Shining of the Four

Chapter 1

            Cherry Blossom walked through the forest, guilt and despair filling her with each step she took. She had seen the flash that had gone through the entire forest, and she still wondered what had caused it.

            She had heard cries of cats and bones of prey throughout these woods. It was no doubt that clan cats lived in these woods.

            Cherry Blossom was not a clan cat, but more of a foreigner. Most clan cats would call her a "rogue" or a "loner", but in reality, there was not much different from her and clan cats.

            Cherry Blossom lived with many others foreigners, though they were not a "clan". From time to time they would move from their home and travel together. Cherry Blossom was their queen, their leader, along with her mate, Oak, their king.

            Cherry Blossom had heard about how clan cats would call their rulers a "leader" and they would possess nine lives, a gift from StarClan. Cherry Blossom did not believe in StarClan though. No cat in her group did.

            All the cats in her group believed that when a cat died, they would be present in whatever object they were named after. For Cherry Blossom, her spirit would be present in the blossoms that bloomed every spring. Her mate, Oak, would be present in the tall oak trees. It was always passed down to every generation that a few cats have even heard their ancestors speak to them when they are near that certain object. Cherry Blossom had never witnessed this though. It was just a kit's tale.

            Kits...Cherry Blossom's heart ached. She had been pregnant, about ready to give birth when the storm had come. She had been separated from her group members and had been stuck in these woods for several sunrises now, trying to find her way back home.

            Cherry Blossom had given birth recently, though something had gone wrong with the birth, and her four kits had died, leaving her to mourn. She had buried them, knowing they would be with the other kittens who had not been named. Now once she did return home, she would have to tell Oak and the rest of the cats the terrible news. It had been her first litter, her first offspring, and now, she had no one.

            Cherry Blossom continued on her way, trying to shake these thoughts away. No, she had to stay strong. She could have more kits, that was always an option. It seemed like a terrible idea though.

            She sighed, continuing to walk through the woods. She only hoped she could find her tribe soon. Then she could be comforted, though the guilt would still live within her. Berry, their healer, or what clan cats called a "medicine cat," would be disappointed when she heard the news.

            As Cherry Blossom continued, she stopped, hearing a faint cry. She listened, but heard nothing again. She shook her head, continuing along the way. She heard the sound again, a bit louder this time, and she stopped again.

            "Hello?" she called.

            Nothing stirred or moved. Cherry Blossom was about to continue on her way when she heard the faint cry once more. Curious, Cherry Blossom moved towards a bush where the cry had come from.

            "Hello?" she asked again, moving the leaves aside. She gasped as she saw what lay in the bush. Inside the bush was a tiny kitten, newly born. It was a she-cat with a pelt of white and gold.

            Cherry Blossom looked around, wondering who had left a newly born kitten out in the woods all alone. She carefully picked up the she-cat, setting her back down on the ground.

            "Hello?! Has anyone lost their kit?!" she called a few times, walking up and down the woods. She sniffed the kit, wondering if it had any clan scent on it. This kit did not smell like any clan though.

            Suddenly, Cherry Blossom had an idea, a wonderful idea. She couldn't very well leave the kit in the woods all alone, or it would die. No, this kit was a gift, and perhaps, she could say that she gave birth to this kit, and no cat would have to know her other litter died.

            Cherry Blossom agreed on the idea, looking at the helpless kitten. "I suppose I should name you," she whispered. She thought for a moment, then smiled. "I shall name you Salmon, like the ones that leap in the river. Come now, Salmon, we'll be on our way. You will be a ruler one day," she purred, picking up the she-cat by the scruff.

            With those words, Cherry Blossom headed off, carrying her new "kit" through the woods.