Nepeta's forest had just begun to darken for the night. They leaves were drooping ever so slightly to the ground, the tulips and daisies were closing, and even the stream seems to babble quieter than usual as the scorching Alternia sun settled behind the horizon. The great brown owls of the night had just opened their first eyes, and ruffled their wing feathers in preparation for the grand hunting scene of the night. The small rodents made their way to their dens, some still pondering over the way home; these were likely to be the dinner of some more intelligible animals in the forest. The whole scene began to transform as the last rays of the sun glinted out of sight beyond the ocean.

Nepeta looked out her window. It seemed to be that perfect time in the evening again. She walked quietly over to a sleeping Pounce de Leon, and with a quick scratch behind the ears Pounce let out a bellowing purr. Nepeta couldn't stop the widen smile as she lifted her hand off of his soft fur to retrieve her claws. She half walked, half skipped to her secret chasm in the cave where she kept important items. She spotted her bright claws atop a small photo of herself in her grub days. She attached her claws and stole a quick glance at the olive green grub staring back at her with delight. How things were so simple before her wriggling day. Her hands also grabbed her favorite hat lying on the hook by the door. She left through the front door of the hive with a dash, waving a quick good-bye to Pounce. She put on her blue hat with haste as she went down the small red stones that led to forest path.

Nepeta decided that she was in the mood for some ocean delicacies tonight. She pounced to the nearest tree, almost too excited to keep still. She climbed to tree with the utmost of ease. She poked her head above the tops of the leaves, and stared out into the night. No matter how many nights she had seen her forest from this view, the trees, the flowers, the breeze, the ocean... It was utterly breath-taking. Nepeta took a deep inhale and smelled the Tulip pollen, the ocean mist, and the most wonderful smell of all. The smell of fresh prey. Nepeta took a quick glance in the direction of the next tree. She leaped with ample agility and grace.

Nepeta continued along the tree-line until the smell of fresh fish and ocean spray engulfed her nostrils. She scanned the ocean line, deciding where the best catch of the night was, when she spotted a small light speck in the distance. She tilted her a head a little. It was quite possible something had washed ashore, but it was rather large to be anything Nepeta could bring home. Nevertheless, Nepeta landing with a quiet thump on the forest floor and began in the direction of the unknown object. She quickly gained speed, pouncing along the coarse sand with her paws. As the speck grew, Nepeta made out the general shape of the object. It looked rather pink, with a bit of white and black. She slowed her pace a bit, noticing the stars appearing in the sky. She was now only feet from the unidentified thing. She could just make out... two legs, two arms, and a face. She quickly leaped into the forest, her heart pounding against her chest.

Nepeta glanced at the being from behind a rather large tree. It was definitely a body, but it did not look troll-like. She studied the pink skin and the lack of horns. Perhaps they were hidden under the lad's hair? Nepeta had to move closer to check. She was hesitant, for she had never seen this troll before on her turf. She stalked carefully across the sand, feeling every grain as she edged closer. Closer and closer she went making out a white shirt, pants, and shoes. She noticed the funny little boy's hair, it seemed wet and tangled. She wondered if the boy had just recently been swimming and had lost his strength to continue. She finally sat about 3 feet from the boy's head. She assessed the boy's health. He seemed to be breathing, but barely. His clothes were torn in several places, and face was pale and draped with a strand of stay seaweed.

Nepeta inched closer, staring at the boy's wrist. She took it in her hands, pushing her thumb to his vein. Equius had shown her how to take a pulse in case of emergency. She felt his irregular and slow heartbeat. She dropped his wrist. He was alive, but he needed help, he was no threat to her. Nepeta stood up and strode over to the ocean, removing her hat. She scooped up a small hat-full of water in her wadded up hat. She pranced back over to the boy, spilling half of the water. She dumped the water straight on his face, hoping for the best. The boy twitched, and then remained motionless. Nepeta shrugged, and slowly crouched. She put her arms under his miserable ragged body and lifted. The boy was also dangerously frail. She easily threw him over her shoulder. She put her soaking hat back on in one swift movement. With her right hand she held his body in place, and with her right she climbed the closest tree.

Nepeta had some difficulty pouncing from her favorite spot in the trees, at the tops, but she managed to leap all the way to the cobblestones that lead her to her Hive. She dropped out of the tree, landing on one knee. She stood up quickly, and with a quick adjustment to the boy, she raced to her door. Nepeta almost tripped on the stones with worry, the boy was becoming colder. She threw open the door, causing a great smashing sound.

Pounce de Leon sat up quickly, staring at the boy with wide eyes. "I found him on the beach, Pounce. He looks hurt." Nepeta laid down a fluffy towel in the middle of the floor. She carefully laid the wet boy down on the towel. She stood back, taking in the sight of the poor boy. Nepeta didn't know where to start; she was never too good with medicine or mending. She sighed at looked at Pounce. "Keep an eye on him while I get some supplies, kay?" Pounce blinked his eyes slowly. Nepeta winked and ran off to her medicine cabinet. She looked through it frantically, trying to find something that would help. There they were the smelling salts. Nepeta grabbed the bottle and raced back to the boy. She knelled down on the floor and opened the bottle. "Please work..." Nepeta waved the bottle under his nose. Nothing happened. She waited for what seemed like hours before she knew what to do.

Nepeta checked the boy's pulse one last time, the beat was impossible to detect. Nepeta bent over the boy, and scooped him up with her arms. She lifted up his fragile body and propped his head up. Nepeta held her breath and leaned forward. She kissed the boy softly, hoping he had a dream self. She dropped the boy to the ground and stared around the room. "I hope that worked."