Wind

Chapter 1

Rising Wind slipped into the cave that held the Tribe of the Glowing Moon. She glanced around her home. Her tribe held the tiniest kits to the fearsome hunters and guards. Rising Wind was proud of her tribe since they had only formed here two moons ago. Silent Leaves was sitting in the clearing, his tail curled around his paws in relaxation. Rare Blossom was walking into her cave, a mouthful of herbs in her jaws.

Rising Wind was a guard who would do anything for her tribe in any situation. A guard's job was to make sure everyone was sleeping by the curfew. They also guarded the cave entrance and dens just in case. A guard would do anything for his tribe. Rising Wind would and will be loyal to her tribe, even after death. She was on patrol duty right now and would be going to round up the hunters for curfew. "Hunters!" Rising Wind called, her voice echoing around the cave. "Get into your den, now. Your curfew is up." The hunters all grumbled, got up, and padded into their cave. Rising Wind watched every one of them go inside, making sure none of them snuck off. Everything was scheduled for certain times in this tribe. Kits and queens went to sleep at sundown, hunters slept at moon-rise, and guards patrolled until moon-down.

It was time to patrol to make sure no kits or hunters had snuck out. When the tribe had first been formed, hunters and kits had always disobeyed the no-sneaking-out rule. During her patrol, Rising Wind found only one hunter trying to sneak out to hunt. "Get back in your cave, Quiet Petal," she ordered. Rising Wind led the annoyed and embarrassed hunter back to the Hunter's cave.

The different roles in the tribe meant different levels of respect. Kits got the least amount of respect since they got in so much trouble. Trainees we treated with a tiny bit higher respect since they were learning to be a hunter or guard. Hunters were treated with a medium level of respect since all they did was hunt for their tribe. A guard, on the other hand, was treated with a high level of respect. Since they protected their clan from dangers such as foxes and attacks, the guard was a very important role. A queen's role was right around a guard's respect level since they gave birth to the future of the tribe. Healer, captain, second-in-command, and leader were the most respected ranks. A healer made her tribe-mates healthy and uninjured. Second-in-command basically stepped in when there were patrols to form, or take over leadership when their leader was sick or dead. The leader ran the tribe, making everything run smoothly. They made the rules for their tribe and appointed new trainees. A captain organized battle patrols, and lead the guards into battle.

~

It was sun-down the next day, and Rising Wind padded up to her friends, Flowing River and Prowling Tiger. If you were a hunter that was friends with a guard, you were treated with the same respect and privileges as a guard. That was what her friends were- respected hunters. "How are you two?" Rising Wind asked, loosening up a little.

"We're good." purred Flowing River. The conversation continued enthusiastically until Raven Swoop sternly padded over. "Rising Wind, you have been assigned as Stellar Moon's guard, so you will sleep in a new cave. You have your own cave right beside mine if you even want it." The captain narrowed his eyes. The friends stared at the guard in shock, but Rising Wind quickly got her emotions under control. "Yes, Sir. I humbly accept my new position and quarters. I will immediately start tomorrow and be a strong guard." she meowed, raising her head to meet her captain's eyes.

"You better be." Raven Swoop growled. "Because if you fail, if our leader gets murdered, your punishment will be her's exactly." Rising Wind nodded solemnly, and Raven Swoop stalked away. Her friends stared at her in shock. "How are you going to do this? If Stellar Moon dies on her own, you'll become leader. If she dies by the paws of a cat, you die too." Prowling Tiger whispered.

"I don't know." Rising Wind replied quietly.