Frost
As the snow flittered gently on the wind the black and white tom trudged through the snow, hardly able to see his own paws. Around him the winter storm raged, freezing his paws and matting his pelt. Ahead of him, he could barely see the camp, the small shapes of other cats rushing in to their dens to get out of the cold, their kits mewling in protest. The silhouettes of the mountain the only clear thing completely distinguishable in the blizzard.
 As he got nearer, a fluffy tom ran out to greet him, his fur fluffed out against the cold. “You made it back, and I see you are bringing prey. Good work, Snow. ” The tom mewed loudly, almost having to yowl to be heard over the bitter winds. Giving a quick nod the other tom, Snow dropped his prey at the other cat’s paws. “Take that back to camp, see to it that the elders and kits are fed first.” Snow yowled to the fluffier tom.
 Not waiting another second, he headed into camp, brushing past the rocks partially obscuring the overhang where they made their home. On the inside it seemed deserted, with most of the cats sheltering inside their dens, only a few daring cats stood guard for hawks and other dangerous predators.
He noted, that the fluffier tom, Sleet, was handing off the meager prey that Snow had given to him. Just like he had said, Sleet was feeding the kits first, and the elders last. As always the elders were saying that they didn’t need to be fed, it was obvious that they were hungry but they were stoic in their refusal of food, in order to feed the young.
Letting out a grunt of satisfaction, Snow padded towards the Leader’s Den, bringing bad news, prey was scarce, as it always was, in the Ice-time, or winter as it is better known, all they prey had moved south, down the mountain, or were hibernating. Moving past the rocks surrounding the den, Snow stopped to let his eyes adjust to the darkness, what he saw surprised him. At the far end of the den, the leader was laying down, wheezing. His nose was pale, and he let out a raspy cough.
For a second, fear, overtook the black and white tom, causing him to flinch. No doubt about it, their leader was sick, after the cave in at the old camp, the senior tom was on his last life and it seemed like that life was nearing its end. After collecting himself, he mustered the courage to speak, “Ice, I have a report, on behalf of the Hunters, of this tribe. If I may.” He paused, waiting for his leader’s consent for him to speak,
“Go… On.” Ice spoke, turning his head painfully to look at the younger tom, looking him over, for a few seconds, before resting his head on his paws again.
For a second Snow was flustered, he didn’t want to tell his leader the bad news, in the state that the senior tom was in, he looked over his shoulder, and saw that a striking she-cat, with tabby fur was waiting behind him.
“Out with it!” The leader mewed sharply, startling Snow out of his thoughts.
“Y-yes, prey is scarce, and we are all hungry, in these trying times, there is hardly enough prey to keep the hunters fed well enough to do their jobs…” Snow, mewed solemnly, looking for disappointment on Ice’s muzzle, but it remained blank.
“Well enough.” The elderly tom hissed, beckoning the younger tom closer to him. Snow did his best not to flinch as the white-whiskered tom brought him almost nose to nose with him. “I do not have much time left, as you know, I am on my last life. It is nearing the time where I must make peace with our ancestors, you are the best Hunter in the tribe, and when the time comes you must be ready to lead them. Use your level head, and do not order them around, be their guide and they will follow you to the ends of the mountains…”
Snow shook his head, “You don’t mean that, surely it is the fever-”
“Hold your tongue! This is no mistake, our ancestors have spoken to me long and hard about what to do when the time comes.” Ice growled, seemingly strong and powerful again.
“How will I know what’s right for the tribe?” The black and white tom mewed quietly, in shock.
“Our ancestors will help guide you, but more importantly, follow your heart. Do not let anything undermine your sense of right.” Ice wheezed painfully, “Now go, you must prepare to journey to the Pond of sight. Everything will become clear.”
Without another word, Snow turned around and padded, out of the den, his heart pounding in his ears, taking quick breaths, he raced down to the Healer’s den. Reaching it, he slowed down and padded inside, nodding respectfully to the Healer, a young she-cat who had recently become healer after the old one had died of green-cough. She turned to him, “Yes?”
“I need traveling herbs, Ice told me to go to the Pond of sight. I-“ Snow started to explain before she cut him off.
“You? Well, we must trust in the leader to know what is truth, if he says it is you who should follow him, then we must trust him.” She mewed to herself, seeming to doubt that he was really destined to be a leader. “Very well.” The orange she-cat mewed, pushing over some strong smelling leaves, and roots.
“Thank you.” Snow mewed simply, lapping up the leaves, grimacing at their acrid taste, and then chewing up the roots, which made his stomach feel numb.
Catching the look on his face, she turned to him, “For hunger, it’s a long journey up the mountain, the leaves will help you stay warm.”
Snow let out a nod, and headed out of the den. Letting out a deep breath, he exited the overhang, he stared to the top of the mountain in wonder. His journey was only beginning.