AN/ Okay, guys. I lied. I had every intention of publishing this right after chapter three, but as I wrote the chapter I realized something: It sucked. Badly. So I re-wrote it. It's still not very good, but it's better.
Spot led Stripe down the hill. It was a little easier this time because she knew the way, but Stripe kept stopping to gape at the scenery. As they reached the horse place she realized the flaw in her plan: they would have to cross Windclan territory.
Her mind was whirring, thinking about everything she knew about Windclan's lake territory. Suddenly she remembered: along the banks of the lake, there was a stretch of land a claw length under water. If they were very careful, the could go that way!
"Stripe, I need you to trust me. We are going to go a way that's kind of damp. We'll have to be really careful." She hoped her brother wouldn't do something foolish, like try to swim..
"I'll be really careful." He had the same look on his face kits always did before they tried to climb the Highrock or some such. She was slightly worried.
She led him down to the bank, where they carefully waded through the shallow water.
"If this is what you call damp, I'd hate to see your definition of soaked." Stripe muttered, slipping in the gentle tide for the fifth time.
Spottedleaf didn't worry about his negativity. Soon enough they'd be home. Albeit wet, hungry and bone tired, but still home.
Dawn had broken by the time she smelled Thunderclan sent markers. She nearly bounced across the border, leaving Stripe in the dust.
"Can we rest? I'm exhausted!" Stripe pleaded.
"No, silly! We are almost there. Just a few moments!" She was exhausted too, but they were so close!
Indeed, within a few moments they ran into a small Thunderclan patrol.
"Kits! Whitewing, come here!" Thornclaw yelled.
"Oh, the poor dears! You're soaking wet! We need to get you back to camp! Quickly!" Whitewing picked Stripe up by the scruff and motioned for Thornclaw to do the same with her.
"I can walk!" She protested weakly. It was obvious she couldn't. Thornclaw picked her up.
"What are your names?" Whitewing asked around the awkward bundle in her mouth.
"I'm Spot, and he's Stripe." She almost said Spottedleaf, but caught her mistake. It wouldn't do to scare them.
They were soon at camp, and were greeted by gasps. Bramblestar was sitting in the clearing and quickly saw them. He bounded over to them as the warriors set them down.
"Who are the kits? Where is their mother?"
"Our mother was a rogue. She died, so we came here." She lied so they wouldn't try to take them back before she could explain who she was.
"Send them to Brightheart in the nursery. I can talk to them when they rest." Bramblestar seemed tired as well. They were making his already stressful life as new leader after the battle even harder, she realized with a sinking feeling.
"Wait! I have to talk to Bramblestar alone!" This was her chance!
"Not now, dear. He's busy. You can come nap with my kits, then you can talk to him." Brightheart ushered them to the nursery.
It had been a long time since she had seen the nursery so full. Brightheart, Snowkit, Amberkit and Dewkit were there, plus Sorreltail, Seedkit and Lilykit. On top of that, Cinderheart was expecting Lionblaze's kits. Luckily, Seedkit and Lilykit would be having their apprenice ceremonies that very day. She already couldn't wait.
There were introductions, which she didn't pay much attention to. Stripe, however, seemed excited to meet Dewkit and Snowkit, the only other toms in the den. Spottedleaf, however, sat quietly by Amberkit.
"You'll love it here. Here we take care of each other! And we play games. But now Brightheart's going to make us sleep. We can play soon." Amberkit whispered to her.
Almost as soon as that was said, the queens sent them to sleep. She was grateful for the chance to sleep in Thunderclan again.
She and Stripe slept until sundown. Brightheart fed them and said they were going to Seedkit and Lilykit's ceremony.
All the clan padded into the clearing. Molepaw, Cherrypaw, Seedkit and Lilykit sat under the highledge. Bramblestar started the ceremony.
"Clan, today has been eventful! I'm sure you've all heard about the new kits in the clan, and I'd like to start by giving them their proper clan names. Spot, Stripe, come forward.""
She didn't know why this caught her off guard. Of course they would rename them! They went forward.
"Stripe, you have come to be a part of this clan, and as such you must have a proper name, as all names have power. You will now be known as Stripekit."
Stripekit beamed and pranced back beside her. She stepped up.
"Spot, you have come to be a part of this clan, and as such you must have a proper , as all names have power. Yous will now be known as Spottedkit."
She was ridiculously happy to have here name back. as she went back to stand beside Brightheart, she relished in the clan chanting her name.
Brambelstar began again, making Seedkit into Seedpaw and Blossomfall's apprentice. She was surprised, however, when Lilypaw became Jayfeather's apprentice. Cherrypaw became Cherryblossom and Molepaw became Molefang.
Everyone seemed content, They all looked forward to a good night's sleep with Cherryblossom and Molefang on watch.
After their long naps, though, Spottedkit and Stripekit looked forward to a long night pretending to sleep.
AN/Just a question, does anyone else get as annoyed as heck when all your warriors words get underlined red?