Chapter 4: Fear

Hi! I don't' have much to say again. CIAO!

Blossomkit froze, her pelt pricking with horror. Her mother's eyes looked glazed with fear. "Graysky was on that patrol," she whispered. "S-She wanted to go out and help her Clan…I need to help her!" Breezefeather let out a screech and raced out of the nursery. Blossomkit galloped after her, fear making her belly pang.

"I want to join that patrol to stop ThunderClan! My best friend is there!" Breezefeather begged the WindClan leader. Lynxstar dipped her head.

"Rainstep! Take Breezefeather, Flamedusk, Blueblossom, Flowertail, and Stonecloud to fight ThunderClan!" the leader snapped at her deputy. "Oakplet, Hazelclaw, and Lionbite you're with me. The rest of you guard camp! We'll trail their battle patrol and fight when given a signal! GO!" The golden she-cat let out a yowl and both patrols streamed out of the entrance.

Blossomkit watched in horror as her mother let out a snarl and race out of the camp, her paws barely touching the ground. She raced over to Graysky's kits, pelt spiking with unease. "My mother is no that patrol!" she cried.

"Our mother was on the patrol that got attacked!" Mintkit wailed. How could I be so insensitive? Their mother is being attacked!

"I-I'm sorry," she whimpered, crouching low to the ground. Stormkit padded up to her and licked her ears.

"It's ok, Blossomkit," he whispered. Fernkit nodded in agreement, but Mintkit jumped into her nest and crouched there in silence. I'm sorry, Mintkit!

Suddenly a yowl in the distance pierced the air and Vixenbreeze ran into the nursery, the elder's following closely behind. "Kits, Rosefoot and Blackwing are going to stay in here with you in case the fight gets to camp," she mewed reassuringly. Blossomkit and her den-mates nodded. The medicine cat's presence made her feel more at ease. She had grown fond of Vixenbreeze.

"V-Vixenbreeze?" she whimpered. The ginger she-cat turned her head and bent down. "A-Are cats going to…d-die?" The medicine cat apprentice flattened her ears

"I-I don't think so, little flower. The warrior code says you mustn't kill, but ThunderClan cats have always been snake-hearts. They seem to throw the code around like a piece of prey. But StarClan will keep our clan-mates," she promised. Blossomkit purred and nuzzled the medicine cat's cheek.

"Yeah! Our mothers are strong and know how to fight! WindClan is the strongest," Fernkit yowled. Blackwing snapped his head, his eyes lit up with amusement as he gazed at the kit.

"You'll be a great leader." A purr rasped in his throat, making Blossomkit tremble. She smiled, the fear partially lifted off her shoulder.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lynxstar and her warriors limped into camp. Vixenbreeze dashed out of the nursery to help Treeheart treat wounds. All four kits also ran out of the nursery, eager to see their mothers and fathers. "Mother!" Blossomkit wailed.

She crawled around the warriors' paws, careful not to get stepped on. She noticed the worst wound was coming from Rainstep, who's shoulder was bleeding heavily. Treeheart was immediately treating the deputy while Vixenbreeze turned to Lynxstar, but the leader quickly turned her away. "Treat my Clan before me," she said, eyes blazing. The medicine cat apprentice dipped her head and left to treat her clan-mates.

Blossomkit tore her gaze away from the leader to Breezefeather. Her mother was huddled near Graysky, licking the cut on her cheek. To her relief, both queens looked safe. "Mother!" The black and white queen turned to look at her kits and bounded towards her.

"Oh what was I thinking?! Leaving you alone. Thank StarClan the skirmish didn't advance to camp," she purred, rubbing and cheek against Blossomkit's muzzle. She felt herself purring as her mother fussed over her, licking her fur until she was sodden.

Suddenly a yowl broke through the buzz of the clearing as everyone turned to look at Lynxstar, standing proudly on top of the fallen tree which her den lay under, protected my dead roots and heater stalks. "We have defeated those ThunderClan scum! They won't be invading our territory anytime soon after the scars we gave them! WindClan is victorious!"

"WindClan! WindClan! WindClan!" chanted the warriors. Lynxstar raised her muzzle and joined in on the cheering, her eyes sparkling with pride. And though her voice was small, Blossomkit celebrated alongside her clan-mates.

She noticed Flamedusk's eyes sparking with triumph as he chanted. Sadness stabbed her heart as she realized once again that the love she had for her father still burnt bright in her heart, though she was certain he didn't share the feeling. Is mother upset about Flamedusk? Does she still love him?

Later that night as Blossomkit laid next to her mother, she crinkled her nose. Breezefeather's fur stank of pungent odors Treeheart had applied to her cuts, making her small like a tangy leaf. Though smell or not, Blossomkit valued her mother's soft belly fur and warm breath.

She heard rustling and peered over her nest to see Fernkit waving at her with her golden tail. She mouthed a, "hello" and smiled cheekily.

"Go to sleep," Blossomkit hissed, amusement sparking in her silver-blue eyes. Her frined rolled her hazel eyes and curled up to sleep.

She's such a rabbit-brain! Purring, Blossomkit soon well asleep to the soft lull of her mother's gentle snores