Chapter One
Breezekit was up before the sun had even begun to creep above the horizon. The hollow was still dark, cast in shadows created by the nearly full silver moon, which hung low in the sky. Beside her in the nest, her mother Mosspelt slept soundly, her flank gently rising and falling with each breath. Her siblings, Oakkit and Galekit, also slept soundly, curled up together in a heap of cream and brown fur by their mother's side. The rest of CallistoClan was asleep too; not even the dawn patrol had awoken yet.
But though it was early, Breezekit could hardly sleep. One more day, she thought, rising from her moss nest and creeping silently to the nursery's entrance to look out upon the camp's clearing, bathed in moonlight. Only one more day until the full moon and the start of her apprenticeship! A shiver of excitement ran down her spine, making her tail twitch eagerly.
How she wanted morning to come! For moons, she and her brother and sister had dreamt of the day they would be made apprentices and finally be able to train to become warriors. She yearned for it with all her heart, and now, with it so near, she was restless with anticipation.
Managing to contain herself, Breezekit sat for some time, quietly contemplating the starry strip of sky visible through the tree branches above the clearing, watching them slowly fade as the sun rose, and fantasizing about being an apprentice.
She was startled from her thoughts by the soft rustling of the grasses that screened the entrance to the warrior's den across the clearing. Robintail, the clan's deputy, emerged, stretching, and padded towards the fresh kill pile near the entrance to the camp, where he stopped with a worried look. It was small, consisting of only a few pieces of prey that were scrawny after a harsh Leaf-bare. The grass rustled again, and two more warriors, Bambooleaf and her mate Cornstalk, joined Robintail by the camp entrance, yawning and preparing for the dawn patrol. One other cat soon joined the three warriors: Shadowpaw. Breezekit's heart skipped a beat when she saw the tom's silky pelt and gleaming eyes emerge from the apprentices' den, which he shared with his sister Shimmerpaw.
As she watched them, Breezekit felt a thrill of excitement, thinking that before too much longer, she could be joining them for patrols and hunting missions. The small patrol departed the camp, and soon the rest of the sleeping cats began to stir, rising from their nests and padding into the clearing to greet each other and share an early breakfast.
Breezekit was disturbed from her watch of the clearing by movement within the nursery, as the other kits began to wake up, yawning and stretching. Oakkit was the first of them to be fully awake, rising from his nest with a shake to rid his fur of the bits of moss that clung to it. His movement awoke Galekit, who groaned, mumbling drowsily to her brother, "What'd ya do that for, furball? I was sleeping!" before curling up once more beside her mother, who was awake and grooming herself. Across the den, the other two kits in the nursery were awake as well, stretching and shaking in the chilly morning air.
The smaller of the two, a she-cat named Sunkit, was soon beside Breezekit, asking, "When'd you get up? You look as if you've been wide awake for ages!"
"I couldn't sleep," Breezekit mewed in response, licking her chest to make her ruffled fur lie flat. "Can you believe it, Sunkit? Only one more day 'till I'm apprenticed! One day!"
"Only one day? It's that soon already? Wow, Breezekit, you must be so excited!" the small golden kit's tail drooped, and she looked down at her paws. "Must be nice. I still have to wait another moon." She looked up again, her eyes bright once more. "But you'll tell Moonkit and I all about it, won't you?"
"Tell us about what?" Sunkit's sister, a silvery gray she-cat, joined Breezekit and Sunkit by the nursery entrance.
"About being an apprentice!" Sunkit replied enthusiastically. "She's gonna be made one tomorrow! But you will, won't you?"
She turned back to Breezekit hopefully, who mewed, "Of course I will!" giving Sunkit a comforting lick.
Oakkit bounded over to the three of them, his fur fluffed up and an adventurous glint in his eye. Breezekit noticed it and asked hesitantly, "What are you up to, Oakkit? You've got that look that you had last time you got one of your bright ideas that ended up getting us in trouble."
"I was thinking, wouldn't it be fun to go into the forest? Just a little, like only to the ridge, and have a good look at the territory? Wouldn't that be a fun way to spend our last day as kits?"
"No way!" Breezekit exclaimed, "we're not supposed to leave the camp, you know that! Do you really want us to get in trouble the day before we're to be apprenticed? What if Morningstar gets mad and as punishment makes us stay kits forever? Besides, they won't even let us near the camp entrance."
"Aw, come on, Breezekit," her brother purred. "It'll be fun. We can slip through the brambles behind the nursery and climb the slope back there. We'll be so quick, they won't even notice we left."
"I dunno…" Breezekit was wary of her brother's wise plans. To her, it seemed it could easily go wrong, and she'd be in trouble, which was not something she wanted to happen. Especially not the day before such a monumental event in her life.
"Come on, Breezekit, we're almost apprentices anyway, so they shouldn't mind too much. What are you, scared or something?"
At this, Breezekit snapped, "Not scared. Smart. But whatever, I'll come. If we get in trouble, I'll just make sure to tell mom whose idea it was in the first place." Breezekit was quick to jump at jibes against her pride, and Oakkit knew it. If there was one thing she wouldn't tolerate, it was being made fun of or called scared.
Sunkit and Moonkit both seemed to think Oakkit's idea loads of fun, for they didn't argue. As soon as Galekit was awake and their mothers deep in conversation over breakfast, the five kits made their way towards the weak patch of brambles behind the nursery and pushed through the tiny gap.
Sheer rock walls surrounded most of the camp. Here however, the slope was slightly less steep, but looking up to its top, Breezekit couldn't help but think that a drop from up there would be a dizzying one.
As she stood there evaluating the ridge, Oakkit began to climb it, springing from one ledge to the next. Moonkit, Sunkit, and Galekit were soon to follow his lead, and Breezekit followed reluctantly, so as not to be teased by her brother. Finding a decent sized ledge, she easily sprang up onto it, and then proceeded on to another and another until she was halfway up the slope.
She stopped; looking around to see how much farther she had to climb, and readied herself to spring onto another rock, but paused to watch her sister a few ledges higher as she crouched low in preparation for a large leap. Galekit crouched for a moment, judging the distance, then sprang upward, but her leap fell short, and she reached out, just managing to grip the rock's edge. Hanging there, she desperately tried to regain her footing and pull herself up, but lost her grip and fell, tumbling ears over tail to the ground below in a shower of pebbles. She laid there, stunned, blood oozing from a gash on her shoulder where she'd struck a rock falling.
Breezekit gasped, scrambling as fast as she could back down the slope to her sister's side, Moonkit and Sunkit close behind her. Oakkit, who had crested the rise, peeked down at them, and, seeing his sister bleeding on the ground, rushed to her side as well.
"Galekit!" Breezekit exclaimed, "Are you okay? Please tell me you're alright!" she rounded on her brother. "I told you this was a bad idea! Now look what's happened! You are so mouse-brained! Moonkit, get Shellspots, quickly!"
Moonkit nodded, squeezing back into the camp, and Breezekit turned back to her sister, who, with the help of Sunkit, was now half-sitting, rather than sprawled on the ground. "Can you stand?" she asked worriedly.
"I- I don't think I can." Galekit moaned, leaning heavily on Sunkit. "Where's Shellspots, Breezekit? It hurts!"
"She's coming. Just stay there and-" sure enough, a cat could now be heard tearing at the brambles to create a larger hole, and within moments, Shellspots was at Galekit's side.
The small tabby she-cat turned to Mosspelt, who had come with her, and ordered, "Pick the kit up and bring her to my den. But try not to move her too much. That gash looks deep. Breezekit, I want you to come with me and tell me what happened. The rest of you kits, go straight into the nursery and don't leave until someone fetches you."
Leaving Mosspelt to pick up Galekit, Shellspots pushed her way back into camp. Breezekit and the other kits followed her, with Mosspelt behind them carrying Galekit. While the rest returned to the nursery, tails drooping and worried looks on their faces, Breezekit continued on to Shellspots's den, where she found the medicine cat gathering together herbs to make a poultice.
Mosspelt entered the den, laying Galekit on the small moss nest just inside the door, then stood back out of Shellspots's way.
Shellspots said nothing at first, just picked up a wad of cobwebs and applied them gently to the gash to help stem the bleeding. Only after she had the cobwebs covering it did she speak, still looking down at the kit and pressing on the wound lightly. "Mosspelt, I know you're worried about her, but you need to go keep an eye on the other kits. Make sure they know Galekit will be okay. But first, go and tell Morningstar what happened. I think her hunting party just got back, and I have a feeling she'll be wanting to speak to the kits."
Mosspelt hesitated, but nodded and reluctantly left the den. Breezekit sat there awkwardly, wondering if Shellspots even knew she was there. She watched as the medicine cat removed the cobwebs and applied a thick poultice of chewed up herbs and berries to Galekit's shoulder, who lay there unmoving, her eyes clouded in pain. Finally, Shellspots turned to Breezekit, asking, "Okay, so tell me, what happened?"
Slowly, Breezekit told her of the morning's events, starting with Oakkit telling she, Moonkit, and Sunkit of his wise ideas. The old tabby listened silently the whole time, then nodded, looking not angry, as Breezekit had expected her to, but sympathetic.
Breezekit finished and waited for her to speak, but still she said nothing, only got up to fetch some poppy seeds, which she fed to Galekit.
After a while, she spoke, asking, "Please fetch Morningstar for me, then come back here." Breezekit complied, exiting the den and walking towards the nursery, where Morningstar sat, deep in conversation with Robintail, her deputy.
"Excuse me, Morningstar?" Breezekit mewed hesitantly. Morningstar paused in her conversation, gesturing with her tail for Breezekit to continue, who went on, "Shellspots sent me to fetch you."
"Let her know I'll be there in a second. Robintail, will you get a group of warriors together to patch the hole behind the nursery? We wouldn't want anything getting in." The deputy nodded and moved off, and Morningstar stood and followed Breezekit back to Shellspots's den.
Inside, Galekit was now sleeping, a fresh poultice on her shoulder. Shellspots gestured for them to be quiet and follow her to the back of the den, where she sat, her tail wrapped around her paws.
After Morningstar and Breezekit had both seated themselves, she began, "Galekit will be okay, but it'll take time for her to heal. That gash is long and deep, right down to the bone, and could get infected easily. She'll need to stay here for a few days so I can keep an eye on her for signs of infection or deeper damage. Until the wound's fully healed, she will need to move around as little as possible, so that it doesn't split open again.
"Which brings me to the next issue. Morningstar, I know tomorrow is the full moon, and she was supposed to be made an apprentice. But I think it would be best if you hold off on that for now. It'll take at least a moon for her to heal completely and be fit enough to start her training."
"I think you're right, Shellspots." Morningstar agreed after a moment. "It's a shame this had to happen, but it would be better for her health if we wait. Poor kit will be so disappointed, though."
"Yes, but it's for the best." Shellspots murmured, rising from where she sat. "I need to change that poultice again, so if you'll excuse me."
Morningstar nodded, also rising, and meowed to Breezekit for her to get Oakkit and come to her den.
Deep in thought, Breezekit made her way past her sleeping sister and across the clearing to towards the nursery, feeling sad. Galekit had been looking forward to becoming an apprentice as much as she had, and would be so disappointed! She also couldn't help but wonder what punishment lay in store for she and Oakkit. Would Morningstar be so angry with them that she wouldn't permit them to be apprenticed tomorrow? Would she really make them stay kits forever? In a daze, she got Oakkit and made her way to the leader's den. Morningstar saw them coming, and motioned them inside.
Inside, the den was dark and cool. Breezekit sat beside the entrance, dipping her head respectfully at her leader. Morningstar, a strong, broad-shouldered she-cat with short, wiry gray-brown fur and a kinked tail, sat scrutinizing the two kits for a moment, before speaking.
"What you kits did was wrong, and each of you knows it. You knew you were breaking Clan rules by leaving the camp, but you did it anyway. You two especially should know better! I mean, you're to be apprentices tomorrow for StarClan's sake! And look at what your actions have caused. Your poor sister is now suffering because you all decided to go off and misbehave. She can't be made an apprentice until she heals, which could take a moon or more!
"If you two think you are ready to become apprentices, let me tell you, you'll need to be a lot more responsible if you ever hope to be made warriors! I know you are both bright kits. You have common sense, so use it next time! So what do you think your punishment should be? Hmm?"
Breezekit, who had been staring in shame at her paws, now looked up at her leader. Beside her, Oakkit shifted uneasily, and she mewed softly, each word causing her pain, "If I were you, and I can never hope to be as noble a cat as you are, Morningstar, I'd not let us become apprentices yet. We were irresponsible and it was wrong to do what we did, and I don't think it would be fair for us to get the privilege of being apprentices, especially when poor Galekit has to suffer." She looked back down, feeling wretched.
Morningstar was silent for a moment, then mewed slowly, "No, you'll be apprenticed tomorrow. Every cat makes mistakes, and you can see what the consequences can be. No, the Clan needs apprentices, especially bright ones like you two will be. But I really want you to think about this.
"Oakkit, it was your idea, from what I understand, that sparked all this. Now, I'm not placing the blame squarely on you, as the others should have had enough sense not to follow along, but think before you talk others into doing things that even you know aren't right. And Breezekit, when you know something isn't right, don't go along with it to save face. Stand firm to what you know is good, even if others don't agree with you. You two and your sister, you're role models for the younger kits. Sunkit and Moonkit, they watch what you do and act off of it because you're older and wiser in their minds.
"And think of the example you set for kits like Shadykit, Duskkit, and Maplekit. They're four moons younger than you, and look up to you too. They heard about what you did today. What kind of idea do you think that gives them?
"No, you'll be made apprentices, but really think about what I've said. As for punishment, since you are so keen to be made apprentices, and Shadowpaw and Shimmerpaw are too busy with training to do it all of the time, I want you two to bring fresh kill to the elders, and take away their dirty bedding. Sandstone is out gathering them fresh moss, and when he gets back, I want you two to bring it to the elders and help them get it laid out.
"And also, until she's healthy again, it's going to be your job to bring Galekit food. Water shouldn't be a problem, since Shellspots has that spring right near Galekit's nest, but if she's thirsty after eating and can't get up, you are to get some clean moss and fill it with water for her to drink. Do you think that's a fair punishment?"
"Yes, Morningstar." Breezekit mewed, Oakkit echoing her.
"Good," their leader replied. "Now you two get to it, and when you're done all of that, go back to the nursery and stay out of trouble!" Morningstar said this last comment with an amused purr, and the to kits left her den, heading to the fresh kill pile to pick out something for the elders. As Breezekit crossed the clearing, she couldn't stop a tremor of excitement from passing down her spine. She was still going to be made an apprentice tomorrow! And in her mind, she and Oakkit had gotten off lightly, compared with the punishments she had been anticipating. Caring for the elders today and Galekit until she was healthy again didn't sound that bad at all.
In high spirits, Breezekit chose a plump field mouse and a large starling to bring to the elders, and Oakkit picked up a water vole. The two kits then carried their load to the elder's den, where they were welcomed inside.
Currently, there were three elders in CallistoClan- Creekwave, a calico she-cat with black paws and blue-green eyes; Spruceleaf, a dark brown tom and the mate of Creekwave; and Greenfern, Creekwave's calico sister. The three of them were the oldest cats in the Clan, and knew some great stories, as Breezekit and Oakkit had learned from listening to them on rainy days.
The elders thanked the two kits for the food, and while they ate, Breezekit and Oakkit set about clearing out the dirty bedding. Breezekit soon found it was tiring work, as the elders had thick moss nests, and many trips had to be made between the den and the camp entrance, where the kits deposited the old bedding to be carried out of camp by a warrior. Even though it was tiring, and Breezekit was hungry, as she hadn't eaten all day, she did the work without complaining, knowing she and Oakkit had brought it upon themselves.
Between the entrance tunnel and the elder's den, they passed the nursery entrance many times, and after a while, Moonkit and Sunkit had come to watch them work. When they had finished clearing the dirty bedding, Breezekit stopped in at Shellspots's den to see if Galekit was awake, but she was still sleeping, so Breezekit joined Oakkit, Sunkit, and Moonkit at the tree stump by the nursery where they were sharing a squirrel. The four kits sat around talking for a while, Breezekit and Oakkit waiting for Sandstone to return with fresh bedding so they could finish helping the elders.
He returned just after sunhigh, and slowly over the next few hours, Breezekit and Oakkit towed the clumps of fresh moss into the elder's den and helped them to get comfortable.
It was late in the afternoon when they were finally done with their chores, and a tired and sore Oakkit and Breezekit joined Sunkit and Moonkit once more at the tree stump.
"So, how'd your day's work go?" Moonkit asked in amusement when Oakkit sprawled beside the stump in dramatic exhaustion.
"It was fine," Breezekit replied, flicking her tail in amusement at her brother's antics. "Hard work, but fine. I think we got off light as far as punishment goes. I mean it's the job of apprentices to care for the elders all the time, so today's work wasn't much different from what we'll have to do soon anyway.
"Actually, I kinda enjoyed it. It made me feel useful." Breezekit began cleaning her fur, and they sat there, quietly watching Shadykit, Duskkit, and Maplekit play-fight, each deep in their own thoughts. The three smaller kits had emerged from the nursery under the watchful eye of Bluepond, the mate of the Clan's deputy. As she watched them play, Breezekit was reminded of the tragedy that had occurred when the kits were born, when she was only four moons old herself. Just after Shadykit and Duskkit were born, their mother Leaear had died. Bluepond, who had given birth to her single kit just days before, took the two small kits in as her own, and had cared for them since that day.
As dusk approached, Breezekit grew drowsy, and decided to check in on Galekit once more before going to sleep. Figuring her sister would be awake and hungry, she picked up a nice squirrel from the fresh kill pile and carried it to Shellspots's den, where she found the medicine cat checking Galekit's shoulder. When she saw Breezekit, she motioned her over.
"This was for Galekit." Breezekit mewed, sitting the prey down. "If she wakes up, you can give it to her, or eat it yourself. Has she even woken up yet?"
Shellspots shook her head. "No, she'll sleep 'till tomorrow. I gave her plenty to help her stay asleep. But thank you for bringing that squirrel. I haven't eaten at all today, so I'd be happy to eat it. Would you like some?"
"No, thank you. I ate earlier. Unless you need anything, I think I'm going to go sleep. My paws are sore and I'm tired after all of today's adventures." Breezekit hoped Shellspots wouldn't think her rude, but her exhaustion was growing, and she was finding it hard to contain a yawn.
Shellspots only smiled. "You do look tired." She commented. "Go get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a big day for you."
"Yes, it is. You know, it had slipped my mind? I was so busy today I'd almost forgotten!" Breezekit left Shellspots tending Galekit and returned to the nursery, where she curled up in her nest and was instantly asleep.