She gasped and tried to run faster with the small kit in her jaws. She heard the bark and felt the scary warmth on her tail as she continued to run away.

The small kit, dangling from her jaws, let out small meows of protest as she kept hitting the ground with each step the mother took.

The she-cat tried to run faster, only to stumble over a twig and fall face first. Her kit flew out from her jaws and landed a few tail lengths away, letting out a loud shriek.

"No.. My kit!" She got up and looked behind her. The house near the forest was still on fire. She could hear the dogs that were running after her, but couldn't see them.

She ran over to her only surviving kit and picked her up gently by the scruff.

The small kit meowed in protest again and tried to swipe at her face with its small claws.

"It's okay dear." The she-cat tried to soothe her kit as she took off running again.

She stumbled deeper into the forest. Her breath was deep, and her fur felt hot and smeared in mud and blood from her dead mate.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the small fast tom. He had jumped into the house to save her other kits, but never came out again.

Her hind paw ached from where it was stuck in the fence a few moment ago. Before she had run into the forest. Before her mate had died.

She gasped as she stumbled into a hole, twisting her paw. She stumbled forwards and dropped her kit again.

The kit rolled squeaking down and disappeared from her sight as it fell behind a bush.

The mother shrieked and jumped away from the hole. Without thining, she jumped after her kit, only to roll down a steep hill.

On the other side, she saw tall pine trees and a small puddle of water. Her kit lay limply beside the puddle.

"No..." The she-cat whispered and dragged herself over to her kit.

The kit was alive, but hurt. 

Her small black hind paw stuck out in an awkward angle, and it gasped for breath.

The queen picked up her kit gently by the scruff and carried her over to the water puddle.

Putting her down, she bent over and lapped at the puddle. Her racing heart seemed to calm down, and her breathing eased. Slowly, the queen started to relax, thinking the danger was over.

The gray and black spotted queen bent down to sniff her kit. She started to lick the small bundle's fur, as it was mattered and smelled of smoke, and blood.

Suddenly, without warning, a loud bark was heard from behind her and thrumming paw steps.

The queen's head flew up and she saw the dog that had chased her earlier running towards her once again.

She let out a loud hiss and spiked out her fur. But even though she looked twice as big now, the dog was still gigantic. She unsheathed her claws and hurriedly bent down to carry her kit. The small kit squeaked in pain, and started to move around. The she-cat carried her kit over to a bush, and hid it underneath its brambles and thorns.

She the turned around and got ready for battle.

The white and brown dog leaped and let out a loud bark.

Before the she cat could react, the dog slammed into her, making her yowl and hiss.

Crushed beneath the big dogs weight, the queen tried to get one last glimpse of her kit, but failed to do so.

Oh no! Am I going to die now?!

She tried to push the dog away, but failed. It was too heavy for her.

The dog suddenly let out a loud excited bark as the she cat fell limp. The beast bent down and sniffed the she cat, thinking she was dead. But the queen knew better.

She dug her claws into its muzzle and swiped at its breast with her haunches.

She let out loud hisses and bit into its shoulder. The dog howled in pain and drew back, growling.

The she cat got clumsily up to her paws and stood painting for a bit. The dog lunged for her throat but missed as the cat was faster.

She hissed loudly and raised her paw.

"Come one step closer and I'll end you!" She growled and coughed.

The dog neared her slowly, until its forepaw shot out like a flash and dunked her on her head.

The queen fell dizzily to the ground, the world spinning around her.

Barking, the dog duh its claws into her shoulder and slashed open her belly.

The black and grey spotted cat yowled in pain and anger. She sent one last weak blow to its head and fell limp, exhausted.