"Through the window, I see you waiting, You are smiling, Cause I'm coming, Your eyes are a story, An ocean of memories, Pictures of faces and places, And all of the things, That make us feel like we have it all All of the times, That make us realize, We have it all Life is beautiful..." Life Is Beautiful, The Afters
Chapter One
Cool newleaf air brushed past his fur as he finally opened his eyes. He could hear the noises of the forest from outside the medicine cat's den. It was barely past dawn and he was already wide awake. He glanced over his shoulder to see that Willowshade was still fast asleep.
I can finally see the camp! he realized.
His heart beat a little faster at the thought. Willowshade almost never let him out of her sight. He didn't know why and he didn't bother questioning it. Willowshade was his mother, and he knew that she was worried for his safety.
The kit padded over to the entrance, pelt brushing against the stone walls that surrounded him. Before he could even take another step though Willowshade cracked open an eye. He nearly let out a wail of surprise when she cuffed him gently over the ears.
"And what trouble is my little kit getting into this time?" she purred when he stared at her in surprise.
"Mommy, I just wanna see the camp, please?" The kit looked up at her, his eyes full of hope as he waited for her answer. Amusement showed within Willowshade's eyes as she brushed her tail across his fur.
"Emberkit, you know how I feel about that," she murmured. "You aren't allowed out without me."
Annoyance flared within Emberkit at once. He was tired of being treated like this! Willowshade was his mother, but she couldn't keep him cooped up in the den for so long. He already knew most of the herbs she kept in her store.
At this rate everyone is going to think I will be the next medicine cat, he thought bitterly.
"Can we go out now that you're awake?" he asked.
Willowshade fought back a yawn, and Emberkit struggled not to look annoyed. She had taught him to respect those older than him. That meant he couldn't go against their wishes even if he wanted to.
"Alright, but stay away from the warrior's den," she sighed in defeat.
Excitement suddenly coursed through Emberkit. Finally! He wasted no time in bounding out of the den, nearly colliding into a dappled tortoiseshell she-cat in the process. His eyes widened in surprise when she simply purred in amusement.
"Sorry," he squeaked with a dip of his head.
"That's quite alright... you must be Emberkit, right?" She gave him a gentle nudge as he struggled to his paws. Emberkit just nodded in confirmation. She was so much bigger than Willowshade! Powerful muscles rippled beneath her pelt. "My name is Brindlefire," she explained. "Is this your first time exploring the camp?"
"Y-yes," Emberkit mewed. He was still embarrassed after running into Brindlefire like that. He should have paid more attention to where he was going!
"Just make sure you stay away from the warrior's den," she told him, repeating Willowshade's order. "Some cats might not be as friendly as I am."
With a flick of her tail, she joined a group of cats that were leaving for a patrol. Emberkit watched as they disappeared through a gorse tunnel. Now he wanted to go and see what the forest was like. Every now and than he could hear the sounds of the forest from Willowshade's den.
If only I was bigger! he thought bitterly. Maybe Willowshade would let him out more often. She might actually trust him enough to take him with her when she collected herbs. Though Emberkit knew he wanted to be a warrior, he would take any chance to explore the forest.
He padded on around the clearing. In the center of the clearing was the Highrock. Underneath the Highrock was Brightstar's den. Emberkit had seen her many times when she would report to Willowshade, or ask for traveling herbs. Though she had never paid much attention to him, she would say hello every now and than.
Just beyond Brightstar's den was a den protected by tall grass and leaves. It took Emberkit a few heartbeats to spot a single cat sleeping within it.
That must be Mintwhisker, he decided. He had only seen her once or twice when she was sick or lonely. Willowshade had told him that leafbare was hard on the Clan. Two of the elders had joined StarClan along with two kits.
"What's that useless scrap of fur doing out here?" Emberkit stopped short at the voice. His ears flattened as he turned towards a den woven by brambles, and protected by leaves and moss. Sitting outside the den was a big golden tabby she-cat, who looked like she should be an apprentice.
"Dunno, maybe a fox spit him up after trying to eat him?" His fur bristled as the other kit, an orange kit with tabby markings, mocked him.
"Not even a fox would want that thing," the golden tabby spat with a wrinkle of her nose.
"I have a name you know!" Emberkit grumbled. They must be kits. But compared to him they were huge for kits. Maybe he could make fun of their size, but than again Willowshade would scold him for stooping so low.
"The pile of crowfood actually talks, Leopardkit," the orange kit laughed as Emberkit glared at him. "Maybe we can get him to run too," he added in a sneer.
Leopardkit nodded in agreement, tail swiping from side to side as she stood up. Emberkit's eyes widened in terror when she towered over him. She could probably kill him with one blow if she wanted to. Instead she swatted a paw across his muzzle, and he went hurtling across the clearing.
"He can't even fight back," Leopardkit purred.
"That's enough you two." Both kits stopped their taunting when another voice broke in. Emberkit looked up to see a gray tabby she-cat glaring at them. "Off to the nursery with you. You shouldn't be allowed out until you learn some respect."
The two kits stared at the gray tabby in annoyance before doing as they were told. Emberkit held back a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure how much more he could handle from them. Were all the kits in the nursery like that?
"Thank you," he murmured.
"Don't be, those kits were asking for it," she meowed. "Their father spoils them rotten, that's why they are the way they are."
He nodded in understanding. Willowshade would never let him get away with that attitude. She always knew the right thing to say when it came to getting punished. Emberkit had learned in a short time not to make her angry.
After mewing goodbye he decided it was time to get back before he got into any more trouble. He didn't want the older cats to stick up for him all the time. That would make him look weak and defenseless. The last thing he needed was to give those kits an excuse to make fun of him some more.
Willowshade was crouched inside the medicine cat's den, sorting through a pile of leaves she must have collected recently. Emberkit sat down on his nest, thinking over what had happened today.
While he got to explore the camp for the first time, he also met some interesting cats. He liked Brindlefire and the gray tabby. But those kits... if they were going to be apprentices together, he was not going to enjoy that.
"How was your exploration?" Emberkit's ears flattened. Willowshade always seemed to notice where he was without looking. He wished he had that kind of power.
"It was fun," he lied in a purr.
"Did you meet anyone new?" Willowshade's question caught him by surprise. How was he supposed to answer that?
"I... met Brindlefire and two kits," he finally muttered. This time Willowshade's ears pricked forward with interest. He had often heard her complaining about how the kits were always getting into trouble, and that she was wasting her herbs on them. "They weren't the nicest kits but..." He was cut off when Willowshade turned to look at him.
"What did they do?" Emberkit stared at her in alarm.
Carefully he explained what they had called him. He wasn't sure why Willowshade was suddenly so serious. It's not like there wasn't anyone around to help him when he needed it. Though once he became a warrior Emberkit would make sure he could stand up for himself.
"Those kits are nothing but trouble," she muttered under her breath.
"But why did they call me those words?" Emberkit asked. He understood what most of those hurtful words meant. Where had those kits picked up that kind of language?
Sorrow suddenly clouded Willowshade's eyes as she gave his ear a gentle lick. Emberkit welcomed her warmth, soon she had her tail wrapped around him. He missed these days when they would just spend time together. Nowadays Willowshade was always looking for more herbs to restore her supply.
"Oh my little kit, if only things weren't so complicated," she sighed. "One day you will understand."
She nuzzled him affectionately, and Emberkit couldn't help but purr in response. He was glad Willowshade was his mother. She kept him safe during the cold season, and kept him well fed. He couldn't ask for a better one. Leopardkit and that other kit were missing out.
AN: Okay, the first couple of chapters might be a little short since Emberkit is just a kit. Characters will be introduced throughout the story, and big thanks to Willowsong of ThunderClan and Faded Stripe for submitting your characters! They will be added on, but I still need characters for the other Clans.