Being Replaced

Part 6

"Owl?" Howl suggested, settled comfortably between my shoulder blades.

We had decided on this transportation when I accidentally dropped her last night. Unfortunately I couldn't go faster than a brisk trot in this position.

"To match Howl? No thanks. I don't think I'm stealthy enough for a name like Owl" I responded.

Since she mentioned it the other morning, she has been suggesting names to me. She's convinced we need a name for me before we reach the clans.

"But it would make you sound mysterious!" She purred.

"Not really, I feel like it would make me seem like I watch cats sleep." I purred.

"Hmm, fine!" She grumbled, quieting down to think more.

"Night?"

"I'm not even dark brown, let alone black"

"Deer?"

"I thought you wanted me to have a cool name!?"

"Hey! Deer can be cool!"

"Not in my mind"

"Acorn?"

"Hmm, idk seems like a toms name"

"Ugh, you are impossible!"

"You are the one set on it."

"How about Birch? Elm? Maple?" She suggested a few, probably thinking my fur was close to bark color.

"Hmm, I kinda like Maple." I mewed.

"What made you think of that one?" I asked.

"I was thinking the sweet sap they ooze reminded me of your eye!" She purred. I purred in response.

"Maple it is." I told her, not able to actually look at her but turned my head and gave her a close eyes smile.

"Yaay! Congrats on your new name Maple!" She purred, before yawned loudly.

I chuckled, seeing the sun rising.

"Tomorrow I think I'll carry you in my jaw so we can make some better progress." I mewed to her.

She nodded, yawning again and settling her head to drape over my shoulder.

I looked around, padding into the forest to find a den of some sort. I found a tall tree with washed out roots, so it creates a sort of cave, with roots covering the opening mostly and dirt at the back. I climbed in and gently sat the kit down, digging a little pit for her to lay comfortably in, before heading out and letting her sleep while I hunted.

I found out yesterday she will get very upset and hysterical if she doesn't get fed. I shook the thought and continued on, sniffing the air.

I saw the water vole before I smelt it, freezing and watching it for a second, before leaping at it. It must have heard me or seen me in the open area because it was gone before I even hit the ground.

I hissed in frustration, turning to pad back into the forest. I opened my mouth to scent the air. I froze as I smelt stale cat scent, but it was a day or so old and so faint it had to only be one, so I relaxed and continued hunting.

POV CHANGE

H watched the small she-cat from the tree-tops. He had noticed her just a moment ago when she left her seemingly den to hunt and failed miserably to catch the vole. He had to press his muzzle to his paws to stifle his laughter.

He followed her quietly, not wanting to scare her. Sure, he kinda considered this "his territory" but he almost never had visitors so he didn't mind.

Besides, she was interesting.