Yukon had paid a surprise visit to the tree house today. He'd heard from Ron that Blitz had been acting at bit off lately, so, later in the evening, he went to check up on his friend.
Gilbird greeted him sleepily. It was late enough in the day that the chick's bedtime was nearing, although he looked like he wanted to stay up now that Yukon was there. Blitz looked befuddled to see him there, seemingly shaken from his thoughts. He grinned at him, though it didn't hold the usual haughtiness. It almost seemed sad. He obviously didn't want to talk about whatever was bothering him, so Yukon settled down beside his friend. Blitz let out a contented purr, happy for the company, and leaned his head on Yukon's shoulder.
After Gilbird had long since fallen asleep, and the moon had risen in the sky, Blitz finally spoke.
"Have you ever made a promise, only to desperately want to break it later?"
"Possibly. Is this about Gilbird?"
The albino sighed heavily. "He's almost old enough to learn how to fly, but I don't want to see him go."
Yukon let out a hum. "Gilbird loves you all very much. I doubt he'd stay away for very long."
The stray chuckled to himself. "You think so?"
"I know so. You're his family; he's not going to forget you just because he's all grown up."
"You too." Yukon perked his ears, looking at Blitz in confusion. "He's especially fond of you. Keeps asking me 'When's Yuki coming over?'" He grinned. "You left quite the impression on him."
Yukon was speechless. He'd only met Gilbird the one time, and he'd actually remembered him? More so, his presence had left enough of an impact that he'd want to see him again! Come to think of it, Blitz never seemed to have any problems knowing when he was around either…
"Oi, Yuki? You okay?" Blitz sat up straight, waving a paw in front of his friend's eyes. Yukon snapped out of whatever daze he'd been in, looking up.
"Oh, sorry. I was just surprised by that."
Blitz gave him a look. "What's so surprising about someone wanting to see you?"
"It's…nothing. Forget I said anything." Yukon turned away from him.
"Yuki~" the albino whined, moving back into his field of vision. Yukon moved his head again, only to have Blitz follow his movements. "Oh come on, I told you what was bothering me!"
"Yes, but I never asked you to tell me that."
Blitz winced. "Ooh, touché. Okay, how about, if you tell me, I'll tell you where I got my scars from?"
This perked Yukon's interest. He'd always been a little curious about the marks crossing over his shoulder and eye, and on different sides no less, but didn't want to trouble the albino with the inquiry. But was he really willing to reveal something that personal about himself just to satiate his curiosity?
Noticing the unsure look on his face, Blitz raised his right paw. "Scout's honor."
Yukon snorted at that remark. Deal or not, it would be good for him to get the issue off his chest, and he always felt comfortable talking to Blitz.
"Do you remember when we first met, and I was surprised that you noticed me?" He nodded. "Well, that's because you're the first one to do so. Everyone else just walks on by like they can't even see me. Everyone I meet quickly forgets about me, even Merlin doesn't remember I exist half of the time, and he helped raise me!"
"But, Ron remembers you, right?"
"Ron and I are twins from the same litter, so he doesn't really count. It's kinda hard to forget someone who has the same face as you do."
Blitz frowned a bit. "I guess so."
"But," he smiled down at the nest beside him, where Gilbird peacefully slumbered, and then to the alley cat "I don't feel so invisible when I'm with you."
Blitz felt the fur on his neck bristling and quickly changed the subject. "So, uh, does this have something to do with why I always see you up high?"
Yukon suddenly looked sheepish. "Um... since the humans don't see me, they don't usually look where they're walking…" he mumbled. "It's worse when there are bikes around…"
Yukon stopped when his companion broke out into mad laughter.
"It's not funny!"
"S-sorry," he said, trying to even out his breathing. "But man Yuki, that's sad! Getting stepped on? Really?"
Yukon frowned and folded his ears back. "Fine! Laugh at my trauma. You're the one who asked."
He let out a few more chuckles. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry." He inhaled deeply to stop the spasm. "Besides, I still owe you a story."
That's right, Yukon had almost forgotten.
"As a kitten, I lived with this older woman. I don't remember much about her, other than that she was kinda scary looking and really mean." Blitz made a displeased face. "She only wanted me because I'm albino; figured I'd make a good show cat, but I hated all the pampering and grooming that came with it. I was a kitten, not a doll! So I fought with her and misbehaved until I guess she got fed up." He touched a paw to the scar over his eye. "I ran away after that. Been out on the streets ever since."
"Blitz…"
"I don't hate humans, I really don't, but I can't trust them at first. Not when there's the possibility that they'll be like her." He looked down at the little ball of fluff sleeping before him. "Or like the hunter that killed his mother."
Blitz felt a warmth on his cheek and realized that Yukon had just licked him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was such a bad memory." He lowered his head. "You know, my problem just seems silly now. Not being noticed? How dumb."
"Hey," Blitz leaned his head down, pressing their foreheads together in an affectionate gesture. "If it's any consolation, I notice you."
He smiled back. "It is."
The two cats fell asleep together that night, curled up beside one another; Gilbird nestled safely between the furry bodies.
As week seven approached, it was becoming clear just how little time they had left. Gilbird had already surpassed Oliver in size, standing chest-high to Blitz, and had grown to fill out his new body. His down was now fully replaced by golden feathers, slightly tinted brown, but not as much as his mother's (A possible defect in coloration that Blitz could readily relate with). His wings had also grown accordingly, and he often found himself tripping over the elongated appendages.
All in all, he looked like an eagle, and that scared Blitz.
Yukon had been visiting everyday, ever since their heart-to-heart, to help the duo cope with the changes; Gilbird with his growth spurt without giving away too much and Blitz with facing the truth.
The latter was proving to be the more difficult of the tasks.
"I'm sorry, Yuki, I just can't do it!" the albino stated for what seemed like the hundredth time. The two cats were out walking the town as they usually did, after Blitz had made a quick food run. Gilbird was home alone, since they figured he was old enough and had enough common sense not to go off wandering by himself.
"Why can't you be the one to tell him?"
"Because I'm not the one who raised him, Blitz. This is your responsibility."
Blitz pouted.
Yukon sighed. "This isn't easy for any of us, you know. We all love Gilbird and we all don't want to see him go. But he has to know the truth."
"I know, I just- I can't bring myself to tell him, okay!" Blitz groaned and suddenly flopped down on the pavement. "This sucks! At first I would've done anything to get rid of him, and now I can't even do that!"
Leaning down, Yukon touched their noses together for a brief moment. "Well, when you're ready to tell him, I'll be right there beside you."
Blitz gave him a wry smile. "You always know what to say, don't you?"
"That's what I'm here for. And to keep you from doing anything stupid."
"He wasn't watching! I could've had that whole ham…" He pulled himself back up to his feet, remembering the succulent hunk of meat that had been just within his grasp.
A movement caught his attention and he quickly turned his head in time to catch a rat scurrying along the other side of the road, a loaf of bread in its jaws. It glanced around, noticed the cats, and fled back into the sewer entrance before they could do anything.
"Stupid rats!" Blitz growled. "Why are they so active lately?"
"They've been leaving the sewers in search of food more frequently. You didn't hear that?"
"No. Where did you?"
"Merlin's meetings. You really should ask somebody about them if you don't plan to go, he's been investigating the issue for a little while now. Said they've even been so bold as to sneak into people's yards, but we cats have been keeping them in check, for the most part."
Blitz suddenly felt as if something was wrong.
"Come on, Yuki. We need to get back!"
Gilbird was not usually one to disobey orders and go wandering off, but when he'd seen the rat creeping around the border of the fence, he felt that it was his duty as a predator to pursue it. Besides, his Papa had never given him those hunting lessons, so he had to learn somehow.
He followed the rodent out into the front yard and out to the street. Gilbird paused a moment at the border to the yard and the outside world. He was never supposed to leave by himself, but his prey was going to elude him if he didn't. Taking a deep breath, Gilbird pushed on.
The rat traveled down the street a little ways, unaware that it was being tailed. Gilbird was steadily getting closer, so he lowered his torso to the ground, ready to pounce at just the right moment. He stepped forward with one foot and, unfortunately, stepped on his own wing in the process, stumbling to the ground.
The rat heard the noise and turned around, quickly ducking into an alley. Gilbird cursed his clumsiness and went in after it.
He skidded to a halt when he entered. The rat was standing on its hind legs in the center of the alley, a cross expression on its face. Two other rats lurked just behind it.
"What do you think you're doing, chick?" she demanded.
Gilbird was taken by surprise. He didn't know they were intelligent enough for speech.
"I'm not a 'chick', I'm a cat!" he retorted, raising his head high. The rodents exchanged glances before bursting out into laughter.
"A cat? Oh, that's the best thing I've heard all day!"
Gilbird huffed. "I am a cat! My Papa's a cat, my family's all cats, so that makes me one too."
The lead rat turned to her companions. "Methinks the little eagle is confused."
The chick looked dumbfounded. Eagle? Him? Smirking, the female approached him, plucking a feather from his chest. Gilbird yelped in surprise.
She twirled it between her claws. "Cats have fur. Does this look like fur to you?"
"Well no, but-"
"And cats walk on four paws." The rat lunged at him, startling Gilbird back. He stumbled and fell on his rump, two talons now up in the air where he could see them.
"But-"
She clacked her claws together, signaling her lackeys. They approached Gilbird from either side and forcefully revealed his full wingspan. He squirmed in their grasp, wincing as they pulled his wings farther than they would willingly stretch on their own.
"And what are these lovely appendages?" she continued, dragging a clawed hand through the plumage. "Sure don't look like legs to me, and far too long to walk on."
"Stop it!" Gilbird cried, yanking his wings away to wrap them protectively around his body. His head was spinning with so many questions now. "Stop it! Stop it! I don't have to listen to you!"
"Oh, I think you do." The three rats where now circling around him like hungry vultures, hindering his escape. "You're the one who followed me here, after all."
The circle slowly began to shrink. Gilbird curled himself into a tight little ball, confused and fearful for his life.
"Oi! Get away from him!"
The circle disbanded as a white cat charged into the alley. His piercing red eyes burned with a rage that could've set flames to anyone he looked at. Blitz rushed to stand protectively over Gilbird, staring down the rats with claws and fangs bared.
"Don't touch my kid," he growled.
The rats slowly began to retreat. "Oh, is this your kid? W-we were just playing with him," the leader said, "We meant no harm." They backed away until they felt themselves collide with something. Yukon, using his invisibility to his advantage, had snuck behind them, blocking the way further into the alley. As they slowly looked up at him, Yukon hissed, making his fur bristle. Terrified, the trio darted past Gilbird and Blitz, who took a warning swipe at them as they escaped; hopefully back to the sewers.
With a sigh of relief, Blitz stepped in front of Gilbird. "What were you thinking? You could've gotten killed!"
Gilbird sniffled and threw his wings around the albino's neck. "Papa!" he sobbed, crying into his chest.
Blitz rested a paw on his back. "Calm down, I'm here now. You're safe."
The eaglet sniffled once more before he pulled away. "T-those mean old rats told me I wasn't a cat." Yukon and Blitz exchanged worried glances. "I always knew I was different from everyone else, but I… Papa, what am I?"
Sighing, Blitz pulled him back into an embrace. "Gilbird, there's been something I've needed to tell you for a while…"
A/N: The rats ended up sounding like the hyenas from Lion King XD
