The Cats of the Solar System

Chapter 4

All four of the star cats standing around Earth groaned in unison. The planet kitten could tell they weren't happy. She guessed it had something to do with whoever spoke. Turning around, she saw two star cats that looked a lot like each other. Only difference was that one was red and one was blue.

These were brothers Betelgeuse and Rigel.

"Betelgeuse, what do you want this time? An autograph?" the Sun questioned, turning around and raising an eyebrow. He really was not in the mood for the red star cat's crap right now. Watching as the two brothers came closer, he quietly put himself in front of Earth. He didn't want her getting hurt. Noticing her, Rigel came closer out of curiosity, bowing his head for permission. The Sun allowed him to pass. But not Betelgeuse.

"Oh come on Sun, it's just me. What can I possibly do?" Betelgeuse remarked, strutting over. He flashed a pearly white grin towards Vega. She rolled her eyes in response. The Sun growled. Ignoring both of them, Betelgeuse glanced around the celebrity star cat at Earth, who was cowering behind him. Glancing over at the Sun, he murmured, "My my my, that is a planet cat."

"She's really adorable," Rigel pointed out. He was quickly growled at by his brother. At the same time, Vega and Sirius quickly pulled Earth away, sensing something was about to happen. Even though he couldn't see, Polaris knew this as well. Blindly taking a step forward, the white star cat advised, "Fellas, how about we drop this matter before it gets ugly."

"Gets ugly? Polaris, it's a planet cat," Betelgeuse responded. Swishing his fluffy tail, he continued, "That's bad luck." His orange fur slightly glowing, the Sun bared his teeth and hissed, "Bad luck? For crying out loud Betelgeuse, she's a kitten! Does it really matter what breed a cat is?!"

"Uh, yeah. Unless you want to ruin your reputation by mingling with planet cats," Betelgeuse muttered. Everyone else who was there immediately backed up when they heard that. They knew what was coming. In fact, Rigel made the right decision and took off running for his life. Noticing how it seemed to be getting warmer, Betelgeuse gulped nervously before turning around.

"You want to repeat that?!" the Sun shouted. The tip of his tail and his eyes glowed bright with flames. It was a scary sight to see when the Sun lost his temper. Thank goodness he was a chill guy for the most part. But there were a few times someone rubbed him the wrong way. Usually that someone was Betelgeuse.

Like right now.

"Um... well... ya see... it's just not natural for... for our kind to hangout with their kind..." Betelgeuse stammered, trying desperately to defend himself. His attempts were futile. Towering over the red star cat, the Sun hissed, "Last I checked, we're all the same! We all have hearts, we all have lungs, we all have dreams. It doesn't matter what breed we are. Earth here is a little kitten who needs her parents. And I tell you what, if I don't find them, I'll adopt her myself! So I better not hear anymore of this nonsense of mingling with different breeds, got it?!" It was after his lecture that the Sun finally realized that Betelgeuse had fled.

"Did... did you mean that? If we can't find my parents, you'll adopt me?" Earth asked quietly, stepping forward. Nuzzling her, the Sun answered, "Every word of it."