Firekit's Diary


1st Moon of Green-Leaf

Dusk

We've been training for awhile now, my sister and I. My mentor Willowtail has been very kind to me. I'm glad, too. I can't seem to get into the hunting crouchs right. When I try to catch birds, I make too much noise with my fur. I'm too slow to catch a rabbit, and mice always elude me.

She's says I'll get it someday soon. I sure hope so. But it's okay. Tonight I'll be going to my first Gathering!

Applepaw and I shared tongues by the prey pile. This will be my first Gathering, but Applepaw is going to and it will be very special. I could barely hold my excitement in. All the cats we will meet, all the scents we will smell... I do hope it's going to be a peaceful Gathering!

Berrypaw trudged past us. His brother, Cedarpaw, was made a warrior almost two whole quarter moons ago. His name is now Cedarfall, and it made Berrypaw embarrassed to be around any cat. He had failed his final assessment while his brother had passed.

I know I would feel pretty bummed out if Applepaw was named a warrior before me. But Berrypaw's sour attitude was worse tonight because he had slipped in some mud near the ravine earlier and sprained his paw. He has to wait a long while before he can even go to Gatherings or try his assessments again. Poor Berrypaw.

I watched him snatch a mouse and pad away to the den. He must be feeling awfully hurt. After I had groomed my sister's pelt, and she had groomed mine, we set off to the nursery to visit Redflower.

We'd been apprenticed for a moon and three quarters, and it was tough not waking up to the smell of milk. I missed our mother a lot. So did Applepaw. Redflower was grooming a kit when we walked in.

"Hello, daughters." She greeted us. "Come in. Do you have a moment to spare?"

"Yup, we don't leave for the Gathering for a little while." I replied. Applepaw agreed.

"Then will you please groom Narrowkit? She's the small sandy one." Redflower meowed.

Snowdapple handed Narrowkit over to us. Applepaw happily ran her tongue along the kitten's fur. The kit purred and swiped at our noses. She was a lively one! All three of Snowdapple's kits were cute.

"Can you say 'Firepaw'?" I asked the sandy little she-kit.

"Furpaw!" Pikekit said. He's Narrowkit's littermate. He stared at me and my sister from the paws of our mother. He's a real cutie.

Narrowkit yowled at us, giggling. "Furerpaw!"

The third kit stared at us blankly. I think that something was wrong with that kit. Her name was Adderkit, and she was a mottled amber cat like her brother Pikekit.

"She's half-deaf." Snowdapple explained softly.

That's too bad for Adderkit. She's a real cutie as well. I hope she can find out a way to live without all of her hearing in her ears.

Night

I'd rather not talk about the Gathering. The WindClan leader, Wolfstar, started arguing with Mudstar, the she-cat ShadowClanner, about prey-stealing at their borders.

The clouds covered the moon wickedly fast after that. Mudstar attacked Wolfstar and a bolt of lightning whipped across the sky. Foamstar had to pull her off while Barkstar held Wolfstar down on the Great Rock.

We had to come home early. It was a special Gathering in deed. When we got back to camp, Berrypaw and Volepaw were guarding the camp entrance. Berrypaw looked like he had eaten a bunch of bitter herbs for dinner! My StarClan that glare he gave us was cold and icy. It sent chills down my spine!

I was tired by the time we got to the den. I fell asleep in my cozy nest right away. I wonder what will happen tomorrow!

1st Moon of Green-Leaf; Half Moon

Dawn

My StarClan! I had to wake up so early today! Willowtail came into the den and woke me and Berrypaw up. We had to go on a dawn hunting patrol. I hate hunting. It's important for the Clan, but I'm just no good at. I usually go to bed hungry because I can't bring back enough prey.

Willowtail and Hazelclaw, who just so happened to be Berrypaw's mentor, took us near Fourtrees to hunt. I was tracking a rabbit feeling proud of myself when Berrypaw ran out of the undergrowth and scared it away!

He did it on purpose. Oh, I was so furious! I leapt at him and we tumbled into a thorn bush.

"Get off-a me!" He hissed.

Our mentors must have heard because the next thing I know my father's draggin' me out. My StarClan, I looked like a hedgehog. I had thorns clinging to my pelt like burrs in a badger's belly!

Willowtail went on to scolding us. It was a good day for hunting and we just scared away all the prey. We were grounded to camp for the next half moon. That means I can't go to the next Gathering!


Sunhigh

I was laying down with Redflower and Snowdapple in the nursery. Since I was bound to the camp for the next while, I had to do extra chores. I decided that helping with the kits was one of them.

Narrowkit and Pikekit were curkd up in my belly fur. It felt nice to have them sleep on top of me.

"Adderkit is learning how to speak." Snowdapple said to me. I was surprised, though. The poor thing could hardly hear. Adderkit was staring outside blankly. Her amber eyes were unblinking.

Suddenly, Berrypaw came into the nursery with two rabbits. The little kits smelled it and hopped up. I watched them swarm the tom. It was a funny sight to see! They tore one of the rabbits out of his jaws and ate it up quicker than a bee could sting.

"Why don't you join us, Berrypaw?" My mother asked the yellow tom.

He looked uncomfortable, but he nodded and sat down. Snowdapple munched on the other rabbit. Berrypaw was glaring at me from across the nursery until the white queen offered him so rabbit.

"Now that my kits are drinking less milk I don't need to eat so much." Snowdapple said, licking her muzzle.

Redflower nodded. "I'm not very hungry today."

I jumped up and rushed to my mother's side. Was she sick? She laughed as I put my paw on her belly. It was tight. She was having more kits! I couldn't believe it! I was so happy. I would be getting new sisters and brothers!

Something in the back of my mind told me that Hazelclaw wasn't the father. I didn't ask Redflower who was though. I was just happy for her. Snowdapple mewed happily as well and the two understandable kits of the white queen's litter seemed to mew happily as well. Berrypaw shifted around uncomfortably.

"So what are your plans, Firepaw?" My mother asked me.

"Plans?" I didn't know what she was talking about.

Redflower glanced at me and then Berrypaw. "You know. Kits."

"Whaa?" I felt my pelt go hot.

I snuck a glance at Berrypaw. He seemed embarrassed as well. He stood up and trudged out of the nursery.

"Don't go rushing to choose a mate, Firepaw." My mother advised me.

Why would she say something so silly like that? Me? And Berrypaw? Is that what she was implying?

Oh StarClan... I better go apologize to Berrypaw for Redflower's ludicrous words.

I do hope tomorrow will bring a better day with less embarrassment!