning up the dishes before everything gets a lot more dirty.
Suddenly something large and ending with multiple inch long claws comes slamming down against the jaguar's derrière. Meng jumps a little as he feels the talon tips drag against his combat fatigues, risking tearing into them. Composure quickly returns as he looks over his shoulder at the audacious lion who has come to interrupt the jaguar from his chores. In a snap judgement, the jaguar could just as easily smack the insufferable prick in return, but he controls his emotions and simply asks what the idea is.
'I wondered if,' Kenta starts to say but now pauses. 'Well, I'm not sure if you're the type but...'
'The word you're looking for is orgy.' Meng suggests in an almost conspiratorial tone, turning away from the sink and leaning in to converse with the other cat.
'It's been almost twenty-four hours. My libido is starving and it would be rude not to invite you to sample some of my produce after that great meal.'
'Well, it has been awhile. But I am not comfortable forcing myself on Paul.'
'What about Qiang? I think he could use some adjustment after his outburst earlier.'
Meng grinds his jaw whilst thinking over his choice here. Under normal circumstances, he is not prone to violation the volition of others for the sake of his own enjoyment. However, judging from what little he has seen, and unaware of the tiger being outside of his own comfort zone, the big black cat considers the possible karmic balance weighing in a positive favour of joining the proclivities Kenta seems to have in mind.
'I assume he will not be a willing participant.'
'Not at first, no.' Kenta's smile deepens as he offers his paw.
'Alright then. I'll handle the tiger, but treat the human better. I saw the bruising he's been getting.'
'Paul likes it rough. You'll see.'
***
Qiang is still semi-asleep, lounging with his entire body splayed out on the abuse couch. His shirt was bothering him from the sweat he accrued whilst out getting firewood so he has left it crumpled on the floor. Then of course his pants were too tight, especially around his bloated gut from all of that meat, so he is not wearing a belt either. Paul is gawking maybe a little too often at the manner in which the striped cat's jeans seems to be in a perpetual state of almost slipping down, at least to his knees. It is more interesting viewing each time Qiang turns over, readjusting his arms and torso on the uncomfortable thing he is reclined upon.
He sips from the cup Meng gave to Paul shortly after they returned to the cabin. The blend of tea that Meng has been providing the three of them tastes far better than it really should all the way out here away from civilisation. Along with the food from earlier it makes Paul wonder just what else the jaguar is hiding in the tiny basement under the cabin where he is keeping all of the perishable goods. Obviously all of his money goes into good food and little else for when he comes all the way out here.
Lost in his own thoughts the human is taken by surprise as two colossal arms start wrapping themselves around him. The mug is dropped, spilling the precious tea on one of the shaggy carpets. He is being lifted up and into the strong arms of an entirely nude nine-foot tall all-male lion. This is not the first time this has happened and Paul's body immediately assumes the right level of malleability and suggestive movements as he is snuggled up and into the lion's mane-framed head and chest.
'You know that tickles!' Paul protests as the big cat's whiskers brush up against his own face.
Kenta is purring loudly and proudly. His powerful arms and hands effortlessly manipulate the barely six feet tall human to his naked, though furred, body. This is something Kenta likes to do for one-on-ones with Paul, his faithful freshman servant. It must also be said that it makes Paul feel like a toy, but in a good way. Applying only a small amount of effort the human is now turned over and against, chest to chest, with the lion. Kenta inclines his head dow, his mouth opens and for a moment Paul is staring into the jaws of the beast; he can almost imagine being gobbled on up, disappearing into the cat's massive belly.
Both hands firmly holding onto the human by his petite butt, the lion now embraces Paul mouth-to-mouth. The blond young man accepts the feline's rough tongue as it darts inside, rubbing up against his own, lips almost fit, slurping up against one another. Paul can feel those massive canines, taste the stale taste of a carnivore's diet and his chin becomes wet as the lion slobbers all over him with the inter-species french-kissing. He is not sure where this ride is going, but he is not one to complain whilst in the strong arms of the big lion, his pants growing taut around his already throbbing member.
However, while Kenta and Paul embrace one another that still leaves a lazy tiger in the room. Qiang is sitting up, more or less, on the torn couch and watching the human and lion. He is considering interrupting them, or maybe even trying to exercise some of his frustrations out on the human's ass when Meng reenters the room. It is obvious what the jaguar is after as he makes a line straight for Qiang. The tiger starts holding his arms up, not sure what to expect.
To the tiger's surprise he is embraced in much the same way as Kenta is still doing with Paul. Though instead of being held aloft he is smothered on the creaking furniture, the black cat's big arms holding the striped feline tight. Confused but receptive, the tiger kisses back, each feline purring to match the other, their bodies vibrating against one another as their fingers tug at and start removing articles of one another's clothing.
'I wasn't sure about you.' Qiang manages to say in the lapses between snogging.
'I was sure about you when I noticed you looking at these,' Meng says and flexes his now bare pectorals.
Kenta notices the jaguar and tiger all over one another, reaching a horizontal position on the couch as they start wriggling each other's pants off. He works fast, I'll give him that. The lion thinks to himself, the sight of the pair accelerating the rate at which his arousal is growing until Paul can feel it throbbing between his dangling legs. Kenta looks down and tells Paul to undo his belt, the human does as he is told all the whilst being assaulted by a series of nuzzles and broad licks across his neck and face.
Meng is happy being on his back with the tiger on top of him, so long as Qiang's attention is on that ever-expanding bump in the jaguar's fatigues. There is not belt to remove as the big black cat had already done so. Qiang's imagination is getting ahead of him as is fingers grip the edge of the jaguar's waist and starts tugging down. What now comes springing forth is every bit the instrument that the tiger was hoping for. He starts mewling and rubbing his face against the jaguar's towering black cock, its pulsating veiny mass is pricked at by the whiskers and Meng growls.
'Go on, take it all in.' Meng says as he pushes Qiang down with both hands.
Qiang's face is squished up against not only the jaguar's heavy and hard gun that he was hiding in those camouflage patterned pants but also the other cat's equally large and full looking magazine stores. The tiger's tail flicks about in slow, sensual agitation, whilst at the other end his tongue rolls out presenting an eager and wet introduction to the stranger's cock. Being reamed out by Kenta yesterday has awakened something lurid and slightly embarrassing inside of the orange, black and white predator. But the air is full of sex and he has no shame in showing the jaguar just how much he wants this.
Even as Qiang is getting both hands full of a superior male's genitals, Paul is being treated to mutual stimulation. With the human's trousers, and associated underwear, now dangling down to his ankles Kenta is pressing not only their bodies but their throbbing dicks together. Paul gasps and moans under his breath, his furless skin flushed red as he looks down at the lion's humongous erection and feels it throbbing against his own far smaller yet equally hard malehood.
'This is... new.' Paul gasps.
Kenta is now using one massive hand to squeezing both throbbing members together, his other still hooked underneath the smaller mammal and ensuring he does not drop off. For his own part, Paul is trying to keep his hands anchored around the lion's broad furry shoulders, but the different in their proportions is making the frotting position somewhat difficult to maintain in this upright position. Nevertheless, he is climbing up through the ranks of ecstasy. Resting his head between and against the big cat's pectorals he is happy to hear the reverberating sounds of the aroused lion as their malehoods rub and slide against one another. The lion's pre-ejaculate is becoming a shared shower for the both of their smaller selves, and is definitely a turn on for the corrupted human servant.
'Can you really handle all of that little tiger?' Meng says after the first twenty seconds of Qiang wrapping his lips around the black cat's pride.
'Mmmh.' Is all the response Qiang makes, his eyes briefly looking up before closing again as he concentrates on sliding on down.
The jaguar is every bit of a virile alpha male such as Kenta is. The jaguar and lion subgenus must run pretty close. At least that is what Qiang is thinking to himself as, after a minute of running his tongue over this way and that, he is now trying to push the monstrous erection sprouting from between the other cat's legs down the back of his throat. He can feel the veins popping out on the thick pussy-pounder as they dig into the sensitive walls of his gullet. Pushing back tears, the tiger tries to work as much of it down his throat.
He pauses at only halfway down, approaching nearly a foot of solid jaguar meat lodged deep down his throat. This might be more than he can handle, for Meng may, in fact, have a greater endowment than Kenta does, though he will never say such a thing to the lion. Qiang moves his hands away from the part of Meng not buried past his lips and starts toying with his furry family jewels, hoping that he can coax some early reaction and not need to extend himself even further.
'Is that really all you can handle?' Meng's words have a sympathetic tone that masks an accusatory bite.
Qiang makes starts making more of those muffled sounds. His hands are squeezing the jaguar's broiling balls with affection for their contents. However, the black cat knows that there is more than one way to satay a tiger. He starts pulling the tiger's head back up and with a long slurping sound Qiang draws off the throbbing python with which he was trying to orally congregate with. There is no need for him to ask what is on the jaguar's mind as he is manhandled expertly. Pants down, put in an upright position above the jaguar's lap with his paws brushing against the jaguar's thighs.
'Just lift your tail and try to relax.' Meng tells him, before plunging the smaller cat down.
A yowling cry garners Paul's attention. Looking over his shoulder he can see the tiger barring his teeth and suppressing a bellowed roar. His cock spurts pre-ejaculate whilst his buttocks clench tight around the offending object penetrating his anus. There should be plenty of salivae to serve as a lubricant, but even so the sheer thickness of Meng's phallus is enough to bring real tears to Qiang's eyes now. The fur on his cheeks grows wet with them as he is forced down, taking more and more until Meng eventually stops for a breather.
'How's the fit?' Kenta asks, with all eyes on Qiang now.
'Fuck... you...' Qiang grunts, his claws out as he tries to bear through the tormenting sensation of the jaguar's thick meat pressing up against his prostate.
The lion just winks at his new lefty friend and Meng readjusts his grip, one hand tucked underneath each arm belonging to the tiger. Before Qiang can say anything else he is pulled up and dropped back down. Gravity itself acts as the force that has him squeezing more of that colossal cock up inside of his furry rump. Even his cheeks are stretching out to their extreme as he first roars and now vocalises a mewling whimper. He can feel his insides being pushed to the side, guts distended in ways that are both unnatural and indescribably arousing.
As Meng starts bouncing the tiger up and down, creating a melody of distressed and embarrassed noises from the tiger, Kenta starts to reposition Paul. The human is not sure what the lion is doing as he is turned around and hugged this time with his back facing the lion. Looking down he can see the maned beast of a man's erection rise up, towering past his own like some soldier's pistol sidearm compared to a tank's cannon barrel. Unwilling to resist it, Paul reaches down with both hands, his thumbs and fingers stretching as he holds his dick against the big cat's own, enjoying the immediate feeling of them throbbing against one another, this time from a more horizontal position.
'I... I can't hold it in any longer.' Paul tells his partner, his face obscured by his long hair, his breathing quickening to a crescendo pace.
'Just a little big longer.' Kenta says, eager to get this just right.
Qiang is in a delirious state at this point. Quite incapable of seeing much of anything from the tears, let alone the powerful vibrations racking his body with each bountiful bounce. He is quite sure now that Meng is indeed thicker than Kenta, and with those barbs tearing into his flesh it is something in limbo between the best anal sex he has ever received and some kind of deranged torture made possibly by a fiendish instrument. But, as conflicted as he is about receiving the jaguar's turgid cock again and again, that is not the real finale to his old friend's little plan of humiliation.
It takes a minute or so to work himself up to the same level of teetering climax as Paul. The lion's body is like a series of rolling waves in a stormy ocean, and the human laid against him can feel them crashing quicker and harder with each passing second. There is something magical, something unreal about the way in which the big feline's musculature tenses and bulges out with each trembling moment his cock twitches. The gaps become shorter every few seconds, his self-controlled masculinity being overridden by something primal and more beastly.
'Now!' The lion's voice booms, commanding the jaguar to present his quarry.
'Smile!' Meng says whilst pulling out of the tiger with a wet plop and holds him up like a sacrifice.
Both the human and the tiger are in dreary, sex-hazed surprise as they look up into one another's eyes. Of course, Qiang's observation quickly darts down to where two pointed instruments, one pistol and one cannon, are aimed in his direction. There is no time for any reaction other than a wail of surprise as in near unison, thanks to the last two jerks of his firm, big paw, the lion brings both himself and Paul to a messy climax.
The first wad of slimy spunk to hit Qiang is one of the human's, the small mammal being the fastest trigger amongst them. It hits the end of his chin and splashes against his chest. There is not very much, not that there ever is with the furless ape, but the fact that it defiles him so immediately compromises the tiger's pride, even after whilst feeling his gaping rectum from the reaming Meng has just given him. But now comes the second load, and the first volley from Kenta, and that goes from the tiger's face right all the way down to his thighs.
More come, fast and furious, all while the jaguar holds the tiger in the same exposed position. Paul thinks that he can see the jaguar smiling from behind Qiang, but right now he is too busy discharging himself all over the striped speciesist. Over and over again, semen both ape and feline paint over the tiger's colours of orange and black, turning him a dirty shade of white. He roars and thrashes, splattering the mess back over the others and the jaguar's previously neat if rustic cabin.
Eventually the assault ceases, both the lion and human spent as Kenta slowly puts Paul down onto wobbly knees. One looks proud, the other still shocked although mischievously pleased with what has just transpired. Meng similarly sets the tiger down, although in the case of Qiang he drops to his knees and sort of hunches over. He seems almost paralysed with what has just been done to him but is unable to express himself. That is probably for the best, his recent attitude considered. Which just leaves Meng, nursing the kind of fuck-stick that belongs on a horse.
'Which one of you is going to beat me off now?' The jaguar asks.
CHAPTER FIVE
Coda
Only one of the three is physically and psychologically capable of taking the big jaguar. Of course that process of elimination does not stop Qiang from hollering and wailing as he is bent over and thrusted into time and again. His hole is rear end is not going to be tight for sometime now with the big back cat giving him a thorough breeding. The ball-slapping action keeps the attention of both Kenta and Paul, the pair cleaning themselves off, but still in the nude whilst watching Meng and Qiang from behind. It occurs to Paul that this is what Qiang must feel like when Kenta is having a butt-pounding session with the human.
'Hey, come here a second.' Kenta says to Paul, motioning the furless mammal over to join him on slightly soggy couch.
Paul slides on up, giggling at the feeling of the stained fabric underneath his smooth butt. It really is quite a mess, even if most of it managed to strike its target. The lion especially was able to produce enough semen to leave large splashes of it on the flooring, and even Meng still has some soaking into his furry shoulders. Not that Paul minds at all, having long since grown used to Kenta's overabundance and the inevitable mess it causes, even when shooting inside of one of the receptive males in his life.
'What is it?' Paul asks, his hands around Kenta's massive right arm, kneading the huge bicep resting against his chest.
'Before we got into, well, politics. Meng invited the three of us to go hiking with him. Apparently there is a spring up the mountain and he said he would take us if we want to go.' Kenta says, letting the human cuddle against his side.
'Mmm, that sounds nice. When do we go?'
'How does tomorrow sound?'
'Just purrfect.' Paul replies facetiously, his eyes back on the jaguar, whilst the tiger roars underneath the jaguar.