- CHAPTER TWELVE: After Sunset -

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"We're almost there!" Heartily exclaimed, eager and scared at the same time. 

What would they find there in the city? Whatever it was, how were they going to word it to her father? 

Would it all be cleaned up? If not, would the alleys be? 

The others meowed in agreement, the city much more towering now. She could now hear the busy traffic, maybe a bark of a stray dog, and some people shouting. They'd most likely arrive soon, with midnight in maybe an hour. They had walked most of the way, so it was later then they intended it to be. 

It was dark, the sky a shade of very dark blue with hints of dark purple blending in, with the black creeping in. 

They managed to catch a rabbit, and failed to catch another, so they were still pretty hungry. 

Heartily though she could see a glint of ocean on the very far side, but if she was right, it was miles and miles away. They had crossed a river on there way here and managed to quench their thirst, so they were more hydrated then full of food.

"We are so close." Willow said optimistically, her voice crisp with determination. They nodded, picking themselves up and heading in a beeline for the city. 

Kayla soon spoke up.

"Hopefully I can help in finding our way back to the Alley. I remember, when I was a kitten, Fang and I snuck out to explore the city, like every kitten intended and intends to do," She snickered the last part as they made their way, and came to a stop at the edge of a wide stream, where a bridge for cars that lead to the city expanded across. "And we found out our old trainer had been following us. Chief Denver, our Chief before Ticker, had us two clear the debris in the Alley for a whole week!" She shivered before continuing. "Dutch, our trainer, decided even though we'd just began training, it was good to take a look around. But then a dog chased us so far away from the Alley, that it took us the whole day to find our way back. Now, Fang and I know half the city by heart." Kayla finished, taking a deep breath and then relaxing as though her own story had made her feel better.

"Wow," Echo exclaimed, "wait, you tell Scout and I so many stories, but, I think that was the second one you told us when we were kittens. Don't you remember, Heartily?" He glanced over at her, and she almost jumped, startled, as his beautiful, warm amber eyes turned to her.

"Uhm, I- uh, er," She stammered, "don't think so." She uttered uncertainly, and then Willow snorted.

"It's not a surprise Kayla, that Fang was with you. You guys never parted when you two were just wee little kitties." She chuckled, and her eyes saddened with unhappiness.

"What is it?" Heartily whispered to Kayla. She must of heard, because Willow's ear twitched and she just looked more frustrated and dejected.

"She's never found a mate. She used to have a crush on Ticker, but then he fell in love with. . ." Her eyes darkened for a moment.

"Oh. Lily." Heartily finished for her, feeling dispirited.

"Yes, Lily. I just feel so bad for her." Kayla looked at Willow, heaving a sigh. The cats walked along the edge of the stream, close to reaching stone pavement ground.

"What about Panda?" Echo asked. Kayla relaxed now that the subject had changed from Willow to Panda.

"Panda was, well, still is, a feisty little one. Believe it or not, but Tooth actually fell for her and asked her to be his mate, but she said no and she said that she wanted to be free and live her life doing explorations and teaching young kittens, and then Tooth and Spotty came together about a couple weeks later." She stifled a laugh, and Heartily couldn't stop herself from cracking a smile at the thought of Panda rejecting a then sad Tooth. 

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