Hey Guys! Time for chapter two!
I think I did better on this one than chapter one. I don't know the next time I'll update but I'll try to make it quick. Enjoy this chapter :)
Bumblekit watched, trembling, as her sister was guided out if the camp by the five Clan leaders; they said they'd explain to Wispkit what all five Clans were like, let her make her choice, and have her leader escort her to her Clan. Once that leader returned to the meeting place, they'd return to Bumblekit.
I hope Wispkit makes the right decision for herself. She shivered as she remembered she would too leave SacredClan that day. She glanced at her white paws. I hope I make the right decision, too, and follow the path I was meant to pad on.
She felt bodies shove against her- she whipped around to see Aquakit and Emeraldkit play-fighting. The sisters reminded Bumblekit of Wispkit and her- how they would always quarrel and screech over simple things, wrestle each other, stuff their muzzles and eyes with packed snow as they grew even more furious with each other.
Yet they still loved each other dearly. Bumblekit just didn't realize it until she reached five moons, and knew her bossy, annoying sister would have to walk away from her.
Bumblekit always hoped before then her sister would choose a different Clan and not be a part of her life anymore. Now she hoped every day, from dawn till dusk till dawn again, they could be together. Train together, fight together, share secrets together about crushes and what they thought of other cats
She always knew there was a tiny chance of that, and she just knew deep down inside she would not be with her littermate.
It always stabbed her like a thorn. I'll miss her so much!
"Break it up, you two." She snapped back to where she was now- Aquakit and Emeraldkit were no longer attacking each other but were bickering. "What's all this about?"
"When we woke up," Aquakit began, "this fox-smelling bird-head and I decided to get something to eat."
Emeraldkit growled at the name, and dug her claws into the ground.
"I saw a shrew on the kill pile, and yowled to the whole Clan I wanted it," Aquakit continued, flashing a venomous look at her littermate. "And she shoved me into the snow and stole it! I caught up and asked to share it-
Emeraldkit cut her off. "Not true! You didn't ask to share! It was in my mouth and you tried to yank it out!" Aquakit let out a hiss, and soon they were dragging each other around the snow.
"I called it!" Aquakit squealed.
Bumblekit suddenly remembered seeing the two she-kits tugging on a shrew, their teeth locked into its fur. She let out a purr as she recalled the fur being ripped off the shrew and both kits tumbling backwards.
She wove her muzzle between the kits, shoving them apart. "Enough," she meowed, nodding towards the shrew. "I want you two to share it."
"But-" Emeraldkit stopped mid-protest. "Ok. Fine. Come on, Aquashriek."
"Oh, so I earned my warrior name before you, Whinykit?" Aquakit flashed, triumph glittering in her eyes as Emeraldkit snorted and walked away.
"Nice," Bumblekit praised. She'd heard better comebacks, but mostly when queens were arguing. It was a good enough comeback coming from a half-moon-old kit. "Go eat."
Grumbling, Aquakit caught up to her sister and they both dug into the shrew. Both kits seemed to be apologizing, to Bumblekit's relief.
After they ate the shrew, they both padded side-by-side towards the stream, chattering like starlings.
Bumblekit yawned and stretched, suddenly bored. She half-wished Amberkit would appear to annoy her.
The sun reached its highest peak- Ratwhisker, Scarpelt, and Tigerstripe returned from hunting. Ratwhisker had two mice, Tigerstripe had a rabbit clamped in his jaws, and Scarpelt had another shrew.
Hawkkit was squealing. Her mother, Creekfrost, whispered in a hushed, soft tone to silence her kit. Scarpelt deposited his prey and went into the sleeping den his mate and kit were resting in. Maplebreeze slid past the tom, her kits Cougarkit, Anberkit, and Leopardkit trailing behind her and racing for the fresh-kill pile. They'd be the oldest litter once Bumblekit left.
Peridew was still sleeping in the den.
In the second sleeping den, Lilacflame burst out in a loud yawn as she padded out. Her mate, Tigerstripe, rushed across the camp, purring.
"Sleep well?" he asked, flicking his tail to the prey he caught. "You hungry?"
Lilacflame nodded. "These kits weren't even born yet, and they're already a pain." She glanced at her belly. "My first litter of sons weren't this bad when they were out of my tummy!"
Tigerstripe nodded. The couple no longer chatted about them, as not to give anything away. Swallowfoot, who slept in the den that night, was already out and chatting with her mate Mouseleap. Her kits Oakkit and Graykit were in one of the play dens, climbing around.
Seaweedpelt exited the den. Ratwhisker ran up to greet her, and glanced at her belly. The two cats arrived two days before Hawkkit was born; Seaweedpelt had a moon to go before her own kits were born. She came about a quarter-moon earlier than most queens.
All the gathering toms who did not hunt padded out if the third sleeping den.
Bumblekit realized almost all the cats woke at the same time. She collapsed, laughter boiling out of her. She wished so badly she could share it with Wispkit.
Where are you now? Bumblekit wondered, imagining her sister arriving at a Clan. She glanced around at all the kits and queens, and the warriors who had hunted for her and protected her from a fox a moon ago. Then Nettleleaf exited her den, a leaf on her nose. I'll have to leave all of you soon. She stared at Hazelcloud and Smokewhisker, her mother and father who both had raised her and scolded her and praised her for her whole six moons of life. I might have to forever leave you guys, too.
Bumblekit let out a sigh and flopped to the ground. A worm of anxiety was burrowing deep in her stomach, messing with the mouse she had shared with her sister before she left SacredClan.
Squeals rang across the camp as Leopardkit, Cougarkit, and Arieskit raced for the play den. As the three toms slipped inside, Bumblekit observed Cougarkit and Leopardkit were having a harder time squeezing through because of their larger bodies. Bumblekit was thrown back into memories.
Wispkit and she were running towards the playden around four moons old- they were a out the size of Cougarkit and Leopardkit. They were running beside eachother. Both sisters reached the enterence at the same time and spent the next few moments arguing about who should go in first. Finally, they decided to try to both go in at the same time- a few plucked thorns later, they argued about it for what seemed like a quarter moon.
Bumblekit purred, wondering how in the name of StarClan Wispkit and she could get so infuriated about something so simple. I was so mouse-brained and immature back then! Bumblekit huffed to herself. Once I become an apprentice, I'll follow all my orders and focus on training. I'll become the best warrior yet!
She began to wonder what her future mentor would be like- strict and impatient or caring and fun? She hoped not to get too mean of a mentor. I'd get my fur clawed out!
"Are you leaving soon?" Bumblekit looked behind her and saw Amberkit emerging, her eyes sparkling with mischief and her tail lashing. "I hope you are- I can't spend another day with you!"
"Leave me alone," Bumblekit grunted in annoyance, trying to shove past the loud furball only to get shoved back, deep into the snow.
Gasping, Bumblekit kicked out her hind legs- she felt a glimmer of triumph as her claws ripped a few shreds of fur and Amberkit let out a yowl that probably alerted all the Clans.
Growling, Amberkit stalked off, leaving a proud Bumblekit staring after her, pride filling her chest until it fluffed out.
"The leaders should be here soon." Bumblekit, head low, acknowledged her father's words with scuffling paws.
"I don't want to leave," she whispered to Snokewhisker. "I wanted to stay here, with you and Hazelcloud and Wispkit."
"We're leaving today too." Hazelcloud padded forward from gossiping with Lilacflame. "And we might not come back. I don't know if I'll have another litter. You are a beautiful she-cat, and all the toms will love you. You will return someday."
Bumblekit flicked her ears. That was the first time she was referred to as a she-cat, not a she-kit. Which one do I want to be? I always longed to be a grown warrior, but I don't want to leave kithood behind and walk into a world with so many responsibilities. I have to hunt and fight for cats and follow a warrior code. I'll have to share so little pray with so many other cats in leaf-bare. In green-leaf, I'll be forced to hunt in mud and get my pelt soaked. She shuddered as she imagined padding along a hunting trail, cold and wet to the bone. Do I really want this?
Of course you do! Bumblekit shook her head to rid it of all the negative thoughts. You will be thankful you actually will be able to help instead of being helped. You'll be a fantastic warrior, Bumblekit reassured herself. When the leaders come, be courageous, outgoing, and choose the Clan your paws will tread in. The Clan your heart will protect, the Clan your claws and skills will be used to take care of.
The entrance to the camp shuttered, the soft noise a big clatter clawing into Bumblekit's thoughts. The butterflies in her stomach were set free as she turned, expecting to be escorted by five, strong leaders who lead away her sister earlier that day.
Instead, she spotted Sunstorm and Leostorm's tails slithering through as the warriors exited the camp. They must be hunting or gathering moss as feathers for nests. Bumblekit, weak with relief, stumbled over to where Arieskit and Aquakit were quarreling.
"If they bring a shrew, I'm getting it!" Aquakit screeched. The kit really must've enjoyed shrews.
"You have one today!" Arieskit argued. His fur began to spike up and his tail-tip flicked irritably.
"I had to share it!" Aquakit glared at Emeraldkit, who was coaxing Hawkkit out if a den. The brown she-kit must've opened her eyes that morning.
"I'll be leaving soon." Bumblekit dug her claws into the ground. "I won't be around to even see who'll get a shrew, if any are caught. Care to say good-bye?"
"Bye," the kits both meowed at the same time, then turned their heads to continue the fight. Sighing, Bumblekit padded away from them, a lump forming in her throat. Did any kit even care?
She spotted movement at the entrance of the camp. Oh no. Please, StarClan, not yet!
No matter the protests Bumblekit thought of, five cats entered. Hazelcloud and Smokewhisker raced to greet them.
"No..." Bumblekit whispered, slowly sneaking back into a shadow before racing into a play den.
She took a few deep breaths. This is it. I'm leaving.
"Bumblekit!" Hazelcloud called. "Bumblekit!" Hold on! Bumblekit thought irritably. She breathed in through her nose, slowly, and slowly let the breath swirl out of her mouth, still forming a wisp of cloud despite the greater warmth in the den.
"Bumblekit!" Now Smokewhisker was yowling off his tail for her. Sighting, Bumblekit slunk out of the play den and revealed herself. The suddenly bitter winds bit her muzzle, making her wince.
"You need to leave." Hazelcloud stepped forward and licked her daughter's forehead. This time, Bumblekit made no protests like she would've on any normal day.
Smokewhisker made the same exchange. "Choose wisely," he told his daughter. "No matter what happens, you're still our kit." He nodded towards all leaders- at none in particular, giving away no hints.
Bumblekit raced up to her mother and cuddled against her soft belly, breathing in her scent. It was so familiar.
"I love you," her mother whispered in return, nuzzling her towards the leaders.
Bumblekit marched forward. She glanced back- Sunstorm and Leostorm were still out. Hawkkit was beside Emeraldkit, gazing curiously at Bumblekit. Arieskit ad Aquakit were staring, their argument seemingly forgotten and left in the dust. Lilacflame and Tigerstripe looked up. Bumblekit feel a pang of regret- she'd never meet their kits until they either joined the same Clan as her or attended a Gathering.
Before she could observe any father, Bumblekit felt a tail on her shoulder, and Smokewhisker guided her to the leaders.
Bye, SacredClan. Bumblekit followed the leaders, exiting the SacredClan camp for the first time.
And maybe last.
"We'll describe our Clans. We'll start by introducing ourselves."
Bumblekit and the leaders were farther away from the SacredClan camp- they were in wide, flat space, which contained no bushes or trees for eavesdroppers. Frost glistened on the short blades of grass- the leaf-bare cold still sliced Bumblekit's pelt, causing her to shiver.
SacredClan camp was a dip in the ground- the camp was within an even bigger, steeper valley, with slopes on all sides. Beyond the slopes of the valley were the Clan territories- Bumblekit could not see behind the sloping wall, though. One of the leaders was explaining there was a giant, long gorge cutting between SacredClan and the Clan territories.
"Alright." One she-cat stepped forward. She had a gray tabby pelt and bright green eyes. They seemed to be squinting a bit. "My name is Jaystar, and I am leader of BlindClan." She signaled to her tail farther away. "I will tell you about my Clan over there."
Bumblekit searched the gazes of all the Clan leaders- not one of them seemed more excited than every other one, and nothing was revealed about whose Clan Wispkit chose.
Sighing, she followed Jaystar- the she-cat was walking fast. Her pelt and whiskers, although licked clean, were ruffled and still had specks of obvious dust. Bumblekit stared, wondering why she couldn't groom herself better while her own pelt was smothered by her mother's insisting licks.
"My Clan lives on low, bumpy hills," Jaystar began. "They have a few trees and bushes. But we don't care about the outside."
The outside? Bumblekit thrust her muzzle forward, curiosity prickling on her pelt. What does she mean, the outside?
Jaystar continued, explaining her words. "We love in tunnels. We hunt and mostly fight in tunnels. We fend off foxes from our camp, as well as a few badgers. Our camp is cool- you must use tunnels to get to it. The camp is a crevice- not as long and deep as the gorge but deep enough where any cat would break his or her neck trying to leap down." She dipped her head. "There are two large caverns, one in each side of the long way of the camp. One is the medicine den- it has cracks for storing herbs and there are vines hanging in front of the entrance... No warrior knows how they got there." She took a deep breath, as if reciting the whole warrior code five times. Bumblekit resisted the urge to snort with annoyance.
"We let the other Clans hunt on our territory. We hunt in tunnels and streams in the tunnels, not above ground. We check the areas around our tunnel entrances only, and are active at night. During the day there are three cats wandering around during the day, patrolling. Warrior vigils are during the day. During your vigil you will have to patrol around the camp." She dipped her head, seemingly breathless. Bumblekit rolled her eyes and began to walk back towards the other leaders.
Do I have to do this with every single one? Sighing, Bumblekit looked up at a black tom. "Will you be the next to tell me about your Clan?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
"Of course!" the tom purred. "I am Smokestar. Of course, I'm not made of smoke!" The slender black cat fell over, snorting in laughter.
"Very amusing!" Bumblekit inwardly shook her head. I've heard better from Leopardkit!
"Alright, lets talk about my Clan, BreezeClan." Smokestar could hardly speak the words through his chuckles. Bumblekit growled under her breath as she followed the leader away, wondering why any cat would want to join his Clan.
"Did you know sometimes stinky breezes come out beneath a cat's tail?" Smokestar boomed in his annoying tone. "Sometimes it makes a noise loud as thunder! We were not named after that, though- we were named for our great speed and stamina."
Bumblekit nodded. "So I see." She observed his skinnier, fitter shape, and remembered the muscles exploding out of another leader- a gray-and-white tom.
"My Clan is brilliant!" Smokestar continued, settling. "All the other Clans are either skittish or always aggressive, and we're neither. We're neutral- if you set a paw on our territory or try to steal it, we aren't afraid to react. Yet we don't go picking for battles, either. We live on hills- plain, huge, grassy, windy hills. They contain rivers. We learn to swim in them- haha, we aren't fish though!" He winked at Bumblekit. Bumblekit felt frustration explode through her.
"Out camp is cool- it is similar to SacredClan camp. It is a dip on the ground! The dens are hollowed out bushes, all except for my den- it is in the shade of a huge boulder. There are leaves and moss and sticks used to create a wall around it. It's roomy, and very cozy. We catch fish and run after prey. That is all." He thrust his muzzle forward. "I'm also really skilled and handsome-"
Bumblekit freaked out and raced off towards the other leaders. I will not join that fox-breathed mouse! He's attracted to me! Gross! She stared up at the other leaders, flicking with her tail to a white she-cat with red-brown patches. "Who are you?" she questioned, hoping she wasn't a beetle-head like Smokestar.
"I am Wingstar," the leader announced boldly. "And my Clan is PrideClan- we are proud and fierce." Jaystar of BlindClan let out a snort. Bumblekit flicked her ear- were these Clans enemies? They certainly acted like it- the two she-cats glared like hawks at each-other, and both seemed to want to dig their claws into each other's pelts.
Shuddering, Bumblekit gave Wingstar a nod before padding after her. She wondered if she'd want to join a Clan at war- she feared the thought of receiving a shredded pelt just a few moons out of SacredClan, but battle sounded fun, too. Excitement pulsed through her- even if PrideClan were in a war, their leader sounded proud of herself and confident, which was the type of leader a strong Clan would have.
"Tell me about your Clan," Bumblekit inquired, curious. She was just thankful not to have to put up with Smokestar anymore.
"Well... We're different than most Clans," Wingstar began. Her voice was naturally soft, yet she seemed non-shy and willing to contribute facts about her Clan. "We are mostly active at night- we have a few small patrols during the day, but most of my warriors hunt and mark borders when the moon and stars are above them. Also..." Wingstar bent closer. "Sometimes, in weather like this... our territory consists of too little prey. Our territory is a forest with several shallow streams any mouse could jump, but has no undergrowth. At all. So, in order to solve the problem, we thief the other Clans. We disguise ourselves and catch prey in all other Clan's territories. We even take herbs from them."
Bumblekit pricked her ears. She knew it was wrong scavenging other Clan territories, yet it seemed right for her.
"Our camp... It's a big hollow with no trees. The dens are branches woven together. A tree fell into the camp many, many twelve-moons ago. The prey is stored in the trunk." Wingstar sat down. "Our territory has huge hills close to the BreezeClan border. There's a famous slope- we call it Falling Slope. BreezeClan says its the biggest slope around. My Clan and Smokestar's fought for the slope, and I won it." Her eyes glittered with triumph.
ScratchClan's leader, Onionstar, told her about his Clan next. They were "the toughest Clan" and lived in a forest with tons of undergrowth but no streams. Onionstar said they took territory whenever they wanted, causing Bumblekit to shiver. This Clan sounded way too violent and aggressive to her liking. They also did not have an official camp- they liked to keep moving around so they would have less of a chance being ambushed.
Last was PineClan. Their leader, Miststar, informed Bumblekit that their territory was a pine forest with shallow streams and undergrowth. Their closest ally was PrideClan, who would help chase enemies off of their territory. PineClan never fought and mostly gave in when there were threats. Bumblekit thought they sounded skittish, and was surprised they were even a Clan. Their camp sounded fine- it was a clearing with dens, and huge, thick walls made of logs and sticks and brambles.
After what seemed like only a few heart-beats, Bumblekit had to choose. She crossed out BreezeClan, ScratchClan, and PineClan- leaving only PrideClan and BlindClan.
BlindClan lets the other Clans hunt in their territory! Plus the tunnels sound scary! She sighed. PrideClan seems to match my wishes and personality and skills. I always liked night better than day, and will most likely enjoy thieving.
She took a deep breath. She knew her heart was into this Clan- her destiny was there, too, and she had to follow her path. "I choose PrideClan."
For a heart-beat laid silence. Then Wingstar nodded. "That's wonderful news!" she burst, yet seemed to have enough self-control to continue boasting. She looked over at the other leaders. "After I escort her, we may pick up Hazelcloud and Smokewhisker and also bring them to PrideClan."
Bumblekit's heart jumped. They're also in my Clan! "Where did Wispkit go?" she questioned. Hope fluttered in her chest.
"BlindClan," Jaystar mewed, flashing a triumphant glare at Wingstar. "We will train her well."
Bumblekit's heart seemed to stop beating. "BlindClan?" She backed away, shocked.
"I know it's hard," Wingstar reassured her, sympathy in her gaze. "But you still chose the right Clan. When I get back to camp after receiving your parents, you will become an apprentice and gain a mentor. You will be a warrior of PrideClan."
