"But the hearts of small children are delicate organs. A cruel beginning in this world can twist them into curious shapes. The heart of a hurt child can shrink so that forever afterward it is hard and pitted as the seed of a peach. Or again, the heart of such a child may fester and swell until it is a misery to carry within the body, easily chafed and hurt by the most ordinary things."
― Carson McCullers
Applefall's P.O.V
"Aspenflame! Aspenflame!"
I snickered from the corner if the den. I watched the new warrior through the shadows of the nursery. There was that mouse-brained kit Skykit. I can't believe she thought Aspenflame actually was her friend. That puny medicine cat, Swiftfire maybe, but no, not him.
Not Aspenflame, strong warrior of ShadowClan
Not to mention, high-ranking warrior of the Rebellion.
Of course, frog-brained Skykit messed up his ceremony. I growled under my breath, lashing my tail roughly against the ground.
Aspemflame is so lucky being leader's son. Hazelstar used to always listen to me until I killed her monster was useless anyway. Maybe Aspenflame can convince her to let him be Skykit's mentor. And if "something" horrible happens to our dearest deputy, Hailfoot, he can ask her to make me the deputy. If he doesn't, I'll just threaten to tell everyone about the Rebellion. Of course, I would have to have Rosekit for Swiftfire's apprentice, but I would train her secretly. Train her to be the strongest, cruelest, most savage cat the Clans had ever seen. Skykit is getting much to close to that weak, useless medicine cat. Skykit is lucky she's the chosen one for the Rebellion, or else I would of killed her long ago. Either way, Hailfoot has to go.
Oh, yes. Something would happen to the deputy. And that something would be me.
Skykit's P.O.V
The chanting abruptly stopped as Rosekit let out a yowl louder than anything I had ever heard. Cats turned and stared at me, and I felt the angry glare of Aspenflame. My teeth were still embedded in Rosekit's fluffy tail, and I felt a trickle of blood run down my chin. Rosekit turned to me fuming, her fur on its ends.
"You piece of fox dung! What in the name of Starclan was that for?!" She hissed, baring her teeth, her breathing heavy.
"Skykit! What is the meaning of this?" Hazelstar's cold voice made my blood go icy. I stared wide-eyed at her.
I dropped Rosekit's tail, and Swiftfire stepped through the crowd to pick up Rosekit and go treat her in the medicine cat den. She shot me a glare, then went back to looking at Swiftfire with tear filled eyes. Swiftfire looked back and gave me a look that said, we'll discuss this later.
Her tail was mangled and badly bleeding, and I didn't feel bad about. Of course, I wasn't guilty or anything. Just look at what she did to me. Anger filled glares were shot at me, as I huffed away, with a silent flick of my tail.
There There, Skykit. You did the absolutely right thing. The voice snickered inside my head again. I wondered what it was. But, then again, I had tons of time for that later.
Thank you. I replied back in my head.
I settled into my dry nest in the corner of the nursery. Fortunately, no cat had bothered to follow me. I liked it that way.
A figure slipped through the den. Amber eyes shone in the darkness. Those pairs of eyes anyone, like me, could recognize.
"What do you want Applefall?" I hiss, flatting my ears. She rolled her eyes, scoffing a bit.
"Your flesh under my long claws." She confessed, like any normal cat could say to another.
I hissed, and leaned forward. "I don't think so snake-heart!"
And I flung myself at Applefall snarling. I clinged onto her back digging my claws in deep. She screeched kicking her hind legs back. I used all my force still clinging onto her back. She hissed, rolling onto her back, so I could roll off.
"You monster! Have you not learnt your lesson! Don't mess with me-" Applefall paused, getting back on her paws. She stared at me, then slashed her long claws against my chest. "Or it'll be your father's story repeated once again!"
I growled. "What did you do to my father?!" Applefall just rolled her eyes, and padded away. I could practically hear her telling the other warriors how I attacked her for no reason.
I scoffed softly, as I cornered myself in a confined corner. I kept my ears perked, trying to keep listen of what the other warrior were saying. Smokegrass was arguing on with Hazelstar over something. Something I couldn't exactly get my paw on. A sudden voice boomed from outside the nursery. Frightened I yelped and leaped a bit into the air.
"Everyone quiet! Every cat will stay out of the nursery! Every mother and kit out now! Warriors and Apprentices get your lazy bums to work now! And you Swiftfire, take care of Rosekit and Applefall immediately." Hazelstar ended up softer than she started. I sighed, tightening my tail around my mitts. The clan went dead silent. I peaked out of to find Hazelstar facing towards the nursery.
Hazelstar hesitated for a moment, then padded into the nursery.
"Skykit..." I stopped her by raising, my paw to silence her.
"I know what you're going to tell me." I mewed as softly as I can.
Hmmm. This will be quite interesting. Don't you think?
Shut up, voice.
Call me... Hmm...Secret.
Sure, fine, whatever. I'm totally not creeped out by the fact I'm having a full on telepathic conversation with some thing in my mind.
Oh Skykit, you humor me.
Coming back to reality, I realized Hazelstar was observing me, like an owl. A calm and relaxed expression on her face. I scoffed.
Say something insulting.
To the leader? You sure?
Of course I'm sure. You're a kit. She'll forgive you.
"Whats the matter, cat got your tounge?" I said, a bit weakly. She grumbled and shot me a glare.
"Skykit, that is no way to talk to me. Forget about me, That is no way to talk to anybody! Whoever is teaching you that, you've got to spill it out. I am not going to tolerate this behavior!" She hissed, keeping her voice exceptionally low.
Applefall taught you.
"You can say-" I smacked my lips together. I raised my head, to look past the den entrance.
"Applefall taught me." I finished. Hesitantly, I bought my paw over and licked it.
"Well that doesn't explain, why you attacked Applefall? Not to mention Rosekit." She said, looking at me straight in the eye.
"I never said that - " I got up and paced around. I faced her letting out a out of laughter, throwing my head back.
"You asked me who taught me, this insulting thing. I told you it was Applefall. Simple as that. I never said anything about that being the reason I attacked her."
Hazelstar looked at me for a jist.
"Anyway, because of this, along with your lack of size, your apprentice ceremony will be put back one moon. Rosekit will become an apprentice before you."
"I don't think lack of size should be a problem really. You see I can run faster due to my ehm - what's the word? - oh yeah. Lack of fat." I snicker. I scrunch my nose up, and sigh settling on my bum.
That's a good Skykit.
"You're smart. - Just like your father." She claimed. I stayed silent at the mention of my father's name. Hazelstar leaned in, her emerald orbs bright. She stayed silent for a while. I refused to break contact with them. Even though it was a bit tempting.
"Why'd you do it Skyit? Why did you bit your sisters tail? Why'd you attack Applefall? What made you do it?" She asked softly. She continued to stare into me. It was like - like she was reading my soul or something. Creepy.
"I must say that's none of your business. So stop butting your nose into it." I said, mewing the last bit softly. She looked away, staring at the den wall.
"Damn right, it's my business." She muttered. I don't think she intended me to hear that. I shifted my paws uncomfortably, letting out a heavy sigh. Hazelstar jumped out of her haze and coughed.
"I know there's good somewhere in there. It's not far either Skykit." She paused, straightening her posture. She met my gaze again, this time harder.
"Due to your behavior, there are two things I will be setting in place. One, as I already told you, your apprentice ceremony will be delayed. Two, you will be having counselling sessions with Swiftfire every morning. Are things clear?" She looked through me again. I gulped.
It had to be Swifty eh?
Shut up, secret.
Ohhh, have fun Skykit. At least you'll spend time with Swifty. Oh and don't argue. For the sake of Swifty.
Don't call him Swifty - it sounds weird.
Will do. 'Secret' paused.
Swifty.
Hazelstar was still waiting for an answer once I snapped back to reality. I nodded, letting my long tail loose.
"Things are clear Hazelstar." She nodded and exited the den.
"Good. Now get some rest. I'm afraid, I'll have to inform the clan. Rosekit's ceremony will be as soon as her tail is healed." She mewed, before leaving the den. I rolled my eyes.
"Like I needed to know that." I stood, curling up into my dry nest.
I focused my eyes on the cats moving on and about outside. I shrunk back, as the prince, peeked into the nursery. He caught my eyes and didn't look away. Giving up, I looked away down to the ground.
The nursery was empty. Fernheart had left the nursery and resumed her duties.
Shaking my head, I closed my eyes.
Who are you? What are you? I asked, to the voice.
I'm afraid, that's for you to find out yourself, Skykit.
Sighing, I settled my head on my mitts. I could hear Hazelstar 'confirming' the clan. I shut my eyes tightly.
It's funny cause I've heard the exact same words. Although, from another soul.
So, so, so. How was that chapter?
Jay and Thunder have something very important.
Oh by the way. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Erik and I manage Jay's and Thunder's communication between their readers and so. Back to the point, Due to an ehm- inconvenience, J&T cannot use the gigantic majority of the OC's people have submitted. Like seriously, five or six. know those times when story plot changes all of a sudden. Yeah, that happened.
J&T are incredibly sorry! Thank you all for your support. R&R.
J&T just remembered, THANK YOU FOR 50 REVIEWS! THEY APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH!
QOTD:
Do you think Hazelstar is leaning towards the evil side or the good side? In other words,
Does she like Skykit?