The Weakest

This is the first story in the series called Strength. Four cats meet at a Gathering. They become friends, only to discover that all of them have no idea who they really are. The search for their identity begins.

A bird crowed, disturbing Ivypaw from her hunting. She stood up and stepped forward and felt a stick crunch between her claws.

The mouse she had her eye on dove for cover.

Sighing, she looked back at Whiskerfur. He was burying a shrew, his tail flicking contentedly. She wondered what he was thinking.

I'll never become a warrior if I can't catch one mouse! she wailed in her head.

She didn't notice Whiskerfur approach her. When he spoke, he scared Ivypaw enough to jump backwards.

"Any luck?" he asked again, purring.

Ivypaw got over herself and flattened her fur. "No," she grumbled.

Whiskerfur sighed. "Really, Ivypaw, you've got to focus more."

Ivypaw glanced away, and she felt herself get hot with embarrassment.

"There's distractions out here," Whiskerfur continued. "You can't let them get to you."

"I'm almost a warrior," Ivypaw spat.

"I can stop that from happening," Whiskerfur retorted.

Ivypaw sat heavily on the forest floor, listening to the leaves rustle in the wind and her tail flicking across the dusty ground.

"Let's go," Whiskerfur demanded. "We've scared away all the prey. We can come again tomorrow."

The Bigforest was the only good place to hunt on ForestClan's territory. The Smallforest was where they made their camp.

The trees were thin and close together here, and for a moment Ivypaw lost herself in just weaving through the trees. She didn't care about anything, or anyone, else.

"Ivypaw!" Whiskerfur spat. "Hurry up, Volestar is retiring Smallstep to the elder's den."

Ivypaw sighed and sped up reluctantly, going as slow as she dared.

As they approached the entrance, Whiskerfur stepped back. "You first," he mewed.

This required careful timing. Ivypaw saw the right moment, and, with no hesitation, raced through the small tunnel and leaped over the river, landing on a log that went by. She leaped again, landing on the stepping stones.

Whiskerfur was right behind her. There were many logs, and he chose a smaller one to get across with.

They climbed across the stepping stones together, finally reaching the ForestClan camp.