While Steve was staring down at the kitten, Charlie was standing patiently. He waits, calmly composed, as the light shifts. Waiting as the shadows stretch. Waiting until he is safely ensconced in the shade of a large tree.

Once he is fully within the tree's shadow Charlie calls out softly. One of the larger shadows reacts. Approaching carefully, it attempts to reach the horse, but it can't seem to find him. Unable to access his shadow, the shade can barely sense him. After several unsuccessful attempts it retreats into the light.

Careful to remain concealed, Charlie calls out again as he takes a small step. The shadow is instantly alert. It snaps into focus. A large feline, ears pricked forward and twitching as it tries to locate the source of the noise. A stamp of Charlie's hoof helps the shade pinpoint his exact position. With it's full attention, Charlie lowers himself to his knees. He stretches his neck and rests his head on the ground. The big cat has also settled into a crouch. It cocks it's head as Charlie makes a low grumble. Almost a growl. After a few more snuffles and snorts from Charlie, the cat gets up and slinks towards the horse. Entering the shade of the tree, the silhouette disappears into the shadow, a full grown panther emerging in it's place.

The big cat cautiously approaches Charlie, studying his scent as the horse lays quietly unmoving. A deep throaty purr fills the air, so intense Charlie can feel it in his own chest. The panther rubs it's nose against Charlie's. An agreement has been reached.

Charlie follows the cat over to where Steve is sitting immobile on the ground. Two cubs and three small shades climbed over his still form, batting at his shadow. His eyes connect with the horse's and he feels confident enough to speak quietly.

"Hey there Charlie Horse. Think we'll get outta this one alive?"

A small nod from his companion sees Steve's shoulders droop in relief.

"So we can keep goin' then?"

Charlie's only response is to look towards the corporeal cat that is watching them.

"We're goin' with you?"

Letting out a yowl, the cat got up and headed down the path with the other shadows trailing it. The cat stops and looks back at the duo. Steve turns to Charlie, who snorts once and follows behind the pride. Cradling his useless arm, Steve is only steps behind him. Where ever they're going, he hopes they'll get there soon. He needs to do something about his arm... and sleep! He really needs to sleep.

*********************************************************************

As the sun begins to sink below the horizon a faint pink glow barely breaches the canopy as Charlie and Steve follow the sleek black cat. The largest shades act as sentries, chasing away whatever dangers are rustling in the foliage and keeping the bubbling predators from approaching their odd little parade. Several small shadows have clambered up, and now sit inline on the horse's shadow. A row of cats ride atop Charlie, weightless silhouettes that he easily carries. Steve chuckles in amusement as they scramble back into position every time they emerge into the light, after it has been obscured by trees and Charlie's shadow has become impossible to differentiate amongst the others.

One of the cubs has reverted to it's shadow form to join it's litter-mates in their game, while, nestled in the crook of Steve's uninjured arm, the other cub's sleepy purr distracts Steve from his physical pain. The soft, warm weight tugs at his heart.

How often had he held his own children like this? Especially Essie. Hour upon hour of pacing, trying to settle the fretful baby.

He'd do it all again in a heartbeat if it meant he could hold his babies one more time.

Lost in thought, Steve almost steps on the tail of the big cat they're following. It has stopped and settled in the middle of the track, right where the path has widened into a proper roadway again, and the roadside water has receded to a few shallow ponds. In the last glow of the dying sun, the rest of the pride revert to their physical form as they enter the darkness of the densely wooded forest. Steve gulps nervously as they stalk past him.

Knowing what's around him, and seeing it are two vastly different things.

A large panther stretches and yawns, it's teeth and claws gleam in a non-existent light.

"So d'we keep followin' them?"

With a toss of his head Charlie shoulder bumps Steve, pushing him in the right direction. Taking their place in the centre of the procession, the party continue travelling down a hidden deer path. Leaning against Charlie, Steve has to rely on the horse to guide him, as he can no longer see the cats as they walk through the darkness. After almost stepping on a cub, Steve stops their entourage. He can see the cats' eyes glowing as they watch him lift the squirming kittens onto Charlie's broad back. They proceed a little slower as Charlie tries not to jostle the six small creatures now huddled in a purring mass. The gentle sway of the horse's gait soon lulls them to sleep. The last cub is wide awake, having slept away most of the afternoon, cradled in Steve's arm.

It now perches on his shoulder. Watchful and alert, it tracks the adults as they slip away to investigate their surroundings. Several times the returning felines bring back reptiles and large rodents, which they drop at Steve's feet before sauntering away. He isn't sure if they're gifts or if they've designated him as pack horse, either way he knows better than to leave their bloody kills behind.

To Steve's exhausted body it feels like days before they reach a clearing. The soft blue glow of the full moon illuminates the hollow marking the entrance to the cats' den. Lifting the kits down from their perch, Steve watches as they race around his feet before following the adults inside.

He approaches the den uncertainly, only to be stayed by a low, threatening growl. The shadow he originally took to be a clump of bushes raises it's head. A large shadow-cat lies next to the opening, it's tail twitching as it eyes Steve mistrustfully. He backs away from the angry feline until he's pressed against Charlie's side.

"I take it we're roughin' it out here t'night?"

In answer Charlie moves to the opposite side of the clearing and settles himself in the loose sand.

"Right."

Steve sits next to him and leans against his side. Though he closes his eyes it's soon evident he will get no sleep. Shivering as the cold ground leeches out his body heat, Charlie's warmth against his back only enhances the contrast, making it impossible for Steve to ignore the plummeting temperature.

"Ya think a small fire'd hurt?"

Charlie pushes Steve to his feet as he himself rises. The shadow-cat's eyes glow as it watches them set up. While Steve assembles a fire pit, Charlie drags wood into a pile. Steve continually pauses in his task as several times his useless arm proves itself a hindrance. Feeling has returned, but the arm hangs unresponsive as the injured muscles still refuse to cooperate.

Unable to tear his skirt one handed, Steve cannot create a sling or bind it. Contemplating his handicap, he is struck by another complication.

"Uh, Champ? Ya may's well stop. We got no way t' start it. We lost th' flint."

Dropping the branch he'd been dragging, Charlie tilted his head thoughtfully as he looked at the stone circle Steve had assembled to contain the fire. Rubbing his nose against them, and even licking a couple, Charlie examined each stone. After analysing them carefully he brings his hoof down. Sparks fly as his shoe scrapes the edge of one. Steve's breath catches,

"That just might work!"

The two of them return to their tasks with renewed vigour, the prospect of a warm fire spurring them on.

Careful to avoid the suspicious cat, Steve gathers dry grass from the lee of the cave entrance. Using this as kindling, the two soon have a fire set. The grass ignites and burns quickly but it's enough. It catches and soon they are sitting back, illuminated by the small flame that wavers as the green wood snaps and pops. There isn't much heat emanating from it but they're grateful for what little they're getting. As one of the larger pieces catches the shadow cat slowly levers itself to it's feet and moves closer. It's demeanour is still threatening as it curls up close to the fire opposite them, but now that it's in the light Steve can see what the shadows had previously concealed.

Frail and greying, the cat is in a truly bad way. It's eyes are rheumy and the few teeth it still bares are brown and rotting. It's obvious it hasn't been able to care for itself for some time and, as a consequence, it won't survive much longer. The exertion of moving has left it panting on the ground. Looking at the emaciated body, Steve doesn't miss the pain in it's eyes.

He can do nothing for the pain, but he can relieve it's hunger. Staying in the cat's eye-line, Steve retrieves one of the rodents that still lie in the pile outside of the den where he had dropped them. He tosses it onto a stone and uses a stick to push the burning coals closer. It's not long before the smell of burning hair is replaced by the mouth watering scent of roasting meat. Using his stick to skewer the sizzling meat, Steve turns the charred animal. It doesn't take long to cook and he soon grabs another, after setting the first one aside to cool.

The scent soon draws several more cats out of the den. Acting quickly Steve snags the meat, rescuing it as some of the cubs try to sneak up as it cools. Offering the cubs a few scraps, Steve tears off the softest, fattiest pieces and starts chewing. His stomach aches with hunger but the thought of what he's put in his mouth makes it heave in revolt. Either way makes no difference as this is not for him. He spits out the disgusting, fatty mash and offers it to the elderly cat. It's feigned disinterest evaporates quickly when one of the kittens attempt to take the pre-chewed mess.

Telling himself that it's no worse than rabbit, Steve forces himself to swallow a few bites between feeding the old cat. The other adult cats have, by this time, made short work of the offal and now watch as Steve continues to roast the rest of the hoard of meat. It doesn't take long before the pile is gone and the cats lounge around, replete from their meal. Hunger dealt with, Steve now turns his attention to the thirst he's been actively ignoring. He turns to Charlie for advice.

"Wadda ya think Champ? There has t' be fresh water somewhere 'round here."

Charlie looks up from where he's been cropping the grass. He calls out and one of the cats respond.It gets up and, without looking back, slinks away. Thinking quickly Steve grabs and trails after the cat. They haven't gone far before they come to a small pool. The cat watches Steve with a look of derision as he leaps away from the bubbling water. It is only as the cat drinks that he understands his mistake. An underground spring churns the water, causing a fountain of bubbles to spill out.

Giving the cat some space, Steve kneels at the waters edge and starts scooping water into his mouth. He can feel it run down his throat to fill his belly, and welcomes the cold bite of the frigid water. Thirst slaked, Steve picks up the animal skull and gives it a wash. Using the palm of his hand to plug the eye sockets, Steve fills it with water, then rushes back to the fire side whilst trailing water. There is little more than a cup left in the leaky, make-shift bowl. The elderly cat belligerently accepts the offering before closing it's eyes to sleep.

With the rest of the pride inside their den, and the old one's soft breaths stirring the air, Steve settles back against Charlie's side.

"Ya know there's water thadaway?"

Charlie opens one eye and huffs.

"'Kay. 'slong as ya know."

He stokes the fire again, then dozes off staring into the flames.

"I'm still alive huh? Well, g'night Darl'."