Chapter 2

Flame opened his eyes and blinked. The sun shined brightly outside the window of the Twoleg nest and it looked like it was going to be a nice day.

The ginger colored cat stood up and stretched his legs.

"Flame, it's time for breakfast!" The shrill voice of Flame's Housefolk rang through the house.

Flame raced toward the kitchen eagerly and looked up to see his Twoleg holding a bag of his dry pellets.

Flame licked his lips and sat up, looking as cute as he possibly could.

Flame's Twoleg cooed and poured the pellets into a bowl. The Twoleg set the bowl down gently.

Flame bent down and started to eat. As soon as his Twoleg had left the room he pushed the bowl to the side. Now that Tom's gone I can eat some real food. Flame thought and bounded over to the backdoor that was slightly open. He turned his head to make sure that no-one was watching stepped out the door.

Flame scented the air and was overwhelmed by the sweet aroma of roses. He shook his head, that wasn't what he was scenting for. He inhaled and smelled what he was looking for. Mouse!

Flame raced toward the fence and clawed his way up to the top of it. He looked down at the forest and scented again to locate the mouse.

As soon as he knew where it was Flame dropped off the fence and started stalking prey.

Soon the mouse was practically in his claws; Flame could taste the juicy, plump mouse already. He leaped at the mouse and bit down on it hard.

Blood ran from the mouse. Flame licked his lips and swallowed it whole.

"What do we have here?" A friendly voice meowed.

Flame looked up with his teeth bared.

The She-Cat in front of Flame chuckled. "Don't worry little one, I'm no threat." She assured.

Flame studied her face, she looked nice enough. "I'm Flame, who're you?"

"My name is Cedar. Nice to meet you Flame." Cedar meowed.

"What are you doing here?" Flame asked curiously. "I thought that I was the only one who hunts in the woods."

Cedar's eyes widened. "You mean, you've never bumped into any cat here before?"

Flame shook his head. "Nope."

"Well, there are many more of us. We live in this forest, house cats call us 'Wild Cats'" Cedar meowed.

Flame tipped his head to one side. "Really!? I've never heard of you before."

Cedar sat down. "Yeah, we came here a few seasons ago. We are constantly fighting for prey, and trying to establish our own territory." Cedar narrowed her eyes. "There is much fighting, many cats die. The forest is a very bloody place. No place for a kit like you."

Flame's neck fur bristled. "I can fight!" He insisted.

Cedar let out a meow of laughter. "You're just a puny kit; you'd be ripped to shreds out here."

Flame's tail drooped. "Well then… Would you take me with you?" Flame asked innocently.

Cedar smiled. "Why don't you just go back to your mother?"

Flame frowned. "She's dead…"

Cedar looked taken aback, "Flame, I'm so sorry! Where do you live?"

"Wherever I can." Flame lied.

Cedar looked down on Flame. "Fine, you can come with me. Just down talk to any other cats. They are unpleasant."

Flame nodded. "Thank you so much. You're the nicest cat I've ever met!"

Cedar smiled. "Come on, follow me."

…

That was the first cat I ever met. She was like a mother to me. After she met me she brought me to her den…