Chapter Three
Gone?
As the crisp, clear evening air swirled inside her nostrils, Ruby yawned and stretched widely. It was a moon since the day voices of Quince and Tiny echoed inside her head continuously. Ruby was no longer concerned about the black kit; for all she cared at this very moment was her questions. Quince was going to bring them outside for the first time! How exciting is that? Her excitement zigzagged inside her mind. In the morning, she knew she had to focus on something else to stay put. Quince taught her and Socks fighting that morning. They batted their paws and rolled around blissfully as Tiny watched miserably on the side. Her mother instructed them brightly, and they fought playfully, glowering at each other mockingly.
"Ruby, Socks, can you teach me fighting too?" whimpered small little Tiny. Miserable kit, Ruby thought the moment she glared at him. Tiny returned a pathetic smile. "No, you're too small, you'll be beat up in a second!" she snarled before she stalked off to play in another place with Socks, leaving Tiny's blue eyes glimmering with hurt. If only he would understand that we don't want him, thought Ruby furiously. As the thought came to her head, she realized that her fur was bristling, spiking up sharply. She and Socks sighed; it was boring to have a wimpy brother. But when Quince brought them outside, nothing mattered.
Pouncing out of the door, she, Socks, and Tiny burst outside with joy glistening in their eyes. It was a whole new world to the kits. Lush green plants rose from the earth, and fresh grass embraced her nose. She could scent wild berries on small bushes, the scarlet apples dropping from distant trees, the faint whiff of rainwater and thunderclouds faraway, and almost anything she could ever imagine. Placing her paws on the dew-dappled grass for the first time, Ruby yowled, "I love this place!" Quickly she and Socks adapted the strong smell of freshness the outside world contained. When she poked her head out of windows, she could just smell it, but now she could feel it. Wind whipped their pelts and lifted her fur lightly as she danced blissfully with the rhythm of the outside world. Soon, she and Socks began to play-fight, with Tiny watching helplessly at the side. She knew exactly what he must be thinking: Why don't they let me play? All I want is for my brother and sister to like me. The pitiable kit stared at the two as they pounded each other with their paws violently.
Then, their housefolk came out, bringing a stick with a string attached to it. On the edge of the string, tied to it, was a fluffy long strip. They wagged it around the air, and immediately, Ruby and her brother shot towards it like lightning. Pawing the furry strip playfully, Ruby laughed along with Socks and the housefolk. Tiny gazed at them. Does he think he can join us? Ruby snarled at Tiny. The tom backed off, then straightened boldly. He sprinted toward the feathery strip, and clawed it off. Ruby was sure her amber eyes had widened until it couldn't anymore. Gleefully Tiny meowed, "I got it!" Her eyes blazing with hatred, Ruby growled, "That's not how you play it! I knew it; it's no fun to play with you!" Tiny glanced at his surroundings. No one seemed to be happy. Even the housefolk were frowning. Angrily, Ruby stalked away with her older brother. He's so stupid! Giving her wimpy brother a last glare, she padded away.
The naive look on Tiny soon disappeared, and formed an upset glower. Gloomily, he continued to explore the outside with a disappointed face. Ruby returned to their room, and lay down on the soft mat the housefolk had given them along with Socks. Tiny spoiled it all over again. Her consciousness was washed away along with her fury by her sleep.
"Ruby, Socks, Tiny, it's time for feeding time again!" called Quince loudly. Ruby's amber gaze regained energy as she climbed up from the mat she was napping in. She padded to her bowl, which was finally refilled with water and brown chunks since yesterday. Not milk today? Ruby whined inside her head. Oh well. Water's good enough to quench my thirst. She began to lick the water, finishing it within a heartbeat. Then she took a big bite on her russet chunks. Stuffily she swallowed the flavorless food, when suddenly, she heard her mother yowl wearily, "Tiny? Where are you?" Ruby's tawny eyes glinted. Tiny's gone?