Prologue
My life started out, to put it simply, lousy. I was born in Rougestar's band of loners, which are usually referred to as the Rouges. Rougestar did not believe in good names, and I was to be called Lonelykit. My best friend was to be Horrorkit. My mother, Doomcloud, and Horrorkit's mother, Softbreeze, wanted a better future for us. We were therefore renamed behind Rougestar's back. My name was Kesakit, and Horrorkit became Freedomkit. I also had a sister named Dyingkit, and a brother called Miserykit. Dyingkit refused to have a new name, but Miserykit became Mudkit.
"Kesakit!" Hissed Doomcloud. "Come here!"
I looked up from where a sat with Freedomkit. It was the middle of the night, but the moon was shining, so we had taken advantage of it to play for longer. I stood up and padded cheerfully over. "Yes Doomcloud?" I mewed. One look at her expression and my happiness faded. "What's wrong?" I mewed innocently.
"R-Rougestar is going to do some.. Bad things tonight Kesakit." She mewed shakily. "You and Freedomkit must leave. Softbreeze and I are going to take you to a new clan."
I tipped my head to the side. "Why?" I mewed, unaware of the seriousness. "I like it here."
"B-b-because…" She trailed off, hanging her head. "Because Rougestar wants to kill us. You, Dyingkit, Mudkit, Freedomkit, Softbreeze and I." Her mew was scarcely audible, yet it felt as though she had yowled it at me. I stumbled back, shaking my head. "No!" I yowled. "No, no, no!"
Doomcloud merely shook her head, her green eyes clouded with sorrow. She bent down and licked my long calico fur gently. "I'm so sorry Kesakit." She murmured. "But we must." I gazed up at my mother, and slowly nodded.