Alley Cats Runaway

#31 Reflection

Nutmeg POV

I walked with a baby hare in my mouth. Beside me, my brother Patches was carrying a bluejay.
We descended down the hill and entered the barn where the food pile was.
At it was Storm, the dark tabby was taking a mouse to eat for lunch. Storm eyed my catch. "Stars, that's some catch you got there Nutmeg! Big enough to feed the mothers and kits."
I beamed and dropped it on top. "It took a while to get it, hares are really fast." Patches dropped his and chuckled. "Of course they are, but this one is just a baby so it is easier. Now it is the adults that are faster."
"But watch out for their claws. They may run away but they can fight back and those claws can blind a cat." Storm warned me.
"I guess I'll just stick with the young ones."
The toms chuckled and Storm grabbed his food and left, looking back at me as he goes.
"Hey Nut, I think Storm has his eye on you." He teased.
I scoffed. "What makes you think that?"
"I have known Storm since I was 9 months old. He doesn't look back at she-cats unless he is interested in them."
I gave him a light shove. "Yeah right. That look could mean anything."
"You really think so?"
"Yes."
It was Patches turn to scoff. "Whatever, I'm going to eat. But if he confesses anything to you in the next month or so, I called it.
"If you say so." I grabbed a squirrel and went off to find a spot to eat.

I walked over into the shade of the house. Where I spotted Storm's sister Petal. The red-brown she-cat looked up from her meal and beckoned me over with her tail.
"How are you fitting in?"
"Great, thanks Petal."
"You should thank my brother, after all he is the leader." Out in the field I spotted the dark tabby. He was teaching kittens how to hunt. "Shouldn't their parents teach them instead?" I observed.
Petal took her time to respond.
"As leader he makes sure everyone is taken care of and often takes the responsibility to teach the young. Though it would be easier for their parents to do it, but my brother prefers that way."
" I never heard of a personal leader, I always thought leaders were distant."
"Storm has always been someone who cares for others than himself. He earns trust that way and trust to him is key to loyalty."
I stared at my paws guilty I always cared about me, even though I did have others in mind, I focused on only on my selfish thoughts and fears.

Later that night I climbed up onto the barn roof and admired the stars winking.
"Amazing isn't it?"
I turned it was Storm.
"Don't you need to sleep?"
"Don't you?" He argued.
Good point.

"I like to spend time up here, gazing at the stars. A time to slow down and relax." He said.
"How about you? What brings you here?"

"It reminds me of home." I started.
"I used to come up to the roof to escape the craziness down below. But it wasn't as nice as this, it was always noisy."
Storm smiled. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, Nutmeg. We don't mind accepting strays, I only hope you find a home here."
We are not strays, we have a home, it's just far away from here. I wanted to clarify but with the swish of his tail Storm left, and I didn't not bother running after him. 

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A/N

Hi guys!
It feels like I haven't been here for a month!

Sorry I had to pause my writing flow, I had to study for 5 tests and I had one test for each day of the week. If that doesn't describe stress I don't know what is.

Anyway, my stressful week is almost over! So back to writing!

Of course, If I am being honest with myself I never did stop writing.
While I studied I was working on a part time fanfiction for one of the shows I have just gotten back to watching. Also my writer's craft course have been keeping me busy!
I have been collecting all of my work so I can publish them here in the future so keep an eye out for that in January.

Back to the topic:
Did you like this chapter?
If so hit that star down there and I'll see you around!