"Ugh, why can't we find anywhere that isn't occupied?" Flufffur complained out loud. Her paws were killing her and she felt like she was about to drop from exhaustion.
"Awe come on Flufffur, we've only been traveling for an hour at the most," Bearspirit said, she had already gotten sick and tired of hearing her sister whine and complain all because they were pushed out of their last place which they thought was unoccupied but had to fight some really angry badgers and were driven away with only a few minor scratches for being so lucky and good at dodging.
"So? It feels like we've been going on for days!" Flufffur moaned.
"Fine, we'll take a break and try to hunt before we continue on ok?" Bearspirit asked. That seemed to have lifted Flufffur's mood because she soon darted off into the bushes.
"Ugh, sisters!" Bearspirit said to herself before she too went out to hunt.
Bearspirit quietly stalked a squirrel, she was using the bushes and the dead leaves to better hide herself from the squirrel’s sight and she made sure she was downwind so it couldn't smell her. Quietly creeping up behind the squirrel, she leaped and bit down on the back of its neck quickly killing it without a sound. Burying her catch, she went off to hunt again, this place was rich in prey and it didn't take her long to catch a thrush, a chaffinch, two rabbits and another squirrel. Smiling down at her hard day's work, she gathered up her catch and dragged it back to where she and her sister first departed to hunt, dropping her prey down she waited for Flufffur to return with her catch as well. After what seemed like an hour, Flufffur came back with just a little mouse to show how well she hunted.
"What happened?" Bearspirit asked.
"A fox chased away all the prey where I was, its stench was all over the place! I was lucky to find this guy before getting out of there!" Flufffur said. Bearspirit could smell the fox on her fur, it smelled female and had a hint of milk mixed in.
"Well we won't see the last of it I'm sure, I smell milk on that fox's scent, she probably has a den somewhere nearby and she will be on the hunt again soon."
"Are you serious?!" Flufffur asked her sister.
"Go ahead and smell it for yourself, it’s all over your fur, you smell like that she-fox." Flufffur sniffed her fur and her nose wrinkled up at the scent.
"You're right, there is a milky scent mixed in but now I have to wash my fur if I smell like a fox!" Bearspirit let out a meow of laughter as she watched her sister make faces as she cleaned her fur.
"Can we eat now?" Flufffur asked, now finished with cleaning off the fox scent.
"Take first pick, I found plenty here." The sisters dug into their meal as the full moon began to rise.
********************
Darkpelt padded with his clan mates that were chosen to go to the gathering. This was his apprentice’s first gathering and she was being well behaved so far. Looking up at the moon as he waited for the rest of his clan mates to catch up, he thought he saw a hint of a shape in the stars in the shape of a cat's head. That's strange, it looked like a kits.
"Darkpelt?" Mousepaw called her mentors name. "What are you looking at?" she asked, trying to see what he was looking at in the sky before she finally spotted it.
"Is that a kits head in the stars?" Mousepaw asked her mentor.
"I do believe it is, but what could it possibly mean?"
"Maybe, it’s a Starclan kit?" Mousepaw suggested.
"No, the head looks to faint to be a Starclan kit, Starclan cats tend to show up much brighter, I think it might be a loner kit or some kitty pet."
"But I thought kitty pets don't go up to Starclan?" Mousepaw said.
"All cats go to either Starclan or The Dark Hole."
"What's the Dark Hole?" Mousepaw asked.
"It's a place where cats that kill to gain something go. Or cats who betray their clans and disobey the warrior code and our ancestors."
"Like loners and kitty pets? They don't believe in the warrior code."
"I do not believe kitty pets go there, they probably go somewhere else that we do not know about that only takes in kitty pets."
"Oh, so either way all cats that pass go somewhere?" Mousepaw asked.
"Yes, just like all animals of the Forest. Everything is connected and has a delicate balance to keep in order. Upset that balance and what happens?"
"Everyone suffers?" Mousepaw asked.
"Exactly," Darkpelt said with an amused purr. Mousepaw smiled and purred back, the tip of her tail curling at his praise.
"Come on Darkpelt, Mousefur. It's time to head into the clearing," Stonestar called to them before passing over the rocky bridge that separated their territory from the others and the gathering. Darkpelt and his apprentice ran to keep up with the others.
*******************
Smokeswallow yawned, he knew tonight was the gathering and that it would be the medicine cats this time that will probably have to address all the clans of what they had heard in their dreams from Starclan. Quickly grooming his fur so it looked sleek and glossy he called to his apprentice before they went to go join their clan mates. Once the small group left the camp, they padded through thick underbrush from the trees until they reached a log that fell over the raging river, the wood was coated in moss and was slick with water.
"Everyone be careful!" Miststar warned her clan mates before leaping up onto the log and making sure she checked every paw step for safe grip holds before signaling for her clan mates to follow behind her.
"Do we have to cross that?" Skypaw asked his mentor looking at the log skeptically. "It doesn't look safe at all to me."
"It's all right Skypaw, just stick close to me and if you fall I will catch you. Just dig your claws into the wood and make your way across slowly, don't worry, the clan will wait for us," Smokeswallow said, trying to reassure his frightened apprentice.
"Ok, if you say so," Skypaw said in a tone that told Smokeswallow he didn't believe a word he was saying about the log being safe enough to cross. Smokeswallow allowed his apprentice to go first so he could best catch him should he slip on the log and start to fall to the raging water below.
"I have never seen the river this angry before," Skypaw said as he looked down at the water from the corner of his eye.
"It's from all the rain we got. The water is trying to drain itself some so the land doesn't flood much. It's very unique how the water knows when to move and when to sit still."
"I thought it was just Starclan telling us that something bad will happen," Skypaw said as he continued on.
"What do you mean by that?" Smokeswallow asked the young apprentice.
"Well, I had a dream last night. I was hunting, and I wondered too close to the river and the water was over flowing its banks. I tried to get away but the ground sucked in my paws and trapped me there, I think Starclan warned me that a flood was going to happen."
"Why have you not told me of this before?!" Smokeswallow hissed in his apprentice's ear.
"I didn't think it was an actual omen, I thought it was just a nightmare because there was no Starclan cat there," Skypaw said in his defense.
"Any dream like that is an omen from Starclan and is very important. Hidden information as that could put the clan in jeopardy!" Smokeswallow hissed and cuffed Skypaw's ear with sheathed claws.
"I'm sorry! Geeze no need to bite my head off! Apprentices make mistakes you know!"
"Medicine cats can't afford to make mistakes! Lives rest within our paws!" Smokeswallow said back to him. Sighing, he took a few deep breaths before he continued.
"Look, now you know not to keep a dream like that hidden again. We have to let all the clans know, the river runs through all of our territories and will pose a threat to the others as well." With that said they ran after their clan mates.
********************
Firebreeze waited at the entrance for her clan mates. With no apprentice to help if there should be an attack, Firebreeze had to teach one of her closest friends how to define an herb and how to apply it well.
"Are you ready Firebreeze?" Smokestar asked.
"Ya, is the others ready?" Firebreeze asked her mother.
"Ya we're ready!" Follow paw said happily. This was his second gathering so far since becoming a warrior apprentice. The little tabby tom was shaking with eagerness to get moving. How I wish I could have an apprentice as excited like that for a gathering. Heck I would do anything for an apprentice at all! Firebreeze thought to herself as she watched Followpaw and his mentor join the others and head out before following close behind. Firebreeze kept her eyes open for some herbs, it was always good to know where they are so she can gather them on the way back and replenishes her stock. Leaf-bare had nearly whipped her out completely with so many sick cats that came to her.
Firebreeze followed her clan mates silently until they arrived at the gathering, splitting from her clan, she went over to the group of medicine cats under the thick tree that hung over two bushes creating a sort of den like place that the medicine cats go to discuss topics like the elders in their clans.
"Hello guys!" Firebreeze said cheerfully as she greeted her friends and their apprentices.
"Hello Firebreeze!" Smokeswallow said back with the same enthusiasm. Darkpelt smiled at her and moved over to make a spot for her next to Mousepaw.
"So, what’s the news so far this month?" Firebreeze asked.
"Skypaw here had a dream of a flood," Smokeswallow said, making eye contact with the other two medicine cats.
"A flood? Already?" Darkpelt asked worried. "I haven’t even been able to check on the fresh supply of new shoots we are getting, they are right by the water."
"Don't worry Darkpelt," Mousepaw said. "I took care of that already, I gathered up all that was fully grown and there is a nice stacked pile waiting inside your den for you."
Darkpelt purred and brushed his apprentice's head with the tip of his tail.
"That is still worrying news," Firebreeze said. "Fireblazeclan has hardly any cats in it."
"Is everything ok?" Smokeswallow asked her, worry in his green eyes.
"Yes, it was just a hard leaf-bare. Many cats died due to it no matter how hard I tried."
"We are sorry to hear of that," Mousepaw said in sympathy.
*********************
"Time for the meeting!" Miststar called out to the gathered clans. Everyone turned their head to the big tree branch the leaders used to perch on.
"Stonestar, would you care to go first?" Miststar asked the tom.
"Thank you Miststar, but I think our medicine cats should have the run of this don't you guys agree?" Stonestar asked them.
"Because of what they have heard?" Smokestar asked while the clans waited patiently for their leaders to make their decision.
"I think it's a good idea, it'll also be a first for our clans for the medicine cats to speak up for us. I'm in for letting them at it."
"Then it's settled, are we all in?" Miststar asked the other two leaders who nodded their heads.
"Darkpelt! Smokeswallow! Firebreeze! Come up here please!" Miststar called to the group of medicine cats. The three cats and their apprentices did as they were told and leaped up to sit beside the leaders.
"Go ahead," Stonestar said as everyone listened in.
"I'll go first," Firebreeze said and she wasn't met with any complaints.
"As many of you I am sure of has known, Starclan has visited us in our dreams and have given us a prophecy!" The clans began to murmur amongst themselves at what Firebreeze said.
"I know we have not heard from Starclan for many moons, but now they have word of a cat that will help us defeat the bears and save the forest and our homes!" Darkpelt added in.
"The cat is not of our home and is a loner," Smokeswallow added in as well.
The clans busted in outrage and protests.
"How can a loner save us?" Flowerpetle asked.
"YA! A loner can't do anything! We are best on our own!" Orangefur said.
"Patience!" Firebreeze shouted over all the mews. When the noise died down, Smokeswallow began.
"I know it is hard to believe, it is for us as well but Starclan has come to us and told us that a dark tabby she-cat that was born a loner will have the power to save us all. They say she will be the one to lead us into battle and we will prevail and win!"
"But we must teach her the ways of Starclan if we are to have any success in the fight or gaining her trust," Darkpelt said.
"We must earn the she-cats trust and win her over on our side for without her we are as good as dead if we take on the bears by ourselves!" Firebreeze said.
"And what is this she-cats name and we do we find her exactly?" Heartbreeze hissed. Murmurs of agreement followed him.
"She lies deep within the Forest. In lands many of us have yet to travel to and explore. She will be a hard one to find, but it is said she will be waiting for us there. She may not know it, but she has been chosen by our ancestors and it would be wise to obey them and not make them angry," Smokeswallow said. The clans we silent as they watched them.
"My apprentice also has received a warning from Starclan that many of you should hear! Skypaw! Please come up here!" Smokeswallow called to his apprentice. Skypaw sighed and leaped up to the tree branch.
"Tell the clans what you have told me," Smokeswallow encouraged.
"I had a dream that there was going to be a flood. The river over swelled its banks and the ground became wet and sucked in any cat that wondered onto it. I do not know when this dream is supposed to happen, but the ground felt like it was sucking you in like quicksand until the point where you disappear completely," Skypaw said and lowered his head. The clans broke out in worried whispers, warriors were now on edge, their fur standing on end. The leaders starred in horror at what Skypaw had to say.
"Then we must be careful and keep an eye on the banks of the river," Stonestar said.
"No cat is to wonder near the river if the ground looks muddy and wet!" Smokestar shouted.
"Anyone found near the water’s edge without a warrior or a partner with them will be punished!" Miststar joined in.
"Kits should remain in camp at all times and apprentices should be on the lookout. Obey what your mentors have to tell you and do not wonder out alone! We must keep the remaining cats we have safe if we are to find this prophesized she-cat and defeat the bears!" Stonestar continued.
"Meeting dismissed!" Miststar said and everyone departed to join their own clan mates. Friends said their goodbyes, the medicine cats quickly exchanged some advice on where to find the most herbs for what was to come and the leaders were busy rounding up stragglers. When everyone was in their designated clan groups, they all departed and went their separate ways.
***********************
Bearspirit and Flufffur laid down on a rock near the river in their new home. They were amazed that they managed to find such a place that was rich in prey, sleeping places and water and were not claimed by anyone else. The two sister’s fur was slightly blowing in the gentle breeze when something woke them up.
"What is happening?" Flufffur asked her sister as she frantically looked around.
"It sounds like the river," Bearspirit said as both sisters turned their head over to the river only a few fox lengths away.
"It's overflowing its banks!" Flufffur shouted and leaped up on her paws. Bearspirit followed and headed for a tree.
"Quick! Get in a tree!" Bearspirit shouted back to her sister. Flufffur ran to the nearest tree she could and quickly climbed up. Looking around she found that she was far from her sisters tree and the limbs that were closest to her were weak looking and thin.
"Flufffur!" Bearspirit called to her sister as the water rushed around the base of their trees.
"I'm all right Bearspirit! I'm over here!" Flufffur called out to her. Flufffur watched as Bearspirit looked for her in her tree until she spotted her sister and relief flooded her eyes.
"What are we going to do now?" Bearspirit called to her.
"I don't know. How long do you think it will last?" Flufffur asked back.
"Your guess is as good as mine!" Bearspirit said. The water had risen in the last few minutes and both she-cats looked on worriedly from their tree branches.
"I hope it doesn't rise to high. I can't climb any higher without the branches giving under my weight," Flufffur said.
"Same here," Bearspirit agreed. The she-cats lay down on their branches and prepared for a long night in the trees as the water below them rushed through the Forest.
In the middle of the night, both she-cats woke up to the wind howling through the trees. The strong gusts rocked the branches back and forth and many creaked and groaned, the ones that were not strong enough broke and fell to the rushing water below and were swiped away by the strong current. Bearspirit looked over to her sister who was clinging to her branch tightly as it shook from side to side.
"Flufffur! Hang on!" Bearspirit called to her sister, worried that she would fall to a watery grave below.
"I'm trying to!" Flufffur shouted back but the wind blew harder, and Bearspirit heard the branch begin to snap. Locking eyes with her sister, Bearspirit was powerless as she watched the branch snap off completely and plummet to the water with her sister still on it, unable to release her claws from the wood in time before both branch and cat smashed into the water.
"FLUFFFUR!!! NO!!" Bearspirit shouted to her sister as she wailed and tried to swim in the water but the current was too strong. Without thinking, Bearspirit leaped from the tree and went into the water, she was intent on trying to save her sister, she was all that she had and she couldn't lose her, she couldn't lose another sibling. Bearspirit could see her sister’s wet grey head bob up and down as the waves pulled her under and pushed her up, she was getting tired and Bearspirit was feeling the effects from the cold water. Her legs were screaming at her to rest and just give up but she did not listen to them, she was focused on her sister who limply clung to a thin branch in the water. When Bearspirit reached her, she could tell her sister was barely breathing, let alone awake.
"Flufffur! Hang on!" Bearspirit said as she grabbed her sister’s scruff and using the log she grabbed on she paddled with her back legs to a huge rock where she dragged her sister up onto. flopping down beside her sister, she pawed Flufffur in the side until finally the she-cat began to hack up the water and breath somewhat more than what she was before.
"Oh Flufffur! You're all right!" Bearspirit said happily before sleep pulled her under.
