Hunters

Chapter 2

The soft chirping of birds woke Moonshine. Most cats had woken up and were either out hunting, or playing. Then she remembered. She had to appoint the new hunters! 

She rushed to clean herself with the morning dew, which fell on the grass in the hollow right by the beach. She ran onto the huge crystalline that sat in the middle of the tribe. When she sat down, all the cats immediately looked up at her, their leader. "Cats of Moon tribe! I have decided to appoint three new hunters today. Rushwater, you are now a hunter. Moonlight, our ancestor tribe, honors you for your courageous spirit." Rushwater had found the sacred herb patch that was found in a little den, snuggled between the land and the sea. Although the herb was not enough to heal Starfall, it had saved many cats from death. Rushwater, a striped silver furred cat, licked Moonshine's ear with gratitude and padded back to his place."My next hunter will be Pinewood. Moonlight honors you for moving forward for many losses and helping others get through sorrow as well." Pinewood had lost her brother in the solar eclipse and had mourned for many weeks. But when others lost their loved ones as well, she soothed them and helped them get out of their pain, and move on. She was also a skilled hunter. Pinewood could leap onto any tree without getting scratched, which made her able to catch birds, and gather eggs. Pinewood licked Moonshine and walked back to her place. 

Before Moonshine could say anything more, she heard a noise. She backed up, something was in the bushes! She was expecting a beast- the Ice tribe cats, anything big! But instead, only three cats walked out of the deep moor. One was a dark fluffy brown cat with green eyes. They looked no older than some of her hunters. Next to her, we're two tiny kittens. One as white as snow. Moonshine thought,"perfect for hunting in the winter". Moonshine thoughtfully looked at the other kitten, who was a spotted tortoiseshell with a yellow spot in the middle of her forehead. Moonshine was so busy looking at the small kittens that she didn't notice when the green eyed cat spoke."My name is Leaflet. Please let me and my kittens join the Moon tribe." Before Moonshine could speak, Blackpool, a huge white cat with big black claws said "Are you kidding me Moonshine?! They could be from the Ice tribe! I think they want us to merge with them, like our ancestors did! Just tipping the balance even more!". Surprisingly, some cats murmured in agreement. But mostly the cats who had been in the wars. "No. Me and my kittens are house cats." said the green eyed cat. "I swear we will learn fast. If you do not want me, just take my kittens. They need to be taught the ways of the forest." Moonshine was surprised that the green eyed cat knew that the tribe didn't trust them. This made Moonshine believe that she could be made a hunter. "Cats of Moon tribe! Welcome Greenleaf. She is the last hunter I will be taking for my trip to the crystal caves, to claim my leader name, and their hunter names." 

Moonshine felt fulfilled. Tonight she would get her leader's name, Moonfall. And she would train the kittens the ways of the forest. Just what Greanleaf wanted. The afternoon passed quickly. Greenleaf proved to be a good hunter, and was also good at finding herbs, and climbing rocky slopes, and trees. The kittens learned fast as well. Moonshine had named the tortoiseshell Quickflower, for her high speed. She was able to run from tree to tree and catch plenty of squirrels. Moonshine named the other kitten Lightfur, because he had recently discovered a way to make herbs glow softly in the moonlight, to help lost moon tribe cats find their way. Moonshine had a lot of fun playing with them, and teaching them The journey to the crystal caves was okay. It was just pretty much a path of smooth boulders that cats could easily jump on. Sure, there were some badgers living in some of the burrows, but in the end, they got to the main crystal. "Put your heads on the crystal, and let it glow over you." She whispered. "When we enter Moonlight, look for a bright crystal the color of my pelt." "Good luck." she whispered.she put her soft head on the crystal and softly fell asleep. She woke in a shimmering meadow. She easily found the others, each with their own guide, ready to lead them to the tribe temple. Cats had nine lives, but when a cat was appointed leader, they received nine more. It turned out that Greenleaf was now Greenbelt, Rushwater was now Rushstream, and Pinewood was now Pinevalley. Now all she needed was her lives. She bent her head low when the first fallen cat came forward. It was her mother. "Love" she whispered. "Nobody can take that from you". The next cat came forward. But it was a cat Moonshine did not recognize. He bent his head low and said, "Moonshine. My name is Firelight. I know you might not know me, it's just that I live in another forest. Listen to me, There will be a time when you will have to leave your forest to go to mine, but have courage, my daughter. Have courage.". More cats came forward. All her fallen cats for Loyalty. Bravery. Being true. Being free. At last,Starfall stepped forward. "I am sorry for losing my lives. I hope you lead your tribe better than I could have done. Be careful who you put your faith in. Sometimes they will betray you at the last moment. All the cats around the crystal chanted "Moonfall! Moonfall! Moonfall!" And at that moment, Moonshine, now Moonfall, was ready for the dangers ahead.