The System

1 ~ The End

"Come on, Holly, it's time to go."

"Go away." Holly tucked her nose under her paw.

"Fine, I'll get the kits to wake you."

Holly looked up sharply. "Don't you dare. Have you seen them recently?" Holly squinted and looked up at her littermate.

Dicentra sniffed. "We're Soldiers. We can handle a few kits."

Holly scrambled to her paws. "There's four of them, though, and two of us."

"Well, then find someone else to wake you up. We have rounds to do."

"You go ahead. I'll get her up." A muscular brown tom mowed as he joined them.

"No, thank you, Kudu. I'm already up." Holly glared at him and stalked out of the den.

Dicentra followed her quickly. "You know, a lot of she-cats would love to be with him. What's your problem?"

"I don't need a mate, especially not him. He's self-centered. Besides, I'm a Soldier, rising in the ranks. I don't have time just yet." Holly rolled her eyes.

Dicentra pricked her ears in amusement. "Have you seen any of the toms here? They're all self-centered."

"Who is?" A sleek, gray she-cat joined them.

"Nothing important. Do you want to partner with me today?" Holly glanced at her friend.

"Sure!" She purred.

"Okay, that's fine, Wisteria, hello to you too." Dicentra grumbled.

Wisteria ignored her and started heading toward the camp entrance. "Race you to the Poison Patch!"

"You know you're faster than me!" Holly chased after her, glancing at her sister. "I'll see you after rounds, okay?" She turned away and dashed after Wisteria's already disappearing tail.

They ran through the forest, skidding to a halt beside the Poison Patch. "What do you think Cherry wants today?" Wisteria looked at Holly.

"Not sure, but I know that Hyacinth wants a blackbird." Holly looked up. "Not that I see any."

Wisteria laughed. "You Soldiers crack me up sometimes. You really know nothing about hunting."

"I was never taught. Jessamine is a Soldier, so that's what me and Dicentra were raised to be."

"But surely Rye showed you something?"

"Rye didn't do anything for us. He isn't good with kits." Holly sighed. "But it's time for you to do your thing, Hunter."

"Hunter? I'll get you for that." Wisteria growled playfully. "I'll start calling you Soldier."

"That's General Holly to you." Holly smiled.

Wisteria jumped up. "They made you a General? About time! You're their best Soldier."

"Yeah, but you're their best Hunter. They should give you a higher rank."

"You know they can't do that."

"I know." Holly sighed.

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"You know what I mean. That's dangerous thinking, Holly. I lost my mother for it."

"But she was right! This isn't a safe place to be." Holly looked at Wisteria intently. "Do you want to raise your kits here?" She asked quietly.

Wisteria hesitated. "How did you know?"

"I'm your best friend. You can't keep anything from me."