AN: Allegiances have been updated to include kits.
Hello readers! Sorry if the plot seems to be moving along slowly. I wanted to really explore Snowkit's character before anything too big happens. As said in reviews, Snowkit is obviously really sweet, curious, and overall cute, as kits tend to be. But I also wanted you to see his kindness, compassion, his resentment at being treated differently, and his longing to be needed by his clanmates. The plot will move quicker after this chapter.
Clear Water: Thanks for reviewing! Yes, I also thought it was a nice change to explore the world of Warriors through the eyes of a deaf kit/apprentice. I'm not sure if exploring Snowkit's character in the original series would have worked, since the plot was already so complicated. We have Bluestar's mental state, her kits, the dog pack, Tigerstar, Brightpaw's injury, etc… However, I definitely agree that the Erin Hunters should have addressed a cat with a disability similar to Snowkit's in one of the many other Warrior books.
Enjoy the newest chapter!
Snowkit sat in Healer's den, helping her clean up some herbs he had scattered after tumbling into them, trying to chase a feather he had found near the prey pile. He picked up the hairy leaves and star-shaped flowers, and then placed them into a rock crevice. Healer swept up what was left with her tail, and placed them with the other herbs.
Snowkit turned around when he noticed the fern tunnel rustling out of the corner of his eye. His mother walked into the den, her large paws leaving footprints in the layer of herb dust that covered the floor.
Snowkit got to his paws, and was about to pad towards his mother when he stopped abruptly. He froze; he had a strange sensation that something was different, but he couldn't quite place it. He sat quietly, thinking. His mother didn't seem much different; her golden, speckled fur was as sleek as ever, and her amber eyes burned with the unwavering fire of a kit-mother. Granted, her fur was starting to gray, and she seemed a little shorter, but she was still much taller than he was.
Wait, cats can't shrink!
Am I the one who grew?
Snowkit nuzzled his mother in greeting, and then slowly backed towards a pool as the tabby kit-mother approached Healer. He glanced down, and flicked his ears in surprise. It had been a while since he had last seen himself, and he was startled by how mature he looked. His kitten fluff had given way to thick, glossy fur; his face had narrowed into a pointed muzzle, differing from the flat snout of a young kit.
He glanced towards his mother and Healer, and suddenly a pale ginger she-cat burst through the den's entrance. Sand's chest heaved, as if from a long run, and she motioned urgently for Healer to follow. She gasped for air, her leaf-green eyes wide open in shock. Snowkit's mother and Healer shared a horrified look. Healer quickly grabbed a bundle of herbs, and followed Sand out of the den. Snowkit quickly followed, and was just able to see the tip of Sand's tail leaving the gorse tunnel, with Healer close behind.
Speckles came out of Healer's den. She sat beside Snowkit, using her tail to protectively pull him closer. Cats looked curiously towards the camp entrance, quickly separating into small groups. His mother stroked his back with her tail, and then padded towards the warriors den.
Frost was just walking out; her blue eyes looked tired, and her fur was flattened on one side, like she had just taken a nap. Snowkit's mother approached the pure white warrior, her amber eyes showing a fleeting reluctance. Speckles sat, flattening her fur to seem as nonthreatening and friendly as possible. Her eyes showed sympathy as Frost's expression suddenly became drained of all emotion.
A wild, fearful glint sparked in Frost's dark blue eyes. She ran past Snowkit's mother, heading towards the gorse tunnel. Two warriors leapt in front of her, holding her back. Frost struggled and slashed the air with her claws, accidentally scratching one of the warriors across the muzzle. She lashed her tail, and then collapsed and began sobbing.
White was comforting Frost, who was now crouching low, docile and feeble. Healer and Sand walked into camp; followed by the new warriors Cloud and Gray; and Deputy, his large ears twitching nervously. They were carrying a white and ginger she-cat with long scratches across her muzzle. As they turned to lower her into Healer's den, it revealed a missing eye, and not even the herbs plastered onto her wounds could hide the raw, red skin underneath.
Snowkit suddenly felt sick, and he ran to the nursery. He squeezed under the bramble bush, crouching in the the corner. Silver's kits glanced curiously at him, and Marble tilted her head. Snowkit turned his back to them, not able to get the image of Ginger's torn face out of his head.
What happened to Ginger!? What could give her wounds that bad?
Thoughts raced through Snowkit's mind, and his stomach turned. He lied on the small, mossy bed, and lied on his side, shutting his eyes against the memory of Ginger's disfigurement.
The bright sun hung high in the sky, it's rays shining of patches of sunlight that warmed the ground and created perfect areas for elders to nap and soothe their aching muscles.
Frost walked out of Healer's den, her blue eyes glittering with worry. Her steps were heavy, and her feathery tail drooping. Snowkit passed her as he walked towards Healer's den. He stopped, hesitating. He wanted to check and see how Ginger was doing, but he was afraid. Looking at her scars would make him wonder what caused them.
What in the forest could cause a cat that much harm?
He poked his head into the den. Ginger lied there, green herbs and silver strands pressed into her wounds. Cloud sat beside her, and he bent down to nuzzle her shredded ear. Her breathing was fast and shallow; she was awake, but very weak. Her one good eye was turned towards him, and her eye met his. She blinked slowly, showing no emotion. He blinked back, looking up as Healer came from the back of the den to put fresh herbs on Ginger's wounds.
Healer saw Snowkit, and used her muzzle to push him away from the den. Snowkit stood at the edge, and then padded away. He headed towards the fresh-kill pile, which was nearly bare of prey as the days grew colder and the sun set a little sooner. He snagged a scrawny bird, and was about to dig in when Leader walked out of her den. This was a rare sight; Leader rarely left her den anymore, only leaving to eat and preform ceremonies.
She scrambled onto the High Rock, and all the cats began to gather round. She beckoned Tawny and Claws forward, and then preformed the motions she did during Cloud's ceremony. Deputy and Brave stepped up to the kits, touching noses. A happy atmosphere settled over the camp, and the kits went to greet Golden and the other cats nearby.
Snowkit took three of his prey's colorful feathers.
Silver's kits will like these. There's not a lot of birds anymore.
He glanced towards Tawny and Claws, who tried to act mature, but their excitement was betrayed by their swishing tails. Brave motioned towards the camp entrance, and the cats quickly left.
Why are the warriors taking kits out of camp? Isn't that against the rules?
Snowkit looked around, but nobody seemed too concerned that the deputy and a warrior were taking kits out of the camp.
Maybe they're learners now.
Snowkit sniffed.
But I'm older than them. Shouldn't I have been made an apprentice?
If they're learners now, that must mean Deputy and Brave are their teachers. But I thought Brave was going to be my teacher!
Snowkit started pacing anxiously, and then spotted Ginger leaving Healer's den. She stepped extremely cautiously, as if she was afraid even the grass itself would leap up and attack her. She got some prey from the fresh-kill pile, and then hastened back to the den.
I don't have a right to complain. I might be old enough to be a learner, but Ginger is past the age needed to become a warrior. And there's no way she can become a warrior now that she's half-blind.
Snowkit thought for a moment, and then brightened as an idea popped in to his head.
Maybe if I act like a learner; make moss beds, practice fighting moves, help Healer organized herbs... Maybe they'll let me become one. I can truly earn my place in the clan!
Snowkit unsheathed his claws as he thought of his glorious further as a warrior.
I'll show them! I will be the best warrior these cats have ever seen! Snowkit declared, promising himself that he would not stay a helpless kit forever.
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