Great Hunter

He could remember it all. He'd been so tiny back then; no one had thought he could grow to be such a talent--such a power. He'd showed them. There was no greater hunter in the land, even with those two newcomers. Spoiled, both of them, they would follow their masters around and beg loudly for attention, grovelling and licking, purring and praising. Every once in awhile they'd digress into mini skirmishes with each other, growing more and more fierce before one would exclaim loudly and disentangle himself in a torrent of flying fur.

Neko wasn't like that. He was a king among cats--at least those of this household. For what other reason would he hold the honorable position on the top of the shelf? For what other reason was he always allowed on the top bunk of his masters' bed, while the other two were shoved to the bottom? None. He was king. He was powerful.

The sleek orange cat kept telling himself this as he stalked lithely from room to room. His bright orange eyes surveyed the surroundings, keeping tabs on the other two cats, Fiddlesticks and Jasper, while completely ignoring his human 'masters'. He slunk under the piano bench, crouching low to the laminate flooring as his thoughts began to blur in his mind. His ears splayed back like the wings of and airplane, and he felt himself shivering with excitement. He was a great hunter.

Fiddlesticks walked stately into the room, petite if it weren't for the fat he had accumulated during his time here. He was lazy, and rather laid back if it weren't for that timid streak. Neko kept his eyes fixed on this gray tabby--his target. Fiddle meandered around the other side of the room for a few minutes, considering the couch, the large cushioned chair, and the patch of sunlight equally before one of the humans stepped into the room and surprised him a bit. Then he began to walk toward Neko's hiding place, completely unaware of his impending doom.

Neko was truly shivering now, but he waited until Fiddle was only a few feet from him before striking. He was like a viper--he leaped forward, meowing viciously as his declawed front paw shot forward and slammed into Fiddle's unsuspecting face. Neko backed up two steps, staring menacingly at his prey. Fiddle sat there blankly for a moment. After a few seconds, Neko had mustered enough courage to have another go, moving forward threateningly, chirping in the most malicious way.

But before he could get another hit off, Fiddle made his move. He was like lightning, and Neko barely had time to register being tackled and batted twice in the face before he was mewing in panic and scrambling away from his assailant. Fiddle followed, tail held gaily in the air, batting at the retreating form that was easily twice his size.

Finally, Neko had escaped to his personal and safe ledge at the top of the shelf, watching Fiddle--who was sitting below him and staring at him innocently--and listening resignedly to the hysterical laughter of his master, who had witnessed everything.