Read on to find out why a certain former kittypet, who eventually came to win the heart of one of Lilypetal's daughters, came to separate from his first love...

Dusty's POV

Chapter 1

It was dark, musty, and compact.

Old toys were scattered all over the place, their existence now having been forgotten since being knocked into this hiding spot. Crumbs were flitted around, practically being hugged by the carpet beneath my paws. A bunch of dust bunnies threatened to throw me into a hacking fit with each time that I inhaled.

But none of that mattered right now.

All that mattered was the tiny gray, plump creature that was just a few tail-lengths away, nibbling on a pellet.

One of my pellets.

I crouched down even lower from where I hid under the couch, holding my breath so that I didn't breath in one of the stupid dust bunnies, and braced myself to leap. Here we go... that little brat is going to regret taking my food!

Just a moment later, when I was sure the time was right, I let out a determined yowl and jumped out from under the piece of furniture, launching myself straight at the mouse.

I nearly wanted to cry out in triumph as I felt my paws almost immediately land on the creature, but I then had to hold back a growl of frustration as it quickly wriggled out of my grip, beginning to run towards the kitchen.

I stood up straight, letting out a grunt as I flicked my ears. "Aw, that's funny," I muttered just before breaking into a run once again. It thinks that we're done here!

Letting my adrenaline carry me forward, I pelted at full speed after the mouse. I tried with all of my might to keep my eye on the prize, swerving around tables and chairs, and leaping over boxes and bags. Come on, Dusty! I then picked up speed, even with the risk of having a slower reaction time to barriers. He was eating your pellet, he was eating your pellet...

I then felt my heart almost explode out of my chest, my teeth grinding together as I suddenly had to skid to a halt. I then screwed my eyes shut as I heard my pads squeak against the hard floor.

I then opened my eyes once again to see that I had just barely saved myself from crashing straight into a table leg. Whew...

I then yanked my attention back to the task at hand, but quickly felt my heart sink as I peered past the table to see that the darned mouse had run into its usual hole into the wall, and had disappeared.

With my pellet.

I couldn't help but let out a hiss as I pawed one of my toys to the side. "Aw, son of a duck!"

"Son of a duck?"

I was still staring bitterly at the spot that the mouse had vanished when my sister, Pippy, trotted towards me from deeper into the kitchen. Her head was tilted to the side, and her big green eyes were glowing with humor. "Isn't the son of a duck also a duck?"

Still not averting my gaze, I bent down to attempt to take a peek into the hole in the wall. "Hey, it's not my curse!"

After a few heartbeats, I finally stepped back and lifted my head to look at Pippy, who was staring right back me as she shook her head slowly. "Gee, you've been after that mouse for what feels like seasons now," she meowed to me in amazement. She then gestured to the cursed mouse's hiding spot with her tail. "Do you think you'll ever catch it before it flees into that little hole?"

I puffed out my chest and lifted my chin, trying to push away my anger and disappointment. "Oh, I know that I will!" I exclaimed, my shoulders then sinking just a bit. "I'm... just not sure when."

I then glanced back at the hole in the wall, letting out a snort. "I've been at this so long that I'm honestly thinking of giving the little rascal a name!"

Pippy purred with amusement as she began to lash her tail back and forth. "Hm... like Idiot?" she queried. "Stupid? Nuisance? Speedy?"

"No, I was thinking maybe Darryl."

"Right, sure."

"And Darryl isn't going to see many more days, I'm going to make sure of that!" I then declared, sticking my muzzle into the hole as I spoke. I then narrowed my eyes, glancing back towards the table leg that my face had nearly become a leaf because of. "If I could just... figure where I'm going wrong." Well... besides nearly breaking my face because of furniture.

I looked back at Pippy to see that she was now scanning her eyes around the kitchen, one of her eyebrows raised. "Well, for starters, I'd say that hunting a mouse inside of a nest probably isn't the best idea," she pointed out before beginning to pad towards the back door that led to our yard. "Wouldn't you rather go out to the forest and sniff out a wild mouse? There's so much more space, freedom, and, well..."

Pippy then sniffed, giving a sharp nod towards the ground. "We'd both get to avoid having a mini bloodbath on our floor!"

I let out a purr of amusement, taking one last glance towards the hole before padding over to the back door with Pippy. "You're not wrong," I muttered once I'd made it to my sister's side.

I then let out a sigh as my eyes fell on the sight beyond the transparent barrier, and the fence that enclosed our backyard - the trees that towered over our neighborhood that tempted me every single day since Pippy and I had been taken to this house as kits.

They didn't even have to do a thing; I mean, they were trees. Yet, somehow... the older that I get, the more that I want to be closer to them... under them! "And trust me, I've definitely thought about maybe sneaking out and hunting in the forest a bit..." I finally went on to Pippy.

I then let out a sigh, slightly hesitating with my next words. "But I typically don't get the chance to, because of-"

My words were then cut off by Pippy's excited gasp.

Although I probably would have cut myself off anyway, considering she was peering past me and likely not listening anymore.

I then began to hear pawsteps come from behind me, and I finally followed my sister's gaze to see that Smudge - a black and white tom that had lived in this house on his own before Pippy and I had been adopted together - was coming into sight from the hallway. His amber eyes were bright with amusement, and I noticed the slight shake of his head.

I exchanged a glance with Pippy, my ears flicking with intrigue, as I was very curious to hear what the older tom had gotten out of his trip to the back bedroom, where our two Twolegs and a new furry arrival currently presided.

Just days before, our housefolk had completely taken us by surprise when they'd walked into our nest holding a sleeping cat in their arms. We had no idea where this cat - a tom with dark ginger fur - had come from, and we seriously wonder if we'll ever know!

Our Twolegs had taken him to one of the bedrooms and had shut the door. So far, Smudge seemed to be the only cat they were comfortable letting in to actually interact with the newcomer.

So, that meant that Pippy and I would have to just receive the rundown from our older friend. "So," I began, running eagerly up to meet Smudge. "How is the stray doing?"

Smudge came to a stop, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "He's doing just fine," he replied, before letting out a sniff. "The vet clearly did him some good. But gee, I don't think anyone could take him seriously with that big white thing he's wearing on his neck."

I could hear Pippy beginning to snicker from behind me. "The poor thing," she purred. "Hey, Dusty - you could use one of those, and scoop Darryl right up!"

I briefly looked back at the black she-cat so that I could flash her annoyed glance through narrowed eyes. "Very funny, sis."

I then looked back at Smudge to see him staring back at us in confusion, his head tilting to the side. "Darryl?" he repeated, his voice full of laughter.

"Long story," I answered the tom, giving a dismissing lash of my tail before taking another step closer to him. "So, do you think our housefolk are going to keep him?"

Smudge looked over his shoulder back towards the hallway. "Well, he's been here for a few days already, and by the way that those two act with him, they're most definitely not ready to let him go yet."

The black and white tom then looked back to Pippy and me, giving a shrug of his shoulders as he flicked his ears. "So, you two - it's looking like we may be sharing this nest with another cat soon."

I heard Pippy let out a gasp behind me, and I looked back at her to see her running up to stand beside me. "No way, how bizarre is that?" she exclaimed, exchanging yet another glance with me. She then nodded to Smudge, her eyes wide and eager. "Well, what do you think of him so far? Do you like him?"

I felt my eyebrows slowly raising as I watched Smudge hesitate. "Hm, let's see..." he began. "We got to chat for a moment while the Twolegs were grabbing his medicine. And... he seems nice enough..."

I exchanged yet another glance with Pippy, then looked back at Smudge with a single cocked eyebrow. "But...?"

Smudge hesitated a bit more before letting out another sniff and sitting down. "Well..." he eventually went on, his paws shuffling back and forth. "Let's just say that I can already tell that his ego is larger than that cone around his head."

Pippy and I both burst into laughter at the older tom's comment, and the both of us were still catching our breaths by the time that Pippy spoke again. "Oh, gosh!" she purred, licking a paw and running it over an ear. "That bad, huh?"

I gave a small shrug. "Well, at least he'll maybe make things even more interesting!" I commented, genuinely intrigued by the thought of having to interact with an arrogant cat on the daily. And if Smudge thinks he's arrogant, that's saying a lot. We're dealing with a serious biggity here. "I'm up for it!"

I then nearly toppled over to the side as Pippy gave me a hard nudge. "Dusty, maybe he can help you catch Darryl!"

I then heard Smudge let out a snort, and I looked back at him to see him shaking his head, his yellow eyes full of amusement and confusion. "Who is this Darryl?"

I let out a small purr, realizing that I probably wasn't going to be able to get by without telling Smudge about the mouse, especially when it was something I was dealing with on the daily now. And thank gosh he is friends with cats that catch prey for fun! Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to hunt at all!

And just before Pippy and I could explain to poor Smudge about darn Darryl, a light knock came from the kitchen window above the sink. I flicked my ears, and looked up to see a very, very familiar silhouette sitting there.

The same silhouette always sat there at this time of day, and always gave that same light knock. The light knock that always turned my stomach upside down with excitement and nerves every time I heard it.

But for some reason, I found myself pushing down a bit of disappointment as I looked back down to see that Pippy was also looking up towards the window - her eyes narrowed and a big smirk on her face. "Oop, looks like you've got to go," my sister muttered to me. She then gave me a flick on the ear before putting her muzzle up to it. "Hey, I'll tell Smudge about Darryl as long as you promise me that you'll rip the new housecat to shreds when you tell Chloe about him."

I let out a purr of amusement and nudged Pippy's shoulder with a paw. "Deal." And there'll be plenty of time for me to do that...

I then let out a sigh, further trying to push down my reluctance as I finally leapt up onto the kitchen counter below the window.

Pippy followed me until she was just next to the counter on the floor. "So, what are you all going to do tonight?" she asked me, her head tilting to the side.

Unfortunately, my answer to my sister didn't require much thinking. "Well... what we usually do, I guess!" I replied, still having thoughts of other things I could be doing. Running around the yard, having another go at catching Darryl...

I then felt my heart flutter as another thought crossed my mind, and I remembered Pippy's suggestion from earlier. Or catching another mouse out in the forest...

But I had to push it all away. I shook my head quickly and finally continued on. "We'll probably just take a walk around the Twolegplace."

I then couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear as Pippy didn't immediately answer back, and simply stared back at me through narrowed eyes as if she could see right through me. "Cute," she murmured. "But... doesn't that ever get boring? I feel like you all do that pretty often."

I nearly let out an exasperated huff. Oh, you have no idea! I then nearly let out a hiss as I gave another shake of my head. Shut up, Dusty! "Well... no," I stammered after a few heartbeats. "No, not at all."

I then forced myself to take a deep breath and let my fur lie flat, pressing myself in my own mind that the thoughts I was having were ridiculous. "I mean, these walks with her were my favorite thing to do when we first got together." And they still are. What are you saying?

Pippy gave me another long look through narrowed eyes before finally giving a shrug. "Well, sure," she then murmured. "Then you go on and enjoy your walk with your love, brother."

Then, after the two of us both lashed our tails to each other in farewell, Pippy turned around and began to pad towards the hallway, following Smudge. "But just throwing it out there, feel free to let me know if it doesn't work out with her..."

I whipped my head back around from the window to look back at my sister. "What was that?"

I then tilted my head in confusion as Pippy then broke into a run. "Nothing!" she shouted back at me before disappearing from my sight.

I let out a sniff and decided to shake off the comment, and let all of my confusion and worries try and disappear as I finally pulled back the knob in front of me, pushed open the window, and met the blue, brown-speckled gaze of my long time mate.

Chloe and I had first met when Pippy had decided to go on a little outing by herself in the Twolegplace. Her goal? I wasn't too sure, but we were a bit younger, and somewhat new to the area, so I suppose she had just wanted to explore.

I would have gone with her, but see, she left without saying a word - to Smudge's and my own dismay.

But my anxiety had quickly diminished when I met the cat that Pippy brought back with her - a pale ginger tabby she-cat with a white chest and ear tips. I wouldn't have said it out loud to her so soon, but just looking at her made my heart pound so loudly that I could barely hear her soft, sweet voice when she talked to me. And when the three of us all talked for the first time, it was so clear that Chloe was such a kind, thoughtful cat that surely any cat would admire.

It was the first time that I had ever felt like this about any cat, but never let myself get my hopes up when it came to us getting together.

Chloe, Pippy and I had spent time together for only a couple of moons before Pippy seemed to want to pair us off - dropping subtle - but also not that subtle of hints, pushing us closer to each other, intentionally leaving us alone... It was pretty clear that my sister could tell that I had developed feelings for Chloe, and she was giving me the figurative... and literal nudge that I needed.

And sure enough, Chloe and I admitted our feelings for each other a couple of moons after that, and I felt that I was standing on the top of the highest tree when I'd found out that she liked me too. And to this day, we met every single night to spend time together.

And while we are incredibly different in personality... and the things that we like to do, Chloe is such a special she-cat, I thought to myself as I leaned my head forward to touch noses with her. And that's enough.

I then pulled away to meet Chloe's gaze, trying to tell myself all over again how crazy my thoughts from earlier had been.

Although... Pippy's words from just moments ago had affected me more than I would have liked. But Chloe is so sweet, smart, gentle... need I go on, I pressed, fighting back at myself. And we've been together for so long. Just being with a cat like her is all that matters... no matter what we're doing, right?

I then forced myself to lean my head forward to touch noses with Chloe. Everything is going to be fine. Stop psyching yourself out. "Hi, there," I meowed tenderly to the she-cat.

I then closed my eyes as Chloe gave me a quick lick on the cheek. "Hi, Dusty," she purred just before pulling away. "How are you tonight?"

"I'm just fine!" I replied to Chloe, leaping down from the window and landing swiftly onto the grass below. I then turned back towards Chloe, waiting to speak as she took her normal route from the window to the ground - onto the garden hose, to a stack of bricks pressed up against the nest, and then to the ground. "I'm a bit frustrated, though," I went on as I helped Chloe step onto the ground. "There's an idiotic little mouse inside of the house that I still have yet to catch."

Chloe gasped, and her blue eyes grew wide as we padded through the backyard. "Goodness gracious!" she exclaimed. "Inside of the house?"

"Yep," I replied, pawing at a small pebble as we walked past it. "And the little bugger - I named him Darryl - runs into his stupid hole just before I get a grip on him!"

"Well, that must not be fun!" Chloe meowed, flashing me a sympathetic look, then watching me as I leaped over my backyard fence. She followed just a heartbeat after. "Jeepers, I can't believe that you go around chasing creatures like that in your nest! Doesn't that make a mess? Don't you get tired?"

"Eh," I murmured, licking a paw and running it over one of my ears. "I don't care about a little mess."

I then gave Chloe a mocking-arrogant look as I let out a sniff. "And getting tired? Please! I'd chase Darryl around the entire earth if I had to!" The she-cat simply let out a mrrow of laughter and shook her head in amazement, so I gave her a light nudge on the shoulder as we began to pad alongside the fence. "Hey, who's to say that I have to do it alone? It'd feel even better to catch that idiotic Darryl if I did it with you!"

Chloe purred with amusement once again, and gave a lash of her tail. "Oh goodness, Dusty, I'm not so sure I'm suited for that! You should know this by now!"

"Aw, come on!" I further encouraged the she-cat, hope welling up in my chest. "It's so much fun, trust me!" I then gave her another light nudge. "Hey, it's not like we actually would have to chase him around the entire earth!"

"I suppose not... but even then!" Chloe replied, her eyes wide with amazement as she seemed to observe my eagerness. "What do you even plan on doing with... Darryl one you actually catch him?"

I let out a small grunt and flicked my ears - genuinely not having thought at all about that. And you'd think with how determined I am to catch him, I'd know what do with him once I achieve that... "Huh... well, I guess I haven't been able to think that far ahead," I admitted to Chloe.

But I quickly thought of something that nearly made my mouth water. Now that's definitely a motivator to catch him... "I mean..." I eventually continued, letting my eyes flit every which way. "Maybe use him as a reward snack for my success?"

I flicked my ears in surprise as Chloe let out a gasp, and I looked back at her to meet wide blue eyes. "Oh my goodness, are you joking?"

I had to admit, I was surprised by her surprised. She almost seemed taken aback. "...No?" I meowed hesitantly. "No, I'm not."

"You'd eat a mouse? A living creature?"

"Well, he wouldn't be living anymore..."

I then felt my shoulders slightly sink with relief as Chloe then let out a purr, but her eyes were still wide with shock. "Wow, then I'll definitely leave you to the mouse-chasing then... and all of the other strange habits you've picked up! Like I said, I definitely don't think I'm suited."

She went on after we shared a brief mrrow of laughter. "I'm glad that you enjoy it though. I really am," she continued before proceeding to touch her nose to mine once again. "I really hope that you catch him one day! I can't wait to hear about it. Well... most of it."

"Well, thank you!" I tried to reply cheerfully, despite my weird, confusing feeling of disappointment began to well up inside of me once again.

Chloe then pulled away, giving me a small nod.

And with that, there was silence.

I desperately tried to fill it up as we continued to walk together. "So, how are you tonight? What have you been up to?"

Chloe seemed relieved that I'd quickly tried to pick up a new conversation. "I am doing very well!" she answered happily. She then tilted her head to the side, seeming to think more deeply about my second question. "Hm... well, not too much," she eventually meowed. "I sat in the backyard this morning and watched the pretty, long and colorful fish that my female Twoleg keeps in our pond."

"Oh, you mean the koi?" I asked the she-cat. "Those are pretty." But probably very tasty as well...

"Definitely," Chloe agreed, giving me a nod before going on. "Hm... then I sat with my Twoleg while she watched that weird, bright square that's attached to the wall..."

"Gosh, that thing gives me a headache," I couldn't help but mutter as I shook my head.

"Oh, I find it relaxing! Then, after that, I played with some of my toys - I got a new one yesterday, and then I sniffed at some of the flowers blooming in the backyard..."

Chloe then trailed off of her words once again, brushing the tip of her tail against my cheek. "And... now I'm here, walking with you!"

I gave a small purr of amusement and licked Chloe's ear. "The highlight of your day, I'm sure," I teased. But am I teasing? Geez, taking to a cat would definitely be the highlight of that kind of day for me...

But I quickly shook off those thoughts, giving Chloe an inquiring look. We'll change that. "Speaking of which... where you do you want to walk tonight?"

Chloe let out a contemplative grunt as she stared ahead. "Hm... why don't we just take that path along the pond like we always do?" she suggested. "It's so beautiful, and you can see all of the lights of the Twoleg nests once you get to the top of the hill!"

I tried to ignore my tugging disappointment once again. "Yeah, you're absolutely right, but..." I then trailed off, Pippy's words from earlier echoing in my mind. Doesn't that ever get boring? I feel like you all do that pretty often. "It is something that we always do, so... how about we take a different route?"

"Oh... okay!" Chloe agreed after just a moment's hesitation. "What would you suggest?"

She had asked the question, but by the look in her eyes, I could already tell that she knew what I would likely say. Wouldn't you rather go out to the forest? There's so much more space, freedom...

I took a deep breath, deciding to take a chance at suggesting the place that I'd been fantasizing about for days now. "Well... would you maybe want to head the other way, towards the forest?" I meowed, gesturing towards the trees that were behind Chloe. "There will be plenty of trees, sure, but I'm sure that there would be some clear paths for us to take."

The more that I spoke, the more that my excitement and eagerness rose. So, I felt my heart sink a bit when I met Chloe's uncertain, wary gaze. "The forest?" she eventually meowed after a few heartbeats. She then began to shift her front paws back and forth. "Oh, Dusty, I'm not sure. I hate to admit it, but I don't think that I'd enjoy the dirt, the darkness... and what about predators?"

Unfortunately, it was just as I had figured. Yet, I pushed on. "All things we can deal with!" I exclaimed.

Chloe let out a small sniff. "Oh goodness, Dusty - you can, I'm not sure about myself!"

"Hey, I'll be there with you!" I further tried to encourage the she-cat. I then gave her yet another light nudge. "Come on! It'll be so neat, trust me."

As I took a step back, Chloe gave a shrug, still looking incredibly hesitant. "Well, I suppose you can't knock it until you try it!" she then meowed more brightly, though it seemed forced. And I was even more sure of that considering her next words. "But... how are you so sure it's neat?"

I furrowed my eyebrows back at her. "How are you so sure it's not?"

"Well... I suppose that I'm not."

"See, exactly!"

"Oh, well..." Chloe then murmured with a sigh. She then began to shake her head slowly, and I began to wonder if I should pull back considering how distressed she looked. "...I still don't know."

She then closed her eyes for a few heartbeats, and just as I was about to speak again, either to tell her to forget it or further motivate her, she opened her brown-speckled eyes and spoke again. "What's the sudden interest in the forest?"

Considering the thoughts that I'd had earlier, it didn't take me long at all to find how to answer Chloe. But... will she like the answer?

Despite the uncertainty to the answer of that question, I still gave her my honest one. "Well... I guess I've always wanted to take a visit to the forest, but... gosh..."

I then let out a sigh as I was taken back to several seasons ago, just days after Pippy and I had been adopted by our Twolegs, and had met Smudge. While the older black and white tom had given my sister and me countless wonderful memories as the two of us grew up, something I'd never forget were the stories that he told us every single night - stories of the wild cats that he knew of that lived in the forest beyond the Twolegplace. And he even had a friend that left his home to become one of those cats... and now he gets to live under the trees, catch his own prey...

I then shook my head quickly, pulling myself from these thoughts so that I could finish answering Chloe. "When Smudge first told me all about the cats that actually live out in the forest... I... I just wanted to see what it's all like, you know?" I went on, as I looked up towards the trees. "Just to get a taste of what they get to experience every single day."

I then lowered my gaze to meet Chloe's once again, and I was surprised to see that her blue eyes looked dark and thoughtful. "I see..." she murmured. She then screwed her eyes shut, shaking her head quickly before speaking again. "That's really, really neat, Dusty."

She then took a deep breath. "It sounds like you've thought about this a lot - it's certainly not the first time you've mentioned it, or wanted to go out to the forest. Do..."

She hesitated once more before speaking. I felt my heart beginning to beat faster as I awaited her next words. "Do... do you actually want to be one of these cats?"

I flicked my ears, startled by yet another question that I hadn't ever given much thought. But this question is a bit heavier than what I want to do with Darryl once I kill him... "What? I... No!"

I then trailed off of my words, having to think for a moment. "No, no at all," I meowed tautly. "And... even if I did, I don't know where they live, anyway. Smudge says that they used to live near here, before either of us were born, but they left to find new territory after the monsters began to come to this area and build new nests."

"Oh, yeah!" Chloe exclaimed, her eyes lighting up just a bit. "I can tell that my Twoleg has some complaints about that..."

I then watched her, silently and full of anticipation as I watched her fall into hesitation once again. "Well, I suppose we can go to the forest."

I nearly let out a gasp with those words, and I felt myself taking a step back in complete shock. "What? Really?" I then let out a huff, stepping closer to Chloe once again as I realized that my enthusiasm may completely contradict what I'd just told the she-cat. "I mean, really? We... we can take the path along the pond... if you really want to!"

"No, no!" Chloe insisted, her eyes wide as she shook her head. "That's completely alright. You've gone along the pond with me countless times, when I'm sure you wanted to go to the forest."

That's true, but...

"So, let's go to the forest," Chloe then went on, sounding more certain of herself. But just a heartbeat after she spoke, she seemed to peer past me towards our normal route.

But after a moment, she seemed to jerk herself back to my attention. "I want to, Dusty. Trust me."

I want to, but I don't. And as much as I want to go to the forest...

I closed my eyes, letting out a long sigh as I forced down feelings of regret. "Hey, um... maybe we could compromise?" I suggested, taking a step closer to Chloe. "Well, in some form."

I then nodded towards the trees nearby. "I guess we don't have to go all the way into the forest. We could walk around the edge of the trees where it's lighter, and the Twolegplace is still nearby-"

Chloe followed my gaze, staring back at the trees that nearly loomed over us with their shadows as the sun continued to set. "Okay..." she nearly whispered. She then looked back at me, her eyes full of worry. "But you wanted to-"

I raised my tail in the air, giving Chloe a sharper look. "No, I insist," I pleaded to her, hoping that I sounded sincere. "It's closer to the forest than I could ever hope to be." When the pale ginger she-cat still seemed unsure, I took yet another step closer to her, trying to meet her gaze. "Really, I'm fine."

I was both relieved and disappointed at the same time when finally, Chloe seemed to give in, sighing as she let her eyelids close once again. "Alright," she breathed, stepping forward to lick my cheek. "Thank you."

"Of course," I murmured, touching my muzzle to the she-cat's head. "I... I love you."

"I love you too."

I then pulled away from the she-cat, meeting her gaze and looking deep into her eyes as I always did after we exchanged those words.

But this time, I felt that I couldn't look as deeply; that all of the words and thoughts that her eyes always revealed weren't as clear or comforting to me.

And for some reason, I had a feeling that my own gaze would be just as bleak.

But I just hoped to some higher power that I was overthinking it, and began to lead Chloe over towards the trees.

Chapter 2

I could feel the dusk sun's heat leaking through the window and onto my fur from where I lied on the couch in my housefolk's living room. Lately, that sun had been so hot that the grass had been dry when I'd gone out earlier, and the water in the pond nearby seemed nearly nonexistent. So, I'd mostly stayed inside since I'd gotten back last night.

Just a little ways in front of me and the couch, the TV - better known as the weird, bright square that's attached to the wall - was on, it's weird, garbled sounds not making any sense to me.

Towards the hallway, I could just barely hear Smudge giving our new housemate, Jerry, a house tour.

Basically, a lot was happening, and I barely cared to give any of it my attention at the moment. I was too deep in thought to move.

And it seemed that I'd already gone in a infinite amount of vicious cycles of worried, anxious thoughts by the time that I noticed Pippy approach me, her green eyes full of concern.

And just within a moment, she had leapt up onto the couch, and was lying next to me. "Hey, just talked to Darryl," she began as soon as she had settled. "He's wondering why in the world you're lying here on this couch rather than trying to kill him."

Not having the mental capacity to come up with a good answer, I simply sighed and rolled over onto my back.

At this, Pippy let out a contemptuous snort. "Dang, not one explanation? No reply I can bring back to Darryl? Not even a pity laugh for my terrible joke?" I then felt her flick one of my ears, and I felt her gaze burning into my pelt. "Dusty, what's wrong?"

I stared up at the ceiling, still not looking back at my sister. "I have a headache."

"Well, you are staring at the bright box on the wall."

I closed my eyes for a moment and sighed again, finally deciding to confide in Pippy. "True, but..." I then rolled back over so that I was on my stomach again. "...I have a lot on my mind too."

"Yeah?" Pippy inquired through narrow eyes, not looking surprised at all. "Well, it seems like you have since you came back last night." She then let out a sniff. "In fact, I'd say the last few nights. It's weird..."

I tilted my head, finally meeting her gaze. "Why is it weird?"

"Well, for a while, whenever you came back from seeing Chloe, or whenever she came to pick you up, those pale blue eyes of yours always sparkled so much that I was sure that they'd turn into puddles..." she answered me, her voice slightly teasing as she nudged me with her tail. "And to put it simply... now they're not."

I had to look away from Pippy again, hating more than anything that she had seemed to make observations that I'd been trying to ignore. But this only means that I have more reason to acknowledge it and face it... "No, they're probably not," I forced myself to meow. "And that's what's wrong."

Pippy slowly began to nod, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her head. "Oh, yeah?" she sighed. "What's going on with you two?"

I let out an exasperated huff, before finally letting all of my pent-up, confused feelings completely unleash. "I don't know!" I admitted to Pippy. "That's the thing. Something has just felt... off. Things don't feel the same, and I don't like it."

I then managed to feel even more frustrated and dejected as thoughts and memories of the night before began to resurface. "I... I tried to follow your advice and do something a bit different with Chloe."

"Really?" Pippy pressed, her eyes lighting up. "That's great!"

I gave a small shrug and looked down at my paws. "Well, you'd think..." I began, bracing myself to give my sister the entire, horrible spiel. "I suggested that we go to the forest for our walk, rather than what we usually do."

Pippy simply nodded, prompting me to go on. "Right, right..."

"And she actually somewhat agreed - we ended up walking along the edge of the trees," I went on. "But... it was clear that Chloe wasn't enjoying herself, and to be truthful, I wasn't either. She wasn't enjoying these new surroundings, and not having the safety of the neighborhood and her own home, and I had to suppress the tug to actually go into the forest."

I then closed my eyes, almost reliving the amount of discomfort and dismay that I'd felt the night before. "It... it was just... off."

Pippy let out a huff, brushing a ball of tuft off of the couch with a paw. "Gee, taking a cold bath sounds more comfortable than that," she muttered.

"I unfortunately may have to agree with you, there," I muttered right back before letting out an exhausted sigh - because truthfully, I much rather would endure my housefolk trying to throw me into ice-cold bath water than relive anything that happened last night.

It wasn't like Chloe and I fought or anything, but it was just horribly clear how much the both of us were not enjoying our time, and wanting to be anywhere but where we were. We couldn't even seem to pass the time with any sort of conversation.

Things had changed, and I had no idea what to do about it. "Gosh, Pippy. This stinks," I eventually meowed after a few heartbeats. I then gave my sister a nudge. "It stinks like your farts on the days our housefolk slip a piece of fish into our food."

"Whoa, and that really stinks," Pippy murmured, her eyes widening.

I actually let out a purr of amusement for the first time that day. "Well, I'm glad you're aware," I meowed a bit more lightly before letting out yet another sigh. "But anyway, I hate this situation. I mean, Chloe and I have been seeing each other for seasons now, why do things feel off?"

Shockingly, for once, Pippy seemed to genuinely think about my question, and was quick with an answer that wasn't teasing or just witty. "Hey, I mean, not every moment with someone you love is going to be absolutely perfect - especially when you've been together for so long," she pointed out. "It's almost inevitable that you're going to run into some sort of weird funk."

I was slowly nodding as my sister spoke, her words actually being quite reassuring. "I guess so..." I murmured, looking back at Pippy. "Well, what do you think I should do to fix it?"

"I mean... sometimes things like this can't necessarily be fixed, you just have to power through it together," Pippy answered, the words she needed to say seeming to flow out of her jaws. "If you are really meant to be with each other, and are meant to evolve together, then changes should be easy to endure, and differences you have should be easy to overlook."

"Yeah, that's... that's true."

"And it's clear that you and Chloe enjoy doing very different things. I mean, that's always been obvious - since the two of you first met, but... it just seems to be much, much more obvious now, for some reason," Pippy went on, her eye briefly flashing with sympathy. I then tilted my head, intrigued as she finally seemed to stumble and hesitate with her words. "And... as much as I hate to admit it, in your case, these differences seem to be pulling you further away from each other."

Pippy's words continued to be upfront, harsh, and honest, but they were all true. "Unfortunately..." I breathed, the sadness clear in my own voice. Then, as Pippy seemed to hesitate once more, I felt that I needed to prompt her on. "And, your point?"

To my worry, I could tell that my sister would have hesitated for many more heartbeats, and maybe wouldn't have spoken at all if I hadn't done so. "Well, I-I can't help but think..." she finally meowed, "if you both truly loved each other, would... wouldn't you be able to..."

She then cut herself off and shook her head quickly, likely to reformulate her words. "I-I mean, if it's truly such a battle, then do you really-"

A familiar knock then came from the kitchen window, cutting off whatever my sister had mustered up the courage to say. "Oh, there's Chloe..." I murmured, not sure if I was completely terrified or pleased by her arrival. I then looked back at Pippy from where I'd peered past her to glance at the window. "Um... what were you saying, sis?"

Pippy took one nervous glance at the window as well. "Uh..." But she then proceeded to give a dismissive shake of her tail. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

She then stood up and shook out her fur. "I'm probably wrong, anyway."

My heart began to beat a little faster. "Wrong about what?"

Pippy then gave a sharp shake of her head, continuing to give the dismissing gesture with her tail. "Don't worry about it, Dusty," she insisted to me. She then took a step closer to me, and for some reason, I noticed a glint of uncertainty in her eyes. "Listen, I'm sure that things will be fine between you two... okay?" she meowed, her words and tone luckily sounding more sure than her expression. "Like I said, pairs usually go through a weird phase."

She then put the tip of her tail on my shoulder. "I trust that you'll know how to handle it, and that you'll do the right thing in the end."

I just stared back at Pippy for a moment, gratitude for her welling up in my heart. Gee, when she's not being a total goof, or bouncing off of the walls, she can be pretty uplifting and wise. "Thanks, sis," I meowed to her, touching my nose to hers. "I'm going to try!"

Then, after one last nod to Pippy, I finally leapt off of the couch and made my way towards the kitchen window, my fur tingling and my heart pounding with a new determination. Pippy is right, I told myself. I do know how to handle this, and I will do the right thing. I am going to make everything okay again. Things will be exactly like they used to be!

I immediately burst into a run - these new, optimistic thoughts making me feel as if I could pelt across the Twolegplace in just heartbeats. But I couldn't help but take a pause just as I was about to leap up onto the kitchen counter as my gaze fell on the backyard door - the very same place that Pippy and I had stood in front of yesterday, staring out at the trees beyond. If it's not too late when Chloe brings me back... maybe I'll try and finally take a trip out to the forest...

My heart felt lighter just at the thought of that possibility, but I had to shake it off. There are more immediate and important tasks at hand, Dusty. Come on.

I finally brought myself to jump up onto the counter, landing just in front of the window. And just as the light knock from moments ago had indicated - there was Chloe, sitting there on the ledge with her tail wrapped around her paws as she always did.

I took a deep breath, prayed for strength, and pulled back the knob, all while Pippy's words echoed in my mind once again. Listen, I'm sure that things will be fine between you two... okay?

Just after a moment's hesitation, I then finally opened up the window. I trust that you'll know how to handle it, and that you'll do the right thing in the end. "Hey, Chloe!" I then purred, touching my nose to the pale ginger she-cat's before leaping down to the ground.

I immediately whipped myself around to face the window, watching as Chloe took her steps down from the window to the ground. "Hi, Dusty," she meowed back to me. She then took her final small leap down to the ground from the same pile of bricks and began to pad towards me. "How are you?"

"I'm great!" I replied as I ran up to meet her. I then wrapped my tail across her shoulders as I began to lead her towards the back fence - the same exit we always took. "So, hey - I know that you were kind of uncomfortable walking next to the forest last night-"

I then nearly stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat when Chloe actually let out a gasp, and I met her gaze to meet her wide blue eyes. "Oh my goodness, Dusty!" She exclaimed. "I really don't want you to think that!"

"Hey, it's okay!" I insisted to the she-cat, brushing my tail comfortably down her back. "I could tell, and I also could tell that it made our time together seem so weird and strange."

I then let out a snort, beginning to shake my head slowly as I looked back at Chloe. "I mean, that's not us, right?"

I felt one of my ears prick in surprise as Chloe closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. "No..." she breathed. "No, it isn't."

I gave a single determined nod. Now, it was completely obvious to me that Chloe had felt just as weird about last night as I had, which now gave me all the more reason to make things right, and to do what I planned to do. "But I know how to fix it!" I went on cheerfully, taking a step back as I let Chloe jump up to and off of the fence first.

I then followed just a heartbeat later, actually having to take a moment to make sure that this is actually what I wanted to do. Yes, it is, I answered for myself as I landed on the other side of the fence. This is what you've always known. Chloe is what you've always known. What reason is there for that to change?

I then took another deep breath before meeting Chloe's gaze again. "So, how about we take our normal route - the trail along the pond that you love so much?" I finally proposed to the she-cat. "Like we always do?"

Chloe's eyes widened once again as she looked back at me, to my surprise. "Jeepers... really?" She asked me, her paws beginning to shuffle back and forth as they always did when she was wary. "But Dusty, wouldn't you rather go to the forest?"

I tilted my head to the side and cocked one of my eyebrows. I was determined not to give in to her considerate nature. "Wouldn't you rather take the trail along the pond?"

"Yes, but..." Chloe then trailed off for a moment, seeming to let out a frustrated sigh. "You didn't answer my question."

I closed my eyes for a moment, having to take a moment to formulate an answer that would be honest, but not put a damper on my plan. "I... I'd rather walk somewhere that makes you feel comfortable," I insisted to her tautly, "And that doesn't make either of us feel uncomfortable or weird."

Chloe gave a small, shy shrug and looked down at her paws. "I suppose, but..." She then screwed her eyes shut for a moment before looking back up at me, her eyes wide with unease. "Dusty, are you sure?"

I gave another sharp nod before running up to the she-cat, pushing down my own wants that seemed to physically tug at my fur, and touching my muzzle to her head. "I'm sure," I tried to meow softly. I could be more sure, but it's as sure as I need to be as long as things go back to normal... I think.

I then pulled away from Chloe, trying to ignore the dismay that I hoped I was just imagining in her blue eyes, and then began to lead her towards our usual path, feeling more and more certain, comfortable and confident with each pawstep that I took. At least, that's how I'm trying to feel. "Come on, Chloe!" I tried to meow happily as I called back to her. "Let's go before it gets too dark. We can see if any of those koi fish are swimming around."

But I quickly came to a stop as I realized that only one set of pawsteps continued to brush the grass. And sure enough, to my dismay, I looked over my shoulder to see that Chloe wasn't following me.

In fact, she hadn't even taken a single pawstep. "Chloe?" I quickly turned around and trotted back over to her. And this time, with each pawstep I took, I felt my heart sinking more and more.

I mean, I'd known Chloe for seasons now - I could always tell what she was thinking. Yet, for some reason, I still found myself asking her about it. "Chloe, what's the matter?"

I simply watched as she let out a sigh, her head beginning to shake slowly as she looked back at me. "You want to go to the forest, don't you?" She nearly whispered.

I hesitated even more with the second time she asked me this question, not being sure if I could even try and beat around the bush about it again. "Well, so what?" Is what I managed to come up with. "I'm fine going to the pond with you!"

Chloe then let out a huff, closing her eyes once again. "Sure, you may be fine with it, but it's not what you want to do."

I shrugged my shoulders, not seeing this as enough of a reason to not take our normal path... to not make things normal again and to fix what was wrong. "What does it matter if that's the case?"

"Because you shouldn't have to force yourself to do something that you don't want to do just to make me happy, Dusty," Chloe insisted to me, her voice rising and her gaze hardening more with each word she spoke.

But I still wasn't going to give in to it. "And you shouldn't either, Chloe," I demanded right back to her, taking a step closer to her. "Which is why I'm suggesting that we take the route that we usually do!"

"Dusty..." Chloe then let out another rougher, long sigh, closing her eyes yet again. "You shouldn't have to do that. It..."

She then brushed her tail against the grass, breaking her gaze away from me. "It shouldn't have to be this hard."

I began to shake my head slowly in confusion and bewilderment. None of what Chloe was saying was making this better, making me feel better, and none of it was helping me to be able to fix things. I couldn't understand why the she-cat seemed to be fighting something that I was almost sure that she would agree with, and go along with. "...What?" I murmured. I then swerved beside her so that I could meet her gaze again. "Chloe, what do you mean? We're just having a rough patch, clearly. I mean, things used yo feel so special between us."

I then took another step towards her so that I could brush my tail against her shoulder, hoping that my words were finally getting to her. "We can get that again. We can fix it."

But despite all of my pushing, it was still clear to me that Chloe wasn't going to back down. She still wasn't looking at me in the eye, her brown-speckled gaze still fixated on the ground. "Oh, Dusty, I wish that was the case, but..."

She then let out yet another shaky sigh, taking several long moments to gather her thoughts while I waited, my ears pounding so much that I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hear what she said next.

And I actually felt a twinge of relief and excitement when she finally lifted her head to look at me. But sadly, there was still nothing but dismay and distress blazing in that brown-speckled gaze. "Dusty..." she finally went on, her voice frail and soft. "I feel like this a rough patch that is beyond fixing."

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. It was too horrible. I'd only hoped to hear these words in my own head, and eventually learn to ignore them. "Chloe, I have no idea what-"

"Dusty, please!" Chloe nearly yowled, startling me. "I know that you're smarter than this."

But the pale ginger she-cat quickly seemed to realize how harsh she had sounded, and her eyes briefly flashed with sympathy as she stepped forward to brush her tail against my cheek. "And... I think that it's so, so sweet that you're trying to look past all of it and trying to bring things back to how they used to be, but..." She then trailed off for a moment, having to screw her eyes shut as she seemed to push back her own uneasy thoughts. "I can tell that both of us have felt this way for a while, but we've both been too afraid to come to terms with it."

Come to terms with it...

I already knew exactly what Chloe meant by this. I knew exactly what "it" meant. And she was absolutely right - I didn't want to come to terms with this at all.

But yet again, I decided to question it anyway, hoping that that would somehow change this horrible reality. "Come to terms with what?"

I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the answer that I knew was coming as Chloe stared back at me with her wide, sorrowful eyes. "We're drifting apart, Dusty," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You're right, things used to feel so special between us, but..."

She then hesitated before speaking again, and this time, I wasn't too sure what she'd say next. "But... things have changed," she went on after a few heartbeats. "...You have changed."

What?

I immediately felt my eyes widen at that statement, and I couldn't help but take a step back in response to that comment. "I've changed?" I asked in complete amazement. "How have I changed?" Is this all my fault now? Oh, son of a duck...

"Oh, please don't take it the wrong way," Chloe insisted to me, touching her tail to my shoulder once again, her eyes blazing with genuine reassurance. "You're still absolutely wonderful, and none of this change is bad."

She then looked away from me again, her gaze darkening once again. "It's just..." she murmured. "It's a change that makes me feel guilty."

I raised my eyebrows, continuing to be utterly shocked by everything that Chloe was telling me, and I wondered why in the world that none of this had been brought up to me before.

But it only took me a moment to answer that. Probably the same reason that none of my worries have been brought up to her before... "Guilty?" I finally pressed to the she-cat. "Chloe, what reason do you have to feel guilty?"

Chloe still stared off to the side as she answered me. But she did let out yet another sigh, letting her eyes slowly fall closed. "I don't know what your future holds, Dusty," she began, her voice low and raspy. "But... I just feel like you seem to want a life beyond this place."

I flicked my ears in surprise. "Beyond the Twolegplace?" I questioned Chloe, recalling the conversations of the forest we'd had yesterday, and the days before that. "But I've barely said a thing about it! You really think that me mentioning the forest means that I want to leave my home to be there?"

Chloe then shifted her gaze away from the path beyond, and looked into my eyes once again, her own glittering with tenderness. "Dusty, things may be difficult between us, but that doesn't mean that I still don't know you better than any other cat does," she meowed softly before taking a step closer to me. "I remember when you first told me about what Smudge told you about the wild cats - the way that they hunt their own food, frolic freely, live in and explore the forest as they please..."

She then trailed off as she let out a sigh. "It's so different than anything that I ever fantasize about."

I began to nod eagerly back at her. "So, this is all about being different from each other? Not being compatible?" I asked Chloe, feeling a twinge of hope as I once again remembered my conversation with Pippy from earlier. We're meant to look past differences, right? "Chloe, being different doesn't matter in a relationship."

Chloe slowly nodded back at me. "You're right. It shouldn't matter, but..."

But?

"But if we really, really loved each other, wouldn't we be able to look past those differences, and enjoy being with each other despite those differences?"

With an internal, heart-breaking jolt, it snapped to me what Pippy had likely had been trying to tell me earlier, just before Chloe had arrived - it had been exactly what I needed to hear.

But good gosh, was it not what I wanted to hear - especially from the she-cat that I loved. "...You don't think that I do?" I eventually forced out. "You don't think that we do?"

"I... no, not as much as we could..." Chloe admitted, her voice shaking as she spoke, as if every word she was saying was physically hurting her. "But either way, Dusty, I don't think that we should. Living my sort of life doesn't make you happy, and me living your sort of life doesn't make me happy."

She then let out a sniff, gesturing to the trees that were lit beautifully by the setting sun behind them. "Well... the sort of life that you seem to want."

As realistic as everything Chloe was saying was, all I could do was sit there, shaking my head. "I-"

"Even if you never did end up going to life in the forest..." Chloe went on before I could even find my words. "Your spirit blazes in a way that is different than mine. I mean, you hunt in your house, you like to run and explore, and go out to the forest..."

She then took another step closer to me, finally letting her tail tip rest on my shoulder as she held my gaze. "I... I just feel like you have a different life to lead, and I am holding you back from it, Dusty."

Although it felt like every good thing in my life was collapsing before my very eyes, and as troublesome and discomforting as Chloe's words were... I have to be realistic, I told myself. While I truthfully don't know if I'll ever leave the Twolegplace, Chloe's words definitely aren't coming from a very outrageous place. But...

I closed my eyes for a moment, hoping that my lids would somehow shield the pain that was welling up in my heart. "Chloe... I... I..." It took me a moment to gather my thoughts. It's... it's all so much. How does any cat ever deal with this? "But does this all mean that I have to lose you? Even if this is the case, it doesn't mean that I don't still care about you so, so much."

Chloe slowly shook her head, brushing her tail against my cheek once again. "That may be true, and..." she whispered to me, her eyes glittering for a moment. "I know that you care about me, Dusty - I mean, you were about to sacrifice doing something that you don't enjoy just to make me happy, but... I know that if we were to keep going forward, that's... that's all that it would be, and... I don't want to do that to you."

This time, I was the one that had to look away from the cat I was speaking to. Wow... there was a reason that I was drawn to this she-cat all those moons ago. She is smart beyond her seasons. I've always known that. And it's always so hard for her to be honest, because she's worried about hurting others' feelings, so this means that this is really serious.

I then took a deep breath, and looked back at the she-cat in front of me. And I agree, I then thought. Everything she has said is wha I've been trying to avoid admitting this entire day... the spark between us is gone. "You're right. You're so right, Chloe," I meowed to the beautiful, pale ginger she-cat, even though my heart now wanted to shatter every time I laid eyes on her. "And you're right in that you really do know me better than anyone else..."

I then couldn't help but step forward so that I could bend my head together with Chloe's. "That's what I'm going to miss about you so, so much," I then whispered to her. "Oh, Chloe, I'm so, so sorry."

Chloe pressed her head even closer to mine. "There is nothing to be sorry about, Dusty," she whispered back to me. "All that you've done is begin to find who you are, and unfortunately..."

She then finally stepped back so that she could meet my gaze again. "The more that you knew who you were and grew, the further that we grew from each other."

I stared back at her as I let out a huff. "Gee, it stinks that it has to work that way, sometimes."

Chloe sniffed, shrugging as she shook her head. "Yeah, it really stinks," she agreed. "Like Pippy after she eats fish."

With that comment, the two of us burst into laughter, and once it had died down, our gazes locked with each other once again.

I nodded to her, giving a lash of my tail. "Thank you so much, Chloe," I meowed softly to the she-cat. "For everything."

Chloe nodded back to me. "And thank you," she replied, her eyes sparkling. "You'll always have a special place in my heart."

"And you as well."

I then closed my eyes, letting Chloe's sweet scent flood through my nostrils one last time as she trotted forward to touch her nose to mine. I then watched, continuing to fight my immense feelings of guilt and sorrow as I watched her begin to pad in the direction of her own nest.

I flicked my ears in surprise when she paused for a moment, looking over her shoulder back at me. "Hey," she called back, "If you ever need anything, or want to talk - you know where to find me!"

I gave Chloe a look full of gratitude, along with a sharp nod. "I do," I meowed back to her. "And if you ever need me, I'll-"

I was interrupted by Chloe's snort of amusement. "Oh, I know where I'll find you," she purred teasingly back at me, giving me a wink. And after we shared another laugh, Chloe gave me another nod, her gaze softening once again. "Goodbye, Dusty."

I closed my eyes for a moment, having to brace myself to reply. "Goodbye, Chloe."

The pale ginger she-cat gave me one last warm look before finally continuing in her trek, walking along the trail until she made it to her own fence, actually leaping swiftly onto the top of her fence before disappearing onto the other side.

Goodbye, Chloe.

After a few moments of simply sitting where I was, I finally forced myself to stand up and return to my own home - jumping up and over my own fence, and then leaping up onto the window ledge so that I could crawl back inside. Gee... I thought to myself as I then stepped down onto the kitchen counter, reflecting on everything that had just happened. How can someone feel so empty, yet free and fulfilled at the same time?

I then let out a sigh as I then jumped down onto the floor. It was... it definitely was. I told myself, feeling more certain about these thoughts than any of the others I'd had tonight. It's just going to take me a while to let myself acknowledge it.

I then rounded the corner, and practically had to skid to a halt as I nearly ran into Pippy, whose head was bent down as she dug into her food.

When she heard my pawsteps, she flicked her ears in surprise and lifted her head, revealing her wide green eyes. "Hey!" She exclaimed, padding up to meet me. "You're back early!"

I pawed at some crumbs on the ground, and then sat down. "Yeah," I meowed as I wrapped my tail around my paws. "Just a bit."

"Well... how did it go with you two?" Pippy asked eagerly, her paws beginning to knead into the ground. "Did you talk? Did everything work out?"

I let out a sigh, letting myself fully lie down on the ground, and I gestured my tail as if to tell Pippy to do the same. "Well..." I began once my sister had settled down with me. " Many would probably say no, because..." I had to pause a moment before finishing, the pain of my encounter with Chloe still as fresh as it could be. "We decided to end things."

Pippy stared back at me, her eyes slowly widening again. "Oh my gosh, really?" Pippy replied, sounding genuinely distressed by the news. She then shifted herself closer to me and laid her tail across my shoulders. "Oh, Dusty, I am so, so sorry. Are you okay?"

I closed my eyes and let out another sigh, letting myself be comforted by my kin's touch. "It hurts. It hurts a lot, but... it was right," I admitted. I then opened my eyes so that I could meet Pippy's gaze. "It needed to happen, and I'm sure that's exactly what you were going to tell me before Chloe got here. So..."

I then took a deep breath, a new kind of reassurance and comfort spreading through me. "So, I would say that it all did work out." Because sometimes the best decisions are the hardest to make... it's a cliche saying, but a very, very good one.

Pippy's eyes were absolutely gleaming with pride and satisfaction as she stared back at me. "Smart brother. I'm proud of you," she murmured, giving me a sharp nod. "So, is there anything I can do to help you?"

I then tensed up, and I felt my fur slowly beginning to rise as I heard some quiet sounds of rustling come from the living room.

I very carefully and quietly began to rise from my spot. "Here's what you can do," I whispered, finally answering Pippy's question. "You can be quiet, stay still, and silently wish me all of the luck possible."

I then felt my eyes narrow down into slits as I then crouched down and began to sneak into the living room, cautiously trying to make my pawsteps as soundless as possible as I anticipated what might be there.

And sure enough, when I peered around the corner, what I had prepared to see was most definitely in my sights.

Hello, Darryl.

The little brat was currently on the couch, standing right where I'd been lying just earlier that day.

Ah, so first you think you can eat my pellets... and now you think you can sit in my spot? I thought menacingly, a growl rising in my throat as I continued to make my way even closer to the small creature and braced myself to make my leap. Oh, how you're going to regret that!

Then, without a moment's hesitation, I finally leaped straight at Darryl, barreling straight into him on the couch before beginning to chase him around the living room just as we had done the day before - and many days previously.

But something was different this time.

The adrenaline rushing through my blood helped me to keep my speed, and this time, as I swerved and jumped over obstacles, I pretended that they were actually rocks, roots, sticks, and even large trees that I had to avoid if I were chasing prey in the forest. And once I was able to chase Darryl down to the kitchen, I paid close attention as the mouse swerved to one side of the kitchen table - the right side.

So, I tried to think quickly, practically throwing myself towards the other side of the table - the right side.

And just as I had hoped, it brought me face to face with the mouse. With Darryl.

I crouched down and prepared myself to leap once again, my heart pounding and blood pumping with resilience and determination. Goodbye, Darryl!

I let out a yowl and lunged straight at the mouse for the second time, and I practically felt light with excitement as I felt my claws sink into fur. Yes!

I acted as quickly as possible, pining the small creature to the ground with the paw. And then, not wanting to wait another moment to accomplish my goal, I used the other paw to give the killing blow.

And as the mouse fell still below me, I couldn't help but lift my head to the air and yowl with triumph. "Oh, heck yes!" I cried out. I then bend my head down to pick up my new catch. "Boo-yah!"

Just a heartbeat later, Pippy was making her way to my side of the kitchen table. "Boo-yah?" She repeated, looking as if she was trying to hold back laughter. "Dusty, you've got to work on your choice of exclamations-" The black she-cat then cut herself off, her eyes falling on the creature in between my jaws. "Oh my golly gosh!"

I narrowed my eyes back at my sister. "Hm, you're one to talk," I muttered.

Pippy ignored my comment. "You caught Darryl!"

"I did!"

I then found myself growing slightly confused as my sister's expression suddenly darkened, as if she were falling into some sort of deep contemplation. "Interesting," she then muttered as she nodded her head slowly. "Very interesting."

I tilted my head to the side. "What?"

Pippy blinked, and shook her head dismissively. "Nothing," she quickly replied. "So, now that you've killed an animal, what do you plan to do with it?"

I furrowed my eyebrows as I dropped the deceased Darryl back onto the ground. The same question had been asked to me yesterday, and while I had the same answer as I did then, it now felt much, much easier to answer.

I looked back up at Pippy, licking my lips and flicking my tail towards the mouse that now lied between us. "You want to split this mouse?"

Pippy blinked back at me in shock. But interestingly enough, she didn't seem to be daunted by the question very long at all, and muttered, "You know what? I think I do!"

So, with that, the two of us settled down on the kitchen floor once again, and after we both gave each other a very nervous, yet excited look, we bent down to take a bite at the same time, and began to feast on the gosh-darn stupid mouse that had brought me anger and frustration for days on end.

It didn't take Pippy long at all to chew her first bite. "Hm..." she mumbled after she had swallowed. "Darryl is delicious!"

I then swallowed mine, genuinely amazed that something that cat's can consume could taste this good. "You are not wrong, my friend!"

Then, we both ate in silence for just a moment, wanting to spend our time doing nothing else but devour the absolutely tasty meal that was before us. There is no way that I am not going into the forest to catch us a wild mouse now!

Pippy was the one to eventually break the silence. "So... does this mean that Chloe is single now, or...?"

I lifted my head quickly from where I'd been about to take another bite out of Darryl. "Huh?"

Pippy's eyes seemed to briefly flash with panic before she practically shoved her back into Darryl to take her next bite. "Nothing."

I let out a sniff as I finally bent down to take my next bite. "Hm, you have got to stop with that mumbling."

"Uh..." Pippy murmured, pushing what was left of Darryl towards me after she'd taken her bite. "We'll see about that."

I gave my sister an amused, concerned look before taking the last piece of Darryl. And as I chewed that last bite and let its deliciousness flow through my body, and the peace that I felt continue to flow through my mind. And as silence fell upon Pippy and I once again, I was given a moment to finally reflect on my current situation when it wasn't as fresh of a wound. Wow, I never thought about it until after the events of tonight, but... now I realize just how much I was trying to cling onto this relationship with Chloe, despite how different things were... because of the special connection we'd once shared...

I then felt myself shift uncomfortably in my sport just a bit. But Chloe was right - I'm no ordinary house cat that wants to stay cooped up in a Twoleg nest all of the time.

I then took a quick glance towards my sister, who was currently staring outside at the backyard. And to be honest, I don't think Pippy is either.

I then returned my gaze to my paws as I fell deep into my thoughts again. And as Chloe said - I may never even end up living this wild cat life that I find so cool. I mean, it daunts me as much as it would any other housecat!

I then followed Pippy's gaze, looking out towards the backyard, the grass, and the trees... But who knows? Adventure is ahead, and now I feel like I can fully chase after it!

I then shifted in my sport slightly once again. And when it comes to love, well... I'm certainly not ready to move on just yet... I admitted to myself. While Chloe and I weren't right for each other, and while I don't her lifestyle exciting, she is still a very kind, intelligent, and wonderful she-cat that would take me a bit to get over. But once I do, I'm sure that I'll be able to find a she-cat that is equally as such, and more, and that matches my own blazing spirit.