"What was she thinking?"

Tumble shrugged.

"I dunno Pounce. I guess she was trying to prove she wasn't scared."

Pouncival shook his head and bounded off.

A few minutes later, he stood at the bottom of a tall tree, looking up at a shaking, snow covered kitten.

"Lec are you okay?"

The little tortoiseshell sniffed.

"Well, Tumble and Plato were talking about this tree, and they dared me to climb it. So…I did."

She glanced down at the snow banks.

"In hindsight, that wasn't a good idea."

Pouncival laughed and jumped onto the lowest branch. A clump of snow fell from a shaking branch and landed on his head. There was a giggle from above. He rolled his eyes and leapt from branch to branch until he reached Electra. A cute grin spread across his freckled face.

"Well hi."

Electra smiled and started shivering. Pouncival shyly hugged her.

"Hmm. Warm fur," Electra murmured happily.

She snuggled into his shoulder. Pouncival was almost speechless.

"Uhh…uh shouldn't we get out of the tree?"

Electra blushed.

"I-I'm scared of climbing down."

Pouncival smiled.

"Don't worry. I'll help you."

Gently, he took her tiny paw.

"Just close your eyes and trust me."

Electra nodded and closed her amber eyes. Pouncival slowly started descending, Electra in tow. On the last branch, he lifted her down, his paws on her brown and black waist.

Once she was on the ground, Electra exhaled gratefully. Her eyes were still closed and she was huddled unusually close to Pouncival. They just stood there for a while, in the snow.

"Pouncival?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I open my eyes now?"