Prologue

Rain poured down heavily, muffling the rustling footsteps behind her.

"Shush, you fools!" She snapped at the followers in a rough voice. "You're scarin' away the game!"

The group instantly quieted down until there were no noise left but the heavy breathing of the cats. It had been days since they last hunted for food, leaving the clan unfed and starved. There hasn't even been any prey in sight either. As Brenna glanced around cautiously, a sound came from a small bush out of the corner of her eye. Startled, she stood there, unable to move for a second, then took a step towards the sound. She brushed aside the leaves, to see a tiny little kit stuffing her face with berries.

"What's wrong, Brenna?" A tom named Leo called out. "Need help?"

"N-no..." She stammered as she scooped the kit into her arms.

"Brenna, get over here." Leo scolded. "You'll have to go to the healers again if you keep standing in the rain like that." Brenna walked over to the followers slowly, still holding the small wet thing in her arms. Looking at the small kit, he looked at Brenna with look that said cannibal.

"Don't tell me... you're going to eat that." He murmured with a flash of curiosity in his eyes, leaning in, trying to get a better look at the small kit curling up in Brenna's chest fur.

"Of course not!" She scowled, snapping her jaws. Leo yelped, a sheepish grin appearing on his face. His ginger fur drooping down his deep green eyes, soaking wet from the rain. Even though he can be an annoying cat sometimes, Brenna couldn't help but smile back. She passed the wet kit to the grinning cat. "There, I'll go hunt for somethin', give the kit to the she-cats." She said to Leo, who is clearly struggling to hold the kit. "I'll get wet again anyways so no need to worry, take care of the kit first, she might make a good addition to the clan."

She ran into the forest, the rain harder than ever. The storm has gotten even more violent as it shook the trees. She looked around, sighing hopelessly. With this weather, no animal will even dare to come out of their caves, she thought. She ran back towards the group and shaking her pelt.

"I didn't think that the weather could be so harsh," Brenna grimaced. "Guess we're starvin' tonight... again." Then, she sighed. So it is real, the prophecy, the warning from the seer. The deaths, the illnesses. Just like in the Dark Times. Brenna closed her eyes and memories of the War flashed back and she gasped. Oh, how many lives were lost during that dreadful war. Everything was bloody and cruel... Snap. The sound startled her, she glanced around, then decided to approach the noise. Maybe it's something to eat, she thought hopefully. She brushed aside some leaves and found a wild hare looking around wildly. Brenna crouched and stalked silently towards the unguarded creature, pulling back her bow. An arrow darted its way, penetrating the creature straight in its heart. It yelped as blood gushed out from its wound. It twitched, as if its soul was trying to grab on for dear life as death dragged it away. Then, it went limp. Brenna snatched the body and gripped it tightly in her paws as she trudged back to camp.

When she got back, the others were sitting there patiently for her return, while others curled up on the soft, damp dirt, drifting peacefully to sleep. Leo was still awake, as expected from a loyal warrior like him, sitting by the flickering flame, waiting for her return.

"We have food!" He shouted happily, his tail swishing back and forth in delight as he stood up. "Finally..." He purred into Brenna's ear, his chest rumbling with pleasure. The wild hare wasn't that big nor meaty but everybody was grateful to finally have something to fill their stomachs with. As the meat sizzled on the fire, the smell filled the air. The food wasn't much, but it was cooked and tender. Some swift cats dashed towards the cooking meat, grabbing the legs, the juiciest parts, for themselves, while others, including the new kit was still stumbling over and over by the stampede of hungry felines. Leo ran over, ripping the soft flesh from the hare's body. He trotted back beside Brenna, his mouth full of meat as he spoke. "Where's your share, Brenna? You're looking a bit scrawny." Leo asked, chewing some of the meat. "You caught that, you know? The rule says that the one who found, must find their own share first."

"Let the group eat, Leo. They need the energy, especially the young ones. Who knows how long I'm going to spend my days up here?" Brenna spoke wisely, her eyes fixated on the kit still, fighting for a piece of meat from a fellow warrior. She stood up as trudged towards the fight. Brenna dragged the kit away, her eyes furrowed as she said strictly. "You've already eaten those berries earlier... But don't tell anybody I brought you this," She handed some meat she stole from Leo. "Especially him." She looked warily in his direction as he glared at her from the shadows. She grinned teasingly as she walked towards him, bumping him playfully on his side.

"What's going on, Brenna?" He whispered softly in her ear. His eyes softened, his green eyes gazed at his mate. He then looked at the little kit and smiled. The kit beamed brightly, its ears perked up in delight.

"What's your name, little one?" He asked, crouching down close to the forest grounds.

"I dunno," The kit replied in a small, but energetic voice. She turned around to greet a sleek black she-cat.

"Your gal sure is sweet, so full of life. She must be blessed by Life itself!" She said to Leo and Brenna, her eyes gleamed with pleasure. "And you, my darling, what a terrific huntress you are."

Brenna smiled lightly, standing up with her hind legs, scooping the little kit up in her paws. The kit looked at her with curious eyes, its snow-white fur glowed in the dim evening moon. "Did you eat yet, Brenna?" She squeaked. Brenna laughed heartily at the innocent question.

"Yes, little she-kit," She lied, still smiling but her voice was tainted with sadness. "Do you want a name?"

"YES!" The kit squealed in delight.

"Well, if we play by the rules, you would have to be named at the ceremony. But I'll name you today because of your eagerness. Do I have your permission, Vanessa?" Brenna spoke, bumping the kit's nose lightly.

"You can Brenna, you can," Vanessa agreed. "And name her something lucky, sister."

I'll name you. I'll name you after bliss and joy. You will be the best treasure that I've ever found, Brenna wondered. You will never have to suffer while I'm still here...

"Your will be loved and happy," She announced. "You will become a brave and strong cat who pledged loyalty to the clan. You are Eve, my kit." Brenna crouched down and sighed, smiling at Eve.