Backstory

[River]

We can't stay here.

There's too many of them!

We were driven out by them, and now you're proposing to live with them?

A hoard of cats mulled around an iron fence, crouching amongst the ivy with horrified looks in their eyes. Their pelts were muddy, unkempt. Their ribs showed in the light of an orange streetlamp. Many were coughing with an unknown illness, and all were tired of walking.

Three cats, looking more tired and more dignified than the rest, were perched atop the fence. Their cool, calculating eyes had glimmers of both frustration and sympathy in their depths. It was time to stop walking, regardless of where they were.

Yes, we will stay here.

Protesting outcries met their decree. The cats were shocked at the mere notion. They were thrown out of their territories by these twolegs, these humans, and forced to walk miles in order to find a suitable replacement home. They still had not found one, and their numbers were dwindling.

But that was not a reason to stay here, amidst the acrid fumes of their enemies.

We will not let them force any more of us to die. We will exact revenge in the most bitter of ways: Surviving despite, even amongst, them.

The jumble of cats quieted, knowing there was no further persuading they could do. Their paws ached, their stomachs growled, and despite themselves they felt somewhat glad they could look forward to days without travel again. Even if it was among humans, they would be able to rest and hunt like before. Somewhat.

The group split into three, eventually dividing a small area between them. Old clan alliances had been broken and meshed in the journey, and new clans arose in the settling. BirdClan refused to partake in such twoleg madness, and took the most forested area and the most traditional warriors. FishClan was more interested in their stomachs, and took the easiest food supply, and the strongest warriors. RatClan was most interested in a good sleep, and found the warmest area, and took the weak and infirm with them.

And such was the forming of the new clans, far from home, driven out by monsters they now decided to live amongst. And though they were now underfoot, they would not give in. They would not be beat so easily.

They would remain independent, alive. They were sovereign in their home, regardless of where home was.

But, all that was hundreds and hundreds of moons ago. Today is today.