Chapter Ten
Seven cats exited the cave, coats gleaming and muscles rippling. Each of the elder cats had a kit dangling from between their jaws; the last one perched safely between the big black tom's shoulders.
Taking the lead, the snowy Healer set off down the trail, the fluffy gray kit in her jaws protesting loudly.
Picking their way slowly down slopes of rubble and shattered stone, the cats proceeded off the mountain and onto the springy, crisp moorland grass.
Heeding the kits' loud yowling, they stopped under a grove of young oak trees. Curling around the kits, Snow blinked slowly. She lay in this fashion for a while before Light realized that she was asleep.
Deciding it was a good idea to get some rest, Light padded over to the base of one of the saplings and began tearing moss off of the trunk. Moments later, she was curled deep in a nest of moss, fast asleep.
The smell of rabbit filled Snow's nose and she blinked awake. Her brother was sitting two tail-lengths away, a small pile of fresh-kill at his paws.
"I thought I would hunt. After all, nursing queens tend to get cranky without food." His mew was teasing as he picked up the rabbit and carried it to her.
"Light!" the big black tom called to his daughter, just before plucking a sparrow off of the little pile and padding over to the little gray she-cat.
Raising her head, she flicked her ears at her father, the smile in her eyes giving him all thanks needed.
As they finished their fresh-kill, Snow began to nose her kits awake.
"Stream, Hawk, Storm, Jay! Wake up! It's time to move on. Soon we'll be safe at home in the nursery." a mixture of pain and anger clouded the white she-cats eyes as she reached for Jay's scruff.
Once the kits were situated, the seven cats set off once more in the direction of the falling sun.
"Who goes there?" Boulder That Rolls Down Hill's voice was wary.
"Thunder on Stormy Night, Snow That Falls From Sky, Light That Shines on Bloodstained Grass, and four kits." in the light of the moon, the gray tom nodded and stepped aside.
The kits were taken to the center of the clearing, and Snow clawed her way up the base of the ancient aspen tree.
"Tribe of Falling Snow, please gather." at her call, cats of the Tribe began emerging from various dens.
"Tonight, I return home with an addition to our Tribe. As you all know, Thunder came to find me, but on our return trip, we were caught in a terrible storm and had to shelter.
"That night, Light helped to deliver my four precious kits. Stream That Flows Through Mountain Silver, Hawk That Soars Through Sky, Storm That Rides the Wind, and Jay Who Brings Morning Light.
"Jay Who Brings Morning Light is blind, but I expect him treated the same as any cat.
"Now, begone with you all!" as she finished, there was a rustling at the bramble barrier, and two cats entered the clearing.
"Snow That Falls From Sky, you have to help us!" The tabby she-cat's amber eyes were bright with fear.
"We come from the Tribe of Blazing Fire, and our Healer has sent us for help. There is sickness, and the Tribe of Endless Hunting told us that Falling Snow cures all."
Leaping down from the branch, Snow addressed all cats.
"I will go. Thunder, Light, care for them while I am gone." flicking her tail at the two foreign cats, she turned and padded out of the camp, moonlight turning her fur into white fire, destined to blaze forever.
Catch the sequel! Jay's Moon will be out soon!