The Shadows - A Cat Story ✔

Chapter 15

[Author's note: If you notice any errors in my writing, find something confusing, or have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know! Thanks for reading!]

Ash sighed. Today seemed to be very long. He hadn't been acting like a leader, and sending out hunting parties or cats to patrol the edge and the borders. He padded out into the open, witnessing a light snowfall as it fell upon his cats. Training had been going well the past couple days. Snake rushed around the corner.

"Oh! I'm sorry Ash! I didn't see you there! Please forgive me!" Snake begged.

"You've done nothing wrong," Ash chuckled. Forest walked up to them. "Forest, can you and Snake lead some cats hunting?"

The she-cat looked at Snake. "I'm sure we could. I'll grab two other cats and you can grab one other cat," Forest declared as she turned and headed towards Branch. Snake headed towards Spider.

"What a pawful. You're running out of the higher cats, Ash." Boulder snuck up behind him, spooking him. "Mud is in the nursery now. Root is going to need to care for her."

"Why, yes! Boulder you're right! I'll call a meeting, I already have some cats in mind." The leader bounced around. The Shadows were growing, and he needed to make sure that they were well protected.

Boulder scurried away to tell his friends what was just about to happen.

Ash walked a little ways. "All cats! Gather around! I have important news!" he yowled.

Boulder led Sand and Cloud out of the Shadows den, and Fawn and Doe followed them. Flame sat by Stream while Clay and Tiger sat down, moping, close to them. Zinnia sat by Mud and Spark. Sun, Sky, Rock, River, and Echo bounced around their paws. Fern and Dusk sat close together, while Dawn lay near them. Stone and Moon were waiting outside the healer's den. Forest's patrol had Branch, Storm, and Snake, and they were still out. This news would get to the missing cats eventually.

Ash perched himself comfortably on a flat rock that lay on the ground. "Boulder has reminded me that I need some more higher cats to help me with their opinion and other needs of the Shadows. The cats I have chosen to be in this position will be respected highly. I would like to add Boulder, because he is always ready to guard what is ours. I would like Dawn, because she is caring and smart. And to be fair, I want Spider, because he is swift, smart, and protective. And last of all, I'll take Stream."

Boulder placed himself beside Ash, as did Dawn. Stream hesitated, looking a little disappointed, and then joined them.

"Who is going to let Spider know?" Tiger questioned, looking at Ash.

"I will tell him that Ash would like to speak with him when he gets back," Flame announced, not looking even a little disappointed that his friend was chosen and not him.

The leader huffed. He hoped he didn't regret his decision, because these cats were going to be around him for a while. Everyone started forming into groups to discuss their thoughts on the news. Ash watched as Stream padded up to him.

"Hey," The white she-cat sat down beside him. "What did I do to earn this? Boulder is a good guard, Dawn is caring and smart, and Spider because he is swift and protective."

The tom sighed. "Walk with me?" He already started for the exit. Ash led the she-cat through the trees, wandering out of the Shadows territory in the opposite direction of the rumble rock.

"Where are we going?" Stream asked curiously.

Ash didn't say a word, instead he kept moving, not wanting to waste any time. He couldn't be gone for too long from his camp.