spaceIt was the depth of leafbare and the mountains were thick with the white rain that drifts from the sky. My paws stung with each step. They were sore and puffy, and my pads were cracked and oozing a strange liquid. I tried to lick at them to sooth the pain, but the taste was so vile that each time I tried, my stomach would convulse and heave. My brother remained calm as we traversed these large claws of the world, and I envied his peace of mind and body.
spaceThe sun fell to the claws and the moon arose, spreading its light over the white rain which rested around our paws. My body collapsed and I laid in the snow. My chest was tight and my throat burned and cried. I didn't want to keep traveling anymore, I felt content in this cold powder. My brother understood and came by me. He laid down and we rested, curled together in that cold white rain.
spaceMy brother awoke me. He shook me with a paw eagerly and whispered into my ear that an angel had arrived. I struggled to open my eyes against the fight of the frost on my fur and turned to look. Above us, a figure stood and stared down towards us. It was a feline with long, flowing fur and silvery-white coloration. She ran towards us and knelt, asking many questions that I was too tired to answer. I watched her for a moment as she spoke to my brother, who answered with sparkling eyes, then I laid my head down on my brothers back and let my eyes close for more rest. I heard her voice grow quiet, then louder again. Soon, I felt teeth gently grab my scruff and lift me. I allowed it, seeing an opportunity to sleep again, and feeling gratitude for not having to walk on my burning paws.
spaceIt had been a week since we were found by the angel-cat, whose name was Light that Shines at Day, or simply [url]Daystar[/url] due to her leader status. She was kind and caring. She fed us, kept us safe, and even gave us names. My brother was dubbed Echo of the Mountain Storm, while I was dubbed Sand that Breaks from Stone. She had taught us the way of the claws - which I learned were called mountains - and showed us how to survive. I tried my best to keep up, but each day my body weakened until I could no longer muster the strength to rise from my bed in the morning. Daystar showed concern as my health deteriorated, and on that morning that my strength could not lift me, she picked my up by the scruff and carried me, with Echostorm trotting alongside her. They chatted and talked as we moved, though sadness was thick in her voice.
We arrived at the end of the mountains and entered the forests. Something about those lumbering trees felt familiar, but I did not say it. It took a full cycle of the sun for us to arrive at our destination. The scent of new, strange cats drifted over from bushes and trees. Daystar entered the ring of cat smells and walked ahead. Not long after, we were greeted by a chocloate bi-color she-cat with odd eyes. At first she was suspicious, but when she saw me realization seemed to overpower her tension and she invited us to follow. Daystar moved after her and we entered a new camp, one of grass, trees, and heat. The female called out a name, [url]Lightpool[/url], and mostly white diluted calico came rushing over. She spoke swiftly to Daystar, asking what had happened and how long I had been like this. After a rapid conversation, she took me and carried me swiftly into a den marked by a wide, squat bush. There, she rested me on a warm bed and gave me herbs that, though bitter, seemed to give my body some strength again. She ground up leaves and spread the paste over my paws, then fed me an herb that removed the tightness of my chest. After some time, and many herbs, she asked me to rest - something I was more than happy to do.
