Yay! I got it finished before I had to go! I've been speed-typing to get this done. Forgive me if I made any errors.

Hope you enjoy. :)


CHAPTER 7

~Rescue~

Stormkit sat in front of the leader's den, his head bowed and his amber eyes locked on his paws. Camp life carried on around them; cats padded in and out of their dens or sat sharing tongues in the warm patches of watery sunlight that dotted the clearing. He would sometimes sense their eyes on him; could almost feel their disappointment. They snuck out of SeaClan to warn their Clanmates about the battle, but the only thing they managed to do was make everything worse. Tigerkit sat to his left, glaring at every cat that passed by as if it were their fault they had messed up their father's plans.

But it wasn't their fault. It was his and his brother's. Stormkit wished he could just disappear just so they wouldn't have to stay sitting here as they waited for their father to get done with his talk with the deputy, Raveheart. He wasn't looking forward to it.

"Stormkit!" someone suddenly shouted from across the clearing. The little gray tom looked up to see two kits running toward him, tripping over their own paws in their excitement. He immediately recognized them as Hawkkit and Fawnkit. His two best friends for as long as he could remember.

"Hawkkit! Fawnkit!" he exclaimed happily, leaving his post outside the leader's den to meet them in the center of camp. As soon as they were close enough, Hawkkit leaped and barreled into him, and the two rolled on the ground, wrestling and laughing like they always did in between Stormkit's training sessions. Fawnkit stood and watched them, beaming in happiness.

"What are you doing here?" Hawkkit questioned when they had finished playing, his brown tabby fur sticking up all over the place.

"We thought you weren't coming back for another three moons," Fawnkit explained, amber eyes shining.

"FogClan's going to attack tonight," Stormkit meowed. "We came to warn everybody."

"But we already knew they were coming," Hawkkit mewed, cocking his head. "Our father told us that they attacked the patrol so that they'd come, and then we'd ambush them or something like that…"

"To weaken them," Fawnkit finished.

Stormkit bowed his head again, the joyfulness at seeing his two friends again fading into shame and embarrassment. "Yeah…" he mewed quietly. "We didn't know that…"

Fawnkit, sensing his unhappiness, immediately piped, "Well, we're glad you're back! We really missed you, even though it's only been a couple days."

"But it felt like forever," Hawkkit meowed. "I haven't had anyone to play with! Dewkit hates fighting, and Swiftkit and Thrushkit are meanies."

Swiftkit and Thrushkit. Probably the only things Stormkit didn't miss about FogClan. They were two brothers that enjoyed picking fights and causing mischief. They'd always given Hawkkit and Stormkit a hard time, and teased Fawnkit mercilessly. And they were Tigerkit's best friends.

"Sorry you have to deal with those two without me," Stormkit mewed grimly. "They must be annoying you more than ever now."

Hawkkit flicked his tail dismissively. "Nah. We can handle it. I just want to hear about what's happened while you were gone! What's SeaClan like? Is it as terrible as everyone says it is?"

Both kits leaned in, eager to hear what Stormkit had to say about his adventures. He grinned. He'd forgotten how much he missed these two.

But before he could answer, a shadow fell over him and a voice rumbled from behind him.

"Save the stories for later," Coldstar meowed. Stormkit turned to face him, his eyes wide. "My den. Now."

The gray tom turned and padded away, disappearing into the shadows of his den. Stormkit looked back at Hawkkit and Fawnkit, who looked sad and apologetic.

"Guess we'll go," Hawkkit grumbled.

"Good luck," Fawnkit added sympathetically.

"I'll see you guys later." Stormkit sighed as his two best friends nodded and padded off towards the nursery. Taking a deep breath, he turned and headed into the leader's den. He was not looking forward to this.

Inside, it was dark except for the sunlight spilling in behind him. The den was circular, with smooth stone walls with moss hanging down from the ceilings and growing on the sides. The only sign of life in the den was Coldstar's nest, pushed to the very back. Ravenheart sat next to the wall on Stormkit's left, and Tigerkit hunched in the center of the cave. Coldstar sat in front of his nest, his amber eyes flashing through the darkness.

"Sit," he meowed, and Stormkit settled next to Tigerkit, his heart pounding in his chest. Coldstar seemed calmer now, but there was something venomous in the way he looked at them, like he was keeping his anger and disappointment bottled up deep inside. That's what he always did; he kept his emotions hidden. But they were there.

"Ravenheart and I have been talking," Coldstar began, his voice icy and cold. "We have come up with a new battle plan, now that the old one will be useless. The SeaClan cats probably believe that you two were kidnapped by us and so they will come earlier now. You will be under Ravenheart's supervision for your remaining time here in FogClan, and will spend the rest of the day training with him. When the attack comes you do exactly what he says, you got that?"

"Yes, sir," Tigerkit grumbled. Stormkit nodded, a little disappointed that he would probably not be able to talk to Hawkkit and Fawnkit before they had to leave. He had been looking forward to spending the day with his friends, who he probably weren't going to see again for another three moons…

"Good," Coldstar meowed. His eyes flicked over to Ravenheart, who stood from where he sat by the wall. "Your training begins now."

"Come with me," Ravenheart said, turning to leave the den. Tigerkit got up and followed, his head still low. Stormkit cast a final glance at his father, who wouldn't meet his gaze, before turning and scurrying after the deputy.

As soon as they were outside in the sunlight, Ravenheart stopped and turned to them. Stormkit skidded to a halt to avoid running into him, looking up to the deputy's warm yellow eyes in surprise. Even Tigerkit looked up from his sulking to glare in annoyance at the black and white tom.

Ravenheart gave an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about your father," he meowed sincerely. "You two couldn't have known that we were already aware of the battle to come. I have to say that I am very impressed with your bravery."

Stormkit's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't been expecting that. "Really?"

Ravenheart nodded warmly. "Most kits do not have the courage to leave the safety of the nursery in the middle of the night in an attempt to save those they love. I probably wouldn't have been able to, when I was your age."

Stormkit was stunned. "Th-thank you!" he mewed gratefully. Now he wasn't so ashamed of what he had done.

Tigerkit, however, still looked resentful. "Whatever," he scowled, unconvinced.

Ravenheart didn't bother to say anything back to Tigerkit. Instead, he turned and flicked his tail for them to follow, grinning over his shoulder at them.

"Now. Let's go work on those battle skills."


"So, as far as I know you've mostly been taught offensive moves, am I correct?" Ravenheart questioned as they stood in the center of the training hollow. It was still morning, so the sunlight had not yet reached the clearing. It was a little chilly out, and a few clouds floated lazily across the pink-tinged sky. Stormkit could already tell it was going to be a beautiful day.

Since Tigerkit wasn't speaking, he decided to answer. "Yes."

Ravenheart nodded. "All right. So today we will focus on the defensive…"

Training carried on through the day. Tigerkit eventually stopped sulking; fighting had that effect on him. He was laughing and taunting Stormkit within ten minutes, and he was glad he had his brother back. Training in the hollow with his obnoxious brother and Ravenheart…Stormkit felt like he was home.

"I want to fight in the battle against SeaClan!" Tigerkit exclaimed, wriggling in excitement. "I could help!"

"Yeah right," Stormkit laughed. "All Sunstar would have to do is step on you."

Ravenheart chuckled from where he sat on the sidelines. "No, Tigerkit. You can't fight against SeaClan. You're on their side, remember?"

Tigerkit seemed to deflate a little, his nose wrinkling as he remembered that they were supposed to be SeaClan kits. "Oh yeah," he grumbled. "We have to go back soon…"

Stormkit's happiness faded, his smile slowly vanishing. He'd forgotten; they were on SeaClan's side. They weren't going to be home for much longer. He'd have to leave everything behind again. Hawkkit, Fawnkit, Coldstar…everyone.

"It will be okay," Ravenheart meowed sympathetically. "It's not like you'll be gone forever. Just remember that when all of this is over, you two will be the heroes of FogClan. There will be stories about you and what you did for your Clan. You two will become legends, greater than any cat before you."

Stormkit perked and lifted his head, his amber eyes wide. "Really…? You promise?"

Ravenheart smiled. "I promise."

Just then, a breeze picked up, stirring their fur and causing the leaves of the trees to quiver. Ravenheart suddenly froze, every muscle in his body tensing. A familiar scent drifted on the wind to Stormkit's nose, and he recognized it immediately. Salt and fish.

SeaClan.

"Come with me," Ravenheart meowed, his voice quiet and strained. He turned and quickly padded out of the clearing towards camp, and the two kits scurried after him. Stormkit's heart clenched in fear; they were coming.

Ravenheart lead them back through the entrance tunnel into camp, where cats were running around, preparing for battle. They had caught the scent, too. It looked like they were all assembling in the center of camp in a tight group, all facing the forest. Coldstar was at its front, his ice blue eyes staring straight out without any hint of emotion. They hurried past them, heading for the very back of camp.

"Stay in here," Ravenheart whispered, flicking his tail towards a little gap between two rocks that was backed against a bramble bush. Tigerkit hurried inside, and Stormkit followed. Stormkit turned to look at Ravenheart.

"What are you going to do?" he asked, his eyes wide.

"I'm going to guard you and fend off the SeaClan cats," the black and white tom meowed. "I'm going to let them through eventually, and when that happens I want you to act very happy to be saved. Make it believable, and don't worry about me."

Both kits nodded, and Ravenheart turned to block the gap from view. It was silent for a moment; even Tigerkit looked subdued, his blue eyes wide. Stormkit strained his ears, listening intently for the battle that was soon to come.

The silence dragged on, and Stormkit wondered if it was just a false alarm. But then a sound finally reached his ears; many, many paws drumming on the hard earth, cats running toward them. The fishy scent of SeaClan became stronger, and Stormkit realized, even though he couldn't see past Ravenheart, that the enemy cats were inside the camp.

"Where are the kits?" the voice of Sunstar demanded, causing Stormkit to jolt in surprise.

Coldstar, in a voice that was calm and cold, answered. "We do not have your kits."

"Lies!" another voice accused, one Stormkit didn't recognize. "Their scent leads to your border!"

"We know you have the kits!" Sunstar boomed. "Return them to us, and we will leave without a fight."

Coldstar laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. "You're imagining things, Sunstar. We do not have any kits of SeaClan's."

"Yell," Ravenheart whispered to them.

Stormkit's eyes widened. "What?"

"Say something!" he hissed.

"Help us!" Tigerkit shouted, causing Stormkit to jump. "We're here!"

"Shut up!" Ravenheart snarled maliciously, loud enough for the SeaClan cats to hear.

"Liar!" Sunstar roared. "SeaClan! Attack!"

Suddenly, cats were screeching and yowling and spitting in rage. The sounds of battle rang out through the clearing, and Stormkit backed away, pricking himself on the brambles behind him. He let out a little yelp, his heart pounding in his chest. He was glad he couldn't see it all.

But that luxury quickly vanished as Ravenheart suddenly yowled and disappeared from in front of the gap. Tigerkit, who had been trying to see the battle from behind Ravenheart, let out a surprised squeal and scrambled backwards, nearly falling on top of Stormkit. His whole body froze as he saw the chaos before him.

The two Clans were literally tearing each other apart. Claws flashed and scarlet blood glistened wetly on everything, glinting crimson in the sunlight. Wails of agony and screeches of fury met Stormkit's ears, and he stared, his mouth hanging open and his paws frozen in place, at the grisly sight of claws tearing through fur and teeth ripping through flesh before him. So much blood…

His view was suddenly blocked, and then a massive gray paw slammed into him from behind, knocking him out of the gap and into the camp. Ravenheart lay slumped in a pile of bloodied fur to his left, and Stormkit nearly chocked in horror at the sight. Great, StarClan! Did they kill him?

"Move!" the cat behind him shouted, and he was pushed through the clearing; right into the battleground. "Get to the entrance!"

Stormkit scrambled through the mass of writhing, spitting cats towards the entrance to camp, his heart pounding so hard he thought it would break through his ribcage. Paws trampled the ground around them, and numerous times Stormkit slipped on a puddle of blood or was knocked over by a cat as they ran screeching through the clearing. The gray cat stayed behind them, fending off every FogClan cat that came their way. He recognized each of them, and each time he resisted the urge to call out and tell the cat to Stop! You're killing my family!

Someone wailed in agony nearby, and a cat slammed to the ground right beside them, blood streaming down its face. He couldn't even tell if it was SeaClan or FogClan. He tried to focus on getting to the entrance; on getting out of this hell…

"No!" the black cat suddenly shouted behind them. "Sunstar!"

And suddenly he saw them. Sunstar and Coldstar, locked a writhing, screeching mass. Stormkit saw his father's paw flash out, the claws glinting in the sunlight. Saw it slash through ginger fur and flesh. Blood spattered the grass, and Sunstar slumped to the ground, his lifeblood spilling out onto the grass as the light left his eyes and he stilled, his mouth gaping open in a silent scream. He stared sightlessly at the sky.

And Coldstar stood over him, smiling, his teeth covered in blood.


That was the first time I saw someone die. And it was by my father's claws. That was the day when things began to change; when I started to take a step back and look at my father. Really look.

I didn't like what I saw.


Well, I guess I'll update when I get back. Hope you liked this chappy. Review if you did!