The Snake Who Swims

Special thanks and credit to Glukoko on deviantart for their F2U pixel artwork. 
https://www.deviantart.com/glukoko 
The kitten attempted to open his eyes, but they felt heavy and like they were sealed shut. He let out a small mew, then purred as his mother gave him a reassuring lick on the head. He felt content, and safe curled up next to his mother's warm belly, and feeling the wriggling bodies of his littermates. He felt sleep wash over him, and he let out a soft mew before the world of dreams took his mind.
The next morning the kitten felt something was off. It didn't take him long to realize the bodies of his littermates where cold, and still. The scent of death drifted to him, and he cried out in surprise. He felt his mother lick his head once more, and then the warmth of her body left, and cold air hit him. He heard pawsteps, and one by one, his deceased littermates bodies where moved away from him. "Such a shame." he heard a gentle female voice say. He recognized it as his mother's, and cried out crawling feebly towards the direction it came from. As a kitten that was what his instinct told him to do. For without her warmth, he would soon perish. He felt her teeth secure his scruff, and soon he was set gently back in the nest, he curled up next to his mother. He then felt another small warm body next to him. He turned his head and sniffed, he recognized the scent as of his littermates, one of his sisters to be exact. He shifted so he was nestled close to her. Somehow in his undeveloped kitten mind, he knew she was all he had besides his mother, and that she had survived the illness that struck the other three kittens with him. He felt safe and content, and welcomed the dreams that sleep brought.
Snake blinked open his eyes, and then yawned. He stood, and stretched his short limbs. The small four moon old kitten was large for a cat his age, he had been the biggest kitten in his entire litter when he was born. He remembered those early days of his life with a contented feeling. He had never had trouble wrestling with his siblings for the milk his mother provided, he still had no trouble after the majority of them became ill and died. Only he, and his sister Autumn remained. Snake's ears pricked and he glanced around his drowsiness now evaporated. Where was Autumn? And more importantly where was Mother? He inhaled taking in the scents, their scent was still fairly fresh, they must have gone out scavenging. Hunting was difficult in this area during the cold morning hours, the only food at this time was twoleg scraps. Snake felt bitterness wash over him. He knew he had just recovered from a cough, but he was more than healthy enough to scavenge! What irritated him more, is he was the only one who got fresh prey. His mother, and Autumn had insisted on it when he was recovering. He then shook his head, trying to force himself to be grateful. Some twoleg scraps make cats sick. If I had become ill from scraps I wouldn't have been able to recover so quickly, and so well. I owe them my gratitude. Yet he couldn't push away the bitterness he felt. The uselessness. He hated being weak and useless. Snake then had an idea. They want to leave me behind? Fine. I'll just go for a swim to clear my head. He exited the den, and headed through the woods towards the familiar river. He could walk the way with his eyes closed he knew it so well. Water was his escape, water felt like home to him. The fear of drowning never once entered his mind. He felt more safe in the water than anywhere. His mother often joked he was meant to be a fish, and was born a cat by accident. Snake glanced around the woods, at the red, yellow, and brown leaves. Fall had come, but no matter how chilly it was, Snake always went to swim at least once a day. That's how he caught a cold in the first place. His sister had scolded him, saying he was not a fish, and it was much too cold to swim. She said to wait until spring. Well Snake never listened to his sister anyways. He stopped at the shoreline, gazing into the blue moving water. It seemed much more wild than before, as it had rained recently. Snake dipped his paws in the shallow edge first, adjusting to how cold it was. Snake was about to wad further in when a voice stopped him, "WHAT DID I TELL YOU!? NO SWIMMING, IDIOT!" 
Snake turned to glare at his sister, Autumn. He lashed his tail, ears pinned, "I can do whatever I want to, thanks." he replied tartly.
Autumn stalked over and glared up at him. The she-cat was small for a cat her age. She was the runt of the litter. "I'll tell Mother." she threatened. 
Snake scoffed, "C'mon we aren't two moons old anymore, that threat doesn't work on me. Besides what will Mother do? Drag me back to the den?"
"I might." his mother's cold, smooth voice made Snake flinch.
"Uh, would you really?" Snake asked his voice scared, and he seemed to visibly shrink.
"It depends on how mad I would be." his mother did not sad happy at all.
Snake swallowed trying to appear brave, "What's wrong with me taking a little swim? I don't see how it would hurt me.."
His mother now appeared even more angry, "Not only is it cold out, but the river is much more wild than it normally is! It would sweep you away!"
Snake whimpered, "The river-spirit would never hurt me.. Would it? Don't I.. have a special connection with it?"
His mother seemed to soften, "Of course, dear. The river-spirit is just upset today, when you're upset don't you wish to not be bothered?"
Snake nodded slowly, "I suppose so, yeah."
His mother moved her tail in a beckoning gesture, "Come now. We're all going to scout out the city as a family. I want to teach you how to scavenge for yourselves when prey is scarce. As it will be soon."
Snake brightened, "Okay!" he chirped, and trotted over to his mother, his sister not far behind. They both followed their mother on the well worn down path to the city. Snake made sure to pay close attention to his surroundings as that's what he was taught. His mother turned her head, "Remember what I told you kits?"
Snake and Autumn replied at the same time in unison, "Pay attention, do as you say, and if you see trouble run away."
Their mother nodded with approval, and then turned back to face the path ahead of her. Snake felt a bit disappointed, But why? Why do we always have to obey you, Mother? Do you really know what's best for us? he instantly shook himself regretting he doubted her. Of course she does. She has our best interests at heart. But he couldn't help but feel impending doom. He felt like something bad was coming, and this was a bad idea, but he kept his mouth shut. After all, he was just a kit, what did he know?
{wip}
Category:Cats
Category:Unfinished Stories
Category:Stories