Burst of Fire

Chapter 4

Cloud made his way to the tribe clearing, feeling utterly exposed. Before him stood the entire pine forest tribe, about 30 or so in numbers. Among them stood Dove, her green eyes filled with love towards him. Obviously, everyone in the tribe had heard about what happened to Storm. Then, the healers came out of their cave.

"It is time to cast the line." Heart announced. "As you all know, casting the line is when we, the healers, choose two cats to be leader. Then we draw a line in between them. After that, you will go to the side of the cat you prefer." Then Wind announced,

"This time, we both chose one. I have chosen Cloud-" Murmurs of approval rippled through the tribe. "-and Heart has chosen Star."

Star was a yellow furred female with brown eyes. Surprise was obvious in her face. "I- I never expected this!" She exclaimed sheepishly.

Star and Cloud stood apart from each other as a line was drawn in between them. Of course, Dove was the first cat to walk to Cloud's side, followed shortly by Wind. In the end, There were about 20 cats on Cloud's side and about 10 for Star.

"I don't mind." Star sighed, "I never really had the chance, anyway." Then she turned to the crowd and exclaimed, "Cats of the pine forest, today we have brought light out of the depths of darkness! Even though Storm has fallen victim to the death that awaits every one of us, a new leader arises! I hold before you, Cloud, newfound leader of the great pine forest tribe!"

Cheers erupted through the clearing. Even Heart, who never really appreciated Cloud and what he did, cried out with joy and triumph. Once the cheers quieted, Cloud found his voice for long enough to give a speech of pleasure,

"Oh, all of you! I thank you, ever so much! As most of you know, becoming leader of my tribe has been my dream, my goal, ever since kittenhood! With the authority I now hold in my paws will make this tribe and this forest a better place. I will keep watch over generations of pine forest cats, helping them grow from kitten, to young-one, to full-fledged, giving birth, and death. But death here will not be an injustice. Every cat will be ready for their death to sweep them away, as they will have already had a long and joyous life! Under my watch, any sick cat, kitten-mother, or a pregnant-cat will be first to be fed, and I will make sure that every cat under me has enough to eat before I eat myself! Thank you, to every cat here, on this side, for picking me!" Cloud's eyes suddenly turned viciously dark. "Star's followers disrespect me. Remember how I said every cat under me would get enough to eat? In this winter, everyone is hungry, and Star and her followers will be our next meal."

Gasps of shock and horror spread throughout the cats in the clearing. As Cloud looked towards Dove, her gaze flickered at him. Surprisingly, it was still filled with love and admiration.

"I agree with my mate." She announced, "Because he is right. More meals for less cats equals healthier cats than what we have now. As for Star's followers..." Dove beckoned to two male cats, her brothers, to kill them. "Finish them off. Hound," She told the small white one, "I want you to slaughter the followers, one by one. And Blue Jay," She told the muscled grey one, "Finish off Star, now!"

Dove's orders were carried off swiftly, and she and Cloud padded off to the birth clearing, where you could clearly see the sun going down, and a campfire in the midst of the oak forest.

"Cloud.." Dove gasped. "I can feel them. The kittens. They are coming!"

"Wind! Heart!" Cloud called. But only Wind came. "Where is Heart?!" Cloud demanded. "I need her!" Wind didn't answer, but his expression said it all. Duh. Cloud thought. You said that every one of Star's followers was to be killed. That included Heart, darn it. But Wind did the job on his own. In the end, there were 3 beautiful kittens. 2 females and one male.

The first female had short, white fur and bold, green eyes.

"Daisy." Dove decided, eyeing her lovingly.

The second female had grey fur specked with white and narrow, amber eyes.

"Rose." Cloud sighed gratefully.

The male had long, grey fur and bright blue eyes.

"Thorn." Dove and Cloud said softly, almost in unison. The three kittens stared up at them bravely. Rose mewled at Cloud softly, saying, 'daddy'. Thorn walked around the clearing, hissing at bushes and leaves, and Daisy fell asleep at Wind's paws.

"They are perfect." Dove muttered softly, and, hence her exhaustion, fell asleep. Cloud busied himself with getting the three kittens to their mother's side.

"Goodnight, my beloved. My new son and daughters." Cloud whispered lovingly. I am a father now. He thought gleefully. And Fire won't be able to steal that from me, even if he does come back.

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"Hey! Petal! Jack! Time for dinner!" That would be the humans. Fire had gotten used to the humans calling him Jack by then, but he still didn't enjoy it.

It's almost time. Fire thought. This is it. I'll have to make return plans. But before that, maybe we should warn Allikin of the campers. Allikin was a hazelnut brown female, leader of the oak forest tribe. And I might as well warn Addaquine, too. Addaquine was also a hazelnut brown female, as she was Allikin's littermate. She was also Fire's most trusted friend among the oak forest tribe. Fire could rely on her for anything. Which means we'll have to leave earlier...

"Hey, Petal." Fire nudged her. "Change of plans. I need to leave earlier to warn the oak forest tribe of these campers. We'll dash off when the humans eat and hunt on the way there. Kapeesh?"

Petal giggled. "What in the forest's name does THAT mean?"

Fire flattened his ears in embarrassment. "Oh. Ka-peesh means, 'You got that?' "

"Kapeesh!" Petal replied, trying not to burst out with purrs of laughter.

Petal and Fire snuck behind the pop-up-human-shelter and into the woods. The oak forest tribe was opposite the side of the campsite that the pine forest tribe was, which meant that they would have to go around the campsite, AGAIN! Suddenly, Fire heard rustling in the bushes ahead.

"Did you hear that?" Petal whispered nervously. "I feel that another cat is near..." Fire lifted his head to scent the air.

"It's just a few oak forest cats." Fire announced after a few moments. There was a very strong, sweet scent among the group... Fire turned his back to them. It was probably nothing.

"Re-ow!" Fire spun around just in time to see a hazelnut colored pelt pounce on him, and the sweet scent of honey and marigold enveloped him.

"Addaquine!" Fire exclaimed joyfully, "Thank the forest it's you!"

"Oh Fire, I've missed you so much!" Addaquine cooed. "You look a little slim; don't worry, we'll soon get you back to your tribe and fatten you up!" She suddenly got a puzzled look in her eyes. "Hey Fire, who's that with you?" Addaquine's eyes flashed angrily between Petal and Fire. Fire's pelt grew hot with frustration.

"Addaquine, this is Petal. She used to be a human-pet, but I'm taking her to live with the pine forest tribe now." Fire explained as Addaquine's gaze raked sharply across Petal's blue-grey pelt. "I was going to visit your tribe and warn you about these humans, but..."

"Just go!" Addaquine snapped, "Go away from here and get out of my forest!"

Fire flinched as Petal dipped her head guiltily. What had she done? Addaquine seemed to be furious with the young she-cat. Had Addaquine felt jealous of Petal for standing so close to Fire? Had she been angry at Fire for spending more time with a human-pet than her?

Petal stalked away into the pine forest tribe's part of the woods, and Fire followed closely behind. Suddenly, the smell of Addaquine lingering in the air didn't seem as sweet.