Book One of A New Era: A Clan of Fire

Chapter Seven

(I know I'm late, but I have to study for my Regents exams, and my cat, Sheba, unfortunately passed away, so I've been having a tough time and have just been emotionally exhausted. Alas, enjoy the chapter!)

"Flare! Do you want to go hunting with me?" Salem called happily.

"You said that you would teach me how to hunt!"

"Sure! I'll hunt!" Flare called back. It had been three days since her dream, and Flare had been trying to think of a way to tell her friends. She remembered when she had promised to teach Salem to hunt. It felt like a lifetime ago, but in reality, it had only been a few days. Salem had healed well, but the wound was still a bit sore. Flare's leg had almost healed completely already. Cleo had told her that it was because they were both young and strong. Meanwhile, Flare had come to a conclusion of who she would choose as deputy. If they joined her, that is.

Flare had learned that the other cats from the barn had left for their homes. Flare's friends had lived in the barn. Gizmo had come from a faraway place after the death of his mother, Cleo and Wilma's twoleg had died, Bri's twoleg had left and never came back, Ratchet and Tom had both left their twolegs to be with their mates, Salem had decided to leave his twolegs after they had gotten a dog that chased him from his food, and Ginger.

Ginger's story was the saddest. His twolegs had treated him horribly from a kit. They half-starved him and would hurt him for no real reason. One day, some strange twolegs came by Ginger's twoleg nest and took away his twolegs, who had their paws behind their back. They went inside a monster with strange lights that blinked colors. Ginger had been stuck in the nest for days, barely surviving off what little food and water he could find. Gizmo had found him and helped free him from the twoleg nest. Then Ginger went to live with him in the barn. He had grown up to be shy and jumpy.

Flare followed Salem, reminding him to walk quietly. It wasn't long before Flare spotted a shrew nibbling on a seed. Salem saw it soon after Flare and crouched. Flare winced. He was doing everything wrong. She crouched beside him to give him instructions.

"Keep your tail straight out behind you. If you have it up, the prey will spot it, and if it's dragging, it will make noise. Also, you want to watch were you are stepping, so you don't step on a twig. Step lightly, as to not send vibrations through the ground. When you're ready to pounce, bring in your hind legs for a better leap. And for goodness sake, stop twitching that tail!" she whispered.

Salem did as he was told, and did his best to control his tail. He stalked forward, eyes fixed on the shrew, which was still enjoying its meal. Flare sighed. Salem wasn't watching where he was putting his paws. She didn't say anything, though. This was the best way for him to learn. Salem was almost within pouncing distance when a twig snapped under his paw and the shrew scuttled away.

"Mouse dung!" he spat, frustrated.

"You weren't watching your paws," Flare told him, hoping that she didn't sound too bossy.

"I know." Salem sat down and stared at his paws gloomily.

"It's alright. Maybe next time," Flare purred kindly.

They headed off, going deeper into the forest. Flare found a sleeping thrush. It was perched on a low branch of an oak tree. Flare creeped carefully to the tree's trunk and climbed it, being as silent as she could. She stalked along the branch, feeling it bend under her weight. The thrush didn't move. She was now only a few tail lengths away. She crouched and waggled her haunches, preparing to pounce.

Salem was watching her carefully, studying her position and posture. Flare drew her legs in and made a tremendous leap, soaring gracefully through the air. She heard Salem let out a startled meow. The thrush took off, but it wasn't quick enough to escape Flare's claws. She scooped it out of the air and landed neatly on the branch, which shook under her sudden weight. She held her prize proudly and hopped off the branch. She trotted up to Salem, who was gaping at her.

"How did you do that?! That was amazing! You looked like you were flying!" Salem exclaimed. Then he purred, "You're a great jumper."

"Thanks. I had a lot of practice," Flare purred with embarrassment, looking down at her paws.

"I want to do that! I can't wait!" Salem purred excitedly.

It wasn't long before they started to head back. Salem had missed a vole, landing a bit short, and Flare had caught a starling that had flown directly into her paws. She had also caught a fat mouse that didn't even squeal as she killed it.

They padded into the temporary camp with their catch - or rather Flare's catch. When they dropped their prey on the prey pile, Salem began to tell everyone about Flare's amazing jump. Flare felt a little embarrassed to be the center of attention, but liked it a bit, too.

Flare took her thrush to Bri, whose belly was huge with kits. Cleo was beside her, talking.

"Your kits are due any day now. I suggest you don't leave camp. I don't want you to be alone when they come, in case something goes wrong," Cleo was saying.

"You think something will go wrong?" Bri fretted.

"No, but just in case. I don't want to risk it," Cleo meowed.

Flare dropped her thrush and used her paw to push it towards Bri. "I brought this for you."

"Thank you very much, Flare.

You're so kind. Do you want to share?" Bri responded gratefully.

"Yes please." Flare settled down beside Bri and took a bite from the thrush.

"Cleo, I am worried," Bri plunged back into the conversation. "Would if they are unhealthy?"

"I'm sure everything will be fine. You'll make a great mother, Bri," Cleo purred gently.

Flare listened, thinking. Bri seemed to be doubting herself. Just like I am doubting myself, Flare realized. She shouldn't doubt herself, for StarClan believed in her. That's all I need. She stood up and stretched, listened to Bri and Cleo's conversation for a little longer and walked to the rock in the center of the clearing. She hauled herself onto it and surveyed the clearing. Gizmo was conversing with Ginger and Tom, Wilma was watching her kits play, Salem was eating a vole with Ratchet, and Bri and Cleo were now headed towards Bri's nest.

Here goes nothing, she thought. "Everyone! Gather around! I have something that I want to tell you!" She yowled. Cats turned to look at her. Confusion was clear in their gazes. Flare saw Ratchet mumble something in Salem's ear, who shrugged in reply. Gizmo was the first to pad over and sit in front of the rock. The other cats soon followed him.