I would like to adopt!
Number: 12
Picture:

Name: Heki-Reki (Heki for short) [later takes the name Tasogare no Neko Heki-Reki]
Species: Smili
Personality: He's a dark, brooding, proud male. Since he's been alive for so long, he knows many facts about the world. Contemplative by nature, Heki likes to be alone to think a lot. Prefers to be solitary but will venture around to greet others he knows well. Is completely able to relax around his best friends Void & Katon. Has a soft spot for Dhaven pups. Heki's getting up there in years. So he's more serious now than he was as a cub.
Likes: Contemplating, dim-lit areas where he can think, being tastefully alone, pondering, reflecting, watching others from a distance, young ones with bright futures, his best friends Voided Abyss & Katon, studying written material left by "higher species," Dhaven pups, Water Country, visiting Void if he has time, watching sunsets, sitting on river's edges, talking with Katon about the mysteries of life.
Dislikes: Morons, tasteless humor, toilet humor, poorly written materials, young idiots, being crowded, small spaces, abandoning those he cares for, not having personal space, losing loves ones, letting his parents/friends down, dying too soon, panic, noon time sun.
Background: Ever since he was a cub, Heki's always been a deep thinker. He enjoyed venturing out to the river's edge by his home den to sit and stare into the water while pondering his existance. His parents always wondered why he loved his spot by the river so much, and why he thought so intensivly. Heki-Reki never liked to see his parents or other loved ones worried about him, so he always returned from his thinking sessions within a reasonable amount of time. The young male hated making others worry or fearful. He was dedicated to being both smart and loyal from an early age. As a cub, his best friend was a strange creature named Voided Abyss. Void had said he'd come from a far off place that no Earth creature could reach. Since that time wen he was younger, Heki's always wondered wat it'd be like to go to that far off place and just look around. Void laughs everytime his younger friend thinks that way.
Heki grew up quickly. His father passed on wen he was about 3 years of age, and his mother 2 years later. But by this time, Heki had struck out on his own. He'd be solo for a year. The year his father died was year that he set off, traveling with Void as bachelors. Neither wanted a mate, at least not yet. Heki loved the solitary, well almost, lifestyle. Just traveling with Void and looking at all the mysterious scriptures left behind by "higher beings." Voided constantly wondered why his buddy was so transfixed about learning. Wat was he seeking exactly? It mattered not, for life for the pair had dramatically took a change. A little kit called Dark Matter came into Void's care. Heki decided it was time they went their seperate ways, and bayed farewell to his closest friend.
Now that he was truly single, Heki needed a plan for life. He decided to go off to a place where there were beautiful waterfalls and gorgeous rivers. It was called Water Country, for the bountiful bodies & sources of water everywhere. It was supposed to be a place where intelligent creatures went to think and reflect. Upon arrival there, he was left breathless with the beauty of the land. Birds of wonderous colors flew through the skies. Numerous species of Rodents & Lizards & small Mammals were abundant. This was a wonderous habitat to behold. A large creature approached Heki. It towered over him but had a casual grin. "Welcome to Water Country." it spoke. "My name is Katon. And I happen to be a Dhaven." Heki looked at the so-called 'Dhaven' as it addressed him. "There are others like me here, don't worry. We're a breed that started off in captivity, escaped, became Feral, then went wild. It happened YEARS ago, decades even. And we live a long time too." Katon kept his grin as he chatted with Heki-Reki. "You're welcome to stay and make this your home. We'd love an interesting fellow like you around here."
Heki took the offer with a graceful, quite acceptance. He settled into a nice burrow-type den next to a huge waterfall. Katon had become like a friend to the Smili rather quickly. They'd sit together atop a rocky outcropping over the falls and just talk about life's mysteries. Katon respected the aging Smili deeply, and got the same respect back from said Smili. Both understood each other on a plane far deeper than could ever be fathomed. Heki knew he belonged to both this land and this role that fate had dealt him. And after being at Water Country for a while, some of the other creatures gave him a nickname. Tasogare no Neko Heki-Reki. It meant Thunder Cat of Twilight. He was given the name because of his tendencies to be livliest around twilight, and his stealthiness, which was like Lightning. And since he was Feline in nature, it only fit better.
Sometimes, young Dhaven pups would bring Heki wat looked like books from the "higher beings." The pups loved adventuring far outside of Water Country, and often went on pack runs with the adults to beyond the land's borders. It was from there that they retrieved the books. Heki tried reading these books, often spending days on just a few pages. He loved discovering knowledge recorded in these books by other beings. Katon watched his friend study and ready, quite intrigued. Heki-Reki never ceased to amaze him. Though he'd never openly admit it to most, he had a fondness for the cute Canid-type pups. They were cute and full of curiosity, which reminded him a bit of his cubhood. Wat would his parents say if they knew where he was in life now? Would they be proud of him?
Around midnight of some nights, Heki would sit atop his favorite spot, alone though, and think about the life he had in the past. About his parents, about Voided Abyss, about the other Smili cubs...wat would each of them think if they saw him here right here, right now? Would they love this place as much as he did? Looking up at the sky and gazing deeply at the moon from time to time, with the wind blowing through his dark fur, Heki would close his eyes and just think. Let his mind relax and wander. It gave him sweet comfort. Maybe he would go visit Void sometime soon. Rumor has it, that kit he adopted was grown up and had a wonderful mate. But beyond that, he knew nothing more. Yeah, it was time to go see his deepest, dearest friend once more.
Heki is currently around 11 years of age. Old for a Smili, he believed. Katon, over double that age, still was around as well. The pair still enjoy sitting and talking. They watch young Dhavens grow up, beautiful Birds dance in the sky, sunsets and sunrises, and everything else there is to see. Heki's found himself a lifelong home and a place to belong. He also still enjoys his midnight ponderings. And he constantly thinks about wen it'll be his time to leave, and just where death will lead him. To a new life? To a peaceful eternity? Not even he knew the answer to that. He'd have to wait and find out wen he really left this life. Hopefully, he thought, that wouldn't be for a long while.
Heki And The Dhavens(a little side story):
"Mister HekiReki, Sir?" a little Dhaven puppy asked as he approached the Smili with caution.
Heki looked up. "Yes, pup?
"My name is Suiton. And I have something for you." the youngling dropped something in front of him with careful ease.
HekiReki glanced down at it the smirked kindly. "Thank you young'n. This interests me."
Suiton's little tail wagged frantically. He was happy to be of some use! "I'll be right back Sir!" the pup then rushed off.
Five minutes later, Suiton skidded to a halt by where Heki still was. Following him were his two best buddies, Hyou and Dou. Heki chuckled to himself lowly. Did these pups want something?
"Can you read us wat's in that book please Sir?" Suiton yipped.
"Sure, I'd be glad to. I can understand it easily. The language is common and the plot is light. Sit yourselves down and we'll get started." Heki nodded.
On that cue, Suiton and his buddies plopped down and pricked up their ears. Heki flicked open the book with his tail. He then read the title, which was "The Wolf Moon."
"On the first month of every year, there is a full moon that is bigger than any other. It's called the Wolf Moon. Creatures of the night love to romp in the moon-bathed darkness and play games to see who can be loudest. Wolves, of course, have the most fun. Their eerie songs flood the night with mystic wonder."
Suiton, Hyou, and Dou listened intently. As the minutes and story carried on, they were caught up in the plot. Each crept closer to Heki as he read, until they were either sitting on his shoulders or touching the sides of his body. Heki, of course, never minded. He thought it was cute.
"And so the Wolves on the night of the Wolf Moon always rise up to protect those that cannot defend themselves. That is why we call it the Wolf's Moon to this day." that was how the story ended 20 minutes later. Suiton's eyes sparkled. He wanted to learn how to read if books were this interesting!
"Heki, can you teach me to read?"
"Why yes, I'd be honored to. But why?"
"Simple, I wanna be just like you."
In that moment, a little tear formed in HekiReki's eye. This young whelp wanted to be like him? He was touched! While Heki thought about how sweet the gesture was, Hyou and Dou said their farewells and left. Suiton still hung around.
"Kid, you're gonna grow up to be a real smart boy." Heki smiled and hugged the Dhaven close to him. Suiton licked the Smili and smiled.
"You're awesome Mr. Heki. This is gonna be so much fun!"
"Believe me pup, you have no idea."
Heki's Visit To Void(a little side story):
"I missed you, my friend."
"It's been far too long."
"Hehe, tell me about it. I wish I knew just how long it has been. Anyway, it's wonderful to see you again."
Heki took a seat next to Voided Abyss. They were currently in a place called Getsueigakure. It was a wonderus, nightly place where the sky was patterned with clear, bright stars and the moon in all its glory. It was no Water Country, but it was truly breathtaking in its own right.
"You like my home, Heki?"
"I love it. The skies here remind me of mine back home. You should visit someday."
"Maybe I will Heki. I promise to try. Your home sounds like an astounding place."
The two brotherly buddies conversed on the joys and amusements of their respective dwellings. Both was fascinated by wat the other had to say. Heki spoke of Katon and the adorable Dhaven race. Void brought up the topic of his daughter and her best friend, Krafu.
"Krafu's such a wonderful young male. He's taking good care of Dark Matter. I miss them both with all my heart." Void looked up at the sky and narrowed his eyes, which were tearing up, as he said this. A gentle breeze blew through his semi-long Purple-ish coat.
"I hope they're happy together. I've never known wat it's like to have a mate or cubs." Heki too gazed up at the sky. He felt the wind move his fur in easy motions. "By the way, where did they go?"
"Dark really wanted to explore space, with all her soul. Krafu felt the same way. But he wasn't like her in a since that he was always from Earth. She was from space to begin with, an Astral creature, much like myself. So Dark did the best thing she could for him. Changed him into an Astral creature. He couldn't have been happier. They took off only a few months ago, into the void that is this universe."
Heki glanced fondly at his lifelong best friend and gave a smile-smirk. Never before had he heard of tale of such compassion between mates that belonged together, soul mates even. That Krafu would go to the length of becoming Astral just to be with his mate warmed Heki's ever-beating heart.
"She's sweet for doing that. And so loving. Makes me almost wish I had kits to watch as they grew up."
Voided Abyss put a paw around HekiReki's shoulders and pulled him close. He grinned down at the smalled Feline. "You woulda made a great dad too."
As they caught up on everything they missed out on the last decade or so, the night rolled on as it did in Getsueigakure, ranging from lighter Dusky Blue to Pitch Black. In terms of the true Sun & Moon cycle, it was around 9 pm. Water Country looked amazing around this time.
Just as it was time to go, Heki stretched. "I will see you buddy. Farewell."
"Farewell, old friend."
Heki and Void went their seperate ways, back to their homes. Wen the morning arose in Water Country, Katon sighed and breathed deeply. He knew wat had happened. Water Country had lost its most beloved resident. You see, Heki had passed on only a day ago. It was almost time to burn his body and let his ashes rise into the air to travel on the wind. Come night time, he would do just that.
-the fire that night-
In the flames, Heki's body was placed. It burned within minutes and wind swept up the rising ashes. The same wind ran through Katon's fur as he silently cried. "Goodbye my friend."
-Water Country-
Another fire was just dying down. The elders of the "settlement" had just burned Voided's body. He too had lost his life the same day Heki had. They were at rest now.
-unknown place-
"Father, let's go!"
"Yeah, we gotta go explore!"
"Alright, I'm coming. Are you, Heki?"
"Count me in."
Two little pups, an Astral Jackal & Wolf pair, hovered in the starry emptiness of space. A Galaxy Fox and his Astral Smili "brother" were close behind. Dark Matter took off running with Krafu at her side. Void and Heki bounded after them. They took off and disappeared, into the unknown.