Do or Die (A Warrior Cats Fan Novel)

prologue

"Saturnkit, get up," a weary voice growls to me, rousing me from my deep nap. My visions of glory and leadership are washed away.

"Mooom!" I groan, pouting as I open my eyes. My mother, Rubystar, is gazing back at me. Her eyes are hardly warm, just... chilly, as usual. Her beautiful green-and-blue eyes have never gazed lovingly upon me. I'm not sure why.

I force a smile and look happy,  "Your eyes are really pretty, ma!"

"Speak like a lady," Mother growls. My ears flatten. Whoops. Just as I am about to repeat my sentence and revise my mistake, she interrupts me. "Get up and don't slouch this time. You are my..." Mother grits her teeth, her gaze darkens. "...heir, and you will act like it. I will not tolerate my daughter slinking around like a tomcat."

I stand up immediately, quickly brushing the dust off of my silken pelt, and straighten out my back. There is a tiny pop when I stretch out my forelegs, causing me to jump in my fur.

"Don't show fear, Saturnkit. Fear is weakness," Mother's voice is dull, but the prick of irritation stabs at my conscience. 

Strive for perfection, that's what the Clan wants. That's what mother wants, I think to myself, stretching out my legs and rubbing the sleep out of my hazel eyes. I straighten my posture once more and plaster a ladylike smile on my face. A fake smile.

"Lovely," Mother mews, licking her paw and fluffing up my head-fur. "Perfect, at least, close to perfect. Come, Saturnkit. You'll grow soon; your lessons start tomorrow, when you hit the age of eight months."

Tomorrow is my kitting-day. There will be a celebration, an initiation, and a speech.

I haven't come up with my speech! 

"Fox-scat," I mutter sharply.

"Watch your tongue," Rubystar turns to snap at me, one paw slightly raised. I flinch. "Yes, Mother."

I straighten myself again, release a calming sigh, and follow Mother as she struts out of the Matriarch's Abode. I try to walk like her, but I feel like I'm making a fool out of myself. Yea, I definitely am. Cats are staring.

I walk normally, smiling at the crowds to reassure them that I wont rule with an iron fist once Mother steps down.

One other cat meets my gaze, probably about two moons older than me? That would make them about... nine moons old. They already have scars. Must be a tomcat.

I end up maintaining eye contact for longer than intended, because Mother snaps at me for not following her. I quickly look away and trot after her, tail low and the heat of embarrassment creeping through my skin. We're heading to Mother's 'wardrobe,' where she prepares her extravagant decorations. The other she-cats in the den have been busily working on adornments for me. For tomorrow.

Speech. I need to plan my speech. 

We step into the den and immediately Mother is flocked around, complimented, yadda yadda. 

"Ooh, is that Saturnkit!?" One cat shouts, squealing. "We have the best selection for her! She looks so beautiful-"

Mother glares sharply at the she-cat, and she shrinks down. "Why, not as beautiful as you, of course, m-miss!"

Mother huffs, turning away as she is pulled away by her decorators. I am left alone with a few more cats, the lower-leveled decorators.

"H-hello. I mean, greetings," I say, clearing my throat and speaking in a regal manner. "I am Saturnkit, h... heir to Mother's... leadership."

One of the cats snickers. Not sure why. A more rounded cat, the cat who called me beautiful, approaches, sniffing me. "Saturnkit... ah, yes! We have everything for you! Mist-tail, go fetch her accessories, please!"

~

It feels as if a whoosh of air is blown by me as the decorators adorn me with beautiful flowers and flowing feathers. As soon as they start, they finish, and I sit there, shocked, as they look me over. The one I assume is Mist-tail, a silvery-blue she-cat with a pale colored tale and aloe colored eyes, smiles at me, and the one who spoke to me first approaches, purring uncontrollably. Her bright yellow eyes are alight with happiness. 

"Oh my Stars! You're so pretty! Look! Look in this puddle!"

I do as she says, and stand there for a second. There are bright crimson roses hanging down from my right ear as if they are falling, and woven within them are beautiful robin feathers.

On the left side of my chest there are the same decorations, and woven into my tail are feathers and flowers. I smile.

"I feel like a flower-bush. A pretty flower-bush," I blurt out, poking one of the feathers. Mist-tail chuckles, and the yellow-eyed she-cat giggles loudly. 

"Of course you do, deary! I'm Shinyeyes, by the way, your assigned decorator Your mother should be out right about..."

Mother struts out. She is gorgeous, as usual, a gigantic hibiscus flower also attached to her right ear with flowering vines flowing down the hibiscus, and smaller flowers pierced into her left ear. 

Ouch. That must've hurt.

Pink flowers and vines are embedded and woven around her tail. Just like me.

She glares down at me, causing me to look at my paws.

"Good," she mews, flicking me over the ear with her tail. "Come along, Saturnkit. We will practice your speech for tomorrow."

Crap.