Twice East: A Tail Of Justice

Of All Cats

A rather plump finch pecked at the ground, trying to find a morsel of anything to eat. It was now winter and food for everyone was scarce. The bird flapped it's wings in frustration, and  as soon as the plump bird was occupied once more, a swift set of claws had plunged onto the prey. In a flurry of wings, the prey went silent in the predator's claws. 

A satisfied sigh came from the hunter, as the cat laid down nearby on a large stump, that was nice and dry, and sunk it's teeth into the prey. Soon enough, the predator swiftly finished off the last bite of the bird. It jumped down from the stump and into the snow, and flicked it's tail side to side. 

The cat slowly padded through the thick white sheet of snow that had fallen overnight. It's paws began to grow cold and wet, but the cat kept on padding towards the deeper part of the woods. It grunted.

"I wish we didn't have to be so far away from prey." The creature complained as it slowly made it's way towards a large figure.

As the cat grew closer, the figure came into view. It was a house, or rather, a shack. But, it seemed very old and worn down, as though no human had been in it for many many years. The cat finally stepped just outside the shack, and shook it's paws off as it quickly came in through a small hole near the floor.

The cat stepped inside onto the old, cracked tiles on the floor. As the cat walked further and further into the room, she could see two pairs of eyes blinking at her. A deep and soothing voice rang out into the room as she kept walking.

"I presume there was no prey out there, huh?" His eyes looked concerned. The cat on the floor shook it's head.

"Not a single piece. Well, other than the one I ate." The cat sat on it's haunches and curled it's tail around to it's side. The once caring and concerned tom now let out a hiss.

"I can't believe you! You know you're supposed to feed the rest of us before yourself. It's the most important Hunting Rule. We have a very sick cat here, Rollie, and she needs food more than any of us do!" He let out a deep growl as he slanted his eyes angrily.

The cat shrugged. "Sorry, Henry. I just, forgot, i guess." The she cat flicked her tail tip.

The tom shook his head and sighed. "For the hundreth time, it's pronounced Henri. And how could you forget about the Rules? You of all cats, Rollie? Opal's not gonna like this once I tell her.." The tom bared his teeth to a snarl, but forced it back.

Just as the tom's words faded, a large and furry she cat walked into the room, silencing both of the fighting cats. Her silver tabby pelt shone as she walked from across the room where sunlight filtered through.

She sat down in between the two cats and narrowed her eyes.

"Tell Opal what?" She spoke.