Prologue

Deep in the forests of the world, on the edge between mankind and the world beyond, there is a clan of cats. There must be at least fifty of them, my mother once told me, and long ago they were normal cats; they lived alone, or with people. Some lived in small family groups.
But all had something in common; they wanted to be free with plenty of food and not having to worry about the enemies. Hawks and foxes, bears and wolves – even other cats – killed them daily – hourly.
One cat, a healer from the day she was born, addressed the spirits of the dead. She called to them for mercy and aid, for a way to end the bloodshed.
They told that cat that she must gather three of the strongest warriors and three of the most skilled hunters. She must find a place for them to be. It must be near water, with plenty of shelter and food. And she must set nine laws in place.
One; no cat is left to die, even if they are outside of the group. Two; hunters hunt for all and fighters fight for the clan, not themselves. Three; always give thanks to the spirits of the world – not just the ancestors, but the entire world. Four; obey the Priestess, for she is the contact to the spirits. Five; because the new moon is sacred, there will be no bloodshed on this day. It is a time for reflection and peace, not war and violence. Six; before a cat can be honored as a soldier or hunter, they must be tested and trained, and must prove they know the Spirit Laws. Seven; No cat less than three full cycles of the moon may be given tests of skill. Eight; No cat less than six full cycles of the moon may begin training to fight or hunt. Nine; a new Priestess is chosen by the Ancients/Spirits, not the clan.
Prey, predators, sun, water, soil, plants – all of them have spirits and are necessary for life.
She obeyed. Time went by. The clan managed, but it remained a hard life and very small. She prayed to the spirits and thanked them every morning she rose.
They called her the Priestess.
She approached the spirits of the dead once again on the new moon, and asked for guidance. They told her to gather cats who were in need of aid, with little or no skills. They would learn. And more importantly, gather kittens and those who are owned by humans.
The story goes on to tell how their group became a noble clan. All who entered the forest were welcomed. They attacked none who didn’t attack them. One of their laws became to never travel alone; a hunter or non-fighter would travel with at least two who could.
Every morning there was a prayer for life, every meal for the prey they ate. Every night the Priestess sang to the moon.
The story is called Dreamweaver’s Song. It is a tale of many lessons, never told in a single night, and shall never end as long as the clan still lives.
For me, it was only a dream – a story. I had never ventured into the forest.
But the day my human’s house burn down, I knew it was the forest or death.
They found me. And I found a new home.

Chapter One
The Priestess

Smoke filled my lungs, making me choke and cough. The heat was unbearable, and all I could hear was the crackle and roar of the flames. Disoriented, dizzy, I raced down the stars, coughing, choking, on the thick, black air.
A huge figure on two legs loomed like a beast before me. Its enormous paws caught me around the waist and heaved me up. I squealed in shock at the pain it caused in my chest. It stank of singed hair and burned flesh. But it raced out of the house, opened the door and threw me into a bush.
I gave a cry of agony as sharp thorns protruded my sides and cut my pads. I struggled from it, leaving behind clumps of fur. Staggering away from the heat and smoke, it took the last of my energy to drag myself to lie under a tree on a bed of dirt and moss. My knees fell away from beneath me and I collapsed into a nightmare of sirens, fire and human screams.


“Those are burns!” A voice whispered. I couldn’t move, or open my eyes.
“Her breathing is labored. Perhaps wherever she came from…caught on fire.” It was a second voice, softer and filled with wisdom – wisdom and authority.
“She’s awful small.” A third voice chimed in – heavy and strong. It was clearly a male.
“And young.” The soft feminine voice said. “Her pads are baldy scraped, and her whiskers are singed.”
As they spoke, I slowly regained feeling. It was pain that came first. In my paws, ears, tail and whiskers the pain was the worst. My flank felt raw. I could smell blood – my own blood.
“Did she twitch?” The male asked, sounding alert and even hopeful.
“Yes.” The soft voice sounded pleased. There were leaves rustling and when she spoke, her voice was louder; she’d come closer to me. I could smell forest and cat. Three cats – two of them were toms.
“Are you awake, traveler?”
I struggled to open my eyes. When they obeyed at last, it was to the darkness of a new moon and bright starlight. A beautiful black long-furred queen stood before me, her sharp, challenging eyes hopeful and intense. They were the color of shattered ice on a warm early spring day.
“Good. Can you speak?” She had an accent that told me she’d known only the forest.
I croaked out a tiny mew. “Yes.” My throat was sore and tasted of smoke and fire. I licked my singed whiskers and pained lips, flinching. The haze cleared from my vision, allowing me to unmistakably see two other cats. One was an old white cat with amber eyes and a black muzzle. He had gray and orange flecked on his hocks, paws and chest. His eyes held a wisdom I had to admire. Beside him was a lean, lanky-legged fiery orange tom. He wasn’t much older than me, but I could tell he was taller. His lean figure and prancing movements reminded me of a kitten playing with a toy mouse. His eyes were a steel gray, but had a kindness and openness I’d not expected.
“You need to rest and heal, traveler. Stay still and I will give you something to ease your throat pains.” The female drew my attention back to her.
“My chest hurts.”
She looked thoughtful. “Open your mouth, youngster.”
Curious but weak, all I could do was obey. She looked down my throat and gasped.
“What is it?” The young orange one asked, excited and worried. He crowded closer to us, making my heart race.
I backed away and gave a yelp of pain; something was wrong with my leg!
“Stay back, Falling Sun.” The old tom hissed furiously. “You could hurt her – or get yourself hurt! Stop bothering the Priestess and let her work.”
That sharpened my curiosity.
“Priestess?”
“Yes. I’m sure you’ve been told of us.” Her whiskered twitched with a mix of amusement and irritation. “Now, hold still.”
My tail flicked in annoyance. “Why in the world would I do something like that again?”
A flash of interest speckled her icy gaze for a second. Then she turned to the kitten who’d been called Falling Sun. “Behave yourself, Falling Sun.” She turned to me. “That throat and mouth are badly burned. Did you inhale a lot of smoke?”
“Yes. I was in my home, and it caught on fire.”
There was no problem telling these cats something if they could help…
Even if they did think they were in one of their mother’s stories.
“And that leg? What happened there?”
“I don’t know. One of my human-folk must have thrown me out of their den to make sure I was safe.” I sniffed it. There were scratches and bruises, but nothing was bleeding badly. “It doesn’t seem to be too bad. There are some scratches…”
“Wait?” Falling Sun spoke out of turn again – and got two pairs of glaring eyes. “Your humans threw you out their den to protect you?”
“Since it was on fire, I’d assume so.” I blinked, not really understanding how that could be a question. “A few bruises and scrapes, singed fur…that’s nothing compared to what would have happened otherwise.”
He licked his chest fur with embarrassment. “Oh. Right.”
“There might me more than bruises, but I can’t do much now. My herbs are back at the camp…”
“I can take her back.” The old cat rasped.
“No.” The ‘Priestess’ argued. “I need a good soldier for fighting the foxes.”
“I can!” Falling Sun volunteered vibrantly.
The two looked at the kitten with wary and hesitant eyes.
“Common! What’s a better way to test my tracking skills? I’ve never taken this way before and would have to follow the scent!”
“That’s what we’re concerned about.” The elderly cat growled. “You getting turned around and mixed up. She’s sick and injured. We don’t need you two to happen upon a fox or badger, or for her to fall into a hole. Let alone you going and getting lost!”
I stood, realizing that though my paws ached and felt raw and my left leg was flaring with pain, I could still walk.
“If I’m careful, I’m sure I can accompany you.” I meowed roughly. “All I need is some water.”
They all looked a little – okay, very – shocked.
“Did I say something wrong?” I croaked.
“No, no.” The black queen quickly replied. “But you’re in no shape to travel. Why don’t you and Falling Sun remain here until we return?”
“What about the trial?” The kitten demanded.
“So following orders has nothing to do with being a seeker, Falling Sun?” The older cat inquired with a bite to his tone.
“No, it does. I just wanted to know if it was still going on. You two won’t be here to judge me.”
“We don’t have to for this part.” The Priestess added. “There are many parts of the trial. This is one of them. How well do you follow orders?”
He looked a little more relaxed as the two went on up the path. I went to follow them when Falling Sun stood in my way. Normally, I would give him a good show. Before I could, he spoke.
“Shouldn’t you get stronger and drink something? You won’t impress her by being stupid – believe me.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I do that enough. I’m so stupid, I amaze her with it.”
“You don’t seem stupid.” I tilted my head, carefully sitting – then laying – down.
He purred in frustrated amusement. “I show it all the time.”
“Is she your mother?”
The orange cat shook his lean head. “No. She’s my Priestess. Didn’t I say that?”
I coughed; my chest was tight, and the hacking shook me painfully. When I looked up, dripping moss was before my nose. It lowered down to reveal that my companion had fetched it for me.
“Drink lots of water after you inhale smoke.”
“Thanks.” I croaked, lapping the water up slowly.
“Not all of it at once!” He purred. “You’ll cough it all back up!”
“Really? How do you know?”
“Didn’t your mother tell you?”
I shook my head. “No. She told me about all sorts of other things. I can hunt pretty well when I try hard enough.”
“So you’re a hunter?” He sounded doubtful. “I don’t know…you seem more of the scout type…”
“What are talking about?” I lapped more water, trying to get my throat to stop scratching and hurting.
“Well…you could be a hunter…”
“I can hunt. But I can defend myself too.”
He looked shocked. “You mean tucks and dodges, right?”
“Well…that works if you’re fast enough and just trying get away, I’m sure. But my mother taught me how to stand my ground.”
“So you hunt and fight?”
“…I only fight when I have to. Like, once, I protected some kittens under the house from a crow. That wasn’t fun at all! I had to see the vet and take medicine!”
“Is the vet your Priestess?”
“No. They make your wounds better.” I purred. “Humans aren’t smart enough to believe in spirits!”
Again, he looked embarrassed. “So it’s a human?”
“Yeah.” This was weird. Every cat knew what a vet was…
“So you only fight when there’s a reason?”
“Yes.”
“So you are a scout?”
I blinked. “I don’t even know what that is!”
The growl that had rose with my temper made me cough again. I laid my head down afterwards and sighed through my nose.
“I’m sorry.” Falling Sun said quietly, suddenly. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just trying to figure out what you do.”
I was quiet for a while. “I used to listen to my mother tell stories…about wild cats…who lived in a group. They support one another, under the guidance of a Priestess…”
“Lots of cats hear it. We tell it, and show many cats our lives. Most of them stay here, but visit their family and old friends on new moons. There aren’t any duties on the day of a new moon. It’s a day of celebration.”
“Wouldn’t you guys starve?”
“No. We work extra hard the previous day.” He yawned, but didn’t even sit down. “And we only completely skip all duties when there’s enough food and clean bedding. Of course, there will always be a guard. I mean training and patrol just don’t happen.”
“Patrols?”
“It’s when we look around for cats like you, or foxes that den in our area.”
There was a lapse of quiet. I was falling asleep when he spoke again.
“So all you do is defend kittens and listen to stories?” He sounded like he was trying to tease.
“I don’t listen to them anymore…my mother passed on a few months ago…”
“Oh…” He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”
I let the formality be. He didn’t know her…
“I only picked hunting back up after she died. I’m really good at hunting birds and mice.”
“That’s good. But why didn’t you hunt before?”
“Because we don’t have to hunt like forest cats; humans give us food, shelter, water and bedding.”
“Really? Why would you want handouts?”
I shrugged. “I never thought about it. Hunting didn’t interest me until after she left me.”
“Why did you it then? You have food.”
“But it was a memory of her. That’s the only time her and I spent together…”
Why was he quizzing me?
“Oh.” He really did sound like regretted this.
“I’m sleepy.”
“I’d bet. I’ll keep watch; go ahead and sleep. It’ll be until dawn that they come back.”
He lay next to me to keep me warm, and I let myself fall asleep.


 

Chapter Two
Welcomed

Around dawn, I woke to the sound of hushed voices. I picked up – vaguely, through my damaged senses – the three cats who’d helped me last night. Relief was washed away by horror as I realized that it wasn’t a dream; I had no home, and no humans. I was injured and at the mercy of three very strange, very unfamiliar and powerful forest cats I knew nothing about. Except that they could or could not actually be Dreamweaver’s Clan.
“So that’s why she’s out here all alone. I wondered how a cat so young was alone at all. She can’t be more than four moons old!” It was the grumpy old cat’s hiss.
“That’s quite enough. I believe we’ve heard about this poor cat. We need to wake her and get her to the camp. All that smoke in her lungs is a problem, let alone that leg; it may be badly damaged.”
Feeling the stiffness in my leg, and the difficultly to breath or taste and smell didn’t help me feel confident her words were wrong. I gave a mew of a greeting, one that hurt yet was barely audible. They turned with some surprise to face me. In the light of the dawn, I saw them more clearly.
I knew the second I looked at the shadow of the female who kept giving orders was Dreamweaver, the Priestess of the forest, and felt instantly guilty for not believing them in the first place. No cat had her eyes and demeanor.
“Can you stand, stranger?”
Slowly and carefully, I proved even to myself I could.
“White Fox will support you. We’ll move slowly so you can keep up. Oh.”
She pawed yellow plants to me. “Eat these.”
“Tansy?” I asked, trying to remember why she would do that.
Her surprise made me wonder if my mother’s teachings were so normal after all.
Come to think of it, none of the other kittens ever knew the plants, and I was always too good at play fighting for them to want to play games…

“Y-yes. That’s right. You know herbs?”
“Some.” I stared at it, trying to remember. “That’s for my throat, right? What about the lungs? Wouldn’t they be hurt?”
“Cat mint is hard to find this soon after the snow melts. I have some in camp, though.”
She still looked amazed – and very impressed. I ate the flowers set down in front of me and gave myself a quick grooming to get the taste out of my mouth. Instead of the taste of tansy, I would walk around with the taste of leaf dust and dirt all day.
“Here’s some more moss.” Falling Sun offered. I lapped it up thirstily.
“Thanks, Falling Sun.” The pain in my leg would make walking difficult, but the distrust in White Fox’s eyes didn’t encourage me to lean on him. “I can walk on my own if I don’t go too fast.”
The leader nodded, looking a bit hesitant. “But if you’re in too much pain, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Being injured isn’t a weakness, especially in your case.”
No, it isn’t. But being stupid enough to trust every cat who lends a paw is.

But I nodded anyway. To say that was even denser.
They led on at a good pace – one that kept me constantly struggling to keep up with my aches and pains, but still manageable if I gritted my teeth and kept on. It wasn’t long before I was completely and utterly lost, however. This didn’t surprise me, because mother had explained how they kept their camp secrete from those who were outside the clan.
It made sense. Their numbers made enough cats nervous. The strays outside of the clan weren’t exactly the weak baby I was, I’m sure.
Soon the scent of cats washed over my mouth, becoming overwhelming. I could hear them clearly as they moved about in the undergrowth. But I couldn’t see them. Where were they?
Then the Priestess leapt through a barrier of weaved thorn and briar, shocking me. I stopped dead as White Fox followed her with complete confidence.
“Oh. You can’t jump the tunnel, can you?” Falling Sun sounded concerned. “That leg must make it difficult to move much – especially since you look so tired…”
I shook my head, letting him come to whatever conclusion he wanted to.
“That’s fine. I’ll go fetch Shadow Hunter. He should know a better way in for you.” The sleek cat disappeared through a gap, showing me a hole I’d not seen seconds before.
So that’s where it was.
I backed up carefully, aiming and judging my injuries. Then I ran as fast as my injuries allowed and leapt through the barrier. When I landed on the other side painfully, I held back a yowl of pain. The forest was suddenly open before my eyes.
I was on the edge of a clearing surrounded by woven briar and thorn bushes. In its center was a hallowed out stump with a hole dug between the dead roots. It smelled strongly of the Priestess and herbs. To my left was a pile of logs with kittens playing around it. They appeared to all of different ages. Lying on the rocks were three queens, watching them intently as they spoke quietly to one another. A short-haired black tom sat by the entrance, watching them carefully, but without joining them. I noticed Falling Sun was talking busily with him.
To my right was a thick patch of ferns. It stank of several cats. Just a few feet from it, a tom and she-cat sat and groomed one another. I could smell milk-scent and saw a small roundness to her belly. Both were muscular cats, and far bigger than me. In the back of the clearing some cats around my age were fighting or stalking leaves, twigs or pebbles and then pouncing on them.
This is crazy! Is there any order to these cats?!
“Oh. She’s already in.” It was Falling Sun’s voice, bringing my attention to my left again. “I’m sorry, Shadow Hunter. She looked like she was hurt too badly to jump.”
“That’s alright.” His voice was quiet and impassive. “I will take her to Priestess if she’s lost.”
“No, that’s all right. I’m supposed to show her around and all that.”
He purred as if amused. “Baby sitting the new cat again, eh?”
“It’s not funny! At least I passed the trial this time…”
“Third time’s the charm.” Shadow Hunter’s whiskers twitched as he followed his friend over to me. “So what’s your name?”
I looked down at my paws, not wanting to give away my name.
“Her throat must hurt still.” Falling Sun told him with a shrug. “She was badly tossed up by that fire.”
“The one in the human camp?”
“Yeah. It was her home, and her humans tossed her out to keep her safe.”
“Oh. I’m sorry about that. Hope you feel better.” He turned and went back to his spot by the nursery.
“Sorry. He’s not social.”
I shrugged. Then I got up and started for the Priestess’s stump. Falling Sun followed me. I could feel his surprise.
“It reeks of herbs, and smells like her.” I rasped. “Since she’s the healer, I would assume it’s her den.”
“You can sort all these smells?”
“I told you I can hunt.” I sighed as I carefully lay down just outside the gap.
Priestess appeared at that moment, with a mouthful of catmint and horsetail.
“For my chest and scratches?” I asked as she lay them down and sorted them.
“Yes. Lay still and I’ll put it on you.”
I blinked. “I can do that…”
She looked at me carefully and shook her head. “Eat the catmint. I will apply the horsetail so I can make sure nothing is infected or broken. Your leg is swollen.”
“I think I wrenched something.”
As I ate the catmint, she chewed the horsetail. Then she began to slowly lick it into each wound. I kept still and quiet, though a few times I couldn’t help but flinch away.
When she touched my leg with her nose, I was caught off guard from the sudden pain that flared up. Giving a small cry of pain, I resisted scratching off her ears by digging my claws into the ground. Several cats turned to look at me, and then hurried back to their own business.
“Oh dear. That’s not good at all.”
She disappeared into her den again and came out with comfrey and long leaves.
“Eat these.” She put the comfrey down in front of me. “It’ll help you heal.”
I sniffed them, recalling only using them for infection. “Is there another use for these other than infection?”
“They help tissue and bones heal. You’ve torn a muscle in your leg somewhere, though I’m glad it isn’t fractured.”
So am I.
I ate the comfrey. It wasn’t something my mother had warned me to never eat…but it was bitter. I resisted gagging.
“This is going to hurt.” She was standing over my leg. “I have to wrap it to make sure it heals properly.”
Will I be crippled if she does that wrong?
Remembering the time my vet bandaged my paw when I twisted it, I watched her intently for mistakes. It kept my mind off the pain, anyway.
“Thanks.” I said through gritted teeth. I noticed Falling Sun had disappeared.
“He probably went to ask a hunter to find some extra prey. We will eat soon.”
“I –“
“You will not hunt your own prey in your condition.” She interrupted, guessing wrongly what I was going to say.
She must deal with a lot of stupid cats.
“I was going to say that I have eaten last night. I don’t need to trouble your hunters.”
She looked a little embarrassed and a little surprised.
“What if we have extras?” A mocking but vaguely familiar voice called through a muffled mouth. Looking up, I saw the black cat Shadow Hunter. He was holding a vole in his mouth. I noticed the cleanness of the kill and tried to remember if I’d done so well with such a fast creature, but couldn't think of such a time. The cat set it down.
“Your throat doesn’t seem to hurt bad enough to ask what an herb is for or say that you’re not hungry. Why don’t you give us a name?”
My tail flicked furiously. I didn’t need to be mocked by any cat, let alone him!
I opened my mouth to make a harsh remark when I realized how stupid it would be. I wasn’t exactly in a situation or condition to smart mouth a tom cat.
“My name is Serenity.” I replied. It was the name my human-folk had called me, not my real name, but none of them would know the difference. Besides, none of the cats at the human place knew my real name.
I’ve never really been close to anybody Is that why I don’t have any regrets about being here?
"I’m Shadow Hunter, if you didn’t hear Falling Sun clearly enough.”
“Thanks for the vole.” I changed the subject.
“No problem. Sometimes we find extra food.”
“Wait to eat it.” He whispered. “It’s very important that you do.”
I nodded, not understanding but accepting his advice.
I noticed everybody was getting food from a pile near the entrance.
The Priestess jumped on the log. Suddenly all was silent. The cats in the back stopped fighting and stalking. The kittens stopped playing and the queens stopped talking. Cats gathered around the stump from all directions.
“This day has brought many things to this clan. It brought food and water, sunshine and warmth. It has given us hope that there will be a tomorrow." Her voice carried in a soothing yet ceremonial ring. “And we must remember that the lives we have taken today have sacrificed all they know to renew our lives and allow us to awaken as we are today; healthy and full. Give thanks to them, and rejoice in the life they provide us.”
The cats bowed their heads, as if to pray.
As soon as all eyes were on her again, she continued.
“The day has also brought an injured cat into the camp. Her home burned down, and her humans are gone. Because of this, I will provide her care and the opportunity to remain here as long as she needs to recover and find a new home.” Relief washed over me. She was allowing me to stay until I found another home.
What if I don’t want to go back to the humans?

The thought hit my mind, making me realize how trapped I’d felt in the house compared to now. It honestly shocked me to my core.
“Her leg was injured, so any activity she performs cannot strain it. Exercise will be limited.”
“Will she hunt?” A cat asked out of the blue. “The snow just melted. How can we feed another mouth?”
“She will eventually be permitted to hunt, but not now. She inhaled a lot of smoke, and her injured leg won’t allow her to run and jump properly.”
“Will she help around the camp until then?” A younger cat asked. She was around my age.
“I will decide which chores she can do tomorrow at dawn.”
They all listened carefully. Their questions seemed logical. I would need to hunt and do chores while I was here; they couldn’t accept another burden for even a short amount of time.
“We have prayed. But one more thing is in order."
They looked around, curious. She looked at Falling Sun with gleaming eyes.
"Sparrow Wing's Journey Cat, Falling Sun, has completed his final Trial, and has earned a new right."
The cats gathered around, and he came to the center. She looked to the sky and called "As the Priestess of this Clan, I call to the spirits of this earth and the ancestors of our blood, and ask them to take notice of my choice."
The wind stirred with furry through the branches above suddenly, and slowed to utter silence.
The Priestess looked back onto the circle. I held my breath. What was going on?!
"The Journey Cat Falling Sun has trained hard in the ways of the Nine Spirit Laws. He fights with precision in the name of the clan. He has sacrificed much to be a part of something greater, and always gives thanks to the world around him. To honor his sacrifices, skill and dedication, I hereby proclaim him a Scout!"
She gracefully leaped down beside the smaller orange cat and said "May the Ancestors bless you, and may you serve them and our clan with the endurance you have shown in training.”
"Falling Sun! Falling Sun! Falling Sun!"
Even I cheered when I saw the pride in his gaze. It had to mean a lot to him.
The Priestess spoke once more when all quieted. "And may the Spirits bless our visitor, our clan and our prey!" And she picked up a squirrel, taking a bite.
Every cat began to eat. I ate slowly and delicately, thinking.
Now that I think about it, they seem organized. A prayer before they eat…patrols and dens…herbs…hunters…

It sounded like a lot of hard work. Memories of training to hunt and fight with my mother flooded back to me, as well as the house. My human-folk had always played with, pet and fed me. They’d comforted me when I was scared, or entertained me when I was bored…and loved me…
But were they even alive? Was there anything left of my past? If not, would the clan really be my place?
Or do I have more of a future than a past?

“Is there something on your mind?” Priestess asked.
“My human-folk…”
“I don’t think that is something you need to think about right now.” Her tone was light and understanding, surprising me for once. “I still try to keep those memories vague. They love us, sure, in their own stupid way.” She sat up, finished with her sparrow. “But they don’t see much past themselves. Yours weren’t able to get out of a fire. I don’t know how they understood to get you out and not themselves, but they didn’t. My humans…they didn’t know what to do with kittens after the mother was gone. When my mother died, they seemed to panic. They put us outside in the forest.”
“Us?”
She bowed her head.
“My brothers didn’t make it. They were weaker than I was, and the cat who found me found them dead.”
“Oh…”
She shook herself. “But humans aren’t something to think about out here. If you do ever find another human to care for you, remember that you will always end up back here. It’s where cats belong.”
Then she rose. “Other than that, I will help you heal. I will even help you find a new home; even if that’s somewhere in the forest.” Her eyes gleamed. “Who knows? Perhaps your destiny is here.”
She turned and went toward a fallen log where several elderly cats were chatting. I noticed cats around my age hauling moss to and fro.
Feeling restless, I rose and limped over to them. They paused, looking a bit surprised.
“Hi. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was told to ask you if I could help.”
They blinked. I looked between them. One was a black and white female with pale green eyes. Another was a gray stripped tomcat with amber eyes and fluffy, long fur. The third cat had short white fur that hugged his skin; it looked amazingly soft and fluffy, and he was smaller than the other two. His eyes were the blue-gray color of a kitten.
“The Priestess asked you to help us? Aren’t you hurt?” The black and white asked, setting down the moss.
“I’m not so hurt I can’t drag around moss.”
The looked at each other, wide eyed.
“Do you think you should ask her?” I looked over them to her. “She looks busy though…”
“Oh, no.” The gray stripped one shook his head vigorously. “That’s fine. You can…ugh…”
“Scrape out the old stuff and spread the moss.” The white one volunteered. “You won’t have to move around a lot or use that hurt leg.”
“That’s a great idea!” The gray one added. “Rabbit Foot can show you how, if you’re not sure.”
I titled my head to the side. “Is the moss bedding?”
“Yes. Today is our chore day. We keep the nests clean, watch the kits too young to train and make sure the elders don’t go hungry.”
“And bring any sick cats the food, water or medicine that Priestess tells us too.”
“Or run battle messages, if we’re told.”
“That sounds busy.”
“It is. But it’s important.”
“I bet it is. Are the nests done any certain way?”
“I’ll show you how.” The white cat purred. “It’s my first day as a Journey Cat, but I was showed as a Tenderpaw.”
“Journey Cat? Tenderpaw?”
“Oh…right. A Tenderpaw is a kitten being shown how to do chores, and tested in hunting and fighting with games like pounce, tag and wrestling. They are between three and five moons. On the sixth moon, you are made a Journey Cat…”
“And start training in hunting or fighting.”
I nodded, interested and curious.
“We gotta take care of this stuff.” The black and white said, looking at a cat who was walking toward them.
“I’ll be right back to show you where we’ll be next. Just make sure Priestess knows we’re going to have you help us, alright?”
I nodded, not actually planning on it. The three picked their moss up and headed for the entrance. I looked over to see the cat walking toward me – still – was White Fox.
“Why did you stop them from working?” He demanded.
“I didn’t. I offered my help. They said they’d show me how, but I couldn’t do anything.”
“You’ll get in the way.”
“No I won’t. I’ll be learning from an out-of-the-way place. It will be helpful, because then I won’t have to learn it later.”
“Who says you’ll be doing it later?”
“Even if I don’t here, I will have to make a nest in the forest anyway. I’m not going to lie on bare leaves for the rest of my life.”
He growled. “You won’t be going back to a human den?”
I met his gaze. “I was very close to the humans who died. I have no need to go through that again. The only reason I stayed in the den was for them. I won’t eat pebbles of dry food and remain for several hours in a contained den for just any human.”
He snorted. “You’ll find a human den again. You won’t handle learning what real hunting and fighting is, and run back to your humans.”
“Your name is White Fox, right?”
“Yes.”
“If I recall, I remember hearing the name White Fox a time or two. They were talking about how your mother and father were both born in human dens…”
“That is lies.” He hissed. “Now mind your own business and don’t pretend you can keep up! I was born clan!”
“But not every cat in the clan was.”
“They are not half of what we are!”
I looked around. “I bet you there are over half of them that have human ties. Mothers, fathers and other kin living with humans…having come from humans themselves…parents born in a human den, but giving up or losing that life, and coming into the clan…”
He hissed wordlessly and took off with his tail in the air.
I cleaned my paws and inspected the herbs on my wounds. It was defiantly horsetail, and a little comfrey.
“Don’t lick those off, new-comer.” An old, rough voice sounded amused. I looked up and to my left to see a tiger stripped female. She was missing half her ear, and scars ran down her face.
"Why would I do that?" I asked, confused. "I merely smelled what she put on me, so I knew a little more about the herbs."
The tabby blinked. "You know herbs?"
I shrugged "A little. Not as much as the priestess."
"It's still admirable." She sounded amazed.
"We're ready." The three were back. "We'll show you how to make the nest."
I followed the group, who were carrying two bundles of moss each, into the den they'd come out from. I watched as they spread the moss into a few nests, and then helped them with another. There was an older cat laying in one, napping quietly.
"Wake up, Rising Moon." The black and white prodded her side. "We need to change your bedding."
She slowly woke up and looked around. Her eyes fell on me.
"Hello. Are you the new cat?"
"Yes." I stifled a yawn, already getting tired. Between the long walk and spreading the bedding, I wasn't exactly sprit and spry.
"My, my. Won't the priestess be surprised to see you digging up nests instead of napping in a warm den?"
"I would rather work until I'm exhausted than try sleeping in a stranger's den without doing anything at all to earn their kindness."
They all looked surprised.
"Common, Rising Moon." The gray one urged. "It's getting dark, and this is our last nest to change. We've worked hard all day, and want sleep."
She let out a purr of amusement. "Of course. I'm sure all of you would like some sleep."
She rose stiffly, groaning.
"Oh. Do you need some herbs?" I asked. "I think I know where Priestess keeps them."
She growled "Don't be messing with medicine you know nothing about."
It was hard not to hiss at her accusation, but I did tell her "My mother taught me what herbs to use for stiff joints, excuse me. Do you think your leader is the only cat to know how to apply comfrey or pick tansy?"
"Perhaps not, but you aren't my healer. If you want, you can go get her and tell her my legs are stiff."
I blinked. "That wouldn't be accurate. You're legs aren't what's stiff; it's your spine. Did you slip a disk?"
A familiar voice called from behind "She did, Serenity! You are clever to see that!"
We all turned to see Priestess in the entrance, a bundle of herbs at her paws and her tail twitching.
My heart found my throat.
"Is that dirt on your paws, young newcomer? I thought White Fox said you were watching them." The kittens and elder stared at me in shock.
"I thought you said she wanted you to help us!" Rabbit Foot sounded terrified.
"And that you told her what you helping with!" The gray on agreed.
"Lying isn't nice." The black and white one sounded almost hurt.
I licked my shoulder. "Sorry. I really wanted to help...and was afraid that I'd be told no, because White Fox told me off for asking."
The Priestess picked the herbs up and brought them to Rising Moon. "It's not a big deal to help out, Serenity. But it is a bad idea to lie about it and not ask me. You aren't apart of the clan."
I bowed my head.
"Also, what kind of herbs are these?"
I sniffed them, trying to remember. It wasn't familiar to me. "I've never seen these before. But my mother used dandelions or ginger."
"Well, this is a mix of meadowsweet and juniper. It's less common in the human area, so your mother probably didn't think it was worth showing to you when there were useful herbs to do the same thing. Meadowsweet can cause some problems that are countered using herbs like juniper."
"So stomach and digestive problems?"
"Right."
Rising Moon ate the herbs as the younger cats dug out the nest. By the time I was done being quizzed, the elder lay in her newly changed nest.
Priestess had kept me busy on purpose.
"Come to my den and sleep with me. I want to keep an eye on your chest and leg."
I nodded and followed her out. The others followed us. I paused and faced them.
"I won't lie to you again. I just...really have nowhere else to go...and I don't want to burden your clan."
They looked at each other.
"I won't believe you!" Rabbit Foot growled, taking off toward the nursery. I watched him go with a heavy heart. The other two sigh watched me, and I felt Priestess's eyes.
"Well..." The black and white looked thoughtful. "If you put action in words, I will start to believe you...but I have to see it first."
The gray one nodded. They walked toward another den together.
"Let's go."
I followed the leader of the forest cats into her den of herbs and moss, and lay in the nest she or some other cat had made for me. I was asleep in moments, exhausted.

Chapter Three
Tested

The noon day sun found me yawning, watching the kittens not yet Tenderpaws playing with a ball of moss. The queens watched me warily. Their conversations were quiet and few - they almost always were when it was me who guarded their kits. I'd given up trying to socialize with either the queens or the kits.
I had no patience for the kits, and the queens had nothing to say to an outsider.
Maybe I should leave soon. I don't think they'll accept me, and I'm healed enough to leave this place. I'm sure I could hunt well enough to live, at least. And fight cats or dogs. I think I can climb well enough to get away from foxes...

A kitten bit my tail. I gently took it away. He just pounced on it when I set it down. I looked at the kitten, a little taken aback. I tried to take it away again, flicking it to the left. This time, he chased it with claws.
I ground my teeth, so I wouldn't hiss. I'd definitely get an earful for hissing at a kitten for playing.
The kitten pounced again, digging his little milk teeth in. "My, kitten, what sharp teeth you have!" I told him.
He looked up, surprised I'd spoken. The queens tensed. I'd snapped at a kitten before.
"You think so, Serenity?" He asked, his eyes glowing a little.
"Yes. Look, I think you took some fur off!"
He looked closely at my tail - really close.
Gently, I batted his ear without my claws.
He jumped, giving a playful mew of surprise. The queens seemed to let out a breath of relief as the kitten realized I was playing with him. He went into a pounce - a really bad one, with his butt in the air.
I purred. "Put that butt down. You look like a human dog playing fetch!"
"Fetch?"
"Yes. Humans throw something, and the dog does that and chases it, then brings it back."
"Why would they do that?"
"Because mice are smarter than them!"
He purred, putting his butt lower.
"Keep that tail down."
The queens looked surprised when he listened.
"Now what do I do?"
I blinked, confused.
"Attack!" Another kit - a little she-cat - squealed, and the two pounced on me suddenly. Still weak from healing, I was easily pushed onto my back. I let out a yelp of surprise at the older she-cat's weight.
We wrestled for a while. Soon, two more joined the play battle. It went on until I lay in the sand outside the nursery in fake defeat. I held my breath and lay flat.
They froze, suddenly tensing.
"Did we kill her?" One asked, nervous.
"We didn't bite her hard!" The tom protested.
"Boo!" I gently heaved the surprised kittens off my chest and stomach. They squealed excitedly and ran away. As they were coming back, Shadow Hunter appeared from my left, out of nowhere. I jumped, shocked. His amused, playful gaze left me ashamed.
"H-hi."
"That was some interesting moves you showed them."
I shrugged, not wanting to show him how embarrassed I was.
"The Priestess wants me to take you into the forest. We're to hunt."
I stared at him in shock. "Hunt?"
"Yes. Falling Sun said you know how."
"Yes."
"Then let's go. I'll show you the boarder of our territory, and we'll hunt on the run."
He winked. "I'll even teach you a little about river hunting."
My eyes went big. "There is prey in the water?!"
He purred in amusement. "Yes, Serenity. There is prey in the water."
His tail flicked. "Common. We have a lot to do."
"What about the kittens?"
"I'll watch them." A new voice said. It was a she-cat. A tabby with amber eyes and sleek, thick fur and a challenging gaze was walking toward us.
"Hi." I called.
She bowed her head.
"I'm Serenity."
She looked a little hesitant. "My name's Hawk Talon."
"Have fun."
She nodded. "They are always a handful."
"Common, Serenity." Shadow Hunter's whiskers twitched with some amusement, some frustration. "Or we won't have time to hunt in the river."
"Aren't you training Raven Feather?"
"Yes. She's waiting for us at the old oak. I want to see how well she can hunt with new cats."
Is he talking about me or this Raven Feather?
I stood up and followed him to the fern tunnel exit, where he allowed me to exit first. When he joined me, the sleek cat scented the air.
Standing right next to him in the sunlight, I noticed how young he really was.
"Are you a hunter yet? You seem a little young..."
"Focus on the mission." He growled.
"Sorry..."
Why am I always making these stupid mistakes?!
He stood up and began to make his way in the forest. I was forced to trail him blindly.

After a short walk under the trees, we came into a clearing. The only cover was the leaves and branches of a huge oak tree. Beneath the oak tree, tossing leaves into the air and catching them, was a small, lean black tabby she-cat with chilling ice blue eyes. I was amazed at how focused she was at catching the leaves. She seemed not to be playing, but practicing.
"Excellent." Shadow Hunter called; making her whirl, claws spread and teeth bore as if she were ready to attack.
She didn't ease up when she saw me. Instead, she instantly was on my shoulders.
Hissing in furry and pain, I flipped onto my back, crushing her long enough to get her claws out of my fur and skin. Then I whirled around, pinning her and pummeling her with my back claws.
She screeched in surprised pain. By pure chance, her back leg kicked my weak leg in a struggle to get free. I yelped.
"Enough!"
We fell apart.
"That is NOT how new cats are greeted, Raven Feather, and you know it!"
The sleek black cat licked a scratch on her stomach, her cold blue eyes defiant - and pleased.
"Hey, she proved she can handle herself in a fight, didn't she?" The kitten asked. Though she was bigger than I was, it was clear she was younger - about the same size and perhaps age as Shadow Hunter.
The lanky black tom's tail twitched, making leaves shuffle. "Hawk Talon would have done that just fine under the watchful eye of White Fox. Thank you for hurting her already weak leg during a day of hunting and running."
"She's fine."
"No, she isn't. She should go back to camp. We'll do this tomorrow." He turned to head back.
"I-I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
He eyed me.
"I promise; if it hurts, I'll tell you and we can go right back." I shrugged. "Besides, her spirit inspires me."
I don’t want to go back to camp!

"I bet those wounds do too, huh?"
"Don't yours?"
For a moment, our gaze held. Then she rolled her eyes, though I saw interest and surprise.
"Anyway, we were going to hunt here until two kits frightened off the prey."
"You're the same age as me!" Raven Feather protested indignantly. "If I'm a kit, so are you!"
His whiskers twitched with irritated amusement. "Sure, we're around the same age. But I don't start fights with an injured, half-trained cat younger than me, either."
My fur raised alone my spine. "Excuse me, but I highly doubt either of you are older than eight moons. Neither of you can be more than six!"
They stared at me with disbelief. "You can't be eight moons!" Raven Feather growled. "You're smaller than me!"
"And you're still fluffy." Shadow Feather agreed quickly. "White Fox and Priestess both estimated you around four moons."
"Oh really?" I growled. "So, let me add things up. My mother started training me at three moons. Two moons later, she passed on. That was approximately three moons ago. If I'm doing this right, that's around eight moons. Even humans know how to count moons!"
"Then why are you still so fluffy?" She sounded confused.
"Humans use fire in the winter to keep the den warm, and they make breezes with things to keep it cool during the summer."
"Oh. So your fur doesn't have to smooth out or shed..."
"Nope."
They seemed both a little caught off guard.
"What?"
"Well...usually you'd have your first trial with Priestess and your instructor."
"Instructor?"
"The cat who teaches you. Like, Shadow Hunter blazed through his trials after only a few moons of healing and teaching as a journey cat. So he was made a hunter. Soon after that, he was given me as a journey cat." Raven Feather explained.
"Oh."
"Anyway, shouldn't we be on our way? She needs to know her way around, and show us she can hunt." Shadow Hunter looked anxiously at the sky.
"Why don't we go to the cove?" Raven Feather asked; her icy gaze full of excitement. She practically bounced to her paws.
I wondered how she had so much energy after the fight.
"No. The snakes there are dangerous and too fast for an inexperienced hunter. Besides, the rocks there are slick and she's never hunted in water."
"So? She can learn."
"Another day, Raven Feather. Right now...we'll go to the birch grove. There are plenty of jays, squirrels and mice that like the nuts and berries around there. We can see how she climbs too."
I shivered.
"What?"
"N-nothing. I just don't think climbing is a good idea when it comes to a weaker leg."
Shadow Hunter licked his chest fur. "Right. Well, the rest is easy enough. Common."
The two rose together and led the way into the confusing maze of a forest.


It was getting dark as we paused, panting, and lay our prey together. Raven Feather had caught four voles and a mouse. Though all were small and skinny, it was expected this soon after winter. I lay down a plump squirrel - an easy catch - and a crow that had been after it and forgotten to look around.
"Did you climb?" Shadow Hunter looked confused as he lay down a few jays. "I don't recall seeing you in the trees..."
I looked nervously up at the five towering birch trees, two of them very old and weak-looking. I shook my head, already dizzy.
"No. I used the squirrel to lure the crow down. He didn't even bother looking around. Crows are fast, but they sure aren't smart."
"He's a big one!" Raven Feather sounded jealous. Her catch was the most, but I had noticed her let go a frog once, and had frightened off a rabbit from scattering leaves for fun.
"Not really..."
"You did alright. I noticed that you didn't work a lot around the tree roots, though. And you did seem to ignore a mouse that Raven Feather was aiming for."
"It was hers."
"She would have caught it if you would have frightened it away from the den."
I blinked, confused. "It's not my fault she wiggled her tail on the pounce."
He sighed. "You'll learn teamwork in the clan."
"Look, you're her instructor, right? Why don't you teach her not to let a hare get away because she likes playing with leaves? And those frogs are edible."
He looked surprised. Raven Feather growled angrily.
"That rabbit came out of nowhere! I was trying to get a mole!"
"By digging in leaves and scarring mice?"
"Shut up." Shadow Hunter growled. "Neither of you are excellent hunters, but it's not my job to teach you, Serenity. You're right; I will need to work on Raven Feather's focus. I will tell Priestess to make sure if you are accepted into the clan and begin training, then you will need to work hard on teamwork and not bickering."
It shut both of us up.
How did he get so smart, if he is younger than me and the same age as Raven Feather?

"Pick up your prey and let's go."
We had no choice but to listen, and were quiet on the way back to camp.

*****

Dawn's cool rays of light trickled through the den as White Fox growled something through the den I'd been assigned under a large cluster of ferns. His paw prodded my side. Groaning, I rose to my paws with a yawn. Shaking moss from my fur, I stared at him sleepy-eyed.
"I said get up! You have until the sun has fully risen to eat and straighten that messy fur up! Then you are showing Hawk Talon and me what you're really made of!"
I nodded. "Shadow Hunter said something about this..."
"Good. Then you won't keep us waiting. We'll meet you at the training clearing."
"I don't know my way there!"
His eyes narrowed. "You seemed to hunt well last night. Track us!"
He whirled away, approaching the cat who'd replaced me last night. She looked surprised - almost shocked - and stared at me with almost pitying eyes. Then she followed her mentor or trainer or whatever he was to her out of the camp.
Grooming quickly, I wondered over to the prey pile. Not wanting to be sluggish or keep White Fox waiting - he hated me enough - I chose a sparrow.
"What are you doing?" Falling Sun's voice made me jump. I whirled around.
"I was told I could eat before training."
He purred. "That's eating? Man, I think a sick cat could do better! Is your belly upset?"
"No. I don't want to be slow."
"You hunted better than that yesterday. I saw that crow! The Priestess herself ate it with White Fox. Why don't you grab a mouse while you're at it? I enjoyed the squirrel last night after dusk patrol."
"I'm glad." I purred through bites of the sparrow. Then I ate the mouse he recommended.
"There. Now that you're full, I'll show you to the training hollow. They appear to have left without you."
"He said to track them." I licked my lips from the vibrant taste of my meal, feeling more awake.
Falling Sun hissed. "In the morning dew? You're a new cat who hasn't had clan training. You don't know your way around."
I shrugged. "Why give him more reason to think I don't need to be here? I tracked down that prey."
"Prey on a warm afternoon is far different than a cat like White Fox on a morning after a rain."
"What do you mean 'a cat like White Fox'?"
"He'll hit every dew patch and mud puddle there is, and gives Hawk Talon the order to so as well."
I thought about it. "Let them. I'll look for cat prints in the mud and crushed ferns with their scent."
The sleek orange youngster thought a moment, and then shrugged. "Alright. I'll let you track. But it's my job to not let you go out there alone. It's against the Spirit Laws, which guides this clan. You're not a soldier, so you go with a scout."
I blinked. Then, shrugging, I turned for the tunnel and darted out, leaping through the barrier easily. He followed me out.
With only a little guidance, I made my way through the forest and quickly found the training clearing. It was a small break in the trees where moss and lichen lay like a thick blanket. Surrounding it were oaks and a few fallen logs. There were rocks covered in more lichen and moss scattered on the edges.
In the very center, Hawk Talon and White Fox were talking.
"Now, be easy on her, Hawk Talon. Priestess won't be happy if you re-injure that soft human pet's leg. Then she can't run away to a new human den."
"She hasn't talked at all about her humans the entire four moons she's been here, White Fox. Why would she go back? She's a great hunter, too."
"Never mind that! Even if she does stay, those who hunt don't fight. She'll be ready to go home in a few blows. Avoid the leg, and don't use claws."
"Why would I use claws?" She tilted her head to the side. "Isn't this training?"
"It's a skill test."
"Same thing."
"Is it?" I nodded to them as I came to sit with my tail neatly curled around my front paws to cover the mud.
White Fox looked up. When he saw Falling Sun, he sighed. "Couldn't find the way, could you?"
"No. She did." Falling Sun corrected. "She only lost your trail when you went into the trees. I had to only point her way once. When you came back out of them, she picked the trail up right away."
"Then why are you here?" He growled.
"So far, she'll be hunter. I'm training to be a scout; it's my job to make sure hunters don't run into foxes or something while they're making their rounds in the forest."
The old white cat hissed something I couldn't hear.
"Fine. You can leave now."
"Na. I think I'll stay and rest a bit. Besides, you're a great teacher. I'm sure I can learn a few more moves from you I can practice for defense."
White Fox rolled his eyes and went over to sit on a rock, quickly followed by Falling Sun. It left Hawk Talon and me in the clearing center.
I had no idea what to do.
"Well?" White Fox growled. "Fight."
Hawk Talon jumped to her paws and assumed what looked like a defensive position.
Remembering my mother's words to never attack another cat, I was a bit confused.
"Well?" Hawk Talon asked.
"I don't attack cats." I shook my head. "It's just not what I do."
"Even in training?"
I shrugged. "You have your moral laws, so do I. It ain't right."
She thought for a second. "Okay. I'll attack you!"
The tabby she-cat launched herself head-long at me. Taken by surprise, I took the blow head-on, trapping me between the larger cat and the ground. But the moss was a lot gentler than the concrete I was used to training on, and I quickly recovered. Ducking underneath her, I slipped loose of her unfocused grip. Then I nipped her hock. As she whirled around and swiped at my forepaws, I balanced on my hind and socked her three times in the muzzle. She ducked. Then she charged at me, unbalancing me. Flinching at the pain in my hind leg, I forced myself up.
She was coming at me. Leaping into the air, I landed on her back, where I gripped her by wrapping my legs around her chest. Hawk Talon stopped dead and flipped over. Crushed beneath the tabby, for a moment I considered surrender and completely relaxed. She let up.
A thought surged through my mind. As she turned around, I head butted her in the chin, sending her flying back. With a growl, I charged at her. Noticing the cat leaning back on her hind legs, I shifted. Just as she propelled herself onto her hind legs, I ducked, twisted and shoved up and out, nipping the thigh. Hawk Talon tumbled, off balance, as I fell ungracefully on my back.
Shaking it off, I got to my paws. Hawk Talon slowly got up after me.
Both of us were panting. We looked at White Fang.
"Amazing!" Falling Sun meowed with enthusiasm, making my chest rise with pride.
But all White Fox said was "Let's get back to camp. I shall make my report to Priestess." He rose and began to leave.
Exhausted, Hawk Talon followed shakily, and the pain in my hind leg forced me to limp after them. Falling Sun caught up to me, and to my surprise, walked next to me. The orange cat looked excited.
"You're so fast on your paws! I'm impressed that your mother taught you all of that in a matter of two or so moons!"
I scuffed leaves. "I only learned a little fighting from her. Most of it was hunting and healing. She said I didn't really need it unless a cat was being a bully, so we didn't practice much."
Hawk Talon looked behind her, looking distraught. "Then how did you keep up with me?"
"You need to work harder!" White Fox growled.
"I improvised and reacted, mostly." I told her gently. "I've never really been taught, but when somebody attacks, you just gotta fight back."
The she-cat still looked a bit down, but turned away and followed her teacher.
"I think you'd be a great scout!"
"That's not for you to decide, Falling Sun."
"I was giving an opinion!"
"Be quiet."
I was too tired to defend him, and he didn't seem to care enough to make an effort. So I left it alone, and focused on keeping up and trying to memorize the way back to the place I was starting to consider - dangerously - my home.


 

Chapter Four
The Ceremony

It was only mid-day when we finally made our way into the camp. Shadow Hunter nodded to me on his way through the tunnel with a couple soldiers - one a long hair white and gray tom named Snow Cloud, the other a lean, wiry she-cat with tabby fur and amber eyes named Falcon Wing.
"Get something to eat." White Fox told me.
I blinked at him, still trying to understand the first day I'd been here. Since then, there had only been a group prayer over food in the evening on new moons. And for whatever reason, the rest of the day was spent fasting and patrolling.
"Aren't hungry?" He demanded.
"O-of course I am." I muttered.
"There's fresh prey." He thrust his muzzle at the large prey pile. "Eat or starve."
He marched, stiff-legged, over to the Priestess's den, called to her and disappeared inside.
"Common." Hawk Talon purred. "He's just a grumpy old tom. I think he's older than Rising Moon!"
Trying to shrug it off like a clinging thorn, I shook myself before following her over to the prey pile. Falling Sun kept pace with us, and we met Raven Feather there. She gleamed when I picked up a rather plump vole.
"Hi."
"Hey!" She danced on her paws, grabbing a jay bird but not eating it. I took a bite of my vole, watching her curiously. Shadow Hunter and Hawk Talon shared a rabbit, and Falling Sun took a mole. She didn't seem to pay any attention to them.
"Is it good?" She asked.
Confused, I nodded.
"Yes! I hunted that just for you!"
Surprised, I thanked her quietly as soon as I could swallow. "It's delicious."
"Good. What's wrong?"
"White Fox doesn't like me. I can't ever seem to impress him..."
"Neither can any other cat!" Falling Sun purred. "He doesn't like anybody. Sometimes I don't think he likes himself."
As we all finished our prey, The Priestess and White Fox appeared from her den. The black cat gracefully bounded onto the stump where she held meetings, prayer and ceremonies.
"All cats gather at Ceremony Stump for a clan meeting!"
As they gathered, I found my way to the edge. Having been reminded several times that I was a visitor earning my keep, I didn't feel the urge to get side-long glances.
Hawk Talon met my eye and flicked her tail, urging me over. I shook my head slightly. She mouthed ‘get over here'. Sighing, I came close enough to hear but hopefully not be scolded or disapproved of.
The tabby rolled her eyes and gave up, looking toward the Priestess.
"Today is a glorious day." She began. "Not in just the fact that all cats are well and strong, and that there is plenty of prey for all, but in the joy of the re-birth of a cat."
The clan began to whisper to themselves. Many of them glanced at me - one or two ran their eyes over my pelt with disapproving glances.
What did I do?
"She came to us only four moons ago, burned, ill and injured. On that very day, she disobeyed my orders so that she may help some Tenderpaws and Journey Cats running behind in their daily chores. Only days later, she was pushing her leg. And just yesterday, she provided the clan with prey for the first time. Even today, she proved herself an equal to both beginning Journey Cats Raven Feather and Hawk Talon in fighting skills."
The clan listened. At the end, they all looked pleased. Shock ripped through me as I realized that this was about me. Re-birth? What was this about?
"And that is why I will accept her into the clan. Her skill trial has ended. She passed both well."
She looked me in the eye.
"Step forward, Serenity, and let your human die. Come and I shall welcome your soul into the clan."
Confused, I slowly stepped forward to stand underneath the stump. She looked into the sky.
"As the Priestess of my clan, I summon the Spirits of the forest, and the ancestors of our blood, to welcome the re-birth of a soul."
Then she looked down on me, staring me in the eye a second time. Her gaze seemed to seep through me like water into sun-baked clay.
"You are a cunning, swift-moving and quiet she-cat. You are a cat of high morals and balanced skills. That is why I shall name you Mist Weaver."
The trees blew with such force and power, everything became quiet. Priestess listened hard.
The wind stopped suddenly. Her eyes swung open.
"You shall be the journey cat of...Singing Lark."
A young brown, red and white dappled she-cat with soft, intelligent green eyes stepped forward.
She bowed to the Priestess.
"I will train Mist Weaver even if it cost me my life. I vow it by the Spirits and their Laws."
She turned to me.
I realized for a second they expected me to say something.
Singing Lark leaned close and muttered words into my ear fur. I repeated her.
"I vow by the spirits and their laws to learn the ways of the clan and to defend my clan, even at the cost of my life."
It was the first time I'd thought about it. But as I considered Falling Sun, the kits and Priestess, I realized it was true. Allowing those around me to get hurt wasn't acceptable, and there was no way I could break my bonds here - especially not now.
The idea of leaving Raven Feather and Hawk Talon was almost bone-chilling. Even if they didn't need me, I needed them.
They’re younger than I am, and farther in training. I’ve just started mine…will they finish before me?

"Mist Weaver! Mist Weaver! Mist Weaver!" They chanted. I noticed White Fox remained cold and didn't say anything. And as I looked around, there were others who were silent.
Raven Feather, Falling Sun, Hawk Talon and Shadow Hunter crowded around me.
"Congratulations, Mist Weaver!"
This changes who I am? Because she changed my name and talked about dead prey and cats?

I wasn't so sure about that...
But I knew I was a part of the clan, and that thought alone spread pride and joy all the way through me.
Singing Lark looked me up and down thoughtfully.
"You've already been roughed up today, haven't you? Why don't you go see Priestess for that limp I noticed as you came in? Your leg is hurt."
"What if she says I can't train?"
The older cat purred with amusement. "Then you aren't fit to train. But that doesn't mean we can't learn! If you aren't fit for running around, I still need to see you. Now, run along. I'll meet you...just outside the camp, alright?"
I nodded, baffled.
"Want some company?" Raven Feather asked. "I'm sure Shadow Hunter wouldn't mind me hunting again if you do..."
"I certainly would!" He growled. "I know exactly how well you hunt without me! Go clean the soldier's bedding. They don't have the free time you apparently do!"
"What?" She looked disappointed, but I honestly didn't have time to wait this out. Slipping away, I headed for the Priestess's den.
"Priestess?" I called into the den.
"Come in Mist Weaver."
I slipped into her den and saw a younger tom I'd seen a few times but not spoken too much. He nodded toward me. I noticed blood on the leaves, and smelled his pad's infection.
"You shouldn't let thorns get that bad." I told him, amused.
He licked his shoulder, embarrassed.
"As you can see, I'm preoccupied." Priestess meowed. "Is it your leg?"
"Yes. I twisted it."
She sighed. "I told White Fox not to allow a straight out brawl..."
"It was my fault, really..." I told her. "I tried to improvise a move I hadn't thought out or ever done."
She shook her head. "Try to perfect it a little, then, when you've healed. Until then, I recommend going easier on that leg. Now, is it swollen?"
I sniffed it and nodded. "I figured a little horsetail and..."
She looked at it a little closer. "That's defiantly twisted. I'd say horsetail and no more training for the next couple of days."
"Like...tomorrow?"
She gave me a look.
I hung my head. "Three days, right?"
"That's more like it. Now get me the marigold while you're in the storage."
I nodded. Going back, I picked up some marigold leaves after applying some horsetail to my knee and ankle. Then I put it at her paws and headed out.
"You better tell Singing Lark I said no straining your leg!"
"We're doing other stuff today."
"Good. And for the next three days."
"Yes, Priestess."
I headed for the tunnel and carefully jumped through. Singing Lark sniffed my knee.
"No poppy?"
"Nope."
"Common then."
"I'm not supposed to train for three days, though."
She nodded. "I thought it'd be something close. That's why we won't be training physically. You're going to learn about the Spirits and their laws."
"I know about the spirits...I heard them in stories all the time. And the laws,too."
She purred in amusement. "You know the beginning.

But there are other laws. And I've not seen you pray once. You have only given respect through the Priestess."
"Why don't you ever call her a name? Why only The Priestess?"
"That's one of our many laws, child. Now, come with me."
She bounded out of camp with ease. I gingerly followed her, making sure when I landed that I wasn't too obvious about favoring my pained leg. Still, the calico gave me a look.
"It's fine." I soothed. "I swear."
"We have a long way to the Sacred Tree. Maybe we should just stay in camp and talk..."
"So...you expect me to sit there and stay awake while you ramble on and on about history, laws and spirits?"
She blinked. "You have a point..."
"Which way?" I sniffed the air.

Impressum

Texte: http://cinderrainfall.deviantart.com/
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 22.03.2011

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Widmung:
To my family, friends and Erin Hunter, who inspired me to keep on writing.