Silvernose, Wyldclaw: thanks for the reviews. I won't need OCs any more, but thank you for the help!
Also, if you want to know more of Eastbound's background, read another one of my fics, Scourge's Mate.
In the morning, Ember, East, and Mink headed off, intending to visit East's friend, Rickson. "He's very nice," assured East. "Lazy, yes, fat, yes, but he is very hospitable.
And his house is infested with mice. His owners think he's killing 'em all." Unconsciously, Ember licked her lips. She hadn't had a good meal in a while.
Of course, they wouldn't stay the night, as his house was a mere quarter mile away. "Thank you," said Ember to Qwerty as they left. He nodded. "It was nice meeting you."
East led Mink and Ember down the road. No-one spoke. Ember reflected on the quiet, intimate moments she had shared with East. When had all that changed, she wondered.
Her mouth puckered. She remembered now. It was when Mink started traveling with them. "Hey," said East. "We're here." Ember looked up, yet all she saw was a fence.
"Really?" she asked confusedly. "No, silly," laughed Mink. Gracefully, she leapt upon the fence. Embarrassed, Ember followed her lead, seeing that Ricko's yard was fenced in.
Ember wobbled on the fence, unused to the extremely sharp edges. Suddenly, she fell onto East. Slowly, he rocked back and forth, then fell into a birdbath.
Ember burst out laughing, unable to restrain herself. Her guffaws only redoubled when he jumped out and she saw his fur spiking up. After a moment, East started laughing too.
Mink only frowned. Suddenly, they stopped as they heard the cat door creak open. "Hey,' whispered fat ginger tabby. "Keep it down, would ya?"
Then he saw East, and his face brightened in a huge smile. "East!" he shouted, loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear. Groaning, Ricko struggled.
With a smirk, Ember noticed he was stuck in the cat door. She jumped down off the fence and futilely tried to pull him out. "Never mind, kid," he said.
Slowly, he eased himself back inside. "Come in. My owners are out." Gratefully, Ember accepted his offer.
Though it had not been planned, they ended up staying the night. Ember couldn't go to sleep. Eventually, she leaped up onto the fence and watched the blue moon rise.
Her ears picked up another sound- a cat had quietly leapt up beside her. It was East. He said nothing, but twined his tail in hers. Ember tensed, frozen.
East began to speak. "Ember- " Ember cut him off. "Leave me alone," and left.
