Poster: /u/Legendtamer47

The cat crept around the couch, body low to the ground as she clung to the shadows. She weaved her way around the back table legs, taking advantage of the terrain as she eyed her target. The great beast was lying down, facing away from her and took advantage of it's inaction. The cat crept closer, paws padding without sound. Soon she was within pouncing range and she shimmied her butt, tail standing straight as she crouched-

"Don't even think about it," rumbled the beast. It slowly rolled over, dark brown eyes looking at the cat with long suffering patience. A yawn split the muzzle wide and the dog sighed comfortably. Licking her chops she gazed at the still crouched cat. "I'm trying to nap here. Pounce on me and I'll lie on you. That's a promise."

The cat sat on her hindquarters, tail swishing playfully. "Not fair Cinnamon. How did you know I was there?"

Cinnamon snorted, a plume of air blowing the cat's fur lightly. "I smelled you. Had your scent as you came into the room. That familiar air of arrogance, cat food, and kitty litter Mid-butt."

"Mid-night!" The cat hissed and throwing caution to the wind she pounced. The cat and dog squabbled as they wrestled and eventually Midnight found herself pinned beneath the immense paw of Cinnamon.

"Hey, come on play nice you two!" A sleepy little girl poked her head over the couch and glared at the pets. Midnight meowed plaintively, making a show of struggling and the girl stumbled over. "Bad Cinnamon. You're so big. You have to play nicer with Midnight." The girl gave Cinnamon a pat before picking up the cat, settling back down on the couch.

Cinnamon crawled over to the front and gave a jaundiced look at the cat who pretended to ignore her with lordly insouciance. "Cheater," whispered the dog.

"Opportunist you mean," purred the smug cat as she settled in the girl's arms.

Some time passed with the three napping the afternoon away. A twitch of the whiskers woke Midnight. She opened her eyes and looked about. What is this feeling. Something isn't right. "Hey, tail chaser. Wake up."

Cinnamon grunted, eye opening in annoyance. "What do you want you mangy-"

"Shut up and put your nose to use. You smell something funny?" The cat crawled from the still sleeping girl's arms, tail straight and ears up in alarm.

Cinnamon was about to retort before she too found something amiss. She sniffed again, a new scent in the house. Not familiar. She didn't like it. Movement through the door caused her to turn and stare, a low growl emanating from her.

"Cinnamon. What's wrong no-" the girl rubbed her eyes and froze, seeing a strange man standing in the door. "W-who are you? What are you doing here?!"

The intruder glared back, a large man wearing black and gloves. "Shut up girl and come with me. Shut the dog up or else I'll kill it."

The girl's breath froze in her throats and she reached down to pet Cinnamon, scared from doing more. She didn't notice Midnight had curled up carefully on her chest, the black cat blending in a little into her shirt.

"Good. Now come with me and I won't-" Midnight pounced. Claws extended the cat flew into the man's face snarling and hissing. She latched on and claws sank deep into his flesh and he screamed in pain. As he rose and tried to swat at the ball of feline fury Cinnamon charged. The dog smashed into the knees of the man slamming him awkwardly into the couch and causing him to fall backwards. He hit the ground hard, colliding back first as he tried to hit the cat. Cinnamon sank her fangs into the man's right arm, pulling and thrashing, not allowing him the purchase to swing.

The girl shrieked and got up, hand on cell phone as she punched in a number. She ran for the kitchen and came back holding a heavy cast iron pan. She swung the weapon down and the impact of metal on flesh echoed and the man screamed in pain.

Midnight leapt off and dodged his flailing. Momentarily freed the man punched Cinnamon in the muzzle, the dog letting go with a startled bark of pain. He turned over and tried to crawl away, receiving another blow on his leg for his troubles. Midnight leapt from high and landed on his back, scratching and biting. Cinnamon bit hard into his leg, worrying and growling. After fierce struggling the man managed to break free, limping from the house.

The girl gathered the cat and dog to her for a tearful hug before calling the police and her parents. Cinnamon laid back, muzzle smarting from the blow. Midnight crawled up and curled around the dog's head, licking the sensitive bruised area and purring softly.

"Thanks Midnight," panted the dog. Lungs working like bellows after the fight. "That was a good pounce right into his face.

The cat purred while licking. "Of course it was. Thanks for keeping his arm busy so he couldn't hit me."

The two pets laid there comfortably, watching the girl on the phone, content with a job well done.