Broken Ties

Chapter 1

Chai looked out of her family's den, her sister, Prairie, and her brother, Zack. She looked up at her mother, Honeydew and mewed, "Now can we go? " Honeydew sighed and said, "Not yet dear. We have to wait for Raven and her family before we can go to the assembly. Prairie smiled and said, "I hope to be a hunter! Or a Guard!" Honeydew shook her head. "You aren't built to be a Guard Prairie, sweetheart." Zack snorted, "With my luck Bolt will make me be a freaking' doctor." Chai rolled her eyes and said cheerfully, "I want to be surprised by what I get! Frankly I'm gonna be happy with anything!" Zack rolled his eyes.

A familiar black and ginger pelt flashed in the trees and Chai squealed with excitement. She ran out of the den her spirits high, she waited for her friend behind a nearby tree. Raven ran out from behind it and Chai yowled a little battle cry. She leapt at Raven and pulled her to the ground. Ravens mother, Tamara laughed and meowed, "I think I know who will become a Solider for our tribe!" Chai leapt away from Raven who was struggling to throw her off.

Chai flicked her long fluffy tail and smiled with joy. Raven said happily, "I can't wait! But I guess.. Venom and his annoying mother will be at base too.." Honeydew gave them a stern look. "You two be nice. She's only over protective over Venom because she lost her mate and daughter!" Tamara sighed and nodded agreement. Chai huffed and grumbled, "sorry."

Honeydew sighed and walked into the forest. "Lets go kittens." She said. Prairie, Zack and Chai followed her. Raven walked beside Chai and they talked quietly to each other. Chai growled playfully, "I bet I can beat you to the base Raven!" Raven snorted and said, "I'd like to see you try!" The black and ginger cat raced off and Chai followed her closely. Raven halted to a stop and cried, "I won! We are at the base!" Chai peered over a ledge and gasped, "There are so many cats in the pride!" Zack mumbled,looking at all the cats, "I'm going to be sick Mom." Honeydew rolled her eyes and disappeared into a tunnel under a tree. Chai followed her mother closely. The tunnel was eerie and Chai disliked it a lot. Honeydew vanished into a hole in the roof of the tunnel. Chai poked her head out of the hole and realized that they were in the base. Chai leapt up out of the hole and raced towards where her mother was sitting. "Chai, go sit with Venom and the other young cats by the tree. You must not sit with me today." Chai was confused, why would Honeydew not let Chai sit beside her? Chai did as she was told and sat down beside a speckled ginger and white cat. The ginger kitten looked up at Chai and said, "Um.. hi, I'm Quicksand, who are you?" Chai blinked and whispered shyly, "Chai. It's nice to meet you." Venom came racing over and sat beside Chai. She inwardly groaned. "This is going to be great! But hopefully I don't have to be a stupid medic! Spider is so grumpy and I'd hate to have him as a teacher!" Chai shrugged, "I've never met him." Venom snorted, "Be glad! He's a grouchy,old, wrinkled, Idio-" Venom was cut off by an old white and brown cat, "Watch yourself young sir. I might request to have you as one of my students." Venom stuttered, "S-sorry! I really didn't mean any of it!" Spider grumbled and walked off. Chai flicked her long tail and laughed, "I've told you to watch what you say!" Raven came running up and shoved Venom out of the way, "She's my best friend!" Venom glared at Raven. Suddenly a loud cry split the air. Chai looked up at a huge grey male cat. She knew immediately this was the prides leader. Bolt swept his gaze across the young cats and said loudly, "Welcome cats of the Pines. I pray each of you are well. Today we are gathered for the ceremony of these young cats. Today, these young cats will be assigned to their jobs. You will serve the pride until you are too old to carry on your job. Do you understand young ones?" The kittens nodded. Bolt went on, " If you betray the pride, break too many rules, or any other act of treason, the punishment is death. I'm sure you all understand that. Now. I will start with the two most important jobs in the pride. Raven, as my daughter you are to be the next leader of the pride." Raven stood up and bowed, then pranced over to Bolts side. Chai was glad she didn't have to be leader. "Now, for new guards, Venom and Brazil, you two will be students of Hawk and Reshan." Venom looked up in surprise then slowly padded over to the two guard's sides. Chai watched as the rest of the cats either became medics, messengers, or hunters. Soon the only cats remaining were a huge white male kitten, Quicksand, a black female, two Siamese siblings, and a grey and ginger male. Bolt said, "The rest of you are to be soldiers. You are to learn the history of our pride, protect our land from neighboring prides, and fight on the front line if needed. Your teachers will be Harvey and Karaliegha." Chai turned to look at the two battle-scarred cats. She shuddered, how was she going to do this? She looked at her paws and thought the Ancestors are the ones who actually assign us to our jobs. And they haven't ever made a mistake..have they? Chai got up, and padded over to her instructors. The rest of the young cats followed her. Some looked pleased and happy,but the others looked scared and doubtful. Chai didn't know how she felt about becoming a soldier to the pride. Her brother Zack caught her eye and smiled at her from where the messengers sat. Karaliegha cleared her throat and the young cats looked up at the blue-grey and black tabby cat. "You may be wondering why you were chose to be a soldier. Each of you have a special power to help you fight in battle. This is why you were chose to be soldiers by the Ancestors." Harvey nodded and he said, "Same goes for the other jobs. For example, messengers are swifter than any cat in the whole pride. Your powers will soon surface once you begin your lessons." The young cats looked at each other in shock. Chai was confused to why they hadn't been told this before. "How come no cat has told us this?" Chai blurted out. Karaliegha looked at Chai, shocked. Harvey answered, "Because, for too young of cats to know they have powers...the out come can be terrible. Kittens believe they are indestructible, and powerful. And that can lead to many problems. You shall learn more about it in our History lessons." One of the Siamese siblings asked, "What will we learn first?" Karaliegha said, "Your first lesson shall be a History lesson." Harvey said, "Now no more questions. Tell me what your name is, and who your parents are." The samiese cats spoke first, the female of the siblings said, "My name is Deschen, my parents are Wolf and Naomi." Her brother smirked and said, "My name is Aston. My parents are Wolf and Naomi." Karaliegha nodded and looked at the large white male, "Your turn." The white cat growled, "I am Ratchet. My parents are Black-eagle and Flower." The black female cat spoke next, "I am Smoke, my parents were killed when I was young,but their names were Prim and Pepper." Next was Quicksand, and then Harvey looked at Chai. "My name is Chai..daughter of Blizzard and Honeydew." Karaliegha nodded, "Blizzard is a excellent soldier I'm sure you will be as great as him." Chai purred at the praise.