2
The black she-kit, newly named Shadowkit, pressed against Dovewing's warm belly. She had just opened her eyes a few hours ago, and her nursery mates were all out playing.
"Dovewing?" Shadowkit murmured.
"Yes, Shadowkit?" she purred softly.
"Am I clanborn?" she asked.
"No," Dovewing answered. "But that doesn't matter."
"So I'm not your kit?" Shadowkit stared dejectedly at her own paws.
"No, Shadowkit, but to me you will always be my little kit," Dovewing replied. "Now, Rosekit and Thornkit will be in soon. They are both looking forward to talking to you."
As if on cue, Rosekit, a light grey she-cat, bounced into the nursery, closely followed by Thornkit.
"Dovewing-" Rosekit stopped and stared at Shadowkit with a gaze laced with hate and disgust. "Is this Shadowkit?" she spat, disgusted.
"Yes," Shadowkit said, pulling herself to her paws shakily.
"Hi Shadowkit!" Thornkit mewed happily, bouncing to her side and brushing his fluffy dark grey pelt against her black one.
Rosekit turned tail and left the nursery.
"Don't worry about her," Thornkit purred. "She always acts like she has a burr in her fur." Shadowkit nodded silently. "Do you want to see outside?"
Thornkit led Shadowkit outside. She gasped as she saw the enormous Thunderclan camp. Thornkit purred, amused.
"Hello Shadowkit," a large muscular pale gray tom with black stripes approached them. "I'm Bumblestripe," he purred.
"Yes," Thornkit commented. "He's Rosekit's and my father. And now he's yours too." Bumblestripe seemed to shift uncomfortably.
"Yes," Bumblestripe said quickly. "Now, would you like to see the elders? I think Rosekit's listening to Purdy."
Thornkit nudged Shadowkit to the elder's den. "The elders love kits," Thornkit bounded ahead, squeezing into the elder's den.
Shadowkit tried to squeeze in, but Rosekit shoved her out of the way. "Get out of my way," she hissed, barging past Shadowkit and sending her sprawling. Shadowkit bared her teeth.
"Stop harassing me, Rosekit," Shadowkit had taken a disliking to the she-cat. Fury sparked in Rosekit's eyes as she turned to face Shadowkit.
"Well then keep away from me. You're entire life has been a lie. It was a mistake you were found, that's all you'll ever be. A mistake. You'll never be good enough to be a warrior, you will live and die as a lie, and that's all you'll ever be!" Rosekit turned tail on her. Shadowkit was stunned with the shock as she realised Rosekit was true. Her life would always be a lie.
"Shadowkit? Are you going to come and listen to Purdy?" Thornkit poked his head out of the elders den.
"Don't talk to me!" Shadowkit hissed, running away from Thornkit, but she stopped when she realised she didn't have anywhere to hide.
"Shadowkit," she turned to see Bramblestar standing behind her. "I want you to know that you will always be welcomed into the clan. It doesn't matter if you are a rogue, as long as you are faithful to your clan."
Bramblestar padded back to his den, leaving Shadowkit to think. How could she be a faithful warrior if her past was a lie?