Chapter 12:

The next morning, Kitt drowsily opened his eyes. He felt a little strange for some reason. He knew last night happened. Maybe he was still processing it? No. The reason for him feeling this way was for something completely different. He tried to perk up his head only to find weight on his neck. More like draped over it. Oh yeah. Karr was dead asleep next to him…

Or so he thought.

"Kitt?" The weight quickly removed itself. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah. I just….feel a little weird this morning." He replied, keeping his head down.

Karr suddenly became concerned and worried. He wasn't getting sick, was he? That wouldn't do any of them good. Sure they had Julie who could probably help try to fix him. But if it was something serious, there's no telling what could happen.

"What do you mean by 'feeling weird?'" He asked as he gently nudged him.

"I don't know. I just feel…weird. I can't really describe it." He said quietly while closing his eyes, hoping to clear away his funny feeling.

Karr sighed softly. He was hoping for a better description of how he felt, but it was obvious Kitt was just as clueless as he when trying to name it.

"Try to go back to sleep." He said softly nuzzling him a bit. "You're probably just overly tired."

Kitt never said anything. He was too busy in thought to reply. So instead he tucked his head against Karr's chest and tried to fall back asleep. Karr continued to nuzzle him gently on his neck until he felt him go limp. He took one good look around him. The sun's rays were turning the once pitch black sky into a strange gray blue color. The cabin was still quiet and still, as was most of the forest. He turned his attention back to Kitt's sleeping figure. All snuggled up and warm against his side. He shifted suddenly and pushed his head deeper into Karr's chest. Karr softly nuzzled him like he was an infant.

"Shh, its ok. I'm here. I'm here." He whispered softly to Kitt.

Kitt eventually stilled again after hearing Karr's soft but protective voice. Karr then laid his head back down and resumed his protective position around Kitt before falling into a light doze.

/*/

A few hours later, Karr woke up to Julie's soft touch on his muzzle.

"Karr. Karr, wake up." She said softly to him as he reluctantly opened his eyes.

"What's wrong with Kitt? Is he ok?" She asked worriedly.

It was then that Karr lifted his head up and saw that Kitt was still snuggled into his chest and fast asleep. He nuzzled him like a mother cat would her kittens.

"I don't know. He woke up earlier this morning and said that he felt funny. I told him was probably just overly tired and to go back to sleep. He's been out ever since." He said quietly, not taking his eyes off Kitt.

Julie laid a hand down on Kitt and gently felt him over. His coat was still as soft as silk. He wasn't hot or sweaty anywhere. But he still didn't look 100%. His beautiful black blanket appaloosa coat has seemed to have lost its brilliant sheen it once held so well. And he obviously wasn't as alert as he usually is. The fact that he hasn't moved proves that. It was clear that something wasn't quite right. Whether it be Karr's theory or else. Something wasn't right.

But then again, they did travel for a long time last night. Kitt's new body could still just be getting acclimated to that type of work and strain that was put on it last night.

Whatever the matter though, Karr and Julie would keep a close eye on him for any sign of change. For the better…or worse.

Kitt shifted and moaned as he did so.

"Kitt? You awake big guy?" Julie asked warmly.

Kitt moaned again before opening his eyes.

"Julie? Oh, my head." He groaned as he closed his eyes and tried to rid the head ache. "How long have I been out?"

"A few hours now." Karr spoke up softly giving Kitt a soft nuzzle. "We're worried about you Kitt. Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little head ache. But I'll be fine. Don't worry." He stood up beside Karr and shook his mane.

"You're sure?" Julie asked while laying a hand down on his muzzle. He gave it a small nudge of reassurance.

"I'm fine. I promise." He said softly to her.

Though Karr and Julie were both far from being or looking convinced. But they let the matter drop for now.

/*/

It was about mid afternoon now. The trio were getting ready and discussing their game plan for tonight of when they would bail. They all agreed that they would only travel at night until they were sure they were out of Rick and his men's range. The game plan for tonight consisted of them following the stream downstream and try to find a small town or some sorts. They could've gone straight ahead, but they didn't feel that would be a safe decision. So they opted for rabbit trails instead.

"Ok guys. I'll be inside packing if you need me." Julie said before going inside the cabin.

"Ok. We'll be out here." Karr replied.

Julie gave a thumbs up before disappearing inside the cabin. Shutting the door behind her. After Karr heard the soft click signaling the door was completely shut, he gave Kitt a little nudge to his side as Karr walked by and headed for the stream.

"Let's go for a little dip!" Karr called over his shoulder.

Kitt, with an eye roll and a nicker, followed Karr into the cool spring water. It wasn't miserably cold, but you definitely had to get used to it at first.

Karr was already a little ways down by the time Kitt got used to the water. Did he even feel the cold? Kitt wondered as he calmly walked down to where Karr was in the knee deep water and drinking. When Kitt was only 3 feet in front of Karr, a devilish idea passed through his mind and he nickered devilishly.

Without warning to Kitt, Karr jumped up and caused cold water to splash everywhere…

And all over poor Kitt.

He whinnied shrillfully and reared when the cold water made contact to his hide. It felt like tiny ice daggers were penetrating his coat without mercy. He glared daggers at Karr once he stilled. The ice cold water slowly dripping off of him.

Karr couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. He almost collapsed he was laughing so hard.

"You…look…so…pissed off right now!" His voice crawled higher and higher as he tried to talk through the laugher.

Kitt on the other hand, or, hoof, remained stone cold.

"Oh gee, I wonder why?" Kitt said taking a few steps forward calmly.

Karr shrank back some and instantly stopped laughing. He didn't care for that tone Kitt just used on him. It made him feel nervous. Really nervous.

Then, being just as quick as Karr, Kitt advanced on him and crashed into him. Making him fall into the freezing water and become soaked to the bone. Karr bit back a shriek as he shot back up and shook himself off, shivering.

"Now that," Kitt mused. "was funny!" He started to laugh.

Karr let out a deep growl and began to chase Kitt up the stream. Kitt was surprisingly fast. He had to admit. He was definitely a challenge to keep up with for the average. But Karr was able to keep perfect pace with him as they began to laugh and play as they continued to chase each other up and down the stream. Creating waves of sparkling water as they ran and soaked themselves more and more.

By the time the brothers wore themselves out, their sides heaved and nostrils were flared as they tiredly walked back to the cabin. Julie was there to meet them with a smile on her face and trying not to laugh. She handed them freshly cut apple slices and started to dry them off with towels.

"Well, we still have some time to kill. How about we all take a nap so we're fresh for our escape from Alcatraz?" Julie said, stroking Karr's neck and finished drying him off.

"Sounds good to me. All that cold water drained me." Karr said while glancing casually at Kitt.

Kitt returned the glance.

"You started it, Karr. I simply returned the favor." He replied with a devilish smile in his voice.

Karr just snorted and left it at that.

After Julie left and went inside the cabin, Kitt and Karr both found a sunny patch s few feet from the front of the cabin. They both lay down and sighed happily when the warm sun heated up their jet black coats. Making them shimmer in the sunlight.

"This…is great." Kitt moaned as he lay on his side and closed his eyes.

Karr chuckled and nuzzled him on his neck.

"I agree with you there, Little Brother. I agree with you there." He said as he lay his head down beside Kitt's and closed his eyes. Allowing the warm rays of the sun to lull them into a deep, comfortable sleep together.