The nest she would always return to when a day was over was the highlight of her day. In her nest, she was safe in a den surrounded by her family. She would often listen to their soft conversations and attempt to hide her giggles when something funny was said. When she wasn't able to fall asleep, her older siblings would tell her stories that made her drowsy and when she opened her eyes again, it would be morning. While she rested, she could listen to her siblings' soft breathing to lure her to sleep. She loved the den dearly, knowing that she had a place to call home. 

     Her eyes flickered open, chasing away the chains of sleep. She found herself in her own nest, the feathers making her sink into the nest further. She'd usually get up and exit the den to find her siblings and start the day. Instead, she sighed, turning her head around, knowing that the only moments she was allowed to do was shifting around. Standing up and making noise risked her cover. She was grateful for the small entrance in her view; at least she could watch other cats.

     I want to move, I want to run, I want to do something. Watching other cats run around the place made her envious. There were times when her two siblings came in to check on her, whispering words to cheer her up. Even if she wanted to laugh, she was forced to stay quiet and still. She worried that when she was finally able to move, her body would be numb and she'd have to lean on other cats for a moon.

     She was disappointed that she was never able to hear the entire plan. Each time one of her older siblings entered the den to check on her and give her food, they would always skip topics concerning what was to happen. Being stuck in the Storm Sibling's Den was already asking her to die, but being told that she wasn't allowed to hear the plan made her want to blow her cover and run. 

     However, her thoughts would trail to her friend, Butterfly. Was she mourning her death? How was she without Jay around? She knew that the two were close, perhaps forging a closer relationship than she had suspected. After Cardinal was struck down, she had sworn to avenge her friend, but she stopped when she saw Jay and realized he was the one who hurt the cream she-cat. After that, she had slunk to the ground but quickly got back to her feet once another tribe cat had tried to kill him. That's where she was hit on the shoulder, leaving her unable to defend her friend as he was slain. 

     Butterfly... She knows that Jay's dead and thinks I'm also gone... I hope Father doesn't hurt her... She struggled to get up, but her legs were still asleep, forcing her to stay put. She hissed, forcing herself to sit up, her body aching at the sudden movement. Whether some cat saw her outside or not was no longer a concern. Her eyes shifted at each empty nest in the den, an image of each cat sleeping in them to comfort her.

     "Guys," her voice came out in a raspy tone. She needed water; maybe she'd ask the next time a cat entered. Being a quiet as she could, the she-cat bent down to one of the nests and breathed in the scent.

     Instantly, she was at the base of a giant tree, staring up at the branches as a she-cat climbed her way to the top. The black tail whiskered around the trunk and paws flung in the air, grabbing onto the next branch and heaved herself up. The calico clutched onto the branch and glanced down, locking eyes with her from above. In her blue eyes, she could see excitement and thrill. The cat in the tree turned and aimed for another branch, bunching up her muscles to jump. 

     Pulling back, the she-cat couldn't erase the image of her dead sister and her body buried under the ground, protected by the trees and shadows. If the sun shined on her resting place, then she knew for a fact that she would be tossed aside. She went to another nest and sniffed, another image painting itself in her mind.

     A golden tom was examining something on the dirt ground he had done with his own claws. She broke her way through the grass and shoved herself in his face, begging him to play with her. When he refused and told her to go away, he had pushed her away and she tried to grab his attention again. As he pushed her away, she bit his paw, causing him to yowl and stumble back. She remembered the next few minutes between the two was spent yelling at one another until their older sister came and broke up the fight.

     Another nest gave her another memory, one that sent her falling back to when she first opened her eyes and saw her own mother. The golden pelt gave her a sense of warmth, only to know that a single touch would cause her to blood to turn to ice. 

     No matter how hard she tried, climbing over her pelt and wrestling, she was pushed aside from her mother unless she needed the milk. One time she had acted like she was taking milk but fell asleep at her side. When her mother noticed, she was shoved out of the nursery and into camp. Instead of rage, she remembered the disappointment at the time and walked away with her head in the ground until she bumped into an orange tabby. He introduced himself and played with her, and to her delight, she had learned that day he was her sibling that came from a different mother.

     She walked over to her own nest and touched her nose to the nest beside hers, smiling at the memory of being attacked by another cat in the tribe. The words she was called and the snappish comments she'd get for being Python's daughter. She knew that it wouldn't end and she'd learned to accept it.

     At a younger age, back when she was bullied,  she was told her mother hated her existence and only used her to get closer to her father - not that she knew that already. Regardless, she stood her ground and claimed there was love for her inside her mother. The cat had tried to attack her when a silver pelt darted across and smashed into the mean cat, pinning him down without trouble and snarling. Then the silver she-cat comforted her and promised to her that she'd protect her like any real mother.

     Finally, she went to the last nest and inhaled the scent, the scent of wildflowers and honey made her weak in the knees.

     The day when she was cornered against three toms, just waiting for her to fall. Right when she was about to get captured, a golden she-cat had come through. The look in her eyes told her she didn't recognize her but she didn't blame her. After the cats were driven away, she had coldly pushed away her offer and stormed off. She didn't even stay to hear her name, but moons later, when the same she-cat woke up in the very den she was in now, the eyes had changed, fully realizing who she was.

     Those were her family. They were her life. There wasn't any other cat she'd trade her life for over them. As long as she had them by her side, there wasn't anything she couldn't accomplish.

     A rising tsunami to destroy the land below after bottling herself up for so long. A flash of lightning in a dark stormy night, striking down the tallest threats. A burning firestorm spreading throughout the land, trapping those who didn't escape in time. A white blizzard coating the land in its icy touch, burying all life under its cold flakes. A roaring hurricane that shook the trees and knocked over mountains. Finally, a bright wildfire that raced across the land, setting everything it could on fire and darting away before it could be stopped. 

     The Storm Siblings. That was her family.

     But one night had shattered the only string of love she had. It didn't take much to know that her siblings had to talk with their father and even though the words were spoken to the two of them, she had heard the words as clear as day. Her heart had broken over a rock, bearing hate toward her father but still loved him despite the things he did to them.

     If there was a way to erase it from her mind, she'd do it. However, the words rang in her ears over and over, haunting her in her sleep and trapping her in a dark abyss with the same sentence ringing as loud as a cyclone.

     "There is no such thing as the Storm Siblings anymore."

~~~oOo~~~

     "Listen up, I know we're all grieving over our Alpha's death," Eagle announced, standing on the Alpha's ledge. "Since most of the betas have bravely lost their lives defending our honor, I am the current highest ranking beta. I am the new Alpha of the Tribe of Shining Suns."

     No cat made a sound, knowing that it was forbidden to speak out during a meeting. The tom sat near his mother and siblings - what was left of them. The burial of each cat had taken an entire day, performing a proper one with the utmost respect. 

     Seeing Cardinal's body buried next to a tree had destroyed him, knowing that she still had a life ahead of her. Instead, she was to live among the Tribe of Endless Stars, watching over them with Icicle, the bravest female beta he had ever known. 

     Cardinal, I hope you're watching over us now, he prayed, eyes drifting to his paws. He could still recall times when they were all together. Just one single memory came to his mind, but it was something he valued more than anything and even though he despised one cat in it, he carried it around like a treasure. 

     Dandelion was helping a younger Cardinal watch as Blaze and Maple had to depart - Blaze going as Beetle at the time. He stood at his mother's side, eyes wide as he watched his older siblings leave. Serval wasn't paying attention and was falling asleep on Hurricane's shoulder. Just seeing Hurricane in the memory fueled his rage toward her, knowing that it was her fault that Cardinal was dead, wishing she never came back.

     "I want to make some changes to our tribe's system. We definitely know that there is another tribe out there full of Imperfects. My main goal as the new Alpha is to eliminate them all for Origanum. In order to do so, we all need to be perfect. We need new recruits, meaning, I want all she-cats to find a mate and have kits so we can increase in numbers. I also say we should shorten the number of moons it takes for the kits over at the Training Den. Instead of twelve moons, we'll change it to six moons."

     If cats could argue, then he guessed that there would be a riot. Judging by the look on Serval's face, she wasn't ready to give birth or find a mate. Maple gritted her teeth in disgust while Dandelion glared at Eagle. He understood where the Alpha was coming from, but he didn't want to see anyone from his family forced to bear kits. The two remaining Betas, Ember and Blaze, exchanged glances, clearly worried. The she-cats had their ears flattened to their skulls, not approving of the new idea. Eagle shook his head, raising a paw as if to silence the quiet rebellion. 

     "I know not very many of you are happy, but we're going to have to play an Imperfect card for this to happen." That drew his ears to his words. Cats stopped fussing and glanced up, waiting for his decision. "Long ago, there was a way of training kits. Assigning mentors to each kit and training them that way. I know that that's not the right way to train them; they'll continue making mistakes and run away without punishment. However, the kits over at the Training Den will continue our old way for now."

     I can't allow this! You may have a good reason, but you're acting like an Imperfect! Don't stoop down to their disgusting level! We are meant to be perfect! Change our ways! He did his best containing his anger, unleashing his claws and biting his lip. 

     "If all the she-cats have kits, then we'll split up each training into two ways. The first batch of kits will train for six months over at the Training Den while the second batch will be trained here by all of us in the ways of perfection."

     "There's no way I'm giving birth to kits when I don't have to," Serval hissed under her breath, voice soft enough for only those around her to hear. 

     "I'll allow some freedom of picking your own mate, but if you don't do it within the next two moons, I'll be forced to pair you up. If you don't follow through with this plan, then I'll kill you. Alpha's rule is law."

     Eagle stepped down and headed toward his new den, slipping in before cats could argue with him. Several cats looked at one another and then at the nursery, fearing that would be where they were off to next. She-cats seemed to group together and eye the toms in the tribe, who looked just as equally mortified as they were. Dandelion let out a low growl, rising to her paws.

     Serval spun around, letting loose. "I've had it! I'm not going to give birth to any kits now or in two months!"

     "But you'll be killed," Maple argued, hissing through her teeth. "I don't like it either, but we can't ignore the Alpha's rule!"

     "I'll become Alpha and take over! I can!"

     "Not in two months," he stepped up. "You've stuck to the hunter job for so long. You have to have each job at least twice before doing the Beta's Tryout. Not only that, you have to be the top beta in order to do the Alpha's Trial. There's no way for you to do anything unless you try to kill him."

     "But you'd be a Fallen Hero. Don't follow in the footsteps of another she-cat who failed to kill the Alpha," Blaze warned. "There's a chance Ember could take down Eagle to stop this, but he's getting older."

     "Then you do it!" Serval pushed, locking eyes with her older brother. "You're a beta! All you have to do is fight Ember during an Assembly and win! Then do the Alpha's Trial! Knowing your strength, you can beat him! Eagle's just a little bit older than you!"

     "It's not going to be easy," Dandelion hissed, pushing her daughter to the side. "The Alpha's Trial is different than the Beta's Tryout or any challenge. The worst thing about the Alpha's Trial is if you fail, you're kicked out or killed. There's no going back."

     "And Eagle just happened to get by because of Origanum's death," Serval growled. "I say kill him! I'll do it! I'm willing to make that sacrifice!"

     "All because you don't want to have kits? Serval, having kits might save your life," Maple persuaded. 

     The muddy she-cat whirled around and glared at the calico.  "Easy for you to say! You're good with kits! I'm not! I don't want to live my life dealing with kits! I'm not made for that!" snarled Serval, unleashing her claws. "I'll hone my skills. I'll train all night, I'll switch my job to warrior so I get more practice. I've got two moons to prepare. I'll be ready by then. I'll kill Eagle. I'll do it!"

     "Just listen to what you're saying!" Blaze hissed. "Serval, even if Eagle didn't do the Alpha's Trial doesn't mean he's strong! He was close in the last challenge throwing Shadow to the ground. He was close, but he backed away and kept his position. I've gone against him before and I can't keep up with him. I'm stronger than you, and if I can't beat him, you can't."

     "That doesn't mean I can't try! I'd rather die defending my honor of a Tribe of Shining Suns cat than in this Imperfect-like system! I'm not an Imperfect! I won't turn out to be like Hurricane!" the hunter roared, pitching a fit like an immature kit. 

     "Don't even say that name," he snarled, voice rising in his throat. "Just speaking of her will make us all screw up. I don't like this new system either, but I want to kill all the Imperfects."

     "So you want to watch your own sister give birth to kits?!" Serval hissed, advancing. "You make me sick, you know? What if Cardinal were still here? Would you want to see her give birth to kits with some cat that wasn't Icicle? How do you think she'd feel in this situation?!"

     "Settle down," Dandelion snarled. "Whether you like it or not, we have to live by this tribe's system."

     "This stupid Imperfect's system," Serval snarled. 

     "What if we sneak our kits to the Training Den?" Maple whispered. "Face it, I'll end up having kits soon." Serval and Blaze's face turned to disgust at the thought of her becoming a mother. "The two groups have to be the she-cats expecting kits soon and then she-cats like Serval who wait it out. Serval, I hate to force this on you, but if you want any chance of your kits to grow up in a perfect society, you and I have to expect kits soon."

     "Maple...!" Serval protested. "But they'll only get six moons worth of training! Do you even think that's enough?!"

     "We'll have to trust that our kits can do it," she argued. 

     "Mother... I... I can't be an actual mother... I don't want to be a mother! I never wanted to be a mother!" 

     "Then we have to do something," he said. "Right now, I think Blaze trying to overthrow Eagle is the best thing we have. While he does that, you two will have to have kits... I don't see a way out of this."

     "I didn't join this tribe just to be forced to have kits," Serval growled. "If things turn out that bad, I'll find a way to fix this with my own paws. I will not have kits. I don't care. Maple, you do what you want. I'm not going to have kits."

     "We can't just sit around and do nothing," Blaze growled, biting his tongue. "I'll do my best and try to get to the top and then do the Alpha's Trial. Maple, you can just wait it out---"

     "No, I've always wanted to have kits of my own. However, I want my kits to be free and live in this tribe the correct way. I'm trusting you to overthrow Eagle before they're taken away," Maple declared, eyes flashing. His older siblings shared a nod, sealing their promise.

     "Arrow, do your best to think of anything that can help us and don't you dare become a father. Whatever you do, don't become one," Blaze snapped, making him jump and his skin itch at the thought of impregnating a she-cat.

     "Why would I ever want that? I can't even take care of myself," he replied. "I'm much happier by myself." Arrow scoffed, knowing that most she-cats didn't really spend time with him. 

     "Serval, hone your skills but don't do anything too rash. I don't want to lose two of my sisters. Mother, can you---"

     "Don't worry about me," Dandelion muttered, shaking her head. "I'll be fine. I'm grateful to have you all." 

     "To be honest," Serval muttered, sitting on the ground with a pout. "I didn't expect my future to be like this. I thought everything was going to be perfect since this is the Tribe of Shining Suns. Why is it like this now?"

     No cat said a word. Around him, cats were beginning to return to their dens or clean up the scars in the camp from the battle. Others grouped together and seemed to discuss their own matters. He looked at his family now, down two members by the paws of imperfection and death. Now his home was turning into something else. Even if Eagle wasn't turning every cat into an Imperfect, he felt disgusted that their new Alpha thought the ways of an Imperfect would reach perfection.

     There are two things that separate us, perfection and imperfection, and I'm going to be perfect. I'll do whatever it takes to make Maple's kits perfect, destroy all the Imperfects, and make this tribe perfect so we don't have to use Imperfect ways, he promised, facing the blinding sun.

     Finally, Dandelion let out a grin, touching her daughter's shoulder with her tail tip. The old she-cat gave her a smile, squeezing her tail around Serval's paws.

     "What do you expect? This is the Tribe of Shining Suns."