"NO!"
Ravensong yelled as he pounced on the big dog. Landing on its face he clawed making the dog howl in pain. He moved his head side to side, trying to fling off Ravensong, but his claws were buried too deep in the dog's face to be thrown off. The little dog decided to join in on the battle for he leaped towards Smokekit. His teeth drawn back in snarl he prepared to bite the dapple kit. The little dog gave a sharp cry as Darkpaw slammed her head against his body. Her fur bristling with fear however she did not back down.
"Don't touch that kit!" She hissed. She pounced on the dog again and together they rolled, locked in a ball of scratches and bites. Smokekit froze in fear as he watched the two older cats fight with their lives on the line. We can't do this! We aren't going to win! The odor of the catmint he still held lifted into his nostrils. It made him think of Dawnkit; their poor sister was drastically ill in Shadowclan; they did not have time to fight. We have to make it back or we won't be the only cats dead before moonrise.
Beside him Firekit crouched down, her eyes widen and her catmint on the floor. She trembled with fear at the sight of the battle. She flinched as dog blood splattered her face; Ravensong was biting down hard on the dog's leg. Smokekit tried to nudge his sister up, but when she refused to move he grabbed her by her scruff, dropping some catmint while doing so. With great strength he dragged Firekit out of the yard.
When they were safe on the other side, he gave Firekit a few licks to comfort her shakes. Her eyes were shut tight and she gave whimpers for they could still hear the commotion of the fight. Smokekit looked at gate and drew back his ears as his stomach tightened. Will they be able to win? The gate began to shake before Darkpaw and Ravensong ran out of the hole; Blood trailed them as they ran. Darkpaw ran with a limp as her hind leg was given a bite that stung. Smokekit thanked Starclan as he realized that both cats had received little injuries that did not require a medicine cat's assistance. The only scars that out shown the others were the scars on Ravensong's face, but that was given by a hawk. With a sigh he sat next to Darkpaw and helped wash the apprentice's fur, ridding her of blood. Firekit helped their father clean himself. They shared of moment of silence while doing this, allowing themselves to calm down from the battle. When all the cats finished resting they continued their journey.
"I…I dropped my catmint." Admitted Firekit before they set off; her face clearly showed that she was disappointed in herself. She was quite surprised when Ravensong ran his tail over her.
"Don't worry, you were scared. All cats get scared now and then."
Darkpaw and Smokekit agreed with Ravensong, helping Firekit cheer up. With a nod of a silent command all cats started to walk back into the pine forest. They had no trouble finding their way again and with the snow stopping it made it easier to move through the white fluff. However, every once in a while Ravensong and Darkpaw had to lift the kits when they sank to deep. When they were only three fox lengths away from camp Ravensong halted.
"You two go ahead," he used his tail to point to Darkpaw and Firekit, "I want to speak with Smokekit alone."
The gray kit's eyes widen in surprise, this was abnormal. His hearted started to race in fear of what his father might do to him alone. But he's not just my father, he's my clanmate. Clanmates don't hurt each other…right? He was not the only one suspicious of Ravensong's command. Darkpaw narrowed her eyes studying the black warrior. He leveled her stare with his own; After a few heart beats she agreed giving a warning meow before leaving.
Smokekit watched them walking away and longed to run or wail to them. He did not want to be left alone with his father. Glancing up at the black warrior he saw the clawed face, he half wondered if his father blamed him for that too. He's going to yell at me for putting Firekit in danger! He opened his mouth to explain to his father why he had taken Firekit with him, but Ravensong used his tail to cover his mouth. Taking the signal, he shut his mouth closed. The black tom bent down and in fear of being bit, Smokekit closed his eyes and flinched. However, instead of teeth his fur was met with a rough tongue- Ravensong's tongue. Smokekit opened his yellow eyes and blinked a few times in confusion. He…he showed me affection! Smokekit glanced at Ravensong, his father's scarred face was brimming with pride.
"You were willing to sacrifice yourself for your sister- both sisters." Meowed Ravensong as he referred to how Smokekit's shielded Firekit when the hawk threatened them. "That was brave a thing to do. I…I'm …proud…" The black tom said no more, he just continued to walk forward. Smokekit smiled, his father that shunned him and blamed him for Sweetrose's death was finally getting over his grief. He gladly followed his father into camp, his steps lighter with happiness. Both my sisters are alive. We can all be a happy family again.
When he reached the camp he saw Darkpaw giving the catmint to Sparrowwing. Ravensong was speaking to Moonstar and Hazelflame, and Firekit went to find Cindercloud. With happiness fueling his feet, the kit ran to Sparrowwing and Darkpaw.
"…so with their help we carried the catmint back."
"Well it is more than enough for young Dawnkit. Now go find your mentor, I heard she was looking for you." Darkpaw dipped her head to Sparrowwing before leaving. Sparrowwing looked at Smokekit and smiled. The medicine cat stood and faced his den, gesturing with his tail for the kit to follow him before entering. Smokekit happily obliged.
"Go wake your sister; I'll be fixing the catmint."
"Alright!" With a small dash, Smokekit raced to his sister's side. Her condition had worsened, her ginger pelt was cold and she had horrible smell radiating from her. Her eyes were shut tight as yellow crust found there seemed to seal them shut. He frowned as he noticed how shallow her breathing must be, for he didn't seem to see her sides move. Still, with one paw he nudged her gently.
"Dawnkit…Dawnkit it is time to wake. We brought catmint."
The ginger kit did not budge, she body was oddly stiff observed Smokekit.
"Dawnkit?" Panic was beginning to make way into his heart. He used both paws and shoved her. "DAWNKIT!"
He pretty much yelled, his paws trembling. She's acting just like…just like… The white-red dappled queen lying stiff in a pool of blood was making her into his mind. He shook himself, "Sparrowwing! She isn't waking up!"
The medicine cat made his way to the kits in two jumps- his face was spelled with worry. He first sniffed the kit before, putting his ear against her chest. His eyes widen before closing and letting out a sigh. He sat upright, facing Smokekit he frowned.
"I'm afraid it's too late. She gone…"
Smokekit faced the medicine cat with a frozen stance. His eyes widen in disbelief and his heart seemed to break-again. His eyes stung, as he struggled to breathe. She's gone…she's gone…Unable to fight it anymore, he collapsed to the ground. Sparrowwing stood over him, his tail brushing Smokekit for some comfort. The dark kit looked at his sister's still body begging the lifeless kit to wake-up, to move, but like his mother her body showed no life returning.
Firekit walked in the medicine den, her tail held high, with happiness, plummeted to the ground at the scene. She slowly made her way over, her paw steps heavy with shock and horror. Her fur spiked as she shook her head:
" It can't be…we did this for her…"
Firekit fell beside Smokekit and rested her head on his shoulder, but her gaze was locked in with Dawnkit. She shook as she whimpered in sorrow. The death cut her in agony for she was close to Dawnkit. Sparrowwing left the kits in silence as he went to go find Ravensong. Smokekit continued to gaze at the body. A cold breeze made his ear's flick and his nose twitch. His eyes widened as he realized he recognized the scent of the wind!
Picking up his head, he noticed two familiar cats. One a beautiful gray she-cat– Rainfur! – and the other was a white she-cat with red dapple, his heart twisted at the sight of her …Sweetrose… Sweetrose nosed Dawnkit's body and at first appeared like smoke – white, star-filled, smoke – was Dawnkit herself. Mother and kit brushed cheeks, then looked at Smokekit as he realized they knew he was watching them. "Good-bye brother, I know we will meet again.." Dawnkit followed Sweetrose, they began to pad forward until their bodies illuminated and vanished; Rainfur stayed behind. "Chin up kit, you have a cursed life but great things will come from it-I promise." Meowed Cindercloud before vanishing like his Starclan kin. Did Firekit see this? Smokekit turned to his sister, but she fell asleep from grief. With a lick, Smokekit left his sister.
Trudging outside of the medicine den, Smokekit saw Cindercloud and Ravensong huddled together. Sparrowwing told them the news of Dawnkit's death. Ravensong trembled and he muttered something before looking at the sky that was now turning gray. Cindercloud placed her head on the black tom's right shoulder, though she was not their mother Cindercloud cared for them and Dawnkit's death hurt her as well. Smokekit took two steps towards them before deciding to let them grieve on their own. He continued to walk to the nursery, his mind on Rainfur. The Starclan cat always appeared to him before a death- was it her fault! The young kit found himself growling at the thought of the Starclan cat. He was too focused on Rainfur he did not see Darkpaw until he practically bumped into her.
"I heard about Dawnkit. I'm sorry."
"Why? You didn't do anything, why would you be sorry?" He hissed. Darkpaw flinched, afraid she might of upset him she continued:
"It's just I would be lost with Bramblepaw, so I can imagine how you feel."
"Yeah! You can only imagine how I feel! Don't try to comfort me you don't know what I am going through!" Smokekit pushed through Darkpaw and ran to the nursery. He glanced over his shoulder before heading in the entrance. His anger died out as he saw the look of hurt in her eyes. They looked into each other's eyes for a few heartbeats before Smokekit walked into the den. Darkpaw's concerned blue eyes filled his head. I must remember to apologize to her. She is the only who understands how could I say she doesn't. With an uneasy-guilt filled stomach and a broken heart Smokekit closed his eyes and slept.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself a familiar forest. Squirrels and mice scurried the place, looking for food. A warm breeze brushed past Smokekit and he was able to detect the scent of that she-cat.
"It's always nice here." He commented
"Yes, it is."
"Why did you bring me here?"
"To talk to you…I need you to understand why…why Dawnkit had to die." Smokekit gave a growl and for being a kit he looked threatening. His eyes were blazing with fury as spat:
"She didn't have to die!" He unsheathed his claws, his dapple pelt bristling with grief and anger. Rainfur remained calm but her ear gave a nervous flick. She stood in silence trying to summon the right words to calm the kit.
"For your sake- for the clan's sake, she had to. It was so you could learn a lesson. This is all leading up to you becoming a great leader." She said.
"I don't want to be leader! Not if it means every cat I love dies!"
"Unfortunately, you can't stop their fate. Starclan has already planned this path for you my dear Smokekit."
Her gaze soften and she blinked with sympathy. He spat at her he didn't need her sympathy, he wanted his sister back. He wanted his mother. He closed his eyes hoping to wake up and be in the nursery with Sweetrose and Dawnkit and Firekit. This is just a horrible nightmare! Rainfur ran her tail over him.
"Starclan is cruel…" he muttered
"Life is cruel, you just have to move forward. Please understand it's for the good of the clan. You will be an amazing leader." For all his grief, pride made its way in his eyes. He puffed out his chest. Rainfur smiled glad to give the kit some joyful news, but how long would his pain last? How long would the kit fight his ancestors on becoming a leader-her smile faulted. She looked at the kit knowing that his life would only become harder.
After a few heartbeats Smokekit spoke up: "What lesson am I supposed to learn?" he asked facing the gray Starclan she-cat. He was ready for his answer, but she shook her head much to his disappointment.
"You will learn when you are old enough to understand. For now," she glanced at his extended claws, "you must sheathe your claws. Remember Smokekit not every battle must be fought with tooth and claw!" Her voice changed aggressively and Smokekit flinched to her words. It seems easier though…He did not say his thoughts aloud he only nodded before fading to other dreams.
Rainfur left her spot to join the others at the pool. Her pelt sparkled as she ran meowing her greetings to other cats as she ran by, but was vaguely aware of them. The gray kit was still on her mind. His vicious face and sharp claws, he was a threat and would destroy Shadowclan within a few moons of being a leader. He needs to learn, grief will only make him become wiser! Her heart twisted in sympathy for the kit that was destined to walk a lonely path; however she knew it was for the good of the clan.
She stopped running and walked to the others when they were in sight. The first cat she saw was Sweetrose, the stars glistening in her pelt illuminated her beauty. As she turned to face Rainfur her mouth wore a frown. Dawnkit laid beside her asleep; still getting over the realization of joining Starclan.
"She understands, thankfully, why she had to join us." Said Sweetrose as Rainfur grew closer. The gray she-cat flicked her tail inn anger.
"Doesn't mean she isn't disappointed." She snapped at the queen.
"Yes, but she does a good job hiding it." agreed Sweetrose. Together they faced the pond. The red dappled queen was never happy about her son's future and Rainfur did not blame her. Her son was destined to suffer no mother would ever wish that upon her kit- especially a mother like Sweetrose. Frostcloud- a dark blue tom with light gray paws- stepped forward. He was Shadowclan's medicine cat before Sparrowwing. He recognized the kit's destiny before any other Starclan cats. He pawed the Starclan pool, causing ripples to form. The blue pool started to shift images as the ripples took effect. A white cat with blacks paws and muzzle was shown. Sweetrose hissed at the image and Rainfur looked away in sadness. She muttered silently:
"..yet another cat he is destined to lose…."
Rainfur looked back at the pond and continued to watch what the future had planned. Her ears shot upper ward as she realized something, and it gave her a hint of bliss in her guilt. Losing someone doesn't necessarily mean death!
AUTHOR'S NOTE
MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANUKKAH! HAPPY THURSDAY! Here is your gift :)
Yes I have uploaded mulitple chapters of Smokestar's Path Yay! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
And yes Rainfur is correct there is more than one way to lose someone because if I just killed every cat in Smokekit's life then I think it would just
be repetitive and boring after a while.
CHARACTER:
Hazelflame: (Clan Deputy) Light Brown flowing whispy fur that looks like a flame when ungroomed. (Eyes) Green.
(Parents) Dustheart (Mother) Rockclaw (Father) (No Siblings)