The flames reached into the sky, far beyond the cloud tops, twisting, its toxic smoke blocking the stars. Twelve wiry cats stared into the massive fire, seemingly mesmerized by it. The only sound to be heard was the wind through the trees; it was as if even the great, all-encompassing Pacific ocean quieted its ever-sounding roar for the occasion. Each pair of eyes were rended red in the reflection of that unearthly light, every eye fixed on the surreal flame. It appeared to tower past the stars. All went silent. No breathing, no wind, no water lapping at Iriomote's shore. The fire's crackle silenced.. The tower of flames fell, until all that remained were the sparks which danced in the sky on the slightest breeze. Then, they came together into an orb of fire, stretched, shaped, until it so