Roulette stalked through the woods, fists clenched at his sides as he once again failed to remove the damned jinglebell collar his people had so ceremoniously put on him. It itched and jingled with every step and he tore at it, claws useless against the thick fabric. Damn and double damn. This just put him in a mood. He wasn't even in the mood to steal something, even when his stumble gurgled and rumbled.

The Havana Brown's feet made clomping sounds as he moved between trees, tail flicking back and forth, ears pinned back against chocolate brown hair. Aqua eyes took in the surroundings -- he was in the middle of ******** nowhere, with no home and no family and no friends and no girlfriend... Not that that last one would be hard to find... He smirked to himself, then stuffed his hands in the oversized pockets of his jacket and stalked on.

---

The young Selkirk relished in the sensation of his full stomach, and he still had so much left in this bag of his. Some humans had been feasting on their lunch at some cafe and Destry, the charming little fellow he was, happened to earn their sympathy. They gave him quite a good meal, so that he wouldn't starve for the day, and with what Destry didn't eat he carried off to the alley, where he packed it up in some flimsy little plastic bag. The bag reaked of delicious oders and so of course he didn't want any other cats wandering around him, in attempts to steal some of his food. He made his way to the forest, where he could guard it easily.

Destry admired his catch, poking at the bag and just muttering to himself how incredibly lucky he was. Then he moved from the idea of being lucky to it being his skills and charm. "Yes yes, I am quite a little looker. Mm Mm Mm." He laughed at himself and rolled around on the ground, kicking the bag into the air with his feet playfully, trying to balance it for fun. Suddenly, though, he heard a shuffle of leaves and quickly dropped the bag, turning his attention in which ever direction it had come from. "Who's there?" He curious questioned, keeping his eyes squinted slightly to help his sight.

---

Roulette continued to walk, bold and unaware that anyone was nearby -- he was downwind, of course. Definitely alone and that's how he liked it! Or...he was alone until he stumbled upon a brown and white cat with curly fur and a soft voice. Rou stopped dead in his tracks, sniffing. The air held a wonderful smell...and his stomach growled again. Aqua eyes narrowed on the other cat, his hackles bristling just a little bit. "Who're you?" He almost wanted to add: "And what are you doing in my forest?" but he didn't. He kept his maw snapped shut, tail flicking back and forth almost in an irritated manner. His food smelled good. Maybe if he was nice enough, the little Selkirk would share. Roulette rolled this around in his mind, then forced a small, lazy smile onto his face. "I'm Roulette."

---

When the cat appeared in his line of sight Destry stood up a bit more, shrugging off his defensive stance. Instead of getting an answer to his question the other male asked his instead. Well, that wasn't very nice. Destry wrinkled his nose with disappointment but answered him none the less. "Destry. My name is Destry..." he repeated it in a clearer way and tilted his head. The cat seemed to be sniffing, trying to uncover what that smell was and as soon as he happened to, the Havana Brown eased his muscles, appearing more friendly. With a name added to the face, Destry stared intensly for a moment. "Huh... interesting name you have there, cutie pie... Say, are you hungry?" Maybe sharing food with this stranger was a way to get on his good side.

---

Roulette was suddenly uncertain -- this cat, was he a stray, one of those legendary "Free Collars" he'd heard so much about? He squinted at the curly-furred cat and crept a little closer, keeping his hands in his pockets and his feet shuffling through leaves. "Cutie...pie?" He blinked, surprised in a way, but not at all shocked in another. His ears flicked back for the smallest of seconds, then pricked forwards again. He sniffed again. Whatever was in his bag smelled delicious... More appetizing than catfood his people had given him. His last meal before he shot out the door. He smiled. "I am," he agreed a little quietly, shuffling closer. He then noticed Destry's ribbon... "You...were a collared cat, too? A pet?" His hand reached up to the jinglebells at his neck, flicking them with one finger.

---

The closer and closer Rou got the more Destry appreciated his good looks. "Don't be shy. Come over here and try some of this stuff. I'm already full, so I'm going to sit this one out." He smirked and started to pull the food from the bag, laying it out in front of him and taking a step back, just in case the other was anti-social or whatever. It was a lovely fish fillet, salmon possibly, all cooked and seasoned with pepper and lemon. It was cold by now, but that didn't mean it wasn't good. When the other brought up the situation of collars and owners Destry tilted his head. "Uh... r-right... I was... and you're a pet of somebody's too I see." He smirked at the jinglebells around the others neck. "That must get annoying, huh?"

---

Roulette relaxed a little more at the other boy's soft tone of voice. Rou wasn't exactly...a fan of other males, though he would tolerate them. It just took him a bit of time to come out of his aloofness. But this cat, Destry... He seemed to be okay. His stomach gave another gurgle as the food was pulled from the plastic bag and laid out before him, gleaming in the dapply sun. With a soft purr of happiness, Rou noted Destry's back-step, and then began to eat. Each bite was like heaven, dancing on his tongue, and when he finished, he wore a grin. "Thanks... You didn't have to, you know..." And flicking another bell, he rolled his eyes. "I got tired of hearing their newborn scream. Every single time it opened its mouth, all it did was cry... So...I shot out the door like a bat outta hell and ended up here. I hear, though...that there are cats in the city, cats with scars where their collars once were. Is there any truth to that?"

---

Destry smirked, "I know I didn't have to. That's what makes me so nice." He beamed with happiness and glory. He was the sort of cat who acknowledged his achievements of good doing. When the male flicked yet another bell and continued on the second topic Dessy flicked his ears forward, listening to what he had to say. "A bat outta hell, huh?" This saying insterested him, and it coming from Rou made it all the more interesting. "I probably would have done the same." When he questioned about the collars and scars and how some cats roamed freely he couldn't help but laugh. "Oh yes. You talking about it as though it's some fantasy really tickles my funny bone. I know some who have their collars off, scars where they once were. It seems as though you want to get your collar off too?"

---

Roulette shot him a strange look, a mix of curiousity and contempt. He was a little cocky... Yet, that happy smile was pure sunlight. Roulette rolled his eyes, then made to cover them with one arm as he stretched out on the grassy ground. "So they do exist... Hm..." The strays had told him those stories; he'd listened many nights from the window screen, as they whispered and gleed over tales and wishes that they might one day find Ikekoboru and be Free Collars. "How far am I from this wonderful city?" He raised his chin, looking into Destry's eyes with a small smile. "I'd like to go there, I think..."

---

Destry eyed the boy with a slight hint of amusement in his eyes and the rest was a mixture of curious wonder. "You're not from around here... so where are you from?" He questioned the boy and discarded the bag he had been keeping the food in carelessly. "You're not far. If you follow me we'll be there in no time." He flicked his curly tail with excitement of making a new friend. Well, he considered this a new friend since he was already doing so much for the other male.

---

Roulette looked at him, saw the amusement there, and shot him a grin. "Nope. Not around here at all. I ran...oh God, several miles before I slowed and found myself in this barren forest... Haven't seen a cat since you...unless you count that girl..." He pondered the idea for a moment, the girl he'd slept with oh so carelessly, and then grinned again. "Awesome. Lead the way." He gave the smallest of princely bows, padding after the curly-coated boy with both the laze and the elegance of a tiger.

---

Destry smirked as he listened to Roulette go on and on about his travel and how Destry was the first cat he had came across. Then again, right after Dessy had started feeling all special he brought up this other girl he had ran into. "Hm... who was she? How'd that go?" He noted the grin as an obviously good time, even though he wasn't sure how good of a time it was. As he walked he would glance over his shoulder, noticing how sleek and sexy the male looked as he walked with his dainty steps. "Well, it's obvious you're no stray."

---

"Just some girl." Roulette had liked her, with her long blond hair and siamese-blue eyes. She'd been dainty, pretty -- not sexy, but pretty in a cutesy way. "I don't even recall her name." He chuckled. "Surely you've had girls like that... Just a little bit of fun." Rou caught Destry's glances, at first saying nothing, just offering a small, coy smile, and then after a minute, he met his gaze. "How do you figure? I was fed the best food...before the brat came along." Was that a twinge of jealousy?

---

Destry smirked as he tilted his head. "Huh, the first cat you meet and you can't even recall her name? Well, hopefully you remember mine, eh, Stud?" He purred playfully with a swish of his tail flicking at his face. "Heh, I haven't had GIRLS like that but guys... oh yes. I've had quite a few situations like that before." The walk wasn't taking to long with all this conversation to distract them from the time and distance. "The brat? Who's this brat?"

---

"The baby, of course." Roulette slid his hands inside the pockets of his jeans, strolling along easily. "Sure, why not? She wasn't remarkable or anything..." He realized he sounded a little shallow, but shrugged it off easily. "When I find the right girl -- you can bet I won't forget her name." And then, in a teasing tone, he lifted a brow. "What's your name again? Oh riiiight. Destry. I got it, I got it. Should I be worried then, when you look at me with hunger in your gaze?"

---

Destry bit his lip and tilted his head, "The baby?...." he didn't question any further, wondering if this had been mentioned before in this converstation they were having. Des didn't really have much of a memory so he didn't doubt that it had slipped his mind. When Rou gave that bit of his own feelings the Selkirk couldn't help but find it strangely alluring. "Right... I guess I can understand that." When the name game was brought up he smirked and lightly chuckled. "You're so funny, ha ha ha." He sarcastically replied but was obviously amused. "I think you'd be fun, but nothing more than a name I could forget later on. Definitely not the one... but a good practice run."

---

"Yeah." The baby... The child who screamed bloody murder and hurt his poor ears. Roulette's ears pinned back just remembering him, glad that he was out of that situation. He smiled at Destry, becoming more and more comfortable in the other male's presence, letting his shoulders drop and his chin tilt up at the other boy's words. He gave a wink. "Ouch, burn. I suppose the truth hurts... Although I'm not into guys, you're pretty enough... Maybe another time."

---

Destry smirked at his comment and couldn't help but find that he was enjoying his time spent with Rou more and more as they continued to walk on. He knew giving away his left overs to this male was a good choice indeed. "Heh, I'm sorry. I'm sure it's nothing a little affection couldn't cure, though." He wiggled his eyebrows at the Havana Brown playfully. With the compliment on his looks Destry had a ego boost, fueling his humor greatly. "Heh, thank you. You're quite fun to look at yourself, hun." He smirked as they drew closer and closer to the city, the sounds of cars becoming more apparent.

---

Hun. What an amusing nickname. Rou chuckled at this, giving a stretch as he walked, falling into step beside Destry. What an interesting encounter, indeed. "A little affection, huh?" He grinned, shouldering the other boy to the side playfully, tail flicking back and forth. "What should I expect in the city of freedom, anyways?" His mind flickered and focused on his new life -- perhaps full of things to thieve and people to trick. He gave a smirk at the idea. He could con them all outta their wallets and money!

---

With the nudge Destry couldn't help but laugh as he stumbled to the side. The loss of balance making him fall to one of his knees, giving him a strange position. "You little-" he giggled playfully like the child he was and quickly leaped onto Rou's back. "Giddy up! This is your punishment!" He waiting for the other boy to carry him onward. It was a good thing Destry was a small and weightless boy. "Oh, the city is full of awesome things! Tons of new kitties to meet and play with! I'm sure you'll fit right in."

---

Roulette smirked at him as he fell to one knee, feeling rather proud of himself -- until the boy lunged at him, swinging himself onto Rou's back and wrapping his arms around his neck. Rou stumbled forwards a few steps, caught himself, and moved forwards, ears flat but a grin on his face. His tail flicked back and forth in a half-annoyance -- how'd the kid make him play so easily? Him! Roulette... Calm and cool Rou, playing kid games. He rolled his eyes and trekked on, listening to Destry's voice above his ear. "Hmm... It sounds nice..." Just as he spoke this, the forest parted to show the horizonline of tall buildings and cement streets. It even smelled different. He paused, glancing up at Destry. "This the city of freedom?"

---

Just as Destry was making himself comfortable on Rou's back the trees began to thin and give away to the scenery of the city. "Awww, yaa.. we're here." He slid off of Roulette's back, sad that his ride was already over. "Heh, welcome to the city!" He waved his hand towards the setting. The cars were beeping and the people scurrying on the sidewalks. Yep, definitely the city.

---

Rou didn't even realize Destry had slid off his back until he came up beside him. His ears and eyes were focused on the steel buildings and city streets, the place buzzing. His tail flicked as a wave of uncertainty washed over him, but with a deep breath, he settled himself and strode forwards, coming up to the street. Even the cement under his feet felt foreign. He moved forwards, watching Destry. "I like it... It smells...different, but hey." He shrugged and kept moving.

---

Destry laughed at his first observation. "Smells different? Heh, okay then... I don't know how it smells where you come from but sure... I guess it does smell different than how it does in the forest so I can see how you'd say that." He watched Rou carefully, not wanting his new friend to accidently wander into traffic or be stepped on by a human. "Watch yourself. I don't want your first brush with the city to be a bad one." He came up beside his friend and linked their arms.

---

Rou chuckled at Destry's laugh. "Yeah... Different," he said, albeit a little dazedly. He glanced at a pair of passing Two-legs, keeping his tail close to his leg, so it wouldn't get stepped on. "Oh... Okay. Thanks," he murmured, allowing his arm to be linked as Destry led them forwards. "I'll figure it out...eventually. This is all so much to take in." With his free hand, he played with his collar, letting it jingle. Then he realized something. "People are gonna think we're gay... Or brothers," he said pointedly.

---

When Rou came to make such a silly outburst Destry could only laugh at him. "Hah, that's not so bad for me, considering I am gay... but for you... ya, I can see why you'd be worried. Sorry about that..." He unhooked his arm from the mans and crossed it with his on infront of his chest. Even if it wasn't somebody else, Dessy felt as though he should have something to link his arms with.

---

Rou flicked an ear back, shooting the younger male a look. "Thanks," he rolled his eyes, stuffing both hands into his pockets. "I, for one, would like to find a few girlfriends...wouldn't help if they thought I was a male-chaser!" He chuckled, and then rolled his shoulders back, standing up taller. "Where shall we go first?" His aqua eyes twinkled. "We've already eaten, so what more is there to see in this city?"

---

Destry tilted his head curiously. "A few girlfriends? Like, one at a time ... or.... all at once?" He eagerly tilted his head, not knowing that one could have more than one lover at one time. When he asked where they could go Destry spoke up quickly. "Shopping!" he loved shopping. Especially when he had somebody to go with him.

---

"Haha!" Roulette broke into laughter. "Well...One at a time. You know, unless they wanted to be together? Then by all means." He winked and tossed his head back, still chuckling. "Shopping?" He lifted a brow. He'd never been shopping -- not really. He'd always had things given to him by his owners. But they went shopping for groceries often, so...maybe it was normal. "Will you show me how?"

---

Destry widened his eyes when Rou questioned him on whether or not he'd be kind enough to show him how one was suppose to shop. "Oh my goodness! You've never shopped before, hun? Well, of course I'll show you how, you poor thing!" He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "But if I show you how... I want another piggy back ride!" He demanded this and stuck out his chest with a big huff.

---

Hun, there was that nickname again. He smirked a little at the offer and nodded. "That works. I'll give you a piggy back ride...fair enough." Strangely, he wasn't getting annoyed by Destry's antics -- in fact, it almost reminded him of a little brother wanting piggy back rides -- not that Rou ever had a little brother before, but if he'd had one, Des was how he'd act. Bending his knees a little, he motioned for the kid to get on. "I'll carry you if you point the way!"

----

Destry felt his childish instincts kick in and he giggled like crazy. "Thanks Rou! You're the best!" He took a big leap and wrapped his legs around the Havana Brown's waist and his arms around his neck. "Now, the shops are that way! Heeya!" he bounced a little on his back and even swung his arm down to give him a smack on the rear. Not in a sexual way, though, of course. Well, unless Rou wanted it sexually. Destry was always up for that sort of game. "It isn't too far. I promise."

---

Rou played along, crouching on the ground as the smaller male clung to him like a little monkey. For a moment, he felt like a horse with a jockey on his back -- this was confirmed as Destry swatted his rump. Rou grinned like a maniac, gave a 'whinny' and jumped up, trying to dislodge his 'rider' -- just to scare him a little. Then, his arms clamped around Destry's feet, he took off at a run, keeping on the sidewalk. "Let's do this!"

Perhaps this was the beginning of a very strange friendship indeed.

{Fin}