((Found my Emijos!!))

☀Hazel☀

I padded out of the den and looked around my Group.

Night and Minnow were sitting close deep in discussion while Blaze and Kelli were locked in a play fight.

Rowan, Bramble and Sky were watching Ava and Paul face off in a fight as well, Arrow and Quincy yowling encouragement.

Shadow and Flame were sharing a squirrel,but it seemed to me, both seemed more interested in helping Night and I with our duties these days,rather than learning more about hunting and fighting like their denmates.

Riley and Lacey even said that they'll only listen to them half the time, preferring to wander off and see if Night or I needed any help.

They seem so eager to learn what we know..But I can't take Newbies now.

But Night beat me to it,speaking to them in a low calming mew.

"I'm sorry, but I must say no. You know your duties to this Group and if you want to be warriors, I suggest you return to your Trainers now."

They dipped their heads.

"Yes, Night. We understand."

I sighed.

"Well,that takes care of that. I'm going to get some more poppy seeds and marigold."

Night nodded.

"Alright, Hazel."

As I headed towards the herb patch, I noticed with pride as I saw my cats racing through the branches,happy as kits.

"Look! Squirrel! Catch it, Ava!" I whispered under my breath as I saw the Newbie preparing to leap,her haunches wiggling slightly as she pounced,almost soaring through the air,thanks to her strong back legs.

She snapped the squirrel's neck,leaped down and buried it.

"Great catch,Ava." I purred.

Her yellow eyes widen.

"T-thank you, Hazel."

I nodded and padded back to camp and purred through the herbs in my jaws as I spot Tangle trying to teach the kits how to fight,raising up on her hindlegs and swiping at the air.

"Great job!" I called to the kits as they copy Tangle, holding each other down and rolling away.

I gave the herbs to Night,who purred.

Later on that night after a successful hunt, I curled up in my nest and fell in a dreamless sleep...

💙🌕💙🌕💙🌕💙🌕💙🌕💙🌕💙

"Hazel? Wake up!"

I growled,mumbling, "Night? Can't it wait until morning?"

"No! It can't."

I rose to my paws,yawning.

Night pawed the ground, looking very nervous about something.

I curled my tail around my paws,waiting for him to speak.

Finally, he cleared his throat.

"After we met the other Groups last moon, I started to get a strange feeling that something is going to happen beyond our power. I had a dream and all I see was death and smelled blood."

I looked at him and moved closer to press against him.

"It's going to be ok, Night. If something does happen,we'll be ready. "

He smiled a little.

"Alright, Hazel. I trust you."

I purred.

"Come on. Let's go hunting."

Night pressed his muzzle to my ear.

"Ok."

Minnow dipped her head to us as she leaped onto the stump and yowled,
"The cats accompanying Hazel and Night will be Ava, Paul,Reese,Bramble,Whisper, Lucky,Arrow, Blaze, Quincy, Skylar,and Tangle."

"No fair! I wanna go too!",squeaked Mud,his eyes narrowed in fury.

"Yeah! Me too!" yowled Sparrow, fluffing out her fur.

I padded over to the kits and whispered, "I want you two and your sister to guard the camp and Willow with Minnow.That way,the bad cats won't attack us while we're at the Gathering. "

Their eyes brightened, bouncing up and down.

"Ok,Hazel! We'll do our best!"

I nodded,smiling.

"I wish you the best of luck... Warriors."

They ran off to the nursery, probably to tell their mother and Poppy.

"You know.You could have been a great mother."

I purred,turning to face my best friend.

Willow's eyes glowed.

"I'm serious, Hazel.You're good with kits."

I shook my head, purring.

"No,Willow, I'm not. I just trying to give the kits some to do while we're away."

Willow's eyes turned dark with worry.

"Promise me something?"

I looked at her,confused.

"Yes. Anything."

"Come home safe. All of you. I'd hate to think of my kits being born without seeing their Head and my best friend."

I dipped my head.

"I promise. No worries what."

🐱Earth🐱

I padded through the mind numbing darkness that was our newly created tunnel system,my whiskers brushing against the sides of the opening as I tracked my prey.

It had been a few sunrises since I had led a hunting patrol down here and now, we have more prey then ever before.

And now, Pine and Hope, trailed by their Trainers, were gathered at the southern end of the first tunnel, their eyes bright with excitement as Ruby explained the best way to track rabbits while down here while Talon sniffed the air as if picking a scent.

I padded through the darkness again, sniffing the air too.

My ears pricked as I picked up the thumping of rabbit paws and sprinted toward it, cornering it in the trap we dug.

It was young and very easy to catch as I pounced on it, killing it with a bite to the back of its neck and carried it to the entrance and shook my fur free of dust.

"Great catch, Earth!" Theo called and I nodded as I padded back to camp and placed my catch on the pile and saw Savanah crouched beside Cloud,murmuring softly in her ear.

I ran over,concerned.

"Something wrong, Savanah?" I asked, looking at Cloud breathing quick and fast.

"I think her kits are giving her a few bad kicks."

I nodded and padded over to our den and grabbed a bundle of raspberry leaves and a bit of willow bark, chewed them into a poultice and ran back to Cloud and Savanah.

Cloud was snapping her teeth at Dash,who was bringing her a rabbit.

"You did this to me!" She hissed, her claws coming out as she stalked toward our Lead Hunter,Whisp,Reed and Marco watching wearily.

Dash's eyes widened.

"I-I'm sorry, love."

Cloud growled, hackles raised as she stood nose to nose with her mate.

"Not good enough."

Kaden, Apple and Opal crept closer,eyes bright with amusement.

Iron chuckled, "You're really in for it, youngster."

I sighed, stepping in between the two mates.

"It's going to be alright, Cloud. Dash loves you with all his heart."

The Queen's eyes softened.

"Really, Dash?"

Dash purred, "Yes, Cloud. I do."

She flicked his ear.

"Mouse-brain."

And padded back to Savanah, who gave her the poultice.

💕💖💕💖💕💖💕💖💕💖

Later on that night, I sat watching the stars when Savanah came to sit next to me as we both looked at the sky.

Suddenly,her fur bristled,her eyes widen.

"Darkness. Fire. Bloodshed.."

I pawed at her shoulder.

"Savanah? Are you alright?"

She trembled against me, muttering and whimpering.

I started to pad to our den to get her some poppy seeds or thyme, but she stepped on my tail, forcing me to sit beside her again as she shook her head.

"Earth. Something bad is on its way. It very well might be in this forest."

I nodded.

"I trust you, Savanah. If something is coming, we'll be ready."

She flicked her tail and nodded.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll send out some patrols."

I nodded and helped her back to our den and fell into a calm,but unease sleep, Savanah's words echoing in my ears...

💜💚💜💚💜💚💜💚💜

"The cats accompanying Earth and Savanah to the Gathering are Kaden, Apple, Iron, if you're up to it,of course, Opal,Whisp, Talon, Reed, Hope and Pine." Basil mewed the next morning.

Pine and Hope bounced excitedly, eyes bright.

"Yes! We both get to go the Gathering!" They yowled happily.

I purred.

Later on that afternoon, we trained and hunted.

All seemed peaceful...

Until I led a small patrol through the grove of trees and Hope froze, eyes wide.

"Earth! Take a look at this!"

Horror filled me from nose to tail-tip.

A strange, but foul stench filled my nose as creatures with fur less paws crept through the forest, near Hazel's territory, roaring loudly.

I have to warn Hazel!

😍Feral 😍

This ends now!

I sniffed the air and snarled softly.

Too long have I submitted myself and my cats to these prey-stealing kittypet rouges!

Indigo and Feather, along with Tanner and Spunk have evidence that just fanned the flames of my rage.

Hints of river water, dirt, oak leaves and mountain air filled my nostrils, scents I had picked up while visiting the other Heads, making me curl up my lip.

So, they're working together to steal my prey?

I'm going to show the other Groups who truly rules this forest. Starting with this mouse-brained Gathering!

I sprinted into the clearing, fur bristling as I leaped onto the stump and yowled,

"I want everyone to be ready for battle, should there be a need and I want guards posted and changed from dawn to dusk. In and around camp. And if anyone refuses to help, they will be killed on sight. Dismissed!"

Red frowned, "Are you sure that's wise? "

I snarled, my lip curled.

"Get out of my sight, you miserable kit! Go collect herbs, if that's only what you're implying you're good for."

A glint of anger flashed in his eyes as he snarled,

"This is wrong, Feral! I keep telling you. If you don't stop this, everything we've worked hard for will be for nothing, but endless bloodshed." before padding away into the trees.

🐾☀🐾☀🐾☀🐾☀🐾☀

I clawed the ground as I leaped at Leo, flanks heaving with narrowed eyes.

He dodged, swiping at my muzzle and rolled away as I tried to pin him again.

"Good job." I mewed, licking a paw and drawing it over my ear.

He purred.

"Thank you,Feral."

I nodded and flicked an ear.

"Have you noticed that Red has been acting a little...odd lately?"

The golden, broad-shouldered tom nodded.

"Especially since Cora has taken over training us. Only he does is collect herbs and sleep."

"I see. Well, perhaps I should have a talk with him later on tonight. How is training going on? "

Leo grinned.

"Well, Cora teaches us a lot of cool moves after what you've showed her of course, Feral. The kits are becoming quick learners. Frost even beat me once."

I purred.

"Good. Good. Now,try to pin me again."

💙💖💙💖💙💖💙💖💙💖

I watched as Red stuck back into camp, a bundle of sage and marigold in his jaws, looking around suspiciously.

Red is becoming more and more mad by the passing moons... Perhaps Cora would make a great Second in his place.

"Feral. The attack date is set. We're ready."

I smirked.

"Excellent, Cora. Now we will take back what is ours."

💙💜💙💜💙💜💙💜💙💜💙💜

Ok! I'm going to stop right here!

Hope you're enjoying the story so far!

I am :3

🐾Moonshadow🐾