Firekit crouched low, tensing his muscles. Then he leaped towards Robinkit, paws shooting out in front of him. His brother tried to duck aside, but Firekit landed right beside him and flashed a paw out. Robinkit's paws were swept out in front of him and he let out a yowl of laughter as he rolled over, grasping at the bigger tomkit.
Winterkit grumbled as he paced, stretching his legs to keep warm. Leaf-fall had arrived and in southeast the forest was ablaze with red and gold. In Windclan lands the heather and gorse were flowering and the rabbits still running well, allowing the clan to fatten up before the chilling moons of Leafbare. "It's too cold for games. Gah, they'll be at it all morning now." He complained, hopping out of the way the tussling ball of red and cream fur rolled towards him. He spat after them crossly, but as usual, the brothers were all but oblivious to the other kits.
Pearlkit was stretched out on a low rock nearby, with Ambrosiakit drowsing beside her, the two she-kits soaking up the pale sun. "Leave them be." She purred tolerantly to her brother. "They're having fun."
Winterkit grumbled, then broke into a trot, fluffing out his fur. "They could watch where they're going." He sniffed, as Firekit yowled at Robinkit and pinned him down. "That move Father showed us works great!"
The kits were all out in the middle of the clearing, where it was warmest. Cheetahflight and her kits were there as well, but even though Flowerkit and Larchkit had been suckled alongside Winterkit and Pearlkit, like their mother they were somewhat standoffish in nature. They preferred to play on their own and were some lengths away, batting a bracken ball to one another.
Cheetahflight was meant to be watching the youngsters, but she rarely paid any attention to the clan kits, even her own two. She had vanished into the elder's den after the dawn and hunting patrols left for the morning. In turn her daughters didn't pay any attention. They were laughing and yowling, almost as rambunctious as Firekit and Robinkit.
The flash of a shadow passing over made Pearlkit glance up. The young silver and white tabby froze when she saw the wide wingspan and cruel hooked claws closing down on them. "Hawk!" She cried, rolling off the rock and pulling Ambrosiakit with her. Firekit and Robinkit both looked up at the same time - the hawk was swooping at the smaller of the two toms. Firekit reacted instantly. He puffed every hair on his pelt up, extended his claws, and reared up to swipe at the bird of prey. His claws caught three soft feathers and tore them free. But large for his four moons he may have been, he was no match for a hawk. Dark-feathered wings beat strongly in Firekit's face and a talon sliced around the base of his ear, narrowly missing his face as he was bowled over backwards. Winterkit was in motion, all but dragging Pearlkit to safety in the nursery. Firekit leaped back to his paws as the hawk swooped overhead again, a terrible screech ringing in their ears. "Robinkit, Ambrosiakit, get inside!" Firekit snapped, flattening his ears to his head and flanking the open space between himself and the other kits. For a moment the hawk glared down and Firekit glimpsed a cold yellow and black eye that made his tail bristle in horror. Deciding the fiery red tabby kit standing defiant, claws waiting, was too difficult a target, the hawk swooped onward, striking at a different victim. Firekit didn't realize where the raptor was headed until it was too late. Flowerkit let out a horrible cry as the hawk sunk its talons into her sides. The bird struck out at Larchkit cowering on the ground with her eyes tightly closed, ripping into her neck. She crumpled without a sound. Then wings flared and the hawk took off into the skies, taking Flowerkit with it.
Firekit, panting, blood trickling unnoticed down the side of his face, backed up to the nursery entrance. Winterkit, Robinkit, Pearlkit and Ambrosiakit were all piled in the entrance in a tangle of faces stacked atop one another. It would have been a funny site, except they were staring at him like he'd grown a second head.
"You fought a hawk." Robinkit whispered, stunned, while Pearlkit and Ambrosiakit exchanged a distraught glance over Larchkit and Flowerkit. Cheetahflight suddenly erupted from the Elder's den, her eyes wide. "My kits! Where are they?!" She demanded, then spotted Larchkit's body, her tiny, underfed frame unable to replenish the blood lost in the hawk's attack. "My KIT!" Wailed the queen, falling at Larchkit's side. Firekit, still feeling equal parts shock and daring in the wake of the events, could only stare.
"She never cared about them in life. Why now?" Firekit sat back on his haunches, bewildered and shocked by the entire ordeal. Robinkit, with a tentative glance skyward, squeezed by the others to join his brother outside. "You're right." He agreed, his yellow eyes solemn, no trace of a joke for such a grim topic. All five kits had been affected by the attack, and even little Ambrosiakit seemed suddenly more mature than her moons.
"Where were you?" Winterkit addressed Cheetahflight, and his voice was accusing. He didn't share Firekit's size or subsequent presence, but he was long legged and muscular, his body proportions closer now to what he would look as an apprentice. He looked like anything but the kit he was now, facing down the negligent queen with narrowed eyes.
"You were meant to be protecting us." Pearlkit whispered when Cheetahflight only stared blankly at the line of kits facing her. Cheetahflight opened her mouth, then looked down at Larchkit, saying nothing.
"It should not be they who suffered for your mistake." Ambrosiakit meowed gravely, the truth of the words sounding all the more strongly in her sweet soprano. Cheetahflight let out a yowl, struck out at the air, then crumbled in a heap.
"What happened here?" Dreamstar had just arrived back from a patrol, with Oakfur, Ravenpelt and his apprentice, Desertpaw, all staring in shock at the distraught mother and the fallen kit. As soon as he realized who they were Oakfur let out a hoarse cry and ran to his mate and daughter's side. "But... but where's Flowerkit?" Asked the warrior helplessly. It was Firekit who answered. "A hawk attacked us. It took Flowerkit and killed Larchkit." He meowed softly. Robinkit pressed his fur comfortingly to his brother's side. Dreamstar turned to Ravenpelt. "Take Desertpaw and a warrior and scout the borders in case it's still within the territory." She ordered. The black and white tom nodded and called to Dusksky, who was just arriving back after hunting with a young rabbit. He briefly explained to the older warrior what was happening and immedately he dropped his catch where it was and darted out of the camp with Ravenpelt, Desertpaw speeding after them.
Dreamstar turned to examine the scene. "Is any cat hurt? Firekit, your ear is bleeding." Dreamstar came forward to sniff at him. Firekit ducked, embarrassed, but Robinkit piped up immediately. "Firekit saved me from the hawk! It was coming right for me and he attacked it! It tore his ear off!" He exclaimed, exaggerating events slightly in the aftermath of the attack. Dreamstar's green eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Is that right Firekit?"
"I wasn't even thinking. I just couldn't let it get Robinkit - I didn't know it would go after Larchkit and Flowerkit." Mumbled Firekit, as it had dawned on him that his actions defending his brother may have cost the two older kits their lives. Ambrosiakit sat down on his other side, and Winterkit and Pearlkit crowded behind him.
"You were thinking." Ambrosiakit pointed out softly, her blue eyes on Firekit's troubled golden ones. "You told Robinkit and I to get inside."
"No cat could have known what the hawk would do." Winterkit defended his actions as well. "It might have gotten all of us without what you did." Firekit glanced up in surprise at his friends. It was unlike Winterkit to praise anybody so freely, and Ambrosiakit would usually be too shy to speak in front of Dreamstar.
Dreamstar stood looking down at the clan kits gazing steadily back at her. She could see their fear in their still-fluffed out pelts and tails, but they had crossed an invisible marker that every Windclan cat had to cross. Windclan - rugged, enduring, exposed to the elements, might have been known for their small size, but Dreamstar knew their hearts, and their courage, matched that of Lionclan themselves.
"Firekit, go and see Cloverleaf to get your ear seen to." Dreamstar directed. "The rest of you, back inside." Firekit touched his nosed to Robinkit's briefly as Dreamstar jumped onto Tallrock, scanning the skies with a distant expression.
Cloverleaf's drafty den was seldom visited by kits, even adventurous ones. The old medicine cat was not known for his forgiving nature and Firekit had never even set paw inside before now. The den was long-disused fox earth and the young red tom lingered uncertainly in the entrance. He could hear a dark voice muttering below him, the earth causing the sound to echo ominously.
"Death and destruction... not a familiar face anywhere. Poppy be damned, I'll never sleep after this... omens form the sky, warnings, messages, must be sure..."
"Cloverleaf?" Firekit called softly, stepping inside and peering into the gloom. He eyed several chewed-up leaf scraps scattered untidy over the threshold. Weren't herbs scarce in Leaf-Fall? Shouldn't Cloverleaf be taking better care of the herbs he had?
"Firekit." Cloverleaf's voice sounded normal and the muttering faded away. The tom's distracted face loomed into view. "I knew it would be you. It could be no other." He growled, and Firekit blinked in surprise, not understanding what he meant. Cloverleaf barely paused to sniff the kit's ear. "Keep it clean." He ordered, and turned away. Firekit took a single step after him, puzzled. "I don't need any herbs?"
"I have nothing." Snapped Cloverleaf, without turning to look back at him. "There is nothing, only us. Holding on by a claw... claws... great claws from the sky. Taking our herbs, leaving us none, taking our clan, leaving us none."
Firekit eyed Cloverleaf's back in alarm. He sounded madder than a hare. "Okay... I'll just... keep it clean then." He began to back up, while the medicine cat continued muttering as if he hadn't even heard.
Dreamstar jumped down from Tallrock as Firekit slowly trekked back across the clearing, lifting his head to look at the sky. It was growing dark, though Silverpelt were not yet visible. Firekit felt a flash of sadness. Flowerkit, Larchkit, I'm so sorry. I ought to have protected you, too.
He was so caught up in his plea he didn't notice the leader approaching him and started when her voice came out of the twilight. "You're not afraid?"
Firekit stilled his already faltering steps. "Not for myself." He confessed. "I never... thought it could be so sudden. That your clanmate... one of your own family even... could be snatched away before you could do anything."
He hung his head, but Dreamstar gently flicked his chin with her tailtip, making him look up. "You did do something, Firekit. Your actions most certainly saved your brother, perhaps every other kit. Only Starclan knows when our time will come to join their ranks. Worrying about that time will gain you no favour or skill."
Firekit realized Dreamstar was telling him something important. He glanced to his left side, where Robinkit usually stood, suddenly missing his brother greatly even though he was safely in the nursery just across the camp. He wished Robinkit was hearing these wise words from their leader, as well.
"Firekit, you are large for your age. And today you demonstrated exceptional bravery in the face of danger." Dreamstar paused. "Would you like to begin your apprenticeship? I believe you to be ready."
Firekit was stunned. Dreamstar wanted him to become an apprentice?! His first instinct was to agree instantly - how proud his parents would be! But then he glanced to his left side and felt the absence of Robinkit even more strongly than he had a few moments ago. "Just... just me, Dreamstar?" He asked haltingly.
Dreamstar smiled slightly. "Your friends, and your brother, have not grown quite as swiftly as you. It would be safer if they waited."
Firekit made up his mind. "Then... if it's alright Dreamstar... I'd like to wait for Robinkit. I wouldn't want him to be left out."
Dreamstar did not seem surprised by his answer. She briefly touched her muzzle between his ears. "You are a loyal clan cat already, Firekit. I look forward to the day you join us as a Warrior, and may our enenmies beware on that day. Yes, you will get your wish. For now you and Robinkit will remain in the nursery until the customary six months."
"Thank you, Dreamstar." Firekit struggled to expression his emotions, trying to come up with the right words. Usually Robinkit was the only one he shared his deepest feelings with, and he often understood them without the need for words. In the end he respectfully licked Dreamstar's shoulder, the way he'd seen apprentices do. "I am... honored." He murmured. Dreamstar nodded and gestured with her tail. "Get back to your brother now." She said gently. Firekit bounded off, and as he went Dreamstar noticed a tiny drop of blood trickle from the base of his ear. She frowned - had there been any trace of herb scent upon him? She didn't believe there had been. Surely they weren't so short of herbs so early in the season, there was none for an ailing kit? For a moment she debated on going to question Cloverleaf, then she sighed and shook her head wearily. It had been a long day - and nobody needed more unrest.