Kaouii Island Series: Echo of Lost Souls

Chapter 1 (unfinished)

 For the first time that day, Bleyeu and his littermates had put on pelts not their own. They wore the deerskin now as they stood, arms extended so their hands were on each other's shoulders, around the fire pit.

"From one form to another, cat and human as one," they recited, "always four limbs, whether two legs or four. We honor the ancestors and our colony forevermore."

Bleyeu, like all the others, had pale skin. But unlike them, he had cream and brown hair and blue eyes. His brother, Raaii had white and black hair and yellow eyes. His sister, Mordaclou, had cream hair that had pale grey and ginger blended in; her eyes, too, were blue.

The colony stood around them, ready to cheer. Before they did, Tamastou, the ecoloso, said, "These cats have grown into humans and adolescence has now begun for them. The next few years will be rough, but well worth the trial."

The colony agreed and began clapping. It was a happy day as the youngest were now able to take human form. Thirteen years old, and the time had finally come.

"You can step apart," Tamastou told them.

Bleyeu looked around at his siblings. He wanted to stand alone but he was also afraid to do so. He wasn't sure he could balance yet on two legs, especially without tail and whiskers! But he knew he had to try.

Arms fell to their sides, and the trio tried not to look like fools as they wobbled in front of their friends and family.

"You're like us now!" A tortoiseshell-and-white haired girl exclaimed as she slapped Bleyeu on the shoulder. It was Tigrei and with her was Fleuro, a dilute calico.

He nearly lost his balance, but found it before he could fall by swaying his arms.

"Yeah, whatever," he said. He hadn't forgiven Tigrei yet for what she had done to him. He didn't know if he could ever forgive her.

"What will you do now?" Flytii, a girl who—when in cat form—was rather fluffy, had brown tabby hair that was dappled with ginger.

"Go hunting," Bleyeu said.

"Actually," an older voice chimed, "you'll be coming to the Agri." It was his grandmother, Emra. Her ginger spotted hair was just beginning to fade.

Her mate, Liorii, added, "It is tradition you accompany us on your first human day."

"Zoma, Zopa," Bleyeu addressed them, "I want to be in my cat form!"

Raaii figured, "Well, we have to get used to these bodies anyway, you know."

Mordaclou giggled, "If only we could do so later!"

"But there is too late," Raaii responded.

Bleyeu rolled his eyes, "Yeah when you're forty!"

"Still," Raaii insisted. "I'm ready to work the Agri."

"We shall be joining you," another elder said. It was their maternal grandmother, Mouni. She had calico hair and stood with her black haired mate, Draonu.