Fallen Stars 11-A Stunning Surprise

Sunset yawned and blinked her eyes open against the golden glow of the sunlight. She stood up and stretched, her back arched and her ears flattened against her head. When she was done, she lifted her head and glanced around the den, a fallen oak that Sunset, Blaze, Crow and the new cat, Ivory slept in.

Sunset saw that only Crow wasn't in the den. Blaze's jaw was slightly parted in a soft snore. Ivory's chest rose and fell rhythmically. His back was facing Sunset, and his face was turned away, his head was curled to his chest and his ears where angled toward the wall of the den. Sunset turned away from the two toms and looked at the entrance of the log. Decaying bark that was half peeled away lined the shear-shaped exit. Sunset pushed herself onto her feet. Blinking, she realized that, absent-minded of it, she had sat down. As she walked out of the log, she felt exhausted, like she needed more sleep, even though she had slept later than usual.

Sunset stepped into the morning light. The sun cast a warm, radiant yellow light over the gray stones the formed the cave where Sunset lived. As Sunset looked up at the cloudless sky, the sun seemed to smile down at her.

There was also something eerie about this morning. Long, dark shadows seemed to hide behind the bushes and trees. Below her, in a valley, everything was at a standstill. It was as if the whole world was holding it's breath, waiting for something to happen...

Sunset pushed the thought away. Why would anything happen? Why here? Why would she eve think that? But still....

*******

After a successful hunt with Blaze, Sunset dragged herself to Lavender and her family's den, half-asleep. Lavender lifted her head as Sunset entered the cave.

"Hello, Sunset. You look tired. Are you feeling all right?" Lavender asked, sounding concerned.

"Hi, Lavender. Yeah, I am a little tired. I'm fine, though. How are you?" Sunset meowed drowsily, sitting down.

Lavender nowowed her eyes and slowly looked Sunset up and down. Than again. Although she still seemed unsatisfied, as if she did not believe her sister's word, she finally said, "I'm fine. Canary is getting be a wonderful hunter. She needs to work on her fighting skills, but I think that she will fit just fine in our little group. Stone and I are very proud. So, I am fine. You?"

"I'm great," Sunset purred, butting her head against her sister's.

A voice called from outside the den, "Hey! Sunset! Were are you? We have to check the boarder! Where are you?"

Sunset sighed, "That's Crow. I'm sorry, Lavender. I have to go now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Sunset. I had a good time talking to you," Lavender meowed as Sunset got up.

"Me too," Sunset meowed over her shoulder.

When she pushed herself out of the den, Crow was readily waiting for her, tail lashing. She fallowed him out of the clearing. They walked in silence until Crow spotted something. Sunset ran towards him when she heard him meow for her.

"What is it, Crow? Why did you call m--" Sunset started. That is when she saw the paw print. A fresh paw print. And the black and orange fur caught in the brambles. She gasped, shocked. "Who made that pint? Why is there fur in that bush? Crow, what is going on?"

"I certainly didn't do it. We-we must tell Blaze," Crow meowed, seeming as surprised as she was.

The two stared at the paw print for awhile until they finally darted into the trees toward the cave.

-KittyLover8
© 2012

Fallen Stars 8-A Sound In The Bushes

"I-I wish to join your group," Ivory meowed.

Sunset flattened her ears and hissed softly. This wasn't natural. She didn't think that this was right. Why would someone what to join the small group of cats all of the sudden? And how did Ivory even know about the cats? Sunset was about to question the cat, but Blaze stepped forward.

"Hello, Ivory. My name is Blaze and this is Sunset. I will have to speak with the rest of the cats before we can allow you into our group," Blaze said. "Come. We will escort you to our home."

Blaze led Ivory to the camp and Sunset brought up the rear. Soon, they where about halfway to the cave. Sunset felt unnerved around the newcomer, but she was quiet. She knew that she would have her say at some point. A loud crunch in the bushes made heads turn. Sunset was still for a moment. Then, she stepped forward. She stalked around the bush in a circle. She knew that the animal that made that sound was bigger then a regular squirrel. Sunset nosed around in the leaves along the edge of the bush. No scent. She sighed and turned away from the leaves momentarily.

"Blaze, I can't catch a scent!" Sunset called. "Should we continue?"

Blaze replied, "Well, yes, yes we should. It was probably just a rabbit or something."

Sunset walked over to him and nodded, although, she knew that he too, was unsure. The rest of the trip was quiet. A bird chirped ever once in while, but that was all. Once they where at the cave Blaze and Sunset parted to tell everyone about Ivory. Blaze went over to fallen tree where Crow, Blaze and Sunset slept. Sunset headed over to the small cave that Lavender, Stone and Canary shared.

"Lavender! Canary! Stone!" Sunset called. Canary and Lavender lifted their heads. Stone appeared from a spot in the shadows of the cave wall.

"Yes?" Lavender answered.

"Blaze and I found a new cat while we where hunting. His name is Ivory and he wishes to join our little group. Blaze says that we should all have a say in this," Sunset meowed. She herself didn't trust this cat, but Blaze seemed conferable enough around him...maybe she was just overreacting.

"Okay," Lavender said, blinking in confusion. Stone nodded slowly. Meanwhile, Canary bounced around the den.

"Ivory! Can I see him? PLEASE mama! Can I? Can I?" Canary begged.

"Honey, this Ivory cat is just like you and me. I'm sure that he is nothing out of the ordinary," Lavender meowed gently.

Canary stopped bouncing and looked up at her mother. Then she said, "But what dose he look like? What color is he? I still want to see the new cat."

"Fine," Lavender sighed. "You can see him. Come along, then."

Canary raced ahead of her mother, talking about how she was going to see the new cat all of the while. Stone followed his mate out of the den. Sunset couldn't help thinking about the strange new cat. Who was he? Where did he come from? Was he going to stay or leave? And what was that sound in the bushes? Questions nagged at her mind. Then, Sunset shook her head. Ivory seemed nice. He was sure not to cause any trouble. As she left the small cave, one more question seeped into her mind. Or was he?

-KittyLover8
© 2012

Fallen Stars 6-All Is At Peace

Brown early-winter maple leaves slightly lifted in the breeze. Canary walked closer to her mother, Lavender, shivering as some cold wind buffed her fur.

"Are we almost home, mama," she complained.

Lavender opened her mouth to say something in reply, but Stone spoke first."Canary, you need to practice hunting crouches and fighting moves. You know, you are 5 months old."

Canary sighed. Then she thought, grudgingly, You're no fun. This just isn't fair! Then, Canary meowed, "I just don't see why we have to do training in such cold weather. I don't even see or smell any prey. Plus, even if anything was out, the leaves make to much noise. The prey would simply run away."

Suddenly, Canary realized how rude she'd been. "I'm sorry," she meowed in a tiny voice.

Lavender glanced at Canary and purred, "It's okay. We're all very short tempered in the cold."

Stone purred playfully, "Everyone changes from joy to impatient, except Crow. He changes from impatience to even more impatience!"

Mrowing with joy, Canary hurtled herself at her father, paws first with her claws sheathed, and raked her paws across her father's flank. Lavender happily flung herself at Canary.

"No fair!" Canary cried in mock anger as Lavender pulled her off Stone's gray tabby pelt.

Then they all shook themselves off, and walked home.

******

Together, they all slept, Blaze, Crow, Sunset, Stone, Lavender and Canary, all of them sleeping in the peace, the peace that seemed it would last forever, but, would it?

-KittyLover8
© 2012

Fallen Stars 5-Homeward Bound

Sunset walked on. She had been walking for quite a while and was now very tired. She decided to curl up to sleep. The minuet she closed her eyes, a strange sound blasted into her ears. Sunset looked around, swiveling her ears. The sound slowly faded away into the distance. She felt that she couldn't sleep now that she'd heard the sound. She got up and looked around once more, nervous. Then, she silently walked forward.

The noise erupted into her ears once more. This time it got louder and louder by the second. Then, Sunset recognized this sound. It was FOX!!

Sunset began to flee, but the fox was already upon her. Sunset hissed at the fox as she ran unsheathed claws along its flank. The fox bit her fore paw. Screeching in pain and fury, Sunset tried to fling the fox off of her, although she knew that it was no use. The fox was much bigger then her. Then, an idea popped into her head. She began to shimmy her way from underneath the fox. When she finally got out, however, the fox clamped its jaws on her half healed tail wound. Sunset wailed in pain and raked her claws along the fox's ears, hoping that that would make it loosen its tight grip. The fox let go only to grab Sunset's scruff and fling her across the clearing. Sunset yowled in pain but, her cry was cut off as her head hit a hard rock and she was knocked out.

******

Sunset woke up. Then, as she was getting up, she smelled, through the stench of fox, Crow and Stone! She looked around, but then she realized that their scents were old. They had been here yesterday. Sunset then recognized the place that she was in: it was her old hunting grounds! She was here!

Sunset shot forward. She swerved trees, leapt over logs, ran through tangles of grass, and slipped underneath bushes. Sunset, panting, ran over to a small, rocky hill. She remembered this hill! This was her home! She plummeted down the hillside. She announced her arrival with a happy chirp. Slowly, her friends began to gather.

Sunset was astonished to see how much Canary had grown. The little orange cat then squeaked, "Who is this cat, mama?"

Sunset felt sad. Had she really been away for so long that they didn't recognize her? Then, Sunset heard Blaze meow with astonishment in his voice, "Could it be...? Sunset? Is that you, Sunset?"

"Blaze!" Sunset cried happily.

Blaze's face echoed her joy. "Sunset! I can't believe that it's really you!"

"Oh you better believe that it's me!" Sunset purred playfully as she leaned over and gently nipped his ear.

A little while after she had told them the story of her travels, they all settled down to sleep. Sunset was pressed in between Blaze and Crow. She was content. She was home.

-KittyLover8
© 2012

Fallen Stars 2-Broken Silence

Sunset awoke, as she stood up, pain griped her tail. A fox had attacked the cave that she and a few more cats live in. She cast an uneasy glance at her tail and gave it a sniff. Sunset let out a sigh. Although her tail hurt like fire, it wasn't infected.

She walked out of the den, but one of her paws brushed up against a dry, brown leaf. Crow lifted his head, his eyes squinting in the dawn light. "Wazza?" Crow meowed.

"It's just me, Sunset," Sunset reassured him.

"I could care less if it where you or that mangy fox coming back again! I just want to sleep! It would be nice if I could without cats stomping around in the leaves like an upset badger!" Crow growled.

Sunset flicked her ears in anger. But then she just shook it off. Sunset then, pushed the rest of her way out of the den. Orange-red sunlight filled the deep-purple sky. Sunset loved dawn.

Blaze walked up to her, "Would you like to hunt with me, Sunset?" he asked.

Sunset blinked in surprise, then she shook her head to clear it and then asked, "Have you, Stone, and Crow checked for fox scent?"

"Yes. We found out that it left our hunting grounds."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hunt!" Sunset purred.

Then, tails trailing behind them, they ran off.

********

Sunset was stalking a vole. Once she was about three feet away from it, she ponced. But she had missed the little creature by an inch. She sighed. Then she stood up from where she lay in the grass.

Sunset lifted her head higher and slightly parted her jaws. The strong sent of mouse wafted into her nose. Sunset carefully stalked the small gray shape that was just ahead of her. Quickly, she leaped on top of her prey. She then picked up the limp mouse and placed it down beside her other catches; two birds.

A sudden crackle behind some thick trees made her spin around.

"Blaze?" she called.

No answer.

"Blaze? Blaze, are you there?"

Another loud snap of a twig.

"Blaze, please help me," Sunset whispered meekly, her eyes wide with fear.

Sunset tasted the air, only to find a strange stench filling the air. What is this creature, and why is it here? she thought.

Just then, a human walked out of the trees. Sunset let out a startled gasp when she saw what the human was carrying inside a cage; Blaze!

Sunset screeched with rage and flung herself at the human's leg. The human yowled and dropped the cage. And with that, it sprang open. Quickly, Blaze raced out of the cold silver cage.

The human yowled again and grabbed her. She screeched in fury as she was shoved into the hard cage. Then, Sunset turned around, wanting to see if Blaze was okay. Suddenly, she felt a sharp wave of pain quickly grow as she hit her head on the hard metal of the cage. Then everything went black.

********

Sunset awoke on a soft rug covering the ground underneath her. She shook her head, dizzy from all of the new sites and sounds.

Sunset sighed. Remembering where she was. She had been here, trapped with the humans for a week. She was always grateful for the kindness and gentleness they showed her, but she wanted to be back home, in the cave.


A young human stroked her fur. Sunset closed her eyes in content, but a question raked through her mind; was she trapped here forever?
-KittyLover8
© 2011

Fallen Stars 1-The Deadly Red Shadow

Crow's angry hiss echoed across the clearing, awakening Lavender. Stone, her mate, lifted his head and stood up beside her. Lavender glanced at Stone and then at Canary, her kitten. Stone walked out of the small cave that he, Lavender and Canary slept in.

Outside, Crow was battling a large red fox with Sunset. Stone jumped on the fox's back and raked its sides. Sunset raked her claws across the fox's muzzle. In turn, the fox bit her tail. Blood splashed on the dusty ground. Crow nipped the fox's hind leg, but then jumped back when the fox swiped at him. Stone leapt to Crow's aid, but the fox slammed into a large stone at the heavy blow of Sunset's hind legs. The fox got up, shook itself, and ran off.

Blaze, who had been out hunting, raced into the clearing."What happened?" he exclaimed, his mew muffled by a shrew and two mice that dangled in his jaws.

"A fox attacked camp," Sunset panted, out of breath.

"I'm so sorry that I couldn't help," Blaze meowed sadly, guilt heavy in his voice. "I was out hunting."

"It's fine. I'm sure you would have fought just as hard as the rest of us if you had been here," Sunset soothed,"In the meantime, let's enjoy this prey."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Stone summoned Lavender out of the cave. Then, they all settled down to eat.

********

The full moon bathed the clearing in a silver glow. In the distance, an owl screeched, awakening Sunset. She stepped out of the fallen tree that she shared with Crow and Blaze. She bit back a cry of pain as she brushed her mangled tail against a bush. She sighed. Would the fox ever come back? For the first time, she began to question their safety here in the hollow.

Blaze unexpectedly settled down beside Sunset. "Tomorrow, Stone, Crow, and I are going to scout the territory for any signs of the fox," Blaze meowed.

Sunset settled her green gaze affectionately on Blaze's golden eyes. Then the two walked back into the log, tails twined, curled up together, and slept.


-KittyLover8

© 2011

Fallen Stars-Introduction

Blaze.















Crow.














Sunset.














Stone.












Lavender.














Canary.











Join them on their journey.

-KittyLover8
© 2011