Hey guys! So sorry again for not updating. I have a couple chapters that I've written beforehand, so I think I'll just post all of them in order to make up for my slacking and also because I love it when you guys review on my stuff! And if you don't remember what's going on, Robinflight just had Lightningblaze's four kits (Brookkit, Bramblekit, Hopekit, and Sunkit) the day before.
I woke up abruptly, startled by dream. Did I just get a dream about a prophecy? I tried to shrug the dream out of my mind, and by the time I got to the nursery I had done so.
Robinflight was still asleep and so were Dawnstripe and the kits. I stared down at them, smiling. Sunkit seemed to be awake, for he squirmed around mewled. By tomorrow they would be opening their eyes and starting to stand up.
I suddenly heard a tiny rustle behind me and I saw Peachkit crouched at the entrance of the nursery. She looked up at me and then her eyes widened in fear.
"I'm so sorry Lightningblaze! I just wanted to see the new kits but Rosefur wouldn't let me so I snuck in," Peachkit mewed.
"It's okay," a purr rumbled in my throat," You can come over here and see them."
Peachkit scuttled over to stand by my leg and she peered down at the tiny kits.
"They're names are Bramblekit, Brookkit, Hopekit, and Sunkit," I said as I pointed at each with my paw.
"Aw they're so cute!" Peachkit squealed a little too loudly.
Dawnstripe yawned and stretched until she was awake. She blinked her eyes a few times and then spotted Peachkit.
"Peachkit! You're not supposed to be in here!" Dawnstripe snapped.
"But Lightningblaze let me!" she protested.
"It's okay Dawnstripe, I let her come in here," I explained.
"Okay. Well let's take you back to the others before Rosefur realizes you are missing," Dawnstripe said as she led the little kit back outside.
Peachkit sighed and flicked her tail in farewell to me. I smiled and then curled up beside Robinflight. She must have been awake, because she nuzzled her head into my chest, purring happily.
"You know, I realized that in 4 moons I'll be so fed up with these naughty furballs that sometimes I'll wish I had never had them," Robinflight meowed.
"So let's treasure this moment before they can cause mischief of any kind," I replied.
Brookkit let out a sudden high-pitched wail and she pawed angrily at her brother. Sunkit squeaked and scrambled helplessly to get out of her way. I laughed.
"4 kits is a lot of kits though…" Robinflight sighed.
"It's more warriors for the clan," I told her.
"Yes I know but the clan has 10 kits right now. There are only 2 apprentices, but in the next 12 moons the clan will have 10 more warriors. Windclan will be huge!" she exclaimed.
"But remember that in the next 12 moons some of our clanmates will have passed and some of the senior warriors have moved into the elders den. Breezefur is definitely moving there soon; I'm tired of hearing him complain about his stiff joints and the silver hairs tinging his muzzle," I reminded her.
"That's true," she muttered.
We laid there for the longest time, until Adderfang came in.
"I heard about the kits," he said in a tone I could not describe.
"Yes, they're Windclan's next generation of little warriors," I said in an equally serious tone.
"What are their names?" he asked, suddenly sounding much more friendly.
Robinflight replied for me this time.
"They're names are Bramblekit, Brookkit, Hopekit, and Sunkit," she said.
"I'm sure they'll be strong warriors someday," he said.
Adderfang was clawing himself into the ground and his jaw was clenched shut. One eyelid was twitching slightly. He suddenly sprang to his paws and raced out of the den. I leaped to my feet and dashed after him.
I followed his scent all the way down to Moorstones, and then it abruptly stopped. I looked around for him, but he was nowhere to be found. I mumbled theories to myself, but none of them made sense. As I walked back to camp I decided to confront Adderfang with it later.
I entered camp and was about to enter the nursery when I felt Thrushpaw's tail on my shoulder.
"Hmm?" I asked.
"Birdsong wishes to see you," she told me.
I nodded and was about to ask her if she suspected anything about Adderfang, when Maplewhisker yowled at her and she raced out of camp along with Littlepaw and Mumblefoot.
I headed towards the medicine cat den and entered. Sweetflower sat there grooming herself while Birdsong sat there frowning.
"Thrushpaw said you wished to see me," I said.
"Ah yes. With the recent battles that we have had with Thunderclan and Riverclan our marigold supplies are empty. Sweetflower went to collect some yesterday but the area was covered in snow and destroyed by the frost. We have no marigold left and marigold is the best cure to put on wounds and infections. I need more immediately, but I wanted two escorts, especially since we must go to Shadowclan territory," Birdsong explained.
"Why are we going to Shadowclan territory rather than Riverclan or Thunderclan?" I asked.
"You are smart Lightningblaze, you should know this. We just had recent battles with both of these clans. Do you honestly think that they would be willing to give us herbs? Of course not! We are going through Riverclan territory to get to Shadowclan. We will ask Lilystem and Owleye if they have any marigold left to spare in their stores, or if we can gather some from their territory," she said.
I nodded, realizing that made sense.
"Now go and get Cloudstorm. He will be coming with us," Birdsong ordered.
I nodded and left the medicine cat den. Luckily I spotted Cloudstorm basking in the sun with Dawnstripe. Rosefur and Robinwing must have been looking over the kits.
"Birdsong needs two warrior escorts when she goes to Shadowclan territory to get marigold. And she chose you and me," I told him.
"Very well," Cloudstorm said.
He licked Dawnstripe between the ears and followed me into the medicine cat den. I snuck out real quick and wolfed down a mouse just as Birdsong finished explaining to Cloudstorm why we were going to Shadowclan territory. Then we left camp and started walking across the moor towards the Riverclan border.
"Will Riverclan let us pass?" I asked suspiciously.
"They should. Two warriors and a medicine cat is no threat to their clan. Though they will probably suspect there are more behind us, we should be able to pass. Their patrol will most likely lead us to other border," Cloudstorm explained.
"But what if the hostility between the two clans is still too high? What if they don't let us pass?" I asked.
"Don't be such a worry-rat Lightningblaze," Cloudstorm cuffed me over the ear.
"If Moonstar is still paranoid about our clan then we will try the Thunderclan border. They should let us through though because this is a medicine cat duty, and the warrior code allows us to pass in circumstances like this," Birdsong said.
I nodded, more convinced now.
Soon I spotted the reeds that marked the border between the two territories. We continued walking though, and I knew we were getting close to camp when the Riverclan deputy, Sageflower, and her hunting patrol spotted us.
"What are you doing so deep into Riverclan territory?" Sageflower snarled.
"We need to go to Shadowclan," Birdsong said.
"Why would anyone want to go visit those fox-hearted thieves?" Smokefoot snarled.
Stonepelt (Brambleberry's former mentor) hushed him.
"We need some herbs from Lilystem," Birdsong said.
"Then why do you have warriors with you if this is a medicine cat escort?" a tabby and white apprentice hissed.
"How mouse-brained would it be to send a lone medicine cat into another clan's territory?" Cloudstorm asked her.
When the apprentice didn't reply I answered for her.
"It would be very mouse-brained," I growled as I leaned forward so our faces were only inches apart.
"Fallowpaw quit stirring up unnecessary trouble," Smokefoot scolded her.
Fallowpaw dipped her head in respect for her mentor.
"Very well we will let you pass. We will escort you to the border. My patrol will finish hunting and wait for you at the Shadowclan border and we will escort you back across the territory. If you finish quickly, you must wait for us to return. We will wait for your return until halfway past sunhigh. Understand?" Sageflower ordered.
"Yes," we said together.
"Good."
We walked swiftly across the marshy ground through Riverclan territory. No cat said a word, except for Cloudstorm cursing as the mud stuck to his paws. Fallowpaw continued to glare at us as if we were the ultimate enemy. Whenever she did so I curled my lips into a snarl and she looked the other way, knowing that she could not attack me and even if she did I would most certainly win.
Once we reached the border I saw the tall pines stretching high up into the sky. We thanked Sageflower and all she did was flick her tail and her patrol left. Then we headed onto Shadowclan territory. Shadowclan cats must be used to invaders, because they had two warriors on patrol just sitting there watching the border. There was a dark ginger she-cat with a fluffy tail and a mottled gray she-cat with dark gray ears. We were only a tail-length onto their territory when they padded over to us, not looking very hostile. Shadowclan and Windclan have no quarrel because we do not fight over borders or prey.
"Hello. What are you doing here on our territory?" the ginger one asked in a sweet voice.
"So maybe Shadowclan isn't evil after all," Cloudstorm whispered in my ear so softly I could barely hear it.
"Gingerstreak these are our enemies. Do not treat them nicely," the gray one snapped.
"Yes Tangleberry…" Gingerstreak murmured as she looked down at her paws.
By the looks of it Gingerstreak was a new warrior, while Tangleberry was a senior warrior who was more hostile and experienced.
"Now what do you want?" Tangleberry snapped.
"We wish to speak to Lilystem," Birdsong said.
Tangleberry suddenly looked down and whispered," Lilystem walks with Starclan now."
I saw pain hurl itself at Birdsong and her eyes popped open wide.
"What happened?" Birdsong choked out.
"A loose badger on Shadowclan territory. Lilystem was going to collect some juniper berries when it killed her," Gingerstreak mumbled.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered to Birdsong as I laid my tail across her shoulders and licked her ear.
"It's okay," Birdsong sniffed," Can we please see Owleye then?"
"Of course," Tangleberry dipped her head," Please follow us."
We followed Tangleberry and Gingerstreak through the piney forest. In some spots the ground was grassy and soft with some snow on the ground while other spots were marshy and wet like in Riverclan.
"Come," Tangleberry said as we approached a large line of boulders.
Boulders had been scattered all around Shadowclan territory, so I would have never suspected this was their camp. The boulders had bracken and thorns weaved in between their spaces so the camp was secure. Tangleberry and Gingerstreak both suddenly slid underneath the rock that was in front of us. Cloudstorm, Birdsong, and I stood there as confused expressions drew up on our faces.
"Are you too scared?" Gingerstreak teased as her upper body peeped out from under the hole.
I shook my head.
"Then follow me," she said as she disappeared again.
I closed my eyes and crawled under the rock. Underneath the rock was a sort of hole that had been dug out by a cat. It was quite small, but I could easily slide underneath it and onto the other side.
As soon as I had reached the other side I realized Shadowclan camp was much like ours. I saw a few dens scattered around. Two of them were empty (probably the warriors and apprentices den), one of them two elderly cats were grooming each other outside of it, and another three kits pranced around while a queen watched them outside of it.
The ground was flat and cold, it was hard-packed dirt. The fresh-kill pile was small and contained a lizard and two frogs. It looked disgusting.
The three kits squealed and scrambled over to us.
"Who are these funny smelling cats?" a light brown tom asked.
I turned around and saw Cloudstorm and Birdsong behind me. Birdsong seemed completely at home here, and she still seemed sad. Cloudstorm's nose was shriveled up at the putrid stench of Shadowclan, and he seemed eager to leave.
"Why does it smell so bad over here?" I looked over and saw a pale ginger tom standing by Gingerstreak's paws.
"They are not funny smelling Coyotekit. And they are from Windclan. They wish to speak to Owleye," Gingerstreak told him.
"Are we being invaded?" the pale gray queen asked as she padded up to Gingerstreak.
"Relax Opalcloud. Does one medicine cat and two warriors look like a threat to you?" Gingerstreak asked.
"No. But I don't want my kits anywhere near them. Come on you three! Olivekit quit playing with Gingerstreak's tail!" Opalcloud ordered as she glared at her black kit.
"Sorry Mama," Olivekit meowed.
"Move along Olivekit. You too Tinykit," Gingerstreak told them.
Olivekit ran after Coyotekit, while Tinykit (brown tom with two black paws and one black ear) tried to catch up.
"Kits…" Gingerstreak muttered as she shook her head.
I turned and saw Tangleberry walking towards us.
"Owleye can see you now," Tangleberry told us.
Birdsong nodded and took the lead as we entered a den that was formed out of bracken and a half broken rock. A mottled brown tabby tom was sitting there peacefully when we entered.
"Hello Birdsong," he dipped his head in greeting," What are you here for?"
Even though Owleye was a medicine cat, he seemed to hold more hostility to us than any cat in Shadowclan had so far.
"Our stock of marigold is running very low right now, and there is only one spot to collect it on our territory. But the marigold there is dead and destroyed by frost. I was wondering if you had any that we could have," Birdsong said.
Owleye suddenly seemed a little brighter.
"Of course. Follow me," he said.
We followed him back out of camp, with Gingerstreak and Tangleberry still following us.
Owleye led us deep into Shadowclan territory until we came to small clearing with plenty of herbs. Birdsong came up to the marigold and ordered us to pick a few mouthfuls. I got just enough so I could talk and hopefully be understood but the marigold wouldn't fall out. Cloudstorm and Birdsong did the same thing.
"Thank you Owleye. And I am very sorry about Lilystem…she was a close friend of mine," Birdsong said.
"Anytime. And yes, we have all grieved deeply for her," Owleye sighed.
And with that the medicine cat walked off.
"Come on. We will lead you back to the border," Tangleberry said.
We walked back to the border and I stood by Gingerstreak the whole time. We talked and she told me about her family (Her sister Opalcloud, her brother Dustfang, and her mother Cinderdapple) and how much she loves Shadowclan. I told her about my family (Goosestar, Lilyfoot, and Thrushpaw) and then I told her about Robinflight and my newborn kits. By then though we had reached the border. I flicked my tail over Gingerstreak's ear in farewell and she smiled and said," See you at the Gathering."
I nodded and then turned around to join Sageflower's angry-looking patrol. They led us back to our own territory, and did not say goodbye. Instead they hissed at us before disappearing through the reeds.
"What a bunch of stuck-up cats," Cloudstorm snorted.
"Very. At least the Shadowclan cats were friendly," I said.
"Well I think you were getting a little too friendly with Gingerstreak," Cloudstorm meowed.
"I was just being nice. Besides, we can be friends with cats in Shadowclan. We will never meet them in battle over borders," I said.
Cloudstorm snorted but said nothing else. I assumed he was wondering why any cat would want to have friends in Shadowclan.
We entered camp and put the marigold in the medicine cat den. Sweetflower and Birdsong thanked us greatly and then started to store the herbs. Cloudstorm went over to get some prey. I couldn't get the taste of the marigold out of my mouth, so I went to drink some water at the lake.
I left camp, promising myself that I would visit Robinflight and the kits as soon as I returned. I ran down the moor towards the lake, relishing the feeling of the rush of the wind through my fur. I realized that Robinwing may never enjoy this feeling. Instead she enjoys the feeling of the waves of the lake lapping against her belly. What would the kits enjoy? The water or the wind? Or both? I would have to remember to ask them when they became apprentices or warriors.
I approached the lake and soon realized I would have to get my paws to wet in order to get a good drink of water. I grimaced as I stepped into the lake up to my ankles. The water was freezing cold, but as I dipped my muzzle into the water and lapped some up I realized it was very refreshing. The marigold taste was clear from my mouth. I leaped back up onto the snow and walked back to camp. I slipped into the nursery to check on the Robinflight and the kits when I saw that the kits were opening their eyes and walking around on wobbly legs.
"Mama, who's that?" Sunkit turned to look at me with a pair of gleaming amber eyes.
Now he looks even more like Lionfang. I thought.
I pushed the thought away and made sure it didn't bother me. He was my kit. My son. It was just a coincidence. Maybe this was Starclan's way of showing that even though Lionfang still loved Robinflight, but I had won the battle.
"That's your Father, Lightningblaze," Robinflight said.
Bramblekit stumbled over to me (she seemed like the kit that was most accustomed to walking right now) and looked up at me with yellow eyes. My yellow eyes. I smiled.
"Mama says you are a strong and brave warrior," she said as she blinked her large eyes and looked up at me.
I stifled a purr and said," Well I'm sure she thinks that. Someday you will be a strong and brave warrior too…just like me."
"Really?"
It was Hopekit that spoke this time. She had pale blue eyes, and was curled up against Robinflight's chest. I wondered if she was too scared to get up, or if she was just resting.
"Yes, really. Someday all four of you will be better warriors than me," I told them.
"Will we be bigger than you?" Brookkit asked.
Robinflight laughed.
"I don't think any of you will grow bigger than your father," she chuckled.
"Well how do you know?" Sunkit challenged her.
Robinflight shrugged and as Sunkit continued to stare at me as I saw Brookkit behind him in a crouch as she waggled her haunches, her tail sticking straight up in the air and a wicked smile on her face. Her green eyes (I recognized them as Robinflight's eyes) gleamed with slyness. She leaped onto Sunkit's back and they both fell to the moss pawing at each other. I saw a warrior's swipe as Sunkit pawed at his sister's muzzle and Brookkit had him pinned down in a good position.
"Quit it you two! I don't want you to wake up Dawnstripe's kits," Robinflight scolded them.
"Wake up who?" Jetkit asked as his head popped up over his Mother's back. Dawnstripe was curled up in her nest with her back facing to us and her kits at her belly.
"You," I hissed at him.
"Oh," he said as Dawnstripe prodded him and he lay down again.
"Where are Snowkit, Hawkkit, Turtlekit, and Rosefur?" I asked.
"Rosefur is keeping them occupied outside right now to give me another day of peace and quiet," Robinflight replied.
I nodded when I heard Goosestar's yowl ring around the clearing, calling the clan together for a clan meeting.
"What's going on?" Bramblekit asked.
"A clan meeting," I told her.
"Really? Can we come?" Brookkit mewed.
"You can sit outside the nursery with me and listen to the clan meeting. But you must not say a peep and you must sit tall and proud and sit right next to me," Robinflight ordered.
"Yay!" Sunkit squealed as he scrambled outside the nursery.
I sat down right outside and pulled Sunkit back by his tail just as he was about to go running off to greet all the cats. A few of the warriors had their heads turned to look at the kits leaving the nursery for the first time. Robinflight followed Hopekit, who was the last one out. Surprisingly Hopekit walked perfectly on her legs, unlike her siblings.
"I see the newest members of our clan are here at the meeting," Goosestar nodded from up on Highrock towards us.
All of the clan turned their heads towards us, and then back at Goosestar.
"Who's the cat on the big rock?" Sunkit whispered in my ear.
"That's Goosestar. He's our clan leader," I hissed back.
Sunkit nodded and then grew quiet.
"But today we are focused on another cat," he said as his gazed turned to Turtlekit.
"Turtlekit is now the age of 6 moons, and it is time for his apprenticeship to start. Turtlekit, from now on until your warrior ceremony you will be known as Turtlepaw and your mentor will be Cloudstorm," Goosestar said.
Cloudstorm walked up to his new apprentice and they touched noses. Turtlepaw was shaking with excitement.
"Acorntail and I taught you strength and wisdom Cloudstorm, and I hope you pass on these traits on to Turtlepaw," Goosestar dipped his head to them.
Cloudstorm nodded slowly.
"This clan meeting is over," Goosestar said as he leaped off of Highrock.
Slowly the clan began to disperse and a few cats left for the evening patrol.
"That's it?" I heard disappointment seeping into Sunkit's mew.
"Yes. Why? What were you expecting?" I asked him.
"Something cooler. Anyway, is Turtlepaw a warrior now?" he asked.
"No. He is an apprentice and now he has started his training to become a warrior," I said.
"I wanna be an apprentice!" Brookkit meowed.
"Not yet. You have lots to learn and much to grow before you can become an apprentice," Robinflight told her.
"Turtlepaw will you promise to visit us in the nursery?" Hawkkit asked him.
"Sure. I can teach you battle moves later," Turtlepaw shrugged.
"No you're not. I don't want you injuring Hawkkit. He will learn battle moves in his own time," Rosefur said as she wrapped her tail protectively around the kit.
Even though Hawkkit and Snowkit weren't her real kits she had become a Mother to them, and Snowkit and Hawkkit had accepted that.
"Hey look! Robinflight's kits have opened their eyes!" Snowkit meowed, distracting Hawkkit from his frustration.
"Can we show them around camp?" Snowkit asked me.
"Sure. Just keep them out of trouble," I nodded.
Snowkit smiled and walked up to the kits.
"Hi! I'm Snowkit!" she meowed.
"Are you a warrior?" Bramblekit asked her.
"Of course she's not mouse-brain! She's just a kit like us," Brookkit snorted as she cuffed her sister over the ear and nearly fell as she did so.
"This is my brother Hawkkit. Do you want us to show you around camp?" she asked.
"Yes please!" Hopekit squealed.
"But I wanna explore camp-" Sunkit started but I flicked my tail over his mouth, quieting him.
I had known exactly what he wanted to say. He had wanted to say that he wanted to explore the camp by himself. I had wanted to do the same thing, but Lilyfoot had insisted I go with Adderfang (Adderpaw then). I was frustrated, but she told me a good warrior always listens to his clanmates.
"Do not protest Sunkit. A good warrior always listens to his clanmates, no matter whether they are older or younger than you," I told him.
When Sunkit heard that a good warrior listens to his clanmates he grudgingly began to follow the others as they headed to the elders' den. I smiled and saw the sun slowly beginning to set. I looked down at the fresh-kill pile, and realized how empty it was. I grabbed a mouse and took it to Robinflight. She wolfed it down, and I decided I wouldn't eat anything tonight.
The kits were all going back into the nursery and all the other cats were slowly retreating back to their dens. I followed the others into their dens when suddenly Goosestar raced up unto Highrock and yowled another clan meeting.
"Stay in here this time," I heard Robinflight order as she sat outside the nursery.
I went over to sit by Thrushpaw and Littlepaw.
"I have just spoken with Maplewhisker and Lilyfoot, and we all agree that it is time for two new warriors to join our clan. Thrushpaw and Littlepaw, come and join me up here on Highrock," Goosestar smiled.
The two apprentices blinked in shock for a second and then leaped onto Highrock. I felt joy for Thrushpaw and Littlepaw flowing through me.
"Lilyfoot and Maplewhisker, have your apprentices learned everything they possibly can from you?" Goosestar asked.
The two mentors nodded.
"Thrushpaw and Littlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?" he asked.
"I do," they meowed at the same time.
"Then Starclan will grant you your warrior names. Thrushpaw, from now on you will be known as Thrushwhisker. Starclan thanks you for your honesty and courage. Littlepaw, from now on you will be known as Littlesong. Starclan thanks you for your bravery and endurance," Goosestar said.
"Thrushwhisker! Littlesong!" I heard Birdsong start the yowling.
I was surprised. Normally the parents of the kits start the chanting. None of the other cats seemed to notice though. I cheered along for them as they received gratitude from their clanmates. I congratulated them both as my eyelids began to droop. I trudged over to the warriors den and crawled into my nest. I fell asleep almost instantly.
Aww, I love writing about kits! It's so cute. Anyways, I've heard that it helps a writer to write lemons. So I've decided to start doing that. I'm not sure if any of you readers are interested in that kind of stuff, so if you're not then don't read it haha. But if you are, the first chapter is about Windclan cats from this story here. I'd like reviews and suggestions for future pairs (Erin Hunter cats or my cats) on that story. Thanks so much, love you guys (:
