ARRIVING IN HALCYONCLAN
word count - 527
birds chirped from canopies, welcoming the morning sun. an exhausted amuri woke to see a rabbit in front of her. elsker and amo sat beside her, already finished eating. "where did we end up now?" she snorted, tearing off a strip of meat. "no idea." elsker shrugged, flicking his ears as flies buzzed around.
voices sounded from beyond some shrubs, and the trio panicked to find a hiding spot. the bushes parted to reveal a towering cat. "julius, what is it?" a meow sounded from behind them. it seems that this cat was named julius. "i just thought i heard something, that's all." he murmured, flicking his tail to dismiss them. "will you be okay? i know it's hard with him gone, and you've taken on the role of chief an-" "marcus, i'm fine. take your catches back to camp. i'll be there soon." a tiny cat nodded, picking up a rabbit and waddling off. it was just amuri, elsker, amo, and this julius. "you can come out now." he meowed, his spotted pelt rippling with muscle. amuri slowly appeared, shaking as she approached the huge cat. julius studied her, watching as elsker and amo following, both defensively protecting amuri. "what are your names?" elsker opened his mouth to speak, but amuri silenced him with a glare. "i'm amuri, and these are my mates.. elsker and amo." she stammered, terrified. "i won't eat you. don't be scared," julius laughed lightly. "i'm julius." elsker butted in, curious. "who were the other cats with you?" "my clanmates." amo frowned, confused. "your clanmates? you mean, there are more cats here?" julius nodded. "this is halcyonclan territory." amuri shrank back, suddenly aware that they were trespassing. normally, she would've picked a fight, but this tom was at least twice her height. "...could we see this clan?" amo looked eager at the idea of other cats. "follow me." julius winked, leading them past the trees.
the four arrived in a bustling camp, a silver tree in the center. amuri noticed a molly and her kits, waiting outside what seemed to be a nursery. cats rushed to expand it, making way for the onslaught of kits. a towering pile of prey sat under the tree's roots, along with a steady stream. she watched as cats shared tongues and sat together, looking comfortable and safe. "we could start a proper family here." she breathed, her voice low. elsker nodded slowly, amazed at its beauty. "what does a clan do?" he meowed, looking up at julius. "i'm.. the chief. i watch over and maintain everything. the sentinels," he gestured to a group of fierce-looking felines, busy training. "protect the clan and go on border patrols to make sure the territory is safe. the hunters find food, the instructors solely teach the trainees, who choose what they wish to be. auxiliary cats aren't as able to do other tasks, but they help out around camp. caregivers take care of the queens, kits, and elders. our shamans take care of sick or injured cats, and heal them." amuri was hooked to this idea. "could we... join?" she asked, meeting julius' eyes. "of course. welcome to halcyonclan."