Shadows Burning

Crow couldn't wait for the next day.  She wondered what would be decided.  Why anyone would want such a smelly, ugly kitten she could not understand, but the cat clan had cared enough to meet with them.  Crow was not the least bit worried.  Or at least she wouldn't admit it.   

The next morning came and Falcon sat in the clearing, waiting for her and the others to be sent off to the meeting.

Eagle was a mix of excitement and nervousness. She was excited to see the Cat Clan camp, but nervous because after all, it was the Cat Clan.

(is the leader coming with us?)

(I don't know... maybe not, we don't even know who the leader is... but I guess it would make sense for him to come.. waht do you think?)

Dove hoped she would be able to keep up with the others. They had always been able to fly faster and longer than she could, but right now she was especially worried because sometimes if she flew too long, the wound in her side started to hurt.

Crow followed the leader on their way to the border.  she struggled to keep up with his long, manly strides, her heart keeping time to the thump of his walking stick

Falcon transformed into her bird form and soared above her companions, making slow circles.

Finally they reached their destination.  The Cat Clan leader was waiting for them.  "Where is the child?" he barked. 

"We did not bring him" the Bird Clan leader replied. 

"You promised me the child!"

The Bird Clan leader kept his face empty of expression.  "I promised you nothing."  Crow was confused.  They were acting like they had already spoken to each other about the baby Falcon and Eagle had found, but that was impossible

The cat clan leader's face scrunched up with fury. "Can I speak with you privately?" He hissed quietly to the bird clan leader.

The two leaders went off to the side, just far enough away to be out of earshot. Dove watched them whisper furiously and wished she could read lips.

Crow inched closer to the leaders, trying to make out what they were saying. 

"You do not understand.  He is of an ancient race, with powers you can't even imagine.  This power could be harnessed.  we can use him."

"Use him how?  to defeat me in this war between us?  You can't have him,"

"With him, together we could rule the world.  Give me the child and i will give you power,"

just then, the great cat looked up and caught Crow's eyes.  quickly, he reached out and grabbed her arm. 

"this girl is smart.  she would join me."  Ruling the world did sound pretty nice.  Perfectly wicked.  but Crow couldn't betray her friends no matter what her name was.  she wiggled out of the cat man's grip and leapt into the air, transforming mid-flight

"Dove!" Falcon said. "You're small, why don't you sneak over and see what they're whispering about?"

"Yes," the bird clan leader said, loud enough for Crow to hear.  Crow opened her eyes wide.  This was bad.  she dove toward her friends.  "Come on," she said.  "we have to get back to camp before he does."

"WHy? What happened?" Falcon asked, flapping her wings to rise into the air.

"The cat clan leader is, like, seriously evil.  He wants to 'harness the power' of that dumb kitten you found.  Apparently, it's of an ancient race or something.  and our leader agreed!  Who knows what they'll do.  We have to warn the clan, or get that kitten away from here, or something!"

"Why would our leader agree? I though they were, like, completely arch-enemies and stuff!" Falcon said.

"I don't know," Crow called back, "maybe the power was too tempting, or maybe he just wasn't the man we thought he was.  anyway, We'd better hurry." 

Falcon flew as fast as she could back to the camp. As she landed, she turned back into a human. "Everyone listen!" She yelled, picking up the cat infant in her arms.

Crow landed beside her.  everyone took a step back.  "Uh..." Crow was not very good at public speaking