Blood and Snow

A New Day

A week later, everything seemed to fall into place for Snow. She had her new friends and life. Best of all, Shrike was going to make her really part of the horizons today with her job. Snow stood right in front of the entrance of the den that led to the outside. The skies were clear and the sun was bright. A new-leaf wind blew through her fur. She slowly inhaled a breath of relief. This is what I have wanted my entire life. To be accepted for who I am, and have friends. It almost seems too good to be true...

"Snow!" A voice called. She looked in the direction of the slight uphill where if you went all the way up, you would find the main entrance to the underground camp. The cat who had called her name was Carmen. She and the heather-spotted she-cat had gotten quite close this past week. Both had a fairly sassy attitude(Though they both agreed that Orchid was much more short-tempered given her frequent and random outbursts) and had a good nick for fighting. Their favorite activity was to do little play fights against each other for practice.

" Hey, Carmen." Snow smiled. She stood up and pranced over to her. Both she-cats were getting their jobs today along with almost every other one of their friends, except for Nightmare who was a little younger.

"You about ready? My mother said it should start at sunset." Carmen asked. Snow tilted her head and scoffed.

"Why do it so late? We'll lose daylight." Snow commented. Her friend smirked.

"That's the point. Now come on. The rest of the group is waiting. We all want to guess what we'll get!" Carmen chirped, then turned around. Snow, who was very confused, whipped around in front of Carmen stopping her.

"What do you mean? Why is it the perfect time?!" she hissed through her teeth. Carmen's eyes lit up, suddenly remembering Snow did not know all the traditions of the Horizons.

"Oh, well tonight is a full moon. There is an opening in the meeting room where all the stones are in the water. When the moon hits it, the stones provide beautiful light. No cats without a job are allowed to these parties or get-togethers or whatever you call it. So it is like a passage of growing up. Finally being an adult." Carmen explained. Snow nodded, finally understanding.

"Poor Nightmare. He won't get to join if it's only for employed cats." Snow added. Her friend nodded and signed, weaving around Snow who was still in front of her.

"Yeah, well we better get to Shine Rock. We don't need to be late again or Orchid will yell at us until dawn." she giggled.

Once they got to Shine Rock, Snow saw her four other friends at the very top. She grinned in laughter as she saw Orchid staring down at them as she paced the length of the rock. Carmen then bolted up the rock, her strong haunches scaling the large jumps easily. Snow on the other hand still was clawing her way up trying not to slip and break her head open. Once she got to the top, she was greeted by Orchid's hiss to her face.

"Took you long enough, you snail." the crooked-tailed she-cat spat. Snow rolled her eyes and went to sit beside Carmen. The rest of the group sat down in a half-circle with Orchid standing up in the middle of it. Across from her, she noticed that Nightmare had his head on his paws looking upset. Snow bit her lip, feeling guilty.

"Okay, everyone, listen up," Orchid announced and then cleared her throat. Snow sighed and exchanged a 'not this again' look with Carmen. They both knew that they would be here for a little while. "So, today is our job assignment. Something we will be doing in this group for as long as we live. Shrike and the elders have been watching us all the way back as kits, some more than others, up to now. Though, we all know they don't it is just what they say and that is why they are letting Snow do it after only being observed for a week. I brought you all here to discuss what our desired futures shall be like. We will start off with... Odessa!" the sleepy she-cat perked up.