The next few days passed quickly. Twist and Dart gradually got used to their new lifestyle, and used to their new friends. It wasn't as if they'd never seen another cat before, but it had only been the occasional passing stray. It was a little overwhelming to be living with such a big group, but everyone understood. The others would give them space and time alone when they requested it, and were so supportive. Well, everyone except Rusty, who told them to "man up". It wasn't long before two weeks had gone by, then two months. All was well.

...

Dart sat alone outside, staring up at the night sky. Everyone else was eating by the doorway that led inside the lodge, talking and laughing. Dart looked over to see Twist engaged in a conversation with Benny. She smiled. Twist was perfectly content at their new home, and it was relieving. Dart could almost say the same. She loved how nice everyone was, and life seemed perfect, but she missed the forest. She missed the noises of the chirping birds in the morning, and how they always seemed to have something to say. She missed the way that she would have to step so carefully when stalking prey, and how every meal felt like a prize. But most of all, she missed the wild feeling the woods brought. The thrill of hunting, the feeling of being independent. The feeling of the wind rushing through your fur...
"Dart?" A voice cut through Dart's thoughts, and she turned to see who had addressed her. It was Luke, and he was looking at her with hopeful eyes.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" He asked. Dart smiled.
"No, of course not, but..." an idea formed in Dart's mind, and her smile widened. "I'm not going to be sitting here for long." Luke cocked his head to the side, a confused look in her eyes.
"What?" He meowed. Dart gave him a sideways smile.
"I'm going hunting."

...

Luke and Dart stalked through the woods, mouths open to taste for prey. All was quiet, and Dart was getting the familiar rush that came with finding your own meal. She licked her lips as the scent of a mouse enveloped her, and she took a few cautious steps forwards. Luke looked at her with wide eyes, waiting for instructions. Dart flicked her tail, motioning for him to move forwards. He did so, and his eyes lit up. Dart assumed he had scented the mouse as well. She grinned, and the pair moved towards the animal. Eventually, the furry creature became visible. The mouse was nibbling on a seed, totally unaware of its approaching demise. Dart looked at Luke, wondering if he wanted to pounce at it. He was looking at her too, but didn't seem focused on the task at hand. Dart gently thwacked him with her tail, snapping his attention back to the mouse. He nodded at her, signalling that she should catch it. Dart nodded back and turned to the mouse. It was still nibbling the seed. She smiled and crouched, channelling the power in her legs. She sprang, landing right on top of the mouse. It let out a shrill squeak before going silent. Dart picked up the limp body of the mouse and turned to Luke. He was smiling at her, something shining in his eyes that Dart couldn't quite decipher.
"Wow! You're a great hunter, Dart!" He meowed. Dart smiled at him.
"Thank you!" She said, trying to speak around they prey in her jaws. Luke grinned wider.
"I only speak the truth." He said. Dart laughed. The two walked back to the camp, speaking to each other with ease.

...

Twist sat around a plastic container, eating the food it held. She hadn't tasted anything like it, and everyone was amused by how surprised she looked when she took each bite. Benny found it especially interesting, laughing when she spoke about how good it was.
"Have you never had pasta before?" He asked. Twist shook her head.
"I've never even heard of it." She replied. Benny laughed again.
"If you think this is great, just wait until you try chicken." He said. Twist smiled.
"Is that even better?" She mewed, her voice adapting an eager tone.
"Yep." Benny said. Twist grinned, her eyes shining.
"I can't wait." Twist said. Benny chuckled, and Petal joined in.
"I mean, chicken is pretty good." She gave Mitten a sly look. "But beef will make you scream with delight." Mitten's cheeks warmed up, and she gave Petal a shove.
"I thought we agreed not to talk about that!" She said. Petal grinned.
"The first time Mitten tried beef, she actually screamed." Puff filled in. Twist laughed. Mitten glared at Puff.
"Well, you accidentally fed Rusty a mouse you just found lying around!" She retorted. Puff's amusement vanished.
"That's personal." She said after a moment. Everyone seemed to realize that Mitten had crossed a line. Everyone except Rusty.
"Eh, it tasted fine." He said. Puff looked at him with shock.
"You almost died!" She said. Rusty frowned.
"I guess." He meowed. "But you were only little. It was an accident." Puff frowned.
"You're so forgiving." Puff said. Rusty laughed.
"I have to be, You're by daughter." He said. Twist's eyes widened.
"You're related?!" She blurted. Everyone turned to look at her, and Twist felt suddenly out of place. The moment lasted only a second though, with Rusty ending it.
"I mean, she does look more like her mother... but you've been here a while." He grunted. "You should'a noticed." Twist blinked.
"Um, sorry." She said. Benny suddenly cut in.
"Hey, she's new. It's fine." He said. Twist smiled, and murmured a quick thanks to Benny. The group eventually faded back into a casual conversation, the awkward moment forgotten.

...

Twist and Dart settled down next to each other, preparing for sleep. Dart looked at her sister, noticing how happy she looked.
"Good day?" She asked. Twist glanced back at Dart and smiled.
"Yep. You?" She responded.
"Yeah." Dart said. She paused for a moment.
"Did you notice that you were talking to yourself earlier?" She said. Twist frowned.
"I was? Darn..." she said.
"No, no, no!" Dart mewed. "That's good!" Twist looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Why?" She asked. Dart smiled.
"Because" she said, "you only do that when you're at ease." Twist's eyes lit up.
"Twist, we've actually found a home." Dart meowed, unable to keep the joy from her voice. The two laughed together, sharing their happiness at the realization. Dart thought back to her feelings earlier that night. She remembered missing the forest, but didn't feel like she was missing anything anymore.