Glade of Dreams
"Even with you…" the great hunter sighed, "It's near impossible to go on some days."
"Mew?"
"Some days a good petting session is enough, but others I can hardly wake up, much less try to face the day."
"Meow!"
"So it's time to find out what that tree means. The one with the drooping branches so thick, the last willow tree."
"Mow?"
"Sure, you can come too."
Making sure to leave a note in case a certain blue-armored Reploid began to worry, the crimson hunter left for that last willow tree. He had always felt like there was more to it than what could be seen. The onyx-and-ivory cat was cleverly hidden in his long golden hair that always felt warm and alive to the touch.
"Here it is. This tree has always mystified me, and I have no clue why… I can vaguely see someone with long blonde hair climbing all around on one of these willows in a much greener era, but that's it."
After putting a hand to the gnarled bark of the old willow, the world suddenly changed. Instead of buildings there were tall trees. Instead of sidewalk and roads there were bushes, grasses and flowers. The willow looked the same, except now it had gilded leaves. The curious kitten leapt out and began sniffing the tree.
"What is going on?"
"Mew!"
"Weird… A completely different world… One where nature is allowed to rule."
"Meow!"
"Let's go exploring Mel!"
"Purr…" Mel leapt into Zero's arms and began to purr ever so sweetly.
"Oh Mel…"
Everywhere around were plants of every kind, many of them extinct in the modern world. The artificial swimming pond is replaced with a peaceful lake filled with cattails and water lilies. Nearby there is a sailboat that looks like a Sunfish sailboat; perfect for solo sailing.
"Do you mind getting splashed?"
"Mrow." The little kitten even shook their head.
"I'll take that as a no. Good, since I've always wanted to sail!"
Taking the tiller and main sheet in hand, the red hunter set sail. The peaceful conditions made for a peaceful but not lazy ride. The adorable kitten pointed out an island in the middle, so the duo investigated. It had a stone statue of a cat in the center that had crystals on its forehead and chest, with gold-covered claws extended. It read: "Glade of Dreams. Place of peace and recovery and home world of Dr. Ray."
"Unusual place, unusual name. Oh well, at least it's very calming."
"Mew!"
"That's weird, the star that lights this realm has hardly moved… Maybe the days and nights are much longer here."
"Meow."
"We should explore more sometime later. I think that willow tree must be a portal between worlds since it seems to exist in both."
The cat and android returned to the willow and were granted a trip home. Although they had left in the morning, it was midnight now.
"Well, I do prefer the night in this world."
"Purr…"
"Mel, you're too adorable really!"
The azure hunter was overjoyed to see sapphire eyes stride in.
"Where did you go for so long?"
"Relax X, seriously. I just went off for a while because I was having a particularly bad day."
"Figures you'd say that."
"You really need to worry a lot less about me! I can handle myself just fine."
With that, the blonde warrior went back to his room and the sweet kitten climbed once again into his arms.
"Why are so always so adorable like her?"
"Purr…"
"Really…? You're going to be even more adorable?"
"Purr…"
"Oh well, at least it feels nice to have something soft and fluffy purring in one's arms…"
"Purr…"