Cats Of The Far Meadows

~Chapter 2~

Swift Thunder blinked. Dawn light seeped into the den. Swift Thunder gave a huge yawn and shook out his pelt finally rising to his paws.

He poked his head out of the den, calling to Pelican Heart as he walked by. "Pelican Heart!"

Pelican Heart stopped and turned towards Swift Thunder annoyance showing on his face. "What?"

Swift Thunder padded up to him. "When are we going to start training?"

Pelican Heart lashed his tail. "Soon. Just let me eat and we'll go."

Swift Thunder dipped his head. "Ok."

Pelican Heart padded off. Swift Thunder glanced out of the camp entrance and saw a shape move swiftly from view. Swift Thunder ran over to the camp entrance and quietly slipped out of camp.

He looked around and saw a large golden and white figure slowly padding towards him.

His hackles rose. "Who are you?"

The golden tom gave a rough smile. "My name is Sun Dapple." He motioned to two other toms padding up. One was black and white an the other was flame colored. "This is Fire Chaser. And this is Eagle Talon."

Eagle Talon, the muscular white and black tom stepped forward. "And who might you be kit?"

Swift Thunder stared sternly on at Eagle Talon. "My name is Swift Thunder. I am a member of Tree group. And your on our territory."

Fire Chaser hissed, but Sun Dapple silenced him. "Tree group?"

Swift Thunder held his head high. "It's my group. We rule the trees."

Sun Dapple swished his tail. "Ah yes. Tree Group. I remember. One of the four noble groups of the meadow."

Swift Thunder smiled. Sun Dapple continued. "Anyway, may we see your leader? We are interested in joining the noble Tree group."

Fire Chaser hissed. "I never agreed to this."

Sun Dapple shot him a look. Fire Chaser hissed again but fell silent. Swift Thunder then showed them to camp. "This is Tree groups camp."

Sun Dapple nodded. "Very nice. Where is you leader?"

Swift Thunder swished his tail. "Follow me." Swift Thunder padded off to Butterfly Whisker's den. He peeped his head inside. "Butterfly Whisker? We have visitors."

Her scratchy voice came from the back of the den. "Enter."

Swift Thunder slipped into the den and sat down in front of her. Butterfly Whisker narrowed her eyes. "And who are you three?"

Sun Dapple kept his gaze solemn. "My name is Sun Dapple. This is Eagle Talon and Fire Chaser."

Butterfly Whisker lashed her tail. "And why are you in my camp?"

Eagle Talon smiled at her. "We would like to join Tree group."

Butterfly Whisker smiled. "Very good. I will announce this to the group right now."

She got to her paws and padded out summoning the group. The group quickly began to gather, whispering.

Butterfly Whisker hushed the group. "I have two very important announcements to make. First, I would like to welcome three new cats too our group. Please welcome Sun Dapple, Eagle Talon and Fire Chaser."

The group whispered but let out a small yowl In their honor. Butterfly Whisker silenced them quickly and continued. "Also, as most of you know we do not have a Second Hand Leader."

Swift Thunder pricked his ears and heard many cats begin to whisper. Butterfly Whisker continued. "After seeing the nobleness of our new member, Eagle Talon, I have decided that he will be best suited to become Second Hand Leader."

The group gasped. Many cats began to whisper.

"Him? Why him?"

"But we barley know him!"

Butterfly Whisker growled. "Silence! I have made my choice and my word is the code."

The group began to murmur again and Butterfly Whisker dismissed them, summoning Eagle Talon into her den. Swift Thunder got to his paws and padded over to Sun Dapple.

Sun Dapple held a stern look on his face. "Oh, why hello Swift Thunder."

Swift Thunder dipped his head. "Hey. Are you angry about Eagle Talon being Second Hand Leader."

Sun Dapple shrugged. "Honestly, I could care less. Now where is this den I hear of?"

Swift Thunder shrugged. "Ask Pelican Heart." Swift Thunder nodded over to the gray and white tom who was still at the prey pile. Sun Dapple padded over and began to talk to him. Swift Thunder padded over to the Trainees den but before he slipped inside he saw his sisters walk into camp, holding prey in their jobs. Willow Branch and Blazing Flower dropped their prey off at the pile and padded up to him.

Willow Branch came padding up a smile across her face. "Hey Swift Thunder! Guess what?"

Swift Thunder smiled. "What?"

Blazing Flower smiled. "We were made Group Members!"

Swift Thunder smiled. "Great!"

Willow Branch and Blazing Flower glanced at each other. Blazing Flower smiled even wider. "I had my name changed. It's Blazing Sky now."

Swift Thunder smiled again. "Nice! I like it."

The sisters smiled and stalked off towards the group members den. Swift Thunder watched them go and then padded into the Trainee den and collapsed in his nest. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.