~*Warrior Cats-Family Issues*~

In The Beginning

   In the beginning, there was little organization. Humans were one of the few creatures that lived and traveled in packs. Of course some herbivores like horses did too, but they were few and far between. Solitary animals lived by one code, kill or be killed. There were the occasional species that did change to live like the humans did. Cats were one of them. Although they were not the first, they did eventually switch over when they realized they could not survive on their own. Bigger animals like foxes and hawks could prey on them with relative ease and humans caused mass deforestation and pollution, either directly killing some food sources or driving them away. Quickly noticing that they couldn't survive very long alone, the cats organized a kind of peace treaty. They would help one another if they were in dire need or very old. They would not live with one another, but they did have a set spot a cat in need could go to if they need to. Once every lunar (month), they would meet to discuss the amount of prey had been caught and how much of the forest had been destroyed. The cats had no true leader, so the meetings would usually end with at least 3 of them storming off to their set spot. In the beginning, 26 cats were living like this. 26 cats struggled to stay afloat. Not all of them would survive. In the end, only a handful of them would live to see their children grow up. Even less would see their grandchildren. This is the story of The Old Paws.

~· Slowstorm's POV ·~

  It was time for another lunar. These meetings are becoming more and more tedious to go through. Everyone's becoming more restless and agitated too as more of the forest is torn down. Cats are starting to stray into the Human land and usually don't return. There are rumors that Humans do take care of us when they enslave them, the poor souls. Those of us left are the sensible ones that know other wise. Most of our parents are dead or missing. It's not that sad though. They died to help us, so it's not like they died in vain. I have only one sibling. His name is Rollingtide. He is a butt sometimes. Rollingtide is a dark pelt like me, although he does have white spots all over his back. "Hey, I'm talking to you Slowstorm! Pay attention!" I look over to see my very kind and caring brother. Not. "I'm listening as much as you would like to believe other wise." I say as calmly as possible which is not very easy. He huffs and continues with whatever he was saying. "As I was saying, we need to move. I know a lot of you," he glances twords a white she-cat with green eyes, "would very much like to not move, but I'm not sure if we will last much longer." As much as I hate to agree, the evidence is over whelming. The white she-cat from earlier, I believe her name is Willowpad, shoots him a venomous glare. "And where do you suggest we go almighty leader?" She shoots back, obviously disgusted with the idea. "Anywhere except here would be ideal, but if you want to stay behind and starve, be my guest!" He raises his voice slightly. "We can't leave! This is where generations of cats grew up and died! Its practically sacred grounds!" This time, it was a light-brown she-cat that spoke up. I would've never expected Cloudblaze to say that out of all cats. Her mate, Condorjaw, silently nodded his head to show he agreed. It's really obvious that he is terrified of her when she's mad. More cats spoke up after a moment of silence. Tornmane yelled "Sacred my ass! I don't want to die in this hell hole if its just going to get destroyed! I want to live somewhere where I know future generations can actually live!" After the white muzzled tom finished, the she-cat that sat next to him glared at him, but said nothing. The next out burst was from Flintspirit. "How can you say that with no remorse!? Do you not care that your mother and fathers before you lived and even thrived off this land?!" Some cats spoke up with "yeah"s and "you tell them"s. "I think we have no choice but to leave! Yes, this land will still be regarded as sacred, but you cannot deny that we cannot live here forever!" Soot suddenly spoke up. He was usually quiet and reserved when it came to these meetings. I just think he doesn't like the yelling. "SHUT UP HUMAN PET!" The voice rang through the silence. The voice that rang belonged to none other than Jaggedpeak. He was the oldest out of all of them. No one knew how he lived for so long, but there was one thing they all knew. You do NOT mess with Jaggedpeak. "It was the will of our fathers and mothers to stay here, and so we shall stay. Do you dare disobey their will? Do you not remember what they told us?" Complete silence followed these words. Almost everyone knew the words he was referring to. Only the ex Human pets, mainly Soot, didn't know what those words were. They were only allowed to join the pact because they helped provide extra food. Jaggedpeak broke the heavy silence. "Slowstorm, I trust you remember?" "Yes Jaggedpeak, I remember." I responded. I know Jaggedpeak cares for us and all, but why does he have to bring this up now? "What about you Littlefleck?" The spotted she-cat jumped. "O-Oh yes Jaggedpeak. Yes I remember..." She trailed off at the end. He then turned to another cat. "Ashenslip, can you tell me those words they told us long ago?" The blue-ish tom didn't respond. "Well?! Can you?!" "They told us to beware the unknown. Fear those who speak in unknown languages and those who seek to break us." Ashenslip spoke quickly, staring at the ground. "That is correct, now-" "But that has nothing to do with leaving!" Nobody in their right minds would EVER interrupt Jaggedpeak. Thankfully, this cat was known for being a little, well, extreme with their ideas. "They were only giving us warnings! 'Beware the unknown'! They were only telling us to be careful they never-" "SHUT YOUR MOUTH DULLPAWS!" Jaggedpeak was ANGRY. Serves him right. "God, you all are morons! I'm getting too old for this! I swear, one day!" And with that, Jagged was gone, his beautiful daughter Lightbreeze following. "So, Uxio and Birchpetal, what are you going to do about the loss of prey?" A white pelt asked to try to lighten the mood. "We-well I thought if we, umm, if..." The brown pelt stuttered. I assume she is Birchpetal, but I might be wrong. Cloudblaze straightened up and announced loudly (as if anyone cared) "Well seeing as nobody else has anything to say, me and Condorjaw will be going now." Honestly, Condorjaw look relieved if anything. "If anyone has anything else to say to me or my brother, speak up now or we're leaving too!" My brother announced also. I wanted to stay longer to see how much of the forest had been destroyed, but I guess there was no reason to anymore. The forest is getting destroyed everyday at this point. And Lightbreeze was no longer present. I wish I could actually talk to her normally. Jaggedpeak would kill me first. "No? Alright then we are going." He turned to leave. I followed a few paw steps behind him. I don't hate that he makes decisions for me, but sometimes he needs to not. In the distance I heard a few mutters and more paw steps of cats leaving. Another lunar done and gone. Now let's hope no one dies before the next lunar.