This one was inspired by the song the lyrics of which are posted at the beginning of the story. I hope you guys like it. Feedback would be much appreciated as always. Ok, now the legal stuff: the story and characters are copyright to me, so no using it with out asking. The song "Burn" is copyright to The Cure and is an awesome song by the way. **Disclaimer** This story is of a sexual nature and shame on you minors who shouldn't be reading this stuff. If you're too young or offended by this kind of stuff, don't read it, it's that simple. For the rest of you, enjoy this little piece of fun. **Disclaimer** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Don't look don't look" the shadows breathe Whispering me away from you "Don't wake at night to watch her sleep You know that you will always lose This trembling Adored Tousled bird mad girl... " But every night I burn But every night I call your name Every night I burn Every night I fall again "Oh don't talk of love" the shadows purr Murmuring me away from you "Don't talk of worlds that never were The end is all that's ever true There's nothing you can ever say Nothing you can ever do... " Still every night I burn Every night I scream your name Every night I burn Every night the dream's the same Every night I burn Waiting for my only friend Every night I burn Waiting for the world to end "Just paint your face" the shadows smile Slipping me away from you "Oh it doesn't matter how you hide Find you if we're wanting to So slide back down and close your eyes Sleep a while You must be tired... " But every night I burn Every night I call your name Every night I burn Every night I fall again Every night I burn Scream the animal scream Every night I burn Dream the crow black dream Dream the crow black dream... * * * * The dark figure stood in the shadows, his midnight wings hiding him from unfriendly eyes. He stood on the ledge and watched her. 'Foolish girl.' He thought. 'She should know better than to leave her window open like that, especially in this neighborhood. You never know what scum might be looking in.' A little voice in the back of his mind told him that's exactly what he was doing. He smiled cynically. 'Perhaps, but I would never harm her. She's too precious.' "Nathan, you're a fool." He muttered to himself, "No self respecting woman would take you as a mate." He glared at his huge black feathered wings... raven's wings. Raven's wings on a panther, unheard of, undignified... unworthy. He sighed heavily and turned his silver eyes back to her window, watching what went on in the little downtown apartment. * * * * Sylvie went about her daily ritual without the slightest idea that she was being watched. The svelte calico didn't bother with clothes when she was inside her apartment; she giggled a bit at the thought. "Humans are such strange creatures. Decency laws... silly creatures." She laughed again and went back about her business, gathering what small amount of laundry she had and piling it the washer. She started up the machine and then picked up her book and sat down to read. Her whiskers twitched a bit, sensing the presence of another nearby, and she was on her feet in an instant. "Who's there?" She demanded of the empty air. Her bright green eyes caught the slight movement of what she had earlier assumed was a shadow just outside her window. "Who's there?" she repeated. She saw a quick rustle of black feathered wings and the shadow was gone. She ran over and shut the window and locked it, catching a glimpse of the form as it flew away; it was feline and male by the scent that still hung around her window. She shook her head and shut the curtains. A shiver ran through her whole body at the thought of someone watching her, of what they might have done. She shook the thought from her mind and went back to her book. * * * * "Damn!" Nathan swore as he flew away from the brick apartment houses. "That was close. Much too close. The gods only know what would've happened if she'd gotten any closer." His mind was clear on that outcome: he would've pardoned himself and flown off. His instincts were not so clear, however. Whether he wanted to breed her or kill her, his instincts couldn't decide and he wasn't distanced enough from them to be sure he wouldn't have hurt her. "Better safe than sorry," he muttered. Still, she knew now, she wouldn't be caught off guard next time. He'd have to be even more careful now. * * * * "A prowler! Why didn't you call the police?!" Alex shouted, on her feet, staring unbelieving at her friend. Sylvie glared, ears back, and pulled the black feline back down into her seat at the little cafe where the two were spending their lunch break. "Hush, damn you! I don't want the whole city to know!" Sylvie scolded her friend, "Yes, he was outside my window." "You live sixteen stories up, Syl. How'd he get up there? He a spider?" Alex crossed her arms over her ample breasts, barely covered by a tight red shirt that cut off just below them. Her black pants looked a bit tight for her as well, but then her 'job' required such attire. "No, he had wings. I must have scared him and he flew away." Sylvie said calmly as she took a sip of her coffee. "Wings? I thought you said he smelled like a cat." Alex's quizzical expression was almost comical the way one ear stood up and the other drooped to one side, a gold ring dangling from the piercing near the tip. Sylvie almost choked on her coffee trying not to laugh. "The scent was definitely feline, yes." She said when she got control of her giggles. Alex snorted. "Why would a feline have wings? You know a mix like that has gotta be a rape child. It couldn't happen any other way, so this guy's obviously got problems." "Well he was watching me walk around my apartment in the middle of the night, so yeah, I'd say he's got a few issues." Sylvie said sarcastically. "See, this is what happens when you don't listen to me. I told you the city was dangerous, I told you not to leave that damn window open the first time I went to your place, and you didn't listen, now look what's happened." Alex said in that snotty, "I told you so!" tone that only a cat could pull off properly. Sylvie shook her head, "I know, but my air conditioner's broken and they won't fix it, so I leave the window open. Like you said, I live sixteen stories up, kind of hard to get to." "There's always a chance, Syl. Always." Alex warned, her ears turning back. "Now you have to promise me that you'll keep that window locked. I don't want anything to happen to my sweet little Syl." Alex smirked a bit. Sylvie flattened her ears against her cream and black mottled head in annoyance. "Fine," she snapped. "I'll lock the damn window if it will get you to shut up." Alex nodded. "Good. Now I gotta get back to work, I'm already late. I'll see you later, alright?" she got to her feet and gave Sylvie a quick little kiss which got her a smack on her little pink nose. "I told you not to do that. I don't swing that way and you know it." Sylvie scolded. Alex just shrugged, "Hey, nobody's perfect," she laughed and walked out. * * * * Sylvie got back from work at the library, setting her keys in the basket on the table just inside the door and her purse right next to it, like she always did. She slipped her dress off and tossed it into the hamper in her room and went to open the window, like she always did, but she suddenly remembered the night before and shuddered, deciding to leave it closed. Then an idea struck her, it was dangerous but being a cat she was more curious than afraid and decided it was worth the risk. She pulled open the curtains and unlocked the window and opened it before picking up her book, sitting down and waiting for her winged shadow to return. She didn't have to wait long before she heard a rustle of feathers and the scraping of claws on the stone. * * * * Nathan retuned the next night, landing on his customary ledge outside Sylvie's window. The window was wide open as usual. He raised an eyebrow, "Odd. Why would she leave it open after-" his thought was cut short as instinct kicked in and put him on alert. Something wasn't right. Her scent, it was different, calm, confident, not a trace of fear. Something was wrong. "Well don't just stand out there. Come into the light where I can see you." Nathan nearly jumped off the ledge at hearing her voice so close. Sylvie was standing a few feet from her window, arms crossed, emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. His instincts told him it was a trap. Sylvie laughed a bit, "Skittish for a stalker, aren't you?" Nathan stood tall, keeping his wings folded behind him, "I'm not a stalker. I'm a guardian." "Guardian, huh? So you were standing outside my window, watching me, making sure that no one else did? Is that it?" She asked sarcastically, arms crossed, one cream and orange ear to the side. Nathan glared a bit and bit back a growl. Sylvie smirked, "Just how long has this been going on?" Nathan's eyes dropped to the stone ledge he stood on. "Almost a year." He said quietly, round black ears drooping in shame. "I was just out for a short flight and I noticed a raccoon trying to climb in, the gods only knowing how he got up here in the first place. Anyway, I stopped him and decided to stand guard, make sure he wouldn't come back, but I knew others would come, so I've been keeping watch every night since." Sylvie smiled a bit, she couldn't detect any trace in scent or voice that he was lying. "Well, thank you." Nathan blinked his silver eyes in disbelief which made her laugh. "Why don't you come inside..." she trailed off as she noticed a slight problem with that suggestion: with his wings were huge, there was no way he'd fit through the window. She smirked. "Go downstairs, I'll come down and let you in." Nathan nodded and glided down to the entrance where Sylvie arrived a few minutes later and opened the door for him. He had to pull his wings in tight against his body to fit through the door but he managed it and the two made their way up to her apartment. "I feel a bit silly letting you into my house when I don't even know your name." Sylvie confessed once they were inside, laughing a bit. "Oh, sorry. I'm Nathan." He introduced himself, holding out a clawed hand. Sylvie blinked at the three inch long talons for a moment before shaking his hand. "I'm Sylvie." Nathan gave a bit of a nervous smile, "I know, talons on a cat. It's... a bit strange." "Feathered wings are a little odd, too." Sylvie smirked a bit, but her expression softened as his ears fell back and he tried to hide his wings behind him. She walked over and ran a hand through the longer fur on his cheek, "You don't have to hide them. I think they're beautiful." Nathan barely managed to resist purring at her touch; she was even more gentle than he'd imagined. "You're the first person that's said that to me." "I'm not surprised. People aren't very accepting of those who are different or strange." Sylvie sighed. Her curiosity nibbled at her again. "Can I touch them?" she asked tentatively, indicating his wings. Nathan unfurled his wings slightly, bringing them around in front of him, half encircling her. "I don't mind, so long as you're careful; they're rather sensitive." Sylvie's ears dropped a bit and he caught a slight, but very short lived, scent of fear. "I told you, I won't hurt you." He reminded her, his voice gentle, "You're safe with me." Her ears lifted back up and she smiled at him, lightly running her delicate fingers through his midnight feathers. Nathan shivered, almost violently, as the pleasure of having his wings touched hit him like a tidal wave; it felt so good it made his eyes roll back. She pulled back, tri-colored ears falling again. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" "No... no, don't be sorry. You've done nothing wrong," he panted, trying to get his eyes to face forward again. "Gods, that was wonderful," he said when he finally managed to catch his breath, "I haven't felt anything that good in years." Sylvie grinned mischievously, "Oh really?" she moved close to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and massaging the base of his wings, slowly moving outwards. She smirked when his eyes slid closed and he gave a purring growl of pleasure, leaning into her touch. "Like that, do you?" she purred into his ear. He purred louder in response, making Sylvie laugh softly. She finally stopped her attentions to his wings and let him get his eyes facing forward again. Nathan pulled her close to him, holding her gently, rubbing his check against hers and drinking in her scent. Being so close to her, feeling her soft, warm body against his made his head spin as his instincts screamed at him to take her. He fought them down and pushed them back into the dark corner of his mind. Sylvie notice the mental struggle and her expression filled with concern. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine." She was skeptical, she knew males too well to believe him. "You don't seem fine. Tell me what's wrong... please." Nathan sighed and rather reluctantly let her go, "It's nothing, really. It's just that..." he faltered slightly, trying to find the right words. Sylvie suddenly understood and found the words before he did, although she was a bit more blunt than he would have been. "You want to sleep with me." Nathan was glad she couldn't see him blushing under his fur, "I can't help it. You're just so beautiful... perfect." A touch of sadness crept into his voice, "You're the only one who's ever really accepted me." Sylvie went over and threaded her arms around him and held close to him, resting her head against his chest. "I'm not angry... I want you to." Nathan pulled back a little, surprised. Sylvie just smiled at him and led him into her bedroom. It was simply furnished with a dresser, a small bookcase and a little table next to her bed with a white lamp sitting on top of it. She went over to her bed and pulled back the dark blue sheets and lay invitingly on her side, tail waving lazily, green eyes alight with passion. He gave a small smile and joined her on her bed, taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply as he ran his hands over her supple curves and through her soft cream, orange, and black fur. She gave a little sigh into the kiss and pressed closer to him, letting her hands roam over his muscular form. She ran her hands over his wings, making him shiver. He took one of her nipples into his mouth, suckling softly, making her moan as she pressed against him. "More... please, more." She whispered, her breathing ragged. He smirked mischievously and bit down gently and she gave a little cry of mixed pain and pleasure. Sylvie kissed him deeply, exploring his mouth with her tongue, shivering as he responded in kind. She smiled a little against his lips and let her hands wander down to grasp his growing manhood and slowly stroked him to attention. Nathan moaned at her touch, eyes sliding closed as instinct took over. He kissed her roughly, passionately, and moved her fully onto her back and lay on top of her, settling himself between her supple legs, leaving her softness open to him. He grabbed her hands, pinning them above her head and entered her in one quick thrust. She cried out as he moved as deep as he could, burying his entire shaft inside her. They stayed like that for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of each other before he began to move in a slow, steady rhythm. "Let go... please, let go," she begged as she moved against him. He obliged, letting go of her wrists. She gave a grateful sigh and let her hands wander, feeling the muscle under his skin ripple with every move he made. His wings unfurled around her and she couldn't help but touch them and kiss them. Nathan purred, a low rumble deep in his muscular chest. He made a hot trail of kisses down her neck to her breasts, taking one pink nipple into his mouth and sucking on it, licking the tip with his rough tongue, and all the while his rhythm never faltered. She moaned and arched her back, leaning into his touch and sending his thrusts deeper at the same time. He growled in pleasure as his rhythm increased, moving faster and deeper every time he plunged into her softness. Sylvie locked her arms around his neck as she moved against him, reveling in the feeling of being taken by her lover, knowing he was close to his peak. Nathan pushed himself up, holding all his weight on his arms, and pounded into her, roaring as he climaxed, filling her with his seed. She cried out with him, unable to hold back her ecstasy as he filled her, shocks of pleasure rippling through her body. His rhythm slowed and finally stopped as he pushed his final thrust as deep as could. Sylvie gave a little sigh as the last waves of pleasure slowly faded away. After a few minutes, both had calmed and they lay in each other's arms, their bodies still joined, as they basked in the afterglow. Sylvie cuddled closer to her lover and nuzzled under his chin, purring contently. Nathan kissed her lightly and wrapped her up in his wings, "I love you," he whispered as they both slowly drifted off to sleep.