Greg & Innuo

It was nice to finally move out of his parents house, and better yet to be living with two of his highschool friends. They were still searching for a fourth roomate to help share the costs, but for now, the three of them could handle it.

After getting everything moved in earlier in the day, Greg set out to do some exploring. Steering clear of the Croal Mountains this time, he made his way towards the marsh.

Padding along beside him, Innuo was thrilled to be going for another walk. The fast-growing liger was just starting to get his first hints of a mane, although he would never have much of one when he was older.

Hellsong * Wasteland

The wolf padded quickly and silently through the brush. It had been a long time since he had seen his liger friend. Hell, it had been a long time since he had seen anyone. Suddenly, without warning, the large male pounced on Innuo. With a bark he bowed down to his larger friend and smiled. Long time no see, big guy. He had been following the two for the past few miles.....

Wasteland, however, still remained in the brush. Well, sort of. When Greg came around the corner, he would see him sitting on a rock, minding his own business. ..... Again. Sorta. He was listening to the wild, seeing what all it would tell him.

Greg & Innuo

Greg had no clue that they were being followed. He was too curious over a small ricinus plant he had found, and was curious over how a tropical-weather plant was growing out in the middle of no where. As he looked over one of the massive, purple-green leaves, he caught the form of something white from the corner of his eye...

"Oh, shit!" He gasped, looking up as he realized just what had caught his attention. A massive tiger! Slowly, Greg began to back off, but was sure he had been seen and heard at this point. He could still remember the encounter with all those animals at the Mountain, and wasn't looking forward to that again.

Innuo couldn't understand why his dad was so fascinated at looking at leaves, but he didn't question it. He only wished that dad knew how to talk, for the house cats weren't as fun to chat with anymore. Then, something landed on him! Innuo gave a yowl of surprise, eyes going wide as he whirled around to see who this mysterious offender was. "Wha... Hellsong!" The liger chuffed happily, instantly recognizing his friend from their encounter at the Mountains. "How're you doing? Man, neither of you guys grow a whole lot!" He commented, with a look from Greg to Hellsong.

Hellsong * Wasteland

Laughter escaped Hellsong, and he batted at the liger with a large paw. I'm a lot bigger then I Was! Just not as big as you are. He giggled, and his tail waved a bit. Then he glanced up at Greg, then to Wasteland. Your still with the human then? He asked in a casual voice. Wasteland looked to where all the noise was with a scowl then stood and slowly came towards them. He hadn't been up to the mountains in awhile. He knew he should head back, but what was the fun in that when Greg was right here and could be used as a little play toy for a few moments? Besides. The man owed him that much. The white tigers tail waved a bit, and he stood about ten feet away from Greg. Yes, Innuo. Are you still staying with the human? His eyes were fastened on Gregs, the large tiger as still as a massive statue. How about we play a game with him, Innuo? Its a mighty fun game. Have you ever played tag with your father? His voice was velvet low and convincing, and Hellsongs eyes were drifting from Wasteland to Innuo a little worriedly. I... I don't think Greg wants to play, Wasteland. The large tigers eyes shifted to him, and the smaller wolf winced inwardly. He didn't want to get himself eaten by something that big. Nonsense. Humans love to play tag. Its a favorite game of theres.

Greg & Innuo

The liger grinned broadly, "Yeah, that's true. Much more than the kittens that live with us." House cats were something interesting for the liger, and he couldn't get over just how tiny the kittens were and how little they grew. "My dad? Oh, I don't know..." Innuo hedged, looking hesitantly to the young man. "...I don't think Dad likes when I pounce on him..." Back when he was just a little thing, Innuo could pounce on Greg to his heart's content. But now that Innuo had grown so much, the innocent pounces meant that Greg got tackled to the ground, and he wasn't so fond of that.

"Are you sure...?" But like Hellsong, Innuo seemed to shrink back under the gaze of the big tiger. If he were full grown, he would be larger than Wasteland, but he wasn't there yet. And even so, his personality was far from dominating. "...well, I suppose we could... "

At this point, Greg had taken several hasty steps back, until he bumped into Innuo. "Easy there, big guy, easy!" He said, with an audible 'gulp'. "We were just leaving..." The young man tried to shove Innuo, attempting to get him moving in the same direction.

The liger took a few steps back, then refused to budge. "Oh, I think he does want to play! Ok, I'm it!" Rumbled the liger happily, taking the nudge as a sign that he was 'tagged'. "Everybody run!" To Greg's surprise and horror, Innuo sprung away from him, then turned and bolted straight for Wasteland.

"INNUO!" Greg shouted, fearing that his pet was about to get himself into a fight. Innuo ignored the call as he sprung at the big tiger and batted a paw at his shoulder....

Wasteland

He moved slightly, as if trying to duck and get away, but Innuo still hit him. Oh.... Now everyone run from the big bad tiger. His grin was wicked, and he let loose a mighty roar. Hellsong giggled and turned to run, bowing down at the edge of the clearing. He had an advantage over the other two. He was smaller, and could fit in places they could not. Greg.... Well, Greg was gonna be food here in a minute.

Wasteland turned, as if he were going after Hellsong, Then turned back and started trotting towards Greg with his head down. RUN! He roared at the man, his ears pinned back. To the ot her two, it would look as though he were still just playing, but to Greg it would appear as if he really were about to be Wastelands Dinner.

Greg & Innuo

Innuo giggled like a little kitten when he managed to tag Wasteland. He sprung back in an act of grace that didn't seem fitting for his large and akward frame. Then he began to bound away at a quick pace, leaving poor Greg out in the open.

Greg was stunned for a moment, watching as his pet ran off into some thick reeds and out of sight. "INNUO!" He hollered out again, but to no avail. "Oh shit..." He repeated, taking another step back when Wasteland turned towards him. When the massive tiger roared, Greg thought he'd have a heartattack. Without a second thought, he spun around and began to run for all he was worth...

Meanwhile, Innuo wriggled down into the tall reeds, not caring that his pretty coat was smudged and splattered with weeds and mud.