Disclaimer: This is an original work, so while there are inspirations drawn from the world it isn't based off of anything. All characters are mine as is the story. Please do not repost this story on other sites without my permission. Any similarity to persons either living or dead is purely coicidence . . .no cats were harmed in the making of this tale :p
Greetings From the Author: No character biographies in this one, just story. Some new characters two so hopefully this gets you interested in the story enough to leave a review . . . hint, hint. :)
Chapter One:
New Day
Mere Mist awakened in her soft bed near her owners upstairs window. The memories and dreams would not fade and the scars lingered.
She couldn't bear to think of her lost comrade who had so suddenly disappeared out of sight and of her friends; they who remained in the secret clan. They risked their lives . . . and for what? the sake of a war that hadn't even started yet? To Mere Mist it was a worthless price to pay. She hadn't understood any of it, " Why must we fight? " she caught herself asking many times.
In the house she now lived in there were two other felines, both of whom were male; companions to share in her otherwise fairly solitary domestic existence. There was Hunter, a black American shorthair youth, who only thought about himself. He was an absent minded fool, his lack of intelligence proceeded his willingness to play tricks on people. Rayden was a different story. He was an older cat, wise and kind, who had always been friendly and understanding with Mere Mist. As far as the household was concerned it was only those two that knew her by her name as her owner, Anna, called her 'Whisper'. Perhaps it was because of her quiet nature and the frequency in which she liked to hide away in some private corner or another.
Mere Mist lifted herself from her cozy cot, stretched and walked over to Rayden who slept soundlessly upon Anna's rock hard futon. She still didn't understand how Rayden found such a thing comfortable. The female cat sprung up on the lousy bed. " How do we find our reason for life? " she asked the older cat calmly as if looking for some heartfelt advice.
Rayden slowly lifted his head, which seconds ago had been buried beneath his paws; he looked at her, yawned, stretched and prepared himself to speak.
" To everything there is not an answer that can be found abruptly. Sometimes the truth hides and you must discover it for yourself. I cannot know your purpose, especially since I find myself still searching for my own place in the world. Now it's still morning, I'm tired and would like to nap some more if you don't mind." Before resting his head again he added "A young lady, still practically a kitten, shouldn't worry about such serious things before they have lived life a little longer. They say 'Curiosity Killed the Cat ' for a reason you know. Now find something to keep your mind off of those thoughts for your own sake." With that Rayden laid down unceremoniously on the futon and began to purr, the conversation already forgotten in the blissful relaxation of a cat nap.
Once Mere Mist was out sight, Rayden slyly opened one green eye and peeked about the room quickly. Once he was satisfied that he was yet again alone he hopped off the bed with a litheness that didn't seem to match his age.
A nice breeze ruffled his fur from an open window as his charcoal gray body padded across to a wooden nightstand. A lone alarm clock sat there, numbers glowing in neon red. 11:00 A.M. hmm, not so early after all. He thought. Just in time though.
Shiva Scarlet and Star Paw, two important messengers, sprung up onto the sill on the other side. They were just two of the ten messenger cats who were sent to provide top information on the war.
"What's the damage?" Rayden asked glancing behind himself every few seconds to make sure the room was still empty.
"They're moving up north! Quickly too. They've already demolished Fish-away Village just east of the Windwhitt Caves." Shiva reported excitedly.
"We fear they might make their way up to Moonlight City sooner than expected; our troops are unprepared!" Star Paw added after his comrade.
"Hmm... This isn't good news " Rayden said, more to himself than the two messengers waiting for his response. He titled his head to the side, eyes narrowed in thought until Shiva broke the silence.
"How is Mere Mist holding up?"
The question earned a sideways glance from a rather flustered Star Paw "You're not supposed to ask him that!"
Before Rayden could respond the she-cat in question entered the room. Shiva, Star Paw and Rayden all turned about quickly, shocked at being discovered.
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern Shiva. " Mere Mist grinned, while moving over to the three. "My clan suspects that there could be wolves in the Windwhitt Caves. If the code red we had a moon ago is any indication those suspicions are accurate. It would seem an invasion is unavoidable at this point."
Star Paw looked at her "What do you mean? "
Mere Mist smirked "What I'm saying is if there are wolves that have found the caves then it is also likely they have something to do with tricking the C.S. Army." 'C.S' had long stood for 'Cat State' and it wasn't necessary for the young cat to say it in it's entirety.
Shiva sighed "Mere Mist I know you're still upset but . . ." Shiva tried to explain but Mere Mist refused to listen.
"I don't want to hear it! Whatever happened down there cost Shadow Paw his life. It would do no good to continue to mourn his passing. He would rather have us act on what good can be taken from that tragedy, so that we may use it to prevent the loss of any more clan kin."
" Don't you dare speak his name! He was an excellent trainee and if you hadn't suggested he come join your clan he would still be here today! He would have been great! We all loved him so don't go and act like he was just your 'trophy'!" Shiva hissed.
Star Paw went to move in on the increasingly shrill argument that was brewing. , knowing the C.S army was recording their conversation. " You two! Cut it out!" Star Paw shouted.
Rayden seemed to share Star Paw's sentiments. To let Shiva and Mere Mist continue to argue over something done and over with was stupidity of the highest order. "Enough of this! Time is running out and I'm sick of hearing you two bicker! He's gone and there's nothing you can do about it!" He snapped, still astonished that Mere Mist knew all that she did.
"Fine, but Shiva . . .I'd watch yourself if I were you! " Mere Mist threatened. With that she took her leave of the other three and found her own way down the stairs.
"Mere Mist, wait! " Star Paw shouted jumping from the sill and going after the retreating youth.
"Star Paw, no!" Shiva screamed as the junior ranked troop dashed down the stairs after Mere Mist.
Mere Mist didn't want to think of her friend who was no longer with her. Only seven months, he was only seven months old! She thought angrily, still upset over his death despite her falsely brave words to Shiva.
Once Star Paw had caught up with Mere Mist, he stopped her from running.
"You don't have to be upset you know, Rayden is right, there was nothing you could have done. " Star Paw soothed, hoping the she-cat would understand.
"But Shiva is right! It was my fault. I should have given up when they told me he was too young but I couldn't. They used to say I was too young as well, the Elders, and I guess I saw some of me in him."
Star Paw sighed in frustration. "So you're going to let that bring you down? Any feline could have made the same mistake. When you really believe in something you follow what your heart tells you, we all do, or at least we all should. Better to follow your heart than your head and wind up living a cold shallow life. Shadow Paw wouldn't have wanted it that way. He loved his position, he loved the army . . . he wanted to fight. " Star Paw insisted.
Tears began to stream down Mere Mist's face. She hugged Star Paw who wanted to hug her back for he too felt the sorrow Mere Mist was going through. Without another moments hesitation he did and let Mere Mist sob against his furred shoulders.
"I'm so sorry I let him down!" Mere Mist cried, whispering into Star Paw's ear.
"You didn't. He was a proud soldier and don't you forget that." Star Paw moved back from the hug. "You need to keep fighting, especially now that war is imminent and you need to honor Shadow Paw's memory. Don't let sorrow give you a heavy heart." The male cat smiled kindly.
Mere Mist nodded, her tear rimmed eyes beginning to look happier. "Maybe you're right. Thanks for being there." She felt honest relief and was glad to have Star Paw there just then.
Star Paw shrugged as if it was nothing, that friendly smile still wide on his whiskered face. He ran back upstairs and out the window to re-unite with Shiva, where they all said farewell until the next meeting.
For once Mere Mist could say that she was starting to have faith in something. She was beginning to believe in herself.