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The most important day of Kiera's short life was followed by a dark and stormy evening.
But that was okay.
More or less.
It was okay, because Kiera was, if nothing else, a problem solver. It had been her idea to set up a tent hours beforehand, after using her analytical skills—and a little bit of instinct—to tell that this storm would roll in, hours before it arrived. Using reinforced materials, and after thorough testing, she determined that her makeshift shelter was doing just fine holding up against the elements.
…for now.
Thing was, said storm had only been going on for 20 minutes. As far as short bursts of inclement weather were concerned, the tent would be fine—and both Kiera and her traveling partner had weathered far longer and far worse before.
But experience told her that it wouldn't be long before this storm became both. Kiera was usually quite good at holding worry at bay. To survive out here, one had to be.
But tonight… Not so much.
Catalina… where are you?
She got outside of the tent and looked around. Catalina had volunteered to collect firewood… maybe an hour ago by now? It did not take an entire hour for someone of Catalina's tracking skill to collect firewood, not even a long-lasting supply, especially given that both girls' small statures allowed them to carry only so much.
So now, Catalina was out there, in a storm that was threatening to tear one of Kiera's best-made shelters to pieces. She'd told Catalina to be careful, she'd asked to accompany her, but Catalina had insisted that Kiera stay, and darn it, when that girl made a decision…
Well, fine. Kiera was going to make one of her own. She went back into the tent, put on a shawl… and took a deep breath.
Any risk was moot, Kiera told herself. A life without Catalina was no life at all.
Especially after today.
Kiera turned to the tent's entrance and gritted her teeth, preparing to step outside, to challenge Mother Nature and likely lose horribly but to fight with every piece of her being—
The tent flap opened, and Kiera saw a hooded, reddish red mane poking through it. Kiera's heart almost leapt out of her chest, as she leapt towards those same tent flaps, opening them fully.
"Catalina!" she exclaimed—her worry, her fear, her relief and joy, all flooding into her chest at once. "What took you so long? What were you doing out there? I was—"
Catalina simply smiled and revealed two covered plates of food—fish and vegetables, from the smell—which actually still had a little bit of steam coming off of them. "How…" Kiera felt one of the plates. "…how are these warm?"
"I… I snuck in a family's house and used their stove," Catalina finally said. "Don't worry, I got out before they came back."
"Don't worry?" Kiera practically shouted. "It's a little late for that, don't you think?"
Catalina didn't reply, looking both sheepish and prepared for Kiera's reaction. Which was fine by Kiera, because she had a ton of reaction to give. "I thought you might have gotten lost, or hit by the storm—or, heck, out here in bear country, maybe even worse! Don't ever scare me like that again!"
"Sorry," Catalina said, walking into the tent. She sat down in the center of it, placing the plates in front of her. "I knew you would worry. I worried a little bit too. But… it was worth the risk for me. I've never had a sister before today. I wanted to celebrate. Do something special. Because you… you've always been special to me, Kiera."
Oh.
Oh, darn it.
Kiera struggled as much as she could to stay distraught, to continue looking Angry, down to her gritted teeth still persisting.
But…
Catalina looked into Kiera's eyes. "But today was the first day I ever had the courage to tell you. And you gave me that courage. So I wanted to say thank you. For everything."
And just like that, anger was reduced to ashes, and in its place, Kiera was close to tears.
Seriously. Darn this girl. Kiera knew at that moment that she truly would do anything for Catalina. Which absolutely included instant forgiveness in the face of utter foolishness. "Cat…" Kiera trailed off, her voice soft.
"I am sorry, though," Catalina near-whispered, casting her gaze away from her best friend's. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Especially not today."
"N-no, forget about—" Kiera sighed, went over to Catalina, and wrapped her arms around her, still blinking away the tears which threatened to conquer her face. "Cat, you don't have to do anything special. Special is something you already are."
Out of the corner of her eye, Kiera saw Catalina's face redden—just before feeling Catalina sniffle and hug back, squeezing Kiera, allowing both to feel the warmth between each other. They stayed still in the storm—a storm which was the furthest thing from either of their minds.
Finally, Kiera let go, at least with one arm. "I mean, this?" Kiera gestured towards the food. "I really like it. I'd even go so far to say I appreciate it." She grinned with one side of her mouth. "I was planning on us trying to make an epic dinner out of tree bark."
Catalina giggled.
"But, yeah. The best thing you can do?" Kiera placed her hands on Catalina's shoulders. "You're doing it right just by existing. By making sure we stay together." Her voice softened. "And I promise to always do the same. Sisters forever?" she said, finally referencing her declaration from hours ago, which had made today special in the first place.
Catalina beamed wide. "Sisters forever."
"Good," Kiera said, noticing the storm calming down a bit, and inwardly sighing in relief. "All right, no sense in wasting a perfectly good feast. I'm ready to chow down if you are."
Catalina nodded, and both girls promptly dug in.