"Open your eyes, Snowkit."
"Pleaseee, just a little while more," Snowkit muttered.
"It's really really important."
Why can't Brackenkit wait for me to wake up before bugging me? She thought.
"Come on! Get up!"
Thinking that she could ignore his voice, Snowkit snuggled up even closer against her mother's warm fur, trying to go back to sleep.
"You can't do that you know," she heard him say, "You are already asleep."
For the first time since hearing his voice, she wondered if it was Brackenkit. He certainly sounded similar but the way he talks is just a bit different. Giving up, Snowkit opened her eyes and rolled away from the comfort of her mother.
"Fine, you win. But this better be..." Snowkit stopped in the middle of her sentence when she saw the mysterious cat. "You're not Brackenkit!" she exclaimed.
"Uhh..., I never said I was." he said quizzically, "But it doesn't matter, I need to show you something."
"I'm not going anywhere!" she spat, "I am not suppose to follow strange cats."
"I'm not a stranger," he meowed calmly, "I'm your clanmate."
"Then how come I've never seen you before?" she asked.
"Ummm..., It's because I have never visited the nursery before."
"How could you! The nursery is the best place in the entire camp."
"Well, I have something better to show you."
"What is it?"
"I guess you just have to follow me to find out!" Without waiting for Snowkit to answer, the orange cat leaped out of the nursery. Struggling to keep up with him, Snowkit called out, "Wait up!" Slowing down, the orange cat waited for Snowkit to catch up.
"What's your name?" she panted.
"Oh, It's Foxpaw." he answered.
Realizing that she was in the clearing, she was surprised to see that there was nobody guarding the entrance to the camp. Oh well, maybe they are out hunting or something.
"Have you caught your breath yet?"
Snowkit looked up to see Foxpaw looking at her impatiently.
"Oh, yeah, I'm ready."
"Good, try to keep up this time," He meowed playfully.
Determined to show that she was capable of keeping up, Snowkit followed hot on his heels. They breezed through the entrance of the camp and into the wilderness of the forest. Although Foxpaw leaped over boulders and fallen tree trunks without a break in his stride, Snowkit did not posses his agility and had to scramble over them. Soon, Foxpaw was almost out of sight. She was about to ask him to stop again when Foxpaw stopped abruptly near a stream of water. Letting out a sigh of relief, she padded the last few steps before flopping on to the ground in exhaustion.
I will never get up again. She thought.
Listening to the silence of the forest, she realized that this was her first time out of camp. Suddenly sitting up, Snowkit tried to take in everything that touched her senses. It was everything she expected and more. The branches swayed in the gentle wind while the water in the stream ran across some pebbles, causing a bubbling sound. Despite being in the middle of the night, there was enough light to give everything a faint glow. And in the middle of the clearing, sat Foxpaw. In the moonlight, he seemed to be shining. I want to look like that! She padded up to Foxpaw and asked tentatively, "What was it that you want to show me again?" After a moment, he leaned forward and whispered, " When Fire and Ice meets, the stars will fall."
As he said it, the peaceful scene in front of them suddenly became disastrous. Half of the forest seemed to catch fire while the other half seemed to freeze. In the thick of it all, one by one, the stars began to fall.
"The darkness will rise and be the doom of us all."
What once was the glowing forest was now engulfed in shadows. Snowkit let out an involuntary gasp as a chill went up her spine.
"But for us to shine, you must not be deceived."
By then, the forest seemed to have started rotting. What was once teeming with life was now a desolate place.
"Trust your heart, journey for help, and you can bring back the stars."
As Foxpaw finished his speech, everything was back to normal again. It was the same glowing forest from before. But despite of it all, Snowkit could not shake of a sense of trouble.
"What did that mean?" she asked, her voice shaking from what she just saw.
"Well, that's for you to find out." Foxpaw said, back to his old self. "Now, why don't you go back to sleep and think about this."
"Okay," Snowkit answered doubtfully.
"I'll race you back to camp!" Foxpaw challenged.
As much as what she just saw have shaken her, she could not refuse a good challenge.
"The last one back is mouse dung!"
"snowkit... Snowkit!"
"Huh?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Snowkit! Wake up!"
"Mhmmm? Wha.. whatisit?" Snowkit felt like her head was full of clouds. She couldn't think properly.
"Are you okay? You were making all sorts of terrible noises!"
"Noooo, I'm okay." Snowkit managed to say.
"Are you sure?" she heard her mother asked.
"Yeah, just stop fussing about me already." Snowkit opened her eyes to see Amberleaf's eyes staring at her.
Seeing that everything was blurry, Snowkit shut her eyes again. What's wrong with me?
"Snowkit, are you alright? It is already sunhigh and you still haven't eaten yet." Amberleaf told her ,worried that she was falling sick.
Come to think of it, I am pretty hungry. She just hoped that there were still some freshkill left for her.
"It was just a nightmare, nothing to worry about."
"Alright, if you say so," Amberleaf meowed, full of doubt.
"I'm feeling better already," as if to illustrate her point, Snowkit stood up uncertainly on her four paws, "I'm just going to get something to eat."
Feeling her mother's gaze on her back, she stumbled out in to the sunshine. As she padded unsteadily to the freshkill pile, flashes of her dream came back to her. The memory was so strong that she had to stop moving just to cope with all that. What was all that? Was it just a dream? If it was, why do I feel this way?
After the onslaught of images have passed, she managed to get herself a vole and she sat down to devour it. In the middle of her meal, her brother came up to her.
"Hey Snowkit, how are you? You kept me up all night with your scratching and whimpering." Brackenkit humorously.
"I'm sorreeey, not my fault I had such a bad nightmare." she snapped
"Geeshh, I'm just kidding, don't get your fur in to a knot," he meowed, taking a step back, "anyways, why do you get a whole vole to yourself ? Mother never lets me do that."
Snowkit looked down at her half finished vole, suddenly feeling very full. "I'm actually kinda full, do you want to share the rest with me?"
"Sure thing!"
Brackenkit dived into the vole like he haven't eaten in moons and finished it within minutes.
"Now that that's out of the way, let's go ask Wolfpaw to show us some battle moves!"
"Battle moves! That will be cool but I don't think his mentor would have taught him any of that yet. After all, he only just became a warrior last sunhigh."
"Oh, yeah. I guess you are right." Brackenkit's tail drooped at the prospect of having nothing to do for the rest of the day. "It's so boring with us being the last two kits. It was so much more exciting when Wolfpaw and Rosepaw were also kits."
"I guess so." Snowkit replied, "I can't wait to become an apprentice!"
"Me too!"
It can't be long now, we must be close to being 6 moons. It felt like I've been in the nursery for way too long.
As if Brackenkit read her thoughts, he murmured, "I just wish time would hurry up."
"Snowkit! It's getting dark. Get back in the nursery!"
"Just a little while more!" she protested, "I almost got it."
Turning her attention back on to the mouse, she stalked forward. Remembering what Wolfpaw told her this sunhigh, she kept herself low and tried to keep her tail stiff and still. Pawstep after pawstep, Snowkit made sure to tread lightly so as to not alert her prey. Almost there! Just a couple more steps and then.. Snowkit stopped a foxlength away from it. Holding her breath for good measure, she pounced. Right before her paws connected with the prey, it moved! The chase was on. Snowkit chased after the mouse as if her life depended on it. Dodging around warriors, she raced forward, hoping to catch it soon, before she got too tired. As the mouse slowed down, maybe to catch its breath, Snowkit made the final leap, snagging the tip of the mouse with her claws, she was sent rolling because of momentum. As she rolled to a halt, she bit into the mouse, ending its life.
"What are you doing? I told you to get back in the nursery."
Snowkit looked up from the ball of moss she was gripping. Half the warriors in the clearing were staring at her.
"Crazy kits," she heard Thornclaw mutter.
Still panting, Brackenkit ran up to her. "You're too fast, I couldn't drag the moss ball fast enough."
"Hah!" she crowed triumphantly, "I am Snowstar! No mice can escape my paws!"
"Well, Snowstar," her mother meowed, "unless you want to lose a life, you might want to come into the nursery."
Despite Amberleaf's reprimanding tone, the excitement of the earlier chase did not diminish at all. Meanwhile, Brackenkit sat sullenly next to her while their mother groomed them.
"Did you see what I did?" Snowkit boasted, "I felt like I was flying when I leaped for the moss. And then I was rolling on the floor but I didn't let go. My paws were so tired but I kept holding on, and then I delivered the killing blow." To demonstrate her point, Snowkit made a biting motion with her mouth. "And all the time, the mouse never stood a chance."
"Yeah, good job." Brackenkit said unenthusiastically, "But you know that real mice are faster right?"
"I doesn't matter," she said stubbornly, "I'll still be an excellent hunter, right mother?"
"Right, you are going to be the best hunter in the clan." she meowed while she finish grooming Brackenkit, "Now go to bed, it's another great day tomorrow."
"Alright."
Padding over to her nest, she curled up into a ball. Despite all that went on, she still could not shake the feeling of danger. Why do I feel like this? It feels like I am a part of something big and important. But that's just mouse dung isn't it. I'm just a kit. Why would I be so special?
Well, because you had a special vision, a part of her said. Well maybe it was just a dream, not a vision.
But deep down inside, she knew that it was not a dream. It was to real. What did Foxpaw say again? Oh yeah. He said something about the stars falling when Ice and Fire meets. What does that mean. The stars probably mean Starclan. Fire and Ice probably refers to Iceclan and Blazeclan. But does this mean that the Gatherings are dangerous? After all, that's when the two clans meet. Snowkit felt a chill run up her spine. She curled up even tighter, trying to keep the chill out.
Suddenly, something touch her back, frightening her. Unsheathing her claws, she got ready to turn around and shred what ever it was.
"Snowkit, it's just me."
Feeling relieved and angry at the same time Snowkit asked irritably, "What is it? I'm trying to sleep."
Brackenkit crawled over to where she was curled up. "I was just wondering about how much you want to be an apprentice."
Snowkit snorted sleepily. "You really need to ask? Of course I want to be an apprentice! I don't think I can wait!" Although, there might something even more important that I am involved in.
"Well, then you won't disagree that we need to prove that we are ready."
Snowkit blinked at him, surprised. "Why? We are going to be apprentices soon anyways. Like you said, we must be close to being six moons by now."
"Yeah, but I can't wait anymore. And maybe if we do something really impressive, we will get really good mentors. Maybe Silverstar herself. Won't that be awesome," Brackenkit meowed, eyes shining.
"Fine. What are we going to do?"
"Remember that dog that is by our border?"
"Yeah, it almost bit Echoclaw's tail off." Snowkit's eyes widened as she realized what Brackenkit was suggesting. "We can't do that!"
"Why not?" Brackenkit argued, "There's only one of it and there are two of us."
"We are kits! There's a reason why kits have to stay in camp."
"We are big enough to be warriors. Do you want to be an apprentice or not?"
"Of course I do!"
"Well, let's do this then. It won't be that difficult. We just have to chase it out of the territory."
"Sure," Snowkit pushed away her misgivings, she can't let Brackenkit do this himself can she? Knowing him, even if she doesn't go with him, he would still go after the dog. "Just don't do anything too reckless."
"Yeah, yeah. You're starting to sound like Amberleaf."
Giving Brackenkit a good natured swipe to the shoulder, she stood up silently, "Well, let's get going"
Brackenkit sprung to his feet. Giving himself a quick shake before heading to the entrance of the camp. As he neared the camp entrance, he stopped abruptly.
"What is it?" Snowkit whispered.
"Stormpelt is guarding the entrance, how are we suppose to get past that?" seeing Snowkit's face, He couldn't help but ask, "What?"
"You wanted to go chase a dog and you didn't even plan how to get out of the camp?"
"Hey, I didn't know that there would be a guard."
"Mouse brain," Snowkit muttered, "follow me, I know there is a gap in the brambles near the medicine cat den."
Making sure that they stuck to the shadows, Snowkit led the way, sneaking past Stormpelt and towards the other side of the camp. As they neared the gap, Brackenkit's jaw dropped. "This is the gap? It's hardly bigger than a mouse."
"Do you have a better idea?" Snowkit mewed impatiently, "If not, then stop complaining."
Still grumbling, Brackenkit squeezed through the gap, leaving quite an amount of fur behind. Snowkit followed close behind, having just a little more success in keeping her fur on her pelt. They spent a moment to groom their fur before setting off to find the dog.
"Is this the first time you've been in the forest?" Snowkit asked.
"Yeah," Brackenkit answered distractedly, "It's so amazing and beautiful. Isn't this your first time too?"
"No," Snowkit replied, "I saw it in a visi..." she stopped abruptly, realizing how weird it would sound if she told Brackenkit that she had a vision. He would think I'm mouse brained. Thankfully, Brackenkit was still too captivated by the sights before him to notice her slip up. As they traveled deeper into the forest, Snowkit asked, "Are we almost there?"
"Oh, umm.." Taking a moment to get his bearings, Brackenkit turned around in a circle, hoping to see something that would point them in the right direction.
"There!" Brackenkit pointed with his tail, "That rock with the badger face on it. I remember that Echoclaw told me about the badger-rock that she passed while she was on patrol. She said something about it being a bad omen. We're almost there. Just follow me."
Snowkit suppressed a shudder that ran down her spine as she inspected the rock. The rock seemed so much like a badger that she couldn't help but wonder if it was a real badger that was somehow encased in rock. I certainly hope not. It wouldn't be good to have a badger on our territory.
Just as Snowkit was starting to enjoy the night walk, a terrible stench hit her like a boulder. Despite herself, she could not help but stumble at the smell. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw that her brother suffered the same fate.
"Ewww! What's that smell? It's almost as bad as crow food!" Her littermate complained.
"I bet it's the dog!"
"Or it might just be Blazeclan." Brackenkit snickered.
"Shhhhsshhhhhhhhh!" Snowkit shushed, "I hear something."
Sure enough, there was a loud snap behind one of the bushes.
"There it is again!" Snowkit exclaimed, "I think it's the dog."
Brakenkit's eyes widened with excitement. "What are we waiting for? Let's show the dog who's boss."
Pushing away the lasts of her doubts, Snowkit took a deep breath, "Let's do this."
Brackenkit led the way, pushing aside the bushes as he went. When they finally emerged from the bushes, he let out an involuntary hiss of astonishment.
"What is it?" Snowkit asked as she padded up beside him.
"It's the dog," he whispered, "It's huge!"
"What did you expect?" Snowkit whispered back, "If it was small, the warriors would have gotten rid of it."
They spent the next few minutes watching it. It was eating something black and furry. Judging by its appearance, it seemed like it had not eaten for days.
"Well," Brackenkit mewed nervously, "Let's do this."
"Hold on."
"What is it?"
"What exactly are we going to do?"
"I'm sure that if we both run at it yowling and hissing, it will turn tail and run." Brackenkit said uncertainly.
"Okay. You lead."
Brackenkit fluffed out his fur to try to look more intimidating. "Ready?"
Snowkit nodded, trying to calm her nerves. Why am I doing this? Starclan help me! With that last prayer, Snowkit followed Brackenkit's example. They burst out of the bushes hissing and charging at the dog. Caught in the moment, Snowkit felt like the entire clan was behind her. We might actually be able to do this. Seeing the two ferocious cats, the dog retreated, moving away from them.
"It's working!" Snowkit exclaimed while she advanced on the whimpering dog. Not giving it a chance to react, Snowkit aimed the first blow, swiping across its muzzle with claws unsheathed. The dog shied away from the blow, backing away from her. Brackenkit followed up her attack with another blow to its muzzle. Working as a team, they took turns striking at the dog. Despite its fearful appearance, it did not put up much of a fight. But that all changed when Snowkit scratched its eye. Blinded by rage, it retaliated. Gripping hold of Brackenkit, it flung him across the clearing.
"Brackenkit!" Snowkit cried out as he landed motionless on the other side. This can't be happening! Snowkit felt a blow on her side, flinging her on to the ground.
"Oohmmph," Snowkit grunted as all the breath was knocked out of her.
"Snowkit! Get up!"
"Foxpaw?" Snowkit asked, bewildered.
The orange cat nodded in acknowledgment before calling out urgently, "Hurry up, the dog..."
That was all it took to get Snowkit going. Leaping to her paws, she bolted, running away from the dog as fast as possible.
"No! Snowkit! This way!"
She turned around to see Foxpaw pointing in another direction with her tail. With the dog boring down on her, she decided to follow Foxpaw. Reacting almost without thinking, Snowkit ran across the mossy floor, ignoring the branches as it whipped passed her, leaving deep scratches in her pelt.
"This way!"
Snowkit followed Foxpaw's directions, weaving in and out between trees, hoping to somehow lose the dog.
"Are we almost there?" Snowkit panted, "I can't take this much longer!"
"Yup," Foxpaw answered, not losing a beat in his step, "Just hang in a little while longer."
Snowkit nodded, too tired even talk now. Despite the speed at which she was traveling, she realized that the dog was easily keeping pace with her. It's breath was steady and even, always just a few paw steps behind her. It's playing with me! It can probably catch me anytime it wants. Snowkit could feel the panic start to well up inside of her. Please Starclan! Help me!
"Snowkit, listen closely."
She looked up to see Foxpaw looking at her over his shoulder.
"We are going to climb up a few logs, it will be easy, just keep close to me and you'll be alright."
Snowkit nodded again, feeling her strength slowly drain away. I hope it's soon.
Suddenly, out of the trees, she spotted a giant fallen tree. It's huge!
"Don't worry, you can do it." Foxpaw reassured her as though he could hear her thoughts.
As they reached the tree, Foxpaw leaped on to it with ease waiting at the top for her. Here goes nothing! Mustering up her strength, she bunched her legs beneath her, leaping up with a burst of power. She barely made the jump, leaving her to scramble up the tree trunk. Instead of leaping off the trunk and on to the other side of it, Fospaw ran up a nearby tree, using one of the branches from the fallen tree as a step to boost him higher. She looked at it with despair, there was no way she could do it.
"Snowkit! Hurry! The dog is coming!"
Looking back, she saw the dog trying to get up on to the log she was on. Fear lent her courage, pushing all the doubts from her mind. I can do this! Trying to imitate Foxpaw, she ran along side the tree trunk until she reached the branch. With an enormous burst of speed, she sped up the branch, leaping only at the last second, just barely able to cling on to the branch that Foxpaw was on.
"You did it!" Foxpaw praised, "Good job."
Looking down, she saw the dog barking at them, probably mad because they were now out of reach.
"What are we going to do now?" she mewed, still trying to catch her breath. "The dog's not going to leave."
"Now," Foxpaw said with a sigh, "We wait for a Blazeclan patrol."
"A what!" Snowkit exclaimed.
Cliffhanger! My favorite! Well this took a long time to write. At least it's longer than the prologue :) I will be writing this series from two different POVs from two different clans. And for anyone who is confused, Snowkit is from Iceclan. Please leave some reviews, which would be very helpful.