Snowflake's Story

Chapter Sixteen

Snowflake padded into the brick building with James at her side, Glow at her other side, and Cocoa and Bird behind her. They had all went on a hunting party and expected to come back and have everything as usual, but the clowder was buzzing like a swarm of bees.

"What's all the noise about?" Cocoa called.

"Ice Cream just had her kittens!" Milk, Ice Cream's brother, replied as he padded up to them.

"That's great!" Bird cheered, squirrel fur muffling her voice.

"Come see," Milk meowed, and they all dropped their prey in the middle of the room and padded over.

Ice Cream was asleep, but she was curled around a single, small kitten. It was a cream tomcat with black paws and green eyes, and it seemed very tired.

Hop was gazing down at the kitten with pride and love. Stars, Crow and Night, Hop's sisters, peered over his shoulders.

"We named him Samuel," Hop meowed as Snowflake and her friends padded over.

"This means Bella will have hers soon," James whispered to Snowflake.

Snowflake nodded.

"I wonder what her kittens will look like?" He rasped.

A question popped in Snowflake's brain but she blinked it away. "I dunno," she replied.

"Well, let's leave them to rest quietly," Glow meowed before padding away.

Snowflake and James decided to follow him, until a moment later they realized Cocoa and Bird had taken a different direction and were talking alone.

"Let's eavesdrop," Snowflake suggested.

"That's a little rude, but.." Glow trailed off.

"But i'm curious," James finished, and pricked his ear to listen to Cocoa and Bird.

"You know, Bird," Cocoa began, staring at his paws. "The sight of Ice Cream, curled around her kit, and Hop's eyes just showing all the love in the world.."

Bird blinked at him. "Go on," she meowed.

Cocoa shuffled his paws. "I just thought that.. M-Maybe, we could.. That could.. Be us?"

Bird smiled and flicked her tail. "What are you asking me, Cocoa?"

"I.. I want us to be mates!" Cocoa blurted out. "On the day I brought you flowers I was supposed to tell you but I chickened out and I just really think you're cool and--"

Bird silenced him with a lick on his nose. "It's okay," she purred. "I think you're cool too, Cocoa, if that's your language for 'I like you.'"

Cocoa smiled and let out a long purr. "It is," he replied. "And I know we're barely growncats, but.. Can we be.. You know.. Together? Mates?"

Bird curled her tail around her paws and gazed at Cocoa. "Of course! I'm glad you asked; i'm not brave enough to."

Cocoa lifted his gaze from his paws and stared at her.

And she stared at him.

They looked at each other for a moment before suddenly nuzzling each other.

James glanced at Snowflake.

"I would cheer for them, but I don't want to ruin the moment," Glow whispered. Suddenly his eyes seemed sad and he looked at his paws. "That's what I always imagined me and Snuggle would be," he admitted.

Snowflake flicked her tail. "I'll help you find someone else," she promised.

"Find someone else?" Glow asked, surprised. "How.. How could I? It might make me forget Snuggle. I don't want to find someone new! I'll wait until i'm a ghostcat, so I can be with Snuggle."

Snowflake looked at him. "Is that all you want to do with your life? Just sit around? Waiting?"

Glow huffed. "No, but I don't want someone new, either."

James peered past Snowflake to look at Glow. "Glow.."

"I don't want my life to be with a mate that isn't Snuggle. I want it to be something else; something without a mate... And I know exactly what it'll be."

James and Snowflake looked at each other before looking back at Glow.

"I'll wait until I am a growncat, though. I have to learn everything I can for it."

"What is 'it?'" Snowflake asked.

"It's a surprise," Glow responded. "Because I don't want it to change anything yet."

Snowflake blinked and nodded. "Okay."