Bound Together, Forever.

Connected by Fate

No matter what century it was, the planet we were on, or even the species we were, I knew I would always have you.

In each and every life, I wandered. There was always a longing in my chest, a void I couldn't fill alone. It was a spot in my heart left just for you.

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My paws danced around in the grass as I chased my final butterfly of the day. It's yellow wings enticed me, it's fluttering movements a challenge to my hunting skills. Not one to be outdown, I gave a mighty leap and bapped it every so gently. Enough to show I had won, but gentle enough that to not cause damage. Clara always scolds me if I hurt a butterfly.

Speaking of Clara, I could hear her call for me. "Ginger, come here my sweet baby! Mommy has a surprise for you~".

I meowed to let her know I was coming (humans love that sort of thing), and with one last half-hearted leap at the butterfly I strutted up to the door.

However, instead of my usual chin scratches I was met with a shocking sight: I arched my back, unsure of what to do about the intruder in my home. Clara must be protected at all costs! I hissed a warning, and received a grumble from the grey stranger in return.

I was met with a sudden tap to my nose. "Be nice Ginger!" I grumbled a little, but Clara had given me tuna today, so I could listen to her just this once.

I slowly moved forward, unblinking, checking out this new cat. They lazily stared back at me. I leaned forward to catch their scent, and our noses touched; and with that small movement, our worlds collided.

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"Jasmine, come oooon~" grumbled a short girl, her afro adorned in bows and cutesy trinkets. "We need to get going if we want a good spot at the rave! We're already so late!"

"We left five minutes early, cutie," Jasmine said. "Are you afraid that you'll be too small to see the bands if you're not in front~?" she teased.

"Just because you're tall and buff, you always tease me because of my height" the first girl whined, pouting and tugging on her girlfriends hand.

With one swift movement, Jasmine scoops her up in her arms, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Nah, I tease you because you're just too cute."

The vision fades out, quickly becoming replaced by an arcade.

"Beat you again, Damian~" a young girl cheers, docking the machine's controller.

"One more round! I'll beat you this time, I swear!" He grabs the controller from the dock and hands it back to her.

"Okay, just one more! Then I get to choose the next game. Deal?" "Deal!" The two turn back to their game.

The vision fades back to black. The darkness remains, disturbed only by a quiet conversation. Sirens scream in the background, but they feel muted and distant.

"Hey, Alex?"

"Rory?"

"I don't think.. we're not getting out of this one.. are we?"

"..I don't think so.."

"Can I.. Can I hold your hand? I'm scared."

A few quite sobs break the silence between these words and their next. They blindly reach in the dark, their hands linking together.

"..I've always loved you. I know you had that thing with Alexei, and I never wanted to be in the way, but with things as they are now.."

"I've always loved you too, Rory."

Another few moments of silence pass. The sirens remain muted, and any voices coming from outside are inaudible. It felt like the earthquake shut them entirely off from the rest of humanity.

"I hope in the next life, you'll be there too. Somewhere calm and quiet, where we can just be together."

"I'd like that."

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Our noses were still touching. I gave you a soft, slow blink. I loved you when you were Jasmine, when you were Damian, when you were Alex. I loved you just as much then as I did now.

I waited, impatiently, until you reciprocated my affections and all felt right again in the world.

Clara was amazed by how quickly we bonded after our first encounter. Our days were spent chasing butterflies and hunting fake mice and treats. I always gave you an extra piece from my portion. We spent the rest of our days together in bliss, with Clara.

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It had been years since that first encounter. Somehow, you left first. I didn't understand at first. Not until you never came home from that final vet trip.

Afterwards, Clara and I were both distraught. She loved you maybe even as much as I did.

Six months after, she brought home Trinket, the smallest little black kitten I'd ever seen. She had your courage, my curiousity. It felt like she could have been ours.

I trained her to do everything we did. How to hunt mice, the way to beg Clara for an extra helping of tuna, how to sneak into the hard food bag.

But soon, I was tired. I missed you.

Clara could tell. She doted upon me for that last week like I was the Queen  of the house. I tried so many interesting foods, snuggled with her for days. I loved every second of it.

And now, it's my turn. I give her one last kiss, some reassurance that I will always love her. Slowly, the light faded out while she stroked my fur.

I hope I see you again soon.