Yes! Be happy! This is like, my longest chapter ever. Well, not sure. But I'm not going to waste my time to check! Now you shall know the reason why their housefolk abandoned Ruby and Socks. If you still don't understand after reading this, PM me! xD Thanks for your previous reviews, now REVIEW THIS RIGHT AFTER YOU READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END! Thanks to all my reviewers!! ^^ Please note that I will only love you if you review! Just kidding. ENJOY!

Chapter Nine

Gone

Ruby was confused. So was her brother. Why had their new housefolk thrown them out of the house? All they did was ignore them unless they gave them food. Maybe they were just devastated, and wanted to stay by themselves. Devastated by Pinestar's death, probably. Ruby and Socks were very upset, too. But was that enough to drive the Twolegs into kicking them out of the house? It was already ten moons since Ruby and Socks first arrived at the house. There was much to keep up with. That morning, the housefolk shouted for the siblings while they played with Blaze and Belle. She and Socks merely glanced back and them and continued to play. That made the Twolegs' day. They were upset with Ruby and Socks' attitude. Pinestar always listened to them, and they weren't used to noncompliant cats. The reddish brown tom leaped toward them frailly. They scratched his back and ears as he purred gratefully. Pinestar was delighted all the time to be with the housefolk, but Ruby and Socks enjoyed Blaze and Belle's company better.

She, Socks, Blaze, and Belle stared as Pinestar allowed the Twoleg to scratch his muzzle with their huge, hairless paws. Then he went limp. Just like that. The Twoleg jumped up hysterically, letting the reddish brown body slip onto the floor. The four youngsters watched in horror. Oh, no! Ruby cried. Pinestar died because he's too old! She and Belle burst into tears. Anguished, the Twoleg screamed loudly. Gazing at Blaze, she meowed, "I guess we should go now." Blaze's intent dark golden eyes laid on her. "Don't," he rasped, wrapping her with his plumy tail. "Stay with me." Ruby stared back into his eyes with her own bright amber ones. She had to resist… But she couldn't. She loved him too much… Socks would not go unless his sister went. They always stayed together. Ruby glanced gratefully at Socks until the Twoleg screeched furiously and stormed into the yard. The four cats backed off slightly, glaring at the Twoleg with pure fear. Ruby scented her own fear-scent, mingling with Socks', Blaze's, and Belle's. The mad Twoleg grabbed Ruby and her brother violently, and as they struggled, brought them to the door of the house. She tossed the two siblings out. Out of the door. And that was it. Now the situation led to Ruby and Socks were facing. They didn't know what to do at all.

"Maybe they are just testing our survival skills," Socks suggested cheerfully. Ruby shook her head gravely, and meowed, "I don't think so, Socks. I think they've thrown us out for good." Fear glinted in Socks' enormous liquor blue eyes. "You think?" Ruby nodded. She was utterly sure of that. The Twolegs had often been upset with them for avoiding them. If only we didn't do that, she wailed. I would've been able to stay with Blaze then… Her heart thumped. The realization shoved her into a slight depression. She would probably never see her love again.

She could just imagine his beautiful dappled golden-brown eyes shimmering like starlight at her a heartbeat ago. But now everything was gone. Socks wept angrily, "How could they just throw us away like trash?" Shaking her head, Ruby sighed. "I have no idea," she stated simply. "But we're on our own now." All they could do was wander around the Twoleg street for the next few days. Occasionally they would find some food, and some nice cats on the street sometimes offered them mice or chicken. They were always grateful, and ate the prey quickly. At first Ruby was stunned by how good the mice tasted. Same with the chicken. Those plump, feathery creatures didn't look tasty at all. Water was scarce, but not hard to find. They could often come across with a rain puddle or such. But it was easy to get into huge fights just for a small sip of rainwater. However, the siblings' luck ran well, and they always got to eat enough, and drink enough.

One day, she and Socks roamed in the streets, searching for food and water as usual. They hadn't been able to find much food or water for half a moon. The two were starving, and whenever a cat looked at them, they would think they were colored skeletons of cats. Ruby's pale gray pelt got so thin that every of her bone was visible. Her thoughts often wandered near the topic of Blaze. Would Blaze still love me when I look like this? She padded weakly with the cold stony floor under her pads. A creamy brown tabby shape emerged in front of them. Quivering at the cool breeze, Ruby greeted softly, "Hello, Maple." The cream and brown tabby she-cat with a white-tipped tail and dark green eyes flicked her tail in greeting. Maple had helped them survive on the streets ever since they were kicked out. Socks seemed to adapt a huge crush on the she-cat, and Maple seemed to like him back. That is good, Ruby thought. If Maple likes Socks, then we have a better chance of surviving. Ruby and Maple quickly became quite good friends, too— though not as good as she was with Belle. A few toms such as Scorch, a very dark ginger tom with dark gray paws and amber eyes, or Grip, a dark brown tabby tom with a white-tipped tail, chest, muzzle, and gray-blue eyes, showed interest in Ruby. But Ruby could never love them. Blaze was all around her head.

"I think we can find some food today!" Maple announced cheerily. Cocking her head, Ruby purred, "Really? That would be good, because we apparently cannot find any." She couldn't help but add a bit of sarcasm in her voice. Smiling, Maple mewed, "There is a king of these streets; did you know that? I heard he fought off dogs! It was amazing. My friend Jon was one of the viewers who saw him chase away the dog. His name is Scourge. He doesn't look tough, and he's so tiny, but he dominates these streets." Ruby sniffed rudely when she heard the word tiny. Quickly, she asked, "What does he look like?"

Still gleeful, Maple replied, "Oh, he's this very small black tom with one white paw and icy blue eyes." Ruby's eyes widened. It had to be him… but it was impossible! Tiny would be dead by then… And… But she was quite sure it was him. Tiny was here, with a different position. Shocked, she couldn't help but whisper to Socks softly, "B-but I thought he was gone!"

Yes, yes. I made Pinestar go-die. But that's because the dude is just too old, and I dunno what else I should do with him except for kill him off. Now, this shall get exciting... OMS! Ruby finds out that Tiny is still alive?! OMS! What will she do?! Of course, ask for food. He dominates da streets. xD

Now, because I am curious and I tend to make your reviews more interesting, may you tell me who your favorite characters are so far in your review? xD Sorry if it's Pinestar! xD

Well, next chappy I will add an allegiances for my story here. You SHOULD know about their colorings. And remember to read and review my stories: Flaw, Hearts, and OLYMPICS!! xD See ya!