Cats Eye 1: Seeking A Path

Chapter Two The Promise

Vala woke up in a strange place. She looked around for her mother and Leon, but they had disappeared. So had their den. The trees in this strange place were gnarled and bare and the bark had claw marks from creatures much bigger than cats. It seemed like this place had never seen thin light of the sun or moon. Vala started to panic, her heart thumped in her throat and it was hard for her to breath. Suddenly she heard a hiss behind one of the trees. Vala spun around, her fur standing on end, her back arched and her hackles raised. A jet black she-cat slunk out. She had scars across her flank and one of her yellow eyes were hostile. This strange cat had obviously been in many battles. Without thinking, Vala started to run, even faster than when she was trying to catch Leon. She heard the cats paws pounding behind her and claws scraping on rocks. Vala was starting to slow down but she kept running even thought her muscles were screaming for her to rest. Finally the she-cat pounced on her, knocking Vala down. Vala struggled to her paws, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. When she caught her breath, she whipped around to the she-cat, hissing. The other cats eyes still glittered with hostility. They both unsheathed their claws and stared at each other for a long moment. The she-cat smirked and lunged at the tiny kit, her teeth bared. Vala jumped back, but the cats claws grazed her flank. Vala let out a small squeak of pain but she rested her gaze on the other cats neck. Vala launched herself at the cat and felt her claws meet flesh. The she-cat wailed in agony as Vala bit down on her neck and the dark cat let her claws rip at Vala's fur  and skin. Vala screamed with pain and let go. She immediately jumped back and desperately tried to get a hold of flesh with her claws  but the she-cats thick body fur was harder to get through than her thin neck fur so her claws only snagged on the cats fur. Then, the cat threw her off and Vala hit a tree. She lay limp for a moment, stunned by the impact. The she-cat padded silently over to her and Vala waited for her to bite down and kill her. But, the she-cat simply picked her up by her scruff and carried her over to a smooth rock and set her down. Vala sprawled out on the rock, it felt cool under her paws. She noticed a river next to her it looked calm and quiet. She sat up and stared at the she-cat. "Who are you?" She asked cautiously. "I am Ivy." the she-cat mewed calmly. She dipped her head in greeting and Vala did the same. "Why did you attack me?" Vala questioned her. "Oh, I have my reasons. I'm sorry about that Vala." she meowed sneakily. Vala's heart lurched. How did this strange cat know her name? Vala started to back away. "Don't be scared little kit, I know everyone's name. I watch over all cats." she mewed soothingly. Vala sat back down with a quizzical look on her face. "So, you're like the spirits in the stars? My mother told my brother about them when my eyes were still closed. But, I never thought that your home would look like this." Vala puzzled. She saw Ivy stiffen. "Don't ever speak of the spirits of the stars ever!" Ivy snarled at her and she landed a blow on Vala's head, claws unsheathed. Vala let out a Yelp of surprise and pain. She saw blood trickle down her head to her muzzle. She had so many questions for Ivy, but she didn't want to risk getting the dark cat angry again so she stayed silent. "Now," Ivy mewed cooly. "Let's get down to business." Vala waited for Ivy to say something. "What if I told you that I could give you power beyond your imagination if you did as I tell you?" Ivy meowed. Vala's eyes were as round as full moons now. "You can do that?" Vala asked her. She gave a little hop of exitment. "Just do what I tell you, and I can give you all you've ever wanted. But you need to promise me that you will do whatever I say." Ivy told her. "I promise!" Vala said almost at once. Suddenly, a big ball of light appeared. It was brighter than the sun itself. A voice spoke. "No!"