It's early morning when Steve wakes. The dull predawn light has barely penetrated the clearing, but it's enough for Steve to see the dark shape next to him. The shadow-cat has curled up between Steve and Charlie. The fire had died in the night, taking it's heat with it, so the cat has sought out the closest source of warmth. It hasn't been there long though, as it's fur is still cool against Steve's arm.

Seeing it's body curled into a tight ball, Steve moves closer and covers the elderly feline with his skirt, doing his best to trap in heat. Lying back, he stares at the dark shapes of the branches swaying overhead. He can just make out small patches of sky as it changes from black to grey. Purple light is starting to tint the sky as Steve starts to doze again, only to be startled to full wakefulness as a gurgling growl breaks the silence. The vibration of the course sound is enough to rouse Charlie. He and Steve watch the slow rise and fall as the cat takes each tortured breath. Steve is no stranger to death and is well aware that there is little that can be done.

Gradually the gurgling grows fainter as the breath becomes shallower, until finally they stop altogether. Man and horse, the two of them stare at the still form that lies between them, unsure what to do now. The body rapidly starts to cool as Steve blinks back tears.

"I'm not us'lly a cat person, but-"

He stops, unable to find the right words. It's only now that he sees the glow of eyes through the blur of tears he refuses to let fall. The entire pride surrounds them. They sit at attention, alert, with ears twitching as they track noises in the underbrush. They are otherwise motionless with their eyes fixated on the canopy, or, to be more precise, the small patches of purple that slowly gradates to the vibrant blue that marks the official start of a new day.

The cats remain as still as statues, staring, unblinking, until the first true rays of sunlight start to speckle the forest floor. The beams of light play across the faces of the shadow-cats. As the warmth washes across them, the cats close their eyes and begin to purr. The soft rumble increases as each cat joins the symphony. The vibrations shiver through the earth and thicken the air, making Steve's breath catch and his bones ache. They start to feel as thought they're going to be pulverised into dust with the intensity of the sound.

A cold heat burns across Steve's hand. Focusing on the rest of the cats, Steve had been oblivious to what was happening right in front of him. As the sunbeams caress the ink black fur of the deceased cat, dark vapour rises, not unlike the smoke of burning incense. Dancing like a candle flame, it twists and writhes. Steve jerks his arm away as it twines around his wrist, the could makes his skin pale, and a deep ache that stiffens the joints in his already painful arm.

Steve and Charlie move away from the corpse as the vapour disperses in the early morning breeze. Soon enough, all that is left is a small black smudge where the cat had been, a dark unmoving shadow that stains the ground. An eerie silence settles over the glade. The sudden absence of sound almost feels like a physical blow to Steve's ears, as the cats, as one entity, cease their rumbling purr and turn to face the same cat. The many eyes watch on as the cat approaches the centre of the congregation. Stepping through a puddle of sunlight, the cat disappears. A slinky black shadow emerges in it's place, walking through the dancing silhouettes, voids created by tree branches swaying in the breeze.

The large predator approaches the small shadow that marks the final resting place of the elderly cat. The shade taps at the mark before nudging it with it's nose. A low yowl makes Steve's ears hurt as his brain tries to make sense of the echo that punctures the silence. The small shadow stirs as the cat nudges. Picking up a small black shape, the cat carries it back to the pool of sunshine. Stepping into the brighter light, the shadow disappears as the corporeal cat stalks out. This time Steve sees it, a moment briefer than the blink of an eye, where the cat melds with shadow. The vapour appears to be solid, liquid, and gas all at once.

Stunned by everything happening around him, it takes Steve a moment to notice the cat that is now sitting impatiently in front of him.

-YOURS-

A deep voice seems to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Wha'?"

-YOURS-

Staring Steve in the eye, the cat raises a paw and reaches towards him. Finally getting the cue, Steve crouches and takes what the cat is offering. As he makes contact, coldness burns the white marks that still mar his damaged arm. He wants to jerk his hand away from the little bundle but his fingers refuse to let go. Wisps of vapour trail off of the small black mass that he holds cupped in his hand, and purple sparks dance along the hair on the back of is hands, occasionally arcing between the fingers that bear the white marks. One of the sparks hits the darkness he has cradled in his hand. It flinches and opens large violet eyes. It lets out a startled mewl while blinking wide eyed at Steve.

"Wait, what?!"

-YOURS NOW, YOU COME BACK-

Steve is left slack-jawed as the cats either retreat into the den or fade into the jungle.

"What am I s'posed t' do w'th this?"

Looking up from the cub that is gently gnawing on his fingers, Steve turns his attention to Charlie.

"Any ideas?"

There's no mistaking THAT snort of amusement.

"Seriously, I'm no' a cat person. I don't know how t' look afta this. What does't ev'n eat?"

With a look of desperation, Steve appears completely out of his depth as he stares down at the little cat that now holds his thumb in it's tiny paws.

Charlie jerks away quickly as it suddenly swipes at his nose. Pin pricks of blood well up as he wasn't quite fast enough. Eyes narrowed, he moves closer to the kitten and snorts. A loud, messy snort that startles the small creature and covers both the cub and Steve's hand in snot. Steve lets out a yelp as the scared ball of fluff puffs up further, causing purple sparks to flash again. Threads of dark lightning wrap around his arm. Searing pain burns through his muscles as the cold fills his bones. Steve pulls the kitten in close, reflexively drawing the painful arm tight to his body as he tries to calm the little cat. One last arc forms between Steve's wedding ring and the cats tail before it finally settles it's hackles and the static charge abates.

"Seriously guys, we're gonna hafta try t' get along if we're gonna travel t'gether."

With a huff and a flick of his tail, Charlie heads over to the water.

"Gotta love family road trips."