His Kitten

13

|C A I N|

Cain purred in appreciation as he held tightly onto Emerson's back. Cain had claimed that he was tired and Emerson immediately offered a piggy-back ride. Or would it be puppy-back? Anyways, Cain loved being carried around.

Emerson heaved out air as he continued on. While Cain was extremely light for his size, he was still much heavier than he was in cat form. Not to mention the rocky terrain Emerson was hiking up.

"Emmy, a-are we there ye-yet?" Cain asked, his breath tickling at Emerson's ear.

"Cain, I already told you! At the top of this hill is the cabin. We just need to ask Mr. Gander some questions and take a peek around his house," Emerson wheezed.

"O-okay!" Cain pecked Emerson on his cheek, getting Emerson slightly excited.

   Cain had been getting more and more affectionate recently. Ever since that short but sweet kiss from a few days ago...

They had kept up their hunt for the missing werecat for 4 days, searching every inch of the town. They were hoping Mr. Gander had something that would help.

     As Emerson reached the peak of the hill, he let out a sigh of relief. A small cabin sat comfortably there, a stack of wood leaning against the left side of it. It had a porch with wooden steps leading up to it.

     Emerson put Cain down and intertwined their fingers. Using his other hand, Emerson placed 3 small knocks against the door. They waited. No reply. Emerson knocked harder, the sound much louder than before. Again, they waited and received no reply.

Emerson huffed, clearly annoyed. As Cain had done over a million times, he examined Emerson's irritated face. He loved every bit of it. How his nostrils flared angrily. How his lips folded down just the slightest in frustration. How his shocking blue eyes clearly expressed his exasperation. He may not have been happy, but he was still handsome.

Emerson peered down at Cain, making Cain's cheeks inflame in a light pink. Cain didn't know why he felt so embarrassed, it was normal for him to look at Emerson. He shouldn't be blushing so hard.

     Just as Emerson was about to reach out for Cain, the door burst open. A stout man with frayed gray hair stood, his face adorned with wrinkles and a pair of spectacles set on the bridge of his nose. He squinted up at Emerson who smiled fondly at the old man. Mr. Gander was like the grandfather that Emerson had never had.

   "Emerson? Is that you, son?" His voice was raspy, and he leaned forward on his cane.

   "Yeah, it's me. How are you, Mr. Gander? Doing well, I hope?" Emerson asked.

    "Eh, could be better. Now who's that pretty boy you got there?" Mr. Gander focused on Cain who looked up shyly.

    "I'm C-Cain," Cain greeted timidly, stepping forward as he shook the old man's hand.

    "Eh? What about my cane?" Mr. Gander cupped his ear before letting out a cackle of laughter, "I'm just making fun. You and Emerson, though, eh?"

    Emerson coughed and Cain averted his eyes. Emerson took a step forward into the house, dragging Cain with him. Mr. Gander followed closely behind.

"Mr. Gander, as much as it pains me to say, we didn't come up here to chit chat about me and Cain. There is something very serious we need to discuss," Emerson scratched the back of his neck.

    "We'll spit it out already, boy," Mr. Gander's eyebrows were pulled together in annoyance.

     "Have you heard of the werecat on our territory and the werecat's clan threatening to declare war if he is not returned to them?" Emerson asked nervously.

    "Hmm... And this werecat is not the little kitten standing next to ya?" The old man stroked his beard as Emerson hurriedly shook his head.

    "No. Cain has been here since forever. You can barely even smell the werecat scent on him," Emerson assured.

    Mr. Gander leaned in close to Cain, sniffing him. Cain froze, completely unnerved by the action. The aged wolf pulled back, staring straight into Cain's eyes, but when he spoke, it was toward Emerson.

   "Then I would be particularly worried if I were you. Kinda upset that you didn't pick this up, Emerson,"

   "W-what? What's happening?" Cain's grasp on Emerson's hand tightened and he unconsciously leaned forward.

     Mr. Gander turned away, disappearing into a broom closet. Cain lunged forward to follow him, but Emerson held him back. Mr. Gander returned, a thick gun held in his one hand and a taser in the other.

     "Mr. Gander, what do you mean by we should be worried? What didn't I pick up? And what's with this?" Emerson questioned.

   The aged werewolf let out a cackle. He passed the taser to Cain before leaning in close to the two.

    "You two are being followed. By a werecat."

    $$Was that too much of a time skip? Was Mr. Gander too weird? Was that a cruddy cliffer? Ahhhh! I feel like this chapter was complete crap. Anyway, thanks for all the love and support!$$