I jolted awake. Silver Sky and Comet were still sleeping. Hey, wasn't one of them supposed to be on guard? I was alarmed, but not as much as what I had learned in my dream. Must I really die to break the curse?
      My tail was rigid in fear and my whiskers were perked straight. Oh, I wouldn't be getting back to sleep again anytime soon. So was me being so paranoid actually meant to be?
      Since it was still quite dark, I decided to stand on guard. When I went out of the den, I smelt the musky smell of a fox. I got on guard and stalked the perimeter of the clearing. It got stronger by the moment.
      Just when I thought I had located the smell, the fox jumped from the opposite direction. I screeched, turning to claw at the fox. It was hard being caught like that. I was almost completely unprepared, and I hadn't even completely processed the thought of a fox.
      It grappled with me, biting at my neck and body, mostly my neck. It growled and snarled menacingly. It was simply terrifying.
      I got a grip on myself and began dodging the countless snaps from the fox. It's russet pelt was clean and knotless, so I guessed it was young. It also was a good size, it wasn't starved, that was for sure.
      The fox looked at me with cold blue eyes. It's tail was waving back and forth, like a cat's. I wonder where it got that idea.
      It's ears spun as it listened to all the sounds around us; birds chirping, leaves rustling, and mice scuttling under the ground.
      I got lost in its deep eyes. Every other time I had fought a fox, I had been too busy fighting to pay attention to its features, but now that I was, I realised really just how beautiful they were.
      The fox stared at me a few moments longer, assessing me and my strengths. Then he dipped his head and spun of into the green forest.
      I watched as the bushes that had rattled as the fox passed now grew still. Why had he stopped? Did he see something in me, as I had it? Did he know about my destiny?
      As I realized I was safe, I began to hunt again, hoping to bring a good meal home to my family, just as the snow started to fall.
~~~~~~**********~~~~~~
      I arrived to the den with jaws full of prey when I realized it wasn't even morning yet. I had been so caught up with my thoughts of the fox I had thought I had went out to hunt.
      I dropped the pigeon and squirrel to the den floor and crept back to my nest. It was just before dawn, so luckily it wouldn't be that big of a deal if they awoke. I myself couldn't get to sleep. The enticing scent of fresh meat was just to much.
      I waited longer than I thought I would have to. The sun was shining above the tree-line before my family even blinked an eye. Comet was the first one awake.
      Her ears twisted around in her sleep as if listening to something. Finally, she cracked a shining blue eye open. Her eyes met mine and she jumped to her paws, walking over to my nest.
      "Good morning, Twiggy. Did you catch this prey? It seems delightful. Thank you, brother." Comet meowed, rubbing her head against mine.
      Since my Mother had died Comet had grown much bigger. She was still small, but closer to an adult she-cat. While she still obtained her fluffy face, the rest of her pelt was sleeker and smooth. She also understood more of what happened around us.
      "Yes, I did catch it." I sighed. "Last night, I woke up and realized no one was on guard, and decided to go check in the fox scent. There was nothing but old stale scent at first, but as I got closer it was more fresh. The fox snuck up behind me and put in a few blows, but don't worry I'm fine. The fox stopped and stared at me before turning and walking away. It was very strange, but I'm glad it did. I'm not hurt."
      Comet looked sceptical. "That doesn't explain the prey."
      "I got distracted and went hunting. I guess I thought it was dawn."
      Silver Sky spoke up. "Well, I guess I know why it isn't warm anymore."
      Comet and I had been so caught up in conversation that we hadn't realized Silver Sky, who had apparently woken and edged her way to the prey. Comet burst into laughter while I purred. Silver Sky looked amused with herself and chewed on a pigeon bone.
      I yawned. "Anyways, it started to snow last night."
      Comet jumped in glee. "I've never seen snow! What is it like? Can I go play in it?"
      Silver Sky gave a small mrrow of amusement. "Yes, of course. We can go right now if you like."
      Comet was a loud bundle of fur and excitement as she hurtled out the entrance. She landed with a soft thump in the snow, which was followed by a loud meow. "Brrrr, it's cold!"
      Silver Sky glanced at me with warmth before running out of the den. I followed quickly behind. Comet was playing in a patch of snow, flakes caught in her whiskers and fur. Grey clouds still huddled overhead, dropping their heavy load.
      Silver Sky looked up at the clouds and opened her mouth. She stuck her tongue in and tried to catch them.
      Comet laughed. "What are you doing?"
      "Getting some water from the snowflakes," Silver Sky said. "It's pretty fun, you should try."
     Comet seemed unsure for a moment, but then she stood in her back legs with joy and started gulping down snow.
      I started to shiver as the fluff got stuck in my bristling pelt. It slowly slid down to my skin and cold water streamed down my body. "Hey guys?" I said.
      "Yes?" Comet meowed, apparently immune to the cold snow.
      "I have shorter fur than you two and I'm uh, I'm starting to get a bit cold."
      Silver Sky bundled over and licked my face. "Go inside, then. You look tired, just get some rest." She paused and looked at the white wonderland. "We'll be fine."
~~~~~~**********~~~~~~
       I had listened to my mate's advice and I felt better now. I stretched, loosening the muscles from my short nap. I could still hear my family's screeches of joy outside as I grabbed the squirrel to eat. You'd be surprised by how tiring having a nap could be.
      I bit into it, hoping to enjoy a nice meal, but instead I just came out with a mouthful of hair. This is why I don't like squirrels that much. Most of them are too hairy, and they're always a problem to get to the meat. Oh well, I'll be a nice big brother and a nice mate. If save the leftover pigeon for them.
      After I finished the struggle with the squirrel, I peeked outside Silver Sky and Comet were heading back to the den, and they both looked cold.
      "Hi." Comet squeaked as they walked in, attacking me with licks. "Snow is so fun! I want to play in it way more often. Please?" 
      "Of course." I meowed. "Now you should both warm up first, though. I don't want anyone getting sick from the cold." I licked Comet on the nose.
      It wasn't exactly the most warm place in the world, but the rocky den was sheltered from the wind and snow, which made it better in whole. As Comet attacked her nest, digging in a pile of moss I spoke to Silver Sky.
      "Tomorrow," I said. "We should go find something warmer to sleep on. Maybe one of those things that the humans use. I've seen them through their clear skylights."
      "Yes, good idea." Silver Sky agreed. "Have you ever heard of the dump?"
      "No. What is it?"
      "People put their unwanted items there. I'm sure we could find something there."
      "Yes, let's do that."
      We all went to our nests to rest, knowing that tomorrow we'd be warmer.