Welcome to chapter 1. Sorry for slow updates. I've got work and I am writing this on a tablet that I don't have a good Bluetooth keyboard for yet so typing on an onscreen keyboard. Please let me know if you notice any missed typos or misspellings.
Constructive criticism is welcome. I am very rusty to writing. :)
Chapter 1
The stench of blood filled the air, causing the small black she-cat to almost gag. She shivered, particularly from fear and particularly from the cold fog surrounding her, causing her sleek black pelt to cling to her body. Like almost every night, the she-cat found herself once again standing in this foggy field surrounded by the stench of blood. In the distant she could hear the faint yowling of cats fighting each other.
'Where am I and why am I here…' the she-cat wondered. 'Why do I keep appearing here in my dreams.'
Another smell filled the air, almost as strong as the scent of blood. This one smelled of musk and old, rotting fresh-kill. From the corner of the she-cat's right eye, she could she slight movement. She turned her head to see a pair of yellow eyes glaring out of the darkness. This… the was new to her dream. Up until now she had always appeared in this field alone.
"Welcome young one," a voice growled, coming from the direction of the eyes.
"W-Who are you?" the she-cat stuttered out. She could feel her claws unsheathing and digging into the soft earth beneath her, rooting her to the spot where she stood. Her legs shook and it felt like she could collapse in fear at any moment.
"I am a friend," a large orange and white tom emerged from the shadows, revealing himself to the she-cat. "We have been watching you and I have been looking forward to meeting you."
"To meeting me?" the she-cat blinked. 'Why would he be looking forward to meeting a kit who hasn't even become an apprentice yet.' The she-cat forced herself to take a step back, tearing her claws from the soil they had been dug into.
"Yes young one," the tom's tail swished back and forth behind him. "You have appeared here every night for a reason. I would like to welcome you personally to the Dark Forest."
'The Dark Forest!' The she-cat's fur bristled and stood on and. Why was she appearing in the Dark Forest every night? "W-What do you want with me? I-I'm just a kit!"
"We just want to welcome you," the tom took a few paw steps towards her. "You have appeared here every night for a reason. We need your help."
"Help?" the she-cat echoed. How could a kit help someone from the dark forest? She could feel her heart hammering against her chest. As the tom came closer, his smell overpowered the stench of blood. The powerful smell of crow food filled the she-cat nose. She wrinkled it, backing away from him. Her rear end bumped against something hard and rough. The stole a glance back to see a large boulder. "What do you want with me?" she demanded, trying to sound tough but her voice came out more in a squeak.
"You will learn in due time," the tom seemed to smile. "For now, just know that we are watching."
…
"Ravenkit wake up!" there was a sharp prod in the black she-cat's side, jolting her awake from her dark dream. Ravenkit lifted her head to see her brother standing over her. Morning sunlight leaked into the nursery, causing her brother's bright ginger pelt to light up.
What is it, Firekit?" Ravenkit asked, sitting up in their nest and shaking bits of dried moss from her pelt.
"You were mumbling in your sleep," her brother grumbled, his ear twitching in slight annoyance. "As usual."
Ravenkit mumbled an apology, her pelt burning slightly in embarrassment. She looked and realized that both her mom, Squirrelflight, and her sister, Featherkit, were missing from the nursery. They must already be outside. Ravenit decided before pushing past her brother and leaving the nursery. As she left the safety of the den, her dream came rushing back to her, causing her to shiver. For now, just know that we are watching.
Ravenkit had heard stories of the Dark Forest and of the Great battle from the Clan's elders. Her own brother was named after their grandfather, who had died in the process of defeating the Dark Forest's leader, Tigerstar. What in the name of StarClan did they want with her? It could not be anything good that was for sure. Ravenkit stopped a few foxlengths outside of the nursery to sit down and start grooming her fur. She didn't see her mother or sister when she left the den, even though she figured that they would be somewhere out here. Maybe Squirrelflight had left the camp on a patrol or had gone hunting and Featherkit was somewhere around the camp. Featherkit enjoyed listening to the stories that the elder's told.
"Hey Ravenkit," a voice called out, brining the small black she-cat out of her thoughts. She looked up from grooming to see her mother emerging from the medicine cat's den. What was she doing in there? "I see that you are finally awake. Where is Firekit?"
"Still in the nursery," Ravenkit meowed. "Why were you in the medicine cat's den? Are you okay?"
Squirrelflight brushed Ravenkit's shoulder with her tail. Don't worry, I am okay."
"But then why were you in the Medicine Cat's den?" Ravenkit wondered, cocking her head to one side.
"I was in there with Featherkit," her mother explained. When Ravenkit's face lit up with worry, she added. "Featherkit woke up with a stomach ache. I brought her to Jayfeather so that he could check her over."
Ravenkit was about to say something else when she heard a yowl from up on the Highledge. "Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting." Ravenkit looked up to see her father stand up on top of the boulder, his dark tabby fur glistening in the sun.
"What's going on?" Firekit emerged from the nursery followed by Daisy and Icecloud. The two queens sat down just outside of the entrance. Icecloud's stomach was swollen and from there, Ravenkit could she her breathing slightly heavy from just walking a few tail lengths from the nursery. She would be close to kitting any day now.
I call upon my warrior ancestors today to look down onto these three apprentices." Bramblestar announced, starting down at three cats sitting at the base of the Highledge. It was Amberpaw, Snowpaw and Dewpaw, the children of Brightheart and Cloudtail. Ravenkit could see the two parents gleaming proudly from the front of the cloud. Bramblestar continued his speech. "who have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in return."
Bramblestar looked down at Snowpaw. "Snowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." the white apprentice mowed with a nod of his head.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, i give you your warrior name. Snowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Snowbush. StarClan honors your bravery, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of ThunderClan." Bramblestar meowed.
Bramblestar turned to look down at Amberpaw. "Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." The pale ginger she-cat meowed somely.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Amberpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ambermoon. StarClan honors your dedication, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of ThunderClan." Bramblestar responded.
Lastly, Bramblestar turned to look down at Dewpaw. "Dewpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Dewpaw replied.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Dewpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dewnose. StarClan honors your dedication, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of ThunderClan." Bramblestar hoped down from the Highledge, resting his muzzle on each of the new warriors heads. In return each of them licked the dark tabby tom's shoulder.
"Snowbush, Ambermoon, Dewnose!" The Clan cheered as the meeting broke up. Ravenkit could see Cloudtail and Brightheart bound up to their kits. Brightheart gave each of her kits a loving lick on their heads as Cloudtail puffed out his fluffy white chest in pride.