This story was inspired by Storm-eyes-osprey.
Chapter 1
Breezekit snuggled up closer to her mother's, Icebreeze, belly, seeking warmth. She curled her long and fluffy tail over her small nose, and relaxed, warm and belly full with milk.
Breezekit felt her brain get fuzzy and drowsy, and she knew she was about to fall asleep.
Her thoughts became blurry, and Breezekit didn't even try to fight the sleep that was starting to take over her body.
Suddenly Breezekit was thrown out of her rest when she felt something poke her hard in the ribs, and she hissed with indignation.
"Oh, come on! Wake up!" Breezekit heard a loud and slightly squeaky voice mew.
Eaglekit. What does she want from me now!? Can't she ever leave me alone?
Breezekit ignored her sister and curled up even tighter, eyes still closed shut.
"Why is she always sleeping?" Breezekit heard Eaglekit complain in disdain. "It's like she just wants to lie around all day and let the other cats do everything for her! Is she ever going to open her eyes?"
Of course! Why wouldn't I open them!?
Breezekit shifted uncomfortably.
She couldn't have opened hers so long ago, so why does she keep bugging me? I'll open them when I'm ready!
"Just go play with the other kits for now," her mother mewed with a soft and gentle voice, so different from Eaglekit's squeaky one.
What!? Why isn't she defending me!? Does she agree with Eaglekit?
Breezekit pushed those thoughts away. Who cares!?
Breezekit heard the sound of quick footsteps, and understood that Eaglekit has left the Nursery.
Gone to play with the other kits, I suppose.
Hey! Why don't I go play with them to?
Your eyes aren't open yet, she reminded herself. You're going to have to open them if I want to be allowed out of the Nursery.
Well, then, I'm going to open them! Decided Breezekit, determined.
But wait! How do I do that? How do I open my eyes?
Breezekit struggled to find the right muscle.
It took her a while, but in the end she managed to stretch open her eyes, revealing a new world.
Her first impression was color.
It was everywhere, and each thing was a different shade;
The brown and green branches making the walls of the den. A blue sky peeking through the branches. And even white, from her mother's fur.
It was all so different from the darkness she had seen up up until now, so much livelier.
It's beautiful.
Her second impression was size.
The Nursery is huge! So much bigger then what I imagined. How is it that it felt so small and cozy when my eyes were closed, when in reality it's so big?
Breezekit then looked at her mother.
Icebreeze is huge! Breezekit had to tilt her head upwards to see all of Icebreeze at once. Icebreeze's fur was white, and ever so sleek. Breezekit looked at her own fur, wondering what it looked like.
It was white, like her mother's. But it wasn't sleek and shiny, but fluffy and soft.
Why is my fur like that? Wondered Breezekit. I want it to be like Icebreeze's!
Breezekit attempted to smooth her fur down by licking it, but it didn't work, and her fur was as downy as before. Breezekit huffed in frusteration.
Whatever, Breezekit shook her head. Don't you want to go meet the apprentices now? It should be more interesting then trying to smooth out your fur!
Breezekit struggled for the first time onto her legs, and almost immediately crumpled back down to her mossy nest.
"What are you doing, dear?" Breezekit turned her head around to see who it was. Icebreeze.
"I'm trying to stand up," explained Breezekit. "I want to go out of the Nursery."
"Wait- Oh! You opened your eyes!"'
Breezekit nodded proudly. "Yes, I did!"
"Good thing," muttered Icebreeze, almost as if Breezekit wasn't supposed to hear. "I was beginning to get worried."
"Worried?" questioned Breezekit. "Why?"
"Because you were supposed to open your eyes days ago," explained Icebreeze.
"Really?" Breezekit suddenly felt self-conscious. "When did Eaglekit open hers'?"
"Three days ago."
"Oh."
Breezekit's pride about opening her eyes disappeared when she realized she was way in back of her sister. And I thought Eaglekit had just recently opened her eyes.
Doesn't matter! She told herself. You'll catch up to her in no time! You'll even be better!
Well, I guess I should start with going out of the Nursery.
"I'm going to play with Eaglekit!" announced Breezekit loudly, and, without waiting for a response from he mother, she stumbled shakily once more onto her legs.
This time Breezekit managed not to fall, and she began walking with hesitant and slow steps towards the entrance of the Nursery.
Breezekit paused at the entrance, the bright yellow sunlight blinding her eyes which were just opened. The sun is so bright! Breezekit narrowed her eyes against the sun, and padded out of the entrance looking for her sister.
The camp is huge! Breezekit realized. And I thought the Nursery was big. Compared to the camp, it's like an ant!
Breezekit could see cats, warriors, she guessed, running in and out through an entrance, some of them carrying fish.
And there's Eaglekit! Eaglekit was pinning down a kit, while another was trying to unsuccessfully knock Eaglekit down.
Breezekit was about to go to them and join in, when she noticed something strange.
They are all so much bigger then me. Why?
Who cares? Just go and join in!
Breezekit took a deep breath and hesitantly padded up to the three kits.