Cloudpaw slid out of the apprentices' den, her heart aching. What had she done? She had turned her beloved sister into a bloodthirsty monster. Ashpaw's dark pelt stood out against Marshpaw's as they shared a mouse nearby. Mallowpaw and Morningpaw sat farther away, their cream pelts blending together.
"Let all cats old enough to hunt for themselves gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Gingerstar called, her ginger pelt glowing in the dimming sunlight. Something seemed to be bothering her. "Before I give you the reason why I called you here, I would like to announce the birth of Briarpelt's five kits. Four toms and a she-cat. The toms are Sootkit, Pantherkit, Tinykit and Graykit, while the she-cat is Lilykit. We are proud to have so many healthy kits in our Clan, especially at times of such trouble. The sunhigh patrol has returned with some worrying news. RiverClan has been sending border patrols around their scent markers, and started a fight with the patrol when they tried to patrol the stolen territory. We won the battle, but RiverClan refuses to give up." After the yowls of outrage died down, Gingerstar continued. "For now, I want sunhigh patrols to avoid RiverClan territory. Dawn patrols will leave earlier and sundown patrols later, to avoid the RiverClan border patrols. The two earlier patrols will mark the real border. We have to show them we won't give up. Also, all hunting patrols that go near RiverClan will need at least three warriors." Te clan began murmuring, ready to leave, but Gingerstar silenced them again. "Going back to Briarpelt's kits, it is about time Cloudpaw received a new mentor since her old one is unable to train her. Dewfrost, you have been a warrior long enough to be able to train an apprentice. You will complete Cloudpaw's training." Dewfrost and Cloudpaw padded forward, touching noses as if Cloudpaw had just been named. Happiness flowed through the white she-cat. No more constant elder duties!
"It is a bit late now, but tomorrow you can show me how far you are on fighting moves." Dewfrost meowed. Cloudpaw nodded. Ashpaw bounded over.
"Congratulations! I also get to leave camp again. Bramblestream has given me the okay." She announced happily.
"Great!" Cloudpaw mewed. Though, her mew was only halfhearted. Their talk with Lightkit still nagged at the back of her mind. How could she be really happy if her sister was a bloodthirsty killer?
"Still thinking about Lightkit?" Ashpaw growled as they made their way back to the apprentices' den. Cloudpaw gave a little nod. "Well, let it go. There is nothing we can do about. Let her live how she likes." Ashpaw growled.
"How can you say that? Lightkit is our sister!" Cloudpaw protested.
"Which is why we should let her be. She seems happy, and we have to respect that." Ashpaw explained. "However much we don't like it." She added pointedly.
"I've only been told to respect my elders." Cloudpaw grumbled bitterly. Cloudpaw bounded the rest of the way to the apprentices' den. She slid inside and curled up in her nest next to Morningpaw, who had just curled up as well. Ashpaw appeared moments later with Marshpaw by her side. They curled up close together. Cloudpaw sighed. How come Ashpaw had a mate and she didn't?
"Ashpaw, Cloudpaw! Time to go training." Dewfrost's voice brought Cloudpaw from her dreams of evil Lightkit. Her nightmare had consisted of Lightkit taking over the forest, and she had to shake off the tingling in her spine before following Ashpaw to meet her new mentor outside. Icestorm was there as well, pausing momentarily from her cleaning before giving a few more licks and finishing her quick wash.
"You two ready for some battle training? Ashpaw, I want to make sure your moon of rest hasn't caused you to lose your fighting skills." Icestorm explained. Ashpaw nodded. Cloudpaw followed the three she-cats halfheartedly.
Yes, I know we already have Lilypool, but Briarpelt's kits are my new kittens that we rescued when their mommy died. Lucky, also known as Tinykit, almost died, and was actually half dead when we got him. He is an adorable tiny black kit, and so entertaining. He was the first to learn to clean himself. Lilykit is the only female, Lelie, a small gray tabby with black markings and her almost identical brother is Blackkit, also known as Buster, who is also a tabby with lighter markings and fatter. Pantherkit is one of my favs, though first has been switched to Lelie, and is Shou Shou in the real world. I'm not completely cure how to spell it right, but my sis says it is cabbage in French. Last is Fat Louie, also known as Graykit. See the resemblance with Graystripe? At one point or more it said he ate a lot, and Louie definitely eats a lot. Fattest of our five kittens. He likes to climb up you and clean your face. The cuties are only a month old and have their eyes open.