Clawess's POV.

I lay on a tree branch that grew into the timber house. My ears twitched as I heard paws padding towards the door to the old cabin I now lived in with my mate and son. I mated Drake two months ago and adopted Arc with him one month ago. Arc is now six months old, I am three and Drake is three and two months old.
We were quite the perfect family now.
I jumped off the tree branch and padded towards the door. Life was perfect around here. The only problem was that Arc was too energetic and curious. He was always complaining about how we never try anything new, and how he wishes he had the chance to do something different for once. He was a kit and that was understandable, but I really wish he'd grow out of it soon because we just can't afford to do anything 'different'. We'd have to leave the cabin for that, and go out into the more dangerous parts of the forest.

I pushed the creaky door open that could easily be moved because of the edges of its wood being rotten. A black cat stood before me. He was covered in scars and a chunk of his bottom lip was missing.
"Can I help you?" I asked hesitatantly.
The black cat replied with a deep and scratchy voice. "I am Rootscar. I am recruiting cats for The Dark Clan." he said and I shrugged. "Never heard of it." I said and Rootscar grinned. "It's only the best Clan in the forest, who works day and night to keep cats like you safe." he said and I smiled. "That's great! But I have a family to take care of." I said as Arc and Drake padded behind me. "What about them." he said pointing his head to Drake and Arc.
"Sorry, but like my mate said, we have a family to take care of." Drake said.
"What about the kitten?" Rootscar asked and I frowned slightly.
"He's only six months old.." I said a bit unsure. How was that even a question.

"What do you guys do?" Arc asked and I turned my head to Arc warningly.
"I'm just asking!" he protested and Rootscar replied. "Oh, we teach all kinds of skills and knowledge, we also help other cats and sometimes we even travel..." Rootscar let the sentence hang as Arc's smile widened.
"Can I go pleeeeease!" Arc asked. I knew he'd want to. He wanted something new, to see and learn more than was possible in this cabin. "It isn't that far is it?" Arc asked and Rootscar replied quickly.

"Ah no no no, only about half a days walk from here, you could visit every week if you want! We live by that lake not far from here!" Rootscar said and me and Drake exchanged a look then looked at Arc.
Drake sighed. "You can try it out for a few days, then come back to us and we can decide." Drake said and I sighed, then nodded. Arc meowed in excitement.
"Yes! Thanks ma'am, thanks sir!" Arc cheered and I smiled.

After we said our goodbyes, Arc and Rootscar padded off into the distance.
"Our son is growing up..." I said under my breath, as I smiled, watching Arc go out of view.

April Bluebird/BlueWhiskers1.
The Collared Victims.
Epilogue; Growing Up.
3.2.2020.
571 words.