Frost and Flame, Chapter8:Frost

Where the woods ended, a prairie began, a thin stream (possibly the one they just crossed) wound its way around a bundle of honey suckle bushes. “This is where we live!” piped Dash. Snowflake gazed at the honeysuckle den and started to walk towards it with her friends.
As they followed a narrow path surrounded by tall prairie grass, she could see the house better. “Why is there grass tangled in the branches?” she asked. “Our parents wove in dead grass for extra protection.” Dash explained. “It doesn’t shield us from ticks though!” Splotch mumbled. “What’s a tick?” Snowflake asked embarrassedly.
“You don’t know what a tick is?!” Splotch exclaimed, he shook his head “You’re a lost cause,” he stated jokingly.  At that Snowflake pushed him into the tall grass. “Ahh! I’ve got ticks all over me now! I’m gonna get you!” he yelled. Dash and Snowflake fled in mock terror.
Suddenly the she-kittens crashed into a furry mass, they looked at the black and white cat. The cat’s eyes looked around in mild confusion. “What is with all this ruckus?” She asked turning to Splotch then Dash then Snowflake. “And who’s this?” Splotch grinned sheepishly “We were playing a game…” “With our new friend, Snowflake” Dash finished.
The she-cat bent down and sniffed Snowflake. “Won’t your mother be worried when she can’t find you?” she asked worriedly, “And your owners too.” She added. Snowflake’s mouth gaped, how does she know?! Can she read minds! No that’s absurd. But…
Dash interrupted her confused thoughts. “Our Mom can smell really good,” She explained then turned to her mother “Can she please stay! She’s hungry, and tired, and I bet she hasn’t ever tasted mouse! And...” Dash took a gulp of air, “And there aren’t any other kits and…”
She trailed of as her mother held up her tail to quiet her, she glanced at Splotch who was gazing pleadingly at her. “Oh, alright.” Dash broke into cheering as her mother gave in “Oh thank you, thank you, thank…” Her Mom stared at them sternly “But only to come in and get a bite.”
They hurriedly rushed in from the downpour and once inside Snowflake was almost overcome by the many different scents. “My name is Haze, sorry for the lack of introduction on my part.” The wild kitten’s mother said. “That’s a lovely name.” Snowflake replied. “Why, thank you.” Haze meowed “My kit name was ‘Hazel’, because of my eye color.” Snowflake thought about this tidbit of information; what would be her cat name, she wondered.
A shadow moved into the den, it was now dark and the rain blurred scents together. Haze tensed up and all of the kittens, wild and tame alike got behind her. The shadow’s owner approached, it was a cat.
“Who goes there?” Haze growled with menace. The cat bent his head to set something down, then spoke “It’s me, Haze.” At this the two cats rubbed against each other, their pelts both soaking wet. While the show of affection happened, Dash snatched a limp object off the ground from the pile the tom cat had dispatched.
Snowflake looked at the black and white tom, it was the first time she had ever seen a full grown male cat. “That’s our father, Crow.” Dash squeaked in admiration. “And this is our meal!” Splotch mewed, “This is mouse, you skin it with your claws, and then dig in!” he explained, doing it step by step. “Go ahead take a bite.” Dash urged.
Snowflake’s stomach was growling, and her mouth was watering as she leaned forward and took a mouthful. It was the best thing she had ever tasted! “Who is this?” Crow asked Dash and Splotch. “This is our new friend, Snowflake!” Dash exclaimed. “Snowflake, now that you’ve eaten your share you better be on home.” Haze concluded. “Bye!” her friends mewed as she left.