Warrior Cats: The Band Of Cats

[foxsight]

I wrote this to happen after the current series, The Power of Three. Check periodically for new chapters that I am adding. I write a bit a day, so they should be here quickly.

Prologue

Night had descended on the RiverClan camp, and all the cats were in their dens, except for the night guards on duty. Newly fallen leaves scarcely littered the camp ground, displaying the first signs of leaf fall. Flamestar, the leader of RiverClan, having had a full day of hunting in preparation for leaf bare, slept soundly. His steady breathing was matched by Sunstorm, his mate. The leader’s sleep was suddenly interrupted and he was surrounded by starry cats.
He stood, knowing that this was StarClan, his warrior ancestors. His head bowed low, as he greeted the cats, some he recognized from his own lifetime and others he only heard legends about.

“Mistystar.” He said, recognizing the leader that had made him deputy. The bluish grey she-cat stepped toward the tom, her light steps graceful.

Her blue eyes regarded him kindly, the way they always did, “We have a message for you, Flamestar.” She waited for this to sink in, and her expression became somber, “A fox will join your clan and will bring the fall of RiverClan with her.” Her blue eyes, Flamestar now saw, were troubled, and he knew that she worried for the well being of her clan.

“A fox?” He asked, “We would never let a fox join the clan.” He pointed out, doubtfully.

“Don’t take this warning, lightly, young one.” Leopardstar , the leader of RiverClan before Mistystar, interjected as she stepped into view, “This is what we have seen.”

Flamestar only nodded, not willing to believe the omen, but even less willing to argue with the fierce Leopardstar, “I will fight to the death for my clan.” He assured them. The starry cats nodded.
“We know you will,” Mistystar said, “But take heed to our warning.” The starry cats began to fade.

“Flamestar!” the flame colored cat woke with a start to Sunstorm’s voice, “Sunrise has come and gone, prey isn’t just gonna throw themselves at us.” She growled, “We have to actually get up and catch it.”

Her humorous tone told him that she wasn’t really angry, but he stood up quickly anyway, “Alright, let’s go then.” Her green eyes twinkled at him, as he shook out his pelt of moss, and followed her out of his den.

As they hunted, Flamestar couldn’t help remembering the warning of Mistystar, and he kept looking over his shoulder for the red pelt of a fox.

[foxsight]

Chapter One

Vultureheart’s kit had wandered off again. She wasn’t much of a kit anymore. Her muscles were lean, and her pelt the sleek and shiny one of a grown cat. Her body remained small, only being five moons old, but she was an adolescent, not a kit. Bright orange tabby fur covered her small body, and she gazed at her

surroundings with vibrant green eyes. She knew that she would get a severe punishment this time, but she didn’t care. The camp felt like a trap and it was, confining she-cats who were not allowed to roam free. No she-cat was allowed to leave without permission from a tom. Resentment flooded through the older kit as she thought of these unfair rules that she was forced to follow. She followed the path down to the river, growling comments under her breath.

The kit started when, across the river, she spotted a fox. Staying low, Vultureheart’s kit watched the fox. It was fierce and free, strong and bold, and the kit envied it. It could go when it pleased, when it pleased, and this kit would do anything for that type of freedom. This fox was not trapped and lived a meaningful life. With a resolve in her tiny chest, she named herself Fox, for she vowed to live a life of meaning one day and not as a servant to the toms of her band, The Band of Cats.

~~~

When Fox walked back to camp, she was relieved that the first cat she saw was Brierclaw, one of the toms who didn’t treat she-cats like slaves. In fact, Fox was sure he was just as unhappy as she was. The black and white tom saw her too and rushed over, an urgent look in his pale green eyes.

“Where have you been?” He demanded, but the worried look in his eyes told her he wasn’t that angry.

Fox studied her paws, sorry that she had worried him, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stay in this stuffy camp anymore.” She hissed, thinking once again of the fox.

His green eyes softened, “I know it’s hard, Vultureheart’s kit, but you will only make it worse for yourself by disobeying the rules.”
“My name is Fox.” She growled, unable to proclaim this while looking into his eyes.

“Brierclaw narrowed his eyes, “You aren’t allowed to have a name, and you know it. You will be Vultureheart’s kit until you are old enough to be claimed as a mate, then you must take on his name.”
“I know the rules!” Fox hissed, a familiar panic rising when she thought of how life would be when a tom claimed her as a mate. “I break the one about not leaving camp without permission; I am breaking this one too.” The fox, she knew, chose her own mate for love.

Brierclaw still had a worried expression, but relaxed a bit, “Alright, but don’t tell anyone else.”

“What’s the point in having a name if-“ Fox was cut off by an angry yowl from across the clearing.

“Come here my kit. NOW!” It was Vultureheart, the leader of the Band of Cats. He was dark brown and his lanky body was full of muscles. His broad shoulders and large stature made for an imposing figure.

Brierclaw winced, but Fox puffed out her small chest in defiance and shot her father a mutinous glare. His dark eyes bore into her with fury when he saw that she was not apologetic.

“Won’t you ever learn your place?” He charged over to Fox, “You are a lowly she-cat; worthless! When will you understand?” He yowled.

“I’ll never understand the backwards way that we live,” she shot at him.

“Then I must teach you.” He raised his paw and struck her hard in the face. The kit went tumbling in the opposite direction with a squeal of pain.

When Vultureheart went to strike her again, Brierclaw stood in front of her, “She’s just a silly kit, she will learn soon enough.” He said, and Fox suddenly saw him transform into a true Band cat, an evil gleam in his eyes. It was an act, she knew, but it was unsettling. “You don’t want to make her ugly for Bloodsinger, do you?” This gave Vultureheart pause.

“My kit, you will take every duty from all the other she-kits for a moon.” He finalized.

Fox gave Brierclaw a grateful look as she stood up and limped to the nursery to find comfort from her mother, Vultureheart’s Mate.

[foxsight]

Chapter Two

Timberkit charged out of the nursery, his dark tabby fur groomed to perfection by his mother, Hollyleaf, Firestar’s granddaughter. Her other two kits had been still born and she was fiercely protective of Timberkit. The young kit skidded to a halt at the center of the clearing to see Firestar leaped gracefully onto the Stone where he addressed the clan, “All cats old enough to catch their own prey join at the Highstone for a clan meeting.” As the cats started to gather, Timberkit spotted Flashkit, Whitewing’s kit, who had always been his rival.

Maybe, he thought, if they became warriors together they might become friends. They were the only two toms in the nursery and the oldest on top of it, so there was no other kit to compete with. Their friendly competition turned into rivalry as the two got older. The snow white kit flashed a glare in Timberkit’s direction, but the other kit ignored him. Nothing could sour his mood today.

“We have two apprentices to make today.” Firestar interrupted Timberkit’s thoughts, “Timberkit, from this day forward, you will be known as Timberpaw and Brackenfur will be your mentor. Brackenfur, you are a thoughtful and courageous warrior and I know you will pass along your wisdom and bravery to Timberpaw.
“Flashkit, from this day forward, you will be known as Flashpaw, and Spiderleg will be your mentor. Spiderleg, you are a fierce and cunning warrior and I know you will pass all of your zeal and resourcefulness to Flashpaw.”

Each mentor approached their apprentices, resting their muzzles on the young cat’s heads. Timberpaw licked Brackenfur’s shoulder.
“Timberpaw! Flashpaw!” The yowls of the whole of ThunderClan rang out, making Timberpaw feel more proud than ever to be a ThunderClan apprentice.

Timberpaw padded into the apprentices den, tail high. His dark amber eyes surveyed the nests, looking for one particular she-cat; Fallenpaw. Timberpaw had admired her ever since he could remember, and had watched her apprentice ceremony two moons ago, looking forward to training with her ever since.

“Hey, Timberpaw.” It was Fallenpaw, sharing tongues with Flashpaw. He could barely make out her beautiful mottled pelt in the dark, but he could smell them both very clearly.

“Hi,” he snapped, sounding shorter than he intended. When he saw her beautiful eyes flash with pain, he said, “I hope we get to train together tomorrow.”

She brightened at this, “Cloudtail said that we would all go on patrol tomorrow at sunrise.” She said, “So we had better get our sleep.”

Timberpaw’s mood had been soured after all as she watched Flashpaw curl his tail around Fallenpaw and go to sleep. Her light amber eyes remained on Timberpaw, though, and he fell asleep imagining she was next to him.

~~~

Early the next morning, Spiderleg, Brackenfur, and Cloudtail waited by the camp entrance for their apprentices. The three young cats washed themselves quickly and rushed to the three warriors.
“Good morning.” Cloudtail said, “You three ready?” They all nodded and the patrol dashed off, faster than Timberpaw and Flashpaw had expected, for they were both left behind for a second. The two toms shared a panicked glance and flew off after their mentors.

The four cats went at such a fast pace that Timberpaw had a hard time catching them. He saw, with a bit of satisfaction, that Flashpaw was faring no better. The two new apprentices struggled to keep up. Once Flashpaw fell behind and Timberpaw purposely slowed too, so that the white apprentice didn’t look foolish.

“Keep up, you two.” Fallenpaw teased.
“You will have to do better than that.” Spiderleg agreed.
Flaspaw shot Timberpaw a bitter glance, “Don’t do me any favors.” He snapped, rushing ahead to fall in step with Fallenpaw.
Brackenfur sighed, “You’re going to have to try and keep up, Timberpaw.”

Timberpaw became furious, the only reason he was behind them all was so that Flashpaw wouldn’t look slow alone. Resentment welled up in his chest and he tore past Flashpaw and Fallenpaw.
The apprentice nearly ran into the back ends of the three leading cats, who were frozen and alert.

“It’s close,” Brackenfur was saying, “This scent is very fresh.” Spiderleg and Cloudtail nodded in agreement, and suddenly a scent like Timberpaw had never smelled before filled his sensitive nose.

“What is it?” Flashpaw whispered.

“A dog.” Brackenfur answered, quickly, “I don’t smell two-leg scent, so the dog was alone. We should get out of here and report it to Firestar.”

“Good idea,” Cloudtail agreed.

“We had better hurry.” Spiderleg added.

“Think you can keep up, Timberpaw?” Flashpaw chided, sending a rush of fury through Timberheart’s body.

“I can outrun you any day.” The dark tabby tom threatened, knowing that it wasn’t true, but unable to think of a better comeback.

Spiderleg’s eyes narrowed in a coy expression, “Alright, the last apprentice to get to camp does the other’s duties tonight.” He challenged.

“Should we be putting them against each other, Spiderleg?” Brackenfur asked, doubtfully.

“Why not? It’ll be fun.” Cloudtail said, already knowing that Fallenpaw was in better shape than the two new apprentices and would beat them easily.

“Everyone ready?” Spiderleg asked before Brackenfur could voice any more doubts. The three apprentices nodded, and Timberpaw groaned inwardly; Flashpaw was named so for a reason. Although young, Timberpaw’s body already showed signs of being built for strength, not speed. In a fight, Timberpaw could out muscle Flashpaw, but this was a race. He pushed his doubts away, and focused on a point in the horizon, reaching that point before Flashpaw meant that he would win the race. He bunched his muscles to spring into flight.

“Go!” Spiderleg yowled, and the apprentices darted off, Fallenpaw in the lead, and Timberpaw bringing up the rear.

Fallenpaw had left them well behind and Flashpaw was a good fox-length ahead. Unwilling to give up, Timberpaw raced with all of his might, and to his dismay watched as Flashpaw slipped into the camp entrance, glancing back with a look of pure delight and satisfaction.

The three warriors were not far behind, and Spiderleg held no pride back, “Looks like you picked the wrong cat to race with, Timberpaw.”

Brackenfur was far more understanding, “Don’t worry, every cat has strengths and speed is Flashpaw’s. You’re sure to beat him in fighting skills.”

Timberpaw nodded, halfheartedly.

“Come on, they can handle the report, let’s go practice some fighting moves.” The warrior offered, the suggestion making Timberpaw a bit more cheerful.

~~~

Just before sun down, Timberpaw limped back into camp, feeling sore, but thoroughly pleased. He had learned so much in a day, and felt that he was really good at it. Brackenfur had been right, fighting was his strength, and he couldn’t wait to spar with Flashpaw. With a yawn, Timberpaw looked forward to some fresh-kill and his nest.

“Don’t you have some apprentice duties to perform?” It was Flashpaw from in front of the Apprentice’s Den, where he shared some fresh-kill with Fallenpaw.

Gritting his teeth, Timberpaw fought the urge to leap on Flashpaw and show the arrogant apprentice just what he had been learning today. Instead, the worn out apprentice headed for the Elder’s Den, tail drooping.

[foxsight]

Chapter Three

Fox had stayed in camp under the watchful eye of Bloodsinger for the last moon. Her paws itched for a run and her mind was restless. She lay in the young she-cat’s den, where the she-cats, who were too old for the nursery, but too young for a mate, slept. The young cat wasn’t tired, finding little else to do but sleep in her prison, so she decided to get up and see if she could find a way out of camp, at least for a little bit.

Staying low to the ground, Fox crept out of the den. She didn’t get far when she heard the voice of a she-cat. She recognized Brierclaw’s Mate and Brierclaw talking in urgent hushed tones. Deciding to eavesdrop, Fox hid in some brush, close to where the two were sitting.

“I tell you we have to leave.” Brierclaw’s Mate was saying, “I can’t stay here.”

“I have tried to make it tolerable.” He pointed out, but his tone told Fox that he already knew it wasn’t good enough, “I have done everything I could to make you feel as free as possible. I gave you a name, the most beautiful name I could think of-“

“A name that no one else can hear but you and I!” She spat, bitterly.

Fox winced, her feelings so close to Brierclaw’s Mate’s that her heart ached for the other she-cat. She longed to know the name that Brierclaw had given his mate, and now knew why he hadn’t objected very strongly when she had told him that her name was Fox.

“Morningmist, please, they will kill us if we are caught, we can’t take that risk.”

“I can.” She mewed suddenly, “I can because I am not just taking the risk for me anymore, but for our kits.”

Brierclaw’s green eyes lit up with surprise and delight, “Kits!”

“I won’t let them be raised in this horrible place.” She interrupted his joy, “I’m leaving with or without you.”

There was silence that split Fox’s heart open, Brierclaw just had to leave with Morningmist, he just couldn’t abandon her! But he was raised a Band Cat, she realized, no matter how nice he seemed at times, he was taught his whole life that she-cats were worthless and only here to have kits and serve tom cats.

“I can’t let you go alone,” he mewed, finally, “I love you more than this Band, and we will take the risk for our kits.”

Relief flooded through Fox and she heard them purr as their mutual decision was made. They would escape.

“Tomorrow night,” he promised.

~~~

Fox couldn’t sleep the next night. She had watched Morningmist and Brierclaw slip out awhile ago, willing them to make it. Should she have asked Brierclaw if she could escape with them? She hated this place as much as Morningmist did, but she didn’t want to risk getting them caught by having to look out for her as well. She had made the right decision, she decided, she was not skilled enough to escape without being caught, but their plan had given her one too. One day, when she was grown and strong, Fox would escape as well.

“Band Cats!” It was Vultureheart’s yowl, shocking Fox out of her thoughts, “We have a traitor in our midst!”

Horror gripped Fox as the worst scenario played out in her mind. She leaped out of her nest and scrambled to the center of camp, where the rest of the Band was gathering.

Fox closed her eyes in terror as she watched Breirclaw and Morningmist dragged into the camp, struggling with all their might against several large Band Cat guards. The guards were a specialized team of Band Cats, patrolling the territory and watching out for escape attempts from she-cats.

“Brierclaw and his mate were captured tonight in an act of treason. Brierclaw was abandoning his Band and breaking the law by helping a she-cat escape.”

Angry yowls rose up from the tom cats, who swiped claws at the two captives. The she-cats were a mirror of Fox as they watched in dismay, unable to do anything to help.

“For your trespass, you must be punished, Brierclaw.” The huge leader growled, “You will never be allowed to take a mate again, and as for your current mate, she will be put to death for her escape attempt.”

“NO!” Brierclaw and Fox echoed. Both were drowned out from yowls of agreement from the Band tom cats. All of the she-cats exchanged sorrowful looks; Morningmist had been popular among them.

“Please, don’t, I will do anything!” Fox could hear Brierclaw begging for his mate’s life. There was no mercy to be had from Vultureheart, though and he gave the silent command with a swipe of his paw. One of the guards holding Morningmist down extended his sharp claws and ran them across her throat.

Blood welled up from the wound and Morningmist choked and fell still, her unborn kits dying with her. Brierclaw fell limp, yowling in anguish. The guards released him and he crawled to Morningmist’s side, writhing in misery as he pawed at her.

Fox felt a rush of pain at her flank, and saw Bloodsinger had scratched her, “I said get back to your nest, now!” Fox had been so sorrowful for Brierclaw that she hadn’t noticed the first command. With a glare of pure hatred at Bloodsinger and her father, Fox ran to her nest, knowing that she would grieve all night for Morningmist and Brierclaw.

~~~

For three days, Fox did not leave her nest, forgoing sleep and fresh-kill. Her shiny pelt had dulled and her eyes were distant. She had given up, knowing that if Brierclaw couldn’t escape, she couldn’t hope to either. Fox had no will to live in this unfair world. The other she-cats let her be and now she was alone in the den. Her green eyes barely registered an approaching cat.

“You can’t give up, Fox” It was Brierclaw’s soft whisper, “We can’t give up. I can’t live among these cats anymore; cats that would murder my mate and her unborn kits. I must get out and I want to take you with me, you are far better than this place. I have been out on patrol and seen beyond our borders, it’s beautiful.”

“They’ll kill me if we are caught,” Fox said simply, not looking at him.
“How is that different than what you’re doing to yourself?”

Brierclaw shot back, “I would rather die trying than live here.” His ears swiveled back as he heard voices, “Meet me behind the nursery tonight when the moon is highest if you change your mind.” With that he padded out quickly, knowing that if he was seen in here it would be assumed he was trying to pick another mate illegally.

After a long moment, Fox stood, she knew he was right. She had a chance for freedom and she would fight for it or die trying. With a hopeful heart and a passion for life that she felt like never before, Fox went out to eat her fill, knowing that she would need her strength for an escape.

~~~

“I want to take my mother,” Fox said, having met Brierclaw that night, in the same place where he and Morningmist had discussed their escape because of their kits.

“Fox,” he began, “We need to be as unnoticeable as possible and swift. We have a better chance of escape if it’s just the two of us.”
“You’re wrong. The larger a group we are, the better chance we have of fighting off any guards. Besides more escapees will create more confusion for them,” she pointed out.

Brierclaw had to admit she had a point,” And is we get a lot of she-cats to escape and get caught, they can’t kill them all or the Band will die out. We should get as many as we can convince.”
Fox nodded in agreement, already having asked some of them.

~~~

“We must leave soon,” Brierclaw told her three days later.
Fox had Hornetsting’s Mate, and her two kits, who she had also convinced to name themselves. The older kit, a light brown tabby, named herself Mist, and the tortoiseshell named herself Sky. Hornetsting’s Mate was unwilling to do the same, afraid that they would be caught.

Fox’s closest friend, Clawheart’s kit, had joined the escape party as well and named herself Blue, after the color of her eyes. Fox marveled at their success, this was half of the Band’s she-cats. Many of the younger she-cats were more willing than the others, Fox reflected.

Fox had yet to convince her own mother, Vultureheart’s Mate, who had also not only refused to give herself a name, but refused to use Fox’s name.

“Too many cats know, and word will get around soon. This is too big to keep quiet for long.” Brierclaw continued, “Besides, we have to leave before the snow falls.”

Fox knew he was right, but she had yet to convince her mother, “Just a little more time,” she mewed, “She won’t listen to me, she is too afraid of him.”

“She may not come,” Brierclaw mewed softly, knowing that Fox wouldn’t want to hear this, “I know it’s hard, but we can’t force her.”

“I know, but I just want to give her a little more time to think about it. I will convince her,” she said, her eyes panicked.

“Alright, but we must leave soon, Fox, or it will be too late.”

~~~

“I can’t Vultureheart’s Kit,” Fox’s mother had said this more times than Fox could count. She had been in this den a dozen times, trying to convince her mother to come. This time, she was alone. Hornetsting’s Mate had tried once too, but Fox was now the only one unwilling to admit defeat.

“My name is Fox,” she repeated, “And I’m leaving here. We can be free, mother, free from this horrible place. Away from all these unfair laws and cruelty.”

“Not unfair or cruel, “Her mother quoted from her mate, “They are there for a reason, those laws are there to protect our way of life.”
Fox growled, “A backwards way of life! Can’t you see further than your nose?! There has to be a better life away from The Band of Cats.”

Vultureheart’s Mate would only shake her gray head and stop arguing at this point. The argument had not changed, it was even predictable and Fox had to face it, her mother must be left behind.
Tail drooping and eyes full of pain, Fox made her way over to Brierclaw, who had been waiting outside, “We must go tomorrow night.” She mewed sadly, unable to add that her mother would not be with them.

The black and white tom looked as if he wanted to comfort her, but only nodded.

~~~

Brierclaw led the small group of she-cats to a hidden way out of camp and a secluded area of the forest, too dense for regular patrols, but perfect for hiding their pelts.

Mist shivered in fear and Sky tried to comfort her. Blue padded warily but steadily beside Fox. Hornetsting’s Mate, who had finally decided to name herself Cresentmoon, after the moon on the night of their escape, was last in the line.

Fox nearly ran into the back ends of the three leading cats, who were frozen and alert.

“It’s close,” Brierlaw was saying, “This scent is very fresh.” Mist and Sky nodded in agreement, and suddenly the scent filled Fox’s sensitive nose.

“What is it?” Blue whispered.

“A Patrol.” Brierclaw answered, quickly, “We should get out of here and go around.”

“Good idea,” Fox agreed.

“We had better hurry.” Blue added.

The group looped around the patrol path and found themselves facing a long length without cover. Brierclaw stopped short, “This is as far as we got before we were spotted,” Fox knew he meant he and Morningmist, “We have to get well away from the territory before they will stop chasing us and even then, they will send a wide patrol out to track us tomorrow. Get as far as you can without being spotted, and don’t stop for anything.” He was preparing them for a sprint and Fox’s fur fluffed out in anxiety. This is where they would be caught or run free. This run would decide her fate.

“Everyone ready?” Brierclaw asked before could change their minds or voice any doubts. The five cats nodded, and Fox groaned inwardly; had she convinced all these cats to run into their deaths? Although young and strong, Fox nor any of these she-cats were a match for the guards. Pushing her doubts away, Fox focused on a point in the horizon, reaching that point before the guards meant freedom. She bunched her muscles to spring into flight.

“Go!” Brierclaw yowled, and at the same moment his command rang out they all heard a terrible voice call out.

“Traitors!”

Panic took over, and the small group of she-cats and one tom flew from their hiding place to make a break for freedom.