Wind

Chapter 5

      "I say we settle in the forest." Wild Fire suggested.

      "No," Flowing River argued, "The island would provide more water and safety."

      "But no one here would swim there accept you and Fallen Rain." Tame Fire objected. The group continued to argue while Rising Moon pondered for a minute. She glanced at the different sides of the argument. Flowing River and Fallen Rain wanted to live on the island. Wild Fire and Tame Fire wanted the forest. Tame Gust and Prowling Tiger wanted the valley. Floating Clouds and herself wanted the moor.

      "Stop arguing!" she yowled. Her clan looked at her and fell into a silent embarrassment. "We will stay together in the valley until we are strong enough to leave each other. Understand?" The clan nodded in agreement, and they set off to find a camp.

~

      They had found a nice and large clearing- suitable for a camp after a few hours of searching. The C.U.C. camp found a large rock with a cave on top, which would make a great leader's den and high-ledge. They had built all the dens but one- the apprentice den.

      "We could use this hollow tree." Tame Gust offered.

      "Or how about this clump of bushes?" Fallen Rain pointed to with her tail.

      "No, the hollow tree!" Tame Gust argued.

      "Bushes!"

      "Tree!" They kits argued until they noticed that the clan was staring at them. "Oops... sorry," they mumbled. The littermates perked up when they saw that the most of the cats had amused faces. "Let's make the den near that river, so the apprentices who like water can swim there. It would be easier to get water too." Rising Moon suggested. The kits nodded in agreement, and the rest of the cats started to create the den.

~

     "And... we're done!" Floating Clouds mewed in triumph as she placed the last piece of moss. The had filled the camp with tons of moss for extra bedding, the fresh-kill pile was filled, and there were more than enough herbs in the healer's den. The C.U.C. said their goodnights and headed to their comfier than ever nests.

~

      "May the C.U.C. please gather under the Meeting Cliff for a clan meeting!" Rising Moon called the new gathering words. The clan didn't gather as quickly as she liked, but when they did sit down and stare at her, she continued. "We need a new clan name, fighting style, hunting style, and territory. Any suggestions?"

      "We could figure out our surroundings and go from there." Prowling Tiger offered.

      "Or we could split up into different groups and find good places for training and hunting." Flowing River suggested. Rising Moon thought for a minute before answering their questions.

      "We can do both," she announced. "We will split into different groups to see the territory and get a good idea of where the prey is." The clan mumbled in agreement. "Now, I have spoken with Flowing River and Prowling Tiger," Rising Moon continued, "and they both agreed on the clan's official name. We will now be called MoonClan, which honors Stellar Moon and the other tribe leaders. And speaking of Stellar Moon, we need a cat to go back to the tribe and tell Stellar Moon about our discoveries. Any volunteers?"

      Before any cat could say anything, Wild Fire raised his paw. "I volunteer, Rising Moon." he meowed solemnly. Rising Moon had a brief flash of panic. Her brother might not return from this journey, as he could be taken by a hawk, be out in a harsh storm, or not be able to find his way back. "Couldn't someone else do it?" Rising Moon asked desperately.

      Wild Fire shook his head. "I am apart of this clan, and may contribute to it if I want to."

      The other cats nodded in agreement and looked up at Rising Moon for her decision. The leader sighed, finally giving up the fight. "Alright, Wild Fire. You can go. Just come right back! We'll wait for you right here." Wild Fire nodded and started to head towards the mountains. Rising Moon watched him go, praying silently to Lunar Stars to help her brother come back safely.