The journey was so hard and long. I thought we would never make it. We lost so many... We lost my love, Fawn that Leaps Over River. She died terribly; she was making a leap to cross over the gap that separated her from the group, but her leap wasn't enough. Her front paws hit the stone, but she slipped. It was so sad to see her fall.
      I'm Thunder that Roars at Dawn, the leader of my group. I have encouraged my tribe to stay determined, but I'm sure some wish to give up and join the lost, but I won't let it happen. I must- I will lead my friends to safety, even if it costs my very life.
      A shriek cried out behind me. I spun around to see Lightning that Strikes at Sunset's head disappear off the edge of the rocky cliffs. I yowled in defeat and craned over the edge of the rocks to if there was any way he survived the fall. A shrill shriek echoed through the mountains as Lightning's life was taken away. I wailed to the sky in sorrow. Lightning would've been my successor for our tribe if his death hadn't taken him first. Quail that Cries on Branch padded to my side. "What will we do now? Who will be your successor?" she mewed. I turned and faced my tribe with sorrow shooting through my eyes. "We have to settle who will be my successor now. I appoint Rain to lead the tribe upon my death," I called. Rain that Falls at Dusk looked half shocked but half pleased. I scraped my claws along the rock floors of the mountains. The sun was setting, casting blood-red light upon my tribe and me. "We will make camp here for the night. I want Cloud, Quail, and Storm to find food for us. Lark, Snow, and Roar, could you make us nests for shelter?" I gave the commands with sheer confidence, but I'm sure that doubt flickered through me. Roar wailed at me, his voice saying, "But I'm the only Apprentice doing the job! Can't Moon help me?" I shook my head. "I hav given you the command. Go help Lark and Snow," I mewed gently. Roar tensed but didn't argue, then turned to pad away. I sighed and looked into the sky which was beginning to glisten with stars. The memories of all who had fallen flickered though my mind.
      My eyes opened at the sound of a stumbling. I flew to my paws and saw Moon of Starry Night swaying dangerously on the edge of the same place that Lightning fell. I ran to her and hauled her back by her scruff. She gasped in shock. I looked her in the eyes and growled, "Don't ever do that again! Do you understand?" Moon nodded. I looked around and saw no one else other than Moon and I. "Go back to sleep," I hissed. Moon ran as fast as she could to cuddle beside Roar, but he shifted and pushed her away. Moon looked upset, but she soon was sleeping soundly. I looked away in dismay. I remembered when we found Moon.
      It was sad that day; it was the day after Fawn died when we heard mewling coming from a deep pile of snow. That was when we found Moon of Starry Night. She was close to an untimely death. She mewled when we found her, her voice shrill but weak. I looked around and realized that her mother must have been smothered by the cold. I picked her up by her scruff and carried her to a warmer spot with my tribe. I gave her to one of the nursers, Wing of Flying Bird, but the noble she-cat died shortly later, but it was after Moon became an apprentice. Then I decided, after seeing that she believed that Wing was always her mother, she would never learn the truth. I've managed to keep that vow my entire life.
Regardless, Moon is a great apprentice. Her mentor is Cloud that Covers Moon, who is also a great cat. Moon has been learning skills very quickly, and she's mastered blows like the belly rake. She's going to be an amazing defender; I can feel it in my bones. The only thing I worry for Moon about is survival and that she may realize that she isn't purely from the tribe. This one secret, I think, may just lead her into an unbridled rage.
      I stood and shook out my fur. Members of the tribe were gathering. The only ones that stayed asleep were Moon and Quail. I prodded them both awake and yowled, "We must continue our journey at once!" Yowls of protest were spat and thrown at me. "No! What about Lightning? We can't just leave him!" Cloud hissed. "If we were to have a proper vigil, we would have to stay another night. Besides, going to get the body is a lost cause. Lightning that Strikes at Sunset would know that we care for him," I replied. Ignoring other protests, I looked at the cats who weren't arguing, Lark, Roar, Storm, Rain, Moon, and Flower. "If you wish to continue arguing, I will just leave you all here except for the ones that aren't arguing!" I hissed. Protests gradually broke down as I turned to leave. "We should get going," I hissed.
My eyes widened as I crossed a snow-covered hill to see a towering valley that was enclosed on all sides. I turned and faced my clan. "I find this place fit for us to live," I declared, my words being accompanied by yowls of agreement. I saw Moon's eyes filled with tears of joy, and I again was reminded of the terror that would grasp her if she found out the secret of her life.

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Sorry for the shorter chapter :/
I promise to get longer ones out, tho!
~Holly Pug