Burst of Fire

Chapter 8

Cloud paced along the top of the big-rock. He had called the tribe together for a meeting, but the hunting group had not yet returned. If it was any other day, Cloud wouldn't have waited. However, what he was announcing that day was a subject that everyone was in on. Then, finally, the hunting group returned, with Fire in the lead.

"Was the hunting successful?" Cloud asked casually.

"Yes." Fire replied, not missing a beat. "We have caught 2 shrews, a pigeon, 3 squirrels, and 2 mice."

"Well, everyone?" Cloud's voice rang amongst the clearing, "Did you hear that? That's a lot of prey, and I want you to eat it. You're going to need all of your strength because tonight..." Cloud left a moment of silence for affect. "...we are going to attack the field dogs!"

Everyone cheered, and they soon began to chant- Dogs Be Dead! Dogs Be Dead! Cloud knew that there was nothing more exciting to a cat than getting revenge on dogs. Almost every cat knew someone that had disappeared into the field and never came back.

"Now," Cloud continued, "this battle will be different than others. The Oak Forest cats will not be with us, so we will need more fighters. Therefore, I am giving the young-one's without mentors someone to train them. I will do so now." Taking a quick glance around, Cloud spotted a silver she-cat sitting upright and ready.

"Crystal," Cloud began, "please sit with me atop the big-rock." Crystal nodded and padded towards the front of the crowd, her eyes shining. With her legs stretching out, Crystal leaped onto the big-rock. Cloud blinked at her with respect before continuing, "This young-one has lived her kittenhood thoroughly. She has been gentle and kind and brave and strong. The cats of the clouds will welcome her into the training stage. I only have one concern." Turning towards the seemingly ready she-cat, Cloud announced, "Crystal has spoken to me, and she wishes to be a healer cat. Wind, will you take her on?"

"Of course!" Wind exclaimed. "I would love to have a young-one."

"Then from this moment on," Cloud proclaimed, "Crystal is a healer cat!"

The ceremonies continued until Oak and Snow received their mentors. Oak received Fire, because they were both bold and optimistic. Snow received Stone, a she-cat with sleek black fur and pale blue eyes, because they were both stealthy and lightning fast.

"I promise you," Cloud told his tribe as the ceremony ended, "tonight will be the night of our lives."

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Fire was so excited. Storm had never let them attack the field dogs without Oak Forest before, but now they had a chance. Fang was explaining ways to get in the field that he had learned from some of his Oak forest friends.

"This is a prophecy!" Crystal gazed lovingly into Fang's eyes.

"What of it?" Fang asked her.

"That you and I should be together for-ever and-ever!" Crystal purred dramatically.

"That doesn't even make sense." The embarrassed looking young-one muttered.

Even the kittens were excited about the raid. Thorn paced the clearing with anticipation, not fretting about being able to go himself. Kittens are not allowed to enter battle unless battle finds them and they cannot run off. This was the one thing that Sun and Thorn agreed on: 'Battles are stupid if I'm not the one fighting them.' However, this battle broke that rule. Cloud declared that every cat was needed, and he took on training the kittens.

"Can I help the healer cats?" Daisy had asked. "I want to be one someday, and I'm not a very strong she-cat." Cloud had nodded, and Daisy thankfully padded away, on light paws, to the medicine cave.