'Careful Sakura, keep quiet; we don't want to be noticed.'

'I know that; now shut up so I can concentrate.'

I took a silent step forward, inching my way up to the apple cart. I swallowed hard in an attempt to stifle my grumbling stomach. Another step and I was right up behind the cart; thanks to my short size I was hidden from view. I glanced left and right, making sure no one was watching, and lifted my hands. I grabbed two apples and put them in my dirty brown knapsack and backed away.

"Hey you!" I jumped five feet in the air, my tail bushed out twice its size. "How dare you steal from me, come here!"

I turned and ran, pinning my ears to my head to keep the wind out. I managed to get to the forest before my legs started to burn and I got dizzy from lack of nutrition. I glanced back and nearly cried when I saw how close the apple cart guy was.

'We can't run for much longer; not that we could run for long at all.'

'Oh shut up! It's not my fault; we haven't eaten in three days!'

I made a sudden stop and launched myself up the nearest tree. My claws sunk into the soft bark as I climbed. Once I reached the nearest branch suitable for sitting I stopped. I leaned over and saw the man standing at the base of the tree shouting up at me.

"Get down here you stupid cat and give me back my apples!"

I just smiled and pulled one out of my knapsack. I closed my eyes in bliss as my teeth sunk into the juicy fruit. I chewed slowly, savoring every bite. When I finished and opened my eyes I saw that the man had left. I looked up at the sky and saw it was twilight.

'Did I really take that long eating?'

'Yeah, but it's ok. You know what they say; 'Prey eaten slowly feeds you longer'*. Now let's get home.'

I nodded and jumped out of the tree. Instead of running home like normal; I decided to take my time and walk. I admired the fresh, crisp smell of the nighttime air and the sight of the stars in the breaks in the trees.

Stopping at the base of the largest tree, I looked around. Seeing no one, I lifted up the large stone that covered the entrance to my home. I crawled into the tunnel too small for any human and replaced the stone. I crawled out into the cave under my tree and looked around.

The earth was still being held back by the roots, all my furniture (rocks) was still in place. I walked to the flat rock that served as my table and set down my bag. I took out the apple along with the matches and candle stubs I stole and put them into the old cupboard I found a few weeks ago.

'I hate this; hate stealing. I wish I didn't have to live like this.'

'I know honey; you're a good little kitty with morals. I blame the royal family. Those stupid vampires are horrible rulers! Most of the population is dirt poor, there are rouges running around, and Felaris like us are starving! Those pathetic humans shun us, use us as slaves, and turn us into fluffy little pets. This world sucks!'

I sat down on the bed of moss and sighed. Everything Inner said was true. This world has so many problems and the royal family isn't doing anything to fix it. I know there isn't anything I can do about it but I wish there was. I wiped the tears from my eyes and lay down. I heard Inner sigh in relief as darkness washed over and I fell asleep.

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

I awoke to the sound of birds; but something was different. They seemed panicked. I bolted up as heard footsteps running towards my tree. I raced over to the cupboard and hurriedly threw everything into my knapsack. Slinging in onto my back, I crawled up the tunnel and peeked out from behind my stone; my jaw dropped open at what I saw.

Knights; knights were all over the forest. The crest on their armor was a red and white fan showing they were loyal to the royal family; the Uchihas. They were cutting down trees; I think they're searching for something. One knight started heading over to my tree, axe in hand. I watched in horror as he lifted the axe up high.

"Stop!" I shouted. "Don't you dare cut down my tree!" To my surprise he stopped. The knight took a few hesitant steps back, then called over a few others. They huddled together whispering; all I could pick up was Voice, Tree, and Spirit. I watched as one knight stepped forward.

"Who are you?" He asked. "Are you the spirit of this forest?"

'Forest spirit? This gives me an idea!'

"Yes, I am; and your actions have angered me. Stop destroying my forest!" I said in my most regal voice. The knights cowered back and started whispering again. This time when one stepped forward, he had something in his hand.

"We apologize for angering you." He bowed and set it on the ground. He then turned around and all the knights left in the direction of the village. I waited until I couldn't hear their clunky footsteps before coming out. I looked into the box they left and gasped. They had left me a weeks' worth of fruit.

I grabbed the box and scurried down my tunnel, filled with glee. Now I wouldn't have to steal for a whole week; which meant I also didn't have to go into the village.

'This is awesome! I can't believe they thought I was a spirit.'

'Yeah, hopefully they'll tell the villagers and they'll bring us more food.'

'Why would they do that?'

'So we'd keep the forest healthy, duh. If they think we're the forest spirit then they'll bring us offerings to try to keep us happy.'

'Sweet!'

I placed the box of fruit in my cupboard and replaced the items in my knapsack. Lying down on my bed, all I could think about was how my life seemed to be taking a turn for the better.

A/N Hey guys, new story! *Cookie for anyone who can tell me where this is from. Review!

~Tobi Phantom