Chapter 6

With an annoyed grunt, Fluffy finished making his last nest for the day, the fifth day of his half-moon of service coming to a close. He was at everyone's beck and call, and when not being given tasks by Socks and Tiger, was obligated to do whatever favors any cat asked him for.

"It is an initiation of sorts," Lion had explained. "It weeds out any inadequate potential members, ensuring a strong band. Of course, there is also an entertainment aspect many Diamonds enjoy."

Fluffy hoped they were enjoying it. After five grueling days of labor and ridicule, he was not giving in.

They'll see, he repeated to himself, a malicious smile curling his muzzle. He wasn't sure what they'd see, but he knew it'd make up for the constant harassment he'd endured and had yet to suffer.

After delivering the somewhat soft nest to the kit-mothers' den, he picked up a crow from the prey-pile and brought it to Socks's den just as he had for the past five evenings. Yesterday and all the days before, she had taken the meal and sent him back to his den. This time, however, she seemed to be waiting for him outside of her own.

"Hello," she said stiffly, drawing herself up in a regal manner. "You're back."

"Guess so," he replied with a shrug, placing the crow at her paws and turning to pad away for his own prey.

"Wait," she ordered, and Fluffy froze. "We have to discuss something."

The white tom-cat froze, turning around slowly. His fur was bristling in apprehension, but he forced it to lie flat. Socks abandoned the crow, padding into the dark den and motioning for Fluffy to follow with a flick of her tail. He did so, sitting down across from her and wrapping his tail around his paws in an attempt at looking as nonthreatening as possible. She let out an amused purr.

"Scared of me, are you?"

"Uh...no?" he replied tentatively. In less than a heartbeat, silver eyes filled Fluffy's vision, and he recoiled.

"You should be, little pet," Socks purred loudly, her nose pushing into Fluffy's. A moment later, she had retreated, sitting a cat-length away once again. "So. I've decided what I want to do with you," she said cordially.

"What's that?" Fluffy asked after a brief hesitation, the fur along his spine lifting once again.

"You're a good little pet right now," Socks answered grudgingly. "I think you'd make a decent little Diamond, too. Basically, once you're done with your half-moon of service, you have the option to become a tender-paw, and you will be assigned a mentor to teach you how to hunt and fight."

"Tender-paw?" Fluffy echoed, tilting his head in confusion.

"Like an apprentice. That's just what we call a cat who's still learning the ropes."

"Oh. Well, thank you for that offer, then. I'll be sure to think on it," Fluffy replied, rising to his paws in order to leave.

"Wait," Socks called a second time. Fluffy turned. "A word of advice: keep track of the number of days you've served. These cats will prolong it as long as possible."

"Thanks," Fluffy said, suppressing a purr that was rising in his throat. He padded outside, passing the dead crow he'd left earlier.

It's working, he thought, letting a pleased smile curl his lips. She's caring, if only a little.

Fluffy picked up a rat from the prey-pile, carrying it back to share with Lion. The yellow tom-cat was already waiting for him.

"You two already seem like old friends," he purred, and Fluffy scoffed.

"That cat is crazy," he hissed. "But, she did offer to make me a tender-paw, whatever that is."

"Then you are lucky. After your half-moon of service, she could have simply forced you to leave. You are practically a Diamond now," Lion remarked, and Fluffy nodded.

"Why am I doing this again?" Fluffy asked, dropping the rat by the entrance and settling beside Lion.

"For the safety of every cat here," the tabby reminded him. "This has nothing to do with Socks. She is simply the only cat capable of getting rid of Tiger."

"Why is that?"

"While he is a monster, Tiger is still a cat. They are mates. He would hesitate, while Socks would not."

"Why wouldn't she?" It was clear to Fluffy that Lion was more knowledgeable on the band's politics than him.

"She does not trust him anyway, and she would do anything to save her own pelt," the golden tom-cat said like it was the simplest thing in the world. He pulled the rat closer, offering the first bite to Fluffy. The longer-haired cat tore off a large chunk of meat, marvelling at how little he cared now. He had met a three-legged cat once, and when Fluffy asked him how he managed to stay alive, the cat had told him that any cat could adapt to anything. Now he knew that three-legged cat was right.

"What is your name?"

The question came seemingly out of nowhere, and Fluffy was beyond surprised to hear it. "Excuse me?" he asked, confused.

Lion laughed. "It is a simple question, cat. What is your name?"

Fluffy's pelt burned with embarrassment. "I'd rather not say," he said quietly.

"It is a pet name, is it not?" he continued, before eating a piece of the rat himself. Fluffy nodded, ducking his head. "Then I guess you do not need to tell me. However, I do need to call you something."

"Right," Fluffy agreed, relieved that the awkwardness had passed. "I don't think I should come up with it."

"Of course. How does Smooshy-Nosed-Fluffy-Freak sound to you?" Fluffy blinked. "I was joking," Lion purred, flicking Fluffy's ear with his tail. "That is what friends do, is it not?"

"Of course," Fluffy echoed. "Now let's be serious. What do I...strike you as?"

"Hmm. That is a good question. You look like a...Fluffy to me. Do you not agree?"

Fluffy was flabbergasted. "What?!" he cried, fur fluffed up to twice its size. "No!"

"I was certain of it!" he laughed. "I could see it in your...pelt."

"Just keep it quiet, okay? I don't want the whole camp finding out," the embarrassed tom-cat hissed, tail lashing.

"Yes, yes. I would never do that to you, Fluffy." his companion purred quietly.

"Gimme that rat," Fluffy muttered. "You've had enough."

Lion looked confused. "Did I go too far? I did not realize. Forgive me; I am new to this friend thing."

"I just need a little bit of air," Fluffy replied. He rose to his paws, leaving the den, the rat, and Lion. The white tom-cat padded out into the camp's clearing.

So much has happened, he mused, and in so little time. Fluffy lifted a paw, examining the pad underneath. The skin, while still pink and soft, seemed to be callusing at least a little bit. His once kit-sharp claws were blunter than before, thanks to all the hard work he'd been doing. lowering his paw, Fluffy lifted his head towards the sky, his ears pricked.

Even in the enclosed camp, the sounds of the city were still present. Fluffy marvelled at how easily the noise of round-paws faded into the background. The dark blanket of the night sky wasn't as dark as it had been in his old home. The sky here was an ugly dark orange color, but the pet-born cat had no idea why. Fluffy sat outside, breathing the dank air, for what seemed like an eternity. He watched the dim moon slowly trek across the sky.

It was beautiful.

The night was still young when Fluffy returned to his nest in the prisoners' den, but Lion was already asleep. He felt bad, having left like he had. Lion probably felt horrible without being able to truly apologize, so Fluffy figured the kindest thing to do now was to wake him now. He softly poked him with a tentative paw.

Lion leapt to his paws, letting out a vicious snarl with his usually sleek pelt fluffed up to twice its size. Fluffy recoiled, his wide eyes in stark contrast to Lion's narrowed ones. "I'm sorry!" he cried quietly. "I just wanted to apologize!"

In moments, the yellow tom-cat was back to his usual self, smooth as ever. "Oh. Hello, friend. I did not intend to startle you so," he answered, his ears slightly lowered to show his discomfort.

Fluffy was startled. He had no idea Lion even had it in him to act that way. "It was just a reflex, I understand," Fluffy said softly. "Anyways, I just wanted to apologize for being so rude earlier. A lot has happened really fast, and I honestly just needed a breather, you know?"

"A reflex, yes...that's what the city will do to you, you will see soon enough. But, yes, I have not had a friend in a very long time, you see; I do not often know how to deal with such things."

"Of course."

"I am going to go back to sleep now. I will think of a name for you soon."

"Sure thing," Fluffy replied, a smile slowly spreading across his muzzle. He never thought he'd be such a conscience-centered cat, but then again, it had never been put to the test. The former pet had lived a very solitary life with only a few, occasional intrusions from other cats.

A conscience will not serve you well here, a little voice chimed in Fluffy's mind. Cats die here, and not just from old age.

I know, he replied, settling into the semi-soft nest he'd snuck for himself when he'd found he'd made extra a day or so before. But there's not much I can do about that.

The voice did not reply, and Fluffy's sleep was peaceful.