Lakeclan's Beginning

 Prologue 

All was quiet in the forest. Then grass rustled and cats slipped out of the shadows. They all gathered around a tree in the clearing. Every cat in the forest had gathered here. Every cat but one. One cat stayed in the shadows and watched, his green eyes gleaming. Then a blue cat came out from the crowd and jumped onto the tree. "Cats, you all know why we have gathered." he began. "We are thinking of making a clan. 1 clan is stronger than 1 cat. The elderly cats will be fed, the cats expecting kits will have more cats to care and watch for them, and we will be able to defeat more enemies than we could separated." Cats murmured in agreement. “But if we are to do this, we need to choose a leader. How many cats think I should be leader?” the blue tom said. Every cat in the clearing said I. “Does anyone think they should be leader?” the blue tom said. Just then the dark tabby with green eyes came out. “I would like to be leader.” He proclaimed. “Cats who want him to be leader, say I.” the blue tom said. The clearing was silent. “Then I shall be leader.” The blue tom proclaimed. Cats in the clearing cheered. “The meeting is now dismissed” he said, then jumped off the tree. The dark tabby walked away slowly, and his green eyes flared with anger. “I was afraid of this.” He murmured to himself. “They don’t trust me. But I shall build a bigger and better clan, then destroy theirs. I shall rule every cat that steps beside the lake, and I will not allow 1 cat into my territory without permission.” Then he dashed into the undergrowth, and was gone.

 Chapter 1

Lake woke up and then immediately remembered what had happened last night. He was going to be leader of the new clan! He got up and stretched his legs. The colors of dawn reflected in the lake. “What shall my clan be called?” he thought. He looked at the colors reflected in the lake. “Dawnclan? No, not right. How about Lakeclan? Yes, that was it! It made sense because they lived beside the lake! What should cats be called? Well, cats expecting kittens should be called kitten carriers. And cats that hunted and fought for the clan could be called hunters. Cats that we being trained to be hunters could be called small hunters. Elderly cats could be called elders and the cat that would take over after him could be called a small leader. And a cat who healed others could be called a healer!” He thought. Now he had everything sorted out. Except he needed a camp. He started to walk around. He started to approach the river area. Then Mist appeared out of no where. “Trying to find a camp?” she said. “How did you know?” he said suspiciously. “Good guess” she said and shrugged. “Want to have a chat?” “Sure” Lake said. “So, what are you doing out here?” “Just looking around, enjoying things, you?” Mist said. “I’m looking for a camp, and I think I just found one!” Lake said, and then dashed off. Mist bolted after him. Finally, Lake made it to the shore close to the island. “This island should be our camp!” he said. “How do we get to it?” Mist asked. “Like this.” Lake said, and then grabbed a huge stick, and placed it so one side was on the shore and one was on the island. “And it’s even better because when danger comes, we drag the log to our island, and the enemy has to swim. And that gives us more time to warn people and get out.” Lake said excitedly. “Good choice.” Mist said calmly. “Mist, can you tell everyone to meet me in the river area by the lake tomorrow at sunrise?” Lake pleaded. “Sure.” Said Mist, and was gone. “Good, now I know everything I needed too.” Pond thought. And then he went to his nest and took a long nap.

Lake yawned. It was almost sunrise! He got up quickly. He fell over because he stood up too fast. It took a minute to regain his balance, but when he did he dashed to the shore of the river area. “Good.” He thought. “I’m the first one here.” He looked around for a tall rock or tree to go in so everyone could see him. “Aha! There’s one!” he thought. He ran over and went on the tall rock. He looked down. “Yep, everyone will see me here!” he thought. He waited a while, and soon all the cats gathered. Then he yowled for silence, and of course, the clearing fell silent. “Cats, I have found a camp.” He began. Cats started to cheer. Lake raised his tail for silence. “I need to know you’re opinions on it first, so we are going to see it today. Follow me” he yowled, and then jumped off the rock to lead them to the island.

“We’re here” he announced. “Follow me to the island.” Lake jumped onto the log. It was a bit wobbly, but after a bit it steadied. He walked across carefully, watching the dark murky water below lapping at the log. When he made it to the other side he signaled for the others to follow.Lake watched all of them go over. Almost every cat was over, but Cloud hadn’t made a move to go over. “Come on Cloud!” Pond shouted Cloud looked at the water doubtfully. Finally she jumped onto the log. It started to wobble, and then she panicked. She tried to run to the other side but didn’t make it. She fell into the water. “Help!!” she screamed. Pond raced to the shore and jumped in. He could feel the water tugging him down, but refused to go down. He grabbed Cloud by the scruff, and then started to swim towards shore. He kept going. Then suddenly it was a bit too much for him. The weight of Cloud tugged him down, but he kept Cloud’s head above water. When he came up for a breath, he saw he was almost to shore. He summoned up all his strength, and then swam as fast as he could. When he got to shore Dust and Fire took Cloud for him, and he heaved himself on land. Cloud started coughing up water, and then Lake joined her. Finally he caught his breath and heaved himself up. “Are you sure this is the right choice?” Dust said. “A cat could drown trying to get to their camp!” Cloud is not meant to be a hunter” Lake whispered. She is meant to be a healer, and she will learn how to get over the bridge, don’t worry.” “Ok…” dust said, but obviously he still wasn’t sure. “So, in the middle of the island is a huge tree. That is where I will call clan meetings” Lake began. There is a hole in the tree, so I can also have my nest in there. There are caves around the island too. I found one for the hunters and one for the small hunters. We can build a wall made of twigs and brambles to make the nursery, and there is a nice looking log that the elders can nap in.” “Sounds like a good camp to me.” Fire said. “Why don’t we go check it out?” she said. Then she dashed to the middle of the island. Other cats were about to follow but looked at him. “Go ahead.” He said, and then the whole clan dashed to see the camp. “Wow!” dust said, thoroughly impressed. The clan stayed and explored the island the rest of the day.

“Good night!” Lake said to his clanmates, and then went to his new nest. They had built nests, explored the island, and made half of the nursery all in one day. “I’m pooped” he thought as he flopped into his nest. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be their first full day as a clan. “I hope we grow strong and make a wonderful clan he thought, and then dropped off to sleep.

 Chapter 2  

''Coming Soon... ''