Welcome, welcome, welcome! This is my new story that I've been working on for a few weeks, and I have the first five chapters done! I feel like this is kind of going to be a cliche story, which I have no problem with. I honestly love cliche stories as long as they have good writing, so I'm hoping my writing rebounds this lol.
I haven't found a good Firestar sibling story that I've enjoyed, so I'm giving my own idea go. I'm really hoping I'm going to finish this story, series really lmfao, but the possibility of me stopping is likely, but I'm so far enjoying writing and I haven't lost it yet. This is the longest I've kept writing for the same story.
Anyways, thank you for giving the story and try and enjoy!
It was ridiculously trippy.
After three weeks I still couldn't wrap my mind around it. To be fair, a lot of people would have similar issues doing so. I mean, dying and becoming a cat is insane right?
Right?!
God help me.
Either way, being a kitten wasn't so bad if I was honest. I got to be lazy, surrounded by purring -which was my favorite feline sound- and ate whenever I was hungry. It was pretty great. Suckling was extremely weird but I was determined to forget it ever happened. And now I stubbornly forced my eyes open early, and refused to consume any more milk.
In response to my stubbornness, the owners, a kindly elderly couple, purchased the powdered kitten milk and fed me whenever I meowed at them.
Me cat family was pretty chill. I mean, I had five siblings and my mother was very kind. She didn't even mind when I stopped nursing from her, and when I asked her why she purred and licked me on top of my head.
At the moment, I had just finished my meal of milk and was being pet by the elder lady. She was murmuring to me about how good cats my family and I were, which I knew because I still recognized the English language. My body may be different, but my mind and memories were not.
Once the old lady shooed me away, she didn't like staying still for long, oddly enough, I decided to go spend time with my family.
I stared at the drop between the floor and couch, and realized I was still far too small to attempt the leap. I let out a small mew, followed by a whiny squeak to get my mother to get me down. As I waited for her my tail lashed reflexively, reacting to my annoyance.
As my mother turned the corner I let out another mew, and sat down to wait as she bounded the last few feet towards me. She easily bounced onto the couch, the movement smooth and graceful, and I found myself jealous. I shook my head and whirled around to see her sit behind me contentedly.
"Nutmeg," I complained, my voice high pitched, "I want to go down."
Her whiskers twitched in obvious amusement and she moved to lay down next to me, her paws tucking under her white chest unhurriedly, "Let's stay up here for a while, Jake volunteered to watch the others for now. I could use the break."
As she spoke, she was lightly purring throughout the sentence and I settled at the sound. I tucked into her side and I felt more than heard the increased vibrations. I added my own purrs and relaxed.
My eyes were closed as I spoke, suddenly curious, "What's going to happen to us? I mean, our owners can't keep all seven of us right? They're old, even though they are nice."
Nutmeg's purring slowed, but did not stop completely and she thought of the way to answer the question.
To my satisfaction she did not lie, "When you guys are old enough, other housefolk will show up to adopt you all." She gave me a lick, as she often did, on the top of my head, "Usually the original owners keep at least on kit, but between you and me, I think I'll be their last cat."
I hummed, dozing as she started to completely groom me.
"Hopefully they'll find some whose homes are close by so I may visit you all, or you all visit me." She said between licks, never stopping in her joyful purrs.
My eyes cracked open to look at her, and she met my gaze, "I'll be the first to visit you." And I hoped it was true. If she were a human, she would be an ideal mother. Not that I was replacing my old one, but, yeah.
She huffed in laughter and nudged me to stand with her nose, "I'm sure you will."
She scruffed me and my body tucked involuntarily, my tail curling to touch my belly. She dropped from the couch without a sound and continued her stride to go to the other room, where my sibling were located.
As we crossed the hallway, I heard multiple mews of varying pitch slowly get louder as we got closer. As he walked in the room, Nutmeg let me down to scamper to the basket where the rest of my family was.
My mother kept pace with my easily, her light tabby pelt brushing against my own orange pelt. As we approach the basket, a large orange head shot up and turned towards us. The male in the basket slid out, exchanging licks with Nutmeg and leaning to touch noses with me. He was visibly happy, almost vibrating with purrs, "Rusty and Luna have opened their eyes as well." He whispered gleefully.
Both Nutmeg and I purred loudly, and I walked forwards to climb up the basket to see for myself. I heard whispers from my parents, but decided to ignore them, choosing to observe my siblings instead.
Spend three weeks doing basically nothing but eating gets tiring, and the owners were too old to play, which is exactly what I wanted to do.
Luna and Rusty were both looking around in wonder, curiously taking in their surroundings. They spotted me and both of their pelts fluffed up in joy, practically vibrating with purrs.
I purred back at them and rolled over onto my back playfully, inviting a play fight. Rusty accepted and hopped on top of me, and I huffed, rolling around with him in the basket. We disengaged and I crawled out of the basket, inviting Luna and Rusty to join me with a tail flick.
I slipped on the hardwood floor and scrambled back to my feet, before I was lifted by the scruff, "Hey!" I whined.
There was an amused purr, and I craned my neck to see Nutmeg smiling, even though I was in her mouth. She didn't say anything, and I really didn't expect her too. Once she put me down, in the basket, she curled herself around us.
"Time to nap young ones," She said lightly, tucking her paw around Rusty.
He squawked and struggled uselessly, "But we just opened our eyes! We should play instead!"
Nutmeg purred, and started to lick Rusty until his struggles stopped. I looked at him in amusement, to find him asleep. I looked over at Luna, who was staring at Nutmeg in amazement, "You're so pretty! Do I look like you, mother?"
I blinked, suddenly realizing that I also wanted to know what I looked like. I shuffled my paws, and looked up at my mother as well, eyes wide and curious.
She huffed softly, and tucked her tail over us playfully, "You're both very pretty. Prettier than me, even."
Luna gasped and I let an unimpressed look cross my features, easily hiding it in Nutmeg's tail. Her purr became louder and I settled easily, responding with my own purr. I let the vibrations lull me, and soon I slept easily.
I followed behind Rusty as he leapt to get balanced on the fence. I followed him smoothly, taking delight in my much more graceful leap. He gave me a weird look but purred, I responded similarly and turned to look out at the forest.
Rusty copied my actions and after a minute his tail started to twitch.
"We should go explore." He said, looking at me hopefully.
Normally, I would refrain from doing adventurous activities. It wasn't exactly my forte, but he looked so hopeful that I gave in, "Fine, but just this once," I said sternly, catching his eye as he eagerly leapt down.
I rolled my eyes and followed him, letting him take the lead, "We should go visit Nutmeg soon," I murmured thoughtfully, "She's starting to become a little old."
Rusty hummed at my words but didn't respond, too busy looking around at the scenery. I shook my head at him, it wasn't so exciting. Even when Smudge talks about all the scary forest cats, it wasn't anything but wives tales I say. Or cat tales. Hah. Cat tails.
Bad jokes aside, I stopped next to my brother as he froze, his tail barely touching the ground. He dropped into a crouch and I followed his posture stiffly, trying to see what he did. After a few moments it wasn't what he saw, but smelt, because I could smell it too. I didn't know what it was but Rusty gave me an excited look.
I twitched my ears and he mouthed the word 'mouse', and I had to stop myself from recoiling in disgust. From my crouched position I settled down instead, wanting no part whatsoever in trying to catch a mouse. Rusty gave me a look and crawled away, his belly fur soundlessly brushing the ground.
He disappeared after a moment, and after a few minutes I heard a startled squeak and hiss. I snorted. Rusty failed.
I heard something rustle close to me, and I got ready to pounce. Rusty deserved it for dragging me out here, even though I did give permission. The sound got closer and then stopped, which was when I made my move.
As I jumped I realized that it was not, in fact, my brother who was coming back but the mouse he had failed to catch. My pounce was so good that I didn't even need to unsheathe my claws, instead I landed directly on the mouse's back.
I winced as I straightened, swiveling my ears on a whim. I heard the sound of hissing and spitting and I leaned down instinctively to pick up the mouse in my jaws. As I prowled towards the noise, I wondered how Rusty got so far away so quickly and broke into a worried run, the mouse's tail hitting my chest as I ran.
I jumped, high, over a bush and slid into a clearing, dropping the mouse in anger. Rusty was pinned under another cat, a kitten probably our age, and was writhing. Before I charged in, Rusty managed to flip over and smother the other cat before getting to his feet and shooting off.
I blinked and leaned down to pick up the mouse, I didn't want to leave it but I didn't know why, and bounded after him quickly. I glanced at the kitten as I sprinted past, who was also getting ready to chase after my brother. Stopping instead, I turned back, bowled him over, and followed after Rusty.
I caught up to him faster than I thought I would, granted he probably had scratches that were making running decidedly uncomfortable. As I ran beside him, I realized his attacker was also following us. Rusty looked at me and nodded, and without any words I realized what he wanted.
We both skidded against the ground as we made a hard stop, and then spun around to meet the other kitten head on. When he saw that we stopped he scrabbled to a stop as well, then he sat where he stood and started to groom himself.
I gaped at him as he did so, dropping the mouse at my feet. The fluffy gray kitten perked up at the sound, staring at the mouse then at me. His ears flicked dismissively, "You shouldn't have caught that, that's Thunderclan property," He looked at Rusty then back at me, "But I'll let it slide, since you guys are kittypet's and all."
I bristled at the obvious insult but Rusty didn't move, his spine still stiff in preparation for a fight. I brushed him with my tail and he relaxed, leaning down to lick his fur. The gray kitten stayed where he was, casually twisting around to lick the back of his pelt, "I'm Graypaw by the way."
He stretched out and blinked at us in curiosity, "What's a pair of kittypets like you doing out here in the forest anyways? It's dangerous out here."
I huffed and Rusty shook his shoulders, dislodging brambles that got stuck in his fur as he ran, "If you're the most dangerous thing the woods have to offer, I think we'll be okay."
Graypaw gave us both annoyed looks before he shrugged, "I'm far from the most dangerous. If I were even half a warrior I would have given you both some wounds to think about. It's what we do to protect our territory."
I hissed lowly and Rusty nudged me with a paw to shut up.
"Anyways," Graypaw mewed, leaning down to tug a clump of grass from between his claws, "I didn't think it was worth hurting either of you. It's obvious neither of you are from the other clans."
Rusty and I glanced at each other and Graypaw sighed in annoyance before explaining, "There are four clans that reside in the forest. I belong to ThunderClan. Other clan cats are always trying to steal our prey, especially ShadowClan. Those foxhearts are so fierce, they would have torn you both into shreds."
I puffed out my fur and spat testily, trying to nudged my dropped mouse towards him as casually as I could, "I would have loved to see them try!"
Rusty looked at me in alarm, probably because he wasn't used to seeing me agitated. There was just something about the way Graypaw was treating us, like we were newborns who just opened our eyes.
Graypaw didn't react aside from curling his fluffy tail around his legs, "No, you wouldn't have."
"But like I said," Graypaw continued, giving me an odd look, "It's the warriors of ThunderClan to protect what's rightfully ours and keep them out. When I've finished my training, I'll be so dangerous, I'll have the other Clans shaking in their flea-bitten skins!"
I curled my lip at the thought of fleas and shook out my pelt. Rusty, having more important thoughts, like to ask questions for example, tilted his head, "So you're not a warrior yet?"
Graypaw purred at the question and I found myself equally curious, "Why? Did you think I was?"
My bitter "No," was ignored, and Graypaw continued to speak, "I won't be a real warrior for moons. Kits have to be six moons to become an apprentice, and tonight is my first night out as one."
"Why don't you find an owner with a nice cozy house? Your life would be much easier," My brother meowed, "There are plenty of housefolk who would take in a kitten like you. All you'd have to do is sit where they can see you and look hungry for a couple of days-"
"And get fed food that looks like rabbit droppings and nasty soft slop," He interrupted with a hiss, "There's nothing worse than being a kittypet! They aren't anything but twoleg toys! Eating stuff that doesn't look like food, making dirt in a box of gravel, and only sticking their noses outside when their twolegs allow them! That's no life, especially one I wouldn't want! I like being free, thank you very much!"
My brother and I both rose defensively, and my tail lashed with irritation, "Living with housefolk isn't too bad. I make our housefolk do what we want, you just have to know them." Or be a human that got reincarnated as a cat, whatever works.
"You haven't lived until you tasted a mouse," He spat in response, narrowing his yellow eyes at me, "Have you tasted one?"
I glanced at the rodent beneath me and curled my lip in disgust, "No, I'm not a mouse type of she-cat."
Graypaw snorted derisively, glancing at Rusty, "Have you?"
Rusty flicked his tail, "No," He admitted, "Not yet."
"That's exactly it then," He mewed arrogantly, "Neither of you will understand. You weren't born in the wild, which makes a big difference. You guys don't have warrior blood in your veins. Kitties born into twoleg nests don't know what that's like."
I shrugged uncaringly but Rusty huffed indignantly, "That's not true."
When there was no reply I looked at Graypaw to see him frozen, his nose flaring and his mouth open. I froze and sniffed the air urgently, scenting nothing but the forest and- wait, there it was. The same scent on Graypaw, but, more?
Graypaw looked at us before swiveling around, "I smell cats from my clan," he hissed, "You should go. They won't be pleased to find that you hunted on our territory!"
As Rusty looked around I leaned to pick up the mouse I caught, tossing it in Graypaws direction. At his head tilt I whispered, "For the information," and flicked my tail at Rusty who was scenting the air. He looked vaguely frustrated and I nudged him forwards.
He didn't budge, and I hissed at him, swatting his flank. I didn't want to be out here anymore. Graypaw agreed with me, "Quick! Get out of here!"
Rusty leaned on his haunches in preparation for a jump and I mimicked him, before realizing we were too slow to leave. My tail dropped in disappointment and Rusty froze beside me in fear when we heard a voice behind us, "What's going on here?"
We both turned around to see a large gray she-cat stroll away from the undergrowth gracefully. She was pretty, but white hairs streamed her muzzle and there was a large nasty scar across her shoulders. Other than that, her blue-gray coat was shiny and neat.
"Bluestar!" Graypaw squeaked from beside us, lowering to the ground. He almost dropped completely to the ground when another cat appeared from the bushes, a large golden tabby.
"You shouldn't be so near Twolegplace Graypaw!" growled the tabby angrily, his green eyes narrowing.
"I know Lionheart, I'm sorry." Graypaw looked down at his paws.
Rusty followed Graypaw into a low crouch and I followed him, although I wasn't as low. I didn't find a need to submit to these cats, big and scary or not!
"Who are these two cats?" Asked the she-cat, Bluestar I think he name was.
Beside me, Rusty flinched but I met her gaze steadily. Something like approval glinted in her eyes before it disappeared.
"They aren't a threat, just twoleg pets from beyond our territory!" He said quickly, flicking his tail dismissively.
I gave him a glare at the description and Rusty frantically cut off my gaze with his own, and I could see he was equally offended. I huffed at glanced back to the adult cats, who were both looking at me in warning.
I felt my pelt grow hot in embarrassment and looked off into the forest.
I felt Graypaw whisper to Rusty and strained my ears to listen as well, "-And Lionheart. He's my mentor, which means he's training me to be a warrior."
Lionheart's ears twitched, "Thank you for the introduction, Graypaw." He said cooly.
Bluestar was staring at Rusty, "You fight well for a kittypet." She meowed thoughtfully.
Graypaw and Rusty met each other's glance and my spine fur rippled uneasily. We had been watched.
"We have been watching you all," Bluestar continued, catching the tom's confused looks, "We wondered how you would deal with an intruder, Graypaw. You attacked him bravely."
As Graypaw brightened I narrowed my eyes at the she-cat. Something was off.
"Sit up now, everyone!" She meowed, "You," She stared at Rusty and he met her gaze evenly, "You reacted well to the attack. Graypaw is stronger than you but you used your wits to your advantage. During the chase, you spun and faced him. I've never seen a kittypet do that before."
"And you," Bluestar continued, facing me, "You have good instinct, and you listen to it. Starclan knows how many cats have good judgement and decide to ignore it." She shook her head in exasperation, "And you came to your kins defense when he looked like he needed it. Respectable."
Rusty and I both straightened at the praise, but my fur still fluffed up at the thought of being watched.
She nodded back at Rusty, "I have been wondering how you would perform out here, beyond Twolegplace. This border is patrolled frequently, so I have often seen you sitting on your boundary staring out into the forest. This is the first time you've dared to place your paws here." She looked at him thoughtfully and switched her gaze back to me before looking back at my brother.
"You would have caught that mouse if you had not hesitated so long. You have a natural hunting ability and sharp eyes."
Rusty preened, although he was surprised, "Really?"
Lionheart interrupted before more words could be exchanged, "Bluestar, these are kittypets. They shouldn't be hunting in our territory. Send them home."
Rusty perked up and I could already tell he didn't want to leave, he was far in clan life. As he spoke, I cursed my brothers curiosity, "Why is it such an issue hunting? Isn't there plenty to go around? To all clans?"
An innocent enough question was met with a hiss and I fluffed up my fur at the tension. Bluestar was staring at Rusty with a cold gaze and I had to stop myself from stepping in front of him, "Prey is not easy to find. Between the rivalry with the other clans and stray cats like you both, ThunderClan cannot find our food with ease. We are lucky it is Greenleaf, so prey is many, but no." She tossed her head at the mouse at Graypaws feet, "There is not enough."
Rusty fluffed up in embarrassment and I was still reactive to the tension. Bluestar was staring at my brother with a thoughtfulness that made me uncomfortable.
Her gaze switched to mine and I heard Graypaw shift on his paws, "What are your names young ones? Surely I should know the identities of two young brave kittens who have trespassed."
I said nothing and Rusty sat up, gave his chest a quick lick and answered her, "My name is Rusty and," He pointed at me with his tail, "That's Rose."
"Rusty and Rose." She repeated, as if she were testing the names on her tongue, "Interesting."
Lionheart gave Rusty and I quick looks before glancing back at his leader. His tail twitched in annoyance, as if he knew what she were thinking.
"I have a proposition for the pair of you."
