Chapter Text
It was the simple crack that broke the birds back in the dead of night. Alone in the woods, a cat stood over its prey. The bird thrashed slightly, causing its wings to flap violently as it struggled to pull through it's life threatening injury. After a moment of waiting, the creature went limp and the cat grinned. It took only a brief minute for the cat to lean down and pick up its catch. Stars shone overhead through the cracks in the dense forestry, slightly illuminating a walking path for the killer to walk home.
A single turquoise eye gleamed through the darkness and the cat stepped out onto a thin dirt trail. The path lead forwards to a moonlit clearing in the woods where a large rock had made its home, accompanied by dozens and dozens of cats. Continuing the walk, the cat paused at the presumed entrance to look at two cats who sat in juxtapose, then walked right past them without a single word. Cats paused to cower when the other walked by with its head held high, the crow dangling from its scarlet soaked maw. Taking numerous leaps, the cat jumped its way up the small rock fall and onto the ledge at the top of the pile. It perched itself on the edge to glare downwards at the others who stood meek beneath them, but a small squeak sounded from behind. A tiny little creature, about the size of a rabbit, walked out from the cave behind the larger cat. Bounding forwards, it stopped to sit next to the other. It’s lithe form was almost unrealistic, almost as if the poor thing was malnourished. With a gentle nudge, the crow was pushed in front of it.
“Please eat.” The large cat spoke, her heavy voice weary. “I’m very worried about your health.”
The small creature looked up to meet the other's eyes- well eye. One of the cats eyes was missing and it was replaced with a scarred over X. Half of her face was torn off, leaving her to look quite horrifying especially to the small kitten next to her.
“But i’m not hungry.” The tiny cat said in a whiny voice. The bigger cat bit her lip and her eyes softened.
“You’ve been saying that for a while now, baby please.” The kitten wasn't afraid of her mother, she found it quite saddening that everyone was scared of her, but she was too young to understand why. She took another glance up to her and frowned, her white muzzle and underbelly were stained scarlet. The kitten understood the basic concept of blood, her mother told her it was what showed whenever someone lost. Lost a game? The red liquid confused her. That blood was the base of everything that their group was founded on. It meant more than just a victim or loser, it showed who was in control. In this group, you show your scars and injuries to show your worth and ranking among the others. With this logic, the large cat was covered in red gashes and scars, which proved her worth as leader. However, she preferred the term queen more and often referred to herself as one.
“Did you lose?” The kitten asked, reaching down to nuzzle feathers aside so she could bite into the bird.
“No, I won in every way that I could.” She drew out her tongue to lick her maw, swiping away some of the scarlet that was beginning to dry.
“What does that mean?” She pried more. With a sigh, the mother turned to look at her fellow cats.
“Your father won’t be disturbing us anymore.”
“I don’t get it.” Her voice was muffled when the kitten bit into the crow and tore back.
“I don’t expect you to, but mama did something that she should have done a long time ago. I’m going to clean up.” The queen sighed and nuzzled her kits head with her nose, slightly getting some of the blood on her head. She frowned at the sight of the crude liquid on her child, so she instantly licked it off.
“Can I come?” The kit piped up and smiled.
“Shade.” A voice hissed from below the rock, which caused the large cat to lean over to see who had called her.
“What.” She snarled back in response, her large white tail quickly fluffed up.
“I’m not watching this kit any longer for you, he's your responsibility.” The lower cat spoke. A small brown kitten walked out from behind him, his ears laid flat against his head. One thing that was strange about this kit was that one of his front arms appeared to be robotic, dark gray metal adorned with three red gems at the paws.
“Goddammit. You know i'm busy enough.” Shade snapped back at him, her voice almost sounding shaky. “I have plenty on my shoulders as it is, do this one thing for me.”
“You’re too young to even consider being leader, why did you jump to the throne so quickly?” He spoke, his old age becoming clearer and clearer with each word he said.
“Don’t question my methods. Watch the kit for me. I want SwiftSong to have some kind of friend.” The queen murmured and stood up. “Give her the childhood that none of us had.” she finished with tears in her eyes. Shade was such a young queen, taking up this responsibility and raising a kitten was very hard to do all at once while maintaining a very important role in her group's life. The elder cat sighed at her clear distress and turned to look at the small brown kitten.
“C’mon, Talon.” He said with irritation laced in his voice. Talon nodded up at him, his skinny legs were nearly bone thin which caused him to slightly shake. Shade watched the two toms vanish back into one of the clay molded dens that emerged from the dirt. She swallowed harshly and pursed her mouth then turned to glance down at SwiftSong who had finished a good portion of the crow.
“I’ll wait til tomorrow. C’mon, let's get you to bed.” She turned around and slightly batted her kit with her heavy paw. SwiftSong let out a little pout then started to trot back into the den, her mother following behind her carefully. She pushed past the ferns that were draped over the dens entrance and headed inside. The cave was fully made out of stone, which was cold to the touch at the cat's delicate paw pads. Near the back of the den was a moss nest, which was gradually flattening down due to overuse. Taking the lead, Shade went in front of her child and settled down in the nest. Moving her front arms apart gently, she allowed SwiftSong to rest her small body in between her large dirty paws. The tiny yellow kitten yawned and stretched in the moss nest, then smiled and closed her sky blue eyes. Shade smiled down at her but that smile quickly turned into a frown. It made her disappointed that she heavily resembled her father. But none the less, Shade loved her young daughter. This child was all she had. Shade considered no one else family, because no one else could ever reach that level of trust with her. Covered in blood and holding a kitten, Shade swore to herself that nothing bad would ever happen to her daughter. She deserved so much love and joy, which Shade knew she couldn't supply. Biting back the tears, the young queen laid her head down to where her fluffy white cheek brushed against the small form. Shade held the tiny cat close to her and tried to push away all the dark thoughts that clouded her own mind. She vowed that nothing and no one would ever come between her and her daughter.
That was until Talon grew up.