At first sight of the young kit, you would gasp out loud. The young tom bears a striking resemblance to one of the worst villians the clans have ever seen. Not just a small resemblance, but it is identical to a former Dark Forest tom, a sturdy dark brown tabby with long front claws, broad shoulders, and pale amber eyes. But is it really fair to judge a kit just by its appearance?
Some would say that this cat might share the treacherous Dark Forest cat's personality, as well, but there really is no proof of that.
The poor kit may have to go through much suffering to prove itself as worthy.
This is Tigerkit.
I could turn away, wailing, as my father's unsheathed claws strike my ear, drawing a small V-shaped tear into it. But a voice inside me tells me not to back down. I crouch, staring at the dark gray cat, who returns my glare evenly. Just as he lifts his paw ready to strike again, a tortoiseshell she-cat, my mother, pushes her way between us. "Stop."
I blink gratefully at my mother, who unsheathes her own claws and flicks her tail, a clear gesture for my father, Blacktail. Once his pawsteps disappear from my hearing, my mother, Rosedapple, sheathes her claws and turns to face me. "Don't mind your father, little one." With her tail, she draws me into the warmth of her belly, and I snuggle deep into her fur.
I'm rather glad I don't have a littermate. If I did, he or she might taunt me or hate me, like my father does.
I feel a slight sting as she rasps her tongue over my ear, washing away the blood freed by my father's claws.
"Rosedapple?" I lift my head, and Rosedapple's eyes flashes curiosity. "Why does Blacktail hate me so much? And when can I leave the nursery?" A look of alarm flashes across my mother's face, and her tail lifts ever so slightly.
"Blacktail's just worried, little one, and since lots of cats believe Blacktail, I want you to stay in the nursery for a while."
"But what will they say?" I ask, my eyes pleading. "I'm three moons old! I can handle it!"
Rosedapple sighs. "I know you can, Tigerkit." She pauses, and lets out a long sigh. "Tigerkit, you can leave the nursery tomorrow. I promise. And whatever the cats say to you, don't believe it. You are a sweet young kit, don't worry."
"What does Blacktail say about me?" I venture, but Rosedapple doesn't reply. Craning my neck, I realize that her chest is rising and falling steadily, and her amber eyes are closed, her fur flat. Her eyes don't even twitch, so I assume that she's asleep.
Worried? I think to myself, curling up at my mother's belly. Why would Blacktail be worried? And why does he hate me?
With that thought in mind, I close my eyes, and sleep crashes over me.
"Wake up." A low growl sounds in my ears, and I curl up tighter, trying to fall back into sleep. Heartbeats later, pain explodes near the bridge of my nose, and I flinch, jerking awake. "I said, wake up." My pale amber eyes blink twice to adjust to the morning light that filters into the nursery, and I see Blacktail standing above me, his green eyes smoldering.
"Leave him alone! He's just a kit!" Rosedapple jumps to her paws, shoving him toward the entrance. Blinking, as though surprised, my father stumbles out of the nursery. "Your father's not the cat I once loved," she growled. "Is your nose all right?"
I turn away, not wanting to show the wound, but my mother curls around me in such a way that my head is automatically facing hers. Her tongue washes the area where the deep scratch is, and I force myself not to flinch.
"That'll still leave a scar," Rosedapple growled.
"Rosedapple?" I ask, remembering the talk we had the previous night. "Can I leave the nursery?"
Rosedapple flinches, then leans down to me. "Tigerkit, before you leave, I want to talk to you." I straighten up, alarmed at her seriousness. "I'm going to tell you why your father doesn't like you." I lean closer, my ears pricked. "Tigerkit, the reason you're named Tigerkit is because you share the exact same resemblance as Tigerstar."
"Tigerstar?" I echo, confused. "Who's that?"
"Tigerstar was one of the worst villians the clans have ever seen," Rosedapple mews quietly. "He betrayed his clan and killed so many cats. I don't know why you have his appearance, but it may just be because one of our ancestors might have been him."
I turn to stare at my paws.
"Tigerkit?"
I don't reply.
"Tigerkit, no matter what other cats say, you don't share the same personality as Tigerstar." I still refuse to look at my mother. "Tigerkit, please. Ignore what the other cats say about you, if it's related to this. Okay?"
I turn and stalk out of the nursery. Me, sharing an appearance with the worst villian in the clans? How could this be happening?
Still, I suppose it's better than pondering why I'm hated for the rest of my life.
A cat slightly larger than me darts away as I step into the sunlight for the first time. It's momentarily blinding, but I adjust to the sudden brightness easily. I swallow angrily as I see the cat, a dark red she-cat, disappear.
"And who might you be?" A low growl sounds ahead of me, and I find a large white tom standing above me. He's larger than Blacktail, really. Just by his unsheathed claws and bristling fur, I can tell this won't be one of the cats who are friendly to me. "You seem like Tigerstar."
That does it.
I unsheathe my claws and stand tall, glaring furiously. "I may look like Tigerstar, but I'm not him!"
The white tom looks taken aback, but the scornful look on his face doesn't change. "Tigerstar hid his betrayal for a long time, and he even became deputy," he growled. "You might do the same, if you live up to your looks."
"Yeah, right." I lash my tail. Dryly, I add, "Pleased to meet you, anyway."
The white tom's blue eyes blaze, then soften. "My name's Whitefoot. Are you Tigerkit?"
"I am." I'm rather surprised by his change in tone.
He sighs. "It can't be easy sharing an appearance with Tigerstar," he mews. "Sorry if I came out rude at first."
"It's fine."
"Is this your first time out of camp?"
"Yeah," I reply.
"Do you want me to show you around?" Whitefoot asks, stepping to my side.
I shake my head. "Thanks, but I want to do it by myself."