My story is set far away from the other clans and tribes. These cats live across distant waters. They face dangers daily and not just the natural kinds. I would love to hear what you think and I will be posting polls throughout the story. I hope you enjoy. 
Prologue
Spoiler
With ever deepening shadows the last of the days light faded into grey. Filtered by the moss covered trees, the swamp and islands inside it were given over to the darkness. Black shadows crept silently across a large fallen log. Paws balanced neatly, they leapt across an incredible gap of at least four tail lengths. Climbing higher and higher through the trees the three shadows emerged from the darkness into the star filled sky. Wrinkled leaves and bent branches testified to the regularity of these visits.
All were silent for a long time. Staring up into the sky the shadows searched for answers. Shoulders slumped forward, the first to break the silence let out a broken sigh. Turning to face her companions the she cat gazed deeply at the forms around her, able to pick up every detail even in the darkness.
“I wish there had been another way,†she whispered. Her eyes were the color of mist and she had a deep, pitch black coat with a white spotted face.
“No one is blaming you Darklight. You did what you could. No one could have asked for more,†a blue-grey tom spoke up. His eyes never strayed from the stars, as if he were searching for something. “And…you did what you thought was best,†he added it as if it were a second thought. That perhaps she had done what she thought was best. The third cat was crouched in one of the small nests. She was small and young; curled up as tightly as she was she looked like a new apprentice. Her pelt was brown stained with black spots around the hindquarters and tail.
Darklight took a tentative step towards the small form. Unsure of what to do yet feeling the need to do something she crouched by the she cat and began to wash her starting with her ears and working her way down her back. The little one looked up at her with grief filled eyes. It was enough to make her want to scream to the waters of the injustices that had taken the joy from this little one. All because of her.
“I don’t blame you,†the little one spoke after a moment. Grief filled her voice so much that she had to choke out the words. Pausing for a moment to steady her voice she resumed, “It wasn’t your fault. We all knew the risks involved and we all took the chances. I. I just…don’t know how we can go on without them,†she shuddered.
After a moment the little one asked, “Greysky will you sing us a song?†The tom glanced at her quickly and with a nod resumed his search of the heavens.
“Dawn breaks each morning, a hope to start each new day. Dangers may come but while there is sun our hearts will soar each day. While birds can soar through the skies above, we have the land and the sea. Hope is the sun in our hearts. The friendships…†At this point Greysky choked up and could not continue.
“…we store in our heart for when we are far apart.†Specklesun finished the last few words of the song. They all became silent again and lay in the treetops searching the stars for the hope they could store in their hearts.
All were silent for a long time. Staring up into the sky the shadows searched for answers. Shoulders slumped forward, the first to break the silence let out a broken sigh. Turning to face her companions the she cat gazed deeply at the forms around her, able to pick up every detail even in the darkness.
“I wish there had been another way,†she whispered. Her eyes were the color of mist and she had a deep, pitch black coat with a white spotted face.
“No one is blaming you Darklight. You did what you could. No one could have asked for more,†a blue-grey tom spoke up. His eyes never strayed from the stars, as if he were searching for something. “And…you did what you thought was best,†he added it as if it were a second thought. That perhaps she had done what she thought was best. The third cat was crouched in one of the small nests. She was small and young; curled up as tightly as she was she looked like a new apprentice. Her pelt was brown stained with black spots around the hindquarters and tail.
Darklight took a tentative step towards the small form. Unsure of what to do yet feeling the need to do something she crouched by the she cat and began to wash her starting with her ears and working her way down her back. The little one looked up at her with grief filled eyes. It was enough to make her want to scream to the waters of the injustices that had taken the joy from this little one. All because of her.
“I don’t blame you,†the little one spoke after a moment. Grief filled her voice so much that she had to choke out the words. Pausing for a moment to steady her voice she resumed, “It wasn’t your fault. We all knew the risks involved and we all took the chances. I. I just…don’t know how we can go on without them,†she shuddered.
After a moment the little one asked, “Greysky will you sing us a song?†The tom glanced at her quickly and with a nod resumed his search of the heavens.
“Dawn breaks each morning, a hope to start each new day. Dangers may come but while there is sun our hearts will soar each day. While birds can soar through the skies above, we have the land and the sea. Hope is the sun in our hearts. The friendships…†At this point Greysky choked up and could not continue.
“…we store in our heart for when we are far apart.†Specklesun finished the last few words of the song. They all became silent again and lay in the treetops searching the stars for the hope they could store in their hearts.
Ch. 1 Staying Alive
Spoiler
Three Moons Earlier
“Keep up Specklesun,†a young grey striped tom called out behind him. Glancing backwards he saw the tortoiseshell leaping easily from rock to island then rapidly begin to climb the tree he was on. The tree they were perched on was old but firm and had so much moss on it that it was nicknamed the “Fur Treeâ€Â. The tom ripped a piece of moss off and dropped it on Specklesun as she clambered up the tree’s face.
“Hey, watch it!†she growled teasingly at him. “Just wait ‘til I get up there Deepmist,†she threatened. Putting a burst of energy into her climb she shot up the rest of the tree and made it to the branch Deepmist sat on. The two began to wrestle playfully on the branch. Deepmist swung a sheathed paw at Specklesun and she ducked as it swung over her head. The branch began to wobble beneath them and Specklesun dug her claws in to keep herself from falling. Unbalanced by his swing Deepmist tumbled off the branch and fell into the swamp below with a loud splash! Specklesun sat frozen for a moment then quickly slid down the tree. The island she stood on was no more then a water snake in length and it offered no protection, other then the tree.
Deepmist surfaced with a small splash and began to paddle towards her. Specklesun was oblivious to the small ridges that were growing increasingly larger behind her friend as she gazed in horror at the water lapping greedily at her paws.
“Specklesun, help me out of here,†Deepmist called out. He was at least one water snake away where she noticed the twin spines rising higher and higher out of the water.
“Deepmist!†she shrieked. Deepmist fought the urge to look around and began to paddle harder and harder towards the shore. Specklesun knew it would be too late for him if she didn’t do something quickly. Glancing around, she scanned the island and the tree for anything useful. The tree. She sprang up it and climbed to the lowest limb and waited and hoped and prayed to the Bright Stars. Deepmist was inches from the island when the crocodile emerged from the water. Standing on its stubby legs its belly brushed the water; it opened its large mouth which stank of decay and lunged for Deepmist.
Specklesun was faster and landed as hard as she could on its mouth. With a snap the crocodile’s mouth shut. The crocodile hissed furiously as Deepmist rushed onto the small island. Hissing the crocodile thrashed its head and tail around in spasms trying to throw Specklesun into the water where it would be able to kill her easily. Specklesun dug her claws into its slippery, leathery hide. Just as it threw its head back Specklesun leaped off its mouth, barely missing the water as she raced for the tree. She shot up the tree barely taking time to sink her claws into the bark.
Ragged breathing sounded beneath her and Specklesun peered onto the branch below. Deepmist was soaked through and his fur hung tightly to his body making him look tinier then he was. “Deepmist,†she gasped, trying to catch her breath. Deepmist looked up at her with relief in his eyes then slowly climbed up the tree to her branch. The predator hissed below at them as blood trickled down its face. The two cats crossed carefully from tree to tree until they were far away from the crocodile; perched on a fallen log Specklesun began to shake as exhaustion took over and the fear left her body.
“Well that was fun,†Deepmist laughed shakily. He glanced at Specklesun and noticing her shaking pressed his flank close to hers. “Let’s not tell anyone about our adventures,†he suggested with a purr.
“I’ll take first watch. We can head back to the tribe after we get some sleep. They weren’t expecting us to bring anything back anyways.†Specklesun meowed. Deepmist nodded his agreement then lay down next to her with a yawn. She watched as his breathing slowed then began to clean away the debris the swamp water had left on his pelt. She yawned and blinked her eyes as the sky began to grow darker. “Wake up Deepmist we have to go.â€Â
He blinked his eyes slowly open. “Do you think they missed us?†he asked playfully. Deepmist rolled onto his back and prodded her with his paws. She grinned and poked him back. The two wrestled again until Specklesun suddenly leaped up, no longer playful but concerned.
“Oh no, I forgot that tonight is the Naming Ritual. We were supposed to be back by nightfall to see who the Bright Stars choose to mentor Little Wave and Little Horizon. We have to hurry back.†Specklesun spun on her paws and began to fly through the trees knowing that Deepmist was following, hot on her paws.
“Keep up Specklesun,†a young grey striped tom called out behind him. Glancing backwards he saw the tortoiseshell leaping easily from rock to island then rapidly begin to climb the tree he was on. The tree they were perched on was old but firm and had so much moss on it that it was nicknamed the “Fur Treeâ€Â. The tom ripped a piece of moss off and dropped it on Specklesun as she clambered up the tree’s face.
“Hey, watch it!†she growled teasingly at him. “Just wait ‘til I get up there Deepmist,†she threatened. Putting a burst of energy into her climb she shot up the rest of the tree and made it to the branch Deepmist sat on. The two began to wrestle playfully on the branch. Deepmist swung a sheathed paw at Specklesun and she ducked as it swung over her head. The branch began to wobble beneath them and Specklesun dug her claws in to keep herself from falling. Unbalanced by his swing Deepmist tumbled off the branch and fell into the swamp below with a loud splash! Specklesun sat frozen for a moment then quickly slid down the tree. The island she stood on was no more then a water snake in length and it offered no protection, other then the tree.
Deepmist surfaced with a small splash and began to paddle towards her. Specklesun was oblivious to the small ridges that were growing increasingly larger behind her friend as she gazed in horror at the water lapping greedily at her paws.
“Specklesun, help me out of here,†Deepmist called out. He was at least one water snake away where she noticed the twin spines rising higher and higher out of the water.
“Deepmist!†she shrieked. Deepmist fought the urge to look around and began to paddle harder and harder towards the shore. Specklesun knew it would be too late for him if she didn’t do something quickly. Glancing around, she scanned the island and the tree for anything useful. The tree. She sprang up it and climbed to the lowest limb and waited and hoped and prayed to the Bright Stars. Deepmist was inches from the island when the crocodile emerged from the water. Standing on its stubby legs its belly brushed the water; it opened its large mouth which stank of decay and lunged for Deepmist.
Specklesun was faster and landed as hard as she could on its mouth. With a snap the crocodile’s mouth shut. The crocodile hissed furiously as Deepmist rushed onto the small island. Hissing the crocodile thrashed its head and tail around in spasms trying to throw Specklesun into the water where it would be able to kill her easily. Specklesun dug her claws into its slippery, leathery hide. Just as it threw its head back Specklesun leaped off its mouth, barely missing the water as she raced for the tree. She shot up the tree barely taking time to sink her claws into the bark.
Ragged breathing sounded beneath her and Specklesun peered onto the branch below. Deepmist was soaked through and his fur hung tightly to his body making him look tinier then he was. “Deepmist,†she gasped, trying to catch her breath. Deepmist looked up at her with relief in his eyes then slowly climbed up the tree to her branch. The predator hissed below at them as blood trickled down its face. The two cats crossed carefully from tree to tree until they were far away from the crocodile; perched on a fallen log Specklesun began to shake as exhaustion took over and the fear left her body.
“Well that was fun,†Deepmist laughed shakily. He glanced at Specklesun and noticing her shaking pressed his flank close to hers. “Let’s not tell anyone about our adventures,†he suggested with a purr.
“I’ll take first watch. We can head back to the tribe after we get some sleep. They weren’t expecting us to bring anything back anyways.†Specklesun meowed. Deepmist nodded his agreement then lay down next to her with a yawn. She watched as his breathing slowed then began to clean away the debris the swamp water had left on his pelt. She yawned and blinked her eyes as the sky began to grow darker. “Wake up Deepmist we have to go.â€Â
He blinked his eyes slowly open. “Do you think they missed us?†he asked playfully. Deepmist rolled onto his back and prodded her with his paws. She grinned and poked him back. The two wrestled again until Specklesun suddenly leaped up, no longer playful but concerned.
“Oh no, I forgot that tonight is the Naming Ritual. We were supposed to be back by nightfall to see who the Bright Stars choose to mentor Little Wave and Little Horizon. We have to hurry back.†Specklesun spun on her paws and began to fly through the trees knowing that Deepmist was following, hot on her paws.
