Chapter: I The Little Village.
A orange auburn tom kat opened the wooden door to his small stone house. He wore a red, blue and black plaid kilt, white stockings and black shoes. He had on a white undershirt that hung loosely on his lanky shoulders, with a light blue vest over top. His brown eyes stood out against his fur color and slender face.
The kats name was Jake Clawson, short slim, yet smart and quick witted. He walked down the stone sidewalk, making his way to the village below. Soft music played while he glanced about the beautiful country side that was in full blossom. With a smile he took in a breath and started to sing.
Another day, another morning, It's the same like yesterday, It feels I am caught in a ,time loop, Suck in this small town,
The town Kats open their doors and windows, welcoming the bright sunny new day. Males and females walked out of their homes and tended to their stands, or just walked about the hustle and bustle of the stone streets. They burst into song, feeling happy and joyous.
Hello, good day, morning, good, hello, morning, hello,
Jake strolled by the happy go lucky folks, who payed him no attention, working or chatting with each other. Jake held a book under his arm and watched the villagers around him, dancing and greeting one another. He saw the local baker offering out freshly baked bread, filling the air with a warm scent. Jake sighed and sang, with a half grin across his muzzle, seeing the town drunk, who waved to him as he stagger on by.
Everyone goes 'bout the busy street, doing the same repetitive thing, It never seems to change, I'd like rearrange, this boring place,
"Hey, Jake." said a husky looking kat, interrupting the lean kat's singing. The stout kat organized flowers on a stand, making sure they were presentable to the crowds walking by.
"Good, and how is your wife?" asked Jake walking over to the heavy kat, with a skip in his step. Jake watched the florist pluck the dead buds off one of the potted plants, folding his paws over his book. The younger kat tilted his back on a support beam and waited for an answer from the florist.
"Fine, what are you up to?" wondered the florist, picking up a watering can and sprinkling it over the flowers. The florist smiled and enjoyed his job a lot, finding great joy in it.
"The book store. I read this book about a bean stalk and-," started Jake holding it out for the older kat to see. Jake enjoyed sharing his stories with those who would listen, though most just turned away from his ramble.
"That's nice, now if you don't mind I have some work to do, but you have a good day young man." said the florist, pushing the book out of his face to walk away from the excited book worm.
"Sure, see you later," said Jake with a sigh, strolling off and leaving the flower stand. He shook it off and picked up his book, glancing over it one more time before he would have to give it back.
He loved stories that took place in a far away lands and had magical creatures in them, anything to take him to another place besides the village.
Burke and Murray leaned their backs to the wall and saw Jake foot it by, reading his book with a smile, making the males lift their brows. They shook their heads, seeing Jake duck under two kats carrying a long wooden board. The on lookers remarked in song of the lean framed kat.
Take a look at that weirdo book worm, living in a daydream land, He belongs in no group, keeping to himself, No wonder he hasn't found a mate,
Jake walked by David Litterbin, who tipped his hat to a she kat. The she kat stood by a vegetable stand, looking over the different types of greens until the male made his presence known in song.
Hello,
The she kat turned to him and pulled her skirt out, bowing kindly to him.
Morning,
Davis Litterbin leaned a arm on the stands pole and stared longingly at her, obviously interested in her.
How, are you doing,
The she kat smiled warmly and held her head high, knowing the tom was just a big flirt.
Fine, and you, how is your mate,
A older she kat glanced over a fish stand, along with a another kat. The pair saw several types of fish and shrimp, along with crab and other aquatic creatures. The older kat pointed to a nice fat fish.
I'd like that fish,
The other kat saw the fish and looked at it's price, with wide eyes he gasped.
Kats alive, the price,
Jake walked out of the crowd. He turned 360 degrees and raised his paws up, singing out among the others.
I swear this can't be all there is to life,
He entered the local book store, that was a small stone building. Inside Leiter Greenbox swept the cobwebs from the walls and ceiling, standing on a wobbly stool that had books under it for better support. He turned when the bell over the door rang and voice called out to him. "Mr. Greenbox.." spoke the voice of Jake. Jake opened the door and walked in, looking about for the kat.
"Well, I'll be. If it isn't Jake Clawson, the only book worm in town. What can I help you with today." said Leiter setting his broom aside and climbing down. Jake let him a paw and helped him to the ground, not sure how sturdy the stool was. Leiter leaned on a single book self, looking over the shorter kat.
"Well, I finished this book and didn't know if you got anything new?" wondered Jake glancing over the books, hoping to spot something different. There wasn't much of a selection, still the orange auburn kat kept coming back to look for something new.
"Sorry, nothing new.." said Leiter feeling bad there wasn't a new book for the eager kat. He took the books out from under the stool and placed them back on the shelf. "Help yourself to what ever one you like."
"Okay, I'll take this one." said Jake pulling out a book that he always loved to read.
"Kats alive. You've read this one five time already, don't you want something else?" questioned Leiter wondering why he loved that book so much. The scrawny kat borrowed it at least once a month.
"It's my favorite." said Jake running his paw over the cover. He stood back and pretended to weld a sword, ready to fight his opponent. "Sword fights, magic, a prince in disguise. It's got everything to keep a kat entertained."
"Well, take it and keep it why don't you. The Great One knows no one else will read it." said Leiter slapping Jake on the back, giving him a friendly smile.
Jake stared at him with wide eyes, unable to believe the librarian was giving it to him. Leiter pushed the book back, letting Jake know it was all his.
"Are you sure? I mean, mine to keep?" asked Jake making sure the kat was okay with it. He held it close and looked up to the taller male with bright eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure, now go on and enjoy it." said Leiter ushering Jake to the door and waving him off. He stood and smiled as the joyful Jake skipped off like a little kitten.
"Thanks, Mr. Green. Thank you so much." said Jake walking backwards and waving bye to the the librarian. He turned about and walked away from the building, hugging the book tightly.
A group of she kats looked on with disgusted, while Jake became lost in his book, not even noticing the lovely she cats. He was unaware of the judging eyes that followed him along the stone street, not giving to farts what they thought of him. Jake passed a mother and her three kittens, who gaze up at him with bewilderment.
There he goes living in a fantasy world, holding a dazed expression, It can't be healthy, it's just not right, what a jigsaw Jake Clawson,
Jake stopped in font of a water fountain and gazed down at the book, becoming lost. He smiled and held it close, not knowing why it was so precious.
Yes, I get swept, far away, I get lost within, these pages, I could live in this book, but alas I have to come back, to reality,
Some males with their girlfriends watched the handsome kat pace by, unaware of how he caught the eyes of their female companies. It may sound weird, but there was something about seeing a man in a kilt that really turned the ladies on. The men knew this and frowned, not liking how the orange auburn kat went about the town in his 'skirt' as they would call it.
Jake kept his eyes to his book and went on, leaving the group behind. He had a father, or step father, who was a Scottish man, so he was brought up to wearing a kilt. It was a big deal to him, it was just what he and his father did.
Now how could such oddball loser, gain the eyes of females, True his has a nice body, but other then that, he's a curious one, he sticks out like a sore thumb, truly he doesn't belong, Jake Clawson,
A tall she kat who wore a hat and long red-ish black cape, that fastened around the front, hung down her back. She stood along the shadows of a building, eyeing up Jake, who bought some veggies at a stand. A tan furred, brown haired she kat, stood beside the taller one. She checked out the he kat as well, glancing over to his lean frame.
"Oh, Lieutenant, look at zat handsome kat..He should be with me, not strutting about the town single like he does." said the she kat in a German accent. She flipped her blondish brown hair aside and lifted her chin high. This tall female was Turmoil, ex Captain of the Enforcers. She had served with them since she was sixteen, climbing up the ranks and becoming a legend in the small town. However, when the war ended and time went by, she felt she'd lost her purpose.
With that in mind, she knew the next step would be to settle down and start a family. But the male would have to be perfect, and her sights were on Jake. She stood tall and the light hit her face. She was at lest half a foot taller then Jake and wore a pink uniform that completed her perfect figure.
Her Lieutenant wore a blue uniform, glancing from the he kat to her friend. The Lieutenant had been by Turmoils's side since she joined the Enforcers. She was eighteen at the time and was placed under the Captains command. Turmoil was a few years older at the time and was an inspiration to aspiring cadets like herself. Now she wondered why the taller she kat kept wanting to be with the outcast of the town. Sure that kilt was hot, but he was strange and out there.
"Him, but, Turmoil isn't a little too small and scrawny for you taste..I thought you'd be after a guy who was tall and burly?" questioned the Lieutenant, seeing other male kats, who were big and brawny compared to Jake. "I mean, don't you wan't a hunk man on your arm? Some real man candy to have a trophy husband?"
"Yes, I should, yet zat kilt vearing guy von my attention. He's not all skin and bone, look at zose legs, zat firm fit body..I tell you Lieutenant, he's zee one for me, zee most handsome guy in zee village. Don't I deserve zee best of zee best?" questioned Turmoil grabbing the Lieutenant's collar and lifting her off the ground, showing the Captain possessed great strength.
"Yes, of course you do, you should have only," started the Lieutenant, fumbling with her words. Turmoil dropped the she cat and fixed her cape collar. She hoofed it over to where Jake had bin, following him closely behind.
The Lieutenant got to her feet and was hot on Turmoil's heels. All the while she couldn't help but find Turmoil's plan to be a bad one. Turmoil, lost in thought, sang telling of her intentions for the shorter male.
Vhen I laid eyes on zat handsome he kat, I thought he has be zee one, Zee one I vill marry, and hold power over, 'cause I'm a dominant kind of girl,
A work crew of he kats caught sight of Turmoil and ogled her with longing eyes. They were hypnotized by her beauty and froze where they were, watching her as she passed by . She was curvy and blessed with good looks, gaining the attention of many males in the town.
Hey, there she is the beauty of the town, I swear I'd give my life for her, I hope she might pass a glance my way, and or give me a chance to woe her,
Jake faded into the crowd and Turmoil kept trying to get through to him. The town kats went about, paying no attention to the pair. The voices of several filled the air as they moved about the towns square.
Hello, hi, excuse me, I'd like a pound, how long, two feet, this is rotten, pardon me, those plants smell good, I'll take ten, let me get through, I need a loaf, I need some clothe,
Jake stepped out of the center of the crowd and threw his paw out. He grabbed hold of a lamp post and spun around it, singing out from the rest.
I know there has to be more then this,
Turmoil was not too far behind and held her black gloved paw up, aiming it to Jake. She held him in her sight and sang with a sly grin on her face.
I know I can make Jake all mine,
The town folk rushed about and cut Turmoil off, making it even harder for her to get through. She pushed her way by a couple of kats and peered up over to find Jake. She kept her eye on the orange auburn tail, doing her best to reach him while the kats sang the last part of the song.
There he goes that bizarre orange auburn kat, he acts quite unusual, He's outlandish in ways, we can't explain, He's so very peculiar, he may appear normal, but we all know the truth, Jake Clawson.
Jake whirled about and the town folk quickly stopped and went about their tasks. He shook his head and went back to reading his book. His eyes darted from left to right, reading over one of his favorite part. Turmoil made it passed the group and darted ahead to get Jake's attention.
"Hello, look vell groomed and handsome on zis beautiful day." said Turmoil standing in a seductive pose, leaning on the side of a building. She ran her paw through her hair and stood tall, hoping he would put his book down and look at her.
"Thank you, you appear well too." said Jake walking on by, not noticing the curvy framed female. She stood up with a huff and went after him, her cape blowing behind her long legs.
"Say, how vould you like to come over to my place tonight." said Turmoil lifting the book out of his paws and holding it just out of reach. She placed in behind her back and looked Jake straight in the eyes. "A male shouldn't be vasting his time reading. He should be vorking hard, have a vife and raise a family."
"Turmoil, you are without a doubt, a harassment to me." said Jake folding his arms over his chest. He had a good idea the she cat was interested in him, but he did all he could to let her know the feelings weren't mutual. Yet no matter what he said or did, he found he couldn't rid himself of her and her constant flirting.
"Oh, sank you, Jake. You always know how to flatter me. How about ve have dinner tonight?" asked Turmoil placing her arm around him, leaning her red lips close to his face. She held him close, making Jake roll his eyes at the dense female. With a sly smile she tried to rub her nose with his, only Jake swiftly ducked under her hold and grabbed the book back. She looked about at the empty space, liking how quick he could move.
"No, I'm busy this evening." said Jake holding the book behind his back, making sure she couldn't take it again. He was behind her and the she cat whirled about to meet his gaze.
"Vith vhat?" questioned Turmoil with a curious expression, wondering what the male had planed for that evening. She knew darn well he didn't have any friends, so what could possible keep him from going out with her.
"Nothing. Now if you don't mind, I have an invention I need to tend to before my step father tries to mess with it." said Jake brushing his book off and turning from the she kat. Jake not only love to read, but he enjoyed tinkering with metals and other items. He had a repair and restore business going, and in his spare time he tried to create his own little experiments.
"That crazy old man," chuckled the Lieutenant, walking over and only getting the last part of the conversation. She and the whole town knew Jake's step dad wasn't the best at his job, so he became the clown of the town so to speak. "Ha, your old man couldn't fix a machine even if his life depended on it."
Jake frowned hearing how the Lieutenant insulted his step dad, listening to the two females snicker and laugh. The two females leaned on each other and held a arm over their stomach, giggling loudly.
"Don't scoff at my father like that," snapped Jake, making the pair stop their laughing.
"Yeah, don't make fun my father in law to be." added Turmoil, bopping the Lieutenant on the head. The Lieutenant stood back and rubbed the top of her head, straightening out her hat.
Jake was use to the sneering and taunting he got about his aging father, but that didn't mean he put up with it. He always stood strong, holding the Scottish kat in great esteem, not letting anyone tell him otherwise.
"My step father is a genius, a man of great talent." said Jake placing his paws to his hips, glaring darkly to the she kats. As if to emphasis the Lieutenant's point, an explosion went off as cloud broke out through the windows to the basement. Jake gasped and hurried away, leaving the female laughing in the background.
Turmoil slapped the Lieutenant on the back, knocking her to the ground, still the pair giggled, watching Jake dash to his home. The pair calmed and the Lieutenant wiped a tear from her eye, turning to Turmoil.
"So, moving on then?" wondered the Lieutenant, folding her paws behind her back, rocking back and forth on her heels.
"No, he's just playing hard to get. You'll see, he'll be mine soon enough. I always get vhat I vant." said Turmoil turning to the tan she kat. The Lieutenant grinned, knowing the Captain was strong willed. That nothing could stop her once she put her mind to something. Turmoil gestured her paw to Jake then to herself. "He'll come around, you'll see, no one says no to Turmoil."
"Darn right..But there are others who would go out with you." said the Lieutenant, glancing back to the town, knowing men would line up for a chance to woe the tall Captain. "You have several kats, who would be at your beck and call."
"Indeed, but a true hunter doesn't vaste zeir time on on petty prey." said Turmoil with a smirk on her face. The Lieutenant chuckled and the pair went off back to the village.
Jake made his way to the basement of the small house and threw open the wooden doors, letting the smoke out of the small storage space. He went down and saw an aging kat among the black vapor, seeing only his lower half. The kat wore a blue, black, and green plaid kilt, with a leather pouch, along with white socks and black shoes.
"Manx, are you all right, I heard and saw the explosion. What in kats name are you doing? You weren't messing with my inventions again were you?" wondered Jake waving a paw, trying to fan the smoke out of his face.
"Aye lad, Ah was, thought it would make a nice surprise if Ah finished it for ye. Ah hoped to have it done, but somethin' went wrong." said Manx in a strong Irish brogue.
After the cloud cleared out, the aging kat could be seen. He had gray side burns and brown wig that covered his most likely bald head. The ageing gold colored kat grumbled and stood to his feet brushing the dust from his blue coat.
"Oh, my Ah tell ya, I don't know what Ah did wrong." said Manx clapping his paw together, removing the soot from them. "One minute everything seemed good, then the next...Boom!"
"Yeah, I should've told you the potential problems and danger it might have if not handled correctly." said Jake putting an arm around the shorter male, taking him to the upper part of the house. The exited the cellar through the wooden steps and walked around to the front of the house.
Jake lead Manx up the steps and into their house, shutting the door behind them. He removed his jacket and hung it on a coat hanger, going to take care of the older kat.
"Here, why don't you sit and work on the music box. After all you know how much the kats over in the next village adore them so." said Jake getting the tools out for the kat, setting them on the table for him. His step father wasn't incompetent, but sometime got into a project that was way over his head. Clearly Jake was more of the inventor while Manx was more of the repair man.
"Aye, thanks lad..Ye know, Ah thought Ah was really close to helping ye creating a good invention. One of these days we will and the town will treat us with respect." said Manx tinkering with the tiny music box, removing the gears from it. As he worked on it he brought out his hand made windmill music box. This was Jake's favorite, for it was a replica of their old home, from when they lived in France like place.
Jake went to the kitchen and rolled up his sleeves, getting ready to throw some lunch together. He browned fish on the stove and steamed the fresh vegetables he bought at the market. He also cooked freshly baked bread and fixed a plate full, setting it in separate piles. He went to the living room and heard a familiar tune playing, filling him with joy. He peeked around the corner and found Manx singing a soft tune.
How can love, continue, How can it live forever, Remembering is the key, To the past and what was, Then if we are lucky, Then the feeling reappears, I see her face, and wont ever, forget it.
The music box sat by Manx and played as he sang along to it. In side the music box, a small scene was laid out. There was a she cat, sitting on a chair and holding a small kitten. In front of the woman, sat a younger version of Manx, painting the mother and son. Manx stopped his work and glanced from the life size picture that hung on the wall, to the tiny one, recalling the very time and place.
Jake walked fully into the living room and smiled, remembering only bits and pieces of his childhood. Manx heard the floor boards creek and looked up to see Jake, making eye contact with the younger kat.
"Aye, Jake, ye brought me lunch, thank ye." said Manx setting the small tools aside, making room on the couch for the lean kat. He closed the small windmill and set it back in it box, making sure if was kept away. Jake handed him a plat and leaned back, eating the food. Manx grinned and looked to his step son. "So, how was town today? Did ye do anything excitin'?"
"No, it was about the same, just like the town. But I got a book." said Jake finishing his meal and getting up to do the chores around the house. He walked around and gathered up some clothes that lay on the floor. "Hey, Manx?..Do you think I'm strange?"
"Ye, my step son, strange? Where did ye get an idea like that? We're all different don't ye think?" said Manx wiping his muzzle with a napkin, adjusting his small glasses. Jake chuckled and went back to picking up the items here and there. Max lifted a brow and studded the tall male, wondering what brought this on. "Who said ye were strange?"
"Everyone, but hey it's simply just small town gossip, nothing more.." said Jake acting as though he didn't care, waving it off and making fun of it. "I mean who cares about their whispering, there raised brows and disapproving glances."
"This be a small town ye know, small minded and backwards in many ways. They just don't understand ye, that's all. They don't see the bright and kind boy Ah do, and that's their loss" said Manx finishing his meal, thinking Jake would stop and take a moment to listen. He stood and went over to Jake, placing a paw upon his shoulder. The older kat forced Jake to meet his gaze and went on. "Ye be alone a lot, and Ah think it gets to a fella after a while. Ye be thirty two, and ye aren't gettin' any younger...Ah'm concerned for ye. Ah think ye need to find someone, someone who will understand ye, and love ye for who ye are."
"I'm a solitary kind of guy, remember. Besides I like being alone, I hate being around a lot of kats, so I'm good with the way things are." said Jake pulling away and walking up the stairs. Manx followed him and found the kat making the beds, trying to get off the subject, making Manx wonder even more. The older kat sighed and helped him make the bed, smiling warmly. Jake saw his concerned gaze and sighed. "I'm fine Manx, really I am."
"If you say so. Ah'll get to the weeding in the garden today." said Manx following him back down stares. Jake was going to the wash room, but stopped and waited for Manx, making sure he made it out okay. The Scottish kat hummed an Irish tune as he went to work.
Jake placed the clothes in the wash tub and carried it out, wanting to enjoy the sunny day. Outside in the warm light of day Jake hummed a soft tune and scrubbed a shirt against the washboard.
Once finished he placed the clothes in a basket and hung them on the line, letting them flow in the small breeze. After he was done he went to help Manx in the garden, enjoying spending time with the older kat..
That evening Jake went and placed boards on the broken windows, knowing it would work till he had time to get glass made. While the young kat did this, Manx was gathering together a collection of music boxes. He wrapped them in clothe and placed them carefully into a wooden crate.
"So, will ye be okay on ye're own while Ah'm gone?" wondered Manx setting a lid on the box. The older kat once a year would go over to the next few towns and sell his music boxes, making a good deal of money to get him and Jake through some tough times.
"Me, I'm more worried about you," quipped Jake with a chuckle, more worried for his step dads return. Jake from the time he was twelve took care of things while Manx was gone.
"Ah'll be fine don't ye worry...Maybe ye should have some friends over." said Manx making sure he had everything gather up for his trip. "But don't throw a wild party.."
"I don't have any friends..Besides no one around here really gets me." said Jake dusting the stone fireplace. He moved some of the pictures and set them aside, making it easier for him to clean.
"What about that Turmoil woman, she a beauty..Why if ye shacked up with her, ye'd have the whole town wanting to buy ye inventions." said Manx spotting the tall Captain eyeing up his son up a few times when the pair were out and about the village. "Aye ,Ah've seen how she looks at ye."
"Yeah right, she's too big for her own britches..Oh, I could never see myself with a woman like her. I don't think I'll every find the right person to settle down with." said Jake, knowing no she cat would be what he wanted. Back in those days, being gay wasn't something you advertised or made public, not that it was seen as wrong. Jake just never announced he was homosexual, or made anyone aware of his sexual orientation, knowing no one else needed to know. He basically keep it in the closet, wanting to make sure he was gay, and not just going through some faze. Though after more then twenty years of feeling this way, Jake knew for sure he was gay.
Manx knew his boy wasn't happy, and he didn't know how to help him. The older kat saw how Jake's spirit fell when he mentioned marrying Turmoil. He was only joking, but jokes like this always brought the lean kat down.
"Jake, Ah'm sorry if what Ah said upset ye..Ah just want ye to be happy, to share life with someone..Ye know, ye mother was the love of my life. Ah would give my life to spend the time we shared again, oh how Ah miss her." said Manx looking to her picture with glassy eyes. He removed his lenses and wiped his eyes, sniffing a little. Manx took a breath and went on. "Look, when Ah married ye mother, Ah not only promised to love her, be ye as well, for the rest of my life..Ah'm here for ye Jake."
"Manx, can you keep a secret?" asked Jake leaving the mantle to take a seat on the couch, wanting to let his father know the truth. Manx got up off his knees and joined Jake on the couch, wondering what the male was going to tell him.
"I've never told anyone about this..I've felt this way for a long long time, but I was too scared to tell you." said Jake casting his eyes to his feet, not wanting to see the older kat's face. "The reason I won't marry Turmoil is, is because I'm not interested in females, not in the way I should..I know that sounds weird, and I know it will change the way you view me, but I can't keep hiding like this..It's too much to keep in."
There was silence between the two, and Jake felt his step dad wouldn't approve of the news. Jake kept his eyes down cast and placed his face in his paws, not knowing what else to say or do.
"Jake," started Manx reaching over and rubbing Jake's back, letting him know it was okay.
"No, I know what you're going to say..You'll say I'm a freak, that I'm horrible for being this way..But I can't help it or fight it I tell ya..I tried and tried, but I can't.." said Jake crying a little. The feeling of revealing something Jake had kept hidden for so long, gave him relief, but it also opened up to more questions. "No one said it was wrong, but I felt scared to say it out loud. I couldn't bare to the thought of you hating me for being like this."
"No, no, Ah would never say that, or hate ye..Ye be my son, and not matter what ye will always be my son. Jake, Ah just want you to be happy, and if bein' with a tom kat makes ye happy, then be with one. Ah wont stop ye, and Ah wont judge ye..I want ye to met someone and share life with the, for there is truly nothin' else quite like it." said Manx pulling Jake into a hug, holding the teary eyed cat. In this world being in a same sex marriage wasn't an issue, but it was seen as odd. Manx knew Jake was scared, but wanted him to know he was safe and excepted in this house. "It be all right Jake."
It was funny how much the skinny kat reminded him of his deceased wife. He held Jake and chuckled a little, making Jake stop his crying.
"In fact Ah knew someone, who was so ahead of their time..Kats mocked her, till one day they found themselves wanting to be like her..Ye mother was looked down upon for hooking up with me after ye father walked out on her. It was viewed as wrong for a female to marry another after he mate left." said Manx rubbing Jake's head, speaking in a soft tone.
Jake sniffed and nuzzled into the hug, hoping Manx would tell him more about his mother. Jake was a baby when his dad left, so he knew nothing about him. As for his mother, she died when he was only five years old, so the information Manx gave him was very important.
"Will you tell me what happened to her?" questioned Jake wiping his eyes. Manx smiled and kept his paws on Jake's shoulders. "Please, I wont to know more about her..She died when I was a young kit, the past is a bit blurry."
"She was wonderful..She was brave, no fearless, everything and more. Ah see a little bit of her in ye, me boy. She had soft auburn fur, soft brown eyes, and a beautiful smile. Ah could watch her smile for hours." said Manx leaning back and keeping Jake close, stroking his head gently. Jake sighed and smiled, glad the older kat took the news better then he what thought.
"Thanks for listening..All I really wanted was for you to be okay with me being gay." said Jake hugging Manx tightly. The gray haired kat patted Jake, chuckling a little.
"Aye, Ah got the small feelin' ye were." said Manx feeling Jake sit up in surprise.
"How? It wasn't obvious, was it?" wondered Jake feeling warm all of a sudden, swallowing hard. He hoped it didn't show, the last thing he wanted was for the town to catch on and give them one more reason to dislike him. "Kats alive! If the village found out, they might do more then make fun of me..They-"
"Calm down lad..It's nothin' ye did, it was simply father's intuition." said Manx trying to calm Jake down. With a sigh of relief Jake's shoulders loosened and he seemed better.
"That's good to hear." said Jake with a small snickered. He leaned back and placed an arm around the older kat. Manx sat back and the two watched the fire flicker and dance, talking a little more before they went to bed.
With a bid good night Jake went into his room and went to lay in bed, glancing to the stars out the window. The sky was dark blue, and the stars shined like diamond in the beautiful night, with a full moon hanging high.
"Great one above, please make sure Manx has a safe journey and returns safely home." spoke Jake, closing his eyes and praying to the great creator.
A. N: Well there it is, the first chapter. Hope everyone liked it and are interested in what happens next.
By the way I would like to point out that since this is a different universe from ours, I believe they have their own religion and beliefs. Here it is, so you know the way it works.
They believe in the Great Creator, a deity who is neither male or female, it is only a being that brought the world to life. They pray to, but know that the Creator does not grant your wish like a god father. He made them, and it is up to them, and only them to chose the person they want to be. The path they take, the discussions they make, the fate they come to, is one they chose. For there is no grand scheme or thought out plan. It comes down to who you are and what you want out of life.
Stay tuned and enjoy.